bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abdominal Massage in Functional Chronic Constipation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Doğan İrem Gül , Gürşen Ceren , Akbayrak Türkan , Balaban Yasemin Hatice , Vahabov Cavanşir , Üzelpasacı Esra , Özgül Serap
Published: May 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of abdominal massage on the severity of constipation, bowel function, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with functional chronic constipation in a randomized placebo-controlled design.

Methods

Seventy-four patients diagnosed with functional constipation according to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria were included. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (abdominal massage plus lifestyle advice) or the control group (placebo therapeutic ultrasound plus lifestyle advice). Abdominal massage or placebo ultrasound was applied for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Constipation Severity Instrument score. Bowel diary data and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire score were used as secondary outcome measures. Differences in outcome measures within and between groups were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results

Although constipation severity, bowel function indicators (defecation frequency and duration and stool consistency), and QoL were found to improve significantly over time in both groups, improvements in both primary and secondary outcomes were much more significant in the abdominal massage group. In addition, group × time interaction effects were found to be significant for constipation severity, bowel function findings, and QoL. There were approximately 70% and 28% reductions in constipation severity, 56% and 38% improvement rates in QoL, and 70% and 43% increases in defecation frequency in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Abdominal massage should be one of the first-line conservative approaches in the management of functional chronic constipation. Further randomized placebo-controlled studies with long-term follow-up are needed.

Impact

For functional constipation, which is a common gastrointestinal problem, abdominal massage should be considered as an option in first-line therapy because of its effect beyond the placebo effect.

Lay Summary

If you have functional constipation, your physical therapist may be able to provide abdominal massage to help reduce your symptoms.
Clarissa’s Insomnia
Authors: Fanning Christopher
Published: May 2022

This essay focuses on the attention to sleep and sleeplessness in Samuel Richardson’s epistolary novel, Clarissa (1747–1748). It places Clarissa’s insomnia in the context of a historical change in cultural attitudes toward sleep in the eighteenth century by which the understanding of sleep shifts from a symbolic and moral one to a medical and physiological one. Clarissa is on the cusp of this change. While characters within Clarissa are aware of the different symbolic meanings of sleep—both the heroine and the villain, Lovelace, interpret and represent their behaviour in the light of traditional understandings of sleep and insomnia—the novel itself evinces a medicalized knowledge of sleep, made clear in its careful documentation of Clarissa’s sleep patterns. Both symbolic and medical understandings of insomnia bear upon the questions of agency and volition that have been of interest to recent critics of the novel in addition to elaborating Richardson’s major contribution to the development of psychological realism in fiction.
How effective are treatment guidelines for augmented RLS?
Authors: Yeung Laiwah Jonathan , Winkelman John W
Published: May 2022

Study Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of current treatment guidelines for restless legs syndrome (RLS) augmentation in patients on dopamine agonists (DAs) which recommend a cross-titration strategy to an alpha-2-delta ligand (A2D) and/or opioid.

Methods

Consecutive new consultations for RLS with both augmentation and active treatment with DAs at the time of initial assessment were included if followed >5 months. Clinical information from the semi-structured initial consultation, and subsequent visits until their most recent/final visit was extracted. Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scores were retrospectively determined by two independent evaluators.

Results

In the 63 patients with augmented RLS on DAs, followed for 5–59 months (mean = 28, SD = 14), the average age was 67.6 (SD = 9.8) and 63% were female. Mean duration of prior dopaminergic therapy was 11.6 years (SD = 6.7) and average pramipexole equivalent dose was 1.23 mg (SD = 1.22 mg). At baseline, RLS was “moderate-markedly” severe (CGI-S = 4.9). At the final/most recent visit, 78% (49/63) were classified as Responders (CGI-I ≤ 2, “Much” or “Very Much Improved”) with an average CGI-S of 2.4 (“borderline-mildly ill”). Responders (59%) were more likely to have discontinued DAs than Non-Responders (40%), and mean opioid doses were higher in Responders (39 vs 20 MME). No differences in baseline DA dose, final A2D dose, or iron therapy were observed between groups. Responders did have significantly more severe RLS, more sleep maintenance insomnia, and greater subjective daytime sleepiness at baseline (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Guideline-based management is effective in most patients with augmented RLS on DAs.
Crossbreeding beef sires to dairy cows: cow, feedlot, and carcass performance
Authors: Foraker Blake A , Ballou Michael A , Woerner Dale R
Published: May 2022

