Split-Dalmatia County Research Articles

ONLINE AT RISK! ONLINE ACTIVITIES OF CHILDREN IN DORMITORIES: EXPERIENCES IN A CROATIAN COUNTY

The virtual environment available through the internet is an important domain of children’s subjective well-being. Widespread usage of information technology brings risks as well as benefits, a topic now under intensive study by professionals in multiple fields. To date there has been a lack of research about the experiences of children from group accommodation settings when navigating the virtual environment. The main goal of the present study, which involved 510 high school students living in dormitories in Split-Dalmatia County, was to determine and document patterns of internet usage and internet addiction, and to examine another internet behavior, cyberbullying. Our results show that 3.73% of the children we studied manifested a severe level of internet addiction, while about one third took part in cyberbullying as victim, perpetrator, or both. An important finding is that children involved with cyberbullying have significantly higher levels of internet addiction, suggesting a relationship between these phenomena. In the second, qualitative, phase of the study, the quantitative research findings were discussed with children, parents, teachers, and staff. Our results enable a better understanding of young people`s behaviors in the online world, and could contribute to the development of educational programs for children and young people and the promotion of evidence-based practice in dormitory settings.

Experiencing a 20th-century visual artwork – Andy Warhol

This paper presents the results of a research on students' reactions to 20th-century visual artworks. The research involved 300 students attending lower grades of primary school (Grade 1-4) from Split-Dalmatia County. The aim of the research was to examine the reactions of students to the works of the famous Pop Art artist Andy Warhol, using the method of aesthetic transfer. The task of the students was to describe their impression of the observed paintings of Marilyn Monroe and Coca-Cola. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that Grade 1 1-4 students react positively to the mentioned artworks. Most of the children accepted the works of the famous artist. Students were expected to react differently to the observed artworks with respect to gender and age, while the research showed that a statistically significant difference existed in only one segment of the research. Additionally, the emotional engagement aroused in students by the observed works was studied. The results in the reception phase show students mostly react emotionally to the observed artworks. Furthermore, the artworks in the reaction phase showed interesting creative variations on the artwork of the famous artist, which means that they inspired the students to a creative aesthetic response. Apart from getting acquainted with 20th-century artworks, we can see from these examples that they can also be a good stimulus for articulating students' own artistic expression. Keywords: students, visual artworks, attitudes, motif, Andy Warhol

Demographic echoes of the maternity data in the Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia

Abstract Background The demographic situation in the Split-Dalmatia County (SDC) is characterized by negative trends in the new millennium. Such a demographic picture entails many societal challenges. Considering the far-reaching consequences of population decline, the goal is to show what maternity data have been like in the SDC in the last decade. Methods Individual birth reports from health institutions in the SDC were used in the presentation of the maternity data. Demographic indicators were calculated based on data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Results In 2018, in the SDC were reported 4,438 deliveries (13% less vs 2009; 5,103 deliveries) with a total of 4,577 children delivered, whereof 4,561 were live births and 16 were stillbirths. From a total of 4,516 live births, 13 live-born neonates died during the first week of their life. Most of women in labor (89%) were residents of the SDC. The average age of the new mothers was 28.9 years (in 2009; 26.9 years). Childbirth was most frequently recorded in the maternal age group 30 -34 (1,556 deliveries, i.e. 110,9/1,000 women of said age group; 92/1,000 in 2009). Among childbearing women with known data on earlier deliveries (4,431), 2,029 or 45.8% had their first deliveries, 1,549 or 35% had their second deliveries, 808 or 18% had their third or higher birth order deliveries. According to an estimate in 2018, 448,071 people lived in the SDC, less 1.5% from the last census (2011). The live birth rate was 9.5 /1,000 in 2018 (2009; 10.9/1,000). The total fertility rate was 1.53 in 2018 (2009; 1.6). The natural increase rate in 2018 was negative at -1.8 (-830 persons) (2009; 0.5 (250 persons)). Conclusions Depopulation, low birth rates and fertility, are the demographic reality of Split-Dalmatia County as well as Croatia, which requires adoption and implementation of various public policy measures that positively affect fertility to improve the demographic picture. Key messages Depopulation, low birth rates and fertility, are the demographic reality of Split-Dalmatia County as well as Croatia. Adoption and implementation of various public policy measures that positively affect fertility to improve the demographic picture are needed.

