Results Of Survey Research Articles

Improving foster carer recruitment in Victoria: a mixed-methods approach to support tailored recruitment efforts

ABSTRACT The foster care system in Victoria, Australia, faces a critical challenge with a declining number of foster carers amidst an increasing demand for placements. This research aimed to identify the perceived benefits of using tailored recruitment strategies for foster carer recruitment and the key characteristics of those inclined toward foster care. Eight representatives from Victorian foster care agencies participated in semi-structured interviews, followed by an online survey completed by 1033 Victorian adults. Tailored recruitment efforts for both messaging and targeting of audiences were deemed crucial and effective by interviewees. Cluster analysis of the survey results revealed two distinct groups, with the fostering-inclined group comprising 31% of the sample and more likely to be female, aged 21–55, working in a care- or social-oriented profession, and have a spare room. Implications of sociodemographic, attitudinal, and behavioral characteristics associated with considering fostering are discussed in relation to designing targeted recruitment campaigns. This study highlights the importance of tailored recruitment for foster carers and provides practical directions for foster care agencies to identify and engage relevant audiences more inclined to consider fostering.

A Data-driven Approach to Selecting Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellows for Interviews.

Background: Training programs around the country receive many applications every year with a limited time window to send out invitations for interviews. This poses major barriers to conducting holistic application reviews. Objective: To create and implement a data-driven selection process that promotes holistic reviews within a tight timeline to select applicants for invitation to interview. Methods: In 2022, we conducted a survey of clinical faculty and fellows to ascertain the experiences, attributes, metrics, and characteristics deemed important for success in our training environment. We formed a selection committee and used the survey results to construct an automated screening tool and a faculty-completed application review form with resultant data summarized to aid in data-supported selection decisions. Results: Among the 60 survey respondents, 42 (71%) were faculty members and 17 (29%) were current fellows. The six most important items for trainee success fell under the domain of leadership attributes. Survey results were used to create a weighted screening score that was used for initial triaging of applications and a weighted faculty-reviewed application score standardized to each faculty reviewer and used to select applicants for interviews. These sequential scores allowed a holistic review of 306 applications by 20 faculty in a time-sensitive manner. Conclusion: Survey methods can be used to generate weighted and standardized application assessment tools that allow data-supported fellow selection decisions and facilitate holistic application reviews.

The use of premedication for intubating very low birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: Results of a national survey.

To explore barriers and perspectives of premedication use for non-emergent intubations of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (less than 1,500 g). A cross-sectional, online survey was distributed from January to April 2023 to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Of the 521 respondents, the majority (81%, n=415) were neonatologists. Over half of respondents (69%, n=359) consider patient weight when selecting premedication. Most providers (78%, n=407) agreed that premedication should be used for non-emergent intubation of VLBW infants, while only 41% (n=216) felt similarly that muscle relaxants should be used. For infants over 1,500 g, 43% (n=153) reported frequent or regular muscle relaxant use compared with 28% (n=101) for VLBW infants. The most cited barrier to muscle relaxant use was surfactant delivery with planned return to non-invasive support. Unit guidelines were associated with significantly more premedication and muscle relaxant use (56% vs. 44%; OR 5.2, 95% CI 3.4-7.7, p<0.0001). Most neonatal providers favor premedication for non-emergent intubation but are hesitant to use muscle relaxants for VLBW infants. Premedication guidelines may facilitate the use of both premedication and muscle relaxants for this population.

Use of adjuvant treatment options in tobacco and nicotine counseling: results of an anonymous survey

Counseling and treatment of tobacco and nicotine users include classical behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy methods. More than half of the quitters after an intervention relapsed into old behavior after 12 months. Discussions with experts have shown that evidence-based interventions are individually supplemented with treatment options without scientific evidence or with inconsistent efficacy. This study examined the use of adjuvant treatment options in the area of smoking cessation such as aromatherapy.The sample for our anonymous online survey (Sosci survey) consisted of 351 experts. All of them had registered with their contact data in a freely accessible database (https://www.anbieter-raucherberatung.de/anbieter.php). A total of 88 experts took part in the survey. Respondents were on average 53 years old, and 71% were female. They reported on average 14 years of experience in smoking cessation counseling. More than half of the participants (66.3%; n=57) had employed at least one adjuvant treatment option. Exercise (49.1%), hypnosis (34.5%) and acupuncture (27.3%) were mentioned most often.Adjuvant treatment options appear to be important in the counseling of tobacco and nicotine users and there should be more discussion on these options among experts. These should also considered in the development of curricula for counsellors on tobacco and nicotine cessation.

