Administrative Workers Research Articles

IMPACT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON ENHANCING EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN JORDAN ISLAMIC BANK

The human element is the main resource in different organizations, especially in banks, because it is based on providing services to customers, which in turn depends on the performance of its employees. Human resource management (HRM) practices play an important role in raising the performance of employees. This paper aims to identify the practices of HRM (planning, polarization, selection and appointment, training, compensation) and their impact on enhancing the performance of employees in Jordan Islamic Bank. This study used a descriptive-analytical technique to describe the influence of HRM strategies on improving employee performance at Jordan Islamic Bank. This study relies on gathering facts, information, and data to describe, analyze, and evaluate them to draw conclusions. All administrative workers at Jordan Islamic Bank branches in Jordan, including managers and staff, were included in the research population. The study sample included 145 managers and staff from various administrative levels of Jordan Islamic Bank, who were chosen randomly from all of the bank's branches. The study concluded that there are a significant effect of HRM practices on enhancing the performance of employees in Jordan Islamic Bank and a significant correlation between HRM practices and enhancing employee performance. Also, the results showed a strong positive correlation between planning, polarization, selection and appointment, training, compensation, and enhancing employee performance. Keywords : Human Resource Management Practice, Planning, Polarization, Selection, Appointment, Training, Compensation, Employee Performance, Jordan Islamic Bank DOI： https://doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.58.3.17

The Current Situation and Reform Ideas of Administrative Management in Vocational Colleges

Administrative management is an important link that cannot be ignored in vocational colleges. It plays an important role in organization and decision-making. The school conducts administrative management on relevant affairs in the college through teachers, students and others to promote the administrative construction of vocational colleges. The progress of society promotes the progress of college administration, but there are still some problems in the administrative management of vocational colleges at present, such as the defects of management system, the low level of managers, etc. This article carries out the reform from four aspects: changing the traditional administrative mode, repositioning administrative workers, improving the comprehensive ability of administrative personnel, and improving the concept of administrative management.

Influence of educational models on the formation of research competence in future government and public administration workers

Introduction. The article examines the problem of improving the quality of Economics and Management education in the Russian Federation and contributes to the ongoing discussions on methodological issues of modern economics. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the impact of educational models on the development of research competence in future government and public administration workers. Materials and Methods. The study involves theoretical analysis and reviewing scholarly literature on the problems of the methodology of economic research, as well as studying the experience of implementing practice-oriented models of educational design at the Siberian Institute of Management, a branch of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, with the focus on 38.03.04 Government and municipal administration undergraduate program. Results. The authors have substantiated the influence of educational models on the development of research competence of future government and public administration workers. The authors have classified methodological approaches to economic studies and revealed the peculiarities of implementing five types of educational design for teaching economic disciplines. Depending on the conceptual foundations, educational models are distinguished according to: the clarification of educational goals, the level of formalization of learning outcomes, and requirements for assessment tools used. The use of educational design models contributes to development of research skills in different ways: some of them are aimed at developing the set of research competencies; the others can be used in order to develop only certain types of skills. Conclusions. The application of educational models involves the integration of scientific achievements into the educational process and contributes to the development of the research competence in future government and public administration workers. Research competence is determined by the maturity of metric, political economy, and narrative economic analysis skills and depends on the educational model employed. The systematization of educational models proposed by the authors makes it possible to identify criteria for choosing an effective model depending on the educational goal.