Safe driving is cool – Project on young driver road traffic injury prevention, Croatia, 2018-2019

Abstract Road traffic injury (RTI) is the leading cause of preventable death among youth in Split-Dalmatia County (SDC), Croatia, particularly males. The most of those who died in road traffic crashes in SDC are young novice drivers (18-24 years). The alcohol was key factor in young driver fatal crashes, often in combination with the drug abuse, driving inexperience, distractions and speeding. Adolescents lack sufficient knowledge about RTI prevention and reducing hazards. They are occupied with technical details and compliance with traffic rules and don't pay attention to importance of reducing their own risky behaviour. Our goal was to provide a better understanding of factors affecting driving safety among adolescents. The main outcome measure was rating of alcohol and/or drug abuse as main risk, understanding that injuries are preventable as well as RTI. The pilot project was realized in SDC during 2018-2019 through collaboration between Public Health Institute, Police Department and two high schools. The project included 122 students with an average age of 18.5 year. Initial survey results showed that students tended to take unnecessary risk in road traffic, furthermore 77.0% used cell phones, 62.3% earphones, and only 27.0% helmet while riding bike or motorcycle. Even 39.2% was driving intoxicated or was driven by intoxicated driver once (19.6%) or more times (19.6%). After conducting project, feedback survey results showed that students demonstrated better recognizing of hazards. They accepted injuries (94.3 vs 80.3%) and RTI (99.1 vs 72.9%) as preventable and understood the importance of traffic rules obey (92.6 vs 63.9%). Students understood the danger of intoxicated driving (74.6 vs 56.6%). Promoting safe-driver behaviour and providing new educational opportunity can encourage responsible driving behaviours among adolescents. Strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration is a key of success in achieving the reduction of mortality and morbidity among young drivers. Key messages Adolescent adapted method developed by joint effort is vital in promoting safe driving practice. Projects aiming to minimize risks in young drivers contribute to saving lives, they deserve to grow up.

POP-UP RURAL SOCIALLY-INNOVATIVE HUBS – CASE STUDY FROM CROATIA

This paper presents formation of the first pop-up rural socially-innovative hubs in Croatia through the cooperation of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, students, alumni and local people in the specific rural communities of Međimurje and Split-Dalmatia County. The main purpose of the hubs is to develop, test and validate an inclusive and participative program of service learning in the field of sustainable rural development. Pop-up rural hubs are mobile model of service learning that functions as an occasional event in the local community, to which all interested initiators are invited to join. From the sociological perspective, the most important aim of this project is to strenghten rural local communities through the launch of socio-innovative sustainable micro-entrepreneurial activities by using local resources. Through pop-up rural hubs, business ideas and plans are tested, and through additional mentoring and business plan, initiators were able to send the product or service on the market. Although the project is not over yet, the preliminary results show that pop-up rural socially-innovative hubs, within a period of one year project duration, stress the differencies and similarities between local communities in different parts of rural Croatia, enhance human capital and have a social impact on higher education institutions, civil society organizations, students, alumni and local people.

Lung cancer incidence and mortality in Split-Dalmatia County, 2003-2012.

The aim of the study was to analyze indicators on lung cancer (C33-C34, ICD-10) in Split-Dalmatia County in the period 2003-2012. Data on lung cancer occurrence for the period 2003-2012 were obtained from the Croatian National Cancer Registry, while mortality data were obtained from electronic database of the Teaching Public Health Institute of Split-Dalmatia County. Croatian census 2011 and population estimates of the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia were used to calculate the indicators. Results are presented as absolute numbers, shares (%), specific rates per 100,000 population, age-standardized rate (standard European population). There were 2,804 registered patients with lung cancer in the period 2003-2012 in Split-Dalmatia County - 2,179 men (77.71%) and 625 women (22.29%); 2,737 people died from lung cancer in the same period - 2,117 men (77.35%) and 620 women (22.65%). Specific rates of incidence and mortality rates were four times higher among men than among women. From 2003 to 2012, the rate of incidence among men showed a significant decrease, while among women there were no significant changes of incidence and mortality. According to the indicators of incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Split-Dalmatia County, this malignant neoplasm should occupy a high place within County public health priorities measures of prevention programme, targeting risk factors responsible for their formation.

