Search

Background: Working long consecutive hours' is common for anaesthesia and critical care physicians. It is associated with impaired medical reasoning's performance of anaesthesiology and serious medical errors. However, no study has yet investigated the impact of working long consecutive hours' on medical reasoning. Objective: The present study evaluated the impact of working long consecutive hours' on the medical reasoning's performance of anaesthesiology and intensive care physicians (residents and seniors). Methods: This multicentric, prospective, cross-over study was conducted in 5 public hospitals of Normandy region. Two groups of anaesthesia and critical care physicians were formed. One was in a rest group, RG (after a 48-hours weekend without hospital work) and the other in Sleep Deprivation Group (SDG) after a 24 h-consecutives-shift. Changes in medical reasoning's performance were measured by 69-items script concordance tests (SCT) through to the two tests. Group A completed the first part of the assessment (Set A) after a weekend without work and the second part (Set B) after a 24 h-shift; group B did the same in reverse order. The primary outcome was medical reasoning's performance as measured by SCT in RG and SDG. The secondary outcomes included association between the performance with the demographic data, variation of the KSS (Karolinska sleepiness scale) daytime alertness score, the number of 24 h-shift during the previous 30 days, the vacations during the previous 30 days, the presence of more or less than 4 h consecutives hours slept, the management of a stressful event during the shift, the different resident years, the place where the shift took place (University hospital or general hospitals) and the type of shift (anaesthesia or intensive care). Results: 84 physicians (26 physicians and 58 residents) were included. RG exhibited significantly higher performance scores than SDG (68 ± 8 vs. 65 ± 9, respectively; p = 0.008). We found a negative correlation between the number of 24 h-shifts performed during the previous month and the variation of medical reasoning's performance and no significant variation between professionals who slept 4 h or less and those who slept more than 4 h consecutively during the shift (-4 ± 11 vs. -2 ± 11; p = 0.42). Conclusion: Our study suggests that medical reasoning' performance of anaesthesiologists, measured by the SCT, is reduced after 24 h-shift than after rest period. Working long consecutive hours' and many shifts should be avoided to prevent the occurrence of medical errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) being a cost-effective intervention for preventing HIV transmission, its scale-up has faced challenges. Several interventions to address these challenges in priority countries, including Uganda, have not yielded the desired results. This cross-sectional qualitative study aimed to explore the factors that affect the demand for VMMC and identify possible solutions. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 29 males aged at least 18 and not more than 65 drawn randomly from a database representative of the general population maintained by an independent research organisation. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted, and data analysis was done using NVivo version 12. The results were presented in narrative format with supporting quotes. The study received ethical and regulatory clearance to be conducted in Uganda. The average age of the respondents was 28 years. Almost all respondents had some education, and most lived in rural areas. Two themes were generated, namely, 1) deficits and opportunities for VMMC, which are issues that currently hinder the uptake of VMMC but, if addressed, would lead to better demand, and 2) pivots and shifts for VMMC, which are changes that need to be made to improve the uptake of VMMC. We found that several challenges, including myths, misconceptions, health system gaps, and uncertainties about the postoperative period, hindered the uptake of VMMC. Pivots and shifts for improving the uptake of VMMC include intensifying VMMC campaigns, addressing inequities, and addressing access barriers. We concluded that several challenges, including myths and misconceptions, health system-related gaps, and uncertainties in the post-circumcision period, persist and negatively impact the scale-up of VMMC in Uganda. VMMC beneficiaries have plausible proposals for addressing challenges. The Uganda Ministry of Health should address the myths, misconceptions, health system-related gaps, and uncertainties about the postoperative period and should involve VMMC beneficiaries in reviewing interventions to address gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Working long consecutive hours’ is common for anaesthesia and critical care physicians. It is associated with impaired medical reasoning’s performance of anaesthesiology and serious medical errors. However, no study has yet investigated the impact of working long consecutive hours’ on medical reasoning. Objective The present study evaluated the impact of working long consecutive hours’ on the medical reasoning’s performance of anaesthesiology and intensive care physicians (residents and seniors). Methods This multicentric, prospective, cross-over study was conducted in 5 public hospitals of Normandy region. Two groups of anaesthesia and critical care physicians were formed. One was in a rest group, RG (after a 48-hours weekend without hospital work) and the other in Sleep Deprivation Group (SDG) after a 24 h-consecutives-shift. Changes in medical reasoning’s performance were measured by 69-items script concordance tests (SCT) through to the two tests. Group A completed the first part of the assessment (Set A) after a weekend without work and the second part (Set B) after a 24 h-shift; group B did the same in reverse order. The primary outcome was medical reasoning’s performance as measured by SCT in RG and SDG. The secondary outcomes included association between the performance with the demographic data, variation of the KSS (Karolinska sleepiness scale) daytime alertness score, the number of 24 h-shift during the previous 30 days, the vacations during the previous 30 days, the presence of more or less than 4 h consecutives hours slept, the management of a stressful event during the shift, the different resident years, the place where the shift took place (University hospital or general hospitals) and the type of shift (anaesthesia or intensive care). Results 84 physicians (26 physicians and 58 residents) were included. RG exhibited significantly higher performance scores than SDG (68 ± 8 vs. 65 ± 9, respectively; p = 0.008). We found a negative correlation between the number of 24 h-shifts performed during the previous month and the variation of medical reasoning’s performance and no significant variation between professionals who slept 4 h or less and those who slept more than 4 h consecutively during the shift (-4 ± 11 vs. -2 ± 11; p = 0.42). Conclusion Our study suggests that medical reasoning’ performance of anaesthesiologists, measured by the SCT, is reduced after 24 h-shift than after rest period. Working long consecutive hours’ and many shifts should be avoided to prevent the occurrence of medical errors.

In this paper we initiate the study of the forward and backward shifts on the discrete generalized Hardy space of a tree and the discrete generalized little Hardy space of a tree. In particular, we investigate when these shifts are bounded, find the norm of the shifts if they are bounded, characterize the trees in which they are an isometry, compute the spectrum in some concrete examples, and completely determine when they are hypercyclic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An example in the article shows that the first derivative of sharing CM and IM with its shift cannot obtain they are equal. In this paper, we study the uniqueness of meromorphic function sharing small functions with their shifts concerning its th derivatives. We use a different method from Qi and Yang [1] to improves entire function to meromorphic function, the first derivative to the th derivatives, and also finite values to small functions. As for , we obtain: Let be a transcendental meromorphic function of , let be a nonzero finite value, and let be two distinct small functions of such that is a periodic function with period and is any small function of . If and share CM, and share IM, then either or where is a nonconstant entire function of such that . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the uniqueness problem concerning the j-th derivative of a meromorphic function f(z) and the k-th derivative of its shift, f(z + c), where j, k are integers with 0 ≤ j < k. In this regard, our work surpasses the achievements of [2], as we have improved upon the existing results and provided a more refined understanding of this specific aspect. We give some illustrative examples to enhance the realism of the obtained outcomes. Denote by E(a, f) the set of all zeros of f-a, where each zero with multiplicity m is counted m times. In the paper proved, in particular, the following statement: Let f(z) be a non-constant meromorphic function of finite order, c be a non-zero finite complex number and j, k be integers such that 0 ≤ j < k. If f(j)(z) and f(k)(z + c) have the same a-points for a finite value a(̸= 0) and satisfy conditions... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ellipsis is a cohesive device that omits an element or elements in a sentence whose interpretation depends on presupposition in the context; it is about linguistic changes that occur in translation. This study aims to describe ellipsis, shift and their effect on meaning in French-English translation. The study is a qualitative research study carried out manually on Madame Bovary. The novel is wholly read, and passages of the novel which demonstrate cohesive devices of ellipsis and shift are selected and analysed. This study is supported by Halliday and Hasan's theory (1976) of textual cohesion and Catford's theory (1965) of translation shifts. The analysis reveals that English is more elliptical, whereas French is more demonstrative due to some language peculiarities and language norms. It specifies that some language peculiarities (concreteness and abstractness) and language norms (language usage options) are determinants of the translation procedures of ellipsis from French into English. Class shift and modulation are the translation procedures that are more functional than other shift categories and translation procedures in dealing with ellipses in French-English translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term ecological research of deep Lake Mondsee covers over more than six decades of phytoplankton observation. According to our study, phytoplankton groups of various phenological traits are suitable to address the impact of two major environmental stressors: nutrient surplus by eutrophication from 1968 to 1998 and warming by climate change. Here, we focus on phytoplankton biovolume, phytoplankton assemblage structure, net changes rates, and phytoplankton biodiversity. Biweekly net change-dependent persistence of phytoplankton assemblages followed a dome-shaped relationship of observations. A short-term persistence of taxonomic traits along weeks is predominant and contributes to the structural stabilization of phytoplankton assemblages. This short-term persistence is interpreted by the benefit of lifetime adjustment of phytoplankton organisms. The long-term development phytoplankton structure is discussed as an alignment of organisms over generations. Single key taxa, as Planktothrix rubescens (De Candolle ex Gomont) Anagnostidis &Komárek 1988, which are omnipotent players in phytoplankton assemblages and occur during different environmental scenarios in the long-term, are most suitable for long-term ecological research. Our findings interpret that phytoplankton taxa are excellent organisms to track the impact of environmental constraints due to their short generation time (1), their lifetime adjustment (2), and the re-occurrence in the long-term over generations (3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Current evidence supports associations between circadian, sleep, and mood disturbances. However, it is still debated to what extent different chronobiological and mood variables act independently or in synergy to impact health. Methods This study assesses how these variables interact to affect depressive symptoms and sleep quality in 26 Uruguayan dancers (age=22.27±2.43) training in the morning (n=9) or in the night shift (n=17). Participants completed the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Results Participants reported high social jetlag (1.58±1.45h), late chronotypes (05:43±01:35), and poor sleep quality (6.77±2.67), while adequate sleep duration (7.10±1.31h) and minimal depression (7.15±3.62), without differences across shifts. Depressive symptoms increased as sleep quality worsened (F(1,21)=20.66, p

