Scheduled Research Articles

Exploring workability in an older working population: associations with cognitive functioning, sleep quality, and technostress.

This observational study investigates workability and its associations with cognitive functioning, sleep quality and technostress among an older working population, also shedding light on potential differences between two occupational categories with different work schedules. Workers aged over 50, employed in different working sectors (banking/finance, chemical and metal-mechanic industry) were administered a self- report questionnaire including Work Ability Index (WAI), cognitive tests (Stroop Color Task, Corsi Blocks, Digit Span), sleep quality questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQI; Insomnia Severity Index-ISI; Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test-FIRST) and technostress scale. Linear regression models evaluated associations among variables, interaction effects investigated potential moderators. A total of 468 aged workers categorized as white (WCWs; N = 289, 62%) or blue collars (BCWs; N = 179, 38%) were enrolled; most BCWs (N = 104; 58%) were night shift workers. WCWs reported higher workability, cognitive functioning, sleep quality and lower technostress (except for invasion and privacy subscales) than BCWs. Associations between cognitive functioning and workability were statistically significant only for BCWs [slopes equal to 0.2 (0.33), 0.8 (0.34), -0.02 (0.001) for Memory Span Corsi, Block Span Digit and Interference Speed respectively]; additionally, sleep quality significantly moderated this association (p = 0.007). Higher levels of technostress were associated with lower workability, and this relationship was stronger for BCWs. The aging of the workforce has important implications for occupational health and safety. Our findings suggest potential interventions and protective measures to promote older workers' wellbeing; blue-collar workers particularly should benefit from tailored intervention to sustain workability and prevent technostress, considering the role of healthy sleep habits promotion.

Effect of Peanut Butter Intake on Sleep Health in Firefighters: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Sleep is often impaired in firefighters due to the psychologically and physiologically intense nature of their work and working shift schedules. Peanut butter is affordable and a substantial source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which may aid sleep health. Thus, this study sought to determine if a daily serving of peanut butter consumed before bedtime for seven weeks altered sleep quality and quantity among full-time firefighters. Forty firefighters (peanut butter group = 20; control group = 20) participated in this eight-week randomized controlled trial. All participants completed a subjective questionnaire on mood, focus, and alertness twice daily and wore an Actigraph wristwatch to measure sleep variables, including latency, efficiency, time in bed, time asleep, wake after sleep onset, number of awakenings, and time spent awake. After a baseline week, the peanut butter group consumed two tablespoons of peanut butter two hours prior to bedtime for seven weeks. Compared to the control group, the peanut butter group did not demonstrate significant changes (p > 0.05) in sleep measures or subjective feelings of mood, focus, or alertness after consuming peanut butter for seven weeks. Therefore, peanut butter as a source of peanuts did not alter sleep quality or quantity in this group of firefighters.

Nurse rostering: understanding the current shift work scheduling processes, benefits, limitations, and potential fatigue risks

BackgroundImplementing appropriate shift work schedules can help mitigate the risk of sleep impairment and reduce fatigue of healthcare workers, reducing occupational health and safety risks. In Australia, the organisation has a responsibility to make sure all reasonable measures are taken to reduce fatigue of staff. Therefore, it is important to assess what the current rostering processes is for staff responsible for creating the rosters for nurses.AimThe aims of the project were to understand (1) who creates the rosters and what the process is, (2) what training and knowledge these staff have in establishing rostering schedules that optimise the sleep and wellbeing of staff, and (3) what the benefits and limitations are of current rostering practices.MethodsFindings were generated through semi-structured interviews, using cluster coding to form categories. Twenty four nurses responsible for rostering staff were interviewed from three different sites in Victoria (one metropolitan and two regional/rural hospitals). Data was analysed using selected grounded theory methods with thematic analysis.ResultsThe common themes that came out of the interviews were that rostering staff were under prepared, unaware of fatigue and safety guidelines and polices from governing bodies and had not received any education or training before taking on the role. The most common rostering style was self-rostering, where staff could submit preferences. However, there were concerns about staff fatigue but were divided as to who should be responsible, with many saying it was up to staff to preference shifts that they could cope with. The final theme was cultural barriers to change.ConclusionWhile self-rostering resulted in staff having more freedom and flexibility, shift preferences may be influenced more so by a need to fit with lifestyle rather than to minimise fatigue and increase safety in the workplace. Greater consideration of the impact of shift work schedules on fatigue is required to ensure that the layers of clinical governance in health care organisations minimise the risk of occupation health and safety issues for employees delivering direct patient care.

