Doing a bachelor’s or master’s degree is a journey that leads to success or attrition (dropout). Previous research show to the significance of considering learners’ perspectives and their need for information and different types of interaction. This can be done through online ICTSS (information and communication technology support systems). The overall aim of this dissertation was to create knowledge about how the use of ICTSS can facilitate different types of interaction and support learners in order to reduce thesis problems and attrition and to enhance the quality of the thesis outcomes. The aim was operationalized by two research questions scrutinizing the interaction problems in the thesis process and investigating how the use of ICTSS can facilitate different types of interaction to reduce such problems and attrition, and to enhance the learning opportunities and quality of the thesis outcomes. To answer the research questions, five main studies were performed by applying different research methods on a case study. The empirical studies were performed at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) at Stockholm University, Sweden. The respondents were different learners (students) with active thesis projects at the bachelor or master level in different programs at DSV between 2012 and 2015. For the first two studies, conceptual and content analysis of the data collected from the case study was performed. For the three other studies, open-ended online questionnaires (survey) and interviews were conducted. On the basis of the findings, three main types of interaction issues were developed which related to the need for more learner-content, peer-to-peer, and learner-supervisor interaction in the thesis process. The hypothesis was that the interaction issues could be reduced by implementing a set of strategic suggestions through the use of an ICTSS including a set of functionalities and resources. The usefulness of these functionalities and resources was evaluated with regard to the learners’ perception and experiences. The findings were categorized to facilitate learner-content, peer-to-peer, and learner-supervisor interaction, as well as management of the contents, supervision, and communication of the supervisory team. From these categories, a conceptual framework was developed in this dissertation to illustrate how the use of the ICTSS supports the thesis process. In conclusion, providing access to a set of structured e-resources and supporting educational communication through different types of interaction with peers and the supervisory team, enables learners’ self-managed learning and facilitates similar learning opportunities for learners in thesis courses.

Support systems including base and subgrade layers play a pivotal role in manifesting and maintaining acceptable behavior and performance of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). In Texas, especially, use of non-erodible stabilized base layers have been recommended to prevent failures of the CRCP related with pumping and erosion of the support materials. The non-erodible base materials, however, have given high initial construction cost of the rigid pavements. For this reason, it has been desired to decrease the construction cost with acceptable long-term performance of the pavement system. The primary objective of this study is to determine acceptable combination of support properties and concrete slab thickness satisfying not only adequate structural ability but also construction expense. For this purpose, field support conditions were investigated using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP), and static plate load test in phase one. Previously developed support analysis models for rigid pavement design were examined using finite element analysis method, which model could more accurately express field support behavior. Also, effects of each support properties including base thickness, elastic modulus of base material, and subgrade k-value were mechanistically identified on composite k-value, and a method selecting optimum combinations of the support properties completing desired composite k-value was developed in phase two. Also, CRCP behavior were examined under not only diverse structural and material conditions of the support system but also the CRCP slab thickness and transverse crack spacing due to temperature and vehicle wheel loading conditions in phase three. In phase four, maximum critical stress induced in the CRCP slab was evaluated under various combinations of support conditions and slab thickness. Effects of the support properties and the slab thickness on the critical stress in the CRCP slab were mechanistically identified, and the factor with the greatest effect was verified. Moreover, regression equations were developed to estimate the maximum critical stresses for various support properties and the CRCP slab thickness under temperature and wheel loadings. In phase five, a guideline determining optimum combination of support properties and slab thickness were proposed as aspect of initial construction cost of the CRCP. / text

General aviation pilots need different types of flight information in order to follow events and the changes related to the aircraft environment while flying. However, general aviation cockpits have some limitations as space to install flight displays to provide flight information beyond the basics to the pilot. Additionally, more sophisticated instrumentation is often expensive to install and maintain. With the development of the tablet-based software applications (such as ForeFlight, WingX Pro7 or Garmin Pilot applications for iPad), general aviation pilots have started to use them instead of paper documentation. These software applications provide essential flight information such as weather forecast, aviation charts, flight documents, etc. Unfortunately, the expectations for their capabilities are changing with the increased demand and popularity of these software applications. Therefore, these flight planning software applications are compared to find what is missing and what have not met the expectation of pilots. First, how the software applications support their decision-making process was described and demonstrated to choose the appropriate flight parameters to change flight path while handling with the other cockpit responsibilities. Finally, these design requirements were validated via HITL tests in a part-task flight simulator. The results provided that the suggested design requirements are found highly useful for both novice and expert general aviation pilots. Specifically, novice general aviation pilots might be able to get visualization to compare real-time weather and weather forecast, and then they might gain experience to improve their success for a in-flight re-planning. On the other side, expert pilots might prefer to use this system if they fly an airspace which they are not familiar to weather features of that region.