Mosses are particularly susceptible to climate change owing to their close biological and ecological associations with climatic conditions. However, there is a limited understanding of the changes in distribution patterns of the moss species in forest ecosystems under climate change, especially in mosses with narrow ranges. Therefore, we reconstructed historical, simulated present, and predicted future potential distribution patterns of Didymodon validus, a narrow-range moss species in the forest ecosystem, using the MaxEnt model. The aim of this study was to explore its unique suitable habitat preference, the key environmental factors affecting its distribution, and the distributional changes of D. validus under climate change at a long spatial-time scale. Our findings indicate that the most suitable locations for D. validus are situated in high-altitude regions of southwestern China. Elevation and mean temperature in the wettest quarter were identified as key factors influencing D. validus distribution patterns. Our predictions showed that despite the dramatic climatic and spatial changes over a long period of time, the range of D. validus was not radically altered. From the Last Interglacial (LIG) to the future, the area of the highly suitable habitat of D. validus accounted for only 15.3%–16.4% of the total area, and there were weak dynamic differences in D. validus at different climate stages. Under the same climate scenarios, the area loss of suitable habitat is mainly concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the current habitat, while it may increase in the southern and eastern margins. In future climate scenarios, the distribution core zone of suitable habitat will shift to the southwest for a short distance. Even under the conditions of future climate warming, this species may still exist both in the arid and humid regions of the QTP in China. In summary, D. validus showed cold and drought resistance. Our study provides important insights and support for understanding the impact of climate change on the distribution of D. validus, as well as its future distribution and protection strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverend Frank Chikane represented shifts in Pentecostal beliefs and practices. He found it difficult to accept Christians who spoke in tongues on Sundays but oppressed others on Mondays. He found this hypocrisy to be the worst contradiction he had to contend with. He recognised the separation of spiritual, physical and social. He divided the church’s service to the world into three categories. The first is the ‘status quo’, that is the church, which ensures stability as long as the political system gives it space to proclaim the gospel. He called the second category ‘passage theology’. This refers to those who see themselves as passers-by in this troubled world, and therefore do not care about the politics of this world. The third category is the ‘involvement’ category. Of these three categories, Chikane chose the third. Based on the category of involvement, the author argues that Chikane is the epitome of shifts in Pentecostal beliefs and practices. To this end, the author will uncover and examine the core beliefs and practices of Pentecostalism, setting out the factors that gave rise to Chikane and also highlighting those that mark shifts in his spiritual agency. In the end, the author concludes that Chikane is indeed a catalyst for shifts in the practice of the African Pentecostal tradition today. The pattern of methodological approach followed in this article is the study of synthesised literature from libraries, particularly the sources that assisted me to gain insight into Chikane. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article argues that Rev. Frank Chikane, through his ministry praxis, epitomises shifts in Pentecostal beliefs and practices. Although it is located in the field of missiology, it also has interdisciplinary implications for disciplines such as sociology, practical theology, and church history.

One common challenge in security system management is the scheduling of security guards' work. Proper work scheduling is essential to prevent physical and psychological fatigue, which can negatively impact their performance. The scheduling process is influenced by factors such as the number of security personnel and the shift arrangements. This study aims to apply the goal programming method to optimize the scheduling of security guards. The research utilizes LINGO 17.0 software for assistance. The research process includes problem identification, data collection, determination of variables and parameters, formulation of goal programming models, solving these models using LINGO 17.0 software, analysis of the results, and the compilation of work schedules for security guards. The study's findings indicate that the established constraints have been met, and the number of working hours and days off for security guards has been optimized, resulting in an efficient schedule.

Some minor changes in the process of translation can lead to large deviations, especially in religious texts. Therefore, the present paper tries to address this issue through a descriptive and comparative study of translations of the Qur'an into English (Shakir and Arbery) and Persian (Elahi Ghomshei and Ansarian). To this end, van Leuven-Zwart's descriptive and comparative model was used, which is in accordance with the descriptive translation studies paradigm. According to van Leuven-Zwart, integral translation is a type of translation, where the translator is not allowed to add or delete anything beyond the sentence level. Two forms of shifts can happen: at the micro level (clauses and phrases) and at the macro level (characterization and point of view). Presenting a rather complicated model, she attempts to reveal how the micro level can lead to the macro level. Findings show that the two Persian translations are more integral than the two English versions. This is perhaps because Iranian translators have more competency over the Qur' an or religious concepts in Persian and Arabic are quite similar; therefore, the strategy of borrowing can be used for many Qur' anic terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of time users have to wait influences their mode of transportation choice. Commuters don't like to wait in the bus station, especially when the weather is terrible and for the purpose of keeping appointments. Scheduling buses to the various bus terminals will meet the commuter's needs. The aim of the study is to reduce the waiting time of commuters at bus station and to assign buses to each route. A mathematical model called linear programming (LP) was developed to schedule buses to improve the smooth process of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The linear programming model was applied to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) data in Lagos State. The proposed method generated three (3) shifts from 6 - 11am in the morning, 11 - 4pm in the midday and 4 - 9pm in the evening subject to two (2) shifts of fifteen (15) hours to reduce the number of hours buses operate per day and also allocated buses for each route for weekdays with five (5) hours per each shift instead of seven (7) hours buses operated per shift. A properly implemented strategy would significantly decrease passengers' long waits at bus stops, reduce the breakdown of buses, man-hours lost, and allows commuters to meet their various schedule for works, meetings, and other assignments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, shift work is evaluated from the carriers’ perspective as employers. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to outline the characteristics of an innovative software application that would enable human resource managers to take railway workers’ satisfaction or the difficulty of a job into account when creating shift plans. This article includes an overview of the prevailing methods of handling railway shift worker scheduling and a list and description of the empirical methods for creating shifts. Next, the consideration given to the interests and preferences of employees regarding shift types is described. We then outline possible changes, especially changes utilising mathematical formulas. These patterns and considerations are verified through actual shifts and questionnaires distributed to a select group of employees. An actual shift of conductors at the Czech national carrier České dráhy is chosen for the case study. Finally, a proposal of a software system that takes employee preferences into account and permits the scheduling of blocks of free days is described. From the development point of view, the aim of this software is to achieve maximum satisfaction after subjective requirements are considered, thus ensuring, from the human resource management perspective, a higher degree of railway employees’ satisfaction, leading to better quality services and improved rail transport.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complication rate of laparoscopic appendectomy in children operated on during the daytime versus nighttime. Methods: A total of 303 children who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two study groups. The first group consisted of the patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during the day shift from 07:00–21:00 (n = 171), while the patients in the second group underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during the night shift from 21:00–07:00 (n = 132). The groups were compared for baseline clinical and laboratory data, treatment outcomes, and complications. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables, while the Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. A two-sided Fisher's exact test was used when the frequency of events in a certain cell was low. All p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The proportion of complicated appendicitis was almost the same in both patient groups (n = 63, 36.8% vs. n = 49, 37.1%, p = 0.960). Out of the total number of patients presenting during the daytime and nighttime, 11 (6.4%) and 10 (7.6%) developed a postoperative complication, respectively (p = 0.697). Additionally, rates of readmission (n = 5 (2.9%) vs. n = 2 (1.5%); p = 0.703), redo-surgery (n = 3 (1.7%) vs. n = 0; p = 0.260), conversion to open surgery (n = 0 vs. n = 1 (0.8%); p = 0.435) and length of hospital stay (n = 3 (IQR 1, 5) vs. n = 3 (IQR 2, 5); p = 0.368) did not differ significantly between daytime and nighttime appendectomies. The duration of the surgery was significantly shorter in patients presenting during the day than in those presenting at night (26 min (IQR 22, 40) vs. 37 min (31, 46); p < 0.001). Conclusions: Different shift times did not affect the treatment outcomes or complication rates for children receiving laparoscopic appendectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given scalars an(≠ 0) and bn, n≤0, the tridiagonal kernel or band kernel with bandwidth 1 is the positive definite kernel k on the open unit disc D defined by ... This defines a reproducing kernel Hilbert space Hk (known as tridiagonal space) of analytic functions on D with ... as an orthonormal basis. We consider shift operators Mz on Hk and prove that Mz is left-invertible if and only if {/an/an+1/}n≤0 is bounded away from zero. We find that, unlike the case of weighted shifts, Shimorin models for left-invertible operators fail to bring to the foreground the tridiagonal structure of shifts. In fact, the tridiagonal structure of a kernel k, as above, is preserved under Shimorin models if and only if b0 = 0 or that Mz is a weighted shift. We prove concrete classification results concerning invariance of tridiagonality of kernels, Shimorin models, and positive operators. We also develop a computational approach to Aluthge transforms of shifts. Curiously, in contrast to direct kernel space techniques, often Shimorin models fail to yield tridi- agonal Aluthge transforms of shifts defined on tridiagonal spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosses are particularly susceptible to climate change owing to their close biological and ecological associations with climatic conditions. However, there is a limited understanding of the changes in distribution patterns of the moss species in forest ecosystems under climate change, especially in mosses with narrow ranges. Therefore, we reconstructed historical, simulated present, and predicted future potential distribution patterns of Didymodon validus, a narrow-range moss species in the forest ecosystem, using the MaxEnt model. The aim of this study was to explore its unique suitable habitat preference, the key environmental factors affecting its distribution, and the distributional changes of D. validus under climate change at a long spatial-time scale. Our findings indicate that the most suitable locations for D. validus are situated in high-altitude regions of southwestern China. Elevation and mean temperature in the wettest quarter were identified as key factors influencing D. validus distribution patterns. Our predictions showed that despite the dramatic climatic and spatial changes over a long period of time, the range of D. validus was not radically altered. From the Last Interglacial (LIG) to the future, the area of the highly suitable habitat of D. validus accounted for only 15.3%–16.4% of the total area, and there were weak dynamic differences in D. validus at different climate stages. Under the same climate scenarios, the area loss of suitable habitat is mainly concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the current habitat, while it may increase in the southern and eastern margins. In future climate scenarios, the distribution core zone of suitable habitat will shift to the southwest for a short distance. Even under the conditions of future climate warming, this species may still exist both in the arid and humid regions of the QTP in China. In summary, D. validus showed cold and drought resistance. Our study provides important insights and support for understanding the impact of climate change on the distribution of D. validus, as well as its future distribution and protection strategies.

