Design of a lattice-based faceted classification system

We describe a software reuse architecture supporting component retrieval by facet classes. The facets are organized into a lattice of facet sets and facet n-tuples. The query mechanism supports precise retrieval and flexible browsing

Characterizing the pine wilt disease pathosystem in the Front Range region of Colorado

2020 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.Pine wilt disease, caused by the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus; PWN), is one of the most damaging invasive species in Asia. Tree mortality associated with PWN has recently been reported in Colorado and surrounding states. There remains little documentation on PWN incidence in native pine species or the biology of potential vectors in the Rocky Mountain region. Here we regionally surveyed for PWN in host trees and two putative insect vectors (Monochamus clamator & M. scutellatus) for two years to develop vector flight phenology models and test the hypothesis that disturbance factors predict vector abundance across the landscape. Flight phenology was similar between vectors: flight initiated in mid-July and continued into October for both species. PWN was distributed throughout the Front Range at rates lower than those reported in the putative native range (Host: 3.6%; Vector 4.2%). Infection rate in hosts varied among sites (0-89%), and four 'epicenters' of vector infectivity were identified. We also report the first incidence of PWN-M. clamator association in the U.S. The four identified epicenter sites varied in the timing of anomalous infection frequency, and flight phenology of infective vectors differed between epicenter and peripheral sites. Monochamus populations were found primarily in natural forest areas and seasonally migrate in small numbers to urban areas. Landscape factors such as proximity to burned area were positively correlated with Monochamus abundance. Synthesis and applications: Our study describes PWN infection frequency to be greater than that expected of a newly introduced pathogen, but lesser than the eastern United States and Canada where PWN is known to be established. Our findings provide tools that can predict exposure windows of disease exposure, which were observed to be highest in the early season in Colorado. We also describe the threat that populations of PWN in wildland forests pose to urban landscapes, and how this risk varies seasonally. These findings collectively serve characterize PWN distribution in the native ecosystem and provide tools that can be used by decision-makers and managers to proactively manage the spread of pine wilt disease

The Role of Culture in Empathy: The Consequences and Explanations of Cultural Differences in Empathy at the Affective and Cognitive Levels

Our empathic abilities are central in social interaction and accordingly, our ability to feel and infer others’ emotions is considered crucial for healthy functioning in interpersonal relationships (Blair, 2005; Eisenberg & Miller, 1987). One possible moderator of empathy is cultural background and although there is a wealth of theoretical knowledge to link culture and empathy, there is however, very limited empirical research directly examining the association between the two constructs. In five studies using culture as the principle unit of analysis, the research contained within this thesis has investigated the extent to which culture influences empathy using a variety of methods. Chapter Two reports results from an experimental study which show cultural differences in negative affect in response to physical pain; British reported greater negative affect compared to East Asians. Chapter Three reports results from an experimental study that replicate findings in the preceding chapter to a different type of situation, one that depicts social pain. In addition, results demonstrate greater empathic concern but lower empathic accuracy in British compared to East Asians. Chapter Four reports results from an experimental study that follow a similar pattern to preceding chapters; British report greater empathic concern, but lower empathic accuracy compared to Chinese individuals. In addition, the analyses demonstrate that neither an in-group advantage nor comprehension of video targets can explain cultural differences in affective and cognitive empathy. Emotional expressivity predicts British but not Chinese empathic concern. Chapter Five reports a study that demonstrates that empathic concern explains cultural differences in donating, a measure of prosocial behaviour. Chapter Six reports a study that demonstrates that Americans would side and feel more affective empathy for one friend over the other when the two friends are engaged in an intense disagreement compared to Japanese. These findings are interpreted from a dialectical thinking and interpersonal harmony theoretical framework. The association between dispositional empathy and affective and cognitive empathic outcomes was assessed in all studies to understand the utility of dispositional empathy cross-culturally. Findings regarding dispositional empathy’s utility are mixed but suggest that dispositional empathy is more useful to predict empathy in a Western cultural context, but not as useful in an Eastern cultural context. Chapter Seven considers the implications of the findings reported in the set of studies and explores future directions

Object linking in repositories

This topic is covered in three sections. The first section explores some of the architectural ramifications of extending the Eichmann/Atkins lattice-based classification scheme to encompass the assets of the full life cycle of software development. A model is considered that provides explicit links between objects in addition to the edges connecting classification vertices in the standard lattice. The second section gives a description of the efforts to implement the repository architecture using a commercially available object-oriented database management system. Some of the features of this implementation are described, and some of the next steps to be taken to produce a working prototype of the repository are pointed out. In the final section, it is argued that design and instantiation of reusable components have competing criteria (design-for-reuse strives for generality, design-with-reuse strives for specificity) and that providing mechanisms for each can be complementary rather than antagonistic. In particular, it is demonstrated how program slicing techniques can be applied to customization of reusable components

Preliminary Executive Summary: ASERL Interlibrary Loan Needs Assessment and Best Practices Survey

A working group of ASERL librarians designed a survey to assess resource sharing issues and identify best practices. The results will assist ASERL in identifying programming and project areas to support resource sharing. The survey will also produce ILL and resource sharing benchmarks useful for future planning and assessment. The survey inquires into fundamental resource sharing outputs, networks, and technologies. To measure current best practices, the survey also incorporates Rethinking Resource Sharing STARS A Checklist Interlibrary Loan Assessment, devised by ALA/RUSA/STARS

Tenn-Share Statewide Library Courier Survey

This is a interlibrary loan shipping and courier needs assessment survey of the Tenn-Share Library Consortium. The results will assist Tenn-Share in exploring shipping options for libraries across Tennessee. Participants will be asked to answer questions related to their institutions’ interlibrary services and resource sharing operations. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. There are no foreseen risks to participating in this project. Information in the responses will be kept confidential and data will be stored securely by the Principal Investigator (PI). Data will be reported in aggregate form to the Tenn-Share membership, and in subsequent presentations and publications

ASERL Spring 2011 Membership Meeting Update: Best Practices for Resource Sharing

: A working group of ASERL librarians designed a survey to assess resource sharing issues and identify best practices. The results will assist ASERL in identifying programming and project areas to support resource sharing. The survey will also produce ILL and resource sharing benchmarks useful for future planning and assessment. The survey inquires into fundamental resource sharing outputs, networks, and technologies. To measure current best practices, the survey also incorporates Rethinking Resource Sharing STARS A Checklist Interlibrary Loan Assessment, devised by ALA/RUSA/STARS