Responsible Bodies Research Articles

Trends and socioeconomic inequalities of recommended antenatal care services utilization in Ethiopia: A decomposition analysis using Ethiopian nationwide Demographic Health Surveys 2011-2019.

Antenatal care (ANC) services are essential to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality rates. However, the trends and socioeconomic inequality of utilizing recommended ANC services has not been well studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the trends and socioeconomic disparities in receiving recommended ANC services among Ethiopian women. This study used recent Ethiopian Demographic Health Surveys (EDHS) conducted in 2011, 2016, and 2019. Binary logistic regression model was employed to assess the association between receiving the recommended ANC services and explanatory variables and socioeconomic disparities were estimated through concentration index (CIX) analysis. Moreover, Wagstaff approach was used to decompose the relative CIX to the contribution of explanatory variables for the observed disparities. This study found that 37.37% (95%CI: 36.46-38.28%) of mothers utilized the recommended ANC services in Ethiopia. The trend in the coverage of recommended ANC services increased from ~ 30% in 2011 to 44.70% in 2019. Mother's age and education, household wealth status, distance of the nearest health facility, and experiencing domestic abuse (i.e., wife beating) were significantly associated with utilization of recommended ANC services. The relative estimated CIX for wealth index, mothers education, Ethiopian administrative regions, and residence were 0.15 (P < 0.001), 0.14 (P < 0.001), 0.07(P < 0.001), and -0.11(P < 0.001), respectively. Wealth status of the households contributed for almost two-thirds (66.58%) of the observed disparity in recommended ANC service utilization across wealth categories. The study revealed that Ethiopian women's utilization of recommended ANC services was unequal by their socioeconomic classes, with better off women more likely to utilize the recommended ANC services than worse off women. Hence, the responsible body should improve the access and quality of antenatal care services for underprivileged women in Ethiopia.

Prevalence and determinants of unhealthy feeding practices among young children aged 6-23 months in five sub-Saharan African countries.

Despite the World Health Organization's advice against unhealthy feeding, many low- and middle-income countries, including sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, are experiencing a nutritional transition to high in sugar, unhealthy fats, salts, and processed carbohydrates for younger children. However, there is a scarcity of recently updated multicounty information on unhealthy feeding practices and determinants in SSA countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of unhealthy feeding practices and determinants among children aged 6-23 months in five SSA countries. A cross-sectional study design was employed with the most recent demographic and health survey secondary data (DHS) from five SSA countries. This secondary data was accessed from the DHS portal through an online request. The DHS is the global data collection initiative that provides detailed and high-quality data on population demographics, health, and nutrition in low- and middle-income countries. We used a weighted sample of 14,064 children aged 6-23 months. A multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify significant factors associated with unhealthy feeding practices. The level of statistical significance was declared with p-value < 0.05. This study found that overall, 62.4% (95% CI: 61.62-63.17) of children aged 6-23 months in five SSA countries had unhealthy feeding practices. Rural residents, lower-middle-income SSA countries, and children aged above 12 months had lower odds of unhealthy feeding practices. On the other hand, richer households and women who had not had an optimal antenatal care visit had higher odds of unhealthy feeding practices. According to this study, nearly two out of three young children in five SSA countries had unhealthy feeding practices. Both individual and community-level factors are significantly associated with unhealthy feeding practices. As a result, responsible bodies shall make all efforts to reduce unhealthy feeding practices among young children in SSA countries.

