abstract: Currently, educational games are designed with the educational content as the primary factor driving the design of the game. While this may seem to be the optimal approach, this design paradigm causes multiple issues. For one, the games themselves are often not engaging as game design principles were put aside in favor of increasing the educational value of the game. The other issue is that the code base of the game is mostly or completely unusable for any other games as the game mechanics are too strongly connected to the educational content being taught. This means that the mechanics are impossible to reuse in future projects without major revisions, and starting over is often more time and cost efficient. This thesis presents the Content Agnostic Game Engineering (CAGE) model for designing educational games. CAGE is a way to separate the educational content from the game mechanics without compromising the educational value of the game. This is done by designing mechanics that can have multiple educational contents layered on top of them which can be switched out at any time. CAGE allows games to be designed with a game design first approach which allows them to maintain higher engagement levels. In addition, since the mechanics are not tied to the educational content several different educational topics can reuse the same set of mechanics without requiring major revisions to the existing code. Results show that CAGE greatly reduces the amount of code needed to make additional versions of educational games, and speeds up the development process. The CAGE model is also shown to not induce high levels of cognitive load, allowing for more in depth topic work than was attempted in this thesis. However, engagement was low and switching the active content does interrupt the game flow considerably. Altering the difficulty of the game in real time in response to the affective state of the player was not shown to increase engagement. Potential causes of the issues with CAGE games and potential fixes are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Engineering 2017

De nos jours, les systèmes distribués sont caractérisés par une complexité croissante de l'architecture, des fonctionnalités et de la charge soumise. Cette complexité induit souvent une perte de la qualité de service offerte, ou une saturation des ressources, voire même l'indisponibilité des services en ligne, en particulier lorsque la charge est importante. Afin d'éviter les désagrèments causés par d'importantes charges et remplir le niveau attendu de la qualité de service, les systèmes nécessitent une auto-gestion, en optimisant par exemple un tier ou en le renforçant à travers la réplication. Cette propriété autonome requiert une modélisation des performances de ces systèmes. Visant cet objectif, nous développons un framework basé sur une méthodologie théorique et expérimentale d'identification automatique de modèle et de dimensionnement, fournissant en premier un modèle de réseau de file d'attente pour un système distribué. Ensuite, ce Modèle est utilisé au sein de notre framwork pour dimensionner le système à travers une analyse ou une simulation du réseau de file d'attente. / Modern distributed systems are characterized by a growing complexity of their architecture, functionalities and workload. This complexity, and in particular significant workloads, often lead to quality of service loss, saturation and sometimes unavailability of on-line services. To avoid troubles caused by important workloads and fulfill a given level of quality of service (such as response time), systems need to self-manage, for instance by tuning or strengthening one tier through replication. This autonomic feature requires performance modelling of systems. In this objective, we developed a framework based on a theoretical and experimental approach for automatic identification process and sizing . This framework provid a queuing model for a distributed system. Then, this model is used in our Framwork to size the system through an analysis or simulation.

Real-Time Optimization (RTO) is a family of techniques that pursue to improve the performance of chemical processes. As general scheme, the method reevaluates the process conditions in a frequent basis and tries to adjust some selected variables, taking into account the plant state, actual operational constraints and optimization objectives. Several RTO approaches have born from the academy research and industrial practices, at the same time that more applications have been implemented in real facilities. Between the main motivations to apply RTO are the dynamic of markets, the seek for quality in the process results and environmental sustainability. That is why the interest on deeply understand the phases and steps involved in an RTO application has increased in recent years. Nevertheless, the fact that most of the existing RTO systems have been developed by commercial organizations makes it difficult to meet that understanding. This work studies the nature of RTO systems from a software point of view. Software requirements for a generic system are identied. Based on that, a software architecture is proposed that could be adapted for specfic cases. Benefits of the designed architecture are listed. At the same time, the work proposes a new approach to implement that architecture as a Multi-Agent System (MAS). Two RTO system prototypes were developed then, one for a well-know academic case study and the other oriented to be used in a real unit. The benefits of the MAS approach and the architecture, for researching on the RTO field and implementation on real plants, are analyzed in the text. A sub-product of the development, a software framework covering main concepts from the RTO ontology, is proposed as well. As the framework was designed to be generic, it can be used in new applications development and extended to very specific scenarios. / Otimização em Tempo Real (OTR) é uma família de técnicas que buscam melhorar o desempenho dos processos químicos. Como esquema geral, o método reavalia frequentemente as condições do processo e tenta ajustar algumas variáveis selecionadas, levando em considera ção o estado da planta, restrições operacionais e os objetivos da otimização. Várias abordagens para OTR t^em surgido da pesquisa acadêmica e das práticas industriais, ao mesmo tempo em que mais aplicações têm sido implementadas em plantas reais. As principais motivações para aplicar OTR são: a dinâmica dos mercados, a busca de qualidade nos resultados dos processos e a sustentabilidade ambiental. É por isso que o interesse em entender as fases e etapas envolvidas em uma aplicação OTR cresceu nos últimos anos. No entanto, o fato de que a maioria dos sistemas OTR em operação foram desenvolvidos por organizações comerciais dificulta o caminho para chegar nesse entendimento. Este trabalho analisa a natureza dos sistemas OTR desde o ponto de vista do software. Os requerimentos para um sistema genérico são levantados. Baseado nisso, é proposta uma arquitetura de software que pode ser adaptada para casos específicos. Os benefícios da arquitetura projetada foram listados. Ao mesmo tempo, o trabalho propõe uma nova abordagem para implementar essa arquitetura: Sistema Multi-Agentes (SMA). Dois protótipos de sistema OTR foram desenvolvidos. O primeiro aplicado num estudo de caso bem conhecido na literatura acadêmica. O segundo voltado para ser usado em uma unidade industrial. Os benefícios da abordagem SMA e da arquitetura, tanto na pesquisa relacionada com OTR, quanto na implementação em plantas reais, são analisados no texto. Um arcabouço de software que abrange os principais conceitos da ontologia OTR é proposto como resultado derivado do desenvolvimento. O arcabouço foi projetado para ser genérico, possibilitando seu uso no desenvolvimento de novas aplicações OTR e sua extensão a cenários muito específicos.

