Auto-Emergencia de Comunicación Sintáctica en Entornos Estáticos y Dinámicos para Grupos de Robots mediante Evolución Gramatical y Aprendizaje por Refuerzo

La idea de dotar a un grupo de robots o agentes artificiales de un lenguaje ha sido objeto de intenso estudio en las ultimas décadas. Como no podía ser de otra forma los primeros intentos se enfocaron hacia el estudio de la emergencia de vocabularios compartidos convencionalmente por el grupo de robots. Las ventajas que puede ofrecer un léxico común son evidentes, como también lo es que un lenguaje con una estructura más compleja, en la que se pudieran combinar palabras, sería todavía más beneficioso. Surgen así algunas propuestas enfocadas hacia la emergencia de un lenguaje consensuado que muestre una estructura sintáctica similar al lenguaje humano, entre las que se encuentra este trabajo. Tomar el lenguaje humano como modelo supone adoptar algunas de las hipótesis y teorías que disciplinas como la filosofía, la psicología o la lingüística entre otras se han encargado de proponer. Según estas aproximaciones teóricas el lenguaje presenta una doble dimension formal y funcional. En base a su dimensión formal parece claro que el lenguaje sigue unas reglas, por lo que el uso de una gramática se ha considerado esencial para su representación, pero también porque las gramáticas son un dispositivo muy sencillo y potente que permite generar fácilmente estructuras simbólicas. En cuanto a la dimension funcional se ha tenido en cuenta la teoría quizá más influyente de los últimos tiempos, que no es otra que la Teoría de los Actos del Habla. Esta teoría se basa en la idea de Wittgenstein por la que el significado reside en el uso del lenguaje, hasta el punto de que éste se entiende como una manera de actuar y de comportarse, en definitiva como una forma de vida. Teniendo presentes estas premisas en esta tesis se pretende experimentar con modelos computacionales que permitan a un grupo de robots alcanzar un lenguaje común de manera autónoma, simplemente mediante interacciones individuales entre los robots, en forma de juegos de lenguaje. Para ello se proponen tres modelos distintos de lenguaje: • Un modelo basado en gramáticas probabilísticas y aprendizaje por refuerzo en el que las interacciones y el uso del lenguaje son claves para su emergencia y que emplea una gramática generativa estática y diseñada de antemano. Este modelo se aplica a dos grupos distintos: uno formado exclusivamente por robots y otro que combina robots y un humano, de manera que en este segundo caso se plantea un aprendizaje supervisado por humanos. • Un modelo basado en evolución gramatical que permite estudiar no solo el consenso sintáctico, sino también cuestiones relativas a la génesis del lenguaje y que emplea una gramática universal a partir de la cual los robots pueden evolucionar por sí mismos la gramática más apropiada según la situación lingüística que traten en cada momento. • Un modelo basado en evolución gramatical y aprendizaje por refuerzo que toma aspectos de los anteriores y amplia las posibilidades de los robots al permitir desarrollar un lenguaje que se adapta a situaciones lingüísticas dinámicas que pueden cambiar en el tiempo y también posibilita la imposición de restricciones de orden muy frecuentes en las estructuras sintácticas complejas. Todos los modelos implican un planteamiento descentralizado y auto-organizado, de manera que ninguno de los robots es el dueño del lenguaje y todos deben cooperar y colaborar de forma coordinada para lograr el consenso sintáctico. En cada caso se plantean experimentos que tienen como objetivo validar los modelos propuestos, tanto en lo relativo al éxito en la emergencia del lenguaje como en lo relacionado con cuestiones paralelas de importancia, como la interacción hombre-máquina o la propia génesis del lenguaje. ABSTRACT The idea of giving a language to a group of robots or artificial agents has been the subject of intense study in recent decades. The first attempts have focused on the development and emergence of a conventionally shared vocabulary. The advantages that can provide a common vocabulary are evident and therefore a more complex language that combines words would be even more beneficial. Thus some proposals are put forward towards the emergence of a consensual language with a sintactical structure in similar terms to the human language. This work follows this trend. Taking the human language as a model means taking some of the assumptions and theories that disciplines such as philosophy, psychology or linguistics among others have provided. According to these theoretical positions language has a double formal and functional dimension. Based on its formal dimension it seems clear that language follows rules, so that the use of a grammar has been considered essential for representation, but also because grammars are a very simple and powerful device that easily generates these symbolic structures. As for the functional dimension perhaps the most influential theory of recent times, the Theory of Speech Acts has been taken into account. This theory is based on the Wittgenstein’s idea about that the meaning lies in the use of language, to the extent that it is understood as a way of acting and behaving. Having into account these issues this work implements some computational models in order to test if they allow a group of robots to reach in an autonomous way a shared language by means of individual interaction among them, that is by means of language games. Specifically, three different models of language for robots are proposed: • A reinforcement learning based model in which interactions and language use are key to its emergence. This model uses a static probabilistic generative grammar which is designed beforehand. The model is applied to two different groups: one formed exclusively by robots and other combining robots and a human. Therefore, in the second case the learning process is supervised by the human. • A model based on grammatical evolution that allows us to study not only the syntactic consensus, but also the very genesis of language. This model uses a universal grammar that allows robots to evolve for themselves the most appropriate grammar according to the current linguistic situation they deal with. • A model based on grammatical evolution and reinforcement learning that takes aspects of the previous models and increases their possibilities. This model allows robots to develop a language in order to adapt to dynamic language situations that can change over time and also allows the imposition of syntactical order restrictions which are very common in complex syntactic structures. All models involve a decentralized and self-organized approach so that none of the robots is the language’s owner and everyone must cooperate and work together in a coordinated manner to achieve syntactic consensus. In each case experiments are presented in order to validate the proposed models, both in terms of success about the emergence of language and it relates to the study of important parallel issues, such as human-computer interaction or the very genesis of language.

