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- Authors(s):
Behrouz H. Far, Wei Wu and M. Afsharchi
- Title:
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"A Unified View of Software Agents Interactions"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- Transactions of Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication IEICE,
Vol. E87-D, No. 4, pp. 896-907, April 2004.
- Abstract
- Software agents are knowledgeable, autonomous, situated and interactive software entities. Agents interactions are of special importance when a group of agents interact with each other to solve a problem that is beyond the capability and knowledge of each individual. Efficiency, performance and overall quality of the multi-agent applications depend mainly on how the agents interact with each other effectively. In this paper, we suggest an agent model by which we can clearly distinguish different agents interaction scenarios. The model has five attributes: goal, control, interface, identity and knowledge base. Using the model, we analyze and describe possible scenarios; devise the appropriate reasoning and decision making techniques for each scenario; and build a library of reasoning and decision making modules that can be used readily in the design and implementation of multiagent systems.
- Original Language: English
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- Authors(s):
Edidiong U. Ekaette, Behrouz H. Far
- Title:
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"A Framework for Network Fault Management Using Software Agents"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- Transactions of Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication IEICE,
Vol. E87-D, No. 4, pp. 947-958, April 2004.
- Abstract
- This paper proposes a framework for distributed network management by incorporating fault and performance management metrics in a hierarchical decision making model. The goal of this research is to automate the fault management process. The fault management system is organized as a three level information processing model. Correlation results from each level are provided as evidence to the next level. Causal and temporal relationships between monitored variables are captured using Dynamic Bayesian Networks. As evidence is gathered, the probability of the presence of a fault is either strengthened or weakened. The proposed model is used for proactive fault detection as well as fault isolation purposes. A prototype implementing the ideas is presented.
- Original Language: English
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- Authors(s):
Li Jiang, Armin Eberlein, Behrouz H. Far
- Title:
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"Evaluating the Requirements Engineering Process Using Major Concerns"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- IASTED International Conference on Software Engineering (SE 2004), pp. 30-35, February 2004.
- Abstract
- ---
- Original Language: English
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- Authors(s):
Andrew Sanden, Behrouz H. Far
- Title:
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"Designing an Intelligent Tutoring System Aimed Towards the Presentation on the Unified Modeling Language"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- The 2004 Canadian Conference on Computer and Software Engineering Education C3SEE 2004, March 2004.
- Abstract
- Many people associate software tutorials to boredom or to an ineffective way of learning. They often find themselves giving up, discovering that the tutorial is unable to provide for their learning styles and needs. To solve this problem, an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) with the specific application of teaching the unified modeling language (UML) is being developed. This in turn will provide an effective learning environment for post-secondary students. There are two stages associated with this design. The first stage of this research consists of an extensive literature review of subjects such as teaching models, student models, knowledge representation, and, of course, current methods of implementation of ITS. The second stage of the research consists of the design of the ITS using multi-agent technology and implementation using the FIPA-OS framework, a tool kit aimed at developing FIPA compliant agents. User modeling is based on Bayesian networks and behavioural modeling is carried out using the JESS (JAVA Expert System Shell), which provides a rule-based system to link knowledge units intelligently. The second stage of the ITS design is currently in progress and will soon be finalized along with the coding of the primary components. Future development goals are to implement various learner models and teaching strategies, giving the system the ability to respond better to the student.
- Original Language: English
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- Authors(s):
Behrouz H. Far, Andrew Sanden
- Title:
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"An Intelligent Tutoring System for Teaching Programming Languages Using Students' Motivational Model"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- The 2004 Canadian Conference on Computer and Software Engineering Education C3SEE 2004, March 2004.
- Abstract
- The goal of the research is to develop an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) for teaching programming languages to undergraduate students. Due to computational convenience, many other ITS systems rely only on the learner response to exercises to assess the student's needs. In our approach we looked at the learner's learning drives, in order to find out what parameters affect the willingness to engage in learning. Though many features in human learning process still remain unknown, educational psychologists have elucidated some of the roots of why some students learn and others do not. We have found that student's motivation has strong correlation with the learning achievement. As the computational model we have used the probabilistic reasoning method called Bayesian network (BN). This BN model is the key to represent both learner knowledge and motivational states. We argue that, knowledge and motivational states together enrich the planning process.
- Original Language: English
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- Authors(s):
Li Jiang, Armin Eberlein, Behrouz H. Far
- Title:
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"A Multi-tier Structured Tool for Requirements Engineering"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- The Sixth Asia Pacific Web Conference APWEB'04, pp 928 - 931, April 2004.
