Provision Of Access Research Articles

S115 Access to High-Cost Biological Agents: Perceptions of Brazilian Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Background: Brazilian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) requiring therapy with biological agents usually have access to medicines through the National Unified Healthcare System (SUS). There is no data regarding the perception of IBD patients on the access to these agents. The aim of this study was to analyze the perception of Brazilian IBD patients regarding the access (availability and provision quality) to high-cost drugs in the healthcare public system. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out between February 2022 and March 2022 in an IBD referral center in Brazil. All adult patients with an established diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) in use of biological therapy were invited to participate. We collected data on the type of biological drug in use, occasional lack or shortage of the biological agent (number of supplier failure or shortage, average time to regularize the distribution, losses in the treatment of patients), and difficulties reported by patients in obtaining the missing drugs. Results: Overall, 205 patients met the inclusion criteria and answered the questionnaire. The majority of the patients had CD (n = 161, 78.5%); nearly half of them (n = 104, 50.7%) were female, 87 patients (42.4%) were unemployed, and of these, 40 patients (46.0%) had government assistance as the main source of income. Medications in use: infliximab (n = 128, 62.5%); adalimumab (n = 39, 19.0%); certolizumab pegol (n = 8, 3.9%); vedolizumab (n = 14, 6.8%); ustekinumab (n = 15, 7.3%); golimumab (n = 1, 0.5%). 172 patients (83.9%) reported at least one lack of delivery of the biological medicine in the last year, with a single shortage in 42 patients (24.4%), at least 2 shortages in 47 patients (27.3%) and 3 or more shortages in 78 patients (45.3%). The average time to regularize the distribution was up to one month in 44 cases (25.6%), up to 2 months in 64 cases (37.2%) and more than 3 months in 56 patients (32.6%). Among the 172 patients who reported delays in drug delivery, 101 patients (58.7%) felt that the delay may have caused some type of impairment in their treatment (for example, emergence or worsening of symptoms, loss of response, relapse, treatment failure, need to change the drug, and emergence of adverse events). Conclusion(s): Brazilian IBD patients reported high rates of failure to dispensing biological drugs by the national healthcare system within a 1-year period. Our data point to the need for improvement of this system for the correct supply of medication to avoid treatment failure and relapse, in addition to avoiding negative expectations of patients regarding treatment with biological drugs.

Measuring the Impact of Human Resource Development on Poverty Incidence in Nigeria: A Bound Testing Approach

Abstract Research purpose: Eradicating poverty in the world requires some strategies, such as the poor having adequate access to productive assets and increasing their returns on assets, having adequate access to education and health facilities, increasing their access to job prospects, at the same time complementing these resources with other incomes. Hence, the goal of this study is to examine the link between human resources development and poverty in Nigeria, using annual secondary data from the Statistical Bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 1990 to 2020. Design/methodology/approach: The Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Technique was explicitly employed to arrive at the statistical and logical conclusions in determining the impact of human resource development in the face of poverty. In addition, the bound testing approach was used to measure Nigeria’s long-run relationship between human resource development and poverty. Findings: The study revealed that human resource development has a statistically insignificant but non-decreasing impact/effect on poverty incidence in Nigeria, based on the short-run ARDL assessment. Furthermore, the bound testing approach also indicates that there is indeed a long-run relationship between human resource development and poverty incidence in Nigeria. The study, therefore, concludes that poverty is inescapable and, hence, creates underdevelopment. The study advises governments at all levels to develop and implement policies and programs aimed at improving or enhancing the welfare and well-being of the masses through job creation in order to close the income gap between the affluent and the deprived. Originality/value/practical implications: Fighting poverty in Nigeria has been one of the major priorities of most governments in Nigeria. These can be observed from the nationwide planning policies that have been focused on adequate provision of access to both human and natural resources. There has been an enormous call for the massive upgrading of the productive capacity of the people through investment in human resources. This paper is one of the several articles employed to evaluate the impact of human resource development on the incidence of poverty in Nigeria.

Discovering pathways to the improve maintainability of multifamily residential building remodeling projects: Importance applicability analysis

In this work, design directions and strategies are developed to improve the maintainability of multifamily residential building remodeling projects through simultaneous consideration of their importance in terms of maintainability and applicability to remodeling. Owing to the importance of maintainability, several design items have been suggested in the literature to improve maintainability. However, these designs have limited applicability to remodeling projects, which comprise both existing parts to preserve the structure and newly constructed parts. Therefore, the novel Importance Applicability Analysis is developed to simultaneously assess importance and applicability, and empirical data are collected from building remodeling and maintenance experts. The results indicate that 11 items (e.g., drywall to interior wall ratio) should be considered in the remodeling of multifamily residential buildings. Three items are accorded top priority in terms of improvement efforts (e.g., provision of safe access for maintenance of common areas), whereas five items represent supplementary improvement efforts (e.g., façade design facilitating cleaning, inspection, repair, and replacement). This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by considering the applicability and importance of maintainability by taking into account the unique nature of remodeling projects. Furthermore, it provides practitioners with practical design strategies to improve the maintainability of multifamily residential building remodeling.

Contextual and individual factors associated with self-reported tooth loss among adults and elderly residents in rural riverside areas: A cross-sectional household-based survey.

Tooth loss is an oral health condition with high prevalence and negative impact on quality of life. It is the result of the history of oral diseases and their treatment as well as provision of dental care and access to dental services. Socioeconomic characteristics are determinants of tooth loss and living in rural areas is also a risk factor for its incidence. To identify contextual and individual factors associated with self-reported tooth loss among adults and elderly people living in rural riverside areas. A cross-sectional household-based survey was conducted in 2019 with rural riverside communities on the left bank of the Rio Negro River, Manaus, Amazonas. These communities are covered by a fluvial health team and two riverside health teams. Interviews were conducted in a representative random sample of dwellers aged ≥ 18 years, using electronic forms to obtain information on oral health conditions, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and use of and access to health services. The outcome was self-reported tooth loss. After the descriptive analysis of the data, a multilevel Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence ratio for the outcome. Variables with p-value ≤0.20 in the bivariate analyses were included in the multiple analysis considering the hierarchy between individual and contextual variables in the multilevel model. Variables with p-value ≤0.10 were kept in the final model and the significance level adopted was 0.05. 603 individuals from 357 households were assessed (mean age 44.1 years). The average number of missing teeth was 11.2 (±11.6); 27.4% of individuals had lost more than 20 teeth (non-functional dentition) and 12.1% were completely edentulous. Contextual characteristic of primary healthcare offered was associated with the outcome. The tooth loss was lower in territories covered by riverside health teams. At individual level, tooth loss was greater in older individuals who had experienced dental pain over the past six months and whose sugar consumption was high. Black or brown individuals, individuals whose household income was higher, those who were on the Bolsa Família cash transfer program, those who consulted a dentist over the past year, and those who reported satisfaction with their teeth/oral health reported less tooth loss. Tooth loss was associated with contextual territorial factors related to the healthcare service and individual demographic, behavioral, socioeconomic, and service-related characteristics as well as self-perceived oral health conditions. The findings suggest that actions focused on the oral health of these populations involve not only changes in the healthcare service organization, but also intersectoral policies that contribute to reducing social inequalities.

Problems of implementing the sustainable development concept in the agricultural sector of Ukraine’s economy

