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Francis Bacon says knowledge is power. The creation of knowledge and its dissemina-tion largely depends on the creation of literary works. The great works of Shakespeare, da Vinci, Homer, Picasso, Milton, Tagore etc. have been a treasure trove of mankind. Human beings have enjoyed the work, been inspired by the work, taken joy and eternal bliss in such works. However, the creation of knowledge is dependent on pre-existing knowledge. Creators create a work which requires hard work, imagi-nation, creativity and which is incentivised by recognition of their work. The legal order of a couth society affords protection to such a work by copyright law & fair use. Fair use allows a person to use a work by duly acknowledging and referencing the work. Issue of plagiarism and abuse of fair use was aggravated by human greed. The economic implication of copyright infringement aggravated the whole issue. Referencing turned into war. The Bluebook, the Maroonbook, the ALWD, the APA and OSCOLA citation styles engaged in some kind of a war. Reference management systems like Zotero, Endnote, Mendeley etc. just fanned the flame. Disruptive and generative artificial intelligence has created a serious challenge to academic research. In this paper, the author attempts to delve into the inter-linkage of academic writing, research, citation, copyright, referencing mechanism and plagiarism in contempo-rary society, and the aftermath of it. The author attempts to investigate the challenges of writing and the protection of works vis-a-vis referencing tools and techniques

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the adoption of teleworking from home as an alternative to making operations viable for several companies, which implied adjustments in management models. Thus, this paper aims to identify the relationships among leadership styles (transactional and transformational), organizational climate, teleworker satisfaction, and manager incivility in the context of teleworking from home, in the short term and potentially on the long term. The quantitative research uses structural equation modeling estimated by partial least squares. The results show that both leadership styles and organizational climate positively impact teleworker satisfaction. Additionally, organizational climate partially mediates the relationships between leadership styles and teleworker satisfaction. However, the moderating effect of incivility is not confirmed. That contributes to the organization entirely or partially in a home office, a post-pandemic trend, or in new similar situations. The Theory of Adjustment highlights the relationship between the constructs studied in a virtual context, contributing to the field of people management studies.

Abstract: The paper intends to show that the Rise from Despair to Hope in Shakespeare’s Hamlet emerges as a significant societal transformation of Elizabethan land. The paper maintains that this social change reflects the upward movement of the Elizabethan society engaged on the way to familial and brotherhood reconstruction. This shift represents a new direction and by the way, constitutes a rewarding phase for Shakespeare because it celebrates the break with the past. By a sociocritical analysis, the paper also accesses the Elizabethan social shift with a ray of expectations since a new Elsinore is born from the ashes of the chaotic situation in which Claudius is the lead-promoter. Keywords: fratricide, brotherhood, reconstruction, despair, hope.

Abstract: Ibrahim Al-Koni is celebrated for his vivid depiction of the desert and its diverse inhabitants—humans, animals, and even flora—within a unified and innovative narrative framework. His literary works reveal the mysterious world of the Tuareg, delving into their psychological landscape and life philosophy, and examining a mindset nearly erased from our collective human consciousness. Al-Koni skillfully interlaces factual accounts with mythological elements, offering a reflection on human nature that is both deep and universally applicable. Al-Koni’s narratives, with their distinct focus on the desert and its fundamental life rituals, brilliantly expand these themes to address broader aspects of human culture, prompting critical questions about humanity’s relationship with the cosmos and nature. His creations provide a window into a critical segment of history and a cultural memory on the verge of fading. In Al-Koni's portrayal, desert inhabitants resist a sedentary existence, confronting the desert's inhospitable forces—a stark contrast to life—in pursuit of a freedom that resonates with their existential beliefs. The desert, with its severe austerity, exposes the essence of entities and tests the human soul against fate. This clash with the harsh desert landscape forces a profound reevaluation of existence from a uniquely different perspective. This paper seeks to clarify this perspective on life and existence as experienced by desert inhabitants, especially emphasizing the pivotal role of animals. These creatures exceed their functional roles, becoming companions and sources of inspiration. This analysis, centered on Al-Koni’s "The Bleeding of the Stone" and "Gold Dust," explores the depth of his engagement with and reverence for desert life despite its brutality. It investigates: How does Al-Koni depict the extraordinary symbiosis between humans and animals, particularly through the dappled Mahri camel and the Barbary sheep? Furthermore, how does he utilize the element of the sublime in his narratives, drawing from mythological constructs to shape the narrative structure? Keywords: Novel, Desert, Myths, Traditions, Human

Abstract: In higher education, fostering critical reading strategies across cultural literary contexts presents a formidable challenge. As educational paradigms shift towards interdisciplinary approaches, educators must grapple with the complex interplay of diverse cultural perspectives within the realm of literary analysis. This paper explores the significance of interdisciplinary perspectives in teaching critical reading skills, particularly in navigating the rich tapestry of cultural literary contexts. Drawing upon insights from various disciplines such as literature, cultural studies, and education, it examines strategies for effectively integrating diverse texts and methodologies into the curriculum. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges inherent in engaging students with interdisciplinary teaching strategies and offers recommendations for enhancing pedagogical practices. By embracing interdisciplinary approaches, educators can cultivate a more nuanced understanding of literature across cultural boundaries and empower students to critically engage with texts in an increasingly globalized world. Keywords: Fostering, literature, critical, reading, strategies

The paper focuses on the multi-faceted personality and work of Piero Calamandrei – an outstanding protagonist in the sphere of law, academia, institutions and culture – highlighting how many provisions of the Constitution are indebted to his proposals. In particular, Calamandrei contributed to the drafting of norms on civil rights, the constitutionalisation of social rights, and the protection of the autonomy and independence of the judiciary, an aspect to which the Author pays specific attention along with the principle of the separation of powers, which constitutes the ‘beating heart’ of the relations between politics and the judiciary.

The aim of this paper is to reconstruct the main features and historical-political reasons behind the presidentialism proposal advanced by Piero Calamandrei in the Constituent Assembly. The Author illustrates this proposal not only within the context of the Florentine jurist’s thought, but also within the broader field of institutional reforms and the Italian political system, highlighting the factors that undermine the stability of the executive.

The paper concerns the contribution given by Calamandrei with the Mexican conferences to the transformative constitutionalism that spread in Latin America. In particular, it dwells on the role of the judge as an engine of social transformation. After a brief introduction on the role of the judge in pre-1944 works, the Author emphasizes the liberal-socialist culture as the matrix of the social justice promised in the Republican Constitution. Secondly, the Author focuses on the inaugural conference of the 1950 International Congress, in which Calamandrei invites us to read the trial in the light of the constitutional principles of the welfare state. The Mexican conferences, in which the judge becomes an engine of social transformation, are then analysed. The paper concludes with an analysis of the legacy of the Mexican conferences in Latin America: the ‘transformative constitutionalism’.

The paper focuses on the Risorgimento roots of Piero Calamandrei’s thought, on his firm and open opposition to Fascism from the very beginning, and on his relationship with the Resistance. Through the pages of his Diary, the atmosphere of heavy oppression endured by many anti-fascist intellectuals is reconstructed. For Calamandrei, the liberation struggle became a historical moment of reconciliation not only with the ‘homeland’ vilified by Fascism, but also with the generation of which his son Franco was part, who had made a fundamental contribution to the Resistance.

Finally, in 2024, a unique tool for consulting the Calamandrei archives sees the light of day, thanks to the digitization of the fonds held at institutions and foundations located in Florence, Rome, Trento and Montepulciano. For the time being, the correspondences, but the project Kaleodoscope of papers, launched in 2009, continues on the entire documentary heritage, allowing valuable cross-fertilization to scholars and full accessibility to the public.

The paper analyses the multi-faceted personality and work of Piero Calamandrei, highlighting how the Florentine jurist was an outstanding protagonist in the sphere of law, academia, institutions and Italian culture in the 20th century, also thanks to his important contribution to the Constituent Assembly. In particular, the Author emphasises Calamandrei’s commitment to democracy, the defence of rights, the Welfare State and, in general, the implementation of the Constitution, which had to be ‘far-sighted’, meaning capable of looking to future generations.

The paper focuses on the emergence of the European Federalist Movement between the two World Wars up to the establishment of the Association of European Federalists in 1944. The Author pays particular attention to Piero Calamandrei’s significant contribution to European federalism. The Florentine jurist envisioned federalism as closely linked to regionalism and peace, in an international context marked by a world divided into two opposing blocs by the Cold War.

