Towards a Metric Suite Proposal to Quantify Confirmation Biases of Developers

The goal of software metrics is the identification and measurement of the essential parameters that affect software development. Metrics can be used to improve software quality and productivity. Existing metrics in the literature are mostly product or process related. However, thought processes of people have a significant impact on software quality as software is designed, implemented and tested by people. Therefore, in defining new metrics, we need to take into account human cognitive aspects. Our research aims to address this need through the proposal of a new metric scheme to quantify a specific human cognitive aspect, namely "confirmation bias". In our previous research, in order to quantify confirmation bias, we defined a methodology to measure confirmation biases of people. In this research, we propose a metric suite that would be used by practitioners during daily decision making. Our proposed metric set consists of six metrics with a theoretical basis in cognitive psychology and measurement theory. Empirical sample of these metrics are collected from two software companies that are specialized in two different domains in order to demonstrate their feasibility. We suggest ways in which practitioners may use these metrics to improve software development process

Dione: An Integrated Measurement and Defect Prediction Solution

We present an integrated measurement and defect prediction tool: Dione. Our tool enables organizations to measure, monitor, and control product quality through learning based defect prediction. Similar existing tools either provide data collection and analytics, or work just as a prediction engine. Therefore, companies need to deal with multiple tools with incompatible interfaces in order to deploy a complete measurement and prediction solution. Dione provides a fully integrated solution where data extraction, defect prediction and reporting steps fit seamlessly. In this paper, we present the major functionality and architectural elements of Dione followed by an overview of our demonstration

Increased P-wave dispersion in patients with newly diagnosed lichen planus

OBJECTIVE: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune mucocutaneous disease. Recent research has emphasized the strong association between inflammation and both P-wave dispersion and dyslipidemia. The difference between the maximum and minimum P-wave durations on an electrocardiogram is defined as P-wave dispersion. The prolongation of P-wave dispersion has been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for developing atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to investigate P-wave dispersion in patients with lichen planus. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with lichen planus and 37 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. We obtained electrocardiographic recordings from all participants and used them to calculate the P-wave variables. We also assessed the levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, which is an inflammatory marker, and the lipid levels for each group. The results were reported as the means ± standard deviations and percentages. RESULTS: The P-wave dispersion was significantly higher in lichen planus patients than in the control group. Additionally, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in lichen planus patients compared to the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein and P-wave dispersion (r = 0.549,

Studies On Compatibilization Of Recycled Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Starch Blends By Using Different Compatibilizer

In this study, the aim was to examine the effects of three different compatibilizers on the recycled polyethylene/ thermoplastic starch (r-LDPE/TPS) blends which are used in producing garbage bags. Polyethylene-Grafted-Maleic Anhydride (PEgMAH), maleic-anhydride modified ethylene propylene rubber (EPMgMAH) and ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer (PEMAH) were selected as the compatibilizers. r-LDPE/TPS blends with or without compatibilizer were prepared by using a twin screw extruder and characterized by means of mechanical, thermal, structural and morphological analyses. It was found that tensile strength values increased with the addition of PEgMAH but decreased with the addition of EPMgMAH. Elongations at break values of the r-LDPE/TPS blends were significantly improved by using PEgMAH and EPMgMAH. Tm and Tc values have slightly affected by the compatibilizer usage in the DSC analysis. In addition, the better interfacial interaction was observed for the compatibilized blend with the PEgMAH and EPMgMAH during the SEM analysis. It was concluded that PEgMAH and EPMgMAH showed mainly changed results in elongation at break values and this is the important parameter in the packaging industry

Mumps Seroprevalence in not Vaccinated Children Aged Between 0-59 Months in Adana

