Computing observability don't cares efficiently through polarization

A new method is presented to compute the exact observability don't cares (ODCs) for multiple-level combinational circuits. A new mathematical concept, called polarization, is introduced. Polarization captures the essence of ODC calculation on the otherwise difficult points of reconvergence. It makes it possible to derive the ODC of a node from the ODCs of its fanouts with a very simple formula. Experimental results for the 39 largest MCNC benchmark examples show that the method is able to compute the ODC set (expressed as a Boolean network) for all but one circuit in at most a few second

Sustainability Conversations for Impact: Transdisciplinarity on Four Scales

Sustainability is a dynamic, multi-scale endeavor. Coherence can be lost between scales – from project teams, to organizations, to networks, and, most importantly, down to conversations. Sustainability researchers have embraced transdisciplinarity, as it is grounded in science, shared language, broad participation, and respect for difference. Yet, transdisciplinarity at these four scales is not well-defined. In this dissertation I extend transdisciplinarity out from the project to networks and organizations, and down into conversation, adding novel lenses and quantitative approaches. In Chapter 2, I propose transdisciplinarity incorporate academic disciplines which help cross scales: Organizational Learning, Knowledge Management, Applied Cooperation, and Data Science. In Chapter 3 I then use a mixed-method approach to study a transdisciplinary organization, the Maine Aquaculture Hub, as it develops strategy. Using social network analysis and conversation analytics, I evaluate how the Hub’s network-convening, strategic thinking and conversation practices turn organization-scale transdisciplinarity into strategic advantage. In Chapters 4 and 5, conversation is the nexus of transdisciplinarity. I study seven public aquaculture lease scoping meetings (informal town halls) and classify conversation activity by “discussion discipline,” i.e., rhetorical and social intent. I compute the relationship between discussion discipline proportions and three sustainability outcomes of intent-to-act, options-generation, and relationship-building. I consider exogenous factors, such as signaling, gender balance, timing and location. I show that where inquiry is high, so is innovation. Where acknowledgement is high, so is intent-to-act. Where respect is high, so is relationship-building. Indirectness and sarcasm dampen outcomes. I propose seven interventions to improve sustainability conversation capacity, such as nudging, networks, and using empirical models. Chapter 5 explores those empirical models: I use natural language-processing (NLP) to detect the discussion disciplines by training a model using the previously coded transcripts. Then I use that model to classify 591 open-source conversation transcripts, and regress the sustainability outcomes, per-transcript, on discussion discipline proportions. I show that all three conversation outcomes can be predicted by the discussion disciplines, and most statistically-significant being intent-to-act, which responds directly to acknowledgement and respect. Conversation AI is the next frontier of transdisciplinarity for sustainability solutions

Circuits to control--learning engineering by designing LEGO robots

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Media Arts & Sciences, 1994.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 251-255).by Fred Garth Martin.Ph.D

Can you believe what you see? A qualitative study about the determinants affecting the perceived credibility of video eWOM

Thesis Purpose: With the increasing popularity of social networks like YouTube, and the increasing accessibility of consumers to devices able to make and edit videos, video reviews are facing a remarkable growth. Hitherto, the research in eWOM has paid more attention to written reviews, leaving a notable gap of research in video eWOM. The purpose of this study was to improve the knowledge about video eWOM, studying the determinants affecting the perceived credibility of video reviews. Indeed, credibility is a crucial factor, playing a significant role in the consumer’s attitude toward a brand or product, and the consequent purchase intention. The study reached an answer to the following question: What are the determinants affecting the perceived credibility of video-eWOM reviews? Theoretical Perspective: The research model, adopted in this study, built upon three (3) main theoretical areas, due to a lack of research in video eWOM and in order to formulate an adequate background, suitable for the interpretation and analysis of data. First, the study drew upon the determinants of perceived credibility, found by prior research in the field of written eWOM. With the purpose of facilitating the use of this theory, it was built a comprehensive model, summarising all the determinants. Second, some theories about the influence of video features on the audience were implemented in order to fully grasp the potentiality of video reviews. Finally, the third area was focused on the peculiar features of nonverbal communication, involved in video reviews through the adoption of images, motion and sound to convey the message. Methodology: The empirical research was performed through a qualitative study based on a variation grounded theory. The data was collected at one point in time, and the sample consisted in 12 female participants who interacted with five (5) video reviews on YouTube. The participants’ opinions were collected performing semi-structured interviews, supported by the techniques of photo elicitation and list of thoughts. The empirical data was then analysed through a sequence of definite steps, based on grounded analysis. Results: The results of the empirical research were summarised in a new model, encompassing all the determinants observed to exert an influence in the current study. Two (2) new determinants of perceived credibility – visual evidence and testing – were revealed along with one (1) new moderator, first impression. Besides, the determinants and moderators, corresponding to the ones of written eWOM, were assessed by the participants through the adoption of more cues, including the reviewer’s appearance, facial expressions, tone of voice, and video features (e.g. setting). Keywords: Video eWOM, Video reviews, Electronic word-of-mouth, Credibility, YouTube

Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse

Texas Law Review

Journal containing articles, notes, book reviews, and other analyses of law and legal cases

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania

Unmet goals of tracking: within-track heterogeneity of students' expectations for

Educational systems are often characterized by some form(s) of ability grouping, like tracking. Although substantial variation in the implementation of these practices exists, it is always the aim to improve teaching efficiency by creating homogeneous groups of students in terms of capabilities and performances as well as expected pathways. If students’ expected pathways (university, graduate school, or working) are in line with the goals of tracking, one might presume that these expectations are rather homogeneous within tracks and heterogeneous between tracks. In Flanders (the northern region of Belgium), the educational system consists of four tracks. Many students start out in the most prestigious, academic track. If they fail to gain the necessary credentials, they move to the less esteemed technical and vocational tracks. Therefore, the educational system has been called a 'cascade system'. We presume that this cascade system creates homogeneous expectations in the academic track, though heterogeneous expectations in the technical and vocational tracks. We use data from the International Study of City Youth (ISCY), gathered during the 2013-2014 school year from 2354 pupils of the tenth grade across 30 secondary schools in the city of Ghent, Flanders. Preliminary results suggest that the technical and vocational tracks show more heterogeneity in student’s expectations than the academic track. If tracking does not fulfill the desired goals in some tracks, tracking practices should be questioned as tracking occurs along social and ethnic lines, causing social inequality