bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of hospital and surgeon volumes on short-term and long-term outcomes of radical cystectomy
Authors: Sari Motlagh Reza , Mori Keiichiro , Aydh Abdulmajeed , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Trinh Quoc-Dien , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: July 2020

Purpose of review

There is heightened awareness and trends towards centralizing high-risk, complex surgeries such as radical cystectomy to minimize complications and improve survival. However, after nearly a decade of mandated and/or passive centralization of care, debate regarding its benefits and harms continues.

Recent findings

During the past decade, mandated and passive centralization has led to an increase in radical cystectomies performed in high-volume hospitals (HVHs) and, perhaps by high-volume surgeons (HVS), in addition to efforts to increase the uptake of multidisciplinary strategies in the management of radical cystectomy patients. Consequently, 30 and 90-day mortality rates and overall survival have improved, and major complications and transfusion rates have decreased. Factors impacting surgical quality, such as negative surgical margin(s), pelvic lymphadenectomy and/or lymph node yield rates have increased. However, current studies have not demonstrated a coadditive impact of centralization on oncological outcomes (i.e. cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival). The benefits of centralization on oncologic survival of radical cystectomy remain unclear given the varied definitions of HVHs and HVSs across studies. In fact, centralization of radical cystectomy could lead to an increase in patient load in HVHs and for HVSs, thereby leading to longer surgery waiting times, a factor that is important in the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

The benefits of centralization of radical cystectomy with multidisciplinary management are shown increasingly and convincingly. More studies are necessary to prospectively test the benefits, risks and harms of centralization.
Unexpected Bone Resorption in Mentum Induced by the Soft-Tissue Filler Hyaluronic Acid: A Preliminary Retrospective Cohort Study of Asian Patients
Authors: Guo Xiaoshuang , Zhao Jingyi , Song Guodong , Zong Xianlei , Zhang Dong , Lai Chenzhi , Jin Xiaolei
Published: July 2020

Background:

As one of the most commonly used soft-tissue fillers, hyaluronic acid is generally considered safe and efficacious. However, evident bone resorption in mentum was observed. In this study, the authors analyzed the impact of hyaluronic acid on bone resorption in mentum and the influencing factors.

Methods:

The authors retrospectively compared the computed tomographic scans of patients with or without mentum augmentation using hyaluronic acid. The body mass index– and sex-matched control group was selected randomly. Semimandibular bone resorption index was calculated as the ratio of bone thickness in the incisive fossa to that in the mandibular symphysis. Injection volume, injection interval, the number of injections, product, complication were also recorded.

Results:

From January of 2014 to June of 2019, 80 patients (160 cases) and 80 controls were recruited. The bone resorption index in the hyaluronic acid injection cohort was significantly lower than in the controls (75.25 ± 10.02 versus 82.86 ± 6.38; p = 0.000). Patients injected with greater than or equal to 1 ml per time were more susceptible to bone erosion compared with patients injected with less (68.89 ± 10.84 versus 76.49 ± 9.42; p = 0.000). There was no significant difference between one- versus multiple-injection groups and short-injection-interval versus long-injection-interval (≥6 months) groups. Furthermore, no reduced aesthetics were realized.

Conclusions:

Hyaluronic acid injection could induce bone resorption in the mentum; nevertheless, the aesthetics were not impaired. The severity of the bone loss was positively correlated with the injection volume per time; therefore, large-volume injection of hyaluronic acid should be performed with caution. The patients should be fully informed about this complication preoperatively.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Yoshinoya Yuriko , Böcker Arne H. , Ruhl Tim , Siekmann Ullrich , Pallua Norbert , Beier Justus P. , Kim Bong-Sung
Published: July 2020

Background:

Adipose-derived stem cells are considered as candidate cells for regenerative plastic surgery. Measures to influence cellular properties and thereby direct their regenerative potential remain elusive. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy—the exposure to 100% oxygen at an increased atmospheric pressure—has been propagated as a noninvasive treatment for a multitude of indications and presents a potential option to condition cells for tissue-engineering purposes. The present study evaluates the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on human adipose-derived stem cells.

Methods:

Human adipose-derived stem cells from healthy donors were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 2 and 3 atm. Viability before and after each hyperbaric oxygen therapy, proliferation, expression of surface markers and protein contents of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, tumor necrosis factor-α, hepatocyte growth factor, and epithelial growth factor in the supernatants of treated adipose-derived stem cells were measured. Lastly, adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation with and without use of differentiation-inducing media (i.e., autodifferentiation) was examined.

