In order to succeed, it is imperative that all e-commerce systems include an effective and reliable trust and reputation modeling system. This is particularly true of decentralized e-commerce systems in which autonomous software engage in commercial transactions. Many researchers have sought to overcome the complexities of modeling a subjective, human concept like trust, resulting in several trust and reputation models. While these models each present a unique offering and solution to the problem, several issues persist. Most of the models require direct experience in the e-commerce system in order to make effective trust decisions. This leaves new agents and agents who only casually use the e-commerce system vulnerable. Additionally, the reputation ratings of agents who are relatively new to the system are often indistinguishable from scores for poorly performing agents. Finally, more tactics to defend against agents who exploit the characteristics of the open, distributed system for their own malicious needs are required. To address these issues, a new metric is devised and presented: seniority. Based on agent age and activity level within the e-commerce system, seniority provides a means of judging the credibility of other agents with little or no prior experience in the system. As the results of experimental analysis reveals, employing a reputation model that uses seniority provides considerable value to agents who are new agents, casual buyer agents and all other purchasing agents in the e-commerce system. This new metric therefore offers a significant contribution toward the development of enhanced and new trust and reputation models for deployment in real-world distributed e-commerce environments.

Software agents have been heralded as the most important emerging technology of the decade. As software development firms eagerly attempt to integrate these autonomous programs into their products, researchers attempt to define the concept of agency and to develop architectures that will improve agent capabilities. Decision Support System (DSS) researchers have been eager to integrate agents into their applications, and exploratory works in which agents have been used within a DSS have been documented. This dissertation attempts to further this exploration by studying the agent features and underlying architectures that can lead to the successful integration of agents in DSS. This exploration is carried out in three parts. In the first part, a review of the relevant research streams is provided. The history and current status of software agents is first discussed. Similarly, a historical and current view of DSS research is provided. Lastly, a historical and tutorial-type of discussion is provided on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) planning. This review of the relevant literature provides a general background for the conceptual analyses and implementations that are carried out in the next two sections. In the second part, the literature on software agents is synthesized to develop a definition of agency applicable to DSS. Using this definition, an agent-integrated DSS that supports variance-analysis is designed and developed. Following this implementation, a general framework for agent-enabling DSS is suggested. The use of this framework promises to raise some DSS to a new level of capability whereby "what-if" systems are transformed into real-time, proactive systems. The third part utilizes this general framework to agent-enable a corporate-planning system DSS and extends the framework in the second section through the introduction of an automated-planning agent. The agent uses AI planning to generate decision-making alternatives, providing a means to integrate and sequence the models in the DSS. The architecture used to support this planning agent is described. This new kind of DSS enables not only the monitoring of goals, but also the maintenance of these goals through agent-generated plans. The conclusion summarizes the contributions of this work and outlines in considerable detail potential research opportunities in the realm of software agents, DSS, and planning. / Ph. D.

[pt] Teste de software é uma atividade crítica no processo de desenvolvimento de sistemas, principalmente devido ao aumento da complexidade das aplicações atuais e pelo impacto que tais aplicações podem gerar. Relacionado a essa complexidade, o paradigma de sistemas multiagentes tem sido utilizado especialmente quando entidades pró-ativas, autônomas, autoadaptáveis e distribuídas precisam ser desenvolvidas. Para acompanhar a criação, manutenção e execução dos testes nesses sistemas, torna-se necessária a adoção de um processo de gerência, pois prevê a realização das atividades de planejamento, projeto, execução e acompanhamento dos testes. Visando ajudar nessa gerência, a tese apresenta o Java self-Adaptive Agent Framework for Self- Test (JAAF mais T), framework que permite a criação de agentes autoadaptativos capazes de realizar autoteste, isto é, coordenar a execução dos testes necessários para validar suas autoadaptações. Como diversas informações são usadas para ajudar na gerência desses testes, documentá-las ajuda a entender como evoluir e executá-los. Baseada nessa preocupação, a tese oferece uma nova linguagem de modelagem chamada de UML Testing Profile for Coordination (UTP-C), perfil (profile) da UML que permite a modelagem dessas informações. Por fim, para automatizar o processo de gerência dos testes executados por agentes autoadaptativos, a tese apresenta ferramentas capazes de gerar de forma automática artefatos usados pelo JAAF mais T baseados em modelos UTP-C. / [en] Testing software systems has become a critical activity of software development over time. Especially when the development of complex systems, which are able to self-adapt theirs behaviors when necessary, is becoming extremely common. In this context, the multi-agent system (MAS) paradigm has been used especially when distributed, autonomous and pro-active entities are represented. Aiming to control the creation, maintenance and execution of tests on these systems, it is necessary to adopt a management process that considers the activities of planning, design, execution and monitoring of the tests. In order to help this management, the thesis presents the Java self-Adaptive Agent Framework for Self-Test (JAAF more T), that aims to allow the creation of selfadaptive agents that perform self-tests. Since several data are used to help the management of the tests, documenting them helps to understand how to evolve and execute them. Based on this concern, the thesis offers a new modeling language called UML Testing Profile for Coordination (UTP-C), profile of the UML that allows the modeling of these data. At last, but not least important, tools, which were created to automate the management of the tests executed for selfadaptive agents, are presented to generate useful artifacts used for instances of the JAAF more T based on UTP-C models.

[pt] Este trabalho apresenta um modelo de avaliação de aprendizagem em debates síncronos e presenciais mediados pela web. O modelo é construído para atender as necessidades da avaliação do ensino levado a efeito segundo três paradigmas metodológicos: a aprendizagem centrada no aprendiz, a aprendizagem colaborativa e a aprendizagem guiada por problemas. Uma máquina de estados é proposta para suporte à avaliação da participação do aprendiz, segundo a Teoria do Vínculo de Enrique Pichon Rivière, permitindo assim um juízo de valor sobre comportamentos observáveis e aferição de aprendizagem de conhecimentos em um processo de construção coletiva e baseada em problemas colocados como desafios para os aprendizes. O ambiente AulaNetTM é utilizado como referencial, dadas as suas características de servidor de conteúdo e por se constituir em um ambiente para ensino à distância cuja concepção permite o uso da metodologia de ensino cooperativo. O acoplamento dos sistemas foi concebido de modo a atender as diretivas de simplicidade e dependência estrutural mínima. Para o módulo de avaliação é suficiente acessar a base do AulaNetTM e transferir os dados para a base do mesmo, a fim de garantir a independência dos sistemas. Um padrão do tipo quadro-negro (blackboard) é projetado para implementar essas características. / [en] This work presents a model for learning evaluation to be used in web-based learning systems. This model is constructed to provide conditions for a correct use of three learning paradigms: Learner centered learning, Cooperative Learning and Problem Based Learning. A finite state machine is proposed to support the evaluation of the apprentice`s participation under the Vinculum Theory by Enrique Pichon Rivière. As designed, the teacher can do a judgement of the observable behavior of each student and make an evaluation of the knowledge learning in a collective construction process based on the PBL (Problem Based Learning) strategy. The AulaNetTM environment is used in this work because it has a well-designed content server structure and is strongly oriented towards collaborative learning. The binding of the proposed model with the AulaNetTM environment follows the guidelines of simplicity and minimal dependence of both systems. A blackboard architecture is implemented to get the characteristics of independence and low complexity described above.

This thesis presents a study of the fragmented nature of activities involved in the specification and procurement of construction products. Existing Internet-based approaches have perpetuated fragmentation in this domain and this has resulted in a problem known as 'digital anarchy.' The thesis describes the design and development of an application based on the metaphor of software agents to address this problem. The thesis has validated the view that failures in the existing approaches have resulted in the 'digital anarchy' problem. Such approaches have failed to eradicate paper-based communication patterns and its related sequential work methods. The thesis has established the proof of concept of using agents for the management of distributed information in the selected domain. The work has also synthesised agent technology, XML and Web Services into a cohesive architecture, demonstrating that the ultimate solution to the 'digital anarchy' problem will emerge from a synergy of the various streams of research in Internet-related technologies. The work has established that there is significant scope for systematic improvement in the specification and procurement of construction products listed on the Internet based on the agent paradigm.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-08-11T20:35:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CleberPereira.pdf: 3089056 bytes, checksum: ab85b5af73443dbf91e821cbac7192ab (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-11T20:35:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CleberPereira.pdf: 3089056 bytes, checksum: ab85b5af73443dbf91e821cbac7192ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-09 / The proposed modeling system for assessing undergraduate degree courses, according to the parameters required by ENADE emerges from the need of the IES adjust its methodology and assessment procedures to the terms set by the exam. The proposed solution does not address a specific undergraduate course and may be applied for any knowledge area. The use of software agents is justified on the grounds of a classical computer application not being able to adapt to the reality of each student, delivering the second behavioral questions identified during the evaluation process.The statistics generated from this reasoning will serve both for students and for teachers in order to reevaluate the teaching and learning process. The modeling was performed according to the UML 2.0 TROPOS methodology was used for the modeling of agents and their implementation was done in JADE. / A proposta de modelagem de sistema de avaliação dos cursos superiores de graduação, segundo os parâmetros exigidos pelo ENADE, emerge da necessidade das IES adequarem sua metodologia e procedimentos de avaliação aos moldes estabelecidos pelo exame. A solução proposta não se dirige a um curso específico de graduação, podendo ser utilizada para qualquer área do conhecimento. O uso de agentes de software em seu desenvolvimento justifica-se em razão de uma aplicação computacional clássica não ser capaz de adaptar-se à realidade de cada aluno, entregando quesitos segundo o comportamento identificado durante o processo de avaliação. As estatísticas geradas a partir deste raciocínio servirão tanto para os alunos como para os docentes no sentido de reavaliar o processo de ensino aprendizagem. A modelagem foi efetuada segundo a UML 2.0, foi utilizada a metodologia TROPOS para a modelagem dos agentes e sua implementação foi realizada no JADE.

