bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Francisella tularensis L,D-carboxypeptidase plays important roles in cell morphology, envelope integrity, and virulence
Authors: Zellner Briana , Mengin-Lecreulx Dominique , Tully Brenden , Gunning William T. , Booth Robert , Huntley Jason F.
Published: October 2019

Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative, intracellular bacterium that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. Intracellular pathogens, including F. tularensis, have evolved mechanisms to survive in the harsh environment of macrophages and neutrophils, where they are exposed to cell envelope-damaging molecules. The bacterial cell wall, primarily composed of peptidoglycan (PG), maintains cell morphology, structure, and membrane integrity. Intracellular Gram-negative bacteria protect themselves from macrophage and neutrophil killing by recycling and repairing damaged PG – a process that involves over 50 different PG synthesis and recycling enzymes. Here, we identified a PG recycling enzyme, L,D-carboxypeptidase A (LdcA), of F. tularensis that is responsible for converting PG tetrapeptide stems to tripeptide stems. Unlike E. coli LdcA and most other orthologs, F. tularensis LdcA does not localize to the cytoplasm and also exhibits L,D-endopeptidase activity, converting PG pentapeptide stems to tripeptide stems. Loss of F. tularensis LdcA led to altered cell morphology and membrane integrity, as well as attenuation in a mouse pulmonary infection model and in primary and immortalized macrophages. Finally, an F. tularensis ldcA mutant protected mice against virulent Type A F. tularensis SchuS4 pulmonary challenge.
State Change Probability: A Measure of the Complexity of Cardiac RR Interval Time Series Using Physiological State Change with Statistical Hypothesis Testing
Authors: Chao Hsuan-Hao , Huang Han-Ping , Wei Sung-Yang , Hsu Chang Francis , Hsu Long , Chi Sien
Published: October 2019

The complexity of biological signals has been proposed to reflect the adaptability of a given biological system to different environments. Two measures of complexity—multiscale entropy (MSE) and entropy of entropy (EoE)—have been proposed, to evaluate the complexity of heart rate signals from different perspectives. The MSE evaluates the information content of a long time series across multiple temporal scales, while the EoE characterizes variation in amount of information, which is interpreted as the “state changing,” of segments in a time series. However, both are problematic when analyzing white noise and are sensitive to data size. Therefore, based on the concept of “state changing,” we propose state change probability (SCP) as a measure of complexity. SCP utilizes a statistical hypothesis test to determine the physiological state changes between two consecutive segments in heart rate signals. The SCP value is defined as the ratio of the number of state changes to total number of consecutive segment pairs. Two common statistical tests, the t-test and Wilcoxon rank–sum test, were separately used in the SCP algorithm for comparison, yielding similar results. The SCP method is capable of reasonably evaluating the complexity of white noise and other signals, including 1/f noise, periodic signals, and heart rate signals, from healthy subjects, as well as subjects with congestive heart failure or atrial fibrillation. The SCP method is also insensitive to data size. A universal SCP threshold value can be applied, to differentiate between healthy and pathological subjects for data sizes ranging from 100 to 10,000 points. The SCP algorithm is slightly better than the EoE method when differentiating between subjects, and is superior to the MSE method.
TRPV2 activation reorganizes actin cytoskeleton, induces neurite initiation and branching by altering cAMP levels
Authors: Yadav Manoj , Goswami Chandan
Published: October 2019

Understanding of molecules and their role in neurite initiation and/or extension is not only helpful to prevent different neurodegenerative diseases but also can be important by which neuronal damages can be repaired. In this work we explored the role of TRPV2, a non-selective cation channel in the context of neurite functions. Using western blot, immunofluorescence, and live cell Ca2+-imaging; we confirm that functional TRPV2 is endogenously present in the F11 cell, a model system mimicking peripheral neuron. In F11 cells TRPV2 localizes in specific sub-cellular regions enriched with filamentous actin, such as in growth cone, filopodia, lamellipodia and in neurites. TRPV2 regulates actin cytoskeleton and also interacts with soluble actin. Ectopic expression of TRPV2-GFP but not GFP-only in F11 cell induces more primary and secondary neurites, confirming its role in neurite initiation, extension and branching events. TRPV2-mediated neuritogenesis is dependent on wild-type TRPV2 as cells expressing TRPV2 mutants reveal no neuritogenesis. However, TRPV2-mediated neuritogenesis is unperturbed by the chelation of intracellular Ca2+ by BAPTA-AM, and thus involves Ca2+-independent signaling events also. We demonstrate that pharmacological modulation of TRPV2 alters cellular cAMP levels. These findings are relevant to understand the sprouting of new neurites, neuroregeneration and neuronal plasticity at the cellular, subcellular and molecular level. Such understanding may have border implication in neurodegeneration and peripheral neuropathy.
Interaction of Quercetin and Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Aggregates with Pancreatic Lipase Under Simplified Intestinal Conditions
Authors: Bustos Atma-Sol , Håkansson Andreas , Linares-Pastén Javier A. , Peñarrieta J. Mauricio , Nilsson Lars
Published: October 2019

