bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problem Davranışların Azaltılmasında Koşula Dayalı Olmayan Pekiştirme Uygulamaları: Bir Sistematik Derleme Çalışması
Authors: Şenkal Ali , Toper Özlem , Kıyak Üzeyir Emre
Published: April 2023

Problem davranışların azaltılmasında çeşitli yöntem, teknik ve stratejiler etkili bir şekilde kullanılmakla birlikte, bu uygulamalar arasında öncelikle başvurulması gerekenler ılımlılık hiyerarşisine göre önleyici ve pekiştirme temelli olanlardır. Bu özellikleri taşıyan, problem davranışların azaltılmasında etkili ve önemli olduğu belirtilen yöntemlerden bir tanesi de koşula dayalı olmayan pekiştirmedir. Koşula dayalı olmayan pekiştirme, uluslararası alanyazında yaklaşık yetmiş yıldır üzerinde çalışılan, pek çok makale ve kitap bölümünde yer alan bir uygulama olmasına rağmen, ülkemiz alanyazınında konuyla ilgili çok sınırlı sayıda araştırma ve kaynak bulunmaktadır. Bu gereksinimden yola çıkarak bu çalışmada, koşula dayalı olmayan pekiştirme yönteminin uygulama basamaklarına ilişkin bilgi verilmesi ile etkililiğinin incelendiği ve tek denekli deneysel desen kullanılarak yürütülmüş araştırmaların demografik ve yöntemsel özellikleri ile sonuçlarının betimsel analizi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaca yönelik olarak ilgili anahtar sözcüklerle 2015-2020 yılları arası yayımlanmış araştırmalar taranmıştır. Toplamda 62 araştırmaya ulaşılmış; dâhil etme ölçütleri sonucunda 20 araştırma betimsel analize alınmıştır. Analiz sonuçları, koşula dayalı olmayan pekiştirmenin problem davranışların azaltılmasında ve/veya ortadan kaldırılmasında etkili bir uygulama olduğunu ancak özellikle doğal ortamlarda gerçekleştirilecek araştırmalara hâlen bir gereksinim olduğunu göstermektedir.
Gravity Bodies in the Planck Vacuum Theory
Authors: Daywitt William C.
Published: April 2023

There are two types of gravity bodies, dark gravity bodies (DGB)s and charged bodies that obey the Newton equation. The Planck vacuum (PV) theory here derives equations for and illustrates both types of bodies. It will turn out that the dark force is a pure mass force like the Einstein equations, while the Newton force is more akin to a Coulomb force.
Electron Recoil in the Compton Effect as Viewed in the Planck Vacuum Theory
Authors: Daywitt William C.
Published: April 2023

This paper calculates the recoil equation for an electron after being struck by an x-ray photon in a Compton scattering event as seen in the Planck vacuum (PV) theory.
The Effect of Profit Sharing Financing and Receivables towards Total Assets in Islamic Banking: Case Study in BNI Syariah
Authors: Hasan Zulfikar
Published: April 2023

The objective of my research is to observe at the relationship between receivables, profit-sharing financing to total assets at BNI Syariah Bank from 2016-2020. Total assets in BNI Syariah frequently endure fluctuations in total assets each year, whether receivables and profit-sharing financing have a significant effect on variable Y (total assets). The method that researchers run is a quantitative method using the help of SPPS software, while the variables that influence are the dependent variable receivables and profit-sharing financing. The funding channelled by BNI Syariah is essentially the same as other Islamic banks in Indonesia. Because it still uses an agreement that has long practised in the Islamic banking system, such as the Murabaha contract for the provision of receivables, Mudharabah and Musyarakah contracts for profit sharing between customers and banks. The relationship between Receivables and Revenue Sharing Financing has a positive correlation between variables. This research can also provide some connection between Murabahah and Musharaka which are one of the main product sources of BNI Syariah bank. The originality of the research that the researcher makes is his own, it is not copied and that the researcher's research idea is new and can add new knowledge.
Analysis of Customer Preferences and Customer Attitudes on Islamic Banks
Authors: Warsito Chandra
Published: April 2023

The Purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference between customer preferences and customer attitudes of Islamic Bank in Ex-Banyumas residency of Central Java, Indonesia. It also evaluates the most considers attributes in choosing an Islamic bank. Accidental sampling is used in this study with a total of respondents as 100. To observe the difference in customer preferences, the scoring method and Chi-Square analysis are applied, meanwhile, Fishbein’s Attitude model is used to discover the customer attitudes. It is concluded that there is a significant difference in customer preferences on choosing Islamic banks on Ex-Banyumas residency, particularly when it is based on gender and long-period of customer status. It also revealed that customers’ decision in choosing Islamic banks is influenced by service quality. The findings of this study could give valuable input to Islamic bank management in the improvement in their services. This study is explaining the implementation of the Islamic principle in banking operational activities, as in fact the main reason for most customers to get services from the Islamic bank. This study is also enriched the Islamic banking studies in Indonesia.
The Synergy of Muslim Communities Abroad in Preventing Islamic Radicalism (Evidence from of Indonesia Muslim Community in Victoria, Australia)
Authors: Ahmad Dahlan  , Akhmad Faozan
Published: April 2023

