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Organizations are increasingly recognizing the important role employee inclusion perceptions play in promoting positive employee attitudes and behaviors. Although social networks are frequently cited as being a driver of perceived inclusion, little empirical work has examined the social network conditions that give rise to it. We address this gap by examining how both network position (indegree centrality) and network structure (network closure) relate to perceived workplace inclusion. We test our hypotheses with a sample of 364 professionals in a multinational pharmaceutical firm. We find that both indegree centrality and network closure are positively related to perceived workplace inclusion. The relationship between network centrality and perceived workplace inclusion is strengthened by a high level of network closure. In addition, the relationship between network closure and perceived workplace inclusion is strengthened by a high level of need for affiliation. Our results, therefore, suggest that both network centrality and closure play an important role in employee perceptions of inclusion and demonstrate the importance of considering need for affiliation as a boundary condition. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IMF interventions are often associated with rising political discontent in countries where the Fund intervenes. Studies examining this relationship, however, face the challenge of disentangling the impact of the IMF from the impact of the crisis that triggered the intervention. To address this challenge, we conduct survey experiments in Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain and directly assess how voters evaluate the costs and benefits of an IMF intervention. We find that voters believe that the crisis will more likely be solved when the IMF intervenes, but they are also critical of the corresponding loss of national sovereignty. Because the former consideration, on average, dominates their assessment, IMF interventions increase the support of voters for unpopular economic policies. Nonetheless, cross-country differences suggest that continued public support for intervention hinges on the IMF's ability to deliver on its promise to help resolve the crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: On 6 February 2023, an Mw 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Türkiye and north-western Syria, affecting the lives of 4.6 and 2.5 million children, respectively. In such crises, infants who are dependent on commercial milk formula (CMF) face increased vulnerability to diseases and malnutrition as safe preparation of CMF becomes difficult and sometimes impossible. The Operational Guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (OG-IFE) provides guidance on protecting and supporting recommended infant and young child feeding and minimizing the risks that come with CMF feeding. In addition, the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the Code) ensures adequate nutrition for infants by protecting and promoting breastfeeding and ensuring the proper usage of CMF. This study aims to document violations of the Code and the OG-IFE during the earthquake relief efforts to help strengthen infant and young child feeding emergency responses and inform future disaster relief policies. Methods: Data was collected from 6 February to 10 March 2023 through Internet sources. Social media, news websites, and the Emergency Nutrition Network forum were used for data collection. Turkish content was translated into English for analysis, with a focus on donation-related information and Code violations related to baby food and infant feeding. Results: A total of 40 reports on CMF, complementary food, and feeding equipment donations were collected. Three main types of violations of the OG-IFE and the Code were identified, with the majority of them being incidences of individuals, humanitarian organizations, and government agencies seeking or accepting donations. Infant formula companies continued to violate the Code by donating large quantities of CMF and feeding equipment to the Turkish Red Crescent, government agencies, and disaster relief infant and young child feeding (IYCF) coordination authorities. Conclusions: These incidents reflected a systematic violation of the Code and non-compliance with the OG-IFE. Globally accepted IYCF standards and recommendations were not consistently followed due to fragmented early responses. There is a critical need to step up efforts to ensure appropriate and safe IYCF practice protecting and supporting breastfed and non-breastfed infants in emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted two studies to analyze the relations between dissatisfaction with experiences with the national healthcare system and trust in political (political parties and parliament), super partes (judiciary and police), and international (European Union [EU] and United Nations [UN]) institutions via the mediation of trust in the national healthcare system. Study 1 (longitudinal study on a quota sample of the Italian adult population, N = 689, surveyed in April 2021, T1, and in April 2022, T2) showed that dissatisfaction with experiences with the national healthcare system was negatively associated with trust in the national healthcare system, which, in turn, was positively associated with an increase in trust in political, super partes, and international institutions. Study 2 (between‐participant experimental design, N = 285) showed that priming a negative versus a positive experience with the national healthcare system decreased trust in this system, which, in turn, was positively associated with trust in political, super partes, and international institutions. The strengths, limitations, and possible development of this research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the significance of employing preferred terms and inclusive language in research practices concerning diverse populations. It highlights how inappropriate terminology can lead to labeling, stereotyping, and stigma, particularly for equity-denied groups. The study aimed to identify and analyze terminology preferences for diverse communities by major international organizations. Through a systematic environmental scan methodology, data were collected from 12 prominent organizations. The results indicate a concerted effort toward adopting inclusive language, with organizations favoring respectful and accurate terminology. For instance, terms like "people made vulnerable by systemic inequities" and "migrant workers" were preferred over outdated or stigmatizing alternatives. The discussion emphasizes the importance of identifying conflicting terms and trends in terminology preferences over time. We recommend prioritizing the use of preferred terms to promote respectful and accurate discourse, with a focus on person-centered language. Ultimately, the findings underscore the critical role of language in shaping perceptions and attitudes toward diverse communities, and advocate for continued efforts to promote inclusivity and equity in research, policy, and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a widespread belief among scholars and policy-makers that populism has fuelled a unilateralist backlash because of its emphasis on nationalism, popular sovereignty and identity politics. Although a few populist