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Ontologies for Agents : Theory and Experiences
On the other hand, ontologies have established themselves as a powerful tool to enable kno- edge sharing, and a growing number of applications have bene?ted from the use of ontologies as a means to achieve semantic interoperability among heterogeneous, distributed systems. In principle ontologies and agents are a match made in heaven, that has failed to happen. What makes a simple piece of software an agent is its ability to communicate in a ”social” environment, to make autonomous decisions, and to be proactive on behalf of its user. Communication ultimately depends on und- standing the goals, preferences, and constraints posed by the user. Autonomy is theabilitytoperformataskwithlittleornouserintervention,whileproactiveness involves acting autonomously with no need for user prompting. Communication, but also autonomy and proactiveness, depend on knowledge. The ability to c- municate depends on understanding the syntax (terms and structure) and the semantics of a language. Ontologies provide the terms used to describe a domain and the semantics associated with them. In addition, ontologies are often comp- mented by some logical rules that constrain the meaning assigned to the terms. These constraints are represented by inference rules that can be used by agents to perform the reasoning on which autonomy and proactiveness are based.
Online Storage Systems and Transportation Problems with Applications : Optimization Models and Mathematical Solutions
This books covers the analysis and development of online algorithms involving exact optimization and heuristic techniques, and their application to solve two real life problems. The first problem is concerned with a complex technical system: a special carousel based high-speed storage system - Rotastore. It is shown that this logistic problem leads to an NP-hard Batch PreSorting problem which is not easy to solve optimally in offline situations. The second problem originates in the health sector and leads to a vehicle routing problem. Reasonable solutions for the offline case covering a whole day with a few hundred orders are constructed with a heuristic approach, as well as by simulated annealing. Optimal solutions for typical online instances are computed by an efficient column enumeration approach leading to a set partitioning problem and a set of routing-scheduling subproblems. The latter are solved exactly with a branch-and-bound method which prunes nodes if they are value-dominated by previous found solutions or if they are infeasible with respect to the capacity or temporal constraints.
On the move to meaningful internet systems : OTM 2008 Workshops ; OTM Confederated International Workshops and Posters, ADI, AWeSoMe, COMBEK, EI2N, IWSSA, MONET, OnToContent + QSI, ORM, PerSys, RDDS, SEMELS, and SWWS 2008, Monterrey, Mexico, November 9-14, 2008. Proceedings
This volume constitutes the refereed proceedings of 13 international workshops held as part of OTM 2008 in Monterrey, Mexico, in November 2008.The 106 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 171 submissions to the workshops. The volume starts with 19 additional revised poster papers of the OTM 2008 main conferences CoopIS and ODBASE. Topics of the workshop papers are ambient data integration (ADI 2008), agents and web services merging in distributed environment (AWeSoMe 2008), community-based evolution of knowledge-intensive systems (COMBEK 2008), enterprise integration, interoperability and networking (EI2N 2008), system/software architectures .
Numerical solution of Variational Inequalities by Adaptive Finite Elements
Franz-Theo Suttmeier describes a general approach to a posteriori error estimation and adaptive mesh design for finite element models where the solution is subjected to inequality constraints. This is an extension to variational inequalities of the so-called Dual-Weighted-Residual method (DWR method) which is based on a variational formulation of the problem and uses global duality arguments for deriving weighted a posteriori error estimates with respect to arbitrary functionals of the error. In these estimates local residuals of the computed solution are multiplied by sensitivity factors which are obtained from a numerically computed dual solution. The resulting local error indicators are used in a feed-back process for generating economical meshes which are tailored according to the particular goal of the computation.
Nonlinear Analyses and Algorithms for Speech Processing ; International Conference on Non-Linear Speech Processing, NOLISP 2005, Barcelona, Spain, April 19-22, 2005, Revised Selected Papers
We present in this volume the collection of ?nally accepted papers of NOLISP 2005 conference. It has been the third event in a series of events related to N- linear speech processing, in the framework of the European COST action 277 “Nonlinear speech processing”. Many speci?cs of the speech signal are not well addressed by conv- tional models currently used in the ?eld of speech processing. The purpose of NOLISP is to present and discuss novel ideas, work and results related to alternative techniques for speech processing, which depart from mainstream approaches. With this intention in mind, we provide an open forum for discussion. Alt- nate approaches are appreciated, although the results achieved at present may not clearly surpass results based on state-of-the-art methods. The call for papers was launched at the beginning of 2005, addressing the following domains: 1. Non-Linear Approximation and Estimation 2. Non-Linear Oscillators and Predictors 3. Higher-Order Statistics 4. Independent Component Analysis 5. Nearest Neighbors 6. Neural Networks 7. Decision Trees 8. Non-Parametric Models 9. Dynamics of Non-Linear Systems 10. Fractal Methods 11. Chaos Modeling 12. Non-Linear Di?erential Equations 13. Others All the main ?elds of speech processing are targeted by the workshop, namely: 1. Speech Coding:Thebit rateavailablefor speechsignalsmustbe strictly l- ited in order to accommodate the constraints of the channel resource.
