Abstract. This paper presents the language and software environment LEADSTO that has been developed to model and simulate the dynamics of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) in terms of both qualitative and quantitative concepts. The LEADSTO language is a declarative order-sorted temporal language, extended with quantitative means. Dynamics of MAS can be modelled by specifying the direct temporal dependencies between state properties in successive states. Based on the LEADSTO language, a software environment was developed that performs simulations of LEADSTO specifications, generates simulation traces for further analysis, and constructs visual representations of traces. The approach proved its value in a number of projects within different domains of MAS research. 1

Within many domains, among which biological and cognitive areas, multiple interacting processes occur among agents with dynamics that are hard to handle. Current approaches to analyse the dynamics of such processes, often based on differential equations, are not always successful. As an alternative to differential equations, this paper presents the predicate logical Temporal Trace Language (TTL) for the formal specification and analysis of dynamic properties. This language supports the specification of both qualitative and quantitative aspects, and therefore subsumes specification languages based on differential equations. A software environment has been developed for TTL, that supports editing TTL properties and enables the formal verification of properties against a set of traces. The TTL environment proved its value in a number of projects within different domains. 1.

this paper the internal dynamics of mental states, in particular states based on beliefs, desires and intentions, is formalised using a temporal language. A software environment is presented that can be used to specify, simulate and analyse temporal dependencies between mental states in relation to traces of them. If also relevant data on internal physical states over time are available, these can be analysed with respect to their relation to mental states as well

METATEM is a simple programming language based on the direct execution of temporal logic statements. It was introduced through a number of papers [35,2,3] culminating in a book collecting together work on the basic temporal language [5]. However, since that time, there has been a programme of research, carried out over a number of years,

In this paper a compositional verification method for models of knowledge-based systems is introduced. Required properties of the system are formally verified by deriving them from assumptions that themselves are properties of sub-components, which in their turn may be derived from assumptions on sub-sub-components, and so on. The method is based on properties that are formalised in terms of temporal semantics; both static and dynamic properties are covered. The compositional verification method imposes structure on the verification process. By the possibility to focus at one level of abstraction (information and process hiding), compositional verification provides transparency and limits the complexity per level. Since verification proofs are structured in a compositional manner, they can be reused in case of modification of the system. The method is illustrated for a generic model for diagnostic reasoning. Keywords Compositional verification, knowledge-based systems, diagnostic reas...

this document. level, when substantial systems are built by large teams of software engineers, the use of (approved) development methods is likely to be mandatory. 2 Developing Agent-Based Systems

A BDI-based continuous-time modelling approach for intracellular dynamics is presented. It is shown how temporalised BDI-models make it possible to model intracellular biochemical processes as decision processes. By abstracting from some of the details of the biochemical pathways, the model achieves understanding in nearly intuitive terms, without losing veracity: classical intentional state properties such as Beliefs, Desires and Intentions, are founded in reality through precise biochemical relations. In an extensive example, the complex regulation of Escherichia coli vis-à-vis lactose, glucose and oxygen is simulated as a discrete-state, continuous-time temporal decision manager. Thus a bridge is introduced between two different scientific areas: the area of BDI-modelling and the area of intracellular dynamics.

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To understand how an organisational structure relates to dynamics is an interesting fundamental challenge in the area of social modelling. Specifications of organisational structure usually have a diagrammatic form that abstracts from more detailed dynamics. Dynamic properties of agent systems, on the other hand, are often specified in the form of a set of logical formulae in some temporal language. This paper addresses the question how these two perspectives can be combined in one framework. It is shown how for different aggregation levels within an organisation structure, sets of dynamic properties can be specified. Organisational structure provides a structure of interlevel relationships between these multiple sets of dynamic properties. Thus organisational structure relates to specification of the dynamics of organisational behaviour. As an illustration, for Ferber and Gutknecht's AGR organisation modelling approach it is shown how a foundation can be obtained for integrated specification of both structure and dynamic properties of an organisation.

In this paper a modelling approach to the dynamics within a multiagent organisation is presented. A declarative, executable temporal modelling language for organisation dynamics is proposed as a basis for simulation. Moreover,