Nonlinear models for lateral dynamics of railway vehicles on bridges subject to wind action

The study of lateral dynamics of running trains on bridges is of importance mainly for the safety of the traffic, and may be relevant for laterally compliant bridges. These studies require threedimensional coupled vehicle-bridge models, wheree consideration of wheel to rail contact is a key aspect. Furthermore, an adequate evaluation of safety of rail traffic requires nonlinear models. A nonlinear coupled model is proposed here for vehicle-structure vertical and lateral dynamics. Vehicles are considered as fully three-dimensional multibody systems including gyroscopic terms and large rotation effects. The bridge structure is modeled by means of finite elements which may be of beam, shell or continuum type and may include geometric or material nonlinearities. The track geometry includes distributed track alignment irregularities. Both subsystems (bridge and vehicles) are described with coordinates in absolute reference frames, as opposed to alternative approaches which describe the multibody system with coordinates relative to the base bridge motion. The wheelrail contact employed is a semi-Hertzian model based on realistic wheel-rail profiles. It allows a detailed geometrical description of the contact patch under each wheel including multiple-point contact, flange contact and uplift. Normal and tangential stresses in each contact are integrated at each time-step to obtain the resultant contact forces. The models have been implemented within an existing finite element analysis software with multibody capabilities, Abaqus (Simulia Ltd., 2010). Further details of the model are presented in Antolín et al. (2012). Representative applications are presented for railway vehicles under lateral wind action on laterally compliant viaducts, showing the relevance of the nonlinear wheel-rail contact model as well as the interaction between bridge and vehicle.

