University Specialized Research Articles

Association of Mucoid Degeneration of the ACL with Medial Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis Progression at MR Imaging

Abstract Background Using MRI, ACL mucoid degeneration is defined as a thickened ACL with increased signal intensity on all MR pulse sequences, with discrete fibers easily distinguished on fatsaturated T2-weighted or fat-saturated proton-density (PD)-weighted images but poorly differentiated on T1-weighted or non-fat-saturated PD-weighted images. Objective To assess the prevalence of ACL mucoid degeneration in a population of patients referred for routine knee MRI, and its association with age and structural joint damage. Patients and Methods Our study is a retrospective study conducted at the radiology department of Ain Shams University hospitals and Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital including 81 cases of knees with ACL mucoid degeneration by MRI and no sex predilection. Cases and controls were scored with respect to independent articular features: cartilage signal and morphology, subarticular bone marrow abnormality, subarticular cysts, subarticular bone attrition, marginal osteophytes and medial meniscal integrity. Results Patients with ACL mucoid degeneration were older than patients with a normal ACL, without statistically significant sex difference. Knees with ACL mucoid degeneration had statistically significant medial meniscal injuries and cartilage damage involving the central and posterior MTFC compared to control knees with a normal ACL frequency matched for age, sex and MR field strength. Conclusion Our study proved that there is a strong association between ACL mucoid degeneration and cartilage damage in MTFC.

Contributors’ Notes

Contributors’ Notes

Study room time machine: Creating a virtual library escape game during COVID

ABSTRACT In Summer 2020, Stony Brook University Libraries had to envision an online library orientation strategy for incoming students due to COVID-19. As part of a virtual welcome program, librarians and staff collaborated across departmental lines to design and create a virtual library escape room called “Study Room Time Machine” (SRTM), a time travel narrative using Google products that incorporated different library resources and Special Collections and University Archival materials. This case study details the development of the game, the thinking behind it, and an overview of the game’s initial eight weeks. Included is an assessment of the game’s use by the targeted audience and lessons learned about implementing this type of game within a library setting.

Willingness of corneal donation and its associated factors among adult patients attending Gondar University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital.

IntroductionCorneal transplantation is the only treatment option for corneal blindness to restore sight. However, there is a disproportionate imbalance between the demand and supply of corneal tissue in Ethiopia. This is because accessing corneal tissue is reliant on people who are willing to donate corneas after death.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the proportion of willingness to donate cornea and associated factors among adult patients attending at University of Gondar comprehensive and specialized hospital.MethodInstitutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 13 to July 28, 2020, through a face-to-face interview. A total of 451 samples were selected using systematic random sampling. The data were entered into Epidemiological information version 7 and exported to statistical package for social science version 20 for formal analysis. Variables with a P-value of < 0.20 in a bi-variable logistic regression were entered into the multivariable logistic regression and those variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. The strength of association was shown using the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval.ResultA total of 408 adults participated in this study with a response rate of 90% and the proportion of willingness to donate cornea was 179(43.90%). Participants who had a religious belief in Christianity (AOR = 3.23 (95% CI: 1.09–9.57)) and good knowledge about corneal donation (AOR = 5.45(95%CI: 2.69–11.18)) were positively associated with the willingness of corneal donation. On the other side, the age group above 43 years (AOR = 0.31(95% CI: 0.11–0.89) was negatively associated with the willingness of corneal donation.ConclusionThe proportion of willingness to donate cornea 43.9% among participants attending Gondar University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital. Age group greater than 43 years, religion of Christianity and good knowledge were associated with the willingness of corneal donation.

Can a university’s anniversary be used to strengthen employee engagement and improve the employer brand?

ABSTRACT The study is aimed at contributing to the research of developing the employer brand of a university with the help of a special university project. Our basic research question is whether a Jubilee project could be used to develop the employer brand of a university and strengthen employee engagement. The authors present the possibilities of measuring communication elements regarding employer branding with the help of two surveys. The employee survey results (based on 1723 respondents) showed that the reputation of the university in the university ranking list improved and the pride of its employees, as well. A significant factor in employer brand development is communication with future potential employees, so the role of public opinion is critical in creating a positive reputation of the university. This is why the Jubilee Project 650 of the University of Pécs can be regarded as a useful employer brand developing activity.

