Generalised quantum models of complexity with application to cognitive systems. Non-separable systems surround us. Our transportation, taxation, schooling, environmental and social policies are all interrelated, and it is increasingly recognised that we cannot consider them in isolation. Such systems are generally deemed complex, and it is often impossible to separate them from one another. Despite this, many of our most advanced modelling techniques are grounded in principles of separability a ....Generalised quantum models of complexity with application to cognitive systems. Non-separable systems surround us. Our transportation, taxation, schooling, environmental and social policies are all interrelated, and it is increasingly recognised that we cannot consider them in isolation. Such systems are generally deemed complex, and it is often impossible to separate them from one another. Despite this, many of our most advanced modelling techniques are grounded in principles of separability and non-contextuality. This project will develop a new set of models of non-separable systems and complexity that will in turn lead to new frontier technologies and theories.Read moreRead less
Investigating evidence of control system dynamics in visuomotor skill acquisition using multimodal functional magnetic resonance imaging. This project brings together mathematical and engineering methods with cognitive neuroscience in a novel way to better understand the fundamental processes associated with brain imaging, and the acquisition of motor skills. An improved understanding of the function of regions within the motor network will have a direct benefit for the rehabilitation of patient ....Investigating evidence of control system dynamics in visuomotor skill acquisition using multimodal functional magnetic resonance imaging. This project brings together mathematical and engineering methods with cognitive neuroscience in a novel way to better understand the fundamental processes associated with brain imaging, and the acquisition of motor skills. An improved understanding of the function of regions within the motor network will have a direct benefit for the rehabilitation of patients suffering motor deficits from developmental causes, following traumatic brain injuries, and after stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases. The outcomes of the research will also contribute to our understanding of the complexity of brain networks involved in motor skill acquisition.Read moreRead less
Integrating holistic processing and face-space approaches to the perception of facial identity. Recognising faces is a socially crucial task, and humans are remarkably good at it. Scientists investigating the 'software' our brains use to recognise faces have referred to two different theories -- one when explaining why we distinguish faces better than objects, and the other in explaining why we distinguish some people's faces more easily than others. The project aims to integrate these two theor ....Integrating holistic processing and face-space approaches to the perception of facial identity. Recognising faces is a socially crucial task, and humans are remarkably good at it. Scientists investigating the 'software' our brains use to recognise faces have referred to two different theories -- one when explaining why we distinguish faces better than objects, and the other in explaining why we distinguish some people's faces more easily than others. The project aims to integrate these two theories. This has two potential long-term benefits: it will give a stronger basis for understanding what goes wrong in people where face recognition does not develop normally; and, the improved knowledge from a biological system may also lead to improved computer face recognition algorithms (eg. for airport security).Read moreRead less
Options For Proofs: New Perspectives on Propositional Logic. Philosophers and logicians recognise that proof is important, but they do not agree on what proofs are. Recent research in logic has greatly expanded our notion of proof, but this research is not unified. We need a coherent, general and applicable concept of proof. This project will unify the literature on proof and bring these insights to bear in the philosophy of language. It will show how proof can help analyse many features of ....Options For Proofs: New Perspectives on Propositional Logic. Philosophers and logicians recognise that proof is important, but they do not agree on what proofs are. Recent research in logic has greatly expanded our notion of proof, but this research is not unified. We need a coherent, general and applicable concept of proof. This project will unify the literature on proof and bring these insights to bear in the philosophy of language. It will show how proof can help analyse many features of language (more than just logical constants) but that the role of inference does not justify one kind of proof in preference to others.Read moreRead less
Geometric structures in representation theory. Mathematics underpins every aspect of people's interactions with nature (e.g. physics) and with each other (e.g. finance). Its uses range from formulating physical laws in order to understand and predict nature, to analysis of financial concepts and transactions. This project will formulate and develop three new fundamental mathematical concepts: cellular algebras, eigenspace geometries, and diagram algebras. Benefits include enhancement of Australi ....Geometric structures in representation theory. Mathematics underpins every aspect of people's interactions with nature (e.g. physics) and with each other (e.g. finance). Its uses range from formulating physical laws in order to understand and predict nature, to analysis of financial concepts and transactions. This project will formulate and develop three new fundamental mathematical concepts: cellular algebras, eigenspace geometries, and diagram algebras. Benefits include enhancement of Australia's position at the very frontier of world class mathematical research, and a myriad of potential applications to physics, coding theory, information technology, electronic security and experimental design.Read moreRead less
The geometry of exotic nilpotent cones. This research will describe the geometry of some important objects which sit at the boundary of algebra, geometry, and combinatorics. It has intrinsic value as a significant addition to the heritage of mathematical thought, and will strengthen Australian traditions in these areas of mathematics.
