Trust-based negotiation in multiagent systems: a systematic review

In this work, we conducted a systematic review on trust-based negotiation in Multiagent Systems (MAS), through a bibliometric analysis over the past 25 years of research publications, on three of the most popular scientific databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science). Our analysis reveals that this research topic is regaining interest, after some oscillating years, and the impact of its contributions is equivalent to other equally important research variants like ontology and argumentation (in a negotiation scenario). Discarding the human-to-agent trust challenges, we only focus on agent-to-agent trust concepts, and we performed an analysis of the different types of trust dimensions, using the findings and concerns of past review works, as we identify and select the dimensions that, in our opinion, have the most potential to lead the research advances on the topic of trust in MAS. Furthermore, we discuss the current challenges and open issues associated with those trust dimensions, and how current advancements in the literature could provide insights for the solution of those challenges, or even the finding of new research paths.This work has been supported by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) through the Projects UIDB/04728/2020, UIDP/04728/2020, and the Ricardo Barbosa doctoral Grant with the reference UI/BD/154187/202

Addressing consumer demands: a manufacturing collaboration process using blockchain for knowledge representation

Under I4.0, the evolution of the manufacturing processes is supported by an increase of data that is available and produced by organisations, the digitalisation of manufacturing pipelines, and a paradigm shift in production (from mass production to mass personalisation). Additionally, organisations need to gather the necessary conditions to ensure their quick adaptation to a changing environment and replace reactiveness for proactivity. Collaboration can act as the foundation to an answer for the increase demand for customised products, with an open and transparent environment where information is shared, and actors can work together to solve a common problem. In this work we propose a model definition for an industrial collaboration network composed by a network of entities, with reasoning and interaction, that uses a blockchain for knowledge representation. Current definitions of MAS already include a representation of equipment, transportation, products, and organisations; our contribution proposes the inclusion of the consumer, represented by an agent, directly in the manufacturing process. This agent represents the preferences and needs of the consumer in product customisation scenarios which, together with the other agents, negotiate criteria and cooperate with each other. The network is composed by distinct types of agents, across multiple organisations, that share common objectives. We use Hyperledger Fabric to represent knowledge, assuring that the data is stored and shared with all entities, while keeping the information secure and assuring that it cannot be tampered with.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(UIDB/04728/2020

Instant global illumination on the GPU using OptiX

OptiX, a programmable ray tracing engine, has been recently made available by NVidia, relieving rendering researchers from the idiosyncrasies of efficient ray tracing programming and allowing them to concentrate on higher level algorithms, such as interactive global illumination. This paper evaluates the performance of the Instant Global Illumination algorithm on OptiX as well as the impact of three di fferent optimization techniques: imperfect visibility, downsampling and interleaved sampling. Results show that interactive frame rates are indeed achievable, although the combination of all optimization techniques leads to the appearance of artifacts that compromise image quality. Suggestions are presented on possible ways to overcome these limitations

Desenvolvimento de recursos de design em pequenas empresas da indústria automóvel : uma abordagem metodológica