Diets rich in flavonoids have been related with low obesity rates, which could be related with their potential to inhibit pancreatic lipase, the main enzyme of fat assimilation. Some flavonoids can aggregate in aqueous medium suggesting that the inhibition mechanism could occur on both molecular and colloidal levels. This study investigates the interaction of two flavonoid aggregates, quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), with pancreatic lipase under simplified intestinal conditions. The stability and the morphology of these flavonoid aggregates were studied in four different solutions: Control (water), salt, low lipase concentration and high lipase concentration. Particles were found by optical microscopy in almost all the solutions tested, except EGCG-control. The results show that the precipitation rate decreases for quercetin and increases for EGCG in salt solution and that lipase stabilize quercetin aggregates. In addition, both flavonoids were shown to precipitate together with pancreatic lipase resulting in a sequestering of the enzyme.
Canonical host-pathogen tradeoffs subverted by mutations with dual benefits
Authors: Beardmore Robert Eric , Gudelj Ivana , Meyer Justin R , Hewlett Mark , Pena-Miller Rafael
Published: October 2019

Tradeoffs between life history traits impact diverse biological phenomena, from biodiversity maintenance to combating infectious disease. However, while research into trait correlations has focused on tradeoffs, less attention has been paid to other associations, like `tradeups' where traits are positively correlated. But if tradeoffs are common, tradeups should be too: if traits X and Y tradeoff, so too traits Y and Z, then X and Z will tradeup. Relying on tradeoffs as a mechanism for biodiversity maintenance is therefore problematic because tradeups are thought to purge polymorphisms. We therefore studied a model host-parasite system consisting of bacteriophage lambda and Escherichia coli that is thought to harbour a canonical tradeoff. We investigated several trait correlations in this model where the bacterial hosts should trade increased parasite resistance for diminished absolute fitness. Conversely, parasites should trade increased infectivity for reduced host-range. We report that these previously hypothesised tradeoffs appear, in fact, as tradeups and unexpectedly, phage resistance came with fitness benefits for bacteria. Bacteria-phage coevolution experiments coupled with protein and population dynamics modelling reveal the tradeoffs behind this tradeup. Structural mutations in E. coli alter the phage receptor, conferring resistance, but this slows nutrient uptake. As nutrient uptake negatively impacts biomass yield, some phage resistance mutations incur growth rate increases. Rapidly evolving bacterial systems are thought to operate near physical limits where changes in some traits incur concomitant losses in others and a common interpretation of this logic is that tradeoffs should be ubiquitous in polymorphic systems. We show this reasoning can be flawed because tradeoffs have been viewed as one-dimensional links between two traits, overlooking the freedoms we find in higher-dimensional trait interactions.
How misconduct in business contributes to understanding the supply side of corruption in international business
Authors: Ertz Myriam , Karakas Fahri , Stapenhurst Frederick , Draman Rasheed , Sarigöllü Emine , Jo Myung-Soo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to offer a better understanding of supply side of bribery and corruption in an international business perspective by conceptualizing it in the narrower concept of misconduct in business (MIB) derived from the deontological perspective to business ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a case study methodology of professionals working within Canadian mining multinational corporations operating in Africa. The authors conducted 2 focus groups, 25 in-depth interviews, document search and an open-ended questionnaire to 15 professionals. Further, they drew on a combination of the classic relationalist sociological framework and its recent revision, that they named the relationalism-substantialism framework to analyze the data.

Findings

The triangulated empirical data show that the reason why MIB in the form of bribery supply occurs is not exclusively tied to any given perspective, whether the individual, the organization or the wider societal context. Rather, these different layers are tightly intertwined and interact with each other for the supply of bribery to occur.

Originality/value

Although the three siloed perspectives of MIB have been studied in the literature, they have not been addressed in relation to one another, and even less with a relationalism-substantialism framework. Yet, this perspective contributes compellingly to the understanding of the supply side in bribery. The authors propose a net of conceptually related constructs that intervene in the process of bribery supply occurrence, namely relationality influenced by institutional dysfunctionality and conflation and substantiality through agency and culture.
Innovation and export performance: a meta-analytic review and theoretical integration
Authors: Bıçakcıoğlu-Peynirci Nilay , Hizarci-Payne Ayça Kubra , Özgen Özge , Madran Canan
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Since an accumulated body of research has examined the link between innovation and export performance and little attention has been paid to consolidate the existent fragmented findings in the pertinent literature, the purpose of this paper is to systematically integrate empirical findings based on a meta-analysis of relevant research investigating the association between innovation and export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, correlations within individual studies were examined through performing a meta-analysis, which assists to synthesize the entire findings among past individual studies and helps to quantify the aggregated results. In total, 38 articles surveyed 554,227 exporting manufacturing companies were analyzed through a meta-analysis of 145 total effects.