Results:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy with 3 atm increased viability, proliferation, and CD34 expression and reduced the CD31−/CD34+/CD45− adipose-derived stem cell subset and endothelial progenitor cell population. TGF-β levels were significantly decreased after two hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions in the 2-atm group and decreased after three hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions in the 3-atm group. Hepatocyte growth factor secretion remained unaltered in all groups. Although the osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation were not influenced, adipogenic differentiation and autodifferentiation were significantly enhanced, with osteogenic autodifferentiation significantly alleviated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy with 3 atm.

Conclusion:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy with 3 atm increases viability and proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells, alters marker expression and subpopulations, decreases TGF-β secretion, and skews adipose-derived stem cells toward adipogenic differentiation.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, V.
Knowledge of Palliative Care and Advance Directives Among Speech–Language Pathology Students
Authors: Mahendra Nidhi , Alonso Marian
Published: July 2020

Palliative care is specialized medical care offered to persons with serious health conditions, with the goal to relieve or prevent pain and suffering, to manage burdensome symptoms, and to optimize as much as possible the quality of life of patients and their families (Institute of Medicine, 2015). Speech–language pathologists (SLPs) are not always recognized as key members of palliative care teams and speech–language pathology students seldom receive training in palliative care. Yet, SLPs often have an influential role in ensuring that patients with cognitive–communicative and swallowing impairments have the best possible communicative access and quality of life, regardless of the severity of their diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to report on 110 speech pathology students' awareness and knowledge about palliative care concepts and of the role of SLPs in palliative care. This study utilized a participatory design approach for survey development to study student awareness and knowledge of select palliative care topics. Study results revealed SLP students' high exposure to the construct of quality of life, with notably limited knowledge of and exposure to palliative care and advance directives. Furthermore, SLP students frequently reported being familiar with a concept or term and yet were unable to explain the concept accurately. These data were analyzed and offer critical insights into curriculum design for training SLP students about palliative care.
A Case of Nonfatal Strangulation Associated With Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Jordan Kathleen S. , Murphy John A. , Romine Alyssa J. , Varela-Gonzalez Lina
Published: July 2020

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem that has profound effects on the physical and psychological well-being of millions of Americans. It is known that strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of IPV. Frequently, a lack of visible external trauma is present, and attempted strangulation may be accompanied by other more severe injuries to the head and face; thus, the signs and symptoms of nonfatal strangulation may be overlooked. Because the emergency department (ED) is frequently the first point of contact for an individual who has experienced any type of IPV, it is imperative that providers have the knowledge and skill set for the identification and management of this patient population. The purpose of this article is to present a discussion of the challenges faced by ED providers in the clinical decision-making process when caring for a patient who has experienced nonfatal strangulation.
Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections
Authors: Martinez Nicole
Published: July 2020

Skin and soft-tissue infection (SSTI) are one of the most common infections in both the community and hospital settings and account for nearly 4.8 million emergency department visits annually. These infections can vary in presentation, treatment, management, and potential for complication. As emergency medicine providers, early recognition and diagnosis of the disease are key. Point-of-care ultrasound is an invaluable tool that has contributed to the expeditious evaluation of these diseases with ultimate guidance for clinical management for SSTIs. This article reviews 3 SSTIs—cellulitis, abscess, and necrotizing fasciitis—and presents a common case study for consideration.
Comparing measures of social complexity: larger mountain gorilla groups do not have a greater diversity of relationships
Authors: Morrison Robin E. , Eckardt Winnie , Stoinski Tara S. , Brent Lauren J. N.
Published: July 2020

Social complexity reflects the intricate patterns of social interactions in societies. Understanding social complexity is fundamental for studying the evolution of diverse social systems and the cognitive innovations used to cope with the demands of social life. Social complexity has been predominantly quantified by social unit size, but newer measures of social complexity reflect the diversity of relationships. However, the association between these two sets of measures remains unclear. We used 12 years of data on 13 gorilla groups to investigate how measures of social complexity relate to each other. We found that group size was a poor proxy for relationship diversity and that the social complexity individuals experienced within the same group varied greatly. Our findings demonstrate two fundamental takeaways: first, that the number of relationships and the diversity of those relationships represent separate components of social complexity, both of which should be accounted for; and second, that social complexity measured at the group level may not represent the social complexity experienced by individuals in those groups. These findings suggest that comprehensive studies of social complexity, particularly those relating to the social demands faced by individuals, may require fine-scale social data to allow accurate comparisons across populations and species.
Loss of intermediate regions of perpendicular body axes contributed to miniaturization of tardigrades
Authors: Game Mandy , Smith Frank W.
Published: July 2020

