Now What Do I Do With Brad And Kerry?

As the Great Recession continued, Jason, a project manager for the past six years with a large general contracting firm, NewBuild, pondered the burden of being an effective leader and manager in such trying times. He had to make a choice of which of his two most recently hired engineers, Brad or Kerry, would be assigned to the next big construction project. Both were direct reports to Jason for the past nine months. Unfortunately, there was a strong possibility that if the economy continued downward, the one not chosen to be on the new project team could be terminated due to lack of work. Jason, a project manager at NewBuild a large general contracting firm was faced with a staffing dilemma that confronts many managers in tough economic times. He had to decide whom to promote among his two most recently hired engineers to the next big construction project. Unfortunately, there was a strong possibility that the one not chosen to be on the new project team would be terminated due to lack of work. His charge was to take a comprehensive view of the situation and make a decision that was best for Brad, Kerry and NewBuild. As is always the case, a manager has a finite amount of information from which a decision must be made. Complicating matters was the gloomy economy for NewBuild as well as the prospect of providing a challenging job in a no growth environment. This note focuses on issues such as the psychological contract between NewBuild and the new employees as providing a context that serves either to fully engage new employees or which provides a milieu which only ensures physical presence on the job. Jason also needed to consider the extent to which Brad and Kerry engaged in the important skill of upward management. He wanted to stretch his understanding of Level 3 leadership (Clawson, 2009) by carefully sifting through what he knew about Brad and Kerry in order to identify important values, assumptions, beliefs, and expectations, (VABEs) arising at the unconscious level that nevertheless direct employee behavior. Finally, he needed to assess the significance of written email communication of lessons learned through Tannen's (1995) lens for understanding stylistic communication differences. Performance appraisal data was also available as were observations of both engineers on a negotiation simulation. Jason had to synthesize this information to form a clear picture in his mind about whom to promote to the project team and who by default is left in limbo perhaps awaiting the pink slip to downsize. This decision critical incident which is based on a true incident in a disguised organization, may be used in the following courses: Management, Leadership, Career Development, Organizational Behavior, and Human Resources Management

Normotensive offspring with non-dipper hypertensive parents have abnormal sleep pattern.

The objective of this study was to determine whether abnormal microstructure of sleep in non-dipper hypertensive patients was present in their offspring. Subjects included 11 normotensive offspring of non-dipper hypertensive parents (FH + ND), 6 of dipper hypertensive parents (FH + D) and 5 of normotensive parents (Controls). We measured blood pressure beat-to-beat by Finapres and all stages of sleep by polysomnographically recording simultaneously during spontaneous nocturnal sleep. We analysed blood pressure pattern for 4-min long random periods while the subjects were awake and during all stages of sleep; sleep efficiency (SE), sleep latency (SL), delta-sleep latency (delta-SL), REM sleep latency (REM-SL), Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 and REM duration and percentage values, and microstructural aspects of sleep (arousal and microarousal temporization and features). FH + D and controls showed a fall in blood pressure greater than 10% in all stages of NREM sleep and in the FH + ND blood pressure fall in less than 10% of waking values in all NREM stages. REM sleep and heart rate were similar in the three groups during all stages of sleep. FH + ND showed the same number of arousals but more microarousals than FH + D and controls (p < 0.0001). Microarousals induced several stage shifts through lighter sleep. For this reason, FH + ND spent more time in stage 2 than FH + D and controls. In conclusion, offspring of non-dipper hypertension parents showed a greater number of microarousals than the other two groups

Applying machine learning EEG signal classification to emotion related brain anticipatory activity

Machine learning approaches have been fruitfully applied to several neurophysiological signal classification problems. Considering the relevance of emotion in human cognition and behaviour, an important application of machine learning has been found in the field of emotion identification based on neurophysiological activity. Nonetheless, there is high variability in results in the literature depending on the neuronal activity measurement, the signal features and the classifier type. The present work aims to provide new methodological insight into machine learning applied to emotion identification based on electrophysiological brain activity. For this reason, we analysed previously recorded EEG activity measured while emotional stimuli, high and low arousal (auditory and visual) were provided to a group of healthy participants. Our target signal to classify was the pre-stimulus onset brain activity. Classification performance of three different classifiers (LDA, SVM and kNN) was compared using both spectral and temporal features. Furthermore, we also contrasted the performance of static and dynamic (time evolving) approaches. The best static feature-classifier combination was the SVM with spectral features (51.8%), followed by LDA with spectral features (51.4%) and kNN with temporal features (51%). The best dynamic feature‑classifier combination was the SVM with temporal features (63.8%), followed by kNN with temporal features (63.70%) and LDA with temporal features (63.68%). The results show a clear increase in classification accuracy with temporal dynamic features