Does Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Impact Surgical Precision in Total Mesorectal Excision? A Nationwide Survey of the Experiences of Expert Surgeons.

The treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has steadily progressed over the past four decades, with recent focus shifting towards total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). This survey aims to elucidate the perceived surgical challenges faced by Austrian colorectal surgeons performing total mesorectal excision (TME), focusing on the increased complexity and surgical difficulty introduced by intensified treatment regimens. A comprehensive survey was conducted among Austrian colorectal surgeons to explore various aspects of managing and performing TME following TNT. The survey included questions on the general management of LARC within their institutions and utilized a five-point Likert scale to assess the respondents' perceptions and experiences regarding surgical precision and post-operative morbidity associated with TNT. A total of 31 surgeons (54% response rate) completed the survey. Regarding multidisciplinary therapy preferences, 56% of respondents preferred conventional neoadjuvant therapy regimens, with 32% favoring chemoradiotherapy and 24% opting for short-course radiotherapy, while 31% chose TNT. The majority of respondents (65%) reported quality differences in tissue dissection during TME following TNT, with 57% experiencing difficulties in identifying tissue planes and 47% noting increased tissue fragility. Increased bleeding was reported by 32% of respondents. In cases of regrowth after a watch-and-wait approach, 64% observed quality changes in tissue dissection, and 47% noted tissue fragility. The survey results indicate that TNT impairs surgical precision due to changes in tissue quality and challenges in identifying surgical planes. Given the critical importance of surgical precision in achieving low local recurrence rates in mid-to-low LARC, these challenges could significantly impact patient outcomes. Further prospective studies are required to elucidate the extent of these effects.

Neoliberal higher education restructuring, job satisfaction and professional development of academics

The paper presents the results of a job satisfaction survey conducted among all faculty members of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece (AUTh), to investigate how the neoliberal restructuring and new managerialism’s changes, affect their multifaceted and contextually determined professional development at the nexus of higher and adult education and lifelong learning policies, in relation to their promotion in academic ranks. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered to 1620 members and answered by 331 (N = 20.43%). The research findings revealed high rates of dissatisfaction with the working conditions, the lack of administrative and material support, the increased workload, the pressure and difficulties in tasks and time management, which hinder opportunities for professional development and promotion.

Health literacy and psychological wellbeing of employees working from home in Germany-online survey results.

Employees' psychological wellbeing is of special interest to employers, as mental illnesses are still the second most common reason for work absences. The psychological wellbeing of employees is determined by factors at an individual, interpersonal and organizational level. Health literacy encompasses both the individual and the organizational level and thus offers a good concept against the background of employees' psychological wellbeing. Furthermore, demographic change increases skills shortages, while recently, other working models, such as increasing home office arrangements, benefit and challenge both employees and employers. Therefore, this study examines the associations between individual and organizational health literacy, work-from-home culture, and the psychological wellbeing of employees who mainly work from home. An anonymous open online survey via Facebook and Instagram advertisements was conducted in June 2023 in Germany. The questionnaire included nine thematic groups with validated and nonvalidated scales (e.g. WHO-5 Wellbeing-Index). Data from 103 participants were suitable for data analyses in IBM SPSS Statistics 23. Of the participating employees, 17% were assigned to males and 83% to females. The mean age was 49.5 years. Individual and organizational health literacy and work-from-home culture were positively associated with employees' psychological wellbeing. Organizational health literacy mediated the effect of individual health literacy on employees' psychological wellbeing. Individual and organizational health literacy totally mediated the impact of work-from-home culture. The study results highlight that individual and organizational health literacy provide useful concepts for practitioners and researchers regarding the psychological wellbeing of employees working from home and that both might play a crucial role in mediating the effect of organizational culture aspects on employees' psychological wellbeing.

