Weathering the storm: A case study of organizational culture and effectiveness in times of disruptive jolts and crisis

A crisis stems from an unexpected negative change in the environment, threatening the high-priority values of the organization. As a crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic jolted businesses worldwide, necessitating an investigation into the aspects of such an unsolicited change in the culture and effectiveness of organizations. With this aim, this research is based on a two-step explanatory case study of a manufacturing firm. In the first step, to measure the change in the OC, a paired-sample test was conducted using the Denison organizational culture survey model. Next, a qualitative inquiry was carried out, and the data were analysed through theme analysis. The results show significant changes in all 4 traits, including strategic direction and intent, vision and agreement, explained by the 12 qualitative themes. Ultimately, this study answers the long-overlooked impact of a jolt, inducing a crisis, on the organizational culture. It sheds light on the importance of clarity of vision, core values and trust during a crisis

On the role of γ-fe2 o3 nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide nanosheets in enhancing self-cleaning properties of composite tio2 for cultural heritage protection

The durability of novel metallic artifacts and buildings is an open issue, and the role of smart protecting coatings in extending these artifacts’ lifetimes is crucial. In this paper, the role of γ-Fe2 O3 nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets on enhancing the self-cleaning properties of composite TiO2 films and reducing metal alterations due to contact with acid rain and pollutants is investigated. The photocatalytic assessment of the TiO2 based films indicates that there are optimum contents for γ-Fe2 O3 and rGO, which confer the film lower bandgap and tune the TiO2 anatase/rutile ratio. By adding a proper content of γ-Fe2 O3, wettability is reduced both in dark and under illumination, which could be related to higher roughness. γ-Fe2 O3 overloading causes increasing crack density and eventually a fully cracked structure. Adding an appropriate amount of rGO causes a sharp increase in roughness, due to the stacking of rGO nanosheets, while simultaneously avoiding cracking. At higher contents of rGO, wettability further decreases due to higher amounts of hydroxyl groups bound onto rGO; also in this case, overloading causes film cracking. Evaluation of self-cleaning performance and discoloration resistance under soiling and acid rain simulated tests demonstrates that proper loadings of γ-Fe2 O3 and rGO present higher efficiency thanks to higher superhydrophilic tendency and higher photocatalytic activities, as well as an efficient barrier effect

Magnetically recoverable TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO composite with significantly enhanced UV-visible light photocatalytic activity

In this paper, we report the preparation of a new composite (TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO) with a high photocatalytic efficiency. The properties of the composite were examined by different analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), photoluminescence (PL), UV-Visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and nitrogen gas physisorption (BET) studies. The photocatalytic efficiency of the proposed composite was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under UV and visible light, and the results were compared with titanium dioxide (TiO2), where degradation increased from 30% to 84% and 4% to 66% under UV and visible light, respectively. The significant increase in photocatalytic activity may be explained by the higher adsorption of dye on the surface of the composite and the higher separation and transfer of charge carriers, which in turn promote active sites and photocatalytic efficiency

Heterostructured TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO Coating with Highly Efficient Visible-Light-Induced Self-Cleaning Properties for Metallic Artifacts

A novel nanohybrid composite of TiO2, SiO2, γ-Fe2O3, and reduced graphene oxide (TiO2@Si:Fe:rGO) is fabricated by the sol-gel method. The properties of the coated film were examined by structural and self-cleaning analyses using simulated discoloration/soiling and roofing tests. The fabricated transparent TiO2@Si:Fe:rGO composite showed excellent photoactivity and wettability, behaving well in self-cleaning applications. The addition of SiO2 improved the crystalline structure and surface hydroxylation of TiO2 nanoparticles. γ-Fe2O3 decreased the recombination rate of e-/h+ pairs, and significantly improved photocatalytic activity under visible light. Moreover, rGO sheets as excellent electron acceptors and transporters also reduced recombination, as well as affected wettability, achieving superhydrophilicity under irradiation. The coated substrate showed excellent resistance to simulated acid rain and significantly preserved the substrate from soiling in roofing tests

Extraordinary elevated CA19-9 in patient with common bile duct stones and cholangitis Case report

Serum Carbohydrate Antigen, CA19-9, is a carbohydrate antigen whose usage -as a tumor marker- in pancreatic and bile ducts malignancies is commonly increasing. Sensitivity and specificity of this antigen in the diagnosis of malignancies is 70-90% and 68-91%, respectively. CA19-9 can also rise in other disorders and in few of benign conditions including cholangitis, due to other causes, e.g. choledocholithiasis. However, in such cases the increase is not significant and it is usually below 1000 u/ml. Values more than 10000 u/ml are limited to few case reports in articles. The case under study was a 66 year old man hospitalized because of epigastric and right upper quadrant pain, fever, jaundice, acholic stool, weight loss of about 6 kg, and hyperchromic urine. Physical examination revealed that the case was icteric and febrile with a mild RUQ tenderness on percussion. Laboratory tests showed marked elevation of bilirubin and CA19-9 (Total bilirubin: 36 mg/dl, Direct: 19.5 mg/dl CA19-9 :44777u/ml, Normal: 0-40 u/ml), but the enzymes of the liver and alkaline phosphatase only increased to two times the normal level. Sonography showed dilated common bile duct with four stones within it. Four weeks after stones extraction and renewal of bile current CA19-9 fell to 60 u/ml and returned to normal range (0-40) 2 months later and during this period the patient was totally asymptomatic. As a result, in patients with biliary obstruction, a diagnosis of malignancy cannot be made solely on the basis of increased concentration of CA19-9, even in case of high clinical suspicion and the interpretation of this increase must be done with more caution and after lab follow-up following removal of the obstruction

Towards a better preservation of current and future outdoor architectural heritage; maximum suppression of discolouration in anodized and non-anodized titanium sheets

Outdoor atmospheric corrosion has been exerting continuous deteriorating effects on the cultural heritage, both in the matter of structural resistance and aesthetic quality. To this point, titanium as a modern metal with excellent mechano-physical properties, especially high strength, light weight, superior corrosion resistance has already gained many attentions in different engineering and design fields. In addition to its high atmospheric corrosion resistance, titanium sheets ability to provide a wide range of tasteful colours with high aesthetic quality have paved their way towards the field of modern art and architecture, to the point that its use for monuments and especially as faÁade material for exterior cladding design has been continuously increasing. On the other hand, the undesired growth of this titanium dioxide layer due to long-term exposure in harsh atmospheric conditions leads to the appearance of interference colours and spoils the building from the viewpoint of aesthetic appearance. In particular, acidity of the rainwater falls and its reaction with the impurities present on the surface of titanium sheets to eventually alter the thickness of the oxide film is the main cause of discolouration. This review provides a conceptual framework on different manufacturing issues which have to be precisely taken into consideration in order to minimize the presence of impurities on both anodized and non-anodized end-products, as well as principles of anodizing process to increase the thickness of the oxide layer in order to eventually limit the access of acid rains to the remaining impurities