A hybrid model for capturing implicit spatial knowledge

This paper proposes a machine learning-based approach for capturing rules embedded in users’ movement paths while navigating in Virtual Environments (VEs). It is argued that this methodology and the set of navigational rules which it provides should be regarded as a starting point for designing adaptive VEs able to provide navigation support. This is a major contribution of this work, given that the up-to-date adaptivity for navigable VEs has been primarily delivered through the manipulation of navigational cues with little reference to the user model of navigation

Software Usability:A Comparison Between Two Tree-Structured Data Transformation Languages

This paper presents the results of a software usability study, involving both subjective and objective evaluation. It compares a popular XML data transformation language (XSLT) and a general purpose rule-based tree manipulation language which addresses some of the XML and XSLT limitations. The benefits of the evaluation study are discussed

Investigating Emotions in Creative Design

A wealth of research has suggested that emotions play a significant role in the creative problem solving process, but less work has focused on investigating the role of emotions in the design process. This is surprising given that creative problem solving lies at the heart of the design processes. In an exploratory study we interviewed 9 expert designers about their emotions during the design process. The content analysis allowed us to identify the various types of emotions relevant in the design process and to extend Wallas’ model of creative problem solving with emotional components for each of its stages. In addition, we identified two important roles of emotions in design and several ways in which expert designers regulate their emotions. We discussed the theoretical and practical applications of our work

Enhancing Creativity in Interaction Design: Alternative Design Brief

This paper offers a critique of the design brief as it is currently used in teaching interaction design and proposes an alternative way of developing it. Such a design brief requires the exploration of alternative application domains for an already developed technology. The paper presents a case study where such a novel type of design brief has been offered to the students taking part in a collaborative design project and discusses how it supported divergent thinking and creativity as well as helped enhancing the learning objectives

A Performance Analysis of Movement Patterns

This study investigates the differences in movement patterns followed by users navigating within a virtual environment. The analysis has been carried out between two groups of users, identified on the basis of their performance on a search task. Results indicate significant differences between efficient and inefficient navigators’ trajectories. They are related to rotational, translational and localised-landmarks behaviour. These findings are discussed in the light of theoretical outcomes provided by environmental psychology

An asset and liability management (ALM) model using integrated chance constraints

This paper discusses and develops a Two Stage Integrated Chance Constraints Programming for the Employees Provident Fund Malaysia. The main aim is to manage, that is, balance assets and liabilities. Integrated Chance Constraints not only limit the event of underfunding but also the amount of underfunding. This paper includes the numerical illustration

Mobile Agents for Mobile Tourists: A User Evaluation of Gulliver's Genie

How mobile computing applications and services may be best designed, implemented and deployed remains the subject of much research. One alternative approach to developing software for mobile users that is receiving increasing attention from the research community is that of one based on intelligent agents. Recent advances in mobile computing technology have made such an approach feasible. We present an overview of the design and implementation of an archetypical mobile computing application, namely that of an electronic tourist guide. This guide is unique in that it comprises a suite of intelligent agents that conform to the strong intentional stance. However, the focus of this paper is primarily concerned with the results of detailed user evaluations conducted on this system. Within the literature, comprehensive evaluations of mobile context-sensitive systems are sparse and therefore, this paper seeks, in part, to address this deficiency

Agent mediation and management of virtual communities: a redefinition of the traditional community concept

The paper explores the evolution of the concept of community in the light of computer mediated immersive virtual environments. The traditional concept of community has become strained in its attempts to capture the evolving virtual community. We believe the concept of the virtual community is of paramount importance and examine the extent to which this is being redefined to cater for it. We examine the management and mediation of such an environment and specifically the social process associated with the cohabited users. We advocate the use of multi-agent systems in delivering this functionalit

ASPECTS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF DIRECT-COSTING IN TAKING THE MANAGERIAL DECISIONS

Direct-costing represents a method of calculation which, although can not be used in financial reporting, represents a very strong instrument of analysis within reach of enterprise's management. The method direct-costing requires the delimitation between the variable and fixed costs and including in the cost of production of the variable costs, the fixed costs being considered costs of the period. Another important aspect is the difference between the methods of absorbent costs and the method direct costing. The making of rational decisions that can permit the obtaining of optimum results can be made only if it is taken into account the correlation between the fixed costs, the variable costs, the volume of activity and the price of selling of the products, correlation given by the specific indicators of the method direct-costing.Direct-costing, variable cost, fixed cost, cost of sub activity