Genetic and reproductive advancements in the dairy industry, volatile milk markets, and beef packer restrictions on dairy carcasses have increased the popularity of crossbreeding beef sires to dairy cows in the United States. This observational study aimed to understand performance of dairy cows bred to beef sires and feedlot and carcass performance of crossbred beef × dairy cattle. For dairy cow performance, archived records from two dairies representing two successive lactations were evaluated in cows (Dairy A: n = 72/group; Dairy B: n = 456/group) representing 1) All Dairy, where previous sire type of conception was Holstein for both lactations, or 2) Beef on Dairy, where previous sire type of conception was Holstein for the preceding lactation and a beef breed for the subsequent lactation. For feedlot performance, closeout data from pens (n = 26/cattle type) of beef and beef × dairy steers and heifers were evaluated. For carcass performance, individual carcass data were compared between conventional beef (n = 966), beef × dairy (n = 518), and Holstein (n = 935) steers sampled across a variety of processing facilities, harvest lots, and geographical regions. Cow lactation performance was minimally impacted by sire type of previous conception. Cows conceived to beef sires exhibited a 2 to 3 d greater (P < 0.01) gestation length than cows conceived to Holstein sires. Beef × dairy cattle were not largely different in weight gain at the feedlot but exhibited 1-unit lesser (P < 0.01) dressing percentage than beef cattle. Beef × dairy carcasses possessed 18% lesser (P < 0.05) 12th rib fat thickness than beef cattle and 5% greater (P< 0.05) ribeye area than dairy cattle. Additionally, beef cattle produced nearly double (P < 0.05) the percentage of yield grade 4 carcasses produced by beef × dairy and Holstein cattle.
Evaluating the impact of feeding dried distillers grains with solubles on Boer goat growth performance, meat color stability, and antioxidant capacity
Authors: Dahmer Payton L , McDonald Faith B , Chun Colin K Y , Zumbaugh Charles A , Jones Cassandra K , Crane Alison R , Kott Tamra , Lattimer James M , Chao Michael D
Published: May 2022

A total of 72 male Boer goat kids (21.7 ± 0.5 kg) were fed for 21 d with 3 kids per pen and 12 pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were: 0% inclusion of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS; 0% DDGS) or 33% DDGS inclusion (33% DDGS) and were provided ad libitum. Goats and feeders were weighed weekly to collect body weights (BW) and determine feed disappearance in order to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (G:F). At the conclusion of the feeding study, a subset (n = 30; 2–3 goats from each pen representing six6 pens per treatment) of goats were harvested, carcasses evaluated, and loins were fabricated into 2.54 cm chops. Goat chop discoloration was evaluated by trained panelists and measured for L*, a*, and b* values on days 0, 4, 7, and 10 under retail display conditions. Samples were collected and analyzed for lipid oxidation, fatty acid profile, and hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant capacity. No evidence of differences was observed for final BW, ADFI, G:F, and carcass characteristics (P > 0.05). However, goats fed the 0% DDGS diet had greater ADG compared with those fed a diet containing 33% DDGS (P = 0.05). Overall, visual evaluation of discoloration, L*, a*, and b* as well as lipid oxidation data confirmed that feeding 33% DDGS to goats had no effect on goat chop discoloration and lipid oxidation (P > 0.10). However, all chops demonstrated a display effect, which they increased in visual discoloration and lipid oxidation and decreased in a* and b* values (P < 0.01) over the entirety of the 10-d period of retail display, regardless of the dietary treatments. As expected, feeding 33% DDGS to goats decreased relative percentage of multiple and total monounsaturated fatty acids, but increased relative percentage of multiple and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; P < 0.05). The antioxidant capacity measurements showed no treatment difference in the hydrophilic portion (P > 0.10), but chops from the 33% DDGS treatment had greater lipophilic antioxidant activity compared with the 0% DDGS chops (P < 0.05). In conclusion, including 33% DDGS to the diet may negatively impact goat growth performance, but did not impact any carcass characteristics. Feeding a diet with 33% DDGS resulted in an increase in the PUFA content of goat chops but did not appear to impact meat color or lipid oxidation. The supposed negative consequence from increased PUFA is likely counterbalanced by the increased antioxidant capacity in the lipid component of meat, resulting in no difference in meat shelf-life.
The Evolution of Maternal Role Attainment
Authors: Frese Bridget J. , Nguyen My Hanh (Theresa)
Published: May 2022

This analysis highlights the evolution of the theory of maternal role attainment. Reva Rubin established the foundation for theory of maternal role attainment in her 1967 article. In 2004, Ramona Mercer made the argument to change the name from maternal role attainment to becoming a mother. In this analysis, recommendations are made to further develop this theory including updated theoretical models. This theory remains relevant to nursing, especially to nurses working with families during this transitionary time.
Storytelling
Authors: Cadenhead Virginia H.
Published: May 2022

