A Study of role conflict, role ambiguity, locus of control, job satisfaction and participation in decision making among front-line vocational service workers for mentally retarded adults

This study was an investigation of individual and organizational factors, as perceived by front-line vocational service workers from Adult Rehabilitation Centres (ARC Industries) for mentally retarded adults. The specific variables which were measured included role conflict/role ambiguity (role factors), internal/external locus of control (individual differences), job satisfaction with work and supervision (job attitudes) and participation in deci~ion making (organizational factor). The exploration of these constructs was conducted by means of self-report questionnaires which were completed by sixty-nine out of a total of ninety front-line employees. The surveys were distributed in booklet form to nine distinct rehabilitation facilities from St. Catharines, West Lincoln, Greater Niagara, Port Colborne, WeIland, Fort Erie, Hamilton, Guelph and Brantford. The survey data was evaluated by the statisti.cal Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) which used the Pearson Product Moment Correlation procedure and a compar~son of means test. A comparison of correlation coefficients test was also conducted. This statistical procedure was calculated mathematically. The results obtained from the statistical evaluation confirmed the prediction that self-reported measures of participation in decision making and satisfaction (work and supervision) would be negatively correlated with role conflict and role ambiguity. As well, the speculation that perceived satisfaction (work and supervision) would be positively correlated with participation in decision making was empirically supported. Internal and external locus of control did not contribute to a significant difference in r~sponses to role perceptions (conflict and ambiguity) , satisfaction (work and supervision) or the correlational relationship between participation in decision making and satisfaction (work and supervision). Overall, the findings from this study substantiated the importance of examining employee perceptions in the workplace and the interrelationships among individual and organizational variables. This research was considered a contribution to the general area of occupational stress and to the study of individuals in work organizations.

Simulation de centres de contacts

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Right to asylum and border control : implications of european union policies on access to EU territory of people in need of international protection

Depuis plusieurs années, les États membres de l’Union européenne (UE) se soumettent à des politiques restrictives, en matière d’asile, qui les contraignent à respecter leur engagement de protéger les personnes qui fuient la persécution. Plusieurs politiques de dissuasion de l’UE sont controversées. Certaines ont d’abord été élaborées dans différents États, avant que l’UE ne mette en place une politique commune en matière d’asile. Certaines des ces politiques migratoires ont été copiées, et ont un effet négatif sur la transformation des procédures d’asile et du droit des réfugiés dans d’autres pays, tel le Canada. En raison des normes minimales imposées par la législation de l’UE, les États membres adoptent des politiques et instaurent des pratiques, qui sont mises en doute et sont critiquées par l’UNHCR et les ONG, quant au respect des obligations internationales à l'égard des droits de la personne. Parmi les politiques et les pratiques les plus critiquées certaines touchent le secteur du contrôle frontalier. En tentant de remédier à l’abolition des frontières internes, les États membres imposent aux demandeurs d’asile des barrières migratoires quasi impossibles à surmonter. Les forçant ainsi à s’entasser dans des centres de migration, au nord de l’Afrique, à rebrousser chemin ou encore à mourir en haute mer.

Novetats de la Llei 4-2009, d'11 de juny, de serveis socials, en matèria d'autorització, acreditació, registre i inspecció d'entitats, centres i serveis de serveis socials. 'Novedades de la Ley 4-2009, del 11 de junio, de servicios sociales, en materia de autorización, acreditación, registro e inspección de entidades, centros y servicios de servicios sociales'.

Resumen tomado del autor

L'ensenyament d'anglès als centres públics d'Educació General Bàsica, Formació Professional i Batxillerat de les Illes Balears. 'La enseñanza de inglés en los centros de Educación General Básica, Formación Profesional y Bachillerato de las Islas Baleares'.

