International Institute of
A Conceptual Model for Sustainable Adoption of eHealth: Role of Digital Transformation Culture and Healthcare Provider's Readiness
Yunis, Manal; Markarian, Christine; El-Kassar, Abdul-Nasser (Lebanon)
ABSTRACT:
There is a consensus in research and statements made by practitionists
in the healthcare sector that adopting information and communication
technologies (ICT) in healthcare (referred to as ehealth or digital
health) has remarkable potential to promote accessibility, quality,
and efficiency. Nevertheless, major challenges need to be addressed
to fully attain this potential and reach a sustainable adoption of digital
health. This research argues that while digital transformation stems
from the ICT resources (capabilities) available in a healthcare organization,
it is never about a technology being implemented, but rather a culture
that needs to be nurtured to change behavior and drive better results.
Accordingly, establishing a digital culture is anticipated to build
on the ICT capabilities of the healthcare organization, assess the e-health
readiness of healthcare providers, and contribute to the achievement
of the ehealth desired outcomes through a sustainable adoption of digital
health. Drawing on the integrated perspectives of Barney’s Resource-based
View of the Firm (Barney, 1991), and the Knowledge Capability Theory
[7], a conceptual model is proposed. The proposed model will be presented
and discussed, and the limitations of the study and recommendations
for further research will be presented.
[7]. Bowden, J. A. (2004). Capabilities-driven curriculum design. Effective
learning and teaching in engineering, 36-48.
Acquisition of Autonomy in Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence
Gagnon, Philippe; Guillermin, Mathieu; Georgeon, Olivier; Vidal, Juan R.; Montera, Béatrice de (France)
ABSTRACT:
This presentation discusses a notion encountered across disciplines,
and in different facets of human activity: autonomous activity. We engage
it in an interdisciplinary way. We start by considering the reactions
and behaviors of biological entities to biotechnological intervention.
An attempt is made to characterize the degree of freedom of embryos
& clones, which show openness to different outcomes when the epigenetic
developmental landscape is factored in. We then consider the claim made
in programming and artificial intelligence that automata could show
self-directed behavior as to the determination of their step-wise decisions
on courses of action. This question remains largely open and calls for
some important qualifications. We try to make sense of the presence
of claims of freedom in agency, first in common sense, then by ascribing
developmental plasticity in biology and biotechnology, and in the mapping
of programmed systems in the presence of environmental cues and self-referenced
circuits as well as environmental coupling. This is the occasion to
recall attempts at working out a logical and methodological approach
to the openness of concepts that are still to be found, and assess whether
they can operate the structuring intelligibility of a yet undeveloped
or underdeveloped field of study, where a “bisociation" and a unification
of knowledge might be possible.
Analysis of Cyclic Deformation of Erythrocyte in Couette Type of Pulsatile Shear Field
Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Muto, Ryo (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The cyclic deformation of an erythrocyte has been measured microscopically
in the pulsatile shear field to detect the dynamic deformability of
an erythrocyte in vitro. A rheoscope system has been manufactured
to observe the deformation of the suspended erythrocytes in the shear
flow. The rheoscope consists of a pair of parallel disks and an inverted
phase-contrast microscope. The human erythrocytes were suspended in
the dextran aqueous solution, which has high viscosity. The erythrocytes
are sheared in the Couette flow between the pair of counter rotating
disks. The rotating speed varies sinusoidally to make the pulsatile
shear field. The deformation of each erythrocyte was measured at the
video image of the rheoscope. The experimental results show that the
system is available to measure the following behavior of an erythrocyte.
The ellipsoidal shape of each erythrocyte varies cyclically to follow
the pulsatile cyclic shear field. The deformation phase of each erythrocyte
in the cycle delays from the sinusoidal fluctuation of the shear field
according to its own dynamic deformability.
Analysis of Dielectrophoretic Movement of Floating Myoblast Near Surface Electrodes in Flow Channel
Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Matsuzawa, Ryota; Endo, Yuji (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The dielectrophoretic movement of the floating biological cell near
the surface electrodes has been analyzed in the micro flow channel in
vitro. A pair of asymmetric surface electrodes of titanium (thickness
of200 nm) were incorporated in the flow channel by the photolithography
technique: a triangular electrode with the tip angle of 0.35 rad, and
a rectangular electrode of the flat edge as reference. The cyclic alternating
electric current of the square wave (between 0.25 μs and 0.3 μs
of periods) was introduced between the surface electrodes. The suspension
of C2C12(mouse myoblast cell line) was injected into the flow channel,
and the flow rate was controlled by the pressure head between the inlet
and the outlet. The experimental results show that the absolute value
of the amplitude of the acceleration by the electric field, which is
perpendicular to the flow direction, increases with the diameter of
the cell.
Atmospheric Plasmas that Precede Earthquakes in Seismically Active Areas
Straser, Valentino (United States)
ABSTRACT:
The question that arises in this study is whether there is a potential
relationship between the formation of ball lightning (BL) or plasmoids
that occur in the atmosphere before earthquakes. Luminous phenomena
occur in various parts of the world and a few years ago they are attracting
the interest of a growing number of scientists. The physical mechanism
that regulates the luminous phenomenon has not yet been fully understood
and various hypotheses are being formulated in this regard. The anomalous
luminous phenomena in the atmosphere show to have a relationship with
the orientation of faults in tectonically active areas and with magnetic
anomalies, but also in correspondence of hydrocarbon deposits. The light
balls consist of "spheres" of different sizes, stationary or in motion
with variable speeds. The ball lightning, by constitution, can be associated
with plasmas that violate their neutrality condition, and manifest themselves
in particular areas of the earth globe such as in Texas, Norway and
the Po Valley and the Northern Apennines in Italy, which represent the
area of research investigation. The spectrography of the light balls
indicates the presence of gases such as hydrogen, oxygen and methane,
associated with local seismic activity.
