pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Assessing Emerging ICT-enabled Governance Models in European Cities: Results from a Mapping Survey

The paper presents the preliminary results of an exploratory survey
conducted by the Information Society Unit of the Institute for Prospective
Technological Studies (IPTS) of the European Commission. The main goal of
the research is to deepen the understanding of the interplay between ICTs and
governance processes at city level in the EU by looking at what new ICTenabled
governance models are emerging in European cities and what are their
key socio-economic implications. In this preliminary phase efforts have been
directed towards addressing the following research question: what key city
governance policy areas ICTs impact most and what governance changes are
driven by ICTs? This questions have been investigated through a questionnaire
based online survey. The evidence collected provided a comprehensive
mapping of the use of ICTs in European cities as well as the views of policy
makers, city government officials, practitioners and researchers, on the way
ICTs are influencing governance processes. The evidence collected shows that
new ICT-enabled governance models are emerging, and it allowed to identify
the main dimensions of change, drivers, barriers, enablers and characteristics, as
well as opportunities, risks and challenges associated with them.JRC.DDG.J.4-Information Societ
Preference and Non-deterministic Choice

After reviewing a previously reported relational model of reversible computing, in which non-deterministic choice may represent provisional choice subject to revision by backtracking, we narrate our attempts to express preference within choice. We begin our investigations by recalling Nelson’s extensions to Dijkstra’s calculus, and considering his biased-choice operator as a model of preference. However, we find that this is too short-sighted for our purpose, and we outline the necessity of incorporating a notion of continuation. After considering how this might be achieved in a predicate-transformer approach, we adopt instead a prospective-value semantics that is easily extensible to probabilistic choice; here, we find a clue that helps us to obtain a first formulation of preference. Our formulation, however, takes us into a world of non-monotonic computations, and we are motivated to move on. We look for further inspiration within the execution structures of our reversible virtual machine which provides a construct that records all results of a backtracking search. We add a modified version that records results sequentially, and take its description as the basis for a “temporal order of continuations” semantics, to which we add implementor’s choice, which is now quite distinct from provisional choice. We give a refinement relation and prove the monotonicity of the new semantics and its consistency with respect to our previous prospective-values formalism
Mechanized Verification with Sharing

We consider software verification of imperative programs by theorem proving in higher-order separation logic. Separation logic is quite effective for reasoning about tree-like data structures, but less so for data structures with more complex sharing patterns. This problem is compounded by some higher-order patterns, such as stateful iterators and visitors, where multiple clients need to share references into a data structure. We show how both styles of sharing can be achieved without sacrificing abstraction using mechanized reasoning about fractional permissions in Hoare Type Theory.Engineering and Applied Science
Space-Time Diagram Generation for Profiling Multi Agent Systems

Advances in Agent Oriented Software Engineering have focused on the provision
of frameworks and toolkits to aid in the creation of Multi Agent Systems
(MASs). However, despite the need to address the inherent complexity of such
systems, little progress has been made in the development of tools to allow for
the debugging and understanding of their inner workings.
  This paper introduces a novel performance analysis system, named
AgentSpotter, which facilitates such analysis. AgentSpotter was developed by
mapping conventional profiling concepts to the domain of MASs. We outline its
integration into the Agent Factory multi agent framework
Towards Autopoietic Computing

A key challenge in modern computing is to develop systems that address
complex, dynamic problems in a scalable and efficient way, because the
increasing complexity of software makes designing and maintaining efficient and
flexible systems increasingly difficult. Biological systems are thought to
possess robust, scalable processing paradigms that can automatically manage
complex, dynamic problem spaces, possessing several properties that may be
useful in computer systems. The biological properties of self-organisation,
self-replication, self-management, and scalability are addressed in an
interesting way by autopoiesis, a descriptive theory of the cell founded on the
concept of a system's circular organisation to define its boundary with its
environment. In this paper, therefore, we review the main concepts of
autopoiesis and then discuss how they could be related to fundamental concepts
and theories of computation. The paper is conceptual in nature and the emphasis
is on the review of other people's work in this area as part of a longer-term
strategy to develop a formal theory of autopoietic computing.Comment: 10 Pages, 3 figure
Using case-based reasoning to support alternative dispute resolution

