ANTICIPATING THE MNEMONIC SHIFT: ORGANIZATIONAL REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING IN 2001

Following a review of prior work, the paper presents a model of organizational memory. Relying on structuration theory for its development, the model overcomes some of the problematic dualisms of conventional approaches (i.e., subjecUobject, social/technical, abstract/concrete). According to the model, co-memory (for collective memory) consists of rules and resources that recursively mediate both interactivity and structure in organizations. The model provides the basis for a taxonomy of existing and projected IT-based co-memory systems. Four classes of co-memory systems are described: transactional, managerial, strategic, and team. An analysis of driving trends concerning people, structure, and technology is used to project four scenarios for organizations in 2001: bureaucracy, factory, affiliation, and infocracy. Co-memory systems that can be expected in each scenario are discussed. Predictions indicate that a mnemonic s

MEETTING IN TIME: RECORDING THE WORKGROUP CONVERSATION

This work investigates the concept of organizational memory within the context of face-to-face meetings. We begin by exploring the theoretical and practical implications of both organizational memory in general, and meeting memory in particular. We propose that meeting memory can be constructed from temporally-structured speech-acts. This proposal is investigated through a case study of an existing meeting memory leading to the development of a meeting memory prototype system. The paper extends current research in the application of speech-act theory to collaborative work in two directions: 1) the support of face-to-face meetings and 2) the recording of group memory

Internal Controls For The Revenue Cycle: A Checklist For The Consumer Products Industry

In today’s difficult economic climate, business managers must carefully consider all aspects of business operations to minimize waste and increase efficiency.  The revenue cycle continues to be the primary area of fraud and abuse requiring strong, comprehensive internal controls (AICPA 2002).  Internal controls in the revenue arena are now more important than ever. The current paper provides a control review checklist for the revenue cycle that will aid managers and independent auditors in the consumer products industry. The checklist is applicable for firms at various levels of the distribution channel and can be used as a general benchmark to perform preliminary evaluations of a company’s internal control system. Auditors can compare their company’s control objectives with the objectives that are presented. During preliminary investigations of the company’s internal control system, auditors should review whether important control objectives have been omitted and whether the omission incurs or heightens risk. The control review checklist can also be used by CFOs or Controllers in the Consumer Products industry in reviewing whether their company’s internal control systems are adequate.  The checklist provides CFOs or Controllers internal controls that external, independent auditors consider to be important

Developing Human Stem Cell Derived Motor Neuron Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Human neurodegenerative disorders are among the most difficult to study. In particular, the inability to readily obtain the faulty cell types most relevant to these diseases has impeded progress for decades. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a late onset neurodegenerative disease in which the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, leading to paralysis and eventually death. Recent advances in pluripotent stem cell technology now grant access to significant quantities of disease pertinent neurons both with and without predisposing mutations. The two studies described in this thesis demonstrate the feasibility of using MNs, generated from pluripotent stem cell lines harboring known ALS mutations, to establish in-vitro models of the disease. Specifically, we first used gene targeting to establish genetically controlled systems, able to identify causal relationships between a familial ALS mutation and in vitro phenotypes. Next, using transcriptional profiling, we identified novel pathways altered by the mutation and demonstrated functional consequences of these pathways' misregulation. Furthermore, by monitoring the physiology of the pluripotent stem cell derived MNs, we discovered an increased firing rate in the mutant MNs, and identified an FDA-approved drug, retigabine, capable of rescuing this defect. Lastly, to aid in the discovery of additional therapeutic compounds, we combined gene targeting, transcriptional profiling, and a fluorescent reporter human embryonic stem cell line to establish a well-controlled in vitro system capable of identifying genetic modifiers of the phenotypes described herein

