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BACKGROUND Quality leaders are concerned that creation of multi-hospital health systems may lead to surgeons traveling to and from distant hospitals and thus to more fragmented surgical care and worse outcomes for their patients. Despite this concern, little empirical data exist on outcomes of multi-site vs. single-site surgeons. METHODS Using national Medicare data, we assessed trends in the number of multi-site vs. single-site surgeons from 2011 to 2016. We performed a multivariable regression analysis to compare overall 30-day mortality differences, stratified by system and rural status, and examined trends over time. RESULTS The number of multi-site surgeons and the percentage of multi-site surgeons per hospital decreased over time (24.2% to 19.0%; 44.3% to 41.8%). Overall, multi-site surgeons had lower 30-day mortality than single-site surgeons (2.24% vs. 2.50%, p < 0.01). When stratified by system status, multi-site surgeons performed better in-system (2.47% vs. 2.58%, p < 0.01); by rural status, multi-site surgeons had lower mortality in non-rural hospitals (2.42% vs. 2.51%, p < 0.01). The statistically significant but small mortality advantage of multi-site vs. single-site surgeons decreased over time, such that by 2016 there was no difference in outcomes between multi-site and single-site surgeons. CONCLUSION For the majority of study years, multi-site surgeons had lower 30-day mortality than single-site surgeons, but this trend narrowed until outcomes were equivalent by 2016. Surgeons operating at multiple hospitals can provide surgical care to patients without any evidence of increased mortality.

Este trabajo pretende mostrar, por unlado, la necesidad de priorizar los cuidadoscomo necesidad básica para el sostenimientode la vida y la sociedad; porotro lado, el desigual reparto entre quienesproporcionan y quienes reciben esoscuidados, basado, fundamentalmente, enel sistema sexo-género. Para ello, se aplicael marco teórico de la ética del cuidadoy se proporcionan argumentos y datosempíricos acerca de las consecuenciasque tienen sobre las mujeres circunstanciascomo la maternidad, la crianza o elcuidado de personas en situación de dependencia.

Traffic calming techniques are extensively used as safety tools to reduce the speed of motorised vehicles along any type of paved road. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of isolated speed humps on urban roads in India and to suggest an optimised geometry of speed humps for the desired level of speed reduction. For this, five different urban road sections were identified in Delhi and video graphic data were collected at each study section. The median speed of vehicles at each grid is estimated and speed profiles were developed for each category of vehicle approaching the speed hump. The speed behaviour of the vehicles approaching a circular or parabolic shape of isolated speed hump are examined and compared. This study developed speed profile models using regression techniques for an individual vehicle and also for the combined data. The observed speed of the vehicle was considered as a response variable and the physical properties of the speed humps were considered as explanatory variables. Further, the combined linear equation was considered for determining the optimum height and entry radius of the speed hump for the desired speed by using the simplex method.

Following a new innovation strategy, software vendors move their software onto their software service platforms and open up their platforms to third-party software service vendors. Although many studies state that enlarging the scope of software service offerings is the goal of the platform providers, only a few studies have focused on the roles that the platform providers take on to achieve the goal. These studies identified that the platform providers not only manage the platform but also promote and regulate third-party software. In this article, we extend this research by analyzing the activities of how platform providers promote innovation. For the analysis, we use empirical data about software services gathered from AppExchange of Salesforce. The analysis identifies the clusters and positions of software services of Salesforce and third-party vendors in the software service network. Our analysis results show that Salesforce promotes innovation by provisioning software services that are in core positions or that are bridges between service clusters. Third-party vendors release software services that are complementary to those of Salesforce. Overall, the results suggest that platform providers need to position strategically their software services to build successful software ecosystems, and that research on innovation needs to analyze the roles and efforts of the platform providers in detail.

This chapter argues that a recent backlash against multiculturalism in Australia is not about ‘multiculturalism’ as much as it is about the accommodation of Muslim minority groups in multicultural states. The chapter seeks to address concerns that some multicultural policies pose a threat to the cohesion of society and place women in a particularly vulnerable position. Drawing on the work of Will Kymlicka and Tariq Modood, we argue that multicultural policies have an important place in liberal democratic states and contribute to integration of minority groups into the wider society. Using a theoretical framework of Foucault’s work on power and resistance, and drawing on new empirical data, we argue that multicultural policies facilitate Muslim women’s resistance to existing discourses. We explore issues of Australian Muslim women’s agency, multiculturalism and Shari’a in select areas of Muslim women’s lives including their choice of dress, access to and utilization of both Australian and Islamic Family law, and participation in a key area of Australian cultural life, that of sport.

The purpose of this study was to analyse journalists’ routines and decision-making in gathering and publishing death-related visuals. Empirical data were collected by analysing visuals published in two cases: the death of a teen, and a person who had a mental illness. We conducted eight in-depth interviews with people involved in publishing the visuals. The data showed no guidelines in the newsroom of how journalists should act when covering sensitive topics. Although producing or publishing the visuals depended on various beliefs and professional norms of people involved, the reporter as the last link in the chain had to take responsibility for the visuals. Yet, reporters usually did not get to choose how the visuals were produced. The lack of instructions and internal agreements led to relying on routines that did not consider the ethical aspects of covering sensitive topics.

