Project Sanitarium: gaming TB: a serious game for a serious problem

Collaborative projects between Industry and Academia provide excellent opportunities for learning. Throughout the academic year 2014-2015 undergraduates from the School of Arts, Media and Computer Games at Abertay University worked with academics from the Infection Group at the University of St Andrews and industry partners Microsoft and DeltaDNA. The result was a serious game prototype that utilized game design techniques and technology to demystify and educate players about the diagnosis and treatment of one of the world's oldest and deadliest diseases, Tuberculosis (TB). Project Sanitarium is a game incorporating a mathematical model that is based on data from real-world drug trials. This paper discusses the project design and development, demonstrating how the project builds on the successful collaborative pedagogical model developed by academic staff at Abertay University. The aim of the model is to provide undergraduates with workplace simulation, wider industry collaboration and access to academic expertise to solve challenging and complex problems.

Information relaxations and duality in stochastic dynamic programs

We describe a general technique for determining upper bounds on maximal values (or lower bounds on minimal costs) in stochastic dynamic programs. In this approach, we relax the nonanticipativity constraints that require decisions to depend only on the information available at the time a decision is made and impose a "penalty" that punishes violations of nonanticipativity. In applications, the hope is that this relaxed version of the problem will be simpler to solve than the original dynamic program. The upper bounds provided by this dual approach complement lower bounds on values that may be found by simulating with heuristic policies. We describe the theory underlying this dual approach and establish weak duality, strong duality, and complementary slackness results that are analogous to the duality results of linear programming. We also study properties of good penalties. Finally, we demonstrate the use of this dual approach in an adaptive inventory control problem with an unknown and changing demand distribution and in valuing options with stochastic volatilities and interest rates. These are complex problems of significant practical interest that are quite difficult to solve to optimality. In these examples, our dual approach requires relatively little additional computation and leads to tight bounds on the optimal values. © 2010 INFORMS.

[Review] M. Feistauer, J. Felcman, I. Straskbraba, Mathematical and Computational Methods for Compressible Flow, Oxford Science Publication, Oxford, ISBN 0198505884, 2004 (535pp.)

The growth of computer power allows the solution of complex problems related to compressible flow, which is an important class of problems in modern day CFD. Over the last 15 years or so, many review works on CFD have been published. This book concerns both mathematical and numerical methods for compressible flow. In particular, it provides a clear cut introduction as well as in depth treatment of modern numerical methods in CFD. This book is organised in two parts. The first part consists of Chapters 1 and 2, and is mainly devoted to theoretical discussions and results. Chapter 1 concerns fundamental physical concepts and theoretical results in gas dynamics. Chapter 2 describes the basic mathematical theory of compressible flow using the inviscid Euler equations and the viscous Navier–Stokes equations. Existence and uniqueness results are also included. The second part consists of modern numerical methods for the Euler and Navier–Stokes equations. Chapter 3 is devoted entirely to the finite volume method for the numerical solution of the Euler equations and covers fundamental concepts such as order of numerical schemes, stability and high-order schemes. The finite volume method is illustrated for 1-D as well as multidimensional Euler equations. Chapter 4 covers the theory of the finite element method and its application to compressible flow. A section is devoted to the combined finite volume–finite element method, and its background theory is also included. Throughout the book numerous examples have been included to demonstrate the numerical methods. The book provides a good insight into the numerical schemes, theoretical analysis, and validation of test problems. It is a very useful reference for applied mathematicians, numerical analysts, and practice engineers. It is also an important reference for postgraduate researchers in the field of scientific computing and CFD.

Modeling of subsurface pulsed radar for nondestructive testing of structures

The use of pulsed radar for investigating the integrity of structural elements is gaining popularity and becoming firmly established as a nondestructive test method in civil engineering. Difficulties can often arise in the interpretation of results obtained, particularly where internal details are relatively complex. One approach that can be used to understand and evaluate radar results is through numerical modeling of signal propagation and reflection. By comparing the results of a numerical modeling with those from field measurements, engineers can gain valuable insight into the probable features embedded beneath the surface of a structural element. This paper discusses a series of numerical techniques for modeling subsurface radar and compares the precision of the results with those taken from real field data. It is found that more complex problems require more sophisticated analysis techniques to obtain realistic results, with a consequential increase in the computational resources to carry out the modeling.

