Showing papers by "Ryerson University published in 2003"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors empirically verifies ability and integrity as being antecedents of trust formation in virtual teams and find that effective team performance is independent of the formation of trust.
Abstract: Trust has been deemed to be critical in ensuring the efficient operation of virtual teams and organizations. This study empirically verifies ability and integrity as being antecedents of trust formation in virtual teams. However, effective team performance was found to be independent of the formation of trust. Further analysis suggests that information symmetry and good communication distinguish high performance teams from low performance teams.
294 citations
01 Feb 2003
TL;DR: Algorithms implementing different approaches to the elicitation of preferences over states enable GMCR II to construct and manage an efficient, flexible, and complete graph model of a strategic conflict.
Abstract: A comprehensive decision support system, GMCR II, is developed for the systematic study of real-world interactive decision problems. Model formulation is presented in Part I, and analysis and output interpretation in Part II. GMCR II is based upon existing and new research developments of the graph model for conflict resolution. In Part I, specially designed data structures and corresponding algorithms are implemented for generating and representing possible states, removing infeasible states, coalescing indistinguishable states, and specifying and storing allowable state transitions. Algorithms implementing different approaches to the elicitation of preferences over states enable GMCR II to construct and manage an efficient, flexible, and complete graph model of a strategic conflict.
222 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a generalized linear modeling approach was used in which negative binomial regression models were developed separately for total accidents and for severe (fatal and nonfatal injury) accidents as a function of socio-economic and demographic, traffic demand, and network data variables.
Abstract: A series of macrolevel prediction models that would estimate the number of accidents in planning zones in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as a function of zonal characteristics were developed. A generalized linear modeling approach was used in which negative binomial regression models were developed separately for total accidents and for severe (fatal and nonfatal injury) accidents as a function of socio-economic and demographic, traffic demand, and network data variables. The variables that had significant effects on accident occurrence were the number of households, the number of major road kilometers, the number of vehicle kilometers traveled, intersection density, posted speed, and volume-capacity ratio. The geographic weighted regression approach was used to test spatial variations in the estimated parameters from zone to zone. Mixed results were obtained from that analysis.
212 citations
01 Feb 2003
TL;DR: The powerful and efficient analysis engine contained in GMCR II, its informative output presentation and interpretation facilities, and a number of follow-up analyses are described.
Abstract: For pt.I see ibid., p.42-55 (2003). The development of a comprehensive decision support system, GMCR II, for the systematic study of real-world interactive decision problems is presented. The companion paper (Part I), discusses how GMCR II elicits, stores, and manages conflict models; here (Part II), the focus is on GMCR IIs analysis and output interpretation subsystems. Specifically, this paper describes the powerful and efficient analysis engine contained in GMCR II, its informative output presentation and interpretation facilities, and a number of follow-up analyses. Furthermore, an illustrative case study is used to demonstrate how GMCR II can be conveniently applied in practice.
192 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the emission of mercury from biomass burning in laboratory experiments and the results confirmed in airborne measurements on a wildfire near Hearst, Ont. The smoke plume from a small wildfire was investigated with a research aircraft yielding a mean output of 0.15±0.02 ng/m 3 of elemental mercury for each ppm of CO2 emitted.
192 citations
TL;DR: The key characteristics of the proposed WPD method are its ability to provide feature representations of multiple frequency resolutions for faulty modes, ability to clearly differentiate between healthy and faulty conditions, and its applicability to nonstationary signals.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel approach to induction motor current signature analysis based on wavelet packet decomposition (WPD) of the stator current. The novelty of the proposed method lies in the fact that by using WPD method the inherent nonstationary nature of stator current can be accurately considered. The key characteristics of the proposed method are its ability to provide feature representations of multiple frequency resolutions for faulty modes, ability to clearly differentiate between healthy and faulty conditions, and its applicability to nonstationary signals. Successful implementation of the system for two types of faults, i.e., rotor bar breakage and air-gap eccentricity is demonstrated here. The results are validated based on both simulation and experiments of a 5-hp induction motor.
190 citations
19 Feb 2003
TL;DR: A simple and general space vector PWM algorithm, which can be directly applied to the cascaded H-bridge inverter of any voltage levels, and a new switching sequence, large-small alternation (LSA), is proposed for the minimization of total harmonic distortion.
