Quantitative Section Research Articles

Designing and explaining the commercialization model of innovative products of knowledge-based companies in the chemical field with a mixed approach

Commercialization of innovative products is one of the secrets of success of knowledge-based companies. The purpose of this study is to identify and extract commercialization variables, produce a model by determining relationships and testing it. The research is developmental in terms of research results and mixed (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of implementation. The statistical population in the qualitative section includes 17 experts who were selected by non-probability purposeful and theoretical sampling and snowball technique. In the qualitative phase, content analysis and coding techniques have been used to identify and extract indicators, components and variables of the model. The findings of the qualitative part showed that the research commercialization model has the variables of "discovery and ideation", "evaluation and formation", "production and exploitation", "market and sales", and "feedback and recovery". The findings of the quantitative section showed that the model has four levels, in such a way that the variable "discovery and ideation" has the most influence on "evaluation and formation". "Evaluation and formation" has an effect on "market and sales" and "production and exploitation" and finally these variables have an influence on "feedback and recovery". The results of the relationship test with the structural equation modeling method showed that there is a positive and significant effect between all the relationships predicted in the model, and the relationship was confirmed in the model, and in order to improve the commercialization of innovative chemical products, it is necessary to discover and develop ideas according to the development goals. sustainable and circular economy.

Structural Modeling of School Managers' Competencies as a Driver for Sustainable Development

Purpose: This study focused on the structural modeling of competencies of high school managers in Tehran as a driver for sustainable development. Methodology: From the perspective of its objective, this research is developmental-applied, and in terms of data collection, given the nature of the study, it is descriptive-survey. The statistical population in the quantitative section includes high school managers from districts 2, 5, 6, and 8 in Tehran, who have experience in managing high schools and are active in executive and research activities in the field of education. Therefore, the sample size for the forthcoming research is 384 individuals, for which 384 questionnaires were used for data analysis. To measure the research variables, questionnaires by Shamsudin & Chutipattana (2012) and Wayla & Tolud (2021) were utilized. The reliability of the questionnaire was calculated based on Cronbach's alpha, and the validity of the questionnaire was based on confirmatory factor analysis. In the present research, the structural equation modeling method was used for data analysis. The software used for data analysis were SPSS-22 and SMARTPLS-4. Findings: According to the research findings, the professional competency model of school managers includes competency enablers, management competencies, ethics and professional behavior competencies, manager development, social indicators of managers, the establishment of work groups to enhance performance and green competency, attitudinal competencies, knowledge competencies, educational competencies, commercialization of knowledge-skills and technology competencies, hardworking spirit, consumption pattern modification, and participation in development towards national authority, which lead to the realization of results such as a hardworking spirit, consumption pattern modification, and participation in development. Conclusion: The professional competency model of school managers in high schools, with the expansion of professional competency, can assist managers and planners of educational systems in improving educational and training conditions.

Distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic: experience at a public university

Objective: Evaluate the performance of distance education in the Accounting and Business Administration programs at a public university during the Covid-19 pandemic.Methods: A quantitative, field, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional research was conducted based on the positivism paradigm. The sample consisted of 23 professors, and was obtained through a non-probabilistic, intentional sampling. All participants met the inclusion criteria. Results: The study results indicate that the contents achieved the intended objectives, adhered to the set timeline, and remained current. Nonetheless, 57% of the professors reported poor attendance in virtual sessions, leading to incomplete coverage of subject´s content. 100% of participants had access to a computer, while 70% reported having good Internet connectivity. The virtual classroom was the most frequently used communication tool (61%), followed by WhatsApp (5%).Conclusion: Based on the evaluation of instructional time, professor-student communication, and student participation, the distance education process was deemed appropriate. On the other hand, professors reported differences in the use of instructional strategies, institutional resources, and learning assessment

The burden of travelling for cervical cancer treatment in Uganda: A mixed-method study.

