bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systems Biological View of Life-and-Death Decision with Respect to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress—The Role of PERK Pathway
Authors: Márton Margita , Kurucz Anita , Lizák Beáta , Margittai Éva , Bánhegyi Gábor , Kapuy Orsolya
Published: January 2017

Accumulation of misfolded/unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to the activation of three branches (Protein kinase (RNA)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase [PERK], Inositol requiring protein 1 [IRE-1] and Activating trascription factor 6 [ATF6], respectively) of unfolded protein response (UPR). The primary role of UPR is to try to drive back the system to the former or a new homeostatic state by self-eating dependent autophagy, while excessive level of ER stress results in apoptotic cell death. Our study focuses on the role of PERK- and IRE-1-induced arms of UPR in life-or-death decision. Here we confirm that silencing of PERK extends autophagy-dependent survival, whereas the IRE-1-controlled apoptosis inducer is downregulated during ER stress. We also claim that the proper order of surviving and self-killing mechanisms is controlled by a positive feedback loop between PERK and IRE-1 branches. This regulatory network makes possible a smooth, continuous activation of autophagy with respect to ER stress, while the induction of apoptosis is irreversible and switch-like. Using our knowledge of molecular biological techniques and systems biological tools we give a qualitative description about the dynamical behavior of PERK- and IRE-1-controlled life-or-death decision. Our model claims that the two arms of UPR accomplish an altered upregulation of autophagy and apoptosis inducers during ER stress. Since ER stress is tightly connected to aging and age-related degenerative disorders, studying the signaling pathways of UPR and their role in maintaining ER proteostasis have medical importance.
The TGF-β/Smad4 Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis and Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Ahmed Sunjida , Bradshaw Azore-Dee , Gera Shweta , Dewan M. , Xu Ruliang
Published: January 2017

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal human cancers due to its complicated genomic instability. PDAC frequently presents at an advanced stage with extensive metastasis, which portends a poor prognosis. The known risk factors associated with PDAC include advanced age, smoking, long-standing chronic pancreatitis, obesity, and diabetes. Its association with genomic and somatic mutations is the most important factor for its aggressiveness. The most common gene mutations associated with PDAC include KRas2, p16, TP53, and Smad4. Among these, Smad4 mutation is relatively specific and its inactivation is found in more than 50% of invasive pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Smad4 is a member of the Smad family of signal transducers and acts as a central mediator of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathways. The TGF-β signaling pathway promotes many physiological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, fibrosis, and scar formation. It also plays a major role in the development of tumors through induction of angiogenesis and immune suppression. In this review, we will discuss the molecular mechanism of TGF-β/Smad4 signaling in the pathogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and its clinical implication, particularly potential as a prognostic factor and a therapeutic target.
Effective Synthesis of Nucleosides Utilizing O-Acetyl-Glycosyl Chlorides as Glycosyl Donors in the Absence of Catalyst: Mechanism Revision and Application to Silyl-Hilbert-Johnson Reaction
Authors: Liang Chengyuan , Ju Weihui , Ding Shunjun , Sun Han , Mao Gennian
Published: January 2017

An effective synthesis of nucleosides using glycosyl chlorides as glycosyl donors in the absence of Lewis acid has been developed. Glycosyl chlorides have been shown to be pivotal intermediates in the classical silyl-Hilbert-Johnson reaction. A possible mechanism that differs from the currently accepted mechanism advanced by Vorbrueggen has been proposed and verified by experiments. In practice, this catalyst-free method provides easy access to Capecitabine in high yield.
Desorption of Lipases Immobilized on Octyl-Agarose Beads and Coated with Ionic Polymers after Thermal Inactivation. Stronger Adsorption of Polymers/Unfolded Protein Composites
Authors: Virgen-Ortíz Jose , Pedrero Sara , Fernandez-Lopez Laura , Lopez-Carrobles Nerea , Gorines Beatriz , Otero Cristina , Fernandez-Lafuente Roberto
Published: January 2017

Lipases from Candida antarctica (isoform B) and Rhizomucor miehei (CALB and RML) have been immobilized on octyl-agarose (OC) and further coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) and dextran sulfate (DS). The enzymes just immobilized on OC supports could be easily released from the support using 2% SDS at pH 7, both intact or after thermal inactivation (in fact, after inactivation most enzyme molecules were already desorbed). The coating with PEI and DS greatly reduced the enzyme release during thermal inactivation and improved enzyme stability. However, using OC-CALB/RML-PEI-DS, the full release of the immobilized enzyme to reuse the support required more drastic conditions: a pH value of 3, a buffer concentration over 2 M, and temperatures above 45 °C. However, even these conditions were not able to fully release the thermally inactivated enzyme molecules from the support, being necessary to increase the buffer concentration to 4 M sodium phosphate and decrease the pH to 2.5. The formation of unfolded protein/polymers composites seems to be responsible for this strong interaction between the octyl and some anionic groups of OC supports. The support could be reused five cycles using these conditions with similar loading capacity of the support and stability of the immobilized enzyme.
Development of microsatellite markers for Viscum coloratum (Santalaceae) and their application to wild populations
Authors: Kim Bo‐Yun , Park Han‐Sol , Kim Soonok , Kim Young‐Dong
Published: January 2017

Premise of the study:

Microsatellite primers were developed for Viscum coloratum (Santalaceae), a semiparasitic medicinal plant that is known for its anticancer properties. Due to excessive human harvesting and loss of suitable habitat of its populations, it has become a potentially threatened species requiring immediate conservation efforts.

