A Qualitative Study of Hard Decision Making in Managing Global Software Development Teams

We empirically explored the implication of hard decisions in the context of the management of global software development (GSD) teams. We hypothesized and empirically tested our belief that hard decision making in conventional development projects is very similar to GSD and differences arise from the nature of the relationship and the ranking of issues. Findings from a Delphi study illustrated our approach and shed some light into the management of GSD teams.     

Evaluation of candidate biocides to control the biofouling Asian clam in the drinking water treatment industry: An environmentally friendly approach

The biofouling Asian clam Corbicula fluminea greatly affects freshwater-dependent facilities in Europe and North America, including in the Great Lakes region. As chlorination has become increasingly restricted, finding alternative control agents is a priority. Due to the species' epifaunal nature, the body of knowledge on Dreissena polymorpha is larger than that on the Asian clam, and there is a tendency to assume that mitigation methods should work similarly for both species. However, this generalisation is inaccurate, and the optimisation of Asian clam control relies on species-specific toxicological data. This paper reports information on the potential of three candidate biocides for C. fluminea control: (i) the cationic polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC), (ii) potassium chloride and (iii) aluminum sulphate. While these chemicals may be employed in a range of contexts, they are particularly suitable for the highly regulated drinking water industry. LT₅₀ values ranging from 284.3 h, for polyDADMAC applied at 10 mg/L, to 855.1 h, for an aluminum sulphate concentration of 11 mg/L, were obtained. Ecotoxicological standard tests with Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Daphnia magna suggested that, amongst the three biocides, potassium chloride is the one representing lower potential environmental hazard (with, for example, 48 h-EC₅₀ higher than 1 g/L for Daphnia immobilisation, which compares to values of 20.2 and 112.5 mg/L for polyDADMAC and aluminum sulphate, respectively). The three chemicals are promising control agents at dosages compatible with waterworks' operational requirements with polyDADMAC having the highest biocidal activity, but also posing more environmental risks.     

Analysis of stock market manipulations using knowledge discovery techniques applied to intraday trade prices

This paper addresses challenges relating to applying data mining techniques to detect stock price manipulations and extends previous results by incorporating the analysis of intraday trade prices in addition to closing prices for the investigation of trade-based manipulations. In particular, this work extends previous results on the topic by analysing empirical evidence in normal and manipulated hourly data and the particular characteristics of intraday trades within suspicious hours. Furthermore, the analytical models described in this paper reinforce the results of previous market manipulation studies that are based on traditional statistical and econometrical methods providing an alternative portfolio of methods and techniques originating from the data mining and knowledge discovery areas. With the application of the analytical approach described in this paper, it is possible to identify new fraud manipulation pattern characteristics encoded as decision trees which can be readily employed in fraud detection systems. The paper also proposes a number of policy recommendations towards increasing the effectiveness of the operational processes executed by stock exchange fraud departments and regulatory authorities.     

Impact of Diet on Breast Cancer Risk: A Review of Experimental and Observational Studies

Breast cancer, which presents the highest global incidence of all female cancers, is caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Among the latter, diet has attracted considerable attention, as it is a modifiable risk factor and thus offers an opportunity to design preventive strategies. Nevertheless, only alcohol consumption has been unequivocally related to increased breast cancer risk. Despite the failure of observational studies in human populations to clearly define the nature of the relationship between specific nutrient exposures and breast cancer risk, in vivo and in vitro studies strongly suggest its existence. Moreover, studies at the molecular level have identified the putative action mechanism by which the nutritional constituents of specific foodstuffs may exert protective or enhancing effects with respect to breast cancer risk. The inadequate experimental design of some observational studies, or the occurrence of measurement errors and/or recall bias during data collection, or insufficient follow-up and subject characterization, may underlie these controversies. By improving the methods used to study the relationship between diet and breast cancer risk, and by applying new technologies linked to novel approaches such as “nutrigenomics,” it might be possible to derive effective recommendations for breast cancer prevention and thus improve anti-cancer treatment.     