This state of the science review synthesizes the current literature and theoretical background of storytelling as a health communication tool for oral learners. Storytelling is globally applicable in a variety of settings and formats. Cultural considerations are important. Both theoretical and biblical examples explain how storytelling can influence knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes. Although further research is needed, evidence indicates storytelling is an effective tool that nurses can use to fulfill their essential duty of health teaching.
Physical Exercise Modalities for the Management of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Guo Yuan , Xiao Changhu , Zhao Kaixuan , He Ziyu , Liu Sha , Wu Xuemei , Shi Shuting , Chen Zhu , Shi Ruizheng
Published: May 2022

Different physical exercise modalities have been widely studied in patients having heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) but with variably reported findings. We, therefore, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether the efficacy of physical activity in the management of HFpEF is related to exercise modalities. PubMed and Embase were searched up to July 2021. The eligible studies included randomized controlled trials that identified effects of physical exercise on patients with HFpEF. Sixteen studies were included to evaluate the efficiency of physical exercise in HFpEF. A pooled analysis showed that exercise training significantly improved peak oxygen uptake (VO2), ventilatory anaerobic threshold, distance covered in the 6-minute walking test, the ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow to annular velocities, the Short Form 36 physical component score, and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire total score. However, the changes in other echocardiographic parameters including the ratio of peak early to late diastolic mitral inflow velocities, early diastolic mitral annular velocity, and left atrial volume index were not significant. Both high-intensity and moderate-intensity training significantly improved exercise capacity (as defined by peak VO2), with moderate-intensity exercise having a superior effect. Furthermore, exercise-induced improvement in peak VO2 was partially correlated with exercise duration. Physical exercise could substantially improve exercise capacity, quality of life, and some indicators of cardiac diastolic function in patients with HFpEF. A protocol of moderate-intensity exercise training lasting a longer duration might be more beneficial compared with high-intensity training for patients with HFpEF.
Intensive Physical Activity Increases the Risk of Knee and Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Pintore Andrea , Torsiello Ernesto , Oliva Francesco , Spiezia Filippo , Maffulli Nicola
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

The present study investigated the type of sport and activity level of athletes before they underwent knee and/or hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis (OA), and compared them with a control group of subjects who did not undergo knee and hip arthroplasty. We hypothesed athletes exposed to high physical loads during sports had the highest risk of developing OA requiring arthroplasty.

Materials and Methods:

This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. All the comparative clinical trials to August 2021 investigating the sport activity level between subjects who underwent arthroplasty versus those who did not undergo arthroplasty for OA were considered.

Results:

Data from 5 studies and 3638 patients were collected. The mean age for both groups was 47.61±15.5 years, and the mean body mass index was 24.6±2.1 kg/m2 17.6% were women. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale attested good quality of the methodology of the investigations included in the present study.

Conclusion:

Intense physical exercise, implying a high cumulative number of hours of exercise which can lead to excessive joint overload, in both sexes is associated with greater likelihood of early knee and hip OA which may lead to prosthetic surgery. Moderate and recreational exposure to sport has minor degenerative effects, and is not associated with early onset OA requiring arthroplasty.
The Influence of Athletes’ Age in the Onset of Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Vecchio Gianluca , Pintore Andrea , Oliva Francesco , Maffulli Nicola
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

Whether sport participation is a risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) development or progression is controversial. Mechanical overload, injuries, genetics, and acquired disorders concur to the onset of OA, with high variability between sports and participants. This study investigated the association between participation in specific sports and the risk of developing knee and hip OA in athletes at different ages. We hypothesized that young athletes who are exposed to high levels of physical activities have a greater risk of developing OA.

Materials and Methods:

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Google scholar, EMABSE, and Web of Science were accessed in October 2021. No time constrains were used for the search. All the published clinical studies reporting data about relationship between physical activity, OA, and age were included.

Results:

The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale resulted in a final score ≥7 for all studies, attesting good quality of the methodological assessment. Data from 27,364 patients were retrieved. The mean age was 48.2±16.7 years. In all, 21.8% were women.

Conclusions:

Our systematic review suggests an association between high levels of physical activities and knee and hip OA in men younger than 50 years. People who practice intense physical activity, such as professional athletes or heavy workers, are more prone to develop early-onset OA.
Incorporating Patient Safety and Quality Into the Medical School Curriculum: An Assessment of Student Gains
Authors: Ahmed Fasih Ali , Asif Fozia , Mubashir Ayesha , Aboumatar Hanan J. , Hameed Malika , Haider Adil , Latif Asad
Published: May 2022

Background

Global efforts are being made to improve health care standards and the quality of care provided. It has been shown through research that the introduction of patient safety (PS) and quality improvement (QI) concepts in the medical curriculum prepares medical students to face future challenges in their professional careers.

