The European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro and euro area to which it gave birth have often been presented as the definitive and irreversible outcome of European integration, or even as a historical necessity at a crucial time of major changes in world politics. Today, however, the story of deeper integration and unification through the single currency is being called into question.

Security, freedom, stability and prosperity create the conditions for people to maintain economic and personal relationships with one another, to express themselves freely and to profess their beliefs, to be free from violence and to be protected from disproportionate risk. That is, in brief, the meaning of a democratic and social legal state.

The previous chapter discussed the existing forms of variation within the internal market. The remainder of this book discusses forms of variation that fall both within and outside the current framework of European Union Treaty law. This chapter connects the various dots to reveal a broad range of variation options.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability, validity, and usefulness of 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) in female basketball players. Methods: Nineteen female basketball players (17.82 ± 1.94 yr, 175.4 ± 7.3 cm, 67.9 ± 7.7 kg) competing in the National Croatian League performed one trial of a continuous treadmill running test and two trials of the 30-15IFT. The 30-15IFT involves 30-s runs across a 40-m course interspersed with 15 s of walking, with running speed increasing every 45 s. The continuous treadmill running test was used as the criterion for validation. Results: High to very high reliability across test–retest trials were observed for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (CV = 4.9%, ICC = 0.85), the 30-15IFT end-running velocity (VIFT) (CV = 6.0%, ICC = 0.85), and maximal heart rate (HRmax) (CV = 4.8%, ICC = 0.96). Criterion validity was supported for the 30-15IFT with strong to very strong relationships with VO2max (r =0.69), VIFT (r =0.74), and HRmax (r =0.73) attained during the continuous treadmill running test. The typical error (TE) of the 30-15IFT was greater than the smallest worthwhile change for VO2max (1.16 > 0.42 ml/kg/min), VIFT (0.56 > 0.20 km/h), and HRmax (2.15 > 1.89 bpm) adjudging usefulness of the test as marginal. The TE of 0.56 km/h (90% CI = 0.44–0.77 km/h) demonstrates changes in the performance of one to two stages (0.5–1.0 km/h) are meaningful. Conclusions: The 30-15IFT possesses acceptable reliability and validity to assess maximal aerobic fitness capacity in female basketball players. While the usefulness of the 30-15IFT was marginal, meaningful changes in performance consisted of only one to two stages. The present findings support the 30-15IFT as a practical testing option for basketball practitioners to assess fitness capacities in female players.

Parental separation is a major adverse childhood experience. Parental separation is generally preceded by conflict, which is itself a risk factor for child problem behavior. Whether parental separation independent of conflict has negative effects on child problem behavior is unclear. This study was embedded in Generation R, a population-based cohort followed from fetal life until age 9 years. Information on family conflict was obtained from 5,808 mothers and fathers. The 4-way decomposition method was used to apportion the effects of prenatal family conflict and parental separation on child problem behavior into 4 nonoverlapping components. Structural equation modeling was used to test bidirectional effects of child problem behavior and family conflict over time. Family conflict from pregnancy onward and parental separation each strongly predicted child problem behavior up to preadolescence according to maternal and paternal ratings. Using the 4-way decomposition method, we found evidence for a strong direct effect of prenatal family conflict on child problem behavior, for reference interaction, and for mediated interaction. The evidence for interaction implies that prenatal family conflict increased the children’s vulnerability to the harmful effect of parental separation. There was no evidence of a pure indirect effect of parental separation on child problem behavior. Overall, results indicated that if parental separation occurs in families with low levels of conflict, parental separation does not predict more child problem behavior. Moreover, the bidirectional pattern suggested that child problem behavior influences the persistence of family conflict.

ABSTRACT Not being subject to various restrictions common to more formal contexts and thus establishing complete control, users are ready for a considerable investment in the target language use, in this case the English language use, on social sites. Their investment here is motivated by the desire to assume the identity of a global citizen, the identity of unique individuals deserving the attention of the target social group. In that attempt they start playing with language, foreign and multilingual language play presenting appropriate means of creating the desired identity positions. The present study, exploring the use of English by young adult Bosnian speakers on Facebook and Instagram and the reasons underlying it, aimed at investigating the aforementioned claims. Using English the participants tried to show they possess the attributes associated with English as the global language, such as modern, trendy, omnipresent, etc. Moreover, they seemed to find being both local and international, traditional and modern, and above all unique and creative more important than being correct following native-like norms. The study is expected to broaden the understanding of the interrelation between the language use and identity negotiation, and contribute to awakening a stronger interest into the potential of language play.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Seizures, which could not be controlled by drug therapy, have profound negative influence on the quality of life of the affected person. If with clear locus of origin and accompanied by loss of consciousness, drug-resistant epilepsy could be treated by surgery. Areas covered: The aim of this article was to review current status of epilepsy surgery through description of the most important operative methods and narrative comparison of their benefits and harms. In total 1154 articles were retrieved from MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EBSCO, and SCINDEKS databases, and 78 included in the review. The review included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trials, observational studies on humans, case series, and case reports. Expert opinion: Sophisticated diagnostic methods nowadays offer much more precise localization of epileptogenic focus and detailed planning of a surgical procedure which will make minimal damage of neural pathways and structures essential for movements, speech, cognition, and emotions. Advent of perioperative care, and improved diagnostics and surgical techniques resulted with significant drop in rates of postoperative complications, long-term neurological deficit, and mortality in the last decade, while seizure freedom rate and quality of life increased.