Applications of biometrics in various societal contexts have been increasing in the United States, and policy debates about potential restrictions and expansions for specific biometrics (such as facial recognition and DNA identification) have been intensifying. Empirical data about public perspectives on different types of biometrics can inform these debates. We surveyed 4048 adults to explore perspectives regarding experience and comfort with six types of biometrics; comfort providing biometrics in distinct scenarios; trust in social actors to use two types of biometrics (facial images and DNA) responsibly; acceptability of facial images in eight scenarios; and perceived effectiveness of facial images for five tasks. Respondents were generally comfortable with biometrics. Trust in social actors to use biometrics responsibly appeared to be context specific rather than dependent on biometric type. Contrary to expectations given mounting attention to dataveillance concerns, we did not find sociodemographic factors to influence perspectives on biometrics in obvious ways. These findings underscore a need for qualitative approaches to understand the contextual factors that trigger strong opinions of comfort with and acceptability of biometrics in different settings, by different actors, and for different purposes and to identify the informational needs relevant to the development of appropriate policies and oversight. New journal. Article is available through the open-access option of this journal! ispartof: IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society vol:3 issue:1 pages:1-6 ispartof: location:United States status: Published online

This paper looks into the emerging trends of makerspaces and outsourced 3D printing services, and examines the natural progression between them. Also, by presenting survey empirical data, it investigates the reasons why individual users and enterprises have started to choose such services and the benefits acquired from this choice, that lead to the promotion of creativity, innovation, and competition. Fundamental working principles both for makerspaces and outsourced 3D printing services are being analyzed. Through the conduction of a survey among two different makerspaces’ users, authors attempt to further clarify the factors that motivate users to choose to participate in makerspaces or use the services offered by an outsourced 3D printing provider. 3D printing technologies have been recognized as being the new industrial revolution. However, because of the nature of the additive manufacturing process, a high level of expertise is required in order to accomplish an acceptable result. The recent proliferation of makerspaces as well as outsourced 3D printing services offers alternative solutions towards overcoming the aforementioned challenges. Makerspaces are currently growing rapidly, aiming to help local communities to get accustomed with emerging manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, especially in modern STEM educational practices. On the other hand, outsourcing has emerged as one of the top business practices of our time due to its numerous benefits for the companies involved. The paper makes a comparison between makerspaces and outsourced services and presents relevant original survey data from users.

The subthalamic nucleus and internal pallidum are main target sites for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease. Multiple trials that investigated subthalamic versus pallidal stimulation were unable to settle on a definitive optimal target between the two. One reason could be that the effect is mediated via a common functional network. To test this hypothesis, we calculated connectivity profiles seeding from deep brain stimulation electrodes in 94 patients that underwent subthalamic and 28 patients with pallidal treatment based on a normative connectome atlas calculated from 1000 healthy subjects. In each cohort, we calculated connectivity profiles that were associated with optimal clinical improvements. The two maps showed striking similarity and were able to cross-predict outcomes in the respective other cohort (R = 0.37 at P < 0.001; R = 0.34 at P = 0.032). Next, we calculated an agreement map, which retained regions common to both target sites. Crucially, this map was able to explain an additional amount of variance in clinical improvements of either cohort when compared to the maps calculated on each cohort alone. Finally, we tested profiles and predictive utility of connectivity maps calculated from different motor symptom subscores with a specific focus on bradykinesia and rigidity. While our study is based on retrospective data and indirect connectivity metrics, it may deliver empirical data to support the hypothesis of a largely overlapping network associated with effective deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease irrespective of the specific target.

Proper scoring rules are used to assess the out-of-sample accuracy of probabilistic forecasts, with different scoring rules rewarding distinct aspects of forecast performance. Herein, we re-investigate the practice of using proper scoring rules to produce probabilistic forecasts that are ‘optimal’ according to a given score and assess when their out-of-sample accuracy is superior to alternative forecasts, according to that score. Particular attention is paid to relative predictive performance under misspecification of the predictive model. Using numerical illustrations, we document several novel findings within this paradigm that highlight the important interplay between the true data generating process, the assumed predictive model and the scoring rule. Notably, we show that only when a predictive model is sufficiently compatible with the true process to allow a particular score criterion to reward what it is designed to reward, will this approach to forecasting reap benefits. Subject to this compatibility, however, the superiority of the optimal forecast will be greater, the greater is the degree of misspecification. We explore these issues under a range of different scenarios and using both artificially simulated and empirical data.

Eradication has been achieved for many vertebrate pest control programs, primarily on small, isolated islands, but has never been considered a practical goal for invasive sea lampreys in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Our objective was to examine evidence relevant to the feasibility of setting eradication as a management goal for Great Lakes sea lampreys. Bomford and O'Brien (1995) listed six conditions for successful eradication of a vertebrate pest; here we examine evidence that these conditions are likely to be met for Great Lakes sea lampreys, with a focus on the first condition: that removal of the pest through control can exceed their rate of replenishment. We analyzed two data sets – one empirical and one synthetic – to estimate stock-recruitment relationships and calculate the exploitation rate necessary for extinction. The empirical data set included the effect of existing lampricide control and suggested an exploitation rate of 59%, in addition to lampricide control, would be sufficient for eventual eradication. The synthetic data set, derived from a simulation of stream-level recruitment dynamics in the absence of lampricide control, suggested that an overall exploitation rate of 90% would be sufficient. We suggest that both of these targets could be achieved. Meeting the other conditions will depend on the scale of the eradication effort, and on development of an exploitation strategy, such as genetic biocontrol, that can target sea lampreys in presently invulnerable habitats. Overall, we concluded that eradication of sea lampreys from the Great Lakes should not be dismissed as a prospective goal.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate what con`sequences the digitisation of public libraries’ knowledge dissemination and the transition to online services has, for library staff members’ perception of their skills. This discussion is interesting because library staff members, by politicians, stakeholders, and other opinion makers, have been appointed as key facilitators of citizens’ continued attachment to civil society and the labour market. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on interviews with library staff members at Danish public libraries. Empirical data were collected through semi-structured e-mail interviews, based on an interview formula, and via follow-up telephone conversations. Library professional rapports and research literature were identified and applied as a theoretical framework in the creation of the analytical apparatus. Findings There were several different explanatory models available when respondents had to articulate their current challenges. The first model regarded the library staff members’ lack of skills as a political-organisational issue, occurring because of a lack of invest in their continuing education. Continuing education had therefore become a personal matter. The second model highlighted the library staff members’ lack of skills as an individual, library professional problem, where the responsibility for solving the problem lay with the individual employee. Originality/value Several studies have been conducted on library staff members’ skills and how they change, due to the transition to digital forms of dissemination. The present study strives to give employees a voice, which is why the respondents’ experiences are the starting point for the analytical work. Such studies are essential to understanding the extent and nature of the problem.

