Official Data Research Articles

P-341 From cross-border reproduction to embryos and gametes transit: the peculiar italian case examined from ethical, legal, and comparative standpoint

Abstract Study question Is the transportation of gametes and embryos by land or air from a foreign country the solution for the lack of donors supply in Italy? Summary answer In Italy, post-2014 Court ruling made heterologous fertilization legal. Yet, gamete acquisition is tough, pushing clinics to foreign banks, facing transport risks. What is known already The international flow of human gametes, expanding due to the growth in reproductive medicine, is regulated by European Directives aiming for uniform EU regulations to maximize health protection via standardized quality and safety. However, diverse national regulations, especially regarding gamete donation, create complex scenarios. In Italy, for instance, regulatory constraints and insufficient legislative support force ART centers to import gametes, mainly from Spain, leading to ongoing cross-border transport of biological material, a process fraught with challenges. Study design, size, duration This study reviews European and Italian regulations on human cell and tissue circulation, focusing particularly on Italy. Directive 2004/23/EC, initiated by the European Parliament and Council, aims to regulate the use of human reproductive biological material, promoting donorship and uniform quality and safety standards across EU member states. Later Directives, including (EU) 2015/566, specifically address gamete transfer within the EU, differentiating between intra-EU distribution and import from non-EU countries. Participants/materials, setting, methods We have meticulously analyzed the legislation applied by the European and non-European states included in the study, examined the role of the European legislator, and conducted a comparative analysis of the effects produced on society. Official data published on this topic by the Italian Ministry of Health have also been collected and analyzed. Main results and the role of chance Aligning with both national and European legal frameworks, as well as adhering to scientific guidelines, is crucial for the secure transport of gametes and embryos. The importance of effective risk management and minimizing liability cannot be overstated, requiring clear communication about consent, transport methods, data sharing, and managing unforeseen events. Despite efforts, European legislation struggles to harmonize effectively, ensuring uniform rights across the continent. In Italy, the demand for donated sperm and oocytes has surged following the invalidation of certain legal restrictions on the use of donated gametes. However, the availability of donated human gametes within Italy falls short of meeting this demand. According to the Italian Ministry of Health, in 2020, there were over 3,100 requests for donated oocytes, but only 60 instances of fresh oocyte donations were recorded in Italy, necessitating imports primarily from Spain. A key factor in the low donation rates is Italy’s ban on compensating donors for their inconvenience and lost work time. Similarly, semen donations in Italy are inadequate, with 75% of male gametes imported from abroad. The lack of financial incentives, coupled with the significant influence of the Catholic Church and limited public awareness about infertility issues, contributes to Italy’s shortage of donors. Limitations, reasons for caution Not applicable. Wider implications of the findings The absence of a decision by the Italian legislator regarding the issue of donors leads to various problems: we refer to the costs that affect the centers, inevitably impacting patients who opt for treatment in Italy; or, conversely, in the travel costs for those who decide to seek treatment abroad. Trial registration number not applicable

Semi-presidentialism and war: executive leadership models in Ukraine during Zelenskyi’s presidency

ABSTRACT Following Russia's invasion, Ukraine exemplifies presidential leadership during full-scale war. This study examines executive coordination from Zelenskyi's mid-2019 election to the February 2022–July 2023 war period, using media sources and official data. It introduces three new leadership models – figurehead-leader, arbiter-management and leader-implementer – to capture evolving intra-executive relations in semi-presidential systems. Power centralisation around the president has accelerated, fitting the leader-implementer model. However, in accordance with the arbiter-manager model, a stricter division of labour, especially in domestic policy, is evident. Despite semi-presidentialism's perceived conflict-proneness, the study shows it can function efficiently and allow executive flexibility during significant crisis.

Мої спогади про батька Володимира Вікторовича Бобіна. До 100-річчя з дня народження

The article presents not only official data about the professor of the Department of Normal Human Anatomy of the Kharkiv National Medical University, academician of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences of National Progress, honorary academician of the International Academy of Integrative Anthropology, Doctor of Medical Sciences Volodymyr Viktorovych Bobin, but also the memories of his daughter Iryna. The portrait of a scientist, intellectual, teacher, loving son, father and grandfather, who was Professor V.V. Bobin, is shown. Key words: anatomy, anthropology, normal anatomy, history of medicine, medical dynasty, Volodymyr Bobin.

