Several studies have applied recommender technologies to support requirements engineering activities. As in other application areas of recommender systems (RS), many studies have focused on the algorithms’ prediction accuracy, while there have been limited discussions around users’ interactions with the systems. Since recommender systems are designed to aid users in information retrieval, they should be assessed not just as recommendation algorithms but also from the users’ perspective. In contrast to accuracy measures, user-related issues can only be effectively investigated via empirical studies involving real users. Furthermore, researchers are becoming increasingly aware that the effectiveness of the systems goes beyond recommendation accuracy, as many factors can be relevant to their adoption besides accuracy. To better understand recommender systems in RE, it has become necessary to explore them from users’ perspectives. Consequently, this research evaluates a feature recommender system from users’ perspectives adopting the “Recommender systems’ Quality of user experience” (ResQue) model - a user-centered evaluation model from the RS field. This was done by designing a content-based feature recommender system and then assessing it from the users’ view point. A between-subjects user study was conducted involving two groups of participants, an experimental and a control group. The experimental group interacted with the feature recommender system while developing a list of software requirements for a software product (an antivirus software). In contrast, the control group performed the same task without receiving support from the recommender. After completing the task, both groups completed a post-task evaluation questionnaire, including questions about their experiences and opinions about the task they completed. In addition, participants in the experimental group rated their perceptions of various aspects of the recommender; question items were adapted from the ResQue questionnaire. Users’ subjective evaluation of the recommender was investigated using the ResQue constructs - perceived system qualities, user beliefs, user attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Additionally, the impact of recommendations on the requirements elicitation process was assessed in terms of the process and outcome level measures. Possible qualitative differences were also examined. Users' preferences were identified, and possible HCI issues requiring attention in recommender systems used in RE are discussed.

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Quantity and intricacy of features implemented in vehicle have expanded rapidly over a past few years. Currently vision of autonomous vehicle is no longer a dream or SF movie, but instead a coming reality. In order to reach the better quality and high safety, advanced verification techniques are required. Simulink Design Verifier is a model checking tool based on formal verification, which can be effectively used to solve problems concerning error detection and testing at earlier stages of project. The transformation of requirements written in traditional form into Simulink Design Verifier objectives can be time consuming as well as requiring knowledge of system model and the verification tools. In order to reduce time consumption and to guide a user through the system model and the verification tool, the semi-automated framework has been developed. An implementation of restricted English grammar patterns into Simulink objects supports description of patterns to engineers and reduces time consumption. The developed framework is flexible and intuitive hence can be a solution for other branches of industry, but further tests and verification would be required. This thesis highlights the whole process of transformation system requirements written in natural language into Simulink Design Verifier objectives. The Fuel Level Display System model currently used by almost all Scania’s vehicles is analysed. Limitations and errors encountered during development process like a flexibility of Simulink Design Verifier to capture requirements and the patterns behaviour or ambiguity of system requirements are analysed and described in this thesis.

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The objective of the study was to determine if and how grain sorghum hybrids (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) of different maturity dates compete with one another when planted in adjacent rows under different moisture levels. Five sorghum varieties differing in their maturity were used: Taylor Evans Y-101-G coming to mid-bloom in 71 days, RS 610, Asgrow Corral, DK 64 and DK 69 coming to mid-bloom in 56.9 days, 61 days, 69.3 days and 75.6 days respectively. Six agronomic characters were measured to determine the effect and extent of competition. They included the number of days to mid-bloom, tiller ratio, grain yield, grain test weight and 300-seed weight. According to the results, adjacent row competition took place due to differences in maturity date for grain yield and 300-seed weight. An almost equilibrium appeared between loss or gain of border rows compared to the loss or gain of the middle row. Also the length of time between day to mid-bloom of the border rows hybrids and the center row genotype was important in the extent of competition effects.

In this paper I put forth three criticisms against McDowell account of the idea that moral requirements are categorical imperatives. I argue that McDowell’s account fails as a defense of Kant’s doctrine for at least three reasons. First, McDowell claims that agents can appeal to experience in order to formulate and recognize categorical imperatives. However, Kant strongly disagrees with this claim, explicitly claiming that moral requirements cannot be derived from experience. Second, McDowell argues that the virtuous agent will not experience inner conflict when motivating herself to act virtuously, but inner conflict plays a central role in Kant’s picture of moral motivation and virtue. Third, McDowell does not account for how the moral law serves as a necessary incentive to moral action through the a priori feeling of respect. Finally, I suggest that my criticisms cast doubt on the validity of McDowell’s account, and provide insights into some criteria that an account must meet if it is to be a proper defense of Kant’s doctrine of moral requirements as categorical imperatives.

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The influence of variable amounts of irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizer and their interaction on the development, growth, grain yield and nitrogen uptake of grain sorghum were studied under monocrop (May 21 planting) and simulated double crop (July 1 planting) in the 1985 growing season and under monocrop in the 1986 growing season. Six grain sorghum hybrids, three of which had a higher grain yielding ability and the other three with a lower grain in yielding ability, were used in this study conducted at the University of Arizona, Marana Agricultural Center. All six hybrids were grown under two planting dates (May 21, July 1), two levels of irrigation water (dry, wet), and two levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 112 kg N/ha) in the 1985 growing season. In the 1986 growing season, two hybrids were grown under three levels of irrigation water (dry, medium, and wet) and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 84, 168 kg N/ha). Planting on May 21 (monocrop) had more days to 50% bloom, leaf area, heads number, grain yield and total dry weight than the July 1 planting (double crop). However, planting on July 1 produced a longer head exsertion (peduncle length) compared to May 21 planting. Head length, plant height, 500 seed weight, and grain volume-weight were not affected by planting date. Water stress reduced head exsertion, head length, plant height, head number, 500 seed weight, grain yield and total dry matter. However, numbers of days to 50% bloom were increased by dry treatment. Leaf area and grain volume-weight were not significantly affected by water levels. Under the conditions of this study, nitrogen fertilizer rates did not produce an effect on most of the agronomic characteristics of grain sorghum hybrids studied in this experiment. However, increased nitrogen fertilizer rates increased the uptake and nitrogen concentration in all growth stages of hybrids in the 1986 growing season.