Among pharmaceuticals and personal care products released into the aquatic environment, antibiotics are of particular concern, because of their ubiquity and health effects. Although scientists have recently paid more ...Among pharmaceuticals and personal care products released into the aquatic environment, antibiotics are of particular concern, because of their ubiquity and health effects. Although scientists have recently paid more attention to the threat of antibiotics to coastal ecosystems, researchers have often focused on relatively few antibiotics, because of the absence of suitable analytical methods. We have therefore developed a method for the rapid detection of 36 antibiotic residues in coastal waters, including tetracyclines (TCs), sulfanilamides (SAs), and quinolones (QLs). The method consists of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, using electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive mode. The SPE was performed with Oasis HLB and Oasis MCX cartridges. Chromatographic separation on a Cr8 column was achieved using a binary eluent containing methanol and water with 0.1% formic acid. Typical recoveries of the analytes ranged from 67.4% to 109.3% at a fortification level of 100 ng/L. The precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD), was below 14.6% for all the compounds. The limits of detection (LODs) varied from 0.45 pg to 7.97 pg. The method was applied to detemaine the target analytes in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea in Liaoning, China. Among the tested antibiotics, 31 were found in coastal 'waters, with their concentrations between the LOD and 212.5 ng/L. These data indicate that this method is valid for analysis of antibiotics in coastal waters. The study first reports such a large number of antibiotics along the Yellow Sea coast of Liaoning, and should facilitate future comprehensive evaluation of antibiotics in coastal ecosystems展开更多
AIM: TO estimate the prevalence of the lactase non-persistent genotype (C/C-23910) in a northern Russian population in accordance with ethnicity, and to evaluate self-reported milk consumption depending on lactase ...AIM: TO estimate the prevalence of the lactase non-persistent genotype (C/C-23910) in a northern Russian population in accordance with ethnicity, and to evaluate self-reported milk consumption depending on lactase activity. METHODS: Blood samples for genotyping lactase activity, defining the C/T-13910 variant by polymerase chain reaction, and direct sequencing were taken from 231 medical students of Russian origin aged 17-26 years. We analyzed milk product consumption by questionnaire which was specially designed for the estimation of milk consumption and abdominal complaints. RESULTS: We found that the prevalence of the C/C-13190 genotype in the northern Russian population was 35.6%. The other genotypes nearby C/T-13910 and associated with lactase activity were not present in the study population. The consumption of milk among people with the non-persistent genotype tended to be lower than among the lactose tolerant subjects, but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: An investigation of the lactase persistent genotype in a northern Russian population has not been performed before, The genotype did not affect the consumption of milk products in this population which could be explained by low consumption of milk products among the entire study population.展开更多
Protoplast isolation was relevant for gene manipulation in U lva, and universal protocols have been proposed based on evaluation for various wildly collected species. However, only clonal laboratory cultures were prac...Protoplast isolation was relevant for gene manipulation in U lva, and universal protocols have been proposed based on evaluation for various wildly collected species. However, only clonal laboratory cultures were practical for genetic transformation, and whether applicability of such universal protocol existed for these artificial cultures has never been investigated. In this research, samples in different physiological states or developmental stages were tested in U. prolifera. The results proved that the protoplast yields were strongly dependent on the characteristics of samples. Neither F_v/F_m value nor chlorophyll content exhibited an ideal correlation with the protoplast yields. Alternatively, specific growth rate, coupled with developmental stage, could serve as an ef fective combined index to determine the right time for protoplast isolation. According to this instruction, here we reported the highest yields of protoplast((31.5±1.9)×10~6 cells/g f. wt.) in U. prolifera, following comparison between protocols, and further optimizations on enzyme content, incubation period, starting biomass and pretreatment. This specified protocol for artificially cultured clonal samples could meet the need for protoplast-mediated genetic transformation in U. prolifera.展开更多
In a manufacturing industry, mixed model assembly line(MMAL) is preferred in order to meet the variety in product demand. MMAL balancing helps in assembling products with similar characteristics in a random fashion. T...In a manufacturing industry, mixed model assembly line(MMAL) is preferred in order to meet the variety in product demand. MMAL balancing helps in assembling products with similar characteristics in a random fashion. The objective of this work aims in reducing the number of workstations, work load index between stations and within each station. As manual contribution of workers in final assembly line is more, ergonomics is taken as an additional objective function. Ergonomic risk level of a workstation is evaluated using a parameter called accumulated risk posture(ARP), which is calculated using rapid upper limb assessment(RULA) check sheet. This work is based on the case study of an MMAL problem in Rane(Madras) Ltd.(India), in which a problem based genetic algorithm(GA) has been proposed to minimize the mentioned objectives. The working of the genetic operators such as selection, crossover and mutation has been modified with respect to the addressed MMAL problem. The results show that there is a significant impact over productivity and the process time of the final assembled product, i.e., the rate of production is increased by 39.5% and the assembly time for one particular model is reduced to 13 min from existing 18 min. Also, the space required using the proposed assembly line is only 200 m2 against existing 350 m2. Further, the algorithm helps in reducing workers fatigue(i.e., ergonomic friendly).展开更多