Віктор Володимирович Бобін — видатний представник анатомічної школи України. До 100-річчя з дня народження його сина професора Володимира Вікторовича Бобіна.

The article presents not only official data about Viktor Volodymyrovych Bobin, professor of the Department of Normal Anatomy of the Crimean Medical Institute, but also shows his scientific activities in his native city Kharkiv in 1919-1922. Works on anthropology are also highlighted, in particular the scientist’s monograph "Artificially deformed skulls found during excavations in the Crimea" (1957). The article is devoted to the 100th anniversary of the birth of his son, Professor of the Department of Normal Human Anatomy of the Kharkiv National Medical University, Academician of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences of National Progress, Honorary Academician of the International Academy of Integrative Anthropology, Doctor of Medical Sciences Volodymyr Viktorovych Bobin. Key words: anatomy, anthropology, normal anatomy, history of medicine, medical dynasty, Viktor Bobin

Identifying the spatio-temporal dynamics of mega city region range and hinterland: A perspective of inter-city flows

Mega city regions (MCRs) have emerged in many countries in the process of urbanisation. Understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of MCRs is crucial for sustainable urban development. However, the spatial scales and boundaries of these MCRs remain poorly defined, and their temporal dynamics have received limited attention. To address these gaps, we propose a new framework and GSMA algorithm that considers inter-city flows to identify MCRs' central cities, ranges and hinterlands. By utilising comprehensive data of over 30 million inter-city flow records covering 369 cities from Amap and Tencent, calibrated with official data from the Ministry of Transport, we identify 10 MCRs and 16 central cities in China, providing a clearer understanding of the spatial ranges and core areas of MCRs. We find that MCR ranges show relative stability during routine activities and expansions during holiday periods. Compared with previous methods, the proposed framework and algorithm have two prominent advantages. First, our methodology incorporates the directional characteristics of flows into the identification of MCRs' central cities. Second, we strike a balance between enlarging regional influence and tightening the internal connections in MCR delineation. In addition, by incorporating temporal changes in inter-city flows, the study reveals the temporal dynamics of MCRs which reflects the intricate interplay between human activities and urban system dynamics.

Data-Driven Web-Based Service Travel Resume Information System

The Energy and Mineral Resources Department (ESDM) of South Sumatra Province has significantly enhanced its operational efficiency by implementinga Web-Based Official Travel Resume Information System. This system was developed to address the inefficiencies and risks associated with the previous manual method of managing official travel data. The new system leverages PHP, MySQL, Javascript, JQuery, and Bootstrap to provide a robust, secure, and user-friendly platform for handling travel reports, assignment orders, and official travel documentation. The digital transformation has streamlined data entry, improved data integrity, and facilitated real-time information access,enabling better decision-making and strategic planning. A System Usability Scale (SUS) test was conducted with 120 participants to evaluate the system's usability. The results showed a mean SUS score of 78.5, indicating good usability, with a standard deviation of 8.3. High scores were recorded for the system's ease of use, integration of functions, and user confidence, while lower scores highlighted initial complexity and a need for additional user training. The successful implementation and positive usability results underscore the system's effectiveness in enhancing the ESDM Department's operational capabilities. Recommendations for further improvements include enhancing mobile accessibility, providing ongoing user training, integrating advanced reporting features, and refining the user interface to ensure continued user satisfaction and system efficiency.

Theoretical Background of Input-Output Analysis and its Application in Albania

The input-output (IO) method is widely used in economic analysis to understand the relationship between sectors of the economy. One of the major advantages of the IO method is its ability to capture the direct and indirect effects of different policies in one sector on other sectors of the economy. The IO table system is a crucial component of the European System of Accounts, a standardized framework for the production of European Union statistics on economic activities. Utilizing various mathematical techniques and methods, the IO analysis shows adaptability as a tool of analysis. In comparison to alternative methods, one of the primary benefits of the IO method is its flexibility in incorporating aggregate data. This enables researchers and policymakers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the interrelationships between different sectors of the economy as well as the effects of different policies on multiple sectors of the economy. This paper examines several studies by different authors related to IO analysis, which use official data from IO tables across various countries to analyze the economy of a country, region, and global impact. This paper evaluates the limitations of the application of the IO method in Albania, considering the techniques of constructing symmetrical IO tables and the types of analyses conducted through these data.