The effect of a combined intervention on exclusive breastfeeding in primiparas: A randomised controlled trial.

An antenatal/postnatal intervention involving proactive telephone support and written materials was conducted among primiparas. Four hundred women, from the Split‐Dalmatia County, Croatia, were randomized between November 2013 and December 2016 into three groups: intervention (IG), active control (ACG) and standard care (SCG). Primary outcome was exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included breastfeeding difficulties, attitudes towards infant feeding, breastfeeding self‐efficacy and social support. Practice staff were blinded to group allocation. Of 400 women, 45 (11%) were lost to follow‐up, and final analyses were conducted on 129 (IG), 103 (ACG) and 123 (SCG) participants. EBF rates at 3 months were significantly higher for the IG (odds ratio [OR] 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7 to 8.1; EBF 81%) as well as at 6 months (OR 15.7, 95% CI, 9.1 to 27.1; EBF 64%) compared with SCG (EBF 47% at 3 months and 3% at 6 months). Higher rates were also observed for the ACG at 3 months (OR 2.2, 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.8, EBF 68%) and 6 months (OR 2.3, 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.9, EBF 16%). Participants in the IG had the highest increase in positive attitudes towards infant feeding, in comparison to baseline, and significantly higher breastfeeding self‐efficacy. Participants in SCG experienced significantly more breastfeeding difficulties, both at 3 and 6 months, in comparison to AC and IGs. Written breastfeeding materials and proactive telephone support among primiparas are an effective means of increasing breastfeeding rates, decreasing breastfeeding difficulties and improving self‐efficacy and attitudes towards infant feeding.

Smoking behavior and exposure to tobacco smoke in Split-Dalmatia County

Abstract Background Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death, which is why a number of measures to reduce its use are carried out in the world. That’s why the aim of this study were to show the data on smoking behavior and the exposure to the tobacco smoke of the inhabitants of the Split-Dalmatia County, which represent the starting point in the creation of public health interventions Methods Via European Health Survey 2014/2015 (EHIS) the data on the smoking behavior and exposure to tobacco smoke in the Split-Dalmatia County were colected. The targeted population was aged 15 and over. The survey included 267 inhabitants (141 men and 126 women) of the Split-Dalmatia County. Results The overall sample shows that the daily smokers are 22.43% of the population, men 25.71%, and women 18.69%. Occasionally smokes 3.04% of the population (2.14% of men and 4.06% of women), while non-smokers are 74.52% of the population (77.23% of women and 72.1% of men). Tobacco products consumed are mostly cigarettes (97%). More than half (52.63 %) smokes more than 20 cigarettes a day. According to the survey results, more than half of the population (61.04%) has never or nearly never been exposed to indoor smoking, men rarely (56.03%) compared to women (66.1%). Less than one hour was exposed to 17.74% of the population (21.55% of men and 13.91% of women) and one hour and more 16.45% of the population (18.10 men and 15.65 women). Conclusions Indicators of smoking behavior and exposure to tobacco smoke are somewhat more favorable to residents of the Split-Dalmatia County than in the total population of Croatia. Despite the measures taken for years in Croatia, these indicators are still unsatisfactory. Existing measures need to be re-examined and strengthened to overcome this important public health problem as successfully as possible. Key messages In order to reduce the prevalence of smoking and improve the health of its population, Croatia needs to strengthen and adopt additional policies on tobacco control. One of the measures would certainly be a ban on smoking in public places, which could, among other things, have a significant impact on denormalising smoking in the community.

