Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Model reference'

A aprendizagem assistida por computador, conhecida mais amplamente com o nome genérico de e-learning, converteu-se numa poderosa ferramenta com amplas potencialidades dentro do campo educativo. Mesmo assim, uma das maiores críticas que esta recebe é que na maioria dos casos os cursos que são implementados seguem um enfoque “one size fits all”, isto é, que todos os alunos recebem exatamente o mesmo conteúdo e da mesma maneira desconhecendo suas necessidades particulares. Esta falha radica não só na falta de interação direita entre aluno e tutor, senão também na falta de um desenho instrucional apropriado que considere alguns dos diversos enfoques disponíveis hoje em dia. Existem diversos enfoques que procuram solucionar este problema e adaptar o processo de ensino os estudantes. Pode-se dizer que na vanguarda de estes enfoques encontram-se os Sistemas Educacionais Inteligentes Adaptativos, os quais combinam as funcionalidades de dois enfoques: os Sistemas Hipermídia Educacionais Adaptativos y os Sistemas Tutoriais Inteligentes. Embora, logo de uma extensa revisão bibliográfica, se encontrou que existe ainda um inconveniente importante com este tipo de sistemas e em particular com seus modelos de referência: ou são demasiado simples, incluindo somente umas poucas funcionalidades; ou são demasiado complexos, o que dificulta seu desenho e implementação. Considerando este panorama, o objetivo principal de esta tese foi a definição de um modelo de referência intentando alcançar esse equilíbrio esquivo, de tal maneira que permita o desenho de cursos que se adaptem de una maneira efetiva e inteligente ao progresso e características de cada estudante, mas sem ser demasiado complexo. Outra propriedade importante desse modelo és que integra o uso de Objetos de Aprendizagem, promovendo assim a flexibilidade e a usabilidade. Para alcançar este objetivo geral, três sub modelos foram considerados: um modelo do domínio, um modelo do estudante y um modelo do tutor. O primeiro serve para estruturar o domínio de conhecimento e foi definido usando a noção de objetivo de aprendizagem junto com um esquema flexível multi-nível com operações opcionais de pré-requisitos. O segundo visa caracterizar aos estudantes e considera informação pessoal, de conhecimento e psico-cognitiva. O terceiro pode ser considerado como o coração do sistema e define as funcionalidades adaptativas consideradas: sequenciamento y navegação, apresentação de conteúdo, evacuação, y suporte colaborativo. Com o fim de clarificar os três sub modelos, assim como todos seus componentes e relações, se presentou um exemplo de instanciação que se denominou Doctus, o qual consiste em una ferramenta de autor para cursos adaptativos. Doctus não somente serviu para exemplificar o uso do modelo de referência em sua totalidade, mas também para refinar os sub modelos e alguns procedimentos involucrados. Como parte final de esta tese, se realizou também a implementação e validação preliminar de Doctus. Isto foi feito com 51 sujeitos, professores em diversos níveis de formação. Os resultados obtidos em esta etapa foram sobressalientes no sentido que todas as funcionalidades adaptativas foram bem avaliadas e todos os pesquisados manifestaram seu entusiasmo por contar com uma ferramenta que lhes ajudara em seus práticas docentes considerando a seus estudantes como indivíduos particulares.
Computer Aided Learning, known more widely with the generic name of e-learning, has become a powerful tool with lots of potentialities within educational field. Even though, one of the main critics that it receives is that in most cases the implemented courses follows a “one size fits all” approach, which means that all students receive the same content in the same way being unaware of their particular needs. This problem is not due only to the absence of direct interaction between student and tutor, but also because of the lack of an appropriate instructional design. There are several approaches which deal with this issue and look for adapt the teaching process to students. One could say that in the top of those approaches the Adaptive and Intelligent Educational Systems are situated, which merges the functionalities of two approaches: the Adaptive Educational Hypermedia Systems and the Intelligent Tutoring Systems. Nevertheless, after an extensive literature review, a major inconvenience is still found for this kind of systems and particularly for their reference models: or they are too simple, including just a few functionalities; or they are too complex, which difficult their design and implementation. Considering this panorama, the main objective of this dissertation thesis was the definition of a reference model trying to reach such an elusive equilibrium, in such a way that allows the design of courses which adapt themselves in an intelligent and effective way to the progress and characteristics of each student but without being too complex. Another important feature is that this model integrates Learning Objects, promoting this way flexibility and reusability. In order to achieve this general objective, three sub-models were considered: a domain model, a student model and a tutor model. The first one serves to structure the knowledge domain and was defined using the notion of learning goal and a flexible multilevel schema with optional prerequisite operations. The second one aids to characterize students and considered personal, knowledge and psycho-cognitive information. The third one may be considered as the hearth of the system and defines the adopted adaptive functionalities: sequencing and navigation, content presentation, assessment, and collaborative support. With the aim of clarify the three sub-models, as well as all their components and relationships, an instantiation example was also presented. Such an instantiation was called Doctus, an authoring tool for adaptive courses. Doctus was not only helpful to exemplify the setup of the referece model as a whole, but also to refine sub-models and several procedures envolved. As final part of the dissertation, the implementation and preliminary validation of Doctus was performed. This was done with 51 subjects, teachers from different formation levels. The obtained results in this stage were outstanding, all the adaptive functionalities were well evaluated and all of those polled felt enthusiastic about counting with a tool for helping them in their teaching practices considering students as particular individuals.
El aprendizaje asistido por computador, conocido más ampliamente con el nombre genérico de e-learning, se ha convertido en una poderosa herramienta con amplias potencialidades dentro del campo educativo. Aun así, una de las mayores críticas que este recibe es que en la mayoría de los casos los cursos que son implementados siguen un enfoque “one size fits all”, es decir, que todos los alumnos reciben exactamente el mismo contenido y de la misma manera desconociendo sus necesidades particulares. Esta falla radica no sólo en la falta de interacción directa entre alumno y tutor, sino también en la falta de un diseño instruccional apropiado que considere diversos de los enfoques disponibles hoy en día. Existen diversos enfoques que buscan solucionar este problema y adaptar el proceso de enseñanza a los estudiantes. Se podría decir que a la vanguardia de estos enfoques se encuentran los Sistemas Educacionales Inteligentes Adaptativos, los cuales combinan las funcionalidades de dos enfoques: los Sistemas Hipermedia Educacionales Adaptativos y los Sistemas Tutoriales Inteligentes. Sin embargo, luego de una extensa revisión bibliográfica, se encontró que existe aún un inconveniente importante con este tipo de sistemas y en particular con sus modelos de referencia: o son demasiado simples, incluyendo solamente unas pocas funcionalidades; o son demasiado complejos, lo cual dificulta su diseño e implementación. Considerando este panorama, el objetivo principal de esta tesis fue la definición de un modelo de referencia intentando alcanzar tal equilibrio esquivo, de tal manera que permita el diseño de cursos que se adapten de una manera efectiva e inteligente al progreso y características de cada estudiante pero sin ser demasiado complejo. Otra propiedad importante de dicho modelo es que integra el uso de Objetos de Aprendizaje, promoviendo así la flexibilidad y la reusabilidad. Con el fin de alcanzar este objetivo general, tres sub modelos fueron considerados: un modelo del dominio, un modelo del estudiante y un modelo del tutor. El primero sirve para estructurar el dominio de conocimiento y fue definido empleando la noción de objetivo de aprendizaje junto con un esquema flexible multinivel con operaciones opcionales de prerrequisitos. El segundo busca caracterizar los estudiantes y considera información personal, de conocimiento y psico-cognitiva. El tercero puede ser considerado como el corazón del sistema y define las funcionalidades adaptativas consideradas: secuenciamiento y navegación, presentación de contenido, evaluación, y soporte colaborativo. Con el fin de clarificar los tres sub modelos, así como todos sus componentes y relaciones, se presentó además un ejemplo de instanciación. Tal instanciación se denominó Doctus, el cual consiste en una herramienta de autor para cursos adaptativos. Doctus no solamente sirvió para ejemplificar el uso del modelo de referencia en su totalidad, sino también para refinar los sub modelos y algunos procedimientos involucrados. Como parte final de esta tesis, se realizó también la implementación y validación preliminar de Doctus. Esto se hizo con 51 sujetos, todos profesores en diversos niveles de formación. Los resultados obtenidos en esta etapa fueron sobresalientes en el sentido que todas las funcionalidades adaptativas fueron bien evaluadas y todos los encuestados manifestaron su entusiasmo por contar con una herramienta que les ayudara en sus prácticas docentes considerando a sus estudiantes como individuos particulares.