Colloidal Processing of Glass–Ceramics for Laminated Object Manufacturing

Green tapes of Li₂O–ZrO₂–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ (LZSA) parent glass were produced by aqueous tape casting as the starting material for the laminated object manufacturing (LOM) process. The rheological behavior of the powder suspensions in aqueous media, as well as the mechanical properties of the cast tapes, was evaluated. According to ξ potential measurements, the LZSA glass powder particles showed acid surface characteristics and an IEP of around 4 when in aqueous media. The critical volume fraction of solids was about 72 wt% (27 vol%), which hindered the processability of more concentrated slurries. The glass particles also showed an anisometric profile, which contributed to an increase in the interactions between particles during flow. Therefore, the suspensions could not be processed at high solids loadings. Aqueous-based glass suspensions were also characterized by shear thickening after the addition of dispersants. Three slurry compositions were formulated, suitable green tapes were cast, and tapes were successfully laminated by LOM to a gear wheel geometry. A higher tensile strength of the green tapes corresponded to a higher tensile strength of the laminates. Thermal treatment was then applied to the laminates: pyrolysis at 525°C, sintering at 700°C for 1 h, and crystallization at 850°C for 30 min. A 20% volumetric shrinkage was observed, but no surface flaws or inhomogeneous areas were detected. The sintered part maintained the curved edges and internal profile after heat treatment.     

High-throughput screening of ionic conductivity in polymer membranes

Combinatorial and high-throughput techniques have been successfully used for efficient and rapid property screening in multiple fields. The use of these techniques can be an advantageous new approach to assay ionic conductivity and accelerate the development of novel materials in research areas such as fuel cells. A high-throughput ionic conductivity (HTC) apparatus is described and applied to screening candidate polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cell applications. The device uses a miniature four-point probe for rapid, automated point-to-point AC electrochemical impedance measurements in both liquid and humid air environments. The conductivity of Nafion^® 112 HTC validation standards was within 1.8% of the manufacturer's specification. HTC screening of 40 novel Kynar^® poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/acrylic polyelectrolyte (PE) membranes focused on varying the Kynar^® type (5×) and PE composition (8×) using reduced sample sizes. Two factors were found to be significant in determining the proton conducting capacity: (1) Kynar^® PVDF series: membranes containing a particular Kynar^® PVDF type exhibited statistically identical mean conductivity as other membranes containing different Kynar^® PVDF types that belong to the same series or family. (2) Maximum effective amount of polyelectrolyte: increments in polyelectrolyte content from 55 wt% to 60 wt% showed no statistically significant effect in increasing conductivity. In fact, some membranes experienced a reduction in conductivity.     

A systematic literature review of the Teleo-Reactive paradigm

The Teleo-Reactive approach designed by N. J. Nilsson offers a high-level programming model for the development of reactive systems such as robotic vehicles. Teleo-Reactive programs are written in a way that allows engineers to define behaviour taking account of goals and changes in the state of the environment. Since Nilsson’s original definition, published in 1994, various researchers have used the Teleo-Reactive paradigm, either applied to a particular domain or extended by adding more capabilities to the original definition. This article provides a systematic literature review of 53 previous Teleo-Reactive-based studies in journals, conference proceedings and the like. The aim of this paper is to identify, appraise, select and synthesize all this high-quality research evidence relating to the use of the Teleo-Reactive paradigm. The literature has been systematically reviewed to offer an overview of the present state of this field of study and identify the principal results that have been obtained thanks to the Teleo-Reactive approach. Finally, this article details the challenges and difficulties that have to be overcome to ensure further advances in the use of this technique.     

Influence of the elaboration process on the peptide fraction with angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor activity in sparkling wines and red wines aged on lees

The influence of some variables on the manufacturing process for sparkling and red wines on the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEI) activity has been studied. Ageing on lees significantly influenced the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor activity in sparkling wines. It reached maximum values at 9 months, decreasing afterwards. In red wines, the ACEI activity also increased in the wines aged on lees. In both wines, hydrophobic peptides were responsible for the ACEI activity. These peptides would make a much greater contribution to the total activity if present in higher proportions. It would therefore be advantageous to increase their concentrations in wines, either by using starting materials with high initial peptide contents or by using a highly autolytic yeast, giving a greater degree of hydrolysis of wine proteins, and higher concentrations of peptides with ACEI activity.