Nurses´ Performance: The Importance of Personal Resources for Coping with Stressors.

The health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively influenced the work of health staff, especially nurses. Stressors that affect nurses have been intensified and new stressors have also emerged, threatening their well-being and job performance. The main objective of this study is to analyze the role of nurses´ personal resources in the relationship between job stressors and job performance during the COVID-19. Sample is composed of 438 nurses from 39 Spanish cities. This is a cross-sectional study. The results confirm the full mediation of resilience in the relationship between stressors and job performance, and the moderation of self-efficacy in the relationship between resilience and job performance, and in the full mediation. This study highlight the role played by self-efficacy as the main personal resource in buffering the effect of stressors on nurses´ performance. Resilience only becomes crucial in individuals with low levels of self-efficacy beliefs. Managers of health institutions and hospitals are invited to invest resources in strengthening the personal resources of health staff, especially self-efficacy beliefs, and resilience to ensure that their performance remains adequate.

The importance of training transfer of non-technical skills safety training of construction workers.

Safety training of migrant workers in construction has focused on technical skills with limited attention to non-technical skills, which support safety training transfer to the worksite, both immediately after training and in the long term. Using realist evaluation as our theoretical framework, this study explores the transfer of two key non-technical skills to construction sites: communication and decision-making. Trained workers completed questionnaires post-training and after six months. A moderated mediation model found an indirect link through training transfer between communication and decision-making skills immediately post-training and six months later. The results also revealed that high levels of safety self-efficacy moderated the relationship between communication, but not decision-making, safety skills post-training and the extent to which trained workers reported transferring these skills. The study has important practical implications, showing the significance of training transfer of non-technical skills, such as communication and decision-making, to the worksite.

Sex Differences in Oxycodone/Naloxone vs. Tapentadol in Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: An Observational Real-World Study.

Despite the large body of research on sex differences in pain, there is a lack of translation to real-world pain management. Our aim was to analyse the sex differences in the analgesic response to oxycodone/naloxone (OXN) and tapentadol (TAP), in comparison with other opioids (OPO) commonly prescribed for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). An observational and cross-sectional study was conducted on ambulatory CNCP patients (n = 571). Sociodemographic, clinical (pain intensity, relief, and quality of life), safety (adverse events (AEs), adverse drug reactions), hospital frequentations and pharmacological (morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD)) variables were collected. Multiple linear regressions were carried out to assess the association between sex and outcomes. Sex differences were observed, with lower female tolerability and higher hospital frequentation, especially in the OXN group (OR AEs report = 2.8 [1.8−4.4], p < 0.001). Here, females showed higher hospital use (23% hospital admission, 30% prescription change, p < 0.05), requiring a higher MEDD (127 ± 103 mg/day, p < 0.05), compared to OXN men. Regardless of the opioid group, CNCP women were significantly older than men (three years), with significantly higher benzodiazepine use (OR = 1.6 [1.1−2.3]), more constipation (OR = 1.34 [0.93−1.90]) and headache (OR = 1.45 [0.99−2.13]) AEs, than men who were more likely to refer sexual dysfunction (OR = 2.77 [1.53−5.01]), and loss of libido (OR = 1.93 [1.22−3.04]). Sex-differences were found related to poorer female drug tolerability and higher hospital resources, even worst in OXN female users. Other differences related to older female ages and benzodiazepine prescription, need to be further analysed from a gender perspective.

