Influence Maximization Based on Backward Reasoning in Online Social Networks

Along with the rapid development of information technology, online social networks have become more and more popular, which has greatly changed the way of information diffusion. Influence maximization is one of the hot research issues in online social network analysis. It refers to mining the most influential top-K nodes from an online social network to maximize the final propagation of influence in the network. The existing studies have shown that the greedy algorithms can obtain a highly accurate result, but its calculation is time-consuming. Although heuristic algorithms can improve efficiency, it is at the expense of accuracy. To balance the contradiction between calculation accuracy and efficiency, we propose a new framework based on backward reasoning called Influence Maximization Based on Backward Reasoning. This new framework uses the maximum influence area in the network to reversely infer the most likely seed nodes, which is based on maximum likelihood estimation. The scheme we adopted demonstrates four strengths. First, it achieves a balance between the accuracy of the result and efficiency. Second, it defines the influence cardinality of the node based on the information diffusion process and the network topology structure, which guarantees the accuracy of the algorithm. Third, the calculation method based on message-passing greatly reduces the computational complexity. More importantly, we applied the proposed framework to different types of real online social network datasets and conducted a series of experiments with different specifications and settings to verify the advantages of the algorithm. The results of the experiments are very promising.

Metaphorical truth and neopragmatic realism of Richard Rorty

The subject of this research is the examination of neopragmatic realism of Richard Rorty through the prism of the concept of metaphorical truth of Paul Ricoeur. The key goal lies in the attempt to fill the “black box of reality” in the philosophy of R. Rorty with the methodological instruments derived from the concept of metaphorical truth of P. Ricoeur. Having dedicated certain time to describing the core ideas of R. Rorty, the author analyzed the methodology of P. Ricoeur regarding the problem of reality and the cognitive opacity of language characteristic to the system of the American philosopher. The author seeks to determine the common and contradictory aspects in methodology of both philosophers for the purpose of conducting the substitution of the elements of Rorty’s philosophy that is organic for the entire logical construct, concluding on the cognitive opacity of language and elements of Ricoeur’s thoughts that lead to backward reasoning. The crucial element is the idea of “physis” borrowed by Ricoeur from Aristotle for ontological substantiation of the concept of metaphorical reality. Namely this idea that becomes the key to recoding of the philosophical system of R. Rorty to what can be called full realism in the philosophical sense. As a result of application of the idea of “physis” to Rorty's philosophy, the author finds the way to saturate the concept of reality with certain ontological content; however, this content is not susceptible to structural description, and thus does not allow solving the problem of cognitive opacity of language characteristic to Rorty's philosophy. Nevertheless, the application of P. Ricoeur’s concept of metaphorical truth to the philosophical system of R. Rorty in the context of ontological problem of accessing reality is the original tactic of reasoning that has not been previously implemented within the scientific and philosophical circles. Although one of the advanced hypothesis that suggests the possibility of substantiation of the cognitive opacity of language was being refuted, the concept of P. Ricoeur allowed saturating the concept of reality of the American philosopher with the ontological content.

Backward Reasoning and Epistemic Actions in Discovering Processes of Strategic Games Problems

The paper focuses on the cognitive and epistemic characterization of backward reasoning in strategy games resolution. It explores the use of abstraction in context (AiC) theory as a tool for the analysis of the epistemic actions involved in these processes. We follow a qualitative methodology based on design experiments, focusing on a study carried out with mathematics and engineering students. The analysis allowed us to combine the two models derived from the epistemology of mathematical backward reasoning and AiC theory in a unified framework that allowed us to focus both short-term and long-term processes in mathematical activities. Recurring patterns of epistemic actions were identified.

Spacing spheroids, curl-up and coiled neuritic plexus of the sacral spinal cord of aged dog: Hypothesis based on continued NADPH diaphorase histological observations

ABSTRACTNADPH diaphorase (N-d) neurons distribute in spinal cord and function for visceral sensation and autonomic regulation. N-d positive neurons innervate pelvic organs. In previous investigation, we report that aging-related N-d body (ANB) in the lumbosacral spinal cord in aged rat and megaloneurite in the sacral spinal cord in aged dog. This article was a continued data report of aging-related N-d alterations in aged dog. N-d positivity in aged spinal cord has revealed a certain of morphological profiles in the spinal cord of several species. However, we still found some denoted N-d neurodegenerative changes that we failed to notice in our previous studies when re-examination of the sacral spinal cord of aged dog. In the horizontal section, spacing spheroids in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn, curl-up and coiled neurites in the intermediate zone were detected in the sacral spinal cord. The ANB and vacuolar neurite were also detected. Vacuolar degeneration also occurred in the dorsal ganglia at the sacral segment. The curl-up and coiled neurites did not occur in the lumbothoracic segment, but the ANB and vacuolar neurite were scatteringly detected in in the lumbothoracic segment of aged dog. The results suggested that the N-d sensory inputs interrupted and disconnected with integration of autonomic centers and output circuits of regulating urogenital organs during the aging. These specialized profiles were speculated that the N-d neurite deterioration of visceral sensory circuit implicated dysfunction of pelvic organs in the aging. Megaloneurite and fiber dilation may make backward reasoning to N-d fiber architecture under normal condition.