Methods and Results:

Based on transcriptome data for V. coloratum, 124 primer pairs were randomly selected for initial validation, of which 19 yielded polymorphic microsatellite loci, with two to six alleles per locus. The usefulness of these markers was assessed for 60 individuals representing three populations of V. coloratum. Observed and expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.033 to 0.833 and 0.032 to 0.672, respectively. Cross‐species amplification for 19 loci in the related species V. album was conducted.

Conclusions:

The 19 newly developed loci are expected to be useful for studying the population genetics and ecological conservation of V. coloratum.
Sub-nanosecond light-pulse generation with waveguide-coupled carbon nanotube transducers
Authors: Pyatkov Felix , Khasminskaya Svetlana , Kovalyuk Vadim , Hennrich Frank , Kappes Manfred M , Goltsman Gregory N , Pernice Wolfram H P , Krupke Ralph
Published: January 2017

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have recently been integrated into optical waveguides and operated as electrically-driven light emitters under constant electrical bias. Such devices are of interest for the conversion of fast electrical signals into optical ones within a nanophotonic circuit. Here, we demonstrate that waveguide-integrated single-walled CNTs are promising high-speed transducers for light-pulse generation in the gigahertz range. Using a scalable fabrication approach we realize hybrid CNT-based nanophotonic devices, which generate optical pulse trains in the range from 200 kHz to 2 GHz with decay times below 80 ps. Our results illustrate the potential of CNTs for hybrid optoelectronic systems and nanoscale on-chip light sources.
Shapes of Conversation and At-Issue Content
Authors: Hunter Julie , Asher Nicholas
Published: January 2017

While not-at-issue (NAI) content is typically introduced via particular syntacticconstructions, accounts of NAI content that only consider the syntax/semanticsinterface face empirical difficulties. We develop a new approach to NAI content thatexploits features of discourse structure to solve these difficulties, and we providesome insight on the strategic uses of NAI constructions.
Speaker commitments: Presupposition
Authors: Peters Stanley
Published: January 2017

The view that presuppositions are a variety of speaker commitment is supported by showing that deviance results from presupposing something while undertaking incompatible commitments. Similarities and differences in projection patterns of presuppositions and conversational implicatures, which are not speaker commitments, reveal the ease with which projected conversational implicatures can be mistaken for presuppositions and also the importance of not confounding the two. Some predictions of recent proposals for a unitary account of all projective content (Simons et al. 2010, 2015) are examined, and criticism of some predictions is presented along with some counterevidence. The conclusion is that any theory of presupposition must respect the fact that presuppositions are speaker commitments.
The evolution of Human Resource Management in China : emancipation and innovation
Authors: Duport Michelle , Janicot Luc
Published: January 2017

Les cinq dernières années ont révélé des changements profonds des pratiques du Management des Ressources Humaines (MRH) en Chine. Cet article rend compte de cette évolution en montrant son caractère spécifique et son émancipation des modèles traditionnels de MRH. L’observation des pratiques RH, à partir d’une série de 246 entretiens conduits avec des directeurs des Ressources Humaines (DRH) sur 135 cas d’organisations en Chine de 2005 à 2015, révèle indéniablement un renouveau et un potentiel innovant de ce MRH. L’état de l’art à propos de la contextualisation du MRH mobilise la sociologie néo-institutionnaliste et l’école de la régulation en Economie pour nous permettre de caractériser les niveaux de contrainte – interne et externe, local et international- qui conduisent à des changements des pratiques de MRH. La méthodologie est fondée sur une approche multidimensionnelle et diachronique incluant des visites d’entreprises et l’observation des pratiques. Le MRH en Chine issu à la fois de périodes de divergence et de convergence, en partie influencé par l’extérieur tout en restant cohérent avec des traditions nationales, produit sa propre spécificité.
How digital technologies are revolutionising the training function in companies : an exploratory study of a population of managers attending a MOOC
Authors: Dejoux Lirsa Cécile , Charrière-Grillon Valérie
Published: January 2017

La formation continue est essentielle pour les employés et les organisations qui veulent rester compétitifs dans l’environnement mondialisé actuel. L’objectif principal de cet article consiste à examiner l’impact des MOOCs sur la formation professionelle, les motivations des employés et les relations de ces derniers avec leur entreprise et leur département de formation. Une étude exploratoire de 1551 managers inscrits à un MOOC de langue française intitulée «  Du manager au leader  » conçu au sein d’un établissement d’enseignement supérieur, le CNAM, a été réalisée en France en 2014. Les résultats font ressortir les motivations propres au MOOC qui s’avèrent différentes de celles des formations classiques dispensées en entreprise, telles que le facteur personnel d’accomplissement, le processus de socialisation délibérée et l’amélioration générale de l’employabilité, quelque soit, l’emploi ou le domaine.
Mobilités transnationales et ingénierie des certifications : enjeux et limites des approches par compétences
Authors: Breton Hervé
Published: January 2017