Clinical and Genetic Features of Autosomal Dominant Alport Syndrome: A Cohort Study.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Alport syndrome is a common genetic kidney disease accounting for approximately 2% of patients receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT). It is caused by pathogenic variants in the gene COL4A3, COL4A4, or COL4A5. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and genetic spectrum of patients with autosomal dominant Alport syndrome (ADAS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 82 families (252 patients) with ADAS were studied. Clinical, genetic, laboratory, and pathology data were collected. OBSERVATIONS: A pathogenic DNA variant in COL4A3 was identified in 107 patients (35 families), whereas 133 harbored a pathogenic variant in COL4A4 (43 families). Digenic/complex inheritance was observed in 12 patients. Overall, the median kidney survival was 67 (95% CI, 58-73) years, without significant differences across sex (P=0.8), causative genes (P=0.6), or type of variant (P=0.9). Microhematuria was the most common kidney manifestation (92.1%), and extrarenal features were rare. Findings on kidney biopsies ranged from normal to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The slope of estimated glomerular filtration rate change was-1.46 (-1.66 to-1.26) mL/min/1.73m2 per year for the overall group, with no significant differences between ADAS genes (P=0.2). LIMITATIONS: The relatively small size of this series from a single country, potentially limiting generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ADAS have a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from asymptomatic to kidney failure, a pattern not clearly related to the causative gene or type of variant. The diversity of ADAS phenotypes contributes to its underdiagnosis in clinical practice.

Nurses´ stressors and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of coping and resilience.

AIMS: This study analyses the cross-sectional effect of sources of stress during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic on nurses´ psychological distress, focusing on the mediating role of coping strategies, both problem focused and emotion focused and resilience. DESIGN: Cross-sectional and quantitative analyses. METHODS: Structural equation modelling was performed using survey data obtained during the period between 1 April-25 May 2020 in a sample of 421 nurses from 39 Spanish provinces. RESULTS: Results confirmed that: (a) All the stressors have a significant, direct, and negative relationship with nurses´ psychological distress; (b) Emotion-focused strategies is negatively related to nurses´ psychological distress directly and indirectly through resilience; and (c) Problem-focused strategies is positively related to nurses´ psychological distress and negatively and indirectly through emotion-focused strategies. CONCLUSION: This study identifies an important mediation sequence of stressors on psychological distress through the simultaneous concurrent effect of Problem-focused and Emotion-focused strategies and resilience. It shows that enacting the two coping mechanisms and resilience resources is important to achieve an adaptive effect on nurses´ mental health. IMPACT: Nurses with insufficient preparation and those with high levels of fear of contagion do not enact proper coping strategies. Thus, these nurses need special consideration due to their risk of higher vulnerability.

Employees and supervisors’ perceptions of human resource practices in different types of organizations over a lifespan / Percepções de funcionários e supervisores sobre as práticas de recursos humanos em diferentes tipos de organizações ao longo da vida / Percepciones de empleados y supervisores sobre las prácticas de recursos humanos en diferentes tipos de organizaciones en función de la edad

Organizations and age management are key factors for achieving sustainable workplaces and careers. Thus, it is important to understand how different types of organizations deliver Human Resource (HR) practices to employees at different stages of life and how those employees perceive them. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze age differences in the implementation and perception of HR practices in three organizational types (social, public, and for-profit). Three age groups were considered (employees under 35, from 35 to 50, and over 50 years). HR practices were measured as reported by 159 managers (implemented practices) and by their 1524 employees (perceived practices). Separated ANOVAs were conducted to test hypotheses. Results show significant differences among age groups, showing support for three different models of age management in different organizational types.

As organizações e a gestão da idade são fatores-chave para alcançar empregos e carreiras sustentáveis. Portanto, é importante entender como diferentes tipos de organizações fornecem práticas de Recursos Humanos (RH) para funcionários em diferentes fases da vida e como esses funcionários as percebem. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar as diferenças de idade na implementação e percepção das práticas de RH em três tipos de organizações (social, pública e com fins lucrativos). Foram consideradas três faixas etárias (empregados menores de 35 anos, de 35 a 50 anos e maiores de 50 anos). As práticas de RH foram medidas conforme relatado por 159 gestores (práticas implementadas) e por seus 1524 funcionários (práticas percebidas). Foram conduzidas ANOVAs separadas para testar hipóteses. Os resultados mostram diferenças significativas entre as faixas etárias, oferecendo suporte para três modelos distintos de gestão de idade em diferentes tipos de organizações.

