Systemics and Informatics World Network

SIWN Abstracts Index

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.011

A Prefix–Indexing Hierarchical Minimal Cubing Approach for High-Dimensional OLAP

Kongfa Hu, Ling Chen and Yixin Chen

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 1-6

Abstract: The pre-computation of data cubes is critical for improving the response time of OLAP (online analytical processing) systems and accelerating data mining tasks in large data warehouses. However, as the sizes of data warehouses grow, the time it takes to perform this pre-computation becomes a significant performance bottleneck. In a high dimensional OLAP, it might not be practical to build all these cuboids and their indices. In this paper, we propose a multi-dimensional hierarchical cubing algorithm, Prefix-Indexing hierarchical minimal cubing, based on an extension of the previous minimal cubing approach. This method partitions the high dimensional data cube into low dimensional cube segments. Such an approach permits a significant reduction of CPU and I/O overhead. Experimental results show that the proposed method is significantly more efficient than other existing cubing methods.

Keywords: data mining, hierarchical minimal cubing, online analytical processing.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.012

A New Dispatch Strategy of Elevators

Pingli Wang, Bin Song, Gongxuan Zhang and Ling Wang

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 7-10

Abstract: With intelligent group control technique, this paper presents a dispatch strategy of elevators based on accuracy forecasting arrival time, which has the characteristics of strong adaptability, low cost and high reliability. The efficiency of elevator system is improved by using the new dispatch strategy.

Keywords: intelligent group control, adaptability, dispatch.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.013

Semantic Image Segmentation and Detection of Simple Objects

Kaixing Wu, Jing Du, Weiwei Yan and Fanyu Han

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 11-14

Abstract: In this paper, we present a framework for image segmentation and detection of simple objects leading to automatic image annotation. Focusing on semantic analysis of images, it contributes to knowledge-assisted multimedia analysis and bridging the gap between semantics and low level visual features. In order to stress its independence of a specific image segmentation approach we have modified two well known region growing algorithms, i.e., watershed and recursive shortest spanning tree, and compared them to their traditional counterparts. We introduce a methodology to improve the results of image segmentation, based on contextual information. We also propose a context representation approach to use semantic region growing.

Keywords: image segmentation, image annotation, semantic region growing.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.014

The Remote Cooperation Diagnosis and Problem Solution Environment in Web Age

Zuoliang Ye, Xinjian Gu, Sheng Li and Junfeng Tian

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 15-18

Abstract: The multi-user cooperative remote diagnosis is an important issue in Internet age. Some test and application have been done to realize simply the diagnosis and maintenance in special field. This research focuses on the cooperative Diagnosis Based on Virtual Network Computing (CDB-VNC), which is a general pattern to solve the remotely cooperative diagnosis problems. An integral cooperative diagnosis platform was built up with screen-sharing, remote control, instant messenger and data transmission. The key technologies, such as cooperative mode, system security, communication protocol, are presented in this paper. The main features of CDB-VNC include that multi-user browsers simultaneously; screen displays synchronously; the local software is operated visually via the Internet. At last the CDB-VNC system is developed and a case is discussed to implement the cooperation diagnosis with CDB-VNC.

Keywords: Cooperative remote diagnosis, virtual network computing, remote diagnosis and maintenance, e-maintenance.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.015

Applications of Aspect-Oriented Refactoring in Software System

Jingjun Zhang, Fanyu Han, Hui Li and Yang Zhang

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 19-22

Abstract: Aspect-oriented programming (AOP) has received increased attention due to its power in encapsulating crosscutting concerns in a system through use of a new unit of module called an aspect. This paper introduces AOP into the refactoring, synergistically combines these two techniques to refactor crosscutting elements, and introduces a human guided automated approach to refactoring object oriented programs to the aspect oriented paradigm. The approach is based upon the iterative application of four steps: discovery, enabling, selection, and refactoring. This paper examines the fundamentals of AO refactoring, the steps involved in the process, and presents the results of an evaluation in which one of the crosscutting concerns of a program is refactored.

