An integrative model for measuring graduates’ employability skills - A study in China

Employability is a key issue in graduates’ job-hunting, but little research has been done on that of the graduates in Chinese universities. These universities have been experiencing a decline in their graduate employment since the past decade. This paper attempts to tackle this issue. It reviews the relevant research on employability and develops a research-based theoretical framework to evaluate and analyze the graduates’ employability in China. It adopts multiple approaches to establish the skills that will enhance university students’ employability. Investigating around 100 employers and 200 undergraduates from the universities in Beijing, the paper explores the characteristics of and factors influencing the graduates’ employability. Subsequently, it proposes a qualitative model to measure graduates’ employability. Based on the findings, it discusses the theoretical and practical implications and provides advice for Chinese graduates to improve their employability

Systematic review of beliefs, behaviours and influencing factors associated with disclosure of a mental health problem in the workplace

Stigma and discrimination present an important barrier to finding and keeping work for individuals with a mental health problem. This paper reviews evidence on: 1) employment-related disclosure beliefs and behaviours of people with a mental health problem; 2) factors associated with the disclosure of a mental health problem in the employment setting; 3) whether employers are less likely to hire applicants who disclose a mental health problem; and 4) factors influencing employers' hiring beliefs and behaviours towards job applicants with a mental health problem

Biodegradable and biocompatible radiopaque iodinated poly-3-hydroxy butyrate: synthesis, characterization and in vitro/in vivo X-ray visibility

Hazer, Baki/0000-0001-8770-805XWOS: 000511700600016TARAMASCOPUSTARAMAWOSSome novel radiopaque biodegradable and biocompatible iodinated polymers based on poly-3-hydroxy butyrate (PHB) were obtained. Following the attachment of diethanol amine to PHB, the hydroxyl ends were capped with 4-iodobenzoic acid and 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid. In this manner, tri-novel radiopaque polymers were obtained. The resulting polymers were structurally characterized by NMR technique. They were evaluated with respect to their possible use as radiopaque implant biomaterials indicating X-ray visibility in a noninvasive manner using routine X-ray absorption imaging techniques. These polymers exhibited good radiopacity with conventional imaging X-ray techniques in vivo. Additionally, biocompatibility of these iodinated polymers was also evaluated. There were no signs of infection or abscess formation on the surgical area. These novel radiopaque PHBs should be promising biomaterials for a new-generation radiopaque materials.Kapadokya University [KUN.2018-BAGP-001]; Bulent Ecevit University Research FundsBulent Ecevit University [BEU-2017-72118496-01]This work was supported by the Kapadokya University (#KUN.2018-BAGP-001) and Bulent Ecevit University Research Funds (#BEU-2017-72118496-01). The authors thank to Fatih Pekdemir for taking FTIR spectra. This paper has been proofread by Bulent Ecevit University Article Proofreading and Editing Office

Effects of the Nanoclay and Intumescent System on the Properties of the Plasticized Polylactic Acid

The aim of this study is the investigation of the effects of an intumescent system, consisting of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), as a flame retardant additive, pentaerythritol (PER), as a carbonic agent, and nanoclay, as a synergistic agent, on the flame retardancy of plasticized poly(lactic acid) (PLA). In accordance with this purpose, plasticized and flame retarded PLA with APP compound was prepared and used as a control sample. Nanoclay loading levels were changed between 3 and 10 wt.% in the PLA/APP/PER samples. Samples were produced using extrusion and injection molding techniques. The morphological, thermal, mechanical and flammability properties were studied. The flammability evaluation was performed using limiting oxygen index and vertical burning (UL-94) tests. The obtained limiting oxygen index value was up to 32.9 and UL-94 grade could pass V-0 for samples, containing 3 wt.% of nanoclay. However, increasing nanoclay amount has enhanced the burning time of the sample. The thermal behaviors of the samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. It was shown, that PER incorporation did not significantly change the percentage crystallinity value. The increasing nanoclay loading levels reduced the degree of crystallization. Elongation at break value of sample, containing 5 wt.% of nanoclay, increased by 28%, compared to the control sample

γ-Ray induced graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto poly(ß-hydroxynonanoate)

Copolymers of poly(3-hydroxy-nonanoate), PHN, with methyl methacrylate, MMA, were prepared using 60Co-gamma irradiator. The bulk solutions of PHN in MMA were prepared at different PHN feed concentration and they were irradiated to 8.5 kGy at room temperature. Polymer fractions obtained by solvent-nonsolvent fractional precipitation were carefully characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. High copolymerization yield was observed and the copolymer compositions obtained from the TGA measurements were consistent with the NMR results. PHN contents of the copolymer samples changed from 5 to 35 wt.-%. The strain at break and tensile strength values of copolymers were between the values of their respective homopolymers. It was observed that pure copolymer samples showed up to 13% strain at break