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Life Satisfaction and Burnout among Agency and Staff Nurses
No full textThe current study attempted to strengthen and expand on previous literature by examining if lower life satisfaction correlated with increased burnout among nurses. Additionally, the study explored if working as an agency or staff nurse impacted life satisfaction and burnout scores. While there is an abundance of previous literature that investigated burnout and life satisfaction among nurses, the researcher was unable to identify any prior research that compared life satisfaction and burnout scores between staff and agency nurses. Participants were recruited through non-probability sampling using a combination of convenience, purposive and snowball sampling methods via social media posts and a poster. A total of 152 participants (n= 152) completed an online survey that contained the Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. A Spearman Rho correlation coefficient found lower life satisfaction was associated with increased burnout among nurses, strengthening prior research findings. A Mann Whitney U test found no statistical difference in life satisfaction scores between agency nurses and staff nurses. Finally, an Independent Samples T-Test found that staff nurses experienced higher burnout scores compared to agency nurses. Implications of these results on nursing staff and patients are discussed along with suggestions for future research
The Impact of Alcohol Use on Anxiety, Quality of Life, and Perceptions of Others’ Well-Being
No full textAims: To examine the impact of alcohol use on anxiety, quality of life (QoL), and perceptions of others’ well-being.
Methods: A questionnaire was given to participants (n=101) through social media which consisted of questions from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), an adapted version of the Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and a custom-developed Perceived Alcohol Use of Others’ Scale (PAUO).
Results: Higher levels of alcohol consumption is associated with higher problematic alcohol use (AUDIT scores). Higher levels of alcohol use is also associated with lower levels of anxiety. However, no significant relationship was found between alcohol use, quality of life and perceptions of others’ alcohol related wellbeing. There was also a significant relationship found between alcohol use, gender and age; females tend to drink more than males and older individuals consume more alcohol than younger people.
Conclusions: Higher alcohol use is linked to lower anxiety but not to quality of life or perceptions of others' well-being. Gender and age differences highlight areas for further research
An Ensemble Deep Learning Approach for Breast Cancer Classification Using Vision Transformers and CNNs
No full textBreast cancer is still one of the most prevalent causes of cancer death globally indicating that there is a critical need for early and precise diagnostic methods. While histopathological examination remains a common method for breast cancer diagnosis, the challenge is that its accuracy and reliability depend significantly on the experience and subjective interpretations of pathologists. Deep learning techniques are increasingly being applied to classify histopathological images for breast cancer diagnosis. The proposed framework examined three state-of-the-art deep neural network architectures - Inception-v4, EfficientNet-B0, and Vision Transformer (ViT) - for the binary classification of breast histology images into benign and malignant categories. Study utilized the BreakHis dataset containing 7909 histopathological images as the training dataset, in addition, an external validation BACH dataset was used consisting of 400 images. Diagnostic performance on the external test set was further increased by an ensemble of the models. Results of stacking ensemble method significantly outperformed individual models, achieving an accuracy of 92% and ROC-AUC of 0.99 on the external BACH dataset. The results indicate that ensemble deep learning methods are clinically useful and effective as they mitigate the range of subjective diagnostic differences that exist, improving accuracy of breast cancer detection
Accessing the effectiveness of Employee Well-being Programmes in reducing Burnout among Healthcare Professionals in Enugu State, Nigeria
No full textNigerian healthcare workers' burnout, a serious issue in Enugu, Nigeria, is driven by high workload and limited resources within a resource-constrained healthcare system. In this cross-sectional study, the relationships between participation in well-being programs, workload, perceived organizational support (POS), and burnout among 400 healthcare workers were explored using a Google Forms survey with a 100% response rate. Applying stepwise regression and descriptive statistics, the study addresses three objectives: (1) the influence of program participation on burnout, (2) the ability of POS to mediate program efficacy, and (3) the moderating influence of workload between the program-burnout links. The study used the aggregated Maslach Burnout Inventory score (0–30) as the continuous dependent variable. Findings indicate that participation in well-being programs, particularly those perceived to alleviate stress, significantly lower burnout, with quality and involvement greater than frequency. POS heavily influences the effectiveness of well-being