The transition to the principles of sustainable development in the agricultural sector of the economy is one of the most urgent and difficult. The reason for this is the greatest dependence of agriculture on environmental conditions compared to other branches of material production. The economic sustainability of agricultural production should be understood as the process of stable growth in the production of agricultural products - agricultural raw materials and products of their processing. This can be achieved only by expanding sales markets. Continuous improvement of labor productivity due to the introduction of technical and technological innovations in the production process is an indispensable condition for increasing the segment of Ukrainian manufacturers in the global market. The social sustainability of agricultural production should be understood as the sustainable development of rural areas and the provision of reliable physical access to food for the country's citizens. The sustainable development of rural areas of Ukraine is the cessation of depopulation, the preservation of the network of rural settlements, the restoration of their social infrastructure, the provision of everyday amenities that are not inferior in terms of quantitative and qualitative characteristics to similar ones in urban settlements, etc. Environmental sustainability of agricultural production is the use of natural resources, primarily land, which allows meeting the needs of the current generation for safe, high-quality food and ensures the profitability of economic activity without harming the ability of future generations to meet similar needs. The Ukrainian economy is experiencing a recession caused by russian military aggression. Under such circumstances, it is impossible to ensure the transition of agricultural production to the principles of sustainable development at the same time in all components – economic, social, and ecological. It is expedient to apply an approach according to which, carrying out certain measures aimed at the practical implementation of the concept of sustainable development, there will be a priority that depends on the state of the national economy. Keywords: sustainable development, production, rural areas, food security, plowed land, soil fertility, water resources, agrochemistry, biological diversity, state of the economy, priority.

Innovating in the off-grid sector: Sustainable supply chains and business models for solar home system provision in Bangladesh and Kenya

According to researchers and planners, the provision of solar home systems benefits rural electrification and electricity access. It creates opportunities for income generating activities, economic growth, and innovation. This article introduces an ontology of evaluation methods for the provision of solar home systems and demonstrates how a complementary approach can be used to value innovation and sustainability on the supply side. For both case studies, Kenya and Bangladesh, a historical event analysis of sector data from 2013 to 2021 is carried out to measure diffusion-based innovation. Business model innovation is then used to assess the value of solar firms' organizational innovation. It is found that above all high levels of entrepreneurial activities and resource mobilization are key factors for a strong supply side. If these factors are complemented by innovative, user-centric business models, sustainable supply of solar home systems can be achieved. Limitations are highlighted and the implications of non-quantifiable assessment criteria are addressed. From a supply standpoint, researchers and planners may utilize the results to demonstrate the advantages of private sector-led solar home system provision, to answer concerns about the sustainability of their deployment, and to guide and design further research studies.

A longitudinal comparison of public libraries’ posting activities on Twitter in April of 3 years, pre-, during, and post-COVID-19

The purpose of the study was to observe how public libraries’ communication on Twitter has been changed before, during, and after the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 40 active, public library Twitter accounts were used for data collection and analysis. The tweets examined were a combination of original tweets ( n = 2623) and retweets ( n = 666) posted from other Twitter accounts on the public libraries’ Twitter feeds. A content analysis scheme was used to analyze topical aspects of the tweets. The study found that public libraries were more active in communicating information on social media during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Promoting library events/programs, communicating library operations to patrons, and highlighting library resources for literacy are common in public libraries’ Twitter communication throughout the 3 years period. The study also observed strong associations between the content types of posts and the contextual aspects of the libraries, including an emergency situation such as the COVID-19 lockdown, the size of the population served by the library, and the state in which the library was located. In other words, the study provides evidence that public libraries use different communication strategies on Twitter depending on factors such as community emergencies, service population size, or geographic location. The results of this study illustrate that through social media usage, public libraries demonstrate their competence as public agencies in managing their services, as well as their commitment to the core value of information access and service provision to users, even in the face of unprecedented crises.

EFFECTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON BANKING SERVICE

The banking sector should anticipate challenges when adopting the use of technology so as to increase the possibility of success when using different forms of technology. Bradley and Stewart (2003), note that in the 21st century, many of the world banks use some form of technology. The research also found out that small banks have reaped great benefits from the emergence and use of technology. This conclusion is echoed by Vainio (2006) who concludes that the use of technology to provide services by small banks help them to gain a competitive advantage.
 Poon (2008) notes that security and privacy in technological banking are the main source of dissatisfaction among banking customers and thus the influence the satisfaction of customers.However, advantages of technological banking that has yielded satisfaction from customers include better content provision of banking services, convenience, design and easier accessibility. E-banking success can also be affected by the banks speed in offering e banking services, the operational management of the e-banking services, the cost of using e banking for the customer and product features on the e-banking platform

Improved Performance of Toll Road Projects Based on System Dynamics Integrated Life Cycle Cost Analysis Green Retrofitting