Tardigrades have a miniaturized body plan. Miniaturization in tardigrades is associated with the loss of several organ systems and an intermediate region of their anteroposterior (AP) axis. However, how miniaturization has affected tardigrade legs is unclear. In arthropods and in onychophorans, the leg gap genes are expressed in regionalized proximodistal (PD) patterns in the legs. Functional studies indicate that these genes regulate growth in their respective expression domains and establish PD identities, partly through mutually antagonistic regulatory interactions. Here, we investigated the expression patterns of tardigrade orthologs of the leg gap genes. Rather than being restricted to a proximal leg region, as in arthropods and onychophorans, we detected coexpression of orthologues ofhomothoraxandextradenticlebroadly across the legs of the first three trunk segments in the tardigradeHypsibius exemplaris. We could not identify adachshundorthologue in tardigrade genomes, a gene that is expressed in an intermediate region of developing legs in arthropods and onychophorans, suggesting that this gene was lost in the tardigrade lineage. We detectedDistal-lessexpression broadly across all developing leg buds inH. exemplarisembryos, unlike in arthropods and onychophorans, in which it exhibits a distally restricted expression domain. The broad expression patterns of the remaining leg gap genes inH. exemplarislegs may reflect the loss ofdachshundand the accompanying loss of an intermediate region of the legs in the tardigrade lineage. We propose that the loss of intermediate regions of both the AP and PD body axes contributed to miniaturization of Tardigrada.
Experimental inoculation of CD11c+ B1 lymphocytes, CD68+ macrophages, or platelet-rich plasma from scrapie-infected sheep into susceptible sheep results in variable infectivity
Authors: Mammadova Najiba , Cassmann Eric D. , Moore S. Jo , Nicholson Eric M. , Greenlee Justin J.
Published: July 2020

Many studies have demonstrated prion infectivity in whole blood and blood components in a variety of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies of livestock and rodents, and variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in humans, as well as an association between pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc) and different immune cells (e.g. follicular dendritic cells, T and B lymphocytes, monocytes and tingible body macrophages). To further investigate the role of various blood components in prion disease transmission, we intracranially inoculated genetically susceptible VRQ/ARQ and ARQ/ARQ sheep with inocula composed of CD11c+B1 lymphocytes, CD68 +macrophages, or platelet-rich plasma derived from clinically ill sheep infected with the US no. 13–7 scrapie agent. At the completion of the study, we found that VRQ/ARQ and ARQ/ARQ sheep inoculated with CD11c+B1 lymphocytes and CD68+macrophages developed scrapie with detectable levels of PrPScin the central nervous system and lymphoreticular system, while those inoculated with platelet-rich plasma did not develop disease and did not have detectable PrPScby immunohistochemistry or enzyme immunoassay. This study complements and expands on earlier findings that white blood cells harbour prion infectivity, and reports CD11c+B1 lymphocytes and CD68+macrophages as additional targets for possible preclinical detection of prion infection in blood.
Muricauda ochracea sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Dongjun , Yoo Yeonjae , Khim Jong Seong , Yang Dongmin , Pathiraja Duleepa , Choi In-Geol , Kim Jae-Jin
Published: July 2020

A yellowish-brown-coloured bacterium, designated strain JGD-17T, was isolated from a tidal flat of Janggu-do, Garorim bay, Taean-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated and long-rod-shaped. Growth was observed at 20–45 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C), at pH 6.0–10.0 (9.0) and with 1–5 % (w/v) NaCl (1–3 %). Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain JGD-17T was closely related to

Muricauda nanhaiensis

SM1704T (96.1 %),

Muricauda olearia

CL-SS4T (95.0 %),

Muricauda beolgyonensis

BB-My12T (94.9 %),

Muricauda marina

H19-56T (94.7 %) and

Muricauda indica

3PC125-7T (94.5 %). The ranges of values for the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization analyses with related strains were 71.3–74.1 % and 16.9–18.2 %. The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis using the neighbour-joining method showed that strain JGD-17T formed a clade with

Muricauda nanhaiensis

SM1704T,

Muricauda lutaonensis

CC-HSB-11T,

Muricauda lutea

CSW06T and

Muricauda pacifica

SM027T. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (26.9 %), iso-C15 : 1 G (19.5 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (12.7 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified lipids. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain JGD-17T represents a novel species within the genus

