17 research outputs found
Sunflower Car Rental / Norliana Husin... [et al.]
No full textSunflower Car Rental is a new business that provides car for rent. The car is suitable for any activities like tour and businesses. It’s also suitable for individuals, family and group. This business operates is Lim Lean Teng Mansion, (Infront of eastern & Oriental hotel) Farquhar Street 10200 Penang
Integration of analytic network process in adaptive lean and green processing
No full textThe manufacturing and processing industry have been an important part of the global economy. Many industry players are constantly looking for an alternative to improve their operation and environmental performance to remain competitive in the market. The lean and green approach aims to reduce operation and environmental waste within an organisation. In this study, a lean and green framework is proposed to evaluate the industrialist performance to achieve higher performance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Three main clusters are incorporated in the framework such as environment, machine and resources. The analytic network process (ANP) method is used to establish the relationship between the three clusters with the input from industry expert from the respective field. A lean and green index is developed from the ANP model as a benchmarking for the industrialist. Backpropagation method is utilized as the continuous analysis tools to analyse the performance of the organization accordingly to the time step. The adaptive characteristic of backpropagation method is reflected from the ability for continuous improvement with time. In this study, the lean and green index will be further optimized with the adaptive approach. This paper proposes an adaptive model that can improve the industry’s performance and practise continuous improvement through establishing the adaptive approach.</p
Memories / Syahrini Shawalludin
No full textThis artwork is an appreciation for the memories of almost 10 years I have been in Sungai Petani, Kedah. It has been bad and good memories here where it is a beautiful and peaceful place. Several places at Sungai Petani has a great historical story that make me fall in love with it. Most of great achievement I achieved here that create me to be a better person. Most of the memories give a step up and wake up call for me as it has become a strength for me in a way to appreciate people around me. Sungai Petani is one of the city in Kedah Darul Aman and Kuala Muda district. This digital illustration is the Sungai Petani Clock Tower which it is a main attraction for me.It is a main landmark for Sungai Petani since more than 42 years. Located in the heart of the town or also known as Jam Besar for the locals. It is a 12m high clock tower and was built in 1936 as a gift to commemorate the reign of His Majesty King George V by entrepreneur and philanthropist, Lim Lean Teng. We can have a quick look and take a photo when there isn’t too much traffic around it. The structure of clock tower is the main attraction and the color of it seem lasting from the previous year. It looks historic and old as a contrast to all the modern buildings, which have sprung up in Sungai Petani. It’s very worth looking for if visiting Sungai Petani
A reference model for extended enterprise
No full textIn today's highly competitive, volatile and increasingly global manufacturing
environment, manufacturing companies are increasingly aware of the need for agility
and effectiveness at the supply-chain level, rather than simply at company level.
Business Process Re-engineering and the resulting emphasis on core competence has
influenced a move towards de-centralisation, flatter organisation structures and
increased use of "outsourcing". It has been said that it is now supply-chain versus
supply-chain and that this poses both opportunity and threat for SMEs.
While some work has been done in relation to developing the concept of integrated
supply-chains, relatively little has been published with respect to the concept of
"Extended Enterprise (EE)", the "highest' 'level of inter-enterprise integration.
This thesis provides a thorough review of literature with respect to supply-chain
integration and Extended Enterprise. Current practice is evaluated on the basis of the
literature review and an analysis of a questionnaire and some Case Study companies.
A detailed description of Extended Enterprise is provided and a conceptual reference
model is developed, with the aim of providing a strategic planning tool, which will
help organisations to identify the extent to which they operate as part of an EE. The
model is intended also to help organisations in their evolution towards more effective
operation within EE.
One of the key characteristics/enablers of EE is stated as the existence of an
organisational structure, which supports the effective identification, rationalisation
and deployment of core competence within an EE. An approach based upon the
concept of a "Process Breakdown Structure" is introduced and is evaluated in the
context of a Case Study Company
A reference model for extended extended enterprise
No full textIn today's highly competitive, volatile and increasingly global manufacturing
environment, manufacturing companies are increasingly aware of the need for agility
and effectiveness at the supply-chain level, rather than simply at company level.
Business Process Re-engineering and the resulting emphasis on core competence has
influenced a move towards de-centralisation, flatter organisation structures and
increased use of "outsourcing". It has been said that it is now supply-chain versus
supply-chain and that this poses both opportunity and threat for SMEs.
While some work has been done in relation to developing the concept of integrated
supply-chains, relatively little has been published with respect to the concept of
"Extended Enterprise (EE)", the "highest' 'level of inter-enterprise integration.
This thesis provides a thorough review of literature with respect to supply-chain
integration and Extended Enterprise. Current practice is evaluated on the basis of the
literature review and an analysis of a questionnaire and some Case Study companies.
