scholarly journals 0298 Sleep at Sea: A Qualitative Examination of Barriers to Sleep and Mitigation Strategies Among Shipboard Sailors

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A112-A113
Author(s):  
E A Schmied ◽  
E M Harrison ◽  
R Dell’Acqua ◽  
G L Glickman ◽  
S L Hurtado
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Caffeine Intake ◽  
Early Assessment ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbance is prevalent among service members; however, little is known about factors that impede sleep in unique operational environments, such as aboard naval ships. Given the importance of sleep to health and performance, identifying both causes and potential solutions to sleep disturbance is critical. The objective of this qualitative study was to elucidate barriers to sleep and the strategies U.S. Navy sailors use to improve their sleep and combat fatigue while underway. Methods Interviews were conducted with 22 active duty service members assigned to sea duty. The semi-structured interview guide assessed the experiences of service members sleeping in shipboard environments, including the strategies used to improve sleep and combat fatigue. Interview transcripts were analyzed using applied thematic content analysis by two independent coders. Results Most participants were male (91.8%) and enlisted (95.5%). The most commonly reported barrier to sleep was stress (e.g., job-related stress), followed by rotating schedules, and environmental factors (e.g., noise, light). Many reported prioritizing other activities over sleep when off duty. Though only a few reported specific strategies to improve sleep while underway, strategies that were described primarily included mitigation of environmental barriers (e.g., noise-canceling headphones or sleep masks). However, some participants acknowledged these strategies are not always feasible (e.g., cost, reduced responsiveness to alarms or commands). Notably, few sailors reported using stress mitigation or relaxation strategies to help sleep. Caffeine intake was the only reported strategy for alerting when fatigued. Conclusion Sailors reported many barriers to sleep that are unique to the shipboard environment, yet most did not report using any mitigation strategies. Further, few used alerting techniques (other than caffeine) when fatigued. This at-risk population could benefit from targeted educational interventions covering sleep-promoting behaviors, prioritization of sleep, and fatigue mitigation. Support This work was supported by the Military Operational Medicine Research Program, Early Assessment and Intervention Working Group, under work unit no. N1702.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Examination of Factors That Influence Sleep Among Shipboard Sailors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A Schmied ◽  
Elizabeth M Harrison ◽  
Renee G Dell’Acqua ◽  
Vanessa G Perez ◽  
Gen Glickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Thematic Content Analysis ◽  
Noise Cancelling ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbance is prevalent among service members; however, little is known about factors that compromise sleep in unique operational environments, such as naval ships. Given the importance of sleep to health and performance, it is critical to identify both causes and potential solutions to this serious issue. The objective of this qualitative study was to elucidate the barriers to sleep and the strategies service members use to improve their sleep and combat fatigue while living and working aboard ships (i.e., underway). Methods and Materials Interviews were conducted with 22 active duty service members assigned to sea duty. The semi-structured interview guide assessed the experiences of service members sleeping in shipboard environments. Interview transcripts were analyzed using applied thematic content analysis by two independent coders. Results Participants were largely male (77.8%) and enlisted (88.9%). The most common barrier to obtaining sufficient sleep was stress, followed by rotating schedules, and environmental factors (e.g., noise and light). Additionally, many participants reported prioritizing other activities over sleep when off duty. Many participants did not report using any specific strategies to improve their sleep while underway. Among those who did, most described mitigating environmental barriers (e.g., noise-cancelling headphones or sleep masks). However, some participants also acknowledged these strategies are not always feasible, either attributable to cost or because sailors must be able to respond to alarms or commands. Notably, few sailors reported using stress mitigation or relaxation strategies to help sleep. Ingesting caffeine was the only strategy sailors reported using to alert themselves while fatigued. Conclusions Service members reported many unique barriers to sleep in the shipboard environment, yet many did not report the use of strategies to mitigate them. Further, few used alerting techniques when fatigued. This at-risk population could benefit from targeted educational interventions on sleep-promoting behaviors, prioritization of sleep, and fatigue mitigation.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on indigenous contractors in a developing economy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Ayinde Olatunde ◽  
Imoleayo Abraham Awodele ◽  
Bosede Olajumoke Adebayo
Keyword(s):  
Developing Economies ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Additional Cost ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Contracts ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on indigenous contractors in a developing economy with a view to enhancing their performance. Design/methodology/approach The study used a purposive sampling technique to select 37 indigenous contractors with ongoing construction contracts in Osun State, Nigeria who provided data for the study. A structured interview protocol was used to elicit the required information from the interviewees and frequency, percentage and content analysis were used for data analysis. Findings The results showed that the critical impact of COVID-19 on indigenous contractors in a developing economy is: time overrun, loss of profit and creation of dispute. Further results showed that other impacts are a disruption in supply of labour, locally sourced materials are with additional cost, the additional cost of implementing COVID-19 protocols, difficulty in sourcing imported materials and absence of new jobs with the corresponding retrenchment of workers. Practical implications The study recommended special palliatives for the indigenous contractors from the government so as to cushion the impact of the pandemic on them, thereby enhance their survival and performance. A special arbitration panel is set up in each state of the federation to look at disputes arising from the aftermath of the pandemic, this is with a view to adequately compensate indigenous contractors with genuine and properly compiled claims. inferring from the findings of the study, it suffices to say that the severity of the impact of the pandemic is very high on indigenous contractors in developing economies, as such a better preparedness strategy could lessen the impact of such pandemic in the future. Originality/value The study is an attempt to unearth the impact of COVID-19 on indigenous contractors with ongoing construction contracts in a developing economy. The study will be of value to construction stakeholders in providing the information needed to devise strategies to minimise the impact of a pandemic on indigenous contractors in future projects thereby enhance their performance.

