Management Department Research Articles

How university governance affects education service quality: insights from Ethiopian public universities

University governance plays a significant role in bringing about change because it is one of the most critical variables in determining the success of higher education institutions. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the influence of university governance on the education service quality of Ethiopian public universities. Accordingly, the current study focuses on five key university governance principles: accountability, autonomy, academic freedom, transparency and responsibility. The study utilized a multiple linear regression model, which made use of quantitative data sources. Data was collected from 378 instructors and academic officials from six public institutions, including department heads, deans, faculty heads, and directors. The research utilized a closed-ended questionnaire. Using SPSS software version 20, the quantitative data were examined using the descriptive statistics and inferential statistics techniques. The results of the regression analysis and correlation were discovered. The correlation result indicates that accountability and academic freedom parameters had a positive and strong correlation with education service quality. The regression results showed that academic freedom positively affected the education service quality while accountability and responsibility negatively affected the quality of education services of Ethiopian public universities. Academic leaders and staff of public universities should therefore practice academic freedom, transparency, and autonomous decision-making through implementing university governance principles in their respective public universities in Ethiopia.

The impact of strategic agility on the strategic orientation during the Covid-19 crisis in Jordanian medical and pharmaceutical industries companies

Purpose This study aims to explore the impact of strategic agility on strategic orientation and its dimensions (retrenchment, perseverance, innovation and exit strategies) in Jordanian medical and pharmaceutical industries companies during the COVID-19 crisis. Design/methodology/approach The researchers relied on a descriptive-analytic methodology. The study population consisted of 23 companies in the medical and pharmaceutical industries in Amman, Jordan. The sampling units were the top managers of these companies, represented by chief executive officers and main department managers. The sample size was 193. Questionnaires were distributed to collect the data, while the valid for analysis were 165 questionnaires. Findings The results showed that strategic agility has a positive effect on strategic orientation, as well as on, perseverance, and innovation strategies, but it has an opposite effect on retrenchment strategy. However, it has no statistically significant effect on the exit strategy. Originality/value This pioneering study is uniquely valuable through filling a gap in the literature by examining the dynamic relationship between strategic agility and strategic orientation, offering practical insights for decision-makers to enhance resilience that contributes to overcoming the COVID-19 and future crises.

The Effect of Moderation Role of Institutional Factors on Performance of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Tanzania

The study was conducted in Tanzania intending to assess the effect of moderation role of institutional factors on performance of SACCOS in Tanzania. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship of training, recruitment and incentive as independent variables to the moderation roles of institutional factors norms, rules and culture on performance of SACCOS in Tanzania. The study was guided by Institutional theory. It used positivist research philosophy and deductive research approach. The researcher adopted explanatory research design and used simple random sampling technique. Primary data collected by using structured questionnaires from 143 SACCOS in Dar es Salaam region. Sample of 143 was selected from population of 517 SACCOS. Data was analysed using multiple regressions with the assistance of IBM SPSS version 26. The findings suggested that moderation factor culture had positive and significant effect on performance of SACCOS. The study recommends the Government through Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC) to set policies which will guide all SACCOS in Tanzania to establish a department of human resource management to ensure culture is given emphases in the institutions,

EMCREG-International Multidisciplinary Consensus Panel on Management of Hyperkalemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Heart Failure.

