bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decade of Patient Experience Improvement at a Tertiary Care Urban Hospital
Authors: Eamranond Alyssa , Rodis John F. , Richard Kimberlee E. , Safer Amanda , Kunupakaphun Schawan , Grey Michael R. , Eamranond Pracha Peter
Published: October 2021

Background and Objective:

The purpose of this quality management study was to demonstrate how one hospital made a journey from average patient experience to become a regional leader in the experience of patient care for nationally recognized quality and safety metrics.

Methods:

Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center (SFHMC) located in Hartford, Connecticut, serves a diverse sociodemographic community as part of Trinity Health. “Recommend the Hospital” (RTH) has been the main marker of patient experience at SFHMC and Trinity Health across the United States as part of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). From 2010 to 2019, SFHMC implemented unit-based rounding hospital-wide, adopting charge nurse and executive leadership rounding as standard work. The intense support from senior leadership spurred the implementation of these changes across middle management and all frontline workers. The t test was used to determine differences between the mean RTH scores between SFHMC, Connecticut, and the United States.

Results:

Patient experience at SFHMC was regularly assessed by Press Ganey surveys and HCAHPS, which demonstrated higher scores than averages for the state of Connecticut and the United States between 2010 and 2019 (both Ps < .001). SFHMC was the top performer with an RTH score of 83%, with the state average being 71% and the national average being 72%. In the years following the implementation of a multipronged low-cost strategy, hospital RTH scores rose linearly from the state and national average. SFHMC observed gains in patient safety and quality scores as measured by national benchmarks, including Leapfrog patient safety scores of 7 A's and 1 B over a 4-year period. SFHMC was the only hospital in Connecticut to receive an A grade 4 years in a row.

Conclusion:

A combination of nurse-led, unit-based rounding and executive team rounding with a consistent focus on patient experience resulted in significant improvement in RTH scores for a busy teaching urban hospital, with only a modest investment of resources. There was also improvement in quality and safety outcomes, which together with patient experience of care drove fiscal stability in an increasingly value-based health care environment.
Metrics of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Implementation Before and After a Multidisciplinary Task Force at an Academic Institution
Authors: Liu Peter , Stewart Leslie , Short William R. , Koenig Helen
Published: October 2021

Background and Objectives:

There is a paucity of guidance on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation in an academic medical center. The objectives of this study were to describe interventions by a multidisciplinary PrEP task force at an academic medical center and compare metrics of PrEP implementation pre- and post-creation of this entity.

Methods:

The interventions of the task force are described within the rubric of the PrEP care continuum. Participants were adults prescribed PrEP for greater than or equal to 30 days at 9 clinical sites across a university health system. Metrics of PrEP implementation were compared over 12-month intervals before and after the creation of the task force.

Results:

An increased proportion of participants had HIV testing within 7 days of new PrEP prescriptions (92% vs 63%, P < .001) and were prescribed PrEP in increments of 90 days or shorter (74% vs 56%, P < .001) after the creation of the task force. There were higher rates of testing for bacterial sexually transmitted infections in men who had sex with men and transgender women in the post-intervention compared with pre-intervention period.

Conclusions:

A multidisciplinary team that focuses on optimizing PrEP delivery along each step of the care continuum may facilitate PrEP scale-up and best practices in an academic setting.
Unusual Increased Blood Pool Activity on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in a Patient With Metastatic Neuroendocrine Disease
Authors: Sharma Akash , Navaz Anem J. , Pandey Mukesh K. , Parent Ephraim E.
Published: October 2021

68Ga-DOTATATE is a well-established, positron-emitting, somatostatin receptor–binding radiopharmaceutical. We present an unusual case of transiently increased blood pool uptake of 68Ga-DOTATATE in a patient with well-differentiated stage IV neuroendocrine tumor, with Ki-67 <2% (WHO grade 1) maintained on lanreotide. During serial 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT examinations, increased blood pool accumulation of presumably unbound 68Ga was demonstrated, which could impact the Kenning score and lead to a false treatment response assessment.
Increased 68Ga-FAPI Uptake in Sacral Chordoma
Authors: Yang Xiao , Mou Chunru , Wang Yong , Liu Huipan , Chen Yue
Published: October 2021

A 47-year-old woman presented with low back pain for 2 months. Her CT scan showed a soft tissue mass in S3 to S4 vertebral bodies. The patient was subsequently enrolled in our 68Ga-FAPI clinical trial on tumors (ChiCTR2100044131). Increased tracer uptake was noted in the sacrum. Postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of sacral chordoma accordingly.
Closed-Incision Negative Pressure Therapy Decreases Wound Morbidity in Open Abdominal Wall Reconstruction With Concomitant Panniculectomy
Authors: Ayuso Sullivan A. , Elhage Sharbel A. , Okorji Leslie M. , Kercher Kent W. , Colavita Paul D. , Heniford B. Todd , Augenstein Vedra A.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) with concomitant panniculectomy (CP) may be at higher risk for wound complications due to the need for large incisions and tissue undermining. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of closed-incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) decreases wound complications in AWR patients undergoing CP.