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate how a brief course on QI and PS affects the knowledge, efficacy, and system thinking of medical students.

Methods

A 5-day QI and PS intervention course was implemented at the Aga Khan University medical college for 98 third-year medical students in March 2021. This weeklong course of lectures, interactive sessions, and hands-on skill workshops was conducted before the students began their clinical rotations. Students’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and system thinking were assessed with pretest and posttest. Students were also asked to write personal reflections and fill out a satisfaction survey at the end of the intervention.

Results

Comparisons of pretest and posttest scores showed that the course significantly improved students’ knowledge by a mean of 2.92 points (95% confidence interval, 2.30–3.53; P < 0.001) and system thinking by 0.16 points (95% confidence interval, 0.03–0.29; P = 0.018) of the maximum scores of 20 and 5 points, respectively. The students’ self-assessment of PS knowledge also reflected statistically significant increases in all 9 domains (P < 0.001). Students reported positive experiences with this course in their personal reflections.

Conclusions

The medical students exhibited increases in knowledge, self-efficacy, and system thinking after this weeklong intervention. The design of the course can be modified as needed and implemented at other institutions in low- and middle-income countries. A targeted long-term assessment of knowledge and attitudes is needed to fully evaluate the impact of this course.
Delays in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Surgery: Root Causes, Actions Taken, and Recommendations for Healthcare Improvement
Authors: Politi Ruth E. , Mills Peter D. , Zubkoff Lisa , Neily Julia
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Although patient safety continues to be a priority in the U.S. healthcare system, delays in diagnosis, treatment, or surgery still led to adverse events for patients. The purpose of this study was to review root cause analysis (RCA) reports in the Veterans Health Administration to identify the root causes and contributing factors of delays in diagnosis, treatment, or surgery in an effort to prevent avoidable delays in future care.

Methods

The RCA reports from Veterans Health Administration hospitals from October 2016 through September 2019 were reviewed and the root causes and contributory factors were identified. These elements were coded by consensus and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

During the 3-year study period, 206 RCAs were identified and 163 were analyzed that were specific to delays in diagnosis, treatment, and surgery. The reports identified 24 delays in diagnosis, 117 delays in treatment, and 22 delays in surgery. Delays occurred most often in outpatient settings.

Conclusions

Results supported the need for standardization of care processes and procedures, improved communication between and within department personnel, and improved policies and procedures that will be followed as intended. By reviewing adverse events, root causes, and contributing factors identified by local RCA teams, strategies can be developed to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment of patients and lead to safer care.
Comparative Study of the Effect of Acupressure and Abdominal Massage on Constipation in Elderly Women
Authors: Hasanshahi Nasibeh , Mirzaei Tayebeh , Ravari Ali
Published: May 2022

Constipation is a common complaint and challenge in the elderly. Methods such as acupressure and abdominal massage can be considered for the treatment of constipation in the elderly. This study aimed to compare the effect of abdominal massage and acupressure on constipation in healthy elderly women. In this study, 60 elderly women with constipation participated in two groups. The first group underwent acupressure for 3 minutes every day for 5 days, and the other group underwent classical abdominal massage for 15–20 minutes every day for 5 days. The two groups were followed for a month. Data collection tools included a demographic characteristics questionnaire, Rome III criteria, and constipation assessment scale. The data were analyzed by SPSS18 software. Following the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p > .05). But in the first month, the mean scores of constipation in the abdominal massage and acupressure groups were 6.30 ± 3.47 and 9.03 ± 3.84, respectively, which showed a significant difference between the two groups for that time period (p = .005). Although there was no significant difference between the two methods during the intervention, the severity of constipation did decrease in each group. Also, in the first month after individual intervention, a significant difference was observed between the two groups. We conclude that abdominal massage can be suggested as an applicable and simple method in the treatment of constipation for elderly women.
DISEMM: a tool for the investigation of elasto-plastic behaviour on polycrystalline samples using X-ray and neutron diffraction
Authors: Heldmann Alexander , Hofmann Michael , Hoelzel Markus
Published: May 2022

