Obligation Norm Identification in Agent Societies

Most works on norms have investigated how norms are regulated using institutional mechanisms. Very few works have focused on how an agent may infer the norms of a society without the norm being explicitly given to the agent. This paper describes a mechanism for identifying one type of norm, an obligation norm. The Obligation Norm Inference (ONI) algorithm described in this paper makes use of an association rule mining approach to identify obligation norms. Using agent based simulation of a virtual restaurant we demonstrate how an agent can identify the tipping norm. The experiments that we have conducted demonstrate that an agent in the system is able to add, remove and modify norms dynamically. An agent can also flexibly modify the parameters of the system based on whether it is successful in identifying a norm.Norms, Social Norms, Obligations, Norm Identification, Agent-Based Simulation, Simulation of Norms, Artificial Societies, Normative Multi-Agent Systems (NorMAS)

A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF USERS OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS INFORMATION: PROCEDURES AND RESULTS

This survey of 100 economic analysts in agriculture, outside of government and academia, assesses the changing public-private balance in information services in agriculture. Its objectives were to: (1)contact front-line private-sector analysts who handle economic issues in agriculture and ask them about the data and information they most value and why, (2) experiment with measurement instruments to segment and describe information attributes that users value; and (3) assess the interest of front-line analysts in the changing public- private balance in information provision. The results provide a list of information services used by analysts, descriptive responses on attributes that contribute to value-added, and statistical analysis relating respondent characteristics to the use of information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Large droplet impact on water layers

The impact of large droplets onto an otherwise undisturbed layer of water is considered. The work, which is motivated primarily with regard to aircraft icing, is to try and help understand the role of splashing on the formation of ice on a wing, in particular for large droplets where splash appears, to have a significant effect. Analytical and numerical approaches are used to investigate a single droplet impact onto a water layer. The flow for small times after impact is determined analytically, for both direct and oblique impacts. The impact is also examined numerically using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. At small times there are promising comparisons between the numerical results, the analytical solution and experimental work capturing the ejector sheet. At larger times there is qualitative agreement with experiments and related simulations. Various cases are considered, varying the droplet size to layer depth ratio, including surface roughness, droplet distortion and air effects. The amount of fluid splashed by such an impact is examined and is found to increase with droplet size and to be significantly influenced by surface roughness. The makeup of the splash is also considered, tracking the incoming fluid, and the splash is found to consist mostly of fluid originating in the layer

The interactions between biodiversity and climate change and the actions required to tackle both issues simultaneously and synergistically

This briefing paper considers the relationship between the biodiversity and climate crises, the interactions between them, and why an integrated approach is essential to creating a sustainable future where people and planet can thrive

Potential Uses of Embedded RFID in Appliance Identification

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has become a pervasive technology for the purpose of tracking goods through the supply chain. It is possible to adapt this radio technology such that remote identification is possible using the electrical power cable as a communication channel in place of the inductive coils used by most RFID tags. Furthermore, passive transponders which do not require a local power source may be used. This opens up several interesting possibilities for automatic appliance identification during manufacture, test and in general use

Design guidelines for assessing and controlling spacecraft charging effects

The need for uniform criteria, or guidelines, to be used in all phases of spacecraft design is discussed. Guidelines were developed for the control of absolute and differential charging of spacecraft surfaces by the lower energy space charged particle environment. Interior charging due to higher energy particles is not considered. A guide to good design practices for assessing and controlling charging effects is presented. Uniform design practices for all space vehicles are outlined

Changes in intergenerational eating patterns and the impact on childhood obesity

The objective of this study was to examine intergenerational eating patterns within two sets of families, those with an obese child and those with a normal weight child, and to assess the impact of intergenerational influences on children's eating. A qualitative study design was used, incorporating focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Sixteen focus groups took place and 27 semi-structured interviews were held with different generations. Focus groups were conducted in the community with grandparents, parents and children from different families. This was followed by semi-structured interviews, involving individuals from three generations within families with an obese child and within families with a normal weight child. An examination of intergenerational eating has shown that eating patterns have changed regardless of whether or not families have children who are obese. The grandparent's eating patterns were more structured, whereas the children's eating patterns were less so. There have been more changes, and eating is less structured, within those families with an obese child than those families with a normal weight child. It is recommended that approaches to tackling childhood obesity concentrate on the family setting and the ways in which professionals can support families to change eating practices. Future research should formally test the relationship between the concept 'structured eating' and the 'what' of eating, in order to determine whether there is a link between intergenerational eating patterns and childhood obesity. © The Author(s) 2010