Brazil-Portugal Transcultural Adaptation of the UWES-9: Internal Consistency, Dimensionality, and Measurement Invariance.

Science.gov (United States)

Sinval, Jorge; Pasian, Sonia; Queirós, Cristina; Marôco, João

2018-01-01

The aim of this paper is to present a revision of international versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and to describe the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the UWES-9 developed simultaneously for Brazil and Portugal, the validity evidence related with the internal structure, namely, Dimensionality, measurement invariance between Brazil and Portugal, and Reliability of the scores. This is the first UWES version developed simultaneously for both countries, and it is an important instrument for understanding employees' work engagement in the organizations, allowing human resources departments to better use workforces, especially when they are migrants. A total of 524 Brazilian workers and 522 Portuguese workers participated in the study. Confirmatory Factor Analysis, group comparisons, and Reliability estimates were used. The use of workers who were primarily professionals or administrative support, according to ISCO-08, reinforced the need to collect data on other professional occupations. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit for the UWES-9 original three-factor solution, and a second-order factor structure has been proposed that presented an acceptable fit. Full-scale invariance was obtained between the Portuguese and Brazilian samples, both for the original three-factor first-order and second-order models. Data revealed that Portuguese and Brazilian workers didn't show statistically significant differences in the work engagement dimensions. This version allows for direct comparisons of means and, consequently, for performance of comparative and cross-cultural studies between these two countries.

Brazil-Portugal Transcultural Adaptation of the UWES-9: Internal Consistency, Dimensionality, and Measurement Invariance

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jorge Sinval

2018-03-01

Full Text Available The aim of this paper is to present a revision of international versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and to describe the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the UWES-9 developed simultaneously for Brazil and Portugal, the validity evidence related with the internal structure, namely, Dimensionality, measurement invariance between Brazil and Portugal, and Reliability of the scores. This is the first UWES version developed simultaneously for both countries, and it is an important instrument for understanding employees' work engagement in the organizations, allowing human resources departments to better use workforces, especially when they are migrants. A total of 524 Brazilian workers and 522 Portuguese workers participated in the study. Confirmatory Factor Analysis, group comparisons, and Reliability estimates were used. The use of workers who were primarily professionals or administrative support, according to ISCO-08, reinforced the need to collect data on other professional occupations. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit for the UWES-9 original three-factor solution, and a second-order factor structure has been proposed that presented an acceptable fit. Full-scale invariance was obtained between the Portuguese and Brazilian samples, both for the original three-factor first-order and second-order models. Data revealed that Portuguese and Brazilian workers didn't show statistically significant differences in the work engagement dimensions. This version allows for direct comparisons of means and, consequently, for performance of comparative and cross-cultural studies between these two countries.

Psychometric properties of the Russian version of the Utrecht work engagement scale (UWES-9)

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Lovakov, Andrey V.; Agadullina, Elena R.; Schaufeli, Wilmar B.

2017-01-01

This article aims to analyze the psychometric properties of the Russian version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) by using a sample of 1783 employees of a large Russian organization. We conducted a series of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) tests of the factorial structure and the

Evidências adicionais de validade da UWES-9 em amostras brasileiras

OpenAIRE

Ferreira, Maria Cristina; Valentini, Felipe; Damásio, Bruno Figueiredo; Mourão, Luciana; Porto, Juliana Barreiros; Chinelato, Renata Silva de Carvalho; Novaes, Vladimir Pinto; Pereira, Michelle Morelo

2016-01-01

Resumo O engajamento no trabalho consiste em um estado motivacional positivo manifesto em sentimentos de vigor, absorção e dedicação ao trabalho. Para avaliá-lo, foi desenvolvida a Escala de Engajamento no Trabalho de Utrecht. O presente trabalho reuniu evidências de validade da versão reduzida da escala (UWES-9) por meio de análises de estrutura interna, de invariância por gênero e setor de trabalho (público ou privado), e de relações com variáveis externas. A amostra foi composta por 2.897 ...

Una Herramienta para el Análisis de la Colaboración Diseñada con UWE

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ofelia Uicab Aldana

2017-01-01

Full Text Available UML Web Engineering (UWE es uno de los métodos en Ingeniería Web para el diseño de aplicaciones que se desarrollan para la World Wide Web; utiliza la simbología estándar del Lenguaje de Modelado Unificado, así como simbología propia para desarrollo orientado a la Web. En este trabajo se presenta el diseño de una aplicación Web desarrollada como herramienta de apoyo para analizar la interacción (HAI de estudiantes en su proceso de aprendizaje, donde el modelado básico se realiza mediante UWE. Dicha aplicación recupera el registro de publicaciones que realizan los estudiantes en el muro grupal de Facebook y aplica un modelo diseñado para el análisis de la colaboración con el fin de identificar las habilidades colaborativas de cada uno de los estudiantes.

[Assessment of Work Engagement in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale 9 (UWES-9)].

Science.gov (United States)

Sautier, L P; Scherwath, A; Weis, J; Sarkar, S; Bosbach, M; Schendel, M; Ladehoff, N; Koch, U; Mehnert, A

2015-10-01

Our purpose was the psychometric evaluation of the German version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 (UWES-9), a self-assessment tool measuring work-related resources consisting of 9 items. Based on a sample of 179 patients with hematological malignancies in in-patient and rehabilitative oncological settings, we tested the dimensional structure by confirmatory and explorative factor analysis. We further evaluated reliability, item characteristics, and construct validity of the UWES-9. The confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit for both a 1-dimensional factor structure and the original 3-factor model. Based on an explorative principal component analysis, we were able to replicate the 1-dimensional factor accounting for 67% of the total variance and showing very high internal consistency (α=0.94) and high factor loads (0.73-0.88). The construct validity was further supported by significant positive correlations between work engagement and meaning of work, corporate feeling, commitment to the workplace, and job satisfaction. The German version of the UWES-9 shows good psychometric qualities in measuring dedication to work in patients with hematological malignancies in in-patient and rehabilitative oncological settings. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Propiedades de la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (uwes-s 9: análisis exploratorio con estudiantes en Ecuador

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cecilia Alexandra Portalanza Chavarría

2017-03-01

Full Text Available En el estudio del engagement académico se han desarrollado diversas medidas en función de las teorías o perspectivas que dan soporte a dicho concepto; en consonancia con lo anterior, el presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las propiedades psicométricas de una escala de engagement académico, con base en una muestra de 102 estudiantes pertenecientes a una institución de educación superior en Ecuador. El cuestionario empleado fue la versión española de la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (uwes-s 9. Se analizó la estructura factorial de la escala con el método de estimación robusta. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el modelo de dos factores presenta mejores índices de ajuste que el de uno y tres factores, por lo que se concluye que la estructura de dos factores es la más apropiada. De igual forma, los resultados llevan a concluir que la escala UWES-S 9 puede ser utilizada para estudiar el engagement en el contexto ecuatoriano.

UWE en Sistema de Recomendación de Objetos de Aprendizaje. Aplicando Ingeniería Web: Un Método en Caso de Estudio

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Citlali G. Nieves-Guerrero

2014-06-01

Full Text Available La Ingeniería Web propone nuevos métodos para el diseño de aplicaciones que se ejecutan en esta nueva plataforma que es la World Wide Web. Uno de estos métodos es UWE (UML Web Engineering, el cual aprovecha la notación estándar del UML e incorpora elementos que son propios del desarrollo Web. En este artículo se presenta un caso de estudio para el diseño de un Sistema de Recomendación de Objetos de Aprendizaje, donde el modelado básico se realiza mediante el UWE. Se modela una aplicación Web que permite a los usuarios realizar la composición de los Objetos de Aprendizaje que el mismo sistema le recomienda al usuario previo análisis de las características tanto del mismo como de los Objeto de Aprendizaje almacenados en un repositorio especializado llamado AGORA.

Seismic tomography for charaterization of an ore vein in the research and education mine Reiche Zeche

Science.gov (United States)

Winter, Sebastian; Schlüter, Ralf; Hlousek, Felix; Buske, Stefan

2017-04-01

A test site for the design, implementation and operation of an underground in-situ bioleaching unit has been installed by the „Biohydrometallurgical Center for Strategic Elements" at the research and education mine "Reiche Zeche" of Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg. For this purpose an ore vein block will be developed and mined with the bio-hydrometallurgical in-situ leaching technology. As a site survey an underground seismic tomography experiment has been performed to investigate the spatial distribution of the ore vein within this block consisting mainly of gneiss and with dimensions of about 30 x 10 meters. The experiment was performed with a sledgehammer as source and 76 three-component receivers with source and receiver point intervals of about 1 m surrounding the approximately rectangular block. High precision laser scanning was performed to obtain accurate source and receiver positions which was particularly necessary to obtain reliable results due to the generally high wave velocities of the gneiss. The resulting seismic data set showed a high signal-to-noise ratio with clear first arrivals which were picked for all source and receiver combinations and subsequently used as input to a first-arrival tomographic inversion scheme. The resulting velocity model has very good ray coverage and shows well resolved high- and low-velocity regions within the block. These regions can be clearly assigned to mapped outcrops of the ore vein along the galleries surrounding the block, including a correlation of low velocities to fractured rock parts as well as high velocities to the undisturbed ore vein core, respectively. In summary the obtained velocity model and the inferred spatial distribution of the ore vein provides a good basis for planning and implementing the actual ore mining step using the envisaged bioleaching technology.

Evidências adicionais de validade da UWES-9 em amostras brasileiras

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Maria Cristina Ferreira

Full Text Available Resumo O engajamento no trabalho consiste em um estado motivacional positivo manifesto em sentimentos de vigor, absorção e dedicação ao trabalho. Para avaliá-lo, foi desenvolvida a Escala de Engajamento no Trabalho de Utrecht. O presente trabalho reuniu evidências de validade da versão reduzida da escala (UWES-9 por meio de análises de estrutura interna, de invariância por gênero e setor de trabalho (público ou privado, e de relações com variáveis externas. A amostra foi composta por 2.897 trabalhadores de ambos os sexos (57,3% do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 32,8. Os modelos indicaram que a estrutura unidimensional obteve melhor ajuste e que os parâmetros dos itens não foram significativamente enviesados pelo sexo, setor e tempo de trabalho. A escala apresentou correlações positivas fortes com sentimentos positivos associados ao trabalho. As propriedades psicométricas do instrumento recomendam seu uso futuro em investigações destinadas a avaliar o engajamento no trabalho em amostras brasileiras.

Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Forms' (UWES-SF) Adaptation to Turkish, Validity and Reliability Studies, and the Mediator Role of Work Engagement between Academic Procrastination and Academic Responsibility

Science.gov (United States)

Çapri, Burhan; Gündüz, Bülent; Akbay, Sinem Evin

2017-01-01

The primary goal of this study is to complete the adaptation, validity and reliability studies of the long (17 items) and short (9 items) forms of UWES-SF. The secondary goal of this study is to study the mediating role of work engagement between academic procrastination and academic responsibility in high school students. The study group consists…

vascoda - das interdisziplinäre Internetportal für wissenschaftliche Information: 10 Fragen von Bruno Bauer an Uwe Rosemann, Direktor der Technischen Informationsbibliothek Hannover und Sprecher des vascoda-Projekts

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bauer, Bruno

2005-12-01

Full Text Available vascoda (http://www.vascoda.de/ is an internet library portal to interdisciplinary scientific information. It was started in 2003 funded by the German Research Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. In the current interview Uwe Rosemann talks about the objectives of vascoda, its partners and financing. Furthermore he informs about the project's office as well as marketing. vascoda's prospects and future development as a foundation stone for a German Digital Library will be mentioned.

Vortage passieren lassen: Skizzen zu Transfers zwischen Ort und Zeitbezug in Uwe Johnsons Jahrestagen in Hinsicht auf Prag // Letting Preceding Days Pass: Sketches on the Transfers between Locality and Time-Anchoring in Uwe Johnson’s Anniversaries — with Regard to Prague

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Nils Plath

2015-12-01

Full Text Available The paper concentrates on selected passages from Uwe Johnsonʼs opus magnum, Jahrestage (Anniversaries, in which the Prague Spring and the events of 1968 play a key role, and develops some ideas on how narrations of history and critique of language can jointly (as a translation of sorts be understood as a critical approach to what is taken to be the present and the reality of the past. It is argued that Hannah Arendtʼs notion of the unpredictability of the future and of the event variously influenced the modalities of narration as employed by Johnson. The central issue of Jacques Derridaʼs Prague lecture on how a city determines ‘our’ modes of (self-preception and how a location can be grasped and ‘dated’ in writing is put to use in order to develop a singular perspective on some neglected aspects in Johnsonʼs work. Johnson’s novel and its commentaries form a diverse reflection on time, reality, and the media which can affirm its contemporaneity when understood as exemplary in contesting, by the voice of literature, the functionalization of history and its narrative.

An Animal-Centered Perspective on Colonial Oppression: Animal Representations and the Narrating Ox in Uwe Timm’s ‘‘Morenga’’ (1978

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Steffen Röhrs

2017-02-01

Full Text Available As a result of its topic and its narrative style, Uwe Timm’s novel ‘Morenga’ (1978 marks an important step in the development of postcolonial German literature. The main theme of the book is the bloody suppression of the Herero and the Nama uprisings through the German army in South-West Africa at the beginning of the 20th century. With recourse to historical and fictional documents and by using different narrative perspectives, the text achieves a plurality of voices and thereby destabilizes a one-dimensional view on colonialism. The present article discusses the functions of the nonhuman animals appearing in ‘Morenga’. It is assumed that the animal representations are an essential part of the plot and underscore the criticism of colonial rule in a narrative manner too. The novel contains several descriptions of suffering animals and links them to the harm of the Herero and the Nama in order to point out the ruthlessness of the colonists. Moreover, the book features a story-telling ox, which initiates a reflection process about possible ways of narrating colonial history. The talking ox adds a specific animal-centered perspective on colonial oppression and raises questions about emancipation, self-determination, and the agency of the nonhuman ‘other’

Do we all agree on how to measure work engagement? Factorial validity of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale as a standard measurement tool – A literature review

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Konrad Kulikowski

2017-04-01

Full Text Available Work engagement as a predictor of health is an emerging concept in occupational science and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES is the most popular work engagement measurement tool. However, despite its popularity, the UWES is not free from controversy concerning its factorial validity. In this paper, 21 research studies on both UWES-9 and UWES-17 factorial validity within the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA approach have been reviewed in order to answer the question as to which of the UWES factorial structures displays greater validity. The originally proposed threefactor structure of the UWES has been recognized as superior in 6 studies. In further 6 studies, the UWES structure with 1 general factor has been found to be superior. In 8 studies, the authors have concluded that the one- and three-factor structures could be considered equivalent. One study has failed to confirm either the one- or three-factor structure of the UWES. These ambiguous results from studies focusing on the UWES factorial validity are puzzling because they not only indicate a lack of validity for the UWES as a measurement tool but might also challenge the whole concept of work engagement as a three-factor structure of dedication, vigor and absorption. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(2:161–175

Do we all agree on how to measure work engagement? Factorial validity of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale as a standard measurement tool - A literature review.

Science.gov (United States)

Kulikowski, Konrad

2017-03-30

Work engagement as a predictor of health is an emerging concept in occupational science and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is the most popular work engagement measurement tool. However, despite its popularity, the UWES is not free from controversy concerning its factorial validity. In this paper, 21 research studies on both UWES-9 and UWES-17 factorial validity within the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach have been reviewed in order to answer the question as to which of the UWES factorial structures displays greater validity. The originally proposed threefactor structure of the UWES has been recognized as superior in 6 studies. In further 6 studies, the UWES structure with 1 general factor has been found to be superior. In 8 studies, the authors have concluded that the one- and three-factor structures could be considered equivalent. One study has failed to confirm either the one- or three-factor structure of the UWES. These ambiguous results from studies focusing on the UWES factorial validity are puzzling because they not only indicate a lack of validity for the UWES as a measurement tool but might also challenge the whole concept of work engagement as a three-factor structure of dedication, vigor and absorption. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(2):161-175. This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

ABRAMOWSKI AND BAKUNIN – TWO CONCEPTIONS OF LIBERTY

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Elzbieta Podgorska

2008-01-01

Full Text Available Two ways to emancypation of mankind: Bakunin’s by revolution and Abramowski’sby evolution; the second way basing on education and moral developing of people.That two methods join critical estimation of state, religion and one purpose: to createnew, justice political system supportrd on only one level form of framework.These philosophers unite realistit condemnation of political and economic actualityand utopian solutions – the last supported on a belief that a man has only a good dispositions.

Measuring work engagement among community health workers in Sierra Leone: Validating the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

OpenAIRE

Vallières, Frédérique; McAuliffe, Eilish; Hyland, Philip; Galligan, Marie; Ghee, Annette

2017-01-01

This study examines the concept of volunteer work engagement in a sample of 334 community health workers in Bonthe District, Sierra Leone. Structural equation modelling was used to validate both the 9-item and the 17-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9 and UWES-17, respectively). Results assessing the UWES-17 invalidated the three-factor structure within this cohort of community health workers, as high correlations were found between latent factors. Findings for the validity of the UWE...

Measuring work engagement among community health workers in Sierra Leone: Validating the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Frédérique Vallières

2017-04-01

Full Text Available This study examines the concept of volunteer work engagement in a sample of 334 community health workers in Bonthe District, Sierra Leone. Structural equation modelling was used to validate both the 9-item and the 17-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9 and UWES-17, respectively. Results assessing the UWES-17 invalidated the three-factor structure within this cohort of community health workers, as high correlations were found between latent factors. Findings for the validity of the UWES-9 were largely consistent with those of the UWES-17. Model fit for the UWES-9 were generally equivalent for the one-factor, three-factor, and bifactor solutions, however the three-factor model was once again rejected due to high factor correlations. Based on these results, the current sample provides evidence that work engagement is best represented as a unidimensional construct in this context. Findings are considered alongside previous research to offer support for the utilization of the shortened UWES-9 in this context, as it appears to provide a good representation of work engagement and possess a parsimonious unidimensional scoring scheme.

Do we all agree on how to measure work engagement? Factorial validity of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale as a standard measurement tool – A literature review

OpenAIRE

Konrad Kulikowski

2017-01-01

Work engagement as a predictor of health is an emerging concept in occupational science and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is the most popular work engagement measurement tool. However, despite its popularity, the UWES is not free from controversy concerning its factorial validity. In this paper, 21 research studies on both UWES-9 and UWES-17 factorial validity within the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach have been reviewed in order to answer the question as to which of th...

Measuring engagement at work: validation of the Chinese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale.

Science.gov (United States)

Fong, Ted Chun-tat; Ng, Siu-man

2012-09-01

Work engagement is a positive work-related state of fulfillment characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption. Previous studies have operationalized the construct through development of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Apart from the original three-factor 17-item version of the instrument (UWES-17), there exists a nine-item shortened revised version (UWES-9). The current study explored the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in terms of factorial validity, scale reliability, descriptive statistics, and construct validity. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in 2009 among 992 workers from over 30 elderly service units in Hong Kong. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a better fit for the three-factor model of the UWES-9 than the UWES-17 and the one-factor model of the UWES-9. The three factors showed acceptable internal consistency and strong correlations with factors in the original versions. Engagement was negatively associated with perceived stress and burnout while positively with age and holistic care climate. The UWES-9 demonstrates adequate psychometric properties, supporting its use in future research in the Chinese context.

Validation of Nepalese version of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale.

Science.gov (United States)

Panthee, Bimala; Shimazu, Akihito; Kawakami, Norito

2014-01-01

The objective of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Nepalese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-N) in a sample of hospital nurses. Registered nurses from three hospitals in Nepal (total N=438) voluntarily completed a self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the hypothesized three-factor model of the 9-item version of the UWES-N (UWES-N-9) fitted the data best. The internal consistency of the scale was acceptable. Work engagement was positively related to job satisfaction, job performance, happiness and health, and it was negatively related to psychological distress, confirming its construct validity. In conclusion, the findings of our study indicated that the UWES-N-9 has satisfactory psychometric properties and provided supportive evidence for use of the UWES-N-9 in the Nepalese context.

Validation of a δ2Hn-alkane-δ18Ohemicellulose based paleohygrometer: Implications from a climate chamber experiment

Science.gov (United States)

Hepp, Johannes; Kathrin Schäfer, Imke; Tuthorn, Mario; Wüthrich, Lorenz; Zech, Jana; Glaser, Bruno; Juchelka, Dieter; Rozanski, Kazimierz; Zech, Roland; Mayr, Christoph; Zech, Michael

2017-04-01

Leaf wax-derived biomarkers, e.g. long chain n-alkanes and fatty acids, and their hydrogen isotopic composition are proved to be of a value in paleoclimatology/-hydrology research. However, the alteration of the isotopic signal as a result of the often unknown amount of leaf water enrichment challenges a direct reconstruction of the isotopic composition of paleoprecipitation. The coupling of ^2H/^1H results of leaf wax-derived biomarkers with 18O/16O results of hemicellulose-derived sugars has the potential to overcome this limitation and additionally allows reconstructing relative air humidity (RH) (Zech et al., 2013). This approach was recently validated by Tuthorn et al. (2015) by applying it to topsoil samples along a climate transect in Argentina. Accordingly, the biomarker-derived RH values correlate significantly with modern actual RH values from the respective study sites, showing the potential of the established 'paleohygrometer' approach. However, a climate chamber validation study to answer open questions regarding this approach, e.g. how robust biosynthetic fractionation factors are, is still missing. Here we present coupled δ2Hn-alkane-δ18Ohemicellulose results obtained for leaf material from a climate chamber experiment, in which Eucalyptus globulus, Vicia faba and Brassica oleracea were grown under controlled conditions (Mayr, 2003). First, the 2H and 18O enrichment of leaf water strongly reflects actual RH values of the climate chambers. Second, the biomarker-based reconstructed RH values correlate well with the actual RH values of the respective climate chamber, validating the proposed 'paleohygrometer' approach. And third, the calculated fractionation factors between the investigated leaf biomarkers (n-C29 and n-C31 for alkanes; arabinose and xylose for hemicellulose) and leaf water are close to the expected once reviewed from the literature (+27\\permil for hemicellulose; -155\\permil for n-alkanes). Nevertheless, minor dependencies of these

One, two or three dimensions of work engagement? Testing the factorial validity of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale on a sample of Polish employees.

Science.gov (United States)

Kulikowski, Konrad

2017-10-11

Work engagement, as conceptualized by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), is a work-related positive state of mind that is characterized by vigour, dedication and absorption; however, it still remains unclear how many dimensions work engagement comprises. This study tested the factorial validity of 11 different UWES factorial models that are available in the literature using a confirmatory factor analysis approach on a large sample of multi-occupational Polish employees (N = 1420). The two-factor UWES-6, comprising vigour and dedication, was found to be reliable and remained invariant across samples drawn from four different organizational positions. It also presented a better fit than the three-factor UWES-9, which is a scale used as a standard in contemporary research on work engagement. The findings suggest that the three-factor UWES-9 might not be an optimal measure of work engagement in Poland.

“I could still see her in my mind’s eye”: Water and Maternal Imagery in Uwe Johnson’s Anniversaries: From the Life of Gesine Cresspahl

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Caroline Rupprecht

2010-01-01

Full Text Available This article analyzes the writings of East German author Uwe Johnson (1934-84 in terms of his experimental style—specifically transitions between descriptive passages—in conjunction with maternal imagery, as discussed through reference to Susan Suleiman’s concept of a “1.5 generation” of Holocaust survivors. A non-Jewish German author, Johnson addresses German history from the position of the perpetrators, yet born in 1934, he experienced National Socialism from the point of view of a child. In his tetralogy, Anniversaries: From the Life of Gesine Cresspahl (1970-83, feelings of guilt and attempts to understand the German past are negotiated through the maternal figure. This figure is linked, in turn, to water as both a structural and symbolic element throughout the novel. As this article demonstrates, the effect of “blurred boundaries” is achieved through water, which functions as paradigm for the mother-daughter relationship: the narrator-protagonist Gesine’s memory is shaped by the experience of near-drowning before the eyes of her mother, Lisbeth, who commits suicide via self-immolation during Reichskristallnacht . As this article concludes, the author himself seems caught in the predicament of Suleiman’s 1.5 Generation, where perception is blurred, and immersing oneself in (imaginary bodies of water becomes a response to the madness of fascism.

Can the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale be used to screen for risk of long-term sickness absence?

Science.gov (United States)

Roelen, C A M; van Hoffen, M F A; Groothoff, J W; de Bruin, J; Schaufeli, W B; van Rhenen, W

2015-05-01

To investigate the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) for their ability to identify non-sicklisted employees at increased risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA). One-year prospective cohort study including 4,921 employees participating in occupational health surveys in the period 2008-2010. The MBI-GS and UWES were part of the health survey questionnaire and LTSA in the year following the health survey was retrieved from an occupational health register. Associations of baseline MBI-GS and UWES scores with LTSA during 1-year follow-up were stratified by the cause (mental, musculoskeletal, and other somatic illness) of LTSA. Discrimination was assessed by the area (AUC) under the receiver operating characteristic curve and considered practically useful for AUC ≥0.75. During 1-year follow-up, 103 employees (2%) had LTSA due to mental (N = 43), musculoskeletal (N = 31), or other somatic (N = 29) illness. MBI-GS scores were positively and UWES scores negatively associated with mental LTSA, but not musculoskeletal or other somatic LTSA. Discrimination between employees at high and low risk of mental LTSA was moderate: AUC = 0.68 for the MBI-GS and AUC = 0.70 for the UWES. Discrimination did not improve when the MBI-GS and UWES were used simultaneously. The MBI-GS and UWES predicted future mental LTSA in non-sicklisted employees, but discrimination was not practically useful for identifying employees at high risk of LTSA. However, both instruments could be used to select employees for further assessment of mental LTSA risk.

A psychometric analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in the South African police service

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

K. Storm

2003-10-01

Full Text Available The objectives of this research were to validate the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES for the South African Police Service (SAPS and to determine its construct equivalence and bias in different race groups. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Stratified random samples (N = 2396 were taken of police members of nine provinces in South Africa. The UWES and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Structural equation modelling confirmed a 3-factor model of work engagement, consisting of Vigour, Dedication and Absorption. These three factors have acceptable internal consistencies. Exploratory factor analysis with target rotations showed equivalence of the three factors for different race groups in the SAPS. No evidence was found for uniform or non-uniform bias of the items of the UWES for different race groups. Opsomming Die doelstellings van hierdie navorsing was om die Utrecht- werksbegeesteringskaal (UWES te valideer vir die Suid- Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD en die konstrukekwivalensie daarvan vir verskillende rassegroepe te bepaal. ’n Dwarssnee opname-ontwerp is gebruik. Gestratifiseerde ewekansige steekproewe (N = 2396 is van polisielede uit nege provinsies geneem. Die UWES en ’n biografiese vraelys is afgeneem. Strukturele vergelykingsmodellering het ’n 3-faktormodel, bestaande uit Energie, Toewyding en Absorpsie, aangetoon. Hierdie drie faktore het aanvaarbare interne konsekwentheid getoon. Eksploratiewe faktoranalise met teikenrotasies het konstrukekwivalensie vir die drie faktore vir verskillende rassegroepe in die SAPD getoon. Bewyse is nie gevind vir uniforme of nie-uniforme sydigheid van die items van die UWES vir verskillende rassegroepe nie.

Validity and reliability of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Version in Sri Lanka.

Science.gov (United States)

Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Darshana; Dissanayake, Devani Sakunthala; Abeywardena, Gihan Sajiwa

2018-05-04

The present study was aimed at assessing the validity and the reliability of the Sinhala version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Version (UWES-S) among collegiate cycle students in Sri Lanka. The 17-item UWES-S was translated to Sinhala and the judgmental validity was assessed by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts. Construct validity of the UWES-S was appraised by using multi-trait scaling analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on data obtained from a sample of 194 grade thirteen students in the Kurunegala district, Sri Lanka. Reliability of the UWES-S was assessed by using internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Except for item 13, all other items showed good psychometric properties in judgemental validity, item-convergent validity and item-discriminant validity. EFA using principal component analysis with Oblimin rotation, suggested a three-factor solution (including vigor, dedication and absorption subscales) explaining 65.4% of the total variance for the 16-item UWES-S (with item 13 deleted). All three subscales show high internal consistency with Cronbach's α coefficient values of 0.867, 0.819, and 0.903 and test-retest reliability was high (p valid and a reliable instrument to assess work engagement among collegiate cycle students in Sri Lanka.

Measuring burnout and work engagement: Factor structure, invariance, and latent mean differences across Greece and the Netherlands

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xanthopoulou, D.

2012-01-01

Full Text Available This study examines the factor structure and invariance of the instruments measuring burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey / MBI-GS and work engagement (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale / UWES in a sample of Dutch (N = 162 and Greek (N = 206 employees. Confirmatory factor analyses in both samples supported the superiority of the proposed three-factor structure of both the MBI-GS (exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy and the UWES (vigor, dedication, and absorption. Alternative two-factor and one-factor models did not show a better fit to the data. In addition, results of multigroup analyses partly supported the invariance of the three-factor model of the MBI-GS, and fully supported the invariance of the three-factor model of the UWES across the two national samples. These results suggest that the MBI-GS and the UWES are not only valid instruments for testing burnout and engagement but also allow comparisons across countries.

Report on the visit of a U.S. Nuclear Safety Delegation to the Soviet Union, August 19-31, 1988

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1989-03-01

During August 1988 a US delegation of nuclear reactor safety specialists, led by US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Lando W. Zech, Jr., visited the Soviet Union to initiate cooperative activities in civilian nuclear reactor safety between the two countries under their April 1988 Memorandum of Cooperation. Areas of future cooperation and a schedule of working group meetings to explore these areas were defined in a protocol signed during this visit. The delegation met with Soviet representatives in Moscow as the Joint coordinating Committee on Civilian Nuclear Reactor Safety. Additionally, while in Moscow, Chairman Zech held discussions with leaders and other senior officials of Soviet organizations with responsibility for nuclear power safety. Nuclear facilities were also visited, including the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy (Moscow), the Novovoronezh Atomic Power Station, the Novovoronezh Training and Commissioning Center, the Izhora Heavy Equipment Production Plant (Kolpino), the V. G. Khlopin Radium Institute (Gatchina), the Chernobyl Atomic Power Station, the All-Union Center for Radiation Medicine (Kiev), and the Rovno Atomic Power Station. 35 figs

Toward Control of Universal Scaling in Critical Dynamics

Science.gov (United States)

2016-01-27

program that aims to synergistically combine two powerful and very successful theories for non-linear stochastic dynamics of cooperative multi...RESPONSIBLE PERSON 19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER Uwe Tauber Uwe C. T? uber , Michel Pleimling, Daniel J. Stilwell 611102 c. THIS PAGE The public reporting burden...to synergistically combine two powerful and very successful theories for non-linear stochastic dynamics of cooperative multi-component systems, namely

Narrativa biográfica y motivación para el aprendizaje. ¿Por qué motivación y entendida cómo? (Segunda parte

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Susana Inés Fernández

2014-04-01

Full Text Available El documento –primera y segunda parte- forma parte de la producción del Proyecto Nro. 1748 del CIUNSa.: “Narrativa biográfica y motivación para el aprendizaje. A la búsqueda de pistas para repensar la problemática del ingreso universitario”. Se trata de dar cuenta de las razones por las cuales se centra la indagación acerca del ingreso a la universidad en la motivación de los estudiantes y de precisar el sentido en que se entiende el término, tomando para ello diferentes fuentes bibliográficas provenientes de distintos campos disciplinares. Con esta finalidad se reseña y comenta la producción de Ana Abramowski sobre su concepto de nopodermiento escolar; se revisan los más importantes modos de intervención motivacional en el aula expuestos por Antonio Huertas y se expone la diferenciación entre motivación externa e interna desarrollada por la psicología dialéctica rusa. Se funda sobre estas conceptualizaciones, desde una perspectiva compleja del conocimiento y un enfoque socio-histórico del desarrollo psicológico humano, una definición de motivación que se conjuga con la problematización del concepto de internalización como apropiación y como dominio, tomando las ideas bajtineanas de palabra autorizada y palabra internamente persuasiva que dan lugar a la categoría de resistencia. Surge de ello el interrogante sobre los posibles efectos motivadores de la apropiación y el dominio de las formas culturales de mediación y retomando los paralelismos planteados por Abramowski entre sistema productivo y educación, se reflexiona sobre el papel de la educación en la selección de los sujetos más aptos para el sistema económico capitalista.

Employee engagement and management standards: a concurrent evaluation.

Science.gov (United States)

Ravalier, J M; Dandil, Y; Limehouse, H

2015-08-01

The UK Health & Safety Executive's Management Standards Indicator Tool (MSIT) has been used to assess areas of work design, which may act as psychosocial hazards leading to burnout. These have not been assessed as predictors of employee engagement. To determine the utility of the MSIT in evaluating employee engagement as measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). A cross-sectional survey of employees from two sales organizations in London was performed using the MSIT and UWES. MSIT scores were analysed stratifying medium-high versus low engagement. Multivariate linear regression evaluated the association of all MSIT scores with UWES factors. Control, managerial support, peer support and employee role differed by engagement level. Demands, peer support and role exceeded MSIT benchmark guidance that would warrant urgent improvement. Role ambiguity was the only factor significantly associated with all subdomains of engagement. Role appears to play a major part in determining employee engagement. Assessment of the relationship between factors measured by the MSIT and UWES requires further investigation in wider organizational settings, particularly the influence of employee role on positive psychological outcomes. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Measuring Engagement at Work: Validation of the Chinese Version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

OpenAIRE

Ng, Sm; Fong, TCt

2011-01-01

Background: Work engagement is a positive work-related state of fulfillment characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption. Previous studies have operationalized the construct through development of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Apart from the original three-factor 17-item version of the instrument (UWES-17), there exists a nine-item shortened revised version (UWES-9). Purpose: The current study explored the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Utrecht Work Engagemen...

Measuring Engagement at Work: Validation of the Chinese Version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

OpenAIRE

Fong, Ted Chun-tat; Ng, Siu-man

2011-01-01

Background Work engagement is a positive work-related state of fulfillment characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption. Previous studies have operationalized the construct through development of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Apart from the original three-factor 17-item version of the instrument (UWES-17), there exists a nine-item shortened revised version (UWES-9). Purpose The current study explored the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement ...

Entusiasmo por el trabajo (engagement: un estudio de validez en profesionales de la docencia en Lima, Perú / Work engagement: a validity study in teaching professionals from Lima, Perú

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cinthya Flores Jiménez

2015-12-01

Full Text Available RESUMEN El entusiasmo por el trabajo (work engagement es un constructo que integra sentimientos de Vigor, Dedicación y Absorción (Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá y Bakker, 2002. El presente estudio tiene por objetivo investigar la validez factorial de la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES en las versiones de 15 y 9 ítems en una muestra de 145 profesores de la ciudad de Lima, Perú. Se utilizaron análisis exploratorios y análisis factoriales confirmatorios. Los resultados mostraron que la UWES tiene adecuadas propiedades psicométricas, respetando su estructura tridimensional y, particularmente, la versión de 9 ítems evidenció los mejores índices de ajuste. Futuros estudios deberán confirmar estos hallazgos. ABSTRACT Work engagement is a construct that integrates feelings of vigor, dedication and absorption (Schaufeli, Salanova, Gonzalez-Roma and Bakker, 2002. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factorial validity of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES with versions of 15 and 9 items, in a sample by 145 teachers from Lima, Peru. We used exploratory analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The results show that the UWES has adequate psychometric properties, while respecting its three-dimensional structure, and particularly the 9 items version showed better indices of adjustment. Future studies will be required to confirm these findings.

Fatigue testing of a carbon fibre composite wind turbine blade with associated material characterisation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lowe, G A; Richardson, D J [Univ. of the West of England, Faculty of Engineering, Bristol (United Kingdom)

1996-09-01

Within the EC project JOULE 2, the University of the West of England (UWE) tested a carbon fibre reinforced epoxy (CFRE) full scale wind turbine blade together with an associated material test coupon programme. All the work was closely linked with the manufacturer Polymarine BV of the Netherlands, who designed and manufactured the blade and provided test specimens, the UWE carried out the research into the validation of the design calculations together with a check of the strength and fatigue life of the blade. (au)

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Study the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Relapsing and Progressive MS

Science.gov (United States)

2016-10-01

activities performed between April and September 2016. Despite these challenges, the project is now well underway and on track. A summary of...for accomplishing project goals during the next reporting period Despite a slow start, the project is well underway. We do not expect significant...genomic and metagenomic data. Luke Thompson Knight Post Doc 6 Development of metagneomic processing pipeline. Zhenjiang "Zech" Xu Knight Post Doc

CSIR ScienceScope: Art and science of modelling and simulation

CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

CSIR

2008-03-01

Full Text Available -2780 I CSRR Ma)ewialx Science and Manufac)uwing Pretoria 012 841-4392 Johannesburg 011 482-1300 Port olizabeth 041 508-3200 Cape Town 021 685-4329 I CSRR Na)uwal Rexouwcex and )he En0iwonmen) Pretoria 012 841-4005 Johannesburg 011 358...) En0iwonmen) Pretoria 012 841-3871 Stellenbosch 021 888-2508 I CSRR Defencec Neacec Safe)y and Secuwi)y Pretoria 012 841-2780 I CSRR Ma)ewialx Science and Manufac)uwing Pretoria 012 841-4392 Johannesburg 011 482-1300 Port olizabeth 041 508...

Reducing Anxiety and Improving Engagement in Health Care Providers Through an Auricular Acupuncture Intervention.

Science.gov (United States)

Buchanan, Teresa M; Reilly, Patricia M; Vafides, Carol; Dykes, Patricia

Stress and anxiety are experienced by health care providers as a consequence of caregiving and may result in physical, emotional, and psychological outcomes that negatively impact work engagement. The purpose of this study was to determine whether auricular acupuncture can reduce provider anxiety and improve work engagement. Study participants received 5 auricular acupuncture sessions within a 16-week period utilizing the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol for treating emotional trauma. Each participant completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) prior to their first session and again after their fifth treatment. Significant reductions were found in state and trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), as well as significant increases in the overall scores on the UWES as compared with baseline. Only the dedication subcategory of the UWES showed significant improvement. Engagement has been linked to increased productivity and well-being and improved patient and organizational outcomes. Providing effective strategies such as auricular acupuncture to support health care providers in reducing anxiety in the workplace may improve engagement.

The struggle with employee engagement: Measures and construct clarification using five samples.

Science.gov (United States)

Byrne, Zinta S; Peters, Janet M; Weston, James W

2016-09-01

Among scholarly researchers, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is a popular scale for assessing employee or work engagement. However, challenges to the scale's validity have raised major concerns about the measurement and conceptualization of engagement as a construct. Across 4 field samples, we examined 2 measures of engagement, the UWES and the Job Engagement Scale (JES), in both factor structure and patterns of relationships with theoretically hypothesized antecedents and consequences. In a fifth field sample, we examined the construct-level relationships between engagement and related variables, while controlling for sources of measurement error (i.e., item-specific factor, scale-specific factor, random response, and transient). By examining 2 measures, each derived from different theoretical bases, we provide unique insight into the measurement and construct of engagement. Our results show that, although correlated, the JES and UWES are not interchangeable. The UWES, more so than the JES, assesses engagement with overlap from other job attitudes, requiring improvement in the measurement of engagement. We offer guidance as to when to use each measure. Furthermore, by isolating the construct versus measurement of engagement relative to burnout, commitment, stress, and psychological meaningfulness and availability, we determined (a) the engagement construct is not the same as the opposite of burnout, warranting a reevaluation of the opposite-of-burnout conceptualization of engagement; and (b) psychological meaningfulness and engagement are highly correlated and likely reciprocally related, necessitating a modification to the self-role-expression conceptualization of engagement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Iisraelis tabati vene natsid / Uwe Gnadenteich

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Gnadenteich, Uwe

2007-01-01

Iisraelis vahistati neonatside rühm, mille liikmed on pärit endise NSVL-i aladelt. Parlamendiliikmed tahavad neilt kodakondsuse ära võtta ja nad Iisraelist välja saata, selle vastu on asepeaminister Avigdor Lieberman

The validation of the Utrecht work engagement scale for emergency medical technicians in Gauteng

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

JLP Naudé

2004-04-01

Full Text Available The objectives of this study were to validate the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES for emergency medical technicians in the Gauteng Province of South Africa and to determine its construct equivalence and bias for different language groups. A cross-sectional survey design was used with a convenient sample (N = 318 of emergency medical technicians in Gauteng. The UWES and a biographical questionnaire were administered. A two-factor model of work engagement, consisting of Vigour/Dedication and Absorption was found. Exploratory factor analysis with target rotations confirmed the construct equivalence of the work engagement construct for white and black employees.

Yhwh, the Goddess and Evil: Is 'monotheism' an adequate concept to describe the Hebrew Bible's discourses about the God of Israel?

OpenAIRE

Römer, Thomas C.

2013-01-01

The concept of �monotheism� has become a matter of debate in Hebrew Bible scholarship. This article investigates whether the concept should still be used, starting with Second Isaiah, who in the early Persian period elaborated a discourse that presented Yhwh as the only god. Therefore he had to integrate into this deity functions traditionally attributed to goddesses and to demons or evil gods. However, this attempt did not succeed. The goddess, whose elimination is probably reflected in Zech...

Employee engagement within the NHS: a cross-sectional study.

Science.gov (United States)

Jeve, Yadava Bapurao; Oppenheimer, Christina; Konje, Justin

2015-02-01

Employee engagement is the emotional commitment of the employee towards the organisation. We aimed to analyse baseline work engagement using Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) at a teaching hospital. We have conducted a cross-sectional study within the National Health Service (NHS) Teaching Hospital in the UK. All participants were working age population from both genders directly employed by the hospital. UWES has three constituting dimensions of work engagement as vigor, dedication, and absorption. We conducted the study using UWES-9 tool. Outcome measures were mean score for each dimension of work engagement (vigor, dedication, absorption) and total score compared with control score from test manual. We found that the score for vigor and dedication is significantly lower than comparison group (Pengagement level is below average within the NHS employees. Vigor and dedication are significantly lower, these are characterised by energy, mental resilience, the willingness to invest one's effort, and persistence as well as a sense of significance, enthusiasm, inspiration, pride, and challenge. The NHS employees are immersed in work. Urgent need to explore strategies to improve work engagement as it is vital for improving productivity, safety and patient experience.

Employee engagement within the NHS: a cross-sectional study

Science.gov (United States)

Jeve, Yadava Bapurao; Oppenheimer, Christina; Konje, Justin

2015-01-01

Background: Employee engagement is the emotional commitment of the employee towards the organisation. We aimed to analyse baseline work engagement using Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) at a teaching hospital. Methods: We have conducted a cross-sectional study within the National Health Service (NHS) Teaching Hospital in the UK. All participants were working age population from both genders directly employed by the hospital. UWES has three constituting dimensions of work engagement as vigor, dedication, and absorption. We conducted the study using UWES-9 tool. Outcome measures were mean score for each dimension of work engagement (vigor, dedication, absorption) and total score compared with control score from test manual. Results: We found that the score for vigor and dedication is significantly lower than comparison group (Pemployees. Vigor and dedication are significantly lower, these are characterised by energy, mental resilience, the willingness to invest one’s effort, and persistence as well as a sense of significance, enthusiasm, inspiration, pride, and challenge. The NHS employees are immersed in work. Urgent need to explore strategies to improve work engagement as it is vital for improving productivity, safety and patient experience PMID:25674571

ORF Alignment: NC_005861 [GENIUS II[Archive

Lifescience Database Archive (English)

Full Text Available [Parachlamydia sp. UWE25] ... Length = 287 ... Query: 222 RFSKKIEALNFSENAYLTDAHLLALKVCKNLKVLHLEACQAITDDG...LAHLTPLTALQHLD 281 ... RFSKKIEALNFSENAYLTDAHLLALKVCKNLKVLHLEACQAITDDGLAHLT...PLTALQHLD Sbjct: 1 ... RFSKKIEALNFSENAYLTDAHLLALKVCKNLKVLHLEACQAITDDGLAHLTPLTALQHLD 60 ... Query: 342 GLVHLSPLIAL

Põnevusõpe ehk uutmoodi konverentsid / Anne-Liis Arulo

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Arulo, Anne-Liis

2005-01-01

EBS Juhtimiskoolituse Keskuse rahvusvaheliste projektide juht Baltic Development Associatoni 3. aastakonverentsi korraldamisest. Artikkel on valminud koostöös Pathway Guidance Europe asutaja ja partneri Uwe Weissflogiga

UWE: Engaging with industry, creatively [case study

OpenAIRE

Noonan, A.

