The Benefits of Exit Interviews

Abstract

When they are dismissed as after-the-fact formalities, exit interviews are missed opportunities to improve the rate of employee retention. the author of this article has used exit interviews to discover five key issues that attract and keep employees, and he credits the use of these interviews with a decline in his organization's IT turnover rate.     

Linking the lonely: an exploration of a communication technology designed to support social interaction among older adults

This article explores mixed methods data gathered from a pilot of a communication system prototype in the homes of 19 older adults over a period of 10?weeks. The system has been designed to enhance communication among both friends and strangers and has been developed as a possible tool to increase interaction in older adults suffering from social isolation and loneliness. The paper uses remote logging data to inform discussion of how such a technology was received and utilised over time in a home setting. Qualitative data gathered via entry and exit interviews, and weekly checkpoint calls were used to provide deeper insight into patterns and practices identified via the logs.     

基于类型预测的甚块预测器

高性能的甚块预测器是保证EDGE体系结构性能的关键手段.为研究性能更好的甚块预测器,文中通过仿真实验发现甚块的出口类型独立于甚块的出口个数和甚块的动态执行结果而存在.以此为据,提出了基于类型预测的甚块预测器.该预测器摈弃了甚块出口号,直接对甚块出口类型进行预测.随后,根据对甚块出口类型可预测性的分析,通过实验证明甚块出口类型与历史和路径信息相关.仿真结果显示,与经典的基于出口预测的甚块预测器相比,文中提出的基于类型预测的甚块预测器能够将每千条指令误预测次数平均降低约10％.     

Water transport through (7,7) carbon nanotubes of different lengths using molecular dynamics

Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate water transport through (7,7) CNTs, examining how changing the CNT length affects the internal flow dynamics. Pressure-driven water flow through CNT lengths ranging from 2.5 to 50?nm is simulated. We show that under the same applied pressure difference an increase in CNT length has a negligible effect on the resulting mass flow rate and fluid flow velocity. Flow enhancements over hydrodynamic expectations are directly proportional to the CNT length. Axial profiles of fluid properties demonstrate that entrance and exit effects are significant in the transport of water along CNTs. Large viscous losses in these entrance/exit regions lead into central “developed” regions in longer CNTs where the flow is effectively frictionless.     

Preventing Youth Pregnancy: Dialogue and Deliberation in a Science Museum Exhibit

ABSTRACT

In this article, we explore how visitors engage with a science museum exhibit that displays controversial topics. Through a case study methodology, we focus on the Brazilian exhibit Preventing Youth Pregnancy that delves into teen pregnancy, sexual practices, and sexually transmitted diseases. Using the lens of science communication (an emergent field of research) we explore (a) communication patterns established between the exhibit and the public and (b) the dimensions of engagement that visitors experienced. Data were collected through observations and interviews with visitors, field notes, exit comment cards, and interviews with staffers. Our findings revealed the potential of articulating different models of science communication and exposed a visitor experience in which informed decision making, sharing of personal stories, co-production of knowledge, and learning how to care (and act) were at play while negotiating the complexities of the issues raised by the displays.     

Kad网络的联合污染模型

将Kad网络中的关键词污染和文件源污染结合起来，使用状态转移分析的方法构造了一种联合污染模型。模型中综合考虑了污染程度、退出率、等待率等因素。对模型的仿真实验数据显示，受到联合污染时，Kad网络中查询失败的用户数远大于查询成功的用户数，并随着时间的增加而趋于稳定。在影响联合污染效果的若干因素中，污染程度对联合污染的效果有决定性的影响，退出率的影响次之，等待率的影响最小。     

