bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Image Processing Techniques for Nonviable Tissue Quantification in Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Carminati M. Chiara , Boniotti Cinzia , Fusini Laura , Andreini Daniele , Pontone Gianluca , Pepi Mauro , Caiani Enrico G. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose:
The aim of this study was to compare the performance of quantitative methods, either semiautomated or automated, for left ventricular (LV) nonviable tissue analysis from cardiac magnetic resonance late gadolinium enhancement (CMR-LGE) images.

Materials and Methods:
The investigated segmentation techniques were: (i) n-standard deviations thresholding; (ii) full width at half maximum thresholding; (iii) Gaussian mixture model classification; and (iv) fuzzy c-means clustering. These algorithms were applied either in each short axis slice (single-slice approach) or globally considering the entire short-axis stack covering the LV (global approach). CMR-LGE images from 20 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy were retrospectively selected, and results from each technique were assessed against manual tracing.

Results:
All methods provided comparable performance in terms of accuracy in scar detection, computation of local transmurality, and high correlation in scar mass compared with the manual technique. In general, no significant difference between single-slice and global approach was noted. The reproducibility of manual and investigated techniques was confirmed in all cases with slightly lower results for the nSD approach.

Conclusions:
Automated techniques resulted in accurate and reproducible evaluation of LV scars from CMR-LGE in ischemic patients with performance similar to the manual technique. Their application could minimize user interaction and computational time, even when compared with semiautomated approaches.
Augmentation Phalloplasty With Autologous Dermal Fat Graft in the Treatment of “Small Penis”
Authors: Xu Lisi , Zhao Muxin , Chen Wen , Li Yangqun , Yang Zhe , Ma Ning , Wang Weixin , Feng Jun , Liu Qiyu , Ma Tong 
Published: April 2016

Background
Our objective is to report on the efficacy and safety of dermal fat graft in augmentation phalloplasty performed on patients who presented complaining of “small penis,” and evaluate the cosmetic and psychological outcomes of it.

Methods
From April 2010 and January 2015, 23 Chinese adult patients aged 18 to 33 years (average, 23 years) with subjective perception of small penis were included; all who requested an increase in the penile dimension underwent penile elongation (suprapubic skin advancement—ligamentolysis) and girth enhancement by dermal fat graft. Besides objective measurement, Male Genital Image Scale was used to facilitate selection of patients and evaluate the outcome, respectively. The change and shrinkage of the dermal fat strips was evaluated by ultrasound examination and computed tomography.

Results
No major complications or erection deficiencies occurred during the postoperative follow-up period. After 6 months, the mean flaccid length was increased by 2.27 ± 0.54 cm, whereas the mean flaccid circumference gain was 1.67 ± 0.46 cm. Significant improvement of genital satisfaction was reported during the follow-up. The shrinkage of dermal fat strips was inconspicuous, and no curvature was observed due to fibrosis.

Conclusions
With strict patient selection, this procedure is proved to be a plausible and reasonable option for patients with penile dysmorphophobia. Also, it provides a potential alternative procedure to current dominant methods and promotes the aesthetic results with penile lengthening.
Tumor Localization for Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection Without Endoscopic Tattooing
Authors: Cai Zhenghao , Pan Ruijun , Ma Junjun , Zheng Minhua 
Published: April 2016

Introduction:
Tumor localization is a key step in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Endoscopic tattooing is widely practiced with a satisfactory accuracy, whereas few studies have investigated its shortcomings. The aim of our study is to assess the accuracy and efficiency of a tumor localization protocol without endoscopic tattooing.

Methods:
The tumor localization protocol was performed for 788 colorectal cancer/polyp patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection. The localization accuracy was evaluated by the intraoperative exploration and the anatomopathologic results.

Results:
The localization accuracy was 100% in our study. The drawbacks of endoscopic tattooing were overcome. Only 16.6% of the patients underwent preoperative endoscopic clip placement. Intraoperative colonoscopy was performed as a planned and purposive procedure instead of a remedial measurement. The misplacement of the camera port for laparoscopy was avoided in 18 cases (2.3%) guided by this protocol.

Conclusions:
Colorectal tumor localization could be improved by this tumor localization protocol without endoscopic tattooing.
The role of intermediaries in food export: case evidence from Finland
Authors: Lehtinen Ulla E.E. , Ahokangas Petri , Lu Jinghui 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
This paper examines the role of export intermediaries in the internationalization of small and medium sized companies in Finland. The empirical study focuses on small Finnish food companies that export to German and Chinese markets.

