Those whose circadian rhythm amplitude was languid suffered more from sleepiness and those whose circadian stability was flexible had a better sleep. Variables including circadian rhythm stability (flexible/rigid) and amplitude (languid/vigorous) can act as predictive indices in order to employ people in a shift work system so that sleepiness and a drop in quality of sleep are prevented.

Introduction: the quality of life of nurses and nurse aides is under the influence of various factors including the occupational ones, which affect the quality of their services. The purpose of this research was to investigate the occupational and demographic factors effective on the quality of life of nurses and nurse aides working in teaching hospitals affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Methods: the present research was a cross-sectional one conducted in 2014 on 620 nurses and nurse aides. Simple random sampling method was utilized. The data were collected via the World Health Organization Quality of Life short form (questionnaire). Shift working, having a second job, marital status, length of marriage and having a shift working spouse were the independent variables of this study. Data were analyzed in SPSS 18 software using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's correlation coefficient, independent t and linear regression statistical tests. Results: the average age, length of marriage and work experience in hospital were ± 32.81 7.30 ± 10.61 ,7.84 and 7.68 ± 10.29, respectively. The number of children, having a second job, satisfaction from the hours spent with family, and belief in the effect of night work on family life were factors effective on quality of life (P > 0.05). The highest relationship of quality of life was with environmental health (r = 0.87, P = 0.001) and the lowest was with social health (r = 0.75, P = 0.002). conclusions: Avoiding to have a second job, scientific planning of shift work schedules and trainings relevant to life skills in shift workers would help improve the quality of life of nurses and nurse aides.

Objectives As people get older, their body systems become disrupted. As the elderly lose their abilities, they become more dependent on others. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between visual, hearing, and memory disabilities as well as hand grip strength and the systems usability available to the elderly living in nursing homes in Kerman, Iran. Methods & Materials This cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 elderly participants (58 men and 52 women) living in nursing homes in Kerman. To investigate hearing, memory, and visual disabilities, the audiometry method, standard memory assessment questionnaire and E chart were utilized, respectively. Jamar Dynamometer was used to measure hand grip strengths. The systems usability (television, radio, and refrigerator) was measured via System Usability Scale (SUS) and analyzed by statistical tests with 0.05 level of significance. Results The average age of the participants was 75.35 years. Hearing and visual disabilities were significantly different in left ears and eyes. There was no significant difference between men and women regarding their memory disability. However, hand grip strengths were significantly different in men and women (P=0.0001). The highest usability for both men and women groups was in using the refrigerator and the lowest in using television. The mentioned disabilities and hand grip strength of the elderly had a significant relationship with the ability to use television, refrigerator, and radio. Conclusion With increasing age, the disabilities of the elderly get intensified and their ability to use systems decrease. Thus, it is necessary to prevent their loss of abilities in order to enhance their systems usability.

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