4,129 research outputs found
A study of production workflows, technology and hybrid printing models in small newspaper companies
During the past five to ten years, the evolution of different media, and especially Internet-related services, has had a direct impact on the printed newspaper. Companies that have remained stable for several years are today exploring and employing new mechanisms to increase efficiency while maintaining their audiences. Although web offset has been for long the basic production process for printing newspapers, the latest developments implemented in equipment and software for newspaper production have achieved a high degree of automation in prepress, press, and post-press. At the same time, the demand of younger audiences for increasingly diverse and personalized products—as well as the emergence of new services, such as the production of commercial printing jobs—has transformed the newspaper production model (Christensen, 2006). Small newspapers, as well as medium and large, are challenged to compete in this new environment. They have to plan for the future in accordance with their opportunities and limitations. The main purpose of this research was to define a descriptive profile and to represent a graphical workflow model for small newspaper production. Information on the degree of automation, equipment employed, and the extent to which production has adopted the hybrid model (semi-commercial production) are also included in this descriptive profile. The study consisted of seven newspapers with an average daily circulation between 12,000 and 50,000 copies. Six of the participants are located in the U.S., and one is located in Latin America. The main source of information was a survey consisting of demographic, circulation, audience, and production workflow questions. Additionally, the researcher conducted personal interviews and field tours at three of these newspapers. The key findings were: • For the majority of the respondents, the newspaper is between 21% and 38% of the total production (measured in total number of copies printed, including TMCs and commercial jobs). • Six of the seven participants have experienced a reduction in circulation during the past few years. In addition to this trend, the age of the core audience has increased, with the average between 50 to 64 years of age for most newspapers. • All of the respondents currently use coldset web offset as the production process. Two companies have plans to expand their facilities by acquiring equipment with heatset dryers and automatic functions. • In general, the respondents do not use a wide variety of finishing processes. The only post-press process used by all newspapers is inserting. In three cases, this is the only post-press process used. • The degree of automation found in the participants’ workflows is relatively low compared to the capabilities offered by printing equipment manufacturers. The stage of production that shows the highest level of automation is prepress. xi • The process that is most frequently a bottleneck is finishing. None of the respondents consider plate production or the press run to be bottlenecks in the workflow. • The majority of the participants responded that they have not implemented a process to ensure quality. It was also found that little information is collected within the respondents’ production processes. • The physical changes considered by the participants are mostly related to contraction of the core product. • All of the surveyed newspapers produce at least one kind of commercial job. The production of other newspapers and inserts are the two most common commercial jobs produced. The majority of the respondents only offer limited types of commercial jobs. • Although the two preferred strategies among the respondents are separating printing from publishing and consolidating printing facilities, there is no clear trend towards any specific strategy. Three of the newspapers stated that they have no specific business strategy for the near future
Children\u27s learning of anxiety sensitivity : a preliminary study using a sample of youths referred for anxiety disorders
The purpose of the present study was to examine the origins of anxiety sensitivity (AS) by assessing youths\u27 learning experiences in relation to their AS symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Participants were 33 youths between 7 to 13 years old (M = 9.39 years, SD = 2.01). Youths were assessed using a structured interview and self-report measures. Chi-square analyses revealed no statistically significant differences in the proportions of boys vs. girls, Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic, and married vs. non-married. Pearson correlation analyses revealed that youths\u27 AS learning experiences were significantly related to youths\u27 AS and to youths\u27 anxiety symptoms scores. Partial correlations between youths\u27 learning experiences associated with AS symptoms in relation to AS scores controlling for anxiety symptoms effects were statistically significant. Findings were consistent with theory and suggest that learning mechanisms may be involved in AS acquisition and maintenance. The findings\u27 implications are discussed regarding possible learning experiences\u27 role in the development of AS
Genomic organization of nucleolin gene in carp fish: Evidence for several genes
http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0716-97602006000200017&lng=es&nrm=isoThe protein nucleolin, functionally involved in the main steps of ribosome
biogenesis, is codified by a single copy gene in mammals. Here we report that at
least three different genes codify for this protein in carp fish (Cyprinus carpio). This
is the first description of the genomic organization of nucleolin in a teleost. The carp
nucleolin gene includes 8.8 kb and contains 16 exons. Promoter cis regulatory
elements are similar to constitutive genes, i.e., a putative TATA box, three G/C
boxes, and three pyrimidine-rich boxes. As in other species, carp nucleolin gene
introns host three snoRNA codifying sequences: U23 from the H/ACA family and two