scholarly journals Open-book accounting and trust: influence on buyer-supplier relationship

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Cristina Francisco de Almeida Fehr ◽  
Welington Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Data Gathering ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Information Value ◽  
Open Book ◽  
Information Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
New Research ◽  
Supplier Relationship

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the role of open-book accounting (OBA) and trust on buyer–supplier relationship satisfaction. The objective of this paper is to analyze how OBA and trust influence satisfaction on the relationship between suppliers and buyers in the Brazilian automotive sector’s supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThe research has been developed based on a qualitative strategy, characterized as explanatory. Data gathering has been conducted through document analysis and semi-structured interview, and content analysis has been used for discourse analysis.FindingsResults show that OBA is unilateral, imposed by the auto manufacturer, representing a selective information process, as suppliers try to protect their information value as far as possible. Trust is partial and cooperation is not spontaneous, both driven by the search for benefits. OBA may yield a positive or a negative outcome with regard to the social and the economic overall satisfaction of suppliers, depending on how the information is used by auto manufacturer.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this article is to provide an understanding of the difficulties of applying the OBA in companies and of the factors that may influence its operation and performance, impacting on satisfaction and continuity of relationships. The paper also contributes with the proposal of a clearer and more objective definition of OBA. Being the intention that new research in this area can be developed from a delimited, clear and objective definition of OBA, allowing better understanding on the subject and comparison among research studies.

Caffeine counteracts the ergogenic action of muscle creatine loading

1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 452-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Vandenberghe ◽  
N. Gillis ◽  
M. Van Leemputte ◽  
P. Van Hecke ◽  
F. Vanstapel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermittent Exercise ◽  
Creatine Supplementation ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Caffeine Intake ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exercise Fatigue ◽  
Voluntary Contractions

