Providing Self-Aware Systems with Reflexivity

We propose a new type of self-aware systems inspired by ideas from higher-order theories of consciousness. First, we discussed the crucial distinction between introspection and reflexion. Then, we focus on computational reflexion as a mechanism by which a computer program can inspect its own code at every stage of the computation. Finally, we provide a formal definition and a proof-of-concept implementation of computational reflexion, viewed as an enriched form of program interpretation and a way to dynamically "augment" a computational process.Comment: 12 pages plus bibliography, appendices with code description, code of the proof-of-concept implementation, and examples of executio

Improving the build architecture of legacy C/C++ software systems

The build architecture of legacy C/C++ software systems, groups program files in directories to represent logical components. The interfaces of these components are loosely defined by a set of header files that are typically grouped in one common include directory. As legacy systems evolve, these interfaces decay, which contribute to an increase in the build time and the number of conflict in parallel developments. This paper presents an empirical study of the build architecture of large commercial software systems, introduces a restructuring approach, based on Reflexion models and automatic clustering, and reports on a case study using VIM open source editor

Design acceleration in chemical engineering

Nowadays, Chemical Engineering has to face a new industrial context with for example: the gradually falling of hydrocarbon reserves after 2020-2030, relocation, emerging of new domains of application (nano-micro technologies) which necessitate new solutions and knowledges… All this tendencies and demands accelerate the need of tool for design and innovation (technically, technologically). In this context, this paper presents a tool to accelerate innovative preliminary design. This model is based on the synergy between: TRIZ (Russian acronym for Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) and Case Based Reasoning (CBR). The proposed model offers a structure to solve problem, and also to store and make available past experiences in problems solving. A tool dedicated to chemical engineering problems, is created on this model and a simple example is treated to explain the possibilities of this tool

Developing a dominant logic of strategic innovation

Purpose: This paper aims to lay the foundations to develop a dominant logic and a common thematic framework of strategic innovation (SI) and to encourage consensus over the field’s core foundation of main themes. Design/methodology/approach: The paper explores the intersection between the constituent fields of strategic management and innovation management through a concept mapping process. The paper categorizes the main themes and search for common ground in order to develop the core thematic framework of SI. The paper looks at the sub-themes of SI in published research and develops a more detailed framework. The conceptual categories derived from the process are then placed in a logical sequence according to how they occur in practice or in the order of how the concepts develop from one other. Findings: The results yield seven main themes that form the main taxonomy of SI: types of SI, environmental analysis of SI, SI planning, enabling SI, collaborative networks, managing knowledge, and strategic outcomes. Research limitations/implications: The new thematic framework the paper is proposing for SI remains preliminary in nature and would need to be tried and tested by researchers and practitioners in order to gain acceptability. Academic rigor and methodological structure are not sufficient to determine whether our conceptual framework will become widely diffused in academia and industry. It would have to pass through an emergent, evolutionary process of selection, adoption and an inevitable degree of change and adaptation, just like any other innovation. Practical implications: The practical implications concern the production of instructive material and the application of strategic management initiatives in industry. The proposed themes and sub-themes can serve as a logical framework to develop and update publications, which have been instrumental in their own right to shape the field. The paper also provides a checklist of potential research projects in SI, which will improve and strengthen the field. The new framework provides a comprehensive checklist of strategic management initiatives that will help industry to initiate, plan and execute effective innovation strategies. Originality/value: The concept mapping of the themes of SI yields a new dominant logic, which will influence the evolution of the field and its relevance to both academia and industry

Cylindrical Symmetry Discrimination of Magnetoelectric Optical Systematic Effects in a Pump-probe Atomic Parity Violation Experiment

A pump-probe atomic parity violation (APV) experiment performed in a longitudinal electric field, provides a signal breaking mirror symmetry while preserving the cylindrical symmetry of the set-up. The excited vapor acts on the probe beam as a linear dichroic amplifier, imprinting a very specific signature on the detected signal. Our differential polarimeter is oriented to yield a null result unless the excited atoms are endowed with a chirality of some kind. Ideally, only the APV (E-odd) and the calibration (E-even) signals contribute to a chiral atomic response, a situation highly favourable to the detection of a tiny effect. In the present work we give a thorough analysis of possible unwanted defects like stray transverse fields or misalignments which would spoil the ideal set-up and lead to chiral systematics. A possible way to suppress such effects is to perform global rotations of the experiment by incremental steps of 45 degrees, leaving both stray fields and misalignments unaltered. The conspiration of at least two defects is necessary to affect the E-odd polarimeter signal. The transverse nature of the defects manifests itself by an azimuthal cosine square modulation. The harmful systematics are those which survive the averaging over four successive configurations. They require the presence of a stray transverse electric field, which can be determined and eventually minimized by auxiliary measurements of the systematic effects, amplified by applying a known external magnetic field. Transverse stray magnetic fields must be compensated by a similar procedure. We also propose statistical correlation tests as diagnoses of the aforementioned systematic effects.Comment: Articl

