bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on Postmortem Wound Dating by Gross and Histopathological Examination of Abrasions
Authors: Vinay Javaregowda , Harish Sathyanarayana , Mangala Gouri S.R. , Hugar Basappa S.
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Abrasions are the most common blunt force injuries. The precise dating of injury is extremely important in forensic medicine practice. As we know, the wound healing occurs in well-orchestrated sequence, consisting of inflammation, proliferation, and maturation.

A study of occurrence of such phases will help in understanding the sequence of events in wound healing. In this context, this study of wound dating from gross and microscopic level was taken.

Materials and Methods

Postmortem study of wound dating by gross and histopathological examination of abrasions was carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine, in M.S. Ramaiah Medical College. A total of 101 abrasions were correlated to time frame the occurrence of different gross changes and microscopic changes that follow the blunt trauma. Abrasions ranging from 0 hour to a maximum of 45 days were studied.

Results

The gross changes of abrasions were in correlation with the microscopic changes; however, the role of the comorbid conditions is significant because the results showed variations with respect to healing process.

Conclusions

This study signifies that, if naked eye examination is studied along with histopathological examination, the reliability and accuracy of dating of wound increase. Whenever accurate determination of age is required, the autopsy surgeon can subject the samples for histopathological examination and correlate before opining the age of injury.
Relationship of Hospital Costs With Mortality in Pediatric Critical Care: A Multi-Institutional Analysis*
Authors: Gupta Punkaj , Rettiganti Mallikarjuna
Published: April 2017

Objective:

With increasing emphasis on high “value” care, we designed this study to evaluate the relationship between hospital costs and patient outcomes in pediatric critical care.

Design:

Post hoc analysis of data from an existing administrative national database, Pediatric Health Information Systems. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate association of hospital cost tertiles with odds of mortality after adjusting for patient and center characteristics.

Setting:

Forty-seven children’s hospitals across the United States.

Patients:

Patients 18 years old or younger admitted to a PICU at a Pediatric Health Information Systems participating hospital were included (2004–2015).

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

A total of 917,663 patients from 47 hospitals were included. Median cost per patient was $42,181 in the low-cost hospitals (341,689 patients, 16 hospitals), $56,806 in the middle-cost hospitals (310,293 patients, 16 hospitals), and $82,588 in the high-cost hospitals (265,681 patients, 15 hospitals). In unadjusted analysis, patients cared for in the high-cost tertile hospitals were younger in age, associated with more comorbidities, had higher resource utilization (including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and nitric oxide), had higher prevalence of cardiac arrest, and were associated with worse outcomes (including mortality). In adjusted analysis, high-cost tertile hospitals were not associated with improved mortality, when compared with low- and medium-cost tertile hospitals (low cost vs high cost: odds ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.79–1.25 and middle cost vs high cost: odds ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.86–1.41). When stratified by diagnoses category, we noted similar trends among cardiac and noncardiac patients.

Conclusions:

This large observational study did not demonstrate any relationship between hospital costs and patient outcomes in children with critical illness. Further efforts are needed to evaluate quality-cost relationship and high value care in critically ill children across centers of varying volume by linking data from clinical and administrative databases.
Functional Status of Neonatal and Pediatric Patients After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation*
Authors: Cashen Katherine , Reeder Ron , Dalton Heidi J. , Berg Robert A. , Shanley Thomas P. , Newth Christopher J. L. , Pollack Murray M. , Wessel David , Carcillo Joseph , Harrison Rick , Dean J. Michael , Jenkins Tammara , Meert Kathleen L.
Published: April 2017

Objectives:

To describe functional status at hospital discharge for neonatal and pediatric patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and identify factors associated with functional status and mortality.

Design:

Secondary analysis of observational data collected by the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network between December 2012 and September 2014.

Setting:

Eight hospitals affiliated with the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network.

Patients:

Patients were less than 19 years old and treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Interventions:

Functional status was evaluated among survivors using the Functional Status Scale. Total Functional Status Scale scores range from 6 to 30 and are categorized as 6–7 (good), 8–9 (mildly abnormal), 10–15 (moderately abnormal), 16–21 (severely abnormal), and greater than 21 (very severely abnormal).

Measurements and Main Results:

Of 514 patients, 267 (52%) were neonates (≤ 30 d old). Indication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was respiratory for 237 (46%), cardiac for 207 (40%), and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 70 (14%). Among 282 survivors, 89 (32%) had good, 112 (40%) mildly abnormal, 67 (24%) moderately abnormal, and 14 (5%) severely or very severely abnormal function at hospital discharge. Among neonates, development of renal failure and longer hospitalization were independently associated with worse Functional Status Scale. Chronic conditions, prematurity, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, increased red cell transfusion in the first 24 hours of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and longer extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration were independently associated with mortality. Among pediatric patients, chronic neurologic conditions, tracheostomy or home ventilator, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hepatic dysfunction, and longer ICU stay were independently associated with worse Functional Status Scale. Chronic cardiac conditions, hepatic dysfunction, and neurologic or thrombotic complications were independently associated with mortality. Achieving blood lactate concentration less than or equal to 2 mmol/L during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was independently associated with survival in both neonatal and pediatric patients.

Conclusions:

In this study, about half of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients survived with good, mildly abnormal, or moderately abnormal function at hospital discharge. Patient and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-related factors are associated with functional status and mortality.
Clinical Toxicity of Acute Overdoses With l-Thyroxin in Children
Authors: Ergul Ayse Betul , Altuner Torun Yasemin , Serbetci Mahmut Can , Ozcan Alper , Bas Veysel Nijat
Published: April 2017

Objectives

l-Thyroxine ingestion is rarely seen in children; here, we report our experience of it. This study describes the clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of acutel-thyroxine ingestion in children.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled patients treated forl-thyroxine ingestion at Kayseri Teaching Hospital between September 2013 and September 2016. Clinical characteristics and laboratory findings are described. Ethical approval was not obtained because the study was retrospective.

Results

The incidence ofl-thyroxine ingestion was 0.07% to 1.2% per year. There were 14 patients. Twelve patients were asymptomatic, but 2 (14.2%) exhibited tachycardia and hypertension. Thyroid hormone levels were elevated in 3 patients (21.4%). Eleven patients did not require medical treatment (78.4%); 3 did. No serious complication or death was observed.

Conclusions

Acute ingestion has a benign course. Serious complications are uncommon but may appear several hours or days after ingestion; therefore, patients withl-thyroxine ingestion should be followed closely for 2 weeks.
Impact of Antiretroviral Treatment Containing Tenofovir Difumarate on the Telomere Length of Aviremic HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Montejano Rocio , Stella-Ascariz Natalia , Monge Susana , Bernardino José I. , Pérez-Valero Ignacio , Montes María L. , Valencia Eulalia , Martín-Carbonero Luz , Moreno Victoria , González-García Juan , Arnalich Francisco , Mingorance Jesús , Pintado Berniches Laura , Perona Rosario , Arribas José R.
Published: April 2017

Objective:

To evaluate the in vivo relevance of the inhibitory effect of tenofovir on telomerase activity observed in vitro.

Design:

Cross-sectional study of HIV-infected patients with suppressed virological replication (HIV RNA <50 copies/mL for more than 1 year).

Methods:

Telomere length in whole blood was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. We performed a multivariate analysis to elucidate variables associated with telomere length and also evaluated the association between telomere length and use of tenofovir difumarate (TDF) adjusted by significant confounders.

Results:

200 patients included, 72% men, median age 49 (IQR 45–54.5), 103 with exposure to a TDF containing antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimen (69.9% for more than 5 years) and 97 never exposed to a TDF containing ART regimen. In the multivariate analysis, significant predictors of shorter telomere length were older age (P = 0.008), parental age at birth (P = 0.038), white race (P = 0.048), and longer time of known HIV infection (10–20 and ≥20 years compared with <10 years, P = 0.003 and P = 0.056, respectively). There was no association between TDF exposure and telomere length after adjusting for possible confounding factors (age, parental age at birth, race, and time of HIV infection). Total time receiving ART and duration of treatment with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors were associated with shorter telomere length, but these associations were explained by time of known HIV infection.

Conclusions:

Our data do not suggest that telomerase activity inhibition caused by TDF in vitro leads to telomere shortening in peripheral blood of HIV-infected patients.
Bone Density, Microarchitecture, and Tissue Quality After Long-Term Treatment With Tenofovir/Emtricitabine or Abacavir/Lamivudine
Authors: Güerri-Fernández Robert , Molina-Morant Daniel , Villar-García Judit , Herrera Sabina , González-Mena Alicia , Guelar Ana , Trenchs-Rodríguez Marta , Díez-Pérez Adolfo , Knobel Hernando
Published: April 2017

Objectives:

HIV infection has been associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has a deleterious effect on BMD, but its effect on bone fragility is not clear. The objective of this study is to analyze the BMD, microarchitecture, and tissue quality of bone in patients receiving long-term tenofovir- or abacavir-based ART.

Design:

We conducted a cross-sectional study in patients with HIV undergoing tenofovir or abacavir ART for more than 5 years.

Methods:

We measured BMD using dual X-ray absorptiometry ,bone michroarchitecture using trabecular bone score (TBS), and bone tissue quality using microindentation. TBS is a dual X-ray absorptiometry–based software that is more highly correlated with bone fragility than BMD. Microindentation (BMSi) directly assesses bone quality at the tissue level.

Results:

A total of 63 patients were included in this study, with 36 belonging to the TDF-FTC group and 27 to the ABC-3TC group. Patients receiving TDF-FTC treatment showed lower BMD values than those in the ABC-3TC group. We found no differences in TBS or microindentation between the 2 groups. However, after adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, and 25[OH]vitD we found lower BMSi and thus poorer bone properties in the TDF-FTC group than in the ABC-3TC group [beta coefficient −3.594 (confidence interval: 95% −0.12 to −7.61); P = 0.043].

Conclusions:

Long-term treatment with TDF-FTC leads to impaired bone health, not only in terms of BMD but also in terms of bone quality, another determinant of overall bone strength. To complement BMD-based predictions, these other techniques may also be used to identify patients with excess fracture risk.
The Roles of Behavioral and Social Science Research in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS: A Functional Framework
Authors: Gaist Paul , Stirratt Michael J.
Published: April 2017

Landmark advances have been made in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. These include proof-of-concept and public health implementation of preexposure prophylaxis and “treatment as prevention” to reduce HIV transmission as well as definitive evidence of the clinical gain from early antiretroviral treatment initiation. Significant progress has been made in understanding and addressing the social contexts and behavioral factors that impact HIV prevention, care, and treatment interventions. These include facilitating uptake of testing and counseling, developing technology-based interventions that increase viral suppression, reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigma, and addressing other sociobehavioral and structural barriers to care and treatment. This evolving landscape provides an important juncture to assess current and future directions for HIV/AIDS behavioral and social science research (BSSR). We propose a functional framework for HIV/AIDS-related BSSR, highlighting 4 primary BSSR domains: (1) understanding vulnerable populations and contexts of risk (“Basic BSSR”); (2) improving behavioral and social factor approaches to risk reduction, prevention, and care (“Elemental BSSR”); (3) strengthening the design and outcomes of biomedically focused research in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention (“Supportive BSSR”); and (4) contributing building blocks to integrated HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment approaches (“Integrative BSSR”). These domains and their resulting confluence at the highest level underscore how fundamental and essential BSSR is to current and future efforts to prevent, treat, and cure HIV/AIDS.
On the attempts to measure water (and other volatiles) directly at the surface of a comet
Authors: Wright I. P. , Sheridan S. , Morgan G. H. , Barber S. J. , Morse A. D.
Published: April 2017

The Ptolemy instrument on the Philae lander (of the Rosetta space mission) was able to make measurements of the major volatiles, water, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, directly at the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. We give some background to the mission and highlight those instruments that have already given insights into the notion of water in comets, and which will continue to do so as more results are either acquired or more fully interpreted. On the basis of our results, we show how comets may in fact be heterogeneous over their surface, and how surface measurements can be used in a quest to comprehend the daily cycles of processes that affect the evolution of comets.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘The origin, history and role of water in the evolution of the inner Solar System’.
D/H ratios of the inner Solar System
Authors: Hallis L. J.
Published: April 2017

The original hydrogen isotope (D/H) ratios of different planetary bodies may indicate where each body formed in the Solar System. However, geological and atmospheric processes can alter these ratios through time. Over the past few decades, D/H ratios in meteorites from Vesta and Mars, as well as from S- and C-type asteroids, have been measured. The aim of this article is to bring together all previously published data from these bodies, as well as the Earth, in order to determine the original D/H ratio for each of these inner Solar System planetary bodies. Once all secondary processes have been stripped away, the inner Solar System appears to be relatively homogeneous in terms of water D/H, with the original water D/H ratios of Vesta, Mars, the Earth, and S- and C-type asteroids all falling between δD values of −100‰ and −590‰. This homogeneity is in accord with the ‘Grand tack’ model of Solar System formation, where giant planet migration causes the S- and C-type asteroids to be mixed within 1 AU to eventually form the terrestrial planets.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘The origin, history and role of water in the evolution of the inner Solar System’.
Autonomous combinatorial color barcoding for multiplexing single molecule RNA visualization
Authors: Cheng Yong-Sheng , Zhuo Yue , Hartmann Katharina , Zou Peng , Bekki Gözde , Alter Heike , Liu Hai-Kun
Published: April 2017