Compared to traditional rigid robots, soft robots, primarily made of deformable, or less rigid materials, have good adaptability, conformability and safety in interacting with the environment. Although soft robots hav...Compared to traditional rigid robots, soft robots, primarily made of deformable, or less rigid materials, have good adaptability, conformability and safety in interacting with the environment. Although soft robots have shown great potentials for extended applications and possibilities that are impossible or difficult for rigid body robots, it is of great importance for them to have the capability of controllable stiffness modulation. Stiffness modulation allows soft robots to have reversible change between the compliant, or flexible state and the rigid state. In this paper, we summarize existing principles and methods for stiffness modulation in soft robotic development and divide them into four groups based on their working principles. Acoustic-based methods have been proposed as the potential fifth group in stiffness modulation of soft robots. Initial design proposals based on the proposed acoustic method are presented, and challenges in further development are highlighted.展开更多
The anti-aging effects of a cream containing L-carnosine and ginseng root extract to provide a reference for the evaluation and development of anti-aging cosmetics were tested. Sixty healthy females, aged 35-60,were g...The anti-aging effects of a cream containing L-carnosine and ginseng root extract to provide a reference for the evaluation and development of anti-aging cosmetics were tested. Sixty healthy females, aged 35-60,were grouped into test sample and placebo groups. Skin elasticity, gloss, and wrinkles of the participants were analyzed before use and after use for 8 weeks. Instrument measurement results showed that after 8 weeks,skin elasticity, gloss, and wrinkles in the members of the test sample group obviously improved relative to those of the placebo group. Clinical effect assessment results showed that subjects did not experience adverse skin reactions, and their skin gloss showed obvious improvement. Self-assessment results showed that 87%subjects are satisfied with the test sample. Cream containing L-carnosine and ginseng root extract has a certain anti-aging effect.展开更多
The paper presents to managers' and scholars' reasons for using models to determine the strategic importance of innovation and its potential value creation. The model of value based innovation (VBI) provides a cle...The paper presents to managers' and scholars' reasons for using models to determine the strategic importance of innovation and its potential value creation. The model of value based innovation (VBI) provides a clear definition of the adequate value curve to be pursued in any innovation action, from strategic definition to operational product conceptualization and production. The VBI model has been applied in strategic planning in over 100 SMEs throughout Portugal and USA by the authors and other consultant companies. The VBI model provides the practitioners and scholars with a pragmatic tool to determine innovation's value creation. Connecting this information with strategic thinking and planning will reduce risk and avoid failure. The theoretical model when converted into a technological application provides an immediate insight into the most adequate strategic innovation to be chosen by top management and operational product developers. The paper demonstrates the relation between innovation and value creation.展开更多
With the increasing use of PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products), the impact caused by the accumulation of PPCPs on the environment has become increasingly serious and has attracted considerable attenti...With the increasing use of PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products), the impact caused by the accumulation of PPCPs on the environment has become increasingly serious and has attracted considerable attention. In the last 10 years, major studies on PPCPs have focused on the sources and analytical testing of concentrations in the environment. Afterward, studies have shifted to the transfer and transformation of PCPPs in the environment and to the environmental risk assessment of PPCPs. Studies on PPCPs in the underground environment have mainly focused on their adsorption, desorption, transfer, and transformation in the aeration and saturation zones. The main methods applied in these studies include indoor simulation experiments and outdoor sampling and testing. These studies have mainly considered one dimension, and most of them have concentrated only on the aeration or saturation zone. Therefore, the main developing directions of studies on PPCPs are the comprehensive study of the transfer and transform process from source to sink in the underground environment and the establishment of an effective and efficient PPCP detection system,展开更多