Hyperkalemia, generally defined as serum potassium levels greater than 5.0 mEq/L, poses significant clinical risks, including cardiac toxicity and muscle weakness. Its prevalence and severity increase in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus, and heart failure (HF), particularly when compounded by medications like Angiotensin converting inhibitors, Angiotensin receptor blockers, and potassium sparing diuretics. Hyperkalemia arises from disruptions in potassium regulation involving intake, excretion, and intracellular-extracellular distribution. In CKD and acute kidney injury, these regulatory mechanisms are impaired, leading to heightened risk. The management of chronic hyperkalemia presents a challenge due to the necessity of balancing effective cardiovascular and renal therapies against the risk of elevated potassium levels. The emergency department management of acute hyperkalemia focuses on preventing cardiac complications through strategies that stabilize cellular membranes and shift potassium intracellularly. Chronic management often involves dietary interventions and pharmacological treatments. Pharmacological management of acute hyperkalemia includes diuretics, which enhance kaliuresis, and potassium binders such as patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), which facilitate fecal excretion of potassium. While diuretics are commonly used, they carry risks of volume contraction and renal function deterioration. The newer potassium binders have shown efficacy in lowering chronically elevated potassium levels in CKD and HF patients, offering an alternative to diuretics and other older agents such as sodium polystyrene sulfonate , which has significant adverse effects and limited evidence for chronic use. We convened a consensus panel to describe the optimal management across multiple clinical settings when caring for patients with hyperkalemia. This consensus emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to managing hyperkalemia, particularly in patients with cardiovascular kidney metabolic (CKM) syndrome, to avoid fragmentation of care and ensure comprehensive treatment strategies. The primary goal of this manuscript is to describe strategies to maintain cardiovascular benefits of essential medications while effectively managing potassium levels.

The effects of patient triage management strategies on clinical outcomes and risk management in emergency departments: a prospective comparative study

Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the impact of the emergency severity index (ESI) and the Manchester triage system (MTS) on clinical outcomes, patients' satisfaction, and risk management using a prospective approach. Methods: In this study, which includes 12,000 patients who visited the emergency department of Esenyurt Necmi Kadıoğlu State Hospital between September 1, 2024, 2024, and October 15, 2024, 6,000 patients were triaged using the ESI, and 6,000 patients were triaged using the MTS. The study was conducted by randomly selecting patients between the ages of 18-85 who were visiting the emergency department for the first time. Data were collected using the observations of healthcare personnel, electronic health system data, and patient admission records. The primary variables include treatment times, clinical outcomes, resource utilization in the emergency department, and patient waiting times. Surveys were used to measure patients' satisfaction, and medical inaccuracies were evaluated based on error reports and inconsistencies in medical records. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, applying independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyses. Results: It was found that patients triaged using the ESI had significantly lower waiting times compared to those triaged using the MTS (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50-0.85, p

Effectiveness Of Financial Performance Through Cash Flow Ratio Analysis (Study Case At PT Furniture Gresik)

This study analyzes the cash flow management of PT Furniture Gresik using a quantitative descriptive approach. The focus of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of the company's fund management through the analysis of financial statements, including cash flow statements, balance sheets, and profit and loss. Data was collected through interviews with the Head of Administrative Manager and Finance Department Staff, documentation, such as the company's daily financial and cash reports. The results showed that PT Furniture Gresik has largely complied with the GENERAL SAK in the preparation of financial statements, with several appropriate components, such as the balance sheet, profit and loss, and cash flow. However, there are some shortcomings, such as unrecorded liabilities that require estimation and incomplete financial disclosures. The cash flow ratio analysis shows fluctuations between 2022 and 2023, with a decrease in the operating cash flow and fund flow coverage ratios, despite an increase in cash to interest. These findings provide an important insight into the company's financial condition and the importance of efficient cash flow management to support the continuity and growth of the company.

Evaluation of a Global Initiative for Asthma Education and Implementation Program to Improve Asthma Care Quality (CARE4ALL): Protocol for a Multicenter, Single-Arm Study.

