Programming

Various Programming Projects

These are simulations from some of the projects I am working on.

UK university research networks

Andrew Gilmour has done some very good work on our UK university simulations. We are using Netlogo, an agent-based modelling program, tosimulate the formation of research networks between universities in the UK. Our interest is to determine the structure of these inter-university networks.


Images produced by Netlogo. Highest tier (most resources) universities in white. Second tier (middle level of resources) universities in red. Lowest tier universities in blue. With a low level of resources needed for a competitive research grant, the highest tier of universities (in white) can win a grant themselves or in a small network with other highly resources universities, or second tier.	With a greater level of resources required to compete for a research grant, universities need to form larger networks in order to win grants. We observe larger networks forming, and even the most highly resourced universities are entering into networks.	With a highest level of resources required to compete for a research grant, all of the top tier universities have entered into research networks. The research networks are larger and involve a more diverse mix of universities in networks. Even the lowest tier universities have a chance to enter research networks, as long as they specialize in a particular resource.

Images produced by Netlogo.

Highest tier (most resources) universities in white. Second tier (middle level of resources) universities in red. Lowest tier universities in blue.

With a low level of resources needed for a competitive research grant, the highest tier of universities (in white) can win a grant themselves or in a small network with other highly resources universities, or second tier.

With a greater level of resources required to compete for a research grant, universities need to form larger networks in order to win grants. We observe larger networks forming, and even the most highly resourced universities are entering into networks.

With a highest level of resources required to compete for a research grant, all of the top tier universities have entered into research networks. The research networks are larger and involve a more diverse mix of universities in networks. Even the lowest tier universities have a chance to enter research networks, as long as they specialize in a particular resource.

Formation of spirals in flowers

This is a simulation of the formation of new florets in a growing flower. The florets in a flower develop in a spiral pattern from the center of the flower, with a Fibonacci number of spirals in one direction, and a second Fibonacci number of spirals in the opposite direction.

One explanation for these patterns is that this arrangement provides for the maximum amount of space for new florets that are forming in the center of the flower. The angle between new florets is related to the golden ratio.

Photo by L. Shyamal (2006) cc-by-2.5.

An example of simple rules producing complicated behaviour. This simulation puts new florets on the spot on the ring that is a maximal distance away from the closest other floret. This simulation produces the same spiral pattern and the angle between florets is close to the golden ratio. Image produced by Netlogo.

The simulation code is here.

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