Co-creación de semiconductores

El mercado de los semiconductores está saturado de productos similares y de distribuidores con una propuesta de servicios similar. Los procesos de Co-Creación en los que el cliente colabora en la definición y desarrollo del producto y proporciona información sobre su utilidad, prestaciones y valor percibido, con el resultado de un producto que soluciona sus necesidades reales, se están convirtiendo en un paso adelante en la diferenciación y expansión de la cadena de valor. El proceso de diseño y fabricación de semiconductores es bastante complejo, requiere inversiones cada vez mayores y demanda soluciones completas. Se requiere un ecosistema que soporte el desarrollo de los equipos electrónicos basados en dichos semiconductores. La facilidad para el diálogo y compartir información que proporciona internet, las herramientas basadas en web 2.0 y los servicios y aplicaciones en la nube; favorecen la generación de ideas, el desarrollo y evaluación de productos y posibilita la interacción entre diversos co-creadores. Para iniciar un proceso de co-creación se requiere métodos y herramientas adecuados para interactuar con los participantes e intercambiar experiencias, procesos para integrar la co-creación dentro de la operativa de la empresa, y desarrollar una organización y cultura que soporten y fomenten dicho proceso. Entre los métodos más efectivos están la Netnografía que estudia las conversaciones de las comunidades en internet; colaboración con usuarios pioneros que van por delante del Mercado y esperan un gran beneficio de la satisfacción de sus necesidades o deseos; los estudios de innovación que permiten al usuario definir y a menudo crear su propia solución y la externalización a la multitud, que mediante una convocatoria abierta plantea a la comunidad retos a resolver a cambio de algún tipo de recompensa. La especialización de empresas subcontratistas en el desarrollo y fabricación de semiconductores; facilita la innovación abierta colaborando con diversas entidades en las diversas fases del desarrollo del semiconductor y su ecosistema. La co-creación se emplea actualmente en el sector de los semiconductores para detectar ideas de diseños y aplicaciones, a menudo mediante concursos de innovación. El servicio de soporte técnico y la evaluación de los semiconductores con frecuencia es fruto de la colaboración entre los miembros de la comunidad fomentada y soportada por los fabricantes del producto. Con el programa EBVchips se posibilita el acceso a empresas pequeñas y medianas a la co-creación de semiconductores con los fabricantes en un proceso coordinado y patrocinado por el distribuidor EBV. Los semiconductores configurables como las FPGAs constituyen otro ejemplo de co-creación mediante el cual el fabricante proporciona el circuito integrado y el entorno de desarrollo y los clientes crean el producto final definiendo sus características y funcionalidades. Este proceso se enriquece con bloques funcionales de diseño, IP-cores, que a menudo son creados por la comunidad de usuarios. ABSTRACT. The semiconductor market is saturated of similar products and distributors with a similar proposal for services. The processes of co-creation in which the customer collaborates in the definition and development of the product and provides information about its utility, performance and perceived value, resulting in a product that solves their real needs, are becoming a step forward in the differentiation and expansion of the value chain. The design and semiconductor manufacturing process is quite complex, requires increasingly higher investments and demands complete solutions. It requires an ecosystem that supports the development of electronic equipments based on such semiconductors. The ease of dialogue and sharing information that provides internet, web 2.0-based tools and services and applications in the cloud; favor the generation of ideas, the development and evaluation of products and allows the interaction between various co-creators. To start a process of co-creation adequate methods and tools are required to interact with the participants and exchange experiences, processes to integrate the co-creation within the operations of the company, and developing an organization and culture that support and promote such process. Among the most effective methods are the Netnography that studies the conversations of the communities on the internet; collaboration with Lead Users who are ahead of the market and expect a great benefit from the satisfaction of their needs or desires; Innovation studies that allow the user to define and often create their own solution and Crowdsourcing, an open call to the community to solve challenges in exchange for some kind of reward. The specialization of subcontractors in the development and manufacture of semiconductors; facilitates open innovation in the context of collaboration with different entities working in the different phases of the development of the semiconductor and its ecosystem. Co-creation is used currently in the semiconductor sector to detect ideas of designs and applications, often through innovation’s contests. Technical support and evaluation of semiconductors frequently is the result of collaboration between members of the community fostered and supported by the manufacturers of the product. The EBVchips program provides access to small and medium-sized companies to the co-creation of semiconductors with manufacturers in a process coordinated and sponsored by the Distributor EBV. Configurable semiconductors like FPGAs are another example of co-creation whereby the manufacturer provides the integrated circuit and the development environment and customers create the final product by defining their features and functionality. This process is enriched with IP-cores, designs blocks that are often created by the user community.

Engineering Computational Emotion - A Reference Model for Emotion in Artificial Systems