Methods

Beginning in February 2018, all patients at this institution who underwent AWR with CP received ciNPT. These patients were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. A standard dressing (non-NPT) group was then created in a 1:1 fashion by identifying patients who had AWR with CP immediately before the beginning of ciNPT use (2016–2018). A univariate comparison was made between the ciNPT and non-NPT groups. The primary outcome was wound complication rate; however, other perioperative outcomes, such as requirement for reoperation, were also tracked. Standard statistical methods and logistic regression were used.

Results

In total, 134 patients met criteria, with 67 patients each in the ciNPT and non-NPT groups. When comparing patients in the ciNPT and non-NPT groups, they were demographically similar, including body mass index, smoking, and diabetes (P < 0.05). Hernias was large on average (289.5 ± 158.2 vs 315.3 ± 197.3 cm2, P = 0.92) and predominantly recurrent (58.5% vs 72.6%, P = 0.14). Wound complications were much lower in the ciNPT group (15.6% vs 35.5%, P = 0.01), which was mainly driven by a decrease in superficial wound breakdown (3.1% vs 19.7%, P < 0.01). Patients in the ciNPT group were less likely to require a return trip to the operating room for wound complications (0.0% vs 13.3%, P < 0.01). In logistic regression, the use of ciNPT continued to correlate with reduced wound complication rates (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

In AWR with CP, the use of ciNPT significantly decreased the risk of postoperative wound complications, particularly superficial wound breakdown, and lessened the need for wound-related reoperation.
Emergency general surgery transfer to lower acuity facility: The role of right-sizing care in emergency general surgery regionalization
Authors: Baimas-George Maria , Schiffern Lynnette , Yang Hongmei , Paton Lauren , Barbat Selwan , Matthews Brent , Reinke Caroline E.
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Regionalization of emergency general surgery (EGS) has primarily focused on expediting care of high acuity patients through interfacility transfers. In contrast, triaging low-risk patients to a nondesignated trauma facility has not been evaluated. This study evaluates a 16-month experience of a five-surgeon team triaging EGS patients at a tertiary care, Level I trauma center (TC) to an affiliated community hospital 1.3 miles away.

METHODS

All EGS patients who presented to the Level I TC emergency department from January 2020 to April 2021 were analyzed. Patients were screened by EGS surgeons covering both facilities for transfer appropriateness including hemodynamics, resource need, and comorbidities. Patients were retrospectively evaluated for disposition, diagnosis, comorbidities, length of stay, surgical intervention, and 30-day mortality and readmission.

RESULTS

Of 987 patients reviewed, 31.5% were transferred to the affiliated community hospital, 16.1% were discharged home from the emergency department, and 52.4% were admitted to the Level I TC. Common diagnoses were biliary disease (16.8%), bowel obstruction (15.7%), and appendicitis (14.3%). Compared with Level I TC admissions, Charlson Comorbidity Index was lower (1.89 vs. 4.45, p < 0.001) and length of stay was shorter (2.23 days vs. 5.49 days, p < 0.001) for transfers. Transfers had a higher rate of surgery (67.5% vs. 50.1%, p < 0.001) and lower readmission and mortality (8.4% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.004; 0.6% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.001). Reasons not to transfer were emergency evaluation, comorbidity burden, operating room availability, and established care. No transfers required transfer back to higher care (under-triage). Bed days saved at the Level I TC were 693 (591 inpatients). Total operating room minutes saved were 24,008 (16,919, between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm).

CONCLUSION

Transfer of appropriate patients maintains high quality care and outcomes, while improving operating room and bed capacity and resource utilization at a tertiary care, Level I TC. Emergency general surgery regionalization should consider triage of both high-risk and low-risk patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prospective comparative cohort study, Level II.
Two classes of functional connectivity in dynamical processes in networks
Authors: Voutsa Venetia , Battaglia Demian , Bracken Louise J. , Brovelli Andrea , Costescu Julia , Díaz Muñoz Mario , Fath Brian D. , Funk Andrea , Guirro Mel , Hein Thomas , Kerschner Christian , Kimmich Christian , Lima Vinicius , Messé Arnaud , Parsons Anthony J. , Perez John , Pöppl Ronald , Prell Christina , Recinos Sonia , Shi Yanhua , Tiwari Shubham , Turnbull Laura , Wainwright John , Waxenecker Harald , Hütt Marc-Thorsten
Published: October 2021