Nursing knowledge in cardio-oncology: results of an international learning needs-assessment survey

BackgroundWith early detection and improvements in systemic and local therapies, millions of people are surviving cancer, but for some at a high cost. In some cancer types, cardiovascular disease now competes with recurrent cancer as the cause of death. Traditional care models, in which the cardiologist or oncologist assess patients individually, do not address complex cancer and cardiovascular needs. Nursing disciplines should be an integral part of holistic assessment in cardio-oncology care. To learn what educational needs nurses perceive important for provision of competent cardio-oncology nursing care, we undertook an international survey, aiming to understand their learning needs and preferred learning modalities.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was developed by members of the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) Nursing Research group. The survey was in English and consisted of 23 questions which include demographic information, clinical specialty (oncology, cardiology, or cardio-oncology), multiple-choice questions related to clinical topics that nurses might be interested in learning, and preferred methods of instruction.ResultsThree hundred and twenty-nine responses were received. The majority expressed interest in learning more about cardio-oncology related topics, primarily via pre-recorded webinars (n = 206, 67%) and live virtual meetings (n = 192, 63%). Formal programs leading to certification were highly endorsed (n = 247, 80%). In relation to specific cardio-oncology topics, there was a strong interest in learning more about specific cardiovascular toxicities, and their monitoring and management (n = 205, 66%).ConclusionCardio-oncology is a new field of expertise requiring competent nurses with current knowledge incorporating both specialties. The survey we conducted described the sample’s characteristics, identified cardio-oncology learning needs and preferred methods of delivery. A cardio-oncology core curriculum based on the survey responses can offer convenient, accessible and learner-directed education for nurses worldwide. Ultimately, development of cardio-oncology nursing expertise will benefit cancer patients and survivors worldwide.

Availability of Education in Vietnam: Sociological Analysis

This article analyzes the situation of inequality of educational opportunity in Vietnam and its reasons, and also provides comments and assessments of the impact of some support programs and policies of the Vietnamese government to reduce inequality in educational opportunity in this country. The views and approaches to studying the accessibility of education are revealed, its main characteristics are considered, the main barriers that students face in the educational process are identified; the article provides information on the availability of education in Vietnam. The authors come to the conclusion that despite the fairly successful steps taken by the Vietnamese government, the problem of inequality in education is still far from being completely resolved. The article is based on data from international organizations and the results of sociological surveys, including those conducted with the participation and guidance of the authors.

Numerical analysis of the large-scale water supply network accident consequences on the engineering and geological conditions of a heritage site

Recent accidents in water supply networks have the negative impact on the state of the historical and architectural heritage of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which has been formed over many centuries and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have analysed the water supply system emergency situation on the territory of the Metropolitan Garden that occurred in October 2022 during the Russian military aggression. It caused surface sinkholes, increased groundwater levels, and significant destruction of a historical underground – the Metropolitan Cellar. The study was carried out using numerical analysis implemented in Plaxis 2D. To resolve the uncertainties of the accident, several options for developing the emergency situation were considered, taking into account the number of probable pipe leakages, their size, etc. Accident parameterization was performed with a leakage volume of 1600.0 m3/day, considering damage to the water supply network in two locations. The volume of the watered soil mass was 7.0-8.5 thousand m3. We evaluated the state of destruction of the southern and southeastern branches of the Metropolitan Cellar. Engineering measures for strengthening the section of the Monastery walls with buttress elements, increasing the width of the foundations by means of additional concrete and piling are studied. The numerical calculations were verified using the results of geophysical surveys. Comparison of analytical calculations, geophysical surveys and field surveys showed that parts of the underground structure were completely destroyed. Their restoration is possible only by modern methods through reconstruction, that will lead to a loss of authenticity, which is unacceptable for historical structures. To take preventive actions for the protection of monuments, it is necessary to conduct continuous monitoring.

Associations between systemic immune-inflammatory index and visceral adipose tissue area: results of a national survey

BackgroundGlobal health issues related to obesity are growing. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) significantly contributes to complications associated with obesity. Reducing adipose tissue accumulation can improves inflammation. However, it is still unknown how the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and VAT area are related.MethodsWith the help of multivariate linear regression and smooth curve fitting, the relationship between SII and VAT area was explored with data from the 2013 and 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Analyzing subgroups and testing for interaction were used to investigate whether the relationship was accurate across demographics.ResultsFrom 20 to 59 years of age, 3,290 individuals were observed to have a positive correlation between SII and VAT area. In accordance with the fully adjusted model, the VAT area increased by 9.34 cm2 for every unit increase in log SII [β = 9.34, 95% CI (4.02, 14.67)]. In the highest quartile of SII, the VAT area was 5.46 cm2 [β = 5.46, 95% CI (2.21, 8.71)] higher than that in the lowest quartile. Additionally, the population that was overweight or obese showed a stronger positive correlation.ConclusionSII has a positive correlation with VAT area in US adults. SII may be valuable in clinical applications to evaluate the severity of VAT area.