governments have indeed withdrawn from some international institutions, this 'disengagement hypothesis' needs to be scrutinized and unpacked. In this article, we develop a framework that distinguishes between four types of institutional disengagement—criticism, obstruction, extortion and exit—and show that populist governments use them in a fluid and tactical way to navigate between the radical and pragmatic imperatives of populist politics. Our comparative case-study of the Hungarian executive under Viktor Orbán (since 2010) and the Trump administration in the US (2017–2021) demonstrates that both governments have frequently used criticism, obstruction and extortion to disengage from international institutions but have only rarely exited from them. The article thus deepens our understanding of the impact of populism on both individual institutions and the multilateral order more broadly, and helps policy-makers develop strategies to counter the adverse effects of populism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely recognized that populists oppose the delegation of more decision-making to supranational actors and that this tendency can be constrained by other branches of government, geopolitical power pressures or factors such as whether populists are minor or major members of coalitions. The literature, however, has not elaborated on how the transformation of international organizations can affect populist politics. We aim to fill this gap with an examination of how the NextGenerationEU (NGEU), a redistributionist and solidaristic form of supranational governance, undermined populist opposition to the European Union in selected beneficiary countries. To demonstrate this, we explore populist discourses in France, Italy and Spain during four successive crises in the EU's history in which its structure and identity were at stake and which prompted debates on the future in/of the EU: the referendum on the Constitutional Treaty of 2005, the Greek referendum of 2015, the Brexit referendum of 2016 and the COVID–19 crisis, followed by the Recovery Fund/NGEU of 2020. Observing populist discourses during the acute phases of these four crises allows us to observe a consolidated trend of populist contestation until 2020, when the NGEU was announced, and supports the conclusion that populists, especially in Spain and Italy, went in a less sovereigntist direction as a result of the NGEU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xi Jinping launched the One Belt and One Road Initiative at the end of 2013, known now as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This article aims to outline trends in solving BRI-related disputes with a special focus on China–Africa Joint Arbitration Centres, the China International Commercial Court, and the International Commercial Dispute Prevention and Settlement Organization. This begs the question of whether the newly emerging institutions in China will significantly affect the international dispute resolution landscape. Are those new entities strong and transparent enough to compete with already well-known and recognized international institutions? China takes actions to provide an entire range of services to solve BRI-related cases and proposes an innovative and holistic approach to cross-border disputes stemming from the BRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Which types of international institutions display higher ability to change states' behaviour? This article assesses the relative environmental effectiveness of a management-based ('soft') and an enforcement-based ('hard') international agreement: the United Nations Sofia Protocol and a European Union directive. Using difference-in-differences analysis, we find that the European Union directive is more effective in inducing emissions reductions than the United Nation's Sofia Protocol. We propose that the European Union's enforcement capacity is a likely driver of the directive's effectiveness. The article makes two contributions to existing literature. First, we provide causal evidence on the relative importance of overlapping international institutions in regulating environmental policy outcomes, elucidating how an apparent emissions-reducing effect of a 'soft' United Nations Protocol is in fact driven by the existence of overlapping 'hard' European Union regulation. Second, we demonstrate how states' enthusiasm for emissions regulations can explain the relative effectiveness of soft and hard law institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has drawn attention to states' backlash against international organizations (IOs), including whether member state withdrawals affect the longevity of IOs. We therefore ask when do member state withdrawals lead to the death of IOs? We are skeptical of a general link between withdrawal and IO death because on average, any one member is not critical for the survival of an IO. Also, withdrawal is often driven by one member state's preferences diverging from remaining members; these remaining states may band together after withdrawal, ensuring or even enhancing the longevity of the IO. Even withdrawal by several states may not contribute to IO death because a smaller group of remaining members may better overcome collective action challenges. Nonetheless, exit by an important member may affect IO survival by removing resources, market power, and guidance. We test these arguments using survival models on an original dataset of withdrawals across 532 IOs from 1909 to 2014/2020 and illustrate the dynamics with case vignettes. The results support our arguments: withdrawals in general do not lead to IO death but the withdrawal of founding members can speed IO death. Interestingly, withdrawal by economically powerful states seems to facilitate IO survival (often through reform and/or re-entry). These findings contribute to a better understanding of the lifecycle of IOs as well as to the resilience and vulnerabilities of international cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Task Force on 'Clinical Algorithms for Fracture Risk' commissioned by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Professional Practice Committee has recommended that FRAX® models in the US do not include adjustment for race and ethnicity. This position paper finds that an agnostic model would unfairly discriminate against the Black, Asian and Hispanic communities and recommends the retention of ethnic and race-specific FRAX models for the US, preferably with updated data on fracture and death hazards. In contrast, the use of intervention thresholds based on a fixed bone mineral density unfairly discriminates against the Black, Asian and Hispanic communities in the US. This position of the Working Group on Epidemiology and Quality of Life of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is endorsed both by the IOF and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the majority of studies on collective securitization theory (CST) focus primarily on states as the principal actors, certain scholars also concede the potential occurrence of collective securitization within international organizations. Aligned with this viewpoint, the present article posits that CST framework can serve as a valuable tool in substantiating the commonly voiced notion of complementarity between NATO and EU. With this purpose, specific focus is placed on Russia's war in Ukraine that has