Medical students' academic emotions: the role of perceived learning environment

Introduction: Research shows that there is a relationship between students' perceptions of classroom and learning environment and their cognitive, affective, emotional and behavioral outcomes, so, in this study the relationship between medical students' perception of learning environment and academic emotions was examined

Methods: The research method used was descriptive-correlativeÒ Stratified sampling method was used to select 342 participants. They completed self-report questionnaires of Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure [DREEM] and Achievement Emotions Questionnaire [AEQ]. All descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations and simultaneous multiple regression were performed using SPSS 14 software

Results: Simultaneous multiple regression of the students'perceived learning environment on their academic achievement emotions showed that the perceived learning environment predicts the students' academic emotions

Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that caring for and supportive learning environment can increase the students'positive emotions and decrease their academic negative emotions [i.e. anxiety, shame, and hopelessness]. Implications of the results are discussed

White Blood Cell Count to Mean Platelet Volume Ratio Is a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome with or without Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Leukocyte and platelet have been found to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to determine the usefulness of a novel marker named white blood cell count to mean platelet volume ratio (WMR) for predicting outcomes of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) with or without MetS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 331 NSTE-ACS individuals (60±12.5 years, 57.4% male) were enrolled and followed for a median of 24 months. MetS was identified using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups: high WMR (WMR≥720) and low WMR (WMR<720). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and MetS rates were significantly greater in the higher WMR group compared to those in the low WMR group (MACE: 14.3% vs. 25%, p=0.014; MetS: 50.9% vs. 75%, p<0.001). MetS was diagnosed in 62.2% of patients. MACE incidence in patients with or without MetS was comparable (p=0.737). Among MetS individuals, patients in the high WMR group had more MACE than the low WMR group (11.2% vs. 26.5%, p=0.007). However, MACE was comparable among non-MetS individuals (p=0.681). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, hazard ratios (HR) of MACE incidence for high-WMR in MetS individuals was 2.616 (95% confidence interval: 1.282–5.339, p=0.008). However, HR of MACE incidence for high WMR in non-MetS individuals was not significant. CONCLUSION: Among NSTE-ACS patients without revascularization therapy, elevated admission WMR was associated with an increased risk of developing composite MACE in MetS individuals but not in non-MetS patients.

role of leadership styles in knowledge management processes

Introduction: Knowledge is a critical resource for organizations working in dynamically competitive environments. In any organization, leaders who have the power to incite and influence knowledge management processes. Nevertheless, there is lack of empirical evidence from previous studies on examining this relationship. In view of this, the current study examined the relationship between transformational and transactional leadership with knowledge management in university

Method: The research method was descriptive-correlative. The statistical population consisted of 484 university employees, from whom 214 were selected randomly using Morgan table. Data were collected through Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and Knowledge Management Questionnaire. To examine the reliability of the questionnaires, Cronbach alpha coefficient was used, and to determine the validity, content validity method was applied. All descriptive statistics, correlation and regression were performed in SPSS 19

Results: The results showed that the correlations between transformational leadership [R=0.55] and transactional leadership [R=0.44] with knowledge management were significant [P<0.001]. Other results showed that the correlations between transformational leadership and knowledge management components - creating knowledge [R=0.59], sharing knowledge [R=0.24], storing knowledge [R=0.56], applying knowledge [R=0.41] - were significant [p<0.001]. Results showed that the correlations between transactional leadership and knowledge management components - creating knowledge [R=0.45], sharing knowledge [R=0.27], storing knowledge [R=0.33], applying knowledge [R=0.41] - were significant [p<0.001]. Also, it was revealed that there was no significance relationship between Laissez-faire style and dimensions of knowledge management. Finally, the results of multiple regression analysis showed that among transformational leadership components, inspirational motivation [beta= 0.460] and idealized influence [beta=0.194] could predict knowledge management processes

Conclusion: Managing knowledge requires a conscious effort on the part of leaders at all levels of the organization to manage four key knowledge processes: creating, sharing, storing, and applying knowledge. Transformational leadership theory and transactional leadership theory provide a foundation for understanding how leaders impact on knowledge management processes