Science Librarian Internship as a Way to Get Started in EScience

The Science Bibliographers’ Group of Boston College first proposed the creation of a paid science librarian internship position in Summer 2008. Since then, the three interns hired over time have gained exposure to a wide variety of activities undertaken by science librarians, and, at the same time, have significantly furthered the Library’s understanding of, and participation in, eScience. In addition to important contributions in reference and collection development activities, intern contributions have included an environmental scan/best practices review of relevant eScience initiatives, design of an eScience brochure, development of a faculty survey to gauge interest in library data management, and a capstone presentation on eScience for all library staff. Building upon that work, the Science Bibliographers’ Group developed a Vision Statement and Action Plans for eScience. Our current intern is working closely with members of the group on the creation of a LibGuide focused on data management and, concurrently, develop-ment of curricular materials for data management workshops to be implemented during the 2011/12 academic year. Ideally, these increased efforts in eScience-related work will result in an enhanced profile for eScience on the Boston College campus, and, ultimately, creation of a new, eScience-focused position in the Boston College Libraries. An internship program can provide current knowledge and skills to educate and support a university research library through the early learning stage of developing an eSciences program, while simultaneously providing a valuable hands-on learning experience for a potential science librarian

Science Librarian Internship as a Way to Get Started in E-Science

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate how a science librarian internship program can be used to jumpstart an e-sciences initiative in a university research library.METHODSCurrent library science students were hired, as paid interns, to work with an established Science Librarian Bibliographers Group. While the position included exposure to the wide variety of activities undertaken by science librarians, the most recent intern, arriving with a strong interest in e-Science, was also tasked with assisting in specific assignments designed to further the Library’s understanding of and participation in the area of e-Science. Specifically, the intern was asked to design a brochure about e-Science, develop a faculty survey to gauge interest in library involvement in data management, assist Science Librarians in an environmental scan/best practices review of relevant e-science initiatives, to serve as a roadmap in this area for the Boston College Libraries, and, finally, to further the education of all library staff with a presentation on e-Science.RESULTSBuilding upon the intern’s extensive literature review, draft brochure and PowerPoint presentation/synthesis, the Science Bibliographers’ Group has continued work on next steps in e-Science, with the development of a Vision Statement and Action Plans, as well as draft faculty/student/staff survey. The intern was exposed to a wide variety of typical science librarian job functions.CONCLUSIONSAn internship program can provide current knowledge and skills to educate and support a university research library through the early learning stage of developing an e-Sciences program, while simultaneously providing a valuable hands-on learning experience for a potential science librarian

Modulation of EEG spectral edge frequency during patterned pneumatic oral stimulation in preterm infants

Background—Stimulation of the nervous system plays a central role in brain development and neurodevelopmental outcome. Thalamocortical and corticocortical development is diminished in premature infants and correlated to electroencephalography (EEG) progression. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of orocutaneous stimulation on the modulation of spectral edge frequency, fc=90% (SEF-90) derived from EEG recordings in preterm infants. Methods—Twenty two preterm infants were randomized to experimental and control conditions. Pulsed orocutaneous stimulation was presented during gavage feedings begun at around 32 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). The SEF-90 was derived from 2-channel EEG recordings. Results—Compared to the control condition, the pulsed orocutaneous stimulation produced a significant reorganization of SEF-90 in the left (p = 0.005) and right (p \u3c 0.0001) hemispheres. Notably, the left and right hemisphere showed a reversal in the polarity of frequency shift, demonstrating hemispheric asymmetry in the frequency domain. Pulsed orocutaneous stimulation also produced a significant pattern of short term cortical adaptation and a long term neural adaptation manifest as a 0.5 Hz elevation in SEF-90 after repeated stimulation sessions. Conclusion—This is the first study to demonstrate the modulating effects of a servo-controlled oral somatosensory input on the spectral features of EEG activity in preterm infants