programs through a strong interaction, emphasizing the importance of a positive organizational culture. Heavy workloads modestly lower the impact of well-being programs, with effects varying across facilities. The diverse sample (65.8% female, 56.7% private clinics, and 43.8% allied health workers) ensures high representativeness. The study conclude that well-being programs and POS are promising initiatives to decrease burnout, but workload pressures require additional measures. Such measures as the introduction of quality-oriented well-being initiatives, the enhancement of POS by means of staff recognition, and the decrease of workload by distributing some tasks to allied health workers are recommended. The study present novel insights on burnout mitigation in the Nigerian healthcare context, which can be applied to low-resource African environments. Although the study has shortcomings, including unmeasured contextual factors, the results can guide policymakers and healthcare leaders who want to improve the well-being of the workforce in Enugu and other regions
The Impact of Short-term Lettings on Long-term Rent Prices in Dublin
No full textThis paper investigates the impact of short-term letting on the price of long-term rental in Dublin City between 2015 to 2024. Therefore, addresses a critical gap in understanding how platform rentals can influence housing affordability. The rapid growth of Airbnb and similar applications has intensified debates on housing shortages, regulatory failures, and socio-economic disparities in urban markets. Using quantitative methods to assess rental price trends through hedonic regression, time-series data from RTB and Inside Airbnb and Kaggle enable to understand the STL-driven market distortions.
The key findings demonstrate that STLs have reduced LTR supply in 64%, which is one of the possible factors that increases the LTR prices, particularly in the City Centre and South areas. Regulatory measures such as Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) have proven ineffective due to weak enforcement, with only 29 planning applications filed despite 3,786 illegal Airbnb listings in 2023. In addition, the study highlights geographic inequalities when compared to peripheral neighbourhoods.
This research contributes to housing policy debates, by providing empirical evidence on STLs impacts on LTR markets, identifying regulatory gaps in Ireland’s approach compared to EU equivalents, and proposing actions to possibly reduce the housing crisis, including stricter enforcement and public housing investment
Ireland and the EU 2030 Climate Targets: A Critical Assessment of Freight Sector Alignment and Readiness
No full textThe creation and use of more sustainable energy sources is seen as a crucial component for the future competitiveness of the EU and Irish economies. However, the stated aims of these green policies have long been argued as being overly ambitious, whilst EU legislation around these initiatives are seen as both overly restrictive and cost prohibitive to fully implement within the timeframe.
Using thematic analysis, this research aims to understand the reasons behind the implementation of these goals and assess the feasibility of the stated targets in relation to the legislative requirements. Exploring the investments that are needed by all companies to remain complaint and further assessing the support structures in place to help these companies make the initial investments, the research will attempt to identify what returns can be reasonably expected, and what impact the investment requirements have had on businesses
Understanding the differences in work-related behaviours and expectations between Generation Y and Generation Z employees: An exploration of values, motivations, and behavioural drivers in the contemporary workplace
No full textThis study examines the workplace experiences, values, and expectations of two generational cohorts: Generation Y (Millennials) and Generation Z (Zoomers). It is focusing on motivation, communication, leadership, career growth, and intergenerational collaboration. Workplace demographics are shifting. This study asks whether cohorts differ in meaningful ways and how those differences might shape management approaches.
Theories such as Generational Cohort Theory (Mannheim, 1952; Smola and Sutton, 2002), Schwartz’s Value Theory (1992), and Vroom’s Expectancy Theory (1964) underpin this study. A qualitative survey design was employed, combining open-ended responses analysed thematically with closed items summarised descriptively. The effective sample comprised Generation Y (n = 22) and Generation Z (n = 15). The sample included 52 participants and allowed for comparison between Generations Y and Z. Thematic analysis identified trends in open responses, while descriptive statistics summarized closed questions.
The results indicate distinct patterns within each generation. Generation Z demonstrates a preference for autonomy and prompt feedback, whereas Millennials prioritize structured environments and sustained career advancement. Nevertheless, the study identifies substantial similarities between the cohorts. Both generations emphasize the importance of purposeful work, opportunities for professional development, and fair leadership practices. These findings challenge prevailing assumptions regarding generational conflict and underscore a high degree of intergenerational openness and collaboration.
