In this paper, a new higher-level action language called H Simple (R) is introduced. Language H Simple (R) is based on (locally) stratiied logic program Apt et al., 1988] and can treat concurrent actions and continuous changes. Also, it can handle implication rules (ramiication) under the implication restriction. This work is the extension of Language H Hayashi, 1996] which can handle only a di...

We present a view on software systems and emphasize that a software system creates the user’s conceptual model. Regarding a software developer as a user, we point out the existence of a gap between the conceptual model of a software development system and the software developer’s conceptual model of a software system. To minimize this gap, extending software development systems to support archi...

There has been widespread interest within institutions of higher education to measure learning outcomes. This has resulted in considerable debate on how to best define, measure, and achieve quality learning outcomes assessment. Yet, there has been no development of electronic processes and tools for continuous program assessment and feedback. This project addresses this challenge, with a $200K ...

instituto universitario de lisboa abstract Despite the accumulated evidence that retention is an ineffective and potentially harmful remedial strategy, several countries struggle with high levels of retention in compulsory schooling. This article provides evidence of the impact of the Portuguese national educational policy “Programa Mais Sucesso Escolar” (PMSE) using class size, class compositi...

Maintenance and evolution of software systems require to modify or exchange system components. In many cases, we would like the new component versions to be backward compatible to the old ones, at least for the use in the given context. Whereas on the program level formal techniques to precisely define and verify backward compatibility are under development, the situation on the system level is...

Energy usage in buildings can be reduced by coordinating devices to achieve higher energetic efficiency. Even conceptually simple techniques such as daylighting, occupancy based control or scheduling are known to achieve reductions on energy costs in the order of 20-30%. In fact, multiple techniques have been proposed over the years and, to date, there is no reference text giving them a systema...

This paper examines people’s behavior as it relates to lighting usage in private offices in a university office building. Sixty-three private offices were monitored at one-minute intervals for room occupancy and lighting usage over an 11-month period in 1995. Walk-through observations were also conducted, and two written surveys were administered. Four lighting control configurations were teste...

This paper explores three significant software development requirements for making the transition from standalone lighting simulation/analysis tools to simulation-based design aid tools. These requirements include specialized lighting simulation engines, facilitated methods for creating detailed simulatable building descriptions, and automated techniques for providing lighting design guidance. ...