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Avoidance Job Crafting and Employee Innovative Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Analysis
Get PDFEmployees’ innovative job behavior is any organization's most valuable and precious asset, especially in challenging situations. Recent global developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have renewed interest in exploring employees' self-initiated actions to manage their own innovation behavior. Taking the job demand and resource perspective, this study examined how avoidance of job crafting links to employee innovative behavior through psychological capital having the boundary condition of employee empowerment. Based on the cross-sectional data collected from university staff and faculty, SmartPLS 4 was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Results show that avoidance of job crafting and psychological capital are positively related to employee innovative behavior. Employee empowerment moderated the relationship between avoidance of job crafting and psychological capital. This study suggests that reducing hindering work demands effectively manages employees’ innovative behavior through psychological capital. Organizations must strive to engage and encourage employees to let them decide the aspects of work that enable them to perform in challenging situations. Organizations benefit significantly when employees proactively experiment with their roles and tasks to adjust their work demands. The result may be a boost in overall performance and the manifestation of well-being and long-term commitment, offering a hopeful outlook for the future
Low-cost 3D Models for Cervical Spine Tumor Removal Training for Neurosurgery Residents
Get PDFBackground and Objectives: Spinal surgery, particularly for cervical pathologies like myelopathy and radiculopathy, requires a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skill. The complexity of these conditions, often necessitating surgical intervention, underscores the need for intricate understanding and precision in execution. Advancements in neurosurgical training, especially with the use of low-cost 3D models for simulating cervical spine tumor removal, are revolutionizing this field. These models provide a realistic and hands-on experience crucial for mastering complex neurosurgical techniques, filling gaps left by traditional educational methods. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 3D-printed cervical vertebrae models in enhancing surgical skills, focusing on tumor removal and involving 20 young neurosurgery residents. These models, featuring silicone materials to simulate the spinal cord and tumor tissues, provided a realistic training experience. The training protocol included a laminectomy, dural incision, and tumor resection, using a range of microsurgical tools, focusing on steps usually performed by senior surgeons. Results: The training program received high
satisfaction rates, with 85% of participants extremely satisfied and 15% satisfied. The 3D models were deemed very realistic by 85% of participants, effectively replicating real-life scenarios. 80% found the pathologies simulated varied and accurate, and 90% appreciated the models' accurate tactile feedback. The training was extremely useful for 85% in developing surgical skills, with significant post-training confidence boosts and a strong willingness to recommend the program to peers. Conclusions: Continuing laboratory training for residents is crucial. Our model offers essential, accessible training for all hospitals, regardless of their resources, promising improved surgical quality and patient outcomes across various pathologies
Vocations for Women. Education and Opportunity for Women at the Harris Institute, Preston, during the First World War
Get PDFThis dissertation examines the neglected area of women’s post-compulsory education during the First World War by studying the community of women who took evening classes at the Harris Institute, Preston. The history of women on the Home Front continues to receive, rightly, much attention, but up to now has tended to focus on opportunities for women’s work, particularly in munitions. The current literature ignores the many women who entered clerical work during the war, and the role of vocational training has not been looked at. Yet learning skills for work equipped women to gain employment, especially in clerical and technical roles as opportunities arose in wartime.
The Harris Institute class registers for the period 1914 to 1918 facilitate a study into women on the Home Front through their education and occupations and draws attention to the variety of women’s experience during the war. Some were employed and taking classes to enhance their skills, others were taking classes to train for different occupations. Some were not employed but were taking vocational classes, and still others were pursuing classes for leisure.
This dissertation argues that by attending the Harris Institute, women were displaying agency in their education and leisure time, and were planning future careers. This study confirms the importance of post-compulsory vocational training to women during the war and its inter-relationship with clerical work. Furthermore, it argues that their education was liberating, even if the benefits were temporary, and contributes to the history of women’s education
School-based indicated prevention interventions for anxiety in children and adolescents: a commentary on a systematic review
Get PDFMental health problems such as anxiety are on the increase in children and adolescents. However, rising demand and cuts to mental health services make it difficult for young people to access the support they need. School-based interventions aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety have the potential to provide help to large numbers of children and adolescents. However, the effectiveness of these interventions for different groups is somewhat unclear. This commentary summarises and critically appraises a recent systematic review which investigated the effectiveness of school-based interventions to prevent and reduce anxiety symptoms in indicated groups of children and adolescents
Authenticity to Action Conference Creative Approaches to Public and Patient Involvement in Health and Social Care Education 2024 Book of Abstracts
Get PDFOnline child sexual exploitation and victimisation: Exploring the experiences and perceptions of children and children looked-after.
