Program, complexity, and system when evaluating sustainable development

In light of the challenges of the Anthropocene, it is common today for evaluators to propose a systems rather than a program perspective. A program perspective is reproached for its simplicity and linearity, while the systems perspective is praised for its ability to account for complexity and emergence. This article argues that even before the systems perspective appeared on the horizon, the story of program evaluation had been characterized by a confrontation between “simplifiers” and “complexifiers.” It enquires into the lessons that the complexifiers of the evaluation of programs have handed on to evaluators who are facing the current challenges of sustainable development. On the other hand, when analyzing what a systems perspective contributes, the article is alert to the risk that a “holistic” view may ignore lessons complexifiers have to offer. This argument is supported by considering the way in which a systems perspective is understood in the practice of evaluation. Conclusions invite readers to overcome a misleading opposition between the two perspectives and indicate possible cross-fertilization across different units of analysis and approaches.

Dynaplex: analyzing program complexity using dynamically inferred recurrence relations

Being able to detect program runtime complexity is useful in many tasks (e.g., checking expected performance and identifying potential security vulnerabilities). In this work, we introduce a new dynamic approach for inferring the asymptotic complexity bounds of recursive programs. From program execution traces, we learn recurrence relations and solve them using pattern matching to obtain closed-form solutions representing the complexity bounds of the program. This approach allows us to efficiently infer simple recurrence relations that represent nontrivial, potentially nonlinear polynomial and non-polynomial, complexity bounds. We present Dynaplex, a tool that implements these ideas to automatically generate recurrence relations from execution traces. Our preliminary results on popular and challenging recursive programs show that Dynaplex can learn precise relations capturing worst-case complexity bounds (e.g., O ( n log n ) for mergesort, O (2 n ) for Tower of Hanoi and O ( n 1.58 ) for Karatsuba’s multiplication algorithm).

Assessing the Impact of Public Policy on Homicide Rates in Brazil: The Case of PRONASCI Program

The current study evaluates the impact of the National Public Security with Citizenship Program (PRONASCI) on the homicide rate in Brazilian municipalities. PRONASCI program was implemented in Brazilian metropolitan regions and urban territories with high violent crime rates in 2007. In this study, we have applied a spatial difference-in-differences model with matching approaches. Municipalities that did not receive funds from the program made up the control group. We found that the program was inefficient to reduce the homicide rate in all of the municipalities that had received funds from it, compared to those that had not, even considering their potential spatial spillover effects. This result was expected due to the program complexity, in particular due to its ineffective management and the resistance from municipalities to change with the program.

Identification of the Program Text and Algorithm Correspondence Based on the Control Graph Constructive-Synthesizing Model

Purpose.The main article purpose is to develop and implement the method for identifying the correspondence between the text and the program algorithm represented in the form of a flowchart. As part of the method work conversion of the input data in the graph representation is performed by means of constructive-synthesizing modelling. Methodology. To compare the program text and flowchart, we constructed a mathematical model for converting the program code into a graphical representation on the basis of control structures. To build the model, the apparatus of constructive-synthesizing modeling and its methods were used: specialization, concretization, interpretation and implementation. The graph representation of the text is created taking into account the control operators; the flowcharts are created using a json file containing the description of the diagram elements and their links. To compare the graphs we use the breadth-first search algorithm with the number of identical vertices being counted. To obtain the software implementation of the developed method and models we used the technology of object-oriented programming and CASE-technologies, which are based on the unified modeling language UML. Findings A method is proposed to present the text and the flowchart of the program in a uniform format of the directed graph (control graph) and to evaluate their correspondence by the number of identical vertices. For its formalization and automated usage, we developed constructive-synthesizing models of input data transformers. The program application was developed based on the models and the method. Originality. The methods of constructive-synthesizing modeling in the tasks of processing texts written in artificial languages were further developed. We developed the system of constructors, which transforms text program in C++ into a control graph. Practical value. The results are significant for solving such tasks as assembling program texts for borrowings detection, determining the correspondence of the program algorithms and their software implementations to improve coding skills. The graph representation produced by the developed system of constructors can be used for investigation of influence of optimization and code refactoring on the program complexity using McCabe's metrics.

Adaptive Capacities and Complexity of Heart Rate Variability in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Throughout Pulmonary Rehabilitation

IntroductionThe complexity of bio-signals, like R-R intervals, is considered a reflection of the organism’s capacity to adapt. However, this association still remains to be consolidated. We investigated whether the complexity of R-R intervals at rest and during perturbation [6-minute walking test (6MWT)], yielded information regarding adaptive capacities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients during pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).MethodsIn total, 23 COPD patients (64 ± 8 years, with forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 55 ± 19% predicted) were tested three times at the start (T1), middle (T2), and end (T3) of 4 weeks PR. Each time, R-R intervals were measured at rest and during 6MWT. The complexity of R-R intervals was assessed by evenly spaced Detrended Fluctuations Analysis and evaluated by the fractal exponent α and deviation from maximal complexity |1-α|.ResultsThe 6MWT distance was significantly increased at T2 and T3 compared to T1. Neither α nor |1-α| at rest and during perturbation significantly changed throughout PR, nor were they consistently associated with 6MWT distances at each time. Throughout the PR program, complexity during the 6MWT was significantly lower compared to the rest. The level of α during 6MWT at T1 was positively correlated with the improvement of the 6MWT distance throughout the PR program.DiscussionReduced complexity in COPD patients during acute perturbation at the beginning of PR supports a decreased improvement of the 6MWT distance throughout PR. This result seems consistent with the notion that the complexity reflects the patients’ adaptive capacities and could therefore become a clinical indicator in an applied perspective.

Fuzzy-Based Microservice Resource Management Platform for Edge Computing in the Internet of Things

Edge computing exhibits the advantages of real-time operation, low latency, and low network cost. It has become a key technology for realizing smart Internet of Things applications. Microservices are being used by an increasing number of edge computing networks because of their sufficiently small code, reduced program complexity, and flexible deployment. However, edge computing has more limited resources than cloud computing, and thus edge computing networks have higher requirements for the overall resource scheduling of running microservices. Accordingly, the resource management of microservice applications in edge computing networks is a crucial issue. In this study, we developed and implemented a microservice resource management platform for edge computing networks. We designed a fuzzy-based microservice computing resource scaling (FMCRS) algorithm that can dynamically control the resource expansion scale of microservices. We proposed and implemented two microservice resource expansion methods based on the resource usage of edge network computing nodes. We conducted the experimental analysis in six scenarios and the experimental results proved that the designed microservice resource management platform can reduce the response time for microservice resource adjustments and dynamically expand microservices horizontally and vertically. Compared with other state-of-the-art microservice resource management methods, FMCRS can reduce sudden surges in overall network resource allocation, and thus, it is more suitable for the edge computing microservice management environment.

A comparative analysis of hazard-prone housing acquisition programs in US and New Zealand communities

This article describes the preliminary results of an international comparative assessment of hazard-prone housing acquisition programs (buyouts) undertaken in six US and New Zealand communities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with government officials and consultants tasked with administering buyout programs following flood, debris flow, and earthquake-based disasters. Key issues analyzed include local capacity, public participation, planning and design, program complexity, funding and financial management, and lesson drawing. The findings are timely given the rise in disaster-related losses, buyouts are increasingly cited as a strategy to reduce natural hazard risk and advance climate change adaptation, and national buyout programs are evolving in both countries to tackle the challenges associated with this complex process.

Evaluating the Learnability of ERP Software in Universities

The technological innovation depends on learnability of the software used in terms of user interface design, program complexity of products that match the end user requirements, program complexity deals with commands used in the given ERP software, and training needs so that the ERP user can learn all required features and commands. Learnability signifies how quickly and comfortably a new user can begin efficient and error-free interaction. The main purpose of this chapter is to evaluate software learnability and performance of ERP software. Primary data was collected using survey through the use of questionnaires. Purposive sampling was used to collect data. The collected data focused on the software complexity, user interfaces analysis, ERP performance, challenges, efficiency, and training needs of ERP. Data analysis was done by inferential and descriptive statistics. The results indicated that there exists a positive and statistically significant relationship between the variables used.

2097. Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Missouri Hospitals: Facilitators, Barriers, and Complexity of Implementation

Background Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) in acute care hospitals reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and attendant complications. In the state of Missouri, all hospitals are required to have an ASP. Additionally, the Joint Commission mandates ASP implementation for accreditation based on core elements defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). No studies have evaluated the uptake of ASP since the Missouri state law and Joint Commission mandate. Furthermore, data are limited examining barriers to implementation across hospitals with variable resources. We evaluated ASP uptake across Missouri hospitals, assessed differences in program complexity, and identified facilitators and barriers to implementation. Methods A 94-question survey was administered electronically in the spring of 2019 to 130 Missouri hospitals. Information was collected regarding implementation details of CDC-defined ASP core elements and tools used to overcome implementation barriers. Results were self-reported by the stewardship pharmacist, the director of pharmacy, or the person most familiar with antimicrobial stewardship if the former were not available. Results Preliminary results have been collected from 37 hospitals ranging in size from 15 to 1303 beds (IQR: 54, 274). 16% were critical access hospitals. 54% of hospitals had ASPs adherent to all 7 CDC core elements. Another 27% had implemented 6 of the core elements, with all of those reporting that they lacked a single pharmacist leader. All facilities had implemented at least some measures to improve antibiotic use, ranging from 4 to 13 measures. 45% of programs used state-based antimicrobial stewardship collaboratives, and 52% of those found such programs to be “very” or “extremely” useful. Conclusion All hospitals surveyed are performing ASP activities in concordance with Missouri state law. However, only half contain the 7 core elements required by the Joint Commission. Furthermore, ASP implementation and activities vary widely. While physician leadership was commonly defined, appropriate pharmacist support was frequently lacking. State-based collaboratives are the most widely used resource, and at least half who use them find them to be helpful. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.