Using sketch-map coordinates to analyze and bias molecular dynamics simulations

When examining complex problems, such as the folding of proteins, coarse grained descriptions of the system drive our investigation and help us to rationalize the results. Oftentimes collective variables (CVs), derived through some chemical intuition about the process of interest, serve this purpose. Because finding these CVs is the most difficult part of any investigation, we recently developed a dimensionality reduction algorithm, sketch-map, that can be used to build a low-dimensional map of a phase space of high-dimensionality. In this paper we discuss how these machine-generated CVs can be used to accelerate the exploration of phase space and to reconstruct free-energy landscapes. To do so, we develop a formalism in which high-dimensional configurations are no longer represented by low-dimensional position vectors. Instead, for each configuration we calculate a probability distribution, which has a domain that encompasses the entirety of the low-dimensional space. To construct a biasing potential, we exploit an analogy with metadynamics and use the trajectory to adaptively construct a repulsive, history-dependent bias from the distributions that correspond to the previously visited configurations. This potential forces the system to explore more of phase space by making it desirable to adopt configurations whose distributions do not overlap with the bias. We apply this algorithm to a small model protein and succeed in reproducing the free-energy surface that we obtain from a parallel tempering calculation.

Physical activity assessment in practice: a mixed methods study of GPPAQ use in primary care

Background: Insufficient physical activity (PA) levels which increase the risk of chronic disease are reported by almost two-thirds of the population. More evidence is needed about how PA promotion can be effectively implemented in general practice (GP), particularly in socio-economically disadvantaged communities. One tool recommended for the assessment of PA in GP and supported by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) is The General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) but details of how it may be used and of its acceptability to practitioners and patients are limited. This study aims to examine aspects of GPPAQ administration in non-urgent patient contacts using different primary care electronic recording systems and to explore the views of health professionals regarding its use.

Methods: Four general practices, selected because of their location within socio-economically disadvantaged areas, were invited to administer GPPAQs to patients, aged 35-75 years, attending non-urgent consultations, over two-week periods. They used different methods of administration and different electronic medical record systems (EMIS, Premiere, Vision). Participants’ (general practitioners (GPs), nurses and receptionists) views regarding GPPAQ use were explored via questionnaires and focus groups.

Results: Of 2,154 eligible consultations, 192 (8.9%) completed GPPAQs; of these 83 (43%) were categorised as inactive. All practices were located within areas ranked as being in the tertile of greatest socio-economic deprivation in Northern Ireland. GPs/nurses in two practices invited completion of the GPPAQ, receptionists did so in two. One practice used an electronic template; three used paper copies of the questionnaires. End-of-study questionnaires, completed by 11 GPs, 3 nurses and 2 receptionists and two focus groups, with GPs (n = 8) and nurses (n = 4) indicated that practitioners considered the GPPAQ easy to use but not in every consultation. Its use extended consultation time, particularly for patients with complex problems who could potentially benefit from PA promotion.

Conclusions: GPs and nurses reported that the GPPAQ itself was an easy tool with which to assess PA levels in general practice and feasible to use in a range of electronic record systems but integration within routine practice is constrained by time and complex consultations. Further exploration of ways to facilitate PA promotion into practice is needed.

A Review of Wave Makers for 3D Numerical Simulations

Numerical methods have enabled the simulation of complex problems in off-shore and marine engineering. A significant challenge in these simulations is the creation of a realistic wave field. A good numerical tank requires wave creation and absorption of waves at various locations. Several numerical wavemakers with these capabilities have been presented in the past. This paper reviews four different wave-maker methods and discusses limitations, computational efficiency, requirements on the mesh and preprocessing and complexity of implementation.