Patient-centred outcomes are increasingly recognised as crucial measures of healthcare quality. Days alive and at home up to 30 days after surgery (DAH30 ) is a validated and readily obtainable patient-centred outcome measure that integrates much of the peri-operative patient journey. However, the minimal difference in DAH30 that is clinically important to patients is unknown. We designed and administered a 28-item survey to evaluate the minimal clinically important difference in DAH30 among adult patients undergoing inpatient surgery. Patients were approached pre-operatively or within 2 days postoperatively. We did not study patients undergoing day surgery or nursing home residents. Patients ranked their opinions on the importance of discharge home using a Likert scale (from 1, not important at all to 6, extremely important) and the minimum number of extra days at home that would be meaningful using this scale. We recruited 104 patients; the survey was administered pre-operatively to 45 patients and postoperatively to 59 patients. The mean (SD) age was 53.5 (16.5) years, and 51 (49%) patients were male. Patients underwent a broad range of surgery of mainly intermediate (55%) to major (33%) severity. The median minimal clinically important difference for DAH30 was 3 days; this was consistent across a broad range of scenarios, including earlier discharge home, complications delaying hospital discharge and the requirement for admission to a rehabilitation unit. Discharge home earlier than anticipated and discharge home rather than to a rehabilitation facility were both rated as important (median score = 5). Empirical data on the minimal clinically important difference for DAH30 may be useful to determine sample size and to guide the non-inferiority margin for future clinical trials.

This study measured the impacts of failure in Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) during the outbreak of a contagious Corona viral disease. The study measured the impacts by the number of individuals and hospitals exposed to the virus. The 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea was used to investigate the consequences of CERC failure, where the names of hospitals exposed to MERS‐CoV were withheld from the public during the early stage of virus diffusion. Empirical data analyses and simulated model tests were conducted. The findings of analyses and tests show that an early announcement of the hospital names and publicizing the necessary preventive measures could have reduced the rate of infection by approximately 85% and the number of contaminated healthcare facilities by 39% at maximum. This level of reduction is comparable to that of vaccination and of social distancing.

Families with teenagers are known to experience various challenges, as parents and teens often have conflicting opinions in regard to technology use. To understand how the disruption caused by SARS-CoV2-2 impacted dynamics around technology use within Asian Indian families with teens in the U.S., we conducted a mixed-methods study with 22 Asian Indian parent-teen dyads of different socioeconomic status (SES). Based on our empirical data, we present the complex picture of technology use in Asian Indian families during a period of disruption. We discuss the differences and similarities in (a) tensions that emerged in regard to technology use and mediation as participants from different SESs adjusted their daily life routines and (b) the ways technology helped them to develop practices that contributed to family resilience. Finally, we offer recommendations for the designers of technologies that can support parents and teens not only in times of crisis, but also under normal circumstances.

Clinical cancer genomic testing based on next-generation sequencing can help select genotype-matched therapy and provide diagnostic and prognostic information. Pathological tissue from malignant tumors obtained during routine practice are frequently used for genomic testing. This article is aimed to standardize the proper handling of pathological specimens in practice for genomic medicine based on the findings established in "Guidelines on the handling of pathological tissue samples for genomic medicine (in Japanese)" published by The Japanese Society of Pathology (JSP) in 2018. The two-part practical guidelines are based on empirical data analyses; Part 1 describes the standard preanalytic operating procedures for tissue collection, processing, and storage of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, while Part 2 describes the assessment and selection of FFPE samples appropriate for genomic testing, typically conducted by a pathologist. The guidelines recommend that FFPE sample blocks be used within 3 years from preparation, and the tumor content should be >= 30% (minimum 20%). The empirical data were obtained from clinical studies performed by the JSP in collaboration with leading Japanese cancer genome research projects. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) recommended to comply with the JSP practical guidelines in implementing cancer genomic testing under the national health insurance system in over 200 MHLW-designated core and cooperative cancer genome medicine hospitals in Japan.

BACKGROUND: By the beginning of December 2020, some vaccines against COVID-19 already presented efficacy and security, which qualify them to be used in mass vaccination campaigns. Thus, setting up strategies of vaccination became crucial to control the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We use daily COVID-19 reports from Chicago and New York City (NYC) from 01-Mar2020 to 28-Nov-2020 to estimate the parameters of an SEIR-like epidemiological model that accounts for different severity levels. To achieve data adherent predictions, we let the model parameters to be time-dependent. The model is used to forecast different vaccination scenarios, where the campaign starts at different dates, from 01-Oct-2020 to 01-Apr-2021. To generate realistic scenarios, disease control strategies are implemented whenever the number of predicted daily hospitalizations reaches a preset threshold. RESULTS: The model reproduces the empirical data with remarkable accuracy. Delaying the vaccination severely affects the mortality, hospitalization, and recovery projections. In Chicago, the disease spread was under control, reducing the mortality increment as the start of the vaccination was postponed. In NYC, the number of cases was increasing, thus, the estimated model predicted a much larger impact, despite the implementation of contention measures. The earlier the vaccination campaign begins, the larger is its potential impact in reducing the COVID-19 cases, as well as in the hospitalizations and deaths. Moreover, the rate at which cases, hospitalizations and deaths increase with the delay in the vaccination beginning strongly depends on the shape of the incidence of infection in each city.

The research is to find out the types of error analysis in students’ sentences and the most dominant types of error analysis in students’ sentences. This research uses qualitative method to look into errors in the second language acquisition and to collect empirical data. This method is applied to get the accurate data collection. The object of the research is students’ practice randomly taken from twelve advanced students of TOEFL Preparation Class – The Mushlih Institute (TMI) Surabaya. In acquiring the result of this error analysis, surface strategy taxonomy is applied to investigate more details. It is limited on the students’ sentences with inverted subjects and verbs error in their practice consisting of four error types. In summary, the types of sentences with inverted subjects and verbs errors produced by the students are (1) omission appearing 49 times or 79,03% of all, (2) addition appearing 9 times or 14,52% of all, (3) misordering appearing 3 times or 4,84% of all, and (4) misformation appearing a time or 1,61% of all. According to the research findings, the most dominant type of sentences with inverted subjects and verbs error is omission. Keywords: Error Analysis, Writing Practice, Sentences.

