Probabilistic model checking of complex biological pathways

Probabilistic model checking is a formal verification technique that has been successfully applied to the analysis of systems from a broad range of domains, including security and communication protocols, distributed algorithms and power management. In this paper we illustrate its applicability to a complex biological system: the FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor) signalling pathway. We give a detailed description of how this case study can be modelled in the probabilistic model checker PRISM, discussing some of the issues that arise in doing so, and show how we can thus examine a rich selection of quantitative properties of this model. We present experimental results for the case study under several different scenarios and provide a detailed analysis, illustrating how this approach can be used to yield a better understanding of the dynamics of the pathway

Integrated Scenarios for Energy: a Methodology for the Short Term

Quantitative point forecasts of energy and emissions have experienced difficulty with responding to uncertainty. Accuracy issues arise even in the short term with consequences for policy. The technique of scenario analysis is increasingly applied in scientific inquiry on the long term but it also has utility in the short term. This paper presents a discussion of the use of forecasts for prediction and proposes integrated or ´hybrid´ exploratory qualitative and quantitative scenarios in its stead. Various methodological issues are explored towards formulation of a scenario development process. Integrated scenarios structure thinking on the future, bound uncertainty, document important assumptions, aid communication, widen perspectives, can explore new dynamics and permit the exploration of ´softer´ issues in development paths such as governance, social and cultural drivers. These can be crucial to outcomes but are not captured by quantitative approaches alone. An example of the technique employed to construct integrated scenarios for Ireland to 2020 is presented, which as a process is applicable with diverse quantitative techniques. The advancement of more broad holistic perspectives on development and processes of change is policy relevant in all states, for which purpose integrated scenarios are an ideal analysis and mainstreaming tool even on short time scales

Energy Consumption and Latency Analysis for Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

Energy and bandwidth are limited resources in wireless sensor networks, and communication consumes significant amount of energy. When wireless vision sensors are used to capture and transfer image and video data, the problems of limited energy and bandwidth become even more pronounced. Thus, message traffic should be decreased to reduce the communication cost. In many applications, the interest is to detect composite and semantically higher-level events based on information from multiple sensors. Rather than sending all the information to the sinks and performing composite event detection at the sinks or control-center, it is much more efficient to push the detection of semantically high-level events within the network, and perform composite event detection in a peer-to-peer and energy-efficient manner across embedded smart cameras. In this paper, three different operation scenarios are analyzed for a wireless vision sensor network. A detailed quantitative comparison of these operation scenarios are presented in terms of energy consumption and latency. This quantitative analysis provides the motivation for, and emphasizes (1) the importance of performing high-level local processing and decision making at the embedded sensor level and (2) need for peer-to-peer communication solutions for wireless multimedia sensor networks

On the Impact of Mutual Coupling on RIS-Assisted Channel Estimation

Amid the demand for densely integrated elements in holographic reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), the mutual coupling effect has gained prominence. By performing a misspecified Cram\'er-Rao bound analysis within an electromagnetics-compliant communication model, this letter offers a quantitative evaluation of the impact of mutual coupling on RIS-assisted channel estimation. Our analysis provides insights into situations where mutual coupling can be disregarded safely. The numerical results reveal that within practical scenarios, closer integration of RIS elements or the enlargement of RIS size accentuates the impact of neglecting mutual coupling. In addition, even with mutual coupling-aware setups, excessively tight RIS element spacing can lead to substantial degradation in the channel estimation performance

Fratricide: defective decision making

Motivation – to explore the applicability of a Human Factors methodology for the investigation of fratricide. Research approach – The EAST methodology was used to analyse an incident of fratricide and its ability to explore the Famous Five of Fratricide (F3) model was investigated. Findings/Design – the analysis revealed that EAST was able to provide explicit discussion of the Famous Five of Fratricide (F3) models five causal factors of communication, cooperation, coordination, schemata and situation awareness. Research limitations/Implications – the research explored a single case study and as such is couched at the initial phases of investigation. Originality/Value – the analysis provides a contribution to the knowledge urrounding fratricide both with respect to the novel application of the EAST methodology to an incident of fratricide, and also the causal factors identified by EAST within the fratricide incident. Take away message – the EAST methodology provides an innovative way of exploring causality in incidents of fratricide<br/

