"You can see how things will end by the way they begin". The contribution of early mutual obligations for the development of the psychological contract

This study explores dynamic processes in the development of the psychological contract, focusing on the interaction of obligations related to the two parties (i.e., employees' perceptions of both their own and the organization's obligations fulfillment) on attitudinal outcomes (organizational commitment and turnover intention) during the initial stage of the employment relationship. In a twofold cross-sectional and two-wave study on newly hired correctional police officers, we examined: (a) whether perception of organizational obligations fulfillment moderates the relationship between employee obligations and their attitudes (Study 1, n.500); (b) the direct and moderated influence of perceived obligations at the entrance stage on those in the following months (Study 2, n.223). Results confirmed that, in the eyes of the newcomer, the obligations fulfillment of each of the two parties interact, having an additional effect beyond the main direct effects, in influencing both subsequent obligations perceptions and, through this, the outcome variables. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed

Cork powdery industrial waste in metakaolin–geopolymer matrix

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Recovery of Cork Manufacturing Waste within Mortar and Polyurethane: Feasibility of Use and Physical, Mechanical, Thermal Insulating Properties of the Final Green Composite Construction Materials

The valorization of industrial waste is a hot topic toward circular economy and sustainability. Several wastes have been proposed as resources for different production processes; however, others are still disposed to landfill or waste-to-energy plants. For the first time, this work suggests a sustainable alternative to managing cork waste from bottle caps manufacturing; this is generated by a local company at about 220,000 m3/year. The powder waste has a 0.063–1 mm particle size and is mainly composed of cork, polyurethane adhesive, and paraffin. Its valorization is proposed as filler in construction materials such as lime-based mortar (1–4 wt%) and polyurethane (5–15 wt%). Thermal, spectroscopic, and physical characterizations are performed on the cork waste, and mainly result in a low apparent density (340 kg/m3) and high-water absorption (177%). Cork properties allow consideration of extra water in the mortar mix and improve lightness without significantly affecting compressive, bending strength, and thermal insulation. Cork waste in polyurethanes promotes a color change, slightly increases the density (up to 12.5%), and still results in producing a thermally insulating material (<0.06 W/mK). Considering the promising results, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using the manufacturing waste from cork bottle caps to produce green construction materials, thus upgrading it from waste to secondary raw material

Organizational capital: a resource for changing and performing in Public Administrations

The aim of this study was to deepen our knowledge about the role played by organizational capital (OC) among public administration (PA) agencies. A questionnaire was administered to a gender-balanced convenience sample of 270 workers of Italian PAs. First, confirmatory factor analysis was performed in order to examine the measurement model. Second, a SEM model was performed, confirming that OC was both directly and indirectly positively related to performance, through the mediation of innovation. OC was also positively related to innovation through the mediation of clarity about change. Overall, the results supported the hypothesized model, providing initial evidence on the pivotal role OC plays, and especially for PA agencies, on organizational innovation and performance. The limits and practical implications of these results are discussed

Statistical optimization of a sustainable fertilizer composition based on black soldier fly larvae as source of nitrogen

In the present work, a statistical optimization of a sustainable coating for core–shell NPK (Nitrogen–Phosphorus–Potassium) fertilizers was investigated. The environmental green coating was enriched in nitrogen using a biomass and renewable source, namely the nitrogen rich fraction of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia Illucens, Diptera: Stratiomyidae) reared on vegetable waste. A rational approach was proposed with the aim of calculating the best formulation of the coating, considering both its manufacturing behavior, such as adhesion to the core, and its physical properties, such as homogeneity or plasticity. From a circular economy perspective, together with the nitrogen-rich fraction from BSFL (from 51 to 90 wt.%), water and glycerol were considered for the coating formulation in different proportion: from 10 to 32 wt.% and from 0 to 17 wt.% respectively. The Design of Experiments technique was implemented to limit the total number of tests for the coating formulation (18 tests). ANOVA was employed, with the aim of obtaining mathematical models to derive a better precise and objective formulation. The results show that the use of glycerol can be avoided, as well as only a limited amount of water (11 wt.%) is necessary to obtain an optimized coating formulation, thereafter, satisfying the more relevant technological and physical properties for the coating manufacturin