Why you should read this article: • To recognise that nurses who work floating shifts can find the experience stressful • To understand the causes of stress in nurses who work floating shifts • To be aware of strategies that can be used to alleviate stress in nurses who work floating shifts Background: Nurses working in hospitals may occasionally be reassigned to other wards for various reasons, for example to cover sudden absences or to support heavier-than-usual workloads. This practice is known as 'floating shifts'. Aim: To assess how nurses are affected by the stress of working floating shifts, to understand what causes and alleviates this stress and to identify strategies that can be used to reduce stress. Method: A cross-sectional research study which used an online survey. Results: Data were collected from 1,334 nurses in nine Finnish hospitals. Of these respondents, 63% (n=846) had worked floating shifts. Data analysis showed that having worked floating shifts in the past 12 months was not associated with increased reports of ongoing stress. However, respondents identified factors that they found stressful during floating shifts, such as the lack of a work partner. Conclusion: Nurse managers should consider how floating shifts are administered so that nurses feel supported when working on a different ward or unit. Nurse managers can greatly influence nurses' ability to manage floating shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To be aware of the potential benefits of flexible working initiatives such as self-rostering in addressing recruitment and retention issues in the nursing profession • To understand that self-rostering may enhance nurses' work-life balance and job satisfaction • To recognise that the implementation of self-rostering initiatives must be assessed for suitability on an area-by-area basis Nursing vacancies are high across the UK, with some nurses considering leaving the profession. Evidence suggests that employers, including the NHS, need to be more flexible about working times to support employees' work-life balance and job satisfaction. Self-rostering is one approach that has the potential to enhance nurses' work-life balance and job satisfaction, enabling scope for greater autonomy. This could in turn lead to fewer nurses leaving the profession and contribute to making nursing more attractive as a career. This literature review focused on nurses in the NHS and found that self-rostering had a positive effect on their work-life balance and job satisfaction. However, a move to self-rostering can pose challenges and it should be assessed for suitability before implementation. Given the nursing vacancy crisis in the UK and many nurses' intentions to leave the profession, the potential benefits of self-rostering for nurses cannot be overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives A substantial portion of the service sector workforce is middle-aged or older, but little is known about the scheduling conditions of these older workers. This study describes the quality of work schedules in the service sector by age and tests associations of unpredictable schedules with well-being and job retention among workers ages 50–80. Research Design and Methods The Shift Project collected survey data on detailed working conditions and health from 121,408 service sector workers, recruited in 2017–2020 using social media advertisements. Survey weights aligned sample demographics with the American Community Survey, and multiple imputation addressed missingness. Ordinary least squares regression models were used to examine associations between age and schedule stability, and ordinary least squares, ordinal logit, and logit regression models tested associations between schedule stability and well-being and job retention outcomes for older workers. Results Scheduling conditions were more stable and predictable for older compared to younger workers; however, more than 80% of workers ages 50–80 experienced one or more types of routine schedule instability. Among workers ages 50–80, unpredictable schedules were associated with psychological distress, poor-quality sleep, work–family conflict, economic insecurity, job dissatisfaction, and intentions to look for a new job. Canceled and back-to-back closing and opening ("clopening") shifts were most strongly associated with negative outcomes. Discussion and Implications Policies aimed at improving scheduling conditions hold promise to benefit older service workers' well-being. As the population ages, improving work schedules in the years approaching retirement may be important to longer working lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable and valid instruments are essential for understanding fatigue in occupational settings. This study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion/Recovery (OFER). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 260 workers (M = 46.52 ± 13.16 years) from a textile industry, exposed to shift work. Convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. Results showed an adequate fit to data (χ2 (84) = 209,102, CFI = 0.936, GFI = 0.902, RMSEA = 0.076 CI90% (0.063–0.089)), yielding a 13-item, three factor structure. Two items were removed due to low factor loading. The OFER presented an adequate internal consistency, with the subscales presenting good reliability values (Chronic Fatigue (α = 0.81), Acute Fatigue (α = 0.84) and Recovery between Shifts (α = 0.77)). Findings suggest that the Portuguese version of OFER can be a useful tool to assess occupational fatigue of shift workers and prevent work related injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the changes in China's diplomacy in the past seven decades based on the diachronic corpus of Chinese diplomatic discourse from 1949 to 2018 using corpus based critical discourse analysis theoretical insights. The study examines the targeted keywords used in the seven periods of Chinese diplomatic discourse and their significant collocations. The results show that China has worked with the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and some Asian, Latin American, and African countries to safeguard world peace while opposing war, establish good relations with these countries, and promote mutual development through cooperation. In addition, China's diplomacy has experienced politics-oriented and economy-oriented eras and is now in an era of global sustainable development. Therefore, Chinese diplomatic discourse is the linguistic representation of China's diplomacy, fundamentally determined by its national interests and changing social and historical situations domestically and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our 18-month exploratory qualitative study explored the impacts of COVID-19 on social service delivery in the mid-island region of Vancouver Island, Canada to contribute to meaningful local practice and to add to evolving social work knowledge regarding pandemics. Method: Interviews were held at six-monthly intervals with representatives from 12 social service nonprofit and government organizations. The study demonstrates that the challenges and stressors of this period have resulted in both a re-affirming of relational social work practice alongside some re-making of social service delivery. The study confirms expectations of COVID-19 entrenching inequities, deepening needs, and creating new categories of service users while also taxing service providers. The value of face-to-face engagement is underscored as foundational to effective social work, though how this is effected has changed. A hybrid model of social service delivery has emerged blending in-person and remote approaches. Policy engagement has shifted in the short-term allowing greater visibility of complex service provider issues. Workplace conditions have altered, and placement options have expanded. These developments offer a tenuous template for the future, though whether such social service delivery remaking is temporary or not remains unclear. The research concludes that pandemic conditions will prompt immediate adaptation and innovation, but that evaluation is needed to identify which measures are sustainable in dealing with a prolonged pandemic and to anticipate future disruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For each isometry V acting on some Hilbert space and a pair of vectors f and g in the same Hilbert space, we associate a nonnegative number c(V; f, g) defined by c (V ; f , g) = (‖ f ‖ 2 - ‖ V ∗ f ‖ 2 ) ‖ g ‖ 2 + | 1 + ⟨ V ∗ f , g ⟩ | 2. We prove that the rank-one perturbation V + f ⊗ g is left-invertible if and only if c (V ; f , g) ≠ 0. We also consider examples of rank-one perturbations of isometries that are shift on some Hilbert space of analytic functions. Here, shift refers to the operator of multiplication by the coordinate function z. Finally, we examine D + f ⊗ g , where D is a diagonal operator with nonzero diagonal entries and f and g are vectors with nonzero Fourier coefficients. We prove that D + f ⊗ g is left-invertible if and only if D + f ⊗ g is invertible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let { a n } n ≥ 0 and { b n } n ≥ 0 be sequences of scalars. Suppose a n ≠ 0 for all n ≥ 0 . We consider the tridiagonal kernel (also known as band kernel with bandwidth one) as k (z , w) = ∑ n = 0 ∞ ((a n + b n z) z n) ((a n + b n w) w n) ¯ (z , w ∈ D) , where D = { z ∈ C : | z | < 1 } . Denote by M z the multiplication operator on the reproducing kernel Hilbert space corresponding to the kernel k. Assume that M z is left-invertible. We prove that M z = compact + isometry if and only if | b n a n - b n + 1 a n + 1 | → 0 and | a n a n + 1 | → 1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Specialization in medical professions is considered a challenging and intensive period due to the number and sequence of duty hours. Considering the effect of duty hours on residents, both physically and mentally, several models have been created over the years to address this complexity. The two main model schools aim to decrease the duty hour length and night shift (i.e., night float, NF) frequency. In recent years, duty hours have become a source of disagreement and frustration among the medical community, both residents and attendings. A possible change in the duty hour structure may affect residents in terms of several parameters, such as patient safety, the well-being of the physician and the degree of training of the resident. Purpose (1) To investigate medical residents’ perspectives on their duty hours utilizing online questionnaires on their effect on the work environment and (2) to assess residents’ preferences in relation to the suggested shortened shift and NF models. Methods Questionnaires were emailed to all residents (main residents and fellows) at an Israeli tertiary medical center between March 2020 and April 2020. Questions were scored from 1 (disagree) to 5 (fully agree). Results Two hundred and sixty residents (227 main residents, 43 fellows) participated in the study (40% female). The score for the degree of balance between work and personal life was low (0.9±1.99). The shortened shift model was perceived by the residents as more compatible with a balanced lifestyle than the NF model (3.77 ± 1.20 and 3.14 ± 1.26, respectively, P

