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In this paper, we discuss the need for accurate skills assessments of employees in large, global, client-facing enterprises and shortcomings of existing systems for obtaining and managing expertise. We describe enterprise and social data that can be mined to improve skill assessment processes. We propose a matrix completion approach with side information for improved skill assessment prediction and recommendation, and discuss how outputs can improve existing business process use cases and illuminate new ones.

Numerous inherited and acquired cardiac diseases are directly linked to a deficiency in the protein dystrophin, such as the development of severe cardiomyopathy in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) patients. Dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure represent the most important life-limiting condition in DMD. Currently, there is great excitement in the muscular dystrophy community as multiple ongoing gene-based therapies, are advancing through clinical trials. These therapies utilize miniaturized dystrophin constructs, and these modified dystrophins are the focus of this study. We implemented an innovative and valuable system to determine the direct physiological significance of dystrophin protein deficiency including determining the half-life of truncated dystrophin constructs. This system provides a novel means to investigate mechanistically how deletions in dystrophin affect therapeutically shortened dystrophin turnover in cardiac muscle in vivo. We used a floxed allele approach together with a cardiac directed (αMHC Mer-Cre-Mer) inducible Cre for precise control of full-length dystrophin or therapeutic micro-dystrophin gene excision. We examined the time course of full-length and micro-dystrophin mRNA as a biologically relevant surrogate for intact gene excision efficiency. Our data showed evidence of significant full-length dystrophin cDNA and micro-dystrophin gene excision, with a complete loss of micro-dystrophin mRNA and a gene excision efficiency of 80% for full-length dystrophin. Heart tissues were then extracted for protein quantitative analysis of micro-dystrophin (5, 10 and 30 days) and of full-length dystrophin (1, 3 and 6 months) post tamoxifen administration. Results reported a fast turnover rate for micro-dystrophin in the heart, with calculated half-life of between 5-7 days. In marked contrast, full-length dystrophin was highly stable with dystrophin protein content (~ 40%) at 6 months, after dystrophin gene excision. Studies of in vivo full-length and micro-dystrophin protein half-life in skeletal muscle, are ongoing. This work will provide key information required for long-term success of ongoing and future DMD therapies featuring gene therapy with shortened dystrophins.

ImportanceA significant limitation of femoral artery access for cardiac interventions is the increased risk of vascular complications and bleeding compared with radial access. Strategies to make femoral access safer are needed.ObjectiveTo determine whether routinely using ultrasonography guidance for femoral arterial access for coronary angiography/intervention reduces bleeding or vascular complications.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThe Routine Ultrasound Guidance for Vascular Access for Cardiac Procedures (UNIVERSAL) randomized clinical trial is a multicenter, prospective, open-label trial of ultrasonography-guided femoral access vs no ultrasonography for coronary angiography or intervention with planned femoral access. Patients were randomized from June 26, 2018, to April 26, 2022. Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction were not eligible.InterventionsUltrasonography guidance vs no ultrasonography guidance for femoral arterial access on a background of fluoroscopic landmarking.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary composite outcome is the composite of major bleeding based on the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2, 3, or 5 criteria or major vascular complications within 30 days.ResultsA total of 621 patients were randomized at 2 centers in Canada (mean [SD] age, 71 [10.24] years; 158 [25.4%] female). The primary outcome occurred in 40 of 311 patients (12.9%) in the ultrasonography group vs 50 of 310 patients (16.1%) without ultrasonography (odds ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.49-1.20]; P = .25). The rates of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2, 3, or 5 bleeding were 10.0% (31 of 311) vs 10.7% (33 of 310) (odds ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.55-1.56]; P = .78). The rates of major vascular complications were 6.4% (20 of 311) vs 9.4% (29 of 310) (odds ratio, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.37-1.20]; P = .18). Ultrasonography improved first-pass success (277 of 311 [86.6%] vs 222 of 310 [70.0%]; odds ratio, 2.76 [95% CI, 1.85-4.12]; P P P P = .34). All prerandomization prespecified subgroups were consistent with the overall finding.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this randomized clinical trial, use of ultrasonography for femoral access did not reduce bleeding or vascular complications. However, ultrasonography did reduce the risk of venipuncture and number of attempts. Larger trials may be required to demonstrate additional potential benefits of ultrasonography-guided access.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03537118

Shire is a 30-year-old global biotechnology company focused on treating rare diseases and other highly specialized conditions, currently underserved by pharmaceutical research and development. The company’s portfolio of pharmaceutical therapies is available across hematology, immunology, neuroscience, lysosomal storage disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, internal medicine, endocrine, and hereditary angioedema in more than 100 countries. Additionally, Shire is growing its therapies used in oncology and ophthalmic. Within these core areas Shire has developed some of its most successful therapies, including Vyvanse used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Lialda used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, and Adderall XR, also for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy (Ornskov 2016).

The case studies the use of anaerobic digestion process to generate biogas, an emerging energy sustainable source, in the Pacific Northwest, and what barriers are preventing its implementation in that region. In order to do that, a literature review was conducted and a visit to a local generation facility, where it is being used, was done. Based on that, a list of barriers preventing biogas adaptation in the Pacific Northwest was generated. Then a perspective analysis was conducted to come up with recommendation about how those barriers can be overcome.

Evaluate association between fluid balance and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).Retrospective review of infants30 weeks gestation admitted to Kentucky Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.Infants with acute kidney injury (AKI) had a 2.4-fold increased risk of IVH (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.46-3.87) and a 3.5-fold increased risk of severe IVH (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.98-6.04). Infants above birthweight on day 4 had a 1.9-fold increased risk of IVH (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.05-3.27) and a 2.0-fold increased risk of severe IVH (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.03-3.74). When controlling for confounding factors, infants with AKI or above birthweight on day 4 had a 4.6-fold (aOR 4.60, 95% CI 1.80-11.78) and 3.0-fold (aOR 2.96, 95% CI 1.01-8.65) increased risk of severe IVH, respectively.Infants with AKI during the first week of life had a higher association of severe IVH even after controlling for confounding factors.

Approximately two years ago, two of us (E.B. and V.G.) demonstrated the first experimental application of CRISPR–Cas9 to 'drive' a desired trait throughout a population of fruit flies. In November 2015, this same team at the University of California, San Diego, joined with A.A.J. and others at the University of California, Irvine, to develop a CRISPR-based gene drive for population modification of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi. A month later, a group in the United Kingdom applied a CRISPR-based gene drive to another malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae.

Energy generation, transmission, and distribution, requires a costly infrastructure to meet increasing demand. The success of energy efficiency measures (EEM's) are largely based on cumulative energy and cost savings. This research attempts to add improved student learning to the list of benefits when implementing EEM's in instructional school facilities. Our literature review of current research demonstrates that maximizing natural daylight in the design of school buildings reduces energy consumption, as well as improves student performance [1]. Additionally, EEM's can benefit student performance through direct and indirect environmental improvements that enhance usability, productivity, and comfort [2]. Through statistical analysis of data collected by the Oregon Department of Energy and the Oregon Department of Education, student mathematics assessment passing rates, before and after EEM implementations, are compared and analyzed using a panel analysis methodology and a simple pooled regression. The result of our research finds a positive significant correlation between EEM's and improved student performance. An average increase in mathematics assessment passing rates of 0.3808% after EEM implementation, provides a basis for further analysis. Finally, this research aims to promote energy conservation projects in instructional school facilities, by identifying improved student learning in addition to already established cost-savings, and environmental benefits.

Providing academic library services and resources to populations off-site or at a distance from your campus can be an arduous and frustrating task. This editorial provides one academic library administrator's advice and perspective on how to best achieve this balancing act between providing resources and services to users in house and providing the same resources and services to users at a distance.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Spill Prevention and Response Division is compiling a Shoreline Cleanup Guidance and Standards Manual that captures statewide standards for oil-impacted shoreline cleanup and the lessons learned from previous spill response efforts, including the MIV Selendang AYU (2004), the M/V Kuroshima (1997), and the T/V Exxon Valdez (1989) oil spills. Important elements of the manual include the capture of cleanup endpoint criteria and prescribed controls required for specific techniques. The criteria and controls have been developed as a result of experience from previous oil spill cleanups. The criteria, reviewed and approved by State resources agency representatives from the Alaska Departments of Environmental Conservation, Fish and Game, and Natural Resources, now sets the statewide standard for shoreline cleanup of persistent oiling. The manual presents not only the State of Alaska'S shoreline endpoint standards but also the State'S requirements, policies, and expectations for cleanup of oil-impacted shorelines, including: the cleanup approval process; prescribed controls required for specific techniques; and the identification of current, ‘alternative’, or chemical shoreline treatment techniques that may be considered during shoreline cleanup operations. The manual describes many common shoreline cleanup techniques and outlines “best-use” practices, but does not identify new techniques or technologies. Conditions specific to Alaska are summarized, including primary shoreline types and primary oil types that are transported in bulk or most likely to be of concern. In most instances, the primary users will be incident management teams facilitating development of incident-specific shoreline cleanup plans. The manual will also serve ADEC staff, Responsible Parties, State and federal trustee agencies, and land managers.