Esta tese propõe uma arquitetura de software neuro-reativa para sistemas de automação do ambiente construído. O objetivo é facilitar o desenvolvimento, a manutenção e a expansão desses sistemas, através de três requisitos norteadores: modularidade, flexibilidade e capacidade de integração das partes. Um modelo baseado em unidades chamadas de \"neurônios\" e de \"glândulas\" é proposto. Esses elementos fundamentais têm características reativas e podem ser combinados formando diferentes sistemas de automação. Uma versão da arquitetura proposta é programada na linguagem Java utilizando tecnologias como CORBA e MySQL. Por fim, uma casa fictícia é utilizada como exemplo para demonstrar a aplicação da arquitetura proposta. / This thesis presents a neuro-reactive software architecture applied to building automation systems. The objective is to make development, maintenance and ex-pansion of these systems easier through three main requirements: modularity, flex-ibility and parts integration capability. A model with units called neurons and glands is proposed. These fundamental elements have reactive characteristics and are combined to constitute automation systems. A version of proposed architecture is programmed in Java language using technologies like CORBA and MySQL. In the end, a fictitious home automation system is used as example.

A utilização de sistemas de gerência de documentos e de sistemas de gerência de workflow vem crescendo de forma expressiva nos últimos anos, motivados pela expectativa de obter-se benefícios organizacionais importantes, como o maior compartilhamento da informação e o aumento da eficiência dos processos. Pelo fato de a maioria dos processos organizacionais envolver a manipulação de documentos, é necessário, em grande parte das vezes, que esses sistemas trabalhem em conjunto. No entanto, a maioria das integrações entre tais produtos são proprietárias, causando prejuízos como a redução da liberdade de escolha dos usuários, a maior dificuldade de integração com sistemas legados e o aumento da dependência em relação aos fornecedores dos produtos. Para solucionar esse problema, este trabalho propõe uma arquitetura aberta de integração entre sistemas de gerência de documentos e sistemas de gerência de workflow. O fundamento dessa arquitetura está na utilização de dois padrões emergentes da indústria: o padrão DMA, proposto pela AIIM, e o padrão WAPI, proposto pela WfMC. O padrão DMA consiste de uma API, a ser invocada pelos aplicativos clientes de documentos, de uma SPI, a ser implementada e oferecida pelos sistemas de gerência de documentos, e de um middleware, responsável pela conexão entre os clientes e servidores de documentos. O padrão WAPI consiste de uma linguagem padrão para a definição de processos e de uma API, a ser invocada pelo aplicativo cliente de workflow e implementada pelo sistema de gerência de workflow. A arquitetura proposta compõe-se de três elementos. Primeiramente, um mecanismo integrado para a modelagem de documentos e workflow. Assim, é possível definir quais documentos serão manipulados pelo processo, e que operações cada participante poderá executar sobre ele. Esse mecanismo baseia-se exclusivamente nos padrões oferecidos pela WAPI e pela DMA. Em segundo lugar, é definido e implementado, na linguagem Java, um módulo de software denominado camada de serviços, oferecendo serviços integrados de gerência de documentos e gerência de workflow. Os métodos dessa camada invocam os métodos WAPI e DMA necessários à sua execução. Assim, qualquer DMS aderente à DMA pode ser integrado a qualquer WFMS aderente à WAPI, de forma completamente transparente. Por final, é desenvolvido um aplicativo cliente, também em linguagem Java, que acessa os métodos da camada de serviços, oferecendo uma interface gráfica para o usuário. Os resultados demonstram a viabilidade de uma integração aberta entre sistemas de gerência de documentos e sistemas de gerência de workflow. Ainda, mostram a importância de uma modelagem integrada de documentos e workflow. / The document management systems and the workflow management systems areas have been facing an impressive growth in the last years, driven by the desire to achieve important organizational benefits, as an increased information sharing and more efficient processes. Since