ABSTRACT: This paper reflects part of a broader investigation on the development of methodologies to identify, value and manage design capabilities in order to create a sustainable competitive advantage. With the automotive industry and smaller supplier Portuguese companies as background, this paper explores the resource-based view theory (RBV) and the dynamic capabilities theory as a theoretical construct for a further development of research tools. In the automotive industry, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) continue to control the overall design of the vehicle, as part of the ability to manage the offer portfolio and brand communication. However, the industry have been moving towards an increasing participation of smaller suppliers in product development processes, pushed towards capabilities’ development as a requirement to continue competitive in the OEM’s suppliers network. The role of design and design management capabilities have been explored as strategic resources or core competencies. However, Design is not typically found in smaller supplier firms as resource (as opposed to Design studios in larger companies) but found as a process in resourcecapability combinations, establishing the need for a new research approach. Therefore, the RBV is a tool to value the design process as a sustained competitive advantage. The RBV conceptualizes a framework to determine or identify the strategic resources available or needed within a company. At these lenses, the basis for a sustainable competitive advantage lies in the application of the bundle of valuable resources identified and at the firm's disposal and the combinations with its capabilitiesEste artigo reflete parte de uma investigação mais ampla sobre o desenvolvimento de metodologias para identificar, valorizar e gerir os recursos de design, com o objetivo de criar uma vantagem competitiva sustentável. Com a indústria automóvel e as pequenas empresas portuguesas fornecedoras como pano de fundo, este artigo explora a teoria da Resource Based View (RBV) e a teoria das Dynamic Capabili_es (DCT) como um construto teórico para o desenvolvimento de ferramentas de investigação. Na indústria automóvel, os OEM (fabricantes de equipamentos originais) continuam a controlar o design geral do veículo, como parte da capacidade de gestão do seu portfólio assim como a comunicação de marca. No entanto, o setor tem seguido um caminho para uma participação crescente de fornecedores menores nos processos de desenvolvimento de produto, impulsionados para o desenvolvimento de capacidades como requisito de competitividade na rede de fornecedores dos OEM. O papel dos recursos do design e da gestão do design foram já explorados como recurso estratégicos ou competências fundamentais. No entanto, o Design não é normalmente encontrado em empresas de menor dimensão como recurso (em oposição aos estúdios de Design em empresas maiores), mas sim como um processo de combinações de diferentes capacidades e recursos, estabelecendo a necessidade de uma nova abordagem de pesquisa. Portanto, a RBV é uma ferramenta que visa a valorização do processo de design como uma vantagem competitiva sustentada. A RBV concetualiza uma estrutura para determinar ou identificar os recursos estratégicos disponíveis ou necessários dentro de uma empresa. Deste ponto de vista, a base para uma vantagem competitiva sustentável está na aplicação do conjunto de recursos valiosos identificados e à disposição da empresa em forma de combinações das suas diferentes capacidades e recursos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of morphodynamics on annual average zonation pattern of benthic macrofauna of exposed sandy beaches in Santa Catarina, Brazil

This study investigated the effect of environmental factors on the annual average zonation pattern of benthic macrofauna of sub-aerial profile of three exposed sandy beaches of Santa Catarina with different morphodynamic characteristics. Sampling was carried out between March 2000 and March 2001, with monthly frequency on reflective and dissipative morphodynamic extremes and bimonthly frequency on the intermediate state. Results showed that macrobenthic zonation presented marked differences across the morphodynamic spectrum. The main differences observed from reflective to dissipative conditions were: a) increase in the number of species in lower zones of the beach; b) expansion of zones characterized by high water content of sediment and c) increase in the overlapping of zones, mainly on lower levels of the beach. Canonical Correspondence Analysis related these differences to distinctive cross-shore gradients in sediment moisture levels, sediment reworking and mean grain size that exist across the morphodynamic spectrum, showing that it is important to analyze these environmental factors in studies conducted to investigate zonation on microtidal exposed sandy beaches.Este estudo analisou o efeito dos fatores ambientais sobre a zonação da macrofauna bentônica da porção subaérea de praias arenosas expostas e caracterizadas por diferentes estágios morfodinâmicos em Santa Catarina. As amostragens foram realizadas entre março/2000 e março/2001, a intervalos mensais nos extremos morfodinâmicos e bimestrais no estágio intermediário. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a zonação da macrofauna bentônica apresentou as seguintes diferenças, do extremo refletivo para o dissipativo: a) aumento do número de espécies nos níveis inferiores da praia; b) aumento da extensão das zonas faunísticas caracterizadas por elevado teor de umidade do sedimento; e c) aumento da sobreposição das zonas faunísticas, principalmente, nos níveis inferiores da praia. Os resultados da Análise de Correspondência Canônica mostraram que estas diferenças resultam dos distintos gradientes verticais de umidade, remobilização sedimentar e tamanho médio de grão existentes ao longo do gradiente morfodinâmico, demonstrando a importância de analisar estas variáveis em estudos dedicados a investigar os padrões de zonação de praias arenosas expostas e de micromaré

Effect of cold fronts on the benthic macrofauna of exposed sandy beaches with contrasting morphodynamics

