Easy Development and Use of Dialogue Services

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07596-9_9We present a framework for Dialogue-Based Web Services (DBWS), i.e. services that require several message exchanges during their execution. Service development is simplified with the use of script languages and abstracting the communication layer. Service advertisements are carried out with a semantic Web Service directory with search and reputation capabilities. Execution can be performed from a mobile user interface that includes capabilities for user assistance. Our framework aims at filling the gap between services and non-IT users/experts. An example illustrates our proposal.Work partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the project ”AT” (grant CSD2007-0022; CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010) and by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the project iHAS (grant TIN2012-36586-C03-01/02/03).Durán, JJ.; Fernández, A.; Rodríguez, S.; Julian Inglada, VJ.; Billhardt, H. (2014). Easy Development and Use of Dialogue Services. En Ambient Intelligence - Software and Applications. Springer. 81-88. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07596-9_9S8188Guinard, D., Ion, I., Mayer, S.: In search of an internet of things service architecture: REST or WS-*? A developers’ perspective. In: Puiatti, A., Gu, T. (eds.) MobiQuitous 2011. LNICST, vol. 104, pp. 326–337. Springer, Heidelberg (2012)Pautasso, C., Zimmermann, O., Leymann, F.: Rest- ful web services vs. ”big’” web services: Making the right architectural decision. In: Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on World Wide Web, WWW 2008, pp. 805–814. ACM (2008)Lawton, G.: Developing software online with platform-as-a- service technology. Computer 41(6), 13–15 (2008)Kopel, M., Sobecki, J., Wasilewski, A.: Automatic web-based user interface delivery for soa-based systems. In: Bǎdicǎ, C., Nguyen, N.T., Brezovan, M. (eds.) ICCCI 2013. LNCS, vol. 8083, pp. 110–119. Springer, Heidelberg (2013)Bartolini, C., Bertolino, A., Marchetti, E., Polini, A.: Ws-taxi: A wsdl-based testing tool for web services. In: International Conference on Software Testing Verification and Validation, ICST 2009, pp. 326–335 (2009)Fernandez, A., Cong, Z., Balta, A.: Bridging the gap between service description models in service matchmaking. Multiagent and Grid Systems 8(1), 83–103 (2012)Hermoso, R., Billhardt, H., Centeno, R., Ossowski, S.: Effective use of organisational abstractions for confidence models. In: O’Hare, G.M.P., Ricci, A., O’Grady, M.J., Dikenelli, O. (eds.) ESAW 2006. LNCS (LNAI), vol. 4457, pp. 368–383. Springer, Heidelberg (2007

A Stochastic Approach to Shortcut Bridging in Programmable Matter

In a self-organizing particle system, an abstraction of programmable matter, simple computational elements called particles with limited memory and communication self-organize to solve system-wide problems of movement, coordination, and configuration. In this paper, we consider a stochastic, distributed, local, asynchronous algorithm for "shortcut bridging", in which particles self-assemble bridges over gaps that simultaneously balance minimizing the length and cost of the bridge. Army ants of the genus Eciton have been observed exhibiting a similar behavior in their foraging trails, dynamically adjusting their bridges to satisfy an efficiency trade-off using local interactions. Using techniques from Markov chain analysis, we rigorously analyze our algorithm, show it achieves a near-optimal balance between the competing factors of path length and bridge cost, and prove that it exhibits a dependence on the angle of the gap being "shortcut" similar to that of the ant bridges. We also present simulation results that qualitatively compare our algorithm with the army ant bridging behavior. Our work gives a plausible explanation of how convergence to globally optimal configurations can be achieved via local interactions by simple organisms (e.g., ants) with some limited computational power and access to random bits. The proposed algorithm also demonstrates the robustness of the stochastic approach to algorithms for programmable matter, as it is a surprisingly simple extension of our previous stochastic algorithm for compression.Comment: Published in Proc. of DNA23: DNA Computing and Molecular Programming - 23rd International Conference, 2017. An updated journal version will appear in the DNA23 Special Issue of Natural Computin

Frustrated spin chain physics near the Majumdar-Ghosh point in szenicsite Cu3_3(MoO4_4)(OH)4_4

In this joint experimental and theoretical work magnetic properties of the Cu$^{2+}$ mineral szenicsite Cu$_3$(MoO$_4$)(OH)$_4$ are investigated. This compound features isolated triple chains in its crystal structure, where the central chain involves an edge-sharing geometry of the CuO$_4$ plaquettes, while the two side chains feature a corner-sharing zig-zag geometry. The magnetism of the side chains can be described in terms of antiferromagnetic dimers with a coupling larger than 200 K. The central chain was found to be a realization of the frustrated antiferromagnetic $J_1$-$J_2$ chain model with $J_1\simeq 68$ K and a sizable second-neighbor coupling $J_2$. The central and side chains are nearly decoupled owing to interchain frustration. Therefore, the low-temperature behavior of szenicsite should be entirely determined by the physics of the central frustrated $J_1$-$J_2$ chain. Our heat-capacity measurements reveal an accumulation of entropy at low temperatures and suggest a proximity of the system to the Majumdar-Ghosh point of the antiferromagnetic $J_1$-$J_2$ spin chain, $J_2/J_1=0.5$