Networked Sensing Information and Control
In recent years, there has been significant interest and advances in developing systematic techniques to synthesize interactive and reconfigurable distributed sensing systems that are capable of performing effective inferencing and control tasks under overall resource constraints. Networked Sensing Information and Control is a collection of papers which present broad trends in the mathematical aspects of networked sensing, information, and control.
National Tax Policy in Europe : To Be or Not to Be?
The book is dedicated to the question of how much room for national tax policy Member States of the European Union will find necessary and possible to maintain in the future. It focuses on the possibilities Member States have and the constraints they face, such as the need to enhance competitiveness and attractiveness to inward foreign direct investment, to finance social programmes and the limitations imposed by European and International Law. The research question is looked at from economic as well as from legal points of view. This comprehensive approach and the answers given will be of interest to scholars and policy makers alike and may guide the path for future tax developments in Europe.
Multirate Statistical Signal Processing
This book introduces a statistical theory for extracting information from signals that have di?erent sampling rates. This new theory generalizes the conventional (deterministic) theory of multirate systems beyond many of its constraints.Furthermore,itallowsfortheformulationofseveralnewproblems such as spectrum estimation, time-delay estimation and sensor fusion in the realm of multirate signal processing. I have arrived at the theory presented here by integrating concepts from diverse areas such as information theory, inverse problems and theory of - equalities. The process of merging a variety of concepts of di?erent origin results in both merits and shortcomings. The former include the fresh and - di?erentiated view of an amateur, providing scope of application. The latter include a lack of in-depth experience in each of the original ?elds. Granted, this may lead to gaps in continuity, however it goes without saying that a complete theory can seldom be achieved by one person and in a short time.
Modern Anesthetics
Some important constraints of anesthesia must be taken into consideration when the pharmacological properties of modern anesthetics are discussed. The most imp- tant of these could be that the target effect be achieved preferably within seconds, at most within a few minutes. Similarly, offset of drug action should be achieved within minutes rather hours. The target effects, such as unconsciousness, are pot- tially life-threatening, as are the side effects of modern anesthetics, such as respi- tory and cardiovascular depression. Finally, the patient’s purposeful responses are not available to guide drug dosage, because, either the patient is unconscious, or more problematically, the patient is aware but unable to communicate pain because of neuromuscular blockade. in this book the very mechanism of anesthetic action at the biophase” was discussed within the theoretical framework of the “u- tary theory of narcosis”.
Modelling in Mathematical Programming : Methodology and Techniques
This book provides basic tools for learning how to model in mathematical programming, from models without much complexity to complex system models. It presents a unique methodology for the building of an integral mathematical model, as well as new techniques that help build under own criteria. It allows readers to structure models from the elements and variables to the constraints, a basic modelling guide for any system with a new scheme of variables, a classification of constraints and also a set of rules to model specifications stated as logical propositions, helping to better understand models already existing in the literature. It also presents the modelling of all possible objectives that may arise in optimization problems regarding the variables values. The book is structured to guide the reader in an orderly manner, learning of the components that the methodology establishes in an optimization problem. The system includes the elements, which are all the actors that participate in the system, decision activities that occur in the system, calculations based on the decision activities, specifications such as regulations, impositions or actions of defined value and objective criterion, which guides the resolution of the system.
Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems ; 11th International Conference, MoDELS 2008, Toulouse, France, September 28 - October 3, 2008. Proceedings
The book also contains three keynote speeches and contributions to workshops, symposia, tutorials and panels at the conference. The papers are organized in topical sections on Model Transformation: Foundations; Requirements Modeling; Domain-Specific Modeling; Model Transformation: Techniques, Composition and Analysis of Behavioral Models; Model Comprehension; Model Management; Behavioral Conformance and Refinement; Metamodeling and Modularity; Constraints; Model Analysis; Service-Oriented Architectures; Adaptive and Autonomic Systems; Empirical Studies; Evolution and Reverse Engineering; Modeling Language Semantics; Dependability Analysis and Testing; Aspect-Oriented Modeling; Structural Modeling;and Embedded Systems.
Mobile Information Systems II ; IFIP Working Conference on Mobile Information Systems, MOBIS 2005, Leeds, UK, December 6-7, 2005
Contains the proceedings of the second IFIP TC8 Working Conference on Mobile Information Systems which was held in December 2005 in Leeds, UK and sponsored by the International Federation of Information Processing (IFIP). Mobile Information Systems II aims to: · Clarify differences and similarities between the development of mobile and more traditional information systems. · Investigate the organizational impact of mobile information systems. · Investigate the 'e to m shift' , for example in m-Commerce relative to e-Commerce. · Investigate mobile commerce applications combined with the advantages of mobile communications technologies, the drivers of which have been identified as ubiquity, accessibility, security, convenience, localization, instant connectivity, and personalization. · Evaluate existing and newly developed approaches for the analysis, design, implementation, and evolution of mobile information systems. · Investigate technical issues and the constraints they impose on mobile information systems functionalities and design.