The paper analyses the genesis of social rights in the Italian legal system and examines the complex debate on the social question, which was animated by different awareness. The debate was inspired by Santi Romano’s crucial reflections in the early 1900s and continued throughout the century thanks to the contribution of important jurists, including Piero Calamandrei. The Florentine jurist is credited with having clearly outlined the different legal structure and political function of social rights compared to the traditional rights of freedom. A special attention is therefore paid to Calamandrei’s interventions during the Constituent Assembly debates, which resulted in the full recognition of social rights in the 1948 Republican Constitution.

The paper traces the history of the journal Il Ponte, founded by Piero Calamandrei in April 1945, in order to capture the ideal roots of this audacious publishing initiative. The Author focuses on the liberal-socialist vocation of the journal and on the ideals of European federalism that led Calamandrei to oppose the Atlantic Pact. Lastly, he delves into the commitment of the Florentine jurist in support of the Constitution, democracy and the Welfare State.

Te paper reconstructs the profound intellectual connection between Piero Calamandrei and the brothers Carlo and Nello Rosselli, which began in the 1920s with the foundation of the Circolo di Cultura in Florence, and prosecuted through the collaboration with the underground newspaper Non Mollare, until the establishment of the Partito d’Azione that inherited the legacy of the Giustizia e Libertà movement founded by Carlo Rosselli in 1929. Particular attention is paid to the commemorative plaques dedicated by Calamandrei to the Rosselli brothers and to the ideas of liberal socialism, actively cultivated by the Florentine jurist in the Constituent Assembly.

The paper focuses on the lectures given by Piero Calamandrei in 1952 at the University of Mexico, which were collected in the famous volume Processo e democrazia published by Cedam in 1954. The volume, translated in China in 2005, has aroused lively interest among Chinese scholars. The Author expresses his appreciation for the scholarly tradition stemming from Calamandrei and, in particular, he emphasises the profile of judiciary’s autonomy and independence, which distinguishes liberal and democratic systems from authoritarian ones. Lastly, the Author dwells on the relationship between judges and lawyers, which should take place in a climate of active and mutual trust.

Te paper reconstructs the genesis of the ‘Centro di iniziativa giuridica Piero Calamandrei’ Foundation, from the initiative of the Radical Party to its progressive autonomy. After outlining the characteristic features of its statutory purposes, the Author highlights the main actions of the Foundation, among which the very recent publication in open access of the ten hard-to-find volumes of Calamandrei’s Opere giuridiche, edited by Mauro Cappelletti, stands out.

Context: Cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of an estimated 17.9 million people worldwide (report by the World Health Organization), yet the drug pipeline compared to some other life-threatening diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders, is low. Aims: To investigate the potential of Andrographis paniculata as a supplementary therapy for cardiovascular diseases based on recent in vivo animal studies. Methods: This study adopted a systematic review approach to analyze preclinical evidence from in vivo animal studies. Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase) were searched using the keywords “Andrographis paniculata”, “cardiovascular disease”, “CVD”, “heart disease”, “cardioprotective”, “cardio*”, “inflammation”, “oxidative stress”, “obesity”, “lipopolysaccharide”, “hypertension”, “arrhythmia” and “aortic disease”. The search period was from April 20th, 2023, to April 26th, 2023, and included studies published from 2013 to 2023. Only in vivo animal studies were appraised. In contrast, clinical studies, in vitro studies, in silico studies, and review papers were excluded. SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Results: Sixteen eligible in vivo animal studies showed that Andrographis paniculata extracts and isolated bioactive compounds have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on cardiovascular diseases. These effects lead to lowering the risk of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, easing the effects of bad cardiac remodeling, stopping cardiac hypertrophy, and improving diabetic cardiomyopathy. Although SYRCLE's tool detected some bias, the studies were included since they met the inclusion criteria and had no conflicts of interest. Conclusions: Andrographis paniculata may have the potential to be used as a supplementary therapy for cardiovascular diseases, but more animal studies and clinical trials should be done to establish these findings.

Context: Stem cell research has become popular in Indonesia for more than a decade. The scope of research involves in vitro to animal studies as well as human trials. However, no evidence proved its trend. Aims: To analyze the trends and patterns of stem cell research in Indonesia from 2003 to 2022 using a bibliometric analysis of the Scopus database. Methods: The data for the paper were retrieved from Scopus and then analyzed using bibliometrics. Statistical data analysis was performed. Results: The results showed that stem cell research in Indonesia has been increasing steadily over the years, with the majority of publications focusing on “Medicine”, “Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Biology” and “Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmaceutics”. It was found that a total of 260 related articles had been published. Rantam was identified as the most productive author, and the authorship network analysis identified nine clusters of authors. The keywords “stem cells”, “culture”, “proliferation”, “differentiation”, and “tissue engineering” were the most frequently used in the publications analyzed. Conclusions: Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the development of stem cell research in Indonesia and may inform future research and funding decisions in this field.

