bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical study of a steel cable fixation for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury
Authors: Yang Zuoming , Chen Junfei , Liu Xiaoming , Wang Bin , Zhao Xiaoming , Guan Pengfei
Published: October 2023

Background:

In order to overcome the shortcomings of common surgical fixation methods for Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis (DTS) injuries, which include the inability to exercise early, significant surgical trauma, and the risk of loosening and breakage of implants, we have designed and implemented a new technique using steel cable fixation to treat DTS injuries.

Methods:

Twenty-six patients treated with steel cable fixation for DTS injury between March 2013 and March 2019 in the Second Hospital of Tangshan City trauma department were followed up to monitor the efficacy of treatment. There were 16 males and 10 females between the ages of 19 and 64, with a mean age of 41.81 ± 9.54 years. All patients were examined by X-ray and CT for 3 days before and after surgery. The patients were then reexamined by X-ray 6 and 9 weeks postoperatively, and by CT 1 year later. The treatment results were evaluated by comparing the distal tibiofibular anterior, middle, and posterior gap changes and the Baird-Jackson score.

Results:

The 26 patients attained good postoperative repositioning, with a fracture healing time of 2.5 to 3 months. and the Baird-Jackson score was 96 ± 2.78. After surgery, the DTS gaps observed in the CT scans taken 3 days and 1 year postoperatively in all patients were significantly reduced compared to the preoperative measurements, with statistical significance (P < .05). However, when comparing the CT scans taken 1 year postoperatively to those at 3 days postoperatively, there was no significant change in the anterior gap. The middle and posterior gaps of DTS showed a slight increase with statistical significance (P < .05), but all measurements remained within the normal range

Conclusion:

Steel cable fixation for DTS injury has the advantages of reliable fixation, early functional exercise, and reduction in the number of operations, and no adverse effects or complications were found.
Long scleral tunnel technique for prevention of drainage tube-related complications during Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation
Authors: Dai Ying , Gong Jun-Fang , Zhu Ju-Ming , Zhuang Min , Zhu Shu , Sun Tao
Published: October 2023

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of modified Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation (long scleral tunnel technique) in the treatment of neovascularization glaucoma (NVG). This retrospective observational case series included 23 patients (23 eyes) diagnosed with NVG secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy from January 2020 to June 2021. All 23 cases received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Then, after 3 to 7 days, these cases were treated with modified AGV implantation (long scleral tunnel technique) and were followed up for at least 6 months. The best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, numbers of antiglaucoma medications used, and postoperative complications were observed at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. With treatment, the mean best corrected visual acuity improved significantly (P < .001) from 1.62 ± 0.52 logMAR preoperatively to 1.29 ± 0.36 logMAR at the 6-month follow-up. The mean postoperative intraocular pressure was significantly lower than that before modified AGV implantation during follow-up period, decreasing from 45.48 ± 7.86 mm Hg preoperatively to 14.87 ± 1.96 mm Hg at 1 week, 18.39 ± 2.25 mm Hg at 1 month, 16.61 ± 1.47 mm Hg at 3 months, and 17.48 ± 1.38 mm Hg at 6 months (F = 256.646, P < .001). The median number of antiglaucoma medications used by patients also significantly decreased from 3 (3–4) preoperatively to 0 (0–1) at the 6-month follow-up after surgery (Z = −4.248, P < .001). Postoperative complications included hyphema in 2 cases and vitreous hemorrhage in 1 case, and all 3 patients achieved satisfactory recovery with treatment. No drainage tube-related complications occurred among our patients. Long scleral tunnel technique is a safe and effective surgical treatment for NVG with fewer drainage tube-related complications.
Finnish Version of the Specialist Outcomes and Barriers Analysis Scale
Authors: Wright Mea Mirella Marjatta , Kvist Tarja Anneli , Mikkonen Santtu Juhani , Jokiniemi Krista Susanna
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the Specialist Outcomes and Barriers Analysis Scale.

Design

This was a cross-sectional survey study.

Methods

Cultural adaptation of the translation and content validity of the translated instrument were assessed by expert panelists (n = 5) using the content validity index. The construct validity was assessed with principal component analysis using the survey data of Finnish registered nurses (n = 60). Scale reliability was assessed with Cronbach's α values. All study phases were conducted in 2021.

Results

The items (n = 59) of the scale were critically evaluated by the experts. The full-scale content validity was revealed as excellent (0.92). In terms of construct validity, the scale was analyzed separately for outcomes and barriers. The outcomes section revealed a 5-component structure with an overall Cronbach's α coefficient of .96, and the barriers section, a 2-component structure with an overall Cronbach's α coefficient of .82, indicating adequate reliability of the scale.

