Internal Organization Research Articles

Impacts, Adaptations, and Preparedness Among SNAP-Ed Implementers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multistate Study

Objective: The study examines: 1) impacts of COVID-19 on the work of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) implementers, 2) facilitators and barriers experienced in making adaptations, and 3) factors that would have helped with preparedness to adapt. Design, Setting, and Participants: A purposive sample of 181 SNAP-Ed program implementers from across five states completed a survey or interview based on the study aims. Quantitative data was summarized with descriptive statistics and qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Results: Direct education activities were found to be most impacted during COVID-19 while working to change policies, systems, and environments and indirect education were less impacted. Both positive and negative impacts surfaced. Respondents were most likely to say they were moderately or slightly prepared to make adaptations. Elements of internal organizations, technology, and partners both helped and hindered adapting. Pre-established virtual capacity, formal preparation and planning protocols and procedures, and better and more frequent communication with partners and program leadership would have helped with preparedness. Conclusion: SNAP-Ed needs assessment and implementation processes should integrate and expand upon the lessons learned in the study to enhance future emergency preparedness among program implementers. Program policy should be updated to allow for implementation flexibility during future emergencies.

Morphological and Optical Profiling of Melanocytes and SK-MEL-28 Melanoma Cells Via Digital Holographic Microscopy and Quantitative Phase Imaging.

Melanoma, which originates from pigment-producing melanocytes, is an aggressive and deadly skin cancer. Despite extensive research, its mechanisms of progression and metastasis remain unclear. This study uses quantitative phase imaging via digital holographic microscopy, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) to identify the morphological, optical, and behavioral differences between normal melanocytes and SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells. Our findings reveal significant differences in cell shape, size, and internal organization, with SK-MEL-28 cells displaying greater size variability, more polygonal shapes, and higher optical thickness. Phase shift parameters and surface roughness analyses underscore melanoma cells' uniform and predictable textures. Violin plots highlight the dynamic and varied migration of SK-MEL-28 cells, contrasting with the localized movement of melanocytes. Hierarchical clustering of correlation matrices provides further insights into complex morphological and optical relationships. Integrating label-free imaging with robust analytical methods enhances understanding of melanoma's aggressive behavior, supporting targeted therapies and highlighting potential biomarkers for precise melanoma diagnostics and treatment.

Airborne lidar at Guiengola, Oaxaca: Mapping a Late Postclassic Zapotec city

Abstract The site of Guiengola is an example of one of the settlements built by the Zapotecs during their fourteenth- to fifteenth-century migration to the Southern Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Although Guiengola is well known in the ethnohistorical record as being the place where the Mexica armies were defeated by Zapotec forces during the late fifteenth century, the full extension of the site was previously unknown. Despite evidence of a dense population at the site, it has been mistakenly characterized as a fortress for housing soldiers and troops from the nearby town of Tehuantepec. Here, I present the research of the Guiengola Archeological Project, which conducted a lidar scan and archaeological surveys between 2018 and 2023. In this article, I share a comprehensive map of Guiengola, a Postclassic Mesoamerican city. My analysis identifies a large settlement that covered 360 ha and included a walled system of fortifications, an internal road network, and a hierarchically organized city. The findings of this project expand our understanding of the variations and social divisions in the city's internal urban organization, which in turn, allow us to deepen our comprehension of the transition to the Early Colonial barrio organization of Tehuantepec.

ESG performance and the cost of debt: exploring the role of internal audit

ABSTRACT This study investigates the effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance on capital-raising costs in the debt market. The study also examines the role of internal audit organizations in this relationship. The results of the current study show that firms with high ESG performance have lower cost of debt. More importantly, when ESG is classified into sub-factors (E, S, and G), all three are negatively associated with the cost of debt. Next, the current study documents that the presence of an audit committee, the increase in the number of internal audit members, and the higher independence of the internal audit organization incrementally weaken the negative relationship between ESG and the cost of debt. The results remain robust across various additional tests and when endogeneity concerns are mitigated. Overall, these findings suggest the possibility that, as a primary risk assessment function, an independent and large internal audit organization exposes and highlights ESG risks to external credit rating agencies. The findings of this study offer valuable practical insights into how internal audit organizations can effectively assess and contribute to the evaluation of ESG performance.

Beyond bigrams: call sequencing in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) vocal system.