“Large industrial corporations, with almost negligible exceptions, do recognize the force of depreciation and provide for it systematically and adeqquately.”

In 2007, the start-up wind turbine generator (WTG) manufacturer, Nordic Windpower, officially launched in North America as a merger between Swedish, US, and UK development teams. Based on a design researched and funded by the Swedish Government, Nordic Windpower developed the N1000, a 2-bladed, 1MW WTG geared toward the distributed and community wind market. The N1000 was the first utility-scale, 2-bladed WTG of its size in North America. It was specifically the features of the 2-bladed design that made the WTG ideal for the community wind market—a growing market, whose capacity was expected to reach 600MW in the US in 2009, and the only market for which Nordic Windpower had a product offering. Serial production of the N1000 began in 2009, producing a total of eight units, with three units being installed in the US. During commissioning, field testing, and after grid production, repeated failures of the fixed-pitch and stall-regulated rotor braking system prevented Nordic Windpower from meeting contractual obligations. On August 28, 2013, Nordic Windpower LLC liquidated the business under Chapter 7. This case study examines Nordic Windpower's critical blade failures from a Systems Engineering perspective, identifies best practices, and offers potential solutions for Nordic Windpower's development process. Nordic Windpower Company Profile: • 1975: Research and development began in Sweden. • 2007: Investors from the UK brought the turbine to the US market as Nordic Windpower LLC, officially launching the company. • 2009: N1000 began serial production. • 2012: 8 total turbines sold, produced, and installed since starting production. • 2013: Nordic Windpower LLC liquidated assets under Chapter 7.

PurposeThis study aims to illustrate how one medium‐sized academic library was able to use a web‐based digitization and repository project to increase and promote communication and relationships between the library and the university community. This case study traces the history and development of the Cornerstone Project – the Network of Alabama Academic Library's (NAAL) state‐wide digital repository project.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the steps taken by a medium‐sized academic library to participate in a state‐wide institutional repository project to improve on liaison activities, and form new relationships with departments across the campus.FindingsUsing the digital repository project to help bridge gaps between departments that had limited or no involvement with the library and its services, one medium‐sized academic library found that its involvement in the repository project resulted in a new and improved interdepartmental relationship.Originality/valueThe results have encouraged the library to open the door for new and different relationships to be formed with other departments. The implications and value for other libraries to become involved in such repositories are also discussed.

The Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force (Oil Spill Task Force) and the Alaska Regional Response Team (RRT) are collaborating to develop decision-making and planning guidelines which “operationalize” the International Maritime Organization's Places of Refuge guidelines. These guidelines will incorporate the authorities of the US and Canadian Coast Guards, state, provincial, local, and tribal governments, and resource agencies. The decision-making section of the guidelines provides step-by-step procedures and checklists to analyze the risks of allowing a ship in need of assistance to proceed to a place of refuge. The planning section of the guidelines provides a process to pre-identify information necessary for responding to requests for places of refuge and identifying potential places of refuge prior to an incident. The Oil Spill Task Force effort involves a workgroup of regional stakeholders co-chaired by the Task Force agencies and the US Coast Guard, Pacific Area. The separate Alaska initiative is being accomplished by a workgroup of the Alaska RRT co-chaired by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) and US Coast Guard, District 17. Both projects are developing concurrently and include persons serving as liaisons between the two efforts in order to promote consistency and share information. The Oil Spill Task Force Guidelines provide a template for member states and the province to use in developing decisionmaking and pre-incident plans tailored to their area. The Alaska guidelines were drafted concurrently with the Oil Spill Task Force process, and sections of their guidelines were modified to reflect area-wide conditions. The Oil Spill Task Force's final guidelines are to be used as a planning annex to US Area Contingency Plans on the West Coast. Alaska will include their guidelines in the Federal/State Unified Plan and subarea plans. Transport Canada and Canadian Coast Guard authorities will adapt the guidelines as appropriate for Canada.

