3,446 research outputs found
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Goal sketching with activity diagrams
Goal orientation is acknowledged as an important paradigm in requirements engineering. The structure of a goal-responsibility model provides opportunities for appraising the intention of a development. Creating a suitable model under agile constraints (time, incompleteness and catching up after an initial burst of creativity) can be challenging. Here we propose a marriage of UML activity diagrams with goal sketching in order to facilitate the production of goal responsibility models under these constraints
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Goal sketching: towards agile requirements engineering
This paper describes a technique that can be used as part of a simple and practical agile method for requirements engineering. The technique can be used together with Agile Programming to develop software in internet time. We illustrate the technique and introduce lazy refinement, responsibility composition and context sketching. Goal sketching has been used in a number of real-world development projects, one of which is described here
1. Strengthening International Regulation Through Transnational New Governance: Overcoming the Orchestration Deficit. 2. International Regulation without International Government: Improving IO Performance through Orchestration
1. A new kind of international regulatory system is spontaneously arising out of the failure of international 'Old Governance' (i.e., treaties and intergovernmental organizations) to adequately regulate international business. Nongovernmental organizations, business firms, and other actors, singly and in novel combinations, are creating innovative institutions to apply transnational norms to business. These institutions are predominantly private and operate through voluntary standards. The Authors depict the diversity of these new regulatory institutions on the 'Governance Triangle,' according to the roles of different actors in their operations. To analyze this complex system, we adapt the domestic 'New Governance' model of regulation to the international setting. 'Transnational New Governance' potentially provides many benefits of New Governance and is particularly suitable for international regulation because it demands less of states and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). However, Transnational New Governance does require states and IGOs to act as orchestrators of the international regulatory system, and that system currently suffers from a significant orchestration deficit. If states and IGOs expanded 'directive' and especially 'facilitative' orchestration of the Transnational New Governance system, they could strengthen high-quality private regulatory standards, improve the international regulatory system, and better achieve their own regulatory goals. 2. International organizations (IOs) have been widely criticized as ineffective. Yet scholars and practitioners assessing IO performance frequently focus on traditional modes of governance such as treaties and inter-state dispute-resolution mechanisms. When they observe poor performance, moreover, they often prescribe a strengthening of those same activities. We call this reliance on traditional state-based mechanisms 'International Old Governance' (IOG). A better way to understand and improve IO performance is to consider the full range of ways in which IOs can and do operate - including, increasingly, by reaching out to private actors and institutions, collaborating with them, and supporting and shaping their activities. Such actions are helping to develop an intricate global network of public, private and mixed institutions and norms, partially orchestrated by IOs, that we call 'Transnational New Governance' (TNG). With proper orchestration by IOs, TNG can ameliorate both 'state failure' - the inadequacies of IOG - and 'market failure' - the problems that result when the creation and evolution of norm-setting institutions is highly decentralized. Orchestration thus provides a significant way for IOs to improve their regulatory performance. Some IOs already engage actively with private actors and institutions - we provide a range of illustrations, highlighting the activities of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Yet there remains a significant 'orchestration