bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leading the Nurse Within: Developing Confident Leadership Skills for New Graduates
Authors: Laut Rebecca , Wiknik Ashley , LaCroix Kimberly M. , Bunting Dawn , Pettorini-D'Amico Susan
Published: July 2018

All too frequently, newer nurses are expected to take on leadership roles without any formal leadership training or education. For nurses to be successful change agents, it is imperative that they develop the necessary leadership skills to take on leadership roles, ultimately improving employee satisfaction and nurse retention. A course was designed to engage new graduate nurses and help them to develop leadership skills, with the goal of increased confidence to act as leaders among their peers. The pilot program consisted of a 1.5-hour interactive workshop designed to promote and develop leadership skills. Following completion of the leadership training course, overall responses to a postsurvey demonstrated an increase in confidence levels toward leadership behaviors. Participants also felt more confident in their ability to be leaders among their peers. Results of this pilot study have validated the effectiveness of a leadership training course as an arena to identify future nurse leadership potential.
J Contin Educ Nurs
. 2018;49(8):356–359.
Effectiveness of Hygienic Hand Washing Training on Hand Washing Practices and Knowledge: A Nonrandomized Quasi-Experimental Design
Authors: Karaoglu Mete Kagan , Akin Semiha
Published: July 2018

Nurses undertake important responsibilities in patient care and the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. However, adherence to hand hygiene practices among nurses has been reported to be low. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hygienic hand washing training on hand washing practices and knowledge. The study design was a nonrandomized, quasi-experimental study, with pretest–posttest for one group. Pre- and postobservations were also conducted using an observation form on any 5 workdays to evaluate the effectiveness of hygienic hand washing training on hand washing practices. The study was conducted with 63 nurses working at a hospital in Istanbul. Hand Hygiene Knowledge Form scores after hygienic hand washing training were higher than the pretraining scores. The number of the nurses' hand hygiene actions after hand hygiene training increased significantly compared with that before training. The results indicate that training in proper hand washing techniques and hygienic hand washing practices positively affects the knowledge level of nurses and their hand washing behavior.

J Contin Educ Nurs
. 2018;49(8):360–371.
A Scheduling Model of Isochronous Frame Generation on Self-similar Traffic of AOS Multiplexing
Authors: Zhao Yuntao , Liu Lishi
Published: July 2018

As the first layer of AOS multiplexing, the frame scheduling performance has a great effect on the efficiency of multiplexing. Traditional researches about the scheduling model mainly focus on the source packet arrival model of Poisson process. In this paper, an ON/OFF source arrival model and Pareto distribution of AOS multiplexing in self-similar service traffic is used to establish a isochronous frame-generated method through rigorous theoretical analysis, which results in a calculable formula of average packet delay and MPDU average multiplex efficiency. According to simulation of MATLAB, the simulation curve coincides with that of theory. The novel model contributes to the improvement of average packet delay and MPDU average multiplex efficiency on AOS.
Compressive Sensing Based Channel Estimation for High-order MIMO Systems
Authors: Lv Zhiguo , Li Ying
Published: July 2018

The high-order multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system can remarkably increase the data rate or enhance the reliability. However, it is difficult to perform channel estimation because of the massive number of antennas. The Narrow Band Estimation Antenna Processing (NBEAP) scheme is used to deal with this issue. Nevertheless, the accuracy of the channel estimation needs to be improved. In this paper, a compressive sensing based scheme named Narrow Band Estimation Fixed Antenna Processing (NBEFAP) is proposed to estimate the channel state information (CSI) for high-order MIMO systems. A simple pilot structure is designed to decrease the computation complexity. In addition, the pilot length is adjusted according to the time-varying sparsity level of the CSI. Compared with NBEAP scheme, NBEFAP scheme can improve the estimation error performance. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the NBEFAP scheme.
Approach of Solving Dual Resource Constrained Multi-Objective Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Problem Based on MOEA/D
Authors: Xixing Li , Yi Liu
Published: July 2018

With considering the scheduling objectives such as makespan, machine workload and product cost, a dual resource constrained flexible job shop scheduling problem is described. To solve this problem, a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D) was proposed to simplify the solving process, and an improved differential evolution algorithm was introduced for evolving operation. A special encoding scheme was designed for the problem characteristics, the initial population was generated by the combination of random generation and strategy selection, and an improved crossover operator was applied to achieve differential evolution operations. At last, actual test instances of flexible job shop scheduling problem were tested to verify the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, and the results show that it is very effective.
Ultrasonic Excitation – Fiber Bragg Grating Sensing Technique for Damage Identification
Authors: Li Cai , Yue Xiaoguang
Published: July 2018

