We develop a theory to explain the transition from stagnation to modern growth. We focus on the forces that shaped the evolution of total factor productivity in agriculture and manufacturing across history. More specifically, we build a multisector model of…

The general objective of this thesis is the development of an adaptive technique for extracting knowledge in large databases. Nowadays, technology allows storing huge volumes of information. For this reason, the availability of techniques that allow, as a first stage,…

Freud's theory of jokes explains how they overcome the mental "censors" that make it hard for us to think "forbidden" thoughts. But his theory did not work so well for humorous nonsense as for other comical subjects. In this essay…

This paper describes an approach to supporting work in the office. Using and extending ideas from the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) we describe office work as a problem solving activity. A knowledge embedding language called Omega is used to…

The 1980s saw an increase in learning support assistants (LSAs’) in colleges for further
education to support post-sixteen learners with learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD).
LSAs’ were appointed on an ad hoc basis with little or no experience, or relevant

We live in a world, where common sense is applied almost everywhere. To apply
common sense is to understand simple facts about people and everyday life.
The study of commonsense knowledge and reasoning is important, whether to
help understand…

This thesis is based on the premise that small nations face unique challenges in the quest for economic prosperity. They have a small domestic economy and are more dependent than larger economies on international trade. Smallness typically entails a lack…

Webster P. Dove., Originally presented as author's thesis (Ph. D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology), 1986., Bibliography: p. 209-213., Supported in part by the Advanced Research Projects Agency monitored by ONR under contract no. N00014-81-K-0742 Supported in part by the National Science…

In recent years we have seen a confluence of science and technology that portends great impact to business strategy and product development. Just as physicists, chemists and biologists have extended their knowledge to other fields in pursuit of their own…

A survey of public attitudes showed that there is significant stigma perceived to be associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as significant misconceptions about the course and outcomes of the disease. Negative attitudes to PD were associated with perceived…