Research Ethics and the CGIAR

This report was discussed at the 5th Meeting of the Science Council in April 2006. The report was prepared by an independent panel (see authors) led by Peter Sandoe. The present study is concerned with ethical issues relating to the process involved in the CGIAR mission: scientific research and research-related activities. Roughly, these ethical issues can be divided into three different categories: The first is about the implications of the CGIAR’s overall objective for the way the research activities are conducted, i.e. the requirements of ensuring that the end beneficiaries of the research actually are benefited through dissemination of research results, through empowerment and through participation in relevant parts of the research process. Another implication is the requirement of ensuring a stable and transparent research process through dialogue and communication with the relevant stakeholders. A second type of ethical issue is that relating to the parties affected by the research activities. These are, among others, human or animal research subjects, the environment and the general public. Important issues are concerned with ensuring that research results remain a public good and how to deal with intellectual property (IP) issues. Other important issues are biodiversity protection and biosafety. The third types of issue relate to the ethical requirements internal to the conduct of research activities. These requirements include norms of good scientific practice and norms concerning the handling of funding

The Effect of Information Technology Investments on Intermediate Performance of Firms

Ourprojectisdesignedtoinvestigatetheimpactsof informationtechnology(IT)investmentson“intermediate”performance variables as opposed to aggregate fm level measures (such as market s h m and profitability). Given the reported potential of IT to streamline administrative processes in organizations, our first objective is to contrast the impacts of IT investments on labor and administrativeproductivity. Further, we observe that none of the empirical studies to date have examined the relationship between IT investments and the utilization of a firm’s resources such as inventory and assets. Resource utilizationmevicsarereferredtoasactivityratios. Giventheincreasingattentiontotheprocessreengineeringphenomenon, it appears that the link between key activity measures and IT investments needs to be investigated. Hence, the second objective of our study is to assess the impact of IT investments on activity ratios

Is penicillin allergy de-labelling about to find its place in UK antimicrobial stewardship strategy?

Penicillin allergy records are common, often incorrect, limit antibiotic treatment options and associated with patient and health system harm. The large numbers of patients with penicillin allergy records and the paucity of allergists have led researchers to explore non-allergist delivered assessment of penicillin allergy records and removal of those inconsistent with allergy (called de-labelling). A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature concludes non-allergist delivery of penicillin allergy de-labelling to be safe and effective. Several countries outside Europe have endorsed non-allergist de-labelling and produced national guidelines and toolkits for de-labelling, but until recently the UK lacked such guidance. In September 2022 the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) produced their guidelines endorsing non-allergist delivered penicillin allergy de-labelling. These BSACI guidelines, coupled with the ongoing NIHR funded penicillin allergy de-labelling studies, will enable this important patient safety and antimicrobial stewardship intervention to become standard of care for NHS patients

Efficacy of rifampicin combination therapy for the treatment of enterococcal infections assessed in vivo using a Galleria mellonella infection model.

Enterococci are a leading cause of healthcare-associated infection worldwide and display increasing levels of resistance to many of the commonly used antimicrobials, making treatment of their infections challenging. Combinations of antibiotics are occasionally employed to treat serious infections, allowing for the possibility of synergistic killing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different antibacterial combinations against enterococcal isolates using an in vitro approach and an in vivo Galleria mellonella infection model. Five Enterococcus faecalis and three Enterococcus faecium strains were screened by paired combinations of rifampicin, tigecycline, linezolid or vancomycin using the chequerboard dilution method. Antibacterial combinations that displayed synergy were selected for in vivo testing using a G. mellonella larvae infection model. Rifampicin was an effective antibacterial enhancer when used in combination with tigecycline or vancomycin, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of each individual antibiotic being reduced by between two and four doubling dilutions, generating fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values between 0.31 and 0.5. Synergy observed with the chequerboard screening assays was subsequently observed in vivo using the G. mellonella model, with combination treatment demonstrating superior protection of larvae post-infection in comparison with antibiotic monotherapy. In particular, rifampicin in combination with tigecycline or vancomycin significantly enhanced larvae survival. Addition of rifampicin to anti-enterococcal treatment regimens warrants further investigation and may prove useful in the treatment of enterococcal infections whilst prolonging the clinically useful life of currently active antibiotics