High-speed broadband, school closures and educational achievements

In this study, I shed new light on the short-run effects of access to high-speed internet on educational disparities, before and after the pandemic shock. By following 3 million students belonging to 6 different cohorts over the period 2012-2022, I estimate the effect of the broadband infrastructure on student performance. While most previous contributions use discontinuous jumps in the available broadband connection speed across space at a given moment in time, this study exploits the actual roll-out of an infrastructural policy associated with an increase in 30 Mbit/s household broadband coverage from 40% to 80% over a 5-year period. The estimation strategy relies on a unique dataset, combining panel data on student performance with a rich set of school- and student-level information and broadband data measured at a very fine spatial scale. Results show an average null effect of high-speed broadband on 8th grade student performance in both numeracy and maths. However, this results masks substantial heterogeneity: lower performers in grade 5 and students with better backgrounds gain from internet speed, whereas the opposite is true for other students. Interestingly, the stronger effect on low-performers tends to disappear during the lockdown, suggesting a negligible mitigating role for high-speed internet during the period of school closure. On the other hand, the broadband infrastructure might have further amplified the gap between students with different socioeconomic background

Essays in urban economics and international trade

This thesis consists of four independent chapters on urban economics and international trade. The first chapter analyses the effect of an improvement of information and communication technologies (ICT) on student performance. By exploiting a vast infrastructural program implemented in Italy, I study how the availability of high-internet speed affects student educational outcomes. On average, I find a positive effect on student performance in numeracy subjects. However, the policy outcome significantly depends on individual socio-economic backgrounds, with disadvantaged students mostly excluded from the benefits. As a result, the program increased the dispersion of student outcomes. The second chapter (co-authored) analyses a security policy aimed at tackling criminal organisations. The policy, consisting in the confiscation of mafia assets, is meant to eradicate the pervasive presence of the mafia organisations on the Italian territory and harm their business model and earnings. We investigate to what extent this policy is able to regenerate deprived areas by assessing its impact on the value of buildings located in the nearby of confiscated/re-allocated properties. Results show a positive effect of confiscation on housing prices, with the largest gains concentrated in the most deprived areas and where mafia organisations are more deeply rooted. Third and fourth chapter investigate between and within-industry differences in the spatial distribution of economic activities. The third chapter consists in a cross-country analysis of the economic geography of manufacturing and service plants. I compute continuous agglomeration and co-agglomeration indices using two comprehensive datasets, that cover the whole population of British and French establishments. The estimates are used to analyse in a common framework between- and with-industry variation in agglomeration patterns. The empirical strategy makes it possible to test some of the main predictions suggested by the literature. The fourth chapter, focussing on France only, investigates to what extent exogenous trade shocks are able to reshape the spatial distribution of manufacturing activities. Results unveil a positive effect of import penetration from emerging economies on firm spatial agglomeration

Localised effects of re-allocated real estate mafia assets

In an effort to tackle organised crime, the Italian State implements a policy stipulating that properties confiscated to individuals convicted of mafia-related crimes are reallocated to a new use. The policy is meant to act as both an anti-mafia measure and a way to compensate local communities by converting real-estate assets into public amenities. We assess whether this scheme has an effect on the regeneration of local areas by assessing its impact on the value of properties in the vicinity of re-allocated assets and crime activity. The results unveil a positive effect of re-allocated real estate assets on house prices, driven by mafia strongholds, more deprived neighbourhoods, and areas with more inelastic housing supply. The findings suggest declining effects with distance from the re-allocation site, indicating that the policy impact is highly localised. Part of this effect appears due to a decrease in organised crime activity in the streets where re-allocations have taken place. These findings have implications for the effectiveness of policies aiming to improve the quality of neighbourhoods where mafia presence is more pronounced

Controversy and Consensus on Indications for Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in Male Infertility: A Global Survey, Current Guidelines, and Expert Recommendations

Purpose: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing was recently added to the sixth edition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Many conditions and risk factors have been associated with elevated SDF; therefore, it is important to identify the population of infertile men who might benefit from this test. The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to indications for SDF testing, compare the relevant professional society guideline recommendations, and provide expert recommendations. Materials and Methods: Clinicians managing male infertility were invited to take part in a global online survey on SDF clinical practices. This was conducted following the CHERRIES checklist criteria. The responses were compared to professional society guideline recommendations related to SDF and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations on indications for SDF testing were then formulated, and the Delphi method was used to reach consensus. Results: The survey was completed by 436 experts from 55 countries. Almost 75% of respondents test for SDF in all or some men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, 39% order it routinely in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 62.2% investigate SDF in smokers. While 47% of reproductive urologists test SDF to support the decision for varicocele repair surgery when conventional semen parameters are normal, significantly fewer general urologists (23%; p=0.008) do the same. Nearly 70% would assess SDF before assisted reproductive technologies (ART), either always or for certain conditions. Recurrent ART failure is a common indication for SDF testing. Very few society recommendations were found regarding SDF testing. Conclusions: This article presents the largest global survey on the indications for SDF testing in infertile men, and demonstrates diverse practices. Furthermore, it highlights the paucity of professional society guideline recommendations. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians

Controversy and consensus on the management of elevated sperm DNA fragmentation in male infertility: A global survey, current guidelines, and expert recommendations

Purpose Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has been associated with male infertility and poor outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to the management of elevated SDF in infertile men, summarize the relevant professional society recommendations, and provide expert recommendations for managing this condition. Materials and Methods An online global survey on clinical practices related to SDF was disseminated to reproductive clinicians, according to the CHERRIES checklist criteria. Management protocols for various conditions associated with SDF were captured and compared to the relevant recommendations in professional society guidelines and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations and consensus on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF were then formulated and adapted using the Delphi method. Results A total of 436 experts from 55 different countries submitted responses. As an initial approach, 79.1% of reproductive experts recommend lifestyle modifications for infertile men with elevated SDF, and 76.9% prescribe empiric antioxidants. Regarding antioxidant duration, 39.3% recommend 4–6 months and 38.1% recommend 3 months. For men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, and couples experiencing recurrent miscarriages associated with elevated SDF, most respondents refer to ART 6 months after failure of conservative and empiric medical management. Infertile men with clinical varicocele, normal conventional semen parameters, and elevated SDF are offered varicocele repair immediately after diagnosis by 31.4%, and after failure of antioxidants and conservative measures by 40.9%. Sperm selection techniques and testicular sperm extraction are also management options for couples undergoing ART. For most questions, heterogenous practices were demonstrated. Conclusions This paper presents the results of a large global survey on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF and reveals a lack of consensus among clinicians. Furthermore, it demonstrates the scarcity of professional society guidelines in this regard and attempts to highlight the relevant evidence. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians

Localized effects of confiscated and re-allocated real estate mafia assets

Abstract Asset confiscation regimes are present throughout Europe. The Italian State implements a policy stipulating the confiscation of real estate assets from individuals convicted of mafia-related crimes and the re-allocation of these assets to new uses. The policy of confiscation (confisca) and re-allocation (destinazione) is meant to act as both an anti-mafia measure and a way to compensate local communities by converting real estate assets into public amenities. We evaluate the effects of this programme on local areas by estimating its impact on property values in the proximity of confiscations and re-allocations. The findings reveal a negative effect of confiscations and a positive effect of re-allocations on housing prices, mainly visible in mafia strongholds. Both of these trends can be observed in the time periods that directly follow instances of confiscation and re-allocation and appear to be highly localized. A drop in organized crime activity in the streets where re-allocations have occurred could account for some of the gain in property values caused by re-allocations. These findings have implications for the effectiveness of anti-mafia initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in areas where criminal activity is more prevalent.</jats:p