Findings

This study demonstrates that innovation is a strategic source to achieve competitive advantage with intent to achieve superior performance in export markets. In this sense, the results reveal that while there is a significant relationship between innovation activities of companies and their export performance, export strategic performance dimension captures important facets in this relationship. Moreover, the results indicate that conceptualization of innovation and the development level of countries moderate the link between innovation and export performance. While output-oriented innovation is more influential on innovation-financial export performance association, the input-oriented innovation is more influential on strategic and market performance.

Originality/value

This present study attempted to synthesize fragmented results examining innovation–export performance link via revealing potential moderators on the association between innovation and export performance and providing important insights for both practitioners and scholars.
Bother me only if the client complains: control and resistance in home-based telework in India
Authors: Bathini Dharma Raju , Kandathil George Mathew
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between operations of organization control and workers’ response to them in case of telework, a technology-embedded new way of working.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted an interpretive approach to explore control and home-based teleworkers’ response in the Indian information technology industry. Interviews and non-participant observations were analysed using constructivist grounded theory.

Findings

The discourse of “telework as a privilege” served as a basis for normative control, helping managers exercise increased technocratic control. Combined with the discourse of “self-responsibility to client”, it led teleworkers to self-subjugate to long/unsocial work hours. However, the simultaneous exercise of technocratic and normative controls resulted in an inconsistency, creating space for teleworker’s resistance to technocratic control. Nonetheless, resistance to technocratic control ironically reinforced normative control.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the recent discussion on compatibility and coherence of multiple control modes, and their relationship to resistance. The authors show how workers’ selves can be compatible with one control mode while being incompatible with other modes. The authors argue that when workers’ experience incoherence between control modes, they can appropriate the logic underlying compatible control mode(s) to resist incompatible control mode(s). Further, the authors demonstrate how resistance to incompatible control mode(s) can ironically reinforce compatible control mode(s), and thus explicate the micro-processes of control-resistance dialectic. Advancing the emergent understanding of resistance, the authors show that resistance is an exercise of strategic counter-power that seeks to exploit incoherence between control modes and inconsistencies between actions and rhetoric.
Pedagogical invention in entrepreneurship education
Authors: Verduijn Karen , Berglund Karin
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Following the example of the critical management education tradition, the purpose of this paper is to argue whether we should keep EE vital by disturbing it, in particular by interrogating that which has seemingly become “untouchable” from interrogation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes inspiration from Paolo Freire’s work by proposing a pedagogical approach to entrepreneurship education which builds on an iterative and interactive process, oscillating between deconstructing and reconstructing entrepreneurship, creating space for invention in the classroom. The paper provides exemplary contributions in developing suggestions as to ways forward.

Findings

The ways forward being proposed in this paper include entrepreneurship educators engaging students as co-learners, and evoking their curiosity to pose new questions about the phenomenon; “grounding” students in their own creativity and supporting them to build the confidence needed to develop alternative understandings of how entrepreneurship can function – for themselves, in their future organizations and for society as a whole; and challenging our own teaching positions, and adopting a pedagogical process of invention, stimulating curiosity, co-creation, thought-provoking questions and entrepreneurial action.

Originality/value

This paper provides ways forward in keeping EE “fresh”, by sketching how we need to teach about entrepreneurship, adopting the critical insights emerging in the field. The paper argues how we do not only need other models and approaches to understand entrepreneurship, but also to understand learning and education.
Organizational and human factors related challenges to ISO 20000
Authors: Ahmad Nafis , Rabbany Md Golam , Ali Syed Mithun
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore organizational and human factor-related challenges to information technology (IT) service management standard ISO 20000 in an emerging economy context. Then, this research has proposed some implications of the challenges to implementing environmental sustainability and circular economy.

Design/methodology/approach

To fulfill the research purpose, an empirical study was undertaken. The data required for the current study, based on a Likert scale and using questionnaires, were collected through surveys, interviews, telephonic conversations and meetings with IT firm managers and staff. The ranking of challenges was obtained based on the mean and standard deviation calculated from the survey responses.

Findings

The results indicated that senior management support was the most significant challenge for the successful implementation of IT Service Management systems. Other significant challenges were the justification of significant investment, premium customer support, co-operation and co-ordination among IT support teams, proper documentation and effective process design.

Practical implications

The current research is expected to help IT managers implement ISO 20000 and to manage environmental sustainability and circular economy across their organizational networks.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first attempt to explore the organizational and human factor-related challenges to ISO 2000 in an emerging economy context. Furthermore, the current study proposes implications to the challenges to environmental sustainability and circular economy.
Internet of things adoption: a typology of projects
Authors: Ancarani Alessandro , Di Mauro Carmela , Legenvre Hervé , Cardella Marco Stefano
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The internet of things (IoT) is one of the pillars of Industry 4.0. Prior OM research has conceptualized IoT, and analyzed potential applications and risks and challenges associated with its adoption. However, little empirical evidence exists on the main types of IoT projects undertaken by organizations and on their impacts. The purpose of this paper is to close this gap by searching for a taxonomy of IoT projects that may be associated to different IoT readiness levels. The dynamic capability lens is used as the theoretical background for the analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

A database of secondary IoT case studies is used to identify an IoT project taxonomy through two-step cluster analysis. The taxonomy obtained allows classifying projects into homogenous groups by technological novelty, IoT capabilities and functional areas of application. ANOVA is then used to test for the association between cluster membership and alternative operational impacts. Finally, the analysis of selected case studies from the database allows throwing light on the nature of the projects typical of each cluster.

Findings

Five clusters of projects have been identified and positioned along varying degrees of capabilities, novelty and scope. The taxonomy is consistent with a three layer IoT technological readiness model. In turn, the three IoT readiness levels correspond to three managerial capabilities: monitoring, control and optimization. Combining cluster results with detailed case analysis suggests that IoT technological readiness can be interpreted as a dynamic capability enabling knowledge creation that can support competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This is a first attempt to describe projects firms undertake when adopting IoT. Building on cluster analysis, the study suggests that different IoT readiness levels are needed to reach different impacts.
Productivity of the Indian non-life insurance sector
Authors: Ilyas Ashiq Mohd , Rajasekaran S.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the performance of the Indian non-life (general) insurance sector in terms of total factor productivity (TFP) over the period 2005–2016.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilises Färe‒Primont index (FPI) to access the change in TFP and its components: technical change, technical efficiency and mix and scale efficiency over the observation period. Moreover, it employs the Mann–Whitney U-test to scrutinise the difference between the public and the private insurers in terms of growth in productivity.

Findings

The results reveal that the insurance sector possesses a very low level of TFP. Also, the results divulge an improvement of 11.98 per cent in TFP of the insurance sector at an annual average rate of 12.41 per cent over the observation period. The growth in productivity is mainly attributable to the improvement of 10.81 per cent in the scale‒mix efficiency. The progress in scale‒mix efficiency is mainly the result of improvements in residual scale and residual mix efficiency. The results also show that the privately owned insurers have experienced a high productivity growth rate than the state-owned insurers.

Practical implications

The results hold practical implications for the regulators, policymakers and decision makers of the Indian non-life insurance companies.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind to use FPI, which satisfies all economically relevant axioms and tests defined by the index number theory to comprehensively access the change in TFP of the Indian non-life insurance sector.
Impact of social support and presence on swift guanxi and trust in social commerce
Authors: Fan Jun , Zhou Wangyue , Yang Xue , Li Boying , Xiang Ying
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Swift guanxi and trust can influence consumers’ decision making in social commerce. What factors will influence the formation of swift guanxi and trust between buyers and sellers in social commerce has not been clearly investigated. The purpose of this paper is to identify antecedents and impacts of swift guanxi and trust in social commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was employed for data analysis. Social support and presence are introduced as the antecedents for swift guanxi and trust, leading to the repurchase intention (RI) and social sharing intention of customers.

Findings

The results indicate that social support and presence can influence swift guanxi and trust. Social support and presence are positively associated with swift guanxi and trust which further lead to RI and social sharing intention.

Practical implications

The findings can be used to guide sellers in social commerce platforms to improve their services and make good use of platform features to improve customers’ perception of presence. To attract new customers and retain old customers, sellers should also build swift guanxi and trust through the recommendation and experience sharing of previous buyers on social media.

Originality/value

This study combines social support theory and presence theory to investigate the factors that influence customers’ purchase decision and social sharing intention in the context of social commerce in China. The integration of social support theory and presence theory explains both the social and technical factors that influence swift guanxi and trust in social commerce.
Evaluating the effect of new working practices on office space usage in Hong Kong
Authors: Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige , Oladinrin Olugbenga Timo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Many organizations in Hong Kong have witnessed a reduction in average space usage due to high occupancy costs. New working practices (NWPs) are viewed as a reform tool to manage expensive real estate around the world. However, it is unclear whether NWPs influence office space usage in business organizations in Hong Kong. This study, therefore, aims to evaluate if the average space reduction in office firms is caused by the NWPs in the finance, insurance, real estate and business (FIREB) firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 20 NWPs were initially derived from the extant literature. A questionnaire survey was conducted with listed FIREB firms in Hong Kong to assess the impact of the identified NWPs on space usage. The data collected from the questionnaire survey were analysed using descriptive, explorative factor analysis (EFA) and partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate the effects of NWPs on average space usage.

Findings

Results revealed that four major NWP factors influence average space usage. Three of these factors, namely, “flexible arrangement”, “multitasking knowledge workers” and “teamwork and communication”, influence space usage positively. Even though the effect of the fourth factor “training and networking” was significant, it does not reflect a positive influence on space usage. Business organizations can focus more on the implementation of NWPs to cushion the effects of the high cost of occupancy.

Originality/value

The research provides new knowledge to the limited literature on the effect of NWPs in FIREB firms and enriches the growing body of international literature on how today’s competitive global business organizations should revisit their workplace strategies to accommodate the rising agile workforce and NWPs. The findings offer new insights into the ongoing debate on the impact of information and communication technology-enabled NWPs on space usage. From the real estate perspective, the findings should inform policymaking towards the better planning ahead of office properties to accommodate NWPs, helping Hong Kong to remain competitive as a key financial centre.
Qualification mismatch in the labor market and the impact on earnings: evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Quang Huy Le , Tran-Nam Binh
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the incidence and earning effects of the vertical mismatch between attained and required educational qualifications in a developing country’s labor market.

Design/methodology/approach

Following Duncan and Hoffman (1981), this paper uses the augmented Mincerian wage equation to decompose the actual years of education of a person into years of over-education, years of required education and years of under-education. These years of education are then fitted in an ordinary least squares model to measure the earning effects of an employee when his/her attained educational qualifications are higher or lower than the required educational level in his/her job.

Findings

Unlike studies in developed countries, this paper finds that Vietnam has a higher incidence of under-education than over-education due to a large proportion of the population in rural and remote areas not having access to formal education. Further, qualification mismatch has an asymmetric effect on earnings in the sense that the wage rate is flexible downward but rigid upward. In particular, years of schooling that are in excess or in deficit of the required level for the job are not compensated with higher earnings. This paper concludes that although qualification mismatch incidence in Vietnam is different from that in developed countries, mismatched workers also suffer from significant wage penalty.

Originality/value

This paper makes a significant contribution by providing the first evidence from a developing country to the vertical mismatch literature which has already been overwhelmed with studies from advanced economies.
Can health and social care integration make long-term progress? Findings from key informant surveys of the integration Pioneers in England
Authors: Erens Bob , Wistow Gerald , Mays Nicholas , Manacorda Tommaso , Douglas Nick , Mounier-Jack Sandra , Durand Mary Alison
Published: October 2019

Purpose

All areas in England are expected by National Health Service (NHS) England to develop integrated care systems (ICSs) by April 2021. ICSs bring together primary, secondary and community health services, and involve local authorities and the voluntary sector. ICSs build on previous pilots, including the Integrated Care Pioneers in 25 areas from November 2013 to March 2018. This analysis tracks the Pioneers’ self-reported progress, and the facilitators and barriers to improve service coordination over three years, longer than previous evaluations in England. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Annual online key informant (KI) surveys, 2016–2018, are used for this study.

Findings

By the fourth year of the programme (2017), KIs had shifted from reporting plans to implementation of a wide range of initiatives. In 2018, informants reported fewer “significant” barriers to change than previously. While some progress in achieving local integration objectives was evident, it was also clear that progress can take considerable time. In parallel, there appears to have been a move away from aspects of personalised care associated with user control, perhaps in part because the emphasis of national objectives has shifted towards establishing large-scale ICSs with a particular focus on organisational fragmentation within the NHS.

Research limitations/implications

Because these are self-reports of changes, they cannot be objectively verified. Later stages of the evaluation will look at changes in outcomes and user experiences.

Originality/value

The current study shows clearly that the benefits of integrating health and social care are unlikely to be apparent for several years, and expectations of policy makers to see rapid improvements in care and outcomes are likely to be unrealistic.
Consequences of corporate social responsibility on employees
Authors: Asante Boadi Evans , He Zheng , Boadi Eric Kofi , Bosompem Josephine , Avornyo Philip
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on affect social exchange theory and related literature to develop and test a research model linking employees’ perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to their outcomes [performance and organisational pride (ORP)] with moderating variables: perceived work motivation patterns (autonomous and controlled motivation) to sustain firm’s operations through their employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used Ghana as a case for this study due to recent turbulences in the banking sector of Ghana. A sample data of 244 subordinate/supervisor dyads from rural and community banks was collected with a time-lagged technique and analysed through a structural equation modelling for this study.