IMCV (Indonesian Muslim Community in Victoria) was founded in 1997. Its existence and activities have been widely published in print and online media. However, these publications have yet to present IMCV as an organization that synergizes in counteracting radical Islamic ideology. The existence of IMCV is very strategic because its members are comprehensive and supported by several militant organizations, namely the young Indonesian generation in Australia, such as YIMSA (Young Islamic Muslim Students Association).

This article found evidence of the synergy of IMCV as an Islamic organization of Indonesians in the state of Victoria will describe the synergy of IMCV in winning over Islamic radical ideas.
Assessing Agency Theory and Solutions on the Financing of Revenue Sharing Systems in Islamic Banking
Authors: Setyaningrum Nur Anisa , Setiawan M. Nur Kholis , Maghfiroh Siti , Ansori Saiful
Published: April 2023

The dynamics of business development in Indonesia from time to time are increasingly complex. When in the past businesses were run by individuals or several parties and with a simple structure, but today has developed far in complex business entities, structured management and larger capital. One of the basic assumptions in accounting, the economic entity, states that a company is an independent economic entity that requires separation between the owner (owner) and the party running the business (management).  Or common with the mention of agents and principals. The method used in this research is library research with qualitative descriptive analysis, information is taken from a number of references. The conclusion in this study is that the theory of agency ideally presents as a bridge of communication between agents and principals, but in practice problems and conflicts often arise. What happens, on one side the agent knows more about business information than the principal, for that if it does not have an honest sense of customer / agent can act moral hazard. Solutions in the agency's problems can be minimized by monitoring, bonding, and screening measures.
The Fiqh Muamalah Ijtimaiyyah Paradigm in Reconciliation of Religious Conflicts in Jayapura-Papua City
Authors: Amirullah Amirullah , Islamy Athoillah
Published: April 2023

Efforts to overcome the phenomenon of social conflict between religious communities can actually refer to the universal social values contained in each religion itself. This study intends to identify the paradigm of social-community fiqh in the paradigm of reconciliation of inter-religious conflicts by Religious Harmony Forum, Jayapura City. The value of Islamic universalism and Islamic indigenization in the social-community fiqh paradigm (fiqh muamalah ijtimaiyah) formulated by Abdurrahaman Wahid became the theory of analysis in the discussion of this research. The results showed that there were dimensions of social-community fiqh (fiqh muamalah ijtimaiyah) in the paradigm of inter-religious conflict reconciliation by Religious Harmony Forum Jayapura City. First, the value of Islamic universalism in the socio-religious-based conflict reconciliation paradigm. This can be seen from inclusive religious social values such as tolerance, openness and social care in the dialogue space between interfaith leaders and community leaders regarding inter-religious harmony. Second, the value of Islamic indigenization in the cultural-based conflict reconciliation paradigm. This can be seen from the value of local wisdom that are in line with Islamic teachings in the space of religious and social aspirations. The theoretical implication of this research shows that Islamic religious social valuescan be the basis of the social-community fiqh paradigm in realizing a harmonious social life between religious communities. The limitation of the research is that it has not studied what factors are the obstacles and support for the Jayapura City Religious Harmony Forum in efforts to reconcile conflicts between religious communities.
The Role of Fiscal Policy in Strengthening the Resilience of The National Economy (Fiscal Case Study During the Covid-19 Pandemic)
Authors: Farah Aunti Sholihah  , Badriyatul Ulya  , Husnul Mirzal  , Shally Nur Rasyida  , Siti Zubaidah
Published: April 2023

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Indonesia's economic growth rate reached negative 5.32 percent. In this problem, Indonesia manages its economic stabibility with fiscal instruments. This study aims to determine the role of fiscal policy in strengthening the resilience of the national economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research is a type of literature research that uses analytical techniques with a content analysis method that strengthens the role of the government, especially in fiscal policy in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia
Short-Term and Long-Term Causality of the Tourism Sector on Economic Growth of OIC Member Countries
Authors: Citaningati Putri Rizka , Rahman Inayah , Rusgianto Sulistya , Kamaluddin Kamaluddin
Published: April 2023