Bringing Futuristic Data of Industrial Use Cases into the Present Industrial Data Analytics Approach (Invited Paper)
Awad, Mina; Essa, Mostafa; Nour, Mahmoud; Kamel, Mina (Egypt)
ABSTRACT:
Over the years the interest for data analysis and its correlating has
been increasing, especially in the new era of data analysis and engineering,
which gave the opportunity for a large research branch for mining large
data sets to build strong rules that can be used later on in many use
cases, yet all the models built where directed to the trend of generalization
to be able to catch all the possible rules, based on advanced numeric
calculations and scanning for the data using different techniques, since
the studies showed that this is one of the most intensive tasks that
require high computational power most of the research areas where directed
to memory enhancement and more efficient memory usage, which already
gave this domain a lot of enhancements, but on the other hand no much
studies touched the possibility to enhance the model performance by
directing its search for a specific set of rules, as some use cases
may require such design, where the target is to find the relation between
specific items with others not between all the items in the data set
with each other, from our studies we found similar use cases in networks
optimization and operations domain and this paper is intended to propose
a customized data mining technique with the ability to drive the searching
task to a certain direction which is expected to have a great benefit
on the memory usage for this specific type of use cases.
Building Information Modeling as a Means for Interdisciplinary Communication (Invited Paper)
Soares, Bruno Cesarino; Baracho, Renata Maria Abrantes; Porto, Marcelo Franco (Brazil)
ABSTRACT:
This article aims to discuss some issues on interdisciplinary communication
in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), mediated with the
process Building Information Modeling (BIM). AEC represents a segment
of the industry that involves architecture, civil construction and infrastructure,
covering the management of works, operation and maintenance of buildings,
in addition to accounting and legal issues. BIM methodology uses several
information and communication technology (ICT) resources which generate
changes in the AEC processes, especially when considering the amount
of data that is managed. Within this context, issues of data interoperability,
information management and collaborative work related to communication
processes at the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary levels arise.
The discussion presented here begins with an understanding of the BIM
methodology focused on communicative processes and the effectiveness
of communication between the various actors involved in the entire BIM
process. The first results of this research point to the need to remove
some restrictions imposed by different disciplines. This article presents
arguments to highlight the interdisciplinary BIM methodology.
Business Opportunities Unclaimed: Digital Disruption of Business Models
Babica, Viktorija; Sceulovs, Deniss (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
“In times of change the greatest danger is to act with yesterday’s logic”
said Peter F. Drucker. A company's ability to rise to the challenge
of the disruptive innovations introduced by Industry 4.0 is the key
success factor to benefit from the digital transformation. Digital transformation
of business models and business process digitalization enables new ways
of creating and capturing value and forms opportunities for the competitive
advantage. Digital transformation is moving to the center focus of corporate
development strategy, as well as attempts of ensuring flawless customer
experience. The purpose of this paper is to analyze business opportunities
emerged through digital transformation of business models and clear
out reasons why those remain unclaimed by majority of organizations.
The paper is among a few studies, which investigate digital transformation
impact on business model, further research directions are provided.
Through a systematic literature review, was concluded that the digital
innovations affect entire areas of a business model of most organizations,
organizational culture and strategy.
Consulting via Research in IMPRESS
Ködding, Patrick; Reinhold, Jannik; Scholtysik, Michel; Dumitrescu, Roman (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
Manufacturing companies in mechanical and plant engineering are increasingly
aiming for the change from product manufacturer to digital service provider.
Digitalization is bringing data-driven digital services – so-called
Smart Services – into focus. However, the resulting systems of hybrid
value creation and work differ fundamentally from the systems established
today.
Especially small- and medium-sized companies face major challenges concerning
the transformation to a Smart Service provider. The reason for this
are the historically grown corporate structures of value creation and
work. Additionally, there is often a lack of sufficient expertise and
resources to identify and implement necessary changes. Many small and
medium-sized enterprises are aware of the potential of Smart Services.
But the realization and offering of Smart Services has so far only taken
place occasionally. Therefore, we cannot but deduce that a comprehensive
socio-technical consulting approach is required to launch Smart Services
efficiently.
The paper at hand presents an approach which addresses these challenges
holistically by using research-based consulting. It is based on the
Design Research Methodology according to Blessing and Chakrabarti. The
adapted consulting via research approach is applied and validated by
four case studies from tooling machine industry within the joint research
project IMPRESS.
Database Application in Human and Veterinary Medicine for Activities and Performances Evaluation in the Veneto Region – Northern Italy
Manca, Grazia; Rosso, Emanuela; Casadei, Giuliana; Lunardi, Loris; Ricci, Antonia (Italy)
ABSTRACT:
Since 1994 the Veneto Region (North-Eastern Italy) has been implementing
a Regional Information System (RIS) in the field of animal health and
food safety. The aim of this paper is to highlight the solutions tested
and adopted for the development of a specific component of the mentioned
system, fitting for both the measurement of regional performances in
health-care services delivering and the incoming management.