Participatory Budgeting in the EAEU Countries: Regulatory Framework and Practical Experience

Aim. The article defines the common features and specifics of the policy and practical experience of participatory budgeting in five post-Soviet member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan).Tasks. The assessment of the current situation in these countries by international organizations is used.The effectiveness of the legal framework for open budget and participatory budgeting in each analyzed country is revealed. Participatory budgeting models specific to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union are analyzed.Methods. First of all, we analyze the legislation and strategic documents, as well as the responsible bodies. Secondly, we provide an assessment of the practice of the EAEU countries by international organizations. Thirdly, we analyze the participatory budgeting models specific to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. Finally, we draw conclusions on similar problems in the EAEU countriesResults. It was revealed that the model of convergence democracy is more typical for Russia and Kazakhstan, multilateral participation is more or less specific for Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, participatory modernization is suitable for Belarus. Moreover, we see that there is no model of participatory budgeting that is specific to all EAEU countries.Conclusions. It can be concluded that the EAEU countries differ significantly in their participatory budgeting policies and practices, as well as in the ratings of international organizations. At the same time, a number of common points are noted.

The value of semiquantitative analysis of [99mTc]MDP SPECT/CT in localizing responsible lesions for suspected fresh osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in patients with contraindications to MRI.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in detecting and localizing the causative vertebra in cases of suspected fresh osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) in patients with contraindications to MRI. A total of 21 patients with severe back pain with 31 suspected OVCF segments and contraindications to MRI were initially identified through radiographs and the back pain-inducing test (BPIT). The responsible vertebral bodies were determined using [99mTc]MDP SPECT/CT before percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters, including basic demographics, injury duration, focal kyphosis (FK), loss of vertebral height (LVH), and relative intensity values (RIVs) for target and nontarget segments in the SPECT/CT were measured. SPECT/CT identified 14 old and 26 fresh OVCFs. Of these, 18 patients with 26 fresh OVCF segments underwent PVP, and achieved satisfactory outcomes. Significant differences were observed in the RIV, FK, and LVH values between the fresh and old OCVF groups (all p < 0.05). RIVs showed a significant negative correlation with injury duration (r = -0.57, p < 0.05), and a positive correlation with LVH (r = 0.43, p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that injury duration was an independent predictor of RIVs (p < 0.05). SPECT/CT is useful for detecting and differentiating fresh fractures from old fractures in patients having OVCF who cannot undergo MRI after BPIT validation, allowing these patients to achieve excellent clinical outcomes following PVP. The RIV serves as a valuable parameter for assessing the duration of fresh versus old OVCFs. ChiCTR, ChiCTR 2300077570. Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=206192.

Diarrhea and associated factors among under-five children in open defecation free and open defecation rural households of Degem district, Oromia, Ethiopia

IntroductionDiarrheal diseases are the top cause of preventable death, particularly among children under the age of five in developing countries like Ethiopia. Despite the national level of latrine coverage being 61%, diarrhea is responsible for the deaths of half a million children under 5 years annually. Therefore, this study aimed to assess diarrhea and its associated factors among children in open defecation free (ODF) and open defecation (OD) households of Degem district, Oromia, Ethiopia.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted within the community, involving 398 participants (200 from open defecation free [ODF] and 198 from open defecation [ODF] households). The selection of study participants from OD and ODF households was done using a multistage sampling approach. Data input was carried out using Epi Data 3.1, while data analysis would be performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 software, employing appropriate testing methods. Statistical significance and the strength of relationships were assessed using odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe prevalence of diarrhea among children in open defecation free and open defecation households was 26 and 38%, respectively. Factors such as children who were not vaccinated for rotavirus, mothers or caregivers did not have diarrhea, mothers or caregivers did not wash their hands at critical times, and individuals with poor latrine utilization were significantly associated with diarrhea among children in ODF households. On the other hand, children who were not vaccinated for rotavirus, not received vitamin A supplementation, mothers or caregivers did not wash their hands at critical times, children lacking access to latrines and children whose their families practice open field solid waste disposal were significantly associated with diarrhea among children in open defecation free households.ConclusionThe study results indicated that the prevalence of diarrhea among children under five in open defecation areas was notably higher compared to those residing in open defecation free areas. Consequently, it is imperative for all responsible bodies to focus on evidence-based strategies to combat childhood diarrhea and to ensure child health status.