PurposeLibrarians at Jacksonville State University's (JSU) Houston Cole Library believe that an understanding and working relationship with the public outside the immediate university community is vital to the survival and continued success of the University and its library. This paper seeks to determine this.Design/methodology/approachA survey was distributed to 26 public libraries in the counties surrounding JSU to see how the University Library could better serve the community.FindingsThe responses indicated that those living beyond the immediate community did in fact want the University Library to take a more active roll in the continuing education needs of the local public library's patrons and staff, in addition to their communities as a whole.Originality/valueProvides evidence of the importance of relationship management for the library community.

Having a library Web site that users feel comfortable and confident navigating is as important as having your library's front door visible, unobstructed, and unlocked while you are open to serve your patrons. This paper presents a unique study on the usability and functionality of one library's Web site. The study offers the participants a side-by-side comparison of the previous design and the current design in order to determine if the changes that were made as a result of an initial survey benefited users. Participants were asked to answer a series of questions in both the previous and current library Web sites. Their responses helped gauge the functionality and usability of the library's Web site.

Accurately surveying shark populations is critical to monitoring precipitous ongoing declines in shark abundance and interpreting the effects that these reductions are having on ecosystems. To evaluate the effectiveness of existing survey tools, we used field trials and computer simulations to critically examine the operation of four common methods for counting coastal sharks: stationary point counts, belt transects, video surveys, and mark and recapture abundance estimators. Empirical and theoretical results suggest that (1) survey method selection has a strong impact on the estimates of shark density that are produced, (2) standardizations by survey duration are needed to properly interpret and compare survey outputs, (3) increasing survey size does not necessarily increase survey precision, and (4) methods that yield the highest density estimates are not always the most accurate. These findings challenge some of the assumptions traditionally associated with surveying mobile marine animals. Of the methods we trialed, 8 × 50 m belt transects and a 20 m radius point count produced the most accurate estimates of shark density. These findings can help to improve the ways we monitor, manage, and understand the ecology of globally imperiled coastal shark populations.

Two large-scale nonlinear structural analysis simulations of a nine degree model of the Space Shuttle Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) factory joint are described. The first analysis simulates a burst pressure test where a pressure load was incrementally applied from 0 to 1500 p.s.i. This simulation was used to assist in evaluating and defining an error criterion based on correlation of the finite element analysis with experimentally determined failure points from an actual burst pressure test of a metal case containing the tang and clevis joint. The second part of the analysis is used to show the cyclic stress-strain behavior of the joint assembly and is used to evaluate low cycle fatigue in the local yield zones. The finite element analysis of the RSRM factory joint was conducted using the ANSYS structural analysis code and the computer runs were made using CRAY Y-MP 81 and CRAY C90 supercomputers at Cray Research Inc. Performance aspects of this large-scale analysis are described, including both parallel/vector algorithms used within the ANSYS code and a new I/O software layer under development at Cray Research designed to reduce I/O wait time for engineering applications. Key features of the finite element model are discussed, including features to improve accuracy and efficiency.

This paper reviews research on the distribution of income and wealth in Japan, identifies sources of data on income and wealth, and describes limitations of these data. Evidence that Japan's poorest income groups are relatively well-off is convincing, but there is less evidence that the overall distribution of income in Japan is more equal than in other OECD countries. Agricultural policy, social welfare policy, the tax system, trends in earnings differentials, and the role of the Japanese family are among the many factors that have shaped Japan's income distribution. The rapid appreciation of the stock market and land prices during the late 1980s led to greater inequality in the distribution of wealth. Rapid population aging is expected to lead to an increase in total national wealth relative to national income which may have an adverse impact on the distribution of income.