New and growing demands to finite and fully allocated water resources in the semi-arid southwestern United States mean that existing water resources must be managed with increasing efficiency to minimize shortages and associated social conflict. Computer based simulations can provide a powerful tool to aid in policy related decisions. This dissertation describes the development of a simulation model of the Rio Grande surface water and groundwater system for use in scenario evaluation. The primary model goal is to integrate cross disciplinary science at a basin scale, and make it easily accessible to a wide range of stakeholders. To achieve this at a river basin scale, three existing groundwater models and one surface water model were simplified and combined in a system dynamics framework using the commercial software package Powersim Studio 2005. To this physical model, a simple human behavioral model and user interface was added. The resulting scenario evaluation tool runs 40 year simulations on a laptop computer in tens of seconds, with inputs that are easily changed by non-expert users via a graphic, user friendly interface.

The dissertation dwells on the process of construction and housing negotiations. The topic’s relevancy is determined by the need to analyse construction and housing negotiations because this area received insufficient attention in research related to the civil engineering discipline of technological sciences in the context of the development of knowledge society. The main research objects are the negotiation process, the decision-making process, stakeholders who make decisions in the negotiation process and the micro and macrolevel environment in its entirety. The thesis deals with several main objectives: review of scientific research on negotiations in various countries worldwide; creation of the conceptual model for multiple criteria analysis of the housing quality and price equilibrium negotiation; development of the web-based decision support system for the housing quality and price equilibrium negotiations using multiple criteria analysis methods in decision-making; presentation of a practical implementation example; and description of the research on voice stress analysis in housing negotiations. The dissertation includes an introduction, four chapters, general conclusions, a list of literature and two annexes. Chapter 1 provides a detailed analysis of research and achievements of Lithuanian and foreign scientists in scientific areas dealing with negotiations and negotiation decision-support systems. Chapter 2, which is based on the analysis of scientific research and... [to full text] / Disertacijoje nagrinėjamas statybos ir jos produkcijos – būsto pirkimo-pardavimo derybų procesas. Temos aktualumą nulemia žinių visuomenės plėtros ir statybos sektoriaus derybų, kaip technologijos mokslų statybos inžinerijos kryptyje iki šiol mažai tyrinėtos srities, analizės poreikis. Pagrindiniai tyrimo objektai yra būstas, derybos dėl būsto pirkimo-pardavimo, sprendimų priėmimo procesas, derybų procese dalyvaujančios sprendimus priimančios grupės, mikro- ir makrolygmens aplinka kaip visuma. Darbe sprendžiami keli pagrindiniai tikslai ir uždaviniai: įvairių pasaulio šalių mokslininkų tyrimų derybų srityje apžvalgos atlikimas; būsto kainos ir kokybės pusiausvyros derybų daugiakriterinės analizės koncepcinio modelio sudarymas; būsto kainos ir kokybės pusiausvyros derybų internetinės sprendimų paramos sistemos sukūrimas, sprendimų priėmimui pasitelkiant daugiakriterinės analizės metodus; praktinio realizavimo pavyzdžio pateikimas; aprašomas atliktas būsto pardavėjų balso tyrimas. Disertaciją sudaro įvadas, keturi skyriai, bendrosios išvados, literatūros šaltinių sąrašas ir du priedai. Pirmame skyriuje detaliai analizuojami Lietuvos ir užsienio šalių mokslininkų tyrimai ir pasiekimai derybas bei derybų sprendimų paramos sistemas tiriančių mokslų srityse. Antrame skyriuje, remiantis pirmame skyriuje atlikta mokslinių tyrimų analize ir pasiekimais, išsamiai aprašomas sukurtas būsto kainos ir kokybės pusiausvyros derybų daugiakriterinės analizės koncepcinis modelis. Trečias... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Disertacijoje nagrinėjamas statybos ir jos produkcijos – būsto pirkimo-pardavimo derybų procesas. Temos aktualumą nulemia žinių visuomenės plėtros ir statybos sektoriaus derybų, kaip technologijos mokslų statybos inžinerijos kryptyje iki šiol mažai tyrinėtos srities, analizės poreikis. Pagrindiniai tyrimo objektai yra būstas, derybos dėl būsto pirkimo-pardavimo, sprendimų priėmimo procesas, derybų procese dalyvaujančios sprendimus priimančios grupės, mikro- ir makrolygmens aplinka kaip visuma. Darbe sprendžiami keli pagrindiniai tikslai ir uždaviniai: įvairių pasaulio šalių mokslininkų tyrimų derybų srityje apžvalgos atlikimas; būsto kainos ir kokybės pusiausvyros derybų daugiakriterinės analizės koncepcinio modelio sudarymas; būsto kainos ir kokybės pusiausvyros derybų internetinės sprendimų paramos sistemos sukūrimas, sprendimų priėmimui pasitelkiant daugiakriterinės analizės metodus; praktinio realizavimo pavyzdžio pateikimas; aprašomas atliktas būsto pardavėjų balso tyrimas. Disertaciją sudaro įvadas, keturi skyriai, bendrosios išvados, literatūros šaltinių sąrašas ir du priedai. Pirmame skyriuje detaliai analizuojami Lietuvos ir užsienio šalių mokslininkų tyrimai ir pasiekimai derybas bei derybų sprendimų paramos sistemas tiriančių mokslų srityse. Antrame skyriuje, remiantis pirmame skyriuje atlikta mokslinių tyrimų analize ir pasiekimais, išsamiai aprašomas sukurtas būsto kainos ir kokybės pusiausvyros derybų daugiakriterinės analizės koncepcinis modelis. Trečias... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The dissertation dwells on the process of construction and housing negotiations. The topic’s relevancy is determined by the need to analyse construction and housing negotiations because this area received insufficient attention in research related to the civil engineering discipline of technological sciences in the context of the development of knowledge society. The main research objects are the negotiation process, the decision-making process, stakeholders who make decisions in the negotiation process and the micro and macrolevel environment in its entirety. The thesis deals with several main objectives: review of scientific research on negotiations in various countries worldwide; creation of the conceptual model for multiple criteria analysis of the housing quality and price equilibrium negotiation; development of the web-based decision support system for the housing quality and price equilibrium negotiations using multiple criteria analysis methods in decision-making; presentation of a practical implementation example; and description of the research on voice stress analysis in housing negotiations. The dissertation includes an introduction, four chapters, general conclusions, a list of literature and two annexes. Chapter 1 provides a detailed analysis of research and achievements of Lithuanian and foreign scientists in scientific areas dealing with negotiations and negotiation decision-support systems. Chapter 2, which is based on the analysis of scientific research... [to full text]

The objective of this thesis is to formalize, model, align and operationalize the evidence-based clinical algorithms of co-morbid chronic heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in order to provide clinical recommendations, care coordination and decision support to general practitioners (GPs). This thesis addresses following healthcare knowledge modeling issues: (a) modeling of healthcare knowledge, especially in terms of clinical guidelines and clinical pathways, to develop an ontology-based knowledge model for handling co-morbid diseases; (b) computerization of clinical pathways to offer point-of-care decision support; (c) alignment of ontologically-modeled disease-specific clinical pathways to handle co-morbid diseases; and (d) the provision of computerized decision support to GPs, based on modeled clinical guidelines and pathways, to assist them in handling co-morbid diseases. An elaborate OWL CP ontology for co-morbid CHF and AF was developed that can be executed to support the diagnosis and management of co-morbid CHF and AF in a general practice setting. / In this thesis we present an ontology based decision-support framework for handling co-morbidities by the alignment of ontologically