2010-01-01

Professional practice and enterprise modules along with a graduate placement scheme prepare design and media students for employability in the creative sector.\\ud \\ud Responding to professional challenges facing graduates and UWE’s Employability Agenda, the Faculty of Creative Arts created an innovative senior academic post specialising in Employability and Creative Industry Liaison in 2007. Senior lecturer Adrienne Noonan works with Communication Design and Media courses on employability, te...

Assessment of six dissimilarity metrics for climate analogues

Science.gov (United States)

Grenier, Patrick; Parent, Annie-Claude; Huard, David; Anctil, François; Chaumont, Diane

2013-04-01

Spatial analogue techniques consist in identifying locations whose recent-past climate is similar in some aspects to the future climate anticipated at a reference location. When identifying analogues, one key step is the quantification of the dissimilarity between two climates separated in time and space, which involves the choice of a metric. In this communication, spatial analogues and their usefulness are briefly discussed. Next, six metrics are presented (the standardized Euclidean distance, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic, the nearest-neighbor distance, the Zech-Aslan energy statistic, the Friedman-Rafsky runs statistic and the Kullback-Leibler divergence), along with a set of criteria used for their assessment. The related case study involves the use of numerical simulations performed with the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM-v4.2.3), from which three annual indicators (total precipitation, heating degree-days and cooling degree-days) are calculated over 30-year periods (1971-2000 and 2041-2070). Results indicate that the six metrics identify comparable analogue regions at a relatively large scale, but best analogues may differ substantially. For best analogues, it is also shown that the uncertainty stemming from the metric choice does generally not exceed that stemming from the simulation or model choice. A synthesis of the advantages and drawbacks of each metric is finally presented, in which the Zech-Aslan energy statistic stands out as the most recommended metric for analogue studies, whereas the Friedman-Rafsky runs statistic is the least recommended, based on this case study.

Personal lifestyle as a resource for work engagement.

Science.gov (United States)

Nishi, Daisuke; Suzuki, Yuriko; Nishida, Junko; Mishima, Kazuo; Yamanouchi, Yoshio

2017-01-24

Personal lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and sleep, might have an impact on work engagement, though previous studies have not focused on these relationships. The aim of this study was to examine whether dietary intake of fish, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, abstinence from alcohol, and abstinence from tobacco were positively associated with work engagement. We recruited adults aged 40-74 years who attended the health checkups with a particular focus on the metabolic syndrome in central Tokyo. In December 2015, 797 people responded to a questionnaire and 592 (74.3%) who had regular jobs were selected for this study. Work engagement was assessed on the 9-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships between lifestyle and UWES-9. Dietary intake of fish, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and abstinence from tobacco were significantly correlated with the total UWES-9 score, even after adjusting for age, sex, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. The results suggested a dose-response relationship between dietary fish intake and work engagement. Dietary fish intake, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and abstinence from tobacco might be lifestyle factors that can serve as resources for work engagement. These findings could be useful in motivating employees to make lifestyle improvements and convincing employers and managers that lifestyle is important not only for health but also for productivity.

Employee Engagement within the NHS: A Cross-Sectional Study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yadava Bapurao Jeve

2015-02-01

Full Text Available Background Employee engagement is the emotional commitment of the employee towards the organisation. We aimed to analyse baseline work engagement using Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES at a teaching hospital. Methods We have conducted a cross-sectional study within the National Health Service (NHS Teaching Hospital in the UK. All participants were working age population from both genders directly employed by the hospital. UWES has three constituting dimensions of work engagement as vigor, dedication, and absorption. We conducted the study using UWES-9 tool. Outcome measures were mean score for each dimension of work engagement (vigor, dedication, absorption and total score compared with control score from test manual. Results We found that the score for vigor and dedication is significantly lower than comparison group (P< 0.0001 for both. The score for absorption was significantly higher than comparison group (P< 0.0001. However, total score is not significantly different. Conclusion The study shows that work engagement level is below average within the NHS employees. Vigor and dedication are significantly lower, these are characterised by energy, mental resilience, the willingness to invest one’s effort, and persistence as well as a sense of significance, enthusiasm, inspiration, pride, and challenge. The NHS employees are immersed in work. Urgent need to explore strategies to improve work engagement as it is vital for improving productivity, safety and patient experience.

TiSSA eelkonverents doktorantidele Tallinnas / Koidu Saame

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Saame, Koidu

2010-01-01

Tallinna Ülikoolis toimunud TiSSA doktorantide eelkonverentsist 22.-24. aug. 2010.a. Doktorantide ettekannetest. Esinesid: Hans-Uwe Otto, Andriy Yuryev, Tiina Naarits, Ivar Tröner, Koidu Saame, Maija Jäppinen, Janissa Miettinen

Congenital Heart Information Network

Science.gov (United States)

... heart defects. Important Notice The Congenital Heart Information Network website is temporarily out of service. Please join ... and Uwe Baemayr for The Congenital Heart Information Network Exempt organization under Section 501(c)3. Copyright © ...

Külalisesinejate sõnavõtud

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

1999-01-01

Ettekandjad: Elisabeth Arnold, Dirk van der Maelen, FranciscoTorres, JiriMashtalka, Demetrios Syllouris, Karoly Lotz, Uwe Gehlen, Michael Sahlin, Tony Gregory, Roma Dovydeniene, Janusz Lewandowski, Ekkehard Pabsch, Jelko Kacir, Jean-Jacques Subrenat, Savas Tsitouridis, Alfred E. Kellermann

Assessing the organisational and individual strengths use and deficit improvement amongst sport coaches

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Frederick W. Stander

2013-11-01

Research purpose: To (1 determine whether adapted versions of the Strengths Use and Deficit Improvement Questionnaire (SUDIQ and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES are valid and reliable, (2 determine the relationship of the SUDIQ dimensions in the nomological net, and (3 test a structural model. Motivation for the study: To gain a better understanding of the outcomes of following a balanced approach within a sport coaching context. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional research approach was used. An availability sample (N = 364 of teachers occupying roles as sport coaches from various schools across three provinces in South Africa was used. Structural equation modelling was used to test the factor structures and the structural model. Main findings: The results indicated a valid factor structure for the adapted SUDIQ and UWES. Relationships between the SUDIQ dimensions and job and personal resources were positive and significant. Individual strengths use was the strongest predictor of engagement. Individual deficit improvement and organisational strengths use were also significant predictors. Organisational deficit improvement did not significantly predict engagement. Practical/managerial implications: Evidence suggests the adapted SUDIQ and UWES can be utilised effectively in a sport coaching environment. Organisational strengths use is also important in managing engagement levels of sport coaches. Contribution/value-add: Valid and reliable measures were provided for use in a sport coaching environment. It substantiates the outcomes that can be gained by following a combined approach based on strength and deficit.

Quantum independent increment processes

CERN Document Server

Franz, Uwe

2006-01-01

This is the second of two volumes containing the revised and completed notes of lectures given at the school "Quantum Independent Increment Processes: Structure and Applications to Physics". This school was held at the Alfried-Krupp-Wissenschaftskolleg in Greifswald in March, 2003, and supported by the Volkswagen Foundation. The school gave an introduction to current research on quantum independent increment processes aimed at graduate students and non-specialists working in classical and quantum probability, operator algebras, and mathematical physics. The present second volume contains the following lectures: "Random Walks on Finite Quantum Groups" by Uwe Franz and Rolf Gohm, "Quantum Markov Processes and Applications in Physics" by Burkhard Kümmerer, Classical and Free Infinite Divisibility and Lévy Processes" by Ole E. Barndorff-Nielsen, Steen Thorbjornsen, and "Lévy Processes on Quantum Groups and Dual Groups" by Uwe Franz.

Põlvkonnaromaan saksa nooremas kirjanduses / Peeter Helme

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Helme, Peeter, 1978-

2006-01-01

Ülevaade järgmistest teostest: Christian Krachti "Faserland" (1995), Florian Illiesi ""Golfi" generatsioon" (2001), Annegret Kunkeli (tegel. Sophie Dannenberg) "Revolutsiooni pleekinud süda", Uwe Tellkampi "Jäälind", Karen Duve "See ei ole armastuslaul", Andreas Maieri "Kirillov"

ORF Alignment: NC_005861 [GENIUS II[Archive

Lifescience Database Archive (English)

Full Text Available NC_005861 gi|46446610 >1f39A 5 95 55 141 1e-16 ... ref|YP_007975.1| probable SOS mutagenesis... and repair protein UmuD [Parachlamydia sp. ... UWE25] emb|CAF23700.1| probable SOS mutagenesis

Näitus seljakotist / Mariann Raisma

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Raisma, Mariann, 1974-

1999-01-01

Saksa kunstniku Uwe Schloeni ja Kaire Nurga ühisnäitus "Reise" 4. maist Tartu Kunstimajas. U. Schloen eksponeerib joonistustes, tekstides, graafikas, videos ja fotodes 14 päeva kestnud reisi ja fotoinstallatsiooni oma skulptuuridest. K. Nurk eksponeerib kaht pildinelikut

ETV tähistab tantsupäeva kolme filmiga

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

2006-01-01

Rahvusvahelise tantsupäeva puhul 29. apr. on Eesti Televisiooni kavas kolm tantsuprogrammi - Uwe Scholzi tantsulavastus "Suur Missa", tantsufilm "Teine" (filmi režissöör René Vilbre) ja kolmas film on Inglismaal valminud Lloyd Newsoni "Elu hind"

South African Journal of Higher Education - Vol 21, No 1 (2007)

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Burnout and engagement in university students: A psychometric analysis of the MBI-SS and UWES-S · EMAIL FULL TEXT EMAIL FULL TEXT · DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT. K Mostert, J Pienaar, C Gauche, LTB Jackson, 147-162 ...

Synthèse: Revue des Sciences et de la Technologie - Vol 35 (2017)

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Geochemistry of dark coastal heavy-mineral beaches sand (Annaba, Northeast Algeria) · EMAIL FREE FULL TEXT EMAIL FREE FULL TEXT DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT. Asma Chemam, Soraya Hadj Zobir, Menana Daif, Uwe Altenberger, Christina Günter, 154-165 ...

ATLAS OF EUROPEAN VALUES

NARCIS (Netherlands)

M Ed Uwe Krause

2008-01-01

Uwe Krause: Atlas of Eurpean Values De Atlas of European Values is een samenwerkingsproject met bijbehorende website van de Universiteit van Tilburg en Fontys Lerarenopleiding in Tilburg, waarbij de wetenschappelijke data van de European Values Study (EVS) voor het onderwijs toegankelijk worden

Meri, munklus ja tööstusmaastik / Kaire Nurk

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Nurk, Kaire, 1960-

2003-01-01

Video-tegevuskunsti sündmus "Saar 2003" 5. juulil Viinistus ja Mohnil. Osa võtsid Erik Alalooga, sakslased Uwe Schloen ja Georg Janthur, Jaan Toomik, Jaan Paavle, Silja Saarepuu, Villu Plink, Jüri Ojaver, venelanna Tatjana Goloviznina, lõuna-aafriklane Steven Cohen

Marina Abramović on kohal / Bianka Marran

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Marran, Bianka

2010-01-01

Jugoslaavia kunstniku Marina Abramovići performance'itest. Pikemalt tema teosest "The Artist is Present" New Yorgi Moodsa Kunsti Muuseumis 14. märtsist 31. maini 2010. Koostööst saksa fotograafi ja performance'ikunstniku Ulay'ga (kodanikunimi Frank Uwe Laysiepen)

Synthèse: Revue des Sciences et de la Technologie

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Geochemistry of dark coastal heavy-mineral beaches sand (Annaba, Northeast Algeria) · EMAIL FREE FULL TEXT EMAIL FREE FULL TEXT · DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT. Asma Chemam, Soraya Hadj Zobir, Menana Daif, Uwe Altenberger, Christina Günter, 154-165 ...

A Note on Ko-Type O-Ending Syllables in Old Japanese

Science.gov (United States)

Unger, J. Marshall

1975-01-01

Further evidence is offered to support the argument that ko-type o-ending syllables may have been secondary in nature in Old Japanese. Pre-Old Japanese indicates the */uwa/ sequence was manifested as /uwe/ and /uwu/ endings of o-ending syllable verbs. (SCC)

El Lado Socialmente Deseable de las Respuestas a Medidas de Burnout y Engagement: un Estudio Preliminar/The Socially Desirable Side of the Responses to Measures of Burnout and Engagement: A Preliminary Study/O Lado Socialmente Desejável das Respostas a Medidas de Burnout e Engagement: um Estudo Preliminar

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Manuel Fernández-Arata

2016-03-01

Full Text Available El presente estudio reporta la asociación divergente entre la deseabilidad social y las respuestas al mbi-gs y uwes, dos instrumentos que miden constructos considerados opuestos: burnout y engagement. Esta relación ha sido muy pocas veces explorada, y menos aun en sujetos hispanos. Los participantes fueron trabajadores de tiendas comerciales en la zona central de Lima Metropolitana. Se halló que la deseabilidad social comparte varianza con los puntajes de agotamiento emocional e indiferencia, pero esta relación estuvo influenciada por el instrumento de medición de la deseabilidad social. Las correlaciones parciales entre los puntajes del mbi no fueron prácticamente diferentes de sus correlaciones de orden cero. El uwes no covarió con deseabilidad social. Se concluye que la deseabilidad social tiene poca influencia sobre los puntajes orientados hacia el burnout en el mbi.

El Lado Socialmente Deseable de las Respuestas a Medidas de Burnout y Engagement: un Estudio Preliminar

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Manuel Fernández-Arata

2016-01-01

Full Text Available El presente estudio reporta la asociación divergente entre la deseabilidad social y las respuestas al MBI-GS y UWES, dos instrumentos que miden constructos considerados opuestos: burnout y engagement. Esta relación ha sido muy pocas veces explorada, y menos aun en sujetos hispanos. Los participantes fueron trabajadores de tiendas comerciales en la zona central de Lima Metropolitana. Se halló que la deseabilidad social comparte varianza con los puntajes de agotamiento emocional e indiferencia, pero esta relación estuvo influenciada por el instrumento de medición de la deseabilidad social. Las correlaciones parciales entre los puntajes del MBI no fueron prácticamente diferentes de sus correlaciones de orden cero. El UWES no covarió con deseabilidad social. Se concluye que la deseabilidad social tiene poca influencia sobre los puntajes orientados hacia el burnout en el MBI.

A psychometric evaluation of measures of effective well-being in an insurance company

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

W J Coetzer

2007-01-01

Full Text Available The objectives of this study were to validate two measures of affective well-being, namely the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES for employees in an insurance company, to assess their construct equivalence for different language groups and to determine the relationship between burnout and work engagement. A cross-sectional survey design with an availability sample (N = 613 was used. The MBI, UWES and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Structural equation modelling confirmed a three-factor model of burnout, consisting of Exhaustion, Cynicism and Professional Efficacy and a three-factor model of work engagement consisting of Vigour, Dedication and Absorption. Acceptable construct equivalence of the three-factor model of burnout and work engagement for different language groups was confirmed. A second-order factor analysis of the scales resulted in two factors, namely burnout and work engagement.

Non-parametric comparison of histogrammed two-dimensional data distributions using the Energy Test

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reid, Ivan D; Lopes, Raul H C; Hobson, Peter R

2012-01-01

When monitoring complex experiments, comparison is often made between regularly acquired histograms of data and reference histograms which represent the ideal state of the equipment. With the larger HEP experiments now ramping up, there is a need for automation of this task since the volume of comparisons could overwhelm human operators. However, the two-dimensional histogram comparison tools available in ROOT have been noted in the past to exhibit shortcomings. We discuss a newer comparison test for two-dimensional histograms, based on the Energy Test of Aslan and Zech, which provides more conclusive discrimination between histograms of data coming from different distributions than methods provided in a recent ROOT release.

Two Swedish screening instruments for exhaustion disorder: cross-sectional associations with burnout, work stress, private life stress, and personality traits.

Science.gov (United States)

Persson, Roger; Österberg, Kai; Viborg, Njördur; Jönsson, Peter; Tenenbaum, Artur

2017-06-01

To examine the relationships of two screening instruments recently developed for assessment of exhaustion disorder (ED) with some other well-known inventories intended to assess ED-related concepts and self-reports of job demands, job control, job support, private life stressors, and personality factors. A cross-sectional population sample ( n = 1355) completed: the Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS), Self-reported Exhaustion Disorder Scale (s-ED), Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), Big Five Inventory (BFI), and items concerning family-to-work interference and stress in private life. Compared to participants without any indication of ED, participants classified as having ED on KEDS or s-ED had higher scores on all four SMBQ subscales, lower scores on the UWES-9 subscales vigor and dedication, higher JCQ job demands scores, lower JCQ job support scores, higher degrees of family-to-work interference and stress in private life, and higher BFI neuroticism and openness scores. In addition, participants classified as having ED on KEDS had lower scores on the UWES-9 absorption subscale, the JCQ job control scale, and lower BFI extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness scores, compared to the subgroup not classified as having ED. As expected, we observed an overall pattern of associations between the ED screening inventories KEDS and s-ED and measures of burnout, work engagement, job demands-control-support, stress in private life, family-to-work interference, and personality factors. The results suggest that instruments designed to assess burnout, work engagement, and ED share common ground, despite their conceptual differences.

An Exploratory Analysis of Work Engagement, Satisfaction, and Depression in Psychiatry Residents.

Science.gov (United States)

Agarwal, Gaurava; Karpouzian, Tatiana

2016-02-01

This exploratory study aims to measure work engagement levels in psychiatry residents at three psychiatry residency programs using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). In addition, the study investigates the relationship between total engagement and its subscales, resident satisfaction, and a depression screen. Recruitment of 53/79 residents from three psychiatry residency programs in Illinois was completed. The residents were administered a questionnaire consisting of the UWES, the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (Prime-MD) depression screen, and a residency satisfaction scale. Statistical analysis using independent samples t test and a one-way analysis of variance was used to assess differences on engagement total score and subscales and satisfaction scale. A logistic regression was used with the engagement subscales and the satisfaction scale as predictors of belonging to the depressed or non-depressed group. Psychiatry residents scored in the high range for total engagement and all its subscales except for vigor which was in the moderate range. Residents who screened positive for depression reported lower total engagement than those who were negative on the depression screen. Vigor was the only significant predictor (p = .004) of being in the depressed group after logistic regression. Total engagement and the subscale of dedication significantly predicted overall residency satisfaction (β = .473, p = .016). Higher total UWES-15 and its subscales of vigor and dedication are correlated with a lower rate of screening positive for depression and higher residency satisfaction. This exploratory study lends support for further study of this psychological construct in medical training programs, but replication is needed.

Can the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale be used to screen for risk of long-term sickness absence?

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Roelen, C. A. M.; van Hoffen, M. F. A.; Groothoff, J. W.; de Bruin, J.; Schaufeli, W. B.; van Rhenen, W.

To investigate the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) for their ability to identify non-sicklisted employees at increased risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA). One-year prospective cohort study including 4,921 employees participating

Can the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale be used to screen for risk of long-term sickness absence?

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Roelen, C. A M; van Hoffen, M. F A; Groothoff, J. W.; de Bruin, J.; Schaufeli, W. B.|info:eu-repo/dai/nl/073779563; van Rhenen, W.

2015-01-01

Objectives: To investigate the Maslach Burnout Inventory—General Survey (MBI—GS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) for their ability to identify non-sicklisted employees at increased risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA). Methods: One-year prospective cohort study including 4,921

Can the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale be used to screen for risk of long-term sickness absence?

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Roelen, C. A. M.; van Hoffen, M. F. A.; Groothoff, J. W.; de Bruin, J.; Schaufeli, W. B.; van Rhenen, W.

2015-01-01

To investigate the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) for their ability to identify non-sicklisted employees at increased risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA). One-year prospective cohort study including 4,921 employees participating

Elav kunstiteos : sõna otseses mõttes / Kelly Kipper

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Kipper, Kelly

2011-01-01

Serbia kunstniku Marina Abramovići (sünd. 1946) elust ja loomingust. Performance'itest "Rütm 10", "Rütm 5", "Rütm 0", "The Artist is Present", "The Life and Death of Marina Abramović". Koostööst saksa kunstniku Ulayga (Uwe Laysiepen)

Adaptation of the Brazilian version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Souza Vasquez, A; Dos Santos, E; Paico, E; Hurtz, C; Schaufeli, W.B.|info:eu-repo/dai/nl/073779563

2015-01-01

Engagement at work is a positive mental and dispositional state characterized by Vigor, Dedication and Concentration. The aim of this study was to adapt and get evidence of validity for the Brazilian version of the utrecht work engagement scale (UWES). Participated in the study 1167 workers between

Legotalk in the Research Park. Commentary.

Science.gov (United States)

Webb, Nick

1997-01-01

Utilizes Uwe Poerksen's concept of "plastic words" to examine and criticize the preeminence given to research in art education. "Plastic words" refers to vague technical jargon that suggests meaning without actually providing it (e.g., development, process, goal-setting). Argues that this usage inherently corrupts and diverts any productive…

The Role of Electronic Reserves in Serving and Shaping New Teaching and Learning Environments in UK Universities.

Science.gov (United States)

Dugdale, Christine

1999-01-01

Describes the ResIDe Electronic Reserve at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, an example of an electronic reserve that has been addressing many access problems and supporting different teaching/learning initiatives. Discusses new roles for the ResIDe electronic library, electronic information management, new librarian roles, and…

Associations between VO2max and vitality in older workers: a cross-sectional study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

van der Beek Allard J

2010-11-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background To prevent early exit from work, it is important to study which factors contribute to healthy ageing. One concept that is assumed to be closely related to, and therefore may influence healthy ageing, is vitality. Vitality consists of both a mental and a physical component, and is characterised by a perceived high energy level, decreased feelings of fatigue, and feeling fit. Since VO2max gives an indication of one's aerobic fitness, which can be improved by increased levels of physical activity, and because feeling fit is one of the main characteristics of vitality, it is hypothesised that VO2max is related to vitality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between VO2max and vitality. Methods In 427 older workers (aged 45 + years participating in the Vital@Work study, VO2max was estimated at baseline using the 2-km UKK walk test. Vitality was measured by both the UWES Vitality Scale and the RAND-36 Vitality Scale. Associations were analysed using linear regression analyses. Results The linear regression models, adjusted for age, showed a significant association between VO2max and vitality measured with the RAND-36 Vitality Scale (β = 0.446; 95% CI: 0.220-0.673. There was no significant association between VO2max and vitality measured with the UWES (β = -0.006; 95% CI:-0.017 - 0.006, after adjusting for age, gender and chronic disease status. Conclusions VO2max was associated with a general measure of vitality (measured with the RAND-36 Vitality Scale, but not with occupational health related vitality (measured with the UWES Vitality Scale. The idea that physical exercise can be used as an effective tool for improving vitality was supported in this study. Trial registration NTR1240

Associations between VO2max and vitality in older workers: a cross-sectional study.

Science.gov (United States)

Strijk, Jorien E; Proper, Karin I; Klaver, Linda; van der Beek, Allard J; van Mechelen, Willem

2010-11-09

To prevent early exit from work, it is important to study which factors contribute to healthy ageing. One concept that is assumed to be closely related to, and therefore may influence healthy ageing, is vitality. Vitality consists of both a mental and a physical component, and is characterised by a perceived high energy level, decreased feelings of fatigue, and feeling fit. Since VO2max gives an indication of one's aerobic fitness, which can be improved by increased levels of physical activity, and because feeling fit is one of the main characteristics of vitality, it is hypothesised that VO2max is related to vitality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between VO2max and vitality. In 427 older workers (aged 45 + years) participating in the Vital@Work study, VO2max was estimated at baseline using the 2-km UKK walk test. Vitality was measured by both the UWES Vitality Scale and the RAND-36 Vitality Scale. Associations were analysed using linear regression analyses. The linear regression models, adjusted for age, showed a significant association between VO2max and vitality measured with the RAND-36 Vitality Scale (β = 0.446; 95% CI: 0.220-0.673). There was no significant association between VO2max and vitality measured with the UWES (β = -0.006; 95% CI:-0.017 - 0.006), after adjusting for age, gender and chronic disease status. VO2max was associated with a general measure of vitality (measured with the RAND-36 Vitality Scale), but not with occupational health related vitality (measured with the UWES Vitality Scale). The idea that physical exercise can be used as an effective tool for improving vitality was supported in this study. NTR1240.

Kunsten at skrive dagbog

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

2009-01-01

Introduktion og redaktion af tematillæg om dagbøger og dagbogslitteratur, med bidrag af Karsten Sand Iversen, Søren Mogensen Larsen, Steen Klitgård Povlsen, Jacob Lund, Jens Blendstrup, Pablo Llambías og optryk af en samtale fra 1972 mellem Walter Höllerer, Uwe Johnson, Max Frisch, Elias Canetti og...

The Measurement of Work Engagement with a Short Questionnaire: A Cross-National Study

Science.gov (United States)

Schaufeli, Wilmar B.; Bakker, Arnold B.; Salanova, Marisa

2006-01-01

This article reports on the development of a short questionnaire to measure work engagement--a positive work-related state of fulfillment that is characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption. Data were collected in 10 different countries (N = 14,521), and results indicated that the original 17-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) can be…

Becoming an Effective Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Leader

Science.gov (United States)

West, Harry; Jenkins, Rhiannon; Hill, Jennifer

2017-01-01

This Directions paper, written by two former Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Leaders, (West and Jenkins) and a PAL Tutor (Hill), will support any geographer considering a PAL role. It reflects their experiences of participating in a PAL scheme at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, United Kingdom, and research conducted with…

Work engagement in employees at professional improvement programs in health

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Elizangela Gianini Gonsalez

2017-09-01

Full Text Available Objective: This study evaluated the levels of engagement at work in enhancement programs and professionals training in health. Method: A cross-sectional study with 82 health professionals enhancement programs and improvement of a public institution in the State of São Paulo, using the Utrech Work Engagement Scale (UWES, a self-administered questionnaire composed of seventeen self-assessment items in three dimensions: vigor, dedication and absorption. The scores were calculated according to the statistical model proposed in the Preliminary Manual UWES. Results: Engagement levels were too high on the force, high dedication and dimension in general score, and medium in size to 71.61% absorption, 58.03%, 53.75% and 51.22% of workers, respectively. The professionals present positive relationship with the work; they are responsible, motivated and dedicated to the job and to the patients. Conclusion: Reinforces the importance of studies that evaluate positive aspects of the relationship between professionals and working environment, contributing to strengthen the programs of improvement, advancing the profile of professionals into the labour market.

The future of bioenergy; Die Zukunft der Bioenergie

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2015-07-01

This volume contains the following five contributions: 1. The impact of the governmental biogas production on agricultural rents in Germany. An econometric study (Hendrik Garvert); 2. Biogas as price drivers on the land and rental market? An Empirical Analysis (Uwe Latacz-Lohmann); 3. Analysis of comparative advantage of bioenergy in electricity and heat production. Greenhouse gas abatement and mitigation costs in Brandenburg (Lukas Scholz); 4. Flexibility potential of biogas and biomethane CHP in the investment portfolio (Matthias Edel); 5. Legal possibilities and limitations of a reform of the system for the promotion of bioenergy (Jose Martinez). [German] Dieser Band enthaelt folgende fuenf Themenbeitraege: 1. Die Auswirkungen der staatlichen Biogasfoerderung auf landwirtschaftliche Pachtpreise in Deutschland. Eine oekonometrische Untersuchung (Hendrik Garvert); 2. Biogas als Preistreiber am Bodenmarkt und Pachtmarkt? Eine empirische Analyse (Uwe Latacz-Lohmann); 3. Analyse komparativer Kostenvorteile von Bioenergielinien in der Strom- und Waermeproduktion Treibhausgasvermeidung und Vermeidungskosten in Brandenburg (Lukas Scholz); 4. Flexibilisierungspotenzial von Biogas- und Biomethan-BHKWs im Anlagenbestand (Matthias Edel); 5. Rechtliche Moeglichkeiten und Grenzen einer Reform des Systems zur Foerderung der Bioenergie (Jose Martinez).

Development, implementation, and impact of a collaborative junior faculty engagement and professional growth program: The Young Faculty Leadership Initiative.

Science.gov (United States)

Pate, Adam; Smith, Jennifer; Caldwell, David; Horace, Alexis; Zagar, Michelle

2018-03-01

To develop, implement, and evaluate the effect of a faculty engagement and professional growth program targeted at junior faculty members. A faculty engagement and growth program based on adult learning theory was piloted in a clinical sciences department. Effect of the model was evaluated using a pre/post-survey evaluating faculty output and work engagement using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Average number of publications/projects with cross-campus collaboration increased (0.58 versus 1.25, P = 0.03, 95%CI 0.059-1.264). Involvement in national/state organizations, number of accepted poster presentations, and grants submitted and/or funded all increased (p>0.05). Total UWES score increased (4.13 vs. 4.495 p = 0.21) with the greatest subscale increase in vigor (3.833 vs 4.347, P = 0.1). A faculty engagement and growth program targeting junior faculty members using adult learning theory as a framework may provide a novel and economic way for schools to support the development of these critical team members. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Estonia ballett üle seitsme aasta taas Pärnus / Silja Joon

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Joon, Silja, 1966-

2010-01-01

Rahvusooperi Estonia balleti kunstiline juht Toomas Edur Estonia balletitrupist ja 20. veebruaril toimuvast kolmest lühiballetist koosnevast balletiõhtust Pärnu kontserdimajas. Esitatakse Bohuslav Martinu "Enne öö saabumist" (koreograaf Nils Christe), Arnold Schönbergi "Pelléas ja Mélisande" (koreograaf Tiit Härm), Robert Schumanni "Teine sümfoonia" (koreograaf Uwe Scholz)

Author Details

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Mostert, K. Vol 21, No 1 (2007) - Articles Burnout and engagement in university students: A psychometric analysis of the MBI-SS and UWES-S Abstract. ISSN: 1011-3487. AJOL African Journals Online. HOW TO USE AJOL... for Researchers · for Librarians · for Authors · FAQ's · More about AJOL · AJOL's Partners · Terms and ...

"Either Side of Delphy Bridge": A Deep Mapping Project Evoking and Engaging the Lives of Older Adults in Rural North Cornwall

Science.gov (United States)

Bailey, Jane; Biggs, Iain

2012-01-01

This article reports on work to date by an arts practice-led research team exploring older adults' conceptions of, and connectivity with, the physical, social and cultural landscapes in which they locate themselves. The team is based at the Department of Art and Design, University of the West of England (UWE) and has conducted fieldwork,…

Towards Improving Students' Attendance and Quality of Undergraduate Tutorials: A Case Study on Law

Science.gov (United States)

Baderin, Mashood A.

2005-01-01

As part of continual efforts towards improving learning and teaching in the faculty, lecturers in the law faculty of the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol debated the question of students' attendance and quality of tutorials in a recent email discussion amongst themselves. At the end of the debate the need for further research on…

Photovoltaic reciprocity and quasi-Fermi level splitting in nanostructure-based solar cells (Conference Presentation)

Science.gov (United States)

Aeberhard, Urs

2017-04-01

The photovoltaic reciprocity theory relates the electroluminescence spectrum of a solar cell under applied bias to the external photovoltaic quantum efficiency of the device as measured at short circuit conditions [1]. So far, the theory has been verified for a wide range of devices and material systems and forms the basis of a growing number of luminesecence imaging techniques used in the characterization of photovoltaic materials, cells and modules [2-5]. However, there are also some examples where the theory fails, such as in the case of amorphous silicon. In our contribution, we critically assess the assumptions made in the derivation of the theory and compare its predictions with rigorous formal relations as well as numerical computations in the framework of a comprehensive quantum-kinetic theory of photovoltaics [6] as applied to ultra-thin absorber architectures [7]. One of the main applications of the photovoltaic reciprocity relation is the determination of quasi-Fermi level splittings (QFLS) in solar cells from the measurement of luminescence. In nanostructure-based photovoltaic architectures, the determination of QFLS is challenging, but instrumental to assess the performance potential of the concepts. Here, we use our quasi-Fermi level-free theory to investigate existence and size of QFLS in quantum well and quantum dot solar cells. [1] Uwe Rau. Reciprocity relation between photovoltaic quantum efficiency and electrolumines- cent emission of solar cells. Phys. Rev. B, 76(8):085303, 2007. [2] Thomas Kirchartz and Uwe Rau. Electroluminescence analysis of high efficiency cu(in,ga)se2 solar cells. J. Appl. Phys., 102(10), 2007. [3] Thomas Kirchartz, Uwe Rau, Martin Hermle, Andreas W. Bett, Anke Helbig, and Jrgen H. Werner. Internal voltages in GaInP-GaInAs-Ge multijunction solar cells determined by electro- luminescence measurements. Appl. Phys. Lett., 92(12), 2008. [4] Thomas Kirchartz, Anke Helbig, Wilfried Reetz, Michael Reuter, Jürgen H. Werner, and

Hvorfor skrive dagbog?

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

2009-01-01

In, red.), Max Frisch havde udgivet andet bind af sine meget populære dagbøger, »Tagebuch 1966-71«, Uwe Johnsons andet bind i »Jahrestage«-romanserien var netop udkommet, og Lars Gustafsson havde i 1971 fået publiceret den stærkt selvbiografiske og dagbogsagtige roman »Herr Gustafsson själv«.   Under...

Geomorphic impacts, age and significance of two giant landslide dams in the Nepal Himalayas: Ringmo-Phoksundo (Dolpo District) and Dhampu-Chhoya (Mustang District).

Science.gov (United States)

Fort, Monique; Braucher, Regis; Bourlès, Didier; Guillou, Valery; Nath Rimal, Lila; Gribenski, Natacha; Cossart, Etienne

2014-05-01

) suggest a single event, in full agreement with other 10Be dates obtained by a different team from the same site (3). This latter event occurred during glaciation, and was likely triggered in connection with the North Himalayan Fault and/or Thakkhola fault activity. Post-landslide dam evolution includes rapid dissection of lacustrine deposits (4), yet the braided pattern of the Kali Gandaki evidence the delay in headward erosion caused by landslide dam persistence. References: (1) Hewitt K., 2009. Catastrophic rock slope failures and late Quaternary developments in the Nanga Parbat-Haramosh Massif, Upper Indus basin, northern Pakistan. Quaternary Science Reviews, 28, 1055-1069; (2) Korup, O., Clague, J.J., 2009. Natural hazards, extreme events, and mountain topography. Quaternary Science Reviews 28, 977-990; (3) Zech R., Zech M, Kubik P.W., Kharki K., Zech W. (2009). Deglaciation and landscape history around Annapurna, Nepal, based on 10Be surface exposure dating, Quaternary Science Reviews, v. 28(11-12), pp.1106-1118; (4) Fort M., Cossart E. (2013) Erosion assessment in the middle Kali Gandaki (Nepal): A sediment budget approach. Journal of Nepal Geological Society, Vol. 46, pp. 25-40.

Cryptogenic transient ischemic attack after nose blowing: association of huge atrial septal aneurysm with patent foramen ovale as potential cause

OpenAIRE

Lotze, Ulrich; Kirsch, Uwe; Ohlow, Marc-Alexander; Scholle, Thorsten; Leonhardi, Jochen; Lauer, Bernward; Oltmanns, Gerhard; Schmidt, Hendrik

2013-01-01

Ulrich Lotze,1 Uwe Kirsch,1 Marc-Alexander Ohlow,2 Thorsten Scholle,3 Jochen Leonhardi,3 Bernward Lauer,2 Gerhard Oltmanns,4 Hendrik Schmidt5,6 1Department of Internal Medicine, DRK Krankenhaus Sondershausen, Sondershausen, Germany; 2Department of Cardiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany; 3Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Germany; 4Department of Internal Medicine, DRK Krankenhaus Sömmerda; Sömmerda, Germany; 5Depar...

Energy Surveys of Army Hospitals, Energy Engineering Analysis Program, Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas. Executive Summary

Science.gov (United States)

1987-12-01

Delta) difference between valuls 0 3 I I I i I b’osoital. rort mood. Texas, I 5. ui’.ber 1984, Contr~ct No~. A634. l53 ’~%di ficatiov, A00001. Z... td thdLl be uWe’ for peattratii’ the aoooeti aralycst at all BCOa and proo jeers. Casetet"cton cost ascalatlsO fetor %rew 1111 *gbdtootem eell ba3

Intragroup and intergroup conflict at work, psychological distress, and work engagement in a sample of employees in Japan.

Science.gov (United States)

Tsuno, Kanami; Kawakami, Norito; Inoue, Akiomi; Ishizaki, Masao; Tabata, Masaji; Tsuchiya, Masao; Akiyama, Miki; Kitazume, Akiko; Kuroda, Mitsuyo; Shimazu, Akihito

2009-12-01

The possible associations of intragroup and intergroup conflict at work with psychological distress and work engagement were investigated in a cross-sectional study in a manufacturing factory in Japan. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to all employees, and 255 responses were returned (a response rate of 84%). Data from 247 workers (187 males and 60 females) with no missing values were analyzed. Intragroup and intergroup conflict at work, psychological distress, and work engagement were measured by the NIOSH-GJSQ, K6, and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), respectively. An ANCOVA was conducted to compare K6 and UWES-9 scores among the tertiles on intragroup conflict or intergroup conflict scores, adjusting for demographic and occupational variables as well as worksite social support, separately for males and females. Intragroup conflict was associated with greater psychological distress for males (p for trend=0.009). Intergroup conflict was marginally significantly associated with psychological distress for both males and females (p for trend=0.050 and 0.051, respectively). Contrary to expectation, intergroup conflict was significantly associated with greater work engagement for females (p for trend=0.024). For males, intragroup and intergroup conflict at work may increase psychological distress; for females, intergroup conflict may increase both psychological distress and work engagement.

Minimally invasive aesthetic procedures in young adults

OpenAIRE

Wollina, Uwe; Goldman, Alberto

2011-01-01

Uwe Wollina1, Alberto Goldman21Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany; 2Clinica Goldman, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande du Sul, BrazilAbstract: Age is a significant factor in modifying specific needs when it comes to medical aesthetic procedures. In this review we will focus on young adults in their third decade of life and review minimally invasive aesthetic procedures other than cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. Correction of asy...

Condyloma-like squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: report of two midline cases

OpenAIRE

Verma, Shyam B; Wollina, Uwe

2012-01-01

Shyam B Verma,1 Uwe Wollina21Nirvana Clinic, Vadodara, Gujarat, India; 2Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, GermanyAbstract: Vulvar cancer is uncommon and may be confused with genital condylomata. We report two cases of middle-aged women presenting with exophytic vulvar tumors of the midline for which diagnosis of a vulvar squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed by histopathology. Risk factors, staging, and treatment options are...

Lühiajaline. Suuremõõtmeline / Indrek Grigor

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Grigor, Indrek

2010-01-01

3. septembril 2010 avati Eesti Rahva Muuseumi Raadi mõisapargis skulptuurinäitus töödest, mis valmisid rahvusvahelise skulptuurisümpoosioni "Lühiajaline. Suuremõõtmeline" (25. 08.-03. 09. 2010) käigus ja mis jäävad parki aastaks. Sümpoosioni peakorraldajad: Jevgeni Zolotko ja Bruno Kadak, osalesid: Uwe Schloen (Saksamaa), Csilla Nagy (Ungari), Gleb Netšvolodov (Inglismaa), Ahti Seppet, Eike Eplik ja Jevgeni Zolotko (Eesti)

Burning feet in polycythemia vera – peripheral sensorimotor axonal neuropathy with erythromelalgia

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wollina U

2015-02-01

Full Text Available Uwe Wollina Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany Abstract: Polycythemia vera is a rare myeloproliferative disease. Cutaneous symptoms are uncommon. We report about a 72-year-old female patient with JAK2V617F-positive polycythemia who developed peripheral sensorimotor axonal neuropathy and erythromelalgia. Possible causes and treatment are discussed. Keywords: bone marrow diseases, myeloproliferative diseases, JAK2 mutations, burning sensations, peripheral neuropathy

Predictability of the individual clinical outcome of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for cellulite

OpenAIRE

Schlaudraff, Kai-Uwe; Kiessling, Maren C; Császár, Nikolaus BM; Schmitz, Christoph

2014-01-01

Kai-Uwe Schlaudraff,1 Maren C Kiessling,2 Nikolaus BM Császár,2 Christoph Schmitz21Concept Clinic, Geneva, Switzerland; 2Department of Anatomy II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, GermanyBackground: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been successfully introduced for the treatment of cellulite in recent years. However, it is still unknown whether the individual clinical outcome of cellulite treatment with extracorporeal shock wave therapy can be predict...

High school students' work engagement in practical teaching

OpenAIRE

Milanović-Dobrota Biljana Z.; Radić-Šestić Marina N.

2017-01-01

The current interest in introducing the dual education system into Serbian secondary education has drawn our attention to the question of students' self-perception in the process of practical teaching. The idea that underpins this paper is the supposition that students are affectively engaged with the work activities they perform. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) (Schaufeli et al., 2002) has been used for assessing students' work engagement in practical teaching. A study was conducted...

Discursos sobre afetos docentes: uma ortopedia de gênero?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Juliana Ribeiro Vargas

2011-12-01

Full Text Available O presente trabalho a partir das contribuições dos Estudos Culturais em Educação em sua vertente pós-estruturalista e dos Estudos desenvolvidos por Michel Foucault tem como objetivo problematizar a naturalização com que os afetos docentes vêm sendo descritos na cena educacional contemporânea e assumidos pelas professoras enquanto um atributo imanente ao profissional da educação. Desse modo, para realizar o intento proposto, a metodologia investigativa teve como inspiração, a pesquisa desenvolvida por Abramowski (2010, a respeito dos afetos docentes e as relações pedagógicas estabelecidas por professores dos anos iniciais de escolas Argentinas. Na esteira de tal pesquisa, foram realizadas vinte entrevistas semi estruturadas com docentes da Rede Pública de Ensino de Porto Alegre, tendo em vista conhecer as concepções de afeto das mesmas e as implicações de seus discursos com o trabalho pedagógico desenvolvido nas salas de aula em que atuavam. Através da análise do discurso de inspiração foucaultiana, foi possível perceber a operacionalização de certa ortopedia generificada dos afetos docentes, a recorrência de enunciados sustentados por saberes emergentes da psicologia das relações humanas, das pedagogias críticas e dos livros de auto-ajuda para professores que se disseminam no meio educacional brasileiro.

Impact of aerobic exercise on sleep and motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorders – a pilot study

OpenAIRE

Br; S; Jossen S; Holsboer-Trachsler E; Pühse U; Gerber M

2015-01-01

Serge Brand,1,2,* Stefanie Jossen,2,* Edith Holsboer-Trachsler,1 Uwe Pühse,2 Markus Gerber21Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), 2Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland*These authors contributed equally to this work and share the first authorshipBackground: Prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have increased dramatically in the last two decad...

ENGAGEMENT AND BURNOUT AMONG NURSING AND PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS IN SLOVAKIA

OpenAIRE

Zuzana Škodová; Ľubica Bánovčinová; Petra Lajčiaková

2017-01-01

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the differences in engagement and burnout syndrome in students of nursing/midwifery and psychology in Slovakia. Design: A cross-sectional design was used. Methods: 171 university students on a baccalaureate program participated in the research (90.9% females; age 20.6 ± 1.3; 80 psychology students, 91 nursing/midwifery students). The School Burnout Inventory (SBI) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were employed as measurement methods. Results: A...