Rapidly rising labor costs have begun to alter radically the comparative advantage of Asia's Newly Industrializing Economies (NIEs)-Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Producers in traditionally low-wage, labor-intensive manufacturing have found it more difficult to compete with lower cost producers in Southeast Asia and China. The NIEs have had to restructure by moving into higher valueadded, more skill-intensive manufacturing and into business services. This process, which gained momentum in the late 1980s, is by no means over. Projected declines in labor force growth rates and the rapid aging of the work force suggest that wage pressures will persist and that restructuring efforts will have to continue. These efforts will impose economic and social costs in the medium term, and changes in labor demand will benefit some but hurt others. Those at greatest risk of losing are women, who constitute a disproportionate share of the work force in low-wage manufacturing, and older workers, who tend to be less educated. This article begins by examining the factors responsible for increasing labor costs in the NIEs. They include recent economic and political phenomena, such as currency appreciation and a resurgence of labor movements, and longer-run phenomena, such as declining labor force growth rates. I argue that projected long-run demographic trends will reinforce the recent economic factors motivating the restructuring process. I then examine the response to the NIEs' declining competitiveness in laborintensive manufacturing and conclude by discussing the potential impact that future restructuring may have on workers in these countries.

The results of the 1987 1% Sample Survey in China revealed that 88% of older women were illiterate but that only 15% of rural females aged 15-19 years were illiterate. In urban areas illiteracy was 29% and 67% among older men and women respectively and 2.3% and 6% among younger men and women. Female primary school enrollment increased from about 30% in the early 1950s to 40-45% in the late 1980s and thereafter. Female high school enrollment increased from 25% to 40%. By the 1980s female university enrollment was about 33%. Attainment of a primary education for females increased from 30% in 1955 to 94% by 1983. Secondary school attainment increased until about 1966-72. During 1973-76 attainment rates increased but after 1978 many junior high school students went on to technical schools. In the 1980s 9% of males and 5% of females continued with a university education compared to 33% before 1964. The determinants of enrollment by sex were examined in a logit analysis. The results showed that having a brother reduced the likelihood of enrollment but the impact was diminished by fathers occupation. The higher educational status of the father increased the chances of high school enrollment. Enrollment for boys increased from 56% for sons of secondary school graduates (fathers) to 79% for sons of university graduates (fathers). Gender differences were apparent. Only 35% of daughters compared to 42% of sons were likely to be enrolled in secondary schools when fathers had only a primary education. Higher enrollment rates for sons and daughters were found among those with fathers engaged in government administration or professional positions. The impact of fathers occupation was strongest on female enrollment in secondary school. The chances of females being in the labor force were affected most by female educational attainment. A junior high graduate was more likely to be employed and a high school graduate was even more likely to be employed. Older women were less likely to be employed but more likely to be employed if they had higher educational attainment. 44% of women worked in industry transport and construction in low priority industries such as paper textiles printing and communications. The chances of being a female enterprise head increased with increasing female age. Education and age had different effects on occupational attainment for men as compared to women.

Patients who present to the Emergency Department with a behavioral or cognitive disorder should be treated in an organized fashion. The most important element of their care is determining the etiology of their abnormality, whether organic or functional. The history and physical examination, along with laboratory and ancillary testing, should be directed toward this objective. The mental status examination plays a critical role in establishing the diagnosis. It must be focused and brief. By focusing on seven major areas (affect, attention, language, orientation, memory, visual-spatial ability, and conceptualization), a quick and thorough examination of the patient's mental status can be performed.

Management of electronic resources is a time-consuming and, at times, a difficult process. Although the management of electronic resources is often seen as a strictly technical services endeavor, it should be considered a multifaceted process requiring all areas of the library. This chapter will provide a detailed account of how one library handles the electronic resources management workflow in a collaborative effort. It will be especially helpful for libraries working with a limited staff and resources and libraries trying to foster a more collaborative relationship between technical services and public services. The objective and mission of the chapter is to present successful library electronic resources workflow concepts in a straightforward and realistic approach. It aims to provide useful information on current workflow applications, procedures, and ideas from practicing library professionals at Jacksonville State University (JSU) that will contribute to the literature and area of electronic resources management. This chapter will provide considerations for workflow enhancements and detail the advantages of centralized workflows and collaboration between units.