Initial Growth Research Articles

Harnessing authentic leadership to transform an academic health system: Tampa General Hospital case study

The US healthcare industry is changing faster than ever before, and its evolution should be expected to continue — and at an even more accelerated rate. Research shows that to adapt and thrive in this ever-changing landscape and best meet the needs of patients, healthcare leaders must be prepared to navigate present-day challenges, including unprecedented levels of burnout and turnover, talent shortages and cost pressures while simultaneously anticipating future needs such as digital transformation, new care models and strategic growth initiatives. To act on this framework, healthcare leaders must also lead their organisations with authenticity, transparency, kindness and vulnerability to unite and activate their teams around a common vision and realistic expectations for how it will be achieved. This paper, in case study format, defines the enterprise leadership and AKTiVe leadership models; details how this authentic leadership framework was deployed at Tampa General Hospital to accelerate growth and innovation; and provides an overview of outcomes, influence and lessons learned through implementation.

The moderating role of work environment in the relationship between proactive personality and personal growth initiative among nurses: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundsPersonal growth initiative (PGI) is regarded as a meaningful concept with potential value at both the individual and organizational levels, but little is known about the factors that contribute to nurses’ PGI. This study aimed to explore how proactive personality and hospital work environment affect PGI of clinical nurses.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between September and October 2022 among 4414 nurses from 10 tertiary general hospitals in 10 cities in Sichuan, China, using a two-stage sampling method. Self-reported anonymous online questionnaires, such as sociodemographic information survey, personal growth initiative scale II, the 10-item proactive personality scale, and practice environment scale-nursing work index were used to collect data. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were performed to examine research hypotheses.ResultsAmong the control variables in this study, nurses’ self-perceptions of general health status and professional title positively predicted PGI (β = 0.462, 95%CI = 0.272–0.653; β = 1.078, 95%CI = 0.508–1.648). After adding control variables, both proactive personality (β = 1.143, 95%CI = 1.096–1.190) and work environment (β = 3.391, 95%CI = 2.904–3.879) positively predicted PGI. The work environment positively moderated the association between proactive personality and PGI (β = 0.108, 95%CI = 0.025–0.191). These predictors jointly explained 50.3% of the variance in PGI.ConclusionsNurses with a greater tendency to have a typical proactive personality have higher levels of personal growth initiative, and this positive effect will be better highlighted in a healthier work environment. Nursing managers should prioritize the employment of people with proactive personality traits, focus on the development and stimulation of proactive personality traits in nurses, and establish a supportive work environment to maximize the personal growth initiative of nurses.

Assessing the Impact of Urban Expansion on Forest Cover using LULC Maps, NDVI, and NDBI: A Case Study of Kathmandu District

Rapid urbanization poses significant challenges to the delicate balance between urban development and environmental conservation. This study investigates the impact of urban expansion on forest cover in the Kathmandu District, employing a comprehensive approach that integrates Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) maps, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI). The aim of the study area is to provide insights into the dynamic interplay between urban growth and its consequences on the region's ecological landscape. LULC maps derived from remote sensing data offer a spatially explicit representation of land-use changes over time, enabling the identification of areas where urbanization has encroached upon forest area. The NDVI, a vegetation health indicator, serves as a quantitative measure of changes in the density and health of vegetation cover, aiding in the assessment of ecological impacts. Complementing this, the NDBI highlights intensity of built-up areas, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the urbanization process. This study employs NDBI and NDVI to dynamically assess urban growth and land use cover change, enhancing analytical accuracy. Findings reveal a substantial 89.9 km² increase in built- up areas between 2013 and 2016, coupled with a minor 18.4 km² increase between 2016 and 2021, reflecting continuous urban expansion driven by population growth and development initiatives. Concurrently, forest area marginally increased by 2.3 km² in 2016, suggesting reforestation and conservation efforts, yet a subsequent 23.5 km² decline by 2021, due to deforestation, urban encroachment, and natural disasters such as wildfires. Notably, vacant land decreased by 92.3 km² in 2016, absorbed by built- up areas and forest expansion, underscoring the urgent need for spatial planning to accommodate the growing population and its evolving needs.