AIM: This study aims to find out the mumps seroprevalence in 0-59 month old children who were not vaccinated for mumps in the duty area of Dogankent Health Center where people of low socio-economic level lives. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was made on 331 children aged between 0-59 months who were not vaccinated with rubella vaccine. RESULTS: Mumps seropositivity was found as 35.3%. Mumps seropositivity was significantly high in 24-35 month old boys, and fathers who haven&#146;t incame/occupation (p<0.05). Asymptomatic infection rate was 83.8%. There was not significant difference in mumps seropositivity with sex and ather social- demographic (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In the present study, mumps seropositivity is low in children aged 0- 59 months. In order to eradicate mumps, it is necessary that use of MMR vaccine should be expanded nationwide rapidly by the Ministry of Health; the regulation should be revised to include the children born before 2005. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(1.000): 29-36

Development of a power management unit for small portable direct borohydride fuel cell-NiMH battery hybrid system

WOS: 000313923900055In this study, a small portable fuel cell/battery hybrid system has been developed. The system consists of a single portable direct borohydride/peroxide fuel cell (DBPFC), NiMH battery and power management unit (PMU). The battery has been used as a primary power source and has been discharged at constant load. When its state of charge is reduced, the DBPFC charges the battery and powers the load simultaneously. A DC-DC Boost converter has been used as a PMU. The DBPFC has provided the total power of 0.21 Wh into the system during the charge. During this experimental study fuel (NaBH4) efficiency of 37% has been achieved in the hybrid system, while the system efficiency has been calculated as 34.5%. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Republic of Turkey Ministry of Industry and Trade [635.TGSD.2010]This work was done at NEVSAN ENERGY LABORATORIES. We also grateful to the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Industry and Trade (Project No: 635.TGSD.2010) for financial support

Evaluation of paraoxonase, malondialdehyde, and lipoprotein levels in patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis

Background/Aim: To compare lipoprotein and malondialdehyde levels and paraoxonase-1 activity between subjects with asymptomatic cholelithiasis and controls. Patients and Methods: Eighty subjects with asymptomatic cholelithiasis (55 women, 25 men, mean age: 51, SD 14 years) and 40 control subjects without cholelithiasis (25 women, 25 men, mean age: 51, SD 12 years) were enrolled to the study. Serum paraoxonase activity, lipoproteins, and malondialdehyde were measured. Results: In the cholelithiasis group, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and malondialdehyde were significantly higher and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and paraoxonase-1 were significantly lower than the controls. In cholelithiasis patients with serum glucose level > 100 mg/dL, body mass index, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher than cholelithiasis patients with serum glucose level 100 mg/dL. In cholelithiasis patients with TG > 150 mg/dL, mean age, body mass index, glucose, total cholesterol, and malondialdehyde were significantly higher than in cholelithiasis patients with TG 150 mg/dL, HDL-C level and paraoxonase-1 activity were lower than in the cholelithiasis subgroup with TG < 150 mg/dL. All of the above comparisons were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis have evidence of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant capacity. Patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis with components of the metabolic syndrome have more lipid peroxidation and less antioxidant capacity than patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis but without the components of the metabolic syndrome

The effect of Ag, ZnO, and CuO nanoparticles on the properties of the compatibilized polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blend films

In this study, the effects of Ag, ZnO, and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on the mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability properties of the compatibilized polyethylene (PE)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends were investigated. Polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) was used as the compatibilizer. The compatibilized PE/TPS blends with different NPs were prepared by melt mixing method in a laboratory scale extruder and then pressurized in the press machine. The use of ZnO NP together with the compatibilizer in PE/TPS-based films significantly increased the tensile stress values. The use of different type NPs did not cause any significant change in the thermal stability of PE/TPS-based films. However, the effects of NPs were observed on the TPS degradation steps. The prepared films with different NPs showed an antibacterial activity between 60% and 70%. The highest crystallinity value was obtained in Ag NP containing films, among others. According to scanning electron microscopy analysis, better distribution was observed for ZnO and Ag NPs than CuO NP. In general, it can be said that the addition of NPs to PE/TPS-based blends significantly reduces the partial biodegradability of the resulting films.Kocaeli UniversityKocaeli UniversityKocaeli UniversityWOS:0006406178000012-s2.0-8510436915