bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bias and the Psychological Safety in Healthcare Teams
Authors: Luther Brenda , Flattes Valerie
Published: March 2022

The levels of biases, stereotypes, and prejudices are present at the same level within our healthcare teams as they are in society in general. The effect of biases on teams, team development, and team functioning is less known, but what to do with bias is known and important for all healthcare clinicians to understand. Exploring bias and psychological safety is vital for optimal team development. Teams need trust, sense of belonging, and a culture of open communication to provide the best care possible for their patients; yet often teams do not address their own biases or stereotypes nor do they feel prepared to open these conversations. In this article, we present a case study, provide definitions of bias and psychological safety, as well as offer strategies to combat biases, provide steps all of the healthcare team can employ to promote belongingness in the interprofessional team, and offer strategies of supporting team members experiencing biases.
Bias in Musculoskeletal Pain Management and Bias-Targeted Interventions to Improve Pain Outcomes
Authors: Eze Bright , Kumar Sumanya , Yang Yuxuan , Kilcoyne Jason , Starkweather Angela , Perry Mallory A.
Published: March 2022

Bias in healthcare negatively impacts disparities in care, treatment, and outcomes, especially among minority populations. A scoping review of the literature was performed to provide a deeper understanding of how bias influences musculoskeletal pain and potential effects of bias-targeted interventions on reducing pain disparities, as well as identify gaps and make suggestions for further research in this area. Publications from peer-reviewed journals were searched using the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus, with 18 studies identified. The literature review revealed that clinician-based bias and discrimination worsen pain and disability by reducing access to treatment and increasing patient pain-related injustice, catastrophizing, depression, and perceived stress. In contrast, clinician education and perspective-taking, patient decision tools, and community outreach interventions can help reduce bias and disparities in musculoskeletal pain outcomes. Increasing the diversity of the healthcare workforce should also be a priority. Models of care focused on health equity may provide an ideal framework to reduce bias and provide sustainable improvement in musculoskeletal pain management.
A Population Health Perspective on Racism and Racial Microaggressions
Authors: Jadotte Yuri , Salmond Susan , Allread Virginia
Published: March 2022

Racism, one of the social determinants of health, often goes unnoticed by those less affected by its pernicious effects. The lived social experience of race has been linked to significant physical and mental health disparities. Individually or together, we know that racism and discrimination are associated with poorer health of persons from racial minority groups as evidenced in higher rates of mortality, earlier onset of disease, greater severity and progression of disease and higher levels of comorbidity and impairment. These disparities are persistent over time and, although may lessen in degree, are evident at every level of income and education. This article provides a glimpse of the impact of racism on individuals and groups, with a focus on microaggressions as a subtle but pervasive form of racism, and how it is an underlying causative factor for health disparities.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Tumor Molecular Classification in High-Risk Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Orellana T. J. , Kim H. , Beriwal S. , Bhargava R. , Berger J. , Buckanovich R. J. , Coffman L. G. , Courtney-Brooks M. , Mahdi H. , Olawaiye A. B. , Sukumvanich P. , Taylor S. E. , Smith K. J. , Lesnock J. L.
Published: March 2022

(Abstracted from Gynecol Oncol 2022;164:129–135)

Endometrial cancer (EC) remains the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, accounting for nearly 13,000 deaths in 2020 alone. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for early-stage EC; however, adjuvant treatment is often indicated.
Counseling for Personal Health Implications Identified During Reproductive Genetic Carrier Screening
Authors: Gbur Samantha , Mauney Logan , Gray Kathryn J. , Wilkins-Haug Louise , Guseh Stephanie
Published: March 2022

(Abstracted from Prenat Diagn 2021;41:1460–1466)

Genetic carrier screening is a type of genetic testing done primarily to identify patients at risk of having a pregnancy affected by a genetic disorder. In turn, this allows patients to consider reproductive options, interventions, or to plan for postdelivery care.
Heuristics in the Delivery Room
Authors: Singh Manasvini
Published: March 2022

(Abstracted from Science 2021;374:324–329)

Studying the delivery setting provides a glimpse into physician's decision-making, whereas cognitive and time pressures create a uniquely high-stakes scenario. In such settings, individuals may be more likely to rely on heuristics to aid complex decision-making including the decision to suggest a vaginal or cesarean delivery.
Do Frozen Embryo Transfers Modify the Epigenetic Control of Imprinted Genes and Transposable Elements in Newborns Compared With Fresh Embryo Transfers and Natural Conceptions?
Authors: Barberet Julie , Romain Gaelle , Binquet Christine , Guilleman Magali , Bruno Céline , Ginod Perrine , Chapusot Caroline , Choux Cécile , Fauque Patricia
Published: March 2022

