04371 Abstracts Collection -- Perspectives of Model-Based Testing

From 05.09.04 to 10.09.04, the Dagstuhl Seminar 04371 ``Perspectives of Model-Based Testing\u27\u27 was held in the International Conference and Research Center (IBFI), Schloss Dagstuhl. During the seminar, several participants presented their current research, and ongoing work and open problems were discussed. Abstracts of the presentations given during the seminar as well as abstracts of seminar results and ideas are put together in this paper. The first section describes the seminar topics and goals in general. Links to extended abstracts or full papers are provided, if available

Empathic stories to address intergroup discrimination towards undocumented Latinx Immigrants: Stories when we cannot live experiences

A growing body of research in social psychology focuses on ameliorating intergroup discrimination. A substantial amount of this work originates from the contact hypothesis (Allport, 1954). However, many indirect contact studies utilize stories as interventions or cite other studies that use stories. The work in narrative psychology shows that stories provide consumers the opportunity to rehearse intergroup interactions (Oatley, 1999), induce empathy that allows for understanding and feeling the experiences of others (Van Laer et al., 2014), and provide mental experiences felt as if truly occurring (i.e., transportation; Green & Brock, 2000, 2002). Two focal questions of the current research are whether stories and their processes are already effective in reducing intergroup discrimination and whether stories and indirect contact strategies might overlap. The current study explored the effectiveness of stories in reducing different aspects of discrimination (i.e., behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions) towards both undocumented Latinx immigrants (i.e., a group) and to an undocumented Latina immigrant (i.e., an individual), while testing transportation as a driver of the effect. This between subjects design compared three stories including A) a story with somatosensory cues (i.e., in-depth physiological descriptions of the experience of an undocumented Latina immigrant, non-DACA recipient), B) the same story without somatosensory cues, and C) positive statistics and facts about immigrant’s contributions to the US, as a comparison group. The hypotheses tested included: First, the effectiveness of stories in inducing transportation, influencing monetary donations to an immigrant fund, increasing ratings of warmth and competence, and inducing more positive attitudes, compared to the provision of supportive statistics. Second, the effectiveness of the enhanced stories, over statistics, in inducing transportation, donations, increasing ratings of warmth and competence, and in inducing more positive attitudes. Third, the effectiveness of the enhanced story, over the non-enhanced story, in inducing transportation, donations, increasing ratings of warmth and competence, and in inducing more positive attitudes to the character of the story. Finally, whether transportation would moderate the relationship between the clip condition and donations, ratings and warmth and competence, and attitudes to the central character’s membership group—undocumented Latinx immigrants. These hypotheses were tested on a sample of MTurk workers (N= 572) over the age of 18 found in states with an overall population of Latinx below five percent. The results confirmed that individuals in story conditions did undergo more transportation and had higher average donations, but these did not differ in ratings of warmth and competence, or attitudes to undocumented Latinx immigrants. Regarding the character, participants in the enhanced story condition rated her as more competent and less negatively than those in non-enhanced story condition, while also rating her low in warmth. Finally, one moderation analysis showed that respondents in story conditions reported more positive attitudes towards undocumented Latinx immigrants only if they were more transported. Together, these results, indicate that stories could be effective in increasing positive attitudes towards groups that are targets of vitriol, and more importantly that a story process such as transportation may play a role in this positive attitude induction

An investigation of accidental falls in people with multiple sclerosis

More than 50% of people with MS fall in any six-month period. The importance of developing a suitable falls management programme has been identified by people with MS and professionals. This thesis aimed to develop a model for an MS falls intervention. The studies employed a systematic approach to evaluate the risk factors for falls and to identify the optimal programme content, format and structure. Methods The thesis comprises two sections; the first involving a systematic review and an observational study of falls risk factors (n=148). Part two included a second systematic review to inform programme content, and a nominal group study (n=36) to explore approach, format and structure from the perspective of key stakeholders. Results Part one identified the potential target group (people at key mobility transition stages and those with progressive MS), and mechanisms by which the intervention could act (the identification of specific risk factors associated with falls in MS). These include non-modifiable disease and demographic characteristics (e.g. MS classification and gender), and potentially modifiable clinical characteristics (including balance, mobility, continence issues and medication usage). Part two identified that an MS specific falls programme should address falls and participation-related outcomes, incorporating educational activities and a programme of individually tailored gait, balance and functional training. The programme should use a collaborative approach; supporting participants to achieve sufficient intensity and duration of exercise and to integrate falls prevention strategies into their daily lives. The programme should enable participants to engage flexibly according to individual needs and preferences. Conclusions This thesis has identified specific risk factors associated with accidental falls in MS. The evaluation indicates that the success and sustainability of an MS falls programme requires that it is MS specific, employs a collaborative approach and moves away from the group-based, weekly format common to many generic falls programmes