This qualitative research study addresses the research question of how the environmental sustainability initiative of 7G (Seventh Generation), a product design, marketing, and distribution company in the household a...This qualitative research study addresses the research question of how the environmental sustainability initiative of 7G (Seventh Generation), a product design, marketing, and distribution company in the household and personal care products, could be understood within its supply chain context using Tornatzky and Fleischer's TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) framework. Content analysis, a research technique for making valid inferences from text following a set of procedures, was used and applied to secondary data materials on 7G. The findings reveal that the environmental, organizational, and technological contexts, which are key elements of the TOE framework, are useful in analyzing and comprehending the business practices and business processes adopted by 7G to pursue its sustainability initiative. Of particular interest are those business processes that were included by 7G's EMS (Environment Management System) and enabled by green IS (Information Systems). Both the strengths and weaknesses of 7G's efforts are discussed and suggestions are presented for modifying certain phases of the systems development life cycle methodology when implementing green IS.展开更多
Human resources are at the core ofany certification body.To establish the public credibilityof its work,a certification body must constructa professional and high quality personnel team thatcan meet the demands of var...Human resources are at the core ofany certification body.To establish the public credibilityof its work,a certification body must constructa professional and high quality personnel team thatcan meet the demands of various certificationtasks.The China Quality Mark Certification Group(CQM Group) attaches great importance to the constructionof human resources.Taking the training offirst-rate personnel as the primary objective of itsstrategic development,the Group has formulatedand gradually implemented the human resource developmentstrategy.It has also adapted and improvedthe professional structure of its certificationpersonnel in a timely manner,planned and organizedcontinuous education for these personnel andstrengthened monitoring of the use process of certificationpersonnel.This has been done to improvethe core competitiveness of the CQM Group and torealize the strategic objective of becoming an "internationalname brand certification body with first-ratepersonnel,first-rate management,first-rate qualityand first-rate services".展开更多
Whilst there are a number of qualified methodologies, the researchers have opted to utilise the tools available through Six Sigma to prove that Six Sigma can be used to save resources and improve quality and process. ...Whilst there are a number of qualified methodologies, the researchers have opted to utilise the tools available through Six Sigma to prove that Six Sigma can be used to save resources and improve quality and process. Five industry sectors were identified as the ones to be surveyed using quantitative and qualitative methods and finally piloting the results on five different SMEs. Since this is a relative new methodology to the Cypriot entrepreneur and regrettably at the time of carrying out the study an international financial crisis caused a lot of financial problems to many respondents and as such could not see the immediate effects or benefits of Six Sigma and were reluctant to co-operate or participate. The Six Sigma methodology can be customized to industrial sectors and a tailored version of the methodology can be developed for a particular process or problem. The paper illustrates the problem areas identified from both the qualitative and quantitative research per industry. This is the first study carried out on Six Sigma in a small economy like Cyprus and tested on five industry sectors using both qualitative and quantitative methods展开更多
In order to reduce energy consumption and protect the human survival environment, the lightweight has became the development trend of the world automobile industry. On the premise of ensuring the strength, safety and ...In order to reduce energy consumption and protect the human survival environment, the lightweight has became the development trend of the world automobile industry. On the premise of ensuring the strength, safety and driving performance of the car, the major car enterprises try to reduce the curb weight of the ear, fuel consumption and emissions. Not only a lot of new technologies and new products have been generated, but also joint vehicle development process and computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis technology have been developed. Since the entry into the "Au- tomobile Lightweight Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance" in Dec. 2007, Geely Group has been focusing on light- weight construction of vehicle and key assemblies in every stage of the vehicle product development. Among vehicles ap- peared on the market and in research, it has presented continuously better performance. The paper describes application examples and successful experience of CAE simulation analysis and performance optimization during the lightweight de- sign and development of a self-developed model of Geely, and looks forward to the prospects for the development of lightweight of Geely vehicle.展开更多
