Case Study: A Visual Tool for Moving Mesh Numerical Methods

Time-dependent partial di#erential equations are indispensable in scientific and engineering research, where they are used to model physical phenomena such as fluid flow and combustion. Moving mesh numerical solution methods have proven to be particularly well-suited to compute solutions to such problems which change non-uniformly over time. Computer visualization of moving mesh methods is an extension of an approach using computers to study mathematics, first advocated by von Neumann. Uses of this visualization include verifying the correct operation of the numerical algorithm; providing insight into improvements to the numerical algorithm; and interpreting the operation of the numerical algorithm to a larger community of mathematics researchers

Decision support for local environmental impact assessment

Sustainability has become a key concern for consumers and industry. However, coming to understand its implications in the context of daily life can be difficult. It may be hard to come to terms with the idea that traditional activities present environmental risks and may lead to real emergencies, manifested differently depending on local conditions. Everyone will be asked to do more but the move towards sustainability may require the total transformation of current attitudes and actions. This paper considers the role of informatics in responding to, and possibly averting, environmental emergencies by making information available to decision makers, whether they are individual consumers, institutional buyers, or emergency response personnel. If all choices can be presented within a spectrum of best and worst possible impacts for sustainability, decision makers can meaningfully weigh their options. Any evaluation on this basis is presently very difficult because one needs to independently assess and integrate possibly incomplete and conflicting information from a wide variety of sources. This paper describes the use of the cogito software, which embodies an approach for data access and presentation that is expected to provide significant benefits over existing web-based tools. The paper also considers the issues related to the collection and synthesis of disparate data

Interactive Evolution for Systematic Exploration of a Parameter Space

Interactive evaluation of a fitness function for a genetic algorithm through direct manipulation is known as interactive evolution. Because it removes the need to specify a fitness function prior to exploration, the user can change evaluation criteria over time. This is especially important when the fitness function is unknown or not easily specified beforehand. This paper describes a system that allows the user to evaluate and evolve small collections of candidate solutions that represent the range of available solutions in order to explore parameter ranges of interest. Although users may be expert with respect to their particular tasks, some may be novices in relation to their software. For them, interactive evolution removes syntactic barriers to the specification of alternative candidate solutions and navigation amongst them

A Layered Approach for Computerization of a Multimedia Archive

Merce Cunningham is widely regarded as the father of modern dance. His work, which began in the mid-1930's, is a treasure from which all the world can benefit. Much of his work, captured in several di#erent media, is preserved in an archive maintained by the Cunningham Dance Foundation. This archive has always been a tool with which Mr. Cunningham has furthered his art. In order for it to e#ectively support the work of other artists, its vast collection of information must be made accessible to a wide audience, in meaningful ways