Las organizaciones y la gestión de la edad son factores clave para lograr lugares de trabajo y carreras sostenibles. Por lo tanto, es importante comprender el tipo de prácticas de Recursos humanos que ofrecen las organizaciones a empleados en distintas etapas de la vida y cómo las perciben esos empleados. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las diferencias de edad en la implementación y percepción de las prácticas de RR.HH. en tres tipos organizacionales (social, pública y con fines de lucro). Se han considerado tres grupos de edad (empleados menores de 35, de 35 a 50 y mayores de 50 años). La muestra está compuesta por 159 gerentes y sus respectivos empleados (1524) que reportaron las prácticas implementadas y percibidas respectivamente.Se realizaron ANOVAs separados para poner a prueba las hipótesis. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre los grupos de edad, mostrando apoyo para tres modelos diferentes de gestión de la edad en diferentes tipos de organizaciones.

The COVID-19 Crisis: Skills That Are Paramount to Build into Nursing Programs for Future Global Health Crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic started at the end of 2019 and can be considered one of the most difficult health crises of the past century. It has had a devastating effect around the world, not only for public health, but also for the economy, labor market, and other facets of individual and societal life. Health systems have been put under high strain, and health professionals have experienced unusual and stressful work circumstances. With the aim of drawing lessons for nursing education, the present study analyzed, during the weeks of peak infection in Spain, the stress experience and coping strategies of a sample of 403 nurses from the Spanish health system. Specifically, we analyzed how tenure, stress appraisal, problem-focused coping, and support-seeking coping predicted nurses' awareness of their education needs, both in terms of technical-professional knowledge and skills and transversal skills. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that more tenure (years of experience) was related to lower stress appraisal (workload, -0.12, p < 0.05; insufficient preparation, -0.33, p < 0.001; and fear of contagion -0.36, p < 0.001) and more problem focused coping (PFC) strategies were related to higher awareness of professional (0.18, p < 0.01) and transversal educational needs (0.17, p < 0.01) while support seeking strategies just related to transversal training needs (0.10, p < 0.05). Moreover, the participants provided valuable input about specific contents to be considered in future nursing education programs. Implications for redesigning the nursing degree curriculum are analyzed in the discussion section.

Functional Status and Body Mass Index in Postmenopausal Women with Fibromyalgia: A Case-control Study.

Reduced functional capacity is a common characteristic of fibromyalgia (FMS). We aimed to investigate the relationship between functional status and body mass index (BMI) in a population with and without FMS. A pilot case-control study was performed in 34 women with FMS and 22 healthy controls which were classified according to their BMI. The main outcome measures were: Balance (MiniBestest, One Leg Stance Test), functional mobility (Timed up and Go), physical disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index), spinal range of motion (Spinal Mouse), level of physical activity at work (Leisure Time Physical Activity Instrument), and home and leisure time (Physical Activity at Home and Work). Statistical differences were observed between overweight/obese healthy controls and women with FMS for several indicators of functional capacity. FMS patients reported worse dynamic (p = 0.001) and static balance (right: p = 0.002, left: p = 0.001), poorer functional mobility (p = 0.008), and higher levels of physical disability (p = 0.001). Functional status is altered in FMS women compared to the healthy control group, independently of nutritional status; therefore, BMI is unlikely to play a main role in functional capacity indicators in postmenopausal FMS women. Only dynamic balance seems to reduce the obesity status in this population.

Measurement of Hedonic and Eudaimonic Orientations to Happiness: The Spanish Orientations to Happiness Scale.

Understanding happiness and well-being has been one of the central issues for psychologists in recent decades. Happiness orientations have been identified as important pathways toward different types of well-being, and so the development and validation of scales for their measurement is an important step in their study. The present research aims to adapt and validate the Spanish Orientations to Happiness Scale (SOTH), a 6-item scale based on the Orientations to Happiness Questionnaire. This brief scale, which measures hedonic and eudemonic orientations, was administered to 1,647 Spanish workers. Scale structure was subjected to exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analysis to obtain evidence of factorial validity. Evidence for convergent validity was assessed by correlating the scale with two measures of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, and discriminant validity was assessed with the average variance extracted (AVE). Results of EFA showed a two-factor solution, and CFA partially supported this structure, χ2(8, N = 793) = 36.61, p .72) and valid (AVE = .50), and so it is a valuable tool for assessing orientations to happiness in the Spanish context. Finally, the scientific value and practical utility of the scale are discussed.

