5,594 research outputs found

    Effective player guidance in logic puzzles

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    Pen & paper puzzle games are an extremely popular pastime, often enjoyed by demographics normally not considered to be ‘gamers’. They are increasingly used as ‘serious games’ and there has been extensive research into computationally generating and efficiently solving them. However, there have been few academic studies that have focused on the players themselves. Presenting an appropriate level of challenge to a player is essential for both player enjoyment and engagement. Providing appropriate assistance is an essential mechanic for making a game accessible to a variety of players. In this thesis, we investigate how players solve Progressive Pen & Paper Puzzle Games (PPPPs) and how to provide meaningful assistance that allows players to recover from being stuck, while not reducing the challenge to trivial levels. This thesis begins with a qualitative in-person study of Sudoku solving. This study demonstrates that, in contrast to all existing assumptions used to model players, players were unsystematic, idiosyncratic and error-prone. We then designed an entirely new approach to providing assistance in PPPPs, which guides players towards easier deductions rather than, as current systems do, completing the next cell for them. We implemented a novel hint system using our design, with the assessment of the challenge being done using Minimal Unsatisfiable Sets (MUSs). We conducted four studies, using two different PPPPs, that evaluated the efficacy of the novel hint system compared to the current hint approach. The studies demonstrated that our novel hint system was as helpful as the existing system while also improving the player experience and feeling less like cheating. Players also chose to use our novel hint system significantly more often. We have provided a new approach to providing assistance to PPPP players and demonstrated that players prefer it over existing approaches

    The Pragmatic Development of a Carbon Management Framework for UK SMEs

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    The UK's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 is challenged by critics citing current government strategies as inadequate, marked by a lack of concrete action and aspirational guidelines. Notably, businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which constitute about half of all business emissions, are pivotal to this goal. Yet, existing policies and standards often neglect the significant role of SMEs, who face barriers such as limited knowledge and resources in implementing carbon management practices. This thesis explores the development of a novel carbon management framework specifically designed for medium-sized organisations in the UK to address these problems. The research adopts a practical approach through collaboration with an industry partner, facilitating a case study for real-world application. Adopting a mixed-methods research design grounded in pragmatism, the study commenced with a qualitative study in the form of a focus group. This exploratory phase, critical for understanding SME challenges, yielded rich data revealing key management themes in strategy, energy, and data. The framework design was supported by a materiality assessment and input from key stakeholders on three major iterations. The final framework comprises three phases: establishing a baseline carbon footprint, creating a carbon reduction plan, and strategically implementing this plan. The validation process, conducted at Knowsley Safari, successfully tested the initial two phases but faced constraints in fully assessing the third phase due to time limitations. While the research achieved its primary aim of developing a novel carbon management framework for SMEs, it encountered limitations, notably in time and the generalisability of findings due to reliance on a single case study. Future research could test the framework across diverse SME settings to establish its broader applicability and effectiveness in aiding the UK's net-zero emission goals

    Evaluation Methodologies in Software Protection Research

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    Man-at-the-end (MATE) attackers have full control over the system on which the attacked software runs, and try to break the confidentiality or integrity of assets embedded in the software. Both companies and malware authors want to prevent such attacks. This has driven an arms race between attackers and defenders, resulting in a plethora of different protection and analysis methods. However, it remains difficult to measure the strength of protections because MATE attackers can reach their goals in many different ways and a universally accepted evaluation methodology does not exist. This survey systematically reviews the evaluation methodologies of papers on obfuscation, a major class of protections against MATE attacks. For 572 papers, we collected 113 aspects of their evaluation methodologies, ranging from sample set types and sizes, over sample treatment, to performed measurements. We provide detailed insights into how the academic state of the art evaluates both the protections and analyses thereon. In summary, there is a clear need for better evaluation methodologies. We identify nine challenges for software protection evaluations, which represent threats to the validity, reproducibility, and interpretation of research results in the context of MATE attacks

    Integrating materials supply in strategic mine planning of underground coal mines