Single molecular fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) detects RNA transcripts with spatial information and digital molecular counting. However, the broad usage of smFISH is still hindered by the complex chemical probe conjugation or microscopy set-up, especially for investigating multiple gene expression. Here we present a multiple fluorophore enzymatic labeling method (termed HuluFISH) for smFISH probes to achieve flexible combinatorial color barcoding in single hybridization step. The multiplex capacity of HuluFISH follows an exponential growth with the increase of the number of fluorophore types. We demonstrate that this method can be used to detect cellular heterogeneity in embryonic mouse brain on single cell level.
Refactoring the Genetic Code for Increased Evolvability
Authors: Pines Gur , Winkler James D. , Pines Assaf , Gill Ryan T.
Published: April 2017

The standard genetic code is robust to mutations and base-pairing errors during transcription and translation. Point mutations are most likely to be synonymous or preserve the chemical properties of the original amino acid. Saturation mutagenesis experiments suggest that in some cases the best performing mutant requires a replacement of more than a single nucleotide within a codon. These replacements are essentially inaccessible to common error-based laboratory engineering techniques that alter single nucleotide per mutation event, due to the extreme rarity of adjacent mutations. In this theoretical study, we suggest a radical reordering of the genetic code that maximizes the mutagenic potential of single nucleotide replacements. We explore several possible genetic codes that allow a greater degree of accessibility to the mutational landscape and may result in a hyper-evolvable organism serving as an ideal platform for directed evolution experiments. We then conclude by evaluating potential applications for recoded organisms within the synthetic biology field.

Significance Statement

The conservative nature of the genetic code prevents bioengineers from efficiently accessing the full mutational landscape of a gene using common error-prone methods. Here we present two computational approaches to generate alternative genetic codes with increased accessibility. These new codes allow mutational transition to a larger pool of amino acids and with a greater degree of chemical differences, using a single nucleotide replacement within the codon, thus increasing evolvability both at the single gene and at the genome levels. Given the widespread use of these techniques for strain and protein improvement along with more fundamental evolutionary biology questions, the use of recoded organisms that maximize evolvability should significantly improve the efficiency of directed evolution, library generation and fitness maximization.
Succession of embryonic and intestinal bacterial communities of Atlantic salmon
Authors: Lokesh Jep , Kiron Viswanath , Sipkema Detmer , Fernandes Jorge M.O. , Moum Truls
Published: April 2017

Host-associated microbiota undergoes continuous transition to achieve a stable community, and these modifications are immediately initiated from the birth of the host. In the present study, the succession of early life (eyed egg, embryo, and hatchling stages) and intestinal (the whole intestine at the early freshwater stages and the distal intestine at the late freshwater and seawater stages) bacterial communities of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar; a prominent farmed fish) were studied using a 16S rRNA gene (V3 region) amplicon sequencing technique.

Stage-specific bacterial community compositions and the progressive transitions of the communities were evident in both the early life and the intestine. The embryonic communities were relatively less diverse, but after hatching the diversity increased significantly. A marked transition of the intestinal communities also occurred during the development. The most abundant functional pathways associated with the different stages were not affected by the transition of the community composition A perceptible transition in the community composition occurred during the development of Atlantic salmon. The transition generally did not alter the core functions of the community. Hatching and transfer to seawater are the key events that affect the bacterial diversity and community composition. The contribution of host-derived factors and environment in shaping the bacterial communities need to be confirmed through further studies.
Common microbehavioral “footprint” of two distinct classes of conditioned aversion
Authors: Paisios Emmanouil , Rjosk Annabell , Pamir Evren , Schleyer Michael
Published: April 2017