A detailed description of Extended Enterprise is provided and a conceptual reference
model is developed, with the aim of providing a strategic planning tool, which will
help organisations to identify the extent to which they operate as part of an EE. The
model is intended also to help organisations in their evolution towards more effective
operation within EE.
One of the key characteristics/enablers of EE is stated as the existence of an
organisational structure, which supports the effective identification, rationalisation
and deployment of core competence within an EE. An approach based upon the
concept of a "Process Breakdown Structure" is introduced and is evaluated in the
context of a Case Study Company.
The major contribution to knowledge lies in the bringing together of concepts from
Supply-Chain Management, Strategic Planning and Management, Concurrent Engineering, Project/Programme Management, CIM and Human Resource Management, into a reference model for EE. Contribution at a more detailed level is
provided by the development and illustration of an organisational structure based on
a Project/Programme Management approach that has the potential to support the
effective identification, rationalisation and deployment of core competence across EE.
Recommendationsfo r further work include long-term adoption and evaluation of the
approach by one of the Case Companies as part of its planned international expansion
Barriers to energy efficiency improvement: Empirical evidence from small-and-medium sized enterprises in China
No full textThis paper analyzes barriers for energy efficiency investments for small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China. Based on a survey of 480 SMEs in Zhejiang Province, this study assesses financial, informational, and organizational barriers for energy efficiency investments in the SME sector. The conventional view has been that the lack of appropriate financing mechanisms particularly hinders SMEs to adopt cost-effective energy efficiency measures. As such, closing the financing gap for SMEs is seen as a prerequisite in order to promote energy efficiency in the sector. The econometric estimates of this study, however, suggest that access to information is an important determinant of investment outcomes, while this is less clear with respect to financial and organizational factors. More than 40 percent of enterprises in the sample declared that that they are not aware of energy saving equipments or practices in their respective business area, indicating that there are high transaction costs for SMEs to gather, assess, and apply information about energy saving potentials and relevant technologies. One implication is that the Chinese government may assume an active role in fostering the dissemination of energy-efficiency related information in the SME sector. --energy efficiency,SMEs,China,energy policies,information access
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Myeloid Slc2a1-Deficient Murine Model Revealed Macrophage Activation and Metabolic Phenotype Are Fueled by GLUT1
No full textMacrophages (MΦs) are heterogeneous and metabolically flexible, with metabolism strongly affecting immune activation. A classic response to proinflammatory activation is increased flux through glycolysis with a downregulation of oxidative metabolism, whereas alternative activation is primarily oxidative, which begs the question of whether targeting glucose metabolism is a viable approach to control MΦ activation. We created a murine model of myeloid-specific glucose transporter GLUT1 (Slc2a1) deletion. Bone marrow-derived MΦs (BMDM) from Slc2a1M-/- mice failed to uptake glucose and demonstrated reduced glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway activity. Activated BMDMs displayed elevated metabolism of oleate and glutamine, yet maximal respiratory capacity was blunted in MΦ lacking GLUT1, demonstrating an incomplete metabolic reprogramming. Slc2a1M-/- BMDMs displayed a mixed inflammatory phenotype with reductions of the classically activated pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, yet less oxidative stress. Slc2a1M-/- BMDMs had reduced proinflammatory metabolites, whereas metabolites indicative of alternative activation-such as ornithine and polyamines-were greatly elevated in the absence of GLUT1. Adipose tissue MΦs of lean Slc2a1M-/- mice had increased alternative M2-like activation marker mannose receptor CD206, yet lack of GLUT1 was not a critical mediator in the development of obesity-associated metabolic dysregulation. However, Ldlr-/- mice lacking myeloid GLUT1 developed unstable atherosclerotic lesions. Defective phagocytic capacity in Slc2a1M-/- BMDMs may have contributed to unstable atheroma formation. Together, our findings suggest that although lack of GLUT1 blunted glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, MΦ were metabolically flexible enough that inflammatory cytokine release was not dramatically regulated, yet phagocytic defects hindered MΦ function in chronic diseases
Metodologia para o desenvolvimento de ambientes de trabalho colaborativo entre professores
