This dissertation thesis deals with similarity measures for nominal data in hierarchical clustering, which can cope with variables with more than two categories, and which aspire to replace the simple matching approach standardly used in this area. These similarity measures take into account additional characteristics of a dataset, such as frequency distribution of categories or number of categories of a given variable. The thesis recognizes three main aims. The first one is an examination and clustering performance evaluation of selected similarity measures for nominal data in hierarchical clustering of objects and variables. To achieve this goal, four experiments dealing both with the object and variable clustering were performed. They examine the clustering quality of the examined similarity measures for nominal data in comparison with the commonly used similarity measures using a binary transformation, and moreover, with several alternative methods for nominal data clustering. The comparison and evaluation are performed on real and generated datasets. Outputs of these experiments lead to knowledge, which similarity measures can generally be used, which ones perform well in a particular situation, and which ones are not recommended to use for an object or variable clustering. The second aim is to propose a theory-based similarity measure, evaluate its properties, and compare it with the other examined similarity measures. Based on this aim, two novel similarity measures, Variable Entropy and Variable Mutability are proposed; especially, the former one performs very well in datasets with a lower number of variables. The third aim of this thesis is to provide a convenient software implementation based on the examined similarity measures for nominal data, which covers the whole clustering process from a computation of a proximity matrix to evaluation of resulting clusters. This goal was also achieved by creating the nomclust package for the software R, which covers this issue, and which is freely available.

Academics encounter problems with the selection, evaluation, testing and implementation of e-assessment software tools. The researcher experienced these problems while adopting e-assessment at the university where she is employed. Hence she undertook this study, which is situated in schools and departments in Computing-related disciplines, namely Computer Science, Information Systems and Information Technology at South African Higher Education Institutions. The literature suggests that further research is required in this domain. Furthermore, preliminary empirical studies indicated similar disabling factors at other South African tertiary institutions, which were barriers to long-term implementation of e-assessment. Despite this, academics who are adopters of e-assessment indicate satisfaction, particularly when conducting assessments with large classes. Questions of the multiple choice genre can be assessed automatically, leading to increased productivity and more frequent assessments. The purpose of this research is to develop an evaluation framework to assist academics in determining which e-assessment tool to adopt, enabling them to make more informed decisions. Such a framework would also support evaluation of existing e-assessment systems. The underlying research design is action research, which supported an iterative series of studies for developing, evaluating, applying, refining, and validating the SEAT (Selecting and Evaluating an e-Assessment Tool) Evaluation Framework and subsequently an interactive electronic version, e-SEAT. Phase 1 of the action research comprised Studies 1 to 3, which established the nature, context and extent of adoption of e-assessment. This set the foundation for development of SEAT in Phase 2. During Studies 4 to 6 in Phase 2, a rigorous sequence of evaluation and application facilitated the transition from the manual SEAT Framework to the electronic evaluation instrument, e-SEAT, and its further evolution. This research resulted in both a theoretical contribution (SEAT) and a practical contribution (e-SEAT). The findings of the action research contributed, along with the literature, to the categories and criteria in the framework, which in turn, contributed to the bodies of knowledge on MCQs and e-assessment. The final e-SEAT version, the ultimate product of this action research, is presented in Appendix J1. For easier reference, the Appendices are included on a CD, attached to the back cover of this Thesis.. / Computing / PhD. (Information Systems)

