This work explores the utilization of scenarios in an iterative usability engineering process for the development of a next-generation multilocus sequence typing (MLST) tool. The following three research question were investigated during the usability process: (1) what are the differences in the elicited requirements as scenarios move further from extant work practices, (2) what are the differences in the elicited requirements between structured and free-form scenario groups, and (3) are participant-developed scenarios from the scenario-based interviews effective for use as tasks in formative usability evaluation. Scenario-based interviews were conducted to collect relevant work-practice information and domain knowledge from two user classes. Requirements distilled from the scenarios and complementary interview questions informed the design of multiple iterations of the tool. A formative usability evaluation was conducted on the second iteration of the tool with the same participants. Resulting requirements from the scenario-based interviews suggest that proposing scenarios beyond current work practices overwhelmed and confused participants, and therefore worked against requirements generation. Conversely, a less structured scenario-based interview scheme yielded a greater quantity of requirements, and specifically produced more creative requirements. Participant-developed scenarios from the scenario-based interviews were ultimately useful as benchmark tasks in the formative usability evaluation because they were intricate enough to afford meaningful interaction with the interface, while still being completable by both user classes. This research helps to provide a greater understanding of the utilization of novel scenario styles and methodologies, thereby providing support for the continued investigation into scenario use for a variety of applications. / Master of Science

The Kinematic-wave model is one of the models proposed to simulate vehicular traffic. It has not received widespread use because of poor understanding of associated interface conditions and early use of incorrect numerical schemes used. This thesis analyzes mathematically correct boundary and interface conditions in the context of the Godunov method as the numerical scheme for the simulation software created. This thesis simulates a set of scenarios originally proposed by Ross, to verify the validity of simulation. The results of the simulation are compared against the corresponding results of Ross, and against intuitive expectation of the behavior of actual traffic under the scenarios. Our results tend either to agree with or improve upon those reported by Ross, who used alternate models.

The Kinematic-wave model is one of the models proposed to simulate vehicular traffic. It has not received widespread use because of poor understanding of associated interface conditions and early use of incorrect numerical schemes used. This thesis analyzes mathematically correct boundary and interface conditions in the context of the Godunov method as the numerical scheme for the simulation software created. This thesis simulates a set of scenarios originally proposed by Ross, to verify the validity of simulation. The results of the simulation are compared against the corresponding results of Ross, and against intuitive expectation of the behavior of actual traffic under the scenarios. Our results tend either to agree with or improve upon those reported by Ross, who used alternate models.

I begin by asking the question: what are socially just forms of economic development? In an era where the inequality of wealth is extreme, it is imperative for planners to understand the philosophical literature about social justice, especially as it pertains to economic development. I attempt to show how ‘socially just economic development’ is possible, in a capitalistic context, when planning works toward increasing the equality of capability for the least advantaged. I posit that this kind of socially just economic development can happen when social enterprises or mainstream businesses are encouraged to locate near to and hire from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The problem with contemporary urban economic development is that most centres of employments are planned in places that are only truly accessible by people who own vehicles. The other issue is that older and outmoded areas of employment, which are typically closer to less advantaged inner-city neighbourhoods, are often subject to pressures from residential redevelopment or competition from newer employment centres. In addition to this, the role for alternative inner-city employment, such as social enterprises, is not always properly understood. My thesis contains an empirical portion that involves scenario planning. A scenario planning exercise was conducted with stakeholders in the North End and Point Douglas in Winnipeg. The scenario planning yields insights into possible neighbourhood changes that might occur over the next twenty years. These findings are meant to give context for developing planning policies that could produce more socially just outcomes in these neighbourhoods.

Goals of this study are to set up the frame-work for analyzing residential buildings using the functional scenarios method and to tests the applicability of the method on large scale projects. The metrics for the analysis are based on guidelines for designing spaces that promote healthy aging. In addition, the study was providing an opportunity to developing and refined the method. The result of the analysis determines that the functional scenarios method is applicable to large scale buildings as effectively as smalls scale buildings; design configurations can be extracted from the results of the analysis to inform future designs. The limitations of the analysis are due to the available resources. Opportunities for continued work include 1) developing standard ways of representing the results of the analysis; and 2) developing a systematic approach for extracting design configurations based on the research questions asked.

