SUBJECTIVE TRANSFORMATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP OF AN ACADEMIC TEACHER

A subjective change of the employment relationship by the employer is subject to the regulation of Art. 231 of the labour code. The norm has got a universal character and its application to the employment in an institution of higher education requires taking into account the specificity of two aspects. Firstly, it is the matter of a workplace possessed by an institution of higher education as the employer. Secondly, the higher education act introduces mechanisms which can be defined as characteristic to this form of transfer of a workplace. In case of the former it is important whether an institution of higher education is public or non-public. Subjective transformation of the employment relationship in institutions of higher education should also require consideration of the protection of stability of employment relationship of academic teachers.

The effectiveness of the Safety in Interventional Radiology (SIR) Shield in reducing droplet transmission and its effect on image quality and radiation dose

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a barrier shield in reducing droplet transmission and its effect on image quality and radiation dose in an interventional suite. Methods: A human cough droplet visualisation model in a supine position was developed to assess efficacy of barrier shield in reducing environmental contamination. Its effect on image quality (resolution and contrast) was evaluated via image quality test phantom. Changes in the radiation dose to patient post-shield utilisation was measured. Results: Use of the shield prevented escape of visible fluorescent cough droplets from the containment area. No subjective change in line-pair resolution was observed. No significant difference in contrast-to-noise ratio was measured. Radiation dosage to patient was increased; this is predominantly attributed to the increased air gap and not the physical properties of the shield. Conclusion: Use of the barrier shield provided an effective added layer of personal protection in the interventional radiology theatre for aerosol generating procedures. Advances in knowledge: This is the first time a human supine cough droplet visualisation has been developed. While multiple types of barrier shields have been described, this is the first systematic practical evaluation of a barrier shield designed for use in the interventional radiology theatre.

Effectiveness of a Three-Week Inpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for Patients after COVID-19: A Prospective Observational Study

For COVID-19 patients who remain symptomatic after the acute phase, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended. However, only a few studies have investigated the effectiveness of PR, especially considering the duration between the acute phase of COVID-19 and the onset of rehabilitation, as well as the initial severity. This prospective observational study evaluated the efficacy of PR in patients after COVID-19. A total of 120 still-symptomatic patients referred for PR after overcoming acute COVID-19 were asked to participate, of whom 108 (mean age 55.6 ± 10.1 years, 45.4% female) consented. The patients were assigned to three groups according to the time of referral and initial disease severity (severe acute; severe after interval; mild after interval). The primary outcome was dyspnea. Secondary outcomes included other respiratory disease symptoms, physical capacity, lung function, fatigue, quality of life (QoL), depression, and anxiety. Furthermore, patients rated the overall effectiveness of PR and their subjective change in health status. At the end of PR, we detected improvements with large effect sizes in exertional dyspnea, physical capacity, QoL, fatigue, and depression in the overall group. Other parameters changed with small to medium effect sizes. PR was effective after acute COVID-19 in all three groups analyzed.

Leveraging inner sustainability through cross-cultural learning: evidence from a Quichua field school in Ecuador

Inner worlds and subjectivity are increasingly recognized as key dimensions of sustainability transformations. This paper explores the potential of cross-cultural learning and Indigenous knowledge as deep leverage points—hard to pull but truly transformative—for inner world sustainability transformations. In this exploratory study we propose a theoretical model of the inner transformation–sustainability nexus based on three distinctive inside-out pathways of transformation. Each pathway is activated at the inner world of individuals and cascades through the outer levels (individual and collective) of the iceberg model, ultimately resulting in transformations of the individual’s relationship with others, non-humans, or oneself. Our main purpose is to empirically investigate the activation of inner leverage points among graduate students who are alumni of an Indigenous language field school in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Semi-structured interviews designed around three core aspects—(1) human–nature relationships; (2) subjective change; and (3) acknowledgment for Indigenous culture—yielded expressions of becoming aware of new forms of relationships and empirically illustrate the roles of deep leverage points in triggering the three inside-out pathways of our model. A strategic focus on activating inner levers could increase the effectiveness of cross-cultural learning in fostering transformations in relationships with non-humans, oneself and others that may yield sustainability outcomes.

COVID-19’s impact on cannabis use: Can we trust retrospective cross-sectional data?