The spin gap in malachite Cu2(OH)2CO3 and its evolution under pressure

We report on the microscopic magnetic modeling of the spin-1/2 copper mineral malachite at ambient and elevated pressures. Despite the layered crystal structure of this mineral, the ambient-pressure susceptibility and magnetization data can be well described by an unfrustrated quasi-one-dimensional magnetic model. Weakly interacting antiferromagnetic alternating spin chains are responsible for a large spin gap of 120K. Although the intradimer Cu-O-Cu bridging angles are considerably smaller than the interdimer angles, density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the largest exchange coupling of 190K operates within the structural dimers. The lack of the inversion symmetry in the exchange pathways gives rise to sizable Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions which were estimated by full-relativistic DFT+U calculations. Based on available high-pressure crystal structures, we investigate the exchange couplings under pressure and make predictions for the evolution of the spin gap. The calculations evidence that intradimer couplings are strongly pressure-dependent and their evolution underlies the decrease of the spin gap under pressure. Finally, we assess the accuracy of hydrogen positions determined by structural relaxation within DFT and put forward this computational method as a viable alternative to elaborate experiments

DSSC Anchoring Groups: A Surface Dependent Decision

Electrodes in dye sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) are typically nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 with a majority (101) surface exposed. Generally the sensitising dye employs a carboxylic anchoring moiety through which it adheres to the TiO2 surface. Recent interest in exploiting the properties of differing TiO2 electrode morphologies, such as rutile nanorods exposing the (110) surface and anatase electrodes with high percentages of the (001) surface exposed, begs the question of whether this anchoring strategy is best, irrespective of the majority surface exposed. Here we address this question by presenting density functional theory calculations contrasting the binding properties of two promising anchoring groups, phosphonic acid and boronic acid, to that of carboxylic acid. Anchor-electrode interactions are studied for the pro- totypical anatase (101) surface, along with the anatase (001) and rutile (110) surfaces. Finally the effect of using these alternative anchoring groups to bind a typical coumarin dye (NKX- 2311) to these TiO2 substrates is examined. Significant differences in the binding properties are found depending on both the anchor and surface, illustrating that the choice of anchor is necessarily dependent upon the surface exposed in the electrode. In particular the boronic acid is found to show the potential to be an excellent anchor choice for electrodes exposing the anatase (001) surface.Comment: 44 pages, 15 figures, accepted by J. Phys.:Condens. Matter. Coordinates for structures available via figshar

The zCOSMOS redshift survey: how group environment alters global downsizing trends

