Showing papers in "Journal of intelligent systems in 2000"

Some Principles For Conscious Robots

Abstract: I suggest some principles upon which the construction of a robot capable of consciousness could be based. Starting from a simple concept of reflection in the sense of feedback mechanisms, further principles are added, since feedback mechanisms alone cannot generate consciousness. The robot brain should have a material composition allowing for specific functions to be executed (the architectonic principle). Out of this diversity of material structures, compounds are generated according to the lock-key principle of complementarity. The robot should also possess intentional programs which it attempts to realize in the environment by movement (the principle of intentional movement). In doing so, the robot accepts objects or stimuli that correspond to its specific intentional program, whereas non-suitable objects or stimuli are rejected (the principle of acceptance and rejection). Furthermore, a robot brain should have the ability to reconcile a large number of parameters which set spatio-temporal limits and the ability to self-organize (the principle of spatio-temporal boundary-setting and the principle of selforganization). My hypothesis is that the glial networks have a spatio-temporal boundary-setting function in their interaction with the neuronal networks. If the robot were aware of the decay of its material parts, then it could realize its intentions in the environment under deadline pressure. This principle of the spatio-temporal limitation of material features could trigger emotions. Other possible sources of emotions are discussed as well. This ability to express emotions can be thought of as evidence that the robot is in a conscious state. V-mail: bernhard.mitterauer@sbg.ac.at

Mapping Quality of Perception to Quality of Service: The Case for a Dynamically Reconfigurable Communication System

Abstract: In this paper, we present the case for using specifically configured protocol stacks geared toward human requirements in the delivery of distributed multimedia. We define the term Quality of Perception (QoP) as representing the user side of the more technical and traditional Quality of Service (QoS). QoP is a term that encompasses not only a user's satisfaction with the quality of multimedia presentations but also his/her ability to analyze, synthesize, and assimilate the informational content of multimedia displays. The Dynamically Reconfigurable Protocol Stacks (DRoPS) project addresses issues of runtime reconfigurable transport systems. The DRoPS architecture supports low cost reconfiguration of individual protocol mechanisms in an attempt to best

Mind and Inter-Subjectivity: An Anthropological Perspective

Abstract: This paper argues that mind is a function of the whole person that is constituted over time in inter-subjective relations with others in the environing world. In this view, consciousness is that aspect of human autopoiesis that, with time, posits the existence of the thinker and the conceptual self-evidentiality of world as lived by the thinker. Given that human autopoiesis is grounded in sociality, i.e., that we cannot conceive of what a human being would be outside social relations, a brief excursion into Fijian ethnography is included to suggest why it makes sense to study child development as a microhistorical process in and through which mind is constituted over time as a function of inter-subjectivity. The paper proposes a model of the process of constituting mind, and consciousness as an aspect of mind, that is derived from a synthesis of certain of the ideas of Maturana and Varela, Piaget, Merleau-Ponty, and Vygotsky.

States Of Consciousness in Sleep, Dream and Beyond: A Biothermodynamic and Neurocybernetic Evolutionary Study

Abstract: We study the inter-relationship between the states of sleep, dream, and wakefulness vis-a-vis the evolution of human brain. Various states and transformations of human consciousness are described in terms of the cognitive activation or entropy-production continuum. The evolutionaiy appearance of sleep, dream and allied states in the animal kingdom can be phylogenetically graded at each interval of about 125 million years (MY), as: Anabiosis Hibernation —> Torpor -* Sleep —• Dream -*· Lucidity Lucidity has three phases of increasing cognitive or information-processing levels: Lucid dream —• Luminous lucidity Ecstasic lucidity. Ecstasic lucid dream is the somnolent counterpart of the hyperarousal state of wakefulness called Ecstasis. Luminous lucidity is the intermediary state, generating the entoptic sensation of colored radiance. Prigogine-Zotin's non-equilibrium biothermodynamic Principle of Evolution accounts for our formalism, by taking the brain as a self-adaptive energy-dissipative structure. The equation for evolution of cognitive activation (ψ) in dream or lucid ecstasis is derived as ψ = ψ0 [1+A exp (at)]. We propose a heuristic neurocybernetic basis of dream/lucidity evolution using concepts of Short and Long-term memories, complex programming process, stochastic resonance and fuzzy periodicity. Corresponding author fax: +91(33) 245-7456/337-6926 e-mail: dynamics@cal2.vsnl.net.in; *ddm@isical.ac.in