- Abstract
- Developing a more suitable Requirements Engineering (RE) process for a given project is a challenge. In this paper, we proposed a novel multi-tier structure for a web-based Requirements Engineering Process dEvelopment-Aided Tool (REPEAT). This tool is designed to aid requirements engineers in developing more suitable RE process for a given project. The tool is an implementation of the RE process development methodology proposed in our research. The novelty of this tool is three folds. First, the tool uses the web technology to provide more accessibility for requirements engineers. Moreover, the tool, based on interactive Web technology, supports the collaborative nature of RE process development. Second, REPEAT uses a novel multi-tire web-based structure to enhance its own design and maintainability. Third, the tool provides direct links between the RE process development and the characteristics of a given project. REPEAT offers useful contributions to the RE process development and RE tool development.
- Original Language: English
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- Authors(s):
Dong Liu, Kalaivani Subramaniam, Armin Eberlein, Behrouz H. Far
- Title:
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"NL Requirements Analysis and Class Model Generation using UCDA"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- Lecture Notes in Computer Science Volume 3029, Innovations in Applied Artificial Intelligence: 17th International Conference on Industrial and Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems, IEA/AIE, pp. 295-304, Springer, May 2004.
- Abstract
- This paper presents a methodology to automate natural language requirements analysis and class model generation based on the Rational Unified Process (RUP). Use-case language schemas are proposed to reduce complexity and vagueness of natural language. Some rules are identified and used to automate class model generation from use-case specifications. A CASE tool named Use-Case driven Development Assistant (UCDA) is implemented to support the methodology. UCDA can assist the developer to generate use-case diagrams, use-case specifications, robustness diagrams, collaboration diagrams and class diagrams in IBM Rational Rose. It helps accelerate requirements analysis and class modeling, and reduce the time to market in software development.
- Original Language: English
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- Authors(s):
Li Jiang, Armin Eberlein, Behrouz H. Far
- Title:
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"Methodology for Requirements Engineering Process Development"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- 11th Annual IEEE International Conference and Workshop on the Engineering of Computer Based Systems ECBS'04, May 2004.
- Abstract
- Adoption of the most suitable Requirements Engineering (RE) process and selection of the most appropriate RE techniques for a given project is a common challenge that industry faces. This paper presents a methodology for RE process development for a given project. The novelty of this work is four-fold. First, a RE Process Knowledge Base (REPKB) is established and helps during RE process development. Second, a decision support mechanism is provided during RE process development. Third, this methodology uses three components: process building blocks, standard templates of the RE process and development guidelines, to help process development. Fourth, it explicitly links project characteristics with RE process development so that the most suitable RE process can be developed. The general theory behind this methodology is described in the paper. Preliminary results suggest that the methodology is of valuable help to requirements engineers during RE process development and process customization.
- Original Language: English
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Research Doc. 2004-11
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- Authors(s):
Kalaivani Subramaniam, Behrouz H. Far
- Title:
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"Automating Transition from Stakeholder requests to Use cases"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE 2004), pp. 515-518, May 2004.
- Abstract
- Object Model Creation Process (OMCP) is considered as a major task in Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD). In Rational Unified Process (RUP) approach, objects and classes are identified from use case model, which is a combination of Use Case diagram and Use Case Specification (UCS) document. The automation of class model is done on the assumption that, UCS is complete, accurate and unambiguous; however, in reality, UCS written in freeform natural language is ambiguous and complex. To avoid this problem, use case templates and guidelines are proposed for writing UCS. This paper presents a methodology to automate the transition from stakeholders' requests to use case model. The methodology uses natural language parser to parse stakeholders' requests according to various guidelines. The automation process is discussed with an example.
- Original Language: English
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Research Doc. 2004-14
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- Authors(s):
Jingqiu Shao, Behrouz H. Far
- Title:
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"Development of an Intelligent System for Architecture Design and Analysis"
- Transactions/Magazines/Conferences:
- IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE 2004), pp. 539-542, May 2004.
- Abstract
- Software architecture plays a pivotal role in allowing an organization to meet its business goals, in terms of the early insights it provides into the system, the communication it enables among stakeholders, and the value it provides as a re-usable asset. Unfortunately, designing and analyzing architecture for a certain system is recognized as a hard task for most software engineers, because the process of collecting, maintaining, and validating architectural information is complex, knowledge-intensive, iterative, and error-prone. The needs of software architectural design and analysis have led to a desire to create tools to support the process. This paper introduces an intelligent system, which serves the following purposes: to obtain the meaningful non-functional requirements from users; to aid in exploring architectural alternatives, to facilitate architectural analysis.
- Original Language: English
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acm.org