modeled clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). The objective of this thesis is to formalize, model, align and operationalize the evidence-based clinical algorithms of co-morbid chronic heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in order to provide evidence-based clinical recommendations, care coordination and decision support to general practitioners (GPs) for effective management of CHF and AF. In this regard, the thesis addresses the following healthcare knowledge modeling issues: (a) modeling of healthcare knowledge, especially in terms of clinical guidelines and clinical pathways, to develop an ontology-based healthcare knowledge model for handling co-morbid diseases; (b) computerization of clinical pathways to offer point-of-care decision support; (c) alignment of ontologically-modeled disease-specific clinical pathways to handle co-morbid diseases; and (d) the provision of computerized decision support to general practitioners, based on modeled clinical guidelines and pathways, to assist them in handling chronic and co-morbid diseases. An elaborate OWL CP ontology for co-morbid CHF and AF—the CP ontology was developed that can be executed to support the diagnosis and management of co-morbid CHF and AF in a general practice setting. We have developed a decision support framework termed COMET (Co-morbidity Ontological Modeling & ExecuTion) that can handle three patient care scenarios, (i) patient has CHF; (ii) patient has AF; and (iii) patient develops a co-morbidity of both AF and CHF. COMET is accessible by web and is designed for GPs. COMET has been evaluated, both by simulated cases and by health professionals (GP and specialist), for its ability to handle single disease and comorbid care scenarios based on patient data and related constraints. The output at every phase is compared with the expected output as per single disease or comorbid management. Our results show that the resultant sequence of plans and their outcomes are comparable to the CP knowledge. Also, our ontology was able to handle any updates in the CP knowledge as advised by the domain experts

Constructing a Bayesian Network requires the conditional probabilities table (CPT) to be acquired, one for each variable or node in the network. When data mining is not available, CPTs must be acquired from the domain experts. The complexity of the direct elicitation is exponential on the number of parents of a variable, making direct elicitation from human experts impractical for a large number of causes. Causal models such as Noisy-OR, Noisy-AND, Noisy-MIN, Noisy-MAX and Recursive Noisy-OR have been developed that allow CPTs acquisition to be achieved with linear complexity on the number of causes. Their representation power is measured by their ability to encode the causal interactions. Causal interactions can be categorized into two types: reinforcing and undermining. The Non-Impeding Noisy-AND or NIN-AND tree causal model, developed by Xiang and Jia, is capable of modeling both types of interaction while retaining the linear complexity. The main challenge in utilizing the NIN-AND tree model to generate a CPT is that it requires its tree topology to be elicited. A NIN-AND tree topology is an encoding of the causal interactions between the causes. In this work we present two methods, Structure Elimination (SE) and Pairwise Causal Interaction (PCI), that allow indirect elicitations of the NIN-AND tree topology using some additional probabilities elicited from experts. We conduct human-based experiment to investigate the e ectiveness of the two methods in terms of accuracy by comparing them to the Direct Numerical (DN) elicitation method. We recruit participants from second year Computer Science students at the University of Guelph. The process involves training a participant into domain expert using a known NIN-AND tree model then acquire another NIN-AND tree model by applying the SE and PCI methods. The CPTs produced by the acquired NIN-AND tree models are then compared to the one obtained by using the DN method. Comparable CPT accuracies are obtained among models generated by di erent methods, even though SE and PCI requires a much smaller number of parameters in comparison to DN.