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de ProduçãoA Internet promoveu e vem promovendo importantes mudanças no nosso cotidiano, influenciando ações, atitudes e até mesmo aspectos de comunicação. Aquela rede que surgiu acadêmica conformada pela utilidade belicista, ganhou o mundo, tornou-se institucional, comercial e mais recentemente educadora. Se do ponto de vista do aluno, que é fortemente beneficiado pela acessibilidade ao conhecimento, o uso da Internet possibilitou uma atualização na forma de aprender, do ponto do professor, que necessita de mais rapidamente absorver conhecimento, o uso da rede o fez se readaptar a uma realidade inteiramente nova, na qual o papel de colaborador e provedor do conhecimento é dos mais importantes. É neste cenário que se desenvolve esta Tese de Doutorado, na agregação de conhecimento ao conteúdo de um grupo de professores trabalhando colaborativamente na criação e manutenção de uma disciplina de um curso a distância na Web. Aqui é mostrado um levantamento do estado da arte do trabalho colaborativo, fazendo-se um paralelo com sua aplicação nas universidades, principalmente do ponto de vista acadêmico, dando o embasamento teórico necessário. Sob o aspecto experimental, foram realizados levantamentos para avaliação das tarefas e necessidades requeridas para tal trabalho, pontos que balizam o desenvolvimento de um ambiente computacional de apoio. A Metodologia CommonKADS, surgida para desenvolvimento de Sistemas Baseados em Conhecimento foi aqui utilizada, mostrando-se que ela é aplicável a um sistema de gestão do conhecimento desde que algumas pequenas alterações no seu modelo de conhecimento sejam realizadas. Para a representação do conteúdo da disciplina, buscou-se a solução na aplicação da Norma IEEE 1484.12.1-2002, que define os Metadados de Objetos de Aprendizagem (Learning Object Metadata) ou LOM, como são costumeiramente referenciados. São discutidos pontos importantes com relação a norma e propostas simplificações para sua gestão. Por fim, o ambiente desenvolvido foi usado por um grupo de professores que o analisaram com relação a sua praticidade, funcionalidade e no conjunto de deficiências e benefícios trazidos. The Internet has been promoting significant changes in your life, influencing actions, attitudes, and your communications aspects. The Internet, which was born like an academic issue, but beaconed by military utility, has become word wide institutional and educational nowadays. In the point of view of students, who is the main stakeholder of net knowledge sharing, the Internet using, made possible the inclusion of new paradigms in the way that they learning. On the other hand, to professors, they had to change dramatically the way they work, because a quickly knowledge comprehension become vital. In this new scenario, the main professor's role becomes of provider and sharing knowledge agent. This Thesis focuses these new issues of professors' work, managing knowledge aggregation to a distance learning course contents' material, generated by a professors' work group, working in collaboration. The main goal is to define a software tool: to help professors to work together lowering costs and spent time on creating the contents, examples and exercises of an actual course of distance learning. The state of art in collaborative work is presented here, making some comments on its application inside universities' universe. Two experiments were executed to value the tasks and requirement issues to work in collaboration, like a survey of collaborative work. The experiment results were used to show the way of your research, that goals to development of software tool of collaborative work support. The CommomKADS methodology, created to develop Knowledge Based Systems was used, even in a different kind of system: a content manager. Some changes in his models have been made to determine the software. To knowledge representation, we have used the IEEE 14.84.12.1-2002 norm that defines Learning Objects Metadata concept. We show how to use this norm to represent the knowledge in our system, using some automatism to facilitate the professor's work. Here, we propose some simplifications to make it possible. At the end, the system was be applied like support tool to Java teaching professors' group. This evaluation was crucial to determine some practical and functional issues of our system
Myeloid SLC2a1-deficient murine model revealed macrophage activation and metabolic phenotype are fueled by GLUT1
No full textMacrophages (MFs) are heterogeneous and metabolically flexible, with metabolism strongly affecting immune activation. A classic response to proinflammatory activation is increased flux through glycolysis with a downregulation of oxidative metabolism, whereas alternative activation is primarily oxidative, which begs the question of whether targeting glucose metabolism is a viable approach to control MF activation. We created a murine model of myeloid-specific glucose transporter GLUT1 (Slc2a1) deletion. Bone marrow-derived MFs (BMDM) from Slc2a1 M -/ - mice failed to uptake glucose and demonstrated reduced glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway activity. Activated BMDMs displayed elevated metabolism of oleate and glutamine, yet maximal respiratory capacity was blunted in MF lacking GLUT1, demonstrating an incomplete metabolic reprogramming. Slc2a1 M -/ - BMDMs displayed a mixed inflammatory phenotype with reductions of the classically activated pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, yet less oxidative stress. Slc2a1 M -/ - BMDMs had reduced proinflammatory metabolites, whereas metabolites indicative of alternative activation-such as ornithine and polyamines-were greatly elevated in the absence of GLUT1. Adipose tissue MFs of lean Slc2a1 M -/ - mice had increased alternative M2-like activation marker mannose receptor CD206, yet lack of GLUT1 was not a critical mediator in the development of obesity-associated metabolic dysregulation. However, Ldlr-/ - mice lacking myeloid GLUT1 developed unstable atherosclerotic lesions. Defective phagocytic capacity in Slc2a1 M -/ - BMDMs may have contributed to unstable atheroma formation. Together, our findings suggest that although lack of GLUT1 blunted glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway, MF were metabolically flexible enough that inflammatory cytokine release was not dramatically regulated, yet phagocytic defects hindered MF function in chronic diseases
