Effect van Rovral (iprodion) op de knolsortering van pootaardappelenThe effect of Rovral (iprodion) on tuber size distribution of seed potatoes

Invloed van fungiciden op de produkti

Institutions and Functions

What is an institution? And what distinguishes one type of institution from another? We answer these questions using a functionalist approach: types of institutions are identified by their function, or the coordination problems they solve; token institutions are specific solutions to these problems, or equilibria of strategic games. The functionalist approach provides some insights into the limits of reform, or the extent to which institutions \u2013 like marriage, property, or democracy \u2013 can be modified without turning them into entities of a different kind

Externalisation and Internalization: A New Perspective on Agent Modularisation in Multi-Agent System Programming

Abstract—Agent modularisation is a main issue in agent and multi-agent system programming. Existing solutions typically propose some kinds of constructs – such as capabilities – to group and encapsulate in well-defined modules inside the agent different kinds of agent features, that depend on the architecture or model adopted—examples are goals, beliefs, intentions, skills. In this paper we introduce a further perspective, which can be considered complimentary to existing approaches, which accounts for externalizing some of such functionalities into the computational environment where agents are (logically) situated. In this perspective, agent modules are realised as suitably designed artifacts that agents can dynamically exploit as external tools to enhance their action repertoire and – more generally – their capability to execute tasks. Then, to let agent (and agent programmers) exploit such capabilities abstracting from the low-level mechanics of artifact management and use, we exploit the dual notion of internalization, which consists in dynamically consulting and automatically embedding high-level usage protocols described in artifact manuals as agent plans. The idea is discussed providing some practical examples of use, based on CArtAgO as technology for programming artifacts and Jason agent platform to program the agents. I

Improved quantification of CO2 storage containment risks - an overview of the SHARP Storage project

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is now maturing in Europe and worldwide with several Net Zero projects emerging. Hence, the need for safe and reliable CO2 storage sites is accelerating and the accurate assessment of large-scale storage options at the gigatonne-per-year is critical. The SHARP project addresses the main priority areas required to improve current technologies to deliver CO2 storage volumes at the scale needed to meet demands for large scale storage. Research needs identified in the industry has provided the base for this well-integrated project with the ambitions to reduce the uncertainty in the geomechanical response to CO2 injection. Six case studies from sites in the North Sea and India will be matured during the projects. Ongoing work includes review of existing stress data, updating and integration of seismic catalogues and planning of new experimental data for improved constitutive models and rock failure attributes. Improved data analysis, compiling data from different sources, and new data generated in the project is expected to provide a base for updated failure risk assessment and more targeted monitoring. An initial assessment of rock failure risk in in progress and will be updated with a "Round 2" failure assessment incorporating new learnings and more mature data. The improved failure risk assessment includes the use of Bayesian statistical approach for quantification of uncertainties in geomechanical properties. Methods to quantify geological containment risk will be developed by reading across event tree techniques from other industries (e.g. nuclear). A set of generic release diagrams have been derived in a series of interdisciplinary workshops as a starting point for risk modellingImproved quantification of CO2 storage containment risks - an overview of the SHARP Storage projectpublishedVersio

How Does Reasoning (Fail to) Contribute to Moral Judgment? Dumbfounding and Disengagement

Recent experiments in moral psychology have been taken to imply that moral reasoning only serves to reaffirm prior moral intuitions. More specifically, Jonathan Haidt concludes from his moral dumbfounding experiments, in which people condemn other people’s behavior, that moral reasoning is biased and ineffective, as it rarely makes people change their mind. I present complementary evidence pertaining to self-directed reasoning about what to do. More specifically, Albert Bandura’s experiments concerning moral disengagement reveal that moral reasoning often does contribute effectively to the formation of moral judgments. And such reasoning need not be biased. Once this evidence is taken into account, it becomes clear that both cognition and affect can play a destructive as well as a constructive role in the formation of moral judgments

Integrating BDI agents with Agent-based simulation platforms

Agent-Based Models (ABMs) is increasingly being used for exploring and supporting decision making about social science scenarios involving modelling of human agents. However existing agent-based simulation platforms (e.g., SWARM, Repast) provide limited support for the simulation of more complex cognitive agents required by such scenarios. We present a framework that allows Belief-Desire Intention (BDI) cognitive agents to be embedded in an ABM system. Architecturally, this means that the "brains" of an agent can be modelled in the BDI system in the usual way, while the "body" exists in the ABM system. The architecture is exible in that the ABM can still have non-BDI agents in the simulation, and the BDI-side can have agents that do not have a physical counterpart (such as an organisation). The framework addresses a key integration challenge of coupling event-based BDI systems, with time-stepped ABM systems. Our framework is modular and supports integration off-the-shelf BDI systems with off-the-shelf ABM systems. The framework is Open Source, and all integrations and applications are available for use by the modelling community

Anesthetic action on the transmission delay between cortex and thalamus explains the beta-buzz observed under propofol anesthesia

In recent years, more and more surgeries under general anesthesia have been performed with the assistance of electroencephalogram (EEG) monitors. An increase in anesthetic concentration leads to characteristic changes in the power spectra of the EEG. Although tracking the anesthetic-induced changes in EEG rhythms can be employed to estimate the depth of anesthesia, their precise underlying mechanisms are still unknown. A prominent feature in the EEG of some patients is the emergence of a strong power peak in the β–frequency band, which moves to the α–frequency band while increasing the anesthetic concentration. This feature is called the beta-buzz. In the present study, we use a thalamo-cortical neural population feedback model to reproduce observed characteristic features in frontal EEG power obtained experimentally during propofol general anesthesia, such as this beta-buzz. First, we find that the spectral power peak in the α– and δ–frequency ranges depend on the decay rate constant of excitatory and inhibitory synapses, but the anesthetic action on synapses does not explain the beta-buzz. Moreover, considering the action of propofol on the transmission delay between cortex and thalamus, the model reveals that the beta-buzz may result from a prolongation of the transmission delay by increasing propofol concentration. A corresponding relationship between transmission delay and anesthetic blood concentration is derived. Finally, an analytical stability study demonstrates that increasing propofol concentration moves the systems resting state towards its stability threshold