A reasoning-based approach to machine learning

This paper describes a novel approach to machine learning, based on the principle of learning by reasoning. Current learning systems have significant limitations such as brittleness, i.e., the deterioration of performance on a different domain or problem and lack of power required for handling real-world learning problems. The goal of our research was to develop an approach in which many of these limitations are overcome in a unified, coherent and general framework. Our learning approach is based on principles of reasoning, such as the discovery of the underlying principle and the recognition of the deeper basis of similarity, which is somewhat akin to human learning. In this paper, we argue the importance of these principles and tie the limitations of current systems to the lack of application of these principles. We then present the technique developed and illustrate it on a learning problem not directly solvable by previous approaches.     

THE DILEMMAS OF BUILDING A PROGRESSIVE URBAN COALITION: The Linked Development Debate in Chicago

ABSTRACT: In 1983 Chicago elected its first black mayor, Harold Washington. During Washington's first term of office, his administration not only reordered municipal priorities in such a fashion as to benefit his core, minority voting constituency, but also defined a municipal agenda emphasizing greater attention to neighborhood needs and more open government. In 1984 an important neighborhood coalition, the Save Our Neighborhoods/Save Our City Coalition (SON/SOC), proposed a linked development policy to tap downtown investment for neighborhood projects. Although SON/SOC's proposal was compatible with the Washington neighborhood agenda, this mainly white organization and the Washington administration experienced considerable difficulty in forging a mutually acceptable proposal The linked development debate in Chicago demonstrates the salience of race, class-cultural factors, and alternative approaches to neighborhood mobilization as barriers to the development of progressive coalitions in city politics.     

Training for safety in automated person-machine systems": Comment.

Provides an example of a modified version of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation class to lend support to the contention by C. M. Spettell and R. M. Liebert (see record 1986-25964-001) that special problem-solving skills and stress tolerance may be required to perform under conditions of real-life emergencies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-efficacy expectancy, outcome expectancy, and outcome value: Relative effects on behavioral intentions.

Used a persuasive communications paradigm to examine the relative contributions of self-efficacy expectancy, outcome expectancy, and outcome value (importance) in influencing and predicting behavioral intentions. 88 college students were asked to react to a promotional brochure presented as a discussion of the broken-record technique. Outcome expectancy was manipulated independent of self-efficacy expectancy and had a main effect on behavioral intentions, but self-efficacy expectancy failed to produce a main effect on intentions. The outcome-value manipulation also had a main effect on intentions, although problems with the manipulation check made interpretations of this effect problematic. Correlational data reveal that assessments of self-efficacy expectancy, outcome expectancy, and outcome value were all significant and roughly equivalent predictors of intentions. Each component significantly contributed to the other 2 components combined in the prediction of behavioral intentions. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computerized conferencing for knowledge acquisition from multiple experts

The increasing complecity of many expert system application areas calls for the integration of the knowledge of multiple experts. The use of multiple experts introduces some interesting new problems during the process of knowledge acquisition. The problems are further complicated when the experts are geographically dispersed or unavailable for face-to-face interactions.

This article discusses the motivations for acquiring the knowledge of multiple experts, the problems related to knowledge acquisition, new issues that arise whens multiple experts interact, solutions that can be brought to bear in building multiple expert systems (particularly when experts are geographically dispersed), and new tools for knowledge engineers to use when dealing with multiple experts.     

Procedural preference as a function of conflict intensity.

Conducted 2 studies with college students to examine procedural preferences in conflict situations that, unlike the conflicts in most procedural justice work, permit concession exchange. In this conflict setting, disputants have been found to prefer procedures that provide them with a share of decision control as well as complete process control. Among competitively motivated disputants, bargaining strength is shown to qualify these preferences, in that weak-case disputants want the least 3rd-party involvement. Exp I, with 126 Ss, demonstrated the robustness of disputants' preferences for process control, because an autocratic procedure receives unfavorable ratings independently of the opportunity for concession exchange. Exp II showed that disputants confronted with integrative settlement options prefer bargaining over mediation and arbitration. It is concluded that findings support the claim that conflict structure must be considered in any attempt to predict disputants' procedural preferences. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

SURFACE CHARGE OF SOL-GEL DERIVED ALUMINAS AS A FUNCTION OF CALCINATION TEMPERATURE

The sol-gel route for preparing alumina is thought to yield a unique molecular structure. Thus the powder characteristics of sol-gel derived aluminas are expected to be different from alumina powders derived by traditional processing methods. In this study wet alumina gels, after the sol-gel reaction was completed, were dried and calcined at 25^°C, 300^°C, 500^°C, 800^°C, 1100^°C, and 1400^°C following the methods of Yoldas and Clark and Lannutti. The initial points of zeta potential reversal (PZR) of the calcined powders determined from electrophoretic mobilities are 9.4, 10.2, 8.6, 10.6, 4.2 and 8.3, respectively for the above calcination series. The PZR of the alumina powders increased with calcination temperature up to 800^°C, with the exception of the alumina calcined at 500^°C. The PZR's of powders calcined between 800-1400^°C decreased. The anomalous PZR of the alumina calcined at 500^°C is due to catalytically formed carboxylates from the residual sec-butano1. The general trend of PZR change for other phases of gel derived alumina was compared with previously reported electrolcinetic behavior of traditional alumina powders and no significant differences were found.