Springer - Series Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing, vol. 79Recent trends in communication technologies led to a shift in the already traditional Alternative Dispute Resolution paradigm, giving birth to the Online Dispute Resolution one. In this new paradigm, technologies are used as a way to deliver better, faster and cheaper alternatives to litigation in court. However, the role that technology plays can be even further enhanced through the use of artefacts from the Artificial Intelligence field. In this paper we present UMCourt, an Online Dispute Resolution tool that borrows concepts from the fields of Law and Artificial Intelligence. The system keeps the parties informed about the possible consequences of their litigation if their problems are to be settled in court. Moreover, it makes use of a Case-based Reasoning algorithm that searches for solutions for the litigation considering past known similar cases, as a way to enhance the negotiation process. When parties have access to all this information and are aware of the consequences of their choices, they can take better decisions that encompass all the important aspects of a litigation process.The work described in this paper is included in TIARAC - Telematics and Artificial Intelligence in Alternative Conflict Resolution Project (PTDC/JUR/71354/2006), which is a research project supported by FCT (Science & Technology Foundation), Portugal
Piecewise Linear Representation Segmentation as a Multiobjective Optimization Problem

Proceedings of: Forth International Workshop on User-Centric Technologies and applications (CONTEXTS 2010). Valencia,  September 7-10, 2010Actual time series exhibit huge amounts of data which require an unaffordable computational load to be processed, leading to approximate representations to aid these processes. Segmentation processes deal with this issue dividing time series into a certain number of segments and approximating those segments with a basic function. Among the most extended segmentation approaches, piecewise linear representation is highlighted due to its simplicity. This work presents an approach based on the formalization of the segmentation process as a multiobjetive optimization problem and the resolution of that problem with an evolutionary algorithm.This work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029-C02-02.Publicad
An Architecture to Provide Context-Aware Services by Means of Conversational Agents

Proceedings of: Forth Internationl Wokshop on User-Centric Technologies and Applications (CONTEXTS 2010), Valencia, September 7-10, 2010In human-human interaction, a great deal of information is conveyed without explicit communication. This context information characterizes the situation of the different entities involved in the communication process (users, place, environment and computational objects). In this paper, we present an agent-based architecture that incorporates this valuable information to provide the most adapted service to the user. One of the main characteristics of our proposal is the incorporation of conversational agents handling different domains and adapted taking into account the different users requirements and preferences by means of a context manager. This way, we ensure a natural communication between the user and the system to provide a personalized service. The implementation of our proposed architecture to develop and evaluate a context-aware railway information system is also described.Funded by projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT
TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC, SINPROB, CAM MADRINET S-0505/TIC/0255, and
DPS2008-07029-C02-02.Publicad
A Conversational Academic Assistant for the Interaction in Virtual Worlds

Proceedings of: Forth International Workshop on User-Centric Technologies and applications (CONTEXTS 2010). Valencia, 07-10 September , 2010.The current interest and extension of social networking are rapidly introducing a large number of applications that originate new communication and interaction forms among their users. Social networks and virtual worlds, thus represent a perfect environment for interacting with applications that use multimodal information and are able to adapt to the specific characteristics and preferences of each user. As an example of this application, in this paper we present an example of the integration of conversational agents in social networks, describing the development of a conversational avatar that provides academic information in the virtual world of Second Life. For its implementation techniques from Speech Technologies and Natural Language Processing have been used to allow a more natural interaction with the system using voice.Funded by projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT
TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC, SINPROB, CAM MADRINET S-0505/TIC/0255, and
DPS2008-07029-C02-02.Publicad
Multi-camera and Multi-modal Sensor Fusion, an Architecture Overview

Proceedings of: Forth International Workshop on User-Centric Technologies and applications (CONTEXTS 2010). Valencia, 07-10 September , 2010.This paper outlines an architecture formulti-camera andmulti-modal sensor fusion.We define a high-level architecture in which image sensors like standard color, thermal, and time of flight cameras can be fused with high accuracy location systems based on UWB, Wifi, Bluetooth or RFID technologies. This architecture is specially well-suited for indoor environments, where such heterogeneous sensors usually coexists. The main advantage of such a system is that a combined nonredundant output is provided for all the detected targets. The fused output includes in its simplest form the location of each target, including additional features depending of the sensors involved in the target detection, e.g., location plus thermal information. This way, a surveillance or context-aware system obtains more accurate and complete information than only using one kind of technologyThis work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC, SINPROB, CAM CONTEXTS S2009/TIC-1485 and DPS2008-07029-C02-02Publicad
Multi-Sensor and Multi Agents Architecture for Indoor Location