Dans de nombreuses applications, aucun modèle physique du système n'est disponible, il s'agit alors de contrôler le système à partir de mesures entrées-sorties. Deux types d'approches sont envisageables : identifier un modèle du système puis l'utiliser afin de synthétiser un contrôleur, ce sont les méthodes indirectes, ou identifier le contrôleur directement à partir des données du système, ce sont les méthodes directes. Cette thèse se concentre sur les méthodes directes : l'objectif du travail présenté est de mettre en place une nouvelle méthode directe basée sur des données fréquentielles du système à contrôler. Après un tour d’horizon des méthodes indirectes existantes la méthode proposée est introduite. Il s’agit de résoudre un problème de suivi de modèle de référence : le problème d’identification est déporté du système vers le contrôleur. Dans ce cadre, deux techniques d’identification sont considérées dans cette thèse : l’interpolation de Loewner et l’approche des sous-espaces. De plus, les instabilités du système sont estimées en projetant les données fréquentielles disponibles. Cela permet de connaître les limites en performances du système et, par conséquent, de choisir des spécifications atteignables. Enfin, une analyse de la stabilité en boucle fermée permet d’obtenir un contrôleur stabilisant d’ordre réduit. Tout au long de ce travail, les différentes étapes de la méthode sont appliquées progressivement sur des exemples numériques. Pour finir, la méthode proposée est appliquée sur deux systèmes irrationnels, décrits par des équations aux dérivées partielles: un cristalliseur continu et un canal de génération. Ces deux exemples sont représentatifs de la catégorie de systèmes pour lesquels utiliser une méthode de contrôle directe est plus pertinent
In many applications, no physical description of the plant is available and the control law has to be designed on the basis of input-output measurements only. Two control strategies can then be considered : one can either identify a model of the plant and then use any kind of model-based technique (indirect methods) to obtain a control law, or use a data-driven strategy that directly compute the controller from the experimental data (direct methods). This work focuses on data-driven techniques : the objective of this thesis is to propose a new data-driven control technique based on frequency-domain data collected from the system to be controlled. After recalling some basics in feedback control, an overview of data-driven control is given. Then, the proposed method is introduced. It is a model reference technique : the identification problem is moved from the plant to the controller. In this work, two identification techniques are used to that purpose: the Loewner framework and the subspace approach. In addition, a technique is proposed to estimate the system’s instabilities. It allows to determine the performance limitations and to select achievable specifications. Finally, a stability condition, already known in data-driven control, is used during the reduction of the controller to ensure closed-loop stability. Along this thesis, the different steps of the method are progressively applied on two numercial examples. In the end, the proposed technique is applied on two irrational systems described by partial differential equations : a continuous crystallizer and an open-channel for hydroelectricity generation. These two examples illustrate the type of applications for which using a data-driven control method is indicated