The aim of this study was to determine the short-term environmental changes caused by the simultaneous passage of a high energy event on two sandy beaches with different morphodynamic states and their influence on the richness, abundance and distribution of the benthic macrofauna. Two microtidal exposed sandy beaches with contrasting morphodynamics were simultaneously sampled before, during and after the passage of two cold fronts in Santa Catarina. The reflective beach showed a higher susceptibility to the increase in wave energy produced by the passage of cold fronts and was characterized by rapid and intense erosive processes in addition to a capacity for rapid restoration of the beach profile. As regards the dissipative beach, erosive processes operated more slowly and progressively, and it was characterized further by a reduced capacity for the recovery of its sub-aerial profile. Although the intensity of the environmental changes was distinct as between the morphodynamic extremes, changes in the composition, richness and abundance of macrobenthos induced by cold fronts were not evident for either of the beaches studied. On the other hand, alterations in the distribution pattern of the macrofauna were observed on the two beaches and were related to variations in sea level, position of the swash zone and moisture gradient, suggesting that short-term accommodations in the spatial structure of the macrobenthos occur in response to changes in environmental conditions in accordance with the temporal dynamics characteristic of each morphodynamic state.Com o objetivo de avaliar as alterações ambientais de curtoprazo causadas pela passagem de um mesmo evento de alta energia em praias com diferentes estágios morfodinâmicos e sua influência na riqueza, abundância e distribuição do macrobentos, duas praias arenosas expostas e pertencentes aos extremos morfodinâmicos foram simultaneamente amostradas antes, durante e após a passagem de duas frentes frias em Santa Catarina. A praia refletiva apresentou maior suscetibilidade ao incremento de onda causado pelos eventos e caracterizou-se por rápidos e intensos processos erosivos, além de apresentar uma rápida capacidade de restauração do perfil praial. Por outro lado, os processos erosivos operaram de forma lenta e progressiva na porção subaérea da praia dissipativa, que caracterizou-se por uma reduzida capacidade de recuperação do perfil . Embora a intensidade das alterações ambientais tenha sido distinta entre os extremos morfodinâmicos, mudanças na composição, riqueza e abundância do macrobentos, induzidos pelas frentes frias, não foram evidentes para nenhuma das praias estudadas. Por outro lado, alterações na distribuição da macrofauna foram verificadas nas duas praias e estiveram relacionadas com as variações do nível do mar, do posicionamento da zona de espraiamento e dos gradientes de umidade daí decorrentes, sugerindo que acomodações de curto prazo na estrutura espacial do macrobentos ocorrem como resposta às alterações nas condições ambientais de acordo com a dinâmica temporal característica de cada estágio morfodinâmico

Why design matters? Making the case for the smaller companies in the automotive industry

This research focuses on industrial design and strategic management and more specifically on the way the development of design capabilities can influence the strategic product market position of the Portuguese small and medium supply companies for the automotive industry. Industrial design is not usually highlighted as a cornerstone skill of most small-scale automotive supply companies. Instead, it is usually established as a process in resource-capability combinations due to the highly dynamic environments that characterize this industry. Practice suggests a double bias either in the definition of design, sometimes emphasized as style and associated with carmakers, or in design’s role in developing the position of small and medium enterprises in supply networks. This line of reasoning supports the lead research question: why design matters for smaller companies in the automotive industry? The theoretical constructs and context field supported through the literature and the automotive industry profile (international and Portuguese) review reveal a research procedure supported on an interdisciplinary work process. The exploratory nature of this study calls for a qualitative type of research to be conducted as the use of case studies is the most appropriate research strategy. Three firms from the Portuguese automotive cluster were selected for the case study representing an appropriate automotive industry supplier sample for cross-case analysis. The analysis of the gathered data required three phases: analysis and report of individual cases; analysis and report of cross cases; and the conclusions and implications of the cross cases for both theory and practice. As a result, it is revealed the importance of the development of design capabilities for a determined business strategy. The development of design capabilities is key for the development of high added value products for the supply of complex parts or modules. Hence, a list of suggested positive and negative industrial design practices are proposed

Effect of cold fronts on the benthic macrofauna of exposed sandy beaches with contrasting morphodynamics

Com o objetivo de avaliar as alterações ambientais de curtoprazo causadas pela passagem de um mesmo evento de alta energia em praias com diferentes estágios morfodinâmicos e sua influência na riqueza, abundância e distribuição do macrobentos, duas praias arenosas expostas e pertencentes aos extremos morfodinâmicos foram simultaneamente amostradas antes, durante e após a passagem de duas frentes frias em Santa Catarina. A praia refletiva apresentou maior suscetibilidade ao incremento de onda causado pelos eventos e caracterizou-se por rápidos e intensos processos erosivos, além de apresentar uma rápida capacidade de restauração do perfil praial. Por outro lado, os processos erosivos operaram de forma lenta e progressiva na porção subaérea da praia dissipativa, que caracterizou-se por uma reduzida capacidade de recuperação do perfil . Embora a intensidade das alterações ambientais tenha sido distinta entre os extremos morfodinâmicos, mudanças na composição, riqueza e abundância do macrobentos, induzidos pelas frentes frias, não foram evidentes para nenhuma das praias estudadas. Por outro lado, alterações na distribuição da macrofauna foram verificadas nas duas praias e estiveram relacionadas com as variações do nível do mar, do posicionamento da zona de espraiamento e dos gradientes de umidade daí decorrentes, sugerindo que acomodações de curto prazo na estrutura espacial do macrobentos ocorrem como resposta às alterações nas condições ambientais de acordo com a dinâmica temporal característica de cada estágio morfodinâmico.The aim of this study was to determine the short-term environmental changes caused by the simultaneous passage of a high energy event on two sandy beaches with different morphodynamic states and their influence on the richness, abundance and distribution of the benthic macrofauna. Two microtidal exposed sandy beaches with contrasting morphodynamics were simultaneously sampled before, during and after the passage of two cold fronts in Santa Catarina. The reflective beach showed a higher susceptibility to the increase in wave energy produced by the passage of cold fronts and was characterized by rapid and intense erosive processes in addition to a capacity for rapid restoration of the beach profile. As regards the dissipative beach, erosive processes operated more slowly and progressively, and it was characterized further by a reduced capacity for the recovery of its sub-aerial profile. Although the intensity of the environmental changes was distinct as between the morphodynamic extremes, changes in the composition, richness and abundance of macrobenthos induced by cold fronts were not evident for either of the beaches studied. On the other hand, alterations in the distribution pattern of the macrofauna were observed on the two beaches and were related to variations in sea level, position of the swash zone and moisture gradient, suggesting that short-term accommodations in the spatial structure of the macrobenthos occur in response to changes in environmental conditions in accordance with the temporal dynamics characteristic of each morphodynamic state

MARKETING DE RELACIONAMENTO NAS MÍDIAS SOCIAIS: ESTUDO DE CASO DA UTILIZAÇÃO DO FACEBOOK PELA REDE DE COLÉGIOS MARISTAS

No presente trabalho discorremos sobre estratégias de utilização da rede social Facebook como ferramenta de marketing de relacionamento, com uma análise das fanpages dos colégios que compõem a Rede de Colégios Maristas. Atualmente empresas investem em formas de interagir com seus clientes, não apenas expondo seu produto, mas também conversando sobre ele, criando uma relação entre a empresa e o consumidor. O objetivo geral do trabalho foi identificar, com base no Marketing de Relacionamento, como a Rede de Colégios Marista utiliza a rede social Facebook como ferramenta para engajamento de seu público. Os objetivos específicos foram compreender os conceitos de interatividade e relacionamentos com o cliente; classificar as postagens buscando entender de que forma elas expressam marketing de relacionamento; compreender o histórico de comunicação da Rede de Colégios Maristas a fim de entender o seu posicionamento nas mídias sociais e avaliar as práticas utilizadas pelos Colégios no meio digital. A pesquisa é caracterizada como bibliográfica e de estudo de caso, desta forma realizou-se uma entrevista com os assistentes de Comunicação e Marketing das 18 unidades que a compõe. Como resultado, acredita-se que o Facebook pode ser utilizado como suporte para divulgação de conteúdo. Esse surge como uma ferramenta de trabalho, podendo ser utilizada pela Rede de Colégios Maristas, para promover o marketing de relacionamento

Evaluating the perception of the decision quality in web-based group decision support systems: a theory of satisfaction

The future and success of organizations depend greatly on the quality of every decision made. It is known that most of the decisions in organizations are made in group. With the purpose to support the decision-makers anytime and anywhere, Web-based Group Decision Support Systems have been studied. The amount of Web-based Group Decision Support Systems incorporating automatic negotiation mechanisms such as argumentation is increasing nowadays. Usually, these systems/models are evaluated through mathematical proofs, number of rounds or seconds to propose (reach) a solution. However, those techniques do not say much in terms of decision quality. Here, we propose a model to predict the decision-makers’ satisfaction (perception of the decision quality), specially designed to deal with multi-criteria problems. Our model considers aspects such as: alternatives comparison, style of behaviour, emotions, mood and expectations. The proposed formulation matches the assumptions previously defined in the literature.This work was supported by COMPETE Programme (operational programme for competitiveness) within Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043, by National Funds through the FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) within the Projects UID/CEC/00319/2013, UID/EEA/00760/2013, and the João Carneiro PhD Grant with the Reference SFRH/BD/89697/2012.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio