Web-based Simulation Research Articles

From Students and Lecturers’ Perspectives of New On-Line Web-Based Simulation Tools as Power Electronics FacilitiesLaunching Surveys for Assessment Stage

From Students and Lecturers’ Perspectives of New On-Line Web-Based Simulation Tools as Power Electronics FacilitiesLaunching Surveys for Assessment Stage

Enhancing students\u2019 written production in English through flipped lessons and simulations

Today, learning is perceived as a challenge that must be faced simultaneously on numerous fronts. Indeed, learning is no longer confined to the classroom. Students have the opportunity to learn inside and outside the classroom walls. Technology plays its part, as does the abundance of information available on social networks and in the mass media. Educators must stay abreast of change as information and potentially useful technological resources leave traditional education behind. Optimising class time through new methods, techniques and resources is paramount in today’s education systems. This paper presents the results of a quantitative study of students’ written production in English. The English writing skills of engineering students were developed using situational (or class) simulations and a large-scale web-based simulation in real time. Quantitative analysis of students’ written production was used to test for differences between experimental and control groups. The goal of this study was to show that simulation-based instruction contributes significantly to students’ progress in written production in English. The results showed that students who received simulation-based instruction (experimental group) significantly improved their English writing skills, primarily in terms of organisation and linking of ideas more than students who attended a regular English course (control group).

Development of a Web-Based Simulation Tool to Estimate the Path Loss in Outdoor Environments using OpenStreetMaps [Wireless Corner

The implementation of a web-based application to estimate the path loss in outdoor environments is presented in this article. The tool provides the results of an empirical formulation in a user-friendly interface. The benefit of the proposed system is that the required information of the environment is obtained from OpenStreetMap, which allows the calculation of the propagation everywhere easily. In addition, the formulation is applicable to both rural and urban environments. The web application has been implemented using HTML5 and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)3. The open source JavaScript library Leaflet has been used to include interactive maps. The simulation tool has been validated with measurements in a real environment. A good agreement between simulated and measured results has been found.

EvoSketch: Simple simulations for learning random and probabilistic processes in evolution, and effects of instructional support on learners\u2019 conceptual knowledge

BackgroundStudents’ knowledge of scientific principles of evolution is often inadequate, despite its recognized importance for understanding biology. Moreover, difficulties associated with underlying abstract concepts such as randomness and probability can hinder successful learning of evolutionary concepts. Studies show that visualizations, particularly simulations together with appropriate instructional support, facilitate the learning of abstract concepts. Therefore, we have developed interactive, web-based simulation software called EvoSketch in efforts to help learners grasp the nature and importance of random and probabilistic processes in evolutionary contexts. We applied EvoSketch in an intervention study comparing four self-directed study conditions: learning with EvoSketch (1) alone, (2) combined with interpretative support, (3) combined with reflective support, and (4) using texts about randomness and probability instead of EvoSketch. All conditions received no support from any instructors. Knowledge about evolution as well as randomness and probability in the context of evolution, time-on-task, and perceived cognitive load were measured. A sample of 269 German secondary school students (Mage = 15.6 years, SD = 0.6 years) participated in the study.ResultsLearners using EvoSketch without additional support obtained higher follow-up test scores regarding their knowledge of randomness and probability than those using the text-based approach. However, use of the simulations together with given instructional support (interpretative or reflective) did not increase students’ performance, relative to the text-based approach. In addition, no significant between-intervention differences were found concerning the knowledge of evolution, while significant differences between the groups were detected concerning students’ perceived cognitive load and time-on-task.ConclusionsFrom our findings, we conclude that EvoSketch seems to have a very small positive effect on students’ understanding of randomness and probability. Contrary to our expectations, additional self-directed instructional support did not improve students’ understanding, probably because it was not necessary to understand EvoSketch simulations. When using EvoSketch in the classroom, we recommend increasing the intervention timeframe to several sessions and a variety of evolutionary examples for which EvoSketch serves as an underlying framework.

Web-Based Interfaces for Virtual C. elegans Neuron Model Definition, Network Configuration, Behavioral Experiment Definition and Experiment Results Visualization.

The Si elegans platform targets the complete virtualization of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and its environment. This paper presents a suite of unified web-based Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) as the main user interaction point, and discusses their underlying technologies and methods. The user-friendly features of this tool suite enable users to graphically create neuron and network models, and behavioral experiments, without requiring knowledge of domain-specific computer-science tools. The framework furthermore allows the graphical visualization of all simulation results using a worm locomotion and neural activity viewer. Models, experiment definitions and results can be exported in a machine-readable format, thereby facilitating reproducible and cross-platform execution of in silico C. elegans experiments in other simulation environments. This is made possible by a novel XML-based behavioral experiment definition encoding format, a NeuroML XML-based model generation and network configuration description language, and their associated GUIs. User survey data confirms the platform usability and functionality, and provides insights into future directions for web-based simulation GUIs of C. elegans and other living organisms. The tool suite is available online to the scientific community and its source code has been made available.

