Evaluation of fractionation and bioavailability of heavy metals in contaminated soils: a case study in Hamedan province, Iran

Urbanization in developing countries has caused extensive soil and environmental contamination with heavy metals. Determination of pollution indices and fractionation of heavy metals in soil is pivotal for assessment and prediction of their mobility and hazard potentials in the environment. Therefore, in this investigation pollution factor as single (PF) and comprehensive (Pn), pollution load index (PLI) and sequential extraction technique were used for Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu in soils affected by municipal wastewater in some large cities of Hamedan province, western Iran. According to results, PF factors for heavy metals in Hamedan, Malayer, Razan and Kabudarahang were respectively 2.47-27.40, 2.44-28.80, 2.46-27.20, and 2.50-27.10. PF results indicated that pollution intensity were 21.6-26.56 (very high) for Ni, 4.52-4.81(High) for Pb, 21.90-28.80 (very high) for Cd and 2.44-2.74 (medium) for Zn and 11.85-13.92 (very high) for Cu in the studied sites. Pn and PLI were 20.89-24.88 and 9.44-10.16 in the studied area, respectively. According to results, the OM fraction was the most abundant pool for Ni, Pb, and Cd. The mobility of metals in calcareous soils acquired for Ni (22.81%), Pb (15.32%), Cd (17.88%), and Cu (18.18%) was a representative of potential risk for groundwater contamination through deep percolation or runoff. The bioavailability factor related to each metal was estimated for Ni (26.51-35.72 %), Pb (27.67-35.55 %), Cd (30.22-39.51 %), Zn (22.06-26.71 %), and Cu (22.88-27.34 %). Such high bioavailability of heavy metals especially for Cd can severely impose adverse effects on the environment, groundwaters and accordingly human health

Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Persian Version of Quality of Work Life Questionnaire based on the Walton Model in a Sample of Hospital Employees

Background: Given the importance of quality of work life (QWL), several models are proposed for it. A well-known model is the Walton's model. The purpose of the present study was exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the Persian version of QWL questionnaire based on the Walton model in hospital employees who are generally exposed to job-related QWL attenuating factors. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was a validation study. The statistical population included all medical, non-medical and headquarter staff of PourSina State Hospital in Rasht of whom, 403 employees were selected by quota sampling. First, the QWL data was subjected to an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n=350) and then, for selected factors, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indices and internal consistency coefficients (n=53) were investigated. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS-22 and AMOS-21software packages. Results: The EFA results showed four factors for the structure of this test, which totally explained 52.87% of the total variance of the questionnaire. In addition, this analysis showed that 15 items of the original version of the questionnaire have high factor loading in two factors and therefore in the evaluation of the model with the CFA method, these items were eliminated. Also, CFA demonstrated that χ2/df ratio for the four-factor QWL-20 structure is 1.216 and the fitness indices for the model (GFI=0.773, CFI=0.913, NFI=0.674, TLI=0.893, RMSEA=0.065) are relatively satisfactory.The internal consistency for the total QWL-20 is equal to 0.91 and it was remarkable for the factors of working conditions and utilization of capabilities (α=0.71), social integration in work and respect for employee's rights (α=0.80),volume of work and suitability of pay and benefits (α=0.88) and social relationships and importance of work(α=0.80).The correlation coefficient of item-total score was very strong for each item and it was in the range of 0.66 to 0.84. The range of correlation between these factors was 0.45 to 0.54. Conclusion: QWL-20 has favorable psychometric properties and an appropriate fit in the four-factor structure and can be used in QWL threatening situations. Keywords: Exploratory factor analysis, Confirmatory factor analysis, Persian version of the quality of work life questionnaire, Walton model, Hospital Employee

Factors Affecting Resistance to Change among Hospital Staff using a Structural Equation Modeling Technique