Nondestructive testing plays an important role in on-line equipment inspection. Traditional nondestructive testing methods have been widely utilized for this. Ultrasonic excitation-fiber Bragg grating sensing technique is based on well-developed optical fiber grating technology, which has a good prospect of damage detection for mechanical equipments. However the corresponding research is still at the starting stage and further research work is necessary. The main contribution pursued in this investigation is to establish a detection system based on fiber Bragg grating sensing under ultrasonic excitation and predict the damage position through time delay on the plate structure. Differencing from the conventional approaches, a new way of damage detection utilizes fiber Bragg grating sensors and a position algorithm by two-dimensional method is derived. Moreover, wavelet transform is adopted in the subsequent signal processing. Finally, a platform for experiment is built to verify the theoretical analysis of the sensing characterization of the fiber Bragg grating sensor in ultrasonic excitation. Experiment results show that the wavelet transform is effective for signal denoising and our localization algorithm is feasible.
Mitigation of Liquefaction Hazard Using Granular Piles
Authors: Krishna A. Murali
Published: July 2018

Ground improvement techniques are employed to mitigate liquefaction hazards. Granular piles are the most widely preferred alternative all over the world, due to several advantages associated with them. Different mechanisms operate in the function of stone columns/granular piles in liquefaction mitigation like drainage, storage, dilation, densification, and reinforcement. This chapter presents an overview of the use of granular piles as a liquefaction remedial measure for sand deposits. A brief description on the phenomenon of liquefaction and the associated features has been presented. A short discussion on various ground improvement methods available for liquefaction mitigation is presented in light of importance of granular piles. Different installation methods and design concepts for granular piles are presented. Various mechanisms of granular piles in mitigating the liquefaction potential of loose sand deposits are discussed and quantified in detail proving their effectiveness in hazard mitigation.
Effect of Repeated Blast Vibrations on Rock Mass Damage in Tunnels
Authors: More Ramulu , Sitharam T. G.
Published: July 2018

Blasting is the most common method of rock excavation technique in mining and civil construction and infrastructure projects. General blast-induced damage was extensively studied globally, but the studies on repeated blast induced damage is not yet reported, quantitatively. This chapter deals with the research work carried on the effect of repeated dynamic loading imparted on the jointed rock mass from subsequent blasts in the vicinity, on the jointed rock mass at Lohari Nag Pala Hydroelectric Power Construction Project. The blast-induced damage was monitored by borehole extensometers, borehole camera inspection surveys and triaxial geophones installed at three test sites of different joint orientations at the Main Access Tunnel of power house. The study reveals that the repeated blast vibrations resulted in extra damage of 60%. The results of the study indicate that repeated vibrations, resulted in inducing damage even at 23-33% of the critical vibrations (Vc) levels.
Superplastic Behavior of B- and Gd-Containing β-Solidifying TiAl Based Alloy
Authors: Sokolovsky Vitaliy , Stepanov Nikita , Zherebtsov Sergey , Nochovnaya Nadezhda , Panin Pavel , Salishchev Gennady
Published: July 2018

Mechanical behavior and microstructure evolution of the cast Ti-43.2Al-1.9V-1.1Nb-1.0Zr-0.2Gd-0.2B alloy were studied at temperatures from 1100 to 1250°С and strain rates in the range 0.001-1 s-1. Following phase fields (α2+γ), (α+γ), (α) and (α+β) during heating of alloy were revealed. Microstructure analysis after deformation and mechanical behavior allowed defining main processes of structure formation. Two temperature-strain rate conditions with pronounced superplastic behaviour were found: the first one corresponded to the (α2+γ)-phase field (1100°C), where the microstructure had mainly a lamellar morphology, and the second was associated with the (α+β)-phase field (1250°C), in which the α-phase dominated. At T=1100°C and έ=0.05 s-1the maximum strain rate sensitivitymwas of 0.40. At T=1250°C and έ=0.5 s-1the maximum strain rate sensitivitymwas of 0.59. In the (α2+γ)-phase field, superplastic behavior was associated with the transformation of the lamellar structure into globular one. In the (α+β)-phase field, it was due to the formation of a homogeneous refined microstructure during dynamic recrystallization. The relationship between coefficient m value and microstructure formed was discussed.
Local Accommodation Processes of Superplastic Grain Boundary Sliding: Their Direct Observation in Two-Dimensional Grain Boundary Sliding
Authors: Sato Eiichi , Masuda Hiroshi , Sugino Yoshito , Ukai Shigeharu
Published: July 2018

Accommodation processes are crucial for grain boundary sliding in superplasticity though few have been reported on their positive experimental evidences. The present study achieved two-dimensional grain boundary sliding in ODS ferritic steel which had elongated and aligned grain structure and got direct observations of accommodation processes without the surface effect of floating grains: 1) In Region II, diffusional accommodation was confirmed through observing the change in marking-line spacing, which indicates volume inflow and outflow at grain boundaries. 2) Between Regions II and III, dislocation accommodation inside of the mantle region, as proposed by Gifkins, was confirmed through observing curves of marking lines near grain boundaries. 3) In Region III, dislocation accommodation inside of the core region, as proposed by Ball and Hutchison, was confirmed through observing slip bands and sub-boundaries passing through a grain. It is, then, derived that superplasticity relies not on a single mechanism but on several diffusional and dislocation accommodations contributing depending on strain rate condition.
Hydrogen Effect on the Creep of Titanium Alloy of the Ti-Al-V System
Authors: Stepanova Ekaterina N. , Grabovetskaya Galina P. , Zabudchenko Olga V.
Published: July 2018

Comparative studies of the effect of hydrogenation on creep regularities of the titanium alloy of the Ti–Al–V system in the fine-grained (dav ≈ 7 μm) and ultrafine-grained (dav ≈ 0.3 μm) states are performed for the creep rates in the interval 10-7–10–5 s-1 at temperatures in the range 723–823 K. Hydrogenation of the alloy to 0.23 % is found to lead to a decrease in the steady creep rate and increase in the time to failure with simultaneous decrease in the value of deformation to failure. Possible reasons for the violation of the creep power law for the hydrogenated alloy are discussed.
Phase Composition and Properties of Magnesium-Ceramic Composites after High Pressure Torsion
Authors: Straumal Petr B. , Martynenko Natalia , Amelina Daria , Nekrasov Aleksey , Dobatkin Sergey
Published: July 2018

The structure and properties of a composite consisting of Mg–Y–Nd–Zr alloy (WE43) and various oxides are studied. The particles of the WE43 powder were coated by the nanocrystalline oxide layer by means of a wet chemical deposition process. After that the powder is compressed into solid samples and deformed using high pressure torsion at room temperature. A second phase is present both in pure WE43 alloy and in the one with deposited oxides. We observed that the modification of the alloy by the oxide layer deposition and deformation by high pressure torsion changes the phase composition and properties of the samples.
Thermal Stability of Microstructure and Properties of Cu-0.5Cr-0.2Zr Alloy Subjected to ECAP and Cold Rolling
Authors: Sarkeeva Elena , Abramova Marina M. , Wei Wei
Published: July 2018

Copper and copper alloys are widely used in engineering as structural materials because they have high electrical and thermal conductivity. In connection with the rapid growth of industry, special requirements are imposed on these materials, that is, they must withstand the contact mechanical loads without significant plastic deformation at elevated temperature and have stable high physical and mechanical properties. To improve the combination of strength, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and wear resistance, low-alloyed Cu-Cr-Zr copper alloys have been subject to severe plastic deformation and aging. It the same time the analysis of the termo-stability of the formed ultrafine grained microstructure and properties is a topic task. In this work, a Cu-0.5Cr-0.2Zr (wt. %) alloy was quenched to form solid solution, equal channel angular pressed and cold rolled with following aging. The microstructure was studied, mechanical and electrical properties were also analyzed. The results showed that the ultimate strength of the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy increases with the degree of deformation at room temperature up to 630 MPa. Heat treatment at 450 ° C for 1 hour led to the precipitation of Cr and Cu5Zr particles, which increases the strength up to 660 MPa, which is 2.5 times greater than the initial state. At the same time, sufficient electrical conductivity of 70% IACS is maintained. The thermal stability of the microstructure and properties of the alloy are investigated. The reinforced alloy maintains stable the microstructure and microhardness at 450 ° C for at least 5 hours. The change in microhardness is no more than 10%. That is in agreement with the requirements of industry.
Enhanced Strength and Ductility of an Ultrafine-Grained Ti Alloy Processed by HPT
Authors: Valiev Roman R. , Lomakin Ivan V. , Stotskiy Andrey G. , Modina Yulia M. , Shafranov Pavel G. , Gadzhiev Farid A.
Published: July 2018

We studied the effect of the ultrafine-grained (UFG) structure parameters of the titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, processed by high-presure torsion (HPT), on its mechanical properties. The fabrication of alloy with a high strength (σв~ 1700 MPa) and enhanced ductility was demonstrated. The fatique behavior of UFG alloy was also examined.
Research on the Experimental Method of Measuring Internal Stress of Polymer Sheet Product by Lamb Wave
Authors: Xu Hong , Hu Ning , Yao Huang , Wu Da Ming , Liu Ying , Liu Yao Lu
Published: July 2018

The internal stress of the polymer sheet could change when the process condition and structure characteristics of the polymer chain is different. As Lamb wave has different damping when passing through the anisotropic media, fixed distance irradiation and amplitude sampling is used to analyze the amplitude attenuation in different regions, so as to determine the stress distribution in different regions of the sheet. The test results and the simulation results with Moldflow are consistent, so it is feasibility to measure internal stress of polymer sheet product through by Lamb wave.
Simulation Analysis of Clamping Force in Welding Process of Aluminum Alloy Flankwall of Urban Rail Vehicle
Authors: Sun Ying Shi , Sun Duo
Published: July 2018

In the welding process, the welding strain and deformation of the city rail aluminum alloy flankwall are inevitable as a result of local heating, and carrying capacity of the structure will be affected by the welding stress and deformation. In the mean time, it puts forward some requirements for the clamp process, the clamping force can reduce the deformation of the workpiece. But a great change of force will produce in the clamp position during the process of welding, this force changes are easy to cause brittle fracture and fatigue damage of the clamp. In this paper, it gives simulation analysis to workpiece by using ANSYS analysis software and Gauss heat source model. Finally, the conclusion is sum up compared with the actual data.
Research on Application of Solar Semiconductor Cold Wall in Near-Zero Energy Buildings
Authors: Fu Yuan Yuan , Liu Qiu Xin
Published: July 2018

With the speeding up of urbanization and growth of national economy, housing industry has developed rapidly in recent years, the residential building energy saving problem has been increasingly outstanding, according to the study, the future China building energy consumption ratio will rise to about 35%. At present, building energy conservation has become one of the recognized effective ways to solve the increasingly serious energy problems. Through the study of the near zero energy building in the hot summer and cold winter area，the thermal comfort of the near zero energy building was satisfied by using the semiconductor cold and hot wall system，the practical effect and operation parameters of the semiconductor cooling wall were given. It was presents a series of Suggestions and improvement Suggestions for the research and energy conservation work of near zero energy buildings in hot summer and cold winter area.
Characteristic of Membrane from Purple Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas) as Antioxidant Face Mask
Authors: Kistriyani Lilis , Sahid Achmad Chafidz Mas , Mutiara Tintin , Olisvia Dine , Rahmawati Lutfa
Published: July 2018

Facial mask is an important part in every beauty treatment because it will give a smooth and gentle effect on the face. This research was done to make edible film that will be applied for face mask. The main ingredient in making this edible film was purple sweet potato powder with the addition of glycerol as plasticizer. One of the ingredients in purple sweet potato was a flavonoid compound. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of glycerol concentration to flavonoids release, physical properties and biological properties of edible film produced. Two grams of the flour of purple sweet potato and one gram of carragenaan was dissolved in 100 mL of aquadest and were heated at 70°C. They were mixed with 0.3 gram K2SO4 in 50 mL of aquadest. Then, the glycerol were added which the variation of volume 1, 2, and 3 mL. The mixture was dried in the oven at 70°C for 20 hours. The analysis that had been done were spectrophotometer uv-vis analysis to find out how many flavonoids can be released into facial skin, tensile strength analysis and elongation of break analysis, biodegradability analysis, and microbiological analysis. The results of spectrophotometer uv-vis analysis showed that the most flavonoid release concentration was 20.33 ppm in the 2 mL glycerol variation. The best tensile strength value was 8,502 N and the greatest elongation of break value was 14% in 1 mL glycerol variation. In the biodegradability test, the more volume of glycerol added, the faster of the edible film was degraded. The results of microbiological analysis showed that the purple sweet potato extract had the ability to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes which was seen in the presence of inhibit zone was 18.9 mm.
Plastic Packaging Material Value Conservation and Evident of the Consumers’ Acceptance
Authors: Gabriel Djoko Sihono , Isnandar Dadang , Jeremia Andreanos
Published: July 2018

Virgin plastic pellets are widely used as raw materials in flexible plastic packaging which generate abundant postconsumer plastic waste. The widespread use of recycled plastic pellets as raw materials will reduce plastic waste generation significantly. However, substitution of virgin materials need high quality of recycled plastic pellets which produced from good quality of plastic waste. Design for material value conservation in this case study was a trial implementation of design principles of plastic bag in order to minimize its value degradation of plastic waste, and therefore increase its acceptance by plastic recycling industries. A Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with Lisrel 8.8 software used as tool of analysis in evaluating consumer acceptance of the two types of design paradigm, current design and material value conservation based design. The results indicated that consumers accepted both type of packaging. With final standard factor loading, the proposed design indicated slightly better correlation coefficients: 0.46 for Ease of Information Delivery and 0.74 for Informational Content variables, better than current design with 0.44 and 0.73 coefficients. Widespread implementation of design for material value conservation will save virgin plastic consumption for plastic packaging production, reduce plastic waste generation as well as support material resource conservation in a better condition of environment. The social and economic benefit will also be obtained as multiplier effect of material value conservation.
Post Processing of Roughness Raw Data
Authors: Kubátová Dana , Melichar Martin
Published: July 2018

This paper deals with the system of roughness measurement, especially with the problem of data filtering and processing the results. Theoretical part describes shortly terms roughness, waviness and shape as surface integrity parameters. During phase of measuring we obtain all these three constituents in common. The most important task of post processing is separation of them. That is possible due to roughness HW and SW filters. Other parts of this paper contain SW data filtering description and philosophy of HW filtering. Last part of this article describes SW filters with basic mathematical apparatus, areas of usage and limitations.
Machinability Assessment of Soda Lime Glass in Ultrasonic-Assisted Drilling
Authors: Abdelkawy Abdallah , Hossam Mohab , El-Hofy Hassan
Published: July 2018

Ultrasonic-assisted drilling (UAD) is a new process used for producing holes in the hard-to-cut and brittle materials at high accuracy and surface quality. In this paper, statistically designed experiments were conducted to study the machinability of soda glass in UAD. The machinability was measured in terms of the cutting power, surface roughness Ra and Rz and the linear tool wear. Machining conditions include UAD and conventional drilling (CD), abrasive tool concentration, feedrate, and spindle speed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) defined the significant factors and their interactions, while statistical models were used to predict the process responses used for assessment of machinability indices.
Use of anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccines in African elephants (Loxodonta africana): A review
Authors: Bertschinger Hendrik J. , Lueders Imke
Published: July 2018

Background: Androgen-related aggressive behaviour and musth cause serious problems in captive African elephant bulls and often lead to human and animal injuries, and damage to property.Objectives: To review the work carried out with anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccines to control androgen-related behaviour and fertility in captive and free-ranging elephant bulls and the induction of anoestrus in elephant cows.Method: In the first study, an anti-GnRH vaccine from Pepscan was tested in six bulls (four captive and two free-ranging). Once the vaccine Improvac® became available, the effect on behaviour, the reproductive organs and semen quality was tested. Improvac® was also used to attempt induction of anoestrus in elephant cows.Results: The first study proved that aggressive behaviours are significantly associated with increased faecal androgen concentrations. Musth (n = 1) and aggressive behaviour (n = 2) were down regulated and correlated with a decline in faecal androgen concentrations. Aggression and musth could be controlled with Improvac® (600 µg), but were more consistent when the dose was increased to 1000 µg administered every five to six months. The same dose down regulated testicular function and bulls (n = 17) were rendered infertile within 12 months after commencement of treatment. Initial attempts to induce anoestrous with 600 µg in free-ranging elephant cows gave inconclusive results, but 1000 µg in captive cows delivered five-monthly was successful.Conclusion: The treatment of elephant bulls with Improvac® resulted in the successful down-regulation of androgen-related behaviour and sperm production in captive and wild elephant bulls of various ages (≤ 34 years). Preliminary studies to induce anoestrus in cows with Improvac® appear to be successful.
Good practices, drawbacks and improvement strategies in external peer monitoring and evaluation: A case of Uganda National Council for Higher Education
Authors: Ssentamu Proscovia N.
Published: July 2018

Background: Growing demand for higher education by national governments and their citizens, and the growth of public and private higher education institutions resulting from increased enrolment have augmented the demand for monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Consequently, the National Council for Higher Education in Uganda was established and mandated to among others monitor, evaluate and regulate higher education institutions.Objectives: To explore good practices, drawbacks and improvement strategies in the external peer M&E of higher education institutions.Method: Using the qualitative research design, data were collected from 15 peers invited by the Council to participate in external M&E visits to higher education institutions.Results: Several categories of good external peer M&E practices and drawbacks emerged including statutory provisions for the external M&E exercise by the Council; purpose, planning and capacity for undertaking external M&E activities; involvement of peers and professional bodies; and political and legal interference.Conclusion: Despite availability of an M&E framework and involvement of peers, the current external M&E model is centralised, bureaucratic and summative and therefore generally not supportive of continuous institutional improvement based on feedback from M&E visits. The current Higher Education Law should be amended; the Council M&E framework and practices should be periodically reviewed to match trends and needs, a gradual shift from compliance to participatory and performance-based M&E, and creation of a good policy environment to nurture the growth and development of institutional self-monitoring and evaluation mechanisms geared towards a culture of continuous self-improvement.
Record-keeping: Challenges experienced by nurses in selected public hospitals
Authors: Mutshatshi Takalani E. , Mothiba Tebogo M. , Mamogobo Pamela M. , Mbombi Masenyani O.
Published: July 2018

Background: Patients’ records provide a trace of care processes that have occurred and are further used as communication amongst nurses for continued management of patients. Nurses have the responsibility to ensure that records are accurate and complete in order to effectively manage their patients. In hospitals, nurses have to record a wide range of information in the patient’s records and this leads to increased workload on the part of nurses that compromises accurate record-keeping.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the challenges experienced by nurses with regard to record-keeping at selected public hospitals in the Vhembe district, Limpopo Province, South Africa.Method: A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design was used. Nurses working in selected public hospitals were purposively selected and semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Data were analysed using the Tesch’s open-coding method.Results: Nurses working in public hospitals experience record-keeping as a challenging activity owing to a variety of challenges which include lack of time to complete the records, increased patients’ admission and shortage of recording material.Conclusion: Record-keeping is not done properly which is problematic, and it is recommended that there should be continuous training, monitoring and evaluation of nurses on record-keeping issues, supply of adequate recording materials and proper time management amongst nurses to improve record-keeping challenges. The need for comprehensive record-keeping remains fundamental in public hospitals in order to improve patient care.
Uncovering the strengths and weaknesses of outsourcing core business deliverables: the case of selected state-owned enterprises in South Africa
Authors: Magagula Marcia , Zondo Robert W.D.
Published: July 2018

Background: The outsourcing phenomenon is one of the extensive areas of business in the world. It is a practice among both private and public organisations and an important element in business strategy. Consequently, the execution of maintenance and repairs of equipment are core business deliverables of the power plant maintenance (PPM) department of the selected state-owned enterprise (SOE). Whilst internal employees normally perform such functions, the PPM department outsources them to external service providers. Objective: This study explored the contributing factors influencing outsourcing of core business deliverables. Method: The study was conducted in the PPM department of the selected SOE. Of the 152 individuals located across eight of the provinces in South Africa, identified for participation in the study, 135 participated. It was cross-sectional in nature and included participants from the management of the PPM department as well as its technical officials. Descriptive, correlation and regression analysis were used to test the three objectives, namely to assess the contributing factors influencing outsourcing of core business deliverables, to establish the effect of outsourcing core business deliverables on business performance and to examine the risks of outsourcing core business deliverables. Results: Outsourcing core business deliverables provide flexibility to the PPM department by enabling it to meet unexpected demands. However, it results in the leaking of confidential information to external service providers. Conclusion: Organisations that decide to outsource, must consider the benefits and risks carefully and take measures to mitigate the related risks.
Transforming while transferring: An exploratory study of how transferability of skills is key in the transformation of higher education
Authors: Bazana Sandiso , McLaren Logan , Kabungaidze Trust
Published: July 2018

The importance of skills within the transformation of higher education is a crucial factor that has been insufficiently considered. Transformation in terms of higher education forms a fundamental part of the post-apartheid South African society. This transformation movement seems to exclude the possible role and contributions of the older generation of academics. Using a social constructionist viewpoint, this qualitative study sought to bring to the debate of transformation of higher education the important question of skills transferability between older generation academics and the new generation. From interviewing five retired white academics, the study found that institutional culture and implementation of labour legislation through the Human Resources department by the university in question affect the transferability of skills and that proper programmes of voluntary mentorship should be put in place as to allow the growth of both the older generation and new generation academics. The use of new generation academics’ perspectives could yield more results and findings that can further this area of study, as well as allow a more diverse and richer understanding of the perception of skills transferability within the transformation of higher education institutions. This further understanding for research is needed to emphasise the importance of knowledge production through the integration of both young academics’ as well as older academics’ perspectives. This is to be achieved by engaging with other universities and academics, so that a broader analysis of skills transferability within higher education can be understood.
О локально ограниченных решениях задачи Коши
для квазилинейного уравнения первого порядка
со степенной функцией потока
Authors: Gargyants Lidia Vladimirovna
Published: July 2018

Для квазилинейного уравнения первого порядка
со степенной функцией потока построено
обобщенное энтропийное решение задачи Коши
с экспоненциальным начальным условием. Приведен пример
неединственности обобщенного энтропийного решения задачи Коши
с нулевым начальным условием в классе локально ограниченных функций.
Библиография: 6 названий.
О двойных суммах с мультипликативными характерами
Authors: Volostnov Aleksei Sergeevich
Published: July 2018

Получена оценка для двойных сумм мультипликативных характеров
с аддитивными свертками характеристических функций множеств,
имеющих малое аддитивное удвоение.
Библиография: 13 названий.
XForms 2.0: What’s new
Authors: Pemberton Steven
Published: July 2018

XForms is a declarative language for defining applications on the web and elsewhere, used worldwide for large and small applications. This paper gives an overview of what has changed between the previous version and the up-coming XForms 2.0.
An Adventure with Client-Side XSLT to an Architecture for Building Bridges with Javascript
Authors: Ford Katherine , Thompson Will
Published: July 2018

This paper describes the development process we undertook to extend the capabilities of an XML-based authoring and publishing system. Originally designed to deliver content for print and the web, we transformed it into one that delivers fully interactive web-based wizards whose steps are generated automatically based on logic encoded into the source documents. To meet our requirements for the application, we rejected conventional top-down XML or JavaScript frameworks and instead sought to unite JavaScript and XSLT to leverage the strengths of each.