Tourism is one of the sectors affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, due to the implementation of lockdowns and social distancing in various countries around the world. Likewise with the countries that are members of the OIC. The pandemic that has hit since the end of 2019 has reduced the number of domestic and foreign tourists traveling to various tourist attractions, both domestically and abroad. This of course has an impact on slower economic growth. Therefore, using the variables of the tourism sector, inflation, foreign direct investment, and economic growth, this study aims to explain the causality of the Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism sector and the economic growth of OIC member countries. This study uses the P-VECM analysis technique to determine the short-term and long-term effects of the variables used. The results of this study reveal that the tourism sector, inflation, and foreign direct investment have short-term and long-term effects on economic growth.
Criticism of Margin Actualization in Murābahah Financing at Sharia Banking Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Furwanti Reni , Lestari Dini Maulana , Mustaqim Abdul , Solikhin Iin
Published: April 2023

This study aims to analyze margin actualization of murābaha contract. It is because, although murābaha is a favorable financing contract at sharia banking, it still has problem due to the related issue. This happens due to lack of trust form such customers, who have a tendency that sharia bank is the same with conventional bank due to the issue of margin actualization. This is a qualitative descriptive reseach with library reseach approach, exploring the issue and relating to the Islamic study to get such deep analysis. The result revealed that relating to the issue it needs such a fatwa or other binding which aligned with sharia principles, and such reconstruction of the contract which appropriate with sharia principle reflected by maqāṣid al-sharia.
Islamic Perspective on Marketing Strategy Through Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM)
Authors: Sulasih  , Pramono Hari Adi  , Weni Novandari  , Suliyanto
Published: April 2023

Although several papers have discussed Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM), there is still limited research that specifically discusses result marketing strategies for the results of QSPM in an Islamic perspective. The aim is to show that QSPM as an input for a marketing strategy is based on an Islamic perspective so that it becomes a grounded and conceptual theory by incorporating narrative verses from the Quran and Hadith. This research used a qualitative approach and is guided by the verses of the Quran and Hadith in supporting QSPM as an input for marketing strategies from an Islamic perspective. Findings from the QSPM, it is found that the alternative strategy that should be carried out is strategy 5, namely, by making unique batik patterns and motifs, it is hoped that the Batik Production business can increase the competitive advantage in the era of globalization and increasingly fierce competition with a Total Attractiveness Score (TAS) value of 6.22. The strategy of making unique patterns and motifs in an Islamic perspective is reflected in the Quran, Surah Ali-‘Imran verse 190 and Surah Ar-Ra’d verse 11
Factor associated with tobacco use among the adult population in Sarawak, Malaysia: a cross sectional study
Authors: Rahman Mizanur , Arif Mohd Taha , Razak Mohd Fadzillah , Suhaili Raili , Zainab Tambi , Cliffton Akoi , Debura Peak , Hussein Hasienti
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Consumption of tobacco in any form is one of the leading causes of preventable mortality. The World Health Organization recommends that it should be monitored regularly.  This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use among the rural adult population in Sarawak and factors associated with it.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among the adult population in Sarawak. Data were collected from ten villages in Kota Samarahan and Kuching Division by face to face interview using modified Global Adult Tobacco Survey questionnaire. Non-probability sampling method was adopted to select the villages. All the households of the villages were visited and an adult member was selected randomly from each house irrespective of the sex. After missing value imputation, 1000 data were analysed using statistical software SPSS 19.0 version.

Results: Analysis showed that 30.9% of the respondents were current tobacco users and 11% were past tobacco users. The mean age (SD) at starting tobacco was 18.1 (6.48) years. The frequency of tobacco use was 14 times per day.  Hierarchical Logistic regression analysis revealed that age with male sex (OR=1. 064, 95% CI: 1.052, 1.076), secondary education (OR=-2.712; 95% CI: 1.122, 6.555), higher secondary and above (OR=3. 571; 95% CI: 1.641,7.774), occupation as business (OR=3. 152; 95% CI: 1.732, 5.735) and environmental exposure such as smoking at working place (OR=2. 754;95% CI: 1.895,4.002), coffee house (OR=2. 274;95% CI: 1.32,3.919) and at home (OR=1. 827;95% CI: 1.242,2.687) appeared to be  important predictors of tobacco use (p<0.05).

Conclusion: A large proportion of males use tobacco products. Though tobacco use was negligible among females, but they would be potential users. Environmental exposure to tobacco appeared to be important predictors. Tobacco control campaigns should target banning of tobacco use in closed and open areas and also to intensify the monitoring of all forms of tobacco used by the population.
Erratum EBPH 2015; 12 (2) e-11167 1-11.
Authors: Ilgren Edward
Published: April 2023

COMPENTING INTEREST
Should methods of correction for multiple comparisons be applied in pharmacovigilance?
Authors: Scotti Lorenza , Romio Silvana , Ghirardi Arianna , Arfè Andrea , Casula Manuela , Hazell Lorna , Lapi Francesco , Catapano Alberico , Sturkenboom Miriam , Corrao Giovanni
Published: April 2023

Purpose. In pharmacovigilance, spontaneous reporting databases are devoted to the early detection of adverse event ‘signals’ of marketed drugs. A common limitation of these systems is the wide number of concurrently investigated associations, implying a high probability of generating positive signals simply by chance. However it is not clear if the application of methods aimed to adjust for the multiple testing problems are needed when at least some of the drug-outcome relationship under study are known. To this aim we applied a robust estimation method for the FDR (rFDR) particularly suitable in the pharmacovigilance context.

