Statement of the problem: The risk-benefit profile of warfarin anticoagulation in hemodialysis (HD) patients differs compared to the non-HD population. Computerized decision support systems (CDSS) to assist with anticoagulation management are safe and effective in the non-HD population but had not previously been studied in HD outpatients. Methods of investigation: A before – after study compared anticoagulation control during pre-existing, nephrologist-led anticoagulation management to that following implementation of a pharmacist-led, CDSS-assisted strategy, in HD patients on warfarin at The Ottawa Hospital. Results: Forty-two patients were included. Following implementation of the CDSS-assisted strategy, median time-in-range increased by 3.7% (IQR, -9.5% - 20.6%; p = 0.247). Median frequency of INR tests per day decreased: -0.040 (IQR, -0.074 to –0.0008; P = 0.0001). Adverse events were similar. Conclusion: A CDSS-assisted strategy for anticoagulation management in HD patients is effective, safe and may lead to cost savings related to less frequent INR testing.

The main objective of this work is to analyze the concepts of Business Intelligence to explore their implementation with MS Silverlight (RIA) to find out advantages and disadvantages of BI solutions using RIA and verified them on a case study of a fictitious bank. The work is divided into theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part is analyzing BI evolution and current trends. In the practical part the dashboard has been created for a fictitious bank management in MS Silverlight. The contribution of the author of this work lies mainly in the application of theoretical BI concepts in case study of a fictitious bank. There are elements of an MS Silverlight and processing techniques on the client that were used to show usability in BI. In the thesis was used Data Binding and MS Silverlight for predictive analysis in BI.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (DCom (Financial Management))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Financial Management / unrestricted

Since much more than the implementation of IT solutions is frequently required to produce actionable intelligence output, the unlocking of actionable Business Intelligence (BI) for decision-making based on both internal and external information sources, is proving to be a real challenge for SA banking institutions. Although all the major banking institutions in South Africa produce and use BI in some form or the other, the concept is often not clearly defined, and not enough emphasis is placed on the use of recognized intelligence processes to provide intelligence output that is both accurate and actionable. The aim of this research was to determine whether SA banking institutions applied recognized intelligence processes, or components thereof, while conducing BI assignments. Whilst the typical four- or five-stage intelligence process, as discussed in BI literature, was commonly accepted by the banking institutions that participated in this research as a benchmark in conducting BI, the researcher established that these institutions placed more emphasis on executing some stages, whilst other stages were executed in an ad hoc manner. In this regard it was found that, while emphasis was placed on the collection stage of the BI process during the ‘analysis stage’, which is one of the most important stages of the process, no specific step-by-step procedure was followed. In the analysis stage of the process, emphasis was typically placed on the application of the specific methods of analysis. In the stages of the BI processes that deal with BI requirements definition and dissemination of BI products, formal BI processes were also found to be lacking. This prompted the researcher to suggest a practical step-by-step process for dealing with each stage of the BI process. In the final chapter of this dissertation, the researcher provides a summary of the key findings in relation to the research problem and identifies a number of areas in which further research should be conducted. Finally, it is important to note that BI will remain a critical business issue for SA banking institutions in their efforts to become more profitable, more customer centred, and ultimately more competitive in the face of dynamic and challenging market conditions. In this regard BI processes provide a critical framework for the conduct of BI assignments in SA banking institutions. he full text of this thesis/dissertation is not available online. Please contact us if you need access Since much more than the implementation of IT solutions is frequently required to produce actionable intelligence output, the unlocking of actionable Business Intelligence (BI) for decision-making based on both internal and external information sources, is proving to be a real challenge for SA banking institutions. Although all the major banking institutions in South Africa produce and use BI in some form or the other, the concept is often not clearly defined, and not enough emphasis is placed on the use of recognized intelligence processes to provide intelligence output that is both accurate and actionable. The aim of this research was to determine whether SA banking institutions applied recognized intelligence processes, or components thereof, while conducing BI assignments. Whilst the typical four- or five-stage intelligence process, as discussed in BI literature, was commonly accepted by the banking institutions that participated in this research as a benchmark in conducting BI, the researcher established that these institutions placed more emphasis on executing some stages, whilst other stages were executed in an ad hoc manner. In this regard it was found that, while emphasis was placed on the collection stage of the BI process during the ‘analysis stage’, which is one of the most important stages of the process, no specific step-by-step procedure was followed. In the analysis stage of the process, emphasis was typically placed on the application of the specific methods of analysis. In the stages of the BI processes that deal with BI requirements definition and dissemination of BI products, formal BI processes were also found to be lacking. This prompted the researcher to suggest a practical step-by-step process for dealing with each stage of the BI process. In the final chapter of this dissertation, the researcher provides a summary of the key findings in relation to the research problem and identifies a number of areas in which further research should be conducted. Finally, it is important to note that BI will remain a critical business issue for SA banking institutions in their efforts to become more profitable, more customer centred, and ultimately more competitive in the face of dynamic and challenging market conditions. In this regard BI processes provide a critical framework for the conduct of BI assignments in SA banking institutions. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Information Science / unrestricted