Get PDFRecent literature and continuous technological advances highlight the need to explore the potential risk and vulnerability factors for the online sexual exploitation and victimisation of children. Although the body of empirical work relating to children’s direct online experiences remains relatively small, research has helped us to understand children’s information technology consumption, their perceived online experiences and the potential risks posed to children as a result of advances in technology (Ofcom, 2020). The views, opinions and perceptions of children towards risk-taking and their online experiences and behaviours requires further investigation. Particularly, that of under-represented and vulnerable groups such as children looked-after. This research aimed to examine online child sexual exploitation, solicitation and victimisation through exploration of young adults’ retrospective, and children’s current, views and experiences of being online. The program also aimed to develop research processes through consultation with vulnerable children. Differences between children from the general population and those from a group with pre-existing vulnerabilities and reduced protective factors (children looked-after) were compared as were the perceptions and experiences of those who work with and care for them.
The first study aimed to explore both current and retrospective experiences of young adults, attitudes, and perceptions in relation to online behaviours, relationships and interactions online. The study includes a series of three focus groups with adults aged 18–25 years old. Thematic analysis supported the generation of six key themes for further discussion; Loss of control, Accessibility, Relationship formation and maintenance, Deceitful interactions, Reality and risk, and Generational differences.
The second study took an action research group approach and aimed to explore children’s opinions and perceptions in relation to the study in general, and the questionnaire and interview questions to be used with a sample of children and children looked-after in study three, acting as co-researchers is this process. Thematic analysis of data sets generated five key themes; Design, Style and structure, Contribution and insight, Developing language, Engagement and disclosure, and Progressive technology. This research aided the evaluation and development of the successive study, including the development of the materials and questions to be asked with children in study three. Several amendments and improvement were made as a result of the findings resulting in changes relevant to the aforementioned themes.
Study three aimed to examine the extent of children’s relationships with others online; including those with adults; specifically in relation to the formation and frequency of such online relationships as well as comparing the online experiences of two groups; children looked-after and ‘non’ looked after-children. This study consisted of a mixed methods approach, utilising semi-structured interviews and a follow-up quantitative questionnaire. A sample of five children looked-after and nine non-looked-after children participated. Findings from the study suggest that overall, children are relatively safe online however implications arising from increased risks remain. The study confirmed frequent approaches from adults online to children and the normalisation of inappropriate adult approaches. Issues relating to secrecy, disclosure and parental monitoring are also discussed. Finally, differences between children looked-after and those not looked-after were evident in respect of risky online experiences and behaviours, with findings suggesting that children looked-after are at increased risk of harm.
The final study aimed to examine the views, opinions and perceptions of residential child care professionals working with children looked-after to further understand online child sexual exploitation with this specific group and the reasons it may be more pronounced. Specifically, the study aimed to examine the relationships children held in their residential home, the skills and abilities of staff in respect of online child sexual exploitation and to explore potential relationships between pre-existing vulnerabilities, associated risks and disclosure of exploitation. Employment characteristics such as employee experience level and time spent with children were also explored
A Comparative Assessment of Technology Acceptance and Learning Outcomes in Computer-based versus VR-based Pedagogical Agents
Get PDFAs educational technology evolves, the potential of Pedagogical Agents (PAs) in supporting education is extensively explored. Typically, research on PAs has primarily focused on computer-based learning environments, but their use in VR-based environments and integration into education is still in its infancy. To address this gap,
this paper presents a mixed method comparative study that has been conducted to evaluate and examine how these computer-based PAs and VR-based PAs compare, towards their learning efficacy and technology acceptance. 92 Computing and Engineering undergraduate students were recruited and participated in an educational experience focusing on computing machinery education. The findings of this study revealed that both approaches can effectively facilitate learning acquisition, and both technologies have been positively perceived by participants toward acceptance, without any significant differences. The findings of this study shed light on the potential of utilizing intelligent PAs to support education, contributing towards the advancement of our understanding of how to integrate such technologies to develop learning interventions, and establishing the foundation for future investigations that aim to successfully integrate and use PAs in educatio
Playful Telepresence Robots with School Children
Get PDFTelepresence robots offer potential enhancements to real-time classroom participation and social interaction for remotely located children. This mixed-method study, including observation and questionnaires, examines the safety and effectiveness of these technologies in an educational environment, with 22 children aged 9-11 using GoBe mobile telepresence robots. Participants were divided into eight groups. They engaged in activities designed to simulate driving experiences, including navigating an obstacle course, participating in a treasure hunt, and parking the robot. Through thematic analysis of observation notes and statistical analysis of task performance measurements, we identified challenges such as initial connection issues, navigation difficulties in tight spaces, and inconsistent docking. These underscore the need for improvements in network compatibility, user interface, and automation. Our findings indicate that children are capable of safely operating the robots and collaborating effectively. Further, our data indicates that there may be gender differences affecting confidence and adjustment to driving tasks. This study suggests enhancements in robot design and instructional practices to better integrate telepresence robots into educational settings, ensuring their safety and utility for children
Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries
No full textBackground
Dental caries is a major public health problem in most industrialised countries, affecting 60% to 90% of school children. Community water fluoridation (CWF) is currently practised in about 25 countries; health authorities consider it to be a key strategy for preventing dental caries. CWF is of interest to health professionals, policymakers and the public. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2015, focusing on contemporary evidence about the effects of CWF on dental caries.