Les mobilités européennes constituent depuis près de trente ans l’un des piliers de la construction de l’Europe de la formation. Elles ont ouvert des espaces de formation par le voyage à des millions d’étudiants et permis l’acquisition, par l’expérience de l’ailleurs, de capacités transversales relevant de la formation de soi et du vivre ensemble. En devenant un moyen au service des politiques de convergence des systèmes de certification, une focalisation sur les logiques par compétences en lien avec les référentiels s’opère. L’   étude présentée examine et interroge les évolutions des politiques et des ingénieries des mobilités européennes, à partir de l’analyse des conceptions sous-jacentes des compétences qui leurs sont associées aussi bien que des stratégies mises en œuvre par les opérateurs et certificateurs.
Exploring professional recognition in the EU: a legal perspective
Authors: Kortese Lavinia
Published: January 2017

Les qualifications peuvent être reconnues dans deux cas : lors d’un séjour à l’   étranger à des fins d’études, d’une part, ou pour des activités économiques, d’autre part. Ce dernier cas concerne la reconnaissance professionnelle. Sujet central de cet article, la reconnaissance professionnelle a déjà été l’objet d’une réglementation détaillée de l’Union européenne. La Directive relative à la reconnaissance des qualifications professionnelles (qui a été récemment modernisée) et le Cadre européen des certifications pour l’   éducation et la formation tout au long de la vie sont les instruments principaux pour réaliser ou faciliter la reconnaissance des qualifications. Néanmoins, le droit européen sur la reconnaissance des qualifications est complété par des instruments qui ne sont pas créés par l’UE comme le processus de Bologne et la Convention de reconnaissance de Lisbonne. En mettant l’accent sur l’enseignement supérieur, cet article explore la reconnaissance professionnelle dans l’UE d’un point de vue juridique. Dans cet article, les sous-types de la reconnaissance professionnelle, et la législation applicable dans l’UE qui régule l’accès aux marchés du travail des autres États membres, sont traités. En particulier, l’attention est mise sur la Directive relative à la reconnaissance des qualifications professionnelles (Directive 2005/36/CE et sa Directive de modernisation 2013/55/UE, qui devait récemment être transposée dans les ordres juridiques nationaux des États membres). En plus, le rôle du Cadre européen des certifications pour l’   éducation et la formation tout au long de la vie, du processus de Bologne et de la Convention de reconnaissance de Lisbonne dans la réalisation et la facilitation de la reconnaissance, est discuté. La reconnaissance professionnelle des qualifications obtenues en dehors de l’UE est élaborée, de même que la position des personnes ressortissantes des pays non membres de l’UE.
Short-term study abroad programmes: objectives and accomplishments
Authors: Campbell Kathleen
Published: January 2017

Les étudiants sont encouragés à penser l’expérience internationale comme une composante essentielle de leur parcours universitaire et, de fait, les études à l’   étranger ne cessent d’augmenter. Après une observation générale de plusieurs programmes, Anderson et al. (2006) ont découvert que les bureaux des relations internationales à travers les États-Unis développent quatre objectifs principaux pour leurs étudiants: 1) progressions acadé­mique ou intellectuelle, 2) sensibilité interculturelle plus accrue, 3) objectifs personnels, et 4) bénéfices professionnels. Cette analyse intégrée de la recherche en la matière évalue la littérature existante autour de ces quatre objectifs au regard d’une récente tendance dans le domaine des études à l’   étranger : la participation accrue à des programmes de mobilité de courte durée.
Symbolique nationale, libéralisme et violences
Authors: Pécaut Daniel
Published: January 2017

La Colombie se singularise pendant un siècle par le fait qu’elle s’est réclamée d’un modèle libéral. La force de ce modèle renvoie avant tout à ses possibilités d’assurer une stabilité dans une société géographiquement et politiquement fragmentée. Ce sont les deux partis traditionnels formés au milieu du xix e  siècle qui ont eu en charge de préserver un minimum de cohésion de la société. Leur contribution à la viabilité du modèle libéral va au-delà, empêchant toute concentration excessive du pouvoir entre les mains de l’État central et assurant l’encadrement de la majeure partie des classes populaires et moyennes. La contrepartie en a cependant été la récurrence de phénomènes de violence, les uns liés à la division partisane, les autres à un déficit d’intégration à la nation et à la citoyenneté politique. Ordre et violence ont souvent cheminé de pair. Tels sont les thèmes abordés dans cet article. Revenant sur un siècle d’histoire colombienne, l’auteur propose une lecture à la fois chronologique et thématique de ces phénomènes.
La sociologie à la VI e section
Authors: Pécaut Daniel
Published: January 2017