Avoiding unfavorable situations is a vital skill and a constant task for any animal. Situations can be unfavorable because they feature something that the animal wants to escape from, or because they do not feature something that it seeks to obtain. We investigate whether the microbehavioral mechanisms by which these two classes of aversion come about are shared or distinct. We find that larval Drosophila avoid odors either previously associated with a punishment, or previously associated with the lack of a reward. These two classes of conditioned aversion are found to be strikingly alike at the microbehavioral level. In both cases larvae show more head casts when oriented toward the odor source than when oriented away, and direct fewer of their head casts toward the odor than away when oriented obliquely to it. Thus, conditioned aversion serving two qualitatively different functions—escape from a punishment or search for a reward—is implemented by the modulation of the same microbehavioral features. These features also underlie conditioned approach, albeit with opposite sign. That is, the larvae show conditioned approach toward odors previously associated with a reward, or with the lack of a punishment. In order to accomplish both these classes of conditioned approach the larvae show fewer head casts when oriented toward an odor, and direct more of their head casts toward it when they are headed obliquely. Given that the Drosophila larva is a genetically tractable model organism that is well suited to study simple circuits at the single-cell level, these analyses can guide future research into the neuronal circuits underlying conditioned approach and aversion, and the computational principles of conditioned search and escape.
Applications of contact predictions to structural biology
Authors: Simkovic Felix , Ovchinnikov Sergey , Baker David , Rigden Daniel J.
Published: April 2017

Evolutionary pressure on residue interactions, intramolecular or intermolecular, that are important for protein structure or function can lead to covariance between the two positions. Recent methodological advances allow much more accurate contact predictions to be derived from this evolutionary covariance signal. The practical application of contact predictions has largely been confined to structural bioinformatics, yet, as this work seeks to demonstrate, the data can be of enormous value to the structural biologist working in X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM or NMR. Integrative structural bioinformatics packages such asRosettacan already exploit contact predictions in a variety of ways. The contribution of contact predictions begins at construct design, where structural domains may need to be expressed separately and contact predictions can help to predict domain limits. Structure solution by molecular replacement (MR) benefits from contact predictions in diverse ways: in difficult cases, more accurate search models can be constructed usingab initiomodelling when predictions are available, while intermolecular contact predictions can allow the construction of larger, oligomeric search models. Furthermore, MR using supersecondary motifs or large-scale screens against the PDB can exploit information, such as the parallel or antiparallel nature of any β-strand pairing in the target, that can be inferred from contact predictions. Contact information will be particularly valuable in the determination of lower resolution structures by helping to assign sequence register. In large complexes, contact information may allow the identity of a protein responsible for a certain region of density to be determined and then assist in the orientation of an available model within that density. In NMR, predicted contacts can provide long-range information to extend the upper size limit of the technique in a manner analogous but complementary to experimental methods. Finally, predicted contacts can distinguish between biologically relevant interfaces and mere lattice contacts in a final crystal structure, and have potential in the identification of functionally important regions and in foreseeing the consequences of mutations.
Crystal structure of (S)-sec-butylammonium L-tartrate monohydrate
Authors: Publicover Ernlie A. , Kolwich Jennifer , Stack Darcie L. , Doué Alyssa J. , Ylijoki Kai E. O.
Published: April 2017

The title hydrated molecular salt, C4H12N+·C4H5O6
−·H2O, was prepared by deprotonation of enantiopure L-tartaric acid with racemic sec-butylamine in water. Only one enantiomer was observed crystallographically, resulting from the combination of (S)-sec-butylamine with L-tartaric acid. The sec-butylammonium moiety is disordered over two conformations related by rotation around the CH–CH2 bond; the refined occupancy ratio is 0.68 (1):0.32 (1). In the crystal, molecules are linked through a network of O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions, between the ammonium H atoms, the tartrate hydroxy H atoms, and the interstitial water, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.
2-Oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl 4-fluorobenzoate
Authors: Ziki Eric , Sosso Siaka , Cissé Lamine , Bany Guy Euloge , Djandé Abdoulaye , Kakou-Yao Rita
Published: April 2017

In the title compound, C16H9FO4, the dihedral angle between the planar coumarin ring system [maximum deviation = 0.027 (1) Å] and the benzene ring is 70.18 (6)°. In the crystal, π–π interactions [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.5338 (8) Å] link the molecules into a three-dimensional framework.
2-(3-Bromo-5-nitro-1H-indazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanone
Authors: Boulhaoua Mohammed , Benchidmi Mohammed , Essassi El Mokhtar , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: April 2017

The 5-nitro-1H-indazol-1-yl moiety of the title compound, C15H10BrN3O3, is approximately planar, with the largest deviation from the mean plane being 0.079 (3) Å. The fused-ring system is virtually perpendicular to the mean plane through the 1-phenylethanone group, making a dihedral angle of 89.7 (2)°. In the crystal, pairs of molecules form inversion dimersviaBr...O interactions [3.211 (2) Å]. The dimers are connected by C—H...O and C—H...N non-classical hydrogen bonds, in addition to π–π interactions [intercentroid distance = 3.6411 (12) Å], forming a three-dimensional network.
Talent retention: evidence from a multinational firm in France
Authors: Tlaiss Hayfaa A. , Martin Pascal , Hofaidhllaoui Mahrane
Published: April 2017

Purpose

While multinational corporations appear to understand the importance of talent retention (TR) for maintaining their competitive advantage, they continue to struggle to identify and develop strategies to retain talent. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore how talent is identified, and more importantly, how it is retained within the context of a multinational firm in France.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is exploratory in nature and capitalizes on a case study methodology through which in-depth, open-ended interviews with partners and managers were conducted.