Research on the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Evidence Examination and Judgment

The application of artificial intelligence in the field of criminal evidence review and judgment has significant advantages, which are conducive to improving the efficiency of case processing, enhancing the reasoning ability of judicial personnel, and preventing judicial corruption. However, artificial intelligence is still facing a series of problems in its practical application in this field, including the inability of artificial intelligence to simulate the assessing process of probative value, the imperfect construction of the criminal evidence database of artificial intelligence, and the lack of clarity of the subject of responsibility for the misjudgment of criminal evidence by artificial intelligence. To this end, a series of measures should be taken to address these challenges, including clarifying the use of artificial intelligence for auxiliary examination of probative value, optimizing the criminal evidence database for artificial intelligence, and insisting on the status of judicial personnel as the main body of responsibility.

Agroclimatic and spectral regionalization for soybean in different agricultural settings in the state of Paraná, Brazil

Abstract Information related to the climate, sowing time, harvest, and crop development is essential for defining appropriate strategies for agricultural activities, which helps both producers and responsible bodies. Paraná, the second largest soybean producer in Brazil, has high climatic variability, which greatly influences planting, harvesting, and crop productivity periods. Therefore, the objective of this study was to regionalize the state of Paraná, considering decennial metrics associated with climate variables and the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) during the soybean cycle. Individual and global analyses of these metrics were conducted performed using multivariate techniques. These analyses were carried out in agricultural scenarios with low, medium, and high precipitation, corresponding to harvest years 2011/2012, 2013/2014, and 2015/2016, respectively. The results obtained from the scores of the retained factors and the cluster analysis were the profile of the groups, with Group 1 presenting more favourable climatic and agronomic conditions for the development of soybean crops for the three harvest years. The opposite occurred for Groups 2 (2011/2012 and 2013/2014) and Group 3 (2015/2016). During the soybean reproductive phases (R2 – R5), precipitation values were inadequate, especially for Group 2 (2011/2012 and 2013/2014) with high water deficit, resulting in a drop in soybean productivity. The climatic and agronomic regionalization of Paraná made it possible to identify the regions most suitable for growing soybeans, the effect of climatic conditions on phenological stages, and the variability of soybean productivity in the three harvest years.

PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND CURRENT PRACTICES IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY: A literature review

The psychological evaluation for bariatric surgery is mandatory, and its conduction by the psychologist must adhere to professional principles and guidelines, as well as specific legislation. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the process of psychological evaluation for bariatric surgery and, additionally, to identify the psychological factors assessed and the instruments used in the process. This is a bibliographic research with data collection conducted between September and October 2023, in electronic databases such as Lilacs, Scielo, PubMed, and Pepsic, including full-text, open-access scientific articles published from 2018 to 2023. A total of 119 articles were found, of which 14 were selected for analysis. As a result, four categories were identified regarding psychological evaluation in bariatric surgery: 1) Importance of evaluation: involves expectations, support network, stress, and mental health; 2) Relevant psychosocial factors: such as social support and lifestyle; 3) Resources used: tools like BDI–II, BAI, ECAP, BAROS, EFS, IDATE, and LIS-A to assess emotional and cognitive aspects; 4) Challenges: highlight the complexity and the need for a multidisciplinary approach. Difficulties faced by psychologists in conducting these evaluations were also identified, requiring well-structured strategies and practices. Based on these findings, it is crucial that the responsible bodies—such as the Federal Council of Psychology—coordinate efforts, as the implementation of specific documents benefits psychologists and candidates for bariatric surgery by providing clear guidelines and standardizing procedures, making the professional practice more precise, safe, and accessible.

¿Es un tribunal de cuentas el cambio real que requiere el control fiscal colombiano?

