Cartography as a tool for interpreting the results of spatial decomposition: new proposals with application to the analysis of employment in Friuli Venezia Giulia

Quando si considera l’analisi di fenomeni quantitativi spazialmente distribuiti, come quelli di carattere economico, è necessario adottare strumenti specifici in grado di trattare il problema autocorrelazione spaziale. Negli ultimi dieci anni, grazie alla diffusione di software per l’analisi di dati spaziali, e di strumenti per la visualizzazione grafica dei dati, il numero di studi economici territoriali sta progressivamente crescendo. Nella maggior parte dei casi gli strumenti disponibili consentono una rappresentazione efficiente sia dei dati “grezzi” sia dei risultati finali delle analisi. Questo lavoro mostra invece come la cartografia possa fungere da risultato intermedio, ma fondamentale, nell’analisi shift-share di tipo spaziale. Un’osservazione grafica preliminare del vicinato, condotta considerando un algoritmo basato sulla autocorrelazione spaziale, può essere utile per ottenere non solo risultati significativi, ma anche più facilmente interpretabili. Nel presente articolo saranno dapprima sviluppati alcuni risultati teorici riguardanti la modifica del ben noto metodo di ricerca del vicinato AMOEBA. Successivamente, l’analisi spaziale sarà applicata ai dati sull’occupazione del Friuli Venezia Giulia raccolti nell’Archivio delle Imprese Attive (ASIA) gestito dall’Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (ISTAT). Sia la cartografia intermedia sia gli algoritmi di scomposizione sono stati sviluppati in R integrando le librerie già disponibili per la visualizzazione dei dati spaziali con uno script sviluppato per l’occasione.In the framework of the analysis of spatially distributed quantitative phenomena, as for instance the economic ones, it is necessary to adopt specific tools able to deal with the spatial autocorrelation issue. In the last decade, thanks to the deployment of software for spatial data analysis and visualization, the number of spatial economic studies progressively increased. In the most of cases the available software allow for efficient data representation. The present work aims at introducing cartography as an intermediate but crucial result in the Spatial Shift Share Analysis. A preliminary graphical analysis of the neighborhood, conducted by considering an algorithm based on the spatial autocorrelation, can be fundamental in order to obtain meaningful and interpretable results. Theoretical results regarding the modification of the well-known AMOEBA neighboring method are developed here and the spatial analysis is applied to the occupation data observed in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Data are collected in the Statistical Business Register, socalled ASIA, administered by the Italian National Statistical Institute (ISTAT). Both the intermediate cartography and the spatial decomposition algorithms are developed in R integrating the available spatial libraries with an ad-hoc script

THE EFFECT OF FINTECH INVESTMENTS ON LISTED BANKS: EVIDENCE FROM AN ITALIAN SAMPLE

This paper analyses whether and how investments in financial technology (FinTech) affect performance, risk, and value of listed Italian banks. This paper tests the effect of return on equity (ROE) and capital asset pricing model (CAPM) Beta coefficient — and, secondly, of the price-to-book value (PBV) ratio, on a sample of 17 Italian listed banks from 2013 to 2019, representing the largest institutions operating in the Italian banking industry. The FinTech variable is declined into two different statuses: digital active banks and digital-focused banks. The study adds useful insights to the positive effects of innovation on banks’ value, in a market, like the Italian one, where investments in FinTech have spread in recent years. Controlling for other financial statements and market variables, the presence of FinTech investments does not affect the CAPM Beta coefficient, while the relationship is positive and significant with ROE for digital active banks only, and with the PBV for digital-focused banks. These results confirm a positive effect on performance for banks investing in FinTech, while greater expectations from investors and a positive effect on bank value creation are significant for digital-focused banks only

Instruments evaluating the quality of the clinical learning environment in nursing education: A systematic review of psychometric properties

