Bad news on decision problems for patterns

We study the inclusion problem for pattern languages, which is shown to be undecidable by Jiang et al. (J. Comput. System Sci. 50, 1995). More precisely, Jiang et al. demonstrate that there is no effective procedure deciding the inclusion for the class of all pattern languages over all alphabets. Most applications of pattern languages, however, consider classes over fixed alphabets, and therefore it is practically more relevant to ask for the existence of alphabet-specific decision procedures. Our first main result states that, for all but very particular cases, this version of the inclusion problem is also undecidable. The second main part of our paper disproves the prevalent conjecture on the inclusion of so-called similar E-pattern languages, and it explains the devastating consequences of this result for the intensive previous research on the most prominent open decision problem for pattern languages, namely the equivalence problem for general E-pattern languages

Bad news on decision problems for patterns

We study the inclusion problem for pattern languages, which - due to Jiang et al. (Journal of Computer and System Sciences 50, 1995) - is known to be undecidable. More precisely, Jiang et al. demonstrate that there is no effective procedure deciding the inclusion for the class of all pattern languages over all alphabets. Most applications of pattern languages, however, consider classes over fixed alphabets, and therefore it is practically more relevant to ask for the existence of alphabet-specific decision procedures. Our first main result states that, for all but very particular cases, this version of the inclusion problem is also undecidable. The second main part of our paper disproves the prevalent conjecture on the inclusion of so-called similar E-pattern languages, and it explains the devastating consequences of this result for the intensive previous research on the most prominent open decision problem for pattern languages, namely the equivalence problem for general E-pattern languages

E-Democracy and Knowledge. A Multicriteria Framework for the New Democratic Era

This paper analyses a new framework for decision-making in e-democracies that exploits the power of Internet based public knowledge, which is called briefly e-cognocracy. This is not a procedure to improve technical aspects using the Internet (e.g. e-voting); it is rather a procedure to add a new quality to the democratic system by using the network. This proposed system of e-cognocracy would allow those who are interested to solve highly complex problems by participatory decision-making. Furthermore, we suggest the multicriteria framework for the modelling and resolution of such complex problems. Similarly, using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach, we propose decisional (analytic and informatic) tools for searching the knowledge - relevant for the decision-making process. This knowledge of patterns of behaviour, trends, opportunities, decisions and stylised facts will be the starting point of a consensus-reaching process, which is aimed to effectively solve problems of high complexity of the Internet society.E-democracy, Knowledge society, E-cognocracy, Multicriteria, AHP criterion, Consensus

Patterns of Data-Driven Decision-Making: How Decision-Makers Leverage Crowdsourced Data

Crowdsourcing represents a powerful approach for organizations to collect data from large networks of people. While research already made great strides to develop the technological foundations for processing crowdsourced data, little is known about decision-making patterns that emerge when decision-makers have access to such large amounts of data on people’s behavior, opinions, or ideas. In this study, we analyze the characteristics of decision-making in crowdsourcing based on interviews with decision-makers across 10 multinational corporations. For research, we identify four common patterns of decision-making that range from structured and goal-oriented to highly dynamic and data-driven. In this way, we systematize how decision-makers typically source, process, and use crowdsourced data to inform decisions. We also provide an integrated perspective on how different types of decision problems and modes of acquiring information induce such patterns. For practice, we discuss how information systems should be designed to provide adequate support for these patterns

An explanation of anomalous behavior in models of political participation

This paper characterizes behavior with “noisy” decision making for models of political interaction characterized by simultaneous binary decisions. Applications include: voting participation games, candidate entry, the volunteer's dilemma, and collective action problems with a contribution threshold. A simple graphical device is used to derive comparative statics and other theoretical properties of a “quantal response” equilibrium, and the resulting predictions are compared with Nash equilibria that arise in the limiting case of no noise. Many anomalous data patterns in laboratory experiments based on these games can be explained in this manner

Decision-theoretic control of EUVE telescope scheduling

This paper describes a decision theoretic scheduler (DTS) designed to employ state-of-the-art probabilistic inference technology to speed the search for efficient solutions to constraint-satisfaction problems. Our approach involves assessing the performance of heuristic control strategies that are normally hard-coded into scheduling systems and using probabilistic inference to aggregate this information in light of the features of a given problem. The Bayesian Problem-Solver (BPS) introduced a similar approach to solving single agent and adversarial graph search patterns yielding orders-of-magnitude improvement over traditional techniques. Initial efforts suggest that similar improvements will be realizable when applied to typical constraint-satisfaction scheduling problems

Sleepiness and cognition in young adults who gamble and use alcohol

Abstract Background and aims Past research suggests that sleep problems are associated with increased risky decision-making. Similarly, gambling disorder and alcohol use disorder are also associated with increased risky decision-making. Individuals with gambling disorder or alcohol use disorder have also reported higher rates of sleep problems compared to normal healthy controls. As such, we sought to examine whether sleep problems play a role in the development of alcohol use disorder or gambling disorder. Methods One hundred and forty-one individuals who gamble and use alcohol, yet do not meet criteria for gambling disorder or alcohol use disorder, were assessed to determine the correlation between sleepiness, amount of sleep obtained, decision-making, and alcohol or gambling behaviors. Results Our results suggest that inconsistent sleep patterns may be associated with increased frequency of alcohol use and gambling. We did not, however, find a significant correlation between sleep factors and decision-making. Discussion Further research is needed to examine the specific relationship between sleep patterns and alcohol use and gambling frequency. Overall these data suggest that sleepiness or sleep and risky decision-making is not a significant factor in gambling and alcohol use behaviors in individuals not meeting criteria for alcohol use disorder or gambling disorder