Value Creation in Asia-Pacific Region

Perihal budaya, baik budaya perusahaan maupun budaya masyarakat di mana sebuah perusahaan beroperasi, dewasa ini kian mendapat perhatian bisniswan. Penciptaan budaya perusahaan dan pemahanan akan budaya masyarakat setempat merupakan bagian dari kunci keberhasilan bisnis. Tulisan ini mengetengahkan hasil pengamatan tentang bagaimana budaya masyarakat sebuah negeri mempengaruhi organisasi dan operasionalisasi suatu perusahaan, bagaimana pihak perusahan menyelaraskan budaya korporatnya sehingga kemudian sukses dalam bisnis yang dijalankan. Di Asia, sukses bisnis berhubungan erat dengan dan sekaligus mencerminkan kemampuan dalam menyesuaikan diri dengan budaya lokal. Ini berartiâantara lainâmanajer-manajer barat seyogianya tidak 17 ten taksakan standar dan Fromm sena nilai-nilai mereka sendiri, melainkan beradaptasi dengan kultur lokal. Bersinarnya perekonomian di wilayah Asia-Pasifik, kendati dalam setahun terakhir agak meredup, antara lain juga berkat peleburan nilai nilai Timur dan Barat yang berlangsung sejak awal dasawarsa ini. Menghadapi Abad XXI nanti, penerapan Dalil Nilai Pelanggan (Customer Value Proposition) dapat menjadi faktor-kunci keberhasilan bisnis. Itu berarti: alih-alih bersaing dalam hal semua aspek produk atau jasa yang dilayankan, sebuah perusahaan lebih balk memilih untuk unggul dalam salah satu di antara tiga aspek bisnis berikut: kepemimpinan produk, keunggulan operasional, atau keakraban dengan pelanggan. Untuk menakar seberapa jauh sebuah perusahaan berhasil atau mendekati sukses dalam bersaing di salah satu dari aspek-aspek bisnis tadi, konsep Untaion Nilai (Value Chain) Michael Porter dapat digunakan sebagai ukuran atau alat analisis. Keywords: culture corporatefounding fathersAmerican cultural valuesJapanese cultural values: evolution: revolutio

Gravitational waves from glitch-induced f-mode oscillations in quark and neutron stars

Matter in compact stars is dense enough that transient events within the star could have sufficiently high energies to produce detectable gravitational waves (GWs). These GWs could be used to constrain the equation of state (EoS) for matter in the star and could reveal that there is more than one type of EoS at play in the population, implying that multiple types of compact stars exist. One of these types could be quark stars, composed almost entirely of stable quark matter, and observing GWs is a way to test for the strange matter EoS. Here we explore the possibility that, if fundamental (f-) mode oscillations in pulsars are induced by a pulsar glitch, then these oscillations might produce detectable GWs. We use the existing population of pulsars and their glitches, as well as a much larger synthesized population, along with 15 EoSs (8 for neutron stars and 7 for quark stars) to generate frequencies, damping times, and GW strengths for each. We find that of the EoSs examined, all quark star EoSs produce narrower distributions of f-mode frequency than neutron star EoSs. This result, along with other elements of the data, could be used to differentiate between GWs (or other signals from f-modes) originating from neutron stars and quark stars and thus could confirm the existence of quark stars. We also find that GW astronomy is a potentially viable method for detecting a larger population of pulsars which are not observable electromagnetically and that future GW observatories have the possibility to greatly expand this capability.Comment: 12 pages, 16 figures; accepted for publication in Physical Review

Schwinger pair production of magnetic monopoles : Momentum distribution for heavy-ion collisions

Magnetic monopoles may be produced by the dual Schwinger effect in strong magnetic fields. Today, the strongest known magnetic fields in the Universe are produced fleetingly in heavy-ion collisions. We use the complex worldline instanton method to calculate the momentum distribution of magnetic monopoles produced in heavy-ion collisions, in an approximation that includes the effect of the magnetic field to all orders but neglects monopole self-interactions. The result saturates the preparation time-energy uncertainty principle, and yields a necessary ingredient for experimental monopole searches in heavy-ion collisions.Peer reviewe

