Search results

The aim of this paper is to highlight the structure implemented in biological systems. Our modelling world view is based on automata and a hierarchical structure of biological system, because a feedback loop (the basic structure of any biological system) is a hierarchical structure, the processors of which are automata. Our modelling of a body metabolism (without energy production systems from lipids and proteins), is divided into two parts: Basic structure of a feedback loop and the structure of control of loops.

Life is an open system; moreover, it is classically admitted as being a complex system. Isomorphism in complex systems is examined by comparison between structural and behaviour features drawn by Forrester and the living's features. The study of the features of homologies in complex system should lead to formal laws.

Interest in reverse innovation (RI) is increasing. According to the authors’ review, more than 350 reliable sources (scientific publications, academic books and working papers) examine or at least discuss the concept. As RI gains popularity among academic authors, some discrepancies have started to appear. This wealth of publications could impact prior advancements related to understanding of the phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to decrease fragmentation and focus on identifying and understanding RI.

A systematic review of RI was conducted. The review conformed to a rigorous set of core principles: it was systematic (organized according to a method designed to address the review questions), transparent (explicitly stated), reproducible and updatable, and synthesized (summarized the evidence relating to the review question).

This systematic review provides an improved theoretical and practical framework for the concept of RI. In terms of theory, the authors have demonstrated that the idea behind the concept is not entirely new. A consensus on the definition of RI is not reached in the literature, and descriptions in organizational theory contexts are sometimes misleading. The authors analyzed all the various definitions provided in the literature. From a practical point of view, the authors have explained the academic interest in RI in relation to organizational strategy, in particular the context in which strategies are adopted. The concept of RI has significant managerial implications, and the authors have proposed a conceptual framework to help managers understand and grasp the implications of RI. Finally, the authors have provided suggestions for future research on RI.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first exhaustive literature review on RI.

Technological innovation has made it possible to review how a film cues particular reactions on the part of the viewers. The purpose of this paper is to capture and interpret visual perception and attention by the simultaneous use of eye tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) technologies.

The authors have developed a method for joint analysis of EEG and eye tracking. To achieve this goal, an algorithm was implemented to capture and interpret visual perception and attention by the simultaneous use of eye tracking and EEG technologies. All parameters have been measured as a function of the relationship between the tested signals, which, in turn, allowed for a more accurate validation of hypotheses by appropriately selected calculations.

The results of this study revealed a coherence between EEG and eye tracking that are of particular relevance for human perception.

This paper endeavors both to capture and interpret visual perception and attention by the simultaneous use of eye tracking and EEG technologies. Eye tracking provides a powerful real-time measure of viewer region of interest. EEG technologies provides data regarding the viewer’s emotional states while watching the movie.

The approach in this paper is distinct from similar studies because it takes into account the integration of the eye tracking and EEG technologies. This paper provides a method for determining a fully functional video introspection system.

The purpose of this paper is to understand the sound practical reasons underlying the behaviour of very small enterprise (VSE) owner‐managers with respect to their perceived resistance to the dominant entrepreneurial and managerial models in areas such as management methods, marketing or internationalisation.

The current literature on VSE managers was reviewed in the light of Raymond Boudon's general theory of rationality. Starting from the premise that in science, the simplest explanation tends to be the best, the paper highlights the practical reasons why VSE owner‐managers behave the way they do.

While there may be cultural or personality‐based reasons why VSE owner‐managers often appear to reject the traditional entrepreneurial model, these are not the sole or even the main explanation. In most cases, the behaviour in question can be explained much more simply by practical, down‐to‐earth reasons. From the actor's point of view, his behaviour is always rational.

This new model of the behaviour of VSE owner‐managers has not been empirically tested.

The paper presents a novel vision of the behaviour of VSE owner‐managers, based on the practical reasons underlying their actions, that goes beyond the existing typologies such as the “Traditional‐vs‐Opportunistic” entrepreneur.

The purpose of this study was to examine the health promotion behaviours of Gujarati Asian Indian immigrants in the United States. Although there is an abundance of literature on health promotion behaviours, research on Asian Indian immigrant’s health promotion behaviour remains unexplored. The research was conducted on a national sample of 261 Gujurati immigrants via survey questionnaire. Apath model was utilised to test predictors of health promotion behaviours among the respondents. Findings reveal that health promotion behaviours were positively associated with the respondent’s age, number of work hours and negatively associated with meal change to a more western diet. Implications for social work practitioners are discussed.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of inorganic inhibitors on the corrosion rate of aluminum alloy using the electrochemical noise (EN) analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques.

EN and EIS measurements were employed to study the corrosion behavior of aluminum alloy in Na₂SO₄(0.50 M)/NaCl(0.20 M) solution in presence of inorganic inhibitors. The time‐series noise patterns were transformed into the frequency domain using fast Fourier transformation, and then their power spectrum densities (PSDs) at specified frequencies were determined and compared with the EIS and polarization results.

The EN, EIS and polarization results were in agreement. The inhibitive effect of the anions decreased in the order: CrO₄²⁻>Cr₂O₇²⁻>NO₃⁻>WO₄²⁻>MoO₄²⁻>NO₂⁻. The results showed that the slope of PSD of the current (i.e. the “roll off”) was less where inhibition efficiency was greater. The spectral noise impedance and the modulus of the impedance recorded using impedance spectroscopy showed good agreement.

This paper provides useful information relative to corrosion inhibition efficiency of the sodium and potassium salts using EN analysis technique.

SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF CYBERNETICS AND SYSTEMS After London, Oxford, Bucharest, Amsterdam and Mexico, the triennal congress of the World Organisation of General Systems and Cybernetics (W.O.G.S.C.) took place in Paris (France) from 10 to 14 September 1984. It was organized by the College de Systemique of the Association Francaise pour la Cybernetique Economique et Technique (AFCET) at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM). It was sponsored by the Ministry of Research, CNAM, the Centre National d'Etude des Télécommunications, IBM‐France and Thomson.

The effect of chlorides on corrosion of reinforcing steel is well documented in the literature. However, few studies have focused attention on the effect of sulphates on the corrosion of low carbon steel in alkaline media. This paper aims to address this issue.

This paper describes the results of the investigation into the corrosion behaviour of low carbon steel (typically used as reinforcing steel), exposed to alkaline media at a pH of 9 and 12 with varying concentrations of sulphate and chloride ions, as well as, in sulphate only solutions. An attempt was made to inhibit corrosion of steel exposed to the corrosive media using laser surface treatment of the steel specimens. Mass loss tests and electrochemical tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of sulphate only and the combined effect of sulphate and chloride ions in an alkaline media on steel.

It was found that sulphate ions could cause corrosion of steel in alkaline media. The severity of the attack increased with increasing sulphate ion concentrations, as well as with combinations of sulphate and chloride ions. The pH 12 conditions seem to show much more critical attack with evidence of pitting corrosion as compared to uniform corrosion for test conditions at a pH of 9. The attempt to inhibit the observed corrosion of steel exposed to the corrosive high alkaline media containing sulphate ions on their own and in combination of chloride ions by laser surface treatment proved to be successful.

The research undertaken here adds to the body of knowledge relating to the effect of sulphate ions on reinforcing steel corrosion in highly alkaline media. Most literature points out that sulphate ions on their own do not have a corrosive effect, but rather, a passivating effect!