A multi-level understanding of trust development in contexts of blurred organizational boundaries: the case of crowdfunding

Are trust development processes in settings of blurred organizational boundaries different from those in conventional organizational settings, and if so, how? Taking the crowdfunding campaigns of the Fin-Tech Monzo as examples of settings of blurred organizational boundaries, we analyze how the three main trust forms (individual, organizational, and institutional trust) emerge and interact in the campaigns’ online discourse and develop a process model that captures distinct trust development dynamics. We contribute to the trust literature by highlighting increased dynamics and co-existence of trust forms, and by showing that the validation of extra-organizational boundary spanners is crucial to compensate for a missing personal interaction in settings of blurred organizational boundaries. We also contribute to the crowdfunding literature and derive managerial implications

Wissensmanagement beim altersbedingten Berufsausstieg von Fach- und Führungskräften

Das Umkippen der Alterspyramide aufgrund des demografischen Wandels sorgt in tradi-tionellen Unternehmen und Organisationen für eine Überalterung des Personalbestan-des. Der dramatische Wissensverlust ist nur eine Folge aus der Verrentung großer Ko-horten, dem unternehmensseitig mit Methoden des Wissensmanagements entgegen-gewirkt wird. In dieser Studie wurde die Durchführung eines solchen Verfahrens zum Wissenstransfer zwischen ausscheidenden Mitarbeitern und deren Nachfolgern, der Me-thode Expert Debriefing, bei dem internationalen Maschinenbauunternehmen Schaeffler Gruppe mit Stammsitz in Herzogenaurach wissenschaftlich begleitet und analysiert. Die Interdisziplinarität sowie die gegenwärtige Forschungslage zur Thematik des Wis-sensmanagements erforderten eine explorative Herangehensweise, verbunden mit einer Befragung der beteiligten Fach- und Führungskräfte anhand von Leitfadeninterviews. Die empirischen Daten wurden mithilfe der Qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring ausgewertet. Die vorliegende Studie identifiziert die Faktoren, die den Wissenstransfer beim altersbe-dingten Berufsausstieg von Fach- und Führungskräften im Rahmen der Methode Expert Debriefing beeinflussen. Die zunächst sehr heterogenen Ergebnisse aus Perspektive der Fach- und Führungskräfte, der Organisation sowie auch in Abhängigkeit von der Methode selbst konnten zu den vier relevanten Erfolgsfaktoren Kommunikation, Motivation, Zeitfaktor und Berufsbiografie konsolidiert werden, die beim Wissenstransfer mit variierender Priorität berücksichtigt werden müssen. Insgesamt ist der Wissenstransfer beim Berufsausstieg als Teil des organisationalen Wissensmanagements zu sehen, auf den die Erfolgsfaktoren einwirken. Vor diesem Hintergrund besitzt die Methode Expert Debriefing integrativen Charakter, indem sie gemäß des Münchner Modells die tragenden Komponenten Mensch, Organisation und Technik miteinander verbindet.Abstract The tipping of the population pyramid age structure due to demographic changes repre-sents the major cause for ageing of employees in traditional enterprises and organiza-tions. The dramatic loss of expertise and knowledge is only one of the consequences following retirement of large cohorts of staff, a fact, which companies try to counteract by methods targeting knowledge management. The present study analyzed the transfer of knowledge between retiring employees and their successors by the method of Expert Debriefing, exemplified within the machine building industry at the international company Schaeffler Gruppe with headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany. The multidisciplinarity as well as the available research data regarding the subject of knowledge management for older employees required an explorative approach, aligned with semi-structured interviews with the leaving specialists and executive managers. Empirical data evaluation was done by qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. In the present study, critical success factors have been identified which have an impact in transferring knowledge within the method of Expert Debriefing. The heterogeneous results from the perspective of the leaving employees, from the perspective of the organization and on dependency of the method itself have been consolidated to four relevant key success factors: communication, motivation, time planning and professional biography. These key factors have to be considered with different priorities within in the knowledge transfer process depending on assignment and intention of the method Ex-pert Debriefing. Taken together, knowledge transfer going along with retirement may be seen as part of the organizational knowledge management which is clearly affected by the critical success factors. Against this background, the results show that the method of Expert Debriefing displays an integrative character according to the “Munich Model” by linking the supporting elements human, organization, and technolog