Risks and challenges of living in Institutions: Voices from young people with care experience in China

Amid global shifts towards family-based alternatives, China persists with prevalent institutional care, drawing attention to concerns surrounding caregiving practices. Official data indicates a substantial population, approximately 27.36% of all childcare recipients, living in state-funded care institutions, prompting an exploration of the risks factors faced by these young individuals. This study focuses on exploring risk factors of living in institutions, providing a unique perspective often absent in existing literature—the voices of the care-experienced youth themselves. It included 34 young people who had lived experiences in institutional care. Participants were interviewed to gather their experiences of living in care. Thematic analysis reveals that the overriding risk factors during young people’s living in care range from care identity and parental absence to substandard living conditions, unqualified caregiving, excessive domestic responsibilities, institutional neglect of education, environmental instability, and physical impairments. These challenges contribute to unfavourable outcomes during the transition to adulthood. Therefore, this study concludes that institutional care is suboptimal for children and young individuals in need of genuine care. Based on the findings, practical implications are provided for policymakers and practitioners to make improvements. Nonetheless, ongoing research is essential to contextualise care experiences within current policies, ensuring lessons from historical accounts guide future efforts to enhance the lives of young people in care.

Ecotoxicity of Pesticides Approved for Use in European Conventional or Organic Agriculture for Honeybees, Birds, and Earthworms

Pesticides affect biota inside and outside agricultural fields due to their intrinsic mode of action. This study investigated whether pesticide active substances (AS) approved for conventional agriculture in Europe differ in their ecotoxicity from AS approved for organic agriculture. The evaluation was based on official ecotoxicological data for surrogate honeybee, bird, and earthworm species, which also serve as a reference for official environmental risk assessments in the pesticide authorization process. In October 2022, 268 chemical-synthetic AS approved for conventional and 179 nature-based AS approved for organic agriculture were listed in the EU Pesticide Database. Ecotoxicological data were only available for 254 AS approved for use in conventional agriculture and 110 AS approved for use in organic agriculture. The results showed a higher ecotoxicity of conventional AS: 79% (201 AS), 64% (163 AS) and 91% (230 AS) were moderately to acutely toxic to honeybees, birds, and earthworms, respectively, compared to 44% (48 AS), 14% (15 AS) and 36% (39 AS) of AS approved for organic agriculture. We have only considered the potential ecotoxicities of individual substances in this assessment; actual exposure in the field, where multiple AS formulations with other chemicals (including impurities) are applied, will be different. Nevertheless, these results emphasize that an increase in organic agriculture in Europe would reduce the ecotoxicological burden on biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.

RESULTS OF LOCAL ELECTIONS IN HARGHITA COUNTY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

The results of the local elections in Harghita County, 27th September 2020. This study aims to faithfully depict the territorial distribution of the electoral decisions taken by the inhabitants of Harghita County at the local elections held on 27th September 2020. Based on official statistical data from the Central Electoral Office (https://locale2020.bec.ro/rezultate), the voting for mayors, local and county councilors, as well as president of Harghita County Council was thoroughly examined. 67 mayors were elected in the 21st Electoral District ‒ Harghita County, their political affiliation being as follows: DUHR (48), SDP (7), HAT (5), IC (5), FHP (1) and NLP (1). Of the 835 local councilor seats, most were won by DUHR (570), followed by HAT (138), SDP (49), NLP (34), FHP (14), CI (13), PMP (8), SRU-LUSP (3), PRO ROMÂNIA (2), while the Magyar Civic Party, National Unity Block, Humanist Power Party (Social-Liberal) and the Liberal and Democrat Alliance won a single seat each. Harghita County Council is comprised of 30 county councilors (with one less seat than in the 2016-2020 legislature), 19 being DUHR members, 4 HAT, 3 SDP, 2 FHP and 2 NLP. Borboly Csaba, the DUHR candidate, received a total of 69 822 votes (64.54% of the votes), thus winning his fourth term as president of Harghita County Council.