An integrative salivary approach regarding palate cleansers in wine tasting.

Wine sensory sessions normally involve the tasting of several samples, to remove food residues from the mouth the use of palate cleansers (PC) is needed. Until now, there is no agreement on the best PC to use during wine tasting sessions. The aim of this work is to study the relationship between the components retained in saliva after wine tasting and the remnant sensory feeling (astringency, alcohol, and acidity). For that, different common PC (water, carbonated water, and milk) were tested and saliva samples (expectorated and scraped) from nine trained panelists were collected after wine with and without PC trials. Results showed that after palate cleansing and not cleansing, astringency, alcoholic and acidity perception were influenced by time, PC and panelist. Astringency perception showed the greatest intensity in comparison to alcoholic and acidity. Milk was the only PC which reduced quantifiable polyphenols in expectorated saliva, as well as reducing astringency feelings. Although compositions of expectorated and scraped saliva correlated between them, polyphenols accumulated in the expectorated saliva significantly more. Retained polyphenols were correlated with astringency perception, but no correlation was found with salivary proteins. These findings assessed the astringency build-up effect during wine tasting due to polyphenols accumulation in saliva, remarking the importance of an adequate PC selection. All things considered, the present work confirmed the relationship between after-swallow mouthfeel perception and mouth residues instrumentally quantified. Also, milk has proven to be the most effective of the three PC. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: During tasting the accumulation of residues from previous wine samples tasted, could mislead the judgment of wine sensory qualities by oenologists. Therefore, between tasting samples it is highly important to choose the right PC. However, until now the selection of PC remains empirical, therefore in this work, we proposed to study the residues in saliva by using different PC and quantifying instrumentally, the wine residues. The methodology selected to quantify the wines residues in saliva was quick and easy to use. Furthermore, instrumental results were related with the sensory feeling of mouth cleanliness without considering individual panel member's preferences of PC. In this study, to remove astringency feeling, milk was shown to be the best cleanser in comparison with water, carbonated water or nothing, but oenologist/winemakers could use this instrumental methodology in saliva to select which one is the best among their current PC used.

MYH9 Associated nephropathy. / Nefropatía asociada a mutación del gen MYH9.

MYH9 related diseases are caused by mutations in the MYH9 gene and constitute a rare group of genetic entities. Its inheritance follows an autosomal dominant pattern. The MYH9 gene, encodes the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA, expressed in different tissues and especially in podocytes and mesangial cells. The disorder is characterized by the presence of macrothrombocytopenia, leukocyte inclusions and a variable risk of developing renal failure, hearing loss and early-onset cataracts. We describe the case of a 27-year-old Caucasian woman, diagnosed initially with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. After a detailed family history and the appearance of renal involvement and hearing loss, genetic testing allowed to make the diagnosis of nephropathy associated with MYH9 mutation. This case is an example of the delayed diagnosis of uncommon diseases and highlights the usefulness genetic testing. A review of the disease is provided.

The influence of balance, physical disability, strength, mechanosensitivity and spinal mobility on physical activity at home, work and leisure time in women with fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disease consisting of widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairments, among other symptoms, which affect daily physical activity. However, the influence of functional status on physical activity involved in leisure, household and work activities has not been researched previously. The main objective was to evaluate balance, strength, spinal mobility, mechanosensitivity and function levels as related factors of physical activity in female with fibromyalgia. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with Fibromyalgia and 22 matched controls were included in a cross-sectional study. Dynamic and static balance, general and daily activities disability, lumbosacral mechanosensitivity, spinal range of motion, lower limb strength, physical activity in leisure, household and work activities were registered. We tested for differences between groups by using independent sample t-tests. The influence of demographics, symptoms and physical outcomes on physical activity was statistically analyzed using bivariate and multivariate regression analyses. FINDINGS: There was a significant association between leisure-time physical activity scores and age (r = 0.564), spinal flexion (r = 0.512), spinal extension (r = 0.421) and the total range of spinal inclination (r = 0.533). Fifty-eight percent of the variance of leisure-time physical activity was explained by age and range of spinal flexion-extension. Similarly, functional mobility was associated with physical activity at home and work scores (r = 0.459), explaining 21% of its variance. INTERPRETATION: A higher time spent in leisure, household and work activities was related to higher age, spinal range of motion and lower functional mobility in women with Fibromyalgia. Rehabilitation intervention programs should promote physical activity at home, work and leisure time.

Reducing Intestinal Digestion and Absorption of Fat Using a Nature-Derived Biopolymer: Interference of Triglyceride Hydrolysis by Nanocellulose.

Engineered nanomaterials are increasingly added to foods to improve quality, safety, or nutrition. Here we report the ability of ingested nanocellulose (NC) materials to reduce digestion and absorption of ingested fat. In the small intestinal phase of an acellular simulated gastrointestinal tract, the hydrolysis of free fatty acids (FFA) from triglycerides (TG) in a high-fat food model was reduced by 48.4% when NC was added at 0.75% w/w to the food, as quantified by pH stat titration, and by 40.1% as assessed by fluorometric FFA assay. Furthermore, translocation of TG and FFA across an in vitro cellular model of the intestinal epithelium was significantly reduced by the presence of 0.75% w/w NC in the food (TG by 52% and FFA by 32%). Finally, in in vivo experiments, the postprandial rise in serum TG 1 h after gavage with the high fat food model was reduced by 36% when 1.0% w/w NC was administered with the food. Scanning electron microscopy and molecular dynamics studies suggest two primary mechanisms for this effect: (1) coalescence of fat droplets on fibrillar NC (CNF) fibers, resulting in a reduction of available surface area for lipase binding and (2) sequestration of bile salts, causing impaired interfacial displacement of proteins at the lipid droplet surface and impaired solubilization of lipid digestion products. Together these findings suggest a potential use for NC, as a food additive or supplement, to reduce absorption of ingested fat and thereby assist in weight loss and the management of obesity.

Autosomal Dominant Tubulointerstitial Kidney Disease: Clinical Presentation of Patients With ADTKD-UMOD and ADTKD-MUC1.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD) is a rare underdiagnosed cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ADTKD is caused by mutations in at least 4 different genes: MUC1, UMOD, HNF1B, and REN. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 56 families (131 affected individuals) with ADTKD referred from different Spanish hospitals. Clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and pathologic data were collected, and genetic testing for UMOD, MUC1, REN, and HNF1B was performed. PREDICTORS: Hyperuricemia, ultrasound findings, renal histology, genetic mutations. OUTCOMES: Age at ESRD, rate of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate. RESULTS: ADTKD was diagnosed in 25 families (45%), 9 carried UMOD pathogenic variants (41 affected members), and 16 carried the MUC1 pathogenic mutation c.(428)dupC (90 affected members). No pathogenic variants were identified in REN or HNF1B. Among the 77 individuals who developed ESRD, median age at onset of ESRD was 51 years for those with ADTKD-MUC1 versus 56 years (P=0.1) for those with ADTKD-UMOD. Individuals with the MUC1 duplication presented higher risk for developing ESRD (HR, 2.24; P=0.03). The slope of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate showed no significant difference between groups (-3.0mL/min/1.73m2 per year in the ADTKD-UMOD group versus -3.9mL/min/1.73m2 per year in the ADTKD-MUC1 group; P=0.2). The prevalence of hyperuricemia was significantly higher in individuals with ADTKD-UMOD (87% vs 54%; P=0.006). Although gout occurred more frequently in this group, the difference was not statistically significant (24% vs 7%; P=0.07). LIMITATIONS: Relatively small Spanish cohort. MUC1 analysis limited to cytosine duplication. CONCLUSIONS: The main genetic cause of ADTKD in our Spanish cohort is the MUC1 pathogenic mutation c.(428)dupC. Renal survival may be worse in individuals with the MUC1 mutation than in those with UMOD mutations. Clinical presentation does not permit distinguishing between these variants. However, hyperuricemia and gout are more frequent in individuals with ADTKD-UMOD.