Role of organizational citizenship behavior in promoting knowledge sharing

Introduction: Organizational citizenship behavior has been linked to overall organizational effectiveness, thus these types of employee behaviors have important consequences in the workplace. One of the important consequences of these types of behaviors is knowledge sharing. Thus, the current study examined the role of organizational citizenship behavior in promoting knowledge sharing

Method: A descriptive correlation design was employed in this study. We collected the data from Kharazmi University employees in city of Tehran in 2014. The statistical population consisted of 484 Kharazmi University employees from which 210 persons were selected randomly [using simple random sampling] by the Krejcie and Morgan [1978] sample size determination table. Data were collected through organizational citizenship behavior questionnaire and knowledge sharing questionnaire. To examine the reliability of the questionnaires, Cronbach alpha coefficient was used. These coefficients were 0.80 for attitude toward knowledge sharing and 0.77 for intention to share knowledge. Also, for organizational citizenship behavior it ranged from 0.71 [courtesy] to 0.82 [altruism]. To determine the validity, content validity method was applied. All descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation and multiple regression were performed using SPSS 19

Results: The results of t-test indicated that the means of organizational citizenship behavior [mean=2.50] and all its dimensions [altruism: 2.60, conscientiousness: 2.52, sportsmanship: 2.41, courtesy: 2.49, civic virtue: 2.45] among employees were at the moderate level. The results showed that the correlation between organizational citizenship behavior and knowledge sharing was significant [r=0.50, P<0.001]. Other results showed that the correlations between knowledge sharing and organizational citizenship behavior dimensions - Altruism [r=0.35], Conscientiousness [r=0.19], Sportsmanship [r=0.46], Courtesy [r=0.39], Civic virtue [r=0.18] - were significant [p<0.001]. Finally, results of multiple regression analysis showed that organizational citizenship behavior dimensions - Sportsmanship [beta= 0.53] - could predict knowledge sharing

Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be concluded that with improvement in each of the research variables, other variables will improve. For example, as the result of improvement in organizational citizenship behavior, knowledge sharing will increase and the organization could use its competitive advantage

Clinical and electrophysiological predictors of ventriculoatrial conduction in patients under evaluation for ventricular tachyarrhythmia

Ventriculoatrial [VA] conduction has an important role in the initiation and maintenance of some arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether clinical and electrophysiological parameters of atrioventricular [A V] conduction can predict VA conduction. Detailed demographic, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic data were recorded in 54 consecutive patients undergoing electrophysiological study for the evaluation of ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The basic parameters including atrial-His [AH] and His-ventricular [HV] intervals, atrioventricular Wenckebach point [AVWP], Ventriculoatrial Wenckebach point [VAWP], anterograde effective refractory period of atrioventricular node [AERP-AVN], retrograde effective refractory period of atrioventricular node [RERP-AVN] and effective refractory period of ventricle [VERP] were measured based on standard protocol. Mean age of the patients was 59.4 [ +/- 13.9] years. Forty-three [79.6%] patients were male and 39 [72.2%] had a history of ischemic heart disease. Ventriculoatrial [VA] conduction was recorded in 21 [38.9%] patients; it was slightly more prevalent in the men [44.2% vs. 18.2%; p value = 0.114]. In the patients without VA conduction, the means of AVWP, AERP-AVN, and PR intervals were significantly more prolonged [p value = 0.007, 0.030, and 0.045, respectively], and a trend toward more prolonged AH, HV, and QRS interval was seen in them [p value = 0.078, 0.124, and 0.159, respectively]., WWP was the best predictor for the absence of Ventriculoatrial [VA] conduction. Fifty [92.5%] patients had a better AV than VA conduction. Age, presence of ischemic heart disease, left ventricular ejection fraction, and diastolic function could ml predict VA conduction. A significant direct relationship was found between left ventricular ejection fraction and VAWP [p value = 0.036, r = 0.4; the Pear son correlation test]. Prediction of VA conduction based on clinical and echocardiographic characteristics is not possible. Impairment of AV conduction was the best predictor for the impairment ofVA conduction, and most patients had a better AV than/ km VA conduction. In this study, the men had a slightly higher prevalence of VA conduction