Muricauda

, for which the name Muricauda ochracea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JGD-17T (=KCTC 72732T=KACC 21486T=JCM 33817T).
Multiple novel non-canonically transcribed sub-genomic mRNAs produced by avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus
Authors: Keep Sarah , Oade Michael S. , Lidzbarski-Silvestre Filip , Bentley Kirsten , Stevenson-Leggett Phoebe , Freimanis Graham L. , Tennakoon Chandana , Sanderson Nicholas , Hammond John A. , Jones Richard C. , Britton Paul , Bickerton Erica
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus sub-genomic mRNA (sgmRNA) synthesis occurs via a process of discontinuous transcription involving complementary transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs), one (TRS-L) encompassing the leader sequence of the 5′ untranslated region (UTR), and the other upstream of each structural and accessory gene (TRS-B). Several coronaviruses have an ORF located between the N gene and the 3′-UTR, an area previously thought to be non-coding in the Gammacoronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) due to a lack of a canonical TRS-B. Here, we identify a non-canonical TRS-B allowing for a novel sgmRNA relating to this ORF to be produced in several strains of IBV: Beaudette, CR88, H120, D1466, Italy-02 and QX. Interestingly, the potential protein produced by this ORF is prematurely truncated in the Beaudette strain. A single nucleotide deletion was made in the Beaudette strain allowing for the generation of a recombinant IBV (rIBV) that had the potential to express a full-length protein. Assessment of this rIBV in vitro demonstrated that restoration of the full-length potential protein had no effect on viral replication. Further assessment of the Beaudette-derived RNA identified a second non-canonically transcribed sgmRNA located within gene 2. Deep sequencing analysis of allantoic fluid from Beaudette-infected embryonated eggs confirmed the presence of both the newly identified non-canonically transcribed sgmRNAs and highlighted the potential for further yet unidentified sgmRNAs. This HiSeq data, alongside the confirmation of non-canonically transcribed sgmRNAs, indicates the potential of the coronavirus genome to encode a larger repertoire of genes than has currently been identified.
Capping Mobility to Control COVID-19: A Collision-based Infectious Disease Transmission Model
Authors: Shi Yunfeng , Ban Xuegang
Published: July 2020

We developed a mobility-informed disease-transmission model for COVID-19, inspired by collision theory in gas-phase chemistry. This simple kinetic model leads to a closed-form infectious population as a function of time and cumulative mobility. This model uses fatality data from Johns Hopkins to infer the infectious population in the past, and mobility data from Google, without social-distancing policy, geological or demographic inputs. It was found that the model appears to be valid for twenty hardest hit counties in the United States. Based on this model, the number of infected people grows (shrinks) exponentially once the relative mobility exceeds (falls below) a critical value (∼30% for New York City and ∼60% for all other counties, relative to a median mobility from January 3 to February 6, 2020). A simple mobility cap can be used by government at different levels to control COVID-19 transmission in reopening or imposing another shutdown.
CAR Macrophages for SARS-CoV-2 Immunotherapy
Authors: Fu Wenyan , Lei Changhai , Qian Kewen , Ma Zetong , Li Tian , Lin Fangxin , Zhang Wei , Zhao Jian , Hu Shi
Published: July 2020

Targeted therapeutics for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially severe cases, are currently lacking. As macrophages have unique effector functions as a first-line defense against invading pathogens, we genetically armed human macrophages with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to reprogram their phagocytic activity against SARS-CoV-2. After investigation of CAR constructs with different intracellular receptor domains, we found that although cytosolic domains from MERTK (CARMERTK) did not trigger antigen-specific cellular phagocytosis or killing effects, unlike those from MEGF10, FcRγ and CD3ζ did, these CARs all mediated similar SARS-CoV-2 clearance in vitro. Notably, we showed that CARMERTKmacrophages reduced the virion load without upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression. These results suggest that CARMERTKdrives an ‘immunologically silent’ scavenger effect in macrophages and pave the way for further investigation of CARs for the treatment of individuals with COVID-19, particularly those with severe cases at a high risk of hyperinflammation.
Continuous variable response, kinetic gating and connectivity that determine topology of insulin signaling are perturbed in hyper-insulinemic states
Authors: Shukla Namrata , Kadam Shantanu , Padinhateeri Ranjith , Kolthur-Seetharam Ullas
Published: July 2020

