We present and discuss the derivation of a nonlinear non-local integro-differential equation for the macroscopic time evolution of the conserved order parameter ρ(r, t) of a binary alloy undergoing phase segregation. Our model is a d-dimensional lattice gas evolving via Kawasaki exchange dynamics, i.e. a (Poisson) nearest–neighbor exchange process, reversible with respect to the Gibbs measure f...

Given an adequate simulation model of the task environment and payoff function that measures the quality of partially successful plans, competition-based heuristics such as genetic algorithms can develop high performance reactive rules for interesting sequential decision tasks. We have previously described an implemented system, called SAMUEL, for learning reactive plans and have shown that the...

We describe the generic planning architecture parcPLAN, which uses constraint-solving to perform both temporal and non-temporal reasoning. The architecture allows considerable temporal sophistication in the speciication of actions, integrity constraints and planning problems, and produces plans with a high degree of concurrency in action execution. A feature of parcPLAN is the capability to rep...

Global stabilization of energy networks without centralized control is the challenge this paper addresses. An agent-based approach to decentralized self-management of networked appliances is the solution this paper explores. Software agents represent thermostatically controlled appliances (TCAs), generate energy plans for expected energy consumption, and interact with each other as peers within...

Efficiency dictates that plans for large-scale distributed activities be revised incrementally, with parts of plans being revised only if the expected utility of identifying and revising the subplans improve on the expected utility of using the original plan. The problems of identifying and reconsidering the subplans affected by changed circumstances or goals are closely related to the problems...