Discourse Analysis of Modern Masculinity in Advertising
Kreicbergs, Toms; Ščeulovs, Deniss (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
This research paper focuses on discussing the discourse on consumers
over modern masculinity as a concept in three specific ads. The ads
discussed in the paper are from brands that have centered on a new definition
of masculinity in their commercials, such as Dove Men Care, Lynx and
Bonobos. According to the literature review, modern masculinity is associated
with a display of fashion, culture and an open mind set that revolves
around progress and forward- thinking. Modern masculinity is correlated
with men being sensitive and being brave enough to be whoever they want
and be. While traditional masculinity, among other things, is associated
with the display of strength, power, and bravery linked to a sense of
patriotism and strong decisiveness where heterosexuality and the role
of breadwinner are dominant. However, the discourse analysis showed
a slightly different and more personal perception of these concepts,
implying that consumers are much more divided when it comes to discussing
masculinity. This means that companies must be careful in the way portraying
men in their advertising in order to achieve positive awareness and
consequently have the message resonate with the consumers.
Effect of Hysteresis of Stimulation of Tangential Force Field on Alignment of 3T3-L1 Cultured on Micro Striped Pattern
Endo, Yuji; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Tamura, Takuya; Matsuzawa, Ryota (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The effect of hysteresis of the tangential force field at the surface
of the scaffold on the single cell has been studied in vitro.
The striped pattern (0.7μm height, 3μm width, and 3μm
interval) were made on the surface of the scaffold plate to control
the orientation of each cell. Variation was made on the angle between
the longitudinal direction of the ridge and the direction of the tangential
force: 0 degree, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees. 3T3-L1 (mouse fat precursor
cells) was used in the experiment. To apply the tangential force field
(100 G) to the cells, the scaffold plate was set in the tube in a conventional
centrifugal machine placed in an incubator. After the centrifugation
for 5 hours, the behavior of each cell at the time-lapse microscope
images was traced for 24 hours to analyze the angle between the longitudinal
axis of the cell and the direction of the centrifugation. The experimental
results show that the tendency of cells to align the longitudinal direction
of the striped pattern is strengthened by the hysteresis of the exposure
to the tangential force field. The tendency continues before the proliferation
of each cell.
Effect of Shear Stress on Myoblasts Cultured under Couette Type of Shear Flow between Parallel Disks
Endo, Yuji; Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Eri, Hiroki (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The effect of shear stress on myoblast has been investigated under the
uniform shear flow in vitro. The culture medium was sandwiched
with a constant gap between a lower stationary culture plate and an
upper rotating parallel plate to make a Couette type of shear flow.
The wall shear stress (τ) on the lower culture disk was
controlled by the rotating speed of the upper disk. C2C12 (mouse myoblast
cell line) was used in the test. After cultivation without flow for
24 hours for adhesion of cells on the lower plate, τ was
continuously applied on cells for 7 days in the incubator. The behavior
of each cell was traced at the time-lapse image observed by an inverted
phase contrast microscope placed in an incubator. The experimental results
show that cells differentiate to myotubes under shear stress < 2 Pa.
Both the cell cycle and the cell length tend to scatter in the wider
range, and the longitudinal axis of the cell tends to align to the flow
direction by the shear stress of 1 Pa. The experimental system is useful
to study the quantitative relationships between the shear stress and
the cell behaviors: deformation, orientation, and differentiation.
Electric Discharge - Not an Impact Caused Formation of Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Hawthorne Jr., Robert (United States)
ABSTRACT:
This paper will provide an argument that Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands
National Park, Utah, USA is a product of Electrical Discharge Machining
(EDM). Currently two theories remain from a myriad of possible theories
for the site’s formation, the first being a prehistoric salt diapir,
or dome that has completely eroded away; the second theory being that
of impact origin from either a meteor or even a comet. This paper will
provide evidence for a more plausible theory that electric discharge
can provide the temperatures and forces necessary to shock quartz crystals
similar to those found in meteorites and other tektites. Experimental
evidence will be provided from an individual who uses a low-pressure
chamber to form cratering patterns and demonstrates Transient Lunar
Phenomenon (TLP), or moon flashes, without impacts. Information will
be given on fulgurites, or rocks formed from lightning and are melted
into glass. Also, how this vitrification mechanism can be attributed
to a new form of the mineral analcime, commonly called the Obsession
Stone, which is considered as possible ejecta from the Upheaval Dome
site.
Electric Earthquakes? The Case of Hyogo Ken Nambu (Japan)
Straser, Valentino *; Miura, Kazunori ** (* United States, ** Japan)
ABSTRACT:
Understanding the complex mechanism of Earthquake phenomenon,
as in all the natural systems on the Earth, does not necessarily depend
on a single cause, but on a set of factors. This study is aimed at investigating
the electrical phenomena that could trigger, accompany and follow an
actual seismic event, with the focus of research on strong Earthquakes
on a global scale of magnitude equal to or greater than 7. The
variables analyzed in this study are different but the focus of the
research has focused on three aspects. The first concerns the state
of transition of the Olivine to about 10 km of depth and the
release of electric charges and heat; the second analyzes the influence
of the variation of the duration of the day; and a third analysis concerns
the implication of electrical phenomena that may be at the basis of
Earthquake triggering, in particular, the earthquakes of magnitude
equal to or greater than 7. Another analysis of the strong earthquakes
that occurred in 2018 concerned the Earth’s Aphelion and Perihelion,
linked to the Length of Day (LOD). The results showed that electrical
phenomena play an important role in triggering Earthquakes.