We start with two main hypotheses: a) the tendency to overproduction and expanded reproduction is inevitable in a context of production based on competition and the search for profit; b) conflicts for resources and the tendential degradation of the quality of life are also inevitable and are only going to worsen as the expanded reproduction takes its toll on the environment and on the material conditions for the reproduction of capital. This paper explores some underlying phenomena to support these claims, such as the Jevons Paradox, the Tendency of the Rate of Profit to Fall, and the Energy Return on Investment. Finally, it discusses the failure of some of the alternatives to the Growth Paradigm: Sustainable Development, Green Growth, Circular Economy and Degrowth.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo proponer nuevos enfoques para interpretaciones e inferencias en los contextos arqueológicos de sitios al aire libre relacionados con grupos de cazadores-recolectores que ocuparon los ecosistemas de las sabanas neotropicales de los cerrados brasileños que, debido a la escasez de elementos que puedan corroborar la identificación y caracterización de una posible dinámica sociocultural en torno al uso de los recursos naturales, tienen sus modelos económicos y de subsistencia basados en analogías y correlaciones etnográficas. Desde la perspectiva de los estudios arqueológicos y etnoarqueológicos, proponemos el uso de analogías, correlaciones y discusiones con grupos contemporáneos, que utilizan los recursos naturales de los bosques como principal fuente de alimentación y materiales, como una forma de reconstruir dinámicas del pasado mediante la aplicación de modelos en arqueología. ENGLISH: This paper aims to propose new approaches for interpretations and inferences in the archaeological contexts of outdoor sites related to hunter-gatherer groups who occupied the ecosystems of the Brazilian Cerrado neotropical savannas which, due to the scarcity of elements that can corroborate the identification and characterization of a possible sociocultural dynamics around the use of natural resources, have their economic and subsistence models based on ethnographic analogies and correlations. From the perspective of archaeological and ethnoarchaeological studies, we propose the use of analogies, correlations and discussions with contemporary groups, using natural resources of the forests as their main source of food and materials, as a way to reconstruct past dynamics through the application of models in archaeology.

This paper presents, from an approach of archaeothanatology, osteobiography, bioarchaeology of care and palimpsest, the analysis of one of the most important archaeological findings recently made in western Mexico. It is about a female person buried in a lavish tomb in the Tingambato archaeological site, Michoacán, Mexico, dated 1400 years ago, with more than 19,000 objects covering her body. This research presents the results of the work of almost a decade of studies carried out by different methods on this individual: morphophysical studies, taphonomy, dating, genetics, as well as various techniques of virtual archaeology among others. Through the Index of Care it was possible to systematize all the information obtained by different study methods and integrate it for analysis. The use of archaeothanatology and the Index of Care makes it possible to perform analyses on specific individuals from the past to establish their health conditions and the probable causes of death. The main limitation that arose was the poor state of preservation in which we received the bones, which unfortunately did not allow us to carry out some morphoscopic and taphonomic studies that would have been relevant. SPANISH: Este artículo presenta, desde un enfoque de la arqueotanatología, la osteobiografía, la bioarqueología del cuidado y el palimpsesto, el análisis de uno de los hallazgos arqueológicos más importantes realizados recientemente en el Occidente de México. Se trata de una persona del sexo femenino enterrada en una fastuosa tumba del sitio arqueológico de Tingambato, Michoacán, México, fechado hace 1400 años, con más de 19000 objetos que cubrían su cuerpo. Esta investigación presenta los resultados del trabajo de casi una década de estudios realizados mediante diferentes métodos sobre este individuo: morfofísicos, tafonomía, datación, genética, así como diversas técnicas de arqueología virtual entre otras. Mediante el índice de cuidado fue posible sistematizar toda la información obtenida por los diferentes métodos de estudio e integrarla para su análisis. El uso de la arqueotanatología y el índice de cuidado permite realizar análisis sobre individuos específicos del pasado para establecer sus condiciones de salud y las probables causas de su muerte. La principal limitación que se planteó fue el mal estado de conservación en que recibimos los huesos, lo cual, lamentablemente, no nos permitió realizar algunos estudios morfoscópicos y tafonómicos que hubieran sido relevantes.