Cyber anti-intellectualism and science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, science communication played a crucial role in disseminating accurate information and promoting scientific literacy among the public. However, the rise of anti-intellectualism on social media platforms has posed significant challenges to science, scientists, and science communication, hindering effective public engagement with scientific affairs. This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which anti-intellectualism impacts science communication on social media platforms from the perspective of communication effect theory.MethodThis study employed a cross-sectional research design to conduct an online questionnaire survey of Chinese social media users from August to September 2021. The survey results were analyzed via descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and a chain mediation model with SPSS 26.0.ResultsThere were significant differences in anti-intellectualism tendency among groups of different demographic characteristics. The majority of respondents placed greater emphasis on knowledge that has practical benefits in life. Respondents’ trust in different groups of intellectuals showed significant inconsistencies, with economists and experts receiving the lowest levels of trust. Anti-intellectualism significantly and positively predicted the level of misconception of scientific and technological information, while significantly and negatively predicting individuals’ attitudes toward science communication. It further influenced respondents’ behavior in disseminating scientific and technological information through the chain mediation of scientific misconception and attitudes toward science communication.ConclusionThis research enriches the conceptual framework of anti-intellectualism across various cultural contexts, as well as the theoretical framework concerning the interaction between anti-intellectualism and science communication. The findings provide suggestions for developing strategies to enhance the effectiveness of science communication and risk communication during public emergencies.

Modelling of online shopping behavior in the Czech online environment.

The online environment has its own specifics, which shape the specific behavior of all market subjects, both customers and companies that trade electronically. The aim of the paper is to create, quantify and verify a conceptual comprehensive model of relationships between determinants that influence consumers when shopping online. The impetus for the conducted research was the discovery of the non-existence of a comprehensive model of online shopping behavior that reflects the specifics of the online environment. The main research method is the method of online questioning in the form of a questionnaire survey among a selected group of Czech respondents (n = 926) shopping online with the aim of evaluating the determinants of online shopping behavior. The results of the questionnaire survey are subsequently used to build a comprehensive model of online shopping behavior, which was statistically compiled and verified using the PLS-SEM method, which, based on statistical data, estimates the size and quality of the links between the measured (manifest) and assumed unmeasured (latent) variables. The results show that the selected factors (31 factors) explain up to 82.53% of the variability of the total variance. The results of the correlation analysis of the factors confirmed that the defined factors are not mutually dependent and that in the comprehensive model the factors are not only identified but also statistically significant. The results also confirmed that the correlation of e.g. psychological factors are stronger than dependence on other investigated factors in the comprehensive model of online shopping behavior. The research clearly showed that the key factors for customers when shopping online are Security and risk elimination (SE), together with the Online distribution and logistics (OD) and Online payments (OP). Impulsive online shopping was identified by customers as the least important factor. The validated model provides a comprehensive explanation of the current phenomenon of online shopping that integrates and extends previous studies identifying behavioral models of online shopping behavior.

Effectiveness of a Series of Road Humps on Home Zone Streets: A Case Study

Traffic calming measures are implemented more and more often in residential districts as part of home zone sustainability projects. For economic reasons, road humps are the most commonly used traffic calming measures to slow down the traffic within the home zone. Prefabricated units or concrete pavers are the materials of choice for their construction. The studies carried out so far on many different road hump types covered the effect of height, approach/departure ramp inclination(s), and intervals between successive humps on the final speed and the safety of road traffic. The impacts of braking before and acceleration after passing a hump on the pavement and the effect of the associated shocks on the riding comfort of both drivers and passengers and vehicle suspension were also investigated. What is missing in the available literature is information on the slowing effect of road humps depending on the longitudinal gradient of the street and the street’s landscaping. This article is intended to fill this gap by presenting the results of speed surveys carried out on three selected two-way streets located in home zones with different longitudinal gradients and a few humps of different designs that are placed at different intervals. Speeds were measured both before and after each of the successive humps. The “after” speeds were found to depend not only on the hump type and parameters but also on the direction of travel, vertical alignment of the street, parking location, and orientation of the parking space relative to the road axis.

Fukushima twelve years after the nuclear accident

PurposeThis paper analyzes the structure of recovery policies in Fukushima, discusses the current situation of the affected areas and the affected people of Fukushima 12 years after the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred and points out issues concerning revitalization of Fukushima based on the results of field surveys of the affected areas, as well as interviews and questionnaires of the affected people and literature reviews.Design/methodology/approachAfter the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred in March 2011, what policies have been implemented? To what extent have the affected areas of Fukushima been regenerated? To what extent have the affected people of Fukushima rebuilt their lives? What are the issues that need to be addressed for the revitalization of Fukushima? Since the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred, the author has continued to conduct field surveys of the affected areas, as well as interviews and questionnaires of the affected people, and literature review. This paper aims to answer three questions based on the results of these surveys and reviews.FindingsFirst, the nuclear disaster is characterized by its wide-area and long-term nature. Second, recovery of the affected areas by public projects do not have sufficient effect on rebuilding of the lives of the affected people since most of the affected people do not return to the affected areas. Third, it is necessary to establish a legal system for disaster prevention, recovery and revitalization suited to the characteristics of the nuclear disaster in order to promote rebuilding of the lives of the affected people and for the recovery of the affected areas.Originality/valueThere is little literature that has been systematically examined regarding the recovery from the Fukushima nuclear accident. This paper discusses the current status and issues of recovery from nuclear disaster 12 years after the nuclear accident, based on my experiences as the chairperson of the Fukushima Prefecture Recovery Planning Committee and the chairperson of the Recovery Planning Committee in several municipalities where evacuation orders were issued after the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred.

The Particularities of Russian-Chinese Economic Cooperation at the Present Stage: Scientists and Society’s Opinions

Introduction. In the context of the transformation of the international relations system and the world's movement towards a multipolar structure, Russian-Chinese relations have received a new impetus for development. The confrontation with the Western countries has opened a window of opportunity for deepening economic cooperation between the two countries. Despite the growth in trade turnover recorded in 2023, there remain areas of partnership with significant potential. At the same time, one of the main problems facing Russian-Chinese cooperation at the present stage is the shortage of competent personnel and the low level of knowledge of Russians and Chinese about each other.The article presents the results of sociological surveys conducted among Chinese students and specialists, which revealed their attitude towards cooperation with Russia. The surveys showed that young Chinese are interested in the development of Russian-Chinese relations, especially in the field of infrastructure projects. The study, conducted by MGIMO with the support of the CITIC Foundation, Beijing Normal University and China’s University of International Relations, identified the most promising areas for cooperation between the two countries.The purpose of this article is to analyze the current state and prospects of bilateral economic cooperation in some areas based on the results of sociological surveys of Chinese citizens of various age groups. Materials and methods. In the course of the work, such methods of scientific knowledge as analysis, synthesis, generalization, analogy, induction, deduction, forecasting were used; sociological surveys were conducted. Foreign and Russian scientific articles, statistical data, and media publications devoted to various aspects of the development of bilateral projects between Russia and China were used as research materials.Research results. The analysis of the data obtained revealed that the majority of respondents consider infrastructure sectors to be the most promising for cooperation between the two countries, and public-private partnership (PPP) is perceived as an effective mechanism for implementing Russian-Chinese infrastructure projects.Discussion and conclusion. The study showed that in the face of Western pressure on Russia and China, the two countries should deepen economic cooperation. The transformation of the world order and the growing influence of developing countries create favorable conditions for increasing cooperation. Chinese youth are interested in joint projects in the fields of infrastructure, transport, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, science, and tourism. The key role in the success of such cooperation is played by the training of qualified personnel. It is necessary to develop not only trade and economic ties, but also cultural, social, scientific and educational relations.

Ski Resort vs. Altitude and Latitude: Competitiveness from the Perspective of the Consumers

Serbian ski resorts’ altitude and latitude are lower than in most European ski resorts. In the context of climate change and the Serbian Government’s plans to keep opening new ski resorts, this study examines the competitiveness of Serbian ski resorts in the eyes of domestic tourists, hence the justification of new developments. This research was carried out in three steps: a statistical analysis of a survey conducted among domestic tourists, an interpretation of the context based on responses to open-ended questions, and a comparison of Serbia’s most popular ski resorts with leading ski resorts in Austria, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Italy, and France. The results showed that Serbian tourists focus on value for money, skiing, and ski infrastructure quality rather than additional activities such as cultural tours, entertainment, or wellness. In the context of international discussions on climate change impacts, environmental consequences of ski resorts, and survey results, we recommend that future strategies of ski resort operators in Serbia focus on developing and promoting complementary activities to winter sports and prioritizing the redevelopment of existing ski resorts rather than constructing new ones.