Vehicle Asset Tracking and Rash Driving Alert System

All around the world, a sizable percentage of traffic deaths take place every day. Two effective methods for reducing traffic fatalities include shorter response times from the time an accident occurs and the dispatch of initial emergency personnel.

Influence of various light regimes on some circadian rhythms of transplantable melanoma B16

BACKGROUND: Today it is known that disturbance of the lighting regime, expressed both by lengthening of the light period and its reduction, can not only affect the regulation of circadian rhythms of the organism, but also contributes to the initiation of neoplasm growth. AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate circadian rhythmicity of melatonin level, some micromorphometric indices of tumor cells and expression of genes Bmal1, Clock and Per2 in them in mice with transplanted melanoma B16. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 75 mice with subcutaneously transplanted melanoma B16, divided into 3 groups: control group, in which animals were kept under fixed light regime (light/darkness 10/14 hours with light on at 8:00 and off at 18:00), group under dark deprivation conditions, with animals kept under constant light 24 hours a day and group, in which animals were kept in constant darkness. The duration of the experiment was 2 weeks. RESULTS: It was shown that under conditions of fixed light there are reliable circadian rhythms for all studied parameters, except for the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, the circadian rhythms of which was not revealed in any group. Constant darkness leads to rearrangement of all identified rhythms, and constant light causes destruction of all circadian rhythms except the Clock expression rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that light disturbances, whether constant light or constant darkness, lead to significant changes in the structure of the studied circadian rhythms.

Resting state functional brain connectivity in child and adolescent psychiatry: where are we now?

Approaching the 30th anniversary of the discovery of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) functional connectivity, we reflect on the impact of this neuroimaging breakthrough on the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. The study of intrinsic functional brain architecture that rsfMRI affords across a wide range of ages and abilities has yielded numerous key insights. For example, we now know that many neurodevelopmental conditions are associated with more widespread circuit alterations across multiple large-scale brain networks than previously suspected. The emergence of population neuroscience and effective data-sharing initiatives have made large rsfMRI datasets publicly available, providing sufficient power to begin to identify brain-based subtypes within heterogeneous clinical conditions. Nevertheless, several methodological and theoretical challenges must still be addressed to fulfill the promises of personalized child and adolescent psychiatry. In particular, incomplete understanding of the physiological mechanisms driving developmental changes in intrinsic functional connectivity remains an obstacle to further progress. Future directions include cross-species and multimodal neuroimaging investigations to illuminate such mechanisms. Data collection and harmonization efforts that span multiple countries and diverse cohorts are urgently needed. Finally, incorporating naturalistic fMRI paradigms such as movie watching should be a priority for future research efforts.

The Role of Quarter-Life Crisis Toward Personal Growth Initiative in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract. Many people experiencing quarter-life crisis at the age of 27th, which considered as emerging adulthood phase, which affect the individual’s personal growth initiative. This research was done to see the impact of the quarter- life crisis towards personal growth initiative. The method used for this research is quantitative correlational with the sample of 18-27 years old and domiciled in Surabaya. Data collection was done with an online questionnaire with total of 107 respondents. Most of them are female, with the percentage of 54.2%, and aged 18 years old, with the percentage of 29.9%. Linear hypothesis test showed significant result with p value <0.001, and ꞵ -0.382. It means that quarter-life crisis has negative impacts toward personal growth initiative, meaning a higher quarter-life crisis would lead to lower personal growth initiative. Through this research, individuals are able to understand that quarter-life crisis can affect their personal growth initiative.

Governance quality and green growth: New empirical evidence from BRICS

This study investigates the impact of governance quality (AGI) on green growth (GRG) in BRICS nations from 1998 to 2022, focusing on aspects like corruption control and regulatory quality. Utilizing advanced econometric models such as FMOLS, DOLS, and CS-ARDL, the analysis highlights a positive correlation between governance quality and green growth. Stronger governance is linked to enhanced green growth, underscoring the importance of robust governance mechanisms for environmental sustainability. These findings offer valuable policy insights, emphasizing the need for improved governance to support green growth initiatives. This research enriches the literature by empirically examining governance's role in fostering green growth.

