Financial intermediary distress in the Republic of Korea - Small is beautiful?

Taking the Korean experience as a laboratory experiment in systemic financial crises, the authors analyze distress in individual institutions among two groups of financial intermediaries. They pool together a group of large financial intermediaries (commercial banks, merchant banking corporations) and another group of tiny mutual savings and finance companies. Both the too-big-to-fail doctrine and the credit channel approach suggest that the probability of distress would be greater for small intermediaries. But the authors find that proportionately fewer small intermediaries were distressed than were large intermediaries. They offer two hypothetical explanations for this unexpected result: 1) Exchange rate exposure - a major shock to Korean intermediaries - was presumably negligible for the small financial intermediaries. 2) Small financial intermediaries allocated loans better, because of the"peer monitoring"natural to their mutual nature and deep local roots. Available data did not allow the authors to test the first hypothesis, but they did find support for the second one. Estimating a logit model, they find that the probability of distress was systematically smaller for the mutual savings and finance companies that stayed closer to their origins (for example, collecting many deposits as"credit mutual installment savings") and for those with a longer history of doing business in their local community.Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Banks&Banking Reform,Financial Intermediation,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Banks&Banking Reform,Financial Intermediation

Patients' perception of dignity in an Italian general hospital: a cross-sectional analysis

Background: Dignity is related to a patient’s respect, privacy, information and autonomy. Maintaining dignity is defined as ethical goal of care. Although the importance of dignity has been widely recognized, there is limited research that investigates if dignity is really maintained in clinical practice and few studies have been conducted in acute hospital settings with adults across the age range. The aim of the study was to explore inpatients’ perception of dignity in an hospital setting. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 10 medical and surgical wards of a General Hospital in Modena (Italy). We collected a purposive sample of 100 patients by selecting 10 participants from each ward who met following criteria: hospitalized for more than three days, at least 18 years old, not mentally ill, willing to participate and able to speak Italian. We developed a 15-item anonymous questionnaire divided into three sections: “physical privacy”, “information and autonomy”, “nurse-patients respectful interaction”. Results: The percentages of positive (preserved dignity perception) were more frequent than negative (not preserved dignity perception) and no answers with a statistically significantly difference among the three sections (Pearson chi2 = 150.41, p < 0.0001). The frequency of positive or negative answers was statistically significantly related to the preservation of dignity according to the following questions (p < 0.005, multivariate logistic regression): “privacy to use the bathroom” and “respectful interaction”, as protective factors and “maintaining of body privacy”, “involvement in the care process”, “correct communication” as risk factors. Conclusions: Dignity was quite but not completely maintained according to the standards expected by patients. According to patients’ views, privacy of the body during medical procedures and respectful nurse-patient interactions were preserved more than information and verbal communication. Listening to patients’ views on the specific factors they consider useful to maintaining their dignity can help in this process. Recognizing and focusing on these factors will help professionals to establish practical measures for preserving and promoting patients' dignity and providing more dignified care. Dignity should be extensively and systematically pursued as other important clinical goals

L'apprendimento clinico in simulazione: studio osservazionale sulla soddisfazione percepita dagli studenti di infermieristica [Learning in clinical simulation: observational study on satisfaction perceived by students of nursing]

Introduzione: la simulazione nel contesto del laboratorio didattico sta divenendo un’importante metodologia di apprendimento, in quanto consente di riprodurre situazioni clinicoassistenziali realistiche. Tali attività formative professionalizzanti favoriscono lo sviluppo di abilità cognitive, affettive e psicomotorie in un contesto pedagogico sicuro e privo di rischi, ma richiedono di essere valutate con strumenti validi e affidabili. Obiettivo: indagare il grado di soddisfazione degli studenti di un Corso di Laurea in Infermieristica del nord Italia riguardo le esercitazioni con simulatori statici e ad alta fedeltà e i casi clinici. Metodo: è stato condotto uno studio osservazionale prospettico che ha coinvolto un campione non probabilistico di 51 studenti del terzo anno durante tutto l'a.a. 2013/14. Lo strumento di raccolta dati si compone dei 3 questionari Student Satisfaction and Self-confidence in Learning Scale, Educational Practices Questionnaire, Simulation Design Scale e di 3 domande sulla soddisfazione complessiva. L'analisi statistica è stata condotta con i programmi SPSS vers. demo. ed Excel di Office 2003. Risultati e Conclusioni: il tasso di risposta ottenuto è dell’89,5%. L’Alfa di Cronbach, ha evidenziato un’affidabilità interna ottima ( = .982). Gli studenti sono stati complessivamente soddisfatti delle attività svolte nel laboratorio didattico, dimostrando più entusiasmo per la simulazione con i manichini statici (71%) e con i simulatori ad alta fedeltà (60%), attività per le quali hanno avvertito un significativo coinvolgimento e apprendimento attivo. La didattica con i casi clinici ha ottenuto un grado di soddisfazione minore (38%) e per questo metodo si è riscontrato il maggior numero di elementi di debolezza. Parole chiave: studenti infermieri, simulazione, strategia di apprendimento attivo, simulatori ad alta fedeltà, soddisfazioneINTRODUCTION: Simulation in the context of the educational workshop is becoming an important learning method, as it allows to play realistic clinical-care situations. These vocational training activities promote the development of cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills in a pedagogical context safe and risk-free, but need to be accounted for using by valid and reliable instruments. AIM: To inspect the level of satisfaction of the students of a Degree in Nursing in northern Italy about static and high-fidelity exercises with simulators and clinical cases. METHODS: A prospective observational study has been conducted involving a non-probabili- stic sample of 51 third-year students throughout the academic year 2013/14. The data collection instrument consists of three questionnaires Student Satisfaction and Self-confidence in Learning Scale, Educational Practices Questionnaire, Simulation Design Scale and 3 questions on overall satisfaction. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 20.0 and Office 2003 Excel. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The response rate of 89.5% is obtained. The Cronbach Alfa showed a good internal reliability (α = .982). The students were generally satisfied with the activities carried out in the teaching laboratory, showing more enthusiasm for the simulation with static mannequins (71%) and with high-fidelity simulators (60%), activities for which they have experienced a significant involvement and active learning. The teaching with clinical cases scored a lesser degree of satisfaction (38%) and for this method it was found the largest number of elements of weakness