(Abstracted from Fertil Steril 2021;116:1468–1480)

With rapid advancement in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) including the introduction of frozen embryo transfer, evidence has accumulated that mode of ART could affect placentation and fetal growth from the earliest stages of pregnancy. For instance, higher incidences of placenta accreta, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia have been identified in frozen embryo transfers.
Human Trafficking
Authors: Cheetham Alexandra L. , Hurst Irene A.
Published: March 2022

Human trafficking, which includes sexual exploitation and forced labor, affects youth throughout the world. Victims are subject to coercion, exploitation, and repeated trauma. Given the secretive nature of this abuse, it can be difficult to identify victims. Past experience shows that most victims interact with the healthcare system at some time while they are in the control of a trafficker, providing an opportunity for healthcare providers to identify, support, and intervene. In this CME review article, we describe human trafficking, its estimated prevalence, and the identification, evaluation, and management of patients who are victims of human trafficking. Finally, we provide additional resources for practitioners and patients.
Impact of Overweight and Obesity on Disease Outcome in the Pediatric Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort
Authors: von Graffenried Thea , Schoepfer Alain M. , Rossel Jean-Benoit , Greuter Thomas , Safroneeva Ekaterina , Godat Sébastien , Henchoz Sarah , Vavricka Stephan R. , Sokollik Christiane , Spalinger Johannes , Braegger Christian P. , Nydegger Andreas ,   on behalf of the Swiss IBD Cohort Study Group
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Given the paucity of data, we aimed to assess the impact of obesity on disease activity, complications, and quality of life (QoL) in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

Methods:

Prospective analysis of pediatric IBD patients. Patients were categorized into 4 groups according to the World Health Organization (WHO) child growth standards: obese, overweight, normal weight, and underweight.

Results:

Three hundred twenty-seven pediatric patients were included (146 with Crohn’s disease [CD], 181 with ulcerative colitis of whom 13 [4%] were underweight, 272 [83.2%] had normal weight, 22 [6.7%] were overweight, and 20 [6.1%] were obese). Compared with normal weight patients, obese ulcerative colitis had a significantly higher clinical but not biological disease activity nor severity. Compared with normal weight patients, overweight/obese CD patients did not have higher clinical or biological disease activity nor severity. Perianal abscesses and surgery for this purpose were more frequently observed in overweight/obese CD patients compared with normal weight controls. Overweight/obese IBD patients were similarly hospitalized in the last 12 months compared with normal weight controls.

Conclusions:

Prevalence of overweight/obesity was 12.8% in pediatric IBD patients. Obesity was not associated with a decrease in disease remission rates nor an increase in the risk of complicated disease progression in IBD pediatric patients, except for the occurrence of perianal abscesses and related surgery in CD patients.
From outcome measurement to improving health outcomes after lower limb amputation—A narrative review exploring outcome measurement from a clinical practice perspective
Authors: Ostler Chantel , Scott Helen , Sedki Imad , Kheng Sisary , Donovan-Hall Margaret , Dickinson Alex , Metcalf Cheryl
Published: March 2022

Outcome measurement is essential to understand the impact of clinical interventions and the performance of services. Despite national and professional body encouragement, and successful examples of system level outcome measurement within some health care settings, many barriers still exist preventing outcome measurement from becoming embedded in clinical practice. This paper presents a narrative review which aims to describe the state of the outcome measurement evidence base in prosthetic rehabilitation, as applied in clinical practice, with a view to identifying areas for future work aimed at making outcome measurement in prosthetic rehabilitation a meaningful reality. A literature search of four databases was undertaken, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis principals appropriate to narrative reviews, and using the search terms outcome, measur*, tool, scale, instrument, prosthe*, amput* and limb loss. A total of 1116 papers were identified. Following screening 35 papers, focusing on four main themes, were included in the review. Themes were: 1) What outcome domains should be measured? 2) How can these outcome domains be measured? 3) What are the barriers to outcome measurement? and 4) What can be learnt from examples of ROM in prosthetic rehabilitation?