The relationship between network structure and dynamics is one of the most extensively investigated problems in the theory of complex systems of recent years. Understanding this relationship is of relevance to a range of disciplines—from neuroscience to geomorphology. A major strategy of investigating this relationship is the quantitative comparison of a representation of network architecture (structural connectivity, SC) with a (network) representation of the dynamics (functional connectivity, FC). Here, we show that one can distinguish two classes of functional connectivity—one based on simultaneous activity (co-activity) of nodes, the other based on sequential activity of nodes. We delineate these two classes in different categories of dynamical processes—excitations, regular and chaotic oscillators—and provide examples for SC/FC correlations of both classes in each of these models. We expand the theoretical view of the SC/FC relationships, with conceptual instances of the SC and the two classes of FC for various application scenarios in geomorphology, ecology, systems biology, neuroscience and socio-ecological systems. Seeing the organisation of dynamical processes in a network either as governed by co-activity or by sequential activity allows us to bring some order in the myriad of observations relating structure and function of complex networks.
Flight efficiency is a key to diverse wing morphologies in small insects
Authors: Engels Thomas , Kolomenskiy Dmitry , Lehmann Fritz-Olaf
Published: October 2021

Insect wings are hybrid structures that are typically composed of veins and solid membranes. In some of the smallest flying insects, however, the wing membrane is replaced by hair-like bristles attached to a solid root. Bristles and membranous wing surfaces coexist in small but not in large insect species. There is no satisfying explanation for this finding as aerodynamic force production is always smaller in bristled than solid wings. This computational study suggests that the diversity of wing structure in small insects results from aerodynamic efficiency rather than from the requirements to produce elevated forces for flight. The tested wings vary from fully membranous to sparsely bristled and were flapped around a wing root with lift- and drag-based wing kinematic patterns and at different Reynolds numbers (Re). The results show that the decrease in aerodynamic efficiency with decreasing surface solidity is significantly smaller atRe= 4 thanRe= 57. A replacement of wing membrane by bristles thus causes less change in energetic costs for flight in small compared to large insects. As a consequence, small insects may fly with bristled and solid wing surfaces at similar efficacy, while larger insects must use membranous wings for an efficient production of flight forces. The above findings are significant for the biological fitness and dispersal of insects that fly at elevated energy expenditures.
Moving conferences online: lessons learned from an international virtual meeting
Authors: Stefanoudis Paris V. , Biancani Leann M. , Cambronero-Solano Sergio , Clark Malcolm R. , Copley Jonathan T. , Easton Erin , Elmer Franziska , Haddock Steven H. D. , Herrera Santiago , Iglesias Ilysa S. , Quattrini Andrea M. , Sigwart Julia , Yesson Chris , Glover Adrian G.
Published: October 2021

We consider the opportunities and challenges associated with organizing a conference online, using a case study of a medium-sized (approx. 400 participants) international conference held virtually in August 2020. In addition, we present quantifiable evidence of the participants' experience using the results from an online post-conference questionnaire. Although the virtual meeting was not able to replicate the in-person experience in some aspects (e.g. less engagement between participants) the overwhelming majority of respondents found the meeting an enjoyable experience and would join similar events again. Notably, there was a strong desire for future in-person meetings to have at least some online component. Online attendance by lower-income researchers was higher compared with a past, similar-themed in-person meeting held in a high-income nation, but comparable to one held in an upper-middle-income nation. This indicates that online conferences are not a panacea for diversity and inclusivity, and that holding in-person meetings in developing economies can be at least as effective. Given that it is now relatively easy to stream contents of meetings online using low-cost methods, there are clear benefits in making all presented content accessible online, as well as organizing online networking events for those unable to attend in person.
Description of antibiotic-producing novel bacteria Paraburkholderia antibiotica sp. nov. and Paraburkholderia polaris sp. nov.
Authors: Dahal Ram Hari , Kim Jungmin , Chaudhary Dhiraj Kumar , Kim Dong-Uk , Kim Jaisoo
Published: October 2021

Two white colony-forming, Gram-stain-negative, non-sporulating and motile bacteria, designated G-4-1-8T and RP-4-7T, were isolated from forest soil and Arctic soil, respectively. Both strains showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative pathogens (

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

and

Escherichia coli

) and could grow at a pH range of pH 4.0–11.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–9.0). Phylogenetic analyses based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains G-4-1-8T and RP-4-7T formed a lineage within the family

Burkholderiaceae

and were clustered as members of the genus

Paraburkholderia

. Strain G-4-1-8T showed the highest 16S rRNA sequence similarity to

Paraburkholderia monticola

JC2948T (98.1 %), while strain RP-4-7T showed the highest similarity to

Paraburkholderia metrosideri

DNBP6-1T (98.8 %). The only respiratory quinone in both strains was ubiquinone Q-8. Their principal cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, cyclo-C17 : 0, summed feature 3 (iso-C15 :0 2-OH and/or C16 :1
ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c). Their major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The DNA G+C content of strains G-4-1-8T and RP-4-7T were 63.7 and 61.3 mol%, respectively, while their genome lengths were 7.44 and 9.67 Mb, respectively. The genomes of both strains showed at least 12 putative biosynthetic gene clusters. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness values between both strains and most closely related