Designing a cloud and HPC based M&S platform to Investigate the IVD diseases mechanisms

The main objective of the PhD proposal consists of the creation of a platform for IVD Models & Simulations (M&S) tools and their integration into automated workflows, within the HORIZON MSCA Disc4All project. Based on the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) vision, the expected platform will be a Cloud-based one, furnished with a front-end, to guarantee reproducibility, accessibility and easy use for experts and non-experts. The development of an automated and specialized platform can represent the best hybrid technology with perks on both healthcare data management and computational environments exploitation, given the use of Cloud infrastructures on healthcare software and databases. Though rendering automatic not only the database, but prediction and simulation models in a user-friendly integrated system, may facilitate a difficult diagnosis and forward therapy, especially considering the various forces at play in a multi-omics data analysis of its kind

Regulatory reform and banking diversity: reassessing Basel 3

none4We investigate whether and how strongly Basel 3 chief innovations jointly affected in different ways individual Eurozone banks’ stability (z-score) across six business models (BMs). We study this issue in the initial years when adaptation was most intense (2011–2014) and the Eurozone underwent a phase with sovereign crises abated by ECB policies easing financial conditions. In parallel, we run this exercise over 2000–2010 data, a time frame over which Basel 3 did not apply yet to see through the eyes of the regulator. Irrespective of BMs, we identify the leverage ratio as the most effective driver of banks’ stability. However, the impact on z-score of Basel 3 chief drivers does not seem to differ significantly on 2011–2014 vs. 2000–2010. Next, interactions with banks’ BMs suggest that Basel 3 innovations improve z-scores the most at traditionally focused banks (cooperative and savings banks), vis-à-vis diversified banks. Our results suggest Basel regulatory decisions were questionable. First, the front loading of the increased minimum capital requirements vs. the backloading of the leverage ratio phasing in may have lured banks from credit to financial assets. Second, our findings support the desirability of revising the current “one-size-fits-all” European prudential framework, which disregards BMs.Giuliana Birindelli; Paola Ferretti; Giovanni Ferri; Marco SavioliBirindelli, Giuliana; Ferretti, Paola; Ferri, Giovanni; Savioli, Marc

Workplace violence in different settings and among various health professionals in an Italian general hospital: a cross-sectional study

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) against health professionals is a global problem with an increasing incidence. The aims of this study were as follows: 1) to examine the frequency and characteristics of WPV in different settings and professionals of a general hospital and 2) to identify the clinical and organizational factors related to this phenomenon. Methods: The study was cross-sectional. In a 1-month period, we administered the “Violent Incident Form” to 745 professionals (physicians, head nurses, nurses, nursing assistants), who worked in 15 wards of a general hospital in northern Italy. Results: With a response rate of 56%, 45% of professionals reported WPV. The most frequently assaulted were nurses (67%), followed by nursing assistants (18%) and physicians (12%). The first two categories were correlated, in a statistically significant way, with the risk of WPV (P=0.005, P=0.004, multiple logistic regression). The violent incidents more frequently occurred in psychiatry department (86%), emergency department (71%), and in geriatric wards (57%). The assailants more frequently were males whereas assaulted professionals more often were females. Men committed physical violence more frequently than women, in a statistically significant way (P=0.034, chi-squared test). Verbal violence (51%) was often committed by people in a lucid and normal state of consciousness; physical violence (49%) was most often perpetrated by assailants affected by dementia, mental retardation, drug and substance abuse, or other psychiatric disorders. The variables positively related to WPV were “calling for help during the attack” and “physical injuries suffered in violent attack” (P=0.02, P=0.03, multiple logistic regression). Conclusion: This study suggests that violence is a significant phenomenon and that all health workers, especially nurses, are at risk of suffering aggressive assaults. WPV presented specific characteristics related to the health care settings, where the aggression occurred. Prevention programs tailored to the different care needs are necessary to promote professional awareness for violence risk

