Coronary artery disease is one of the most pernicious diseases around the world and early identification of vascular disease can help to reduce morbidity and mortality. Assessment of the degree of vascular obstruction, or stenosis, is critical for classifying the risks of the future vascular events. Automatic detection and quantification of stenosis are important in assessing coronary artery disease from medical imagery, especially for disease progression. Important factors affecting the reproducability and robustness of accuarate quantification arise from the partial volume effect and other noise sources. The main goal of this study is to present a fully automatic approach for detection and quantification of the stenosis in the coronary arteries. The proposed approach begins by building a 3D reconstruction of the coronary arterial system and then making accurate measurement of the vessel diameter from a robust estimate of the vessel cross-section. The proposed algorithm models the partial volume effect using a Markovian fuzzy clustering method in the process of accurate quantification of the degree of stenosis. To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the measurement, the method was applied to a vascular phantom that was scanned using different protocols. The algorithm was applied to 20 CTA patient datasets containing a total of 85 stenoses, which were all successfully detected, with an average false positive rate of 0.7 per scan.

It is well known that the evolution of 4G-based mobile multimedia network systems will contribute significantly to future m-health applications that require high bandwidth and fast data rates. Central to the success of such emerging applications is the compatibility of broadband networks such as mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) and RSVP A, and especially their rate adaption issues combined with the acceptable real time medical quality of service requirements. The design of effective broadband mobile healthcare systems usmg emerging WiMAX and RSxP A networks is important from the medical perspective especially in applications such as remote medical ultrasound diagnostic systems. In this thesis, we introduce a new cross layer design approach for medical video streaming over mobile WiMAX and RSVP A networks. In particular, we propose an approach based on optimising medical Quality of Service (m-QoS) in mobile WiMAX network environments described in this work. Preliminary performance analysis of the proposed cross layer algorithm has been evaluated via simulation studies. These results show that the proposed cross layer optimizer achieves improved performance compatible with the necessary medical QoS requirements and constraints for the relevant clinical application. Furthermore, this work addresses the relevant challenges of cross layer design requirements for real time rate adaptation of ultrasound video streaming in Mobile WiMAX and RSVP A networks. The comparative performance analysis of such approach is validated in two experimental m-health testbed systems for both Mobile WiMAX and RSVP A networks. The experimental results show an improved performance of Mobile WiMAX compared to the RSVP A using the same cross layer optimisation approach. Additionally, we map the medical QoS to typical WiMAX QoS parameters in order to optimise the performance of these parameters in typical m-health scenarios. Preliminary performance analysis of the proposed multiparametric scenarios is evaluated to provide essential information for future medical QoS requirements and constraints.

This thesis describes a framework for the high level control of an autonomous unmanned spacecraft. Greater autonomy than currently exist is required for unmanned spacecraft to enable missions to distant planets and bodies. One reason for this is that the signal return time is too long to accommodate real-time control from the ground. A second reason is that spacecraft travelling to bodies where little is known of the environment (e.g. asteroids) must have the capability to respond to unplanned events. In addition, autonomy can help reduce mission operations costs, a very important factor in the current climate where more is expected from space missions at a lower cost. The thesis proposes a novel architecture for an autonomous unmanned spacecraft, based on Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI), and more specifically based on the multi-agent paradigm. The proposed model for spacecraft control is decentralised. In this architecture, the spacecraft is made up of agents; the traditional ground-based controller is one agent. The spacecraft is goal-driven; it receives high level goals from the ground. The planning and scheduling of activities to achieve these goals is carried out on-board the spacecraft. The spacecraft is also event-driven; it reacts to events that occur on-board the spacecraft as well as in the environment. A DAI architecture requires a co-ordination mechanism, and a communication structure. Also, distributed versions of algorithms must be provided. In this thesis, co-ordination with and without explicit communication and distributed scheduling were investigated, and a framework proposed for both these issues. An autonomous spacecraft must have inference capability for on-board decision making to enable it to respond to unplanned events. Probabilistic reasoning in the form of Bayesian networks was used to provide the spacecraft with the capability for on-board decision making. Situations may arise where the spacecraft must make decisions with uncertain or incomplete information. The issue of decision making with uncertain or incomplete knowledge (e.g. co-ordination without explicit communication) was investigated using domain specific scenarios. Spacecraft resources are typically very limited in capacity. On-board resource management should result in more efficient use of resources. A framework for an on-board resource manager was defined and implemented using reinforcement learning. A distributed version of the scheduling algorithm using reinforcement learning was developed. Thus, this thesis describes and investigates an architectural framework for a multi-agent approach to spacecraft control.

