Toward a conceptual framework of the process of organized innovation technological within the firm

The literature concerning information flow and organizational design for technological innovation is summarized and a conceptual framework of the process of organized technological innovation within the firm is developed. The framework incorporates Rosenbloom's premise that corporate strategy can serve to cut across both internal and external boundaries of the firm and is shown to be consistent with the relevant organizational and planning literatures. The potential for using mathematical models to represent a firm's corporate strategy, budgeting and resource allocation activities is discussed. We argue that such models are needed to provide for policy analysis and could lead to a simulation capability that serves as a surrogate for real-life experimentation.     

Inhibitory effect of Jeju endemic seaweeds on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7

Seaweed has been used in traditional cosmetics and as a herbal medicine in treatments for cough,boils,goiters,stomach ailments,and urinary diseases,and for reducing the incidence of tumors,ulcers,and headaches.Despite the fact that seaweeds are frequently used in the practice of human health,little is known about the role of seaweed in the context of inflammation.This study aimed to investigate the influence of Jeju endemic seaweed on a mouse macrophage cell line(RAW 264.7) under the stimulation of lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Ethyl acetate extracts obtained from 14 different kinds of Jeju seaweeds were screened for inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory mediators.Our results revealed that extracts from five seaweeds,Laurencia okamurae,Grateloupia elliptica,Sargassum thun-bergii,Gloiopeltis furcata,and Hizikia fusiformis,were potent inhibitors of the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide(NO),prostaglandin E2(PGE2),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α).Based on these results,the anti-inflammatory effects and low cell toxicity of these seaweed extracts suggest potential thera-peutic applications in the regulation of the inflammatory response.     

The role of spatial ability in mixed reality learning with the HoloLens

The use of mixed reality in science education has been increasing and as such it has become more important to understand how information is learned in these virtual environments. Spatial ability is important in many learning contexts, but especially in neuroanatomy education where learning the locations and spatial relationships between brain regions is paramount. It is currently unclear what role spatial ability plays in mixed reality learning environments, and whether it is different compared to traditional physical environments. To test this, a learning experiment was conducted where students learned neuroanatomy using both mixed reality and a physical plastic model of a brain (N = 27). Spatial ability was assessed and analyzed to determine its effect on performance across the two learning modalities. The results showed that spatial ability facilitated learning in mixed reality (β = 0.21, P = 0.003), but not when using a plastic model (β = 0.08, P = 0.318). A non-significant difference was observed between the modalities in terms of knowledge test performance (d = 0.39, P = 0.052); however, mixed reality was more engaging (d = 0.59, P = 0.005) and learners were more confident in the information they learned compared to using a physical model (d = 0.56, P = 0.007). Overall, these findings suggest that spatial ability is more relevant in virtual learning environments, where the ability to manipulate and interact with an object is diminished or abstracted through a virtual user interface.     

Discipline and rules in four Hong Kong kindergarten classrooms: a qualitative case study

Classroom discipline is a topic of international interest and teachers are bombarded with advice regarding how to and why they should manage children’s behaviour in their classrooms. This paper draws on data related to classroom discipline gathered from a detailed classroom observation schedule, teacher interviews, and field notes with four purposively selected kindergarten teachers working in Hong Kong with children aged 5–6 years. The findings of this qualitative case study show that the teachers were concerned about disciplining children to ensure good behaviour. They expected all children to follow the rules and used characteristic discipline strategies such as stating expectations and ‘praising the opposite’ to maintain good behaviour. The paper discusses these findings in light of the Westernisation of kindergarten teaching practices in Hong Kong.     

Normative data for regional sweat sodium concentration and whole-body sweating rate in athletes

The purpose of this study was to establish normative data for regional sweat sodium concentration ([Na⁺]) and whole-body sweating rate in athletes. Data from 506 athletes (367 adults, 139 youth; 404 male, 102 female) were compiled from observational athlete testing for a retrospective analysis. The participants were skill/team-sport (including American football, baseball, basketball, soccer and tennis) and endurance (including cycling, running and triathlon) athletes exercising in cool to hot environmental conditions (15–50°C) during training or competition in the laboratory or field. A standardised regional absorbent patch technique was used to determine sweat [Na⁺] on the dorsal mid-forearm. Whole-body sweat [Na⁺] was predicted using a published regression equation (y = 0.57x+11.05). Whole-body sweating rate was calculated from pre- to post-exercise change in body mass, corrected for fluid/food intake (ad libitum) and urine output. Data are expressed as mean ± SD (range). Forearm sweat [Na⁺] and predicted whole-body sweat [Na⁺] were 43.6 ± 18.2 (12.6–104.8) mmol · L^–1 and 35.9 ± 10.4 (18.2–70.8) mmol · L^–1, respectively. Absolute and relative whole-body sweating rates were 1.21 ± 0.68 (0.26–5.73) L · h^–1 and 15.3 ± 6.8 (3.3–69.7) ml · kg^–1 · h^–1, respectively. This retrospective analysis provides normative data for athletes’ forearm and predicted whole-body sweat [Na⁺] as well as absolute and relative whole-body sweating rate across a range of sports and environmental conditions.