Using system dynamics in a discrete-event simulation study of a manufacturing plant

Purpose - To provide an example of the use of system dynamics within the context of a discrete-event simulation study. Design/methodology/approach - A discrete-event simulation study of a production-planning facility in a gas cylinder-manufacturing plant is presented. The case study evidence incorporates questionnaire responses from sales managers involved in the order-scheduling process. Findings - As the project progressed it became clear that, although the discrete-event simulation would meet the objectives of the study in a technical sense, the organizational problem of "delivery performance" would not be solved by the discrete-event simulation study alone. The case shows how the qualitative outcomes of the discrete-event simulation study led to an analysis using the system dynamics technique. The system dynamics technique was able to model the decision-makers in the sales and production process and provide a deeper understanding of the performance of the system. Research limitations/implications - The case study describes a traditional discrete-event simulation study which incorporated an unplanned investigation using system dynamics. Further, case studies using a planned approach to showing consideration of organizational issues in discrete-event simulation studies are required. Then the role of both qualitative data in a discrete-event simulation study and the use of supplementary tools which incorporate organizational aspects may help generate a methodology for discrete-event simulation that incorporates human aspects and so improve its relevance for decision making. Practical implications - It is argued that system dynamics can provide a useful addition to the toolkit of the discrete-event simulation practitioner in helping them incorporate a human aspect in their analysis. Originality/value - Helps decision makers gain a broader perspective on the tools available to them by showing the use of system dynamics to supplement the use of discrete-event simulation. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Directions for a troubled discipline:strategy research, teaching and practice introduction to the dialog

This Dialog responds to a growing debate about the relevance of business schools generally and the value of strategy theory and research for strategic management practice. The authors propose that academic theory and management practice can be better connected through management education. The academy researches practice, derives theory, and returns it to practice through the development of teaching materials and the teaching of current and future practitioners. The three articles in this Dialog examine how different approaches to strategy research inform strategy teaching and its application to practice. Joseph Bower explains the rise of business policy and the process research approach that informed that teaching tradition at Harvard Business School. Robert Grant responds by emphasizing the economic theory underpinnings of strategic management research and its impact on teaching. Paula Jarzabkowski and Richard Whittington conclude by proposing a strategyas-practice perspective and suggesting ways to better incorporate strategy-as-practice research into strategy teaching.

Protein modification and phospholipid oxidation

Phospholipid oxidation can generate reactive and electrophilic products that are capable of modifying proteins, especially at cysteine, lysine and histidine residues. Such lipoxidation reactions are known to alter protein structure and function, both with gain of function and loss of activity effects. As well as potential importance in the redox regulation of cell behaviour, lipoxidation products in plasma could also be useful biomarkers for stress conditions. Although studies with antibodies suggested the occurrence of lipoxidation adducts on ApoB-100, these products had not previously been characterized at a molecular level. We have developed new mass spectrometry-based approaches to detect and locate adducts of oxidized phospholipids in plasma proteins, as well as direct oxidation modifications of proteins, which avoid some of the problems typically encountered with database search engines leading to erroneous identifications of oxidative PTMs. This approach uses accurate mass extracted ion chromatograms (XICs) of fragment ions from peptides containing oxPTMs, and allows multiple modifications to be examined regardless of the protein that contains them. For example, a reporter ion at 184.074 Da/e corresponding to phosphocholine indicated the presence of oxidized phosphatidylcholine adducts, while 2 reporter ions at 100.078 and 82.025 Da/e were selective for allysine. ApoB-100-oxidized phospholipid adducts were detected even in healthy human samples, as well as LDL from patients with inflammatory disease. Lipidomic studies showed that more than 350 different species of lipid were present in LDL, and were altered in disease conditions. LDL clearly represents a very complex carrier system and one that offers a rich source of information about systemic conditions, with potential as indicators of oxidative damage in ageing or inflammatory diseases.

Human Resource Development Practices in U.S. Enterprises in Russia: A Literature Review

This study investigated human resource development (HRD) in Russian enterprises, U.S. firms in Russia, or U.S.-Russian joint ventures. Thirty-three articles were selected through a database search and examined using content analysis. Emerging themes included workers’ knowledge and skills, training practices, organizational involvement, responsibility, and communication, and leadership styles.

