Investigating the Knowledge Management Infrastructures of SBMU-Affiliated Libraries

Introduction: Increasing productivity in academic libraries can be due to knowledge management. The successful implementation of knowledge management requires appropriate infrastructures. In this study, to determine the level of readiness of SBMU-affiliated libraries and to implement knowledge management, the infrastructure of the management approach, organizational culture, human resources, organizational structure, and information technology has been examined.   Methods: The descriptive-survey research method was used to determine the status of the infrastructures studied to obtain the opinions of 58 librarians working in the libraries of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The opinions of 10 experts obtained to analyze the qualitative validity. Content validity‏ ratio (CVR) was calculated to analyze the quantitative content validity, content validity index (CVI), and the validity of each item, which was considered 62% and 79%, respectively. Cronbach's alpha was also used to measure reliability, which was 0.92, indicating that reliability is appropriate. A 5-point Likert scale was used to weigh a 50- item questionnaire.   Results: The mean obtained for the infrastructures of the management approach was 2.72, organizational structure 2.66, organizational culture 3.13, human resources 3.26, and technology 3.21, respectively.   Conclusion: The status of the two infrastructures of management approach and organizational structure was undesirable, and the three infrastructures of organizational culture, human resources, and technology were at a moderate level. Consequently, these infrastructures need investment and exceptional attention to provide a suitable platform for the implementation of knowledge management in the SBMU-affiliated libraries

Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Anxiety in Pre-University Students: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

AbstractIntroduction: Anxiety experience in adolescents is more intense than other periods of life. The relaxation of muscles leads to the relaxation of the mind, because it prevents the production of negative thoughts. Therefore, this study was done with the purpose of determining the effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) on pre-university students’ anxiety.Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 304 pre-university students of public schools in Malayer city that had the inclusion criteria were allocated to 2 groups of PMR and control with simple random sampling . Progressive Muscle Relaxation was taught to the intervention group and the students were asked to do the relaxation once a day for one month. Anxiety score of the entire sample was measured at the beginning, during, and the end of the intervention, using the “Beck Depression Inventory”. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, and repeated measures test.Results: The mean of the control group›s anxiety score was 14.96 ± 8.22, reaching 16.56 ± 8.08 after 2 weeks and 19.45 ± 8.27 at the end of the fourth weeks. The mean of the intervention group›s anxiety scores was 15.71 ± 8.58. It decreased to 13.33 ± 9.06 at the end of the second week and 10.64 ± 9.30 at the end of the fourth week. The repeated measures test showed a significant difference between the 2 groups in mean anxiety scores (P = 0.008),  and was significantly different at the three time points (P < 0.001).Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that the PMR caused a decrease in anxiety in pre-university students

The Relationship between Psychological Hardiness and Academic Enthusiasm and Vitality in Students of Arak University of Medical Sciences

Background: Psychological hardiness as a protective factor plays an essential role in how students face academic challenges. Paying attention to academic enthusiasm and vitality due to their strong impact on various aspects of students' academic life is of great importance. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological hardiness and academic enthusiasm and vitality in students of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2017-2018 on 341 students of Arak University of Medical Sciences selected by stratified random sampling based on gender. Data were collected using the Ahvaz Hardiness Inventory (AHI), Academic Enthusiasm Inventory developed by Fredricks et al., and Academic Vitality Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: There was a negative and significant relationship between psychological hardiness and academic enthusiasm (r=-0.17, P=0.002) and vitality (r=-0.38, P=0.001). Also, a positive and significant relationship was observed between academic enthusiasm and academic vitality (r=0.15, P=0.008). There was a significant difference between the mean scores of academic vitality of male and female students. Conclusion: In order to increase the quality of academic life of medical students, it is essential to teach the components of psychological hardiness, academic enthusiasm, and academic vitality to students. Keywords: Psychological Hardiness, Academic Enthusiasm, Academic Vitalit

Evaluation of the relationship between serumsVisfatin and Resistin levels with BMI in PCOS young women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine / metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age .Abdominal adiposity and obesity are frequently present in PCOS. It now appears that, obesity is associated with a low-grade inflammation of white adipose tissue.Adipokines play a significant role in the pathogenesis of a low-grade inflammation associated with obesity. Among variety of adipokines, resistin and visfatin are proposed as important pro inflammatory mediators and they have recently been suggested to be associated with obesity related diseases.The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of visfatin and resistin serum levels and the ratio of these two adipokines with BMI in PCOS women under age of 35 years old. Twenty eight young women with clinically confirmed PCOS disease (14 lean and 14 obese), and 12 young, healthy and lean women with stable weight and BMI<25 were enrolled. Blood was obtained from the included persons, and visfatin and resistin were assessed by ELISA method. We did not observe any significant differences in serum visfatin and resistin concentrations and also in the Visfatin/Resistin ratio between PCOS and control group. Also we did not found a significant correlation between visfatin and resistin with BMI. This study demonstrated that serum resistin and visfatin levels do not seem to be directly involved in the pathology of PCOS