deficit' that provides real opportunities for IOs. We draw on the lessons of existing IO activities to suggest additional possibilities for improving IO performance. -- 1. Ein internationales regulatorisches System neuer Art entsteht derzeit spontan aus dem Versagen der internationalen 'Old Governance' - also der bestehenden internationalen VertrĂ€ge und Organisationen - dabei, den internationalen Handel angemessen zu regulieren. Nichtregierungsorganisationen, Unternehmen und andere Akteure - allein und in ganz neuen Kombinationen - schaffen sich neue internationale Einrichtungen, um transnationale Normen auf internationale GeschĂ€ftstĂ€tigkeit anzuwenden. Es geht dabei vornehmlich um private Einrichtungen, die vor allem ĂŒber freiwillige Standardbefolgung wirken. In diesem Beitrag werden die unterschiedlichen Regulierungseinrichtungen als Teil eines 'Governance Dreiecks' beschreiben und das geschieht vor allem in Blick darauf, welche Rollen die unterschiedlichen Akteure in ihrer TĂ€tigkeit spielen. Um dieses komplexe System zu untersuchen passen wir das innenpolitische Regulierungsmodell der 'New Governance' an den internationalen Rahmen an. Die 'Transnational New Governance' enthĂ€lt viele Vorteile der 'New Governance' und sie ist fĂŒr die internationale Regulierung besonders angemessen, weil sie geringere Anforderungen an die Staatenwelt und an die intergouvernementalen Organisationen, die IGOs, stellen. Allerdings ist es fĂŒr eine wirksame 'Transnational New Governance' weiterhin erforderlich, dass die Staaten und die IGOs das internationale regulatorische System 'orchestrieren'. Das heutige internationale regulatorische System leidet allerdings unter einem Orchestrierungsdefizit. WĂŒrden die Staaten und die IGOs die 'anweisende' und 'ermöglichende' Orchestrierungsfunktion des 'Transnational New Governance System' ausbauen, dann stĂ€rkten sie die privaten regulatorischen Standards von hoher QualitĂ€t, verbesserten das internationale regulatorische System und könnten ihre eigenen regulatorischen Ziele besser verwirklichen. 2. Internationale Organisationen (IOs) werden vielfach ob Ihrer Ineffizienz kritisiert. Allerdings konzentrieren sich Wissenschaftler und Praktiker bei dieser Bewertung der LeistungsfĂ€higkeit von IOs hĂ€ufig auf MaĂstĂ€be, die den herkömmlichen Formen von Governance - wie internationalen VertrĂ€gen und den Mechanismen fĂŒr die Schlichtung zwischenstaatlicher Konflikte - entlehnt sind. Soweit eine ungenĂŒgende Leistung festgestellt wird, empfehlen sie zudem meist, TĂ€tigkeiten der traditionellen Art zu verstĂ€rken. Wir bezeichnen dies als ein Sich-Verlassen auf die herkömmlichen staats-basierten Mechanismen, als 'International Old Governance' (IOG). Man versteht die IOs besser und verbessert ihre LeistungsfĂ€higkeit aber der Situation weitaus angemessener, wenn man die gesamte Vielfalt wirklicher und möglicher IO-TĂ€tigkeiten in den Blick nimmt: Das umfasst vor allem, dass die IOs private Akteure und Organisationen einbeziehen, mit ihnen zusammenarbeiten, ihre AktivitĂ€ten stĂŒtzen, sie formen und ihnen Richtung geben. Diese TĂ€tigkeiten schaffen ein fein gesponnenes globales Netzwerk von öffentlichen, privaten und gemischten Organisationen und Normen, das seinerseits teilweise durch die IOs orchestriert wird. Dieses Netzwerk bezeichnen wir als 'Transnational New Governance' (TNG). Wenn die Orchestrierung durch IOs gut funktioniert kann sie auch Staatsversagen (state failure) abmildern - also hier die InadĂ€quanzen von 'International Organization Governance' - und ebenso kann sie Marktversagen ausgleichen, also die Probleme, die sich ergeben wenn Herausbildung und Schaffung normgebender Einrichtungen höchst dezentralisiert verlĂ€uft. Ăber die Orchestrierung können die IOs auch die LeistungsfĂ€higkeit ihrer Regulierungen erhöhen. Einige IOs sind schon jetzt stark zusammen mit privaten Akteuren und Einrichtungen unterwegs; in diesem Beitrag mustern wir das Spektrum solcher AktivitĂ€ten. Wir betonen dabei die Unternehmungen des UN Environment Programme (UNEP), des Umweltprogramms der VN. Allerdings verbleibt ein erhebliches 'Orchestrierungsdefizit', das fĂŒr die IOs zugleich Herausforderung und Chance ist. Wir stĂŒtzten uns auf den Erfahrungsschatz der vorgefundenen IO-AktivitĂ€ten, um den Möglichkeitsraum der IOs fĂŒr die Zukunft auszumessen und MaĂnahmen zur Verbesserung der LeistungsfĂ€higkeit von IOs anzuregen.