Uganda has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the world. Many women are diagnosed and treated with advanced stages of the disease. With only one facility offering comprehensive cervical cancer care in Uganda, many women are required to travel significant distances and spend time away from their homes to receive cervical cancer care. It is important to understand the burden of time away from home while attending treatment because it can inform the expansion of cervical cancer treatment programmes. The aim of this mixed-methods paper is to describe how the distance to cervical cancer treatment locations impacts women in Uganda. Women were recruited from 19 September, 2022, to 17 January, 2023, at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and the cancer clinic at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRF). Women were eligible for the study if they were (i) aged ≥18 years with a histopathologic diagnosis of cervical cancer; (ii) being treated at the UCI or JRRF for cervical cancer; and (iii) able to provide consent to participate in the study in English, Luganda, Lusoga, Luo, or Runyankole. All participants completed a quantitative survey and a selected group was sampled for semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the convergent parallel mixed-methods approach. Descriptive statistics were reported for the quantitative data and qualitative data using an inductive-deductive thematic analysis approach. In all, 351 women participated in the quantitative section of the study and 24 in the qualitative. The quantitative and qualitative findings largely aligned and supported one another. Women reported travelling up to 14 h to receive treatment and 20% noted that they would spend three or more nights away from home during their current visit. Major themes of the qualitative include means of transportation, spending the night away from home, and financial factors. Our findings show that travelling to obtain cervical cancer care can be a significant burden for women in Uganda. Approaches should be considered to reduce this burden such as additional satellite cervical cancer clinics or subsidised transportation options.

PRE-SERVICE ENGLISH TEACHERS’ BELIEFS ON READINESS OF TEACHING SPEAKING SKILLS

In recent years, researchers have focused on how students and teachers perceive language learning and teaching. However, few studies have been conducted on pre- service teachers’ and teachers’ beliefs about teaching speaking skills. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine pre-service EFL teachers’ beliefs about their readiness to teach speaking skills. In particular, the researcher aimed to find out which speaking skills pre-service EFL teachers felt ready or unprepared to teach, and to what extent pre-service EFL teachers perceived themselves as ready to teach speaking skills. The participants of the research are 61 undergraduate senior students enrolled in the English Language Teaching program at Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University in Turkestan. A mixed-method research design approach was used and samples from both quantitative and qualitative sections were utilized. Factor analysis was performed for the validity of the scale developed in this study, and the reliability of the scale was determined by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (0,92). The results of the study showed that the majority of the participants gave positive responses to the belief statements about teaching speaking skills. However, some participants stated that they did not agree with some statements of belief. Several interpretations and suggestions were derived from the results of the present study.

Analysis of Grade X Physics Textbooks on the Basic Measurement Material from the Nature of Science Perspective

Issues related to the quality of textbooks are often a topic of discussion in science. However, in various education systems, some textbooks have effectively incorporated the nature of science, while others are still lacking in this aspect. It is well-known that the nature of science serves as a crucial foundation that should be applied in science education, especially in physics. This is because the nature of science plays a role as the basis to guide a more holistic learning approach and an exploratory process in understanding knowledge about the natural world. Hence, a study was conducted to analyze physics textbooks to analyze the percentage of nature of science content and describe the proportion of nature of science aspects in high school physics textbooks. The research employed a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research. The quantitative research section involved the development of the theory, including observations and data collection for accuracy. The quantitative research portion explained how to obtain percentage data for the ten aspects of the nature of science under investigation. The study results showed that the textbook published by Grafindo, referred to as Book B, presented the most aspects of the nature of science compared to the other two textbooks. Quotations in Book B were presented explicitly, although some quotations were presented implicitly. Books A and C were found to be less inclusive of the nature of science aspects in the measurement material. The proportion of the appearance of the nature of science in Book A was 33%, in Book B, it was 53%, and in Book C, it was 27%. Overall, all three evaluated textbooks explicitly conveyed aspects of the nature of science. The implications of this research highlight the importance of incorporating the nature of science aspects in science learning materials to enhance understanding of the nature of science, as the nature of science is a complex concept and serves as a fundamental foundation for studying science.

