Frontier Geosciences (Canada)

The Phase 3 randomized controlled trial, TBTC Study 31/ACTG A5349 (NCT02410772) demonstrated that a 4-month rifapentine-moxifloxacin regimen for drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis was safe and effective. The primary efficacy outcome was 12-month tuberculosis disease free survival, while the primary safety outcome was the proportion of grade 3 or higher adverse events during the treatment period. We conducted an analysis of demographic, clinical, microbiologic, radiographic, and pharmacokinetic data and identified risk factors for unfavorable outcomes and adverse events. Among participants receiving the rifapentine-moxifloxacin regimen, low rifapentine exposure is the strongest driver of tuberculosis-related unfavorable outcomes (HR 0.65 for every 100 µg∙h/mL increase, 95%CI 0.54–0.77). The only other risk factors identified are markers of higher baseline disease severity, namely Xpert MTB/RIF cycle threshold and extent of disease on baseline chest radiography (Xpert: HR 1.43 for every 3-cycle-threshold decrease, 95%CI 1.07–1.91; extensive disease: HR 2.02, 95%CI 1.07–3.82). From these risk factors, we developed a simple risk stratification to classify disease phenotypes as easier-, moderately-harder, or harder-to-treat TB. Notably, high rifapentine exposures are not associated with any predefined adverse safety outcomes. Our results suggest that the easier-to-treat subgroup may be eligible for further treatment shortening while the harder-to-treat subgroup may need higher doses or longer treatment.

Abstract Full‐tensor magnetic gradiometry data have been collected commercially for the last few years. However, to date, there is still no clarity on how to compare these data to scalar total field surveys. Some users display the vertical gradient of the vertical component (Bzz) and compare that to a first vertical derivative of total field with the caveat that ‘they are similar’. Others compute the length of the measured vector and call that total field. We establish the basic formulas to calculate total field from the tensor components and demonstrate this with a real data example from Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. Another key question is whether full‐tensor interpolation is required to obtain total field from tensor data. We compare the results from using a commercial full‐tensor interpolation algorithm with standard minimum curvature of the tensor components individually and with another open‐source code that uses a radial basis function interpolator on the individual tensor components. All three applications produced a total field grid of superior quality to that calculated from a scalar total field survey available for the area of study.

The increasing complexity of the projects has manifested the need for wondrously dynamic approaches to project management that can respond to ever-dynamic stakeholders. Traditional milestone modeling disregards the subtle client approvals, oversight protocols, and decision checkpoints that develop client expectations and steer the project in certain directions. This paper presents the framework of Stakeholder-Driven Milestone Modeling (SDMM), which lays out the systematic engagement of stakeholder governance structures directly into milestone planning and implementation. With a qualitative research design in mind, the data were collected through semi-structured interviews with project managers, client representatives, and agencies across various sectors. Building on the above, case studies of three midsized-to-large-scale projects were examined to understand how stakeholder dynamics affected milestone delivery and approval processes. The knowledge gained from the above was instrumental in the iterative development of the SDMM framework as a modeling system that integrates stakeholder mapping, governance checkpoints, and adaptive milestone gates. The SDMM customarily generates high levels of project alignment with client expectations, minimized delays in approvals, and a high level of transparency in decision-making. Accordingly, organizations can preempt approval bottlenecks, proactively manage expectations, and clarify stakeholder satisfaction across the project life cycle through interactions of stakeholders within the milestone structuring. This has far-reaching implications for project management practice, which has thus moved from a very stringent approach focused on milestone setup to a very ever-changing approach that accommodates the expectations of various stakeholders. This development allows the SDMM followers to maximize their chances of improving project performance, thus affecting any governance framework operating within multi-stakeholder contexts for their benefit. Future researchers should consider exploring SDMM integration with plans of agile and hybrid project management, where its viability, in contrast, and differences amongst project terrains can be enhanced further.

A field, geochemical and geochronological perspective on the origin of granitoids and mafic volcanic rocks in the Wecho River area and the nature of ancient crust in the southwestern Slave Province, NWT

To investigate relationships between mercury speciation and site‐specific factors in temperate freshwaters, we measured the concentration of seven Hg species along with 18 environmental variables in the surface waters of 23 northern Wisconsin lakes during spring and fall. The lakes spanned relatively wide gradients in Hg (0.15–4.8 ng liter −1) and methylmercury (MeHg: 0.04–2.2 ng liter− 1). Over the range of measured variables, Hg and McHg were most strongly correlated with each other (r2 = 0.83–0.88) and with dissolved organic C (DOC) (r2 = 0.64–0.92). Multiple regression models containing DOC and a (DOC × pH) interaction term accounted for 85–90% of the variability in Hg and MeHg between lakes.Observed differences between lakes reflected internal cycling processes and external transport pathways. Internally, high DOC and low pH favored Hg methylation and retention over Hg evasion across the air‐water interface. Externally, watershed mapping suggested that the cotransport of DOC, Hg, and MeHg from riparian wetland was also a potentially important process. Observed seasonal differences indicated a 30% increase in MeHg across lakes during summer due to internal or external processes.The effects of DOC on bioaccumulation may be twofold and antagonistic. Although waterborne Hg and MeHg increased with DOC, seston‐water partition coefficients tended to decrease, indicating disproportionately more Hg in the dissolved phase. These observations are consistent with previous data on bioaccumulation factors for zooplankton and fish.