<p>Karcinom pluća predstavlja vodeći uzrok smrtnosti među svim malignim obolenjima, a uprkos dostignućima u dijagnostici i terapiji u poslednjih 30 godina nije do&scaron;lo do bitnog pobolj&scaron;anja izuzetno niske ukupne stope petogodi&scaron;njeg preživljavanja kod ovih pacijenata. U momentu otkrivanja bolesti preko trećine svih novootkrivenih slučajeva nalazi se u IV stadijumu bolesti. Precizno i adekvatno praćenje odgovora tumora na terapijski tretman kod obolelih od karcinoma pluća u IV stadijumu kao i &scaron;to ranije utvrđivanje progresije bolesti, odnosno neefikasnosti terapijskog tretmana kod ove grupe bolesnika od velikog je značaja, jer za ove pacijente hemioterapija predstavlja jedinu terapijsku opciju. Postojeće konvencionalne metode jednodimenzionalnih merenja i procena tumorskog odgovora na terapijski tretman prema RECIST kriterijumima ne koriste sve prednosti CT dijagnostike i oslanjaju se na subjektivnost manuelnih merenja. Primena naprednih radiolo&scaron;kih tehnika, poput volumetrije, mogu doprineti razvoju imidžing praćenja terapijskog odgovora tumora kod pacijenata sa karcinomom pluća. Cilj istraživanja je evaluacija primene jednodimenzionalnog i volumetrijskog merenja u proceni terapijskog odgovora karcinoma pluća vi&scaron;eslojnom kompjuterizovanom tomografijom. Metodologija: Istraživanjem po tipu prospektivne studije obuhvaćeno je 100 pacijenata obolelih od karcinoma pluća u IV stadijumu bolesti u vreme otkrivanja, koji su ispitivani u periodu od 2013. do 2016. godine u Institutu za plućne bolesti Vojvodine u Sremskoj Kamenici i koji su ispunili kriterijume za ulazak u studiju. Kod svih pacijenata obuhvaćenih istraživanjem, dva radiologa nezavisno su evaluirali sve CT preglede grudnog ko&scaron;a, izvr&scaron;ili jednodimenzionalna manuelna i volumetrijska merenja odabranih target lezija &scaron;to je omogućilo utvrđivanje unutarčitačke i međučitačke varijabilnosti i slaganja rezultata merenja target lezija primenom ispitivanih metoda. Na osnovu rezutata izvr&scaron;enih merenja urađena je kategorizacija terapijskog odgovora tumora primenom konvencionalnih RECIST kriterijuma kao i primenom modifikovanog sistema kategorizacije za volumetrijsku evaluaciju terapijskog odgovora sa modifikovanim optimalnim graničnim vrednostima za klasifikovanje progresije bolesti i pozitivnog odgovora na terapiju, izračunatim na osnovu ispitivanog uzorka (model 3Dindividual). Urađeno je poređenje manuelne i volumetrijske procene terapijskog odgovora primenom razičitih ispitivanih sistema klasifikacije uz utvrđivanje stepena različite klasifikacije i analizu preživljavanja pacijenata do pojave progresije bolesti. Uticaj morfolo&scaron;kih karakteristika &ldquo;target&rdquo; lezija na rezultate volumetrijskog merenja određen je analizom odstupanja izmerenog volumena tumora u odnosu na aritmetičku sredinu između grupa lezija ispitivanih morfoo&scaron;kih karakteristika. Rezultati: Primena volumetrijskog merenja, na ispitivanom uzorku, dovodi do niže stope varijabilnosti rezultata merenja dimenzija target lezija u odnosu na konvencionalnu manuelnu metodu merenja i u slučaju međučitačke varijabilnosti (0,9% vs 6,5%) i u pogledu unutarčitačke varijabilnosti (4,9% vs 0,9%). Volumetrijskom evaluacijom terapijskog odgovora tumora uz primenu modifikovanih graničnih vrednosti kategorizacije (model 3D-individual) postiže se značajno različita klasifikacija terapijskog odgovora u odnosu na primenu konvencionalnih RECIST kriterijuma. U slučaju volumetrijske evaluacije terapijskog odgovora, klasifikovanje pacijenata primenom novog sistema kategorizacije &rdquo;3D-individual&rdquo; dovodi do različite klasifikacije u 22,2 % slučajeva u poređenju sa RECIST ekvivalent kriterijumima za volumetriju, uz održavanje jednako dobre predikcije PFS ova dva sistema. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da izgled ivica lezija i odnos lezije prema okolnim anatomskim strukturama imaju srednji uticaj na varijabilnost rezultata volumetrijskih merenja. Zaključak: Primena volumetrijskog merenja kao novog aspekta morfolo&scaron;ke procene odgovora karcinoma pluća na primenjenu terapiju može unaprediti dono&scaron;enje terapijskih odluka kako u lečenju individualnih bolesnika tako i u vođenju kliničkih istraživanja.</p> / <p>Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality among all malignancies, and despite advances in diagnostics and therapy over the past 30 years, there has been no significant improvement in the extremely low overall rate of a five-year survival with these patients. At the time of the diagnosis, more than a third of all newly discovered cases are at the IV stage of the disease. Precise and adequate monitoring of the response of the tumor to therapeutic treatment with lung cancer patients in IV stage, as well as the early detection of progression of the disease or inefficiency of therapy in this group of patients is of great importance as chemotherapy is the only therapeutic option for these patients. The existing conventional methods of one-dimensional measurement and assessment of tumor response to therapeutic treatment according to RECIST criteria do not use all the advantages of CT diagnostics and rely on the subjectivity of manual measurements. Advanced radiological techniques, such as volumetry, can contribute to the development of the image monitoring of the therapeutic response of tumors in patients with lung cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the application of one-dimensional and volumetric measurement in the assessment of the therapeutic response to lung cancer with multslice computerized tomography. Methodology: A study per type of prospective study included 100 patients with lung cancer at the IV stage of the disease at the time of detection, which were tested in the period between 2013 and 2016 at the Institute of Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina in Sremska Kamenica and met the criteria for entering the study. With all patients involved in the study, two radiologists independently assessed all CT chest exams, performed one-dimensional manual and volumetric measurements of selected target lesions, which enabled the determination of intraobserver and interobserver variability and the agreement of the target lesion measurement results using the test method. Based on the results of the performed measurements, the categorization of the therapeutic response of the tumor with conventional RECIST criteria, as well as the application of a modified categorization system for volumetric assessment of the therapeutic response with modified optimal limit values for classification (progression of the disease and positive response to the therapy) was performed, calculated on the basis of the tested sample. Comparison of manual and volumetric estimates of the therapeutic response was made using various classification systems with the determination of the degree of difference in classification and analysis of survival of patients until the progression of the disease. The influence of morphological characteristics of target lesions on the results of volumetric measurement was determined by the analysis of the deviation of the measured tumor volume relative to the arithmetic mean between the groups of lesions of the examined morphological characteristics. Results: The application of volumetric measurements on the test sample leads to a lower rate of variability in the results of measuring the dimensions of the target lesions compared to the conventional manual measurement method, and in the case of interobserver variability (0.9% versus 6.5%) and in terms of intraobserver variability (4.9% to 0.9%). The volumetric assessment of the therapeutic response of the tumor using modified boundary categorization values (3Dindividual model) results in a significantly different classification of the therapeutic response in relation to the use of conventional RECIST criteria. In the case of volumetric assessment of the therapeutic response, the classification of patients using the new &ldquo;3D-individual&rdquo; categorization system leads to a misclassification in 22.2% of cases compared to RECIST equivalent to volumetric criteria, reflecting the equally good predictability of PFS in these two systems. The results of the study showed that the appearance of the lesion margins and relation to the surrounding anatomical structures influenced the variability of the results of volumetric measurements. Conclusion: The application of volumetric measurements as a new aspect of the morphological evaluation of lung cancer response to applied therapies can help in making therapeutic decisions both in the treatment of individual patients and in the conduct of clinical trials.</p>

