1,720,952 research outputs found
Gene loss and lineage specific restriction-modification systems associated with niche differentiation in the Campylobacter jejuni Sequence Type 403 clonal complex
Get PDFCampylobacter jejuni is a highly diverse species of bacteria commonly associated with infectious intestinal disease of humans and zoonotic carriage in poultry, cattle, pigs, and other animals. The species contains a large number of distinct clonal complexes that vary from host generalist lineages commonly found in poultry, livestock, and human disease cases to host-adapted specialized lineages primarily associated with livestock or poultry. Here, we present novel data on the ST403 clonal complex of C. jejuni, a lineage that has not been reported in avian hosts. Our data show that the lineage exhibits a distinctive pattern of intralineage recombination that is accompanied by the presence of lineage-specific restriction-modification systems. Furthermore, we show that the ST403 complex has undergone gene decay at a number of loci. Our data provide a putative link between the lack of association with avian hosts of C. jejuni ST403 and both gene gain and gene loss through nonsense mutations in coding sequences of genes, resulting in pseudogene formation
Automated Sample Ratio Mismatch (SRM) Detection and Analysis
No full textBackground: Sample Ratio Mismatch (SRM) checks can help detect data quality issues in online experimentation [3]. Not all experimentation platforms provide these checks as part of their solution. Users of these platforms must therefore manually check for SRM, or rely on additional processes—such as checklists [2]—or automation. Objective: To ensure reliable and early detection of SRM, we wanted to automate the detection and analysis of SRM in experiments running on third-party experimentation platforms. Method: A set of Looker dashboards were built to facilitate self-serve SRM detection and root cause analysis. In addition, we added email and chat based alerting to pro-actively inform experimenters of SRM and guide them towards these dashboards when needed. Results: Several cases of SRM have been detected and experimenters have been warned. Bad decisions based on flawed data were avoided. We provide one such example as an illustration. Conclusions: SRM checks are relatively straightforward to automate and can be useful for data quality monitoring even for companies who rely on third-party experimentation platforms. Pro-active alerting—rather than passive reporting—can reduce time to detection and help non-experts avoid making decisions based on biased data.Software Engineerin
An analysis of the need for commercial development in ward eight of Washington, D.C., 1986
Get PDFThe objective of this study is to examine the need for commercial development in Ward Eight of Washington, D. C. To determine the need for development the writer identified and described the existing businesses in the ward, as well as discussed the prevailing economic conditions in the area. The study demonstrates that the need for commercial development is due primarily to the need for a more diverse and competitive commercial district in the ward. The need for development is also due to the loss of business in consumers' dollars by Ward Eight entrepreneurs to other commercial areas outside of the ward. The analysis demonstrates further that the businesses located in Ward Eight do not nor cannot offer employment to a large number of Ward Eight residents; therefore, a need exists for the kind of businesses that can offer increased employment opportunities for the residents of the area. The writer finds that the three explanations mentioned above are conditions that help create the need for commercial development in Ward Eight of Washington, D. C. The information in this study was obtained from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were gathered from interviews and a survey using a structured questionnaire. Secondary sources .of information for the study were obtained from books, government publications, magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals. A descriptive analysis was used as a methodological approach in this study
Telecom Sector Modelling from a Functional Perspective
No full textToday’s Telecom sectors’ implementations seem to be sub optimal and might even end up out of control because of the multiple implementation of technological and process functionalities, and dominant financial focus that complicates removing legacy networks. Even though, there is support for fulfilling customer needs, the inefficient use of resources can negatively affect the business activities and profits. The Telecom sectors’ current evolutionary stage requires a thorough evaluation of all its current implementations in order to restructure and consolidate them. In order to maintain the vital telecom contribution to our society and economy, cost optimisations and the ability to keep on innovating in an increasing complex setting, need to be safeguarded. We know that, apart from financial difficulties, there are important handicaps in this sector itself: it has an ill-defined set of functions that has been addressed by different standardisation bodies. This has led to the main research question, namely: How to identify a best of breed model which both reflects the current (2009) and the near future (2012) Telecom sector functionality in order to come up with an advise about optimising its internal functional structure taking into account the relevant requirements concerning interoperability with other sectors? The major objective of this study was to identify both the internal and external functions performed by the Telecom sector and thus reveal how they provide value to the other nodes in the sectors’ network. The Telecom sector (as defined in this document) is the research domain and subject of modelling in this thesis. Accordingly, the functional