In today's highly competitive, volatile and increasingly global manufacturing environment, manufacturing companies are increasingly aware of the need for agility and effectiveness at the supply-chain level, rather than simply at company level. Business Process Re-engineering and the resulting emphasis on core competence has influenced a move towards de-centralisation, flatter organisation structures and increased use of "outsourcing". It has been said that it is now supply-chain versus supply-chain and that this poses both opportunity and threat for SMEs. While some work has been done in relation to developing the concept of integrated supply-chains, relatively little has been published with respect to the concept of "Extended Enterprise (EE)", the "highest' 'level of inter-enterprise integration. This thesis provides a thorough review of literature with respect to supply-chain integration and Extended Enterprise. Current practice is evaluated on the basis of the literature review and an analysis of a questionnaire and some Case Study companies. A detailed description of Extended Enterprise is provided and a conceptual reference model is developed, with the aim of providing a strategic planning tool, which will help organisations to identify the extent to which they operate as part of an EE. The model is intended also to help organisations in their evolution towards more effective operation within EE. One of the key characteristics/enablers of EE is stated as the existence of an organisational structure, which supports the effective identification, rationalisation and deployment of core competence within an EE. An approach based upon the concept of a "Process Breakdown Structure" is introduced and is evaluated in the context of a Case Study Company.

The new age, the "Information Age" (Davenport and Prusak 1997) has increased society's and businesses' reliance on Information Technology (IT). Hence, there is an increasing focus on the management of IT, not only from a technological perspective but also from a business perspective. This research, sponsored by REALTECH and the Australian Research Council, applies one of the modern management approaches, business process management (Hammer 1990), to the domain IT service provision, by designing a business process reference model for IT Service Provision. A reference model is an abstracted depiction of reality that serves as a standardised or suggestive conceptual basis for the design of enterprise specific models, usually within a like domain. They are one method of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of enterprise modelling and can also be used to standardise communication or capture knowledge. There is a general lack of theory regarding the classification, design and quality of reference models. The first part of this thesis attempts to fill these gaps, by presenting a reference model classification scheme, outlining 7 philosophies for the design of reference models and detailing 2 case studies on the user-perceived quality of business process reference models. Reference models and the Business Process Management Lifecycle (Rosemann 2000) are integrated to show how reference models can be applied to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of business process improvement projects. This reference model theory was then applied to produce a model for domain of IT Service Provision. Investment in IT has increased to become the largest single element of capital expenditure (Thorp 1998). Gartner predicted that organisations will spend over 10% of revenue on IT by 2005 (Haines 2000). A major input for this model is the ITIL best practice documents (CCTA 2000). The reference model focuses on Incident Management and used focus groups with participants from several large IT service providers to validate the models. The designed reference model is then tested in two case studies to determine its accuracy and usefulness. The thesis finishes with a discussion of the designed model, the effectiveness of the procedural model and provides suggestions for the design of other reference models. The final chapter provides a summary and an outlook for further research into the area.

Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 106-109).
Despite efforts from governments and other organizations, hundreds of millions of people-primarily in Africa and South Asia-still have no electricity service. Electrification efforts have historically been focused on extension of the main electric grid, but technology developments have made off-grid power systems, such as microgrids and home systems, viable alternatives for some areas. Especially since rural electrification typically depends on limited subsidies, if universal electrification is to be achieved in a timely manner, smart planning is essential to ensure that resources are directed towards cost-efficient technical solutions. Since the areas requiring electrification are expansive, the technology choices are many, and experience with off-grid systems is limited, planners struggle to evaluate tradeoffs between technology choices and estimate project costs. This thesis demonstrates that computer models that can automatically produce cost-efficient designs to the individual customer level can provide significant value to the planning process. The development of such a model by the author and collaborators at MIT and Comillas University, called the Reference Electrification Model (REM), is described. REM uses a series of heuristics to process input data, identify areas better suited for on-grid or off-grid electrification, and produce technical designs for recommended grid-extension and off-grid projects. In addition to the current state of REM, the rationale for model design choices and recommendations for future developments are described. The process and results of a pilot application of REM to Vaishali District, in Bihar, India are also described. REM will only be useful if it is actually incorporated into planning processes. In this spirit, concepts for how models like REM can benefit the regulation of rural electrification are presented, with a focus on India.
by Douglas Ellman.
S.M. in Technology and Policy

In meiner Doktorarbeit untersuche ich ein Kac-artiges Vielteilchen-Modell, das eine Beschreibung von plastischen Verformungen ohne Verwendung einer Referenz-Konfiguration ermöglicht. Im Rahmen des Modells wird die Verformung eines Körpers durch Angabe von Atompositionen beschrieben. Es wird eine Mesoskala zwischen der Mikroskala der Atom-Atom Abstände und der Makroskala des Körpers eingeführt. Um jeden Punkt wird die Konfiguration auf dieser Mesoscala mit einem Bravais-Gitters approximiert. Die Matrix, die dieses Gitter aufspannt, wird als Argument eines elastischen Energiefunktionals verwendet. Auf diese Weise wird ein Energiefunktional definiert, das die Eigenschaften des Systems festlegt. Im Ersten Teil meiner Doktorarbeit analysiere ich das Modell im Fall das eine Referenz-Konfiguration lokal existiert. Ich schätze die Energiedichte einer solchen Konfiguration mit einer Störungsrechung von oben ab und erhalte eine obere Schranke für die Energiebarriere für plastische Relaxation in zwei Dimensionen. Im zweiten Teil untersuche ich Möglichkeiten Lagrange-Koordinaten im Rahmen des Modells zu konstruieren. Ich beweise, dass für zwei Punkte deren Abstand klein genug sind und die bestimmte Regularitätseigenschaften erfüllen, die Gitterparameter der approximierenden Bravais-Gitter bis auf eine Reparametrisierung nahe beieinander liegen müssen. Dies erlaubt diskrete Ketten von regulären Punkten zur Definition von Homotopieklassen zu benutzen die mit verallgemeinerten Burgers-Vektoren charakterisiert werden. Es ist mit dieser Technik auch möglich die Kernenergie von Versetzungen nach unten abzuschätzen. Schließlich passe ich eine Methode kontinuierliche Lagrange-Koordinaten, die von L. Mugnai und S. Luckhaus entwickelt wurden, an das Model an und verbessere sie dergestalt, dass ich die Energiedichte mit Hilfe eines Funktionales der Lagrange-Koordinaten nach unten abschätzen kann
I study a Kac-type many particle model that allows a reference-free description of plastic deformation.In the framework of the model the state of the body is given by a set of atom position. The typical atom-atom distance is the microscopic scale. The size of the body is the macroscopic scale. Around each point a lattice is fitted to the configuration on a mesoscopic scale. The lattice parameters are used as an argument of a non-linear elasticity energy functional. Hence, this procedure allows to define an free-energy functional of a particle configuration. In the first part of my thesis I analyze the model in the case that a reference configuration exists locally. I bound the energy-density of such a configuration from above with a pertubative calculation and obtain an upper bound for the energy barrier of plastic deformation for dimension two. In the second part I explore the possibility to construct Lagrangian coordinates in the framework of the model. I prove that for two points that are close to each other and that fulfill certain regularity assumptions the fitted lattice parameters are close to each other up to a reparametrisation. This allows to use discrete chains of regular points for homotopy type arguments and define a generalized Burgers vector as a topological quantity. I also use this method to get a lower bound for the core energy of a dislocation. Finally, I adapt a method to construct continuous Lagrangian coordinates presented in by L.Mugnai and S.Luckhaus to my model and improve it to a point where I can use a functional of these Lagrangian coordinate as a lower bound for the energy of the model