Findings suggest that successful outcome measurement is multifaceted. Understanding and embedding value at every step appears to be key to success. Addressing the questions of ‘what’ outcome domains to measure and ‘how’ to measure them, may help establish consensus. Routine outcome measurement practice at the clinical level should ensure data collection is valuable to clinical practice, makes use of information technology solutions and has organisational engagement.
Dynamic use of fibrinogen under viscoelastic assessment results in reduced need for plasma and diminished overall transfusion requirements in severe trauma
Authors: Barquero López Marta , Martínez Cabañero Javier , Muñoz Valencia Alejandro , Sáez Ibarra Clara , De la Rosa Estadella Marta , Campos Serra Andrea , Gil Velázquez Aurora , Pujol Caballé Gemma , Navarro Soto Salvador , Puyana Juan Carlos
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in trauma management, half of trauma deaths occur secondary to bleeding. Currently, hemostatic resuscitation strategies consist of empirical transfusion of blood products in a predefined fixed ratio (1:1:1) to both treat hemorrhagic shock and correct trauma-induced coagulopathy. At our hospital, the implementation of a resuscitation protocol guided by viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHAs) with rotational thromboelastometry has resulted in a goal-directed approach. The objective of the study is twofold, first to analyze changes in transfusion practices overtime and second to identify the impact of these changes on coagulation parameters and clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that progressive VHA implementation results in a higher administration of fibrinogen concentrate (FC) and lower use of blood products transfusion, especially plasma.

METHODS

A total of 135 severe trauma patients (January 2008 to July 2019), all requiring and initial assessment for high risk of trauma-induced coagulopathy based on high-energy injury mechanism, severity of bleeding and hemodynamic instability were included. After 2011 when we first modified the transfusion protocol, a progressive change in transfusional management occurred over time. Three treatment groups were established, reflecting different stages in the evolution of our strategy: plasma (P, n = 28), plasma and FC (PF, n = 64) and only FC (F, n = 42).

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics among groups. Progressive implementation of rotational thromboelastometry resulted in increased use of FC over time (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that group F had a significant reduction in transfusion of packed red blood cells (p = 0.005), plasma (p < 0.001), and platelets (p = 0.011). Regarding outcomes, F patients had less pneumonia (p = 0.019) and multiorgan failure (p < 0.001), without significant differences for other outcomes. Likewise, overall mortality was not significantly different. However, further analysis comparing specific mortality due only to massive hemorrhage in the F group versus all patients receiving plasma, it was significantly lower (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

Implementing a VHA-based algorithm resulted in a plasma-free strategy with higher use of FC and a significant reduction of packed red blood cells transfused. In addition, we observed an improvement in outcomes without an increase in thrombotic complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.
A multicenter validation of the modified brain injury guidelines: Are they safe and effective?
Authors: Khan Abid D. , Lee Janet , Galicia Kevin , Billings Joshua D. , Dobaria Vishal , Patel Purvi P. , McIntyre Robert C. , Gonzalez Richard P. , Schroeppel Thomas J.
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

The modified Brain Injury Guidelines (mBIG) are an algorithm for treating patients with traumatic brain injury and intracranial hemorrhage by which selected patients do not require a repeat head computed tomography, a neurosurgery consult, or even an admission. The mBIG refined the original Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) to improve safety and reproducibility. The purpose of this study is to assess safety and resource utilization with mBIG implementation.

METHODS

The mBIG were implemented at three Level I trauma centers in August 2017. A multicenter retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed on adult mBIG 1 and 2 patients. The post-mBIG implementation period (August 2017 to February 2021) was compared with a previous BIG retrospective evaluation (January 2014 to December 2016).

RESULTS

There were 764 patients in the two study periods. No differences were identified in demographics, Injury Severity Score, or admission Glasgow Coma Scale score. Fewer computed tomography scans (2 [1,2] vs. 2 [2,3], p < 0.0001) and neurosurgery consults (61.9% vs. 95.9%, p < 0.0001) were obtained post-mBIG implementation. Hospital (2 [1,4] vs. 2 [2,4], p = 0.013) and intensive care unit (0 [0,1] vs. 1 [1,2], p < 0.0001) length of stay were shorter after mBIG implementation. No difference was seen in the rate of clinical or radiographic progression, neurosurgery operations, or mortality between the two groups.

After mBIG implementation, eight patients (1.6%) worsened clinically. Six patients that clinically progressed were discharged with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 without needing neurosurgery intervention. One patient had clinical and radiographic decompensation and required craniotomy. Another patient worsened clinically and radiographically, but due to metastatic cancer, elected to pursue comfort measures and died.

CONCLUSION

This prospective validation shows the mBIG are safe, pragmatic, and can dramatically improve resource utilization when implemented.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.
The Surgical Management of Complicated Peptic Ulcer Disease: An EAST Video Presentation
Authors: Hudnall Aaron , Bardes James M. , Coleman Kennith , Stout Conley , Regier Daniel , Balise Stephen , Borgstrom David , Grabo Daniel
Published: March 2022

Background

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD), once primary a surgical problem, is now medically managed in the majority of patients. The surgical treatment of PUD is now strictly reserved for life-threatening complications. Free perforation, refractory bleeding and gastric outlet obstruction, although rare in the age of medical management of PUD, are several of the indications for surgical intervention. The acute care surgeon caring for patients with PUD should be facile in techniques required for bleeding control, bypass of peptic strictures, and vagotomy with resection and reconstruction. This video procedures and techniques paper demonstrates these infrequently encountered, but critical operations.

