Computation Tree Logic Model Checking of Multi-Agent Systems Based on Fuzzy Epistemic Interpreted Systems

Model checking is an automated formal verification method to verify whether epistemic multi-agent systems adhere to property specifications.Although there is an extensive literature on qualitative properties such as safety and liveness,there is still a lack of quantitative and uncertain property verifications for these systems.In uncertain environments,agents must make judicious decisions based on subjective epistemic.To verify epistemic and measurable properties in multi-agent systems,this paper extends fuzzy computation tree logic by introducing epistemic modalities and proposing a new Fuzzy Computation Tree Logic of Knowledge(FCTLK).We represent fuzzy multi-agent systems as distributed knowledge bases with fuzzy epistemic interpreted systems.In addition,we provide a transformation algorithm from fuzzy epistemic interpreted systems to fuzzy Kripke structures,as well as transformation rules from FCTLK formulas to Fuzzy Computation Tree Logic(FCTL)formulas.Accordingly,we transform the FCTLK model checking problem into the FCTL model checking.This enables the verification of FCTLK formulas by using the fuzzy model checking algorithm of FCTL without additional computational overheads.Finally,we present correctness proofs and complexity analyses of the proposed algorithms.Additionally,we further illustrate the practical application of our approach through an example of a train control system.

The Challenges of Identifying and Managing Epistemic Inequalities in PHIR(Population Health Intervention Research):An Illustration in the Conception and Implementation of a TPE(Therapeutic Patient Education)Program in Oncology

Aims:The joint dynamics of knowledge(of patients,health professionals,decision-makers,researchers)and of the powers(of speech and action,asymmetries,and hierarchies established between individuals and their knowledge)of the people who carry them at the heart of the PHIR,are analyzed from the perspective of the management of epistemic inequalities.We study the nature of knowledge sharing or non-sharing between these different categories of agents involved in health interventions.Procedure:The qualitative methodology is based on 36 interviews and six years of ethnographic observations of the TPE program(design or implementation),as well as steering committees and workshops of the PHIR where researchers,decisionmakers,health professionals,and patients share their experiences and knowledge.Results:The research highlights three major theoretical and methodological issues of PHIR concerning epistemic inequalities.We argue for broadening the spectrum of health expertise(researchers,decision-makers,health professionals,patients)and for their pluralization.To account for the nature and evolution of collaborations,it is necessary to closely study the dynamics of the avenues of coordination between these fields of expertise.Finally,we call to identify the resources(knowledge,values,material elements,etc.)and strengths that enable these hybrid groups to bind(or not)and to potentially generate co-learning.Conclusion:Considering these three major issues allows PHIR to reflect and take action to reduce inequalities by linking epistemic and social issues.

英语情态动词的正确理解和翻译

正确的译文是建立在正确的理解上的。本文试图就英语情态动词的理解和翻译作一探讨。英语中的情态动词是个封闭系统，数量虽然有限，但其意义和用法有时却相当复杂，假如理解稍有偏差，翻译就很容易出错。例如下列两个句子在英国英语中含义是很不相同的，因此就有不同的汉...

Graduation formula: a new method to construct belief reliability distribution under epistemic uncertainty

In reliability engineering,the observations of the variables of interest are always limited due to cost or schedule constraints.Consequently,the epistemic uncertainty,which derives from lack of knowledge and information,plays a vital influence on the reliability evaluation.Belief reliability is a new reliability metric that takes the impact of epistemic uncertainty into consideration and belief reliability distribution is fundamental to belief reliability application.This paper develops a new method called graduation formula to construct belief reliability distribution with limited observations.The developed method constructs the belief reliability distribution by determining the corresponding belief degrees of the observations.An algorithm is designed for the graduation formula as it is a set of transcendental equations,which is difficult to determine the analytical solution.The developed method and the proposed algorithm are illustrated by two numerical examples to show their efficiency and future application.

Reliability Analysis for Complex Systems Based on Dynamic Evidential Network Considering Epistemic Uncertainty

Fault tolerant technology has greatly improved the reliability of modern systems on one hand and makes their failure mechanisms more complex on the other.The characteristics of dynamics of failure,diversity of distribution and epistemic uncertainty always exist in these systems,which increase the challenges in the reliability assessment of these systems significantly.This paper presents a novel reliability analysis framework for complex systems within which the failure rates of components are expressed in interval numbers.Specifically,it uses a dynamic fault tree(DFT)to model the dynamic fault behaviors and copes with the epistemic uncertainty using Dempster-Shafer(D-S)theory and interval numbers.Furthermore,an approach is presented to convert a DFT into a dynamic evidential network(DEN)to calculate the reliability parameters.Additionally,a sorting method based on the possibility degree is proposed to rank the importance of components represented by interval numbers in order to obtain the most critical components,which can be used to provide the guidance for system design,maintenance planning and fault diagnosis.Finally,a numerical example is provided to illustrate the availability and efficiency of the proposed method.

