East European Region Research Articles

Mendelian randomization analysis of atopic dermatitis and esophageal cancer in East Asian and European populations

BackgroundEmerging observational studies showed an association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and gastrointestinal cancers. However, it remains unclear whether this association is causal, particularly in the case of cancers like esophageal cancer, which exhibit ancestral genetic traits. MethodsTo assess the potential causal relationship between AD and esophageal cancer across diverse ancestral backgrounds, we conducted a 2-sample Mendelian randomization study. Independent genetic instruments for AD from the FinnGen consortium (N case = 7024 and N control = 198 740), BioBank Japan (N case = 2385 and N control = 209 651) and Early Genetics and Lifecourse Epidemiology (EAGLE) eczema consortium (N case = 18 900 and N control = 84 166, without the 23andMe study) were used to investigate the association with esophageal cancer in the UK Biobank study (N case = 740 and N control = 372 016) and BioBank Japan esophageal cancer sample (N case = 1300 and N control = 197 045). ResultsWhen esophageal cancer extracted from East Asian ancestry was used as a outcome factor, AD data extracted from BioBank Japan (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83–0.98), FinnGen consortium (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77–0.96), and EAGLE consortium (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.81–1.06) were negatively associated with esophageal cancer susceptibility. However, AD as a whole did not show an association with esophageal cancer from European ancestry. ConclusionThis study provides support for a causal relationship between AD and esophageal cancer in East Asian populations but not between AD and esophageal cancer from European ancestry. The specific associations between esophageal cancer and AD appear to exhibit significant disparities between the East Asian and European regions.

Empirical delineation of the forest-steppe zone is supported by macroclimate

Eurasian forest-steppes form a 9000-km-long transitional zone between temperate forests and steppes, featuring a complex mosaic of herbaceous and woody habitats. Due to its heterogeneity regarding climate, topography and vegetation, the forest-steppe zone has been divided into several regions. However, a continental-scale empirical delineation of the zone and its regions was missing until recently. Finally, a map has been proposed by Erdős et al. based on floristic composition, physiognomy, relief, and climate. By conducting predictive distribution modeling and hierarchical clustering, here we compared this expert delineation with the solely macroclimate-based predictions and clusters. By assessing the discrepancies, we located the areas where refinement of the delineation or the inclusion of non-macroclimatic predictors should be considered. Also, we identified the most important variables for predicting the existence of the Eurasian forest-steppe zone and its regions. The predicted probability of forest-steppe occurrence showed a very high agreement with the expert delineation. The previous delineation of the West Siberia region was confirmed by our results, while that of the Inner Asia region was the one least confirmed by the macroclimate-based model predictions. The appropriate delineation of the Southeast Europe region from the East Europe region should be refined by further research, and splitting the Far East region into a southern and northern subregion should also be considered. The main macroclimatic predictors of the potential distribution of the zone and its regions were potential evapotranspiration (zone and regions), annual mean temperature (regions), precipitation of driest quarter (regions) and precipitation of warmest quarter (zone), but the importance of climatic variables for prediction showed great variability among the fitted predictive distribution models.

The Legal transplant during the democratic transition: the regional migration of a constitutional idea : The spread of qualified law in the central and East-European regions

This academic contribution analyses the recent migration of a constitutional idea as a legal transplant in Central and Eastern Europe: the implementation of qualified law in several countries during their democratic transition. A cursory glance at the regional dimension of this constitutional instrument provides new insight into the role of qualified legislation during political transitions and leads to valuable experience regarding the migration of constitutional ideas in Central and Eastern Europe. It is demonstrated how the external, mainly Western European examples influenced the constitutional development of this region, and how the new democratic frameworks inspired each other within Central and Eastern Europe.

Current exposure to phthalates and DINCH in European children and adolescents - Results from the HBM4EU Aligned Studies 2014 to 2021.