An exchange rate at the “right level” is of paramount importance for economic development, according to the new developmentalism. The portrayal of exchange rates in the media may serve as a proxy for the current policy images, and the media can also shape the policy images held by the public. The methodology of this paper is based on the content analysis of editorials from Folha de S. Paulo. The depreciated exchange rate is usually viewed negatively. An exchange rate policy that tries to maintain the exchange rate depreciated or avoid its appreciation often carries a negative policy image. For such a policy to gain traction in the public agenda, it would need a positive policy image portraying a depreciated exchange rate as beneficial for enhancing the competitiveness of domestic companies, increasing income, and creating more and higher-paying jobs.

This paper presents a new, digital, and interactive list of wounds, deaths, and other acts of aggression in the Iliad. After an introduction, it discusses the state of the art in quantitative approaches to the subject. The following section presents the methodology for compiling the data, briefly establishing the criteria for the distribution of instances in each category. In the discussion, I compare the results with previous similar projects and mention a few examples of the potentiality of the new list – to be published online, not included in the paper –, showing the advantages of the digital format.

Hospitals use different technological tools to implement corporate communication initiatives and, in this way, improve their relationships with stakeholders (employees, patients, media companies) and build a reputed brand. However, they face different barriers: limited budgets for corporate communication, strict legal frameworks, and stakeholders’ new needs regarding information and emotional support. This paper aims to analyze how the 100 best hospitals in the United States manage smart technologies to promote their brand. To do that, we conducted a literature review about smart hospitals, branding, and corporate communication; and then we defined 34 quantitative indicators to evaluate how the hospitals previously mentioned managed their websites, online newsrooms, about us sections, and artificial intelligence department web sites for reputation purposes. Our results proved that most hospitals respected indicators related to the homepage (8.67/11) but not those referring to online newsrooms (4.44/11) or about us sections (2.66/6). Besides, only 23 hospitals had implemented a department specialized in artificial intelligence that collaborated with external organizations. We concluded that most American hospitals focused their reputation efforts on patients rather than other targets (media companies, employees, suppliers, shareholders); and that these organizations did not integrate enough artificial intelligence projects into their smart branding initiatives.

The impact of artificial intelligence on people’s lives is demonstrated today. Previous literature has shown that the use of a specific technology is directly linked to the individuals’ intention to use it. The aim of this paper is to study the factors that determine the adoption and use of artificial intelligence and big data in Spain, using a research model based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), proposed by Venkatesh et al. (2003). This work addresses the specific gap in the validation of the original theoretical model of UTAUT in two dimensions, with respect to the adoption of artificial intelligence by citizens and with respect to the factors that influence this adoption, evaluating the previous ones and proposing some new ones considering the current context. The methodology used is based on a national survey, and it analyzes the research model using the statistical technique of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), which details the mediating and moderating relationships between constructs. The results show that Intention to Use has a direct positive influence on the Use of artificial Intelligence and big data, confirming previous literature. Performance Expectancy is the strongest predictor of Intention to Use, and indirectly of the adoption of artificial intelligence and big data applications. Effort Expectancy, in its application to the adoption of AI and big data by citizens, is an indirect determinant mediated by the Intention to Use, but its total effect (direct + indirect) is not significant.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the central topics of 2023 with extensive media coverage of the most relevant technologies and issues associated with this subject. In a highly competitive digital media landscape, search engine optimization (SEO) has become cybermedia’s primary strategy to increase visibility and attract more readers. The objective of this paper is to analyze the visibility of content published by the media relating to artificial intelligence, focusing on a selection of related keywords. The research also aims to investigate how this visibility has impacted both the technologies themselves and the analyzed media outlets. A total of 69 media outlets from 12 European Union countries, the United States, and the United Kingdom were examined. The results reveal a pronounced dominance of U.S. media, closely followed by Spanish media. There is an uneven distribution of media outlets across most of the countries analyzed, with two or three most of the of visibility. The search queries that contribute the most visibility to the analyzed media align with an informational intent, are of the long-tail type, and are associated with OpenAI technologies, particularly ChatGPT. Moreover, these queries are primarily found in news sections dedicated to science and technology. The findings underscore both the increasing interest in the subject and the effective SEO practices of certain media outlets.