Background: Considerable amount of inappropriate antibiotic utilization has been observed in both acute and non-acute care hospitals. Literature has shown that strategies such as an order entry (OE) and computer decision support system (DSS) have improved prescribing practices in acute care settings. However, there is limited research on the effect of OE on antibiotic utilization in non-acute care settings. Objective: To determine the relationship between OE with DSS and antibiotic utilization in a complex continuing care and rehabilitation hospital. Methods: A retrospective analysis of OE and Pharmacy dispensing data, prospectively collected between July 1, 1999 and December 31, 2005, was conducted. Dispensing events for oral and intravenous antibiotics were merged with corresponding OE’s (when present) to form a final database of 4,739 dispensing events with 2,397 OE’s. The presence of OE and the proportion of OE to dispensing events formed the exposure variable while antibiotic utilization in defined daily dose (DDD) was calculated using dose and number of doses of an antibiotic. Antibiotic utilization was examined at the hospital and individual service in-patient unit levels (complex continuing care/CCC and rehabilitation medicine/REH). Statistical analysis consisting of multiple regression modeling was conducted to determine the association between use of OE and antibiotic utilization. Results: A best-fit model using multiple regression analysis at hospital level indicated a significant positive relationship between the presence of OE and antibiotic utilization when service, patient age, gender and antibiotic classes were accounted for. This model explained 11% of the variation in antibiotic utilization. No significant associations were found in the CCC in-patient unit while in the REH in-patient unit a significant positive relationship between the presence of OE and antibiotic utilization was observed. Similarly, antibiotic utilization increased significantly with increase in the proportion of OE to dispensing events at the hospital and REH in-patient unit levels but not in the CCC in-patient unit. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that antibiotic utilization increased over the years following the inception of the OE system with DSS at the study hospital. Further research is required to examine the effect of OE with a rudimentary DSS on antibiotic utilization management in non-acute care. / Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2007-07-13 10:47:38.035

Magistro darbo „Socialinės paramos daugiavaikėms šeimoms vertinimas ir galimo tobulinimo kryptys“ tikslas-: išanalizuoti daugiavaikių šeimų socialinę padėtį ir identifikavus problemas, projektuoti jų sprendimų būdus. Siekiant šio tikslo, iškelti uždaviniai išanalizuoti socialinės paramos sampratą, paramos teikimo modelius, išnagrinėti socialinės paramos teikimą daugiavaikėms šeimoms reglamentuojančius įstatymus, išryškinti socialinės paramos teikimo gausioms šeimoms problemas ir galimus jų sprendimo būdus. Pirmoje dalyje nagrinėjama socialinė apsauga Europos Sąjungoje ir Lietuvoje, socialinės apsaugos tipai, gerovės valstybių socialinė politika. Antroje dalyje remiantis Lazdijų rajono Kapčiamiesčio seniūnijoje atlikto tyrimo duomenimis, atskleidžiami socialinės paramos daugiavaikėms šeimoms trūkumai ir pateikiamos rekomendacijos paramos tobulinimui. / The purpose of the Master paper “Assessment of social support to large families and trends of possible development” is to analyze social status of large families and project ways how to solve problems after identifying them. In pursue of this purpose the goal has been set to analyze the concept of social support, models of support provision, to analyze laws regulating provision of social support to large families, to point out problems of provision of social support to large families and possible ways how to solve them. The first part analyzes social security in the European Union and Lithuania, types of social security and social policy of welfare states. The second part covers shortcomings of social support to large families based on the results of the research conducted in Lazdijai district Kapčiamiestis elderate and provides recommendations for improvement of the support. Having analyzed data of the research conclusions have been made that provision of social support to large families is not efficient and adequate. Families would like that raising of children was equal to the work that is socially beneficial and was paid for.