Molecular motors robustly drive active gels to a critically connected state

Living systems often exhibit internal driving: active, molecular processes drive nonequilibrium phenomena such as metabolism or migration. Active gels constitute a fascinating class of internally driven matter, where molecular motors exert localized stresses inside polymer networks. There is evidence that network crosslinking is required to allow motors to induce macroscopic contraction. Yet a quantitative understanding of how network connectivity enables contraction is lacking. Here we show experimentally that myosin motors contract crosslinked actin polymer networks to clusters with a scale-free size distribution. This critical behavior occurs over an unexpectedly broad range of crosslink concentrations. To understand this robustness, we develop a quantitative model of contractile networks that takes into account network restructuring: motors reduce connectivity by forcing crosslinks to unbind. Paradoxically, to coordinate global contractions, motor activity should be low. Otherwise, motors drive initially well-connected networks to a critical state where ruptures form across the entire network.Comment: Main text: 21 pages, 5 figures. Supplementary Information: 13 pages, 8 figure

Perceptions and Challenges of EHR Clinical Data Quality

Despite the premise of better data, Electronic Health Record (EHR) data quality remains problematic. Traditional approaches for improving data quality through semantic and syntactic controls have not resolved the problems. To use the medical vernacular – “we have addressed the symptoms but not the cause.” This paper reports on an exploratory study undertaken in a large maternity hospital with an aim to expose detractors from high-quality data in EHRs. The study involved a perceptions survey that was completed by Nursing and Midwifery staff; chosen because of known data quality challenges in their area of practice. The study results indicate social, cultural and environmental aspects of information systems (IS) use are equally as problematic as the IS itself. A lack of agreement amongst healthcare practitioners surrounding what data quality means is also evident, with time, culture and lacking formal education on data quality being contributors to lower data quality outcome

Kinect Range Sensing: Structured-Light versus Time-of-Flight Kinect

Recently, the new Kinect One has been issued by Microsoft, providing the next generation of real-time range sensing devices based on the Time-of-Flight (ToF) principle. As the first Kinect version was using a structured light approach, one would expect various differences in the characteristics of the range data delivered by both devices. This paper presents a detailed and in-depth comparison between both devices. In order to conduct the comparison, we propose a framework of seven different experimental setups, which is a generic basis for evaluating range cameras such as Kinect. The experiments have been designed with the goal to capture individual effects of the Kinect devices as isolatedly as possible and in a way, that they can also be adopted, in order to apply them to any other range sensing device. The overall goal of this paper is to provide a solid insight into the pros and cons of either device. Thus, scientists that are interested in using Kinect range sensing cameras in their specific application scenario can directly assess the expected, specific benefits and potential problem of either device.Comment: 58 pages, 23 figures. Accepted for publication in Computer Vision and Image Understanding (CVIU

An Empirical Investigation into Wicked Operational Problems

This thesis begins by considering the nature of research in Operations Management, the methods that are employed and the types of problems it addresses. We contend that as the discipline matures and it extends its boundaries the research challenges become more complex and the reductionist techniques of Operations Research become less appropriate. To explore this issue we use the concept of wicked problems. Wicked problems were developed by Rittel and Webber during the 1970’s. They suggest the existence of a class of problems which could not be solved using the techniques of Operations Research. They describe Wicked Problems using ten properties or characteristics, which, after a thorough review of their descriptions, we have condensed to six themes. We consider the current state of the “Wicked Problem” literature and have identified the paucity relating to Operations Management. Thus we develop our research question: “what are the characteristics of wicked operational problems?” We investigate this question using a single extended case study of an operation experiencing significant unresolved performance issues. We analyse the case using the tenets of systems thinking, structure and behaviour, and extend the empirical literature on wicked problems to identify the characteristics of wicked operational problems. The research indicates that elements of wicked problems exist at an operational level. The significance of this finding is that reductionist techniques to problem solving e.g. lean and six sigma may not be applicable to the challenges facing operational managers when confronted with the characteristics of a wicked operational problem

