33,144 research outputs found
Discrete Differential Manifolds and Dynamics on Networks
A `discrete differential manifold' we call a countable set together with an
algebraic differential calculus on it. This structure has already been explored
in previous work and provides us with a convenient framework for the
formulation of dynamical models on networks and physical theories with discrete
space and time. We present several examples and introduce a notion of
differentiability of maps between discrete differential manifolds. Particular
attention is given to differentiable curves in such spaces. Every discrete
differentiable manifold carries a topology and we show that differentiability
of a map implies continuity.Comment: 26 pages, LaTeX (RevTex), GOET-TP 88/9
Geospatial Narratives and their Spatio-Temporal Dynamics: Commonsense Reasoning for High-level Analyses in Geographic Information Systems
The modelling, analysis, and visualisation of dynamic geospatial phenomena
has been identified as a key developmental challenge for next-generation
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In this context, the envisaged
paradigmatic extensions to contemporary foundational GIS technology raises
fundamental questions concerning the ontological, formal representational, and
(analytical) computational methods that would underlie their spatial
information theoretic underpinnings.
We present the conceptual overview and architecture for the development of
high-level semantic and qualitative analytical capabilities for dynamic
geospatial domains. Building on formal methods in the areas of commonsense
reasoning, qualitative reasoning, spatial and temporal representation and
reasoning, reasoning about actions and change, and computational models of
narrative, we identify concrete theoretical and practical challenges that
accrue in the context of formal reasoning about `space, events, actions, and
change'. With this as a basis, and within the backdrop of an illustrated
scenario involving the spatio-temporal dynamics of urban narratives, we address
specific problems and solutions techniques chiefly involving `qualitative
abstraction', `data integration and spatial consistency', and `practical
geospatial abduction'. From a broad topical viewpoint, we propose that
next-generation dynamic GIS technology demands a transdisciplinary scientific
perspective that brings together Geography, Artificial Intelligence, and
Cognitive Science.
Keywords: artificial intelligence; cognitive systems; human-computer
interaction; geographic information systems; spatio-temporal dynamics;
computational models of narrative; geospatial analysis; geospatial modelling;
ontology; qualitative spatial modelling and reasoning; spatial assistance
systemsComment: ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (ISSN 2220-9964);
Special Issue on: Geospatial Monitoring and Modelling of Environmental
Change}. IJGI. Editor: Duccio Rocchini. (pre-print of article in press
Improved Delay Bound for a Service Curve Element with Known Transmission Rate
Network calculus is often used to prove delay bounds in deterministic
networks, using arrival and service curves. We consider a FIFO system that
offers a rate-latency service curve and where packet transmission occurs at
line rate without pre-emption. The existing network calculus delay bounds take
advantage of the service curve guarantee but not of the fact that transmission
occurs at full line rate. In this letter, we provide a novel, improved delay
bound which takes advantage of these two features. Contrary to existing bounds,
ours is per-packet and depends on the packet length. We prove that it is tight.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Map Calculus in GIS: a proposal and demonstration
This paper provides a new representation for fields (continuous surfaces) in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), based on the notion of spatial functions and their combinations. Following Tomlin's (1990) Map Algebra, the term 'Map Calculus' is used for this new representation. In Map Calculus, GIS layers are stored as functions, and new layers can be created by combinations of other functions. This paper explains the principles of Map Calculus and demonstrates the creation of function-based layers and their supporting management mechanism. The proposal is based on Church's (1941) Lambda Calculus and elements of functional computer languages (such as Lisp or Scheme)
Persons Versus Brains: Biological Intelligence in Human Organisms
I go deep into the biology of the human organism to argue that the psychological features and functions of persons are realized by cellular and molecular parallel distributed processing networks dispersed throughout the whole body. Persons supervene on the computational processes of nervous, endocrine, immune, and genetic networks. Persons do not go with brains
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