Development Organizations Research Articles

Is Redistribution Good for Our Health? Examining the Macrocorrelation between Welfare Generosity and Health across EU Nations over the Last 40 Years

Context: Social determinants of health are finally getting much-needed policy attention, but their political origins remain underexplored. In this article, the authors advance a theory of political determinants as accruing along three pathways of welfare state effects (redistribution, poverty reduction, and status preservation), and they test these assumptions by examining impacts of policy generosity on life expectancy (LE) over the last 40 years. Methods: The authors merge new and existing welfare policy generosity data from the Comparative Welfare Entitlement Project with data on LE spanning 1980–2018 across 21 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They then examine relationships between five welfare policy generosity measures and LE using cross-sectional differencing and autoregressive lag models. Findings: The authors find consistent and positive effects for total generosity (an existing measure of social insurance generosity) on LE at birth across different model specifications in the magnitude of an increase in LE at birth of 0.10–0.15 years (p < 0.05) as well as for a measure of status preservation (0.11, p < 0.05). They find less consistent support for redistribution and poverty reduction measures. Conclusions: The authors conclude that in addition to generalized effects of policy generosity on health, status-preserving social insurance may be an important, and relatively overlooked, mechanism in increasing LE over time in advanced democracies.

An analysis of humanitarian and health aid harmonisation over a decade (2011–2019) of the Syrian conflict

IntroductionAid harmonisation is a key component of donor efforts to make aid more effective by improving coordination and simplifying and sharing information to avoid duplication. This study evaluates the harmonisation...

Genome Organization and Stability in Mammalian Pre-Implantation Development

A largely stable genome is required for normal development, even as genetic change is an integral aspect of reproduction, genetic adaptation and evolution. Recent studies highlight a critical window of mammalian development with intrinsic DNA replication stress and genome instability in the first cell divisions after fertilization. Patterns of DNA replication and genome stability are established very early in mammals, alongside patterns of nuclear organization, and before the emergence of gene expression patterns, and prior to cell specification and germline formation. The study of DNA replication and genome stability in the mammalian embryo provides a unique cellular system due to the resetting of the epigenome to a totipotent state, and the de novo establishment of the patterns of nuclear organization, gene expression, DNA methylation, histone modifications and DNA replication. Understanding DNA replication and genome stability in the early mammalian embryo is relevant for studies of both normal and disease-causing genetic variation, and to uncover basic principles of genome regulation.

Safety assessment of novel oxadiazole derivatives in acute and sub-acute toxicity studies.

1,3,4-Oxadiazole is a fascinating heterocyclic compound with a unique five-membered ring structure containing nitrogen and oxygen atoms. It has garnered significant attention for its interactions and activities within biological systems. This versatility has led to the production of several ligands using this compound as a pharmacophore. This study evaluates the acute toxicity of three oxadiazole derivatives (1,3,4-Bromo, Chloro, and Iodo) followed by a 28days sub-acute study involving four different doses of each derivative. The study followed the guideline, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) outlined, specifically OECD Guidelines 425 for the acute toxicity study and OECD Guidelines 407 for the sub-acute study. In the acute toxicity study, a high dose of 2000 mg/kg was administered to male and female rats to establish lethal dose 50 (LD50) values, and the rats were closely monitored for 14 days. The subsequent sub-acute study involved the administration of four different doses (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) of each derivative to male and female rats for 28 days. Throughout both studies, careful monitoring for signs of toxicity and comprehensive hematological, biochemical, and histological analysis were carried out thoroughly. The results of the acute toxicity study indicated that all three derivatives had LD50 values exceeding 2000 mg/kg, and the rats did not display significant signs of toxicity. Similarly, no organ or systemic toxicity was observed in the repeated dose sub-acute study for any of the three derivatives. In conclusion, based on the findings of these studies, it was determined that the derivatives are safe for further investigation of their pharmacological activity.

