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Software Engineering Laboratory


/ C. L. Nehaniv / Professor
/ Pal Domosi / Visiting Professor
/ Minetada Osano / Associate Professor
/ M. A. M. Capretz / Assistant Professor

The Software Engineering Laboratory aims to integrate new algebraic and formal techniques with emerging software engineering design methodology in order to solve practical problems of software development and maintenance while making effective use of software tools and engineering practice. The development of software systems is now regarded as among the most complex tasks performed by humankind. The problems due to the scale of this complexity affect the costs and time expended on the construction of software systems. After being built, software systems may be unreliable, difficult to use and, even most seriously, their maintenance and evolution are generally frought with unforeseen costs and peril. These problems, together with ever-increasing demand for software systems, comprise the software crisis. Our work spans the frame from requirements capture, design and specification to software maintenance, re-use and evolution.

Lab members lead the Framework for Advanced Software Techniques Research Group, a cooperative project with the Information Systems Laboratory and others. Part of the research aims to develop maintenance process models in order to create a software maintenance environment to recover higher level documentation of existing software systems to bring them into a CASE database. With this mechanism, existing software systems will benefit from forward engineering tools provided by the CASE environment as they are maintained. Sophisticated mathematical methods in our Algebraic Engineering approach to software systems provide a foundation for the object-oriented paradigm and are now being applied in a variety of settings. Dr. Capretz's COMFORM software maintenance environment has been implemented in prototype form on PC, and we are now applying the algebraic engineering formalism to automatic form manipulation in maintenance system management for further software leverage.

The laboratory conducts the Software Engineering Seminar providing the university community with information on current software engineering research, practice and tools.

In addition to lab members and other University of Aizu faculty speakers in the 1995--96 seminars included distinguished guests: R. Matsuda (Ibaraki National University), K. Hashiguchi (Okayama University), Boris Khesin (Yale University), Bruce Rosen (University of Texas, San Antonio), Thomas S. Ray (ATR Laboratories, Japan), Hugo de Garis (ATR Laboratories, Japan), Zhi-Qiang Liu, (The University of Melbourne, Australia), Masami Ito (Kyoto Sangyo University), and others. We also organized the Artificial Life Group in Aizu (ALGA), the Algebraic and Computation Seminar (together with Prof. J. Rhodes of UC Berkeley), and co-organize the University of AIzu Mathematical Sciences Seminar.

Student research in the lab focused on Computational Morphogenesis, Advanced System Administration, Energy and the Environment, and Genetic Algorithms and Adaptive Systems. Lab members promoted the general university computing environment as experts on various help lists, and through the installation and maintenance of various common-use software. This year the SE lab obtained additionally nine powerful Sparc workstations, five personal computers, various printers and CASE tools.


Refereed Journal Papers

  1. Pal Domosi and C. L. Nehaniv, ``Algebraic Theory of Finite Automata Networks'', Mathematica Japonica, Iternational Plaza, invited paper, to appear, 1998.

  2. Pal Domosi and C. L. Nehaniv, ``On Complete Systems of Automata'', Theoretical Computer Science, to appear, 1998.

  3. Pal Domosi and M. Ito ``Characterization of Languages by Length of their Subwords'', Int. Conf. on Theoret. Comp. Sci., Kunming, August, 1995 In: Proc. Conf., Springer-Verlag, in press, 1998.

  4. P. Dvmvsi & C. Nehaniv, ``On Complete Systems of Automata'', Theoretical Computer Science, , accepted.

  5. P. Dvmvsi & C. L. Nehaniv, ``Algebraic Theory of Finite Automata Networks", Mathematica Japonica, in press.

  6. L. M. Schmitt, C. L. Nehaniv, & R. H. Fujii, ``Linear Analysis of Genetic Algorithms'', Theoretical Computer Science, in press.

Refereed Proceeding Papers

  1. C. Nehaniv & K. Dautenhahn, ``Mapping between Dissimilar Bodies: Affordances and the Algebraic Foundations of Imitation''. In: J. Demiris and A. Birk, eds., Proc. European Workshop on Learning Robots 1998 (EWLR-7), Edinburgh, Scotland - 20 July 1998.

  2. C. Nehaniv & K. Dautenhahn, ``Mapping between Dissimilar Bodies: Affordances and the Algebraic Foundations of Imitation''. (Preliminary version of above paper). In working notes of Agents in Interaction - Acquiring Competence Through Imitation Workshop at Automonous Agents '98 Minneapolis, USA, May 1998.