Missed nursing care during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A comparative observational study

ABSTRACTAimTo evaluate frequencies, types of, and reasons for missed nursing care during the COVID‐19 pandemic at inpatient wards in a highly specialized university hospital.BackgroundRegistered nurse/patient ratio and nursing competence is known to affect patient outcomes. The first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic entailed novel ways for staffing to meet the expected increased acute care demand, which potentially could impact on quality of care.MethodsA comparative cross‐sectional study was conducted, using the MISSCARE Survey. A sample of nursing staff during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic (n=130) was compared with a reference sample (n=157).ResultsFew differences between samples concerning elements of missed care, and no significant differences concerning reasons for missed care were found. Most participants perceived the quality of care and the patient safety to be good.ConclusionThe results may be explained by three factors: maintained registered nurse/patient ratio, patients’ dependency levels and that nursing managers could maintain the staffing needs with a sufficient skill mix.Implications for nursing managementNursing managers impact on the occurrence of MNC; to provide a sufficient registered nurse/patient ratio and skill mix when staffing. They play an important role in anticipatory planning, and during infectious diseases outbreaks.

Efficiency in university-industry collaboration: an analysis of UK higher education institutions

We examine the determinants of university involvement in knowledge transfer activities, focusing on the value of external services provided by higher education institutions. Data come from 164 universities in the UK and are drawn from the HE Business and Community Interaction Survey (HE-BCI), with a variety of university- and region- specific explanatory variables grafted onto the data from other official sources. The production function for such external services is estimated using the appropriate stochastic frontier methods, and unobserved heterogeneity across institutions of higher education is accommodated by adopting a latent class framework for the modelling. We find strong effects of scale and of research orientation on the level of knowledge transfer. There are, however, two distinct latent classes of higher education institutions, and these differ especially in terms of how external service provision responds to subject specialization of universities and to economic conditions in the region. Research-intensive universities are concentrated in one of the latent classes and, in these institutions, the provision of external services appears to be highly efficient, while in the second latent class there is greater variation in the efficiency of universities.

The impact of handwashing guidelines on pediatric nurses' knowledge and practices in the operating room at Cairo University specialized pediatric hospital

Pediatric nurses in the operating room are front-line heroes who save the lives of children by avoiding and preventing the infection by thoroughly washing their hands. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of Handwashing guidelines on pediatric nurses' knowledge and practices in the operating room. Design: One group pre-posttest quasi-experimental research design was utilized to achieve the aim of the current study. Setting: The current study was conducted in the operating room at Cairo University Specialized Pediatric Hospital (CUSPH). Sample: A Convenient sample of 30 nurses who were cared for children in the operating room at CUSPH. Was participated in the study. Tools: It was developed by the researchers, it included a structured interview questionnaire to assess personal and professional data of the nurse; nurses' knowledge assessment questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge about hand wash measures, and nurses' practices checklist sheet to assess nurses' practice when handwashing guidelines applied. Results: The study results revealed that there were statistically significant differences between the total mean score of nurses' knowledge before and after receiving the hand wash guidelines as well as, nurses who received the environmental health and safety measures guidelines had a higher mean score of practice. Conclusion: The results of the current study concluded that nurses who receive the hand wash guidelines had a higher mean score of knowledge and the higher mean score of practice than before. Recommendation: Sustainable development. It is essential to raise the awareness of operating room nurses on handwashing guidelines through education and training courses. Providing nurses with continuous training programs on infection control measures and handwashing updates is a basic requirement for providing child care safety measures.

Assessment of Postpartum Hemorrhage in a University Hospital in Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ObjectiveDespite implementation of different strategies, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) continued to account for a substantial proportion of maternal deaths in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of PPH and its associated factors among women who gave birth in a university hospital in eastern Ethiopia from 1 to 31 March 2020.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A review of 653 randomly selected medical records of all deliveries from 1 March 2018 to 29 February 2020 in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital (HFSUH), a university hospital in eastern Ethiopia, was conducted. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric and reproductive health conditions, and presence of PPH. Data were coded, checked for completeness and entered using EpiData 3.1 and exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. Results were expressed using frequencies, tables and figures. Binary and multiple logistic regression were fitted to identify factors associated with PPH and associations were described using adjusted odds ratio (aOR) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Associations with p<0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression were declared as statistically significant.ResultsFrom a total of 642 (98.3%) women included in this study, 83 (12.9%; 95% CI 10.4–15.6) had PPH. Maternal age >35 years (aOR = 3.08; 95% CI 1.56, 6.07), no antenatal care (aOR = 3.65; 95% CI 1.97, 6.76), history of PPH (aOR = 4.18; 95% CI 1.99, 8.82), and being grand multigravida (aOR = 3.33; 95% CI 1.14, 9.74) were significantly associated with having PPH.ConclusionA high proportion of women who gave birth in HFSUH experienced PPH. Prevention and management of PPH should focus on improving antenatal care and prioritize grand multigravida, older women, and women with a previous history of PPH.

Agricultural education in Bulgaria – traditions and future

The foundations of Bulgarian higher agricultural education date back to 1921. Until then, agricultural university graduates were trained in France, Germany, Italy and other European countries. In 1945, based on the Regents’ Council Decree No 180 of August 4th, published in the State Gazette on August 20th, the Ordinance setting up a state university located in Plovdiv was enacted. Nowadays, the Agricultural University (AU) is the successor of that first university situated outside the capital Sofia. The history and traditions of this higher educational establishment have invariably followed the social and cultural development of the country, which has gone through difficult and complicated political and economic times. Even today, the Agricultural University in Plovdiv is the only specialized state university in Bulgaria in the area of agricultural and related sciences of national, European, and international high prestige. The purpose of the present review is to present the traditions and challenges in agricultural education in Bulgaria. The University draws strength from the rich tradition but looks to the future and global problems to provide accurate decisions to the challenges of the twenty-first century in agricultural education, science, and safe food production for a better quality of life.

Challenges in Procurement of Pharmaceuticals in the Ethiopian Health Institutions

Public procurement is crucial to government service delivery. Procurement of Pharmaceuticals in public hospitals has faced challenges that affect service delivery. Public procurement is a key tool to the overall achievements of development goals such as reducing poverty and providing health, infrastructure, education and other services hence immensely contribute to best utilization of public resources. The limited public resources should be properly managed to get the most out of these resources. Despite its importance, limited scientific research has been undertaken to examine the Challenges of procurement in public institutions in the case of Health institutions. This study aimed to describe challenges in procurement of pharmaceuticals in Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH). Specifically, the study sought to describe challenges in regards to the procurement process, procurement planning, staff competency, and information communication technology and procurement organization structure. The study was conducted through a descriptive design of research. The targeted respondents were 146 and comprise of Administration Officers and functional head that are members of tender committee and/or directly/indirectly involved in pharmaceutical procurements, Supply Chain and pharmaceuticals professionals, and pharmacy service professionals, Department heads of service delivery units and nurse heads of service delivery units in Jimma University Specialized Hospital. A structured questionnaire and interview as a data collection instrument were used. The field data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and narrative summary analyses. Findings indicate that lengthy pharmaceuticals procurement process, lack of employee competency ,poor culture of pharmaceuticals procurement planning are the most serious challenges in pharmaceuticals procurement and fully centralization of pharmaceuticals procurement activities and in efficient use of information communication technology are the next most serious challenges in pharmaceuticals procurement Jimma University specialized Hospital. Keywords: Procurement, Challenges, pharmaciuticals, Ethiopia, Health institutions, procurement Organizational structure DOI: 10.7176/IEL/11-2-01 Publication date: June 30 th 2021

Pattern of trauma admission and outcome among patients presented to Jimma University Specialized Hospital, south-western Ethiopia

BackgroundTrauma is an ever evolving world problem that needs close attention and devising means to prevent and treat. The aim of the study is to identify the main reason for...