open59sìContext. Groups of galaxies are a common environment, bridging the gap between starforming field galaxies and quiescent cluster galaxies. Within groups secular processes could be at play, contributing to the observed strong decrease of star formation with cosmic time in the global galaxy population.Aims. We took advantage of the wealth of information provided by the first similar to 10 000 galaxies of the zCOSMOS-bright survey and its group catalogue to study in detail the complex interplay between group environment and galaxy properties.Methods. The classical indicator F-blue, i.e., the fraction of blue galaxies, proved to be a simple but powerful diagnostic tool. We studied its variation for different luminosity and mass selected galaxy samples, divided as to define groups/field/isolated galaxy subsamples.Results. Using rest-frame evolving B-band volume-limited samples, the groups galaxy population exhibits significant blueing as redshift increases, but maintains a systematic difference (a lower F-blue) with respect to the global galaxy population, and an even larger difference with respect to the isolated galaxy population. However moving to mass selected samples it becomes apparent that such differences are largely due to the biased view imposed by the B-band luminosity selection, being driven by the population of lower mass, bright blue galaxies for which we miss the redder, equally low mass, counterparts. By carefully focusing the analysis on narrow mass bins such that mass segregation becomes negligible we find that only for the lowest mass bin explored, i.e., log(M-*/M-circle dot) <= 10.6, does a significant residual difference in color remain as a function of environment, while this difference becomes negligible toward higher masses.Conclusions. Our results indicate that red galaxies of mass log(M-*/M-circle dot) >= 10.8 are already in place at z similar to 1 and do not exhibit any strong environmental dependence, possibly originating from so-called nature or internal mechanisms. In contrast, for lower galaxy masses and redshifts lower than z similar to 1, we observe the emergence in groups of a population of nurture red galaxies: slightly deviating from the trend of the downsizing scenario followed by the global galaxy population, and more so with cosmic time. These galaxies exhibit signatures of group-related secular physical mechanisms directly influencing galaxy evolution. Our analysis implies that these mechanisms begin to significantly influence galaxy evolution after z similar to 1, a redshift corresponding to the emergence of structures in which these mechanisms take place.openIovino, A.; Cucciati, O.; Scodeggio, M.; Knobel, C.; Kovač, K.; Lilly, S.; Bolzonella, M.; Tasca, L. A. M.; Zamorani, G.; Zucca, E.; Caputi, K.; Pozzetti, L.; Oesch, P.; Lamareille, F.; Halliday, C.; Bardelli, S.; Finoguenov, A.; Guzzo, L.; Kampczyk, P.; Maier, C.; Tanaka, M.; Vergani, D.; Carollo, C. M.; Contini, T.; Kneib, J.-P.; Le Fèvre, O.; Mainieri, V.; Renzini, A.; Bongiorno, A.; Coppa, G.; de la Torre, S.; de Ravel, L.; Franzetti, P.; Garilli, B.; Le Borgne, J.-F.; Le Brun, V.; Mignoli, M.; Pellò, R.; Peng, Y.; Perez-Montero, E.; Ricciardelli, E.; Silverman, J. D.; Tresse, L.; Abbas, U.; Bottini, D.; Cappi, A.; Cassata, P.; Cimatti, A.; Koekemoer, A. M.; Leauthaud, A.; Maccagni, D.; Marinoni, C.; McCracken, H. J.; Memeo, P.; Meneux, B.; Porciani, C.; Scaramella, R.; Schiminovich, D.; Scoville, N.Iovino, A.; Cucciati, O.; Scodeggio, M.; Knobel, C.; Kovač, K.; Lilly, S.; Bolzonella, M.; Tasca, L. A. M.; Zamorani, G.; Zucca, E.; Caputi, K.; Pozzetti, L.; Oesch, P.; Lamareille, F.; Halliday, C.; Bardelli, S.; Finoguenov, A.; Guzzo, L.; Kampczyk, P.; Maier, C.; Tanaka, M.; Vergani, D.; Carollo, C. M.; Contini, T.; Kneib, J. -P.; Le Fèvre, O.; Mainieri, V.; Renzini, A.; Bongiorno, A.; Coppa, G.; de la Torre, S.; de Ravel, L.; Franzetti, P.; Garilli, B.; Le Borgne, J. -F.; Le Brun, V.; Mignoli, M.; Pellò, R.; Peng, Y.; Perez-Montero, E.; Ricciardelli, E.; Silverman, J. D.; Tresse, L.; Abbas, U.; Bottini, D.; Cappi, A.; Cassata, P.; Cimatti, A.; Koekemoer, A. M.; Leauthaud, A.; Maccagni, D.; Marinoni, C.; Mccracken, H. J.; Memeo, P.; Meneux, B.; Porciani, C.; Scaramella, R.; Schiminovich, D.; Scoville, N

Inception and propagation of positive streamers in high-purity nitrogen: effects of the voltage rise-rate

Controlling streamer morphology is important for numerous applications. Up to now, the effect of the voltage rise rate was only studied across a wide range. Here we show that even slight variations in the voltage rise can have significant effects. We have studied positive streamer discharges in a 16 cm point-plane gap in high-purity nitrogen 6.0, created by 25 kV pulses with a duration of 130 ns. The voltage rise varies by a rise rate from 1.9 kV/ns to 2.7 kV/ns and by the first peak voltage of 22 to 28 kV. A structural link is found between smaller discharges with a larger inception cloud caused by a faster rising voltage. This relation is explained by the greater stability of the inception cloud due to a faster voltage rise, causing a delay in the destabilisation. Time-resolved measurements show that the inception cloud propagates slower than an earlier destabilised, more filamentary discharge. This explains that the discharge with a faster rising voltage pulse ends up to be shorter. Furthermore, the effect of remaining background ionisation in a pulse sequence has been studied, showing that channel thickness and branching rate are locally affected, depending on the covered volume of the previous discharge.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figure

Bridging the gap between police and citizens: what we know, what we've done, and what can be done

Master's Project (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017There is a long history of distrust between police and citizens and there have been no meaningful and sustained steps to correct this situation. Death and injuries are sustained by citizens and police, but still there has not been a real attempt to prevent this occurring because there is no trust between police and citizens and this lack of trust has created a rift or gap between police and citizens and this projects aim is to address the gap. Research into what causing damage and finding a way to repair the damaged relationship between police and citizens by way of finding approaches that tend to lead to trust between groups of people. Communication, a better ethics base for police, training and education, restorative justice, media, and the studying of social theories will help find a way to repair the damage. A collaboration of all of the aforementioned categories will tend to help bridge the gap between police and citizens. It is believed that by addressing the issues and the roots of the problems between police and citizens, a new relationship built on trust will emerge. By having a more trusting relationship there will be less harm caused to police and citizens