Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The Computer Aided Prototyping System (CAPS) and the Prototype System Description Language (PSDL) represent a pioneering effort in the field of software development. The implementation of CAPS will enable software engineers to automatically validate design specifications and functional requirements early in the design of a software system through the development and execution of a prototype of the system under construction. Execution of the prototype is controlled by an Execution Support System (ESS) within the framework of CAPS. One of the critical elements of the ESS is the Static Scheduler which extracts critical timing constraints and precedence information about operators from the PSDL source that describes the prototype. The Static Scheduler then uses this information to determine whether a feasible schedule can be built, and if it can, constructs the schedule for operator execution within the prototype. / http://archive.org/details/staticschedulerf00marl / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

In this thesis, we discussed various possibilities of integrating scheduling decisions with information and constraints from Advanced Process Control (APC) systems in semiconductor Manufacturing. In this context, important questions were opened regarding the benefits of integrating scheduling and APC. An overview on processes, scheduling and Advanced Process Control in semiconductor manufacturing was done, where a description of semiconductor manufacturing processes is given. Two of the proposed problems that result from integrating bith systems were studied and analyzed, they are :Problem of Scheduling with Time Constraints (PTC) and Problem of Scheduling with Equipement health Factor (PEHF). PTC and PEHF have multicriteria objective functions.PTC aims at scheduling job in families on non-identical parallel machines with setup times and time constraints.Non-identical machines mean that not all miachines can (are qualified to) process all types of job families. Time constraints are inspired from APC needs, for which APC control loops must be regularly fed with information from metrology operations (inspection) within a time interval (threshold). The objective is to schedule job families on machines while minimizing the sum of completion times and the losses in machine qualifications.Moreover, PEHF was defined which is an extension of PTC where scheduling takes into account the equipement Health Factors (EHF). EHF is an indicator on the state of a machine. Scheduling is now done by considering a yield resulting from an assignment of a job to a machine and this yield is defined as a function of machine state and job state.

In this study, the capacitated vehicle routing problem with shift based time constraints is taken into consideration. The study stemmed from an application in a cross dock. The considered cross dock is assumed to feed directly the production lines of its customer. The customer has a just-in-time production system that requires producing only in necessary quantities at the necessary times. This necessitates the arrival of the parts/products collected from different suppliers at the customer at the beginning of each shift of production. The shift times constitute deadlines for the products to be collected from the suppliers and used in each shift. The collection problem then can be seen as the capacitated vehicle routing problem with shift based time constraints. The objective of the collection problem is to minimize the routing costs. For the accomplishment of this objective it is required to decide on products of which shift(s) should be taken from a supplier when a vehicle arrives at that supplier. For the solution of the problem a mathematical model is formulated. Since the dealt problem is NP-Hard, meta-heuristic solution approaches based on variable neighborhood search and simulated annealing are proposed. Computational experimentation is conducted on the test problems which are tailored from the capacitated vehicle routing instances from the literature.

Dans de nombreuses applications dont celles du domaine médical et de l’embarqué, l’authentification des images nécessite de prendre en compte les contraintes temporelles, le taux d’insertion, la qualité visuelle et la robustesse contre différentes attaques. Le tatouage a été proposé comme approche complémentaire à la cryptographie pour l’amélioration de la sécurité des images. Il peut être effectué soit dans le domaine spatial sur les pixels de l’image, soit dans le domaine fréquentiel sur les coefficients de sa transformée. Dans cette thèse, le but est de proposer des approches de tatouage permettant d’assurer un niveau élevé d’imperceptibilité et de robustesse, tout en maintenant un niveau de complexité répondant aux exigences d’applications soumises à des contraintes temporelles. La démarche adoptée a consisté, d’une part, à s’appuyer sur les bénéfices du zéro-tatouage (zero-watermarking) qui ne change pas la qualité perceptuelle de l’image et qui a une faible complexité computationnelle, et d’autre part, à analyser les caractéristiques visuelles de l’image afin de détecter les zones les plus adaptées pour insérer la marque avec un bon niveau d’imperceptibilité et une bonne robustesse. Une approche de zéro-tatouage a ainsi été proposée dans cette thèse, ainsi que plusieurs approches de tatouage basées sur l’analyse de caractéristiques visuelles de l’image et sur des techniques d’intelligence artificielles ou connexes.Les solutions proposées ont été analysées du point de vue de l’imperceptibilité, de la robustesse et de la performance temporelle et les résultats d’analyses ont montré qu’elles apportent des améliorations significatives par rapport aux approches existantes. / In numerous applications such as those of medical and embedded domains, images authentication requires taking into account time constraints, embedding rate, perceptual quality and robustness against various attacks. Watermarking has been proposed as a complementary approach to cryptography, for improving the security of digital images. Watermarking can be applied either in the spatial domain on the pixels of the image, or in the frequency domain on the coefficient of its transform.In this thesis, the goal is to propose image watermarking approaches that make it possible to ensure high level of imperceptibility and robustness while maintaining a level of computational complexity fitting the requirements of time-constrained applications. The method adopted in this thesis has consisted, on the one hand, to rely on the benefit of zero-watermarking that does not degrade the perceptual quality of image data and has low computational complexity, and on the other hand, to analyze visual characteristics of digital image (characteristics that are correlated to the Human Visual System - HVS) in order to identify the locations the most adapted for embedding the watermark with good level of imperceptibility and robustness. A zero-watermarking has therefore been proposed in this thesis, as well as several watermarking approaches based on the analysis of visual characteristics of image and on artificial intelligence or related techniques. The proposed solutions have been analyzed with respect to imperceptibility, robustness and temporal performance and the results have shown significant improvements in comparison to existing approaches.

