Cooperation of Nature and Physiologically Inspired Mechanism in Visualisation

A novel approach of integrating two swarm intelligence algorithms is considered, one simulating the behaviour of birds flocking (Particle Swarm Optimisation) and the other one (Stochastic Diffusion Search) mimics the recruitment behaviour of one species of ants – Leptothorax acervorum. This hybrid algorithm is assisted by a biological mechanism inspired by the behaviour of blood flow and cells in blood vessels, where the concept of high and low blood pressure is utilised. The performance of the nature-inspired algorithms and the biologically inspired mechanisms in the hybrid algorithm is reflected through a cooperative attempt to make a drawing on the canvas. The scientific value of the marriage between the two swarm intelligence algorithms is currently being investigated thoroughly on many benchmarks and the results reported suggest a promising prospect (al-Rifaie, Bishop & Blackwell, 2011). We also discuss whether or not the ‘art works’ generated by nature and biologically inspired algorithms can possibly be considered as ‘computationally creative’

Creative or Not? Birds and Ants Draw with Muscle

In this work, a novel approach of merging two swarm intelligence algorithms is considered – one mimicking the behaviour of ants foraging (Stochastic Diffusion Search [5]) and the other algorithm simulating the behaviour of birds flocking (Particle Swarm Optimisation [17]). This hybrid algorithm is assisted by a mechanism inspired from the behaviour of skeletal muscles activated by motor neurons. The operation of the swarm intelligence algorithms is first introduced via metaphor before the new hybrid algorithm is defined. Next, the novel behaviour of the hybrid algorithm is reflected through a cooperative attempt to make a drawing, followed by a discussion about creativity in general and the ’computational creativity’ of the swarm

Developing outcome measures for patients with vascular conditions.

The electronic patient assessment questionnaire for vascular conditions (ePAQ-VAS) was developed by the Sheffield Vascular Research group. It consists of the following sections: generic, carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic disease, lower limb vascular disease and a second generic section that include EQ-5D. The six papers included in this thesis present some of the work I have done to develop ePAQ-VAS, including qualitative evidence synthesis, systematic reviews, developing the conceptual work and psychometric analysis. The first stages of developing ePAQ-VAS comprised of five systematic reviews to identify patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that can be directly included into ePAQ-VAS. These reviews did not identify any PROMs that fulfilled the psychometric criteria defined by the authors. Since no PROMs were identified, qualitative evidence synthesis was undertaken to develop new PROMs. This included five qualitative evidence synthesis reviews and a primary qualitative study that was completed before I joined the team. The qualitative evidence was used to develop the primary pool of ePAQ-VAS items. I helped develop the conceptual framework of ePAQ-VAS including a clinicians’ consensus study, and modifications of the instrument based on the face validity study. The last of the six papers in this PhD by publication is the paper on the validation of ePAQ-VAS. This paper presents the results of the survey in which vascular patients completed ePAQ-VAS. I used the data from this survey to perform factor analysis and reduce items from the instrument. The paper also presents the results of internal reliability, test-re-test, known-group validity and responsiveness analyses. In the additional chapters of this thesis, I have provided further insight into the methods used in developing ePAQ-VAS. ePAQ-VAS is a holistic tool for the assessment of patients with a vascular disease with acceptable validity, reliability and responsiveness. This tool can be used to measure outcomes to improve service provisions

A review on gastric diverticulum

The gastric fundal diverticulae are rare. They can present with variable symptoms. We are enclosing a literature review on gastric fundal diverticulum. Lessons have emerged which may help in the management of this rare condition in future

Identifying metastasis in bone scans with stochastic diffusion search

This paper introduces the use of a swarm intelligence algorithm – Stochastic Diffusion Search – as a tool to identify metastasis in bone scans. This algorithm is adapted for this particular purpose and its performance is investigated by running the algorithm’s agents on sample bone scans whose status have been determined by the experts. A statistical analysis is also presented, highlighting the behaviour of the algorithm when presented with different samples

Impression management and achievement motivation: investigating substantive links

In the present research we investigate impression management (IM) as a substantive personality variable by linking it to differentiated achievement motivation constructs, namely achievement motives (workmastery, competitiveness, fear of failure) and achievement goals (mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, performance-avoidance). Study 1 revealed that IM was a positive predictor of workmastery and a negative predictor of competitiveness (with and without self-deceptive enhancement (SDE) controlled). Studies 2a and 2b revealed that IM was a positive predictor of mastery-approach goals and mastery-avoidance goals (without and, in Study 2b, with SDE controlled). These findings highlight the value of conceptualizing and utilizing IM as a personality variable in its own right, and shed light on the nature of the achievement motive and achievement goal constructs