Introduction: Hospitals are complex organizations faced with continuous fundamental changes complicated by expertise diversity. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing hospital employees’ resistance to change. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 510 employees working in hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; they were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a questionnaire. A structural equation modeling technique using LISREL Version 8.8 tested the hypotheses and conceptual model. Results: Results indicated that dispositional resistance to change and involvement with change directly affected the employees’ resistance to change. Perceived benefits of change to involvement in change were significant (T-values >1.96) and the hypotheses related to these paths were accepted. Perceived benefits of change indirectly affected the employees’ resistance to change by influencing involvement. Dispositional resistance to change and involvement in change (mediator variables) were estimated 0.89, 0.03, and 0.47, respectively. Conclusion: The study results indicated that hospital managers should encourage the employees to actively participate in their change program by strengthening perception of the benefits. This could help reduce the employees’ resistance

Localization of the Knowledge Workers’ Productivity Questionnaire and Evaluation of the Productivity of Knowledge Workers of the Central Field of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Human resources impose a vast expense on health organizations. Therefore, improvement of the productivity of human resources is of considerable concern to executive managers of every country. Methods: In the present study, first, the knowledge workers’ productivity assessment questionnaire was localized. Then, the knowledge workers of the central field of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were investigated regarding productivity and affecting factors thereof. Results: In this analytic and cross-sectional study, the questionnaire designed by Antikainen et al, was used as the pattern. 300 knowledge workers of the central field of this University were selected through the stratified random sampling in June 2011. Moreover, the data were analyzed through factor analysis, and etc. Conclusion: Factor analysis led to the identification of eight main components of the knowledge workers’ productivity. The reliability of the new version of the questionnaire was confirmed by the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.945. Additionally, in this sample, productivity level of 19.3% of employees was low and 80.7% was favorable. In this regard, attempts must be made in order to improve the productivity

Supporting the Mental Health Of Palliative Caregivers : A Literature Study

Caregiving is a considerably challenging role, Palliative caregivers have responsibilities to provide optimal care services that otherwise would be received from the/a health care center. Therefore, caregiving comes with its challenges Family caregivers aren’t always prepared for these challenges ahead, thus leading to more psychological difficulties and isolation of caregivers during the care. There has been considerably much research on palliative care patients however, not as much on the caregivers hence the aim of the research is to shed light on the psychological effect of informal palliative caregivers, emphasizing on how they manage or cope with the emotional strains. Furthermore, what kind of support they require and is available to them from health care, especially nurses. The research questions in focus are (1) What are the psychological difficulties experienced by palliative care givers? (2) What support is available for promoting Palliative care giver’s mental well-being? (3) What is the nurses’ role in supporting informal palliative caregivers? The study was a literature review with an inductive content analysis. The theory of Transactional model of Stress & copping and cognitive appraisal by Lazarus & Folkman was used to explore the connection between palliative caregiver's psychological distress and the appraisal and coping mechanism. Results indicate that caregivers display psychological problems and their mental well-being is impaired also there is availability of support to some degree but caregivers may lack the information and the knowledge on how to access the support needed

Distribution of Health Resource Allocation in the Fars Province Using the Scalogram Analysis Technique in 2011

The importance of health indicators in the recent years has created challenges in resource allocation. Balanced and fair distribution of health resources is one of the main principles in achieving equity. The goal of this cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted in 2010, was to classify health structural indicators in the Fars province using the scalogram technique. Health structural indicators were selected and classified in three categories; namely institutional, human resources, and rural health. The data were obtained from the statistical yearbook of Iran and was analyzed according to the scalogram technique. The distribution map of the Fars province was drawn using ArcGIS (geographic information system). The results showed an interesting health structural indicator map across the province. Our findings revealed that the city of Mohr with 85 and Zarindasht with 36 had the highest and the lowest scores, respectively. This information is valuable to provincial health policymakers to plan appropriately based on factual data and minimize chaos in allocating health resources. Based on such data and reflecting on the local needs, one could develop equity based resource allocation policies and prevent inequality. It is concluded that, as top priority, the provincial policymakers should place dedicated deprivation programs for Farashband, Eghlid and Zaindasht regions

