F.M. Brazier
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116 records found
1
This paper introduces a novel methodology for user interface prototyping of Mixed Reality applications for a dynamic motion context, namely race cycling. During lab sessions participants prototyped information provisioning in 3D-space. Their choices reflected a trade-off between cost to visual-field real estate and personal value of elected information. Information type, purpose, representation, location, size, and colour were analysed across participants. Participants preferred similar information positioning in the two investigated scenarios (descent, ascent) but included different types of information in each scenario. Heatmap visualisations revealed six preferred visual-field segments, highlighting the amount and types of information as well as segments kept empty. Balanced mock-ups of optimal layouts for descent and ascent are presented. Besides presenting a methodology for both data collection and processing - that is generally applicable by usability researchers both within and outside sports - this study provides specific insights for designers of user interfaces in road race cycling.
Game of Chains
Unravelling Uncertainty and Trading Behaviour in Horticultural Supply Chains
The Dutch horticultural supply chain is characterised by substantial uncertainty resulting from ongoing organisational changes, such as the transformation from an auction-cooperative system to a sales organisation-based structure. This uncertainty causes strategic behaviour among all supply-chain members (including producers), which often disadvantages primary producers. This study investigates how uncertainty shapes trading behaviour and decision-making using Transaction Cost Theory as a theoretical framework. Specifically, it examines the relationship between environmental and behavioural uncertainty, trading behaviour and strategic responses. Employing a multimethod approach involving interviews, simulation sessions and debriefings to collect data, this study integrates a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The findings reveal: (1) how uncertainty influences trader behaviour and strategic decision-making, and demonstrates the need for more effective coordination mechanisms and strategies to reduce opportunism and inefficiencies in horticultural trade, (2) the diversity of strategic responses to uncertainty and (3) the factors that influence uncertainty and their relationship. These factors, include the current supply-chain structure that upholds uncertainty and strategic behaviour such as the deliberate exploitation of the absence or lack of information (asymmetric information). By combining methodological triangulation with theoretical insight, this study provides a foundational understanding of strategic behaviour under uncertainty in agri-food supply chains.
Human interstellar exploration involves navigating through a realm of significant uncertainty. Assessing the exact impact and consequences of moving at high velocities through the interstellar medium is challenging. Interstellar space is home to considerable amounts of cosmic dust, comprising microscopic particles with a wide range of sizes and compositions. At high speeds, spacecraft face significant risks from accumulating collisions with these particles. However, the expansive nature of interstellar space currently makes it impossible to accurately measure and chart the spread of this dust along specific trajectories. Interstellar space is also filled with high-energy cosmic rays, emitted by distant stars and other cosmic bodies. Dominated by protons and atomic nuclei, these cosmic rays travel nearly at the speed of light. The enduring effects of exposure to such radiation on the spacecraft, its crew, and the life support systems that sustain them remain unknown. The question then arises how to design an interstellar spacecraft capable of withstanding such inherent uncertainties. The solution requires a system robust enough to remain functional across diverse conditions. To try to cover for all possibilities in a top-down approach quickly becomes unfeasible. A promising direction is a bio-inspired adaptative approach. The Evolving Asteroid Starships (E|A|S) project integrates the utilization and recycling of local resources, self-organization, and bioregenerative principles to create a resilient spacecraft design. This aligns with the top priorities from NASEM's 2023 decadal survey, emphasizing space research on circular materials and bioregenerative life support. Within the framework of the E|A|S project, two distinct computer models have been developed, aiming for their eventual integration into a unified multi-model system. The inspiration for these models came in part from ESA's MELiSSA program and a visionary 1982 NASA study on a self-replicating lunar factory. Once living artificial ecosystems and self-organizing architectures are deployed, one is confronted with potential chaotic behaviour characteristic of complex systems. Sets of critical conditions that can push an otherwise stable self-sustaining system into collapse and failure were identified. It's crucial to gain a deeper understanding of how these systems function over extended periods, both under ideal environmental conditions and within the unpredictable exacting context of the interstellar medium. To address these challenges, the key drivers of systemic resilience (or lack thereof) were identified through an exploration of the characteristics of the individual components of each system. Moreover, potential mitigation strategies were also explored. These include enlarging buffer capacities, integrating redundancy, and enhancing system adaptability.