An approach of checking an exit sign system based on navigation graph networks

Exit signs are widely used as an indoor navigation aid, because the information conveyed by exit signs can improve wayfinding efficiency. Existing research mainly focused on signboard design or the placement of several signs in a local space. Nevertheless, to provide effective navigation assistance, exit signs of a building need to work together and form a comprehensive exit sign system to indicate an effective exit route. Few studies treated exit signs of a building as a whole system to assess their design and placement. To fill this gap, this study defines three key characteristics of an effective exit sign system: continuity, consistency, and guiding correctness, proposes the mechanism of the interaction between pedestrians and exit signs on navigation graph networks, and develops a method to check exit sign systems based on navigation graph networks. The proposed method is a workflow that follows the procedure of constructing navigation graph networks using Building Information Modelling (BIM), identifying decision-making nodes, determining the mechanism of the interaction between pedestrians and exit signs, and assessing the effectiveness of exit sign systems in terms of continuity, consistency and guiding correctness. A real case of a three-story educational building is used to validate the feasibility of the proposed method. The results indicate that the proposed method can automatically identify coverage errors, direction conflicts, and guiding direction errors in exit sign systems of buildings. This study sheds substantial light on the design of exit sign systems in buildings and provides an effective tool to help designers and engineers design new exit sign systems and benefit building managers by examining and managing existing exit sign systems.     

基于MIP的WiMax终端退网研究

针对WiMax网络架构标准中CMIP下的终端异常退网问题,介绍WiMax标准的体系架构及移动IP协议,研究现有CMIP/PMIP模式下终端的退网和资源释放情况,在此基础上,设计并实现一种新的解决方案,将检测终端异常退网和发起终端退网流程的决策权交给接入网关。对其进行测试,结果表明,该方案既可解决CMIP模式下终端异常退网时不能及时进行资源释放以及用户计费等问题,也适合终端正常退网和PMIP模式下的异常退网等情形。     

煤矿膏体充填测控系统与RBF神经网络建模

通过对充填实验工艺的研究,设计了可靠的充填实验过程计算机测控系统,实现对试验过程的监测与控制。煤矿现场井下管路的出口压力是主要的控制参量,它必须满足变化的射程。而现场井下环境极其恶劣,难以测量。采用RBF神经网络建模方法,获得了膏体容重、塌落度、质量浓度、平均流速与出口压力值之间的多变量非线性函数模型。经模拟实验系统检验,模型预报的出口压力满足精度要求,且具有快速性和实时性的特点,解决了现场实测困难的问题,为现场工程应用推广打好了基础。     

考虑疏散安全和效率的室内障碍物布局优化

室内障碍物的布局会对人群时空分布、疏散安全和效率产生重要影响.为调查其影响,构建带有障碍物的单室单出口人群疏散模型.同时,通过3种不同的影响因素(即障碍物长度、障碍物与出口距离、障碍物偏离出口中心距离)来分析它们对人群疏散效率和安全的影响.研究结果发现障碍物长度与疏散效率成正向关系,而与疏散安全成反向关系;障碍物与出口距离与疏散效率和安全皆成正向关系;障碍物偏离出口中心距离与疏散效率和安全成反向关系.此外,本研究还使用多目标进化算法来对室内障碍物布局进行优化,所得结果可以为决策者平衡疏散安全和效率问题提供重要参考.     

Simulation and optimization of machining parameters in drilling of titanium alloys

The present study attempts to analyse the effect of various drilling parameters such as spindle speed, feed rate and drill bit diameter on performance characteristics such as thrust force, torque and circularity at entry and exit of the holes in drilling of titanium alloy using coated drill bit. A three dimensional machining model based on Lagrangian approach is developed using DEFORM-3D software. The performance characteristics obtained through simulation model is compared with experimental results. The simulation model closely agree with the experimental results as percentage relative error of 4.93, 9.01, 6.04 and 3.0 is observed for thrust, torque circularity at entry and circularity at exit respectively. The experimental data is used to develop valid empirical models to relate performance characteristics with drilling parameters using non-linear regression analysis. The empirical model helps to predict various performance characteristics without resorting to rigorous analysis through the numerical model. The values of various performance characteristics predicted from empirical models are compared with experimental results and the percentage relative error within 10% is observed. Finally, an improved version of latest evolutionary approach known as Harmony Search (HS) algorithm has been proposed to obtain favorable machining conditions through optimization of each performance characteristic. The optimal value of circularity at entry is obtained as 0.985 (approaching towards ideal value of one) when spindle speed, feed rate and drill bit diameter are set at 530.86 (≈531) RPM, 44.8 (≈45) mm/min and 7 mm, respectively. Similarly, optimal value of circularity at exit reaches 0.979 with same spindle speed and drill bit diameter but feed rate of 50 mm/min.     

