Revised Estimates of Dimension and Exercise Variance Components in Assessment Center Postexercise Dimension Ratings.

The authors reanalyzed assessment center (AC) multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) matrices containing correlations among postexercise dimension ratings (PEDRs) reported by F. Lievens and J. M. Conway (2001). Unlike F. Lievens and J. M. Conway, who used a correlated dimension-correlated uniqueness model, we used a different set of confirmatory-factor-analysis-based models (1-dimension-correlated Exercise and 1-dimension-correlated uniqueness models) to estimate dimension and exercise variance components in AC PEDRs. Results of reanalyses suggest that, consistent with previous narrative reviews, exercise variance components dominate over dimension variance components after all. Implications for AC construct validity and possible redirections of research on the validity of ACs are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recurrent neural networks and robust time series prediction

We propose a robust learning algorithm and apply it to recurrent neural networks. This algorithm is based on filtering outliers from the data and then estimating parameters from the filtered data. The filtering removes outliers from both the target function and the inputs of the neural network. The filtering is soft in that some outliers are neither completely rejected nor accepted. To show the need for robust recurrent networks, we compare the predictive ability of least squares estimated recurrent networks on synthetic data and on the Puget Power Electric Demand time series. These investigations result in a class of recurrent neural networks, NARMA(p,q), which show advantages over feedforward neural networks for time series with a moving average component. Conventional least squares methods of fitting NARMA(p,q) neural network models are shown to suffer a lack of robustness towards outliers. This sensitivity to outliers is demonstrated on both the synthetic and real data sets. Filtering the Puget Power Electric Demand time series is shown to automatically remove the outliers due to holidays. Neural networks trained on filtered data are then shown to give better predictions than neural networks trained on unfiltered time series.     

Learning about tools in infancy.

These experiments explored the role of prior experience in 12- to 18-month-old infants' tool-directed actions. In Experiment 1, infants' use of a familiar tool (spoon) to accomplish a novel task (turning on lights inside a box) was examined. Infants tended to grasp the spoon by its handle even when doing so made solving the task impossible (the bowl did not fit through the hole in the box, but the handle did) and even though the experimenter demonstrated a bowl-grasp. In contrast, infants used a novel tool flexibly and grasped both sides equally often. In Experiment 2, infants received training using the novel tool for a particular function; 3 groups of infants were trained to use the tool differently. Later, infants' performance was facilitated on tasks that required infants to grasp the part of the tool they were trained to grasp. The results suggest that (a) infants' prior experiences with tools are important to understanding subsequent tool use, and (b) rather than learning about tool function (e.g., hammering), infants learn about which part of the tool is meant to be held, at least early in their exposure to a novel tool. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevention and Mitigation Strategies to Address Recent Brittle Fractures in Steel Bridges

Brittle fracture results in unplanned loss of service, very costly repairs, concern regarding the future safety of the structure, and potential loss of life. These types of failures are most critical when there is no evidence of fatigue cracking leading up to the fracture and the fracture origin is concealed from view. Hence, the failure occurs without warning and the details are, essentially, noninspectable. In these cases, it appears desirable to take a proactive approach and introduce preventative retrofits to reduce the potential for future crack development. These efforts will help ensure that the likelihood of unexpected fractures is minimized. This paper examines the behavior of two bridge structures in which brittle fractures have developed in recent times, discusses the causes of the failures, and offers suggested design strategies for prevention and retrofit mitigation techniques. In situations where considerable uncertainty exists in the prediction of accumulated damage or in the ability to reliably inspect critical details, preemptive retrofit strategies appear to be highly desirable.     

Implementing software metrics — the critical success factors

This paper reviews the current state of industry with regard to the introduction of software metrics. It discusses the benefits that organizations have derived from metrication, it looks at why organizations have sought to introduce metrics programmes, how they have gone about introducing those programmes and the problems that they have encountered during implementation. The review found that, on the whole, only the sanitized aspects of metrics experiences have actually been published. This seems to be especially the case with respect to practitioner resistance. Very few organizations admit to having encountered resistance during the introduction of a metrics programme. The paper also includes the results of a pilot study, conducted by the first author, which examines the attitudes that developers hold towards the introduction of software metrics. The key findings of this pilot study are that positive attitudes to metrics correlate highly with levels of education and to job satisfaction.     