Mapping of mitogen and metabolic sensitivity in organoids defines requirements for human hepatocyte growth

Mechanisms underlying human hepatocyte growth in development and regeneration are incompletely understood. In vitro, human fetal hepatocytes (FH) can be robustly grown as organoids, while adult primary human hepatocyte (PHH) organoids remain difficult to expand, suggesting different growth requirements between fetal and adult hepatocytes. Here, we characterize hepatocyte organoid outgrowth using temporal transcriptomic and phenotypic approaches. FHs initiate reciprocal transcriptional programs involving increased proliferation and repressed lipid metabolism upon initiation of organoid growth. We exploit these insights to design maturation conditions for FH organoids, resulting in acquisition of mature hepatocyte morphological traits and increased expression of functional markers. During PHH organoid outgrowth in the same culture condition as for FHs, the adult transcriptomes initially mimic the fetal transcriptomic signatures, but PHHs rapidly acquire disbalanced proliferation-lipid metabolism dynamics, resulting in steatosis and halted organoid growth. IL6 supplementation, as emerged from the fetal dataset, and simultaneous activation of the metabolic regulator FXR, prevents steatosis and promotes PHH proliferation, resulting in improved expansion of the derived organoids. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses reveal preservation of their fetal and adult hepatocyte identities in the respective organoid cultures. Our findings uncover mitogen requirements and metabolic differences determining proliferation of hepatocytes changing from development to adulthood.

Personal growth initiative across the life span: a systematic review protocol of quantitative studies using the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II

BackgroundPersonal Growth Initiative (PGI) a multi-dimensional construct, conceptualised as a skill set that helps individuals to intentionally grow is considered an important construct throughout the life span. Coping with the challenges, transitions, experiences and stressors of life requires an active growth orientation. In previous empirical research, the construct has been measured by either the PGIS-I or PGIS-II, of which only the latter takes account of the theoretically established multi-dimensionality of the construct. This paper describes the protocol for conducting a systematic review of published peer-reviewed empirical research articles on the multi-dimensional construct of PGI. The aim of this review is threefold: (1) to better understand the multi-dimensional construct PGI in different contexts and populations, (2) to improve our understanding of the reliability and validity of the PGIS-II in various research populations and (3) to obtain an overview of its associations with relevant psychosocial factors.MethodsFor the development of this protocol, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) reporting guidelines were used. Four databases and one registry will be searched using a predetermined search strategy for relevant studies. Studies will be screened, by two reviewers independently, against the established inclusion criteria. During the data extraction process, the quality of the included studies will be assessed using the Quality Assessment for Survey Studies in Psychology (Q-SSP). The collected data will then be analysed and reported in both narrative and tabular form according to the PRISMA 2020 statement guidelines and flow diagram.DiscussionThe findings of this study will increase our understanding of the dynamics of PGI throughout the lifespan, its associations with other psychosocial factors and the psychometric properties of the PGIS-II. It will also clarify where additional research is needed. The objectives of the proposed review can provide a basis for the development of practical applications and interventions.Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42022377342.

Long-Chain Hydrocarbons from Nonthermal Plasma-Driven Biogas Upcycling.

The burgeoning necessity to discover new methodologies for the synthesis of long-chain hydrocarbons and oxygenates, independent of traditional reliance on high-temperature, high-pressure, and fossil fuel-based carbon, is increasingly urgent. In this context, we introduce a nonthermal plasma-based strategy for the initiation and propagation of long-chain carbon growth from biogas constituents (CO2 and CH4). Utilizing a plasma reactor operating at atmospheric room temperature, our approach facilitates hydrocarbon chain growth up to C40 in the solid state (including oxygenated products), predominantly when CH4 exceeds CO2 in the feedstock. This synthesis is driven by the hydrogenation of CO2 and/or amalgamation of CHx radicals. Global plasma chemistry modeling underscores the pivotal role of electron temperature and CHx radical genesis, contingent upon varying CO2/CH4 ratios in the plasma system. Concomitant with long-chain hydrocarbon production, the system also yields gaseous products, primarily syngas (H2 and CO), as well as liquid-phase alcohols and acids. Our finding demonstrates the feasibility of atmospheric room-temperature synthesis of long-chain hydrocarbons, with the potential for tuning the chain length based on the feed gas composition.