Design/methodology/approach
The research method of this study is qualitative. Data is collected through semi-structured interviews with six respondents presenting exporting companies and export consultants.

Findings
The paper provides an empirical contribution to the food internationalization debate. First, the paper discusses the definitions of export intermediaries and their role in export based on the literature. Second, by examining how Finnish food companies experience the role of export intermediaries, the paper contributes to the current discussion on internationalization modes. The empirical results highlight that export companies need transaction-creating services from intermediaries especially when entering physically and culturally distant markets like China.

Research limitations/implications
Limitations of the research generally relate to the use of a small case sample.

Practical implications
The paper holds a number of relevant insights for food companies seeking to enter to German and Chinese markets. Identifying the export services needed by small food companies might help export intermediaries and public policy agencies to better focus their supporting initiatives.

Originality/value
The findings add to the current body of knowledge on the key influence on internationalization modes within the food sector.
Better at Home, Abroad, Or Both?
How Chinese Firms use Ambidextrous Internationalization Strategies to Drive Innovation
Authors: Prange Christiane , Bruyaka Olga 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
Existing research emphasized that Chinese firms gain experience and improve innovation capability through interaction with competitors at home (i.e., inside-out internationalization) and abroad (i.e., outside-in internationalization). However, how Chinese firms transform these experiences into different types of innovation (product vs. process) is largely unknown. The present study (1) analyzes how different internationalization trajectories lead to different types of innovation, (2) establishes how Chinese firms use ambidextrous strategies to combine inside-out and outside-in internationalization, and 3) provides empirical evidence of how ambidextrous strategies might influence performance.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses (1) a case research method to refine the classification of firms’ internationalization strategy types, (2) a qualitative textual analysis of firms’ annual reports to differentiate between product and process innovation and to estimate these firms’ international performance, and (3) an inductive approach to derive testable propositions from the literature review and empirical cases.

Findings
This study provides evidence that many Chinese firms follow an inside-out approach to internationalization and primarily focus on process innovation. At the same time, those firms that implement ambidextrous internationalization strategies develop both product and process innovations and appear to exhibit higher performance.

Research limitations/implications
This study’s focus on understanding what drives different types of innovation of Chinese firms is important as these firms often struggle to accomplish the dual tasks of competing both at home and abroad with innovation-driven domestic and foreign rivals. Applying an ambidexterity perspective to the context of internationalization strategy makes it possible to reconcile the need to simultaneously implement both outside-in and inside-out strategies and to achieve higher performance results. Further empirical research is required to confirm and generalize this study’s findings.

Practical implications
Managers are advised to assess which internationalization path would be optimal under a given set of conditions. Further, they should balance their internationalization strategies with respect to innovation types. Foreign multinationals may learn from Chinese firms how to develop ambidextrous internationalization strategies.

Originality/value
This study applies the ambidexterity lens and differentiates between product and process innovation to explore how different types of internationalization strategies affect product vs. process innovation, as well as firm performance. The empirical evidence provided in this paper is based on original data from 30 Chinese companies and two in-depth case studies. This study provides novel insights into how different trajectories could be combined through ambidextrous strategies.
Presenteeism as a global phenomenon: unraveling the psychosocial mechanisms from the perspective of social cognitive theory
Authors: Cooper Cary L , Lu Luo 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
Presenteeism occurs when people are physically present in the workplace but are functionally absent (Cooper, 1996). With evidence from the developed West, researchers have argued that being excessively present may be even costlier than absenteeism to employers (Burton, Chen, Conti, Schultz, & Edington, 2006; Hemp, 2004). However, research on presenteeism in the East is almost non-existent. With the strong Confucius cultural imperative for hard work, the prevailing pressure for working long hours, compounded with the lack of labor welfare protection at the national level and lack of resources at the organizational level in SMEs, the problem of presenteeism in the developing Asian societies may be exacerbated (c.f., Bockerman & Laukkanen, 2010), making it a worthy subject for cross-cultural research and subsequent intervention. Thus one purpose of this article is to situate this problem in a global context, using the Chinese tradition as a cultural exemplar.

Design/methodology/approach
Furthermore, most of the existing studies on presenteeism have overlooked the underlying psychological process of such an act: why do people decide to work while sick? Thus, our second goal in this article is to outline a conceptual framework that attempts to explain central, dynamic processes and mechanisms through which people ascribe meanings to the situation, make decisions to come to work when ill, and attempt to achieve performance outcomes.

