FURY: Fuzzy unification and resolution based on edit distance

We present a theoretically founded framework for fuzzy unification and resolution based on edit distance over trees. Our framework extends classical unification and resolution conservatively. We prove important properties of the framework and develop the FURY system, which implements the framework efficiently using dynamic programming. We evaluate the framework and system on a large problem in the bioinformatics domain, that of detecting typographical errors in an enzyme name databas

Limit cycles of a perceptron

An artificial neural network can be used to generate a series of numbers. A boolean perceptron generates bit sequences with a periodic structure. The corresponding spectrum of cycle lengths is investigated analytically and numerically; it has similarities with properties of rational numbers.Comment: LaTeX and 4 postscript pages of figure

Interactive visualisation and exploration of biological data

International audienceno abstrac

Solving magnetostatic field problems with NASTRAN

Determining the three-dimensional magnetostatic field in current-induced situations has usually involved vector potentials, which can lead to excessive computational times. How such magnetic fields may be determined using scalar potentials is reviewed. It is shown how the heat transfer capability of NASTRAN level 17 was modified to take advantage of the new method

Kelly Criterion revisited: optimal bets

Kelly criterion, that maximizes the expectation value of the logarithm of wealth for bookmaker bets, gives an advantage over different class of strategies. We use projective symmetries for a explanation of this fact. Kelly's approach allows for an interesting financial interpretation of the Boltzmann/Shannon entropy. A "no-go" hypothesis for big investors is suggested.Comment: APFA5 Conference, Torino, 200

Polysemy in Advertising

The article reviews the conceptual foundations of advertising polysemy – the occurrence of different interpretations for the same advertising message. We discuss how disciplines as diverse as psychology, semiotics and literary theory have dealt with the issue of polysemy, and provide translations and integration among these multiple perspectives. From such review we draw recurrent themes to foster future research in the area and to show how seemingly opposed methodological and theoretical perspectives complement and extend each other. Implications for advertising research and practice are discussed.Advertising;Polysemy;Semiotics

Negotiation in Multi-Agent Systems

In systems composed of multiple autonomous agents, negotiation is a key form of interaction that enables groups of agents to arrive at a mutual agreement regarding some belief, goal or plan, for example. Particularly because the agents are autonomous and cannot be assumed to be benevolent, agents must influence others to convince them to act in certain ways, and negotiation is thus critical for managing such inter-agent dependencies. The process of negotiation may be of many different forms, such as auctions, protocols in the style of the contract net, and argumentation, but it is unclear just how sophisticated the agents or the protocols for interaction must be for successful negotiation in different contexts. All these issues were raised in the panel session on negotiation