Emotion is generally argued to be an influence on the behavior of life systems, largely concerning flexibility and adaptivity. The way in which life systems acts in response to a particular situations of the environment, has revealed the decisive and crucial importance of this feature in the success of behaviors. And this source of inspiration has influenced the way of thinking artificial systems. During the last decades, artificial systems have undergone such an evolution that each day more are integrated in our daily life. They have become greater in complexity, and the subsequent effects are related to an increased demand of systems that ensure resilience, robustness, availability, security or safety among others. All of them questions that raise quite a fundamental challenges in control design. This thesis has been developed under the framework of the Autonomous System project, a.k.a the ASys-Project. Short-term objectives of immediate application are focused on to design improved systems, and the approaching of intelligence in control strategies. Besides this, long-term objectives underlying ASys-Project concentrate on high order capabilities such as cognition, awareness and autonomy. This thesis is placed within the general fields of Engineery and Emotion science, and provides a theoretical foundation for engineering and designing computational emotion for artificial systems. The starting question that has grounded this thesis aims the problem of emotion--based autonomy. And how to feedback systems with valuable meaning has conformed the general objective. Both the starting question and the general objective, have underlaid the study of emotion, the influence on systems behavior, the key foundations that justify this feature in life systems, how emotion is integrated within the normal operation, and how this entire problem of emotion can be explained in artificial systems. By assuming essential differences concerning structure, purpose and operation between life and artificial systems, the essential motivation has been the exploration of what emotion solves in nature to afterwards analyze analogies for man--made systems. This work provides a reference model in which a collection of entities, relationships, models, functions and informational artifacts, are all interacting to provide the system with non-explicit knowledge under the form of emotion-like relevances. This solution aims to provide a reference model under which to design solutions for emotional operation, but related to the real needs of artificial systems. The proposal consists of a multi-purpose architecture that implement two broad modules in order to attend: (a) the range of processes related to the environment affectation, and (b) the range or processes related to the emotion perception-like and the higher levels of reasoning. This has required an intense and critical analysis beyond the state of the art around the most relevant theories of emotion and technical systems, in order to obtain the required support for those foundations that sustain each model. The problem has been interpreted and is described on the basis of AGSys, an agent assumed with the minimum rationality as to provide the capability to perform emotional assessment. AGSys is a conceptualization of a Model-based Cognitive agent that embodies an inner agent ESys, the responsible of performing the emotional operation inside of AGSys. The solution consists of multiple computational modules working federated, and aimed at conforming a mutual feedback loop between AGSys and ESys. Throughout this solution, the environment and the effects that might influence over the system are described as different problems. While AGSys operates as a common system within the external environment, ESys is designed to operate within a conceptualized inner environment. And this inner environment is built on the basis of those relevances that might occur inside of AGSys in the interaction with the external environment. This allows for a high-quality separate reasoning concerning mission goals defined in AGSys, and emotional goals defined in ESys. This way, it is provided a possible path for high-level reasoning under the influence of goals congruence. High-level reasoning model uses knowledge about emotional goals stability, letting this way new directions in which mission goals might be assessed under the situational state of this stability. This high-level reasoning is grounded by the work of MEP, a model of emotion perception that is thought as an analogy of a well-known theory in emotion science. The work of this model is described under the operation of a recursive-like process labeled as R-Loop, together with a system of emotional goals that are assumed as individual agents. This way, AGSys integrates knowledge that concerns the relation between a perceived object, and the effect which this perception induces on the situational state of the emotional goals. This knowledge enables a high-order system of information that provides the sustain for a high-level reasoning. The extent to which this reasoning might be approached is just delineated and assumed as future work. This thesis has been studied beyond a long range of fields of knowledge. This knowledge can be structured into two main objectives: (a) the fields of psychology, cognitive science, neurology and biological sciences in order to obtain understanding concerning the problem of the emotional phenomena, and (b) a large amount of computer science branches such as Autonomic Computing (AC), Self-adaptive software, Self-X systems, Model Integrated Computing (MIC) or the paradigm of models@runtime among others, in order to obtain knowledge about tools for designing each part of the solution. The final approach has been mainly performed on the basis of the entire acquired knowledge, and described under the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Model-Based Systems (MBS), and additional mathematical formalizations to provide punctual understanding in those cases that it has been required. This approach describes a reference model to feedback systems with valuable meaning, allowing for reasoning with regard to (a) the relationship between the environment and the relevance of the effects on the system, and (b) dynamical evaluations concerning the inner situational state of the system as a result of those effects. And this reasoning provides a framework of distinguishable states of AGSys derived from its own circumstances, that can be assumed as artificial emotion.

COMPARAÇÃO DE MODELOS DE AVALIAÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO DE EQUIPES MULTIFUNCIONAIS BASEADOS EM CONCEITOS DE INTERAÇÃO DE GRUPOS E FERRAMENTAS DE ANÁLISE COMPORTAMENTAL