Paraburkholderia

species were below the species threshold values. Based on a polyphasic study, these isolated strains represent novel species belonging to the genus

Paraburkholderia

, for which the names Paraburkholderia antibiotica sp. nov. (G-4-1-8T= KACC 21617T=NBRC 114603T) and Paraburkholderia polaris sp. nov. (RP-4-7T=KACC 21621T=NBRC 114605T) are proposed.
Trichococcus shcherbakoviae subsp. psychrophilus subsp. nov., a psychrotolerant facultative anaerobe isolated from a cold spring
Authors: Zakharyuk Anastasiya , Valyshev Alexander , Plotnikov Andrey , Kopitsyn Dmitry , Suzina Nataliya , Shcherbakova Viktoria
Published: October 2021

A psychrotolerant facultative anaerobe, strain SKBGT, was isolated from the bottom sediments of the cold mineral spring Buxichen (Buryatia, Russia). Gram-positive non-motile cocci with a diameter of 1.75–2.5 µm were observed singly or in long chains. Cells grew in the temperature range from ̶ 5–35 °C. Growth was observed within the pH range of 7.0–9.5, with the optimum growth at pH 7.6 and at a NaCl concentration from 0–1.0 % (optimum 0.1 % (w/v)). Strain SKBGT was a chemoorganoheterotroph that used sugars and some organic acids as substrates. The predominant fatty acids in cell walls were С16:1ω9, С18:1ω9, and С16 : 0. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain SKBGT shared high similarity (>99 %) with those of the type strains of the genus

Trichococcus

. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain SKBGT and

Trichococcus shcherbakoviae

ArtT (=DSM 107162T=VKM B-3260T) were 70.1 and 95.4 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SKBGT was 47.1 mol%. Compared with the type strain of

T. shcherbakoviae

, the new strain was characterized by a temperature optimum for growth (10 °C) significantly lower than that of

T. shcherbakoviae

DSM 107162T (20–30 °C). Based on phenotypic and genomic characteristics, the isolate SKBGT was classified as

T. shcherbakoviae

subsp. psychrophilus subsp. nov. The type strain is SKBGT (=VKM B-3241Т=JCM 33326T).
Long-range regulatory effects of Neandertal DNA in modern humans
Authors: Yermakovich Danat , Pankratov Vasili , Võsa Urmo , Yunusbayev Bayazit ,   Estonian Biobank Research Team, Dannemann Michael
Published: October 2021

The admixture between modern humans and Neandertals has resulted in ∼2% of the genomes of present-day non-Africans being composed of Neandertal DNA. Association studies have shown that introgressed DNA significantly influences phenotypic variation in people today and that several of the phenotype-associated archaic variants had links to expression regulation as well. In general, introgressed DNA has been demonstrated to significantly affect the transcriptomic landscape in people today. However, little is known about how much of that impact is mediated through long-range regulatory effects that have been shown to explain ∼20% of expression variation.

Here we identified 60 transcription factors (TFs) with their top cis-eQTL SNP being of Neandertal ancestry in GTEx and predicted long-range Neandertal DNA-induced regulatory effects by screening for the predicted target genes of those TFs. We show that genes in regions devoid of Neandertal DNA are enriched among the target genes of some of these TFs. Furthermore, archaic cis-eQTLs for these TFs included multiple candidates for local adaptation and have associations with various immune traits, schizophrenia, blood cell type composition and anthropometric measures. Finally, we show that our results can be replicated in empirical trans-eQTLs with Neandertal variants.

Our results suggest that the regulatory reach of Neandertal DNA goes beyond the 40% of genomic sequence that it still covers in present-day non-Africans and that via this mechanism Neandertal DNA additionally influences the phenotypic variation in people today.
How development affects evolution
Authors: González-Forero Mauricio
Published: October 2021

Natural selection acts on developmentally constructed phenotypes, but how does development affect evolution? This question calls for simultaneous consideration of development and evolution. However, there has been a lack of general mathematical frameworks mechanistically integrating the two, which may have inhibited progress on the question. Here we use a new mathematical framework that mechanistically integrates development into evolution to analyse how development affects evolution. We show that, whilst selection pushes genotypic and phenotypic evolution up the fitness landscape, development determines the admissible evolutionary pathway, such that evolutionary outcomes occur at path peaks rather than landscape peaks. Changes in development can generate path peaks, triggering genotypic or phenotypic diversification, even on constant, single-peak landscapes. Phenotypic plasticity, niche construction, extra-genetic inheritance, and developmental bias alter the evolutionary path and hence the outcome. Thus, extra-genetic inheritance can have permanent evolutionary effects by changing the developmental constraints, even if extra-genetically acquired elements are not transmitted to future generations. Selective development, whereby phenotype construction points in the adaptive direction, may induce adaptive or maladaptive evolution depending on the developmental constraints. Moreover, developmental propagation of phenotypic effects over age enables the evolution of negative senescence. Overall, we find that development plays a major evolutionary role.
CPExtract, a Software for the Automated Tracer-Based Pathway Specific Screening of Secondary Metabolites in LC-HRMS Data
Authors: Seidl Bernhard , Schuhmacher Rainer , Bueschl Christoph
Published: October 2021