This study proposes the implementation of a Strategic Ontological Police Force Knowledge Management Framework with the Dubai Police Force. Recent research in knowledge management has reiterated the potential benefits of effective knowledge management in both public and private sector organisations. Effective knowledge management allows organisations to accrue rewards such as increased productivity, enhanced performance, and competitive advantage. However, the process of transitioning to new models and frameworks of knowledge management can pose a number of difficulties, particularly within organisations that have entrenched managerial practices. This study posits that the implementation of an effective knowledge management strategy must take into account the cultural and administrative specificity of the organisation, and the wider socio-cultural context in which it operates, in order to ensure that an appropriate framework is devised. The core characteristics of the proposed Knowledge Management framework of the Dubai Police Force must be one where the organisational structure first and foremost permits transparency and an avenue stream for sharing knowledge. This framework must enhance common understanding within the organisation hence ontology is utilised to capture this. New technology must be shared amongst all levels within the organisation and training at all levels is required to be homogenous. The thesis finds that knowledge sharing within the Dubai Police Force to be largely absent with a degree of apathy amongst staff members. Further, the findings show the staff to be unaware of the nature to which knowledge sharing could benefit the police force in the long run. There was also an attitude whereby staff members concentrated on their own particular tasks, goals and achievements and not those of other individuals, which if noted, would be to the benefit of the organisation. The thesis found that the entire infrastructure lacked cooperation at all levels to the detriment of the entire police force. In light of the knowledge framework and contribution, the recommendations serve to consider how people, cultures and technology interact to create a strategy for knowledge transfer within the institution rather than an environment consisting of workers the knowledge management technologies should ensure a process that includes personal development contributing to the overall organisation and training programmes.

In recent years, call centres have been considered as an integral part of the modern businesses, since they play an important role in providing service delivery functions to their customers. A well-managed call centre, therefore, is crucial to ensure high level of customer satisfaction in today’s competitive market. In order to achieve a high standard, managers of call centres face a very difficult set of challenges. At the top level, they must strike a balance between two powerful competing interests: low operating costs and high service quality. On a day-to-day basis, while simultaneously keeping low costs and high service quality, those managers must also employ appropriate techniques and tools in order to evaluate the true performance of their operations accurately. Such tools play a vital role in understanding the current system performance, evaluation of any proposed enhancement scenarios, and optimising operations management decisions under any unexpected operating conditions. One of traditional operations management challenges for call centre managers is to tackle the multi-period human resources allocation problem. In this thesis, the staffing and staff scheduling decisions in single-skill inbound call centres were studied. These decisions are normally made under strict service level constrain in the presence of highly uncertain operations and demand of call centre services. Neglecting such uncertainty may lead to unrealistic decisions. The objective of this research thesis was to propose a framework to enhance the call centre performance through taking realistic optimal staffing and scheduling decisions. Realistic optimisation requires realistic modeling (evaluation) of call centre operations which is the main focus and contribution of this research. The proposed framework has combined statistical, simulation, and Integer Programming (IP) techniques in achieving realistic optimisation. The framework begins by developing stochastic statistical data models for call centre operations parameters which are divided into service demand (arrival volumes) and service quality (service times, abandonment volumes, and patience time) parameters. These data models are then fed into a simulation model which was developed to determine the minimum staffing levels in daily an-hour periods. Finally, these staffing levels are considered as input to an IP model that optimally allocates the service agents to the different operating shifts of a typical working day. Application of the proposed framework to a call centre in Libya will also be presented to illustrate how its staffing and scheduling decisions could be improved by using the model.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2008. / A thesis submitted to the University of Western Sydney, College of Health and Science, School of Computing and Mathematics, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Includes bibliographical references.

The importance of innovation networks in health information system transformation has been recognised in research. It has been agreed that better-organised innovation networks can be related to better results of patient information system transformation. However, current research do not know much about how those innovation networks are organised, especially the structure of teamwork and information exchange in innovation networks. Thus, this study aims to improve the understanding about how innovation networks are organised and the influences on innovation results. Based on innovation network theory, this study develops and integrates three aspects, network dynamics, network structure and network influence, to explore innovation networks in patient information system transformation. Network dynamics represent complex interactions among people in the process of innovation; network structures show each person's roles and connections in the network; and and network influences link network structures to patient information system upgrade outcomes. Following this theoretical framework, this study answers three research questions: 1) what are the network patterns appearing frequently in network dynamics? 2) What are the patterns of the network structures? 3) To what extent innovation networks can influence the innovation outcomes? The data are collected form four patient record transformation projects in China. This study adopts network analysis method to demonstrate the fabrics of collaborations among the participants in innovation and quantify the regular network patterns and structures. Then, this study uses network regression modelling to explore the relations between innovation networks and innovation outcomes. This study contributes to innovation network research and by presenting 1) the patterns of innovation network dynamics. It demonstrates various patterns of innovation networks in each innovation stages; 2) the innovation network structures. This study identifies five types of brokers and two structures co-existing in the innovation network; 3) network influence. This study suggests that network structures significantly influence the outcomes.

In der Buchreihe "Leipziger Beiträge zur Informatik" erscheinen Berichte aus Forschungsvorhaben, Herausgeberbände im Bereich innovativer und sich etablierender Forschungsgebiete, Habilitationsschriften und Dissertationen sowie Konferenz-Proceedings und herausragende studentische Arbeiten. Der Wert dieser durch den „Leipziger Informatik Verbund“ (LIV) als Zusammenschluss und Interessenverbund verschiedener Informatik-Einrichtungen im Jahr 2003 begründeten Reihe liegt darin, zeitnah und umfassend über abgeschlossene oder laufende wissenschaftliche Arbeiten sowie über neu entstehende Forschungsfelder zu berichten. Die Reihe stellt die innovative Themenvielfalt in den Herausgeberbänden neben die hohe wissenschaftliche Durchdringung in Habilitationen und Dissertationen. Zudem ergänzt sie forschungsrelevante Bereiche mit praxisorientierten technischen Beiträgen und Dokumentationen.