Inter-Nation Equity And The Regulation of Tax Competition via the Global Minimum Tax Rule: A Case for Improvement

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an institution that influences policymaking in international tax law, and it is changing the international tax architecture to deal with tax competition by encouraging countries to adopt a global minimum tax rule. This emerging rule – called Pillar Two in international tax circles – is inadequate for dealing with poverty and inequality in an asymmetrical global context. The rule is premised on the notion and argument that tax competition is a problem for international tax law. Notwithstanding, there is existing research and evidence to show that tax competition can also be a solution to the enormous challenge of poverty and inequality as it can have a redistributive effect. This is a valuable factor amid the inefficiently asymmetrical global society with extreme poverty in many countries and enormous wealth in a few others.This article submits that the Pillar Two minimum tax rule – the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) Rules encompassing the income inclusion rule (IIR), undertaxed payment/profit rule (UTPR), and qualified domestic minimum top-up tax (QDMTT) – should incorporate inter-nation equity to prevent exacerbating global inequality and poverty. Pillar Two intensifies these for at least two reasons: (1) it restricts the positive redistributive effects of tax competition on an inefficiently asymmetrical global society, and (2) it encourages tax competition more suited for high-income countries (HICs) and less suited for those that are low-income countries (LICs). There is latitude to incorporate a differentiated principle deriving from inter-nation equity into this new Pillar Two rule designed to regulate tax competition globally. This proposal requires that the emerging rule be disenabled in certain circumstances to enable LICs to choose whether to apply the rule without being worse off. The article’s proposal seeks to allow LICs room for effective tax competition needed to attain sustainable development goals.

Burden of Kidney Cancer Attributable to Smoking in 38 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Countries, 1990-2021: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Burden of Kidney Cancer Attributable to Smoking in 38 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Countries, 1990-2021: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Совершенствование налоговой системы России в 2024 году: межстрановые сравнения и региональная проекция

The article discusses the additional adjustment of the tax system carried out in the Russian Federation in 2024, primarily in terms of changes in the rates of corporate income tax and personal income tax. Based on the analysis, a conclusion is made about the comparability of the levels of these taxes in Russia and in some countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. It is shown that the centralization of additional revenues arising from the ongoing improvement of the tax system is more effective than the potential redistribution of these revenues to regional budgets due to the high concentration of corporate income tax and personal income tax in the wealthiest regions of Russia.

Resolving the Paradox: How mobile money drives economic growth through financial inclusion

The primary aim of this study is to identify the most relevant financial inclusion variables influencing gross domestic product (GDP) and to choose the optimal multiple linear regression model to quantify their contribution to economic growth. Finance is essential for every economic activity and financial inclusion is closely related to societal empowerment. It is observed in different nations that financial inclusion variables have a valuable impact on economic growth. For this, secondary data were gathered for this study from the IMF (International Monetary Fund) from 2011 to 2020. Graphical presentations were used to visualize the relationship between financial inclusion variables and economic growth. The most eligible variables and the best model among a collection of models based on empirical data were chosen using a stepwise backward elimination technique using multiple linear regression and model selection criteria. From the graph, it is seen that financial inclusion variables are proportionately related to GDP and the results demonstrate that the most eligible variables of financial inclusion that affect GDP are (1) the number of registered mobile money agent outlets, (2) the number of active mobile money accounts, (3) the number of mobile money transactions, and (4) outstanding balances on active mobile money accounts. These variables have a positive impact on economic growth, and the fitted model measures the more significant contribution to economic growth. As a result, it may be summarized that financial enclosure has to be enhanced for the development of rural and border areas of Bangladesh. This study will assist policymakers, development organizations, and scholars and make knowledgeable findings that will guide long-term improvements to minimize the gap between rich and poor, leading to the improvement of the community's wealth and welfare.

Phytochemical and Toxicity Evaluation of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Fruits of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Rutaceae)

Zanthoxylum rhetsa is extensively utilized in the realm of gastronomy and therapeutics. However, existing literature lacks any documentation concerning the systematic assessment of the toxicity characteristics of the foliage and produce of Z.rhetsa. Consequently, the present inquiry was executed to appraise the immediate toxicity examinations of the methanol extract derived from the leaves and fruits in mice, in accordance with the regulations delineated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD 420, 2001). In this investigation, a solitary dosage of 5000 mg/kg body mass of the specimen was administered to female mice, as stipulated by the OECD guidelines. Daily surveillance ensued for a total of fourteen days, with the objective of detecting any indications of toxicity or fatality. Upon the culmination of this two-week period, a comprehensive analysis involving hematological, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations was conducted. The outcomes of the immediate toxicity investigations evinced that neither the leaves nor the fruits extract exhibited any morbidity, conspicuous alterations in corporeal mass, nor any discernible impairment in behavioral or motor neural activities in the mice. The haematological and serum biochemical parameters did not exhibit significant disparities from the control groups. These findings were corroborated by histopathological investigations, wherein no abnormalities or pathological alterations were detected in the vital organs. The LD 50 (oral lethal dose) of the samples was determined to exceed 5000 mg/kg body weight. Consequently, the methanol extract of leaf and fruit extract of Z.rhetsa can be regarded as non-toxic and demonstrated a broad margin of safety for its therapeutic application.

