Analysis and design of multiagent systems using MAS-CommonKADS

This article proposes an agent-oriented methodology called MAS-CommonKADS and develops a case study. This methodology extends the knowledge engineering methodology CommonKADSwith techniquesfrom objectoriented and protocol engineering methodologies. The methodology consists of the development of seven models: Agent Model, that describes the characteristics of each agent; Task Model, that describes the tasks that the agents carry out; Expertise Model, that describes the knowledge needed by the agents to achieve their goals; Organisation Model, that describes the structural relationships between agents (software agents and/or human agents); Coordination Model, that describes the dynamic relationships between software agents; Communication Model, that describes the dynamic relationships between human agents and their respective personal assistant software agents; and Design Model, that refines the previous models and determines the most suitable agent architecture for each agent, and the requirements of the agent network

THE CHANGE � AN IMPERATIVE REQUEST FOR THE DURABLE OR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A credible hypothesis suggests that, in the future the economic growth will not be anymore a general and continuous one, and that the economic agents known from the special literature under the conventional name as organization or company (a group of persons acting conscious and coordinated in order to achieve common objectives), shall survive only if they make sustaining and continuous efforts to assimilate, in due time, the �last moment� technologies, including the ones referring to the organization and management of the performed activity. In this respect the plea in favor of the performance and elaboration of provisions or prognosis, as a premise of durable development, becomes legitimate and credible, contributing to the resolution of problems claimed by the general progress. Starting with XXIst century, the chance of survival of the economic and financial-banking units is proportional with the value of the management action, demarche known in the special literature as strategic management or management of change. But in order to be a successful one, the management must be creative, of prospective type and, as much as possible, non-conflictive.

Knowledge politics and new converging technologies: a social epistemological perspective

The “new converging technologies” refers to the prospect of advancing the human condition by the integrated study and application of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and the cognitive sciences - or “NBIC”. In recent years, it has loomed large, albeit with somewhat different emphases, in national science policy agendas throughout the world. This article considers the political and intellectual sources - both historical and contemporary - of the converging technologies agenda. Underlying it is a fluid conception of humanity that is captured by the ethically challenging notion of “enhancing evolution”

Current issues relating to artificial reefs in European seas

European artificial reef research has now been active for about three decades. For much of that time research has been conducted within national programmes, focussing on national or local issues, and has taken place predominately in the Mediterranean Sea. Over the past ten years or so interest in artificial reef technology and science has spread into the NE Atlantic and Baltic Sea with an associated variation in aims and ideas. Reef scientists working in European seas have run projects to assess artificial reefs as tools to protect habitat from destruction from trawling (Spain, Italy and France), promote nature conservation (Monaco, Italy and France), aid fisheries (Italy, Spain, Portugal and France), assess novel materials for reef construction (Italy and UK), investigate habitat use for lobsters (UK, Italy and Israel), for aquaculture (Italy), as experimental sites where habitat parameters are known (UK, Holland and Italy) and as biofiltration structures (Finland, Russia, Poland and Romania). This variety of investigation is one of the strengths of artificial reef research in Europe, the community is diverse and there is great scientific value in establishing collaboration and dialogue with colleagues. The majority of artificial reef investigations have been, and still are, experimental with Italy dominating the research effort and Spain currently leading the way in the tonnage of reef material deployed, primarily for seagrass habitat protection. Problems associated with old descriptive, qualitative research have led to developments in quantification and comparative studies which have allowed a scientific perspective to be put on artificial reef deployments across Europe. Currently, as part of the EARRN (European Artificial Reef Research Network) initiative, there is an acceptance of the need to standardise some of the ecological methods used. If this is not practicable in some cases then at least the reporting of results will be done in such a way to allow comparison with data gathered elsewhere

Managing the possible health risks of mobile telecommunications: Public understandings of precautionary action and advice