The role of goal orientations and use of digital media in classroom quality in final classes of elementary education

The aim of the study was to examine the characteristics and predictor role of goal orientations in learning, schools' level of digital media equipment and the use of digital media in classroom (teaching) quality in lower secondary education (ISCED level 2). The study was conducted on seventh and eighth grade students (N=432) of elementary schools in the City of Zagreb and Split-Dalmatia County. Besides demographic characteristics of students and schools' level of digital media equipment, the data were collected by the Goal orientation questionnaire (CSRL), the Technology implementation questionnaire (TIQ), and Student perception of classroom quality (SPOCQ) questionnaire. It was concluded that, overall, demographic characteristics of students, their goal orientations, school s ' level of digital media equipment, and motivation for use of digital media are significant predictors of student perception of classroom quality, with the highest percentage of variance explained by goal orientations, with emphasis on learning orientation. In this regard, it is evident that for teaching quality in the digital age, goal orientation, i.e., motivation for learning, is most significant, rather than the use of digital media. Comparison with theoretical postulates and implications of these results are explained in this paper. Key words: classroom quality, digital media, elementary school, goal orientations, students

Physical Activity, Body Mass, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia).

Physical activity, body mass, and dietary habits are known to be important determinants of overall health status, but there is an evident lack of studies that examine these issues specifically in preschool children. The aim of this study was to identify associations that may exist between adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MD), levels of physical activity (PA), and body composition indices in apparently healthy preschool children from southern Croatia. Participants were 5- to 6-year-old preschoolers from the Mediterranean part of the country (the Split-Dalmatia County; n = 260, 126 females). Adherence to the MD was observed by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), PA level was evaluated by the Preschool-age Children’s Physical Activity Questionnaire (Pre-PAQ), and responses were collected from the parents. The participants’ waist circumferences (in cm), waist-to-hip ratios, and body mass index (in kg/m2, and in a z-score calculated relative to the normative value for age and sex) were used as indicators of body composition. All children were of the same age and tested over a one-month period of the same year as a part of the regular examination undertaken before attending elementary school. With only 6% of the children having a low KIDMED score, adherence to the MD was high. MD adherence was higher in girls (Chi-square = 15.31, p < 0.01) and children who live on the coast of the Adriatic Sea (Chi-square = 18.51, p < 0.01). A mixed effects logistic regression (with kindergarten as random factor) identified sedentary activity to be negatively associated with MD adherence (OR per point: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44–0.91). High adherence to the MD in the studied sample may be attributed to regulated feeding in kindergarten. Considering that most Croatian elementary schools do not provide food to their students, MD adherence should be investigated later in life and also in other parts of the country where the MD is culturally less prevalent.

Prospective Analysis of Prevalence, Trajectories of Change, and Correlates of Cannabis Misuse in Older Adolescents from Coastal Touristic Regions in Croatia.

The prevalence of illicit drug misuse, including cannabis, in Croatian touristic regions is alarming. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of cannabis consumption (CC), to identify associations between sociodemographic and sport factors and CC, and to evaluate the predictors of CC initiation in adolescents residing in touristic regions. This study enrolled 644 adolescents from two touristic regions in Croatia (Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva County) who were tested at baseline (16 years of age) and follow-up (18 years of age). The study instrument consisted of questions focused on predictors (age, gender (male, female), place of residence (urban or rural environment), familial social status, and different sport-related factors) and CC outcome. The results indicated a high prevalence of cannabis consumption (>30% of adolescents consumed cannabis), with a higher prevalence in males, and adolescents from rural communities. The prevalence of CC increased by 10% during the study period, with no significant differences between genders in trajectories of changes. Quitting sports was a risk factor for CC at baseline and follow-up. Better sport competitive results (odds ratio (OR): 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65–0.96) and familial social status (socioeconomic status: OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.39–0.91; maternal education: OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.48–0.88) were associated with lower likelihood of CC at baseline. The adolescents who reported better sport competitive results were at increased risk for initiation of CC during the course of the study (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.03–2.01). The protective effects of sports at baseline were most likely related to various factors that prevent the consumption of substances in youth athletes (i.e., commitment to results, adult supervision); with the end of active participation, adolescent athletes are at high risk for CC initiation.

