Different from the standard treatment discovery framework which is used for finding single treatments for a homogenous group of patients, personalized medicine involves finding therapies that are tailored to each individual in a heterogeneous group. In this paper, we propose a new semiparametric additive single-index model for estimating individualized treatment strategy. The model assumes a flexible and nonparametric link function for the interaction between treatment and predictive covariates. We estimate the rule via monotone B-splines and establish the asymptotic properties of the estimators. Both simulations and an real data application demonstrate that the proposed method has a competitive performance.

This master thesis presents an experimental design of a laser gyroscope based on a stabilized fiber optical parametric oscillator frequency comb and the results of testing of the proposed design. Before going into the experimental details, a background for different types of gyroscopes is discussed. This new laser gyroscope design is made up of only polarization maintaining (PM) fiber and PM fiber components. By using only fiber and fiber components, we were able to minimize size, weight, and alignment issues that are typical in bulk optical designs for OPO's and gyroscopes. The fiber-based OPO produces counter propagating ultrafast pulses that overlap only twice in the cavity, resulting in a beatnote signal when combined outside of the laser cavity. A mode-locked laser is used as a pump source so the lock-in effect (or deadband region) is avoided for the experiment. The drift of this beatnote signal represents the rotation sensitivity of the experimental setup. Issues seen in past iterations, such as stability of mode-locked pump source and beatnote drift overtime due to environmental variables, have been reduced in this experiment. This has been done by comprising the entire pump source of PM components, and by placing the entire setup in an insulating box to minimize acoustic and temperature fluctuations. By creating a frequency comb and locking the laser gyroscope to an optical clock, this experiment can be used for very precise rotation sensing in comparison to other gyro designs currently available.

Structured probabilistic inference has shown to be useful in modeling complex latent structures of data. One successful way in which this technique has been applied is in the discovery of latent topical structures of text data, which is usually referred to as topic modeling. With the recent popularity of mobile devices and social networking, we can now easily acquire text data attached to meta information, such as geo-spatial coordinates and time stamps. This metadata can provide rich and accurate information that is helpful in answering many research questions related to spatial and temporal reasoning. However, such data must be treated differently from text data. For example, spatial data is usually organized in terms of a two dimensional region while temporal information can exhibit periodicities. While some work existing in the topic modeling community that utilizes some of the meta information, these models largely focused on incorporating metadata into text analysis, rather than providing models that make full use of the joint distribution of metainformation and text. In this thesis, I propose the event detection problem, which is a multidimensional latent clustering problem on spatial, temporal and topical data. I start with a simple parametric model to discover independent events using geo-tagged Twitter data. The model is then improved toward two directions. First, I augmented the model using Recurrent Chinese Restaurant Process (RCRP) to discover events that are dynamic in nature. Second, I studied a model that can detect events using data from multiple media sources. I studied the characteristics of different media in terms of reported event times and linguistic patterns. The approaches studied in this thesis are largely based on Bayesian nonparametric methods to deal with steaming data and unpredictable number of clusters. The research will not only serve the event detection problem itself but also shed light into a more general structured clustering problem in spatial, temporal and textual data.

Mounting of lenses in opto-mechanical assemblies can create surface figure errors and refractive index changes through thermal and pre-load stresses. As lenses and barrels change in size under temperature changes, the optical performance degrades due to stress and surface deformations. Currently there is no way of determining the effect of these mechanical perturbations on the system wavefront without performing tedious finite element analysis. Most in-depth opto-mechanical analyses involve case-by-case studies with specific designs while previous general studies fail to take into account the complex geometries. The assumptions made by previous general studies ignore the effects of lens shape. These omissions can have a large effect on the stiffness, stress and surface figure error. A parametric model can combine the best of both an in-depth and general study. By parametrizing the model, a simple analysis can be executed for approximating the environmental-mechanical effects on optical performance. This eliminates the time it takes for an opto-mechanical design to be iterated for an optical or mechanical engineer. This tool could be used for early opto-mechanical design or for finite element analysis verification. The parametric model allows the exploration of the broader design study without confining it to a local design space.

More and more sensitive information is communicated digitally and with thatcomes the demand for security and privacy on the services being used. An accurateQoS metric for these services are of interest both for the customer and theservice provider. This thesis has investigated the impact of different parameterson the perceived voice quality for encrypted VoIP using a PESQ score as referencevalue. Based on this investigation a parametric prediction model has been developedwhich outputs a R-value, comparable to that of the widely used E-modelfrom ITU. This thesis can further be seen as a template for how to construct modelsof other equipments or codecs than those evaluated here since they effect theresult but are hard to parametrise. The results of the investigation are consistent with previous studies regarding theimpact of packet loss, the impact of jitter is shown to be significant over 40 ms.The results from three different packetizers are presented which illustrates theneed to take such aspects into consideration when constructing a model to predictvoice quality. The model derived from the investigation performs well withno mean error and a standard deviation of the error of a mere 1:45 R-value unitswhen validated in conditions to be expected in GSM networks. When validatedagainst an emulated 3G network the standard deviation is even lower.v

The recent revolution in digital design tools is having a sea-change effect on the way buildings are designed. As the design process becomes increasingly automated, the focus of architectural expertise is shifting from the execution of drawings to the parametric definition of space and form. In other words, the architect will define a complex set of rules that, when entered into a program, create a building. This design process, coupled with digital fabrication, allows for control of the final product in ways that were previously impossible for designers. However, there is still much to learn about the ways these new tools can be integrated into the architectural design and construction process, and their effect on that process. This thesis proposes that there are five levels of parametric design, varying in level of integration and complexity. The three most complex and visionary levels of integration were tested in three full-scale design-build projects to explore the ramifications of a computational process on design. A freestanding lamp, a chair for a teacher and a barn for two donkeys were designed using parametric tools at three levels of integration. Throughout each project, particular attention was paid to the steps in the design process, the effect of parametric integration on designer agency, and the role of labor in design and construction.