La création de la VI e Section de l’EPHE a contribué, avec celle du Centre d’études sociologiques, au renouvellement de la sociologie française après la guerre. Dans cet article l’auteur revient sur la fondation de la VI e section, sur l’apport des figures qui lui sont associées et les réflexions qui s’y sont fait jour. Puis suivant minutieusement son évolution, l’auteur revient sur les débats qui l’ont animé pendant plus de trente ans et continuent encore aujourd’hui de contribuer à une pensée sociologique originale.
Les équipes de travail dynamiques. L’instabilité dans les equipes de travail : quels effets sur les performances ?
Authors: Blanchet Célia , Michinov Estelle
Published: January 2017

E n raison de l’imprévisibilité et de la complexité des environnements actuels de travail, les équipes ne peuvent plus être considérées comme des « entités stables ». En effet, elles sont, et doivent être, considérées comme des systèmes ouverts, complexes, dynamiques, adaptables et changeants dans le temps. Le présent article a ainsi comme objectif principal de proposer une revue de questions de travaux récents en psychologie sociale et du travail, permettant de mieux comprendre le fonctionnement et les facteurs d’efficacité de ces équipes de travail comme entités dynamiques. Dans un premier temps, après avoir présenté différentes conceptions des équipes dynamiques issues de disciplines variées, il s’agit de proposer une catégorisation des facteurs d’instabilité auxquels font face ces équipes (instabilité liée à l’environnement de travail, liée à la nature de la tâche à réaliser, liée aux ressources à disposition et liée à la composition de l’équipe). Dans un second temps, nous nous focalisons sur l’effet de deux facteurs d’instabilité (changement de membres et poursuite de buts contradictoires menant à du conflit lié à la tâche dans les équipes) sur les performances. L’analyse critique de ces travaux révèle une instabilité loin d’être toujours néfaste aux équipes, notamment lorsque certaines précautions sont prises. Dans un troisième temps, cet article dégage un certain nombre de processus et facteurs permettant à ces équipes de fonctionner efficacement malgré une instabilité inhérente (confiance rapide, mécanismes de coordination informelle, compétences non techniques). En conclusion, des pistes de réflexion seront proposées pour l’organisation du travail de ces équipes dynamiques et la formation des professionnels.
Mycobacterium avium
Complex Septic Arthritis Presenting as Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Christ Alexander B. , Zininberg Elena V. , Jules-Elysee Kethy M. , Parks Michael L.
Published: January 2017

Mycobacterium avium
complex is a rare cause of musculoskeletal infection, usually occurring in patients with compromised immune systems. Obtaining the diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion, and treatment can be delayed because of difficulty with isolating the organism. Treatment involves prolonged, targeted combination antibiotic therapy, and it is unclear whether eradication of the infection can occur in the presence of a foreign body, such as antibiotic spacers. The authors report a case of
M avium
infection presenting as presumed osteonecrosis of the femoral head in a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus. She presented with collapse of her femoral head coinciding with several months of progressive, debilitating hip pain. She had mild fevers during that time, but results from multiple infectious workups, including hip aspiration, were negative. Purulent fluid was found in the operating room, but diagnosis was delayed for 5 weeks while waiting for cultures. The patient required 3 subsequent operations, eventually being left with a resection arthroplasty. Pertinent issues concerning diagnosis, therapy, and treatment challenges in
M avium
infections of the musculoskeletal system are discussed in this case report. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(3):e549–e552.]
Femmes dévoilées
Authors: André Marc
Published: January 2017

Depuis les années 1990 le voile cristallise les débats politiques sur l’identité nationale et livre des femmes musulmanes une image partielle. Cet ouvrage cherche à donner plus d’épaisseur à leur présence dans la société française en s’intéressant aux premières d’entre elles : les Algériennes venues au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Qui sont ces femmes ? Pourquoi traversent-elles la Méditerranée aux pires moments de la répression du nationalisme algérien ? Comment trouvent-elles leur place dans la société qui les entoure et leur rôle dans la guerre d’indépendance menée aussi en métropole ?

Grâce à une enquête orale approfondie, on les entend répondre à ces questions, on les découvre également au détour d’un fonds photographique public ou privé, dans le secret des archives judiciaires et policières, administratives et médiatiques. Leur mémoire inspire une parole vive et permet aux archives de parler à leur tour.

On comprend alors l’histoire partagée qui les amène à prendre parti dans une guerre souvent fratricide, à s’attacher à l’Algérie naissante autant qu’à trouver la forme d’une intégration singulière, loin des débats actuels qui les méconnaissent obstinément. L’écriture de cette histoire résulte ainsi d’une écoute, d’une patience et d’une réflexion sur les outils, sur les méthodes aptes à rendre visible la matière complexe des parcours de ces Algériennes pendant cinquante ans, en s’efforçant d’en préserver la vie.

 

Illustration de couverture : Archives privées © Fatma Malagouen
Integrating Recent CALL Innovations into Flipped Instruction
Authors: Forsythe Edo
Published: January 2017

With flipped learning becoming a normalized part of foreign language educational methodology, it is important to understand its past so that we, as teachers, can consider the future. This chapter reviews the pedagogical basis supporting flipped learning and discusses the recent research into the use of flipped learning methodology, primarily in the foreign language classroom. This survey encompasses studies done in Japan and around the world. Recent studies were analyzed to develop general guidelines for how to flip instruction, which are provided herein with suggestions for administrators to institutionalize the practice of flipped education. This chapter concludes with suggestions for future research into the field of flipped learning in foreign language education.
Harnessing Technology to Help Students Reveal an Authentic Research Process
Authors: Beckelhimer Lisa
Published: January 2017

Screencasting and screen capture technologies have been used extensively by teachers in flipped instruction, placing students as passive recipients of knowledge. This chapter proposes a way to engage students as users of screen recording software in order to learn the research process. By visually recording various steps as they conduct research, students reveal authentic successes and mistakes in their research, ultimately resulting in an experiential understanding of an effective research process. The purpose of this chapter is to prepare teachers to implement this strategy as they teach students how to conduct research, and it includes software comparisons, suggestions for overcoming challenges, and benefits to students.
Designing a Flipped Classroom in a Higher/Teacher Education Context in the Caribbean
Authors: Morris Jacqueline A. , Wilson Ayles-Anne
Published: January 2017

Set in a tertiary level environment for adult learners, the process involved in flipping a classroom is elucidated. This chapter is not a research paper, but rather a primer that can assist the reader to implement the flipped model in their own practice. The chapter sets out to discuss our experiences with Flipped learning in the Caribbean and what we learnt from it. Is it useful in our Caribbean Higher Education context? Will it assist Caribbean students to mastery of their subjects? Benefits can include an increased ability to use active learning strategies, to focus on higher level thinking activities, and to maximise use of faculty-student time. The chapter covers the rationale and theory of the Flipped method, and its positioning in the context of learning strategies. It then covers the instructional design facets of developing a flipped course, including the instructional materials, so that the entire process focuses on structuring the learning experience. It discusses the experiences of the authors in implementing the flipped model in their own practice, and the lessons learned from that experience. The environment necessary to implement the method is discussed, as well as best practices in the use of tools, assessment, evaluation, all drawn from the experiences of the authors.
Some Recent Defuzzification Methods
Authors: Kumar Harendra
Published: January 2017

Defuzzification is a process that converts a fuzzy set or fuzzy number into a crisp value or number. Defuzzification is used in fuzzy modeling and in fuzzy control system to convert the fuzzy outputs from the systems to crisp values. This process is necessary because all fuzzy sets inferred by fuzzy inference in the fuzzy rules must be aggregated to produce one single number as the output of the fuzzy model.There are numerous techniques for defuzzifying a fuzzy set; some of the more popular techniques are included in fuzzy logic system. In the present chapter some recent defuzzification methods used in the literature are discussed with examples.
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Distance-Based Intuitionistic Fuzzy TOPSIS Method and Application to MADM
Authors: Nan Jiangxia , Wang Ting , An Jingjing
Published: January 2017

In this paper, an intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) distance measure between two triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TIFNs) is developed. The metric properties of the proposed IF distance measures are also studied. Then, based on the IF distance, an extended TOPSIS is developed to solve multi-attribute decision making (MADM) problems with the ratings of alternatives on attributes of TIFNs. In this methodology, the IF distances between each alternative and the TIFN positive ideal-solution are calculated as well as the TIFN negative ideal-solution. Then the relative closeness degrees obtained of each alternative to the TIFN positive ideal solution are TIFNs. Based on the ranking methods of TIFNs the alternatives are ranked. A numerical example is examined to the validity and practicability of the method proposed in this paper.
Fuzzy-AHP
Authors: Sahu Nitin Kumar , Sahu Atul Kumar , Sahu Anoop Kumar
Published: January 2017

Logistics activities are performed in order to balance the operational chains of firms. The selection of the Third Party Logistics (3PL) is a challenging task for each organization, which involves various factors and attributes. The presented methodology acts as a boon and aids the decision makers for effectively choosing the appropriate Third Party Logistics (3PL) network. In the revealed work, the authors explored fuzzy sets theory and presented a fuzzy AHP model to facilitate the managers of organizations to deal with the Third Party Logistics (3PL) decision making problems. The overall performance of defined Third Party Logistics (3PL) Service Providers are greatly influenced by many significant parameters: quality, reliability, service assurance, shipment cost, customer relationship, etc. The authors have considered various significant parameters: service level, financial security capabilities, location, global presence, relationship management, and client fulfillment representing first level indices. These parameters have chain of various sub-parameters, represented as second level indices, whose importance is affecting the judgment of the decision makers. Various researches have constraint their work up to first level indices and have not considered the second level indices, which is a crucial part of today's practical decision making process. The authors have considered this issue as research gap and transformed this research gap into research agenda. The authors applied an AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) accompanied with fuzzy set theory in order to solve industrial Logistics problems. The objective of chapter is to propose a fuzzy based AHP method towards solve benchmarking (preference orders of defined alternatives under criteria) problems. The presented method facilitates the managers of firms to make the verdict towards choosing the best Third Party Logistics (3PL) service provider. A numerical illustration is provided to validate the method application upon module.
Application of Fuzzy Soft Set in Patients' Prioritization
Authors: Rahimi Samira Abbagholizadeh
Published: January 2017

Based on studies, access to healthcare services and long waiting time is one of the main issues in many countries including Canada and United States. Healthcare organizations can't increase their limited resources nor treat all patients simultaneously. Then, patients' access to these services should be prioritized in a way that best uses the scarce resources and insures patients' safety. Prioritization is essential and inevitable not only because of resource shortage, which have not been improved during years, but also because it is a crucial issue that could contribute to the capability and stability of the healthcare systems, and most importantly to patients' safety. On the other hand, inappropriate prioritization of patients waiting for treatment, could affect directly on inefficiencies in healthcare delivery, quality of care, and most importantly on patients' safety and their quality of life and satisfaction. Inspired by these facts, in this chapter the importance of patients' prioritization and using fuzzy logic in this area will be discussed, and a novel hybrid framework using fuzzy soft sets for patients' prioritization will be proposed. The proposed framework may have a significant impact on patients' safety, and on both medical community and the public's faith in justice and equity.
Performance Estimation of Firms by G-L-A Supply Chain under Imperfect Data
Authors: Sahu Anoop Kumar , Sahu Nitin Kumar , Sahu Atul Kumar
Published: January 2017

Amongst various proposed SC philosophies, Lean, Green and Agile strategies of SC worked seminal to solve many problems of firms. Performance measurement acts as a tool to quantify overall efficiency via G-L-A SC activities of firm, where Green SC agenda is to control and diminish pollution and Lean SC helps to reduce waste of firm, while Agile SC target to manage SC more cum quick responding to clients. This chapter proposed a MCDM performance appraisement module (module constituted by mixing the segregated chain of green-lean-agile logistic activities and corresponding their interrelated metrics) conjunctive with Fuzzy Performance Index model in purpose to estimation the overall performance of individual firm. Furthermore, a centroid method coupled with fuzzy number set is proposed for classifying ill and strong G-L-A metrics of firm, so that managers could escalate their firms performance in case of non desirable performance. A hypothetical case research of two firms i.e. gear and shaft manufacturing firms are shown to measure their performance under G-LA supply chain.
Prediction of Solar and Wind Energies by Fuzzy Logic Control
Authors: Faquir Sanaa , Yahyaouy Ali , Tairi Hamid , Sabor Jalal
Published: January 2017

Nowadays, the use of renewable energy has become increasingly significant, and cost-effective. Between all existing sources of energy, solar and wind energies are the highly exploited. However, solar and wind energies are not available all the time and their performance is affected by unpredictable weather changes, therefore, it is not always feasible to obtain an accurate mathematical model of the controlled system. Various mathematical modeling methods were used to predict wind and solar powers using natural parameters but considering multiple parameters in equations makes the solution more complex. In addition to complexity, some coefficients are uncertain and based on probability. Fuzzy logic is a perfect tool to model any kind of uncertainty related to vagueness. This chapter presents a computer algorithm based on fuzzy logic control (FLC) to estimate the wind and solar energies using natural factors. As input parameters, the wind speed was used to predict the wind power and the temperature and the lightening were used to estimate the solar power.
Identification and Assessment of Mental Tasks Using Task Flowcharts
Authors: Hernández-Arellano Juan Luis , Serratos-Perez J. Nieves , Maldonado Macías Aide Aracely
Published: January 2017

Traditional methods for ergonomic evaluation do not consider the identification and assessment of mental tasks. This chapter proposes a method for the Identification and Assessment of Mental Tasks (IAMT) through the development of task flowcharts. Using a semi structured interview and a task flowchart, the mental tasks are identified and described. Applying the Cognitive Task Load Model (CTLM), a cognitive effect is assigned to every mental task identified. A theoretical/common example and a study case were developed to exemplify the proposed method. IAMT method was developed to be useful mainly in industrial environments; however, IAMT should be applied in different work contexts and environments.
The Fundamentals of Human Capital
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: January 2017

This chapter explains the overview of human capital; human capital and economic growth; human capital, innovation, and knowledge management; human capital and research and development (R&D); human capital, political regime, and foreign direct investment (FDI); human capital, employment, and labor markets; the measure of human capital; and the challenges and implications of human capital in the digital age. Human capital refers to knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired by an individual, traditionally through education and work experience. Human capital has a positive relationship with entrepreneurial success, business growth, and economic development. Creating an organization that relies on human capital for competitive advantage involves designing every organizational system with an essential approach to attracting, developing, retaining, and motivating the highly qualified people. The chapter argues that developing human capital has the potential to enhance organizational performance and gain sustainable competitive advantage in the digital age.
Preparing Strategy for Emerging Bankers in Iran Banking Industries Using Blue Ocean Strategy
Authors: Abdolshah Mohamamd , Sharifi Sahar , Govari Venus Rahmati , Mohammadi Hanieh Doust
Published: January 2017

Banking industries in Iran is recently more competitive than last decade which may result of Private bankers' presence as well as modification performed in governmental bankers' plan. In fact the philosophy of these new strategies it is seeking for value creation in organization which obviously associate with innovation. The main aim of present research is to provide banker's emerging strategy using Blue ocean solution within Pasargad Bank of Iran. The current study is accomplished based on descriptive – analytical method and collection of required data has been implemented through designed questionnaire. Then, utilizing QSPM matrix, most attractive strategies prioritized (such as creation variety of services providing travelling banking services and enhance productivity, as well as to offer CCDM [CHECK/CASH DEPOSIT MODULE], increase in security and reduce misuse of related information, implement of updated software, establish a system to update expiration date of credit cards, and online payment of other currencies).
Watercolour
Authors: Malizia Pierfranco
Published: January 2017

The present chapter analyses the post-bureaucratic phenomenon, adopting a socio-cultural perspective and post-modern approach. According to the theoretical perspective proposed in this chapter, organizational systems should be considered a specific type of socio - cultural system. The apparent paradox of the dual nature of organizational systems, that may be conceived at the same time as autonomous and as interconnected socio-cultural realities, offers an extraordinary conceptual and methodological challenge for organization studies. The duality of complex organizations dynamics is, according to the theoretical perspective adopted in this chapter, also one of the key concepts to unlock the real nature of post-bureaucratic organization, beyond the dichotomic approach adopted by post-Weberian studies. Moreover, post-bureaucratic organizations, may be seen also as hybrid organizations (Bergquist, 1994), that are characterized by a high agree of cultural variety. This chapter proposes an integrated theoretical framework, aimed to recompose the apparent incoherent picture of contemporary post-bureaucratic organizations. The present chapter analyses the post-bureaucratic phenomenon, adopting a socio-cultural perspective and post-modern approach. According to the theoretical perspective proposed in this chapter, organizational systems should be considered a specific type of socio - cultural system. The apparent paradox of the dual nature of organizational systems, that may be conceived at the same time as autonomous and as interconnected socio-cultural realities, offers an extraordinary conceptual and methodological challenge for organization studies. The duality of complex organizations dynamics is, according to the theoretical perspective adopted in this chapter, also one of the key concepts to unlock the real nature of post-bureaucratic organization, beyond the dichotomic approach adopted by post-Weberian studies. Moreover, post-bureaucratic organizations, may be seen also as hybrid organizations, that are characterized by a high agree of cultural variety. This chapter proposes an integrated theoretical framework, aimed to recompose the apparent incoherent picture of contemporary post-bureaucratic organizations.
Power Systems
Authors: Fink Gerhard
Published: January 2017

Three major power systems are described: The ‘inclusive' totalitarian system, the ‘non-inclusive' bureaucratic system, and the ‘exclusive' plan targeting system. The totalitarian system is aiming at controlling the whole population of a social system and based on resource exploitation. The bureaucratic system is aimed at information collection and decision making according to pre-established rules. The post-Taylor plan targeting system is aimed at determining and controlling the operative work of individual workers. As previous communist country experiences have shown, all three systems suffer from systemic constraints, that even if the three power systems are woven together, they are finally leading to the demise of a social system. Hope for change may come from moves towards cooperative management practices, as e.g. suggested by William Edwards Deming, and more complex theories with higher levels of integrity and complexity, as e.g. suggested by Steven Wallis, Foundation for the Advancement of Social Theory.
Post-Bureaucratic Organizations as Complex Systems
Authors: Maimone Fabrizio
Published: January 2017

The term “post-bureaucratic” defines such organizations characterized by the absence or the reduced role of traditional bureaucracy. This contribution is aimed to provide a theoretical framework to explain the real nature and the hidden dynamics of post-bureaucratic systems, adopting a complex (Stacey, 1996; Mitleton-Kelly, 2003), critical (Wilmott, 1992; Alvesson, Bridgman, & Willmott, 2009) and multi-paradigmatic perspective (Gioia & Pitre, 1990; Lowe, Magala, & Hwang, 2012; Patel, 2016), that considers also the influence of socio-psychological and socio-cultural factors. The findings of the research suggest it is opportune to go beyond the epistemological stance of the Weberian concept of ideal type, assuming that contemporary organizations may show hybrid (see Stark, 1992; Grandori, 1995) and multi-status configurations. The theoretical, methodological and practical implications of the adoption of this perspective are discussed in the final part of the chapter and are provided suggestions for present and future research.
Communication in Post-Bureaucratic Organizations
Authors: Ravazzani Silvia
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this chapter is to better understand post-bureaucratic organizations and their communication by focusing on and linking two factors in modern complexity: diversity and crisis. After outlining the key role of communication in the context of post-bureaucratic organizations, the chapter discusses literature on diversity, cultural diversity, and multicultural communication, which constitutes the background of this work. The chapter then explores in more detail the special case of crisis communication in multicultural contexts, which exemplifies an area where diversity and crisis meet and where the relevance of communication in facilitating relationships, environmental alignment, and organizational learning clearly emerges. Chapter considerations indicate that adaptation to variety is necessary but insufficient, and that a generative learning perspective in organizations is needed so that both diversity and crisis can be used to continuously question and regenerate core organizational assumptions and overall direction. The chapter concludes with future research avenues.
The Development of Intercultural Competences in Post-Bureaucratic Organizations
Authors: Nava Maria Rosaria
Published: January 2017