Celem niniejszego artykułu jest wskazanie motywów do podjęcia zatrudnienia w handlu detalicznym, wskazanie poziomu zadowolenia z pracy oraz zdefiniowanie pojęć „marki” i „wizerunku pracodawcy”. Tekst powstał na podstawie przeglądu literatury, badań wtórnych, opracowań zamieszczonych w prasie lub na stronach internetowych. Ponadto zostały przeprowadzone własne badania ankietowe, którymi zostali objęci pracownicy przedsiębiorstw handlu detalicznego. Próba losowa wynosiła 300 osób. Wkład literatury pokrywają dane empiryczne, które dowodzą, że na zadowolenie z pracy oddziałują takie czynniki jak: bezpieczeństwo, atmosfera, współpraca pracowników oraz wynagrodzenie.

This article aims to investigate environmental education in preschools by taking Donna Haraway’s call of staying with the trouble together with preschool children seriously, here-and-now, in explorations of dirty water and water purification. This posthumanist inspired research project draws theoretically and methodologically on the writings of Haraway, Anna L. Tsing and Isabelle Stengers. The empirical data consist of three stories from a multidisciplinary intervention research project in the Stockholm region in Sweden, collected from collaboratively produced data such as films, photographs, drawings, and notes from the project. The study can be seen as an invitation to preschools to engage in the debate on climate change and to create a togetherness around environmental concerns, not only in the future, but also here-and-now in the preschool.

The article considers the assessment of students' independent work in a distance learningon the basis of digital educational traces. Independent work in a mixed training can be performed on the online platform LMS, and the use of educational digital data allows you to study the specifics of student interaction with the course materials and the ability to solve the problem. For the assessment of time and the quality of independent work of students is determined by a set of criteria and indicators, selected quantitative metrics and offers a methodology that can be used to assess the progress of each student. The method includes algorithms for assessing the success of independent work on the basis of empirical data educational analytics. The developed algorithms allow to interpret the information on performance of independent work, to evaluate its success and to correct a trajectory of training of the student.

South Korea has pursued a multidimensional public diplomacy strategy in which Korean television exports and capitalization have emerged as a public and commercial cultural diplomacy tool over the last two decades. This article examines the widespread influence of Korean television content, including digital serial delivery, cultural exportation, cultural interactions, and capitalization—that is, content sales, indirect advertising, and media-induced tourism. Empirical data was obtained from Turkey’s audience members using the online survey tool. As a result of the social and cultural impact, the respondents’ opinions on Korean serials are both animated and rational. The creation of audience members’ social, psychological, and cultural experiences with K-Dramas clarifies their intimacy and activeness. Unlike local or other international content, a significant number of respondents claim that Korean TV serials are not only a source of entertainment but also have profound edifying aspects. According to the results, “Cultural Proximity” and “Content Availability” are two of the most important factors in choosing Korean TV serials over foreign content. The “content availability” is based on the emergence and expansion of Streaming TV; however, in cultural proximity, similarities in family norms and values in both nations are notable.

Improving product nutrition has become an increasingly important area of innovation in the food and beverage industry. However, the contribution made by a product’s nutritional quality to the firm’s bottom line has been little studied. To fill this gap, we first developed an analytical model to study the relationship between a product’s nutritional quality and the firm’s profit, and then investigated the role of package innovation and advertising in this relationship. The results show that a product’s nutritional quality has a concave relationship with the firm’s profit, and that the relationship is influenced positively by both package innovation and advertising. Finally, we empirically examined product nutrition across a wide range of product categories and corresponding firms’ profits over multiple years to test if the results derived from our analytical models hold for empirical data from real businesses. Furthermore, we empirically investigated how a new product’s nutritional quality impacts the firm’s stock return after the product’s introduction.

Background In Taekwondo competitions, the rule is that points are scored when the impact of the kick reaches a predetermined threshold of strength. This study aimed to explore the adequacy of the protector and scoring system (PSS) designed to determine taekwondo body scoring based on a reference group model (RGM). Specifically, the kicking impact of the PSS was calculated using data from 188 matches fought during of 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. The RGM was designed based on empirical data by classifying the victory and defeat groups by gender and weight class, and the scoring method was set according to these criteria. Result The result of this study are as follows. First, there was no difference in the average impact of kicks of taekwondo players by weight class. Second, result of setting up the kick scoring impact standards of taekwondo PSS by classifying the winning and non-winning groups, the kick scoring impact set by the WT was found to be high in all weight classes except 58 kg. Lastly, result of comparing the settings of impact to score according to weight classes, the kick scoring impact standard set by the WT was higher in heavyweight (men's: under 80 kg, + 80 kg, women's: under 67 kg, over 67 kg) than in the lightweight (men's: under 58 kg, under 63 kg, under 68 kg, women's: under 49 kg, under 53 kg, under 57 kg). Conclusion The kick scoring impact set by the WT was found to be high in all weight classes except for the under 58 kg class defining kick scoring impact based on the standards of WT-certified PSS by classifying the matches into winning and non-winning groups. Finally, as a result of comparing the scoring impact settings according to weight class, the kick scoring impact standard set by the WT was higher for the heavier weight classes than for the lighter weight classes.

The article describes the functioning of alternative theater community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The theoretical framework of analysis is determined by the social worlds theory, allowing us to capture the processual nature of reconstructing the social world of alternative theater in the era of COVID-19. We explore the ways in which independent theater is coping with the threat to its practice, understood as a tool for building a community “here and now,” i.e. its main technology, values, and the primary activity that organizes communication within the social worlds of alternative theater. We take into account changes brought on by the pandemic (the inability to build relationships via direct interaction with audience members/participants) and the constant, everyday experiences of people working in alternative theater (their ability to function in a crisis). Our analysis is based on empirical data collected in the course of socio-anthropological studies into: (1) the working conditions of Polish theater workers during the pandemic, carried out by the Zbigniew Raszewski Theater Institute in Warsaw; and (2) the modus operandi of the Węgajty Theater from the perspective of its participants’ experiences.

