PrefEdge: SSD prefetcher for large-scale graph traversal

Mining large graphs has now become an important aspect of mul-tiple diverse applications and a number of computer systems have been proposed to provide runtime support. Recent interest in this area has led to the construction of single machine graph computa-tion systems that use solid state drives (SSDs) to store the graph. This approach reduces the cost and simplifies the implementation of graph algorithms, making computations on large graphs avail-able to the average user. However, SSDs are slower than main memory, and making full use of their bandwidth is crucial for ex-ecuting graph algorithms in a reasonable amount of time. In this paper, we present PrefEdge, a prefetcher for graph algorithms that parallelises requests to derive maximum throughput from SSDs. PrefEdge combines a judicious distribution of graph state between main memory and SSDs with an innovative read-ahead algorithm to prefetch needed data in parallel. This is in contrast to existing approaches that depend on multi-threading the graph algorithms to saturate available bandwidth. Our experiments on graph algo-rithms using random access show that PrefEdge not only is capa-ble of maximising the throughput from SSDs but is also able to almost hide the effect of I/O latency. The improvements in run-time for graph algorithms is up to 14 × when compared to a single threaded baseline. When compared to multi-threaded implemen-tations, PrefEdge performs up to 80 % faster without the program complexity and the programmer effort needed for multi-threaded graph algorithms

Enhancing resilience in the Covid-19 crisis: lessons from human resource management practices in Vietnam

This study establishes how tourism and hospitality businesses in Vietnam developed organizational resilience to survive the first wave of the Covid-19 crises. With employees acknowledged as a critical dimension in tourism and hospitality services, the study focused on how human resources (HR) practices were adopted to develop organizational resilience during the crisis. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 tourism and hospitality managers during Vietnam’s lockdown. The findings reveal valuable HR resilience-building practices that these businesses implemented before, during and after the lockdown. The results contribute to our understanding of how HR practices can sustain the tourism workforce and enhance organizational resilience in the face of a global pandemic

Tourism resilience in the context of integrated destination and disaster management (DM2)

The disaster management principles should be integrated into the destination management plans to enhance resilience of tourist destinations to natural disasters. The success of such integration depends on the extent of tourism stakeholder collaboration, but this topic remains understudied, especially in the Caribbean. This paper evaluates tourism resilience in Grenada. It finds that local tourism stakeholders are well aware of the potential damage natural disasters can inflict on the destination but fail to develop effective measures to build destination-wide and organizational resilience. The paper proposes an action framework to aid tourism stakeholders in Grenada to more effectively plan for disasters

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

The place of self-actualisation in workplace spirituality: evidence from Sri Lanka

The aim of this paper is to develop a self-actualizing spirituality model. It examines the place of self-actualization in the experience of workplace spirituality of Sri Lankan business leaders. The primary method of data collection was in-depth and face-to-face interviews with 13 Sri Lankan business leaders. Within the qualitative tradition and case study method, grounded theory and data triangulation were used to analyze the data. The findings suggest that when the business leaders experience workplace spirituality, they commonly project a need to grow, become and evolve towards the ideal (ought) self. This need is primarily driven by a desire to relate or connect to one’s self. Findings suggest that self-actualizing work arrangements offer a way to implement inclusive workplace spirituality, devoid of the challenges usually associated with the practice of religion-based workplace spirituality. Despite the geographical, cultural and social differences that exist between Sri Lanka and other cultures, this paper provides research implications for spiritual leadership and ethical decision-making in other cultural settings

Promoting Organisational Resilience through Sustaining Engagement in a Disruptive Environment: What are the implications for HRM?

Papers were only supplied to registered participants, and not on the open web. The url for papers was http://www.hrinz.org.nz/includes/download.aspx?EMAIL=23917596&ID=137299 The conference url was http://researchforum.hrinz.org.nz/Site/National_Events/Research_Forum_2014/programme.aspxThis paper explores the relationship between employee well being, work engagement and organisational resilience based on empirical data from 11 organisations in Christchurch following a major disaster. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 160 senior managers in these organisations. Data were analysed using ground theory concepts of coding, memo writing, constant comparison and theoretical saturation. Findings suggest that while employee well being contributes to organisational resilience, work engagement is best seen as a marker of resilience

Digital Resilience for Directors

In New Zealand, a study conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Canterbury (UC) Business School appears to confirm the relationship between leadership and digital capability. The study, focussing on “digital resilience” in large organisations in Australia and New Zealand, aimed to identify factors that influence an organisation’s ability to adapt to, and thrive in, a changing digital environment and understand why some organisations are more digitally capable than others