Simulation & Tools Group This group is exploring the use of various simulation techniques for research and education, and the development of independent software tools that solve problems in non-computer-science domains. Project: Snitch! Spotting & Neutralizing Internet Theft by CHeaters Purpose: Create an application that scans student technical research papers to detect instances of plagiarism from the Internet. Researchers: Joe Bruno, Tom Way Research Alumni: Sebastian Niezgoda Description: Snitch is a Java application that scans the text in a student paper, identifying passages that might be plagiarized, searching the Internet for matching web sites that contain the passages, and finally presenting an HTMLized version of the original student paper with embedded links to any plagiarized material. Resources:
Current Tasks:
Project Plan:
Project: Network Modeling & Simulation Purpose: Develop approaches for modeling distributed networking communications and simulate the resulting network This project is mentioned here only as it relates to any support the ACT Lab can provide to the "real" project which is part of Villanova's Center for Excellence in Enterprise Technology (CEET). CEET runs, among its research efforts, a large project that uses modeling and simulation techniques for verification of complex communications architectures. Researchers: Nagesh Javali, Surya Kuchibhotla, Pavani Kolapalli, Tao Tao Applications: Large scale distributed communications Approach: Use Colored Petri Nets and other techniques.
Conferences:
Project: Finite State Machine Simulation Purpose: Develop an educational software tool for teaching students concepts of finite state machines Researchers: Tim White Description: The concept of a finite machine is applicable to many computer science disciplines, as it expresses computing at a very fundamental level. A useful tool to gain a deeper understanding of finite state machines and automata is to visualize them. When a student can build and then run an FSM, the ideas become concrete and learning is enhanced. This research is being done in collaboration with Tim White. This project involves the implementation of an intuitive graphical interface for designing and simulating an arbitrary finite state machine. The goal is the development of a Java program that students can download and use to help in learning in courses such as Discrete Structures, and to evaluate its value as an educational tool and write up the results of that evaluation as a research paper. Resources:
Project: Digital Image Measurement Tool Purpose: Develop a software tool for performing precise measurements within a digital image displayed on a computer Researchers: Michael Cianni Applications: Criminology and crime scene investigation, etc. Approach:
DIMT - the Digital Image Measurement Tool, an innovative application
designed by Michael Cianni. The tool enables easy measurement of digital
images (distances, areas, etc.) using a collection of virtual measurement
tools. This software tool has applicability to surveying, criminal
investigation, satellite and surveillance photo interpretation, to name just a
few. Current plans are to enhance to existing tool, and conduct experimental
research to measure the tools value in one or more of the applicable user
domains. Is a digital measuring tool a valuable aide? And if so, which fields
is it likely to benefit?
Cameras:
Project: Algorithms & Data Structures for Business Analysis Purpose: Develop the theory and framework for a proprietary business analysis approach Researchers: Tom Way, Mike Peterson (Univ. of Delaware) Description: We have developed a k-layers, massively interconnected data structure and analysis framework for use in Dr. Peterson's organizational culture research. This technology has been implemented in a software tool that provides a flexible and powerful means to manipulate large data sets, enabling a sophisticated, concept-cluster-based, stimulus-response analysis. The analysis algorithm and data structure significantly improve upon early analysis methods, making it possible to conduct the complex task in a matter of hours rather than days or weeks. Current plans are to fully develop the software prototype tool, and to refine the data structures and algorithms used in the analysis to improve the tool's efficiency. Tasks:
updated: 01/09/08 actlab.csc.villanova.edu |