Complex Integration Process Research Articles

OS DESAFIOS DO PROCESSO DE INTERNACIONALIZAÇÃO DAS EMPRESAS: NOVOS RUMOS DE NEGÓCIOS PARA EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS

Globalization and technological advances have caused the world to change and the business world has forced itself to monitor such an event. The internationalization of a company is a new, complex and modern process of cultural, commercial and economic integration, understanding it requires a wide study of strategies, culture, customs and obstacles that may come to be during internationalization. In a survey conducted in June 2017 with 229 Brazilian companies, by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency - Apex-Brasil, it was concluded that the United States is the country that is preferred by 68% of national entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, followed by Colombia with 23.4%, Mexico with 21.3%, Argentina with 17.7%. On the other hand, the country's participation in international trade did not follow this figure: less than 20 thousand Brazilian companies exported. This means that, in addition to numerous opportunities, Brazil also faces enormous challenges. Internationalization refers to integration with the market across borders. From the import and export of products and services to production on the foreign market, this is a phenomenon. The main advantages in the search for the process are gains from new markets, lower costs, creation of a global brand, among others. At the beginning of international operations, it is essential that the company has already developed all the marketing action plans so as not to harm profitability in the market.Keywords: Internationalization, globalization, process, challenge.

(Invited) Surface State Modulation of Colloidal Quantum Dots and Construction of Quantum Dot Based Infrared Detectors

Near-infrared photodetection and imaging devices play an important role in fields such as biological detection, information communication, military meteorology, etc. Traditional imaging devices require integration with readout circuits, and the complex integration process limits the development of infrared imaging systems. Lead sulfide colloidal quantum dots have excellent photoelectric properties in the infrared region, with a tunable bandgap width ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 eV, and spectral response covering below 2400 nm. Lead sulfide quantum dot films exhibit high absorption coefficients in the infrared region and excellent carrier mobility. In recent years, the performance of infrared detectors based on quantum dot systems has rapidly improved, and they are expected to develop into a new type of infrared detection and imaging technology. The speaker's team has combined infrared quantum dots with visible light quantum dots to prepare a simple, low-cost, and efficient infrared upconversion imaging device. By using the method of inducing band bending through interface electron storage, the efficiency of carrier tunneling and photon conversion has been improved, and the application of this technology in biological imaging has been preliminarily demonstrated. This report will introduce the development of quantum dot infrared detection materials and devices in recent years, as well as the research progress of the speaker's team in this area.

Poetic Metaphors Related to Birds: A Conceptual Blending in Puisi-Puisi Cinta, WS. Rendra

Metaphors are commonly used to vividly convey deeply abstract human emotions. This is because human emotions are indeed an abstract – conceptual. In the poem of Puisi-Puisi Cinta, the poet employs a great deal of emotional poetic metaphors relating to birds in order to communicate the variety of feelings that are experienced by the characters, such as features, roles, and visual aspects. This paper aims to study the emotional poetic metaphors related to birds in Puisi-Puisi Cinta using conceptual blending theory. The research data in the study consists the poetic metaphors related to Birds in Puisi – Pusi Cinta by WS Rendra. The data are conducted qualitatively using the blending theory. The blending theory’s G.Fauconnier and M.Turner (2002) came to the conclusion that metaphorizing is not limited by the projection from “the source domain” to “the target domain”, but includes complex dynamic integration processes, creating new blended mental spaces, which are able to create the meaning structure. The findings reveal that these vivid poetic metaphors in Puisi-Puisi Cinta by W.S Rendra are substantial through the use of imagery depicting aspects of the birds' appearances and its features to human beings. The metaphorical process, which projects from the birds to human beings, can be seen as a process of conceptual blending. In addition, each and every poetic metaphor related to birds of the poem has its characteristics in a certain cognitive model.

