Predicting employee information security policy compliance on a daily basis: The interplay of security-related stress,emotions, and neutralization

We conceptualized security-related stress (SRS) and proposed a theoretical model linking SRS, discrete emotions, coping response, and information security policy (ISP) compliance. We used an experience sampling design, wherein 138 professionals completed surveys. We observed that SRS had a positive association with frustration and fatigue, and these negative emotions were associated with neutralization of ISP violations. Additionally, frustration and fatigue make employees more likely to follow through on their rationalizations of ISP violations by decreased ISP compliance. Our findings provide evidence that neutralization is not a completely stable phenomenon but can vary within individuals from one time point to another.     

Deactivation of hydrodesulfurization catalysts during reactor startup

Metal sulfide catalysts for ultra-deep hydrodesulfurization of diesel generally lose a fraction of their catalytically active sites during reactor startup. The underlying mechanisms are discussed. A laboratory diagnostic tool consisting of three probe molecules is developed for testing metal sulfide catalysts' start-of-run (SOR) activity maintenance. It is found that a significant fraction of the active sites on a commercial supported catalyst are deactivated permanently, but this is not the case with a bulk metal sulfide catalyst. The SOR deactivation of the bulk catalyst is completely reversible, while that of the supported catalyst is partially reversible. The diagnostic tool may provide a basis for developing a high-throughput approach for evaluating and enhancing catalyst SOR stability, thereby increasing plant productivity.     

A Flexi-PEGDA Upconversion Implant for Wireless Brain Photodynamic Therapy

Near-infrared (NIR) activatable upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) enable wireless-based phototherapies by converting deep-tissue-penetrating NIR to visible light. UCNPs are therefore ideal as wireless transducers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of deep-sited tumors. However, the retention of unsequestered UCNPs in tissue with minimal options for removal limits their clinical translation. To address this shortcoming, biocompatible UCNPs implants are developed to deliver upconversion photonic properties in a flexible, optical guide design. To enhance its translatability, the UCNPs implant is constructed with an FDA-approved poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) core clad with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). The emission spectrum of the UCNPs implant can be tuned to overlap with the absorption spectra of the clinically relevant photosensitizer, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). The UCNPs implant can wirelessly transmit upconverted visible light till 8 cm in length and in a bendable manner even when implanted underneath the skin or scalp. With this system, it is demonstrated that NIR-based chronic PDT is achievable in an untethered and noninvasive manner in a mouse xenograft glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) model. It is postulated that such encapsulated UCNPs implants represent a translational shift for wireless deep-tissue phototherapy by enabling sequestration of UCNPs without compromising wireless deep-tissue light delivery.     

Sinterability of Forsterite Prepared via Solid‐State Reaction

In this work, the sinterability of forsterite powder synthesized via solid‐state reaction was investigated. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses indicate that the synthesized powder possessed peaks that correspond to stoichiometric forsterite. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the powders were formed agglomerates, which were made up of loosely packed fine particles. Subsequently, the forsterite powders were cold isostatically pressed into a disk shape under 200 MPa and sintered in air at temperature ranging from 1200°C to 1500°C (interval of 50°C) with ramp rate of 10°C/min and dwelling time of 2 h. The sinterability of each sintered samples was examined in terms of phase stability, relative density, Vickers hardness, fracture toughness, and microstructural examination. XRD examination on all the sintered samples exhibited pure forsterite, in which the generated peaks were found to be in a good agreement with JCPDS card no. 34‐0189. The densification of forsterite progressed to reach a maximum relative density of ~91% at 1500°C. This study also revealed that high‐strength forsterite ceramic can be synthesized via solid‐state reaction as forsterite attained favorable mechanical properties, having fracture toughness of 4.88 MPam^1/2 and hardness of 7.11 GPa at 1400°C.     

