title: Learning to use operational advice

authors: Fürnkranz, Johannes

subjects: computer science

abstract: We address the problem of advice-taking in a given domain, in particular for building a game-playing program. Our approach to solving it strives for the application of machine learning techniques throughout, i.e. for avoiding knowledge elicitation by any other means as much as possible. In particular, we build upon existing work on the operationalization of advice by machine and assume that advice is already available in operational form. The relative importance of this advice is, however, not yet known can therefore not be utilized well by a program. This paper presents an approach to determine the relative importance for a given situation through reinforcement learning. We implemented this approach for the game of Hearts and gathered some empirical evidence on its usefulness through experiments. The results show that the programs built according to our approach learned to make good use of the given operational advice.

text: Learning to use operational advice We address the problem of advice-taking in a given domain, in particular for building a game-playing program. Our approach to solving it strives for the application of machine learning techniques throughout, i.e. for avoiding knowledge elicitation by any other means as much as possible. In particular, we build upon existing work on the operationalization of advice by machine and assume that advice is already available in operational form. The relative importance of this advice is, however, not yet known can therefore not be utilized well by a program. This paper presents an approach to determine the relative importance for a given situation through reinforcement learning. We implemented this approach for the game of Hearts and gathered some empirical evidence on its usefulness through experiments. The results show that the programs built according to our approach learned to make good use of the given operational advice.

year: 2000

title: Modelling of wave climate and sediment transport patterns at a tideless embayed beach, Pirita Beach, Estonia

authors: Soomere, Tarmo

subjects: sediment transport

abstract: Nearshore sand transport patterns along the tideless, embayed Pirita beach, Tallinn, Estonia, have been investigated utilizing high-resolution modelling of wave processes combined with bathymetric surveys and sediment textural analyses of the nearshore sea floor. Textural analysis showed the mean grain size is about 0.12 mm. Fine sand (0.063–0.125 mm) accounts for about 77% of the sediments. Coarser-grained sand (0.28 mm) dominates along the waterline. Based upon the spatial distribution of the mean grain size and basic features of the local wave activity, properties of the Dean Equilibrium Beach Profile were determined.
Alongshore sediment transport was calculated based upon a long-term time series of wave properties along the beach, and the CERC formula applied to about 500 m long beach sectors. The time series of wave fields and the properties of the local wave climate were modelled using a triple nested WAM wave model with an extended spectral range for short waves. The model is forced by open sea wind data from Kalbådagrund for the years 1981–2002. Results indicate that typical closure depth at Pirita is 2.5 m. The width and mean slope of the equilibrium profile are 250 m and 1:100, respectively. Southward transport dominates in the northern sections of the beach whereas no prevailing transport direction exists in the southern sections. This pattern has several nontrivial implications for the planning of beach protection activities.

text: Modelling of wave climate and sediment transport patterns at a tideless embayed beach, Pirita Beach, Estonia Nearshore sand transport patterns along the tideless, embayed Pirita beach, Tallinn, Estonia, have been investigated utilizing high-resolution modelling of wave processes combined with bathymetric surveys and sediment textural analyses of the nearshore sea floor. Textural analysis showed the mean grain size is about 0.12 mm. Fine sand (0.063–0.125 mm) accounts for about 77% of the sediments. Coarser-grained sand (0.28 mm) dominates along the waterline. Based upon the spatial distribution of the mean grain size and basic features of the local wave activity, properties of the Dean Equilibrium Beach Profile were determined.
Alongshore sediment transport was calculated based upon a long-term time series of wave properties along the beach, and the CERC formula applied to about 500 m long beach sectors. The time series of wave fields and the properties of the local wave climate were modelled using a triple nested WAM wave model with an extended spectral range for short waves. The model is forced by open sea wind data from Kalbådagrund for the years 1981–2002. Results indicate that typical closure depth at Pirita is 2.5 m. The width and mean slope of the equilibrium profile are 250 m and 1:100, respectively. Southward transport dominates in the northern sections of the beach whereas no prevailing transport direction exists in the southern sections. This pattern has several nontrivial implications for the planning of beach protection activities.

year: 2008

title: Arts Festival: 'Moonwalking Backwards Into The Future: "Poi E", Music Video and Documentary'

authors: Perrott, Lisa

subjects: Art

abstract: Research presentation - an audiovisual presentation drawing upon my published research (book chapter: 'Moonwalking Backwards Into The Future: "Poi E", Music Video and Documentary'). This presentation presented a Matuaranga Maori perspective of the temporal travels of music video and documentary, framed by the concept of whakapap. This presentation took place as part of a panel of 4 presenters who represented Te Kura Toi at the Arts Festival during the University of Waikato Open Day, 2023. This was an oral presentation, which included projected slides and videos from a PPT presentation. The audience included prospective students, their teachers and family members, community members, and current students and academic staff from the University of Waikato. My presentation was documented and photographed.

text: Arts Festival: 'Moonwalking Backwards Into The Future: "Poi E", Music Video and Documentary' Research presentation - an audiovisual presentation drawing upon my published research (book chapter: 'Moonwalking Backwards Into The Future: "Poi E", Music Video and Documentary'). This presentation presented a Matuaranga Maori perspective of the temporal travels of music video and documentary, framed by the concept of whakapap. This presentation took place as part of a panel of 4 presenters who represented Te Kura Toi at the Arts Festival during the University of Waikato Open Day, 2023. This was an oral presentation, which included projected slides and videos from a PPT presentation. The audience included prospective students, their teachers and family members, community members, and current students and academic staff from the University of Waikato. My presentation was documented and photographed.

year: 2023-05-26