Findings
In formulating this scheme, we drew primarily from Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory (SCT) and tried to adapt, elaborate, and extend those aspects of the general theory that seemed most relevant to the basic personal experiences of presenteeism.

Originality/value
We have outlined a social cognitive conceptual framework, to facilitate theory integration in the field of presenteeism research. To systematically examine key mechanisms delineated in the overarching theoretical framework that accounts for the intricate relationships among self-regulation, presenteeism, and performance, we were able to bridge social cognitive psychological processes with organizational research on the global phenomenon of presenteeism. The thrust of using theoretical development to lead empirical investigation in this emerging field may also enable better managerial interventions to promote occupational health and employee development.
What makes employees engaged with their work? The role of self-efficacy and employee’s perceptions of social context over time
Authors: Consiglio Chiara , Borgogni Laura , Di Tecco Cristina , Schaufeli Wilmar B. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
– Work engagement represents an important aspect of employee well-being and performance and has been related to both job and personal resources. The purpose of this paper, based on Social Cognitive Theory, is to emphasize the proactive role of self-efficacy which is hypothesized to predict work engagement, not only directly, but also indirectly through positive changes in employee’s perceptions of social context (PoSC); namely, perceptions of one’s immediate supervisor, colleagues and top management.

Design/methodology/approach
– A sample of 741 employees of a communication service company completed two questionnaires, with a time interval of three years. Structural equation modeling was performed in order to test the hypothesized model.

Findings
– Results revealed that, as expected: first, initial self-efficacy predicts work engagement three years later; and second, positive changes in employee’s perceptions of the social work context across the three year period, mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and work engagement.

Research limitations/implications
– Results relied only upon self-report data. Moreover, each variable was only measured at the time in which it was hypothesized by the conceptual model.

Practical implications
– The significant role of self-efficacy as a direct and indirect predictor of work engagement suggests the development of training programs centered on the main sources of self-efficacy, specifically focussed on the social work domain.

Originality/value
– This research provides evidence of the substantial contribution of self-efficacy to work engagement over time. Moreover, the results also support the beneficial effects of self-efficacy through its influence on the improvements in the individuals’ perceptions of their social context.
Mindfulness at work: resource accumulation, well-being, and attitudes
Authors: Zivnuska Suzanne , Kacmar K. Michele , Ferguson Merideth , Carlson Dawn S. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
– Mindfulness is a well-studied phenomenon in many disciplines. Little is known about its impacts on employees at work. The purpose of this paper is to focus on mindfulness at work, defined as a psychological state in which employees intentionally pay full attention to the present moment while executing job tasks. The research model, grounded in conservation of resources theory, depicts how mindfulness at work may help employees develop resources (work-family balance and job engagement) which may be associated with greater well-being (less psychological distress and more job satisfaction) and organizational attitudes (intent to turnover and affective commitment).

Design/methodology/approach
– Using a sample of 503 full time employees, the authors test the model with structural equation modeling.

Findings
– Results supported the full research model, suggesting that mindfulness at work is an important antecedent to resource accrual, well-being, and organizational attitudes. Mindfulness at work exerted direct and indirect effects on turnover intentions and affective commitment.

Research limitations/implications
– The inclusion of job engagement as a mediator provides an interesting counterpoint and extension of prior studies suggesting that job engagement negates the effects of mindfulness on turnover intentions (Dane, 2014).

Practical implications
– The research suggests that mindfulness at work is highly trainable and may enhance a variety of career outcomes.

Originality/value
– This study extends emerging literature on mindfulness at work by offering a new scale grounded in established theory and the practice of mindfulness.
Collaboration between the library and Office of Student Disability Services
Authors: Arzola Rebecca 
Published: April 2016

Purpose
The paper aims to discuss the relationship between interdepartmental stakeholders in higher education and the information identified as a result of collaborations. It proposes that collaborations can help clarify issues to then advocate for them.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper opted for a naturalistic case study design, gathering direct and participant observation of interdepartmental collaborations including 1 Student Share, 12 one-hour collaborative sessions and 1 Accessibility Conference.

Findings
The paper provides observed insight about student needs to have documents that are accessible for assistive technologies to recognize and read how change is brought about during internal brand building. It suggests that successful accessibility implementation in higher education calls for collaboration with stakeholders.