Poor symptom control and exacerbations of asthma diminish quality of life and pose a significant burden to patients and society. Implementing evidence-based management as recommended by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), especially introducing inhaled corticosteroid-containing treatments, has the potential to vastly reduce exacerbations and the high burden of asthma in China. However, domestic implementation of the GINA recommendations has been unsatisfactory, especially in lower-level hospitals; thus, an enhancement to the awareness of and adherence to the GINA recommendations among Chinese physicians is needed to improve patient outcomes. This study aims to bridge the gap between the GINA recommendations and the current clinical practice in China by demonstrating the benefits of an asthma quality improvement program (QIP). A single-arm study will be conducted at around 30 hospitals across China to assess the impact of a specially designed asthma QIP. Approximately 1500 patients with asthma aged ≥14 years will be enrolled in participating hospitals and followed up for 48 weeks. The QIP-targeted at all pulmonologists and specialist nurses-will include an initial comprehensive training (including a pretraining questionnaire and posttraining quizzes) provided by a dedicated, qualified training team based on the GINA 2021 recommendations, followed by regular reinforcement learnings (integrated into the regular department lectures delivered by department directors), with multiple offline and online approaches (eg, an online patient management platform) provided as supportive tools. During this study, GINA implementation performance will be continuously monitored to inform necessary adjustments at the hospital level. The primary end point is change from baseline in the proportion of participants with an inhaled corticosteroid-based maintenance or reliever treatment at week 48. Secondary end points and exploratory end points include changes in clinical practice and patient outcomes such as treatment patterns, asthma control, and hospitalization rates due to exacerbations. This study has been completed, with 1500 patients enrolled and 1271 patients completing the study. The last visit of the last patient was on September 3, 2024, and the database lock was on September 28, 2024. Final analysis of data has started in October 2024. The Change Asthma Clinical Practice through GINA Education and Implementation for All Patients With Asthma (CARE4ALL) study will hopefully help improve asthma management and patient outcomes in China by bridging the gap between evidence-based GINA recommendations and the current clinical practice. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05440097; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05440097. DERR1-10.2196/65197.

The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Audit Quality through Job Stress: Evidence from Vietnamese Independent Auditors

Introduction: This study was conducted to examine how emotional intelligence can affect audit quality through its impact on job stress. Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine whether higher levels of emotional intelligence can reduce job stress and improve audit quality, taking into account the pressures that auditors face in Vietnam, such as tight deadlines and complex regulatory requirements. Methods: Using quantitative research methods, using a structured survey to collect data from 327 auditors, audit team leaders, audit department heads and directors of 125 independent auditing companies in Vietnam and using the SEM structure model on SPSS and AMOS 20 software to test hypotheses. Results: The results show that all dimensions of emotional intelligence (Assessing one's own emotions, Assessing others' emotions, Using Emotions, and Regulating Emotions) significantly reduce work stress and work stress, which in turn negatively affect audit quality. Conclusions: These findings are significant because they highlight the importance of emotional intelligence training and stress management interventions in improving auditor health and improving audit quality. By addressing work stress, audit firms can ensure better performance and higher audit standards in a fiercely competitive market like Vietnam, where Big4 audit firms account for 70% of the audit market share

Exploring spatiotemporal heterogeneity of urban green freight delivery parking based on new energy vehicle GPS data

To enhance the efficiency and sustainability of urban freight operations, China has initiated the Urban Green Freight Delivery (UGFD) project, which involves optimizing access control policies and introducing new energy vehicles. Identifying the parking trips of new energy vehicles and exploring the spatiotemporal patterns is crucial to actively promoting the optimal layout of temporary stops and the formulation of parking policies in the UGFD project. In this study, we aim to comprehend the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of parking for new energy vehicles both on roads (on-street) and within urban communities (off-street) for promoting the UGFD project. Its specific content includes: (1) proposing a method for identifying valid parking trips for the loading and unloading of goods based on trajectory data of UGFD new energy vehicles; and (2) mapping the identification results of valid parking trips onto communities and roads to analyze the spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Taking Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China as an example, the identification results show that the established valid parking trips identification method can outperform state-of-the-art methods. The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 value were found to be 0.957, 0.908, 0.937, and 0.922, respectively. Further examination of parking patterns indicates a bimodal temporal distribution of delivery demand, with peak activity occurring between 08:00–09:00 and between 14:00–17:00, with a higher delivery demand in the morning. Spatially, delivery demand was aggregated, while the parking time distribution of most delivery activities was normal. Additionally, the parking characteristics of communities and roads conformed to the ‘Rank–size rule’, suggesting that most delivery parking activities were concentrated in a few communities and roads. These findings can also be used in UGFD stop station utilization, travel time, arrival time prediction, and other related fields, all of which can further support relevant management departments in discovering abnormal delivery behaviors and reduce their negative impacts.