This research studies the topic of negotiation in the business field at a national and international level, and in particular the concept of negotiation capability, understanding that the negotiation processes generally depend on how skillful the negotiators are, not only in one-time negotiation but mainly in the maintenance of long term business relationships. As a theoretical framework, this thesis adopts a holistic view of the dynamic phenomenon of negotiation by studying the interconnectedness of the concepts emerged from the study: ethics, decision-making, leadership and emotional intelligence. Methodologically, this study employs a mixed method research approach, through a longitudinal perspective, based on a interpretive paradigm and constructivist approach and on the selection of qualitative analysis as well as qualitative data derived from the research method of grounded theory, techniques of observation, interviews, and complemented by the integration of Bibliometrics, as a quantitative method, for increased validity of the research findings. The results of this work offer a model of negotiation capability, which is the main objective of this research. The components of the model are a set of personal values, dimensions and reference practices that support the complex process of building and developing negotiation capability.
Esta investigación estudia el tópico de la negociación en el ámbito empresarial a nivel nacional e internacional y en particular el concepto de capacidad de negociación, entendiendo que los procesos de negociación generalmente dependerán de la habilidad de los directivos. No sólo en negociaciones individuales, sino sobre todo en el mantenimiento de relaciones de negocio a largo plazo. Como marco teórico, esta tesis adopta una visión integral del dinámico fenómeno de la negociación mediante el estudio de la interrelación de los conceptos surgidos durante la investigación: la ética, la toma de decisiones, el liderazgo y la inteligencia emocional. Metodológicamente, este estudio emplea un enfoque de investigación de método mixto, a través de una perspectiva longitudinal, basado en un paradigma interpretativo y en un enfoque constructivista, así como en la selección de análisis y datos cualitativos, obtenidos a partir del método de investigación de la teoría fundamentada, técnicas de observación y entrevistas, complementado por la integración de la Bibliometría, como método cuantitativo, para incrementar la validez de los resultados de la investigación. Los resultados de este trabajo muestran el principal objetivo de esta investigación, que es la construcción de un modelo sobre la capacidad de negociación. Los componentes del modelo, son un conjunto de valores personales, dimensiones y prácticas de referencia, que soportan el complejo proceso de construcción y desarrollo de la capacidad de negociación.

Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
"December 2006." Title from PDF title page (viewed on Nov.3, 2007). Thesis adviser: Kameswara Namuduri. Includes bibliographic references (leaves [31-33]).

CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO
O e-Learning, cada vez mais, está sendo reconhecido como crucial para o sucesso das organizações. Numa era onde o capital intelectual é considerado o ativo mais valioso de uma empresa, surpreendentemente, não se dá a devida atenção aos riscos e ameaças presentes na adoção de e-learning. O papel crítico que o e-learning está desempenhando nas organizações requer um foco específico em governá-lo. Dessa forma, estamos lançando o termo Governança de e-Learning. Governança de e-Learning pode ser definida como as práticas e responsabilidades exercidas com o objetivo de se dar uma direção estratégica às iniciativas de e-Learning de uma organização, promovendo o cumprimento das metas estabelecidas e a gerência adequada de riscos, bem como o uso responsável dos recursos alocados. Faz-se mister ir além de metodologias para desenvolvimento de módulos e- learning e se aplicar os princípios de governança a todos os estágios de e-learning. Propomos, portanto, um Modelo de Referência - eLGORM - que é independente de estruturas organizacionais, abordagens pedagógicas e plataformas tecnológicas. O seu arcabouço conceitual inclui uma arquitetura de informação, processos e sub-processos de e- learning, bem como regras e métricas de governança. Ademais, especificamos um sistema de apoio às atividades de governança de e-learning baseado no modelo de referência proposto.
It is increasingly recognized that e-Learning is crucial to the success of organizations. In an era where the intellectual capital is considered to be the most valuable asset of a company, surprisingly, not too much attention is given to the risks and threatens faced by e-learning endeavours. The critical role that elearning is playing in the organizations calls for a specific focus on governing it. To this end, we are launching the term e-Learning Governance. e-Learning Governance can be defined as the responsibilities and practices carried out with a view to providing strategic direction to an institution s e- learning initiatives, ensuring that established objectives are achieved and risks managed properly, as well as that resources allocated are used responsibly. We need to go beyond methodologies for developing e-learning modules and extend the governance principles to all stages of e- learning. We propose, therefore, a Reference Model, independent of organizational structures, pedagogical frameworks and technical platforms. Our Reference Model conceptual framework encompasses an elearning information architecture, processes and sub-processes and governance rules and metrics. Furthermore, we also specify a system to support e-learning governance activities based on the proposed reference model.