A Critical Analysis of Selected Aspects of Real Estate Taxation in the Context of Recent Legislative Amendments in the Czech Republic

The real estate tax is the sole property tax in the Czech Republic and has been part of its tax system since its establishment, i.e. since January 1, 1993. The Czech Republic has long been recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to increase the collection of this tax because its yield as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) is one of the lowest among all OECD and EU countries. The lower yield is in part attributable to the manner in which the tax base is determined. The Czech Republic, with the exception of a few minor instances, continues to employ the assessment-based rather than the value-based method of determining the tax base. Furthermore, the Czech Republic is encouraged to use the correction elements at the disposal of municipalities to influence the amount of property tax. This article examines the revenue aspect of real estate tax in the Czech Republic, including the determination of the tax base and the use of correction mechanisms. In light of these considerations, it is evident that the development of the Czech real estate tax system has been influenced by a number of factors, including the introduction of one of the most significant amendments to the Real Estate Tax Act in the country’s history. This amendment, known as the consolidation package, was implemented on January 1, 2024 and has had a profound impact on the current legislation.

Trends in the development of the practice of using accumulative mechanisms of pension provision in OECD countries

The relevance of the study of issues related to the development of the practice of using pension provision accumulative mechanisms is out of question due to the challenges faced by pension systems of countries around the world. The research methodology is based on economic and mathematical tools for processing data characterizing the indicators of using accumulative mechanisms of pension provision in OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. The paper defines groups of OECD countries depending on the supplier of pension products, as well as the type of pension plan. Based on the analysis of data on the use of pension plans depending on the above factors, the author identified the countries-leaders in each of the identified groups. Based on the results of the study, a list of key trends in the development of the practice of using accumulative mechanisms of pension provision in OECD countries was formulated. The largest group of countries included those states where contracts for pension products are concluded mainly with non-state pension funds. Among the results obtained, it is necessary to highlight the lack of parity in the application of all types of pension plans supplied by non-state pension funds, since the dominance of any one of the types is recorded in each state. The results of the study will have practical significance when implementing substantiations of state decisions on issues of regulating the practice of using accumulative pension mechanisms as an integral component of the pension system of the Russian Federation. This is especially important in the context of achieving the national goals of the development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030, implementing the Strategy for the Development of the Pension System of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 and the Strategy for the Development of the Financial Market of the Russian Federation until 2030.

Brazil's Foreign Policy in the Emerging Multipolar World: Data-Driven Strategic Positioning within BRICS and Beyond

In the multipolar world, Brazil's foreign policy faces complex geopolitical realities as a part of its strategy to expand its global influence and economic presence. On another front, Brazil considers itself one of the leading countries in the Global South. It has partnered with BRICS to call for better transport, and help has a say in running the world (power balance) instead of being overruled by Western powers. Brazil demonstrates regional leadership by actively participating in initiatives like the New Development Bank and organizations such as MERCOSUR, CELAC, and BRICS, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable development and regional cooperation. The plan is to broaden Brazil's regional power reach, seeking economic and diplomatic relations throughout the planet. Brazilian foreign policy is characterized by a pragmatic search for equidistance, maximizing economic possibilities and strategic ties without ever fully committing to any one bloc or country. These measures will increase Brazil's clout on global issues and solidify the country as a critical factor in shaping a more equitable and representative international order.

Retraction Note: Complications of Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair Using Mesh: A Single Cohort Study

The Original Article was published on 10 February 2023The article mentioned above, which was published online on 10th of October, 2023, in Barw Medical Journal (Complications of Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair Using Mesh: A Single Cohort Study), has been retracted as a result of an agreement between the journal's Editor in Chief, Professor Kawkab Shishani, and Barw Publisher. The publisher learned from a third party that several articles had similar formats and structures. Also, there was a conflict between the authors; not all authors approved the last version of the manuscript. These all lead to the decision to retract it. The authors did not respond to the notification of retraction. Afflicted by these nations originate from the activities of multinational corporations or the global demand for certain goods. There is a moral imperative for developed countries and international organizations to assist in the fight against environmental pollution and its health repercussions. In conclusion, environmental pollution is not merely an economic or ecological issue; it is a profound public health crisis with cancer at its forefront. As developing countries continue their journey toward growth and development, ensuring a balance between progress and environmental stewardship is crucial. Failure to address this balance will not only undermine health outcomes but also threaten the sustainable future of these nations. The time to act is now, with concerted efforts from local, national, and global stakeholders to mitigate the risks and safeguard the well-being of current and future generations.