The use of stable isotopically labeled tracers is a long-proven way of specifically detecting and tracking derived metabolites through a metabolic network of interest. While recently developed stable isotope assisted methods and associated, supporting data analysis tools have greatly improved untargeted metabolomics approaches, no software tool is currently available that allows to automatically search LC-HRMS chromatograms for completely free user-definable isotopolog patterns expected for the metabolism of labeled tracer substances.

Here we present Custom Pattern Extract (CPExtract), a versatile software tool that allows for the first time the high-through-put search for user-defined isotopolog patterns in LC-HRMS data. The patterns can be specified via a set of rules including the presence or absence of certain isotopologs, their relative intensity ratios as well as chromatographic co-elution. Each isotopolog pattern satisfying the respective rules is verified on a MS-scan level and also in the chromatographic domain. The CPExtract algorithm allows the use of both labeled tracer compounds in non-labeled biological samples as well as a reversed tracer approach, employing non-labeled tracer compounds along with globally labeled biological samples.

In a proof of concept study we searched for metabolites specifically arising from the malonate pathway of the filamentous fungi Fusarium graminearum and Trichoderma reesei. 1,2,3-13C3-malonic acid diethyl ester and native malonic acid monomethyl ester were used as tracers. We were able to reliably detect expected fatty acids and known polyketides. In addition, up to 189 and 270 further, unknown metabolites presumably including novel polyketides were detected in the F. graminearum and T. reesei culture samples respectively, all of which exhibited the user-predicted isotopolog patterns originating from the malonate tracer incorporation.

The software can be used for every conceivable tracer approach. Furthermore, the rule sets can be easily adapted or extended if necessary. CPExtract is available free of charge for non-commercial use at https://metabolomics-ifa.boku.ac.at/CPExtract.
Soil viral communities are structured by pH at local and global scales
Authors: Lee Sungeun , Sorensen Jackson W. , Walker Robin L. , Emerson Joanne B. , Nicol Graeme W. , Hazard Christina
Published: October 2021

Viruses shape microbial community structures, impacting metabolic pathways and influencing biogeochemical cycles. Despite their importance, the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on viral community structures across environmental gradients in soil is relatively unknown compared to their prokaryotic hosts. While soil pH strongly influences microbial community structure, it is unclear whether there is a similar influence on soil virus communities. In this study, prokaryotic and viral communities were characterized in soils sampled from the extremes of a long-term pH-manipulated soil gradient (pH 4.5 and 7.5), and viral populations were compared to those in a variety of soil ecosystems ranging in pH (4.0 – 7.5). Prokaryotic and viral community structure were significantly influenced by soil pH at the local scale. Of 1,910 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), 99% were restricted to pH 4.5 or 7.5 soil only. These were compared in gene sharing networks of populations from six other European and North American soil systems. A selection of viral clusters from acidic and neutral pH soils were more associated with those from the local gradient pH 4.5 or 7.5 soils, respectively. Results indicate that as with prokaryotes, soil pH is a factor structuring viral communities at the local and global scale.
Advanced X-ray imaging at beamline 07 of the SAGA Light Source
Authors: Yoneyama Akio , Takeya Satoshi , Lwin Thet Thet , Takamatsu Daiko , Baba Rika , Konishi Kumiko , Fujita Ryusei , Kobayashi Keisuke , Shima Akio , Kawamoto Masahide , Setoyama Hiroyuki , Ishiji Kotaro , Seno Yoshiki
Published: October 2021

The SAGA Light Source provides X-ray imaging resources based on high-intensity synchrotron radiation (SR) emitted from the superconducting wiggler at beamline 07 (BL07). By combining quasi-monochromatic SR obtained by the newly installed water-cooled metal filter and monochromatic SR selected by a Ge double-crystal monochromator (DCM) with high-resolution lens-coupled X-ray imagers, fast and low-dose micro-computed tomography (CT), fast phase-contrast CT using grating-based X-ray interferometry, and 2D micro-X-ray absorption fine structure analysis can be performed. In addition, by combining monochromatic SR obtained by a Si DCM with large-area fiber-coupled X-ray imagers, high-sensitivity phase-contrast CT using crystal-based X-ray interferometry can be performed. Low-temperature CT can be performed using the newly installed cryogenic system, and time-resolved analysis of the crystallinity of semiconductor devices in operation can be performed using a time-resolved topography system. The details of each instrument and imaging method, together with exemplary measurements, are presented.
Adaptive feedforward control of closed orbit distortion caused by fast helicity-switching undulators
Authors: Masaki Mitsuhiro , Maesaka Hirokazu , Soutome Kouichi , Takano Shiro , Watanabe Takahiro , Kubota Kouji , Fujita Takahiro , Dewa Hideki , Fukui Toru , Sugimoto Takashi , Takeuchi Masao , Tanaka Hitoshi
Published: October 2021