A Cross-Comparison of Reengineering Teams Undertaking Business Process Change

Abstract: Reengineering teams are viewed to be important for Business Process Reengineering, but little information has been published about this area. The research presented here intends to fill the gap identified in the literature. A subsequent aim of this research is to promote further research into this matter. This paper illustrates several issues that are associated with the reengineering teams that undertake business process change, using three case studies that were undertaken in the public and private sectors in the United Kingdom. The issues identified include the contents of a reengineering team, the human and organizational aspects, the role of Information Technology, and project management. The human and organizational aspects that are identified within the paper are such topics as conflict, trust, communication, and motivation. This paper also provides a discussion regarding the research methods that were used to obtain the results.

Automatically generating plans for manufacturing

Abstract: While machine planning has attracted great interest among researchers, it has seldom been used outside research labs. One impediment to wide-spread use is that existing planners are often difficult to integrate with other parts of a manufacturing system. We address this problem by showing how assembly trees (constructs often used by factories identifying how to construct an object) can easily be converted into HTN operators for our machine planner. We also demonstrate that our plans can be easily converted to a Petri-Net or matrix representation which ordinary discrete-event controllers can manipulate. We view our planner as one portion of a complete control system. We also demonstrate how our system can combine multiple alternatives into a single representation. Finally, we show that the combined representation can be converted back into a more conventional plan representation, allowing machine planners to compactly reason about alternate courses of action. keywords: Machine planning, HTN planning, Intelligent control, discrete-event control, manufacturing * This research was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, under grant GER-9355110. † wharris@cse.uta.edu, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019 ‡ cook@cse.uta.edu, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019 § flewis@arri.uta.edu, Automation & Robotics Research Institute, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. South, Fort Worth, TX 76118

Neural Expert Systems in Medical Image Interpretation: Development, Use, and Ethical Issues

Abstract: In this paper, the appropriate level and role of neural network-based methodologies in the development and use of expert systems for medical image interpretation is investigated as technical, organizational, and social issues become intertwined. The notion of the information life cycle is applied to highlight ethical issues during the acquisition, processing and storage, dissemination and use of clinical information. These issues are further analyzed from a stakeholder perspective to accentuate the role of human agents in avoiding ethical risks. Relevant stakeholders, other than the key participants—namely system developers and medical users—are identified. The results of this analysis indicate that each stage of the development and use of a neural expert system entails ethical issues. Significantly, the responsibility for medical image interpretation is affected by contextual factors and should be shared amongst the main stakeholders. These conclusions are useful for the stakeholder groups that are conscious of their obligation to behave ethically and for researchers who wish to investigate further the ethical implications of artificial intelligence use in medicine. tel.: +44-1895-274000 ext. 3745, 2521; fax: +44-1895-251686 e-mail: {Nancy.Pouloudi, George.Magoulas}@brunel.ac.uk

Novel Cluster Performance Matrix: A Decision Aid for Evaluating Computing Hardware

Abstract: Many organizations are increasing their expenditure on Information Technology (IT) to obtain or even to sustain a competitive advantage in their respective marketplaces. Nevertheless, managers are often left with the quandary of how to evaluate investments in IT hardware/software. Reasons for this difficulty have been suggested by the normative literature as centering on the socio-technical dimensions associated with IT adoption. The inability of managers to select the appropriate computing hardware are considered attributable to a lack of appropriate decision aids that might act as a framework culminating in knowledge and understanding about the true performance of the IT. In developing a broader understanding of the need for a decision aid to support the evaluation of computing hardware clusters, the authors of this paper introduce a novel model for presenting performance data, thereby supporting IT specialists in the evaluation of computer clusters. The need for such a novel decision aid is justified as computing clusters can vary significantly in terms of their hardware and software configurations. In addition, there may be several combinations in which a parallel job can allocate its threads among cluster nodes and the number of nodes used. Such diversity makes the process of comparing cluster performance a very complex procedure. The model presented in this paper is based upon the notion of a 'Cluster Performance Matrix' and its derived metrics. A numerical example, based on a computational fluid dynamics application, will be used to