C/D box snoRNAs, U20 and U82. Both U20 and U82 span a complementary
sequence with carp 18S rRNA. Additionally, we identified two cDNAs coding for
nucleolin, confirming the existence of several nucleolin genes in carp. Amino acidderived
sequence from carp cDNAs differ from mammal protein because they span
additional acidic domains at the amino end, whose functional significance remains
unclear. We performed amino acid sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses
showing that the three isoforms of carp nucleolin, which we describe herein, cluster
in two groups. cNUC1 probably diverges from cNUC2 and cNUC3 as result of
ancestral fish-specific genome duplication, indeed C. carpio is a tetraploid fish
Toyotización, control laboral y lógicas de formación corporativas
La toyotización de la producción y las implicancias en los trabajadores sigue constituyendo un marco de análisis fundamental con el fin de desnaturalizar la complejidad de los dispositivos que emplea el poder para producir las subjetividades necesarias acordes a esta fase del capitalismo. el dominio del capital ha agiornado sus mecanismos de control y disciplinamiento laboral y en esta apuesta el orden hegemónico empresarial se ha consolidado. Es en este contexto que la denominada modernización empresarial en argentina y en américa latina en los años noventa, trajo aparejada efectos de exclusión sistemática de trabajadores de las fábricas, fragmentación y precarización laboral. En ese marco la batalla cultural ha tenido un papel protagónico buscando colaboración y adhesiones a las reglas imperantes corporativas. Esa modernización, sustentada en el principio normalizador de la ?mejora continua?, ya desde los años 80, gobierna en las grandes empresas en un vínculo orgánico con la hegemonía del neoliberalismo (antunes, 2005; alves, 2006) constituyendo un modelo político-cultural sustentado en el darwinismo social, cuestión que cobra expresión en la esfera del dominio empresarial concentrado y en las exigencias corporativas que se orientan hacia los trabajadores. En este artículo problematizamos los dispositivos de disciplinamiento laboral derivados de las matrices toyotistas y la centralidad que asume la agencia formadora empresarial en la búsqueda de implicación a los principios estructurantes del orden corporativo empresarial.en ese marco se analizan algunas tendencias predominantes derivadas de nuestras investigaciones en empresas siderúrgicas, automotrices y del sector del petróleo.Fil: Alvarez Newman, Diego Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Saavedra 15; ArgentinaFil: Figari, Claudia Alicia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Laborales; Argentin
Centralización de la información en la empresa Audifarma S.A. de la ciudad de Pereira
La presente investigación condensa la información que se sustrae del trabajo realizado en la empresa Audifarma S.A de Pereira. Esta empresa la cual se caracteriza como organización líder en el país en el suministro de medicamentos y dispositivos médicos a nivel institucional ha identificado una problemática en el manejo de la información de la operación y sus cumplimientos tanto normativos como contractuales. Este trabajo contribuye a ese objetivo y el hecho de que Audifarma S.A haya experimentado en los últimos 5 años un crecimiento importante en su operación, ha generado la necesidad cada vez de un mayor número de recursos para manejo de información. La metodología para desarrollar este proyecto será con las áreas administrativas que soportan dicha operación, para que cuenten con una sola herramienta que les permita dar soporte a la toma de decisiones basada en información histórica y análisis de la misma, pero sin que ocurra de manera descentralizada, ya que esto se da por el hecho de que existen variedad de aplicativos, bases de datos y herramientas en la organización. Como se busca el mejoramiento de este proceso se establecen recomendaciones que permita a la empresa AUDIFARMA S.A observar las falencias que han tenido a lo largo de los años y se proponen mejoras justificadas en el manejo de la información, garantizando así una disminución en los reprocesos de las áreas relacionadas, además de una satisfacción de sus clientes potenciales a largo plazo.This research condenses information subtracted from the work done in the company Audifarma SA from Pereira. This company which is characterized as a leading organization in the country in the provision of drugs and medical devices at the institutional level has identified a problem in the information management of the operation in both normative and contractual compliance. This work contributes to this goal and the fact that Audifarma SA has experienced in the last 5 years a significant growth in its operation, has generated the need for ever more resources to information management. The methodology to develop this project will be with the administrative areas that support this operation, so that they have a single tool that allows them to support decision making based on historical information and analyze it, but it occurs in a decentralized manner as this is given by the fact that there are variety of applications, databases and tools in the organization. This research seeks the improvement of this process so it establishes recommendations that allows the company AUDIFARMA SA observe the failures that have had over the years and improvements justified in the information management are proposed, ensuring a reduction in processes related areas, along with a satisfaction in a potential long term customer
Cellular response to rare earth mixtures (La and Gd) as components of degradable Mg alloys for medical applications