Parental Exposure to Work Schedule Instability and Child Sleep Quality

Recent scholarship has documented the effects of unstable scheduling practices on worker health and well-being, but there has been less research examining the intergenerational consequences of work schedule instability. This study investigates the relationship between parental exposure to unstable and unpredictable work schedules and child sleep quality. We find evidence of significant and large associations between parental exposure to each of five different types of unstable and unpredictable work scheduling practices and child sleep quality, including sleep duration, variability and daytime sleepiness. We are also able to mediate 35–50% of this relationship with measures of work–life conflict, parental stress and well-being, material hardship, and child behaviour. These findings suggest that the effects of the temporal dimensions of job quality extend beyond workers to their children, with implications for the mechanisms by which social inequality is reproduced and for social policies intended to regulate precarious and unequal employment conditions.

Procurement Methods and Practices in Municipality Projects -An Analysis from Mandandeupur, Nepal

Purpose: To analyze the procurement methods and practices adopted in Mandandeupur Municipality, newly formed municipality in Kavrepalanchowk district under Bagmati province of Nepal. Design/Methodology/Approach: A structured set of questionnaires were developed in order to assess the practice of contract administration functions in the contract project conducted by the Mandandeupur Municipality in the F/Y 2074/075 B.S, 2075/076 B.S, 2076/077 B.S, 2077/078 B.S & 2078/079 B.S. Findings/Result: The study also examined the bidding trends in the municipality, revealing that 56.25% of the total bids were low bids, indicating potential cost savings. Additionally, 68.75% of the bids were competitive, suggesting a healthy level of competition in the procurement process. However, 3.125% of the bids were found to be collusive, indicating the presence of unethical practices that need to be addressed. Originality/Value: The study is significant to control significant low bid by asking to provide a method of statement, work schedule, and clarification for low bidding to ensure effective implementation of contract projects. The method of statement from the contractor can also help resolve negotiation/variation of conflicts. Paper Type: Empirical Research

Burnout and Quality of Work Life among Physicians during Internships in Public Hospitals in Thailand.

Physicians are exposed to occupational stress and burnout, which have been identified as contributing to a decrease in the quality of work life (QWL). Thailand's medical education program, consisting of a six-year curriculum with government tuition support followed by three years of internships, provides the context for this investigation. This study aimed to assess the QWL among intern physicians (IPs) in public hospitals and investigated the association between burnout and QWL. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 241 IPs in public hospitals in Thailand utilizing an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included a Thai version of a 25-item QWL scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel. Data analysis was performed using multivariable logistic regression. A significant proportion of IPs experienced low to moderate QWL (72.6%), with low levels of home-work interface (39.4%) and employee engagement (38.6%). In the exploratory model, after adjusting for sex and age, IPs with high depersonalization and low personal accomplishment demonstrated an association with low QWL (adjusted OR, aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.31; aOR 2.74, 95% CI 1.40 to 5.39). Healthcare organizations should regularly assess intern physicians' QWL and burnout, prioritizing interventions; ensure reasonable work hours, schedule adjustments, and open communication; and develop support systems for cost-effective interventions. Further research on the dynamic relationship between burnout and QWL is crucial for targeted and culturally sensitive interventions.

