3,507 research outputs found
Technical Requirements Analysis and Control Systems (TRACS) Initial Operating Capability (IOC) documentation
The Technical Requirements Analysis and Control Systems (TRACS) software package is described. TRACS offers supplemental tools for the analysis, control, and interchange of project requirements. This package provides the fundamental capability to analyze and control requirements, serves a focal point for project requirements, and integrates a system that supports efficient and consistent operations. TRACS uses relational data base technology (ORACLE) in a stand alone or in a distributed environment that can be used to coordinate the activities required to support a project through its entire life cycle. TRACS uses a set of keyword and mouse driven screens (HyperCard) which imposes adherence through a controlled user interface. The user interface provides an interactive capability to interrogate the data base and to display or print project requirement information. TRACS has a limited report capability, but can be extended with PostScript conventions
An approach to software maintenance support using a syntactic source code analyser data base : this thesis is presented in a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Computer Science at Massey University
In this thesis, the development of a software maintenance tool called a syntactic source code analyser (SSCA) is summarised. An SSCA supports other maintenance tools which interact with source code by creating a data base of source information which has links to a formatted version of program source code. The particular SSCA presented handles programs written in a version of COBOL.
Before developing a SSCA system, aspects of software maintenance need to be considered. Hence, the scope, definitions and problems of maintenance activities are briefly reviewed and maintenance support through environments, software metrics, and specific tools and techniques examined. A complete maintenance support environment for an application is found to overlap considerably with the application documentation system and shares some tools with development environments. Program source code is also identified as the fundamental documentation of an application and interaction with this source code is a requirement of many maintenance support tools
Query processing of geometric objects with free form boundarie sin spatial databases
The increasing demand for the use of database systems as an integrating
factor in CAD/CAM applications has necessitated the development of database
systems with appropriate modelling and retrieval capabilities. One essential
problem is the treatment of geometric data which has led to the development of
spatial databases. Unfortunately, most proposals only deal with simple geometric
objects like multidimensional points and rectangles. On the other hand, there has
been a rapid development in the field of representing geometric objects with free
form curves or surfaces, initiated by engineering applications such as mechanical
engineering, aviation or astronautics. Therefore, we propose a concept for the realization
of spatial retrieval operations on geometric objects with free form
boundaries, such as B-spline or Bezier curves, which can easily be integrated in
a database management system. The key concept is the encapsulation of geometric
operations in a so-called query processor. First, this enables the definition of
an interface allowing the integration into the data model and the definition of the
query language of a database system for complex objects. Second, the approach
allows the use of an arbitrary representation of the geometric objects. After a
short description of the query processor, we propose some representations for free
form objects determined by B-spline or Bezier curves. The goal of efficient query
processing in a database environment is achieved using a combination of decomposition
techniques and spatial access methods. Finally, we present some experimental
results indicating that the performance of decomposition techniques is
clearly superior to traditional query processing strategies for geometric objects
with free form boundaries
An Exploratory Data Analysis Approach for Land Use-Transportation Interaction: The Design and Implementation of Transland Spatio-Temporal Data Model
Land use and transportation interaction is a complex and dynamic process. Many models have been used to study this interaction during the last several decades. Empirical studies suggest that land use and transportation patterns can be highly variable between geographic areas and at different spatial and temporal scales. Identifying these changes presents a major challenge. When we recognize that long-term changes could be affected by other factors such as population growth, economic development, and policy decisions, the challenge becomes even more overwhelming. Most existing land use and transportation interaction models are based on some prior theories and use mathematical or simulation approaches to study the problem. However, the literature also suggests that little consensus regarding the conclusions can be drawn from empirical studies that apply these models. There is a clear research need to develop alternative methods that will allow us to examine the land use and transportation patterns in more flexible ways and to help us identify potential improvements to the existing models.
This dissertation presents a spatio-temporal data model that offers exploratory data analysis capabilities to interactively examine the land use and transportation interaction at use-specified spatial and temporal scales. The spatio-temporal patterns and the summary statistics derived from this interactive exploratory analysis process can be used to help us evaluate the hypotheses and modify the structures used in the existing models. The results also can suggest additional analyses for a better understanding of land use and transportation interaction. This dissertation first introduces a conceptual framework for the spatio-temporal data model. Then, based on a systematic method for explorations of various data sets relevant to land use and transportation interaction, this dissertation details procedures of designing and implementing the spatio-temporal data model. Finally, the dissertation describes procedures of creating tools for generating the proposed spatio-temporal data model from existing snapshot GIS data sets and illustrate its use by means of exploratory data analysis.
Use of the spatio-temporal data model in this dissertation study makes it feasible to analyze spatio-temporal interaction patterns in a more effective and efficient way than the conventional snapshot GIS approach. Extending Sintonâs measurement framework into a spatio-temporal conceptual interaction framework, on the other hand, provides a systematic means of exploring land use and transportation interaction. Preliminary experiments of data collected for Dade County (Miami), Florida suggest that the spatio-temporal exploratory data analysis implemented for this dissertation can help transportation planners identify and visualize interaction patterns of land use and transportation by controlling the spatial, attribute, and temporal components. Although the identified interaction patterns do not necessarily lead to rules that can be applied to different areas, they do provide useful information for transportation modelers to re-evaluate the current model structure to validate the existing model parameter
Development of a knowledge-based system for the repair and maintenance of concrete structures
PhD ThesisInformation Technology (IT) can exploit strategic opportunities for new ways of
facilitating information and data exchange and the exchange of expert and specialist
opinions in any field of engineering. Knowledge-Based Systems are sophisticated
computer programs which store expert knowledge on specific subject and are applied to a
broad range of engineering problems. Integrated Database applications have facilitated
the essential capability of storing data to overcome an increasing information malaise.
Integrating these areas of Information Technology (IT) can be used to bring a group of
experts in any field of engineering closer together by allowing them to communicate and
exchange information and opinions.
The central feature of this research study is the integration of these hitherto separate areas
of Information Technology (IT). In this thesis an adaptable Graphic User Interface
Centred application comprising a Knowledge-Based Expert System (DEMARECEXPERT),
a Database Management System (REPCON) and Evaluation program
(ECON) alongside visualisation technologies is developed to produce an innovative
platform which will facilitate and encourage the development of knowledge in concrete
repair. Diagnosis, Evaluation, MAintenance and REpair of Concrete structures
(DEMAREQ is a flexible application which can be used in four modes of Education,
Diagnostic, Evaluation and Evolution. In the educational mode an inexperienced user can
develop a better understanding of the repair of concrete technology by navigating through
a database of textual and pictorial data.
In the diagnostic mode, pictures and descriptive information taken from the database and
performance of the expert system (DEMAREC-EXPERT) are used in a way that makes
problem solving and decision making easier. The DEMAREC-EXPERT system is
coupled to the REPCON (as an independent database) in order to provide the user with
recommendations related to the best course required for maintenance and in the selection
of materials and methods for the repair of concrete.
In the evaluation mode the conditions observed are described in unambiguous terms that
can be used by the user to be able to take engineering and management actions for the
repair and maintenance of the structure.
In the evolution mode of the application, the nature of distress, repair and maintenance of
concrete structures within the extent of the database management system has been
assessedT. he new methodology of data/usere valuation could have wider implications in
many knowledge rich areas of expertise. The benefit of using REPCON lies in the
enhanced levels of confidence which can be attributed to the data and to contribution of
that data. Effectively, REPCON is designed to model a true evolution of a field of
expertise but allows that expertise to move on in faster and more structured manner.
This research has wider implications than within the realm of concrete repair. The
methodology described in this thesis is developed to provide tecĂœnology transfer of
information from experts, specialists to other practitioners and vice versa and it provides
a common forum for communication and exchange information between them. Indeed,
one of the strengths of the system is the way in which it allows the promotion and
relegation of knowledge according to the opinion of users of different levels of ability
from expert to novice. It creates a flexible environment in which an inexperienced user
can develop his knowledge in maintenance and concrete repair structures. It is explained
how an expert and a specialist can contribute his experience and knowledge towards
improving and evolving the problem solving capability of the application
Economic data bank management in a developing nation
This dissertation describes the results of a research project which was
undertaken at Loughborough University of Technology. The basic objectives of the research project were: (1) to investigate the management elements required for organising the
development of an Economic Data Bank (EDB), with particular emphasis
on the requirements of a developing nation; (2) to investigate the sociological, political and technical implications
associated with organising the development of an EDB in a developing
nation.
A theoretical framework was established for this study. This was dene
after an extensive search and review of literature was performed in the
areas of data and data base management systems, management information
systems, and computer technology in general. [Continues.
Generating collaborative systems for digital libraries: A model-driven approach
This is an open access article shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). Copyright @ 2010 The Authors.The design and development of a digital library involves different stakeholders, such as: information architects, librarians, and domain experts, who need to agree on a common language to describe, discuss, and negotiate the services the library has to offer. To this end, high-level, language-neutral models have to be devised. Metamodeling techniques favor the definition of domainspecific visual languages through which stakeholders can share their views and directly manipulate representations of the domain entities. This paper describes CRADLE (Cooperative-Relational Approach to Digital Library Environments), a metamodel-based framework and visual language for the definition of notions and services related to the development of digital libraries. A collection of tools allows the automatic generation of several services, defined with the CRADLE visual language, and of the graphical user interfaces providing access to them for the final user. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by presenting digital libraries generated with CRADLE, while the CRADLE environment has been evaluated by using the cognitive dimensions framework
SkyDOT (Sky Database for Objects in the Time Domain): A Virtual Observatory for Variability Studies at LANL
The mining of Virtual Observatories (VOs) is becoming a powerful new method
for discovery in astronomy. Here we report on the development of SkyDOT (Sky
Database for Objects in the Time domain), a new Virtual Observatory, which is
dedicated to the study of sky variability. The site will confederate a number
of massive variability surveys and enable exploration of the time domain in
astronomy. We discuss the architecture of the database and the functionality of
the user interface. An important aspect of SkyDOT is that it is continuously
updated in near real time so that users can access new observations in a timely
manner. The site will also utilize high level machine learning tools that will
allow sophisticated mining of the archive. Another key feature is the real time
data stream provided by RAPTOR (RAPid Telescopes for Optical Response), a new
sky monitoring experiment under construction at Los Alamos National Laboratory
(LANL).Comment: to appear in SPIE proceedings vol. 4846, 11 pages, 5 figure
Performance issues in mid-sized relational database machines
Relational database systems have provided end users and application programmers with an improved working environment over older hierarchial and networked database systems. End users now use interactive query languages to inspect and manage their data. And application programs are easier to write and maintain due to the separation of physical data storage information from the application program itself. These and other benefits do not come without a price however. System resource consumption has long been the perceived problem with relational systems. The additional resource demands usually force computing sites to upgrade existing systems or add additional facilities. One method of protecting the current investment in systems is to use specialized hardware designed specifically for relational database processing. \u27Database Machines\u27 provide that alternative. Since the commercial introduction of database machines in the early 1980\u27s, both software and hardware vendors of relational database systems have claimed superior performance over competing products. Without a STANDARD performance measurement technique, the database user community has been flooded with benchmarks and claims from vendors which are immediately discarded by some competitors as being biased towards a particular system design. This thesis discusses the issues of relational database performance measurement with an emphasis on database machines, however; these performance issues are applicable to both hardware and software systems. A discussion of hardware design, performance metrics, software and database design is included. Also provided are recommended guidelines to use in evaluating relational database systems in lieu of a standard benchmark methodology
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