Particle Discharge Rate Analysis and Control Laws of the Exit Gate for Pyramidal Hoppers

In this paper, we investigated a pyramidal hopper with extended discharge at the exit to make a bag of particles to a designated weight. Any feedback control strategy cannot be applied because the exit gate does not have any encoders to check its size, the gate size cannot be adjusted precisely during the closing motion, and the speed of the closing gate is relatively slow compared to the discharge rate of the particles. By only processing the weighing scale measurement in real time, we need to find the best point of time to start the exit gate closure of the pyramidal hopper to fill precise amount of particles into the bag. We developed and compared two control methods to determine appropriate point to initiate gate closure. First, we developed a control method by applying an empirical model describing the correlation between the gate size and the particle discharge rate, which is established by thorough experiments. Second, we developed a control method using curve fitting to predict the discharge rate of particles during gate closing motion without experiment. Both control methods were demonstrated using real time experiments, and the first one with an empirical model showed better result for final weight. This method can be directly applied to weight control of bag filling hopper without modifying the hardware system.

     

Forces required to jettison a simulated S92 passenger exit: Optimal helicopter underwater egress training techniques

This paper outlines the first known examination of the forces required to jettison a simulated exit used during helicopter underwater egress training (HUET). To capture the forces placed on the simulated cabin exit, a purpose build force plate was designed to replace an existing simulator exit used during HUET. A 25-point map was created to identify specific jettison forces required across the entire exit surface. Ten participants completed a total of 120 underwater egress sequences in–air and in-water from a normal flight and fully compressed crash attenuating seat position. The results indicate that the force required to jettison the simulated exit is significantly different in relationship to location on the exit surface. From the results, it can be concluded that helicopter underwater egress training protocols should ensure that offshore candidates are informed of the different force requirements as well as have the opportunity to practice jettisoning a high physical fidelity exit from a fully compressed crash attenuating seat.     

Monodisperse droplets by impinging flow-focusing

We proposed a new flow-focusing technique for generation of monodisperse femtoliter droplets, based on the capillary micro-cross. A funnel-shaped interface of two phase system is observed in a capillary cross for mass production of uniform drops, where a tapered exit orifice is extruded into the dispersed feeding capillary. The droplets, down to 2 μm in size at frequency of 20 kHz, are controllable in size when choosing orifice and capillary sizes, as well as flow rates of inner and outer fluids. For a specific diameter of exit orifice, there is a maximal flow rate of outer fluid, beyond which the interface will be penetrated. Until then, the interface is in steady state and all droplets are highly uniform (<3%), implicating an absolute instability in the whole process.     

Detecting behavioral zones in local and global camera views

We present a complete end-to-end framework to detect and exploit entry and exit regions in video using behavioral models of object trajectories. Using easily collected “weak” tracking data (short and frequently broken tracks) as input, we construct a set of entity tracks to provide more reliable entry and exit observations. These observations are then clustered to produce a set of potential entry and exit regions within the scene, and a behavior-based reliability metric is used to score each region and select the final zones. We also present an extension of our fixed-view approach to detect entry and exit regions within the entire viewspace of a pan–tilt–zoom camera. We additionally provide methods employing the regions to learn scene occlusions and causal relationships from entry–exit pairs along with exploitation algorithms (e.g., anomaly detection). Qualitative and quantitative experiments are presented using multiple outdoor surveillance cameras and demonstrate the reliability and usefulness of our approach.     