How Work Characteristics Are Related to European Workers' Psychological Well-Being. A Comparison of Two Age Groups.

This study aimed to analyze the mechanisms through which work characteristics are related to psychological well-being, exploring the mediational role of work meaningfulness and job satisfaction, and investigating differences in the patterns of relationships between two age groups. The sample was composed of 36,896 workers from the 5th European Working Conditions Survey. Structural equation modeling analyses and multiple group analyses were performed. The results revealed a parallel mediational model, in which work meaningfulness and general job satisfaction mediate the relationships between work characteristics and well-being. Additionally, job satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between meaningfulness and well-being. These results were confirmed in both age groups (under 55 years old and older workers), but age moderates the relationships between social support and the mediating variables and the relationships between the mediating variables and general well-being. The present study uncovers significant pathways through which time pressure, decision latitude, and social support are related to psychological well-being, depicting an important step in better understanding how and when work characteristics are related to positive outcomes. It provides important clues for promoting psychosocial health at work at the European level.

Linking Staff Burnout to Family Members' Satisfaction in Centers for People With Intellectual Disabilities: A Service Chain Approach.

Research in centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has somewhat neglected the relationship between workers' burnout and users' service evaluations. Two independent survey studies tested this connection. In the first study (100 centers, 714 workers, and 612 family members), results confirmed that burnout has a negative relationship with workers' perceptions of service quality. In turn, these perceptions are associated with the service quality perceptions of family members and their satisfaction with the service. In a replication sample (86 centers, 601 workers, and 819 family members), we reproduced these results and added situational constraints in the model. Both social and technical constraints correlated positively and significantly with burnout. These studies offer a view of the relationships between burnout and service quality.

An integrated methodology for assessing the impact of food matrix and gastrointestinal effects on the biokinetics and cellular toxicity of ingested engineered nanomaterials.

BACKGROUND: Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are increasingly added to foods to improve their quality, sensory appeal, safety and shelf-life. Human exposure to these ingested ENMs (iENMS) is inevitable, yet little is known of their hazards. To assess potential hazards, efficient in vitro methodologies are needed to evaluate particle biokinetics and toxicity. These methodologies must account for interactions and transformations of iENMs in foods (food matrix effect) and in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) that are likely to determine nano-biointeractions. Here we report the development and application of an integrated methodology consisting of three interconnected stages: 1) assessment of iENM-food interactions (food matrix effect) using model foods; 2) assessment of gastrointestinal transformations of the nano-enabled model foods using a three-stage GIT simulator; 3) assessment of iENMs biokinetics and cellular toxicity after exposure to simulated GIT conditions using a triculture cell model. As a case study, a model food (corn oil-in-water emulsion) was infused with Fe2O3 (Iron(III) oxide or ferric oxide) ENMs and processed using this three-stage integrated platform to study the impact of food matrix and GIT effects on nanoparticle biokinetics and cytotoxicity . METHODS: A corn oil in phosphate buffer emulsion was prepared using a high speed blender and high pressure homogenizer. Iron oxide ENM was dispersed in water by sonication and combined with the food model. The resulting nano-enabled food was passed through a three stage (mouth, stomach and small intestine) GIT simulator. Size distributions of nano-enabled food model and digestae at each stage were analyzed by DLS and laser diffraction. TEM and confocal imaging were used to assess morphology of digestae at each phase. Dissolution of Fe2O3 ENM along the GIT was assessed by ICP-MS analysis of supernatants and pellets following centrifugation of digestae. An in vitro transwell triculture epithelial model was used to assess biokinetics and toxicity of ingested Fe2O3 ENM. Translocation of Fe2O3 ENM was determined by ICP-MS analysis of cell lysates and basolateral compartment fluid over time. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the interactions of iENMs with food and GIT components influenced nanoparticle fate and transport, biokinetics and toxicological profile. Large differences in particle size, charge, and morphology were observed in the model food with and without Fe2O3 and among digestae from different stages of the simulated GIT (mouth, stomach, and small intestine). Immunoflorescence and TEM imaging of the cell culture model revealed markers and morphology of small intestinal epithelium including enterocytes, goblet cells and M cells. Fe2O3 was not toxic at concentrations tested in the digesta. In biokinetics studies, translocation of Fe2O3 after 4 h was <1% and ~2% for digesta with and without serum, respectively, suggesting that use of serum proteins alters iENMs biokinetics and raises concerns about commonly-used approaches that neglect iENM - food-GIT interactions or dilute digestae in serum-containing media. CONCLUSIONS: We present a simple integrated methodology for studying the biokinetics and toxicology of iENMs, which takes into consideration nanoparticle-food-GIT interactions. The importance of food matrix and GIT effects on biointeractions was demonstrated, as well as the incorporation of these critical factors into a cellular toxicity screening model. Standardized food models still need to be developed and used to assess the effect of the food matrix effects on the fate and bioactivity of iENMs since commercial foods vary considerably in their compositions and structures.