most business processes involve document manipulation, it is often needed that these systems work together. However, most products are integrated in a proprietary way, therefore reducing user's freedom of choice, increasing the difficulty of legacy systems integration and rising the dependency from product vendors. In order to overcome this problem, this work proposes an open architecture for document management systems and workflow management systems integration. The architecture's fundamentals is the usage of two emerging industry standards: DMA, proposed by AIIM, and WAPI, proposed by WfMC. DMA consists of an API, to be invoked by client document applications, of an SPI, to be implemented and offered by document management systems, and of a middleware, responsible for connecting clients to document servers. WAPI consists of a standard process definition language and of an API, to be invoked by workflow client applications and implemented by workflow management systems. The proposed architecture is composed by three elements. First, an integrated mechanism for document and workflow modeling is defined. Therefore, it is possible to define which documents will be used in the process, and which operations each workflow participant will be allowed to execute over them. This approach is based exclusively on DMA and WAPI standards. Second, it is defined an implemented a software module called services layer, offering integrated document management and workflow management services, using the Java language. This layer's methods invoke the WAPI's and DMA's methods necessary for their execution. Therefore, any DMAcompliant DMS can be integrated to any WAPI-compliant WFMS, in a totally transparent way. Finally, a client application to access services layer's methods and offer the user a graphical interface is developed, also using the Java language. The results demonstrate the viability of an open integration between document management systems and workflow management systems. They also show the importance of an integrated document and workflow modeling.

Context. Agile Software Development has provided a new concept of Software Development based in adaptation to changes, quick decisions, low high-level design and frequent deliveries. However, this approach ignores the value that Software Architecture provides in the long term for increasing the speed in delivery working software, which may have catastrophic consequences in the long term. Objectives. In this study, the combination of these two philosophies of Software Development is investigated. Firstly, the concept of Software Architecture in Agile Projects; then, the major challenges faced concerning Software Architecture in Agile Projects, the practices and approaches that can be used to overcome these challenges and the effects that these practices may cause on the project. Methods. The research methodologies used in this study are Systematic Literature Review for gathering the highest amount possible of contributions available in the Literature at this respect, and also the conduction of Semi-Structured Interviews with Agile Practitioners, in order to obtain empirical knowledge on the problem and support or deny the SLR findings. Results. The results of the Thesis are a unified description of the concept of Software Architecture in Agile Projects, and a collection of challenges found in agile projects, practices that overcome them and a relation of effects observed. Considering the most frequent practices/approaches followed and the empirical support, it is enabled a discussion on how to combine Software Architecture and Agile Projects. Conclusions. The main conclusion is that there is not a definite solution to this question; this is due to the relevance of the context (team, project, customer, etc.) that recommends the evaluation of each situation before deciding the best way to proceed. However, there are common trends on the best-recommended practices to integrate these two concepts. Finally, it is required more empirical work on the issue, the conduction of controlled experiments that allows to quantify the success or failure of the practices implemented would be most helpful in order to create a body of knowledge that enables the application of certain practices under certain conditions.