The increasing number of infrastructure development efforts, one of which is toll roads, of course has a coordinated impact on natural damage because it causes emissions, pollution, and environmental damage. Green road rankings can be an instrument for the degree of implementation of green infrastructure and the level of reforestation in toll road development efforts. Guidelines for green road ranking SE Minister of PUPR. Number: 04/SE/M/2018 is one of the efforts to encourage the implementation of sustainable construction in infrastructure implementation. Furthermore, these green road points can be implemented on existing toll roads and meet the sustainability criteria. This study aims in the innovation of Dynamic Model Implementation and Life Cycle Cost Analysis on Green Infrastructure-based Toll Road works which will result in Cost Efficiency and add value to Toll Roads. For data processing, we used SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), a statistical analysis obtained from a questionnaire filled out by experts. From this process, we got the 10 best factors which are: 1. Authority to administer toll roads; 2. Reduction of air/dust pollution; 3. Greening; 4. Provision of access and public transportation facilities; 5. Recycle construction waste; 6. Renewable energy and application of innovation; 7. Renewable energy street lighting; 8. Modeling of dynamic systems; 9. Initial Retrofitting Costs; 10. Period of analysis. From the green retrofitting implementation scenarios, the optimistic scenario shows the highest rating score and the fastest return on investment in 3.92 years, with the toll road retrofitting cost of IDR 378,700,000,000.

Profit inefficiency of goat farming in Malawi: A Bayesian approach

Goat farms located in villages constitute an important sub-sector to buffer household livelihoods against climate shocks in absence of insurance markets, and thus the need to intensify production to meet the growing goat meat demand. There has been little attempt to quantify the efficiency of goat farms and the associated drivers. Potential initiatives to bolster goat farm incomes have not gone beyond production. Using the Bayesian Stochastic Frontier Approach and Malawi's national Integrated Household Panel Survey data from 2010 to 2019, we analyze the profit efficiency of goat farming and the priority drivers that influence inefficiencies across production plants. The findings reveal that farmers are operating below the profit frontier and 71% of the profit-loss is influenced by farm characteristics. The results further suggest that policies involving stirring commercializing and specialization are key to closing the efficiency gap. Finally, the study proposes new policy directions, namely, government provision of livestock extension services to farmers, incorporating goat farming into women's empowerment programs, and provision of access to tailor-made livestock microfinance loans.

Personal Responsibility Relationship to Environmental Responsibility Behavior

This research discusses the role of an international organization called Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Indonesia which helps the provision and management of clean water and sanitation as one of the realizations of the global sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative approach with case study research methods. Data was collected by interviewing several relevant sources and observing various JCI activities. Other data were obtained from secondary data in the form of literature studies and various supporting documentation such as books and journals, data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the DKI Provincial Government, as well as the results of periodic reports and various photo documentation of JCI's activities. Liberalism theory was chosen as an approach that is considered capable of providing answers to the positive changes formed and carried out by JCI in international relations cooperation to realize sustainable development. The results of the study show that JCI as an international organization is a platform for young professionals in their fields and can directly contribute in depth. JCI is also able to navigate the interests of stakeholders both towards the government, NGOs, other international organizations, and the community as targets in terms of efforts to realize the six sustainable development goals, namely the management and provision of access to clean water and sustainable sanitation

Personal Responsibility Relationship to Environmental Responsibility Behavior

This research discusses the role of an international organization called Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Indonesia which helps the provision and management of clean water and sanitation as one of the realizations of the global sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative approach with case study research methods. Data was collected by interviewing several relevant sources and observing various JCI activities. Other data were obtained from secondary data in the form of literature studies and various supporting documentation such as books and journals, data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the DKI Provincial Government, as well as the results of periodic reports and various photo documentation of JCI's activities. Liberalism theory was chosen as an approach that is considered capable of providing answers to the positive changes formed and carried out by JCI in international relations cooperation to realize sustainable development. The results of the study show that JCI as an international organization is a platform for young professionals in their fields and can directly contribute in depth. JCI is also able to navigate the interests of stakeholders both towards the government, NGOs, other international organizations, and the community as targets in terms of efforts to realize the six sustainable development goals, namely the management and provision of access to clean water and sustainable sanitation