This study aimed to compare the effects of oral creatine (Cr) supplementation with creatine supplementation in combination with caffeine (Cr+C) on muscle phosphocreatine (PCr) level and performance in healthy male volunteers (n = 9). Before and after 6 days of placebo, Cr (0.5 g x kg-1 x day-1), or Cr (0.5 g x kg-1 x day-1) + C (5 mg x kg-1 x day-1) supplementation, 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the gastrocnemius muscle and a maximal intermittent exercise fatigue test of the knee extensors on an isokinetic dynamometer were performed. The exercise consisted of three consecutive maximal isometric contractions and three interval series of 90, 80, and 50 maximal voluntary contractions performed with a rest interval of 2 min between the series. Muscle ATP concentration remained constant over the three experimental conditions. Cr and Cr+C increased (P < 0.05) muscle PCr concentration by 4-6%. Dynamic torque production, however, was increased by 10-23% (P < 0.05) by Cr but was not changed by Cr+C. Torque improvement during Cr was most prominent immediately after the 2-min rest between the exercise bouts. The data show that Cr supplementation elevates muscle PCr concentration and markedly improves performance during intense intermittent exercise. This ergogenic effect, however, is completely eliminated by caffeine intake.

scholarly journals Promoting Students' Autonomous Learning Using Portfolio Assessment in EFL Writing Class

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
Peptia Asrining Tyas
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Portfolio Assessment ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autonomous Learning ◽  
Essay Writing ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Writing Class ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Writing Competence ◽  
Review Session

This study attempts to present the implementation of portfolio assessment to promote students’ autonomous learning in one of reputable universities in Indonesia. The participants were 30 students enrolled Essay Writing Class. A collection of students’ work during the course in the form of ‘Essay Writing Module’ was used to provide authentic evidence of the implementation of portfolio assessment and observation checklists of students’ work was used to present the completeness of portfolio assessment of each student. To know students’ autonomous learning, semi-structured interview was carried out. The results prove that portfolio assessment can promote students autonomous learning since it provides some benefits for students such as motivate them to do self-evaluation and reflection, encourage them to be actively involved in peer review session, and also enhance their awareness of their weaknesses. HIGHLIGHTS: Portfolio assessment promotes students’ autonomous learning by providing some benefits for students such as provide a guide for self-evaluation, reflection, and peer review. Each element in portfolio encourages students’ engagement during the writing activities both inside and outside the classroom. An insightful idea of specific criteria motivates students to set goals in improving their writing competence and performance.

scholarly journals Does caffeine consumption affect laparoscopic skills in a motion tracking analysis? A prospective, randomized, blinded crossover trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix von Bechtolsheim ◽  
Florian Oehme ◽  
Michael Maruschke ◽  
Sofia Schmidt ◽  
Alfred Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motion Analysis ◽  
Motion Tracking ◽  
Crossover Trial ◽  
Potential Interaction ◽  
Caffeine Intake ◽  
Caffeine Consumption ◽  
Laparoscopic Skills ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Laparoscopic Performance

Abstract Background Coffee can increase vigilance and performance, especially during sleep deprivation. The hypothetical downside of caffeine in the surgical field is the potential interaction with the ergonomics of movement and the central nervous system. The objective of this trial was to investigate the influence of caffeine on laparoscopic performance. Methods Fifty laparoscopic novices participated in this prospective randomized, blinded crossover trial and were trained in a modified FLS curriculum until reaching a predefined proficiency. Subsequently, all participants performed four laparoscopic tasks twice, once after consumption of a placebo and once after a caffeinated (200 mg) beverage. Comparative analysis was performed between the cohorts. Primary endpoint analysis included task time, task errors, OSATS score and a performance analysis with an instrument motion analysis (IMA) system. Results Fifty participants completed the study. Sixty-eight percent of participants drank coffee daily. The time to completion for each task was comparable between the caffeine and placebo cohorts for PEG transfer (119 s vs 121 s; p = 0.73), precise cutting (157 s vs 163 s; p = 0.74), gallbladder resection (190 s vs 173 s; p = 0.6) and surgical knot (171 s vs 189 s; p = 0.68). The instrument motion analysis showed no significant differences between the caffeine and placebo groups in any parameters: instrument volume, path length, idle, velocity, acceleration, and instrument out of view. Additionally, OSATS scores did not differ between groups, regardless of task. Major errors occurred similarly in both groups, except for one error criteria during the circle cutting task, which occurred significantly more often in the caffeine group (34% vs. 16%, p < 0.05). Conclusion The objective IMA and performance scores of laparoscopic skills revealed that caffeine consumption does not enhance or impair the overall laparoscopic performance of surgical novices. The occurrence of major errors is not conclusive but could be negatively influenced in part by caffeine intake.