Nordic design has also been called the "Scandinavian" design, with the best reputation in the international design field, especially in furniture, industrial products and other fields. Scandinavian design, with simp...Nordic design has also been called the "Scandinavian" design, with the best reputation in the international design field, especially in furniture, industrial products and other fields. Scandinavian design, with simple but not easy product appearance and shape, perfect man-machine interface, and very humane exotic customs, has led the global design industry trend, touching consumers' hearts all over the world since several decades of years ago. Dematerialization factors bound in Nordic-design are the root cause of the classic achievements. Dematerialization fully contains human touch, human factors. This is focusing on people-oriented design concepts, reflecting the best harmonious development of the modern world's ideas and themes. This article mainly takes Scandinavian-product design as an example-furniture and industrial design, and makes further exploration and research of dematerialization factors contained by products.展开更多
Although a number of cases of hepatotoxicity are associated with the use of Hydroxycut weight management products, it has been alleged that their effects are primarily due to the presence of hydroxycitric acid (HCA, a...Although a number of cases of hepatotoxicity are associated with the use of Hydroxycut weight management products, it has been alleged that their effects are primarily due to the presence of hydroxycitric acid (HCA, as Super CitriMax) in the formulations. However, while these products contain up to 20 different ingredients, some do not contain HCA. Case studies reported to date have not considered in depth the literature on the numerous animal and human studies that have been conducted on the safety and effi cacy of HCA. No HCA-associated hepatotoxicity or treatment-related adverse effects have been reported in these studies, and thus it is premature to make the assumptions presented in the recent case studies regarding Hydroxycut. If it is established in well controlled studies that the use of these formulations with and/or without HCA can result in the occurrence or progression of hepatotoxicity, additional studies should be conducted to characterize the causative factor(s).展开更多
In this paper, a number of basic differences in the contemporary accounting research are explored: (1) American versus European research perspectives; (2) mathematically-based versus non-mathematically-based rese...In this paper, a number of basic differences in the contemporary accounting research are explored: (1) American versus European research perspectives; (2) mathematically-based versus non-mathematically-based research approaches; (3) positive versus naturalistic methodologies; (4) objectivist versus subjectivist assumptions concerning the accounting craft; and (5) functionalist versus interpretive paradigms on the accounting theory. In this paper, the accounting literature is discerned from its methodological characteristics combined with some basic metaphors of accounting (e.g., accounting as the economic goods, the political output, the social process, or the cultural product). Facing these differences, a synthetic view is called for to recognize the unique strengths of different perspectives. It is believed that different perspectives can enrich themselves by learning from each other. The synthetic view can then enhance the overall quality of the accounting research. Facing the wide-ranging needs of the contemporary accounting research, the important strategy is to match research methods/perspectives with research questions/purposes.展开更多
In this paper, we conduct research on the packaging and illustration design development trend from the psychology and aesthetics perspective. Commercial illustration in packaging design which can provide extremely div...In this paper, we conduct research on the packaging and illustration design development trend from the psychology and aesthetics perspective. Commercial illustration in packaging design which can provide extremely diversified forms of style, to convey the brand' s core idea, brand or product difference, and brand personality. Application of illustration in packaging design should use human language, which would make the commodity characteristics. Our methodology combines the principles of psychology and aesthetics to optimize the traditional approaches which will not only enhance the design pattern of the current model and help make innovative products.展开更多
基金Supported by Young Scientists Research Program (No. 2009507)the Key Laboratory of Marine Bioactive Substances and Modern Analytical Techniques (No. MBSMAT-2010-04),SOA of China
文摘Among pharmaceuticals and personal care products released into the aquatic environment, antibiotics are of particular concern, because of their ubiquity and health effects. Although scientists have recently paid more attention to the threat of antibiotics to coastal ecosystems, researchers have often focused on relatively few antibiotics, because of the absence of suitable analytical methods. We have therefore developed a method for the rapid detection of 36 antibiotic residues in coastal waters, including tetracyclines (TCs), sulfanilamides (SAs), and quinolones (QLs). The method consists of solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, using electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive mode. The SPE was performed with Oasis HLB and Oasis MCX cartridges. Chromatographic separation on a Cr8 column was achieved using a binary eluent containing methanol and water with 0.1% formic acid. Typical recoveries of the analytes ranged from 67.4% to 109.3% at a fortification level of 100 ng/L. The precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD), was below 14.6% for all the compounds. The limits of detection (LODs) varied from 0.45 pg to 7.97 pg. The method was applied to detemaine the target analytes in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea in Liaoning, China. Among the tested antibiotics, 31 were found in coastal 'waters, with their concentrations between the LOD and 212.5 ng/L. These data indicate that this method is valid for analysis of antibiotics in coastal waters. The study first reports such a large number of antibiotics along the Yellow Sea coast of Liaoning, and should facilitate future comprehensive evaluation of antibiotics in coastal ecosystems