Investors as members in transnational sustainable finance initiatives: Collectors, mediators and performers

The last 20 years have seen the emergence and proliferation of transnational sustainable finance initiatives (hereafter: TSFI). From associations like the Principles of Responsible Investment to pledges like the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge, investors have connected with each other and with other kinds of organisations in transnational fora dedicated to sustainable finance. Taking inspiration from political economy scholarship on global corporate networks, we apply a network perspective to the transnational governance of sustainable finance, examining the overlaps between investors’ membership in TSFI. In particular, we aim to identify those investors’ that hold a large number of TSFI membership (collectors), that connect centrally located TSFI with those at the margins (mediators), and that take on active roles within TSFI (performers). Analysing membership data for 30 TSFI, totalling 10.602 observations, at three analytical levels, we identify a group of 21 investors holding core positions in the global network. The majority of these investors are active in asset management and located in Nordic or continental European political economies. The predominance of some of the world’s largest investors in our three member categories suggests that the transnational governance of sustainable finance relies in part on the activities of actors that are associated with harmful financial practices. Nevertheless, the simultaneous presence of publicly owned enterprises on our list of most connected members also indicates the importance of public leadership in the transnational governance of sustainable finance.

Mass scale synthesis of graphene nanosheets using waste cardboard for application in perovskite solar cells and supercapacitors

Advanced graphene-based materials have been proficiently incorporated into next-generation solar cells and supercapacitors because of their high electrical conductivity, large surface area, excellent charge-transport ability, and exceptional optical properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of graphene nanosheets (GNs) from waste cardboard via pyrolysis, with ethyl alcohol as the growth initiator. Additionally, we demonstrated the use of GNs in energy conversion and storage applications. Using the GN electrode in perovskite solar cells resulted in an excellent power conversion efficiency of ∼10.41 % for an active area of 1 cm2, indicating an enhancement of approximately 27 % compared to conventional electrodes. Furthermore, the GNs were used as active electrode materials in supercapacitors with excellent electrochemical performance and a high gravimetric specific capacitance of 167.5 F/g at a scan rate of 2 mV/s. The developed GNs can be efficiently used for energy storage, conversion, and electrochemical sensing applications.

Phenological observations on the growth and development of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

There is a need to summarise information using phenological models to develop a sustainable saffron production technology with further regulation of flowering at a certain phenological stage and determination of the appropriate flowering period to improve yield and quality under different environmental conditions. The purpose of the study is to establish the course of phenological phases of saffron growth and development in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Phenological observations and biometric measurements were performed in the study. According to field observations, there are a total of 6 phenological stages of saffron development. The rest period lasts from the third ten days of May to October and is divided into primary and secondary dormancy. During the primary dormant period, corms do not show external morphological changes and growth, but internal physiological and morphogenetic changes occur. In the secondary dormant period, the initial emergence of leaves and flowers and their differentiation take place. During the dormant period, saffron plants were left without aboveground organs. The flowering period falls in October. The passage of this phenological stage may be affected by changes in environmental conditions or agricultural technology. The growth of the root system began with the appearance of flowers and leaves. During the growing season, the growth of the leaf apparatus and the development of the root system continue. During this period, daughter corms are also formed from the buds of the mother corm. During the winter, the replacement corms continue to grow using the nutrient reserves of the mother corm. In early March, the development of the root system slows down and the daughter corms reach almost the final size. At the end of the growing season, the root system of the mother corm stops growing. The leaves begin to age from the top to the base. By the end of May, the daughter corms are fully developed and are preparing for the transition to a dormant state. The number of corms produced per unit area depends on the age of the plot, nutrient supply, and the level of agricultural technology. Older fields produce more corms. Due to the higher density, a larger yield of stamens is formed. Therefore, understanding the phenological reactions and influence of climatic factors on the stages of saffron growth and development in certain soil and climatic conditions is useful for future forecasting of harvest time

The politics of agro-industrial greening: policy processes, market institutions and local power relations in the sugarcane sector of French overseas departments

ABSTRACT In France, the agenda of agro-industrial greening has resulted in limited progress towards environmentally sustainable agriculture, while the prevailing productivist model remains dominant across agro-industrial systems. This article deploys an interdisciplinary analytical framework focused on two key explanatory variables – market and policy incentives – to explain the emergence or absence of agro-industrial greening initiatives. Additionally, it introduces a crucial intervening variable, power relations along the value chain, to understand the success or failure of such initiatives. Applying this framework empirically, a comparative analysis of greening dynamics within the sugarcane agro-industry across three French overseas departments is conducted. Following the liberalization of the European sugar market, private greening initiatives emerged in some of these territories but not others. I first demonstrate that policy processes did not play a determining role in instigating greening initiatives. Rather, local representations of market opportunities proved decisive. However, the ultimate outcomes of these initiatives were intricately tied to local power dynamics within territorially embedded agro-industrial value chains. Therefore, territorialized political economies not only impose structural constraints on greening initiatives, but also offer localized opportunities for eco-innovation through shifting discourses, representations and practices.

Geographies of super-philanthropy: Disaggregating the global philanthropic complex

In recent decades the world has witnessed an unparalleled growth of philanthropic initiatives and institutions that has proven inextricable from the vast accumulation and concentration of wealth on a global scale. Echoing recent calls for geographers to study philanthropy, this paper seeks to advance a critical geographical understanding of globalising philanthropy. Inspired by geographical scholarship on relational thinking, the paper frames the varied manifestations of contemporary philanthropy as a ‘philanthropic complex’ in order to understand philanthropy through central themes of relationality, intermediation and stabilisation. Advancing theories of philanthropy by characterising the complex's geographical unevenness and political functions of depoliticisation, the paper closes by outlining avenues in which relational thinking about philanthropy can advance geographical theories of elites and global development.

Academic Satisfaction and Meaning in Life: The Mediating Roles of Personal Growth Initiative and Career Adaptability

The present study examined the relationship between academic satisfaction and meaning in life. To further explain the relationship between these factors, we examined personal growth initiative and career adaptability as mediator variables. A total of 691 undergraduate students were invited as participants. They completed the following four inventories: the Meaning in Life Scale, the Academic Satisfaction Scale, the Career Adaptability Scale, and the Personal Growth Initiative Scale. The results indicated the following: (a) Chinese undergraduate students’ academic satisfaction could positively predict their presence of meaning in life and search for meaning in life. (b) The relationship between academic satisfaction and presence of meaning in life among Chinese undergraduate students was mediated by personal growth initiative and career adaptability, but the relationship between academic satisfaction and searching for meaning in life among Chinese undergraduate students was only mediated by personal growth initiative. This study demonstrated that academic satisfaction promoted meaning in life not only directly but also indirectly through the mediating effect of personal growth initiative and career adaptability.

Experimental study on the cold-seep methane hydrate formation kinetics

Cold-seep methane hydrates are widespread in the natural environment. A comprehensive understanding of the cold-seep methane hydrate formation kinetics is crucial for the knowledge of formation mechanisms and the development and utilization of natural gas hydrate. This study monitored the kinetics of methane hydrate formation in cold-seep fluids using continuous time-series Raman spectroscopy. A novel spectroscopic method was proposed to accurately determine the nucleation time of gas hydrates with a ten-second accuracy. Experimental results showed a smooth transition from dissolved methane to hydrated methane. Rapid hydrate nucleation and growth initiation were observed at the gas–liquid interface, forming hydrate films wrapping gas bubbles and suspending hydrate microcrystals in cold-seep fluids. Furthermore, a model for cold-seep methane hydrate formation kinetics was proposed, which indicated three distinct stages including an induction period, a metastable nucleation period, and a stable growth period.

