Successful Management Research Articles

Examination of the selection of logistics service providers

The selection of logistics service providers plays a crucial role in the success of an organization's supply chain management. The new industrial revolution taking place today provides solutions that prioritize the issue of quality and also raise reliability to a new level, both on the service provider's and user's sides. As businesses grow and expand, the need for efficient and reliable logistics services becomes increasingly important. This study examines how to determine the criteria for the selection of logistics service providers in the current technological environment. The choice of logistics service provider has significant implications for an organization's operations and overall performance. Optimum selection can lead to enhanced customer satisfaction, cost savings, improved efficiency, and a competitive advantage. However, poor selection can result in logistical inefficiencies, decreased customer satisfaction, increased costs, and negative impacts on organizational reputation. Hence, careful consideration and evaluation of potential service providers are crucial. The digitized environment offers a solution for accessing large-scale databases, which provide well-founded decision evaluation plans based on a large number of samples. The quality characteristics influencing the logistics parameters were examined and weighted from the perspective of customer requirements. By exploring various aspects, we aim to shed light on the intricacies of this process and provide insights that can assist organizations in making informed decisions. We attempt to make the indices that appear as bottlenecks in the specified order more efficient using an optimization procedure.

Implementation of value-oriented project portfolio management for the development of complex system

ObjectivesThe aim of the article is to set the problem of forming the optimal value-oriented portfolio of the development of a complex system, taking into account the mutual influence of the components of the portfolio on each other.Material and methodsThe research used: project portfolio management methods; systems theory and system analysis (for the formalization of value-oriented management processes); mathematical modeling tools (for the formation of basic models of portfolio management).ResultsThis article provides a basic methodological framework for portfolio management of organizational development. The conceptual framework for portfolio management has been formalized, where portfolio management processes are considered as a means of implementing strategic decisions.ConclusionsThe success of development portfolio management should not only be measured by the economic component, but also by the values that influence the sustainable development of the region. The current legal framework for the design and implementation of public projects in Ukraine is not up to date, as confirmed by the findings of international experts and domestic scientists.

УПРАВЛІННЯ РИЗИКАМИ НА МАШИНОБУДІВНИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВАХ: ДЕЯКІ ПРОБЛЕМИ, ШЛЯХИ ВИРІШЕННЯ

The article presents the results of an in-depth analysis of risk management in the engineering industry, taking into account the importance of effective strategies of such management for business success and sustainable development. The main focus is on identifying problems faced by machine-building enterprises in risk management; some approaches to solving these problems are proposed. The fundamental nature of risks in business processes is outlined, their critical impact on the operational and financial aspects of machine-building enterprises is emphasized. Common industry risk factors such as market volatility, technological advancements, regulatory changes and operational inefficiencies are identified. Attention is paid to the outline of the current state of risk management practice in the engineering industry. The main difficulties faced by enterprises are highlighted, including insufficient risk control mechanisms, lack of integrated risk assessment systems at the planning and design stages, as well as insufficient use of modern technologies in risk management. The proposed recommendations include the development and implementation of a reliable risk control system that covers all stages of the business process, the implementation of modern technologies such as data analytics to improve the efficiency and accuracy of risk management methods. Certain risk management algorithms recommended taking into account the experience of the leading machine-building enterprises in the Vinnytsia region as components of strategic planning can contribute to competitive advantages, long-term development and long-term success in the activities of machine-building enterprises. It is emphasized that ignoring risk management or their insufficient control can cause serious consequences, including financial losses, deterioration of reputation and loss of competitiveness of enterprises.

Prognostic Factors for Residual Lithiasis in Patients With Staghorn Calculi Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in the Maya Region of Yucatan, Mexico: A Case-Control Study.

