BioTuCSoN: biochemical extension of TuCSoN to support self-organising coordination

Starting from pervasive computing paradigm, we want to face the new system's requirements, concerning, mainly, self-organisation, situatedness and adaptivity, through the definition and execution of nature-inspired patterns. They are extracted by the study of dynamics in biological systems and we consider for their implementation the biochemical tuple spaces model. In particular, the aim of the thesis is to design and realize a first biochemical extension of TuCSoN (technology based on tuple spaces model) and, then, to verify its capabilities by means of a proper case study, that deals with local self-organisation and competition of services in an open and highly-dynamic environment.

Strangers among us. Non-governmental organisations in Russia. OSW COMMENTARY 2015-09-29

The situation of the third sector in Russia, i.e. the civil society structures independent from the state, is worsening on a regular basis. The Kremlin’s actions aimed at paralysing and destroying the independent non-governmental sector seen over the past four years have been presented as part of a struggle for the country’s sovereignty. This is above all a consequence of the Russian government’s efforts to take full control of the socio-political situation in the country while it also needs to deal with the geopolitical confrontation with the West and the worsening economic crisis. The policy aimed against non-governmental organisations is depriving the public of structures for self-organisation, protection of civil rights and the means of controlling the ever more authoritarian government. At the same time, the Kremlin has been depriving itself of channels of co-operation and communication with the public and antagonising the most active citizens. The restrictive measures the Kremlin has taken over the past few years with regard to NGOs prove that Russian decision-makers believe that any social initiative independent of the government may give rise to unrest, which is dangerous for the regime, and – given the economic slump – any unrest brings unnecessary political risk.

Self-organization of Functioning Process of Expert System with the Use of Subject Domain Ontology

Optimization of design, creation, functioning and accompaniment processes of expert system is the important problem of artificial intelligence theory and decisions making methods techniques. In this paper the approach to its solving with the use of technology, being based on methodology of systems analysis, ontology of subject domain, principles and methods of self-organisation, is offered. The aspects of such approach realization, being based on construction of accordance between the ontology hierarchical structure and sequence of questions in automated systems for examination, are expounded.

Self-organising zooms for decentralised redundancy management in visual sensor networks

When visual sensor networks are composed of cameras which can adjust the zoom factor of their own lens, one must determine the optimal zoom levels for the cameras, for a given task. This gives rise to an important trade-off between the overlap of the different cameras’ fields of view, providing redundancy, and image quality. In an object tracking task, having multiple cameras observe the same area allows for quicker recovery, when a camera fails. In contrast having narrow zooms allow for a higher pixel count on regions of interest, leading to increased tracking confidence. In this paper we propose an approach for the self-organisation of redundancy in a distributed visual sensor network, based on decentralised multi-objective online learning using only local information to approximate the global state. We explore the impact of different zoom levels on these trade-offs, when tasking omnidirectional cameras, having perfect 360-degree view, with keeping track of a varying number of moving objects. We further show how employing decentralised reinforcement learning enables zoom configurations to be achieved dynamically at runtime according to an operator’s preference for maximising either the proportion of objects tracked, confidence associated with tracking, or redundancy in expectation of camera failure. We show that explicitly taking account of the level of overlap, even based only on local knowledge, improves resilience when cameras fail. Our results illustrate the trade-off between maintaining high confidence and object coverage, and maintaining redundancy, in anticipation of future failure. Our approach provides a fully tunable decentralised method for the self-organisation of redundancy in a changing environment, according to an operator’s preferences.

