Aligning University Roles and Strategic Orientations: When Local Mandates and Global Aspirations Meet

Recent policy developments in Norwegian higher education, aiming to nurture world-class environments, have focused on the need to strengthen teaching quality and research excellence. However, higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly under pressure to make local contributions (“impacts”), for example, in the form of job creation, technology transfers, local economic developments, and so on, which result in tensions and dilemmas at multiple levels, not least as regards strategic management. This chapter investigates how universities align education and research on the one hand and how they navigate the tensions between local demands and global aspirations on the other. Firstly, we identify such tensions and dilemmas, and secondly, we investigate how they are being handled with regard to strategic planning (including resource allocation) at both the central (university) and sub-unit (faculty) levels. The study adopts a qualitative case study research design and compares developments at two distinct HEIs located in Norway. The findings suggest that relevance and excellence are intertwined dimensions associated with the multiple pressures facing HEIs. These findings provide critical insights into how the strategies and daily practices of actors at different levels within universities address the demands posed by a dynamic and complex environment.publishedVersio

Exame das ações prioritárias para o fortalecimento do papel das enfermeiras para conseguir a cobertura universal em saúde

Objetivo: explorar las acciones prioritarias para el fortalecimiento del papel de las enfermeras con práctica avanzada para el logro de la Cobertura Universal de Salud según la percepción de informantes clave de la salud en Jordania. Métodos: se utilizó diseño cualitativo exploratorio, utilizando una encuesta semi-estructurada. Una muestra intencional de diecisiete informantes clave de diversos sectores de enfermería y cuidados de la salud fue reclutada para el propósito de este estudio. Se utilizó análisis de contenido usando el método del marco de cinco etapas para el análisis de datos. Resultados: los resultados revelaron que la política y la regulación, la formación de enfermería, la investigación y la fuerza laboral fueron identificados como los principales elementos que influyen en el papel de la enfermeras con práctica avanzada para contribuir a la consecución de la Cobertura Universal de Salud. Las acciones prioritarias fueron identificadas por los participantes para los cuatro elementos principales. Conclusión: los hallazgos del estudio confirman la necesidad de fortalecer el papel de la enfermeras con práctica avanzada para lograr la Cobertura Universal de Salud a través de una transformación importante en la formación, la práctica, la investigación, el liderazgo, y el sistema de regulación. Las enfermeras deben unirse para alcanzar competencias consistentes de enfermería relacionados con la enfermeras con práctica avanzada, la Atención Primaria de Salud , Cobertura Universal de Salud, liderazgo y formulación de políticas, para fortalecer su posición como actores principales que influyen en el sistema de salud y la generación de evidencias.Objetivo: analisar as ações prioritárias para o fortalecimento do papel da enfermeira em prática avançada na Cobertura Universal de Saúde , segundo a percepção dos informantes-chave na Jordânia. Métodos: foi utilizado desenho qualitativo exploratório, com um questionário semiestruturado. A amostra intencional de dezessete informantes-chave de vários setores de enfermagem e de saúde foi recrutado para o propósito do estudo. A análise de conteúdo utilizando a abordagem do quadro de cinco estágios foi utilizada para a análise de dados. Resultados: os resultados revelaram que as políticas e regulações, educação em enfermagem, pesquisa e força de trabalho foram identificados como os principais elementos que influenciam o papel da enfermeira em prática avançada em contribuir para a realização da Cobertura Universal de Saúde. As ações prioritárias foram identificadas pelos participantes para os quatro principais elementos. Conclusão: os resultados do estudo confirmam a necessidade de reforçar o papel da enfermeira em prática avançada para alcançar Cobertura Universal de Saúde através de uma grande transformação no ensino de enfermagem, prática, pesquisa, liderança e sistema regulatório. A Enfermagem deve unir-se para obter competências consistentes relacionadas com a enfermeira em prática avançada, atenção primaria de saúde, Cobertura Universal em Saúde, liderança e elaboração de políticas para reforçar sua posição como atores principais que influenciam o sistema de saúde e a geração de evidências.Objective: to explore priority actions for strengthening the role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) towards the achievement of Universal Health Converge (UHC) as perceived by health key informants in Jordan. Methods: an exploratory qualitative design, using a semi-structured survey, was utilized. A purposive sample of seventeen key informants from various nursing and health care sectors was recruited for the purpose of the study. Content analysis utilizing the five-stage framework approach was used for data analysis. Results: the findings revealed that policy and regulation, nursing education, research, and workforce were identified as the main elements that influence the role of APNs in contributing to the achievement of UHC. Priority actions were identified by the participants for the main four elements. Conclusion: study findings confirm the need to strengthen the role of APNs to achieve UHC through a major transformation in nursing education, practice, research, leadership, and regulatory system. Nurses should unite to come up with solid nursing competencies related to APNs, PHC, UHC, leadership and policy making to strengthen their position as main actors in influencing the health care system and evidence creation