Radiographers' emotional reactions to suspected child abuse.

In cases of suspected physical abuse (SPA) in children, a full skeletal survey is performed. Radiographers performing the survey may experience emotional challenges during the examination. The purpose of the study was to explore the emotional aspects of SPA imaging among radiographers and how they respond to potential challenges. Data were collected from 8 paediatric radiographers with responsibility for SPA imaging working in three Danish university hospitals using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Interviews were carried out by an experienced radiographer and a social anthropologist. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis applied. Most radiographers described skeletal surveys as a potential emotional challenge. Four over-arching themes were identified; Interactions with caregivers and child, Fear of making errors, Dealing with the dead, and Coping with challenges. Except 'Dealing with the dead', each theme had several sub-themes. Emotional challenges in SPA imaging among radiographers form a complex pattern with interactions with caregivers and the child unfolding in an intense atmosphere where staff are required to regulate feelings. In the highly demanding context of SPA, potential emotionally challenging experiences require both organisational and individual attention. The results of this study should inspire department managers and paediatric radiographers to establish or maintain space in working patterns for informal collegial debriefing, or more systematic formal debriefing, thereby promoting a culture where emotional impact is recognised and supported.

Information technology and its impact on strategic performance in Yemeni telecommunications companies

Information technology is critical to improve and raise the level of strategic performance of organizations. This study aimed to investigate the impact of information technology and information technology dimensions (hardware, software, databases, communication networks, and personnel skills) on the strategic performance of Yemeni telecommunications companies and assess the overall level of information technologies and strategic performance of respective companies. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach and used a questionnaire for data collection. The sample of the study comprised 560 employees out of the total population of 2,238 employees in chosen Yemeni companies. The selected employees included CEOs, deputy executive managers, department managers, section heads, supervisors, and specialists due to the relevance of their roles to information technology and strategic performance. Accordingly, 479 questionnaires were successfully retrieved and analyzed. The findings showed that information technology positively impacts strategic performance (R2 = 0.385; p < 0.05), indicating that information technology plays a significant role in enhancing strategic performance. The dimensions (hardware, databases, and personnel skills) have a statistically significant effect on strategic performance (β = 0.212, 0.205, 0.340; p < 0.05), while software and communication networks showed no statistically significant effect (β = 0.043, 0.033; p > 0.05). Additionally, the findings revealed a high level of information technology and strategic performance in Yemeni companies. These findings indicate that Yemeni telecommunications companies place significant emphasis on information technology and strategic performance.

Clinicolaboratory characteristics and 1-year survival among group 1 pulmonary hypertension in a university hospital

Abstract Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a life-threatening disorder of the pulmonary vascular system that can lead to right-sided heart failure, respiratory failure, and death. Still, more knowledge is needed to understand this complex disease. The study objective is to evaluate the clinicolaboratory characteristics of group 1 pulmonary hypertension patients and their survival in the Assiut University pulmonary hypertension unit throughout the study time. Patients and methods Consecutive patients were referred to the Assiut University Chest Department Pulmonary Hypertension unit in collaboration with the cardiology department for diagnosis and management. Patients were diagnosed as group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH) included in the study. Patient demographic data, clinical presentation, electrocardiography, laboratory data, and invasive and noninvasive hemodynamics at presentation were recorded. The patients were followed through the study time to identify their survival. Results Out of 40 patients referred to the pulmonary hypertension unit throughout the study period, 29 patients have group 1 PH and were included. Their mean age was 44.10 ± 15.14 years, most of them were females (86.2%), 44.8% of patients presented with WHO functional class II, 48.3% of patients with FC III, and 6.9% of patients with FC IV. The mean 6 min walking distance was 256.97 ± 89.46 m. Pulmonary artery catheterization hemodynamic parameters were mean pulmonary artery pressure 52.48 ± 18.24 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance 13.32 ± 7.31 WU, cardiac index 2.32 ± 0.83 L/min/m2, and mixed venous oxygen saturation 59.6 ± 7%. The mean follow-up duration is 12.6 ± 8.8 months, and their survival at the end of study time was 82.35%. Serum uric acid, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and age are predictors of disease progression and mortality. Conclusion Group 1 pulmonary hypertension is an uncommon complex disease with a difficult early diagnosis. Its clinical presentation varies from insidious breathlessness, syncope, palpitation, and obvious right heart failure. Some factors as serum uric acid, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and age are associated with prognosis. One-year survival was 82.35%. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT0479145.