The electronic states of SeF: A reinterpretation of the chemiluminescent emission of the reaction of selenium with fluorine

The low-lying doublet and quartet electronic states of the species SeF correlating with the first dissociation channel are investigated theoretically at a high-level of electronic correlation treatment, namely, the complete active space self-consistent field/multireference single and double excitations configuration interaction (CASSCF/MRSDCI) using a quintuple-zeta quality basis set including a relativistic effective core potential for the selenium atom. Potential energy curves for (Lambda+S) states and the corresponding spectroscopic properties are derived that allows for an unambiguous assignment of the only spectrum known experimentally as due to a spin-forbidden X (2)Pi-a (4)Sigma(-) transition, and not a A (2)Pi-X (2)Pi transition as assumed so far. For the bound excited doublets, yet unknown experimentally, this study is the first theoretical characterization of their spectroscopic properties. Also the spin-orbit coupling constant function for the X (2)Pi state is derived as well as the spin-orbit coupling matrix element between the X (2)Pi and a (4)Sigma(-) states. Dipole moment functions and vibrationally averaged dipole moments show SeF to be a very polar species. An overview of the lowest-lying spin-orbit (Omega) states completes this description. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3426315]

Hypomania: a transcultural perspective

This study examined the transcultural robustness of a screening instrument for hypomania, the Hypomania Checklist-32. first revised version(HCL-32 R1) It was carried out in 2606 patients from twelve countries in five geographic regions (Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe, South America and East Asia) In addition, GAMIAN Europe contributed data from its members Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the transregional stability of the measurement properties of the HCL-32 R 1, including the influence of sex and age as covariates A cross cultures, a two-factor structure was confirmed the first factor (F 1) reflected the more positive aspects of hypomania (being more active, elated, self-confident, and cognitively, enhanced), the second factor (F2) reflected the more negative aspects (being irritable, impulsive, careless. more substance use). The measurement properties of the HCL-32 R1 were largely invariant across cultures Only few items showed transcultural differences in their relation to hypomania as measured by the test F2 was higher among men and in more severe manic syndromes, F1 was highest in North and East Europe and lowest in South America Vie scores decreased slightly with age The frequency of the 32 items showed remarkable similarities across geographic areas, with two exceptions. South Europeans had lower symptom frequencies in general and East Europeans higher rates of substance use These findings support the international applicability of the HCL-32 R1 as a screening instrument for hypomania

Phenomenological turbulence and innovation in knowledge systems

Most considerations of knowledge management focus on corporations and, until recently, considered knowledge to be objective, stable, and asocial. In this paper we wish to move the focus away from corporations, and examine knowledge and national innovation systems. We argue that the knowledge systems in which innovation takes place are phenomenologically turbulent, a state not made explicit in the change, innovation and socio-economic studies of knowledge literature, and that this omission poses a serious limitation to the successful analysis of innovation and knowledge systems. To address this lack we suggest that three evolutionary processes must be considered: self-referencing, self-transformation and self-organisation. These processes, acting simultaneously, enable system cohesion, radical innovation and adaptation. More specifically, we argue that in knowledge-based economies the high levels of phenomenological turbulence drives these processes. Finally, we spell out important policy principles that derive from these processes.

Saúde autopercebida e qualidade de vida de homens participantes de intervenção psicoeducativa para idosos

Este trabalho investigou percepções de saúde e de envelhecimento ativo entre homens idosos, assim como seus níveis de qualidade de vida antes e após intervenção psicoeducativa em grupo destinada à promoção de autocuidado. Treze homens de 62 a 78 anos, casados e aposentados, participaram de nove encontros temáticos. Os dados foram obtidos mediante entrevistas individuais semiestruturadas e aplicação dos questionários para aferir qualidade de vida WHOQOL-OLD e WHOQOL-BREF. Os resultados evidenciaram que os idosos, em sua maioria, mantinham estilos de vida ativos, avaliavam positivamente o estado pessoal de saúde e concebiam saúde em uma perspectiva biopsicossocial, aspectos que se mostraram fortalecidos após a intervenção. Houve estabilidade nos escores de qualidade de vida, com diferença significativa (p<0,05) para o domínio participação social do WHOQOL-OLD. O estudo forneceu um modelo de intervenção para fortalecer o envelhecimento bem-sucedido entre homens idosos. _______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT

A elaboração do Portefólio de Transição [identificação de interesses e aspetos positivos da funcionalidade por uma jovem com incapacidade intelectual]