Designing a new physical activity calorie equivalent food label and comparing its effect on caloric choices to that of the traffic light label among mothers: a mixed-method study.

We designed a new type of 'physical activity calorie equivalent' (PACE) food label in Iran to compare its effect with that of the traffic light food label (TLL) on caloric choices. Mixed-method study. Mothers of school children between the ages of 6-12 years. In the qualitative phase, 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with various groups of mothers, and two FGDs were conducted with food science and nutrition experts to design a new PACE label. In the quantitative phase, 496 mothers were randomly assigned to five groups: (1) no nutrition label, (2) current TLL, (3) current TLL + educational brochure, (4) PACE label, and (5) PACE label + brochure. Samples of dairy products, beverages, cakes, and biscuits were presented. ANOVA and multiple linear regressions were applied to examine the association between label types and calories of the selected products as our main outcome. The mothers' perspectives were classified into two sub-themes, the PACE label's facilitators and barriers. The new PACE label's characteristics were divided into two subcategories: (a) appearance, and (b) nutritional information, including 14 codes. In the quantitative section, mean calories of the selected foods were lowest in the TLL + brochure group (831.77 kcal; 95% CI: 794.23-869.32), and highest in the PACE label group (971.61; 95% CI: 926.37-1016.84). The new PACE label was a combination of PACE, TLL, and warning labels. It did not significantly affect lower caloric choice, however, the TLL + brochure option was effective in choosing foods with fewer calories.Clinical trial registration: The study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials 23 (IRCT20181002041201N1).

Transcription Factor ATF3 Mediating SOCS3 Expression Aggravates Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Activating Mitophagy.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is highly expressed in mice with renal ischemia/reperfusion (RI/R) injury and has the potential to regulate mitophagy. On this basis, this study further investigates the possible mechanism via which SOCS3 affects RI/R by regulating mitophagy. After establishing a RI/R injury mouse model and a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) cell model, the effects of silenced SOCS3 on injury and mitophagy in the above models were analyzed by ELISA, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, pathological sections, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and JC-1 assay. Mechanistic studies were carried out with the help of database analysis and binding validation experiments (chromatin immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and co-immunoprecipitation). After the binding target was identified, the regulatory relationship between the target gene and SOCS3 was verified by rescue experiments. The large increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels verified the success of the RI/R model. SOCS3 expression was up-regulated in RI/R mice. Silenced SOCS3 alleviated kidney damage and mitochondrial abnormalities in RI/R mice and inhibited mitophagy at the molecular level. Likewise, silenced SOCS3 alleviated H/R-induced cell damage and mitophagy. Finally, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) was determined to bind to the promoter of SOCS3, which interacted with insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R). Rescue experiments confirmed the effect of ATF3 on SOCS3 expression and the underlying regulatory mechanism. ATF3 mediates SOCS3 expression to promote the activation of mitophagy, thereby aggravating renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Post-natal care: a vital chance to save mothers and infants! Exploring barriers and factors associated with it: a mixed study.

