Meeting Organizational Performance with Shared Knowledge Management Processes

The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to knowledge management theory and to provide a practical approach for managing information technology repositories. This study investigates how knowledge is stored and retrieved in a professional setting and contributes to define a comprehensive framework on the use of knowledge, technology, and managerial systems to improve organizational performance. Qualitative research methods are used to collect data from an American company through individual semi-structured interviews, on-site observations, and document analysis. The qualitative software package Atlas.ti® is used to analyze data. Findings highlight the importance of individual knowledge, managerial capabilities, and shared organizational technologies in the management of organizational processes and reveal factors influencing the processes of knowledge retention and retrieval. This study points out the role of shared organizational memory systems and suggests strategies to improve the effectiveness of information technology repositories. Implications for theory and practice, limitations connected to empirical generalization, and suggestions for future research are also discussed

Morphological and Biochemical Profiles of the Gonadal Cycle in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus: Wild Type vs. Bred

Paracentrotus lividus gonads represent a valued gourmet delicacy, particularly appreciated in Europe and in Japan. Their commercial value is generally associated to their size, freshness, colour and texture. Diet, gametogenesis and environmental conditions have a marked influence, promoting the indispensable mechanisms of synthesis, selective storage and mobilization of the bioactive compounds, as lipids, proteins and carbohydrates of gonads in order to obtain nutrients. The objective of this work is to compare the morphological and biochemical profiles of reproductive life cycle of the gonads of adult P. lividus in its marine natural environment and adult captured sea urchins breeding into a fish aquaculture system. The reproductive cycle of male and female wild and breeding P. lividus was characterized during 1 year by analysing variations of the gonadal content of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates of animals captured at four different locations of the south-western coast of Salento, Italy, with the animals grown in a fish farm and fed with four different types of diet. The gonadal and repletion indexes were determined before the specimen dissection for evaluation of sex, development stages and physiological aspects. Gonads were processed for histological and biochemical analysis. The gonadal content of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates was performed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and by spectrometry, respectively

Micro and Nanoplastics Identification: Classic Methods and Innovative Detection Techniques

Micro and nanoplastics are fragments with dimensions less than a millimeter invading all terrestrial and marine environments. They have become a major global environmental issue in recent decades and, indeed, recent scientific studies have highlighted the presence of these fragments all over the world even in environments that were thought to be unspoiled. Analysis of micro/nanoplastics in isolated samples from abiotic and biotic environmental matrices has become increasingly common. Hence, the need to find valid techniques to identify these micro and nano-sized particles. In this review, we discuss the current and potential identification methods used in microplastic analyses along with their advantages and limitations. We discuss the most suitable techniques currently available, from physical to chemical ones, as well as the challenges to enhance the existing methods and develop new ones. Microscopical techniques (i.e., dissect, polarized, fluorescence, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopy) are one of the most used identification methods for micro/nanoplastics, but they have the limitation to produce incomplete results in analyses of small particles. At present, the combination with chemical analysis (i.e., spectroscopy) overcome this limit together with recently introduced alternative approaches. For example, holographic imaging in microscope configuration images microplastics directly in unfiltered water, thus discriminating microplastics from diatoms and differentiates different sizes, shapes, and plastic types. The development of new analytical instruments coupled with each other or with conventional and innovative microscopy could solve the current problems in the identification of micro/nanoplastics

Mission Analysis for the Don Quijote Phase-A Study

The Don Quijote Phase-A study is a definition study funded by ESA and devoted to the analysis of the possibilities to deflect a Near Earth Object (NEO) in the range of 300-800 m diameter. DEIMOS Space S.L. and EADS Astrium have teamed up within this study to form one of the three consortia that have analyzed these aspects for ESA. Target asteroids for the mission are 1989 ML, 2002 AT4 and Apophis. This paper presents the mission analysis activities within the consortium providing: low-thrust interplanetary rendezvous Orbiter trajectories to the target asteroids, ballistic interplanetary trajectories for the Impactor, Orbiter arrival description at the asteroids, Orbiter stable orbits characterization at the asteroid, deflection determination by means of a Radio Science Experiment (RSE) as well as the mission timelines and overall mission scenarios

Looking to the Future of the Role of Macrophages and Extracellular Vesicles in Neuroinflammation in ALS