Recent developments suggest that the need for contact between parents and adult children is expected to grow, while paid labour is re-organized to include more flexible work schedules and locations. In parallel we view a pressure to increase sustainable mobility through reducing car driving. Against this background, this paper addresses the question: to what extent the frequency of contact between parents and their adult children living out of home is associated with time allocated to work, including commuting time, and with automobility? Face-to-face and telecommunication based contact is considered. Regression analysis of survey data collected in the Netherlands was performed and results suggest that face-to-face contact was significantly associated with work and commute duration, car ownership, car commuting and distance. Telecommunication based contact was mainly associated with work duration, degree of urbanization and distance. Automobility seemed to be more important for women than for men. The policy implication is a potential trade-off between policies that aim at strengthening sustainable mobility behaviour and policies that lead to an increase in the reliance on informal care.

Novel forms of brain-inspired programming models related to novel computer architecture are required to both understand the mysteries of intelligence as well as break barriers in computational complexity, and computer parallelism. Artificial Intelligence is focused on developing complex programs based on abstract, statistical prediction engines that require large datasets, vast amounts of computational power, and unbounded computation time. By contrast, the brain utilizes relatively few experiences to make decisions in unpredictable, time-constrained situations while utilizing relatively small amounts of physical computational space and power with high degrees of complexity and parallelism. We observe that intelligence requires the accommodation of ambiguity, conflict, and paradox. From a structural perspective, this means the same set of inputs leads to conflicting results that are likely produced in isolated regions of the brain that function independently until an answer must be chosen. We further observe that, unlike computer programs, brains constantly interact with the physical world where external constraints force the selection of the best available response in time-quality trade-offs ranging from fight-or-flight to deep thinking. For example, when intelligent beings are presented with a set of inputs, those inputs can be processed with different levels of thinking, utilizing heterogeneous algorithms to produce answers dependent upon the time available to process them. We introduce the Troop meta-approach, which is a novel meta computer architecture and programming. Experiments demonstrate our approach in modeling conflict when the same set of inputs are heterogeneously processed independently using maze solving and ordered search in real-world environments with unpredictable, random time constraints. Across one hundred trials, on average, the Troop solution solves mazes almost six times faster than the only other solution, which does not accommodate conflict but can always produce a result when required. Two other experiments based on ordered search show that, on average, the Troop solution returns a position that is over twice as accurate as the other solutions which do not accommodate conflict but always produce a result when required. This work lays the foundation for more research in algorithms that utilize time-accuracy trade-offs consistent with our approach. / This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2204780. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. / Master of Science / New types of brain-inspired computer architectures and programming models are needed to break barriers that hinder traditional methods in computer parallelism as well as to understand better the phenomenon by which intelligence emerges from the structure of the human brain. Traditional research in the field of Artificial Intelligence is focused on developing complex programs based on simulating low-level models of the brain such as artificial neural networks. The most advanced of these methods are processed on large supercomputers that use vast amounts of power and have unlimited amounts of time to process a task producing a single result. By contrast, the human brain is relatively small and uses very little power. Furthermore, it can use relatively few experiences to make very quick and inaccurate but necessary decisions to survive in unpredictable environments. But the brain can produce many different and conflicting decisions to the same problem. Given more time, the human brain can use higher levels of thinking located in different parts of the brain to produce better decisions. Thus, we observe that intelligence requires the ability to handle conflicting answers to the same problem. From a highlevel perspective, this means different and independent structures of the brain can simultaneously produce conflicting answers that solve the same problem. We further observe that, unlike traditional computer programs, the brain constantly interacts with the physical world, where different circumstances within the environment force the best available decision to be carried out. Based on these observations, this research introduces novel approaches that we collectively reference as the Troop meta-approach to develop computer architectures that solve real-world problems, such as maze solving. This research demonstrates the approaches by first introducing scenarios inspired by humans solving problems in environments where unforeseeable events occur that force decisions to be made that are not the most accurate but necessary not to fail the overall objective. For example, military and law enforcement trainees use square mazes to prepare for unpredictable environments. When a threat presents itself, if a soldier or officer does not react to a circumstance in time, their failure may be fatal. To demonstrate that our approaches are feasible, this research then presents three experiments based on the problems of the scenarios and uses the Troop meta-approach to solve each one. Across three experiments, on average, the computer architectures and related algorithms developed using the Troop meta-approach solve mazes or search databases while responding to unpredictable real-world events faster or more accurately than traditional architectures and algorithm pairs that do not handle simultaneous decisions that conflict. This work lays the foundation for more research in methods and computer architectures that utilize multiple conflicting decisions.