Description of systems represented as processes networks using XML

In this article, a specification based on the extensible markup language (XML) is proposed and validated to describe systems whose representation is a stochastic networking process. Such concept is related to a kind of flow developed within networks process. Extensible Markup Language indicates how description of this type of systems would be. On the other hand, this definition of language by means of software is validated, and a utilization scenario is proposed to be applied in web-based simulation.

Lesson Exemplars in Electricity and Students’ Epistemological Beliefs

The study evaluated the effects of a developed lesson exemplars in electricity integrating computer simulations and constructivist approach on students' Epistemological Beliefs. Specifically, it sought to determine how computer simulations, constructivist approach and Formative Assessment Classroom Technique (FACT) can be integrated with the lesson exemplars in electricity; and evaluate the effects of the developed lesson exemplars in the students’ Epistemological Beliefs. The investigation employed the pre-experimental single-group pretest and posttest study using the Epistemological Beliefs Assessment in Physical Sciences (EBAPS) questionnaire. The study was conducted among seventy-two (72) Grade 10 students of a laboratory high school from a state university in the Philippines. They were taught using Physics Educational Technology (PhET) and other web-based simulations, constructivist approach, and formative assessment classroom technique. The results revealed that the over-all Epistemological Beliefs of the students did not change significantly; only along Nature of Knowing and Learning and Real-Life Applicability. Generally, utilizing computer simulations and applying constructivist approach did not alter students' epistemological beliefs in its entirety. However, it can be engaging and effective in promoting students’ understanding of Physics.

A Bloody Tale of Two Cities: A Study of an Online Hematopathology Course among Students in Toronto and Nairobi

Introduction: To provide comprehensive hematopathology teaching, a web-based virtual microscopy unknown case conference series was created, shared and evaluated for pathology trainees at two geographically distant institutions. This study aimed to determine if web-based simulation of pathology unknown case conferences enhanced the learning of hematopathology trainees based on their own perceptions. Methods: An 8-week web-based unknown case conference series was created and linked to virtual microscopy images. A survey was distributed to participants and focus group interviews were conducted at each institution and qualitative analysis of the responses was undertaken. Results: Residents from hematological, anatomic and clinical pathology residency training programs at a Canadian university and a Kenyan university teaching hospital participated in the study. All active participants experienced an enhancement of their learning. They found virtual microscopy to be a convenient method to learn hematopathology. The design of the unknown case conference series was felt to help them keep focused on the content. Discussion: The online unknown case study approach using virtual microscopy enhanced learning for the residents and in the case of the Kenyan group, provided a learning opportunity not previously present. Residents found the virtual microscopy approach to be convenient and acceptable. Residents were reluctant to participate in the online conference unless they could be sure that their responses were correct, which limited beneficial discourse.

Teaching public budgeting in the age of austerity using simulations

Public administrators are deeply affected by the global crisis in public finances. As public sector revenues remain weak and demand increases for spending and debt reduction, as well as tax reform, the newest cadre of public administration students must learn how to face the challenge of substantial uncertainty in public finances, regardless of whether they serve at the national, regional, or local level. Simulations offer an effective and powerful tool within a safe classroom environment for teaching students about the process and challenges of public budgeting. This article examines two free web-based simulations that can be quickly incorporated into an introductory public administration course. It further addresses differences in using the simulations as role-thinking or role-playing exercises. Observations from students and the instructor provide insight into the advantages and disadvantages of isolated role-thinking versus collaborative role-playing. The procedures included can be adapted for any online budgeting simulation without requiring the instructor to create a great deal of content on their own.

Pharmacology education and outreach using a web-based simulation

Pharmacology education and outreach using a web-based simulation

Development of a user-friendly training software for pharmacokinetic concepts and models.