These findings advance the critique of reductive generational stereotypes. The results indicate, that workplace initiatives should prioritize shared values and individual circumstances rather than rigid age-based classifications. The report recommends implementing adaptable communication methods, comprehensive leadership development programs, and customized career progression strategies, that account for generational diversity.
Although the sample size is limited, this study provides detailed insights into generational distinctions in the workplace. It offers specific recommendations for enhancing the management of multigenerational teams
The Impact of Wellbeing Initiatives on Performance Management in Sales and Professional Services
No full textIn professional services and sales organisations, where performance metrics and client demands are prioritised, the integration of employee wellbeing initiatives presents a strategic puzzle. While wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a key driver of employee retention and engagement, its alignment with high performance expectations remains vague in available studies and literature. This study investigates the impact of wellbeing initiatives on performance management practices in high pressure, target driven sales and professional services environments. It addresses the central tension between fostering employee wellbeing and sustaining results driven cultures, while exploring the effects of leadership adaptation and cultural change. Key findings indicate that well integrated wellbeing initiatives can enhance engagement and reduce turnover but may also trigger resistance, if perceived as tokenistic or misaligned with business goals. Leaders who adopt collaborative and adaptive approaches are better positioned to effectively integrate wellbeing within performance cultures. A convergent mixed-methods approach was employed, combining survey data from 52 managers across organisations in the UK, Ireland, and the Nordics, with qualitative case studies and secondary research. The Competing Values Framework and collaborative leadership theory were used to analyse and interpret findings. This research compliments organisational culture and leadership literature by framing wellbeing as a moderating influence within the Competing Values Framework. It offers sales and professional services managers a practical model for aligning wellbeing and high-performance objectives, showing that authentic integration supported by collaborative leadership can enhance both organisational results and workforce resilience. The findings provide actionable guidance for executives seeking to sustain competitive advantage, while addressing the evolving values and expectations of employees. This research introduces original insights into how wellbeing can be strategically and authentically embedded within performance driven professional services and sales environments, providing value for both academic inquiry and executive practice
Enhancing Communication: Recognition of American Sign Language Finger Spelling
No full textFor hearing and deaf individuals, sign language is a crucial communication tool. Real and accurate sign language recognition remains a technological hurdle. The proposed analysis presents a new fingerprint marker using OpenCV and MediaPipe programming integration. The recommended method uses MediaPipe Model Maker to facilitate transfer training. Machine learning models built on multiple datasets are combined for gesture recognition. The research aims to improve access with a real cross-platform solution for fingerprint interpretation. While this effort provides significant benefits such as reduced implementation costs, it also addresses issues related to system limitations and industrial accuracy. Research projects improve assistive technology and enable and encourage the inclusion of deaf people. The proposed method has high resolution and good accuracy
Impact of Disruptive Global Events Such as Covid-19 and the Russian/Ukraine War in the Supply Chains and Countering Strategies for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies
No full textAbstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide clarity on how the pharmaceutical supply chain is impacted when a major global disruptive event takes place. As well this paper aims to provide strategies and counter measures for a pharmaceutical manufacturing companies; therefore, these types of companies can build resilience with robust supply chains and keep providing medicine to the final consumers, which could potentially be a life or dead situation.
Methodology: This study employs a qualitative and abductive research approach to investigate the impact of global disruptive events on the supply chain and explore how pharmaceutical companies can implement preventive measures to mitigate such events.
The primary instrument used was semi-structured interviews, developed based on themes identified in the academic literature on supply chain resilience, risk management, and adaptive strategies.
The study employed thematic analysis.
Conclusion: In sum, the study confirms that resilience in pharmaceutical supply chains is not built in the moment of crisis but in the months and years beforehand—through mapping, planning, diversification, and, above all, cultivating trust across the supply network. These lessons, while born of exceptional global events, are likely to remain relevant as the industry faces future disruptions, whether predictable or not