Structured Behavior Research Articles

Combining behavioural types with security analysis

Today's software systems are highly distributed and interconnected, and they increasingly rely on communication to achieve their goals; due to their societal importance, security and trustworthiness are crucial aspects for the correctness of these systems. Behavioural types, which extend data types by describing also the structured behaviour of programs, are a widely studied approach to the enforcement of correctness properties in communicating systems. This paper offers a unified overview of proposals based on behavioural types which are aimed at the analysis of security properties.

An Integrative Research Strategy for Exploring Synergies in Natural Language Performance

I argue that a synthetic explanatory strategy is an important step forward for developing a more comprehensive understanding of human language, in particular natural language performance. By considering some statistical definitions of the notion of synergy, I argue that we should expect very low-level units of measure, such as voice or body movement, to predict higher level units of measure, such as complex linguistic functions like discourse. It would be useful to tie the structured behavior at this low level to high-level constraints, such as discourse goals. I refer to this as an “integrative strategy” to getting the synthetic approach going, and I briefly sketch our preliminary methods in conducting this integration across different timescales.

Compression and communication in the cultural evolution of linguistic structure

Language exhibits striking systematic structure. Words are composed of combinations of reusable sounds, and those words in turn are combined to form complex sentences. These properties make language unique among natural communication systems and enable our species to convey an open-ended set of messages. We provide a cultural evolutionary account of the origins of this structure. We show, using simulations of rational learners and laboratory experiments, that structure arises from a trade-off between pressures for compressibility (imposed during learning) and expressivity (imposed during communication). We further demonstrate that the relative strength of these two pressures can be varied in different social contexts, leading to novel predictions about the emergence of structured behaviour in the wild.

Influence of ibuprofen on phospholipid membranes.

A basic understanding of biological membranes is of paramount importance as these membranes comprise the very building blocks of life itself. Cells depend in their function on a range of properties of the membrane, which are important for the stability and function of the cell, information and nutrient transport, waste disposal, and finally the admission of drugs into the cell and also the deflection of bacteria and viruses. We have investigated the influence of ibuprofen on the structure and dynamics of L-α-phosphatidylcholine (SoyPC) membranes by means of grazing incidence small-angle neutron scattering, neutron reflectometry, and grazing incidence neutron spin echo spectroscopy. From the results of these experiments, we were able to determine that ibuprofen induces a two-step structuring behavior in the SoyPC films, where the structure evolves from the purely lamellar phase for pure SoyPC over a superposition of two hexagonal phases to a purely hexagonal phase at high concentrations. A relaxation, which is visible when no ibuprofen is present in the membrane, vanishes upon addition of ibuprofen. This we attribute to a stiffening of the membrane. This behavior may be instrumental in explaining the toxic behavior of ibuprofen in long-term application.

An exploratory study on school children's intent attributions for parental structuring behaviors.

This paper begins by proposing a theory-driven, two-dimensional model of children's intent attributions for parental structuring behaviors. The two dimensions are parent-centered intents vs child-centered intents and instrumental goals vs social-emotional goals. These two dimensions imply four categories of intent attribution for parental structuring behaviors. An exploratory study was conducted to examine school children's intent attributions for parental structuring behaviors. Responses in the four proposed categories were observed. Additionally, two new categories emerged from the data: parental structuring behaviors for the sake of the parents' intangible benefits and parental structuring behaviors for the sake of social interests. Research implications of these findings are discussed.

Compositional Phase Diagram, Rheological and Structural Properties of Systems Containing UHT Skim Milk, Sunflower Oil, Saturated Monoglycerides and Co-Surfactants

The phase behavior of UHT skim milk, sunflower oil, saturated monoglyceride and co-surfactants mixtures was studied by determining the state compositional diagram of systems having different ratio among ingredients. Synchrotron XRD analysis, polarized light microscopy and rheological analysis were used to study the monoglyceride structure organization. To better understand the influence of UHT skim milk constituents on monoglyceride structuring behavior simulated milk ultrafiltrate solutions (SMUF), added or not with whey proteins and caseins, were considered as water phase.