Findings

These employee’s perceptions of CSR positively related to their performance and ORP. Autonomous motivated employees had a stronger positive moderated impact on perceived CSR-Performance link whereas controlled motivated employees recorded a stronger impact on perceived CSR-ORP link.

Practical implications

Based on these results, managers and human resource (HR) professionals can aim at acquiring favourable employees’ perception of their firms’ CSR initiatives. In that, it can help firms to remain in business particularly in difficult times. Also, autonomous and controlled motivators may seem inversely related, however, they are not contradictory to each other. Both can coexist within a firm and it is crucial that HR professionals and managers endeavour to balance them discreetly to attain organisational goals.

Originality/value

Despite the growing interest in CSR across continents, CSR outcomes on employees among small and medium scale firms especially in Africa has fairly been toned-down by respective management of firms, governments and researchers.
Modeling enablers of supply chain quality risk management: a grey-DEMATEL approach
Authors: Prashar Anupama , Aggarwal Shikha
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recognize and model the enablers of supply chain quality risk management (SCQRM) through an empirical study in the Indian automotive companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted to extract the key enablers of quality management (QM) and risk management in the context of manufacturing supply chains. A grey-based DEMATEL method was employed to identify and model the key enablers of SCQRM.

Findings

The results of empirical study showed that the effectiveness of QM and risk management systems for automotive supply chain is driven by a set of common enablers that could be employed for developing dedicated SCQRM systems. The common causal factors in the model such as the involvement of top leaders, inter-firm communication and strategic-level alignment between supply chain members on both these issues clearly state that there is a need for a broader policy at an early stage.

Practical implications

It is crucial for the automotive companies to develop and implement structured systems for SCQRM keeping in view the impact of any unaddressed quality risk on missed production targets, vehicle recalls and safety hazards.

Originality/value

This study ascertains the key enablers of SCQRM with emblematic focus on automotive industry and identifies if there are commonalities in these enablers.
GATA‐type transcriptional factor Gat1 regulates nitrogen uptake and polymalic acid biosynthesis in polyextremotolerant fungus Aureobasidium pullulans
Authors: Song Xiaodan , Wang Yongkang , Wang Pan , Pu Guihong , Zou Xiang
Published: October 2019

Polymalic acid (PMA) is a novel biopolymer produced by the polyextremotolerant fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. In this study, a GATA‐family transcriptional factor, Gat1, which regulates nitrogen uptake and PMA biosynthesis, was investigated. PMA production increased to 11.2% in the mutant overexpressing gat1 but decreased to 49.1% of the PMA titre when gat1 was knocked out from the genome of A. pullulans. Comparative transcriptome analysis of wild‐type and mutant strains (∆gat1 and OE::gat1) revealed that 23 common differentially expressed genes were related to oxidative phosphorylation, ribosome biogenesis, and nitrogen metabolism. Under nitrogen‐limited stress, regardless of the preferred nitrogen (glutamine, Gln) or non‐preferred nitrogen (proline, Pro), 70% of Gat1 in the cells was located in the nucleus–cytoplasm, which resulted in an increase in nitrogen uptake and PMA biosynthesis regulation. Quantitative RT‐PCR revealed that glucosekinase (GLK) in the glycolytic pathway and malate synthase (MLS) in the glyoxylate shunt pathway may be cross‐regulated by Gat1 and nitrogen concentration (Gln or Pro), Therefore, glk was overexpressed in mutant strain (OE::gat1), which resulted in an increased PMA titre and yield of 12.6% and 13.0% respectively. These findings indicate that Gat1 may play an important role in the dual regulation of the nitrogen and carbon metabolisms in PMA biosynthesis.
Incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade in children below 3 years after a single bolus of cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg: A quality assurance study
Authors: Vested Matias , Tarpgaard Mona , Eriksen Kirsten , Rasmussen Lars S.
Published: October 2019

Background

The aim of this quality assurance study was to determine the proportion of patients with residual block (train‐of‐four (TOF) ratio <0.9) upon conclusion of surgery after a bolus of cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg. It was considered good quality if less than 10% of the study population had residual block upon conclusion of surgery.

Methods

A total of 40 patients ≤3 years of age scheduled for cleft lip and palate repair were consecutively enrolled. They received general anaesthesia with either sevoflurane and fentanyl (n = 20) or propofol and remifentanil (n = 20). TOF stimulation using acceleromyography was applied on the tibial nerve. Cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg was administered to facilitate tracheal intubation.

Results

Three patients (8%; 95% CI: 1.7‐21) had a TOF ratio <0.9 at conclusion of surgery, all three receiving sevoflurane. In the sevoflurane group, this corresponded to 16% (95% CI: 3.3‐40) of the patients. Mean duration of action of cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg was 119 minutes (SD 40) with sevoflurane and 73 minutes (SD 29) during total intravenous anaesthesia (P < .001). Onset time of cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg was 166 seconds (SD 37) with sevoflurane and 199 seconds (SD 60) during total intravenous anaesthesia.

