Technology assessment of advanced automation for space missions

Six general classes of technology requirements derived during the mission definition phase of the study were identified as having maximum importance and urgency, including autonomous world model based information systems, learning and hypothesis formation, natural language and other man-machine communication, space manufacturing, teleoperators and robot systems, and computer science and technology

Advanced automation for space missions: Technical summary

Several representative missions which would require extensive applications of machine intelligence were identified and analyzed. The technologies which must be developed to accomplish these types of missions are discussed. These technologies include man-machine communication, space manufacturing, teleoperators, and robot systems

Verbmobil : translation of face-to-face dialogs

Verbmobil is a long-term project on the translation of spontaneous language in negotiation dialogs. We describe the goals of the project, the chosen discourse domains and the initial project schedule. We discuss some of the distinguishing features of Verbmobil and introduce the notion of translation on demand and variable depth of processing in speech translation. Finally, the role of anytime modules for efficient dialog translation in close to real time is described

A Bricolage of Critical Hermeneutics, Abductive Reasoning, and Action Research for Advancing Humanistic Values through Organization Development Practice

This is an emergent and auto-ethnographic study to find ways for the practice of organization development (OD) to recover and sustain humanism in the workplace. It begins with a literature review hermeneutically exploring the history and relevance of three modes of inquiry—hermeneutics, abductive reasoning, and action research—paratactically, which is to say, separately without overlap or reference to each other—to future OD practice. These three modes were selected from an extended literature search for non-reductive modes of inquiry that could address the range of human interests and workplace disease as I understand them. I combined my strong background reading on hermeneutics with the abductive reasoning of C. S. Peirce as two of the modes for review and also reflexively as part of my own methodology. The third mode, action research, is borrowed from the work of Kurt Lewin and his tradition in OD, known for its humanistic and democratic aims. Also included in the literature review is a report on the some of the more salient challenges and opportunities currently confronting the practice of organization development (OD) to provide a context for practical expression of my emerging discoveries. Following the literature review, I hermeneutically surfaced submerged, tacit (hidden-from-consciousness) generative connections from the confluence (flowing together) of the three modes, as they abductively emerged from within my expanding hermeneutic experience (known as a horizon) with the literature review. I then interpret the tacit relevance of that confluence through my life experience, for illuminating those OD challenges and opportunities. Finally this study integrates a sequence of critical hermeneutic and abductive processes in a participatory action research (PAR) pathway leading to plateaus of discovery and renewal through facilitation by humanistically oriented OD praxis. I conclude with five abduced interventions hypothetically drawn from personal case studies. My audience are OD practitioners inclined to develop wholistic humanism in the workplace through facilitative immersion with small groups and micro-cultures. Here they may find enlarged conceptual frames to reconceptualize OD, engage clients in transformative dialogue, and create actionable knowledge in their practice

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it : An Abductive and Contextual Exploration of Maintenance Deferral

Objective: To create academic insights into how organisations approach and manage the maintenance of vendor-supplied information systems software. Approach: Three iterations of the Peircean Abduction methodology lead to the identification, conceptualisation, and application of new knowledge in vendor-supplied Information Systems (IS) maintenance deferral by means of undertaking a qualitative multiple-case study. The research goals are achieved through the appropriation and application of theories from Peircean Abduction and Systemic Functional Linguistics. Research questions: The following abductive statement is created through the application of the Peircean Abduction methodology: The surprising observation, “some organisations, having invested in a vendor-supplied IS software solution, defer the implementation of vendor-supplied maintenance”, is made; However, if “the existence of deterrents to maintenance, requiring a trigger event before the implementation of maintenance” were true, then “maintenance deferral” would be a matter of course. Hence there is a reason to suspect that “the existence of both deterrents, and of triggers” is true. From this abductive statement, three research questions are deduced. The first research question investigates the existence, characteristics and influence of deterrents; the second question investigates the existence, characteristics and influence of triggers. As a consequence of this approach, the final question provides a general understanding of IS maintenance deferral. Methodology: Following the implementation of a systematic literature review methodology, six themes are identified: 1. an acknowledgement that problems exist when considering vendor-supplied software maintenance; 2. deterrents as a driver in behaviour; 3. the occurrence of tipping-points which require vendor-supplied maintenance to be undertaken; 4. the consequences of deferral; 5. the value of maintenance; and 6. the formalisation of a maintenance lifecycle. Taking the insights arising from the systematic literature review, a multiple-case study following the pragmatic framework is constructed from data collected interviewing twelve participants across a diverse set of ten organisations. An abductive approach to this research topic creates opportunities for a comprehensive, well-grounded exploratory contribution to a scarcely investigated research domain. Major findings: The translation of Peircean abduction to an interpretative context generates a rich and substantive contribution to theory and practice. The existence of both deterrents and triggers are strongly supported, leading to the conclusion that maintenance deferral is a matter of course. The development of a new abductive and Systemic Functional Linguistic model enhances the knowledge of maintenance deferral and allows refinement of historical IS maintenance models. Finally, the application of Systems Thinking situates insights from the application of their mode within their respective organisational environments