Findings

The findings suggest that TR is approached in an arbitrary and ad hoc manner. They also reveal that TR practices are mostly motivated by the direct costs associated with a failure to retain talent, and less with the indirect costs and loss of tacit knowledge. Of considerable interest is the finding that despite the use of utilitarian power via incentives to promote TR, the focus is mostly on normative power via workplace culture and organizational norms.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore TR in the context of one of the Big Four accounting firms in France and among the few to extend the use of Etzioni’s (1975) model of compliance to TR research and to a French context. The originality of this study is also derived from its ability to explain the factors impacting TR, how talent is retained in practice, and the gap between the ideals and reality.
How and when service-oriented high-performance work systems foster employee service performance
Authors: Wang Zhen , Xu Haoying
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how and when service-oriented high-performance work systems (HPWS) impact employees’ service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data was obtained from 568 frontline service employees and their supervisors across 92 branches of a large bank in China. The hypotheses were tested with hierarchical linear modeling.

Findings

The results suggested that service-oriented HPWS affected employee service performance via its simultaneous impact on employees’ service ability, customer orientation, and service climate perception. Moreover, the indirect effects of HPWS on service performance via service ability and customer orientation were significant only when service-oriented HPWS consensus was high.

Practical implications

To elicit employees’ provision of excellent service, organizations should invest in service-oriented HRM practices to improve all of their service ability, customer orientation, and service climate perception, making them able to, willing to, and having the chance to perform high-quality service performance. Organizations should also pay attention to the variability in employees’ HRM perceptions within the same group.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the extant literature by presenting a more complete understanding of how service-oriented HPWS elicits employee service performance, and when this HPWS is and is not effective.
HRM practices and innovation performance: a panel-data approach
Authors: Diaz-Fernandez Mirta , Bornay-Barrachina Mar , Lopez-Cabrales Alvaro
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between human resource management (HRM) practices and innovation performance in Spanish manufacturing firms. The paper focuses on the number of existing patents, analyzing the extent to which this variable is favored by HRM practices. It will also assess the extent to which patents explain the firm performance and mediate in the relationship between the latter and HRM practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective is to assess these relationships using the Spanish Survey of Industrial Strategic Behavior. The longitudinal analysis focuses on the years between 2001 and 2008, a period of great economic growth in Spain.

Findings

The findings show that the most innovative firms were also the most competitive ones. Furthermore, employment security positively affects innovations over time and training on new technologies is associated with the number of patents, when overall compensation practices are high.

Practical implications

This study demonstrated the existence of two objectives that HR managers should be aiming at. On the one hand, the development of patents should be a priority for obtaining better results over time. On the other hand, management should invest in HRM practices because they favor innovation and are neither a waste of time nor resources.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature, surpassing the limitations of previous research, by assessing the role of HRM practices in innovation and company outcomes and by using a longitudinal study design.
Commitment-based HR systems and organizational outcomes in services
Authors: Nieves Julia , Osorio Javier
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the implementation of a set of commitment-based HR practices and explores their impact on three categories of organizational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional study based on a survey. Multiple regression analysis was applied to test the hypotheses proposed.

Findings

The results show that commitment-based HR practices make up a system that presents internal consistency and favours HR performance and operational outcomes, as well as contributing to financial outcomes through the mediator role of innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The HR practices were measured based on the perception of only one informant per company, normally the manager.

Practical implications

This study makes it possible to draw relevant conclusions in a sector (hotel industry) that lacks references about the role of a system of commitment-based HR practices in achieving organizational outcomes. The use of a sample of homogeneous firms provides managers with valuable and specific information about the sector that can foster the adoption of commitment-based HR practices by hotel firms.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to better know how HR practices based on commitment foster employees’ willingness to engage in the strategic objectives established by the organization from the systems perspective. Furthermore the research contributes to the understanding of these practices in an important economic industry, such as it is the hospitality sector, in which research had traditionally placed little emphasis on this kind of analysis.
Modularizing specialized hospital services
Authors: Silander Katariina , Torkki Paulus , Lillrank Paul , Peltokorpi Antti , Brax Saara A. , Kaila Minna
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Modularity promises to relieve problems of complexity in service systems. However, limited evidence exists of its application in specialized hospital services. The purpose of this paper is to identify enablers, constraints, and outcomes of modularization in specialized hospital services.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative comparative study of a hematology unit with modular service architecture and an oncology unit with integral service architecture in a university hospital is performed to analyze the service architectures, enablers and constraints of modularization, and outcomes.

