A Framework for Prioritization, Design and Coordination of Arctic Long-term Observing Networks: A Perspective from the U.S. SEARCH Program

Arctic observing networks exist in many countries and often cross international boundaries. We review their status and the development of networked long-term observations as part of a U.S. Arctic Observing System, highlighting major challenges and opportunities for prioritizing observations, designing a network, and increasing coordination. Most Arctic observing activities focus on specific themes and ecosystem services, resulting in a relatively narrow scope of observations for each network. Across all networks there is a need to improve national and international coordination to (1) reduce potential mismatch between identified science needs and outcomes desired by society, (2) link current observing networks to emerging agency and private-sector observing programs across disciplines, and (3) present a stable set of goals and priorities to increase network utility in view of the limited funding resources. We survey the landscape of observing activities and efforts to coordinate them internationally and present a framework for prioritization and coordination based on the activities of the U.S. Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH). This framework includes a hierarchy of interconnected activities involved in the design and implementation of observing networks. Across the hierarchy, definition of “actionable” science questions helps drive network design, with priorities set by the breadth and depth of the societal applications or policy requirements that these questions can inform. We present an example of applying this design hierarchy to observations that support policy and management decisions about offshore resource development in the Chukchi Sea.De nombreux pays sont dotés de réseaux d’observation de l’Arctique, et ces réseaux enjambent souvent des frontières internationales. Nous nous penchons sur ces réseaux de même que sur la réalisation d’observations à long terme au moyen d’un réseau américain d’observation de l’Arctique, en prenant soin d’aborder les principaux défis à relever et les possibilités à saisir pour établir les priorités en matière d’observations, pour concevoir le réseau et pour améliorer la coordination. La plupart des activités d’observation de l’Arctique portent sur des thèmes particuliers et des écoservices, ce qui produit une étendue d’observations relativement étroite pour chaque réseau. Dans le cas de tous les réseaux, il y a lieu d’améliorer la coordination nationale et internationale pour (1) réduire la possibilité d’écarts entre les besoins déterminés par la science et les résultats souhaités par la société, (2) lier les réseaux d’observation actuels aux programmes d’observation émergents du secteur public et du secteur privé dans les diverses disciplines, et (3) présenter une série d’objectifs et de priorités stables en vue de rehausser l’utilité des réseaux en fonction du financement restreint. Nous examinons les activités et les efforts d’observation afin d’en assurer la coordination à l’échelle internationale et de présenter un cadre de priorisation et de coordination fondé sur les activités de l’organisme américain Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH). Ce cadre comprend une hiérarchie d’activités interreliées se rapportant à la conception et à la mise en oeuvre de réseaux d’observation. Dans cette hiérarchie, la définition des questions de science « exploitable » guide la conception de réseaux, les priorités étant fixées par la portée et l’étendue des applications sociétales ou les exigences politiques que ces questions peuvent éclairer. Nous présentons un exemple d’application de cette hiérarchie de conception aux observations sur lesquelles reposent les décisions de politique et de gestion en matière de mise en valeur des ressources au large dans la mer des Tchouktches

Emergence of the mitochondrial reticulum from fission and fusion dynamics

Mitochondria form a dynamic tubular reticulum within eukaryotic cells. Currently, quantitative understanding of its morphological characteristics is largely absent, despite major progress in deciphering the molecular fission and fusion machineries shaping its structure. Here we address the principles of formation and the large-scale organization of the cell-wide network of mitochondria. On the basis of experimentally determined structural features we establish the tip-to-tip and tip-to-side fission and fusion events as dominant reactions in the motility of this organelle. Subsequently, we introduce a graph-based model of the chondriome able to encompass its inherent variability in a single framework. Using both mean-field deterministic and explicit stochastic mathematical methods we establish a relationship between the chondriome structural network characteristics and underlying kinetic rate parameters. The computational analysis indicates that mitochondrial networks exhibit a percolation threshold. Intrinsic morphological instability of the mitochondrial reticulum resulting from its vicinity to the percolation transition is proposed as a novel mechanism that can be utilized by cells for optimizing their functional competence via dynamic remodeling of the chondriome. The detailed size distribution of the network components predicted by the dynamic graph representation introduces a relationship between chondriome characteristics and cell function. It forms a basis for understanding the architecture of mitochondria as a cell-wide but inhomogeneous organelle. Analysis of the reticulum adaptive configuration offers a direct clarification for its impact on numerous physiological processes strongly dependent on mitochondrial dynamics and organization, such as efficiency of cellular metabolism, tissue differentiation and aging