Methods. We exploited the data available for the SAFEGUARD project to apply the rFDR estimation methods to detect potential false positive signals of adverse reactions attributable to the use of non-insulin blood glucose lowering drugs. Specifically, the number of signals generated from the conventional disproportionality measures and after the application of the rFDR adjustment method was compared.

Results. Among the 311 evaluable pairs (i.e., drug-event pairs with at least one adverse event report), 106 (34%) signals were considered as significant from the conventional analysis. Among them 1 resulted in false positive signals according to rFDR method.

Conclusions. The results of this study seem to suggest that when a restricted number of drug-outcome pairs is considered and warnings about some of them are known, multiple comparisons methods for recognizing false positive signals are not so useful as suggested by theoretical considerations.
Nutritional Habits and Weight Status among Jazan University Students: Eating Patterns and Healthy lifestyle Assessment
Authors: Mahfouz Mohamed S , Makeen Anwar M , Akour Ameera Y , Madkhly Tasneem M , Hakami Hanouf M , M Shaabi Wejdan , Ageeli Asrar F , Khawaj Fatmah A , Najmi Kadejah A , Hakami Sarah Y , Al-Ali Mozynah A
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The purposes of this study were to assess the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity and to evaluate the nutritional habits, and related factors among the Students of Jazan University.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out during the academic year 2014/2015 in Jazan University, Gizan, South West Saudi Arabia. A total of 436 students 19–25 y of age were examined. The questionnaires, including items on eating habits, lifestyle, and socio-demographic characteristics, were completed by the students. Data on weight, height were also collected.  The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Differences were considered statistically significant at P. value  < 0.05.

Results

The mean weight for males and females were 67.84 and 54.79 kg respectively, with significant differences between males and females (P. value <0.05). The mean BMI for all study participants was reported as 23.31 (kg/m²), also with significant difference between the males and females groups. About 45% of the students were of normal weight; the rate of obesity and underweight among students was very high (33.6% and 21.1% respectively), and their dietary habits were unhealthy. Regularity of meals was found only among (16.5% and 20.4%) males and females respectively. 83.3% of males and 95.1% of females reported eating snacks during the day.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of overweight and obesity were very high among the studied students. The study showed the need for health education programs on nutritional education in universities in order to increase awareness of students towards healthy eating and lifestyle.
Disseminating good practices for patient safety: the experience of the Italian National Observatory
Authors: Labella Barbara , Giannantoni Patrizia , Raho Vanda , Tozzi Quinto , Caracci Giovanni
Published: April 2023

Background: The objective of this paper is to discuss how national, collaborative programs based on the dissemination of good practices could effectively improve patient safety and be sustainable. The paper also aims at identifying some cross-system characteristics  that would allow for a “safe practice program” to run successfully.

Methods: The quality and safety of the healthcare services provided by the Italian healthcare system to its citizens are very heterogeneous. Therefore, a public agency – by government mandate – instituted a national program to improve patient safety. The model applied relies on a cyclic scheme for collecting, classifying and promoting the active dissemination of evidence-based safe practices throughout the network of healthcare providers.

Results: The Italian program has been reviewed by the OECD as a key action to improve patient safety as the results are very encouraging in terms of both effectiveness and sustainability.

Conclusion: In this paper we use the experience of the Italian Observatory on Good Practices for Patient Safety to corroborate and enrich the literature about improvement programs based on good practices. If specific conditions of responsiveness and accountability are met at all levels, these programs can be successful and sustainable. Furthermore, such programs could be easily adapted to other health care systems.
Incidence and Risk Factors of Neonatal Mortality in Eastern Ethiopia, A Prospective Cohort Study in Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Kersa HDSS)
Authors: Desta Binyam Negussie , Kassa Nega Assefa , Damte Tesfaye Digaffe , Hordofa Lemessa Oljira
Published: April 2023

Background: So far few studies were done to determine predictors of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to provide information on the incidence and risk factors of neonatal survival in Eastern Ethiopia from September, 2007 to August, 2012.

Methods: The study uses data extracted from Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance (Kersa HDSS) System database, which is located in the Oromiya Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia. The surveillance system is an open cohort, which was established in 2007. Data extraction includes all live births recorded in the system. The main outcome variable was the occurrence of death within 28 days after birth (neonatal death). The survival time was calculated in days using the time interval between the date of birth and date of event (death). Kaplan-Meier model and Cox-proportional hazard techniques were used to identify predictors of neonatal death.

Results: The overall, Early and Late Neonatal Mortality Rate was 28.37, 19.55 and 8.82 per 1000 live births, respectively.  A Neonatal Mortality Incidence Rate was 1 per 1000 (95% CI, 0.87-1.15) person days. Risk factors of neonatal survival include birth type (HR=5.40; 95% CI, 3.64-8.02), preterm birth (HR=11.17; 95% CI, 7.17-17.40), and previous infant sibling born (died HR=2.15; 95% CI, 1.39-3.33: no previous birth HR=1.78; 95% CI, 1.17-2.72).

Conclusion: A significantly high level of neonatal mortality incidence rate was observed, which majority of the neonatal deaths were found to occur at early neonatal period. Therefore, efforts needs to be exerted in addressing the risk factors identified as predictors of neonatal mortality.
Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY), an endemic syndrome influencing Environmental Policies
Authors: Buffoli Maddalena , Odone Anna , Leask Julie , Signorelli Carlo
Published: April 2023

Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY), an endemic syndrome influencing Environmental Policies
Conflicting gender-related differences in the natural history of patients with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Vitali-Serdoz Laura , Lutman Cristina , Cadamuro Elena , Barbati Giulia , Zecchin Massimo , Merlo Marco , Puggia Ilaria , Pinamonti Bruno , Di Lenarda Andrea , Sinagra Gianfranco
Published: April 2023

Objective. To evaluated possible clinical and instrumental, natural history and prognostic divergences in women and men with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM).

Patients and Methods. From 1988 to 2012, we evaluated 803 consecutive patients with IDCM recorded in the Heart Muscle Disease Registry of Trieste (Italy). All patients had serial follow-up evaluations at 6, 12, and 24 months, and subsequently every two years, or more frequently if clinically indicated.

Results. Two hundred and twenty-seven patients (28%) were female. At first evaluation women were significantly older (48 vs. 45 years old, p = 0.008); presented more frequently left bundle branch block at ECG (38% vs. 28%, p = 0.01), smaller left ventricular end-diastolic indexed volume at echocardiography (85 vs. 93 ml/m2, p <0.002) and more frequently moderate to severe mitral regurgitation at Doppler (43% vs. 33%, p = 0.015). No differences in NYHA class, medical treatment and device implantation rates were found. During a median of 108 months follow-up, women showed a significantly lower ten-year total mortality/heart transplantation (20% vs. 32% respectively, p = 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality rates (9% vs. 15%, p = 0.024) despite a less marked clinical and echocardiographic improvement.

Conclusions. In our population of patients with IDCM, women showed a better long-term prognosis notwithstanding a presentation with a more advanced disease and a lower clinical-instrumental improvement on optimal medical therapy compared to men.
Food safety and health: a survey of rural and urban household consumer practices, knowledge to food safety and food related illnesses in Ogun State
Authors: Adebowale Oluwawemimo , Kassim Ibrahim O.
Published: April 2023

Background: Consumers’ knowledge on food safety and related practices play central role in reducing foodborne diseases, which represents significant concerns to public health.

Objectives: To evaluate rural and urban household consumers knowledge of food safety and related practices in Ogun state, Nigeria. Also, awareness of foodborne illnesses, and  association between respondents’ demographic characteristics and food safety knowledge were investigated.

Methods: A crossectional study, which involved a questionnaire based interview of a group of 120 volunteers from four different local government areas (LGA) in Ogun State was conducted. Pearson chi-square analysis was used to test the association between consumers’ demographic parameters and knowledge of food safety.

Results: Overall,  eighteen (15.8%, 95% Cl, 10.0 – 23.7) male, and ninety-six (82.2%, 95% Cl, 76.3 – 89.9) female within the age range 16 – 60 years took part in the study. Our data showed that there was poor knowledge regarding food safety practices and food borne illnesses among rural and urban consumers surveyed. However, there was a significant difference in the awareness of rural and urban household consumers to foodborne illnesses and associated complications, (p <0.05). Also, Respondents’ marital status were significantly associated with knowledge of food safety (p <0.000).

Conclusion: Poor consumer knowledge of food safety, and food related illnesses  were reported, informing the urgent need to improve on  food safety education such as food handling, preparation, storage and general hygiene practices in homes in Nigeria.
Should we use logistic mixed model analysis for the effect estimation in a longitudinal RCT with a dichotomous outcome variable?
Authors: Twisk Jos , De Vente Wieke , Apeldoorn Adri , De Boer Michiel R
Published: April 2023

Background: Within epidemiology both mixed model analysis and Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE analysis) are frequently used to analyse longitudinal RCT data. With a continuous outcome, both methods lead to more or less the same results, but with a dichotomous outcome the results are totally different. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the performance of a logistic mixed model analysis and a logistic GEE analysis and to give an advice which of the two methods should be used.

