Mathematical Support and Software of Visual Filtering of Alternatives in Multi-criteria Decision Making Problems

The article deals with the problem of multi-criteria decision-making problems, which are characterized by a large number of options and alternatives. It is proposed to use visual filtering of graphic images describing the corresponding alternatives as one of the stages in decision-making in such tasks. The approaches and requirements for the construction of graphic images of alternatives are considered. Describes the steps and algorithms for constructing visual images of alternatives, based on the radial and pie charts, and include the normalization procedure. It describes software that implements the proposed algorithms, as well as providing interactive interaction with an expert for visual filtering of multi-criteria alternatives. Additionally, the capabilities of the developed software are described, which include filtering alternatives based on threshold values, as well as the possibility of conducting a series of experiments in order to obtain the union or intersection of filtered sets of alternatives. A synthetic test for filtering 201 alternatives is described, each of which is described by 15 criteria. As a result of a series of experiments, this choice set was reduced by about 28 times. A description is also given of an experiment on visual filtering of real alternatives that describe estimates of the accuracy of calculating inviscid flow around a cone using several OpenFoam solvers. Each solver is characterized by 288 criteria, and according to the results of visual filtering, the advantage in the accuracy of the calculations of two solvers over the others is clearly established.

Cognitive processes contributing to visual working memory performance in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Previous investigations of working memory performance in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have yielded mixed findings (e.g., Kenworthy, Yerys, Anthony, and Wallace, 2008; Geurts, de Vris, and van den Bergh, 2014). Research examining visual and spatial working memory abilities in older adolescents and adults with ASD specifically is limited. The current study assessed the contribution of working memory capacity, attention, and visual filtering abilities to visual working memory performance in adolescents and adults with and without ASD. Furthermore, the current study examined task performance related to real world report of working memory and attention abilities. Results revealed comparable estimates of visual working memory capacity overall between groups. However, visual working memory performance for individuals with ASD appeared to be more impacted by increases in attention and visual filtering demands. Individuals with ASD allocated their attention differently than non-ASD individuals, and spent less time looking at relevant information. The ASD group had more difficulty filtering distracting information in more challenging conditions. Difficulties on the task did not significantly relate to reported real world working memory or attention abilities. Findings suggest that visual working memory performance is similar between individuals with and without ASD when cognitive demands are low, but individuals with ASD are detrimentally effected when the cognitive load increases (increased attention and visual filtering demands), consistent with previous literature (Kenworthy et al., 2008). Given the complexity of our environments and need to filter visually distracting information, these findings may shed light on ASD-related difficulties in day-to-day functioning and provide a focus for intervention.