Increasing the effectiveness of quantitative verification. The ability to analyse the performance of complex systems and protocols is a vital part of the development of large-scale computer applications. Methods that improve the effectiveness of the analysis task would increase the competitiveness of the software industry, and would attract future development work (in complex systems) to Australia. The results of this project will have a direct influence on currently available design tools; the ....Increasing the effectiveness of quantitative verification. The ability to analyse the performance of complex systems and protocols is a vital part of the development of large-scale computer applications. Methods that improve the effectiveness of the analysis task would increase the competitiveness of the software industry, and would attract future development work (in complex systems) to Australia. The results of this project will have a direct influence on currently available design tools; the fact that Australian institutions will be (in part) responsible for key theoretical results in this growing field will strengthen Australia's position worldwide as an international centre for computer science.Read moreRead less
Control of Markov jumping processes with constraints. The project outcomes will constitute the set of tools for modelling and optimisation of complex stochastic systems and will lead to new and more precise characterisations of optimal behaviour of complex controllable systems arising in Resource Management, Engineering and Telecommunications. Therefore, the project fits to the research priority areas Breakthrough Science and Frontier Technologies in the topic of mathematical modelling and optim ....Control of Markov jumping processes with constraints. The project outcomes will constitute the set of tools for modelling and optimisation of complex stochastic systems and will lead to new and more precise characterisations of optimal behaviour of complex controllable systems arising in Resource Management, Engineering and Telecommunications. Therefore, the project fits to the research priority areas Breakthrough Science and Frontier Technologies in the topic of mathematical modelling and optimisation of Complex Systems.Read moreRead less
Non-invasive assessment of hip fracture risk in elderly people. No falls, no fractures - this will be the main benefit of the proposed research. The most significant outcome will be new computational tools to improve current understanding of the biomechanics of falls and bone fragility in elderly people, which, in turn, will help to reduce healthcare costs associated with the treatment and management of hip fractures. Realistic models and computer simulations of human movement can play a pivota ....Non-invasive assessment of hip fracture risk in elderly people. No falls, no fractures - this will be the main benefit of the proposed research. The most significant outcome will be new computational tools to improve current understanding of the biomechanics of falls and bone fragility in elderly people, which, in turn, will help to reduce healthcare costs associated with the treatment and management of hip fractures. Realistic models and computer simulations of human movement can play a pivotal role in three of Australia's largest industries: healthcare, through the diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders; sports, through the development of personalized training programs for elite athletes; and entertainment, through the development of video/digital games and animated films.Read moreRead less
A Control Systems Approach for Understanding Human Locomotion. This proposal addresses fundamental, difficult questions in the context of human movement: How do muscles move our limbs during walking? How do the nervous system and muscles work together to control movement? Realistic computer simulations of human movement can help answer these questions and, in so doing, can play a pivotal role in three of Australia's largest industries: healthcare, through clinical gait analysis and gait rehabili ....A Control Systems Approach for Understanding Human Locomotion. This proposal addresses fundamental, difficult questions in the context of human movement: How do muscles move our limbs during walking? How do the nervous system and muscles work together to control movement? Realistic computer simulations of human movement can help answer these questions and, in so doing, can play a pivotal role in three of Australia's largest industries: healthcare, through clinical gait analysis and gait rehabilitation (diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders); sports, through the development of personalized training programs for elite athletes; and entertainment, through the development of video/digital games and animated films (creation of virtual life-like actors).Read moreRead less