Metaheuristic approach to multi-objective ergonomic workforce scheduling for Bi-hazard industrial tasks

ABSTRACT This paper considers the daily scheduling of workers who are simultaneously exposed to two ergonomic hazards when performing their assigned tasks. Safe daily rotating work schedules are generated to minimize the maximum exposure amounts of both hazards simultaneously. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) method is employed to generate near-optimal workforce scheduling solutions. A numerical example shows that for a small multi-objective problem, the NSGA-II is able to yield the same set of non-dominated Pareto points as those obtained from a multi-objective optimization model with ε-constraint method. A computational experiment further demonstrates that the NSGA-II can yield acceptable non-dominated Pareto points in reasonable computation times irrespective of the problem size.

MENTORING IN MEDICAL SCIENCE: THE EXPERIENCE OF GERMAN-SPEAKING COUNTRIES

The article analyzes the basics of mentoring as a form of ensuring professional development, successful adaptation and positive influence on the interpersonal interaction of future scientists in the field of medicine. A comparative analysis of mentoring as a scientific support for future scientific and pedagogical medical staff is offered Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It was found that in recent decades, the medical profession in Western countries has been acquired mainly by women, however, this does not always allow them to plan a professional career due to certain obstacles: social concepts, gender stereotypes, high requirements for advanced training, strict work schedule, difficulties in obtaining PhD and habilitation degrees. Medical mentorship programs have been found to be offered beginning at postdoctoral status, particularly for women, as their proportion declines dramatically after the PhD.

Life satisfaction and job and personal resources among public workers with non-standard work schedules

BackgroundWhile the link between non-standard work schedules and poor health outcomes is established, few studies have examined how resources both in and outside of work can support the well-being of workers with non-standard work schedules.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional survey, we assessed the association between one facet of well-being, life satisfaction, and job and personal resources. In 2019, an electronic survey was administered to two unionized, public service populations who work non-standard work schedules: transportation maintainers and correctional supervisors. We assessed life satisfaction with a 10-item scale; a broad set of job resources (reward satisfaction, supervisor support, co-worker support, schedule satisfaction, and working hours fit); and a broad set of personal resources (health status, sleep, physical activity, and finances). We used log-binomial regression models to estimate prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals among statistically significant univariate predictors.ResultsOf the 316 workers surveyed, the majority were male (86%), White (68%), and reported positive life satisfaction (56%). In multivariate models, the prevalence of positive life satisfaction was higher in workers reporting reward satisfaction (PR:1.35, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.65; p = 0.003), good work schedule fit (PR:1.43, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.83; p = 0.004), good health (PR:2.92, 95% CI: 1.70, 4.99; p < 0.0001), and good finances (PR:1.32, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.72; p = 0.04).ConclusionEmployers should consider increasing work recognition, as well as improving schedule fit, financial well-being, and overall good health in support of worker life satisfaction and ultimately well-being.

Experiences using an online therapist-guided psychotherapy platform (OPTT) in correctional workers with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Correctional workers (CWs) are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events in the workplace, leading to an increased prevalence of mental health concerns. Online psychotherapy can address many of the barriers CWs face when seeking adequate mental health care. Despite their benefits, CWs' experience using digital mental health interventions is relatively unknown. This information could be valuable in developing enhanced care delivery to improve recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and treatment outcomes. This study investigated the experiences of a sample of CWs enrolled in a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of the Online Psychotherapy Tool (OPTT) in this population. Participants were surveyed and interviewed to capture their opinions and feedback on the program. Survey analysis was conducted through Qualtrics statistical analysis software. The interview transcripts and open-ended survey questions were analyzed using thematic analysis methods in NVivo. Participants (n=14) were cis-gender, predominantly white, with an average age of 38 years. While most respondents preferred in-person therapy, they also reported the benefits of the online psychotherapy program. Specifically, they expressed positive perceptions of the platform, the quality and interaction of their care provider, and the homework assignments and skills learned. Lack of motivation to complete weekly homework assignments was a frequently cited challenge. Unhelpful aspects of the therapy noted issues with the online format and frustration with certain program elements. Participants expressed a positive outlook on the program, the platform, and treatment outcomes. A preference for in-person therapy was still indicated, demonstrating the need to focus on engagement in digital mental health interventions. In addition, the findings of this study shed light on the factors that can influence help-seeking in this population, including stigma in the work environment, demanding work schedules, workplace perceptions, and previous experiences accessing mental health services.