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    In July 2005 the Australian Coal Industry’s Research Program (ACARP) commissioned Gary Gibson to identify constraints that would prevent development production rates from achieving full capacity. A “TOP 5” constraint was “The logistics of supply transport distribution and handling of roof support consumables is an issue at older extensive mines immediately while the achievement of higher development rates will compound this issue at most mines.” Then in 2020, Walker, Harvey, Baafi, Kiridena, and Porter were commissioned by ACARP to investigate Australian best practice and progress made since Gibson’s 2005 report. This report was titled: - “Benchmarking study in underground coal mining logistics.” It found that even though logistics continue to be recognised as a critical constraint across many operations particularly at a tactical / day to day level, no strategic thought had been given to logistics in underground coal mines, rather it was always assumed that logistics could keep up with any future planned design and productivity. This subsequently meant that without estimating the impact of any logistical constraint in a life of mine plan, the risk of overvaluing a mining operation is high. This thesis attempts to rectify this shortfall and has developed a system to strategically identify logistics bottlenecks and the impacts that mine planning parameters might have on these at any point in time throughout a life of mine plan. By identifying any logistics constraints as early as possible, the best opportunity to rectify the problem at the least expense is realised. At the very worst if a logistics constraint was unsolvable then it could be understood, planned for, and reflected in the mine’s ongoing financial valuations. The system developed in this thesis, using a suite of unique algorithms, is designed to “bolt onto” existing mine plans in the XPAC mine scheduling software package, and identify at a strategic level the number of material delivery loads required to maintain planned productivity for a mining operation. Once an event was identified the system then drills down using FlexSim discrete event simulation to a tactical level to confirm the predicted impact and understand if a solution can be transferred back as a long-term solution. Most importantly the system developed in this thesis was designed to communicate to multiple non-technical stakeholders through simple graphical outputs if there is a risk to planned production levels due to a logistics constraint

    Digital emancipators or oppressors : Evidence from Mobile Personal Finance Applications