A selective alpha1D-adrenoreceptor antagonist inhibits human prostate cancer cell proliferation and motility "in vitro"

The progression of prostate cancer (PC) to a metastatic hormone refractory disease is the major contributor to the overall cancer mortality in men, mainly because the conventional therapies are generally ineffective at this stage. Thus, other therapeutic options are needed as alternatives or in addition to the classic approaches to prevent or delay tumor progression. Catecholamines participate to the control of prostate cell functions by the activation of alpha1-adrenoreceptors (alpha1-AR) and increased sympathetic activity has been linked to PC development and evolution. Molecular and pharmacological studies identified three alpha1-AR subtypes (A, B and D), which differ in tissue distribution, cell signaling, pharmacology and physiological role. Within the prostate, alpha1A-ARs mainly control stromal cell functions, while alpha1B- and alpha1D- subtypes seem to modulate glandular epithelial cell growth. The possible direct contribution of alpha1D-ARs in tumor biology is supported by their overexpression in PC. The studies here presented investigate the "in vitro" antitumor action of A175, a selective alpha1D-AR antagonist we have recently obtained by modifying the potent, but not subtype-selective alpha1-AR antagonist (S)-WB4101, in the hormone-refractory PC3 and DU145 PC cell lines. The results indicate that A175 has an alpha1D-AR-mediated significant and dose-dependent antiproliferative action that possibly involves the induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, but not apoptosis. In addition, A175 reduces cell migration and adhesiveness to culture plates. In conclusion, our work clarified some cellular aspects promoted by alpha1D-AR activity modulation and supports a further pharmacological approach in the cure of hormone-refractory PC, by targeting specifically this AR subtype

Clinical Research Nurse involvement to foster a community based transcultural research in RODAM European study

Background and aim of the work: The Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) can be considered the fulcrum of clinical studies, being a vital link between patient, principal investigator, study sponsor and administrative staff. The clinical research’s way is still long and the contribution that CRNs can provide is crucial. In Italy, a CRN was employed in the study: Research on Obesity & Type 2 Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM). The aim of the paper is to explore and describe the experience of this involvement. Methods: The CRN managed the project in order to gain a complete collaboration from the Ghanaian population. From the first contact, the CRN decided to adopt a transcultural approach with the aim to create a relationship of understanding, mutual trust respect for each other’s cultural diversity. The CRN also used organizational, technical and linguistic skills. Results: The day-to-day trial management from CRN included the following activities: obtaining local Ethics Committee study approval; recruiting the study staff; planning the study activities; identifying potential study participants; collaborating with the mediators; managing contacts with other RODAM centers; conducting a follow-up of patients. The most important results of CRN involvement have been the empowerment of Ghanaian community and the effective healthcare promotion. Conclusions: The project encouraged the Ghanaian community to increase their healthcare awareness and encouraged the Ghanaian population to create new strategies to face the hard health challenges. The CRN is the most versatile and appropriate health professional to deal the entire study

Efficacy of the Buzzy System for pain relief during venipuncture in children: a randomized controlled trial

Background and aim of the work: procedural pain is a significant issue for paediatric patients. In particular, needle pain is amongst the most stressful for children. Studies revealed that a large number of children do not receive adequate pain prevention during the procedures. Neglecting the prevention of needle pain can cause several psychological effects such as anxiety and phobias, and increase perceptions of pain in the future. We aimed to verify the efficacy of Buzzy System in reducing pain during venipuncture. Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted among 72 children aged 3 to 10 years undergoing venipuncture. Children were randomly assigned to The Buzzy with distraction cards group (experimental group) or to “magic gloves” group (control group). Perception of pain was measured through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Wong-Baker Scale (WBS) and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Results: Sixty-four children participated in the study, 34 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. The experimental group showed significantly lower levels of pain (p=.039; 95% CI: -2,11; -0,06) in terms of the mean=3.65±2.011; median=3, compared to the control group (mean: 4.67±2.14, median=4). Caregivers were satisfied with the Buzzy System. Conclusion: The Buzzy System combined to distraction cards showed a greater reduction of perceived pain than “magic glove” technique. This study underlines the importance of active involvement of caregivers during procedural pain in children. Pediatric nurses have an important role in empowering children and caregivers to be interactive during venipunctures