A membership for quality of life? The mediating effect of job satisfaction between work alienation and life satisfaction in unionised and non-unionised workers

People spend a large part of their awake time at work, which can have a huge impact on their life satisfaction. Scholars have found that job satisfaction influences life satisfaction, but the role of work alienation is little studied. While work alienation reportedly diminishes life satisfaction, just how job satisfaction relates with these two constructs has not yet been clarified. Currently, the role of labor union membership is an underestimated aspect of this relationship. Although the relationship between union membership and job satisfaction has been variously studied, its relationship with other variables (e.g., work alienation and life satisfaction) remains less investigated. To fill this gap, the authors examined the influence of work alienation on job and life satisfaction in relation to belonging or not to a public administration workers’ union. Self-report questionnaire responses (N=479) indicated a negative relationship between work alienation and job satisfaction and a negative influence on the overall quality of life. However, the relationship between work alienation and life satisfaction was moderated by union membership. Union memberships mitigated the negative relationship between work alienation and life satisfaction and may be considered a protective factor for workers’ quality of life.

Analyzing the impact of psychological capital and work pressure on employee job engagement and safety behavior.

Buildings and infrastructure are the primary focus of the construction industry, which also includes related activities such as design, planning, demolition, renovation, maintenance, and repair. Safety performance is crucial to the industry's ability to work effectively in spite of hazardous conditions on the job site during any given project. Improving construction workers' safety performance in Malaysia requires an in-depth examination of the interplay between workers' psychological capital, work pressure, employee engagement, and safety participation. Administrative and field workers from different divisions across Malaysia's six regions were randomly sampled to collect data for this study. The workers were given a total of 500 questionnaires, of which 345 were returned to the team of researchers. Based on the data analysis, there is an effective interaction between the factors tested toward safety performance. According to findings, psychological capital positively and significantly affected workers' work engagement. Also, work engagement greatly impacted both workers' safety performance outcomes. Also, as expected, worker pressure significantly and negatively affected workers' safety performance. Insights gained from this research have helped us better organize work and involve employees in safety activities/policies to boost workplace safety performance. The study also suggested that firms should reduce their employees' workloads because doing so would not lower their Psychological Capital but would instead fortify them to better carry out their duties in a risk-free manner.

1395. COVID 19 Incidence rates were not different among high risk health-care workers and non-health workers after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a prospective study in Cali-Colombia.

Abstract Background The seroprevalence of COVID-19 among health-care workers (HCWs) is still not well characterized in Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of this study was to compare incidence rates (IR) during the COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs vs. non-HCWs in a university hospital in Cali, Colombia. Figure 1Figure 2 Methods A prospective study was performed. The study included two groups: HCWs with high-risk contact of SARS-CoV-2 infections vs. administrative hospital workers (non-HCW). Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies between both groups was compared according to vaccination history and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during follow-up (March 6th, 2020, to February 28th, 2022). The study was developed in three phases according to the infection waves in Colombia, measuring antibodies anti-nucleocapsid and anti-spike serum concentration in each one. A descriptive analysis was done to compare both groups and IR per month (Figure 1). Results 480 participants were included, 291 (60.6%) were HCWs, and 189 (39.4%) were non-HCWs. After the second wave and before vaccination, the accumulative seroprevalence was 40.6%: 49.1% of HCWs vs. 27.5% of non-HCWs (p< 0.001). 9.2% of HCWs and 7.9% of non-HCWs seropositive individuals had an asymptomatic infection (p=0.447). Of the 51.9% of susceptible HCWs and 72.5% of susceptible non-HCWs before the third wave, the risk of developing SARS-CoV-2 infection was 9.2% and 12.8%, respectively. After 24 months, the infection rate was higher in HCWs and non-HCWs (55.6% vs. 41.9%, p< 0.001) (Figure 2). The total IR was 31.4/1,000 person-month, with an IR difference of 21/1,000 person-month being higher in HCWs comparing non-HCWs (40.7 vs. 19.8, p< 0.001), but after vaccination (April 2021), the IR difference was not significative (IR difference 5%, p=0.1605). The asymptomatic disease was 9.8% of HCWs vs. 10.2% of non-HCWs. Since vaccination, 93.6% of workers had positive anti-S antibodies after 2 doses; and 100% had them after 3rd dose. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant increased cases during the fourth wave, more in non-HCWs. Conclusion Before vaccination, HCWs had higher infection rates, mainly after the second wave. However, after the immunization, the IR in both groups significantly decreased and equalized in both groups. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

Lessons Learned from Clinicians in a Federally Qualified Health Center: Steps Toward Eliminating Burnout.

Background: Burnout continues to impact health care workers and its effect takes a toll on their lives and wellbeing, especially in primary care. Relatively few studies have focused specifically on the perspective of clinicians in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which offer crucial, preventative health care services to vulnerable and underserved patient populations. Objective: To examine the perspectives of clinicians working at an FQHC in the Northeast United States after the implementation of a year-long wellness initiative. Design: A qualitative analysis of clinician's discussion during focus groups conducted after the wellness initiative. Subjects and Setting/Location: A total of 28 clinicians (primary care physicians and nurse practitioners) in an FQHC in the Northeast United States. Interventions: A one-year wellness initiative with programs and activities designed to bolster wellness. Outcome Measures: Analyzed NVIVO-coded transcripts of focus group discussion to generate codes and used modified grounded theory to extrapolate meaningful themes. Results: Five key themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) clinicians often felt burdened by their workload and personally responsible when they were not able to provide optimal care to patients; (2) burnout was exacerbated by systemic problems at the FQHC; (3) medical assistants, medical scribes, schedulers, and other support staff played a crucial role in the wellness of the entire team; (4) perceived differences in priorities between administration and health care workers may have contributed to burnout; and (5) a communicative and stable team helped clinicians effectively care for their patients. Conclusions: Clinician burnout is a complex problem at FQHCs with many root causes. Addressing burnout and improving clinician wellness at FQHCs will require a multifaceted approach encompassing systemic, team, and individual components. The perspectives from the clinicians at our FQHC may inform wellness strategies for other safety net, clinical institutions in the primary care setting.

Depression, anxiety, and burnout among hospital workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Healthcare personnel have faced unprecedented mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study objective is to assess differences in depression, anxiety, and burnout among healthcare personnel with various occupational roles and whether financial and job strain were associated with these mental health outcomes. We employed an anonymous survey between July and August 2020 at an urban county hospital in California, USA. We assessed depression, anxiety, and burnout using validated scales, and asked questions on financial strain and job strain. We performed logistic and linear regression analyses. Nurses (aOR 1.93, 95% CIs 1.12, 3.46), social workers (aOR 2.61, 95% CIs 1.35, 5.17), service workers (aOR 2.55, 95% CIs 1.20, 5.48), and administrative workers (aOR 2.93, 95% CIs 1.57, 5.61) were more likely than physicians to screen positive for depression. The odds of screening positive for anxiety were significantly lower for ancillary workers (aOR 0.32, 95% CIs 0.13-0.72) compared with physicians. Ancillary (aB = -1.77, 95% CIs -1.88, -0.47) and laboratory and pharmacy workers (aB -0.70, 95% CI -1.34, -0.06) reported lower levels of burnout compared with physicians. Financial strain partially accounted for differences in mental health outcomes across job categories. Lack of time to complete tasks and lack of supervisory support were associated with higher odds of screening positive for depression. Less job autonomy was associated with higher odds of screening positive for anxiety and higher burnout levels. We found significant disparities in mental health outcomes across occupational roles. Policies to mitigate the adverse impact of COVID-19 on health workers' mental health should include non-clinical staff and address financial support and job characteristics for all occupational roles.

Incidence of intimate partner violence in the work performance of administrative workers

La violencia contra las mujeres en relaciones de pareja (VcM) es una problemática estructural y compleja cuyos impactos son inconmensurables. La universidad no es ajena a esta realidad y entre su personal están mujeres que han sido agredidas por sus parejas, lo cual ha dejado huellas imborrables en su vida. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la incidencia de la VcM en la vida personal y en el desempeño laboral de mujeres trabajadoras de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia. La metodología definió un enfoque mixto, desarro- llando un análisis cuantitativo a partir de encuestas y una observación cualitativa con entrevistas a mujeres que vivieron violencia. Los resultados develan que la VcM provoca lesiones emocionales con secuelas y traumas perennes y efectos en el trabajo que se traducen en presentismo en su desempeño laboral.

