This thesis examines the problem of having an intelligent agent reasoning about interaction with users in real-time decision making environments. Our work is motivated by the models of Fleming and Cheng, which reason about interaction sensitive to both expected quality of decision (following interaction) and cost of bothering users. In particular, we are interested in dynamic, time critical scenarios. This leads first of all to a novel process known as strategy regeneration, whereby the parameter values representing the users and the task at hand are refreshed periodically, in order to make effective decisions about which users to interact with, for the best decision making. We also introduce two new parameters that are modeled: each user's lack of expertise (with the task at hand) and the level of criticality of each task. These factors are then integrated into the process of reasoning about interaction to choose the best overall strategy, deciding which users to ask to resolve the current task. We illustrate the value of our framework for the application of decision making in hospital emergency room scenarios and offer validation of the approach, both through examples and from simulations. To sum up, we provide a framework for reasoning about interaction with users through user modeling for dynamic environments. In addition, we present some insights into how to improve the process of hospital emergency room decision making.

This thesis examines the problem of having an intelligent agent reasoning about interaction with users in real-time decision making environments. Our work is motivated by the models of Fleming and Cheng, which reason about interaction sensitive to both expected quality of decision (following interaction) and cost of bothering users. In particular, we are interested in dynamic, time critical scenarios. This leads first of all to a novel process known as strategy regeneration, whereby the parameter values representing the users and the task at hand are refreshed periodically, in order to make effective decisions about which users to interact with, for the best decision making. We also introduce two new parameters that are modeled: each user's lack of expertise (with the task at hand) and the level of criticality of each task. These factors are then integrated into the process of reasoning about interaction to choose the best overall strategy, deciding which users to ask to resolve the current task. We illustrate the value of our framework for the application of decision making in hospital emergency room scenarios and offer validation of the approach, both through examples and from simulations. To sum up, we provide a framework for reasoning about interaction with users through user modeling for dynamic environments. In addition, we present some insights into how to improve the process of hospital emergency room decision making.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2012-08-02T21:38:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Raimundo Celestino Silva Neves. Prevalência e grau de desconforto de bexiga hiperativa numa área urbana no Nordeste brasileiro - CPqGM - Dissertação de Mestrado - 2008.pdf: 741822 bytes, checksum: 52611300a032353b413d569d677cd039 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-08-02T21:38:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Raimundo Celestino Silva Neves. Prevalência e grau de desconforto de bexiga hiperativa numa área urbana no Nordeste brasileiro - CPqGM - Dissertação de Mestrado - 2008.pdf: 741822 bytes, checksum: 52611300a032353b413d569d677cd039 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Estimar a prevalência da síndrome de bexiga hiperativa (BH) e de outros sintomas referentes ao trato urinário inferior em uma amostra com base populacional de um grande centro urbano do nordeste brasileiro. Adicionalmente, pretendeu-se avaliar o impacto desses sintomas na qualidade de vida dos participantes, investigar possíveis fatores associados à prevalência de BH e descrever a busca por tratamento para essa síndrome. Métodos: A prevalência de BH foi avaliada segundo sua definição mais recente, estabelecida em 2002 ,pela Sociedade Internacional de Continência (SIC) e o inquérito domiciliar utilizou o método de amostragem estratificado em três estágios, abrangendo 17 regiões administrativas da cidade de Salvador. Os resultados são apresentados de acordo o sexo e a faixa etária. Resultados: Três mil indivíduos com idade ≥ 30 anos foram incluídos no estudo, sendo 1.500 homens e 1.500 mulheres (taxa de resposta de 82,9%). A prevalência de BH foi de 5,1% em homens e 10% em mulheres. Nicturia (≥ 1 por noite) esteve presente em 64,4% dos homens e 71,2% das mulheres, enquanto que a prevalência de nictúria (≥2 por noite) foi de 33,3% e 36,5%, respectivamente. Já a freqüência urinária aumentada foi descrita por 15,4% dos homens e 23,7% das mulheres. A maioria das pessoas com urgência, 80% dos homens e 78% das mulheres, relatou algum grau de desconforto em possuir esse sintoma e indivíduos com BH tiveram alto grau de depressão e ansiedade (p<0,001). Conclusão: Esse é o maior estudo epidemiológico com base populacional no Brasil e que utiliza as novas definições referentes ao trato urinário inferior, recomendadas pela SIC em 2002. O incômodo provocado nos indivíduos, o impacto na qualidade de vida e a prevalência dos sintomas de BH destacam a gravidade dessa síndrome. / To estimate the prevalence of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) and the other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a sample of the big urban center in the Brazilian Northeastern. Additionally, to evaluate the impact of these symptoms in quality of life of participants, to investigate possible factors associates to the prevalence of OAB and to describe help seeking behaviors for urinary problems. Methods: The prevalence of OAB was evaluated according to your more recent definition established in 2002 for the International Continence Society (ICS) and the domiciliary inquiry used a three-step sampling method, enclosing 17 administrative regions of the city of Salvador. The results are presented according to gender and age cohort. Results: A total of three thousand individuals aged ≥ 30 years were analyzed in the study, (1,500 men and 1,500 women) with response rate of 82.9%. The prevalence of BH was 5.1% in men and 10% in women. Nocturia (≥ 1 time/ night) was present in 64.4% of men and 71.2% of the women, while that the prevalence of nocturia (≥ 2 time/ night) was 33.3% and 36.5%, respectively. However the increased frequency was described for 15,4% of men and 23.7% of the women. The majority of the people with urgency, 80% of men and 78% of the women, report any bother with symptom and OAB subjects had high level of depression and anxiety. Conclusion: This is the largest epidemiologic study with population-based in Brazil and that it uses the new definitions of the ICS of 2002. The bother provoked in the individuals, the impact in the quality of life and the prevalence of the LUTS salient the gravity of this syndrome.