基金The Sigrid Jusélius Foundation,Helsinki,Finland and Tampere University Hospital Research Funds
文摘AIM: TO estimate the prevalence of the lactase non-persistent genotype (C/C-23910) in a northern Russian population in accordance with ethnicity, and to evaluate self-reported milk consumption depending on lactase activity. METHODS: Blood samples for genotyping lactase activity, defining the C/T-13910 variant by polymerase chain reaction, and direct sequencing were taken from 231 medical students of Russian origin aged 17-26 years. We analyzed milk product consumption by questionnaire which was specially designed for the estimation of milk consumption and abdominal complaints. RESULTS: We found that the prevalence of the C/C-13190 genotype in the northern Russian population was 35.6%. The other genotypes nearby C/T-13910 and associated with lactase activity were not present in the study population. The consumption of milk among people with the non-persistent genotype tended to be lower than among the lactose tolerant subjects, but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: An investigation of the lactase persistent genotype in a northern Russian population has not been performed before, The genotype did not affect the consumption of milk products in this population which could be explained by low consumption of milk products among the entire study population.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41776153)the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project financially supported by Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(No.2016ASKJ02-1)+1 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA11020304)the Postdoctoral Application Research Program funded by Qingdao(No.2016189)
文摘Protoplast isolation was relevant for gene manipulation in U lva, and universal protocols have been proposed based on evaluation for various wildly collected species. However, only clonal laboratory cultures were practical for genetic transformation, and whether applicability of such universal protocol existed for these artificial cultures has never been investigated. In this research, samples in different physiological states or developmental stages were tested in U. prolifera. The results proved that the protoplast yields were strongly dependent on the characteristics of samples. Neither F_v/F_m value nor chlorophyll content exhibited an ideal correlation with the protoplast yields. Alternatively, specific growth rate, coupled with developmental stage, could serve as an ef fective combined index to determine the right time for protoplast isolation. According to this instruction, here we reported the highest yields of protoplast((31.5±1.9)×10~6 cells/g f. wt.) in U. prolifera, following comparison between protocols, and further optimizations on enzyme content, incubation period, starting biomass and pretreatment. This specified protocol for artificially cultured clonal samples could meet the need for protoplast-mediated genetic transformation in U. prolifera.
基金support and help of many individuals in the SASTRA University
文摘In a manufacturing industry, mixed model assembly line(MMAL) is preferred in order to meet the variety in product demand. MMAL balancing helps in assembling products with similar characteristics in a random fashion. The objective of this work aims in reducing the number of workstations, work load index between stations and within each station. As manual contribution of workers in final assembly line is more, ergonomics is taken as an additional objective function. Ergonomic risk level of a workstation is evaluated using a parameter called accumulated risk posture(ARP), which is calculated using rapid upper limb assessment(RULA) check sheet. This work is based on the case study of an MMAL problem in Rane(Madras) Ltd.(India), in which a problem based genetic algorithm(GA) has been proposed to minimize the mentioned objectives. The working of the genetic operators such as selection, crossover and mutation has been modified with respect to the addressed MMAL problem. The results show that there is a significant impact over productivity and the process time of the final assembled product, i.e., the rate of production is increased by 39.5% and the assembly time for one particular model is reduced to 13 min from existing 18 min. Also, the space required using the proposed assembly line is only 200 m2 against existing 350 m2. Further, the algorithm helps in reducing workers fatigue(i.e., ergonomic friendly).
文摘Compared to traditional rigid robots, soft robots, primarily made of deformable, or less rigid materials, have good adaptability, conformability and safety in interacting with the environment. Although soft robots have shown great potentials for extended applications and possibilities that are impossible or difficult for rigid body robots, it is of great importance for them to have the capability of controllable stiffness modulation. Stiffness modulation allows soft robots to have reversible change between the compliant, or flexible state and the rigid state. In this paper, we summarize existing principles and methods for stiffness modulation in soft robotic development and divide them into four groups based on their working principles. Acoustic-based methods have been proposed as the potential fifth group in stiffness modulation of soft robots. Initial design proposals based on the proposed acoustic method are presented, and challenges in further development are highlighted.