Yucatan stands out as the state with the highest prevalence of urolithiasis in Mexico,placing significant demands on healthcare services, such as consultation and surgical intervention. Staghorn calculi are related to recurrent urinary tract infections, and their management is always surgical. The stone-free rate is a parameter used to measure the success of surgery, with residual stones considered those persisting four weeks after surgical management. There are understudied prognostic factors that can predict the success of achieving stone-free status, taking into account the number of stones, their location, and the anatomical variations of the patient's collecting system. The study aims to determine the prognostic factors for residual lithiasis in patients with staghorn calculi treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy at the High Specialty Regional Hospital of the Yucatan Peninsula. A case-control study was performed including 188 patients, aged 18 years or older, and diagnosed with staghorn calculus from January 2022 to June 2023, grouping the patients according to their stone-free rate evidence on postoperative computed tomography. Data were collected from the records of the Urology Department at a high-specialty hospital in Yucatan. The groups were analyzed, aiming to establish an association between preoperative factors and postoperative outcomes measured in terms of stone-free rate. A total of 188 patients with staghorn calculi were included, with a predominance in females (58.5%) and a mean age of 45.4 ± 11.9 years. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (29.8%), and 27.7% had a history of recurrent urinary tract infections. Regarding the Sampaio classification, B1 was the most prevalent in our population with 66 cases (35.1%), while Type A2 was the least common (13.8%). According to what was obtained through the multivariate logistic regression model, the calyceal anatomy Type A1 and A2 were associated with residual lithiasis (p= 0.016 OR: 2.994 CI: 1.223-7.331), and Grade IV was associated with a higher rate of residual lithiasis (p=0.005 CI: 1.586-13.100).A statistically significant association was found between stone burden and the presence of residual lithiasis (p=< 0.001). Guy's Score Grade IV showed a higher incidence of residual lithiasis,seemingly associated with stone burden, leading to the conclusion that both factors were categorized as predictors for the development of post-surgical residual lithiasis. Regarding anatomical variations according to Sampaio, it was observed that types A1 and A2 showed a lower rate of stone-free status. Therefore, we also consider them as variables that may influence the achievement of success in endourological management. Personalized patient assessment allows for more accurate prognostic factors, enabling a more comprehensive surgical planning in the presence of staghorn calculi.

The large‐scale restoration of fire and water regimes in Everglades National Park reveal little change in plant diversity along an elevational gradient

Quantifying the response of plant diversity to large‐scale restoration is essential for measuring management success. One of the world's largest restoration efforts began in 2000 in the Everglades ecosystem in Florida, United States, through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. In coordination with ongoing fire management, this restoration effort aims to restore natural hydrologic and fire regimes in this dynamic ecosystem. Restored water and fire regimes in the Everglades interact along an elevational gradient between seasonally inundated marl prairie and frequently burned pine rockland on Long Pine Key in Everglades National Park. To determine the impact of management on plant community richness and composition, we resampled transects spanning the elevational gradient between marl prairie and pine rockland initially sampled prior to the implementation of current restoration efforts (circa 1997–1999). We measured percent plant cover and developed generalized linear mixed models to determine the effects of fire frequency, average water depth, and elevation on plant species richness and composition across the two time periods. Additionally, we used species‐level random effects to examine how individual species respond to each environmental variable. We failed to detect any systematic shifts in plant composition in response to fire and water management. However, we found that complex interactions between fire and water structure plant composition and maximize species richness along gradients of water depth and elevation, with low, moderate, and high burn frequencies increasing richness in wet, moderately wet, and dry sites, respectively.

Management of pancreatic and duodenal trauma in childhood: a university hospital experience over a 10-year period.

Duodenal/pancreatic injuries occur in less than 10% of intra-abdominal injuries in pediatric blunt trauma. Isolated duodenal/pancreatic injuries occur in two-thirds of cases, while combined injuries occur in the remaining. This study aimed to investigate pediatric patients with pancreatic and duodenal trauma. Data from 31 patients admitted to Atatürk University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Surgery for pancreatic/duodenal trauma between 2010 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Age/gender, province of origin, duration before hospital admission, trauma type, injured organs, injury severity, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, complications, hospitalization duration, blood transfusion requirement, and mortality rate were recorded. Twenty-four patients were male, and 7 were female. The mean age was 9years. The leading cause was bicycle accidents, with 12 cases, followed by traffic accidents/bumps, with 7 cases each. Comorbid organ injuries accompanied 18 cases. Duodenal trauma was most commonly accompanied by liver injuries (4/8), whereas pancreatic injury by pulmonary injuries (7/23). Serum amylase at initial hospital presentation was elevated in 83.9% of the patients. Thirty patients underwent abdominal CT, and FAST was performed in 20. While 54.8% of the patients were conservatively managed, 45.2% underwent surgery. Because of the anatomical proximity of the pancreas and the duodenum, both organs should be considered being co-affected by a localized trauma. Radiologic confirmation of perforation in duodenal trauma and an intra-abdominal pancreatic pseudocyst in pancreatic trauma are the most critical surgical indications of pancreaticoduodenal trauma. Conservative management's success is increased in the absence of duodenal perforation and cases of non-symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst.