Waste Cork in Metakaolin–Geopolymer Matrix: Physico-Mechanical Characterization

Cork powdery waste (CW) from agglomerated cork caps manufacturing is commonly transported to waste-to-energy plants, although it could be locally exploited for lightweight building materials. The transformation of CW into a geopolymer formulation to obtain a novel composite formulation suitable for insulating panels is presented in this contribution. The geopolymer mix was based on metakaolin added to NaOH and Na silicate solutions, to which 2.4, 4.8 and 9.1 wt% (calculated upon dry metakaolin) of CW in the form of as-received powdery waste were added. No pre-treatments were performed on CW and no thermal curing was conducted for the alkaliactivated product that was consolidated at room temperature to improve product sustainability. The insulating panel presented an apparent density of about 1.521 to 0.990 ± 0.001 g/cm3 , combined with a total porosity in the range of 35.61 to 56.22 ± 0.003 % for 2.4 to 9.1 wt% of CW, respectively, and this was dependent upon ageing time. The values of its mechanical properties (compressive strength ranged from 2.5 to 1.5 MPa at 28 and 90 days of curing time, complying with UNI EN 998-2) and thermal insulating properties (thermal conductivity around 0.1146 W/mK) indicated that the highest percentage of CW in the formulations, i.e., 9.1 wt%, was suitable to obtain self-standing insulating panels

Acute anterior myocardial infarction: Streptokinase prevents ventricular thrombosis independently of its effect on infarct size

Left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) is a frequent complication after acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether streptokinase (SK) therapy prevents LVT, and whether this effect is due to the preservation of left ventricular function or to the fibrinolytic action of the drug. Sixty-five patients who underwent a left ventricular angiography within 2 months after a first AMI were studied. Twenty-eight patients (SK group) received SK 1,500,000 U i.v. administered over 60 min within 6 h from the onset of symptoms. A lower incidence of LVT was found in the SK group (p = 0.0003). We divided patients into two classes according to the value of akinetic-dyskinetic area (AD): the first group with a lower value of AD, the second group with a higher value of AD. In both groups, a reduced incidence of LVT was associated with SK therapy (p = 0.014, p = 0.015, respectively). Early infusion of SK during AMI seems to prevent the development of LVT, with an effect partly independent from its action on infarct size for small to large myocardial infarction

Spent Coffee Grounds in the Production of Lightweight Clay Ceramic Aggregates in View of Urban and Agricultural Sustainable Development

This paper presents an innovative application for spent coffee grounds (SCGs) used as filler for the formulation of lightweight clay ceramic aggregates (LWA). LWA can be used for urban and agricultural purposes as a sustainable solution. Spent coffee grounds were tested as a pore forming agent partially acting as a replacement for red clay in material formulation before firing. Substitutions of 10, 15, and 20 wt.% of red clay were tested. The properties of lightweight aggregates with 15 wt.% of SCGs were improved using a specifically tailored fertilizer glass due to its low pH and conductivity within the soil tolerance range. Packaging glassy sand, cattle-bone flour ash, and potassium carbonate were mixed and melted in order to obtain this glass, which when added to the clayey batch functionalized the aggregates by phosphorus and potassium nutrients. The results (in particular, porosity and bulk density) show that the lightweight aggregates obtained have interesting properties for possible uses both in urban (e.g., green roofs as a drainage layer) and agricultural purposes. Moreover, pH and conductivity are in line with the Italian Standard regarding soil amendment (D.lgs. 75/2010). In addition, several leaching tests were performed in a solution containing 2 vol.% citric acid (C6H8O7) to evaluate the release capacity not only of nutrients (P and K)mbut also to check the presence and release of heavy metals, such as lead (Pb), that may come from the glassy precursor. The results obtained showed that nutrients are effciently released in 21 days (P = 87.73% and K = 25.74% of released percentage) and Pb release is under the standard threshold of 30 ppm