文摘The anti-aging effects of a cream containing L-carnosine and ginseng root extract to provide a reference for the evaluation and development of anti-aging cosmetics were tested. Sixty healthy females, aged 35-60,were grouped into test sample and placebo groups. Skin elasticity, gloss, and wrinkles of the participants were analyzed before use and after use for 8 weeks. Instrument measurement results showed that after 8 weeks,skin elasticity, gloss, and wrinkles in the members of the test sample group obviously improved relative to those of the placebo group. Clinical effect assessment results showed that subjects did not experience adverse skin reactions, and their skin gloss showed obvious improvement. Self-assessment results showed that 87%subjects are satisfied with the test sample. Cream containing L-carnosine and ginseng root extract has a certain anti-aging effect.
文摘The paper presents to managers' and scholars' reasons for using models to determine the strategic importance of innovation and its potential value creation. The model of value based innovation (VBI) provides a clear definition of the adequate value curve to be pursued in any innovation action, from strategic definition to operational product conceptualization and production. The VBI model has been applied in strategic planning in over 100 SMEs throughout Portugal and USA by the authors and other consultant companies. The VBI model provides the practitioners and scholars with a pragmatic tool to determine innovation's value creation. Connecting this information with strategic thinking and planning will reduce risk and avoid failure. The theoretical model when converted into a technological application provides an immediate insight into the most adequate strategic innovation to be chosen by top management and operational product developers. The paper demonstrates the relation between innovation and value creation.
文摘With the increasing use of PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products), the impact caused by the accumulation of PPCPs on the environment has become increasingly serious and has attracted considerable attention. In the last 10 years, major studies on PPCPs have focused on the sources and analytical testing of concentrations in the environment. Afterward, studies have shifted to the transfer and transformation of PCPPs in the environment and to the environmental risk assessment of PPCPs. Studies on PPCPs in the underground environment have mainly focused on their adsorption, desorption, transfer, and transformation in the aeration and saturation zones. The main methods applied in these studies include indoor simulation experiments and outdoor sampling and testing. These studies have mainly considered one dimension, and most of them have concentrated only on the aeration or saturation zone. Therefore, the main developing directions of studies on PPCPs are the comprehensive study of the transfer and transform process from source to sink in the underground environment and the establishment of an effective and efficient PPCP detection system,
文摘This qualitative research study addresses the research question of how the environmental sustainability initiative of 7G (Seventh Generation), a product design, marketing, and distribution company in the household and personal care products, could be understood within its supply chain context using Tornatzky and Fleischer's TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) framework. Content analysis, a research technique for making valid inferences from text following a set of procedures, was used and applied to secondary data materials on 7G. The findings reveal that the environmental, organizational, and technological contexts, which are key elements of the TOE framework, are useful in analyzing and comprehending the business practices and business processes adopted by 7G to pursue its sustainability initiative. Of particular interest are those business processes that were included by 7G's EMS (Environment Management System) and enabled by green IS (Information Systems). Both the strengths and weaknesses of 7G's efforts are discussed and suggestions are presented for modifying certain phases of the systems development life cycle methodology when implementing green IS.
文摘Human resources are at the core ofany certification body.To establish the public credibilityof its work,a certification body must constructa professional and high quality personnel team thatcan meet the demands of various certificationtasks.The China Quality Mark Certification Group(CQM Group) attaches great importance to the constructionof human resources.Taking the training offirst-rate personnel as the primary objective of itsstrategic development,the Group has formulatedand gradually implemented the human resource developmentstrategy.It has also adapted and improvedthe professional structure of its certificationpersonnel in a timely manner,planned and organizedcontinuous education for these personnel andstrengthened monitoring of the use process of certificationpersonnel.This has been done to improvethe core competitiveness of the CQM Group and torealize the strategic objective of becoming an "internationalname brand certification body with first-ratepersonnel,first-rate management,first-rate qualityand first-rate services".