This article analyzes the parliamentary proposal to reform fiscal control through the implementation of a new model: the court of accounts, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages. To this end, it is proposed to differentiate between a jurisdictional court of accounts, an administrative body of fiscal responsibility and a judicial co urt of fiscal responsibility. In addition, the question will be addressed as to whether this new model would be the only one to intervene in the public sphere as an auditing and/or adjudicating entity, or whether it would coexist with the Contraloría General, the territorial comptrollers and the Auditoría General, who would continue to carry out the investigations on the auditing component of accounts review and fiscal oversight. Or, on the contrary, it would be the same court that would carry out such basic action to prescribe the fiscal responsibility in trial. Although the mere existence of a court with powers of “jurisdictional administrative fiscal responsibility control” does not in itself guarantee an effective administration of justice, the creation of a body with an adversarial structure, where one party accuses and the other defends itself, could strengthen the fiscal justice system. In this scenario, an impartial and objective third party, such as a court, could play a fundamental role in resolving conflicts and ensuring a fairer and more efficient tax control.

Regulatory requirements to support a specific regulation of oil norm waste in Brazil.

The oil and natural gas industry is one of the largest producers of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) worldwide. The scale and sludge are NORM wastes with the highest activity concentration levels, reaching 3500Bq per g of 226Ra (scale). As wastes (sludge, scale, and produced water) are constantly produced in routine activities, a specific regulation for these wastes is necessary. Therefore, this study presents the regulatory requirements that may serve as a basis for the responsible regulatory body to prepare a specific regulation for the NORM waste generated by the oil industry. As a study published showing that the disposal of bulk NORM waste (not packaged wastes) is viable in Brazil, requirements for the management of these wastes and the characteristics of the landfill for disposal were included.

The Effect of Inventory Management Practices on Service Delivery: A Study of Sawula General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of inventory management practices on service delivery of Sawula General Hospital. The study employed both descriptive and explanatory research designs to conduct this research. It contained a qualitative and quantitative component that enables the researcher to assess the study easily. The total population of this study was 459 and the researcher takes 293 as sample size from staff’s members, Health department experts and patients. The sampling technique of the study was stratified sampling technique. Primary data were mainly collected using self- administered questionnaires consisting of closed ended questions with 5-point Likert Scale. Data were also collected through questionnaires and interview. The collected data were quantitatively analyzed using SPSS to produce descriptive and inferential statistics and regression analysis. The key findings from the study revealed that there is gap on Sawula General Hospital was relation to applying poor inventory management practice which caused dissatisfaction of the patient/client with the service delivery. Moreover, the finding shows that the inventory management practice was also challenged by shortage of budget and lack of training on inventory management, bureaucratic process and lack of computerized system to manage the inventory. Based on the major findings, the study recommends that applying the scientific concepts of inventory management practices and implementing awareness creation mechanisms to develop patients’ perception of service delivery to increase proper inventory management which realize improved customer service and inventory management by responsible bodies. Moreover, it was also recommended that, the hospital should create ways in solving the critical challenges by allocating enough budgets, avoiding bureaucratic process in procurement, filling knowledge gaps through different trainings.

Development of strategic participatory moral education management model in private vocational colleges

Addressing society’s current ethical dilemmas necessitates urgent reinforcement of moral standards. Transforming student behavior necessitates integrating legal and social measures through proactive youth cultivation within educational institutions. This study focuses on a participatory, strategic approach to managing ethics in private vocational colleges in Thailand. The researchers gathered data through structured, in-depth interviews and opinion surveys from a sample group of 400 individuals, which included directors and department heads of these colleges. The research identified two main dimensions and eleven factors essential for moral education management in private vocational colleges. The first dimension encompasses six critical factors: resource management, structural policies, educational services, personnel, financial management, and materials and equipment management. The second dimension includes five key factors: school strategies, administrative policies, teacher roles, student engagement, and community stakeholder involvement. Statistical analysis supports the causal relationship model, revealing a Chi-Square value of 33.492 and a P-value of 0.055. This comprehensive approach aims to foster sustainable moral development and cultivate desirable societal behaviors among students. It contributes to national stability and aligns with educational and vocational development plans, effectively addressing broader socio-economic challenges. The findings underscore the importance of strategic, ethical management in private vocational education institutions as a cornerstone for nurturing a morally responsible student body and supporting national development goals.