Factors Influencing Latvian Venture Capitalists' Choice of Financial Instruments
Matisone, Anita; Lace, Natalja (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
The paper presents the results of a study on financial instruments used
by Latvian Venture Capital Funds’ (VCFs) managers and factors influencing
their choice.
The researchers surveyed all (five) Latvian VCF managers regarding their
transactions from 2010 till 2017. All Latvian VCFs are mainly publicly
funded with small private funding share.
Previous research shows that in the case of investments in equity, VCFs
provide more value-adding assistance to portfolio companies to help
them grow. Presumably, VCFs funded by public resources should be designed
to provide most of the value-adding assistance. Instead of that, less
than half of all Latvian VCFs’ investments are provided as straight
equity.
The results show that several factors influence the choice of a particular
financial instrument in a deal. Most important factors are an inability
to agree on valuation of a company between VCF and owners of a company
and market conditions and practices.
Factors That Affect Corporate Agility of a Construction Company
Locovs, Jevgenijs; Gaile-Sarkane, Elīna (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
Among the world’s largest industries, construction is one of the most
overregulated and over- segmented. Most of its players, especially big
ones that consolidate major part of the orders, chase the turnover and
try to scale their operations due to both very small margins and low
productivity. In the conditions of everchanging environment, especially
for emerging markets from Central and North Europe, corporate agility
becomes vital for the survival of a construction company. Demanding
clients, multinational operations, new regulations, lack of trained
and loyal professionals, unstable partners, global and local crises
– all of them force construction contractors to be prepared for any
unexpectedness at any given moment. There are many ways how to achieve
agility taking into account the development level of the company. However,
in order to treat the problem it is necessary to determine the factors
that affect the corporate agility of a construction company. Only after
these are detected, the company’s management can start to deploy necessary
changes to improve organizational agility and, as a result, operational
and financial data of their enterprise.
Global Disaster Forecasting with Space Weather & Geophysical Intelligence
Leybourne, Bruce; Orr, David (United States)
ABSTRACT:
There are many opportunities to integrate Space Weather data
into global weather and Natural Disaster Forecasting models.
The Earth as a Stellar Transformer Hypothesis builds on the
Global Electrical Circuit model. Evidence suggests Geomagnetism
is strongly related to solar activity or transformer induction
events. This paper explores links between Space Weather events
and Geo-magnetism to improve Natural Disaster Forecasting.
We present case studies to better understand the possible precursors
to Natural Disasters such as Earthquakes, Hurricanes and
certain types of Wildfires, related to Coronal Mass Ejections.
While the science of accurate forecasting is dependent on many variables,
which this paper does not address, we have attempted to uncover a possible
missing Space Weather link.
History of Electric Geology
White, Larry; Hawthorne Jr., Robert (United States)
ABSTRACT:
Electric Geology is considered the study of rocks generated
or altered by past or ongoing electrical processes resulting in present
day rock formations with telltale signs of very strong electrical processes
at work. Since 1950 with the publishing of the controversial book, Worlds
in Collision by Immanuel Velikovsky, proponents of his theories
have conducted field investigations for evidence in opposition to what
is considered the more standard or conventional geophysical processes
with a slower electrical valence transfer of charge considered in normal
crystallization and weathering processes. Michael Steinbacher, a most
excellent photographer, was an electric universe devotee during the
early formation of the Thunderbolts team. He is credited as an original
investigator of the Arc Blast phenomena, who first began a
series of extensive field investigations first posting to the Thunderbolts
forum in 2008. Arc Blast is generally considered an extreme
event of the Electric Geological process whereby Interplanetary
Lightning or Static Electricity is considered the causal
agent of large i.e. planetary-scale Electric Geological processes.
Hypotheses on what triggers an Arc Blast vary, but may include
wandering interstellar objects that transfer charge directly in passing,
a plasma event triggered from the Sun, shifting orbits changing electro-magnetic
potentials, discharge during impacts or collisions, increase charge
density of surrounding interstellar space etc. The end result is a planet
scarred by electric carveouts during extreme Plasma Tectonic events.
How Are Students Motivated for Learning Multidisciplinary Field: Biomedical Engineering? (Invited Paper)
Hashimoto, Shigehiro (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The academic field has been divided into each specialized field. Many
problems in the global society (including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19))
cannot be solved by the single disciplinarian. They are waiting for
the multidisciplinarian. For students, it is not easy to find the way
how to learn multidisciplinary field: curriculum, textbook, learning
team, and teacher(adviser).“Biomedical Engineering" is one of the multidisciplinary
fields, which have many related fields: Biology, Medicine, Informatics,
and Engineering. The topic includes case studies (education for freshman,
undergraduate, master and doctor courses) based on author’s experiences.
Finding related subjects to the case study is effective to motivate
students to learn multidisciplinary field. Multidisciplinary group activities
are effective for students to find innovative ideas for multidisciplinary
topics. Multidisciplinary conferences give students opportunities to
improve their communication ability. Inter-disciplinarians are necessary
to make bridges over the barrier between global problems.
Improvement of Alert Message’s Credibility for Recovering Computer Virus Infection
Kurino, Shun-Ichi; Shimura, Tatsuya; Yoshikai, Noriaki (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
It has been reported that Internet users do not recovery personal computers
(PCs) that have been infected by a computer, although they recognised
the virus infection. To resolve this problem, we have investigated how
to motivate users to remove viruses from their PCs based on persuasion
psychology. Our previous studies have verified that a risk cognition
approach affects the intention to address computer virus infection.