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar em que medida o envolvimento de uma jovem de 19 anos, com incapacidade intelectual, na elaboração de um portefólio de transição para a vida ativa, se revela um processo promotor do autoconhecimento e exploração pessoal, através de uma identificação mais abrangente das suas experiências, interesses e competências funcionais. O efeito valorativo da elaboração do portefólio - processo desenvolvido ao longo de 27 sessões - no reconhecimento de experiências e interações positivas de funcionalidade que sejam tomadas, pela própria jovem, como um ponto de partida para novas oportunidades no domínio de uma vida adulta autónoma, foi avaliado através da condução de uma entrevista – nos momentos pré e pós elaboração do portefólio – e do registo contínuo da participação da jovem ao longo das sessões. O guião da entrevista procurou incorporar tópicos que permitissem obter, através da perspetiva da jovem, um retrato da sua funcionalidade e do seu perfil pessoal. Socorremo-nos de técnicas de análise de conteúdo para examinar mudanças no conteúdo do discurso da jovem, procurando, com base nessa análise, quantificar e analisar a diversidade de experiências, interesses, funcionalidades e suportes reconhecidas pela própria antes e após elaboração do portefólio. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que a elaboração do portefólio promoveu a construção de um maior autoconhecimento, pela jovem, das suas competências, interesses e aspirações - havendo no momento pós-elaboração do portefólio uma maior referência a aspetos positivos da sua funcionalidade, nestas dimensões de análise. Assim, este estudo parece sugerir que o processo de elaboração do portefólio poder-se-á afigurar como uma metodologia facilitadora na condução de uma transição consonante com os princípios avançados na abordagem de planeamento centrado na pessoa.

Sustainability of systems interoperability in dynamic business networks

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores

An agent based architecture for material handling systems

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores

Implementación de una metodología docente basada en las TIC y orientada al autoaprendizaje en asignaturas con un elevado contenido iconográfico en la Licenciatura de Veterinària de la UAB

La adaptación de los estudios universitarios al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES) pretende conseguir un nuevo modelo educativo basado en el aprendizaje activo del estudiante. En este sentido, las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TICs) pueden desempeñar un papel importante en la renovación de la metodología docente, y muy especialmente en asignaturas donde la carga iconográfica es fundamental, tal como ocurre en las Ciencias morfológicas y en algunas materias clínicas. En la Licenciatura en Veterinària de la UAB la carga presencial del alumno es muy elevada, lo que deja poco tiempo para el autoaprendizaje activo y el estudio autónomo. Para intentar paliar este problema, en nuestra Titulación se han elaborado en los últimos años diversos atlas y otros documentos virtuales cuyos contenidos didácticos están relacionados con materias como la Anatomía, Parasitología, Radiología y Anatomía Patológica. Estos materiales, algunos de los cuales ya están publicados on line en la plataforma Veterinària Virtual (http://quiro.uab.es), y que están a disposición de los estudiantes, posibilitan reducir en parte la carga presencial, sirven de ayuda en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje, facilitan el aprendizaje no presencial, autónomo y activo y permiten la evaluación continuada, consiguiendo en definitiva un aumento del protagonismo del alumno en el proceso educativo, lo que constituye una de las metas de la adaptación al EEES. Los alumnos valoran muy positivamente la publicación on line de material educativo, ya que representa un recurso didáctico fácilmente disponible, de acceso permanente y de bajo coste económico. La duración del proyecto ha sido de dos años.

Ab initio absorption spectrum of NiO combining molecular dynamics with the embedded cluster approach in a discrete reaction field

We developed a procedure that combines three complementary computational methodologies to improve the theoretical description of the electronic structure of nickel oxide. The starting point is a Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulation to incorporate vibrorotational degrees of freedom into the material model. By means ofcomplete active space self-consistent field second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) calculations on embedded clusters extracted from the resulting trajectory, we describe localized spectroscopic phenomena on NiO with an efficient treatment of electron correlation. The inclusion of thermal motion into the theoretical description allowsus to study electronic transitions that, otherwise, would be dipole forbidden in the ideal structure and results in a natural reproduction of the band broadening. Moreover, we improved the embedded cluster model by incorporating self-consistently at the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) level a discrete (or direct) reaction field (DRF) in the cluster surroundings. The DRF approach offers an efficient treatment ofelectric response effects of the crystalline embedding to the electronic transitions localized in the cluster. We offer accurate theoretical estimates of the absorption spectrum and the density of states around the Fermi level of NiO, and a comprehensive explanation of the source of the broadening and the relaxation of the charge transferstates due to the adaptation of the environment