Avaliação de desempenho de equipes multifuncionais é um conceito que tem sido abordado mais freqüentemente nas últimas duas décadas. Diversas teorias e conceitos foram desenvolvidos para tornar as avaliações menos qualitativas ou fundamentadas em percepções, compreendendo um conjunto de diferentes técnicas interpretativas que visam descrever e decodificar os componentes de um sistema complexo de significados. Com esse foco o projeto comparou três modelos de avaliação de desempenho de equipes. O primeiro modelo baseado na personalidade do participante, afirma que os resultados das equipes são influenciados pela seleção prévia dos participantes e que as características individuais desses participantes são críticas para o desempenho da equipe. O segundo modelo fundamenta suas afirmações nas relações interconectadas de positividade e negatividade; questionamento e argumentação e atuação em equipe. O terceiro modelo baseado no processo de interação de grupos também avalia as relações que influenciam o alto desempenho de equipes multifuncionais. Os três modelos foram comparados, através de um estudo de caso único em indústria química paulista, medindo-se os resultados de correlação das equipes e as interações entre os participantes das equipes. As metas atingidas pelas equipes foram utilizadas para suportar os resultados das avaliações dos modelos como sistema de avaliação de equipes. Pode-se concluir que houve uma aproximação satisfatória confirmando a influência sugerida pelos modelos avaliados. A comparação entre os três modelos não permitiu afirmar qual dos três modelos é mais eficaz para avaliação de equipes. Entretanto, é possível, sugerir que a combinação de elementos dos três modelos permitirá a construção de um processo eficaz e prático de avaliação de equipes.(AU)

COMPARAÇÃO DE MODELOS DE AVALIAÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO DE EQUIPES MULTIFUNCIONAIS BASEADOS EM CONCEITOS DE INTERAÇÃO DE GRUPOS E FERRAMENTAS DE ANÁLISE COMPORTAMENTAL

Avaliação de desempenho de equipes multifuncionais é um conceito que tem sido abordado mais freqüentemente nas últimas duas décadas. Diversas teorias e conceitos foram desenvolvidos para tornar as avaliações menos qualitativas ou fundamentadas em percepções, compreendendo um conjunto de diferentes técnicas interpretativas que visam descrever e decodificar os componentes de um sistema complexo de significados. Com esse foco o projeto comparou três modelos de avaliação de desempenho de equipes. O primeiro modelo baseado na personalidade do participante, afirma que os resultados das equipes são influenciados pela seleção prévia dos participantes e que as características individuais desses participantes são críticas para o desempenho da equipe. O segundo modelo fundamenta suas afirmações nas relações interconectadas de positividade e negatividade; questionamento e argumentação e atuação em equipe. O terceiro modelo baseado no processo de interação de grupos também avalia as relações que influenciam o alto desempenho de equipes multifuncionais. Os três modelos foram comparados, através de um estudo de caso único em indústria química paulista, medindo-se os resultados de correlação das equipes e as interações entre os participantes das equipes. As metas atingidas pelas equipes foram utilizadas para suportar os resultados das avaliações dos modelos como sistema de avaliação de equipes. Pode-se concluir que houve uma aproximação satisfatória confirmando a influência sugerida pelos modelos avaliados. A comparação entre os três modelos não permitiu afirmar qual dos três modelos é mais eficaz para avaliação de equipes. Entretanto, é possível, sugerir que a combinação de elementos dos três modelos permitirá a construção de um processo eficaz e prático de avaliação de equipes.(AU)

A contribution on modeling methodologies for multibody systems.

Multibody System Dynamics has been responsible for revolutionizing Mechanical Engineering Design by using mathematical models to simulate and optimize the dynamic behavior of a wide range of mechanical systems. These mathematical models not only can provide valuable informations about a system that could otherwise be obtained only by experiments with prototypes, but also have been responsible for the development of many model-based control systems. This work represents a contribution for dynamic modeling of multibody mechanical systems by developing a novel recursive modular methodology that unifies the main contributions of several Classical Mechanics formalisms. The reason for proposing such a methodology is to motivate the implementation of computational routines for modeling complex multibody mechanical systems without being dependent on closed source software and, consequently, to contribute for the teaching of Multibody System Dynamics in undergraduate and graduate levels. All the theoretical developments are based on and motivated by a critical literature review, leading to a general matrix form of the dynamic equations of motion of a multibody mechanical system (that can be expressed in terms of any set of variables adopted for the description of motions performed by the system, even if such a set includes redundant variables) and to a general recursive methodology for obtaining mathematical models of complex systems given a set of equations describing the dynamics of each of its uncoupled subsystems and another set describing the constraints among these subsystems in the assembled system. This work also includes some discussions on the description of motion (using any possible set of motion variables and admitting any kind of constraint that can be expressed by an invariant), and on the conditions for solving forward and inverse dynamics problems given a mathematical model of a multibody system. Finally, some examples of computational packages based on the novel methodology, along with some case studies, are presented, highlighting the contributions that can be achieved by using the proposed methodology.

