DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
UNIVERSITY . COMPUTING SCIENCE . SEMINARS

SEMINARS - Spring 2006

[Talk Schedule] [Abstracts] [Previous Seminars]

The Department of Computing Science and Mathematics presents the following seminars. Unless otherwise stated, seminars will take place in Room 4B94 of the Cottrell Building, University of Stirling from 15.00 to 16.00 on Friday afternoons during semester time. For instructions on how to get to the University, please look at the following routes.

If you would like to give a seminar to the department in future or if you need more information, please contact the seminar organiser, Savi Maharaj (Phone 01786 467446, Email savi@cs.stir.ac.uk).

Talk Schedule [Top] [Abstracts]

Abstracts [Top] [Schedule]

17th February [Schedule]

Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication and Quantum Cryptography
Simon Gay
Department of Computing Science, University of Glasgow

Abstract

Quantum computing offers the possibility of efficient algorithms for hard computational problems such as factorization, although practical quantum computers are a long way in the future. Quantum cryptography offers the possibility of secure communication even in the presence of quantum computers; quantum cryptographic systems have been demonstrated in practical situations and are commercially available. Other aspects of quantum communication appear in the news from time to time, for example teleportation of the quantum state of an atom.

In this talk I will introduce the concepts of quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum cryptography. If time permits, I will outline recent work on modelling and analyzing quantum systems using computer science techniques such as process calculus, type theory, and model-checking.

3rd March [Schedule]

Art, Albums and AI - Applied Computational Intelligence and the INCITE Project
Kevin Swingler
Department of Computing Science and Mathematics, University of Stirling

Abstract
Kevin Swingler has recently moved from the Department of Psychology to Computing Science and Matematics to continue work on the INCITE project. The project aims to find practical and commercial applications for the computational intellgence research being carried out by INCITE members. This talk describes some of those applications including a range of electronics devices; data mining projects in the music and motor industries; an art installation at the new Perth Concert Hall and our new project - The Electronic Sales Engine. You'll also find out what INCITE means.

10th March [Schedule]

Data driven modelling of synaptic transmission at a single synapse in the central nervous system
Matthias Hennig
University of Edinburgh

Abstract
Models of biological processes can be implemented with various degrees of complexity. The possibilities range from detailed complex simulations of all components and their interactions in Monte Carlo simulations to strongly simplified and abstract models which neglect the fine details of the processes investigated but are typically more accessible to a mathematical analysis. In this talk I will discuss a set of models of synaptic transmission at the calyx of Held, a synapse in the auditory brainstem of the mammalian brain. Two complementary approaches were used to characterise this system: detailed Monte Carlo simulations which trace individual molecules and their binding and unbinding to receptor molecules, and a more abstract description of the whole process of synaptic transmission which takes the results from the Monte Carlo simulations into account. For both model classes, the results of the simulations were directly compared to experimental data, and good fits were obtained for a number of important experiments. I will demonstrate how the combination of different theoretical approaches led to the formulation of this model and how biological data can be used to verify assumptions at different stages..

17th March [Schedule]

Introducing Genetic Algorithms (GA’s) and their use as a multi-objective optimisation technique for intervention points in a dynamic model
Paul Godley
University of Stirling

Abstract
Many decision making activities require searching through a large set of possible solutions to derive an optimal choice. A number of techniques have been applied to such problems, ranging from classical mathematical techniques through to more numerical techniques such as simulated annealing, gradient based search and evolutionary algorithms. This presentation focuses on the latter of these approaches and in particular, the application of genetic algorithms (GAs) to multi-objective, time-step control problems.

GA’s are simplistic techniques that can evolve solutions to extremely complex problems. This talk will provide an introduction to the fundamental workings of GA’s and highlight some of their strengths (and weaknesses).

After the GA’s have been explained, we will then look at an application area for this technique, namely the optimisation of the nematode Steinernama fetiae which has been developed commercially as a biocontrol agent and is successful in controlling scairid flies in mushroom farming. This presentation will report on research conducted which investigates the optimisation of intervention points for these biocontrol agents utilising a multi-objective genetic algorithm.

The presentation will provide an introductory overview of the problem followed by an outline of the main aspects of the nematode intervention optimisation problem. Next the methodology used for solving the intervention optimisation problem will be described and details of the experiments conducted following this methodology will be discussed. After this, the main results derived from the experiments will be outlined and the relevant findings described. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the significance of the results obtained and the future applicability of the research to other application areas.