been unfolding since February 2022. Hence, all six stages of CST have been taken into consideration to justify the assumption that CST is applicable as an analytical framework to elucidate such complementarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ICH E17 guidelines (2014–2017) on Multiregional Clinical Trials (MRCT) was a joint effort by the regulators and industry to facilitate simultaneous global drug development and registration through taking a strategic approach for clinical trials. In other words, the objective was to reduce the time it takes to bringing medications to patients around the world through minimizing unnecessary duplication of local or regional studies, which may add the regulatory burden to cost and time of bringing new therapies to patients. Under the auspices of ICH, training materials were created and provided to various stakeholders. Despite the successful promotion of the benefits of ICH E17 MRCT guidelines across the different regions, the uptake of some concepts (e.g., pooling strategy) in the ICH E17 guidelines has been slow. This paper describes various factors which could affect the conduct of MRCT at a global level, including ambiguity in definition of "region" (in MRCT), new regulatory requirements to enroll a diverse patient population, the use of decentralized clinical trials, use of data sources other than randomized clinical trials (e.g., use of Real Word Data), and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conduct of MRCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way the road transport system is developed in a country affects safety. This study aims to identify the roles and relationships of road transport stakeholders and to explore the understanding of control and feedback mechanisms and associated gaps influencing road safety. A System-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) model was applied to document and interview data (n = 30). Participants emphasised the hindrance of overlapping mandates among stakeholders on the road transport system's operations and underlined the roles of coalitions for road safety as system enablers. Further, the withdrawal of some controls by international agencies can increase system vulnerability. Most importantly, critical control and feedback gaps were shown to increase risks for safety within the road transport system. The findings underscore the complexity of the road transport system and add to the discussion on a system's approach to road safety. Practitioner summary: Using a STAMP methodology, we extensively studied the road transport system in Tanzania. Road transport stakeholders were identified through the review of documents, interviews were conducted, and the main findings were discussed. Control and feedback mechanisms and associated gaps were critically presented, recommendations were proposed, and policy implications were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite limited progress within international institutions, the need for articulating a regulatory framework for cyber operations in outer space is becoming a pressing concern. One precondition for regulation is to share cybersecurity and outer-space common terminology that can inform the negotiation of standards, policies and laws. While the UN Institute for Disarmament Research has recently issued a baseline policy glossary, binding technical definitions are missing, and the lack of a binding international cybersecurity regime adds to the obsolescence of a binding outer-space regime tracing back to half a century ago. As the IEEE SA embarks on the drafting of the first-ever technical standard for cybersecure-by- design outer-space missions, scoping and conceptual challenges abound. Technical standards are US-centred, non-binding, engineering-intensive exercises, where lawyers and Asian jurisdictions are only marginally involved; nevertheless, as China's framework for cybersecurity is refined and its involvement in outer-space policing deepens, its disengagement from Western-driven standard-setting bodies appears unsustainable. Drawing on the specific challenge of defining what makes a cyber system 'mission-critical', I expose the necessity to examine how domestic cybersecurity laws from a diverse range of States identify 'critical' information infrastructure. Generalising therefrom, I advocate a jurisdictionally inclusive process that combines American supremacy in technical standard-setting for outer-space missions with Chinese normative contributions to cybersecurity regulation, including on data localisation and mandatory multilevel cyber-hygiene requirements. I further argue that involving legal experts from a diverse range of jurisdictions and sociolegal cultures may enhance the global reception of standardisation outputs, thus securing higher degrees of voluntary compliance therewith. This could foster cooperation and promote regional and global satellite cybersecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to measure telomere length in healthy children living next to Urmia Lake, Iran, which is exposed to salt dust from a drying lakebed. In this case-control pilot study, we recruited 39 sex- and age-matched healthy children from two different geographic regions to study the relative telomere lengths using qPCR. We categorized the study samples into high-impact and low-impact areas based on wind direction, aerosol particle level, and distance from the lake. Our main results revealed that children living in high-impact areas have shorter telomeres than those living in low-impact areas. Furthermore, according to our statistical model, parental age significantly affected telomere length in children, but inversely. When the father’s age impact was positive, the mother had a negative effect. Based on our results, to prevent Urmia Lake from dying out completely, national and international organizations should implement comprehensive visions and strategies for its restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the global media environment now challenge relationships between and within states. To expand understandings of mediated public diplomacy, this study examined 13,500 Instagram posts distributed on RT’s non-Russian accounts from September 2021–September 2022. It used LDA to identify RT topics across language accounts, explored the topics’ relation to UN statehood, examined audience engagement levels, and compared their frequency before and after major bans on RT content. The study found that more than two-thirds of the top 30 topics had direct relevance to the statehood frame. RT’s language accounts did employ unique audience-targeting strategies and situation-dependent emphases linked to the timing of their banned content, but the approaches varied according to which of the four statehood criteria were under discussion. High levels of audience engagement for statehood-related posts linked to each of the statehood definitional characteristics, but did not correspond to the frequency of the posted content. The study concludes with implications for mediated public diplomacy theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global Conversation on Sustainability (GCS) 2023 was enthusiastically welcomed by researchers of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR). Highly committed to international organizations such as IUPAC and ISC, the promoters participated to the 2023 edition of the Global