A Decision Tool to Evaluate Budgeting Methodologies for Estimating Facility Recapitalization Requirements

The purpose of this research was to develop a decision tool to assist in the evaluation of facility recapitalization budget estimation models to determine which model was best suited for a particular organization. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer an overarching research question addressing the importance of recapitalization and the best method to estimate the facility recapitalization budget using the Department of Defense (DoD) as the subject of the research. A comprehensive literature review revealed ten existing recapitalization model alternatives to consider for implementation. The methodology used to develop a decision tool was based on the Value Focused Thinking (VFT) approach. A panel of recapitalization program managers developed a value hierarchy to evaluate all potential recapitalization model alternatives. The results of the deterministic and probabilistic analyses of 15 alternatives found that the proposed DoD model scored well in comparison to other alternatives. With slight modifications to the model according to the value hierarchy, the DoD can improve the performance of their recapitalization models. The H-Model, created specifically for this analysis, dominated all other alternatives and is recommended for implementation

Scale-free amplitude modulation of neuronal oscillations tracks comprehension of accelerated speech

Speech comprehension is preserved up to a threefold acceleration, but deteriorates rapidly at higher speeds. Current models posit that perceptual resilience to accelerated speech is limited by the brain's ability to parse speech into syllabic units using δ/θ oscillations. Here, we investigated whether the involvement of neuronal oscillations in processing accelerated speech also relates to their scale-free amplitude modulation as indexed by the strength of long-range temporal correlations (LRTC). We recorded MEG while 24 human subjects (12 females) listened to radio news uttered at different comprehensible rates, at a mostly unintelligible rate and at this same speed interleaved with silence gaps. δ, θ, and low-γ oscillations followed the nonlinear variation of comprehension, with LRTC rising only at the highest speed. In contrast, increasing the rate was associated with a monotonic increase in LRTC in high-γ activity. When intelligibility was restored with the insertion of silence gaps, LRTC in the δ, θ, and low-γ oscillations resumed the low levels observed for intelligible speech. Remarkably, the lower the individual subject scaling exponents of δ/θ oscillations, the greater the comprehension of the fastest speech rate. Moreover, the strength of LRTC of the speech envelope decreased at the maximal rate, suggesting an inverse relationship with the LRTC of brain dynamics when comprehension halts. Our findings show that scale-free amplitude modulation of cortical oscillations and speech signals are tightly coupled to speech uptake capacity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT One may read this statement in 20-30 s, but reading it in less than five leaves us clueless. Our minds limit how much information we grasp in an instant. Understanding the neural constraints on our capacity for sensory uptake is a fundamental question in neuroscience. Here, MEG was used to investigate neuronal activity while subjects listened to radio news played faster and faster until becoming unintelligible. We found that speech comprehension is related to the scale-free dynamics of δ and θ bands, whereas this property in high-γ fluctuations mirrors speech rate. We propose that successful speech processing imposes constraints on the self-organization of synchronous cell assemblies and their scale-free dynamics adjusts to the temporal properties of spoken language

Do Modular Products Lead to Modular Organizations? Evidence from Open Source Software Development

Researchers have proposed that modular products lead to modular organizations. However empirical evidence today has been conflicting, and, moreover, the details of how modular products drive modular organizations have not been explored. In this study, by analyzing the structure of OSS development team, we extend prior research in three important ways: First we show that the number of modules a product has will increase the modularity in the organization. Second, the sheer size of contributors will contribute to organizational modularity. Third, we show that organizational modularity is a dynamic concept and tends to vary during different stages of the product development life cycle. Our findings have important theoretical and practical implications

Data Analysis Methods for Software Systems

Using statistics, econometrics, machine learning, and functional data analysis methods, we evaluate the consequences of the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemics for wage inequality and unemployment. We deduce that these two indicators mostly reacted to the first lockdown from March till June 2020. Also, analysing wage inequality, we conduct analysis separately for males and females and different age groups.We noticed that young females were affected mostly by the lockdown.Nevertheless, all the groups reacted to the lockdown at some level

