Sep 2026· Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Abstract
This paper studies when a reinforcement-learning system should acquire additional information before acting. It introduces causal observability: a finite criterion for whether an observation regime preserves the intervention-relevant distinctions needed for a declared decision. The central result shows that observation refinement has strictly greater sequential control value when a coarse observation aliases cases requiring incompatible continuation-optimal actions, and it yields a cost-sensitive rule for deciding when refinement is worthwhile. The paper formalizes this criterion in Lean and evaluates its one-step decision projection on controlled partially observable structural causal models, with MiniGrid used as an external protocol check.
The results indicate that software engineering work practices are chosen opportunistically, adapted and configured to provide value under the constrains imposed by the startup context.
Nicolò Paternoster, Carmine Giardino, M. Unterkalmsteiner et al.· Information and Software Tec...· 394 citations· ⚡54
This state-of-practice investigation was performed using a literature review followed by a multiple-case study approach and presents how inconsistency between managerial strategies and execution can lead to failure by means of a behavioral framework.
Carmine Giardino, Xiaofeng Wang, P. Abrahamsson· International Conference on...· 175 citations· ⚡19
This study conducts a case survey study based on the secondary data of the major pivots happened in 49 software startups, and demonstrates that customer need pivot is the most common among all pivot types.
Sohaib Shahid Bajwa, Xiaofeng Wang, Anh Nguyen-Duc et al.· Empirical Software Engineeri...· 127 citations· ⚡15
It is found that roles of MVPs in startups were not fully aware by entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs should consider a systematic approach to fully explore the value of MVP, as a multiple facet product (MFP).
Anh Nguyen-Duc, P. Abrahamsson· International Conference on...· 93 citations· ⚡9
It is found that what perceived as biggest challenges by software startups do vary across different life cycle stages, even though its significance decreases when the learning focuses of the startups move from problem to solution and their products mature.
Xiaofeng Wang, Henry Edison, Sohaib Shahid Bajwa et al.· International Conference on...· 62 citations· ⚡6
A comprehensive overview of how enhanced sampling methods are reshaping the field, with a particular focus on the data-driven construction of collective variables, is provided.
Kai Zhu, Enrico Trizio, Jintu Zhang et al.· Chemical Reviews· 58 citations
A weeklong summer workshop brought higher education faculty to campus to explore how AI and machine learning materials can be adapted for their classrooms.