Parental Involvement by African Parents in the Education of their Children in the Foundation Phase

The regulatory education system of the past has left a legacy in which disadvantaged families require learning support. Nineteen years after the dawn of democracy in South Africa, parental involvement in the education of their children is still facing challenges in eradicating the huge gap left by the previous education policies. Support for learning plays a critical role in improving the education of the child. Siblings, grandparents and other extended members of the family fulfil a major role in the cognitive development of the child who is never isolated in the extended family. This article investigated the extent to which African parents were supportive in the education of their children. The findings revealed that during the ethnographic observations, some parents appeared to be impatient and harsh towards their children once they realised their children had made a mistake during reading supervision, whereas a few seemed to be more patient and allowed their children more time to correct their mistakes. Furthermore, there was definite evidence of a lack of playing a supportive role by African parents in the education of their children. The ethnographic observations of learners and their educator in the classroom situation indicated that some learners were active and used their own initiative by asking their own questions that were not part from the classwork. During each day of the ethnographic observations, a structured behaviour schedule, based on a five-point scale, was used. The schedule was completed at the end of each school day, reflecting the overall impressions of the learners’ learning behaviour on the relevant points. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n10p460

Integrating complexity in the management of human-wildlife encounters

The unpredictability of human behavior toward wildlife, coupled with changes in human behavior over space and time, are integral challenges of today's wildlife managers to meet administrative mandates. These challenges are exacerbated by extensive urban development and human population growth along with recent successes in wildlife conservation, leading to increasing encounters, and conflicts, between humans and wildlife. Thus, wildlife management is increasingly concerned with managing the co-existence of people and wildlife in a diminishing wild. However, attempting to analyze human–wildlife encounters, or solve human–wildlife conflicts, continues to be problematic. No structured behavior theory exists on how to address these management challenges. This study is a first attempt to do so through assembling and analyzing existing social-psychological, human-environment, and human–wildlife behavior theories and models in regard to their relevance to human–wildlife encounters. We illustrate the need to move from individualistic social and ecological approaches to an integrated complexity-theory based approach. We argue that human–wildlife encounters can only be understood and modified toward resilient relationships when treated as a complex social-ecological system. Key factors identified across literature impacting formation of positive and negative perceptions and behavior decision-making during an encounter are: cognition and emotions formed through beliefs and experiences across scales, barriers and benefits to specific behavior choices, and social thresholds. Using this multi-disciplinary approach, models and theories are drawn upon to develop the Integrated Adaptive Behavior Model of human–wildlife encounters.

Anti‐buckling Fixture for Large Deformation Tension–Compression Cyclic Loading of Thin Metal Sheets

ABSTRACTDetermination of cyclic properties of a material used for many engineering structures, e.g. airframes, requires preparation of specimens from two‐dimensional, shell structures. A specimen must be cut out from the structure component in the way allowing application of a load corresponding to that reflecting service cases. In order to fulfil this requirement, tension–compression testing of the flat specimen is necessary to obtain credible data. Problems associated with such kind of testing are discussed in this paper. In the first part, an extensive review of the anti‐buckling fixtures developed up to now is given. Several representative solutions are discussed, with special emphasis on the technique limitations. In the second part of the paper, detailed description of the proposed design is given. Finally, the results of preliminary tests carried out using new fixture to mount the flat specimens cut from steel sheets are presented. Application of the proposed testing technique allowed tension–compression tests to be performed at the displacement amplitude within the range ±5 mm what corresponds to the maximum strain amplitude of ±0.4 for the specimen gauge length to be equal 12.5 mm. Taking into account all data captured by means of new fixture, one can conclude that the technique is promising with respect to providing data for modelling of cyclic deformation behaviour for shell structures.