Someone to talk to: Using automated characters to support simulated learning activities

OpenAIRE

Falconer, L.; Frutos-Perez, M.

2011-01-01

The University of the West of England (UWE) has a large number of students who will pursue subsequent careers in a wide range of professional fields such as engineering, law, business, nursing, teaching, psychology, criminology and design. An important part of that education is the ability to relate theory to practice (Barrett 2011), and developments in technology over the past years have now created opportunities to enable students to experience simulations of events and situations that are ...

Impact of aerobic exercise on sleep and motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorders – a pilot study

OpenAIRE

Brand, Serge; Jossen,Stefanie; Holsboer-Trachsler,Edith; Pühse,Uwe; Gerber,Markus

2015-01-01

Serge Brand,1,2,* Stefanie Jossen,2,* Edith Holsboer-Trachsler,1 Uwe Pühse,2 Markus Gerber21Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), 2Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland*These authors contributed equally to this work and share the first authorshipBackground: Prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have increased dramatically in the last two d...

Physical and psychosocial indicators among office workers from public sector with and without musculoskeletal symptoms.

Science.gov (United States)

Barbieri, Dechristian França; Nogueira, Helen Cristina; Bergamin, Letícia Januário; Oliveira, Ana Beatriz

2012-01-01

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) are the result of the combination of different risk factors. They are very common among computer workers, mainly when neck and upper limbs are considered. Forty-two office workers from a public university participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: Symptomatic Subjects (SS, n=20) and Asymptomatic Subjects (AS, n=22), according to the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Psychosocial indicators were assessed using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Workplaces were evaluated according to the Ergonomic Workplace Analysis (EWA), proposed by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The NMQ showed higher weekly prevalence of complaints on neck, shoulders and wrist/hands (p=0.00) among SS. The annual prevalence of symptoms on wrist/hands was also higher among SS (p=0.02). The JCQ did not show any difference between groups (p>0.05). Higher proportion of servers with 'high level' of engagement, dedication and absorption, according to UWES, was identified among SS (p<0.01). EWA showed worse scores for 'Work Site', 'Job Content' and 'Repetitiveness of the Work' among SS (p<0.05). Servers are exposed to physical and psychosocial risk factors that can contribute to the development of WRMD. Work conditions need to be change in order to improve musculoskeletal health.

Job demands, job resources, and work engagement of Japanese employees: a prospective cohort study.

Science.gov (United States)

Inoue, Akiomi; Kawakami, Norito; Tsuno, Kanami; Shimazu, Akihito; Tomioka, Kimiko; Nakanishi, Mayuko

2013-05-01

Research on the prospective association of job demands and job resources with work engagement is still limited in Asian countries, such as Japan. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prospective association of job demands (i.e., psychological demands and extrinsic effort) and job resources (i.e., decision latitude, supervisor support, co-worker support, and extrinsic reward), based on the job demands-control (JD-C) [or demand-control-support (DCS)] model and the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model, with work engagement among Japanese employees. The participants included 423 males and 672 females from five branches of a manufacturing company in Japan. Self-administered questionnaires, including the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERIQ), the nine-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), and demographic characteristics, were administered at baseline (August 2009). At one-year follow-up (August 2010), the UWES-9 was used again to assess work engagement. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and work engagement at baseline, higher psychological demands and decision latitude were positively and significantly associated with greater work engagement at follow-up (β = 0.054, p = 0.020 for psychological demands and β = 0.061, p = 0.020 for decision latitude). Having higher psychological demands and decision latitude may enhance work engagement among Japanese employees.

Psychosocial Risk Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among White and Blue-collar Workers at Private and Public Sectors.

Science.gov (United States)

Januario, Leticia B; Batistao, Mariana V; Coury, Helenice Jcg; Oliveira, Ana Beatriz; Sato, Tatiana O

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate musculoskeletal and psychosocial perception and compare these conditions regarding the type of job (white or blue-collar) and the type of management model (private or public). Forty-seven public white-collar (PuWC), 84 private white-collar (PrWC) and 83 blue-collar workers (PrBC) were evaluated. Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were applied to evaluate psychosocial factors. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to assess musculoskeletal symptoms. Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) was measured to evaluate sensory responses. According to JCQ, all groups were classified as active profile. There was a significant association between work engagement and workers' categories (p workers had the highest scores for all the UWES domains, while PrBC had the lowest ones. PPT showed that PrBC workers had an increased sensitivity for left deltoid (p workers had an increased sensitivity for both epicondyles than PuWC (right p  0.05). This study showed differences in psychosocial risk factors and musculoskeletal symptoms in workers engaged in different types of jobs and work organization. Personal and work-related characteristics, psychosocial factors and PPT responses were different across workers' group. Despite all, there was no significant difference in reported symptoms across the groups, possibly indicating that the physical load is similar among the sectors.

Spectral analysis of underwater explosions in the Dead Sea

Science.gov (United States)

Gitterman, Y.; Ben-Avraham, Z.; Ginzburg, A.

1998-08-01

The present study utilizes the Israel Seismic Network (ISN) as a spatially distributed multichannel system for the discrimination of low-magnitude events (ML UWEs) and 16 earthquakes in the magnitude range ML = 1.6-2.8, within distances of 10-150 km, recorded by the ISN, were selected for the analysis. The analysis is based on a smoothed (0.5 Hz window) Fourier spectrum of the whole signal (defined by the signal-to-noise criterion), without picking separate wave phases. It was found that the classical discriminant of the seismic energy ratio between the relatively low-frequency (1-6 Hz) and high-frequency (6-11 Hz) bands, averaged over an ISN subnetwork, showed an overlap between UWEs and earthquakes and cannot itself provide reliable identification. We developed and tested a new multistation discriminant based on the low- frequency spectral modulation (LFSM) method. In our case the LFSM is associated with the bubbling effect in underwater explosions. The method demonstrates a distinct azimuth-invariant coherency of spectral shapes in the low-frequency range (1-12 Hz) of short-period seismometer systems. The coherency of the modulated spectra for different ISN stations was measured by semblance statistics commonly used in seismic prospecting for phase correlation in the time domain. The modified statistics provided an almost complete separation between earthquakes and underwater explosions.

Resiliencia y engagement en el sector hotelero en la ciudad de Mar del Plata

OpenAIRE

Redondo, Ana Isabel; Arraigada, Mariana Cecilia

2015-01-01

Desde el marco de la psicología de la salud ocupacional positiva, nos proponemos realizar un estudio descriptivo sobre las variables resiliencia y engagement en el sector hotelero de la ciudad de Mar del Plata. Para tal fin, se utilizaran dos instrumentos con formato de cuestionario auto-administrado, a saber: RSA (Escala de Resiliencia en Adultos) y UWES (Utrech Work Engagement Scale) que miden dichas variables a aplicar en una muestra compuesta por 80 personas, todas ellas empleados de dos ...

Adaptation and Validation of the Brazilian Version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale

OpenAIRE

Vazquez, Ana Claudia Souza; Magnan, Emília dos Santos; Pacico, Juliana Cerentini; Hutz, Claudio Simon; Schaufeli, Wilmar B.

2015-01-01

Engagement at work is a positive mental and dispositional state characterized by Vigor, Dedication and Concentration. The aim of this study was to adapt and get evidence of validity for the Brazilian version of the utrecht work engagement scale (UWES). Participated in the study 1167 workers between 18 and 70 years (M = 36.8, SD = 10.3) in the Brazilian regions. Studies to establish content and construct validity with the 17- item and the 9- item scales were performed. Exploratory and confirma...

Green Capital: Student Capital student-led evaluation

OpenAIRE

Runkle, Q.; Haines, T.; Piper, K.; Leach, S.

2016-01-01

To assess and evaluate the impact of the Green Capital: Student Capital project, the partnership (the University of the West of England, the University of Bristol, the Students’ Union at UWE, and Bristol Students’ Union) worked with NUS to train a team of students from both universities to lead an evaluation process. There were two key aims for the evaluation: \\ud \\ud • To verify the quantitative outputs of the Green Capital: Student Capital project; \\ud • And to make a qualitative assessment...

Niveles de engagement y burnout en voluntarios universitarios: Un estudio exploratorio y descriptivo.

OpenAIRE

Silva Peralta, Yamila Fernanda; Carena Colón, Marianela Yanel; Canuto Juárez, Mario

2015-01-01

Se presentan los resultados de una investigación exploratoria-descriptiva cuyo objetivo fue conocer los niveles de engagement y burnout en un grupo de voluntarios universitarios que participan de proyectos de extensión y voluntariado en la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP) (N=31). Se administró una entrevista semi-estructurada y los instrumentos MBI (Maslach Burnout Inventory) y UWES (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale) con la finalidad de evaluar niveles de burnout y engagement respec...

Relación del burnout y el engagement con depresión, ansiedad y rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios

OpenAIRE

Carmen Caballero Domínguez; Orlando González Gutiérrez; Jorge Palacio Sañudo

2015-01-01

Objetivo: Analizar las relaciones entre burnout y engagement con ansiedad, depresión y rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios de programas de salud. Materiales y métodos: El diseño fue observacional, correlacional, multivariado; la muestra, aleatoria y estratificada, de 802 estudiantes de programas de salud de universidades de Barranquilla. Instrumentos: MBISS, UWES-S, STAI e Inventario de Depresión de Beck. Resultados: El análisis de las correspondencias múltiples entre las vari...

Acoustic wave emission for enhanced oil recovery (WAVE.O.R.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reichmann, S.; Amro, M.; Giese, R.; Jaksch, K.; Krauss, F.; Krueger, K.; Jurczyk, A.

2016-09-01

In the project WAVE.O.R the potential of acoustic waves to enhance oil recovery was reviewed. The project focused on laboratory experiments of the oil displacement in sandstone cores under acoustic stimulation. Additionally, the Seismic Prediction While Drilling (SPWD) borehole device prototype was set up for a feasibility field test. The laboratory experiments showed that, depending on the stimulation frequency, acoustic stimulation allows for an enhanced oil recovery. For single frequency stimulation a mean increase of 3 % pore volumes was observed at distinguished frequencies. A cyclic stimulation, where two of these frequencies were combined, an increase of 5% pore volume was observed. The SPWD borehole device was tested and adjusted during feasibility tests in the GFZ underground laboratory in the research and education mine ''Reiche Zeche'' of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and in the GFZ KTB-Deep Laboratory in Windischeschenbach. The first successful test of the device under realistic conditions was performed at the test site ''Piana di Toppo'' of the OGS Trieste, Italy.

Evaluation of flipped teaching

OpenAIRE

Henderson, K.; Hobbs, C.; Last, K.

2017-01-01

We report on our evaluation of flipping the classroom for two modules: a compulsory first year calculus module and an optional second year coding theory module taken by Mathe-matics students at the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE). Flipped teaching is a change to the traditional lecture model used in universities for hundreds of years. In the traditional model the lecturer is in charge of the class and largely dictates the content and pace at which this is delivered. The idea ...

Engajamento no Trabalho: Um Estudo em Profissionais Multidisciplinares de Saúde em um Município da Região Sul

OpenAIRE

Freitas, Lori Ane Vargas de; Charão-Brito, Lucas

2017-01-01

Profissionais engajados demonstram maior entusiasmo, iniciativa e recursos internos para lidar com as exigências do trabalho. Diante disso, este estudo tem o objetivo de identificar e descrever o engajamento no trabalho em profissionais multidisciplinares de uma secretaria de saúde em um município da Região Sul. Para tanto, esta pesquisa está pautada em um estudo descritivo e quantitativo a partir da utilização do instrumento de coleta de dados Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Os dados o...

Resilience, post-traumatic growth, and work engagement among health care professionals after the Great East Japan Earthquake: A 4-year prospective follow-up study.

Science.gov (United States)

Nishi, Daisuke; Kawashima, Yuzuru; Noguchi, Hiroko; Usuki, Masato; Yamashita, Akihiro; Koido, Yuichi; Matsuoka, Yutaka J

2016-07-22

Although attention has been paid to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among health care professionals after disasters, the impact of traumatic events on their work has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine whether disaster-related distress, resilience, and post-traumatic growth (PTG) affect work engagement among health care professionals who had been deployed to the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011. We recruited disaster medical assistance team members who were engaged in rescue activities after the earthquake. The short version of the Resilience Scale (RS-14) and Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) were administered one month after the earthquake, and the short form of Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (SF-PTGI) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were administered four years after the earthquake. Work engagement is composed of vigor, dedication, and absorption. Regression analyses were used to examine the relationship of UWES with RS-14, PDI, and SF-PTGI. We obtained baseline data of 254 participants in April 2011, and 191 (75.2%) completed the follow-up assessment between December 2014 and March 2015. The results showed that RS-14 predicted vigor, dedication, and absorption; in addition, SF-PTGI was positively related with these three parameters (pwork engagement among health care professionals after disasters. These findings could be useful for establishing a support system after rescue activities during a large-scale disaster and for managing work-related stress among health care professionals.

Is cancer survivorship associated with reduced work engagement? A NOCWO Study.

Science.gov (United States)

Berg Gudbergsson, Saevar; Fosså, Sophie D; Dahl, Alv A

2008-09-01

This study explores work engagement in employed tumor-free cancer survivors (CSs) compared to matched controls from the general population (NORM). The sample consisted of 446 CSs tumor-free after primary treatment [226 females with breast cancer and 220 males (166 testicular cancer and 54 prostate cancer)] diagnosed 2-6 years prior to the study. All had returned to work and had favourable prognosis. NORM sample consisted of 588 employed controls (319 females, 269 males). All CSs and NORM filled in a mailed questionnaire covering demography, morbidity, and work-related issues including work engagement which was self-rated by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). No differences in work engagement were observed between the CSs and NORM measured by the UWES total scale score or by the Dedication and Absorption domain scores. The Vigor domains score was statistically lower among CSs (p = .03), but the effect size was only 0.19. The CSs reported significantly poorer work ability, poorer health status, greater numbers of disease symptoms, more anxiety, and reduced physical quality of life, and scored significantly higher on both neuroticism and extraversion. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR CSS: In spite of poorer health CSs who had returned to work after their treatment for breast, prostate, and testicular cancer showed similar work engagement as individuals without cancer. In such CSs employers have no reason to expect reduced work engagement. Future research should preferably have a prospective and comparative design.

Engagement no Trabalho em Residentes Médicos de Pediatria

OpenAIRE

Teixeira, Priscila Regina; Lourenção, Luciano Garcia; Gazetta, Cláudia Eli; Gonsalez, Elizangela Gianini; Rotta, Daniela Salvagni; Pinto, Maria Helena; Peres, Lilian; Beretta, Denise

2017-01-01

RESUMO Objetivos Avaliar os índices de engagement no trabalho em residentes médicos de Pediatria. Métodos Amostra composta por 36 profissionais matriculados no programa de residência médica em Pediatria da Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto no ano de 2013. Os dados foram coletados de setembro de 2013 a fevereiro de 2014, utilizando-se a Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (Uwes) – Escala Utrecht de Engajamento no Trabalho –, composta por 17 itens de autoavaliação com três dimensões,...

Entusiasmo por el trabajo (engagement): un estudio de validez en profesionales de la docencia en Lima, Perú / Work engagement: a validity study in teaching professionals from Lima, Perú

OpenAIRE

Cinthya Flores Jiménez; Manuel Fernández Arata; Arturo Juárez García; César Merino Soto; Marisut Guimet Castro

2015-01-01

RESUMEN El entusiasmo por el trabajo (work engagement) es un constructo que integra sentimientos de Vigor, Dedicación y Absorción (Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá y Bakker, 2002). El presente estudio tiene por objetivo investigar la validez factorial de la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) en las versiones de 15 y 9 ítems en una muestra de 145 profesores de la ciudad de Lima, Perú. Se utilizaron análisis exploratorios y análisis factoriales confirmatorios. Los resultados mostraron que l...

Minimal Composite Inflation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Channuie, Phongpichit; Jark Joergensen, Jakob; Sannino, Francesco

2011-01-01

We investigate models in which the inflaton emerges as a composite field of a four dimensional, strongly interacting and nonsupersymmetric gauge theory featuring purely fermionic matter. We show that it is possible to obtain successful inflation via non-minimal coupling to gravity, and that the u......We investigate models in which the inflaton emerges as a composite field of a four dimensional, strongly interacting and nonsupersymmetric gauge theory featuring purely fermionic matter. We show that it is possible to obtain successful inflation via non-minimal coupling to gravity...

ENGAGEMENT AND BURNOUT AMONG NURSING AND PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS IN SLOVAKIA

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zuzana Škodová

2017-05-01

Full Text Available Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the differences in engagement and burnout syndrome in students of nursing/midwifery and psychology in Slovakia. Design: A cross-sectional design was used. Methods: 171 university students on a baccalaureate program participated in the research (90.9% females; age 20.6 ± 1.3; 80 psychology students, 91 nursing/midwifery students. The School Burnout Inventory (SBI and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES were employed as measurement methods. Results: A significant negative association between levels of burnout and engagement (R = 0.42; p < 0.01 was found. A linear regression model showed a significant effect of engagement on burnout (β = -0.34; 95% CI: -0.50; -0.19. However, the total explained variance was only 19.4%. Students of psychology scored higher in engagement compared to nursing and midwifery students (t = 6.89; p < 0.001. Conversely, midwifery and nursing students had higher levels of burnout compared to the group of psychology students (t = -4.55; p < 0,001. Conclusion: Nursing is considered to be a high risk profession in terms of development of burnout, which was demonstrated in this study by the higher burnout, and lower engagement levels in nursing and midwifery students. Higher attention to coping mechanisms for stress and burnout symptoms among students of healthcare professions is required in the school curriculum, especially in nursing programs. Keywords: burnout syndrome, engagement, students of nursing, midwifery, students of psychology, School Burnout Inventory (SBI, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES.

Biogas upgrading to biomethane. Proceedings; Biogasaufbereitung zu Biomethan. Tagungsband

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2008-12-05

Within the 6th Hanauer Dialogue 'Biogas upgrading to biomethane' at 21st February, 2008, the following lectures were held: (a) Processing of biogas - an introduction (Michael Beil); (b) The climate protecting targets of the Federal Republic of Germany: Which role will play the upgrading of biogas, and which legal boundary conditions are created by the Federal Government? (Uwe Holzhammer); (c) Future strategy: CH{sub 4} grids (Juergen Schmid); (d) Biogas upgrading and biomethane utilization in Sweden (Anneli Petersson); (e) Biogas upgrading and utilization of bio methane in Switzerland (Arthur Wellinger); (f) Biogas upgrading by means of pressure swing adsorption (Alfons Schulte-Schulze Berndt); (g) Biogas upgrading by means of pressurized water washing (Ulf Richter); (h) Biogas upgrading for feeding in public grids. The case of biogas plant Bruck a.d. Leitha (Michael Harasek); (i) Biogas upgrading by means of chemical absorption according to the LP Cooab process (Jerome van Beek); (j) Practical experiences in unpressurized amine washing MT bio methane (Karsten Wuensche); (k) Biogas upgrading by means of organic physical washing with HAASE biogas amplifiers (Roland Kahn); (l) Upgrading using cryogenic technology; the GPP registered -system (Jeroen de Pater); (m) Micro Gas Distribution Systems: Alternatives to biogas upgrading and grid injection (Michael Beil, Bernd Krautkremer); (n) Feeding of exchange gas. The case of project Straelen and Kerpen (Frank Schaefer); (o) Feeding of biogas from the view of grid operators (Norbert Nordmeyer); BIOGASMAX: Biogas as Vehicle Fuel - Market Expansion to 2020 Air Quality (Michael Beil, Uwe Hoffstede); (p) Study: Feeding of biogas into the natural gas distribution system (Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe).

Saul Fia

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gonçal Mayos

2017-11-01

Full Text Available Reseña de: Saul fia (El hijo de Saúl, Año 2015, Duración 107 min., País Hungría, Director László Nemes, Guión László Nemes, Clara Royer, Música László Melis, Fotografía Mátyás Erdély; Reparto: Géza Röhrig,  Levente Molnár,  Urs Rechn,  Sándor Zsótér,  Todd Charmont,  Björn Freiberg,  Uwe Lauer,  Attila Fritz,  Kamil Dobrowolski,  Christian Harting;  Productora Laokoon Filmgroup.

Background intercomparison with escape-suppressed germanium detectors in underground mines

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Szuecs, Tamas; Bemmerer, Daniel [Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden (Germany)

2014-07-01

A key requirement for underground nuclear astrophysics experiments is the very low background level in germanium detectors underground. The reference for these purposes is the world's so far only underground accelerator laboratory for nuclear astrophysics, LUNA. LUNA is located deep underground in the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, shielded from cosmic rays by 1400 m of rock. The background at LUNA was studied in detail using an escape-suppressed Clover-type HPGe detector. Exactly the same detector was subsequently transported to the Felsenkeller underground laboratory in Dresden, shielded by 45 m of rock, and the background was shown to be only a factor of three higher than at LUNA when comparing the escape-suppressed spectra, with interesting consequences for underground nuclear astrophysics. As the next step of a systematic study of the effects of a combination of active and passive shielding on the cosmic ray induced background, this detector is now being brought to the ''Reiche Zeche'' mine in Freiberg/Sachsen, shielded by 150 m of rock. The data from the Freiberg measurement are shown and discussed.

Acoustic wave emission for enhanced oil recovery (WAVE.O.R.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reichmann, S.; Amro, M. [TU Bergakademie, Freiberg (Germany); Giese, R.; Jaksch, K.; Krauss, F.; Krueger, K.; Jurczyk, A. [Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam - Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ, Potsdam (Germany)

2016-09-15

In the project WAVE.O.R the potential of acoustic waves to enhance oil recovery was reviewed. The project focused on laboratory experiments of the oil displacement in sandstone cores under acoustic stimulation. Additionally, the Seismic Prediction While Drilling (SPWD) borehole device prototype was set up for a feasibility field test. The laboratory experiments showed that, depending on the stimulation frequency, acoustic stimulation allows for an enhanced oil recovery. For single frequency stimulation a mean increase of 3 % pore volumes was observed at distinguished frequencies. A cyclic stimulation, where two of these frequencies were combined, an increase of 5% pore volume was observed. The SPWD borehole device was tested and adjusted during feasibility tests in the GFZ underground laboratory in the research and education mine ''Reiche Zeche'' of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and in the GFZ KTB-Deep Laboratory in Windischeschenbach. The first successful test of the device under realistic conditions was performed at the test site ''Piana di Toppo'' of the OGS Trieste, Italy.

Investeerija märksõnad : USA ning tervishoiu- ja IT-sektor / Uwe Zöllner

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

Zöllner, Uwe

2008-01-01

USA elanike tarbimise mõjust globaalsele majandusruumile. Aktsiainvesteeringuid plaanides tasuks silmas pidada tervishoiu- ja infotehnoloogiasektori ettevõtteid ning vaadata USA poole. Lisa: Hiina eksport võrreldes riigisisese tarbimisega

Positive engagement and job resources in dental practice.

Science.gov (United States)

Gorter, Ronald C; Te Brake, Hans J H M; Hoogstraten, Johan; Eijkman, Michiel A J

2008-02-01

The aim of this study is to determine the level of engagement among dentists, and subsequently, to investigate which dental job resources are positively correlated with engagement. By stratifying on gender, age, and region, a representative sample of 848 general dental practitioners was drawn at random, plus an extra group of 95 female dentists for gender comparison purposes. Engagement was assessed using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), consisting of three subscales: Vigor, Dedication; and Absorption. Job resources were measured using the Dentists' Experienced Job Resources Scale (DEJRS). Six hundred and thirty two dentists (67%) responded, 76% male and 25% female. Mean age: 44.6 years (SD = 9.0). Engagement: Dedication and Absorption mean scores were higher among dentists when compared with manual norm scores, based upon a variety of professions, whereas Vigor mean scores were comparable to manual norm scores. Job resources:'Immediate results / Aesthetics' and '(Long term) Patient results' showed highest mean scores among all dentists. Gender differences were found on '(Long term) Patient results' and 'Patient care'. Engagement and job resources: All DEJRS subscales and the full scale showed statistically significant positive correlations (pmcc) with the UWES subscales. Dentists showed relatively high mean scores on an engagement measure when compared with manual norm scores. No gender differences in mean scores were found. Job resources most valued were 'Immediate results / Aesthetics'. The job resources, 'Idealism/Pride' and 'Patient care', showed most predictive value with regard to engagement among dentists. In order to prevent burnout, it is recommended to raise dentists' awareness of the importance to create sufficient time and space for stimulating aspects in their work.

Leveraging Spatial Data to Assess Where Sewers Leak and Impinge on Urban Water Quality

Science.gov (United States)

Holden, P. A.; Roehrdanz, P.; Lee, D. G.; Feraud, M.; Maier, M.; Means, J. C.; Snyder, S.

2017-12-01

In the modern urban water environment (UWE), engineered systems provide wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse; stormwater and graywater management; and potable water treatment, distribution and conservation. Underpinning such systems are physical, private and public, infrastructures whose integrities impinge on major goals of protecting groundwater and surface water resources, managing flooding, and securing safe drinking water. Here we study sanitary sewers, i.e. the main pipes in wastewater collection systems that improve public health by reducing pathogen exposure, and that afford reclaiming water for beneficial reuse. We ask: what is the relationship between sanitary sewer integrity and nearby water quality? Research methods include acquiring spatially defined sewer metadata that are analyzed using a published pipe leakage algorithm with variables of age, depth, materials of construction, length, diameter, slope, and nature of overburden. By executing the algorithm within a geographical information system (GIS), coupled with relating leakage probabilities to shallow groundwater table proximities—also digitally assembled, from well depth data—maps of wastewater exfiltration scores were produced for a city. Field sampling shallow groundwater allowed assessing concentrations of wastewater indicator compounds including personal care products and pharmaceuticals (PCPPs), and showing positive relationships between wastewater exfiltration scores and tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF), reactive nitrogen species, an artificial sweetener acesulfame, and a stable isotope of oxygen (δ18O). The approach is extended to surface waters, where exfiltrating wastewater may transport from leaking sanitary sewers through the unsaturated zone to nearby storm drains or to storm drains that are submerged in contaminated groundwater. Spatially assessing sewer interactions within the UWE, as such, could aid urban infrastructure management and investment.

Nano-JASMINE: use of AGIS for the next astrometric satellite

Science.gov (United States)

Yamada, Y.; Gouda, N.; Lammers, U.

The core data reduction for the Nano-JASMINE mission is planned to be done with Gaia's Astrometric Global Iterative Solution (AGIS). The collaboration started at 2007 prompted by Uwe Lammers' proposal. In addition to similar design and operating principles of the two missions, this is possible thanks to the encapsulation of all Gaia-specific aspects of AGIS in a Parameter Database. Nano-JASMINE will be the test bench for Gaia AGIS software. We present this idea in detail and the necessary practical steps to make AGIS work with Nano-JASMINE data. We also show the key mission parameters, goals, and status of the data reduction for the Nano-JASMINE.

Age and race differences on career adaptability and employee engagement amongst employees in an insurance company

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rebecca Tladinyane

2015-12-01

Full Text Available The objective of the study was to determine whether age and race groups differ significantly regarding career adaptability (measured by Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS and employee engagement measured by Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES. A quantitative survey was conducted with a convenience sample (N = 131 of employees in an insurance company within South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed to achieve the objective of the study. The results showed significant differences between age and race groups in relation to the constructs. Organisations need to recognise biographical differences with regards to career adaptability and employee engagement with reference to engagement interventions and the career counselling setting.

BepiColombo mission to be presented to the media

Science.gov (United States)

2008-01-01

After a competitive phase started in 2001, ESA has awarded Astrium the prime contract to build BepiColombo. The contract signature ceremony will take place in presence of the Prime Minister of Baden Württemberg (Germany), Dr. Guenther Oettinger, and will mark the kick-off of the industrial development of the spacecraft. BepiColombo will be launched in 2013. It consists of two spacecraft - an orbiter for planetary investigation, led by ESA, and one for magnetospheric studies, led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The satellite duo will reach Mercury in 2019 after a six-year journey towards the inner Solar System, to make the most extensive and detailed study of Mercury ever attempted. The press event will feature a thorough presentation of the mission and its objectives, as well as the technical challenges that Astrium will have to address. Such challenges derive from the difficulty of reaching, surviving and operating in the harsh environment of a planet so close to Sun, making of BepiColombo one of the most complex long-term planetary projects undertaken by ESA so far. Media interested to attend are invited to register by the reply form attached below. Visit of Prime Minister Guenther Oettinger and BepiColombo Contract Signature Event programme 18 January 2008, h 10:30 Astrium Friedrichshafen, Germany Claude-Dornier-Straße, 88090 Immenstaad Building 8, Room "Meersburg" 10:30 Check-in 11:00 Welcome and introduction, Uwe Minne, Astrium, Director of Earth Observation and Science, Head of Friedrichshafen Site 11:05 BepiColombo in the context of the ESA Science Programme, Jacques Louet, ESA Head of Science Projects Departments 11:10 BepiColombo's scientific objectives, Johannes Benkhoff, ESA, BepiColombo Project Scientist 11:20 The BepiColombo mission, Jan van Casteren, ESA, BepiColombo Project Manager 11:30 BepiColombo's technical challenges, Rainer Best, Astrium, BepiColombo Project Manager 11:40 Q&A 12:00 Buffet lunch 13:00 Arrival of Prime

Inteligencia emocional y vínculo laboral en trabajadores del Centro San Camilo Emotional intelligence and engagement in San Camilo Centre workers

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cristina Liébana Presa

2012-06-01

Full Text Available Las organizaciones están comprometidas desde hace tiempo con la promoción de la salud y del bienestar de los trabajadores. Con este referente se realizó el presente estudio; el objetivo fue describir y analizar las asociaciones que existen entre las variables inteligencia emocional y engagement. La población fueron 150 trabajadores del Centro San Camilo. Los instrumentos de evaluación utilizados son la escala de Inteligencia Emocional (EIE-33, la escala de Inteligencia Emocional (EIE-25, el Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24 y cuestionario de Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES. Es un estudio descriptivo correlacional. En los trabajadores del Centro San Camilo existe asociación entre la inteligencia emocional y el engagement. Así la inteligencia emocional, entendida como la capacidad para adquirir habilidades o competencias para la adaptación de las demandas profesionales, potencia un estado mental positivo relacionado con el trabajo y ello repercute en la calidad asistencial y en la salud de la población atendida.For some time organizations are committed with health promotion and workers welfare. Under this concern this study has been conducted; the aim was to describe and analyse the existing associations between emotional intelligence and engagement variables. The population were 150 workers from San Camilo Centre. The assessment instruments used were the scale of Emotional Intelligence (EIE-33, the scale of Emotional Intelligence (EIE-25, the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-25 and the questionnaire of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES. It is a descriptive correlational study. In San Camilo Centre workers there is association between emotional intelligence and engagement. Emotional intelligence, understood as the capacity to acquire skills or competencies for the adaptation to professional demands thus enhances a positive mental state work-related and this affects the quality of care and the assisted population health.

Burnout Subtypes and Absence of Self-Compassion in Primary Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Science.gov (United States)

Montero-Marin, Jesus; Zubiaga, Fernando; Cereceda, Maria; Piva Demarzo, Marcelo Marcos; Trenc, Patricia; Garcia-Campayo, Javier

2016-01-01

Primary healthcare professionals report high levels of distress and burnout. A new model of burnout has been developed to differentiate three clinical subtypes: 'frenetic', 'underchallenged' and 'worn-out'. The aim of this study was to confirm the validity and reliability of the burnout subtype model in Spanish primary healthcare professionals, and to assess the explanatory power of the self-compassion construct as a possible protective factor. The study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of n = 440 Spanish primary healthcare professionals (214 general practitioners, 184 nurses, 42 medical residents) completed the Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire (BCSQ-36), the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The factor structure of the BCSQ-36 was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) by the unweighted least squares method from polychoric correlations. Internal consistency (R) was assessed by squaring the correlation between the latent true variable and the observed variables. The relationships between the BCSQ-36 and the other constructs were analysed using Spearman's r and multiple linear regression models. The structure of the BCSQ-36 fit the data well, with adequate CFA indices for all the burnout subtypes. Reliability was adequate for all the scales and sub-scales (R≥0.75). Self-judgement was the self-compassion factor that explained the frenetic subtype (Beta = 0.36; pUWES and PANAS. The typological definition of burnout through the BCSQ-36 showed good structure and appropriate internal consistence in Spanish primary healthcare professionals. The negative self-compassion dimensions seem to play a relevant role in explaining the burnout profiles in this population, and they should be considered when designing specific treatments and interventions tailored to the specific vulnerability of each subtype.

Burnout and engagement in relation with job demands and resources among dental staff in Northern Ireland.

Science.gov (United States)

Gorter, Ronald C; Freeman, Ruth

2011-02-01

To investigate the psychological health--in particular, levels of burnout and engagement, job demands, job resources, and general psychological distress--among dental staff in Northern Ireland. Three hundred questionnaires were administered to all dental offices in the western part of Northern Ireland. The questionnaire consisted of 'Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)', 'Job Demands in Dentistry measure', 'Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES)', 'Job Resources in dentistry measure', and 'General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)'. Overall response rate among all staff members was 45% (for general dental practitioners: 65%). Burnout mean scores were unfavourable when compared with MBI manual norm scores, 26% had scores in the 'high' categories of both emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP). This is an indication of severe burnout risk. Time pressure, financial worries, and difficult patients appeared to be the most prominent work demands (mean scores >3). All job demands' scales correlated significantly (P r UWES, and all job resources' subscales were all well above each subscale's range midpoint. Treatment results appeared the most prominent work resource. GHQ mean score for all was 1.05 (SD = 0.51). No difference in mean score was found between dentists and other staff (F(1,123) = 1.08, NS). With 'case level' set at a score >3 as a cut-off point, 25% of the subjects have to be considered cases. Burnout is a serious threat for the dental team in this region of Northern Ireland, especially among general dental practitioners. One-quarter of the dentists were categorized as having a serious burnout risk. Dentists appeared to have most trouble with the work environment aspects: time pressure and financial worries. Furthermore, the proportion of those suffering from psychological distress was unusually high. In contrast to these findings, encouraging levels of engagement were identified. It is recommended that attention for burnout risk is given priority by dental

Effectiveness of a worksite lifestyle intervention on vitality, work engagement, productivity, and sick leave: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Science.gov (United States)

Strijk, Jorien E; Proper, Karin I; van Mechelen, Willem; van der Beek, Allard J

2013-01-01

A worksite lifestyle intervention aiming to improve lifestyle behaviors could be an effective tool to keep older workers vital, and thereby prolong their labor participation. Therefore, this study evaluates the effectiveness of such an intervention on vitality, work engagement, productivity and sick leave. In a randomized controlled trial design, 367 workers (control group: N=363) received a 6-month intervention, which included two weekly guided group sessions: one yoga and one workout, as well as one weekly session of aerobic exercising, without face-to-face instruction, and three individual coach visits aimed at changing workers' lifestyle behavior by goal setting, feedback, and problem-solving strategies. Furthermore, free fruit was provided at the guided sessions. Data on work-related vitality (UWES vitality scale), general vitality (RAND-36 vitality scale), work engagement (UWES), productivity (single item scoring 0-10), and sick leave (yes/no past 3 months) were collected using questionnaires at baseline (N=730), and at 6- (N=575) and 12-months (N=500) follow-up. Effects were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle with complete cases (N=500) and imputed data (N=730). There were no significant differences in vitality, work engagement, productivity, and sick leave between the intervention and control group workers after either 6- and 12-months follow-up. Yoga and workout subgroup analyses showed a 12-month favorable effect on work-related vitality [β=0.14, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.04-0.28] and general vitality (β=2.9, 95% CI 0.02-5.9) among high yoga compliers. For high workout compliers, this positive trend was also seen, but it was not statistically significant. Implementation of worksite yoga facilities could be a useful strategy to promote vitality-related work outcomes, but only if high compliance can be maximized. Therefore, impeding factors for participation should be investigated in more detail in future research.

Burnout and study engagement among medical students at Sun Yat-sen University, China: A cross-sectional study.

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Hongchun; Yansane, Alfa Ibrahim; Zhang, Yurong; Fu, Haijun; Hong, Nanrui; Kalenderian, Elsbeth

2018-04-01

This study aims to investigate burnout and study engagement among medical students at Sun Yat-sen University, China.A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate medical students of Sun Yat-sen University, China. A total of 453 undergraduate students completed a self-administered, structured questionnaire between January and February, 2016. Burnout and study engagement were measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the UTRECHT Work Engagement Scale-Students (UWES-S), respectively. Subjects who scored high in emotional exhaustion subscale, high in cynicism subscale, and low in professional efficacy subscale simultaneously were graded as having high risk of burnout. Independent sample t tests and chi-square tests were used to compare the differences in burnout and work engagement between genders, majors, and grade levels.The means (standard deviations) of the MBI-SS subscales were 3.42 (1.45) for emotional exhaustion, 2.34 (1.64) for cynicism, and 3.04 (1.30) for professional efficacy. The means (standard deviations) of the UWES-S subscales were 3.13 (1.49) for vigor, 3.44 (1.47) for dedication and 3.00 (1.51) for absorption. Approximately 1 in 11 students experienced a high risk of burnout. There were no statistically significant gender differences in burnout and study engagement. There were also no statistically significant differences in burnout and study engagement subscales according to student major. Students in higher grades displayed increased burnout risk, higher mean burnout subscale score of cynicism, lower mean burnout subscale score of professional efficacy, and decreased mean study engagement subscale scores of dedication and absorption. There were strong correlations within study engagement subscales.Chinese medical students in this university experience a high level of burnout. Students at higher-grade level experience more burnout and decreased study engagement compared with students in lower level.

Factores psicosociales asociados a engagement en empleados de un restaurante de Morelos, México / Psychosocial factors associated with engagement in employees at restaurant in Morelos, México

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rossy Maritza Ocampo Bustos

2015-12-01

Full Text Available RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio consistió en identificar la relación entre el Engagement laboral, aspectos sociodemográficos y algunos factores psicosociales del trabajo en empleados de un restaurante en Morelos, México. Utilizando las escalas del Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ , Effort- Reward Imbalance (ERI, y la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES en una muestra de 88 empleados, los resultados de varios modelos de regresión evidenciaron que de los aspectos sociodemográficos, la única variable que tuvo asociación fue el sexo, apareciendo las mujeres menos dedicadas que los hombres, mientras que la inseguridad en el empleo, el sobre-involucramiento, la supervisión controlante, las horas de trabajo y la recompensa tuvieron asociaciones diferenciales con los diferentes componentes de Engagement con varianzas explicadas entre el 15 % y el 34 %. Se concluye que la vigilancia y control de estos factores psicosociales podría impulsar niveles de Engagement con beneficios múltiples a los empleados y la organización. ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between labor engagement, sociodemographic aspects, and some psychosocial work factors among employees at restaurant in Morelos, Mexico. Using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ, Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI, and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES in a sample by 88 employees, the results of multiple regression models show that of the sociodemographic aspects, the only variable that had an association was the sex; women appeared to be less dedicated than men; while job insecurity, over involvement, controlling supervision, work hours, and reward had differential associations with the different components of engagement with variances explained between 15 % and 34 %. It is concluded that the surveillance and control of these psychosocial factors could boost levels of engagement with multiple benefits to the employees and the organization.

The influence of zero-hours contracts on care worker well-being.

Science.gov (United States)

Ravalier, J M; Fidalgo, A R; Morton, R; Russell, L

2017-07-01

Care workers have an important social role which is set to expand with the increasing age of the UK population. However, the majority of care workers are employed on zero-hours contracts. Firstly, to investigate the relationship between working conditions and employee outcomes such as engagement and general mental well-being in a sample of UK care workers and management. Secondly, to assess whether the use of zero-hours contracts affects employee well-being. A cross-sectional survey of domiciliary care and care home employees, undertaken using the Management Standards Indicator Tool (MSIT), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). T-tests and multivariate linear regression evaluated the differences in scoring between those with differing contractual conditions and job roles, and associations of MSIT scores with UWES and GHQ factors. Employee understanding of their role and job control were found to be priority areas for improvement in the sample. Similarly, care workers reported greater occupational demands and lower levels of control than management. However, while zero-hours contracts did not significantly influence employee well-being, these employees had greater levels of engagement in their jobs. Despite this, a greater proportion of individuals with zero-hours contracts had scores above accepted mental health cut-offs. Individual understanding of their role as care workers appears to play an important part in determining engagement and general mental well-being. However, more research is needed on the influence of zero-hours contracts on well-being, particularly in groups with increased likelihood of developing mental health disorders. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Burnout and study engagement among medical students at Sun Yat-sen University, China

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Hongchun; Yansane, Alfa Ibrahim; Zhang, Yurong; Fu, Haijun; Hong, Nanrui; Kalenderian, Elsbeth

2018-01-01

Abstract This study aims to investigate burnout and study engagement among medical students at Sun Yat-sen University, China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate medical students of Sun Yat-sen University, China. A total of 453 undergraduate students completed a self-administered, structured questionnaire between January and February, 2016. Burnout and study engagement were measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) and the UTRECHT Work Engagement Scale-Students (UWES-S), respectively. Subjects who scored high in emotional exhaustion subscale, high in cynicism subscale, and low in professional efficacy subscale simultaneously were graded as having high risk of burnout. Independent sample t tests and chi-square tests were used to compare the differences in burnout and work engagement between genders, majors, and grade levels. The means (standard deviations) of the MBI-SS subscales were 3.42 (1.45) for emotional exhaustion, 2.34 (1.64) for cynicism, and 3.04 (1.30) for professional efficacy. The means (standard deviations) of the UWES-S subscales were 3.13 (1.49) for vigor, 3.44 (1.47) for dedication and 3.00 (1.51) for absorption. Approximately 1 in 11 students experienced a high risk of burnout. There were no statistically significant gender differences in burnout and study engagement. There were also no statistically significant differences in burnout and study engagement subscales according to student major. Students in higher grades displayed increased burnout risk, higher mean burnout subscale score of cynicism, lower mean burnout subscale score of professional efficacy, and decreased mean study engagement subscale scores of dedication and absorption. There were strong correlations within study engagement subscales. Chinese medical students in this university experience a high level of burnout. Students at higher-grade level experience more burnout and decreased study engagement compared with students in lower

Supporting the library and information needs of UWE health and social care students on placement.

Science.gov (United States)

Plaice, Caroline; Lloyd, Jon; Shaw, Pauline

2017-03-01

The aim of this research was to explore the library and information needs of health and social care students whilst on placement. Both desk and primary research were conducted and included an online questionnaire to students and semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire was completed by 252 students from a variety of programmes, equivalent to a 10% response rate. The results indicate a wide range of factors impacting on the library and information experiences of students. Whilst differences in the availability of a physical library in hospital or community locations still exist, these are mitigated by technology and a preference for home study. A significant result is that 77% (n = 193) of students on placement study at home, using a variety of Internet-connected devices. This highlights a marked change in practice and underlines the need for mobile-compliant e-resources and accessible at-a-distance services. As a result of this research, practical recommendations on how library support can be improved were developed including enhanced collaboration and learning with NHS colleagues, and knowledge sharing with other departments within the University who support our students. © 2017 Health Libraries Group.

Burocratización y racionalización en Max Weber a la luz de las interpretaciones actuales de su obra

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alexis Emanuel Gros

2015-03-01

Full Text Available Este trabajo se propone presentar de forma sucinta y sistemática la teoría de la burocracia de Max Weber y problematizar el rol que esta juega en sus reflexiones sobre el proceso de racionalización occidental (okzidentale Rationalisierung. Para ello, se analizan textos centrales del autor como Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, Politik als Beruf y Die protestantische Ethik und der "Geist“ des Kapitalismus, entre otros. La exposición se guía en las más recientes interpretaciones germanoparlantes de la obra weberiana, a saber: las de Dirk Kaesler, Hans-Peter Müller, Uwe Barrelmeyer y Volker Kruse; y Harmut Rosa, David Strecker y Andreas Kottmann.