Construction of Evaluation Indicator System for Acceptance of Soft Science and Technology Projects in Tobacco Industry based on OKR

Soft science and technology projects are one of the basic organizational forms of scientific and technological activities, being the process of generating, accumulating, and applying new knowledge.The evaluation of science and technology project is a key stage in the process of science and technology project management. In the new development stage, it is urgent to speed up the formation of a comprehensive innovative management system. Constructing an acceptance evaluation indicator system of soft science and technology projects is an important link to deepen the management of science and technology projects. Based on the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) method and combined with the characteristics of soft science projects, the acceptance evaluation objectives such as schedule, quality, cost, and team management are proposed. The evaluation objectives are transformed into quantifiable key outcome indicators, and a system of evaluation indicators for soft science and technology project acceptance in tobacco industry is constructed. Field research is carried out in the tobacco industry, using the entropy value method to assign weights to the evaluation indicators, with a view to providing a decision-making basis for the acceptance evaluation of the scientific and technological project management departments, and accelerating the formation of new quality productivity in the tobacco industry.

Ultrafine industrial aerosol as an occupational risk factor for sintering industry workers

Aim. Assessment of the physicochemical characteristics of suspended particulate matter of the ultrafine range present in the air of the working area of the sintering factory of a metallurgical plant. Materials and methods. The assessment and analysis of the physicochemical parameters of ultrafine particles were carried out in different areas of the sintering factory of the metallurgical plant. The parameters were measured using a portable scanning spectrometer Nanoscan 3910 (USA). The chemical composition of the suspended particulate matter was determined by the method of optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (OES-IZP) using the device “Ortima 2100 DV” (PerkinElmer, USA). Results. It was estimated that the concentration of suspended particulate matter of ultrafine size in the main part of the sintering machine ranged from 3.02 × 104 to 3.12 × 104 per cm3, in the tail part of the sintering machine – from 5.09 × 104 to 7.59 × 104 per cm3, in the sintering machine control room No. 1 – from 2.06 × 104 to 2.38 × 104 per cm3, in the workers of the control group – from 1.43 × 104 to 1.73 × 104 per cm3. The quantitative concentration of suspended particulate matter by individual sizes at all workplaces of the sinter plant workers compared to workers of the control group had a significant difference. Values of the total surface area and surface volume of suspended particulate matter of the nano-sized range had their maximum in the tail part and near the head of the sintering machine, the lowest values were recorded around the control room and among the employees of the plant management department. The highest mass concentration of ultrafine particles was recorded in the tail part of the sintering machine (22.55 μg/m3 to 508.35 μg/m3), which is associated with a significant amount of suspended particulate matter of a larger size (≥115.5 nm). The chemical composition of the particles of the ultrafine range included aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, silicon, and phosphorus, which is explained by the specifics of the technological process, and the exceeding of the hygienic standard was observed for calcium, silicon and phosphorus. Conclusions. It was established that during the sintering of the agglomerate in the agglomeration compartment, many suspended particles of the ultrafine range are formed. They included aluminum, iron, manganese, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, and calcium. Significantly higher values of the number, mass concentration, surface area and surface volume of suspended particulate matter were determined at the workplaces of sintering factory workers, which had a statistically significant difference compared to the workers of the control group.

