Deliverables 2001, Quarter 2
Some papers may only be accessible by members of the Trade
Agents project.
[1D1.2a] A
Robust Dynamic Pricing Algorithm: The Adaptive Step-Size Derivative Follower
(restricted access only)
We study the performance of a derivative follower algorithm
with an adaptive step-size (ADF). Unlike a previously proposed ADF variant
[2], our algorithm alway converges to the optimal solution if the profit
function is strictly concave. We test the performance of our ADF on a dynamic
pricing problem. These computational experiments show that our ADF is able
to generate high profit levels for a wide range of initial prices and step-sizes.
[1D1.2b] Negotiations
within a Competitive Market: An Evolutionary Simulation Approach. (restricted
access only)
We describe a system for bilateral negotiations, in which
artificial agents can negotiate with a number of opponents before reaching
an agreement. The negotiations are based on a finite-horizon version of
the alternating-offers protocol, and extended to allow for multiple bargaining
opportunities. Several issues are negotiated simultaneously. This extension
models a competitive market and is closer to realistic settings than the
basic negotiation game. We analyze the extended game using an evolutionary
simulation, where the strategies of the negotiating agents are generated
by an evolutionary algorithm. Symmetric payoffs are obtained in the simulation
if agents incur no search costs. We furthermore study the effects of search
costs in this game.
[1D2.1] Scientific
Techniques for Interactive Profiling. (restricted
access only)
This survey paper gives an overview of adaptive information
filtering and interactive profiling techniques both in scientific research
and commercial applications. After clarifying the relation between information
retrieval, information filtering, recommendation and user profiling the
essential tasks in adaptive information filtering are outlined. When designing
efficient profiling systems it is necessary to distinquish between two
profiling types, (inter)active information maximizing approaches and unobtrusively
observing ones. Scientific techniques for filtering and profiling are discussed
in more detail, followed by a brief overview of research projects and existing
filtering and recommending systems. Finally we sketch out prospective extensions
of current commercial applications and further lines of research covering
query learning and use of unlabeled data for efficient user profiling.
[1D4.2] The usage
of secure XML within agent technologies (restricted
access only)
This document is a description of the security issues
addressed by the Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents (FIPA). It
also contains a proposal how extensible Mark-up Language-Security (XML-S)
could be integrated within the FIPA standards and it gives an inventory
of leads for the use of XML-S within the use case of ING in the ASTA projects.
[1D5.1] Internal
Agent Architecture (restricted access only)
This report is the result of Task T 5.1. The goal of
this activity is stated in the projectplan as follows: "The goal of this
activity is to develop an architecture that allows a developer to take
an implementation of an agent core, plug it into an agent of an agent technology
provider and integrate it with its communication infrastructure with the
least effort possible. The architecture ideally provides standard facilities
for receiving messages and notifications of changes in the environment,
the execution of actions and an interface for a Reasoner Component. Furthermore,
the architecture enables each autonomous agent to run in its own thread
of control".
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