Optimal region-specific social distancing strategies in a complex multi-patch model through reinforcement learning

Although non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing have proven effective in curbing outbreaks, they also carry economic consequences. This poses a dilemma for policymakers striving to find a balance between disease control and economic burden. This delicate balance varies regionally, influenced by non-epidemiological factors such as population movements, socio-demographic characteristics, and the intricacies of social distancing policies. These factors interact in intricate ways, shaping the transmission dynamics of COVID-19. To address this complexity, we propose an innovative approach utilizing deep reinforcement learning (RL). This method assists in tailoring intervention policies for diverse regions, taking into account their unique dynamics. We incorporate South Korea’s social distancing policies and their economic impact into a RL framework with a multi-region epidemic model, offering a comprehensive solution. We integrate official mobility data and GDP specific to each region, employing the proximity policy optimization algorithm to determine the most appropriate region-specific social distancing policy. The algorithm’s reward function considers both outbreak control and economic impacts, providing policymakers with the flexibility to fine-tune the balance between these two factors according to their preferences. This adjustment can be performed across three distinct cost scenarios: High, Base, and Low-cost scenarios. In scenarios with High-costs, social distancing measures are aimed at regions with extensive connectivity and higher transmission rates. When costs are moderate, policies center around the period of peak prevalence, illustrating adaptable strategies in areas characterized by high transmission rates, budget limitations, and population mobility. In situations with Low-costs, these measures encompass most regions, excluding those with low transmission rates. The study’s results support focused interventions in specific regions to balance outbreak control and economic impact mitigation.

An Analytical Review of Language Economics with a Discussion on Language Use, Policy and Planning in Sri Lanka

Language dynamics depend not only on factors as explained by sociolinguists but also on economic factors. Economics of language and economic analysis of language provide analytical framework for language choice, use of language, language development, language and economic wellbeing, language assimilation, language death, etc. This paper discusses theoretical aspects of economics of language and how language dynamics and economic factors are interrelated with a discussion on language use in Sri Lanka. The paper surveys literature on economics of language which considers language as a rational choice. Optimal language choice maximizes economic benefits subject to constraints. If a language does not serve the need of the people, the evolutionary forces work to improve its functioning, thus language remains incomplete. In a framework of human development, language skills enhance economic gains. As per the discrimination theory, marginalization of minority language speakers from economic activities was analyzed. It was also discussed that economic factors drive a society with many languages to choose one common language or to retain or preserve endangered minority languages. Another branch of research focused on the analysis of official language policies of countries. These studies were highly useful in understanding the relationship between economic factors and language issues and resulting language policy planning. In the discussion on language use in Sri Lanka, it is found that official and link language policies do not always ensure equal access to economic opportunities for different language users. Lack of official data and extensive research on language aspects and their economic concerns further restrict the implementation of better language policy and finally resolving language issues.

Intelligence-Led Policing To Reduce The Vulnerability Of Commercial Sex Workers Online In The Central Jakarta Metro Police Area

Various studies show that the crime rate against Commercial Sex Workers is very high. However, official data often shows that crimes against Commercial Sex Workers are low. This phenomenon was also found in the Central Jakarta Metro Police area. Various vulnerabilities that afflict Commercial Sex Workers in the region have been found. The evaluation was conducted to measure awareness of protection against commercial sex workers by members of the Central Jakarta Metro Police, identify reasons for underreporting of crimes by online sex workers, assess protection against online commercial sex workers, and the involvement of commercial sex workers in law enforcement. This study uses an intelligence-led policing approach based on intelligence analysis with a qualitative approach. The results show that increasing awareness of protection is still very much needed in the Central Jakarta Metro Police environment. In addition, there are still obstacles to reporting crimes by commercial sex workers. Protection against online sex workers needs to be improved, but it needs to be supported by better cooperation. It is recommended to continue to evaluate and enhance weaknesses to improve the response and protection of online sex workers.

Организация труда среднего медицинского персонала как фактор повышения эффективности деятельности медицинских организаций.