However, some users in the experiments had no intention to recover their
PCs because they did not credit the alert message indicating that their
PCs had been infected with virus. In order to resolve this problem,
we have investigated a new alert messages based on social engineering
techniques, and then evaluated the effectiveness of these message. Unfortunately,
the results have indicated that the new messages still have low credibility
as the original messages. As second stage, we improved the messages
through some techniques in persuasion psychology, and then evaluated
the experimental results. In this paper, we discuss a method of constructing
the improved alert messages that can be credited by Internet users using
persuasion psychology. Then, the effectiveness of the redesigned message
id experimentally evaluated.
Innovation Practices for the Competitiveness of MSMEs (Aguascalientes Mexico Study)
Díaz, Aura Andrea; Oropeza, Miguel Ángel; Martín, Alfonso (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
The Mexican company now faces the influence of a modified environment
that drives it to reinforce structural mechanisms that support these
new conditions. A sustainable competitive advantage is to manage innovation.
Therefore, the problem of this research focuses on MSMEs, these being
the basis of the economy, where the objective is to identify whether
innovation practices within the company increase the level of competitiveness.
The research approach, according to the nature of the analysis of the
variables, is quantitative, the type of research proposed is both descriptive
and correlational and the data used are primary data, through the method
of structural equations. The subject of this research is relevant, since
it is developed within the unit of study of greater relevance for the
economy such as MSMEs and the focus is on measuring the levels of competitiveness
through innovation practices, which They have been observed as one of
the factors with a positive correlation in competitiveness.
Introduction to Plasma Tectonics & Electric Geology: Solar Wind Coupling to Planetary Circuits Lightning Tells the Stellar Transformer Story
Leybourne, Bruce *; Gregori, Giovanni ** (* United States, ** Italy)
ABSTRACT:
Plasma Tectonics, Electric Geology, and Stellar Transformer
concepts evolve from Earth Endogenous Energy theory by
Gregori [1], Where self-organizing anode tuffs, (biological analogy
to “sea-urchin spikes”) project from the Earth’s core, considering plasma
convection as tidally generated Joule Heating at the tips of
the “spikes”. Like a soldering iron creating heat, magmas, and earthquakes.
Expanding these circuits - by connecting the vertical “spike” Z-component,
to a radial X-component (Oceanic Fractures) and axial Y-component
(North-South Mid-Ocean Ridges & Island Arcs) reveal the Stellar
Transformer concept. Where radial induction is driven by incoming
polar space weather, while solar magnetism variation drives axial induction.
Thus, simple step down energy induction occurs between Sun and Earth,
much like the transformer process that steps down your household energy
from the power company. Diurnal Solar Induction along the East
Pacific Rise (EPR) and Southeast Indian Ridge (SEIR) drive Lightning
Hotspots telling the Stellar Transformer story.
Migration of Cell under Couette Type Shear Flow Field between Parallel Disks: After and Before Proliferation
Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Shimada, Kosuke; Endo, Yuji (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The effect of shear stress on the migration of each cell has been investigated
at proliferation under the constant shear flow field in vitro.
The culture medium was sandwiched with a constant gap between a lower
stationary culture plate and an upper rotating parallel plate to make
a Couette type of shear flow. Two types of cells were used in the test:
C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line), and HUVEC (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial
Cells). The shear stress (< 2 Pa) was continuously applied on cells
for 24 hours in the incubator. The behavior of each cell was traced
at the time-lapse images observed by an inverted phase contrast microscope
placed in an incubator. The experiments show following results. HUVEC
tends to migrate downstream. The tendency is remarkable after proliferation.
Migration tends to be enhanced, when the adhesion area decreased at
proliferation. Under the shear stress field (> 1 Pa), C2C12tend to migrate
to the lower shear stress area. The velocity of the migration is higher
at HUVEC than C2C12.The experimental system is useful to study the quantitative
relationships between the shear stress and the cell migration.
Orthogonal Megatrend Intersections: "Coils" of a Stellar Transformer
Smoot, N. Christian; Leybourne, Bruce (United States)
ABSTRACT:
By the mid-1980s enough multi-beam bathymetry had been collected to
show an orthogonally intersecting fracture pattern in all the major
ocean basins. When these were compared to the Geodetic Earth Orbiting
Satellite (GEOSAT) structural diagrams, linear seamount chains were
shown directly related, and in line with these fracture zones (FZs).
Thus the data establish first order ocean basin megatrends allowing
extension of the bathymetric NNW-SSE trending FZs that crosses ENEWSW
FZs throughout the larger basin. Analysis reveals that oceanic rises
and plateaus generally sit atop the intersections of these FZs, exhibiting
continental blocks, large igneous outpourings, or tectonic vortex structures
at the intersections. Additionally, these megatrends are shown to continue
into the continents, such as the Murray and Mendocino FZs in the northeastern
Pacific Basin, intersecting and crossing, the Queen Charlotte near Alaska
and San Andreas Faults in California. The intersecting megatrends exhibit
magnetic anomaly patterns related to magmatic extrusion events not necessarily
corresponding to seafloor foundation of Archean (original lithosphere)
crust 4 – 2.5 billion years ago. Nor can the plate be spreading in several
directions at the same time. Evidence of orthogonally intersecting megatrends
coupled with a dubious magnetic lineation seafloor age hypothesis leads
investigators toward a more robust explanation of tectonic events incorporating
a solar driven Electro-Magnetic (EM) component hinted at for centuries
by the documented relationship of sunspots to climate. By understanding
tectonics as a plasma process driven by space weather in which these
orthogonal FZs act as “coils” of a stellar transformer, a new paradigm
emerges linking solar induction and space weather as drivers of seismic
and volcanic energies, magma production, climate and weather effects,
and sparking electrical wildfire outbreaks at continental borderlands.