 

24th March [Schedule]

Understanding Human Communication Using Multistream Models
Steve Renals
Centre for Speech Technology Research, University of Edinburgh

This talk is about understanding human communication using audio, video and other signals. In the AMI project we have been
investigating communication in multiparty meetings, which provide a realistic, yet circumscribed arena. to investigate these problems.
As an example consider the problem of browsing an archive of
meetings, recorded using multiple cameras and microphones. Browsing such an archive requires requires recognition of the audio and video signals, models to combine modalities, automatic content extraction, and models of group dynamics. In this talk, I'll outline our approach to this in AMI, the multimodal meetings database that we have collected, and how we are addressing some of the main problems.

A key aspect of this problem is the fact that a "communication scene" is factored across several (asynchronous) modalities. In the second part of the talk I'll discuss how we approach this using multistream models based on dynamic Bayesian networks to structure and segment meeting recordings.

7th April [Schedule]

Mobile services for patients, citizens and professionals based on Body Area Networks
Val Jones
University of Twente

Work conducted at the University of Twente , Centre for Telematics and Information Technology, and partners relating to Body Area Networks (BANs) for Health and Wellbeing is presented. The first versions of the BAN and the mhealth service platform were developed during the IST Mobihealth project, whose remit was to investigate the potential of 2.5 and 3G communications to support future mobile applications and services. In subsequent projects the BAN and service platform are developed further. In FREEBAND Awareness, context aware BAN applications are developed to support both telemonitoring and teletreatment. Clinical applications addressed are epilepsy monitoring; chronic pain management and monitoring of uncontrolled movements in spasticity. In the eTEN project HealthService24, we work with the stakeholders on the business and commercial context in preparation for commercialization of mhealth services. In the European MOSAIC project, and the related Ami@Work initiative of the New Working Environments Unit, the University of Twente developed Visions, Scenarios and Roadmaps for future research and development relating to future collaborative working within the Health and Wellbeing domain. Future evolutions and specializations of the BAN and its interaction with/embedding in future Ambient Intelligent Environments were explored in the context of major incident management.

One of the research directions arising from experience with BAN development relates to the role that modeling can play in the development trajectory. In Awareness UML modeling was used in the design and development of the BAN acquisition system. Currently we investigate the use of MDA and ask how MDA can be extended with formal methods to increase confidence in correctness of mobile health services developed using what we call the Augmented MDA approach.

Dr Val Jones received her PhD in Computational Sociolinguistics from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1979. She has conducted research at the Universities of Newcastle, Stirling , Aberdeen and Twente, in the areas of Computational Linguistics, Computer Science (Functional Programming, Software Engineering, Formal Methods) and Health Services Research. She is currently a senior researcher at the University of Twente and was jointly responsible, together with Dimitri Konstantas, for the scientific coordination of the MobiHealth project. Research interests include: ehealth and mhealth applications, the ICT research challenges raised by these applications and future mhealth possibilities enabled by Ambient Intelligence.

 

21st April [Schedule]

Technology to Support Independence at Home for Older and Disabled People
John Arnott
University of Dundee

Abstract

There is an increasing focus on the challenges facing people with disabilities and older people. Demographic change, with the ageing population, is a major issue facing developed societies. The cost of care is large and with the growing numbers of older people, society needs new ways to help maintain quality of life and extend the independence of disabled people and senior citizens. Technology could contribute towards this. The seminar will look at research areas such as prompting/reminding and activity/lifestyle modelling in which technology could play an increasing role, including underlying infrastructure such as mobile communications. Much of this is relevant to the MATCH SRDG project (led by the University of Stirling and including the Universities of Dundee, Edinburgh & Glasgow) that intends to consolidate a research base within Scotland in the field of advanced technologies for care at home.

5th May [Schedule]

Databases on the Grid: An OGSA-DAI perspective
Ally Hume
University of Edinburgh

Abstract

Grid computing has received a lot of hype and money over the last few years. The OGSA-DAI project has been running for over three years now and has developed an extensible framework for data access and integration within Grid environments. I will present a brief introduction to Grid computing concentrating on the role of databases as shareable resources within Grid environments. I will then give an overview of the OGSA-DAI product. This will include the philosophy behind its architecture as well and a number of example scenarios.

 

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Last Modified: 17th February 2005