1042778
Axiomatic Analysis of Negotiation Protocols
This paper presents an axiomatic approach to negotiation protocol analysis. We consider a negotiation procedure as multiple stages of mutual belief revision. A set of postulates in AGM-style of belief revision are proposed to specify rational behavior of negotiation. An explicit construction of negotiation function is given in which negotiation process is viewed as the interaction of two iterated revision operations. As a result the proposed axiomatic system is proved to be consistent. Finally, we examine our approach with an instantiation of Rosenschein and Zlotkin’s Monotonic Concession Protocol of Negotiation.
8107681
A Computational Model of Logic-Based Negotiation
This paper presents a computational model of negotiation based on Nebel's syntax-based belief revision. The model guarantees a unique bargaining solution for each bargaining game without using lotteries. Its game-theoretic properties are discussed against the existence and uniqueness of Nash equilibrium and subgame perfect equilibrium. We also study essential computational properties in relation to our negotiation model. In particular, we show that the deal membership checking is DP-complete and the corresponding agreement inference problem is Π2P-hard.
35603840
State Minimization Re-visited
A well-known circumscription policy in situation calculus theories of actions is to minimize the Abnormality predicate by varying the Holds predicate. Unfortunately this admitted counter-intuitive models. A different policy of varying the Result function eliminated these models. Explanations of how it did this are not entirely satisfactory, but seem to appeal to informal notions of state minimization. We reexamine this policy and show that there are simple justifications for it that are based on classical automata theory. It incidentally turns out that the description "state minimization" for the varying Result policy is more accurate than the original nomenclature had intended.
11774489
Some contributions to nonmonotonic consequence
This paper introduces a non-Horn ruleWRM which is a weak form ofrational monotony. We explore the effects of adding this non-Horn rule to the rules for the preferential inference. In this paper, a relation ‖∼ is said to beP+WRM iff it is apreferential inference and satisfies the ruleWRM. We establish the representation theorem forP+WRM, and compare the strength ofWRM with some non-Horn rules appearing in literatures. Moreover, we explore the relation betweenP+WRM and conditional logic, and demonstrate thatP+WRM is equivalent to ‘flat’ fragment of conditional logicCS4.2. Another contribution of this paper is to explore the relation between two special kinds of preferential models, i.e., PRC model and quasi-linear model. Main result reveals that the latter is a special form of the former.
11630076
Capacity allocation with competitive retailers
This paper addresses a problem in supply chain management that how scarce resources can be efficiently allocated among competing interests. We present a formal model of allocation mechanisms for such settings that a supplier with limited production capacity allocates its products to a set of competitive retailers. In contrary to the existing allocation mechanisms in which retailers are local monopolists, the new model exhibits much more complicated market behaviors. We show that the widely-used proportional allocation mechanism is no longer necessarily Pareto optimal, even if all retailers are in a symmetric situation. A necessary and sufficient condition for the proportional allocation to be Pareto optimal is given. We propose a truth-inducing allocation mechanism based on our capacity allocation model, which is more intuitive and applicable than the existing truth-inducing mechanisms.
15449547
Encoding Solutions of the Frame Problem in Dynamic Logic
We investigate the relationship amongst some solutions to the frame problem. We encode Pednault's syntax-based solution [20], Baker's state-minimization policy [1], and Gelfond & Lifchitz's Action Language A [7] in the propositional dynamic logic (PDL). The formal relationships among these solutions are given. The results of the paper show that dynamic logic, as one of the formalisms for reasoning about dynamic domains, can be used as a formal tool for comparing and unifying logics of action.
206133548
An efficient algorithm to rank Web resources
Abstract How to rank Web resources is critical to Web Resource Discovery (Search Engine). This paper not only points out the weakness of current approaches, but also presents in-depth analysis of the multidimensionality and subjectivity of rank algorithms. From a dynamics viewpoint, this paper abstracts a user's Web surfing action as a Markov model. Based on this model, we propose a new rank algorithm. The result of our rank algorithm, which synthesizes the relevance, authority, integrativity and novelty of each Web resource, can be computed efficiently not by iteration but through solving a group of linear equations.
489296
Multimodal Integration for Meeting Group Action Segmentation and Recognition
We address the problem of segmentation and recognition of sequences of multimodal human interactions in meetings. These interactions can be seen as a rough structure of a meeting, and can be used either as input for a meeting browser or as a first step towards a higher semantic analysis of the meeting. A common lexicon of multimodal group meeting actions, a shared meeting data set, and a common evaluation procedure enable us to compare the different approaches. We compare three different multimodal feature sets and our modelling infrastructures: a higher semantic feature approach, multi-layer HMMs, a multi-stream DBN, as well as a multi-stream mixed-state DBN for disturbed data.
5070409
Index based processing of semi-restrictive temporal joins
Temporal joins are important but very costly operations. While a temporal join can involve the whole time (and/or key) domain, we consider the more general case where the join is defined by some time-key rectangle from the whole space (i.e., when the user is interested in joining portions of the-usually large-temporal data). In the most restrictive join, objects (within this rectangle) are joined together based on key equality and interval intersection. This paper concentrates on semi-restrictive joins, i.e., when either the key equality (equi-join) or the interval intersection (time-join) predicates are used. Given the large relations created by the ever increasing time dimension, we assume that each temporal relation is indexed and examine efficient ways to process semi-restrictive temporal joins. Utilizing an index is helpful since it directs the join towards the objects that are within the time-key rectangle. A straightforward approach is to perform an unsynchronized join. An index selection query on each relation identifies all objects within the time-key rectangle which are then joined. Although simple, this approach ignores the data distribution in the other relation. Instead, in a synchronized join, both indices are concurrently traversed as the join is computed. Synchronized semi-restrictive join algorithms can be performed utilizing traditional indices like B+-trees or R-trees. The drawback of this approach is that traditional indices do not achieve good temporal data clustering. Better clustering is achieved by temporal indices through record copying. Nevertheless, record copies can greatly affect the correctness and effectiveness of join performance.
9889457
A New Approach to Automated Retinal Vessel Segmentation Using Multiscale Analysis
Computer based analysis for automated segmentation of blood vessels in retinal images help eye care specialists screen larger populations for vessel abnormalities. However, automated retinal segmentation is complicated by the fact that the width of retinal vessels can vary from very large to very small, and that the local contrast of vessels is unstable, especially in unhealthy ocular fundus. We propose a novel method that takes these facts into account. Our method includes a multiscale analytical scheme using Gabor filters and scale production, and a threshold probing technique utilizing the features of retinal vessel network. Our method is good for detecting large and small vessels concurrently. It also offers an efficient way to denoise and enhance the responses of line filters, allowing the detection of vessels with low local contrast
1978214
A Language Modeling Approach to Passage Question Answering
This paper reports our efforts on developing a language modeling approach to passage question answering. In particular, we address the following two problems: (i) generalized language modeling for question classification; (ii) constrained language modeling for passage retrieval.