A longitudinal analysis of motivation profiles at work

This paper examines the multidimensional nature of workplace motivation and the importance of a continuum structure in self-determination theory through application of complementary variable- and person-centered approaches. This approach is taken to simultaneously model the complexity of motivation and highlight interactions between motivational factors. Additionally, this study represents an initial test of the temporal stability of work motivation profiles. A sample of 510 full-time employees were recruited from a range of occupations. Results support the central importance of a general factor representing self-determination as the most influential factor in an employee’s motivation profile. However, smaller effects associated with the motivation subscales, especially identified regulation, were also noticed. Importantly, motivation profiles were found to be highly stable over the 4-month duration of this study. Results lend support to the theoretical position that while general self-determination is an essential component of motivation, it alone does not fully describe an employee’s motivation

Numerical study of time-dependent hygrothermal conditions in depressurized crawl space

A finite element based hygrothermal model consisting of several interconnected components with varying number of spatial dimensions was applied to analyze the time-dependent temperature and humidity conditions of a mechanically depressurized and ventilated crawl space. Purpose of the depressurization is to prevent the intrusion of radon or other insanitary particles into indoor air. However, in typical foundation structures the depressurization will cause airflow from soil into the crawl space air and it may convey excessive moisture making the hygrothermal conditions potential for mould growth or other moisture-induced biological damage, which is not considered to be acceptable even with the depressurization. Although in general the forced convection of humidity from soil presumably increases relative humidity in crawl space, significant heat capacity of the ground may warm the air flowing into the crawl space and thus decrease the relative humidity. Overall effect of the depressurization on the conditions in crawl space is therefore not trivial. Because a full-scale three-dimensional finite element analysis of heat, mass and momentum transfer in crawl space and its surroundings would require excessive computational resources, several simplifications were necessary to apply in the model. According to the numerical results, the airflow through drainage layer into crawl space does not seem to have severe effect on the crawl space conditions. Conversely, in cold periods the relative humidity in crawl space is very low because of the air temperature is increased while flowing through the drainage layer.Peer reviewe

Trajectories of Self-Care Confidence and Maintenance in Adults with Heart Failure: A Latent Class Growth Analysis

Purpose: Heart failure (HF) affects up to 14% of the elderly population and its prevalence is increasing. Self-care is fundamental to living successfully with this syndrome, but little is known about how self-care evolves over time. The present study aimed to (a) identify longitudinal trajectories of self-care confidence and maintenance among HF patients, (b) investigate whether each trajectory is characterized by specific sociodemographic and clinical patients’ characteristics, and (c) assess the association between the self-care confidence and maintenance trajectories. Method: We conducted a prospective descriptive study of 225 HF patients followed for 6 months with data collected at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was used to identify longitudinal trajectories. ANOVA and contingency tables were used to characterize trajectories and investigate their association. Results: Three self-care confidence (persistently poor, increasingly adequate, and increasingly optimal) and three self-care maintenance (persistently poor, borderline but improving, and increasingly good) trajectories were identified. Married individuals were less likely to be in the persistently poor trajectory of self-care confidence. Patients with persistently poor self-care maintenance took fewer medications than patients with one of the better self-care maintenance trajectories. The two sets of trajectories were significantly and meaningfully associated. Conclusion: Patients in a poor self-care trajectory (confidence or maintenance) are at high risk to stay there without improving over time. These results can be used to develop tailored and potentially more effective health care interventions