Practices of Intrapreneurship and the Impact in the Innovation for MSMEs (Invited Paper)
Diaz, Aura Andrea; Oropeza, Miguel Ángel; Martin, Alfonso (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
In the most recent report of the World Trade Organization, it is stated
that microenterprises and SMEs are the largest group of companies in
almost all countries (95% on average) and represent the vast majority
of Job positions. The objective of the research is to identify whether
intrapreneurship practices increase the level of innovation, taking
as a unit of study the MSMEs, which are the basis of the economy. The
research approach, according to the nature of the analysis of the variables,
is quantitative, the type of research proposed is descriptive and correlational
and the data used are primary data, collected through the survey method.
Also, several previous investigations around the world that support
the positive and significant relationship between intrapreneurship and
innovation are stated in the content. That is why, this research aims
to contribute to scientific knowledge in one of the main sectors of
the world economy through innovation, which is a priority issue at the
international level, measuring it through intrapreneurship practices.
Relationships between Electric Impedance and Orientation of Biological Cells: Control by Micro-stripes Grooves In Vitro
Hashimoto, Shigehiro; Kimura, Kento; Abe, Kazuyuki (Japan)
ABSTRACT:
The relationships between the electric impedance and the orientation
of biological cells have been studied in vitro. To control
the orientation, parallel lines of micro rectangular grooves (1 μm
depth, 3 μm width and interval) have been made between a pair of
surface titanium electrodes on the scaffold of glass by the photolithography
technique. C2C12 (mouse myoblast cell line) was cultured on the micro-patterned
scaffold. The electric impedance (z) between electrodes was
measured every 24 hours with the sinusoidal electric waves (1 kHz
Research and Consulting in Data-Driven Strategic Product Planning
Meyer, Maurice; Frank, Maximilian; Massmann, Melina; Dumitrescu, Roman (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
Industry 4.0 and digitalization have transformed the industrial world.
Many manufacturers create additional customer value by offering data-based
services. However, companies can benefit from analyzing data themselves,
too. Through data, companies can learn about product usage and behavior.
This enables them to systematically improve their products. But finding
improve-ments through data analysis is not trivial.
Henceforth, we developed a method for the data-based identifi-cation
of product improvements. This method was created in the joint research
project DizRuPt with four companies from differ-ent industrial sectors.
The paper at hand introduces our approach of combining research and
consulting in terms of a case study from our research project DizRuPt.
The result is a research and consulting concept which is optimized for
a two days workshop. From our point of view, there is no other way in
researching methods for strategic product planning but through working
together closely with companies. This is especially important as methods
must be researched for practical usage. Simultaneously, it is essential
to never forget that companies only participate in research projects
if they clearly see a benefit. A benefit through consulting.
Research Outcomes From Interdisciplinary Communication Between Computer Science and Academic Quality Management, at UNED (Invited Paper)
Acon-Matamoros, Ariana; Trujillo-Cotera, Aurora (Costa Rica)
ABSTRACT:
This paper describes the rigor in the research process and the results
obtained of the interdisciplinary communication required and generated
between the Computer Engineering Career and the academic quality management
at the Distance State University (UNED), of Costa Rica.
Besides, the two acting parties have joint projects such as: meta-evaluation,
definition of requirements for information systems, training in quality
management issues to external entities, advice, research, among others.
The objective of this research is to describe the outcomes from the
interdisciplinary communication between the Computer Science Engineering
and the academic quality management of the UNED, with the purpose of
systematizing the experiences. Important findings have been found in
relation to difficulties relating people from different disciplines
and how they were resolved, and also the strategies used to overcome
communication difficulties between people from different fields, and
the favorable and unfavorable results of the experience.
Currently, managing with quality in universities, more and more complexity
is being incorporated due to the influence of scientific advances, minimum
quality indicators that lead to new emerging processes and greater development
of information technologies, without setting aside the socio-economic
and market requirements context. As a result, there are a greater number
of disciplines that interrelate within the field of design action especially
in the conceptual and project aspects.
This new situation has fostered prescriptive approaches in daily "doing",
increasingly generating a need for interrelationship of people and their
knowledge that is strengthened through empathy and creativity, contributing
the production of knowledge, methodologies, techniques and tools that
ultimately facilitate effectiveness in the final result.
Important findings have been found with regard to difficulties relating
to people from different disciplines and how they were resolved.
Review on Leadership in Education, Business and Community on the Verge of the 4th Industrial Revolution
Jeżowski, Mateusz; Pachocki, Michał; Poszytek, Paweł (Poland)
ABSTRACT:
The present extended abstract discusses the role and responsibility
of leaders in education, business and community in the context of the
fourth industrial revolution and its three megatrends: demographic change,
globalization and technological progress. The authors also establish
a link between the sphere of education, business and community that
are in this changing ecosystem in need of new leadership models.
The Discourse Change of Reggaeton: From Machoism to Interculturalism (Invited Paper)
Chávez-Aguayo, Marco-Antonio; Jiménez-Muñoz, Angélica (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
Reggaeton is a new cultural movement of the 21st century, developed
from a rhythm that became popular in the last decades of the 20th century.