Abstract P335: Associations of Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality With Physical Performance in Older Adults --The Chicago Healthy Aging Study (CHAS)

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
ThanhHuyen T Vu ◽  
Kathryn J Reid ◽  
Martha L Daviglus ◽  
Daniel B Garside ◽  
Kiang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Short Sleep Duration ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Normal Sleep ◽  
And Performance

Background: Sleep duration (too short or too long) is associated with lower physical performance. However, the association of sleep duration and physical performance, taking into account the quality of sleep (e.g., sleep disturbance) in older populations, has not been thoroughly investigated. Methods: Using data from the Chicago Healthy Aging study conducted in 2007-10, we investigated a cross-sectional association of a combination of sleep duration and sleep disturbance with muscle strength (hand grip), and performance [4m gait speed and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)]. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep duration [categorized as short (≤ 6 hours), normal (7-8 hours), and long (≥ 9 hours)] and sleep disturbance (defined as either cannot fall asleep within 30 minutes or waking up in the middle of the night or early morning three or more times per week). (See Table and Table Footnote for definitions of sleep duration and disturbance, and physical performance categories). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Results: The study sample consists of 952 men and 350 women, ages 65-84 (mean age 71) in 2007-10; 9% were African American.12.6 % had SPPB score ≤ 8, 6.8 % had gait speed on 4 meter course < 0.8 m/s, and 23.4 % had low sex-BMI specific handgrip strength. As compared to the group with normal sleep duration (7-8 hours) without sleep disturbance, adjusted odds (95% confidence interval) of low gait speed <0.8 m/s in those with short sleep duration (≤ 6 hours) and sleep disturbance was much higher [2.00 (1.06-3.75)]. Similarly, the odds of low sex-BMI specific handgrip strength was about 2 times higher in those with long duration of sleep (≥ 9 hours), compared to those with normal sleep duration without sleep disturbance. No association was found for Short Physical Performance Battery (see Table). Conclusion: In older age, short sleep duration with poor quality as well as excessive sleep duration were associated with the greater likelihood of having low muscle strength and performance.

Autism Voices: A novel method to access first-person perspective of autistic youth

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Courchesne ◽  
Rackeb Tesfaye ◽  
Pat Mirenda ◽  
David Nicholas ◽  
Wendy Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
First Person ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Minimally Verbal ◽  
Person Perspective

Opportunities to communicate first-person perspectives are essential for self-determination. However, many autistic youth are excluded from sharing their perspectives, specifically those who are minimally verbal or with lower intellectual functioning. Current challenges to capturing their voices include a lack of appropriate inclusive methodologies. Propose an inclusive strength-oriented method to capture first-person perspectives of autistic adolescents. Our protocol (“Autism Voices”) includes a pre-interview survey and semi-structured interview using universal design strategies. It was piloted with 33 participants who were representative of diverse language and cognitive abilities. A coding scheme was developed to identify communicative acts used by participants and mitigation strategies used by interviewers to enhance communication. Interviewer strategies that enhanced communication included question formulation, use of pictures, offering various output modalities, and flexible implementation of the protocol. Non-verbal and alternative communication responses (e.g. choosing to not respond) were informative to youth’s lived experience, especially for minimally verbal participants. Overall, our results highlight that communication goes beyond verbally answering questions and that participants’ unconventional communication conveyed rich information. Autism Voices provides a promising method to promote the inclusion of autistic youth in research. Lay Abstract The perspective of autistic individuals is often left uncaptured, and as a result they are often excluded from making decisions that impact them. Conventional communication can be challenging for many autistic individuals, especially those who are minimally verbal or who have an associated intellectual disability. Currently, a lack of appropriate methods to capture voices across the spectrum is a barrier. In the present study, we developed the Autism Voices protocol using universal design principles to capture the perspectives and experiences of autistic youth with a range of language or intellectual abilities. This protocol was then used with 33 autistic youth aged 11 to 18 years. A scoring rubric was developed to capture the unconventional communication used by the participants and the mitigation strategies used by interviewers to facilitate the interview. Many components of the protocol were found to effectively facilitate communication between the participant and interviewer, including the use of picture cards to support verbal questions/prompts, the fact that participants could respond with their preferred communication methods (writing, texting, pointing), and the fact that interviews were applied flexibly to adapt to each participant. Unconventional communication and mitigation strategies were mostly observed in interviews with minimally verbal individuals, but a fine-grained analysis showed participants were still communicating something through this unconventional communication. Our protocol could help promote the inclusion of more autistic individuals in research and showed that unconventional modes of communication like echolalia provide an understanding that participants’ are invested in conversations and certain topics are more meaningful than others.