Abstract: To solve the problem of computational complexity in multilevel inverters due to the large number of space vectors and redundant switching states, a simple and general space vector PWM algorithm is proposed. Based on this algorithm, the location of the reference voltage vector can be easily determined and the calculation of dwell times becomes very simple. More importantly, the proposed algorithm is general and can be directly applied to the cascaded H-bridge inverter of any voltage levels. In addition, a new switching sequence, large-small alternation (LSA), is proposed for the minimization of total harmonic distortion. To verify the algorithms, a 7-level cascaded H-bridge inverter drive system was constructed and experimental results are provided.
190 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the suitability of volcanic ash (VA) and pumice powder (VPP) for blended cement production was investigated. But the results of the investigation were limited.
154 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that microarrays will be useful tools for the detection of bacterial gene expression in wastewaters and other complex systems.
Abstract: A DNA microarray to monitor the expression of bacterial metabolic genes within mixed microbial communities was designed and tested. Total RNA was extracted from pure and mixed cultures containing the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-degrading bacterium Ralstonia eutropha JMP134, and the inducing agent 2,4-D. Induction of the 2,4-D catabolic genes present in this organism was readily detected 4, 7, and 24 h after the addition of 2,4-D. This strain was diluted into a constructed mixed microbial community derived from a laboratory scale sequencing batch reactor. Induction of two of five 2,4-D catabolic genes (tfdA and tfdC) from populations of JMP134 as low as 105 cells/ml was clearly detected against a background of 108 cells/ml. Induction of two others (tfdB and tfdE) was detected from populations of 106 cells/ml in the same background; however, the last gene, tfdF, showed no significant induction due to high variability. In another experiment, the induction of resin acid degradative genes was statistically detectable in sludge-fed pulp mill effluent exposed to dehydroabietic acid in batch experiments. We conclude that microarrays will be useful tools for the detection of bacterial gene expression in wastewaters and other complex systems.
146 citations
TL;DR: The Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) as discussed by the authors is a roadway design and redesign software that estimates the safety effects of alternative designs, and is used to evaluate the logical defensibility of proposed models, assessment of the transferability of models over future time periods and across different geographic locations, and identification of areas in which future model improvements should be made.
Abstract: A national-level safety analysis tool is needed to complement existing analytical tools for assessment of the safety impacts of roadway design alternatives. FHWA has sponsored the development of the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM), which is roadway design and redesign software that estimates the safety effects of alternative designs. Considering the importance of IHSDM in shaping the future of safety-related transportation investment decisions, FHWA justifiably sponsored research with the sole intent of independently validating some of the statistical models and algorithms in IHSDM. Statistical model validation aims to accomplish many important tasks, including (a) assessment of the logical defensibility of proposed models, (b) assessment of the transferability of models over future time periods and across different geographic locations, and (c) identification of areas in which future model improvements should be made. These three activities are reported for five proposed types of rural intersection crash prediction models. The internal validation of the model revealed that the crash models potentially suffer from omitted variables that affect safety, site selection and countermeasure selection bias, poorly measured and surrogate variables, and misspecification of model functional forms. The external validation indicated the inability of models to perform on par with model estimation performance. Recommendations for improving the state of the practice from this research include the systematic conduct of carefully designed before-and-after studies, improvements in data standardization and collection practices, and the development of analytical methods to combine the results of before-and-after studies with cross-sectional studies in a meaningful and useful way.
145 citations
TL;DR: A cooperative game theoretic approach is proposed to solve water allocation problems in two steps: initial allocation of water rights to water users or stakeholders based on existing water rights systems or agreements, and reallocation of water to achieve efficient use of water through water transfers.
Abstract: Water allocation is essentially an exercise in allocating available water to various demanding users. Water allocations merely based on a water rights approach usually do not make efficient use of water for the whole river basin. Meanwhile, an economic efficient water allocation plan cannot be well implemented if the involved participants or stakeholders do not regard it as being fair. A cooperative game theoretic approach is proposed to solve water allocation problems in two steps: (1) initial allocation of water rights to water users or stakeholders based on existing water rights systems or agreements, and (2) reallocation of water to achieve efficient use of water through water transfers. An illustrative example is utilized to show the effectiveness and potential advantages of this approach.
23 Sep 2003
TL;DR: This paper proposes a possible architecture of integrating UMTS and 802.11 WLAN, which allows a mobile node to maintain data (PS) connection through WLAN and voice (CS) connectionthrough UMTS in parallel, especially attractive because WLAN is currently used primarily for high-speed best-effort data service only.
Abstract: Cellular networks, e.g. UMTS provide voice and data services to mobile users. In hot spots where users need high speed data services operators can deploy low-cost high-speed WLANs, e.g. 802.11, to cover hot-spots. This paper proposes a possible architecture of integrating UMTS and 802.11 WLAN. The architecture allows a mobile node to maintain data (PS) connection through WLAN and voice (CS) connection through UMTS in parallel. This is especially attractive because WLAN is currently used primarily for high-speed best-effort data service only.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of diverse alloying elements on the dissolution of the copper phase (CuAl2) during solution heat treatment was investigated and the first derivate curves were plotted and used to determine the impact of the additives on the precipitation temperature of the aluminum alloy.
Abstract: The hypoeutectic 319 aluminum alloy (Al-7%Si-3.5%Cu) was used in the present study to investigate the effect of diverse alloying elements on the dissolution of the copper phase (CuAl2) during solution heat treatment. Elements such as Sr, Fe and P were added to the base alloy individually and in various combinations. The cooling curves of these alloys were obtained by solidifying the alloy melts in a preheated graphite mold (600°C, cooling rate ∼0.8°C/s). From these the first derivate curves were plotted and used to determine the effect of the additives on the precipitation temperature of the Al-CuAl2 eutectic reaction. Microstructural examination was carried out using optical microscopy, image analysis, and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and wavelength dispersive spectroscopic (WDS) analysis facilities. Samples from different alloys were solution heat treated at 505°C for various times up to 100 hours. The results explicitly reveal that solution heat treatment plays a critical role on the dissolution of the CuAl2 phase. It is found that Sr leads to segregation of the CuAl2 phase away from the Al-Si eutectic regions, which slows down its dissolution during solution heat treatment. The β-Al5FeSi phase platelets act as preferred precipitation sites for the copper phase and hence lessen the degree of segregation. Thus, addition of Fe can accelerate the copper phase dissolution. However, phosphorus addition has a negative effect on CuAl2 dissolution due to (i) its solubility in the CuAl2 phase particles, and (ii) the formation of (Al,P)O2 oxide particles which act as nucleation sites for the precipitation of the block-like CuAl2 phase. It retards the complete dissolution of this copper phase even after 100 hr solution treatment. In the case when phosphorus and iron are added together, the negative effect of phosphorus can be neutralized to some extent.
TL;DR: The effects that learning and forgetting in set-ups and product quality have on the economic lot-sizing problem are investigated and mathematical models are developed and numerical examples illustrating the solution procedure are provided.
TL;DR: The combined in vitro and in vivo data suggest that the effluent in question could exert effects on the reproductive physiology of fishes through an androgenic mechanism.
Abstract: The androgenic potential of a New Zealand pulp and paper mill effluent was measured by applying a combination of in vitro and in vivo bioassays with mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and goldfish (Carassius auratus). The in vivo method assessed the rate of gonopodial development (masculinization) and alterations from normal reproductive behavior in adult female mosquitofish exposed for 21 d to untreated or secondary-treated pulp mill effluent. A second in vivo mosquitofish exposure tested the effect of glass-fiber (type C) filtration of secondary-treated effluent on rates of expression of the same endpoints. Extractable organics analyses of effluents and extracts thereof were conducted. Mosquitofish demonstrated significant masculinization on exposure to either treated or untreated effluent; the frequency of gonopodial development was reduced with effluent secondary-treatment. Male mating behavior was observed in the masculinized adult females. Glass-fiber (type F) filtration of the treated effluent eliminated the masculinizing effect, suggesting that the bioactive compounds were associated with the suspended solids. The in vitro method measured the binding of compounds within a treated thermomechanical/bleached kraft effluent extract to androgen receptors contained in goldfish testis cytosol. Exposure to extracts of either the particulate (glass-fiber filtered) or the dissolved organic fraction of the effluent produced significant binding (as indicated by the displacement of radiolabeled testosterone) to the androgen receptor in goldfish gonadal tissue. Thus, the dissolved organics extract of the treated effluent contained compounds androgenic to goldfish in vitro but not to mosquitofish in vivo. The combined in vitro and in vivo data suggest that the effluent in question could exert effects on the reproductive physiology of fishes through an androgenic mechanism. The androgenic compounds androstenedione and testosterone were not detected in the extracts used for the in vitro component of this study.