A path analysis of the effects of nurses' perceived organizational justice, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction on their turnover intention

Background: Staff turnover, particularly nursing staff turnover, is one of the most common reasons behind loss of productivity in health-care organizations. A basic requirement for reducing staff turnover is to determine its causes. Objectives: This study evaluated the relationships of perceived organizational justice, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction with turnover intention among a group of Iranian hospital nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on nursing staff and auxiliary nurses who were working in 15 teaching hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. A random sample of nurses, who had an associate or higher degrees in nursing and had a work experience of >1 year, was recruited through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Organizational Justice Questionnaire, the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, and the Questionnaire of Turnover and were analyzed through the confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, and squared multiple correlation analysis. Results: Organizational justice had significant direct relationships with job satisfaction (r = 0.73) and organizational commitment (r = 0.61) and inverse relationship with turnover intention (r=-0.41). Path analysis revealed that organizational justice had no direct effects on turnover intention, while it had indirect effects on turnover intention through the paths of organizational commitment and turnover intention. Conclusion: Nurses' turnover intention is directly affected by organizational commitment and job satisfaction and indirectly affected by organizational justice through the paths of organizational commitment and turnover intention

Study of ZnO nano particles photocatalytic process efficiency in decolorization of methylene blue and COD removal from synthetic wastewater

Background : Effluents containing synthetic dyes are hazardous to ecological systems and public health. Methylene blue is an important chemical aromatic dye which commonly used in textile industries. Due to being aromatic, it is often toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic. The goal of this study was to investigate the efficiency of ZnO nano particles photocatalytic process for decolorization of methylene blue by UV irradiation from synthetic textile wastewater. Materials and Methods: In this study methylene blue photocatalytic decomposition using Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and zinc oxide nano particles having less than 50 nm in diameter was surveyed. A batch-through Plexiglass reactor having two compartment used to conduct the experiments. Wastewater was flowed to the compartment which contains of nano ZnO stabilized glasses. UV lamps were installed at another compartment. The variables of the study included: exposure time, color concentration, light intensity, and lamp distance to the catalyst surface. Results: ZnO nano particles characteristics were determined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Images showed that stabilizes nano particles on glass, their porosity remains in the optimal level. Optimium values for exposure time 120 minutes, color concentration 25 mg/l, light intensity 3950 μW/cm2, and distance to the catalyst surface 1 cm were achieved. At the optimal condition, methylene blue decolorization and COD removal was achieved 92.2% and 75% respectively Conclusion: Regarding the conducted experiments, the results of this studyshowed that ZnO/UV photocatalytic process has a significant efficiency in dye decolorization and COD removal. This method could be applied in the full scales

A comparison of Photocatalytic silica-zinc oxide and zinc Oxide processes for the removal of dye and COD in the synthetic wastewater

Background : One of the major disadvantages of zinc oxide in aqueous solution is the light unstability of this catalyst due to the light corrosion which causes substantial reduction of photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide and application of it for environment purification. In this study, the performance of photocatalytic of UV/Silica-ZnO was compared in dye and COD removal by UV/ZnO. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the lab scale. The various percentages of silica nanoparticles in the combination of zinc oxides nanoparticles were fixed onto the glass by UV/Silica-ZnO process and were examined at optimum condition in the UV/ZnO process. XRD patterns of zinc oxide nanoparticles alone and accomplished by silica were conducted. Results: X-ray diffraction, confirm that there is no impurity in nanoparticles. The different percentages of silica (5, 10 and 15%) were tested in combination with zinc oxide nanoparticles. The findings showed that the value of dye and COD removal with contact time of 90 min and 10% silica loading in UV/Silica-ZnO process were 100 % and 81%, respectively and UV/ZnO process were 66% and 44% respectively. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, 10% of silica, in combination with zinc oxide nanoparticles, was the best percentage. Thus, UV/Silica-ZnO process can be used as an effective method for removing dye from textile waste waters