Psychological Flexibility of Nurses in a Cancer Hospital: Preliminary Validation of a Chinese Version of the Work-related Acceptance and Action Questionnaire.

Science.gov (United States)

Xu, Xianghua; Liu, Xiangyu; Ou, Meijun; Xie, Chanjuan; Chen, Yongyi

2018-01-01

To translate the English work-related acceptance and action questionnaire (WAAQ), make cross-cultural adaptations, and examine its psychometric properties when used by Chinese oncology nurses. After translation, the psychometric properties of the Chinese WAAQ were analyzed among 417 nurses, and content validity was determined by six experts. Item-level content validity index (CVI) values were between 0.83 and 1.00; scale-level CVI/universal agreement (S-CVI/UA) and S-CVI/average were 0.86 and 0.98, respectively, which implicated a good content validity. The correlation of the Chinese WAAQ with AAQ-II ( r s = -0.247, P work engagement scale (UWES) (0.439, flexibility in Chinese oncology nurses.

A listing of cosmogenic, optically-stimulated-luminescence, (U-Th)/He, and fission-track sample locations, analyses, and age data compiled as part of Marsden contract GNS002 (2000-2004) : subduction initiation beneath Fiordland, southwest New Zealand

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sutherland, R.

2007-01-01

This report is an archive of data relevant to Fiordland tectonic evolution. Specifically these are the data that were collected and compiled as part of Marsden contract GNS002 (2000-2004); samples were collected between 1987 and 2002. The principal investigator of the Marsden Fund project was Rupert Sutherland (GNS Science). Additional named investigators (with responsibilities and affiliations) were: Kyeong Kim (cosmogenic isotope dating; GNS Science); Peter Kamp (fission track dating; Waikato University); Martha House (U-Th/He dating; Caltech, USA); and Michael Gurnis (numerical models of subduction initiation; Caltech, USA). After the project began, Uwe Rieser from Victoria University agreed to undertake optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating as part of the project. (author). 6 refs

Perioral rejuvenation: restoration of attractiveness in aging females by minimally invasive procedures

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wollina U

2013-09-01

Full Text Available Uwe Wollina Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany Abstract: Lips and the perioral area are of outstanding importance in youthful appearance, attractiveness, and beauty. In contrast to younger and middle aged females, there is only scant published data on minimally invasive procedures to restore and revitalize lips and perioral soft tissue in elderly females. In this review we report the signs of aging in this particular region and the underlying anatomy. We review studies on lip restoration in younger females and present our techniques for elderly women. With an individually tailored approach, elderly females benefit from minimally invasive techniques. Keywords: facial aging, perioral soft tissue, lips, dermal fillers, anatomy

Industrial monument and symbol of a new beginning. Coal scrubber on mine Zollverein; Industriedenkmal und Symbol eines Neubeginns. Die Kohlenwaesche auf Zeche Zollverein

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Seht, Bernd von; Schneider, Helmut; Ferrarini, Dario [Ingenieurbuero Wetzel und von Seht, Hamburg (Germany)

2008-09-15

The former coal mine ''Zollverein'' has been accepted in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which proves its status as an outstanding monument of industrial culture in the Ruhr region. Currently, the buildings are being converted into a culture and design forum of international renown. The coal scrubber building of Schacht XII is presented as an example to show how the conflicting goals of conservation and transformation can be integrated in consideration of current standards for supporting structures. (orig.)

Minimally invasive aesthetic procedures in young adults

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wollina U

2011-03-01

Full Text Available Uwe Wollina1, Alberto Goldman21Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany; 2Clinica Goldman, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande du Sul, BrazilAbstract: Age is a significant factor in modifying specific needs when it comes to medical aesthetic procedures. In this review we will focus on young adults in their third decade of life and review minimally invasive aesthetic procedures other than cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. Correction of asymmetries, correction after body modifying procedures, and facial sculpturing are important issues for young adults. The implication of aesthetic medicine as part of preventive medicine is a major ethical challenge that differentiates aesthetic medicine from fashion.Keywords: acne scars, ice pick scars, boxcar scars, fillers 

Often overlooked: formative evaluation in the development of ScienceComics

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

E. Weitkamp

2009-10-01

Full Text Available Formative evaluation should play a key role in the development of a science communication project or initiative. Such research is vital to understanding the needs and interests of the audience or participants; meeting these needs and interests helps ensure the project’s success. However, there can be a temptation to plough ahead without undertaking adequate formative evaluation. Using ScienceComics (www.sciencecomics.uwe.ac.uk as a case study, this article explores both the challenges and benefits of using formative evaluation to guide project development. It focuses on the actors involved in the formative stages and the impacts these actors had on the final outputs. This evidence is used to develop practical guidance on integrating formative evaluation right from the start.

Zur Rekonstruktion einer Typologie jugendlichen Medienhandelns gemäß dem Leitbild der Triangulation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Klaus Peter Treumann

2017-09-01

Full Text Available Die im Folgenden dargestellten Ergebnisse sind im Rahmen des von der DFG geförderten Forschungsprojekts „Eine Untersuchung zum Mediennutzungsverhalten 12- bis 20-Jähriger und zur Entwicklung von Medienkompetenz im Jugendalter“ entstanden, das gemeinsam von Klaus Peter Treumann, Uwe Sander und Dorothee Meister geleitet wird. Das Forschungsprojekt untersucht das Medienhandeln Jugendlicher sowohl hinsichtlich Neuer als auch alter Medien. Zum einen fragen wir dabei nach den Ausprägungen von Medienkompetenz in verschiedenen Dimensionen und zum anderen konzentrieren wir uns auf die Entwicklung einer empirisch fundierten Typologie jugendlichen Medienhandelns. Methodologisch ist die Untersuchung an dem Leitbild der Triangulation orientiert und kombiniert qualitative und quantitative Zugänge zum Forschungsfeld in Form von Gruppendiskussionen, leitfadengestützten Einzelinterviews und einer Repräsentativerhebung.

Darbinieku iesaistes aptaujas TeamPulse™ ticamība un validitāte latviešu versijā

OpenAIRE

Kelberga, Anna

2015-01-01

Pētījuma mērķis bija adaptēt latviešu valodā aptauju TeamPulse™, kas mēra darbinieku iesaisti. Šī darba ietvaros tika veikta aptaujas TeamPulse™ turpmāka izpēte plašākā un daudzveidīgākā izlasē. Kopā analizētas 106 aizpildītas anketas no trim dažādiem uzņēmumiem – bankas, ražošanas uzņēmuma un augstskolas. Tika izmantota arī aptaujas “Iesaiste darbā” (UWES, Schaufeli un Baker, 2006) pilnā versija, lai detalizētāk noteiktu abu aptauju komponentu korelāciju. Pamatojoties uz adaptācijas psih...

End of Interactive Emailing from the Technical Network

CERN Multimedia

2006-01-01

According to the CNIC Security Policy for Control Systems (EDMS #584092), interactive emailing on PCs (and other devices) connected to the Technical Network is prohibited. Please note that from November 6th, neither reading emails nor sending emails interactively using e.g. Outlook or Pine mail clients on PCs connected to the Technical Network will be possible anymore. However, automatically generated emails will not be blocked and can still be sent off using CERNMX.CERN.CH as mail server. These restrictions DO NOT apply to PCs connected to any other network, like the General Purpose (or office) network. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Uwe Epting, Pierre Charrue or Stefan Lueders (Technical-Network.Administrator@cern.ch). Your CNIC Working Group

The impact of a large-scale quality improvement programme on work engagement: preliminary results from a national cross-sectional-survey of the 'Productive Ward'.

Science.gov (United States)

White, Mark; Wells, John S G; Butterworth, Tony

2014-12-01

Quality improvement (QI) Programmes, like the Productive Ward: Releasing-time-to-care initiative, aim to 'engage' and 'empower' ward teams to actively participate, innovate and lead quality improvement at the front line. However, little is known about the relationship and impact that QI work has on the 'engagement' of the clinical teams who participate and vice-versa. This paper explores and examines the impact of a large-scale QI programme, the Productive Ward, on the 'work engagement' of the nurses and ward teams involved. Using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), we surveyed, measured and analysed work engagement in a representative test group of hospital-based ward teams who had recently commenced the latest phase of the national 'Productive Ward' initiative in Ireland and compared them to a control group of similar size and matched (as far as is possible) on variables such as ward size, employment grade and clinical specialty area. 338 individual datasets were recorded, n=180 (53.6%) from the Productive Ward group, and n=158 (46.4%) from the control group; the overall response rate was 67%, and did not differ significantly between the Productive Ward and control groups. The work engagement mean score (±standard deviation) in the Productive group was 4.33(±0.88), and 4.07(±1.06) in the control group, representing a modest but statistically significant between-group difference (p=0.013, independent samples t-test). Similarly modest differences were observed in all three dimensions of the work engagement construct. Employment grade and the clinical specialty area were also significantly related to the work engagement score (pengagement (the vigour, absorption and dedication) of ward-based teams. The use and suitability of the UWES as an appropriate measure of 'engagement' in QI interventions was confirmed. The engagement of nurses and front-line clinical teams is a major component of creating, developing and sustaining a culture of improvement. Copyright

Complementary and alternative therapies in dentistry and characteristics of dentists who recommend them.

Science.gov (United States)

Baatsch, Beatrice; Zimmer, Stefan; Rodrigues Recchia, Daniela; Büssing, Arndt

2017-12-01

The aims of this study were to analyse whether dentists offer or recommend complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) remedies in their clinical routine, and how effective these are rated by proponents and opponents. A second aim of this study was to give a profile of the dentists endorsing CAM. A prospective, explorative, anonymised cross-sectional survey was spread among practicing dentists in Germany via congresses, dental periodicals and online (n=250, 55% male, 45% female; mean age 49.1±11.4years). Of a set of 31 predefined CAM modalities, the dentists integrated plant extracts from Arnica montana (64%), chamomile (64%), clove (63%), Salvia officinalis (54%), but also relaxation therapies (62%), homeopathy (57%), osteopathic medicine (50%) and dietetics (50%). The effectiveness of specific treatments was rated significantly higher (peffective, namely ear acupuncture, osteopathic medicine and clove. For ear acupuncture these scores did not significantly differ between both groups. With respect to the characteristic of the proponents, the majority of CAM endorsing dentists were women. The mean age (50.4±0.9 vs 47.0±0.9years) and number of years of professional experience (24.2±1.0 vs 20.0±1.0years) were significantly higher for CAM proponents than the means for opponents (p<0.0001 respectively). CAM proponents worked significantly less (p<0.0001) and their perceived workload was significantly lower (p=0.008). Their self-efficacy expectation (SEE) and work engagement (Utrecht work engagement, UWE) were significantly higher (p≤0.01 and p<0.0001) compared to dentists who abandoned these treatment options. The logistic regression model showed (exploratively) an increased association from CAM proponents with the UWES subscale dedication, with years of experience, and that men are less likely to be CAM proponents than women. Various CAM treatments are recommended by German dentists and requested by their patients, but the scientific evidence for these

Burnout Subtypes and Absence of Self-Compassion in Primary Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jesus Montero-Marin

Full Text Available Primary healthcare professionals report high levels of distress and burnout. A new model of burnout has been developed to differentiate three clinical subtypes: 'frenetic', 'underchallenged' and 'worn-out'. The aim of this study was to confirm the validity and reliability of the burnout subtype model in Spanish primary healthcare professionals, and to assess the explanatory power of the self-compassion construct as a possible protective factor.The study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of n = 440 Spanish primary healthcare professionals (214 general practitioners, 184 nurses, 42 medical residents completed the Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire (BCSQ-36, the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS. The factor structure of the BCSQ-36 was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA by the unweighted least squares method from polychoric correlations. Internal consistency (R was assessed by squaring the correlation between the latent true variable and the observed variables. The relationships between the BCSQ-36 and the other constructs were analysed using Spearman's r and multiple linear regression models.The structure of the BCSQ-36 fit the data well, with adequate CFA indices for all the burnout subtypes. Reliability was adequate for all the scales and sub-scales (R≥0.75. Self-judgement was the self-compassion factor that explained the frenetic subtype (Beta = 0.36; p<0.001; isolation explained the underchallenged (Beta = 0.16; p = 0.010; and over-identification the worn-out (Beta = 0.25; p = 0.001. Other significant associations were observed between the different burnout subtypes and the dimensions of the MBI-GS, UWES and PANAS.The typological definition of burnout through the BCSQ-36 showed good structure and appropriate internal consistence in Spanish primary healthcare professionals

Morality and ethics in high technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schroeter, K.U.

2003-01-01

The ethical debate about what is feasible culminates, for one side, in the indignant moral question whether man is allowed to do all he is able to do and, for the other side, in the very obligation to keep redefining the limits of creation, and to act accordingly. Consequently, the Young Generation, at their meeting in Gronau, Westphalia (about which we reported), discussed about ''High Technology - Responsible on Ethical and Moral Grounds?'' The paper presented to the participants by pastor Kai Uwe Schroeter reflects this dichotomy, but also takes a clear position in favor of the expansion of nuclear power. This issue of atw contains a revised version of the paper. It is published in the hope that it will furnish arguments for the philosophical and ethical debates about high technology. (orig.) [de

The Mediating and Moderating Role of Job Satisfaction in the Leadership Behaviour and Work Engagement Relationship

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Akinlawon O. AMOO

2018-03-01

Full Text Available The aim of the present study was to investigate job satisfaction as a moderator of the relationship between leadership behaviour and trainee work engagement. The study was conducted in an artisan training academy located inthe East of Johannesburg. Data was collected from the entire population of 150 employed trainees in the academy using: (i a self-designed demographical data questionnaire; (iithe Harris and Ogbonna (2001 13-item leadership behaviour questionnaire (iii the Utrecht work engagement scale (UWES developed by Schaufeli et al. (2002, and (iv the single global rating for job satisfaction developed in 1990 by Allen and Meyer. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis were conducted in a census study of 150 trainees. Results showed that work engagement is significantly affected by leadership behaviour, and job satisfaction mediated and moderated the leadership behaviour – work engagement relationship.

Job demands, job resources and work engagement of academic staff in South African higher education institutions

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

S Rothmann

2006-10-01

Full Text Available The objective of this study was to investigate the work engagement of academics in selected South African higher education institutions as well as the impact of job demands and job resources on their work engagement. Stratified random samples (N = 471 were drawn from academic staff in three higher education institutions in South Africa. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES and the Job Demands-Resources Scale (JDRS were administered. The results confirmed a two-factor structure of work engagement, consisting of vigour and dedication. Six reliable factors were extracted on the JDRS, namely organisational support, growth opportunities, social support, overload, advancement and job insecurity. Job resources (including organisational support and growth opportunities predicted 26% of the variance in vigour and 38% of the variance in dedication. Job demands (overload impacted on dedication of academics at low and moderate levels of organisational support.

Information fusion under consideration of conflicting input signals

CERN Document Server

Mönks, Uwe

2017-01-01

This work proposes the multilayered information fusion system MACRO (multilayer attribute-based conflict-reducing observation) and the µBalTLCS (fuzzified balanced two-layer conflict solving) fusion algorithm to reduce the impact of conflicts on the fusion result. In addition, a sensor defect detection method, which is based on the continuous monitoring of sensor reliabilities, is presented. The performances of the contributions are shown by their evaluation in the scope of both a publicly available data set and a machine condition monitoring application under laboratory conditions. Here, the MACRO system yields the best results compared to state-of-the-art fusion mechanisms. The author Dr.-Ing. Uwe Mönks studied Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the OWL University of Applied Sciences (Lemgo), Halmstad University (Sweden), and Aalborg University (Denmark). Since 2009 he is employed at the Institute Industrial IT (inIT) as research associate with project leading responsibilities. During th...

Sexing Berlin?

Science.gov (United States)

Dahlke, Birgit

2011-01-01

Berlin has always been a literary space of extremely diverse political and cultural projections. This essay investigates why after the unification of East and West Berlin the city has been imagined as a play zone of sexual self-fulfilment by authors such as Inka Parei, Tanja Dückers, Kathrin Röggla, Judith Hermann and Julia Franck. Have such erotic adventures replaced political vision in our post-utopian decade? What is the purpose of the laboured allegorisation of the fall of the wall in Durs Grünbein's essays or in the novels of Katja Lange-Müller and Thomas Hettche? The sexification of historical and political processes recalls similar stereotypes in the East German literature of the 1980s: the metropolis as a whore in works by Heiner Müller or Wolf Biermann, but also by younger authors of the independent literary scene in Berlin like Uwe Kolbe or Frank-Wolf Matthies.

Is workaholism good or bad for employee well-being? The distinctiveness of workaholism and work engagement among Japanese employees.

Science.gov (United States)

Shimazu, Akihito; Schaufeli, Wilmar B

2009-10-01

The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the empirical distinctiveness of workaholism and work engagement by examining their relationships with well-being in a sample of 776 Japanese employees. We expected that workaholism is associated with unwell-being (i.e., high psychological distress and physical complaints, low job and family satisfaction, and low job performance), whereas work engagement is associated with well-being. Well-validated questionnaires were used to measure workaholism (DUWAS), work engagement (UWES), and well-being (BJSQ, HPQ). Structural Equation Modeling showed that, as expected, workaholism was positively associated with ill-health (i.e., psychological distress and physical complaints) and negatively associated with life satisfaction (i.e., job and family satisfaction) and job performance. In contrast, work engagement was negatively associated with ill-health and positively associated with life satisfaction and job performance. These findings suggest that workaholism and work engagement are two different kinds of concepts, which are negatively and positively related to various indicators of well-being, respectively.

Professional burnout and work engagement among dentists.

Science.gov (United States)

Te Brake, Hans; Bouman, Anne-Marthe; Gorter, Ronald; Hoogstraten, Johan; Eijkman, Michiel

2007-06-01

A recent development within burnout research is the shift to its conceptual opposite: work engagement. This study aimed to unravel the concepts of burnout and work engagement, and to determine their levels among dentists. A representative sample of 497 Dutch general dental practitioners was included (survey response rate of 59%), consisting of 372 men and 121 women (the gender of 4 dentists remained unknown). The hypothesized three-factor structure of work engagement (vigor, dedication, and absorption), as measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), was substantiated among dentists. It was also found that work engagement was related negatively to burnout, as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). However, a model consisting of a reduced ('core') burnout factor and an 'enhanced' engagement factor (composed of the three original factors plus the burnout factor, personal accomplishment) showed the best fit. Overall burnout levels among dentists are low, and the levels of engagement indicate that dentists have a positive working attitude.

Work family conflict in its relations to perceived working situation and work engagement.

Science.gov (United States)

Mache, Stefanie; Bernburg, Monika; Groneberg, David A; Klapp, Burghard F; Danzer, Gerhard

2016-02-15

These days physicians' work is characterized by an increase in economic demands, pressure and challenges in establishing a balance between work and family life. The current study investigates the relationship between physicians' job demands and resources, perceived job stress, work-family conflict, work engagement and job satisfaction. 564 clinicians specialising in different medical fields participated in the cross-sectional study. Self-administered questionnaires, including the COPSOQ and the UWES- Scale were administered. Our results illustrated significant relationships between physicians' work engagement and their job satisfaction as well as between job stress and work family conflict. Moreover, perceived job stress moderated the effect of high job demands on work family conflict. In addition, significant gender differences have been found in perceived stress levels, work family conflict and work engagement. This study proves and verified associations between work engagement, work-family conflict, job demands and resources that may influence employees' satisfaction. Implications for both working physicians and hospital management are given.

CRISTAL-ISE your project

CERN Document Server

Rosaria Marraffino

2014-01-01

CRISTAL-ISE, a new version of the CRISTAL data tracking software developed at CERN in the late 90s, has recently been launched under an open source license. The potential for applications of this free software outside particle physics covers several areas, including medicine, where CRISTAL-ISE helps to monitor the progress of Alzheimer’s Disease.   CMS lead tungstate crystals produced in Russia. CRISTAL began as a collaboration between CERN, the University of the West of England (UWE) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).“At the time of CMS’s construction, there was a need for software able to track the production of the almost 80,000 lead tungstate crystals for the Electromagnetic Calorimeter,” explains Andrew Branson, member of the CMS collaboration and Technical Coordinator of the CRISTAL-ISE project. “We started to develop the software when we didn’t yet know the detector testing procedures to go through,...

Sub-Camera Calibration of a Penta-Camera

Science.gov (United States)

Jacobsen, K.; Gerke, M.

2016-03-01

Penta cameras consisting of a nadir and four inclined cameras are becoming more and more popular, having the advantage of imaging also facades in built up areas from four directions. Such system cameras require a boresight calibration of the geometric relation of the cameras to each other, but also a calibration of the sub-cameras. Based on data sets of the ISPRS/EuroSDR benchmark for multi platform photogrammetry the inner orientation of the used IGI Penta DigiCAM has been analyzed. The required image coordinates of the blocks Dortmund and Zeche Zollern have been determined by Pix4Dmapper and have been independently adjusted and analyzed by program system BLUH. With 4.1 million image points in 314 images respectively 3.9 million image points in 248 images a dense matching was provided by Pix4Dmapper. With up to 19 respectively 29 images per object point the images are well connected, nevertheless the high number of images per object point are concentrated to the block centres while the inclined images outside the block centre are satisfying but not very strongly connected. This leads to very high values for the Student test (T-test) of the finally used additional parameters or in other words, additional parameters are highly significant. The estimated radial symmetric distortion of the nadir sub-camera corresponds to the laboratory calibration of IGI, but there are still radial symmetric distortions also for the inclined cameras with a size exceeding 5μm even if mentioned as negligible based on the laboratory calibration. Radial and tangential effects of the image corners are limited but still available. Remarkable angular affine systematic image errors can be seen especially in the block Zeche Zollern. Such deformations are unusual for digital matrix cameras, but it can be caused by the correlation between inner and exterior orientation if only parallel flight lines are used. With exception of the angular affinity the systematic image errors for corresponding

Aby Warburg, Images and Exhibitions. Aby Warburg, Bilderreihen und Ausstellungen edited by Uwe Fleckner and Isabelle Woldt, Akademie Verlag, 2012

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Matthew Rampley

2012-12-01

Full Text Available This article reviews the latest volume in the collected works of Aby Warburg published by Akademie Verlag. The volume consists of exhibitions and plates of images Warburg compiled to illustrate lectures in the period between 1925-1929. The review focuses on two key issues raised by the publication: the light it casts on the Mnemosyne Atlas Warburg was working on at the same time, and, in particular, how it helps shape perceptions of the broader intellectual direction of Warburg's thinking in the final half decade of his life.

Effect of Process Parameter in Laser Cutting of PMMA Sheet and ANFIS Modelling for Online Control

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hossain Anamul

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Laser beam machining (LBM is a promising and high accuracy machining technology in advanced manufacturing process. In LBM, crucial machining qualities of the end product include heat affected zone, surface roughness, kerf width, thermal stress, taper angle etc. It is essential for industrial applications especially in laser cutting of thermoplastics to acquire output product with minimum kerf width. The kerf width is dependent on laser input parameters such as laser power, cutting speed, standoff distance, assist gas pressure etc. However it is difficult to get a functional relationship due to the high uncertainty among these parameters. Hence, total 81 sets of full factorial experiment were conducted, representing four input parameters with three different levels. The experiments were performed by a continuous wave (CW CO2 laser with the mode structure of TEM01 named Zech laser machine that can provide maximum laser power up to 500 W. The polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA sheet with thickness of 3.0 mm was used for this experiment. Laser power, cutting speed, standoff distance and assist gas pressure were used as input parameters for the output named kerf width. Standoff distance, laser power, cutting speed and assist gas pressure have the dominant effect on kerf width, respectively, although assist gas has some significant effect to remove the harmful gas. ANFIS model has been developed for online control purposes. This research is considered important and helpful for manufacturing engineers in adjusting and decision making of the process parameters in laser manufacturing industry of PMMA thermoplastics with desired minimum kerf width as well as intricate shape design purposes.

Citizen investments in the energy policy turnaround; Buergerinvestitionen in die Energiewende

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2012-07-01

The recently recognisable economical and political developments are characterized by an enormous diversity of simultaneously acting processes. These processes challenge the design and balancing attendance of a complex and intense restructuring. Under this aspect, the brochure under consideration presents the following contributions: (1) Energy policy turnaround, investments by citizens and regional development (Peter Jakubowski); (2) Importance of decentralized participation processes for the acceptance of the development of renewable energies. An environmental psychological consideration (Jan Hildebrand); (3) Advantages of cooperative solutions in the energy policy turnaround (Wolfgang George); (4) Significance and potential of energy cooperatives in Germany. An empiric analysis (Richard Volz); (5) Sustainable investment in the energy policy turnaround with the participation of banks and saving banks (Uwe Greff); (6) Financial participation by citizens. Examples of good practice for investment products such as climate savings certificates, subordinated loans or silent participations (Katrin Gehles); (7) The Jurenergie eG: A citizen energy association on a successful course (Vera Ptacek); (8) Regional value creation effects of different organisational forms in respect of the power generation from biomass (Reinhold Kosfeld).

A new method to measure flow in professional tasks – A FLOW-W questionnaire (FLOW at Work

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wolfigiel Beata

2017-06-01

Full Text Available The aim of the article is to present a new Polish tool for measuring the flow experience in professional tasks - a FLOW-W Questionnaire. The questionnaire was inspired by Csikszentmihalyi’s (1990 flow theory and flow in Bakker’s work (2008. On its basis a set of positions was established, on which subsequently an exploratory (study 1, N = 101 and confirmatory (study 2, N = 275 factor analysis was conducted. The analysis showed the possibility of a uni- or bifactorial solution. After checking the theoretical and empirical validity of both solutions, the unifactorial solution was adopted. The validity of the questionnaire was examined, i.a. by correlations with theoretically related variables: work engagement with the UWES questionnaire (Szabowska-Walaszczyk, Zawadzka, Wojtaś, 2011 and affect at work (Zalewska, 2002. The studies showed a significant positive correlation between flow at work and work engagement (0.84 and between flow and positive affect (0.74. The reliability of the questionnaire is very high; α = 0.96. The tool has very good psychometric properties.

Trans-identity - the Standards of Diagnostics and Treatment

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gessmann H.-V.

2014-11-01

Full Text Available German Society for Sexual Research, Academy of Sexual Medicine and Society of Sexology formulated standards for evaluation and treatment of transsexuals. The creation of the standards involved Sophinette Becker, Hartmut A. G. Bosinski, Ulrich Clement, Wolf Eicher, Thomas M. Goerlich, Uwe Hartmann, Götz Kockott, Dieter Langer, Wilhelm E. Preuss, Gunter Schmidt, Alfred Springer, Reinhard Wille. Since 1980, the Federal Republic of Germany has a law on transsexualism, which regulates the right of the individual to change the sex. However, until now there were no specifically defined standards of assessment and treatment of transsexuals. For the first time, in 1979 Harry Benjamin invited the International Medical Association of Germany to revise the standards of medical care for gender dysphoria. The following standards of assessment and treatment of transsexuals have been developed at a conference convened by the German Society for Research Expert Committee under the leadership of Sophinette Becker. The review of currently valid standards for evaluation and treatment of transgender is the subject of this article

[THE EMPIRICAL DISTINCTIVENESS OF WORK ENGAGEMENT AND WORKAHOLISM AMONG HOSPITAL NURSES IN JAPAN : THE EFFECT ON SLEEP QUALITY AND JOB PERFORMANCE].

Science.gov (United States)

Kubota, Kazumi; Shimazu, Akihito; Kawakami, Norito; Takahashi, Masaya; Nakata, Akinori; Schaufeli, Wilmar B

2011-01-01

The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the distinctiveness of work engagement and workaholism by examining their relationships with sleep quality and job performance. A total of 447 nurses from 3 hospitals in Japan were surveyed using a self-administrated questionnaire including Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), the Dutch Workaholism Scale (DUWAS), questions on sleep quality (7 items) regarding (1) difficulty initiating sleep, (2) difficulty maintaining sleep, (3) early morning awakening, (4) dozing off or napping in daytime, (5) excessive daytime sleepiness at work, (6) difficulty awakening in the morning, and (7) tiredness awakening in the morning, and the World Health Organization Health Work Performance Questionnaire. The Structural Equation Modeling showed that, work engagement was positively related to sleep quality and job performance whereas workaholism negatively to sleep quality and job performance. The findings suggest that work engagement and workaholism are conceptually distinctive and that the former is positively and the latter is negatively related to well-being (i.e., good sleep quality and job performance).

Social Networks, Engagement and Resilience in University Students

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Elena Fernández-Martínez

2017-12-01

Full Text Available Analysis of social networks may be a useful tool for understanding the relationship between resilience and engagement, and this could be applied to educational methodologies, not only to improve academic performance, but also to create emotionally sustainable networks. This descriptive study was carried out on 134 university students. We collected the network structural variables, degree of resilience (CD-RISC 10, and engagement (UWES-S. The computer programs used were excel, UCINET for network analysis, and SPSS for statistical analysis. The analysis revealed results of means of 28.61 for resilience, 2.98 for absorption, 4.82 for dedication, and 3.13 for vigour. The students had two preferred places for sharing information: the classroom and WhatsApp. The greater the value for engagement, the greater the degree of centrality in the friendship network among students who are beginning their university studies. This relationship becomes reversed as the students move to later academic years. In terms of resilience, the highest values correspond to greater centrality in the friendship networks. The variables of engagement and resilience influenced the university students’ support networks.

Social Networks, Engagement and Resilience in University Students.

Science.gov (United States)

Fernández-Martínez, Elena; Andina-Díaz, Elena; Fernández-Peña, Rosario; García-López, Rosa; Fulgueiras-Carril, Iván; Liébana-Presa, Cristina

2017-12-01

Analysis of social networks may be a useful tool for understanding the relationship between resilience and engagement, and this could be applied to educational methodologies, not only to improve academic performance, but also to create emotionally sustainable networks. This descriptive study was carried out on 134 university students. We collected the network structural variables, degree of resilience (CD-RISC 10), and engagement (UWES-S). The computer programs used were excel, UCINET for network analysis, and SPSS for statistical analysis. The analysis revealed results of means of 28.61 for resilience, 2.98 for absorption, 4.82 for dedication, and 3.13 for vigour. The students had two preferred places for sharing information: the classroom and WhatsApp. The greater the value for engagement, the greater the degree of centrality in the friendship network among students who are beginning their university studies. This relationship becomes reversed as the students move to later academic years. In terms of resilience, the highest values correspond to greater centrality in the friendship networks. The variables of engagement and resilience influenced the university students' support networks.

3. forum bioenergy. Politics, market, finances, marketing and distribution, export. Proceedings 2007; 3. Forum Bioenergie. Politik, Markt, Finanzierung, Marketing and Vertrieb, Export. Tagungsband 2007

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2007-07-01

The following lectures were held (selection of topics): The decision to the thermal energy law and EEG from the cabinet meeting at 5th December, 2007 (Heiko Schwarzburger); Comment of the opposition to the cabinet decisions and outline of the political activities of the European policy (Heinz-Josef Fell); The meaning of new systems for utilization of land for soil protection and climatic change (Uwe Schneider); State of the art: laws and terms of references (Lothar Breidenbach); Bioenergy the interface industry - strategic challenges (Hilmar Platz); Actual developments with the promotion of the bioenergy by EEG and thermal energy law (Nicole Pippke); National biomass strategies in the European Union - project BAP DRIVER (Alexandra Lermen); Effects of the trade from biofuels to meet the development extensions of the European Union on area requirements (Enver Doruk Oezdemir); Energy region Rhein-Sieg: Renewable energies in the association - modelling of self-sufficient regions (Rolf Beyer); Potentials of value added in regions - results from the BMU project BioRegio (Georg Wagener Lohse); Posibilities and terms of references for increasing the potentials of biomass (Cornelia Behm); What can bioenergies perform in mix of renewable energies? - Discussion contribution for the limited potential of the bio energies (Susanne Jung); Panel discussion with representatives from the policy: Surface competition - full grain instead of full power; Fermentation gas - economy and experiences from bank view (Joerg-Uwe Fischer); Financing concept of large-scale projects by the example of the biological gas facility in Penkun (Balthasar Schramm); Economy factors for the gas feed - examples from consultant practice (Markus Helm); Stabilization or endangerment agriculture? Realizations from the field study 'biological gas facilities in Bavaria' (Wilfried Zoerner); Bioenergy - chances for investors (Daniel Kellermann); Private Equity within the range of bioenergy (Andrew Murphy

Engagement no Trabalho em Residentes Médicos de Pediatria

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Priscila Regina Teixeira

Full Text Available RESUMO Objetivos Avaliar os índices de engagement no trabalho em residentes médicos de Pediatria. Métodos Amostra composta por 36 profissionais matriculados no programa de residência médica em Pediatria da Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto no ano de 2013. Os dados foram coletados de setembro de 2013 a fevereiro de 2014, utilizando-se a Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (Uwes – Escala Utrecht de Engajamento no Trabalho –, composta por 17 itens de autoavaliação com três dimensões, Vigor, Dedicação e Absorção, além de um escore geral do constructo. Resultados 91,67% eram do sexo feminino; a idade mediana foi de 28 anos (mínimo: 25; máximo: 34; 86,11% eram solteiros; 33,33% tinham renda familiar de 2 a 5 salários, e 44,44%, mais de 10 salários mínimos; 88,89% estavam satisfeitos com o trabalho; e 52,78% já pensaram em desistir do programa. Os índices de engagement variaram de 3,56 a 4,28. A dimensão Dedicação obteve índice alto (4,28±1,12, e as dimensões Absorção, Vigor e Engagement, médios (3,58±1,00; 3,56±0,98; 3,78±0,96. Quanto ao desejo de desistir do programa, ambos os grupos apresentaram índices médios para as dimensões Absorção e Vigor; nas dimensões Dedicação e Engagement, índices médios para os que já pensaram em desistir do programa e altos para aqueles que nunca pensaram em desistir. Sobre a satisfação com o programa, na dimensão Dedicação, os índices foram: alto para os satisfeitos e médio para os não satisfeitos (4,49 e 2,6; as dimensões Absorção, Vigor e Engagement apresentaram índices médios para ambos os grupos – 3,66, 3,68 e 3,92 entre os satisfeitos e 2,95, 2,54 e 2,7 para os não satisfeitos, respectivamente. Conclusão Os residentes em Pediatria da Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto apresentaram bons índices de engagement, principalmente no domínio Dedicação. Há um baixo percentual de profissionais com baixo índice de engagement em todos

A desconstrução das narrativas e a reconstrução do currículo: a inclusão dos saberes matemáticos dos negros e dos índios Brasileiros Narratives deconstruction and curriculum reconstruction: the inclusion of Brazilian indians' and black people's mathematical knowledge

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wanderleya Gonçalves Costa

2010-01-01

Full Text Available Neste artigo, problematizamos as narrativas da nação brasileira que mascaram a identidade múltipla do País e ressaltamos mecanismos de exclusão presentes nas escolas. Lembramos que o Brasil, devido à sua formação histórico-social, é multirracial e pluriétnico, mas a escola continua a desconsiderar essa realidade, o que tem contribuído para elevar os índices de evasão e repetência de crianças provenientes de alguns grupos socioculturais. Então, remetendo-nos à aprovação da Lei 11.645/08, que inclui no currículo oficial dos estabelecimentos de ensino básico das redes pública e privada a obrigatoriedade do estudo da história e culturas africana, afro-brasileira e indígena, encaminhamos nossas discussões para o ensino de Matemática. Nesse contexto, discorremos sobre algumas das formas por meio das quais as pesquisas em Etnomatemática podem contribuir para discutir e destacar, no espaço escolar, os conhecimentos que possuem essas matrizes culturais. A partir daí, apresentamos algumas reflexões suscitadas por pesquisas que temos realizado na região de Pirituba, no município de São Paulo, onde atua o segundo autor e junto aos índios A'uwe-xavante do Mato Grosso, onde atua a primeira autora.In this article, narratives from the Brazilian nation are problematized, which disguise the country multiple identity and we emphasize mechanisms of exclusion present in schools. We remind that Brazil, because of its historical and social organization is multiracial and pluriethnical, but school continues to ignore this reality, which has contributed to raise the dropout and repetition rates of children from some socio-cultural groups. Then, concerning the 11.645/08 Law approval, which includes the compulsory study of the history and culture from Africans, Brazilian Africans and indigenous added in the official curriculum of private and public elementary schools, we guided our discussions for the teaching of Mathematics. In this

Neue Ausgrabungen in der Bronzezeitsiedlung von Asva - vorläufiger Untersuchungsstand und weitere Ergebnisse / Uwe Sperling, Valter Lang, Kristiina Paavel, Andres Kimber

Index Scriptorium Estoniae

2015-01-01

2012 - 2014 toimunud välitööde eesmärgiks oli teave asula sisemisest struktuurist. Uuringud näitavad mõnevõrra uut pilti metallitöö korraldusest. Asula olemuse mõistmisest on vajalik uurimistööde jätkamine

Conference on the flexibilization of the electric power system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Laure Kaelble; Lantrain, Aurore; Pienisch, Kerstin; Behrens, Uwe; Renaud, Arnaud; Bena, Michel; Levacher, Ralf; Broves, Antoine de; Langrock, Thomas; Bureau, Cedric

2015-01-01

The French-German office for Renewable energies (OFAEnR) organised a conference on the flexibilization of the electric power system in France and in Germany. In the framework of this French-German exchange of experience, about 100 participants discussed the different existing flexibility offers and shared information about the regulatory and economical context in both countries. This document brings together the available presentations (slides) made during this event: 1 - Flexibility in Germany: Status Quo and Perspectives (Laure Kaelble); 2 - Flexibility and French regulation (Aurore Lantrain); 3 - Virtual Power Plants: Contributions to flexibility? (Kerstin Pienisch); 4 - Wind power as player in the market for flexibility (Uwe Behrens); 5 - Energy storage potential in France - PEPS study for 2030 (Arnaud Renaud); 6 - More Flexibilities for TSOs to operate the electric System (Michel Bena); 7 - 'PolyenergyNet' project: how to flexibilize the low voltage grid by making it more autonomous (Ralf Levacher, in German); 8 - Promotion of industrial Demand Response through aggregation (Antoine de Broves); 9 - Using urban load: an economical model for companies? (Thomas Langrock); 10 - How to Involve All Consumers? ENGIe's Demand Side Management Offers (Cedric Bureau)

Perceived parenting styles differ between genders but not between elite athletes and controls

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Serge Brand

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Serge Brand1, Markus Gerber2, Johannes Beck1, Nadeem Kalak1, Martin Hatzinger1,3, Uwe Pühse2, Edith Holsboer-Trachsler11Depression and Sleep Research Unit, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; 2Institute of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; 3Psychiatric Hospital, Solothurn, SwitzerlandAbstract: For adolescent elite athletes, parental financial and emotional support is crucial. However, parents of elite athletes may be critical and demanding. Moreover, there is evidence that girls report more favorable perceived parenting styles compared with boys. The aim of the present study was to investigate perceived parenting styles among female and male adolescent elite athletes and controls. We sampled 258 adolescent elite athletes (139 females, 119 males and 176 controls (139 females, 37 males. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess perceived parenting styles (support, commendation, reproach, restriction, inconsistency. Results showed that parenting styles did not differ between athletes and controls, except for restriction, for which athletes reported lower levels. Female adolescents had higher scores for positive and lower scores for negative perceived parenting styles.Keywords: parenting style, gender, elite athletes, controls

High school students' work engagement in practical teaching

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Milanović-Dobrota Biljana Z.

2017-01-01

Full Text Available The current interest in introducing the dual education system into Serbian secondary education has drawn our attention to the question of students' self-perception in the process of practical teaching. The idea that underpins this paper is the supposition that students are affectively engaged with the work activities they perform. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES (Schaufeli et al., 2002 has been used for assessing students' work engagement in practical teaching. A study was conducted to examine the differences between high school students with mild intellectual disabilities and those with typical development with regard to aspects of work engagement defined as Energy, Commitment and Absorption. The sample was comprised of 248 students of vocational high schools in Serbia of both genders, of whom 111 with intellectual disabilities and 137 with typical development. The findings indicate that students with mild intellectual disabilities tend to rate their engagement in practical teaching more positively (t=7,457; p=0,001 than students with typical development. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the pedagogical implications of these findings and also outlines the limitations of the study, thus pointing the way for future research on this or related issues.

The work engagement of nurses in multiple hospital sectors in Saudi Arabia: a comparative study.

Science.gov (United States)

Aboshaiqah, Ahmad E; Hamadi, Hanadi Y; Salem, Olfat A; Zakari, Nazik M A

2016-05-01

To examine the differences in work engagement among nurses in Saudi Arabia and its relationship with personal characteristics across different hospital affiliations. Quality care requires an adequate supply of engaged nurses who are dedicated, energised and absorbed in their work. In the nursing profession, work engagement is of considerable importance, owing to the shortage of nurses and the continuing reduction in healthcare costs. An analytic comparative cross-sectional design was used. Eight hospitals from three provinces and different affiliation types participated in the study. The Utrecht work engagement scale (UWES) was used to measure 980 nurses' work engagement. The findings indicate that nurses' total engagement scores were closer to the higher end of the Likert scale. The findings indicate generally high levels of work engagement, particularly regarding the element of dedication. Furthermore, the study shows significant differences in nurses' engagement among the various work settings and in nurses' age and experience. A number of nurses' personal characteristics have independent influences on their work engagement. Nurse leaders should acknowledge that a statement of professional nursing scope of practice is a necessity to encourage and fulfil engagement. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Work-based identity and work engagement as potential antecedents of task performance and turnover intention: Unravelling a complex relationship

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

F. Chris Bothma

2012-09-01

Research purpose: The main purpose of the study was to investigate whether work-based identity and work engagement differed (in combination with personal alienation, helping behaviour and burnout as potential antecedents (amongst numerous others of task performance and turnover intention. Research design: A census-based sampling approach amongst 23 134 employees in the employment of an ICT company yielded a sample of 2429 usable questionnaires. Scales used in the study were the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS-20, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES, Work-based Identity, Personal Alienation, Helping Behaviour, Turnover Intention and Task Performance Scales. Main findings: The findings indicate that work-based identity and work engagement give similar appearing results as potential predictors of turnover intention and task performance. Practical/managerial implications: Reducing withdrawal behaviours and enhancing work performance are everyday challenges for organisations. Interventions focused on enhancing work-based identity and work engagement in the work environment should have a meaningful impact when these behaviours need to be addressed. Contribution/value-add: Work-based identity as a multidimensional construct has the potential, with further refinement, to become a valuable construct that can play a leading role in future work engagement research.

Work-engaged nurses for a better clinical learning environment: a ward-level analysis.

Science.gov (United States)

Tomietto, Marco; Comparcini, Dania; Simonetti, Valentina; Pelusi, Gilda; Troiani, Silvano; Saarikoski, Mikko; Cicolini, Giancarlo

2016-05-01

To correlate workgroup engagement in nursing teams and the clinical learning experience of nursing students. Work engagement plays a pivotal role in explaining motivational dynamics. Nursing education is workplace-based and, through their clinical placements, nursing students develop both their clinical competences and their professional identity. However, there is currently a lack of evidence on the role of work engagement related to students' learning experiences. A total of 519 nurses and 519 nursing students were enrolled in hospital settings. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was used to assess work engagement, and the Clinical Learning Environment and Supervision plus nurse Teacher (CLES+T) scale was used to assess students' learning experience. A multilevel linear regression analysis was performed. Group-level work engagement of nurses correlated with students' clinical learning experience (β = 0.11, P learning (respectively, β = 0.37, P education. Nursing education institutions and health-care settings need to conjointly work to build effective organisational climates. The results highlighted the importance of considering the group-level analysis to understand the most effective strategies of intervention for both organisations and nursing education. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

New SPUDT cell structures.