The software DISEMM is designed to analyse diffraction data from in situ loading experiments on polycrystalline samples for the determination of single-crystal elastic constants (SECs) and elasto-plastic self-consistent (EPSC) modelling of lattice strains. The SECs can be obtained from powder-diffraction elastic constants using a variety of grain-to-grain interaction models, namely Voigt, Reuss, Hill, Kröner, de Wit and Matthies approaches. The texture of the polycrystalline sample can be taken into account using the orientation distribution function of the grains. For the analysis of two-phase materials, an approach was implemented to calculate the stress transfer between the phases and its impact on the apparent elastic properties. The calculated SECs can then be used as input into the EPSC model, which allows the user to predict the elasto-plastic behaviour for comparison with experimental lattice strain data and to investigate the activation of individual slip systems. For this purpose, critical resolved shear stresses and hardening parameters are adapted iteratively.
Invited to the party but not allowed to dance? Examining strategic decision-making inclusion of top female executives
Authors: Mooney Ann
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The gender diversity of top management teams (TMTs) is slowly increasing. Research shows that top executives influence firms through their role in strategic decision-making but that executives are not equally engaged in it. The purpose of this paper is to understand whether gender affects the likelihood of inclusion in strategic decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on surveys completed by chief executive officers (CEOs) and using expectation states and gender roles theories, the author examines the relationship between gender and inclusion in strategic decision-making for 266 top executives of global public firms.

Findings

After controlling for a myriad of factors, results indicate that female executives are less likely than male executives to be included in strategic decision-making. Firm tenure moderates this effect such that it leads to a greater likelihood of inclusion for female executives but not male executives.

Originality/value

This study provides a unique consideration of strategic decision-making in TMTs. The findings suggest that diversity and inclusion do not always go hand in hand and that female executives may need to prove themselves more than male executives to be given an equal voice in the strategic direction of the firm.
Innovating the supply chain in health-related crises: some evidence from ISINNOVA case
Authors: Tani Mario , Troise Ciro , De Bernardi Paola , Han Tian
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, also known as three-dimensional printing (3DP), is a technological breakthrough that have the potential to disrupt the traditional operations of supply chains. They open the way to a supply chains innovation that can significantly benefit hospitals and health-related organizations in dealing with crises or unexpected events in a faster and more flexible way. In this study the authors identify the boundary of this potential support.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a case study approach to understand the dynamics behind a well-known best practice to identify the main opportunities and the main pitfalls that AM may pose to health-related organizations wanting to leverage them.

Findings

The case highlights that it is possible to increase hospital flexibility using AM and that by leveraging the Internet it is possible to spread the benefits faster than what it would be normally possible using traditional supply chain processes. At the same time the case highlights that leveraging these technologies needs buy-in from all the relevant stakeholders.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first, to the best of the authors' knowledge, to highlight the main opportunities and difficulties of implementing 3DP technologies in hospital supply chain management.
Creating customer loyalty through global engagement: the role of university social responsibility
Authors: Nguyen Thi Khanh Chi , Nguyen That Huu
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine how university social responsibility (USR) global engagement is influenced, and its impact on service quality and “customer” loyalty. There are four determinants of USR global engagement which are responsible education programs, knowledge management, organizational management and social engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey conducted in five universities in Vietnam. The dataset consists of 446 valid responses by Vietnamese students. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to test the proposed relationships. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is conducted to verify the reliability and validity of each latent construct, and to evaluate the discriminant validity, convergent validity, composition reliability and average variance extracted (AVE) for the latent constructs.

Findings

This study finds statistically significant and positive effects of responsible education programs, knowledge management, organizational management and social engagement on USR global engagement. The results also reveal the interrelationships among USR global engagement, service quality and loyalty.

Practical implications

Firstly, universities need to facilitate the involvement of all their stakeholders when they adopt USR engagement with the world. Second, universities should seek funders in society, or funders from the trade agreement between their countries and foreign ones to invest in research projects. Third, with the IT development, universities have to explore technological innovation in their teaching and training. Fourth, universities have to reform their mission and strategy to implement USR global engagement as a central pillar.

Originality/value

This study has some contributions to the scarce literature on USR. This study highlights that universities in developing countries like Vietnam need to make a large effort to enhance their teaching and training systems in order to meet the global education standard. The second highlight lies in developing research projects on discovery, methodologies, interpretation and orientation. Further, universities need to address the requirement for more internal communication with students and more external communication with society. Finally, this study found that USR global engagement make customers (students, students' families, businesses, and other stakeholders) trust and become loyal to universities.
Envisioning the Indigenised university for sustainable development
Authors: Mbah Marcellus Forh , Ajaps Sandra , Johnson Ane Turner , Yaffa Sidat
Published: May 2022

Purpose

While the possibility of a university fostering sustainable development is present in the extant literature and policy documents, the idea still warrants further consideration. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the nature and outcomes of the university’s engagement with Indigenous communities and perceptions of Indigenous knowledge systems in both academic and non-academic activities, and what might be required to foster the university’s contributions towards sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study of the only public university in The Gambia was conducted, including non-university actors. Interviews and focus group discussion methods were used, and these enabled close collaboration between researchers and participants, and the latter were empowered to describe their perceptions of reality.