Establishment of the inventory of the historic bridges analyzing the maps of Europe in the XIX. Century, in the area of Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia

Abstract. Croatia is a country rich with monuments, enchanting historic buildings, and rife cultural heritage. The paper presents main aspects of the research on the identifying the historic bridges built till the end of the Austro Hungarian monarchy (AHM) (till 1918), and by their identification, the inventory of these bridges was established. The Croatian territory, specifically, Dalmatia is brimming with rivers, lakes, streams, etc., so the bridge construction was indeed necessary and often in usage in this area. There are various reasons why all these bridges are not preserved until today. Because of this, authors found it important to define the total number of these bridges that will need further qualitative and sustainable preservation, remediation and management. The research started by collecting the data from various institutions and interviewing conservatives, historians, managers of these bridges and also the local habitants. When the data were collected, European maps from the XIX. Century were analyzed with the intention to find which of the identified bridges belong to the period of the AHM. Bridges found on those maps were later compared with modern maps to define how many of them still exist. The aim is to establish the inventory of the historic bridges built till the end of the AHM in the area of Split-Dalmatian County.

Fuzzy expert system for land valuation in land consolidation processes

Land fragmentation is one of the main obstacles to sustainable agricultural and rural development. The main goal of sustainable agriculture development is the production of food by the synergy of economic, social and ecological requirements. The ineffective and defective legislation and even its complete absence have led to land degradation globally. The most adaptable and globally recognized method that has the effect to solve the existing land fragmentation and to prevent the trend of even more intensive land fragmentation is the method of land consolidation. Land consolidation is carried out in a way that each participant in the process of land consolidation gets new land of equal value, with land value reduction for general and common needs of settlements and participants of consolidation. The value of the land included in consolidation process is determined and shown in land consolidation assessment which is conducted by land classification in the defined classes, and the value in the land consolidation evaluation is shown in the estimation units. The estimation unit is the relative relation between the exemplar cadastral parcel and the cadastral parcel which need to be valued, taking into account all the relevant factors that can affect the land valuation. This paper proposes a model of land classification in the evaluation classes based on the Fuzzy Logic Method. The paper aims to develop an expert system that would improve and optimize the process of relative valuation of agricultural land as one of the critical steps in the implementation of the land consolidation. The proposed expert system would provide effective support in conducting the negotiation procedures and planning of land consolidation implementation with the involvement of different stakeholder groups with different requirements and wishes. The model will be validated for agricultural land on the island of Hvar in the Split-Dalmatia County.

The impact of demographic and socio-psychological characteristics on consumers’ ethnocentric tendencies: Evidence from Croatia

The objective of this study is to determine the impact of demographic and socio- psychological characteristics on consumers’ ethnocentric tendencies. The research was conducted within Croatia among the residents living in the Split-Dalmatia County. The data was collected from 420 respondents using a questionnaire based on the CETSCALE measurement. Hypotheses were tested in order to investigate differences in consumers’ ethnocentric tendencies with regards to two demographic characteristics (age and level of education) and two socio- psychological characteristics (foreign travel experience and in- terest to travel abroad). Both hypotheses related to age and education were supported. Moreover, the findings show that respondents with higher level of education have higher tendencies of consumer ethnocentrism than those with lower level of education. Findings also show that younger people have more pronounced tendencies of consumer ethnocentrism than older people, which is not in accordance with previous research. Both hypotheses of the socio- psychological characteristics were also supported. The research suggests that people traveling abroad and having a more expressed interest to travel abroad have a higher degree of consumer ethnocentrism than those who travel less and have a lower desire to travel abroad.