Hiding In Plain Sight

Since the first successful measurements of stellar trigonometric parallax in the 1830s, the study of nearby stars has focused on the highest proper motion stars (mu \u3e 0.18 /yr). Those high proper motion stars have formed the backbone of the last 150 years of study of the Solar Neighborhood and the composition of the Galaxy. Statistically speaking, though, there is a population of stars that will have low proper motions when their space motions have been projected onto the sky. At the same time, over the last twenty years, populations of relatively young stars (less than ~100 Myr), most of them with low proper motions, have been revealed near (\u3c100 \u3epc) the Sun. This dissertation is the result of two related projects: A photometric search for nearby (\u3c25 \u3epc) southern-hemisphere M dwarf stars with low proper motions (mu \u3c 0.18 /yr), and a search for nearby

Extending Event-B with discrete timing properties

Event-B is a formal language for systems modelling, based on set theory and predicate logic. It has the advantage of mechanized proof, and it is possible to model a system in several levels of abstraction by using refinement. Discrete timing properties are important in many critical systems. However, modelling of timing properties is not directly supported in Event-B. In this work, we identify three main categories of discrete timing properties for trigger response patterns, deadline, delay and expiry. We introduce language constructs for each of these timing properties that augment the Event-B language. We describe how these constructs have been given a semantics in terms of the standard Event-B constructs. To ease the process of using timing properties in a refinement-based development, we introduce patterns for refining the timing constructs that allow timing properties on abstract models to be replaced by timing properties on refined models. The language constructs and refinement patterns are illustrated through some generic examples.We have developed a tool to support our approach. Our tool is a plug-in to the Rodin tool-set for Event-B and automates the translation of timing properties to Event-B as well as the generation of gluing invariants, required to verify the consistency of timing properties refinement. In the end, we demonstrate the practicality of our approach, by going through the modelling and verifying process of two real-time case studies. The main focus will be the usefulness of the timing refinement patterns in a step-wise modelling and verification process of a real-time system

Bringing multiple job holding out of the moonlight : understanding the heterogeneity of multiple job holders in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Multiple job holding is a form of non-standard work for which research reports mixed experiences for those individuals involved. It has been suggested that heterogeneity among multiple job holders may explain the divergence in reported experiences. The aim of this research was to explore this heterogeneity to develop a meaningful, nuanced method for conceptualising multiple job holders which can be utilised for future research, policy development and practice. A two-study, mixed methods research design was utilised. As a methodological precursor to the main study (study two), an investigation was undertaken to shed light on how multiple job holders select their ‘main job’ (a requirement in most quantitative research in this area) as the traditional methods for this selection were considered somewhat arbitrary and potentially inaccurate. Thus, a semi-structured interview design using vignettes was employed to explore the criteria used by multiple job holders when directed to select a main job. Study one concluded that an extensive array of criteria were used and therefore one main job indicator should not be imposed universally. Rather, the most appropriate method should be to allow individuals to self-select their main job, while at the same time capturing their rationale for the selection. Incorporating this method of main job indicator selection, the second and main study utilised a quantitative cross-sectional survey design that captured situational variables and outcomes. Latent class analysis showed that, based upon their situational factors, four distinct types of multiple job holder were identified. These ranged from those with markedly positive situations (the privileged type) and in contrast, those forced into the practice with negative situations (the compelled type). Furthermore, and as predicted, the more negative types experienced more adverse outcomes. This research achieves its intended purpose around conceptualising the diverse types of multiple job holder that exist. Specifically, it advances knowledge about multiple job holding by suggesting that these people constitute a highly heterogeneous population – one that should not be subject to generalisations or assumptions – and that their experiences appear to be shaped by the nature of their situations. In doing so, the research provides a more nuanced illustration of these unique groups of individuals that can be utilised by future researchers, policymakers and practitioners/employers alike to more appropriately understand multiple job holders