Over the last two decades, an emerging body of research has demonstrated that non-human animals exhibit the ability to combine context-specific calls into larger sequences. These structures have frequently been compared with language's syntax, whereby linguistic units are combined to form larger structures, and leveraged to argue that syntax might not be unique to language. Currently, however, the overwhelming majority of examples of call combinations are limited to simple sequences comprising just two calls which differ dramatically from the open-ended hierarchical structuring of the syntax found in language. We revisit this issue by taking a whole-repertoire approach to investigate combinatoriality in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). We use Markov chain models to quantify the vocal sequences produced by marmosets providing evidence for structures beyond the bigram, including three-call and even combinations of up to eight or nine calls. Our analyses of these longer vocal sequences are suggestive of potential further internal organization, including some amount of recombination, nestedness and non-adjacent dependencies. We argue that data-driven, whole-repertoire analyses are fundamental to uncovering the combinatorial complexity of non-human animals and will further facilitate meaningful comparisons with language's combinatoriality.

Toward understanding lipid reorganization in RNA lipid nanoparticles in acidic environments

The use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for therapeutic RNA delivery has gained significant interest, particularly highlighted by recent milestones such as the approval of Onpattro and two mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. However, despite substantial advancements in this field, our understanding of the structure and internal organization of RNA-LNPs -and their relationship to efficacy, both in vitro and in vivo- remains limited. In this study, we present a coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) approach that allows for the simulations of full-size LNPs. By analyzing MD-derived structural characteristics in conjunction with cellular experiments, we investigate the effect of critical parameters, such as pH and composition, on LNP structure and potency. Additionally, we examine the mobility and chemical environment within LNPs at a molecular level. Our findings highlight the significant impact that LNP composition and internal molecular mobility can have on key stages of LNP-based intracellular RNA delivery.

Collaborative work processes in establishing a MiniMaria treatment center for youth substance addiction: a qualitative inquiry of county council healthcare and municipal efforts

BackgroundThis article is part of a larger study exploring the collaborative dynamics between key stakeholders in providing care to youths suffering from alcohol or substance use and their families in formulating policies and operational practices for county and country-wide application in similar settings. The focus of this article is to describe the collaborative processes between two stakeholders, a municipality, and a county council, in establishing a MiniMaria treatment center. While collaborative efforts between municipalities and county councils in health service provision are often acknowledged, little is known about how communication and decision-making processes between these entities shape the success of such initiatives. This study aims to fill this gap by providing insights into the communicative processes that foster organizational cohesion, agility, and innovation. The guiding research question is: What communicative processes occur between the county council and municipal stakeholders during the planning phase of the MiniMaria treatment center?MethodsThe municipality and county council were selected based on purposive sampling, owing to the proximity and accessibility of the field. An exploratory and descriptive design, incorporating a participatory research approach, was employed for this qualitative investigation.ResultsTwo central themes, each underpinned by specific subthemes sum up the essence of our findings. The first theme underscores the collaborative dynamics and shared objectives that have emerged through the project, thus showing the importance of a unified vision and mutual understanding in driving the initiative forward. The second theme points to the practical aspects of implementing the project, including recruitment strategies, and the significance of interpersonal communication.ConclusionsThis article sheds light on the establishment of a MiniMaria treatment center through collaboration between a municipality and county council, using the Four Flows Model to interpret communicative processes. Membership negotiation was crucial for defining roles and building a unified team identity, while activity coordination ensured aligned stakeholder efforts. Self-structuring facilitated internal organization and operational clarity, and institutional positioning aligned the initiative with broader healthcare norms, enhancing its credibility and impact. These communicative practices were central to get a grip on inter-organizational complexities, emphasizing communication’s constitutive role in organizational development and innovation.

Challenges and solutions to banning the advertisement of unhealthy products: a qualitative study

Unhealthy products (food, alcohol, tobacco) are among the main risk factors of non-communicable diseases. To discourage the consumption of these products, Iran has passed a law banning the advertisement of unhealthy products in all media and for all age groups. The purpose of the present study was to identify the challenges of this approach and provide evidence to facilitate the enforcement process and the participation of stakeholders. In this qualitative study participants were selected from the policymakers and experts involved in the banning of advertisements on unhealthy products in Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 specialists and experts. The participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Identified challenges and solutions were divided into three categories and nine themes: external (political, social, and economic); interorganizational (mission and communication); and internal (planning, organization, leadership, and control). Banning the advertisement of unhealthy products involves many challenges due to the existence of key players with different roles and missions. If these challenges are not managed effectively, they will hinder the enforcement and success of this law. Therefore, it is necessary for policymakers and health system managers to take the necessary measures to remove these obstacles.

3D Cryo-Electron Microscopy Reveals the Structure of a 3-Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl Zipper Motif Ensuring the Self-Assembly of Tripeptide Nanofibers.

Short peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels appeared as highly interesting materials for applications in many fields. The optimization of their properties relies mainly on the design of a suitable hydrogelator through an empirical trial-and-error strategy based on the synthesis of various types of peptides. This approach is in part due to the lack of prior structural knowledge of the molecular architecture of the various families of nanofibers. The 3D structure of the nanofibers determines their ability to interact with entities present in their surrounding environment. Thus, it is important to resolve the internal structural organization of the material. Herein, using Fmoc-FFY tripeptide as a model amphiphilic hydrogelator and cryo-EM reconstruction approach, we succeeded to obtain a 3.8 Å resolution 3D structure of a self-assembled nanofiber with a diameter of approximately 4.1 nm and with apparently "infinite" length. The elucidation of the spatial organization of such nano-objects addresses fundamental questions about the way short amphiphilic N-Fmoc peptides lacking secondary structure can self-assemble and ensure the cohesion of such a lengthy nanostructure. This nanofiber is organized into a triple-stranded helix with an asymmetric unit composed of two Fmoc-FFY peptides per strand. The three identical amphiphilic strands are maintained together by strong lateral interactions coming from a 3-Fmoc zipper motif. This hydrophobic core of the nanofiber is surrounded by 12 phenyl groups from phenylalanine residues, nonplanar with the six Fmoc groups. Polar tyrosine residues at the C-term position constitute the hydrophilic shell and are exposed all around the external part of the assembly. This fiber has a highly hydrophobic central core with an internal diameter of only 2.4 Å. Molecular dynamics simulations highlight van der Waals and hydrogen bonds between peptides placed on top of each other. We demonstrate that the self-assembly of Fmoc-FFY, whether induced by annealing or by the action of a phosphatase on the phosphorylated precursor Fmoc-FFpY, results in two nanostructures with minor differences that we are unable to distinguish.

Designing the Internal Organization for Circular Economy Innovation: A Knowledge Governance and Microfoundations Approach

Firms implementing circular economy principles in their innovation processes necessitates the redesign of well-established processes and practices. This redesign leverages the various knowledge and practice domains within the firm, at different levels and scales. Despite the importance of knowledge to innovation management, there is a lack of research in innovation studies examining how firms could manage different knowledge flows within the circular economy context. In most research in this area, studies tend to assume that existence of governance mechanisms to manage these knowledge flows. However, given the need for redesigning or introducing entirely new business models to incorporate circularity principles, there is also a need to understand the internal organization that facilitates such changes. In this paper, we conceptualize how organizational mechanisms governing knowledge processes influence firms' adoption of circular-oriented innovation processes. We conclude that firms go through various stages and levels in the adoption process. These levels are linked through situational, action-formation, and transformational mechanisms that govern supportive knowledge processes. We contribute the innovation management literature by linking circular innovation process adoption to knowledge governance and the underlying knowledge processes. Specifically, we highlight the microfoundations nuances of circular-oriented innovation processes adoption that are pertinent to organizing innovation activities within the firm.

The slow pace of building and organizing for trust in internal collaboration within social services

ABSTRACT This study sets out to understand how trust-building is created in a municipal organization when the highest level of decision-makers decides to implement trust-based governance. The study focuses on the social services internal organization. The aim was to capture how the participants perception of trust-building during internal collaboration through time, and how the process unfolded over time. A qualitative longitudinal study was designed, and data was gathered comprising written reflection texts about internal collaboration and activities to promote collaboration, ratings of perceived emotions and trust, and meeting observations. The study uses abductive thematic analysis. The main finding illustrates that to social relations and trust between individuals was challenging, however there was perceived trust in the overall change process to become one unit and identify common work methods. This study reinforces the need for physical social relational ties to see beyond the focus on new internal collaborative working methods. It stresses the importance of acknowledging personal and social chemistry in transitioning to new roles, responsibilities and professional skills to build trust.

3D reconstruction and morphological characterisation of single wheat grains by X‐ray μCT

SummaryThe intricate task of achieving three‐dimensional (3D) visual reconstruction of wheat kernels represents a notable challenge within the domain of digital grain analysis, playing a pivotal role in the realms of grain storage, processing, and breeding. However, existing investigations focused on individual kernels predominantly encompass dimensions such as length, width, height, and epidermal texture features, with a tendency to be invasive to the internal organisational structure of the kernel. Non‐local mean filtering algorithm is proposed to segment various tissues, and the 2D grey scale images are extracted from X‐ray micro‐computed tomography (μCT) to reconstruct a meticulous 3D visualisation model of individual wheat grains. Furthermore, building upon this foundation, an exhaustive assessment of morphological and structural parameters pertaining to each facet of the internal organisation of the wheat seed grain is conducted. Notably, these calculated parameters align with data generated by prior researchers，with 80% of the volume of the endosperm, 12% of the pericarp, about 2% of the endosperm and scutellum, and 4% of the pores. The established parameters and resultant 3D visual models serve as foundational components for subsequent in‐depth examinations into various physicochemical properties, including quality characteristics, heat, and mass transfer attributes, as well as variations in its morphological structure during breeding, which are pertinent to individual grains. This research contributes valuable insights and methodologies that can propel the advancement of studies in wheat kernel analysis.

The Role of Constitutional Review to Determine the Emergency Operation of Parliaments: the Most Recent Lessons to be Learned

Abstract Based on a recently published English-language global database on constitutional case law linked to the global pandemic, my contribution aims at analysing the currently underestimated link between constitutional review and the emergency operation of parliaments. Although the fact, that huge research endeavors have been devoted to the evaluation of parliamentary solutions adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic, the role of constitutional review has not been understood more deeply in this process until now. However, several constitutional constitutional courts have heard significant matters of parliamentary law during and shortly after the public health emergency, and despite the mostly deferential character of constitutional/supreme courts, the relevant rulings from around the world provided meaningful orientations how to describe rliamentary margin of movement to regulate internal structure and organisation during such extraordinary periods. This contribution will enumerate such constitutional/supreme court decisions and will assess their added value to maintain effective parliamentary work under the shadow of unprecedented challenges.

Sweetening the Deal: The Political Economy of Land Redistribution in South Africa’s Sugar Sector

Under what conditions do land transfers occur under land reform? Theories of land redistribution focus on demand-side explanations for land transfers where the state allocates land in exchange for support from voters or rural elites. In this article, I argue that land transfers under market land redistribution are driven by supply-side characteristics of landholders. Using the case of South Africa’s sugar sector, I show that landholders chose to sell their land via redistribution when they had the economic incentive to preserve existing state-support frameworks and had collective capacity from centralized institutions. To understand when and why land redistribution occurs, one must pay attention to the landholders’ relationship to the state and their internal sectoral organization. In some cases, landholders may have an incentive to redistribute their land.

Breksi Cliff Tourism Rising From the Impact of the Pandemic

The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the impact of Covid-19 on Breksi Cliff Tourism. Breksi Cliff Tourism is managed by a Village-Owned Enterprise ( BUMDes) in Sambirejo Village, Prambanan District and Breksi Cliff Manager Lowo Ijo is a work unit of BUMDes. This study uses the perspective of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), namely from a financial perspective, customer perspective, internal business process perspective, learning and growth perspective. to see the impact of Breksi Cliff Tourism. The impact on the internal organization itself as well as the economic impact on the surrounding community which has become a source of income. This study uses qualitative research methods in order to dig up more information from sources about the impact of Covid-19. The informants in this study are Breksi Cliff Tourism Managers, employees of Breksi Cliff Tourism Managers, non-employee workers and the community around Breksi Cliff Tourism. It is hoped that this research will produce a solution for Tebing Breksi Tourism Managers in dealing with the crisis caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic and can recover quickly.

Corruption prevention in organizational clustering in Indonesia: through the role of the HU-model in detecting corruption

PurposeThis paper aims to test the effectiveness of the Haryono Umar (HU)-model used in corruption prevention strategies through corruption detection as a tool for detecting corruption because the mode of corruption is increasingly dynamic and complex by focusing on the causes of corruption: pressure, opportunity, rationalization, capability and lack of integrity.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses multiple regression methods, classification and regression trees and the HU-model application system developed by researchers. The research sample uses secondary data from financial reports on the Indonesia stock exchange according to organizational clustering (such as red, grey and green areas).FindingsThe research result showed that of the 470 sample companies, there were 445 companies, or 98.9%, in the red cluster (indicated corruption), 19 companies, or 4.04, in the green clusters or not indicated corruption and six companies, or 1.28%, were included in the grey cluster or potential corruption. By knowing the cluster of an organization, efforts to prevent corruption can be made effective and efficient. Implementing the HU-model proves that the amount of pressure, the abundance of opportunities, the ease of rationalization and the high level of position and authority strengthen the drive for corruption if there is a lack of integrity.Research limitations/implicationsEach internal organization can use this model independently and find conditions related to corruption so that they can immediately take action to prevent it.Originality/valueThe application of the HU-model is a discovery in preventing corruption by focusing on the possibility of corruption occurring in each organization through organizational clustering.

Philadelphia Chinatown’s cultural image construction since the 1960s

Philadelphia Chinatown, an immigration hub with diverse cultures, is a vibrant ethnic enclave in Pennsylvania. It has a long history of being secluded due to national sentiments as well as persecution and fighting against urban construction projects. Through the analysis of Philadelphia Chinatown’s social structure and iconic features, this paper analyzes the Chinatown society’s cultural image construction since the 1960s, and further discusses its changing cultural patterns in the American society. It is argued in this paper that: Philadelphia Chinatown, mainly comprised of poor peasants and wealthy merchants in an early stage, is based on commerce; its cultural image was constructed by Orientalism, stemming from both the internal organizations of the community and external society, and took roots on its commercial basis; the Chinese traditions in the Chinatown society are comparatively static, while, on the other hand, the community’s culture is infiltrated by American cultures, making connections with indigenous societies.

Экспертиза результатов подрядных работ, произведённых для нужд системы МВД России: проблемы правовой регламентации

The article considers the existing gaps in the legal regulation of expert examination of the results of contractual work performed under the state contract. In this regard, the author substantiates and proposes a unified legal mechanism for the implementation of expert examination of the results of contractual work performed for the needs of the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The basis of this mechanism should be a departmental normative legal act regulating the order of delivery and acceptance of contract works; procedure for examination and selection of external and internal experts, third-party expert organizations; cases of internal and external expert examination; establishing qualification requirements for internal experts, independent experts and expert organizations; standard forms of internal expert report and act of delivery and acceptance of the results of contract works.

Temperature Dependence and the Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Ultrastructure and Photosynthetic Activity of Carpospores in Sub-Antarctic Red Alga Iridaea cordata (Turner) Bory 1826.

The short-term effects of UV radiation and low temperature on ultrastructure, photosynthetic activity (measured as the maximal photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II: Fv/Fm), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) contents, and UV-absorbing compounds on the carpospores of Iridaea cordata from a sub-Antarctic population were investigated. Exposure to both photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and PAR + UV for 4 h caused ultrastructural modifications in all treatments. Under PAR + UV at 2 °C, a disruption of the chloroplast's internal organization was observed. Plastoglobuli were often found in carpospores exposed to 2 °C. 'Electron dense particles', resembling physodes of brown algae, were detected for the first time in cells exposed to PAR and PAR + UV at 8 °C. Fv/Fm decreased following 4 h exposure at 2 °C under PAR + UV (64%) and PAR (25%). At 8 °C, Fv/Fm declined by 21% only under PAR + UV. The photosynthesis of carpospores previously treated with UV partially recovered after a 4 h exposure under dim light. UV-absorbing compounds were degraded in all radiation and temperature treatments without recovery after a 4 h dim light period. Chl-a did not change, whereas total carotenoids increased under PAR at 8 °C The study indicates that although carpospores of I. cordata exhibit photoprotective mechanisms, UV radiation strongly damages their ultrastructure and physiology, which were exacerbated under low temperatures.

Internal organization structure and cooperation with external organizations in Kagai throughout Japan

Internal organization structure and cooperation with external organizations in Kagai throughout Japan