Recopilar la distribución del alumnado que estudia inglés en los centros públicos de EGB, FP y BUP. Conocer sus actitudes y expectativas sobre su propio aprendizaje de inglés. Presentar una relación del profesorado exponiendo su formación, preparación y opinión sobre aspectos de la organización de la enseñanza de inglés. Observar y describir cómo se realiza la práctica de la enseñanza de inglés. Valorar el equipamiento didáctico y su uso. Controlar los niveles de adquisición de la lengua inglesa según las edades y cursos del alumnado. En definitiva, se pretende ofrecer una serie de elementos de análisis para incidir en la planificación, organización y práctica de la enseñanza de la lengua inglesa de una manera más cualitativa. Cincuenta profesores mayoritariamente de EGB para la encuesta previa. Dos expertos y cinco profesores de probada solvencia profesional para la miniencuesta. Alumnado de varias escuelas. Profesores en prácticas de la Universidad de Leicester. En primer lugar se analiza la situación de la enseñanza de inglés en los colegios públicos de las Islas Baleares, realizando una revisión histórica del marco legal y proporcionando la distribución del alumnado y de los centros de EGB, FP y BUP. También se comenta la situación de la enseñanza de inglés en Europa y en los países menos desarrollados. En el apartado referente a alumnado, las variables a analizar son: su actitud, su motivación, sus estrategias de aprendizaje y sus expectativas respecto al aprendizaje individual, a la clase de inglés, al profesorado y al grupo-clase. Respecto al profesorado, básicamente se analizan dos aspectos: su formación y su práctica de enseñanza. 1. Encuestas previas a profesores para detectar qué aspectos es necesario investigar para la mejora de la enseñanza de inglés en las Islas Baleares y para favorecer la buena disposición del profesorado. 2. Miniencuesta a expertos en el tema. 3. Cuestionarios a alumnado, profesorado y centros con preguntas objetivas y de opinión. 4. Observación participante en las clases de inglés. 5.Entrevistas a profesorado y alumnado. 6. Pruebas de lengua inglesa. Técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas. Tratamiento estadístico de los datos cuantitativos de alumnado y profesorado de inglés en cada escuela, distribución por islas, y en Mallorca, distinción entre Palma y pueblos. Análisis descriptivo. La implantación obligatoria de la enseñanza de un idioma moderno con la ley general de educación de 1970 no se ha acompañado de medidas de garantía, éstas se han ido introduciendo progresivamente. Se precisa aclarar cuál es el idioma o los idiomas si es que coexisten dos. En el curso 89-90 el inglés se presenta casi como el único idioma moderno estudiado en los centros de EGB, FP y BUP de las Baleares. La actitud y motivación del alumnado de las islas en relación a la asignatura de inglés es altamente positiva pero el número de alumnos que alcanza un nivel de comunicación aceptable es muy reducido, aunque tienda a aumentar. Es necesario que el paso de la EGB a las EEMM sea continuo y progresivo. El profesorado debe plantear sus enseñanzas sobre la base anterior. El grado de preparación y práctica entre el profesorado de inglés es muy diferente. La mayoría se ha mantenido al margen de la formación permanente. La administración educativa la tiene que proporcionar en horario laboral y lectivo. El elevado dominio de la lengua inglesa debe ser prioritario, en menor medida se valora la necesidad de una preparación pedagógica específica. Es difícil lograr un trabajo en equipo y un proyecto compartido de la enseñanza de inglés en el mismo centro. Se ha consolidado una práctica de enseñanza para grupos numerosos con predominancia del uso del libro de texto, con actividades centradas en la gramática y con una organización basada en la dirección y control por parte del profesorado. El uso del inglés como idioma vehicular es muy reducido. Es preciso disminuir la ratio y agrupar a los alumnos en función de su nivel de inglés, a la vez que se modifica la metodología, convirtiendo al profesor en un mediador. Se podría disponer de profesores de refuerzo para la atención a los alumnos con más dificultades. Los centros de EGB son los que más carecen de equipamiento didáctico, en general no hay un criterio de prioridades para la compra de materiales. Disponer de estudios similares a éste favorece el conocimiento de la realidad, por tanto, fundamenta las reformas y toma de decisiones para la mejora cualitativa. Se podría investigar la influencia y efectos de la relación grupal para el aprendizaje de inglés, o la manera de fomentar la autonomía en el aprendizaje del alumnado, también el efecto de diferentes propuestas didácticas sobre las estrategias de aprendizaje del alumnado. Sería interesante elaborar un modelo educativo propio de las Islas Baleares con proyectos curriculares de inglés específicos para cada etapa. A su vez, organizar la formación permanente de las islas y comarcas de manera flexible y diversificada. Debería potenciarse la experimentación y el intercambio de experiencias entre profesorado y centros, e implicar al alumno en el aprendizaje, tanto individual como grupal. Las escuelas unitarias y las de educación especial deberían disponer también de profesores de inglés. Al margen de los recursos de cada centro podría haber un muestrario que tuviese en cuenta tanto las islas como las comarcas. Sería positivo disponer de unos indicadores externos, anuales o bianuales, en el ámbito balear, sobre la capacidad comunicativa de los alumnos en inglés.

