Grammar engineering for multiple front-ends for Python

In this paper, we describe our experience in grammar engineering to construct multiple parsers and front ends for the Python language. We present a metrics-based study of the evolution of the Python grammars through the multiple versions of the language in an effort to distinguish and measure grammar evolution and to provide a basis of comparison with related research in grammar engineering. To conduct this research, we have built a toolkit, pygrat , which builds on tools developed in other research. We use pygrat to build a system that automates much of the process needed to translate the Python grammars from EBNF to a formalism acceptable to the bison parser generator. We exploit the suite of Python test cases, used by the Python developers, to validate our parser generation. Finally, we describe our use of the menhir parser generator to facilitate the parser and front-end construction, eliminating some of the transformations and providing practical support for grammar modularisation.     

Evidence-based recommendations for building better bras for women treated for breast cancer

Participating in exercise is beneficial for women who have been treated for breast cancer. However, not being able to find a comfortable exercise bra can be a barrier to exercise participation. This study aimed to systematically investigate what breast support women treated for breast cancer want when they exercise in order to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve exercise bra designs for these women. Based on 432 responses from a national online survey, frequency and relationship data were analysed (binary logistic regression) to understand exercise bra issues pertinent to this population. These issues included being able to control for asymmetrical cup sizes, managing heightened skin sensitivity, managing fluid (size) fluctuations, managing a prosthesis and restoring body image by restoring shape. This study provides evidence-based recommendations to inform an exercise bra design that will meet the unique needs of women treated for breast cancer. Rigorous, evidence-based evaluations of exercise bras for women treated for breast cancer may contribute to their well-being and quality of life through enhanced designs.     

Design for All in multimedia guides for museums

The Design for All principles define the characteristics which a device should possess in order for it be utilised by every type of user, independent of his or her sensory disabilities or technological competency. These principles are realised in the current work as an integrative tool with which to facilitate universal access to museums via multimedia and portable guides, making access available to all. Based on these principles, this article describes the main findings of the design and use of the MGA (Multimedia Guides for All) approach proposed in this paper. This approach involves a series of recommendations for the selection, application, preparation of content, and maintenance of this type of computerized device, in order to achieve these principles. Firstly, a comparative analysis of the principal types of electronic guides available in museums which incorporate accessibility criteria is provided. Subsequently, a real case study case is presented which conforms to the MGA approach. The MGA approach can be applied to other domains, which should be explored in further research. The conclusions in this article have been drawn from two R&D projects financed by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology supported by the EC FEDER R&D Program.     

一种SIP穿越NAT的解决方案

NAT使得SIP端到端的应用变得非常困难,文章分析了几种SIP穿越NAT方法及其不足,提出了一种基于STUN和TURN方法的穿越方案.其基本思想是根据NAT的不同采用不同的方式实现SIP信令的穿越,而媒体流的穿越则通过对所有可用媒体地址进行连接检查来实现.方案不改动现有NAT,在应用层上实现了对所有NAT的有效穿越,避免单独使用其它方法带来的缺陷.     

Conceptual tools for planning for the wireless classroom

Abstract  Wireless and mobile devices are beginning to offer stunning new technical capabilities for collaborative learning. Yet, researchers in this field must recognise the importance of complementing these technical advances with improved understanding of the patterns of classroom activity that most need support. The approach taken in the work reported in this paper has been to create conceptual tools that help thinking and talking about technology-supported collaborative learning. A particularly powerful tool is Collaborative Design Patterns, which captures common learning situations and benefits in written form. This paper uses four classroom scenarios to describe eight patterns. These patterns fall into two categories: whole-activity patterns, which suggest ways to organise one or more class periods, and smaller-grained support patterns.     

A model for adaptable systems for transaction processing

Adaptability is an essential tool for managing escalating software costs and to build high-reliability, high-performance systems. Algorithmic adaptability, which supports techniques for switching between classes of schedulers in distributed transaction systems, is modeled. RAID, an experimental system implemented to support experimentation in adaptability, is discussed. Adaptability features in RAID, including algorithmic adaptability, fault tolerance, and implementation techniques for an adaptable server-based design, are modeled     

An expert system for design for robotic assembly

In recent years, due to the various advantages associated with automation and robotics, much work has been done in developing robotic systems for assembly operations. Since part design plays a major role in assembly, this paper deals with the design of parts for ease of robotic assembly. Considerable knowledge is available in the form of design for robotic assembly rules. In addition, a large amount of data is required for decisions regarding suitability of parts for robotic assembly. The implementation of design for robotic assembly rules would be much easier with the help of an expert system, which would guide the designer toward choosing the design alternative that can best facilitate ease of assembly from a robotic point of view.To this end, a prototype expert system for design for robotic assembly is developed and presented in this paper. The expert system was implemented as a production system, which consists of rules and Object-Attribute-Value (O-A-V) triplets to represent domain knowledge. In order to best utilize the domain specific knowledge, a state space search-based inference mechanism was employed. The implementation of the prototype system is illustrated with examples.     

等级加密体制中的密钥管理研究

分别利用对称加密技术、非对称加密技术以及对称加密与非对称加密结合技术,提出在等级加密下的密钥管理体制,同时对其安全性与效率进行分析.与现有的体制相比,这种体制采用树状模型,其各等级用户之间的密钥通过关系参数连接起来,使得该体制不但适合于一般的等级体制,同时也适合于密钥频繁改变、用户动态变化的应用环境.     

Decision-making tool for crop selection for agriculture development

Neural Computing and Applications - In the present competitive environment, a farmer needs better education, business expertise and good knowledge of technologies and tools to be successful in...     

Algorithms for constructing optimal controllers for gaslift operation

We consider the optimal stabilization problem for delivered gas and gaslift operation debit for oil wells. Under certain natural assumptions, the general problem reduces to a linear-quadratic control problem that lets us find program controls and trajectories on which we further construct the optimal controller with respect to all phase coordinates and a (debit) part of them in both continuous and discrete case. For a special case, numerical results are illustrated with graphs that let us use this method in oilfield practice.     

Design for Testability for Highly Reconfigurable Component-Based Systems

Highly-reconfigurable component-based systems, i.e., systems that are built form existing components and are distributed in many versions and configurations, are becoming increasingly popular.The design and verification of such systems presents new challenges. In this paper we propose a design approach that facilitates analysis and testing of different configurations by identifying and tracking relations among requirements, logic components and resources. The approach proposed in the paper allows for easily identifying different dependencies among resources, components and requirements and thus spotting the tests that must be re-executed to assure the desired level of quality.     

基于嵌入式内核SOC IDDQ可测试设计方法

由于电路门数增大和晶体管亚阈值电流升高，导致电路的静态漏电流不断升高，深亚微米工艺SOC(系统芯片)IC在IDDQ测试的实现方面存在巨大挑战．虽然减小深亚微米工艺亚阈值漏电开发了许多方法，如衬底偏置和低温测试，但是没有解决因为SOC设计的规模增大引起漏电升高的问题．首先提出了SOC设计规模增大引起高漏电流的可测试性设计概念．然后制定了一系列适合于SOC的IDDQ可测试设计规则．最后提出了一种通过JTAG指令寄存器控制各个内核电源的SOC IDDQ可测试设计方法．     

一种确保移动Agent传输安全性的模型*

在分析了移动Agent通信中存在的安全威胁之后,提出了一种保护移动Agent通信中数据传输安全性的模型。该模型是基于一些数据加密技术和身份认证技术,能较好地满足移动Agent数据传输中的安全需求。     

A method for evaluating elicitation schemes for probabilisticmodels

We present an objective approach for evaluating probability and structure elicitation methods in probabilistic models. The main idea is to use the model derived from the experts' experience rather than the true model as the standard to compare the elicited model. We describe a general procedure by which it is possible to capture the data corresponding to the expert's beliefs, and we present a simple experiment in which we utilize this technique to compare three methods for eliciting discrete probabilities: 1) direct numerical assessment, 2) the probability wheel, and 3) the scaled probability bar. We show that for our domain, the scaled probability bar is the most effective tool for probability elicitation.     

