Length Of Year Research Articles

Socioeconomic disparity in cardiovascular disease: a proteomic approach

Abstract Background and purpose A large unexplained social disparity in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been documented. The precise mechanism behind these disparities is largely unknown. Biomarkers have improved our understanding of the pathophysiology of CVD. In this study we investigated differences in 184 biomarkers linked to CVD, with the aim of understanding the underlying mechanisms behind socioeconomic disparity in CVD and explore potential preventive measures. Methods We included 1144 participants from the Copenhagen City Heart Study, age 55- 64 years, without known CVD. Socioeconomic position (SEP) was defined by educational length in years. Blood samples were obtained and analyzed in two CVD proteomics panels (CVD panel II and III) with a total of 184 protein biomarkers. Associations between biomarkers and SEP were investigated by Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression with multivariate adjustment for CVD risk factors. Results Median educational length was 10 (IQR 7–11) years. Of the measured biomarkers 53 were significantly correlated (p value <0.05) to educational length, 17 positively and 36 negatively (fig. 1). After adjusting for age and gender, 41 biomarkers and after multivariate adjustment 14 biomarkers remained significantly associated with educational length. Some of the strongest negative associations was seen for Leptin (LEP), Von Willebrand factor (vWF), Interleukin-6 (IL6), Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), Renin (REN) and Growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF_15) while the strongest positive associations were seen for Growth Hormone (GH), Receptor for advanced glycosylation end products (RAGE) and Myoglobin (MB) (fig. 2). Conclusion SEP was associated with elevated levels of multiple biomarkers linked with CVD. The range of biomarkers indicate that pathways involving inflammation (IL6, LEP, RAGE), platelet-activation (vWF, IL6, RAGE), blood pressure (REN, LEP), MAPK cascade (GDF_15, FGF21, LEP, IL6, REN, GH) and weigh (LEP) regulation contribute to the socioeconomic gradient in CVD. Further exploration is needed to identify possible candidates for intervention. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Department of Cardiology, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Teachers’ Teaching Styles, Students’ Learning Styles and Level of Competencies of Children With Special Needs in Secondary Public Schools of Zone Iv, Division of Zambales

The focal objective of this study was to examine the various teaching styles, learning styles, as well as the level of competencies of children with special needs in the Secondary Public schools of Zone IV, Division of Zambales during School Year 2018-2019.The aforesaid study applied quantitative descriptive research design with questionnaire as the main instrument in gathering from teacher and students with special needs. Moreover, the study revealed that the Special Education (SPED) teacher is typically female, in her early adulthood, married, master’s degree holders with almost a decade in the teaching service and few numbers of attendance to seminars and training. The Special Education (SPED) student learning style was “visual learning”. There is substantial difference on competence level when congregated conferring to grade level, and age. There is significant difference on the learning styles of SPED students when grouped according to grade level, and age profile. There is significant difference on the teaching styles when clustered according to sex, age, highest educational attainment, length of years in service and number of trainings. Finally, the researcher recommended that if budget warrants, the school administrators should prioritize sending teachers handling SPED class for training and seminars to keep abreast on the new trends in teaching physically handicap students; hiring legitimate and experts in SPED program should be hired for better implementation of the program is strongly encourage; to administer/conduct a parallel or similar study in order to validate and confirm the findings attained in the study.

Canteen Management in Public Secondary High Schools of Zone Ii, Division of Zambales

The study was conducted to assess the School Canteen Management in Public Secondary High Schools of Zone II, Division of Zambales for the SY 2018-2019.The research utilized descriptive research design and questionnaire as the main instrument in gathering data supplemented by unstructured interviews from one hundred forty two students and one hundred seventeen faculty, parents and canteen operators who were randomly selected. The researcher found out that most of the teachers, parents and canteen owners are adults; female and married. Their monthly family income is meager. Generally they finished high school but majority of them have their BS degree with masteral units and doctorate degree. They belong to Roman Catholics as to their religious affiliation. The canteen owners and teachers have a enough number of experience in the operation of canteen. The student-respondent is generally male, a teenager in Grade 11 and have small amount of money for school daily allowance. The canteen operators and students assessed that on permit and clearance, personnel and staff, price and commodities, food security and standards, quality and quantity of food served, kinds of service render to the customer, transparency and accountability, sharing and proceeds and reports and documentation are evident. There is significant difference on the perceptions of the teachers, parents and canteen operators towards school canteen management as to the evidence of permit and clearance, canteen personnel and staff, quality and quantity of food served, kinds of services rendered to the customers, transparency and accountability when they are group as to type of canteen they operate, age and years on the operation of the canteen and their highest education attainment; significant to age , length of years and type of canteen operation towards price and commodities; however there is a significant difference on their perceptions when they are grouped as to their highest educational attainment and type of canteen operation towards sharing and proceeds; and significant to highest educational attainment, length of years in the canteen operation and type of canteen operation towards report and documentation. There is significant difference on the perception of the teachers, parents, and canteen operators when grouped according to sex on the assessment towards dimension of canteen management as to permit and clearance, personnel and staff, price and commodities, food security and standards, quality and quantity of food served, kinds of service render to the customer, transparency and accountability. There is a significant difference in the perceptions of the teachers, parents and canteen operators towards the evidence in the permit and clearance and food security standard when grouped according to the type of canteen There is a significant difference in the perceptions of teachers, parents and canteen operators towards management evidences in canteen personnel and staff, price and commodities, quality and quantity of food served, kind of services rendered, transparency and accountability and sharing of proceeds when respondents were grouped according to length of years in operation and type of canteen operation with the inclusion of highest educational attainment towards the parameter of sharing proceeds. There is moderate relationship between the perceptions toward management evidences on price and commodities and the quality and quantity of food served as assessed by teacher, parent and canteen operator and student respondents. Based on salient findings and conclusions arrived, the researcher offers the following recommendations that the school heads should prepare a workable and viable long range master plan on canteen operations and personnel functions; the conduct a regular check-up or ocular visits on school canteens particularly on the kitchen area to assure sanitation and cleanliness in food handling is strongly encouraged; that the school officials should be ready to entertain and provide immediate action on complaints against mishandling of food and other concerns related to canteen operation; to provide discounts, combo meals at cheaper price; that the personnel incharge in cooking should look for organic alternatives of seasoning rather than the use so much amount of glutamate monosodium which affects health and safety condition of the students; that the canteen operators/school management should provide continuous training for crews and staff particularly those newly hired to assure safety on food handling and preparation and finally, future researchers may conduct a similar or parallel study with in-depth and wider in scope so as to validate the findings obtained in the study.

Burnout and Presenteeism among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: Implications for Patient Care, Occupational Health and Workforce Productivity

Background: Burnout and presenteeism are two emerging occupational health challenges which share same locus among healthcare workers, and the trend is rising. We aim to define the magnitude of burnout and presenteeism among frontline members of the health workforce and explore any correlation between the two in order to provide empirical data from our socioeconomic and geographical background.Design and Methods: We used self-administered questionnaire to conduct a cross-sectional study among the physicians and nurses in a regional trauma centre in Enugu, Eastern Nigeria; with the respondents selected by stratified random sampling. The Oldenburg burnout inventory and Stanford presenteeism scale were used to measure burnout and presenteeism respectively, while the 2-item patient-health questionnaire (PHQ-2) was used to screen for depression. The level of statistical significance was determined by a p value of <0.05.Results: Among the healthcare workers surveyed (n=155); 34 (21.9%) were physicians, while 121 (78.1%) were nurses. Burnout prevalence was 69%. Burnout was associated with self-rated health status and length of years in professional service but not the occupation or depression screen status of the worker. Sixty-two healthcare workers (40%) screened positive for depression. A positive screen for depression was the only factor that had significant association with lower presenteeism scores (p=0.002). The mean presenteeism scores had strong negative correlation with both the exhaustion (p<0.001) and disengagement (p<0.001) domains of burnout.Conclusion: Burnout is high among the healthcare workers and correlates with presenteeism scores. The mental health of the workforce greatly impaired their productivity.Significance for public healthDespite the high prevalence of burnout and presenteeism among healthcare workers their impact on the productivity of the workforce has not received adequate attention. Much of the work on burnout and presenteeism has been directed at their prevalence and associated demographics, while a few addressed their potential for direct harm or suboptimal care to patients. However, these earlier research perspectives provide insufficient resource for health economists and public health administrators. Accordingly, we chose to explore the relationship between the twin problems of high burnout and presenteeism among healthcare workers and their impact on productivity. We have reported our finding of an inverse correlation between burnout domains and productivity of the health workers. Furthermore, the revelation of 40% positive screen for depression raises serious concern regarding the mental health of the healthcare providers as it portends grave public health implications for themselves and the patients they cater for.

PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF KOREAN DRAMA IN THE CULTURE OF STUDENT VIEWERS IN CENTRAL LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY

This study aimed to find out the perceived influence of Korean drama in the culture of the students in Central Luzon State University by their extent of; watching and the medium usually using to access Korean Dramas. This research is a qualitative paper. There were 49 students representing eight colleges in the university specifically College of Engineering (1); College of Agriculture (4); College of Arts and Sciences (2); College of Education (7); College of Business Administration and Accountancy (15); College of Home Science and Industry (10); College of Veterinary Science and Medicine (7); and College of Fisheries (1). The results were analyzed through descriptive analysis. This research used Regression Analysis which analyzed and concludes between the socio-demographic characteristics and the perceived culture of the respondents by watching Korean Drama. Results show that there is positive relationship in terms of age, sex, length of years watching Korean Drama, frequency of watching in terms of hours spent on a daily basis, and number of series watched by the respondents and the influence of Korean culture as perceived by the respondents in the Korean Drama.

Impact of Dual Role of Teaching and Practice on School Counsellors’ Productivity in Nigeria

The dual role of teaching and professional counselling practice is a common trend in Nigerian school system. Much research has not been conducted on the impact of this dual role on school counsellors’ efficiency and performance. The study investigated the impact of dual role of teaching and practice on counsellors’ productivity in Ilorin, Nigeria. A mixed method approach was employed on a sample of 149 school counsellors in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria using the snow ball sampling. A scale tagged “Impact of Dual Role on Counsellors’ Productivity” was used to gather quantitative data from 149 school counsellors while an interview was further conducted to gather qualitative data from 10 school counsellors. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed using percentage, mean and ranking order analysis, t-test and ANOVA while the qualitative data was coded and narrated thematically. The findings revealed that dual role negatively affects the counsellors’ effective communication with the client; competence in handling client issues; prompt follow- up of client cases and having time to study client cases among others. Counsellors also hold the opinion that dual role affects proper record keeping, efficient organisation of guidance programme, proper follow-up of client cases among others. The study also found that the perception of respondents on influence of dual role varies based on length of year in service but they share similar views based on gender. The study concluded that dual role affects counsellors’ efficient service delivery in the school system.

Gender differences in NIH grant funding in neurological surgery

Research productivity is a vital component to an academic neurosurgeon’s career. We sought to evaluate gender differences in NIH funding among faculty in neurological surgery departments. NIH funding awarded to PIs of neurological surgery departments from 2014 to 2019 were obtained and analyzed for gender differences in funding trends, with attention to terminal degree and academic rank, as well as publication range in length of years and h-index. 79.4% of all NIH grants were awarded to male PIs, with the remaining 20.5% given to their female counterparts. Mean of the total NIH grants awarded to men was significantly higher at $1,796,684 (± Standard Error of Mean (SEM) $155,849, IQR: $1,759,250) compared to women at $1,151,968 (± SEM $137,914, IQR: $1,388,538) (P = 0.022). Mean NIH funding per grant for men was $365,760 (± SEM: $39,592, IQR: $189,692) and for women was $292,912 (± SEM: 28,239, IQR: $283,177). Differences in mean NIH funding per grant approached but did not reach statistical significance between men and women (P = 0.122). When stratified for academic rank, there was a significant difference in mean NIH funding per grant between men and women on the associate professor level (p < 0.005), with women exceeding men in funding at this academic level, with other academic ranks remaining non-significant. Overall, male neurosurgeons receive significantly more total NIH grant funding than their female counterparts, except at the level of associate professor where women were found to surpass men.