Ambient-noise tomography of the wider Vienna Basin region

We present a new 3-D shear-velocity model for the top 30 km of the crust in the wider Vienna Basin region based on surface waves extracted from ambient-noise cross-correlations. We use continuous seismic records of 63 broad-band stations of the AlpArray project to retrieve interstation Green’s functions from ambient-noise cross-correlations in the period range from 5 to 25 s. From these Green’s functions, we measure Rayleigh group traveltimes, utilizing all four components of the cross-correlation tensor, which are associated with Rayleigh waves (ZZ, RR, RZ and ZR), to exploit multiple measurements per station pair. A set of selection criteria is applied to ensure that we use high-quality recordings of fundamental Rayleigh modes. We regionalize the interstation group velocities in a 5 km × 5 km grid with an average path density of ∼20 paths per cell. From the resulting group-velocity maps, we extract local 1-D dispersion curves for each cell and invert all cells independently to retrieve the crustal shear-velocity structure of the study area. The resulting model provides a previously unachieved lateral resolution of seismic velocities in the region of ∼15 km. As major features, we image the Vienna Basin and Little Hungarian Plain as low-velocity anomalies, and the Bohemian Massif with high velocities. The edges of these features are marked with prominent velocity contrasts correlated with faults, such as the Alpine Front and Vienna Basin transfer fault system. The observed structures correlate well with surface geology, gravitational anomalies and the few known crystalline basement depths from boreholes. For depths larger than those reached by boreholes, the new model allows new insight into the complex structure of the Vienna Basin and surrounding areas, including deep low-velocity zones, which we image with previously unachieved detail. This model may be used in the future to interpret the deeper structures and tectonic evolution of the wider Vienna Basin region, evaluate natural resources, model wave propagation and improve earthquake locations, among others

Arrival angles of teleseismic fundamental mode Rayleigh waves across the AlpArray

The dense AlpArray network allows studying seismic wave propagation with high spatial resolution. Here we introduce an array approach to measure arrival angles of teleseismic Rayleigh waves. The approach combines the advantages of phase correlation as in the two-station method with array beamforming to obtain the phase-velocity vector. 20 earthquakes from the first two years of the AlpArray project are selected, and spatial patterns of arrival-angle deviations across the AlpArray are shown in maps, depending on period and earthquake location. The cause of these intriguing spatial patterns is discussed. A simple wave-propagation modelling example using an isolated anomaly and a Gaussian beam solution suggests that much of the complexity can be explained as a result of wave interference after passing a structural anomaly along the wave paths. This indicates that arrival-angle information constitutes useful additional information on the Earth structure, beyond what is currently used in inversions

Regulation of MRTF-A by JMY via a nucleation-independent mechanism

Abstract Background MRTF-A (myocardin-related transcription factor A) is a coactivator for SRF-mediated gene expression. The activity of MRTF-A is critically dependent on the dissociation of G-actin from N-terminal RPEL motifs. MRTF-SRF induction often correlates with enhanced polymerization of F-actin. Here we investigate MRTF regulation by the multifunctional JMY protein, which contains three WASP/verprolin homology 2 (WH2/V) domains and facilitates Arp2/3-dependent and -independent actin nucleation. Methods Co-immunoprecipitation experiments, immunofluorescence and luciferase reporter assays were combined with selective inhibitors to investigate the effect of JMY and its domains on MRTF-A in NIH 3 T3 mouse fibroblasts. Results JMY induced MRTF-A transcriptional activity and enhanced its nuclear translocation. Unexpectedly, MRTF-A was hyperactivated when the Arp2/3-recruiting CA region of JMY was deleted or mutated, suggesting an autoinhibitory mechanism for full-length JMY. Moreover, isolated WH2/V domains which are unable to nucleate actin were sufficient for nuclear accumulation and SRF activation. Recombinant WH2/V regions of JMY biochemically competed with MRTF-A for actin binding. Activation of MRTF-A by JMY was unaffected by Arp3 knockdown, by an Arp2/3 inhibitor, and by latrunculin which disassembles cellular F-actin. Restriction of JMY to the nucleus abrogated its MRTF-A activation. Finally, JMY RNAi reduced basal and stimulated transcriptional activation via MRTF-A. Conclusions Our results suggest that JMY activates MRTF-SRF independently of F-actin via WH2/V-mediated competition with the RPEL region for G-actin binding in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, the C-terminal region facilitates an autoinhibitory effect on full-length JMY, possibly by intramolecular folding