Развитие приоритетного профиля подготовки «Деятельность кадровых подразделений и подразделений по работе с личным составом органов внутренних дел»

Introduction. The article describes the aspects aimed at the development of the leading field of study “Activities of the Personnel and Personnel Management Department of the Ministry of the Interior of Russia”. The authors give historical information about the development of departmental education of law enforcement bodies and the formation of leading fields of study among educational institutions of the Ministry of the Interior as well as analyse scientific articles describing the issue. According to the Federal Order of the RF Ministry of the Interior No. 820 of 29 August 2012 “On fields of study of educational establishments of the RF Ministry of the Interior”, Saint Petersburg University of the Ministry of the Interior of Russia (the MIA of Russia) is assigned the functions of the training and research centre, which aims to train employees for personnel departments; provide methodological assistance to the agencies, organisations, departments of the MIA of Russia to solve the identified problems; provide reference materials and scientific support of official activities. The article reviews the results of the university’s work in implementing the leading field of study between 2021 and 2024. The subject of the analysis is the university’s main professional educational programmes, programmes of additional professional education, programmes of training of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel at postgraduate studies; methodological activities carried out for the benefit of personnel management departments of law enforcement agencies and organisations; scientific and methodological events to in the framework of the leading field of study. The result of the analysis is the authors’ conclusions about the factors limiting the development of the university’s leading field of study and the necessity to transform the organisational structure that ensures its implementation. The aim is to find ways to improve the development of the leading field of study “Activities of the Personnel and Personnel Management Department of law enforcement agencies”. Methods. The study used the following methods: formal logic, the analysis of normative legal acts, systematic, historical, statistical analysis. Results. We believe that the experience in the implementation of the leading field of study “Activities of the Personnel and Personnel Management Department of law enforcement agencies” and the ontradictions revealed will determine the future potential for growth of the leading field of study.

Employability within South African businesses in the 4IR era: The impacts of abilities, self-efficacy, and work-integrated learning effectiveness

The South African education sector and businesses are concerned about whether higher education institutions could meet the demands and expectations of the labor market in the context of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). Hence, it becomes essential to examine the perceived employability of work-integrated learning graduates within businesses in the context of the 4IR. This study seeks to examine employees’ perceptions of the influence of graduates’ abilities, self-efficacy, and effectiveness of work-integrated learning on their employability in the context of 4IR. The sample was obtained from employees from four South African firms (Syntech Ltd, Centrevo Ltd, Outsurance Ltd, and First National Bank Plc) in the information technology, sales, insurance, and banking industries. This study used a cross-sectional questionnaire. Of the 200 surveys randomly floated, 196 were fitting for scrutiny, cleaning, and analysis. Consequently, this study found that South African employees perceive graduates’ employability as being significantly and positively influenced by their abilities (β = .802, p < .001), self-efficacy (β = .815, p < .001), and work-integrated learning (β = .864, p < .001). In the third-step model, these three factors substantially impacted graduates’ employability more than other likely combination matrices. Therefore, 97% of South African graduates are perceived employable in the fourth industrial revolution era due to their abilities, self-efficacy, and participation in work-integrated learning. This investigation concludes that in the 4IR, the employability of South African graduates is mainly impacted by their self-efficacy, abilities, and the effectiveness of work-integrated learning. AcknowledgmentsWe thank the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management at the University of Johannesburg’s College of Business and Economics for funding this study and its publication.

Intensive Asthma Therapy and Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate in the Emergency Department Management of Pediatric Asthma

Objective The aim of the stud is to determine whether intravenous magnesium sulfate (IVMg) is associated with hospitalization and time to albuterol every 4 hours in a cohort of children who received intensive asthma therapy (IAT) in the emergency department (ED). Methods This retrospective cohort study included children 2–18 years who received IAT, defined as 3 bronchodilators and corticosteroids within 60 minutes of ED triage, with or without IVMg in the ED between 2019 and 2021. Primary outcome was hospitalization and among hospitalized children, secondary outcome was time to albuterol every 4 hours. Additional secondary outcomes included adjuvant medications, respiratory support, and length of stay. Results Among 851 patient encounters, 61% (n = 516) received IAT with IVMg in the ED and most patients were hospitalized (n = 565, 66%). Patients who received IVMg had increased odds of hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 25.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.49–42.52, P < 0.001) and a longer time to albuterol every 4 hours (aOR 13.8, 95% CI 9.61–17.75, P < 0.001), even when controlling for demographic and clinical markers of severe asthma. In the adjusted analysis, patients who received IAT with IVMg had increased odds of adjuvant medications in the ED (aOR 7.3, 95% CI 2.97–17.95, P < 0.001) and respiratory support in the ED (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 2.22–5.85, P < 0.001) and the inpatient setting (aOR 3.9, 95% CI 1.87–7.97, P < 0.001). Conclusions Children who received IAT and IVMg in the ED for management of an acute asthma exacerbation had significantly higher odds of hospitalization without any improvement in the time to albuterol every 4 hours for admitted patients. The results of this observational study underscore the need for randomized controlled trials to determine the efficacy of IVMg for acute pediatric asthma.

