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In this thesis, we propose a light-weight collaborative filtering method for supporting the implementation of pervasive recommender systems on current and common mobile devices. To achieve this, we propose a distributed collaborative filtering-based recommender system that does not explicitly model the user in terms of his or her preferences, yet still delivers results according to them. The system we use to demonstrate this upon is a restaurant guide, one which is 'grown' by its users, by relying upon them to be the suppliers of a comprehensive list of interesting restaurants and their experiences with them. We describe how this information is added, and how it is then used via our recommender system to assist other users in identifying an appropriate choice of restaurant quickly and accurately using current, ubiquitous, infrastructure elements.

No description available.

La palliation du handicap moteur est la principale application actuelle des interfaces cerveau-machine (ICM). Cette thèse décrit une interface cerveau-machine hybride, conçue spécifiquement pour des patients souffrant de myopathie de Duchenne. Notre ICM hybride exploite les signaux issus de capteurs électroencéphalographiques (EEG), électromyographiques (EMG), et de joysticks. Leur traitement nous permet de détecter un mouvement ou une intention de mouvement à différents niveaux de la commande motrice. Les signaux joysticks sont utilisés tant que le patient est capable de les activer, puis à mesure que la motricité se dégrade avec l’évolution de la maladie, l’ICM hybride prend en compte les signaux EMG et enfin les signaux EEG. Nous avons développé une méthode originale de traitement des signaux EEG, qui permet à un expert humain de sélectionner les valeurs caractéristiques qui lui semblent les plus discriminantes. Les performances de cette méthode ont été évaluées sur une base de données qui sert de référence dans la communauté ICM, ainsi que sur des données que nous avons enregistrées sur des sujets sains. Notre ICM hybride permet le contrôle de trajectoire d’un mobile à partir de trois actions, correspondant à un mouvement ou une intention de mouvement de la main droite, de la main gauche, et des deux mains simultanément. Un degré de liberté supplémentaire peut être envisagé en intégrant la détection d’une intention de mouvement des pieds. / Brain-machine interfaces (BMI) have been considered since many years as the most promising approach to the palliation of severe motor handicap. This thesis describes a hybrid brain-machine interface, designed specifically for patients suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Our hybrid BMI uses signals recorded by electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and joystick sensors. Signal processing enables the hybrid BMI to detect a movement or movement intent at different levels of the motor command chain. Joysticks are used as long as the patient is able to activate them, then when motricity deteriorates with the disease evolution, the hybrid BMI takes EMG signals into account and finally EEG signals. We have developed an original method for processing EEG signals, allowing the system to select features that a human expert considers as the most discriminant. Performance has been assessed on a data set used as a reference in the BMI community, as well as on data that we have recorded from healthy subjects in our laboratory. Our hybrid BMI controls the trajectory of a moving object – either real or virtual – through three actions, corresponding to a movement or an intent of movement of the right hand, the left hand, or both hands simultaneously. An additional degree of freedom can be considered by integrating the detection of attempted feet movements.

A vast range of controls/countermeasures exists for implementing security on information systems connected to the Internet. For the practitioner attempting to implement an integrated solution between trading partners operating across the Internet, this has serious implications in respect of interoperability between the security systems of the trading partners. The problem is exacerbated by the range of specification options within each control. This research is an attempt to find a set of relevant controls and specifications towards a framework for ensuring optimal interoperability between trading partners in this context. Since a policy-based, layered approach is advocated, which allows each trading partner to address localized risks independently, no exhaustive risk analysis is attempted. The focus is on infrastructure that is simultaneously optimally secure and provides optimal interoperability. It should also be scalable, allowing for additional security controls to be added whenever deemed necessary. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

The primary contributions to the area of electronic business integration, propounded by this thesis, are (in no particular order):  A novel examination of global Business-to-Business (B2B) interoperability in terms of a "multiplicity paradox" and of a "global electronic market-space" from a Complex Systems Science perspective.  A framework for an, integrated, global electronic market-space, which is based on a hierarchical, incremental, minimalist-business-pattern approach. A Web Services-SOA forms the basis of application-to-application integration within the framework. The framework is founded in a comprehensive study of existing technologies, standards and models for secure interoperability and the SOA paradigm. The Complex Systems Science concepts of "predictable structure" and "structural complexity" are used consistently throughout the progressive formulation of the framework.  A model for a global message handler (including a standards-based message-format) which obviates the common problems implicit in standard SOAP-RPC. It is formulated around the "standardized, common, abstract application interface" critical success factor, deduced from examining existing models. The model can be used in any collaboration context.  An open standards-based security model for the global message handler. Conceptually, the framework comprises the following:  An interoperable standardized message format: a standardized SOAP-envelope with standardized attachments (8-bit binary MIME-serialized XOP packages).  An interoperable standardized message-delivery infrastructure encompassing an RPC-invoked message-handler - a Web service, operating in synchronous and/or asynchronous mode, which relays attachments to service endpoints.  A business information processing infrastructure comprised of: a standardized generic minimalist-business-pattern (simple buying/selling), comprising global pre-specifications for business processes (for example, placing an order), standardized specific atomic business activities (e.g. completing an order-form), a standardized document-set (including, e.g. an order-form) based on standardized metadata (common nomenclature and common semantics used in XSD's, e.g. the order-form), the standardized corresponding choreography for atomic activities (e.g. acknowledgement of receipt of order-form) and service endpoints (based on standardized programming interfaces and virtual methods with customized implementations). / Theoretical Computing / PHD (INFORMATION SYSTEMS)

A vast range of controls/countermeasures exists for implementing security on information systems connected to the Internet. For the practitioner attempting to implement an integrated solution between trading partners operating across the Internet, this has serious implications in respect of interoperability between the security systems of the trading partners. The problem is exacerbated by the range of specification options within each control. This research is an attempt to find a set of relevant controls and specifications towards a framework for ensuring optimal interoperability between trading partners in this context. Since a policy-based, layered approach is advocated, which allows each trading partner to address localized risks independently, no exhaustive risk analysis is attempted. The focus is on infrastructure that is simultaneously optimally secure and provides optimal interoperability. It should also be scalable, allowing for additional security controls to be added whenever deemed necessary. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

The primary contributions to the area of electronic business integration, propounded by this thesis, are (in no particular order):  A novel examination of global Business-to-Business (B2B) interoperability in terms of a "multiplicity paradox" and of a "global electronic market-space" from a Complex Systems Science perspective.  A framework for an, integrated, global electronic market-space, which is based on a hierarchical, incremental, minimalist-business-pattern approach. A Web Services-SOA forms the basis of application-to-application integration within the framework. The framework is founded in a comprehensive study of existing technologies, standards and models for secure interoperability and the SOA paradigm. The Complex Systems Science concepts of "predictable structure" and "structural complexity" are used consistently throughout the progressive formulation of the framework.  A model for a global message handler (including a standards-based message-format) which obviates the common problems implicit in standard SOAP-RPC. It is formulated around the "standardized, common, abstract application interface" critical success factor, deduced from examining existing models. The model can be used in any collaboration context.  An open standards-based security model for the global message handler. Conceptually, the framework comprises the following:  An interoperable standardized message format: a standardized SOAP-envelope with standardized attachments (8-bit binary MIME-serialized XOP packages).  An interoperable standardized message-delivery infrastructure encompassing an RPC-invoked message-handler - a Web service, operating in synchronous and/or asynchronous mode, which relays attachments to service endpoints.  A business information processing infrastructure comprised of: a standardized generic minimalist-business-pattern (simple buying/selling), comprising global pre-specifications for business processes (for example, placing an order), standardized specific atomic business activities (e.g. completing an order-form), a standardized document-set (including, e.g. an order-form) based on standardized metadata (common nomenclature and common semantics used in XSD's, e.g. the order-form), the standardized corresponding choreography for atomic activities (e.g. acknowledgement of receipt of order-form) and service endpoints (based on standardized programming interfaces and virtual methods with customized implementations). / Theoretical Computing / PHD (INFORMATION SYSTEMS)

XML est devenu le format standard d’échange de données. Nous souhaitons construire un environnement multi-système où des systèmes locaux travaillent en harmonie avec un système global, qui est une évolution conservatrice des systèmes locaux. Dans cet environnement, l’échange de données se fait dans les deux sens. Pour y parvenir nous avons besoin d’un mapping entre les schémas des systèmes. Le but du mapping est d’assurer l’évolution des schémas et de guider l’adaptation des documents entre les schémas concernés. Nous proposons des outils pour faciliter l’évolution de base de données XML. Ces outils permettent de : (i) calculer un mapping entre le schéma global et les schémas locaux, et d’adapter les documents ; (ii) calculer les contraintes d’intégrité du système global à partir de celles des systèmes locaux ; (iii) comparer les schémas de deux systèmes pour pouvoir remplacer un système par celui qui le contient ; (iv) corriger un nouveau document qui est invalide par rapport au schéma d’un système, afin de l’ajouter au système. Des expériences ont été menées sur des données synthétiques et réelles pour montrer l’efficacité de nos méthodes. / XML has become the de facto format for data exchange. We aim at establishing a multi-system environment where some local original systems work in harmony with a global integrated system, which is a conservative evolution of local ones. Data exchange is possible in both directions, allowing activities on both levels. For this purpose, we need schema mapping whose is to ensure schema evolution, and to guide the construction of a document translator, allowing automatic data adaptation wrt type evolution. We propose a set of tools to help dealing with XML database evolution. These tools are used : (i) to compute a mapping capable of obtaining a global schema which is a conservative extension of original local schemas, and to adapt XML documents ; (ii) to compute the set of integrity constraints for the global system on the basis of the local ones ; (iii) to compare XML types of two systems in order to replace a system by another one ; (iv) to correct a new document with respect to an XML schema. Experimental results are discussed, showing the efficiency of our methods in many situations.