Exposing the myth: object-relational impedance mismatch is a wicked problem

Addressing a problem of software integration is a fact of life for those involved in software development. The popularity of both object and relational technologies means that they will inevitably be used together. However, the combination of these two technologies introduces problems. These problems are referred to collectively as the object-relational impedance mismatch. A mismatch is addressed using one or more mapping strategies, typically embodied in a pattern. A strategy is concerned with correspondence between the schema of a relational database and an object-oriented program. Such strategies are employed in mapping tools such as Hibernate and TopLink, and reinforce the received wisdom that the problem of object-relational impedance mismatch has been solved. In this paper, we observe that it is not clear whether each strategy, as one possible solution, addresses the cause or a symptom of a mismatch. We argue that the problem is not tame and easily resolved; rather it is complex and wicked. We introduce a catalogue of problem themes that demonstrate the complex nature of the problem and provide a way both to talk about the problem and to understand its complexity. In the future, as software systems become more complex and more connected, it will be important to learn from past endeavours. Our catalogue of problem themes represents a shift, in thinking about the problem of object-relational impedance mismatch, from issues of implementation towards an analysis of cause and effect. Such a shift has implications for those involved in the design of current and future software architectures. Because we have questioned the received wisdom, we are now in a position to work toward an appropriate solution to the problem of object-relational impedance mismatch

Forecasting the effects of reduced defense spending

Forecasts from a vector autoregressive model indicate that the substantial cuts in defense spending proposed by the Bush Administration in 1991 are likely to reduce GNP in both the short run and the long run. These forecasts hold even if proceeds from the spending cuts are used to reduce the federal debt. The long-range VAR forecasts, in particular, contrast markedly with those of the large-scale econometric models employed by the Congressional Budget Office.Defense contracts

Forecasting the effects of reduced defense spending

Forecasts from a vector autoregressive model indicate that the substantial cuts in defense spending proposed by the Bush Administration in 1991 are likely to reduce GNP in both the short run and the long run. These forecasts hold even if proceeds from the spending cuts are used to reduce the federal debt. The long-range VAR forecasts, in particular, contrast markedly with those of the large-scale econometric models employed by the Congressional Budget Office.Defense contracts

Object-Relational Impedance Mismatch: A Framework Based Approach

The term impedance mismatch was first used in 1984 to label problems that arise when a program uses a relational database for storage. For example, when transferring data from a relational database into a program any relational data structure is lost because a program operates at the row level. Consequently that data structure must somehow be reproduced when data is returned to a database. There are many such mismatches that cost time and effort to address. As new programming and database languages are introduced other kinds of impedance mismatch are anticipated. Traditional approaches are concerned with pragmatic solutions to specific problems of implementation. They do not address the underlying cause and offer little rationale for the claim to a "solution". The motivation for this dissertation is to understand the cause of these mismatches so it is then possible to address each of them in an appropriate way. Problem themes are introduced as a way to make sense of impedance mismatch. Such problems are not independent. Relationships between problem themes demonstrate the complex nature of impedance mismatch and they are used to identify three problems of particular significance. A structure to existing characterisations of impedance mismatch is identified and developed in order to organise the characterisations in a meaningful and useful way. This structure, based on four levels of abstraction, forms the foundation for a new framework. The framework recognises a separation of concerns between a program and a database across levels of abstraction. At each level is observed a particular kind of impedance mismatch. Through a dialogue about a correspondence at each level it is possible to understand and address each kind of mismatch in a structured and consistent way. A technique based on equivalence is introduced in support of a dialogue. The validity of the framework is demonstrated by identifying the cause of some significant mismatches. Across all the levels of the framework are explored both the cause of each mismatch and the effect of a solution. A four-stage process is described in support of an exploration and to inform others in the use of the framework. An option for change is linked to a conceptual problem not one of implementation and the fidelity and integrity of an existing solution is improved in a way that can be generalised for other solutions. New insights are also provided into the consequences of one solution. Understanding cause and effect in this level of detail is not available using an alternative framework described in the literature. However despite the improved understanding of an impedance mismatch and the consequences of a solution there is a limit to what can be achieved using the framework

Exploring the relationship between Big Food corporations and professional sports clubs: a scoping review

Objective: Professional sport occupies a prominent cultural position in societies across the globe and commercial organisations make use of this to promote their products. This scoping review explores existing academic literature on the relationship between professional sports clubs and food and drink marketing and considers how this relationship may impact upon the public’s health. Design: The scoping review searched six databases. Experts were also consulted. Records written in languages other than English were excluded. We also excluded records relating to mega events (e.g. Olympics, Football World Cup) and alcohol marketing, because of the attention already given to these. Setting: Professional sports clubs. Participants: N/A Results: We identified 18,166 titles, reviewed 163 abstracts and read 26 full texts. We included six papers in the review. Four were from Australia and New Zealand. The Australasian literature largely focussed on the marketing of food and beverages to children and the potential impact on consumption. Single papers from researchers in Turkey and the US were identified. The Turkish paper analysed shirt sponsorship in football leagues internationally and showed food and beverage (including alcohol) companies were the most common sponsors. The US paper examined a mixed reaction to a football team named after an ‘energy’ drink. Conclusions: Commercial relationships between professional sports clubs and ‘big food’ corporations have largely eluded scrutiny in much of the world. This review highlights the lack of public health research on these relationships. Research exploring the inter-dependent commercial practices of food and drink companies and professional sports clubs is urgently needed

The relationship between big food corporations and professional sports clubs: a scoping review