Research on the Two-Pillar Solution and Its Implication

With the rapid development of economic globalization and digitalization, new business models are activating the world economy while exacerbating the remaining problems of base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). In the face of intensifying international tax avoidance, The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has announced its Two-pillar solution to the international community, proposing a global minimum tax regime, which is effectively a coordination of global anti-tax avoidance measures. At present, Pillar 2 has come into effect, and Pillar 1 has also been opened for signature, marking the implementation stage of the two-pillar solution. In this paper, the two-pillar solution is the main research object. Firstly, from the perspective of large-scale tax avoidance by multinational corporations, this paper systematically analyzes the historical background of the introduction of the two-pillar solution of the OECD. After a detailed analysis of the provisions of the two-pillar solution, the existing institutional deficiencies and obstacles to its implementation are proposed. Finally, in response to the issues raised, practical recommendations are made that the elements of the two-pillar solution should aim to achieve general equity, balance the interests of developing countries and be in harmony with existing international tax policies. The governments should also optimize the structure of tax incentives.

Factors related to self-care in Korean patients with tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in South Korea which has one of the highest TB incidence rates among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Effective self-care, including medication adherence and regular hospital visits, is crucial for successful TB treatment and the prevention of drug resistance. TB self-care in South Korea is influenced by cultural, social, and systemic factors. This study aimed to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of factors influencing self-care among Korean patients with TB, providing evidence-based insights for developing effective self-care promotion programs. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, focusing on quantitative studies published since 2000 involving Korean patients with TB. Twenty studies were included in the final analysis, and 44 factors related to self-care were categorized into sociodemographic, TB-related, psychological, environmental, and educational characteristics. Effect sizes were calculated using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) 4.0, with the assessment of heterogeneity and publication bias. The meta-analysis ranked the effect sizes of the different characteristic categories as follows: environmental > educational > psychological. Among the individual factors, social support had the greatest influence on self-care, followed by quality of life, self-efficacy, nonfamily support, family support, and perceived health benefits. These findings underscore the critical role of sustained social support from the community, medical staff, and family in enhancing self-care among TB patients. Effective self-care strategies for patients with TB should focus on interventions that strengthen the environmental, educational, and psychological aspects. These findings suggest that similar approaches can be applied in other countries facing comparable healthcare challenges. This study acknowledges limitations including potential publication bias and the exclusion of older studies and non-Korean patient studies, highlighting the need for further research across diverse settings and populations.

Drift when applying biocides to control crawling and flying insects on walls

BackgroundInsecticides are sprayed on external building walls for treatments against crawling and flying insects. These applications can lead to drift into non-target areas and thus to undesirable environmental pollution. This emission pathway needs to be considered during exposure assessments within product authorisations to assess potential environmental risks. However, now, there is only one default value for deposition that is used in all calculations based on the Emission Scenario Document of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development at a distance of 50 cm to the treatment area. This is not sufficient for a risk assessment.ResultsWhen applying a chemical barrier of 50 cm at the bottom of the building wall, wind direction had the greatest influence on drift, while changing the nozzle type had no significant effect. Compared with the measured ground sediments, the OECD default value was deemed to be realistic at a distance of 57 cm from the treatment area. When treating the entire building wall, the wind direction as well as the nozzle used show significant influence on the measured values of drift. The default value for deposition proposed for modelling environmental exposure in OECD document ESD PT18 No. 18 was exceeded. Thus, the exposure estimation might not be protective enough.ConclusionDrift values used for the environmental exposure assessment of biocidal products during treatments of building walls should be adapted. This is especially relevant for treatments of entire building walls, where the current default value was exceeded for all distances from the building wall. Wind direction and nozzle type can reduce environmental impact. This finding can be used as a measure to reduce unnecessary exposure in the environment in the future.

SOM Clustering of OECD Countries for COVID-19 Indicators and Related Socio-economic Indicators

The coronavirus disease is one of the most severe public health problems globally. Governments need policies to better cope with the disease, so policymakers analyze the country's indicators related to the pandemic to make proper decisions. The study aims to cluster OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries using COVID-19, health, socioeconomic, and environmental indicators. A self-organizing map (SOM) clustering method, an unsupervised artificial neural network (ANN) method and a hierarchical clustering method are used. The data comprises 38 OECD countries, and 16 different variables are selected. As a result, the countries are grouped into 3 clusters. Cluster 1 contains 33 countries, the USA is Cluster 2, and Cluster 3 has 4 countries, including Turkey. COVID-19 mortality is highly related to mortality from chronic respiratory diseases. In addition, environmental indicators show differences in clusters.