The aim of this study was to compare cost-utility of tafenoquine (TQ) and primaquine (PQ) for a radical cure (prevention of relapse) of Plasmodium vivax (PV) malaria in Serbia using A five-state, 1-month cycle Markov model. The perspective of Republic Health Insurance Fund was chosen, and the time horizon was 10 years. The model results were obtained after Monte Carlo microsimulation of a sample with 1000 virtual patients. After base case analysis PQ was dominated by TQ, as the net monetary benefit was positive (20,713.84 ± 7,167.46 RSD (99% CI) (174.95 ± 60.54 €)) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was below the willingness-to-pay line of 1 Serbian gross national product per capita per quality-adjusted life year gained. Multiple one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the results of the base case simulation. In conclusion, TQ was cost-effective in comparison to PQ for radical cure of PV malaria in socio-economic settings of a South-Eastern European country.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of factors in infertile male patients to retrieve sperm from their testicles before they undergo testicular sperm extraction (TESE). In total, 64 males were enrolled in this study. Infertility was identified as obstructive azoospermia (OA); non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA); Klinefelter syndrome (KS); and cryptozoospermia (Crypt). Age, body mass index and concomitant conditions were noted. Testicular volumes, serum levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and prolactin were investigated. Sperm retrieval after TESE was noted as positive or negative. Average age of the cases was 36.8 years. TESE success rate of testicular sperm retrieval rate was 50.0%. Majority of men (83.9%) had a 46, XY karyotype, minority had genetic anomalies, and 5 of were diagnosed with KS – all were TESE-negative. There was no statistical difference in age, testicular volume, presence of varicocele and microcalcifications or hormonal levels in the TESE-positive and negative groups. Smoking as an independent variable was the only risk factor statistically showing (OR = 0.269; p = 0.045) prediction of negative sperm retrieval after the TESE procedure. None of the parameters investigated herein predicted successful TESE outcomes. However, in cases with negative TESE only smoking was identified as a predictive factor for negative sperm retrieval and was established as a risk factor. Abbreviations: AZF: azoospermia factor; BMI: body mass index; Crypt: cryptozoospermia; FSH: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection; IU: international unit; KS: Klinefelter syndrome; LH: Luteinizing Hormone; mL: milliliter; NOA: non-obstructive azoospermia; OA: obstructive azoospermia; T: testosterone; TESA: testicular sperm aspiration; TESE: testicular sperm extraction

ABSTRACT Democracy is backsliding throughout Southeast Europe but there are no signs of full democratic breakdown. Instead, political parties and their leaders incrementally undermine challenges to governmental authority while keeping electoral contest largely intact. This article introduces a special issue that aims to examine and explain democratic decline by looking at the prevalence of illiberal politics across countries and issues. In order to overcome the limitations of fixed regime classification we adopt a procedural lens and look into governing practices that gradually tilt the electoral playing field. Utilizing the concept of Illiberal politics allows us to examine sets of policies enacted by political parties in government with the aim to remain in power indefinitely. By tracing democratic decline in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia we observe different patterns of weakness, but also common causes arising from weak institutions and inherited governance practices that preserve executive dominance, patronage, and informality.

ABSTRACT Introduction There are positive aspects regarding the prescribing of fixed dose combinations (FDCs) versus prescribing the medicines separately. However, these have to be balanced against concerns including increased costs and their irrationality in some cases. Consequently, there is a need to review their value among lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) which have the greatest prevalence of both infectious and noninfectious diseases and issues of affordability. Areas covered Review of potential advantages, disadvantages, cost-effectiveness, and availability of FDCs in high priority disease areas in LMICs and possible initiatives to enhance the prescribing of valued FDCs and limit their use where there are concerns with their value. Expert commentary FDCs are valued across LMICs. Advantages include potentially improved response rates, reduced adverse reactions, increased adherence rates, and reduced costs. Concerns include increased chances of drug:drug interactions, reduced effectiveness, potential for imprecise diagnoses and higher unjustified prices. Overall certain FDCs including those for malaria, tuberculosis, and hypertension are valued and listed in the country’s essential medicine lists, with initiatives needed to enhance their prescribing where currently low prescribing rates. Proposed initiatives include robust clinical and economic data to address the current paucity of pharmacoeconomic data. Irrational FDCs persists in some countries which are being addressed.

Abstract Cadmium is a heavy metal, toxic even in trace amounts and its biological function in the human body has not been described to date. It is assumed that cadmium manifests in dose-dependent genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on many organs and tissue types. In this study, we have analyzed the biochemical parameters in the serum of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) after chronic in vivo exposure to cadmium. Adult animals were exposed to cadmium in the form of CdCl2 dissolved in water (0.20 mg/L) for 20 days. Significant differences between controls and exposed animals were found in 12 out of 13 analyzed biochemical parameters. Total bilirubin concentrations did not show any significant differences between the two groups. Exposure to cadmium has resulted in a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity, sodium and chloride concentration, as well as significant reductions in total proteins, albumins, globulins, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium concentration, and alkaline phosphatase activity. In this sense, chronic in vivo exposure to low doses of cadmium has induced severe changes in the levels of observed biochemical parameters and enzyme activity. Additionally, evident cytogenetic changes in the liver were also noted, where hepatocyte damage and even lack of organized nuclei, including nuclear fragmentation, clearly indicated ongoing apoptotic processes.