Science.gov (United States)

Martin, Guenter; Schmidt, Hagen; Wall, Bert

2004-07-01

The present paper describes single-phase unidirectional transducers (SPUDT) cells with all fingers wider than lambda/8 while maintaining the unidirectional effect. The first solution is related to a SPUDT consisting of lambda/4 and lambda/2 wide fingers arranged in two tracks. Each track has no significant unidirectional effect. Both tracks form a waveguide, and the waveguide coupling generates the interaction of the tracks. As a result of that interaction, a unidirectional effect arises as verified by experiment. This transducer type is called double-track (DT) SPUDT. A second solution is suggested that includes, in contrast to distributed acoustic reflection transducer (DART), electrode width control (EWC), and Hunsinger cells, SPUDT cell fingers with one and the same width only. Cell types with lambda/6, lambda/5, and lambda/3 wide fingers called uniform width electrode (UWE) cells are considered. One of these cell types, including exclusively lambda/5 wide fingers, is experimentally investigated and a unidirectional effect is found. Moreover, a filter example using the lambda/5 cell type has been designed for reducing SPUDT reflections. The echo suppression expected could be verified experimentally. No waveguide coupling is required for this cell type.

Relevance of 19th century continuous tone photomechanical printing techniques to digitally generated imagery

Science.gov (United States)

Hoskins, Stephen; Thirkell, Paul

2003-01-01

Collotype and Woodburytype are late 19th early 20th century continuous tone methods of reproducing photography in print, which do not have an underlying dot structure. The aesthetic and tactile qualities produced by these methods at their best, have never been surpassed. Woodburytype is the only photomechanical print process using a printing matrix and ink, that is capable of rendering true continuous tone; it also has the characteristic of rendering a photographic image by mapping a three-dimensional surface topography. Collotype"s absence of an underlying dot structure enables an image to be printed in as many colours as desired without creating any form of interference structure. Research at the Centre for Fine Print Research, UWE Bristol aims to recreate these processes for artists and photographers and assess their potential to create a digitally generated image printed in full colour and continuous tone that will not fade or deteriorate. Through this research the Centre seeks to provide a context in which the development of current four-colour CMYK printing may be viewed as an expedient rather than a logical route for the development of colour printing within the framework of digitally generated hard copy paper output.

Automated visual inspection for polished stone manufacture

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, Melvyn L.; Smith, Lyndon N.

2003-05-01

Increased globalisation of the ornamental stone market has lead to increased competition and more rigorous product quality requirements. As such, there are strong motivators to introduce new, more effective, inspection technologies that will help enable stone processors to reduce costs, improve quality and improve productivity. Natural stone surfaces may contain a mixture of complex two-dimensional (2D) patterns and three-dimensional (3D) features. The challenge in terms of automated inspection is to develop systems able to reliably identify 3D topographic defects, either naturally occurring or resulting from polishing, in the presence of concomitant complex 2D stochastic colour patterns. The resulting real-time analysis of the defects may be used in adaptive process control, in order to avoid the wasteful production of defective product. An innovative approach, using structured light and based upon an adaptation of the photometric stereo method, has been pioneered and developed at UWE to isolate and characterize mixed 2D and 3D surface features. The method is able to undertake tasks considered beyond the capabilities of existing surface inspection techniques. The approach has been successfully applied to real stone samples, and a selection of experimental results is presented.

Musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial risk factors among workers of the aircraft maintenance industry.

Science.gov (United States)

Nogueira, Helen Cristina; Diniz, Ana Carolina Parise; Barbieri, Dechristian França; Padula, Rosimeire Simprini; Carregaro, Rodrigo Luiz; de Oliveira, Ana Beatriz

2012-01-01

During the recent decades Brazil has experienced an exponential growth in the aviation sector resulting in an increasing workforce. The aircraft maintenance industry stands out, where the workers have to handle different kind of objects. The aim of this study was to evaluate psychosocial indicators as well as musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders among aircraft maintenance workers. One hundred and one employees were evaluated (32.69 ± 8.25 yr, 79.8 ± 13.4 kg, and 1.75 ± 0.07 m). Musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders were assessed through the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and a standardized physical examination. The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) were applied to evaluate psychosocial indicators. Results of the NMQ indicate the lower back as the most affected body region. On the other hand, the physical examination has shown clinical diagnosis of shoulder disorders. Neck, upper back and ankle/foot were also reported as painful sites. Most of workers have active work-demand profile and high work engagement levels. We suggest that musculoskeletal symptoms may be related to high biomechanical demand of the tasks performed by workers, what must be further investigated.

Characteristics of dune-paleosol-sequences in Fuerteventura. - What should be questioned?

Science.gov (United States)

Faust, Dominik; Willkommen, Tobias; Yanes, Yurena; Richter, David; Zöller, Ludwig

2013-04-01

Characteristics of dune-paleosol-sequences in Fuerteventura. - What should be questioned? Dominik Faust, TU Dresden, Germany Tobias Willkommen, TU Dresden, Germany Yurena Yanes, CSIC Granada/Cincinatti, Spain/USA David Richter, TU Dresden, Germany Ludwig Zöller, Uni Bayreuth, Germany The northern part of Fuerteventura is characterized by large dune fields. We investigated dune-paleosol-sequences in four pits to establish a robust stratigraphy and to propose a standard section. An interaction of processes like dune formation, soil formation and redeposition of soils and sand are most important to understand the principles of landscape development in the study area. To our mind a process cycle seem to be important: First climbing-dunes are formed by sand of shelf origin. Then soil formation could have taken place. Soil and/or sand were then eroded and deposited at toe slope position. This material in turn is the source of new sand supply and dune formation. The described cycle may be repeated several times and this ping-pong-process holds on. The results are sections composed of dune layers, paleosols and colluvial material interbedded. Fundamental questions still remain unanswered: Is climate change responsable for changes in process combination (e.g. from dune formation to soil formation)? Or are these features due to divergence phenomenon, where different effects/results (dune and soils) may be linked to similar causes (here: climate)? Assuming that different features (soils and dunes) were formed under one climate, increasing soil forming intensity could be mainly a function of decreasing sand supply. This in turn could be caused by reduced sand production (s. ZECH et al. accepted). However geochemical data and mollusc assemblages point to changing environments in space and even climate modifications in time.

Individual Self-monitoring &Peer-monitoring In One Classroom in Writing Activities: Who Is at Disadvantage?

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zohreh Zare Toofan

2014-02-01

Full Text Available Writing is an important experience through which we are able to share ideas, arouse feelings, persuade and convince other people (white & Arndt, 1991. It is important to view writing not solely as the product of an individual, but as a cognitive, social and cultural act. Writing is an act that takes place within a context, that accomplishes a particular purpose and that is appropriately shaped for its intended audience (Hamplyones & Condon, 1989. Here, the present research considers the significance effects of two important independent variables self-monitoring and peer-monitoring in writing activities on Iranian EFL learners. In this research it was supposed to study new effects of two Meta cognitive strategies self-monitoring and peer-monitoring on 173 male and female learners' writing activities whose age ranged between the age 16-27, and they had a composing description writing paragraph as pre & post test in the same conditions. Although many studies have been conducted on the effects of self-monitoring with a variety of students across a variety of settings (Amato-Zech, Hoff, & Doepke, 2006 Cooper et al., 2007, Dunlap, Dunlap, Koegel, & Koegel 1991. But goal of this study was to increase the participant’s on-task behavior in self & peer-monitoring (E. Johnson, 2007, Self &Peer-monitoring added. Although both of them were useful for providing challengeable students, and became useful for prosocial life, but self-monitoring helped them to become awareness of their weaknesses and strengths to increase positive way of the quality and quantity of their learning in written task, and peer-monitoring occurred when the students achieved recognition level to evaluate the other peers' behavior, and it was obviously understood that it needed more training time to arrive at the level of recognition of each others' behavior.

Who should foot the bill? A discussion of alternative organizational models to finance dismantling and radioactive waste disposal; Wer soll die Zeche zahlen? Diskussion alternativer Organisationsmodelle zur Finanzierung von Rueckbau und Endlagerung

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jaensch, Elisabeth; Hirschhausen, Christian von; Moeckel, Christian [Technische Univ. Berlin (Germany). Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturpolitik; Brunnengraeber, Achim [Freie Univ. Berlin (Germany). Forschungszentrum fuer Umweltpolitik (FFU)

2017-09-01

Based on the costs-by-cause principle everybody has to be responsible for the environmental damage produced. Accordingly the electricity supply companies should have to pay for the dismantling of nuclear power plants and the radioactive waste disposal. The implementation of a fond under public law seems to be an adequate solution. Critical arguments concerning the costs-by-cause principle shows that instead of a constrained enforcement of this principle a solution in the sense of the society as a whole should be in the focus.

Job crafting, work engagement, and psychological distress among Japanese employees: a cross-sectional study.

Science.gov (United States)

Sakuraya, Asuka; Shimazu, Akihito; Eguchi, Hisashi; Kamiyama, Kimika; Hara, Yujiro; Namba, Katsuyuki; Kawakami, Norito

2017-01-01

Job crafting, an employee-initiated job design/redesign, has become important for employees' well-being. However, most studies on the relationship between job crafting and employees' well-being have been conducted in western countries; thus, it is unclear whether job crafting can be effectively applied to Asian cultures, such as Japan, which emphasizes group harmony. The aim of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations of self-reported job crafting with work engagement and psychological distress among employees in Japan. A questionnaire survey through the internet was conducted among all employees of a manufacturing company in Japan. We analyzed the data from 894 respondents, all employees with regular employment. Job crafting, work engagement, and psychological distress were assessed using the Japanese version of the Job Crafting Questionnaire, the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), and the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ), respectively. Hierarchical multiple regression showed that increasing structural job resources, social job resources, and challenging job demands was significantly and positively associated with work engagement ( β  = 0.31, p  engagement and lower psychological distress. In addition, increasing social job resources and challenging job demands are also associated with higher work engagement.

Factors influencing the levels of work engagement in physicians from Poland, Serbia and Bulgaria.

Science.gov (United States)

Wilczyński, Krzysztof Maria; Swamad, Mohammed Abdul; Subotic, Vanja; Wizner, Dominika; Mazgaj, Elżbieta; Wajda, Weronika

2015-09-01

Lowered work engagement and burnout are a growing problem in recent years, especially among physicians. Cynicism, lack of energy and decreased efficacy may lead to the occurrence of severe depression. These phenomena influence almost every aspect of affected person's life, both professional and extraprofessional, and decrease its quality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of family life and other factors on levels of work engagement and risk of depression. Our study was conducted on a group of 417 physicians from Poland, Serbia and Bulgaria using a paper questionnaire. The collected data was subjected to statistical analyses using Statsoft Statistica v. 10.0 software. There was no significant correlation between work engagement and sex or age. The highest score on work engagement was in Serbia (m=4.41; Mann-Whitney's U test with pUWES and SWING scales. WHI+/WHI- ratio correlates significantly with a BDI scale (Spearman's r=-0.49; pengagement and risk of burnout. The negative influence of work on family life may increase the risk of depression, and that effect is not susceptible to either positive or negative interactions of family life with work. The country with the lowest expenditure on a healthcare have also the lowest levels of work engagement.

Penyusunan dan Pengembangan Alat Ukur Employee Engagement

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Titien Titien

2017-01-01

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan instrumen yang dapat mengukur skor employee engagement yang didasarkan pada kerangka teoritis yang dikemukakan oleh Schaufeli. Instrumen sebelumnya dikenal dengan Utretch Work Engagement Scale (UWES yang dikembangkan dengan menggunakan validitas isi dan konstrak. Validitas isi diuji melalui judgment dari para ahli di bidang Psikologi dan menggunakan Aiken’s V, sedangkan validitas konstrak dibuktikan dengan korelasi item-total dan analisis faktor. Validitas isi diperoleh dari 15 orang yang ahli di bidang Psikologi untuk mengevaluasi isi dari 32 item. Aiken’s V digunakan untuk mengevaluasi koefisien dari setiap item (range yang baik berada di rentang 0,645 sampai 0,98. Konsistensi internal diperoleh melalui alpha Cronbach dengan koefisien reliabilitas sebesar 0,934 setelah item-item yang memiliki nilai di bawah 0,4 dikeluarkan. Total item yang tersisa berjumlah 22 item untuk kemudian dilakukan uji validitas konstrak. Confirmatory factor analysis dilakukan melalui analisis factor. Sebanyak 135 staf di salah satu Perusahaan Plantation di Balikpapan berpartisipasi dalam penelitian ini. Hasil analisis factor menunjukkan adanya factor yang saling tumpang tindih antara ketiga aspek dari employee engagement, yang setelah dikonfirmasi kembali ke blueprint menyisakan sebanyak 8 item, 4 item untuk aspek vigor, 2 item masing-masing untuk aspek dedication dan absorption.

Occupational burnout and work engagement: a national survey of dentists in the United Kingdom.

Science.gov (United States)

Denton, D A; Newton, J T; Bower, E J

2008-10-11

To determine the levels of burnout and work engagement among dentists in the United Kingdom.Study design Postal survey of 500 dentists selected at random from the General Dental Council register. Respondents completed a questionnaire pack comprising the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), together with questions on demographic characteristics. Approximately 8% of respondents had scores suggestive of burnout on all three scales of the MBI-HSS and a further 18.5% had high scores in two of the domains. Eighty-three percent of respondents had work engagement scores suggestive of moderate or high work engagement. Dentists with postgraduate qualifications and those who work in larger teams had lower burnout scores and more positive work engagement scores. Dentists who spend a greater proportion of their time in NHS practice showed lower work engagement and higher levels of burnout. Burnout affects a small but significant proportion of dental practitioners in the United Kingdom. A larger proportion of practitioners show low work engagement, suggesting a negative attitude to their work. Higher burnout scores and lower work engagement scores were found in dentists without postgraduate qualifications, those in small teams and in those who spend a greater proportion of their time in NHS practice.

Relación del burnout y el engagement con depresión, ansiedad y rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Carmen Caballero Domínguez

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Objetivo: Analizar las relaciones entre burnout y engagement con ansiedad, depresión y rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios de programas de salud. Materiales y métodos: El diseño fue observacional, correlacional, multivariado; la muestra, aleatoria y estratificada, de 802 estudiantes de programas de salud de universidades de Barranquilla. Instrumentos: MBISS, UWES-S, STAI e Inventario de Depresión de Beck. Resultados: El análisis de las correspondencias múltiples entre las variables evidenció un factor conformado principalmente por las dimensiones de Vigor, Absorción, Dedicación e Ineficacia Académica, cuyo extremo negativo se relacionaba con bajo engagement y altos niveles de burnout, ineficacia académica, depresión y de ansiedad de rasgo y de estado; el extremo positivo, con alto engagement, buen rendimiento académico y baja ineficacia, depresión y ansiedad de rasgo y de estado. Conclusiones: En la muestra estudiada, el burnout y el engagement académicos se identificaron relacionados como polos extremos y opuestos de un mismo continuo multidimensional, en el que tanto el polo del burnout como el del engagement se configuran por valores esperados de las variables estudiadas pero opuestos al del polo contrario.

Book Review Symposium: Between Reflexivity and Consolidation—Qualitative Research in the Mirror of Handbooks

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shalva Weil

2008-08-01

Full Text Available The increasing number of textbooks and handbooks on qualitative research reflects developments in qualitative research as a field. In this book review symposium—based on a "Meet the Author" Session at the European Sociological Association Conference in Glasgow in 2007—several recent examples of handbooks written or edited by Uwe FLICK are discussed by two commentators. The author of the books then adds his own comments and responses. The discussion covers four main issues. First, tensions between intensifying the reflexivity of qualitative research and consolidating it as a competitor on the market of research, research training and funding are discussed. A second issue is how handbooks contribute to bridging the gaps between different local or language-specific traditions of qualitative research. A third issue is how to integrate more strongly the idea of research design into the methodological discussion (and practice of qualitative research more strongly. A fourth issue is how to promote and assess the quality of qualitative research and overcome a "legitimation crisis". These issues are discussed by the authors of this book review symposium from different perspectives with a focus on teaching qualitative methodology and on the progress of qualitative research. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0803280

Intelligent and efficient use of renewable energy sources in Saxonia and Czech Republic. Technical, economic and legal aspects; Intelligenter und effizienter Einsatz von (er)neu(erbar)en Energien in Sachsen und Tschechien. Technische, wirtschaftliche und rechtliche Aspekte

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gramlich, Ludwig; Orantek, Kerstin (eds.)

2011-07-01

Within the meeting in Oberwiesenthal (Federal Republic of Germany) between 30th September and 02nd October, 2011, the following lectures were held: (a) Utilization of renewable energy sources in Czech Republic (Martin Neruda); (b) Scenarios of energy and ecology development in the next 20 years (Behumir Stedron); (c) Climatic protection and emission trading (Rainer Wolf); (d) Nuclear energy - suicide mission or glimmer of hope (Michael Hietschold); (e) Energetic questions in areas near to the area (Martin Maslaton); (f) Climatic protection and renewable energy sources in the Vogtland district - State of the art and problems (Tobias Pohl); (g) Complex reconstruction of plate buildings - economic and energetic potential (Jan Antonin); (h) Ecologic forms of traffic and their preferential treatment in metropolises (Jana Halirova); (i) Utilization of renewable energy sources in air traffic (Rosina Kasica); (j) Smart Metering - on the way to an economical technology? (Uwe Goetze); (k) Integration of an enhanced number of electric vehicles in the low voltage network (Jens Teuscher); (l) Intelligent electric cars and the concept of green energy (Zdenek Votruba); (m) Smart grids under the conditions of Czech Republic (Petr Marecek); (n) Possibilities of utilization of nuclear power plants as a source for a central heat supply of neighbouring agglomerations - with focus on Czech Republic (Tomas Kralik).

Effect on a long-term afforestation of pine in a beech domain in NE-Spain as reflected in soil C and N isotopic signature

Science.gov (United States)

Girona García, Antonio; Badía-Villas, David; González-Pérez, José Antonio; Tomás Jiménez-Morillo, Nicasio; Martí-Dalmau, Clara

2015-04-01

enriched in 13C as compared to that from beech (OL enrichment factor= 1.24 ± 0.13 per thousand). Along the soil profile the C isotopic signature (d13C) reflects the main vegetation signature being higher in pine than beech in the organic soil horizons (OL, OF and OH) down to the first mineral Ah horizon. At deeper horizons d13C value tends to equal that of the original beech soil indicating a limited influence of the afforested specie with depth even 100 years after afforestation. A consistent enrichment in d15N with depth was observed in the two profiles. This N enrichments have been related with progressive N losses being particularly pronounced in forest soils (Szpak, 2014 and refs therein). This phenomenon can be also related to migrations of N forms in a more evolved organic matter. In this view N losses in organic layers under beech seem to be less pronounced that under the alien pine. REFERENCES: Andreeva BD, Zech M, Glaser B, Erbajeva MA, Chimitdorgieva, Ermakova OD, Zech, W. (2013). Stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O) record of soils in Buryatia, southern Siberia: Implications for biogeochemical and paleoclimatic interpretations. Quaternary International 290-291 (2013) 82-94 pp. Carceller F, Vallejo VR (1996). Influencia de la vegetación en los procesos de podsolización en los suelos de la Sierra del Moncayo (Zaragoza). Geogaceta 1127-1130. Szpak P (2014). Complexities of nitrogen isotope biogeochemistry in plant-soil systems: implications for the study of ancient agricultural and animal management practices. Front. Plant Sci. 5: 288 1-19 pp. Acknowledgements: This study is part of the results of the FUEGOSOL (CGL2013-43440-R) and GEOFIRE Projects (CGL2012-38655-C04-01) funded by the Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness. N.T Jiménez-Morillo is funded by a FPI research grant (BES-2013-062573).

Relación entre burnout y engagement académicos con variables sociodemográficas y académicas

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Carmen Cecilia Caballero D.

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Este estudio buscó esclarecer la interdependencia entre burnout académico ( BA y engagement académico ( EA en estudiantes universitarios del área de la salud, y profundizar en la carac - terización de esta relación a partir de sus asociaciones con variables sociodemográficas y académicas (desempeño académico, DA . Se utilizó un diseño observacional y correlacional de tipo multivariado con una muestra, constituida aleatoria y estratificadamente por 802 estudiantes de los programas de medicina, enfermería, fisioterapia y psicología de universi - dades privadas de Barranquilla, Colombia. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el MBI - SS , el UWES-S y un cuestionario sobre condiciones socioeconómicas y académicas. El análisis de las relaciones halladas entre BA y EA permitió considerarlos articulados como extremos de un mismo continuo fenoménico o factor, compuesto por las dimensiones de vigor, dedicación, ineficacia académica y cinismo, con valores opuestos en los extremos o polos del factor. Se identificaron variables sociodemográficas y académicas asociadas con los polos del BA y del EA del factor reconocido, donde el BA resultó un buen predictor de mal DA , y el EA un buen predictor de buen DA .

Coping and work engagement in selected South African organisations

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sebastiaan Rothmann

2011-10-01

Research purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and work engagement in three occupational groups in South Africa. Motivation for the study: There is little understanding of the relationship between effective forms of coping and positive outcomes (like work engagement. Research design, approach and method: The researchers used a survey design. They drew random and stratified samples (N = 3178 from three occupational groups. These were technical employees in an electricity provider, professional and enrolled nurses and police officers. They administered the Coping Orientations to the Problems Experienced (COPE and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES. Main findings: The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between work engagement, problem-focused coping, positive reinterpretation and growth. In the nursing sample, high problem-focused coping, low avoidance and low ventilation of emotions predicted work engagement best. In the police sample, four coping strategies (problem-focused coping, seeking social support, turning to religion and low ventilation of emotions predicted work engagement best. In the technician sample, problem-focused coping and low ventilation of emotions predicted work engagement best. Practical/managerial implications: Organisations should consider employees’ coping strategies when they introduce interventions to improve work engagement. Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the knowledge about the relationship between coping strategies and work engagement in South African organisations.

Why Japanese workers show low work engagement: An item response theory analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement scale.

Science.gov (United States)

Shimazu, Akihito; Schaufeli, Wilmar B; Miyanaka, Daisuke; Iwata, Noboru

2010-11-05

With the globalization of occupational health psychology, more and more researchers are interested in applying employee well-being like work engagement (i.e., a positive, fulfilling, work-related state of mind that is characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption) to diverse populations. Accurate measurement contributes to our further understanding and to the generalizability of the concept of work engagement across different cultures. The present study investigated the measurement accuracy of the Japanese and the original Dutch versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (9-item version, UWES-9) and the comparability of this scale between both countries. Item Response Theory (IRT) was applied to the data from Japan (N = 2,339) and the Netherlands (N = 13,406). Reliability of the scale was evaluated at various levels of the latent trait (i.e., work engagement) based the test information function (TIF) and the standard error of measurement (SEM). The Japanese version had difficulty in differentiating respondents with extremely low work engagement, whereas the original Dutch version had difficulty in differentiating respondents with high work engagement. The measurement accuracy of both versions was not similar. Suppression of positive affect among Japanese people and self-enhancement (the general sensitivity to positive self-relevant information) among Dutch people may have caused decreased measurement accuracy. Hence, we should be cautious when interpreting low engagement scores among Japanese as well as high engagement scores among western employees.

DUKUNGAN ORGANISASI YANG DIRASAKAN DAN KETERIKATAN KARYAWAN PADA KARYAWAN PT. BANK RAKYAT INDONESIA (Persero Tbk, CABANG BANDA ACEH

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Santi Julita

2017-06-01

Full Text Available Development of globalization impact to a strict competition between the companies. This lead the Human Resources factor into a crucial role in maintaining, directing and developing the company. Therefore, every company needs employees who are bound by their job. One of the things that can encourage the formation of relationship between the employee is perceived organizational support. This study aims to determine the relationship between perceived organizational support by attachment of employees at PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero Tbk, Branch of Banda Aceh. The number of samples in this study were 139 permanent employees who were still working or were not taking time off from work with a minimum term of one year and the last education was diploma. The sampling technique used purposive sampling technique. Collecting the data using the scale adaptation of Survey of Perceived Organizational Support with 17-item version (α= .91 and a scale adaptation of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES with 17-item version (α= .95. The results of data analysis using pearson product moment correlation technique that showed a positive relationship between perceived organizational support by attachment of employees at PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero Tbk, Branch of Banda Aceh (rxy = .30, p < .05. The higher of perceived organizational support to the employee, likewise the higher bound of employee or otherwise.

Psychological flexibility of nurses in a cancer hospital: Preliminary validation of a chinese version of the work-related acceptance and action questionnaire

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xianghua Xu

2018-01-01

Full Text Available Objective: To translate the English work-related acceptance and action questionnaire (WAAQ, make cross-cultural adaptations, and examine its psychometric properties when used by Chinese oncology nurses. Methods: After translation, the psychometric properties of the Chinese WAAQ were analyzed among 417 nurses, and content validity was determined by six experts. Results: Item-level content validity index (CVI values were between 0.83 and 1.00; scale-level CVI/universal agreement (S-CVI/UA and S-CVI/average were 0.86 and 0.98, respectively, which implicated a good content validity. The correlation of the Chinese WAAQ with AAQ-II (rs= −0.247, P < 0.001 suggested criterion validity, and those with General Health Questionnaire-12 (−0.250, <0.001 and general self-efficacy scale (0.491, <0.001 and Utrecht work engagement scale (UWES (0.439, <0.001 suggested convergent validity. Exploratory factor analysis identified a seven-item, one-factor structure of WAAQ. The Chinese version of WAAQ had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.920, with an item-total correlation coefficient of 0.702–0.828 (P < 0.05, split-half reliability of 0.933, and test-retest reliability of 0.772. Conclusions: The Chinese WAAQ is a reliable and valid tool for assessing psychological flexibility in Chinese oncology nurses.

Psychological capital, work engagement and organisational commitment amongst call centre employees in South Africa

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Janet C. Simons

2013-11-01

Research purpose: The purpose of the research was to determine the relationship between psychological capital, work engagement and organisational commitment amongst call centre employees; and further, to determine whether psychological capital and work engagement hold predictive value for the organisational commitment of call centre employees. Motivation for the study: There is a gap in research in understanding and enabling positive resource capacities in highly stressful work contexts such as call centres. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A sample of 106 call centre employees from a South African organisation participated in the research. The measuring instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES and the Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ. Main findings: Significant positive relationships were found between psychological capital, work engagement and organisational commitment. The results showed work engagement as being the only significant predictor of organisational commitment. Practical/managerial implications: Call centre employers need to develop and implement workplace interventions that would increase the psychological capital of call centre employees. Contribution/value-add: The research findings will benefit both call centre employees and management. The study highlighted the importance of the role of optimism as a subdimension of psychological capital in developing work engagement and organisational commitment amongst call centre employees.

The Job Demands-Resources model as predictor of work identity and work engagement: A comparative analysis

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Roslyn De Braine

2011-05-01

Research purpose: This study explored possible differences in the Job Demands-Resources model (JD-R as predictor of overall work engagement, dedication only and work-based identity, through comparative predictive analyses. Motivation for the study: This study may shed light on the dedication component of work engagement. Currently no literature indicates that the JD-R model has been used to predict work-based identity. Research design: A census-based survey was conducted amongst a target population of 23134 employees that yielded a sample of 2429 (a response rate of about 10.5%. The Job Demands- Resources scale (JDRS was used to measure job demands and job resources. A work-based identity scale was developed for this study. Work engagement was studied with the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES. Factor and reliability analyses were conducted on the scales and general multiple regression models were used in the predictive analyses. Main findings: The JD-R model yielded a greater amount of variance in dedication than in work engagement. It, however, yielded the greatest amount of variance in work-based identity, with job resources being its strongest predictor. Practical/managerial implications: Identification and work engagement levels can be improved by managing job resources and demands. Contribution/value-add: This study builds on the literature of the JD-R model by showing that it can be used to predict work-based identity.

Building work engagement: A systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the effectiveness of work engagement interventions.

Science.gov (United States)

Knight, Caroline; Patterson, Malcolm; Dawson, Jeremy

2017-07-01

Low work engagement may contribute towards decreased well-being and work performance. Evaluating, boosting and sustaining work engagement are therefore of interest to many organisations. However, the evidence on which to base interventions has not yet been synthesised. A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of work engagement interventions. A systematic literature search identified controlled workplace interventions employing a validated measure of work engagement. Most used the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Studies containing the relevant quantitative data underwent random-effects meta-analyses. Results were assessed for homogeneity, systematic sampling error, publication bias and quality. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were categorised into four types of interventions: (i) personal resource building; (ii) job resource building; (iii) leadership training; and (iv) health promotion. The overall effect on work engagement was small, but positive, k  = 14, Hedges g  = 0.29, 95%-CI = 0.12-0.46. Moderator analyses revealed a significant result for intervention style, with a medium to large effect for group interventions. Heterogeneity between the studies was high, and the success of implementation varied. More studies are needed, and researchers are encouraged to collaborate closely with organisations to design interventions appropriate to individual contexts and settings, and include evaluations of intervention implementation. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Organizational Behavior published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Glacial evolution of the Ampato Volcanic Complex (Peru)

Science.gov (United States)

Alcalá, J.; Palacios, D.; Zamorano, J. J.; Vázquez, L.

2009-04-01

Ice masses on the Western range of the Central Andes are a main source of water resources and act as a geoindicator of variations in the climate of the tropics (Mark, 2008). The study of their evolution is of particular interest since they are situated in the transition zone between the tropical and mid-latitude circulation areas of the atmosphere (Zech et al., 2007). The function of this transition area is currently under debate, and understanding it is essential for the development of global climate models (Kull et al, 2008; Mark, 2008). However our understanding of the evolution of glaciers and their paleoclimatic factors for this sector of the Central Andes is still at a very basic level. This paper presents initial results of a study on the glacial evolution of the Ampato volcanic complex (15°24´- 15° 51´ S, 71° 51´ - 73° W; 6288 m a.s.l.) located in the Western Range of the Central Andes in Southern Peru, 70 km NW of the city of Arequipa. The main objectives are to identify the number of glacial phases the complex has undergone using geomorphological criteria to define a time frame for each phase, based on cosmogenic 36Cl dating of a sequence of moraine deposits; and to estimate the glacier Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) of each phase. The Ampato volcanic complex is formed by 3 great andesitic stratovolcanoes, the Nevados HualcaHualca-Sabancaya-Ampato, which started forming between the late Miocene and early Quaternary (Bulmer et al., 1999), aligned N-S and with summits covered with glaciers. The Sabancaya volcano is fully active, with its latest eruption occurring in 2001. Glacial landforms were identified and mapped using photointerpretation of vertical aerial photographs from 1955 (1:35,000 scale, National Geographic Institute of Peru), oblique photographs from 1943 (Aerophotographical Service of Peru), and a geo-referenced high-resolution Mrsid satellite image from 2000 (NASA). This cartography was corrected and improved through fieldwork. It was

Relationship of musculoskeletal pain and well-being at work - Does pain matter?

Science.gov (United States)

Malmberg-Ceder, Kirsi; Haanpää, Maija; Korhonen, Päivi E; Kautiainen, Hannu; Soinila, Seppo

2017-04-01

Musculoskeletal pain is a common symptom and many people even with chronic pain continue to work. The aim of our study is to analyze how musculoskeletal pain affects work well-being by comparing work engagement in employees with or without pain, and how pain-related risk of disability is associated with work engagement. In a separate analysis, we also studied, how psychosocial factors are related to work engagement. This is a cross-sectional study of Finnish female employees of the city of Pori, Finland (PORi To Aid Against Threats (PORTAAT) study). Data was collected by trained study nurses and self-administrated questionnaires. Work well-being was measured by work engagement using Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) questionnaire and the burden of pain was measured by using the short version of Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ). Study population was divided into four groups: those without pain and the groups with low (I), medium (II) or high (III) ÖMPSQ score, reflecting increasing risk of long term disability due to musculoskeletal pain. The study nurse assessed psychosocial risk factors using defined core questions. We evaluated 702 female employees, 601 (86%) had suffered from musculoskeletal pain over the past 12 months, whereas 101 (14%) reported no pain at all. Pain was chronic (duration at least 3 months) in 465/601 (77%) subjects. Subjects with musculoskeletal pain were older, had higher BMI and were on sick leave more often than subjects without pain. Of the psychosocial risk factors, depression, type D personality, anxiety and hostility were significantly more common among subjects with musculoskeletal pain. Hypertension and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were significantly more frequent in the musculoskeletal pain group. Quality of sleep and working capability were significantly better among persons without pain. Average weekly working hours were slightly higher among those with musculoskeletal pain. In

Physical activity and self-esteem: testing direct and indirect relationships associated with psychological and physical mechanisms

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zamani Sani SH

2016-10-01

Full Text Available Seyed Hojjat Zamani Sani,1 Zahra Fathirezaie,1 Serge Brand,2 Uwe Pühse,3 Edith Holsboer-Trachsler,2 Markus Gerber,3 Siavash Talepasand4 1Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; 2Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS, 3Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; 4Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran Abstract: In the present study, we investigated the relationship between physical activity (PA and self-esteem (SE, while introducing body mass index (BMI, perceived physical fitness (PPF, and body image (BI in adults (N =264, M =38.10 years. The findings indicated that PA was directly and indirectly associated with SE. BMI predicted SE neither directly nor indirectly, but was directly associated with PPF and both directly and indirectly with BI. Furthermore, PPF was directly related to BI and SE, and a direct association was found between BI and SE. The pattern of results suggests that among a sample of adults, PA is directly and indirectly associated with SE, PPF, and BI, but not with BMI. PA, PPF, and BI appear to play an important role in SE. Accordingly, regular PA should be promoted, in particular, among adults reporting lower SE. Keywords: physical activity, self-esteem, physical fitness, body image, adults

Building work engagement: A systematic review and meta‐analysis investigating the effectiveness of work engagement interventions

Science.gov (United States)

Patterson, Malcolm; Dawson, Jeremy

2016-01-01

Summary Low work engagement may contribute towards decreased well‐being and work performance. Evaluating, boosting and sustaining work engagement are therefore of interest to many organisations. However, the evidence on which to base interventions has not yet been synthesised. A systematic review with meta‐analysis was conducted to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of work engagement interventions. A systematic literature search identified controlled workplace interventions employing a validated measure of work engagement. Most used the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES). Studies containing the relevant quantitative data underwent random‐effects meta‐analyses. Results were assessed for homogeneity, systematic sampling error, publication bias and quality. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were categorised into four types of interventions: (i) personal resource building; (ii) job resource building; (iii) leadership training; and (iv) health promotion. The overall effect on work engagement was small, but positive, k = 14, Hedges g = 0.29, 95%‐CI = 0.12–0.46. Moderator analyses revealed a significant result for intervention style, with a medium to large effect for group interventions. Heterogeneity between the studies was high, and the success of implementation varied. More studies are needed, and researchers are encouraged to collaborate closely with organisations to design interventions appropriate to individual contexts and settings, and include evaluations of intervention implementation. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Organizational Behavior published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PMID:28781428

Impact of psychosocial training on burnout, engagement and resilience among students

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zuzana Škodová

2015-09-01

Full Text Available Aim: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of psychosocial training, with a focus on increasing social and coping skills, on the levels of burnout and engagement in students in various healthcare professions. Design: A quasi-experimental design was used in the present study. Methods: 97 students (20.2 ‘ 1.49; 95.9% female of psychology, nursing and midwifery participated in the research (50 students in an experimental group receiving psychosocial training, and 47 students in a control group. To measure burnout, the School Burnout Inventory (SBI, Antonovski Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES and Baruth Protective Factors Inventory (BPFI were employed. Data were statistically analyzed using correlation analysis, Student's t-test, and the ANOVA with LSD post hoc tests. Results: A statistically significant decrease in burnout syndrome (95 % CI: 5.26; 11.94, and an increased sense of coherence (95 % CI: -11.48; -3.37 and resilience (95 % CI: -7.92; -1.70 were found in the experimental group of students after psychosocial training, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Research assumptions regarding engagement were not confirmed. Conclusion: The research study has shown that psychosocial training as a method has a positive effect on burnout syndrome and related personality characteristics among students of the healthcare professions, and is thus a relevant and appropriate method of burnout prevention.

Assessment of work engagement among dentists in Hyderabad.

Science.gov (United States)

Mukkavilli, Madhuri; Kulkarni, Suhas; Doshi, Dolar; Reddy, Srikanth; Reddy, Padma; Reddy, Sahithi

2017-01-01

Work engagement has been conceptualized as a relatively stable phenomenon, partly explained by the presence of specific job and organizational characteristics. Work engagement is important to the dental workforce worldwide, and the lack of it has been known to cause burnout. Positivity among dentists is essential as it is directly proportional to the patient's satisfaction towards the dental care. To assess work engagement among dentists in the city of Hyderabad, India. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted to assess work engagement among dentists enrolled with the local branch of the Indian Dental Association in the city of Hyderabad, India. The shortened form of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) questionnaire was employed for the assessment. The mean scores of total work engagement and its domains based on gender and educational qualifications were estimated using Student t- test. A total of 371 subjects participated in the study. Females reported higher mean scores than males for total work (p = 0.40) and its dimensions (Vigor; p = 0.23, Dedication; p = 0.53, Absorption; p = 0.69). Dentists with Master's degree had higher mean scores not only in the total work, but also in its dimensions. (p = 0.01). The present study reported that females had higher mean scores of total work engagement and its individual domains. In comparison with a Bachelor's degree, having a Master's degree enhanced work engagement among dentists in Hyderabad, India.

Oral submucous fibrosis: an update

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wollina U

2015-04-01

Full Text Available Uwe Wollina,1 Shyam B Verma,2 Fareedi Mukram Ali,3 Kishor Patil4 1Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany; 2Nirvana Skin Clinic, Vadodara, Gujarat, India; 3Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, SMBT Dental College, Sangamner, Maharashtra, India; 4Departments of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, SMBT Dental College, Sangamner, Maharashtra, India Abstract: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF is a premalignant condition caused by betel chewing. It is very common in Southeast Asia but has started to spread to Europe and North America. OSF can lead to squamous cell carcinoma, a risk that is further increased by concomitant tobacco consumption. OSF is a diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and confirmation by histopathology. Hypovascularity leading to blanching of the oral mucosa, staining of teeth and gingiva, and trismus are major symptoms. Major constituents of betel quid are arecoline from betel nuts and copper, which are responsible for fibroblast dysfunction and fibrosis. A variety of extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways might be involved. Treatment of OSF is difficult, as not many large, randomized controlled trials have been conducted. The principal actions of drug therapy include antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxygen radical mechanisms. Potential new drugs are on the horizon. Surgery may be necessary in advanced cases of trismus. Prevention is most important, as no healing can be achieved with available treatments. Keywords: betel nut, betel quid, oral disease, squamous cell carcinoma, tobacco, fibrosis

The influence of ethical leadership on trust and work engagement: An exploratory study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Amos S. Engelbrecht

2014-11-01

Motivation for the study: The study on the role of ethical leadership practices on employee engagement was motivated by the need to create an engaged workforce and a trusting work environment. Research approach, design and method: Data was collected using an electronic web-based questionnaire comprising three scales, namely the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES,Leader Trust Scale (LTS and the Leadership of Ethics Scale (LES. In total, 204 completed questionnaires were returned. Data was analysed by means of item and confirmatory factor analysis conducted via structural equation modelling (SEM. Main findings: High levels of reliability were found for all the measurement scales used. The results from the structural equation modelling (SEM indicated positive relationships between trust in the leader and work engagement, between ethical leadership and work engagement and between ethical leadership and trust in the leader. Practical/managerial implications: The findings emphasise the role played by ethical leadership behaviour of managers in promoting work engagement through the creation of employee relationships anchored on trust. Future studies should develop the theoretical model further by identifying other variables that influence work engagement. Contribution/value-add: Organisations today still face the challenge of developing an effective strategy for achieving work engagement. The ethical leadership style of managers is likely to create an ethical and trusting work climate conducive to the work engagement of employees.This is likely to enhance productivity as well as employee creativity and innovation.

Towards understanding causality between work engagement and psychological capital

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Johannes J. de Waal

2013-10-01

Research purpose: The main aim of this study was to conceptualise and investigate the causal relationship and temporal order in the relationship between PsyCap and engagement by means of longitudinal data. Motivation for the study: The rationale for establishing the sequence of engagement and psychological capital lies in the fact that training interventions to enhance the organisational well-being of employees may need to be focused on either one or the other. Research design, approach and method: A longitudinal study with a cross-lagged panel design was conducted; data was gathered by means of a survey that was constructed for the purpose of the study. The survey contained the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES, and a measure of PsyCap. All employees within a chemical factory (N = 1003 were approached to provide data; 163 employees participated. Main findings: Results revealed that PsyCap at Time 1 (T1 did not significantly predict engagement at Time 2 (T2. Evidence does however exist that initial levels of employee engagement predict subsequent PsyCap. Practical/managerial implications: Results suggest that employee interventions aimed at protecting and fostering employee engagement may have implications for subsequent employee psychological capital. Contribution/value-add: As an empirical, longitudinal study to address the temporal order between PsyCap and work engagement, this study makes a contribution especially to theory, but also with practical implications by indicating that engagement precedes employee psychological capital.

Why Japanese workers show low work engagement: An item response theory analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement scale

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Iwata Noboru

2010-11-01

Full Text Available Abstract With the globalization of occupational health psychology, more and more researchers are interested in applying employee well-being like work engagement (i.e., a positive, fulfilling, work-related state of mind that is characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption to diverse populations. Accurate measurement contributes to our further understanding and to the generalizability of the concept of work engagement across different cultures. The present study investigated the measurement accuracy of the Japanese and the original Dutch versions of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (9-item version, UWES-9 and the comparability of this scale between both countries. Item Response Theory (IRT was applied to the data from Japan (N = 2,339 and the Netherlands (N = 13,406. Reliability of the scale was evaluated at various levels of the latent trait (i.e., work engagement based the test information function (TIF and the standard error of measurement (SEM. The Japanese version had difficulty in differentiating respondents with extremely low work engagement, whereas the original Dutch version had difficulty in differentiating respondents with high work engagement. The measurement accuracy of both versions was not similar. Suppression of positive affect among Japanese people and self-enhancement (the general sensitivity to positive self-relevant information among Dutch people may have caused decreased measurement accuracy. Hence, we should be cautious when interpreting low engagement scores among Japanese as well as high engagement scores among western employees.

Energy for Rhineland-Palatinate. Safety and sustainability as aim for economy, science and policy. 2. rev. ed.; Energie fuer Rheinland-Pfalz. Sicherheit und Nachhaltigkeit als Ziele fuer Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Politik

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schaumann, Gunter; Weingarten, Joe (eds.)

2009-07-01

- Chances for a worth living and charming Rhineland-Palatinate (Christian Hinsch, Matthias Willenbacher); (19) Energy report Rheinhessen-Nahe - Planning community Rheinhessen-Nahe goes new ways (Jamill Sabbagh); (20) The Donnersberger Energy Concept (DENK) - On the way to energy autonomy and 'Citizen forum energy' (Uwe Welker); (21) Zero-Emission-Village association community Weilerbach: A comprehensive approach for the transformation of renewable energy projects in municipalities (Ottmar Paulus); (22) A good idea of full power: Grimburg gets independent in the case of heat and power (Werner Hitschler); (23) Protection of climate - Reduction of costs - Enhancement of the governmental support and living comfort (Uwe Abel); (24) Spectrum of offers of German offerers of exportable technologies and services for energy efficiency (Stefan Herzog); (25) Technologies for energy efficiency in small and medium-sized companies (Rolf Simon); (26) Power supply and interests of consumers (Hans Weinruter); (27) More energy efficiency in buildings (Michael Coridass); (28) From 3-litre-building to a building without heating costs (Karl Arenz); (28) W.I.N.{sup E} - An efficient heating in great rooms (Christine Kuebler); (29) Utilization of efficient energy and climate protection as a task of the craftsmanship (Guenther Tartter); (30) Enhancement of the energy efficiency by optimizing the building envelope and enhancement of the technical building equipment (Hermann Heinrich, Oliver Rechenbach, Nicole Weyand); (31) The power strategy of the regional company LBB (Stefan Grosshans); (32) Traffic political measures for energy conservation (Gerhard Harmeling); (33) Energy efficiency and alternative drives of future models of Opel (Guenter Schwarz); (34) Energy policy in future radar 2030: Targets and procedure of ZIRP (Joe Weingarten); (35) Energy for Rhineland-Palatinate: Statistical data and diagrams (Sebastian Langguth).