Cognitive Issues in the Perception of Desktop Virtual Environments

Abstract: Desktop virtual environments are computer-generated representations of three-dimensional spaces, such as buildings, displayed on a normal desktop monitor. They are used to convey physical world representations in an interactive manner, which makes them ideal for modeling and training applications. The accuracy of the representations is very important as they impact on the way in which users interact with the environment. This paper presents a review of the cognitive issues involved with one key area related to representation and subsequent interaction, the visual perception of the desktop virtual environments. The overall aim of the review is to formulate an agenda for research, which would contribute, through basic empirical investigations, to the further understanding of visually perceiving desktop virtual environments. The review concentrates on visual cues because it is essentially these visual cues that integrate to provide the illusion of depth and the third dimension. The review begins by highlighting the importance of the research through assessing the use of the desktop virtual environment tool in various commercial settings. It then progresses to consider the perceptual theories that underpin perceiving visual cues and theories relating to visual cue combination and conflict. The final aspect of the review attempts to emphasize the idea of individual differences of visual cue perception in the desktop virtual environment context. Individual differences consider cognitive and perceptual capabilities, which is a growing concern in the pursuit of conducive desktop virtual environment displays. {Robert.Macredie}, {Sonali.Morar}@brunel.ac.uk

Why Base the Knowledge Representation Language on Natural Language

Abstract: It is argued that a knowledge representation language intended to be applied across diverse domains must be based on natural language. It is also indicated that such a representation language will facilitate the acquisition of knowledge from natural language and the interaction with other programs in need of obtaining some knowledge. The main aspects of a knowledge representation language based on these ideas are presented, and the results of such a language in its application to the task of acquiring knowledge from encyclopedic texts are briefly discussed.

Currency Exchange Rate Forecasting with Neural Networks

Abstract: This paper presents the prediction of foreign currency exchange rates using artificial neural networks. Since neural networks can generalize from past experience, they represent a significant advancement over traditional trading systems, which require a knowledgeable expert to define trading rules to represent market dynamics. It is practically impossible to expect that one expert can devise trading rules that account for, and accurately reflect, volatile and rapidly changing market conditions. With neural networks, a trader may use the predictive information alone or with other available analytical tools to fit the trading style, risk propensity, and capitalization. Numerous factors affect the foreign exchange market, as they will be described in this paper. The neural network will help minimize these factors by simply giving an estimated exchange rate for a future day (given its previous knowledge gained from extensive training). Because the field of financial forecasting is too large, the scope in this paper is narrowed to the foreign exchange market, specifically the value of the Japanese Yen against the United States Dollar, two of the most important currencies in the foreign exchange market.

Representation and Processing of Domain Knowledge for Simulation-Based Training in Complex Dynamic Systems

Abstract: Mainly because of the inability to explicitly represent declarative and procedural knowledge and operational skills in complex dynamic systems, the conventional techniques for development of intelligent tutoring systems in narrow and simple domains cannot be applied to intelligent simulation-based systems for training in complex dynamic systems. A knowledge representation language is presented that explicitly expresses the system structure, functions, and behavior. Different types of training tasks (for example, measuring, monitoring, control, and diagnostic) for quantitative modeling of continuous, discrete and discrete-event systems can be programmed in this language. On the basis of a graph interpretation of the program in knowledge representation, language task and the student's evaluation are discussed. The architecture of an environment for producing intelligent simulation-based systems for training in complex dynamic systems is described.

The LASCAD Project: A Failed Implementation or a Way of Understanding the Present?