Liver damage indices as a tool for modifying methadone maintenance treatment: a cross-sectional study

AimTo assess the effect of liver damage on methadone metabolism in opiate addicts undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 74 patients treated at the outpatient clinic of Public Health Institute of Split-Dalmatia County from 2013-2016. Concentrations of methadone and its main inactive metabolite were measured in participants’ biological samples on regular check-ups. Urine samples obtained before oral methadone intake, and blood and urine samples obtained 90 minutes after methadone intake were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Participants were divided into groups according to liver damage criteria: hepatitis C virus status (positive, negative, or clinical remission); aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio (APRI) index (<0.7 and ≥0.7); and fibrosis-4 score (<1.45, 1.45-3.25, >3.25).ResultsMetabolic ratio and methadone metabolite concentration in plasma decreased linearly with HCV infection status by the factor of 1.67 (P = 0.001) and 2.2 (P = 0.043), respectively. Metabolic ratio in plasma decreased in patients with APRI index ≥0.7 by the average factor of 2.12 (P = 0.01) and methadone metabolite concentration in plasma decreased by the factor of 6.16 (P = 0.009). Metabolic ratio in urine decreased with the severity of fibrosis-4 score by the average factor of 1.63 (P = 0.008), whereas methadone metabolite concentration decreased by the factor of 3.53 (P = 0.007).ConclusionLiver damage decreases methadone metabolism. Indices of liver function should be calculated regularly during MMT for methadone dose titration.

Concussion knowledge among family physicians in Croatia.

Aim:The objective of this study was to administer and analyze results of a survey targeting knowledge about concussion symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and expected recovery among family medicine specialists in the Split–Dalmatia County of Croatia.Methods:An electronic survey questionnaire was developed utilizing concepts from previously published studies on concussion knowledge, attitudes and beliefs completed by physicians. The survey was intended to briefly and broadly assess concussion knowledge of Croatian healthcare providers. The first section of the survey included five questions clarifying professional practice, years of experience and experience with concussions; the second section included 15 questions about typical concussion symptoms; the third section included 12 questions focused upon three primary components of concussion knowledge: concussion diagnosis, treatment and recovery.Results:Out of 242 surveys mailed, 81 questionnaires (33%) were completed while 161 respondents (67%) did not answer. Out of the 81 completed surveys, 76 (94%) were returned by family physicians specialist and five (6%) by resident physicians in training. 39 (48%) had treated less than ten patients with concussion during last year: 40 (49%) treated 11–20 patients with concussion; and two (3%) treated greater than 20 patients with concussion during last year. While most responses did accurately reflect knowledge of common symptoms (90–100% correct), there was significant lack of knowledge in three areas: only 19% of participants stated that diagnosis of concussion does not require loss of consciousness; three quarters of respondents believed that a diagnosis of concussion requires direct contact to the head and 83% of the respondents believed that persistent subjective complaints are always the result of a more severe initial injury.Discussion:This is the first investigation conducted in Croatia to examine knowledge of concussion diagnosis, as well as the management practices held by medical professionals. Overall, the findings suggest that the knowledge and management practices among family doctors in the region are not consistent with current worldwide views and recommendations. There was not an accurate knowledge of concussion diagnosis, treatment, recovery and prognosis among family physicians. Continued education of medical staff to better identify concussion and increased reliance on objective methods for managing concussion will improve patient management and outcome.

Potentially preventable hospitalizations in Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia) from 2005 to 2014

Potentially preventable hospitalizations in Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia) from 2005 to 2014

The use of microscope in school biology teaching

The study on the use of microscopes in biology teaching was conducted in 73 primary schools and 30 secondary schools in Split-Dalmatia County. The results showed that 94% of schools have at least one monocular light microscope, which is of primary importance for the teaching of biology. Out of the total number of schools, 97 schools are equipped with microscopes, while 6 schools have no microscopes. The most common types of microscopes used in teaching are monocular light microscopes (80%), followed by binocular optical microscopes (16%), digital microscopes (3%), and stereomicroscopes (1%). A total of 43% of teachers perform microscopy using the demonstration method, and 37% of teachers use practical work. Animal tissue and crosscut plant structure are the most frequent specimens used for microscopic examination in demonstration lessons, and plant cell preparations, protists, and sex cells are the most frequently used in practical lessons. In the course of the school year, 61% of teachers use the microscope occasionally in teaching biology, and 39% do so often. In terms of levels of satisfaction, using microscopy in teaching received an average rating of 3.73. Fifty-three percent of teachers gave the main reason for the infrequent use of microscopes in teaching as the lack of a sufficient number of microscopes for quality teaching; 30% cited the overly demanding biology curriculum; 11% space problems; and 6% the lack of microscopes, teacher's lack of confidence in working with microscopes, and lack of preparation. The reason given by the teachers for the low level of engagement with microscopy is their concern that there is no guarantee that the amount of time and effort required to use microscopes in class will be justified.