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    This study seeks to investigate the impact of mobile personal finance applications on young adults' perceived financial well-being and unanticipated side effects, specifically emancipation and oppression. The study first examines the impact of these applications on financial well-being, examining the motivations and goals of the users behind using these applications. Second, it explores the unexpected side effects on an individual's behaviour and experience, looking at how the pursuit of financial well-being affects the user's freedom in other areas of life. The research is part of the DigiConsumers project, which aims to improve young people's digital financial skills. The research was carried out in two phases. The first phase used the method of empathy-based stories (MEBS) for data collection. This degree represents the second phase, redefining the research questions and analyzing the new theoretical framework. The study investigates using mobile financial applications by users in personal financial management. This reveals that the use of the applications is focused on a few purposes, such as consumption, borrowing and financial monitoring and budgeting. The demographic composition of the participants affected the services used. The research shows that applications concerning today's economy are more important to their users than applications concerning the future economy. Although some areas require improvement, users achieved their goals, and remarkably improved financial well-being with budgeting and planning tools. These apps were found to be both emancipating and oppressive. Users experienced emancipation by simplifying and speeding up tasks such as budgeting, saving and investing. Easy payment transactions also increased the emancipation of some users. However, some faced oppression due to impulsive buying, confusion about the value of digital money, and the over-facilitation of money transfers. The study also found indirect effects of PFM tools on personal and social connections. Personally, the tools speeded up actions, and offered freedom from being tied to time and place, but correspondingly caused stress related to security, privacy and user errors. Social applications, e.g. ai alleviated stress regaTämä tutkimus pyrkii selvittämään mobiilien henkilökohtaisten taloussovellusten vaikutusta nuorten aikuisten koettuun taloudelliseen hyvinvointiin ja odottamattomiin sivuvaikutuksiin, erityisesti emansipaatioon ja sortoon. Tutkimus tarkastelee ensin näiden sovellusten vaiku-tusta taloudelliseen hyvinvointiin, tutkien käyttäjien motivaatioita ja tavoitteita näiden sovel-lusten käytön taustalla. Toiseksi se tutkii odottamattomia sivuvaikutuksia yksilön käyttäytymi-seen ja kokemukseen, tarkastellen miten taloudellisen hyvinvoinnin tavoittelu vaikuttaa käyttäjän vapauteen muilla elämänalueilla. Tutkimus on osa DigiConsumers-projektia, joka pyrkii parantamaan nuorten digitaalisia taloustaitoja. Tutkimus toteutettiin kahdessa vaihees-sa. Ensimmäinen vaihe käytti eläytymismenetelmäksi kutsuttua menetelmää (MEBS) tiedon-keruuseen. Tämä gradu edustaa toista vaihetta, uudelleen määrittäen tutkimuskysymykset ja analysoi uutta teoreettista viitekehystä. Tutkimus tutkii käyttäjien mobiilien taloussovellus-ten hyödyntämistä henkilökohtaisessa taloudenhallinnassa. Tämä paljastaa sovellusten käy-tön keskittyvän muutamiin käyttötarkoituksiin kuten kulutukseen, lainaamiseen ja talouden seurantaan sekä budjetointiin. Osallistujien demografinen koostumus oletettavasti vaikutti käytettyihin palveluihin. Tutkimus osoittaa, että nykyhetken taloutta koskevat sovellukset ovat käyttäjilleen tärkeämpiä kuin tulevaisuuden taloutta koskevat sovellukset. Vaikka jotkin alueet vaativat parannuksia, käyttäjät saavuttivat tavoitteensa, erityisesti parantuneen ta-loudellisen hyvinvoinnin budjetointi- ja suunnittelutyökalujen avulla. Näiden sovellusten todettiin sekä emansipoivan että sortavan. Käyttäjät kokivat emansipaation yksinkertaista-malla ja nopeuttamalla tehtäviä, kuten budjetointia, säästämistä ja sijoittamista. Myös hel-pottunut maksaminen lisäsi emansipaatiota osalla käyttäjiä. Sen sijaan osa kohtasi sortoa impulsiivisen ostamisen, digitaalisen rahan arvon sekaannuksen ja rahansiirtojen liiallisen helpottumisen vuoksi. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin myös PFM-työkalujen epäsuorat vaikutukset henkilökohtaisiin ja sosiaalisiin yhteyksiin. Henkilökohtaisesti työkalut nopeuttivat toimia, tarjosivat vapautusta aika- ja paikkasidonnaisuudesta, mutta aiheuttivat vastaavasti stressiä turvallisuuteen, yksityisyyteen ja käyttäjävirheisiin liittyen. Sosiaalisesti applikaatiot mm. ai-heuttivat stressiä sosiaalisen median esittämän kuluttamisen suhteen, mutta paransivat myös viestintää ja jaettuja kokemuksia. Sovellukset voisivat hyödyntää tekoälyteknologiaa ymmärtääkseen paremmin käyttäjiään ja kokonaisuuksia paremmin sekä neuvoakseen käyt-täjiä tehokkaasti. Tämä ratkaisu voisi lisätä emansipaatiota eri konteksteissa ja edistää talou-dellisia tavoitteita eri tasoilla. On olennaista tutkia, miten teknologiaan pohjautuvaa tavoittei-den optimointia voidaan kehittää eettisesti ja läpinäkyvästi kaikille sidosryhmille

    Current issues of the management of socio-economic systems in terms of globalization challenges

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    The authors of the scientific monograph have come to the conclusion that the management of socio-economic systems in the terms of global challenges requires the use of mechanisms to ensure security, optimise the use of resource potential, increase competitiveness, and provide state support to economic entities. Basic research focuses on assessment of economic entities in the terms of global challenges, analysis of the financial system, migration flows, logistics and product exports, territorial development. The research results have been implemented in the different decision-making models in the context of global challenges, strategic planning, financial and food security, education management, information technology and innovation. The results of the study can be used in the developing of directions, programmes and strategies for sustainable development of economic entities and regions, increasing the competitiveness of products and services, decision-making at the level of ministries and agencies that regulate the processes of managing socio-economic systems. The results can also be used by students and young scientists in the educational process and conducting scientific research on the management of socio-economic systems in the terms of global challenges

    A systematic review of reading tests

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    Adequate near and intermediate visual capacity is important in performing everyday tasks, especially after the introduction of smartphones and computers in our professional and recreational activities. Primary objective of this study was to review all available reading tests both conventional and digital and explore their integrated characteristics. A systematic review of the recent literature regarding reading charts was performed based on the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Springer databases between February and March 2021. Data from 11 descriptive and 24 comparative studies were included in the present systematic review. Clinical settings are still dominated by conventional printed reading charts; however, the most prevalent of them (i.e., Jaeger type charts) are not validated. Reliable reading capacity assessment is done only by those that comply with the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) recommendations. Digital reading tests are gaining popularity both in clinical and research settings and are differentiated in standard computer-based applications that require installation either in a computer or a tablet (e.g., Advanced VISION Test and web-based ones e.g., Democritus Digital Acuity Reading Test requires no installation). It is evident that validated digital tests will prevail in future clinical or research settings and it is upon ophthalmologists to select the one most compatible with their examination routine

