A framework of issues in large process modeling projects

As process management projects have increased in size due to globalised and company-wide initiatives, a corresponding growth in the size of process modeling projects can be observed. Despite advances in languages, tools and methodologies, several aspects of these projects have been largely ignored by the academic community. This paper makes a first contribution to a potential research agenda in this field by defining the characteristics of large-scale process modeling projects and proposing a framework of related issues. These issues are derived from a semi -structured interview and six focus groups conducted in Australia, Germany and the USA with enterprise and modeling software vendors and customers. The focus groups confirm the existence of unresolved problems in business process modeling projects. The outcomes provide a research agenda which directs researchers into further studies in global process management, process model decomposition and the overall governance of process modeling projects. It is expected that this research agenda will provide guidance to researchers and practitioners by focusing on areas of high theoretical and practical relevance.

Learning through Computer Model Improvisations

It has been convincingly argued that computer simulation modeling differs from traditional science. If we understand simulation modeling as a new way of doing science, the manner in which scientists learn about the world through models must also be considered differently. This article examines how researchers learn about environmental processes through computer simulation modeling. Suggesting a conceptual framework anchored in a performative philosophical approach, we examine two modeling projects undertaken by research teams in England, both aiming to inform flood risk management. One of the modeling teams operated in the research wing of a consultancy firm, the other were university scientists taking part in an interdisciplinary project experimenting with public engagement. We found that in the first context the use of standardized software was critical to the process of improvisation, the obstacles emerging in the process concerned data and were resolved through exploiting affordances for generating, organizing, and combining scientific information in new ways. In the second context, an environmental competency group, obstacles were related to the computer program and affordances emerged in the combination of experience-based knowledge with the scientists' skill enabling a reconfiguration of the mathematical structure of the model, allowing the group to learn about local flooding.

On Real-Time Monitoring And Control For Efficient Management Of Drinking Water Networks: Barcelona Case Study

Drinking water utilities in urban areas are focused on finding smart solutions facing new challenges in their real-time operation because of limited water resources, intensive energy requirements, a growing population, a costly and ageing infrastructure, increasingly stringent regulations, and increased attention towards the environmental impact of water use. Such challenges force water managers to monitor and control not only water supply and distribution, but also consumer demand. This paper presents and discusses novel methodologies and procedures towards an integrated water resource management system based on advanced ICT technologies of automation and telecommunications for largely improving the efficiency of drinking water networks (DWN) in terms of water use, energy consumption, water loss minimization, and water quality guarantees. In particular, the paper addresses the first results of the European project EFFINET (FP7-ICT2011-8-318556) devoted to the monitoring and control of the DWN in Barcelona (Spain). Results are split in two levels according to different management objectives: (i) the monitoring level is concerned with all the aspects involved in the observation of the current state of a system and the detection/diagnosis of abnormal situations. It is achieved through sensors and communications technology, together with mathematical models; (ii) the control level is concerned with computing the best suitable and admissible control strategies for network actuators as to optimize a given set of operational goals related to the performance of the overall system. This level covers the network control (optimal management of water and energy) and the demand management (smart metering, efficient supply). The consideration of the Barcelona DWN as the case study will allow to prove the general applicability of the proposed integrated ICT solutions and their effectiveness in the management of DWN, with considerable savings of electricity costs and reduced water loss while ensuring the high European standards of water quality to citizens.

Leitura e Interpretação de Dados Prontos em um Ambiente de Modelagem e Tecnologias Digitais: o mosaico em movimento

Neste artigo, analisamos a leitura e a interpretação de dados prontos coletados por alunos para desenvolverem projetos de modelagem. Consideramos dados prontos as informações coletadas na Internet, como um gráfico ou uma fórmula, sem maiores explicações de como foram geradas. Com isso, repensamos o mosaico de pesquisas do GPIMEM, grupo de pesquisa ao qual pertencemos e que desenvolve pesquisas sobre modelagem e informática há cerca de vinte anos. Na análise, privilegiamos a apresentação oral e o relatório escrito de um grupo de alunas do Curso de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Os dados prontos sugerem uma nova faceta na relação entre tecnologias digitais e modelagem: eles parecem ser tratados de maneira idêntica a dados empíricos usualmente coletados em outros trabalhos de modelagem encontrados na literatura. Assim, o mosaico de pesquisas sobre o tema ganha novas dimensões na medida em que a Internet parece modificar a própria noção do que são dados.

Educação estatística no contexto da educação crítica

This article deals with the development of three competencies defined and studied in the context of Statistics Education (literacy, thinking and statistical reasoning). These competencies based on interpretation and understanding of critical information from real data are associated with an education geared toward the formation of critical citizenship and are in agreement with the principles that guide Critical Education. In this context, we consider Mathematical Modeling as a concrete possibility for integration between Critical Education and Education Statistics. We show that work with modeling projects in the classroom takes place in a context in which teaching is guided by the fundamentals of Critical Education. We present a project entitled Teaching Statistics and the financial market which illustrates the congruence between the objectives of Education Statistics and Critical Education.

