Legitimacy, Visibility, and the Antecedents of Corporate Social Performance: An Investigation of the Instrumental Perspective

Using institutional theory as the foundation, this study examines the role of organizational visibility from a variety of sources (i.e., slack visibility, industry visibility, and visibility to multiple stakeholders) in influencing corporate social performance (CSP). The conceptual framework offers important insights regarding the instrumental motives of managers in performing CSP initiatives. Based on a sample of 124 S&P 500 firms, the authors found that it is a firm’s visibility to stakeholders, rather than its economic performance, that has the larger impact on managers’ decisions regarding how much CSP their firms exhibit. The results show that more profitable firms may not be motivated to engage actively in CSP unless they are under greater scrutiny by various firm stakeholders. The authors also found that organizational slack (estimated as cost of capital) is positively associated with a Social CSP dimension but negatively associated with a Strategic CSP dimension. This research contributes to the current CSP literature by demonstrating that motivations in addition to normative or ethical ones may be at play in the decisions firms make regarding their CSP.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

The First Post-Kepler Brightness Dips of KIC 8462852

We present a photometric detection of the first brightness dips of the unique variable star KIC 8462852 since the end of the Kepler space mission in 2013 May. Our regular photometric surveillance started in October 2015, and a sequence of dipping began in 2017 May continuing on through the end of 2017, when the star was no longer visible from Earth. We distinguish four main 1-2.5% dips, named "Elsie," "Celeste," "Skara Brae," and "Angkor", which persist on timescales from several days to weeks. Our main results so far are: (i) there are no apparent changes of the stellar spectrum or polarization during the dips; (ii) the multiband photometry of the dips shows differential reddening favoring non-grey extinction. Therefore, our data are inconsistent with dip models that invoke optically thick material, but rather they are in-line with predictions for an occulter consisting primarily of ordinary dust, where much of the material must be optically thin with a size scale <<1um, and may also be consistent with models invoking variations intrinsic to the stellar photosphere. Notably, our data do not place constraints on the color of the longer-term "secular" dimming, which may be caused by independent processes, or probe different regimes of a single process

Analysis of "old" proteins unmasks dynamic gradient of cartilage turnover in human limbs

Unlike highly regenerative animals, such as axolotls, humans are believed to be unable to counteract cumulative damage, such as repetitive joint use and injury that lead to the breakdown of cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis. Turnover of insoluble collagen has been suggested to be very limited in human adult cartilage. The goal of this study was to explore protein turnover in articular cartilage from human lower limb joints. Analyzing molecular clocks in the form of nonenzymatically deamidated proteins, we unmasked a position-dependent gradient (distal high, proximal low) of protein turnover, indicative of a gradient of tissue anabolism reflecting innate tissue repair capacity in human lower limb cartilages that is associated with expression of limb-regenerative microRNAs. This association shows a potential link to a capacity, albeit limited, for regeneration that might be exploited to enhance joint repair and establish a basis for human limb regeneration

SPECT-CT compared with conventional imaging modalities for the assessment of the varus and valgus malaligned hindfoot

The combined single-photon emission computed tomography and conventional computed tomography (SPECT/CT) technique has increased the sensitivity and specificity of bone scans. We examined the value of using SPECT/CT for the assessment of coronal plane hindfoot deformities. Twenty-seven patients with varus (11 patients) or valgus (16 patients) malalignment of the hindfoot were assessed using radiography, conventional CT, bone scintigraphy, and SPECT/CT. The amount of deformity, stage of osteoarthritis, and level of activation on bone scans and SPECT/CT were measured. Activation was assessed in 12 regions of interest. The stage of osteoarthritis seen on plain radiographs correlated significantly with the level of activation detected on bone scans (p > 0.05). No correlation was observed between the amount of deformation and activity, and between bone scan activation and signs of osteoarthritis on CT scans. The varus malaligned ankles showed higher radioisotope uptake in the medial areas, while the valgus malaligned ankles showed increased uptake in the lateral areas (p > 0.05). SPECT/CT may be a valuable tool for the assessment and staging of osteoarthritis. Our findings underline the adverse effects of coronal plane deformity of the hindfoot. In addition, results from this study provide useful information for future basic research on coronal plane deformity of the hindfoot and for determining appropriate surgical approaches

External Ring Fixation Versus Screw Fixation for Ankle Arthrodesis: A Biomechanical Comparison

Background: The use of external ring fixation for ankle arthrodesis offers an alternative to internal screw fixation when bone quality is suboptimal, when complex ankle pathology is present, and as a salvage procedure for complicated cases. Additionally, it permits earlier weightbearing and postoperative adjustment of bone alignment and joint compression. This study was designed to determine whether there are differences in initial ankle joint fixation integrity between these two techniques. Materials and Methods: Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric lower extremities underwent ankle arthrodesis with a hybrid ring fixator, and the bending and torsional stiffness of each arthrodesed joint was quantified. Stiffness was calculated from angulation measured at the tibiotalar joint using electronic clinometers attached to those bones. The external fixators were then removed and ankle arthrodesis performed using 6.5-mm cannulated screws: three across the ankle joint, one fixing the fibula to the tibia, and one fixing the fibula to the talus. Stiffness testing was then repeated. Results: No statistically significant difference in bending stiffness, torsional stiffness, or joint rotation under torsional load was demonstrable between the two techniques. Conclusion: The similarity in ankle fusion site stability achieved with external ring fixation and an optimized screw fixation technique under the described testing conditions indicates that, in cases in which suboptimal bone quality or complex ankle pathology preclude the use of internal fixation, an external fixator is a viable option. Clinical Relevance: Establishing that the primary stability of external ring fixation is comparable to that of screw fixation provides a basis for its use in cases in which screw fixation may be problematic