Orientació per a la recerca d'ocupació en la Formació Ocupacional als centres penitenciaris. 'Orientación para la búsqueda de ocupación en la Formación Ocupacional en los centros penitenciarios'.

Valorar el Programa d'Orientació per a la Recerca d'Ocupació (PORO) integrado en el currículum de los cursos de formación ocupacional que se llevan a cabo en los centros penitenciarios de Catalunya, con el objetivo de mejorar el nivel de inserción laboral de los internos. Internos que realizan los cursos de formación ocupacional en el Centre Penitenciari Ponent (Lleida). Desarrolla un marco teórico sobre la delincuencia, la reinserción social y laboral y el tratamiento penitenciario. Evalúa el PORO. Desarrolla las conclusiones y evalúa la investigación. Grupo control y grupo experimental. Modelo CIPP de Stufflebeam. La aplicación del programa PORO por parte de los profesores es viable porque aporta dos ventajas importantes: 1. La orientación no se lleva a través de un solo asesor, lo que aumenta las posibilidades de aplicación; 2. A medida que los internos asumen el módulo de orientación como parte del currículum de los cursos de formación ocupacional, su participación y actitud són más positivas.

The control of dynamical systems by neural networks

In this paper the use of neural networks for the control of dynamical systems is considered. Both identification and feedback control aspects are discussed as well as the types of system for which neural networks can provide a useful technique. Multi-layer Perceptron and Radial Basis function neural network types are looked at, with an emphasis on the latter. It is shown how basis function centre selection is a critical part of the implementation process and that multivariate clustering algorithms can be an extremely useful tool for finding centres.

Cooperative task support for the control room

The National Grid Company plc. owns and operates the electricity transmission network in England and Wales, the day to day running of the network being carried out by teams of engineers within the national control room. The task of monitoring and operating the transmission network involves the transfer of large amounts of data and a high degree of cooperation between these engineers. The purpose of the research detailed in this paper is to investigate the use of interfacing techniques within the control room scenario, in particular, the development of an agent based architecture for the support of cooperative tasks. The proposed architecture revolves around the use of interface and user supervisor agents. Primarily, these agents are responsible for the flow of information to and from individual users and user groups. The agents are also responsible for tackling the synchronisation and control issues arising during the completion of cooperative tasks. In this paper a novel approach to human computer interaction (HCI) for power systems incorporating an embedded agent infrastructure is presented. The agent architectures used to form the base of the cooperative task support system are discussed, as is the nature of the support system and tasks it is intended to support.

Switching control of sympathetic activity from forebrain to hindbrain in chronic dehydration

We investigated the mechanisms responsible for increased blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) caused by 2-3 days dehydration (DH) both in vivo and in situ preparations. In euhydrated (EH) rats, systemic application of the AT(1) receptor antagonist Losartan and subsequent pre-collicular transection (to remove the hypothalamus) significantly reduced thoracic (t) SNA. In contrast, in DH rats, Losartan, followed by pre-collicular and pontine transections, failed to reduce tSNA, whereas transection at the medulla-spinal cord junction massively reduced tSNA. In DH but not EH rats, selective inhibition of the commissural nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS) significantly reduced tSNA. Comparable data were obtained in both in situ and in vivo (anaesthetized/conscious) rats and suggest that following chronic dehydration, the control of tSNA transfers from supra-brainstem structures (e. g. hypothalamus) to the medulla oblongata, particularly the cNTS. As microarray analysis revealed up-regulation of AP1 transcription factor JunD in the dehydrated cNTS, we tested the hypothesis that AP1 transcription factor activity is responsible for dehydration-induced functional plasticity. When AP1 activity was blocked in the cNTS using a viral vector expressing a dominant negative FosB, cNTS inactivation was ineffective. However, tSNA was decreased after pre-collicular transection, a response similar to that seen in EHrats. Thus, the dehydration-induced switch in control of tSNA from hypothalamus to cNTS seems to be mediated via activation of AP1 transcription factors in the cNTS. If AP1 activity is blocked in the cNTS during dehydration, sympathetic activity control reverts back to forebrain regions. This unique reciprocating neural structure-switching plasticity between brain centres emphasizes the multiple mechanisms available for the adaptive response to dehydration.

Switching control of sympathetic activity from forebrain to hindbrain in chronic dehydration

We investigated the mechanisms responsible for increased blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) caused by 2-3 days dehydration (DH) both in vivo and in situ preparations. In euhydrated (EH) rats, systemic application of the AT(1) receptor antagonist Losartan and subsequent pre-collicular transection (to remove the hypothalamus) significantly reduced thoracic (t) SNA. In contrast, in DH rats, Losartan, followed by pre-collicular and pontine transections, failed to reduce tSNA, whereas transection at the medulla-spinal cord junction massively reduced tSNA. In DH but not EH rats, selective inhibition of the commissural nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS) significantly reduced tSNA. Comparable data were obtained in both in situ and in vivo (anaesthetized/conscious) rats and suggest that following chronic dehydration, the control of tSNA transfers from supra-brainstem structures (e. g. hypothalamus) to the medulla oblongata, particularly the cNTS. As microarray analysis revealed up-regulation of AP1 transcription factor JunD in the dehydrated cNTS, we tested the hypothesis that AP1 transcription factor activity is responsible for dehydration-induced functional plasticity. When AP1 activity was blocked in the cNTS using a viral vector expressing a dominant negative FosB, cNTS inactivation was ineffective. However, tSNA was decreased after pre-collicular transection, a response similar to that seen in EHrats. Thus, the dehydration-induced switch in control of tSNA from hypothalamus to cNTS seems to be mediated via activation of AP1 transcription factors in the cNTS. If AP1 activity is blocked in the cNTS during dehydration, sympathetic activity control reverts back to forebrain regions. This unique reciprocating neural structure-switching plasticity between brain centres emphasizes the multiple mechanisms available for the adaptive response to dehydration.

DengueTools: innovative tools and strategies for the surveillance and control of dengue

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease estimated to cause about 230 million infections worldwide every year, of which 25,000 are fatal. Global incidence has risen rapidly in recent decades with some 3.6 billion people, over half of the world's population, now at risk, mainly in urban centres of the tropics and subtropics. Demographic and societal changes, in particular urbanization, globalization, and increased international travel, are major contributors to the rise in incidence and geographic expansion of dengue infections. Major research gaps continue to hamper the control of dengue. The European Commission launched a call under the 7th Framework Programme with the title of 'Comprehensive control of Dengue fever under changing climatic conditions'. Fourteen partners from several countries in Europe, Asia, and South America formed a consortium named 'DengueTools' to respond to the call to achieve better diagnosis, surveillance, prevention, and predictive models and improve our understanding of the spread of dengue to previously uninfected regions (including Europe) in the context of globalization and climate change. The consortium comprises 12 work packages to address a set of research questions in three areas: Research area 1: Develop a comprehensive early warning and surveillance system that has predictive capability for epidemic dengue and benefits from novel tools for laboratory diagnosis and vector monitoring. Research area 2: Develop novel strategies to prevent dengue in children. Research area 3: Understand and predict the risk of global spread of dengue, in particular the risk of introduction and establishment in Europe, within the context of parameters of vectorial capacity, global mobility, and climate change. In this paper, we report on the rationale and specific study objectives of 'DengueTools'. DengueTools is funded under the Health theme of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community, Grant Agreement Number: 282589 Dengue Tools.

Factors associated with maternal intrapartum transfers from a freestanding birth centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil: A case control study

Objectives: to identify factors associated with maternal intrapartum transfer from a freestanding birth centre to hospital. Design: case-control study with retrospective data collection. Participants and settings: cases included all 111 women transferred from a freestanding birth centre in Sao Paulo to the referral hospital, from March 2002 to December 2009. The controls were 456 women who gave birth in the birth centre during the same period who were not transferred, randomly selected with four controls for each case. Methods: data were obtained from maternal records. Factors associated with maternal intrapartum transfers were initially analysed using a chi(2) test of association. Variables with p < 0.20 were then included in multivariate analyses. A multiple logistic regression model was built using stepwise forward selection; variables which reached statistical significance at p < 0.05 were considered to be independently associated with maternal transfer. Findings: during the study data collection period, 111(4%) of 2,736 women admitted to the centre were transferred intrapartum. Variables identified as independently associated factors for intrapartum transfer included nulliparity (OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.7-9.8), maternal age >= 35 years (OR 5.4, 95% CI 2.1-13.4), not having a partner (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.3), cervical dilation <= 3 cm on admission to the birth centre (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2) and between 5 and 12 antenatal appointments at the birth centre (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.5). In contrast, a low correlation between fundal height and pregnancy gestation (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.6) appeared to be protective against transfer. Conclusions and implications for practice: identifying factors associated with maternal intrapartum transfer could support decision making by women considering options for place of birth, and support the content of appropriate information about criteria for admission to a birth centre. Findings add to the evidence base to support identification of women in early labour who may experience later complications and could support timely implementation of appropriate interventions associated with reducing transfer rates. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Switzerland: a comprehensive quality control report on centre effect

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY / PRINCIPLES: Interest groups advocate centre-specific outcome data as a useful tool for patients in choosing a hospital for their treatment and for decision-making by politicians and the insurance industry. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) requires significant infrastructure and represents a cost-intensive procedure. It therefore qualifies as a prime target for such a policy. METHODS: We made use of the comprehensive database of the Swiss Blood Stem Cells Transplant Group (SBST) to evaluate potential use of mortality rates. Nine institutions reported a total of 4717 HSCT - 1427 allogeneic (30.3%), 3290 autologous (69.7%) - in 3808 patients between the years 1997 and 2008. Data were analysed for survival- and transplantation-related mortality (TRM) at day 100 and at 5 years. RESULTS: The data showed marked and significant differences between centres in unadjusted analyses. These differences were absent or marginal when the results were adjusted for disease, year of transplant and the EBMT risk score (a score incorporating patient age, disease stage, time interval between diagnosis and transplantation, and, for allogeneic transplants, donor type and donor-recipient gender combination) in a multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate comparable quality among centres in Switzerland. They show that comparison of crude centre-specific outcome data without adjustment for the patient mix may be misleading. Mandatory data collection and systematic review of all cases within a comprehensive quality management system might, in contrast, serve as a model to ascertain the quality of other cost-intensive therapies in Switzerland.

Establishing glycaemic control with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: experience of the PedPump Study in 17 countries

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the use of paediatric continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSII) under real-life conditions by analysing data recorded for up to 90 days and relating them to outcome. METHODS: Pump programming data from patients aged 0-18 years treated with CSII in 30 centres from 16 European countries and Israel were recorded during routine clinical visits. HbA(1c) was measured centrally. RESULTS: A total of 1,041 patients (age: 11.8 +/- 4.2 years; diabetes duration: 6.0 +/- 3.6 years; average CSII duration: 2.0 +/- 1.3 years; HbA(1c): 8.0 +/- 1.3% [means +/- SD]) participated. Glycaemic control was better in preschool (n = 142; 7.5 +/- 0.9%) and pre-adolescent (6-11 years, n = 321; 7.7 +/- 1.0%) children than in adolescent patients (12-18 years, n = 578; 8.3 +/- 1.4%). There was a significant negative correlation between HbA(1c) and daily bolus number, but not between HbA(1c) and total daily insulin dose. The use of <6.7 daily boluses was a significant predictor of an HbA(1c) level >7.5%. The incidence of severe hypoglycaemia and ketoacidosis was 6.63 and 6.26 events per 100 patient-years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This large paediatric survey of CSII shows that glycaemic targets can be frequently achieved, particularly in young children, and the incidence of acute complications is low. Adequate substitution of basal and prandial insulin is associated with a better HbA(1c).

[Role of complementary medicine in type 1 diabetes mellitus in two Swiss centres]

Insulin replacement is the only effective treatment of type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Nevertheless, many complementary treatments are in use for T1DM. In this study we assessed by questionnaire that out of 342 patients with T1DM, 48 (14%; 13.4% adult, 18.5% paediatric; 20 male, 28 female) used complementary medicine (CM) in addition to their insulin therapy. The purpose of the use of CM was to improve general well-being, ameliorate glucose homeostasis, reduce blood glucose levels as well as insulin doses, improve physical fitness, reduce the frequency of hypoglycaemia, and control appetite. The modalities most frequently used are cinnamon, homeopathy, magnesium and special beverages (mainly teas). Thus, good collaboration between health care professionals will allow optimal patient care.