Today, discrete event simulation is the only reliable tool for detailed analysis of complex behaviors of modern manufacturing systems. However, building high fidelity simulation models is expensive. Hence, it is important to improve the simulation modeling productivity. In this research, we explore two approaches for the improvement of simulation modeling productivity. One approach is the Virtual Factory Approach, using a general-purpose model for a system to achieve various simulation objectives with a single high fidelity model through abstraction. The other approach is the Reference Model Approach, which is to build fundamental building blocks for simulation models of any system in a domain with formal descriptions and domain knowledge. In the Virtual Factory Approach, the challenge is to show the validity of the methodology. We develop a formal framework for the relationships between higher fidelity and lower fidelity models, and provide justification that the models abstracted from a higher fidelity model are interchangeable with various abstract simulation models for a target system. For the Reference Model Approach, we attempt to overcome the weak points inherited from ad-hoc modeling and develop a formal reference model and a model generation procedure for discrete part manufacturing systems, which covers most modern manufacturing systems.

Over the past two decades, software engineering researchers and practitioners have developed, studied, and used standards and models for software process improvement and assessment. CMMI ("Capability Maturity Model Integration") is a widely known software process maturity model that describes the practices that should be performed by mature organizations. However, there is also no clear mapping between process improvement and business goals, and few authors provide guidance on how to implement the CMMI Specific Practices (SPs) within a Process Area or Maturity Level. This thesis proposes an SP implementation reference model that maps inter-dependent SPs to particular improvement outcomes. The CMMI specification is interpreted using qualitative textual analysis to develop schemes to frame CMMI SPs from the perspectives of outcomes, activities, and work products. The first scheme is an SP classification model, defined by four outcome areas (organization, process, project and product) and four activity groups (plan, do, check and improve). The SPs in Maturity Level 2 are assigned to one or more of sixteen outcome/activity categories and are analyzed in terms of those categories. The second scheme is an SP dependencies model, created by identifying work products used and produced by SPs, and by graphically visualizing their relationships. The SPs in Maturity Level 2 are analysed using the scheme to provide a reference model of their order of implementation, given the identified relationships. The third scheme is a goal-directed SP implementation planning reference model constructed by combining the two earlier schemes. This scheme uses an algorithm to search for all the dependency precedents of SPs in a given outcome/activity category. Conditions are also defined to reduce some of the dependencies. The output shows the SPs required to achieve the goal that the given category represents, and shows the order of implementation for those SPs, respecting the dependency constraints. This model is intended to guide practitioners in prioritizing and sequencing the implementation of SPs. The three schemes contribute to the CMMI research community by increasing understanding about what can be improved by CMMI SPs, with reference to the outcomes of implementing SPs, and about how software processes can be improved using CMMI, with reference to the implementation order of SPs. They also contribute an analytical approach to interpret the practices in SPI specifications. The SP classification model is used to reinterpret previous research to show that SMEs tend to focus on planning and doing project-related and product-related practices, but not on checking or improving project-related or product-related practices. When planning and developing products, SMEs try to ensure that the project progresses as planned to meet the deadline. However, practices that support this are lacking within CMMI, especially for estimation, evaluation, verification, and validation. The thesis also contributes to the CMMI community by identifying points of ambiguity, inconsistency and incompleteness in the CMMI standard.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
Este trabalho tem como objetivo realizar um estudo de modelagem dos processos e identificação das melhores práticas utilizadas nas refinarias da empresa Sigma sugerindo adaptações e melhorias nos processos da Transferência e Estocagem. A pesquisa apresenta a construção do Modelo de Referência de alto desempenho para a Transferência e Estocagem bem como sua implementação para a empresa em estudo, focando um modelo padronizado que contenha as boas práticas defendidas pela organização e aprovadas por todas as partes interessadas.
This dissertation aims to develop a study of processes modelling and the identification of the best practices held by the oil refineries of Sigma Co. in order to analyze the performance of their activities and suggesting adaptations and improvements in Oil Transfer and Stockpiling processes. This work presents the high performance reference model construction for Oil Transfer and Stockpiling and its implementation for use in the case studied company, focusing a standard model which contains the whole practices supported by the organization and the sponsors departments.

The growing need for a trustworthy Future Internet demands evolutionary approaches unfettered by legacy constrains and concepts. The networking community is calling for new network architectural proposals that address the deficiencies identified in present network realizations, acknowledge the need for a trustworthy IT infrastructure, and satisfy the society's emerging and future requirements. Proposed architectures need to be founded on well-articulated design principles, account for network operational and management complexities, embrace technology and application heterogeneity, regulate network-inherent emergent behavior, and overcome shortcomings attributed to present network realizations. This dissertation presents our proposed clean-slate Concern-Oriented Reference Model (CORM) for architecting future computer networks. CORM stands as a guiding framework from which network architectures can be derived according to specific functional, contextual, and operational requirements or constraints. CORM represents a pioneering attempt within the network realm, and to our knowledge, CORM is the first reference model that is bio-inspired and derived in accordance with the Function-Behavior-Structure (FBS) engineering framework. CORM conceives a computer network as a software-dependent complex system whose design needs to be attempted in a concern-oriented bottom-up approach along two main dimensions: a vertical dimension addressing structure and configuration of network building blocks; and a horizontal dimension addressing communication and interactions among the previously formulated building blocks. For each network dimension, CORM factors the design space into function, structure, and behavior, applying to each the principle of separation of concerns for further systematic decomposition. In CORM, the network-building block is referred to as the Network Cell (NC), which represents CORMâ s first basic abstraction. An NC's structure and inherent behavior are bio-inspired, imitating a bacterium cell in a bacteria colony, thus it is capable of adaptation, self-organization and evolution. An NC's functional operation is defined by CORM second basic abstraction; the ACRF framework. The ACRF framework is a conceptual framework for network-concerns derived according to our interpretation of computer network requirement specifications. CORM networks are recursively synthesized in a bottom-up fashion out of CORM NCs. CORM addresses the multi-dimensionality of computer networks by modeling the network structure and behavior using a network structural template (NST), and an information flow model (IFM), respectively. Being developed according to a complex system paradigm, CORM refutes the long endorsed concept of layering, intrinsically accounts for emergent behavior, and ensures system integrity and stability. As a reference model, CORM is more typical of conventional engineering. Therefore it was validated using the FBS engineering framework. However, the behavior to be realized in CORM-based networks was substantiated and evaluated by deriving CellNet, our proposed CORM-based network architecture. CellNet-compliant protocols' behavioral adaptation and modification were illustrated and evaluated through simulation. CORM will have a profound impact on the operation and behavior of computer networks composing the Internet. By introducing awareness adaptability and evolvability as network intrinsic features, CORM-based Internet will proactively respond to changes in operational contexts, underlying technologies, and end user requirements. A major direction in CORM future work would be to detail the IFM component.
Ph. D.