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted to examine older adults hip surgery patients’ post-surgery quality of life, and to study the causal relationships that directly and indirectly influence it. A total of 447 patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from eight tertiary care hospitals and four universities in Thailand’ using convenience sampling. The results revealed that post-discharge quality of life in older adults patients following hip surgery was at a moderate level ( $$\overline{X}$$ = 79.40, SD = 12.41). The results of the final model fit well with the empirical data of all variables (X2 = 12.24, df = 15, p = .661, RMSEA = .000, GFI = .99, CFI = 1.00, X2/df = .816). The final model accounted for 16% of the total variance in QoL, 25% of the variance in self-management, and 3% of the variance in physical function recovery. Age, pain, comorbidity, family caregiver support and health service system factors had indirect effects on self-management through physical function recovery and quality of life. Self-management had a direct effect on physical function recovery. Comorbidities and health service system also had direct effects on quality of life. The findings suggest that appropriate health service system factors should be performed to help support self-management, including follow-up services with home or telephone visiting, in order to promote physical function recovery, particularly for female older adults hip surgery patients. This will improve patients’ quality of life.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to create an information classification model that is tailored to suit the specific needs of public sector organizations in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach To address the purpose of this research, a case study in a Swedish municipality was conducted. Data was collected through a mixture of techniques such as literature, document and website review. Empirical data was collected through interviews with 11 employees working within 7 different sections of the municipality. Findings This study resulted in an information classification model that is tailored to the specific needs of Swedish municipalities. In addition, a set of steps for tailoring an information classification model to suit a specific public organization are recommended. The findings also indicate that for a successful information classification it is necessary to educate the employees about the basics of information security and classification and create an understandable and unified information security language. Practical implications This study also highlights that to have a tailored information classification model, it is imperative to understand the value of information and what kind of consequences a violation of established information security principles could have through the perspectives of the employees. Originality/value It is the first of its kind in tailoring an information classification model to the specific needs of a Swedish municipality. The model provided by this study can be used as a tool to facilitate a common ground for classifying information within all Swedish municipalities, thereby contributing the first step toward a Swedish municipal model for information classification.

Regular surveys of doctoral students on their career trajectories, satisfaction with the program and the learning process, with the organization of supervision, etc. are widespread in leading foreign universities. The results of such surveys are used to improve programs and assess the effect of the introduced measures. In Russia, however, there is a lack of empirical data on the doctoral students’ experience, which makes it impossible to identify and address the reasons for the low performance of the Russian doctoral education observed over the past few years. To support the discussion about the need for such monitoring surveys in Russia, this article presents the results of an analysis of open information from the websites of about 150 foreign institutions that organize doctoral student surveys at the national, cross-university, and institutional levels. The presented review shows how actively doctoral education data collection takes place in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK, where there are one or more large-scale projects stimulating the collection of data from several universities, and how the results of such research are used by universities, employers, and applicants. On the example of topics related to the motivation for entering doctoral programs, to the career trajectories of doctoral students, and to the organization of supervision, it is discussed how the described research practices can be used for the evidence-based development of Russian doctoral education.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to respond to the call by McMullen and Dimov (2013) for a clearer understanding of entrepreneurial journeys by investigating the entrepreneurial capitals and micro-processes of seven young early stage entrepreneurs who all exited their businesses within 3 years of start-up.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analysed empirical data from concurrent in-depth interviews which generated rich longitudinal case studies. Theory-building then led to a proposed “Longitudinal Dynamic Process Framework” of entrepreneurial goals, processes and capitals.FindingsThe framework builds on prior studies by integrating entrepreneurial processes and decisions into two feedback loops based on continuous review and learning. It thereby enhances understanding of the dynamics of new business development and unfolds the early stage ventures entrepreneurs' business exits.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on a small purposive sample. However, the main implication for research and theory is showing how the entrepreneurial capitals are dynamic and influenced by entrepreneurs' environment, and also separating entrepreneurs' personal issues from their business issues.Practical implicationsThe findings challenge some assumptions of policymakers and offer new insights for practitioners and early stage entrepreneurs. These include having more realistic case-studies of the entrepreneurial journey, recognizing the need to be agile and tenacious to cope with challenges, understanding how capitals can interact in complementary ways and that entrepreneurial processes can be used to leverage them at appropriate stages of the start-ups.Originality/valueThe concurrent longitudinal analysis and theory-building complements extant cross-sectional studies by identifying and analysing the detailed processes of actual business start-ups and exits. The proposed framework thereby adds coherence to earlier studies and helps to explain early stage entrepreneurial development, transformation of capitals and business exit.

Mopeds (electric bicycles and light motorcycles) are commonly used as a personal transportation mode in China. However, the understanding of characteristics of left-turning mopeds at signal-controlled intersections has been relatively limited. To bridge this gap, firstly, this paper proposed a video conversion method of moped movement data acquisition. Then, a method of data accuracy verification was introduced by comparing the results between the field experiment and the video conversion method. Secondly, the ideal traffic space for left-turn mopeds from different entrances was defined to analyse the characteristics of the left-turning mopeds at intersections. Further, three indicators, namely, transverse distance, the proportion of left-turning mopeds with crossing behaviour, and the average number of avoidance behaviour, were proposed and used to analyse the asymmetrical characteristics behaviour, crossing behaviour, and avoidance behaviour. Finally, based on empirical data collected from five signal-controlled intersections, the proposed methods and behaviours were analysed. This paper provides both a valid method of obtaining the position data of mopeds and a reliable basis for improving the safety of left-turning moped riders at urban signal-controlled intersections.

This article presents an analysis of the development of the Russian Anti Access/Anti Denial concept – A2/AD. The considerations contained in this article focus on identifying the threats that the Russian A2/AD concept creates for NATO and Poland. This article compiles empirical data from scientific publications, formal strategic and doctrinal documents, which allowed to define the A2/AD category, specify its essence and characterize it through the prism of military and non-military forces and resources engaged by Russia in several important operational regions: the Kaliningrad Oblast, Crimea, Syria and the Arctic.The aim of this article is to evaluate the Russian Anti-Access/Anti Denial concept from the perspective of the threats it creates for NATO and Poland.The obtained research results allow us to make the conclusion that when assessing the current external conditions, effective opposition to the Russian A2/AD by NATO will be very difficult to implement. Increasing the capabilities in this area will probably require the individual member states to increase their defense spending, mainly on the modernization and development of their armed forces. In addition to increasing the financial expenditures, increasing the ability to counteract the Russian A2/AD will require proper coordination and integration of the activities of the entire NATO structure around one coherent operational concept. This applies not only to counteracting the Russian A2/AD in Europe but also in other regions of the world, which in the near future may become the theatre of military operations, both classic, asymmetric or hybrid.