Even so, it remains under-researched and, for some academics, it is
not something yet worth to study.
At its very beginning, Reggaeton's lyrics were simple, basic, and in
most cases, with sexually explicit content, sung by men, and picturing
women as accessory objects for them. But with time, Reggaeton started
to get its own voice, as more people began to sing it and dance it.
New ways of thinking came, wiping eventually any traces of machoism,
and replacing by an opposed discourse, led by some of the traditional
features shared in Latin American: enjoying life and involving others.
But, not just the Latin American singers show to the world, through
Reggaeton, their openness to the different cultures.
This paper will present how the discourse of Reggaeton has changed in
the last decades, showing examples where Reggaeton songs offer a different
approach, with an intercultural speech. The methodology used will be
qualitative and will analyze the discourse of Reggaeton songs in lyrics.
This paper is part of a Research Project called “The social use and
significance of Reggaeton.”
The Education of Leaders in the Face of 4th Digital Revolution
Dobrowolska, Malgorzata; Deja, Agnieszka (Poland)
ABSTRACT:
The fourth digital revolution forces modern education of personnel and
leaders responsible for introduction of new technologies 4.0. The article
presents a new vision of education of engineers responsible for technologies
– automatization, robotization, computerization taking into account
the standards of higher education and the needs of the market of the
so-called fast and short forms of education – as well as the content
of software, which next to professional knowledge – the technology of
Industry 4.0 also takes into consideration the area of managerial competences,
managerial skills and specialistic interdisciplinary knowledge of persons
holding managerial functions both in the sector of small and medium
enterprises and in large organizations. Within the framework of practical
implications, the model solution MBA Master of Business Administration
program of profile Industry 4.0 is presented. The program was performed
under one test group in SUT in Poland, financed from the funds of the
Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The Effect of Selected Macroeconomic Factors on the Sustainability and the Market Value of Czech Joint-Stock Companies
Kocmanova, Alena; Pavlakova Docekalova, Marie; Simberova, Iveta (Czech Republic)
ABSTRACT:
The paper analyzes relations between macroeconomic indicators and the
Firm Market Value as related to corporate sustainability. Empirical
research was verified in 128 unlisted manufacturing companies in the
Czech Republic with more than 250 staff according to the EU criteria.
The data were obtained by empirical research in the Czech Republic in
2014-2018. The aim of the paper is to propose a suitable sustainability
model for unlisted Czech joint-stock companies in the Czech Republic
and to investigate the macroeconomic impacts on the Firm Market Value
and sustainability. The research methodology is based on multidimensional
statistical methods EFA and CFA, and on structural equation modelling
of mutual relationships. Empirical research has shown that factors such
as inflation, unemployment and government debt do not directly affect
corporate sustainability determined by ESG factors, nor do they positively
affect the growth of the Firm Market Value. The only research hypothesis
confirmed was the hypothesis that if government debt increases, inflation
and unemployment will negatively affect the firm risk of a company.
Although the research failed to reveal any interrelationships, investors
are recommended to monitor these fundamental factors, especially their
rapid or long-term fairly rapid growth, as this would lead to a decline
in the Firm Market Value.
The Influence of National Culture on the Relationship between a Firm’s Leverage and Investment across Manufacturing Companies
Begulova, Zarina; Lace, Natalja (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
Considering the growing competition on the markets, investment and diversification
of the business are crucially important for any firms’ growth.
The current research is conducted to determine the factors on the entity
level that influence the investment decisions of the company and to
what extent the investment decision depends on the leverage level. Moreover,
the research is trying to identify the role of national culture in investment
decisions and investment-leverage relation.
The results prove that there is a significant relationship between firm-level
factors and corporate investment and that the national culture has a
strong moderating effect on the leverage–investment relations.
The Multidimensionality of the Flipped Inclusion Model Between Transdisciplinary Educational Transpositions and Interdisciplinary Educational Paths (Invited Paper)
De Giuseppe, Tonia; Ianniello, Annalisa; Corona, Felice (Italy)
ABSTRACT:
The flipped inclusion is an educational-training model of democratic
existential design inclusive-prosocial, which originates from socio-psycho-anthropological
reflections and analyzes on relationality in cybersociety. A multi-method
and multidisciplinary socio-psycho-educational didactic approach is
followed, which through integrated dichotomous, design and evaluation,
top down and bottom up, pursues the mission of ecological-systemic complementarity.
The model, that transposes Nicolescu's axioms for the formation of planetary
consciousnesses capable of operating interdisciplinary connections,
is applied by simplexity steps [12], organized by increasing complexity
through the breakdown and resolution of problems, located by gradual
levels of cooperation and on formal, non-formal and informal context.
The research on the flipped inclusion model carried out at the University
of Salerno (Italy) since 2014 has been organized by levels: systemic
macro (interinstitutional), systemic meso (university school); microsystemic
level (academic context, class context). The data that emerge from the
qualitative and quantitative analysis and from a meta-analysis confirm
the validity of the model.
The Social Use and Significance of Reggaeton: Beyond Political and Scientific Borders
Chávez-Aguayo, Marco-Antonio (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
This research address ─beyond the disciplinary boundaries─
Reggaeton as a social phenomenon loaded with symbols and signification
that have not yet been systematically analyzed in Academic Research.