Towards Schwinger production of magnetic monopoles in heavy-ion collisions

Magnetic monopoles may be produced by the Schwinger effect in the strong magnetic fields of peripheral heavy-ion collisions. We review the form of the electromagnetic fields in such collisions and calculate from first principles the cross section for monopole pair production. Using the worldline instanton method, we work to all orders in the magnetic charge, and hence are not hampered by the breakdown of perturbation theory. Our result depends on the spacetime inhomogeneity through a single dimensionless parameter, the Keldysh parameter, which is independent of collision energy for a given monopole mass. For realistic heavy-ion collisions, the computational cost of the calculation becomes prohibitive and the finite size of the monopoles needs to be taken into account, and therefore our current results are not applicable to them-we indicate methods of overcoming these limitations, to be addressed in further work. Nonetheless, our results show that the spacetime dependence enhances the production cross section and would therefore lead to stronger monopole mass bounds than in the constant-field case.Peer reviewe

The local star formation rate and radio luminosity density

We present a new determination of the local volume-averaged star formation rate from the 1.4 GHz luminosity function of star forming galaxies. Our sample, taken from the B<=12 Revised Shapley-Ames catalogue (231 normal spiral galaxies over effective area 7.1 sr) has ~100% complete radio detections and is insensitive to dust obscuration and cirrus contamination. After removal of known active galaxies, the best-fit Schechter function has a faint-end slope of -1.27+/-0.07 in agreement with the local Halpha luminosity function, characteristic luminosity L*=(2.6+/-0.7)*10^{22} W/Hz and density phi* = (4.8 +/-1.1)*10^{-4} / Mpc^3. The inferred local radio luminosity density of (1.73+/-0.37+/-0.03)*10^{19} W/Hz/Mpc^3 (Poisson noise, large scale structure fluctuations) implies a volume averaged star formation rate ~2 x larger than the Gallego et al. Halpha estimate, i.e. rho(1.4 GHz} = (2.10+/-0.45+/-0.04) *10^{-2}$ Msun/yr/Mpc^3 for a Salpeter initial mass function from 0.1-125 Msun and Hubble constant of 50 km/s/Mpc. We demonstrate that the Balmer decrement is a highly unreliable extinction estimator, and argue that optical-UV SFRs are easily underestimated, particularly at high redshift.Comment: MNRAS in press. 1 figure. Uses BoxedEPS and mn2e (included). Finally got round to the correction

POPISK: T-cell reactivity prediction using support vector machines and string kernels

BACKGROUND: Accurate prediction of peptide immunogenicity and characterization of relation between peptide sequences and peptide immunogenicity will be greatly helpful for vaccine designs and understanding of the immune system. In contrast to the prediction of antigen processing and presentation pathway, the prediction of subsequent T-cell reactivity is a much harder topic. Previous studies of identifying T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition positions were based on small-scale analyses using only a few peptides and concluded different recognition positions such as positions 4, 6 and 8 of peptides with length 9. Large-scale analyses are necessary to better characterize the effect of peptide sequence variations on T-cell reactivity and design predictors of a peptide's T-cell reactivity (and thus immunogenicity). The identification and characterization of important positions influencing T-cell reactivity will provide insights into the underlying mechanism of immunogenicity. RESULTS: This work establishes a large dataset by collecting immunogenicity data from three major immunology databases. In order to consider the effect of MHC restriction, peptides are classified by their associated MHC alleles. Subsequently, a computational method (named POPISK) using support vector machine with a weighted degree string kernel is proposed to predict T-cell reactivity and identify important recognition positions. POPISK yields a mean 10-fold cross-validation accuracy of 68% in predicting T-cell reactivity of HLA-A2-binding peptides. POPISK is capable of predicting immunogenicity with scores that can also correctly predict the change in T-cell reactivity related to point mutations in epitopes reported in previous studies using crystal structures. Thorough analyses of the prediction results identify the important positions 4, 6, 8 and 9, and yield insights into the molecular basis for TCR recognition. Finally, we relate this finding to physicochemical properties and structural features of the MHC-peptide-TCR interaction. CONCLUSIONS: A computational method POPISK is proposed to predict immunogenicity with scores which are useful for predicting immunogenicity changes made by single-residue modifications. The web server of POPISK is freely available at http://iclab.life.nctu.edu.tw/POPISK

Are LLMs Useful in the Poorest Schools? TheTeacher.AI in Sierra Leone

Education systems in developing countries have few resources to serve large, poor populations. How might generative AI integrate into classrooms? This paper introduces an AI chatbot designed to assist teachers in Sierra Leone with professional development to improve their instruction. We describe initial findings from early implementation across 122 schools and 193 teachers, and analyze its use with qualitative observations and by analyzing queries. Teachers use the system for lesson planning, classroom management, and subject matter. Usage is sustained over the school year, and a subset of teachers use the system more regularly. We draw conclusions from these findings about how generative AI systems can be integrated into school systems in low income countries

Occupational Therapy and the health of the person with disabilities in the Municipal Health Secretary: a discussion on a ten-year professional incorporation