Conclusion

The Finnish version of the scale showed excellent content and construct validity. The Cronbach's α values represented adequate reliability of the Specialist Outcomes and Barriers Analysis scale when measuring nurses' perceived practice outcomes and barriers in the Finnish context.
Incidence, clearance, and factors associated with anal human papilloma virus infection among men with HIV
Authors: Zhang Jing , Sun Yu , Chen Xiaoxiao , Ye Yiwen , Shen Weiwei , Ye Xiaohong , Lin Yajun , Lin Zhebin , Tan Shigang , Gao Meiyang , Ding Yingying , He Na , Lin Haijiang , Liu Xing
Published: October 2023

Objectives:

This study aims to estimate the incidence and persistence/clearance of anal human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and related factors among men with HIV in Taizhou, China.

Design:

A prospective cohort study.

Methods:

Men with HIV were recruited and followed up from 2016 to 2021. Questionnaire surveys were used to collect social–demographic and behavioral characteristics, and anal swabs were collected for HPV Genotyping.

Results:

A total of 675 men with HIV were recruited and followed up. After an average follow-up time of 1.75 years, HPV39 (3.8/100 person-years), HPV52 (3.6/100 person-years), HPV51 (3.1/100 person-years), HPV58 (2.5/100 person-years) and HPV16 (2.4 cases/100 person-years) in the high-risk types showed the highest incidence rate. In marriage with woman [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.99] showed an inverse association with HPV incidence, while bisexuality or undetermined sexual orientation (aHR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.08–6.36) showed a positive association. For those infected at baseline, the top three high-risk HPV with the lowest clearance density were HPV52 (32.2/100 person-years), HPV58 (38.1/100 person-years), and HPV16 (43.5/100 person-years). Daily consumption of 1–28 g alcohol (aHR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.95) showed an inverse association with HPV clearance, while illicit drug use (aHR = 3.24, 95% CI 1.59–6.59) showed a positive association.

Conclusion:

Anal HPV infection and clearance were both active in men with HIV in China. Marriage status and sexuality were associated with the incidence of HPV infection, while substance use including alcohol and illicit drug were associated with HPV clearance. More studies are needed to explore the risk factors of HPV persistence.
Preserved 2-y Liver Transplant Outcomes Following Simultaneous Thoracoabdominal DCD Organ Procurement Despite Effects on Liver Utilization Rate
Authors: Wisel Steven A. , Steggerda Justin A. , Thiessen Carrie , Roll Garrett R. , Chen Qiudong , Thomas Jason , Kaur Bhupinder , Catarino Pedro , Chikwe Joanna , Kim Irene K.
Published: October 2023

Background.

Current techniques for donation after circulatory determination of death (DCD) heart procurement, through either direct procurement and machine perfusion or thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (NRP), have demonstrated excellent heart transplant outcomes. However, the impact of thoracoabdominal DCD (TA-DCD) heart procurement on liver allograft outcomes and utilization is poorly understood.

Methods.

One hundred sixty simultaneous heart and liver DCD donors were identified using the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database between December 2019 and July 2021. Liver outcomes from TA-DCD donors were stratified by heart procurement technique and evaluated for organ utilization, graft survival, and patient survival. Results were compared with abdominal-only DCD (A-DCD; n = 1332) and donation after brain death (DBD; n = 12 891) liver transplants during the study interval. Kaplan-Meier methods with log-rank testing were used to evaluate patient and graft survival.

Results.

One hundred thirty-three of 160 livers procured from TA-DCD donors proceeded to transplant. TA-DCD donors were younger (mean 28.26 y; P < 0.0001) with lower body mass index (mean 26.61; P < 0.0001) than A-DCD and DBD donors. TA-DCD livers had equivalent patient survival ( P = 0.893) and superior graft survival (P = 0.009) compared with A-DCD. TA-DCD livers had higher rates of organ discard for long warm ischemia time (37.0%) than A-DCD (20.5%) and DBD (0.5%; P < 0.0001), with direct procurement and machine perfusion procurements leading to a higher discard rate (18.5%) than NRP procurements (7.4%).

Conclusions.

Liver transplants after TA-DCD donation demonstrated equivalent patient outcomes and excellent graft outcomes. NRP procurements resulted in the lowest rate of organ discard after DCD donation and may represent an optimal strategy to maximize organ utilization.
Determining the impact of vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR cycle threshold values and infectious viral titres
Authors: Peterson Katherine L. , Snyder Julia P. , Despres Hannah W. , Schmidt Madaline M. , Eckstrom Korin M. , Unger Allison L. , Carmolli Marya P. , Sevigny Joseph L. , Shirley David J. , Dragon Julie A. , Thomas W. Kelley , Bruce Emily A. , Crothers Jessica W.
Published: October 2023

Background. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, efforts to better understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral shedding and transmission in both unvaccinated and vaccinated populations remain critical to informing public health policies and vaccine development. The utility of using real time RT-PCR cycle threshold values (CT values) as a proxy for infectious viral litres from individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 is yet to be fully understood. This retrospective observational cohort study compares quantitative infectious viral litres derived from a focus-forming viral titre assay with SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR CT values in both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals infected with the Delta strain.

Methods. Nasopharyngeal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR with a CT value <27 collected from 26 June to 17 October 2021 at the University of Vermont Medical Center Clinical Laboratory for which vaccination records were available were included. Partially vaccinated and individuals <18 years of age were excluded. Infectious viral litres were determined using a micro-focus forming assay under BSL-3 containment.

Results. In total, 119 specimens from 22 unvaccinated and 97 vaccinated individuals met all inclusion criteria and had sufficient residual volume to undergo viral titring. A negative correlation between RT-PCR CT values and viral litres was observed in both unvaccinated and vaccinated groups. No difference in mean CT value or viral titre was detected between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Viral litres did not change as a function of time since vaccination.

Conclusions. Our results add to the growing body of knowledge regarding the correlation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels and levels of infectious virus. At similar CT values, vaccination does not appear to impact an individual’s potential infectivity when infected with the Delta variant.
Rheinheimera oceanensis sp. nov., a novel member of the genus Rheinheimera, isolated from the West Pacific Ocean
Authors: Ren Wen-Ting , Guo Li-Li , Bu Yu-Xin , Han Chen-Hua , Zhou Peng , Wu Yue-Hong
Published: October 2023

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and short-rod-shaped bacteria, designated as strains GL-53T and GL-15-2-5, were isolated from the seamount area of the West Pacific Ocean and identified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The growth of strains GL-53ᵀ and GL-15-2-5 occurred at pH 5.5–10.0, 4–40 °C (optimum at 28 °C) and 0–10.0 % NaCl concentrations (optimum at 0–5.0 %). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strains GL-53ᵀ and GL-15-2-5 exhibited the highest similarity to

Rheinheimera lutimaris

YQF-2T (98.4 %), followed by

Rheinheimera pacifica

KMM 1406T (98.1 %),

Rheinheimera nanhaiensis

E407-8T (97.4 %),

Rheinheimera aestuarii

H29T (97.4 %),

Rheinheimera hassiensis

E48T (97.2 %) and

Rheinheimera aquimaris

SW-353T (97.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates were affiliated with the genus

Rheinheimera

and represented an independent lineage. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
 ω7c and/or C16 : 1
 ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c). The sole isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 8. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid (and one unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content was 48.5 mol%. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values among the genomes of strain GL-53ᵀ and the related strains in the genus

Rheinheimera

were 75.5–90.1 %, 67.5–93.9 % and 21.4–41.4 %, respectively. Based on their phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic properties, the two strains were identified as representing a novel species of the genus

Rheinheimera

, for which the name Rheinheimera oceanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GL-53T (=KCTC 82651T=MCCC M20598T).
Mitochondrial protein C15ORF48 is a stress-independent inducer of autophagy that regulates oxidative stress and autoimmunity
Authors: Takakura Yuki , Machida Moeka , Terada Natsumi , Katsumi Yuka , Kawamura Seika , Horie Kenta , Miyauchi Maki , Ishikawa Tatsuya , Akiyama Nobuko , Seki Takao , Miyao Takahisa , Hayama Mio , Endo Rin , Ishii Hiroto , Maruyama Yuya , Hagiwara Naho , Kobayashi Tetsuya J. , Yamaguchi Naoto , Takano Hiroyuki , Akiyama Taishin , Yamaguchi Noritaka
Published: October 2023