19 Feb 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, a control algorithm for the inverter operating under faulty conditions is proposed to increase the fault tolerance for cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverters. But, the proposed control algorithm is suitable for use in the cascaded h-bridge inverters of any voltage levels.
Abstract: To increase the fault tolerance for cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverters, a novel control algorithm is proposed for the inverter operating under faulty conditions. The influence of various faults on space vectors is investigated and the maximum achievable output voltage of the inverter with faulty power cells is derived. Making use of the redundant switching states, the proposed algorithm is able to produce a three-phase balanced line-to-line voltage with minimum harmonic distortion for the inverter with disabled power cells. In addition, the control algorithm is suitable for use in the cascaded H-bridge inverters of any voltage levels. Simulation and experimental results are provided for verification.
TL;DR: The case is made that the crisis in diabetes requires new ways of thinking about this disease, its causes, and its management; and the role played by social determinants of health in the incidence and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among vulnerable populations is discussed.
Abstract: This paper discusses the role played by social determinants of health in the incidence and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes) among vulnerable populations. This issue is especially important in light of recent data from Statistics Canada indicating that mortality rates from diabetes have been increasing among Canadians since the mid‐1980s, with increases being especially great among those living in low‐income communities. Diabetes therefore appears – like cardiovascular disease – to be an affliction more common among the poor and excluded. It also appears to be especially likely to afflict poor women. Yet we know little about how these social determinants of health influence diabetes incidence and management. What evidence is available is provided and the case is made that the crisis in diabetes requires new ways of thinking about this disease, its causes, and its management.
TL;DR: Findings from this study suggest that public health efforts should be directed toward safe food handling in the home during the summer months, and travel-associated illness and restaurants were the second and third most frequently reported risk settings at 24.6 and 14.1%, respectively.
01 Sep 2003-Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B-pesticides Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes
TL;DR: Results of this study indicated that the inactivation processes could be controlled by simply monitoring the exit ozone from the reactor instead of performing the time‐consuming microbial examination, which would make the application of ozone in the preservation of cereal grains easier, simpler, and more practically applicable.
Abstract: The use of gaseous ozone as a fungicide to preserve stored barley was studied. The effects of the following operating parameters on the fungicidal efficacy of ozone were examined: 1) the applied ozone dose, 2) ozonation time, 3) water activity of barley, and 4) temperature of barley. The effect of ozonation on germination of barley was also investigated. The experimental results showed that ozone was very effective in inactivation of fungi associated with the barley regardless of whether the fungi were in the forms of spores or mycelia. However, the mycelia were less resistant to ozone. With 5 minutes of ozonation, 96% of inactivation were achieved for spores as well as for mixtures of spores and small amount of mycelia by applying 0.16 and 0.10 mg of ozone/(g barley) x min, respectively. In addition, for sealed storage silos, inactivation of fungi continued when the ozone-containing gas was held inside the silos following a continuous ozone supply. The experimental results also revealed that increases in water activity and temperature of barley enhanced the fungicidal efficacy of ozone. Results of this study also indicated that the inactivation processes could be controlled by simply monitoring the exit ozone from the reactor instead of performing the time-consuming microbial examination. This finding would make the application of ozone in the preservation of cereal grains easier, simpler, and more practically applicable. The experimental results demonstrated that although ozonation above certain strength may reduce barley germination, inactivation of fungi was achieved with ozonation strengths far below the critical point.
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: Conclusions drawn from previous work include the need for systematic user studies of WebSDSS, and the adoption of interoperable architectures for distributed spatial decision support.
