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The two main objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the usability of a major delivery company computer-based performance dashboard design and (2) identify education level differences in user task performance and dashboard usability assessments. Both college educated and non-college educated participants were recruited to complete 15 tasks on a dashboard prototype under time constraints. The dashboard was divided among 5 user roles, and 3 tasks were assigned for each role. Participants also completed the VARK (Visual, Aural, Reading/writing and Kinesthetic) Questionnaire to identify their learning styles and a Computer Experience Categorization tool to categorize them as expert, intermediate or novice computer users. After-task usability questionnaires and an open-ended questionnaire were used to acquire usability ratings from participants. This study suggested that college educated participants performed better than non-college educated participants on dashboard-related tasks. Expert computer users rated the dashboard as more usable than did intermediate computer users. / Master of Science

Electronic learning (e-learning) is an increasingly popular approach used to 1rain. knowledge and skills in work organizations. A 2006 market report estimated that organizations increased the use of e-learning by 8% from 2005 to 2006. Scientific research on how to best design e-learning to maximize learner outcomes is needed. Some attention is being directed at computer-based games due to their perceived motivational properties. By using a computer-based game and a non-game control group, this study examined differences in learning and satisfaction with training, and it also examined individual differences in goal orientation and self-efficacy. None of the hypotheses were supported. Instead, participants in the control group spent significantly more time in training and scored higher on a post-training performance goal orientation measure than participants in the game condition Moreover, when time spent in training was controlled participants in the control group performed significantly better on the post-training performance measure than did participants in the game condition. In addition consistent with research on individual differences, learning goal orientation (but not performance goal orientation) and self-efficacy were positively related to GPA. The results of this study suggest that more attention needs to be paid to the design of games used in training and on understanding how specific game features impact learning, motivation, and satisfaction.

In distance education, students and teachers are at different places and interact with each other with the help of different technologies. Broadcast television, two-way video conferencing, asynchronous learning mode, virtual learning environment (VLE) and content based multimedia computer based trainings (CB-MCBTs) are some of the technologies used to provide distance education. Content Based Multimedia Computer Based Trainings (CB-MCBT) is a computerized learning environment. The acceptance of computerized learning environment is based on its usability. And usability in any computerized learning environment is supportive to learners and it increases their learning experiences of learners. Authors of this research have evaluated usability of CBMCBTs, specifically CB-MCBTs designed by AIOU. Usability evaluation has been performed to find out usability issues in CB-MCBTs, and figured out requirements of learners regarding CB-MCBTs. To figure out usability issues in CBMCBTs authors have used inquiry technique with focus group and questionnaire. Authors have proposed usability criteria to evaluate usability of CB-MCBTs. Each element of proposed criteria is based on principle of user interface design, and three main usability aspects: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. Development of CB-MCBTs in AIOU is nice and unique effort in the field of computer based trainings. However if these CB-MCBTs are designed to support distance education, then AIOU should focus on the availability of CB-MCBTs to the students, feedbacks within CB-MCBT and feedback from university to students and completeness of these CB-MCBTs regarding features and facilities required by the students. This research also gives recommendation to AIOU for improvements in CB-MCBTs. These recommendations are helpful to fix usability issues in CB-MCBTs and to make these CB-MCBTs according to the requirements of learners.

A quantitative, descriptive research study was conducted at a nursing college to investigate the nature of nursing learners' exposure to computer assisted instruction and computer-based learning, the perceived benefits of this exposure, and the problems that they had encountered. Learners, who had been exposed to computer assisted instruction and computer-based learning, participated. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was administered to collect data. The research results revealed that the learners had limited exposure to educational computer packages, and computer-based learning activities. They encountered numerous problems. Although the learners derived many benefits from computer assisted instruction, this did not result in effective learning. They indicated that they preferred computer assisted instruction more than traditional teaching methods. This study contributed towards recommendations on improving learners' access to the necessary facilities, equipment and educational computer software. The researcher also recommended strategies to ensure that computer assisted instruction is based on sound educational principles. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Skrivning är en central del av undervisningen för elever i årskurs 4–6. Under vår verksamhetsförlagda utbildning har vi märkt att elevers attityder till skrivande ser olika ut beroende på om texten skrivs för hand eller på dator. Litteraturstudien undersöker hur användandet av datorer i undervisningen påverkar elevers skrivutveckling i årskurs 4–6. De frågeställningar som besvaras är: Vad är avgörande för att en datorbaserad undervisning ska bli gynnsam för elevers skrivutveckling? Vilka effekter har datorn på elevers skrivutveckling?   Litteraturstudien bygger på internationell och nationell forskning om hur en datorbaserad undervisning påverkar elevers skrivutveckling med utgångspunkt i årskurs 4–6. Även forskning gällande övriga elever i grundskolan samt gymnasiet har inkluderats. Studien innehåller tio vetenskapliga artiklar, en doktorsavhandling samt ett konferensbidrag.   Resultatet av litteraturstudien visar att datorn har positiva effekter på elevers skrivande då de upplever att de kan ägna mer tid åt textens innehåll och mindre tid åt formandet av bokstäver och eventuella stavfel. Litteraturstudiens resultat visar att för att användandet av datorer ska vara gynnsamt krävs det att eleverna ges möjligheter att utveckla sina kunskaper om datorns utformning och hantering. Litteraturstudiens resultat visar även att lärares intresse och kunskaper är avgörande i alla årskurser, för att datorn ska kunna användas som ett arbetsverktyg i undervisningen. Slutligen har vi i litteraturstudien kommit fram till att lärare behöver erbjuda en varierad undervisning där eleverna ges möjlighet att skriva texter både för hand och med dator för att tillgodose alla elevers förutsättningar och behov.

<p>The report begins with a general inventory of possible technical faults in a hydropower plant and of possible fault indicating measurements. Then an investigation is made concerning a few different faults. Based on this investigation a choice on seal box condition and water leakage is made as problem for a more thorough examination, in which it is concluded that the turbine water leakage is larger when the turbine is put into operation. The examination ultimately results in a computer alarm for faults related to the seal box. Finally a few things are mentioned about flow measurement and pressure measurement in relation to the project as a whole.</p> / <p>Rapporten inleds med en övergripande sammanställning av möjliga tekniska fel i en vattenkraftstation och av möjliga felindikerande mätningar. Därefter görs en probleminventering av ett antal olika fel. Baserat på denna inventering väljes sedan tätningsboxkondition och läckvatten som problem för en mer ingående undersökning, vid vilken det konstateras att turbinvattenläckaget är större när turbinen är i drift. Undersökningen utmynnar sedan i ett datalarm för fel relaterade till tätningsboxar. Slutligen nämns något om flödesmätning och tryckmätning i relation till projektet i sin helhet.</p>

The human body is colonized by more than 100 trillion microbes which make up an essential part of the body and plays a significant role in health. We now know the over use and misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt this microbiome contributing to the onset of disease and runs the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance. With antibiotic research still on the decline, new strategies are greatly needed to combat emerging pathogens while maintaining a healthy microbiome. We therefore set out to present a novel species-selective antimicrobial drug discovery strategy. Disruption of the homeostasis within the oral cavity can trigger the onset of one of the most common bacterial infections, periodontal disease. Even though the oral cavity is one of the most diverse sites on the human body, the Gram-negative colonizer, Porphyromonas gingivalis has long been considered a key player in the initiation of periodontitis, suggesting the potential for novel narrow-spectrum therapeutics. By targeting key pathogens, it may be possible to treat periodontitis while allowing for the recolonization of the beneficial, healthy flora. Therefore, we set out to use P. gingivalis and periodontal disease as a model for pathogen-specific antimicrobial drug discovery. In this study we present a unique approach to predict essential gene targets selective for the periodontal pathogen within the oral environment. Using our knowledge of metabolic networks and essential genes we identified a “druggable” essential target, meso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase, which is found in a limited number of species. This enzyme, meso-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase from P. gingivalis, was first expressed and purified, then characterized for enzymatic inhibitor screening studies. We then applied a computer-based drug discovery method, combining pharmacophore models, high-throughput virtual screening and molecular docking. Utilizing the ZINC database we virtually screened over 9 million small-molecules to identify several potential target-specific inhibitors. Finally, we used target-based and whole-cell based biochemical screening to assess in vitro activity. We conclude that the establishment of this target and screening strategy provides a framework for the future development of new antimicrobials and drug discovery.