Etik og kommunikation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Uwe Geist

1996-09-01

Full Text Available "Det er ikke helt tilfældigt, at etik og PR ekspanderer voldsomt i 80´ernes Europa, og PR nærmer sig etikken. Begge dele er affødt af dybtgående forandringer i livsbetingelserne, som er beskrevet mange steder. Forurening, globalisering, polarisering mellem rig og fattig, genmanipulation og informationseksplosion er de gennemgå- ende motiver og et truende kaos det gennemgående tema". Det er på den baggrund, at Uwe Geist, der er ansat på Roskilde Universitets- centers Dansk/PR-uddannelse, i artiklen prøver at komme bag om et modeord, som i de senere år har hærget både samfundet i almindelig- hed og PR-branchen i særdeleshed. I artiklen sætter han først begre- bet "etik" op imod beslægtede begreber som "moral", "høflighed" og "ret". Dernæst diskuterer han etikkens nødvendighed, på den ene side inden for Habermas´ teori om kommunikativ handlen og diskurs, livs- verden og systemverden, hvor etik ikke handler om faste normer for godt og ondt, men om gensidigheden som grundnorm; på den anden side inden for Luhmanns systemteori, hvor gensidighed ganske vist er funktions- og effektivitetsorienteret, men ikke kan undvære mekanis- men og ressourcen "tillid". Fordi artiklen omhyggeligt forklarer de cen- trale begreber, den diskuterer, kan den både fungere begrebsintrodu- cerende for læsere uden omfattende forudsætninger på feltet, og be- grebsafklarende for mere indviede læsere.

Severe atypical herpes zoster as an initial symptom of fatal myelodysplastic syndrome with refractory anemia and blast excess (RAEB II

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Wollina U

2017-05-01

Full Text Available Uwe Wollina,1 Gesina Hansel,1 Anja Baunacke,1 Georgi Tchernev2 1Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany; 2Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical Institute of Ministry of Interior (MVR, Sofia, Bulgaria Abstract: Herpes zoster is a common disease caused due to varicella zoster virus (VZV infection with increasing incidence by age. If the patient has a severe, extended, or treatment-recalcitrant course of herpes zoster, this must be a red flag to search for underlying pathologies. Here, we report about a 64-year-old male patient with diabetes, who came to our emergency department because of general malaise, fever, chills, and a pronounced nuchal and facial swelling on the left side. Based on herpetiform-grouped vesicles and yellowish crusts, an impetiginized facial herpes zoster was diagnosed, and combined antiviral and antibiotic treatment was initiated. He was HIV negative. Despite intensified treatment, his situation worsened. We observed blasts in peripheral blood, but bone marrow biopsy was initially denied. Some days later after deterioration of his disease, he accepted further diagnostics. A myelodysplastic syndrome with blast excess (refractory anemia and blast excess II, RAEB II could be confirmed. The following translocations were detected: t(2;12(p13; q13 and t(6;9(p22;q34. REAB II has an unfortunate prognosis. Cytoreductive treatment was initiated by the hemato-oncologist. Unfortunately, the patient deceased due to septic shock. Keywords: herpes zoster, varicella zoster virus, myelodysplastic syndrome, sepsis, emergency

初中生学习投入、学业自我概念对学业情绪的影响

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Qun LIU

2014-07-01

Full Text Available 文章选取200名初中生作为研究对象，获取有效问卷177份，采用俞国良等编制的学业情绪问卷和UWES-S 学习投入量表(中文版、初中生学业自我概念问卷研究初中生学习投入、学业自我概念对学业情绪的影响。结果发现：随着年级的增长，初中生体验到的消极情绪更多，且女生体验到的消极情绪高于男生；高学习投入水平的初中生更容易体验到消极学业情绪，中、低学习投入水平的初中生体验到的学业情绪虽然有差异，但不显著；低学业自我概念水平的初中生更容易体验到消极的学业情绪，而中学业自我概念水平的初中生与高、低学业自我概念水平的初中生的学业情绪存在差异，但不显著。

Happiness, work engagement and organisational commitment of support staff at a tertiary education institution in South Africa

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lyndsay K. Field

2011-09-01

Research purpose: The purpose of the research was to determine the relationship between happiness, work engagement and organisational commitment and to determine whether happiness and work engagement hold predictive value for the organisational commitment of support staff. Motivation for the study: This study aims to enable the identification of a link between happiness, work engagement and organisational commitment and to identify a predictive value of the model. Research design, approach and method: The researchers used a cross-sectional survey design. They used a sample of 123 (N = 123 support staff members from a tertiary education institution in South Africa. The researchers used four demographic questionnaires for the research. These were the ‘Satisfaction with Life Scale’ (SWLS, the ‘Well-Being Questionnaire’ (WBQ, the ‘Utrecht Work Engagement Scale’ (UWES and the ‘Organisational Commitment Questionnaire’ (OCQ. Main findings: The researchers found a significant positive relationship between affective organisational commitment and work engagement, as well as between affective organisational commitment and happiness (as the SWLS and WBQ measure. They found a significant positive relationship between work engagement and happiness. Finally, the results showed that happiness and work engagement have predictive value for affective organisational commitment. Practical/managerial implications: Happiness and work engagement have predictive value for affective organisational commitment. Therefore, institutions should carefully tailor any implementation programme or initiative to address this relationship. Contribution/value-add: The findings will benefit both managers and workers. Institutions should consider evaluating the levels of happiness and work engagement of their support staff to address the issue of the organisational commitment of their employees.

The Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS): a useful tool in workplace health promotion.

Science.gov (United States)

Nilsson, Petra; Andersson, H Ingemar; Ejlertsson, Göran

2013-01-01

To present validity data for the Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS), an instrument measuring multifaceted work experience from a salutogenic health resource perspective as a contrast to the more common pathogenic risk perspective, by exploring WEMS relationship to established measurements that are positively related to health and work. A salutogenic perspective focuses on finding conditions and resources in life, for example at work, that can enhance the individual's health and strength, instead of those causing illness and weakness. This study was carried out in 2009 at a Swedish hospital with a web-based survey (WEMS) to 770 employees. Different occupational groups at the hospital participated. Additional questionnaires used at the same time were the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS), the General Self-Efficacy scale (GSE), and three questions about self-rated health, general well-being, and quality of life. Cronbach's Alpha of WEMS sub-indices were in the interval of 0.85-0.96. Convergent validity and discriminant validity of WEMS and its sub-indices were shown to be satisfying by correlations. In addition, WEMS demonstrated the ability to discriminate between groups. WEMS sub-indices discriminated even better between groups than the total index. The WEMS proved to be a workplace health promotion questionnaire that was able to measure experiences of work from a salutogenic perspective. The WEMS has a potential of being a useful tool in workplace health promotion to enhance positive human capabilities and resources to improve work performance.

Highly miniaturized FEEP propulsion system (NanoFEEP) for attitude and orbit control of CubeSats

Science.gov (United States)

Bock, Daniel; Tajmar, Martin

2018-03-01

A highly miniaturized Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) system is currently under development at TU Dresden, called NanoFEEP [1]. The highly miniaturized thruster heads are very compact and have a volume of less than 3 cm3 and a weight of less than 6 g each. One thruster is able to generate continuous thrust of up to 8 μN with short term peaks of up to 22 μN. The very compact design and low power consumption (heating power demand between 50 and 150 mW) are achieved by using Gallium as metal propellant with its low melting point of approximately 30 °C. This makes it possible to implement an electric propulsion system consisting of four thruster heads, two neutralizers and the necessary electronics on a 1U CubeSat with its strong limitation in space, weight and available power. Even formation flying of 1U CubeSats using an electric propulsion system is possible with this system, which is shown by the example of a currently planned cooperation project between Wuerzburg University, Zentrum fuer Telematik and TU Dresden. It is planned to use the NanoFEEP electric propulsion system on the UWE (University Wuerzburg Experimental) 1U CubeSat platform [2] to demonstrate orbit and two axis attitude control with our electric propulsion system NanoFEEP. We present the latest performance characteristics of the NanoFEEP thrusters and the highly miniaturized electronics. Additionally, the concept and the current status of a novel cold neutralizer chip using Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) is presented.

The impact of resilience and perceived organisational support on employee engagement in a competitive sales environment

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anel Meintjes

2018-05-01

Full Text Available Orientation: Understanding the impact of resilience and perceived organisational support on employee engagement in a competitive sales environment. Research purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between resilience, perceived organisational support and employee engagement among pharmaceutical sales employees in a competitive sales environment; and to establish whether resilience and perceived organisational support hold predictive value for employee engagement. Motivation for the study: Limited research has focused on the unique context of employee engagement as a construct in professional sales. A broader understanding of resilience and perceived organisational support can provide sales organisations with a lever to create an environment where sales employees are more fully engaged. Research design, approach and method: A quantitative, exploratory, cross-sectional survey approach was used. A sample of 125 sales representatives from a South African pharmaceutical organisation participated in the research. The measuring instruments included the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES, Brief Resilience Scale (BRS and the Perceived Organisational Support Scale (POS. Main findings: Perceived organisational support, but not resilience impacted employee engagement in a competitive sales environment. Practical and managerial implications: Sales organisations’ interventions to improve sales employee engagement should focus on perceived organisational support. Contribution: The individual role of each construct provided insight into the sales context. The relationship between the constructs offered a different lens through which the drivers of employee engagement in sales can be viewed. This study contributes towards sales literature by including positive psychology and organisational support in a model of employee engagement.

[Burn-out, commitment, personality and experiences during work and training; survey among psychiatry residents].

Science.gov (United States)

Krebs, R; Ewalds, A L; van der Heijden, P T; Penterman, E J M; Grootens, K P

2017-01-01

In the last few years international studies have reported on increase in burn-out and depressive symptoms among psychiatry residents. In the field of research, however, commitment and dedication are now being mentioned more frequently as positive factors that counterbalance burn-out. To find out how a group of Dutch psychiatry residents feel about their work, to discover their degree of burn-out and commitment and to clarify the various factors involved. 59 psychiatry residents from four teaching hospitals were asked to complete questionnaires concerning burn-out (U-BOS-C), commitment (UWES-15) and personality (BFI-NL). Respondents were also asked to describe how they felt about their experiences during their work and to give their views on the instruction and training they were receiving. In the U-BOS-C section only four trainees (almost 7%) met the criteria for burn-out. In the BFI-NL section the psychiatry residents obtained significantly lower scores on neuroticism and higher scores on empathy than did a comparable norm group of a similar age. The scores of the psychiatry residents indicated that the term 'being proud of your work' was significantly related to a feeling of commitment and particularly to all subscales that reflected commitment. In our study the percentage of psychiatry residents with burn-out is significantly lower than the percentage reported elsewhere in the literature. In fact, our results demonstrate that the psychiatry residents who were the subject of our study regarded themselves as being emotionally stable, friendly and committed to their work.

Is physician supervision of the capsaicin 8% patch administration procedure really necessary? An opinion from health care professionals

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kern KU

2013-07-01

Full Text Available Kai-Uwe Kern,1 Janice England,2 Andrea Roth-Daniek,3 Till Wagner3 1Institute for Pain Medicine/Pain Practice, Wiesbaden, Germany; 2Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia, The Christie National Health Service Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; 3Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Department, Medizinisches Zentrum Städteregion Aachen, Aachen, Germany Abstract: Neuropathic pain is difficult to treat and can have a severe effect on quality of life. The capsaicin 8% patch is a novel treatment option that directly targets the source of peripheral neuropathic pain. It can provide pain relief for up to 12 weeks in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. Treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch follows a clearly defined procedure, and patch application must be carried out by a physician or a health care professional under the supervision of a physician. Nonetheless, in our experience, nurses often take the lead role in capsaicin 8% patch application without the involvement of a physician. We believe that the nurse's key role is of benefit to the patients, as he or she may be better placed, because of time constraints and patient relationships, to support the patient through the application procedure than a physician. Moreover, a number of frequently prescribed drugs, including botulinum toxin and infliximab, can be administered by health care professionals without the requirement for physician supervision. Here we argue that current guidance should be amended to remove the requirement for physician supervision during application of the capsaicin 8% patch. Keywords: capsaicin, neuropathic pain, topical, health care professional, physician, nurse

Scoping medical tourism and international hospital accreditation growth.

Science.gov (United States)

Woodhead, Anthony

2013-01-01

Uwe Reinhardt stated that medical tourism can do to the US healthcare system what the Japanese automotive industry did to American carmakers after Japanese products developed a value for money and reliability reputation. Unlike cars, however, healthcare can seldom be test-driven. Quality is difficult to assess after an intervention (posteriori), therefore, it is frequently evaluated via accreditation before an intervention (a priori). This article aims to scope the growth in international accreditation and its relationship to medical tourism markets. Using self-reported data from Accreditation Canada, Joint Commission International (JCI) and Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS), this article examines how quickly international accreditation is increasing, where it is occurring and what providers have been accredited. Since January 2000, over 350 international hospitals have been accredited; the JCI's total nearly tripling between 2007-2011. Joint Commission International staff have conducted most international accreditation (over 90 per cent). Analysing which countries and regions where the most international accreditation has occurred indicates where the most active medical tourism markets are. However, providers will not solely be providing care for medical tourists. Accreditation will not mean that mistakes will never happen, but that accredited providers are more willing to learn from them, to varying degrees. If a provider has been accredited by a large international accreditor then patients should gain some reassurance that the care they receive is likely to be a good standard. The author questions whether commercializing international accreditation will improve quality, arguing that research is necessary to assess the accreditation of these growing markets.

Report of the 4th European Zebrafish Principal Investigator Meeting.

Science.gov (United States)

Lopes, Susana S; Distel, Martin; Linker, Claudia; Fior, Rita; Monteiro, Rui; Bianco, Isaac H; Portugues, Ruben; Strähle, Uwe; Saúde, Leonor

2016-12-01

The European Zebrafish Principal Investigator Meeting (EZPM) is an ideal forum for group leaders using this fantastic animal model not only to discuss science but also to strengthen their interactions, to push forward technological advances, and to define guidelines for the use of this fish in research. The city of Lisbon (Portugal) was voted by the European group leaders to be the setting for the 4th EZPM, and the organizing committee, composed by Leonor Saúde (iMM Lisboa, PT), Susana Lopes (CEDOC, PT), Michael Orger (Champalimaud Foundation, PT), Rui Oliveira (ISPA, PT), and António Jacinto (CEDOC, PT), was very enthusiastic to organize a productive event. The 4th EZPM took place from March 15 to 19 at Pavilhão do Conhecimento, a Science Museum and Educational Center winner of The Great Prize FAD of Arquitecture 1999 and The Society for Environmental Graphic Design Award 2011. Over 5 days, 135 group leaders (89 men and 46 women) coming from 19 different European countries and also from the United States, Turkey, Israel, Chile, and Singapore presented and discussed their recent research achievements. In addition to the scientific oral and poster presentations, the group leaders gathered in very lively community sessions on morphants versus mutants (chaired by Didier Stainier, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, DE), funding issues (chaired by Uwe Strahle, KIT-ITG, DE), and gender equality (chaired by Corinne Houart, KCL, United Kingdom). One of the highlights of the 4th EZPM was the guided visit to Oceanário de Lisboa, an international award-winning place that celebrates life with a stunning display of living aquatic creatures.

The Lund University Checklist for Incipient Exhaustion-a cross-sectional comparison of a new instrument with similar contemporary tools.

Science.gov (United States)

Persson, Roger; Österberg, Kai; Viborg, Njördur; Jönsson, Peter; Tenenbaum, Artur

2016-04-21

Stress-related health problems (e.g., work-related exhaustion) are a societal concern in many postindustrial countries. Experience suggests that early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing long-term negative consequences. In the present study, we benchmark a new tool for early identification of work-related exhaustion-the Lund University Checklist for Incipient Exhaustion (LUCIE)-against other contextually relevant inventories and two contemporary Swedish screening scales. A cross-sectional population sample (n = 1355) completed: LUCIE, Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS), Self-reported Exhaustion Disorder Scale (s-ED), Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), Big Five Inventory (BFI), and items concerning work-family interference and stress in private life. Increasing signs of exhaustion on LUCIE were positively associated with signs of exhaustion on KEDS and s-ED. The prevalence rates were 13.4, 13.8 and 7.8 %, respectively (3.8 % were identified by all three instruments). Increasing signs of exhaustion on LUCIE were also positively associated with reports of burnout, job demands, stress in private life, family-to-work interference and neuroticism as well as negatively associated with reports of job control, job support and work engagement. LUCIE, which is intended to detect pre-stages of ED, exhibits logical and coherent positive relations with KEDS and s-ED as well as other conceptually similar inventories. The results suggest that LUCIE has the potential to detect mild states of exhaustion (possibly representing pre-stages to ED) that if not brought to the attention of the healthcare system and treated, may develop in to ED. The prospective validity remains to be evaluated.

Work-based identity and work engagement as potential antecedents of task performance and turnover intention: Unravelling a complex relationship

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

F. Chris Bothma

2012-01-01

Full Text Available Orientation: Work-based identity, used as a reference to the self, is the answer to the question ’Who am I at work?’ Work-related identities, derived from different social foci through identity formation processes, have as behavioural guides a significant influence on employee behaviour, which, in turn has an impact on work outcomes. Engagement, presented in different conceptualisations, is viewed by practitioners and academic researchers as an important antecedent of employee behaviour.Research purpose: The main purpose of the study was to investigate whether work-based identity and work engagement differed (in combination with personal alienation, helping behaviour and burnout as potential antecedents (amongst numerous others of task performance and turnover intention.Research design: A census-based sampling approach amongst 23 134 employees in the employment of an ICT company yielded a sample of 2429 usable questionnaires. Scales used in the study were the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS-20, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES, Work-based Identity, Personal Alienation, Helping Behaviour, Turnover Intention and Task Performance Scales.Main findings: The findings indicate that work-based identity and work engagement give similar appearing results as potential predictors of turnover intention and task performance. Practical/managerial implications: Reducing withdrawal behaviours and enhancing work performance are everyday challenges for organisations. Interventions focused on enhancing work-based identity and work engagement in the work environment should have a meaningful impact when these behaviours need to be addressed.Contribution/value-add: Work-based identity as a multidimensional construct has the potential, with further refinement, to become a valuable construct that can play a leading role in future work engagement research.

Distinción Empírica Entre Engagement y Trabajolismo en Enfermeras Hospitalarias de Japón: Efecto Sobre la Calidad del Sueño y el Desempeño Laboral

Science.gov (United States)

Kubota, Kazumi; Shimazu, Akihito; Kawakami, Norito; Takahashi, Masaya; Nakata, Akinori; Schaufeli, Wilmar B.

2016-01-01

Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio es demostrar la distinción entre engagement y trabajolismo, estudiando su relación con la calidad del sueño y el desempeño laboral. Método Un total de 447 enfermeras de 3 hospitales de Japón fueron entrevistadas mediante un cuestionario autoadministrado que incluía la escala Utrecht (UWES, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale), la Escala de Adicción al Trabajo Holandesa (DUWAS, Dutch Workaholism Scale), preguntas sobre la calidad del sueño (7 ítems) con respecto a (1) dificultad para conciliar el sueño, (2) dificultad para mantener el sueño, (3) despertar temprano por la mañana, (4) dormirse o tomar siestas durante el día, (5) somnolencia diurna excesiva en el trabajo, (6) dificultad para despertarse por la mañana, y (7) despertar cansado en la mañana, y el Cuestionario sobre Salud y Desempeño (CSD) de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Resultados Los modelos de ecuaciones estructurales demostraron que el engagement se relaciona positivamente con la calidad del sueño y el rendimiento laboral, mientras que el trabajolismo tiene una relación negativa con la calidad del sueño y el desempeño laboral. Conclusión Los resultados indican que el engagement y el trabajolismo son conceptualmente diferentes. El primero tiene una connotación positiva, mientras que el segundo se asocia de manera negativa al bienestar (buena calidad del sueño y buen rendimiento en el trabajo). PMID:26752805

Public utilities with renewable energy sources. Proceedings; Stadtwerke mit Erneuerbaren Energien. Konferenzband

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2009-09-25

Within the 3rd EUROSOLAR Conference at 25th to 26th May, 2009, in Ludwigshafen (Federal Republic of Germany) the following lectures were held: (a) Municipal power supply - Renewable energies (Hermann Scheer); (b) The significance of municipal regulations for the development of renewable energies by the example of Rheinland-Pfalz (Gerhard Weissmueller); (c) The solar regulation of the city Marburg (Franz Kahle); (d) Large-area solar-potential register SUN-AREA, the example Osnabrueck (Martina Klaerle); (e) Energy autonomy by means of methods at municipal and state level (Stephan Grueger); (f) Concession process according to paragraph 46 EnWG as a start for a locally regenerative strategic reorientation (Christian Theobald); (g) Municipal utilities and regenerative power generation (Johannes van Bergen); (h) The hybrid power plant Enertrag (Michael Wenske); (i) Eco-power with ecological added value (Uwe Leprich); (j) Increase of added value at biogas by means of grid connection (Leonhard Thien); (k) Biogas products for private customers (Oliver Hummel); (l) Marketing of biogas as a fuel - WEGAS Wendlaender BioGas (Hans-Volker Marklewitz); (m) Geothermal heat in the Upper Rhine Graben by the example of the geothermal power plant Landau (Peter Hauffe); (n) The Act on Heating with Renewable Energy Sources - A chance for new fields of business for municipal utilities (Klara Siraki); (o) Direct marketing of electricity from renewable energies as a chance for municipal utilities (Martin Altrock, Matthias Stark); (p) The significance of EEG and EEWaermeG 2009 in the further enlargement of renewable energies (Fabio Longo); (q) Taking over of the gas grid by the municipal utility Waldkirch GmbH (Dieter Nagel); (r) Municipal added value - municipal economical effects of decentral power generation (Michael Wuebbels).

Adsorption of cations onto positively charged surface mesopores.

Science.gov (United States)

Neue, Uwe; Iraneta, Pamela; Gritti, Fabrice; Guiochon, Georges

2013-11-29

Uwe Neue developed a theoretical treatment to account for the adsorption of ions on mesopores of packing materials the walls of which are bonded to ionic ligands but left this work unfinished. We elaborated upon this treatment and refined it, based on the equivalence that he suggested between charged surface particles and a membrane that separates two ionic solutions but is impermeable to one specification. He had written that the electro-chemical potentials in both ionic solutions are equal (Donnan equilibrium). The equilibrium between the surface and the pore concentrations is accounted for by an homogeneous electrostatically modified Langmuir (EML) isotherm model. The theoretical results are presented for four different charge surface concentrations σ0=0, 0.001, 0.002, and 0.003C/m(2), using a phosphate buffer (W(S)pH=2.65) of ionic strength I=10mM. The average pore size, the specific surface area, and the specific pore volume of the stationary phase were Dp=140Å, Sp=182m(2)/g, and Vp=0.70cm(3)/g, respectively. The theoretical results provide the quantitative difference between the ionic strength, the pH, and the concentrations of all the ions in the pores and in the bulk eluent. The theory predicts (1) that the retention times of cations under linear conditions is lower and (2) that their band widths under overloaded conditions for a given retention factor shrinks when the surface charge density σ0 is increased. These theoretical results are in good agreement with experimental results published previously and explain them. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Item response theory analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students (UWES-S) using a sample of Japanese university and college students majoring medical science, nursing, and natural science.

Science.gov (United States)

Tsubakita, Takashi; Shimazaki, Kazuyo; Ito, Hiroshi; Kawazoe, Nobuo

2017-10-30

The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students has been used internationally to assess students' academic engagement, but it has not been analyzed via item response theory. The purpose of this study was to conduct an item response theory analysis of the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students translated by authors. Using a two-parameter model and Samejima's graded response model, difficulty and discrimination parameters were estimated after confirming the factor structure of the scale. The 14 items on the scale were analyzed with a sample of 3214 university and college students majoring medical science, nursing, or natural science in Japan. The preliminary parameter estimation was conducted with the two parameter model, and indicated that three items should be removed because there were outlier parameters. Final parameter estimation was conducted using the survived 11 items, and indicated that all difficulty and discrimination parameters were acceptable. The test information curve suggested that the scale better assesses higher engagement than average engagement. The estimated parameters provide a basis for future comparative studies. The results also suggested that a 7-point Likert scale is too broad; thus, the scaling should be modified to fewer graded scaling structure.

PREFACE: XV International Conference on Electrical Bio-Impedance (ICEBI) & XIV Conference on Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT)

Science.gov (United States)

Pliquett, Uwe

2013-04-01

. Structures down to sub-micrometer range and complex impedance measurements tools integrated at single chips are now affordable. Moreover, the introduction of alternative signals and data processing algorithms focuses on very fast and parallel electrical characterization which in turn pushes this technique to new applications and markets. Electrical impedance tomography today yields pictures in real time with a resolution that was impossible 10 years ago. The XVth International Conference on Electrical Bio-Impedance in conjunction with the XIVth Electrical Impedance Tomography ICEBI/EIT 2013 organized by the Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany, together with the EIT-group at the University of Göttingen, Germany, brings world leading scientists in these fields together. It is a platform to present the latest developments in instrumentation and signal processing but also points to new applications, especially in the field of biosensors and non-linear phenomena. Two Keynote lectures will extend the view of the participants above the mainstream of bio-impedance measurement. Friederich Kremer (University of Leipzig) delivers the plenary lecture on broad bandwidth dielectric spectroscopy. New achievements in the research of ligand gated ionic channels will be presented by Klaus Benndorf (University of Jena). Leading scientists in the field of bio-impedance measurement, such as, Sverre Grimnes, Orjan Martinsen, Andrea Robitzki, Richard Bayford, Jan Gimsa and Mart Min will give lectures for students but also more experienced scientists in a pre-conference tutorial which is a good opportunity to learn or refresh the basics. List of committees Conference Chair Dr Uwe Pliquett Professor Dieter Beckmann Institut für Bioprozess- und Analysenmesstechnik eV, Rosenhof, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany Technical Program Chair Maik Hiller Conventus Congressmanagement & Marketing GmbH, Carl-Pulfrich-Str. 1 - 07745 Jena Pre

Fuel cells science and engineering. Materials, processes, systems and technology. Vol. 2

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stolten, Detlef; Emonts, Bernd (eds.) [Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH (DE). Inst. fuer Energieforschung (IEF), Brennstoffzellen (IEF-3)

2012-07-01

The second volume is divided in four parts and 19 chapters. It is structured as follows: PART V: Modeling and Simulation. Chapter 23: Messages from Analytical Modeling of Fuel Cells (Andrei Kulikovsky); 24: Stochastic Modeling of Fuel-Cell Components (Ralf Thiedmann, Gerd Gaiselmann, Werner Lehnert and Volker Schmidt); 25: Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulation Using Supercomputer Calculation Capacity (Ralf Peters and Florian Scharf); 26 Modeling Solid Oxide Fuel Cells from the Macroscale to the Nanoscale (Emily M. Ryan and Mohammad A. Khaleel); 27: Numerical Modeling of the Thermomechanically Induced Stress in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (Murat Peksen); 28: Modeling of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (Peter Heidebrecht, Silvia Piewek and Kai Sundmacher); Chapter 29: High-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Fuel-Cell Modeling (Uwe Reimer); Chapter 30: Modeling of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel-Cell Components (Yun Wang and Ken S. Chen); 31: Modeling of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells and Stacks (Yun Wang and Ken S. Chen). PART VI: Balance of Plant Design and Components. Chapter 32: Principles of Systems Engineering (Ludger Blum, Ralf Peters and Remzi Can Samsun); 33: System Technology for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (Nguyen Q. Minh); 34: Desulfurization for Fuel-Cell Systems (Joachim Pasel and Ralf Peters); 35: Design Criteria and Components for Fuel Cell Powertrains (Lutz Eckstein and Bruno Gnoerich); 36: Hybridization for Fuel Cells (Joerg Wilhelm). PART VII: Systems Verification and Market Introduction. Chapter 37: Off-Grid Power Supply and Premium Power Generation (Kerry-Ann Adamson); 38: Demonstration Projects and Market Introduction (Kristin Deason). PART VIII: Knowledge Distribution and Public Awareness. Chapter 39: A Sustainable Framework for International Collaboration: the IEA HIA and Its Strategic Plan for 2009-2015 (Mary-Rose de Valladares); 40: Overview of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Organizations and Initiatives Worldwide (Bernd Emonts) 41: Contributions for

Measuring engagement in nurses: the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale.

Science.gov (United States)

Torabinia, Mansour; Mahmoudi, Sara; Dolatshahi, Mojtaba; Abyaz, Mohamad Reza

2017-01-01

Background: Considering the overall tendency in psychology, researchers in the field of work and organizational psychology have become progressively interested in employees' effective and optimistic experiments at work such as work engagement. This study was conducted to investigate 2 main purposes: assessing the psychometric properties of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and finding any association between work engagement and burnout in nurses. Methods: The present methodological study was conducted in 2015 and included 248 females and 34 males with 6 months to 30 years of job experience. After the translation process, face and content validity were calculated by qualitative and quantitative methods. Moreover, content validation ratio, scale-level content validity index and item-level content validity index were measured for this scale. Construct validity was determined by factor analysis. Moreover, internal consistency and stability reliability were assessed. Factor analysis, test-retest, Cronbach's alpha, and association analysis were used as statistical methods. Results: Face and content validity were acceptable. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a new 3- factor model. In this new model, some items from the construct model of the original version were dislocated with the same 17 items. The new model was confirmed by divergent Copenhagen Burnout Inventory as the Persian version of UWES. Internal consistency reliability for the total scale and the subscales was 0.76 to 0.89. Results from Pearson correlation test indicated a high degree of test-retest reliability (r = 0. 89). ICC was also 0.91. Engagement was negatively related to burnout and overtime per month, whereas it was positively related with age and job experiment. Conclusion: The Persian 3- factor model of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale is a valid and reliable instrument to measure work engagement in Iranian nurses as well as in other medical professionals.

The relationship between demographic variables and well-being of women in South African workplaces

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Madelyn Geldenhuys

2017-06-01

Full Text Available Orientation: It is important to investigate the determinants of well-being among working women. Given the unique demographic diversity within the South African context, differences in the experience of well-being among women are expected. Purpose: The study investigated the effects of age, race, marital status and educational status on psychological meaningfulness, life satisfaction, work–family conflict and social support of working women. Motivation: With the increase of women in the workplace, there is a need for knowledge and understanding of the factors that influence the well-being of women. This study aims to investigate demographic variables as determinants of well-being among working women. Method: Cross-sectional surveys were used to gather data from a sample (n = 540 of women from various South African companies. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES, the Psychological Meaningfulness Scale (PMS, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS, the WorkRole Conflict Scale and the Job Demands Resources Scale (JDRS were administered. Results: Significant relationships were found between life satisfaction, work-to-family conflict and work engagement, respectively, and marital status. Higher levels of education showed significant relationships with life satisfaction and work-to-family conflict. Being white showed significant positive relationships with life satisfaction, work-to-family conflict and work engagement. With regard to social support and psychological meaningfulness, race explained significant amounts of variance in psychological meaningfulness, as did age. Practical, managerial and methodological implications: The findings indicate that the experiences of well-being among women vary by age, race, marital status and educational status. It is therefore imperative that human resource practitioners appropriately measure these differences, accommodate them in policies through relevant supportive practices and also champion these

Comparison of outcome in 1809 patients treated with drug-eluting stents or bare-metal stents in a real-world setting

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Vogt A

2011-11-01

Full Text Available Alexander Vogt1, Anke Schoelmerich1, Franziska Pollner1, Manuela Schlitt1, Uwe Raaz1, Lars Maegdefessel2, Iris Reindl1, Michael Buerke1, Karl Werdan1, Axel Schlitt11Department of Medicine III, Martin Luther-University, Halle, Germany; 2Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USAPurpose: The aim of this study was to determine the long-term safety of drug-eluting stent (DES versus bare metal stent (BMS implantation in a “real-world” setting.Patients and methods: A total of 1809 patients who were treated with implantation of either BMS or DES were assessed. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses concerning primary endpoint of cardiac mortality were performed.Results: A total of 609 patients received DES. Mean age was 66.2 ± 11.3 years, 69.4% were male, and 1517 (83.8% were treated for acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina 510 [28.2%], non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI] 506 [28.0%], and ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] 501 [27.7%]. Mean follow-up was 34 ± 15 months. During follow-up, 268 patients died of cardiac causes (DES 42 [7.3%]; BMS 226 [19.6%]; P < 0.001. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed an advantage of DES over BMS concerning the primary endpoint (P < 0.001. When adjusting for classic risk factors and additional factors that affect the progression of coronary heart disease (CHD, DES was not found to be superior to BMS (hazard ratio 0.996, 95% confidence interval 0.455–2.182, P = 0.993. Severely impaired renal function was an independent predictor for cardiac mortality after stent implantation.Conclusion: Treatment with DES is safe in the long term, also in patients presenting with STEMI. However, in multivariate analyses it is not superior to BMS treatment.Keywords: coronary stent, outcome, renal insufficiency, myocardial infarction, STEMI

Age group athletes in inline skating: decrease in overall and increase in master athlete participation in the longest inline skating race in Europe – the Inline One-Eleven

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Teutsch U

2013-05-01

Full Text Available Uwe Teutsch,1 Beat Knechtle,1,2 Christoph Alexander Rüst,1 Thomas Rosemann,1 Romuald Lepers31Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 2Gesundheitszentrum St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland; 3INSERM U1093, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Burgundy, Dijon, FranceBackground: Participation and performance trends in age group athletes have been investigated in endurance and ultraendurance races in swimming, cycling, running, and triathlon, but not in long-distance inline skating. The aim of this study was to investigate trends in participation, age, and performance in the longest inline race in Europe, the Inline One-Eleven over 111 km, held between 1998 and 2009.Methods: The total number, age distribution, age at the time of the competition, and race times of male and female finishers at the Inline One-Eleven were analyzed.Results: Overall participation increased until 2003 but decreased thereafter. During the 12-year period, the relative participation in skaters younger than 40 years old decreased while relative participation increased for skaters older than 40 years. The mean top ten skating time was 199 ± 9 minutes (range: 189–220 minutes for men and 234 ± 17 minutes (range: 211–271 minutes for women, respectively. The gender difference in performance remained stable at 17% ± 5% across years.Conclusion: To summarize, although the participation of master long-distance inline skaters increased, the overall participation decreased across years in the Inline One-Eleven. The race times of the best female and male skaters stabilized across years with a gender difference in performance of 17% ± 5%. Further studies should focus on the participation in the international World Inline Cup races.Keywords: endurance, men, women, gender

Cryptogenic transient ischemic attack after nose blowing: association of huge atrial septal aneurysm with patent foramen ovale as potential cause

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lotze U

2013-07-01

Full Text Available Ulrich Lotze,1 Uwe Kirsch,1 Marc-Alexander Ohlow,2 Thorsten Scholle,3 Jochen Leonhardi,3 Bernward Lauer,2 Gerhard Oltmanns,4 Hendrik Schmidt5,6 1Department of Internal Medicine, DRK Krankenhaus Sondershausen, Sondershausen, Germany; 2Department of Cardiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Bad Berka, Germany; 3Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Germany; 4Department of Internal Medicine, DRK Krankenhaus Sömmerda; Sömmerda, Germany; 5Department of Cardiology and Diabetology, Klinikum Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; 6Department of Internal Medicine III, Martin-Luther-Univeristy Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany Abstract: Association of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA with patent foramen ovale (PFO is considered an important risk factor for cardioembolism frequently forwarding paradoxical embolism in patients with cryptogenic or unexplained cerebral ischemic events. We herein describe the case of a 69-year-old male patient reporting uncontrolled movements of the right arm due to a muscle weakness, slurred speech, and paresthesia in the oral region some seconds after he had blown his nose. These neurological symptoms had improved dramatically within a few minutes and were completely regressive at admission to our hospital about two hours later. On transesophageal echocardiography (TEE a huge ASA associated with PFO was detected. Diagnosis of the large-sized ASA was also confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Due to the early complete recovery from his neurological symptoms, the patient was diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack (TIA. After nine days he was discharged in a good clinical condition under the treatment with oral anticoagulation. It is concluded that in cryptogenic or unexplained stroke or TIA TEE should always be performed to rule out ASA and PFO as potential sources for paradoxical embolism in those inconclusive clinical situations. Keywords: congenital cardiac abnormality, atrial septal

Climate of migration? How climate triggered migration from southwest Germany to North America during the 19th century

Science.gov (United States)

Glaser, Rüdiger; Himmelsbach, Iso; Bösmeier, Annette

2017-11-01

This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on the extent to which climate and climatic change can have a negative impact on societies by triggering migration, or even contribute to conflict. It summarizes results from the transdisciplinary project Climate of migration (funded 2010-2014), whose innovative title was created by Franz Mauelshagen and Uwe Lübken. The overall goal of this project was to analyze the relation between climatic and socioeconomic parameters and major migration waves from southwest Germany to North America during the 19th century. The article assesses the extent to which climatic conditions triggered these migration waves. The century investigated was in general characterized by the Little Ice Age with three distinct cooling periods, causing major glacier advances in the alpine regions and numerous climatic extremes such as major floods, droughts and severe winter. Societal changes were tremendous, marked by the warfare during the Napoleonic era (until 1815), the abolition of serfdom (1817), the bourgeois revolution (1847/48), economic freedom (1862), the beginning of industrialization accompanied by large-scale rural-urban migration resulting in urban poverty, and finally by the foundation of the German Empire in 1871.The presented study is based on quantitative data and a qualitative, information-based discourse analysis. It considers climatic conditions as well as socioeconomic and political issues, leading to the hypothesis of a chain of effects ranging from unfavorable climatic conditions to a decrease in crop yields to rising cereal prices and finally to emigration. These circumstances were investigated extensively for the peak emigration years identified with each migration wave. Furthermore, the long-term relations between emigration and the prevailing climatic conditions, crop yields and cereal prices were statistically evaluated with a sequence of linear models which were significant with explanatory power between 22 and 38 %.

Beneficiary contact moderates relationship between authentic leadership and engagement

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Caren B. Scheepers

2016-07-01

Full Text Available Orientation: Beneficiary contact moderates the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. Research purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the moderating effect of the breadth, depth and frequency of employee interaction with the beneficiaries of their work on the positive impact of authentic leadership on work engagement. Motivation for the study: Investigating the boundary conditions of the relationship between leaders and followers is vital to enhance the positive effect of leadership. Authentic leadership has not previously been examined with respect to beneficiary contact as a specific situational factor. The researchers therefore set out to ascertain whether beneficiary contact has a strengthening or weakening effect on the impact of authentic leadership on work engagement. Research design, approach and method: The researchers administered the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9 and Grant’s scale on Beneficiary Contact. Main findings: The findings showed that beneficiary contact had a weakening effect on the positive relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. Practical/managerial implications: Ideally, organisations create environments conducive to work engagement in which leadership plays an important role. This study found that one factor in the work environment, namely beneficiary contact, might have an adverse effect on the positive relationship that authentic leadership has on work engagement. Leaders should therefore take organisational contextual realities into account, such as regular, intense interaction of employees with the beneficiaries of their work. This situation could create strain for individual employees, requiring additional organisational support. Contribution/value-add: Organisations need to recognise the impact of beneficiary contact on the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. The researchers

The Lund University Checklist for Incipient Exhaustion–a cross–sectional comparison of a new instrument with similar contemporary tools

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Roger Persson

2016-04-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Stress-related health problems (e.g., work-related exhaustion are a societal concern in many postindustrial countries. Experience suggests that early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing long-term negative consequences. In the present study, we benchmark a new tool for early identification of work-related exhaustion–the Lund University Checklist for Incipient Exhaustion (LUCIE–against other contextually relevant inventories and two contemporary Swedish screening scales. Methods A cross-sectional population sample (n = 1355 completed: LUCIE, Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS, Self-reported Exhaustion Disorder Scale (s-ED, Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9, Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ, Big Five Inventory (BFI, and items concerning work-family interference and stress in private life. Results Increasing signs of exhaustion on LUCIE were positively associated with signs of exhaustion on KEDS and s-ED. The prevalence rates were 13.4, 13.8 and 7.8 %, respectively (3.8 % were identified by all three instruments. Increasing signs of exhaustion on LUCIE were also positively associated with reports of burnout, job demands, stress in private life, family-to-work interference and neuroticism as well as negatively associated with reports of job control, job support and work engagement. Conclusions LUCIE, which is intended to detect pre-stages of ED, exhibits logical and coherent positive relations with KEDS and s-ED as well as other conceptually similar inventories. The results suggest that LUCIE has the potential to detect mild states of exhaustion (possibly representing pre-stages to ED that if not brought to the attention of the healthcare system and treated, may develop in to ED. The prospective validity remains to be evaluated.

PREFACE: International Conference on Many Particle Spectroscopy of Atoms, Molecules, Clusters and Surfaces (MPS2014)

Science.gov (United States)

Ancarani, Lorenzo Ugo

2015-04-01

This volume contains a collection of contributions from the invited speakers at the 2014 edition of the International Conference on Many Particle Spectroscopy of Atoms, Molecules, Clusters and Surfaces held in Metz, France, from 15th to 18th July 2014. This biennial conference alternates with the ICPEAC satellite International Symposium on (e,2e), Double Photoionization and Related Topics, and is concerned with experimental and theoretical studies of radiation interactions with matter. These include many-body and electron-electron correlation effects in excitation, and in single and multiple ionization of atoms, molecules, clusters and surfaces with various projectiles: electrons, photons and ions. More than 80 scientists, from 19 different countries around the world, came together to discuss the most recent progress on these topics. The scientific programme included 28 invited talks and a poster session extending over the three days of the meeting. Amongst the 51 posters, 11 have been selected and were advertised through short talks. Besides, Professor Nora Berrah gave a talk in memory of Professor Uwe Becker who sadly passed away shortly after co-chairing the previous edition of this conference. Financial support from the Institut Jean Barriol, Laboratoire SRSMC, Groupement de Recherche THEMS (CNRS), Ville de Metz, Metz Métropole, Conseil Général de la Moselle and Région Lorraine is gratefully acknowledged. Finally, I would like to thank the members of the local committee and the staff of the Université de Lorraine for making the conference run smoothly, the International Advisory Board for building up the scientific programme, the sessions chairpersons, those who gave their valuable time in carefully refereeing the articles of this volume and last, but not least, all participants for contributing to lively and fruitful discussions throughout the meeting.

The current state of physical activity and exercise programs in German-speaking, Swiss psychiatric hospitals: results from a brief online survey

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Br

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Serge Brand,1,2 Flora Colledge,2 Nadja Beeler,2 Uwe Pühse,2 Nadeem Kalak,1 Dena Sadeghi Bahmani,1 Thorsten Mikoteit,1 Edith Holsboer-Trachsler,1 Markus Gerber2 1Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, 2Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Background: Physical activity and exercise programs (PAEPs are an important factor in increasing and maintaining physical and mental health. This holds particularly true for patients with psychiatric disorders undergoing treatment in a psychiatric hospital. To understand whether the benefits reported in the literature are mirrored in current treatment modalities, the aim of the present study was to assess the current state of PAEPs in psychiatric hospitals in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Methods: All psychiatric hospitals (N=55 in the German-speaking part of Switzerland were contacted in spring 2014. Staff responsible for PAEPs were asked to complete an online questionnaire covering questions related to PAEPs such as type, frequency, staff training, treatment rationale, importance of PAEPs within the treatment strategy, and possible avenues to increase PAEPs. Results: Staff members of 48 different psychiatric hospitals completed the survey. Hospitals provided the following therapeutic treatments: relaxation techniques (100%, sports therapy (97%, activity-related psychotherapeutic interventions (95%, physiotherapy (85%, body therapies (59%, far-east techniques (57%, and hippotherapy (22%. Frequencies ranged from once/week to five times/week. Approximately 25% of patients participated in the PAEPs. Interventions were offered irrespective of psychiatric disorders. PAEP providers wanted and needed more vocational training. Conclusion: All participating psychiatric hospitals offer a broad variety of PAEPs in their treatment curricula. However, the majority of inpatients do not

Research for the era of renewable energies: Themes 2010; Forschen fuer das Zeitalter der erneuerbaren Energien. Themen 2010

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stadermann, Gerd; Szczepanski, Petra [comps.