Looking again at troubled families: parents' perspectives on multiple adversities

The 'Troubled Families' policy and intervention agenda is based on a deficit approach that tends to ignore the role of structural disadvantage in the lives of the families it targets. In an effort to support this rhetoric, both quantitative and qualitative data have been used, and misused, to create a representation of these families, which emphasizes risk and individual blame and minimizes societal factors. This current paper presents findings from an in-depth qualitative study using a biographical narrative approach to explore parents' experiences of multiple adversities at different times over the life-course. Key themes relating to the pattern and nature of adversities experienced by participants provide a more nuanced understanding of the lives of families experiencing multiple and complex problems, highlighting how multiple interpretations are often possible within the context of professional intervention. The findings support the increasing call to move away from procedurally driven, risk averse child protection practice towards more relationally based practice, which addresses not only the needs of all family members but recognizes parents as individuals in their own right.

Communicating Answer Set Programs

Answer set programming is a form of declarative programming that has proven very successful in succinctly formulating and solving complex problems. Although mechanisms for representing and reasoning with the combined answer set programs of multiple agents have already been proposed, the actual gain in expressivity when adding communication has not been thoroughly studied. We show that allowing simple programs to talk to each other results in the same expressivity as adding negation-as-failure. Furthermore, we show that the ability to focus on one program in a network of simple programs results in the same expressivity as adding disjunction in the head of the rules.

Ensino da física em cursos de engenharia: percursos colaborativos no ensino superior

A presente investigação insere-se no domínio científico da Didáctica, em particular no da Didáctica da Física no Ensino Superior. Pretende-se, com este trabalho, contribuir para o desenvolvimento do conhecimento Didáctico, nomeadamente sobre o ensino e a aprendizagem da Física no Ensino Superior e, ainda, sobre o trabalho colaborativo entre investigadores em Didáctica e professores da área das Ciências e Engenharias do Ensino Superior. O estudo empírico desenvolvido neste trabalho é constituído por duas partes, designadas por estudo A e estudo B. No estudo A analisa-se o impacto da implementação, em sala de aula, de estratégias de aprendizagem activa num contexto colaborativo entre investigadora e professora. Fá-lo através de um percurso metodológico de investigação-acção, na qual a investigadora actua como consultora. Utilizaram-se diferentes fontes e instrumentos na recolha de informação, nomeadamente notas de campo da investigadora, questionários e entrevistas a estudantes e entrevista à professora colaboradora. Foram implementadas estratégias identificadas na literatura como promotoras de aprendizagem activa dos estudantes, nomeadamente perguntas conceptuais; folhas de dúvidas; feedback; trabalho de grupo com e sem rotação de tarefas; trabalhos para casa e apresentação oral. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que os estudantes sentiram interesse pela unidade curricular, pois compreenderam a sua utilidade no âmbito do curso que frequentavam, apreciaram positivamente as estratégias implementadas e, segundo a opinião deles, estas contribuíram para a sua aprendizagem. No estudo B procurou-se compreender a colaboração entre investigadores em Didáctica e professores do Ensino Superior, no contexto da Universidade de Aveiro. Este estudo evidenciou que é possível implementar estratégias inovadoras de ensino através de processos de colaboração entre investigadores em Didáctica e professores. Este estudo, de carácter exploratório, foi realizado através de entrevistas aos investigadores e aos professores que com eles colaboraram, procurando melhorar a qualidade das suas práticas de ensino. Através deste estudo chegou-se à conceptualização de uma proposta de Colaboração Disciplinar, uma colaboração entre investigadores em Didáctica e professores do Ensino Superior, em que os investigadores têm formação base nas unidades curriculares onde irão intervir. Esta proposta procura potenciar uma forma de trabalhar problemas complexos, como por exemplo o processo de ensino e aprendizagem, o desenvolvimento profissional dos professores, a articulação entre a investigação em Didáctica e a prática. As principais vantagens identificadas na Colaboração Disciplinar são: a proximidade disciplinar entre o investigador e o professor; a eficácia nas sugestões proporcionadas; o aumento da segurança do professor na implementação das sugestões; o desenvolvimento profissional contextualizado; a aproximação da investigação à prática. Os contributos deste estudo colocam-se a três níveis: ao nível pessoal e profissional da investigadora e da professora colaboradora; ao nível do desenvolvimento de conhecimento na referida área (no caso do primeiro estudo empírico desenvolvido), na medida em que apesar da especificidade do contexto onde o estudo ocorreu – na unidade curricular Elementos de Física do primeiro ano, primeiro semestre de diferentes cursos de Engenharia da Universidade de Aveiro, nos anos lectivos de 2007/08 e 2008/09 – considera-se que este trouxe ensinamentos que, adaptados a outros contextos, podem influenciar outros estudos e práticas; e ao nível do desenvolvimento de conhecimento sobre como dinamizar e potenciar colaborações entre investigadores da área da Didáctica e professores do Ensino Superior.

Data Visualisation Does Political Things

In this paper I advance the theory of critical communication design by exploring the politics of data, information and knowledge visualisation in three bodies of work. Data reflects power relations, special interests and ideologies that determine which data is collected, what data is used and how it is used. In a review of Max Roser’s Our World in Data, I develop the concepts of digital positivism, datawash and darkdata. Looking at the Climaps by Emaps project, I describe how knowledge visualisation can support integrated learning on complex problems and nurture relational perception. Finally, I present my own Mapping Climate Communication project and explain how I used discourse mapping to develop the concept of discursive confusion and illustrate contradictions in this politicised area. Critical approaches to information visualisation reject reductive methods in favour of more nuanced ways of presenting information that acknowledge complexity and the political dimension on issues of controversy.

Dynamic Network Mechanisms of Relational Integration

A prominent hypothesis states that specialized neural modules within the human lateral frontopolar cortices (LFPCs) support “relational integration” (RI), the solving of complex problems using inter-related rules. However, it has been proposed that LFPC activity during RI could reflect the recruitment of additional “domain-general” resources when processing more difficult problems in general as opposed to RI specifi- cally. Moreover, theoretical research with computational models has demonstrated that RI may be supported by dynamic processes that occur throughout distributed networks of brain regions as opposed to within a discrete computational module. Here, we present fMRI findings from a novel deductive reasoning paradigm that controls for general difficulty while manipulating RI demands. In accordance with the domain- general perspective, we observe an increase in frontoparietal activation during challenging problems in general as opposed to RI specifically. Nonetheless, when examining frontoparietal activity using analyses of phase synchrony and psychophysiological interactions, we observe increased network connectivity during RI alone. Moreover, dynamic causal modeling with Bayesian model selection identifies the LFPC as the effective connectivity source. Based on these results, we propose that during RI an increase in network connectivity and a decrease in network metastability allows rules that are coded throughout working memory systems to be dynamically bound. This change in connectivity state is top-down propagated via a hierarchical system of domain-general networks with the LFPC at the apex. In this manner, the functional network perspective reconciles key propositions of the globalist, modular, and computational accounts of RI within a single unified framework.

Context-aware emotion-based model for group decision making

Involving groups in important management processes such as decision making has several advantages. By discussing and combining ideas, counter ideas, critical opinions, identified constraints, and alternatives, a group of individuals can test potentially better solutions, sometimes in the form of new products, services, and plans. In the past few decades, operations research, AI, and computer science have had tremendous success creating software systems that can achieve optimal solutions, even for complex problems. The only drawback is that people don’t always agree with these solutions. Sometimes this dissatisfaction is due to an incorrect parameterization of the problem. Nevertheless, the reasons people don’t like a solution might not be quantifiable, because those reasons are often based on aspects such as emotion, mood, and personality. At the same time, monolithic individual decisionsupport systems centered on optimizing solutions are being replaced by collaborative systems and group decision-support systems (GDSSs) that focus more on establishing connections between people in organizations. These systems follow a kind of social paradigm. Combining both optimization- and socialcentered approaches is a topic of current research. However, even if such a hybrid approach can be developed, it will still miss an essential point: the emotional nature of group participants in decision-making tasks. We’ve developed a context-aware emotion based model to design intelligent agents for group decision-making processes. To evaluate this model, we’ve incorporated it in an agent-based simulator called ABS4GD (Agent-Based Simulation for Group Decision), which we developed. This multiagent simulator considers emotion- and argument based factors while supporting group decision-making processes. Experiments show that agents endowed with emotional awareness achieve agreements more quickly than those without such awareness. Hence, participant agents that integrate emotional factors in their judgments can be more successful because, in exchanging arguments with other agents, they consider the emotional nature of group decision making.