It has been suggested that precautionary approaches to managing possible health risks mobile telecommunications (MT) technology may cause or exacerbate public concerns. In contrast, precautionary approaches to managing such risks in the UK have been framed as a way of reducing public concerns. This article presents evidence from a series of focus groups about publics’ understandings of the actions taken and advice given about potential MT health risks by the UK government. Eight focus groups were conducted with members of the public that varied in their age, their awareness and concern about mast siting, and the self-reported level of mobile phone use. From the analyses a complex picture emerged in which publics’ understandings were not primarily framed in terms of precautionary action and advice either provoking concern or providing reassurance. People made sense of precaution by drawing upon a range of evidence from their understandings of costs and benefits of the technology, as well as the institutional context in which MT health risks were managed. For some of those involved in protesting against mast siting, precaution was seen as confirming existing concern. Further systematic exploration of the contexts within which different responses to precaution emerge is thus likely to be instructive.Mobile Telecommunications Health Research Programme

Construction contract risk identification based on knowledge-augmented language model

Contract review is an essential step in construction projects to prevent potential losses. However, the current methods for reviewing construction contracts lack effectiveness and reliability, leading to time-consuming and error-prone processes. While large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in revolutionizing natural language processing (NLP) tasks, they struggle with domain-specific knowledge and addressing specialized issues. This paper presents a novel approach that leverages LLMs with construction contract knowledge to emulate the process of contract review by human experts. Our tuning-free approach incorporates construction contract domain knowledge to enhance language models for identifying construction contract risks. The use of a natural language when building the domain knowledge base facilitates practical implementation. We evaluated our method on real construction contracts and achieved solid performance. Additionally, we investigated how large language models employ logical thinking during the task and provide insights and recommendations for future research

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UNION OF ARCHITECTS FOR SUSTAINING THE LOCAL VISUAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITY OF KRASNOYARSK AS A PROSPECTIVE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EASTERN SIBERIA

Proceedings of the XXV ISUF International Conference “Urban Form and Social Context: from Traditions to Newest Demands” (Krasnoyarsk, July 5–9, 2018)Krasnoyarsk has a rich and significant cultural and architectural history (since 1628), embodied in its architectural monuments and urban environment. After the fall of the Soviet Union with its well-defined visual and mental ideology (J. Charley), Krasnoyarsk, like many Russian cities, seems to have developed erratically. Additionally, the link between society and the built environment has been lost. However, the preservation of cultural layers is of importance (C. Abel; P. Emmons) and one of the key elements needed for national consciousness and a sense of national belonging (V. Putin, decree of 2009). The Krasnoyarsk office of The All-Russian Union of Architects had the rights and responsibility for the formation of a comfortable and relevant architectural environment and interactions between the environment and society during the Soviet Union period; however, currently, it is, in fact, fragmented and has lost its rights. Moreover, this Union is gradually dying as an institution and should be reinvented, according to current needs of society (New Institutionalism, Meyer, Rowan). Thus, the main question of the article is: how could the Union of Architects return the prerogative for identification and sustaining of the local visual and cultural identity of Krasnoyarsk, acting as a connector of the society and the built environment?Using elements of historical-correlation research (L. Groat, D. Wang), relying on case studies of existing approaches around the Western World and the existing theories of urban power distribution (Domhoff, Mossberger, Stoker, etc) along with instruments of participation (Hofmann, Lee, etc.), the initial work called Agency of Identity (D. Belova, MA thesis, Sheffield, UK, 2017) was aimed to develop the scenario of programme implementation for the Union of Architects as an Agency of Identity (‘Mapping Controversies’, Yaneva). Finally, the preliminary strategy was developed to provide the Union with the scenario of empowerment. This could become a social experiment, potentially used for future research

CBR and MBR techniques: review for an application in the emergencies domain

The purpose of this document is to provide an in-depth analysis of current reasoning engine practice and the integration strategies of Case Based Reasoning and Model Based Reasoning that will be used in the design and development of the RIMSAT system. RIMSAT (Remote Intelligent Management Support and Training) is a European Commission funded project designed to: a.. Provide an innovative, 'intelligent', knowledge based solution aimed at improving the quality of critical decisions b.. Enhance the competencies and responsiveness of individuals and organisations involved in highly complex, safety critical incidents - irrespective of their location. In other words, RIMSAT aims to design and implement a decision support system that using Case Base Reasoning as well as Model Base Reasoning technology is applied in the management of emergency situations. This document is part of a deliverable for RIMSAT project, and although it has been done in close contact with the requirements of the project, it provides an overview wide enough for providing a state of the art in integration strategies between CBR and MBR technologies.Postprint (published version