Virtual teams and software project management success in a developing country: an empirical study

Virtual teams and software project management success in a developing country: an empirical study

Managing Classroom Using Real-life Experience: The concept of Freedom in Learning Implementation

Teaching-learning activities involve various elements, such as classroom management. Learning approach is a way for teachers to manage the class because it assists them in learning activity. This study was qualitative study using data obtained from documentation and observation. Score average and percentage were employed as research technique to determine the correlation between learning approach in classroom management and learning success. This study aims to find out how real-life experience can be used as learning approach in managing art class. Accordingly, the results indicated that implementing a real-life experience-based approach in managing art classes showed a positive but insignificant effect. It seen from good category (an average of 3.00-3.75) and midterm scores that show 52.9% scored higher than 65 (passing mark), while 47.1% scored less than 65. It indicates although the approach had positive influence, it was not significant in improving students’ results.

Examining the bonus mechanisms’ role in real earnings management dynamics in an Indonesian manufacturing company

Real Earnings Management (REM) and financial success may have different relationships depending on how managers act. Bonus mechanisms are a significant factor that influences management behavior. The study seeks to examine the impact of bonus systems on the correlation between financial performance and REM practices in manufacturing companies in Indonesia. Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) is employed to evaluate the influence of bonus mechanisms in moderating the association of financial performance on REM. The technique of purposive sampling was used to pick the sample. The study utilized data from manufacturing firms listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange from 2017 to 2021, including a total of 400 observed data points. The research findings demonstrate that sales growth is the sole factor that significantly influences REM in manufacturing organizations, as indicated by a p-value below 10%. Other financial performance factors, on the other hand, with p-values for each variable above 10%, have not been shown to have a significant impact on REM. These factors include ROA, leverage, operating cash flow, and cash. The findings also demonstrate that, with a p-value for each variable above 10%, the bonus mechanism is a variable that modifies the effect of all financial performance variables on REM.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Community Participation in Sustainable Forest Management in BKPH Mojorayung, Madiun

The success of sustainable forest management is inseparable from community participation as the leading actor in the Social Forestry Program. Various factors, including internal factors from the community and external factors, affect the participation of the community. Factors impacting community participation in sustainable forest management were analyzed in this study. The study was conducted at BKPH Mojorayung, KPH Madiun, East Java Regional Division Perum Perhutani, from April to June 2022, using a survey method with 242 randomly selected respondents. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis was conducted with the SmartPLS software. Based on the results, it was found that three factors impact the community's participation in forest management: the empowerment process accuracy, the role of community empowerment workers, and the support of group leaders. The characteristics of the communities around the forest did not affect community participation in forest management. Community participation also affects the sustainability of forests.

Abstract 5448: Malignant RNA editing by inflammation-responsive RNA editase ADAR1 drives T-cell leukemia relapse via attenuating dsRNA sensing