Originality/value
This paper shows how a collaboration between the library and Student Disability Services can work to understand document accessibility issues. It also reveals that students with disabilities are adept with current mobile trends and technology, and need to be, for productivity in college. It will be valuable to librarians, faculty, staff and other technology stakeholders that work with students with disabilities.
Leadership for knowledge organizations
Authors: Amar A D , Hlupic Vlatka 
Published: April 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to give some theoretical foundation to leadership function and style for managing knowledge workers whose work, by definition, is non-routine, thrives on innovation, and places a special demand on autonomy for its execution.Design/methodology/approach– Extant search of literature to look for evidence supporting successful leadership theories and practices that are shown to improve performance of knowledge workers. Synthesis of findings to structure a framework in the form of major propositions for their testing by future research.Findings– The authors begin with establishing the first finding that states that leadership of knowledge organizations is different from the leadership of traditional organizations. Then the authors build six additional findings for shaping a successful leadership process for knowledge organizations.Research limitations/implications– Since it is a theoretical paper built on a search of literature in the field of leadership, there is a need to empirically test the findings to give them their final shape. Each of the seven propositions in this paper would result into many hypotheses that should initiate several empirical studies.Practical implications– The authors consider individual and organizational/group contexts of the leadership proposed here, and also provide recommendations for carrying out this research further. While the paper is written more specifically with regard to the leadership of knowledge organizations where its findings should be fully implantable, however, to some extent, they would apply to all organizations.Social implications– Leadership is a ubiquitous social phenomenon. It affects not only organizations, but also every aspect of human activity. This paper is an attempt to alter the fundamental thinking of leaders, suggesting to not to use authority, and instead, to allow everyone connected with the task the opportunity to lead. This shift in leadership paradigm will have an impact on the behavior of all involved, and steadily, will bring a change in the norms of social behavior.Originality/value– This paper is a move toward giving the knowledge organization leadership some theoretical framework, as it is still in a state of flux in spite of attracting a lot of research.
Does bribery have a negative impact on firm performance? A firm-level analysis across 132 developing countries
Authors: Williams Colin C , Martinez-Perez Alvaro , Kedir Abbi 
Published: April 2016

Purpose– Reflecting the moral theorisation of bribery as a negative phenomenon, bribery has been widely shown to have a deleterious impact at the national level on economic development and growth. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether it is also the case at the firm level that bribery has negative impacts on firm performance. Until now, the few studies conducted in individual nations and regions have produced mixed results. Here, therefore, a more comprehensive evaluation of the relationship between bribery and firm performance is undertaken across the developing world.Design/methodology/approach– To do so, World Bank Enterprise Survey data on 106,805 enterprises across 132 developing countries is used to provide a firm-level analysis of the relationship between bribery and firm performance.Findings– The finding is that bribery enhances firm performance. Firms asserting that it is necessary for enterprises like theirs to give gifts or payments to public officials in order to get things done have 13.9 per cent higher average annual sales growth rates and 48 per cent higher annual productivity growth rates, after controlling for other determinants of firm performance.Practical implications– Given that engaging in bribery at the firm level results in higher firm performance, despite bribery having an overall detrimental negative impact at the country level, public authorities will need to develop measures to alter not only the cost-benefit ratio confronting individual enterprises but also the institutional deficiencies that result in the prevalence of bribery.Originality/value– This is the first firm-level evaluation of the relationship between bribery and firm performance across the developing world.
Entrepreneurial orientation and performance – are sexes equal?
Authors: Fellnhofer Katharina , Puumalainen Kaisu , Sjögrén Helena 
Published: April 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the different perceptions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of females compared to those of their male counterparts. EO and its links to performance are examined at the level of both the individual and the firm.Design/methodology/approach– Multiple linear regression analyses of a data set with 301 employees in different industries reveal significant differences between genders.Findings– EO has a positive impact on performance at both individual and firm levels of analysis. Females tend to perceive their individual EO as lower than males, but their self-evaluated work performance is higher than that of males. The firm’s EO is also perceived differently by men and by women, but the perceptions of firm’s performance are similar.Research limitations/implications– The results draw attention to the differences between individuals when they evaluate firm-level constructs like EO. While the sample is based on a small number of firms, the findings suggest that EO is neither pervasive throughout the firm nor gender-neutral.Practical implications– The different gender-related perceptions should be kept in mind when promoting entrepreneurially oriented behaviour within organizations. A strong focus on EO in entrepreneurship policy or education may discourage women.Originality/value– So far, multi-level organizational interrelationships have been substantially neglected with respect to the gender dimension.