TVA: A Requirements Driven, Machine-Learning Approach for Addressing Tactic Volatility in Self-Adaptive Systems

From self-driving cars to self-adaptive websites, the world is increasingly becoming more reliant on autonomous systems. Similar to many other domains, the system\u27s behavior is often determined by its requirements. For example, a self-adaptive web service is likely to have some maximum value that response time should not surpass. To maintain this requirement, the system uses tactics, which may include activating additional computing resources. In real-world environments, tactics will frequently experience volatility, known as tactic volatility. This can include unstable time required to execute the tactic or frequent fluctuations in the cost to execute the tactic. Unfortunately, current self-adaptive approaches do not account for tactic volatility in their decision-making processes, and merely assume that tactics have static attributes. To address the limitations in current processes, we propose a Tactic Volatility Aware (TVA) solution. Our approach focuses on providing a volatility aware solution that enables the system to properly maintain requirements. Specifically, TVA utilizes a Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model (ARIMA) to estimate potential future values for requirements, while also using a Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) model to make predictions of tactic latency and tactic cost at runtime. This enables the system to both better estimate the true behavior of its tactics and it allows the system to properly maintain its requirements. Using data containing real-world volatility, we demonstrate the effectiveness of using TVA with both statistical analysis methods and self-adaptive experiments. In this work, we demonstrate (I) The negative impact of not accounting for tactic volatility (II) The benefits of a ARIMA-modeling approach in monitoring system requirements (III) The effectiveness of MRA in predicting tactic volatility (IV) The overall benefits of TVA to the self-adaptive process. This work also presents the first known publicly available dataset of real-world tactic volatility in terms of both cost and latency

Examining the Strategies in Response to Crises in Major League Baseball

This paper analyzes the crisis response strategies of Major League Baseball (MLB) during the following events: the steroids scandal, the Houston Astros cheating scandal, and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The hypothesis tested is as follows: MLB’s crisis response strategies are ineffective, as they are directly related to the league’s poor image in the public eye. Research includes a review of academic literature explaining crisis communication theories, as well as the relationship between crisis communication and public relations (PR). The paper concludes with recommendations for how the league can improve its crisis communication and crisis response strategies in the future to remain dominant in the American professional sports industry

Improving the Decision-Making Process of Self-Adaptive Systems by Accounting for Tactic Volatility

When self-adaptive systems encounter changes within their surrounding environments, they enact tactics to perform necessary adaptations. For example, a self-adaptive cloud-based system may have a tactic that initiates additional computing resources when response time thresholds are surpassed, or there may be a tactic to activate a specific security measure when an intrusion is detected. In real-world environments, these tactics frequently experience tactic volatility which is variable behavior during the execution of the tactic. Unfortunately, current self-adaptive approaches do not account for tactic volatility in their decision-making processes, and merely assume that tactics do not experience volatility. This limitation creates uncertainty in the decision-making process and may adversely impact the system's ability to effectively and efficiently adapt. Additionally, many processes do not properly account for volatility that may effect the system's Service Level Agreement (SLA). This can limit the system's ability to act proactively, especially when utilizing tactics that contain latency. To address the challenge of sufficiently accounting for tactic volatility, we propose a Tactic Volatility Aware (TVA) solution. Using Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA), TVA enables self-adaptive systems to accurately estimate the cost and time required to execute tactics. TVA also utilizes Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) for time series forecasting, allowing the system to proactively maintain specifications

“PRIMA FURON LE COSE E POI I NOMI”. RIFLESSIONI INTORNO ALLA FILOSOFIA DEL LINGUAGGIO DI GALILEO

This article addresses an aspect of Galileo’s thought that has hitherto attracted little attention, that is to say, his philosophy of language. First of all, we try to show that Galileo’s reflections on the ambiguous and conventional nature of verbal language, though not expounded systematically, present interesting analogies with John Locke’s. In addition, we analyse the ontological and epistemological implications of Galileo’s mathematical realis

The effect of mobile retailing effect on consumption experiences: a dynamic perspective

The emerging retail culture is characterized by the extensive use of mobile technologies, high connectivity, ubiquitous computing and contactless technologies, which enable consumers to experience shopping differently. In fact, innovative mobile technologies provide new tools (apps) which are able to separate the moment of purchase from the moment of effective consumption, by allowing consumers to make purchases by mobile phone and collect them at home or at a store (a pick-up boutique or collection point), in addition to the traditional in-store service (purchase in the store and collect/consume in the store). The aim of this paper is to understand the extent to which mobile technologies have an impact on consumer behaviour, with emphasis on the drivers motivating consumers to adopt the consumer experience of mobile shopping. To achieve this goal we used a qualitative approach involving 29 consumers in the Italian market, where mobile shopping is still at an early stage. The findings shed a light on the extent to which consumers are moving from e-channels to mobile channels and take into account the effect of these technological innovations in retail settings from a cognitive standpoint, where studies are limited. The implications for researchers and practitioners are then discussed, with emphasis on retailers need to develop new mobile service competences, and integrate and synthetize physical retail settings with mobile opportunities and functionalities

Generation Z consumers' expectations of interactions in smart retailing: A future agenda

Retailing is witnessing a transformation due to rapid technological developments. Retailers are using smart technologies to improve consumer shopping experiences and to stay competitive. The biggest future challenge for marketing and consequently for retailing seems to be generation Z, since members of this generation seem to behave differently as consumers and are more focused on innovation. The aim of this paper is to explore Generation Z consumers' current perceptions, expectations and recommendations in terms of their future interactions in smart retailing contexts. To do so, we used a qualitative approach by conducting a series of semi-structured in depth interviews with 38 university students-consumers in the UK market. The findings showed that smart technologies have a significant influence on generation Z consumers' experiences. Moreover, this particular group of consumers expects various new devices and electronic processes to be widely available, thus offering consumers more autonomy and faster transactions. In addition, they expect the technology to enable them to make more informed shopping decisions. Interviewees also stressed the importance of training consumers how to use new smart retailing applications. In addition, some of the participants were sceptical about the effects of further advancing smart retailing on part of the job market. Relevant theoretical and practical implications are also provided

Conceptual and Historical Reflections on Chance (and Related Concepts)

Contains fulltext : 157707.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

How Galileo dropped the ball and Fermat picked it up

This paper introduces a little-known episode in the history of physics, in which a mathematical proof by Pierre Fermat vindicated Galileo's characterization of freefall. The first part of the paper reviews the historical context leading up to Fermat's proof. The second part illustrates how a physical and a mathematical insight enabled Fermat's result, and that a simple modification would satisfy any of Fermat's critics. The result is an illustration of how a purely theoretical argument can settle an apparently empirical debate