Background Professional sport occupies a prominent place in cultures across the globe. Commercial organisations often use this prominence as a vehicle to promote their brands and products. There are increasing concerns about the growing number of people who are overweight and obese and the contributory role that marketing of processed food and drink plays. We therefore undertook a scoping review to explore the relationship between professional sports clubs and food and drink marketing. Methods We searched six databases (CINALH Plus, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) from database start dates to March 27–31, 2017, using Boolean operators and search terms around professional sports clubs, marketing, food and drink, and health impacts (appendix). Experts were also consulted. Only English language publications were included. We excluded mega events (eg, Olympics, football World Cup) because of the attention already given to them. We likewise excluded alcohol marketing and sport, in view of the established literature exploring that relationship. Findings We identi ed 18166 titles for examination after removing duplicates and 163 abstracts for reviews; and obtained the full text for 26 publications. We included six papers in the review; four were from Australia and New Zealand. The Australasian literature was concerned with the marketing of (unhealthy) food and beverages to children and the potential (negative) impact on eating patterns. Rugby league, Australian football, and cricket were sports that were identi ed. Single papers from Turkey and the USA explored issues around marketing and professional sports clubs. The Turkish paper analysed shirt sponsorship in football leagues internationally and showed that food and beverage (including alcohol) companies were the most common sponsors. The paper from the USA examined a mixed reaction to a football team named after an energy drink. Interpretation Given the current focus on how processed food is marketed to children, it is surprising that professional sports clubs have eluded the scrutiny of academic public health in the UK. Our review highlights the lack of public health research in this area. Research that explores the interdependent commercial practices of food and drink companies and professional sports clubs is urgently needed

Examining the Experiences of Black, White, and Other Student Groups on Campus

The climate of a university can be critical to the experiences and mental health of students on a university’s campus (Budge et al., 2020), as such it is necessary to examine the experiences that perpetuate a university’s racial climate. Past psychological research has aimed to reduce negative emotional reactions born of race-related experiences in targeted and marginalized groups (Carter & Forsyth, 2020; Kim, 2016). Although the focus of prior research was essential in improving the experiences of people of color, other directions such as, analyzing the similarities and differences between experiences and emotional reactions of different racial groups, exist as well. Performing a thorough examination into the experiences of different racial groups will provide us a deeper understanding of the emotional reactions each group experiences, as well as yield greater clarity to the race-related dynamics on the Kennesaw State University Campus. Data was collected from KSU students, faculty, and staff who participated in focus groups, of 3-12 participants. During the interview, a facilitator invited participants to share their race-related experiences on-campus and in the community and their emotional reactions. Thematic analysis is currently being used to identify common themes among participant responses. This specific presentation will focus on the experiences of Black, White, and Other student racial groups, and how those experiences differ from one another. Results will be provided to the upper-level KSU administration to provide insight into ways to improve on-campus relations for students at KSU

The Glasgow outcome at discharge scale: an inpatient assessment of disability after brain injury

This study assesses the validity and reliability of the Glasgow Outcome at Discharge Scale (GODS), which is a tool that is designed to assess disability after brain injury in an inpatient setting. It is derived from the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E), which assesses disability in the community after brain injury. Inter-rater reliability on the GODS is high (quadratic-weighted kappa 0.982; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.968, 0.996) as is concurrent validity with the Disability Rating Scale (DRS) (Spearman correlation −0.728; 95% CI −0.819, −0.601). The GODS is significantly associated with physical and fatigue subscales of the short form (SF)-36 in hospital. In terms of predictive validity the GODS is highly associated with the GOS-E after discharge (Spearman correlation 0.512; 95% CI 0.281, 0.687), with the DRS, and with physical, fatigue, and social subscales of the SF-36. The GODS is recommended as an assessment tool for disability after brain injury pre-discharge and can be used in conjunction with the GOS-E to monitor disability between hospital and the community

Niobium oxide based material for visible light photocatalysis

The primary aim of the work presented in this thesis was to design and synthesise well-characterised material that would exploit visible light to promote photocatalysis, involving the degradation of organic compounds in water, or generation of hydrogen from the water splitting reaction. In doing so, both environmental concerns, such as the removal of pollutants in wastewater, and energy concerns, such as the generation of a clean and safe form of hydrogen for use as a renewable fuel could be addressed. The approach used was to employ existing methods to synthesise high surface area quasi-amorphous material that is active in UV light for photocatalysis, and then design and employ post synthetic modification to promote the material for visible light photocatalysis. Niobium (V) oxide was synthesised in a high surface area form, successfully scaling up the synthesis from 2 g to over 200 g quantities of as made material. This UV active photocatalyst was fully characterized by methods including X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis. The material was used to degrade the model dye Methyl Orange and generate hydrogen from a methanol / water solution without further modification. By adding platinum group metals (PGMs) to the niobium (V) oxide, a greatly enhanced efficiency for hydrogen generation was realized. A survey of metals (platinum rhodium and palladium) and weight percentages of metal added (0.01 – 1%) was carried out, with the PGM added materials characterised for hydrogen generation using a methanol / water sacrificial reagent system, as well as PGM dispersion, TEM imaging, EDX and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for characterising the higher weight percentage material. Finally, chromium (III) oxide was added to the surface of the niobium (V) oxide in various weight percentages (1% - 5%). The optical properties of this composite material, in comparison with the starting materials were investigated, in particular the difference in diffuse reflectance of the starting materials and composite were highlighted to demonstrate charge transfer between the chromium (III) on the surface, and niobium (V), in the bulk of the material, with the oxidation states being confirmed by XPS. Furthermore, this material was found to degrade methyl orange under visible light. An action spectrum was carried out measuring the quantum efficiency of the reaction at different wavelengths, which proved it was the chromium – niobium charge transfer absorbance in isolation that was responsible for the methyl orange degradation