A decision support system for QoS-enabled distributed web services architecture

Service selection is crucial for fulfilling the requirements of service requestors. While in the real service-oriented environment, Quality of Services (QoS) is one of the greatest concerns for consumers during service selection. Existing web services "standards do not tackle the QoS issue adequately when service discovery and selection are performed. In this paper, we argue that the process of services selection is a kind of decision making" to decide which service should be selected dependent on their QoS and trustworthiness values as well as their functional capabilities. Hence, we propose a service selection solution which utilizes the Decision Support Systems Module (DSS Module) to select the most appropriate service. In DSS module we introduce Service Trust to carry out the service QoS measurement based on the Context-specific Quality Aspects. The architecture of DSS module is presented in detail and the solution is also integrated into one of the components "domain broker" in our proposed distributed web services architecture. The contributions of this paper are two fold. Firstly, we apply DSS module into web services, thus opening a new, fertile ground for DSS research in web services literature and secondly, we provide a novel and feasible solution for QoS-based service selection

Surface Studies of Oxidation of a Single-Grain Quasicrystal

We have used Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) to characterize the surface properties of a single-grain Al70Pd21Mn9 (APM) quasicrystal (QC) upon oxidation. When oxygen is adsorbed on this surface, a disordered layer is formed at low coverages. This chemisorbed oxygen destroys the five-fold quasiperiodicity completely. Further adsorption of oxygen leads to a thin layer (less than 20 A) of AI oxide which passivates the surface. At elevated temperatures (870 K), adsorption of oxygen induces an enrichment of AI on the surface. This is explained by the exothermicity of its oxide and the possibility of increased mobility of AI at higher temperatures. Al is the only element in this QC which can be oxidized. No evidence of oxidization for Pd and Mn is observed

Photoelectron spectra of an Al70Pd21Mn9 quasicrystal and the cubic alloy Al60Pd25Mn15

Photoelectron spectra of a fivefold quasicrystalline alloy Al70Pd21Mn9 and a related cubic alloy Al60Pd25Mn15 reveal two noteworthy features. The first is that the Pd 3dlines fall at binding energies which are 2.2 eV higher than in pure Pd. A similar shift is observed for Pd in other alloys. The second noteworthy feature is that the Mn 2p3/2 line is very sharp in the quasicrystal. Fitting the experimental peaks with a Doniach-Sunjic line shpae suggests that the position and density of Mn states near EFis very sensitive to the structural and/or chemical environment of Mn in the alloys, and that this accounts for the shape of the 2p3/2 Mn line. The sharpness of the Mn line may be a fingerprint of the quasicrystalline phase within the AlPdMn family

The Impacts of the CEO’s Network Effect on Digitalization and Agile Leadership in China

Digitalization as a business enabler has speeded and scaled innovation in many firms. As the corporate leader, the CEO is there to set the stage for a learning process that facilitates strategic agility and enhances network effects to create value. This study uses innovation efficiency as the proxy of digitalization to examine the contribution of the CEO networks to firm-level innovation efficiency in Chinese listed firms. We apply a frontier analysis approach (e.g., DEA and SFA) and measure innovation efficiency based on the scale ratio of innovation output (i.e., patent counts) and input (R&D investment and R&D personnel). First, we find that innovation is more efficient when CEO has more outside directorships by considering 13,516 firm-year observations in Chinese listed high-tech firms between 2007 and 2017. Second, a significant and positive relationship exists between a well-connected CEO and innovation efficiency when the newly appointed CEO has larger networks than the predec essor. Third, it is found out that the positive correlation between a well-connected CEO and innovation efficiency will become non-significant when the number of outside directorships is above the yearly median level. This empirical study provides evidence for the network effects of a CEO for improving innovation efficiency. The findings emphasize the contingent value of the CEO\u27s external social capital on agility, especially the multiple directorships in a transitional economy

Pediculosis pubis

We report a male patient of 24 years old with itching at groin and pubis. Pubic hair test showed the presence of lices (fig.2-4).Pediculosis is an infestation of man and animals by insects Anoplura (Lice) Vampire ectoparasites. It´s important poor hygiene, promiscuity, fomites, sexual transmission. Etiology: Pediculus humanus capitis, Human Pediculus corporis, Phthirus pubis or pubic lice. Clinically pediculosis can be classify in :head lice, body lice, pubic pediculosis. Phthirus pubis or crab lice is the agent of pediculus pubis, the sites affected are pubic region other sites as thighs, trunk, armpit, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard and scalp. Pruritus hematic crusts, excoriations, stains 0.5 cm -1 blue cerulean spots may be associated with other STD. The diagnosis is based in the clinical aspect and observes the parasite. Phthirus short pubis or pubic lice parasite, it´s size: 0.8-1.2 mm his first legs resemble those of a crab with sucking, slow walking 10 cm / min. Treatment is based on head lice or nits destruction benzyl benzoate 25% 8 to 12 hrs once, crotramiton 10% 1 / day x 8 days and ivermectin 200 micrograms / kg in a single dose

Evaluación ambiental del terminal marítimo pesquero de anconcito, provincia de Santa Elena

La propuesta de construcción de un terminal pesquero en Anconcito, formaría parte del plan de desarrollo pesquero de la Provincia de Santa Elena, con lo cual se mejorarían los aspectos operacionales, de servicios, seguridad, uso de suelo y ambiente, mejorando las zonas de desembarque y de las áreas operativas en tierra. El citado proyecto debe contar con una licencia ambiental de acuerdo a la legislación vigente en el país, para obtenerla se necesita un estudio de impacto ambiental y un plan de manejo ambiental de la obra. Este documento, basado en la revisión bibliográfica de diferentes estudios realizados en la zona, nos ha permitido describir la línea base que detalla las condiciones actuales del medio físico, biológico y social. El estudio destaca también las principales normas ambientales ecuatorianas que son aplicadas para la elaboración de este tipo de evaluaciones. Así como la metodología utilizada: identificación y evaluación de impactos por medio de la matriz de Leopold. Los resultados de esta evaluación de impacto ambiental nos guió para la elaboración del plan de manejo necesario para prevención de posibles impactos que amenacen el funcionamiento normal del proyecto