Key words: AOP, refactoring, aspect, crosscutting concerns.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.016

Research on the Complexity of Industrial Network

Shou-Wei Li, Xing-San Qian and Xia Li

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 23-28

Abstract: Industrial network is a complex system, which has three hierarchical levels of complexity. Based on the correlation ships among enterprises, the IC industrial network of changjiang delta is constructed, and then we analyze the complex properties of IC industrial network: degree distribution, clustering coefficient and shortest average path. We find that industrial network is a small world with scale free property, and its local clustering coefficient depends on the degree of node strongly. Based on the character of real industrial development, the model of competing evolution is presented and is explained theoretically. Through theoretic analysis, we obtain three kinds of enterprises which have three different behaviors in the process of evolution. At last, we give some conclusions about our research.

Keywords: complexity, competition, evolution, industrial network.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.017

An Individualized E-Learning Web Services Prototype

Lipeng Wen and Mike Brayshaw

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 29-33

Abstract: As learners could have their individual requirements in their instruction (e.g. different learning aims, timetables, and results), it is essential to deliver the personalized educational services to students on the Web. Here the individualized creation and control of electronic instructional processes should be achieved on the Internet. So far, existing e-learning tools (e.g. LAMS) con not solve this question. In this paper, a schema-driven approach is designed to integrate and manage the semantic information of the Web services in the e-learning area according to users’ needs, such as the representation of all kinds of learning paths. Then a prototype is designed and implemented to facilitate users to author and control varieties of learning procedures. This tool should hopefully make users to be much more engaged in the individualized designing, performing, and managing of the Web-based educational services.

Keywords: e-learning, individualized requirements, personalized creation and control of learning processes, schema-driven approach.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.018

Study of Reconstructing Technology of Legacy Software under Internet Environment

Youtian Qu, Fang Liu, Shunyang Hu and Bo Zhou

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 34-36

Abstract: This paper introduces some relative concepts about reconstructing technology of legacy software at first and educes the study content of the paper. Then we introduce the studies of the reconstructing technology, model and method of legacy software inside and outside the country at present. In this paper, we put forward exerting adequately the advantages of Agent technology and component technology then assembles them to Agent-Component (AC), in this way, we can actualize the reconstructing of the distributed and heterogeneous legacy such as Internet environment easily and resolve the problems well in developing the large-scale and complex system. We propose four processes in reconstructing legacy system based on AC, and then we give an application example and elaborate the advantages in reconstructing legacy software based on AC.

Keywords: distributed, heterogeneous, legacy software, reconstruct, reuse, agent, component.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.019

Evaluating Academic Process Designer for Workflow Modeling and Analysis

Le Yang, Yongsun Choi, Kwanhee Han, Sungmoon Bae and MinSung Kim

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 37-40

Abstract: Workflow management technology provides flexible and appropriate solutions for facilitating the development of new business processes and the analysis of existing ones. Process designer creates and analyzes process models, and is a key component in a workflow management system (WfMS). But, most of commercial WfMSs do not yet provide process designers with formal analysis based on mathematical background. This limitation has incurred the development of many process designers from the academic side, based on different purposes and techniques. In this paper, we provide an overview of some representative academic process designers evaluated from the perspective of workflow modeling and analysis. This comparative assessment can help in deriving the direction of further development of process designers or integrating them with WfMS.

Keywords: business process, process designer, workflow modeling, workflow analysis.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.020

Normative Business Processes Modeling Based on EDA Model

Zhijun Yan and Kecheng Liu

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 41-45

Abstract: Business process management is of vital importance in organization’s daily operation. Most business process modeling methods are proposed to analyze and design business processes from the control-flow or resources aspect. In this work, the organizational norm is introduced to the business process modeling and agent technology is applied to model the intelligent and autonomous behavior of organizational actors. Based on the EDA (Epistemic- Deontic-Axiological) agent model, organizational concepts and their relation in the semantic level are identified. The role responsible for organizational activities is defined in the semantic model and served as a basis for EDA agent design. Moreover, the control flow information and organization norms are integrated into the business process agent model.

