Adrian Pana

Wealth and income inequality is a central concern across the social sciences, with well-documented links to education, health, safety, and economic outcomes. Evidence that inequality widens after large negative shocks -the COVID-19 pandemic and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East — has renewed its salience. Yet while inequality is routinely measured at the national level, small-area evidence for cities and neighborhoods remains scarce, because income itself is sensitive, under-reported, and rarely published below the regional level. This paper addresses that gap for the neighborhoods of Bucharest.Building on evidence that vehicle value is a strong proxy for income and wealth, we measure the wealth distribution and inequality through automobile market value. We drew a multi-stage probability sample of Bucharest, collecting vehicles from roughly 560 locations using Google Street View imagery (reference period 2022–2024; market values expressed in 2025–2026 prices). Images were processed with a general-purpose multimodal LLM (OpenAI ChatGPT, GPT-4 and 5), which returned each vehicle's brand, production-year band, and estimated market value (CMV). We validate the estimates against independent sources in three steps: (i) a county-level (NUTS-3) cross-sectional regression of average monthly wage on CMV for 2024; (ii) a comparison of the sample's brand and vehicle-age distributions against the full national vehicle registry; and (iii) a comparison of estimated mean vehicle age against the registry's official figure. Using the validated values we compute, for each Bucharest neighborhood, CMV, the coefficient of variation (CV) of vehicle values, and the Gini index, each with bootstrap 95% confidence intervals.CMV correlates strongly and significantly with average monthly wage across counties (r = 0.65, p < 0.001. The sample reproduces the registry's brand distribution well (Cramér's V = 0.269) and its vehicle-age structure acceptably (Cramér's V = 0.277; Cohen's d = 0.143 for mean age). Estimated vehicle values range from about €200 to €250,000 (2025 prices), with a mean of €8,537 and a median of €5,250. Within-neighborhood dispersion is high everywhere: the CV ranges from ~59% (most homogeneous neighborhoods, e.g. Theodor Pallady, Giulești-Sârbi) to ~184% (Fizicienilor). The neighborhood Gini index ranges from about 0.30 to 0.55 and tracks the CV closely (r = 0.87).Vehicle value is a promising proxy for mapping wealth and income inequality where direct income data are missing. Bucharest's neighborhoods are highly heterogeneous, and the spatial pattern of both wealth and inequality is stable relative to studies published more than a decade ago - consistent with the ~10-year lag between inequality and residential segregation documented for European capitals, and relevant to debates on the reach of local redistribution and mobility policy. Beyond the socio-economic findings, we release the first polygon map of Bucharest's citizen-familiar neighborhoods. The results can help local authorities design more targeted policies on taxation, mobility, parking, pollution, and green space.

Preeclampsia (PE) remains a significant obstetric challenge, having complex pathophysiology and limited early diagnostic and therapeutic options. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in PE, offering insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying placental dysfunction and impaired maternal adaptation. Differentially expressed miRNAs in both placental tissue and maternal circulation, such as miR-155, play key roles in regulating angiogenesis, trophoblast invasion, and inflammatory pathways, all of which are central to the development of PE. Ongoing investigations increasingly highlight miRNAs as promising non-invasive molecular indicators for the early diagnosis and risk stratification of PE. Furthermore, therapeutic strategies targeting miRNA pathways using mimics or inhibitors show promise in correcting molecular dysfunctions and improving maternal and fetal outcomes. However, clinical translation faces several challenges, including targeted delivery, off-target effects, and the assessment of long-term efficacy. Overall, miRNAs hold significant potential as both diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents, marking a promising direction for improving care in PE pregnancies.

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with ischemic stroke (IS) accounting for approximately 85% of cases. Recent research has highlighted the critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, in the pathogenesis of stroke. Among these, the miR-17-92 cluster and its paralogs have emerged as key regulators in the development of stroke pathology and the subsequent recovery processes. We emphasize their regulatory roles in key pathological processes, including inflammation, apoptosis, neuroprotection, and tissue repair. We provide an overview of these mechanisms to support the identification of novel miRNA-based therapeutic targets and to improve stroke diagnosis, treatment, and recovery strategies. Specific miRNAs, such as miR-19a, miR-18a, and miR-92a, contribute to processes including neurogenesis, axonal growth, and a reduction in neuronal apoptosis. The miR-17-92 cluster also offers potential therapeutic applications by targeting injury-induced pathways, such as modulating apoptosis, promoting axonal elongation, or inhibiting neurodegeneration. Preclinical studies have suggested their potential to enhance neural regeneration and promote functional recovery. Future research should further elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of the miR-17-92 members and their therapeutic potential to enhance stroke treatment strategies.