  3. C. Nehaniv & K. Dautenhahn, ``Embodiment and Memories - Algebras of Time and History for Autobiographic Agents'', In: Robert Trappl, ed., Cybernetics and Systems '98, Proceedings of the 14th European Meeting on Cybernetics and Systems Research Symposium on Embodied Cognition and Artificial Intelligence, Vienna, Austria, 14-17 April 1998. Austrian Society for Cybernetic Studies, volume 2, pp. 651-656, 1998.

  4. K. Dautenhahn & C. L. Nehaniv, ``Artificial Life and Natural Stories'', International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics - AROB III'98, 19-21 January 1998, Beppu, Oita, Japan, volume 2, pp. 435-439, 1998.

  5. C. L. Nehaniv, ``What's Your Story? - Irreversibility, Algebra, Autobiographic Agents''. In: K. Dautenhahn, ed., Socially Intelligent Agents: Papers from the 1997 AAAI Fall Symposium November 1997, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, FS-97-02, American Association for Artificial Intelligence Press, pp. 150-153.

  6. P. Dvmvsi & C. Nehaniv, ``Finite Automata Networks and Products of Automata'', Proceedings of the First Symposium on Algebra, Languages and Computation 30 October-1 November 1997, University of Aizu, Japan, pp. 69-76, 1998.

  7. C. L. Nehaniv & K. Dautenhahn, ``Semigroup Expansions for Autobiographic Agents'', Proceedings of the First Symposium on Algebra, Languages and Computation 30 October-1 November 1997, University of Aizu, Japan, pp. 77-84, 1998.

  8. C. L. Nehaniv, ``Algebraic Models for Understanding: Coordinate Systems and Cognitive Empowerment''. In: J. P. Marsh, C. L. Nehaniv, B. Gorayska, eds., Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Cognitive Technology: Humanizing the Information Age, IEEE Computer Society Press, pp. 147-162, 1997.

  9. P. Dvmvsi & C. Nehaniv. ``Some Results and Problems on Finite Homogeneous Automata Networks'', In: Proc. Japanese Mathematical Society Annual Meeting (JAMS), Workshop on Languages, Computation & Algebras, 27-28 August, 1997, Kobe, Japan, 1998.

  10. C. L. Nehaniv & J. L. Rhodes, ``Krohn-Rhodes Theory, Hierarchies, and Evolution". In: B. Mirkin, F. R. McMorris, F. S. Roberts, and A. Rzhetsky, eds., Mathematical Hierarchies and Biology. DIMACS Series in Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science. Amer. Math. Society, Providence, pp. 29-42, 1997.

Books

  1. C. L. Nehaniv, ed., Mathematical & Computational Biology, Lectures in Life Sciences Series, American Mathematical Society, Providence, Rhode Island, U. S. A., to published 1998.

  2. J. P. Marsh, C. L. Nehaniv, B. Gorayska, editors. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Cognitive Technology, IEEE Computer Society Press, 1997.

  3. T. Imaoka and C. Nehaniv, Editors. Proceedings of the First Symposium on Algebra, Languages and Computation 30 October-1 November 1997, University of Aizu, Japan.

  4. C. L. Nehaniv, ed., Computation for Metaphors, Analogy & Agents, An International Workshop - Aizu, Japan, 6-10 April 1998. Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, Springer Verlag, 1998.

  5. C. L. Nehaniv & Masami Ito, eds., Special Issue on Semigroups & Algebraic Engineering of journal Theoretical Computer Science, Elsevier.

Technical Reports

  1. Chrystopher L. Nehaniv, ed. Late-Breaking Working Papers in Computation for Metaphors, Analogy and Agents. Technical Report, 98-1-006, April 1998, 25pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

  2. Chrystopher L. Nehaniv, ed. Plenary Working Papers in Computation for Metaphors, Analogy and Agents. Technical Report, 98-1-005, April 1998. 85pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

  3. Chrystopher L. Nehaniv, ed. Working Papers in Computation for Metaphors, Analogy and Agents. Technical Report, 98-1-004, April 1998. 95pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

  4. C. Nehaniv and K. Dautenhahn, Algebraic Engineering and Social Robotics. Technical Report, 98-1-003, 27 April 1998, 56 pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

  5. P. Dvmvsi and C. L. Nehaniv, Algebraic Theory of Finite Automata Networks. Technical Report, 98-1-002, February 20, 1998. 31pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

  6. Lothar M. Schmitt, Chrystopher L. Nehaniv and Robert H. Fujii, Linear Analysis of Genetic Algorithms. Technical Report, 97-2-011, November 5, 1997. 36pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

  7. Chrystopher Nehaniv, ed. Mathematical and Computational Biology: Computational Morphogenesis, Hierarchical Complexity, and Digital Evolution. Technical Report, 97-1-010, October 8, 1997. 42pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

  8. Pal Dvmvsi and Chrystopher Nehaniv, On Complete Systems of Automata. Technical Report, 97-1-008, July 9, 1997. 27pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

  9. Chrystopher Nehaniv and John Rhodes, Krohn-Rhodes Theory, Hierarchies, and Evolution. Technical Report, 97-1-002, April 19, 1997. 11pgs. The University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan, 1998.