Long term consistency and location specificity of equine gluteus medius muscle activity during locomotion on the treadmill

Abstract Background The equine m. gluteus medius (GM) is the largest muscle of the horse, its main movement function is the extension of the hip joint. The objective of the present study was to measure equine GM activity in three adjacent locations on GM during walk and trot on a treadmill, in order to document potential differences. Fourteen Haflinger mares were measured using surface electromyography and kinematic markers to identify the motion cycles on three occasions over 16 weeks. The electrodes were placed on left and right gluteus medius muscle over the middle of its widest part and 5 cm lateral and medial of it. For data processing, electrical activity was normalised to its maximum value and timing was normalised to the motion cycle. A Gaussian distribution approach was used to determine up to 10 modes of focussed activity, and results were analysed separately for stance and swing phase of the ipsilateral hindlimb. Results Fair reliability was found for mean mode values (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.66) and good reliability was found for mean mode locations (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.71) over the three data collection days. The magnitude of muscle activity identified as mean mode value was much larger at trot than at walk, and mean mode value was significantly different between stance phases of walk and trot for all electrode positions (p < 0.01). The pattern of muscle activity identified as mean mode location was significantly different for walk and trot at all electrode positions, both during stance and swing phases (p < 0.001). This indicates the different timing pattern between the gaits. Results of the three electrode positions on the same muscle during each gait were not significantly different when comparing the same measurement. Conclusions The middle of the equine GM does not show any indication of functional differentiation during walk and trot on a treadmill; this might be due to lack of segmentation as such, or due to lack of need for segmented use for these very basic main tasks of the muscle. The reliability of the sEMG measurements over several weeks was fair to good, an indication for the robustness of the methodology

The EANM practice guidelines for parathyroid imaging

INTRODUCTION Nuclear medicine parathyroid imaging is important in the identification of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), but it may be also valuable before surgical treatment in secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT). Parathyroid radionuclide imaging with scintigraphy or positron emission tomography (PET) is a highly sensitive procedure for the assessment of the presence and number of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands, located either at typical sites or ectopically. The treatment of pHPT is mostly directed toward minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, especially in cases with a single adenoma. In experienced hands, successful surgery depends mainly on the exact preoperative localization of one or more hyperfunctioning parathyroid adenomas. Failure to preoperatively identify the hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland challenges minimally invasive parathyroidectomy and might require bilateral open neck exploration. METHODS Over a decade has now passed since the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) issued the first edition of the guideline on parathyroid imaging, and a number of new insights and techniques have been developed since. The aim of the present document is to provide state-of-the-art guidelines for nuclear medicine physicians performing parathyroid scintigraphy, single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), and positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) in patients with pHPT, as well as in those with sHPT. CONCLUSION These guidelines are written and authorized by the EANM to promote optimal parathyroid imaging. They will assist nuclear medicine physicians in the detection and correct localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid lesions