Selecting manufacturing partners in push and pull-type smart collaborative networks

The idea of Collaborative Manufacturing, also known as the Production Networks or Social Manufacturing, has been around for more than 25 years. It is a production concept based on non-hierarchical collaboration among enterprises often referred as Virtual Enterprise (VE). Despite many scientific research and projects with this topic, it is difficult to find an example of fully operational non-hierarchical production network anywhere in the world. However, that fact could be changed very soon. Namely, the new industrial revolution, called Industry 4.0, encourages industrial enterprises to adopt information-communication technology (ICT) and Internet of Things (IoT) into their production systems, thus creating Cyber-Physical Production System (CPPS). From the aspect of production networks, CPPS represents crucial infrastructure, or a missing link between enterprises. Now, with CPPS in place, non-hierarchical networking and collaboration becomes possible through Smart Collaborative Production Networks. In this research, the concept of information system for Smart Collaborative Production Networks was developed and called ‘VENTIS’. Although the idea of the concept is to manage the collaboration inside Virtual Enterprise, in this research, a special focus has been put on manufacturing planning phase in which optimization problem known as the Partner Selection Problem (PSP) occurs. Since the PSP in manufacturing phase is far more complex than partner selection during the collaborative product development phase, new research premises regarding the Virtual Enterprise type have been set. Two types of Virtual Enterprise business models – Push-type and Pull-type – have been defined in this research. If VE is Push-type, HUMANT algorithm is used to solve PSP that occurs in that case. If VE is Pull-type, a special procedure, inspired by phenomenological reduction, has been established in which set of a priori created VEs is compared with theoretically ‘the best’ VE and theoretically ‘the worst’ VE. Enterprises’ data of production network from Dalmatia (Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia) is used as a Case Study to present ‘VENTIS’ concept and to present the procedure for creation of sustainable Virtual Enterprise.

Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A 15-year Retrospective Study in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia.

The aim of this retrospective study is to use existing epidemiological data on patients in methadone maintenance treatment in Split-Dalmatia County from 2001 to 2015 to evaluate the substitution treatment system and policy of opiate addicts treatment, the epidemiological trend, and risk of overdose mortality. In addition, we would like to highlight the problem of poor control of methadone therapy and thus the possibility of selling methadone. The result is a greater number of deaths caused by methadone in people who were not in methadone therapy. The research included data collected from 3189 patients who had been in the drug abuse treatment program in Split-Dalmatia County during 2001-2015 and data gathered from autopsy examinations of patients in Split-Dalmatia County with emphasis on data for 186 overdosed patients during research period. The total number of patients in the methadone treatment program in Split-Dalmatia County during the research period, except in 2005 and 2006, has been stable, while the number of new opiate patients, being in first-time treatment, decreased by 62.5%. The number of addicts who were in a long-term maintenance program has increased by 198%, whereas the number of addicts who were in a short-term detoxification treatment has decreased by 96.4%. According to results obtained from performed autopsies, 186 death cases were determined as overdoses. Methadone was found in 56 of those cases and was declared as the cause of death in 39 cases (70%). Of the total number of autopsied patients with diagnosed methadone overdose, only 23 (59%) had been recorded to receive methadone therapy in Public Health Institute of Split-Dalmatia County database. The results of this study show the favorable epidemiological trend because of the decreasing number of new opiate patients in treatment. The retention of opiate patients in substitution therapy indicates the effectiveness of methadone maintenance programs. Our research did not determine any influence of methadone substitution therapy on an increasing risk of specific (overdose) mortality.