Argumentation update in YALLA (Yet Another Logic Language for Argumentation)

This article proposes a complete framework for handling the dynamics of an abstract argumentation system. This frame can encompass several belief bases under the form of several argumentation systems, more precisely it is possible to express and study how an agent who has her own argumentation system can interact on a target argumentation system (that may represent a state of knowledge at a given stage of a debate). The two argumentation systems are defined inside a reference argumentation system called the universe which constitutes a kind of “common language”. This paper establishes three main results. First, we show that change in argumentation in such a framework can be seen as a particular case of belief update. Second, we have introduced a new logical language called YALLA in which the structure of an argumentation system can be encoded, enabling to express all the basic notions of argumentation theory (defense, conflict-freeness, extensions) by formulae of YALLA. Third, due to previous works about dynamics in argumentation we have been in position to provide a set of new properties that are specific for argumentation update.     

Evaluating risk of water mains failure using a Bayesian belief network model

It has been reported that since year 2000, there have been an average 700 water main breaks per day only in Canada and the USA costing more than CAD 10 billions/year. Moreover, water main leaks affect other neighboring infrastructure that may lead to catastrophic failures. For this, municipality authorities or stakeholders are more concerned about preventive actions rather reacting to failure events. This paper presents a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) model to evaluate the risk of failure of metallic water mains using structural integrity, hydraulic capacity, water quality, and consequence factors. BBN is a probabilistic graphical model that represents a set of variables and their probabilistic relationships, which also captures historical information about these dependencies. The proposed model is capable of ranking water mains within distribution network that can identify vulnerable and sensitive pipes to justify proper decision action for maintenance/rehabilitation/replacement (M/R/R). To demonstrate the application of proposed model, water distribution network of City of Kelowna has been studied. Result indicates that almost 9% of the total 259 metallic pipes are at high risk in both summer and winter.     

文创视角下妈祖卡通人物的形象设计

?［摘要］妈祖民俗文化作为海洋文化的重要组成部分，为文创设计提供了丰富的题材。文创视角下，妈祖卡通人物的形象设计，应在清晰不同阶段原型的身份、外貌、性格、地域特征的基础上，结合卡通造型和设计方法，运用变形、夸张、简化和点、线、面元素组合的造型手法，细化造型，达致形、神、蕴统一。同时，应扎根并深化妈祖民俗文化内涵，拓展作品领域，提升造型能力，设计出符合不同消费人群需求的妈祖卡通人物形象。     

基于条件事件代数系统的条件证据组合与条件信任组合

讨论基于条件事件代数系统上的条件证据与条件信任问题,给出了条件证据的组合方法,由此可作出在条件下对目标支持的判断,我们还给出了综合各条件证据的无条件目标语据组合,它可看作是从全局角度对目标支持的判断,最后我们给出了基于多值映射的条件信任的组合。     

论妈祖信仰与和谐文化

基于以人与人、人与社会、人与自然这三种最基本的关系，试分析妈祖信仰是和谐文化的体现。由于和谐是世界各国人民的共同追求，因而妈祖信仰不仅在中国流传，而且随着华侨出国而传播到海外，为外国人民所接受。妈祖信仰不仅在构建社会主义和谐社会、建设和谐文化的过程中可以发挥积极作用，而且有利于推动祖国统一大业的早日实现。     

Inference in directed evidential networks based on the transferable belief model

Inference algorithms in directed evidential networks (DEVN) obtain their efficiency by making use of the represented independencies between variables in the model. This can be done using the disjunctive rule of combination (DRC) and the generalized Bayesian theorem (GBT), both proposed by Smets [Ph. Smets, Belief functions: the disjunctive rule of combination and the generalized Bayesian theorem, International Journal of Approximate Reasoning 9 (1993) 1–35]. These rules make possible the use of conditional belief functions for reasoning in directed evidential networks, avoiding the computations of joint belief function on the product space. In this paper, new algorithms based on these two rules are proposed for the propagation of belief functions in singly and multiply directed evidential networks.     

Conflict management in Dempster-Shafer theory using the degree of falsity

In this article we develop a method for conflict management within Dempster-Shafer theory. The idea is that each piece of evidence is discounted in proportion to the degree that it contributes to the conflict. This way the contributors of conflict are managed on a case-by-case basis in relation to the problem they cause. Discounting is performed in a sequence of incremental steps, with conflict updated at each step, until the overall conflict is brought down exactly to a predefined acceptable level.     

The Dempster–Shafer calculus for statisticians

The Dempster–Shafer (DS) theory of probabilistic reasoning is presented in terms of a semantics whereby every meaningful formal assertion is associated with a triple (p, q, r) where p is the probability “for” the assertion, q is the probability “against” the assertion, and r is the probability of “don’t know”. Arguments are presented for the necessity of “don’t know”. Elements of the calculus are sketched, including the extension of a DS model from a margin to a full state space, and DS combination of independent DS uncertainty assessments on the full space. The methodology is applied to inference and prediction from Poisson counts, including an introduction to the use of join-tree model structure to simplify and shorten computation. The relation of DS theory to statistical significance testing is elaborated, introducing along the way the new concept of “dull” null hypothesis.     

福建涵江霞徐妈祖信仰调查

简述福建涵江传播妈祖信仰的历史背景。通过对涵江最具代表性的妈祖庙霞徐天妃宫的田野调查,结合相关文献,描述该妈祖庙的历史与现状,并探讨涵江霞徐妈祖信仰的一些特色。     

论泰国华人社会中的妈祖信仰

泰国的华人普遍崇信天后妈祖，尤其是福建人、潮州人和海南人，妈祖庙宇散布泰国各府县，妈祖信仰在泰国华人社会中具有相当的影响力，对泰国华人牡会发展、华人成功融入泰国社会、泰国华人海洋经营以及中泰文化交流融合等方面都起着重要的促进作用。