Conclusion

We found that 8% of the children had residual neuromuscular blockade (TOF ratio <0.9) after administration of a single bolus of cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg but we cannot exclude that the true proportion is around 20%.
An iliopsoas plane block does not cause motor blockade—A blinded randomized volunteer trial
Authors: Nielsen Niels D. , Madsen Merete N. , Østergaard Helle K. , Bjørn Siska , Pedersen Erik M. , Nielsen Thomas D. , Søballe Kjeld , Børglum Jens , Bendtsen Thomas F.
Published: October 2019

Background

A femoral nerve block relieves pain after total hip arthroplasty, but its use is controversial due to motor paralysis accompanied by an increased risk of fall. Assumedly, the iliopsoas plane block (IPB) targets the hip articular branches of the femoral nerve without motor blockade. However, this has only been indicated in a cadaver study. Therefore, we designed this volunteer study.

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to blinded paired active vs. sham IPB (5 mL lidocaine 18 mg/mL with epinephrine vs saline). The primary outcome was reduction of maximal force of knee extension after IPB compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes included reduction of maximal force of hip adduction, and the pattern of injectate spread assessed with magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Mean (confidence interval) change of maximal force of knee extension from baseline to after IPB was −9.7 N (−22, 3.0) (P = .12) (n = 14). The injectate was consistently observed in an anatomically well‐defined closed fascial compartment between the intra‐ and extra‐pelvic components of the iliopsoas muscle anterior to the hip joint.

Conclusion

We observed no significant reduction of maximal force of knee extension after an IPB. The injectate was contained in a fascial compartment previously shown to contain all sensory branches from the femoral nerve to the hip joint. The clinical consequence of selective anesthesia of all sensory femoral nerve branches from the hip could be a reduced risk of fall compared to a traditional femoral nerve block.

Registration of Trial: The trial was prospectively registered in EudraCT (Reference: 2018‐000089‐12, https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2018-000089-12).
Comparing volumetric and biochemical assessment of intravasation caused by hysteroscopic surgery
Authors: Haude Oscar , Overdijk Lucilla E. , van Kesteren Paul J. M. , Geerts Bart F. , Rademaker Bart M. P.
Published: October 2019

Background

During hysteroscopic surgery intravasation of irrigation fluid occurs, leading to potentially dangerous intravascular fluid overload. Currently, intravasation is usually measured volumetrically as fluid deficit. Intravasation could also be calculated using the decrease in hemoglobin or increase in chloride ion concentration, both phenomena known to result from intravasation. We compared the values of intravasation measured volumetrically as fluid deficit versus calculated from the biochemical change in hemoglobin and chloride. We expected that these values would show strong correlation and agreement.

Methods

In a retrospective data analysis of 51 patients who underwent hysteroscopic resection of myomas or endometrium a pre and post procedure concentration of haemoglobin and chloride was available. The fluid deficit was plotted against the two versions of calculated intravasation. Furthermore, we put the data into Bland‐Altman plots to scrutinize their relationship.

Results

The volumetric assessed fluid deficit and both versions of biochemically assessed intravasation, either using the change in hemoglobin or chloride ion concentration, turned out to be three totally different entities with weak correlation. Bland‐Altman plots show too wide limits of agreement, and a striking difference between the two methods of calculated intravasation.

Conclusion

Our study shows significant differences and poor agreement between volumetric and biochemically assessed intravasation. Based on this study, routinely assessing intravasation by biochemical methods does not have additional benefit compared to the volumetric fluid deficit. It remains unclear which method resembles true intravasation.
Association Between Perceived Threat and the Development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Patients With Life‐threatening Medical Emergencies
Authors: Moss Jeena , Roberts Michael B. , Shea Lisa , Jones Christopher W. , Kilgannon Hope , Edmondson Donald E. , Trzeciak Stephen , Roberts Brian W.
Published: October 2019

Background

Our objectives were to test whether during a potentially life‐threatening medical emergency, perceived threat (a patient’s sense of life endangerment) in the emergency department (ED) is common and associated with the subsequent development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Methods

This study was an ED‐based prospective cohort study in an academic hospital. We included adult patients requiring acute intervention in the ED for resuscitation of a potentially life‐threatening medical emergency, defined as respiratory or cardiovascular instability. We measured patient‐perceived threat in the ED using a validated patient self‐assessment measure (score range = 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater perceived threat). We performed blinded assessment of PTSD symptoms 30 days after discharge using the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐Fifth Edition (PCL‐5).