The shortage of mid-level medical personnel is one of the most urgent problems of healthcare system in the Russian Federation and affects negatively the efficiency of hospitals. This deficit is partially caused by a high burden on mid-level medical staff and their necessity to provide a number of non-specific non-medical activities. This leads to the medical services quality reduction, negatively affects the motivation of employees and decreases employment in this area. Purpose of this study is to identify the key problems of the organization of labor of mid-level medical staff and the formation of a new concept of labor organization taking international experience into account. Materials and methods. The research is based on the analysis of existing academic literature, sources of official statistical data, regulatory documents, theoretical and practical aspects of labor management and organization in the field of healthcare, the study of relevant international experience in order to identify innovative approaches and methods of labor organization. Results. According to the research the main problems of organizing the work of mid-level medical personnel include shortage of this personnel, its high workload, problems of regulation etc. The reasons for the shortage of mid-level medical specialists are identified: low wages, dissatisfaction with working conditions, low prestige of the medical profession. A system for delegating non-medical duties of mid-level medical personnel to non-medical assistants is introduced as the most effective way to solve these problems based on examples from international experience. According to this approach the tasks of assistants should include non-medical care of patients, work with documents, communications, cleaning, preparing rooms, and so on. International experience shows that assisting staff increases the efficiency of medical organizations and reduces the burden on mid-level medical staff. Findings. The need has been identified for further elaboration of the concept of labor organization in the healthcare system of the Russian Federation based on the principle of delegating non-medical duties of mid-level medical staff to non-medical assisting staff.

Application of geospatial multi-agent system for simulation of different aspects of tuberculosis transmission

BACKGROUND. The paper presents epidemiological process modeling, with a focus on tuberculosis utilizing multi-agent system. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study involves the development of an algorithm that uses the potential of artificial intelligence to create a geospatial model that highlights the different routes of tuberculosis transmission. The simulation process itself is characterized by a number of key stages, including initialization of the city, calibration of health parameters, simulation of the working day, spread of infection, evolution of disease trajectories, rigorous statistical calculations and transition to the next day. A comprehensive description of the course of active tuberculosis according to official data of the World Health Organization is given. Each agent is provided with an appropriate and consistent model that includes relevant health attributes and necessary rules for their dynamic evolution. CONCLUSIONS. The model’s results exhibit stability and lack of significant fluctuations. The statistical values obtained for infected, latent, and recovered individuals align well with known medical data, confirming the model’s adequacy. The proposed model allows for tracking and analyzing the life and behavior of each individual agent, enabling a thorough assessment of tuberculosis infection spread and the development of prevention strategies.

“It’s nourishment we need, not just food”: Contrasting Experiences in South and North America to Alleviate Systemic and Emergent Hunger during COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has reflected our failures and successes as global society in responding to crises, particularly regarding food insecurity. Responses varied greatly around the world. Here, we aimed to identify and compare the government and civil society’s responses to food insecurity and hunger during the pandemic in Montevideo, Uruguay and Wisconsin, USA. We analysed official data on hunger and hunger alleviation strategies and conducted a series of interviews with several Uruguayan and American stakeholders, from NGOs, grassroot organizations, and governmental officers, among other social actors. We also conducted online surveys addressed to Uruguayan consumers and farmers which were answered by over 750 people in the first months of the pandemic. Our analysis and narrative therefore builds on a mixture of qualitative and quantitative data. We enriched our analysis with a series of lived experiences that provided better insights into the feelings, actions and perceptions recorded in the interviews and surveys. We highlight different response strategies (largely top-down in Wisconsin, and a mix of top-down and bottom-up in Montevideo), discuss some of their successes and failures, compare official and popular narratives, and reflect on potential changes to be made to help shape more resilient local food systems but also to enhance the resilience and dignity of communities facing hunger.

