Simulation techniques used to generate complex biological models are recognized as promising research tools especially in oncology. Here, we present a computer simulation model that uses agent-based systems to mimic the development and progression of solid tumors. The model includes influences of the tumor own features, the host immune response and level of tumor vascularization. The interactio...

Integrated flood risk management involves a large portfolio of options for mitigating risks that includes hard and soft structural, non-structural, and recovery responses. Non-structural responses include flood warnings, emergency services supported by individuals, collective actions and the use of resistance and resilience measures. Sufficient flood warning time, appropriate actions at desired...

Modeling is not just a scientific activity, but an educational one, and is naturally paired with the theory and practice of constructionism. To date, however, constructionist modeling environments such as NetLogo have focused on individual work, rather than collaborative modeling. In this paper, we describe our research efforts at making modeling a collaborative activity, using a Web-based tool...

This contribution focuses on recent efforts towards coupling building morphology optimization and energy efficiency computation in the context of early stage planning of complex buildings, using the hospital domain as a showcase. In more detail, a Netlogo model was conceived to generate typological design variations based on a grid grammar. Each resulting design was subjected to a fitness test ...

Overview The advent of fast and widespread computational resources has enabled the work on rather new field of knowledge “complex systems” and to analyze them. In order to study the complex systems, a methodology called agent-based modeling has arisen. Although there is considerable diversity in the domain of computational modeling, there are only a handful of books in this area. Existing relev...

Electricity is regarded as one of the most challenging topics for students of all ages. Several researchers have suggested that naı̈ve misconceptions about electricity stem from a deep incommensurability (Slotta and Chi 2006; Chi 2005) or incompatibility (Chi et al. 1994) between naı̈ve and expert knowledge structures. In this paper we argue that adopting an emergent levels-based perspective as p...

How can we characterize the ways in which students explore computer models to search for information? In the Modeling Across the Curriculum project, we enable students’ exploration of computer models that are embedded in a supporting script. The Connected Chemistry learning environment is one such model-based curricular unit. Connected Chemistry employs multi-agent NetLogo (Wilensky, 1999a) mod...

We describe an agent-based model inspired by the prehistoric Hohokam pottery exchange system from central Arizona, circa A.D. 500 – 1400. A conceptual model informed by archaeological research in the region and influenced by a small body of theory specifically focused on the economics of small and middle-range societies is outlined. Details of our formalization and implementation of that concep...

Emergence is a common phenomenon, and it is also a general and important concept in complex dynamic systems like artificial societies. Usually, artificial societies are used for assisting in resolving several complex social issues (e.g., emergency management, intelligent transportation system) with the aid of computer science. The levels of an emergence may have an effect on decisions making, a...

We analyse the problem of contradictory information distribution in networks of agents with positive and negative trust. The networks of interest are built by ranked agents with different epistemic attitudes. In this context, positive trust is a property of the communication between agents required when message passing is executed bottom-up in the hierarchy, or as a result of a sceptic agent ch...