A new correction algorithm for closed orbit distortion based on an adaptive feedforward control (AFC) has been developed. At SPring-8, two helicity-switching twin-helical undulators (THUs) had been implemented with conventional feedforward corrections. However, the validity of these corrections turned out to be expiring due to unforeseen variation in the error magnetic fields with time. The developed AFC system has been applied to the THUs dynamically updating the feedforward table without stopping the helicity switching amid user experiments. The error sources in the two THUs are successfully resolved and corrected even while the two THUs are switching simultaneously with the same repetition period. The actual operation of the new AFC system enables us to keep the orbit variations suppressed with an accuracy at the sub-micrometre level in a transparent way for light source users.
Motivations, self-congruity and restaurant innovativeness as antecedents of a creative-food tourism experience: the moderating effect of first-time and repeat tourists
Authors: Gómez-Rico Mar , Molina-Collado Arturo , Santos-Vijande María Leticia , Bilgihan Anil
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the drivers of a creative food tourism experience (CFTE) and its effect on the tourists' perceived authenticity and satisfaction. Specifically, this study captures the importance to explain a CFTE of two sets of stimuli: internal stimuli, including push motivations for food travel (i.e. emotional, cultural and social) and the tourist self-congruity (i.e. actual and ideal) with the chosen food establishment; and external stimuli, referred to the pull motivation exerted by restaurant innovativeness.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are obtained through a questionnaire completed by 407 food tourists who have traveled to visit a creative restaurant. The research model is tested using structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Results confirm the relevance of emotional and social motivations to enjoy a CFTE and the need to align the target tourists' self-concept and restaurant positioning. The most vital driver of the CFTE is the restaurant innovativeness, which suggests that entrepreneurship in gastronomy is critical to boosting food tourism.

Originality/value

This study expands the understanding of the role of food tourism motivations and self-congruity in the tourist experience and underlines the relevance of the restaurant's production process to create authentic and compelling experiences that improve the tourists' satisfaction. Moderation analysis considering the tourists' previous experience reveals that cultural motivations only exert a positive effect on the CFTE for first-time travelers. However, self-congruity is the strongest predictor of a CFTE for repeat travelers.
Contextual antecedents of job crafting: review and future research agenda
Authors: Park Sunyoung , Park Sohee
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to critically review current studies on job crafting to identify contextual factors related to employees’ job crafting and to integrate the findings to help organizations improve employees’ job crafting.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the guidelines provided by Torraco (2016), the authors reviewed 44 quantitative studies on job crafting published between 2001and 2020.

Findings

The authors identified 35 contextual antecedents of job crafting at the job (11), group (6), leadership (12) and organizational (6) levels. The findings reveal that a significant number of studies have focused on contextual aspects related to employees’ job crafting. In particular, multiple studies discussed the important role of empowering leadership, servant leadership, transformational leadership, leader-member exchange in job crafting.

Originality/value

The authors emphasize contextual factors influencing job crafting including job, group, leadership and organizational levels. Based on the review, the authors suggest a future research agenda on job crafting in terms of job, group, leadership and organizational antecedents.
Logistics service providers' energy efficiency initiatives for environmental sustainability
Authors: Wehner Jessica , Taghavi Nejad Deilami Naghmeh , Altuntas Vural Ceren , Halldórsson Árni
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper discusses logistics service providers' (LSPs’) energy efficiency initiatives for sustainable development, both from an evolutionary perspective and based on a framework consisting of actions, processes (i.e. at the operations interface) and services (i.e. at the customer interface).

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with sustainability managers at LSPs and the data were analysed via inductive coding. Based on the results and the literature, the authors developed a maturity model for LSPs' transitions to environmental sustainability.

Findings

LSPs' sustainable development occurs via operational processes, services at the customer interface, and actions that support those processes and services. Energy efficiency efforts are characterised by process depth that helps LSPs to align with their customers' energy efficiency improvement processes. While services related to energy efficiency connect LSPs and their customers, actions in support vary depending on the logistics activities in which LSPs participate.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to test and verify the maturity model and to clarify the interdependency of its three dimensions.