Bibliography of Lewis Research Center technical publications announced in 1993

This compilation of abstracts describes and indexes the technical reporting that resulted from the scientific and engineering work performed and managed by the Lewis Research Center in 1993. All the publications were announced in the 1993 issues of STAR (Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports) and/or IAA (International Aerospace Abstracts). Included are research reports, journal articles, conference presentations, patents and patent applications, and theses

Expression levels of blood microRNAs as biomarker of cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's disease

Studies investigating differential miRNAs expression levels in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) abounded in the last decades and catalysed the interest towards miRNAs as novel non-invasive biomarkers of AD. Chapter 1 provides an overview of AD’s pathogenesis, discusses the evolution of the disease’s definition, and introduces miRNAs. In Chapter 2, a systematic review and a P-value based meta-analysis of 107 studies investigate miRNA expression levels in AD patients. This leads to a prioritisation of 25, 32 and 5 dysregulated miRNAs at study-wide significance in the brain, the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients, respectively. A pathway enrichment analysis for the top dysregulated miRNAs in the brain confirms their role in regulating biological functions implicated in AD. In Chapter 3, expression levels of the 32 dysregulated miRNAs in the blood and 6 top dysregulated miRNAs in the brain of AD patients, are assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in the blood of cognitively healthy individuals from the CHARIOT-PRO cohort. Low performers on the total Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status scale show downregulation of six miRNAs (hsa-miR-128-3p, hsa-miR-144-5p, hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-26a-5p, hsa-miR-29c-3p and hsa-miR-363-3p). Pathway enrichment analysis highlights involvement in pathways initiating early pathogenetic changes in AD. Finally, in chapter 4, whole-genome sequencing data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative is used to perform an association analysis between polymorphisms within the six miRNAs’ genes and CSF biomarkers of neurodegeneration. A functional annotation of significant variants highlights expression quantitative trait loci, location in enhancer regions and alterations in the binding sites of transcription factors regulating neuronal function. The association of variants located within the same miRNA gene with different markers of neurodegeneration reveals a positive correlation between members of the amyloid cascade and microglial activation in the CSF. The final chapter highlights the clinical relevance of these findings and discusses future perspectives.Open Acces

Science and technology in cutting-edge agricultural biotechnology research

The genetic engineering made possible by the discovery of recombinant DNA has played an increasingly important role in agricultural research. The present study employs a knowledge production model to assess the efficacy of, and relationship between, basic and applied research in agricultural biotechnology, allowing for both complementarity and substitutability between these two research endeavors. Practical measures of basic and applied research outputs, and a paper trail characterizing the information flows between them, are constructed using a unique database on agricultural biotechnology patents and patent-cited scientific publications. Results suggest university bioscience research and graduate education are mostly complements, or in some cases slight substitutes, for one another. Highly ranked universities are less efficient than are their lower-ranked counterparts in producing not only graduate students but the bioscience that is cited in agricultural biotechnology patents. University R&D expenditures have been inoptimally allocated between post-doctoral fellows and non-post-doctoral inputs. Higher returns to R&D funding would be achieved by diverting some such funds away from non-post-doctoral inputs and toward post-doctoral fellows, and away from biology programs and toward agricultural programs. Commercial firms' agricultural and non-agricultural (primarily pharmaceutical) research are complements to one another. Firms' propensity to patent agricultural biotechnology inventions, rather than hold them as trade secrets, has increased significantly, while their propensity to patent in non-agricultural or non-biotechnology fields has fallen. Biotechnology firms have devoted too little of their R&D expenditures to scientists and engineers and too much to non-salary inputs. Boosting biotech firms' R&D expenditures would bring only a small change in their agricultural biotechnology output but a large increase in their non-agbiotech output. In the production of agricultural biotechnology innovations alone, basic bioscience and applied biotechnology appear always to be complementary with one another. But in the production of non-agricultural innovations, bioscience and applied technology are either complements or substitutes, depending upon the manner in which R&D expenditures are allocated. In general, choices among alternative R&D inputs greatly influence the effectiveness of R&D investments in agricultural biotechnology. Complementarity between science and technology in agriculture suggests boosting communication between basic and applied research would bring high social dividends