Background: High demands are being placed on the preschool teacher in the preschool profession today. The conditions why preschool teachers' should be able to offer a good pedagogical activity is the work team's ability to cooperate together and also a pleasant working environment. Objective: This study aims to increase knowledge of preschool teachers' experiences of their work environment, how it affects them and what is perceived to promote a good working climate. Method: The study was conducted with qualitative interviews of six preschool teachers in the same municipality. The only requirement was that all preschool teachers were legitimized. Results: The analysis resulted in three categories: Preschool's everyday life, physical working environment and psychosomatic work environment. The result of these categories is that preschool teachers' experienced increased work tasks, large children's groups and a lack of time, which resulted in the workload being perceived as high This affects the preschool teachers' satisfaction in the work in the form of stress and a feeling of inadequacy. Despite a high workload in the profession, the result shows that all preschool teachers' felt that they had chosen the right occupation in view of the freedom of work and the children's contributing joy. Conclusions: The conclusions of this study shows that there are high demands on preschool teachers' today, but that the joy for the work and the preschool children is what contributes to the preschool teachers still remaining in the profession. / Mycket talar för att det idag ställs höga krav på förskolläraren i förskolläraryrket. Grunden för att förskollärarna ska kunna erbjuda en god pedagogisk verksamhet är beroende av arbetslagets förmåga att samarbeta tillsammans och att en trivsam arbetsmiljö råder på arbetsplatsen. Syftet med studien är att öka kunskapen om förskollärares upplevelser av sin arbetsmiljö, hur det påverkar dem och vad som upplevs främja ett gott arbetsklimat.  Studien genomfördes med hjälp av kvalitativa intervjuer, där sex förskollärare i samma kommun intervjuades. Kravet i studien var att deltagarna var legitimerade förskollärare. Resultatet av förskollärarnas upplevda arbetsmiljö visar att det råder höga krav på förskollärarna idag. Förskollärarna upplevde ökade arbetsuppgifter, stora barngrupper och brist på tid vilket resulterade i att arbetsbelastningen upplevdes som hög. Detta påverkade förskollärarnas tillfredställelse i arbetet i form av stress och en känsla av otillräcklighet. Vidare visade resultatet att en positiv inställning, ett bra samarbete och möjligheten till egen utveckling gynnar både förskollärarens arbetsglädje och arbetsklimatet i verksamheten. Trots en hög arbetsbelastning i yrket visar resultatet att samtliga förskollärare kände att de valt rätt yrke på grund av arbetets frihet och barnens avsmittande glädje.  Slutsatserna av studien visar att det råder höga krav på förskolläraren i förhållande till de upplevda resurserna. Den positiva inställning i arbetet och förskollärarens inflytande över sin arbetssituation kan betraktas som gynnande för både arbetsglädjen och arbetsklimatet. Slutsatsen av studien visar att glädjen för arbetet och barnen är det som bidrar till att förskollärarna fortfarande finner motivation i yrket.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo da instrumentalização de software em Redes de Sensores Sem Fio, complementado pela aplicação, em um estudo de caso, de uma instrumentalização. A proposta da instrumentalização visa ampliar o conhecimento sobre essas redes em termos de desempenho, permitindo ao usuário tomar decisões suportadas pelo instrumento. Nesse sentido, foi realizada a abordagem conceitual em termos de Redes de Sensores Sem Fio, da tendência de padronização para essas redes e de instrumentalização por meio de software. Para a comprovação dos benefícios da adoção da utilização do conceito de instrumentalização de software nessas redes, foi desenvolvida uma rede de sensores utilizando esses conceitos, na qual foi possível avaliar o perfil dos aspectos temporais e da manutenção da qualidade da conexão. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que é possível conhecer, com maiores detalhes, o comportamento da rede, o que melhora a qualidade da tomada de decisão do usuário em relação à sua utilização em aplicações com restrições temporais, nas quais os tempos de resposta envolvidos devem respeitar os limites máximos permitidos. / This thesis aims at the study of software instrumentation handling in terms of wireless sensor networks which is supplemented with the its application in a case study. The instrumentation purposes go towards the networks knowledge extension concerning its performance by allowing the user to make decisions based on software instrument reading. In this sense, a conceptual approach was performed which takes the wireless sensor network into account as well as the trend of standardization for these networks and the software instrumentation itself. In order to confirm the benefits on adopting the usage of software instrumentation concept on these networks, a wireless sensor network was developed using these concepts. In this sense, it was possible to evaluate the timing aspects profile and the link quality maintenance. The results show that is possible to know about the behavior of the network in details. By doing this, the quality of the users decision-making regarding their use in applications with time constraints, in which response time involved should respect the maximum allowable limits, has been improved.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo da instrumentalização de software em Redes de Sensores Sem Fio, complementado pela aplicação, em um estudo de caso, de uma instrumentalização. A proposta da instrumentalização visa ampliar o conhecimento sobre essas redes em termos de desempenho, permitindo ao usuário tomar decisões suportadas pelo instrumento. Nesse sentido, foi realizada a abordagem conceitual em termos de Redes de Sensores Sem Fio, da tendência de padronização para essas redes e de instrumentalização por meio de software. Para a comprovação dos benefícios da adoção da utilização do conceito de instrumentalização de software nessas redes, foi desenvolvida uma rede de sensores utilizando esses conceitos, na qual foi possível avaliar o perfil dos aspectos temporais e da manutenção da qualidade da conexão. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que é possível conhecer, com maiores detalhes, o comportamento da rede, o que melhora a qualidade da tomada de decisão do usuário em relação à sua utilização em aplicações com restrições temporais, nas quais os tempos de resposta envolvidos devem respeitar os limites máximos permitidos. / This thesis aims at the study of software instrumentation handling in terms of wireless sensor networks which is supplemented with the its application in a case study. The instrumentation purposes go towards the networks knowledge extension concerning its performance by allowing the user to make decisions based on software instrument reading. In this sense, a conceptual approach was performed which takes the wireless sensor network into account as well as the trend of standardization for these networks and the software instrumentation itself. In order to confirm the benefits on adopting the usage of software instrumentation concept on these networks, a wireless sensor network was developed using these concepts. In this sense, it was possible to evaluate the timing aspects profile and the link quality maintenance. The results show that is possible to know about the behavior of the network in details. By doing this, the quality of the users decision-making regarding their use in applications with time constraints, in which response time involved should respect the maximum allowable limits, has been improved.

This work is devoted to the issue of monitoring of distributed real-time systems. In particular, it focuses on formal aspects of model-based supervision and problems which are related to it. In its first part, we present the basic properties of two well-known formal models used to model distributed systems: networks of timed automata and time Petri nets. We show that the behavior of these models can be represented with so-called branching processes. We also introduce the key conceptual elements of the supervisory system. The second part of the work is dedicated to the issue of constrained unfoldings which enable us to track causal relationships between events in a distributed system. This type of structure can be used to reproduce processes of the system on the basis of a completely unordered set of previously observed events. Moreover, we show that time constraints imposed on a system and observations submitted to the supervisory system can significantly affect a course of events in the system. We also raise the issue of parameters in time constraints. The proposed methods are illustrated with case studies. The third part of the work deals with the issue of unobservable cyclical behaviors in distributed systems. This type of behaviors leads to an infinite number of events in constrained unfoldings. We explain how we can obtain a finite structure that stores information about all observed events in the system, even if this involves processes that are infinite due to such unobservable loops. The fourth and final part of the work is dedicated to implementation issues of the previously described methods.