Neuroinflammation is a common pathological feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although scientific evidence to date does not allow defining neuroinflammation as an ALS trigger, its role in exacerbating motor neuron (MNs) degeneration and disease progression is attracting research interest. Activated CNS (Central Nervous System) glial cells, proinflammatory peripheral and infiltrated T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages, as well as the immunoreactive molecules they release, represent the active players for the role of immune dysregulation enhancing neuroinflammation. The crosstalk between the peripheral and CNS immune cells significantly correlates with the survival of ALS patients since the modification of peripheral macrophages can downregulate inflammation at the periphery along the nerves and in the CNS. As putative vehicles for misfolded protein and inflammatory mediators between cells, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have also drawn particular attention in the field of ALS. Both CNS and peripheral immune cells release EVs, which are able to modulate the behavior of neighboring recipient cells; unfortunately, the mechanisms involved in EVs-mediated communication in neuroinflammation remain unclear. This review aims to synthesize the current literature regarding EV-mediated cell-to-cell communication in the brain under ALS, with a particular point of view on the role of peripheral macrophages in responding to inflammation to understand the biological process and exploit it for ALS management

Exploring different doping mechanisms in thermoelectric polymer/ carbon nanotube composites

This work compares various methods to prepare polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites for thermoelectric applications, focusing on the different doping mechanisms. We first look at the general trends observed in the Seebeck coefficient and power factor for a large number of composites as a function of electrical conductivity. Then we discuss two methods of nitrogen doping the carbon nanotubes in these composites, namely either during synthesis, or afterwards by ammonolysis. Finally, we discuss doping of the carbon nanotubes through charge transfer from the polymer counterpart, including photo-induced switching of the majority carrier type. As a general remark, we note that processability is negatively influenced by some doping procedures. Best results were achieved for unfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes with a high content of semiconducting CNT species.The authors would like to thank Prof. Michael L. Chabinyc, Prof. Christian Müller and Prof. Alejandro R. Goñi for useful discussions. We are grateful to John D. Craddock, Prof. Matthew C. Weisen- berger and Prof. John E. Anthony for providing the n-MWCNTs. The authors would also like to acknowledge financial support from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain through projects CSD2010–00044 (Consolider NANOTHERM), MAT2015- 70850-P and MAT2014-53500-R; and the European Research Council (ERC) under grant agreement no. 648901. S. Sandoval acknowledges a contract though PIE 201660E013 and P. Kankla the Development and Promotion of Science and Technology Talents Project (DPST). We are grateful to Thomas Swan Co. Ltd for supplying Elicarb1 SWCNTs.Peer reviewe

Sonication-Assisted Production of Fosetyl-Al Nanocrystals: Investigation of Human Toxicity and In Vitro Antibacterial Efficacy against Xylella Fastidiosa

none10Recently, there is a growing demand in sustainable phytopathogens control research. Nanotechnology provides several tools such as new pesticides formulations, antibacterial nanomaterials and smart delivery systems. Metal nano-oxides and different biopolymers have been exploited in order to develop nanopesticides which can offer a targeted solution minimizing side effects on environment and human health. This work proposed a nanotechnological approach to obtain a new formulation of systemic fungicide fosetyl-Al employing ultrasonication assisted production of water dispersible nanocrystals. Moreover, chitosan was applicated as a coating agent aiming a synergistic antimicrobial effect between biopolymer and fungicide. Fosetyl-Al nanocrystals have been characterized by morphological and physical-chemical analysis. Nanotoxicological investigation was carried out on human keratinocytes cells through cells viability test and ultrastructural analysis. In vitro planktonic growth, biofilm production and agar dilution assays have been conducted on twoXylella fastidiosasubspecies. Fosetyl-Al nanocrystals resulted very stable over time and less toxic respect to conventional formulation. Finally, chitosan-based fosetyl-Al nanocrystals showed an interesting antibacterial activity againstXylella fastidiosasubsp.paucaandXylella fastidiosasubsp.fastidiosa.Regione Puglia, Deliberazione della Giunta Regionale n. 1410 del 12/06/2015 “Linee guida per il parco della ricerca e sperimentazione finalizzata alla prevenzione e al contenimento del complesso del disseccamento rapido dell’olivo (CODIRO)” Project FATA- “Trattamenti fitoterapici innovativi a base di vettori di chitosano” MIPAAFT, Project Oli.Di.X.I.It-“OLIvicoltura e Difesa da Xylella fastidiosa e da Insetti vettori in Italia”, D.M. 23773 del 6/09/2017.openFrancesca Baldassarre; Giuseppe Tatulli; Viviana Vergaro; Stefania Mariano; Valeria Scala; Concetta Nobile; Nicoletta Pucci; Luciana Dini; Stefania Loreti; Giuseppe CiccarellaBaldassarre, Francesca; Tatulli, Giuseppe; Vergaro, Viviana; Mariano, Stefania; Scala, Valeria; Nobile, Concetta; Pucci, Nicoletta; Dini, Luciana; Loreti, Stefania; Ciccarella, Giusepp