Automatic self-configuration of the logical network using distributed software agents

We present a system for dynamic network resource configuration in environments with bandwidth reservation. The proposed system is completely distributed and automates the mechanisms for adapting the logical network to the offered load. The system is able to manage dynamically a logical network such as a virtual path network in ATM or a label switched path network in MPLS or GMPLS. The system design and implementation is based on a multi-agent system (MAS) which make the decisions of when and how to change a logical path. Despite the lack of a centralised global network view, results show that MAS manages the network resources effectively, reducing the connection blocking probability and, therefore, achieving better utilisation of network resources. We also include details of its architecture and implementation

Dynamic bandwidth management as part of an integrated network management system based on distributed agents

We present a system for dynamic network resource configuration in environments with bandwidth reservation and path restoration mechanisms. Our focus is on the dynamic bandwidth management results, although the main goal of the system is the integration of the different mechanisms that manage the reserved paths (bandwidth, restoration, and spare capacity planning). The objective is to avoid conflicts between these mechanisms. The system is able to dynamically manage a logical network such as a virtual path network in ATM or a label switch path network in MPLS. This system has been designed to be modular in the sense that in can be activated or deactivated, and it can be applied only in a sub-network. The system design and implementation is based on a multi-agent system (MAS). We also included details of its architecture and implementation

Interacting software-agents to support a kind of expert supervision systems

Expert supervision systems are software applications specially designed to automate process monitoring. The goal is to reduce the dependency on human operators to assure the correct operation of a process including faulty situations. Construction of this kind of application involves an important task of design and development in order to represent and to manipulate process data and behaviour at different degrees of abstraction for interfacing with data acquisition systems connected to the process. This is an open problem that becomes more complex with the number of variables, parameters and relations to account for the complexity of the process. Multiple specialised modules tuned to solve simpler tasks that operate under a co-ordination provide a solution. A modular architecture based on concepts of software agents, taking advantage of the integration of diverse knowledge-based techniques, is proposed for this purpose. The components (software agents, communication mechanisms and perception/action mechanisms) are based on ICa (Intelligent Control architecture), software middleware supporting the build-up of applications with software agent features

Embodied Autonomy in Digital Ecosystems: From Bio-Inspired Agents to Cognitive Systems

This paper proposes to promote autonomy in digital ecosystems so that it provides agents with information to improve the behavior of the digital ecosystem in terms of stability. This work proposes that, in digital ecosystems, autonomous agents can provide fundamental services and information. The final goal is to run the ecosystem, generate novel conditions and let agents exploit them. A set of evaluation measures must be defined as well. We want to provide an outline of some global indicators, such as heterogeneity and diversity, and establish relationships between agent behavior and these global indicators to fully understand interactions between agents, and to understand the dependence and autonomy relations that emerge between the interacting agents. Individual variations, interaction dependencies, and environmental factors are determinants of autonomy that would be considered. The paper concludes with a discussion of situations when autonomy is a milestone

Evaluation of conversational agents : Mariá and ET. 'Evaluación de agentes de conversación : Mariá y ET'.

Resumen tomado del autor. Artículo seleccionado del VIII Congreso Iberoamericano de informática Educativa RIBIE 2006, (San José, Costa Rica 2006), extendido y revisado para su publicación en IE Comunicaciones

ISMAEL : un agente BDI como cerebro de una plataforma de tele-educación

Resumen tomado del autor

Agents de medi ambient. 'Agentes de medio ambiente'.

Se repasa las actividades que realizan durante una jornada de trabajo los agentes de medio ambiente. Las funciones de estos trabajadores son la vigilancia de la flora y la fauna, de los ecosistemas marinos, de las actividades humanas en el medio ambiente -control de recursos hídricos, control de residuos, etc-. Hasta el año 2003 sólo existían los guardas forestales pero hacía falta un cuerpo de personal más complejo que respondiera a las necesidades de la sociedad actual y los problemas del medio ambiente..

Exploratory Study on Occupational Health Exposure to Chemical Agents, in a Public Hospital in Valencia, Venezuela. Preliminar Assessment

Descriptive study that identified chemical agents (AQ) use and training on risk management and waste disposal techniques in a public Hospital in Valencia. A questionnaire was answered by 48 workers. Information obtained was: personal data, occupational history, AQ used; knowledge of risk management and waste disposal. There were 16 occupations from 12 “High Risk” areas. “Adult emergency” was the one with more workers (11 individuals), followed by “sterilization” and “clinical laboratory” (7 each) and oncology (5). The remained areas had less than 8.3% workers. The most used anesthetic agents were: Halothane, Enfluorane and Isofluorane 4.17% each and main antineoplastics used were: Doxorubicin 16.67% and Paclitaxel, 5-Fluoracil and Etoposide, 8.33% each. The most mentioned substances were: alcohol (70.8%) and Chlorine (64.6%). None of the answers regarding knowledge of AQ’ risk management and waste disposal was satisfactory. Statistical associations between training and several variables such as age, time in their job and being or not a professional, resulted non-significant. The correlation between training and the knowledge of AQ’s management was significant (p < 0.001). Participants showed that their knowledge about chemical occupational risk factors they are exposed to is still insufficient. Therefore, this theme should be included in graduate course curricula. These results provide important data and will serve as a pilot research for the follow up Phase II study that will include clinical aspects and environmental and biological monitoring.

L'escola com a espai de relació amb la resta d'agents educadors. 'La escuela como espacio de relación con el resto de agentes educadores'.

Resumen del autor en catalán

Evidence versus ideology in education policy : the recent history of initial teacher education in England and Wales and the implications for educational researchers as agents of change.

Resumen del autor. Este art??culo pertenece al monogr??fico 'John Elliott: su pensamiento y su influencia'

Relació i comunicació entre els agents educatius i l'escola en el territori. 'Relación y comunicación entre los agentes educativos y la escuela en el territorio'.

Se define y justifica el concepto y la metodología del trabajo en red. Los autores reflexionan sobre el modelo educativo del S.XXI y se debaten algunos cambios que consideran necesarios para que desde la escuela poder responder a las necesidades de las familias y de la sociedad actual. Se muestran algunos proyectos que se han llevado a cabo en algunas escuelas de Cataluña a través de las redes de trabajo.

Adaptación española del inventario para la depresión de Beck-II (BDI-II) : 1 : propiedades psicométricas en estudiantes universitarios.

Resumen tomado de la publicación

Análisis factorial del BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) en padres de niños con trastornos psicopatológicos.

Resumen tomado de la revista

Anàlisi de la imatge turística percebuda pels agents orgànics: El cas de Girona

Anàlisi empírica de la imatge turística de la ciutat de Girona que transmeten els agents orgànics mitjançant els blogs d’Internet i, a partir d’aquí, deducció de quina és la imatge percebuda pels turistes potencials

Espais de col.laboració entre els agents implicats en el pràcticum: tutoria de centre i facultat i estudiants

L’objectiu d’aquesta comunicació és reflexionar sobre diferents models de relació facultat-escola en el pràcticum dels estudis de mestre/a. Es tracta de presentar una experiència concreta que pot servir de punt de partida per reconsiderar la creació de nous espais d’integració dels elements teòrics i els plantejaments diaris d’aula en la formació de futurs mestres a partir de diferents dinàmiques de tutorització compartida