Software agents have been heralded as the most important emerging technology of the decade. As software development firms eagerly attempt to integrate these autonomous programs into their products, researchers attempt to define the concept of agency and to develop architectures that will improve agent capabilities. Decision Support System (DSS) researchers have been eager to integrate agents into their applications, and exploratory works in which agents have been used within a DSS have been documented. This dissertation attempts to further this exploration by studying the agent features and underlying architectures that can lead to the successful integration of agents in DSS. This exploration is carried out in three parts. In the first part, a review of the relevant research streams is provided. The history and current status of software agents is first discussed. Similarly, a historical and current view of DSS research is provided. Lastly, a historical and tutorial-type of discussion is provided on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) planning. This review of the relevant literature provides a general background for the conceptual analyses and implementations that are carried out in the next two sections. In the second part, the literature on software agents is synthesized to develop a definition of agency applicable to DSS. Using this definition, an agent-integrated DSS that supports variance-analysis is designed and developed. Following this implementation, a general framework for agent-enabling DSS is suggested. The use of this framework promises to raise some DSS to a new level of capability whereby "what-if" systems are transformed into real-time, proactive systems. The third part utilizes this general framework to agent-enable a corporate-planning system DSS and extends the framework in the second section through the introduction of an automated-planning agent. The agent uses AI planning to generate decision-making alternatives, providing a means to integrate and sequence the models in the DSS. The architecture used to support this planning agent is described. This new kind of DSS enables not only the monitoring of goals, but also the maintenance of these goals through agent-generated plans. The conclusion summarizes the contributions of this work and outlines in considerable detail potential research opportunities in the realm of software agents, DSS, and planning. / Ph. D.

In this paper, we present solutions concerning communications resource allocation for tactical communication networking. Given a mission definition (which defines communication needs among participants) and participant capabilities (such as processing power and bandwidth), algorithms are presented to determine if the mission as presented is feasible. The mathematical foundation of the problem is presented, and a "static" model to determine feasibility is shown. Further evolution of the algorithm into a "dynamic" model and the reasons for the more demanding requirements are presented. Reasoning behind use of the Netflo algorithm in the dynamic model is also discussed. The inclusion of the algorithm in a stand-alone program is discussed, including overall program structure, graphical user interface components and alternative output (such as the generation of high level network policy). Finally, future work in this area is discussed. / Master of Science

A significant increase in campus-based emergencies warrants the investigation into emergency management information systems that serve a novice crisis decision-maker. Institutions of higher education that are not large enough to have dedicated emergency management offices generally press novice decision-makers into emergency management roles. An investigation was conducted to assess the impact of an emergency management geospatial information system on the decision performance of novice crisis managers through the use of a scenario-based simulation. A mixed method sequential explanatory method was used to collect quasi-experimental data on decision time, decision accuracy and situational awareness. Qualitative analysis was conducted through interviews with participants. Statistical results indicate the decision accuracy is positively affected by the use of an emergency management geospatial information system. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is non-parametric linear programming method used to identify decision-making units in a data set that are optimal in their use of single or a set of resources (inputs) in delivering a set of expected results (outputs). DEA indicated that efficiency ratios from the geospatial information system group outperform the traditional group. Geospatial information systems hold much promise in providing systems that are easy to use, promote heightened levels of situational awareness and decision support.

No description available.

No description available.

Many educators and parents are gravely concerned about disorder and danger in school environments. In addition to school discipline issues, American classrooms are frequently plagued by minor infractions of misbehavior that disrupt the flow of classroom activities and interfere with learning. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate common threads of effective school discipline practices as perceived by administrators, tenured teachers, and parents in 20 schools in East Tennessee. I also attempted to determine if the views of administrators, tenured teachers, and parents are consistent with published research on school discipline practices. Data were collected from administrators, tenured teachers, and parents through an open-ended interview form that I designed. The study offers a number of recommendations regarding components of effective school discipline practices. An effective school discipline practice involves all stakeholders in its design. The principal and the teachers are responsible for carrying out the school discipline practices to foster appropriate behavior from the students. However, parents, students and community members should be equally represented in the design of discipline procedures. Administrators and teachers need to have quality professional development opportunities to acquire strategies for classroom and school discipline practices. Rewarding students for good behavior and positive contributions to the school community is important. Effective discipline practices are built through consistency and teamwork. Evaluation of school discipline practices should be ongoing, and strategies for reducing school disruptions should be continuously assessed for improvements.