approach deliberately chosen for this project provides an implementation independent basis of knowledge that could be transferrable from the Telecom sector to other sectors or to different aggregation levels in the economy and society. The functions were extracted from well known and commonly used telecom related models. As a result, from the data mining and analysis applied to those telecom related models, this thesis provides a long list of 331 functions performed by the Telecom sector. In addition, these functions were mapped onto other non-telecom sector specific models that have a sectors’ network applicability in order to confirm the neutrality of the functional perspective. A minority of those functions proved to be Telecom sector specific. In this thesis, we present a proposition to classify functions, taking into account two dimensions: Composition (atomic, composed), and domain of applicability (generic, specific). It is known that the generic-specific dimension has been considered before; however, in this thesis we have included a new dimension atomic-composed. These both dimensions are not exclusively, can be applied at the same time, and are context dependant. One of the models studied in this study, providing a sectors’ network view is the Holon model. This model as well makes use of the fact that natural language can be used to represent the economic and social context. It has three main propositions: 1. Holons could be considered as nodes in a network 2. A holon is composed of four layers: est, vivit, sensit, intelligit 3. Each holon can interact with other holons in their same aggregation level (left & right), not only with the holons in other levels of the hierarchy/holarchy (up & down) Interaction with other holons in the same aggregation level is a proposition presented in this thesis. The original concept of holon (proposed by Arthur Koestler) implies that holons form a hierarchical structure (called holarchy), keeping relations with other holons in upper and lower levels of the hierarchy it is part of. This thesis includes as well, an application of graph theory to get insights about the set of data obtained. In this direction, we identified the most common functions in between all the models assessed by doing an exercise of a graph representation. Furthermore, after studying functions and the Holon concept, we propose some new questions for the complex networks and graph theory community: 1. Going from nodes to holons 2. Consider holons being four-tiered structures. 3. Holons looking up and down to other aggregation levels, but also looking left & right within its own aggregation level. From two-tiered graphs to four tiered graphs, the est layer being the foundation of three overlays: vivit, sensit, intelligit. Currently, the flows that traverse the envisaged sensit and intelligit layer are performed by human beings. In the Telecom sector the est and vivit layer are mainly performed by systems. 4. To open a holon and look inside them, how their internal behaviour is reflected to other nodes in the network/hierarchy. Opening a holon shows another four tiered network. The research methodology described in this thesis proved to be suitable to obtain a functional model. The answer to this “how” question was given via the following steps: 1. Selecting sector specific standards and models based on the proposed criteria 2. Extracting functions from those models and long-listing them (functional portfolio) 3. Mapping functions to generic (non-telecom sector specific) model (testing) We have obtained a list of functions that was mapped to three selected generic models (STOF, CTOM, Holon) and to the meta-functions (that are common to all sectors). This led to the conclusion that it is possible to derive a novel functional model from the existing models, if we have a focus on a specific target (in our case: to serve the sectors network). The best of breed model we have chosen is based on the Holon concept explained above.TelecommunicationsElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
The potential impact of collective bargaining: a case study of the City of Atlanta Police Department, 1989
Get PDFPolice unionism in Atlanta has received considerable editorial attention by Atlanta local news media. The need for collective bargaining rights has been uppermost in the minds of the police union members and other labor activists. However, opposition to such demands has been an ongoing trend, making it necessary for the writer to evaluate the percep tions of selected individuals of the Atlanta city government on the potential impact of collective bargaining in Atlanta Police Department. Regardless of the law prohibiting strikes by public safety employees, strikes do occur. As a result, the writer notes that collective bargaining should not be synonymous with strikes. The writer also learned that there is an absence of a statutory provision authorising collective bargaining in Atlanta Police Department. The significance of this study lies in its attempt through research, to devise a harmonious working relationship between the police, the city government and the local residents. The study concludes that the benefits of police collective bargaining in Atlanta outweigh whatever may be potential negative impacts. This study, therefore, advises the City of Atlanta to enact an ordinance allowing collective bargaining in its police department. Information obtained from interviews formed the primary data source, while literature review obtained from relevant labor journals and books formed the secondary data source
Cutback management and its effects on comprehensive planning and service delivery: Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission: a case study, 1983
Get PDFThe primary intent of this degree paper is to discuss the functions of the Brooke-Hancock-Jeffersofl (BHJ) Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission, a regional commission in the Upper Ohio Valley, and the effects of decreased funding onthis organizations ability to provide services to area governments. An attempt has also been made to present alternative solutions of reducing staff and personnel without threatening the exist ence of the organization itself. Private and public organiza tions solutions are presented along with those of the writer. Regional planning commissions have played key roles in com municating regional needs to state and federal agencies and offices; initiating or suggesting programs or policies to area governments which would address local problems; and facilitat ing the use of available public funds for local projects. These types of organizations have been instrumental in getting county and municipal governments to work together on issues and prob lems that transcend state, county and local boundaries. How ever, the point of this discussion is how such organizations deal with a decline in funds which would affect the delivery of the aforementioned services. The BHJ Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission is pre sented as an organization that faced the problem, derived and initiated a method of cutting back services and personnel, and retained a high quality and quantity of services rendered. The main sources of information were notes made during the internship experience, books that provided insights on the types of regional planning commissions and the definition of cutback management, and the BHJ Regional Development Plan. Personal interviews were also conducted with practitioners in the field of cutback management
A study to detemine the feasability of a centralized fleet management system in the city of Atlanta
Get PDFThis study focuses on the City of Atlanta's Office of Motor Transport Services (OMTS). Currently, OMTS is the vehicle maintenance division for the City's motorized equipment. This study will determine if a centralized fleet management system, in Atlanta, is feasible; a comparative analysis between Atlanta and Phoenix will be conducted. The City of Phoenix currently utilizes a centralized fleet management system. Also, interviews of top city officials and user department officials will be conducted. In addition, various equipment management literary materials will be utilized in studying essential characteristics of fleet management. In determining if a centralized fleet management system in the City of Atlanta is feasible, several factors relating to the centralization of OMTS must be reviewed. Such factors as: the present organization structure, budgetary process, management tools utilized, the ability of the organization to operate efficiently and the willingness of the City to centralize. The above factors play a significant role in determining if centralization is possible at OMTS and will be seriously considered
The implementation of the upward mobility at OPM and selected federal agencies, 1982
No full textThe study's objective is to examine the implementation of the Upward Mobility Program (UM) in the Atlanta Regional Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and other selected federal agencies. It is the writer's view that the spirit of the program is an admirable one since it attempts to qualitatively improve the skills and elevate lower GS grade employees to higher grades. In its analysis of the implementation of UM the study discovers important gaps between the promise and performance of the program. Management's commitment to the program varies from agency to agency. Employees participation in the program is low, largely because of insufficient knowledge about the program and general inactivity in some agencies. OPM, where the writer was interned, exhibited ineffective implementation and therefore few employees actually benefit from UM. Knowledge about OPM's ineffective Upward Mobility Program was obtained through participant observation and interviewing relevant employees. Information on the other agencies discussed in the study was obtained from secondary data
An assessment of the cost effectiveness of closing seven underutilized neighborhood health facilities in Fulton County, Georgia, 1980
Get PDFThe primary intent of this study is to examine neighborhood health facilities operated by Fulton County that are less than optimally used by the communities for which they were intended to serve. An attempt has been made to identify underutilized health facilities and to assess their cost effectiveness. The study is based on analysis of all health centers' usage over a one-year period, and costs incurred by Fulton County to operate underused health facilities. The political environment within which the health system of Fulton County exists accounts for the reluctance of the Fulton County Health Department in closing any health facilities in this County. The seven identified underutilized health facilities are: Alpharetta Health Center, Sandy Springs Health Center, Howell Mill Health Center, Palmetto Health Center, Red Oak Health Center, Collins Health Center, and Techwood Health Center. From this study, after careful analysis of each facility and the community it serves, emerges the recommendation that it will be cost effective to Fulton County to close three facilities, drastically cut services in three facilities experiencing decline but where services arc warranted, and Increase services to one community
The effective utilization of career/labor market information within the Atlanta Ceta Summer Youth Program: an analysis and a plan, 1981
No full textThe primary intent of this degree paper is to analyze the use of career/labor market information in the Atlanta CETA Summer Youth Employment program. In addition, an effort has been made to develop a plan which demonstrates effective use of labor market information within the current framework of the Program
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