Conflict Resolution in a Multi-level IT-enabled Outsourcing Network: A Structured Solution Approach

Using the case study of an Indian Technology and Outsourcing Service Provider, SmartKey (real but renamed company), a technology vendor to a global healthcare provider, this paper analyses offshore outsourcing issues using IT-enabled services to gain deeper insights needed to understand the core conflict and propose a well-reasoned solution approach. Reasoning, the conscious thought process leading to a well-justified decision, is an important managerial skill required for making dynamic decisions, resolving conflicts, and thereby developing human resources. This paper explores Goldratt’s Evaporating Clouds (ECs) as a systematic approach to reasoning in particular, and as a system for developing human resource in general. We show how Evaporating Clouds provided direction towards an acceptable solution to this case. We suggest that ECs can be used proactively as a springboard to ensure win/win solutions in various possible future interactions between the supply chain network partners. We conclude our paper by acknowledging the limitations of current research and provide future research directions

Behaviour of a High Frequency Parallel Quasi Resonant Inverter Fitted Induction Heater with Different Switching Frequencies

This paper investigates the behavior of a high frequency parallel quasiresonantinverter fitted domestic induction heater with different switching frequencies. The power semiconductor switch Insulated Gate Bipolar Junction Transistor (IGBT) is incorporated in this high frequency inverter that can operate under ZVS and ZCS conditions during the switching operations at certain switching frequency to reduce switching losses. The proposed induction heating system responds to three different switching frequencies with providing different results. An Insulated Gate Bipolar Junction Transistor (IGBT) provides better efficiency and faster switching operations. After the complete study of the proposed induction heating system at the selected switching frequencies, the results are compared and it is decided that most reliable, efficient and effective operations from the proposed induction heater can be obtained if the switching frequency is selected slightly above the resonant frequency of the tank circuit of the resonant inverter. The proposed scheme is analyzed using Power SystemSimulator (PSIM) environment

Leishmania donovani Isolates with Antimony-Resistant but Not -Sensitive Phenotype Inhibit Sodium Antimony Gluconate-Induced Dendritic Cell Activation

The inability of sodium antimony gluconate (SAG)-unresponsive kala-azar patients to clear Leishmania donovani (LD) infection despite SAG therapy is partly due to an ill-defined immune-dysfunction. Since dendritic cells (DCs) typically initiate anti-leishmanial immunity, a role for DCs in aberrant LD clearance was investigated. Accordingly, regulation of SAG-induced activation of murine DCs following infection with LD isolates exhibiting two distinct phenotypes such as antimony-resistant (SbRLD) and antimony-sensitive (SbSLD) was compared in vitro. Unlike SbSLD, infection of DCs with SbRLD induced more IL-10 production and inhibited SAG-induced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules and leishmanicidal effects. SbRLD inhibited these effects of SAG by blocking activation of PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways. In contrast, SbSLD failed to block activation of SAG (20 µg/ml)-induced PI3K/AKT pathway; which continued to stimulate NF-κB signaling, induce leishmanicidal effects and promote DC activation. Notably, prolonged incubation of DCs with SbSLD also inhibited SAG (20 µg/ml)-induced activation of PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways and leishmanicidal effects, which was restored by increasing the dose of SAG to 40 µg/ml. In contrast, SbRLD inhibited these SAG-induced events regardless of duration of DC exposure to SbRLD or dose of SAG. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects of isogenic SbSLD expressing ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter MRPA on SAG-induced leishmanicidal effects mimicked that of SbRLD to some extent, although antimony resistance in clinical LD isolates is known to be multifactorial. Furthermore, NF-κB was found to transcriptionally regulate expression of murine γglutamylcysteine synthetase heavy-chain (mγGCShc) gene, presumably an important regulator of antimony resistance. Importantly, SbRLD but not SbSLD blocked SAG-induced mγGCS expression in DCs by preventing NF-κB binding to the mγGCShc promoter. Our findings demonstrate that SbRLD but not SbSLD prevents SAG-induced DC activation by suppressing a PI3K-dependent NF-κB pathway and provide the evidence for differential host-pathogen interaction mediated by SbRLD and SbSLD

