A preference processing model for cooperative agents

When multiple valid solutions are available to a problem, preferences can be used to indicate a choice. In a distributed system, such a preference-based solution can be produced autonomous agents cooperating together, but the attempt will lead to contention if the same resource is given preference by several user-agents. To resolve such contentions, this paper proposes a market-based payment scheme for selling and buying preferences by the contenders, in which the best solution is defined as the one where as many preferences as theoretically possible are globally met. After exploring the nature of preference, the paper develops a preference processing model based on the market based scheme, and presents a theoretical performance model to verify the correctness of the processing model. This verification is provided by a simulation study of the processing model. For the simulation study, a manufacturing environment is conjectured, where a set of tasks are resolved into subtasks by coordinator agents, and then these subtasks are allocated to assembler agents through cooperation and negotiation, in which preferred resources are exchanged against payments. The study shows that our agent based strategy not only produces convergence on the total preference value for the whole system, but also reaches that final value irrespective of the initial orderof subtask allocation to the assemblers.     

多模态情绪识别研究综述

本文针对多模态情绪识别这一新兴领域进行综述。首先从情绪描述模型及情绪诱发方式两个方面对情绪识别的研究基础进行了综述。接着针对多模态情绪识别中的信息融合这一重难点问题,从数据级融合、特征级融合、决策级融合、模型级融合4种融合层次下的主流高效信息融合策略进行了介绍。然后从多种行为表现模态混合、多神经生理模态混合、神经生理与行为表现模态混合这3个角度分别列举具有代表性的多模态混合实例,全面合理地论证了多模态相较于单模态更具情绪区分能力和情绪表征能力,同时对多模态情绪识别方法转为工程技术应用提出了一些思考。最后立足于情绪识别研究现状的分析和把握,对改善和提升情绪识别模型性能的方式和策略进行了深入的探讨与展望。     

A model of emotion and computer abuse

Internal computer abuse has received considerable research attention as a significant source of IS security incidents in organizations. We examine the effects of both organizational and individual factors on individuals’ computer abuse intent. A theoretical model is developed based on two theories: abuse opportunity structure and emotion process. We empirically tested the model with 205 working professionals. We found that the abuse opportunity structure in organizations affects an individual's goal conduciveness, which in turn affects their abuse-positive affect. We also found that morality affects the abuse-positive affect, which in turn mediates the relationship between morality and abuse intent.     

A cooperative universal data model platform for the data-centric electronic system-level design

The rapidly increasing complexity of integrated circuit design is evolving to a more data-centric design scenario that supports sharing of design information. This paper presents the universal data model platform (UDMP) which introduce the data-centric design revolution into the electronic system-level (ESL) design to support better cooperation of design individuals. UDMP provides (1) a set of universal data models to help both university researches and industry, and (2) an application programming interface (API) based mechanism for data exchanging to eliminate the inefficiency of traditional low-bandwidth formatted files. Thereby the cooperative work of ESL design and the efficiency of design iteration can be improved. As primary experiments, we apply the concepts of UDMP to two case studies. The heterogeneous graph modeling demonstrates how UDMP unifies the similar graph models in a flexible way, and the simplification of an interface synthesis flow which consists three individual algorithms obtains a running time reduction by about 10% for selected designs.     

A multi-server queueing model with retrial connection arrivals as a model for optimisation of the traffic control

We consider a multi-server queueing model with a finite buffer and requests arriving in connections. The number of requests in a connection is random and unknown at the connection initiation instant. Requests, which belong to the connection, arrive in accordance with a Poisson process. Admission of connections to the system is regulated by means of so-called tokens. The pool of tokens is finite. If a connection arrives and there are no tokens available, it leaves the system forever or joins the orbit and retries for access later on. The steady-state distribution of the system is analysed. The problem of the throughput maximisation under the constraint that the request loss probability does not exceed a predefined value is numerically solved. The effect of the retrial intensity, correlation and variation in the arrival process and the probability to leave the system if tokens are not available is numerically highlighted.     

一种基于词序的社会情感演变分析模型

提出了一种基于词序的社会情感演变分析模型(BTMESE),模型通过引入文档中词与词之间的前后关联性,以期有效地揭示时间、文本、情感三种信息之间的潜在联系,进而追踪社会情感演变趋势,进一步提高情感分析的准确率。该模型可应用于情感预测、时间预测等领域。通过在真实世界的数据集上进行验证,结果证明该模型简单有效,能够较好地进行社会情感分析。     

The species fitness method for the evolution of cooperative behavior in a group task