Autophagy is primarily activated by cellular stress, such as starvation or mitochondrial damage. However, stress-independent autophagy is activated by unknown mechanisms in several cell types, such as thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Here we report that the mitochondrial protein, C15ORF48, is a critical inducer of stress-independent autophagy. Mechanistically, C15ORF48 reduces the mitochondrial membrane potential and lowers intracellular ATP levels, thereby activating AMP-activated protein kinase and its downstream Unc-51-like kinase 1. Interestingly, C15ORF48 induction of autophagy upregulates intracellular glutathione levels, promoting cell survival by reducing oxidative stress. Mice deficient inC15orf48showed a reduction in stress-independent autophagy in TECs, but not in typical starvation-induced autophagy in skeletal muscles. Moreover,C15orf48−/–mice developed autoimmunity, which is consistent with the fact that the stress-independent autophagy in TECs is crucial for the thymic self-tolerance. These results suggest that C15ORF48 induces stress-independent autophagy, thereby regulating oxidative stress and self-tolerance.
Using financial resilience to grow business amidst adversities
Authors: Nassuna Agnes Noelin , Ntamu Diana Nandagire , Kikooma Julius , Mayanja Samuel Ssekajja , Basalirwa Edith
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper investigates financial resilience within selected micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and how it is used as a growth tool amidst coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threats.

Design/methodology/approach

An appreciative inquiry qualitative approach using a positive orientation with a case study design instead of the conventional problem-oriented approach was used. It focuses on successful MSMEs that experienced growth amidst the first wave of COVID-19 despite the large number of MSMEs that were affected negatively by the pandemic.

Findings

The results indicate that the MSMEs that were growing at an epic rate during COVID-19 exhibited financial resilience due to savings, innovative leadership, financial knowledge, experience and social capital. These businesses maintained client relationships and accessed financial capital.

Research limitations/implications

The study was qualitative based on a few cases.

Practical implications

Business owners/managers should learn financial literacy, entrepreneurial skills and leadership skills and build social capital which are tenets of financial resilience during turbulent times.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the continuity of MSMEs in developing economies during times of uncertainty.
Resistance exercise: competition, coopetition and collective action among self-employed personal trainers in the UK
Authors: Harvey Geraint , Li Jia , Wintersberger Daniel
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The article explores the potential for self-employed personal trainers (SEPTs) to resist exploitation by gyms, with a focus on the attitudes of SEPTs towards trade unions and collective action.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is based on a multiple-method study with qualitative data drawn from participant observation and interviews and quantitative data from a questionnaire survey. The data were collected in 2018.

Findings

The potential for individual resistance to exploitation among SEPTs is limited. However, attitudes towards a collective response were largely positive, albeit there is certainly no consensus agreement on the value of trade unions. The logic of coopetition is applied to explain the issues on which trade unions might organize SEPTs.

Research limitations/implications

The study suggests coopetition as an organizing logic for highly individualized self-employed workers in intense proximal competition with one another. However, the research presented in this article was undertaken with a unique group of solo self-employed workers. Further study is required to demonstrate the applicability of these findings.

Practical implications

The commercialization of work poses a threat to traditional employment and trade unions. It is crucial that trade unions represent the interests of all workers by focusing on workers who do not traditionally form the vanguard of its membership (e.g. dependent workers and the falsely self-employed). The study illustrates the way in which trade unions can organize micro-entrepreneurs.

Social implications

Coopetitive representation whereby micro-entrepreneurs collaborate to resist exploitation while remaining independent has the potential to change the perspectives and values of entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

The article assesses the potential of organizing a highly individualized and competitive self-employed worker. Coopetitive representation is presented as distinct from other approaches to representation and as a means of trade union revitalization.
Social cognition of humanoid robots on customer tolerance of service failure
Authors: Chang Ying , Zhang Chubing , Li Tiange , Li Yina
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of the perceived warmth and competence of humanoid robots on customer tolerance of service failure through the affective response and the boundary condition of relationship norms.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental studies were conducted to investigate the effects of perceived warmth and competence of humanoid robots’ physical appearances on tolerance of service failure and the mediating role of anger. The boundary influence of relationship norms is also explored.

Findings

The results reveal that the perception of warmth (vs. competence) robot leads to less (more) anger, which significantly results in tolerance of service failure. However, customer tolerance is insignificant under exchange norms, as the undelivered service violates the expectations of both warm and competent robots.

Practical implications

This study provides practical guidance for hospitality managers to implement humanoid robots in a way that minimizes the negative outcomes of service failure. Managers should also think about the appropriate match of different types of humanoid robots and relationship norms in which robots will be deployed.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the tolerance literature by taking a social cognition perspective to investigate the effect of humanoid robots’ physical appearances on customers’ reactions to service failure. The findings also reveal that its affective mechanism lies in the effect of expectancy violations of service failure on tolerance. Furthermore, this study extends the literature on relationship norms to the influence of company factors on effective humanoid robot implementation.
Management accounting and control, supply chain resilience and healthcare performance under disruptive impact
Authors: Nartey Edward
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Building supply chain (SC) resilience has become a priority for many organizations, following a global increase in disruptive events. While management accounting and control (MAC) systems play a supportive role in supply chain management (SCM) decisions, little is known about the contributions offered to resilience decisions in service organizations. The purpose of this study is to examine the performance implications of MCS's impact on proactive and reactive resilience of healthcare supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a survey of 127 public health managers via structural equation modeling. The partial least squares version 3.3.3 was used.