Although there are many commercially available training software programs for pharmacokinetics, they lack flexibility and convenience. In this study, we develop simulation software to facilitate pharmacokinetics education. General formulas for time courses of drug concentrations after single and multiple dosing were used to build source code that allows users to simulate situations tailored to their learning objectives. A mathematical relationship for a 1-compartment model was implemented in the form of differential equations. The concept of population pharmacokinetics was also taken into consideration for further applications. The source code was written using R. For the convenience of users, two types of software were developed: a web-based simulator and a standalone-type application. The application was built in the JAVA language. We used the JAVA/R Interface library and the ‘eval()’ method from JAVA for the R/JAVA interface. The final product has an input window that includes fields for parameter values, dosing regimen, and population pharmacokinetics options. When a simulation is performed, the resulting drug concentration time course is shown in the output window. The simulation results are obtained within 1 minute even if the population pharmacokinetics option is selected and many parameters are considered, and the user can therefore quickly learn a variety of situations. Such software is an excellent candidate for development as an open tool intended for wide use in Korea. Pharmacokinetics experts will be able to use this tool to teach various audiences, including undergraduates.

Enhancing future K-8 teachers’ computational thinking skills through modeling and simulations

It is now required for teachers to incorporate computational thinking (CT) into their science classes. Our research modifies the existing structure of a science methods course for preservice teachers to include CT via modeling and simulations. In the first study, preservice teachers were introduced to the basics of coding through an Hour of Code tutorial, followed by an exercise where they programmed an animated model of the solar system using Scratch. In the second study, we created a web-based simulation to visualize Newton’s second law of motion (F = ma) with a dynamic graph feature. The simulation is a race between two cars with interactive settings that the user can change, such as changing the mass and force of each car. Results from both studies reveal that after completing the exercises, preservice teachers learned the material effectively, felt that CT exercises would be beneficial in K-8 education, and plan to incorporate CT into their future classrooms.

Research and Design of Experimental Simulation Environment for Information Resource Management Based on Web

The development of modern information technology has enabled the virtual simulation experiment system to play an important role in the remote experiment process of colleges and universities. Information resource management is based on its own characteristics, and it is more suitable to use the web-based simulation experiment environment to carry out practical teaching. This paper uses the architecture of the virtual experimental system to discuss and design the experimental simulation environment of information resource management based on Web.

Development of simulation framework for shipbuilding

ABSTRACTCurrently, product technologies, information technologies, and market requirements vary rapidly to realise high productivity and reduce cost, creating many problems in the manufacturing industries. In particular, shipbuilding industries face serious scheduling problems owing to their complexity. The existing simulation-based methodology for shipbuilding is limited in that no systematic analysis method exists and complex shipbuilding processes cannot be simulated. This paper proposes a modelling and simulation methodology that is expected to overcome this limitation. The proposed methodology can create shipbuilding simulation models through a systematic analysis and modelling procedure with a specific technical module, whereas the existing methodology only concentrates on the definition of the modelling and simulation procedure. The methodology is confirmed as an efficient tool for the evaluation of shipbuilding scheduling information through the development of simulation modelling for the shipbuilding fabrication process. Furthermore, a web-based simulation system that could be used in an actual planning department is developed with a server and client architecture.

Web-Based Tools for System Dynamics Simulation

Abstract A rapid development and omnipresence of the World-Wide-Web and its technologies have had remarkable impact on the field of computer simulation, understood as a numerical technique for conducting experiments with certain types of mathematical and logical models, describing the behavior of a system on a computer over extended periods of time. One of the computer simulation methods used to solve complex management problems is System Dynamics (SD). The aim of this paper is the review of SD Web-based tools in the context of some technology aspects of Web-based simulation and its advantages and disadvantages.

Hospital Surge Capacity: A Web-Based Simulation Tool for Emergency Planners

The National Center for the Study of Preparedness and Catastrophic Event Response (PACER) has created a publicly available simulation tool called Surge (accessible at http://www.pacerapps.org) to estimate surge capacity for user-defined hospitals. Based on user input, a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm forecasts available hospital bed capacity over a 7-day period and iteratively assesses the ability to accommodate disaster patients. Currently, the tool can simulate bed capacity for acute mass casualty events (such as explosions) only and does not specifically simulate staff and supply inventory. Strategies to expand hospital capacity, such as (1) opening unlicensed beds, (2) canceling elective admissions, and (3) implementing reverse triage, can be interactively evaluated. In the present application of the tool, various response strategies were systematically investigated for 3 nationally representative hospital settings (large urban, midsize community, small rural). The simulation experiments estimated baseline surge capacity between 7% (large hospitals) and 22% (small hospitals) of staffed beds. Combining all response strategies simulated surge capacity between 30% and 40% of staffed beds. Response strategies were more impactful in the large urban hospital simulation owing to higher baseline occupancy and greater proportion of elective admissions. The publicly available Surge tool enables proactive assessment of hospital surge capacity to support improved decision-making for disaster response. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:513-522).