Streamlining IoT-driven Data Using Blockchain

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology has revolutionized data collection and analytics, creating vast networks of interconnected devices generating large volumes of data. However, this rapid expansion of IoT ecosystems introduces significant challenges related to data security, integrity, scalability, and privacy. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized and immutable nature, emerges as a compelling solution to address these challenges. This paper explores the synergy between IoT and blockchain, examining how blockchain can streamline IoT-driven data by providing secure data exchanges, enhancing transparency, and facilitating scalability. The study investigates the key mechanisms through which blockchain can mitigate common IoT data issues. It considers blockchain's role in ensuring data integrity by utilizing cryptographic methods, enabling traceability through distributed ledgers, and protecting against unauthorized data manipulation. Furthermore, it explores the potential of blockchain-based smart contracts to automate processes and improve interoperability among IoT devices. The paper delves into specific use cases, such as smart cities, demonstrating how blockchain can effectively streamline IoT data across various industries. The findings highlight that while blockchain offers substantial benefits, it also introduces unique challenges, including high energy consumption, latency concerns, and complex integration processes. This concludes with a discussion of Security concerns, Comparison with existing solutions. By addressing these challenges, blockchain can become a pivotal technology in streamlining IoT-driven data, paving the way for more secure, efficient, and trustworthy IoT ecosystems.

The Role of Cognition in Balance Control

Balance is the ability to move and/or preserve a particular position while not falling under external force. Human balance is a complex process of integration and coordination of the sensory, motor, and biomechanical components, which is influenced by intrinsic and exogenous factors. One inherent factor that is hypothesized to have an impact on balance is cognition. However, studies about cognition's role in balance control are still limited, and study literature is needed to gain a better understanding. Cognition is involved in various thinking processes. Attention, memory, visuospatial, and executive functions are among the cognitive areas integrated with information processing in the processing of information, followed by a reaction that aims to preserve body balance and prevent falls. Cognition limitation has been linked to decreased function associated with gait alterations, mobility limitation, and increased risk of falling. Cognitive function impairments such as executive function (EF) limitations are thought to increase the risk of losing. Injury to the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum can also affect the cognitive function in balance. The role of cognition in maintaining physical balance is critical. Deficits in cognitive function caused by diseases or injuries will impact bodily balance control.

Highly Sensitive Wearable Sensor Based on (001)-Orientated TiO2 for Real-Time Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine, Tyrosine, and Paracetamol.

The concentration of dopamine (DA) and tyrosine (Tyr) reflects the condition of patients with Parkinson's disease, whereas moderate paracetamol (PA) can help relieve their pain. Therefore, real-time measurements of these bioanalytes have important clinical implications for patients with Parkinson's disease. However, previous sensors suffer from either limited sensitivity or complex fabrication and integration processes. This work introduces a simple and cost-effective method to prepare high-quality, flexible titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films with highly reactive (001)-facets. The as-fabricated TiO2 film supported by a carbon cloth electrode (i.e., TiO2-CC) allows excellent electrochemical specificity and sensitivity to DA (1.390µAµM-1cm-2), Tyr (0.126µAµM-1cm-2), and PA (0.0841µAµM-1cm-2). More importantly, accurate DA concentration in varied pH conditions can be obtained by decoupling them within a single differential pulse voltammetry measurement without additional sensing units. The TiO2-CC electrochemical sensor can be integrated into a smart diaper to detect the trace amount of DA or an integrated skin-interfaced patch with microfluidic sampling and wireless transmission units for real-time detection of the sweat Try and PA concentration. The wearable sensor based on TiO2-CC prepared by facile manufacturing methods holds great potential in the daily health monitoring and care of patients with neurological disorders.

ADAPTATION OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS TO THE CONDITIONS OF DISTANCE LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The article deals with the issue of first-year students’ adaptation to the conditions of distance educational environment in a higher education institution. The theoretical aspects of the problem under study are revealed. The concept of "adaptation of first-year students" is clarified as a complex process of integration into a new social environment, which involves the assimilation and reproduction of relevant norms, values and roles, building new social relations for the purpose of harmonious coexistence and establishing effective interaction with participants in the educational process of a higher education institution (administration, teaching stuff, curator, parents, members of the academic group). The classification of types (forms) of adaptation is presented; the following forms are singled out: active, passive, social, didactic, psychological, formal, socio-psychological, physiological and professional. The characteristic problems of first-year students’ adaptation in the conditions of distance learning in higher education institutions are identified related to self-organization of activities and mastering new types of it, disorientation in the organizational issues of the distance educational process, lack of skills to independently process a large amount of material, the ability to use educational platforms, Google applications, video conferencing, social networks, general student communities, etc. The program "I am a student" is designed; it is aimed at optimizing the process of adaptation of first-year students in the conditions of distance learning in higher education and preventing their maladjustment. Its conceptual and content aspects are characterized. The directions (organizational, informational, psychological, preventive) and stages (organizational and diagnostic, motivational and content, final and reflective) of the program implementation are indicated. The content of each block of the program is described in detail; the following blocks are singled out: educational and orientation, social and orientation, social and adaptation, and sociocultural. The expected results of the program implementation are predicted at the level of each first-year student (activity, mobility, independence, stress resistance, self-control, self-organization, readiness to implement their own educational trajectory) and at the level of the student group (absence of conflicts, involvement in the academic community, academic performance, integrity of the student group, readiness to provide support and assistance, etc.)