Findings

Three major sets of findings emerged from the analysis of the transcripts from interviews and focus group discussions with the university and community members. These are the limited nature of and outcomes from university–community engagement, the sustainable outcomes of Indigenous practices and ideas for Indigenising university engagement for sustainable development.

Practical implications

Particular implications of the study that underpins this paper can be underscored; these include: a contribution to the literature on ways of connecting Indigenous communities with universities, and to a conceptualisation of the Indigenised university; a provision of insights into the connectivity between university community engagement, Indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable development; the creation of a context for subsequent studies on practical steps that universities might take in the direction of epistemic justice and sustainable development for all; and heightening the intractability of theoretical and philosophical issues of epistemology, knowledge ecology and epistemological justice, as they reveal themselves in practice, in complex situations.

Originality/value

Matters of the university reaching out to Indigenous peoples have yet to find their way into conceptualisations of the university for sustainable development. This paper addresses this gap in the existing literature by advancing possibilities for the Indigenised university for sustainable development to emerge.
Effectiveness of the infusion teaching approach for the development of general ICT skills in Nigerian tertiary education
Authors: Oborah James Omatule
Published: May 2022

Purpose

There is considerable efforts by government and various agencies towards the development of information and communication technology (ICT) skills in the developing nations. The efforts include the procurement and deployment of ICT devices and curriculum development; but, these are not yielding the ultimate results as the digital divide continue to widen regionally. This calls for innovation in teaching and learning in ICT. The study assessed the effectiveness of infusion approach to teaching and learning in the tertiary education level. This approach utilises a framework and student-centred approach for which its effectiveness as an instructional delivery was tested for efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest comparison to assess the treatment given. Performance was measured quantitatively through online assessment.

Findings

The results showed a phenomenal effectiveness of infusion approach to teaching and learning of general ICT skills as the participants achieved very high performance at the end of the instructional period.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on general ICT skills and covers a regional cross-section of Nigeria.

Practical implications

Adoption of infusion approach to teaching and learning in ICT would close the prevailing knowledge gaps in the development of ICT skills.

Social implications

This infusion approach would close the prevailing digital divide, thereby enhancing societal well-being.

Originality/value

This is a novel approach to the development of ICT skills, which would enhance teaching and learning in ICT.
A comparison study of topic modeling based literature analysis by using full texts and abstracts of scientific articles: a case of COVID-19 research
Authors: Cao Qiang , Cheng Xian , Liao Shaoyi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

How to extract useful information from a very large volume of literature is a great challenge for librarians. Topic modeling technique, which is a machine learning algorithm to uncover latent thematic structures from large collections of documents, is a widespread approach in literature analysis, especially with the rapid growth of academic literature. In this paper, a comparison of topic modeling based literature analysis has been done using full texts and abstracts of articles.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a comparison study of topic modeling on full-text paper and corresponding abstract to assess the influence of the different types of documents been used as input for topic modeling. In particular, the authors use the large volumes of COVID-19 research literature as a case study for topic modeling based literature analysis. The authors illustrate the research topics, research trends and topic similarity of COVID-19 research by using Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) and topic visualization method.

Findings

The authors found 14 research topics for COVID-19 research. The authors also found that the topic similarity between using full-text paper and corresponding abstract is higher when more documents are analyzed.

Originality/value

First, this study contributes to the literature analysis approach. The comparison study can help us understand the influence of the different types of documents on the results of topic modeling analysis. Second, the authors present an overview of COVID-19 research by summarizing 14 research topics for it. This automated literature analysis can help specialists in the health and medical domain or other people to quickly grasp the structured morphology of the current studies for COVID-19.
Board dynamics and board tasks empowered by women on boards: evidence from Italy
Authors: Slomka-Golebiowska Agnieszka , De Masi Sara , Paci Andrea
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of board dynamics produced by reaching a certain proportion of women on board tasks (monitoring, strategy and advisory).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a panel of 35 listed companies belonging to FTSE-MIB index, for the years 2008–2015, the hypotheses can be tested by applying random effect regressions. The introduction of gender board quota law in Italy has created a quasi-natural experiment that is applied in the study.

Findings

This research provides evidence that reaching 33% women on boards, which is the threshold mandated by the Italian gender board quota law, makes a difference for strategy tasks but not for monitoring tasks. This proportion of women on boards creates the board dynamics necessary to empower all board members, allowing the varied knowledge, skills, backgrounds and personal qualities to be leveraged and used in strategy tasks. For monitoring tasks, obtaining a proportion of 20% women on boards, as a first threshold enforced by the law, is enough to voice their opinion during board meetings and challenge management.