Beliefs and Sociodemographic and Occupational Factors Associated with Vaccine Hesitancy among Health Workers.

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy has been implicated in the low-vaccination coverage in several countries. Knowledge about vaccine hesitancy predictors in health workers is essential because they play a central role in communication about the importance and safety of vaccines. This study aimed to assess beliefs and sociodemographic and occupational factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in health workers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 453 health workers in primary and medium complexity services in a municipality in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The variable vaccine hesitancy was operationalized based on the answers related to incomplete vaccination against hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella, and diphtheria and tetanus. Associations between variables were expressed as prevalence ratios (PR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Endemic disease combat agents, administrative service workers, and support staff had the highest levels of vaccine hesitancy. Among the analyzed variables, the following were associated with vaccine hesitancy: working in secondary health care services (PR: 1.21; CI: 1.07-1.36), working as an endemic disease combat agent (PR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.165-1.75), not sharing information about vaccines on social media (PR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.05-1.28), distrusting information about vaccinations (PR: 0.86; CI: 0.75-0.99), and not feeling safe receiving new vaccines (PR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.06-1.28). Conclusions: Strategies to enhance confidence in vaccination among health workers should consider differences in occupations and their working settings. Improving vaccination-related content in training and continuing education activities and facilitating access to onsite vaccinations at the workplace are crucial elements to reduce vaccine hesitancy among health workers.

Chinese Import Competition and Gendered Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from Ethiopian Firm-Level Data

Abstract In this paper, we analyse the relationship between Chinese import competition and gendered labor market outcomes within the context of a developing country. To do this, we merge a rich manufacturing firm-level panel data set from Ethiopia with trade data covering the years 1997–2010. Thus, we map out the effect of trade shocks from import surges on labor force participation and compensation, decomposed by gender. Results from the study show that rising import competition from China had a heterogeneous effect on female and male labor market outcomes. Import competition from China is associated with a negative and statistically significant effect on female employment, but not male employment. Looking at workers’ occupation, we find that for production workers import competition is adversely related with female employment outcomes while there is no statistically significant association with employment of administrative workers. For wage inequality, male wages in general are negatively associated with import competition, while we found no effect on female wages.

Industry 4.0 driven emerging skills of offsite construction: a multi-case study-based analysis

PurposeIndustry 4.0 is exacerbating the need for offsite construction (OSC) adoption, and this rapid transformation is pushing the boundaries of construction skills towards extensive modernisation. The adoption of this modern production strategy by the construction industry would redefine the position of OSC. This study aims to examine whether the existing skills are capable of satisfying the needs of different OSC types.Design/methodology/approachA critical literature review evaluated the impact of transformative technology on OSC skills. An existing industry standard OSC skill classification was used as the basis to develop a master list that recognises emerging and diminishing OSC skills. The master list recognises 67 OSC skills under six skill categories: managers, professionals, technicians and trade workers, clerical and administrative workers, machinery operators and drivers and labourers. The skills data was extracted from a series of 13 case studies using document reviews and semi-structured interviews with project stakeholders.FindingsThe multiple case study evaluation recognised 13 redundant skills and 16 emerging OSC skills such as architects with building information modelling and design for manufacture and assembly knowledge, architects specialised in design and logistics integration, advanced OSC technical skills, factory operators, OSC estimators, technicians for three dimensional visualisation and computer numeric control operators. Interview findings assessed the current state and future directions for OSC skills development. Findings indicate that the prevailing skills are not adequate to readily relocate construction activities from onsite to offsite.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first studies that recognises the major differences in skill requirements for non-volumetric and volumetric OSC types.