Understanding kinetic control of biological processes is as important as identifying components that constitute pathways. Insulin signaling (IS) is central for almost all metazoans and its perturbations are associated with various diseases and aging. While temporal phosphorylation changes and kinetic constants have provided some insights, constant or variable parameters that establish and maintain signal topology are poorly understood. Our iterative experimental and mathematical simulation-based approaches reveal novel kinetic parameters of IS that encode concentration and nutrient dependent information. Further, we find that pulsatile fasting insulin rewires IS akin to memory and in anticipation of a fed response. Importantly, selective kinetic gating of signals and maximum connectivity, between metabolic and growth-factor arms under normo-insulinemic states, maintains network topology. In addition to unraveling kinetic constraints that determine cascade architecture, our findings will help in identifying novel therapeutic strategies that conserve coupling between metabolic and growth-factor arms, which is lost in diseases and conditions of hyperinsulinemia.
Low-cost 3D-printed inverted microscope to detectMycobacterium tuberculosisin a MODS culture
Authors: Salguedo Mario , Zarate Guillermo , Gilman Robert H. , Comina Germán , Coronel Jorge , Sheen Patricia , Zimic Mirko
Published: July 2020

Background

The MODS is an important assay for early diagnosis of tuberculosis and drug susceptibility. MODS is based in the microscopic observation, underneath, of the characteristic cords of Mycobacterium tuberculosis colonies grown in liquid media. An inverted optical microscope is required to observe and interpret MODS cultures. Unfortunately, the cost of commercial inverted microscopes is not affordable in low resource settings in developing countries.

Methodology

To perform a diagnosis of tuberculosis using the MODS assay, images with modest quality are enough for proper interpretation. Therefore, the use of a high cost commercial inverted optical microscope is not indispensable. In this study, we designed a prototype of an optical inverted microscope created with a 3D printer and based on a smartphone. The system was evaluated by comparison of manual interpretations of 226 TB positive MODS culture images and 207 negative MODS culture images.

Significance

The prototype resulted in a low-cost inverted optical microscope, with simple functioning, and whose parts have been manufactured using 3D printing techniques. The quality of the images was good enough and achieved a 100% concordance between the manual inspection with the developed microscope, and the standard diagnostics of MODS.
Methyl 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-1,8-dioxo-4,5,7,9-tetrahydro-2H-xanthene-9-carboxylate
Authors: Detert Heiner , Kluge Laura , Schollmeyer Dieter
Published: July 2020

The title molecule, C19H24O5, is built by annulation of a half-chair cyclohexenone and a twist-cyclohexenone to a flat 4-H-pyrane boat. In the crystal, molecules are connected via van der Waals interactions and C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Reviewing and conceptualizing supplier development
Authors: Yawar Sadaat Ali , Seuring Stefan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The literature on supplier development (SD) is mostly fragmented, and very little research offers insights on the interrelations of the critical elements of SD. This research aims to evaluate the significance of SD and reconceptualise it by identifying and linking the key constructs and items of SD.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured literature review of SD literature was performed, and it was followed by conducting a contingency analysis of defined constructs and the items of SD. Applying a literature review and contingency analysis allows assessing the degree to which core constructs and their operational items are addressed in the SD literature.

Findings

Our findings show that a high degree of interrelations exists among enablers, relationships and supplier development strategies (SDS), of which, only indirect SDS drives the performance outcomes. However, interrelations between the individual items of the main categories of SD remain unexplored.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed revised framework reveals significant research gaps in SD and calls for a thorough examination of the topic.

Originality/value

The key contribution of the paper is reconceptualising SD and contributing to the theoretical development of SD.
Pyramid Globe Management Institute: working under a paternalistic leader
Authors: Singh Sanjay
Published: July 2020

Learning outcomes

The present case study would help readers to understand paternalistic leadership behavior with its underlying theory. Readers would be able to appreciate the nature of experiences employees may have while working with a paternalistic leader high on authoritarianism. This case study would motivate readers to work out appropriate strategies for working under paternalistic bosses. The teaching note sensitizes readers about the complicated relationship between paternalistic leadership and culture.

Case overview/synopsis

Pyramid Globe Management Institute (PGMI) is struggling to generate revenue. PGMI founder, Tugmanshu Lakhani, has to find out new sources of revenue to keep the institute functioning. He constitutes a team of three professors for starting a new academic program with a foreign university. The initial success of the team brings favor from the founder but jealousy from the colleagues reeling under job threat. High authoritarianism and interference of the founder create a problematic situation for the three professors. When the new program starts showing promising results, the founder gets apprehensive about whether the new course may hurt the enrolment in the flagship program of the institute. The authoritarian and erratic behavior of the founder had a demotivating effect on the team working for the new program. Some team members resign under pressure while three professors stay to ensure the launch of the program. The professors have to resolve the conflict between their commitment toward PGMI in a troubled time and a career uncertainty if they continue working for it. Anticipating no change in the behavior of the founder and an uncertain future with PGMI, three professors quit after the start of the new program. The founder may continue losing committed employees if he is unable to balance his authoritarianism with benevolence and moral behavior. It will create more problems for PGMI in the future.