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Exposure to several phthalates is associated with different adverse effects most prominently on the development of reproductive functions. The HBM4EU Aligned Studies (2014-2021) have investigated current European exposure to ten phthalates (DEP, BBzP, DiBP, DnBP, DCHP, DnPeP, DEHP, DiNP, DiDP, DnOP) and the substitute DINCH to answer the open policy relevant questions which were defined by HBM4EU partner countries and EU institutions as the starting point of the programme. The exposure dataset includes ∼5,600 children (6-11 years) and adolescents (12-18 years) from up to 12 countries per age group and covering the North, East, South and West European regions. Study data from participating studies were harmonised with respect to sample size and selection of participants, selection of biomarkers, and quality and comparability of analytical results to provide a comparable perspective of European exposure. Phthalate and DINCH exposure were deduced from urinary excretions of metabolites, where concentrations were expressed as their key descriptor geometric mean (GM) and 95th percentile (P95). This study aims at reporting current exposure levels and differences in these between European studies and regions, as well as comparisons to human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GVs). GMs for children were highest for ∑DEHP metabolites (33.6μg/L), MiBP (26.6μg/L), and MEP (24.4μg/L) and lowest for∑DiDP metabolites (1.91μg/L) and ∑DINCH metabolites (3.57μg/L). In adolescents highest GMs were found for MEP (43.3μg/L), ∑DEHP metabolites (28.8μg/L), and MiBP (25.6μg/L) and lowest for ∑DiDP metabolites (= 2.02μg/L) and ∑DINCH metabolites (2.51μg/L). In addition, GMs and P95 stratified by European region, sex, household education level, and degree of urbanization are presented. Differences in average biomarker concentrations between sampling sites (data collections) ranged from factor 2 to 9. Compared to the European average, children in the sampling sites OCC (Denmark), InAirQ (Hungary), and SPECIMEn (The Netherlands) had the lowest concentrations across all metabolites and ESTEBAN (France), NAC II (Italy), and CROME (Greece) the highest. For adolescents, comparably higher metabolite concentrations were found in NEB II (Norway), PCB cohort (Slovakia), and ESTEBAN (France), and lower concentrations in POLAES (Poland), FLEHS IV (Belgium), and GerES V-sub (Germany). Multivariate analyses (Survey Generalized Linear Models) indicate compound-specific differences in average metabolite concentrations between the four European regions. Comparison of individual levels with HBM-GVs revealed highest rates of exceedances for DnBP and DiBP, with up to 3 and 5%, respectively, in children and adolescents. No exceedances were observed for DEP and DINCH. With our results we provide current, detailed, and comparable data on exposure to phthalates in children and - for the first time - in adolescents, and - for the first time - on DINCH in children and adolescents of all four regions of Europe which are particularly suited to inform exposure and risk assessment and answer open policy relevant questions.

ФЕНОМЕН ИСТОРИЧЕСКОЙ ПОЛИТИКИ КАК ФАКТОР РОССИЙСКО-ПОЛЬСКИХ ОТНОШЕНИЙ

The purpose of this work is to study the influence of public opinion on the formation of modern Russian-Polish relations. The work concretizes the concept of the phenomenon of “historical politics” in the context of Poland’s foreign policy strategy in the eastern direction in the conditions of post-bipolar world. The article analyzes the mechanisms of formation of public opinion in the focus of relations between the Russian and Polish Republics. It is substantiated that the revanchist position of the Polish political elite in its focus on deforming national consciousness and historical memory led not only to the strengthening of anti-Russian sentiments in Polish society, but also to an increase in conflict potential in the East European region. As a result, the author comes to the conclusion that the leading factor in the formation of public opinion in post-socialist Poland in relation to the Russian Federation is the activity of state-public organizations, which act as a channel for the implementation of the concept of “historical policy” of Warsaw in strengthening its geopolitical influence in the space of the former USSR.

War in Ukraine: A power play between Democracy and Authoritarianism

This article provides an analytical discussion of the crisis of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War. Some of the fundamental aspects of the post-Cold War international order are addressed in this respect, including emerging powers, anti-Westernism, authoritarianism, and new threats in international relations. It is argued that the post-Cold War period brought both stability and instability to the global world order. On the one hand, the United States' victory in the ideological conflict between the East and the West led to the dominance of the Western system and its influence in the Middle East and Central Eastern European region with the call for democracy. On the other hand, the growing intervention of the US in intra-state disputes through the deployment of NATO has become a major concern to Russia and many other nations along the eastern border. This intensified anti-Western sentiment in emerging countries, with the rise of many Authoritarian governments. Many of the conflicts that the world has witnessed since the end of the Cold War are the result of such anti-Western feelings. This resulted at the beginning of a new era of war and conflict on a global scale. Russia's war in Ukraine is one of the recent examples. Russia is attempting to maintain its sphere of influence to avoid joining NATO and the West, regardless of the cost or repercussions of the war. As a result of these conflicts between great powers, several new powers emerged, resulting in a multi-polar world order. Today, it is emphasized that the ability and willingness of great powers to cooperate in addressing these dangers will determine the course of the world.

Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000–1900: A Sourcebook, ed. Valerie A. Kivelson and Christine D. Worobec

In witchcraft studies the 1990s–2000s were fruitful years in terms of the publication of influential monographs and edited volumes, as well as proposals for new approaches to the subject. In recent years we have witnessed a prevalence of publications about witchcraft trials in previously ignored or neglected countries or regions of Europe. This new sourcebook on Russia and Ukraine, edited by Valerie A. Kivelson and Christine D. Worobec, fits perfectly into this trend, broadening the scope of knowledge about the specifics of witchcraft beliefs and trials in this East European region. The editors have collected and translated many extremely rich source materials that were previously unknown to an English-speaking audience, and a large number of these documents have never been previously published. Their aim is to acquaint their readership with the peculiarity of witchcraft trials, beliefs and practices in Russia and Ukraine—which were in many respects quite different in these two regions—in the context of their social structure, cultural and religious practices (in the Russian case, Orthodox, in the Ukrainian, multicultural and multi-religious).

Sabretache from Burial 8 of the Krasnogorsk Burial Ground. Historical Aspect

The finds of purses/sabretache with front side coating of metal sheets are of considerable interest for the study of the cultural ties of the population of the Vetluga-Vyatka interfluvial area. Purses/sabretache, decorated with sheets and plates, are well known since the 10th century in the Carpathian basin and East European region, and even found on some Scandinavian burial grounds. Items of this type in the Vetluga-Vyatka interfluve were found on the Veselovsky, Rusenikha and Anatkasy burial grounds. But, unfortunately, the finds are poorly preserved, which does not allow a complete reconstruction of the items. In 2019, another handbag was found on the Krasnogorsk burial ground of Mari culture of the 10th century. A good preservation of organic matters and a comprehensive study of the details of the sabretache made it possible to reconstruct the full view of the item. The find from burial 8 of the Krasnogorsk burial ground was examined against a background of wide analogies from the medieval sites of the Carpathian basin, East European and Eurasian regions that allowed to find the place of the item in the system of international connections and to take a closer look at the issue of the genesis and ways of spread of this type of objects.

Evaluation of Ukrainian Camelina sativa germplasm productivity and analysis of its amenability for efficient biodiesel production

Camelina or false flax ( Camelina sativa ) is an emerging crop that is currently considered one of the most promising feedstock for production of vegetable oil-based liquid biofuels: biodiesel and jet biofuel. Originally, camelina comes from the East European region, where this crop used to be widely cultivated before it was substituted with other oilseed crops, such as rapeseed, sunflower, etc. Due to increasing interest in biofuel production and sustainable agriculture, camelina has re-emerged as a viable oil-rich crop of multiple purposes. However, camelina varieties are not free from some undesirable traits, one of which is low yields. Over the recent years, extensive research efforts have been dedicated to breeding and improving this crop although this work has been restricted by limited genetic diversity of camelina. This limitation can be overcome by using unexploited germplasm, which previously was not involved into the camelina breeding process. In present study, we aimed to evaluate the productivity potential of unexploited Ukrainian spring camelina varieties and to perform comprehensive estimation of their suitability for use as oil feedstock for biodiesel production. The productivity data of all nine existing Ukrainian varieties of spring camelina was assessed for the 2001–19 period, based on the available data. It has been established that average productivity of the analyzed cultivars is 1756 kg/ha in the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe zone and 1146 kg/ha in the Steppe zone. The latter is characterized by a dryer climate, which significantly impacts spring camelina seed yields and thus their oil outputs, which are crucial for biofuel production. Potential rates of FAME- and FAEE-based biodiesel production have been evaluated. The conducted comprehensive analysis suggests that cultivation of spring camelina for biofuel production purposes can be more sustainable and feasible in the Forest-Steppe zone, rather than in the Steppe zone. Finally, a brief investigation of potential obstacles, impacting the production efficiency and feasibility of different biodiesel types, has also been conducted, as well as potential solutions were proposed for them. The obtained results create strong background for further efficient camelina breeding and for analyses of techno-economic feasibility of production camelina-based biofuels in Eastern Europe and specifically in Ukraine. • Performance of unexploited Ukrainian camelina germplasm was first evaluated. • Productivity of Ukrainian varieties of camelina was assessed for the 2001–19 period. • The average camelina yields were 1.76 t/ha in Forest-Steppe and 1.15 t/ha in Steppe. • Camelina oil yields depends more on seed yield, rather than seed oil content. • Biodiesel production rates were 726.53 and 374.96 L/ha in Forest-Steppe and Steppe.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Nephrology Care in People Living with HIV in Central/Eastern Europe and Neighbouring Countries-Cross-Sectional Analysis from the ECEE Network.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Central and East Europe (CEE) region consists of countries with highly diversified HIV epidemics, health care systems and socioeconomic status. The aim of the present study was to describe variations in CKD burden and care between countries. The Euroguidelines in the CEE Network Group includes 19 countries and was initiated to improve the standard of care for HIV infection in the region. Information on kidney care in HIV-positive patients was collected through online surveys sent to all members of the Network Group. Almost all centres use regular screening for CKD in all HIV (+) patients. Basic diagnostic tests for kidney function are available in the majority of centres. The most commonly used method for eGFR calculation is the Cockcroft–Gault equation. Nephrology consultation is available in all centres. The median frequency of CKD was 5% and the main cause was comorbidity. Haemodialysis was the only modality of treatment for kidney failure available in all ECEE countries. Only 39% of centres declared that all treatment options are available for HIV+ patients. The most commonly indicated barrier in kidney care was patients’ noncompliance. In the CEE region, people living with HIV have full access to screening for kidney disease but there are important limitations in treatment. The choice of dialysis modality and access to kidney transplantation are limited. The main burden of kidney disease is unrelated to HIV infection. Patient care can be significantly improved by addressing noncompliance.