The aim of the work was to study and evaluate structural changes in the economy of the regions of the North at the present stage of their development (in the period from 2015 to 2019). On the basis of the methodology previously developed by the author for assessing structural shifts, twenty types of economic activity were grouped into two large spheres: production and non-production (services), each consisting of four combined industries. For these economic spheres and industries, an assessment of sectoral and then territorial structural shifts in the period 2015–2019 was carried out. It was found that in the structure of the economy of the regions of the North during this period, the vector of development changed towards an increase in the share of the production sector and a decrease in the non-production sector by 4,4 %, whereas in the previous period 2005–2015, the opposite picture was observed. The high rates of development of the production sector in all regions of the North were revealed, while it grew most rapidly in the West Siberian region due to the extensive development of new gas fields and the construction of new largest LNG complex in the North on the Yamal Peninsula. As a result, the share of GRP in the Northern zone increased in the country from 13,2 % in 2015 to 14,5 % in 2019, and the pace of development was outstripping: 144,6 % versus 129,2 % in the Russian Federation. It is noted that the pace and volume of both sectoral and territorial structural shifts in the production sector in almost all regions of the North zone are almost entirely related to both the scale of investments directed to the development of their economy and the current situation for their resources in the world commodity markets.

Purpose: This research aims to study whether the time of day impacts the outcome of laparoscopic appendectomy. Peri/post-operative data including type of surgery, operating room time, length of stay, re-hospitalization rates, and short/long term morbidity and mortality were assembled and analyzed. Methods: A retrospective review of all patient's charts who underwent an appendectomy for acute appendicitis at the Acute Care Surgery division at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) from December 2017 to July 2020 was performed. Our institution implemented SAGES protocol to patients with laparoscopic appendectomy. Medical history, symptoms, duration of symptoms, type of treatment, complication, experience level of surgeons in different shift, morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay were extracted and analyzed. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the odds ratio (OR) and the correlation of variables with different surgical groups. A total of 1001 patients were included in this study and underwent laparoscopic appendectomy, 51.3% were operated during the daytime shifts and 48.7% during the nighttime shifts. The majority of surgeries were operated during the nighttime shift C (1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.). Neither there was any difference in clinical outcomes nor day/night operation time with physicians. A statistically significant correlation was found between hospital-stay of patients with different surgical group (OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 0.75–0.93, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Appendectomy conducted at night is correlated with similar complications as appendectomy performed during the day, and that the varied shift hours had no effect on the complication rates or on the quality of care provided to patients at our hospital.

Purpose: At least half of surgical complications can be avoided by using surgical checklists. However, universal implementation and compliance have been reported as being variable. Patients undergoing urgent surgical intervention are at increased risk for complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the checklist compliance together with the complication rate during day and night shifts in a European University hospital. Methods: 51 and 52 consecutive patients who had surgery during day and night shifts were included. The primary outcome measures were compliance and completeness of the WHO safety checklist. The occurrence of postoperative complications was investigated. Results: The analysis included 103 surgical procedures. The mean compliance rate of use was 93% and the mean completeness rate was 22%. After operations were broken down by day or night shift, we found that checklists were less often available in night shifts compared to day shifts. The completeness of the checklist and the occurrence of postoperative complications did not differ between day and night shifts. Conclusion: This study reports worse checklists availability in night shifts when compared to day shifts, but complication rates did not increase. Further studies are warranted to investigate postoperative complication rates together with checklist compliance in day versus night shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substitution is a discoursal grammatical cohesion; it replaces an element with a substitute with the same structural function as the substituted element. This paper investigates the language norms and translation norms of substitution in the literary text; it describes the occurrence of substitution and its structural effect in translation. The investigation is done on two novels, Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert and Strait is the Gate by André Gide. This study follows Halliday and Hasan's theory (1976) of cohesion and Catford's (1965) theory of translation shifts. First, the whole text is read; then, data are identified, categorized, and analyzed. The investigation reveals that English uses substitution in cases where French uses other cohesive ties like reference, ellipsis, and repetition. The shift category used to achieve substitution cohesiveness is a class shift determined by language peculiarity norms of the source and target languages. The research, therefore, reveals that the translator's invisibility and the inviolability of language norms enhance the literariness and acceptability of the target text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In [37] the author finds a graded minimal free resolution of the 2-nd order symbolic power of a general star configuration in ℙ n of any codimension r, which generalizes the result of Galetto et al. in [18, Theorem 5.3], and of Geramita et al. in [20, Theorem 3.2]. In [33] we find a graded minimal free resolution of the m-th order symbolic power of a general star configuration in ℙ n of codimension r for m = 3, 4 with m ≤ r , and also