Originality/value

The results show that each set of board tasks requires different dynamics trigged by a specific proportion between a minority (women) and a dominant subgroup (men). To enhance monitoring tasks performance, it is enough to reach a proportion between men and women which makes the women less isolated and more inclined to speak up during the board meetings. In the case of strategy tasks, the improved performance is achieved when the dominant group enticed to hear women’s opinions and responsive to various perspectives. This paper expands the debates going beyond monitoring tasks, showing the importance of board dynamics for engagement in strategy and advisory tasks.
Design, analysis and method of foot trajectory generation for quadruped robots in swing-stance phase
Authors: Biswal Priyaranjan , Mohanty Prases Kumar
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Legged walking robots have numerous advantages over the wheel or tracked robots due to their strong operational ability and exposure to the complex environment. This paper aims to present details about the mechanical formation and a new conceptual elliptical trajectory generation discussed throughout the paper of the quadruped robot.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, a realistic CAD model of the four-legged robot is developed in Solidwork-2019. The proposed model’s forward and inverse kinematics equations are deduced using Denavit–Hartenberg parameters. Based on geometry and kinematics, manipulability and obstacle avoidance are investigated. A method of galloping trajectory is proposed for aiming the increase of upright direction impulse, which is produced by ground reaction force at each step frequency. Furthermore, the locomotion equation of the ellipse trajectory is derived by setting transition angle polynomial of free-fall phase, stance phase and swing phase and the constraints.

Findings

Finally, a successive simulation on a 2D sagittal plane is performed to check and verify the usefulness of the proposed trajectory. Before the development of the full quadruped, a single prototype leg is generated for experimental verification of the dynamic simulations.

Originality/value

The proposed trajectory is novel in that it uses force tracking control, which is intended to improve the quadruped robot’s robustness and stability.
Enhancing fluxes through the mevalonate pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by engineering the HMGR and β‐alanine metabolism
Authors: Lu Surui , Zhou Chenyao , Guo Xuena , Du Zhengda , Cheng Yanfei , Wang Zhaoyue , He Xiuping
Published: May 2022

Mevalonate (MVA) pathway is the core for terpene and sterol biosynthesis, whose metabolic flux influences the synthesis efficiency of such compounds. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an attractive chassis for the native active MVA pathway. Here, the truncated form of Enterococcus faecalis MvaE with only 3‐Hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) activity was found to be the most effective enzyme for MVA pathway flux using squalene as the metabolic marker, resulting in 431‐fold and 9‐fold increases of squalene content in haploid and industrial yeast strains respectively. Furthermore, a positive correlation between MVA metabolic flux and β‐alanine metabolic activity was found based on a metabolomic analysis. An industrial strain SQ3‐4 with high MVA metabolic flux was constructed by combined engineering HMGR activity, NADPH regeneration, cytosolic acetyl‐CoA supply and β‐alanine metabolism. The strain was further evaluated as the chassis for terpenoids production. Strain SQ3‐4‐CPS generated from expressing β‐caryophyllene synthase in SQ3‐4 produced 11.86 ± 0.09 mg l−1 β‐caryophyllene, while strain SQ3‐5 resulted from down‐regulation of ERG1 in SQ3‐4 produced 408.88 ± 0.09 mg l−1 squalene in shake flask cultivations. Strain SQ3‐5 produced 4.94 g l−1 squalene in fed‐batch fermentation in cane molasses medium, indicating the promising potential for cost‐effective production of squalene.
Measuring the American farm size distribution
Authors: Lacy Katherine , Orazem Peter F. , Schneekloth Skyler
Published: May 2022

This paper develops a measure of farm size as a share‐weighted sum of farm sizes, called the Share Weighted Size Index (SWSI), which introduces new evidence of farm consolidation from 1959 to 2017. Our Share Weighted Size Index provides more reasonable estimates of the entire farm size distribution than simple averages and is useful for comparing farm size across crops at one point in time or for comparing farm sizes for a given crop over time. Although previous measures have relied on confidential or hard‐to‐access farm‐level records, the Share Weighted Size Index is derived exclusively from publicly available Census of Agriculture data. Unlike average farm size, the Share Weighted Size Index reveals consistent evidence of rising farm size, the importance of returns to scale for most commodities, and the rising importance of specialization on a small number of crops within farms. Contrary to past studies that argued rising off‐farm wages increase farm size, we find evidence that proximity to off‐farm opportunities results in smaller farms.
Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal metastases in an elderly population: outcomes from a single centre
Authors: Flood Michael P. , Narasimhan Vignesh , Waters Peadar S. , Kong Joseph C. , Ramsay Robert , Michael Michael , Tie Jeanne , McCormick Jacob J. , Warrier Satish K. , Heriot Alexander G.
Published: May 2022

Background

The prevalence of elderly patients with resectable colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) is increasing. This study aimed to compare short and long‐term outcomes of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for CRPM in patients above and below 70 years of age.