2010-12-15

driver (Uwe Leprich); (20) Discussion: The research-political implementation of the energy concept of the Federal Government: How can the priority for the research promotion of renewable energy be attained? (Sylvia Kotting-Uhl).

A Comparison of Three Job Engagement Measures: Examining their Factorial and Criterion-Related Validity.

Science.gov (United States)

Wefald, Andrew J; Mills, Maura J; Smith, Michael R; Downey, Ronald G

2012-03-01

Engagement is an emerging job attitude that purports to measure employees' psychological presence at and involvement in their work. This research compares three academic approaches to engagement, and makes recommendations regarding the most appropriate conceptualisation and measurement of the construct in future research. The current research also investigates whether any of these three approaches to engagement contribute unique variance to the prediction of turnover intentions above and beyond the predictive capacity of alternative constructs. An online survey was taken by 382 employees and managers from a mid-sized financial institution. Results failed to support either a multi- or unidimensional factor structure for the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) engagement measure. For the Shirom-Melamed Vigor Measure (SMVM), a multi-dimensional structure was identified as a good fit, while a unidimensional structure fit poorly. The uni-factorial structure of Britt's engagement measure was confirmed. The Schaufeli measure of engagement was a strong predictor of work outcomes; however, when controlling for job satisfaction and affective commitment, that measure lost its ability to predict intentions to leave. Two components of the Shirom vigor measure held their predictive validity. Collectively, these findings suggest that the Shirom vigor measure may provide better insight into whether and how much a person is 'into' his or her job. The Schaufeli measure was a good predictor of important work outcomes, but when job satisfaction and affective commitment were controlled, it lost its predictive validity. We were not able to confirm the three-factor structure of the Schaufeli measure. Two components of the Shirom vigor measure predicted turnover intentions after controlling for job satisfaction and affective commitment, suggesting less overlap with those constructs than the Schaufeli measure of engagement. This research adds important information on the nature of

Teleseism-based Relative Time Corrections for Modern Analyses of Digitized Analog Seismograms

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, T. A.; Ishii, M.

2017-12-01

With modern-day instruments and seismic networks timed by GPS systems, synchronization of data streams is all but a forgone conclusion. However, during the analog era, when each station had its own clock, comparing data timing from different stations was a far more daunting prospect. Today, with recently developed methods by which analog data can be digitized, having the ability to accurately reconcile the timings of two separate stations would open decades worth of data to modern analyses. For example, one possible and exciting application would be using noise interferometry with digitized analog data in order to investigate changing structural features (on a volcano for example) over a much longer timescale than was previously possible. With this in mind, we introduce a new approach to sync time between stations based on teleseismic arrivals. P-wave arrivals are identified at stations for pairs of earthquakes from the digital and analog eras that have nearly identical distances, locations, and depths. Assuming accurate timing of the modern data, relative time corrections between a pair of stations can then be inferred for the analog data. This method for time correction depends upon the analog stations having modern equivalents, and both having sufficiently long durations of operation to allow for recording of usable teleseismic events. The Hawaii Volcano Observatory (HVO) network is an especially ideal environment for this, as it not only has a large and well-preserved collection of analog seismograms, but also has a long operating history (1912 - present) with many of the older stations having modern equivalents. As such, the scope of this project is to calculate and apply relative time corrections to analog data from two HVO stations, HILB (1919-present) and UWE (1928-present)(HILB now part of Pacific Tsunami network). Further application of this method could be for investigation of the effects of relative clock-drift, that is, the determining factor for how

The impact of a total reward system of work engagement

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Crystal Hoole

2016-11-01

Research purpose: The overall purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between total rewards and work engagement in a South African context and to determine which reward categories predict work engagement. The study further endeavoured to determine whether gender and age had a moderating effect on the relationship between total rewards and engagement. Motivation for the study: Statistics report that less than 30% of all working people are optimally engaged in their work. Considering that individuals spend more than a third of their lives at work committing themselves emotionally, physically and psychologically – research indicates that employees are no longer satisfied with traditional reward systems and want to feel valued and appreciated. Research approach, design and method: In this quantitative, cross-sectional research design using a non-probability convenience and purposive sampling strategy, 318 questionnaires were collected and analysed from financial institutions in Gauteng in which opinions were sought on the importance of different types of rewards structures and preferences, and how engaged they are in their workplace. The 17-item UWES and Nienaber total reward preference model were the chosen measuring instruments. Main findings: A small statistically significant correlation (r = 0.25; p < 0.05; small effect was found between total rewards and work engagement, and 12% of the variance of work engagement was explained. Only performance and career management significantly predicted work engagement. Practical/Managerial implications: Although small, the significant correlation between total rewards and work engagement implies that total rewards are important motivators for employees in the workplace. Of the total rewards scales tested, only performance and career management significantly predicted work engagement, suggesting that more research is needed. Organisations seeking to implement total reward strategies should pay specific

[Romanticism in German medicine in the light of home historiography of 1802-1945].

Science.gov (United States)

Plonka-Syroka, B

1998-01-01

The German non-materialist medicine of the first half of the 19th century is presently a subject of advanced historical studies, carried out in Europe and USA. Until the mid-20th century, however, it was only the German authors who produced literature dedicated to the above-mentioned medicine. The purpose of this study is to present to the Polish reader the main trends in the German medical historiography that have been taking up the subject for 150 years. The historians of German medicine distinguished trends in the post-war period as the studies of the history of their native medical historiography developed. A Polish historian taking up the task of characterizing of the main methodological trends in German medical historiography is faced with the necessity to take position on the findings of German authors who took up the above-mentioned subject earlier. In my studies I worked mainly on the findings of the following authors: Nelly Tsouyopoulos, Urban Wiesing and Hans-Uwe Lammel. They served me as a guide to the old historical-medical literature that I managed to reach in the libraries of Dresden and Leipzig. Some of the German studies (H. Haeser, J. Petersen) were translated to Polish language and in those cases I leaned on the Polish translators. In this study I discuss the following methodological trends in historiography of German medicine of the 1st half of the 19th century: eclectic trends, philosophical trends, positivistic trends, neo-romantic trends, and social-cultural trends. I also present the analysis of theories of the most important representatives of the trends. Thanks to this I could reconstruct the process of shaping of the discussed epoch image in the light of various concepts of its description. As a result different characteristics of the epoch were grasped although the factography level they referred to was common. This study outlines also further developoment of the historiography of the discussed subject in the second half of the 20th

Perfectionism related to self-reported insomnia severity, but not when controlled for stress and emotion regulation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Br

2015-02-01

Full Text Available Serge Brand,1,2 Roumen Kirov,3 Nadeem Kalak,1 Markus Gerber,2 Uwe Pühse,2 Sakari Lemola,4 Christoph U Correll,5 Samuele Cortese,6–8 Till Meyer,1 Edith Holsboer-Trachsler1 1Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS, Basel, Switzerland; 2Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Sport Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; 3Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; 4Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; 5Division of Psychiatric Research, North Shore – Long Island Jewish Health System, Zucker Hillside Hospital, NY, USA; 6School of Medicine, University of Nottingham UK; 7Centre for ADHD and Neuro-developmental Disorders Across Lifespan, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham UK; 8New York University Child Study Centre, New York, NY, USA Background: Perfectionism is understood as a set of personality traits such as unrealistically high and rigid standards for performance, fear of failure, and excessive self-criticism. Previous studies showed a direct association between increased perfectionism and poor sleep, though without taking into account possible mediating factors. Here, we tested the hypothesis that perfectionism was directly associated with poor sleep, and that this association collapsed, if mediating factors such as stress and poor emotion regulation were taken into account. Methods: Three hundred and forty six young adult students (M=23.87 years completed questionnaires relating to perfectionism traits, sleep, and psychological functioning such as stress perception, coping with stress, emotion regulation, and mental toughness. Results: Perfectionism was directly associated with poor sleep and poor psychological functioning. When stress, poor coping, and poor emotion regulation were entered in the equation, perfectionism traits no longer contributed substantively to the explanation

Do Physicians Respond to Web-Based Patient Ratings? An Analysis of Physicians' Responses to More Than One Million Web-Based Ratings Over a Six-Year Period.

Science.gov (United States)

Emmert, Martin; Sauter, Lisa; Jablonski, Lisa; Sander, Uwe; Taheri-Zadeh, Fatemeh

2017-07-26

Physician-rating websites (PRWs) may lead to quality improvements in case they enable and establish a peer-to-peer communication between patients and physicians. Yet, we know little about whether and how physicians respond on the Web to patient ratings. The objective of this study was to describe trends in physicians' Web-based responses to patient ratings over time, to identify what physician characteristics influence Web-based responses, and to examine the topics physicians are likely to respond to. We analyzed physician responses to more than 1 million patient ratings displayed on the German PRW, jameda, from 2010 to 2015. Quantitative analysis contained chi-square analyses and the Mann-Whitney U test. Quantitative content techniques were applied to determine the topics physicians respond to based on a randomly selected sample of 600 Web-based ratings and corresponding physician responses. Overall, physicians responded to 1.58% (16,640/1,052,347) of all Web-based ratings, with an increasing trend over time from 0.70% (157/22,355) in 2010 to 1.88% (6377/339,919) in 2015. Web-based ratings that were responded to had significantly worse rating results than ratings that were not responded to (2.15 vs 1.74, PWeb to patient ratings differ significantly from nonresponders regarding several characteristics such as gender and patient recommendation results (PWeb to patient ratings. This is likely because of (1) the low awareness of PRWs among physicians, (2) the fact that only a few PRWs enable physicians to respond on the Web to patient ratings, and (3) the lack of an active moderator to establish peer-to-peer communication. PRW providers should foster more frequent communication between the patient and the physician and encourage physicians to respond on the Web to patient ratings. Further research is needed to learn more about the motivation of physicians to respond or not respond to Web-based patient ratings. ©Martin Emmert, Lisa Sauter, Lisa Jablonski, Uwe Sander

EDITORIAL 37th European Physical Society Conference on Plasma Physics 37th European Physical Society Conference on Plasma Physics

Science.gov (United States)

Mendonça, Tito; Hidalgo, Carlos

2010-12-01

rotation with direct impact in the control of turbulent transport. Moreover, Jügen Nührenberg showed that a number of other properties of the magnetic field can also be optimized simultaneously, allowing high equilibrium and stability limits to be achieved and thus opening up a route to an inherently steady-state fusion reactor. The ideas of Allen Boozer and Jürgen Nührenberg have revolutionized stellarator research. They have already partially been confirmed on the W7-AS and HSX stellarators, and provide the basis for the world's largest stellarator under construction, Wendelstein 7-X. The award of the 2010 Hannes Alfvén Prize to these two leading scientists underlines the development of understanding and transfer of knowledge in plasma physics. Invited papers by Allen Boozer and Jürgen Nührenberg are published as articles 124002 and 124003 in this special issue of Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. The Plasma Physics Innovation Prize 2010 The 2010 Plasma Physics Innovation Prize of the European Physical Society is awarded to Uwe Czarnetzki (Professor, Ruhr-Universität Bochum) for his outstanding contributions in the discovery of the electrical asymmetry effect, its scientific characterization and for its development up to the level of successful industrial application. photo of Uwe Czarnetzki Uwe Czarnetzki. The energy of ions impacting surfaces during plasma processing is crucial in determining both the properties of materials being deposited by plasmas and for the control of the etching of thin films. The independent control of the ion energy and the plasma density has been the object of intense industrial research. Current technologies for modifying the ion energy rely on the geometry of the plasma processing chamber or on applying low and high frequency RF power that is not phase locked. These techniques are either not applicable to some situations or have only been partially successful. The electrical asymmetry effect allows the ion energy and plasma

Impact of aerobic exercise on sleep and motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorders – a pilot study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Br

2015-08-01

Full Text Available Serge Brand,1,2,* Stefanie Jossen,2,* Edith Holsboer-Trachsler,1 Uwe Pühse,2 Markus Gerber21Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS, 2Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland*These authors contributed equally to this work and share the first authorshipBackground: Prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD have increased dramatically in the last two decades. In addition to the core symptoms such as impaired communication, difficulties in social interaction, and restricted and stereotypical patterns of behavior and interests, poor sleep and motor skill (MS deficits have also been observed in children with ASD. On the other hand, there is evidence that aerobic exercise training (AET has a positive impact on sleep, and that specific training improves MSs. Accordingly, the aim of the present pilot study was to investigate to what extent a combination of AET and MS training (MST would improve sleep and physical performance in a small sample of children with ASD. Method: Ten children with ASD (mean age: 10 years took part in the study. After a thorough medical examination and psychiatric assessment, children participated in thrice-weekly 60-minute sessions of AET and MST lasting for 3 consecutive weeks. Sleep was assessed both objectively (sleep-encephalography [sleep-EEG] and subjectively (parents’ questionnaire. MSs were assessed via standardized test batteries. Parents completed sleep and mood logs, and ratings of mood. Results: Mild-to-moderate insomnia was reported in 70% of children. Compared to nights without previous AET and MS, on nights following AET and MS, sleep efficiency increased (d=1.07, sleep onset latency shortened (d=0.38, and wake time after sleep onset decreased for 63% of the sample (d=1.09, as assessed via sleep-EEG. Mood in the morning, as rated by parents, improved after three weeks (d=0

Exercise is medicine for patients with major depressive disorders : but only if the “pill” is taken!

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gerber M

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Markus Gerber,1 Edith Holsboer-Trachsler,2 Uwe Pühse,3 Serge Brand1,2 1Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Sport and Psychosocial Health, University of Basel, 2Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, 3Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Sport and Health Pedagogy, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland Abstract: Major depressive disorders (MDDs are a widespread and burdensome mental illness associated with a high comorbidity with other conditions and a significantly reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. Therefore, targeted actions are needed to improve physical health in people with MDDs, in addition to ongoing efforts to enhance psychological well-being. Meanwhile, the positive effects of exercise training on the treatment of MDDs are well documented, while compelling evidence exists that exercise interventions can improve cardiorespiratory fitness in clinically meaningful ways. On the flipside, the long-term effects of exercise therapy are still not well documented, and recent studies suggest that initial improvements in MDDs dissipate if regular exercise participation is discontinued after the end of interventions. A recent survey among Swiss psychiatric hospitals further shows that all institutions provide some form of physical activity and exercise program. However, only a limited number of patients participate in these programs, mainly because participation is voluntary and no particular efforts are undertaken to engage patients with the lowest physical activity levels. We argue that more systematic efforts are needed to fully exploit the potential of physical activity and exercise programs in psychiatric care. We also emphasize that initiating and maintaining regular physical activity among psychiatric patients is a major challenge because specific dysfunctional cognitive–emotional processes might interfere with their

Healthcare Quality Improvement and 'work engagement'; concluding results from a national, longitudinal, cross-sectional study of the 'Productive Ward-Releasing Time to Care' Programme.

Science.gov (United States)

White, Mark; Butterworth, Tony; Wells, John Sg

2017-08-01

Concerns about patient safety and reducing harm have led to a particular focus on initiatives that improve healthcare quality. However Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives have in the past typically faltered because they fail to fully engage healthcare professionals, resulting in apathy and resistance amongst this group of key stakeholders. Productive Ward: Releasing Time to Care (PW) is a ward-based QI programme created to help ward-based teams redesign and streamline the way that they work; leaving more time to care for patients. PW is designed to engage and empower ward-based teams to improve the safety, quality and delivery of care. The main objective of this study was to explore whether PW sustains the 'engagement' of ward-based teams by examining the longitudinal effect that the national QI programme had on the 'work-engagement' of ward-based teams in Ireland. Utilising the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale questionnaire (UWES-17), we surveyed nine PW (intervention) sites from typical acute Medical/Surgical, Rehabilitation and Elderly services (representing the entire cohort of a national phase of PW implementation in Ireland) and a cohort of matched control sites. The numbers surveyed from the PW group at T1 (up to 3 months after commencing the programme) totalled 253 ward-team members and 249 from the control group. At T2 (12 months later), the survey was repeated with 233 ward-team members from the PW sites and 236 from the control group. Overall findings demonstrated that those involved in the QI initiative had higher 'engagement' scores at T1 and T2 in comparison to the control group. Total 'engagement' score (TES), and its 3 dimensions, were all significantly higher in the PW group at T1, but only the Vigour dimension remained significantly higher at T2 (p = 0.006). Our results lend some support to the assertions of the PW initiative itself and suggest that when compared to a control group, ward-based teams involved in the QI programme are more likely

Reinforcement course 2013. Challenges at the operation end of nuclear power plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rey, Matthias

2014-01-01

as Part of the Dismantling Planning' by Ben Volmert, Beat Bitterli, Erwin Neukaeter and Manuel Pantelias; 'Strategies of dismantling - Technical Feasibility and Nuclear Safety' by Hans Genthner and Erwin Prechtl, 'Logistic Supply Chains at the Dismantling Process of Nuclear Power Plants' by Karl Wasinger and Claudius Grasnick, 'Decontamination in Swiss Nuclear Industry - An Overview Based on Experiences of Zwilag' by Uwe Kasemayer, Donat Gubler, Stefan Haefeli, Christian Hoesli, Hans-Joachim Lau and Andreas Wegmueller as well as 'Dismantling Technics and Methods from the Scientific Perspective' by Sascha Gentes. (orig.)

Citations Prize 2009 Citations Prize 2009

Science.gov (United States)

Webb, Steve; Harris, Simon

2009-12-01

Physics in Medicine & Biology (PMB) awards its 'Citations Prize' to the authors of the original research paper that has received the most citations in the preceding five years (according to the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)). The lead author of the winning paper is presented with the Rotblat Medal (named in honour of Professor Sir Joseph Rotblat who was the second—and longest serving—Editor of PMB, from 1961-1972). The winning co-authors each receive a certificate. Photograph of the 2009 Citations Prize winners Some of the winning authors with their certificates, and Christian Morel with the Rotblat Medal, at the award ceremony in Orsay, near Paris. From left to right are Corinne Groiselle, Lydia Maigne, David Brasse, Irène Buvat, Dimitris Visvikis, Giovanni Santin, Uwe Pietrzyk, Pierre-François Honore, Christian Morel, Sébastien Jan and Arion Chatziioannou. The winner of the 2009 Citations Prize for the paper which has received the most citations in the previous 5 years (2004-2008) is GATE: a simulation toolkit for PET and SPECT Authors: S Jan, G Santin, D Strul, S Staelens, K Assié, D Autret, S Avner, R Barbier, M Bardiès, P M Bloomfield, D Brasse, V Breton, P Bruyndonckx, I Buvat, A F Chatziioannou, Y Choi, Y H Chung, C Comtat, D Donnarieix, L Ferrer, S J Glick, C J Groiselle, D Guez, P-F Honore, S Kerhoas-Cavata, A S Kirov, V Kohli, M Koole, M Krieguer, D J van der Laan, F Lamare, G Largeron, C Lartizien, D Lazaro, M C Maas, L Maigne, F Mayet, F Melot, C Merheb, E Pennacchio, J Perez, U Pietrzyk, F R Rannou, M Rey, D R Schaart, C R Schmidtlein, L~Simon, T Y Song, J-M Vieira, D Visvikis, R Van de Walle, E Wieörs and C Morel Reference: S Jan et al 2004 Phys. Med. Biol. 49 4543-61 Since its publication in 2004 this article has received over 200 citations. This extremely high figure is a testament to the great influence and usefulness of the work to the nuclear medicine community. More discussion of the winning paper can be found on

Modulation of expression of the nuclear receptor NR0B2 (small heterodimer partner 1 and its impact on proliferation of renal carcinoma cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Prestin K

2016-08-01

Full Text Available Katharina Prestin,1,* Maria Olbert,2,* Janine Hussner,1 Tamara L Isenegger,1 Daniel G Gliesche,1 Kerstin Böttcher,2 Uwe Zimmermann,3 Henriette E Meyer zu Schwabedissen1 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biopharmacy, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; 2Center of Drug Absorption and Transport, Institute of Pharmacology, 3Department of Urology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: Mammalian nuclear receptors (NRs are transcription factors regulating the expression of target genes that play an important role in drug metabolism, transport, and cellular signaling pathways. The orphan and structurally unique receptor small heterodimer partner 1 (syn NR0B2 is not only known for its modulation of drug response, but has also been reported to be involved in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Indeed, previous studies show that NR0B2 is downregulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that NR0B2 acts as a tumor suppressor via inhibition of cellular growth and activation of apoptosis in this tumor entity. The aim of our study was to elucidate whether NR0B2 may also play a role in other tumor entities. Comparing NR0B2 expression in renal cell carcinoma and adjacent nonmalignant transformed tissue revealed significant downregulation in vivo. Additionally, the impact of heterologous expression of NR0B2 on cell cycle progression and proliferation in cells of renal origin was characterized. Monitoring fluorescence intensity of resazurin turnover in RCC-EW cells revealed no significant differences in metabolic activity in the presence of NR0B2. However, there was a significant decrease of cellular proliferation in cells overexpressing this NR, and NR0B2 was more efficient than currently used antiproliferative agents. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that heterologous overexpression of NR0B2 significantly reduced the amount of cells passing the G1 phase, while on

Taking control: Is job crafting related to the intention to leave surgical training?

Science.gov (United States)

Dominguez, Luis Carlos; Stassen, Laurents; de Grave, Willem; Sanabria, Alvaro; Alfonso, Edgar; Dolmans, Diana

2018-01-01

The intention to leave surgical training, hereinafter referred as proxy of "attrition," is associated with poor well-being in the workplace. Attrition is suggested to diminish when residents possess job-crafting skills, that is, the ability to redefine their job in meaningful ways and maximize well-being at work by increasing structural and social resources and challenges and decreasing hindering demands. However, the evidence supporting this relationship is scant. This study sought to: 1) investigate to what extent residents possess job-crafting skills and compare residents' levels of job-crafting skills across years of residency training; 2) investigate the relationship between job crafting, well-being as measured by burnout and work-engagement rates, and the intention to leave; and 3) compare the levels of job-crafting skills and well-being between residents with and without serious intentions to leave. This cross sectional study was conducted in fifteen residency programs in Colombia. Surgical residents completed different questionnaires including the Dutch Job Crafting Scale (DJCS), MBI-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17) and an adapted version of the Nurse Turnover Intention Scale (NTIS). The objectives were addressed by independent analyses of variance (ANOVA), structural equation modeling techniques (SEM) and independent t-tests, respectively. A total of 202 residents participated. Residents generally scored high on their job-crafting skills to increase structural and social resources as well as challenging demands, but were less positive about their skills to reduce hindering demands. No differences across years of training were found. Job crafting correlated positively with work-engagement, which was inversely related to the intention to leave. Conversely, job crafting correlated negatively with burnout, which bore a positive relationship to the intention to leave. Residents with serious intentions to leave exhibited

Development of fugal strains in biochar amended soils

Science.gov (United States)

Miller, Ana Z.; De la Rosa, José M.; Paneque, Marina; Knicker, Heike

2016-04-01

results are of significant interest for agriculture and demands microbiological tests prior to using biochar for increasing the carbon sequestration potential of soils or for agronomic purposes, since C stabilization and soil biological properties may be affected by specific biochars. References: [1] Lehmann J., Joseph S., 2009. Biochar systems. In "Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology" (C. J. Lehmann and S. Joseph, Eds.), Earthscan, London. [2] Glaser B., Lehmann J., Zech W., 2002. Biol. Fert. Soils. 35, 219-230. [3] Saiz-Jimenez C., Miller AZ., Martin-Sanchez PM., Hernandez-Marine M., 2012. Environ. Microbiol. 14:3220-3231. [4] Rodriguez A., Perestelo F., Carnicero A., Regalado V., Perez R., De la Fuente G. Falcon M.A., 1996. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 21:213-219. [5] Scarlett K., Tesoriero L., Daniel R., Guest D., 2013. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 137:315-324. Acknowledgements: The Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (PCIG12-GA-2012-333784-Biocharisma project and PIEF-GA-2012-328689-DECAVE project), MINECO and the European Development Fund (Project PCGL2012-37041) are thanked for the financial support.

13. Expert congress on future power supply. Proceedings; 13. Fachkongress Zukunftsenergien. Kongressbeitraege

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2009-07-01

Westfalia and innovative project approach using the biomass park Zeche Hugo as an example (R. Krumm); (23) Requirements, objectives from the practice according to the storage of electric power (J.-W. Biermann); (24) State of the art and future of lithium ion batteries as a stationary and mobile energy storage (G. Hoerpel); (25) Requirements, objectives from the practice according to hydrogen storage (B. Horbein); (26) Review on research and development activities in North Rhine Westfalia (M. Krupp); (27) Requirements, objectives from the practice according to thermal storage (C. Sattler); (28) Configuration of the research wind power in Germany - Results of a BMU study from 2008 (N. Allnoch); (29) Competency Centre wind power technology (V. Kaci); (30) Significance of test fields in the wind power (M. Kraemer); (31) Demand on research and testing from industrial view (A. Klein Hitpass); (32) Research projects in plant construction and machine construction: Gears (W. Predki); (33) Research projects in plant construction and machine construction: Simulation of dynamic loads of the powertrain of WEA (G. Jacobs).

Quantity and quality of black carbon molecular markers as obtained by two chromatographic methods (GC-FID and HPLC-DAD) - How do results compare?

Science.gov (United States)

Schneider, M. P. W.; Smittenberg, R. H.; Dittmar, T.; Schmidt, M. W. I.

2009-04-01

biomass is being used for this purpose. We seek to establish a conversion factor between both methods, if required. Results show that both the GC and the HPLC method can be used for organic samples containing some silica, such as grass char. Further tests include silica-rich materials, such as soils. Ongoing methodological work aims at carbon isotope analysis (13C and 14C) on individual BPCAs isolated via HPLC. At present the HPLC method employs tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) as a modifier for the liquid phase. TBAB is not volatile and contains carbon, it therefore prevents carbon isotopic analysis on isolated BPCAs. References Brodowski, S., Rodionov, A., Haumeier, L., Glaser, B., Amelung, W. (2005) Revised black carbon assessment using benzene polycarboxylic acids. Organic Geochemistry, 36(9), 1299-1310. Dittmar, T. (2008) The molecular level determination of black carbon in marine dissolved organic matter. Organic Geochemistry, 39(4). 396-407. Glaser, B., Haumeier, L., Guggenberger, G., Zech, W. (1998) Black carbon in soils: the use of benzenecarboxylic acids as specific markers. Organic Geochemistry, 29(4), 811-819. Hammes, K. Smernik, R. J., Skjemstad, J. O., Herzog, A., Vogt, U. F., Schmidt, M. W. I. (2006) Synthesis and characterisation of laboratory-charred grass straw (Oryza saliva) and chestnut wood (Castanea sativa) as reference materials for black carbon quantification Organic Geochemistry 37(11). 1629-1633

Results of a randomized, prospective, double-dummy, double-blind trial to compare efficacy and safety of a herbal combination containing Tropaeoli majoris herba and Armoraciae rusticanae radix with co-trimoxazole in patients with acute and uncomplicated cystitis

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Stange R

2017-03-01

Full Text Available Rainer Stange,1 Berthold Schneider,2 Uwe Albrecht,3 Valentina Mueller,3 Joerg Schnitker,4 Andreas Michalsen1 1Internal and Complementary Medicine, Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin-Wannsee, Berlin, 2Institute for Biostatistics, Medical University, 3Mediconomics GmbH, Hannover, 4Institute for Applied Statistics, Bielefeld, Germany Objectives: To demonstrate non-inferiority of an herbal combination (horseradish root and nasturtium herb to an antibiotic (co-trimoxazole in acute uncomplicated cystitis. Design: Randomized, prospective, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, phase III clinical study, using block randomization of 4 blocks (size 2. Setting: Twenty-six centers in Germany, from May 2011 to June 2013. Participants: Adult patients (median age, 38.5 years; 90% female with acute uncomplicated cystitis confirmed via urinalysis and bacterial counts. Interventions: Patients received the herbal combination (five tablets, four times per day or the antibiotic (two tablets daily for a period of 7 or 3 days, respectively, followed by a 21-days without drug treatment. Placebos ensured blinding. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary endpoint was the percentage of responders, expressed as reduction of germ count from >105 to <103 CFU/mL of pathogens between visit 1 (day 0 and 3 (day 15. Secondary endpoints included change of symptom scores, duration of symptoms, efficacy assessments, relapse frequency, and safety. A sample size of 178 patients per group was estimated. Results: Of the 96 randomized patients (intent-to-treat; 45 in the phytotherapy group, 51 in the antibiotic group, 51 were considered per-protocol patients (22 in the phytotherapy group, 29 in the antibiotic group. Responder rates were 10/22 (45.5% for the phytotherapy group and 15/29 (51.1% for the antibiotic group (group difference: –6.27% [95% CI: –33.90%–21.3%]. The study was terminated prematurely due to slow recruitment rates. Non-inferiority could not be assumed by

Predictability of the individual clinical outcome of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for cellulite

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Schlaudraff KU

2014-05-01

Full Text Available Kai-Uwe Schlaudraff,1 Maren C Kiessling,2 Nikolaus BM Császár,2 Christoph Schmitz21Concept Clinic, Geneva, Switzerland; 2Department of Anatomy II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, GermanyBackground: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been successfully introduced for the treatment of cellulite in recent years. However, it is still unknown whether the individual clinical outcome of cellulite treatment with extracorporeal shock wave therapy can be predicted by the patient's individual cellulite grade at baseline, individual patient age, body mass index (BMI, weight, and/or height.Methods: Fourteen Caucasian females with cellulite were enrolled in a prospective, single-center, randomized, open-label Phase II study. The mean (± standard error of the mean cellulite grade at baseline was 2.5±0.09 and mean BMI was 22.8±1.17. All patients were treated with radial extracorporeal shock waves using the Swiss DolorClast® device (Electro Medical Systems, S.A., Nyon, Switzerland. Patients were treated unilaterally with 2 weekly treatments for 4 weeks on a randomly selected side (left or right, totaling eight treatments on the selected side. Treatment was performed at 3.5–4.0 bar, with 15,000 impulses per session applied at 15 Hz. Impulses were homogeneously distributed over the posterior thigh and buttock area (resulting in 7,500 impulses per area. Treatment success was evaluated after the last treatment and 4 weeks later by clinical examination, photographic documentation, contact thermography, and patient satisfaction questionnaires.Results: The mean cellulite grade improved from 2.5±0.09 at baseline to 1.57±0.18 after the last treatment (ie, mean δ-1 was 0.93 cellulite grades and 1.68±0.16 at follow-up (ie, mean δ-2 was 0.82 cellulite grades. Compared with baseline, no patient's condition worsened, the treatment was well tolerated, and no unwanted side effects were observed. No statistically significant (ie, P<0

Antidopaminergic medication in healthy subjects provokes subjective and objective mental impairments tightly correlated with perturbation of biogenic monoamine metabolism and prolactin secretion

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Veselinović T

2018-04-01

Full Text Available Tanja Veselinović,1,2 Ingo Vernaleken,1,2 Paul Cumming,3,4 Uwe Henning,5 Lina Winkler,1,2 Peter Kaleta,1,2 Michael Paulzen,1,2 Christian Luckhaus,6 Gerhard Gründer1,2,7 1Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, 2Translational Brain Medicine, Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA, Jülich, Germany; 3IHBI, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, 4QIMR Berghofer Institute, Brisbane, Australia; 5Neurobiochemical Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, 6LWL University Hospital Bochum, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry and Psychiatric Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, 7Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany Objectives: Off-label prescription of antipsychotics to patients without psychotic symptoms has become a routine matter for many psychiatrists and also some general practitioners. Nonetheless, little is known about the possibly detrimental effects of antidopaminergic medications on general psychopathology, subjective mental state, or a possible association with physiological parameters in nonpsychotic individuals.Methods: In this randomized, single-blinded study, groups of healthy volunteers (n=18 received low doses of reserpine, aripiprazole, haloperidol, or placebo on 7 successive days. Relevant physiological parameters (plasma prolactin, concentrations of catecholamine metabolites in plasma, and 24-hour urine and each subject’s mental state (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, visual analogue scale, Beck Depression Inventory II were assessed at the start and end of the trial.Results: Of the three active treatments, only reserpine caused a significant increase in some plasma- and urine-catecholamine metabolites, but all three medications evoked objective

Telemonitoring of home exercise cycle training in patients with COPD

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Franke KJ

2016-11-01

Full Text Available Karl-Josef Franke,1,2 Ulrike Domanski,1 Maik Schroeder,1 Volker Jansen,3 Frank Artmann,4 Uwe Weber,5 Rainer Ettler,6 Georg Nilius1,2 1Department of Pneumology and Critical Care Medicine, Helios Klinik Ambrock, Hagen, 2Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, 3Lung Practice Jansen, Menden, 4Aeroprax Wuppertal, Wuppertal, 5Lung Practice Witten, Witten, 6Lung Practice Ettler, Hagen, Germany Background: Regular physical activity is associated with reduced mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD. Interventions to reduce time spent in sedentary behavior could improve outcomes. The primary purpose was to investigate the impact of telemonitoring with supportive phone calls on daily exercise times with newly established home exercise bicycle training. The secondary aim was to examine the potential improvement in health-related quality of life and physical activity compared to baseline. Methods: This prospective crossover-randomized study was performed over 6 months in stable COPD patients. The intervention phase (domiciliary training with supporting telephone calls and the control phase (training without phone calls were randomly assigned to the first or the last 3 months. In the intervention phase, patients were called once a week if they did not achieve a real-time monitored daily cycle time of 20 minutes. Secondary aims were evaluated at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Health-related quality of life was measured by the COPD Assessment Test (CAT, physical activity by the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ. Results: Of the 53 included patients, 44 patients completed the study (forced expiratory volume in 1 second 47.5%±15.8% predicted. In the intervention phase, daily exercise time was significantly higher compared to the control phase (24.2±9.4 versus 19.6±10.3 minutes. Compared to baseline (17.6±6.1, the CAT-score improved in the intervention phase to 15.3±7.6 and in the control phase to 15.7±7.3�

Reinforcement course 2013. Challenges at the operation end of nuclear power plants; Vertiefungskurs 2013. Herausforderungen am Betriebsende von Kernkraftwerken

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rey, Matthias [Nuklearforum Schweiz/Forum nucleaire suisse, Bern (Switzerland)

2014-03-15

Herren, Erwin Neukaeter, Mario Radke and Anton Schegg, 'Evaluation of Activation Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant as Part of the Dismantling Planning' by Ben Volmert, Beat Bitterli, Erwin Neukaeter and Manuel Pantelias; 'Strategies of dismantling - Technical Feasibility and Nuclear Safety' by Hans Genthner and Erwin Prechtl, 'Logistic Supply Chains at the Dismantling Process of Nuclear Power Plants' by Karl Wasinger and Claudius Grasnick, 'Decontamination in Swiss Nuclear Industry - An Overview Based on Experiences of Zwilag' by Uwe Kasemayer, Donat Gubler, Stefan Haefeli, Christian Hoesli, Hans-Joachim Lau and Andreas Wegmueller as well as 'Dismantling Technics and Methods from the Scientific Perspective' by Sascha Gentes. (orig.)

Development of a novel sports medicine rotation for emergency medicine residents

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Waterbrook AL

2016-04-01

Full Text Available Anna L Waterbrook,1 T Gail Pritchard,2 Allison D Lane,1 Lisa R Stoneking,1 Bryna Koch,2 Robert McAtee,1 Kristi H Grall,1 Alice A Min,1 Jessica Prior,1 Isaac Farrell,1 Holly G McNulty,1 Uwe Stolz1 1Department of Emergency Medicine, 2Office of Medical Student Education, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA Abstract: Musculoskeletal complaints are the most common reason for patients to visit a physician, yet competency in musculoskeletal medicine is invariably reported as a deficiency in medical education in the USA. Sports medicine clinical rotations improve both medical students' and residents' musculoskeletal knowledge. Despite the importance of this knowledge, a standardized sports medicine curriculum in emergency medicine (EM does not exist. Hence, we developed a novel sports medicine rotation for EM residents to improve their musculoskeletal educational experience and to improve their knowledge in musculoskeletal medicine by teaching the evaluation and management of many common musculoskeletal disorders and injuries that are encountered in the emergency department. The University of Arizona has two distinct EM residency programs, South Campus (SC and University Campus (UC. The UC curriculum includes a traditional 4-week orthopedic rotation, which consistently rated poorly on evaluations by residents. Therefore, with the initiation of a new EM residency at SC, we replaced the standard orthopedic rotation with a novel sports medicine rotation for EM interns. This rotation includes attendance at sports medicine clinics with primary care and orthopedic sports medicine physicians, involvement in sport event coverage, assigned reading materials, didactic experiences, and an on-call schedule to assist with reductions in the emergency department. We analyzed postrotation surveys completed by residents, postrotation evaluations of the residents completed by primary care sports medicine faculty and orthopedic chief residents, as well as the

Mental toughness, sleep disturbances, and physical activity in patients with multiple sclerosis compared to healthy adolescents and young adults

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sadeghi Bahmani D

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Dena Sadeghi Bahmani,1 Markus Gerber,2 Nadeem Kalak,1 Sakari Lemola,3 Peter J Clough,4 Pasquale Calabrese,5 Vahid Shaygannejad,6 Uwe Pühse,2 Edith Holsboer-Trachsler,1 Serge Brand1,2 1Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, 2Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; 3Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, 4Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK; 5Division of Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; 6Department of Neurology and Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS is the most common chronic autoimmune demyelinating and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, afflicting both the body and mind. The risk of suffering from MS is 2.5–3.5 times greater in females than in males. While there is extant research on fatigue, depression, and cognitive impairment in patients with MS during its clinical course, there is a lack of research focusing on sleep, psychological functioning, and physical activity (PA at the point of disease onset. The aims of the present study were therefore, to assess the markers of mental toughness (MT as a dimension of psychological functioning, sleep disturbances (SD, and PA among patients at the moment of disease onset and to compare these with the corresponding values for healthy adolescents and young adults. Methods: A total of 23 patients with MS at disease onset (mean age =32.31 years; 91% females, 23 healthy adolescents (mean age =17.43 years; 82% females, and 25 healthy young adults (mean age =20.72 years; 80% females took part in the study. They completed questionnaires covering sociodemographic data, MT, SD, and PA. Results: Patients with MS had similar scores for MT traits as those in healthy

Process and Effects Evaluation of a Digital Mental Health Intervention Targeted at Improving Occupational Well-Being: Lessons From an Intervention Study With Failed Adoption.

Science.gov (United States)

Muuraiskangas, Salla; Harjumaa, Marja; Kaipainen, Kirsikka; Ermes, Miikka

2016-05-11

Digital interventions have the potential to serve as cost-effective ways to manage occupational stress and well-being. However, little is known about the adoption of individual-level digital interventions at organizations. The aim of this paper is to study the effects of an unguided digital mental health intervention in occupational well-being and the factors that influence the adoption of the intervention. The intervention was based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and its aim was to teach skills for stress management and mental well-being. It was delivered via a mobile and a Web-based app that were offered to employees of two information and communication technology (ICT) companies. The primary outcome measures were perceived stress and work engagement, measured by a 1-item stress questionnaire (Stress) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). The intervention process was evaluated regarding the change mechanisms and intervention stages using mixed methods. The initial interviews were conducted face-to-face with human resource managers (n=2) of both companies in August 2013. The participants were recruited via information sessions and email invitations. The intervention period took place between November 2013 and March 2014. The participants were asked to complete online questionnaires at baseline, two months, and four months after the baseline measurement. The final phone interviews for the volunteer participants (n=17) and the human resource managers (n=2) were conducted in April to May 2014, five months after the baseline. Of all the employees, only 27 (8.1%, 27/332) took the app into use, with a mean use of 4.8 (SD 4.7) different days. In the beginning, well-being was on good level in both companies and no significant changes in well-being were observed. The activities of the intervention process failed to integrate the intervention into everyday activities at the workplace. Those who took the app into use experienced many benefits such as

Assessment of economically optimal water management and geospatial potential for large-scale water storage

Science.gov (United States)

Weerasinghe, Harshi; Schneider, Uwe A.

2010-05-01

Assessment of economically optimal water management and geospatial potential for large-scale water storage Weerasinghe, Harshi; Schneider, Uwe A Water is an essential but limited and vulnerable resource for all socio-economic development and for maintaining healthy ecosystems. Water scarcity accelerated due to population expansion, improved living standards, and rapid growth in economic activities, has profound environmental and social implications. These include severe environmental degradation, declining groundwater levels, and increasing problems of water conflicts. Water scarcity is predicted to be one of the key factors limiting development in the 21st century. Climate scientists have projected spatial and temporal changes in precipitation and changes in the probability of intense floods and droughts in the future. As scarcity of accessible and usable water increases, demand for efficient water management and adaptation strategies increases as well. Addressing water scarcity requires an intersectoral and multidisciplinary approach in managing water resources. This would in return safeguard the social welfare and the economical benefit to be at their optimal balance without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems. This paper presents a geographically explicit method to assess the potential for water storage with reservoirs and a dynamic model that identifies the dimensions and material requirements under an economically optimal water management plan. The methodology is applied to the Elbe and Nile river basins. Input data for geospatial analysis at watershed level are taken from global data repositories and include data on elevation, rainfall, soil texture, soil depth, drainage, land use and land cover; which are then downscaled to 1km spatial resolution. Runoff potential for different combinations of land use and hydraulic soil groups and for mean annual precipitation levels are derived by the SCS-CN method. Using the overlay and decision tree algorithms

An Imminent Revolution in Modeling Interactions of Ice Sheets With Climate

Science.gov (United States)

Hughes, T.