Findings

A framework and five propositions combining the characteristics of specialized hospital services, enabling activities, and outcomes of modularization were developed. Modular service architecture was developed through limiting the number of treatment components, reorganizing production of standardized components into a separate service unit, and standardizing communication and scheduling in interfaces. Modularization increased service efficiency but diluted ownership of services, decreased customization, and diminished informal communication. This is explained by the specific characteristics of the services: fragmented service delivery, professional autonomy, hierarchy, information asymmetry, and requirement to treat all.

Research limitations/implications

Modularization can increase efficiency in specialized hospital services. However, specific characteristics of specialized care may challenge its application and limit its outcomes.

Practical implications

The study identifies enabling activities and constraints that hospital managers should take into account when developing modular service systems.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study exploring the enablers, constraints, and outcomes of modularization in specialized hospital services. The study complements literature on service modularity with reference to specialized hospital services.
Determinants of capital structure of Islamic and conventional commercial banks
Authors: Sheikh Nadeem Ahmed , Qureshi Muhammad Azeem
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how conventional and Islamic commercial banks in Pakistan choose their capital structure and what are the most significant factors that affect their choice of capital structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected the data from the annual reports of commercial banks listed on Karachi Stock Exchange Pakistan during 2004-2014. Panel data techniques, namely, pooled ordinary least squares, fixed effects and random effects, were used to estimate the relationship between book leverage and bank-specific variables such as profitability, size, growth, tangibility and earnings volatility.

Findings

Descriptive statistics indicate that conventional commercial banks are more levered than Islamic commercial banks. Moreover, conventional commercial banks are larger, profitable and have relatively safe earnings than Islamic commercial banks. In contrast, Islamic commercial banks have relatively more fixed operating assets and growth in total assets compared to the conventional commercial banks. Regression results indicate that profitability, growth and tangibility are negatively, whereas bank size and earnings volatility are positively, related to book leverage of conventional commercial banks. On the other hand, only three variables, namely, profitability, bank size and tangibility, have material effects on capital structure choice of Islamic commercial banks. Profitability and tangibility are negatively while bank size is positively related to book leverage of the Islamic banks. In sum, results of the study indicate that Islamic and conventional commercial banks have their own way to choose the capital structure than the non-financial firms; however, their choice is affected by the similar variables as identified for non-financial firms in Pakistan.

Practical implications

Results of this study provide support to bank managers to understand the effects of bank-specific variables on capital structure and make them able to determine a balanced capital structure considering the regulations framed by the central bank of the country.

Originality/value

This is the first study that investigates the factors that affect the capital structure of conventional and Islamic commercial banks in Pakistan. Moreover, findings of this study lay some foundation upon which a more detail analysis of capital structure of banks could be based.
Capital structure in a tax-free economy: evidence from UAE
Authors: Abdulla Yomna
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the determinants of capital structure for non-financial listed firms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the period 2004-2010. The contradiction between the different capital structure theories, limited literature on UAE and its distinctive characteristic of tax-free environment were the motivation for this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used two panel data techniques to estimate the regression models, and a series of robustness checks.

Findings

The authors find that growth opportunities, size, profitability and liquidity are the main determinants of leverage. The results support the argument of the inadequacy of one capital structure theory, although the results are more inclined toward the pecking-order level.

Practical implications

The results provide a comprehensive overview of the capital structure in the UAE; this information will be of use to managers, shareholders and lenders.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper contribute to the debate of the dominance of capital structure theories. The results also add to the strand of literature on the capital structure of firms in the Middle East, as the authors provide a comprehensive investigation of the determinants of capital structure in UAE non-financial firms.
Explaining university students’ career path intentions from their current entrepreneurial exposure
Authors: Cieślik Jerzy , van Stel André
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to predict future career paths of university students, distinguishing between paid employment, running one’s own independent business and running a family business. The main predictor is the students’ current mode of entrepreneurial exposure, both in terms of the students running their own business, and in terms of their parents running their own business.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a comprehensive survey held in May 2013 among 1,490 business and law students of Kozminski University in Warsaw, Poland. To predict future career expectations in ten years’ time, multinomial logit regressions were employed.