Author's first name and surname: Jiří Otta, BA Title of the master thesis: Use of computer based exercise therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease. Comparation effectiveness of computer based exercise therapy and conventional therapy in parkinsonian pacients with postural instability-pilot study. Department: Department of Neurology 1st Faculty of Medicine and General teaching Hospital Supervisor: As. MUDr. Martina Hoskovcová Consultant: Mgr. Ondřej Čakrt, Ph.D. The year of presentation: 2013 Abstract Introduction: Stability and walking disorder is an important part of clinical image of Parkinson's disease (further only as PD) and another neurodegenerative diseases with Parkinson-syndrome aspects (further only as PS). Above all in the late PD - phases stability and walking disorders and falls resulting from them responsible for serious functional restrictions and they can lead up to a self - sufficiency decreasing. In the clinical application for patients with PD are so far ordinarily accepted as a standard the guidelines Clinical Practice Guidelines - KNGF (Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie - Royal Hollandian Physiotherapeutical Societies). In these days there are appearing new, unconvenional methods in rehabilitation (further only as RHB) of stability disorder and falls in patients...

Um dos mais sérios desafios enfrentados pelas comunidades científica e acadêmica tem sido quebrar os paradigmas tradicionais da educação formal, que é apoiada basicamente na transmissão de conhecimento centrada no professor e que coloca o aluno de forma passiva no processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Da mesma forma que as instituições de ensino enfrentam este desafio, as empresas têm sentido também grande dificuldade na capacitação de seus funcionários de forma a acompanhar, com a mesma velocidade, a mudança de métodos e tecnologia, impostos por um mercado competitivo e globalizado. Para manterem-se competitivos neste contexto da globalização, as empresas buscam como fator diferencial, além de outros, o desenvolvimento de novos produtos de maneira mais eficiente diante das necessidades ditadas pelo mercado. Porém, a dificuldade de proporcionar um treinamento eficaz de seus funcionários, principalmente quanto ao desenvolvimento de novos produtos, pode representar uma restrição à competitividade das empresas. Como uma tentativa de sanar este quadro, foi desenvolvido um cenário de integração que está baseado em um modelo de referência e na vivência dos participantes em uma estória de desenvolvimento de produtos de uma empresa modelo. Porém, pela quantidade de assuntos novos abordados no cenário de integração, suas aplicações anteriores registraram falhas de aprendizagem pelo desnivelamento de conhecimentos e por características particulares de aprendizagem de cada participante. Assim, este trabalho propõe uma nova estrutura para o cenário de integração, baseada em sistemas computacionais para a preparação e ensino dos conceitos abordados no desenvolvimento de produtos, bem como a continuidade do aprendizado após a realização de cursos do cenário de integração. Ainda dentro da proposta deste trabalho, está a implantação desta nova configuração para o cenário de integração para alunos de graduação e a avaliação dos resultados obtidos nesta experiência. / One of the greatest challenges for scientific and academic communities has been to break the traditional paradigms of formal education, which are essentially based on the transmission of teacher-centered knowledge and which place the student in a passive role in the teaching and learning process. Just as educational institutions face this challenge, so do companies encounter serious difficulties in terms of capacitating their employees to cape with the methodological and technological changes brought about by a competitive and globalized market at the same rate that these changes occur. To remain competitive and meet the market- dedicated needs in this globalized context, companies seek more effective new product development methods, among others, as a differentiating factor. However, the difficulties involved in providing effective employee training, particularly insofar as new product development is concerned, may represent a restriction to the competitiveness of companies. In an attempt to reverse this situation, an integration scenario was developed based on a reference model and on the participants\' personal experience in the product development story of a model company. However, owing to the number of new subjects broached in the integration scenario, its previous applications revealed learning failures resulting from participants\' unequal degree of knowledge and their distinct learning characteristics. This work, therefore, proposes a new structure for the integration scenario based on computer systems for the preparation and teaching of the concepts applied to product development, as well as for continued learning following the integration scenario courses. The scope of this work also includes the implementation of this new configuration for the integration scenario for undergraduate students and the assessment of the results of this experience.