Generating Effective Test Suites for Model Transformations Using Classifying Terms

Generating sample models for testing a model transformation is no easy task. This paper explores the use of classifying terms and stratified sampling for developing richer test cases for model transformations. Classifying terms are used to define the equivalence classes that characterize the relevant subgroups for the test cases. From each equivalence class of object models, several representative models are chosen depending on the required sample size. We compare our results with test suites developed using random sampling, and conclude that by using an ordered and stratified approach the coverage and effectiveness of the test suite can be significantly improved.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The Role of Broaden-and-Build Schema and Employee Motivation in the Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Subordinate Outcomes

The purpose of this study was twofold in that it explored the relationships in which transformational and transactional leadership impact particular subordinate outcomes such as job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Secondly, once transformational leadership was tested and shown to be a better predictor of both job satisfaction and organizational commitment when compared to transactional leadership, employee motivation and one’s broaden-and-build schema, building off of concepts from the Broaden-and-Build theory, were proposed as mediators of the relationship between transformational leaders and their subordinate’s outcomes in terms of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Transformational leadership is a strong predictor of many subordinate outcomes, but the goal of this study was to better understand the “why” in the relationship between transformational leadership and employee outcomes. After pilot testing the Broaden-And-Build Schema Questionnaire, a cross-sectional sample of employees were surveyed to assess the mediation of broaden-and-build schema and employee motivation on the relationship between transformational leadership and subordinate outcomes, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Participants (N = 390) responded to a survey consisting of four scales previously developed and one scale developed specifically for this study. Examining seven different hypotheses, regression analysis and SEM models were utilized to analyze the data. Regression analyses was used to analyze hypotheses 1 through 3 and it was found that transformational leadership predicted both subordinate outcomes and the mediating variables better than transactional leadership. Mediation analyses was used to analyze hypotheses 4 through 7 and it was found that while the mediations were positive, the proposed mediators did not significantly mediate the relationships. This study strived to reiterate the importance of transformational leaders and help to give direction to leaders as to what focus is important when job satisfaction and organizational commitment are the desired outcomes. These findings add to the extensive research on transformational leaders and their subordinate outcomes

Employing Classifying Terms for Testing Model Transformations

This contribution proposes a new technique for developing test cases for UML and OCL models. The technique is based on an approach that automatically constructs object models for class models enriched by OCL constraints. By guiding the construction process through so-called classifying terms, the built test cases in form of object models are classified into equivalence classes. A classifying term can be an arbitrary OCL term on the class model that calculates for an object model a characteristic value. From each equivalence class of object models with identical characteristic values one representative is chosen. The constructed test cases behave significantly different with regard to the selected classifying term. By building few diverse object models, properties of the UML and OCL model can be explored effectively. The technique is applied for automatically constructing relevant source model test cases for model transformations between a source and target metamodel.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Three important endoparasites of laboratory woodchucks (Marmota monax) caught in the wild: Capillaria hepatica, Ackertia marmotae, and Taenia crassiceps

Wild animals kept in laboratories are potential carriers of viruses, bacteria and parasites. These might be a risk to people who have contact with those animals. We demonstrate this by the example of the American laboratory woodchuck (Marmota monax) which has been kept in our laboratory for 6 years (n=155). Beside Capillaria hepatica, the filaria Ackertia marmotae and the cestode Taenia crassiceps have been found. These three species were recognised outside the routine monitoring for parasites. As C. hepatica and T. crassiceps are human pathogens, the potential for transmission to humans and other woodchucks is estimated. Precautionary measures such as treatment to eradicate and hygiene instructions are discussed

Seeing is believing:Enhancing the customer experience with augmented reality

To provide customers with a more compelling experience, many firms have begun to deploy augmented reality (AR) as a frontline technology. However, managers and customers alike remain skeptical whether firms are currently exploiting the full potential of AR. This presents a need for a better understanding of the value creation processes that underlie AR-enabled customer experiences. However, current literature offers little guidance; research has yet to adequately describe how AR might enhance experiences and facilitate decision making throughout the customer journey. In this dissertation, I address this research gap in three distinct manuscripts. In the first manuscript, “Making omnichannel an augmented reality”, my co-authors and I review previously published research and currently deployed applications to provide a roadmap for future research efforts on ARenabled experiences across the customer journey. On the basis of situated cognition theorizing, we demonstrate that AR offers myriad opportunities to provide customers with a seamless omnichannel journey, smoothing current obstacles, through a unique combination of i) embedded, ii) embodied, and iii) extended customer experiences. These three principles constitute the overarching value drivers of AR and offer coherent, theory-driven organizing principles for managers and researchers. In the second manuscript, “Augmenting the eye of the beholder”, my coauthors and I demonstrate that AR enables firms to enhance the online service experience by pursuing a strategy of service augmentation. In a series of studies (n = 1,033) with the AR applications of L’Oreal and Mister Spex, we provide evidence that AR-based service augmentation promotes effective and enjoyable online shopping by i) allowing customers to embed online offerings into their personal environments, and ii) simulating a sense of physical control over these offerings. We show that this effect is due to a feeling of spatial presence, where customers perceive their interactions with virtual offerings as “real”. Spatial presence also increases customers’ comfort with their online purchase decisions. Finally, we identify two important boundary conditions to the aforementioned effects: the effect of spatial presence on perceptions of effective online shopping is greater for customers who prefer verbal rather than visual information processing, and the positive effect on decision comfort is attenuated by customers’ privacy concerns. In the third manuscript, “Seeing eye to eye”, my co-authors and I draw on socially situated cognition theory to explain how social AR scaffolds decision making by customers in a recommender–decision maker dyad. In a series of studies (n = 1,031) with Akzo Nobel’s Visualizer application, we demonstrate that optimal configurations of (static or dynamic) sharing formats and (speech-only or image-enhanced) illocutionary acts, as enabled by social AR, promote recommendation comfort, and in turn, shape actual choice behavior. To translate the experience of scaffolding into comfort and choice, we find that both recommenders and decision makers must experience a sense of social empowerment. We also identify two relevant boundary conditions. In detail, we show that the effect of social empowerment on comfort is weaker when recommenders have a strong impression management goal. Furthermore, the effect of social empowerment on decision makers’ actual choices is attenuated by the strength of a recommender’s persuasion goal

Preference of Xenopus laevis for different housing conditions

Since the European frogs (Rana spp.) have been included in the German endangered species regulations, Xenapus Laevis (South African Clawed Frog) is being used increasingly in animal research and in teaching. In this study, the preference ofX. laevis for different housing conditions were examined. X. laevis preferred dark backgrounds, a water temperature between 20C-22C and the deeper parts of the test basin Red earthenware pipe was accepted as cover transparent pipe was not. The frogs avoided areas illuminated with more than 200 lux