Highly Adaptable Strain Capacitive Sensors with Exceptional Selectivity Using Spontaneous Micrometer-Pyramid Electrodes

Strain capacitive sensors are essential to develop various applications, such as human–machine interfaces and monitoring of dynamic body movement. However, a big limitation of this sensor is its complex integration process and inherent property of low sensitivity. Herein, a highly adaptable strain capacitive sensor is developed by using spontaneous micrometer-pyramid electrodes via a facile, low-cost, and scalable solution method. The strain sensor in this study possesses a high gauge factor of 2.9, which is independent of the strain direction. In addition, the sensor has high linearity, high stability, and negligible hysteresis at a maximum applied strain of 70% and outstanding durability for over 1000 cycles at an applied strain of 60%. Finally, the highly adaptable strain sensor is further demonstrated in wearable applications. The potential applications of the highly adaptable sensors reported here may shed light on next-generation soft and flexible electronics.

The psychotomimetic ketamine disrupts the transfer of late sensory information in the corticothalamic network.

In prodromal and early schizophrenia, disorders of attention and perception are associated with structural and chemical brain abnormalities and with dysfunctional corticothalamic networks exhibiting disturbed brain rhythms. The underlying mechanisms are elusive. The non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine simulates the symptoms of prodromal and early schizophrenia, including disturbances in ongoing and task & sensory-related broadband beta-/gamma-frequency (17-29 Hz/30-80 Hz) oscillations in corticothalamic networks. In normal healthy subjects and rodents, complex integration processes, like sensory perception, induce transient, large-scale synchronised beta/gamma oscillations in a time window of a few hundred ms (200-700 ms) after the presentation of the object of attention (e.g., sensory stimulation). Our goal was to use an electrophysiological multisite network approach to investigate, in lightly anesthetised rats, the effects of a single psychotomimetic dose (2.5mg/kg, subcutaneous) of ketamine on sensory stimulus-induced oscillations. Ketamine transiently increased the power of baseline beta/gamma oscillations and decreased sensory-induced beta/gamma oscillations. In addition, it disrupted information transferability in both the somatosensory thalamus and the related cortex and decreased the sensory-induced thalamocortical connectivity in the broadband gamma range. The present findings support the hypothesis that NMDA receptor antagonism disrupts the transfer of perceptual information in the somatosensory cortico-thalamo-cortical system.

Flexible cryogenic air separation unit—An application for low-carbon fossil-fuel plants

The rapid integration of intermittent renewable sources into the electricity grid is driving the need for a flexible cryogenic air separation unit (ASU) coupled with a low-carbon fossil-fuel plant. However, the state-of-the-art ASU process is highly integrated and nonlinear, which can significantly restrict its ramping rate. In this work, we study the fundamental dynamics of a state-of-the-art double-column ASU, focusing on the dynamic characteristics of the highly integrated and nonlinear heat and mass transfers, and we propose basic control methods for achieving high process ramping rates. We found that the vapor–liquid countercurrent flows in the low-pressure column are critical to the cryogenic rectification of air, which governs the ramp rate of the ASU. This countercurrent flow structure is created through a complex heat integration process in the ASU. Here, this process is simplified as a countercurrent heat transfer to reduce the complexity of studying the ASU dynamics. To preserve this flow structure, the heat integration is maintained so that its heat duty follows the ASU load, using several basic controllers on the critical stream flowrates. A flow-driven dynamic ASU model is built in Aspen Plus Dynamics to capture the basic ramping dynamics. This model revealed a fundamental mismatch in the dynamics in the ASU column that causes a significant loss of O2 product purity when ramping down the ASU and slightly increases the purity when ramping up. Based on these findings, we propose a basic control method for rapidly ramping down/up the ASU while maintaining O2 product purity. Simulation results show the ASU basic dynamic process successfully ramps at a rate up to 10 %/min (40–100 % load) while maintaining the O2 product purity at 95.2–95.6 mol%.

