Abstract:Introduction/Objective: Job satisfaction is an employee's emotional response to work and is an important indicator of the quality of working life. The paper examines the prevalence of influential job satisfaction factors among health workers at three levels of health care. This is the first research on this topic conducted in healthcare institutions in Boka Kotorska and may be an indicator of the quality of business success. Method: A cross- sectional study conducted in Montenegro (December 2021 - July 2022) examined job satisfaction among 192 respondents aged 19-65, permanently employed in five institutions at three levels of healthcare. Job satisfaction and influencing factors of job satisfaction were examined using the Bellingham Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). Results: By surveying 32.8% of healthcare workers at the primary, 34.9% at the secondary and 32.3% at the tertiary level of healthcare, the identified job satisfaction factors were: recognition and appreciation at work (p=0.0001), tasks to be learned (p=0.020), materials and equipment for work (p=0.010), opportunity for daily best work (p=0.037), encouragement for development at work (p=0.031), trust in management (p=0.036), supervision (p=0.009) and salary (p=0.0001). The representation of these factors is lowest among respondents at the primary level, and highest among respondents at the tertiary level. There was no significant difference in overall job satisfaction, as 51.6% of respondents have an excellent job, 23.4% good, 31% acceptable, 6.8% bad and 2.1% depressing job. Conclusion: Job satisfaction factors are different and are represented differently at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of health care. Recognition and appreciation, cooperation with the manager and salary are the most influential factors of job satisfaction of health workers at the tertiary level of health care.
Abstract:This review of literature will examine the connection between the insignificance of the teacher role in school-based decision-making processes and the effects it has on the morale of the personnel. Although my earlier empirical study, which was carried out in a particular country and confined to a demarcation of five schools, indicated a relation between low participation in decision-making and low employee morale, this study will widen the knowledge on this issue to global areas. Set against a wide array of literature provided in different educational settings, this review aims to uncover common themes, policy and practice implications, and the generalizability of results in terms of teacher participation and teacher morale. Finally, the goal of this review is to educate educational stakeholders about the importance of creating inclusive decision-making communities that consider and cherish the input of teachers to positively impact the general workplace atmosphere and performance.
Abstract:This literature review discusses the importance of positive reinforcement in the classroom as a higher learning institution and its effects on student motivation, interest, and success in classrooms. Positive reinforcement, which is the act of giving rewards, praise, or encouragement as a way of reinforcing good behaviors that are demonstrated, has been found to have a great influence on the learning setting. This essay is a synthesis of the available literature on some of the positive reinforcement techniques, such as verbal praise, recognition, and physical rewards, and their effectiveness in creating the inclusive and supportive classroom environment. The review goes into the psychological basis of the reinforcement theory, making parallels to student self-efficacy and growth mindset development. In addition, it also looks at implications of the use of positive reinforcement practices for the varied student populations, including the underrepresented groups. This article promotes the strategic use of positive reinforcement in the pedagogy of institutions of higher learning by shedding light on the advantages and the issues that may arise.
Abstract:This literature review investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on praxis pedagogy and teacher education experiences in South Africa. As the education sector faced unprecedented disruption, the pivot towards remote learning highlighted systemic challenges and opportunities for innovation in teaching methodologies. This study synthesizes existing literature on the adaptations made by teacher educators and student teachers during this period, focusing on the dynamics of digital learning, the role of pedagogical frameworks, and the integration of technology into teacher training. Key themes explored include the resilience of educators, socio-economic disparities affecting access to technology, the importance of community and collaboration, and the evolving nature of teacher identities in a rapidly changing educational landscape. This analysis aims to underscore the lessons learned from this period of crisis, providing insights for future pedagogical practices and teacher education frameworks in South Africa.
Abstract:This review of the literature is a comprehensive study of the multidimensional and intricate interaction of the relationship between rural politics, identity, and development. By critically examining the research that has been done in the past, this paper addresses the ways in which legislation has historically dictated and further dictates the lives of the rural community in any part of the world. The review dwells upon how the rural communities tend to be marginalized and excluded in the policymaking processes, hence not being represented and voiced in the development agenda. It also discusses the way the rural identity is created and enacted in legislative structures and supports the development of stereotypes and strengthens the established power relations. The review points out the crucially of comprehending the intersectionality of rural politics, rural identity, and rural development, and how aspects of gender, class, race, and ethnicity interact with rurality. It continues to argue that the policymakers should be able to appreciate the complexity of these issues to help them address the special needs of rural communities and achieve more balanced and sustainable development results. The literature review is based on various theoretical outlooks, which consist of poststructuralist thought, critical discourse analysis, and intersectionality theory, and offers an insightful and balanced explanation of the connection between rural politics, identity, and development. It ends by noting that there is a need to make the policy-making process more participatory and inclusive, putting the voices and experiences of rural communities at the center. The purpose of the review is to add to the existing knowledge regarding the multifaceted nature of rural politics, identity, and development in the long run with the goal of informing better policy interventions that would foster social justice and equity in rural settings.