Content (Video Description)

A combination of anatomic representations and videos of step-by-step instructions on perfused cadavers will demonstrate the key steps in the following critical operations. Graham patch repair of perforated peptic ulcer is demonstrated in both open and laparoscopic fashion. The choice to perform open versus laparoscopic repair is based on individual surgeon comfort. Oversewing of a bleeding duodenal ulcer via duodenotomy and ligation of the gastroduodenal artery is infrequent in the age of advanced endoscopy and interventional radiology techniques, yet this once familiar procedure can be lifesaving. Repair of giant duodenal or gastric ulcers can present a challenging operative dilemma on how to best repair or exclude the defect. Vagotomy and antrectomy, perhaps the least common of all the aforementioned surgical interventions, may require more complex reconstruction than other techniques making it challenging for inexperienced surgeons. A brief demonstration on reconstruction options will be shown and includes Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy.

Conclusions

Surgical management of PUD is reserved today for life-threatening complications for which the acute care surgeon must be prepared. This presentation provides demonstration of key surgical principles in management of bleeding and free perforation as well as gastric resection, vagotomy and reconstruction.

Level of Evidence

Not applicable
Enteric viruses isolates and rotavirus genotypes during the seasonal surge of acute watery childhood diarrhoea in South-Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Efunshile Akinwale Michale , Nwangwu Chukwuemeka , Ngwu Bethrand Amechi
Published: March 2022

Diarrhoea remains one of the top three causes of death in Africa. However, data on the molecular epidemiology of enteric viruses in Nigeria is rare.

Two hundred and forty three infants and children below the age of 5 years with acute watery diarrhoea were evaluated for the presence of enteric viruses in stool by real-time PCR (rtPCR) during the dry months of December to April 2017, which correspond to diarrhoea season in South-East Nigeria. At least one viral pathogen was detected in 95.1% (231/243) of the study population. Rotavirus, 231(95.1%) was the most common followed by adenovirus, 103(42.4%) and enterovirus 32(13.2%). Other viruses seen in the stool samples include astrovirus 7.3 % (11/151), parechovirus 3.5 % (4/113), sapovirus, 2.8 % (4/145), bocavirus 6.8% (5/73) and human coronavirus 13.9% (10/73). Norovirus and hepatitis A and E viruses were not detected. Children that consumed factory packaged water had the lowest prevalence of rotavirus infection (p=0.044). A significant association between the viral pathogen and home treatment of drinking water or exclusive breastfeeding was not observed. Randomly selected 46 samples were genotyped for rotavirus, which showed that G3P[6] (39.1%) was the most common, followed by G1P[8] (15.2%), G9P[8] (13.0%), G12P[8] (6.5%), G9P[6]P[8] (2.2%), and G12P[6] (2.2%).

This was the highest rotavirus prevalence in any published African study, and may be a reflection of inadequate water sanitation/hygiene in the study area, a peculiar epidemiological situation and/or the sensitivity of the diagnostic method used.

The present study suggests that the burden of rotavirus is bigger than previously reported; and that morbidity can be greatly reduced if rotavirus vaccine is included in Nigerian national immunization policy.
Substance use and associated factors among Adolescents’ during the Covid-19 pandemic in Eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zerihun Ebisa , Tesema Kenasa
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been dramatic and wide-reaching, affecting many more than those who become ill, including reports of increased substance use among adolescents may be due to various restrictions of social life that disrupted adolescents’ daily lives. However, up to now, no data is showing the extent of substance use among adolescents in the study area.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of substance use and associated factors during the Covid-19 pandemic among school adolescents of west hararghe, Eastern Ethiopia to guide possible intervention and public policy.

Methods

A School-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from 10 to 30, October 2021. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 788 students from ten public secondary schools in the West Hararge zone, Eastern Ethiopia. The data were collected using a self-administered pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was entered into Epidata version and then exported to SPSS version 26 software for further analysis. Descriptive analysis was done. Multi variables binary logistic regression was done and a p-value less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance.

Results

In this study, the response rate of 98.46% were complete fill the questionnaires. More than 1 in 2 of the adolescent students were self-reported substances (alcohol, khat (Catha edulis) and/or cigarette) users (prevalence = 58.6%) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Specifically, chewing khat (Catha edulis) (57.87%), followed by alcohol user (21.73%), Cigarette smoking (14.85%) and, hashish consumption (5.54%). Age of students, family history of drinking alcohol, availability of substances were factors positively associated with substance use. On the other hand, family management is negatively associated with substance use.