The Level of Conceptual Understanding of Symmetry in Mathematics among Students of Tafila Technical University: مستوى الفهم المفاهيمي للتماثل في الرياضيات لدى طلبة جامعة الطفيلة التقنية

The study aimed to reveal the level of conceptual understanding of symmetry in mathematics among students of Tafila Technical University, and to know the existence of statistically significant differences in the level of their conceptual understanding of symmetry due to variables of gender, university specialization and level of the cumulative rate. The sample consisted of (135) students from the course of calculus (2). In order to achieve the study's objectives, a test for the conceptual understanding of symmetry was manufactured, verify its validity and reliability, and test the study sample for it. The results showed that the students' conceptual understanding of symmetry in general, their understanding of reflexive symmetry and glide reflexive symmetry was mediation, the level of students' understanding of rotational symmetry and symmetry as a network of symmetries was decrease, while the level of their understanding of translational symmetry was high. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the level of the students' conceptual understanding of symmetry attributed to the variables of gender, university specialization and their level of the cumulative rate. The study concluded that more studies will be conducted that investigate the conceptual understanding of several mathematical concepts, including other samples, problems, universities and courses.

Investigate knowledge management technology implementation for supporting decision making in Ethiopian health sectors

IntroductionKnowledge management technology is a key tool for facilitating and improving the quality of health care delivery in hospitals. However, the use and implementation of this technology is not an easy task. This study aims to investigate a knowledge management technology implementation and use in Ethiopian hospitals, with a particular reference to Jimma University Specialized Hospital.MethodologyInformation about challenges of knowledge management technology implementation was gathered using qualitative research methods, through conducting semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling method was applied to select fifty-four participants from a well-defined population. Findings were first validated, according to published literature and research works, and then sorted into three main areas, such as current usage of KM technology to enhance and improve decision-making, factors affecting the implementation of KM technologyResultsThis study revealed that the overall level of KM technology implementation in Jimma University Specialized hospital is still low.ConclusionImplementation and use of KM technology to improve the quality of hospital health services is needed. Thus, it suggested that hospital managers should make much more effort to develop a strategy and policy on the implementation and use of KM technology so that the hospital could improve the quality of healthcare services.

Diabetes Concordant Comorbidities and Associated Factors Among Adult Diabetic Out-Patients at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Eastern Ethiopia: a Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundNowadays diabetic comorbidities constitute a major public health problem in Ethiopian context. However, there is a dearth in epidemiology and risk factors of diabetic comorbidity in Ethiopia, particularly in the study setting. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated with concordant diabetic comorbidities among diabetic out-patients at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital (HFSUH), EasternEthiopia.MethodologyA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing medical record charts of adult diabetic outpatients. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out by using STATA version 16.0. To measure the strength of association an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used. Moreover, variables with p-value ≤ 0.05 were considered as statistically significant with the outcome variable.ResultsIn this study, it is found that the overall prevalence of concordant comorbidity among adult diabetic out-patients was 55.8% (95% CI: 50.3–61.3). Moreover, more than two-third of patients, 72.73% were diagnosed for type two diabetic mellitus (T2DM). Among specified comorbidities about 42.3% were hypertension, 21.63% were obesity, and 13% were multi-morbidity. Age ≥ 55 years (AOR: 7.52, 95% CI: 1.24, 45.75), T2DM (AOR: 9.01, 95% CI: 1.50, 54.04), 2–5 years duration of treatments (AOR: 0.23, 95 CI: 0.078, 0.691), and poor glycemic control (AOR: 4.4 1, 95% CI: 2.34, 8.32) were factors significantly associated with concordant diabetic comorbidity.ConclusionFrom the study conducted, the higher prevalence of concordant comorbidity among diabetic patients was investigated. Furthermore, older in age, T2DM, prolonged duration of treatment, and poor glycemic control were factors associated with diabetic comorbidities. Early detection and appropriate treatment of diabetic comorbidities are very important for better patient’s quality of life and functionality.