Abstract Leukemia-initiating cells (LICs) play a crucial role in leukemia research and treatment, being considered the source of relapse and resistance, posing a substantial challenge for successful management of the disease. It's crucial to identify the key factors that drive LIC self-renewal to develop targeted methods for eliminating LICs and preventing relapse. In this study, we demonstrate that the RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 plays a vital role as a determinant of stemness, promoting LIC self-renewal by reducing the detection of abnormal double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). As a result, ADAR1-knockdown significantly impairs the ability of LICs to self-renew and extends survival in T-ALL PDX models. We performed RNA-seq studies on enriched T-ALL LICs (CD34+Lin-). The lentivirus-to-cell ratio was optimized to achieve a 50% reduction in ADAR1, resulting in differential expression of 661 genes, with downregulation of critical self-renewal genes in ADAR1-deficient leukemia-initiating cells. Importantly, additional data indicated that ADAR1 likely influences self-renewal gene expression independently of A-to-I RNA editing, revealing novel regulatory mechanisms in leukemia. Knockdown of MDA5 and ADAR1 in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) T-ALL leukemia-initiating cells (LICs) revealed diverse rescue effects on self-renewal in different PDX models. The differential response was associated with variations in gene expression patterns in Rig-I-Like signaling and cytosolic sensing pathways, suggesting intrinsic differences in IFN signaling properties among patients. Moreover, the study proposes a patient-specific reliance on the ADAR1 p150-MDA5 axis for promoting self-renewal, as evidenced by differential rescue effects and varying expression levels of ADAR1 isoforms and MDA5 in T-ALL patient samples and cell lines. ADAR1, beyond its role in RNA editing, acts as a dsRNA binding protein, exerting RNA editing-independent functions to suppress aberrant IFN signaling and promote cancer progression. Using Jurkat cells with high intrinsic MDA5 levels, an ADAR1 knockout (KO) was generated, revealing that ADAR1 is upregulated by IFN treatment, predominantly the p150 isoform. We explored the dual roles of ADAR1—RNA editing-dependent and -independent—in suppressing IFN-induced apoptosis, demonstrating the necessity of both for optimal function. Additionally, ADAR1 was found to suppress cytoplasmic dsRNA sensing pathways, such as RIG-I and PKR, and its RNA editing-independent activity contributes significantly to the suppression of interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in T-ALL. In summary, our findings reveal that ADAR1 acts as a factor that promotes self-renewal while limiting the recognition of naturally occurring dsRNA. Therefore, targeting ADAR1 emerges as a safe and effective therapeutic approach for eradicating LICs in T-ALL. Citation Format: Maria Dolores Rivera, Haoran Zhang, Qingchen Zhou, Jessica Pham, Jane Isquith, Roman Sasik, Adam Mark, Sabina Enlund, Frida Holm, Ma Wenxue, Kathleen Fisch, Dennis Kuo, Catriona Jamieson, Qingfei Jiang. Malignant RNA editing by inflammation-responsive RNA editase ADAR1 drives T-cell leukemia relapse via attenuating dsRNA sensing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5448.

Evaluation of management of CT scan proved solid organ injury in blunt injury abdomen-a prospective study.