Combined effects of structure and partial saturation in natural soils

The mechanical behaviour of natural clays is significantly affected by their in situ or initial structure in the form of cementation or interparticle bonding. This behaviour can differ substantially from the behaviour of reconstituted clays. Suction as well as plastic volumetric strains drive isotropic hardening/softening as this is a simple way to account for the phenomenon of volumetric collapse upon wetting and the stiffening effect that suction has on the soil skeletal response. A model that combines unsaturated and structured behavior is presented and then used to simulate stress strain behaviour observed for an unsaturated natural clay subjected to isotropic load paths. A parametric analysis is performed to observe the influence suction hardening has on mobilized strengths. It is also shown that the model can predict the maximum of collapse of unsaturated soils.

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding STI and Treatment Seeking Behavior among Truck Drivers of Ambala, Haryana

An descriptive study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitude regarding STI and treatment seeking behavior among truck drivers of Ambala, Haryana. A sample comprised of 100 truck drivers were selected convenience sampling technique. The tools used for data collection were structured knowledge interview schedule, attitude scale and structured treatment seeking behaviour. Data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the truck drivers 56% were in the age group of 31–40 years of age and with regard to educational status 88% of the truck drivers had secondary level of education. With regard to sexual history 61% of truck drivers’ had premarital sex had 41% had extramarital sex. Nearly half of the truck drivers 59% had heard of STI. Seventy seven (77%) of truck drivers had not assessed there STI status and only 23% of the truck drivers have assessed there STI status. Among those who were assessed for their STI status 7% were found to be positive. Knowledge of the truck drivers ranged between 1- 14 and mean knowledge score of truck drivers was found to be 5.65 ± 2.907. Range of attitude scores lies between 65 -101, the mean attitude score of truck drivers 84.88 ± 8.346. Findings further showed that coefficient of correlation between mean knowledge score and mean attitude score of truck drivers regarding STI (0.442) was found to be significant at 0.05 level of significance. Significant association was observed between levels of knowledge of truck drivers with regard to their age, premarital sex, extramarital sex, duration of working as a trucker, heard of STI, weeks away from home. Significant association was observed between attitude of truck drivers with heard about STI.

Structured dyadic behavior therapy processes for ADHD intervention.

Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) present significant problems with behavioral disinhibition that often negatively affect their peer relationships. Although behavior therapies for ADHD have traditionally aimed to help parents and teachers better manage children's ADHD-related behaviors, therapy processes seldom use peer relationships to implement evidence-based behavioral principles. This article introduces Structured Dyadic Behavior Therapy as a milieu for introducing effective behavioral techniques within a socially meaningful context. Establishing collaborative behavioral goals, benchmarking, and redirection strategies are discussed to highlight how in-session dyadic processes can be used to promote more meaningful reinforcement and change for children with ADHD. Implications for improving patient care, access to care, and therapist training are also discussed.

Controllable Assembly and Dehydrogenation Catalysis Activity of Urchinlike FeNi–Ru(tips) Amorphous Alloy Hierarchical Nanostructures

AbstractNovel, urchinlike FeNi–Ru(tips) hierarchical‐structured nanospheres (≈9.17 µm) were constructed through a controllable assembly process. Offering large surface areas and macropores as well as more active sites, this special structured catalyst can greatly facilitate reactant diffusion and transport to promote reactivity. By combining the advantages of Ru and FeNi nanomaterials, the resultant urchinlike FeNi–Ru(tips) nanospheres exhibit excellent catalytic activity with the dehydrogenation rate of 2245.87 mL min−1 g−1 toward the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of aqueous NaBH4 under ambient atmosphere at room temperature, in which Fe19Ni76–Ru5 shows the best dehydrogenation reactivity with low activation energy (41.57 kJ mol−1). Additionally, these new structured nanoalloys present controllable ferromagnetic behavior by means of adjusting the molar content of Fe, Ni, and Ru.