The Angnasheotik: An Account of the Invention of a Spiritual Entity Among the Ungava Eskimos
Discusses fears of ghosts and graveyards among the Labrador Eskimos, resulting from contacts with whites. Among spirits feared are the Angnasheotik, described by three informants from the Fort Chimo area of northern Quebec as ghosts of white men who molest Eskimo and Naskopi Indian women. The origin of belief in the Angnasheotik is considered, and the hypothesis discussed that they represent expression of hostile attitudes toward whites
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A practical approach to goal modelling for time-constrained projects
Goal modelling is a well known rigorous method for analysing
problem rationale and developing requirements. Under the pressures typical of time-constrained projects its benefits are not accessible. This is because of the effort and time needed to create the graph and because reading the results can be difficult owing to the effects of crosscutting concerns. Here we introduce an adaptation of KAOS to meet the needs of rapid turn around and clarity. The main aim is to help the stakeholders gain an insight into the larger issues that might be overlooked if they make a premature start into implementation. The method emphasises the use of obstacles, accepts under-refined goals and has
new methods for managing crosscutting concerns and strategic decision making. It is expected to be of value to agile as well as traditional processes
All-purpose, all-sky photometric redshifts for the Legacy Imaging Surveys Data Release 8
In this paper we present photometric redshift (photo-) estimates for the
Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Imaging Surveys, currently
the most sensitive optical survey covering the majority of the extra-galactic
sky. Our photo- methodology is based on a machine-learning approach, using
sparse Gaussian processes augmented with Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) that
allow regions of parameter space to be identified and trained separately in a
purely data-driven way. The same GMMs are also used to calculate cost-sensitive
learning weights that mitigate biases in the spectroscopic training sample. By
design, this approach aims to produce reliable and unbiased predictions for all
parts of the parameter space present in wide area surveys. Compared to previous
literature estimates using the same underlying photometry, our photo-s are
significantly less biased and more accurate at , with negligible loss in
precision or reliability for resolved galaxies at . Our photo-
estimates offer accurate predictions for rare high-value populations within the
parent sample, including optically selected quasars at the highest redshifts
(), as well as X-ray or radio continuum selected populations across a
broad range of flux (densities) and redshift. Deriving photo- estimates for
the full Legacy Imaging Surveys Data Release 8, the catalogues provided in this
work offer photo- estimates predicted to be high quality for
galaxies over and
spanning , offering one of the most extensive samples of
redshift estimates ever produced.Comment: 22 pages, 19 figures - Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Catalogues
produced will be made available through queryable public databases - users
interested in the full catalogues or early access to subsets are also
encouraged to contact the author directl
1. Strengthening International Regulation Through Transnational New Governance: Overcoming the Orchestration Deficit. 2. International Regulation without International Government: Improving IO Performance through Orchestration
1. A new kind of international regulatory system is spontaneously arising out of the failure of international 'Old Governance' (i.e., treaties and intergovernmental organizations) to adequately regulate international business. Nongovernmental organizations, business firms, and other actors, singly and in novel combinations, are creating innovative institutions to apply transnational norms to business. These institutions are predominantly private and operate through voluntary standards. The Authors depict the diversity of these new regulatory institutions on the 'Governance Triangle,' according to the roles of different actors in their operations. To analyze this complex system, we adapt the domestic 'New Governance' model of regulation to the international setting. 