This thesis report presents a set of One-Dimensional Vehicle Motion Reference Tracking control algorithms for vehicle motion along a predetermined path. A general physical model of the motion dynamics of a vehicle along a pre­determined path is presented. From this physical model a discretized linearized prediction model is derived, and this prediction model is utilized to formulate a Quadratic Programming optimization problem. This serves as the basis for a receding horizon Model Predictive Control algorithm. The model predictive controller is augmented with a parallel Recursive Least Square Error identifica­tion algorithm used to regularly reestimate the mass parameter of the prediction model to handle any wrongful model assumptions. These algorithms are to be used for tracking position and velocity references. Evaluation of the algorithms is performed in simulation. The presented algorithms are shown to be accurate and robust. Specific problematic edge cases where performance is compromised are shown and suggestions on how to tackle them are provided.
Detta examensarbete presenterar ett antal styralgoritmer för referensföljande endimensionell fordonsrörelse. En fysisk modell för ett fordons rörelsedynamik presenteras längs en förbestämd bana. Utifrån denna modell härleds en diskretiserad linjariserad prediktionsmodell. Denna prediktionsmodell används för att formulera ett K vadratiskt Programmerings-problem. Detta optimeringsproblem står till grund för en model-prediktiv regleralgoritm. Detta reglersystem augumenteras med en rekursiv minsta-kvadrat-fels algoritm för systemidentifiering, som används till att upprepande återuppskatta massan för att hantera systematiska fel i prediktionsmodellen. Dessa algoritmer används till referensföljning i position och hastighet. Utvärderingen av algoritmerna genomförs i simulation. De presenterade algoritmerna uppvisas att vara generellt sett träffsäkra och robusta. Specifika problematiska fall där prestandan blir sämre lyfts upp och förslag på hur dessa scenarion skulle kunna hanteras medföljer.

Aircraft are dynamic systems that naturally contain a variety of constraints and nonlinearities such as, e.g., maximum permissible load factor, angle of attack and control surface deflections. Taking these limitations into account in the design of control systems are becoming increasingly important as the performance and complexity of the controlled systems is constantly increasing. It is especially important in the design of control systems for fighter aircraft. These require maximum control performance in order to have the upper hand in a dogfight or when they have to outmaneuver an enemy missile. Therefore pilots often maneuver the aircraft very close to the limit of what it is capable of, and an automatic system (called flight envelope protection system) against violating the restrictions is a necessity. In other application areas, nonlinear optimal control methods have been successfully used to solve this but in the aeronautical industry, these methods have not yet been established. One of the more popular methods that are well suited to handle constraints is Model Predictive Control (MPC) and it is used extensively in areas such as the process industry and the refinery industry. Model predictive control means in practice that the control system iteratively solves an advanced optimization problem based on a prediction of the aircraft's future movements in order to calculate the optimal control signal. The aircraft's operating limitations will then be constraints in the optimization problem. In this thesis, we explore model predictive control and derive two fast, low complexity algorithms, one for guaranteed stability and feasibility of nonlinear systems and one for reference tracking for linear systems. In reference tracking model predictive control for linear systems we build on the dual mode formulation of MPC and our goal is to make minimal changes to this framework, in order to develop a reference tracking algorithm with guaranteed stability and low complexity suitable for implementation in real time safety critical systems. To reduce the computational burden of nonlinear model predictive control several methods to approximate the nonlinear constraints have been proposed in the literature, many working in an ad hoc fashion, resulting in conservatism, or worse, inability to guarantee recursive feasibility. Also several methods work in an iterative manner which can be quit time consuming making them inappropriate for fast real time applications. In this thesis we propose a method to handle the nonlinear constraints, using a set of dynamically generated local inner polytopic approximations. The main benefits of the proposed method is that while computationally cheap it still can guarantee recursive feasibility and convergence.

The series name "Linköping studies in science and technology. Licentiate Thesis" is incorrect. The correct series name is "Linköping studies in science and technology. Thesis".