Context: Software architecture is an emerging field and progressively more popular in software engineering. Software architecture has become an essential part in development of software systems. Prototyping is possibly one of the most commonly used learning paradigms in software architecture. Hence, it is reasonable to accept some of the requirements that could be expressed as specific quality attributes for developing and comparative analysis of prototype. In this thesis we deal with software architecture based on different prototypes, where the different platforms have been shared canonical within the software architecture. It also has a good potential for performance intensification to analyze the prototype according to the required quality attributes. Objectives: In this study, we investigate the significance of quality attributes such as performance, maintainability and implementation cost of different software platforms. Mainly, it is focused on integration of prototypes in software architecture. We specifically investigate several challenges being faced by the organizations in the maintainability for addressing the challenges in prototype of network management system using software platforms. Methods: In this study, both theoretical and empirical research methods have been applied. In order to accomplish the goal of this thesis, literature review in this research has performed by studying articles from several sources and also performed snowball sampling method to decrease the chance of missing any relevant article. During literature review, we have analyzed learning structure and workflow of prototypes and then incorporated quality attributes by theoretical analysis. In the experiment part, three prototypes were built by deploying different software platforms such as PHP, JSP and Perl. Each of these prototypes was evaluated with respect to maintainability using twenty five surveys from industrial experts, implementation cost in number of hours and performance in terms of response time. Results: As a result of our study, we have identified different challenges in software architecture and practicing in software prototypes by using different software platforms. By this study we analyze the performance, maintainability and implementation cost for different software platforms. Survey has been conducted to recognize challenges and practices in maintainability of prototypes. We have shown the possibility to achieve better quality attributes given to a certain system. Conclusions: There is trade-off, the best implementation alternative depends on how important the different quality attributes are in a certain situation. / +46 455 38 50 00

In this modern world, healthcare has becoming a popular word in human life. People pay their attention on their health protection and treatment, but at the same time, they need to bear the high expenditure for their healthcare processing. It is a serious problem that the government income can not afford the large expense in healthcare industry. Especially in some developing countries, healthcare problem has become the problem for the nation development. We would like to choose this basic way to solve this problem directly, to provide the channel to improve the efficiency of healthcare system, Cambio COSMIC. The aim to analysis COSMIC for my case study is to find out the conclusion that how does the architect design the system from the stakeholders requirement to achieve the success of improving the efficiency of healthcare system. And how to measure the success for the system achieving to improve the efficiency of healthcare system is still required to indicate.

La complexité des systèmes de transport rend difficile la maîtrise de leur conception dans la mesure où ils intègrent des composantes technologiques, mais aussi sociologiques et politiques. Il est alors opportun de proposer un système destiné à aider à la définition d’une politique de transport urbain. L’objectif principal de notre recherche est de proposer l’architecture logicielle d’un outil de simulation visant à aider un décideur, chargé de la régulation d’un système de transport urbain, pour son travail d’analyse et d’évaluation des impacts des stratégies de régulation. Notre système est basé sur un simulateur à base d’agents intégrant des informations géographiques et temporelles pour évaluer des scénarii de régulation. En termes d’architecture du système, nous avons adopté une approche «système de systèmes», principalement structurée par couches, afin de modéliser les principaux éléments du système. La validation de notre outil de simulation a pu être effectuée à partir d’une étude de cas de taille et de complexité significative puisque nous disposons des enquêtes de déplacement, de recensement, et des mesures de trafic. Nous avons réalisé un prototype pour les déplacements des usagers dans la ville de La Rochelle à partir des données statistiques de l’INSEE et de la BD TOPO 2 de l’IGN en utilisant la plate-forme de simulation GAMA. / Transport systems are becoming more complex and must incorporate not only technological components, but also sociological and political ones. In particular, they should be easy to adapt in order to incorporate the goals set by decision makers, such as the integration of sustainable development settings. The main objective of our research is to propose software architecture of a simulation tool to help a decision maker, responsible for the regulation of an urban transportation system to analyze and evaluate the impacts of regulatory strategies. We propose a system to assist in the definition of an urban transportation policy. Our system is based on an agent-based simulation integrating spatial and temporal information to evaluate regulatory scenarios. In terms of system architecture, we adopted a “system of systems” approach, mainly structured in layers, in order to model the main elements of the system. The validation of our simulation tool could be done from a case study of significant size and complexity because we have travel surveys, census, and traffic measurements. We made a prototype for the movement of people in the city of La Rochelle from statistical data of INSEE and the BD TOPO 2 of IGN using the GAMA platform.

This is a qualitative exploratory study of Software Architecture in Cyber-Physical Ecosystems. Software Architecture plays a pivotal role to Software Ecosystems and, apart from Functional and non-Functional requirements, it is affected by factors of a different nature. The purpose of this paper is to identify these factors and describe their relationship with the ecosystem’s architecture. Several owners of Cyber-Physical systems are in the process of setting up new ecosystems by sharing functionalities of their proprietary platform with third-party developers. This makes Architecture that supports Open Innovation critical to this endeavor. We believe that the application of Software Ecosystem best practices  to the domain of Cyber-Physical Systems is an interesting subject. An exploratory literature study was conducted to create a conceptual model which describes the relationship of architecture with the factors presented above. This study resulted in a conceptual model which supports the decision making process of the platform owner during the various stages of the ecosystem’s lifecycle.