A Rare HBV Subgenotype D4 with Unique Genomic Signatures Identified in North-Eastern India –An Emerging Clinical Challenge?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: HBV has been classified into ten genotypes (A-J) and multiple subgenotypes, some of which strongly influence disease outcome and their distribution also correlate with human migration. HBV infection is highly prevalent in India and its diverse population provides an excellent opportunity to study the distinctiveness of HBV, its evolution and disease biology in variegated ethnic groups. The North-East India, having international frontiers on three sides, is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse region of the country. Given the paucity of information on molecular epidemiology of HBV in this region, the study aimed to carry out an in-depth genetic characterization of HBV prevailing in North-East state of Tripura. METHODS: From sera of chronically HBV infected patients biochemical/serological tests, HBV DNA quantification, PCR-amplification, sequencing of PreS/S or full-length HBV genomes were done. HBV genotype/subgenotype determination and sequence variability were assessed by MEGA5-software. The evolutionary divergence times of different HBV subgenotypes were estimated by DNAMLK/PHYLIP program while jpHMM method was used to detect any recombination event in HBV genomes. RESULTS: HBV genotypes D (89.5%), C (6.6%) and A (3.9%) were detected among chronic carriers. While all HBV/A and HBV/C isolates belonged to subgenotype-A1 and C1 respectively, five subgenotypes of HBV/D (D1-D5) were identified including the first detection of rare D4. These non-recombinant Indian D4 (IndD4) formed a distinct phylogenetic clade, had 2.7% nucleotide divergence and recent evolutionary radiation than other global D4. Ten unique amino acids and 9 novel nucleotide substitutions were identified as IndD4 signatures. All IndD4 carried T120 and R129 in ORF-S that may cause immune/vaccine/diagnostic escape and N128 in ORF-P, implicated as compensatory Lamivudine resistance mutation. CONCLUSIONS: IndD4 has potential to undermine vaccination programs or anti-viral therapy and its introduction to North-East India is believed to be linked with the settlement of ancient Tibeto-Burman migrants from East-Asia

Fish gallbladder consumption almost costing life

Young male of 28 years admitted with anuria, breathlessness and jaundice after consumption of raw Rohu Fish (Labeo rohita belongs to Carp Family) gall bladder which subsequently progressed into acute renal failure and hepatic failure requiring Hemodialysis. His renal Parameter improved over period and Liver function normalized with conservative treatment and the patient was discharged subsequently after about 3 weeks

Rodenticide induced acute fulminant hepatitis and acute pancreatitis: A case report

Rodenticides are one of the most toxic substances found in home. Yellow phosphorous component, if ingested leads to severe liver consequences. We report a case of 25 year old female, who was brought to hospital for consumption of rodenticide, developed the symptoms of hepatic failure. She was managed conservatively and was discharged after 16 days

Rigidities restraining movement of a rural artisan from poor to non-poor state: An empirical investigation of an Indian poverty reduction programme

Purpose – The concept of poverty traps based on a critical threshold that distinguishes transitory from chronic poverty gives rise to a crucial policy distinction between cargo nets and safety nets. While safety nets are designed to prevent the non-poor and transitorily poor from falling into chronic poverty, cargo nets are meant to help those who fall below the critical threshold to help them climb out of chronic poverty. The study attempts to determine the factors that affect a beneficiary artisan's decision to use the toolkits provided, i.e. to climb up using the cargo net of improved toolkits and become more active economically. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on primary data collected from the supply of improved toolkits to rural artisans (SITRA) programme in 2001-2002. It is performed on the dataset consisting of 6,788 observations (beneficiary artisans). Due to some missing data 700 observations could not be used. Thus, only 6,088 observations are considered for the purpose of the ordered logit analysis. Findings – The paper develops the related concepts of conditional and structural rigidities restraining the movement and studies the role of these rigidities in determining the economic mobility of a beneficiary household when a climbing cargo net is provided. The paper finds that there is strong evidence that governments are confused about the concept of poverty reduction and alleviation strategies. The study reveals that narrower targeting on beneficiaries with lower conditional rigidities is better as they are more likely to use the toolkits and hence increase their income from craftsmanship and so promote both economic growth and poverty reduction. Research limitations/implications – The study focuses on a specific poverty alleviation programme. The findings are restricted to a special economic group at all India level. Nonetheless, the study highlights that a thorough understanding of the conditional and structural rigidities faced by a beneficiary artisan and how these affect his economic behaviour would be very useful in both designing and implementation of poverty reduction programmes. Originality/value – This paper will be of value to researchers, policy makers seeking to gain better understanding of targeting. The paper observes that appreciation of significant conditional rigidities are useful while designing programmes – particularly while targeting the beneficiaries – structural rigidities are more important while implementing and monitoring these programs.India, Poverty