Despite being underutilized as a client-side technology, XSLT is still a valuable tool in the development of modern web applications. Its expressive nature, continuing support in browsers, and ability to integrate with a modern virtual DOM-based user interface framework allowed us to build a complex legal forms application that was simpler and more productive than more conventional approaches. Our application demonstrates opportunities for symbiosis with client-side XSLT that has potential beyond legal forms and for an architecture with implications beyond XSLT.
Organizational and Funding Options for Markup Vocabulary Creation and Maintenance
Authors: Carpenter Todd
Published: July 2018

There are many ways to create a markup vocabulary and many forums in which it can be done. Creating and maintaining markup vocabularies requires significant ongoing volunteer time and effort, significant funding, or both. In light of this, it often makes sense for a multi-institution group to undertake the creation and management process, particularly when interchange is a goal. The community has examples of this consensus model, such as the TEI (which was created by a grant-supported project and is maintained by a consortium created for the purpose) and the STS (which was originally a derivative of JATS, further developed by ISO, and then donated to NISO for the establishment of consensus and for maintenance). Selection of an organizational home and source of funding can have marked effects on vocabularies. The organizational structure affects representation, who has a voice in the process, intellectual property concerns (e.g., patents, copyrights, other standards), and decision making policies. Costs involved in creating and maintaining markup vocabularies begin at conception and continue through development into maintenance and promotion. These costs include editing, hosting, publishing and distribution, and management of the standards process. Real-world examples of the organization and funding of successful markup vocabularies will provide patterns others may find useful.
DITA
Authors: Eberlein Kristen James
Published: July 2018

DITA, the OASIS Darwin Information Typing Architecture, is an XML-based specification for modular and extensible topic-based information. DITA is specializable, which allows for the introduction of specific semantics for specific purposes without increasing the size of other DTDs, and which allows the inheritance of shared design and behavior and interchangeability with unspecialized content.
Structural Metadata & Standardization Failures: Just a Little Bit of History Repeating
Authors: McDonough Jerome
Published: July 2018

The design of the Extensible Markup Language has placed a premium on modularity and promoting the re-use and inter-mixture of pre-existing tag sets in the service of new goals. While this design tends to promote standardization, it clearly does not guarantee it, as the multiplicity of competing XML languages for rights expression or word processing demonstrates. This paper examines the history and evolution of structural metadata standards within the digital library community to help identify factors leading to production of multiple markup languages competing for similar or identical ecological niches.
Molecular distributions of dicarboxylic acids, oxocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls in PM2.5 collected at the top of Mt. Tai, North China, during the wheat burning season of 2014
Authors: Zhu Yanhong , Yang Lingxiao , Chen Jianmin , Kawamura Kimitaka , Sato Mamiko , Tilgner Andreas , van Pinxteren Dominik , Chen Ying , Xue Likun , Wang Xinfeng , Simpson Isobel J. , Herrmann Hartmut , Blake Donald R. , Wang Wenxing
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples collected at Mount
(Mt.) Tai in the North China Plain during summer 2014 were analyzed for
dicarboxylic acids and related compounds (oxocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls) (DCRCs). The total concentration of DCRCs was 1050±580
and 1040±490 ng m−3 during the day and night, respectively.
Although these concentrations were about 2 times lower than similar
measurements in 2006, the concentrations reported here were about 1–13 times
higher than previous measurements in other major cities in the world.
Molecular distributions of DCRCs revealed that oxalic acid (C2) was the
dominant species (50 %), followed by succinic acid (C4) (12 %)
and malonic acid (C3) (8 %). WRF modeling revealed that Mt. Tai was
mostly in the free troposphere during the campaign and long-range transport
was a major factor governing the distributions of the measured compounds at
Mt. Tai. A majority of the samples (79 %) had comparable concentrations
during the day and night, with their day–night concentration ratios between
0.9 and 1.1. Multi-day transport was considered an important reason for the
similar concentrations. Correlation analyses of DCRCs and their gas
precursors and between C2 and sulfate indicated precursor emissions and
aqueous-phase oxidations during long-range transport also likely play an
important role, especially during the night. Source identification indicated
that anthropogenic activities followed by photochemical aging accounted for
about 60 % of the total variance and were the dominant source at Mt. Tai.
However, biomass burning was only important during the first half of the
measurement period. Measurements of potassium (K+) and DCRCs were about
2 times higher than those from the second half of the measurement period. The
concentration of levoglucosan, a biomass burning tracer, decreased by about
80 % between 2006 and 2014, indicating that biomass burning may have
decreased between 2006 and 2014.
Towards in-situ visualization integrated earth system models: RegESM 1.1 regional modelling system
Authors: Turuncoglu Ufuk Utku
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The data volume being produced by regional and global multi-component earth system models are rapidly increasing due to the improved spatial and temporal resolution of the model components, sophistication of the used numerical models in terms of represented physical processes and their non-linear complex interactions. In particular, very short time steps have to be defined in multi-component and multi-scale non-hydrostatic modelling systems to represent the evolution of the fast-moving processes such as turbulence, extra-tropical cyclones, convective lines, jet streams, internal waves, vertical turbulent mixing and surface gravity waves. Consequently, the used small time steps cause extra computation and disk I/O overhead in the used modelling system even if today's most powerful high-performance computing and data storage systems are being considered. Analysis of the high volume of data from multiple earth system model components at different temporal and spatial resolution also poses a challenging problem to efficiently perform integrated data analysis of the massive amounts of data by relying on the conventional post-processing methods available today. This study basically aims to explore the feasibility and added value of integrating existing in-situ visualization and data analysis methods with the model coupling framework (ESMF) to increase interoperability between multi-component simulation code and data processing pipelines by providing easy to use, efficient, generic and standardized modeling environment for earth system science applications. The new data analysis approach enables simultaneous analysis of the vast amount of data produced by multi-component regional earth system models (atmosphere, ocean etc.) during the run process. The methodology aims to create an integrated modeling environment for analyzing fast-moving processes and their evolution in both time and space to support better understanding of the underplaying physical mechanisms. The state-of-art approach can also be used to solve common problems in earth system model development workflow such as designing new sub-grid scale parametrizations (convection, air–sea interaction etc.) that requires inspecting the integrated model behavior in a higher temporal and spatial scale during the run or supporting visual debugging of the multi-component modeling systems, which usually are not facilitated by existing model coupling libraries and modeling systems.
Understanding terrestrial water storage variations in northern latitudes across scales
Authors: Trautmann Tina , Koirala Sujan , Carvalhais Nuno , Eicker Annette , Fink Manfred , Niemann Christoph , Jung Martin
Published: July 2018

