Approaches to Learning to Control Dynamic Uncertainty

In dynamic environments, when faced with a choice of which learning strategy to adopt, do people choose to mostly explore (maximizing their long term gains) or exploit (maximizing their short term gains)? More to the point, how does this choice of learning strategy influence one’s later ability to control the environment? In the present study, we explore whether people’s self-reported learning strategies and levels of arousal (i.e., surprise, stress) correspond to performance measures of controlling a Highly Uncertain or Moderately Uncertain dynamic environment. Generally, self-reports suggest a preference for exploring the environment to begin with. After which, those in the Highly Uncertain environment generally indicated they exploited more than those in the Moderately Uncertain environment; this difference did not impact on performance on later tests of people’s ability to control the dynamic environment. Levels of arousal were also differentially associated with the uncertainty of the environment. Going beyond behavioral data, our model of dynamic decision-making revealed that, in actual fact, there was no difference in exploitation levels between those in the highly uncertain or moderately uncertain environments, but there were differences based on sensitivity to negative reinforcement. We consider the implications of our findings with respect to learning and strategic approaches to controlling dynamic uncertainty.This study was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Perfect periodic scheduling for three basic cycles

Periodic scheduling has many attractions for wireless telecommunications. It offers energy saving where equipment can be turned off between transmissions, and high-quality reception through the elimination of jitter, caused by irregularity of reception. However, perfect periodic schedules, in which each (of n) client is serviced at regular, prespecified intervals, are notoriously difficult to construct. The problem is known to be NP-hard even when service times are identical. This paper focuses on cases of up to three distinct periodicities, with unit service times. Our contribution is to derive a O (n 4) test for the existence of a feasible schedule, and a method of constructing a feasible schedule if one exists, for the given combination of client periodicities. We also indicate why schedules with a higher number of periodicities are unlikely to be useful in practice. This methodology can be used to support perfect periodic scheduling in a wide range in real world settings, including machine maintenance service, wireless mesh networks and various other telecommunication networks transmitting packet size data. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Physics of the rhythmic applause

We discuss in detail a human scale example of the synchronization phenomenon, namely the dynamics of the rhythmic applause. After a detailed experimental investigation, we describe the phenomenon with an approach based on the classical Kuramoto model. Computer simulations based on the theoretical assumptions, reproduce perfectly the observed dynamics. We argue that a frustration present in the system is responsible for the interesting interplay between synchronized and unsynchronized regimesComment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Existing healthcare facilities, refurbishment, and energy simulation

In recent years, various experts and organisations have emphasised the need to improve existing facilities to meet targets imposed by government related to energy consumption and carbon emissions. Demolishing existing facilities and constructing new facilities is not always the best solution to achieve government targets and modernise existing healthcare facilities. Also, the National Health Service’s (NHS) focus on new construction in the past has contributed towards the deterioration of existing building stock up to certain extent. Research in the area of refurbishment of existing hospitals has been neglected despite the fact that existing facilities still account for a major proportion of NHS healthcare building stock. To accomplish the research aim and goals, a mixed methodology was used which include a literature review, web‐based case studies, questionnaire survey, interviews and site visits to hospitals. A brief study of healthcare refurbishment indicates that a specific framework for existing buildings is required because their characteristics are different to new facilities. The function of this particular framework should be to integrate modelling and assessment tools, and to reduce existing building energy consumption throughout the life‐cycle

BIM and refurbishment of exisiting healthcare facilities

Towards the end of the 20th century, a growing concern to save nature and natural resources promoted sustainability, which evolved as a major area for global concern. Moreover, an increasing awareness about sustainability in the healthcare sector and construction industry demands more tools for the development, execution, and assessment of projects from environment point of view. To support and assess sustainability, various researchers, governmental and non-governmental organisations developed several tools. Also, it is expected that buildings will have a longer life (especially if constructed from 1980s onwards) because of improved building regulations, modern technologies, advanced tools, and new standards. Project goals, budgets, and clients' willingness towards developing a green facility determines the design team approach towards refurbishment, adoption of tools, and sustainability. Moreover, not all healthcare projects involve new construction; some are partly refurbished and/or extension to existing buildings, so the tools are considered in the context of existing facilities in this paper. Issues and drivers for refurbishment of existing healthcare facilities are discussed from a sustainability point of view. The need for existing healthcare facilities to remain operational during refurbishment projects presents a specific challenge during (re)development. A discussion of some of the widely accepted tools used to develop(sustainable) designs such as building information modelling (BIM) is also presented. The methodology includes a questionnaire survey, interviews, and site visits to hospitals. This work is output of analysis of the primary data collected to accomplish objectives of a threeyear research project related to existing healthcare facilities, and reduction of their energy consumption and carbon emissions

Collective dynamics of two-mode stochastic oscillators

We study a system of two-mode stochastic oscillators coupled through their collective output. As a function of a relevant parameter four qualitatively distinct regimes of collective behavior are observed. In an extended region of the parameter space the periodicity of the collective output is enhanced by the considered coupling. This system can be used as a new model to describe synchronization-like phenomena in systems of units with two or more oscillation modes. The model can also explain how periodic dynamics can be generated by coupling largely stochastic units. Similar systems could be responsible for the emergence of rhythmic behavior in complex biological or sociological systems.Comment: 4 pages, RevTex, 5 figure

Reviewing the sustainability of existing healthcare facilities

The National Health Services (NHS) is currently undertaking its largest hospital building programme with £7 billion worth of major hospital projects in the pipeline. This is happening at a time when global warming, climate change, and environmental pollution have become major considerations during the design process. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that hospitals tend to comprise the key characteristics of a hotel, a warehouse, and a factory all at the same time, which makes their energy consumption extremely high, although the energy consumption does vary considerably from one facility to another. There are standards and guidelines for designing new healthcare facilities such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the Green Guide to Health Construction (GGHC). These standards do not apply to existing healthcare facilities. Comparing today's NHS building stock, it won't be incorrect to say that, most of the facilities used by NHS are built in 20th century operating in 21st century. This is a major problem associated with these facilities, it is reported that 30% of energy consumed by these facilities is wasted. This work is based on a literature review, which explores the government actions, policies, and available standards for healthcare facilities