Mobile Information Systems ; Vol. 158 : IFIP TC 8 Working Conference on Mobile Information Systems (MOBIS) 15-17 September 2004, Oslo, Norway
This book contains the proceedings of the IFIP TC8 Working Conference on Mobile Information Systems, which was held in September 2004 in Oslo, Norway and sponsored by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP). Mobile Information Systems aims to: Clarify differences and similarities between the development of mobile vs. more traditional information system. Investigate the organizational impact of mobile information systems Investigate mCommerce relative to eCommerce Investigate mobile commerce applications combined with the advantages of mobile communications technologies, the drivers of which have been identified as ubiquity, reachability, security, convenience, localization, instant connectivity and personalization. Evaluate existing and newly developed approaches for analysis, design, implementation, and evolution of mobile information systems. Investigate technical issues and the constraints they pose on mobile information systems functionalities and design
Methodology for the Digital Calibration of Analog Circuits and Systems : with Case Studies
Methodology for the Digital Calibration of Analog Circuits and Systems shows how to relax the extreme design constraints in analog circuits, allowing the realization of high-precision systems even with low-performance components. A complete methodology is proposed, and three applications are detailed.
Introduction to data systems : Building from Python
Encompassing a broad range of forms and sources of data, this textbook introduces data systems through a progressive presentation. Introduction to Data Systems covers data acquisition starting with local files, then progresses to data acquired from relational databases, from REST APIs and through web scraping. It teaches data forms/formats from tidy data to relationally defined sets of tables to hierarchical structure like XML and JSON using data models to convey the structure, operations, and constraints of each data form.
Integrated Water Management : Practical Experiences and Case Studies
This book introduced a whole range of specific definitions, objectives and constraints regarding the various aspects of water management, including water quality management, policies, economic aspects, ecology, price, and sustainable development. These issues all require the formulation of common, integrated, sustainable approaches for managing the water system from a multidisciplinary perspective, and the definition of new professional skills, requirements which become even more evident where transboundary areas are concerned.
Information theory and machine learning
The recent successes of machine learning, especially regarding systems based on deep neural networks, have encouraged further research activities and raised a new set of challenges in understanding and designing complex machine learning algorithms. New applications require learning algorithms to be distributed, have transferable learning results, use computation resources efficiently, convergence quickly on online settings, have performance guarantees, satisfy fairness or privacy constraints, incorporate domain knowledge on model structures, etc. A new wave of developments in statistical learning theory and information theory has set out to address these challenges.
Information and self-organization : A macroscopic approach to complex systems
This book presents the concepts needed to deal with self-organizing complex systems from a unifying point of view that uses macroscopic data. The various meanings of the concept "information" are discussed and a general formulation of the maximum information (entropy) principle is used. With the aid of results from synergetics, adequate objective constraints for a large class of self-organizing systems are formulated and examples are given from physics, life and computer science. The relationship to chaos theory is examined and it is further shown that, based on possibly scarce and noisy data, unbiased guesses about processes of complex systems can be made and the underlying deterministic and random forces determined. This allows for probabilistic predictions of processes, with applications to numerous fields in science, technology, medicine and economics. The extensions of the third edition are essentially devoted to an introduction to the meaning of information in the quantum context. Indeed, quantum information science and technology is presently one of the most active fields of research at the interface of physics, technology and information sciences and has already established itself as one of the major future technologies for processing and communicating information on any scale.
Impact of Institutions on Lending : Informal Constraints and Enforcement of Bank Regulation in Mongolia
Chuluunbaatar Enkhzaya examines the "inadequate" behaviour of banks in Mongolia by analysing the institutional framework of the banking system, especially in lending. She focuses on the genesis of informal institutions of lending and their interaction with formal institutions of lending. Herewith, informal institutions such as the attitude to risk were indirectly observed by diagnosing the "action-regulating" knowledge of bankers. In order to ensure an effective allocation of the scarce financial resources of Mongolia the author therefore suggests a change - as simultaneous as possible - of formal and informal rules.
Housing Market Dynamics in Africa
Utilizes new data to thoroughly analyze the main factors currently shaping the African housing market. Some of these factors include the supply and demand for housing finance, land tenure security issues, construction cost conundrum, infrastructure provision, and low-cost housing alternatives. Through detailed analysis, the authors investigate the political economy surrounding the continent’s housing market and the constraints that behind-the-scenes policy makers need to address in their attempts to provide affordable housing for the majority in need. With Africa’s urban population growing rapidly, this study highlights how broad demographic shifts and rapid urbanization are placing enormous pressure on the limited infrastructure in many cities and stretching the economic and social fabric of municipalities to their breaking point. But beyond providing a snapshot of the present conditions of the African housing market, the book offers recommendations and actionable measures for policy makers and other stakeholders on how best to provide affordable housing and alleviate Africa’s housing deficit.