The most effective maternal health intervention for enhancing mother and baby survival is postnatal care, yet it is also the most neglected service in Ethiopia. Less is known about postnatal care despite earlier studies concentrating on pregnancy and delivery service utilization. Postnatal care is the subject of few national and local area studies. Therefore this research aims to evaluate postnatal care utilization and barriers and associated characteristics among women in Ilubabor Zone and Buno Bedele Zone. A mixed-methods study involving women who visited immunization clinics was conducted in Southwest Ethiopia. For the quantitative part, a cross-sectional survey was conducted between June 12 and July 12, 2022. The data collected through interviews was analyzed using SPSS version 26. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value was constructed to evaluate the associations between postnatal care service utilization and explanatory variables. The usage of postnatal care services was determined to be significantly correlated with explanatory variables in multivariable logistic regression with a p-value less than 0.05. This qualitative study used two focused group discussions and two in-depth interviews to gather data from purposely selected mothers, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. A total of 422 participants with a 100% response rate were included in the analysis. 234 (55.5%) of these underwent postnatal checks. In the quantitative section, postnatal care counseling and appointment setting, counseling on danger signs, and prior postnatal care utilization all demonstrated a statistically significant association with the use of postnatal care services (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.47-7.23)), [AOR = 2, 95% CI (1.05-3.64)], and [AOR = 3, 95% CI (1.36-58), respectively). At the qualitative level, it was determined that the themes of knowledge and access were obstacles to the use of postpartum care services. Generally this study revealed that the Ilubabor Zone and Buno Bedele Zone have a poor total PNC service utilization rate. Furthermore, ignorance, conventional wisdom, religious activity, distance from facilities, environmental exposure, and waiting time were identified as barriers to postnatal care service utilization. To optimize this service, all parties involved should address these factors.

Understanding Medical Students’ Concerns about Explicit Informed Consent for Pelvic Exams Under Anesthesia

Medical student involvement in procedures, including pelvic exams under anesthesia (EUAs), is a fundamental part of medical education. While guidelines exist regarding informed consent for medical student participation, there is ongoing debate and uncertainty regarding the requirement and modality of obtaining explicit consent for pelvic EUAs. This study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of medical students who do not favor an explicit informed consent process for pelvic EUAs. An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to third- and fourth-year medical students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine who had completed their obstetrics and gynecology core clerkship. The questionnaire included both quantitative and qualitative sections. Qualitative analysis was conducted using a mixed inductive and deductive coding approach, with key patterns, categories, and themes identified through content analysis. Among the 201 students included in the analysis, 50 students did not endorse an explicit informed consent process for pelvic EUAs. Themes that emerged from their open-ended responses included: (1) the belief that medical student involvement is implicitly included in patient agreements at teaching hospitals; (2) the perception that pelvic EUAs are an essential first step in gynecologic surgery; (3) the view that pelvic EUAs are comparable to other medical procedures; (4) concern that explicit consent would limit educational opportunities; and (5) the belief that pelvic EUAs are not harmful or traumatic to patients. The findings highlight the justifications provided by medical students who do not support explicit informed consent for pelvic EUAs. While some arguments align with previous ethical analyses, this study provides empirical and qualitative insights into students' perspectives. The belief that patients implicitly consent to medical student involvement at teaching hospitals warrants further examination, as patient awareness and understanding may vary. The differentiation between pelvic exams and other EUAs, as well as the perception of minimal harm, should be critically evaluated in the context of trauma-informed care and patient autonomy. Furthermore, the interconnectedness of educational and surgical aspects of pelvic EUAs should be clarified in patient-physician communication. Understanding the perspectives of medical students who do not favor explicit consent for pelvic EUAs is crucial for developing and implementing consent processes. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced patient-physician communication, standardized frameworks for learner involvement, and curricular adaptations to address patient perceptions and trauma-informed care. Future research should explore these themes in larger and more diverse cohorts to inform best practices in obtaining informed consent for medical student participation in pelvic EUAs.

Designing the structural model of temporary medical centers in biological emergencies

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of getting prepared for biological accidents and emergencies caused by the spread of biological agents, it seems necessary to design and codify a specific structural model for the establishment of temporary medical centers and hospitals. The present study was designed to provide a structural model of temporary medical centers in biological emergencies. This is a mixed-method study devised to present a model for the establishment of temporary medical centers. Multi-criteria decision-making methods were implemented in the quantitative section. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques, including Shannon entropy and TOPSIS, were used in this study to prioritize the components. The forms related to multi-criteria decision-making were designed by researchers according to the initial model, which were then completed by 15 experts. Also, 23 structural components of the model were prioritized and classified into four main categories (effective management, resources, infrastructure, and ideas). The categories were prioritized in terms of conceptual relevance as effective management, resources, infrastructure, and ideas, respectively. The results of this study can help to design temporary medical centers and manage biological emergencies more effectively in the future.

