Beyond the job demand control (-support) model : explaining stress reactions in nurses

Nurses have been identified as having a risk of experiencing stress and burnout. The nature and organization of the job make nursing inherently difficult. Research highlights that occupational stress is largely dependent on psychosocial job characteristics, such as job demands and job resources. The studies included in this thesis focus on the relationships between occupational stressors and job resources, operationalized on the basis of the JDC(-S) model, and different outcomes (such as burnout, psychological and somatic complaints, and diminished job satisfaction) among nurses. The JDC(S) model focuses on three dimensions of psychosocial working conditions: job demands and the two job resources: job control and social support. Psychosocial job demands relate to the work load, and include, for example, time pressure, role conflict and quantitative workload. Job control, or decision latitude, refers to the employe e’s ability to control his or her work activities and skill usage. Social support refers to instrumental and emotional support from colleagues and superiors. The model predicts that health and wellness are most threatened in a situation of high work demands, low control and low social support. Furthermore it is assumed that high control and high social support moderate (buffering effect) the detrimental impact of high work demands on health and wellbeing.In this dissertation, we distinguished five main questions that can extend earlier research on JDC(-S) model. More specifically: (1) beyond the JDC (-S) dimensions, which is the contribute of organizational variables on psychological well being and distress outcomes ? (2) Could the lack of support for the buffer hypotheses of the model(s) be attributable to the use of general scales to assess the JDC (-S) dimensions ? (3) The third question concerns the validity of the JDC(S) model in various countries. Is the JDC (-S) model cross-national generalizable across different countries ? (4) What is the role of individual variables in the relationships between psychosocial job characteristics on the one hand, and psychological well being and distress, on the other hand ? (5) The fifth question regards the longitudinal effects of psychosocial job characteristics on a specific construct of psychological strain. What are the across-time effects of changes in JDC(S) dimensions on burno ut indicators ?LEI Universiteit LeidenFSW - Self-regulation models for health behavior and psychopathology - ou

Simulation of Cosmic Ray neutrinos Interactions in Water

The program CORSIKA, usually used to simulate extensive cosmic ray air showers, has been adapted to a water medium in order to study the acoustic detection of ultra high energy neutrinos. Showers in water from incident protons and from neutrinos have been generated and their properties are described. The results obtained from CORSIKA are compared to those from other available simulation programs such as Geant4.Comment: Talk presented on behalf of the ACoRNE Collaboration at the ARENA Workshop 200

PArthENoPE reloaded

We describe the main features of a new and updated version of the program PArthENoPE, which computes the abundances of light elements produced during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. As the previous first release in 2008, the new one, PArthENoPE 2.0, will be soon publicly available and distributed from the code site, this http URL Apart from minor changes, which will be also detailed, the main improvements are as follows. The powerful, but not freely accessible, NAG routines have been substituted by ODEPACK libraries, without any significant loss in precision. Moreover, we have developed a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which allows a friendly use of the code and a simpler implementation of running for grids of input parameters. Finally, we report the results of PArthENoPE 2.0 for a minimal BBN scenario with free radiation energy density

Nasal tip sutures: how to control shape and orientation in rhinoplasty

Nasal tip surgery is universally recognized as the most challenging part of the rhinoplasty procedure. "The tip makes the nose”. Narrowing the anatomically complex alar cartilages can lead to functional and aesthetic unfavourable outcomes. A thorough understanding of the ideal surface aesthetics and contours and spatial relationships of the structures of the nose tip is mandatory. In primary rhinoplasty, a very large percentage of visible tip deformities involve two major areas: the domes and the lateral crura. Suture techniques have the potential to modify the position, shape and definition of the tip. However, even sutures may result in changes beyond the main goals for which they are placed. The final suture effects are influenced by factors such as forces intrinsic to the cartilages, the degree of suture tightening, and limitations posed by the soft-tissue attachments. The closed delivery approach is our favourite. In a step-by-step fashion, first the medial pillar of the tripod should be addressed, establishing stable and strong tip support and basic dome projection symmetry. Subsequently and in our experience, in a standard procedure shaping lateral crura and domes, using reversible techniques that preserve structural integrity of the rimstrip, would be advisable. One of the main goals is not only to narrow the tip but to change the angle of rotation of the lateral crus surface in relation to the sagittal upper septal margin. Once marked the new dome defining point, with a variable combination of the lateral crural steal technique, sutures such as cranial tip sutures (CTS) and hemitransdomal sutures (HTS) might produce the needed outcome of everting and rotating the caudal margin of the lateral crura above the cranial edge. These sutures can gradually increase domal convexity and reduce lateral crura convexity. Additional dome equalization suture can guarantee more symmetry and then one or more lateral crural spanning sutures help in achieving supplementary eversion of the lateral crus. After establishing adequate projection, the tip rotation or position sutures are placed between the cranial edge of intermediate crura and the dorsal septum. The personal association of suture techniques is presented in this study and the long-term subjective and objective results are discussed along with the pros and cons