Trata-se de estudo sobre inserção de terapeutas ocupacionais - TO no sistema público municipal de saúde para conhecer sua distribuição na rede e as atividades assistenciais desenvolvidas com pessoas com deficiência. Foi realizado em 2002 através de entrevistas com profissionais da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde; de pesquisa documental e de questionários para caracterização de atividades, respondidos por 46 TO (31,1%). Em 1993, havia 180 profissionais ativos e em 2002, apenas 148. De 1997 a 2000, houve o desmonte da rede de serviços municipais e a criação de outras unidades de saúde para acompanhamento de farmacodependentes e de pessoas com doenças sexualmente transmissíveis que congregaram, respectivamente,11,5% e 8,1% dos profissionais, através do deslocamento destes das UBS e serviços de saúde mental. Em 2002, observa-se concentração de profissionais em áreas centrais do município, resultado do fluxo profissional e de prioridade a serviços especializados. Nesse ano, a distribuição dos TO era: 21% (UBS), 17,7% (CECCO), 13,8% (Ambulatórios de Especialidades) e 13,8% (Hospitais-Dia). A criação de alternativas assistenciais para pessoas com deficiência permanece como compromisso individual de parte dos profissionais, não se estruturando enquanto programa específico. Desde 2001, a Secretaria vem credenciando Serviços de Referência para Pessoas com Deficiência no Ministério da Saúde sem ampliação do quadro de profissionais. O mesmo ocorreu para o desenvolvimento de programas prioritários (Nascer Bem, Acolhimento, Resgate Cidadão, Cabeça Feita) e do Programa de Saúde da Família. Observar a política de saúde da maior cidade do país é compreender os desafios colocados para a assistência e para a categoria profissional.This study regards the insertion of occupational therapists (OT) in the municipal public system to better comprehend the network distribution and the assistance for people with disabilities. It was undertaken in 2002 through interviews with professionals of the Municipal Health Secretary (MHS), documentary research and questionnaires to characterize the activities, answered by 46 OTs (31,1%). In 1993 there were 180 active professionals and in 2002 only 148. Between 1997 and 2000 the municipal services network was dismantled and other health units were created for the follow-up of pharmacodependents and people with STDs, respectively with, 11,5% and 8,1% of the professionals, by relocating them from the Basic Health Units (BHU) and mental health services. In 2002, a concentration of professionals in the municipal central areas could be observed due to their relocation and the prioritization of specialized services, distributing the OTs as such: 21% BHU, 17,7% (Center of Conviviality and Cooperative), 13,8% (Out-patient units) and 13,8% (Day Hospitals). Creation of alternative assistance for people with disabilities remains an individual commitment of the professionals, not being structured as a specific programme. Since 2001, MHS has been qualifying reference services for people with disabilities for the Health Ministry without increasing the number of professionals. Much the same occurred with the development of priority programmes, such as, Born Well (Nascer Bem), Holding (Acolhimento), Citizen Rescue (Resgate-Cidadão), A New Mind (Cabeça-Feita) and the Family Health Program. Observing the health policy of the country´s largest city is to comprehend the challenges for the health assistance and the professional group

Effects of a group-based lifestyle medicine for depression : a pilot randomized controlled trial

Given the growing evidence that a range of lifestyle factors are involved in the etiology of depression, a ‘lifestyle medicine’ approach can be potentially safe and cost-effective to prevent or treat depression. To examine the effects and acceptability of a group-based, integrative lifestyle medicine intervention as a standalone treatment for managing depressive symptoms, a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in a Chinese adult population in 2018. Participants (n = 31) with PHQ-9 score above the cut-off of ≥ 10, which was indicative of moderate to severe depression, were recruited from the general community in Hong Kong and randomly assigned to lifestyle medicine group (LM group) or care-as-usual group (CAU group) in a ratio of 1:1. Participants in the LM group received 2-hour group sessions once per week for six consecutive weeks, which covered diet, exercise, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and sleep management. Linear mixed-effects model analyses showed that the LM group had a significant reduction in PHQ-9 scores compared to the CAU group at immediate posttreatment and 12-week posttreatment follow-up (d = 0.69 and 0.73, respectively). Moreover, there were significantly greater improvements in anxiety, stress, and insomnia symptoms (measured by DASS-21 and ISI) at all time points in the LM group (d = 0.42–1.16). The results suggests that our 6-week group-based, integrative lifestyle intervention program is effective in lowering depressive, anxiety, stress, and insomnia symptoms in the Chinese population. Further studies in clinical populations with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are warranted