Background: Emergent research suggests there has been an increase in cannabis use levels during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, several gaps remain. It is unclear what impact the pandemic has had on the frequency vs. quantity of cannabis use. Additionally, research has not focused on emerging adults, a population often more likely to use cannabis. Moreover, as existing studies are cross-sectional and retrospective, it is not clear whether participant reports of increasing cannabis use during COVID-19 are accurate. We sought to fill these gaps to provide further information about the impact of COVID-19 on cannabis use and the accuracy of related retrospective self-reports. Design and Methods: Seventy emerging adults in an ongoing longitudinal study on alcohol and cannabis users completed surveys on COVID-19 and substance use between March 23rd-June 5th. Their substance use four months earlier was extracted from the existing dataset. Results: 54% of participants reported an increase in cannabis use frequency during the pandemic, while 39% reported an increase in cannabis quantity. An examination of objective change scores indicated 50% of participants actually increased their cannabis use frequency during the pandemic, while 32% actually increased their cannabis quantity. A comparison of retrospective subjective change with longitudinal objective change scores indicated participants were relatively accurate in their retrospective reports of change in cannabis use frequency but were relatively inaccurate in their retrospective reports of change in cannabis use quantity. Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic appears to increase cannabis use frequency in the slight majority of cannabis using emerging adults. Our results suggest that retrospective cross-sectional reports may be a reasonable proxy for COVID-19 related cannabis use change in the case of cannabis use frequency. But our results question their use for determining how the pandemic is impacting cannabis use quantity. Importantly, our results suggest the COVID-19 pandemic poses health threats that extend beyond the virus itself. It is essential that public health efforts address the increasing frequency of cannabis use in emerging adult users.

Episodes of meeting in psychotherapy: An empirical exploration of patients’ experiences of subjective change during their psychotherapy process

This study aims to assess moments of meeting in psychotherapy -understood as moments of intense connectedness and intimacy, shared between patient and therapist during any therapeutic encounter that enable a spin in the therapy process- using a qualitative interview with patients who were undergoing or had finished psychological treatment. Micro-pehenomenological interviews were conducted with nine patients who were undergoing or had finished psychological treatment. Transcriptions of the interviews were subject to micro-phenomenological analysis. A general structure of episodes of meeting showing their temporal evolution was identified and divided into six consecutive phases. These findings suggest that episodes of meeting in psychotherapy are lived and remembered by patients in a significant way; they are emotionally charged and have a meaning for each participant. Also, emotional and nonverbal cues seem to be highly relevant features. Moments of meeting could be understood as implicit mechanisms that allow changes in the implicit relational domain.

Effect of non-invasive intranasal neurostimulation on tear volume, dryness and ocular pain

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of one TrueTear session on change in tear volume and symptoms of dryness and ocular pain.MethodsRetrospective interventional case series of patients seen in a dry eye clinic. Seventy-five individuals underwent an ocular surface examination and one session of neurostimulation. Outcome measures included objective change in tear volume measured via phenol red test, and subjective change in sensations of dryness and ocular pain measured on a 0–10 Numerical Rating Scale.ResultsThe mean age of the 75 individuals was 59±13 years, and the majority were male (73%). Intranasal neurostimulation increased tear volume (mean 13.40±8.00 mm, p<0.0005) and reduced intensities of dryness (mean −2.85±2.79, p<0.0005) and ocular pain (mean −1.48±2.41, p<0.0005 for both). However, these effects were independent of one another as change in symptom report did not correlate with change in tear volume (r=−0.13, p=0.25 for dryness; r=0.07, p=0.56 for pain). In a multivariable model, the strongest predictors for increased tear volume were lower baseline tear volume (standardised beta (β)=−0.50, p<0.0005) and absence of an autoimmune disease (β=−0.36, p=0.001) (R2=0.30). The strongest predictors for reduced dryness and pain scores were lower baseline dryness and ocular pain scores. No complications related to neurostimulation were noted.ConclusionIntranasal neurostimulation increased tear volume and reduced intensities of dryness and ocular pain, independently of one another.

Upgrading at work: employee disposition and cynicism about organizational changes

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine potential predictors and moderating relationships involving one type of organizational cynicism – cynicism about organizational transformation (CAOC). Design/methodology/approach A total of 137 subjects participated in this study. The participants had been in their current positions at work for an average of 4.77 years and had been with their current organization an average of 7.28 years. CAOC was measured using the 12-item scale (α = 0.86) from Wanous et al.’s (2000) study. The response scale had five points ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” Findings CAOC and negative affectivity were positively correlated, thus supporting H1. H2 was not supported, i.e. subjective change was not related to CAOC, and objective change was actually correlated negatively with CAOC. H3 was not supported, i.e. individuals with a higher organizational commitment will not have a less positive relationship between CAOC and organizational transformation (subjective and objective) than individuals with lower organizational commitment. H4 was not supported, i.e. individuals who perceive a higher degree of petty tyranny will not have a stronger relationship between CAOC and organizational transformation (subjective and objective) than individuals who perceive a lower degree of petty tyranny. H5 was not supported, i.e. individuals who perceive a higher degree of perceived organizational support (POS) will not have a weaker relationship between CAOC and organizational transformation (subjective and objective) than individuals who perceive a lower degree of POS. Originality/value The intent of the present study is to examine potential causes of CAOC and potential moderators of the relationships between those antecedents and CAOC. In particular, two variables are proposed as antecedents (negative affectivity with past organizational transformations) and three as moderators (organizational commitment, petty tyranny by supervisors and POS).