The Complexification of Engineering

This paper deals with the arrow of complexification of engineering. We claim that the complexification of engineering consists in (a) that shift throughout which engineering becomes a science; thus it ceases to be a (mere) praxis or profession; (b) becoming a science, engineering can be considered as one of the sciences of complexity. In reality, the complexification of engineering is the process by which engineering can be studied, achieved and understood in terms of knowledge, and not of goods and services any longer. Complex engineered systems and bio-inspired engineering are so far the two expressions of a complex engineering.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure, 1 table, preprint; Complexity. In the print (2011

Numerical optimization and analysis on vibration characteristics of bicycles based on the novel CA-PSO algorithm

Regarding the published researches on bicycles, they fail to design fatigue characteristics of the bicycle. In addition, dynamics and fatigue characteristics are not further improved by using advanced optimization algorithms. Aiming at these questions, this paper tries to optimize dynamics and fatigue characteristics of the bicycle through combining finite element model with advanced algorithms. The advanced algorithm applies ideas of cellular automation (CA) to Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and then a hybrid CA-PSO algorithm is proposed. Moreover, the finite element model is also validated by experimental test. Computational results show that: the maximum stress of bicycles is mainly distributed on the frame, especially on joints of different round pipes at different moments mainly because a dead corner is at the joint, and the dead corner can easily cause stress concentration. Under alternating forces, the stress concentration at joints will cause fatigue damage. Therefore, the service life of this position will be the shortest. As a result, the dynamics and fatigue characteristics of the joint position are taken as the optimized objective. In order to verify the optimized effectiveness of the proposed CA-PSO algorithm in the paper, the widely used PSO algorithm and PSO-GA algorithm are also used to optimize the bicycle. When the traditional PSO algorithm is used to optimize the bicycle, the root-mean-square value and maximum difference of vibration accelerations are decreased by 11.9 % and 14.3 %. When the PSO-GA algorithm is used to optimize the bicycle, the root-mean-square value and maximum difference of vibration accelerations are decreased by 20.3 % and 12.9 %. When the proposed CA-PSO algorithm is used to optimize the bicycle, the root-mean-square value and maximum difference of vibration accelerations are decreased by 27.1 % and 18.6 %. Compared with other two kinds of PSO algorithms, optimized effects of vibration accelerations are very obvious. In addition, the fatigue life of the original structure is 5 years, while the fatigue life of the optimized bicycle is 7 years. Therefore, the fatigue life is improved obviously

Modelado computacional de pandemias mediante autómatas celulares

[ES] El objetivo de este TFG es desarrollar un modelo computacional que sea capaz de usar autómatas celulares para la predicción de la evolución de pandemias sanitarias y los factores que influyen en las mismas. Para este tipo de predicciones se suele usar modelos estadísticos para inferir a partir de datos recogidos en situaciones sanitarias parecidas previamente y poder así estimar la evolución de la situación actual, pero en este TFG usaremos Autómatas celulares para realizar una predicción de la evolución de una pandemia para una delimitada población dados los parámetros del virus.[EN] The main aim of this project is to develop a computational model able to use cellular automata to predict the evolution of sanitary pandemic and the different factors involved in it. For this kind of predictions statistical models are usually used with data collected from previous similar situations in order to try to infer an estimation of the evolution of the current situation, but in this project we are going to be using cellular automata to make this prediction of the evolution of the pandemic for a determined population given certain parameters of a given virus.Sánchez Gómez, P. (2021). Modelado computacional de pandemias mediante autómatas celulares. Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/171278TFG

Robust massive parallel information processing environments in biology and medicine: case study

The current frontiers in the description and simulation of advanced physical and biological phenomena observed within all scientific disciplines are pointing toward the importance of the development of robust mathematical descriptions that are error resilient. Complexity research is lacking deeper knowledge of the design methodology of processes that are capable to recreate the robustness, which is going to be studied on massive-parallel computations (MPCs) implemented by cellular automata (CA). A simple, two-state cellular automaton having an extremely simple updating rule, which was created by John H. Conway called the ’Game of Life’ (GoL) is applied to simulate and logic gate using emergents. This is followed by simulations of a robust, generalized GoL, which works with nine states instead of two, that is called R-GoL (open-source). extra states enable higher intercellular communication. The logic gate is simulated by the GoL. It is destroyed by injection of random faulty evaluations with even the smallest probability. The simulations of the R-GoL are initiated with random values. several types of emergent structures, which are robust to injection of random errors, are observed for different setups of the R-GoL rule. The GoL is not robust. The R-GoL is capable to create and maintain oscillating, emergent structures that are robust under constant injection of random, faulty evaluations with up to 1% of errors. The R-GoL express long-range synchronization, which is together with robustness facilitated by designed intercellular communication