The challenging Silent sinus syndrome

The Silent sinus syndrome (SSS), first described in 1964 by Montgomery, is considered a relatively rare pathological entity, but it is presumably underdiagnosed and underreported. Terms such as imploding antrum and chronic maxillary atelectasis (CMA) have interchangeably been used to describe this syndrome, even though CMA has been postulated to represent either a different entity or a stage of evolution of the same disease. Bilateral involvement has been documented in a limited number of cases. Silent ethmoid sinus and silent frontal sinus syndromes have been described. The prevalent initial presentation is facial asymmetry with progressive “silent” painless unilateral enophthalmos and hypoglobus, and rarely diplopia. Isolated maxillary sinus hypoplasia must be differentiated. The etiopathogenesis is poorly understood and still under debate. According to the diagnostic criteria, SSS should spontaneously develops in absence of previous trauma or surgery. Secondary SSS to trauma or surgery, or to other causes like inflammation or tumor, has been documented in literature. The diagnosis relies on the CT, which typically shows unilateral hypoplastic and opacified maxillary sinus with inward bowing and remodeling of the sinus walls and inferior displacement of the orbital floor, an enlarged retroantral fat pad, a lateralized uncinate process, and a blocked ostiomeatal complex. The treatment of SSS aims at restoring the eye position and orbital floor height, to prevent progression of enophthalmos, to restore ventilation and drainage of the sinus. These objectives are achieved in single or two-stage surgery. The timing for management of the orbital floor is still under debate.The universally accepted treatment is surgical and usually accomplished by endoscopic sinus surgery. Associated middle turbinate hypertrophy and septal deviation must be previously addressed. Precise and gentle endoscopic removal of the obstruction of the ethmoid infundibulum, simply performing an inferior posteroanterior uncinectomy, since the uncinate process has constantly been found atelectatic and adherent to the lateral nasal wall, can reestablish the patency of the natural maxillary ostium. In our experience, following middle meatal antrostomy, long-term observation with staged orbital surgery, if required, is recommended. In this study, we present our cases with a focus on surgical stratagems developed in order to reduce the risk of injuring the orbit and to achieve long-lasting results

Nasal tip sutures: how to control shape and orientation in rhinoplasty

Nasal tip surgery is universally recognized as the most challenging part of the rhinoplasty procedure. "The tip makes the nose”. Narrowing the anatomically complex alar cartilages can lead to functional and aesthetic unfavourable outcomes. A thorough understanding of the ideal surface aesthetics and contours and spatial relationships of the structures of the nose tip is mandatory. In primary rhinoplasty, a very large percentage of visible tip deformities involve two major areas: the domes and the lateral crura. Suture techniques have the potential to modify the position, shape and definition of the tip. However, even sutures may result in changes beyond the main goals for which they are placed. The final suture effects are influenced by factors such as forces intrinsic to the cartilages, the degree of suture tightening, and limitations posed by the soft-tissue attachments. The closed delivery approach is our favourite. In a step-by-step fashion, first the medial pillar of the tripod should be addressed, establishing stable and strong tip support and basic dome projection symmetry. Subsequently and in our experience, in a standard procedure shaping lateral crura and domes, using reversible techniques that preserve structural integrity of the rimstrip, would be advisable. One of the main goals is not only to narrow the tip but to change the angle of rotation of the lateral crus surface in relation to the sagittal upper septal margin. Once marked the new dome defining point, with a variable combination of the lateral crural steal technique, sutures such as cranial tip sutures (CTS) and hemitransdomal sutures (HTS) might produce the needed outcome of everting and rotating the caudal margin of the lateral crura above the cranial edge. These sutures can gradually increase domal convexity and reduce lateral crura convexity. Additional dome equalization suture can guarantee more symmetry and then one or more lateral crural spanning sutures help in achieving supplementary eversion of the lateral crus. After establishing adequate projection, the tip rotation or position sutures are placed between the cranial edge of intermediate crura and the dorsal septum. The personal association of suture techniques is presented in this study and the long-term subjective and objective results are discussed along with the pros and cons

The challenging Silent sinus syndrome

The Silent sinus syndrome (SSS), first described in 1964 by Montgomery, is considered a relatively rare pathological entity, but it is presumably underdiagnosed and underreported. Terms such as imploding antrum and chronic maxillary atelectasis (CMA) have interchangeably been used to describe this syndrome, even though CMA has been postulated to represent either a different entity or a stage of evolution of the same disease. Bilateral involvement has been documented in a limited number of cases. Silent ethmoid sinus and silent frontal sinus syndromes have been described. The prevalent initial presentation is facial asymmetry with progressive “silent” painless unilateral enophthalmos and hypoglobus, and rarely diplopia. Isolated maxillary sinus hypoplasia must be differentiated. The etiopathogenesis is poorly understood and still under debate. According to the diagnostic criteria, SSS should spontaneously develops in absence of previous trauma or surgery. Secondary SSS to trauma or surgery, or to other causes like inflammation or tumor, has been documented in literature. The diagnosis relies on the CT, which typically shows unilateral hypoplastic and opacified maxillary sinus with inward bowing and remodeling of the sinus walls and inferior displacement of the orbital floor, an enlarged retroantral fat pad, a lateralized uncinate process, and a blocked ostiomeatal complex. The treatment of SSS aims at restoring the eye position and orbital floor height, to prevent progression of enophthalmos, to restore ventilation and drainage of the sinus. These objectives are achieved in single or two-stage surgery. The timing for management of the orbital floor is still under debate.The universally accepted treatment is surgical and usually accomplished by endoscopic sinus surgery. Associated middle turbinate hypertrophy and septal deviation must be previously addressed. Precise and gentle endoscopic removal of the obstruction of the ethmoid infundibulum, simply performing an inferior posteroanterior uncinectomy, since the uncinate process has constantly been found atelectatic and adherent to the lateral nasal wall, can reestablish the patency of the natural maxillary ostium. In our experience, following middle meatal antrostomy, long-term observation with staged orbital surgery, if required, is recommended. In this study, we present our cases with a focus on surgical stratagems developed in order to reduce the risk of injuring the orbit and to achieve long-lasting results

A proton-recoil track imaging system for fast neutrons: the RIPTIDE detector

Fast neutron detection is often based on the neutron-proton elastic scattering reaction: the ionization caused by recoil protons in a hydrogenous material constitutes the basic information for the design and development of a class of neutron detectors. Although experimental techniques have continuously improved, proton-recoil track imaging remains still at the frontier of n-detection systems, due to the high photon sensitivity required. Several state-of-the-art approaches for neutron tracking by using n-p single and double scattering - referred to as Recoil Proton Track Imaging (RPTI) - can be found in the literature. So far, they have showed limits in terms of detection efficiency, complexity, cost, and implementation. In order to address some of these deficiencies, we have proposed RIPTIDE a novel recoil-proton track imaging detector in which the light output produced by a fast scintillator is used to perform a complete reconstruction in space and time of the interaction events. The proposed idea is viable thanks to the dramatic advances in low noise and single photon counting achieved in the last decade by new scientific CMOS cameras as well as pixel sensors, like Timepix or MIMOSIS. In this contribution, we report the advances on the RIPTIDE concept: Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations, light collection tests as well as state-of-the-art approach to image readout, processing and fast analysis.Comment: proceeding of the 23rd International Workshop on Radiation Imaging Detectors, IWoRID 2022, 26-30 June 2022, Riva del Garda (TN), Ital

Using BBN in cosmological parameter extraction from CMB: a forecast for Planck

Data from future high-precision Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) measurements will be sensitive to the primordial Helium abundance $Y_p$. At the same time, this parameter can be predicted from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) as a function of the baryon and radiation densities, as well as a neutrino chemical potential. We suggest to use this information to impose a self-consistent BBN prior on $Y_p$ and determine its impact on parameter inference from simulated Planck data. We find that this approach can significantly improve bounds on cosmological parameters compared to an analysis which treats $Y_p$ as a free parameter, if the neutrino chemical potential is taken to vanish. We demonstrate that fixing the Helium fraction to an arbitrary value can seriously bias parameter estimates. Under the assumption of degenerate BBN (i.e., letting the neutrino chemical potential $\xi$ vary), the BBN prior's constraining power is somewhat weakened, but nevertheless allows us to constrain $\xi$ with an accuracy that rivals bounds inferred from present data on light element abundances.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures; v2: minor changes, matches published versio