Practical implications

By categorising energy efficiency initiatives and proposing a maturity model for LSPs' sustainable development via energy efficiency, the authors have developed a tool for logistics actors to assess their progress towards improved sustainability.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by providing a three-pillar framework to understand the sustainability transitions of LSPs through energy efficiency. Developing a maturity model using this framework also contributes to the literature with an approach to assess sustainability advancement in the logistics industry.
Female directors’ monitoring and earnings quality: the moderating effect of political connections and family ownership
Authors: Tee Chwee Ming , Kasipillai Jeyapalan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether the monitoring effectiveness of female directors in corporate boards is moderated by political connections and family ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a Malaysian dataset of listed firms from 2005 to 2015. The ordinary least squares model (OLS) is used to test all the research questions.

Findings

The authors find that female directors' monitoring is associated with higher earnings quality. This implies effective monitoring by female board directors. However, the monitoring effectiveness by female directors is attenuated by political connections; consistent with the argument that politically connected firms (PCFs) are plagued by severe agency problems. On the other hand, the association between female directors and higher earnings quality is strengthened by family ownership, indicating less severe type 1 agency problem.

Originality/value

This study is the first to show that the monitoring capability of female board directors is significantly influenced by a country's institutional setting. Although prior studies find that higher proportion of female directors is associated with higher earnings quality; the findings suggest that institutional setting such as political connections (family ownership) attenuate (strengthen) the monitoring effectiveness of female directors in the corporate board.
Hide and seek – the role of personality, sense of coherence and experiential information in hidden information needs
Authors: Heinström Jannica , Nikou Shahrokh , Sormunen Eero
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of personality traits and sense of coherence (SOC) on concealing information needs out of shame. The study also investigates the link between concealed information needs and the use of experiential information for psychological wellbeing.

Design/methodology/approach

A Partial Least Square ‐ Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach is used to assess and analyse the proposed conceptual model, which is based on the responses of 412 upper secondary school students.

Findings

The findings reveal that personality traits not only have direct significant effects on concealing information needs but that their effects are also mediated by SOC. The positive relationship between concealed information needs and the use of experiential information is confirmed in the study.

Originality/value

This study is the first to show that personality and SOC influence concealing information needs. Two pathways are found. Firstly, negative emotionality and a low SOC lead to a heightened sense of shame. Secondly, introversion induces a more guarded behaviour. The study, moreover, quantitatively demonstrates a link between concealed information needs and the use of experiential information for psychological wellbeing.
Firm age, sales growth and survival of internationalized SMEs: does human capital play a role?
Authors: Santhosh Channappa
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the moderating effect of human capital in the form of a CEO’s educational background and firm age at the time of internationalization on growth and survival.

Design/methodology/approach

The research study is based on primary data gathered from 102 internationalized small and medium enterprises (SMEs) belonging to the engineering industry in Bangalore district, Karnataka, India.

Findings

The results reveal that human capital significantly improves sales growth but had no impact on the survival of internationalized SMEs.

Practical implications

The paper includes practical implications for the CEOs of SMEs to successfully strategize their efforts towards growth and survival in the international market.

Originality/value

This research study enhances the importance of human capital and its impact on the growth and survival of internationalized SMEs in the context of an emerging economy where research studies are limited and largely unexplored till date.
Governance thresholds and the human capital–growth nexus
Authors: Apergis Nicholas , Mustafa Ghulam , Khan Muhammad
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The literature that explores the relationship between human capital and economic growth has produced mixed results. It highlights the puzzle on the correlations between human capital and economic growth. This study contributes to this debate by offering an explanation of the puzzling effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the threshold model proposed by Kremer et al. (2013), the results document that there is a threshold effect in the human capital–growth nexus.

Findings

The findings illustrate that the relationship between human capital and economic growth is weakly positive up to a certain threshold level of governance; however, the relationship turns out to be positive once the threshold level has been achieved.

Originality/value

The mixed evidence on the human capital–growth relationship can be explained through institutional quality differences. The findings recommend that better governance is complementary to contribute to the productive use of human capital in achieving higher economic growth.
Real exchange rate synchronization in the NAFTA region
Authors: Baghestani Hamid
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The literature mostly investigates the impact of trade and financial integration on business cycle synchronization. The author differs by focusing on the real effective exchange rate as the target variable in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) region. In particular, the author investigates synchronization by analyzing the short- and long-run dynamics of the real effective exchange rates of Canada, Mexico and the US for 2008–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The author first employs stationarity and cointegration tests to specify and estimate the long-run equilibrium relation between the real effective exchange rates of Canada, Mexico and the US. The author then specifies and estimates an error-correction model for each real effective exchange rate in order to investigate whether the adjustment in eliminating disequilibrium is asymmetric.

Findings

The results indicate that the real effective exchange rates of Canada, Mexico and the US are cointegrated with only one long-run equilibrium relation. Canada's real effective exchange rate responds symmetrically to eliminate both negative and positive disequilibrium with a similar speed of adjustment. However, the response of Mexico's real effective exchange rate is asymmetric, as it responds to eliminate only positive disequilibrium. The US real effective exchange rate does not respond to disequilibrium, perhaps because it has a large economy with much stronger competition beyond the NAFTA region than both Canada and Mexico.