Large Language Models (LLMs) are expected to significantly impact various socio-technical systems, offering transformative possibilities for improved interaction between humans and technology. However, their integration poses complex challenges due to the intricate interplay between societal structures, human behaviour, and technological innovation. This research explores these multifaceted challenges, emphasising the need for a human-centered approach in integrating LLMs to ensure that technological advancements are aligned with ethical standards and societal needs. Utilizing a structured methodology comprising a workshop, literature analysis, and expert collaborations, the study uses a multi-dimensional human-centered AI framework to guide the responsible integration of LLMs. Key insights include the importance of inclusive data, considering unintended consequences, maintaining privacy, and respecting intellectual property rights. The paper identifies and advocates for principles like human-in-the-loop, continuous longitudinal studies, proactive awareness campaigns, and regular audits to develop LLMs that are ethically sound, adaptable, and effectively integrated into various socio-technical systems, thus addressing user needs and broader societal impacts. The paper also underlines the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and policymakers to develop LLMs that are ethically aligned, socially beneficial, and adaptable to future societal needs. The findings offer valuable insights into the strategic integration of LLMs, advocating for a broader research perspective beyond industrial motivations to fully understand and leverage LLMs in socio-technical landscapes.
Simplifications of the real world affect the validity and reliability of gaming simulations. This challenges the application of gaming simulations as an instrument for experiential learning, reflective practices and data collection. This study investigates the effects of simplification on extracting tacit knowledge from human behavior by answering the research question: Can tacit knowledge in a simplified design of a gaming simulation be transferred without compromising the validity and reliability corresponding to the real-world complexity? By applying a participatory design a gaming simulation is tested as an instrument to extract tacit knowledge. To test and evaluate the validity of this application, simulation sessions have been performed with experts from the field. In simplifying reality, participants' participation emphasized that the most accurate representation of reality is a prerequisite for capturing tacit knowledge. This in turn contributes again to the validity of the simulation design. The results show that simplification of the real world didn't affect participants' perspective on the use of the gaming simulation as an experiential tool to enable learning processes or create awareness. And that a simplified simulation design, is still valid in addressing the real-world complexity, with minimization of the level of abstraction and maximization of the truthfulness.
The Influence of National Culture on Evacuation Response Behaviour and Time
An Agent-Based Approach
The PSD method is problem-oriented and consists of three steps to improve business relations in a business network. Following PSD, stakeholders work together on solving complex issues in business processes, resulting in more trust, engagement, and empowerment and an increased ability to collaborate at all organizational levels. The dynamic alignment of business processes leads to a better business relation, more joint business, cost savings, and sustainable solutions. The preservation business networks share a multi-stakeholder context that correlates with the specifics of a participatory design approach and could benefit from applying the PSD method. The introduction of this method allows to have a closer look at the opportunities and limitations for the application of PSD in preservation networks. This will need further research and this paper is an attempt to initiate an uptake using a well-researched case study in another domain as an important reference. ...
The PSD method is problem-oriented and consists of three steps to improve business relations in a business network. Following PSD, stakeholders work together on solving complex issues in business processes, resulting in more trust, engagement, and empowerment and an increased ability to collaborate at all organizational levels. The dynamic alignment of business processes leads to a better business relation, more joint business, cost savings, and sustainable solutions. The preservation business networks share a multi-stakeholder context that correlates with the specifics of a participatory design approach and could benefit from applying the PSD method. The introduction of this method allows to have a closer look at the opportunities and limitations for the application of PSD in preservation networks. This will need further research and this paper is an attempt to initiate an uptake using a well-researched case study in another domain as an important reference.
Qualitative research is a powerful means to capture human interactions and behavior. Although there are different methodologies to develop models based on qualitative research, a methodology is missing that enables to strike a balance between the comparability across cases provided by methodologies that rely on a common and context-independent framework and the flexibility to study any policy problem provided by methodologies that focus on capturing a case study without relying on a common framework. Additionally, a rigorous methodology is missing that enables the development of both theoretical and empirical models for supporting policy formulation and evaluation with respect to a specific policy problem. In this article, the authors propose a methodology targeting these gaps for ABMs in two stages. First, a novel conceptual framework centered on a particular policy problem is developed based on existing theories and qualitative insights from one or more case studies. Second, empirical or theoretical ABMs are developed based on the conceptual framework and generic models. This methodology is illustrated by an example application for disaster information management in Jakarta, resulting in an empirical descriptive agent-based model.
Participatory Design of Participatory Systems for Sustainable Collaboration
Exploring Its Potential in Transport and Logistics