title: A framework for evaluating presence  in VR narrative games

authors: Pan, Xin

abstract: This research develops a framework that unveils how players feel present in Virtual Reality (VR) narrative games. In 2017, there were over 2.2 billion active video gamers, and VR is a future game platform because VR provides immersive gaming experiences where players experience presence. Slater and & Wilbur (1997, p. 14) define presence as the “sense of being in the virtual environment.” Previous research demonstrated that narrative could improve presence in VR games but left open the discussion on the causal relationship. Therefore, understanding how game narrative contributes to presence could further improve VR gaming experiences. 
This research reviews Wei, Bizzocchi & Calvert’s (2010) and Ryan’s (2015) frameworks that evaluate narrative games and presence in VR narratives respectively. Wei et al. and Ryan's frameworks are combined to propose The Augmented Framework which is then used to evaluate the self-produced VR narrative game, Caillte. The evaluation yields insights which improve the usage of The Augmented Framework for analysing other VR narrative games.

text: A framework for evaluating presence  in VR narrative games This research develops a framework that unveils how players feel present in Virtual Reality (VR) narrative games. In 2017, there were over 2.2 billion active video gamers, and VR is a future game platform because VR provides immersive gaming experiences where players experience presence. Slater and & Wilbur (1997, p. 14) define presence as the “sense of being in the virtual environment.” Previous research demonstrated that narrative could improve presence in VR games but left open the discussion on the causal relationship. Therefore, understanding how game narrative contributes to presence could further improve VR gaming experiences. 
This research reviews Wei, Bizzocchi & Calvert’s (2010) and Ryan’s (2015) frameworks that evaluate narrative games and presence in VR narratives respectively. Wei et al. and Ryan's frameworks are combined to propose The Augmented Framework which is then used to evaluate the self-produced VR narrative game, Caillte. The evaluation yields insights which improve the usage of The Augmented Framework for analysing other VR narrative games.

year: 2019

title: A hybrid genetic algorithm for a loading problem in flexible manufacturing systems

authors: Basnet, Chuda

subjects: flexible manufacturing systems

abstract: One of the operating decisions involved in the scheduling of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) is that of loading the FMS. Given a pool of jobs, which can be processed on alternate machines and alternate tools, the scheduler has to decide on the allocation of tools and machines to the different jobs. Various versions of this problem have appeared in the literature. We consider the version where jobs are selected for processing in a FMS in a planning horizon, operations for these jobs are assigned to machines, and corresponding tools are allocated to the slots in the machines. The objective is to minimise system unbalance. A hybrid genetic algorithm is presented that addresses this problem. Computational comparison between the genetic algorithm and previous algorithms is presented.

text: A hybrid genetic algorithm for a loading problem in flexible manufacturing systems One of the operating decisions involved in the scheduling of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) is that of loading the FMS. Given a pool of jobs, which can be processed on alternate machines and alternate tools, the scheduler has to decide on the allocation of tools and machines to the different jobs. Various versions of this problem have appeared in the literature. We consider the version where jobs are selected for processing in a FMS in a planning horizon, operations for these jobs are assigned to machines, and corresponding tools are allocated to the slots in the machines. The objective is to minimise system unbalance. A hybrid genetic algorithm is presented that addresses this problem. Computational comparison between the genetic algorithm and previous algorithms is presented.

year: 2011

title: Co-opting or valuing the indigenous voice through translation? A decision for research teams

authors: Kidd, Jacquie

subjects: Māori

abstract: Although te reo Māori is an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand, translation of research material such as information sheets, consent forms and questionnaires into te reo Māori remains highly variable. Translation tends to occur in research projects where Māori lead the work and that exclusively focus on Māori communities and topics. Translations are not offered or undertaken as a matter of course for all research. As a team of Māori and Indigenous researchers working within the health sector, we believe that there are important questions that need to be explored around the practice of using Indigenous languages, rich in similes and metaphors, to convey English/Western concepts/constructs/ideologies. In this paper, we draw on the story of one project to deconstruct and challenge the hegemonic terms through which translation of research material occurs. We explore the messages that translated material sends to potential research participants.
We contend that the choice about whether to translate research material into te reo Māori is one that should be undertaken within a robust decision-making framework that considers the reasons for a translation and its impact on the participants. Translation should not be undertaken primarily to attract Māori participants, but should reliably signal that the research is being undertaken in a way that honours a Māori worldview.

text: Co-opting or valuing the indigenous voice through translation? A decision for research teams Although te reo Māori is an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand, translation of research material such as information sheets, consent forms and questionnaires into te reo Māori remains highly variable. Translation tends to occur in research projects where Māori lead the work and that exclusively focus on Māori communities and topics. Translations are not offered or undertaken as a matter of course for all research. As a team of Māori and Indigenous researchers working within the health sector, we believe that there are important questions that need to be explored around the practice of using Indigenous languages, rich in similes and metaphors, to convey English/Western concepts/constructs/ideologies. In this paper, we draw on the story of one project to deconstruct and challenge the hegemonic terms through which translation of research material occurs. We explore the messages that translated material sends to potential research participants.
We contend that the choice about whether to translate research material into te reo Māori is one that should be undertaken within a robust decision-making framework that considers the reasons for a translation and its impact on the participants. Translation should not be undertaken primarily to attract Māori participants, but should reliably signal that the research is being undertaken in a way that honours a Māori worldview.

year: 2019