Abstract:A member of the TRP vanilloid subfamily, the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) cation channel, is expressed in a broad range of tissues where it participates in the generation of Ca2+ signals and/or depolarization of the membrane potential. TRPV4 abundance regulation on the cell surface plays an important role for osmo- and mechanotransduction. Particularly, mutations on TRPV4 causes many human diseases, including metatropic dysplasia also called metatropic dwarfism or parastremmatic dwarfism, which are characterized by severe dwarfism, kyphoscoliosis, distortion and bowing of the extremities, and contractures of the large joints brachyolmia type 3; also known as brachyrachia or spondylometaphyseal dysplasia Kozlowski type, such as backbone disorder. The symptom of these diseases are apparent with a combination of decreased bone density, bowing of the long bones, platyspondyly, and striking irregularities of endochondral ossification with areas of calcific stippling and streaking in radiolucent epiphyses, metaphyses, and apophyses. In this review, we focus very recently discovered mutations on the TRPV4 functions, which are related to human diseases through its deviated function. Moreover, it was characterized how the constitutive active TRPV4 mutant affects endochondral ossification with a reduced number of hypertrophic chondrocytes and the presence of cartilage islands within the zone of primary mineralization. Further, the recent knowledge for the gain positive function of TRPV4 in the pathogenesis of human cancer or bone disease is discussed. Finally, we suggested here that because TRPV4 is evolved as the unique polymodal and multirole cation channel, its mutation causes so many human symptoms (diseases).
Abstract:Objective: We report a case series of Silent Killer Aortic Syndrome, characterized by various pathologies detected via computed tomography (CT) in the infrarenal aortic segment, where the aortic diameters measured below the gender-specific normal range. Background: Small Aortic Syndrome (SAS) is believed to result from intrauterine hypoplasia affecting the development of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. A related but distinct entity is abdominal aortic coarctation, a condition far less common than coarctation of the aortic isthmus. This case series aims to highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by these overlapping pathologies and to emphasize the clinical implications of SAS in affected individuals. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study evaluated anterior-posterior diameter measurements of the infrarenal abdominal aorta using CT. Infrarenal aortic diameters were considered pathologic when measuring less than 16 mm in men and less than 15 mm in women, based on sex-specific reference values. CT images were also assessed for the presence of additional concurrent aortic and extra-aortic pathologies, which were included in the analysis. Results: A total of 12 patients were included in the study, comprising 4 females and 8 males. All patients had a history of hypertension. Ascending aortic aneurysms were observed in 7 patients. Bicuspid aortic valve was identified exclusively in male patients. Interestingly, dissection and thrombus formation were more frequently observed in female patients compared to males. Conclusions: Silent Killer Aortic Syndrome represents a newly proposed clinical entity. Given its association with potentially fatal surgical emergencies, long-term surveillance of patients with this pathology is essential. Increased awareness and early identification may improve outcomes and reduce mortality.
Abstract:The present study aims to perform statistical analyses on rock mass class differences encountered during the investigation and excavation phases of various tunnel projects and to quantitatively evaluate these differences. Using data obtained from five different tunnels constructed in Türkiye, the differences between the rock mass classes predicted during the investigation phase and the actual values encountered during excavation were analyzed with the parameter of Mean Percentage Absolute Difference (MPAD). The effects of the parameters introduced in the study, such as the drilling length ratio to tunnel length (LDn), total core recovery ratio (TCRn), rock quality designation ratio (RQDn) and uniaxial compressive strength test number ratio (UCSn) on these differ-ences were investigated with regression and random forest algorithms. The results showed that TCRn and RQDn have a strong inverse relationship on MPAD, in other words, the rock mass class differences decrease with the increase of these parameters. In addition, it was determined that the drilling length and total core recovery values are of critical importance in reducing the uncertainties in the tunnel route. This study is expected to contribute to more accurate predictions and to reduce cost and time losses by providing a quantitative approach to minimize uncertainties in tunnel engineering during excavation phase.
Abstract:(Background) The 20th-century reductionist medical paradigm is reaching its limits, facing unsustainable costs from aging populations and chronic multi-morbidity. This context necessitates a paradigm shift from reactively treating disease to proactively engineering healthspan, highlighting the purpose of this study: to establish the comprehensive rationale for adopting a systems engineering perspective to guide this transformation. (Methods) Through a structured literature review, this study synthesizes the theoretical foundations of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and Systems Engineering as applied to healthcare. It surveys the emerging technological architecture, including high-level simulation toolkits like Digital Twins and AI, and the pervasive layer of personal health devices. The review further analyzes the practical implications of this shift across education, clinical practice, and policy. (Results) The synthesis reveals that Systems Engineering offers a robust methodology to manage the inherent complexity of health systems. This review identifies the possible technological architecture and confirms that a paradigm shift requires reforms across multiple areas of the healthcare ecosystem. (Conclusions) A systems engineering approach is a step forward, presenting a sustainable approach for the future of health systems: mandating the integration of new theoretical, technological, practical, and ethical frameworks to move beyond extending lifespan to truly engineering longevity.
Abstract:This study investigates the symbolism and production of Silla face-inlaid glass bead to reassess their origin and significance within the context of ancient Korean craftsmanship and cultural exchange. Through design analysis, archaeological data, textual sources, and comparative cultural study, the paper argues for the likelihood of local production in Silla, supported by advanced metalworking and inlay technologies. The analysis also explores how these beads reflect a unique shamanistic worldview, and how their distribution pattern provides insight into Silla's participate on in steppe and maritime Silk Road trade networks. The findings contribute to a reevaluation of Silla's technological and symbolic sophistication and suggest a broader role for ancient Korea in early trans-regional cultural interaction.