191535
Polymorphy and Hybridization in Genetically Programmed Networks
In this paper we discuss the polymorphic abilities of a new distributed representation for genetic programming, called Genetically Programmed Networks. These are inspired in a common structure in natural complex adaptive systems, where system functionality frequently emerges from the combined functionality of simple computational entities, densely interconnected for information exchange. A Genetically Programmed Network can be evolved into a distributed program, a rule based system or a neural network with simple adjustments to the evolutionary algorithm. The space of possible network topologies can also be easily controlled. This allows the fast exploration of various search spaces thus increasing the possibility of finding a (or a better) solution. Experimental results are presented to support our claims.
6828563
A Particle Swarm Data Miner
This paper describes the implementation of Data Mining tasks using Particle Swarm Optimisers. The object of our research has been to apply such algorithms to classification rule discovery. Results, concerning accuracy and speed performance, were empirically compared with another evolutionary algorithm, namely a Genetic Algorithm and with J48 – a Java implementation of C4.5. The data sets used for experimental testing have already been widely used and proven reliable for testing other Data Mining algorithms. The obtained results seem to indicate that Particle Swarm Optimisers are competitive with other evolutionary techniques, and could come to be successfully applied to more demanding problem domains.
1002750
Particle Swarm based Data Mining Algorithms for classification tasks
Particle Swarm Optimisers are inherently distributed algorithms where the solution for a problem emerges from the interactions between many simple individual agents called particles. This article proposes the use of the Particle Swarm Optimiser as a new tool for Data Mining. In the first phase of our research, three different Particle Swarm Data Mining Algorithms were implemented and tested against a Genetic Algorithm and a Tree Induction Algorithm (J48). From the obtained results, Particle Swarm Optimisers proved to be a suitable candidate for classification tasks. The second phase was dedicated to improving one of the Particle Swarm optimiser variants in terms of attribute type support and temporal complexity. The data sources here used for experimental testing are commonly used and considered as a de facto standard for rule discovery algorithms reliability ranking. The results obtained in these domains seem to indicate that Particle Swarm Data Mining Algorithms are competitive, not only with other evolutionary techniques, but also with industry standard algorithms such as the J48 algorithm, and can be successfully applied to more demanding problem domains.
10782860
OrgSwarm - A Particle Swarm Model of Organizational Adaptation
This study extends the particle swarm metaphor to include the domain of organizational adaptation. A simulation model, OrgSwarm, is constructed in order to examine the impact of strategic inertia on the adaptive potential of a population of organizations. The key finding is that a degree of strategic inertia, in the presence of an election mechanism, can assist rather than hamper adaption of the population.
12195414
Evolving Controllers for Autonomous Agents Using Genetically Programmed Networks
This article presents a new approach to the evolution of controllers for autonomous agents. We propose the evolution of a connectionist structure where each node has an associated program, evolved using genetic programming. We call this structure a Genetically Programmed Network and use it to successfully evolve control systems with very different architectures, by making small restrictions to the evolutionary process. Experimental results of applying this method to evolve neural networks, distributed programs and rule-based systems capable of solving a common benchmark problem, the Ant Problem, are presented. Comparison with other known genetic programming based approaches, shows that our method requires less effort to find a solution.
5929323
Agent-based modelling of product invention
This study describes a novel simulation model of the process of product invention. Invention is conceptualized as a process of directed evolutionary adaptation, on a landscape of product design possibilities, by a population of profit-seeking agents (inventors). The simulation experiments examine the sensitivity of the rate of advance in product fitness to the choice of search heuristics employed by inventors. The key finding of the experiments is that if search heuristics are confined to those which are rooted in past experience, or to heuristics which merely generate variety, limited product advance occurs. Notable product fitness advance only occurs when inventor's expectations as to the relative fitness of potential product inventions are incorporated into the model of invention. The results demonstrate the importance of human direction and expectations in invention. They also support the importance of formal product / project evaluation procedures in organizations, and the importance of market information when inventing new products.
14281129
An abstraction for awareness management in collaborative virtual environments
This paper describes an object-oriented abstraction for the problem of awareness management in Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs). The described abstraction allows for different types of awareness information and awareness management policies to be used. It is also described how the defined abstraction was used to support the awareness management policies of two demo CVEs application.
7623756
Knowledge Management Systems Development: A Roadmap
This paper approaches the Knowledge Management Systems study, focusing not only in the establishment of essential development activities, but also in techniques, technologies, and tools for their support. Despite of the wide range of existing proposals for the development of this type of systems, none of them has achieved a level detailed enough to allow a direct application. This study is intended to be a palliative for the above-mentioned lack of detail by means of a development guide for Knowledge Management Systems. In this way, the proposed solution offers a clear definition concerning what has to be done and which type of mechanisms should be used for its development.
30725726
An integrated MOLP method base package - A guided tour of tommix
Abstract An implementation of a MOLP interactive method base is presented in the form of a guided tour to a computer package. The MOLP method base (associated to a procedure toolbox) is a component of a decision support system framework which also integrates a dialogue base and a data management module. Besides providing the standard working of each method the interactive MOLP method base offers the possibility of method switching at any interaction with the decision maker (DM), in order to make the most of the potentialities of each method and support a “learning” process. Some key issues in the development of interactive MOLP approaches and computational tools are also discussed. Special attention is paid to the development of an user-friendly environment for interacting with the DM.
14980784
Supporting Evolution in Workflow Definition Languages
Workflow definition languages are evolving rapidly. However, there is not any agreed-upon standard for such languages. In this paper we address the problem of how to develop a workflow system that is able to cope with the constant changes in these languages. We address the definition aspect of workflow systems by distinguishing between frontend and backend languages. This way, a workflow system can be developed based on the backend language whereas the frontend language can change.
12706002
Computer-Assisted Discrepancy Management - A Case Study in Research Transfer to Industry
This paper reports on the “repackaging” and transfer to industry of research results in ViewpointBased Requirements Engineering (VBRE). Our experience, as indicated here, is a particular case of the problems and solutions that small research groups can find in their transfer from theoretical work to practical application. In particular, starting with a formal approach for discrepancy management, we first developed a “light-weight version” of VBRE and empirically validated their most important claims. Then we developed a software tool (discRman) that encapsulates the main points of the approach and, finally, partner organizations used it in small projects. We think that this “theoretical-empirical-light-weight-tool” sequence can be applied in similar situations, especially by small research groups seeking for transfer of their results to industry. ACM Classification: D.2.1 (Software Engineering – Requirements/Specifications – Methodologies, Tools), D.2.8 (Software Engineering – Metrics – Performance measures), D.2.9 (Software Engineering – Management – Productivity)