Findings

The results show a statistically positive impact of MAC dimensions on proactive and reactive resilience, which in turn impacts the quality, delivery speed and cost effectiveness of the health SC. However, the integration dimension had an insignificant effect on reactive resilience but a positive effect on proactive resilience.

Research limitations/implications

This study examined the performance implications of MAC system dimensions and proactive and reactive resilience on operational performance in health SCs, using empirical data from only one country. Thus, generalizing the findings to include other jurisdictions may be impossible.

Practical implications

Healthcare managers in public health facilities should embrace the four MAC dimensions (except the integrated dimension in reactive resilience) to support information generation in SC resilience decisions.

Originality/value

Perhaps, the first to provide preliminary empirical evidence on the interactive effect of proactive and reactive resilience and MAC dimensions in terms of broad scope, timeliness, integration and aggregation on health SC operational performance under disruption, in the context of an emerging economy.
Exploring sustainable entrepreneurial intentions through the lens of theory of planned behaviour: a PLS-SEM approach
Authors: Sharma Latika , Bulsara Hemantkumar P. , Bagdi Himanshu , Trivedi Mridul
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This research aims to forecast university students' intentions to contribute to sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) in an emerging market. The study observed the factors influencing students’ sustainable entrepreneurial intentions (SEI) using an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted utilising an online questionnaire with a total of 332 college students in Gujarat, India. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The outcome of the present research sanctions that university support strongly impacts perceived behavioural control (PBC) and negatively affects attitudes towards sustainable entrepreneurship (ATT). The findings revealed that environmental concern positively influences students' attitudes and perceived behavioural control towards sustainable entrepreneurship. Whereas sustainable development goals knowledge (SDGK) negatively impacts attitude and PBC. Out of the three key factors of TPB used in the study, only the subjective norm negatively affects SEI among the respondents.

Research limitations/implications

This research may be valuable to academicians and environmental strategists in determining the most essential elements that drive students to create sustainable firms. The findings of this study back up the assumption that TPB adaptation is required when assessing entrepreneurship-specific intents.

Originality/value

The current research aimed to regulate students' entrepreneurial intention (EI) in Gujarat, India, concerning a sustainable enterprise. This research appears to be one of the extremely scarce studies that utilise the extended TPB model to investigate the effect of university support (US), environmental concern (EC) and SDGK in the context of India.
“Their home companion for us to share”; the rehabilitative value of staff bringing their dogs into a UK prison
Authors: Wilson Kirsten
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Whilst a growing body of support exists for the use of prison animal programmes (PAPs), research within UK prisons is sparse. Opportunity to add to this body of literature is also limited due to the practical barriers around safely embedding animals within forensic settings. This study aims to capitalise on an opportunity to explore a visitation model of a prison-based dog programme (PBDP), recently implemented within a UK prison. The intervention requires staff members to volunteer to bring their pets into the prison on a weekly basis and to accompany them as they complete their normal day-to-day prison roles.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected within a Category B adult prison for males convicted of a sexual offence. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with six prisoners who had spent time with the visitation dogs and six staff members who had been part of those interactions. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, and three themes were developed that focused specifically on the value of this model of PBDP (staff members bringing their pets into the prison).

Findings

Three themes (reconnecting men to their outside lives; legitimising pro-social narrative; and “a safe space for them to open up”) were developed from participants’ lived experience of the intervention and its perceived value.

Practical implications

The potential for a low-level PAP to contribute to a rehabilitative prison culture was supported.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to explore the value of this particular model of PBDP within a UK prison.
Agile SHRM practices and employee-organisational outcomes during new normal: evidence from India and Thailand
Authors: Pathomphatthaphan Sarawut , Das Simanchala , Jena Lalatendu Kesari
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the cross-cultural study is three-fold – (1) to examine the effect of agile strategic human resource management (ASHRM) practices for each stage of the employee life-cycle on employee outcomes, (2) to investigate employee outcomes – organisational outcome linkage and (3) to explore the link between organisational outcomes and shared values to society.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used random sampling to select 674 managers (358 from India and 316 from Thailand) who work in food processing firms. A structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents separately for collecting data. The authors used PLS-SEM to verify the study hypotheses and related research models.