This paper considers the evolution of cooperative behaviors as the interaction among agents using a genetic algorithm to improve the performance of the task in a group (group performance). Previous research often usedthe group fitness method, which evaluates group performance for the evolution of multiple groups in parallel. However, this entails large simulation costs and the evolution speed is slow.The individual fitness method that evaluates theindividual performance of the task entails a smaller simulation cost. However, it can not improve the group performance since each agent behaves selfishly. To optimize the group performance, it is important to include bothcompetition andsharing. Therefore, this paper presentsthe species fitness method, which shares the individual performances of agents belonging to the same species in a group that all have the same chromosomes. We show comparative experiments on these three methods on the evolutionary simulation of a foraging task in a group. To test the interaction among the agents, four kinds of species are evolved which show their communication ability by demonstrating whether the agent can send or receive the signal for food. Experimental results show that evaluating the species variance fitness leads the agents into reciprocative actions. This work was presented, in part, at the Third International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 19–21, 1998     

A combination model for orientation field of fingerprints

Orientation field is a global feature of fingerprints that is very important in automatic fingerprint identification systems (AFIS). Establishing an accurate and concise model for orientation fields will not only improve the performance of orientation estimation, but also make it feasible to apply orientation information in the matching process. In this paper, a novel model for the orientation field of fingerprints is proposed. We use a polynomial model to approximate the orientation field globally and a point-charge model at each singular point to improve the approximation locally. These two models are combined together by a weight function. Experimental results are provided to illustrate the fact that this combination model is more accurate and robust with respect to noise compared with the previous works. The application of the model is discussed at the end.     

A backstepping design for directed formation control of three‐coleader agents in the plane

This paper deals with a directed formation control problem of three agents moving in the plane, where the agents have a cyclic ordering with each one required to maintain a nominated distance from its neighbor, and each agent is described by a double integrator. Firstly, a directed formation control law based on the knowledge only of the neighbor's direction is designed by using the integrator backstepping technique, which can not only accomplish the desired triangle formation but also ensure that speeds of all agents converge to a common value without collision between each other during the motion. Then, with the purpose of relaxing and even overcoming the restriction of initial conditions of the agents owing to collision avoidance, we introduce the inter‐agent potential functions into the design. The convergence of the proposed control algorithms is proved by using tools from LaSalle's invariance principle. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the control laws. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comprehensive evaluation of the methods for evolving a cooperative team

This article focuses on the techniques of evolutionary computation for generating players performing tasks cooperatively. However, in using evolutionary computation for generating players performing tasks cooperatively, one faces fundamental and difficult decisions, including the one regarding the so-called credit assignment problem. We believe that there are some correlations among design decisions, and therefore a comprehensive evaluation of them is essential. We first list three fundamental decisions and possible options in each decision in designing methods for evolving a cooperative team. We find that there are 18 typical combinations available. Then we describe the ultimately simplified soccer game played on a one-dimensional field as a testbed for a comprehensive evaluation for these 18 candidate methods. It has been shown that some methods perform well, while there are complex correlations among design decisions. Also, further analysis has shown that cooperative behavior can be evolved, and is a necessary requirement for the teams to perform well even in such a simple game. This work was presented in part at the 10th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, February 4–6, 2005     

A model for software rework reduction through a combination of anomaly metrics

Analysis of anomalies reported during testing of a project can tell a lot about how well the processes and products work. Still, organizations rarely use anomaly reports for more than progress tracking although projects commonly spend a significant part of the development time on finding and correcting faults. This paper presents an anomaly metrics model that organizations can use for identifying improvements in the development process, i.e. to reduce the cost and lead-time spent on rework-related activities and to improve the quality of the delivered product. The model is the result of a four year research project performed at Ericsson.     

A sweating model for the internal ventilation of a motorcycle helmet

We present a thermodynamic model for the evolution of sweat in a porous medium in contact with a part of the human body, capable of describing the evaporation-related heat transfer phenomena. This is suitable for the analysis and optimization of the internal ventilation of a motorcycle helmet, with the purpose of enhancing the comfort and ultimately the safety of the rider. The model is based on a set of evolution equations for the three scalar unknowns temperature, absolute humidity and sweat. Its mathematical properties as well as those of the numerical counterpart are thoroughly investigated, and an efficient solution algorithm is devised. Simulations show the onset of a free-boundary separating the wet and dry regions and highlight the zones where sweat accumulates.     

A neural network model for the acquisition of a spatial body scheme through sensorimotor interaction

This letter presents a novel unsupervised sensory matching learning technique for the development of an internal representation of three-dimensional information. The representation is invariant with respect to the sensory modalities involved. Acquisition of the internal representation is demonstrated with a neural network model of a sensorimotor system of a simple model creature, consisting of a tactile-sensitive body and a multiple-degrees-of-freedom arm with proprioceptive sensitivity. Acquisition of the 3D representation as well as a distributed representation of the body scheme, occurs through sensorimotor interactions (i.e., the sensory-motor experience of the creature). Convergence of the learning is demonstrated through computer simulations for the model creature with a 7-DoF arm and a spherical body covered by 20 tactile fields.     