Grants

  1. C. Nehaniv, 1997-2000: Automata Networks Project, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science,joint project with Pal Dvmvsi, L. Kossuth Univ., Hungary et al.

Academic Activities

  1. C. Nehaniv, 1997-1998: Bioinformatics Project, University of Aizu.

  2. C. Nehaniv, 1996-1998: Algebra & Computation Project, University of Aizu.

  3. C. Nehaniv, Supervised for Undergraduate Thesis of 5 students, Mr. Akira Kamei, Youichiro Kawano, Tetsuya Onnagawa, Kyoji Nagao, Susumu Hirayama.

  4. C. Nehaniv, Workshop Co-Organizer (with Gnter P. Wagner, Yale University), The Right Stuff: Appropriate Mathematics for Evolutionary and Developmental Biology (26 July 1998) at the Sixth International Conference on Artificial Life, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

  5. C. Nehaniv, Program Committee Member, IS-98 A Joint Conference of IEEE International Symposium on Intelligent Control (ISIC), International Symposium on Computational Intelligence in Robotics and Automation (CIRA), Intelligent Systems and Semiotics (ISAS), September 14-17, 1998, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.A.

  6. C. Nehaniv, Program Chair, Computation for Metaphors, Analogy and Agents (CMAA): An International Workshop, 6-10 April 1998, Aizu, Japan.

  7. C. Nehaniv, Discussion Group Co-organizer (with K. Dautenhahn), ``Agent Technology and Human Cognition'', AAAI Fall Symposium on Socially Intelligent Agents, MIT, November 1997.

  8. C. Nehaniv, Program Chair, First Symposium on Algebra, Languages & Computation (ALC'97), 30 October - 1 November 1997, Aizu, Japan. ALC is the successor to the internationally known, annual Japanese meeting entitled Semigroups, Languages and Their Related Areas held 20 times and with proceedings reviewed by Mathematical Reviews.

  9. C. Nehaniv, Program Chair, International Workshop on Mathematical & Computational Biology Workshop: Computational Morphogenesis, Hierarchical Complexity & Digital Evolution (MCB'97), 21-25 October 1997, Aizu, Japan.

  10. C. Nehaniv, Panelist at MCB'97 on ``Is There Something Wrong with the Mathematics of Morphogenesis and Evolutionary Biology?''.

  11. C. Nehaniv, Program Committee Member, Intelligent Systems & Semiotics: A Learning Perspective (ISAS'97), Discussion Co-organizer: Evolution of Semiotic Systems, Workshop Co-organizer: Architecture of Intelligent Systems, Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.A., 22-25 September 1997.

  12. C. Nehaniv, Invited One-day Tutorial: `Hierarchical Modelling and Understanding via Algebraic Automata Theory', National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Gaithersburg, Maryland, September 22, 1997.

  13. C. Nehaniv, Local Organizing Chair, Proceedings Co-Editor, and Program Committee Member, Second International Conference on Cognitive Technology: Humanizing the Information Age, Aizu, Japan, 25-28 August 1997.

  14. C. Nehaniv, Program Committee Member, International Congress in Algebras and Combinatorics, 19-23 August 1997, Hong Kong.

  15. C. Nehaniv, Referee for journal Theoretical Computer Science,

  16. C. Nehaniv, Referee for journal Information Sciences,

  17. C. Nehaniv, Referee for journal Semigroup Forum,

  18. C. Nehaniv, Referee for journal Journal of Pure & Applied Algebra,

  19. C. Nehaniv, Referee for journal Applied Artificial Intelligence,

  20. C. Nehaniv, Reviewer for Mathematical Reviews,

  21. C. Nehaniv, Referee for journal Physica D

  22. C. Nehaniv, Referee for journal Adaptive Behavior

Others

  1. C. Nehaniv, 1990- Nominee Member of the American Mathematical Society (AMS).

  2. C. Nehaniv, 1994- Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): IEEE Computer Society, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics Society.

  3. C. Nehaniv, 1994- Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

  4. C. Nehaniv, 1996- Member of the Society for Mathematical Biology (SMB).

  5. C. Nehaniv, 1996- Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

  6. C. Nehaniv, 1997- Member of the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB).



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December 1998