Do beverage workers in Enugu state Nigeria comply with health safety measures? A cross sectional study of two breweries

Background: Some workplace accidents happen because workers fail to do their work in the safest possible way. Human beings have an innate desire to be safe, and their commitment to maintaining safe work environment is imperative for occupational health. However, employees’ contributions to workplace accident and injury is underexplored.Methods: Cross-sectional quantitative study was undertaken in two beverage industries in Enugu state. In order to observe a proportion of 50% in staff compliance to safety measures with precision of 5% and confidence level of 95%, 217 full-time employees were selected from each industry. Stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents across 5 units/departments. Data was collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05.Results: Use of any form of safety device was reportedly high among respondents, 413 (97.4%). However, only 278 (67.3%) reported using them on a daily basis. Aprons 103 (24.9%), helmets 163 (39.5%), and hand gloves 197 (47.4%) were the least commonly used safety devices. The only reason reported for inconsistent use of safety devices was discomfort. Consistent use of safety devices correlates significantly with demographic characteristics such as age, sex, level of education, length of years of work and unit/department (p&lt;0.001), as well as previous history of workplace injury (p=0.01).Conclusions: Consistent compliance with safety measures among factory workers is suboptimal and correlates significantly with demographic characteristics and previous history of workplace injury.

Psychological Trends in the Achievement Goals of College and University Athletes

Objectives: This study aimed to validate the application of the 3 × 2 achievement goal model in sports. Motivations: In order to offer new perspectives on achievement goals, this study explores 3 × 2 achievement goals used in competitive sports, and the prediction of passion and psychological well-being for sports. Methods: The study sample consists of 406 college and university athletes, including 230 males and 176 females. Average age of the subjects was 20.34 years. Average length of years of sports participation was 8.23 years. Data were collected with a questionnaire that incorporated a 3 × 2 achievement goal scale, a sports passion scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. Statistical Methods: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for fuzzy data, fuzzy correlation coefficients, and fuzzy regression models. Finding: 1. There was a correlation between every two of task-approach, task-avoidance, self-approach, self-avoidance, other-approach, other-avoidance, harmonious passion, obsessive passion, and psychological well-being. 2. Among college and university athletes, task-approach and self-approach positively influence harmonious passion; task-approach, self-approach, other-approach, and other-avoidance positively influence obsessive passion; task-avoidance negatively influences obsessive passion; task-approach and self-approach positively influence psychological well-being, and task-avoidance negatively influences psychological well-being. Innovations: Use of the 3 × 2 achievement goal scale is applicable to college sportsmen in Taiwan, and the research method uses fuzzy statistical analysis, which breaks through the barriers of traditional psychological survey methods, and will improve the research quality of the sample survey. This study provides new techniques for research on psychological trends in sports. Value: In the future, coaches and athletes should focus on task-approach and self-approach goals in order to enhance the college or university athletes’ harmonious passion for a positive impact on their psychological well-being when they engage in sports through their own free will.

Grief Reactions of Bereaved Spouses in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Spousal death is one of the most traumatic events that can occur in marital experience and most times, engenders different reactions. The paper investigated the grief reactions of bereaved spouses in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State. A total of 395 bereaved spouses were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from the respondents using an instrument titled "Grief Reaction of Bereaved Spouses Questionnaire" (GRBSQ). The research questions raised were answered with percentages while the hypotheses generated were analysed using t-test statistics and three-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 alpha level. The findings of the study indicated that (90.6%) of bereaved spouses in Kwara state have positive grief reactions, while 37 (9.4%) have negative grief reactions. The study further revealed significant differences in the grief reactions of bereaved spouses in Ilorin metropolis based on age at bereavement, nature of death and length of years of loss. Based on these findings, recommendations were made on the desirability of establishing counselling centres in governmental and non-governmental organisations aside from the conventional ones in schools and hospitals. The study also stresses the need for bereaved spouses to be exposed to grief counselling to help them adjust better to their bereavement and educated on the adverse effect of complicated grief as a result of poor adjustment.

Psychosocial Needs of Bereaved Spouses in Nigeria: Implications for Grief Counselling Intervention

Spousal death is a traumatic life event which engenders different reactions. It becomes more challenging when psychosocial needs are inadequate. This study examined the psychosocial needs of bereaved spouses in Nigeria. The research method adopted for this study was descriptive survey. The population of the study consisted of 1,924,301 bereaved spouses in Nigeria. Purposive and proportional sampling techniques were adopted in selecting a total sample of 1,594 bereaved spouses across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. The Psychosocial Needs of Bereaved Spouses Scale was used for data collection. Means, percentages, rank order, t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical measures were used to analyze the data collected for the study. The findings of the study revealed that respondents needed to acquire a job to sustain the family, raise finances for family upkeep, pay house bills and deal with widowhood isolation, among others. Also, age at bereavement, length of years of loss and nature of death had significant influences on respondents’ psychosocial needs, while gender and religious affiliations had no significant influence on the psychosocial needs of the respondents. The study concluded that respondents’ psychosocial needs were high. The implication is that bereaved spouses need better psychosocial supports to facilitate better adjustments. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended, among others, that counsellors should provide relevant community-based intervention programs and support services to assist bereaved spouses of different age groups, length of years of loss and nature of death, religion, and gender to meet their varying needs.