COX-2 is not required for the development of murine chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a severe inflammation of the pancreas associated with destruction of the parenchyma, fibrosis, and persistent abdominal pain. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and COX-2-derived prostaglandins, key mediators of the inflammatory response, are elevated in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Previous studies investigated COX-2 as a therapeutic target. These reports showed a reduced pathology in COX-2-deficient mice with a better outcome. Here we compared the role of COX-2 in acute and chronic pancreatic inflammation using the same COX-2(-/-) mouse model of cerulein-induced pancreatitis. In a setting of acute pancreatitis, juvenile COX-2(-/-) mice exhibited a reduced histopathological score compared with wild-type littermates; on the contrary, adult mice did not show any difference in the development of the disease. Similarly, in a setting of chronic pancreatitis induced over a period of 4 wk, adult mice of the two strains showed comparable histological score and collagen deposition. However, the abundance of mRNAs coding for profibrotic genes, such as collagen, α-smooth muscle actin, and transforming growth factor-β was consistently lower in COX-2(-/-) mice. In addition, comparable histological scores and collagen deposition were observed in wild-type mice treated with a COX-2 inhibitor. We conclude that, in contrast to what was observed in the rat pancreatitis models, COX-2 has a limited and age-dependent effect on inflammatory processes in the mouse pancreas. These results suggest that COX-2 modulates the inflammatory process during the development of pancreatitis in a species-specific manner. Thus the pathophysiological roles of COX-2 and its therapeutic implications in patients with pancreatitis should be reexamined

The utility of point of care serum lactate in predicting serious adverse outcomes among critically ill adult patients at urban emergency departments of tertiary hospitals in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Elevated serum lactate levels have been shown in numerous studies to be associated with serious adverse events, including mortality. Point of care lactate level is increasingly available in resource-limited emergency department (ED) settings. However, little is known about the predictive ability of for serious adverse events. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to describe the utility of serum lactate level as a predictor of 24-h serious adverse events among adult patients presenting at the Emergency Medicine Department (EMD) of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and MUHAS Academic Medical Center (MAMC). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study involving adult patients presenting to the EMD-MNH and MAMC from 1 September 2018 and 31 October 2018. Eligible patients with at least one lactate level test drawn while in the ED were examined in terms of their demographics, relevant clinical characteristics, and any serious adverse event (SAE) within 24 h of arrival. The sensitivity and specificity of lactate level to predict outcomes of interest were determined using the best cut-off point constructed from AUROC to see how well lactate level could discriminate which patients would have adverse events in the next 24 h. Categorical and continuous variables were compared with the chi-square test and two-sample t test, respectively. RESULTS: We screened 2057 (20.9%) out of 9828 patients who presented during study period, and enrolled 387 (18.8%). The overall median age was 54 years (interquartile range 40-68 years) and 206 (53.2%) were male. Using local triaging system, a total of 322 (83.2%) was triaged as an emergency category. The mean lactate level was 3.2 ± 3.6 mmol/L, 65 (16.8%) patients developed at least one SAE, with 42 (11%) who required ICU/HDU, 37 (10%) needed ventilator support, 10 (3%) required inotropes, and 9 (2%) developed cardiac arrest. The overall 24-h mortality was 28 (7%). The AUC of serum lactate level for overall 24-h mortality was 0.801 (95%CI, 0.7-0.9, P ≤ 0.001). At the optimal cutoff value (3.8 mmol/L), lactate level had a sensitivity and specificity for 24-h mortality of 64% and 85%, respectively. Mortality of the high-lactate level group (33.8 mmol/L) was significantly higher than that of the low-lactate level group (&lt; 3.8 mmol/L), 23.8% vs. 2.9%, respectively (95%CI 3.8-17.2, p &lt; 0.001), with the relative risk of mortality in the high-lactate level group being 8.1 times higher compared to the low-lactate level group. CONCLUSION: The utility of lactate level in predicting mortality was similar to that seen in high-resource settings. A serum lactate level of 33.8 mmol/L predicted 24-h serious adverse events in unselected patients seen in the high-acuity area of our ED. Incorporating serum lactate level in ED in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can help identify patients at risk of developing serious adverse events