How does negative evidence impact argument strength during semantic category-based induction? An event-related potential study.

Negative evidence may influence category-based inductive reasoning, but the underlying time course of cognitive brain processing is unclear. This study adopted event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate this effect by manipulating the category type (related vs. unrelated) and argument type (positive vs. negative) in a semantic category-based induction task. The behavioral results showed that, under unrelated conditions, a negative argument produced greater argument strength and shorter reaction time than a positive argument did. Meanwhile, the ERP results found a negative argument elicited larger P300, N400, and slow negative component amplitudes than a positive argument, which could possibly embody the expectation-related processing produced by memory updating, semantic integration, and the more complex inference-driven information integration and interpretation processes and cognitive load in hypothesis generation. This study provides novel evidence on the temporal course of how negative evidence influences argument strength during semantic category-based induction.

Solving the Eigenfrequencies Problem of Waveguides by Localized Method of Fundamental Solutions with External Source

The localized method of fundamental solutions (LMFS) is a domain-type, meshless numerical method. Compared with numerical methods that have a high grid dependence, it does not require grid generation and numerical integration, so it can effectively improve computational efficiency and avoid complex integration processes. Moreover, it is formed using the traditional method of fundamental solutions (MFS) and the localization approach. Previous studies have shown that the MFS may produce a dense and ill-conditioned matrix. However, the proposed LMFS can yield a sparse system of linear algebraic equations, so it is more suitable and effective in solving complicated engineering problems. In this article, LMFS was used to solve eigenfrequency problems in electromagnetic waves, which were controlled using two-dimensional Helmholtz equations. Additionally, the resonant frequencies of the eigenproblem were determined by the response amplitudes. In order to determine the eigenfrequencies, LMFS was applied for solving a sequence of inhomogeneous problems by introducing an external source. Waveguides with different shapes were analyzed to prove the stability of the present LMFS in this paper.

How does group-buying website quality for social commerce affect repurchase intention? Evidence from Chinese online users

PurposeThe success of social commerce group-buying information system (IS) is not a simple accumulation of functions, but a complex process of system integration that makes it difficult to design a high-quality website to improve the conversion rate of users has become a top priority for online companies. The purpose of this study is to further improve the IS success model to adapt to the new research scenarios and explore the boundary conditions between different satisfaction and repurchase intention.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the users who have used the group-buying website quality for social commerce in the last 6 months are the objects of this study. Finally, 436 valid data were collected by questionnaire survey and analyzed by Smart PLS.FindingsThe results indicate that the four dimensions of website quality enhance consumers' economic satisfaction and social satisfaction, except that the path of system quality and social satisfaction is not significant. Economic satisfaction and social satisfaction also have a significant positive effect on repurchase intentions. Besides, the interactive effect of customer involvement and economic satisfaction has no significant impact on repurchase intention, but customer involvement plays a moderate role in the path of social satisfaction on repurchase intention.Originality/valuen order to make the IS success model better evaluate the characteristics of social commerce sites comprehensively, this present research introduces the measurement construct of interaction quality. Moreover, this study examines the effect of mechanism of economic satisfaction and social satisfaction on repurchase intention from the perspective of practical benefit and psychology. Finally, the boundary conditions of the effect of satisfaction on repurchase intention are explored.

The 30th Anniversary of Viszegrad Group Creation: Historical Significance, Past Achievements and Upcoming Challenges

Embracing the Central European historical experience, the author delves into the problem of political and economic preconditions for the creation of the union of the Central European states – the Republic of Poland, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, the Republic of Hungary, which went down in history as the Visegrád Group (V-4, В-4). The author highlights the critical steps taken by the Visegrád group countries and the past achievements throughout its 30-year activities, the peculiarities of V4 internal and external collaboration in the context of their aspirations for the EU accession, and further road-mapping in defending their positions in rather complex European integration processes. The article presents an in-depth analysis of certain V-4 member states’ actions in the context of their influence on the formation of European Union policy, in particular during their presidency of the EU Council. The author’s focus revolves around certain disparities of the Visegrád 4 member states on their strategy of further development. The push-pull factors and preconditions that induced these countries to understand the value of regional solidarity in the development of European policy priorities during the EU crisis are under study. From a 30-year perspective, this multifaceted aspect of Visegrád group 4 functioning stipulates both the research topicality and various scientists’ involvement – historians, political scientists, and lawyers. In view of that, the research article presents insights for the Visegrad group 4 creation, its historical significance, past achievements and new perspectives for cooperation with neighbouring countries, in particular with Ukraine. The objective of the research is: - to characterize the historical preconditions for the creation of the Visegrád Group; - to analyse the stages of development and enhancement of V 4 countries cooperation aimed at their incorporation into the European integration process; - to highlight the projections of fruitful cooperation between Ukraine and the international intergovernmental organization “Visegrád Four”.

Dos discursos sobre la integración entre la ciencia de la información, la archivística y la bibliotecología

Objetivo. Se examinan los procesos de integración desarrollados entre los cuerpos de conocimientos identificados como archivística, bibliotecología y ciencia de la información, desde los discursos teóricos de los estudiosos Miguel Ángel Rendón Rojas y Armando Malheiro da Silva. Metodología. Mediante la investigación documental como herramienta, se examinan las circunstancias institucionales, profesionales, epistemológicas y científicas que condicionaron los escenarios que sirvieron de plataforma para la aparición de las perspectivas disciplinares e interdisciplinares que marcaron la historia del campo informacional y las propuestas de los autores que se examinan. Resultados. Se discuten y detallan las argumentaciones de Rendón Rojas y Silva que retomaron la discusión disciplinar en el campo informacional proponiendo sus lecturas particulares. Conclusiones. Se concluyó que el complejo proceso de integración es explicable por una coyuntura económica, científica, informacional y tecnológica existente desde los finales del siglo pasado, que sirvió de contexto impulsor del fenómeno que desarrollaron desde sus miradas Rendón Rojas y Silva.

An anionic tetraphenyl ethylene based simple and rapid fluorescent probe for detection of trypsin and paraoxon methyl

In this study, we have developed an aggregation induced emission (AIE) based simple, sensitive, rapid and convenient biosensor for detection of trypsin and organophosphorous pesticides. The biosensor is composed of tetra-anionic sulphonyl derivative of tetraphenylethylene (Su-TPE) and cationic polyelectrolyte protamine (PrS), assembled by electrostatic interactions without any complex process of integration. The AIE property of Su-TPE/PrS system has been studied, in detail, using different spectroscopic techniques, such as, ground-state absorption spectroscopy, steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy. The AIE phenomenon of Su-TPE molecules induced due to Su-TPE/PrS supramolecular complex formation has been supported by studying Su-TPE/PrS system under various environmental factors. After establishing the AIE phenomenon of Su-TPE/PrS complex, the potential of the sensing platform, for trypsin detection, has been explored based on the principle of trypsin dependent PrS hydrolysis. The detection system is highly sensitive in the linear trypsin concentration range of 0–16 nM with detection limit of 0.22 nM. Furthermore, the sensing platform also shows excellent selectivity towards trypsin. More importantly, based on trypsin inhibition, Su-TPE/PrS platform is also responsive towards organophosphorous pesticide detection. The commendable performance of the Su-TPE/PrS biosensor will enhance future development of rapid detection of trypsin along with fast high throughput screening of organophosphrous pesticides.