MDWEnet: a practical approach to achieving interoperability of model-driven web engineering methods

Current model-driven Web Engineering approaches (such as OO-H, UWE or WebML) provide a set of methods and supporting tools for a systematic design and development of Web applications. Each method addresses different concerns using separate models (content, navigation, presentation, business logic, etc.), and provide model compilers that produce most of the logic and Web pages of the application from these models. However, these proposals also have some limitations, especially for exchanging models or representing further modeling concerns, such as architectural styles, technology independence, or distribution. A possible solution to these issues is provided by making model-driven Web Engineering proposals interoperate, being able to complement each other, and to exchange models between the different tools. MDWEnet is a recent initiative started by a small group of researchers working on model-driven Web Engineering (MDWE). Its goal is to improve current practices and tools for the model-driven development of Web applications for better interoperability. The proposal is based on the strengths of current model-driven Web Engineering methods, and the existing experience and knowledge in the field. This paper presents the background, motivation, scope, and objectives of MDWEnet. Furthermore, it reports on the MDWEnet results and achievements so far, and its future plan of actions.

Development of the DEPLOY computer math model for the investigation of various airbag and crash parameters on the out-of-position occupant. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Graph-based Semi-Supervised Learning in Acoustic Modeling for Automatic Speech Recognition

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Determination of alpha-conotoxin binding modes on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

alpha-Conotoxins, from cone snails, and alpha-neurotoxins, from snakes, are competitive inhibitors of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that have overlapping binding sites in the ACh binding pocket. These disulphide-rich peptides are used extensively as tools to localize and pharmacologically characterize specific nAChRs subtypes. Recently, a homology model based on the high-resolution structure of an ACh binding protein (AChBP) allowed the three-fingered alpha-neurotoxins to be docked onto the alpha7 nAChR. To investigate if alpha-conotoxins interact with the nAChR in a similar manner, we built homology models of human alpha7 and alpha3beta2 nAChRs, and performed docking simulations of alpha-conotoxins ImI, PnIB, PnIA and MII using the program GOLD. Docking revealed that alpha-conotoxins have a different mode of interaction compared with alpha-neurotoxins, with surprisingly few nAChR residues in common between their overlapping binding sites. These docking experiments show that Imi and PnIB bind to the ACh binding pocket via a small cavity located above the beta9/beta10 hairpin of the (+)alpha7 nAChR subunit. Interestingly, PnIB, PnIA and MII were found to bind in a similar location on alpha7 or alpha3beta2 receptors mostly through hydrophobic interactions, while ImI bound further from the ACh binding pocket, mostly through electrostatic interactions. These findings, which distinguish alpha-conotoxin and alpha-neurotoxin binding modes, have implications for the rational design of selective nAChR antagonists. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Ecological-economic modeling for biodiversity management: Potential, pitfalls, and prospects

Ecologists and economists both use models to help develop strategies for biodiversity management. The practical use of disciplinary models, however, can be limited because ecological models tend not to address the socioeconomic dimension of biodiversity management, whereas economic models tend to neglect the ecological dimension. Given these shortcomings of disciplinary models, there is a necessity to combine ecological and economic knowledge into ecological-economic models. It is insufficient if scientists work separately in their own disciplines and combine their knowledge only when it comes to formulating management recommendations. Such an approach does not capture feedback loops between the ecological and the socioeconomic systems. Furthermore, each discipline poses the management problem in its own way and comes up with its own most appropriate solution. These disciplinary solutions, however are likely to be so different that a combined solution considering aspects of both disciplines cannot be found. Preconditions for a successful model-based integration of ecology and economics include (1) an in-depth knowledge of the two disciplines, (2) the adequate identification and framing of the problem to be investigated, and (3) a common understanding between economists and ecologists of modeling and scale. To further advance ecological-economic modeling the development of common benchmarks, quality controls, and refereeing standards for ecological-economic models is desirable.