Methods

This was a retrospective, 10‐year analysis of 90‐day major morbidity and mortality, and long‐term survival.

Results

Thirty‐two (21.3%) of 150 consecutive patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC during the study period were aged 70 and older. PCI (P = 0.04), perioperative chemotherapy use (P < 0.01) and organ resections (rectum P = 0.04, diaphragm P = 0.03) were less in the over 70 group. There was no significant differences in major morbidity (P = 0.19) and mortality (P = 0.32). There was also no difference in 5‐year overall survival (OS) (≥70: 26% vs. <70: 39%; P = 0.68) and disease‐free survival (DFS) (≥70: 25% vs. <70: 14%; P = 0.22). Age above 70 was not independently associated with worse OS (HR 1.55, P = 0.20) and DFS (HR 1.07, P = 0.81).

Conclusion

The surgical management of CRPM appears safe and feasible in this elderly population. Appropriate selection of elderly patients for such radical intervention is reinforced by the comparable survival with those under 70.
Generic benzalkonium chloride‐preserved travoprost eye drops are not identical to the branded polyquarternium‐1‐preserved travoprost eye drop
Authors: Hedengran Anne , Freiberg Josefine Clement , Hansen Pernille May , Jacobsen Jette , Larsen Susan Weng , Harloff‐Helleberg Stine , Freude Kristine , Boix‐Lemonche Gerard , Petrovski Goran , Heegaard Steffen , Kolko Miriam
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To investigate the effect of polyquaternium‐1 (PQ)‐preserved and benzalkonium chloride (BAK)‐preserved travoprost eye drops on viability of primary human conjunctival goblet cell (GC) cultures and on secretion of mucin and cytokines. Furthermore, to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the branded travoprost eye drop Travatan® and available generics.

Methods

The effect of travoprost eye drops was evaluated on GC cultures. Cell viability was assessed through lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and tetrazolium dye (MTT) colorimetric assays. Mucin secretion was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Secretion of interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8 was measured using BD Cytometric Bead Arrays. pH, viscosity, droplet mass, osmolality and surface tension were measured for all included eye drops.

Results

In the LDH assay, BAK travoprost caused significant GC loss after 2 hrs of incubation compared to the control. PQ travoprost caused no GC loss at any time point. Both PQ‐ and BAK travoprost caused secretion of mucin to the cytoplasma. No difference in IL‐6 and IL‐8 secretion was identified compared to controls. The pH values for the generics were lower (pH 6.0) than the pH value for Travatan (pH 6.7; p < 0.0001). The viscosity was lowest for Travatan, while the mean droplet mass was higher for Travatan (35 mg) than the generics (28–30 mg; p ≤ 0.0318). The osmolality and surface tension did not differ between the eye drops investigated.

Conclusion

BAK travoprost caused GC loss, indicating that PQ preservation may be preferable in treatment of glaucoma. Furthermore, physicochemical properties of branded and generic travoprost eye drops can not be assumed to be identical.
The effects of loving‐kindness and compassion meditation on life satisfaction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gu Xiaodan , Luo Wenting , Zhao Xinran , Chen Yanyan , Zheng Yuan , Zhou Jingyi , Zeng Xianglong , Yan Luyi , Chen Yifei , Zhang Xiuqing , Lv Jing , Lang Yongqi , Wang Zilin , Gao Chenyu , Jiang Yuanchen , Li Runze
Published: May 2022

Loving‐kindness and compassion meditation (LKCM) was a promising intervention for improving life satisfaction, but previous findings have been inconsistent. The current study provides a systematic review and meta‐analysis, including 23 empirical studies on LKCM with life satisfaction as an outcome variable. The primary meta‐analysis indicated that LKCM significantly enhanced life satisfaction in pre‐post design (g = 0.312, k = 15, n = 451), but the significance disappeared in the additional meta‐analysis based on randomized controlled trials (g = 0.106, k = 6, n = 404). Moderator analyses found significant effects for type of control (i.e., the effects of LKCM were inferior to active control group, but superior to waitlist condition), but not for other moderators (i.e., participant type, previous meditation experience, specific protocol, components of LKCM, combination with mindfulness mediation, and intervention length). Narrative review identified self‐compassion and positive emotions as important mediators. The practice time of LKCM had indirect but not direct association with life satisfaction. The findings supported that LKCM is promising in increasing life satisfaction, but more studies are needed to investigate the effects with more rigorous designs. Future studies should investigate other potential mechanisms and clarify whether LKCM change the reality or the perception of life.