Background The clinical learning environment is fundamental to nursing education paths, capable of affecting learning processes and outcomes. Several instruments have been developed in nursing education, aimed at evaluating the quality of the clinical learning environments; however, no systematic review of the psychometric properties and methodological quality of these studies has been performed to date. Objectives The aims of the study were: 1) to identify validated instruments evaluating the clinical learning environments in nursing education; 2) to evaluate critically the methodological quality of the psychometric property estimation used; and 3) to compare psychometric properties across the instruments available. Design A systematic review of the literature (using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines) and an evaluation of the methodological quality of psychometric properties (using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments guidelines). Data sources The Medline and CINAHL databases were searched. Eligible studies were those that satisfied the following criteria: a) validation studies of instruments evaluating the quality of clinical learning environments; b) in nursing education; c) published in English or Italian; d) before April 2016. Review methods The included studies were evaluated for the methodological quality of the psychometric properties measured and then compared in terms of both the psychometric properties and the methodological quality of the processes used. Results The search strategy yielded a total of 26 studies and eight clinical learning environment evaluation instruments. A variety of psychometric properties have been estimated for each instrument, with differing qualities in the methodology used. Concept and construct validity were poorly assessed in terms of their significance and rarely judged by the target population (nursing students). Some properties were rarely considered (e.g., reliability, measurement error, criterion validity), whereas others were frequently estimated, but using different coefficients and statistical analyses (e.g., internal consistency, structural validity), thus rendering comparison across instruments difficult. Moreover, the methodological quality adopted in the property assessments was poor or fair in most studies, compromising the goodness of the psychometric values estimated. Conclusions Clinical learning placements represent the key strategies in educating the future nursing workforce: instruments evaluating the quality of the settings, as well as their capacity to promote significant learning, are strongly recommended. Studies estimating psychometric properties, using an increased quality of research methodologies are needed in order to support nursing educators in the process of clinical placements accreditation and quality improvement

An extended regularized adjusted plus-minus analysis for lineup management in basketball using play-by-play data

In this work we analyse basketball play-by-play data in order to evaluate the efficiency of different fiveman lineups employed by teams. Starting from the adjusted plus-minus framework, we present a modelbased strategy for the analysis of the result of partial match outcomes, extending the current literature in two main directions. The first extension replaces the classical response variable (scored points) with a comprehensive score that combines a set of box score statistics. This allows various aspects of the game to be separated. The second extension focuses on entire lineups rather than individual players, using a suitable extended model specification. The model fitting procedure is Bayesian and provides the necessary regularization. An advantage of this approach is the use of posterior distributions to rank players and lineups, providing an effective tool for team managers. For the empirical analysis, we use the 2018/2019 regular season of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Championship, with play-by-play and box scores for 240 matches, which are made available by the league website. The results of the model fitting can be used for several investigations as, for instance, the comparative analysis of the effects of single players and the estimation of total and synergic effects of lineups monitoring. Moreover, the behaviour of players and lineups during the season, updating the estimation results after each gameday, can represent a rather useful tool

An extended regularized adjusted plus-minus analysis for lineup management in basketball using play-by-play data

In this work we analyse basketball play-by-play data in order to evaluate the efficiency of different fiveman lineups employed by teams. Starting from the adjusted plus-minus framework, we present a modelbased strategy for the analysis of the result of partial match outcomes, extending the current literature in two main directions. The first extension replaces the classical response variable (scored points) with a comprehensive score that combines a set of box score statistics. This allows various aspects of the game to be separated. The second extension focuses on entire lineups rather than individual players, using a suitable extended model specification. The model fitting procedure is Bayesian and provides the necessary regularization. An advantage of this approach is the use of posterior distributions to rank players and lineups, providing an effective tool for team managers. For the empirical analysis, we use the 2018/2019 regular season of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Championship, with play-by-play and box scores for 240 matches, which are made available by the league website. The results of the model fitting can be used for several investigations as, for instance, the comparative analysis of the effects of single players and the estimation of total and synergic effects of lineups monitoring. Moreover, the behaviour of players and lineups during the season, updating the estimation results after each gameday, can represent a rather useful tool

Estimation of lineup efficiency effects in Basketball using play-by-play data

The paper aims at defining a data-driven approach to team management in basketball. A model-based strategy, based on a modification of the adjusted plus-minus approach, is proposed for the analyses of the match progress. The main idea is to define a model based on the 5-man lineups instead of the single players. In this framework, given the large number of possible lineups, the regularization issue is quite relevant. The empirical application is based on the data of the current Italian championship (Serie A1). The play-by-play data are considered along with some information resulting from the game box scores

The impact of ECB loan valuation metrics on third-party loan pricing: A EU firm perspective