Originality/value

This is the first study that investigates real effective exchange rate synchronization in the NAFTA region.
The relationship between organizational culture, organizational silence and job performance in hotels: the case of Kuşadasi
Authors: Gencer Gullu , Atay Hakan , Gurdogan Arzu , Colakoglu Ulker
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to measure the effect of organizational culture perceptions of hotel employees on their organizational silence behavior and job performance, as well as the effect of their organizational silence behavior on their job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A correlational survey model was used in this research and a questionnaire was distributed to collect the data from 389 sampled employees working in four- and five-star hotels in the Kusadasi region in Turkey.

Findings

It was found that organizational culture was not significantly related to organizational silence but that organizational culture and its dimensions were significantly related to job performance. It was also revealed that while organizational silence was not significantly related to job performance, its dimensions were significantly related to job performance.

Practical implications

The results of this study provide insight into organizational culture as an important factor in increasing job performance. The study also revealed how organizational silence behavior and its dimensions affect job performance. In this sense, accommodation establishments will be able to acquire new perspectives in terms of improving job performance.

Originality/value

This paper is deemed important, as it examined these three terms in one model in the field of tourism management. It is thought that it will contribute to the literature by closing the gap in the tourism literature while leading the way for future studies.
Employee perceptions of corporate hypocrisy and knowledge hiding: roles of moral identity and organization-based self-esteem
Authors: Zhao Hongdan , Liu Weiwei
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate a new predictor of knowledge hiding, namely, employee perceptions of corporate hypocrisy (PCH). Based on the social cognitive theory, this study constructs a moderated mediation model linking PCH and knowledge hiding. The theoretical model concentrates on the mediating role of moral identity and the moderating role of organization-based self-esteem (OBSE).

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies with different samples and designs were used. In Study 1, the experimental method explored whether PCH could elicit knowledge hiding under the condition of OBSE (H1 and H4). Study 2, an empirical method with three stages, tested the full mediated moderation model by adding to the mediating role of moral identity (H1–H4).

Findings

The results showed: PCH was positively related to knowledge hiding, moral identity mediated the influence of PCH on knowledge hiding and OBSE not only moderated the relationship between PCH and moral identity but also moderated the indirect effect of PCH on knowledge hiding (via moral identity). The present research sheds valuable light on the processes (how) and contingencies (when) whereby PCH affects knowledge hiding for the first time, thus extending prior research and encouraging further explorations on the topic of PCH and knowledge hiding. It informs practitioners that taking measures to decrease corporate hypocrisy plays a vital role in preventing workers from hiding knowledge.

Originality/value

The study’s distinctive contribution is to examine the mediating effect of moral identity and the moderating role of OBSE on the relationship between corporate hypocrisy and knowledge hiding, which through the lens of social cognitive theory. Thus, it furthers a deeper understanding of knowledge hiding and helps the organization understand the dynamics of knowledge management, such as prohibiting employee counterproductive behaviors in the workplace.
Defensive reactions and strategies for managing paradoxes of identity: three contrasting case studies
Authors: Ghares Mariem , Gilson Adeline , Ndiaye Adama
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In fact, this research seeks to understand, on the one hand, the nature of defensive reactions and, on the other hand, the strategies mobilised by actors to deal with paradoxes of identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors mobilise a qualitative methodology based on three contrasting longitudinal case studies, several sequences of non-participant observations, semi-structured interviews and secondary data.

Findings

The results show, on the one hand, close professional identities despite different organisations and, on the other hand, different reactions and strategies for managing paradoxes of identity despite the proximity of professional identities.

Originality/value

Beyond the singularity of the paradoxes of identity studied, the research invites the authors to develop spaces for discussion.
Digitalization and strategic flexibility – a recipe for business growth
Authors: Matalamäki Marko Juhani , Joensuu-Salo Sanna
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper examines how digitalization can affect three aspects of firm growth. The specific objectives are as follows: (1) to increase understanding of how digitalization affects pre-factors for growth, (2) to examine how digitalization transforms the growth process, especially growth strategies and (3) to examine how digitalization is apparent in the outcome of growth.

Design/methodology/approach

We explore six Finnish growth companies in order to understand the relationship between digitalization and growth. We used qualitative data collection and the Digimat measurement test for analyzing patterns, themes and best practices to generate a deeper understanding of the impact of digital technologies on business growth and growth strategies in these companies.

Findings

We propose that business growth includes three aspects of growth: pre-factors of growth, growth as a process and growth as an outcome. Digitalization may affect all of these aspects and strategic flexibility can affect business growth. Digitalization and strategic flexibility are intertwined; strategic flexibility enables the application of new technology, and digitalization enables flexibility.

Practical implications

Building on the results of the case studies, this research identifies relationships between digitalization, business growth and strategic flexibility.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the growing literature on digitalization, providing new insight into its relation to business growth.