В условиях институциональных и пространственных ограничений молодежь в Воркуте активно осваивает нефункционирующие заброшенные здания. Цель данной статьи — представить результаты исследования особенностей низовой организации досуга в заброшенных городских пространствах Воркуты, а также результаты анализа переплетений социальных и пространственных аспектов существования в городе различных молодежных групп, которые самостоятельно организуют досуг, создавая уникальные досуговые пространства в ситуации ограниченности ресурсов. Для исследования были выбраны два кейса: байк-клуб «Полярные волки» и скейт-площадка в заброшенном здании. Эмпирический материал исследования был собран в ходе социологической экспедиции 7–13 июля 2019 года в Воркуте в рамках проекта «Открываем Россию заново» и включает в себя 20 глубинных интервью с воркутинцами в возрасте от 16 до 35 лет, а также более 200 часов включенного наблюдения. При анализе материала авторы опирались на сценовой подход и концепцию третьих мест Рэя Ольденбурга. При этом досуговое пространство молодежи определяется в исследовании как место, в котором существует молодежная сцена (или сцены). Для определения сцены и последующего анализа материала используется концепт «культурной сцены», предложенный Еленой Омельченко и Святославом Поляковым, где сцены — это связь досуговых практик сообществ и культурных пространств. В ходе анализа были выделены особенности низовой организации досуговых пространств в Воркуте — молодежь повторно использует заброшенные здания и создает внутри них свой особый социальный и связанный с ним пространственный порядок. Авторы пришли к заключению, что постоянные преобразования зданий молодежью являются развитием и продолжением сцены. Когда-то заброшенные здания становятся местами с определенной социальной динамикой, которая постоянно воспроизводится через пересечение повседневных практик участников сцен. Поскольку исследованиям организации досуга молодежи в отдаленных от Центральной России арктических городах уделяется мало внимания, результаты данной статьи способны привлечь ученых к изучению форм досуга молодежи в регионах Арктики как ответа на институциональные ограничения в месте проживания.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of the complexity-based temporary innovation system (TIS) framework to social innovation and examine the extent to which “nature-based solution” (NBS) projects may be understood through a TIS lens. It is proposed that TIS provides a framework to facilitate multi-actor engagement in social innovation responses to the complexity of wicked problems? The goal is to explore if TIS provides a useful framework for understanding the evolution of social innovation projects and enabling more consciously designed and facilitated social innovation with the potential for large-scale, long-term impact. Design/methodology/approach The research uses a case study methodology in which 10 NBS projects in 3 European cities are examined and compared to the expected features of a TIS as proposed by anonymised for the review process (2018; 2019) Findings Of the 10 NBS projects, only 3 were “TIS-like”, each of which was targeting wicked problems in the city/community. As only one of the remaining 7 projects was aimed at a wicked problem, the authors concluded that the TIS framework may be best suited to those social innovations that address one or more wicked problems and that NBS projects may not display this feature. Research limitations/implications The authors conclude with a reflection on theoretical insights arising from applying the TIS framework to NBS in particular, and social innovation generally – and proposes the next steps in developing the TIS framework in relation to social innovation. Originality/value This paper applies a new complexity framework to empirical data that have not been examined previously. This analysis contributes to the development of a new framework for designing and analysing complex social innovation initiatives and challenges existing theories presenting NBSs as addressing complex “wicked” problems.

As the financial markets have evolved, the cross-shareholding networks have been formed among Chinese enterprises with equity as the concluded relationship. Exploring the impact of the cross-shareholding networks on financing constraints has important implications for the decisions of manufacturing companies. This paper uses the social network method to characterize the cross-shareholding networks of manufacturing companies from 2007 to 2019 and explores the effects of the cross-shareholding networks on financing constraints. The innovation of this paper is to explore the relationship between the two. It is concluded that the centrality or structural holes richness of manufacturing companies in the cross-shareholding network is inversely related to the financing constraint. The higher the centrality or the richer the number of structural holes, the lower the level of financing constraints.

PurposeThe current study seeks to examine the impact of web marketing (through the company's website) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firms' performance across companies listed in the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), Oman.Design/methodology/approachThis research analyses qualitative and exploratory data taken from companies' website, annual reports (the financial year 2019), Google search and CSR report from 69 out of total 117 listed companies in the MSX to analyze the impact of web marketing on CSR and firms' performance proxied by return of assets (ROA), return of equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q (TQ).FindingsWeb marketing on CSR positively affects firms' performance. Especially, the positive effect of web marketing on firms' performance is stronger for listed companies. Web marketing enhances financial performance proxied by ROA, ROE and TQ.Practical implicationsThe research findings provide new insights that are able to enlighten governing bodies in Oman to make standardized compulsory CSR spending (say, 0.5% on profit after tax) by listed companies in MSX.Originality/valueThis research presents evidence that web marketing on CSR can increase firms' performance and brand image among stakeholders. This is the first study to examine the impact of web marketing on CSR and firms' performance using empirical data in Oman.

