Relationships of proactive behaviour with job-related affective well-being and anticipated retirement age: an exploration among older employees in Belgium

Developed countries throughout the world are challenged with the ageing of their labour force. In these societal contexts, low employment rates and early labour market exits of older employees are at stake, as well as arrangements for retirement, financial household considerations and mutual obligations between generations. Although proactive behaviour has been extensively studied, no research has addressed the proactive behaviour of older employees themselves when facing (re)hiring and retention versus early retirement. For the first time, this study tests the relationships of proactive behaviour with job-related affective well-being and anticipated retirement age in a sample of employees aged 50+ (N = 89) in Belgium. The findings are obtained by using a self-report questionnaire. Statistical analysis includes correlation and regression analysis. Major findings are that (i) proactive older employees feel energetic, enthusiastic, inspired, at ease, relaxed and satisfied; and (ii) later retirement is anticipated when experiencing positive affective well-being at study

The Reflective Process in Nursing Clinicals Using Journaling and Dialogue

Method. Two case studies describe the experiences of (1) 17 students who worked individually in the hospital clinical setting and who answered specific questions about problem solving in a written journal and (2) 20 students who were paired in the clinical setting and who answered the same questions together in a journal shared by the pair. In both case studies the experience was 9 weeks. The written journal questions were designed around a problem-solving process and thoughts and feelings about the clinical experience. A rubric adapted from Boud, Koegh, and Walker’s (1985) reflective model was used to analyze the journal responses. Other sources of data included observations, interviews, and reflections by the investigator. Results. A problem-solving process was documented in reflective journals in both cases. However, the presence of reflection in the paired experience was significantly higher than levels of reflection of students functioning as individuals in their clinical experience. Themes emerging from the journals demonstrate that dialogue effectively reduced anxiety and increased perception of learning. Journal writing both individually and in pairs does assist students to link theoretical knowledge with experience, and though reflection has traditionally been considered an individual process, this study indicates that benefits in reflecting together in a journaling process appear to be greater. Conclusion. The cross-case analysis reveals there are connections between dialogue within journaling and problem solving, reflection, and critical thinking. This study suggests that the clinical environment can be organized by pairing students and having them reflect in journals to increase learning and critical thinking

Turning What You Do in the Classroom into a Publication or Conference Presentation

Most academics are trained to do rigorous research in their field, and view teaching responsibilities as disconnected from their research agenda. This session will merge these activities and provide participants with a primer on the scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL). This PDW will help those interested in developing what they do in the classroom into teaching and learning academic conference presentations, publishable classroom activities, peerreviewed journal publications, and other intellectual contributions

In situ UHVEM study of {113}-defect formation in Si nanowires

Results are presented of a study of {113}-defect formation in vertical Si nanowire n-type tunnel field effect transistors with nanowire diameters ranging from 40 to 500 nm. The nanowires are etched into an epitaxial moderately As doped n-type layer grown on a heavily As doped n(+) Si substrate. p(+) contacts on the nanowire are created by epitaxial growth of a heavily B doped layer. Using focused ion beam cutting, samples for irradiation are prepared with different thicknesses so that the nanowires are fully or partially embedded in the sample thickness. {113}-defects are created in situ by 2 MeV e-irradiation in an ultra-high voltage electron microscope between room temperature and 375 degrees C. The observations are discussed in the frame of intrinsic point defect properties, taking into account the role of dopants and capping layers. The important impact of the specimen thickness is elucidated

Effects of Wi-fi Radiation in Ex Vivo Immature Rat Seminiferous Tubules Oxidative Stress