Trauma especially road traffic injury is one of the major health-related issues throughout the world, especially in developing countries like India (Mattox 2022). Solid organ injury is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. The non-operative management (NOM) is being consistently followed for hemodynamically stable patients with respect to solid organ injuries. This study aims to provide an evidence base for management modalities of solid organ injuries in blunt abdominal trauma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment modalities for solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma. Evaluating the characteristics of blunt abdominal injury with respect to age and gender; distribution, mode of injury, most common organ injured, and severity of injury; effect of delay in getting treatment on the management outcome for patients with solid organ injury; evaluating the various modalities of treatment of CT-proven solid organ injury; incidence of complications in different modes of treatment. All patients aged more than 18years and suffering from CT-proven solid organ injury secondary to blunt abdominal trauma between February 2021 and September 2022 were included in this prospective observational study. Sixty-five patients were enrolled in the study after meeting the inclusion criteria. Details such as age, gender, mechanism of injury, the time between injury to first hospital contact, presenting complaints, organ and grade of injury, Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score (TRISS), management, and outcomes were collected using self-designed pro forma and analyzed. Different modalities of treatment were evaluated and patients undergoing operative and non-operative management were compared. Patients in whom non-operative management failed were compared with patients with successful non-operative management. The mean age of patients involved were 36.8years with a male:female ratio of 7.125:1 and the most common age group affected being between 21 and 30years. The most common mode of injury was noted to be road traffic accidents (72.3%). The most common presenting complaints were abdominal pain (64.6%) followed by chest pain (29.2%) and vomiting (13.8%). There was no significant relationship between latent period and type of intervention or failure of non-operative management. FAST positivity rate was noted to be 92.3%. Chronic alcoholism and bronchial asthma were significant predictors for patients undergoing upfront surgery (p = 0.003 and 0.006 respectively). The presence of pelvic and spine injury was statistically significant for predicting mortality in polytrauma patients (p = 0.003). Concurrent adrenal injury was found in 24.6% of patients but was not related to failure of non-operative management or mortality. RTS significantly predicts the multitude of organ involvement (p = 0.015). The liver was the most common organ injured (60%) followed by the spleen (52.3%) and the kidney (20%). The liver and the spleen (9.2%) were noted to be the most common organ combination involved. No specific organ or organ injury combination was noted to predict failure of non-operative management or mortality. But the multitude of organ involvement was statistically significant for predicting patients undergoing upfront surgery (p = 0.011). Out of 65 patients enrolled in the study, 7 patients (10.8%) underwent immediate surgery, and 58 patients (89.2%) underwent non-operative management. Among the 68 chosen for non-operative management, 6 patients (9.2%) failed non-operative management and 52 patients (80%) had success of non-operative management. A significant drop in hemoglobin (83.3%) on day 1 (66.6%) was seen to be the commonest reason for failure of non-operative management. The spleen was noted to be the most commonly involved organ intra-operatively (61.5%) followed by the liver (30.8%). Concordance between pre-operative and intra-operative grading of organ injuries was highest for liver and kidney injuries (100%) and lowest for pancreatic injuries (0%). Requirement of blood transfusion and liver injuries were significant factors for failure of non-operative management (p = 0.012 and 0.045 respectively). The presence of pancreatic leak was significant between the non-operated patients and patients operated upfront (p = 0.003). Mortality was noted to be 10.8% (7 patients) in our study. Solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. RTS was noted to be a good predictor for solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma. Pancreatic injuries are notorious for being under-staged on CT findings; hence, the need arises for multimodality imaging for suspected pancreatic injuries. Non-operative management is a successful modality of treatment for majority of patients suffering from multiple solid organ injuries in blunt abdominal trauma provided serial close monitoring of patient's clinical signs and hemoglobin is instituted along with the presence of an emergency surgery team.

Analysis of Participatory Approaches of Community-Based Sustainable Marine Protected Area Management Groups

This study was conducted to see the role of community participation in the management of community-based marine protected areas. In addition, this study also shows the impact of conservation area management on improving community welfare and improving the quality of the environment. The research design used is a mixed method which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis. Qualitative analysis uses in-depth interview methods with resource persons, while quantitative analysis uses the one-sample test method to test respondents' perceptions related to research variables. The research sample consisted of the Head of the Management Group, Village Head, Traditional Head, Religious Leaders, and Community Member Representatives in Roon District, Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. Research findings show that the role of the community in the management of conservation areas is very high, this can be seen from the supervisors of conservation area management groups consisting of Government, Religious, and Social groups. In addition, active participation from the community around the conservation area is also the key to the success of good area management. The findings of one sample test showed, that 1) The participation of members of the Marine Protected Area group has been classified as high, 2) Sasi culture has been proven to affect the income level of the community, 3) Member participation has been proven to be active in decision making, 4) The existence of Sasi has been proven to increase the sustainability of natural resources, 5) Proven to successfully contribute to the achievement of SDG number 14.