The consolidation of digital television via subscription video on demand (SVOD) services has created an unprecedented increase in the consumption of serialised TV shows, which has had direct consequences on the content production sector. Faced with an increasingly demanding, hyperconnected and discerning audience and a supply of content never previously seen, television production and distribution strategies are involved in a process of change and adaptation. This paper seeks to analyse the production of Spanish television series created to be distributed on SVOD platforms. The aim is to know the role that production companies play in the creation of television series for SVOD so as to identify strategies and cooperative alliances between production companies and platforms and to detect possible patterns and trends in the operations of the audiovisual market. Using a mixed methodology that combines quantitative study with qualitative data analysis, the 88 Spanish TV series and miniseries that premiered on SVOD platforms from 2016 to 2021 are analysed, taking as a starting point the year in which these platforms began operating in Spain. The results confirm a trend towards cooperation between independent production companies and the platforms themselves, while no presence of in-house production is observed. Likewise, the atomisation of the role of production companies in the context of SVOD is shown, a phenomenon that already existed in generalist television production.

Starting from the impossible question “what is music?”, the paper attempts to circumscribe its meaning through different epistemological strategies: historical, empirical, objective. An attempt is made to reflect on the character of intangibility and sensoriality of musical experience that reveals its antinomic essence. Musical experience appears stretched between ineffable and exact, useless and necessary. The second part of the work is dedicated to the observation of the music phenomenon through the neuroscientific perspective.

This paper analyses the main concepts of Florensky's technical works – namely his studies on topology and his engineering work at Glavelektro and at the Technical Encyclopedia – within the framework of an allegedly 'new and future' conception of the world. The aim is to show that not only is Florensky's technical-scientific work detachable from his metaphysics, but that it is possible to identify the theoretical and methodological features of an original scientific approach and a transversal model of rationality capable of overcoming the rigid demarcations between nature and culture. Such science shall contain both an Ars inveniendi and a morphology of particularities.

In this paper, I propose a hermeneutic reading of the beginning of the first letter entitled Los dos mundos in the book La Columna y el Fundamento de la Verdad. I consider this text important,as it offers us the epistemological principles that will guide Florensky's investigation. I understand that Florensky proposes a phenomenology, in which the phenomenological reduction is the Cross of Christ. A perspective that brings it closer to the hesychast tradition, which considers the purification of the heart through the Cross, the path to the visit of the Uncreated Light, as a path towards theosis. In the case of Florensky, we have a similar path to achieving a mystical modality of knowledge, in which the intuitive and discursive register are combined in a fertile and rigorous way.

The paper investigates the salient features of Florensky's "concrete metaphysics" and the interpretative and forecasting framework he draws from it to prefigure the features of future science. The intent is to reconstruct, through a documented analysis based on the texts, his attitude towards Europe and the western world, certainly characterised by a critical confrontation, based on the perception and denunciation of the crisis of the hegemonic models of rationality and civilisation in their cultures, but anything hostile and antagonistic, and never evaluated by him as foreign realities, neither as regards their destiny, nor that of Russia, Christianity and philosophical and scientific thought in general.

This article examines the issue of heterogeneity in relation to workers' representation within digital platforms. Specifically, the research analyses the regulatory process that took place within the food-delivery sector in Italy, investigating how the heterogeneity of couriers is reflected in the Just Eat Takeaway agreement signed in 2021. The novel contribution of this paper is to relate two perspectives – those of workers and unions – that have rarely been considered together in the literature on digital labour platforms. Based on extensive qualitative research in Milan, the heterogeneity of riders is synthesized into a threefold typology identified by three metaphors: the explorer, the entrepreneur and the labourer. It is argued that the introduction of a standard employment contract has led to an increase in workers’ rights and social protection. However, the current form of the agreement favours less vulnerable riders – the explorer – at the expense of those who are more numerous and dependent on platform income – the entrepreneur and the labourer. We conclude that this agreement can be interpreted mainly as a means for trade unions to legitimise their institutional role in the socio-economic arena and strengthen their power resources for future negotiations.

This paper explores how concepts from two influential strands of liberalism, new liberalism and neoliberalism, are represented in a sample of online media articles by analysing news coverage of the Trade Union Act (2016). The analysis centres on internet news items published on the websites of The Guardian, The Daily Mail, Sky News, and BBC News. To systematise the analysis, three thematic axes were constructed: a) Democracy, Law and Order; b) Civil and Labour Rights; c) Military Metaphors, Privileges and Trade Unions.