Design and Implementation of Cellular Automaton Simulating Domain Growth

Tato bakalářská práce se věnuje návrhu a implementaci grafického uživatelského rozhraní buněčného automatu simulující růst domén. Uživatelské rozhraní je implementováno v jazyce C++ s použitím frameworku Qt. Hlavním požadavkem je intuitivní ovládání a čistý kód, umožňující dalším úpravy programu. Apli\-kace nabízí možnost počátečního rozložení domén a jejich faktoru růstu. Během simulace lze provádět vybrané akce.This bachelor thesis is devoted to design and implementation of the graphical user interface of cellular automaton simulating domain growth. User interface is implemented in C++ with usage of framework Qt. Important elements are intuitive controls of the application and clean code, which allows another program modifications. Application allows user to set initial location of the domains and their growth factor. During simulation user can perform selected actions

Modeling Of Socio-economic Factors And Adverse Events In An Active War Theater By Using A Cellular Automata Simulation Approach

Department of Defense (DoD) implemented Human Social Cultural and Behavior (HSCB) program to meet the need to develop capability to understand, predict and shape human behavior among different cultures by developing a knowledge base, building models, and creating training capacity. This capability will allow decision makers to subordinate kinetic operations and promote non-kinetic operations to govern economic programs better in order to initiate efforts and development to address the grievances among the displeased by adverse events. These non-kinetic operations include rebuilding indigenous institutions’ bottom-up economic activity and constructing necessary infrastructure since the success in non-kinetic operations depends on understanding and using social and cultural landscape. This study aims to support decision makers by building a computational model to understand economic factors and their effect on adverse events. In this dissertation, the analysis demonstrates that the use of cellular automata has several significant contributions to support decision makers allocating development funds to stabilize regions with higher adverse event risks, and to better understand the complex socio-economic interactions with adverse events. Thus, this analysis was performed on a set of spatial data representing factors from social and economic data. In studying behavior using cellular automata, cells in the same neighborhood synchronously interact with each other to determine their next states, and small changes in iteration may yield to complex formations of adverse event risk after several iterations of time. The modeling methodology of cellular automata for social and economic analysis in this research was designed in two major implementation levels as follows: macro and micro-level. In the macro-level, the modeling framework integrates iv population, social, and economic sub-systems. The macro-level allows the model to use regionalized representations, while the micro-level analyses help to understand why the events have occurred. Macro-level subsystems support cellular automata rules to generate accurate predictions. Prediction capability of cellular automata is used to model the micro-level interactions between individual actors, which are represented by adverse events. The results of this dissertation demonstrate that cellular automata model is capable of evaluating socio-economic influences that result in changes in adverse events and identify location, time and impact of these events. Secondly, this research indicates that the socioeconomic influences have different levels of impact on adverse events, defined by the number of people killed, wounded or hijacked. Thirdly, this research shows that the socio-economic, influences and adverse events that occurred in a given district have impacts on adverse events that occur in neighboring districts. The cellular automata modeling approach can be used to enhance the capability to understand and use human, social and behavioral factors by generating what-if scenarios to determine the impact of different infrastructure development projects to predict adverse events. Lastly, adverse events that could occur in upcoming years can be predicted to allow decision makers to deter these events or plan accordingly if these events do occur

Coupled heat and water transport in frozen soils

The effect of freezing on soil temperature and water redistribution was examined in four Mesocosms maintained at different initial water content profiles. An innovative experimental setup involving use of a frozen base layer acting as a proxy to permafrost beneath an active layer made up of packed and undisturbed peat cores was used. The experimental setup was successfully validated for its ability to maintain one dimensional change in temperature and soil water content in frozen soil. There was a substantial amount of water redistribution towards the freezing front, enough to create an impermeable frozen, saturated zone within 15 cm of the soil surface. The water movement was likely due to the potential head gradients between colder and warmer regions created by temperature effects on matric potential of frozen soil. In addition, there is enough evidence that water migration in form of vapour contributed to moisture movement towards the freezing front. Initial moisture profiles appeared to have a significant effect on the freezing induced soil water redistribution likely through differences in moisture dependant hydraulic conductivity. Initial soil moisture profiles also affected the rate of freezing front movement. Frost propagation was controlled by latent heat for long periods, while soil thermal conductivity and heat capacity appeared to control the rate of frost migration once the majority of water was frozen. Using the observations of this study, a conceptual model was proposed to explain freezing of an active layer on a permafrost plateau assuming a variable moisture landscape at onset of winter. Further, a one-dimensional model based on coupled cellular automata approach was developed. The model is based on first order conservation laws to simulate heat and water flow in variably-saturated soil. Inside the model, Buckingham-Darcy’s -and Fourier’s heat laws are used to define the local interactions for water and heat movement respectively. Phase change is brought about by the residual energy after sensible heat removal has dropped the temperature of the system below freezing point. Knowing the amount of water that can freeze, the change in soil temperature is then modeled by integrating along the soil freezing curve. This approach obviates the use of apparent heat capacity term. The 1D model is successfully tested by comparing with analytical and experimental solutions