Conversation on Sustainability hosting a local in person event held in one of the major CNR institute for chemistry research. The format was a round-table discussion involving colleagues of different age, gender, experience, and area of expertise, who participated to an informal dialogue with the aim of reflecting and sharing aspects of the respective research activities contributing to sustainable development goals. From many chemistry research areas, it emerged a wide range of subjects, which stimulated an interesting and purpose-oriented discussion. Therefore, GCS 2023 at CNR prompted a reflection on how improving chemists’ impact on sustainability including laboratories’ practises and on considering communication becoming part of scientific process. Transformation requires continuous investment in research and innovation and evolving scientific activities, but also requires synergies, collaborations and policy making on cross-cutting issues that can make this successful. Global initiatives as GCS, in the framework of international scientific organizations, represent a key global vehicle for enhancing the big area of science communication. Overcoming time and spatial limitations, these initiatives enable to link global and locally tailored in person events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU-US data transfers for health research remain a particularly thorny issue in view of the stringent rules of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the challenges related to US mass surveillance programs, particularly the manner in which US law enforcement and national security agencies can access personal data originating from the EU. Since the entry into force of the GDPR, evidence of impeded collaborations is increasing, particularly in the case of sharing data with US public institutions. The adoption of a new EU-US adequacy decision in July 2023 does not hold the promise for a long-lasting solution due to the risks of being challenged and invalidated – yet again – at the Court of Justice of the EU. As the research community is calling for answers, the new proposal for a European Health Data Space regulation may hold a key to solving some of the existing issues. In this paper, we critically discuss the current rules and outline a possible way forward for transfers between public bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this review is to examine the evidence that defines normal and abnormal amniotic fluid volumes (AFVs) and current recommendations on the management of abnormalities of AFV. Methods: The studies establishing normal actual AFVs and the ultrasound estimates used to identify normal and abnormal AFVs were evaluated. Recommendations from national and international organizations were reviewed for guidance on the definitions and management of abnormal AFVs. Results: A timeline of the development of the thresholds that define abnormal AFVs was created. Recommendations from 13 national and international guidelines were identified, but the definitions and management recommendations for abnormal AFVs varied considerably between groups. An algorithm for the management of oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios was developed. Knowledge gaps and the structure of future studies were examined. Conclusions: Assessment of AFV is performed multiple times per day in antenatal clinics and hospitals. Current recommendations on defining and managing abnormal AFVs differ between national and international organizations. We have proposed algorithms to assist in the management of abnormal AFVs until further studies can be undertaken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the promotion of policy coherence of migration and development policies that have figured high on the agenda of international organizations and the European Union but have been hardly explored in the context of Central and Eastern Europe. Based on in‐depth interviews with 40 Czech experts on migration and development, we identified three key contradictions: (i) The increasing prominence of a security perspective on both migration and development policies and the lack of coherence between these policies in practice; (ii) The tension between the national and transnational perspectives guiding migration policymaking and development policies; and (iii) The lack of reflection on crucial issues, such as remittances and brain drain, in the dominant paradigm of labour migration. We argue that the findings on (in)coherence between Czech migration and development policies help us understand policy responses of Central and Eastern European governments since the 2015 ‘migration crisis’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Bank has been called the most influential organization in education reform globally. Not only is it the single largest funder of education for international development, but it also produces knowledge, circulates discourse, and structures policymaking processes in ways that extend its influence far beyond its primary role as a bank. However, while much literature has been produced about the World Bank, the field of education lacks a systematic discussion of what has been reported about how the World Bank influences policy formation at the country level. Through the conduct of a theoretically informed systematic literature review of 70 publications, this article clarifies and provides examples for the numerous ways that the World Bank influences policy formation. In all, the article documents 11 pathways through which the World Bank influences policymaking. The article concludes by suggesting areas where research on the World Bank can be improved, namely, through more explicit attention to the theoretical and methodological approaches employed. The goal of this review is to encourage scholars to be more specific in their conceptualizations and discussions of World Bank influence, to go beyond general claims of policy imposition or agenda shaping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a novel approach for studying the influence of supranational institutions in international cooperation. While earlier research tends to treat member states as a collective yielding influence on supranational institutions, we unpack this collective to explore differentiated supranational influence. To this end, the article makes three contributions. First, it develops a method for measuring differentiated supranational influence that makes it possible to identify which member states give ground when a supranational institution is influential. Second, it theorizes the sources of differentiated supranational influence, arguing that states are more likely to accommodate a supranational institution when they are more dependent on the resources of this institution. Third, it illustrates the usefulness of this approach empirically through an analysis of the influence of the European Commission in European Union bargaining. The analysis suggests that our approach can measure and explain differentiated supranational influence under conditions of both heightened crisis and everyday politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass gatherings include a diverse range of events such as sporting competitions, religious ceremonies, entertainment activities, political rallies and cultural celebrations, which have important implications for population well-being. However, if not managed properly, these events can amplify health risks including those related to communicable diseases, and place undue strain on health systems in host countries and potentially in attendees' home countries, upon their return. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the risk factors associated with mass gatherings and the effectiveness of applying mitigation measures during infectious disease emergencies. The pandemic has also allowed event organizers and health officials to identify best practices for mass gathering planning in host countries. To guide decisions about whether to hold, postpone, modify or cancel a mass gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization and its partners developed normative guidance and derivative tools promoting a risk-based approach to mass gathering planning. This approach involves three steps to guide decision-making around mass gatherings: risk evaluation, risk mitigation and risk communication. The approach was applied in the planning and execution of several mass gathering events, including the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Lessons identified from these large-scale international events offer insights into the planning and implementation of mass gathering events during a pandemic, and the broader impacts of such events on society. These lessons may also further inform and refine planning for future mass gatherings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India notified the National Anti-Doping Act (the Act) on 12 August 2022. Through this legislation, India appears to reiterate its commitment to compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADA Code). However, the reality of doping in Indian sports is far from ideal. India ranks second globally in terms of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). The question then is, what flaws existed in the pre-Act anti-doping policies? Further, how far has the developing country narrative of India impacted these policies? Finally, to what extent does the Act address the existing gaps in India's anti-doping policy? The article addresses these questions to evaluate the necessity of the Act. The article reviews the existing literature on India's anti-doping policy. The review includes government status reports, the National Anti-Doping Agency's (NADA's) decisions and WADA's ADRVs report. These documents establish that the pre-Act anti-doping policy of India had failed to stem the incidents of doping within Indian sports. The Act is a flawed piece of legislation. Consequently, India's anti-doping policy is unlikely to be impacted, though further quantitative research in the future is needed to evaluate the Act. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPower comes not only as conventional Compulsory Power but also as Institutional, Structural, or Productive Power. We focus on under-explored Productive Power (the ability to produce and give meaning to social identities and capacities through discursive processes and practices) and the related strategy of rhetorical framing (using particular words or terms to characterise an issue and imply appropriate actions in line with that characterisation). Spotlighting the strategy’s dual offensive/defensive utility and relatively low resource requirements, we expect the strategy of rhetorical framing (and counter-framing) to be: (1) prevalent in inter-governmental negotiations, and (2) used even by conventionally ‘very weak’ states. Employing text analysis on over 5000 observations from the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) negotiation transcripts between 1995 and 2020, we confirm that states ‘weak’ in Compulsory Power are nevertheless wielding Productive Power and its related strategy of rhetorical framing. Whilst conventionally strong states emphasise a Reciprocation Frame (mutual concessions between states), conventionally weak states emphasise a Redistribution Frame (one-way concessions from some states to other states). Such findings make two important contributions: we exhibit the mechanics of an under-explored type of power and show what happens in international institutions when no single rhetorical frame dominates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes Kazakh-European trade and economic relations from 2012 to 2021, aiming to elucidate the dynamics, trends, and strategic implications of these bilateral interactions. The primary purpose of this research is to scrutinize the dynamics of Kazakhstan's trade and economic interactions with European countries, assessing the trends, challenges, and opportunities within this framework. Employing a methodology that combines analysis and synthesis, inductive and deductive reasoning, and statistical methods including ABC analysis in MS Excel, the study provides a comprehensive examination of Kazakhstan's trade volumes, exports, imports, and foreign direct investments with European countries. It was revealed that for the countries of Europe, the indicators of the volume of trade, exports, and imports, gross investments showed a greater drop than in the economy. Summarized information characterizing the institutional aspect of the formation of relations between Kazakhstan and European states highlights Kazakhstan's active participation in international organizations as a key driver in developing these relationships. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and business stakeholders, highlighting the need for strategic approaches in optimizing trade and investment relations between Kazakhstan and Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of religiosity, a culturally relevant concept, has been associated with obsessive phenomena such as obsessional symptoms, the nature of unwanted intrusive thoughts, and responses to intrusive thoughts. Although previous research reported that repugnant (i.e., sexual and religious) intrusions had the lowest endorsement rates, these were also the most difficult to control and more likely to turn into obsessions. Highly religious individuals are more likely to be distressed by repugnant intrusions as the repugnant nature of intrusive thoughts critically threatens the perceived self. Thus, individuals with high religiosity may be more likely to respond to repugnant intrusions with dysfunctional strategies and thus become more vulnerable to OCD. This study presents the endorsement rates and qualitative features of sexual and religious intrusions among highly religious Canadian and Turkish samples. Highly religious participants were interviewed using the International Intrusive Thoughts Interview Schedule (IITIS). Thematic content analysis of the IITIS data was conducted with MAXQDA. Sexual intrusion themes of Forceful Sex, Gay Sex, Immoral Sex, and Sex with Undesirable People were identified in both samples. Religious intrusion themes of Questioning, How They Are Perceived by God, Violating Religious Doctrines, Punishment by God, and Worship also emerged in both samples. The percentages of these themes suggested the presence of cross-cultural qualitative similarities and differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This position paper of the International Osteoporosis Foundation reports the findings of an IOF Commission to consider to recommend rules of partnership with scientists belonging to a country which is currently responsible for an armed conflict, anywhere in the world. The findings