Multi-Agent System Development Based on Organizations

Organizational models have been recently used in agent theory for modeling coordination in open systems and to ensure social order in multi-agent system applications. In this paper, we propose the employment of Organization Theory for the analysis and design of multiagent systems. Thus, we first discuss the current state of the art of organization-oriented multiagent system methods, placing emphasis on their organizational features. We also review human organizational structures, and we propose several guidelines for implementing agent organizations by means of Organization Theory. Our final aim is to employ well-known human organizational structures to develop multiagent systems.     

A probabilistic model for binaural sound localization.

This paper proposes a biologically inspired and technically implemented sound localization system to robustly estimate the position of a sound source in the frontal azimuthal half-plane. For localization, binaural cues are extracted using cochleagrams generated by a cochlear model that serve as input to the system. The basic idea of the model is to separately measure interaural time differences and interaural level differences for a number of frequencies and process these measurements as a whole. This leads to two-dimensional frequency versus time-delay representations of binaural cues, so-called activity maps. A probabilistic evaluation is presented to estimate the position of a sound source over time based on these activity maps. Learned reference maps for different azimuthal positions are integrated into the computation to gain time-dependent discrete conditional probabilities. At every timestep these probabilities are combined over frequencies and binaural cues to estimate the sound source position. In addition, they are propagated over time to improve position estimation. This leads to a system that is able to localize audible signals, for example human speech signals, even in reverberating environments.     

空气压缩机系统的智能控制

本文阐述了一个智能控制系统,它能控制多台空气压缩机的加载和减载,使压缩空气系统的压力保持在用户的设定值。系统空气压力控制是基于单一的压力点,不是多个压力带。     

Professionals in mutual help groups: Impact on social climate and members' behavior.

This study assessed the impact of professional involvement in mutual help groups for the mentally ill. Social climate data and behavioral data on members in groups led either by a mental health professional (n?=?36) or an indigenous group member (n?=?70) were compared. The results of the study indicated a more formal, psychologically directed approach in the professionally led groups. Although professional involvement in mutual help groups does not necessarily produce different member outcomes, it does seem to affect both the perceptions and the behavior of members. Professionals should be cautious when they get involved in mutual help groups to avoid professionalizing them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

热成像温差分辨率与微分光谱匹配因数的关系

由近距离低温面目标热成像系统的信号方程和噪声等效温差ＮＥＴＤ的定义，导出了ＮＥＴＤｏｃ１／Ｍ，并由此得到ＭＲＴＤｏｃ１／Ｍ，ＭＤＴＤｏｃ１／Ｍ，从而证明了热成像系统的温差分辨率；ＮＥＴＤ、ＭＲＴＤ、ＭＤＴＤ均要求微发光谱匹配因数Ｍ要大，这为选用光谱区配因数Ｍ和Ｍ作为热成像系统的综合评价参数奠定了理论基础。     

Screening and brief intervention for high-risk college student drinkers: Results from a 2-year follow-up assessment.

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of a brief intervention designed to reduce the harmful consequences of heavy drinking among high-risk college students. Students screened for risk while in their senior year of high school (188 women and 160 men) were randomly assigned to receive an individualized motivational brief intervention in their freshman year of college or to a no-treatment control condition. A normative group selected from the entire screening pool provided a natural history comparison. Follow-up assessments over a 2-year period showed significant reductions in both drinking rates and harmful consequences, favoring students receiving the intervention. Although high-risk students continued to experience more alcohol problems than the natural history comparison group over the 2-year period, most showed a decline in problems over time, suggesting a developmental maturational effect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Good news, bad news makes excellent time while being lost.

Contends that M. Bobele and L. Winderman's (1981) criticisms of the present author's (see record 1981-26926-001) application of general systems theory in actual day-to-day clinical service are based on badly drawn inferences and misreading. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Surface-enhanced vibrational microspectroscopy of fulvic acid micelles

Micro-Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption microspectroscopy, and AFM images of nano- or microsized micelles formed by fulvic acid (FA) solutions, prepared at different pHs, and cast on glass slides or gold island films, are reported. FA films cast on gold islands are characterized by surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA), surface-enhanced infrared reflection absorption, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Based on spectral evidence, it is expected that the chemisorption of FA on gold island films takes place through thiol groups, which become more active as pH increases. The SEIRA spectra of these films show increased peak intensity, as well as improved band resolution. Microspectroscopy SERS studies show that, at pH 5, FA form small aggregates on gold surfaces. At pH 8, FA tends to expand due to electrostatic repulsion, giving rise to a fractal surface composed of different domains. SERS studies of these domains reveal that the most polar molecules are located on the external faces. At pH 11, fractal conformations are even more pronounced and give rise to radial patterned structures. At this pH, the position of fulvic acid molecules in the fractal micelles is the same as observed at pH 8. In this way, SERS can be viewed as a powerful tool for the analysis of the composition, apparent contribution of the surface functional groups of FA films, and the FA building blocks (i.e., catechol, gallic, salicylic, or ftalic acids) in the structures of these materials.