THE LIFE CYCLE OF DATA LABELS IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING: A CASE STUDY OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Data labels are an integral input to develop machine learning (ML) models. In complex domains, labels represent the externalized product of complex knowledge. While prior research discussed labels typically as input of ML models, we explore their role in organizational learning (OL). Based on a case study of a German car manufacturer, we contextualize a framework of OL to the use of labels in organizations informing about organizational members who work with labels, requirements of label-based tools, label-related tasks, and impediments of label-related task performance. From our findings, we derive propositions about the role of labels in OL and outline future research opportunities. Our results inform theory about the role of labels in OL and can guide practitioners leveraging labels to create and transfer knowledge within organizations

Detecting Sorghum Plant and Head Features from Multispectral UAV Imagery

In plant breeding, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carrying multispectral cameras have demonstrated increasing utility for high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) to aid the interpretation of genotype and environment effects on morphological, biochemical, and physiological traits. A key constraint remains the reduced resolution and quality extracted from “stitched” mosaics generated from UAV missions across large areas. This can be addressed by generating high-quality reflectance data from a single nadir image per plot. In this study, a pipeline was developed to derive reflectance data from raw multispectral UAV images that preserve the original high spatial and spectral resolutions and to use these for phenotyping applications. Sequential steps involved (i) imagery calibration, (ii) spectral band alignment, (iii) backward calculation, (iv) plot segmentation, and (v) application. Each step was designed and optimised to estimate the number of plants and count sorghum heads within each breeding plot. Using a derived nadir image of each plot, the coefficients of determination were 0.90 and 0.86 for estimates of the number of sorghum plants and heads, respectively. Furthermore, the reflectance information acquired from the different spectral bands showed appreciably high discriminative ability for sorghum head colours (i.e., red and white). Deployment of this pipeline allowed accurate segmentation of crop organs at the canopy level across many diverse field plots with minimal training needed from machine learning approaches

Transactions of 2019 International Conference on Health Information Technology Advancement Vol. 4 No. 1

The Fourth International Conference on Health Information Technology Advancement Kalamazoo, Michigan, October 31 - Nov. 1, 2019. Conference Co-Chairs Bernard T. Han and Muhammad Razi, Department of Business Information Systems, Haworth College of Business, Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Transaction Editor Dr. Huei Lee, Professor, Department of Computer Information Systems, Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Volume 4, No. 1 Hosted by The Center for Health Information Technology Advancement, WM

Developing monthly management reporting: root cause analysis of reporting problems at Nuclear Services

Nuclear Services, a business area focusing on the sales of nuclear power related products and services at the Finnish energy company Fortum, has been struggling with errors in its monthly reports. The errors have rendered the reports unreliable, decreasing their value for management use. This thesis analyzes the underlying reasons for the reporting problems, providing suggestions for eliminating them and developing the reporting towards a direction that better supports the business goals of the unit. Reporting is an important management tool for decision support and control. In this study, Man-agement Information System and Management Control System concepts are utilized to analyze the decision support and control aspects of reporting, respectively. Management Control Systems are discussed using the Management Control System package typology of Malmi and Brown (2008). Additionally, suggestions for the implementation will be drawn from the management accounting change literature. This thesis follows the root cause methodology for problem understanding and suggestions for eliminating the root causes. Flow chart analysis and interviews of Nuclear Services project managers and management are conducted for understanding the situation in the unit. Further perspective to the problem is sought with external benchmarking interviews at three reference organizations, conducting project-based business similarly to Nuclear Services. Once the problem has been charted, fault tree analysis is used to find the root causes. Management Control Systems are utilized to conceptualize the suggested controls for root cause elimination. The fault tree analysis indicates three dominant efficiently solvable employee behavior related root causes: unclear reporting process and responsibilities, lack of clear instructions, and that systematic reporting is not expected. The root causes are suggested to be solved using three Management Control Systems, two administrative controls and one cybernetic control. A concrete description of, how the three suggested Management Control Systems could be implemented in Nuclear Services, is also provided along with suggestions for further reporting development in the unit. Related to the management accounting change, a possible gatekeeper role is identified in the re-porting practice implementation process. Additionally, the findings of this thesis suggest that simultaneous dual-purpose utilization of reporting as a Management Information System and a Management Control System could be possible, although no proof for the claim is received. Current management accounting literature is limited regarding reporting practice and reporting problem solving. This thesis illustrates, how the root cause methodology can be applied to reporting problem solving