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO
O reprocessamento de materiais médicos é um processo essencial para manter a funcionalidade do hospital. O Centro de Material e Esterilização (CME) é a unidade de apoio técnico hospitalar orientado por normas e regulações específicas destinada a reprocessar os materiais, tendo como principal objetivo a prevenção de infecções e entrega de artigos médicos seguros. Contudo, é uma área de pouca visibilidade e com altas variabilidades no processo de esterilização e não são contemplandos com um modelo de tomada de decisão que contemple tanto os requisitos dos modelos assistenciais estabelecidos pelas legislações quanto os aspectos de projeto da gestão e gerência das operações. Dessa forma, a presente pesquisa visa elaborar um modelo de referência construído a partir das categorias de projetos de operações a fim de auxiliar o gestor a projetar um CME. O objetivo da pesquisa é atingido através do cumprimento dos seguintes objetivos específicos: a) levantamento do referencial teórico; b) levantamento e identificação dos instrumentos normativos e regulatórios; c) condução de uma pesquisa de campo em um CME representativo dos níveis de complexidade; d) análise e síntese da lógica de funcionamento à luz das categorias de operações; e) definição da estrutura do modelo de referência; f) validação do modelo com especialistas; g) refinamento do modelo; e h) aplicação do modelo. A proposição do modelo de referência de requisitos, com base na legislação e aspectos gerenciais da produção, é a principal contribuição da pesquisa.
Reprocessing of medical supplies is an essential process to maintain the hospital s functionality. The Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) is the hospital technical support unit oriented by specific norms and regulations aimed at reprocessing the materials, having as main objective the prevention of infections and delivery of safe medical articles. However, it is an area of low visibility and with high variability in the sterilization process and there is not a model of decision making that has both the requirements of the assistance models established by the legislations and the design aspects of the management and operations management. In this way, the present research aims to elaborate a reference model based on the project operation categories in order to help the manager to design a CSSD. The research objective is achieved through the following specific objectives: a) survey of the reference theory; b) survey and identification of regulatory instruments; c) field research in a complexity levels representative CSSD; d) analysis and synthesis of the operating logic in the light of the categories of operations; e) definition of the structure of the reference model; f) validation of the model with specialists; g) model refinement; and h) model application. The proposal of the reference model of requirements, based on legislation and production management, is the main contribution of the research.

Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2017.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 101-104).
With the recent resurgence of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence as a competitive advantage in product development, technical executives and managers are interested in learning what it would take to build intelligent platforms that can leverage these advances. In addition, they wish to produce cost estimates for developing such platforms. The goal of this thesis is to develop a reference architecture for an intelligent platform and an associated costing model that allows technical managers to understand the components needed to deliver such a platform and estimate the cost of each module, estimate the cost of the overall architecture, and enable what-if analysis to understand the cost tradeoffs. The intent is not to provide the values of the variables in the model, but to develop a cost model that will enable interested parties to plug in their estimated values for each factor and generate a forecast of the build cost.
by Mohammad Jouni.
S.M. in Engineering and Management

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T15:52:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo3101_1.pdf: 6739331 bytes, checksum: b2ce7e13223b4c79b74bfc1a7d45bf1c (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010
Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia
Muitas organizações estão planejando investir ou já investiram dinheiro, tempo e recursos no reúso de software. Com esse investimento, essas organizações esperam melhorar a sua competitividade no mercado por meio da redução de custos e esforço, aumento da produtividade e melhoria da qualidade e da confiabilidade dos produtos de software desenvolvidos. Um problema comum é que as abordagens de reúso nas organizações são consideradas, normalmente, como um problema de adoção tecnológica (ambientes e ferramentas) e de processos, que focam nos aspectos técnicos do reúso. Neste cenário, processos de adoção de reúso - ou estratégias, modelos ou programas - têm se destacado na área como um facilitador para obter os benefícios associados ao reúso de software. No entanto, os processos existentes apresentam alguns problemas cruciais, como, por exemplo, serem fortemente relacionados a tecnologias específicas; demandarem um alto investimento inicial; além de não definirem de forma sistemática e suficientemente detalhada as atividades, papéis, entradas e as saídas de todo o processo. Assim, este trabalho propõe um modelo de referência de reuso de software para auxiliar nos processos de adoção e avaliação da capacidade de reúso nas organizações, baseado no estado da arte e da prática da área. Essa definição foi embasada por estudos detalhados sobre processos de adoção de reúso, modelos de referência de reúso e métodos de avaliação de capacidade em reutilização, envolvendo pesquisas informais, estudos empíricos e relatos de empresas. Com esta tese, pretende-se demonstrar que é possível estabelecer, para as empresas que desejam adotar reúso, um caminho mais seguro e com menores riscos e custos do que uma estratégia de reúso ad-hoc. Neste cenário, espera-se alcançar os seguintes objetivos: (i) aperfeiçoar o desempenho de alguns aspectos do desenvolvimento por meio de práticas de reúso (custo, qualidade, produtividade, competitividade da organização, entre outros); e (ii) redução dos riscos na adoção e/ou aperfeiçoamento de um programa de reúso, dando suporte a um processo incremental

With an increased push for commercial autonomous cars, the demand of high speed systems capable of performing in unstructured driving environments is growing. In this thesis, the behavior of a bio-inspired predator prey model is considered to stimulate a more organic response to obstacles and a moving target than existing algorithms. However, the current predator prey model has a disconnect between the desired velocities commanded and the torque signals provided to the motors due the dynamics of the vehicle not accounted for. This causes the vehicle to derail from its intended trajectory at sharp turns. In this study, we start by adding dynamic behavior to the unicycle model to account for the varying dynamics of the vehicle. A backstepping algorithm is developed to connect the predator-prey model commanding desired velocities to an appropriate torque controller for the motors of the vehicle. To account for the unknown dynamic model parameters an adaptive control approach is utilized. Three different controllers are developed and evaluated. Out of the three, the indirect MRAC backstepping controller is deemed unsuitable due to its limitations with handling unknown parameter structure. The direct MRAC backstepping is deemed suitable and therefore simulated and implemented on the vehicle. The newly derived controller is able to overcome the disconnect and allow the vehicle to optimally track its trajectory for a velocity range of 1 m/s to 9 m/s despite varying dynamics. Lastly, the L1 adaptive backstepping controller is introduced and simulated to provide an alternative, more robust solution to the direct MRAC backstepping controller.
Master of Science