The Effect of E-Commerce on Gross Regional Domestic Product and Clustering of Its Characteristics by Utilizing Official Statistics and Big Data

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of e-commerce on Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) and categorize GRDP according to e-commerce features in 17 provinces throughout Java, Sumatra, and Bali. The Human Development Index (HDI), which measures people's proficiency with technology—among which is e-commerce—is greatest on these three islands. This study makes use of big data in the form of Google Trends data as well as official statistics data obtained from the BPS-Statistics Indonesia. K-means clustering and regression analysis are the research methods employed. The study's findings demonstrate that the three islands' GDP growth rates are considerably accelerated by e-commerce companies. There were two ideal clusters identified: the low and high GRDP clusters. All of the provinces on the island of Java are included in the high cluster, with the exception of Central Java, which is distinguished by high transaction values and e-commerce-related keyword searches. Provinces in the low cluster are located on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Bali, and they are distinguished by the usage of Cash on Delivery (COD) and a limited number of employees in e-commerce businesses.

Labor productivity within the framework of the Labor Productivity and Employment Support national project

According to macroeconomic estimates, the Russian economy is characterized by a relatively low level of labor productivity, two to three times inferior to the economies of a number of industrialized countries. The lower level of labor productivity in Russia in comparison with the leading global economies is manifested especially at the microlevel. Increasing labor productivity is one of the most important tasks of the domestic economy in terms of ensuring competitiveness in the world markets. The importance of this process is intensified in the current conditions characterized by Western sanctions aimed at weakening the Russian economy. This determines the relevance of the present study. The purpose of the study is to analyze the labor productivity state in the process of implementing the Labor Productivity and Employment Support project. The subject of the study is labor productivity at the micro- and macrolevels, in individual industries and regions. The study used data from the national project passport, official data from the Federal State Statistics Service and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, and methods such as analysis and synthesis, generalization, grouping, tabular, etc. The presence of significant inter-industry and intra-industry differentiation of Russian companies by the labor productivity level and different methods of calculating labor productivity, which makes it difficult to choose the most effective economic entities, has been revealed. One of the reasons for lagging behind other countries in terms of labor productivity is, among other things, the technological lag of domestic companies. At the same time, the regions do not sufficiently use the possibilities of tax incentives for investment by establishing a tax deduction, and labor motivation is weakened. The labor productivity indicator is not used in ranking regions by the socio-economic development level, as well as for the purposes of assessing regional managers effectiveness.

Conceivably Urgent Actions Could Provide Extreme Benefit

AIs and Vaccines can be of great benefit for humanity, e.g. vaccines vs COVID-19 and vs conceivable future pandemics. The author is sure that there are urgencies; firstly, it should be tried to allow protection alternatives – which are sufficiently save according to authorities – in healthcare, for which results are computed here using official data from 1990 till Jan 26, 2024; secondly, it could be considered to treat an AI – chatbot, robot, etc. – not badly, also if an AI is neither conscious nor sentient. The author sketches how it could be beneficial also for whole society, science, vaccine and AI developers. Due to a new reason using a previous study based on math ideas, e.g., the author inevitably tries to treat all entities (e.g. humans and AIs, also if AIs are neither conscious nor sentient) ethically and at least cheaply altruistically; in future it could conceivably yield that all entities – e.g. persons and AIs, including AIs which are neither conscious nor sentient – could increase probability for such behavior, with benefit for all.

Analysis of the relationship between unregistered employment and occupational accidents in Turkey.

Occupational accidents are anticipated to decline when unregistered employment declines because of more regulated working conditions, inspections, and opportunities for legal protection. In the study, the accuracy of this presumption was examined. This study aims to examine how to protective legal regulations generate a relationship between occupational accidents and informal employment such as the Occupational Health and Safety Law in Turkey. In the research, which was structured within the framework of the quantitative method, various levels of relationship chains were created between informal employment and occupational accidents using correlation and slope calculations. The official data set was created using secondary data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the Social Security Institution. It has been determined that the low positive correlation (r = 0.166) between unregistered employment and occupational accidents in 2008-2012 (pre-legislation period) in Turkey changed to the medium-negative direction (r=-0.602) in 2013-2020 (legislation period). While the assumption that unregistered employment would decrease in the first period was confirmed, the hypothesis was falsified by the increase in occupational accidents despite the decrease in informality in the second period. This study is unique because it shows that in a developing country where unregistered employment is high, the protective regulations for work accidents do not reflect a decrease in the number of work accidents in the short and medium term.