The theoretical extension of two versions of cyclomatic complexity to multiple entrylexit modules

Two versions of cyclomatic complexity are reanalysed and evaluated theoretically for cases of (a) modularization to eliminate duplicate code, (b) multiple entry, single exit modules, (c) single entry, multiple exit modules and (d) multiple entry, multiple exit modules. It is found that one version is focused on module-level testing whilst the other is more appropriate for system-level, integration testing.     

Developing digital fluency through ubiquitous mobile devices: Findings from a small-scale study

As part of the Visual Learning Lab’s initiative of promoting visual learning supported through technologies in Higher Education, this VLL funded study explored part-time mature doctoral students’ use and perceptions of a mobile device in support of their research activities. The study was conducted by the Graduate School in collaboration with the School of Nursing at the University of Nottingham. Six students participated in the study for a period of six months. The methodology was qualitative and included semi-structured exit interviews. By re-analysing the original study (Gibbons, 2009), this paper raises a vital question about what constitutes a meaningful mobile learning experience which takes into account the different biographical and life stage factors. It challenges the ongoing debate on generational issues on uses of mobile or other digital technologies and leads to discussion of the concept of digital fluency with all learners.     

Intelligent control of exit temperature in a gas-fuel can-type combustor

The dynamical characteristics of a gas-fuel can-type combustor are highly nonlinear and are too complicated to be modeled precisely. Consequently, it is very difficult to control the exit temperature in a combustor using a conventional feedback controller. This paper investigates the models, describing the dynamics of exit temperature for a gas-fuel can-type combustor, and designs the intelligent controllers, based on the characteristics of the constructed models, to control the exit temperature in the combustor. An identified neural network (INN) was utilized to construct the dynamical models because of its powerful learning and handling ability for nonlinear systems. According to the open-loop responses of the investigated models, two controllers, a self-tuning fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative controller and a neural network controller, were developed for the exit temperature control. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the constructed models and the designed controllers.     

Heat transfer in cylindrical shrouded cavities

The flow field, temperature field and the heat transfer rates in cylindrical shrouded cavities with rotation, recirculation and coolant through-flow have been analyzed numerically. Two cavity configurations are considered. In the first configuration, a heated cylindrical shroud is enclosed by a stationary insulated stator disc and a rotating insulated rotor disc. The coolant air enters the cavity by a central opening in the rotor and exits through an annular gap at the rim of the rotor. The second configuration studies the heat transfer from an air cooled gas turbine disc using the model of a plane disc rotating close to an insulated shrouded stator. The coolant enters centrally through the stator disc and exits radially through a gap between the shroud and the rotor. The flow field and heat transfer rates are computed for several values of coolant flow rate, the rotor swirl speed, the cavity aspect ratio and the exit gap width in the two cavity configurations. The swirl of the rotor changes immensely the flow pattern, recirculating zones and isotherms inside such cavities. In general, increasing coolant flow rate, decreasing swirl and decreasing aspect ratio enhances the heat transfer from the shroud in the first cavity configuration. For the second cavity configuration, the heat transfer rates increase with increasing coolant flow rate, increasing swirl of the rotor, increasing size of the cavity and decreasing exit gap width between the stator and the rotor.     

Artificial neural network models for HFCS isomerization process

This work presents an approach to the modeling of a real industrial isomerization reactor by using artificial neural networks (ANN) pre-processed with principal component analysis (PCA). The initial model considered the output fructose concentration as the output variable, while the flow rate of substrate to the reactor as the principal input variable. Then, the ANN model was restructured and inversely trained by assuming the exit fructose concentration as the input variable and the feed flow rate as the output variable. Results indicate good performance by the application of the developed strategy to an extensive industrial data set. The results are expected to be useful in future, controlling the fructose concentration in the HFCS isomerization reactor.