Shushma Patel

A layered reference model of the brain

Based on the advances of research in cognitive informatics and related fields, this paper attempts to develop a layered reference model of the brain that explains the functional mechanisms and cognitive processes of the natural intelligence. A variety of life functions and cognitive processes have been identified in cognitive informatics, cognitive science, neuropsychology, and neurophilosophy. In order to formally and rigorously describe a comprehensive and coherent set of mental processes and their relationships, an integrated reference model of the brain is established, which encompasses 37 cognitive processes at six layers known as the sensation, memory, perception, action, meta and higher cognitive layers from bottom up. The reference model of the brain may be applied to explain a wide range of physiological, psychological, and cognitive phenomena in cognitive informatics, particularly relationships between the inherited and the acquired life functions, as well as the subconscious and conscious cognitive processes.

Exploring the Cognitive Foundations of Software Engineering

It is recognized that software is a unique abstract artifact that does not obey any known physical laws. For software engineering to become a matured engineering discipline like others, it must establish its own theoretical framework and laws, which are perceived to be mainly relied on cognitive informatics and denotational mathematics, supplementing to computing science, information science, and formal linguistics. This paper analyzes the basic properties of software and seeks the cognitive informatics foundations of software engineering. The nature of software is characterized by its informatics, behavioral, mathematical, and cognitive properties. The cognitive informatics foundations of software engineering are explored on the basis of the informatics laws of software and software engineering psychology. A set of fundamental cognitive constraints of software engineering, such as intangibility, complexity, indeterminacy, diversity, polymorphism, inexpressiveness, inexplicit embodiment, and unquantifiable quality measures, is identified. The conservative productivity of software is revealed based on the constraints of human cognitive capacity. [Article copies are available for purchase from InfoSci-on-Demand.com]

The Cognitive Process and Formal Models of Human Attentions

Attention is a complex mental function of humans in order to capture and serve the basic senses of vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste, as well as internal motivations and perceptions. This paper presents a formal model and a cognitive process for rigorously explaining human attentions. Cognitive foundations of attentions and their relationships with consciousness and other perception processes are explored. The closed loop of attentions is identified that encompasses event capture and behavior reaction. Events for attention are classified into the categories of external stimuli and internal motivations. Behaviors as corresponding responses of attentions encompass recurrent, temporary, and reflex actions. Mathematical models of attentions are created as a foundation for rigorously describing the cognitive process of attentions in denotational mathematics. A wide range of applications of the unified attention model are identified in cognitive informatics, cognitive computing, and computational intelligence toward the mimic and simulation of human attention and perception in cognitive computers, cognitive robotics, and cognitive systems. The Cognitive Process and Formal Models of Human Attentions

On coping with real-time software dynamic inconsistency by built-in tests

In real-time systems, dynamic inconsistencies of software are hardly detected, diagnosed and handled. A built-in test (BIT) method is developed to cope with software dynamic inconsistency. BIT is defined as a new kind of software testing which is explicitly described in object-oriented source code as member functions. BITs can be activated at any designed moment at run-time to detect, diagnose and handle software dynamic inconsistencies. This paper develops a new approach to cope with software dynamic inconsistencies at run-time by BITs. In this paper, the concept of BITs is introduced. The standard structures which incorporate BITs into conventional object-oriented software are analysed. Reuse methodologies for BITs in OO software are developed at object and system levels. A case study is provided for showing how to create BIT and how to inherit and reuse BITs in OO programming. Methods for incorporating BITs into OO software at object, class and system levels are provided. An approach to dynamic inconsistency control by BITs is developed.

Inter-enterprise architecture as a tool to empower decision-making in hierarchical collaborative production planning

The novel idea of inter-enterprise architecture from the enterprise engineering perspective allows collaborative networks to integrate and coordinate different organizations. Therefore, inter-enterprise architecture offers multiple benefits, including: joint process harmonization, business strategy and information technology alignment, technological cost reduction, risk and redundancies reduction, customer services improvement and enhanced responsiveness. Inter-enterprise architecture can be used to solve the different issues that collaborative networks face on a daily basis. A conceptual model that addresses the problem of unexpected events management in the context of hierarchical production planning to improve decision-making in collaborative environments is proposed using inter-enterprise architecture. The proposed conceptual model is composed of a framework, a modeling language and the methodology. The conceptual model has been applied to a Spanish collaborative network from the ceramic tile sector.

Assessing and augmenting SCADA cyber security: A survey of techniques

SCADA systems monitor and control critical infrastructures of national importance such as power generation and distribution, water supply, transportation networks, and manufacturing facilities. The pervasiveness, miniaturisations and declining costs of internet connectivity have transformed these systems from strictly isolated to highly interconnected networks. The connectivity provides immense benefits such as reliability, scalability and remote connectivity, but at the same time exposes an otherwise isolated and secure system, to global cyber security threats. This inevitable transformation to highly connected systems thus necessitates effective security safeguards to be in place as any compromise or downtime of SCADA systems can have severe economic, safety and security ramifications. One way to ensure vital asset protection is to adopt a viewpoint similar to an attacker to determine weaknesses and loopholes in defences. Such mind sets help to identify and fix potential breaches before their exploitation. This paper surveys tools and techniques to uncover SCADA system vulnerabilities. A comprehensive review of the selected approaches is provided along with their applicability.

On built-in tests and reuse in object-oriented programming

Built-in test (BIT) is defined as a new kind of software test which is explicitly described in the source code of software as member functions. Software with BITs has two operation modes: normal mode for execution and test mode for debugging, testing and maintenance. The BITs are stand-by in normal mode and can be activated at test mode. In this paper, the concept of BITs is introduced, and standard structures which incorporate the BITs into the conventional object-oriented soltware (OOS) are provided. Reuse methodologies for the BITs in OOS are developed at object

The cognitive process of problem solving: A soft systems approach

In this paper we describe the nature and problems of business and define one aspect of the business environment. We then propose a framework based on augmented soft systems methodology and object technology that captures both the soft and hard aspects of a business environment within the context of organisational culture. We also briefly discuss cognitive informatics and its relevance to understanding problems and solutions. Pólyas work, which is based around solving mathematical problems, is considered within the context of information systems development. We propose a generic reusable business object model based on general systems theory. We also show how these approaches can be integrated to provide a strategy for understanding business problems and developing integrated solutions.

Review of Knowledge Sharing: Conceptual Foundations for Micro-level Knowledge Sharing and Readiness-for Change Related Behaviours

In the organisational change and knowledge sharing literature, recognition of high failures of change efforts is said to be associated to the organisations lack of understanding of how to manage readiness for change. In this paper, the case for change readiness is invoked by a need for further explanation of micro level foundations. A survey of 105 scholarly academic journals in the area of knowledge sharing research from 1994 to 2009 with keywords salient to knowledge sharing studies was conducted to explore current thinking about organisational change issues. The findings reveal that there is yet no well-established method or clear conceptual definition to exploring the phenomena of change for knowledge sharing on both individual and organisational levels. Based on the literature survey a model is proposed to integrate the relevant themes that influence knowledge readiness. A discussion is presented, demonstrating future directions towards knowledge sharing for micro-level knowledge sharing and readiness for change related behaviours.

Understanding problems and problem situations - a systems approach

In this paper we initially describe the nature and problems of business and define the office environment as one aspect of the business environment. We then propose a framework based on augmented soft systems methodology that captures both the soft and hard aspects of an office environment. We briefly outline a knowledge-based software tool that supports this framework.