Foreword

On 17 June 2021, at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (Lublin), a Polish-Ukrainian conference was held, titled “Priorities in the New Green Deal Strategy of the European Union”. The concept of the conference was put forward by the Department of Agricultural Law and Land Management of the Institute of Legal Sciences of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in collaboration with the Leaders of Change Foundation, responsible for the Lane Kirkland Scholarship Program in Poland. The scholarship holders who carried out their study projects in the academic year 2020/2021, given the pandemic restrictions applicable at that time, looked for the then-available forms of cooperation and exchange of experiences, as well as presentation of their research results. The proposal to hold a conference in the online formula was considered as meeting their expectations.

Cultivating anti-racism in the classroom and beyond through collaborative learning in the environmental sciences

AbstractSpurred by nationwide protests against anti-Black violence in the summer of 2020, academic departments across the USA saw an uptick in efforts to integrate belonging, diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion initiatives into their programs. In this vein, graduate students in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of California, Berkeley, developed and led a semester-long course, “Critical Engagements in Anti-Racist Environmental Scholarship.” The course cultivated anti-racist mindsets through collaborative learning and action projects. We designed and taught the class as a team of doctoral students, and course participants consisted of faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and other graduate students, thus disrupting traditional academic power structures. In this article, we draw on our experiences from two years of developing and teaching this course. We begin by outlining our theory of change, depicted as a tree rooted in our pedagogical approach, which ultimately bears the fruit of anti-racist mindsets and actions. We then provide an overview of our pedagogical approach, which includes attending to the roots of curriculum, classroom structures, and teaching practices. Next, we highlight the four key elements of the course’s success: (1) Centering Black voices and experiences, (2) Flattening academic hierarchies, (3) Fostering a community of learners, and (4) Developing action-oriented mindsets to sustain long-term anti-racist praxis. To conclude, we reflect on the successes and challenges of this approach two years later. Overall, this article shares our experiences conducting an environmental sciences-specific version of this course, with the understanding that this model can be adopted by other departments seeking to implement anti-racist praxis through coursework and long-form professional development training for academics.

Structural dimensions and scale development of research motivation among master’s students in the humanities and social sciences

Purpose This study aims to delve into the multidimensional structure of research motivation among master’s students in the humanities and social sciences and to develop an accurate tool for measuring their motivational levels. Design/methodology/approach This study used semistructured in-depth interviews with 21 master’s students from the humanities and social sciences. Grounded theory analysis was used to identify key dimensions of research motivation. An initial questionnaire with 24 items was developed based on the findings, which was then revised by experts and master’s students. The modified questionnaire was validated among 283 master’s students in Chinese universities. Further validation was conducted with 319 samples to assess reliability and model fit. Findings This study identified five key dimensions of research motivation: subjective norms, self-realization, emotional interest, social interaction and cognitive value. These dimensions were used to construct a research motivation model. The final validated questionnaire, containing 21 items, demonstrated good reliability and model fit, making it a robust tool for assessing research motivation in this specific group. Originality/value This study contributes to developing a tailored measurement tool of research motivation specifically for master’s students in the humanities and social sciences. It provides valuable insights for graduate education stakeholders, including educators, advisors and graduate management departments, by offering a deeper understanding of the motivational factors driving students’ research engagement and academic development.