Nowadays, the concept of intercultural competence is both important and complex at the same time, recalling several dimensions and being applied in several areas or fields. An effective intercultural communication allows people to interact appropriately in a variety of situations, where culture is the primary element to be considered. Talking about intercultural competence implies other dimensions such as awareness, flexibility, empathy, and respect, and takes into account cognitive, motivational, and behavioral aspects. Intercultural competences need to be considered both from a human and organizational perspective with special attention to training and people management practices, diversity management, strategies and methodologies to develop, share and spread such competences. The objective of this chapter is to shed light into the concept of intercultural competence in the era of post-bureaucratic organizations acting within a global/glocal scenario and facing new challenges related to cultural and intercultural issues. A qualitative survey has been conducted to analyze the role of the intercultural competences within trans-national organizations.
Advances in Dynamic Virtual Machine Management for Cloud Data Centers
Authors: Rai Rashmi , Sahoo G.
Published: January 2017

The ever-rising demand for computing services and the humongous amount of data generated everyday has led to the mushrooming of power craving data centers across the globe. These large-scale data centers consume huge amount of power and emit considerable amount of CO2.There have been significant work towards reducing energy consumption and carbon footprints using several heuristics for dynamic virtual machine consolidation problem. Here we have tried to solve this problem a bit differently by making use of utility functions, which are widely used in economic modeling for representing user preferences. Our approach also uses Meta heuristic genetic algorithm and the fitness is evaluated with the utility function to consolidate virtual machine migration within cloud environment. The initial results as compared with existing state of art shows marginal but significant improvement in energy consumption as well as overall SLA violations.
Big Data Optimization for Customer Discounts in Cloud Computing Environment
Authors: Kumar Raghvendra , Pattnaik Prasant Kumar , Pandey Priyanka
Published: January 2017

Large companies have different methods of doing this, one of which is to run sales simulations. Such simulation systems often need to perform complex calculations over large amounts of data, which in turn requires efficient models and algorithms. This chapter intends to evaluate whether it is possible to optimize and extend an existing sales system called PCT, which is currently suffering from unacceptably high running times in its simulation process. This is done through analysis of the current implementation, followed by optimization of its models and development of efficient algorithms. The performances of these optimized and extended models are compared to the existing one in order to evaluate their improvement. The conclusion of this chapter is that the simulation process in PCT can indeed be optimized and extended. The optimized models serve as a proof of concept, which shows that results identical to the original system's can be calculated within < 1% of the original running time for the largest customers.
The Management of the Socio-Economic System
Authors: Popescu Constanta , Popescu Constantin , Ristea Ana Lucia
Published: January 2017

The appearance of the concept of sustainable development, although a sort of universal remedy at its beginnings, is becoming increasingly frequently the object of tensions both as objectives but especially as content. Regarding its objectives, the debate is organized around a logic based on the theory of the stakeholders but also on the competing logic that mobilizes an ethics of responsibility as teleological principle. Consequently, the meanings and implicitly the programmes of sustainable development are also the object of certain controversies and remain susceptible of being solved by a process of normalization of their contents. However, this dynamics of normalization itself is the bearer of certain “perverse effects”, already noticed in the accountancy standards domain and, under these circumstances, this dynamics of normalization cannot pretend to be the solution for regulating these controversies. The problem are mainly the weak doctrinal points characterizing Sustainable Development today, obviously, by comparison to what it wanted to be.
Green Performance Strategies in Romanian Economy in the View of EU 2020 Strategy
Authors: Sima Violeta , Gheorghe Ileana Georgiana
Published: January 2017

This chapter aimed to investigate green performance strategies in the Romanian economy. In the first part, authors exposed specific definitions and concepts related to the green economy, as they appear in the literature in the field. The European context and the main ways of implementation of the green economy are presented as they result from the objectives of The Agenda 2020 UE and The Agenda 2030 UNO. Green Performance in Romania during 2010-2014 is assessed by analyzing the environmental protection expenditures, environmental taxes, greenhouse gasses emissions, green jobs roles, and Environmental Performance Index. The sustainable economic growth effects are materializing in a major growth of the ecological productivity, an increased amount of energy derived from renewable sources, emissions reduction, improved air and water quality, widened access to the benefits of civilization - education, water sanitation. Thus, this green growth “can fight” against climate change. Also, green growth provides opportunities for creating new jobs requiring new skills.