Reggaeton is a very recent cultural phenomenon. It resulted in the fusion
of the Caribbean and Central American rhythms, both traditional and
modern. Indeed, at its earliest times, Reggaeton lyrics held many macho
speeches, narcotics, and prostitution apologies. However, as the phenomenon
has globalized with the dizzying speed of cultural consumption in the
current Digital Era, Reggaeton evolved both musically and discursively
towards the opposite direction. In a short time, it has become a glocal
phenomenon that has contributed to give visibility and revalue ─beyond
political borders─ different elements of Latin American cultural
heritage, values (i.e., solidarity, collaboration, multiculturalism,
diversity) and even social, political and historical criticism.
This research aims to put some of the light of scientific knowledge
on a new object of social study, of both local and global relevance,
submersed in the production and consumption through ICTs ─such
as Reggaeton─ a yet controversial issue in the quotidian and scientific
fields, which still faces a prejudice that prevents it from being seen
as a valid object of analysis for Academy.
The Socio-Psycho-Educational Model Flipped Inclusion, between Circular Complementarity and Dichotomous Processes
De Giuseppe, Tonia; Ianniello, Annalisa; Corona, Felice (Italy)
ABSTRACT:
The current knowledge society is characterized by the pervasive use
of information and communication technologies, which is producing forms
of global cognitive capitalism with dynamic social economies. The flipped
inclusion model aims to promote an inclusive cybersociety aimed at reflective,
co-responsible and participatory critical training, through educational
investment in prosocial skills. The complex idiomatic phrase with inverted
inclusion derives from the interconnection of the methodological-didactic
vision of the inverted class and from the inclusive mission of the International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, introduced by
the World Health Organization. Flipped inclusion is an educational-training
model of existential planning prosocial-inclusive. The flipped inclusion
model follows a multi-method approach organized through opposing methodological-design
logics: formal, not formal and informal. The research carried out at
the University of Salerno (Italy) was organized by levels: macro systemic
(interinstitutional), meso systemic (course / university school); microsystemic
level (academic context, class context). The data emerging from the
qualitative and quantitative analysis and from a meta-analysis corroborate
the validity of the model and its transformative impact both in relation
to learning, cooperative and attribution styles, and in relation to
the modification of the learning context. which was organized in an
inclusive cooperative and systemic perspective.
University Initiated Collaboration with Industry: From Problems to New Values
Oganisjana, Karine; Elazab, Asmahan; Korrapati, Sai Krishna (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
University-industry collaboration is recognized as one of the crucial
driving forces for innovation and economic prosperity. However, a number
of barriers, like: different expectation from this collaboration; lack
of mutual understanding, trust and commitment; having shared goals;
different levels of flexibility; conflicts regarding royalty payments
from patents or other intellectual property rights and concerns about
confidentiality and others hinder seriously this collaboration. This
paper presents the very first step of university initiated collaboration
with industry which starts with the collection of problems from ordinary
citizens of different countries with the aim to analyze them and identify
opportunities for the creation of new valuable products and services
for the further transfer of the solutions to industry. A bottom up cyclic
collaboration process university-society-university-industry-society
makes the conceptual base of this approach.
Using Jet Stream’s Precursors to Make Earthquake Forecast
Wu, Hong-Chun *; Leybourne, Bruce ** (* Taiwan, ** United States)
ABSTRACT:
Using Jet stream’s precursors, seismic locations are identified.
Our research indicates that an interruption of the velocity flow lines
occurs just above the epicenter approximately 3 months prior to Earthquake
events. The duration of this phenomenon is approximately 6 – 12
hours. The average distance between epicenters and Jet stream’s
precursors is about 100 km. We explain these relationships while
reviewing 8 successful Earthquake forecasts recently. For example:
M8.3 Chile EQ on 2015/09/16;
M6.6 Taiwan EQ on 2016/02/05;
M7.0 Kumamoto, Japan EQ on 2016/04/15;
M6.2 Italy EQ on 2016/08/24;
M7.1Alaska EQ on 2018/11/30;
M6.7 Chile EQ on 2019/01/20;
M6.3 Japan EQ on 2019/01/08;
M7.1 LA EQ on 2019/07/06.
According to the hypothesis of Lithosphere-Atmosphere- Ionosphere
Coupling (LAIC), when the Jet streams pass over the active
epicenter region, the faults release radioactive material (ionized gases)
to the atmosphere, causing a series of physical and chemical reactions,
resulting in temperature and pressure changes in the atmosphere, Jet
streams, and electric field effects in the ionosphere. A Solar
Induction mechanism affecting the Eastern and Western Pacific Rims
where most of the Earthquakes were successfully forecast is
explored in electrical terms with a proposed Plasma Tectonics model.
WPSONW: Weighted PSO Based Next Word Prediction in Language Model
Saha, Rekha; Prajapati, Gend Lal (India)
ABSTRACT:
Particle swarm optimization is a meta-heuristic algorithm that employs
social conduct to solve optimization problems in a joint and intellectual
framework. This technique is abundantly applied in the various fields
of the optimization problem. Further, it maintains a population of particles
where each particle corresponds to a probable solution of the optimization
problem. Despite this, the application of PSO in the field of the language
model is very rare. Next word prediction is a severe problem in the
field of natural language processing, which has drawn the attention
of many researchers and scientists. The recent approaches are based
solely on the probability distribution of the language model. An attempt
has been made in this paper to apply a weight based particle swarm optimization
technique called weighted particle swarm optimization to predict next
word from a given candidate solution (WPSONW). The computational result
confirms that the proposed methodology is promising and has the potential
for solving the next word prediction problem more efficiently than other
methods.
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