The sudden shift from physical classroom education towards emergency remote teaching (ERT) in higher education during the unprecedented global pandemic caused an abrupt change in the learning environment for students and educators alike. The disruptive overnight change and conversion of entire courses to emergency remote teaching caused concern for not only educators, but also students that had little time to adapt to the new circumstances. While the embedment of technologies in the classroom is not a new concept, this quantitative research expands a case study that sought to examine the perceived satisfaction of undergraduate students with the emerging paradigm of ERT. Responses based on empirical data (n=450) as well as secondary data (n=219) were analyzed to conclude that, in particular, younger freshmen students struggled more with online emergency remote teaching than their older peers. Furthermore, the study identified numerous similarities between both data samples. The current research informs educators about student perceptions and preferences during these extraordinary circumstances of uncertain duration. Furthermore, the paper concludes with recommendations that aim to provide institutions and educators with practical guidance on how to tackle the outlined issues. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.20.6.1

This paper focuses on the complex relationships among social capital, community development and festivals. The Covid-19 pandemic put a lot of pressure on festivals, forcing an entire industry to adapt and recreate itself. In the restricted sanitary context, the pandemic festivals redefine the sense of events, of community and of social interactions. The empirical data, comprising in-depth interviews with the organisers of the first festival in Romania after lockdown, have revealed the prioritisation of social benefits and the growing connection between festival and community. This study therefore suggests that festivals could be involved more deeply in the community by assuming social charitable causes. Festivals create their own communities of fans but also shape the local communities where they take place.

Drawing on two case studies from large-scale fieldwork carried out on euthanasia in Belgium and assisted suicide in Switzerland, this article focuses on the processes of normalization that structure aid in dying. Normalization takes place through a set of apparatuses only partially derived from current legislation, which underlie the relationships that develop between those requesting aid in dying, healthcare staff, volunteers, and loved ones. The resulting arrangements are specific to each national context, but the empirical data also point to broadly common traits, highlighting new paradigmatic forms of aid in dying in the contemporary era.

The aim of this study is to present the opinions of local labour market participants regarding unregistered work that is performed by socially excluded people who are registered in the Labour Office in the city of Płock, Poland. The paper begins with a literature review of the theoretical issues and presents conclusions based on published studies and articles. This is followed by an empirical data analysis where the authors diagnose the causes, important advantages and disadvantages of unregistered work. The data includes the results of surveys that were distributed to 350 respondents: 195 received PAPI paper questionnaires and 155 people were surveyed using a CAWI questionnaire posted on the Internet (additionally, a campaign on Facebook) in 2018. The analyses includes the distribution of answers to the survey question together with verification of the statistical significance between the answers and specific variables, such as education, sex and age group.

In recent years, rather than enclosing data within a single organization, exchanging and combining data from different domains has become an emerging practice. Many studies have discussed the economic and utility value of data and data exchange, but the characteristics of data that contribute to problem-solving through data combination have not been fully understood. In big data and interdisciplinary data combinations, large-scale data with many variables are expected to be used, and value is expected to be created by combining data as much as possible. In this study, we conducted three experiments to investigate the characteristics of data, focusing on the relationships between data combinations and variables in each dataset, using empirical data shared by the local government. The results indicate that even datasets that have a few variables are frequently used to propose solutions for problem-solving. Moreover, we found that even if the datasets in the solution do not have common variables, there are some well-established solutions to these problems. The findings of this study shed light on the mechanisms behind data combination for solving problems involving multiple datasets and variables.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse how different strengths of simmelian ties affect knowledge spirals and investigate which major factors affect the influence of simmelian ties on knowledge spirals.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data in this paper were collected through e-mail and interview questionnaires to R&D teams in high-tech manufacturing enterprises in China. The authors obtained 132 teams' valid responses. The interval decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (interval DEMATEL) method, differential evolution (DE) algorithm and Bayesian structural equation modelling (BSEM) were employed to test the theoretical framework developed for this paper.FindingsThe results show that strong simmelian ties have positive associations with high-performance work practices (HPWPs). Meanwhile, weak simmelian ties have positive associations with HPWPs. Furthermore, HPWPs and knowledge fermentation play a conducive role in the relationship between simmelian ties and knowledge spirals.Originality/valueThis paper contributes in three ways. First, it extends research on the relational antecedents of knowledge spirals. Second, this paper extends the study of social capital related to knowledge spirals. Third, this paper elucidates less familiar factors relating HPWPs to knowledge fermentation by testing the mediating role of HPWPs in knowledge fermentation.

[...]we will target just one facet of our WEIRD bias, using empirical data to demonstrate how it hinders our scientific potential and utility. Since March 2020, Culture Amp has been collecting data from organizations’ surveys about their response to the pandemic, employee well-being during this time, and preparations to return to the workplace. Islam and Schmidt (2019) argue that I-O psychologists need to be the testers and debunkers of current management practices, testing with our rigorous methods what works and communicating that to the business community. [...]to be strategic and influential, the field needs to be at the forefront of what is meaningful and effective for organizations. Research is the highest purpose of I-O psychology Professional status in I-O psychology is established primarily based on numbers of cited publications by groups or individuals (e.g., Aguinis etal., 2017).

PurposeThe present paper explores the multiple management control systems (MCSs) involved in productivity improvement (PI) in manufacturing and how they interrelate. Research has largely neglected the multiplicity and interrelationships of these MCSs.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on an abductive case study approach, the authors collected empirical data from a global automotive supplier that produces complex systems for passenger cars. Recent PI activities are analysed to identify and explain the interrelationships among the multiple MCSs affecting these activities.FindingsThe study shows how a broad range of MCSs are involved in PI. The study identifies and explores both complementary and conflicting relationships among the MCSs and demonstrates how managers rely on a set of mechanisms to alleviate tensions and strengthen complementarities among these MCSs.Research limitations/implicationsAs this paper is based on a single case study, future research can contribute further generalisations (analytical and statistical) with respect to the MCSs involved in PI, how they are interrelated and which mechanisms managers use to manage their interrelationships.Practical implicationsManagers seeking to control and improve productivity should consider the complete control package and its interrelationships instead of focussing on each MCS separately.Originality/valueThe present paper contributes to the knowledge of the multiplicity and interrelationships of MCSs involved in PI and the type of managerial work required to manage their interrelationships.