and recommendations have been adopted unanimously by the Board of IOF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a rhizomic authoritarianism that generally operates through a complex network of connections. It provides a genealogical reading of the authoritarian rule in Cameroon, with a particular focus on the roles of France and China, using both primary and secondary sources. Specifically, it seeks to enlighten the complex processes through which a transnational authoritarianism has been established in Cameroon over the past six decades, as well as how the formation of strategic alliances between local political actors and international institutions has contributed to the normalization of authoritarian policies and practices that sometimes occur in transregional contexts. The paper's main argument is that the authoritarian system Cameroon has experienced since the late 1950s is rhizomatic in nature and is partially the result of the hegemonic interventions of international powers such as France and China in the country's politics and economy, as well as its development and modernization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, one of the most prominent trends in global governance has been the increasing openness of international organizations (IOs) toward non-state actors (NSAs). As participants in the policymaking bodies of IOs, NSAs have become important actors in global governance, providing policy-relevant information to decision makers, representing constituency interests, and ultimately, influencing policies. Yet to date, we have little systematic comparative knowledge about the NSAs that participate in IO bodies. This article introduces the Non-State Participation in International Organizations (N-PINION) dataset, which maps NSA participant populations across eighty one policymaking bodies in twenty four global IOs between 1998 and 2017. The dataset provides indicators on the density, diversity, and volatility of NSA populations, available yearly across IO bodies. These indicators provide potential dependent and independent variables for scholars interested in a wide variety of research questions relating to the drivers, consequences, and normative merits of NSA participation in IOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We argue that the legitimacy of international organisations (IOs) as self-proclaimed representatives of humankind, which was unfounded from the outset, is waning. To substantiate that claim, we undertake a critical inquiry into the legitimacy of the promissory visions pursued by IOs in the field of education across three historical periods. The first traces the rationalistic educational planning and idealistic 'one world' projects of the post-World War II period. The second examines the era of globalisation, when the discourse that legitimised the educational visions of IOs shifted towards the promises of the 'global knowledge economy'. The third discusses the contemporary trend towards emergency governance and crisis narratives. While the narratives of progress shifted, a pattern that has emerged is the move towards globalism and uniformity. Drawing on insights from philosophy and historical studies of world-empire, we argue that the world-making experiments conducted by IOs were destined to be unsuccessful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promising lines of scholarship have emerged on how International Organisations (IO's) deploy anticipatory techniques aimed at colonising the future as a means of governing in the absence of sovereignty. It follows that securing hegemony over a vision of the future is important strategic work for IOs, and a source of legitimacy derived from authority beyond procedure and performance. This is called promissory legitimacy. Yet what happens when this promised future arrives and is problematic? How does an IO creatively strategise this shortfall? In this paper, we identify five strategies deployed by the OECD in its Future of Education and Skills 2030 programme aimed to re-negotiate a failed present and anticipate a new future. We also reflect on the ideational underpinnings of the OECD's new futures programme, and argue it is being mobilised to, on the one hand, get beyond the limitations of data governance, and on the other to help selectively shape a new cognitariat subjectivity engaged with immaterial labour in emerging post-industrial capitalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study compared the research output of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to understand research trends and clarify past, present, and future patterns using scientometric techniques. Methods: This scientometric study systematically mined health and social science publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases using keywords associated with infectious disease. The analysis included only English-language articles and review articles by authors from any ASEAN country. Publication, citation, and text co-occurrence network analyses were performed. R Studio and VOSviewer enabled data management, analysis, and visualization. Results: Searches identified 12,511 articles published between 1925 and 2022, with a notable increase in research publications since 2003. The leading journals on infectious disease were associated with established publishing houses, including BMC, BMJ, and The Lancet. The most-cited articles were primarily global burden of disease studies, with 7,367 citations. Among ASEAN countries, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore had the most publications and collaborative efforts on the topic. Analysis of keyword co-occurrence revealed clusters related to global health, dengue, bacterial studies, non-dengue viral topics, and diagnostics. Most early studies examined diagnostics, gene and sequencing methodologies, and virology; later, the focus shifted toward herbal and alternative medicine. Conclusion: Recently, the research capacity of Southeast Asia has expanded dramatically, with substantial contributions from high-income countries. Intense cooperation between member states is essential, emphasizing the role of HICs in supporting their neighbors. Increased research efforts and collaboration must be dedicated to innovative approaches to combat persistent health conditions, along with emerging issues like climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a widely used and well-established treatment modality for respiratory failure. In patients with increased respiratory work of breathing, accessory muscles are commonly activated along with the diaphragm. Whereas diaphragm ultrasound has been utilized to assess outcomes of mechanical ventilation, the data on intercostal muscle ultrasound remain limited. We aimed to investigate the association between intercostal muscle thickening fraction (TF) and NIV failure in critical care patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure. METHODS: Critical care subjects receiving NIV for hypercapnic respiratory failure were enrolled in the study. The intercostal muscle TF was measured on admission day (day 0) and the following day (day 1). NIV failure was defined as the need for invasive mechanical ventilation or death during NIV therapy. RESULTS: A total of 158 subjects were enrolled, and 30 experienced NIV failure. Age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were similar in the NIV success and failure groups. Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were higher in the NIV failure group. In terms of causes of respiratory failure, the COPD exacerbation rate was higher in the NIV success group. TF was higher in the NIV failure group on both day 0 and day 1. The increased TF on the ICU admission day, with a cutoff value of 12%, was associated with NIV failure after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, APACHE II, and SOFA. Persistence of a higher TF value on both day 0 and day 1 was also associated with NIV failure risk. CONCLUSIONS: There was a positive relation between intercostal muscle TF measured by ultrasound and NIV failure, even after adjusting for APACHE II and SOFA scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global geopolitical landscape is characterized by the rise of new powers and a shift toward multipolarity. This study examines the impact of multipolarity on international cooperation using an iterated game theory approach, particularly the classic prisoner's dilemma, extended to a multiplayer setting. This effort can be regarded as a preliminary study of hypothetical optimal global cooperation. The main hypothesis is that an increase in the number of large countries in the international system will lead to higher levels of cooperation. Our simulation approach confirmed this. Our findings extend to the conclusion that multipolarity, under appropriate cultural and value systems, can foster new economic development and fair competition. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of evolving strategies and cooperative dynamics in a multipolar world, contributing to discussions on foreign economic policy integration, sustainability, and managing vulnerabilities among great powers. The study underscores the necessity of strategic frameworks and international institutions in promoting global stability and cooperation amidst the complexities of multipolarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses how international entities working in post-conflict countries can develop and implement relevant and effective exit strategies. It highlights the process to be adopted so the INGOs can disengage from their interventions related to aid provision, reconstruction and rebuilding in the post-war environment in a manner consistent with the goal of ensuring local sustainable development. The paper reviews several contextual elements before overviewing the project management process as well as the varying elements that frames the ''Exit Strategy's'' dynamic -- and guarantees the continuous delivery of services even when aid is withdrawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The statistics on work-related accidents published by the responsible organizations reveal that the average rate of work accidents within the construction sector is more than double that in other industrial sectors. This serious problem has been analyzed by numerous international organizations and institutes dedicated to occupational safety, health and welfare. Therefore, in this article, some results of a research project that aims to reduce workplace accidents through the standardization of safe work processes and procedures in construction sites are summarized. The proposed methodology consisted of the analysis of national and international bibliographies to analyze the different annual variations in the accident rate, allowing a common pattern to be located, as well as its association with the work processes carried out in construction projects to standardize each of the processes which are present in the execution and life phases of the building. It is possible to conclude that the accident rates can be reduced and/or eliminated with the application of each of the processes thanks to the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid biopsy (LB) represents an advanced, minimally invasive approach that elevates the precision of oncological decision-making by identifying tumor DNA in bodily fluids. However, despite numerous endorsements from international specialty societies and working groups, implementation of LB into routine care is lagging behind due to conceptual and methodological uncertainties. This concise mini review aims to help catalyzing the translation of LB into routine care by exploring key considerations for incorporating circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis into clinical practice. Addressing eight pertinent questions from the perspective of a molecular oncology laboratory, this review synthesizes insights from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recommendations and incorporates the latest findings from relevant literature, offering a comprehensive guide to the implementation of ctDNA assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the rapid growth of the ageing population, chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis have become one of the major diseases affecting the quality of life of elderly people. The main pathological manifestation of osteoarthritis is articular cartilage damage. Alleviating and repairing damaged cartilage has always been a challenge. The application of cartilage tissue engineering methods has shown promise for articular cartilage repair. Many studies have used cartilage tissue engineering methods to repair damaged cartilage and obtained good results, but these methods still cannot be used clinically. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of incorporating nerve growth factor (NGF) into a silk fibroin (SF)/chitosan (CS) scaffold containing bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the repair of articular cartilage defects in the knees of rabbits and to explore the possible underlying mechanism involved. Materials and methods: Nerve growth factor-loaded sustained-release microspheres were prepared by a double emulsion solvent evaporation method. SF/CS scaffolds were prepared by vacuum drying and chemical crosslinking. BMSCs were isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation and adherent culture. NGF-SF/CS-BMSC composites were prepared and implanted into articular cartilage defects in the knees of rabbits. The repair of articular cartilage was assessed by gross observation, imaging and histological staining at different time points after surgery. The repair effect was evaluated by the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score and a modified Wakitani score. In vitro experiments were also performed to observe the effect of different concentrations of NGF on the proliferation and directional differentiation of BMSCs on the SF/CS scaffold. Results: In the repair of cartilage defects in rabbit knees, NGF-SF/CS-BMSCs resulted in higher ICRS scores and lower modified Wakitani scores. The in vitro results showed that there was no significant correlation between the proliferation of BMSCs and the addition of different concentrations of NGF. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the protein and mRNA expression of COL2a1 and ACAN between the groups after the addition of different concentrations of NGF. Conclusion: NGF-SF/CS-BMSCs improved the repair of articular cartilage defects in the knees of rabbits. This repair effect may be related to the early promotion of subchondral bone repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simple Summary: Cervical cancer, a very aggressive gynecological malignancy that also affects young women, remains significantly prevalent despite worldwide efforts in HPV vaccination campaigns. Cervical cancer research is experiencing a period of significant change, with intense ongoing debates on issues that could potentially transform current guidelines. Therefore, in light of these changes, guidelines and protocols will soon need significant updates. Hence, this paper aims to summarize and compare the most recent recommendations published by international gynecological oncology societies for patients with cervical cancer. A comparative analysis of American, Asian, and European guidelines was conducted to evaluate the different recommendations for diagnostic, surgical, medical, and follow-up management. Cervical cancer continues to have a significant incidence, despite global efforts in HPV vaccination campaigns. Managing this condition involves a diverse team of healthcare professionals. Research in this field is undergoing a period of great revolution in multiple areas, and international guidelines will soon have to adapt to new scientific evidence. This could be true mainly in locally advanced stages, and it could also be true for minimal invasive surgery. This paper aims to summarize and compare the most recent recommendations published by international gynecological oncological societies for patients with cervical cancer. From their comparison, common aspects and disagreements emerged, especially in the diagnostic pathway and follow-up strategies. Several issues that remain to be debated in the literature were addressed and compared, highlighting similarities and differences, from the role of the sentinel lymph node in early stages to that of the adjuvant hysterectomy in locally advanced tumors. On the surgical side, for this last subset of patients, currently, a laparotomic approach is recommended. At the same time, the advent of immunotherapy has just opened up new and promising scenarios in systemic treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer, and international guidelines will soon introduce it into their algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThere are no established maintenance protocols for cutaneous lymphomas. We aim to determine patient treatments and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to uncover the most effective maintenance protocols for cutaneous lymphomas and impact of treatment interruption. Data was collected retrospectively from nine international institutions, including 149 patients. Younger patients had earlier stages of disease and were most frequently treated with skin-directed therapies including topical steroids, mechlorethamine gel, and phototherapy. Treatment interruption varied by treatment type and stage, with patients on topical therapies and earlier stages of disease being least likely to experience interruption. Treatment interruption was significantly associated with progression of disease and worse outcomes, with twice as many patients progressing who had interruption compared to those without interruption. This study may demonstrate the significance of continuous maintenance therapies, even in younger patients with early stages of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) comprises 14 countries, many of which currently grapple with an increasing burden of cardiothoracic surgical (CTS) diseases. Health and economic implications of unaddressed CTS conditions are profound and require a robust regional response. This study aimed to define the status of CTS specialist training in the region (including the density of specialists, facilities, and active training posts), examine implications, and proffer recommendations.A desk review of COSECSA secretariat documents and program accreditation records triangulated with information from surgical societies was performed in May 2022 and September 2023 as part of education quality improvement. A modified nominal group process involving contextual experts was used to develop a relevant action framework.Only 6 of 14 (43%) of COSECSA countries offered active training programs with annual intake of only 18 trainees. Significant training gaps existed in Burundi, Botswana, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Country specialist density ranged from 1 per 400,000 (Namibia) to 1 per 8,000,000 (Ethiopia). Overall, the region had 0.2 CTS specialists per million population as compared with 7.15 surgeons per million in High‐Income Countries. Surgical education experts proposed an action framework to address the training crisis including increasing investments in CTS education, establishing regional centers of excellence, retention incentives and opportunities for women, and leveraging international partnerships.Proactive investments in infrastructure, human resources, training, and collaborative efforts by national governments, regional intergovernmental organizations, and international partners are critical to expanding regional CTS training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses iCAN, the International Children's Advisory Network, which empowers the pediatric patient voice in global healthcare. Topics include iCAN's role in providing a platform for children and families in medicine and research, the diverse backgrounds of its youth members, and the network's collaboration with organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the FDA to advance pediatric healthcare.

The article highlights the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions at the end of its extended term, which concluded on July 1, 2024. Topics include the overturning of the Chevron doctrine in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the implications of this ruling on future legal challenges to federal regulations, and the Court's dismissal of significant cases such as Moyle v. U.S. and Idaho v. U.S., as well as the rejection of a challenge to abortion pill access.

There has been a major growth in global health networks in recent decades to address health issues including tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and maternal mortality. Most conditions that incur high costs have provoked networks of advocates working to mitigate the impact, increase investment in research, and establish campaigns. Global health networks often work simultaneously across policy, knowledge creation, and advocacy. Until recently there has been limited activity in global health networks and advocacy addressing hearing loss and deafness which has contributed to its relatively low visibility with policymakers compared to other health conditions. This discussion paper reports on a global consultation that explored the views of advocacy groups and individuals on advocacy for the management of hearing loss, and cochlear implantation (CI). It focussed on stakeholders' views of current advocacy endeavours, opportunities and barriers, and the possible development of a global advocacy network to improve access to cochlear implantation and the supporting services. The subsequent development of a global health network, the Cochlear Implant International Community of Action (CIICA) is discussed and the conditions necessary for the successful development of health networks are explored. This paper will be of interest to those wishing to understand the factors influencing the development of health networks and advocacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]