Chronic kidney disease in cancer patients, the analysis of a large oncology database from Eastern Europe.

IntroductionKidney dysfunction is prevalent in oncology patients and has an impact on their treatment and quality of life. The aim of our study was to analyze the prevalence of CKD in a large cohort of several types of cancer patients in an East European Region.Material and methodsWe conducted an observational retrospective cohort study on 5831 consecutive, biopsy-diagnosed cancer patients between January 2019 –December 2020 in the largest oncology hospital and outpatient clinic in Western Romania. 4342 subjects were included in the statistical analysis.Results and discussionFrom the 24 cancer types, the most prevalent cancers were represented by: breast (22.02%), lung (10.18%) and colonic cancer (9.51%). The prevalence of CKD (G3 –G5) was 12.27% after the first year of follow-up and 13.42 after the second year. The prevalence of CKD was higher in patients with renal (50%), urinary tract (33.6%) and pancreatic cancers (19.6%) and lower in patients with colonic cancers (5.3%) and brain tumors (2.5%). At the end of our 2-year survey period, 0,7% of the CKD cases had an eGFR around 6 ml/min/1.73m2 –an indication for renal replacement therapy.ConclusionOncology patients have a significantly higher prevalence of CKD compared to the general population, dependent of the age of the patients and the type of cancer. The prevalence of advanced CKD was surprisingly high (stages G4-G5 Pre-Dialysis 22.15%) one third of the CKD- G5 patients having indication for initiation of renal replacement therapy. An onco- nephrology team should be needed for the best medical care of these patients.

HYPERTENSION AND COMORBIDITY AS MACE DEVELOPMENT RISK FACTORS IN THE EAST EUROPEAN REGION

Objective: To identify the impact of Hypertension and comorbidity on the MACE development in the East European Region Design and method: In 2007/2008- 2012/2013 5-year prospective analysis was conducted. Evaluating cardiovascular risk factors with standard questionnaires, measurements of blood pressure, electrocardiography, blood chemistry (serum C-reactively protein, uric acid and cholesterol data) were included in the survey. In 5 years we registered new cases of MACE in the Belarusian population. Results: 70 new cases of MACE were developed in population of 3427 persons during 5-years survey. According to one-variable regression the MACE development was independently associated with the following risk factors adjusted for age and sex: COPD (p < 0.01), HF (p < 0.001), edema (p < 0.01), angina pectoris (p < 0.01), hypertension (p < 0.01), intermittent claudication (p < 0.05), low HDL-C level < 1.08 mmol/l, triglycerides level > 1.87 mmol/l (p < 0.05), myocardial infarction (p < 0.05), low physical activity (p < 0.1), family history of premature cardiovascular disease (p < 0.1). After including these parameters in multifactorial regression analysis and deriving the final model of MACE development (df = 1; x2 Walda = 32.2; p < 0.001) hypertension (p < 0.05), COPD (p < 0,01),HF (p < 0.01), low HDL-C level (<1.08 mmol / l) were significantly associatied with MACE development. Conclusions: Hypertension and comorbidity particularly dyslipidemia, COPD, HF are significant risk factors associated with MACE development in The East European Region.