Agroforestry Contribution to Native Woody Species Conservation, Carbon Sequestration, and Livelihood Benefits in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Abstract The conservation of endangered native species and climate change are currently the two most pressing environmental problems on the planet. Therefore, the general objective of the review was to synthesize evidence of the contributions of agroforestry systems to the conservation of native species, carbon sequestration, and livelihood benefits in Ethiopia. A total of 104 publications from 2000 to 2024 publication years were used to provide available evidence and research gaps on agroforestry contribution to native species conservation (n=21), carbon sequestration (n=33), and livelihood benefits (n=35) in Ethiopia. Furthermore, 38 papers from other parts of the world were used to support ideas and relevant evidence linked to the title. The review’s findings confirm that agroforestry can serve as in-situ conservation for endangered native species including Cordia africana Lam., Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel., Acacia abyssinica Hochst. ex Benth, Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile, Ficus sur Forssk and Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev. The review systematic review indicated that agroforestry systems store an average of 40.04 ± 10.4 Mg C ha −1 in biomass and 68.9 ± 9.9 Mg C ha−1 in soil in Ethiopia. Hence, the above-ground carbon was highest for coffee-based agroforestry (17.12 ± 6.3 Mg ha−1) followed by homegarden (16.6 ± 3.2 3 Mg ha−1) and woodlot (7.1 ± 1.09 Mg ha−1). Fuelwood, food, fodder, income, timber, fruits, and poles for construction were the main benefits of livelihood; which have been reported in 37, 30, 26, 25, 23, and 20,18 published articles, respectively. Empirical studies show that an agroforestry system, which can significantly reduce the vulnerabilities of households and store a large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is an important strategy for climate adaptation and mitigation. Moreover, further scientific research on agroforestry on the sustainability of agroforestry is needed from responsible bodies in Ethiopia.

Analysis of heavy metals and minerals in edible vegetable oils produced and marketed in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia

IntroductionNowadays, food safety is regarded as one of the most critical global public health issues. Edible oil, a key ingredient in food processing, is widely used and consumed in every Ethiopian household. However, its safety is often overlooked. Currently, edible oil is produced in Ethiopia from small-scale operations to large industrial levels, as well as imported from other countries.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the levels of heavy metals and essential minerals in edible vegetable oils produced and marketed in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2021 in Gondar City. Seventeen edible oil samples were collected using simple random sampling techniques. Heavy metal content was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer with the standard procedures and techniques after microwave digestion. The efficiency and validity of the method used were evaluated by determining the limit of detection (LOD), the limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision. The collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel and transported to Stata for analysis.ResultA total of seventeen vegetable oil samples were analyzed. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by recovery studies, which ranged from 81 to 115%, and the relative standard deviations were found to be below 15%. The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd, and Pb were in the range of 0.07 to 0.8 mg/l, 0.002 to 0.06 mg/l, 0.01 to 0.8 mg/l, 0.08 to 0.18 mg/l, and 0.003 to 0.27 mg/l, respectively. In general, the lead and cadmium content was higher than other metals in some of the investigated edible vegetable oils. Most values fell within the permissible quality limits for edibility as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). However, the levels of Pb and Cd exceeded the reference levels in some locally produced vegetable oils.ConclusionTo address the exceeded levels of heavy metals, it is imperative to implement more careful handling, processing of raw materials, and filtering practices. Producers and marketers should take the necessary precautions to prevent contamination. Strict regulatory control from responsible bodies and stakeholders is recommended to ensure the safety and metal contents of vegetable oils originating from the study area.