A study stressing the need for a static postural force model for work analysis

The maximum endurance time (MET) in static force exertions was used as a parameter for the assessment of five working postures. By applying the methodology of Rohmert to the construction of a general model for static muscular work and evaluating the measured MET results, the need for a new static posture model has been shown.

The aim of the present pilot study was to test MET in load situations that would indicate when the general model can be used or when a new static postural force model is needed.

Subjects exerted static postural forces at different load levels until exhaustion. In the first two postures, the strain was concentrated on the upper limbs, where active forces (muscular) play a key-role and justify the use of the model. In the remaining postures, the strain affected mainly the back/trunk, where the mechanical equilibrium of the body is brought about by active (muscles) and passive (skeleton and ligaments) structures.

During the tests electromyographic (EMG) measurements of selected muscles (objective measurements) as well as rated perceived exertion (RPE; subjective measurements on Borg's CR-10 scale) were recorded.

The results show that the maximum endurance times in upper extremity postures are predicted by the general model whilst in the back/trunk postures the measured MET was longer than predicted by the model. New models are presented for static postural force on the back.

The EMG measurements supported the conclusion that the muscles studied play a key role in the chosen upper-extremity postures but gave no clear indication in the back-oriented postures. Ratings of perceived exertion coincided with the EMG measurements in upper extremity postures and proved to be a good substitute for measurement and calculation of the load levels studied. The initial RPE can therefore be used in models for predicting maximal endurance times in complex cases.

For the range of relative postural loads tested, an exponential function for predicting MET in static posture exertions produced the best fit curve.     

A collaboration model for new product development through the integration of PLM and SCM in the electronics industry

As customer requirements for high-tech products vary and become complicated, the lifecycle of these products becomes much shorter. In response to this market environment, many manufacturing companies have established a global simultaneous launch strategy for new products to occupy markets before competitors. In this process, careful scheduling of the global simultaneous launch strategy is critical. In particular, to meet the launch schedule for each country in which a new product will be released, a collaboration process among relevant departments must be prepared, and correct product information should be maintained among major cooperative work support systems according to new product development business processes. This paper suggests a collaboration model integrating product lifecycle management and supply chain management as an approach to supporting complicated new product development procedures. We use a practical case study to evaluate this model.     

A feature analysis for dimension reduction based on a data generation model with class factors and environment factors

Currently, high-dimensional data such as image data is widely used in the domain of pattern classification and signal processing. When using high-dimensional data, feature analysis methods such as PCA (principal component analysis) and LDA (linear discriminant analysis) are usually required in order to reduce memory usage or computational complexity as well as to increase classification performance. We propose a feature analysis method for dimension reduction based on a data generation model that is composed of two types of factors: class factors and environment factors. The class factors, which are prototypes of the classes, contain important information required for discriminating between various classes. The environment factors, which represent distortions of the class prototypes, need to be diminished for obtaining high class separability. Using the data generation model, we aimed to exclude environment factors and extract low-dimensional class factors from the original data. By performing computational experiments on artificial data sets and real facial data sets, we confirmed that the proposed method can efficiently extract low-dimensional features required for classification and has a better performance than the conventional methods.     

A parallel sorting algorithm for a novel model of computation

The computational complexity of a parallel algorithm depends critically on the model of computation. We describe a simple and elegant rule-based model of computation in which processors apply rules asynchronously to pairs of objects from a global object space. Application of a rule to a pair of objects results in the creation of a new object if the objects satisfy the guard of the rule. The model can be efficiently implemented as a novel MIMD array processor architecture, the Intersecting Broadcast Machine. For this model of computation, we describe an efficient parallel sorting algorithm based on mergesort. The computational complexity of the sorting algorithm isO(nlog² n), comparable to that for specialized sorting networks and an improvement on theO(n ^1.5) complexity of conventional mesh-connected array processors.     

A model for the initial diagnosis of cerebellar disease

Abstract

Early diagnosis of potential cerebellar disease is incredibly important, as it allows rapid intervention and treatment of the identified disorder. More effective diagnosis and treatment would be aided by identification of which specific cerebellar regions are impaired. In this paper, we propose a method for initial diagnosis of regional cerebellar impairments. Our model uses motor functions as regional intermediaries for the outputs and various indexes (motor assessments) as the inputs. We also discuss which indexes indicate possible disordered functions. We tested our proposed method by applying it experimentally to the diagnosis of cerebellar disorder in rats. The percentage of correct estimations was 74.5%. We consider this a sufficiently high rate for initial diagnosis and suggest that it may be more effective when applied to humans.