Complexity academic level

This case can be used in organizational behavior, leadership and team-building courses in the regular Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. The case can further be used in the executive development program, especially for analyzing the leadership problem in higher education organizations.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 7: Management science.
Kevin’s Kitchen and Sports Bar
Authors: Hofmeyr Andy
Published: July 2020

Learning outcomes

This case study provides students with the challenge of advising a small restaurant reeling under the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in South Africa. In the process, they must use their analytical skills combined with tools derived from value-based management theory to develop a revised business strategy for the owner.

Case overview / synopsis

Agility in any business in modern times is essential to survival – and this is particularly so for small, entrepreneurial enterprises that lack the history and resources to survive dramatic changes in the operating environment. A small restaurant in the coastal holiday village of Port Alfred, South Africa is managing to deliver a reasonable return for its owner, a former corporate financier from Johannesburg. The Covid-19 crisis requires a fundamental rethink of business strategy to ensure a future for the business.

Complexity academic level

This case study is ideal for a module in entrepreneurship for delegates in a diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS: 3 Entrepreneurship.
Impact of open innovation on organizational performance in different conflict management styles: based on resource dependence theory
Authors: Wang Ting , Wu Jianlin , Gu Jibao , Hu Lingyu
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Firms often encounter complicated external relationships and conflicts in inbound and outbound open innovation (OI). Conflict management significantly affects innovation results. Guided by resource dependence theory (RDT), this study aims to examine the moderating effects of conflict management styles in the relationship between OI and organizational performance (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on manufacturing and service firms in China, with the respondents composed of senior managers. Using hierarchical regression analysis, data from 270 firm samples are used to empirically test the hypotheses.

Findings

Inbound and outbound OI openness positively affects OP. Cooperative conflict management positively moderates the relationship between inbound OI openness and OP, whereas it negatively moderates the impact of outbound OI openness on OP. By contrast, competitive conflict management positively moderates the relationship between outbound OI openness on OP.

Research limitations/implications

Guided by RDT, this study explores the relationship between OI and OP and the moderating role of conflict management styles. However, it does not measure the level of resource dependence, which is among the future research directions for further validating the results of this study.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate the impact of OI on OP in different conflict management styles. Findings suggest that choosing a suitable conflict management style may strengthen the positive effects of OI on OP.
The size of the informal economy in Nigeria: a structural equation approach
Authors: Dell'Anno Roberto , Adu Omobola
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper contributes to the literature concerning the Nigerian informal economy (IE) by estimating its size from 1991 to 2017 and identifying the major causes.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation approach in the form of the multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) method is used to estimate the size of the Nigerian IE.

Findings

The results indicate that vulnerable employment and urban population as a percentage of the total population are the main drivers of the IE in Nigeria. The IE in Nigeria ranges from 38.83% to 57.55% of gross domestic product (GDP).

Research limitations/implications

As a result of the empirical challenges in the estimation of the IE, the estimates of Nigeria's IE are considered to be rough estimates.

Originality/value

The authors calibrated the MIMIC model with the official estimate of the informal sector published by the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This was an attempt to combine the national accounting approach, to estimate the size of IE, with the MIMIC approach, and to estimate the trend of informality.
Probabilistic fatigue model for cast alloys of aero engine applications
Authors: Narayanan Govindarajan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address the complexity involved in computing the fatigue life of casted structure with porosity effects in aero engine applications. The uncertainty of porosity defects is addressed by introducing probabilistic models.

Design/methodology/approach

One major issue of casted aluminium alloys in the application of aerospace industries is their internal defects such as porosities, which are directly affecting the fatigue life. Since there is huge cost and time effort involved in understanding the effect of fatigue life in terms of the presence of the internal defects, a probabilistic fatigue model approach is applied in order to define the realistic fatigue limit of the casted structures for the known porosity fractions. This paper describes the probabilistic technique to casted structures with measured porosity fractions and its relation to their fatigue life. The predicted fatigue life for various porosity fractions and dendrite arm spacing values is very well matching with the experimentally predicted fatigue data of the casted AS7G06 aluminium alloys with measured internal defects. The probabilistic analysis approach not only predicts the fatigue life limit of the structure but also provides the limit of fatigue life for the known porosity values of any casted aluminium bearing support structure used in aero engines.