Challenges and coping strategies for providing maternal health care services among health care professionals in rural health facilities in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a qualitative study

BackgroundMany factors can decrease job productivity and cause physical and psychological complications for health care professionals providing maternal care. Information on challenges and coping strategies among healthcare professionals providing maternal healthcare services in rural communities is crucial. However, there needs to be more studies, especially qualitative research, to explore challenges and coping strategies for providing maternal health care services in Ethiopia among health care professionals, particularly in the Wolaita zone.ObjectiveTo explore the challenges and coping strategies of professionals providing maternal health care in rural health facilities in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia, in 2023.MethodA phenomenological qualitative study design was applied from May 20 to June 20, 2023. The study was conducted in rural areas of the Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Healthcare professionals from rural areas were selected using purposive sampling, and in-depth interviews were conducted. A qualitative thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Field notes were read, recordings were listened to, and each participant’s interview was written word for word and analyzed using ATLAS.ti 7 software.ResultFive main themes emerged from the data analysis. These themes included inadequate funding from the government, societal barriers to health and access to health care, professionals’ personal life struggles, infrastructure related challenges and health system responsiveness, and coping strategies. Reporting to responsible bodies, teaching mothers about maternal health care services, and helping poor mothers from their pockets were listed among their coping strategies.ConclusionHealthcare professionals have a crucial role in supporting women in delivering babies safely. This study revealed that they are working under challenging conditions. So, if women’s lives matter, then this situation requires a call to action.

Maturity Assessment of District Health Information System Version 2 Implementation in Ethiopia: Current Status and Improvement Pathways.

Although Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in the uptake of the District Health Information System version 2 (DHIS2) for national aggregate data reporting, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the maturity level of the system. This study aims to assess the maturity level of DHIS2 implementation in Ethiopia and propose a road map that could guide the progress toward a higher level of maturity. We also aim to assess the current maturity status, implementation gaps, and future directions of DHIS2 implementation in Ethiopia. The assessment focused on digital health system governance, skilled human resources, information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, interoperability, and data quality and use. A collaborative assessment was conducted with the engagement of key stakeholders through consultative workshops using the Stages of Continuous Improvement tool to measure maturity levels in 5 core domains, 13 components, and 39 subcomponents. A 5-point scale (1=emerging, 2=repeatable, 3=defined, 4=managed, and 5=optimized) was used to measure the DHIS2 implementation maturity level. The national DHIS2 implementation's maturity level is currently at the defined stage (score=2.81) and planned to move to the manageable stage (score=4.09) by 2025. The domain-wise maturity score indicated that except for ICT infrastructure, which is at the repeatable stage (score=2.14), the remaining 4 domains are at the defined stage (score=3). The development of a standardized and basic DHIS2 process at the national level, the development of a 10-year strategic plan to guide the implementation of digital health systems including DHIS2, and the presence of the required competencies at the facility level to accomplish specific DHIS2-related tasks are the major strength of the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia so far. The lack of workforce competency guidelines to support the implementation of DHIS2; the unavailability of core competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required to accomplish DHIS2 tasks at all levels of the health system; and ICT infrastructures such as communication network and internet connectivity at the district, zonal, and regional levels are the major hindrances to effective DHIS2 implementation in the country. On the basis of the Stages of Continuous Improvement maturity model toolkit, the implementation status of DHIS2 in Ethiopia is at the defined stage, with the ICT infrastructure domain being at the lowest stage as compared to the other 4 domains. By 2025, the maturity status is planned to move from the defined stage to the managed stage by improving the identified gaps. Various action points are suggested to address the identified gaps and reach the stated maturity level. The responsible body, necessary resources, and methods of verification required to reach the specified maturity level are also listed.