'Transnational New Governance' potentially provides many benefits of New Governance and is particularly suitable for international regulation because it demands less of states and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). However, Transnational New Governance does require states and IGOs to act as orchestrators of the international regulatory system, and that system currently suffers from a significant orchestration deficit. If states and IGOs expanded 'directive' and especially 'facilitative' orchestration of the Transnational New Governance system, they could strengthen high-quality private regulatory standards, improve the international regulatory system, and better achieve their own regulatory goals. 2. International organizations (IOs) have been widely criticized as ineffective. Yet scholars and practitioners assessing IO performance frequently focus on traditional modes of governance such as treaties and inter-state dispute-resolution mechanisms. When they observe poor performance, moreover, they often prescribe a strengthening of those same activities. We call this reliance on traditional state-based mechanisms 'International Old Governance' (IOG). A better way to understand and improve IO performance is to consider the full range of ways in which IOs can and do operate - including, increasingly, by reaching out to private actors and institutions, collaborating with them, and supporting and shaping their activities. Such actions are helping to develop an intricate global network of public, private and mixed institutions and norms, partially orchestrated by IOs, that we call 'Transnational New Governance' (TNG). With proper orchestration by IOs, TNG can ameliorate both 'state failure' - the inadequacies of IOG - and 'market failure' - the problems that result when the creation and evolution of norm-setting institutions is highly decentralized. Orchestration thus provides a significant way for IOs to improve their regulatory performance. Some IOs already engage actively with private actors and institutions - we provide a range of illustrations, highlighting the activities of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Yet there remains a significant 'orchestration deficit' that provides real opportunities for IOs. We draw on the lessons of existing IO activities to suggest additional possibilities for improving IO performance.1. Ein internationales regulatorisches System neuer Art entsteht derzeit spontan aus dem Versagen der internationalen 'Old Governance' - also der bestehenden internationalen VertrĂ€ge und Organisationen - dabei, den internationalen Handel angemessen zu regulieren. Nichtregierungsorganisationen, Unternehmen und andere Akteure - allein und in ganz neuen Kombinationen - schaffen sich neue internationale Einrichtungen, um transnationale Normen auf internationale GeschĂ€ftstĂ€tigkeit anzuwenden. Es geht dabei vornehmlich um private Einrichtungen, die vor allem ĂŒber freiwillige Standardbefolgung wirken. In diesem Beitrag werden die unterschiedlichen Regulierungseinrichtungen als Teil eines 'Governance Dreiecks' beschreiben und das geschieht vor allem in Blick darauf, welche Rollen die unterschiedlichen Akteure in ihrer TĂ€tigkeit spielen. Um dieses komplexe System zu untersuchen passen wir das innenpolitische Regulierungsmodell der 'New Governance' an den internationalen Rahmen an. Die 'Transnational New Governance' enthĂ€lt viele Vorteile der 'New Governance' und sie ist fĂŒr die internationale Regulierung besonders angemessen, weil sie geringere Anforderungen an die Staatenwelt und an die intergouvernementalen Organisationen, die IGOs, stellen. Allerdings ist es fĂŒr eine wirksame 'Transnational New Governance' weiterhin erforderlich, dass die Staaten und die IGOs das internationale regulatorische System 'orchestrieren'. Das heutige internationale regulatorische System leidet allerdings unter einem Orchestrierungsdefizit. WĂŒrden die Staaten und die IGOs die 'anweisende' und 'ermöglichende' Orchestrierungsfunktion des 'Transnational New Governance System' ausbauen, dann stĂ€rkten sie die privaten regulatorischen Standards von hoher QualitĂ€t, verbesserten das internationale regulatorische System und könnten ihre eigenen regulatorischen Ziele besser verwirklichen. 