Change and sensemaking: organizational identities evolution and causal maps. A case study of M&A in the banking industry

The aim of this paper is to explain how the social process of sensemaking can be supported adopting causal maps. Even if the opportunity and the possibility to manage organizational identity during the post-acquisition integration has been argued by previous papers, the evolution of organizational identity remains a social process that takes place during the interaction among people. In fact, an acquisition creates conditions in which differences among identities are emphasized. This social process is based on sensemaking, that can be defined as the capability to link daily activities with large patterns. The effectiveness of such a process within an organization depends on the presence of \u201ccommon points\u201d across cognitive maps of knowledge that each employee develops. After an acquisition these \u201ccommon points\u201d decrease because of a higher ambiguity. A managerial response that is based on clear communication and coherent managers\u2019 behaviour can reduce this ambiguity and improve sensemaking effectiveness. Based on a case study of a M&A in the European banking industry, we argue that after an M&A, a managerial response that clarifies organizational identity perception, enhancing weaker relationships, improves the effectiveness of sensemaking process reducing the ambiguity in multiple identities. People from the acquired bank were requested to elaborate a casual map of organizational identity before and after the acquisition. Then common points on maps were measured and a \u201ctrend of ambiguity\u201d has been calculated. This paper illustrate how it is possible to describe the initiatives that the acquiring bank used during integration process by using cognitive map and network measurements; similarly, the effects on the level of effectiveness of sensemaking have been calculated. We also described how the acquired bank could measure and monitor the level of comprehension of corporate strategy. In doing that, the bank can clarify strategic issues related to organizational identity that shows a weak level of comprehension. In addition, this paper has three main outcomes. First, we explain why the evolution of organizational identity is a social process based on sensemaking and how appropriate managerial responses must be monitored and supported at social level in order to be effective. Second, it clarifies how cognitive maps can be a managerial tool to achieve that result. Cognitive maps allow representing the expected organizational identity in a form closer to the mental representation that people build about the new reality. Third, it shows that sensemaking process can be measured in terms of effectiveness using network measurements. These results can be interesting for both academic and practitioners. More in details, managers dealing with acquisition could adopt casual maps in order to facilitate sensemaking process and measuring effectiveness of their integration strategy

Stem Cell and Biologic Scaffold Engineering

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving research field which effectively combines stem cells and biologic scaffolds in order to replace damaged tissues. Biologic scaffolds can be produced through the removal of resident cellular populations using several tissue engineering approaches, such as the decellularization method. Indeed, the decellularization method aims to develop a cell-free biologic scaffold while keeping the extracellular matrix (ECM) intact. Furthermore, biologic scaffolds have been investigated for their in vitro potential for whole organ development. Currently, clinical products composed of decellularized matrices, such as pericardium, urinary bladder, small intestine, heart valves, nerve conduits, trachea, and vessels, are being evaluated for use in human clinical trials. Tissue engineering strategies require the interaction of biologic scaffolds with cellular populations. Among them, stem cells are characterized by unlimited cell division, self-renewal, and differentiation potential, distinguishing themselves as a frontline source for the repopulation of decellularized matrices and scaffolds. Under this scheme, stem cells can be isolated from patients, expanded under good manufacturing practices (GMPs), used for the repopulation of biologic scaffolds and, finally, returned to the patient. The interaction between scaffolds and stem cells is thought to be crucial for their infiltration, adhesion, and differentiation into specific cell types. In addition, biomedical devices such as bioreactors contribute to the uniform repopulation of scaffolds. Until now, remarkable efforts have been made by the scientific society in order to establish the proper repopulation conditions of decellularized matrices and scaffolds. However, parameters such as stem cell number, in vitro cultivation conditions, and specific growth media composition need further evaluation. The ultimate goal is the development of “artificial” tissues similar to native ones, which is achieved by properly combining stem cells and biologic scaffolds and thus bringing them one step closer to personalized medicine. The original research articles and comprehensive reviews in this Special Issue deal with the use of stem cells and biologic scaffolds that utilize state-of-the-art tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches