Evaluating Work Keys Profiling as a Pre-Employment Assessment Tool to Increase Employee Retention

Twenty-first century changes in the nature of work, the workforce and employment practices, along with increased employer need to select employees who will have the best fit with particular jobs in order to increase return on investment, are leading employers toward greater use of pre-employment assessments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of one of those tools, the Work Keys skill assessment battery, on employment retention. Research questions centered around the effects of Work Keys testing on employment. Job applicant assessment scores and retention information were obtained from and interviews were held with 12 employers who were utilizing Work Keys. Chi-square analysis comparing employees hired with and without Work Keys scores as a factor provided statistically significant results, indicating that use of Work Keys for job applicants did increase employment retention. Additional ANOVA and chi-square analyses of Work Keys applicants\u27 test scores showed that only the Applied Mathematics assessment and CRC trio shared significant relationships with retention, and within those tests, individuals who scored in the low range of the scoring spread were least likely to retain employment. Analysis also determined that the use of additional assessments beyond the three used for the Career Readiness Certificate transportable credential significantly improved employment retention. Qualitative analysis of interview responses from employers showed that they primarily elect to use pre-employment tests in order to increase objectivity and legality in their hiring practices. Their greatest concern about the use of testing is the increased possibility of screening out individuals who might otherwise have become excellent employees. This research provides valuable information to employers in their selection and use of a testing instrument; however, further research is recommended to investigate other aspects of Work Keys, additional employment retention factors and other influences affecting corporate return on investment

Effects of inpatient energy management education and high-intensity interval training on health-related quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled superiority trial with six-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND Fatigue is one of the most frequent symptoms in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach is recommended for the treatment of fatigue in pwMS. However, high-quality evidence exists only for unimodal interventions, such as physical therapies/exercise or energy/fatigue management programmes. The primary objective of the current study was to test the hypothesis that a combination of inpatient energy management education (IEME) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is superior to a combination of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and moderate continuous training (MCT) for improving HRQoL at 6-month follow-up in fatigued pwMS. METHODS A randomized (1:1) controlled superiority trial with fatigued pwMS >18 years of age, with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤6.5, recruited at the Valens clinic, Switzerland. Participants in the experimental group performed IEME twice and HIIT 3 times per week and those in the usual care group performed PMR twice and MCT 3 times per week, during a 3-week inpatient rehabilitation stay. Primary outcome was HRQoL (Physical and Mental Component Scales of the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)), assessed at entry to the clinic (T0), after 3 weeks' rehabilitation (T1) and 4 (T2) and 6 (T3) months after T0. Secondary outcomes included SF-36 subscales, fatigue (Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC)), mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)), self-efficacy for performing energy conservation strategies (Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies Assessment (SEPECSA)), self-perceived competence in activities of daily living (Occupational Self Assessment (OSA)) and cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption (VȮ2peak)). Data were analysed using a mixed model for repeated measures approach. RESULTS A total of 106 pwMS (age (years): 49.75 (9.87), 66% female, EDSS: 4.64 (1.32)) were recruited. There were no significant group × time interaction effects in the primary and secondary outcomes. There were significant between-group differences in the pairwise comparisons of the group × time interaction in favour of the IEME + HIIT group at: (i) T1 in cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.011) and SEPECSA (p = 0.032); (ii) T2 in SF-36 mental health subscale (p = 0.022), HADS anxiety subscale (p = 0.014) and SEPECSA (p = 0.040); (iii) T3 in SF-36 physical functioning subscale (p = 0.012) and SEPECSA (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION IEME + HIIT was not superior to PMR + MCT regarding the effects on HRQoL (SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Scales) at 6-month follow-up in pwMS. However, there were significant between-group differences in favour of IEME + HIIT in physical functioning and mental health (SF-36 subscales), anxiety (HADS), cardiorespiratory fitness (VȮ2peak) and self-efficacy (SEPECSA) at different measurement time-points that need to be considered in clinical practice

Incorporation of organic acids in the crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels

Abstract This work studied the incorporation of organic acids as crosslinking agents and reaction time on the properties of poly(alcohol vinyl) (PVOH) hydrogels to act as scaffold systems to compounds incorporated into agriculture systems. PVOH hydrogels crosslinked with citric and L-malic acids were prepared, and the effects of heat-treatment time, and temperature on their swelling and hygroscopic performances were investigated by FTIR, thermal analysis and swelling. Both the swelling and rate of water uptake of hydrogels decreased with increasing heat-treatment time. While the swelling decreased with heat-treatment time, the chemical crosslinking shown in FTIR increased. DSC results indicated adsorbed water in the uncrosslinked PVOH and hydrogels, and the absorbed water changed the melting point and glass transition temperature. TGA analysis showed that the incorporation of organic acids brought thermal stability. The results obtained show effective crosslinking hydrogels by L-malic acids and possibilities to use in scaffold systems and controlled release

Changing policy environments in Europe and the resilience of the third sector

In the article, we analyse the impact of changing policy environments on the development of the third sector in Europe. Based on the results of systematic comparative research in eight European countries (Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK), we identify commonalities and differences. In a three-step analysis, we examine policy changes, effects on the third sector and responses by third sector organizations (TSOs) in the social domain. Overall, the third sector in Europe has proven resilient. However, not only have public and private funding decreased, the process for acquiring such funding has become more demanding for TSOs, as have requirements to be accountable. There are signs of a proliferation of more market-based, hybrid organizations. Despite this general trend towards marketization, the impact of policy changes varies across Europe with TSOs being better equipped to adapt and survive in countries where collaborative ties between the state and the third sector have traditionally been strong

How to Intervene in the Caries Process in Older Adults: A Joint ORCA and EFCD Expert Delphi Consensus Statement

Aim: To provide recommendations for dental clinicians for the management of dental caries in older adults with special emphasis on root caries lesions. Methods: A consensus workshop followed by a Delphi consensus process were conducted with an expert panel nominated by ORCA, EFCD, and DGZ boards. Based on a systematic review of the literature, as well as non-systematic literature search, recommendations for clinicians were developed and consented in a two-stage Delphi process. Results: Demographic and epidemiologic changes will significantly increase the need of management of older adults and root caries in the future. Ageing is associated with a decline of intrinsic capacities and an increased risk of general diseases. As oral and systemic health are linked, bidirectional consequences of diseases and interventions need to be considered. Caries prevention and treatment in older adults must respond to the patient’s individual abilities for self-care and cooperation and often involves the support of caregivers. Systemic interventions may involve dietary counselling, oral hygiene instruction, the use of fluoridated toothpastes, and the stimulation of salivary flow. Local interventions to manage root lesions may comprise local biofilm control, application of highly fluoridated toothpastes or varnishes as well as antimicrobial agents. Restorative treatment is often compromised by the accessibility of such root caries lesions as well as the ability of the senior patient to cooperate. If optimum restorative treatment is impossible or inappropriate, longterm stabilization, e.g., by using glass-ionomer cements, and palliative treatments that aim to maintain oral function as long and as well as possible may be the treatment of choice for the individual