Results

Ninety‐nine of 113 (88%) patients completed follow‐up, with 98% reporting some degree of perceived threat, median (interquartile range [IQR]) perceived threat score 12 (6 to 17), and 72% reported PTSD symptoms in relation to their ED visit (median [IQR] PCL‐5 score = 7 [0 to 30]). Patients with respiratory instability had higher median (IQR) perceived threat scores (16 [9 to 18] vs. 9 [6 to 14)] and PCL‐5 scores (10 [2 to 40] vs. 3 [0 to 17]) compared to patients without respiratory instability. In a multivariable linear regression model adjusting for potential confounders, greater perceived threat in the ED was independently associated with higher PCL‐5 scores (β = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.15 to 1.42). Among the individual perceived threat items, the feeling of helplessness during resuscitation had the strongest association with PCL‐5 score (β = 5.24, 95% CI = 2.29 to 8.18).

Conclusions

Perceived threat during potentially life‐threatening emergencies is common and independently associated with development of PTSD symptoms. Additional research to test whether reduction of perceived threat in the ED attenuates the development of PTSD symptoms following potentially life‐threatening emergencies is warranted.
Introduction of an interprofessional gynaecology surgical skills workshop for undergraduate medical and nursing students
Authors: Yang Amy , Fernando Shavi , Tighe Josie , O‐Halloran Monica , Morphet Julia , Kumar Arunaz
Published: October 2019

Background

Medical and nursing students may feel under‐prepared to perform basic surgical and gynaecology procedural skills. There also remains scope within undergraduate programs to integrate interprofessional education, and better prepare students for interprofessional collaboration to improve patient care.

Aims

A simulation‐based gynaecology surgical skills workshop program was introduced for undergraduate medical and nursing students. The aim of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of a simulation‐based interprofessional gynaecological skills program, using students’ pre‐ and post‐workshop confidence in taught skills reported in a post‐workshop questionnaire as an outcome measure.

Materials and methods

One hundred and sixty undergraduate medical (n = 133) and nursing (n = 27) students attended the workshop program at a tertiary university in Melbourne, Australia. A survey was completed by all students immediately after the workshop, addressing students’ perceptions of surgical education, the four skill‐stations (gowning/gloving, suturing, intrauterine device insertion, and urethral catheterisation), and interprofessional education. A Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was performed to compare students’ pre‐ and post‐workshop confidence scores.

Results

Most medical and nursing students (86%) agreed their course should provide more structured surgical education. There was a statistically significant increase in post‐workshop self‐reported confidence scores for medical and nursing students in all four taught skills. Confidence in interprofessional behaviours also improved in both cohorts, but the improvement in nursing students did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Simulation‐based, interprofessional, gynaecological surgery skills workshops are practical and valuable additions to undergraduate medical and nursing curricula. Further research should explore long‐term retention of procedural skills and changes in interprofessional attitudes in clinical practice.
Expert consensus: practical algorithms for management of inflammatory bowel disease patients presenting with back pain or peripheral arthropathies
Authors: Varkas Gaëlle , Ribbens Clio , Louis Edouard , Van den Bosch Filip , Lories Rik , Vermeire Séverine , Elewaut Dirk , De Vos Martine
Published: October 2019

Background

Spondyloarthritis is the most frequent extra‐intestinal manifestation of IBD.

Aim

To present simple strategies to identify and differentiate inflammatory joint pain in IBD patients.

Methods

A panel of Belgian gastroenterologists and rheumatologists developed seven algorithms for IBD patients with joint symptoms based on a Delphi exercise conducted between April and December 2016. Here, we focus on referral strategies for patients with chronic back pain (evidence‐based strategy), large joint monoarthritis, oligo‐ or polyarticular arthritis or arthralgia (based on expert opinion). We also present management tools for IBD patients with acute back pain and small joint monoarthritis (Supplementary file).

Results

The reported algorithm for IBD patients with chronic back pain uses basic clinical criteria to identify which patients should be referred to the emergency room (spondylodiscitis), physical medicine and rehabilitation (mechanical back pain) or rheumatologist (spondyloarthritis). IBD patients with large joint monoarthritis should be referred to emergency room if septic arthritis is suspected; in other patients, blood analyses and referral to a rheumatologist for articular puncture with evacuation of synovial fluid are recommended. The analysis of synovial fluid allows for identification of non‐inflammatory (e.g., osteoarthritis) and inflammatory (e.g., [pseudo]‐gout, peripheral spondyloarthritis and Borrelia burgdorferi arthritis) conditions. In patients with inflammatory oligoarticular or polyarticular arthralgia, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, concomitant therapies, anti‐nuclear factor and anti‐double‐stranded DNA antibody levels should be evaluated; in anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐treated patients, a drug‐induced lupus‐like syndrome should be considered.

Conclusion

We propose straightforward strategies for IBD patients with joint symptoms, which are specific enough to select initial treatment and referral pattern.