Experiencing Stress among Different Professional Groups in the Context of Their Age

The subject of this article is the identification of coping with stress and experiencing stress in three groups of the same number of people, different in terms of their occupation: professional soldiers of the Polish Army with the rank of an officer, people employed in managerial positions, and specialists working in independent positions in the context of their age. The analysis of the literature and the research carried out refer to the concept of sustainable development. This indicates the need to take care of limiting excessive stress and improving the mental well-being of all employees, regardless of the demographic characteristics and nature of the work performed. In order to identify possible differences, three types of questionnaires meeting the criteria of psychometric correctness were used (CISS, KPS, PSS-10). The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis using the FUZZY TOPSIS method based on multi-criteria decision-making and the fuzzy logic, which was first applied in the social science. The obtained data confirmed some differentiation within the three studied groups, as well as the modifying role of age in coping and experiencing stress.

Academic Stress among Rural Adolescents due to COVID -19 : A Comparative Analysis

Adolescence is a period during which individuals’ transit from puberty to adulthood. Children go through many changes throughout this time, including biological, cognitive, and emotional changes. Excessive stress caused by studies, high expectations, and lack of capacity to maintain studies is referred to as academic stress. The study’s major goal was to assess the academic stress among rural adolescents owing to COVID- 19. The study was conducted in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. For the sample selection from four villages having Sr. Sec, schools were randomly selected. From selected schools, 180 students of age group of 16-18 years were selected randomly. The sample consisted equal no. of adolescent boys and adolescent girls. Slightly modified Academic stress scale developed by Rao (2012) was used to assess academic stress in adolescent boys and girls. Collected data was further classified, in tabulated form and analyzed through using suitable statistical measures. Results indicated that adolescents’ boys and girls faced moderate to high academic stress. Furthermore, girls were facing high academic stress as compared to boys.

Indirect orthodontic bonding with drop-shaped hot glue tray: a simple and cost-effective technique

Despite being associated with more accuracy, the indirect bonding procedure is not yet the gold standard, probably because of sensitivity of the numerous variables that must be controlled. The aim of this article was to present a modified, standardized, and low-cost indirect bonding technique that allows this procedure to be performed successfully. The technique covers an initial clinical stage, to obtain the models; a laboratory stage, which involves placement of brackets on the models following the facial axis of the clinical crown and the labial projection of the marginal ridges of the posterior teeth and construction of transfer tray using hot glue; and a second clinical stage, to properly transfer the brackets to patient’s teeth. Hot glue used to build the tray molds the teeth and perfectly adapts to the teeth, having enough stiffness to maintain their anatomy and the position of the brackets, but also presenting adequate flexibility to allow removal of the tray avoiding excessive stress over the brackets. In conclusion, the new simplified indirect bonding technique presented here provides a precise placement of brackets on the models, a cheaper way to transfer them to patient, and an easy removal of transfer tray, being a very simple and cost-effective method.

Analysis of the effects of caffeine and dioxidine on biochemical indicators of blood in mouse

Relevance . In connection with the widespread use of caffeine, an important issue is the study of its interaction with substances that can exhibit toxic effects. Objective. The aim of the study is to assess the degree of influence of caffeine and dioxidine on the biochemical parameters of blood in mice in the forced swimming test. Materials and methods. The studies were carried out on 6 groups of male mice: control and five experimental. During 15 days of the experiment, the animals of the control group were injected with physiological saline, and the experimental animals were injected with caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg (1 and 2), dioxidine in an amount of 200 mg/kg (3), and caffeine was combined and dioxidine (4 and 5). Biochemical parameters were used to determine the content of glucose, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, the activity of aspartic and alanine aminotransferases. Results . The introduction of caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg led to a decrease in glucose levels below normal and an increase in cholesterol and urea concentrations. The use of caffeine at a dose of 100 mg/ kg caused a decrease in glucose levels below normal and an increase in urea concentration. With the introduction of dioxidine at a dose of 200 mg/kg, an increase in the level of glucose, cholesterol, urea, as well as the activity of AST and ALT was taken. The combined use of caffeine and dioxidine by the 15th day led to 100 % mortality in experimental animals. Conclusions . The results of the experiment indicate that the introduction of caffeine at a dose of 40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg leads to an increase in most of the measured parameters relative to the control values, but they do not go beyond normal values, however, a decrease in glucose levels is noted. These changes in indicators are due to the predominance of catabolic processes over anabolic ones. In animals treated with dioxidine, a significant increase in the concentration of metabolites and the activity of blood enzymes was found, especially an increase in AST and ALT was noted, which indicates a predominant lesion of cardiomyocytes. The mortality rate of the experimental groups receiving caffeine and dioxidine together by the last day of the experiment is due to the action of an excessive stress factor leading to the depletion of the adaptive capabilities of the organism and the death of experimental animals.