An interactive simulation tool for patient-specific clinical decision support in single-ventricle physiology

ObjectiveModeling of single-ventricle circulations has yielded important insights into their unique flow dynamics and physiology. Here we translated a state-of-the-art mathematical model into a patient-specific clinical decision support interactive Web-based simulation tool and show validation for all 3 stages of single-ventricular palliation. MethodsVia the adoption a validated lumped parameter method, complete cardiovascular-pulmonary circulatory models of all 3 stages of single-ventricle physiology were created within a simulation tool. The closed-loop univentricular heart model includes scaling for growth and respiratory effects, and typical patient-specific parameters are entered through an intuitive user interface. The effects of medical or surgical interventions can be simulated and compared. To validate the simulator, patient parameters were collected from catheterization reports. Four simulator outputs were compared against catheterization findings: pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp:Qs), systemic arterial saturation (SaO2), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAp), and systemic–venous oxygen difference (SaO2–SvO2). ResultsData from 60 reports were used. Compared with the clinical values, the simulator results were not significantly different in mean Qp:Qs, SaO2, or mPAp (P > .09). There was a statistical but clinically insignificant difference in average SaO–SvO2 (average difference 1%, P < .01). Linear regression analyses revealed a good prediction for each variable (Qp:Qs, R2 = 0.79; SaO2, R2 = 0.64; mPAp, R2 = 0.69; SaO2–SvO2, R2 = 0.93). ConclusionsThis simulator responds quickly and predicts patient-specific hemodynamics with good clinical accuracy. By predicting postoperative and postintervention hemodynamics in all 3 stages of single-ventricle physiology, the simulator could assist in clinical decision-making, training, and consultation. Continuing model refinement and validation will further its application to the bedside.

Development of a web-based simulator for estimating motion errors in linear motion stages

This paper presents a web-based simulator for estimating 5-DOF motion errors in the linear motion stages. The main calculation modules of the simulator are stored on the server computer. The clients uses the client software to send the input parameters to the server and receive the computed results from the server. By using the simulator, we can predict performances such as 5-DOF motion errors, bearing and table stiffness by entering the design parameters in a design step before fabricating the stages. Motion errors are calculated using the transfer function method from the rail form errors which is the most dominant factor on the motion errors. To verify the simulator, the predicted motion errors are compared to the actually measured motion errors in the linear motion stage.

Awareness of surgeons and surgical trainees of online web-based techniques for teaching laparoscopic surgery in north Queensland

Background: For generations, surgical training has followed the example of an apprenticeship model. However, many doctors see this training as insufficient and potentially unsafe for the patient. Web-based simulation training for teaching laparoscopic surgery is not only becoming increasingly popular but is cheaper in comparison to the traditional apprenticeship method. Objective is to assess the educational value of web-based training videosMethods: Data was obtained through questionnaires sent to consultant surgeons and surgical trainees at three sites in North Queensland. Study invited participants to complete a 24-item questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes. The questionnaires were distributed using online survey monkey software to send emails to the three Government Hospitals.Results: There was a response rate of 11.40%, Consultant surgeons (13/17; 72.20%) and surgical trainees (4/17; 22.20%). Majority of participant`s sources of learning laparoscopic surgery was from supervisors in operating theatre (64.30%) and online Web-based training video (WBTV; 7.10%), although satisfaction with current web-based training video resources was found to vary widely for a variety of reasons. WBTV were used mainly when required for clinical rotation.Conclusions: There was a response rate of 11.40%, Consultant surgeons (13/17; 72.20%) and surgical trainees (4/17; 22.20%). Majority of participant`s sources of learning laparoscopic surgery was from supervisors in operating theatre (64.30%) and online Web-based training video (WBTV; 7.10%), although satisfaction with current web-based training video resources was found to vary widely for a variety of reasons. WBTV were used mainly when required for clinical rotation.

Integrated cellular framework for modeling ecosystems: Theory and applications

We introduce an integrated framework for modeling and simulation of ecosystems based on cellular models. The framework integrates cellular modeling, web-based simulation, and geographic information systems (GISs) for data collection and visualization. In this framework, data extraction from GISs is automated; we use the Cell-DEVS formalism for modeling the ecosystem and the CD++ cellular modeling tool within the RISE (RESTful Interoperability Simulation Environment) middleware for web-based simulation. The simulation results are easily integrated with Google Earth data for visualization. We discuss the design, implementation, and benefits of the integrated approach for modeling and simulation in spatial analysis of ecosystem services. We show different case studies in the area of ecological systems, demonstrating how to apply the framework, its usability, and flexibility. We focus on the use of models available in remote servers, their integration with GIS data for inputs, and georeferenced visualization of the results. We show how the modeling methods based on DEVS and their modular interfaces make it easy to build such an architecture and we discuss its application to the field of environmental systems.