Abstract: This paper summarizes research on Web-based spatial decision support systems (WebSDSS). The review distinguishes early server-side from more recent client-side applications. A third category of WebSDSS focusing on spatial decision support in public participation is typically implemented as a mixed client/server-based system. Conclusions drawn from previous work include the need for systematic user studies of WebSDSS, and the adoption of interoperable architectures for distributed spatial decision support. Furthermore, a conceptual framework is proposed to facilitate further studies of WebSDSS methods.
TL;DR: In this article, a simple lossless wire structure was used to represent the tower and the return stroke channel was modeled as a lossy vertical antenna attached to the tower top, where the voltage waveform of the source current was selected to resemble a typical lightning current waveform not influenced by the presence of the tall strike object.
Abstract: [1] The interaction of lightning with the 553-m high CN Tower in Toronto is modeled using the antenna theory model. A simple lossless wire structure is used to represent the tower. The return-stroke channel is modeled as a lossy vertical antenna attached to the tower top. The lossy antenna and the wire structure representing the tower are assumed to be fed at their junction point by a voltage source. The voltage waveform of this source is selected so that the source current resembles a typical lightning current waveform not influenced by the presence of the tall strike object. An electric field integral equation in the time domain is employed to calculate the lightning return stroke current distribution along the CN Tower and along the lightning channel. The equation is solved numerically using the method of moments. The lightning current flowing in the tower at the 474-m level above ground, predicted by the antenna theory (AT) model, compares favorably with the measurements conducted at the CN Tower. Once the temporal and spatial distributions of the current along the tower and along the lightning channel are determined, the corresponding remote electromagnetic fields are computed. Waveshapes of model-predicted electric and magnetic fields at a distance of 2 km from the tower are in good agreement with measurements. The contribution of the tower to the electric and magnetic fields at 2 km is about four to five times the contribution of the lightning channel.
TL;DR: Results suggest a time-temperature dependence of dielectric properties, with two separate components: one a reversible, temperature-dependent effect and the other a permanent effect due to structural events that occur in tissues during heating.
Abstract: We have developed a system to measure the changes due to heating to high temperatures in the dielectric properties of tissues in the radio-frequency range. At wo-electrode arrangement was connected to a low-frequency impedance analyser and used to measure the dielectric properties of ex vivo porcine kidney and fat at 460 kHz. This frequency was selected as it is the most commonly used for radio-frequency thermal therapy of renal tumours. Tissue samples were heated to target temperatures between 48 and 78 ◦ Ci n a hot water bath and changes in dielectric properties were measured during 30 min of heating and 15 min of cooling. Results suggest a time–temperature dependence of dielectric properties, with two separate components: one a reversible, temperature-dependent effect and the other a permanent effect due to structural events (e.g. protein coagulation, fat melting) that occur in tissues during heating. We calculated temperature coefficients of 1.3 ± 0.1% ◦ C −1 for kidney permittivity and 1.6% ◦ C −1 for kidney conductivity, 0.9 ± 0.1% ◦ C −1 for fat permittivity and 1.7 ± 0.1% ◦ C −1 for fat conductivity. An Arrhenius model was employed to determine the first-order kinetic rates for the irreversible changes in dielectric properties. The following Arrhenius parameters were determined: an activation energy of 57 ± 5 kcal mol −1 and a frequency factor of (6 ± 1) × 10 34 s −1 for conductivity of kidney, an activation energy of 48 ± 2 kcal mol −1 and a frequency factor of 6 × 10 28 s −1 for permittivity of kidney. A similar analysis led to an activation energy of 31 ± 4 kcal mol −1 and a frequency factor of (4.43 ±1) × 10 16 s −1 for conductivity of fat, and an
TL;DR: It is found that the learn–forget curve model (LFCM) satisfies many characteristics of forgetting and is used to understand the extent to which cross training and deployment become important in helping reduce forgetting effects.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the effect of the overlap of horizontal and vertical alignments on the driver's perception of the road curvature and found that the curvature looked sharper when overlapped with a crest curve and consistently flatter when it overlaps with a sag curve, and that driver behavior depended on the overlapping vertical curve rather than the vertical grade of the approach tangent.