Towards optimal recovery scheduling for dynamic resilience of networked infrastructure

Prior research on the resilience of critical infrastructure usually utilizes the network model to characterize the structure of the components so that a quantitative representation of resilience can be obtained. Particularly, network component importance is addressed to express its significance in shaping the resilience performance of the whole system. Due to the intrinsic complexity of the problem, some idealized assumptions are exerted on the resilience-optimization problem to find partial solutions. This paper seeks to exploit the dynamic aspect of system resilience, i.e., the scheduling problem of link recovery in the post-disruption phase.The aim is to analyze the recovery strategy of the system with more practical assumptions, especially inhomogeneous time cost among links. In view of this, the presented work translates the resilience-maximization recovery plan into the dynamic decisionmaking of runtime recovery option. A heuristic scheme is devised to treat the core problem of link selection in an ongoing style.Through Monte Carlo simulation, the link recovery order rendered by the proposed scheme demonstrates excellent resilience performance as well as accommodation with uncertainty caused by epistemic knowledge.

Epistemic-Based Investigation of the Probability of Hazard Scenarios Using Bayesian Network for the Lifting Operation of Floating Objects

Owing to the increase in unprecedented accidents with new root causes in almost all operational areas, the importance of risk management has dramatically risen. Risk assessment, one of the most significant aspects of risk management, has a substantial impact on the system-safety level of organizations, industries, and operations. If the causes of all kinds of failure and the interactions between them are considered, effective risk assessment can be highly accurate. A combination of traditional risk assessment approaches and modern scientific probability methods can help in realizing better quantitative risk assessment methods. Most researchers face the problem of minimal field data with respect to the probability and frequency of each failure. Because of this limitation in the availability of epistemic knowledge, it is important to conduct epistemic estimations by applying the Bayesian theory for identifying plausible outcomes. In this paper, we propose an algorithm and demonstrate its application in a case study for a light-weight lifting operation in the Persian Gulf of Iran. First, we identify potential accident scenarios and present them in an event tree format. Next, excluding human error, we use the event tree to roughly estimate the prior probability of other hazard-promoting factors using a minimal amount of field data. We then use the Success Likelihood Index Method(SLIM) to calculate the probability of human error. On the basis of the proposed event tree, we use the Bayesian network of the provided scenarios to compensate for the lack of data. Finally, we determine the resulting probability of each event based on its evidence in the epistemic estimation format by building on two Bayesian network types: the probability of hazard promotion factors and the Bayesian theory. The study results indicate that despite the lack of available information on the operation of floating objects, a satisfactory result can be achieved using epistemic data.

Optimization of Routing Considering Uncertainties

A route optimization methodology in the frame of an onboard decision support/guidance system for the ship＇s master has been developed and is presented in this paper. The method aims at the minimization of the fuel voyage cost and the risks related to the ship＇s seakeeping performance expected to be within acceptable limits of voyage duration. Parts of this methodology were implemented by interfacing alternative probability assessment methods, such as Monte Carlo, first order reliability method （FORM） and second order reliability method （SORM）, and a 3-D seakeeping code, including a software tool for the calculation of the added resistance in waves of NTUA-SDL. The entire system was integrated within the probabilistic analysis software PROBAN. Two of the main modules for the calculation of added resistance and the probabilistic assessment for the considered seakeeping hazards with respect to exceedance levels of predefined threshold values are herein elaborated and validation studies proved their efficiency in view of their implementation into an on-board optimization system.

Programming with Conditionals: Epistemic Programming for Scientific Discovery

In order to provide scientists with a computational methodology and some computational tools to program their epistemic processes in scientific discovery, we are establishing a novel programming paradigm, named ‘Epistemic Programming’, which regards conditionals as the subject of computing, takes primary epistemic operations as basic operations of computing, and regards epistemic processes as the subject of programming. This paper presents our fundamental observations and assumptions on scientific discovery processes and their automation, research problems on modeling, automating, and programming epistemic processes, and an outline of our research project of Epistemic Programming.