Objectives
To evaluate the effects of initiation or cessation of CWF programmes for the prevention of dental caries.
To evaluate the association of water fluoridation (artificial or natural) with dental fluorosis.
Search methods
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and four other databases up to 16 August 2023. We also searched two clinical trials registers and conducted backward citation searches.
Selection criteria
We included populations of all ages.
For our first objective (effects of initiation or cessation of CWF programmes on dental caries), we included prospective controlled studies comparing populations receiving fluoridated water with those receiving non‐fluoridated or naturally low‐fluoridated water. To evaluate change in caries status, studies measured caries both within three years of a change in fluoridation status and at the end of study follow‐up.
For our second objective (association of water fluoridation with dental fluorosis), we included any study design, with concurrent control, comparing populations exposed to different water fluoride concentrations. In this update, we did not search for or include new evidence for this objective.
Data collection and analysis
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
For our first objective, we included the following outcomes as change from baseline: decayed, missing or filled teeth (‘dmft’ for primary and ‘DMFT’ for permanent teeth); decayed, missing or filled tooth surfaces ('dmfs' for primary and 'DMFS' for permanent teeth); proportion of caries‐free participants for both primary and permanent dentition; adverse events. We stratified the results of the meta‐analyses according to whether data were collected before or after the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste in 1975.
For our second objective, we included dental fluorosis (of aesthetic concern, or any level of fluorosis), and any other adverse events reported by the included studies.
Main results
We included 157 studies. All used non‐randomised designs. Given the inherent risks of bias in these designs, particularly related to management of confounding factors and blinding of outcome assessors, we downgraded the certainty of all evidence for these risks. We downgraded some evidence for imprecision, inconsistency or both. Evidence from older studies may not be applicable to contemporary societies, and we downgraded older evidence for indirectness.
Water fluoridation initiation (21 studies)
Based on contemporary evidence (after 1975), the initiation of CWF may lead to a slightly greater change in dmft over time (mean difference (MD) 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) ‐0.03 to 0.52; P = 0.09; 2 studies, 2908 children; low‐certainty evidence). This equates to a difference in dmft of approximately one‐quarter of a tooth in favour of CWF; this effect estimate includes the possibility of benefit and no benefit. Contemporary evidence (after 1975) was also available for change in DMFT (4 studies, 2856 children) and change in DMFS (1 study, 343 children); we were very uncertain of these findings.
CWF may lead to a slightly greater change over time in the proportion of caries‐free children with primary dentition (MD ‐0.04, 95% CI ‐0.09 to 0.01; P = 0.12; 2 studies, 2908 children), and permanent dentition (MD ‐0.03, 95% CI ‐0.07 to 0.01; P = 0.14; 2 studies, 2348 children). These low‐certainty findings (a 4 percentage point difference and 3 percentage point difference for primary and permanent dentition, respectively) favoured CWF. These effect estimates include the possibility of benefit and no benefit. No contemporary data were available for adverse effects.
Because of very low‐certainty evidence, we were unsure of the size of effects of CWF when using older evidence (from 1975 or earlier) on all outcomes: change in dmft (5 studies, 5709 children), change in DMFT (3 studies, 5623 children), change in proportion of caries‐free children with primary dentition (5 studies, 6278 children) or permanent dentition (4 studies, 6219 children), or adverse effects (2 studies, 7800 children).
Only one study, conducted after 1975, reported disparities according to socioeconomic status, with no evidence that deprivation influenced the relationship between water exposure and caries status.
Water fluoridation cessation (1 study)
Because of very low‐certainty evidence, we could not determine if the cessation of CWF affected DMFS (1 study conducted after 1975; 2994 children). Data were not available for other review outcomes for this comparison.
Association of water fluoridation with dental fluorosis (135 studies)
The previous version of this review found low‐certainty evidence that fluoridated water may be associated with dental fluorosis. With a fluoride level of 0.7 parts per million (ppm), approximately 12% of participants had fluorosis of aesthetic concern (95% CI 8% to 17%; 40 studies, 59,630 participants), and approximately 40% had fluorosis of any level (95% CI 35% to 44%; 90 studies, 180,530 participants). Because of very low‐certainty evidence, we were unsure of other adverse effects (including skeletal fluorosis, bone fractures and skeletal maturity; 5 studies, incomplete participant numbers).
Authors' conclusions
Contemporary studies indicate that initiation of CWF may lead to a slightly greater reduction in dmft and may lead to a slightly greater increase in the proportion of caries‐free children, but with smaller effect sizes than pre‐1975 studies. There is insufficient evidence to determine the effect of cessation of CWF on caries and whether water fluoridation results in a change in disparities in caries according to socioeconomic status. We found no eligible studies that report caries outcomes in adults.
The implementation or cessation of CWF requires careful consideration of this current evidence, in the broader context of a population's oral health, diet and consumption of tap water, movement or migration, and the availability and uptake of other caries‐prevention strategies. Acceptability, cost‐effectiveness and feasibility of the implementation and monitoring of a CWF programme should also be taken into account