2. Internationale Organisationen (IOs) werden vielfach ob Ihrer Ineffizienz kritisiert. Allerdings konzentrieren sich Wissenschaftler und Praktiker bei dieser Bewertung der LeistungsfĂ€higkeit von IOs hĂ€ufig auf MaĂstĂ€be, die den herkömmlichen Formen von Governance - wie internationalen VertrĂ€gen und den Mechanismen fĂŒr die Schlichtung zwischenstaatlicher Konflikte - entlehnt sind. Soweit eine ungenĂŒgende Leistung festgestellt wird, empfehlen sie zudem meist, TĂ€tigkeiten der traditionellen Art zu verstĂ€rken. Wir bezeichnen dies als ein Sich-Verlassen auf die herkömmlichen staats-basierten Mechanismen, als 'International Old Governance' (IOG). Man versteht die IOs besser und verbessert ihre LeistungsfĂ€higkeit aber der Situation weitaus angemessener, wenn man die gesamte Vielfalt wirklicher und möglicher IO-TĂ€tigkeiten in den Blick nimmt: Das umfasst vor allem, dass die IOs private Akteure und Organisationen einbeziehen, mit ihnen zusammenarbeiten, ihre AktivitĂ€ten stĂŒtzen, sie formen und ihnen Richtung geben. Diese TĂ€tigkeiten schaffen ein fein gesponnenes globales Netzwerk von öffentlichen, privaten und gemischten Organisationen und Normen, das seinerseits teilweise durch die IOs orchestriert wird. Dieses Netzwerk bezeichnen wir als 'Transnational New Governance' (TNG). Wenn die Orchestrierung durch IOs gut funktioniert kann sie auch Staatsversagen (state failure) abmildern - also hier die InadĂ€quanzen von 'International Organization Governance' - und ebenso kann sie Marktversagen ausgleichen, also die Probleme, die sich ergeben wenn Herausbildung und Schaffung normgebender Einrichtungen höchst dezentralisiert verlĂ€uft. Ăber die Orchestrierung können die IOs auch die LeistungsfĂ€higkeit ihrer Regulierungen erhöhen. Einige IOs sind schon jetzt stark zusammen mit privaten Akteuren und Einrichtungen unterwegs; in diesem Beitrag mustern wir das Spektrum solcher AktivitĂ€ten. Wir betonen dabei die Unternehmungen des UN Environment Programme (UNEP), des Umweltprogramms der VN. Allerdings verbleibt ein erhebliches 'Orchestrierungsdefizit', das fĂŒr die IOs zugleich Herausforderung und Chance ist. Wir stĂŒtzten uns auf den Erfahrungsschatz der vorgefundenen IO-AktivitĂ€ten, um den Möglichkeitsraum der IOs fĂŒr die Zukunft auszumessen und MaĂnahmen zur Verbesserung der LeistungsfĂ€higkeit von IOs anzuregen
Powering reionization:assessing the galaxy ionizing photon budget at z <10
We present a new analysis of the ionizing emissivity (,
s Mpc) for galaxies during the epoch of reionization and their
potential for completing and maintaining reionization. We use extensive SED
modelling -- incorporating two plausible mechanisms for the escape of Lyman
continuum photon -- to explore the range and evolution of ionizing efficiencies
consistent with new results on galaxy colours () during this epoch. We
estimate for the latest observations of the luminosity and
star-formation rate density at , outlining the range of emissivity
histories consistent with our new model. Given the growing observational
evidence for a UV colour-magnitude relation in high-redshift galaxies, we find
that for any plausible evolution in galaxy properties, red (brighter) galaxies
are less efficient at producing ionizing photons than their blue (fainter)
counterparts. The assumption of a redshift and luminosity evolution in
leads to two important conclusions. Firstly, the ionizing efficiency of
galaxies naturally increases with redshift. Secondly, for a luminosity
dependent ionizing efficiency, we find that galaxies down to a rest-frame
magnitude of alone can potentially produce sufficient
numbers of ionizing photons to maintain reionization as early as for a
clumping factor of .Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA
Stuck in the slow lane: traffic composition and the measurement of labor productivity in the US trucking industry
Mirroring the railroad industry of the 1940's and 1950's, the trucking industry today appears to be achieving impressive productivity gains. But it is easy to confuse true productivity advances in transportation industries with changes in ton-miles per unit of input that are due simply to changes in the composition of traffic, as initially happened with the mid-20th century U.S. railroads. This is due to the fact that transportation has vastly different productivities in different settings - for example, when moving long haul versus short haul traffic - and the measurement of changes in physical productivity can be overwhelmed by even subtle changes in the traffic mix. After controlling for endogenous changes in the composition of truck traffic, we find that trucking has in fact been a lagging sector of the U.S. economy over the period of our data, 1982-1997, with observed productivity changes much more likely due to changes in speed limits and the dimensions of vehicles than adoption of information technology. Our finding of a slow improvement in the physical productivity of trucking inputs does not deny the real improvements in the quality of trucking services (reliability, predictability, speed, order tracking, etc.) that have taken place in the last quarter century. But as in other service industries, true physical productivity improvements in trucking are hard to fin
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