The Role of Semiotic Engineering in Software Engineering

Semiotic engineering is based upon the semiotic theory of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), which focuses on communication between designers and users. Semiotic engineering tries to improve users’ interpretation through meta- communication and emphasizes that designers should play the role of legitimate interlocutors in interactive systems. On the other hand, there is a gap in software engineering on how to obtain systems specifications efficiently, how to create easy-to- understand and communicative models, and how to produce comprehensive modeling languages and development processes. In this paper, we explore several contributions of semiotic engineering to software engineering and discuss how the theory can facilitate the creation of comprehensive artifacts. We also discuss semiotic engineering for assessing and improving software modeling languages, in our case UML. We anticipate that our work would lead to the semiotic theory becoming recognized as a central theory driving software engineering research and practice

Exact Bayesian curve fitting and signal segmentation.

We consider regression models where the underlying functional relationship between the response and the explanatory variable is modeled as independent linear regressions on disjoint segments. We present an algorithm for perfect simulation from the posterior distribution of such a model, even allowing for an unknown number of segments and an unknown model order for the linear regressions within each segment. The algorithm is simple, can scale well to large data sets, and avoids the problem of diagnosing convergence that is present with Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) approaches to this problem. We demonstrate our algorithm on standard denoising problems, on a piecewise constant AR model, and on a speech segmentation problem

Metal [100] Nanowires with Negative Poisson???s Ratio

When materials are under stretching, occurrence of lateral contraction of materials is commonly observed. This is because Poisson???s ratio, the quantity describes the relationship between a lateral strain and applied strain, is positive for nearly all materials. There are some reported structures and materials having negative Poisson???s ratio. However, most of them are at macroscale, and reentrant structures and rigid rotating units are the main mechanisms for their negative Poisson???s ratio behavior. Here, with numerical and theoretical evidence, we show that metal [100] nanowires with asymmetric cross-sections such as rectangle or ellipse can exhibit negative Poisson???s ratio behavior. Furthermore, the negative Poisson???s ratio behavior can be further improved by introducing a hole inside the asymmetric nanowires. We show that the surface effect inducing the asymmetric stresses inside the nanowires is a main origin of the superior property.ope

Requirements for modelling tools for teaching

Modelling is an important activity in software development and it is essential that students learn the relevant skills. Modelling relies on dedicated tools and these can be complex to install, configure, and use—distracting students from learning key modelling concepts and creating accidental complexity for teachers. To address these challenges, we believe that modelling tools specifically aimed at use in teaching are required. Based on discussions at a working session organised at MODELS 2023 and the results from an internationally shared questionnaire, we report on requirements for such modelling tools for teaching. We also present examples of existing modelling tools for teaching and how they address some of the requirements identified

Structural colour from helicoidal cell-wall architecture in fruits of Margaritaria nobilis

The bright and intense blue-green coloration of the fruits of Margaritaria nobilis (Phyllanthaceae) was investigated using polarization-resolved spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Optical measurements of freshly collected fruits revealed a strong circularly polarized reflection of the fruit that originates from a cellulose helicoidal cell wall structure in the pericarp cells. Hyperspectral microscopy was used to capture the iridescent effect at the single-cell level.This work was supported by the Leverhulme Trust (F/09- 741/G) and a BBSRC David Phillips fellowship (BB/K014617/1). P.V. acknowledges support from the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research under award number FA9550-10-1-0020. U.S. acknowledges support from the Adolphe Merkle foundation and the Swiss National Science Foundation through the National Centre of Competence in Research Bio-Inspired Materials

Theoretical & clinical perspectives on the etiology, diagnosis, & treatment of antisocial disorders in adolescence

Antisocial behaviour can be defined as a lack of consideration for others and can be seen as damaging to society. Pervasive antisocial behaviour can be categorized into approximately two psychiatric diagnoses; Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). ODD and CD are common concerns that adolescents are seen for clinical intervention. This study aimed to understand how theoretical and clinical perspectives of mental health clinicians influence the assessment and treatment of individuals with ODD and/or CD. This study incorporated a qualitative grounded theory research methodology to develop a theory based on the perspectives of clinicians on etiology, diagnosis and treatment. To do so, 6 professionals, from a range of orientations were interviewed using a semi-structured format. Results indicate that clinician’s appear to integrate a biopsychosocial perspective, and understand assessment and treatment to be multifactorial. Further, there existed relative consistency in terms of clinical decision making, despite differing theoretical orientations

Design of a micro-machined cantilever apparatus suitable for testing Modified Newtonian Dynamics

Micro-cantilevers have been used for Atomic Force Microscopy to obtain topographic images of surfaces. The resolution of these images allows for individual atoms to be resolved. In this work micro-cantilevers were studied to determine their noise spectrum. A theoretical model was derived using the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation, hydrodynamics and thermodynamics to ascertain the expected power spectral density of a micro-cantilever in a fluid due to thermal energy. Experimental data was collected with a lock-in amplifier to measure noise vs frequency to compare with the theoretical model. The data was used to determine the expected uncertainty of measurements due to noise to determine if measurements can be made in the MOND regime. These results will be used to determine the viability of using a micro-cantilever for an Earth based experiment to test MOND

A delphi study using expert consensus to develop a well-defined vision for a centre of excellence for therapeutic recreation in continuing care settings

There is an increasing demand for evidence-based practice and for the demonstration of client outcome achievement in therapeutic recreation (TR). There is also an ongoing need to research TR service provision in continuing care settings. The TR profession is well-suited to improving the well-being and quality of life of individuals living in continuing care facilities, however, current TR services are not standardized and vary greatly between settings and practitioners. Centres of Excellence are organizations that endeavour to establish high standards of practice in a specific profession or area of research. A Centre of Excellence could be instrumental in improving the delivery of quality TR services in continuing care settings. In this study, a Delphi expert consensus method was used to obtain a well-defined vision for a CoE for TR in continuing care settings. Three rounds of online questionnaires were completed by an expert panel of 11 TR professionals working in continuing care settings over a period of nine weeks. Based on the findings of this study, the participants came to the consensus that the vision of the CoE should be to inspire and advocate for quality TR services in continuing care settings through increased research and evidence-based practice. The findings from this study contribute to the development of a CoE for TR in continuing care settings that will be housed at the University of Lethbridge. They could also contribute to the development of additional CoEs for TR with other client populations—a topic that has been largely unexplored in the research literature

The effect of playful experiences on the plasticity and metaplasticity of the brain

ix, 67 leaves ; 29 cmThe influence of play behavior on the brain was investigated through plasticity and metaplasticity methodology. Regions in both cortical and sub-cortical areas were investigated. Animals in both studies either experienced play with juvenile partners or did not experience play by being paired with an adult. Play experience alone was shown to affect the plasticity in the prefrontal cortex, although it did not show structural changes to sub-cortical regions. If animals were given nicotine after play experiences, the affects of play in the prefrontal cortex were abolished. In addition, playful behaviors appear to prime some sub-cortical regions of the brain for expression of later plasticity. Thus, play appears to alter the structure of multiple brain areas, but do so in different ways