Associations between Sleep Hygiene and Mental Complaints in a French Healthcare Worker Population during the COVID-19 Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis to Personalize Sleep Health Interventions.

Healthcare workers often have irregular work schedules and experience significant stress, which can lead to poor sleep quality and frequent mental health issues, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of poor sleep hygiene and mental health complaints among healthcare workers and examine their associations. We investigated participants' typical sleep-wake patterns on workdays and free days as indicators of sleep hygiene. Sleep efficiency and social jetlag were calculated as the ratio of mean sleep duration to time spent in bed, while sleep rebound was defined as the difference in mean sleep duration between workdays and free days. Social jetlag was determined as the difference in mid-sleep timing between workdays and free days, with mid-sleep defined as the midpoint between bedtime and wake-up time. Insomnia severity was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and symptoms of anxiety and depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4). Fatigue was measured using a single item inspired by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). A total of 1562 participants (80.5% women, mean age 40.0 years) were included in the study. The results revealed that 25.9% of participants slept less than 6 h, 24.3% had a sleep efficiency of less than 85%, 27.3% experienced a sleep rebound of more than 2 h, and 11.5% reported a social jetlag exceeding 2 h. Additionally, 33.9% of participants reported insomnia, 45.1% reported excessive daytime sleepiness, 13.1% reported fatigue, 16.5% reported symptoms of depression, and 35.7% reported symptoms of anxiety. After adjustment, mean sleep duration and sleep efficiency were associated with most mental health complaints. Sleep rebound and social jetlag were associated with significant insomnia but not with anxiety or depression symptoms. Our findings underscore the high prevalence of poor sleep hygiene and mental health complaints among healthcare workers, exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. We advocate for the promotion of sleep health through behavioral sleep strategies to safeguard the well-being of healthcare professionals.

Manajemen Proyek Pengerjaan Pipa Air pada PT. X Menggunakan Metode CPM dan PERT

A project is a temporary activity that has a beginning and end specified in time and scope. To support the success of a project, project management needs to be carried out. In general, a project is held by a contractor. contractors who have the obligation to carry out work according to the plan, schedule the activities to be carried out, provide supporting tools for project implementation. One company operating in this field is CV. Andhika Kencana. Now CV. Andhika Kencana is carrying out work on several projects, one of which is the water pipe installation project at PT. X. This research aims to guarantee the water pipe installation project at PT. X is right in terms of cost, quality and time. This research uses 2 methods to analyze project work schedules, namely the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Project Evaluation And Review Technique (PERT). The results of this research show that the critical path on this project is A-B-C-D-G-H-K-L-M-N-O with different completion times. Using the CPM method, the project can be completed in a total of 65 working days, which is 1.15% faster than the normal time. Meanwhile, using the PERT method, the project can be completed in a total of 66.2 working days with a chance of 70.88%, which is 1.13% faster than the normal time.

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ КОМБИНИРОВАННОГО И УДАЛЕННОГО ГРАФИКА РАБОТЫ ДЛЯ СНИЖЕНИЯ НАПРЯЖЕННОСТИ НА СОВРЕМЕННОМ РЫНКЕ ТРУДА В РОССИИ

The article discusses the problems of the modern labor market in Russia, personnel shortages and the possibilities of using a combined and remote work schedule as measures to reduce it