Approximately 15% of couples globally of reproductive age fail to accomplish pregnancy within a year of unprotected intercourse, accounting the male factor approximately 50% of the cases. Over the years male fertility has been decreasing being associated with numerous factors such as lifestyle, tobacco, alcohol and chemicals. However, with technological evolution, another factor has been pointed as an important contributor to infertility: the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablets and computers. Although there are several studies correlating the EMR and negative effects on male fertility, including the increase in oxidative stress, none of those studies used a realistic model of EMR exposure. Thus, our goal was to build a realistic model of EMR exposure and use it to shed light in the association between EMR from wi-fi devices and male (in)fertility, highlighting oxidative stress and apoptosis. Therefore, firstly we developed the EMR exposure model through 3 instruments: a Wi-fi module (information transmission network), a mbed (programming module of information packets) and a wifly (reception and emissor antenna for information packets). After the development of the exposure model, we proceeded to the validation through the exposure of 3-month-old Wister rat spermatozoa for the time frame of 1h and evaluated the sperm parameters (motility, morphology and viability). Spermatozoa exposure to 2.4GHz of radiation lead to a statistically significant difference in the motility with a 2.4-fold difference, however, there wasn’t a statistically significant difference in the other parameters. Secondly, we proceeded to the selection of the ideal animals age for the present project to study EMR influences through a histological cell population study of the testis of 4 different ages: 19, 20, 21 and 22 days. As the goal of this work was to study animals in the final stages of development and maturation of SCs and in an early development of germ cells, Wistar rats with 20 days were selected. Thus, two groups of ex vivo immature rats (20 days) seminiferous tubules culture (control and exposed) were exposed to 2.4GHz radiation by the created model for 72h, TOS concentrations and Caspase 3 activity were measured. Immature rats Set exposure to our model resulted in statistically significant differences in both TOS concentration and Caspase 3 activity, with a 2-fold difference in the exposed group compared with control group in TOS concentration while Caspase 3 activity had a 1.6-fold difference. Thus, was possible to conclude through motility results that the developed model is effective in the transmission of EMR, simulating the daily use of diverse equipment existing in the present in our homes. Also, the increased in TOS concentration and Caspase 3 activity supports the hypothesis of the use of these technologies being harmful to male fertility thus being a factor to be taken into consideration in the evaluation of male fertility.Aproximadamente 15% dos casais mundialmente em idade reprodutiva não engravidam num período de um ano com relações sexuais não protegidas, sendo o fator masculino responsável por aproximadamente 50% dos casos. Ao longo dos anos, a fertilidade masculina tem diminuído sendo associada a vários fatores, como o estilo de vida, o tabaco, o álcool e os produtos químicos. No entanto, com a evolução tecnológica, outro fator foi apontado como uma importante causa para a infertilidade: a radiação eletromagnética (EMR) proveniente de telemóveis, tablets e computadores. Embora existam vários estudos que relacionam a EMR e os efeitos negativos na fertilidade masculina, incluindo o aumento dos níveis de stress oxidativo, nenhum destes estudos utilizou um modelo realístico de exposição à EMR. Desta forma, o nosso objetivo foi construir um modelo realístico de exposição a EMR com o intuito de estudar as influências destas radiações na fertilidade masculina com destaque para o stress oxidativo e a apoptose. Em primeiro lugar foi desenvolvido o modelo de exposição às EMR através da utilização de 3 instrumentos: um módulo wi-fi (rede de transmissão de informação), um mbed (modulo de programação dos pacotes de informação) e um wifly (antena de receção e emissão de pacotes de informação). Depois de desenvolvido o modelo, procedemos à sua validação através da exposição de espermatozóides de ratos Wistar com 3 meses ao nosso modelo durante 1h tendo sido avaliados parâmetros espermáticos (motilidade, morfologia e viabilidade). Esta exposição a radiações da gama dos 2.4GHz levou a diferenças estatisticamente significativas da motilidade com um aumento de 2.8 vezes do grupo exposto em relação ao grupo controlo, não se verificando diferenças significativas nos restantes parâmetros espermáticos. Para além disso, procedemos também à seleção da idade dos ratos Wistar para estudar a influência das EMR avaliando-se histologicamente a população celular de testículos de ratos com 19, 20, 21 e 22 dias. Tendo em consideração que para o objetivo deste trabalho pretendíamos estudar animais no final do desenvolvimento e maturação das células de Sertoli (SCs), mas com reduzido desenvolvimento das células germinativas foi selecionada a idade de 20 dias para o presente estudo. Sendo assim, dois grupos (controle e exposto) de cultura de túbulos seminíferos (Set) de ratos ex vivo imaturos (20 dias) foram expostos a radiações na gama dos 2.4GHz através do nosso modelo durante 72h, avaliando-se a concentração de Total Oxidative Status (TOS) e atividade de Caspase 3. Na exposição de Set de ratos imaturos ao nosso modelo verificou-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas tanto na concentração de TOS como na atividade da Caspase 3, ocorrendo um aumento 2 vezes do grupo exposto em relação ao grupo controlo nos níveis de concentração do TOS e de 1.6 vezes na concentração da Caspase 3. Concluímos que foi possível desenvolver um modelo eficaz na transmissão de EMR, simulando o uso diário de diversos equipamentos existentes na atualidade. Conjuntamente deduzimos que essa mesma utilização pode vir a ter efeitos negativos na fertilidade masculina sendo apoiado pelo aumento das concentrações de TOS e atividade da Caspase 3 contribuindo desta forma como um fator a ter em consideração na avaliação da fertilidade masculina

I Have to Say I Love You in a ... Affirmation?: Five Forms of Demonstrating our Love for our Students

Many OBTCers share a love for teaching and a love for our students. However, is it OK to demonstrate this love and, if so, how? This session utilizes Coleman’s 5 Love Languages (5LL) as a framework for an interactive session discussing the advantages and challenges in expressing one’s love for his or her students. Participants are encouraged to complete the 5LL survey prior to attending the session at http://www.5lovelanguages.com/ to use in an interactive exercise on expressing one’s love. The facilitators will discuss their own experiences when they let their love flow. Come out and feel the love