Abstract. The GRACE satellites provide signals of total terrestrial water storage (TWS)
variations over large spatial domains at seasonal to inter-annual timescales. While the GRACE data have been extensively and successfully used to
assess spatio-temporal changes in TWS, little effort has been made to
quantify the relative contributions of snowpacks, soil moisture, and other
components to the integrated TWS signal across northern latitudes, which is
essential to gain a better insight into the underlying hydrological
processes. Therefore, this study aims to assess which storage component
dominates the spatio-temporal patterns of TWS variations in the humid regions
of northern mid- to high latitudes. To do so, we constrained a rather parsimonious hydrological model with
multiple state-of-the-art Earth observation products including GRACE TWS
anomalies, estimates of snow water equivalent, evapotranspiration fluxes,
and gridded runoff estimates. The optimized model demonstrates good
agreement with observed hydrological spatio-temporal patterns and was used
to assess the relative contributions of solid (snowpack) versus liquid
(soil moisture, retained water) storage components to total TWS variations.
In particular, we analysed whether the same storage component dominates TWS
variations at seasonal and inter-annual temporal scales, and whether the
dominating component is consistent across small to large spatial scales. Consistent with previous studies, we show that snow dynamics control
seasonal TWS variations across all spatial scales in the northern
mid- to high latitudes. In contrast, we find that inter-annual variations of
TWS are dominated by liquid water storages at all spatial scales. The
relative contribution of snow to inter-annual TWS variations, though,
increases when the spatial domain over which the storages are averaged
becomes larger. This is due to a stronger spatial coherence of snow
dynamics that are mainly driven by temperature, as opposed to spatially
more heterogeneous liquid water anomalies, that cancel out when averaged
over a larger spatial domain. The findings first highlight the effectiveness
of our model–data fusion approach that jointly interprets multiple Earth
observation data streams with a simple model. Secondly, they reveal that the
determinants of TWS variations in snow-affected northern latitudes are scale-dependent. In particular, they seem to be not merely driven by snow
variability, but rather are determined by liquid water storages on
inter-annual timescales. We conclude that inferred driving mechanisms of
TWS cannot simply be transferred from one scale to another, which is of
particular relevance for understanding the short- and long-term variability
of water resources.
Development and assessment of uni- and multivariable flood loss models for Emilia-Romagna (Italy)
Authors: Carisi Francesca , Schröter Kai , Domeneghetti Alessio , Kreibich Heidi , Castellarin Attilio
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Flood loss models are one important source of uncertainty in flood risk
assessments. Many countries experience sparseness or absence of comprehensive
high-quality flood loss data, which is often rooted in a lack of protocols and
reference procedures for compiling loss datasets after flood events. Such
data are an important reference for developing and validating flood loss
models. We consider the Secchia River flood event of January 2014, when a
sudden levee breach caused the inundation of nearly 52 km2 in northern
Italy. After this event local authorities collected a comprehensive flood
loss dataset of affected private households including building footprints and
structures and damages to buildings and contents. The dataset was enriched with
further information compiled by us, including economic building values,
maximum water depths, velocities and flood durations for each building. By
analyzing this dataset we tackle the problem of flood damage estimation in
Emilia-Romagna (Italy) by identifying empirical uni- and multivariable loss
models for residential buildings and contents. The accuracy of the proposed
models is compared with that of several flood damage models reported in the
literature, providing additional insights into the transferability of the
models among different contexts. Our results show that (1) even simple
univariable damage models based on local data are significantly more
accurate than literature models derived for different contexts;
(2) multivariable models that consider several explanatory variables
outperform univariable models, which use only water depth. However,
multivariable models can only be effectively developed and applied if
sufficient and detailed information is available.