Flexibility Adequacy Assessment in the SEE Region With New Technology Integration

In this paper, a flexibility adequacy assessment of the South East Europe region countries is being presented. Novel technology integration is being considered in order to provide more flexibility resources to the power system to absorb more renewable energy. A flexibility analysis based on the International Energy Agency methodology provided an overall estimation of the flexibility needs and resources of the Bulgarian and Cypriot power systems. Additionally, several flexibility indices have been calculated providing indications of the potential that both systems have to serve more volatile renewable energy sources without jeopardizing the balancing requirements for frequency regulation and security of supply. A detailed algorithm has been developed, in close cooperation with the national stakeholders in Bulgaria and Cyprus, in order to simulate the variations in demand and generation for the following years and calculate statistical indices for flexibility, such as the Insufficient Ramping Rate expectation and Flexibility Residual, apart from the traditional Loss of Load Expectation used in adequacy studies.

Tripolye Mega-Sites: “Collective Computational Abilities” of Prehistoric Proto-Urban Societies?

In the East European region between Prut and Dnieper, proto-urban mega-sites developed ca. 4100–3600 BCE with population agglomerations of around 10000 inhabitants per site. An outline of complexity categories, based on P. Turchin et al. (2018), illustrates that “computational abilities” are first developed to make the shift from dispersed to agglomerated settlement patterns. The development of an internal decision-making system for a polity that organizes communication via public buildings on different levels, together with a site-specific track system, may be responsible for this shift (or made it possible). However, after generations, this communication pattern was not developed into further collective communication abilities (e. g., into a writing system), while at the same time a tendency toward centralizing decision processes probably destroyed the communication flow. This ultimately led to the collapse of Tripolye mega-sites.

Multi-scale approach for different type of drought in temperate climatic conditions

Drought with its occurrence and manifestations at all levels of the natural components, yields both direct and indirect negative effects, on the ecological systems, water resources, social, as well as economic aspects of life. Therefore, any analysis that concerns this phenomenon, must be carried out at a multi-scalar level, addressing all manifestation levels (meteorological, hydrological, and hydrogeological drought). Standardized evaluation indices (for precipitation-SPI, evaporation-, -SPEI, streamflow-SDI and groundwater-SGI) have been used to analyze the evolution of the drought phenomena in Eastern Romania, for 1, 3, 6 and 12 months’ time-scales, applied to seven groundwater bodies. The results of the analysis complement the observations concerning the evolution of meteorological drought (using SPI and SPEI) in the East European region, by highlighting the drought sequences of the last two decades of the last century. Those are accompanied by the meteorological drought sequences which occurred on extensive areas, starting from 2007, until present, with direct effects in river discharge and increases in groundwater level depths. The Bravais–Pearson correlation coefficient shows a close connection between meteorological and hydrological drought (r ~ 0.45 to 0.68) and between hydrological and groundwater drought (r ~ 0.42 to 0.74) for wells with piezometric level under 5 m depth. In the larger context of climate scenarios which envision an increase in air temperature, and a decrease in the atmospheric hydrological input, the increase in the drought frequency is obvious, with direct effects on all-natural components that are dependent on the hydrological resources.

The Sociocultural and Economic Premises of Quality of Governance and Bureaucratic Efficiency in Central East European Regions in the Context of the EU

The Sociocultural and Economic Premises of Quality of Governance and Bureaucratic Efficiency in Central East European Regions in the Context of the EU

Echinostoma chankensis nom. nov., other Echinostoma spp. and Isthmiophora hortensis in East Asia: morphology, molecular data and phylogeny within Echinostomatidae.

Life cycles, and morphological and molecular data were obtained for Echinostoma chankensis nom. nov., Echinostoma cinetorchis, Echinostoma miyagawai and Isthmiophora hortensis from East Asia. It was established that, based on both life cycle and morphology data, one of the trematodes is identical to the worms designated as Euparyphium amurensis. Genetic data showed that this trematode belongs to Echinostoma. The complex data on biological, morphological and genetic characterizations establish that the distribution of the morphologically similar species, I. hortensis and Isthmiophora melis, in the Old World are limited by the East Asian and European regions, respectively. Data on mature worms of East Asian E. miyagawai revealed morphological and genetic identity with E. miyagawai from Europe. However, E. miyagawai from Europe differs from E. miyagawai from the type locality (East Asia) in terms of reaching maturity and the morphology of cercariae. These data indicate that the European worm, designated E. miyagawai, does not belong to this species. An analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of Echinostomatidae was conducted based on the 28S, ITS2 and nad1 markers. Analysis using the nad1 gene for the known representatives of Echinostomatidae is carried out for the first time, showing that nuclear markers are ineffective separate from mitochondrial ones.

Country selection and aid allocation: A case of the Czech Republic

Research background: Donors provide development aid from various reasons: while some of them might give aid based on the recipient´s needs, some countries pursue their own agendas with their development programmes. Visegrad Group countries are mostly considered as egoistic donors that try to support security in the East European region and promote their trade. Purpose of the article: This article draws back on the existing literature that focused on the motives behind the Czech development aid and examines influence of both egoistic and altruistic variables to determine which of these variables are important for the selection of countries to the aid portfolio and the allocation of aid funds. The researched variables are: number of asylum seekers, debt to the Czech Republic, Czech exports, unemployment in the developing countries, political and civil rights, and enrolment to the secondary education. Methods: Probit-tobit analysis and a generalized linear model are employed in this paper. Findings & Value added: The results suggest that egoistic economic motives (debt and Czech exports) are important factors for both country selection and aid allocation, while the number of asylum seekers affects only the aid allocation. As per the altruistic reasons, the country selection depends on the unemployment rates, political and civil rights and the enrolment to secondary education. The aid allocation depends also on the unemployment rates, political and civil rights, and the ratio of girls enrolled to the secondary education.

Milestones in the History of Intelligence – Oradea as a Nodal Centre on the Regional Geopolitical Axis in the Security Equation

The East European region has always created a space of interaction between the great powers of the Eastern and Western Europe of the different epochs in European history. Not just a contact and an interaction region between Europe, Asia and the Middle East (Africa), but also a pivot of the European security environment, most often forming a real axis on which this scene of confrontation between powers can bend into one or the other part. We can say that the Eastern European region has formed hundreds of years ago (with the emergence of Ottoman power and its pressure on the Western powers, the emergence of the Tsarist and later Soviet power) a pivotal axis which determined the geopolitical configuration of the world and led successively to the advancement or decay of an empire or another. Indeed, the balance between Western powers and the Ottoman Empire, and later between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Eastern Powers, such as the Ottoman Empire and the Tsarist Empire, has been established for several hundred years right in this pivotal axis of Eastern Europe. For this reason, the political and military situation of the territories covered by the pivotal axis have always been a special one. This pivotal axis of Europe started from the Baltic Sea and was generally disposed over the continental strip where today are countries like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, a part of Poland (Pomerania and a part of Silesia), the Czech Republic, the western part of today Romania and a part of Serbia. This geographical positioning of the pivotal axis has led to a permanent political turmoil and change of borders in the mentioned regions. Referring exclusively to the manner in which this pivot axis intersected the current territory of Romania, we observe that in its passage from north to south it included Satu Mare, Oradea, Arad, Timisoara and Resita. Oradea has always played an important role in Central-Eastern Europe, NATO recognizing the NATO HUMINT Centre of Excellence (HCOE) as a strategical organization with a remarkable contribution to the development of the Human Intelligence capability within the Alliance.

Labour market transition of youth in developing economies: the case of countries in South East and Eastern Europe

The goal of this research paper is to examine the influence of various factors on the migration of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 from school to work in five transition countries in the South East and Eastern Europe region, with similar institutional and economic framework. Using probit model, researchers examine the role of each of the variables and what their impact is in the transfer of young men and women and what influences the probability of being working or unemployed after the school is completed. The authors conclude that the elements such as age, gender, household financial situation, mother's education and working experience while studying play a role in the probability of an individual being hired, while other factors such as the field of education, living area and marital status do not affect.