Plant Species Composition and Community Perception Towards Landscaping Work Executed at Hawassa University-Main Campus, Ethiopia

Landscaping is making visual improvements to academic institutions, urban and other private organizations with plants and attractive materials. People all over the world are attracted to green and beautiful landscapes which initiate them to be happy and creative. Especially students in higher educational institutions who spend much of their time focused on their studies need of clean, green and attractively well-designed landscape in their campus. So far data on plant species composition and perception of university towards landscape work is lacking. With this understanding, the study was conducted to investigate plant species composition and community perception towards landscaping work executed at Hawassa University’s main campus using questionnaires, interviews, observation and group discussion methods. In addition, vegetation data were collected using systematic sampling method. In the study, 221 respondents were drawn from academic staff, administrative workers and students using random sampling method. Key informants were selected using purposive sampling method. In order to identify the plant species, systematic sampling along the transect line was employed. Twelve (12), 40m X 40 m (i.e. 1600 m2) area quadrat plots were laid and all the plants species in the quadrats were collected and identified. The distance between each transects and quadrat was 200 m and 100m, respectively. 52 plant species with 44 genera and 29 families were recorded. The study showed that, the most dominant family was Fabaceae with 9 species followed by Cupressaceae as well as Moraceae with 4 species each respectively. The results revealed that, campus landscaping work was the most significantly important and made the campus more attractive by plantation (61.1%), landscaping (27.1%) and walkways (5.7%). Plantation could also modify the micro-climate of the campus environment (94.3%) due to the plants photosynthesis process which produces O2 and takes in Co2 from the atmosphere. In general educational institutions landscaping need to be encouraged to enhance the teaching-learning process, and to make the working environment attractive. A great educational environment is guided by the most powerful teacher of all, nature itself

Decentralisation and community stakeholders’ engagement for better mental health services development in the conflict-affected regions of Ukraine

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how conflict-affected communities in Ukraine (the Lugansk region) can develop sustainable mental health services in decentralised settings. The main interest focuses on community stakeholders’ perception of their problems and solutions that communities can create to achieve better mental health coverage. Design/methodology/approach A series of roundtables (RTs) (4 RTs, 62 participants overall), accompanied by interactive brainstorming techniques, were conducted with communities’ representatives/stakeholders from the East of Ukraine (Lugansk region, a government-controlled area) during the year 2021. Participants (health, mental health, social care workers and administration representatives) were provided with the opportunity to discuss mental health services’ development challenges and create affordable solutions for their communities. Results of discussions were submitted to qualitative analysis and offered for review by participants. Findings Decentralisation in Ukraine led to allocating funds alongside responsibilities for developing the services to communities. Most of the communities appear not to be ready to acknowledge the role of mental health services, entirely relying on the existing weak psychiatric hospital-based system. Awareness-raising interactive capacity-building activities for the community leaders and decision-makers effectively promote community-based mental health services development. Five clusters of challenges were identified: leadership, coordination and collaboration problems; infrastructure, physical accessibility and financial problems; mental health and primary health-care workforce shortage and lack of competencies; low awareness of mental health and available services and high stigma; war, crises and pandemic-related problems. Communities stakeholders foresaw seven domains of action: increasing the role of communities and service users in the initiatives of governmental bodies; establishing in the communities local coordination/working groups dedicated to mental health service development; developing the community-based spaces (hubs) for integrated services provision; embedding the mental health services in the existing services (social, administrative and health care); mental health advocacy and lobbying led by local leaders and service users; increasing capacity of communities in financial management, fundraising; developing services by combining efforts and budgets of neighbouring communities. Research limitations/implications The study has potential limitations. Participants of the roundtables were mostly appointed by local authorities, so some of them didn`t have a motivation for mental health services development. Service users were involved only from the facilitators` side, not from the side of communities; therefore, it was impossible to include their view of problems and solutions. Obtained data were limited to the opinion of local professionals, administration workers and other local stakeholders. The human rights aspect was not clearly articulated in the tasks of the roundtables. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the paper is original in terms of its topic (connecting decentralisation and local stakeholders’ engagement for understanding the challenges of mental health services development) and research strategy (engagement of Ukrainian communities, qualitative analysis of the discussion results and applying the best practices and international recommendations to the local context).