Conclusions

The prevalence of substance users among adolescents was dramatically increased during the covid-19 pandemic in the west hararghe zone, Ethiopia. Hence, the authors hoped that these findings provide preliminary insights for refining mental health and addiction policies that are targeted at adolescent and their parents in these settings and guidance for further research.
Sabatier principle for rationalizing enzymatic hydrolysis of a synthetic polyester
Authors: Bååth Jenny Arnling , Jensen Kenneth , Borch Kim , Westh Peter , Kari Jeppe
Published: March 2022

Interfacial enzyme reactions are common in nature and in industrial settings, including the enzymatic deconstruction of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste. Kinetic descriptions of PET hydrolases are necessary for both comparative analyses, discussions of structure-function relations and rational optimization of technical processes. We investigated whether the Sabatier principle could be used for this purpose. Specifically, we compared the kinetics of two well-known PET hydrolases, leaf-branch compost cutinase (LCC) and a cutinase from the bacterium T. fusca (TfC) when adding different concentrations of the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). We found that CTAB consistently lowered the strength of enzyme-PET interactions, while its effect on enzymatic turnover was strongly biphasic. Thus, at gradually increasing CTAB concentrations, turnover was initially promoted and subsequently suppressed. This correlation with maximal turnover at an intermediate binding strength is in accordance with the Sabatier principle. One consequence of these results is that both enzymes had too strong intrinsic interaction with PET for optimal turnover, especially TfC, which showed a 20-fold improvement of kcat at the maximum. LCC on the other hand had an intrinsic substrate affinity closer to the Sabatier optimum and the turnover rate was 5-fold improved at weakened substrate binding. Our results show that the Sabatier principle may indeed rationalize enzymatic PET degradation and support process optimization. Finally, we suggest that future discovery efforts should consider enzymes with weakened substrate binding, since strong adsorption seems to limit their catalytic performance.

ToC graphics
H3K9 trimethylation in active chromatin restricts the usage of functional CTCF sites in SINE B2 repeats
Authors: Gualdrini Francesco , Polletti Sara , Simonatto Marta , Prosperini Elena , Pileri Francesco , Natoli Gioacchino
Published: March 2022

Six methyltransferases divide labor in establishing genomic profiles of histone H3 lysine 9 methylation (H3K9me), an epigenomic modification controlling constitutive heterochromatin, gene repression, and silencing of retroelements. Among them, SETDB1 is recruited to active chromatin domains to silence the expression of endogenous retroviruses. In the context of experiments aimed at determining the impact of SETDB1 on stimulus-inducible gene expression in macrophages, we found that loss of H3K9me3 caused by SETDB1 depletion was associated with increased recruitment of CTCF to >1600 DNA binding motifs contained within SINE B2 repeats, a previously unidentified target of SETDB1-mediated repression. CTCF is an essential regulator of chromatin folding that restrains DNA looping by cohesin, thus creating boundaries among adjacent topological domains. Increased CTCF binding to SINE B2 repeats enhanced insulation at hundreds of sites and increased loop formation within topological domains containing lipopolysaccharide-inducible genes, which correlated with their impaired regulation in response to stimulation. These data indicate a role of H3K9me3 in restraining genomic distribution and activity of CTCF, with an impact on chromatin organization and gene regulation.
Short arms of human acrocentric chromosomes and the completion of the human genome sequence
Authors: Antonarakis Stylianos E.
Published: March 2022

The complete, ungapped sequence of the short arms of human acrocentric chromosomes (SAACs) is still unknown almost 20 years after the near completion of the Human Genome Project. Yet these short arms of Chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22 contain the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes, which are of paramount importance for human biology. The sequences of SAACs show an extensive variation in the copy number of the various repetitive elements, the full extent of which is currently unknown. In addition, the full spectrum of repeated sequences, their organization, and the low copy number functional elements are also unknown. The Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Project using mainly long-read sequence technology has recently completed the assembly of the genome from a hydatidiform mole, CHM13, and has thus established a baseline reference for further studies on the organization, variation, functional annotation, and impact in human disorders of all the previously unknown genomic segments, including the SAACs. The publication of the initial results of the T2T Project will update and improve the reference genome for a better understanding of the evolution and function of the human genome.
Crystal structure of N-(1H-indol-2-ylmethylidene)-4-methoxyaniline
Authors: Taneda Masatsugu , Nishi Masato , Kubono Koji , Kashiwagi Yukiyasu , Matsumoto Taisuke
Published: March 2022