Evaluation framework for ICT-based learning technologies for disabled people

This paper presents the first systematic approach to evaluation of inclusive ICT-based learning technologies and ICT-based learning technologies for disabled people. The first systematic approach to classification of these technologies is presented in a companion paper. The aims of the evaluation approach can be summarised as follows.1. Evaluating various features of existing technologies from the perspectives of disabled learners and other stakeholders, comparing technologies and identifying gaps in technology provision.2. Evaluating the impact of technology use on user outcomes, including barriers to learning, self-confidence, motivation, increasing participation in learning activities and achievement of desired learning outcomes.The evaluation framework comprises three main components:1. Aims which specify the purpose(s) of the evaluation or what it is intended to achieve.2. Principles which provide a framework and context in which the evaluation should be carried out and, in particular, specify the constraints, rules and factors to be taken into account.3. Methodologies which specify the approaches used to carry out the evaluation taking account of the principles in order to achieve the aims.Development of the evaluation framework took place as part of a network project and involved a multi-stage process, including cycles of discussion, comment and validation using ICT based learning technologies used in the 16 partner countries. The resulting framework has several important applications in terms of establishing for the first time a clear evaluation framework which can be used to discuss and evaluate existing ICT-based learning technologies for disabled people, identify gaps in provision or the need for modifications and support the design and development process for new technologies.     

Enhancing the Climate for Creativity for Software Designers

Measurement of the degree to which company climate is supportive of creativity is becoming increasingly important. Tight economic conditions worldwide make it imperative for companies to find ways to generate more innovative products and services. This paper provides data on measurement of degree of creativity in climates of business organizations in general, then data specific to one profession, the Information Systems profession. It also discusses ways the climate for creativity can be enhanced to improve both creativity and productivity. However, the information is not only important to managers of IS, but also to the clients of IS. The departments for whom IS is designing software are equally concerned that software developers have a climate supportive of creative efforts. Therefore, this survey of programmers and analysts should be of interest across the company, not just to IS management.     

Methods for Evaluation in Mathematics for Architecture and Design

In mathematical teaching, there exists a dichotomy between two entities. On the one hand, there are the methodologies for imparting mathematical knowledge; on the other hand there are different mechanisms for evaluating students. Hernán Nottoli analyses some aspects that we consider relevant with respect to how knowledge is verified and ranked in evaluation tests in the case of mathematics in architecture and design schools, provides statistical evidence of experiences in the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism and Design at the University of Buenos Aires, and provides an example of the kind of exercise that has been used with success with his own students     

A rationale for the TEI recommendations for feature-structure markup

In this paper, we concentrate on justifying the decisions we made in developing the TEI recommendations for feature structure markup. The first four sections of this paper present the justification for the recommended treatment of feature structures, of features and their values, and of combinations of features or values and of alternations and negations of features and their values. Section 5 departs briefly from the linguistic focus to argue that the markup scheme developed for feature structures is in fact a general-purpose mechanism that can be used for a wide range of applications. Section 6 describes an auxiliary document called a feature system declaration that is used to document and validate a system of feature-structure markup. The seventh and final section illustrates the use of the recommended markup scheme with two examples, lexical tagging and interlinear text analysis.Terry Langendoen is Professor and Head of the Department of Linguistics at The University of Arizona. He was Chair of the TEI Committee on Analysis and Interpretation. He received his PhD in Linguistics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1964, and held teaching positions at The Ohio State University and the City University of New York (Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center) before moving to Arizona in 1988. He is author, co-author, or co-editor of six books in linguistics, and of numerous articles.Gary Simons is Director of the Academic Computing Department of the Summer Institute of Linguistics, Dallas, TX. He served on the TEI Committee on Analysis and Interpretation. He received his PhD in Linguistics (with minor emphasis in Computer Science) from Cornell University in 1979. Before taking up his current position in 1984, he spent five years in the Solomon Islands doing field work with SIL. He is author, co-author, or co-editor of eight books in the fields of linguistics and linguistic computing.The initial feature-structure recommendations were formulated by the Analysis and Interpretation Committee at a meeting in Tucson, Arizona in March 1990, following suggestions by Mitch Marcus and Beatrice Santorini. The authors received valuable help in the further revision and refinement of the recommendations from Steven Zepp.