Association of Urinary Phenol Concentration and Blood Biochemical Indices in Coke Oven Workers

Objective: To explore the association of urinary phenol concentration and blood biochemical indices in coke oven workers. Methods: From April to may 2019, we investigated 771 employing coke oven workers from a coke plant in Taiyuan city, and categorized into benzene-exposed group (n=402) and control group (n=369) based on their benzene exposures in workplace and urophenol concentrations. All subjects were interviewed face-to-face using a questionnaire including name, age (year) , gender, smoking and drinking habits, personal vocational history, working length (year) , and occupational protection, etc. Post-shift urine samples detected using a gas chromatography-hydrogen flame ionization detector. Fasting venous blood was drawn in the morning and centrifuged, the separated serum were detected the following items using an automatic blood biochemistry analyzer. Covariance and multiple linear regression were used to test the association of urinary phenol concentration and the levels of all the blood biochemical indices. Results: The subjects were predominantly males (n=719, 93.3%) , with an average age of (42.3±8.2) years and an average working length of (20.6±8.2) years. Compared with the control group, the benzene-exposed group were significantly different in age, working length of years, gender, smoking and drinking habits (P<0.05) . The median (interquartile interval) concentration of urinary phenol was 6.00 (0.00-33.00) μg/ml in the benzene-exposed group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) . Covariance analysis indicated that the fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and high density cholesterol in the benzene-exposed group were significantly reduced compared with the control group, yet the serum creatinine, serum uric acid and triglyceride were significantly increased (P<0.05) . Multiple linear regression showed that, an increase of each natural logarithm (Ln) transformed urinary phenol concentration was significantly associated with increases in serum uric acid level [9.82 (95%CI: 2.18-17.47) μmol/L] and cholesterol level[0.10 (95%CI:0.00-0.20) mmol/L]. An increase of each Ln-transformed accumulated benzene exposure levels was significantly associated with an increase in total cholesterol level[0.09 (95%CI: 0.01-0.17) mmol/L]. Conclusion: Occupational benzene exposure is possibly related to the variation of purine and total cholesterol metabolism in coke oven workers.

Psychosocial Needs of Bereaved Spouses in Nigeria: Implications for Grief Counselling Intervention

Spousal death is a traumatic life event which engenders different reactions. It becomes more challenging when psychosocial needs are inadequate. This study examined the psychosocial needs of bereaved spouses in Nigeria. The research method adopted for this study was descriptive survey. The population of the study consisted of 1,924,301 bereaved spouses in Nigeria. Purposive and proportional sampling techniques were adopted in selecting a total sample of 1,594 bereaved spouses across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. The Psychosocial Needs of Bereaved Spouses Scale was used for data collection. Means, percentages, rank order, t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical measures were used to analyze the data collected for the study. The findings of the study revealed that respondents needed to acquire a job to sustain the family, raise finances for family upkeep, pay house bills and deal with widowhood isolation, among others. Also, age at bereavement, length of years of loss and nature of death had significant influences on respondents’ psychosocial needs, while gender and religious affiliations had no significant influence on the psychosocial needs of the respondents. The study concluded that respondents’ psychosocial needs were high. The implication is that bereaved spouses need better psychosocial supports to facilitate better adjustments. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended, among others, that counsellors should provide relevant community-based intervention programs and support services to assist bereaved spouses of different age groups, length of years of loss and nature of death, religion, and gender to meet their varying needs.

Adjustment Strategies for Marital Stress Among Female Teachers in Nigeria: Implications for Counselors

Stress have devastating consequences when not well managed. This study thus investigated the adjustment strategies of marital stress among female primary school teachers in Nigeria. The study also examined the influence of age, number of children, type of marriage and length of years in service on the respondents’ views. The study employed a descriptive survey method. A total of 422 female primary school teachers participated in the study. The participants responded to a researcher-designed instrument titled ‘Adjustment Strategies Questionnaire (ASQ)’. The data were analyzed using both percentage, mean, t-test and Analysis of Variance The result showed that female primary school teachers adopt benefitting adjustment strategies. Result further showed that there were significant differences based on age, number of children, type of marriage and length of years in marriage. Recommendations were therefore made among others that counselors should encourage female primary school teachers to maintain their benefitting adjustment strategies of marital stress.

Analysis of active enterprises established in Poland in the years 2012-2016

In 2013, the Polish enterprise sector generated 73,5% of GDP, of which small and medium-sized enterprises generated 50,1% of GDP – i.e. every second zloty of this value. Among all groups of enterprises according to their sizes, the largest share in generating GDP had microenterprises – approx. 30,8%. The aim of the study was to analyze the degree of changes and tendencies in the development of newly created enterprises – according to the length of years of operation and size classes – micro, small, medium-sized and large enterprises in Poland. The analysis of enterprises was based on CSO data included in the study entitled “Non-financial enterprises established in the years 2012-2016”. The analysis covered enterprises that were established in the years 2012-2016 and actively performed their business activity until the last examined year. The following conclusions were drawn: In the structure of enterprises in the years 2012-2016, microenterprises were dominant. Together with the increase in the number of years of running business, the number and share of small, medium and large enterprises increased at the expense of microenterprises. The survival rate of enterprises established in the years 2012-2016 is the highest for large, medium-sized and small enterprises. In the analyzed period, the highest number of employees was in microenterprises, but the number of employees was constantly fluctuating over the years. The number of people working in small and medium-sized enterprises has constantly increased along with the length of business activity. The highest remunerations were observed in enterprises (successively) – large, medium-sized, small and micro- enterprises. In microenterprises, there is the largest disparity in the amount of salaries.

The Celiac Disease Patients' Ability to Experience Pleasure.

The motivation or ability to experience pleasure has been scarcely studied in celiac disease (CeD). We aimed to investigate the hedonistic feelings/anhedonia and sexual pleasure in CeD patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD) compared to controls. We recruited adult CeD patients at follow-up consecutively visited from April 2017 to April 2018 and controls from the hospital staff and friends of CeD patients. Participants completed the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale, measuring the levels of anhedonia, and answered three questions about physical contact, sexual activity, and modification of their life on a GFD. We included 178 CeD patients and 173 healthy controls. Seventeen patients (9.5%) and fourteen controls (8.1%) had anhedonia. We did not find any correlation between the presence of anhedonia and the length in years of GFD neither with the dietary compliance and age at the test. 10.7% patients and 8.7% controls reported of not having pleasure in physical contact and 5.06% CeD and 3.5% controls in feeling attraction for another person; 36.56% said a worsening of their life on a GFD. Our results show that CeD patients on a GFD are similar to controls in anhedonia and sexual problems, despite one-third reported a worsening of their life.

Marital Stress among Working Class Women in Kwara State, Nigeria: Implications for Counselling Practice

This study investigated the sources of marital stress among working class women in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study also examined the influence of age, type of marriage, and length of years in service on the respondents’ views. The study employed a descriptive survey method. A total of 422 working class women in Kwara State were selected from a population size of 7,237 through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The participants responded to a researcher-designed questionnaire entitled ‘Sources of Marital Stress Questionnaire (SMSQ)’. The validity of the instrument was done by a team of experts (5) from the Department of Counsellor Education, University of Ilorin and the reliability was established using test re-test reliability method, which yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.65. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that the sources of marital stress of working class women were sexual incompatibility with their spouses, financial constraints, in-laws’ interference, and religious differences among others. Results further indicated that there were significant differences in the sources of marital stress among working class women in Kwara State on the bases of age, type of marriage and length of years in marriage. In view of the findings of this study, it was concluded that the sources of marital stress among working class women were numerous. Recommendations were made that counsellors should assist working class women to cope with their sexual incompatibilities with their spouses through appropriate counseling services.

