Software process quality models: a comparative evaluation

Numerous software processes are implemented by software organisations in the production and maintenance of software products. Varying levels of success are observed in their execution, as processes vary in content and quality. A number of quality models for software processes have been published, each of which is intended to encompass the totality of quality factors and issues relevant to a specific notion of process quality. These quality models may be used to develop a new process, measure the quality of existing processes, or guide improvement of existing processes. It is therefore desirable that mechanisms exist to select the model of highest intrinsic quality and greatest relevance. In this thesis, mechanisms are proposed for the comparative evaluation of software process quality models. Case studies are performed in which existing software process quality models are applied to existing software processes. Case study results are used in empirical evaluation of models to augment theoretical evaluation results. Specific recommendations are made for selection of models against typical selection criteria. Assessment is performed of the assessment procedures against defined success criteria. Theoretical evaluation procedures are developed to measure process quality models against defined quality criteria. Measurements are performed of conformance of models to the requirements set for an ideal process quality model, and the relevance of model content to defined stakeholders in software processes. Comparison is also made of the scope and size of models. Empirical evaluation procedures are developed to assess model performance in the context of application to real software processes. These procedures assess the extent to which the results of process measurement using process quality models are observed to differ, and hence the importance of selecting one model in preference to others. Measurement is also performed of the extent of difference in the software processes evaluated in the case studies

Corporate Financial Policies With Overconfident Managers

Many financing choices of US corporations remain puzzling even after accounting for standard determinants such as taxes, bankruptcy costs, and asymmetric information. We propose that managerial beliefs help to explain the remaining variation across and within firms, including variation in debt conservatism and in pecking-order behavior. Managers who believe that their company is undervalued view external financing as overpriced, especially equity financing. As a result, they display pecking-order preferences for internal financing over debt and for debt over equity. They may also exhibit debt conservatism: While they prefer debt to equity, they still underutilize debt relative to its tax benefits. We test these hypotheses empirically, using late option exercise by the CEO as a measure of overconfidence. We find that, conditional on accessing public markets, CEOs who personally overinvest in their companies are significantly less likely to issue equity. They raise 33 cents more debt to cover an additional dollar of financing deficit than their peers. Moreover, the frequency with which they access any external finance (debt or equity) is significantly lower, resulting in debt conservatism. The results replicate when identifying managerial overconfidence based on press portrayal as confident or optimistic. We conclude that managerial overconfidence helps to explain variation in corporate financial policies.

WETLAND URBANISM

ABSTRACTThis article offers an analysis of settlement patterns that are on the periphery of a historic urban center and which are enmeshed in a resource-rich natural environment that provides the economic driver for the region. The combination of particular conditions provided here — urban fringe, fragile ecology and extensive resource extraction — proves to illustrate a form of development that embraces a specific environmental context while conforming to its globally connected industrial underpinnings. The effects of these contradictive influences are legible in the resulting fabric of its communities, towns and cities. Consideration of the influences shaping its current development and future potentials offer opportunities to theorize about urbanization in similar contexts throughout the world.RESUMENEn este artículo se presenta un análisis de los patrones de asentamiento que se encuentran en la periferia de un centro urbano histórico, y que están inmersos en un entorno natural rico en recursos que proporciona el motor económico de la región. La combinación de las condiciones particulares previstas aquí –periferia urbana, frágil ecología y la extensa extracción de recursos– ilustra una forma de desarrollo que abarca un contexto ambiental específico, con base en la industria conectada en el mundo. Los efectos de estas influencias contradictorias son legibles en el tejido resultante de sus comunidades, los pueblos y ciudades. La consideración de las influencias que dan forma a su desarrollo actual y potencial futuro ofrece oportunidades para teorizar sobre la urbanización en contextos similares en todo el mundo

Overconfidence and Early-life Experiences: The Impact of Managerial Traits on Corporate Financial Policies

We show that measurable managerial characteristics have significant explanatory power for corporate financing decisions beyond traditional capital-structure determinants. First, managers who believe that their firm is undervalued view external financing as overpriced, especially equity. Such overconfident managers use less external finance and, conditional on accessing risky capital, issue less equity than their peers. Second, CEOs with Depression experience are averse to debt and lean excessively on internal finance. Third, CEOs with military experience pursue more aggressive policies, including heightened leverage. Complementary measures of CEO traits based on press portrayals confirm the results.

The Process-Structure-Property-Performance of AISI 1020​

AISI 1020 is widely used in many different industries due to its high strength, high ductility, high machinability, and good weldability. AISI 1020 has a number of applications. Low carbon steel can be used on a macroscale to build bridges, and low carbon steel can be used on smaller scales such as Lawnmower blades. Low carbon steel is the material of choice for lawn mower blades because of its ability to bend before it breaks. The ductile attribute of low carbon steel also has many other benefits.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/metallurgy/1018/thumbnail.jp

Implementing Donations and Processing Procedures for the Habitat for Humanity Metro-West/Greater Worcester ReStore

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts donations of new and used furniture and home improvement tools and sells them at a fraction of the retail price. All proceeds are then used to fund Habitat’s local building projects to house families in need. The goal of this project was to implement an effective donations process for the Habitat for Humanity Restore. This goal was accomplished by (1) documenting the baseline processes, (2) evaluating sales, storage, and donations processes in detail, (3) assessing workforce activities, and (4) designing and testing scenarios

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria in Petroleum Hydrocarbons Polluted Soils in North-West Bayelsa State

Soil samples were analyzed to identify population of autochthonous aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (AHB) and hydrocarbon degrading bacteria (HDB) in soils of Bayelsa State. Soil samples collected from two locations (Okodia and Imiringi) at two different crude oil sites (polluted and unpolluted) at two soil depths (0-15cm and 15-30cm). Pour plate method using Nutrient Agar (NA), DeMan Rogosa and Sharp Agar (MRSA), Cetrimide Agar (CA) and Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) were used for both total AHB and HDB counts incubated at 37oC for 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively. Results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis (ANOVA) using Turkey's test to separate means of significant difference (p<0.05). Results for bacterial population expressed in (CFU/g x 106) showed that Imiringi soils were significantly different from Okodia soils with polluted sites significantly different from unpolluted sites for both locations. However, soil depths for both locations and sites showed no significant differences. Furthermore, results showed no significant difference indicating that both bacteria are equally present in the locations, sites and soil depth respectively. Three HDB isolates were identified, namely: Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The bacteria isolates were two Gram-stain positive and one Gram-stain negative. Physico-chemical properties and rate of respiration of the bacteria from both locations were also analyzed. Results of the analyses showed that population of the HDB present in this study could be well utilized for bioremediation of soils in Bayelsa State and other crude oil exploration and exportation states within the Niger Delta for agricultural purposes via bio-augmentation and bio-stimulation methods