Data Mining Algorithms Predicting Different Types of Cancer: Integrative Literature Review

Based on the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Globally, about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer, and approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low and middle-income countries. with accelerating developments in technologies and the digitization of healthcare, a lot of cancer\u27s data have been collected, and multiple cancer repositories have been created as a result. cancer has become a data-intensive area of research over the last decade. A large number of researchers have used data mining algorithms in predicting different types of cancer to reduce the cost of tests used to predict different types of cancer, especially in low and middle-income countries. This paper reports on a systematic examination of the literature on data mining algorithms predicting different types of cancer through which we provide a thorough review, analysis, and synthesis of research published in the past 10 years. We follow the systematic literature review methodology to examine theories, problems, methodologies, and major findings of related studies on data mining algorithms predicting cancer that were published between 2009 and 2019. Using thematic analysis, we develop a research taxonomy that summarizes the main algorithms used in the existing research in the field, and we identify the most used data mining algorithms in predicting different types of cancer. In addition, to data mining algorithms used in predicting each type of cancer, as mentioned in the reviewed studies. We also identify the most popular types of cancer that researchers tackled using predictive analytics

ظاهرة تعدد المترادفات العامية للفظ الفصيح في لغتنا العربية المعاصرة

The prevalence of the colloquial dialect today is a serious phenomenon that affects the entity of the classical language and makes it a difficult foreign system even within its Arab borders. Therefore, this study comes to examine an im-portant issue, namely, the reluctance to use the Arabic pronunciation, and the use of colloquial synonyms. Therefore, this study is entitled: The multiple linguistic synonyms of the literal term in our contemporary language . The first study discusses the efforts of modern researchers in the case of colloquialism and philology, and the second one clari-fies the terms of language and dialect. The third is the phenomenon of the multiplicity of the colloquial synonyms of the literal term, which is the main goal of this study, and the conclusion of the research within the descriptive methodology

Direct and Moderating Effects of Work Environment and Structural Empowerment on Job Stress and Job Satisfaction Among Nurses in the Sultanate of Oman

Objective: This paper seeks to explore the relationships between nurses’ work environment, job stress, and job satisfaction, as well as the moderating effects of work environment and empowerment on the job stress–job satisfaction relationship. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was utilized. The study encompassed a convenience sample of 1,796 hospital nurses from the 11 governorates in Oman. A self-report questionnaire that included a set of instruments was used to collect data. Results: The results showed that nurses who perceived higher levels of job stress reported lower levels of satisfaction and empowerment, and perceived their work environment as less favorable and supportive. The findings only confirmed the direct effects of work environment and empowerment on satisfaction; there was no support for indirect or moderating effects. The hierarchical regression model showed that 46.5% of the variation in the level of job satisfaction was explained by the study variables. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the importance of implementing strategies that empower staff, provide a supportive and positive work environment, and tackle job stress to enhance levels of job satisfaction. Keywords: Work Environment; Empowerment; Job Stress; Job Satisfaction; Nurses; Oman

Determinants of Physicians’ Job Satisfaction: A national multi-centre study from the Sultanate of Oman

