Challenges associated with ensuring the accuracy and reliability of cost estimation of highway bid items, especially during the conceptual phase of a project, are of significant interest to state highway agencies. Even with the existing research undertaken on the subject, the problem of inaccurate estimation of highway bid items still exists. A systematic literature review was performed to determine research trends, identify, categorize the factors influencing highway unit prices, and assess the performance of conceptual cost prediction models. This research proposes a geographic information system (GIS)?based methodology that leverages vast historical bid data for unit-price estimation and the robust GIS capabilities with consideration of the effects of project-specific location and variations due to cost escalation on different bid items. A comparison of the three spatial interpolation techniques operationalized in this research revealed that disjunctive and empirical Bayesian kriging models led to more accurate cost prediction than ordinary kriging algorithms.

Assistive technology allows students with disabilities opportunities for greater independence, improved productivity, and increased functional capabilities. It removes obstacles, helps students overcome disabilities, and holds great promise for enriching educational outcomes and affecting the lives of students. However, for over 90% of special education students, assistive technology is not part of their education. One reason for not applying assistive technology to help students is the lack of a clear vision of what assistive technology is, what it can help students accomplish, and how to appropriately access it through individualized education programs (IEPs). In this study a comprehensive concept analysis clarified key assistive technology concepts, and identified critical relevant and critical irrelevant attributes of assistive technology. Multiple focus groups and a survey of 191 special educators validated the concept analysis. The survey also provided valid and reliable data about the relevant and irrelevant critical attributes identified in the concept analysis. The survey identified discrepancies between understanding of the concepts and actual applications of assistive technology. The study applied a unique combination of concept analysis, focus group research, and survey research methods. The appropriate application of assistive technology considers (a) the role of technology, (b) how technology meets students' unique functional needs, (c) the appropriateness of assistive technology applications, and ( d) the use of technology to expand the environment of the student. Although special educators agree these concepts are critical, they seldom apply them. Other irrelevant, misconceived attributes often dictate the nonapplication or misapplication of assistive technology. Although the IEP is the programmatic method whereby students with disabilities access special education services, 86% of IEPs do not consider possible technology applications. This oversight occurs because IEP participants lack valid information, do not have assistive technology assessments available, perceive funding as a major obstacle, lack training, and/or there are not polices and procedures in place concerning assistive technology . Recommendations for special education providers, local education agencies, and parents are included.

The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a scalable concept map based navigation system for a digital textbook. A literature review has been conducted to identify possible methods to promote conceptual understanding in the context of a digital textbook, and these hypothesized solutions will be evaluated through a prototype tool. The primary method that has been selected for this study to promote conceptual understanding in textbooks is the concept map. When concept maps are used as advance organizers or navigation aids for hypermedia documents, they have been shown to promote conceptual understanding. Issues with scalability exist, however. When maps become too large or complicated, a phenomenon labeled "map-shock" occurs. Map-shock is a result of cognitive overload that nullifies the positive effects the concept map has on learning. In order to eliminate map-shock, one needs to manage the cognitive load imposed on the learner. This project proposes using information visualization techniques leveraged from the computer science domain to develop an interactive concept map based navigation system that will retain the positive effects of concept maps, and also present the visuals in a way that does not cognitively overload the user. This study seeks to answer the research question: "How can a large-scale concept map visualization tools be realized in a way that promotes conceptual understanding and manages cognitive load?" To answer the research question, a prototype tool, labeled the "Adaptive Map tool", was developed and populated with engineering statics content. This prototype contains content that is similar to the material in a traditional statics textbook, but the information is accessed through the proposed adaptive concept map visualization. The tool was then given to students in engineering statics class to be used as a supplemental textbook. The effects of the Adaptive Map tool were evaluated through a multiple case study approach that allowed researchers to understand how this tool fit into the larger learning context of a class. Results indicated that some students did integrate the Adaptive Map tool into the learning process, and furthermore that the tool did promote meaningful learning behaviors that lead to better conceptual understanding of the material. / Ph. D.

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This thesis has as the main objective to investigate how to mitigatenegative impacts of urban environments and industrial agriculturethrough architectural design. The applied methodology is based inSynergetic Building Integrated Agriculture (SBIA) in combinationwith strict sustainability requirements (ecological, economical andsocial). Through the qualitative study of SBIA and built case studies it waspossible to identify the common factors and state-of-art technologyto be integrated in the design. This synergetic design proposal thus highlights the importance of amultidisciplinary approach for a successful future implementation ofsustainable SBIA design.

Two experiments examined processing of "near-nonsense" noun-noun combinations (e.g., dictionary treatment, olive signals). In the first experiment, readers’ eye movements were monitored as they read sentences containing such combinations, or control sentences containing easy-to-interpret adjective-noun combinations. A preceding context sentence either did or did not support a specific interpretation of the critical noun-noun combination. The earliest measures of processing difficulty were not modulated by the context manipulation, but on later measures, the potentially helpful context did alleviate difficulty. In the second experiment, participants provided detailed interpretations of the critical combinations, with and without the potentially helpful context sentence; the results confirmed that the context sentences encouraged specific interpretations of these combinations. The results suggest that a noun-noun combination is initially interpreted without taking into account the immediate context, but that this context may ultimately play a critical role.