Methods: Two real life RCT datasets with and without missing data were used to perform this evaluation. Regarding the logistic mixed model analysis also two different estimation procedures were compared to each other.

Results: The regression coefficients obtained from the two logistic mixed model analyses were different from each other, but were always higher then the regression coefficients derived from a logistic GEE analysis. Because this also holds for the standard errors, the corresponding p-values were more or less the same. It was further shown that the effect estimates derived from a logistic mixed model analysis were an overestimation of the ‘real’ effect estimates.

Conclusions:  Although logistic mixed model analysis is widely used for the analysis of longitudinal RCT data, this article shows that logistic mixed model analysis should not be used when one is interested in the magnitude of the regression coefficients (i.e. effect estimates).
Nurses in Public Health: A profession in continuous evolution
Authors: Rea Teresa , Esposito Maria Rosaria , Guillari Assunta , Simeone Silvio , Gargiulo Gianpaolo , Continisio Grazia Isabella , Serra Nicola
Published: April 2023

Today, nurses play a fundamental role in Public Health. In the last few decades the health profession has seen strong professional growth, in the areas of Clinical practice, Management and Education. In particular, this growth has been also informed by the progress being made in nursing research. In fact, nursing research has contributed to the establishment of support tools to facilitate and evaluate the daily work done by nurses, contributing significantly to the improvement of their professional performance.
The use of electronical devices and relative levels of Nomophobia within a group of Italian nurses: an Observational Study
Authors: Lupo Roberto , Zacchino Simone , Caldararo Cosimo , Calabrò Antonino , Carriero Maria Chiara , Santoro Pietro , Carvello Maicol , Conte Luana
Published: April 2023

Background: In healthcare, the use of smartphones and other electronical devices are becoming important tools among health professionals. Thanks to these devices, there are new methods of assistance. However, if used incorrectly, they may cause distraction during clinical practice. The excessive use of such devices has generated a new form of addiction in the workplace named nomophobia, a phobia still little explored in literature. We reported an analysis of the frequency and method of use of these electronical devices. The primary aim of the research was to investigate the level of dependence on electronic devices (nomophobia) and the digital habits of nurses. Secondary aim of the study was to evaluate the possible association between nomophobia and distraction in the workplace.

Methods: A transversal multicenter study was conducted on a sample of Italian nurses, using the Nurses’ Use of Personal Communication Devices Questionnaire and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q).

Results: 34.1% of the sample (n=184) declared that they used smartphones and other electronical devices a moderately during working hours. 20.2 % (n=109) used them frequently and 8.9% (n=48) uses devices during working hours constantly. However, 44.0% (n=222) never uses health apps for patient medical assistance, the 32.9% (n=166) never uses learning apps or apps for professional development. 16.6% (n=87) admit that the use of these devices negatively affected their working performance (mean 80.5; SD 40.1). Study participants showed moderated levels of nomophobia (media=50.34; SD=29.0).

Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate the scares use of such electronical tools to implement adequate care among Italian nurses. Nomophobia can have significant impact on the risk of making mistakes. Future studies should examine not only nurses but also other help professionals and support staff, to bring out an underestimated dimension.
An Introduction to RP-Testing
Authors: De Capitani Lucio
Published: April 2023

This paper reviews the concept of Reproducibility Probability and makes a brief introduction to RP-testing. The RP-based version of some common parametric tests is provided. Moreover, a particular attention is devoted to the well-known nonparametric Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test. A comparison between the properties of the RP and the p-value is made in order to evaluate the practical utility of these stability indicators. It turns out that the use of the RP to perform the tests and to interpret their results, requires more technical analysis, but it provides more interpretable direct information on the stability of the test results.
Evaluating the effect of organization and context on technical efficiency: a second-stage DEA analysis of Italian hospitals
Authors: Matranga Domenica , Bono Filippa , Casuccio Alessandra , Firenze Alberto , Marsala Laura , Giaimo Rosa , Sapienza Francesca , Vitale Francesco
Published: April 2023

Objective: the purpose of this study was to compare the technical efficiency of Italian hospitals at a regional level and to examine if differences could be explained by organisational and contextual factors. Technical efficiency was defined as the ability of the operating units evaluated to use optimal resource levels for their level of output.

Methods: the effect of external factors was explored through a second stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Efficiency scores were calculated for each hospital using the DEA method (Stage I). Through Tobit regression analysis, the estimated efficiency scores were regressed against a set of organisational and contextual characteristics beyond managerial control, which reflected differences in the population demographics and regional health expenditure (Stage II). Stage I and Stage II efficiency scores were compared in order to indirectly assess managerial contribution in relation to hospital efficiency.

Results: the highest efficiency (M±SD) was observed in hospitals in the North-West (75.7±15.1), followed by those in the North-East (75.5±15.1), Central Italy (73.9±16.4) and then Southern Italy (70.6±17.9). Hospital Trusts (HTs) were shown to be more technically efficient than Local Public Hospitals (LPHs). Organisational and contextual indicators were statistically significantly different at Tobit regression analysis for HTs and LPHs. Emilia Romagna and Lombardia were the regions whose management contributed to increased efficiency.

Conclusions: in our study, the distribution of regions according to technical efficiency only partly reflected the North-South gradient shown by other studies regarding the gap of expenditure. The important role of organisation and environment in establishing efficiency differences among hospitals was demonstrated.
Description of survival data extended to the case of competing risks: a teaching approach based on frequency tables
Authors: Bernasconi Davide Paolo , Antolini Laura
Published: April 2023

Survival analysis is a powerful statistical tool to study failure-time data. In introductory courses students learn how to describe right-censored survival time data using the product-limit estimator of the survival function on a given end-point relying on a product of conditional survival probabilities. In the case of a composite end-point, the next step is to account for the presence of competing risks. The complement to one of the survival function is decomposed into the sum of cause-specific incidences, which are obtained as sum of unconditional probabilities due to the single competing risk. However, this algebraic decomposition is not straightforward, given the difference between the structure of the involved estimators. In addition, one is tempted to use the Kaplan-Meier estimator, leading to an erroneous decomposition of the overall incidence. Here we discuss a simple reinterpretation of the Kaplan-Meier formula in terms of sum of non-conditional probabilities of developing the end-point in time, adjusted for the presence of censoring. This approach could be used for describing survival data through simple frequency tables which are directly generalized to the case of competing risks. In addition, it makes clear how the estimation of the single cause-specific incidence through the Kaplan-Meier estimator, simply considering the occurrence of competing events as censored data, leads to an overestimation of the cause-specific incidence. Two examples are provided to support the explanation: the first one, could help to clarify the procedure described by the formulas; the second one, simulates real data in order to present graphically the results.
Real-world data from the health decision maker perspective. What are we talking about?
Authors: Romio Silvana , Sturkenboom Miriam , Corrao Giovanni
Published: April 2023

Healthcare decision-makers are increasingly developing policies that seek information on “real-world” data providing “evidence” to support and monitor changes in clinical practice or policy decisions. Many strategies may be evaluated in experimental circumstances, but this does rarely reflect clinical practice. Due to the current focus on information and computer technology to provide safer and more efficient healthcare delivery, the amount of electronic medical records and other electronic healthcare data is increasing exponentially, and these real-world data can be used for evidence generation. This review describes why and how healthcare/policy decision making could benefit from real-world data, it introduces methods to investigate real-world clinical practice, lists potentialities of routinely collected real-world data, reviews their availability in the word, and outlines future challenges in this field.
Building reliable evidence from real-world data: methods, cautiousness and recommendations
Authors: Corrao Giovanni
Published: April 2023

Routinely stored information on healthcare utilisation in everyday clinical practice has proliferated over the past several decades. There is, however, some reluctance on the part of many health professionals to use observational data to support healthcare decisions, especially when data are derived from large databases. Challenges in conducting observational studies based on electronic databases include concern about the adequacy of study design and methods to minimise the effect of both misclassifications (in the absence of direct assessments of exposure and outcome validity) and confounding (in the absence of randomisation). This paper points out issues that may compromise the validity of such studies, and approaches to managing analytic challenges. First, strategies of sampling within a large cohort, as an alternative to analysing the full cohort, will be presented. Second, methods for controlling outcome and exposure misclassifications will be described. Third, several techniques that take into account both measured and unmeasured confounders will also be presented. Fourth, some considerations regarding random uncertainty in the framework of observational studies using healthcare utilisation data will be discussed. Finally, some recommendations for good research practice are listed in this paper. The aim is to provide researchers with a methodological framework, while commenting on the value of new techniques for more advanced users.
Microbiological quality of surface waters of Rome and it’s County from 1890 to 2010: a systematic review of Roman Hygiene School
Authors: Palazzo Caterina , Montacutelli Riccardo , Del Vecchio Rosella , Solimini Angelo Giuseppe , Marinelli Lucia , Lombardi Anna Maria , De Giusti Maria , Fara Gaetano Maria , Boccia Antonio
Published: April 2023