Intelligence Primer

This primer explores the exciting subject of intelligence. Intelligence is a fundamental component of all living things, as well as Artificial Intelligence(AI). Artificial Intelligence has the potential to affect all of our lives and a new era for modern humans. This paper is an attempt to explore the ideas associated with intelligence, and by doing so understand the implications, constraints, and potentially the capabilities of future Artificial Intelligence. As an exploration, we journey into different parts of intelligence that appear essential. We hope that people find this useful in determining where Artificial Intelligence may be headed. Also, during the exploration, we hope to create new thought-provoking questions. Intelligence is not a single weighable quantity but a subject that spans Biology, Physics, Philosophy, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Psychology, and Computer Science. Historian Yuval Noah Harari pointed out that engineers and scientists in the future will have to broaden their understandings to include disciplines such as Psychology, Philosophy, and Ethics. Fiction writers have long portrayed engineers and scientists as deficient in these areas. Today, modern society, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, and legal requirements all act as forcing functions to push these broader subjects into the foreground. We start with an introduction to intelligence and move quickly onto more profound thoughts and ideas. We call this a Life, the Universe and Everything primer, after the famous science fiction book by Douglas Adams. Forty-two may very well be the right answer, but what are the questions?Comment: 34 pages, 12 Figure

Cross-cultural network management : case study in connecting young Barents - network

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the reflections of cultural diversity on network management. The theoretical background of the research is in theories of cultural diversity and network management. As the basic theory of national cultures, I have used Hofstede’s cultural dimensions which are power–distance, individualism–collectivism, masculinity–femininity and avoidance of uncertainty. The main researchers on the field of network management are Agranoff and McGuire with their theory about collaborative management activities. The research was conducted in a cross-cultural Connecting Young Barents –network which operates in the Barents region between Norway, Finland and Russia. The network is aiming at preventing youth outflow from the northern areas in the Barents region. The network consists of the steering group which organizes the activities and the youngsters who participate in them. Network management is often said to be different from traditional hierarchical management activities. Besides, cultural diversity is often seen to complicate management even more. Combining these two issues we can state that cross-cultural network management is challenging. Through this piece of research, I have examined how cultural diversity appears in regard to network management. According to the empirical material and results of this study, the reflections of cultural diversity on network management are versatile. It was clear that it causes many disadvantages concerning for example language and communication. Also the organizational and socio-economical factors were seen to have affects. However, according to the results the challenges and negative factors weren’t seen as the most significant causes of cultural diversity. Most of all, cultural diversity was seen as a source of inspiration, innovation and learning

Blue-Green Infrastructure: The experience of aesthetics. A qualitative study of perceptual and aesthetic landscape at NMBU, Ås.

As a result of climate change, the world is currently facing global challenges. The Intergovernmental panel on climate change mentioned that extreme weather events such as flooding, will become more frequent under climate change. Due to the nature of these global challenges, Blue-Green Infrastructure is becoming an increasingly crucial element of urban water systems. Blue-Green Infrastructure is a growing research topic for academia as well for landscape architects worldwide due to the recognition of the valuable contribution to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The implementation of Blue-Green Infrastructure at NMBU campus provides an opportunity to create knowledge about the performance of the infrastructure. The main objective of this thesis is to investigate how the experience of aesthetics work through and on users who frequently visit areas with Blue-green Infrastructures. A qualitative study was conducted, fieldwork and semi-structured interviews were carried out during the months of October 2022 through February 2023 on NMBU campus park, Ås Norway. To conduct this research, this study answers the following questions research questions: Research Question: How does the experience of aesthetics of blue green infrastructure on campus alter, work through and on users who frequently visit the area? Subresearch questions: What is the aesthetic appreciation and perception of Blue-Green Infrastructure in users who frequently visit the campus? How does the specific climate conditions, seasons affect the perception and aesthetic appreciation of users who frequently visit campus? The different experiences of aesthetics are presented in the findings, which are discussed through the work of Nohl (2001) and his theory of aesthetic perception; Meyer (2008) The performance of appearance, and Tudor (2014) and the wheel of perceptual and aesthetic landscape. This research identifies the aesthetic appreciation and perception of Blue-Green Infrastructure as a multi-layered experience that can contribute to the discourse of sustainable design. Key words: Blue-Green Infrastructure, perception, aesthetic landscape, experience of aesthetic