Proceedings of: Forth International Workshop on User-Centric Technologies and applications (CONTEXTS 2010). Valencia, 7-10 September , 2010.This paper aims to present a new architecture to provide location services using multiple communication technologies such as Wi , UWB,RFID and so on. Firstly, it will explain the advantages of multi sensor archi-
tecture against to use unique indoor location system and the reasons which led us to take this solution. Besides, this paper discusses the suitability of using ontologies for modeling message structure to locate in context-aware services platforms. This message will be described based on the concept of Asterix format used in aerospace multi-sensor communicationsThis work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029-C02-02Publicad
Multi-agent Based Distributed Semi-automatic Sensors Surveillance System Architecture

Proceedings of: Forth International Workshop on User-Centric Technologies and applications (CONTEXTS 2010). Valencia, 07-10 September , 2010.In the present paper, we describes a semi-automated and decision support sensor surveillance architecture used to develop an intelligent sensor surveillance system. The proposed architecture is grouped in three agents layers: the sensors agents layer, sensor processing agents layer and finally, the support assistant agents layers. The sensor agents layer is formed by sensor managing agents and sensor data flow agents that they control the sensor devices and retransmit data streams to upper layer respectively. In sensor processing agents layer is an agents collection that process data flows produced by sensors, allowing elements tracking. The last layer is formed by special agents for helping and supporting the user monitoring and user choice. This architecture proposes a fully decentralized multi-agent system using FIPA Agent Communication Language.This work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC, CAM CONTEXTS (S2009/ TIC-1485) and DPS2008-07029-C02-0
Interactive Video Annotation Tool

Proceedings of: Forth International Workshop on User-Centric Technologies and applications (CONTEXTS 2010). Valencia, 7-10 September , 2010.Abstract: Increasingly computer vision discipline needs annotated video databases to realize assessment tasks. Manually providing ground truth data to multimedia resources is a very expensive work in terms of effort, time and economic resources. Automatic and semi-automatic video annotation and labeling is the faster and more economic way to get ground truth for quite large video collections. In this paper, we describe a new automatic and supervised video annotation tool. Annotation tool is a modified version of ViPER-GT tool. ViPER-GT standard version allows manually editing and reviewing video metadata to generate assessment data. Automatic annotation capability is possible thanks to an incorporated tracking system which can deal the visual data association problem in real time. The research aim is offer a system which enables spends less time doing valid assessment models.Publicad
Face recognition at a distance: Scenario analysis and applications

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14883-5_44Proceedings of the International Symposium of Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence held in Valencia (Spain).Face recognition is the most popular biometric used in applications at a
distance, which range from high security scenarios such as border control to others
such as video games. This is a very challenging task since there are many varying
factors (illumination, pose, expression, etc.) This paper reports an experimental
analysis of three acquisition scenarios for face recognition at a distance, namely:
close, medium, and far distance between camera and query face, the three of them
considering templates enrolled in controlled conditions. These three representative
scenarios are studied using data from the NIST Multiple Biometric Grand Challenge,
as the first step in order to understand the main variability factors that affect
face recognition at a distance based on realistic yet workable and widely available
data. The scenario analysis is conducted quantitatively in two ways. First, an analysis
of the information content in segmented faces in the different scenarios. Second,
an analysis of the performance across scenarios of three matchers, one commercial,
and two other standard approaches using popular features (PCA and DCT) and
matchers (SVM and GMM). The results show to what extent the acquisition setup
impacts on the verification performance of face recognition at a distance.This work has been supported by project Contexts (S2009/TIC-1485)
Decision making based on quality-of-information a clinical guideline for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease scenario

Springer - Series Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing, vol. 79In this work we intend to advance towards a computational model to hold up a Group Decision Support System for VirtualECare, a system aimed at sustaining online healthcare services, where Extended Logic Programs (ELP) will be used for knowledge re-presentation and reasoning. Under this scenario it is possible to evaluate the ELPs making in terms of the Quality-of-Information (QoI) that is assigned to them, along the several stages of the decision making process, which is given as a truth value in the interval 0…1, i.e., it is possible to provide a measure of the value of the QoI that supports the decision making process, an end in itself. It will be also considered the problem ofQoI evaluation in a multi-criteria decision setting, being the criteria to be fulfilled that of a Clinical Guideline (CG) for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Using BATNAs and WATNAs in online dispute resolution