A gestão de cursos de graduação, no âmbito da coordenação de curso, está relacionada à execução de práticas que visam à melhoria da qualidade de ensino, pesquisa e extensão. No entanto, o que se observa, na maioria dos casos, é que os gestores não apresentam conhecimento aprofundado sobre os processos que estão sob sua responsabilidade, no que se refere ao fluxo de atividades e informações, devido, usualmente, a pouca qualificação ao assumirem cargos administrativos, ocorrendo uma necessidade de profissionalização da gestão. Esta tese propõe a capacitação de coordenadores de cursos de graduação, no que concerne aos seus processos de negócio, através da utilização de Jogos de Empresa. A mesma apresenta o jogo SPOIE – Simulador de Processos Organizacionais baseado em Instituições Eletrônicas, que pretende auxiliar o coordenador de curso a conhecer melhor o fluxo dos processos, os participantes envolvidos em cada processo, bem como as interações que devem ocorrer durante sua realização. A abordagem de Instituições Eletrônicas e Agentes de Software é utilizada de forma a prover mecanismos de representação das diversas interações existentes nos processos institucionais. Por fim, é apresentada uma análise da aplicação do SPOIE à coordenadores de cursos de graduação de diferentes Instituições de Educação Superior. Com a implementação da ferramenta e a aplicação realizada, percebe-se que é possível desenvolver um treinamento autônomo dos coordenadores de curso de graduação, no que concerne aos seus processos administrativos, com a abordagem supracitada. / The undergraduate programs management (course coordination) concerns in the practices implementation to qualify the teaching, research and extension. However, in most cases, the managers do not have the essential knowledge about the processes that are under their responsibility. Usually, the information flow and their activities are not so precise to the managers. A possible answer is the professor poor skills when he needs to assume an administrative position. This thesis proposes an undergraduate coordinators programs trainee. This program was focused in the business process through an Enterprise Games approach. The article presents the SPOIE - Organizational Process Simulator-based on Electronic Institutions - game, which was developed to assist the coordinator to understand the workflow, the participants involved in each case, as well as the interactions that must occur during its implementation. The software agents and the Electronic Institutions approaches are used to provide a formal representation among the interactions in the existing institutional processes. Finally, we present the SPOIE analysis held in different universities. Considering the above assertions, it is possible to conclude that the game can be used in the coordinators autonomous training of their administrative processes.

A tecnologia de agentes surge como uma solução que fornece flexibilidade e robustez para lidar com domínios dinâmicos e complexos. Tal flexibilidade pode ser alcançada através da adoção de abordagens já existentes baseadas em agentes, como a arquitetura BDI, que provê agentes com características mentais de crenças, desejos e intenções. Essa arquitetura é altamente personalizável, deixando lacunas a serem preenchidas de acordo com aplicações específicas. Uma dessas lacunas é o algoritmo de seleção de planos, responsável por selecionar um plano para ser executado pelo agente buscando atingir um objetivo, e tendo grande influência no desempenho geral do agente. Grande parte das abordagens existentes requerem considerável esforço para personalização e ajuste a fim de serem utilizadas em aplicações específicas. Nessa dissertação, propomos uma abordagem para seleção de planos apta a aprender quais planos possivelmente terão os melhores resultados, baseando-se no contexto atual e nas preferências do agente. Nossa abordagem é composta por um meta-modelo, que deve ser instanciado a fim de especificar metadados de planos, e uma técnica que usa tais metadados para aprender e predizer resultados da execução destes planos. Avaliamos nossa abordagem experimentalmente e os resultados indicam que ela é efetiva. Adicionalmente, fornecemos uma ferramenta para apoiar o processo de desenvolvimento de agentes de software baseados em nosso trabalho. Essa ferramenta permite que desenvolvedores modelem e gerem código-fonte para agentes BDI com capacidades de aprendizado. Um estudo com usuários foi realizado para avaliar os benefícios de um método de desenvolvimento baseado em agentes BDI auxiliado por ferramenta. Evidências sugerem que nossa ferramenta pode auxiliar desenvolvedores que não sejam especialistas ou que não estejam familiarizados com a tecnologia de agentes. / Agent technology arises as a solution that provides flexibility and robustness to deal with dynamic and complex domains. Such flexibility can be achieved by the adoption of existing agent-based approaches, such as the BDI architecture, which provides agents with the mental attitudes of beliefs, desires and intentions. This architecture is highly customisable, leaving gaps to be fulfilled in particular applications. One of these gaps is the plan selection algorithm that is responsible for selecting a plan to be executed by an agent to achieve a goal, having an important influence on the overall agent performance. Most existing approaches require considerable effort for customisation and adjustment to be used in particular applications. In this dissertation, we propose a plan selection approach that is able to learn plans that provide possibly best outcomes, based on current context and agent’s preferences. Our approach is composed of a meta-model, which must be instantiated to specify plan metadata, and a technique that uses such metadata to learn and predict plan outcomes. We evaluated our approach experimentally, and results indicate it is effective. Additionally, we provide a tool to support the development process of software agents based on our work. This tool allows developers to model and generate source code for BDI agents with learning capabilities. A user study was performed to assess the improvements of a tool-supported BDI-agent-based development method, and evidences suggest that our tool can help developers that are not experts or are unfamiliar with the agent technology.