Between sentential and model-based abductions: a dialogical approach

Most of the standard approaches consider abduction in terms of a backward reasoning and miss some of its fundamental features. Overall, they neglect its pragmatic dimension and the conjectural aspect of the conclusion. In this paper, we approach abduction in terms of strategic adjustment process in the context of dialogical logic. This sheds light on the use of conjectures in argumentative interactions. Although abductive dialogues are sometimes based upon sentential conjectures, they can also involve hypotheses about the context of argumentation itself. Indeed, the underlying logic of an argumentative interaction is not always settled since the beginning. In this context, abduction is not only concerned with the introduction of sentential hypotheses, but also with hypotheses concerning the structural rules governing the dialogue itself. We thus emphasize the instrumental dimension of abduction in dialogues.

A protocol analysis of use of forward and backward reasoning during valuation problem solving

Purpose Behavioural studies of valuers have suggested that valuers rely on a number of cognitive strategies involving reasoning and intuition when undertaking a valuation task. However, there are few studies of the actual reasoning mechanisms in valuation. In other fields, much attention has been paid to forward and backward reasoning, as this shows the choices and decisions that are made in undertaking a complex task. This paper studied this during a valuation task. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to develop a methodological approach for empirical research on valuers’ reasoning, and, second, to report expert-novice differences on valuers’ use of forward and backward reasoning during a valuation problem solving. Design/methodology/approach The study utilised a verbal protocol analysis (VPA) to elicit think-aloud data from a purposive sample of a group of valuers of different levels of expertise undertaking a commercial-valuation task. Through a content analysis interpretive strategy, the transcripts were analysed into different cognitive segments identifying the forward and backward reasoning strategies. Findings The findings showed that valuers accomplished the valuation task by dividing the overall problem into sub-problems. These sub-problems are thereafter solved by integrating available data with existing knowledge by relying more on forward reasoning than backward reasoning. However, there were effects associated with the level of expertise in the way the processes of forward and backward reasoning are used, with the expert and intermediate valuers being more thorough and comprehensive in their reasoning process than the novices. Research limitations/implications This study explores the possibility that forward and backward reasoning play an important role in commercial valuation problem solving using a limited sample of valuers. Given this, data cannot be generalised to all valuation practice settings but may motivate future research that examines the effectiveness of forward and backward reasoning in diverse valuation practice settings and develops a holistic model of valuation reasoning. Practical implications The findings of this study are applicable to valuation practice. Future training efforts need to evaluate the usefulness of teaching problem solving and explicitly recognise forward and backward reasoning, along with other problem-solving strategies uncovered in this study, as standard training strategies for influencing the quality of valuation decisions. Originality/value By adopting VPA, this study employs an insightful and rich dataset which allows an interpretation of thoughts of valuers into cognitive reasoning strategies that provide a deeper level of understanding of how valuers solve valuation problem; this has not been possible in previous related valuation studies.

The development of strategy scenarios based on prospective hindsight

Purpose – Research focussed on the scenario method has increasingly criticized the widely used intuitive logics (IL) approach to scenario development and introduced enhanced approaches, such as the backwards logic method (BLM) or the antifragile (AF) method, to overcome the restrictions associated with the IL approach. The BLM and the AF method have contributed to the further development of the scenario method by integrating backward reasoning and by increasing the method’s effectiveness for decision making. The purpose of this paper is to build on these ideas and introduce strategy scenarios as a further enhancement of the scenario method that directly applies the benefits of scenario-based planning to strategy development in corporations. Design/methodology/approach – The authors argue that the existing methodologies do not fully integrate the benefits of scenario-based planning for strategic decision making and strategy development, as they mostly aim to develop macroenvironmental scenarios and test organizations’ existing strategies. Findings – The paper suggests that changing the scope of scenario planning from environmental developments to the organization’s strategies themselves can further strengthen the method’s effectiveness for decision making. Originality/value – The strategy scenario approach provides an enhanced approach to more comprehensively utilize the benefits of scenario-based reasoning for strategic decision making.