Enterprise Social Networks as Digital Infrastructures - Understanding the Utilitarian Value of Social Media at the Workplace

ABSTRACT

In this study, we first show that while both the perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment of enterprise social networks impact employees’ intentions for continuous participation, the utilitarian value significantly outpaces its hedonic value. Second, we prove that the network’s utilitarian value is constituted by its digital infrastructure characteristics: versatility, adaptability, interconnectedness and invisibility-in-use. The study is set within a software engineering company and bases on quantitative survey research, applying partial least squares structural equation modeling.     

Impact of the surface characteristics of rainwater tank material on biofilm development

In order to determine the impact of rainwater construction material on the development of a biofilm, three materials were tested: concrete, clay, and PVC. The biofilm attachment was initially more effective on clay coupons, but, after a period of three days, concrete coupons produced a greater quantity of biofilm than clay and PVC, in that order. The heterotrophic plate count in the rainwater indicated that this quantity tended to first increase following a rainfall, and then decrease. The new materials seemed to attach themselves to the existing biofilm on the wall and/or sediment in the form of small particles. The presence of fecal coliforms in the biofilm coupons was noted after major rainfall events, and this was correlated with the increase in fecal coliforms in the water. This study concluded that the most favorable support for biofilm development is concrete, clay, and PVC, in that order.     

ADSA Foundation Scholar Award: New frontiers in calf and heifer nutrition—From conception to puberty

Dairy calf nutrition is traditionally one of the most overlooked aspects of dairy management, despite its large effect on the efficiency and profitability of dairy operations. Unfortunately, among all animals on the dairy farm, calves suffer from the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. These challenges have catalyzed calf nutrition research over the past decade to mitigate high incidences of disease and death, and improve animal health, growth, welfare, and industry sustainability. However, major knowledge gaps remain in several crucial stages of development. The purpose of this review is to summarize the key concepts of nutritional physiology and programming from conception to puberty and their subsequent effects on development of the calf, and ultimately, future performance. During fetal development, developmental plasticity is highest. At this time, maternal energy and protein consumption can influence fetal development, likely playing a critical role in calf and heifer development and, importantly, future production. After birth, the calf's first meal of colostrum is crucial for the transfer of immunoglobulin to support calf health and survival. However, colostrum also contains numerous bioactive proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that may play key roles in calf growth and health. Extending the delivery of these bioactive compounds to the calf through a gradual transition from colostrum to milk (i.e., extended colostrum or transition milk feeding) may confer benefits in the first days and weeks of life to prepare the calf for the preweaning period. Similarly, optimal nutrition during the preweaning period is vital. Preweaning calves are highly susceptible to health challenges, and improved calf growth and health can positively influence future milk production. Throughout the world, the majority of dairy calves rely on milk replacer to supply adequate nutrition. Recent research has started to re-evaluate traditional formulations of milk replacers, which can differ significantly in composition compared with whole milk. Transitioning from a milk-based diet to solid feed is critical in the development of mature ruminants. Delaying weaning age and providing long and gradual step-down protocols have become common to avoid production and health challenges. Yet, determining how to appropriately balance the amount of energy and protein supplied in both liquid and solid feeds based on preweaning milk allowances, and further acknowledging their interactions, shows great promise in improving growth and health during weaning. After weaning and during the onset of puberty, heifers are traditionally offered high-forage diets. However, recent work suggests that an early switch to a high-forage diet will depress intake and development during the time when solid feed efficiency is greatest. It has become increasingly clear that there are great opportunities to advance our knowledge of calf nutrition; yet, a more concentrated and rigorous approach to research that encompasses the long-term consequences of nutritional regimens at each stage of life is required to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of the global dairy industry.     

Overview of the local production process of raw milk butter in Wallonia (Belgium)

This study aims to describe the procedures and practices used in local production of raw milk butter. The demand for local products is increasing; hence, there is a need to describe the practices used in the artisanal production of raw milk butter. Therefore, a survey of 147 raw milk butter producers was carried out. The results from the survey indicate that there is not one single way to produce butter at artisanal level. In terms of maturation, six temperature sequences were distinguished. Attention is required at every step of production starting from breeding.     

基建仓库

基建仓库项目位于莱瓦顿的Harlingervaart运河岸边,作为周边建筑的仓库,它具有独特的趣味性良好的形体感,因此被认为是立于运河沿岸广场上的一座雕塑。建筑的入口处挑出悬臂,并且顺势突出建筑南侧的体量     

Theoretical Modelling of Film-Forming Mechanisms Under Transient Conditions: Application to Deceleration and Experimental Validation

This paper proposes an analytical model for line (1D) and point contacts (2D), based upon the Ertel’s hypothesis to predict the evolution of film thickness in steady-state and transient conditions in elastohydrodynamic lubrication. This theoretical approach, applied to a velocity ramp at constant deceleration, is perfectly supported by experimental results in terms of film thickness distribution during the deceleration process and in terms of central film thickness at the vanishing of the entrainment velocity. This work emphasizes the role of the transport effects of the lubricant at the instantaneous entrainment velocity on the time and length scales at which the film thickness disturbances induced by the deceleration process occur until the complete halting of the surfaces.     

Context-sensitive decision support systems in road safety

Enterprises often embed decision-making processes in procedures in order to address issues in all cases. However, procedures often lead to sub-optimal solutions for any specific decision. As a consequence, each actor develops the practice of addressing decision making in a specific context. Actors contextualize decision making when enterprises are obliged to decontextualize decision making to limit the number of procedures and cover whole classes of decision-making processes by generalization. Practice modeling is not easy because there are as many practices as contexts of occurrence. This chapter proposes a way to deal effectively with practices. Based on a conceptual framework for dealing with context, we present a context-based representation formalism for modeling decision making and its realization by actors. This formalism is called contextual graphs and is discussed using the example of modeling car drivers’ behaviors. This article is part of the “Handbook on Decision Support Systems” edited by Frada Burstein and Clyde W. Holsapple (2008) Springer.     

Aminofunctional polyethers: smart materials for applications in solution and on surfaces

In recent years, biocompatible polyethers with multi‐aminofunctionality have been used for a variety of applications in different fields. Both established and recently developed synthesis strategies for such polymers and applications as stimuli‐responsive materials, non‐viral vectors, shell crosslinked micelles and for surface functionalization are reviewed. The intriguing potential of such materials is due to both polyether and polyamine components and can thus be readily tuned by the copolymer microstructure and composition. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry