13,785 research outputs found
Solving stable matching problems using answer set programming
Since the introduction of the stable marriage problem (SMP) by Gale and
Shapley (1962), several variants and extensions have been investigated. While
this variety is useful to widen the application potential, each variant
requires a new algorithm for finding the stable matchings. To address this
issue, we propose an encoding of the SMP using answer set programming (ASP),
which can straightforwardly be adapted and extended to suit the needs of
specific applications. The use of ASP also means that we can take advantage of
highly efficient off-the-shelf solvers. To illustrate the flexibility of our
approach, we show how our ASP encoding naturally allows us to select optimal
stable matchings, i.e. matchings that are optimal according to some
user-specified criterion. To the best of our knowledge, our encoding offers the
first exact implementation to find sex-equal, minimum regret, egalitarian or
maximum cardinality stable matchings for SMP instances in which individuals may
designate unacceptable partners and ties between preferences are allowed.
This paper is under consideration in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming
(TPLP).Comment: Under consideration in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming
(TPLP). arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1302.725
Modeling Stable Matching Problems with Answer Set Programming
The Stable Marriage Problem (SMP) is a well-known matching problem first
introduced and solved by Gale and Shapley (1962). Several variants and
extensions to this problem have since been investigated to cover a wider set of
applications. Each time a new variant is considered, however, a new algorithm
needs to be developed and implemented. As an alternative, in this paper we
propose an encoding of the SMP using Answer Set Programming (ASP). Our encoding
can easily be extended and adapted to the needs of specific applications. As an
illustration we show how stable matchings can be found when individuals may
designate unacceptable partners and ties between preferences are allowed.
Subsequently, we show how our ASP based encoding naturally allows us to select
specific stable matchings which are optimal according to a given criterion.
Each time, we can rely on generic and efficient off-the-shelf answer set
solvers to find (optimal) stable matchings.Comment: 26 page
Four Lessons in Versatility or How Query Languages Adapt to the Web
Exposing not only human-centered information, but machine-processable data on the Web is one of the commonalities of recent Web trends. It has enabled a new kind of applications and businesses where the data is used in ways not foreseen by the data providers. Yet this exposition has fractured the Web into islands of data, each in different Web formats: Some providers choose XML, others RDF, again others JSON or OWL, for their data, even in similar domains. This fracturing stifles innovation as application builders have to cope not only with one Web stack (e.g., XML technology) but with several ones, each of considerable complexity. With Xcerpt we have developed a rule- and pattern based query language that aims to give shield application builders from much of this complexity: In a single query language XML and RDF data can be accessed, processed, combined, and re-published. Though the need for combined access to XML and RDF data has been recognized in previous work (including the W3Câs GRDDL), our approach differs in four main aspects: (1) We provide a single language (rather than two separate or embedded languages), thus minimizing the conceptual overhead of dealing with disparate data formats. (2) Both the declarative (logic-based) and the operational semantics are unified in that they apply for querying XML and RDF in the same way. (3) We show that the resulting query language can be implemented reusing traditional database technology, if desirable. Nevertheless, we also give a unified evaluation approach based on interval labelings of graphs that is at least as fast as existing approaches for tree-shaped XML data, yet provides linear time and space querying also for many RDF graphs. We believe that Web query languages are the right tool for declarative data access in Web applications and that Xcerpt is a significant step towards a more convenient, yet highly efficient data access in a âWeb of Dataâ
Identification of Public Objectives Related to Agricultural Sector Support
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a widely debated policy in terms of both its budget and its instruments. In order to serve the citizens of Europe properly, CAP requires optimal identification of the public objectives desired. This paper aims to analyse the relative weights that citizens assign to the various potential objectives of the CAP and to show how these can be used to improve the selection of policy instruments. As a means of identifying social preferences we used the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique on a population sample in Castilla y LeĂłn (Spain). Results show how the current policy decision process lacks mechanisms capable of identifying social preferences and thus leading to the choice of sub-optimal policies.Common Agricultural Policy, Objectives, Social preferences, AHP, Castilla y LeĂłn.
GIS-based multicriteria analysis as decision support in flood risk management
In this report we develop a GIS-based multicriteria flood risk assessment and mapping approach. This approach has the ability a) to consider also flood risks which are not measured in monetary terms, b) to show the spatial distribution of these multiple risks and c) to deal with uncertainties in criteria values and to show their influence on the overall assessment. It can furthermore be used to show the spatial distribution of the effects of risk reduction measures. The approach is tested for a pilot study at the River Mulde in Saxony, Germany. Therefore, a GISdataset of economic as well as social and environmental risk criteria is built up. Two multicriteria decision rules, a disjunctive approach and an additive weighting approach are used to come to an overall assessment and mapping of flood risk in the area. Both the risk calculation and mapping of single criteria as well as the multicriteria analysis are supported by a software tool (FloodCalc) which was developed for this task. --
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