Factors Militating against the Efficacy of the Mutual Agreement Procedure: A Comparison between South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana

The effective resolution of transfer pricing disputes has been identified as one of the primary challenges to eliminate double taxation and/or double non-taxation as well as to enhance the free flow of trade and investment. This article investigates the unique challenges faced by selected African countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana, which militate against the use of the mutual agreement procedure (MAP) as a preferred Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) transfer pricing dispute resolution mechanism. The research used a qualitative legal review of existing literature in the selected regimes by comparing the domestic tax law framework in these countries. Transfer pricing manipulation is a significant source of illicit financial flows of capital as identified in the research by Global Financial Integrity on Africa, which drew from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda as case studies. South Africa and Kenya are considered as the gateways to Africa with many multinational enterprises (MNEs) taking residence in them before expanding to the rest of Africa. The article focuses specifically on a number of guidelines that should be in place for the effective use of the MAP in the resolution of tax treaty disputes. It also demonstrates how the absence of guidelines, or the lack of clarity thereof, discourages both taxpayers and revenue authorities from effectively using the MAP to resolve transfer pricing disputes. The absence of guidelines has resulted in many aggrieved taxpayers opting to approach the courts as opposed to using the MAP as a mechanism to resolve tax treaty disputes. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of how resolved transfer pricing disputes eliminates double taxation. The article recommends that the same benefits enjoyed under the domestic dispute resolution process be incorporated into the MAP. It also makes recommendations on how jurisdictions with a low tax treaty network can address this challenge to enable them to effectively use the MAP as a tax treaty dispute resolution.

Economic growth, income inequality and lethal violence in developed countries

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate the effect of GDP growth on crime and to test the hypothesis of nonlinearity. Additionally, we estimate the interaction between GDP and income inequality and examine its impact on the relationship between GDP and homicide rates.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilizes panel data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), spanning the period from 2000 to 2018 and estimates dynamic panel GMM models.FindingsWe found a nonlinear relationship between GDP and homicide rates, indicating a dual effect of GDP on the occurrence of lethal crimes. Moreover, income inequality conditions the effect of GDP on homicide rates, exerting a significant influence. We conclude that in contexts characterized by high levels of income inequality, GDP growth is more effective in reducing crime, as there is greater potential for improvement.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the complex nonlinearity between economic conditions, income inequality and homicide rates.

Antimicrobial activity, toxicity and retrospective clinical effectiveness of Kantinka BA and Kantinka Herbaltics, two multi-component-herbal products used in the management of infectious diseases in Ghana

There is an upsurge in the incidence of persons living with infectious diseases and their associated symptoms. Also, there is increased resistance and high cost of available synthetic antimicrobial therapeutic agents. This calls for screening candidate herbal products to examine the risk-to-benefit ratio for users. Moreover, there are inadequate proven scientific studies to assess the quality, effectiveness, and toxicity of herbal products that traditional medicine practitioners in Ghana commonly use for the management of infectious diseases such as those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans and the symptomatic management of symptoms associated with infections like cough, skin infections among others and gastritis. Kantinka BA and Kantinka Herbaltics, two multicomponent herbal products, have been used to manage the above-mentioned disease conditions. The study aims to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity, assess the retrospective clinical effectiveness (clinical responses; the disappearance of presenting signs and symptoms associated with infections, gastritis), and the quality and toxicity of Kantinka BA and Kantinka Herbaltics. The products are registered by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). Data on 200 patients who were diagnosed with infectious diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and associated symptoms from January 2018 to June 2018 was obtained from the Adom Herbal Clinic, and the Tafo Government Herbal Medicine Records Unit was assessed. The antibacterial activity of the products was evaluated using the HT-SPOTi method. Phytochemical screening, microbial load, and pH were carried out according to standard procedures. Acute toxicity was carried out according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline 425. Phytochemical screening, pH, and microbial load have been established for both products. Binding toxicity studies revealed that the products are non-toxic at a 2000 mg/kg dose. The two products exhibited antimicrobial activities against the test organisms with Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Lethal Concentration (MLC) determined for Kantinka BA and Kantinka Herbaltics as 5% and 10% and &lt;80, respectively, against C. albicans and N. gonorrhoeae - the signs and symptoms associated with infections disappeared during the management period. The products are safe and may effectively manage some infectious diseases and associated symptoms.