How personal resources predict work engagement and self-rated performance among construction workers: a social cognitive perspective.

Traditionally, research focussing on psychosocial factors in the construction industry has focused mainly on the negative aspects of health and on results such as occupational accidents. This study, however, focuses on the specific relationships among the different positive psychosocial factors shared by construction workers that could be responsible for occupational well-being and outcomes such as performance. The main objective of this study was to test whether personal resources predict self-rated job performance through job resources and work engagement. Following the predictions of Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and the motivational process of the Job Demands-Resources Model, we expect that the relationship between personal resources and performance will be fully mediated by job resources and work engagement. The sample consists of 228 construction workers. Structural equation modelling supports the research model. Personal resources (i.e. self-efficacy, mental and emotional competences) play a predicting role in the perception of job resources (i.e. job control and supervisor social support), which in turn leads to work engagement and self-rated performance. This study emphasises the crucial role that personal resources play in determining how people perceive job resources by determining the levels of work engagement and, hence, their self-rated job performance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

The dark and bright sides of self-efficacy in predicting learning, innovative and risky performances.

The objective of this study is to analyze the different role that efficacy beliefs play in the prediction of learning, innovative and risky performances. We hypothesize that high levels of efficacy beliefs in learning and innovative performances have positive consequences (i.e., better academic and innovative performance, respectively), whereas in risky performances they have negative consequences (i.e., less safety performance). To achieve this objective, three studies were conducted, 1) a two-wave longitudinal field study among 527 undergraduate students (learning setting), 2) a three-wave longitudinal lab study among 165 participants performing innovative group tasks (innovative setting), and 3) a field study among 228 construction workers (risky setting). As expected, high levels of efficacy beliefs have positive or negative consequences on performance depending on the specific settings. Unexpectedly, however, we found no time x self-efficacy interaction effect over time in learning and innovative settings. Theoretical and practical implications within the social cognitive theory of A. Bandura framework are discussed.

MDSC parameter optimization for the determination of glass transitions using a design of experiments approach.

Optimum experimental parameters for modulated differential scanning calorimetry were determined using a design of experiments approach. Two different strategies were tested, an isothermal method only varying modulation period and amplitude and a non-isothermal method including an underlying linear heating ramp. Three different test compounds were investigated including a blank of NaCl, a small pharmaceutically active molecule (Valsartan) and a polymer (PVP-VA 64). Obtained optimum values were found to be identical for each compound tested and shown to be statistically robust for repeated daily experimentation. Optimized signals showed lower glass transition values T(g) paired with higher changes in isobaric heat capacity Δc(p). Measured glass transition signals exhibited minimal variation during repeat analysis, and showed significantly better signal-to-noise ratios in comparison to literature data.