Opinions of Educational Experts in Shahid Beheshti University of

Background and aim: Education and clinical application of basic science is important in nursing education ,nurse educators have reported problems with the teaching and learning of bioscience. This study aimed toexplore educational expert’s opinions regarding the basic science courses offer.Materials and methods: This descriptive study was performed on 35 educational experts at Faculty ofNursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected with a semistructuredquestionnaire. Face and content validity were checked. The reliability of the questionnaire wasdetermined using the Cronbach’s Alpha test. Data were analyzed by SPSS(version 18) and descriptivestatistics.Findings: 50.0 percent of educational experts agreed with the proportion of basic science courses for nursingcourse objectives. Also, they agreed with time extension for anatomy and physiology courses, especially thesecourses offer in several semesters and relevant to clinical nursing courses.Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that curriculum planners should investigate about the clinicalapplication of basic science courses in nursing program as a priority, and fundamental reform needs toconsider basic science courses offer, especially anatomy and physiology, as well.Keywords: Curriculum planning, Educational Experts, Nursing education, Basic science course

Correlation of Moral Courage and Organizational Commitment in Operating Room Nurses

Objective: Moral courage distinguishes real moralists from hypocrites and indicates the commitment of nurses to their patients. Organizational commitment can also influence this commitment. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the correlation between moral courage and organizational commitment of operating room nurses working in the teaching hospitals of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 136 operating room nurses who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The required data were collected through demographic information form, the organizational commitment questionnaire of Allen and Myer, and the professional moral courage scale by Sekerka and colleagues. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 21) for descriptive and correlational analyses. Results: The mean scores of moral courage and organizational commitment of operating room nurses were 62.5±6.5 and 101.86±13.7, respectively. Moreover, moral courage did not have a statistically significant relationship with organizational commitment (P>0.05). The moral courage and organizational commitment of the participants differed significantly in terms of their type of employment (P<0.05) and age (P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion: Given the high mean score of moral courage and organizational commitment in operating room nurses, it can be said that nurses tend to show moral behaviors. On the other hand, the low score of the endurance of threat indicates that operating room nurses do not receive the necessary support from the organization for their courageous behavior. Therefore, the support of senior managers is essential for the occurrence of such behaviors

Comparison of sensorineural hearing loss characteristics in different hemodialysis vascular accesses

Background and Aim: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is one of the complications in hemodialysis patients. Vascular access (VA) represents a lifeline for these patients affecting their life quality and clinical outcomes. Arteriovenous fistula is the gold standard of VAs with minor complications and better hemodialysis adequacy. There is no study investigating hearing differences in hemodialysis VAs. Hence, this study aimed to compare SNHL characteristics amongst hemodialysis VAs. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 64 patients aged 18−60 years received regular hemodialysis in 2019. Demographic data and comorbid conditions were recorded based on patients’ case records and electronic databases. After a physical examination, otoscopy, tympanometry, and conventional audiometry, patients were divided into fistula (n = 26), permanent catheter (n = 36), and temporary catheter (n = 2) groups according to vascular access type. Results: Prevalence rate of SNHL was 63.89%, 50% and 50% in the permanent catheter, fistula and temporary catheter groups, respectively. Most patients had mild sloping-SNHL in the permanent catheter and fistula groups as against moderate degree in the other group. There was no significant difference in hearing thresholds, degree and audiogram shape among VA groups. No significant relation was found between age, sex, hemodialysis duration and disease duration with hearing loss in all groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: More patients had SNHL in permanent catheter group. Vascular access types, longer duration of hemodialysis and disease duration do not seem to be associated with SNHL. However, further investigation is needed to clarify the relationship

Translation and psychometric properties of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory in Iranian nurses

Background: Burnout has its focus on exhaustion and it includes persistent response to long-lasting job-related stressful events. It has a special relevance in health care area in which staff is under constant psychological, emotional, and physical stress. The results of several studies on burnout prevalence among Iranian nurses indicate its high incidence. Therefore, more accurate researches are required for better preventive interventions, and to do so, a reliable validated scale is required. One of the suitable and new tools for the measurement of burnout is Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). This study aimed to translate and investigate psychometric properties of CBI in Iranian nurses. Materials and Methods: In this methodological study, after the translation process, face and content validities via qualitative and quantitative methods was done. Content validation ratio, scale-level content validated index, item-level content validity index were measured. Then, construct validity was determined through factor analysis. Furthermore, internal consistency reliability and stability were assessed. The questionnaire was sent to 450 nurses who were randomly selected via quota sampling. Results: Face and content validity were acceptable. After translation and cultural adaptation process, exploratory factor analysis suggested a new model based on four factors and fit indices validated this model via confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency and stability of CBI were affirmed for each subscale separately. Conclusions: The four-factor Persian version of the CBI proved to enjoy acceptable psychometric properties. It can be applied to evaluate burnout in Iranian nurses or other health care providers