Facilitating Innovation in Interdisciplinary Science Teams: The Role of Intergroup Leadership

Inter-group leadership focuses on improving inter-group outcomes, such as innovation, that requires the integration of knowledge from two or more distinct working groups. Leadership efforts that are effective in intra-group contexts, such as creating a common identity, are problematic in inter-group contexts due to deep-rooted disciplinary differences in training, education, and conceptual frameworks. We study the impact of inter-group leader background and behavior on the knowledge integration and innovative performance of newly formed interdisciplinary medical science teams composed of diverse members who hail from disparate areas of knowledge and practice. We examine how the intrapersonal heterogeneity of an inter-group leader directly and indirectly affects the innovativeness of a science team through its moderating influence on team disciplinary diversity. We then identify, through an inductive observational study, the communication practices that intergroup leaders use to foster the integration and generation of knowledge. We focus both on characteristics of the leader and the processes of facilitating exchange and integration of knowledge between group members who represent distinct work and knowledge communities. We find that the intrapersonal heterogeneity of experience of inter-group leaders moderates the effect of team diversity on integration and innovation. Further, we find that inter-group leaders who used specific communication structuring behaviors aimed at addressing inconsistent cognitive frames and facilitating new knowledge creation led teams to higher levels of integration and innovation. Our findings highlight the importance of inter-group leadership on facilitating performance in interdisciplinary teams that require two or more groups to work collaboratively to achieve a common aim.

Large carnivores as taphonomic agents of space modification: an experimental approach with archaeological implications

At most Pleistocene archaeological sites it is difficult to observe structured complex spatial behaviour. This common phenomenon could be a taphonomic issue. Problems in the preservation of the original spatial intra-site distribution could be related to hominid–carnivore alternation in the use of space. In the present paper we analyse the results of our experimentation with large extant carnivores (bears, wolves, hyenas and lions) and propose these animals acted as hearth and hearth-related assemblage modifiers. In this sense, the role of carnivores in the modification of these elements can cause problems in the interpretation and visibility of modern and complex behaviour in the conception of space in the archaeological record.

Financial Regulations, Structure of Financial Systems and Capital Structure

Financial regulations distort normal functioning of a financial system through various channels. When these systems are reformed/deregulated on the lines of liberal markets, there will be structural adjustments and these adjustments will in turn cause various market/economic forces to behave on the lines that are expected in a liberal free market system. The focus of this study is to show how financial regulations impact structural elements of a financial system. In this study we analyze the impact of financial reforms that took place in India beginning in 1991on the structural aspects such as size, competitiveness, efficiency, geographical spread interest rates etc.) of the financial system. In the last part of our paper we show how structural changes in the financial market changed corporate structuring behavior of corporate firms. As reforms effected major changes, firms had to adjust their capital structure in response to the changes occurring in the financial system.

Structural Behaviour of Combined Flange-Cleat and Gusset Plate Connection for Cold-Formed Steel Double Channel Sections

The use of cold-formed steel in light steel framing design is becoming popular in Industrialized Building System, because the construction activities on-site are reduced and make it faster, cleaner and to a certain aspect safer if compared to the use of traditional building system. The lightness of the structures may reduce the severity of building collapse. However the beam-to-column joints in IBS is am major concern especially in case of seismic behaviour. These joints behaviour for cold-formed steel primary structures, particularly the partial strength semirigid beam-to-column connection has not been studied in depth. This paper presents the isolated joint test on combined flange-cleat and slip-in gusset plate connections with 6 mm steel angles and plates. Two cold-formed lipped channel sections were placed back-to-back to form beam and column members. Three specimens with the depth of beam ranging from 150 mm to 250 mm were tested. From the experimental results, it is observed that the ratio of moment resistance of joint to the moment resistance of the connected beam increases in the range of 0.76 to 0.94. The rotational capacities of the joints exceed 30 mRad. The rotational stiffness achieves 646 kNm/rad to 2228 kNm/rad. It is concluded that the proposed connections are classified as partial strength connection and suitable for semi-continuous construction that enhanced the seismic design by providing ductile behaviour. © 2012 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.