"Watch Me Grow- Electronic (WMG-E)" surveillance approach to identify and address child development, parental mental health, and psychosocial needs : study protocol

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic recession has increased parental psychosocial stress and mental health challenges. This has adversely impacted child development and wellbeing, particularly for children from priority populations (culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and rural/regional communities) who are at an already increased risk of health inequality. The increased mental health and psychosocial needs were compounded by the closure of in-person preventive and health promotion programs resulting in health organisations embracing technology and online services. Watch Me Grow- Electronic (WMG-E) – developmental surveillance platform- exemplifies one such service. WMG-E was developed to monitor child development and guide parents towards more detailed assessments when risk is identified. This Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) aims to expand WMG-E as a digital navigation tool by also incorporating parents’ mental health and psychosocial needs. Children and families needing additional assessments and supports will be electronically directed to relevant resources in the ‘care-as-usual’ group. In contrast, the intervention group will receive continuity of care, with additional in-person assessment and ‘warm hand over’ by a ‘service navigator’ to ensure their needs are met. Methods: Using an RCT we will determine: (1) parental engagement with developmental surveillance; (2) access to services for those with mental health and social care needs; and (3) uptake of service recommendations. Three hundred parents/carers of children aged 6 months to 3 years (recruited from a culturally diverse, or rural/regional site) will be randomly allocated to the ‘care-as-usual’ or ‘intervention’ group. A mixed methods implementation evaluation will be completed, with semi-structured interviews to ascertain the acceptability, feasibility and impact of the WMG-E platform and service navigator. Conclusions: Using WMG-E is expected to: normalise and de-stigmatise mental health and psychosocial screening; increase parental engagement and service use; and result in the early identification and management of child developmental needs, parental mental health, and family psychosocial needs. If effective, digital solutions such as WMG-E to engage and empower parents alongside a service navigator for vulnerable families needing additional support, will have significant practice and policy implications in the pandemic/post pandemic period. Trial registration: The trial (Protocol No. 1.0, Version 3.1) was registered with ANZCTR (registration number: ACTRN12621000766819) on July 21st, 2021 and reporting of the trial results will be according to recommendations in the CONSORT Statement

Diagnostic accuracy of a three-gene Mycobacterium tuberculosis host response cartridge using fingerstick blood for childhood tuberculosis: a multicentre prospective study in low-income and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND: Childhood tuberculosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in part due to missed diagnosis. Diagnostic methods with enhanced sensitivity using easy-to-obtain specimens are needed. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Cepheid Mycobacterium tuberculosis Host Response prototype cartridge (MTB-HR), a candidate test measuring a three-gene transcriptomic signature from fingerstick blood, in children with presumptive tuberculosis disease. METHODS: RaPaed-TB was a prospective diagnostic accuracy study conducted at four sites in African countries (Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania) and one site in India. Children younger than 15 years with presumptive pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled between Jan 21, 2019, and June 30, 2021. MTB-HR was performed at baseline and at 1 month in all children and was repeated at 3 months and 6 months in children on tuberculosis treatment. Accuracy was compared with tuberculosis status based on standardised microbiological, radiological, and clinical data. FINDINGS: 5313 potentially eligible children were screened, of whom 975 were eligible. 784 children had MTB-HR test results, of whom 639 had a diagnostic classification and were included in the analysis. MTB-HR differentiated children with culture-confirmed tuberculosis from those with unlikely tuberculosis with a sensitivity of 59·8% (95% CI 50·8–68·4). Using any microbiological confirmation (culture, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, or both), sensitivity was 41·6% (34·7–48·7), and using a composite clinical reference standard, sensitivity was 29·6% (25·4–34·2). Specificity for all three reference standards was 90·3% (95% CI 85·5–94·0). Performance was similar in different age groups and by malnutrition status. Among children living with HIV, accuracy against the strict reference standard tended to be lower (sensitivity 50·0%, 15·7–84·3) compared with those without HIV (61·0%, 51·6–69·9), although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Combining baseline MTB-HR result with one Ultra result identified 71·2% of children with microbiologically confirmed tuberculosis. INTERPRETATION: MTB-HR showed promising diagnostic accuracy for culture-confirmed tuberculosis in this large, geographically diverse, paediatric cohort and hard-to-diagnose subgroups. FUNDING: European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, UK Medical Research Council, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)