Japan energy mix and economic growth nexus: Focus on natural gas consumption

Japan's recent enunciation of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” policy aims to promote principles such as free trade, freedom of navigation, and encouraging economic prosperity with building commitment to stability and peace connecting the economic hub of Asia to Africa (MFA, 2019). Natural gas use continues to dominate Japan's energy mix despite efforts to improve environmental protection and attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Also, increasing production and investment typically leads to a better quality of life and more disposable income for the populace, which promotes economic growth. To this end, the study investigates the relationship between economic growth, trade openness, and natural gas consumption, as well as gross fixed capital formation and carbon dioxide emissions to overcome omitted variable problems to explore the natural gas-economic growth hypothesis in Japan over the period 1980–2020. Empirical results reveal a long-run relationship among the variables under consideration. By applying the Toda and Yamamoto approach to Granger causality testing, a two-sided causality running from CO2 and economic growth was revealed, while a one-sided causality from economic growth to natural gas consumption. This outcome suggests that the natural gas-economic growth hypothesis is not valid for Japan. According to these outcomes, policymakers in the energy sector should consciously diversify their energy portfolio in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Japan. Also, it is recommended that there should be a provision of access to skilled labor to increase productivity and export finished products to boost a nation's economy.

Early access provision: Awareness, educational needs and opportunities to improve oncology patients’ access to care

An unmet medical need exists for many oncology patients who cannot be treated satisfactorily by available therapeutic options. Early access provision (EAP) is endorsed by competent authorities to improve patient access to innovative medicinal products (InMPs). This paper determined awareness and understanding among practicing physicians of integrated EAP protocols, and of the procedures involved in EAP applications for oncology trials prior to marketing authorization. An on-line, fully anonymous survey reaching out to more than 3,258 physicians (including practicing oncologists) was initiated between November 2020 - January 2021. Participants were questioned about their knowledge and understanding of EAP and the decision processes involved, level of experience, interest for further educational activities and opportunities to improve the process, both in general and specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. The frequency of EAP protocols for oncology InMPs was identified by a search of ClinicalTrials.gov and EU Clinical Trials registers. Survey results (75% oncologists) indicated 75% of respondents were 'very comfortable' or 'comfortable' with using EAP for their patients, but only 54.5% correctly answered the specific knowledge-based question related to the EAP definition. For 56% of respondents, experience with EAP in daily practice was very limited. Two-thirds indicated an average or lower level of understanding about the application process and regulatory requirements involved (65.2% and 66.0%, respectively). Knowledge on data collection and serious adverse event reporting under EAP was lower at 57.8% and 50.5% of respondents, respectively. Awareness of physician responsibilities was high in 59.7% of respondents, but fewer understood roles and responsibilities of manufacturing companies (31.2%). Most indicated they would consider clinical efficacy and safety data from comparative phase III randomized controlled trials as of high importance to support their decision to apply for EAP (93.4% and 86.8%, respectively). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of respondents highlighted the need to improve and adapt EAP with regard to the application process and documentation (83.8%), InMP supply and logistics (88.4), and safety reporting process (78.0%). Of identified oncology trials with a ClinicalTrials.gov protocol, only 149 (0.4%) included EAP, and 23 used the data to receive a marketing authorization during the period Jan 2015 to December 2020. Of oncology trials with a EudraCT protocol, only 21 (0.23%) included EAP, of which 6 were used to receive a conditional or full marketing authorisation over the same period. Use of EAP in daily practice remains limited. Challenges posed by the EAP process, together with a lack of education on this topic, might contribute to its under-utilization and influence access of oncology patients to care. Continuous educational efforts from different stakeholders are required to better inform and support practicing oncologists during the EAP application process and regulatory framework follow up. Education should also be provided on EAP roles and responsibilities, monitoring, and potential adaptations when faced with specific challenges, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Vitamin D status in chimpanzees in human care: a Europe wide study

While vitamin D deficiency is a public health concern in humans, comparatively little is known about vitamin D levels in non-human primates. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in overall health and its deficiency is associated with a range of disorders, including cardiovascular disease, which is a leading cause of death in great apes. Serum samples (n = 245) from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) housed at 32 European zoos were measured for 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Of these samples, 33.1% indicated inadequate vitamin D status, using the human reference interval (25-OHD < 50 nmol/L). The season of the year, health status of the animal, and the provision of daily outdoor access had a significant effect on vitamin D status. This is the first large-scale study on vitamin D status of non-human great apes in human care. Inadequate 25-OHD serum concentrations are widespread in the chimpanzee population in Europe and could be a risk factor for the development of idiopathic myocardial fibrosis, a major cause of mortality in this species, as well as other diseases. A review of husbandry and nutrition practices is recommended to ensure optimal vitamin D supply for these endangered animals.

Self-perceived knowledge, attitudes, and training needs regarding medical cannabis among health care providers and health volunteers in district health systems, Phitsanulok Province

Background:Health care providers and health volunteers play an important role in the collaborative provision of patient access and care regarding medical cannabis in district health systems (DHSs) according to their roles and responsibilities. However, there is limited evidence on the self-perceived knowledge, attitudes, and training needs regarding medical cannabis use by health care providers and health volunteers in DHSs. The aim of this study was to compare self-perceived knowledge, attitudes, and training needs regarding medical cannabis among health care providers and health volunteers in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Phitsanulok Province. A total of 836 participants consisting of 166 health care providers and 670 health volunteers were recruited by stratified cluster random sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t tests and chi-square tests, were employed for data analyses.Results:The results revealed that self-perceived knowledge of medical cannabis was not significantly different between the health care providers and health volunteers (p = 0.875), whereas attitudes about medical cannabis were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.001). The mean scores of attitudes were 29.10 for the health care providers and 31.84 for the health volunteers. Regarding training needs, the health care providers proposed training topics, including adverse effects of medical cannabis (27.5%), information on prescribing cannabis drugs (20.5%) and information on prescribing drugs that contain cannabis substances (14.7%). On the other hand, health volunteers preferred to obtain training on cannabis legislation (23.5%), information on caring for patients who used drugs containing cannabis substances (21.4%), and a history of medical cannabis use (17.6%).Conclusion:In summary, to ensure effective care in the DHSs, health care providers and health volunteers should be trained to be confident in their knowledge and attitudes towards the use of medical cannabis. Training topics should be designed with consideration for the role and responsibility of each group to prepare professionals and nonprofessional to achieve patients quality and safety with respect to medical cannabis use.

Oral Health Care in Europe: Financing, Access and Provision

Abstract With growing awareness of the large burden of oral diseases and how limited coverage affects both access and affordability, oral health policy has been receiving increased attention in recent years. This culminated in the adoption of the WHO resolution on Oral Health in 2021, which urges Member States to better integrate oral health into their universal health coverage and noncommunicable disease agendas. This study investigates major patterns and developments in oral health status, financing, coverage, access, and service provision of oral health care in 31 European countries. While most countries cover oral health care for vulnerable population groups, the level of statutory coverage varies widely across Europe resulting in different coverage and financing schemes for the adult population. On average, one third of dental care spending is borne by public sources and the remaining part is paid out-of-pocket or by voluntary health insurance. This has important ramifications for financial protection and access to care, leaving many dental problems untreated. Overall, unmet needs for dental care are higher than for other types of care and particularly affect low-income groups. Dental care is undergoing various structural changes. The number of dentists is increasing, and the composition of the health workforce is starting to change in many countries. Dental care is increasingly provided in group practices and by practices that are part of private equity firms. Although there are early signs of a shift towards more prevention of oral diseases, dental care overall remains focused on treatment. A lack of data affects all areas of oral health care and impede to inform policy-making on the underlying causes and the prevalence of oral disease, as well as the effectiveness of community preventive activities and oral health services.

Context Analysis of Continued Citation of Retracted Manuscripts Published in Anesthesiology Journals.