2008-12-01

Modeling continental ice sheets was inaugurated by meteorologists William Budd and Uwe Radok, with mathematician Richard Jenssen, in 1971. Their model calculated the thermal and mechanical regime using measured surface accumulation rates, temperatures, and elevations, and bed topography. This top-down approach delivered a basal thermal regime of temperatures or melting rates for an assumed basal geothermal heat flux. When Philippe Huybrechts and others incorporated time, largely unknownpast surface conditions had a major effect on present basal thermal conditions. This approach produced ice-sheet models with only a slow response to external forcing, whereas the glacial geological record and climate records from ice and ocean cores show that ice sheets can have rapid changes in size and shape independent of external forcing. These top-down models were wholly inadequate for reconstructing former ice sheets at the LGM for CLIMAP in 1981. Ice-sheet areas,elevations, and volumes provided the albedo, surface topography, and sea-surface area as input to climate models. A bottom-up model based on dated glacial geology was developed to provide the areal extent and basal thermal regime of ice sheets at the LGM. Basal thermal conditions determined ice-bed coupling and therefore the elevation of ice sheets. High convex ice surfaces for slow sheet flow lower about 20 percent when a frozen bed becomes thawed. As further basal melting drowns bedrock bumps that "pin" basal ice, the ice surface becomes concave in fast stream flow that ends as low floating ice shelves at marine ice margins. A revolution in modeling interactions between glaciation, climate, and sea level is driven by new Greenland and Antarctic data from Earth-orbiting satellites, airborne and surface traverses, and deep drilling. We anticipate continuous data acquisition of surface albedo, accumulation/ablation rates, elevations, velocities, and temperatures over a whole ice sheet, mapping basal thermal conditions

Indirect treatment comparison of bevacizumab + interferon-α-2a vs tyrosine kinase inhibitors in first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma therapy

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gerald HJ Mickisch

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Gerald HJ Mickisch1, Björn Schwander2, Bernard Escudier3, Joaquim Bellmunt4, José P Maroto5, Camillo Porta6, Stefan Walzer7, Uwe Siebert8,91Department of Urology, Center of Operative Urology Bremen, Bremen, Germany; 2Department of Outcomes Research, AiM GmbH Assessment-in-Medicine, Lörrach, Germany; 3Immunotherapy Unit, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France; 4Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital del Mar UPF, Barcelona, Spain; 5Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; 6Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS San Matteo University Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy; 7Global Health Economics, F Hoffmann-La Roche Pharmaceuticals AG, Basel, Switzerland; 8Department of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall i.T., Austria; 9Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USABackground: The vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor bevacizumab (BEV given in combination with interferon-α-2a (IFN, and the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs sunitinib (SUN and pazopanib (PAZ, have all shown significant increase in progression-free survival (PFS in first-line metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC therapy. These targeted therapies are currently competing to be primary choice; hence, in the absence of direct head-to-head comparison, there is a need for valid indirect comparison assessment.Methods: Standard indirect comparison methods were applied to independent review PFS data of the pivotal Phase III trials, to determine indirect treatment comparison hazard-ratios (HR with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI. As BEV+IFN and SUN have been compared to IFN, indirect comparison was enabled by the common IFN comparator arms. As PAZ was compared to placebo (PLA, a connector trial (IFN vs PLA was required for the indirect comparison to BEV

Special issue on quantum physics with non-Hermitian operators Special issue on quantum physics with non-Hermitian operators

Science.gov (United States)

Bender, Carl M.; Fring, Andreas; Guenther, Uwe; Jones, Hugh F.

2012-01-01

This is a call for contributions to a special issue of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical dedicated to quantum physics with non-Hermitian operators. The main motivation behind this special issue is to gather together recent results, developments and open problems in this rapidly evolving field of research in a single comprehensive volume. We expect that such a special issue will become a valuable reference for the broad scientific community working in mathematical and theoretical physics. The issue will be open to all contributions containing new results on non-Hermitian theories which are explicitly PT-symmetric and/or pseudo-Hermitian or quasi-Hermitian. The main novelties in the past years in this area have been many experimental observations, realizations, and applications of PT symmetric Hamiltonians in optics and microwave cavities. We especially invite contributions on the theoretical interpretations of these recent PT-symmetric experiments and on theoretical proposals for new experiments. Editorial policy The Guest Editors for this issue are Carl Bender, Andreas Fring, Uwe Guenther and Hugh Jones. The areas and topics for this issue include, but are not limited to: spectral problems novel properties of complex optical potentials PT-symmetry related threshold lasers and spectral singularities construction of metric operators scattering theory supersymmetric theories Lie algebraic and Krein-space methods random matrix models classical and semi-classical models exceptional points in model systems operator theoretic approaches microwave cavities aspects of integrability and exact solvability field theories with indefinite metric All contributions will be refereed and processed according to the usual procedure of the journal. Papers should report original and significant research that has not already been published. Guidelines for preparation of contributions The deadline for contributed papers will be 31 March 2012. This deadline will allow the

Environmental protection congress M-V. Use of regenerative energy sources and hydrogen technology 2010. Proceedings; Klimaschutzkongress M-V. Nutzung regenerativer Energiequellen und Wasserstofftechnik 2010. Tagungsband

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Luschtinetz, Thomas; Lehmann, Jochen (eds.)

2010-07-01

-Hydrogen-Biomass-The hybrid power plant of ENERTRAG AG (Andreas Miege); (19) The First in Poland demonstrative ORC power plant of low power output (Wladyslaw A. Stachel); (20) LED - Light in the public room (Thomas Roehmhild); (21) European prospects on shale gas (Stefan Juergen Saatmann); (21) Is hydrogen dangerous? (Ulrich Schmidtchen); (22) Ecovision Usedom - Geothermal district heating for the resorts (Sven-Uwe Schulz); (23) Conditions for a full supply with renewable energies (Gerd Stadermann); (24) Solar cells of the third generation on the basis of silicon nanostructures (Berg Stegemann); (25) Platinum-free catalysts for the hydrogen / hydrogen peroxide - fuel cell (Anette-E. Surkus); (26) The fuel cell in Germany: Future or utopia? (Guillem Taenzer); (27) Industrial waste heat - A potential investigation for Germany (Guillem Taenzer); (28) Solar-thermal substitution of electric power for air conditioning and providing drinking water - A cooperation between Ecuador and Stralsund (Jaime Vasquez); (29) Hydrogen and its technologies - The Exergetisation through hydrogen technologies makes more technical work from energy (Carl-Jochen Winter); (30) Analysis / diagnosis of mistakes in the construction and operation of photovoltaic plants and their evaluation (Klaus Wozniak); (31) Generation of hydrogen for a decentralized energy supply (Claus Wuerfel); (32) Biomass as an operating material for ships (Wojciech Zenczak).

PREFACE: 6th International Conference on Aperiodic Crystals (APERIODIC'09)

Science.gov (United States)

Grimm, Uwe; McGrath, Rónán; Degtyareva, Olga; Sharma, Hem Raj

2010-04-01

of aperiodic order in two dimensions and used in modelling quasicrystalline materials, some ten years before quasicrystals were first seen in experiment. The conference excursion and dinner centred on the historic waterfront area of this 800-year old city that was designated European Capital of Culture in 2008. The enjoyment of the ferry trip on the Mersey and subsequent walk to the Albert dock museums was greatly enhanced by the fine weather, which lasted throughout the entire conference week. The guests of honour at the conference dinner were Professor Sir Roger Penrose FRS and Professor Alan L Mackay FRS, bringing together two distinguished UK scientists who made seminal contributions to the subject. Besides the scientific programme, the conference also offered a presentation by the author Ann Lingard, whose latest novel The Embalmer's Book of Recipes features a mathematician working on quasicrystals at the University of Liverpool as its main character. A related EPSRC-supported workshop on Mathematical Aspects of Aperiodic Order, organised by Alex Clark, John Hunton and Uwe Grimm, was held in Leicester in the week preceding the conference, and attracted about 40 participants. It is not possible to organise a conference without the help and support of a large number of people, and we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support of everyone who was involved in organising and running this conference. We would like to thank the IUCr Aperiodic Commission, and in particular its chair Professor Marc de Boissieu, who not only entrusted us with hosting the event, but acted as the International Advisory Committee and provided valuable advice and guidance. We are indebted to the members of the International Programme Committee, who helped to put together an exciting programme by suggesting invited speakers and selecting presentations for contributed plenary talks. We are immensely grateful to all members of the National Organising Committee, who provided

Environmental politics. Actual research projects in the area of sectional themes of renewable energies; Umweltpolitik. Aktuelle Forschungsvorhaben im Bereich Querschnittsthemen der erneuerbaren Energien

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zimmermann, Gisela; Boehme, Dieter; Nikol, Claudia (comps.)

2006-08-15

Within the meeting of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany) at 23rd to 24th February, 2006 in Berlin the following lectures were held: (1) Reaching the targets of development for renewable energies up to the year 2020 (Joachim Nitsch); (2) Introduction to the topics of cross-section projects in the area of renewable energy (Wolfhart Duerrschmidt); (3) Preparation and accompanying of the preparation of a report of experience according to paragraph 20 EEG (Frithjof Staiss); (4) Analysis and evaluation for the further EEG from total economic view (Claudia Kemfert); (5) Monitoring for the efficiency of the amended EEG and the development of the power generation from biomass (Daniela Thraen); (6) Monitoring for the efficiency of the amended EEG and the development of power generation from solar energy (Dieer Guennewig); (7) Market penetration of renewable energies in the German and European power market (Mario Ragwitz); (8) Ecologically optimized expansion of the renewable energy revisited: the sectorial challenges (Martin Pehnt); (9) Key issues for the development and introduction of budget independent instruments for the market penetration in the heating market (Michael Nast); (10) Material flow analysis of sustainable mobility in the context of the renewable energies till to 2030 (Uwe Fritsche); (11) Optimization for a sustainable expansion of the generation and utilization of biogas in Germany - Electricity, thermal energy, fuels (Guido Reinhardt); (12) A structural-economical-ecological comparison of regenerative energy technologies (RE) with Carbon Capture and Capture (CCS) (Manfred Fischedick); (13) Monitoring of support instruments for renewable energies in the power supply sector in the EU and scientific accompanying of the Feed-in-Cooperation (Mario Ragwitz); (14) Further development of the EU politics for the promotion of renewable energies in the European power supply single

Work engagement and meaningful work across generational cohorts

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Crystal Hoole

2015-08-01

Full Text Available Orientation: Engaging employees and providing employees with a sense of meaning at work is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Although research has shown that differences between work engagement and meaningful work amongst generational cohorts exist, results are still inconclusive. With age becoming increasingly more important as a diversity factor, a better understanding of the dynamics between work engagement and meaningful work across different generational cohorts is necessary to design the right strategy for each organisation’s unique parameters. Research purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between work engagement and meaningful work and whether there are significant variances between the levels of work engagement and meaningful work between different generational cohorts. Motivation for study: Work engagement has consistently been highlighted by researchers and human resources experts as a recommended solution to provide companies with the upper hand when it comes to creating a competitive edge. Yet, levels of work engagement are far from ideal, requiring intensified efforts to identify solutions towards raising overall engagement levels. In recent years, much of the focus in terms of generating engagement has been aimed in the direction of financial rewards and other benefits; some organisational experts are of the opinion that a shift is occurring towards meaningful work instead of monetary rewards as the driver of engagement. The changing nature of the work landscape also suggests that generational cohorts experience work engagement and meaningful work differently. Understanding these complexities is mandatory in creating solutions towards improving levels of engagement and meaningful work. Research approach, design and method: A cross-sectional quantitative research approach has been followed. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES and Psychological Meaningful Scale (PMS were administered

A laser profilometry technique for monitoring fluvial dike breaching in laboratory experiments

Science.gov (United States)

Dewals, Benjamin; Rifai, Ismail; Erpicum, Sébastien; Archambeau, Pierre; Violeau, Damien; Pirotton, Michel; El kadi Abderrezzak, Kamal

2017-04-01

-cohesive, homogenous fluvial dikes. Water Resources Research, under revision. Spinewine, B., Delobbe, A., Elslander, L., Zech, Y. (2004). Experimental investigation of the breach growth process in sand dikes. Proc. of the International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, River Flow 2004, 2:983-991.

Inertial wave beams and inertial wave modes in a rotating cylinder with time-modulated rotation rate

Science.gov (United States)

Borcia, Ion D.; Ghasemi V., Abouzar; Harlander, Uwe

2014-05-01

shift towards higher frequencies. This frequency shift is due to the reduction of the effective resonance volume that results from the existence of a Stokes boundary layer at the outer librating wall. Due to the symmetry of the forcing not all possible modes can be excited. It is shown that only symmetric modes with respect to the rotation axis exist. From a fundamental perspective, the study might help to understand better inertial mode excitation in librating planets and moons where inertial waves are emitted from critical points on the inner or outer spherical boundary. Recently, Zhang et al. (2013) pointed out the resonance should not occur in symmetric librating bodies without precession. We will discuss how this assumption depends on the boundary conditions. It might turn out that even when the projection of the Euler (or Poincare) force on the modes is zero, the projection of the excited wave beams on the modes is non-zero. K. Zhang, K. H. Chan, X. Liao, and J. M. Aurnou. The non-resonant response of fluid in a rapidly rotating sphere undergoing longitudinal libration, J. Fluid Mech.,720, 212-235, 2013. I. D. Borcia and U. Harlander. Inertial waves in a rotating annulus with inclined inner cylinder, Theoret. Comp. Fluid Dynamics, 27, 397-413, 2013. I. D. Borcia, A. Ghasemi V., and U. Harlander. Inertial wave mode excitation inside a rotating cylindrical container with librating walls, submitted to Fluid Dyn. Res.,2013. M. Klein, T. Seelig, M. V. Kurgansky, A. Ghasemi V., I. D. Borcia, A. Will, E. Schaller, C. Egbers, and Uwe Harlander. Inertial wave excitation and focusing in a liquid bounded by a frustum and a cylinder, submitted to J. Fluid Mech., 2013.

PREFACE: International Symposium on (e,2e), Double Photoionization and Related Topics & 15th International Symposium on Polarization and Correlation in Electronic and Atomic Collisions

Science.gov (United States)

Martin, Nicholas L. S.; deHarak, Bruno A.

2010-01-01

44 submitted posters covered recent advances in these topics. These proceedings present papers on 35 of the invited talks. The Local Organizers gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, and the University of Kentucky Department of Physics and Astronomy. We also thank Carol Cotrill, Eva Ellis, Diane Yates, Sarah Crowe, and John Nichols, of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky for their invaluable assistance in the smooth running of the conferences; Oleksandr Korneta for taking the group photograph; and Emily Martin for helping accompanying persons. Nicholas L S Martin University of Kentucky Bruno A deHarak Illinois Wesleyan University International Scientific Organizing Committee Co-Chairs Don Madison (USA)Klaus Bartschat (USA) Members Lorenzo Avaldi (Italy)Nils Andersen (Denmark) Jamal Berakdar (Germany)Uwe Becker (Germany) Michael Brunger (Australia)Igor Bray (Australia) Greg Childers (USA)Nikolay Cherepkov (Russia) JingKang Deng (China)Albert Crowe (UK) Alexander Dorn (Germany)Danielle Dowek (France) Jim Feagin (USA)Oscar Fojon (Argentina) Nikolay Kabachnik (Russia)Tim Gay (USA) Anatoli Kheifets (Australia)Alexei Grum-Grzhimailo (Russia) George King (UK)Friedrich Hanne (Germany) Tom Kirchner (Germany)Alan Huetz (France) Azzedine Lahmam-Bennani (France)Morty Khakoo (USA) Julian Lower (Australia)Birgit Lohmann (Australia) William McCurdy (USA)Bill McConkey (Canada) Andrew Murray (UK)Rajesh Srivastava (India) Bernard Piraux (Belgium)Al Stauffer (Canada) Tim Reddish (Canada)Jim Williams (Australia) Roberto Rivarola (Argentina)Akira Yagishita (Japan) Michael Schulz (USA)Peter Zetner (Canada) Anthony Starace (USA)Joachim Ullrich (Germany) Giovanni Stefani (Italy)Erich Weigold (Australia) Masahiko Takahashi (Japan) Conference photograph

Biogas in the agriculture. State of the art. Proceedings; Biogas in der Landwirtschaft. Stand und Perspektiven. Tagungsband

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2009-07-01

fermentation of renewable raw materials effect organic soil carbon? (Peter Dominik et al.); (20) Efficiency of composting of residues of fermentation (Helmut Doehler et al.); (21) Feeding biogas in the natural gas grid: actual market developments in the area of gas processing and line feeding (Wolfgang Urban); (22) Practical experiences in the substitution of natural gas by bio methane in Germany (Michael Beil); (23) Biogas plants - the technical view of the network access (Uwe Klaus, Andreas Schrader); (24) Optimized cultivation of energy plants for biogas plants (Christoph Strauss); (25) Deintegration procedure - Expenditure and utility for the generation of biogas (Bjoern Schwarz et al.); (26) Biogas substrate - Which exotics have the potential for the future? (Armin Vetter); (27) The step of hydrolyse in the fermentation of renewable raw materials - Does it enhance the efficiency? (Hans Oechsner et al.); (28) Quality silage for the production of biogas (Christiane Herrmann et al.); (29) Possibilities of the optimization of mixtures of raw materials (Thomas Amon); (30) Ignition jet cogeneration plant - State of the art and perspectives using the effective post power generation of waste gas (Wolfram Dreier, Kai Liesendahl); (31) Gas-fuelled spark ignition engine - state of the art and perspectives (Thomas Elsenbruch); (32) Power generation from biogas in a fuel cell (Peter Landgraf); (33) Micro gas turbine - state of the art (Tobias Panne, Axel Widenhorn); (34) Possibilities of the reduction of the energy demand of biogas plants (Andreas Lehner, Matthias Effenberger); (35) EEG conform utilization of waste heat of agricultural biogas plants (Wolfgang Schulz). Beside these lectures twenty six poster contributions were exhibited.

"Heart" of Herschel to be presented to media

Science.gov (United States)

2007-09-01

instruments were designed and built by consortia of scientists and institutes, with their own national funding. The Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) was developed under the coordination of the MPE, Germany; the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) was developed under the coordination of the Cardiff University (United Kingdom); the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HIFI) was developed under the coordination of the SRON institute (The Netherlands). For more information ESA Media Relations Office Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7299 Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690 Herschel Press Day at Astrium, Friedrichshafen, Germany 19 September 2007 Claude-Dornier-Strasse 88090 Immenstaad 09:00 h Arrival at Astrium /Check-in / Transfer to Building 8 / Room Meersburg (5 th floor) 09:30 h Welcome, by Uwe Minne, Director of Earth Observation and Science, Astrium 09:35 h ESA and Astronomy: looking forward, by Jacques Louet, Head of Scientific Projects Department, ESA 09:45 h Herschel/Planck mission overview, by Thomas Passvogel, ESA Herschel/Planck Project Manager 09:55 h The Herschel scientific mission, by Göran Pilbratt, ESA Herschel Project Scientist 10:05 h Q & A followed by coffee break 10:30 h Herschel spacecraft overview, by Jean-Jacques Julliet, Director of European Science and Optical Observation Programmes, Thales Alenia Space 10:40 h The ‘cool’ heart of Herschel, by Wolfgang Fricke, Herschel Project Manager, Astrium 10:50 h The PACS instrument, by Albrecht Poglitsch, Principal Investigator, Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik (MPE) 11:00 h The SPIRE instrument, by Matthew Griffin, Principal Investigator, Cardiff University 11:10 h The HIFI instrument, by Thijs de Graauw, Principal Investigator, Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) 11:20 h Q & A, Individual Interviews 12:15 h Transfer to Integration Centre 12:30 h Warm / Cold Buffet on Visitoŕs Galaxy Build up of three different visitor groups Check-in into cleanroom Photo

PREFACE: 17th International Conference on Recent Progress in Many-Body Theories (MBT17)

Science.gov (United States)

Reinholz, Heidi; Boronat, Jordi

2014-08-01

imaginative use and development of the Monte-Carlo approach and for his ground-breaking contributions to superconductivity. The Kümmel Award went to Max Metlitski (UC Santa Barbara) for remarkable advances in the theory of quantum criticality in metals. The nominations for the Kümmel Award were of such high standard that the Committee announced Honourable Mentions to Martin Eckstein (MPDS/U Hamburg, Germany) for his leading contributions in the development of non-equilibrium dynamical mean field theory, Emanuel Gull (U Michigan, USA) for the development of the Continuous-Time Auxiliary-Field Quantum Monte Carlo Method and for its use in understanding the interplay of the pseudogap and superconductivity in the Hubbard model and Kai Sun (U Michigan, USA) for seminal contributions to the theory of topological effects in strongly correlated electron systems. The Conference continues the series of conferences held before in Trieste, Italy (1979); Oaxtapec, Mexico (1981); Odenthal-Altenberg, Germany (1983); San Francisco, USA (1985); Oulu, Finland (1987); Arad, Israel (1989); Minneapolis, USA (1991); Schloé Segau, Austria (1994); Sydney, Australia (1997); Seattle, USA (1999); Manchester, UK (2001); Santa Fe, USA (2004); Buenos Aires, Argentina (2005); Barcelona, Spain (2007); Columbus, USA (2009) and Bariloche, Argentina (2011). It has been a great pleasure to prepare for the conference. We thank the IAC and in particular Susana Hernandez and David Neilson as well as the International Programme Committee for their great support and advice. Many more people have been involved locally in organizing this international meeting and thanks goes to them, in particular to the members of the LOC Sonja Lorenzen, Dieter Bauer, Niels-Uwe Bastian, Marina Hertzfeldt, Volker Mosert and Gerd Röpke. The next meeting will take place in Buffalo, USA in 2015 and we look forward to yet another exciting exchange on Recent Progress in Many-Body Theories. Heidi Reinholz and Jordi Boronat Guest editors

PREFACE: First Latin-American Conference on Bioimpedance (CLABIO 2012)

Science.gov (United States)

Bertemes Filho, Pedro

2012-12-01

. In making this conference possible, we want to acknowledge our deep appreciation for the financial support of FAPESC (Foundation for Research and Innovation of Santa Catarina), CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level -or Education- Personnel) and also express our sincere thanks to the many individuals who contributed their time and diligence to making this conference possible. Our special thanks go to the Santa Catarina State University for contributing time and effort to organizing the conference. We also wish to express our thanks to Professors Ana Watanabe and Fabricio Noveletto for helping with the registration process, the conference desk and the diverse and sundry details that are the part of any event of this kind. We would like also to thank all of the invited speakers and the members of the Program Committee, and wopuld like to express our gratitude to the Technological Institute of Joinville (FITEJ) for their technical co-sponsorship. We very much appreciate Orjan Martinsen, Uwe Pliquett, Fernando Martinez Seoane, Raul Gonzalez Lima, Marcio Nogueira de Souza and Carlos Augusto Gonzalez Correa for delivering keynote talks at the conference. And we would like to extend an enthusiastic round of thanks to all of our conference authors for their excellent contributions; to all the session chairs for their effort and enthusiasm; and to all the International Program Committee members and referees for their time and expertise in the paper review. Particular thanks go to Emiliano Amarante Veiga and other members of the CLABIO2012 Secretariat and organizing team for their time and outstanding work. List of committees General Chair Professor Pedro Bertemes Filho (Santa Catarina State University) Pedro Bertemes Filho Technical Program Chairs Dr Marcio Nogueira de Souza (Rio de Janeiro Federal University) Local Arrangement Chair Professor Aleksander Paterno (Santa Catarina State University) Professor Fabrício Noveletto (Santa Catarina State University

Once a myth, now an object of study - How the perception of comets has changed over the centuries

Science.gov (United States)

2004-02-01

In February 2004, Rosetta will be setting off on its long journey through our solar system to meet up with Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. It will take the European Space Agency (ESA) space probe ten years to reach its destination. The comet, which moves in an elliptical orbit around the Sun, will at rendezvous be some 675 million kilometres from the Sun, near the point in its orbit farthest from the Sun. The meeting point was not chosen at random: at this point the comet is still barely active, it is still in fact a frozen lump of ice and interplanetary dust, in all probability the matter from which our solar system emerged four and a half billion years ago. Rosetta’s job is to find out more about these strange bodies that travel through our solar system. As it moves on, the comet will begin to change. As it approaches the Sun, it will - like all comets - become active: in the warmth of the Sun’s rays, the ices evaporate, tearing small dust particles from the surface. This produces the comet head (the coma) and tail. Only these two phenomena are visible from Earth. The comet nucleus itself is far too tiny - Churyumov-Gerasimenko measures about 4 kilometres across - to be viewed from Earth. As Dr Uwe Keller of the Max Planck Institute for Aeronomy in Kaltenburg-Lindau, the scientist responsible for the Osiris camera carried by Rosetta, explains, “Formation of the coma and tail during solar flyby skims several metres of matter off the comet’s surface. In the case of a small comet like Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the shrinkage is a good 1% each time round.” As it flies past the Sun every 6.6 years it can look forward to a short future, especially on a cosmic timescale. Comets - a mystical view Visible cometary phenomena have fascinated human beings from time immemorial - and frightened them too. Even today mystical explanations prevail among some of the Earth’s peoples. The Andaman islanders, a primitive people living in the Gulf of Bengal, see comets as burning

Contrasting agronomic response of biochar amendment to a Mediterranean Cambisol: Incubation vs. field experiment

Science.gov (United States)

De la Rosa, José M.; Paneque, Marina; De Celis, Reyes; Miller, Ana Z.; Knicker, Heike

2015-04-01

are still being processed. Nevertheless, preliminary results indicated that addition of biochar did not alter negatively physical properties (pH, EC) or composition of this alkaline soil, on the contrary biochar addition caused a slight improvement of the WHC and soil porosity. Those changes produced a faster development of plant shoots. However, at the end of the experiment, biochar amendment caused no significant increase on the agronomic production for any of the tested biochars. From these preliminary results, we conclude that biochar amendment improved physical-surficial characteristics of the calcic Cambisol from an agronomic point of view, but under the typical Mediterranean climate those changes seem to leave the harvested seed yields unaffected. References: [1] Glaser B, Lehmann J, Zech W, 2002. Biol. Fert. Soils. 35, 219-230. [2] Blackwell P, Riethmuller G, Collins M, 2009. in Lehmann J, Joseph S. Earthscan (Eds.), Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology, London. [3] IUSS Working Group WRB, 2007. World Soil Resources Reports 103. FAO, Rome. [4] De la Rosa JM, Knicker H, 2011. Soil Biol. Biochem. 43, 2368-2373. [5] De la Rosa JM, Paneque M, Miller AZ, Knicker H, 2014. Sci. of the Tot. Env. 499, 175-184. Acknowledgements: The Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (REA grant agreement n° PCIG12-GA-2012-333784-Biocharisma project) and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (project PCGL2012-37041) are thanked for the financial support of the present study. The "Fondo Social Europeo" is thanked for funding J.M de la Rosa JAE-Doc contract. The European Biochar Network (Biochar as option for sustainable resource management-COST action TD1107) and Bodegas Torres (Spain) are acknowledged for providing the biochar samples.

PREFACE: Continuum Models and Discrete Systems Symposia (CMDS-12)

Science.gov (United States)

Chakrabarti, Bikas K.

2011-09-01

Bardhan, Davide Bigoni, Andrej Cherkaev, Hikaru Kawamura, Subhasish Mazumder, Srutarshi Pradhan, Jacques Prost, Sriram Ramaswamy, Ping Sheng, Asok K Sen) were unable to contribute to this proceedings volume; on the other hand, although Kamal could not participate in the symposium, he contributed to the proceedings volume. We are grateful to Lucilla de Arcangelis, Kamal K Bardhan, Abhik Basu, Jayanta K Bhattacharjee, Andrej Cherkaev, Yilong Han, Alex Hansen, Takahiro Hatano, Esin Inan, Hikaru Kawamura, Pradeep K Mohanty, Akio Nakahara, Surajit Sengupta, Ping Sheng, Sujata Tarafdar and Uwe Tauber for reviewing the papers submitted to this proceedings volume. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the organizing committee and acknowledge the financial support received from the Centre for Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata. We look forward to meeting you all at the next event in this series, CMDS 13, to be held in 2014/2015 in Utah, USA. Bikas K ChakrabartiChairman of CMDS 12Kolkata, 8 August 2011 Editors of the proceedings Abhik Basu abhik.basu@saha.ac.inBikas K Chakrabarti bikask.chakrabarti@saha.ac.inAnjan Kumar Chandra anjan.chandra@saha.ac.inSaha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block - AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, India

Energy from waste. Vol. 2; Energie aus Abfall. Bd. 2

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thome-Kozmiensky, K.J.; Beckmann, M.

2007-07-01

mercury in the waste recycling plant Bonn (Ruediger Heidrich); (d) Considerable exhaust gas cleaning with economical process engineering (Georg Schuster); (e) ALSTOM-NID a process of conditioned dry sorption for biomass, refuse-derived fuels and domestic waste incineration plants (Uwe Gansel, Juergen Gottschalk); (f) Concepts for exhaust gas purification by the example of waste incineration in Premnitz (Ruediger Margraf); (g) Concepts for exhaust gas purification for high-calorific fuels from municipal wastes and trade waste - Waste incinerator Hannover as an example (Christian Fuchs, Thomas Feilenreiter). The last chapter 'Materials and corrosion reduction' contains the following contributions: (a) Fundamentals of refractory applications at waste incineration plants (Peter Fruehauf); (b) New developments at tube liner systems for waste incinerators (Hans Petschauer); (c) Corrosion by utilization of biomass fuels and refuse-derived fuels: Demand for layer supported characteristic corrosion values (Wolfgang Spiegel, Thomas Herzog, Renate Jordan, Gabi Magel, Wolfgang Mueller, Werner Schmidl); (d) Technology upgrade in the scope of sanitation of protection systems for tube walls of a waste boiler in the case of TREA Breisgau (Karl-Ulrich Martin, Oliver Seibel, Bernd Bastian); (e) Cladding in the boiler construction and plant engineering - newest developments (Wolfgang Hoffmeister); (f) Online evaluation of the thermal flow on the walls of a membrane evaporator of steam generators (Michael Beckmann, Sascha Krueger, Gabi Magel, Wolfgang Spiegel); (g) Extension of the reactor runs by effective cleaning in empty trains of incineration plants for wastes and biomass (Stephan Simon).

EDITORIAL: Extreme Ultraviolet Light Sources for Semiconductor Manufacturing

Science.gov (United States)

Attwood, David

2004-12-01

filaments, for both Xe and Sn. The embodiment of electrical discharge plasmas and laser-produced plasmas into commercially available EUV sources, with EUV powers that project to suitable levels, is presented in the fifth paper by Uwe Stamm of XTREME Technologies in Göttingen. For discharge produced plasmas, thermal loading and electrode erosion are significant issues. Vladimir Borisov and his colleagues, at the Troitsk Institute outside Moscow, address these issues and provide novel ideas for the multiplexing of several discharge plasmas feeding a single optical system. Igor Fomenkov and his colleagues at Cymer in San Diego describe issues associated with a dense plasma focus pinch, including a comparison of operations with both positive and negative polarity. In the eighth paper, Malcolm McGeoch of Plex in Massachusetts provides a theoretical description of the vaporization and ionization of spherical tin droplets in discharge plasma. Together this cluster of papers provides a broad review of the current status of high power EUV plasma sources for semiconductor manufacturing. This very current topic, of intense interest worldwide, is considered further in a book [4] of collected papers to become available in mid-2005. Additionally, a special journal issue emphasizing coherent EUV sources, albeit at lower average powers, is soon to appear [5]. References [1] http://public.itrsr.net [2] Attwood D 2000 Soft X-Rays and Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation: Principles and Applications (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) www.coe.Berkeley.edu/AST/sxreuv [3] Moore G E 1965 Cramming More Components onto Integrated Circuits Electronics Magazine 114 Moore G E 1995 Lithography and the Future of Moore's Law SPIE 243 2 [4] Bakshi V ed 2005 EUV Sources for Lithography (Bellingham WA:SPIE) at press [5] IEEE J. Special Topics in Quantum Electronics, Short Wavelength and EUV Lasers 10 Dec 2004 at press

a Passage to the Universe

Science.gov (United States)

1995-11-01

a concluding Press Conference , during which the outcome of this unique event will be summarized by the participants and the organisers: Monday, November 20, 1995, 15:30 pm, at the ESO Headquarters, Karl-Schwarzschild-Strasse 2, D-85748 Garching, Germany List of National First-Prize Winners Belgium: Mr. Freddy Allemeersch (Teacher), Mr. Pieter De Ceuninck, Mr. Jeroen Staelens (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwecollege, Brugge) Denmark: Mr. Joern C. Olsen, Mr. Henrik Struckmann, Mr. Uffe A. Hansen, Mr. Mogens Winther (Teacher) (Soenderborg Amtsgymnasium) Finland: Mr. Reima Eresmaa, Ms. Laura Elina Nykyri, Ms. Reetamaija Janhonen (Cygnaeues-Lukeo, Jyvaeskylae and Jyvaeskylaen Lyseon Lukeo) France: Mr. Rene Cavaroz (Teacher), Mr. Vincent Hardy, Mr. Antoine Lesuffleur (Lycee Chartier, Bayeux) Germany: Ms. Dorothee Barth, Mr. Walter Czech (Teacher), Mr. Uwe Kranz, Ms. Karin Wieland (Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg) Greece: Ms. Agni Ioannidi, Ms. Elena Katifori, Mr. Vassilis Samiotis, Mr. Vassillos Tzotzes (Teacher) (Second Varvakelo Experimental Lyceum, Athens) Ireland: Mr. Declan Maccuarta (Teacher), Mr. Colm Mcloughlin (St. Peter's College, Wexford, Co. Wexford) Italy: Mr. Pasquale Ciarletta, Ms. Francesca D'elia, Ms. Ada Fortugna (Teacher), Mr. Alfredo Pudano (Liceo Scientifico `Leonardo da Vinci', Reggio Calabria) The Netherlands: Mr. Alex De Beer, Mr. Klaas Huijbregts, Mr. Ruud Nellen (Norbertuscollege, Rosendaal) Spain: Mr. Aritz Atela Aio, Mr. Julen Sarasola Manich (Teacher), Mr. Jon Huertas Rodriquez (Txorierri Batxilergoko Institua, Derio Bizkaia) Sweden: Mr. Rahman Amanullah, Mr. Kjell L. Bonander (Teacher), Mr. Tomas Oppelstrup, Ms. Christin Wiedemann (Saltsjoebadens Samskola, Saltsjoebaden) United Kingdom: Mr. Michael Ching, Dr. Richard Field (Teacher) (Oundle School, Peterborough) National Committees Further information about the national contests may be obtained from the National Committees: Belgium: Dr. C. Sterken, Vrije Universiteit

FOREWORD: 12th International Workshop on Plasma-Facing Materials and Components for Fusion Applications 12th International Workshop on Plasma-Facing Materials and Components for Fusion Applications

Science.gov (United States)

Kreter, Arkadi; Linke, Jochen; Rubel, Marek

2009-12-01

with a great response: not only did over thirty young colleagues register but also senior scientists registered for the course and were very active in discussions. The workshop was supported financially by Forschungszentrum Jülich and the ExtreMat Integrated Project, a programme for the development and study of new materials for extreme environments. We are very grateful to the staff of Forschungszentrum who helped with the organization. Our most cordial thanks and gratitude go to Yasmin Fattah, Angelika Hallmanns, Gabriele Knauf and Gerd Boeling for all their kindness and efficiency, which helped all of us to enjoy the meeting. We thank most sincerely our colleagues Gerald Pintsuk, Takeshi Hirai and Andrey Litnovsky for their most professional work in the construction and operation of the conference webpage, the preparation of the sessions and for all other elements that were vital for the smooth running of the meeting. We thank very much Marliese Felden and Ralf-Uwe Limbach who very kindly and professionally took care of the photographic documentation of the workshop. The proceedings of this workshop contains 67 peer-reviewed articles covering the contents of most of the invited presentations and a number of poster contributions which were pre-selected by the programme committee. The papers reflect the development and actual status of the field. We thank all participants for their contributions and the referees for their smooth and efficient peer-review. Thank you all for your hard work and co-operation. We are looking forward to seeing you at the next meeting; we invite you to come, though we are not yet able to say 'when' and 'where' we will meet next time. It is a special feature of this conference series that a new meeting is announced only when the community feels that there is substantial new material to be presented and discussed.

Descriptive Metaphysics, Natural Language Metaphysics, Sapir-Whorf, and All That Stuff: Evidence from the Mass-Count Distinction

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Francis Jeffry Pelletier

2010-12-01

Institute of Generative Linguistics. Chapter 2: “Mass and Count Properties of Nouns and Verbs”.Dölling, Johannes. 1993. ‘Commonsense Ontology and Semantics of Natural Language’. Sprachtypologie und Universalienforschung 46: 133–141.Durst, Uwe. 2003. ‘The Natural Semantic Metalanguage Approach to Linguistic Meaning’. Theoretical Linguistics 29: 157–200.http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/thli.29.3.157Goddard, Cliff. 1994. ‘Semantic Theory and Semantic Universals’. In ‘Semantic and Lexical Universals’, 7–29. Philadelphia: J. Benjamins.Goddard, Cliff. 1998. Semantic Analysis: A Practical Introduction. Oxford: Oxford UP.Goddard, Cliff. 2002. ‘The Search for the Shared Semantic Core of All Languages’. In Goddard & Wierzbicka (2002, volume 1, pp. 5–40.Goddard, Cliff. 2009. ‘A Piece of Cheese, A Grain of Sand: The Semantics of Mass Nouns and Unitizers’. In Francis Jeffry Pelletier (ed. ‘Kinds, Things and Stuff’, 132–165. New York: Oxford UP.Goddard, Cliff & Wierzbicka, Anna. 2002. Meaning and Universal Grammar: Theory and Empirical Findings, Vols 1 & 2. Philadelphia: John Benjamins.Hansen, Chad. 1976. ‘Mass Nouns and ‘A White Horse Is Not a Horse”. Philosophy East and West 26: 189–209.http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1398188Huddleston, Rodney & Pullum, Geoffrey. 2002. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge: Cambridge UP.Iwasaki, Noriko, Vinson, David & Vigliocco, Gabriella. 2010. ‘Does the Grammatical Count/Mass Distiinction Affect Semantic Representations? Evidence from Experiments in English and Japanese’. Language and Cognitive Processes 25: 189–223.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01690960902978517Katz, Jerrold. 1981. Language and other Abstract Objects. Oxford: Blackwell.Krifka, Manfred. 1995. ‘Common Nouns: A Contrastive Analysis of English and Chinese’. In Gregory Carlson & Francis Jeffry Pelletier (eds. ‘The Generic Book’, 398–411. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Latour. 1987. Science in Action: How to

INTRODUCTION: Nonequilibrium Processes in Plasmas

Science.gov (United States)

Petrović, Zoran; Marić, Dragana; Malović, Gordana

2009-07-01

lead to new fundamental understanding is illustrated well in the paper by Uwe Czarnetzki which describes a new method for separate control of flux and energy of ions reaching the surface of electrodes. Deborah O'Connell from Belfast has shown space and phase resolved mode transitions in rf inductively coupled plasmas obtained by optical emission measurements. At the same time an application of a similar rf discharge for the treatment of paper was presented by Irina Filatova from Belarus. Many applications of non-equilibrium plasmas depend on the development of plasma sources operating at atmospheric pressure and one such source that promises to be prominent in medicine is described by Timo Gans. In a similar way, practical considerations require studies of the injection of liquids into plasmas and progress on the development of one such source is described by Mathew Goeckner and his colleagues from Dallas. From the Institute Jožef Štefan in Slovenia and the group of Miran Mozetič we have a detailed review of their work on functionalization of organic materials by oxygen plasmas. Even higher density plasmas, where the collective phenomena dominate, show different degrees of non-equilibrium and one example presented here by Zoltan Donko deals with two dimensional plasma dust crystals and liquids, while the lecture by Jovo Vranješ from Belgium deals with the treatment of collisions in multicomponent plasmas. Finally we have papers on the transport of pollutants. The association of the two fields started initially through joint interest in some of the methods for removal of NOx and SOx, from electrostatic precipitation of industrial dust to dielectric barrier discharges. The joint work continued on the application of flowing afterglow plasma combined with a hollow cathode discharge in order to achieve a proton transfer mass analysis of organic volatile compounds and also on the possibilities of applying similar methods for solving transport equations. In this volume we

ESA's Rosetta mission and the puzzles that Hale-Bopp left behind

Science.gov (United States)

1997-04-01

the origin of life on the Earth. The comet specialist Uwe Keller of the Max-Planck Institut fur Aeronomie, Germany, is one of the Giotto veterans who has helped with the planning of Rosetta. He was in charge of Giotto's camera. "Rosetta is the mission we are all waiting for," Dr Keller comments. "After I spent six years analysing our images of the Halley nucleus, I say that basic scientific assumptions about the nature of comets are still contradictory. We shall settle the arguments only by the close, prolonged inspection that Rosetta will make possible." Engineering the Rosetta mission To build up the speed needed to adopt the same orbit around the Sun as Comet Wirtanen, Rosetta must steal energy of motion from the planets, in a swingby of Mars and two swingbys of the Earth. During its far-flung manoeuvres in pursuit of the comet, Rosetta will inspect the asteroids Mimistrobell and Rodari at close quarters. When Rosetta is far from the Earth, or on the wrong side of the Sun, communication will be difficult. The spacecraft will therefore have a high degree of robotic self-reliance. It will also be capable of hibernating for more than two years without attention -- a technique devised by ESA for the later stages of the Giotto mission. Rosetta will rely on solar power, even when more than five times further than the Earth from the Sun. Special low-intensity solar cells are under development for Rosetta. Conditions in this farthest phase of Rosetta's voyage will be very chilly, but ESA's engineers are satisfied that the temperatures inside the spacecraft can be kept within limits by black paint, multilayer insulation and electric heaters. Despite its originality and sophistication, Rosetta will be just a flying box with solar arrays like wings, looking rather like a telecommunications satellite. "Keep it simple," is the motto of John Credland, ESA's project manager for Rosetta. "Simplicity brings reliability," he explains, "and that is my overriding concern for the

New Vistas Open with MIDI at the VLT Interferometer

Science.gov (United States)

2002-12-01

and at low temperatures (MPIA in Heidelberg, Germany), designing and manufacturing optics for the extreme cryogenic environment (ASTRON in Dwingeloo, The Netherlands), designing and creating the complex software needed to run the instrument in a user-friendly way (NEVEC in Leiden, The Netherlands, and MPIA), as well as other specialised contributions from the Kiepenheuer-Institut für Sonnenphysik in Freiburg (Germany), Observatoire de Paris-Meudon and Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur in Nice (France), and Thüringer Landessternwarte in Tautenburg (Germany). This wide collaboration was carried out in close cooperation with and profiting from the professional experience of ESO that has built and now operates the Paranal Observatory, ensuring the proper interfacing between MIDI and the VLTI needed for high-performance interferometric measurements. Brief history of the MIDI project Work on the mid-infraredinterferometric instrument MIDI started in 1997 when MPIA proposed to ESO to build such a facility that would conform with ESO's plans for interferometric observations with the VLT telescopes and which would most probably become the first of its kind worldwide. Soon thereafter, the Netherlands Science Organization NOVA with ASTRON and NEVEC and the other partner institutes in France, the Netherlands and Germany joined the project. With Christoph Leinert and Uwe Graser from MPIA teaming up to lead the project, more than two dozen engineers, astronomers and students worked intensively for three and a half years on the planning, design and production, before the integration of this highly complex instrument could start at the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie in Heidelberg. This took place in September 2001 and was followed by a period of extensive instrumental tests. Much preparatory work had to be done at Paranal in parallel, to be ready for a smooth installation of MIDI [3]. After a positive, concluding status review of MIDI by ESO in September 2002, the many parts of

Young Astronomers' Observe with ESO Telescopes

Science.gov (United States)

1995-11-01

project concerned the actual construction of a working solar radio interferometer, a rather complex instrument that allows measurements of the long-wavelength radiation from the Sun and to map the locations in the solar corona where this radiation originates. The antennae and receiver were designed for frequences around 550 and 750 MHz and were built by the team members themselves. Radio signals from the Sun (as interference fringes) were effectively observed with this instrument, documenting the excellent functioning of this advanced equipment. Germany: Ms. Dorothee Barth, Mr. Walter Czech (Teacher), Mr. Uwe Kranz, Ms. Karin Wieland (Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Baden-Wurttemberg) Following a careful planning phase, systematic observations of the 14-magnitude planet Pluto were made with a CCD camera and a 30-cm telescope during 18 nights in the spring and summer of this year. Five nearby stars were used to calibrate the resulting photometric measurements. In the end, this programme was shown to achieve a very good photometric accuracy of about +- 0.2 magnitude per measurement. The variation of Pluto's brightness was found to be about 0.7 magnitude for this particular instrumental combination (no filtre). It was thus possible to draw the lightcurve which was found to be in complete agreement with the established 6.4 day rotation period. Greece: Ms. Agni Ioannidi, Ms. Elena Katifori, Mr. Vassilis Samiotis, Mr. Vassillos Tzotzes (Teacher) (Varvakio Experimental Lyceum, Athens) The project starts out from a star of 1.56 solar mass and a certain density. From this, its size, luminosity, temperature, pressure and other parameters are calculated. With an analogue to the Titius-Bode law for planetary distances, a new planetary system is constructed. It has 5 planets, 3 of which are of the terrestrial type and the other 2 are giant gas planets, larger than Jupiter. Their physical characteristics are calculated. One planet (the 3rd from the central star) is