Rare earth (RE) elements have been proposed to improve the corrosion resistance of degradable Mg alloys for medical applications. However, good biocompatibility of the elements released by Mg alloys during degradation is essential for their use in implants. Most studies are focused on material science and engineering aspects, but the effects of ions released at the biological interface are not frequently addressed. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of in vitro toxicological effects of two RE Mg-alloying elements, La and Gd, as individual ions and in mixtures with and without Mg ions. Different combinations (Mg + Gd, Mg + La, and Mg + Gd + La) were used to evaluate their possible synergistic effects on CHO-K1 cells. Two sets of experiments were designed to assess (1) the cyto-genotoxic effect of La and Gd ions by neutral red (NR) technique, Reduction of tetrazolium salt (MTT), Viability with Acridine Orange staining, Clonogenic test, and Comet assay; and, (2) the possible synergistic toxicological effect of La and Gd ions in mixtures, and the influence of osmolarity increase on cellular response. Cytotoxic effects of RE were found at concentrations ≥200 μM RE while DNA damage was detected for doses ≥1500 μM and ≥1600 μM for La and Gd, respectively. When mixtures of ions were evaluated, neither synergistic cytotoxic effects nor biological damage related to osmolarity increase were detected.Fil: Grillo, Claudia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Lorenzo, Monica Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico la Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingenieria; Argentin
“Venericardia” patagonica é uma das espécies de bivalves mais comuns presentes no Oligoceno superior–Mioceno médio da Patagônia
‘Venericardia’ patagonica is one of the most common bivalve species represented in the late Oligocene–middle Miocene of Patagonia. Previous authors recognized two contrasting morphologies within this species based on sculpture and outline. An Elliptic Fourier Analysis was performed, using the anterior view of 95 specimens. A Principal Component Analysis was carried out with the Fourier coefficients. The results show two well differentiated groups, based on development of the convexity, each of which could correspond to the mature male and female, as is proposed for other carditids. The females have more bulky shells, with maximum convexity at the centre of valves. The males have less bulky shells, with a sharp ventral edge. These differences correlate with sculpture (more pronounced in males) and size of specimens (larger in females).Autores prévios reconheceram duas diferentes morfologias dentro dessa espécie a partir de sua ornamentação externa e contorno em vista lateral. Realizaram-se análises de morfometria geométrica, utilizando Contornos Elípticos de Fourier, capturando o contorno da vista anterior das valvas de 95 espécimes e de Componentes Principais dos Coeficientes de Fourier. Os resultados mostraram dois grupos bem diferenciados, baseados na convexidade das valvas, os quais corresponderiam a machos e fêmeas, como é proposto para outros carditídeos. As fêmeas teriam conchas mais volumosas, com sua convexidade máxima próxima ao centro das valvas, enquanto os machos possuem conchas menos abauladas, com a convexidade máxima próxima à margem ventral. Estas diferenças se correlacionam com outras na ornamentação externa (mais pronunciada nos machos) e no tamanho dos exemplares (maior nas fêmeas).Fil: Perez, Damián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Maximiliano Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: del Río, Claudia Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentin
The role of Management Accounting Practices in shaping efficiency in a Colombian Utility Conglomerate
The thesis contributes to generating an understanding of the role of management accounting practices in shaping efficiency in a Colombian Utility Conglomerate (CUC) . Data for the thesis was derived from multiple sources including interviews, non-participative observations and document analysis, reports and archives about CUC, which has helped to understand the studied phenomenon.
The thesis, which builds on structuration theory (Giddens 1984, Giddens 1993), delineates the interplay between social structures and agency at CUC, the way this interplay led to the reproduction of the very notion of efficiency. In addition, the thesis extends the work of Englund and Gerdin (2008) by illustrating how management accounting practices can be analytical constructs integrating not only situated recurrent (inter-)actions but also the structural principles that underline those practices. Thus, the thesis analyses the influence of the managerial autonomy, the long-term financial approach and the technostructure in shaping efficiency at CUC (Aristizábal et al. 1988, López 2005, Varela 2011). Additionally, the thesis analyses the broader influence of the School of Mines and multilateral development banks to enable an understanding of why management accounting practices shape efficiency at CUC.
The approach of structuration theory applied enables move beyond how efficiency is understood within New Public Management reforms, to consider the way how CUC manages to adapt the structural adjustments as demanded by multilateral development banks. The empirical insights show that in CUC efficiency is constructed more as a corporate value exercised through management accounting practices rather than being an exclusive indicator calculated through input/output relationships.
The analysis unfolds how CUC creatively undertook the changes and adjustments to enable a public company to work with the profitability criteria prevailing in private enterprises. In this way, the thesis demonstrates how social structures related to utility companies as profitable businesses and public utilities as economic commodities are reproduced through management accounting practices in a public company within a Latin-American emerging economy
HABITAR EN UN PAÍS SÍSMICO
Desde sus orígenes, los seres humanos, como seres racionales que habitan este planeta, han deseado conocer y comprender a la naturaleza, principalmente porque de este conocimiento depende su sobrevivencia, lo que ha motivado e impulsado el conocimiento científico y técnico para transformar el entorno de acuerdo con sus necesidades. Transformaciones que deben adaptarse a un planeta dinámico que se mueve constantemente porque es un planeta que está vivo
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