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, making early diagnosis and effective treatment crucial for reducing its impact. In response to the limited efficacy of current treatments, alternative therapeutic strategies, such as novel biomarkers and therapies, are emerging to address this critical unmet medical need. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Due to their dysregulation, they have been implicated in the onset and progression of various diseases. Recent research highlighted the important role of miR-181 family members in the context of stroke. Polymorphisms such as rs322931 in miR-181b are associated with increased stroke risk. miR-181 family members are aberrantly expressed and related to various aspects of stroke pathology, affecting inflammatory responses or neuronal survival. We provide a comprehensive overview of how alterations in miR-181 expression influence stroke mechanisms and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Background: The global rise in obesity has been significantly influenced by shifts in dietary habits that have been exacerbated by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the trends in Romanian dietary habits from 2015 to 2023, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of socio-economic factors, seasonality, and cultural practices. Methods: For dietary habits, we used nationally representative data from the Romanian Household Budget Survey provided by the Romanian National Institute of Statistics. The survey includes 30,000 households annually. From the same provider, we downloaded data about potential drivers of food consumption, such as income, the consumer price index, and the unemployment rate. The analysis mixes descriptive statistics and panel data analysis. Among the main drivers, the econometric models include seasonality and regional factors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the changes in dietary behavior. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, daily calorie consumption increased to over 3000 calories per person, representing a 20% increase compared to the pre-pandemic period. Post-pandemic, food consumption remains elevated, averaging 2500–2600 calories per person daily. The pandemic also led to a shift in dietary composition, with significant changes. Thus, we mark an increase in fat (p < 0.001) and carbohydrate intake (p < 0.01) and a decrease in protein intake (p < 0.001). Beyond the presence of health disruptors, we confirm the significant impact of income (p < 0.001) and seasonality (p < 0.001). Other factors like unemployment, the consumer price index, and hidden regional factors have a minor role. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on Romanian dietary habits, reinforcing unhealthy eating patterns that were already prevalent. The sustained increase in calorie consumption, particularly of nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods, poses a significant public health challenge. The study also highlights significant seasonal variations, with a marked increase in food intake during the last quarter of the year, driven by cultural and religious traditions. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions and policies that address economic factors and cultural and regional influences to promote healthier dietary behaviors in Romania.

Background: The global rise in obesity and related comorbidities has been significantly influenced by shifts in dietary habits, exacerbated by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the trends in Romanian dietary habits from 2015 to 2023, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of socio-economic factors, seasonality, and cultural practices. Methods: We used nationally representative data from the Romanian Household Budget Survey, which includes 30,000 households annually. The analysis is adjusted for seasonality and regional factors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the changes in dietary behavior. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, daily calorie consumption surged to over 3,000 calories per person, representing a 20% increase compared to the pre-pandemic period. Post-pandemic, food consumption remains elevated, averaging 2,500-2,600 calories per person daily. The pandemic also led to a shift in dietary composition, with a significant increase in fat and carbohydrate intake, while protein consumption decreased. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on Romanian dietary habits, reinforcing unhealthy eating patterns that were already prevalent. The sustained increase in calorie consumption, particularly of nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods, poses a significant public health challenge. The study also highlights significant seasonal variations, with a marked increase in food intake during the last quarter of the year, driven by cultural and religious traditions. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions and policies that address economic factors and cultural and regional influences to promote healthier dietary behaviors in Romania.

Recent evidence suggests that, in some foci, elimination of onchocerciasis from Africa may be feasible with mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin. To achieve continental elimination of transmission, mapping surveys will need to be conducted across all implementation units (IUs) for which endemicity status is currently unknown. Using boosted regression tree models with optimised hyperparameter selection, we estimated environmental suitability for onchocerciasis at the 5 × 5-km resolution across Africa. In order to classify IUs that include locations that are environmentally suitable, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify an optimal threshold for suitability concordant with locations where onchocerciasis has been previously detected. This threshold value was then used to classify IUs (more suitable or less suitable) based on the location within the IU with the largest mean prediction. Mean estimates of environmental suitability suggest large areas across West and Central Africa, as well as focal areas of East Africa, are suitable for onchocerciasis transmission, consistent with the presence of current control and elimination of transmission efforts. The ROC analysis identified a mean environmental suitability index of 0·71 as a threshold to classify based on the location with the largest mean prediction within the IU. Of the IUs considered for mapping surveys, 50·2% exceed this threshold for suitability in at least one 5 × 5-km location. The formidable scale of data collection required to map onchocerciasis endemicity across the African continent presents an opportunity to use spatial data to identify areas likely to be suitable for onchocerciasis transmission. National onchocerciasis elimination programmes may wish to consider prioritising these IUs for mapping surveys as human resources, laboratory capacity, and programmatic schedules may constrain survey implementation, and possibly delaying MDA initiation in areas that would ultimately qualify.

Introduction: Romania is still lagging behind in regard to main health indicators when compared to average values of European Union countries with a disproportionate share of disability due mainly to chronic diseases. There are tools available to quantify the negative health outcomes due to comorbidities, and among them the Elixhauser Index was found to be the best to predict health care utilization and expenditures. Objective: To measure the extent of comorbidities at the LAU2 level using the Elixhauser Index. Methods: All relevant comorbidities at the local level were summed-up using the Elixhauser index. This was followed with standardization by population number and then by 10-year age group. Due to large oscillation from one year to another during the 2014-2016 period, the geometrical mean was computed, then few measures of the variation such as decile ratio and variation coefficient were also computed. Results: High variability of comorbidities is observed at the local level (LAU2). Clusters of comorbidities concentration are found near medical university centers and localities in non-MUC districts located at the furthest distance from the county residential center. Conclusions: Several factors such as proximity to referral hospitals, increased accessibility to these hospitals due to low control at primary healthcare levels, availability of diagnostic technologies and different diagnostic coding patterns, as well as isolation and unavailability of primary health care services are listed as possible factors that can explain these results.

This paper presents general relations for calculation of harmonic impedance seen along an AC transmission overhead line. This is modeled by a chain of two symmetrical passive quadripoles corresponding to the segments that are on either side of the section of interest. Chain matrices of the two quadripoles are written by considering uniformly distributed line parameters and on their base, the expressions for the input impedances of the two quadripoles fed in the common section are obtained. The equivalent impedance seen in the section of the line, obtained by placing in parallel the two impedances mentioned above, depends on both the position along the line and the frequency. The expression for its calculation is applied to the numerical study realized for overhead lines having a nominal voltage of 220 kV. The results allow the identification of line areas and the frequencies where the risk of parallel resonance occurrence is greatest..