Designing and Validating a Training Model for the Staff of the Incident Command System in the Hospitals

Background. The main influencing factor in the success of the crisis management process is the group's readiness to deal with the crisis. Training models are a tool to maintain the preparation of personnel, increase their ability to achieve certain goals, and help them acquire information, skills, and ways of thinking. This research aimed to design and validate a training model for the staff of the hospital incident command system. Methods. The research method was a qualitative-quantitative (mixed method) approach. The statistical population in the qualitative part included experts in the field of incident command system, and in the quantitative part included managers and staff of this system in the hospitals of Guilan province in Iran. The sampling method in the qualitative part was the judgmental forecasting method. Also, the sampling method was cluster random in the quantitative part. According to the data saturation principle, the sample size in the qualitative section was 15 people, and in the quantitative section, 226 people were selected based on Cochran's formula. The data collection tool in the qualitative part was a semi-structured interview and in the quantitative part was a questionnaire extracted from the interview. Results. After analyzing the categories resulting from interviews with 15 experts, 43 open codes and 12 central codes were determined. Also, five selection codes were obtained as follows: design, analysis, evaluation and feedback, policymaking and determination of strategies, and implementation and support dimension. The findings showed that the design dimension had a more significant effect on designing the training model (path coefficient = 0.987 and t = 176.713). Also, all components had a significant relationship in pattern design. For data analysis, we used the MAXQDA2020 and SmartPls3 software in the qualitative part, and SPSS26 software in the quantitative part. Conclusion. The results of this research showed that effective command in possible incidents depends on the effective training of employees with a new and up-to-date model.

Designing a paradigmatic model of digital leadership for managers at Islamic Azad University of Tehran province: a mixed methods approach

The present study was conducted with the aim of providing a digital leadership model for managers at Islamic Azad University of Tehran Province. The research method was applied in terms of purpose and mixed exploratory (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of data, and in terms of nature, it was systematic data-based (paradigmatic) in the qualitative dimension and cross-sectional survey in the quantitative dimension. The statistical population of the qualitative section included professors and experts in the field of human resources with specialized doctoral degrees, and in the quantitative section, all university presidents, their deputies, heads of faculties and heads of educational groups with specialized doctoral degrees and the academic rank of assistant professor and above in educational sciences at Islamic Azad University of Tehran Province, totaling 270 people. The sampling method in the qualitative section was purposeful theoretical saturation, and 15 expert people were selected. In the quantitative section, the sample size was determined based on the Morgan formula as 159 people. In the present study, after open and axial coding, the resulting measurement tool was formatted and sent to experts for selective coding and validity. Based on this, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed and distributed randomly among the study population. Then, the collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and finally, 5 dimensions, 17 components and 121 indicators were identified for the digital leadership model for managers of educational organizations. After final approval and prioritization by experts, the dimensions, components and indicators of the model were illustrated, and the model was re-validated by experts.

Applying the Delphi Approach to Prioritize Social Factors Affecting the Development of Children Under Six Years

BackgroundSocial determinants of health have a key role in the growth and development of children, particularly in early childhood which is mentioned from infancy to the age of six years old. These factors might cause disparities in living conditions and consequently bring about inequities regarding different aspects of development such as emotional, psychological, social, psychological, and intellectual. This research aimed to provide a model for prioritizing social factors affecting the development of children under six years.MethodsWe used quantitative–qualitative (mixed) method to perform data analysis. The statistical population included 12 medical experts and professionals in the field of children’s development and social determinants of health that were selected using the snowball method. In the quantitative section, a Delphi technique was applied to screen the extracted indicators. Then through applying a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method, the cause-and-effect interactions among main social determinants were identified. To analyze data, super decision software was used.ResultsAccording to literature review and the results obtained from focus group discussions, five dimensions including individual factors, family factors, environmental factors, governance, and global factors were identified. Based on the study findings, the criterion of “family factors” was mentioned as the most important priority affecting childhood development. Furthermore, the sub-criterion of “International Programs and Policies” received the greatest priority among other sub-criteria with a profound impact on children's healthy growth and development.ConclusionDespite the current knowledge about social determinants of health, it is required to identify the most influential socioeconomic factors on childhood development. In such a manner, political strategies for improving the health condition of children can be implemented based on scientific evidence. Due to the crucial role of family factors, environmental factors and other socio-economic conditions, health policy makers and public health practitioners should be informed of the importance of these factors in shaping the health condition of children.