Findings

The probabilistic fatigue model for addressing porosity in casting structure is verified with experimental results.

Research limitations/implications

This is grey area in aerospace and automotive industry.

Originality/value

This work is original and not published anywhere else.
An empirical study of the dynamic relationships between the core and supporting brand equity dimensions in higher education
Authors: Girard Tulay , Pinar Musa
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to use a holistic approach to empirically examine the direct and indirect relationships of both core and supporting consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) dimensions from students’ perspectives and the underlying impact they have on building a robust university brand equity. It also tests whether student perceptions of the importance of the brand equity constructs significantly differ based on demographics.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts the core and supporting university brand equity dimensions that have been tested for reliability and validity in prior research. Data were collected at a major university in the USA. The study used judgment sampling to carefully select a targeted sample of various colleges and class levels. A total of 439 useable surveys were collected.

Findings

The results of partial least squares–structural equation modeling reveal significant relationships between both core and supporting brand equity dimensions. The core brand equity dimensions include brand awareness, perceived quality, brand association, brand trust, learning environment, emotional environment, university reputation and brand loyalty. The supporting brand equity dimensions include library services, dining services, residence hall and physical facilities. Significant direct and/or indirect relationships were found between the core and supporting CBBE dimensions. The demographic variables of gender, semester standing and living arrangement also influence the importance of some of the core and supporting dimensions.

Practical implications

The results suggest that females, freshman and students living on-campus require specific attention in higher education. For a better representation and understanding of the university student population, we recommend that future studies use probability sampling and multiple universities for cross-validation.

Originality/value

Using the brand ecosystem framework, this is the first comprehensive study testing the relationships between both core and supporting CBBE dimensions in higher education. The study offers valuable insights to university stakeholders for building a strong university brand. It also confirms that the measures of the CBBE brand equity dimensions are valid and are applicable to other higher education institutions.
A survey of study skills of first-year university students: the relationships of strategy to gender, ethnicity and course type
Authors: Williams Adrienne E. , Denaro Kameryn , Dennin Michael B. , Sato Brian K.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Not all students who did well in high school are successful in college, particularly in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors with the most affected student groups including women, first-generation or historically disadvantaged students. Certain study skills may be associated with greater success in college, yet these skills may be less regularly used by those underrepresented groups.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports the results of a survey given to several hundred newly-matriculated students before they began their first courses at a selective, public research university in the United States. Students in nine courses responded to the survey, with 1815 total respondents. Logistic regression and linear mixed effects models were used to analyze the data.

Findings

We found three skills were associated with course grade when adjusting for incoming GPA, SAT math and reading and GPA of other courses. Self-testing and rereading were both associated with increased grades, and flashcard use was associated with decreased grades. Of particular significance, underrepresented minority (URM) students were less likely to reread than majority students, and flashcard use was more common in women and URM students.

Research limitations/implications

It is possible study skills changed over the course of the term because participants were surveyed at the beginning of their courses. Our future work will expand the courses surveyed and include a post-course survey.

Originality/value

Information that some student groups use less effective study skills will allow instructors and student support services to provide more targeted and useful study strategy advice.
Digital transformation: setting the pace
Authors: Margiono Ari
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the paths of digital transformation followed by companies facing disruption and offer recommendations for executives for choosing the appropriate path.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper.

Findings

This paper identifies two paths of digital transformation. The offensive path is aggressive and involves the rapid acquisition of digital resources through portfolio investment and merger and acquisition tactics. The defensive path is relatively slow and relies on the organic growth of the digital capabilities of the incumbent companies over time.

Research limitations/implications

This paper identifies a number of potential factors affecting the choice of the transformation path taken by companies. Further studies can be conducted to investigate these contingent factors.

Practical implications

This study describes the strategic paths available in a digital transformation and identifies the conditions that might justify a particular approach.

Originality/value

This paper identifies two types of paths that are generally followed by companies aiming digital transformation – offensive and defensive. This aspect has not been studied in any other research work.
Confluence between library and information science and digital humanities in Spain. Methodologies, standards and collections
Authors: Alvite-Díez María-Luisa , Barrionuevo Leticia
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relevance of heritage collections and the convergence of methodologies and standards traditionally linked to Library and Information Science (LIS) in the development of digital humanities (DH) research in Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a systematic review of scientific publications that are representative of DH in Spain and were published between 2013 and 2018. The analysis considered doctoral theses, journal articles and conference papers.