Anchoring talent to regions: the role of universities in graduate retention through employment and entrepreneurship

ABSTRACT Drawing on the concept of human capital externalities, this paper investigates universities’ contribution to regional economies by analysing two types of graduate retention: labour retention (graduates employed in the region where they studied) and entrepreneurship retention (graduates starting businesses in the region where they studied). Using a panel of English universities (2010/11–2015/16), the paper examines the extent to which the specialization and diversification of universities’ subject mix influences graduate retention rates across urban and non-urban areas. Findings show that agglomeration dynamics affect labour and entrepreneurship retention differently, and that universities’ knowledge offer (subject specialization) matters across diverse geographical contexts.

Digital decisions: user-driven digitization

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine digitization selection strategies to optimize usage by examining digital collections at Stockton University, comparing the library-driven projects to the community-driven ones. Design/methodology/approach Case study of digitization selection strategy for Special Collections and University Archives, comparing library-driven to community-driven approaches. Findings Based on webpage analytics of the digital collections, community-driven digitization projects are more successful than library-driven ones. Research limitations/implications As a case study, this paper only analyzes a select number of digital collections from one institution. Practical implications Those responsible for digitization selection may wish to allow community members to propose collections for digitization. Originality/value To the authors’ best knowledge, no other known studies have used user analytics to compare community-driven digitization projects to library-driven ones.

Diagnostic Utility of BAP1, EZH2 and Survivin in Differentiating Pleural Epithelioid Mesothelioma and Reactive Mesothelial Hyperplasia: Immunohistochemical Study.

Background: Epithelioid mesothelioma (EM) is the commonest subtype of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Its histopathological discrimination from reactive mesothelial hyperplasia (RMH) could be challenging. Thus, an immunohistochemical panel is mandatory for better discrimination. BAP1 is a newly identified diagnostic marker whose loss is specific to malignant mesothelioma. EZH2 overexpression is reported in different cancers, but its relation to BAP1 in malignant mesothelioma has not been fully understood. Survivin expression is said to be significantly higher in EM than in non-neoplastic pleural tissue, but its diagnostic utility as an immunohistochemical marker has not been thoroughly investigated in this field. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have been conducted to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the combined use of these three nuclear markers (BAP1, EZH2 and Survivin) in discriminating pleural EM from RMH. Methods: This retrospective study includes two groups: 81 cases of pleural EM and 67 cases of RMH, retrieved from the archives of Pathology Department of Ain Shams University Hospitals and Ain-Shams University Specialized Hospital during the period from January 2016 to December 2019. An immunohistochemical study was performed using BAP1, EZH2 and Survivin antibodies. Results: There were highly statistically significant relations between study groups as regards the studied markers (p = 0.001 for each). The specificity was 100% for all combinations of immunohistochemical markers. Sensitivity of any combination of the immunohistochemical markers used in this study was found to be higher than the sensitivity of any of these markers used individually. The combination of all three markers showed the highest diagnostic accuracy (95.9%) and the highest sensitivity (92.6%). However, the combination of Survivin and EZH2 yielded the same diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity. Conclusion: Adding EZH2, Survivin and BAP1 to the diagnostic IHC panel for differentiating pleural EM and RMH could enhance diagnostic sensitivity. Moreover, Survivin is a potentially promising marker in this context, especially when combined with EZH2.

Estimating the Value of a Depository Collection

In the fall of 2018, I was asked to calculate the value of Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) general collection (defined as everything except Special Collections and University Archives) as part of risk mitigation planning and updating insurance coverage. Records indicated that our collection’s value was last calculated 11 years earlier, and we lacked both written documentation and institutional memory regarding the process used to calculate that value. While there is a fairly significant body of knowledge around calculating the value of monographs, I struggled to find guidance on calculating the monetary value FDLP collections. There is a robust body of scholarship on promoting the intrinsic value of being a member of the FDLP to library administration and other stakeholders, but very few of them focus on detailed financial benefits of tangible collections.

How TRIO Sparked the Fire That Fuels the First-Generation Movement: An Interview With Arnold Mitchem and Maureen Hoyler

Dr. Arnold Mitchem speaks to students in the Education Opportunity Program in 1984. Photo courtesy of Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Raynor Memorial Libraries, Marquette...