0180 Crew Sleep During a 36-day Arctic Transit: Preliminary Results

Abstract Introduction Extreme environmental conditions (e.g., natural light conditions, time zone transitions), and specific operational conditions (e.g., ship motion due to ice breaking) combined with a variety of other occupational stressors (including shift work, psychological stress, and performing physically strenuous activities), poses unique challenges when conducting polar operations. The overarching aim of this project is to assess the unique challenges sailors experience when operating in polar regions in order to identify performance-limiting factors derived from operating an icebreaker in extreme latitudes. This abstract shows preliminary results of crewmember sleep. Methods A naturalistic longitudinal approach assessed 53 of the ship’s crewmembers (median age of 29yrs; 71.7% males; 66.0% enlisted) while performing their normal duties during a 36-day transit from Kodiak, AK (8/26/23) to Tromsø, Norway (1/10/23). Participants wore ŌURA rings and completed weekly questionnaires throughout the study. Mixed effects analysis was used to assess the effect of age, occupational group, time underway, and watchstanding status on variables of interest. Results are presented as mean◻standard deviation. Results Over the entire data collection period, participants’ sleep duration was 6.81◻0.57 hrs/day with 68.9% sleeping &amp;lt; 7 hrs/day and 8.89% sleeping &amp;lt; 6 hrs/day. All participants napped at least once; 68.1% napped at least once every 4 days. Self-report sleep regularity index (SRI; lower numbers translate to poorer sleep) was 73.1◻5.80 for watchstanders, 83.8◻6.19 for non-watchstanders, and 78.3◻5.16 for crewmembers with a hybrid work schedule. Age was associated with decreased heart rate variability (p=0.006), increased percentage of light sleep (p&amp;lt; 0.001), decreased percentage of deep sleep (p&amp;lt; 0.001), and increased percentage of REM sleep (p=0.021). Officers and watchstanders had a lower percentage of REM sleep compared to enlisted (p=0.030) and non-watchstanders (p=0.025) respectively. Also, over the course of the underway the percentage of light sleep increased and the percentage of deep sleep decreased. Specifically, compared to Week 1, Week 3 had a higher percentage of light sleep (p=0.027), and a lower percentage of deep sleep (p=0.019). Conclusion Results showed that Arctic operations can affect crew sleep. Crew members slept less than the daily recommended 7+ hr/day sleep duration. Their sleep was also related to age, watchstanding status, and time underway. Support (if any)

0338 Consolidated Work Schedule: The Impact on Firefighters’ Sleep and Health

0338 Consolidated Work Schedule: The Impact on Firefighters’ Sleep and Health

Controversies in promoting young talent in orthopedics and trauma surgery

The field of orthopedics and trauma surgery is facing aserious shortage of new talent due to the increasing average age of active surgeons and agrowing need for staff. The appeal of these specialties is declining among medical students. This trend could be reversed by introducing practice-oriented curricula, mentoring programs, and early integration into professional societies. The quality of surgical education, especially bedside teaching, needs to be improved, as it is often compromised by alack of time and insufficient pedagogical training of the educators. The practical year (PY) is crucial to attract students to these specialties, but data indicate that the quality of training in orthopedics and trauma surgery is inferior compared to other fields. Professional societies could enhance junior development through targeted programs. Moreover, the problem of recruitment is compounded by imbalanced gender ratios and working conditions that do not align with modern family models or efficient surgical training. There needs to be arethinking of work scheduling and task distribution in surgery to make the profession more attractive and to ensure the quality of training.

Innovative Work Order Planning with Process Optimization Using Computer Simulation in the Automotive Industry, in the Case of Repair Workshops

This article introduces a novel approach to enhance the efficiency of work schedule management in automotive repair shops during the planning phase, leveraging computer simulation techniques. The primary focus of this study is the optimization of the scheduling process, specifically the sequencing of car repairs, aimed at minimizing the average repair time. The proposed simulation model harnesses the power of the FlexSim simulation environment, incorporating an embedded optimization module. The article outlines the fundamental stages involved in constructing the simulation model, encompassing essential input data and information. Furthermore, the article presents empirical results demonstrating the significant impact of various simulation scenarios on resource utilization, production costs, and process duration.