EMPLOYEE STAFF IN HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS IN THE REGION OF PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTION – SHTIP FOR 2021

The aim of the research: To give an account of the development of the health network in the area of thePHI - Shtip, a complete review of the employed health workers and health associates, as well as the administrativeand technical staff and, based on the demographic data according to the 2021 census, to give an assessment of thestandards with the provided staff in the separate activities of primary and secоndary health care.Researchmethodology: The Report on the organizational structure, personnel and equipment of the health facilities (form no.3-00-60), which the health facilities submit to the Public Health Center once a year, served as a source of data. Thedata are presented in tables and graphs, where the staff is shown by profile and professional training.Results of theresearch: The network of health institutions in the area of the Center for Public Health - Shtip for 2021 was providedby a total of 194 health institutions, of which 8 public health institutions and 186 private health institutions. The totalstaff in all health institutions was 1360 employees, of which 316 were doctors (23.2%) – of which 175 werespecialists, 88 were dentists and specialist dentists (6.4%), 70 were pharmacists and specialist pharmacists (5.1%).22 health workers (1.6%), 661 health workers with high, short cycle tertiary education and intermediate professionaldegrees (48.6%), 50 health workers with lower professional degrees (3.6%), as well as 153 administrative andtechnical workers ( 11.2%). A standard of 280 inhabitants per 1 doctor, 1006 inhabitants per 1 dentist was achieved.As well as 1265 inhabitants for 1 pharmacist, which represent very good standards for these activities. The ratio ofhealth workers with high, short cycle tertiary education and intermediate professional to/doctors is 2.0 on average.According to the Decree on the network of health care facilities at the level of primary health care, more teams (76)than the stipulated standard (70) teams work in the activity of general medicine, and more teams (12) than thestipulated norm (9) work in the activity of children's health care team. The norm for the activity of gynecology andobstetrics (health care of women) has been observed and amounts to 13 teams. These calculated norms at the levelof the area were obtained according to the basic demographic characteristics for the given age group according tothe Population Census 2021.Conclusions: The network of health institutions at the district level of the Center for Public Health - Shtip is wellspread, among other public and health care institutions that provide primary and secondary health care to thepopulation. We have a deficit of teams at the level of primary health care in dental practice, while at the level ofsecondary health care there is a smaller number of doctors, doctors in anesthesiology and resuscitation, physicalmedicine, medical biochemistry and microbiology.Recommendations: It is necessary to maintain the existing network of health facilities and to provide it withappropriate professional staff and to maintain and improve the standards in primary and secondary health care. It isalso necessary to enable closer access to health care for the population in the municipality of Karbinci through theopening of a general medical and dental office, because according to the 2021 census there is a sufficient number ofresidents who meet the existing norm.

Future Online Learning for Public Administration

In this article, we analyze the perspectives of professional training for public administration workers, starting from the insights gained from online courses run during the past two years in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In order to understand the nature, type, and magnitude of the changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in the field of continuous professional training for public administration, we carried out a systematic bibliographic analysis, as well as questionnaire-based empirical research conducted among public institution employees in Romania. This article was conducted based on the hypothesis that the professional training activities over the past two years have been organized predominantly online, and we aim to analyze the sustainability of these new teaching systems/methods. The limitations of the study are due to the fact that each administrative system has structural particularities and its own legal framework regarding the professional training of public administration workers; for this reason, the proposed model may not be successfully applied in all countries. We provide a model of online professional training for public administration workers that includes sustainability criteria and is based on experience accumulated over the past two years.