Reliability‑Based Analysis of a Caisson Breakwater with the Application of Bayesian Inference

Caisson breakwaters are mainly constructed in deep waters to protect an area against waves.These breakwaters are con-ventionally designed based on the concept of the safety factor.However,the wave loads and resistance of structures have epistemic or aleatory uncertainties.Furthermore,sliding failure is one of the most important failure modes of caisson breakwaters.In most previous studies,for assessment purposes,uncertainties,such as wave and wave period variation,were ignored.Therefore,in this study,Bayesian reliability analysis is implemented to assess the failure probability of the sliding of Tombak port breakwater in the Persian Gulf.The mean and standard deviations were taken as random variables to consider dismissed uncertainties.For this purpose,the frst-order reliability method(FORM)and the frst principal curvature cor-rection in FORM are used to calculate the reliability index.The performances of these methods are verifed by importance sampling through Monte Carlo simulation(MCS).In addition,the reliability index sensitivities of each random variable are calculated to evaluate the importance of diferent random variables while calculating the caisson sliding.The results show that the reliability index is most sensitive to the coefcients of friction,wave height,and caisson weight(or concrete density).The sensitivity of the failure probability of each of the random variables and their uncertainties are calculated by the derivative method.Finally,the Bayesian regression is implemented to predict the statistical properties of breakwater sliding with non-informative priors,which are compared to Goda’s formulation,used in breakwater design standards.The analysis shows that the model posterior for the sliding of a caisson breakwater has a mean and standard deviation of 0.039 and 0.022,respectively.A normal quantile analysis and residual analysis are also performed to evaluate the correctness of the model responses.

Epistemic Genres as a Conceptual Tool in the History of Chinese Medicine

This article summarizes the collaboration between two historians of medicine on Sino-European medical exchanges.Gianna Pomata researches the history of medicine in early modern Europe and Marta Hanson researches the history of medicine in early modern China.The following covers the concept of epistemic genres that Pomata first developed out of her research on the history of the genres historia,observationes,recipes,medical cases,and the commentary in Europe.She connected these genres variously to empiricism,erudition,scientific observation,norm-making,and recording practice.The paper then evaluates how Pomata and Hanson used epistemic genres as a method for doing cross-cultural research on 17th-18th-century Sino-European medical exchanges.Pomata then wrote a comparative history of the medical case in Europe and China.The article concludes with how Hanson applied the distinction of epistemic genres to analyze the history of Chinese medicine from a new perspective.

Neurocognitive Variety in Neurotypical Environments: The Source of “Deficit” in Autism

As recent developments in autism research offer alternative explanations to the mainstream options, it can now be argued that the so-called cognitive deficits in the social domain associated with autism have been mischaracterized or, at least, oversimplified. We will use predictive models within a 4E (i.e., embodied, embedded, enactive and extended) conception of cognition to address the question of cognitive impairment in psychiatrics and autism. Such models force us to reassess what “cognitive deficit” means by integrating the environment not only in its usual sense (evo-developmental), but by understanding all cognitive performances as embedded in environments (or fields of affordances) that shape and sustain them. By adopting a predictive 4E perspective, we aim to show that the “cognitive deficits” associated with autism are in fact mismatches between environmental resources and the particular form of neurological functioning of autistic people (neurodiversity), brought about by the fact that the cultural niches that set up the relevant fields of affordances are structured by and for neurotypicals. This mismatch leads to epistemic injustices, both testimonial and hermeneutic, that feed back into research on autism and clinical approaches, thereby making the “deficits” appear based on individual shortcomings. In this context, autism interventions should partly focus on the development of social policies aimed at modifying those aspects of cultural niches that make environments unsuitable for the full development of all individuals.

Application of Epistemic Utility Theory to Satisfactory Optimization

Satisficing control remains an important concept in decision making. In this paper, a new epistemic utility satisficing control theory is proposed for a new model of complex CMMO （ constrained multi-objective multi degree-of-freedom optimization） system. As well, an epistemic utility function is developed and used to adjust the feasible region of soft constraints. The theory proved in this paper indicates that the utility function not only expresses the subjectivity of the original satisfactory-degree function, but also takes the cost of searching for a solution into account. Thus, the satisfactory-degree function can be adjusted and its rationality can be validated. This theory contributes an analytical method to the inverse satisfactory optimization problem. The findings indicate that this theory has good convergence and outcomes desired for satisfactory-degree functions.

Humorous Communication and Comprehension:Manipulation and Epistemic Vigilance

This paper takes an integrative approach to the communication and comprehension of humor from the perspectives of the humorist’s manipulation and the recipient’s vigilance informed by relevance theory.It is proposed that,in order to communicate humor,the humorist manipulates the recipient’s expectation of relevance in the setup and in the punchline in two different but related ways:misleading and guiding.It is also proposed that,in order to comprehend and appreciate humor,the recipient exercises vigilance against his/her own shallow processing in the setup and exercises vigilance for special cognitive effects in the punchline.On this approach,humorous communication and comprehension is viewed as an interaction between manipulation and epistemic vigilance.Strategies of manipulation and vigilance are described,and some essential issues arising from the relevance-theoretic approach to humor are reconsidered with some implications drawn.This paper contributes to enhancing the explanatory power of relevance theory for the communication and comprehension of humor.

An Approach to Assertive and Non-assertive Epistemic Modality in Virginia Woolf＇s Essays

This study entails a first approach to epistemic modality in Woolf＇s essays. In particular, we will distinguish between assertive and non-assertive epistemic modality. Woolf uses assertive epistemic modality when transmitting her criticism to, sometimes, women＇s inferiority condition in history, revealing Woolf＇s more confident stance. These markers are different from those used in more ＂gentle＂ themes related to reviewing an author and her work. In this second case, non-assertive epistemic modality is more frequent. Being less harsh towards an author＇s surroundings and her literary production, Woolf＇s stance proves less self-assured. The corpus consists of 10 short essays. We also refer to her longer essays A Room of One＇s Own （1929） and Three Guineas 0938）. They were selected bearing in mind their subject-matter. Half of them deal with literature and women writers, their lives and works; the other half ones also have to do with women-related topics, but referring to their position in history and their difficulties to undertake, for example, a literary career. Some concluding remarks indicate the predominance of non-assertive epistemic modality in relation to an intersubjective reading of her texts. This reading favours the inclusion of her audience in her commentary about women writing.

The Subtle Colourings of （Informed） Consent in Performance Enhancement： Implications for Expertise

The analytic method, part of the epistemonic method, provides us with a way to cope with perplexed cases, without even referring to the world out there. We are able to predict all possible variations of consent, and go on forming minimum logical quadripoles, 8-poles, 16-poles, etc., before even trying to make any connection to the world. This way, there are two major outcomes： All possible scenarios are predicted, and, because of that, our ＂logical generator＂ produces scenarios we couldn＇t even think of. Consent is, therefore, neither binary （existence or absence）, nor just a continuum from existence to absence, but a cladistic tree stemming from the basic quadripole ＂existence of consent/not existence of consent/absence of consent/not absence of consent.＂ The complexity increases rapidly when other terms are included; try： ＂existence of informed consent＂ or ＂existence of unintentional consent.＂ More levels develop as we examine relevant terms, such as ＂exposure,＂ ＂protection,＂ or ＂consumption.＂ In our case-study, we shall examine how different aspects of consent are expressed regarding the issue of performance enhancement and consider some implications for the notion of expertise within an SEA （Science of Exceptional Achievement） context. Many different terms may describe the most common situations, namely, ＂uniformed consent,＂ ＂unintentional consent,＂ ＂non-intentional consent,＂ ＂not absence of consent,＂ and also, ＂unintentional exposure,＂ ＂intentional non-protection,＂ and so on. In Greek language, the possible variations are even more （there are two kinds of negation in Greek）. All the aforementioned terms have different ethical consequences. We shall also examine whether doping is an inherent part of expertise attainment.

Comparative Analysis of Modal Auxiliary Verbs in English and in Chinese

The study of modal auxiliary verbs has been done by comparing modal auxiliary verbs in English with the ones in Chinese qualitatively and quantitatively. The modals in English and in Chinese are statistically analyzed through their forms and meanings. The data consists of 50 pieces of Chinese prose with their 50 English translation versions called corpus A and 50 pieces of English prose with their Chinese translation versions called corpus B, altogether 200 articles, which represent a type of discourse that is rich in modal auxiliary verbs both in English and in Chinese The major findings are as follows： （1） The three criteria： inversion, negation, and the use of pro-forms can be used to define both English and Chinese auxiliaries; （2） the modals of both languages can be analyzed within the same semantic categories： volition, probability, and necessity; （3） Chinese epistemic modals can have inversion patterns; （4） the negative forms of Chinese modals are more complex than those of English modals; and （5） the statistic analysis shows that the modals in probability category both in English and in Chinese are used much more often compared to the other two categories： volition and necessity and that deontic modals are used much fewer in both languages to express necessity

Nay or Nyay 3： Epistemic Utility of Shadow of Ignorance that Obscures Mental Images and Associated States

Survival of organisms requires response to sense inputs and feedback. An intuitive picture or mental image of reality from sense experience is apparently structured from orthogonal and independent sense inputs in association with past memories. Such images are not necessarily visual but may have such qualities. Play of mind with information in mental images processed by molecular actors is guided with rules of reality to assure non-contradictory outcome of actions for successful behaviors （Rogers and Jain 1993）. Such functions have evolved to find food before becoming food, and fight or flight when in doubt. Shadows of ignorance that obscure mental images and associated states also have epistemic utility. Their success depends on learning from trials and errors to compensate for incomplete information and uncertainties with consideration of what could go wrong. Outcomes are also influenced by games played on mind by illusions, mistakes, surprises, ignorance. Loss of time, energy, and opportunity associated with ignored or misinterpreted information threaten survival. Equivocation, cynicism, wild goose chase, and vicious circle of sterile ideas encourage contradictory or inconsistent interpretations that compromise outcomes. Throughout the human history, ignorance of horsemen of apocalypse has unleashed havocs, perpetuated wars, epidemics, wrongful medical treatments, and economic disasters. What used to be crisis of ignorance has now become crisis of unintended consequences of inventions and other forms of knowledge. Ignorance of experts and head of states as horsemen of darkness brings misery to countless innocents. In Nay formalism, knowledge （gyan） is what knows with certainty （either as true or false）. Identifying uncertainties introduces doubt （syad） in what one knows. For finding ones way around lack of relevant evidence （agyan）, wisdom lies in recognition of ignorance and identifies problem to seek solution. Note that these states for propositions are not necessarily related by binary negations.

Re-exploring the Sentence-final Particle “LE” in the Propositional Domain, Epistemic Domain and Dialogic Domain

Previous studies interpreting the meanings of the sentence-final particle“LE”displayed two trends:either excessively complicated or excessively general.Since some scholars established a theoretical foundation of propositional domain,epistemic domain and dialogic domain for the sentence-final particle“LE”,the nature or orientation of its semantic property has become more clear.However,there are also defects in the current“Three Domains”research model.In the first place,this model defines the meanings of the sentence-final particle“LE”as“emergence of new propositional content”,“emergence of new epistemic content”,and“emergence of new dialogic content”.But,the definition is excessively abstract and extensive.As many sentences not concluded with the particle“LE”can also express the three mentioned meanings,it fails to explain the difference between sentences ended with particle“LE”and ones without it.Secondly,the model fails to explore and discuss the nature or generation mechanism of relevant meanings of the particle“LE”.This study attempts to find a practical solution to those defects.

Successful Delivery of Infrastructural Projects： Epistemic Overview of Cost Risk and Uncertainties

The process of decision making and risk analysis are essential tasks along the construction project cycle. Over the years, construction practitioners and researchers have used various methods, tools and techniques to evaluate risk and assist in making more concise decisions. Most practitioners, however, rely on their expert judgment, past experience, intuition, acquired and accumulated knowledge and gut feelings to make decisions. Aleatory （natural, heterogeneity and stochasticity） and epistemic （subjective, ignorance） are the two major types of uncertainties observed in natural sciences. Practitioners traditionally deal with aleatory uncertainty through probabilistic analysis based on historical data （frequentist approach）; and epistemic uncertainty, on the other hand, handled through the Bayesian approach which has limitations since it requires a priori assumption. This paper reports the application of the DST （Dempster Shafer Theory） of evidence to determine the most critical risk factors affecting project cost contingencies using their epistemic probabilities of occurrence. The paper further discuses how these factors can be managed to enhance successful delivery of infrastructural projects. It uses the mixed methodology, with data gathered through structured questionnaires distributed to construction clients, contractors, professionals and experts in the built environment. The research revealed that design risk, financial risk and economic risk were most important cost risk categorizations. In particular, scope changes, incomplete scope definition, incomplete design, changes in specification, micro and macroeconomic indicators and delayed payment problems were identified as the most important risk factors to be considered during the cost contingency estimation process, hence successful delivery of infrastructural projects. The paper concludes by recommending modalities for managing the contingency evolution process of risk estimation to enhance successful delivery and management of infrastructural projects.