Gender Differences in Personality Traits of Software Engineers

There is a growing body of gender studies in software engineering to understand diversity and inclusion issues, as diversity is recognized to be a key issue to healthy teams and communities. A second factor often linked to team performance is personality, which has received far more attention. Very few studies, however, have focused on the intersection of these two fields. Hence, we set out to study gender differences in personality traits of software engineers. Through a survey study we collected personality data, using the HEXACO model, of 483 software engineers. The data were analyzed using a Bayesian independent sample t-test and network analysis. The results suggest that women score significantly higher in Openness to Experience, Honesty-Humility, and Emotionality than men. Further, men show higher psychopathic traits than women. Based on these findings, we develop a number of propositions that can guide future research

Min-Max Predictive Control of a Pilot Plant using a QP Approach

47th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control 9-11 Dec. 2008The practical implementation of min-max MPC (MMMPC) controllers is limited by the computational burden required to compute the control law. This problem can be circumvented by using approximate solutions or upper bounds of the worst possible case of the performance index. In a previous work, the authors presented a computationally efficient MMMPC control strategy in which a close approximation of the solution of the min-max problem is computed using a quadratic programming problem. In this paper, this approach is validated through its application to a pilot plant in which the temperature of a reactor is controlled. The behavior of the system and the controller are illustrated by means of experimental results

Development, Characterisation and High-Temperature Suitability of Thin-Film Strain Gauges Directly Deposited with a New Sputter Coating System

New sensor and sensor manufacturing technologies are identified as a key factor for a successful digitalisation and are therefore economically important for manufacturers and industry. To address various requirements, a new sputter coating system has been invented at the Institute of Micro Production Technology. It enables the deposition of sensor systems directly onto technical surfaces. Compared to commercially available systems, it has no spatial limitations concerning the maximum coatable component size. Moreover, it enables a simultaneous structuring of deposited layers. Within this paper, characterisation techniques, results and challenges concerning directly deposited thin film strain gauges with the new sputter coating system are presented. Constantan (CuNiMn 54/45/1) and NiCr 80/20 are used as sensor materials. The initial resistance, temperature coefficient of resistance and gauge factor/k-factor of quarter-bridge strain gauges are characterised. The influence of a protective layer on sensor behaviour and layer adhesion is investigated as well. Moreover, the temperature compensation quality of directly deposited half-bridge strain gauges is evaluated, optimised with an external trimming technology and benchmarked against commercial strain gauges. Finally, the suitability for high-temperature strain measurement is investigated. Results show a maximum operation temperature of at least 400 °C, which is above the current state-of-the-art of commercial foil-based metal strain gauges

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater: Comments on "Recent Developments in PLS"

Evermann and Rönkkö aim to present an overview of recent advances in PLS, and while some advances are described with several useful recommendations, we argue that their article does not fully deliver on its promise. In this response, we argue that their position presents an unbalanced view, ignores several methodological advances by IS scholars. We note that several recommendations are so stringent that implementing that there are philosophical and practical differences that are insufficiently taken into account. Further, several studies that highlight the shortcomings of PLS seem to be based on specially designed cases that are not necessarily representative of typical use of PLS. In our response, we call for a more balanced debate that takes into consideration different perspectives and that studies of the performance of PLS are conducted fairly. While we do not disagree with E&R’s recommendations, the implementation of those is challenged by a lack of tool support, and we observe that besides scholars using PLS, editors and reviewers also have a responsibility to be cognizant of methodological advances. We commend E&R for their efforts in studying the limitations of PLS which have spurred several methodological advances, but also caution that we should not ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater,” by discarding PLS for its known limitations

Allostatic self-efficacy: a metacognitive theory of dyshomeostasis-induced fatigue and depression

This paper outlines a hierarchical Bayesian framework for interoception, homeostatic/allostatic control, and meta-cognition that connects fatigue and depression to the experience of chronic dyshomeostasis. Specifically, viewing interoception as the inversion of a generative model of viscerosensory inputs allows for a formal definition of dyshomeostasis (as chronically enhanced surprise about bodily signals, or, equivalently, low evidence for the brain's model of bodily states) and allostasis (as a change in prior beliefs or predictions which define setpoints for homeostatic reflex arcs). Critically, we propose that the performance of interoceptive-allostatic circuitry is monitored by a metacognitive layer that updates beliefs about the brain's capacity to successfully regulate bodily states (allostatic self-efficacy). In this framework, fatigue and depression can be understood as sequential responses to the interoceptive experience of dyshomeostasis and the ensuing metacognitive diagnosis of low allostatic self-efficacy. While fatigue might represent an early response with adaptive value (cf. sickness behavior), the experience of chronic dyshomeostasis may trigger a generalized belief of low self-efficacy and lack of control (cf. learned helplessness), resulting in depression. This perspective implies alternative pathophysiological mechanisms that are reflected by differential abnormalities in the effective connectivity of circuits for interoception and allostasis. We discuss suitably extended models of effective connectivity that could distinguish these connectivity patterns in individual patients and may help inform differential diagnosis of fatigue and depression in the future

Vorteile und Herausforderungen bei der Kombination von Elektrospeicherheizungen mit PV-Anlagen

Die Kombination einer Elektrospeicherheizung (ESH) mit einer PV-Anlagen birgt mehrere Vorteile. Die natürliche Speicherfähigkeit der ESH kompensiert die tageszeitliche Verschiebung von PV-Einspeisung und Wärmebedarf. Die ESH wird in diesem Fall unabhängig von den Freigabezeiten auch tagsüber geladen, was einen Wärmekomfortgewinn für den Nutzer bewirkt. Der Eigenverbrauchsanteil der PV-Anlage wird durch den im Vergleich zum Strombedarf des Haushalts hohen Strombedarf der ESH deutlich erhöht. Dieser Aspekt ist vor allem für PV-Anlagen interessant, die eine niedrige Einspeisevergütung aufweisen oder aufgrund ihres Alters aus der Förderung herausfallen