Findings

The multi-group analysis (MGA) results indicated a significant difference in agile SHRM practices, employee outcomes, organisational outcomes and shared values in the Indian and Thai samples. However, the difference in the impact of the organisational outcome on shared values to society was found to be insignificant, suggesting that organisational outcome had a similar impact on shared values in both countries.

Practical implications

The agile strategic HR practices, especially talent acquisition, learning and development, reward and recognition, must be aligned to suit country-specific culture for improving job satisfaction, employee engagement and employee productivity, which would result in improved organisational outcomes such as profitability and customer satisfaction, ultimately enhancing shared values to society. This comparative analysis would also help the Indian and Thai food sectors develop new strategies or alter existing ones in light of the ASHRM model.

Originality/value

The study provides an innovative ASHRM framework from a cross-cultural perspective, which may help organisations to adopt agile talent acquisition, career development and separation strategies to thrive in the turbulent international business environment.
System quality features and continuous usage intention of social network users: a multi-group analysis with gender
Authors: Doshi Parinda , Nigam Priti , Rishi Bikramjit
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptualize a framework drawn upon the self-regulation theory to study the effect of system quality features on the continuous usage intention of social network users. The study explores the relationship among the selected variables and identifies the determinants of continuous usage intention of social networks.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was used to collect data from 301 male and 311 female social network users to test the research model with the help of the structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The results show a difference between male and female social media users for the continuous usage intention of social networks. A substantial difference in the relationship was seen between the attitude and continuous usage intention, where female social network users had a more robust and significant relationship than their male counterparts.

Originality/value

This study uses the self-regulation theory to understand the continuous usage intention of social networks in the Indian context. This research study contributes to the existing literature on social networks/social media and the adoption intention.
Being transparent about pay transparency
Authors: Kirby Chris
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Conceptually, pay transparency is in its infancy. But it is highly likely to stay – and organisations need to get their head around it before they are caught on the back foot. This study will advise organisations on their approach to total compensation and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study specifically focused on the following: There are many positives, not least saving time and effort, plus creating synchronicity between expectations from the moment a role is advertised to the moment someone leaves. The difficulty is the current cost of living crisis – for some employees, full pay transparency will show that they are already well paid, whereas others will feel frustrated with their pay, as well as any pay freezes. Transparency also needs to go deeper than the pay itself and should factor total compensation and “life” at the organisation. It needs to show flexible working, supporting employees as people – the employee value proposition.

Findings

Pay transparency is harder to unpick and reshape than it is to implement from the start. So, it is more common for start-ups than those with decades of legacy processes across countries, sites, entities or linked, perhaps, to length of service. However, that is out of line with the expectations of many in the modern workforce. Many organisations are being challenged, plus there is a risk that they are seemingly hiding something. There are, too, significant variations between industries, which creates complexities.

Originality/value

This paper is written exclusively for strategic HR review.
From smoke to sustainability: the role of socioeconomic factors in the continuous use of clean cooking technologies in Uganda
Authors: Katutsi Vincent Patsy , Kaberuka Will , Ngoma Muhammed , Yawe Bruno Lule , Atukunda Ronnett , Turyareba Dickson
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of specific socioeconomic factors, namely neighborhood, gender roles and affordability, on the continuous use of clean cooking technologies (CCTs) in households, using evidence from Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an explanatory quantitative design. A questionnaire survey with 379 clean household responses was conducted. The data were analyzed using the Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS) software.

Findings

The results indicate that the sustained use of clean cooking technologies in households in Uganda is significantly associated with neighborhood influence, shared gender roles and affordability, collectively accounting for 27.7% of the variance.

Research limitations/implications

The three dimensions of socioeconomic factors under study partially explain the sustained use of CCTs in Uganda. The study does not delve into other socioeconomic factors that could probably account for 72.2% of the variance not explained. The quantitative design may have overlooked the social reality perspectives inherent in qualitative studies that other researchers may endeavor to exploit.

Originality/value

The authors integrated three dimensions of socioeconomic factors – neighborhood influence, gender roles and affordability – with the diffusion of innovation theory (DIT) using Smart PLS to explain the continuous use of CCTs within households.
Stoichiometric imbalances between soil microorganisms and their resources regulate litter decomposition
Authors: Li Bing , Li Yingbin , Fanin Nicolas , Veen G. F. , Han Xu , Du Xiaofang , Li Yuhui , Sun Yixin , Li Qi
Published: October 2023

Litter decomposition is dependent on the requirements of decomposer communities and their ability to acquire energy and nutrients from their substrates (i.e. litter) and the surrounding environment (i.e. soil). However, knowledge about whether and how stoichiometric imbalance (i.e. the differences in C:N:P ratios between microorganisms and their substrates) regulate litter decomposition rates and whether it can be compensated by soil resources have rarely been evaluated, and even less across different decomposition stages over time.