Objectives: Physician satisfaction with their job can lead to a better quality of care, fewer chances of making errors, and better patient outcomes. The purpose of the study was to examine physician satisfaction; and to assess job satisfaction across several factors, such as quality of care, ease of practice, relationship with leadership, and inter-professional collaboration. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected between July 2019 and January 2020. Participants provided demographic information and completed surveys related to physician satisfaction (13-item Likert type items on a scale from 1 to 5), and inter-professional collaboration (15-item, 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 for “strongly disagree” to 4 for “strongly agree”). Multiple linear regressions were used to determine the relationship between overall job satisfaction and demographic features and inter-professional collaboration. Results: Out of 396 physicians who were contacted, 354 responded (response rate = 89.4%). The median age was 40 years, and there were 208 male and 124 female physicians. The vast majority (238/354 = 62%) were expatriates. Seventy percent had a post-graduate degree. The vast majority (308 = 87%) worked in government hospitals. Results showed that 15 (5%) of the physicians were not satisfied with their job (<3.00), 179 (40%) expressed a moderate level of satisfaction (3.00 – 3.75), and 129 (55%) were highly satisfied (>3.76). There was no difference in mean job satisfaction score among different groups of study participants, except for gender, and the working grade (p < 0.05). The overall job satisfaction rates were higher for the quality of care (M = 3.93, SD = 0.61), and for ease of practice (M = 3.89, SD = 0.55) and lower for the relationship with leadership (M = 3.67, SD = 0.86). Having a clinical postgraduate degree together with a PhD, a senior level of responsibility and good inter-professional relationship were associated with higher job satisfaction rates (p = 0.003 and 0.007, respectively). Conclusion: Overall, the job satisfaction rate was high. There was no difference among different groups of study participants, except for the working grade. Having a clinical postgraduate degree, a senior level of responsibility, and good inter-professional relationship were associated with higher job satisfaction rates. The overall job satisfaction rates were higher for the quality of care, and for ease of practice, and lower for relationship with the leadership. Relationship with the leadership is a modifiable factor and efforts at enhancing the physician-leadership relationship may lead to even higher satisfaction rates. Keywords: Interprofessional relations; Job Satisfaction; Leadership; Oman; Physician; Quality of health car

Surgical Treatment of Spinal Stenosis in Achondroplasia:Literature Review Comparing Results in Adults and Paediatrics

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the quantity and quality of available literature on surgical treatment outcomes of spinal stenosis in adult and paediatric achondroplasia patients through a systematic review of literature and to investigate the suitability of conducting a meta-analysis on outcomes of surgical treatment. METHODS: Online databases were searched according to PRISMA guidelines. No restrictions regarding study design, sample size, previous treatment, or publication date were implemented. The following terms: “Spinal stenosis”, “Spinal Decompression”, “Spinal fusion”, each term separately combined with the term “Achondroplasia” were used. Quality of the included studies were assessed used the Modified Coleman method. RESULTS: Five adult and four paediatric single-sample non-comparative studies were identified for inclusion (176 adult and 102 paediatric patients). Meta-analyses assessed the proportion of patients achieving full resolution of symptoms to be 0.51 (95% CI 0.00 to 1.00); the proportion of patients achieving full or partial resolution of symptoms to be 0.90 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.97); the proportion of procedures requiring re-operation to be 0.42 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.50; and the proportion of procedures involving dural tears to be 0.20 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.39). Statistical heterogeneity was very high for full resolution of symptoms and requirement for dural repair; and very low for other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The available literature on this population and condition is sparse, highly heterogenous, and is generally of low quality limiting the value of meta-analysis. Overall, outcomes of surgical decompression of symptomatic spinal stenosis in achondroplasia patients show consistent degree of resolution of symptoms. Duration of symptoms prior to surgical treatment appears to play an important role in the overall outcome of treatment. Therefore, a delay in diagnosis and treatment can potentially be detrimental in achieving a better outcome

On the structure of primary ideals of a non-Laskerian group ring

In this paper, we study the structure of Rn = (Fp + uFp)[Zn; ] where u2 = 0 and (u) = −u. As a main result, we prove that this group ring is not Laskerian. Also, we classify the maximal ideals, prime ideals, and primary ideals and 2nd the ideals that have primary decomposition. We also nd J(Rn), Nil(Rn), Nil(Rn), and Nil(Rn) as additional results