North Korea is one of the world’s last remaining communist countries. Insistence on self-sufficiency has resulted in the stagnation of its economy and collapse of its transport distribution system. This research project examines how various scenarios for North Korea and the implications of South Korean enterprises’ location decisions affect future transport and logistics developments in North Korea. In the foreseeable future, aside from Chinese companies, South Korean investors will probably be the only companies to invest heavily in the North, driven by political and economic motivations. The objectives of this study are four-fold. Firstly, it analyses the political and economic factors affecting North Korea. Secondly, it appraises the present conditions of transport and logistics infrastructure in North Korea. Next, in order to ascertain the implications of business organisations’ decisions to locate in North Korea, it is imperative to determine the probable scenarios surrounding North Korea due to its unique and reclusive nature. Finally, it identifies the factors that will affect potential investors’ location choices. In order to answer the above research question and objectives, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used. In the absence of reliable data from North Korea, an exploratory study was undertaken with eight experts to gain deeper understanding of the issues surrounding North Korea. The insights gathered, together with the comprehensive literature review led to the development of eight sub-research questions. Next, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted to help develop scenarios for North Korea. Quantitative surveys were concurrently conducted which engaged SMEs and logistics companies. The findings of the research uncovered new insights. Experts think that the status quo scenario is most likely to continue in the near future unless one of the wildcard situations, such as the death of Kim Jong-il occurs. Investors are likely to invest $1-9 million in North Korea, with Nampo and Sinuiju as probable investment locations. Four main factors will influence the location choices of potential South Korean investors including ‘legal’, ‘political economy’, ‘spatial’ and ‘infrastructure’. Road transport was found to be the choice of mode for both experts and investors and China and South Korea would be the mostly like export destinations for North Korean-made products.

The thesis presents a critique of the nature of 13 to 15 year-old students' images of futures. Arguments are made for their importance to the individual community and culture and their value and use in a science learning setting.This study of the nature of futures images is based upon data collected from small samples in two school settings between 1990 and 1999 using a guided fantasy approach. The diversity of student hopes and fears for futures is categorised using several research tools developed from the futures literature. The results identify a range of futures scenarios ranging from highly utopic to highly dystopic and themes including human interactions, the natural and built environment and the nature and use of futuristic technologies.The importance of student images of futures is discussed from the personal perspective of the students and then considered in the broader context of society and Western culture. The data are examined through a number of theoretical frames including psychology, history and the futures field of enquiry. The consensus seems to be that expectations of the future are inseparable from human nature and influential in determining the viability of cultures.The value of student images of futures in science learning is explored through a case study of one of my own Year 9 classes. In teaching this class I used the technique of futures imaging integrated into a critical futures teaching approach utilising a constructivist planning model. I found that students' futures images revealed a broader aspect of student worldviews than is usual in science learning environments, and were valuable in exposing student prior knowledge, interests and concerns. Student learning seemed to be enhanced using this futures oriented approach.

For three small, mountainous catchments in Germany two medium-range forecast systems are compared that predict precipitation for up to 5 days in advance. One system is composed of the global German weather service (DWD) model, GME, which is dynamically downscaled using the COSMO-EU regional model. The other system is an empirical (expanded) downscaling of the ECMWF model IFS. Forecasts are verified against multi-year daily observations, by applying standard skill scores to events of specified intensity. All event classes are skillfully predicted by the empirical system for up to five days lead time. For the available prediction range of one to two days it is superior to the dynamical system.

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It is not sufficient to just make changes in a nursing curriculum without a plan to evaluate the impact on program outcomes. This study sought to determine the outcomes of teaching the nursing process to Foundation of Nursing students in an Associate Degree Nursing program using a factorial design study. Four groups of students were taught the nursing process as follows: case study and concept mapping; case study, concept mapping with a pocket reference; case study, two hours HFHS, concept mapping with a pocket reference, or four hours of HFHS, concept mapping with a pocket reference. The Simulation Design Scale (SDS) measured the perceptions of the simulation groups for design elements. The four hour group mean was significantly lower on both the importance of the objectives and information and importance of fidelity design elements (p < .05). This suggests that as time in a simulation increases more attention to these elements is required. There was not a significant difference between the four study groups on the Nursing Process or the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI) RN Fundamentals 2010 Assessment Form B examinations individual scores. Two sub-categories on the ATI were significant. Planning was significantly higher for fall 2012 cohort (p = .024) and analysis/diagnosis was almost significant for fall 2011 cohort (p = .054). The results for Factorial Groups was not significant. The National League for Nursing (NLN) PAX-RN entrance examination had a significant correlation with students passing onto the second semester in a nursing program (p < .001). The ATI results of students were the same without regard to the Factorial Group assigned in relation to instructor employment status of full time versus part time. / School of Nursing; / Nursing / PhD; / Dissertation;