Reflections on ambient intelligence systems handling of user preferences and needs

We start by assuming the hypothesis that Intelligent Environments are essentially user-centred systems and that the effectiveness of such systems is proportional to their knowledge of the user’s preferences and needs and to their capacity to deliver services based on that knowledge. We then start with the complex task of examining the intricacies of dealing with preferences and needs in a more systematic and computational way with the hope these concepts will be given more relevance in the future within our community. The aim of this discussion is to encourage future research to produce an effective way for Ambient Intelligence systems to represent and reason with the preferences and needs of the users of such systems

On the publication and pagination of Ameghino's (1894) taxonomy of Santacrucian mammals

DURING the course of our research on the paleobiology and systematics ofmammalian remains of the Santa Cruz Formation of Argentine Patagonia,we becameaware of differences in the early literature dealing with Santacrucian (late Early Miocene) mammals. Although literature errors are not uncommon, they are often only an inconvenience. However, in this case it involves an article in which numerous taxa were erected, so that particular attention must be paid to the circumstances of its publication. The article in question is Florentino Ameghino?s (1894a, b) Énumération synoptique des espèces de mammifères fossiles des formations éocènes de Patagonie. This article was published formally in 1893 in the Boletín de la Academia Nacional de Ciencias en Córdoba and also in 1894, with identical title and text but different pagination, as an offprint.Fil: De Iuliis, Gerardo. University of Toronto; Canadá. Royal Ontario Museum; CanadáFil: Fernicola, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Racco, Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentin

Installation process and main functionalities of the Spin model checker

This document explains how to download and install all the software needed to properly run the Spin model checker and its user-friendly graphical user interface, called iSpin. It also offers a short tutorial which presents the main functionalities of Spin and explains briefly some basic concepts which are important to be able to use Spin through iSpin.Grupo de investigación MYDASS (Modelling & Development of Advanced Software Systems), TIC-230. Departamento de Lenguajes y Sistemas Informáticos (Universidad de Granada)

Capital market development : whither Latin America ?

Over the past decades, many countries have implemented significant reforms to foster capital market development. Latin American countries were at the forefront of this process. The authors analyze where Latin American capital markets stand after these reforms. They find that despite the intense reform effort, capital markets in Latin America remain underdeveloped relative to markets in other regions. Furthermore, stock markets are below what can be expected, given Latin America's economic and institutional fundamentals. The authors discuss alternative ways of interpreting this evidence. They argue that it is difficult to pinpoint which policies Latin American countries should pursue to overcome their poor capital market development. Moreover, they argue that expectations about the outcome of the reform process may need to be revisited to take into account intrinsic characteristics of emerging economies. The latter may limit the scope for developing deep domestic capital markets in a context of international financial integration.Markets and Market Access,Economic Theory&Research,Access to Markets,Financial Economics,Financial Intermediation

Innovative experiences in access to finance : market friendly roles for the visible hand ?

Interest in access to finance has increased significantly in recent years, as growing evidence suggests that lack of access to credit prevents lower-income households and small firms from financing high return investment projects, having an adverse effect on growth and poverty alleviation. This study describes some recent innovative experiences to broaden access to credit. These experiences are consistent with an emerging new view that recognizes a limited role for the public sector in financial markets, but contends that there might be room for well-designed, restricted interventions in collaboration with the private sector to foster financial development and broaden access. The authors illustrate this view with several recent experiences inLatin America and then discuss some open policy questions about the role of the public and private sectors in driving these financial innovations.Debt Markets,Banks&Banking Reform,,Emerging Markets,Bankruptcy and Resolution of Financial Distress

Stock market development under globalization : whither the gains from reforms ?

Over the past decades, many countries have implemented significant reforms to foster domestic capital market development. These reforms included stock market liberalization, privatization programs, and the establishment of regulatory and supervisory frameworks. Despite the intense reform efforts, the performance of capital markets in several countries has been disappointing. To study whether reforms have had the intended effects on capital markets, the authors analyze the impact of six capital market reforms on domestic stock market development and internationalization using event studies. They find that reforms tend to be followed by significant increases in domestic market capitalization, trading, and capital raising. Reforms are also followed by an increase in the share of activity in international equity markets, with potential negative spillover effects on domestic markets.Markets and Market Access,Economic Theory&Research,Access to Markets,Privatization,Corporate Law