The molecule of the title compound, C16H14N2O, contains an essentially planar indole ring system and a phenyl ring. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by a weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bond and C—H...π interactions, forming a one-dimensional column structure along the b-axis direction. These columns are linked by other C—H...π interactions, forming a two-dimensional network structure.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 5-(5-phenyl-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine
Authors: Nikitina Evgeniya V. , Çelikesir Sevim Türktekin , Akkurt Mehmet , Petkevich Sergey K. , Akishina Ekaterina A. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Mlowe Sixberth
Published: March 2022

The title compound, C11H8N4OS, crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. In the crystal, the N—H...N and C—H...N hydrogen bonds connect the molecules, generating double layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are joined by C—H...π interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.
“A system that will do magic”: organizational perspective on the technological layer in knowledge management
Authors: Nakash Maayan , Bouhnik Dan
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to give expression, for the first time, to the contemporary perceptions of knowledge management (KM) professionals regarding the technological layer in KM. From an organizational-holistic view, the authors strive to provide a deeper understanding of the position and role of technology in KM in knowledge-intensive organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of the adoption of the qualitative-constructivist paradigm, the research started with in-depth interviews and continued with focus groups. The data were collected from 21 KM experts and analyzed according to the thematic analysis method, based on the grounded theory.

Findings

Although many hopes depend on technological tools, the authors learn why KM cannot be considered a purely information technology (IT)-based process. The study raises significant concern regarding the leadership of KM efforts by IT units, due to the possible lack of focus on strategic aspects supported by that support closing knowledge gaps. KM experts support technological changes and anticipate the introduction of automated mechanisms for knowledge flow processes.

Originality/value

Understanding the technological component of KM provides a window of opportunity for the meanings ascribed by the professionals to the whole KM discipline. The results improve the understanding that the KM community should be required to be more aware of the business-organizational aspects for which the practice of KM in the organization is required, as well as the centrality of human resources in knowledge creation and sharing. Moreover, the paper provides a unique glimpse into the future of organizational KM.
Research themes in machine learning applications in supply chain management using bibliometric analysis tools
Authors: Raza Syed Asif , Govindaluri Srikrishna Madhumohan , Bhutta Mohammed Khurrum
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of Machine Learning (ML) in Supply Chain Management through bibliometric and network analysis, the authors are able to grasp key features of the contemporary literature. The study makes use of state-of-the-art analytical framework based on a unified approach to reveal insights from the present body of knowledge and the potentials for future research developments.

Design/methodology/approach

Unlike standard literature reviews, in SLR, a structured approach is followed. The approach enables utilizing contemporary tools and software packages such as R-package “bibliometrix” and Gephi for exploratory and visual analytics. A number of clustering methods are employed to form clusters. Later, multivariate analysis methodologies are adopted to determine the dominant clusters for the influential co-cited references.

Findings

Using contemporary tools from Bibliometric Analysis (BA), the authors identify in an exploratory analysis, the influential authors, sources, regions, affiliations and papers. In addition, the use of network analysis tools reveals research clusters, topological analysis, key research topics, interrelation and authors’ collaboration along with their patterns. Finally, the optimum number of clusters computed for cluster analysis is decided using a systematic procedure based on multivariate analysis such as k-means and factor analysis.

Originality/value

Modern-day supply chains increasingly depend on developing superior insights from large amounts of data available from diverse sources in unstructured and semi-structured formats. In order to maintain a competitive edge, the supply chains need to perform speedy analysis of big data using efficient tools that provide real-time decision-making insights. Such an analysis necessitates automated processing using intelligent ML algorithms. Through a BA followed by a detailed data visualization in a network analysis enabled grasping key features of the contemporary literature. The analysis is based on 155 documents from the period 2008 to 2018 selected using a systematic selection procedure.
A survey on business process view integration: past, present and future applications to blockchain
Authors: Belchior Rafael , Guerreiro Sérgio , Vasconcelos André , Correia Miguel
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The complexity of business environments often causes organizations to produce several inconsistent views of the same business process (BP), leading to fragmentation. BP view integration attempts to produce an integrated view from different views of the same model, facilitating the management of BP models.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the trends of BP view integration, the authors conduct an extensive and systematic literature review to summarize findings since the 1970s. With a starting corpus of 918 documents, this survey draws up a systematic inventory of solutions used in academia and industry. By narrowing it down to 71 articles, the authors discuss in-depth 17 BP integration techniques papers, classifying each solution according to 9 criteria.

Findings

The authors' study shows that most view-integration methods (11) utilize annotation-based matching, based on formal merging rules. While most solutions are formalized, only approximately half are validated with a real-world use case scenario. View integration can be applied to areas other than database schema integration and BP view integration.

Practical implications

By summarizing existing knowledge up to June 2021, the authors explore possible future research directions. The authors highlight the application of view integration to the blockchain research area, where stakeholders can have different views on the same blockchain. The authors expect that this study contributes to interdisciplinary research across view integration, namely to the context of blockchain.

