A customizable multi-agent system for distributed data mining

We present a general Multi-Agent System framework for distributed data mining based on a Peer-to-Peer model. Agent protocols are implemented through message-based asynchronous communication. The framework adopts a dynamic load balancing policy that is particularly suitable for irregular search algorithms. A modular design allows a separation of the general-purpose system protocols and software components from the specific data mining algorithm. The experimental evaluation has been carried out on a parallel frequent subgraph mining algorithm, which has shown good scalability performances

Incorporating the elements of the mase methodology into agent open

Enterprise-wide, web-based systems can be assisted in their construction by the use of agents and an agent-oriented methodology. As part of an extensive research programme to create such an AO methodology by combining the benefits of method engineering and existing object-oriented frameworks (notably the OPF), we have analysed here contributions to the OPF repository of process components from the MASE agent-oriented methodology, identifying three new Tasks, one additional Technique and two new Work Products

An Incremental Process for the Development of Multi-agent Systems in Event-B

A multi-agent system is a group of software or hardware agents that cooperate or compete to achieve individual or shared goals. A method for developing a multi-agent system must be capable of modelling the concepts that are central to multi-agent systems. These concepts are identified in a review of Agent Oriented Software Engineering methodologies. The rigorous development of complex systems using formal methods can reduce the number of design faults. Event-B is a formal method for modelling and reasoning about reactive and distributed systems. There is currently no method that guides the developer specifically in the modelling of agent-based concepts in Event-B. The use of formal methods is seen by some developers as inaccessible. This thesis presents an Incremental Development Process for the development of multi-agent systems in Event-B. Development following the Incremental Development Process begins with the construction of informal models, based on agent concepts. The informal models relate system goals using a set of relationships. The developer is provided with guidance to construct formal Event-B models based on the informal design. The concepts that are central to multi-agent systems are captured in the Event-B models through the translation from the goal models. The Event-B models are refined and decomposed into specifications of roles that will be performed by the agents of the system. Two case studies illustrate how the Incremental Development Process can be applied to multi-agent systems. An additional aid to the developer presented in this thesis is a set of modelling patterns that provide fault-tolerance for Event-B models of interacting agents

Novas soluções para a interação entre operador e passageiro nos transportes públicos

Environmental awareness has been increasing over the years. Since the transportation sector is one of the great contributors of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is necessary to motivate people to leave their car at home and use public transport. However, service providers must meet passengers' needs in a more personalized way and improve the quality of the service they offer. This project aims to provide a tool that positively impacts the required shift towards sustainability, and it relies on the exchange of passenger information to achieve this goal. The challenge proposed by the company, OPT, is based on the creation of new solutions for the interaction between operator and passenger through the Smartphone. Given that OPT is headquartered in Porto, its area of intervention par excellence is focused on the Metropolitan Area of Porto (MAP). The project focused on the acquisition of passenger data from this same area to characterize it in terms of urban mobility. The study has the MAP as a starting point however, the goal is to create a solution that is scalable to any city. The project began by characterizing the current situation regarding passenger information in the metropolitan area of Porto and a passenger survey was conducted to understand their perception towards information in public transports. Despite the available app offer, there are opportunities for improvement in the context of the integration of essential app functionalities and user experience. In addition, a bilateral interaction between the two stakeholders is needed in order to generate relevant information from user feedback. In this way, a new mobile application concept for public transport was designed to co-create value and improve the quality of service and allow seamless mobility across the travel network. Taking into account the commercial potential of this project, the strategies of innovation and business are based on the optimization of resources and value for the clientAo longo dos anos, a consciencialização das populações relativamente ao meio ambiente tem vindo a aumentar. O setor dos transportes, nomeadamente o de passageiros, tem um grande impacto na emissão de gases poluentes e, por isso, a utilização do veículo próprio como meio de transporte de eleição tem de ser reduzida. Para isto, é necessário que o transporte público se torne apelativo e sirva as necessidades das pessoas de forma personalizada e com qualidade. Este projeto é desenvolvido de acordo com a premissa de melhoria da qualidade dos transportes públicos e baseia-se na troca de informação para atingir este objetivo. O desafio lançado pela OPT assenta na criação de novas soluções para a interação entre operador e passageiro. Tendo em conta que a OPT está sediada no Porto, a sua área de intervenção por excelência foca-se na Área Metropolitana do Porto (AMP) e, por isso, o projeto focou-se na aquisição de dados desta mesma área para a caracterizar em termos de mobilidade. O estudo tem a AMP como ponto de partida, no entanto, o objetivo é criar uma solução que seja escalável para qualquer cidade. Para analisar o estado da informação ao público na área metropolitana do Porto, procedeu-se ao levantamento da oferta e à realização de um inquérito aos passageiros. Apesar de existir alguma oferta relativamente a aplicações móveis que disponibilizam informação, existem oportunidades de melhoria no contexto da integração de funcionalidades essenciais e user experience. Além disso, a evolução indica uma interação entre os intervenientes de forma a que se possa gerar informação relevante a partir do feedback do utilizador. Desta forma, foi concetualizado um novo modelo de aplicação móvel para os transportes públicos. O objetivo é baseado na co-criação de valor para melhorar a qualidade do serviço e permitir uma mobilidade contínua, motivando assim para a utilização dos transportes coletivos. Tendo em conta o potencial comercial deste projeto, reflete-se sobre as estratégias de inovação e negócio tendo por base a otimização dos recursos e o valor para o clienteMestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industria

Agent Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) Approach to Game Development Methodology

This thesis investigates existing game development methodologies, through the process of researching game and system development models. The results indicate that these methodologies are engineered to solve specific problems, and most are suitable only for specific game genres. Different approaches to building games have been proposed in recent years. However, most of these methodologies focus on the design and implementation phase. This research aims to enhance game development methodologies by proposing a novel game development methodology, with the ability to function in generic game genres, thereby guiding game developers and designers from the start of the game development phase to the end of the implementation and testing phase. On a positive note, aligning development practice with universal standards makes it far easier to incorporate extra team members at short notice. This increased the confidence when working in the same environment as super developers. In the gaming industry, most game development proceeds directly from game design to the implementation phase, and the researcher observes that this is the only industry in which this occurs. It is a consequence of the game industry’s failure to integrate with modern development techniques. The ultimate aim of this research to apply a new game development methodology using most game elements to enhance success. This development model will align with different game genres, and resolve the gap between industry and research area, so that game developers can focus on the important business of creating games. The primary aim of Agent Oriented Agile Base (AOAB) game development methodology is to present game development techniques in sequential steps to facilitate game creation and close the gap in the existing game development methodologies. Agent technology is used in complex domains such as e-commerce, health, manufacturing, games, etc. In this thesis we are interested in the game domain, which comprises a unique set of characteristics such as automata, collaboration etc. Our AOAB will be based on a predictive approach after adaptation of MaSE methodology, and an adaptive approach using Agile methodology. To ensure proof of concept, AOAB game development methodology will be evaluated against industry principles, providing an industry case study to create a driving test game, which was the problem motivating this research. Furthermore, we conducted two workshops to introduce our methodology to both academic and industry participants. Finally, we prepared an academic experiment to use AOAB in the academic sector. We have analyzed the feedbacks and comments and concluded the strengths and weakness of the AOAB methodology. The research achievements are summarized and proposals for future work outlined