Investigations of microstructured behaviors of magnetorheological suspensions

Microstructured behaviors of magnetorheological suspensions under magnetic fields with different magnitudes are investigated using a large-scale atomic/molecular massive parallel simulator. We investigated four kinds of typical characteristics of microstructured behaviors: (a) phase separation of structures, (b) statistics of chain and cluster sizes, (c) structural anisotropy of aggregates, and (d) fluctuation of suspensions. It is found that the higher the magnitude of external magnetic fields, the lesser the time the phase separation of structures undergoes. Magnetic dipolar particles, moreover, exhibit plane size-dependent structured behavior as they tend to cluster into nematic-like sheets along the shorter dimension of the field-perpendicular plane, even under conditions of uniform initial distribution and steady magnetic fields. In the presence of the shear, meanwhile, we observe that the suspensions move along with the flow field and connect to form long sheets along flow direction toward restraining the transportation of the shear flow. The application of the shear weakens the effect of the magnetic fields on the fluctuation of suspensions. Besides, the macroscale shear stress of magnetorheological suspensions is investigated as a function of the Mason number revealing that the constitutive model of rheological suspensions based on the Bingham law is of applicability.

Functional flexible organic–inorganic hybrid polymer for two photon patterning of optical waveguides

The lately in literature described use of two photon based photo processes for producing optical interconnections arises the need of suitable optical functional materials. The present work concerns the development, investigation and processing of a flexible siloxane based organic–inorganic hybrid (OIH) material for the fabrication of optical waveguides for data transmission on printed circuit boards (PCBs). In the developed system the waveguide core is formed by two photon induced photopolymerization (TPIP) of selected monomers, which are dissolved in a polysiloxane matrix. Through the photo induced polymerization an interpenetrating network is generated, resulting in a refractive index change between the non-illuminated waveguide cladding and the illuminated core material. Due to the optical transparency, flexibility and chemical and thermal stability, polysiloxanes were chosen as optical matrix material. Different types of methacrylates with a high refractive index were used as monomers.In order to obtain a high contrast in refractive index, the monomers were removed from non-illuminated regions in a vacuum process after laser exposure. The written optical waveguides were evidenced by phase contrast microscopy, revealing an excellent structuring behavior of the developed material. Optical techniques e.g. cut-back measurements and light extraction tests were applied to characterize the inscribed waveguide structures and to detect the resulting optical loss. Conversion rate of the monomers, which occurred through structuring, was verified by FTIR. To determine the refractive index change upon UV irradiation spectroscopic ellipsometry was applied. As a result of the polymerization, a difference of Δn=0.02 between the non-illuminated cladding and the illuminated core material was detected. Additionally, prototypes of optical interconnects on PCBs were fabricated by inscription of a waveguide bundle between a mounted laser and photo diode, resulting in the desired increase of the transmitted photocurrent after TPA structuring. In conclusion, the obtained results demonstrate that fully flexible optical interconnects are accessible by the developed process.

Suppression of anger and subsequent pain intensity and behavior among chronic low back pain patients: the role of symptom-specific physiological reactivity.

Suppression of anger may be linked to heightened pain report and pain behavior during a subsequent painful event among chronic low back patients, but it is not clear whether these effects are partly accounted for by increased physiological reactivity during suppression. Chronic low back pain patients (N=58) were assigned to Suppression or No Suppression conditions for a "cooperative" computer maze task during which a confederate harassed them. During baseline and maze task, patients' lower paraspinal and trapezius muscle tension, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. After the maze task, patients underwent a structured pain behavior task (behaviors were videotaped and coded). Results showed that: (a) Suppression condition patients revealed greater lower paraspinal muscle tension and systolic blood pressure (SBP) increases during maze task than No Suppression patients (previously published results showed that Suppression condition patients exhibited more pain behaviors than No Suppression patients); (b) residualized lower paraspinal and SBP change scores were related significantly to pain behaviors; (c) both lower paraspinal and SBP reactivity significantly mediated the relationship between Condition and frequency of pain behaviors. Results suggest that suppression-induced lower paraspinal muscle tension and SBP increases may link the actual suppression of anger during provocation to signs of clinically relevant pain among chronic low back pain patients.