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[In Press] Commercial surrogacy : landscapes of empowerment or oppression explored through integrative review
No full textThe surge in demand for surrogacy treatments, combined with regulatory loopholes, has spurred the widespread adoption of global commercial surrogacy. This phenomenon poses potential risks to all involved parties, including surrogates and children, encompassing ethical, legal, physical, and psychological concerns. Although commercial surrogacy is under discussion in various jurisdictions, some countries may reintroduce legislation on the matter. In addressing this intricate landscape, the researchers performed an integrative review of existing literature with the intention of providing guidance to researchers and policymakers. The researchers emphasized notable legal and ethical challenges linked to commercial surrogacy. Surrogates often experience disempowerment and oppression, exacerbated by the contractual nature of these arrangements, perpetuating structural inequalities. Children born through commercial surrogacy, especially internationally, risk losing cultural heritage and future benefits. Banning commercial surrogacy may drive it underground, harming surrogates. Reconsidering prohibitions without penalizing surrogates could mitigate down- stream issues and safeguard them from exploitation
Menopause was a French invention at a time of revolution
No full textA short media article summarising the central discoveries of my 2022 book on the French Invention of Menopause and the Medicalisation of Women's Ageing: A History (OUP 2022)
[In Press] Integrating design for lean six sigma (DFLSS) with the stage gate phases of the innovation management assessment framework (IMAF)
No full textPurpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of design for lean six sigma (DFLSS) on operational functions of the innovation management model by appraising an innovation management assessment framework. Design/methodology approach – An empirical approach for evaluating causal relationships among various constructs in the model phases that identify optimum pathways in achieving commercial success was adopted. A quantitative analysis of survey data were collected from large, medium and small organiations, including incubators in ANZ (Australia, New Zealand) and TMSV (Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam). Findings – The structural equation modelling recursive path analysis results of the model provide empirical evidence and pathways through the various constructs considered in the model. All these pathways lead to delivering optimum commercialization success (CS). Furthermore, DFLSS is confirmed as an enabler and has direct one-to-one and indirect influence on all the operational function constructs of the model including commercial success. Research limitations implications – This study had a relatively small sample size of completed responses obtained from the population and a constrained ability to compare commercialization success (CS) between the two regions in the dataset. Future studies could be conducted on a global scale to increase responses. Practical implications – The research findings enabled the development of important and practical guidelines for managers and innovation practitioners engaged in planning and management of innovation. Originality value – This research offers a holistic approach for integrating DFLSS with stage gate phases of innovation management assessment framework, supported by empirical evidence, to aid organizations in effectively managing the innovation process and achieving greater success in commercialization
The impact of board of directors and Islamic Shariah on company internal control : evidence from Jordan
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance and compliance with Shariah on internal controls over financial reporting. It also examines the moderating role of Shariah compliance on the relationship between corporate governance structures and internal reporting controls. Ordinary least square (OLS) models are applied to 94 listed Jordanian companies on Amman Stock Exchange over the period 2015-2021. The empirical evidence shows board size, board meetings, Shariah compliance, and auditor type have a negative impact on material weaknesses in internal controls (MWIC). Second, unitary leadership, where the same individual is both the chair and CEO, is positively correlated to MWIC. Third, Shariah compliance strengthens the effect of board meetings, suggesting that Shariah compliance and good corporate governance mechanisms reinforce each other to ensure higher-quality internal financial reporting controls
Machine learning model matters its accuracy : a comparative study of ensemble learning and AutoML using heart disease prediction
No full textEnsemble machine learning is the concept of using multiple models to gain better performance from the combination of weak individual models. New researchers focus on improving machine learning models for accurate classification and prediction on test data, highlighting the critical issue of overall model quality. Once weak learners’ ensembles for making strong models were compared separately, the precision, accuracy, and f1 model score were compared separately, and the majority of voting aggregation recommended the best mode for deployment. The model accuracy and their performances of the decision tree, logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, artificial neural network, gaussian, k nearest neighbor, and multilayer perception were compared for the best model prediction. Similarly, Auto Machine Learning (AutoML) supports both binary classifications and regression problems that can be applied instantly without feature engineering directly. AutoML tries to develop a list of more robust models in tabular form and then determine whose accuracy prediction is the best. This research compares the eighteen (18) different machine learning models, i.e., eight (8) different models that were individually trained and ten (10) from AutoML, whose accuracy, mse, and r2 scores were compared with the same open-source heart disease data set. The support vector, logistic regression, and neural network models produced the highest 80% accuracy result compared to the gaussian, k nearest neighbors, and multilayer perception algorithms, which scored a 76% accuracy score. Similarly, after using AutoML, the generalized linear model (88%), gradient boosting model (87%), distributed random forest model (87%), extra tree model score (82%), and accuracy scores (82%), which ultimately mattered for model accuracy of prediction, were recommended for heart disease classification
Nurses' experiences when conducting the mental state examination (MSE) : a scoping review