Used vehicle global supply chains: perspectives on a direct-import model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangyan Shi ◽  
Tiru Arthanari ◽  
V.G. Venkatesh ◽  
Samsul Islam ◽  
Venkatesh Mani
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Global Supply Chains ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the supply chain (SC) operations of importing used vehicles into New Zealand and how such SCs affect business practices and performance. Design/methodology/approach The study uses an exploratory qualitative semi-structured interview approach to interview the different stakeholders involved in the global used vehicle SC. Findings The research identifies the overall network structure of the used import vehicle SC from Japan to New Zealand and characterises key aspects of its operations and network connections. This paper finds that Japanese buying agents have integrated increasing numbers of services to provide a trouble-free trading platform, which has created a direct-import model for used vehicle companies in New Zealand. Practical implications The findings and recommendations are useful in designing and managing the used vehicle SC for all stakeholders and effective real-time management of uncertain factors. Originality/value The paper primarily analyses SC operations by researching the cooperation and coordination between SC components and networks, based on providing the flow of used vehicles from Japan to New Zealand. It constitutes a pioneering practice-perspective research paper in this domain.

The experiences of German social workers working with refugees

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel J Hagues ◽  
David Cecil ◽  
Ken Stoltzfus
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Personal Attributes ◽  
Cultural Immersion ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Related Stress

Summary This study examines the experiences of German social workers who provided services to refugees during the refugee crisis of 2014–2016. Interviews were conducted in 2016 in two regions of Germany, Berlin/Brandenburg ( n = 18) and Würzburg (Bavaria; n = 16). Researchers used a semi-structured interview guide complemented by a five-item Likert-type instrument. Questions explored Social Service Provider’s Background and Training, Refugees’ Needs, Role of Faith in Coping, and Recommendations for Universities and Churches and measure Effectiveness of Services, Adequacy of Resources, Benefits to Refugees, and Extent of Work-Related Stress. Findings A thematic analysis indicates social workers feel Germany has effectively responded to paramount refugee needs. Social workers emphasize the importance of learning to see people “eye-to-eye,” cultivating empathy, cross-cultural competence, overcoming personal biases, and self-reflection. Applications Findings suggest social workers who practice with refugees should devote attention to the development of personal attributes to facilitate effective service delivery (e.g. learning to respond empathetically, practicing self-reflection, and treating refugees as equals) and refining practical skills (e.g. study of refugee and immigration law nationally and internationally and development of cross-cultural knowledge and understanding). Suggestions include learning a greeting in another language or understanding gender roles in different cultures. The usefulness of cultural immersion gained by spending time abroad was highlighted; such experiences allow one to cultivate the ability to be open-minded, encourage the development of a capacity to empathize with members of under-represented groups, and prevent the tendency of seeing refugees or migrants as “the Other” ( Said, 1978 ).

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