This paper provides an analysis of gender equality at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana and examines the main results in the broader context of quality in higher education. The Faculty of Arts participated in a project that aimed to develop a gender equality plan for the institution. Data from different aspects of institutional life were collected and analysed to gain a better insight into institutional equality and its relationship with the existing notion of quality in academia, especially through academic career advancement. The study reveals that more women than men tend to remain at the same academic rank for an extended period, particularly at the assistant professor level, and that they meet more objective and subjective obstacles on their academic path. Although there is an increasing awareness of academic policies and practices that foster equality in higher education, there is still a prevalent and strong perception that equality measures compromise academic standards.

This paper examines potential associations of loneliness with laboratory data and specific psychosocial and behavioral attitudes. The sample collection took place in an urban Primary Health Care unit between May and July 2023, consecutively, and once exclusion criteria were implemented. Participants were aged between 40 and 75 years. Routine laboratory test results upon study initiation and six months before were used. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Loneliness Scale (Version 3), blood glucose, serum lipids, Fibrosis-4 index, and Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) were assessed through hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis. Based on full model (3rd) analysis, those who were engaged in an individual sport or activity or had contacts with more friends presented significantly lower odds for increased loneliness levels (odds ratio (OR): 0.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.91], p = 0.034 and OR: 0.76 [95%CI 0.66–0.88], p < 0.001, respectively). The consumption of alcohol was associated with increased loneliness (OR: 5.55 [95%CI 1.42–21.63], p = 0.014). Elevated triglyceride levels were linked with moderate or no loneliness (OR: 0.20 [95%CI 0.05–0.83], p = 0.026), while an increased LDL/HDL atherosclerotic index was related to increased subjective loneliness (OR: 4.50 [95%CI 1.12–18.13], p = 0.035). The need for holistic approaches—involving primary care personnel—in understanding and addressing loneliness, recognizing its multifaceted nature as well as the diverse factors that contribute to this issue, is considered challenging.

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2024 9(1), 17-19 | Highlight | Highlight of 08 April 2024 | (Abstract) The method of the lead candidates is commonly conceived of as an expedient to enhance the political power of the European Parliament vis-à-vis the European Council. On closer inspection, however, this method has deep constitutional underpinnings and can contribute to determine the material constitution of the European Union. After the next round of the European elections, which will likely produce a robust rise of the sovereigntist movements, this method could prove to be an essential tool to establish a connective thread among the European institutions and to enhance their legitimacy.

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2024 9(1), 21-38 | European Forum Insight of 15 April 2024 | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. Context. - III. The draft regulation in detail. - III.1 Category 1 NGT plants. - III.2 Category 2 NGT plants. - III.3. Provisions for delegated and implementing acts as well as guidance material. - IV. Assessment of different scientific aspects in the regulation. - IV.1. Scientific reasoning of equivalence criteria as given in Annex I. - IV.2. Scientific reasoning of risk assessment criteria as given in Annex II. - V. Assessment of different legal aspects in the draft regulation. - V.1. Deliberate releases of cat 1 plants and committee procedure. - V.2 Precautionary principle. - V.3. Cartagena protocol. - v.4. Amendment of Annex I via delegated act. - VI. Ongoing discussion | (Abstract) This Insight explains in detail, yet easily understandable, the contents of the European Commission’s draft regulation on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed. It critically comments on the underlying scientific considerations and discusses potential legal issues – the precautionary principle being one of them, though arguably not the most important one. Finally, the Insight summarizes the ongoing discussions and developments regarding the draft regulation. The Authors also hint at potential amendments, which might resolve some of the remaining problems.