“No Less Than 4%”: A Policy Review of China's Fiscal Spending on Education, 2000–2020

Purpose This study aims to review the policy background of China's ever-growing fiscal spending on education and discusses the aggregate growth of its national fiscal spending on education and the responsible bodies involved. Design/Approach/Methods This study adopts policy analysis and descriptive statistics as its primary research methods. Findings Since 2012, China's national fiscal spending on education has accounted for no less than 4% of its gross domestic product for nine consecutive years. Additionally, over 80% of China's total education spending is underpinned by state finances, with the country boasting the largest education system in the world. While compulsory education accounts for approximately half of China's national fiscal spending on education, higher education reflects the highest budgetary education spending per student. Furthermore, China has been actively increasing its fiscal spending on pre-school education. Originality/Value The findings of this study have implications for understanding the status quo and changes in China's education spending.

Defesa cibernética na guerra russo-ucraniana: um mapeamento dos ataques cibernéticos às infraestruturas críticas da Ucrânia

What cyberattacks did Ukraine’s critical infrastructure experience between February 2022 and February 2023 during the Russo-Ukrainian war? In recent months, Ukraine has experienced a significant increase in cyberattacks on its critical infrastructure. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the cyberattacks suffered by Ukraine’s critical infrastructure within the selected cutout. A mixed method research approach was used, operationalized through descriptive statistics, documentary analysis, and a systematic literature review. Based on the analyzed data from the CyberPeace Institute, the sector most affected was public administration (66), with the Disruption attack category being the most utilized (139). The types of cyberattacks were also evaluated, with the DDoS type being the most common (135). The collective (124), especially the People’s CyberArmy (48), was the most common in the actor category. In conclusion, we can say that attacks on critical infrastructure are a matter of national defense, which requires a revision of legislation on this issue and ensuring that the responsible bodies are prepared for future challenges.

Research on the Liability Identification of "Open Door Killing" Traffic Accidents

In legal practice, there is a great dispute about the liability identification of the "open door killing" accident. Often, the division of responsibility involves multiple parties, including the driver of the motor vehicle, the passenger of the vehicle, and possibly third parties. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a more reasonable liability division and compensation scheme through the analysis of the existing theories. First of all, this paper discusses three legal theories: subjective co-theory, objective co-theory and compromise theory. The subjective joint theory holds that the accident liability should be distributed according to the subjective faults of each party. The objective common theory focuses on the objective behavior and result of the parties in the accident. The compromise theory tries to find a balance between the first two, taking into account both subjective negligence and objective results. Combining these three theories, this paper proposes that in the "open-door killing" accident, the main body of responsibility should include motor vehicle driver and passenger. The driver of a motor vehicle should be responsible for ensuring safety after stopping, while the passenger should ensure that there is no traffic or pedestrians before driving. In addition, this paper also puts forward the shared responsibility of the duty of care, and believes that drivers and passengers should pay attention to the surrounding traffic environment to prevent possible accidents. Finally, this paper discusses the problem of identifying the accident in the accident. In determining whether an accident is an accident, consideration should be given to the degree of control over the accident by the parties. If both the driver and the passenger had sufficient ability to anticipate and prevent an accident, then the accident should not be considered an accident. Through the above analysis, this paper aims to provide a more comprehensive and fair perspective to guide the identification of liability and liability for compensation in practice. It is hoped that through this way, the traffic accidents caused by passengers' driving doors can be fundamentally reduced and the overall safety of road traffic can be improved.

THE FUNDAMENTAL ROLE OF DEMOCRATIC MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION NETWORK SCHOOLS

This study analyzes the importance of democratic management and coordination in public schools, focusing on the emergence and evolution of this concept throughout history, as well as the different ways in which these principles operate, considering the diversity of profiles existing in each educational institution. The relevance of responsible bodies, such as the Department of Education, in monitoring compliance with these principles is highlighted. The study also addresses the steps that led to the adoption of democratic management as a way to improve educational policies, highlighting the presence of trained professionals to guarantee students' educational rights. It is concluded that democratic management is essential to ensure students' rights and fulfill the school's fundamental role in the educational process.