find them for codimension 2 with any m ≥ 2. In this paper, we show how to find a closed formula of graded Betti numbers and shifts of the symbolic power of a general star configuration in ℙ n of any codimension r based on representation theory and matroid configurations for 5 ≤ m ≤ r , which generalizes the result of Biermann et al. in [3, Corollary 5.7] and [31, Proposition 7.9]. We also show an example of our methods to find a closed formula of their graded Betti numbers and shifts for any codimension r with m > r ≥ 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many workplaces encounter complex problems in preparing an optimal work scheduling to meet the 24 hours work demand especially in shift working hours. The schedule needs to consider many constraints and multi objectives at the same time. A mathematical model such as Goal programming is able to cater this kind of problems. Thus, this study was designed to provide a systematic and optimal schedule for police officers at Criminal Unit, IPD Kuala Muda, Kedah. This study is aimed to formulate the best model for the shift rotating schedule of the police officers and to find the best way to optimize the police scheduling related to the limitations, requirements of the police station and the preferences of the police. Lingo software is used to run the model. However, only one out of three goals set for the study was achieved. The new schedule obtained shows that all police officers have the same number of working days, which is 21 days in the 28-day planning period. The new schedule produced is better than the previous manual schedule since it takes less time to prepare it without neglecting the constraints involved. To improve efficiency and flexibility on the generated schedules, it is recommended to use other methods such as hybrid swarm-based optimization and many new limitations and preferences should be also considered in the analysis.

Exact upper and lower bounds on the ratio Ew(X - v)/Ew(X) for a centered Gaussian random vector X in Rn are obtained, as well as bounds on the rate of change of Ew(X-tv) in t, where w: Rn → [0,∞) is any even unimodal function and v is any vector in Rn. As a corollary of such results, exact upper and lower bounds on the power function of statistical tests for the mean of a multivariate normal distribution are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, shift work is evaluated from the carriers' perspective as employers. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to outline the characteristics of an innovative software application that would enable human resource managers to take railway workers' satisfaction or the difficulty of a job into account when creating shift plans. This article includes an overview of the prevailing methods of handling railway shift worker scheduling and a list and description of the empirical methods for creating shifts. Next, the consideration given to the interests and preferences of employees regarding shift types is described. We then outline possible changes, especially changes utilising mathematical formulas. These patterns and considerations are verified through actual shifts and questionnaires distributed to a select group of employees. An actual shift of conductors at the Czech national carrier Ćeske drahy is chosen for the case study. Finally, a proposal of a software system that takes employee preferences into account and permits the scheduling of blocks of free days is described. From the development point of view, the aim of this software is to achieve maximum satisfaction after subjective requirements are considered, thus ensuring, from the human resource management perspective, a higher degree of railway employees' satisfaction, leading to better quality services and improved rail transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the unicity of meromorphic functions concerning their small functions and differences. Our results improve and extend the existed results of Chen-Chen [Bull Malays Math Sci Soc 35 (2012):765-774] and Qi-Li-Yang [Comput Methods Funct Theory 18 (2018):567-582]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complication rate of laparoscopic appendectomy in children operated on during the daytime versus nighttime. Methods: A total of 303 children who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two study groups. The first group consisted of the patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during the day shift from 07:00–21:00 (n = 171), while the patients in the second group underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during the night shift from 21:00–07:00 (n = 132). The groups were compared for baseline clinical and laboratory data, treatment outcomes, and complications. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables, while the Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. A two-sided Fisher’s exact test was used when the frequency of events in a certain cell was low. All p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The proportion of complicated appendicitis was almost the same in both patient groups (n = 63, 36.8% vs. n = 49, 37.1%, p = 0.960). Out of the total number of patients presenting during the daytime and nighttime, 11 (6.4%) and 10 (7.6%) developed a postoperative complication, respectively (p = 0.697). Additionally, rates of readmission (n = 5 (2.9%) vs. n = 2 (1.5%); p = 0.703), redo-surgery (n = 3 (1.7%) vs. n = 0; p = 0.260), conversion to open surgery (n = 0 vs. n = 1 (0.8%); p = 0.435) and length of hospital stay (n = 3 (IQR 1, 5) vs. n = 3 (IQR 2, 5); p = 0.368) did not differ significantly between daytime and nighttime appendectomies. The duration of the surgery was significantly shorter in patients presenting during the day than in those presenting at night (26 min (IQR 22, 40) vs. 37 min (31, 46); p < 0.001). Conclusions: Different shift times did not affect the treatment outcomes or complication rates for children receiving laparoscopic appendectomy.