Representing part-whole relationships in conceptual modeling: An empirical evaluation

The part-of or part-whole construct is a fundamental element of many conceptual modeling grammars that is used to associate one thing (a component) with another thing (a composite). Substantive theoretical issues surrounding the part-whole construct remain to be resolved, however. For instance, contrary to widespread claims, the relationship between components and composites is not always transitive. Moreover, how the partwhole construct should be represented in a conceptual schema diagram remains a contentious issue. Some analysts argue composites should be represented as a relationship or association. Others argue they should be represented as an entity. In this paper we use an ontological theory to support our arguments that composites should be represented as entities and not relationships or associations. We also describe an experiment that we undertook to test whether representing composites as relationships or entities enables users to understand a domain better. Our results support our arguments that using entities to represent composites enables users to better understand a domain.

COMPARAÇÃO DE MODELOS DE AVALIAÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO DE EQUIPES MULTIFUNCIONAIS BASEADOS EM CONCEITOS DE INTERAÇÃO DE GRUPOS E FERRAMENTAS DE ANÁLISE COMPORTAMENTAL

Avaliação de desempenho de equipes multifuncionais é um conceito que tem sido abordado mais freqüentemente nas últimas duas décadas. Diversas teorias e conceitos foram desenvolvidos para tornar as avaliações menos qualitativas ou fundamentadas em percepções, compreendendo um conjunto de diferentes técnicas interpretativas que visam descrever e decodificar os componentes de um sistema complexo de significados. Com esse foco o projeto comparou três modelos de avaliação de desempenho de equipes. O primeiro modelo baseado na personalidade do participante, afirma que os resultados das equipes são influenciados pela seleção prévia dos participantes e que as características individuais desses participantes são críticas para o desempenho da equipe. O segundo modelo fundamenta suas afirmações nas relações interconectadas de positividade e negatividade; questionamento e argumentação e atuação em equipe. O terceiro modelo baseado no processo de interação de grupos também avalia as relações que influenciam o alto desempenho de equipes multifuncionais. Os três modelos foram comparados, através de um estudo de caso único em indústria química paulista, medindo-se os resultados de correlação das equipes e as interações entre os participantes das equipes. As metas atingidas pelas equipes foram utilizadas para suportar os resultados das avaliações dos modelos como sistema de avaliação de equipes. Pode-se concluir que houve uma aproximação satisfatória confirmando a influência sugerida pelos modelos avaliados. A comparação entre os três modelos não permitiu afirmar qual dos três modelos é mais eficaz para avaliação de equipes. Entretanto, é possível, sugerir que a combinação de elementos dos três modelos permitirá a construção de um processo eficaz e prático de avaliação de equipes.(AU)

A three dimensional surface measurement and reconstruction system for respiratory function analysis

Respiration is a complex activity. If the relationship between all neurological and skeletomuscular interactions was perfectly understood, an accurate dynamic model of the respiratory system could be developed and the interaction between different inputs and outputs could be investigated in a straightforward fashion. Unfortunately, this is not the case and does not appear to be viable at this time. In addition, the provision of appropriate sensor signals for such a model would be a considerable invasive task. Useful quantitative information with respect to respiratory performance can be gained from non-invasive monitoring of chest and abdomen motion. Currently available devices are not well suited in application for spirometric measurement for ambulatory monitoring. A sensor matrix measurement technique is investigated to identify suitable sensing elements with which to base an upper body surface measurement device that monitors respiration. This thesis is divided into two main areas of investigation; model based and geometrical based surface plethysmography. In the first instance, chapter 2 deals with an array of tactile sensors that are used as progression of existing and previously investigated volumetric measurement schemes based on models of respiration. Chapter 3 details a non-model based geometrical approach to surface (and hence volumetric) profile measurement. Later sections of the thesis concentrate upon the development of a functioning prototype sensor array. To broaden the application area the study has been conducted as it would be fore a generically configured sensor array. In experimental form the system performance on group estimation compares favourably with existing system on volumetric performance. In addition provides continuous transient measurement of respiratory motion within an acceptable accuracy using approximately 20 sensing elements. Because of the potential size and complexity of the system it is possible to deploy it as a fully mobile ambulatory monitoring device, which may be used outside of the laboratory. It provides a means by which to isolate coupled physiological functions and thus allows individual contributions to be analysed separately. Thus facilitating greater understanding of respiratory physiology and diagnostic capabilities. The outcome of the study is the basis for a three-dimensional surface contour sensing system that is suitable for respiratory function monitoring and has the prospect with future development to be incorporated into a garment based clinical tool.