ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to explore the spatial organization of neural networks under Markovian assumptions, in what concerns the behaviour ofindividual cells and the interconnection mechanism. Spaceorganizational propertiesof neural nets are very relevant in image modeling and pattern analysis, where spatial computations on stochastic two-dimensionalimage fields are involved. As a first approach we develop a random neural network model, based upon simple probabilistic assumptions,whose organization is studied by means of discrete-event simulation.We then investigate the possibility of approXimating therandom network's behaviour by using an analytical approach originating from the theory of general product-form queueing networks. The neural network is described by an open network of nodes, inwhich customers moving from node to node represent stimulations andconnections between nodes are expressed in terms of suitably selectedrouting probabilities. We obtain the solution of the model under different disciplines affecting the time spent by a stimulation ateach node visited.

Empirical evidence suggests that searching deeper in game trees using the minimax propagation rule usually improves the quality of decisions significantly. However, despite many recent theoretical analyses of the effects of minimax look ahead, however, this phenomenon has still not been convincingly explained. Instead, much attention has been given to so-called pathological behavior, which occurs under certain assumptions. This article supports the view that pathology is a direct result of these underlying theoretical assumptions. Pathology does not occur in practice, because these assumptions do not apply in realistic domains. The article presents several arguments in favor of minimaxing and focuses attention on the gap between their analytical formulation and their practical meaning. A new model is presented based on the strict separation of static and dynamic aspects in practical programs. finally, certain methods of improving minimax look-ahead are discussed, drawing on insights gained from this research.

In this article, principles involving the intrinsic, deictic, and extrinsic use of spatial prepositions are examined from linguistic, psychological, and AI approaches. First, I define some important terms. Second, those prepositions which permit intrinsic, deictic, and extrinsic use are specified. Third, I examine how the frame of reference is determined for all three cases. Fourth, I look at ambiguities in the use of prepositions and how they can be resolved. Finally, I introduce the natural language dialog system CITYTOUR, which can cope with the intrinsic, deictic, and extrinsic use of spatial prepositions, and compare it with the approaches dealt with in the previous sections as well as to some other AI systems.

Letters to the editor on the lack of a central index to the field's published works and the fact that many original works are not published in journals; praise for Letovsky article -- stimulating and amusing. felt subsequent letters to editors were full of bombastic indignation; criticism of Kasday letter about it and Bob Engelmore's weak support of the article; dualism in regards to Letovsky letter; and a reply to criticism by Letovsky, acknowledging diaristic form.

Johnson-Laird In a field choked with seemingly impenetrable jargon, Quick and thorough. Philip Johnson-Laird has done the impossible: written a By mixing forward and backward chaining, goal search book about how the mind works that requires no advance time can be shortenedramatically And, using GURU's knowledge of artificial intelligence, neurophysiology, or multiple rule firing capabilityou can refire rules psychology, providing the single best introduction to cognitive as values change GURU also comes equipped with science available. "Philip Johnson-Laird has that rare gift of being a cognitive seamlessly integrated 4th generation decision support scientist of the first order, yet he addresses himself to capabilitiesuch as data base, spreadsheet, and the deep classical issues in psychology, in the philosophy report generator

Proc. AAAI-88, Vol. 2, pp. 607–611

As Soloway attracted over 400 pnrticipants from all of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Penn., described the changes in what he felt over the world who gathered to present 8-10 May 1987. The conference the construction of mechanisms and concerning AI and education This article cochairmen, Stellan Ohlsson and explanations last year to the design of presents a synopsis of the major Jeff Bonar, also gave brief welcomes to artifacts today, he was clearly giving presentations and an overview the participants. With so about transference, leading Soloway many attendees from abroad (The to conclude that transference is not Netherlands, Japan, Canada, West the ultimate goal for teaching and Germany, England, Sweden, France, tutoring programming. Instead, the and Hong Kong were all represented concern should be for the development by speakers), the international flavor of synthesis skills and "highorder of the conference was well established. The obvious disappointment This model does not vary significantly of the audience could be from standard software engineering felt. However, instead of giving the opening address, "Programming requiring these steps be followed in a as Artifact Design." This change strict order, Soloway contends that worked out well because Soloway the way real programmers work best acted like a cheerleader, getting the is to bounce from one stage to another crowd fired up about the subject of AI as the need arises. WINTER 1987 97 Andy di Sessa, in his talk "Social much rigidity has recently been the differences between beginner and Niches for Future Software," focused imposed on programmers by the engi-expert. Finally, Wender suggested that on the need to provide a medium neering approach. He demonstrated him, one could easily mistake him for teacher. Some of the kinds of software he felt should ... He considers current applications to be "the He also suggested that "current programming is to synthesis as a hammer is to a thumb. Each is as likely to challenge to the computer science der was echoed by Ben du Boulay in cause pain as [it is] to get the job community to develop higher-level "What Should a Programming Environment done." The Like?" Bonar's comment in his opening Beyond the usual categories supplied emphasis should be on synthesis welcome that we are "on the verge by the conference structure, several skills for designing, generating, and of a breakthrough" in developing themes linked many of the papers evaluating alternative artifacts that tutoring systems concerned du and presentations.

In the restaurant script, notated as $RESTAURANT, the roles might directly to the United Press International Yale researchers explored intentionality include customer, waitress, and cook; news wire and could skim news One of the earliest programs to the props could be a menu, table, and stories in dozens of different domains, embody goals and plans within the silverware; the locations could be the and produce summaries in several languages. CD paradigm was Jim Meehan's bar, dining area, and kitchen; and the On the DEC-20 (which by TALESPIN, which made up stories events would include arriving, seating, 1978 had replaced the PDP-101, similar to the fables of Aesop.

The First International Workshop on User Modeling in Natural Language Dialogue Systems was held 30-31 August 1986 in Maria Laach, West Germany. Issues addressed by the participants included the appropriate contents of a user model, techniques for constructing user models in both understanding and generating natural language dialogue, and the development of general user-modeling systems. This article includes an overview of the presentations made at the workshop. It is a compilation of the author's impressions and observations and is, therefore, undoubtedly incomplete; and at times might fail to accurately represent the views of the researcher presenting the work.

Even though sues raised during the workshop sponsored emerged during the workshop. In many situations, users are not sufficiently defined or Seattle, Washington. Issues include the need guidance and counseling in order understood to be amenable to traditional definition of coupled systems, motivations to solve the problem at hand. In control system--one that combines such situations, users often need help techniques from artificial intelligence in determining which specific algorithm (AI), control theory, and operations or technique should be research (Kowalik et al. 1986). In other situations, traditional techniques to perform the need is more basic--for guidance in many routine tasks, sophisticated determining whether the problem at hand can be solved and, if so, whether techniques are needed to handle many the resources that can be brought to of the humanlike functions.