Synchronous Closing and Flow Analysis for Model Checking Timed Systems

Abstract. Formal methods, in particular model checking, are increas-ingly accepted as integral part of system development. With large soft-ware systems beyond the range of fully automatic verification, however, a combination of decomposition and abstraction techniques is needed. To model check components of a system, a standard approach is to close the component with an abstraction of its environment, as standard model checkers often do not handle open reactive systems directly. To make it useful in practice, the closing of the component should be automatic, both for data and for control abstraction. Specifically for model checking asynchronous open systems, external input queues should be removed, as they are a potential source of a combinatorial state explosion. In this paper we investigate a class of environmental processes for which the asynchronous communication scheme can safely be replaced by a synchronous one. Such a replacement is possible only if the environment is constructed under rather a severe restriction on the behavior, which can be partially softened via the use of a discrete-time semantics. We employ data-flow analysis to detect instances of variables and timers influenced by the data passing between the system and the environment

The development building maintenance training model of healthcare industry

This thesis deals with investigated the building maintenance aspects in maintenance organization of healthcare industry in Malaysia. The aim is to develop a model for building maintenance training for health care industry. The intention of this qualitative study was to generate a theory, grounded in data.The purpose of this study was to develop a theory, grounded in data that conceptualizes the main concern of building maintenance. The main contribution of the thesis was to generate new model for training in building maintenance for healthcare industry. The study contributes to the body of knowledge for training development in building maintenance for healthcare industry. This research was conducted using Grounded Theory approach. The methods of initial data collection were: face-to-face interviews with the technical managers and technical supervisors. The Grounded Theory requirements, the participants were selected using purposive sampling method taken from the list of workers who have experienced the maintenance works which were held during preliminary study. The study applies Grounded Theory as an holistic methodology to investigate the experience of building maintenance practitioners in this study context. Grounded Theory is a sociological methodology designed to formulate a new (Grounded) theory from a substantive area‘, i.e. a participant group typically comprising a shared technical role or activity. Key elements of Grounded Theory include an emphasis on induction-based conceptualization of theory from descriptive participant indicators and the continuous comparison of data for the emergence of ‗coding categories‘ due to thematic analysis. Using core grounded theory concepts, a methodological framework of data collection and analysis was developed that focused on data centrality and discovering a data- emergent theory grounded within the research field. A core category of selective perception emerged that explained and captured the core phenomenon of sustained barriers to decision-making and selective bias towards information due to the interpretative nature of the socially constructed environment. At the core of the discovered theory is that individuals have a tendency to reject decisions within an informal environment based on external variables not directly related to the decisions. By constructing a theoretical model explained through several propositions, this thesis shows that decision-making efficiency is impacted by selective perception, communication effectiveness, the level of trust, and available resources, with a strong interrelation between each variable. The concept of adaptability was applied and tested for relevance and effectiveness within the research field, with positive results. Grounded Theory by Glaser & Strauss was employed to investigate this phenomenon thus revealing the main concern of the participants and resulting in specific theoretical propositions grounded in the data. The building maintenance practitioner‘s interviews in this study identified building maintenance key points relating to employee experiences of work-life interaction. The research focus was then narrowed to delimit the emerging theory around four main categories in the data. In total, interviews were conducted as part of the dynamic and fluid process of coding, theoretical sampling, literature review and interpretation that is Grounded Theory. This thesis concludes with discussions on the implications for practice, research, and suggestions for future research. As summary, the development of building maintenance model for in-house training of maintenance healthcare industry comprises of integrated component such as architectural, building services and safety and health thus ‗BIMO‘ model as contribution by researcher towards to knowledge and society

Technology transfer practices and strategies: Issues for Nigerian construction organisations and for research

Technology transfer is increasingly being seen as an important issue for economic development and growth. Arguably, this is why developed and especially developing countries are very keen on technology transfer. However, there are those that contend that organisations in the Nigerian construction industry are not as engaged in technology transfer as many would like, and that potential benefits of doing so are not realized. In the same vein, the challenges that confront construction organisations in Nigeria in terms of technology transfer have received very little empirical studies. This paper, therefore, presents a thorough review of literature on strategic issues and choices that Nigerian construction organisations face in grappling with technology transfer, together with associated challenges. Consideration is also given to what technology transfer actually means to such organisations, and how this is viewed in line with other terms such as innovation. The paper argues and concludes that the challenges that confront construction organisations in Nigeria are multifaceted and likely to impact on their strategic choices. In the same vein, it is also argued that these have implications for researchers attempting to investigate technology transfer practices and strategies in construction organisations in Nigeria in terms of their choice of research strategy and design