Research commentary: Information systems and conceptual modeling - A research agenda

Within the information systems field, the task of conceptual modeling involves building a representation of selected phenomena in some domain. High-quality conceptual-modeling work is important because it facilitates early detection and correction of system development errors. It also plays an increasingly important role in activities like business process reengineering and documentation of best-practice data and process models in enterprise resource planning systems. Yet little research has been undertaken on many aspects of conceptual modeling. In this paper, we propose a framework to motivate research that addresses the following fundamental question: How can we model the world to better facilitate our developing, implementing, using, and maintaining more valuable information systems? The framework comprises four elements: conceptual-modeling grammars, conceptual-modeling methods, conceptual-modeling scripts, and conceptual-modeling contexts. We provide examples of the types of research that have already been undertaken on each element and illustrate research opportunities that exist.

Managing new product development in the Chinese steel industry: An empirical investigation

This study explores several important aspects of the management of new product development (NPD) in the Chinese steel industry. Specifically it explores NPD success factors, the importance of management functions to new product success and measures of new product success from the perspective of the industry's practitioners. Based on a sample of 190 industrial practitioners from 18 Chinese steel companies, the study provides a mixed picture as China makes the transition from a centrally-controlled to market-based economy. On one hand, respondents ranked understanding users' needs as the most important factor influencing the performance of the new products. Further, formulating new product strategy and strengthening market research are perceived as the most important managerial functions in NPD. However, technical performance measures are regarded as more important and are more widely used in industry than market-based or financial measures of success.

The case for emotional intelligence in organizational research

Since its popularization by Goleman (1995), the concept of emotional intelligence has been the subject of ongoing controversy, so it is understandable that the model we proposed, which includes emotional intelligence as a moderator variable, would attract its share of criticism.

Is emotional intelligence training for leaders justified?

In this paper, we present the results of a qualitative study of subordinate perceptions of leaders. The study represents a preliminary test of a model based on Affective Events Theory, which posits that leaders who are seen to be effective shape the affective events that determine employees' attitudes and behaviours in the workplace. Within this framework, we argue that effective leaders ameliorate employees' hassles by providing frequent, small emotional uplifts. The resulting positive affective states are then proposed to lead to more positive employee attitudes and behaviours, and more positive regard for the leader. Importantly, leaders who demonstrate these ameliorating behaviours are likely to require high levels of emotional intelligence, defined in terms of the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions in self and others. To investigate this model, we conducted interviews and focus groups with 10 leaders and 24 employees. Results confirmed that these processes do indeed exist in the workplace. In particular, leaders who were seen by employees to provide continuous small emotional uplifts were consistently held to be the most effective. Study participants were especially affected by negative events (or hassles). Leaders who failed to deal with hassles or, worse still, were the source of hassles, were consistently seen to be less effective. We conclude with a discussion of implications for practicing managers, and suggest that our exploratory findings provide justification for emotional intelligence training as a means to improve leader perceptions and effectiveness. [Abstract from author]

Mudan??as organizacionais no processo de moderniza????o da Secretaria da Fazenda do Estado de Pernambuco

A partir de 1998, teve in??cio, na Secretaria da Fazenda do Estado de Pernambuco, o Programa de Moderniza????o Fazend??ria (Promofaz), que promoveu diversas mudan??as organizacionais, concentrando esfor??os em projetos estruturadores, incluindo investimentos no planejamento de tecnologia da informa????o (TI). Dentre os projetos de TI, destacou-se a elabora????o das arquiteturas de sistemas e tecnol??gicas. Neste trabalho, foi realizada uma revis??o dos processos organizacionais da moderniza????o fazend??ria, abrangendo aspectos de cultura, mudan??a e aprendizagem organizacionais, confrontados com referenciais hist??ricos e te??ricos, e maior enfoque na ??rea de tecnologia da informa????o. Apesar das dificuldades, o processo de informatiza????o tem provocado fortes impactos nos componentes culturais da institui????o. Sem a utiliza????o da tecnologia da informa????o como ferramenta, provavelmente n??o se implantariam os novos modelos de gest??o adotados pela Sefaz, mas se observou que a tecnologia, sozinha, n??o faz o milagre da mudan??a, sendo necess??rio todo um conjunto de esfor??os e um trabalho paralelo com outros fatores de mudan??a.

Ação mediada em aulas de Biologia : um enfoque a partir dos conceitos de fotossíntese e respiração celular

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar o papel da ação mediada na configuração dos sentidos que perpassam um processo de interação discursiva em uma sala de aula de Biologia, da 1ª série do ensino médio, de uma escola pública estadual do município de Vitória-ES, durante aulas que visavam abordar os conceitos de fotossíntese e respiração celular. Para isso, apoiamo-nos na tese de que a ação mediada qualificada como organizada, dialógica, compreensiva e interativa favorece a formação desses conceitos científicos por alunos de ensino médio. Assim, partimos de uma concepção teórico-metodológica ancorada na matriz histórico-cultural. A pesquisa-ação crítico-colaborativa foi utilizada como aporte metodológico e os instrumentos de coleta de dados se basearam em observações do cotidiano escolar e da sala de aula com registros em diários de campo, filmagem das aulas em vídeo, questionários, provas escritas dos alunos e entrevistas reflexivas. As análises dos dados se basearam na análise microgenética proposta por Vigotski, complementada com uma análise compreensiva ancorada nas ideias de Bakhtin. Dois grandes eixos de análise foram delimitados: 1 - a ação mediada no trabalho com os alunos; 2 - os enunciados e sentidos produzidos durante o processo da pesquisa na perspectiva da professora. Os resultados revelam evidências de que a ação mediada qualificada como intencional, organizada, dialógica, compreensiva e interativa favorece a formação dos conceitos científicos de fotossíntese e respiração celular por alunos do ensino médio, promovendo um ensino fecundo, na concepção defendida por Vigotski. Os resultados indicam também que o processo de pesquisa-ação crítico- colaborativa apresentou resultados positivos no que concerne à formação continuada da professora de Biologia. Concluímos que se fazem necessários investimentos em programas de formação de professores que procuram articular escola e universidade, integrando formação inicial e continuada de professores. Para isso, defendemos que esse processo de formação seja feito dentro de uma perspectiva crítica e colaborativa, baseada em uma ação mediada intencional e dialógica que favoreça o desenvolvimento de um ensino fecundo

Genotoxicity biomarkers: application in histopathology laboratories

Most cancers results from man-made and natural environmental exposures (such as tobacco smoke; chemical pollutants in air, water, food, drugs; radon; and infectious agents) acting in concert with both genetic and acquired characteristics. It has been estimated that without these environmental factors, cancer incidence would be dramatically reduced, by as much as 80%-90%. The modulation of environmental factors by host susceptibility was rarely evaluated. However, within the past few years, the interaction between environmental factors and host susceptibility factors has become a very active area of research. Molecular biology as a tool for use in epidemiological studies has significant potential in strengthening the identification of cancers associated with environmental exposures related to lifestyle, occupation, or ambient pollution. In molecular epidemiology, laboratory methods are employed to document the molecular basis and preclinical effects of environmental carcinogenesis. Molecular epidemiology has become a major field of research and considerable progress has been made in validation and application of biomarkers and its greatest contribution has been the insights provided into interindividual variation in human cancer risk and the complex interactions between environmental factors and host susceptibility factors, both inherited and acquired, in the multistage process of carcinogenesis.

ANN-Based LMP forecasting in a distribution network with large penetration of DG

In recent years, power systems have experienced many changes in their paradigm. The introduction of new players in the management of distributed generation leads to the decentralization of control and decision-making, so that each player is able to play in the market environment. In the new context, it will be very relevant that aggregator players allow midsize, small and micro players to act in a competitive environment. In order to achieve their objectives, virtual power players and single players are required to optimize their energy resource management process. To achieve this, it is essential to have financial resources capable of providing access to appropriate decision support tools. As small players have difficulties in having access to such tools, it is necessary that these players can benefit from alternative methodologies to support their decisions. This paper presents a methodology, based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and intended to support smaller players. In this case the present methodology uses a training set that is created using energy resource scheduling solutions obtained using a mixed-integer linear programming (MIP) approach as the reference optimization methodology. The trained network is used to obtain locational marginal prices in a distribution network. The main goal of the paper is to verify the accuracy of the ANN based approach. Moreover, the use of a single ANN is compared with the use of two or more ANN to forecast the locational marginal price.

Notes sur la géologie et la paleontology du Miocène de Lisbonne; (XXII) une espèce nouvelle, Pokornyella lus/tan/ca (Ostracoda), dans le Miocène inférieur du bassin du Tage

A new species, Pokornyella lusitanica (Ostracoda), from the Lower Miocene (Aquitanian) of the Lisbon area, is described. Some palaeoecological data are presented.

Quando Eu for Grande, Quero Ser...

Os AA avaliaram dois grupos de crianças oriundas de diferentes estratos socio-familiares, procurando variantes do normal, que confirmem a importância do jardim de infância como factor atenuante de ambiente familiar menos estimulante. Material Métodos: Foram seleccionados aleatoriamente pelo Serviço Social do Hospital, dois jardins de infância, em Lisboa. A avaliação incidiu num grupo de crianças dos dois aos quatro anos, sem patologia. Na caracterização social e familiar foi utilizada a escala de Graffar. A avaliação de desenvolvimento psicomotor foi efectuada por observado único; o teste utilizado foi o "Schedule of Growing Skills in Practice" e a análise estatística foi efectuada pelo teste The Student (significância p=<0,05). Resultados: A população estudad foi constituída por 34 crianças, 14 das quais frequentava Jardim de Infância particular (JIP) e as restantes 20, Insitutição Particular de Solidariedade Social (IPSS), com idades compreendidas entre os 2 e os 4 anos. Na subescala da Locomoção, a pontuação obtida foi de 12,8 e 12,9 respectivamente no IPSS e JIP (=0,824) e na Manipulação foi de 19,3 (IPSS) e 20,7 (JIP) (p=0,006). Os resultados obtidos na área da Visão foram de 16,1 e 17,3 respectivamente na IPSS e JIP (p=0,005). A avaliação da Audição/Linguagem revelou resultados de 13,1 (IPSS) e 15,5 (JIP) (p=0,002) e na subescala da Fala/Linguagem, foram obtidos resultados de 14,5 (IPSS)e 17,3 (JIP) (p=0,008). As áreas de interacção social e autonomia, revelaram ambas pontuações de 18,3 (IPSS) e 19,8 (JIP), (respectivamente p=0,001 e p=0,017). Conclusões: Na avaliação efectuada, não encontrámos diferenças estatísticamente significativas nas subescalas de Locomoção e da Manipulação. Nas áreas da Autonomia, Audição/Linguagem e Fala/linguagem, os resultados foram estatísticamente superioes no grupo de crianças que frequentavam o JIP (oriundas de classes socio-familiares mais favorecidas e de famílias menos numerosas), comparativamente às que frequentavam a IPSS.