Development of an enterprise risk inventory for healthcare

Background: The first phase of an enterprise risk management (ERM) program is the identification of risks. Accurate identification is essential to a proactive and effective ERM function. The authors identified a lack of such risk identification in the literature and in practical cases when interviewing the chief risk officers from healthcare organizations. A risk inventory specific to healthcare organizations that includes detailed risk scenarios and risk impacts currently does not exist. Thus, the objective of this research is to develop an enterprise risk inventory for healthcare organizations to create a common understanding of how each type of risk impacts a healthcare organization. Method: ERM guidelines and data from 15 interviews with chief risk officers were analyzed to create the risk inventory. The identified risks were confirmed through a survey of risk managers from a range of global healthcare organizations during the ASHRM conference in 2017. Descriptive statistics were developed and cluster analysis was performed using the survey results. Results: The risk inventory includes 28 risks and their specific risk scenarios. Cyberattack was ranked as the principal risk by the participants, followed by sentinel events and risks associated with human capital management (organizational culture, use of electronic medical records and physician wellness). The data analysis showed that the specific characteristics of the survey participants, such as the length of time working in risk management, the size of the organization, and the presence of a school of medicine, do not impact an individual’s opinion of the importance of the risks identified. A personal background in risk management (clinical or enterprise) was a characteristic that showed a small difference in the perceived importance of the risks from the proposed risk inventory. Conclusions: In addition to defining specific risk scenarios, the enterprise risk inventory presented in this research can contribute to guiding the risk identification phase of an ERM program and thereby support the development of a risk culture. Patient data security in hospitals that operate with high levels of technology is fundamental to delivering high quality and safe care to patients. At the top of the risk ranking, the identification of cyberattacks reflects the importance that healthcare risk managers place on this risk by allocating time and other resources. Exploring opportunities to improve cyber risk management and evaluating the benefits of using the risk inventory at the beginning of the risk identification phase in an ERM program are suggestions for future studies

Learning, Arts, and the Brain: The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition

Reports findings from multiple neuroscientific studies on the impact of arts training on the enhancement of other cognitive capacities, such as reading acquisition, sequence learning, geometrical reasoning, and memory

Context of Production Control in Construction

It is commonly accepted that production control systems should correspond to the context within which they are operating, i.e. the production situation. However, rarely is this context indicated or made explicit; for example, the boundary conditions or the range of validity of a particular production control method. Thus, it is the aim of this paper to analyze how the production context could more sys- tematically be taken into account when determining which production control system to use. Whilst it is acknowledged that contextual issues can be approached in a variety of ways, this is dependent on the perspective being considered (e.g. from a management hierarchy perspective, or a process stage perspective). This investigation looks at context from a process stage perspective and firstly considers the major production control approaches (such as CPM, Line-of-Balance, Last Planner System and Critical Chain) to determine their range of validity. Secondly, we endeavour to identify a typology of production control situations (ideal types), together with a suggestion for production control in each case. Finally, we attempt to deconstruct production control into its constituent elements and evaluate the alternative suggestions at this elemental level in relation to their contextual assumptions. In the paper, all three approaches are discussed and illustrated, based on prior literature and field observations

Working with Complexity: a Participatory Systems-Based Process for Planning and Evaluating Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services

Individuals working within the water, sanitation and hygiene for development (WASH) sector grapple daily with complex technical, social, economic, and environmental issues that often produce unexpected outcomes that are difficult to plan for and resolve. Here we propose a method we are calling the ‘Participatory Systems-based Planning and Evaluation Process’ (PS-PEP) that combines structural factor analysis and collaborative modeling to guide teams of practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders through a process of modeling and interpreting how factors systemically and dynamically influence sustained access to WASH services. The use and utility of the PS-PEP is demonstrated with a regional team of water committee members in the municipality of Jalapa, Nicaragua who participated in a two-day modeling workshop. Water committee members left the workshop with a clear set of action items for water service planning and management in Jalapa, informed by the analysis of systemic influences and dependencies between key service factors. In so doing, we find that the PS-PEP provides a powerful tool for WASH project or program planning, evaluation, management and policy, the continued use of which could offer unprecedented growth in understanding of WASH service complexity for a broad spectrum of service contexts

Project Risk in the Context of Construction Schedules—Combined Monte Carlo Simulation and Time at Risk (TaR) Approach: Insights from the Fort Bema Housing Estate Complex

In this article, we present our own construction process model consisting of 16 stages and eight phases, which is particularly applicable to large investment projects. In the context of each project phase, we examine how the appropriate way of scheduling construction processes affects the problem of the risk of prolonging individual phases and the whole project, as well as of not meeting deadlines (which is one of the main problems faced by management practitioners in the construction industry). There are many methods for assessing risk in this context, but they tend to be overly complex and rarely used by construction practitioners. On the other hand, the risks associated with potential schedule delays can be considered holistically. One tool that can serve this purpose is the combined Monte Carlo simulation and Time-at-Risk (TaR) approach, which originates from the world of finance. We show how the implementation of the process model (individual phases) and the whole project can be considered in the context of the covariance matrix between all its phases and how changes in the arrangement of these phases can affect the risk of time extension of the whole project. Our study is based on simulation data for a large development project (Fort Bema/Parkowo-Le´sne housing estate complex) in Bemowo, a district ofWarsaw, carried out between 1999 and 2012. The entire investment project involved the construction of almost 120,000 m2 of floor space

Evaluating The Scheduling of The Development Projects of Rural Electricity Network Distribution Using Critical Path Method

Delay in the completion of a project is a problem that is often faced, it certainly has an impact on the entire project. CPM is one of the control tools to get a working picture of the project. In 2015, PT PLN South Banten Area made a Development Project of Rural Electricity Network Distribution in Banten. This project is held by an electrical installation services company, PT. Z, in June 2015.This project is due 150 days, PT. Z had defined time completion on 143 days, but the completion took 154 days. The type of research used in this research is quantitative research with analytical technique CPM approach. This research identified the least project schedule planning. There are three activities in this project schedule which are unlisted yet, therefore it affected the timeline of the project. Based on the CPM calculation, PT. Z could have shorten the work time down to 3 days with the cost of Rp 1.802.386.00