Successful management of an advanced interstitial ectopic pregnancy in a resource-limited setting: a case report

BackgroundInterstitial ectopic pregnancy is an ectopic gestation developing in the uterine part of the fallopian tube. The condition is rare and presents challenges for clinical as well as radiological diagnosis. This case report presents a rare case of interstitial ectopic pregnancy diagnosed intraoperatively.Case presentationA 36-year-old Black woman, referred from a peripheral health facility, presented at the emergency department with severe abdominal pains, vaginal spotting, nausea, and vomiting, with a 2-month history of irregular menstrual flow. Clinical and laboratory findings were suggestive of an acute abdomen likely due to a ruptured ectopic pregnancy (ultrasound was not available). An emergency exploratory laparotomy was done, which revealed a right adnexal ruptured interstitial pregnancy of a lifeless female fetus weighing 500 g (estimated mean gestational age of 22–23 weeks). The left fallopian tube looked normal. The site of rupture was repaired, followed by cleaning and closure of the abdomen. The post-operative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 7.ConclusionInterstitial pregnancies are uncommon and rarely attain advanced gestational ages, as in this case, compared with other tubal ectopic pregnancies. However, women presenting with signs of hypovolemic shock and acute abdomen, with a positive pregnancy test, warrant a high index of suspicion.

Implementation of Islamic Boarding School Cooperative Management in Forming the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Santri

Islamic boarding schools have various functional units, apart from the existing Islamic boarding school education, there are business units called cooperation. The success of management in cooperation cannot be separated from the skills of the management elements in managing the cooperation. One aspect that needs to be considered is the formation of the entrepreneurial spirit of the students. This research aims to find out how the management of the Ainul Hasan Islamic boarding school cooperation (Koperasi Pondok Pesantren/Kopontren) is implemented, and to find out the role of the Ainul Hasan Islamic boarding school Cooperation (Kopontren) in forming the entrepreneurial spirit of students. The research method used is a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data were collected through interviews, observation and documentation with Islamic boarding school caregivers, Kopontren administrators, alumni and several students of the Ainul Hasan Islamic boarding school. The research results showed that the management of the Ainul Hasan Islamic boarding school cooperation (Kopontren) is quite good in implementing its management system because it is seen from the management function which really supports management activities so that the desired goals can be achieved well. The implementation of Ainul Hasan's Islamic boarding school cooperation management (Kopontren) in forming the entrepreneurial spirit of students is by holding entrepreneurship training for students to make brooches from flannel which is held once a week. By implementing good Islamic boarding school cooperation management and entrepreneurship training, students can form the entrepreneurial spirit and help students become successful entrepreneurs in the future.

What Is Allopurinol Failure and What Should We Do About It?

Allopurinol is the most widely used urate-lowering medication worldwide. However, allopurinol failure is frequently observed in clinical practice. In this review, we provide a framework for assessing allopurinol failure, which includes failure of allopurinol to control serum urate concentrations, failure of allopurinol to control clinical symptoms, and failure of allopurinol due to an adverse drug reaction. Understanding the causes of allopurinol failure underpins the approach required to turn failure into success in gout management.

Implications of the scale of detection for inferring co-occurrence patterns from paired camera traps and acoustic recorders.

Multifunctional landscapes that support economic activities and conservation of biological diversity (e.g., cattle ranches with native forest) are becoming increasingly important because small remnants of native forest may comprise the only habitat left for some wildlife species. Understanding the co-occurrence between wildlife and disturbance factors, such as poaching activity and domesticated ungulates, is key to successful management of multifunctional landscapes. Tools to measure co-occurrence between wildlife and disturbance factors include camera traps and autonomous acoustic recording units. We paired 52 camera-trap stations with acoustic recorders to investigate the association between 2 measures of disturbance (poaching and cattle) and wild ungulates present in multifunctional landscapes of the Colombian Orinoquía. We used joint species distribution models to investigate species-habitat associations and species-disturbance correlations. One model was fitted using camera-trap data to detect wild ungulates and disturbance factors, and a second model was fitted after replacing camera-trap detections of disturbance factors with their corresponding acoustic detections. The direction, significance, and precision of the effect of covariates depended on the sampling method used for disturbance factors. Acoustic monitoring typically resulted in more precise estimates of the effects of covariates and of species-disturbance correlations. Association patterns between wildlife and disturbance factors were found only when disturbance was detected by acoustic recorders. Camera traps allowed us to detect nonvocalizing species, whereas audio recording devices increased detection of disturbance factors leading to more precise estimates of co-occurrence patterns. The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) co-occurred with disturbance factors and are conservation priorities due to the greater risk of poaching or disease transmission from cattle.