No description available.

The hand thinks while it builds. Only by physically grappling with a material does one truly understand what it wants to become. In c o n t e m p o r a r y l a n d s c a p e architecture, there is typically a separation between the act of designing and the act of making, often causing a lack of practical knowledge of the capabilities of materials and their relationship to one another. To construct expressively means to comprehend a material's physical properties and how its process of production is revealed through repetition and exaggeration. This dissertation attempts to explore the pre-fabrication of landscapes through an iterative process of making by hand with the goal of uncovering material properties that would otherwise remain concealed. It starts with a material exploration on a detailed level, after which the resulting artefact is applied in the larger context of Pretoria. In addition, this exploration attempts to add to the very limited body of wor k c on c e r n i ng l an d s c ap e architectural tectonic theories. / Die hand dink wanneer dit bou. Slegs deur fisies met 'n materiaal te wroeg verstaan mens waarlik wat die materiaal wil word. In eietydse landskapargitektuur is daar tipies 'n verdeling tussen die daad van ontwerp en die daad van maak, wat dikwels lei tot 'n gebrek in praktiese kennis oor die geskiktheid van materiale asook hul verhouding tot mekaar. Uitdruklike konstruksie dui op 'n begrip van 'n materiaal se fisiese eienskappe en die tentoonstelling van sy produksieproses deur repetisie en oordrywing. Hierdie skripsie poog om die voorafvervaardiging van landskappe te verken deur die herhalende proses van maak met die hand, met die doel om materiaalseienskappe te ontdek wat andersins geskuil sou bly. Dit begin met 'n materiaalverkenning op 'n detail vlak, waarna die artefak toegepas word in die groter Pretoria konteks. Verder poog hierdie verkenning om by te dra tot die beperkte kennis van tektoniese teorie in landskapargitektuur. / Mini Dissertation (ML (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Architecture / ML (Prof) / Unrestricted

Dyscalculia implies difficulty in acquiring mathematical skills and requires intervention that focuses on the acquisition of the necessary basic mathematical skills. Against this background the purpose of this study was to investigate how Grade 6 learners with dyscalculia may be supported by implementing an Information Communication Technology (ICT) intervention, with a specific focus on number sense and basic mathematical skills. I followed a nomothetic quantitative approach and employed a quasi-experimental design, using a pre-test, followed by an ICT intervention and then a post-test with a small sample of Grade 6 learners that displayed learning difficulties in Mathematics. I combined convenience and purposive sampling to identify two full- service primary schools and utilised non-probable and purposive sampling to select 24 participants, randomly assigning them to either an experimental or control group. Following implementation of the six-week ICT intervention, the scores of all pre- and post-test were documented as data. For the ICT intervention, I used the Number Race application, the Sheppard Software mathematical applications, more specifically Math Lines (addition, multiplication), Math Man (rounding, addition, multiplication), Pop the Balloon (add and order), and The Rockseries. I then completed non-parametric data analysis by utilising the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 25) to test the formulated hypotheses and draw conclusions about the possible value of the ICT intervention. The findings of the study indicate that an ICT intervention can have (i) a positive effect on some aspects of number sense with learners experiencing difficulties in Mathematics, however, (ii) although an improvement in mathematical skills was evident, it was not statistically significant. Better results may be possible when additional software are included or more time is spent on such an ICT intervention to teach basic mathematical skills like adding, subtracting and multiplying after the improvement of number sense. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

Companies often require designers to work with and operate between different computer-aided design (CAD) systems. To interoperate between these systems, a neutral design standard for CAD models is needed that allows for generation, customization, and parameterization. Current standards often fail to incorporate file history and design intent. The research proposes a simplified, neutral design format that can be used to generate models in different CAD systems. The format proposes additional functionality not yet found in existing neutral formats or scripts. The system was tested by generating models in both NX and CATIA, then comparing the models for accuracy, flexibility, and similarity of the results. Utilizing the principles established with the neutral framework, a system was developed that facilitates a collaborative CAD modeling environment that supports the interaction of models within virtual reality (VR). A framework is presented that allows for the models to be created and then used in VR without the need for conversion. Strategies are discussed for minimizing the impacts of latency and unit testing was conducted to evaluate functionality. Furthermore, feasibility of using modern game engines such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot to aid in the development of both VR and physics simulations are discussed. The above foundation and frameworks enhance collaboration in training and simulation in VR environments. This research demonstrates that by using neutral design standards, collaboration could be improved between different software, as well as between different engineers. Common strategies can be used for solving issues with conversions across the design space and integrated into future VR systems. This research will be indispensable to furthering studies of collaboration and design in remote environments.