Findings

The results highlight the synergies between documentary heritage, LIS and DH. However, it appears that there is a scarcity of scientific literature to support the confluence of LIS and DH and a limited formal connection between heritage institutions and the areas of academia that reuse and enrich these source collections.

Research limitations/implications

The review of representative scholarly DH publications was mainly based on the metadata that describe the content of articles, thesis and conference papers. This work relies on the thematic indexing (descriptors and keywords) of the analysed documents but their level of quality and consistency is very diverse.

Originality/value

The topic of the study has not been explored before and this work could contribute to the international debate on the interrelation and complementarity between LIS and DH. In addition, this paper shows the contribution that standards and documentary methodologies make to projects in which technology is applied to humanities disciplines. The authors propose that there is an urgent need to strengthen the “scientific relationships” between heritage institutions, as well as enhancing links between the academic field of DH and LIS in order to improve teaching and research strategies in conjunction.
Individuation through infrastructure: Get Full Text Research, data extraction and the academic publishing oligopoly
Authors: Moore Samuel A.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This article explores the recent turn within academic publishing towards ‘seamless access’, an approach to content provision that ensures users do not have to continually authenticate in order to access journal content.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a critical exploration of Get Full Text Research, a service developed collaboratively by five of the world's largest academic publishers to provide such seamless access to academic research, the article shows how publishers are seeking to control the ways in which readers access publications in order to trace, control and ultimately monetise user interactions on their platforms.

Findings

Theorised as a process of individuation through infrastructure, the article reveals how publishers are attempting an ontological shift to position the individual, quantifiable researcher, rather than the published content, at the centre of the scholarly communication universe.

Originality/value

The implications of the shift towards individuation are revealed as part of a broader trend in scholarly communication infrastructure towards data extraction, mirroring a trend within digital capitalism more generally.
Engaging in times of COVID-19 and beyond: theorizing customer engagement through different paradigmatic lenses
Authors: Karpen Ingo Oswald , Conduit Jodie
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider a broadened suite of paradigmatic lenses to help better understand customer engagement during and beyond COVID-19. During this period of uncertainty and economic downturn, many customers are questioning their ways of living and being, and thus businesses are engaging customers in new and evolving ways. To appreciate this broadened realm of engagement requires researchers and businesses to embrace existential humanism as an alternative, yet complementary, paradigmatic lens.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper. The authors consider three distinct paradigmatic lenses on human (inter)action—economic rationalism, institutionalism and existential humanism—and apply these lenses to deepen the underlying theorizing of the customer engagement concept. Further, the authors illustrate how customers engage with businesses in distinct ways, seeking meaning congruent with the challenges faced during COVID-19.

Findings

The authors argue that the common tripartite model of cognitive, emotional and behavioral customer engagement, typically informed by reductionist and unilateral paradigmatic lenses, is insufficient to understand why customers seek to engage with businesses during and after COVID-19.

Originality/value

In providing a broader paradigmatic perspective, the authors make a plea for a stronger consideration and activation of spiritual engagement in marketing. The current COVID-19 environment challenges extant philosophical assumptions of engagement theorizing, which we address by way of existential humanism. The authors contribute through a more differentiated perspective of engagement, accounting for a broader spectrum of human experience. This enables more informed theorizing across levels of abstraction, while emphasizing diverse avenues for future engagement for a time even beyond COVID-19.
Mind the gap: identifying barriers to students engaging in creative practices in higher education
Authors: Solé Lluís , Sole-Coromina Laia , Poole Simon Ellis
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Creativity is nowadays seen as a desirable goal in higher education. In artistic disciplines, creative processes are frequently employed to assess or evaluate different students' skills. The purpose of this study is to identify potential pitfalls for students involved in artistic practices in which being creative is essential.

Design/methodology/approach

Three focus groups involving Education Faculty members from different artistic disciplines allowed for the identification of several constraints when creativity was invoked. This initial study used a quantitative approach and took place in the “Universitat de Vic” (Catalonia, Spain).

Findings

Findings suggest a correlation with existing literature and simultaneously point at some nuances that require consideration: emerging aspects embedded in creative processes that may help decrease some limiting effects that being creative can generate.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of this research derive from the very nature of the methodological approach. Focus group has been the single used source. Other means of collecting data, such as the analysis of programs, could be used in the future.

Originality/value

This case study, while culturally specific, offers a useful insight into the potential of further work in non-artistic disciplines but crucially across disciplines. It has tremendous value for the development of intercultural understanding in the higher education sector, specifically in terms of assessment.