Originality/value

This survey serves to pave the way for future trends, where the authors highlight the application of view integration to blockchain research.
A Diamond in the Rough: J. M. Huber and the PATH Business
Authors: Ward John L.
Published: March 2022

In late 2011, Jerry Bertram, vice president and general manager of the fire retardant additives business of Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), a division of family-owned J. M. Huber Corporation, was preparing to present the potential acquisition of the precipitated alumina trihydrate (PATH) business to the environment, health, and safety committee of Huber's corporate board. He had convinced HEM's leadership of PATH's strategic value to their business and the urgency of the acquisition based on PATH's parent company's movement into Chapter 11 bankruptcy and its plans to close the PATH plant.

Winning board approval posed a major challenge. It was unclear whether the plant would remain operational, because HEM would have to enter a shared-services arrangement with PATH's parent company, which continued to use the site. In addition, acquiring PATH would mean integrating its specialized, unionized labor force into Huber, which had very few union workers. Finally, early due diligence had revealed tens of millions of dollars of potential environmental risk on the site. The last issue was particularly critical, given Huber's generations-long history of respect for the environment, and its executives' and directors' reluctance to take on any business with excessive environmental risk.

This case illustrates in depth the family business values that can promote consideration of an ostensibly unconventional and risky strategic move, and enable executives to push for approval of the same, as backed by comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation plans.
Does green process innovation affect a firm's financial risk? The moderating role of slack resources and competitive intensity
Authors: Tariq Adeel , Ehsan Sadaf , Badir Yuosre F. , Memon Mumtaz Ali , Khan Sumbal Muhammad Saleem Ullah
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Over the last two decades, corporations have increasingly adopted green innovation to lessen the unsuitable impact on the environment and gain competitive advantage at the same time. However, researchers have paid more attention to green product innovation and the firm's financial risk (FFR) relationship than green process innovation. Such neglect of green process innovation has failed to produce an elusive understanding of green process innovation and FFR relationship, and this relationship is necessary to understand for the ongoing debate on “does it pay to be green?” Thus, the purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between green process innovation performance (GPRIP) and FFR, and it also examines the moderating role of slack resources and competitive intensity in facilitating this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected 202 publicly listed Thai manufacturing firms' data using questionnaire survey and firms' financial statements, and this research employed hierarchical moderating regression analyses to test hypotheses.

Findings

Results demonstrate that GPRIP negatively influences the FFR. Competitive intensity reinforces the negative relationship between GPRIP and FFR, whereas organizational slack has an unfavorable moderating effect, i.e. firms with ample organizational slack are less likely to reduce their financial risk from higher GPRIP.

Originality/value

The research model contributes to an ongoing debate on “does it pay to be green?” by providing a thorough understanding of GPRIP and FFR relationship, as to the authors' best knowledge, no work to date has examined this relationship. This research also sets out the boundary conditions of the GRPIP and FFR relationship and highlights the critical role of firm-specific condition, i.e. slack resource and market condition, i.e. competitive intensity to reap higher financial benefits from GPRIP.
Pandemic waves, government response, and bank stock returns: evidence from 36 countries
Authors: Bales Stephan , Burghof Hans-Peter
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on bank stock returns over various time scales and frequencies for 36 countries. Moreover, the authors look at the governments' responses to the corona crisis and examine its impact on bank stock returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies continuous wavelet transformation to obtain robust estimates of the co-movement (coherency) between confirmed cases and bank stock returns over time and at different time scales. Furthermore, the authors apply fixed effects panel regression to examine the response of bank stocks to domestic COVID-19 policies.

Findings

The results indicate that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases negatively impacts bank stock returns during different waves of the pandemic in the medium-run. However, there is only little dependence in the very short-run. Moreover, bank stock returns positively react to domestic COVID-19 polices. This demonstrates that governmental interventions not only reduce the spread of COVID-19 but are also able to thereby calm financial markets.

