Authority updating: An expert authority evaluation algorithm considering post‐evaluation and power indices in social networks

In group assessment, the focus is on finding high‐authority experts to improve the reliability of assessment results. In this study, we propose an authority updating algorithm while considering the power and judgement reliability of an expert on the basis of social networks and post‐evaluations. A network power index is established and used to reflect the power of an expert while considering social networks. The measurement of the judgement reliability of an expert considers the post‐evaluation of the objects selected by experts, thereby more scientifically reflecting the reliability of experts. The analysis shows the following: although the social‐network structure influences the authority of experts, the influence weakens when the assessment group is a highly or even fully connected group; the network effect may increase the authority of some experts and reduce that of others, and it will weaken as the network connectivity increases; moreover, the judgement reliability and authority of an expert while considering post‐evaluation can encourage him/her to make fair assessments and strive to reduce his/her motivation and cognitive biases.     

Does maintainability relate to the energy consumption of software? A case study

Software Quality Journal - Energy consumption of software has been becoming increasingly significant, since it can vary according to how the software has been developed. In recent years, developers...     

A study of behavioural groupings of polyphenolic species in "fino" sherry wine. Evolution during vinification and mechanical treatment of the grape

The different groups and/or classes among phenolic acids and aldehydes identified during the elaboration process of "fino" sherry wine have been studied. The study was carried out using different processes during the elaboration of the wine and we have attempted to establish whether the different treatments of the grape affect these groupings. The study was undertaken by means of cluster and multifactorial analysis on the data obtained by the quantitative determination of phenolic acids and aldehydes during vinification and in experiments carried out on the grape under different mechanical treatments. The analysis of phenolic acids and aldehydes was done with HPLC, using a C-18 mu-Bondapak and a stepwise composite gradient. The samples were previously extracted with ethylic ether.     

Modulation on the electrical and optical properties of Na and Rh co-doped Ruddlesden-Popper layered Ca3Ti2O7

Layered perovskite Ca_2.91Na_0.09Ti_2-xRh_xO₇ (x?=?0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) were synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction. Room temperature ferroelectricity has been confirmed. The remanent polarization increases with an increase of Rh content, which is due to a larger oxygen octahedral distortion by Rh doping. The coercive field increases with Rh doping as the pinning effect of oxygen vacancies reduce the mobility of domain wall. Remanent polarization and coercive field are caused by different mechanisms, so it is possible to modulate them independently to meet the requirement of application in ferroelectric field. The concentration of oxygen vacancy increased with Rh doping, leading to the significant increase of leakage current density. The bandgap of samples doped with Rh drastically decrease and the visible light response of the sample was improved by Rh doping due to the formation of impurity energy levels within the band gap.

     

Initial stages of tin electrodeposition from sulfate baths in the presence of gluconate

Tin electrodeposition in its initial stages in acid sulfate/gluconate baths was studied with varying tin and gluconate concentrations using potential-controlled electrochemical techniques. The deposit morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A comparison with tin electrodeposition from acid sulfate baths in the absence of gluconate was also carried out. Use of a highly acidic bath leads to nonuniform deposits, even in the presence of gluconate; at pH 4 deposits are uniform, brilliant and suitable for finishing applications. Tin crystallites have a well defined morphology which depends on bath agitation conditions. In the absence of agitation, the crystallites have the same tetragonal shape as in a sulfate bath without gluconate.     

Experiments with flame guncreting of basic refractories

Conclusions A laboratory installation for flame guncreting was designed, built, and tested. A method was developed for flame guncreting of basic refractories. The guncreted layer obtained as a result of flame guncreting is formally bonded with the refractory, and in its density and structure, is significantly better than it.Translated from Ogneupory, No.2, pp.54–57, February, 1967.     

New catalyst systems for the polymerization of acetylene

The catalytic activities of WCI₆Ph₄Sn, MoCl₅Ph₄Sn and tetrabenzyltitanium were examined in the polymerization of acetylene. The structure, morphology and electrical conductivity of the doped and non doped polyacetylene were also studied.     

Effect of Pt Incorporation into Ni/ZrO2–SO 4 = /Al2O3 Catalyst for n-Butane Isomerization

Three Ni/ZrO₂–SO₄⁼/Al₂O₃ catalysts with different concentrations of platinum (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 wt%) were prepare and tested for n-butane isomerization reaction at 338 K, in absence and in presence of hydrogen. The results shown that, at low temperature, platinum contributes to the olefin or butyl ion formation and the reaction follows a bimolecular pathway. However, when the reaction occurs in the presence of hydrogen, the formation of butyl ions is inhibited. The main feature of platinum addition is the stabilization of the catalytic activity, which is indicated by the slow deactivation constants compared to that of the unpromoted catalyst.     

The cholesterol-lowering effect of guar gum is not the result of a simple diversion of bile acids toward fecal excretion

The effects of partially hydrolyzed, nonviscous, guar gum (PHGG) on cholesterol metabolism and digestive balance have been compared with those of native guar gum (GUAR) in rats adapted to 0.4% cholesterol diets. Both types of guar gum elicited acidic fermentations in the large intestine, but only GUAR effectively lowered plasma cholesterol (P<0.001), chiefly in the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction. The biliary bile acid excretion was significantly enhanced in rats fed GUAR (P<0.05), as well as the intestinal and cecal bile acid pool (P<0.001). In rats fed GUAR and to a lesser extent in those fed PHGG, the fecal excretion of bile acids and neutral sterol was higher than in controls (P<0.01). The digestive balance (cholesterol intake-steroid excretion) was positive in control rats (+47 μmol/d), whereas it was negative in rats fed GUAR (−20 μmol/d), which could involve a higher rate of endogenous cholesterol synthesis. In rats fed PHGG, the steroid balance remained slightly positive. Liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase activity was very low (22 pmol/min/mg protein), owing to cholesterol supplementation, in control rats or in rats fed PHGG, whereas it was markedly higher (+463%) in rats fed GUAR. In conclusion, even if PHGG does alter some parameters of the enterohepatic cycle of cholesterol and bile acids, its effects are not sufficient to elicit a significant cholesterol-lowering effect. The intestinal (ileal or cecal) reabsorption of bile acids was not reduced, but rather increased, by GUAR; nevertheless the intestinal capacities of reabsorption were overwhelmed by the enlargement of the digestive pool of bile acids. In the present model, induction of HMG-CoA reductase probably takes place in the presence of elevated portal bile acid concentrations.