This paper delves into the implications for the bank behaviour about firm loan pricing conditions of the new direction undertaken by supervisory and regulatory authorities in the aftermath of the deterioration of the loan portfolio quality that hit EU banks. The 2014 AQR exercise embraces the new direction and extensively uses debt service coverage measures to assess a firm’s loan quality. We, therefore, check whether the DSCR has influenced debt pricing conditions by analysing a panel of 655 listed EU firms from 2009 to 2017. Our findings show that Z-score is unable to discriminate between high and low credit risk firms. The DSCR becomes significant only after 2014, highlighting the incremented importance of this ratio in the bank’s loan pricing determination. Our work contributes to the literature investigating third-party interdependencies with the interplay between lender-borrower relationship and loan pricing and further extends the literature on creditworthiness metrics beyond their mere default-prediction ability (Beaver, 1966; Houghton & Woodliff, 1987). Our results highlight the relevance of the DSCR in the bank’s loan pricing determination and inform firm managers about the drivers that influence the cost of debt thereby enhancing their operational and financial planning

A path analysis on the direct and indirect effects of the unit environment on eating dependence among cognitively impaired nursing home residents

BACKGROUND: This study aims to estimate the direct and indirect effects of the unit environment alongside individual and nursing care variables on eating dependence among residents who are cognitively impaired and living in a nursing home. METHOD: A multicentre observational study was carried out in 2017: 13 Italian nursing homes were involved in data collection. Included residents were aged > 65 at baseline, living in the considered facility for the last 6 months and during the entire study period and having received at least one comprehensive assessment. Data were collected (a) at the individual level: eating dependence using the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia Scale and other clinical variables; (b) at the nursing care level with daily interventions to maintain eating independence assessed with a checklist; and (c) at the nursing home level, using the Therapeutic Environment Screening Survey for Nursing Homes. RESULTS: One thousand twenty-seven residents were included with an average age of 85.32 years old (95% CI: 84.74-85.89), mainly female (781; 76%). The path analysis explained the 57.7% variance in eating dependence. Factors preventing eating dependence were: (a) at the individual level, increased functional dependence measured with the Barthel Index (β - 2.374); eating in the dining room surrounded by residents (β - 1.802) as compared to eating alone in bed; and having a close relationship with family relatives (β - 0.854), (b) at the nursing care level, the increased number of interventions aimed at promoting independence (β - 0.524); and (c) at the NH level, high scores in 'Space setting' (β - 4.446), 'Safety' (β - 3.053), 'Lighting' (β - 2.848) and 'Outdoor access' (β - 1.225). However, environmental factors at the unit level were found to have also indirect effects by influencing the degree of functional dependence, the occurrence of night restlessness and the number of daily interventions performed by the nursing staff. CONCLUSION: Eating dependence is a complex phenomenon requiring interventions targeting individual, nursing care, and environmental levels. The NH environment had the largest direct and indirect effect on residents' eating dependence, thus suggesting that at this level appropriate interventions should be designed and implemented

High feeding dependence prevalence in residents living in Italian nursing homes requires new policies: findings from a regionally based cross-sectional study

Objectives: An increased amount of functional dependence has been reported among residents living in nursing homes. Among others, feeding dependence is one of the most complex needs to satisfy: behind the attempt to personalise meals with individual preferences and clinical regimens, all residents require help at the same moment and for long periods of time, three or more times a day. With the intent of debating policy implications, the aims of this study were to advance the knowledge in the field of feeding dependence prevalence and predictors in Italy, a country where life expectancy is among the highest in the World.Method: A large retrospective regionally-based study approaching all nursing homes (n=105) was performed in 2014; all residents (n=10,900) were eligible and those with a completed assessment recorded in the regional database and aged > 65 years (n=8,875) were included. Results: 1,839 residents (20.7%) were in total need of help in feeding on a daily basis. At the multilevel analysis, predictors were moderate/severe dementia (OR 4.044, CI 95% 3.213–5.090); dysphagia (OR 4.003 CI 95% 3.155–5.079); pressure sores (OR 2.317 CI 95% 1.803–2.978); unintentional weigh loss (OR 2.197 CI 95% 1.493–3.233); unsociability (OR 1.561 CI 95% 1.060–2.299); and clinical instability (OR 1.363 CI 95% 1.109–1.677). Conclusions: The feeding dependence prevalence emerged seem to be unique compared to that documented at the international levels. Modifiable and unmodifiable predictors found require new policies regarding workforce skills-mix and shifts schedules; as well as alliances with families, associations and communities’ stakeholders. According to the complexity of the resident profile emerged, staff education and training is also recommended