When contracting through software agents, disputes will inevitably arise. Thus there is an urgent need to find alternatives to litigation for resolving conflicts. Methods of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) need to be considered to resolve such disputes. Having agents understanding what the dispute is about, managing all interaction between the parties and even formulating proposed solutions is an important innovation. Hence it is of the utmost relevance that the agents may be able to recognise and evaluate the facts, the position of the parties and understand all the relevant data. In many circumstances, risk management and avoidance will be a crucial point to be considered. In this sense we analyze the usefulness of a parallel concept to BATNA – Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreement, that of a WATNA – Worst Alternative to Negotiated Agreement, allowing the software agents to consider the space between BATNA and WATNA as a useful element to be taken into account when making or accepting a proposal. These software agents embodied with intelligent techniques are integrated in an architecture designed to provide support to the ODR in a system we have developed for the resolution of labour disputes - UMCourt. In this context software agents are used to compute and provide the parties with the best and worst alternative to a negotiated agreement.TIARAC - Telematics and Artificial Intelligence in Alternative Conflict Resolution Project (PTDC/JUR/71354/2006)Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT
An Adaptive Logic for the Formal Explication of Scalar Implicatures

Hearers get at the intended meaning of uncooperative utterances (i.e. utterances that conflict with the prescriptions laid down by the Gricean maxims) by pragmatically deriving sentences that reconcile these utterances with the maxims. Such pragmatic derivations are made according to pragmatic rules called implicatures. As they are pragmatic in nature, the conclusions drawn by applying implicatures remain uncertain. In other words, they may have to be withdrawn in view of further information. Because of this last feature, Levinson argued that implicatures should be formally modeled as non–monotonic or default rules of inference. In this paper, I will do exactly this: by relying on the Adaptive Logics Programme, I will provide a formal explication of implicatures as default inference rules. More specifically, I will do so for a particular kind of implicatures, viz scalar implicatures
Impact of Visual Information on Text and Content Based Image Retrieval

11 pagesInternational audienceNowadays, multimedia documents composed of text and images are increasingly used, thanks to the Internet and the increasing capacity of data storage. It is more and more important to be able to retrieve needles in this huge haystack. In this paper, we present a multimedia document model which combines textual and visual information. Using a bag-of-words approach, it represents a textual and visual document using a vector for each modality. Given a multimedia query, our model combines scores obtained for each modality and returns a list of relevant retrieved documents. This paper aims at studying the influence of the weight given to the visual information relative to the textual information. Experiments on the multimedia ImageCLEF collection show that results can be improved by learning this weight parameter
A causal extraction scheme in top-down pyramids for large images segmentation

International audienceApplicative fields based on the analysis of large images must deal with two important problems. First, the size in memory of such images usually forbids a global image analysis hereby inducing numerous problems for the design of a global image partition. Second, due to the high resolution of such images, global features only appear at low resolutions and a single resolution analysis may loose important information. The tiled top-down pyramidal model has been designed to solve this two major challenges. This model provides a hierarchical encoding of the image at single or multiple resolutions using a top-down construction scheme. Moreover, the use of tiles bounds the amount of memory required by the model while allowing global image analysis. The main limitation of this model is the splitting step used to build one additional partition from the above level. Indeed, this step requires to temporary refine the split region up to the pixel level which entails high memory requirements and processing time. In this paper, we propose a new splitting step within the tiled top-down pyramidal framework which overcomes the previously mentioned limitations
New partially labelled tree similarity measure: a case study

Trees are a powerful data structure for representing data for which hierarchical relations can be defined. They have been applied in a number of fields like image analysis, natural language processing, protein structure, or music retrieval, to name a few. Procedures for comparing trees are very relevant in many task where tree representations are involved. The computation of these measures is usually a time consuming tasks and different authors have proposed algorithms that are able to compute them in a reasonable time, through approximated versions of the similarity measure. Other methods require that the trees are fully labelled for the distance to be computed. In this paper, a new measure is presented able to deal with trees labelled only at the leaves, that runs in O(|TA|×|TB|) time. Experiments and comparative results are provided.This work was funded by the Spanish DRIMS project (TIN2009-14247-C02), and the research programme Consolider Ingenio 2010 (MIPRCV, CSD2007-00018)
Structural patterns in complex networks through spectral analysis

The study of some structural properties of networks is introduced from a graph spectral perspective. First, subgraph centrality of nodes is defined and used to classify essential proteins in a proteomic map. This index is then used to produce a method that allows the identification of superhomogeneous networks. At the same time this method classify non-homogeneous network into three universal classes of structure. We give examples of these classes from networks in different real-world scenarios. Finally, a communicability function is studied and showed as an alternative for defining communities in complex networks. Using this approach a community is unambiguously defined and an algorithm for its identification is proposed and exemplified in a real-world network