Exploring the both-and success paradox in mega construction projects: multi-dimensional assessments of paradoxical leadership, project agility and megaproject success

PurposeOrganizations are full of contradictions and leadership dilemmas. Managers often face challenges such as selecting between two contradicting options such that which one is more important can hardly be judged. To manage contradicting dynamics, today’s managers can adopt the paradoxical leadership approach. We build a theoretical model to investigate the influence of paradoxical leadership on multi-dimensional project agility (proactivity, adaptability, and resilience), and multi-dimensional project success (management, investment, and ownership success).Design/methodology/approachDrawing on survey-based data from the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) megaproject (N = 209), we performed covariance-based structural equation modeling to test the conceptual model.FindingsThe findings show that (1) paradoxical leadership has a significant positive impact on megaproject success, (2) paradoxical leadership has a significant positive influence on project agility, (3) project agility has a significant positive effect on megaproject success, and (4) project agility has a significant effect that mediates the link between paradoxical leadership and megaproject success. This research provides a theoretical and practical comprehension of paradoxical leadership with a new perspective on megaprojects.Originality/valueThis study provides an extension of the existing studies on paradoxical leadership and identifies the role of contradicting dynamics and their impact on multiple facets of megaproject success. It not only clarifies the relationship between paradoxical leadership and megaproject success, but also identifies the mediating role of project agility that can play an effective role in mobilizing success in megaprojects.

Ureteral wall thickness as a predictor for non-invasive treatment success for steinstrasse. Can we save time?

PurposeWe aimed to define factors affecting the non-invasive overall treatment success (medical expulsive therapy (MET) ± shock wave lithotripsy (SWL)) for uncomplicated ureteral steinstrasse (SS) clearance.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent SWL for renal stones between 2017 and 2021. Patients with uncomplicated SS were included. All patient’s demographic and radiological data, e.g., age, gender, pre-SWL stenting, SS site, type, leading stone size in widest diameter (< 10 mm and ≥ 10 mm), ureteral wall thickness (UWT) in mm against the leading stone were collected. If SS was diagnosed, medical treatment was given for 4 weeks. In case of MET failure, either SWL for the leading stones + MET or direct URS was done. Non-invasive treatment success (SFR) was considered if complete clearance of SS occurred with no complications or the need for invasive intervention.ResultsA total of 145 patients were included with mean age of 45.9 ± 12.4 years. SFR in case of MET only occurred in 27.9%. Complications happened in 26 patients (17.9%). Non-invasive treatment SFR was achieved in 78 patients (53.8%) totally where SS type I, leading stone size ≤ 10 mm type and decreased UWT around the leading stone increased treatment success.ConclusionUreteral wall thickness is an important factor predicting SS management success. Besides the decreased UWT, non-invasive management should be offered for type I SS with leading stone ≤ 10 mm.

'We no longer experience the same pain': a cross-sectional study assessing the impact of Heart and Sole Africa's podoconiosis prevention education program.

Podoconiosis is a non-infectious neglected tropical disease caused by long-term exposure to irritant volcanic soils. It results in severe physical, psychological and financial consequences. Heart and Sole Africa (HASA) is a non-governmental, community-based organization providing management to podoconiosis patients in Rwanda. We sought to analyze the impact of their program on the lives of patients. Quantitative surveys recorded the participants' demographics, adherence to HASA's management recommendations and changes in quality of life (QOL). Qualitative questions were used to gather respondent perspectives on HASA programming. We interviewed 127 patients from HASA's Musanze (n=47) and Burera (n=80) clinics. Almost all participants (98.4%) reported statistically significant (p<0.01) improvements in their QOL, and more than one-half (51.2%) had a favorable adherence score of >80%. Qualitative feedback identified specific challenges to adherence and recognition of program success in symptom management. Our study demonstrated the value of community-based podoconiosis programming in improving the lives of patients. Practices such as regular feet washing, emollient application, shoe wearing and limb raising can result in a marked reduction of morbidity. Our findings support the argument for scaling up these management practices across Rwanda.