No full textThe Mental State Examination (MSE) is an assessment framework used to facilitate the collection of subjective and objective data about a person's current mental state. There is a lack of understanding of nurses' experiences when conducting the MSE. The aim of this scoping review is to identify, examine and summarize the available literature relating to nurses' experiences when conducting the MSE. A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework to review, examine and synthesize the available literature on nurses' experiences with the MSE. A PRISMA flow diagram was used to describe the systematic literature search. Six databases (APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, ProQuest, and Scopus) were searched including reference lists of eligible sources. Google Scholar, Trove and Proquest Dissertation and Thesis were searched for grey literature. Twelve articles included in this scoping review considered nurses experiences when conducting the MSE. The principles of thematic analysis were used to synthesize the studies. Three distinct themes were identified from the literature: (i) Nurses' role and the MSE, (ii) Nurses' competence and knowledge when conducting the MSE, and (iii) Nurses' confidence when conducting the MSE. The results of this scoping review identified the MSE as a component of the mental health nursing role and a core competency of mental health telephone triage services. The MSE was used by nurses in the Emergency department (ED), acute in-patient and community mental health settings, including mental health telephone triage services. Nurses working in EDs and acute in-patient mental health settings experienced a lack of confidence and competence, including a knowledge deficit in conducting the MSE in comparison to nurses working in community mental health settings. Community mental health nurses identified the importance of conducting an MSE higher than acute in-patient mental health nurses. This review identified the need for evidence-based research related to the MSE and its application in nursing practice. Evidence-based research will inform the development of MSE guidelines and policies, thus, enhance mental health nursing practice related to the MSE, including improving and strengthening consumer-nurse therapeutic alliance in acute in-patient mental health settings
[In Press] Oral health care among women in perimenopause or menopause : an integrative review
No full textIntroduction: Women in menopause are at a higher risk of developing oral health problems, affecting their overall quality of life. Several studies have identified the role of health care providers in addressing women’s oral health needs across various phases of their lives, yet a review in the area of perimenopause and menopause has not been undertaken. Therefore, the aim of this review was to explore current evidence regarding the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women in perimenopause or menopause and their health care providers. Additionally, guidelines and recommendations to inform strategies for oral health promotion are included. Methods: A systematic search was carried out across 5 databases. Inclusion criteria included articles published in English that examined at least one study outcome: oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of either women in perimenopause or menopause or of health care providers or guidelines around oral health care. Qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and experimental studies with survey components were included with no restrictions on publication period, quality, or setting. Results: A total of 12 articles met the inclusion criteria, with a majority being of poor quality and mostly from low-income and middle-income countries. Overall findings indicated that there was a lack of knowledge and limited practices in maintaining oral hygiene and visiting the dentist among women in perimenopause or menopause. Health care providers exhibited poor attitudes in advising the importance of periodic dental check ups and informing oral health changes during this period. There were also insufficient guidelines to adopt care for women and guide health care providers in their practice. Discussion: Women in perimenopause or menopause have limited oral health knowledge\ and unmet oral health needs. Appropriate guidelines and supportive strategies are required to assist health care providers in providing comprehensive care and encouragement to women in perimenopause or menopause to improve their oral health
Africa's Knowledge Bridge: Empowering Global Access to Research Resources in a COVID World
Get PDFAfrica’s Knowledge Bridge stands as a testament to the resilience and dedication of researchers striving to comprehend the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In the wake of the unprecedented global crisis, this book emerges as a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted repercussions experienced by the region, encompassing mental health, demographic disparities, vaccine perceptions, and compliance with public health measures. The scope of this book extends beyond mere observation, delving deep into the heart of the pandemic’s effects on SSA through diverse methodologies including web-based surveys, cross-sectional studies, and thematic interviews. By gathering data from SSA residents, diaspora, healthcare workers, and specific demographic groups, this research paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced and the resilience displayed by communities across the region
Industry 4.0-enabled sustainable manufacturing : current practices, barriers and strategies
No full textPurpose – This paper proposes strategies for adopting Industry 4.0 in achieving sustainable manufacturing, by overcoming barriers in the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual model of sustainable manufacturing and Industry 4.0 was proposed based on a comprehensive literature review and validated through experts’ inputs. The model was
illustrated using three case studies to assess the relationships between sustainable manufacturing and Industry 4.0 in the Sri Lankan manufacturing context. Furthermore, possible strategies were proposed to overcome current barriers identified from case studies. Findings – The case studies showcase that there is a considerable gap in Industry 4.0-enabled sustainable manufacturing in the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector due to several barriers. Thus, experts’ knowledge-based strategies to overcome those barriers are proposed. Research limitations/implications – The conceptual model provides a holistic view of maturity levels of sustainable manufacturing measures directly connected with Industry 4.0 technologies. The study was limited to investigating the application of Industry 4.0 for sustainable manufacturing in leading apparel
manufacturing organisations in Sri Lanka. Practical implications – The conceptual model can be used as a framework to guide practitioners in
implementing Industry 4.0-enabled sustainable manufacturing. The proposed strategies in addressing barriers to Industry 4.0 adoption towards sustainable manufacturing can be directly applied to achieving better sustainable manufacturing performance. Originality/value – This study is an informative guide to encourage the Sri Lankan manufacturing industry to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies in achieving sustainable manufacturing, using the knowledge of
relationships between Industry 4.0 and three dimensions of sustainable manufacturing, possible barriers and strategies