A Brief History of Software Development and Manufacturing

In this article we discover the roots and maturation of software development methods and practices through a comparative study. We notice that the evolution of software development methods has mirrored the evolution in manufacturing paradigms. Further, investigations reveal that the change software development methods have lagged the change in manufacturing paradigms indicating the source of inspiration for software development and practices is manufacturing and not the other way around. This investigation is useful and timely, especially in the context of plan-driven versus agile methods conundrum. It helps us acquire an in-depth understanding of how software development methods originated, why some of them have prevailed while others have not. Further, these insights help us assess the relevance of current practices and methods of software development and predict their future trajectory

What more can software development learn from Agile manufacturing? A roadmap on the 20th anniversary of the Agile manifesto

The concept of agility originated in manufacturing and was later adopted by the software development discipline. In this article we argue that in the process some important aspects of the agility theory have been either ignored or misinterpreted. A historical review of the evolving paradigms and practices in software development and manufacturing on the 20th anniversary of the Agile Manifesto (2001) suggests that if the ideas and principles underlying agility are faithfully implemented it would lead to significant improvement in the software development process

Have the Agile Values endured? An empirical investigation on the 20th anniversary of the Agile Manifesto (2001)

This study investigates whether the Agile Values introduced in the Agile Manifesto (2001) have endured today two decades later and whether they are still relevant to software developers. Further, are they positively correlated with work and affective outcomes of software development projects? We find out by conducting a survey with team members of 58 software development project in one of the largest global IT firms. To our surprise we find all the four Agile values have endured. The agile values still resonated with software developers. Additionally, overall, the values were positively correlated with team motivation, project effectiveness and project innovation. However, they were negative correlated with project efficiency and had no correlation with work exhaustion of team members. As expected, projects using Agile and plan-driven methodologies showed differential findings

Why are some Internet users more prone to adopt prudent Cybersecurity practices than others?

In this first of its kind study, we use the regulatory focus theory to suggest that some types of internet users are more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats than others. A questionnaire based survey was conducted with 222 students of a large public university. The findings of the study show that users with preventive focus were more likely to adopt and implement cybersecurity best practices than those with promotion focus. They also reported lesser number of cybersecurity attacks than students with promotion focus. The findings of the study are not only useful to the student community but also to organizations that employ them currently or will do so in future. Future avenues for research are also suggested for identifying and securing vulnerable internet users

Fundamental study on the effect of alkaline treatment on natural fibers structures and behaviors

In composites, chemical treatment caused better adhesion interface between fibers and polymer. Thus, in this research, alkaline treatment was performed on jute and kenaf fibers in an alkaline solution containing 5wt % sodium hydroxide diluted with distilled water, at room temperature for 30 minutes. The pH levels of the alkaline solution were maintained approximately at pH 11 to pH 12. The untreated and treated fibers were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the range of 4000 cm-1 to 400 cm-1. It is found out that change in the structure and the removal of outer cell layers, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, waxes and other impurities during the alkaline treatment that affected the improvement on the adhesion interface between fibers and polymer

Nano-reinforcement in sustainable polymer composites

In this chapter, nano-reinforcement in sustainable composites is highlighted by understanding the different types of nonrenewable and renewable nano-reinforcements and its applications in polymer composites. Most of the known nano-reinforcement for nonrenewable are unbiodegradable, expensive, and unsustainable, while the alternative nano-reinforcement for renewable are biodegradable, cheap, and sustainable. Determining the relationship and characteristic of nonrenewable nano-reinforcement may help improve distinctive properties of the materials, in terms of mechanical, morphological, thermal, etc. Therefore understanding the basic properties of the nano-reinforcement helps determining the area of suitable applications

Potential of Borneo Acacia wood in fully biodegradable bio-composites’ commercial production and application

This review paper explores the potential of commercial production and application of Acacia wood—polylactic acid (PLA), and Acacia wood—polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) bio-composites. The factors affecting the mechanical and physical properties of these materials were identified and deliberated. It was found that Acacia wood has the prospective to be efficiently produced and used in Borneo. It can be used in a variety of applications, including but not limited to: fire breaker, timber resource, furniture production, soil re-conditioning, and as reinforced materials. Since, today, there is heightened awareness regarding sustainability, manufacturers are driven towards producing completely biodegradable products that are created using PLA and PHA bio-composites. This review provides an overview on the performance of the existing composites and bio-composites, and their implementation and utilization, while focusing on the Borneo region

An investigation of sound absorption coefficient on sisal fiber poly lactic acid bio-composites

In this research, the mechanical, acoustical, thermal, morphological, and infrared spectral properties of untreated, heat and alkaline-treated sisal fiber-reinforced poly-lactic-acid bio-composites were analyzed. The bio-composite samples were fabricated using a hot press molding machine. The properties mentioned above were evaluated and compared with heat-treated and alkaline-treated sisal fibers. Composites with heat-treated sisal fibers were found to exhibit the best mechanical properties. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted to study the thermal degradation of the bio-composite samples. It was discovered that the PLA-sisal composites with optimal heat-treated at 160°C and alkaline-treated fibers possess good thermal stability as compared with untreated fiber. The results indicated that the composites prepared with 30wt % of sisal had the highest sound absorption as compared with other composites. Evidence of the successful reaction of sodium hydroxide and heat treatment of the sisal fibers was provided by the infrared spectrum and implied by decreased bands at certain wavenumbers. Observations based on scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surface of the composites showed the effect of alkaline and heat treatment on the fiber surface and improved fiber-matrix adhesion

Analysis of natural fiber polymer composites: Effects of alkaline treatment on sound absorption

This study is focused on the development of sound absorbing materials based on natural fiber polymer composites. The natural fibers were modified through the alkaline treatment and the natural fiber polymer composites were fabricated using hot and cold compression hydraulic press machine. The sound absorption coefficients of the composites were measured using two-microphone transfer function impedance tube method. Characterizations of the natural fiber polymer composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that in all measured composites, the sound absorption coefficients increased as the frequency increased. Also, as the fiber loading increased, the sound absorption coefficients of the natural fiber polymer composites were increased. It was found that the alkaline treated fiber reinforced composites increased the sound absorption coefficients due to removal of impurities and change in the structure of composites. The alkaline treatment of fibers showed better adhesion interface between fiber and polymer as compared to untreated fibers. This can be seen clearly under morphological and spectral studies of the natural fiber polymer composites