Usability of an expert system is dependent upon the relationship between a human user and the expert system interface. The interface is defined as any combination of equipment with which the user and expert system communicate. Within the context of this research, the interface is considered to be the expert system text and graphics appearing on display hardware. This type of interface is known as an advisor. A state transition model is used to represent human-advisor interaction. The model provides a mechanism by which to collect objective human performance data. In addition, it is used to specify human-advisor interaction metrics. To test the state transition model, an expert system, Function Diagnostic, was developed. Function Diagnostic determines mathematical expressions for the graphical representation of selected piecewise linear and polynomial function. An experiment was performed in which subjects used Function Diagnostic to solve problems. Each problem was associated with one of three levels of difficulty: easy, moderate, and hard. The subject population consisted of 36 engineering students. Two subjective measures were recorded: (1) user confidence in solutions reached by Function Diagnostic and (2) user perception of problem difficulty. Objective measures associated with user errors and problem solving skills were also recorded. Expert system usability measures were derived from the human-advisor interaction metrics, and these measures are incorporated into a usability function. The usability function is a linear combination of (1) subjective measures and (2) the usability measures derived from the human-advisor interaction metrics. The function can be used to predict how a usability score will be changed when function variables are perturbed. / Ph. D.

Ph. D.

Computer systems for the interpretation of diagnostic ECGs are widely used, but currently provide no explanatory or teaching functions of value to the less experienced practitioner. The relevant literature is reviewed, and specifications are provided for an ECG analysis system which will function as a learning aid for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students. Key aspects of the specifications are implemented on an IBM-PC. Recommendations for further development are provided.

No description available.

Parkinson's Disease can be treated by a micro-electrode guided neurosurgery called a Pallidotomy or Deep Brain Stimulus. A new software program, called Onetrack, is being developed and incorporates a three dimensional virtual model of the brain, a advanced digital signal processor and a knowledge based system (KBS). This thesis discusses the design and development of this KBS. The purpose of the KBS is to assist the surgical team in identifying the different anatomical structures and neuronal cell types of the brain. Therefore, improving the efficiency of the procedure.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 C68 / Master of Science

This thesis is concerned with the applicability of model reference adaptive control to the control of robot manipulators under a wide range of configuration and payload changes, and a comparison of the performance of this technique with that of the non-adaptive schemes. The dynamic equations of robot manipulators are highly nonlinear and are difficult to determine precisely. For these reasons there is an interest in applying adaptive control techniques to robot manipulators. In this work, the detailed performance of three adaptive controllers are studied and compared with that of a non-adaptive controller, namely, the computed torque control scheme. Computer simulation results show that the use of adaptive control improves the performance of the manipulator despite changes in the payload or in the manipulator configuration. Making use of these results, a rule-based controller is developed by dividing a given manipulation task into portions where a particular adaptive control scheme, based on a specific linearized subsystem model, performs best. This strategy of selecting the proper controller during each portion of the overall task yields a performance having the least deviation from the desired trajectory during the entire length of the task.

Research report presented to SBL, Unisa, Midrand. / No abstract / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBL

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / abstract / Computer Science / Master / Master of Philosophy