Trajectory privacy preservation in mobile Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years, there has been an enormous growth of location-aware devices, such as GPS embedded cell phones, mobile sensors and radio-frequency identification tags. The age of combining sensing, processing and communication in one device, gives rise to a vast number of applications leading to endless possibilities and a realization of mobile Wireless Sensor Network (mWSN) applications. As computing, sensing and communication become more ubiquitous, trajectory privacy becomes a critical piece of information and an important factor for commercial success. While on the move, sensor nodes continuously transmit data streams of sensed values and spatiotemporal information, known as ``trajectory information". If adversaries can intercept this information, they can monitor the trajectory path and capture the location of the source node. ^ This research stems from the recognition that the wide applicability of mWSNs will remain elusive unless a trajectory privacy preservation mechanism is developed. The outcome seeks to lay a firm foundation in the field of trajectory privacy preservation in mWSNs against external and internal trajectory privacy attacks. First, to prevent external attacks, we particularly investigated a context-based trajectory privacy-aware routing protocol to prevent the eavesdropping attack. Traditional shortest-path oriented routing algorithms give adversaries the possibility to locate the target node in a certain area. We designed the novel privacy-aware routing phase and utilized the trajectory dissimilarity between mobile nodes to mislead adversaries about the location where the message started its journey. Second, to detect internal attacks, we developed a software-based attestation solution to detect compromised nodes. We created the dynamic attestation node chain among neighboring nodes to examine the memory checksum of suspicious nodes. The computation time for memory traversal had been improved compared to the previous work. Finally, we revisited the trust issue in trajectory privacy preservation mechanism designs. We used Bayesian game theory to model and analyze cooperative, selfish and malicious nodes' behaviors in trajectory privacy preservation activities.^

Supplementary Eye Fields

The supplementary eye fields (SEFs) are located in dorsomedial frontal cortex and contribute to high-level control of eye movements. Recordings in the SEF reveal neural activity related to vision, saccades, and fixations, and electrical stimulation in the SEF evokes saccades and fixations. Inactivations and lesions of the SEF, however, cause minimal oculomotor deficits. The SEF thus processes information relevant to eye movements and influences critical oculomotor centers but seems unnecessary for generating action. Instead, the SEF has overarching, subtle functions that include limb-eye coordination, the timing and sequencing of actions, learning, monitoring conflict, prediction, supervising behavior, value-based decision making, and the monitoring of decisions.

Supplementary Eye Fields

The supplementary eye fields (SEFs) are located in dorsomedial frontal cortex and contribute to high-level control of eye movements. Recordings in the SEF reveal neural activity related to vision, saccades, and fixations, and electrical stimulation in the SEF evokes saccades and fixations. Inactivations and lesions of the SEF, however, cause minimal oculomotor deficits. The SEF thus processes information relevant to eye movements and influences critical oculomotor centers but seems unnecessary for generating action. Instead, the SEF has overarching, subtle functions that include limb-eye coordination, the timing and sequencing of actions, learning, monitoring conflict, prediction, supervising behavior, value-based decision making, and the monitoring of decisions.

A review of the accuracy and utility of motion sensors to measure physical activity of frail older hospitalised patients.

The purpose of this review was to examine the utility and accuracy of commercially available motion sensors to measure step-count and time spent upright in frail older hospitalized patients. A database search (CINAHL and PubMed, 2004–2014) and a further hand search of papers’ references yielded 24 validation studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Fifteen motion sensors (eight pedometers, six accelerometers, and one sensor systems) have been tested in older adults. Only three have been tested in hospital patients, two of which detected postures and postural changes accurately, but none estimated step-count accurately. Only one motion sensor remained accurate at speeds typical of frail older hospitalized patients, but it has yet to be tested in this cohort. Time spent upright can be accurately measured in the hospital, but further validation studies are required to determine which, if any, motion sensor can accurately measure step-count.

Estudio sobre la variación perfecto simple y perfecto compuesto en los discursos presidenciales de Evo Morales : Marcas del contacto lingüístico

El trabajo presenta un análisis cualitativo-cuantitativo del uso variable del perfecto simple y perfecto compuesto en los discursos presidenciales de Evo Morales, de acuerdo con la perspectiva Etnopragmática desarrollada por García 1990, 1995; Martínez 1995, 2000; Mauder 2000. Se considera la singularidad de una variedad en situación de contacto lingüístico: la del español en contacto con el aymara y el quechua, y se indaga sobre las transformaciones que pueden producirse cuando diferentes lenguas -diferentes visiones de mundo- entran en contacto. En relación con esto, veremos que la presencia, tanto en la lengua quechua como en la lengua aymara, de un sistema evidencial gramaticalizado podría influir en la variación del perfecto simple y compuesto en los discursos de Morales, en particular, que la presencia de la forma del perfecto compuesto podría funcionar como una marca de evidencia directa y su uso contribuiría a la estrategia discursiva del orador de mostrar ciertos hechos de la historia de Bolivia como cercanos a su vivencia y experiencia personales, marcando un mayor grado compromiso con respecto a la veracidad de lo que enuncia. De esta manera, el orador consigue aunar su voz con la de los pueblos originarios, formar parte de los grupos discriminados y excluidos de la historia de su país y así, contar con su apoyo y acompañamiento durante su mandato.

Estudio sobre la variación perfecto simple y perfecto compuesto en los discursos presidenciales de Evo Morales : Marcas del contacto lingüístico

El trabajo presenta un análisis cualitativo-cuantitativo del uso variable del perfecto simple y perfecto compuesto en los discursos presidenciales de Evo Morales, de acuerdo con la perspectiva Etnopragmática desarrollada por García 1990, 1995; Martínez 1995, 2000; Mauder 2000. Se considera la singularidad de una variedad en situación de contacto lingüístico: la del español en contacto con el aymara y el quechua, y se indaga sobre las transformaciones que pueden producirse cuando diferentes lenguas -diferentes visiones de mundo- entran en contacto. En relación con esto, veremos que la presencia, tanto en la lengua quechua como en la lengua aymara, de un sistema evidencial gramaticalizado podría influir en la variación del perfecto simple y compuesto en los discursos de Morales, en particular, que la presencia de la forma del perfecto compuesto podría funcionar como una marca de evidencia directa y su uso contribuiría a la estrategia discursiva del orador de mostrar ciertos hechos de la historia de Bolivia como cercanos a su vivencia y experiencia personales, marcando un mayor grado compromiso con respecto a la veracidad de lo que enuncia. De esta manera, el orador consigue aunar su voz con la de los pueblos originarios, formar parte de los grupos discriminados y excluidos de la historia de su país y así, contar con su apoyo y acompañamiento durante su mandato.

Estudio sobre la variación perfecto simple y perfecto compuesto en los discursos presidenciales de Evo Morales : Marcas del contacto lingüístico

El trabajo presenta un análisis cualitativo-cuantitativo del uso variable del perfecto simple y perfecto compuesto en los discursos presidenciales de Evo Morales, de acuerdo con la perspectiva Etnopragmática desarrollada por García 1990, 1995; Martínez 1995, 2000; Mauder 2000. Se considera la singularidad de una variedad en situación de contacto lingüístico: la del español en contacto con el aymara y el quechua, y se indaga sobre las transformaciones que pueden producirse cuando diferentes lenguas -diferentes visiones de mundo- entran en contacto. En relación con esto, veremos que la presencia, tanto en la lengua quechua como en la lengua aymara, de un sistema evidencial gramaticalizado podría influir en la variación del perfecto simple y compuesto en los discursos de Morales, en particular, que la presencia de la forma del perfecto compuesto podría funcionar como una marca de evidencia directa y su uso contribuiría a la estrategia discursiva del orador de mostrar ciertos hechos de la historia de Bolivia como cercanos a su vivencia y experiencia personales, marcando un mayor grado compromiso con respecto a la veracidad de lo que enuncia. De esta manera, el orador consigue aunar su voz con la de los pueblos originarios, formar parte de los grupos discriminados y excluidos de la historia de su país y así, contar con su apoyo y acompañamiento durante su mandato.

Knowledge and acceptance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination in adolescent boys worldwide: a systematic review

Aim

To determine HPV and HPV vaccine awareness, knowledge and acceptance in male adolescents worldwide.

Methods

A mixed methods systematic review was conducted. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, relevant literature was identified through an electronic database search using specified keywords from inception to September 2015. Non-interventional studies presented in English that assessed HPV knowledge and provided data on male adolescents were included. If available, data on HPV and HPV vaccine perceptions, attitudes and/or HPV vaccine acceptance were also extracted. All studies were critically appraised to provide an indication of methodological quality. Results were compiled using a convergent synthesis.

Results

22 papers were included. The majority of studies were cross-sectional and conducted in the US and Europe. Across continents, regardless of a country’s HPV vaccination programme status, boys’ knowledge of HPV and/or HPV vaccination was generally low to moderate and significantly lower than female knowledge or awareness. There was a disagreement in the association of knowledge and vaccine acceptance, with higher knowledge not always being predictive of acceptance.

Conclusions

Comparison and synthesis of research concerning HPV knowledge and attitudes was made difficult due to the lack of universal definition of vaccine acceptance, and no universally accepted tool for its measurement or for the measurement of HPV knowledge. It is imperative that future research utilises consistent measures of HPV knowledge and attitudes to facilitate interpretation and comparison across studies internationally. Prospective longitudinal studies would be more informative providing data on factors that influenced the move from vaccine intention to uptake.