Packaging as a means for promoting sustainable and aware consumption

Nowadays we are strongly aware of packaging wastes issues: many designers and researchers faced the challenge of eco-sustainable packaging. Conversely, communication problems are little considered, although informative function can have positive or negative impact on consumer’s awareness. This research aims to investigate the role of communication on the sustainability of pack. The theoretical analysis is applied to a specific case study: packaging of organic sauces of Tuttovo S.r.l. The project started from a comprehensive analysis of the packaging: all its aspects were taken into account by appropriate methodologies (developed through the “Observatory of Eco-Packaging”), implemented for the specific category. First of all, we performed an analysis of the environmental sustainability of current packaging (through a qualitative-quantitative methodology), then we defined users’ needs and their way of perceiving packaging (by market researches and eye-tracking methodology); finally we did an analysis of current communication styles for sauces category. This overall scenario allowed to define specific eco-guidelines, in order to design sustainable packaging to facilitate user's awareness. Facing packaging analysis according to systemic design approach, in particular relationships and behaviours analysis, we were able to define new sustainable behaviours and scenarios, such as unpackaged and single-dose packs for people with special food diseases

The ergonomics of command and control

Since its inception, just after the Second World War, ergonomics research has paid special attention to the issues surrounding human control of systems. Command and Control environments continue to represent a challenging domain for Ergonomics research. We take a broad view of Command and Control research, to include C2 (Command and Control), C3 (Command, Control and Communication), and C4 (Command, Control, Communication and Computers) as well as human supervisory control paradigms. This special issue of ERGONOMICS aims to present state-of-the-art research into models of team performance, evaluation of novel interaction technologies, case studies, methodologies and theoretical review papers. We are pleased to present papers that detail research on these topics in domains as diverse as the emergency services (e.g., police, fire, and ambulance), civilian applications (e.g., air traffic control, rail networks, and nuclear power) and military applications (e.g., land, sea and air) of command and control. While the domains of application are very diverse, many of the challenges they face share interesting similarities

Moving Toward Leadership: A Case Study of Latina Adolescents and Effective Communication

The problem addressed in this study is the need for Latina adolescents to develop effective communication and leadership skills that will support their success in U.S. culture and society. This thesis is a case study of two Mexican-American adolescents who participated in a twelve-session leadership program at a dance studio. The goal of the study was to test the effectiveness of Rena Kornblum’s (2002) Disarming the Playground curriculum as a social skills program to improve leadership, effective communication skills, and group cohesion. This study included video footage of the adolescents engaging in movement-based role-play scenarios, which was examined using qualitative and quantitative research methods. A certified movement analyst was hired to study the adolescent’s movement patterns based on Laban Movement Analysis. The movement parameters examined in the analysis included Effort, Shape, Space, and breath support. The results of the study showed one adolescent displaying a decrease in aggressive behavior verbally and nonverbally. The other adolescent showed minimal changes in movement quality. The results also highlighted how language barriers and Latina cultural scripts affect the communication process

Scenario of the organic food market in Europe

Scenario analysis is a qualitative tool for strategic policy analysis that enables researchers and policymakers to support decision making, and a systemic analysis of the main determinants of a business or sector. In this study, a scenario analysis is developed regarding the future development of the market of organic food products in Europe. The scenario follows a participatory approach, exploiting potential interactions among the relevant driving forces, as selected by experts. Network analysis is used to identify the roles of driving forces in the different scenarios, and the results are discussed in comparison with the main findings from existing scenarios on the future development of the organic sector