610 From Flames to Facts: Unveiling Discrepancies in Burn Patient Documentation

Abstract Introduction Comprehensive and accurate burn documentation is essential for initial and ongoing patient care. However, the challenge of inaccurate and incomplete records poses preventable risks. Our study evaluates burn documentation at a tertiary care burn centre, focusing on discrepancies between initial Emergency Department (ED) assessments and final evaluations by the Plastic Surgery Burn Consultant (PS). We hypothesize that the ED reports inaccurate and incomplete burn injury details, leading to differences in burn size and severity compared to PS assessments. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of our provincial burn registry from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2021. We included patients admitted for burns warranting a PS consultation, excluding isolated first-degree, ocular, and inhalational burns, and those not requiring burn unit admission. Data covering time, date, etiology, injury details, treatment, and follow-up were collected and compared between ED and PS records. Incomplete entries lacked burn-specific data points. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to compare continuous outcomes, while Pearson’s Chi-Square test was employed for categorical outcomes. Wilcoxon’s Signed-Rank test was used to identify significant variations in TBSA estimates, with PS considered the "gold" standard. Statistical significance was set at p< 0.05. Results 358 patients were included, with most burns in male patients (76%) occurring at home and involving the head and neck. Burn etiology, circumstances, place, and anatomic location were well reported and consistent across PS and ED documentation. However, there were significant differences in TBSA estimates. The ED calculated a median TBSA of 20 (IQR: 19.8), while PS estimated a median TBSA of 14 (IQR: 16) (p< 0.0019). Notably, TBSA estimates for burns < 10% and 10-25% showed significant differences (p< 0.0001), tending toward overestimation by the ED. Deeper burns were consistently over-reported during initial ED assessments compared to the final PS determinations. Furthermore, 81% of the initial records were incomplete: 66% lacked initial treatment data, 49% missed TBSA, and 39% omitted burn depth. Conclusions Significant discrepancies were appreciated in the initial ED documentation of burn injuries at our tertiary care burn centre, with overestimations in TBSA and burn depth. Over 80% of initial documentation was incomplete, with TBSA omitted in 49% of charts in both local and peripheral transfer consultations. There is a collective urgent need for enhanced awareness and education on the importance of accurate and comprehensive burn patient documentation. Applicability of Research to Practice This research emphasizes the need for improved documentation strategies for burn patients seen in the acute care setting, raising the potential to venture into modalities such as artificial intelligence and electronic health record systems to enhance burn documentation.

Understanding the Saffron Corm Development-Insights into Histological and Metabolic Aspects.

The reproduction of Crocus sativus L., a sterile triploid plant, is carried out exclusively through corms, whose size determines the saffron yield. The development of daughter corms (DC) is supported by photoassimilates supplied by the leaves as well as by the mother corms (MC). While biomass partitioning during DC development is well studied, growth dynamics in terms of cell number and size, the involved meristems, as well as carbohydrate partition and allocation, are not yet fully understood. We conducted a comprehensive study into saffron corm growth dynamics at the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Variations in carbohydrate content and enzymatic activities related to sucrose metabolism in sources and sinks were measured. Two key meristems were identified. One is involved in vascular connections between DC and MC. The other is a thickening meristem responsible for DC enlargement. This research explains how the previously described phases of corm growth correlate with variations in cell division, enlargement dynamics, and carbohydrate partitioning among organs. Results also elucidated that the end of DC growth relates to a significant drop in MC root biomass, limiting the water supply for the DC growth, and establishing the onset of leaf wilting. The lack of starch accumulation in aged leaf cells is noteworthy, as is the accumulation of lipids. We hypothesize a signaling role of sugars in DC growth initiation, stop, and leaf aging. Finally, we established a predominant role of sucrose synthase as a sucrolytic enzyme in the maintenance of the high flux of carbon for starch synthesis in DC. Together, the obtained results pave the way for the definition of strategies leading to better control of saffron corm development.