On-demand Virtual Neonatal Intensive Care units supporting rural, remote and urban healthcare with Bush Babies Broadband

Premature and ill term babies born in regional Australia must be moved to another hospital with Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) facilities. Transferred pre-term and critically ill term babies have higher mortality rates and much higher rates of long term disability than similar babies born in hospitals with NICU facilities. This paper details the Bush Babies Broadband project that aims to significantly improve the quality of treatment for babies born in rural, remote as well as urban areas by providing the first on-demand virtual NICU architecture in Australia. Real-time data collected from medical monitors and ventilators attached to the baby, audiovisual streams and static physiological data such as X-ray images are transmitted to the consulting Neonatologist to gain a better picture of the patient's condition than is currently available. The key contribution of this significant research is the infrastructure providing a mechanism for Neonatologists to receive information directly from a regional hospital, thereby preventing, in some cases, the immediate need to move the baby. A key benefit of this framework is that it is available to link regional hospitals with the supporting NICU Neonatologist ‘on demand’ eliminating the need to establish permanent point to point connections. This paper further describes the application of that architecture to a specific pilot connecting the Bathurst regional hospital with Neonatologists within the NICU at Nepean Hospital, Penrith Australia.     

The role of carbon deposition on precious metal catalyst activity during dry reforming of biogas

Gold and palladium were supported on a mesoporous TiO₂ for total oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Mesoporous high surface area titania support was synthesised using of Ti(OC₂H₅)₂ in the presence of CTMABr surfactant. After removing the surfactant molecules, 0.5 or 1.5 wt% of palladium and 1 wt% of gold were precipitated on the support by, respectively, wet impregnation and deposition–precipitation methods. The activity for toluene and propene total oxidation of the prereduced samples follows the same order: 0.5%Pd-1%Au/TiO₂ > 1.5%Pd/TiO₂ > 0.5%Pd/TiO₂ > 1%Au-0.5%Pd/TiO₂ > 1%Au/TiO₂ > TiO₂. Moreover, a catalytic comparison with samples based on a conventional TiO₂, shows the catalytic advantage of the mesoporous TiO₂ support. The promotional effect of gold added to palladium could be partly explained by small metallic particles (TEM), but meanly by metallic particles made up of Au-rich core with a Pd-rich shell. Moreover, the hydrogen TPR profile of 0.5%Pd-1%Au/TiO₂ shows only the signal attributed to small PdO particles. Gold also implies a protecting effect of the support under reduction atmosphere. Operando diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy was carried on and allowed to follow the VOCs oxidation and the formation of coke molecules, but also a metallic electrodonor effect to the adsorbed molecule which increases in the same order as the activity for oxidation reaction. The presence of coke after test was also shown by DTA–TGA by exothermic signals between 300 and 500 °C and by EPR (g = 2.003).     

Influences of land use/cover on water quality in the upper and middle reaches of River Njoro, Kenya

Data from 10 sampling sites along the River Njoro are used to examine the contribution of nutrients from upstream land uses draining each of the sampling sites. The data also are used to assess whether both the proportion of land uses and the size of the subwatersheds account for the variability in water quality in the River Njoro watershed. Geographical Information System analysis was used to determine the spatial distribution of land‐cover types and subwatersheds contributing run‐off to the sampling sites in the River Njoro. Standard Digital Elevation Model‐based routines were used to establish the watershed area contributing run‐off to each sampling site. Water and sediment samples were collected for chemical analysis, and the nutrient levels were related to the upstream land‐use types and the size of the subwatersheds. The mid‐stream portion of the River Njoro (near Egerton University) accounts for the highest nutrient contributions. The percentage contribution is magnified by additions from industrial, human settlements and agricultural land uses around the University. There is a significant decrease in nutrient levels downstream, however, indicating natural purification as the river flows through an area of large‐scale farming with intense, well‐preserved riparian and in‐stream vegetation. Steep slopes of the land upstream of Egerton University enhance erosion and nutrient losses from those subwatersheds. Mixed small‐scale agricultural and bare lands contribute over 55% of the phosphorus load to the upper and mid‐reaches of the River Njoro. The size of the subwatershed accounts for about 53% of the variability in the soluble phosphorus in the river. The land‐use subwatershed proportions are important for characterizing and modelling water quality in the River Njoro watershed. Upland land uses are as important as near‐stream land uses. We suggest that conservation of intact riparian corridor along the river and its tributaries contributes significantly to natural purification processes and recovery of the ecological integrity of the River Njoro ecosystem.