Characterizing Maturity Levels for Organization-Wide Roadmapping Implementation

Implementing roadmapping guides improved strategy development for organizations not only to produce new products or services but also to navigate the entire process of organizational capability development to accelerate innovation. However, keeping roadmapping alive in organizations is challenging due to the complex integration process with a broad range of stakeholder involvement. While previous studies have contributed to staged development for managing roadmapping implementation, relatively little attention has been given to practical steps required in each stage for organizations to review the past, understand the current position in terms of where they are up to, and plan for the future to navigate the complex integration process efficiently and effectively. This article introduces a maturity model to guide the process of organization-wide roadmapping implementation. This is achieved by examining industrial cases to characterize practical steps, from the perspective of maturation, by which organizations implement and eventually integrate roadmapping into the organizational system and business cycles for technology and strategic planning. The Gerdsri three-stage model was utilized for discussion and analysis, aligning with the maturity model development. Six maturity levels have been characterized as follows: 1) Initial; 2) Defined; 3) Rolled Out; 4) Developed; 5) Standardized; and 6) Sustained.

Demonstrating a generic four-step approach for applying flexibility for congestion management in daily operation

Abstract New energy technologies like photovoltaics, electric vehicles, and heat pumps increasingly find their way to distribution networks. At the time the existing distribution networks were designed, only conventional loads were considered. The capacity of the (existing) distribution networks is therefore insufficient to handle the additional (bidirectional) peak load caused by these new technologies. The distribution system operator (DSO) is facing network congestion. Flexibility to shift and/or change power and energy in time and/or amount is considered as an option to mitigate network congestion with various implicit and explicit mechanisms. This leaves DSOs with the question on how to deploy such mechanisms seamlessly and effectively in daily business with uncertain congestion scenarios and complex integration processes. To tackle these operational challenges, this paper introduces a generic four-step approach to operationalize the flexibility need of a DSO, for any chosen implementation of an implicit or explicit flexibility mechanism (e.g. price-based schemes, flexibility markets, direct control). To this end, this paper addresses the steps: 1. Data acquisition, 2. Forecasting, 3. Decision-making, and 4. Flexibility mechanism interfacing. Furthermore, a particular implementation is described in relation to the Dutch’ H2020 InterFlex demonstrator, showing the field application of the proposed steps. In this demonstrator, a large amount of flexibility (26 electric vehicle charge points of 22kW, a 250kW/315kWh battery energy storage system, and a 260 kWp photovoltaic installation) is connected to two 630kVA transformers in a residential area with approximately 350 apartments. The results of the implementation show that the proposed steps enable the DSO to predict congestion, put a monetary value on flexibility, and use this value to evaluate flexibility offered through – in this case study – a flexibility market.

Multifocal Integration and Marginalisation: A Theoretical Model and an Empirical Study on Three Immigrant Groups

Recent sociological discussions have examined the classic theme of social integration from the point of view of belonging and multiple solidarities. As a research topic, migration importantly elucidates these general sociological questions. Literature on migration, integration and transnationalism lacks an encompassing theoretical model, which limits our understanding of complex integration processes. We propose a multifocal model of migrant integration including three key foci of integration: the host society; transnational sphere; and co-ethnic community in the host society. Moreover, the model considers integration in terms of different dimensions. With this model, we define multifocal marginalisation and study Russian, Kurdish and Somali migrants in Finland. We find that the different foci do not compete with each other, but are in a moderate positive relationship. There are clear group differences in integration patterns. Determinants of multifocal marginalisation include Kurdish background, weak Internet skills and older age. Discussion themes include belonging and social change.

An approach for semantic integration of heterogeneous data sources.

Integrating data from multiple heterogeneous data sources entails dealing with data distributed among heterogeneous information sources, which can be structured, semi-structured or unstructured, and providing the user with a unified view of these data. Thus, in general, gathering information is challenging, and one of the main reasons is that data sources are designed to support specific applications. Very often their structure is unknown to the large part of users. Moreover, the stored data is often redundant, mixed with information only needed to support enterprise processes, and incomplete with respect to the business domain. Collecting, integrating, reconciling and efficiently extracting information from heterogeneous and autonomous data sources is regarded as a major challenge. In this paper, we present an approach for the semantic integration of heterogeneous data sources, DIF (Data Integration Framework), and a software prototype to support all aspects of a complex data integration process. The proposed approach is an ontology-based generalization of both Global-as-View and Local-as-View approaches. In particular, to overcome problems due to semantic heterogeneity and to support interoperability with external systems, ontologies are used as a conceptual schema to represent both data sources to be integrated and the global view.