The continued citation of retracted publications from the medical literature is a well-known and persistent problem. We describe the contexts of ongoing citations to manuscripts that have been retracted from a selection of anesthesiology journals. We also examine how bibliographic databases and publisher websites document the retracted status of these manuscripts. The authors performed an analysis of retracted publications from anesthesiology journals using the Retraction Watch database. We then examined how the retraction information was displayed on bibliographic databases, search engines, and publisher websites. The primary outcome was the context of continued citation after retraction of flawed publications within the specialty of anesthesiology. Secondary outcomes included comparison of the documentation, bibliographic databases, search engines, and publisher websites used in identifying the retracted status of these publications and provision of access to the respective retraction notices. A total of 245 original publications were retracted over a 28-year period from 9 anesthesiology journals. PubMed, compared to the other databases and search engines, was the most consistent (98.8%) in documenting the retracted status of the publications examined, as well as providing a direct link to the retraction notice. From the 211 publications retracted before January 2020, there were 1307 postretraction citations accessed from Scopus. The median number of postretraction citations was 3.5 (range, 0-88, with at least 1 citation in 164 publications) in Scopus. Of the postretraction citations, 80% affirmed the validity of the retracted publications, while only 5.2% of citations acknowledged the retraction or misconduct. In 10.2% of the citations from original research studies, retracted manuscripts appeared to influence the decision to pursue or the methods used in subsequent original research studies. The frequency of citation of the 15 most cited retracted publications declined in a similar pattern during the 10 years after retraction. Citation of manuscripts retracted from anesthesiology journals remains a common occurrence. Technological innovations and application of standards for handling retracted publications, as suggested by coalitions of researchers across the spectrum of scientific investigation, may serve to reduce the persistence of this error.

ANALISIS KINERJA KEUANGAN PERBANKAN SEBELUM DAN SESUDAH PENERAPAN BRANCHLESS BANKING DI INDONESIA

To improve financial inclusion, the government, through the Financial Services Authority (OJK), organized the Branchless Banking (Laku Pandai) program which aims to flatten the provision of formal financial institutions access. In this program, banks can expand their reach without constructing physical offices through collaboration with bank agents as financial intermediaries. This study aims to analyze the banking financial performance using CAMEL method on each Conventional Commercial Banks before and after the implementation of Branchless Banking in year of 2010-2019. This study uses a quantitative approach with the comparative research type and using non-parametric statistical test equipment (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) on its hypothesis test. Sample determination uses a purposive sampling technique resulting in the usage of 7 Conventional Commercial Banks (BRI, Mandiri, BTPN, BCA, BTN, BNI, and BPD Kaltim) as samples in this study. The results showed that in the CAR ratio, there were 7 banks that experienced significant differences. In the NPL ratio, there were 4 banks with significant differences. There were 3 banks that experience significant differences in NPM ratio. While, there were 6 banks with significant differences in its ROA. Last, the LDR ratio showed 6 banks that experience Branchless Banking in Indonesia.

The Role of Information in the U.K. Passenger Rail Industry

In 1993, the U.K. passenger rail industry was privatized with expectations of greater investment, increased efficiency, and improved network performance. To date, progress has been mixed and the industry has been subject to a critical national press and passenger complaints that have reached record levels. The industry is continuing to develop a service that can do justice to its privatization. Passenger information is an important aspect of these improvements and national rail journey planning services are now heavily used. However, relatively little consideration has been given to understanding the role that information might play in assisting passengers who have already planned their journey but who encounter problems when they travel by train.Failure to execute a journey as planned can be severely disruptive to rail passengers in terms of lost time, expense, anxiety, and frustration. This article charts the development of the privatized rail industry and defines a set of journey breakdown situations that can be encountered by passengers. Insights are gained from passenger complaint letters. Such letters typically provide detailed accounts of journey breakdowns, attempts to recover the situations, and the use made of available information. Inaccurate or misunderstood pre-trip information is found to be a factor in many journey breakdowns. Accessible, timely, and appropriate provision of en-route information can improve passengers’ satisfaction by enabling completion of their immediate journey and might also be decisive in ensuring they have the confidence to use the rail network again in the future.