Murat M. Tanik

Transformation of higher education: the transdisciplinary approach in engineering

Educational programs face many difficulties because of the rapid change of technology in todays environment. The potential for educational programs based on the transdisciplinary model is discussed in order to address and overcome these difficulties. A closer relationship with industry in developing educational programs is suggested. Finally, a new transdisciplinary master of engineering program, developed jointly by industry and the Institute for Design and Advanced Technology at Texas Tech University, is described.

Different perspectives of the N-Queens problem

The N-Queens problem is a commonly used example in computer science. There are numerous approaches proposed to solve the problem. We introduce several definitions of the problem, and review some of the algorithms. We classify the algorithms for the N-Queens problem into 3 categories. The first category comprises the algorithms generating all the solutions for a given N. The algorithms in the second category are desinged to generate only the fundamental solutions [34]. The algorithms in the last category generate only one or several solutions but not necessarily all of them.

A Meta-Composite Software Development Approach for Translational Research

Translational researchers conduct research in a highly data-intensive and continuously changing environment and need to use multiple, disparate tools to achieve their goals. These researchers would greatly benefit from meta-composite software development or the ability to continuously compose and recompose tools together in response to their ever-changing needs. However, the available tools are largely disconnected, and current software approaches are inefficient and ineffective in their support for meta-composite software development. Building on the composite services development approach, the de facto standard for developing integrated software systems, we propose a concept-map and agent-based meta-composite software development approach. A crucial step in composite services development is the modeling of users’ needs as processes, which can then be specified in an executable format for system composition. We have two key innovations. First, our approach allows researchers (who understand their needs best) instead of technicians to take a leadership role in the development of process models, reducing inefficiencies and errors. A second innovation is that our approach also allows for modeling of complex user interactions as part of the process, overcoming the technical limitations of current tools. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach using a real-world translational research use case. We also present results of usability studies evaluating our approach for future refinements.

Languages for the specification of software

Abstract A variety of specification languages exist that support one or more phases of software development. This article emphasizes languages that support the functional phase, i.e., languages that can be used to define the observable behavior of a system. The languages surveyed include Z, Prolog, SF, Clear, Larch, PAISLey, Spec, CSP, SEGRAS and BagL. The article divides the languages into four major categories based on the way the language specifies the external behavior of the system and on the ability of the language to specify concurrent systems. Each language section includes a discussion of the constructs of the language, a specification of a problem in the language, and an evaluation of the language. The article is intended to acquaint the reader with a wide range of functional specification languages.

A System for Building Clinical Research Applications using Semantic Web-Based Approach

In this paper we present a system using Semantic Web by which applications can be effectively constructed for clinical research purposes. We are aware of the immense difficulties and variations involved in clinical research applications. With a purpose of mitigating some of these difficulties in the process of developing clinical research applications we are presenting an approach for building information systems based on Semantic Web. We have developed a working prototype using C-Map tools leveraging the underlying principles of Abstract Software Design Framework to convert domain knowledge into machine-actable information.

High-Level fusion for intelligence applications using Recombinant Cognition Synthesis

Intelligence applications exploit heterogeneous data using High-Level fusion systems to gain information superiority. Whereas Low-Level fusion systems have well established frameworks, High-Level fusion has not yet achieved the same level of maturity. Most High-Level systems implement specialized algorithms that yield useful results, albeit for a very narrow input space, and are characterized by stove-pipe architectures and a fragmented workflow. Recombinant Cognition Synthesis bridges the implementation gap of existing fusion models by defining a comprehensive framework of semantic, temporal, and geospatial enablers comprising the primitives, functions, and models, which through a recombinant workflow, maximize the data exploitation value-chain. This paper presents a methodology and the underlying architectural components necessary to implement a unified High-Level fusion intelligence application, followed by a case study that demonstrates the resulting improvements in knowledge discovery and predictive accuracy.

An overview of statistical decomposition techniques applied to complex systems

The current state of the art in applied decomposition techniques is summarized within a comparative uniform framework. These techniques are classified by the parametric or information theoretic approaches they adopt. An underlying structural model common to all parametric approaches is outlined. The nature and premises of a typical information theoretic approach are stressed. Some possible application patterns for an information theoretic approach are illustrated. Composition is distinguished from decomposition by pointing out that the former is not a simple reversal of the latter. From the standpoint of application to complex systems, a general evaluation is provided.

Sharing information and data across heterogeneous e-health systems

Information and data sharing across heterogeneous e-health systems, focusing on the management of patient care, have become the backbone of modern delivery of sustainable telemedicine services. Information and data available to healthcare practitioners in such environments range from patients medical records, stored in repositories at places where patients have been treated, to a variety of information related to medical research, pharmaceutical products, or information stored within social networks of healthcare interest groups. This study sought to demonstrate two different approaches enabling the sharing of information/data across heterogeneous e-health systems: (1) Context-Aware Data Retrieval Architecture (CADRA), which secures the extraction and presentation of e-health information to users in requested format, and (2) Generic Ontology for Context Aware, Interoperable, and Data Sharing (Go-CID) software applications, which secure semantic interoperation across heterogeneous e-health data sources. Proof-of-concept was demonstrated in both cases, CADRA and Go-CID, to achieve understanding and building of knowledge about e-health environments. This study invites practical solutions for interoperable e-health systems.

Development of a Point-of-Care HIV/Aids Medication Dosing Support System Using the Android Mobile Platform

Medication dosing errors can greatly reduce HIV treatment effectiveness as incorrect dosing leads to drug resistance and non-adherence. In order to dose correctly, HIV therapy providers must balance several patient characteristics such as renal functions and weight. In developing countries and other resource-limited settings, dosing errors are more likely because treatment is provided by mid-level providers with only basic training in HIV therapy. These providers also typically lack electronic tools informing medical decisions. Widespread adoption of mobile phones in developing nations offers an opportunity to implement a point-of-care system to help providers reduce dosing errors. We discuss the development of the mHIV-Dr system prototype using the new Android mobile platform. mHIV-Dr is being designed to provide dosing recommendations for front-line providers in developing countries. We also discuss the additional challenges in the implementation of the mHIV-Dr system in a resource limited setting.

Using an agile software development methodology for a complex problem domain

Software development for complex problem domains is a difficult undertaking with challenges to successful outcomes. Complex problem domains exhibit volatility, interactions, and unpredictability that place high demands on the creation of a software solution. For this type of problem, the process used to create the software solution, in addition to meeting the goal of the solution, needs to produce a solution that can handle the effects of complexity in the problem domain. This paper examines forces that a complex problem domain places on the development of a software solution and how the software development process can affect the software product in relation to those forces. It focuses on how the practices of an agile software development methodology, in particular the Extreme Programming Methodology, embraces change and has practices that implicitly affect the design and implementation to meet the needs of software solutions for complex problem domains.