The role of networking competencies in social enterprise performance

Purpose – The goal of this research was to identify the need for networking competencies in social enterprises rated by the managerial personnel of social enterprises and academic staff of universities in Latvia. Research methodology – A survey among representatives of Latvian social enterprises and academic staff of Latvian higher education institutions (HEIs) was conducted. The data was processed by means of average ranking, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and one-way-ANOVA test. Findings – The analysis of the results of Latvian survey revealed that: 1) social enterprise per- sonnel and university academic staff rated the role of networking competencies in social enterprise performance differently; 2) social enterprises rated cooperation with local governments higher and with industry associations as less important than the group of university academic staff. Research limitations – The research is limited to the analysis of only networking competencies. Practical implications – The research results contribute to the institutional framework for the social entrepreneurship ecosystem through recommendations to universities in creating training programmes of social entrepreneurship competencies. Originality/Value – The conducted empirical study is the first study of its kind in the Latvian social enterprise ecosystem, and it offers unique data that can be used for planning the development of networking competencies.

Environmental impact of the launch vehicle "Soyuz-FG" emergency falling in Kazakhstan.

On October 11, 2018, in the Ulytau region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Soyuz-FG launch vehicle carrying a crewed MS-10 spacecraft failed. It resulted in the release into the fragile arid ecosystems of rocket propellants, i.e., jet fuel of toxic hazard class 4 and carcinogenic unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine (heptyl, UDMH). In this paper, we described the results of soil surveys conducted in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. In the fragile arid ecosystems in Central Kazakhstan, due to the emergency falling of the launch vehicle, environmental consequences were registered at a total area of about 1350 m2, including spillage of jet fuel and UDMH in the territories of 400 m2 and 9 m2, respectively. The third stage disintegrated and fell down within an area of 4.4 km2. Immediately after the emergency crash of the second stage, the content of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) reached 1645mg/kg, decreasing 10 times in 3.5years. At the fuel tank falling site, the concentration of highly toxic carcinogenic UDMH and nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) reached 22 and 9mg/kg, which is many times higher than the maximum permissible concentrations. Four years after reclamation, the content of both substances did not exceed 0.05mg/kg-the lower limit of sensitivity of a highly performed liquid chromatography. The content of TPHs, water-soluble Cl- and SO42-, and alkalinity from CO32- was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in autumn of 2022, and the content of total N, water-soluble NO3- and NO2-, and alkalinity from HCO3- was higher in spring of 2023. In spring and autumn, the content of exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+, cation exchange capacity was similar (p > 0.05). The presented materials can be used to optimize the restoration of disturbed arid ecosystems and future monitoring work at sites of regular landing of the first stages and emergency crash sites of launch vehicles.

Postgraduate medical education in obstetrics and gynecology in Switzerland in comparison to Germany and Austria: the results of an international survey.

There is frequent academic exchange between Switzerland, Germany and Austria, facilitated by the common language. Additionally, the postgraduate training curricula in obstetrics and gynecology show some similarities. We aimed to compare self-perceived level of ability, availability of simulation training and teaching and feedback culture among residents in obstetrics and gynecology in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The focus was on Switzerland to gain a better understanding of strengths and room for improvement. With a cross-sectional design, a web-based survey with 30 questions was distributed to obstetrics and gynecology residents in the three countries in August and September 2020. The primary outcome was the self-perception of skills in between-country comparisons of mid-training trainees, i.e., omitting trainees in their first year as well as very advanced trainees and specialists. The secondary outcomes were reported teaching, simulation training and feedback culture. German and Austrian responses were calculated together and compared with the Swiss replies. A total of 422 participants took part in the survey, 27.5% (n = 116) of whom were from Switzerland, corresponding to a questionnaire response rate of approximately 19%. 48% of Swiss trainees were in training years 2-5. 57% of Swiss participants felt confident in obstetric procedures and 69% in gynecological procedures, compared to 52% and 68% of non-Swiss participants (p = 0.005 and p = 0.176, respectively). Swiss participants felt significantly more confident in performing gynecological than obstetric procedures (p = 0.015). A total of 63% of the Swiss participants had obstetric simulation training, and 28% had gynecological simulation training compared to 37% and 17% in Germany and Austria, respectively (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007). 56% of Swiss participants reported "sufficient structured teaching", 43% reported a "good teaching culture", 47% of Swiss participants stated that they received regular feedback. The majority of trainees in Switzerland feel confident in a range of procedures and interventions. Simulation training is relatively widespread, although in particular surgical simulation training should be expanded. Clinical teaching and feedback culture should be strengthened. "Teach the teacher" courses should be encouraged to promote a sustainable feedback culture.