In this study, we conducted a reciprocal litter transplantation experiment using a stoichiometric gradient along the forest‐steppe ecotone to evaluate mechanisms underlying litter‐microbe‐soil interactions at different moments during litter breakdown. We measured the C:N:P stoichiometry of litter, soil, microbes, enzyme ratios and soil microbial community composition (via metabarcoding) after 6 and 12 months of litter decomposition.

We found that the stoichiometric imbalances between soil microorganisms and litter substrate controlled decomposition rates directly during the early phase of decomposition. In contrast, the stoichiometric imbalances between soil microorganisms and soil substrate regulated decomposition rates during the later phase of decomposition, but this was an indirect effect mediated via shifts in the saprophytic fungal community composition and enzyme allocation.

These findings highlight that the stoichiometric imbalance between soil microorganisms and litter substrates can be partly compensated by the local soil resources over the course of the decomposition process. We conclude that the stoichiometric imbalance between soil microorganisms and their resources is a key mechanism that should not be ignored when predicting soil C and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Climate change accelerates ecosystem restoration in the mountain forests of Central Europe
Authors: Dollinger Christina , Rammer Werner , Seidl Rupert
Published: October 2023

Restoring degraded forest ecosystems is an important element in the ongoing challenge to sustain the integrity and functioning of the biosphere. However, the evaluation of restoration success is hampered by long lead times of management measures in forests. Moreover, forest change is accelerating also in the absence of management because of ongoing climate change. Yet, because a counterfactual is frequently missing, it remains unclear whether restoration measures are aided or impeded by climate change.

Here, we analysed the pace and success of forest restoration under climate change, combining field data and simulation modelling. We focused on the management zone of Berchtesgaden National Park (BGNP), Germany, where restoration aims to restore homogeneous Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests to structurally diverse mixed mountain forests. We evaluated three alternative restoration strategies: Two active strategies focused on planting the currently underrepresented silver fir (Abies alba) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) but differing in the creation of gap‐cuts, and a third passive restoration strategy without interventions. Strategies were simulated with the forest landscape model iLand from 2020 to 2100 under different climate scenarios (historic, RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5).

The forests of BGNP developed into structurally diverse and mixed forests under all evaluated management strategies, and differences between active and passive restoration were generally small. While restoration goals for forest structure were largely met by 2100, forest composition remained far from target in all strategies. Climate change aided restoration by significantly increasing the prevalence of silver fir and European beech (+104.2% to +258.6%). Field data on short‐term restoration effects were in line with simulated long‐term trajectories.

Synthesis and applications: We here show that forest restoration efforts in Central European mountain forests will likely be accelerated by climate change. Nonetheless, the slow pace of restoration underscores the need for taking action. Our study highlights that active restoration measures such as tree planting can bring the system closer to restoration targets. However, it also demonstrates that passive restoration (no intervention) is a viable option for management, highlighting the need to evaluate restoration measures against the counterfactual of a no intervention strategy.
The Effect of Organizational Climate on Sell‐side Analyst Turnover and Performance
Authors: Chua Wai Fong , Kuang Yu Flora , Wu Yi (Ava)
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates whether and how organizational climate (OC) in brokerage firms affects analyst turnover and performance. We find that firms with a lower‐rated OC have a higher likelihood of analyst turnover. Also, when analysts leave and switch brokerage firms, they are more likely to move to a firm with a higher‐rated OC and will deliver more accurate forecasts after switching firms. However, the performance improvements in better‐rated OC firms are significant only for the initial years of the analysts’ employment in the new firms. We also show that OC‐related analyst turnover negatively affects the performance of incumbent analysts, especially for those non‐All‐Star incumbent analysts, while these adverse performance effects are also transitory and last for two years only. Thus, our findings indicate that OC only has a short‐lived effect on the behaviour of both leaving and remaining analysts, which challenges the long‐held assumption that investments in a positive OC will always be associated with lower employee turnover and higher individual performance. We explain our results as arising from the high levels of labour mobility within the brokerage industry and the transparency of analyst forecasts as a public performance measure.
Ten new paediatric emergency medicine commandments
Authors: Bellini Tommaso , Orfanos Ioannis
Published: October 2023

Aim

We suggest the top ten tips that any clinician working in a pediatric emergency department should always keep in mind.

