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Integral Approach (integral + approach)
Selected AbstractsMergers and acquisitions in Japan: Lessons from a Dutch-Japanese case studyGLOBAL BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE, Issue 3 2009Frits D. J. Grotenhuis This article deals with lessons learned from mergers and acquisitions in Japan. In general, such combinations are not success stories, since 50,80 percent of them do not bring the benefits that were expected. Several reasons for such failures have been brought up in the literature, but real-life cases of the "how" and "why" are very limited or fragmented, especially in a Japanese context. This study enhances a more integral approach into Dutch-Japanese acquisitions. Based on an in-depth Dutch-Japanese case study and a literature review, it can be concluded that the preparation of mergers and acquisitions with Japanese organizations should be focused on (1) knowledge about the target company and its context, (2) strategic issues, and (3) leadership and cultural issues, in order to prevent culture clashes and misunderstandings, and increase the chances of success. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Effects of a Brazilian herbal compound as a cosmetic eyecare for periorbital hyperchromia ("dark circles")JOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Samara Eberlin PhD Summary Background, Evidence suggests that periorbital hyperchromia (dark circles) occurs mainly as a consequence of postinflammatory hemodynamic congestion producing a typical bruising aspect on the lower eyelids. Aims, To evaluate the clinical effects of Pfaffia paniculata/Ptychopetalum olacoides B./Lilium candidum L.-associated compound (PPLAC) on periorbital hyperchromia and to study in vitro its underlying anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. Methods, Twenty-one volunteers presenting with periorbital hyperchromia received a serum sample containing 5.0% PPLAC, which was applied topically in the periorbital area twice a day for 28 days. Skin color was measured using variations in the individual typological angle (,ITA0) and skin luminance (,L*) calculated in the area around the eyes and in the adjacent area. Colorimetric readings were taken at the onset and end of the 28-day treatment. Volunteers were also asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning the improvement in "dark circles." The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of PPLAC were measured by quantification of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, histamine, and superoxide dismutase levels using an in vitro model of human skin culture. Results, Topical application of PPLAC led to a significant improvement in skin luminance and tone in the periorbital area, which was demonstrated by increased values of ITA0 and L* in about 90% of volunteers. In addition, subjects reported reduced intensity and improved appearance of "dark circles." A dose-dependent decreased production of inflammatory mediators, concomitant to increased antioxidant enzyme levels, was observed in our in vitro studies, under basal and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated conditions. Conclusions, Although the precise mechanisms related to PPLAC remain to be clarified, our results indicate that the reduction in the inflammatory process as well as the antioxidant protection against deleterious elements may be considered as an integral approach to preserve the integrity of vascular endothelium, preventing the hemodynamic congestion that culminates in the formation of "dark circles" around the eyes. [source] Minimal-power control of hydrogen evolution reactionsOPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS AND METHODS, Issue 2 2010Vicente Costanza Abstract An integral approach to solve finite-horizon optimal control problems posed by set-point changes in electrochemical hydrogen reactions is developed. The methodology extends to nonlinear problems with regular, convex Hamiltonians that cannot be explicitly minimized, i.e. where the functional dependence of the H -minimal control on the state and costate variables is not known. The Lagrangian functions determining trajectory costs will not have special restrictions other than positiveness, but for simplicity the final penalty will be assumed quadratic. The answer to the problem is constructed through the solution to a coupled system of three first-order quasi-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) for the missing boundary conditions x(T), ,(0) of the Hamiltonian equations, and for the final value of the control variable u(T). The independent variables of these PDEs are the time-duration T of the process and the characteristic parameter S of the final penalty. The solution provides information on the whole (T, S)-family of control problems, which can be used not only to construct the individual optimal control strategies online, but also for global design purposes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dirac particle in a plane wave field and the semi-classical approximationANNALEN DER PHYSIK, Issue 4 2005S. Bourouaine Abstract In this paper we investigate the influence of photon represented by plane wave field on Dirac particle in the context of path integral approach given by Fradkin and Gitman formalism. In our case, although the action relative to Dirac particle in plane wave field seems to be non quadratic, the result obtained by semi-classical approach is the same as that found by an exact calculation. Hence; when we add the plane wave field to any quadratic actions related to Fradkin and Gitman approach, the total action behaves like quadratic. [source] A combined vortex and panel method for numerical simulations of viscous flows: a comparative study of a vortex particle method and a finite volume methodINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 10 2005Kwang-Soo Kim Abstract This paper describes and compares two vorticity-based integral approaches for the solution of the incompressible Navier,Stokes equations. Either a Lagrangian vortex particle method or an Eulerian finite volume scheme is implemented to solve the vorticity transport equation with a vorticity boundary condition. The Biot,Savart integral is used to compute the velocity field from a vorticity distribution over a fluid domain. The vorticity boundary condition is improved by the use of an iteration scheme connected with the well-established panel method. In the early stages of development of flows around an impulsively started circular cylinder, and past an impulsively started foil with varying angles of attack, the computational results obtained by the Lagrangian vortex method are compared with those obtained by the Eulerian finite volume method. The comparison is performed separately for the pressure fields as well. The results obtained by the two methods are in good agreement, and give a better understanding of the vorticity-based methods. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||