Interventionsstudien undersökte förståelse om månens faser i årskurs 2. Inom området finns det mycket forskning om digitala 3D-modeller som visar en positiv effekt på elevers förståelse om astronomiska fenomen. Däremot finns det inte lika mycket forskning om fysiska modeller, därav vill vi undersöka om en fysisk 3D-modell kan stödja eleverna i deras förståelse om månens faser och se om den hjälper till att förhindra elevers missuppfattningar som tidigare forskning nämner att elever kan ha. Studiens frågeställningar är: (1) Hur kan tillämpning av en fysisk 3D-modell stödja elevers förståelse av månens faser i åk F-3? samt (2) Vilka tecken på förståelse av månens faser visar elever före och efter en intervention? I interventionen arbetade eleverna med en 3D-modell som representerade solen, månen och jorden. Under genomförandet var de indelade i grupper om 3–4 personer där de demonstrera och diskutera frågor om månens faser. Det teoretiska ramverket för studien är conceptual change. Interventionen inkluderade ett för- och eftertest för att synliggöra kognitiva processer och elevers konceptuella förändring. Bearbetning och analys av datamaterialet har genomförts utifrån en tematisk analys samt conceptual change teorin. I studien visade eleverna flera tecken på förståelse för månens faser i tillämpningen av 3D-modellen. Exempelvis demonstrerade de olika månfaser och vart månen skulle vara placerad i förhållande till jorden och solen. Trots visad förståelse vid arbetet med 3D-modellen gick det att urskilja missuppfattningar i eftertestet.

This dissertation reports on the secondary analysis of data obtained in 2013 about first-year university student’s conceptual understanding of concepts related to simple DC-circuits. The aim was to investigate the nature of conceptual understanding of students entering first-year physics at a South African university, and to explore how their conceptual understanding relates to contextual factors. Data collected from 815 participants comprise contextual data about each participant and responses in the DIRECT-instrument (Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric Circuits Concepts Test). The conceptual framework for this study was based on a combination of the model about the effectiveness of science teaching and the critical outcomes related to electricity and electric circuits, which involve aspects of current, energy, potential difference and the physical aspects of circuits. The contextual data included information at personal, classroom and school level. Data were analysed using Rasch analysis. The study found that students entering a first-year physics module at a South African university have poor conceptual understanding about simple DC-electric circuits. The analysis of the DIRECT-instrument revealed that students had difficulties understanding concepts relating to parallel circuits, confusing terms such as voltage and current, and current and energy. They also struggled to relate a circuit diagram to an actual circuit and issues regarding short circuits were prominent. The analysis of the contextual data revealed that students’ degree of exposure to practical work does not imply conceptual understanding of DC-electric circuits. Factors that relate with conceptual understanding included students’ attitudes towards science, gender and previous achievement in Science, Mathematics, and English. Key terms: Conceptual understanding, DC-electric circuit, Misconception, Aptitudes / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / MEd / Unrestricted

In Has Modernism Failed? (1984), Suzi Gablik calls for a postmodern art that has preserved the values that modernism lost over the 20th century, stating that only through "direct knowing" may we be shocked out of art-for-art's-sake. In Art As Experience (1934), John Dewey similarly proposes that "thinking is a kind of doing," recommending an instrumental art in one's drive to better him/herself. Contemporary artist Linda Montano challenges the status quo by exploring the nature of art beyond its material value. In her Living Art performances (1970-1986), Montano creates a postmodern pragmatic aesthetic that is conducive to the unique interchange between knowledge and experience. Using descriptive analysis, this study investigates the functional relationship between postmodernism and pragmatics as an aesthetic in performance art. Particularly, it addresses how Gablik's theory and Dewey's methods provide a framework in which Montano's art may be discussed as instrumental to both self and society.

Industry is constantly looking for ways to bring new or derivative products to market in the shortest amount of time for the least amount of money. To accomplish this, Industry has adopted Computer Aided Engineering (CAX) tools that perform structural, flow, manufacturing, and cost analysis. The way in which a company utilizes these CAX tools can determine the success of these new products. One of these tools that Industry often struggles with in the preliminary design of a product is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Some of the challenges presented by CFD are the time it takes to create a CAD model, generate a valid grid for analysis, obtain a solution, post-process results, and review the result. The objective of this thesis is to develop an approach that will reduce the time it takes to go from a concept to a solution ready for review. This approach, addresses how to first, build CAD model for use in downstream applications, second, automate the grid generation process, and third, automate the post process and documentation of the results. Using this approach a conceptual study of a two stream mixing problem was performed. The approach showed that the creation of the first model took about twenty percent longer than the standard practice used in industry today. However, once the first model was completed, different concepts could be added to the CAD model and be ready for analysis in less than half the time when compared to standard practices. This time savings can then be used to explore more concepts. After each model was analyzed, it was post-processed using an automated script. With the post-processed results the Design Review Tool (DRT) was developed to automate the documentation of the results. Using the DRT each post-processed case was organized into a web page and saved for review in less than five seconds. This approach will enable the aerospace, automotive, and other industries to use CFD to more effectively explore the design space in the development of new and derivative products. This research demonstrates the process to reduce the time required to go from CAD-to-Grid, postprocess the results, and create the documentation needed to develop new products.