Dirk-Matthias Rose

Acute exposure to 50ppm toluene does not increase sleepiness.

The Pupillographic Sleepiness Test (PST) is a new neurophysiological method to assess sleepiness. In an exposure study to a constant exposure level of 50ppm toluene on 20 healthy men, our aim was to find out, if increased sleepiness could be seen with PST. PST was performed before and after 4.5h of exposure. General complaints were assessed with the Swedish Performance Evaluation System (SPES) self-assessment questionnaire, once before and during exposure. Values obtained during exposure were related to pre-exposure values. Parametric cross-over analysis of logarithmic Pupillary Unrest Index (PUI) values did not show an effect of toluene exposure. In a nonparametric cross-over analysis of SPES-scores a significant increase of the scores of unpleasant smell and irritation to the throat, but not of tiredness was found. In conclusion, acute exposure to 50ppm toluene, corresponding to the German threshold limit value, did not increase sleepiness.

Sickness presenteeism of German teachers: prevalence and influencing factors

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate teachers’ sickness presenteeism (SP). We examined the prevalence of SP in a sample of teachers as well as work-related and health-related influencing factors of teachers’ SP. We used a cross-sectional study design. Teachers working at different types of schools in Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) participated in an online survey. We used Pearson’s Chi-squared test (in case of categorical variables) or Mann–Whitney-U-test (in case of continuous variables) to test for differences between SP and sociodemographic/work-related/health-related factors. Factors influencing SP were identified using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Nine hundred and twenty-four teachers working at 42 different schools completed the questionnaire (response proportion: 50.1%). The prevalence of SP in our study was 57.1%. The multivariable logistic regression analyses showed less support by supervisors (aOR: 1.77; 95-CI: 1.21–2.60), inappropriate administration efforts (aOR: 1.56; 95-CI: 1.16–2.11), and inappropriate recognition of performance (aOR: 1.44; 95-CI: 1.04–198) as well as exhaustion/fatigue (aOR: 2.29; 95-CI: 1.71–3.08) as main predictors of teachers’ SP. SP is widespread among teachers. As SP is associated with impairment of psychological and physical health in the long run, it is important to implement measures to reduce SP. A climate of support and cooperation as well as assistance for ill teachers to deal with work missed due to absence might be useful strategies.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A and B and vaccination status in staff at German schools for the handicapped.

This study aims to assess serostatus and vaccination status of hepatitis A and B among staff at schools for the handicapped. We also wanted to investigate factors associated with serostatus, number of infections with hepatitis A/hepatitis B at work, and factors influencing being vaccinated or not. The cross‐sectional study was carried out between August 2010 and August 2012 at 13 German schools for severely handicapped. Data were analyzed using blood samples, vaccination documents, and questionnaires. A total of 395 persons participated in our study (response: 59.7%), information on 367 could be used for analysis. Two respondents have been infected with HAV at work, 53.4% were anti‐HAV seropositive. Vaccination against hepatitis A was influenced by information about infectious diseases before starting to work, level of education, and marital status. One person got infected with hepatitis B during work, 53.2% were anti‐HBs‐seropositive. Vaccination against hepatitis B depended on perceived burden by nursing activities, and vaccination costs being paid by employer. Immunity to hepatitis A and B in our sample is insufficient and does not correspond to the infectious risks. Two persons got infected with hepatitis A and one person with hepatitis B during work at school, indicating an urgent need for preventive actions. J. Med. Virol. 89:825–833, 2017.

Human Behavior in the Execution of Tasks: Influencing Factors of Decision-Making

Making mistakes is part of general human behavior. This chapter gives an insight into the processes of the human brain and explains why and how we think and behave. Specific forms of human behavior are the reasons why specific methods of process management have developed.

Occupational injuries of teachers and educational staff at special schools with multiple and severely handicapped children in Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany): results of a cross-sectional study

Occupational injuries of teachers and educational staff at special schools with multiple and severely handicapped children in Rhineland‐Palatinate (Germany): results of a cross‐sectional study: Matthias Claus, et al. Institute for Teachers’ Health at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany

Wirksamkeit von Game-based-Learning in der universitären Lehre

Einleitung: Bisher konnte weder in Vorlesungen, Seminaren und Praktika auf die individuellen Grundkenntnisse und die Lernfortschrittsgeschwindigkeiten von Studierenden eingegangen werden. Insbesondere bei Lerninhalten, die eine hohe Sprachkompetenz voraussetzen wie z.B. Regelungen in Sozialgesetzen zeigte sich in der Vergangenheit ein heterogener Lernerfolg. Um diesen Problemen entgegenzuwirken, wurde in einer lernbegleitenden Studie eine spielbasierte Form der Wissensvermittlung (GbL) in das aktuelle Lehrkonzept integriert und evaluiert. Im online-Spiel konnten mehrere Spieler zeitgleich und beliebig oft Multiple-Choice-Fragen in einem spielerischen Wettbewerb beantworten. Zur erfolgreichen Teilnahme musste ein Mindest-Spielpunkt-Wert uberschritten werden. Methode: In 2 aufeinanderfolgenden Semestern wurden Studierenden im Fach Sozialmedizin/Public Health (WiSe 12/13: n = 185 (w = 111, m = 74), SoSe 13: n = 176 (w = 97, m = 79)) klausurrelevante Lerninhalte zu 2 Themenkomplexen entweder als konventionelles Prasenzpraktikum oder als GbL-Einheit angeboten. Im WiSe 12/13 wurden Thema A (Leistungen der Krankenkassen) spielbasiert und Thema B (Arztpraxisfinanzierung) als Praktikum vermittelt. Im Folgesemester (SoSe 13) wurde die Themenvergabe umgekehrt. Der Lerneffekt von GbL wurde unmittelbar vor und nach den Lerneinheiten mit einem 15 MC-Fragen umfassenden Tests gepruft. Zudem wurde der Effekt von GbL auf die Klausurergebnisse der Studierenden untersucht. Ergebnisse: Im Vor-/Nachtestvergleich, zeigte sich ein durchschnittlicher Wissenszuwachs (Δ Pre/Posttest) von 4,12 Punkten bei den GbL-Teilnehmern im WiSe 12/13, bzw. um 2,95 Punkte im SoSe 13. Die Anzahl der im GbL richtig beantworteten Fragen korrelierte positiv mit den Klausurergebnissen (WiSe12/13: r = 0,37, SoSe 13: r = 0,39). Parameter wie Lehrmethode, Thema, Muttersprache hatten keinen Einfluss auf das Klausurergebnis. Diskussion: Es konnte ein positiver Effekt von GbL auf den Wissenszuwachs und das Klausurergebnis der Studierenden aufgezeigt werden. Unabhangig von Vorwissen und sprachlicher Kompetenz erreichten diese mit GbL das Lernziel. Vor allem unter Berucksichtigung der verfugbaren zeitlichen Ressourcen kann die neue Form der Wissensvermittlung den Verantwortlichen in der Lehre als Unterstutzungstool dienen und kunftig einen Beitrag zur Erganzung konventioneller Lehrveranstaltungen leisten.

Weak High-Frequency (Radiofrequency, Microwave) Electromagnetic Fields: Epidemiological Evidence of Their Impact on Cancer Development and Reproductive Outcome

The influence of weak high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HF EMFs) on cancer development and on reproduction hazard in humans is reviewed. Even considering the latest epidemiological studies, the amount of data is not adequate to definitely elucidate whether HF EMFs represent a human carcinogen and/or the cause of disturbances of reproduction.