European Union has set a target to install nearly 200 million smart metersspread over Europe before 2020, this leads into a vast increase of sensitiveinformation flow for Distribution System Operators (DSO’s), simultaneously thisleads to raised cyber security threats. The in and outgoing information of the DSOneeds to be processed and stored by different Information technology (IT)- andOperational Technology (OT)-systems depending on the information. High demandsare therefore required of the enterprise cyber security to be able to protect theenterprise IT- and OT-systems. Sensitive customer information and a variety ofservices and functionality is examples that could be fatal to a DSO if compromised.For instance, if someone with bad intentions has the possibility to tinker with yourelectricity, while you’re away on holiday. If they succeed with the attack and shuttingdown the house electricity, your food stored in your fridge and freezer would mostlikely to be rotted, additionally damage from defrost water leaking could cause severedamaging on walls and floors. In this thesis, a detailed reference model of theadvanced metering architecture (AMI) has been produced to support enterprisesinvolved in the process of implementing smart meter architecture and to adapt to newrequirements regarding cyber security. This has been conduct using foreseeti's toolsecuriCAD, foreseeti is a proactive cyber security company using architecturemanagement. SecuriCAD is a modeling tool that can conduct cyber security analysis,where the user can see how long time it would take for a professional penetrationtester to penetrate the systems in the model depending of the set up and defenseattributes of the architecture. By varying defense mechanisms of the systems, fourscenarios have been defined and used to formulate recommendations based oncalculations of the advanced meter architecture. Recommendation in brief: Use smalland distinct network zones with strict communication rules between them. Do diligentsecurity arrangements for the system administrator PC. The usage of IntrusionProtection System (IPS) in the right fashion can delay the attacker with a percentageof 46% or greater.
Europeiska Unionen har satt upp ett mål att installera nära 200miljoner smarta elmätare innan år 2020, spritt utöver Europa, implementeringen ledertill en rejäl ökning av känsliga dataflöden för El-distributörer och intresset av cyberattacker ökar. Både ingående och utgående information behöver processas och lagraspå olika IT- och OT-system beroende på informationen. Höga krav gällande ITsäkerhet ställs för att skydda till exempel känslig kundinformation samt en mängdvarierande tjänster och funktioner som är implementerade i systemen. Typer avattacker är till exempel om någon lyckats få kontroll over eltillgängligheten och skullestänga av elektriciteten till hushåll vilket skulle till exempel leda till allvarligafuktskador till följd av läckage från frysen. I den här uppsatsen så har en tillräckligtdetaljerad referens modell för smart elmätar arkitektur tagits fram för att möjliggörasäkerhetsanalyser och för att underlätta för företag i en potentiell implementation avsmart elmätare arkitektur. Ett verktyg som heter securiCAD som är utvecklat avforeseeti har använts för att modellera arkitekturen. securiCAD är ett modelleringsverktyg som använder sig av avancerade beräknings algoritmer för beräkna hur långtid det skulle ta för en professionell penetrationstestare att lyckats penetrera de olikasystem med olika sorters attacker beroende på försvarsmekanismer och hurarkitekturen är uppbyggd. Genom att variera systemens försvar och processer så harfyra scenarion definierats. Med hjälp av resultaten av de fyra scenarierna så harrekommendationer tagits fram. Rekommendationer i korthet: Använd små ochdistinkta nätverkszoner med tydliga regler som till exempel vilka system som fårkommunicera med varandra och vilket håll som kommunikationen är tillåten.Noggranna säkerhetsåtgärder hos systemadministratörens dator. Användningen avIPS: er, genom att placera och använda IPS: er på rätt sätt så kan man fördröjaattacker med mer än 46% enligt jämförelser mellan de olika scenarier.

Robot performance is limited due to the form of the joint controllers. A model reference adaptive control scheme is proposed in which the reference model is in Cartesian coordinates. The form of the conventional joint controller is retained but the gains are adjusted to make the response similar to the reference model. By use of computer simulation the response of a manipulator to setpoint changes is examined for both the conventional and proposed control schemes. Improvements in path error for a straight line trajectory between starting and ending positions in world coordinates is observed with the new scheme compared with conventional control. The benefit is that fewer setpoints must be specified along a desired path to attain the desired path accuracy and, because of the form of the controller, servo errors will be higher leading to faster performance. Stability of the new scheme is examined by state space Floquet methods and a logical proof based on the adaption method used is given.
Applied Science, Faculty of
Mechanical Engineering, Department of
Graduate

碩士
國立臺北科技大學
資訊工程系研究所
95
Communication Software Reference Model (CSRM) can help communication software developers binding the relationship between an implementation and specifications. Because an implementation of the communication software often references several specifications, developers may have difficulties finding a mapping. CSRM can be used to easy the difficulties between implementations and specifications. In this thesis, we’ll introduce how to build and apply a CSRM with a real example – AMR Speech Codec.

碩士
國立暨南國際大學
土木工程學系
93
Title of Thesis: Model Reference Adaptive Structural Control Name of Institute: Department of Civil Engineering National Chi Nan University Page:108 Graduation Time : 07/2005 Degree Conferred:Master Student Name: Ming-Chia Chang Advisor Name: Shih-Yu Chu Chyuan-Hwan Jeng Abstract The advantage of a model reference adaptive structural control (MRASC) algorithm is to adjust the control command signal while estimating the system’s parameters of the controlled structure in real time. An adaptive control application based on Lyapunov theory is presented in this thesis. The Lyapunov equation used to define the adaptation law is designed based on a quadratic Lyapunov function candidate. The adaptive control force is calculated from both the measured states and the adaptive gains estimated from error states. The error states illustrate the trajectory tracking performance between reference model and controlled system. The global asymptotical stability is guaranteed by choosing a positive definite adaptation gain matrix for the time-invariant linear system. With the time varying adaptation control force, both single- and three-degree-of-freedom models with parameter uncertainties are used to demonstrate the control performance based on pre-selected target reference models. The control performance of this MRASC system is verified and compared with optimal LQR scheme as well by using the El-Centro earthquake and the Chi-Chi earthquake records. The results show that even with structural parameter uncertainty, the MRASC system can reach the expected control performance of the pre-designed reference model.