Keywords: agent, business process modeling, EDA model, organizational norm, semantic analysis.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.021

Requirements Representation for Machine-Amenability

Diana Griffiths and Kecheng Liu

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 46-51

Abstract: One of the main time consuming processes in the software lifecycle is the initial stage that produces the specification. This stage includes: articulation of the stakeholders’ requirements; interpretation of the elicited requirements; and negotiation of these elicited requirements to eliminate conflicts. This paper proposes a method of representing requirements in a formal representation that facilitates the addition of a knowledge source to enable the requirements to become machine-amenable. The knowledge repository contains information about the stakeholders words used while eliciting requirements, this is to enable the capture the stakeholders intended meaning. Machine-amenable requirements enable the machine deduction and manipulation using the associated knowledge repository and the machine-amenable requirements. The advantages of representing requirements in a machine-amenable format are presented, followed by the future development of the requirements for automatic analysis and negotiation.

Keywords: Machine-Amenable Requirements, Ontologies, Requirements Representation, XML.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.022

An Analysis of Risks in Collaborative Product Development

Kefan Xie, Qianqian Xia, Gang Chen and Yun Chen

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 52-57

Abstract: Following the process of collaborative product development (CPD), this paper analyzes at length eight types of risk factors and their attributes such as strength, frequency, visibility and affecting scope. Then, a risk factors map is drawn to examine the interaction between the various factors. Finally, a risk early warning mechanism for automotive product development is proposed providing an effective tool for controlling and avoiding CPD risks in early time.

Keywords: collaborative product development, risk analysis, risk early warning, risk control.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.023

Agglomeration Mechanism and Scale of Horizontally Integrated Multinationals under Limited Number of Enterprises and Monopolistic Competition Frame

Yan-Bo Zhang and Ying Han

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 58-61

Abstract: Under monopolistic competition model of limited number of enterprises and assumption of labor force relatively overmuch, this paper investigates agglomeration mechanism, investment scale of horizontal FDI in host country and whether host country can keep on drawing on more and more horizontal FDI quotients; also tries to study the possible development trend of horizontal FDI in China in the future. The research indicates: In a certain period, the market scale of host country is an important factor to attract horizontal FDI. The adjustment of industry structure, growing up of market and gathering of technology power in developing country, which will be beneficial to acquire more horizontally international direct investment for the developing country. And along with economic development, as long as the growth speed of market scale is bigger than that of production cost, the host country can draw on horizontal FDI constantly. Along with FDI gathering together continuously, the scale of horizontal FDI in host country also increases immediately.

Keyword: multinational enterprise, horizontal FDI, monopolistic competition, agglomeration mechanism.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.024

Fostering Innovation in a Mashup-oriented Enterprise 2.0 Collaboration Environment

Javier Soriano, David Lizcano, Miguel A. Cañas, Marcos Reyes and Juan J. Hierro

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 62-68

Abstract: A number of Enterprise 2.0 Collaboration platforms are beginning to proliferate. By leveraging desirable Web 2.0 attributes, these platforms provide enterprises with an ecosystem of employees, partners, suppliers, and customers who collaborate to develop capabilities by collectively generating, sharing and refining business knowledge. This paper advocates the idea that enterprise collaboration must evolve towards a new paradigm in which knowledge workers are considered as co-producers not only of information, but also of software services and applications that promote specific competitive advantages and/or meet their immediate needs, without involving IT departments. Having this in mind, the rationale behind EzWeb, a reference architecture and implementation of an open Enterprise 2.0 Collaboration Platform that empower its users to co-produce and share instant applications is presented. This architecture will help to evolve the above ecosystem into one in which all the stakeholders will also be able to collaboratively develop capabilities and innovate operating procedures by remixing and integrating already available services through the core ideas of enterprise mashups and collaborative resource repositories.

Keywords: Enterprise Collaboration, Enterprise 2.0, Web 2.0, Knowledge Work, Mashup, Innovation.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.025

Research of the Web-based Survey on the Development of E-Business in Mainland China, Canada and Taiwan

Peiji Shao, Jiaming Fang and Diana Kao

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 69-72

Abstract: This paper conducts a survey research on the "related success factors of the development of e-business" through the Internet. The research was taken in Mainland China, Canada and Taiwan at the same time. Among them we investigated in more depth into the companies in Mainland China. We analyze the possibility of carrying on the web-based survey. In addition, this paper also introduces the survey methods, survey processes and the results of the research in these three different regions. This paper demonstrates the following result: the response rates of the web-based surveys in China, Canada and Taiwan are just about 2%. The acceptable response rates of the e-mail/web-based surveys indicated in other literatures (Dillman, 2000; Cobanoglu et al, 2001) may not apply. At the end of this paper, we study how to improve the web-based survey, and present some countermeasures so as to increase the web-based survey response rate.

Keywords: web-based survey, response rate, e-business.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.026

Impact of E-Procurement Systems on UAE Government Services

Enas Alsaffar, Lily Sun and Mohamed Magdy Kabeil

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 73-76

Abstract: This paper aims to explain the current status and investigate the progress of the internet services companies in UAE especially in the area of e-procurement in the government sector. The study starts with an introduction that illustrates how UAE government began encouraging all the government institutions to use the modern technology in all areas especially in e-procurement. A case study about one of the famous companies in UAE is examined and several interviews were conducted with the business and IT managers in this company, also several interviews with some of Tejari's customers in the government sector were conducted. The paper provides an insight into how the company developed their business and how it is progressing in the field in terms of their own strengths and target markets. Some of the critical success and failure factors are discussed also in the paper.

Keywords: Critical success factors, e-government, e-procurement, e-procurement framework.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.027

E-Business Transaction Services Processing in Web Services Computing Systems

Hong-Ren Chen

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 77-82

Abstract: This paper presented concerns the efficient processing of e-business real-time transaction services using the web services technology. To meet the goals of satisfied different user needs and high profits for the system, an efficient strategy called sensorial value-planned strategy (SVS) is proposed to accomplish differentiated treatment of e-business real-time transaction services according to their important. It supports to maximize the profit by providing preferred services to the high priority to improve the system performance.

Keywords: web services, e-business transaction, service management.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.028

Machining Surface Texture Knowledge Management Using a Category Theory-Based Object-Oriented Database

Yuanping Xu, Zhijie Xu and Xiangqian Jiang

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 83-88

Abstract: Many manufacturing companies around the globe are applying various tools and methods nowadays to ensure the consistency of product characteristics through the manufacturing life cycle. This paper describes an information system framework for managing “knowledge” of surface textures “hidden” in the Geometric Product Specification and Verification (GPS) standards to facilitate this trend. The paper started with an introduction of the Category Theory, which formed the theoretical foundation of the proposed framework. Based on the discoveries highlighted in the introduction and literature review, the rationales for adopting the Category Theory in this research were discussed in terms of how it can be used in dealing with problems inherited from the conventional process of Object-Oriented database modeling. An overview of the software architecture, and the developing techniques for the proposed prototype system were also included. The paper concluded with an implementation of the prototype system to illustrate some of the design functions and features.

Keywords: category theory, categorical data model, functional data model, surface texture.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.029

A High Performance Hierarchy Storage Structure of Semantic Cube in Data Warehouses

Kong-Fa Hu, Zhenzhi Gong and Qing-Li Da

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 89-94

Abstract: The paper proposes to create the highly performance DHSC (Dimension Hierarchy Semantic Cube) with the dimension hierarchy aggregate technique on the Cube. By using the dimension hierarchy of the dimension hierarchy B⁺ tree, the DHSC can optimize the query efficiency and update efficiency, and also support the cube semantic operation, such as roll up and drill down. The DHSC can incrementally update the all affected ancestor nodes while updating the data cell by insertion and deletion in it. The DHSC can also incrementally update without being recreated while new dimension data are being added in it. As a result, this algorithm can greatly reduce the update time. We have compared the algorithms of DHSC with the other existent ones such as SDDC (Space-Efficient Dynamic Data Cube) by more experiments. The analytical and experimental results show that the algorithms of DHSC proposed in this paper are more efficient than other existent ones.

Keywords: on-line analysis process (OLAP), dimension hierarchy semantic cube (DHSC), dimension hierarchy B⁺ tree.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.030

Mining Product Features Based on Association Rule and Semantic Comprehension

Maoshu Ni, Hongfei Lin and Zhihao Yang

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 95-99

Abstract: With the rapid development of e-commerce, more and more product reviews are presented on the web by the customers. However, for potential customers or merchants, it is difficult to read through all those reviews. Focusing on this problem, this paper presents a model of mining product features based on association rule and semantic comprehension. This model not only mines product features which customers concerned with, but also extracts review sentences containing these features and identifies their semantic orientation. Therefore, potential customers can be helped to know features and performance of every kind of products. Experiment shows that the precision of the features and sentences orientation identification are satisfactory and the features are more representative.

Keywords: customer reviews, mining product features, association rule, semantic comprehension.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.031

Organizational Factors in Agile Business: Findings from Software Organizations

Kun Yang, Penny Dick and Chris Clegg

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007, pp. 100-102

Abstract: In software industry, agile software development is a group of new methods evolving to improve the agility of software organizations. In this article, two case studies are conducted to compare agile methods with traditional methods. Different organizational factors, such as autonomy and interdependency, organizational learning, and organizational memory and forgetting are presented and discussed.

Keywords: agile software development, knowledge management, agile business.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.041

Dynamic Service Composition Contracting Based on Agent Coalition

Jun Yan

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 103-108

Abstract: Service level agreement management in the Web services environment has become a subject of intensive research over the past a few years. One of the critical issues is for the service consumer to dynamically select and contract a set of service providers for provision of a service composition. This becomes challenging in reverse auction scenarios where service providers need to group themselves together to bid on service composition provision jobs. To address this problem, this paper proposes an agent coalition based approach which is composed of a coalition formation protocol, a decision-making model, and a negotiation mechanism. The protocol guides service providers with complementary capabilities to communicate with one another thoroughly in order to form a coalition. The decision-making model helps a service provider to decide whether to join a coalition or not. The negotiation mechanism allows service providers in a coalition to decide the payoffs which lead to the final bid of the coalition.

Keywords: Agent coalition, negotiation, service composition, service level agreement.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.042

A Selection Algorithm of Load Balance Migrating Objects Based on Object Attributes

Gong-Ye Zhou, and Yi Dai

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 109-113

Abstract: In Object-Based Storage System (OBSS), it is able to reduce average I/O task response time by improving degree of parallel data storage. Synthesizing the attributes of objects in Object Storage Device (OSD), including granularity and accessing frequency, and I/O task’s queue time, based on revenue/expenditure analytical method, a selection algorithm of load balance migrating objects is proposed. The experiment results suggest that this strategy can enhance the system’s capability of parallel data storage extraordinarily, and reduce objects’ I/O task average response time.

Keywords: object-based storage system; load balance; granularity; migration probability.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.043

The Research and Implementation on Grid Service Integration of Agent-Orientation

Zuoliang Ye, Jiao Guo, Xinjian Gu, Zhijie Liang and Zhaoxing Song

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 114-118

Keywords: object-based storage system; load balance; granularity; migration probability.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.044

On the Throughput of Multicasting with Rateless Erasure Codes

I-Chung Lee

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 119-124

Abstract: Recently several rateless erasure codes were developed to speed up the multicasting process successfully. In this paper, we take a theoretical approach to justify that methodology. We consider two multicasting models that use rateless erasure codes. In these models, the sender uses an ideal rateless erasure code to map a group of n message packets to an arbitrarily larger set of check packets so that any collection of kn check packets received by a receiver can be used to recover the original n message packets (k ³ 1). There is one sender and rⁿ receivers (r > 1). In the direct multicasting model, packets to the receivers are lost independently with probability q (0 < q < 1). For this model, we prove a strong law of large numbers for the asymptotic throughput as n ® ¥. The asymptotic throughput is characterized by the unique solution of an equation in terms of k, q and r. The strong law shows how the number of message packets n scales with the number of receivers rⁿ while keeping a nonzero throughput. For the model with one common shared link, we use the fact that conditioning on the transmission result of the shared link, the spatial loss correlation among the receivers can be removed. As such, we can extend the previous strong law to this model.

Keywords: large deviations, law of large numbers, multicast, rateless erasure code, throughput.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.045

A Context-Aware Framework Supporting Two Levels of Adaptation

Chin-Ling Chen

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 125-129

Abstract: This paper presents a novel approach in that it provides both inter-service adaptation by reconfiguring current available services in reaction to environment changes and intra-service adaptation by selecting the appropriate parameters to best adaptation. A highly scalable JXTA middleware is used in context-aware framework, which provides the unified interfaces for service operating on JXTA so that the services can access directly to the context environment. Finally, we experiment some simulations to demonstrate its ability to adaptation.

Keywords: adaptation, context-aware, JXTA.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.046

A Self-Organising Multi-Agent System Managing Complex System Design Application to Conceptual Aircraft Design

Jean-Baptiste Welcomme, Marie-Pierre Gleizes and Romaric Redon

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 130-137

Abstract: Many disciplines interact in the design of complex products, and interdependencies between them lead to difficult compromises. To deal with the conceptual design of complex products, designers require software, which is the closest of the design process. Therefore, these softwares need to be conceptually distributed, embedding disciplinary components. Focusing on the preliminary aircraft design, this article provides a self-organising Multi-Agent System (MAS) approach, where each agent embeds one disciplinary component and follows a cooperative reasoning. Experimental results show that self-organising approach provides robustness and adaptive behaviour, because the system is able to take into account perturbations of its environment. In addition, a set of tools provides a view of the system at global and local levels and enables aircraft designers to understand the interdependencies in the system and to reformulate their requirements.

Keywords: self-regulation, cooperation, emergence and interaction, engineering design, applications.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.047

A QoS-based scheduling by Neurodynamic Learning

Malika Bourenane, Abdelhamid Mellouk and Djilali Benhamamouch

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 138-142

Abstract: One potential approach to achieve service differentiation in IP networks is through the use of discriminatory scheduling algorithms, because they enforce resource allocation, by deciding when packets are transmitted. Scheduling in a router is done based on local decisions. For optimizing the global scheduling, we want to employ reinforcement learning as optimization algorithm for automatically optimizing the behavior of each scheduler. In this paper, we propose a two-level method to solve the scheduling problem. The presented method is based on neurodynamic programming (reinforcement learning and feed-forward artificial neural networks). In each router the suggested model take into account the delay constraint of traffic classes in addition to bandwidth, so that when this resource is not sufficient, the delay-sensitive class must be treated in priority at the expense of the remaining classes. In addition, we attempt to optimize the global scheduling through all routers. Simulations show a fast convergence of the algorithm and for three traffic classes our model satisfied the mean delay requirements and achieves some performance in terms of throughput.

Keywords: delay; reinforcement learning; adaptive resource management; packet scheduling; neural networks.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.048

The Application of Formal Concept Analysis: The Design and Realization of CAT with Cognitive Diagnosis

Shuqun Yang, Shengzhen Cai, Shuliang Ding and DingQiulin

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 143-146

Abstract: Concept lattice has been proved to be a useful tool for machine learning and knowledge discovery. In this paper, combined with the Attribute hierarchy Method (AHM), Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) is firstly applied into Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). Concept lattices are served as the model of CAT with cognitive diagnosis (CD). The algorithm of constructing of concept lattices for CAT is discussed in detail. The technology of item bank construction, Item Selection Strategies in CD-CAT and Estimation Method are considered to set up the relationship between concept lattices and CD-CAT, by which a CD-CAT is designed. The result of Monte Carlo study shows that examinees’ knowledge states are well diagnosed and the precision in examinees’ abilities estimation is well.

Keywords: formal concept analysis, computerized adaptive testing, cognitive diagnosis.

Coalition Formation in an Open Environment

Chao-Feng Lin, Shan-Li Hu, Xian-Wei Lai, Sheng-Fu Zheng and She-Xiong Su

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.049

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 147-152

Keywords: formal concept analysis, computerized adaptive testing, cognitive diagnosis.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.050

An Extended Dual Concern Model for Partner Selection in Multi-Agent Systems

Fenghui Ren, Minjie Zhang and Jun Yan

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 153-158

Abstract: Traditional negotiation approaches pay intensive attention to decision making models in order to reach optimal agreements, while placing insufficient efforts on the problem of partner selection. In open and dynamic environments, when the number of potential partners is huge, it may be expensive or even impractical to perform complicated negotiations with all of potential partners. Therefore, the partner selection mechanism is required to filter unsatisfied partners in advance in order to improve the efficiency. In this paper, an extended dual concern model for partners selection in negotiation is proposed. By employing three proposed critical factors GainRatio, ContributionRatio and ReliantDegree, agents can select partners by considering both themselves and their potential partners. The proposed approach has three merits (1) Both agents’ own benefits and the potential partners’ benefits are considered and balanced during the partner selection process; (2) By employing the extended dual concern model, agents can modify their attitudes to each potential partner easily; and (3) the partners selection criteria is generated according to agents’ personalities, thus the results will accord with agents’ expectation very well.

Keywords: multi-agent system, negotiation, partner selection.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.051

A Framework for Interactive Scenario-Based Multi-Agent Systems

Guo-Ming Fang, Kai-Yi Chin, Xui-Hui Yan, Jim-Min Lin and Arthur Lin

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 159-164

Abstract: Agent technology has been widely used to develop software systems, such as e-business, personal assistant and others. Scenario is one approach to control the behaviors of agents. In our previous works, we had proposed an interactive scenario mechanism to handle the interactions between agents and humans. It was also successfully adopted to develop a marketing system. However, some components are required to facilitate this approach. An interactive scenario-based multi-agent framework is thus proposed in this paper to identify the required framework components and the interoperations among them. In this paper, an Agent Diagram in AUML (Agent Unified Modeling Language) is used to model the agent roles in the proposed multi-agent framework. The processes of the scenario generation and agent execution are also described in this paper. Finally, a multiagent-based eldercare system is built to exemplify the feasibility of the proposed framework.

Keywords: scenario, agent, framework, AUML, eldercare.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.052

Roles as Agent Dynamics in Multi-Agent Systems

Haibin Zhu

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 165-171

Abstract: Multi-agent systems have been developed for many years. However, little attention has been paid to agent dynamics - the driving forces governing agents’ lives, work and contributions to a multi-agent system. Many questions related to the dynamic properties of a multi-agent system require study. This paper investigates this concern and proposes that roles and role-based architecture could be taken as dynamics for agents in a system. This paper contributes to multi-agent systems with a potential solution to such an important challenge, i.e., agent dynamics.

Keywords: agents, multi-agent systems, roles, dynamics.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.053

Operation Components of Cognitive Radio System with MB-OFDM UWB Spectrum

Jin Tian and Guangguo Bi

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 172-176

Abstract: While wireless services need more frequency band, traditional frequency allocations’ regulatory framework limits the developing trend. The allocated frequency band is often free, but unlicensed users need frequency spectrum to communicate with other peers. This paper proposes a new operation method of wireless frequency spectrum (cognitive radio technology) by sensing licensed bands, which supports high band wide efficiency. In particular, system operation components with MB-OFDM UWB spectrum are put forward, and key components functions of system including a few sense methods and link maintenances model are specified. The model and components functions of system operation may be available for cognitive radio on other frequency bands.

Keywords: cognitive radio, link maintenance, operation components, sense, UWB.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.054

An Organization-based Meta-Model and Modeling Language for Self-adaptive Multi-Agent Systems

Xinjun Mao and Ji Wang

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 177-182

Abstract: Organization metaphor provides high-level abstractions that are helpful to deal with the complexity of systems. Though many organization-based modeling languages and methodologies have been presented in the past years, it is still a challenge to model and analyze dynamic aspects of multi-agent systems. Based on organization abstractions, this paper propose a meta-model and modeling language to exploit the flexibility of organization metaphors and to deal with the dynamic and self-adaptive aspects of multi-agent systems. The meta-model is based on the dynamic binding mechanism and ARO organization model, with which the dynamic and self-adaptive behaviors of agents are modeled and interpreted as the changes of agent’s roles in various organization contexts. The corresponding agent-oriented modeling language is also presented, which provides several viewpoints and models to specify and analyze the structure and behavior aspects of multi-agent systems. Especially, the relationships of model elements are explicitly specified and analyzed to exploit the functions and behaviors of multi-agent systems, and role transition model is designed to represent the dynamic behaviors of agents. A case is studied to illustrate our approach.

Keywords: multi-agent system, organization abstraction, dynamic binding mechanism.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.055

An Aspect-Oriented Component-Based Approach to Seamless Web Service Composition

Yankui Feng, Xiaodong Liu and Jon Kerridge

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 183-188

Abstract: The current state of art of web services composition is to use them as what they are without any adaptation. However, in reality it is often the case that pre-qualified existing web services do not perfectly match composition requirements in target systems. To achieve seamless composition and wide reusability of web services, mechanisms to support the adaptability of web services are highly in demand. This paper presents an aspect-oriented component-based approach to building adaptable web services. The adaptability of web services is achieved by applying aspect-oriented generative adaptation to the underlying components implementing the web services. Aspects for adaptation are generated according to adaptation requirements acquired from web service consumers. An expandable library of reusable aspects at multiple abstraction levels is developed. A prototype tool has been developed to scale up the approach.

Keywords: web services composition and integration, aspect-oriented programming, software reuse, generative component adaptation, software production line.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.056

A Coordination Model in Multi-Agent E-Commerce Environment

Jianhui Liu and Xuefeng Zhu

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 189-194

Abstract: This paper presents a hierarchical coordination model for agents that act on behalf of different communities in e-commerce environment. The model reveals an important capacity for reaching agreement. The input for the model, the preference grades given by the human designers, consistently reflects human cognitive nature. The computation procedure, which uses formal method to minimize the overall inconsistence, is common to all the units in the hierarchy and can be employed in e-commerce applications to support better services.

Keywords: multiple agents, coordination, e-commerce.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.057

A Grid Resource Selection Framework Based on Fuzzy Clustering

Dong Guo, Liang Hu, Bingxin Guo and Shilan Jin

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 195-198

Abstract: How to select suitable resources for grid applications is a critical and complex issue which results from applications' multiple requirements and grid resources' features. This paper presents a general-purpose resource selection framework which can locate resources that meet application requirements. It combines application preference and real-time resource information to identify a suitable set of resources. A new technique called preference-based fuzzy clustering is used to realize reasonable resource clusters so that suitable resources can be identified easily. Besides meeting application requirements, this framework can reduce the cost on resource selection by reducing the search space of available resources. Furthermore, using this framework to select resources can avoid heavy loads' centralizing on only a few resources so as to improve load balance in grid environments.

Keywords: application preference, fuzzy clustering, grid, resource selection.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.058

A Requirement Analysis Methodology with Object-Oriented Modular Petri Nets

C. H. Wang, C. L. Hsu, and F. J. Wang

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 199-206

Abstract: The quality of requirements development is one of the most important factors for the success of a project. Use case approach is a functional requirement elicitation technique, commonly used in industrial applications. However, informal descriptions and verifications in this approach might cause additional costs and errors into the later stages. Object-oriented (OO) solutions are widely accepted in software development. The process of transforming functional requirements into OO designs is experience dependent still.

In this paper, we present a new methodology to help solve the above problems in the earlier phases of requirements development. Our methodology is based on an OO Petri net with modularity, which is named OOMPNets provided in this paper. The methodology includes a systematic procedure to 1) extract the involved domain objects from scenario of use case stated in natural language; 2) represent the scenario from the viewpoints of associated actors and domain objects with OOMPNet; 3) arrange the nets of involvements upon scenario to analyze; 4) convert the nets into design. We demonstrate an application of ATM service functions to indicate the contributions.

Keywords: use case approach, functional requirement, object-oriented development, Petri nets.

sai: cosiwn.2007.07.059

A Comparative Study of Modelling Languages for Agent Systems

Divina Melomey, Chris Imafidon and Godfried Williams

System and Information Sciences Notes, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2007, pp. 207-212

Abstract: Agent Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) is an emerging field in Software Engineering. This paradigm is based on the concept of agent, an autonomous computing entity. Some of the benefits AOSE provides to system developers are concepts and notations that relate to real life situations. These concepts include knowledge, behaviour, beliefs and desires, as well as characteristics similar to human’s intelligence and mobility. This paper examines recent research in agent modelling languages and compares common modelling languages such as Agent Unified Modelling Language (AUML), Specification Language for Agent-Based Systems (SLABS), A Caste-Centric Agent Modelling Language and Environment (CAMLE), Agent Modelling Language (AML) and Autonomy Specification Language (ASL) for modelling an agent with respect to mobility. The criterion for comparison is based on functions of modelling languages, characteristics as well as semantic structure.

Keywords: agents, mobile agent, modelling languages.

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