A produção matemática dos alunos em um ambiente de modelagem

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

O papel das tecnologias da informação e comunicação nos projetos de modelagem matemática

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Educação matemática online: a elaboração de projetos de modelagem

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Interpretação e comunicação em ambientes de aprendizagem gerados pelo processo de modelagem matemática

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo observar, compreender e descrever a produção de sentidos mediante as interações dos alunos entre si, e destes com o professor ao desenvolverem projetos de modelagem matemática. A investigação foi realizada em uma turma de 5ª série de uma Escola de Ensino Fundamental e Médio da Rede Federal de Ensino na cidade de Belém do Pará. A observação participante foi à técnica predominantemente utilizada para a coleta de dados, que foram registrados através do diário de campo, de vídeos-gravações das aulas e áudios capitados nos grupos de alunos, quando desenvolviam as atividades propostas, constituindo assim a metodologia adotada. Desse modo, a pesquisa, de cunho qualitativo, se caracterizou como pesquisa-participante. O referencial teórico que subsidiou a pesquisa foi composto, predominantemente pela filosofia da matemática de Ludwig Wittgenstein, que entende o jogo de linguagem como uma forma de vida, ressaltando que a aplicação de regras e seus sentidos fazem parte desse jogo; o conceito de resíduo de Gilles-Gaston Granger, que se refere aos significados que estão além do texto matemático formal, ou seja, os aspectos que escaparam da malhas da rede lingüística; o conceito da educação matemática crítica, que se refere aos aspectos políticos da educação matemática e que traz para o debate, questões ligadas ao tema poder, que refletem nas interações entre os sujeitos no ato cognoscitivo, estabelecendo padrões de comunicação; além dos autores que tratam da modelagem matemática no ensino. As análises apontam para possibilidades de produção de ambientes de aprendizagem apropriados para transitar um padrão de comunicação que desempenhe sua função primordial em situação de ensinoaprendizagem: a comunicação através da linguagem ou dos jogos de linguagem.

Algumas interseções entre projetos e modelagem no contexto da Educação Matemática

In this article we present a theoretical study on possible intersections between MathematicalModeling and Projects regarding mathematics classes. Thus, we report a brief historical perspectiveon the use of Projects within the educational context. We also present a variety of conceptionsand meanings of the words Projects and Modeling. We found that, regarding the conception ofModeling assumed, there are intersections with the elements that form the idea of Projects. Theliterature then shows that essential aspects for the development of a Project are present when oneworks with Modeling. At this intersection, Modeling Projects can be elaborated.

Educação estatística crítica na formação do engenheiro ambiental

Pós-graduação em Educação Matemática - IGCE

A Review of ENSO Influence on the North Atlantic. A Non-Stationary Signal

The atmospheric seasonal cycle of the North Atlantic region is dominated by meridional movements of the circulation systems: from the tropics, where the West African Monsoon and extreme tropical weather events take place, to the extratropics, where the circulation is dominated by seasonal changes in the jetstream and extratropical cyclones. Climate variability over the North Atlantic is controlled by various mechanisms. Atmospheric internal variability plays a crucial role in the mid-latitudes. However, El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is still the main source of predictability in this region situated far away from the Pacific. Although the ENSO influence over tropical and extra-tropical areas is related to different physical mechanisms, in both regions this teleconnection seems to be non-stationary in time and modulated by multidecadal changes of the mean flow. Nowadays, long observational records (greater than 100 years) and modeling projects (e.g., CMIP) permit detecting non-stationarities in the influence of ENSO over the Atlantic basin, and further analyzing its potential mechanisms. The present article reviews the ENSO influence over the Atlantic region, paying special attention to the stability of this teleconnection over time and the possible modulators. Evidence is given that the ENSO–Atlantic teleconnection is weak over the North Atlantic. In this regard, the multidecadal ocean variability seems to modulate the presence of teleconnections, which can lead to important impacts of ENSO and to open windows of opportunity for seasonal predictability.

Modeling Merging Behavior at Lane Drops, InTrans Projects 13-466 and 06-277, 2015

In work-zone configurations where lane drops are present, merging of traffic at the taper presents an operational concern. In addition, as flow through the work zone is reduced, the relative traffic safety of the work zone is also reduced. Improving work-zone flow-through merge points depends on the behavior of individual drivers. By better understanding driver behavior, traffic control plans, work zone policies, and countermeasures can be better targeted to reinforce desirable lane closure merging behavior, leading to both improved safety and work-zone capacity. The researchers collected data for two work-zone scenarios that included lane drops with one scenario on the Interstate and the other on an urban arterial roadway. The researchers then modeled and calibrated these scenarios in VISSIM using real-world speeds, travel times, queue lengths, and merging behaviors (percentage of vehicles merging upstream and near the merge point). Once built and calibrated, the researchers modeled strategies for various countermeasures in the two work zones. The models were then used to test and evaluate how various merging strategies affect safety and operations at the merge areas in these two work zones.

Business Process Modeling in Software Requirements Engineering for Small and Medium Software Projects

Vaatimusmäärittelyn tavoitteena on luoda halutun järjestelmän kokonaisen, yhtenäisen vaatimusluettelon vaatimusten määrittämiseksi käsitteellisellä tasolla. Liiketoimintaprosessien mallintaminen on varsin hyödyllinen vaatimusmäärittelyn varhaisissa vaiheissa. Tämä työ tutkii liiketoimintaprosessien mallintamista tietojärjestelmien kehittämistä varten. Nykyään on olemassa erilaisia liiketoimintaprosessien mallintamiseen tarkoitettuja tekniikoita. Tämä työ tarkastaa liiketoimintaprosessien mallintamisen periaatteet ja näkökohdat sekä eri mallinnustekniikoita. Uusi menetelmä, joka on suunniteltu erityisesti pienille ja keskisuurille ohjelmistoprojekteille, on kehitetty prosessinäkökohtien ja UML-kaavioiden perusteella.

Combined use of modeling techniques for the development of the conceptual model in simulation projects

The objective of this paper is to utilize the SIPOC, flowchart and IDEF0 modeling techniques combined to elaborate the conceptual model of a simulation project. It is intended to identify the contribution of these techniques in the elaboration of the computational model. To illustrate such application, a practical case of a high-end technology enterprise is presented. The paper concludes that the proposed approach eases the elaboration of the computational model. © 2008 IEEE.