Abstract: The perception of the driver of the road features ahead is an important human factor that can considerably affect traffic safety and design consistency, and should be addressed in road design. An erroneous perception of the road can lead to actions that may compromise traffic safety. Previous studies have shown that combined horizontal and vertical alignments can cause a wrong perception of the horizontal curvature. In this paper, the hypothesis that the perception of the driver of the horizontal curvature is affected by the overlapping vertical alignment is examined analytically. Computer animation was selected as a three-dimensional presentation method of the road perspective, and was found to produce a realistic view of the road. A sample of drivers was interviewed to determine the radius of a horizontal curve on a level grade that would look equal to a radius of a horizontal curve overlapping with a vertical curve. The statistical analysis showed that the horizontal curvature looked consistently sharper when it overlapped with a crest curve and consistently flatter when it overlaps with a sag curve. Field measurements of operating speed profiles on a selected sample of combined alignments confirmed that, for the selected sample of alignments, driver behavior on horizontal curves depended on the overlapping vertical curve rather than the vertical grade of the approach tangent.
TL;DR: Although there was no control group, the research offers tentative support for the efficacy of training peer helpers in suicide risk assessment and indicates the importance of additional training for peer helpers.
Abstract: Literature reviews on suicide prevention programs have presented conflicting results on the efficacy of school-based prevention programs. Gatekeeper training and peer helping are both recommended as part of a comprehensive school-based prevention program, yet there is no literary evidence of the systematic evaluation of gatekeeper training for peer helpers. This study evaluated the efficacy of such training with high school peer helpers using a repeated measures design. Significant gains in knowledge about suicide and skills for responding to suicidal peers were evident immediately after training and 3 months later. There was also a significant improvement in positive attitudes toward suicide intervention following training. Although there was no control group, the research offers tentative support for the efficacy of training peer helpers in suicide risk assessment and indicates the importance of additional training for peer helpers.
TL;DR: In this article, the stability of water-in-mineral oil emulsions was examined using pulsed NMR droplet-size analysis, sedimentation and microscopy.
TL;DR: In this paper, a brief introduction is given to the principle of operation of both classical and holographic interferometers, which are commonly used for the measurement of convective heat transfer rates.
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: A brief introduction to the principle of operation of both classical and holographic interferometers, which are commonly used for the measurement of convective heat transfer rates, is given in this paper.
Abstract: A brief introduction is given to the principle of operation of both classical and holographic interferometers, which are commonly used for the measurement of convective heat transfer rates. Some of the optical considerations, as well as the limitations of this experimental technique are highlighted. With this background, some recent developments in laser interferometry are discussed for both two- and three-dimensional temperature fields, with an emphasis on techniques for measuring local convective heat flux rates
TL;DR: The 2003 Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Trends (WHATT) roundtable discussion, held at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, focused on the issues affecting the development of tourism in the Caribbean.
Abstract: The 2003 Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Trends (WHATT) roundtable discussion, held at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, focused on the issues affecting the development of tourism in the Caribbean. Fourteen industry practitioners and academics from the hospitality and tourism sector discussed the definitions of “sustainable tourism development” and debated the key development issues in Caribbean tourism and related education and research needs. The meeting agreed that there was a lack of research and intellectual focus on Caribbean tourism, although many Caribbean governments are in clear need of policy guidance. The meeting therefore identified a few achievable action points with the aim of addressing this problem.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the use of a business simulation, specifically the hotel operational training simulation (HOTS) as it applies to tourism and hospitality education, and find that the learning experience outcomes and critical and analytical thinking ability are significant predictors of participant's satisfaction.
Abstract: This study reviews and evaluates the use of a business simulation, specifically the hotel operational training simulation (HOTS) as it applies to tourism and hospitality education. An extensive self‐report survey was used to examine the participant’s experience. The questions were categorized into three dimensions: learning experience, alternative method of instruction; and critical and analytical thinking ability. In addition, there were questions relating to the participant’s overall satisfaction with the learning experience, and a further evaluation based on the participant’s level of involvement in the simulation. The simulation as an alternative form of instruction, the learning experience outcomes and critical and analytical thinking were found to be significant predictors of participant’s satisfaction. Further, the results suggested that there was a significant difference between the responses of those who felt they were highly involved and those who felt they were less involved in the simulation.