Reinforcing Effects of Ring Plates on a Detachable Spudcan Subjected to Eccentric Load

A detachable spudcan enables the operation of a jackup barge on any seabed. A general detachable spudcan uses a pin to connect the separate footing and leg. However, this type of structure can cause excessive stress on the pin. In this study, a new type of detachable spudcan reinforced with ring plates (upper and lower) is proposed to improve the structural performance of the conventional detachable spudcan. Finite element analysis revealed that the stress concentration in the connection part was relieved by reinforcing the lower and upper rings. In particular, reinforcing both lower and upper rings resulted in superior structural performance under eccentric supported conditions than when reinforcing only the lower ring. The structural strength of the spudcan when both the upper and lower rings were reinforced was found to be 120% of the spudcan as compared to when only the lower ring was reinforced. It is thought that the safety of the connection part can be secured when designing a detachable spudcan using the reinforcement plan verified in this study.

COVID-19 and radiotherapy: impact on work and personal life of Lombardy residents during first lockdown, survey endorsed by AIRO Young

Aim: Since 20 February 2020, Lombardy has been one of the most affected areas worldwide by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate work and psychological impact of COVID-19 on Lombardy radiation therapy (RT) residents in the first 3 months of the outbreak (first lockdown). Methods: An online questionnaire (22 multiple choice questions) via Microsoft Forms was administered on 30 May 2020 to RT residents. Results: Nineteen Lombardy RT residents responded to the survey. Nineteen percent of residents underwent a nasal swab and 11% were quarantined. Seventeen residents (89%) reported an increase in workload. Twelve residents (63%) did not find any difference in terms of work distress; worsening was highlighted in 5 cases (26%). The majority has never considered the possibility of stopping work due to excessive stress (89%). Almost all the residents experienced self- or relative-referred apprehension (95%). Ninety-five percent reported having missed extra-work social relationships. Most of the sample noted worsening sleep quality and difficulty concentrating (69%). No residents requested psychological support, even if provided by the hospital. Conclusion: Overall, the residents adapted to the new workplace scenario, although some health risks and well-being challenges have been reported. An extension of the survey to all Italian RT residents endorsed by Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology “Young AIRO” will allow an evaluation of COVID-19 impact on a national level. A second survey is planned to underline differences between the first lockdown and the current situation of the pandemic.

The Micro Topology and Statistical Analysis of the Forces of Walking and Failure of an ITAP in a Femur

This paper studies the forces acting upon the Intraosseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis, ITAP, that has been designed for use in a quarter amputated femur. To design in a failure feature, utilising a safety notch, which would stop excessive stress, σ, permeating the bone causing damage to the user. To achieve this, the topology of the ITAP was studied using MATLAB and ANSYS models with a wide range of component volumes. The topology analysis identified critical materials and local maximum stresses when modelling the applied loads. This together with additive layer manufacture allows for bespoke prosthetics that can improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to design a fully functional, failure feature that is operational when extreme loads are applied from any direction. Physical testing is needed for validation of this study. Further research is also recommended on the design so that the σ within the ITAP is less than the yield stress, σs, of bone when other loads are applied from running and other activities.

Mental stress post-COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that is plaguing the world today surely carves a dark, unforgettable history. It has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This shows that it has spread worldwide, transcending every border, and then finally penetrating every corner of the world. Despite its small size (measured in nanometer), its influence is great enough in triggering stress. As various countries declare a state of Emergency, restricted movement order and lockdown, varying reactions like sorrow, anxiety, misperception and fear have been ignited in the society. All of these have cumulatively caused stress among them. This current review paper summarizes and discusses the published literature addressing mental health concerns linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies show that excessive stress causes the failure in the individual’s mental and physical systems. The issue here is how the situation at the workplace, post-COVID-19 is different from the previous situation. Thus, the psychological preparation of every member in the organization is crucial to face the challenges coming their way. The available literature showed consensus that the COVID-19 pandemic not only affects physical health, but also stress and well-being. In conclusion, emotional well-being must be emphasized through training and human resource development strategy to prepare and empower the mentality of the organizational members to address this stress.

The Perception of Occupation by Hospital Nurses in Poland and Germany in Terms of the Risk of Excessive Stress and Burnout as Well as Possible Coping and Preventive Solutions

Nurses constitute a professional group exposed to a high risk of stress and occupational burnout. Fewer nurses are recruited every year and the ever higher age of those professionally active is alarming. This article presents the results of international comparative studies from 2018 and 2019 involving Polish and German nurses (747 people) dedicated to the perception of aspects of nurses’ work in terms of the risk of excessive stress and burnout and possible preventive measures. Using a proprietary questionnaire, the authors evaluated differences in the perception of the nursing profession in Poland and Germany, as well as in terms of seniority or decision-making. Next, the relationship between the perception of work specificity and opinions about professional risks and possible preventive measures was evaluated. The analysis used the Mann-Whitney U test and correlation analysis of the questions. Using exploratory factor analysis, the number of dimensions describing the nursing profession was reduced from 16 to four related to (1) workload, (2) job satisfaction, (3) atmosphere in the organisation and (4) sense of control over one’s own work. The results showed statistically significant differences in the perception of professional specificity and risks according to the analysed characteristics.