Biological and biomedical research are increasingly driven by experimental techniques that challenge our ability to analyse, process and extract meaningful knowledge from the underlying data. The impressive capabilities of next-generation sequencing technologies, together with novel and constantly evolving, distinct types of omics data technologies, have created an increasingly complex set of challenges for the growing fields of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. The analysis of the datasets produced and their integration call for new algorithms and approaches from fields such as Databases, Statistics, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Optimization, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. Clearly, Biology is more and more a science of information and requires tools from the computational sciences. In the last few years, we have seen the rise of a new generation of interdisciplinary scientists with a strong background in the biological and computational sciences. In this context, the interaction of researchers from different scientific fields is, more than ever, of foremost importance in boosting the research efforts in the field and contributing to the education of a new generation of Bioinformatics scientists. The PACBB'17 conference was intended to contribute to this effort and promote this fruitful interaction, with a technical program that included 39 papers spanning many different sub-fields in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Further, the conference promoted the interaction of scientists from diverse research groups and with a distinct background (computer scientists, mathematicians, biologists).

PAAMS, the International Conference on Practical Applications of Agents and Multi-Agent Systems is an evolution of the International Workshop on Practical Applications of Agents and Multi-Agent Systems. PAAMS is an international yearly tribune to present, to discuss, and to disseminate the latest developments and the most important outcomes related to real-world applications. It provides a unique opportunity to bring multi-disciplinary experts, academics and practitioners together to exchange their experience in the development of Agents and Multi-Agent Systems. This volume presents the papers that have been accepted for the 2017 in the special sessions: Agent-Based Social Simulation, Modelling and Big-Data Analytics (ABM); Advances on Demand Response and Renewable Energy Sources in Agent Based Smart Grids (ADRESS); Agents and Mobile Devices (AM); Computer vision in Multi-Agent Robotics (RV); Persuasive Technologies (PT); Web and Social Media Mining (WASMM). The volume also includes the papers accepted for publication in the Doctoral Consortium (DCAI, DCAI-DECON, ISAMI, MIS4TEL, PAAMS, PACBB 2017 conferences).

The present book brings together experience, current work, and promising future trends associated with distributed computing, artificial intelligence, and their application in order to provide efficient solutions to real problems. DCAI 2023 is a forum to present applications of innovative techniques for studying and solving complex problems in artificial intelligence and computing areas. This year’s technical program presents both high quality and diversity, with contributions in well-established and evolving areas of research. Specifically, 108 papers were submitted, by authors from 31 different countries representing a truly “wide area network” of research activity. The DCAI’23 technical program has selected 50 full papers in the Special Sessions (ASET, AIMPM, AI4CS, CLIRAI, TECTONIC, PSO-ML, SmartFoF, IoTalentum) and, as in past editions, it will be special issues in ranked journals. This symposium is organized by the LASI and Centro Algoritmi of the University of Minho (Portugal). The authors like to thank all the contributing authors, the members of the Program Committee, National Associations (AEPIA, APPIA), and the sponsors (AIR Institute).

Local Electricity Markets introduces the fundamental characteristics, needs, and constraints shaping the design and implementation of local electricity markets. It addresses current proposed local market models and lessons from their limited practical implementation. The work discusses relevant decision and informatics tools considered important in the implementation of local electricity markets. It also includes a review on management and trading platforms, including commercially available tools. Aspects of local electricity market infrastructure are identified and discussed, including physical and software infrastructure. It discusses the current regulatory frameworks available for local electricity market development internationally. The work concludes with a discussion of barriers and opportunities for local electricity markets in the future.