    Science and Innovations for Food Systems Transformation

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    This Open Access book compiles the findings of the Scientific Group of the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021 and its research partners. The Scientific Group was an independent group of 28 food systems scientists from all over the world with a mandate from the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. The chapters provide science- and research-based, state-of-the-art, solution-oriented knowledge and evidence to inform the transformation of contemporary food systems in order to achieve more sustainable, equitable and resilient systems

    Air pollution, nanotoxicity and neurodegeneration; exploring the relationship between environmental metallic nanoparticles and human health

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    Air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are two of the largest global health issues faced by society today; air pollution is a recognised risk factor for AD. Particulate matter (PM) is a major component of air pollution and refers to the solid and liquid particulates of varying sizes and compositions that are resuspended in the air. Of these particles, metallic particles in the nanometre range (ultrafine, UFPs; < 0.1 µm) are particularly hazardous due to their pervasiveness, ability to penetrate all major organs in the human body, and ability to generate both inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in humans. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (MNPs) and related iron oxides may be of relevance to neurodegeneration. MNPs are found within PM, typically in association with toxic metals, and have been found throughout the human brain, including in association with senile plaques (a key pathological hallmark of AD). MNPs have also been shown to accelerate amyloid beta (Aβ) toxicity and aggregation. MNPs have previously been quantified in a handful of studies to compare AD and control tissue, with mixed results. Improved understanding of the development of AD, the toxic effects of air pollution (especially magnetite and metals), and the relationship between these two phenomena would be highly beneficial to global health. In order to explore the potential causal link between air pollution and AD, two approaches were taken; metallic and magnetic quantification of post-mortem human brain tissue via superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry and inductively couple plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and exploration of the cytotoxic effects of ultrafine roadside dust particles (UF-RDPs) on human lung epithelial cells (Calu-3) using different in vitro assays. The concentration of magnetite (measured as magnetic remanence, SIRM) in human brain tissue was not statistically different when comparing AD cases to aged-matched controls. Similarly, there were no differences in metal content between the two groups. Principal component analysis grouped the metals into four components, which are potentially indicators of pollution sources: (1) traffic-related and crustal, (2) fuel oil combustion, (3) biological and tyre/brake wear, and (4) catalytic converters and dental alloys. The distributions of magnetite and metals were heterogenous across different individuals. Significantly lower concentrations of both MNPs and metals were reported in UK samples, compared topreviously reported Mexico City samples. Differences were also seen when comparing the in vitro response to UF-RDPs from three contrasting cities; Lancaster UF-RDPs increased cell viability, whilst Mexico City UF-RDPs were the most toxic and induced the highest amount of oxidative stress (ROS production), and Birmingham UF-RDPs were the most pro-inflammatory. These responses are not fully reflected in conventional mass metrics like PM10, as although the greatest cytotoxicity and ROS production was seen with Mexico City UF-RDPs (highest PM10 exposure), the strongest pro-inflammatory responses were seen in response to Birmingham UF-RDPs and a potentially tumorigenic or fibrosis related increase in cell viability was seen in response to Lancaster UF-RDPs despite the lower PM10 and PM2.5 exposures in the UK cities. There is a need for localised air pollution limits which use biologically relevant metrics that address particle size and cover non-exhaust emission sources of PM like road dust to minimize the health risks of air pollution exposure. Overall, this work demonstrates the presence of exogenous, pollution-derived metals and magnetic nanoparticles within the human brain. Highly reactive and toxic metals and MNPs may exert toxic effects in the brain and have been causally linked to neurodegeneration and AD. The geriatric blood-brain barrier is likely compromised allowing for universal incursion in both AD and age-matched controls, so the use of younger highly exposed individuals such as Mexico City urbanites is critical to identify any changes in metal/magnetic content in the brain decades prior to the presentation of AD. Clear differences were seen across geographical locations when looking at absolute concentrations of MNPs, as well as the composition and induced biological effects of UF-RDPs from different cities. It is thus important to focus on highly localised air pollution regulations to mitigate risk to human health
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