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2024 9(1), 39-52 | European Forum Insight of 15 April 2024 | (Table of Contents) I. The complexity of the geopolitical matter. - i.1. EU gas policy before 2022. - i.2. The Russian retaliation after the invasion. - II. The measures adopted in response (and their opposers). - ii.1. The first steps: saving gas. - ii.2. Gently steering the market. - ii.3. Joint purchases of gas. - ii.4. Enforcing solidarity. - III. The most debated aspect: what limits to market intervention? - iii.1. Regulation 2022/2578: another round of the price cap debate. - iii.2. A balancing solution? - IV. The effectivity of the measures: the impact assessments and the comments. - iv.1. After the emergency: the situation after one year. - iv.2. The energy community (was) now: was the EU prepared? - iv.3. The legal issues. - iv.4. The return of geopolitics and the future of an open(?) strategic autonomy. | (Abstract) This Insight offers an overview of the EU's evolving energy policy in the face of the energy crisis which followed the Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the critical interplay between legal measures, market dynamics, and geopolitical strategy. In the first section, the Insight will examine the history of the EU policy on gas and its inherent risks, presenting the supply shock which occurred after the invasion February 2022. In the second section, the Insight details the legislative measures adopted under RepowerEU in the field of gas, describing the various approaches such as reducing consumption, ensuring storage, and fostering interstate solidarity, highlighting how the political debates between member states have contributed to shape the Regulations on the matter. In the third section, the Insight also explores the complex dynamics of market interventions, particularly the debated Market Correction Mechanism (MCM) and its implications for EU energy markets. In the final section, the Insight examines the impact of these measures, noting the mixed outcomes highlighted in the EU commissioned reports and presenting the criticism of other stakeholders, highlighting the legal challenges in implementing coordinated energy policies among Member States with diverse interests. Moreover, reflecting on the post-crisis landscape, the Insight advocates for a transition from emergency measures to strategic foresight in energy policy. It argues for the EU's need to balance national autonomy with collective energy security, suggesting a shift towards more integrated energy policies also in light of preserving the EU’s strategic autonomy in response to emerging geopolitical challenges.

This paper presents a comparative analysis between Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and Lafayette, Louisiana, United States. These two cities share a strong historical connection with extractive industries and are experiencing dynamics of reconfiguration of their economic functions towards a digital economy. Nova Lima has a rich mining heritage, while Lafayette is known for its oil and gas sector. The study examines the sociocultural and symbolic capitals of these spaces, aiming to identify relevant assets for the creation and support of environments conducive to digital economy activities. Using Bourdieu’s theory of practice, the article offers valuable insights into strategies that could be employed by Nova Lima and Lafayette to position themselves as attractive hubs for investments and ventures in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. In this regard, the unique economic, historical, and sociodemographic contexts of the two cities and their implications on the ongoing transformation dynamics are analyzed. Furthermore, the sociocultural and symbolic capitals present in Nova Lima and Lafayette are investigated, highlighting possibilities for their unique application in fostering new businesses and ventures. To this end, a comparative qualitative research approach was used, developed through the case study method. The collected data, through documentary analysis, on-site visits, and semi-structured and in-depth interviews, were subsequently subjected to content analysis by category. The comparative analysis aims to provide contributions to policymakers, urban planners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders of spaces facing the challenges of economic transformation for business environment of the digital era.

This paper provides a retrospective analysis of the impact of trust in institutions in Brazil during the initial wave of Covid-19 on distress symptoms. Capturing data from 571 respondents across all five Brazilian regions during the crucial period of April-May 2021, the study examines the relationship between institutional trust and public health outcomes at the pandemic's onset. Our findings reveal four distinct trust-based groups, reflecting the multifaceted nature of trust amidst the political and misinformation crisis of the time. Notably, our data contradicts the expected norm: the group with the lowest trust in institutions reported fewer distress symptoms, a paradox possibly rooted in a negationist attitude linked to anti-establishment sentiments and the misinformation crisis. In a contemporary context, this study provides historical insights into the dynamics of the pandemic's early days and also offers a reflection point for understanding the long-term implications of institutional trust on public health, especially in times of crisis.

Vegetable oil phospholipids can be divided into hydratable phospholipids (HP) and non-hydratable phospholipids (NHP). The general process of alkali refining or hydration degumming can remove most of the phospholipids, and the rest is mainly non-hydratable phospholipids. A non-hydratable phospholipid has obvious hydrophobicity, which cannot be completely removed even after 16 times of washing, so the non-hydratable phospholipid is the main research target of vegetable oil degumming. In order to better understand and study the non-hydratable phospholipids, the chemical composition and origin of non-hydratable phospholipids in vegetable oil are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of these various detection and removal methods are analyzed in this paper.

The nutcracker syndrome results from the compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, leading to variable and nonspecific symptoms of venous congestion. The most common presentation of this syndrome is the classical or anterior form; however, atypical variants exist, including the posterior nutcracker syndrome, which occurs due to the compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the lumbar spine. This paper describes the case of a 5-year-old patient with persistent gross hematuria and mild proteinuria, in whom glomerular involvement was ruled out. Given the atypical clinical presentation, an abdominal magnetic resonance angiography was performed, confirming the diagnosis of posterior nutcracker syndrome.