Methods

A literature review was conducted using, as a starting point, the previously published Ten Commandments for Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Perinatal Medicine.

Results and Conclusion

A standard curriculum for pediatric emergency physicians is lacking. These ten commandments should be considered as advice for physicians who practice this profession every day and not as unbreakable rules established from above.
Mothers used wider vocabulary and talked to their six‐month‐old infants more during shared book reading than when they played with toys
Authors: Wu Shu‐Chuan , Tzeng Ovid J. L. , Wang Shinmin
Published: October 2023

Aim

We compared mothers reading books to six‐month‐old infants or playing with toys and measured whether the maternal language input influenced the children's spoken vocabulary at 18 months of age.

Method

This Taiwanese study recruited 46 dyads and video recorded them while the mothers read books to their infants and played with them with toys at 6 months of age. The mothers' lexical diversity, which is the ratio of different unique words to the total number of words, was measured. We then assessed the children's spoken vocabulary at 18 months.

Results

The mother used more diverse vocabulary and a higher number of words when they were reading books than playing with toys with their children (p = 0.001). Maternal lexical diversity at 6 months of age accounted for 14.4% of the unique variance in the number of different words used by the child at 18 months. We believe that this is a novel finding.

Conclusion

Mothers used wider vocabulary and talked to their infants more during book reading than when they played with toys. Diverse maternal vocabulary at 6 months of age positively influenced the number of different words their children used at 18 months of age.
The effect of agricultural trade openness on fruit prices in Korea
Authors: Seok Jun Ho , Kim Soo‐Eun
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the effect of agricultural trade openness on fruit prices in South Korea considering the quality improvement originating from agricultural trade policies by examining the U‐shaped relationship between agricultural openness and fruit prices. Utilising the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and annual data from the period 1988–2019, we find that while an increase of agricultural openness leads to a reduction in fruit prices, an increase of square of agricultural openness leads to a rise of fruit prices in the long‐run. In other words, our hypothesis of a U‐shaped relationship between agricultural openness and fruit prices is satisfied. This finding implies that determining the optimal amount of high‐quality fruit is important for fruit farmers' income. Additionally, Korea should divide the fruit consumer price index (CPI) into high‐quality and traditional fruit to solve the problem of an increase in fruit CPI without an actual increase in the price of traditional fruit.
Exotic herbivores and fire energy drive standing herbaceous biomass but do not alter compositional patterns in a semiarid savanna ecosystem
Authors: Preiss Virginia D. , Wonkka Carissa L. , McGranahan Devan A. , Lodge Alexandra G. , Dickinson Matthew B. , Kavanagh Kathleen L. , Starns Heath D. , Tolleson Douglas R. , Treadwell Morgan L. , Twidwell Dirac , Rogers William E.
Published: October 2023

Questions

Fire regime alterations are pushing open ecosystems worldwide past tipping points where alternative steady states characterized by woody dominance prevail. This reduces the frequency and intensity of surface fires, further limiting their effectiveness for controlling cover of woody plants. In addition, grazing pressure (exotic or native grazers) can reinforce woody encroachment by potentially reducing fine‐fuel loads. We investigated the effects of different fire energies on the herbaceous plant community, together with mammalian wildlife herbivory (exotic and native combined) exclusion, to inform best management practices.

Location

Texas semi‐arid savanna, southern Great Plains, USA.

Methods

We conducted an experiment in which we manipulated fire intensity and herbivore access to herbaceous biomass in a split‐plot design. We altered fire energy via fuel addition rather than applying fire under different environmental conditions to control for differences in standing biomass and composition attributable to differential plant physiological status and fire season.

Results

High‐energy fire did not reduce herbaceous biomass or alter plant community composition, although it did increase among‐plot variability in composition and forb biomass relative to low‐energy fire and non‐burned controls. Grazing pressure from native and non‐native mammalian herbivores reduced above‐ground herbaceous biomass regardless of fire treatments, but did not alter community composition.

Conclusions

Managers seeking to apply high‐intensity prescribed fire to reduce woody encroachment will not negatively impact herbaceous plant productivity or alter community composition. However, they should be cognizant that repeated fires necessary for greatly reducing woody plants in heavily invaded areas might be difficult to accomplish due to fine‐fuel reduction from wild herbivores. High fencing to restrict access by wildlife herbivores or culling might be necessary to build fuels sufficient to conduct high‐intensity burns for woody‐plant reduction.