Organisational Values as "Attractors of Chaos": An Emerging Cultural Change to Manage Organisational Complexity

Business organisations are excellent representations of what in physics and mathematics are designated "chaotic" systems. Because a culture of innovation will be vital for organisational survival in the 21st century, the present paper proposes that viewing organisations in terms of "complexity theory" may assist leaders in fine-tuning managerial philosophies that provide orderly management emphasizing stability within a culture of organised chaos, for it is on the "boundary of chaos" that the greatest creativity occurs. It is argued that 21st century companies, as chaotic social systems, will no longer be effectively managed by rigid objectives (MBO) nor by instructions (MBI). Their capacity for self-organisation will be derived essentially from how their members accept a shared set of values or principles for action (MBV). Complexity theory deals with systems that show complex structures in time or space, often hiding simple deterministic rules. This theory holds that once these rules are found, it is possible to make effective predictions and even to control the apparent complexity. The state of chaos that self-organises, thanks to the appearance of the "strange attractor", is the ideal basis for creativity and innovation in the company. In this self-organised state of chaos, members are not confined to narrow roles, and gradually develop their capacity for differentiation and relationships, growing continuously toward their maximum potential contribution to the efficiency of the organisation. In this way, values act as organisers or "attractors" of disorder, which in the theory of chaos are equations represented by unusually regular geometric configurations that predict the long-term behaviour of complex systems. In business organisations (as in all kinds of social systems) the starting principles end up as the final principles in the long term. An attractor is a model representation of the behavioral results of a system. The attractor is not a force of attraction or a goal-oriented presence in the system; it simply depicts where the system is headed based on its rules of motion. Thus, in a culture that cultivates or shares values of autonomy, responsibility, independence, innovation, creativity, and proaction, the risk of short-term chaos is mitigated by an overall long-term sense of direction. A more suitable approach to manage the internal and external complexities that organisations are currently confronting is to alter their dominant culture under the principles of MBV.

Organisational values as "attractors of chaos": An emerging cultural change to manage organisational complexity

Business organisations are excellent representations of what in physics and mathematics are designated "chaotic" systems. Because a culture of innovation will be vital for organisational survival in the 21st century, the present paper proposes that viewing organisations in terms of "complexity theory" may assist leaders in fine-tuning managerial philosophies that provide orderly management emphasizing stability within a culture of organised chaos, for it is on the "boundary of chaos" that the greatest creativity occurs. It is argued that 21st century companies, as chaotic social systems, will no longer be effectively managed by rigid objectives (MBO) nor by instructions (MBI). Their capacity for self-organisation will be derived essentially from how their members accept a shared set of values or principles for action (MBV). Complexity theory deals with systems that show complex structures in time or space, often hiding simple deterministic rules. This theory holds that once these rules are found, it is possible to make effective predictions and even to control the apparent complexity. The state of chaos that self-organises, thanks to the appearance of the "strange attractor", is the ideal basis for creativity and innovation in the company. In this self-organised state of chaos, members are not confined to narrow roles, and gradually develop their capacity for differentiation and relationships, growing continuously toward their maximum potential contribution to the efficiency of the organisation. In this way, values act as organisers or "attractors" of disorder, which in the theory of chaos are equations represented by unusually regular geometric configurations that predict the long-term behaviour of complex systems. In business organisations (as in all kinds of social systems) the starting principles end up as the final principles in the long term. An attractor is a model representation of the behavioral results of a system. The attractor is not a force of attraction or a goal-oriented presence in the system; it simply depicts where the system is headed based on its rules of motion. Thus, in a culture that cultivates or shares values of autonomy, responsibility, independence, innovation, creativity, and proaction, the risk of short-term chaos is mitigated by an overall long-term sense of direction. A more suitable approach to manage the internal and external complexities that organisations are currently confronting is to alter their dominant culture under the principles of MBV.