Purpose This paper aims to report findings of up-to-date insights to fill the knowledge gap of lack of theoretical and practical understandings of how knowledge is used in medium-sized enterprises (MEs) for ensuring their performance excellence, healthy survival and growth, particularly using the contextual background of quality improvement as the standing point to concretise the research content and research participants’ mind-set for data collection. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data were attained by conducting first a multiple-case study and thereafter a structured interview. Insights were obtained through analysing the collected data and triangulating the findings with the contention from the extant literature where available. Findings A set of approaches for effective quality improvement knowledge (QIK) utilisation in MEs have been identified and attested, as well as prioritised for a clear guidance on their application by practical businesses. Originality/value As a pioneering study on the particularly focussed issue, namely, a current knowledge gap – QIK utilisation in MEs, theoretically the research contributes to the enrichment of the current KM and QI literature with a primary focus on knowledge utilisation in MEs. Practically its findings provide insightful guidance to practice on the approaches of QIK utilisation.

This study’s subject is the theoretical and methodological aspects of studying politicians’ electoral potential and their social networks positioning. This article aims to explore politicians’ activity in social media to identify its impact on their electoral potential. The authors of the paper used the methods such as analysis and synthesis to study the positioning of politicians in social networks, as well as a systematic approach to examine political, social, cultural, and economic factors affecting the characteristics of the manifestation of activity in the Internet space as a whole, and in social media in particular. The work used empirical and analytical methods to study open empirical data, methods of qualitative analysis to study content posted in virtual space. The authors consider the theoretical and methodological aspects of public politicians’ positioning in social media and their potential electoral impact. The article highlights the main methods and approaches to studying this problem and outlines the ways for further research. The findings and results can be used to research further the electoral potential of public politicians and their social media positioning.

Artificial intelligence technology is developing rapidly in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to measure the distance to an object using this. In order to measure the distance, two separate pictures from same angles of the object will be taken. It extracts sizes for the same object in two pictures. In order to do this in real time, object detection technology of Artificial Intelligence on mobile phone was used. In this paper, a method for measuring the distance from two pictures is presented. The proposed method was implemented as a prototype on iOS. In order to measure the performance of distance measurement, experiments were conducted in various environments. In the experiments, the empirical data yielded some discrepancies with the actual measurement. This was a result of errors occurring in the object detection process where the actual size of the object was calculated. Despite these discrepancies, this method of object detection may be widely used in instances where accurate measurements are not necessarily required such as guidance systems for the visually impaired.

Unleashing greenhouse gases especially CO2 has been proven to be detrimental in many aspects both globally and individually. Numerous techniques and models have been developed so far to achieve the best-matched outputs in terms of their coincidence to the empirical data. Among them, those which are based on artificial intelligence have gained more attention on the account of their outstanding potential to decode the relationships between inputs and outputs. The selection of the best AI-based technique for implementation of the CO2 approaches is fairly vital as it plays a crucial role to yield the most accurate results. This article has been assigned to scrutinize a relatively broad range of AI-based techniques by reviewing research works which were used to carry out CO2 capture to fully understand and compare their advantages and disadvantages and throw light on promising research areas.

Background Competing priorities make using a transparent and evidence-based approach important when deciding to recommend new vaccines. We conducted a literature review to document the processes and frameworks for national decision-making on new vaccine introductions and explored which key features have evolved since 2010. Methods We searched literature published on policymaking related to vaccine introduction from March 2010 to August 2020 in six databases. We screened articles for eligibility with the following exclusion criteria: non-human or hypothetical vaccines, the sole focus on economic evaluation or decision to adopt rather than policy decision-making. We employed nine broad categories of criteria from the 2012 review for categorization and abstracted data on the country, income level, vaccine, and other relevant criteria. Results Of the 3808 unique references screened, 116 met eligibility criteria and were classified as: a) framework of vaccine adoption decision-making (27), b) studies that analyse empirical data on or examples of vaccine adoption decision-making (45), c) theoretical and empirical articles that provide insights into the vaccine policymaking process (44 + 17 already included in the previous categories). Commonly reported criteria for decision-making were the burden of disease; vaccine efficacy/effectiveness, safety; impact on health and non-health outcomes; economic evaluation and cost-effectiveness of alternative interventions. Programmatic and acceptability aspects were not as often considered. Most (50; 82%) of the 61 articles describing the process of vaccine introduction policymaking highlighted the role of country, regional, or global evidence-informed recommendations and a robust national governance as enabling factors for vaccine adoption. Conclusions The literature on vaccine adoption decision-making has expanded since 2010. We found that policymakers and expert advisory committee members (e.g., National Immunization Technical Advisory Group [NITAG]) increasingly value the interventions based on economic evaluations. The results of this review could guide discussions on evidence-informed immunization decision-making among country, sub-regional, and regional stakeholders.

COVID-19 is a serious epidemic that has an unmistakable impact on all aspects of our lives, including the educational process. Most of the world has adopted Virtual Classes (VCs) to sustain teaching and learning. While prior research about such e-learning technologies has been focusing on the initial adoption, this research investigates the factors influencing the students’ desire and intention to continue using VCs, especially after the crisis subsides. This study extends the literature by developing a model that integrates pre-and post-adoption constructs and incorporates technological characteristics, namely, task technology fit, convenience, and compatibility into the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) to study the post-adoption Continuance Intention (CI) of VCs. The model is empirically validated using the partial least squares–structural equation modelling method and proved to have a reasonable description power (R2=62%) in terms of students’ CI. The survey empirical data is also supported by interviews with some students. The results support all the hypothesized relationships and confirm that the integration of technical characteristics in the ECM provides an appropriate framework to explain students’ intention to continue using VCs, which forms a good base for practitioners to consider a wide range of technological features for preparing applications. Yet, the model still requires to be extended with other stakeholders, including teachers, and other constructs like personal, psychological, social, and environmental factors. © 2021 The Authors.

This research aims to investigate the influence of prices, promotions and marketing events on the customers’ repurchasing decision of Flashy products. The survey was conducted to 221 customers of Flashy Women's Clothing Bandung which is a brand of women's clothing from the age of 15-45 years. The data used for this research was collected through questionnaires distributed to the students of Polytechnic Piksi Ganesha who have had shopping experience in Flashy. This study used a structural equation model (SEM) to evaluate the suitability of the theoretical model being analyzed related to empirical data, and to test the significance of the hypothesis. The results showed that the estimated coefficient of standardized regression in which price, promotion and event marketing have a significant influence on customer’s repurchase decisions.