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Thick film superconductors with the nominal composition Bi2Pb0.5Sr2Ca2.5Cu3.5Ox were fired on stainless steel substrates and on alumina substrates covered with silver or gold thick film conductors. Films on stainless steel substrates were semiconducting due to reaction between the superconducting film and oxidised chromium and iron from the steel. Tc(R=0) of films on silver was between 80 K and 90 K while Tc (R=0) on gold was below 60 K. The low Tc (R=0) of films on gold is attributed to the interaction between the gold layer and copper from the superconductor.

Self-report questionnaires are the predominant method used in human resource management (HRM) research to assess employees’ work-related psychological constructs (e.g., processes, states, and attributes). However, this method is associated with significant shortcomings, including the introduction of self-serving bias and common method variance when used exclusively. In this chapter, the authors challenge the assumption that individuals themselves are the only accurate source of the self-focused information collected in HRM research. Instead, the authors propose that other-ratings – ratings of a target individual that are provided by a workplace observer, such as a coworker, supervisor, or subordinate – can accurately assess commonly measured work-related psychological constructs. The authors begin by explaining the advantages of other-ratings for HRM research and practice, reviewing the history of other-ratings and how they emerged in the personality and person-perception literature, and outlining how they have been used in HRM research to date. Then, the authors build upon Funder’s (1995) realistic accuracy model to develop a theoretical argument detailing why workplace others should be able to accurately judge how another employee thinks and feels about work. Next, the authors highlight existing evidence in the literature on the accuracy of other-ratings and present the results of a preliminary meta-analysis on the ability of other-ratings to predict self-ratings of work-related psychological constructs. Finally, the authors discuss potential moderators of other-rating accuracy and reflect on a number of practical considerations for researchers looking to use other-ratings in their own work. The authors intend for this chapter to meaningfully contribute to the larger conversation on HRM research methods. Other-ratings are a simple, yet powerful, addition to the methodological toolkit of HRM researchers that can increase flexibility in research design and improve the overall quality of research.

A superconducting material with a composition Y1−xBa2Cu3O7−3/2x − x/2 Bi2O3 (x = 0·1 and 0·2) was synthesised. The influence of Bi2O3 additions on sintering was studied. Preliminary investigations of the Bi‐Sr‐Ca‐Cu‐O system were also made. Thick film pastes, prepared from Y1−xBixBa2Cu3O7 compositions, from the compound YBa2Cu3O7 with 10 w/o addition of Bi2CuO4 and from two compositions in the Bi‐Sr‐Ca‐Cu‐0 system, were fired on Al2O3 and ZrO2 substrates. All thick film materials based on YBa2Cu3O7 compound were superconducting at temperatures above 77 K when fired on ZrO2 substrates, while only a material with the starting composition Y0·8Ba2Cu3O6.7 − 0·1 Bi2O3 reached zero resistivity above 77 K on Al2O3 substrates. Tc (onset) of samples based on the YBa2Cu3O7 compound was around 95 K, and of samples from the Bi‐Sr‐Ca‐Cu‐O system between 95 and 100 K.

A superconducting material with the composition YBa1.8Pb0.2Cu3O7 was synthesised. The influence of PbO addition on the sintering and formation of the superconducting compound YBa2Cu3O7 was investigated. A thick film paste, prepared from prereacted material and an organic vehicle, was fired on Al2O3 and ZrO2 substrates. The resistivity of samples on ZrO2 substrates decreased to zero around 90 K, while samples on Al2O3 substrates did not reach zero resistivity until 77 K, which is probably due to the differences in thermal expansion coefficient between Al2O3 and the superconducting material. Interactions between Pt alloy based thick film conductors and superconducting material were studied.

Interactions between stainless steel and silver and gold based thick film conductors and YBa2Cu3O7 thick film superconductors were studied by SEM and EDX. The stainless steel reacted with the superconducting layer, forming a Ba‐Fe‐O compound on the interface, while BaO‐depleted YBa2Cu3O7 compound transformed into insulating Y2BaCuO5 compound. When YBa2Cu3O7 is fired on a gold thick film conductor, a thin layer of Y2BaCuO5 compound forms between the conductor and the superconducting film. In the case of a thin Ag conductor, BaO diffused through the silver film and reacted with alumina ceramic to the depth of a few μm. When a thicker silver layer (40–50 μm) was used, diffusion did not occur.

The main purpose of the expert system presented in the paper is to support proper decision-making to perform the operation of the complex and crucial technical system in a rational way.

The proposed system was developed using the universal concepts of a semi-Markov process, quality space and a multi-objective analysis. The maintenance and operation processes of a machine were modelled in the form of a semi-Markov process, the quality space was used to exclude the operation and maintenance process of critical quality and finally, thanks to implementation of a multi-objective analysis, the assessment system was build.

