Context-Dependent Testing of Applications for Mobile Devices

Applications propel the versatility of mobile devices. Apps enable the realization of new ideas and greatly contribute to the proliferation of mobile computing. Unfortunately, software quality of apps often is low. This at least partly can be attributed to problems with testing them. However, it is not a lack of techniques or tools that make app testing cumbersome. Rather, frequent context changes have to be dealt with. Mobile devices most notably move: network parameters such as latency and usable bandwidth change, along with data read from sensors such as GPS coordinates. Additionally, usage patterns vary. To address context changes in testing, we propose a novel concept. It is based on identifying blocks of code between which context changes are possible. It helps to greatly reduce complexity. Besides introducing our concept, we present a use case, show its application and benefits, and discuss challenges

From Expert to Novice: Increasing Reactive Resilience by Transfering Knowledge

In domains where the “human factor” plays a major role in maintaining a stable process, knowledge transfer is a key technique to increase the company’s reactive resilience. We consider a manufacturing process on a fine blanking plant as an example. Workers operate complex machines that break from time to time. As downtime generates high cost, the worker has to identify the cause of the fault fast. In this paper, we present an application to assist novice workers in making crucial, time­sensitive decisions based on the knowledge of their expert peer

An online interactive dashboard to explore personal exposure to air pollution

Studies increasingly examine individual exposure to air pollution while accounting for person-specific activity-travel patterns. Supporting policymakers and local communities using the resulting data requires transparent and ethical communication of exposure levels to affected individuals and other stakeholders. This paper asks how an interactive online dashboard might represent individual-level air pollution exposure profiles to different audiences while respecting individuals’ geoprivacy. Using data from 37 Oxford (UK) residents, it shows that heterogeneous individual-level exposure profiles can be shared ethically through different combinations of visualisation method, spatial and temporal resolution of data representation and Geomasking techniques for different dashboard user groups

Context-Dependent Testing of Applications for Mobile Devices

Applications propel the versatility of mobile devices. Apps enable the realization of new ideas and greatly contribute to the proliferation of mobile computing. Unfortunately, software quality of apps often is low. This at least partly can be attributed to problems with testing them. However, it is not a lack of techniques or tools that make app testing cumbersome. Rather, frequent context changes have to be dealt with. Mobile devices most notably move: network parameters such as latency and usable bandwidth change, along with data read from sensors such as GPS coordinates. Additionally, usage patterns vary. To address context changes in testing, we propose a novel concept. It is based on identifying blocks of code between which context changes are possible. It helps to greatly reduce complexity. Besides introducing our concept, we present a use case, show its application and benefits, and discuss challenges

Linking Diversity and Mental Health: Task Conflict Mediates Between Perceived Subgroups and Emotional Exhaustion.

Diversity and psychological health issues at the workplace are pressing issues in today's organizations. However, research linking two fields is scant. To bridge this gap, drawing from team faultline research, social categorization theory, and the job-demands resources model, we propose that perceiving one's team as fragmented into subgroups increases strain. We further argue that this relationship is mediated by task conflict and relationship conflict and that it is moderated by psychological empowerment and task interdependence. Multilevel structural equation models on a two-wave sample consisting of 536 participants from 107 work teams across various industries and work contexts partially supported the hypotheses: task conflict did indeed mediate the positive relationships between perceived subgroups and emotional exhaustion while relationship conflict did not; effects on stress symptoms were absent. Moreover, contrary to our expectations, neither empowerment, nor task interdependence moderated the mediation. Results indicate that team diversity can constitute a job demand that can affect psychological health. Focusing on the mediating role of task conflict, we offer a preliminary process model to guide future research at the crossroads of diversity and psychological health at work

Uncertain product risk, information acquisition, and product liability

We describe how product liability interacts with regulatory product approval in influencing a firm's incentives to acquire information about product risk, using a very parsimonious model. The firm may have insufficient information acquisition incentives when it is not fully liable for the harm caused by its product. The firm may also have excessive information acquisition incentives under both full and limited liability. We highlight efficiency inducing liability rules

Assigned NMR backbone resonances of the ligand-binding region domain of the pneumococcal serine-rich repeat protein (PsrP-BR) reveal a rigid monomer in solution

The pneumococcal serine rich repeat protein (PsrP) is displayed on the surface of Streptococcus pneumoniae with a suggested role in colonization in the human upper respiratory tract. Full-length PsrP is a 4000 residue-long multi-domain protein comprising a positively charged functional binding region (BR) domain for interaction with keratin and extracellular DNA during pneumococcal adhesion and biofilm formation, respectively. The previously determined crystal structure of the BR domain revealed a flat compressed barrel comprising two sides with an extended beta-sheet on one side, and another beta-sheet that is distorted by loops and beta-turns on the other side. Crystallographic B-factors indicated a relatively high mobility of loop regions that were hypothesized to be important for binding. Furthermore, the crystal structure revealed an inter-molecular beta-sheet formed between edge strands of two symmetry-related molecules, which could promote bacterial aggregation during biofilm formation. Here we report the near complete N-15/C-13/H-1 backbone resonance assignment of the BR domain of PsrP, revealing a secondary structure profile that is almost identical to the X-ray structure. Dynamic N-15-T-1, T-2 and NOE data suggest a monomeric and rigid structure of BR with disordered residues only at the N- and C-termini. The presented peak assignment will allow us to identify BR residues that are crucial for ligand binding

Psychological interventions for adults with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Psychological interventions may be beneficial for bipolar disorder. Aims Efficacy evaluation of psychological interventions for adults with bipolar disorder. Methods A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.. Outcomes were meta-analysed using RevMan and confidence assessed using the GRADE-method. Results We included 55 trials with 6010 participants. Moderate quality evidence associated individual psychological interventions with reduced relapses at post-treatment and follow-up, and collaborative care with a reduction in hospitalisations. . Low quality evidence associated group interventions with fewer depression relapses at post-treatment and follow-up, and family psycho-education with reduced symptoms of depression and mania at post-treatment. Conclusions There is evidence that psychological interventions are effective for people with bipolar disorder. Limits were the very low quality of much of the evidence and therefore inconclusive. Further research should identify the most (cost)-effective interventions for each phase of this disorder