Originality/value

The application of wavelet methods to the field of economics and finance is relatively recent and allows the distinction between short-term and long-term effects. Standard econometric methods, in contrast, only operate within the time domain. This paper combines wavelet methods with conventional econometrics to answer the research question.
Value co-creation or value co-destruction: co-production and its double-sided effect
Authors: Wu Li-Wei , Rouyer Ellen , Wang Chung-Yu
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Co-production is an important process that alters value creation and improves the relationships between service providers and their customers. Such practice allows customers and service employees to access and leverage resources residing in their relationships. Clearly, the marketing-related literature focuses on the bright side of co-production. Nevertheless, the costs and potential negative consequences associated with its dark side must be further investigated. Therefore, this study aims to present a conceptual framework that explores the relationships among co-production, co-production enjoyment, co-production intensity, service effort, and job stress, and their effects on value co-creation, value co-destruction and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted on the basis of dyadic data; the process incorporates both the customer and the corresponding service employee into a single unit of analysis. The proposed model was tested by using a structural equation model that involves LISREL analyses.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that co-production influences co-production enjoyment, co-production intensity, service effort, and job stress. Co-production enjoyment and service effort increase value co-creation, whereas co-production intensity and job stress increase value co-destruction. Value co-creation and value co-destruction have different effects on customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gap in the extant research and contributes to a better understanding of the double-sided effects of co-production by integrating employees and customers into a single dyadic and comprehensive model.
Active political engagement, political patronage and local labour markets – The example of Shkoder
Authors: Drishti Elvisa , Kopliku Bresena , Imami Drini
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the effects of active political engagement in port-of-entry jobs and employment pathways for graduate students in a post-communist context which is characterized by clientelism. The data are derived from a structured survey of a small local labour market where political clientelism is pronounced due to the strong network ties. Controlling for both demand and supply factors, the authors identify a profile for those who are more prone to engage politically in exchange for public sector jobs, which are in turn vulnerable to regime changes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from a sample of 191 students that records month-to-month employment states for three consecutive years (2012–2014). The method attempts to replicate an experimental design with repeated measures before and after the June 2013 government elections. The data is analysed using sequence analysis with optimal matching and difference-in-difference methods.

Findings

The analysis provides evidence of links between political engagement and selection onto different employment pathways under conditions of political clientelism. The pathways themselves are also shown to be differentially impacted by the 2013 election (positively or negatively). Together, these results are supportive of claims that jobs in Albania, particularly those in the public sector, are linked to the short-term presence of vote-buying. This is shown to be the case even for this sample of educated members of the labour force (i.e. university graduates). The analysis also finds evidence of accumulative disadvantages over time, in relation to subjective perceptions of life satisfaction, migration intentions, employability and success in life, as a result of active political engagement.

Originality/value

The study uses a unique data set and a novel methodological approach, sequence analysis. Occupational history calendars were used to capture quantitative information recording detailed work histories. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this innovative method has not been used before to measure the temporal effects of political engagement on employment pathways.
The dual impetus for perceived brand globalness and brand competence in a rapidly changing environment: the role of Brand-Nation Connection
Authors: He Jiaxun , Ge Jiaye
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how brand innovativeness and national traditions influence perceived brand globalness and brand competence by affecting Brand-Nation Connection (BNC) in the changing world.

Design/methodology/approach

Besides the study of the development and validation of the BNC construct, this paper conducts two studies that use eight global brands from different categories to test hypotheses.

Findings

Two empirical studies show that brand innovativeness and national traditions have positive effects on BNC. Furthermore, technological turbulence moderates the impact of brand innovativeness on BNC, and cultural change moderates the relationship between national traditions and BNC. Meanwhile, BNC is an important determinant of perceived brand globalness, and both BNC and perceived brand globalness positively influence brand competence, with the former exerting a stronger effect.

Practical implications

The findings highlight that in the changing world, the coexistence of brand innovation and cultural traditions through strategic management is essential for brand competence. They also provide guidelines for emerging global brands to incorporate nation-related cues and global signals in their brand positioning to reinforce brand competence.

Originality/value

This study contributes to understanding how brand innovation and cultural traditions create value for emerging global brands in a rapidly changing environment. It also provides implications regarding how BNC helps emerging market brands to go global, and it presents a new understanding that both nation-level brand status and perceived brand globalness are signals that convey brand competence.
The impact of mixed syndication between government and private venture capital on investees in Estonia
Authors: Kirihata Tetsuya
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The study compares the impacts of mixed syndication venture capital (VC) investment and private VC (PVC) investment on the transitional performance indicators of intangible assets, fixed assets, liabilities and number of employees in Estonia. It also examines the impact of mixed syndication on investees' sales and profit.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted panel data regression analyses based on the dataset consists of yearly data from 2006 to 2015 for more than 187,000 unlisted firms in Estonia.

Findings

Results showed that mixed syndication had a significant positive effect on the number of employees of investees but not on investees' sales and profit. PVC investment had a significant positive effect on investee sales but not on the transitional performance indicators of investees.

Originality/value

The study has two unique research contributions. First, it investigates the impact of syndicated investment on investees' transitional performance indicators in addition to performance indicators. Second, it focuses on Estonia, an emerging country that has somewhat achieved success in fostering information and communications technology startups and is one of the earliest emerging countries to implement a mixed syndication VC investment policy.