Instantaneous model of a MESFET for use in linear and nonlinear circuit simulations

A formal approach for nonlinear modeling of FETs is presented. The intrinsic transistor is described by current and charge generators, that are instantaneously dependent on the two internal voltages. The extrinsic parasitic elements are also included. This instantaneous model is obtained from the small signal equivalent circuit computed at a number of bias points, by integration of the bias dependent elements. A program for using this model in nonlinear circuit analysis has been developed. The process has been carried out for two transistors, one being of low noise, and the other a power MESFET. Good agreement has been observed when comparing the nonlinear analysis with measured data. A solid-state power amplifier at 28 GHz has been designed using the power transistor, delivering 21 dBm at 1 dB compression point.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Heuristics for Discovering Architectural Violations

International audienceSoftware architecture conformance is a key software quality control activity that aims to reveal the progressive gap normally observed between concrete and planned software architectures. In this paper, we present ArchLint, a lightweight approach for architecture conformance based on a combination of static and historical source code analysis. For this purpose, ArchLint relies on four heuristics for detecting both absences and divergences in source code based architectures. We applied ArchLint in an industrial-strength system and as a result we detected 119 architectural violations, with an overall precision of 46.7% and a recall of 96.2%, for divergences. We also evaluated ArchLint with four open-source systems, used in an independent study on reflexion models. In this second study, ArchLint achieved precision results ranging from 57.1% to 89.4%

How a turn to critical race theory can contribute to our understanding of 'race', racism and anti-racism in sport

As long as racism has been associated with sport there have been consistent, if not coordinated or coherent, struggles to confront its various forms. Critical race theory (CRT) is a framework established to challenge these racialized inequalities and racism in society and has some utility for anti-racism in sport. CRT's focus on social justice and transformation are two areas of convergence between critical race theorists and anti-racists. Of the many nuanced and pernicious forms of racism, one of the most obvious and commonly reported forms of racism in sport, racial abuse, has been described as a kind of dehumanizing process by Gardiner (2003), as those who are its target are simultaneously (re)constructed and objectified according to everyday myth and fantasy. However, this is one of the many forms of everyday racist experiences. Various forms of racism can be experienced in boardrooms, on television, in print, in the stands, on the sidelines and on the pitch. Many times racism is trivialized and put down as part of the game (Long et al., 2000), yet its impact is rarely the source of further exploration. This article will explore the conceptualization of 'race' and racism for a more effective anti-racism. Critical race theory will also be used to explore the ideas that underpin considerations of the severity of racist behaviour and the implications for anti-racism. © The Author(s) 2010

Public sector management issues in structural adjustment lending

This paper reviews the Bank's experience in implementing public sector management reforms through structural adjustment lending. The study focuses on those institutional aspects of adjustment that deal with"macro-management"issues related to improvements in the management performance of core central government institutions and to systemic changes in public adminstrations. The paper reached the following broad conclusions; (a) public sector management components of SALs progressed unevenly and outcomes varied with diverse political, administrative and economic conditions; (b) reforms for which routinized methodologies and systems were introduced and those that could be linked to actionable steps were more likely to be sustained over time; (c) short time horizons of SALs posed severe constraints on the effective implementation of public sector management reforms; and (d) reforms through SALs are more successful when supported by specific technical assistance projects. It also concluded that: (e) the haste of SAL schedules and the lack of dynamism and focus of traditional technical assistance argues for the creation of a new lending instrument; (f) country economic and sector work is crucial to successful reforms undertaken through SALs; and (g) monitoring and supervision of institutional components of SALs needs to be systemized and the quality of documentation improved.Public Sector Economics&Finance,National Governance,Banks&Banking Reform,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Economic Policy, Institutions and Governance