By generating each flow of the process, the expert system supports optimization of a technical system operation to choose the best maintenance strategy. Application of the expert system created based on a real industrial system is presented at the end of the paper.

The limitations of the proposed approach can be found in the parts of simulation and assessment. As the number of states to be taken into consideration increases, the time of calculation gets longer as well. As regards the assessment, ranges of the criteria argument have to be determined. Unfortunately, in some industrial systems, they are difficult to define or they are infinite and should be artificially limited.

The system provides three most important benefits as compared to other solutions. The first benefit is the system ability to make a choice of the best strategy from the perspective of the accepted criteria. The second advantage is the ability to choose the best operation and maintenance strategy from the point of view of a decision-maker. And the third is that the decision-maker can be completely sure that the chosen way of operation is not of critical quality.

The novelty of the proposed solution involves the system approach to the expert system design, thanks to the described procedure which is flexible and can be easily implemented in different technical systems which have a crucial impact on reliability and safety of their operation. It is the unique combination of probability-based simulation, multi-dimensional quality considerations and multi-objective analysis.

For thick film resistor materials with low sheet resistivity (less than 10 ohm/□) sheet resistivity increases with decreasing resistor length, when terminated with Pd alloy based conductors. This is due to the reaction of palladium from the thick film conductor and bismuth ruthenate (Bi2Ru2O7), which is the active phase in thick film resistor material. The experimental results indicate the formation of Pd/Bi solid solution on the interface between the conductor and resistor. Because of its higher specific resistivity, this layer functions as an additional source of resistivity.

To examine the relationship between self‐esteem and job performance using others' perceptions of self‐esteem and to examine agreement in ratings of self‐esteem across sources.

A sample of 143 sales representatives, 113 supervisors, 420 peers, 435 customers, and 510 family and friends completed Rosenberg's measure of self‐esteem and a measure of acquaintanceship. Peers and supervisors rated the subjects' job performance. Correlations and hierarchical regression were used to explore the relationships.

Customer, peer, and supervisor perceptions of subjects' self‐esteem related significantly to peer and supervisor performance ratings, whereas self and family/friends perceptions did not. There was limited support for the acquaintanceship effect (greater agreement across sources when familiarity is greater), while context affected agreement (same context sources had greater agreement).

The study highlights the importance of looking at an employee from a variety of perspectives. Also, training employees to develop self‐enhancing behaviors may enhance their outcomes. Finally, training raters that their perceptions of co‐workers' self‐esteem may influence evaluations of performance could reduce unconscious errors.

If this had been a traditional study measuring self‐esteem's impact on performance ratings, no significant relationships could have been reported since individuals' perceptions of their own self‐esteem were not valid predictors of performance ratings. It may be the individual's public self‐esteem (e.g. impression management skills) that influences performance ratings. In particular, workplace sources perceived high self‐esteem as being important to job performance. The validity of self‐esteem may be understated through reliance on the self‐report method alone.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the maintenance performance indicators (MPIs) which are significant for maintenance decision making in the apparel industry through an accurate maintenance performance measurement.

A quantitative research approach was followed. A questionnaire survey was used to collect the data which were evaluated based on Mean Weighted Rating and Relative Importance Index.

In total, 15 significant MPIs were determined which can directly affect maintenance decision making. A systematic approach was finally developed by allocating weightages for each critical MPI.

These results can be used to assist the decision-making process and as a performance measurement platform for maintenance management of the apparel industry.

The significance of maintenance has not been recognized and the value created through such massive efforts has remained hidden. Therefore, the need of adopting a performance-based approach for maintenance management in apparel industry exists. This research was aimed to provide a systematic approach to make decisions on maintenance management in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka.

Inquiry-based teaching and learning is a valued learning theory, which can transform a prescriptive, teacher-led classroom into a dynamic, active learning environment. Some factors to consider about inquiry-based activities are that they are designed to incorporate many strategies and techniques to develop students’ affective, social, and metacognition domains. Inquiry-based teaching and learning is most successful when students have some level of self-regulation and when faculty members provide meaningful guidance. Unfortunately, students are infrequently taught how to be self-regulated learners. In addition, faculty members are uncomfortable and under-incentivized to try innovative teaching pedagogies.

To illustrate the dichotomy of both the delivery of inquiry-based teaching and a student-centered approach, a DNA double helix is used as a metaphor and visual model. Importance is placed on designing learning experiences that can be adapted based on context, available technology, meaningful assessment, and positive student outcomes. Educational trends in higher education are explored and implications are drawn based on the research and programs being implemented at many universities and colleges. This chapter provides insight into how higher education institutions can scale inquiry-based teaching and learning through their strategic initiatives to promote faculty excellence. Evaluation frameworks and logic model planning strategies are included in this chapter.