Findings

The authors find that, among students with a family business background, those students who are actively involved in their parents’ business are significantly more likely to pursue joining the family firm, rather than starting their own business.

Practical implications

In order to stimulate business succession, universities with a large proportion of students with family business background may consider launching dedicated programs promoting the interest of students in the businesses run by their parents.

Originality/value

The authors investigate to what extent active participation of university students in their parents’ business is associated with a higher probability to pursue a career in family business. The research has important implications in light of the increasing difficulty in Europe to find successors for family businesses.
Analysing the role of business intelligence, knowledge sharing and organisational innovation on gaining competitive advantage
Authors: Eidizadeh Rosa , Salehzadeh Reza , Chitsaz Esfahani Ali
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to study the role of business intelligence, knowledge sharing and organisational innovation on gaining competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population of the study was the managers and the specialists of some export companies of which 213 persons participated in this research. Path analysis was carried out to analyse and interpret the data by Amos software.

Findings

The results showed that business intelligence has a positive and significant impact on knowledge sharing, organisational innovation and gaining competitive advantage. Further, business intelligence has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage through knowledge sharing and organisational innovation. Knowledge sharing impacts gaining competitive advantage positively and significantly. Finally, organisational innovation impacts gaining competitive advantage positively and significantly.

Originality/value

This research highlights the role of business intelligence, knowledge sharing and organisational innovation on gaining competitive advantage in export companies.
In the margins of training and learning
Authors: Silvennoinen Heikki , Nori Hanna
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the distribution of learning and training opportunities in the Finnish workforce. It will concentrate on the sectors of the workforce that lack these opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The Working Conditions Barometer (WCB) data from 2008, 2009 and 2010 are used (N = 3,326) in this investigation. The focus of the study is to examine those employees whose learning and training opportunities fail to match the positive visions of the current “super professional hype”. The problems associated with the workforce training margin are considered as a part of the so-called work process debate.

Findings

Findings suggest that age, gender, type of industry and socioeconomic status have an independent influence on an individual’s presence in the training margin: women, older employees, employees in manufacturing and the private service sector and manual workers have a greater risk than others do. The relative differences between the social classes are still prevalent: incapacity and marginalization are primarily working class problems.

Practical implications

The workers should collectively demand certain benefits more forcefully, even when working under fixed-term contracts. Employers should be pressured to organise development opportunities and training for the fixed-term employees, including the type of training that not only benefits an employee in that one company but also the employees’ working life in general. Employers should be persuaded to organise the type of training that improves the chances of a fixed-term or otherwise powerless employee to find a new, perhaps better and more secure job.

Originality/value

Because the percentage of response to the WCB is exceptionally high, 80 per cent on average, the information obtained from the random sample can be generalised to represent all of the working wage earners in Finland and in a European context as well.
Thermal decomposition of solder flux activators under simulated wave soldering conditions
Authors: Piotrowska Kamila , Jellesen Morten Stendahl , Ambat Rajan
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The aim of this work is to investigate the decomposition behaviour of the activator species commonly used in the wave solder no-clean flux systems and to estimate the residue amount left after subjecting the samples to simulated wave soldering conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Changes in the chemical structure of the activators were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy technique and were correlated to the exposure temperatures within the range of wave soldering process. The amount of residue left on the surface was estimated using standardized acid-base titration method as a function of temperature, time of exposure and the substrate material used.

Findings

The study shows that there is a possibility of anhydride-like species formation during the thermal treatment of fluxes containing weak organic acids (WOAs) as activators (succinic and DL-malic). The decomposition patterns of solder flux activators depend on their chemical nature, time of heat exposure and substrate materials. Evaporation of the residue from the surface of different materials (laminate with solder mask, copper surface or glass surface) was found to be more pronounced for succinic-based solutions at highest test temperatures than for adipic acid. Less left residue was found on the laminate surface with solder mask (∼5-20 per cent of initial amount at 350°C) and poorest acid evaporation was noted for glass substrates (∼15-90 per cent).

Practical implications

The findings are attributed to the chemistry of WOAs typically used as solder flux activators. The results show the importance WOA type in relation to its melting/boiling points and the impact on the residual amount of contamination left after soldering process.

Originality/value

The results show that the evaporation of the flux residues takes place only at significantly high temperatures and longer exposure times are needed compared to the temperature range used for the wave soldering process. The extended time of thermal treatment and careful choice of fluxing technology would ensure obtaining more climatically reliable product.