An Exploratory Study of Forces and Frictions affecting Large-Scale Model-Driven Development

In this paper, we investigate model-driven engineering, reporting on an exploratory case-study conducted at a large automotive company. The study consisted of interviews with 20 engineers and managers working in different roles. We found that, in the context of a large organization, contextual forces dominate the cognitive issues of using model-driven technology. The four forces we identified that are likely independent of the particular abstractions chosen as the basis of software development are the need for diffing in software product lines, the needs for problem-specific languages and types, the need for live modeling in exploratory activities, and the need for point-to-point traceability between artifacts. We also identified triggers of accidental complexity, which we refer to as points of friction introduced by languages and tools. Examples of the friction points identified are insufficient support for model diffing, point-to-point traceability, and model changes at runtime.Comment: To appear in proceedings of MODELS 2012, LNCS Springe

User guide to the small N exploratory case study. RTB user guide

A qualitative study of a small number of farmers helps the research team to understand a seed system, such as local preferences for seed and varieties, and differences based on wealth, farm ecology or gender. The study should ask a few questions focused on important topics. Fifteen people per category is usually enough. Be aware of sampling bias. Review the literature and confer with colleagues before designing the interview questions. The results of the qualitative study will keep costs down by helping to design a second, quantitative study that asks the right questions of the right people

Glacial isostatic adjustment associated with the Barents Sea ice sheet: a modelling inter-comparison

The 3D geometrical evolution of the Barents Sea Ice Sheet (BSIS), particularly during its late-glacial retreat phase, remains largely ambiguous due to the paucity of direct marine- and terrestrial-based evidence constraining its horizontal and vertical extent and chronology. One way of validating the numerous BSIS reconstructions previously proposed is to collate and apply them under a wide range of Earth models and to compare prognostic (isostatic) output through time with known relative sea-level (RSL) data. Here we compare six contrasting BSIS load scenarios via a spherical Earth system model and derive a best-fit, χ2 parameter using RSL data from the four main terrestrial regions within the domain: Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya and northern Norway. Poor χ2 values allow two load scenarios to be dismissed, leaving four that agree well with RSL observations. The remaining four scenarios optimally fit the RSL data when combined with Earth models that have an upper mantle viscosity of 0.2–2 × 1021 Pa s, while there is less sensitivity to the lithosphere thickness (ranging from 71 to 120 km) and lower mantle viscosity (spanning 1–50 × 1021 Pa s). GPS observations are also compared with predictions of present-day uplift across the Barents Sea. Key locations where relative sea-level and GPS data would prove critical in constraining future ice-sheet modelling efforts are also identified

Case studies of Roots, Tubers and Bananas seed systems.

The seed systems of RTB (root, tuber, and banana) crops are unique because they are propagated from vegetative parts of the plant, not from true seed. RTB seed is thus bulkier, more perishable, and more subject to the attacks of pests and diseases than is true seed. Because of this, there is often a gap between potential and real crop yields, which seed interventions seek to narrow. Seed systems are formal or informal networks of people and organizations that produce, plant, and distribute seed. Informal systems may deliver low quality seed, but not always. This book describes 13 RTB seed system interventions, using a framework based on the concepts of seed availability, access, and quality. The 13 case studies included (1) a potato-growers’ association in Ecuador, (2) a hydroponic seed potato in Peru, (3) a yam seed technology in Nigeria, (4) a banana and plantain project in Ghana, (5) a sweetpotato seed project in Tanzania and (6) one in Rwanda, (7) a seed potato system in Kenya, (8) cassava in Nicaragua, (9) seed potato in Malawi, (10) disease-resistant cassava varieties in seven African countries, (11) a tissue culture banana project, (12) an emergency plantain and banana project in East Africa, and (13) a large cassava seed project in six African countries

Report on the first virtual seminar for the course on the RTB Toolbox for Working with Root, Tuber and Banana Seed Systems. July 26, 28-29, 2021

This seminar launched the course on the RTB Toolbox for Working with Root, Tuber and Banana Seed Systems, covering 12 tools for studying and documenting these systems (https://tools4seedsystems.org/). The online seminar was held for two hours a day (26, 28 and 29 July 2021) and was attended by between 85 and 134 participants from 26 to 39 countries. The Toolbox originally included a set of 11 tools and a glossary, but in this seminar an additional tool was also discussed (the Cassava Seed Unit Toolkit). The RTB crops are important for food security, and they have unique, vegetative seed, which is challenging to breed, trade, transport and store. Each of the tools is presented briefly, with a link to the PowerPoint and to the video of the recorded presentation. This report emphasizes the question-and-answer session that followed each presentation. This seminar is the first of three phases in a practical course on the Toolbox. Phase 2 is fieldwork using selected tools, and Phase 3 will be a seminar to present the results of those studies