Modelo de evaluación de pequeños proyectos en OCENSA

En la actualidad existen innumerables y diferentes metodologías para la evaluación de proyectos pequeños; sin embargo, la valoración y la selección de los mismos es compleja si se consideran sus propias necesidades y las de la empresa -- Por ello, en este estudio se pretende establecer una metodología estandarizada de evaluación de proyectos pequeños (menores de un millón de dólares americanos) que agrupe, desde el punto de vista estratégico, los intereses de la compañía Oleoducto Central S. A. (OCENSA) y las buenas prácticas de la industria petrolera -- Este formato incluye la información necesaria y relevante para que los diferentes niveles de la organización que generan y gestionan dichos proyectos puedan determinar su implementación de manera ágil y sencilla -- El objetivo de esta nueva metodología es garantizar la optimización de decisiones por el equipo directivo respecto a factores tales como su valor agregado a la compañía y su alineación con los objetivos y metas estratégicas de OCENSA, para que, además, le permitan a la empresa materializar su misión y su visión -- En otras palabras, este trabajo busca dotar a OCENSA de una herramienta que le permita mejorar su toma de decisiones de inversión para pequeños proyectos que no sean manejados a través de la Project Management Office (PMO) y de conformidad con la utilización del modelo de maduración de proyectos de OCENSA -- De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos durante la puesta en marcha de dicha metodología, se encontró que durante la evaluación es necesario puntualizar en los objetivos y la planeación de pequeños proyectos y en la forma en que dichos objetivos se enmarcan en los objetivos estratégicos y requerimientos reales de OCENSA -- También es necesario detallar cómo evaluar parámetros estratégicos para la compañía, como la protección y la integridad de las personas, el cuidado del medio ambiente, el impacto y la inclusión de los intereses de las comunidades y los diferentes grupos de interés

Does spatial distribution of fauna depend on algal belts on intertidal boulder fields of the French Basque coast ?

To determine good ecological status and conservation of the Sub-Marine area of the Bay of Biscay, the implementation of a new rocky intertidal habitats monitoring is needed. A protocol has been adapted from the Brittany protocol for the water body FRFC11 "Basque coast" for the two indicators "intertidal macroalgae" and "subtidal macroalgae" under the Water Framework Directive to qualify the ecological. However no protocol has been validated for fauna in front of meridional characters of the benthic communities. Investigations carried out on macroalgae communities on intertidal area in WFD framework, since 2008, constitute an important working basis. This is the aim of the Bigorno project (Intertidal Biodiversity of the south of the Bay of Biscay and Observation for New search and Monitoring for decision support), financed by the Agency of Marine Protected Areas and the Departmental Council. To implement knowledge, a sampling protocol has been used in 2015 on the boulder fields of Guéthary. This site is part of Natura 2000 area "rocky Basque coast and offshore extension "It constitutes also a Znieff site and restricted fishing area. The sampling strategy considers the heterogeneity of substrates and the presence of intertidal microhabitats. Two main habitats are present: "mediolittoral rock in exposed area habitat" and "boulder fields". Habitat "intertidal pools and permanent ponds" is also present but, it is not investigated. Sampling effort is of 353 quadrats of 0.1 m², drawn randomly according to a spatially stratified sampling plan, defined by habitat and algal belts. Taxa identification and enumeration are done on each quadrat. The objective of this work is to expose results from data collected during 2015 sampling program. The importance of characterizing benthic fauna communities spatial distribution belonging to the Basque coast according to algal belts defines during the WDF survey was highlighted. Concurrently, indicators of biodiversity were studied.

Efeitos dos vídeo-blogs na decisão de compra de produtos cosméticos

Este estudo enquadra-se na área do Marketing Digital, e pretende demonstrar a influência exercida pelos vídeo-blogs no YouTube na decisão de compra de produtos cosméticos em Portugal. Aborda inicialmente conceitos como as redes sociais, mais concretamente os vídeoblogs e a rede social YouTube, o comportamento do consumidor online, o mercado da cosmética em Portugal e o Marketing ligado à industria da beleza. O objetivo deste estudo é o de demonstrar como as marcas de cosmética podem aumentar as suas vendas e notoriedade com a influência exercida pelas beauty vloggers. A fim de perceber a influência na tomada de decisão no que diz respeito a produtos de cosmética, adotámos uma metodologia quantitativa, que assentou na realização de inquéritos online por questionário. Os dados foram organizados e analisados com a ajuda do software de análise quantitativa SPSS. Os principais resultados observados determinam uma influência positiva dos vídeo-blogs na decisão de compra de produtos cosméticos. Esta influência poderá demonstrar que o sucesso das empresas de cosméticos na divulgação, venda e fidelização de clientes deve apontar cada vez mais para a utilização intensiva de video bloggers dedicadas a temas de beleza, e identificadas no estudo como líderes de opinião, para as suas estratégias de comunicação.