95,567 research outputs found
Learning in a Landscape: Simulation-building as Reflexive Intervention
This article makes a dual contribution to scholarship in science and
technology studies (STS) on simulation-building. It both documents a specific
simulation-building project, and demonstrates a concrete contribution to
interdisciplinary work of STS insights. The article analyses the struggles that
arise in the course of determining what counts as theory, as model and even as
a simulation. Such debates are especially decisive when working across
disciplinary boundaries, and their resolution is an important part of the work
involved in building simulations. In particular, we show how ontological
arguments about the value of simulations tend to determine the direction of
simulation-building. This dynamic makes it difficult to maintain an interest in
the heterogeneity of simulations and a view of simulations as unfolding
scientific objects. As an outcome of our analysis of the process and
reflections about interdisciplinary work around simulations, we propose a
chart, as a tool to facilitate discussions about simulations. This chart can be
a means to create common ground among actors in a simulation-building project,
and a support for discussions that address other features of simulations
besides their ontological status. Rather than foregrounding the chart's
classificatory potential, we stress its (past and potential) role in discussing
and reflecting on simulation-building as interdisciplinary endeavor. This chart
is a concrete instance of the kinds of contributions that STS can make to
better, more reflexive practice of simulation-building.Comment: 37 page
Simulation modelling: Educational development roles for learning technologists
Simulation modelling was in the mainstream of CAL development in the 1980s when the late David Squires introduced this author to the Dynamic Modelling System. Since those early days, it seems that simulation modelling has drifted into a learning technology backwater to become a member of Laurillard's underutilized, âadaptive and productiveâ media. Referring to her Conversational Framework, Laurillard constructs a pedagogic case for modelling as a productive student activity but provides few references to current practice and available resources. This paper seeks to complement her account by highlighting the pioneering initiatives of the Computers in the Curriculum Project and more recent developments in systems modelling within geographic and business education. The latter include improvements to system dynamics modelling programs such as STELLAÂź, the publication of introductory textbooks, and the emergence of online resources. The paper indicates several ways in which modelling activities may be approached and identifies some educational development roles for learning technologists. The paper concludes by advocating simulation modelling as an exemplary use of learning technologies â one that realizes their creativeâtransformative potential
Prospects for large-scale financial systems simulation
As the 21st century unfolds, we find ourselves having to control, support, manage or otherwise cope with large-scale complex adaptive systems to an extent that is unprecedented in human history. Whether we are concerned with issues of food security, infrastructural resilience, climate change, health care, web science, security, or financial stability, we face problems that combine scale, connectivity, adaptive dynamics, and criticality. Complex systems simulation is emerging as the key scientific tool for dealing with such complex adaptive systems. Although a relatively new paradigm, it is one that has already established a track record in fields as varied as ecology (Grimm and Railsback, 2005), transport (Nagel et al., 1999), neuroscience (Markram, 2006), and ICT (Bullock and Cliff, 2004). In this report, we consider the application of simulation methodologies to financial systems, assessing the prospects for continued progress in this line of research
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HD Physiology Project-Japanese efforts to promote multilevel integrative systems biology and physiome research.
The HD Physiology Project is a Japanese research consortium that aimed to develop methods and a computational platform in which physiological and pathological information can be described in high-level definitions across multiple scales of time and size. During the 5 years of this project, an appropriate software platform for multilevel functional simulation was developed and a whole-heart model including pharmacokinetics for the assessment of the proarrhythmic risk of drugs was developed. In this article, we outline the description and scientific strategy of this project and present the achievements and influence on multilevel integrative systems biology and physiome research
Computational and Mathematical Modelling of the EGF Receptor System
This chapter gives an overview of computational and mathematical modelling of the EGF receptor system. It begins with a survey of motivations for producing such models, then describes the main approaches that are taken to carrying out such modelling, viz. differential equations and individual-based modelling. Finally, a number of projects that applying modelling and simulation techniques to various aspects of the EGF receptor system are described
Variance in System Dynamics and Agent Based Modelling Using the SIR Model of Infectious Disease
Classical deterministic simulations of epidemiological processes, such as
those based on System Dynamics, produce a single result based on a fixed set of
input parameters with no variance between simulations. Input parameters are
subsequently modified on these simulations using Monte-Carlo methods, to
understand how changes in the input parameters affect the spread of results for
the simulation. Agent Based simulations are able to produce different output
results on each run based on knowledge of the local interactions of the
underlying agents and without making any changes to the input parameters. In
this paper we compare the influence and effect of variation within these two
distinct simulation paradigms and show that the Agent Based simulation of the
epidemiological SIR (Susceptible, Infectious, and Recovered) model is more
effective at capturing the natural variation within SIR compared to an
equivalent model using System Dynamics with Monte-Carlo simulation. To
demonstrate this effect, the SIR model is implemented using both System
Dynamics (with Monte-Carlo simulation) and Agent Based Modelling based on
previously published empirical data.Comment: Proceedings of the 26th European Conference on Modelling and
Simulation (ECMS), Koblenz, Germany, May 2012, pp 9-15, 201
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Which is more appropriate: a multi-perspective comparison between systems dynamics and discrete event simulation
System Dynamics (SD) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) are two established simulation tech-niques for simulating the dynamics of a system. Both have been widely used in modelling business de-cisions. This paper presents meta-comparison between the two approaches based on literature survey. Upon reviewing the existing literature it has been identified that existing comparisons could be classi-fied under three main perspectives: Systems perspective, Problems perspective and Methodology per-spective. The nature of system and nature of problem have been argued as primary factors for decid-ing modelling methodology. Therefore SD and DES comparisons have been classified on the basis of systems, problems and inherent aspects and capabilities of both modelling methods. It has been ar-gued that development of sound models need fit between system, problem and methodology. The suc-cess of model depends on itâs technical soundness as well as itâs successful implementation. In order to develop successful models this vision has been further extended to incorporate stakeholders, re-sources and time
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