Programmable models of growth and mutation of cancer-cell populations

In this paper we propose a systematic approach to construct mathematical models describing populations of cancer-cells at different stages of disease development. The methodology we propose is based on stochastic Concurrent Constraint Programming, a flexible stochastic modelling language. The methodology is tested on (and partially motivated by) the study of prostate cancer. In particular, we prove how our method is suitable to systematically reconstruct different mathematical models of prostate cancer growth - together with interactions with different kinds of hormone therapy - at different levels of refinement.Comment: In Proceedings CompMod 2011, arXiv:1109.104

Operationalizing Process Mapping for Small-to-Medium Enterprise Erp Implementation

Business Process Reengineering (BPR) is a critical success factor for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation projects that typically involve mapping business processes in cross-functional flowcharts. Despite being the most common type of process map used by small-to-medium enterprises (SME) for BPR, traditional cross-functional flowcharts do not contain the data necessary to optimize and operationalize a process and are a contributing factor to the 70% failure rate experienced by SMEs when implementing a new ERP system. This thesis provides an alternate method of process mapping, known as Operational Process Mapping, that addresses the weaknesses of cross-functional flowcharts for the BPR stage of ERP implementation. Using familiar notation and steps, the operational process mapping method is accessible to SMEs with limited resources to perform BPR during their ERP implementation project. The resulting process maps contain the data necessary to evaluate and optimize the current state and operationalize the reengineered future state process maps at ERP go-live. A business process used by an SME was mapped using this method and the ability to operationalize the process was demonstrated with the creation of a discrete-event-simulation from the resulting process map

Continuum modelling and simulation of granular flows through their many phases

We propose and numerically implement a constitutive framework for granular media that allows the material to traverse through its many common phases during the flow process. When dense, the material is treated as a pressure sensitive elasto-viscoplastic solid obeying a yield criterion and a plastic flow rule given by the $\mu(I)$ inertial rheology of granular materials. When the free volume exceeds a critical level, the material is deemed to separate and is treated as disconnected, stress-free media. A Material Point Method (MPM) procedure is written for the simulation of this model and many demonstrations are provided in different geometries. By using the MPM framework, extremely large strains and nonlinear deformations, which are common in granular flows, are representable. The method is verified numerically and its physical predictions are validated against known results

COMBINING SUSTAINABLE VALUE STREAM MAPPING AND SIMULATION TO ASSESS MANUFACTURING SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK PERFORMANCE

Sustainable Value Stream Mapping (Sus-VSM) builds upon traditional VSM to capture additional sustainability aspects of the product flow, such as environmental and societal aspects. This work presents research to expand the utility of Sus-VSM to supply chain networks, develop a general approach towards improving supply chain sustainability, and examine the benefits of implementing simulation and a design of experiments (DOE) style analysis. Metrics are identified to assess economic, environmental, and societal sustainability for supply chain networks and visual symbols are developed for the Supply Chain Sus-VSM (SC Sus-VSM) to allow users to easily identify locations where sustainability can be improved. A discrete event simulation (DES) model is developed to simulate the supply chain, allowing easier creation of future state maps, which are used to identify locations for sustainability improvement. A scoring methodology and DOE-style analysis are developed to collect more information from the supply chain. Results from the case study show that the SC Sus-VSM meets the goals desired, and that the DES model aids the goals of the map. It is also indicated that interventions in the supply chain should first focus on economic improvements, followed by societal and then environmental improvements to achieve the greatest supply chain sustainability

Beyond pitch/duration scoring: Towards a system dynamics model of electroacoustic music

Based on a hierarchy of discrete pitches and metrically sub-divisible duration, Western tonal art music is usually modelled through printed music scores. Scoring acoustic musical events beyond this paradigm has resulted in non-standard graphs in two dimensions. New digitally generated ‘soundscape’ forms are often not conceived or understandable within traditional musical paradigms or notation models, and often explore attributes of music such as spatial processing that fall outside two- dimensional graphic scoring. To date there is not a commonly accepted model that approximates the structural dynamics of electroacoustic music; providing a conceptual framework independent of the music to the degree of standard music notation. Based on recent work in spectro-morphology as a way of explaining sound shapes, a systems dynamics model is proposed through mapping a dynamic taxonomy for structural listening as an aid to composition. This approach captures formal but not semiotic discourse

Improving productivity of road surfacing operations using value stream mapping and discrete event simulation

The Highways Infrastructure is one of the most valuable asset owned by the public sector. Efficient operations of Highways have the success of national and local economies as well as the quality of life of the general public, dependent on it. Ensuring smooth traffic operations requires maintenance and improvements of the highest standard. This research investigates integration of Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and Value Stream mapping (VSM) to enhance the productivity of the delivery of road surfacing operations by achieving higher production rates and minimum road closure times. Research approach involved use of primary data, collected from direct observation, interviews, review of archival records and productivity databases. Based on this, process maps and value stream maps were developed, which were subsequently used to produce discrete event simulation models, for exploration of different optimisation scenarios