Abstract: This paper examines the London Ambulance Service Computer Aided Dispatch (LASCAD) project, in the context of changes in the health service sector since 1992. The paper presents two accounts. The first draws on the official inquiry report into LASCAD and gives an account of the project using a multiple perspective framework for analyzing decision-making. Like earlier studies of the project that have reconstructed the past so that we may achieve a better understanding of what happened then, it presents LASCAD as a systems implementation that failed for a number of reasons. In this way, the first account supports many of the conclusions reached by earlier studies. The second account provides an alternative reading. It revisits LASCAD in the light of information about the current situation in the ambulance services sector. It seeks a historical understanding, prompted not by an interest in the past and a wish to explain it, but by a desire to understand and respond to the present. The argument being made is that, while reconstructing the past produces interesting and useful results, understanding the present by looking for its traces in the past is potentially more action-oriented.

Discovery and Use of Causal Patterns in Databases

Abstract: We consider here a variety of ways of using the attribute values of a database to obtain a single graphical model of cause and effect relationships, from the huge number of possible graphs available (quadratic in the number of attributes, at best). In our method a number of models are obtained from a variety of algorithms. In the paper we also outline our method of reasoning using a generalization of the Bayesian approach to the decomposition of complex problems. Matrices and their products are used to express the reasoning algorithms, making them simple and efficient to implement. These generation and manipulation techniques should be considered as part of an experimental system called Mining Kernel System (MKS) developed by the authors and colleagues, which links such techniques to a variety of data management systems, such as Ingres and Oracle. The primary objective of this paper is to identify the challenges of this novel research, which links knowledge and database engineering techniques, and its associated application pull, and to stimulate further research into the issues arising.

Visual Knowledge Representation of Moving Scenes

Abstract: A framework for the representation of visual knowledge, with particular attention to the analysis and the representation of scenes with moving persons and objects is described. Our aim is to integrate in a principled way the models developed within the artificial vision community, and the propositional knowledge representation systems developed within symbolic AI. We claim that this integration requires the introduction of a missing link between these two classes of representations. In our model, such a role is played by the notion of conceptual space (CS), a representation in which information is characterised in terms of a metric space. We illustrate our proposal by referring to an experimental setup, based on a vision system that takes in input real images of moving people.

Ellipse - An Object-Oriented and Database-Coupled Expert System Development Environment

Abstract: In this study, we describe a relatively new approach to address the shortcomings of traditional expert-system environments—the information-based approach—namely, using a combination of OOP, DBMS, and expert systems. This study illustrates the design of an object-oriented expert system shell (Ellipse) that uses a combination of knowledgebases and databases. Ellipse offers a generalized, flexible system that supports embeddability, rapid prototyping, backward-chaining, explanation facility, linkage to databases, and implementation independence. Further, to illustrate the capability of the shell, we present the design and development of MFA-Mutual Fund Advisor.

The Development of a Documentation Mechanism for Creating Maintainable Information Systems Using Hypertext

Abstract: This paper describes the development of a hypermedia documentation mechanism for information systems development. The use of hypermedia as a software engineering tool for the creation of maintainable information systems has been extensively explored with significant findings. These developments led to the specification, creation, and use of the Fully Integrated Environment for a Layered Development (FIELD) system. To supplement these investigations, a complex environmental control organization, the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Authority, was used as a case study. The development of FIELD and its use for the documentation and development of a prototype information system for the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Authority is described, and the overall methodological implications for future information system development are discussed. It is postulated that the development of such a complex information system may be improved by this method of using hypermedia. This paper reports on the initial findings of this investigation and the appropriateness of these ideas for general application in the information systems development field.

Modeling the Dynamics of Using a Collaborative Hypertext

Abstract: The dynamics of using a collaborative hypertext system is analyzed and modeled, based on time series data from the real users. First, we studied how users access a shared workspace simultaneously. Traditional time series modeling methods, notably multiple linear regression and Box-Jenkins ARIMA modeling techniques, are used. Second, we analyzed the relation between awareness-seeking events and a variety of structural properties associated with such events through a Poisson regression model. This process-oriented approach complements analytical and modeling methods concerning the dynamics of group work.