Rural schools: a model for achieving targets for personal development in a psychologically comfortable educational environment

Introduction. Regulatory documents in the field of education clearly indicate the requirement to build a developing educational environment in each educational organization. At the same time, psychological comfort is an important condition for its functioning. To study the formation and support of such an environment is an urgent problem for rural schools, especially in the context of achieving the goals of developing the actual qualities of the personality of the information world. The purpose of the research is to justify and develop a model for achieving targets for personal development in a psychologically comfortable educational environment in a rural school. Materials and methods of the research. The main method is the triadic method of information criteria. Additional methods are the analysis of literary works on the problem and modeling. Research results. The model for achieving targets for personal development in a psychologically comfortable educational environment in a rural school has scientific justification and textual and graphical expression (design). The model is presented in steps. It has 7 levels, which together determine options for forming of personality traits that are in demand by modern challenges and threats as a component of the “21st century skills” for students in rural schools. The model determines the total of probable forms of the educational environment, identified according to the criterion "the possibility of developing personality traits that are in demand in the modern world, subject to psychological comfort". It allows a) to identify possible combinations of these personal qualities that determine the creation of different variations-types of the educational environment; b) to analyze the directions and trajectories which can be used to form and develop the environment for the required personality parameters. The model is an analogue of a morphological box, which, taking into account the context of a particular rural school, allows to determine the most optimal way for developing personality traits in an educational environment “tuned” for the priority improvement of independence, initiative, involvement, subjectivity, reflexivity and confidence of all subjects. Significance of the research. The results of the study develop the pedagogical theory of the educational environment in the context of achieving the goals of modern education and ensuring the psychological well-being of subjects. The developed model can be applied not only in rural schools, but also in urban ones, adjusted for a specific context. As for the managerial aspect, the result in the form of a model is valuable knowledge for administrative workers of educational organizations of any type.

Changes of GSH-PX activity and γ-GCS mRNA expression in serum of workers exposed to manganese

Objective: To explore the changes of γ-GCS mRNA expression and GSH-PX in serum of workers exposed to manganese in order to provide scientific basis for early diagnosis of manganese poisoning. Methods: In June 2017, a total of 180 workers from a motorcycle manufacturer were selected by stratified random sampling, including 115 welders as the exposure group and 65 administrative office workers as the Control Group, the exposure group was divided into high exposure group (43 persons) and low exposure group (72 persons) according to whether the exposure group exceeded the standard limit. The levels of γ-gcs Mrna expression and GSH-Px activity in serum were determined by Occupational Health Survey, and the differences of γ-gcs Mrna expression and GSH-Px activity among different groups were analyzed. Results: Compared with the control group, the serum GSH-Px activity was lower and the serum γ-GCS mRNA expression level was higher in the exposed group (F=370.52, 275.95, P<0.01) . Compared with the control group, there was significant difference in γ-GCS mRNA expression level and GSH-Px activity (F=0.475、1.06, P<0.01; F=48.53、111.70, P<0.01) . The concentrations of manganese in air, welding dust and urine were positively correlated with the level of γ-GCS mRNA (r=0.71, 0.50, 0.31, P<0.01) The serum GSH-Px activity was negatively correlated with the concentrations of manganese in air, welding dust and urine (r=-0.80, -0.52, -0.30, P< 0.01) , There was no correlation between Serum γ-GSH-Px activity and age and years of exposure (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Serum γ-GCS mRNA expression level and GSH-Px activity level can be used as early biomarkers of manganese poisoning. The concentrations of manganese in workplace air, welding dust and urine manganese in workers are the influencing factors.