Andragogical Attitudes and Student Well-Being, a study at the University of Guayaquil

University teaching, as part of its practical exercise, demands an attractive field to investigate the psychological processes, implicit in the dynamics of teachers and students, under the bidirectionality of teaching and learning, which promote the exploration of the attitudes of the teacher and under his professional practice the andragogic attitudes, which are structured under cognition, motivation and behaviors. The objective of this research was to evaluate the andragogical attitudes of teachers and student well-being in a higher education institute in the city of Guayaquil. Through a methodology with a quantitative approach, explanatory scope, non-experimental design and cross-sectional section; through a stratified random sampling of 48 teachers and 125 students. The instruments were adapted and validated for the study of variables using the Likert scale. Their results showed the predominance of horizontality in both populations, with the variable andragogical attitude and feelings associated with a low level of well-being.

Examining the impacts of social media on the psychological well-being in a patriarchal culture: a study of women in Pakistan

PurposeThe unstoppable and exponential growth of social media use has given rise to concerns about the consequent effects on users. Among the major concerns are the psychological consequences, which have received considerable academic attention. The current mixed-methods research aims to examine women's social media use and its effects on their psychological well-being in a patriarchal culture, namely Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a mixed-method research methodology. The quantitative section collected data from 240 women and used structural equation modelling to test the proposed hypotheses. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the in-depth interviews with ten women.FindingsThe integration of the findings revealed increased use of social media by women and its beneficial effects (communication and socialisation, escapism and self-presentation), though qualitative findings revealed the cultural implications and obstacles that women face (online anonymity and digital asylum). The study calls attention to women's social media usage patterns and the resulting effects on women's psychological well-being in a low-income country with a patriarchal social structure.Originality/valueMost research remains limited to Western societies and young populations. The situation is somewhat different in developing economies with traditionally preserved cultures compared to Western societies. This study uniquely examines the influence of social media on psychological well-being in a developing country with a special cultural context.

UNRAVELING THE SUBTERRANEAN: A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLORATION OF AQUIFER PROPERTIES AND HYDROGEOLOGICAL DYNAMICS IN WARRI SOUTH, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

This paper investigates the complex relationship between apparent resistivity and electrode separation, revealing key underlying features. The research uses a range of field curve types to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse data from Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES). The study is divided into two sections: a qualitative interpretation section and a quantitative interpretation section, the latter of which focuses on the dynamics of aquifer potential in the Warri South region. Understanding the link between apparent resistivity and electrode separation is essential for hydro-geoelectric research. To increase the reliability of the results, curve matching, sophisticated modelling, and geological knowledge are used. Particularly, the predominance of HH curve types, followed by AH, HQ, KH, and KK configurations, provides a complete description of the hydrogeological terrain and a thorough description of subsurface features. To comprehend groundwater flow, distribution, and management, aquifer resistivity, thickness, depth, transverse resistance, longitudinal conductance, hydraulic conductance, and transmissivity are all researched. The complex interaction between resistivity levels and different rock types emphasises the dynamic nature of aquifer resistivity and disproves the idea that it has a set range. The patterns in the regional distribution of aquifer resistivity reflect the complexity of subsurface water supply. Aquifer thickness, depth, and transverse resistance, which highlight the complex interaction of geology and aquifer characteristics, are additional factors that aid in understanding hydrogeological processes. The hydrological potential of aquifers is discovered through variables like transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity, indicating the balance between geological characteristics and hydraulic gradients. These discoveries open the door to responsible water resource management and sustainable use by providing insights into the dynamics of hidden aquifers under the Earth’s surface.