This thesis presents an approach to modeling Multi Agent Systems (MAS). A framework and its implementation are presented as an extension to .NET. A number of definitions of agents are evaluated for the purpose of a broad understanding of the term software agent. Software agent has been defined in MAS context and its characteristics are identified and implemented. Motivation factors for building framework for MAS have been discussed. A number of existing technologies are discussed and evaluated. A number of agent systems previously developed are also being discussed in the middle part of the thesis. A model software agent has been defined and its characteristics are divided in two basic categories essential and optional. Its implementation has been distributed into different components throughout the MAS framework. Some of these characteristics are jointly implemented by a number of components and others responsibility rest on the individual components. Detail working of the MAS framework (i.e. what to do, when to do) is explained as guide to develop MAS using MAS framework. The protocols followed by the framework components to make communication possible between them are discussed at components level. The required information for developing MAS using MAS framework are also discussed. It answers the why, when and how questions in regards to using MAS framework A case study on Dynamic Truck Scheduling (DTS) system is discussed, designed and implemented using the MAS framework. DTS System has been used as a prototype application to test and evaluate the framework. DTS also represents a model problem that can be answered by using MAS; complete in-depth details about the problem statement are discussed. It also discusses the design and implementation of the solution along with the test results of the framework. Possible future expansion is presented in light of a number of limitations known of the MAS framework. The code working behind the different components of the MAS framework is given in appendices. Some important standards of XML that are used to pass information between agents and MAS framework components are also given in the format of tables.

The main purpose of this research is to find an effective way to personalise information searching on the Internet using middleware search agents, namely, Personalised Search Agents (PSA). The PSA acts between users and search engines, and applies new and existing techniques to mine and exploit relevant and personalised information for users. Much research has already been done in developing personalising filters, as a middleware technique which can act between user and search engines to deliver more personalised results. These personalising filters, apply one or more of the popular techniques for search result personalisation, such as the category concept, learning from user actions and using metasearch engines. By developing the PSA, these techniques have been investigated and incorporated to create an effective middleware agent for web search personalisation. In this thesis, a conceptual model for the Personalised Search Agent is developed, implemented by developing a prototype and benchmarked the prototype against existing web search practices. System development methodology which has flexible and iterative procedures that switch between conceptual design and prototype development was adopted as the research methodology. In the conceptual model of the PSA, a multi-layer client server architecture is used by applying generalisation-specialisation features. The client and the server are structurally the same, but differ in the level of generalisation and interface. The client handles personalising information regarding one user whereas the server effectively combines the personalising information of all the clients (i.e. its users) to generate a global profile. Both client and server apply the category concept where user selected URLs are mapped against categories. The PSA learns the user relevant URLs both by requesting explicit feedback and by implicitly capturing user actions (for instance the active time spent by the user on a URL). The PSA also employs a keyword-generating algorithm, and tries different combinations of words in a user search string by effectively combining them with the relevant category values. The core functionalities of the conceptual model for the PSA, were implemented in a prototype, used to test the ideas in the real word. The result was benchmarked with the results from existing search engines to determine the efficiency of the PSA over conventional searching. A comparison of the test results revealed that the PSA is more effective and efficient in finding relevant and personalised results for individual users and possesses a unique user sense rather than the general user sense of traditional search engines. The PSA, is a novel architecture and contributes to the domain of knowledge web information searching, by delivering new ideas such as active time based user relevancy calculations, automatic generation of sensible search keyword combinations and the implementation of a multi-layer agent architecture. Moreover, the PSA has high potential for future extensions as well. Because it captures highly personalised data, data mining techniques which employ case-based reasoning make the PSA a more responsive, more accurate and more effective tool for personalised information searching.