Radiation Monitoring Using Personal Dosimeter Devices in Terms of Long-Term Compliance and Creating a Culture of Safety

IntroductionRadiation-emitting devices are commonplace in the hospital with their ability to produce imaging for diagnoses, However, they hold a risk for device operators due to radiation exposure. Hospital systems have programs where physicians exposed to radiation are required to wear dosimeters to help record total radiation over time. Dosimetry readings over standardized recommendations can lead to hospital image issues and disciplinary action for physicians. This study aimed to discover the true values recorded on dosimeters with radiation exposure and discuss effective ways to encourage compliance with dosimeter usage.MethodologyThe study was completed over a course of 12 months with physicians from three different hospitals. Selection criteria included physicians considered to be “radiation workers” including those who operate x-ray machines, fluoroscopy units, unsealed and sealed isotopes, or those exposed to other sources of gamma or high-energy beta radiation. Two Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were implemented. The first cycle was the first six months of the study and the second cycle was the second six months of the study. The first PDSA cycle had planned dosimeter reading check-ins every month. After this cycle ended, physicians were sent a survey anonymously asking if they had ever intentionally left behind their dosimeter. In the second PDSA cycle, a planned policy change was put into action where penalties for physicians who went over the recommended dosage were stopped. A monthly educational meeting where a discussion on the risks of radiation as well as protective mechanisms was implemented instead. The same monthly check-ins for dosimeter reading monitoring were employed again with the same survey regarding dosimeter adherence and usage being sent out at the end of the second cycle. Run charts were created to determine whether the policy change showed statistically significant differences in dosimetry readings.ResultsProtocol changes led to statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in radiation exposure recorded throughout the hospital systems. The primary PDSA cycle readings showed that hospital systems one (n=118), two (n=71), and three (n=32) had readings of 3.90 mSv, 2.55 mSv, and 2.02 mSv, respectively, which were all under the annual recommended dose limit of 10 mSv maximum per six months. However, an average of 94.4% (n=221) of physicians across all hospitals admitted to not using the dosimeter. In the second PDSA cycle after the policy change, the radiation doses were higher with an increase in the average cumulative dose at hospital system one of 255%, 328% at system two, and 323% at system three. Hospital systems one and two were both over the yearly limit of 20.0 mSv (7.70 mSv over for system one and 1.86 mSv over for system two) while system three remained under. The number of physicians who stated they always used the dosimeter during the second PDSA cycle increased to 83.9% in-hospital system one, 90.2% in-hospital system two, and 93.8% in-hospital system three.ConclusionCreating a culture of safety is critical for physician compliance. A comfortable work environment without unreasonable consequences creates an environment where physicians can focus on their health and safety while also doing what is in the workplace’s best interest. This culture can best be made with more collaboration between administrative staff and workers to create a trustworthy experience in hospital systems.

Occupational exposure to metals among battery recyclers in France: Biomonitoring and external dose measurements

In battery-recycling facilities, exposure to trace elements may occur through inhalation of contaminated dust or vapor emanating from the treatment processes. Exposure of battery-recycling workers to lead has been quite well covered in the literature. In contrast, we lack data on exposure to other elements contained in batteries. The aim of this study was to characterize the exposure of French battery recyclers to multiple elements using biomonitoring and airborne measurements. Eighty-six workers participated in the study. Inhalable metal concentrations were determined for personal airborne samples, and total exposure was determined from pre-shift and post-shift urine samples collected during the working week. In both types of sample, a total of 33 trace elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed battery recyclers to be mostly exposed to Cd, Co, Cr, Li, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Administrative and sorting workers were exposed at lower levels than maintenance, treatment, and dismantling workers. Cd, Co, Li, Mn, and Ni were detected at high levels in air samples, especially near the treatment facilities, with airborne cadmium levels of up to 79.4 µg/m3. Urinary sample analysis indicated exposure to Cd and Co, with levels measured at up to 27.6 and 3.34 µg/g of creatinine, respectively. Concentrations were compared to data reported for e-waste recycling companies. The data presented provide valuable information on exposure to trace elements for workers involved in battery-recycling. They also highlight the need to improve both collective and individual protective measures, which were not sufficient in the participating companies.