Unrecognized Prediabetes Is Highly Prevalent in Men With Erectile Dysfunction-Results From a Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: The association between prediabetes (PreDM) and erectile dysfunction (ED) has been analyzed scantly. AIM: To assess the association between PreDM and erectile function (EF) in a cohort of white European men with ED. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from 372 consecutive men were analyzed. Health-significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Patients were invited to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-EF domain questionnaire. The EF domain was categorized according to Cappelleri's criteria. Men were defined as having PreDM according to the criteria defined by the American Diabetes Association (2015). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models tested the association between clinical variables and PreDM status and severe ED. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed the prevalence of PreDM in our cohort of men with ED and the potential association of PreDM and sexual health within the same cohort. RESULTS: Of 372 men,&nbsp;+PreDM was found in 86 (23.1%) patients. Men with&nbsp;+PreDM had lower total testosterone (tT), higher triglycerides, and higher total cholesterol values (all P &lt; .03) than those without PreDM. Likewise,&nbsp;+PreDM patients had a higher rate of CCI ≥1 (P&nbsp;= .03) and more frequently had severe ED (P&nbsp;= .013) compared with -PreDM. Age (OR 1.03; P&nbsp;= .01); lower tT (OR 0.81; P&nbsp;= .02); and severe ED (OR 3.37; P&nbsp;= .004) were associated with&nbsp;+PreDM status, after accounting for BMI, CCI, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. Similarly, age (OR 1.02; P&nbsp;= .02) and&nbsp;+PreDM (OR 2.02; P&nbsp;= .02) were associated with severe ED, after accounting for other clinical variables. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Identifying&nbsp;+PreDM status in ED men is clinically relevant in order to adopt preventive strategies to attempt and reduce risk of developing DM and subsequent cardiovascular diseases. STRENGTHS &amp; LIMITATIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the prevalence of unrecognized PreDM and the association of PreDM and ED severity in a real-life setting. Limitations are the retrospective nature of the cross-sectional study and the lack of haemodynamic parameters for every patient. CONCLUSIONS: 1 in 5 men seeking medical help for new-onset ED showed glucose values suggestive for unrecognized PreDM and&nbsp;+PreDM status was associated with worse hormonal and metabolic profiles, along with a higher risk of severe ED than&nbsp;-PreDM. Boeri L, Capogrosso P, Perderzoli F, et&nbsp;al. Unrecognized prediabetes is highly prevalent in men with erectile dysfunction-results from a cross-sectional study. J Sex Med 2018;15:1117-1124

High Blood Pressure Is a Highly Prevalent but Unrecognised Condition in Primary Infertile Men: Results of a Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Although most of the components related to metabolic syndrome were shown to have a detrimental effect on male fertility, the effects of high blood pressure (HBP) have been partially analysed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and impact of hypertension on clinical and semen parameters in a cohort of white European men presenting for couple's infertility at a single tertiary referral academic centre. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional study was performed including analysis of data from 2185 primary infertile men. Comorbidities were scored with Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; categorised 0 vs ≥1). HBP was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90mmHg. Semen analyses followed the 2010 World Health Organization reference criteria. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses tested the association among semen parameters, clinical characteristics, and HBP. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, HBP was found in 6.8% of infertile patients and in 3.6% of age-comparable men without known fertility problems. Of 148 patients, 85 (58%) were either unaware of their HBP or not adequately medically-controlled. +HBP men were older (median age [interquartile range], 37 [33-40] vs 39 [36-44] yr; p&lt;0.001), had higher CCI scores (X(2)=25.6; p&lt;0.001), higher BMI (25.1 [23.3-27.3] vs 26.8 [24.9-29.4]; p&lt;0.001), and a waist circumference &gt;102cm in a greater proportion of individuals (41% vs 23%; X(2)=4.68 p&lt;0.05) than -HBP men. Hypertensive and normotensive men did not differ in terms of hormonal milieu and semen parameters. Patients did not differ in terms of HPB rates according to oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia status. The lack of a real control group represents the main limitation of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension and unrecognised or not adequately controlled HBP are highly prevalent among white European primary infertile men. Hypertension per se did not have an impact on hormonal and semen parameters. PATIENT SUMMARY: Because of its effects in terms of overall prospective men's health, high blood pressure must be comprehensively considered over the basic work-up of every infertile man in the outpatient clinic setting