A STUDY ON WORK LIFE BALANCE OF WOMEN WORKING IN IT SECTOR IN INDIA

Work-life balance (WLB) is a major problem because of the many demands and challenges that women in the information technology sector face while trying to combine their personal and professional lives. This study aims to investigate the appropriate management of personal and professional life by Indian women employed in the IT sector. The paper integrates quantitative and qualitative data from more than 50 females IT workers who were polled and interviewed across Indian cities using a mixed-methods methodology. The research looks at the factors that affect women's capacity to balance work and personal life in the IT business, including working hours, workplace culture, family responsibilities, career ambitions, and social support. This article also looks at how women's performance, contentment, and overall health are affected by work-life balance. The study found that work-family conflict, high levels of stress, and burnout are common among women in IT, and that these factors negatively affect the happiness, productivity, and health of these women. The paper also outlines a number of coping strategies and best practices that the women use to balance their personal and professional life, including negotiating, self-care, delegating, and time management. The article offers a number of suggestions and methods to help women in IT occupations achieve a better work-life balance, including childcare facilities, mentorship programs, flexible work schedules, and awareness campaigns. By concentrating on the unique demands and experiences of women in India's technical advancements sector—a highly competitive and rapidly growing industry with a sizeable female workforce—the research contributes to the body of information on work-life balance. The report also offers some consequences and suggestions for more research, laws, and industrial practices in this area. This paper says that how the women employees are balanced and Satisfied in IT sector and the factors that affect the work life balance of women employees are working hours, Job satisfaction, working condition, etc. Which are key indicators in terms of measuring the work-life balance of women’s working in IT sector.

Availability of Library Services in the Russian Federation: Monitoring Results of the National Library of Russia

The article presents an analysis of statistical data of the National Library of Russia (NLR) monitoring, characterizing the availability of library services in the Russian Federation. It names factors influencing the accessibility of library services: a developed network of out-of-station and mobile service points, provision of transport vehicles, optimal operating hours of libraries, accessibility of library premises (accessible environment) for people with disabilities (HH) and inclusive library space, developed digital library infrastructure providing services to readers remotely. Since the huge volume of statistical data makes it impossible to consider all aspects of the accessibility of Russian libraries within the framework of the article, its objective is to give a comparative analysis of some of them (coverage of the population of the Russian Federation with library services, the number of people per a public library, distribution of non-stationary service points across Russian regions, provision networks of public libraries by transport, operating hours of library institutions and reduced work schedules of specialists and their variations in frames of the RF subjects). The work states that the availability of library services to the population is a condition for ensuring the quality of the population life. The problems of accessibility of Russian library services could be solved by modernizing the network of municipal libraries, improving the transport and digital infrastructure and organizing the comfortable library space to all categories of citizens. The materials can be used by regional departments of culture when planning the modernization of library institutions’ network.

The Rights of Physicians and Future Physicians Who Are Lactating, Breastfeeding, or Chestfeeding: An American Medical Women's Association Position Article.

Breastfeeding is a fundamental and biologically normal function with well-established benefits for both lactating parents and infants. Despite these benefits, physicians, particularly those in training, often face significant obstacles when attempting to meet their breastfeeding and pumping goals. In response to these challenges, the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) and a diverse group of health care professionals have come together to advocate for comprehensive lactation support policies in medical learning environments and workplaces. This position article highlights the ethical necessity of comprehensive lactation support in medical educational and workplace settings, emphasizing the importance of not only providing physical accommodations but also fostering a cultural shift, educational initiatives, and policy reforms to empower lactating parents. It offers an examination of the difficulties encountered by lactating parents within medical environments and proposes guidelines for the formulation and enhancement of supportive policies. The position article envisions a future where medical professionals can thrive in both their careers and parenthood through collaborative efforts and a commitment to the key elements of Effective Lactation Support Programs in medical workplaces based on the following: (1) well-equipped lactation facilities, (2) customized work schedules, (3) mentorship and support networks, (4) lactation support in clinical settings, and (5) research and advocacy.