文摘Whilst there are a number of qualified methodologies, the researchers have opted to utilise the tools available through Six Sigma to prove that Six Sigma can be used to save resources and improve quality and process. Five industry sectors were identified as the ones to be surveyed using quantitative and qualitative methods and finally piloting the results on five different SMEs. Since this is a relative new methodology to the Cypriot entrepreneur and regrettably at the time of carrying out the study an international financial crisis caused a lot of financial problems to many respondents and as such could not see the immediate effects or benefits of Six Sigma and were reluctant to co-operate or participate. The Six Sigma methodology can be customized to industrial sectors and a tailored version of the methodology can be developed for a particular process or problem. The paper illustrates the problem areas identified from both the qualitative and quantitative research per industry. This is the first study carried out on Six Sigma in a small economy like Cyprus and tested on five industry sectors using both qualitative and quantitative methods
基金Supporting Program of the"Twelfth Five-year Plan"for Sci & Tech Research of China(No. 2011BAG03B02No.2011BAG03B06)
文摘In order to reduce energy consumption and protect the human survival environment, the lightweight has became the development trend of the world automobile industry. On the premise of ensuring the strength, safety and driving performance of the car, the major car enterprises try to reduce the curb weight of the ear, fuel consumption and emissions. Not only a lot of new technologies and new products have been generated, but also joint vehicle development process and computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis technology have been developed. Since the entry into the "Au- tomobile Lightweight Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance" in Dec. 2007, Geely Group has been focusing on light- weight construction of vehicle and key assemblies in every stage of the vehicle product development. Among vehicles ap- peared on the market and in research, it has presented continuously better performance. The paper describes application examples and successful experience of CAE simulation analysis and performance optimization during the lightweight de- sign and development of a self-developed model of Geely, and looks forward to the prospects for the development of lightweight of Geely vehicle.
文摘Nordic design has also been called the "Scandinavian" design, with the best reputation in the international design field, especially in furniture, industrial products and other fields. Scandinavian design, with simple but not easy product appearance and shape, perfect man-machine interface, and very humane exotic customs, has led the global design industry trend, touching consumers' hearts all over the world since several decades of years ago. Dematerialization factors bound in Nordic-design are the root cause of the classic achievements. Dematerialization fully contains human touch, human factors. This is focusing on people-oriented design concepts, reflecting the best harmonious development of the modern world's ideas and themes. This article mainly takes Scandinavian-product design as an example-furniture and industrial design, and makes further exploration and research of dematerialization factors contained by products.
文摘Although a number of cases of hepatotoxicity are associated with the use of Hydroxycut weight management products, it has been alleged that their effects are primarily due to the presence of hydroxycitric acid (HCA, as Super CitriMax) in the formulations. However, while these products contain up to 20 different ingredients, some do not contain HCA. Case studies reported to date have not considered in depth the literature on the numerous animal and human studies that have been conducted on the safety and effi cacy of HCA. No HCA-associated hepatotoxicity or treatment-related adverse effects have been reported in these studies, and thus it is premature to make the assumptions presented in the recent case studies regarding Hydroxycut. If it is established in well controlled studies that the use of these formulations with and/or without HCA can result in the occurrence or progression of hepatotoxicity, additional studies should be conducted to characterize the causative factor(s).
文摘In this paper, a number of basic differences in the contemporary accounting research are explored: (1) American versus European research perspectives; (2) mathematically-based versus non-mathematically-based research approaches; (3) positive versus naturalistic methodologies; (4) objectivist versus subjectivist assumptions concerning the accounting craft; and (5) functionalist versus interpretive paradigms on the accounting theory. In this paper, the accounting literature is discerned from its methodological characteristics combined with some basic metaphors of accounting (e.g., accounting as the economic goods, the political output, the social process, or the cultural product). Facing these differences, a synthetic view is called for to recognize the unique strengths of different perspectives. It is believed that different perspectives can enrich themselves by learning from each other. The synthetic view can then enhance the overall quality of the accounting research. Facing the wide-ranging needs of the contemporary accounting research, the important strategy is to match research methods/perspectives with research questions/purposes.
文摘In this paper, we conduct research on the packaging and illustration design development trend from the psychology and aesthetics perspective. Commercial illustration in packaging design which can provide extremely diversified forms of style, to convey the brand' s core idea, brand or product difference, and brand personality. Application of illustration in packaging design should use human language, which would make the commodity characteristics. Our methodology combines the principles of psychology and aesthetics to optimize the traditional approaches which will not only enhance the design pattern of the current model and help make innovative products.