Microwave and pulsed electric field assisted extractions of polyphenols from defatted canola seed cake

The incorporation of microwave and pulsed electric field (PEF) technologies in optimising the extraction of polyphenols from defatted canola seed cake was determined by Box‐Behnken response surface methodology, using three parameters of microwave treatment (power, time and liquid: solid (L:S) ratio) and four parameters of PEF (ethanol concentration, time, frequency and voltage). After microwave and PEF pretreatments, the polyphenols of defatted canola seed cake were extracted by ultrasound treatment under fixed variables (200 W of ultrasonic power, 70 °C of water bath and 20 min of extraction time). The measured responses were total phenolics, total flavonoids, the DPPH˙ scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The maximum yields of all responses were achieved under optimum conditions of microwave processing (5 min, L:S ratio of 6.0 and 633.3 W) and PEF‐assisted extraction (30 V, 30 Hz, 10% ethanol concentration and 10 s).     

Wireless link prediction and triggering using modified Ornstein–Uhlenbeck jump diffusion process

Through time domain observation, typical wireless signal strength values seems to exhibit some forms of mean-reverting and discontinuous “jumps” behaviour. Motivated by this fact, we propose a wireless link prediction and triggering (LPT) technique using a modified mean-reverting Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) jump diffusion process. The proposed technique which we refer as OU-LPT is an integral component of wireless mesh network monitoring system developed by ICT FP7 CARrier grade wireless MEsh Network project. In particular, we demonstrate how this technique can be applied in the context of wireless mesh networks to support link switching or handover in the event of predicted link degradation or failure. The proposed technique has also been implemented and evaluated in a real-time experimental testbed. The results show that OU-LPT technique can significantly enhance the reliability of wireless links by reducing the rate of false triggers compared to a conventional linear prediction technique and therefore offers a new direction on how wireless link prediction, triggering and switching process can be conducted in the future.     

Does power posing affect gerontechnology adoption among older adults?

Recognising the rise of an aging population and independent living among older adults, many governments and organisations have developed and promoted new technologies in the form of gerontechnologies to support the needs and enhance the well-being of older adults. However, the adoption of products using such technology remains modest among the aging population. This study introduces the notion of power in the form of power posing and examines its impact on new technology adoption, particularly gerontechnology, among older adults. Using an experimental approach on a sample of older adults exposed to an in-house near-field communication-enabled light system, the study finds that high-power poses have a greater and more positive impact on older adults’ perceived ease of use of, perceived usefulness of, and intentions to use gerontechnology than low-power poses. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.     

Design characteristics of a workload manager to aid drivers in safety–critical situations

Cognition, Technology & Work - The objective of this study was to evaluate a workload manager designed to supervise the presentation of in-vehicle information for two age groups of drivers...     

Structure and properties of polyethylene–polypropylene blend

The structure and mechanical properties of blends of low-density polyethylene and isotactic polypropylene were studied. The blends behaved like a simple composite obeying the rule of mixture for the modulus dependence on composition. Tensile strength of the LDPE was enhanced with the addition of PP but elongation at break was drastically reduced for all blend compositions. Studies with WAXD, hot-stage microscope, and DSC indicated lack of interaction between the LDPE and the PP. The crystallographic structure of LDPE and PP remained unchanged. However, the spherulite size of the PP was found to be reduced in the presence of LDPE, possibly due to an increase in nucleation density.     

Solvent fractionation of petroleum pitch for mesophase formation

Petroleum pitch (Ashland A240) has been subjected to thermal treatment and solvent fractionation to produce refined pitches to be evaluated as impregnants for C-C composites. The solvent fractions were obtained by sequential Soxhlet extraction with solvents such as hexane, benzene, and pyridine. Thermal treatment to 408 °C produced a mesophase pitch (≈50% mesophase); an appreciable portion of the mesophase was soluble in strong solvents. There were substantial differences in chemical composition and in pyrolysis behaviour of the fractions. As the depth of fraction increased, the pyrolysis yield and bloating increased, and the microstructure of the coke became finer until glassy microconstituents were formed in the deepest fractions.