Research on the quality of surface waters has been erformed in Italy during the development of large urban areas, and in Rome this has been the duty of the Istituto di Igiene of the Sapienza University since 1890. Using MedLine - along with traditional consultation of papers printed before 1968 - we identified 100 articles published in the period from 1890-2010. Thirty of them met the inclusion criteria (to have been written by researchers of Roman universities and to contain microbiological information about the surface waters of Rome). The majority of papers identified (46.6%) were published during the Sixties and Seventies, and 30% in the twenty years that followed (1980-1999). The most frequent microbiological descriptors were “Total coliforms” and “Streptococci”. The body of waters most frequently investigated were the river Tiber and the coastal waters around Fiumicino, where the Tiber flows into the Tyrrhenian sea. The quality of surface waters has always been of central interest to the researchers of the Roman School of Hygiene. The excellent quality of past research, and the renovated interest of International Organizations and of the European Union, should encourage public health researchers to persist in this strategic field of investigation which has strong interconnections with the protection of individual well-being and community health, as well as with environmental preservation.
Conceptual issues for screening in the genomic era – time for an update?
Authors: Wright Caroline F. , Zimmern Ron
Published: April 2023

screening from clinical testing remains strangely elusive. Although numerous definitions of screening have been suggested, there is considerable variation amongst them, leading to confusion and disagreement amongst clinicians and public health professionals alike. In light of developments in genomics, we emphasise the need to differentiate between opportunistic screening and clinical testing because of the differing prior probability of disease and thus ethical burden of responsibility placed upon the physician in each scenario. Screening requires higher standards, first because screening tests are performed in asymptomatic individuals, and second because these tests are generally offered to individuals who otherwise believe themselves to be healthy. All the other characteristics commonly invoked to describe screening – including the systematic use of a rapid test for risk stratification within a particular population – can be better categorised as either practical requirements or by-products of screening programmes rather than screening tests. Physicians need to appreciate the shifting moral burden placed upon them relating to clinical testing versus screening, and the differing legal obligations that may ensue.
An R package for fitting age, period and cohort models
Authors: Decarli Adriano , La Vecchia Carlo , Malvezzi Matteo , Micciolo Rocco
Published: April 2023

In this paper we present the R implementation of a GLIM macro which fits age-period-cohort model following Osmond and Gardner. In addition to the estimates of the corresponding model, owing to the programming capability of R as an object oriented language, methods for printing, plotting and summarizing the results are provided. Furthermore, the researcher has fully access to the output of the main function (apc) which returns all the models fitted within the function. It is so possible to critically evaluate the goodness of fit of the resulting model
Determination of Ni, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cr and Mn in some black and green tea leaves and their infusions available in Bangladeshi local markets
Authors: Sultana Shahnaz , Ahmed Farah Tasneem , Rahman Nazia , Alam Md. Ferdous
Published: April 2023

Tea is a highly common beverage worldwide. In addition to other particles, it contains a range of minerals and trace elements. Even though many are necessary for humans, some could be hazardous. Scientists have long been interested in the toxicity of trace metals and how they affect human health. By using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, the amounts of Ni, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Mn in eight black tea leaves, five green tea leaves, and their infusions were examined. The tea samples were collected from Bangladeshi local markets. The infusion time in boiling water was 5 and 10 minutes. Results revealed that the concentration ranges of Ni, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Cr and Mn in black and green tea leaves and their infusions of 5 minutes and 10 minutes were 1.82 to 41.32, 13.54 to 29.87, 0.48 to 2.16, 0.30 to 36.52, 0.04 to 3.89, 0.00 to 4.95 and 112.67 to 187.98 ppm respectively. Concentrations of the elements found in samples were compared with maximum values reported by World Health Organization (WHO). To verify the accuracy of the work, standard reference material (SRM) and certified reference material (CRM) were also tested alongside tea samples. Geographical fluctuations, seasonal changes, chemical characteristics of the soil of the cultivated area, plant age, manufacturing, and packaging process are responsible for the variances in metal content of several tea brands. Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni’s target hazard quotients (THQ) and the hazard index (HI) from drinking tea were both below one, indicating no risk to human health.
Potential health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure
Authors: Razek Adel
Published: April 2023

There are diverse effects in consequence of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). The interactions of fields and the exposed body tissues are related to the nature of exposure, tissue comportment, field strength and signal frequency. These interactions can crop different effects.
Speckle tracking echocardiography in early disease stages: a therapy modifier?
Authors: Mandoli Giulia Elena , Cameli Matteo , Pastore Maria Concetta , Benfari Giovanni , Malagoli Alessandro , D’Andrea Antonello , Sperlongano Simona , Bandera Francesco , Esposito Roberta , Santoro Ciro , Pedrinelli Roberto , Mercuro Giuseppe , Indolfi Ciro
Published: April 2023

Echocardiography has been included as a first-line tool in several international guidelines for the management of patients with various cardiac diseases. Beyond diagnosis, echocardiographic examination helps in characterizing the severity of the condition since the very first stages. In particular, the application of second-level techniques, speckle tracking echocardiography in particular, can also reveal a subclinical dysfunction, while the standard parameters are in the normality range. The present review describes the potentialities of advanced echocardiography in different settings, including arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diastolic dysfunction, and oncological patients, thus opening up potential starting points for its application as a clinical routine changer.