Atmospheric Circulation of Tide-Locked Exoplanets

Tide-locked planets are planets in which tidal stresses from the host star have spun down the planet's rotation to the point where its length of sidereal day equals its length of year. In a nearly circular orbit, such planets have a permanent dayside and a permanent nightside, leading to extreme heating contrasts. In this article, the atmospheric circulations forced by this heating contrast are explored, with a focus on terrestrial planets; here, “terrestrial” refers to planets with a condensed solid or liquid surface at which most of the incident stellar radiation is absorbed and does not imply habitability in the Earthlike sense. The census of exoplanets contains many terrestrial planets that are very likely to be tide locked, including extremely hot close-orbit planets around Sunlike stars and habitable zone (and hotter) planets around lower-mass stars. The circulations are discussed in terms of fluid dynamical concepts arising from study of the Earth's tropics, supplemented by general circulation model simulations. Even in the relatively simple context of dry (noncondensing) dynamics, there are a number of important unresolved issues that require further study.

Determinants of sickness absence rate among Finnish municipal employees

Objective: In addition to acute health problems, various aspects of health behavior, work-related and sociodemographic factors have been shown to influence the rate of sickness absence. The aim of this study was to concomitantly examine factors known to have an association with absenteeism. We hypothesized the prevalence of chronic diseases being the most important factor associated with sickness absence.Design: A cross-sectional study.Setting: Occupational health care in the region of Pori, Finland.Subjects: 671 municipal employees (89% females) with a mean age of 49 (SD 10) years. Information about the study subjects was gathered from medical records, by physical examination and questionnaires containing information about physical and mental health, health behavior, work-related and sociodemographic factors. The number of sickness absence days was obtained from the records of the city of Pori.Main outcome measures: The relationship of absenteeism rate with sociodemographic, health- and work-related risk factors.Results: In the multivariate analysis, the mean number of chronic diseases (IRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.36), work ability (IRR 0.83, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.91), and length of years in education (IRR 0.90, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.95) remained as independent factors associated with absenteeism.Conclusion: According to our results, chronic diseases, self-perceived work ability and length of years in education are the most important determinants of the rate of sickness absence. This implies that among working-aged people the treatment of chronic medical conditions is also worth prioritizing, not only to prevent complications, but also to avoid sickness absences.KEY POINTSVarious sociodemographic, health- and work- related risk factors have been shown to influence sickness absence.The study aimed to find the most important determinants of absenteeism among several known risk factors in Finnish municipal employees.Chronic diseases, self-perceived work ability and education years remained as the most important determinants of sickness absence rates.Treatment of chronic medical conditions should be prioritized in order to reduce sickness absence rate.

Service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in automobile maintenance services

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and the loyalty of car owners. The aim is to understand the relative importance of the various service quality dimensions to Ghanaian car owners as to what drive satisfaction and whether this satisfaction has implication on their loyalty.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a survey of car owners and relied on partial least squares-structural equation modeling to study the relationship between service quality and its impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty. Further moderation analysis based on the number of years of dealing with the mechanic was conducted.FindingsThe result indicates empathy, assurance, responsiveness and tangibles have a significant positive relationship with customer satisfactions. However, the reliability of the mechanic has no significant positive relationship with the satisfaction of customers. The results also indicate that customer satisfaction has a direct positive relationship with customer loyalty. The results further indicate that empathy and reliability of the mechanic have a significant positive relationship with customer loyalty; however, the assurance, responsiveness and tangibles have no significant relationship with customer loyalty. The moderation analysis indicated no significant differences in the hypothesis tested and the length of years of customers dealing with the mechanic.Research limitations/implicationsThere is the need for mechanics to provide caring and individual attention to car owners, it is also important for mechanics to understand that customers want their cars to be serviced by mechanics who exhibit knowledge and courtesy and also deliver service in a very responsive manner. The appearance of the workshop, equipment and directions are also very important to customers. It is, therefore, important for mechanics do their best to satisfy these customers for them to remain loyal.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate the importance of empathy, assurance, responsive and tangibles in mechanic service delivery. It is, therefore, important for mechanics to consistently provide personal attention, attend to customers in a friendly manner, deliver cars after services, provide information to customers when extra repairs are required and should take the time to explain issues to customers. In addition, it is important for mechanics to screen and employ very courteous employees who can tell customers exactly the kind of services needed as well as communicate effectively on the risks of repairs. Prompt services also seem to be the key to the satisfaction of customers.Originality/valueThe work illustrates and provides some insights and builds on the literature in the area of service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty from a developing country’s environment. This is one of the few research works investigating the issue of service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in automobile services using data from the sub-Saharan African environment.