Non-determinism in the narrative structure of video games

PhD ThesisAt the present time, computer games represent a finite interactive system. Even in their more experimental forms, the number of possible interactions between player and NPCs (non-player characters) and among NPCs and the game world has a finite number and is led by a deterministic system in which events can therefore be predicted. This implies that the story itself, seen as the series of events that will unfold during gameplay, is a closed system that can be predicted a priori. This study looks beyond this limitation, and identifies the elements needed for the emergence of a non-finite, emergent narrative structure. Two major contributions are offered through this research. The first contribution comes in the form of a clear categorization of the narrative structures embracing all video game production since the inception of the medium. In order to look for ways to generate a non-deterministic narrative in games, it is necessary to first gain a clear understanding of the current narrative structures implemented and how their impact on users’ experiencing of the story. While many studies have observed the storytelling aspect, no attempt has been made to systematically distinguish among the different ways designers decide how stories are told in games. The second contribution is guided by the following research question: Is it possible to incorporate non-determinism into the narrative structure of computer games? The hypothesis offered is that non-determinism can be incorporated by means of nonlinear dynamical systems in general and Cellular Automata in particular

Toward composing variable structure models and their interfaces: a case of intensional coupling definitions

In this thesis, we investigate a combination of traditional component-based and variable structure modeling. The focus is on a structural consistent specification of couplings in modular, hierarchical models with a variable structure. For this, we exploitintensional definitions, as known from logic, and introduce a novel intensional coupling definition, which allows a concise yet expressive specification of complex communication and interaction patterns in static as well as variable structure models, without the need to worryabout structural consistency.In der Arbeit untersuchen wir ein Zusammenbringen von klassischer komponenten-basierter und variabler Strukturmodellierung. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf der Spezifikation von strukturkonsistenten Kopplungen in modular-hierarchischen Modellen mit einer variablen Struktur. Dafür nutzen wir intensionale Definitionen, wie sie aus der Logik bekannt sind, und führen ein neuartiges Konzept von intensionalen Kopplungen ein, welches kompakte gleichzeitig ausdrucksstarke Spezifikationen von komplexen Kommunikations- und Interaktionsmuster in statischen und variablen Strukturmodellen erlaubt

Vulnerability of biodiversity to land use change and climate change in Mexico

Biodiversity in Mexico is threatened by Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC) and Climate Change (CC). Identifying what sites will be most vulnerable to these threats can help to prioritise conservation, mitigation and adaptation strategies and target limited resources. Therefore, the aims of this study are 1) to identify the most vulnerable sites to LUCCs under different socio-economic and CC scenarios, and 2) to assess the vulnerability of endemic and threatened vertebrate species to establish prioritization strategies for biodiversity conservation. Spatially explicit socio-economic scenarios were created at national and subnational level (Chapter 3). National LUCC models were then developed using the DINAMICA EGO software (Chapter 4). These models were run for three future time slices (2020s, 2050s and 2080s) and two contrasting future climate and socio-economic scenarios to determine biodiversity vulnerability (Chapter 5). Vulnerability was estimated by quantifying the exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to LUCC and CC. This framework integrates national information about the priority sites of biodiversity conservation and their future extent of natural covers under future socio-economic and climate conditions. Finally, the vulnerability framework was also applied in a regional case-study in three municipalities of southern Mexico (Chapter 6). Results reveal that temperate forest is the most vulnerable ecosystem type in Mexico, followed by natural grasslands and tropical evergreen forests. Agriculture is the driver of this threat, which is projected to expand to feed an increasing population under dryer climatic conditions. More than 40% of endemic and endangered mammals are in places ranking from medium to extremely high vulnerability, followed by the 28% of the amphibians, 25% and 23% for reptiles and birds, respectively. These vertebrates are principally distributed on temperate forests and tropical dry forests. In the regional scale, rain-fed agriculture (RfA) and anthropogenic grasslands are the principal LUCC drivers, threatening 31 species of endangered vertebrates. A local strategy for creating corridors between patches close to rivers from the south to the north of one municipality is supported as conservation priority for the regional biodiversity. This research presents a novel approach for prioritising conservation strategies in highly biodiverse countries using readily available data sources, demonstrated at different spatial and temporal scales