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers and the effect of nudging interventions: A mixed methods study

BackgroundDuring the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) has a critical role because of their high-risk exposure and being a role model. Therefore, we aimed to investigate vaccine hesitancy and the role of mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and education for vaccine uptake. MethodsWe conducted an explanatory sequential designed observational mixed-methods study, including quantitative and qualitative sections consecutively in two different pandemic hospitals between 15 September 2021 and 1 April 2022. The characteristics of vaccinated and unvaccinated HCWs were compared. The vaccine hesitancy scales were applied, and the effect of nudging, such as mandatory PCR and education, were evaluated. In-depth interviews were performed to investigate the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs according to Health Belief Model. ResultsIn total, 3940 HCWs were included. Vaccine hesitancy was more common among males than females, the ancillary workers than other health professions, and nonmedical departments than other departments. After the mandatory weekly PCR request nudge, 83.33 % (130/156) vaccine-hesitant HCWs were vaccinated, and 8.3 % (13/156) after the small group seminars and mandatory PCR every two days. The rate of COVID-19 vaccination was raised from 95.5 % to 99.67 % (3927/3940). At the end of in-depth interviews (n = 13), the vaccine hesitancy determinants were distrust, fear of uncertainty, immune confidence and spirituality, the media effect, social pressure, and obstinacy. ConclusionsThe nudging interventions such as mandatory PCR testing and small group seminars helped raise the rate of COVID-19 vaccination; the most effective one is mandatory PCR.

Ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief in formal caregivers of people with dementia: Effectiveness of a training intervention with psychodrama

Formal caregivers of people with dementia may experience ambiguous loss due to the psychological loss of care recipients before their physical death. They may also experience disenfranchised grief when other people fail to acknowledge their losses. Since the number of studies addressing these topics is fairly restricted, this research investigates the phenomena of ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief as observed within the staff of a care facility for people with dementia. Moreover, this research evaluates the impact of a psychodrama training course on the processing of such griefs. A mixed-method research design was used. For the quantitative section, the following variables were examined: caregiver grief, well-being, and burnout levels. Fifty-nine health professionals took part in the study. Before and after the psychodrama intervention, participants were interviewed and filled out questionnaires for longitudinal research. The training intervention has resulted in a reduction in formal caregiver ambiguous loss and an improvement of the well-being of participants, as well as in the acquisition of awareness and skills regarding grief, greater validation of one's grief and better communication skills. The training intervention with psychodrama seems to help manage loss experiences in staff working with people with dementia.

The impact of technologies on leadership styles in Southeast European countries

This paper focuses on analyzing the range of factors that influence the transformation of leadership styles by technologies. The aim is to evaluate the level of transformation achieved by influence of technologies in certain post-socialist countries in Southeastern Europe (SEE). The theoretical part of the research identifies two sets of factors (endogenous and exogenous) that are important in understanding the influence of technologies on leadership transformation. Key factors were identified, including readiness of organization, perceived-easy of use, customer pressure, law regulations, and leader’s attitude. In the quantitative section of the research, the impact of these factors on the transformation of leadership styles was evaluated. The hypothesis is that these factors significantly impact leadership style transformation in the selected countries, and by understanding their advantages, leaders can improve their performance. The multiple linear regression method was used to research the perception of the impact of selected factors. A mathematical model based on multiple linear regression analysis was created to explain the relationship between the dependent variable (the level of transformation of leadership style) and the selected independent variables. The results have confirmed the validity of the hypothesis and, consequently, the selected factors have the high influence to the transformation of leadership styles in the analyzed countries. The study concludes that the evaluation of the current status of selected factors presents opportunities that leaders should consider to survive the effects of globalization and open markets. The selected factors explain the situation in leadership to a great extent in the observed countries.