The use of interactive e-learning tutorials is an effective form of teaching and learning. It is therefore important that attention is paid to their usability. This research relates to the evaluation of a CD-based e-learning tutorial for learning Business English, with the aims of investigating its usability and identifying problems. Particular attention is paid to aspects that hinder the learner from achieving the learning objectives. The study uses two usability evaluation methods (UEMs), namely controlled usability testing in an HCI laboratory and a user questionnaire survey. The main aim of the study is to compare the findings and determine the impact of using two methods in combination. The first outcome of the research was a synthesized framework of evaluation criteria that was applied in the two UEMs. Secondly, findings of the evaluations indicated that two UEMs identified similar problems, thus confirming their reliability in usability evaluation. Another finding was instances where one method produced results not obtained by the other, which shows the complementary value of two different UEMs. A third benefit of the study was that it identified usability problems in the target system. / Information Systems / MA (Information Systems)

This Diploma thesis follows up the award of public contracts using the Design-Build method. The first part focuses on the description of individual procurement methods and their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, the basic types of FIDIC terms and connditions are compared here. The second part describes and evaluates the terms of reference for specific projects commissioned by Design-Build in the Czech Republic. There is also a questionnaire survey that examines the viewpoints, knowledge and experience of contracting authorities with this method.

Es wurde ein plattenförmiges Qualitätshalbzeug aus Spezialholzwerkstoffen für den konstruktiven Einsatz im Maschinebau, mit dem Schwerpunkt Fördertechnik entwickelt. Mit diesem Halbzeug sind ökologisch vorteilhafte Konstruktionen möglich. Entwicklungsschwerpunkte waren: einstellbare, hohe absolute und spezifische mechanische Eigenschaften mit kleinen Streuungen. Die Entwicklung wurde durch verschiedene Werkstoffprüfungen von Labor- und Industriewerkstoffen begleitet und deren Ergebnisse mittels speziell erarbeitetet Bewertungskriterien evaluiert. Weiterhin wurde das Werkstoffverhalten von diversen Holzwerkstoffen unter dynamischer Belastung klassifiziert. / A panel-shaped high quality semi-finished product made of special wood-based materials for structural applications in mechanical engineering, with a focus on materials handling technology, was developed. With said semi-finished product ecologically advantageous constructions are possible. Development priorities were: adjustable, high absolute and specific mechanical properties with little variation. The development was accompanied by various materials tests of laboratory and industrially manufactured materials, and their results were evaluated by specially developed evaluation criteria. Furthermore, the material behaviour of various woodbased materials under dynamic loading was classified.

Under de senaste åren har intresset för att positionera objekt inomhus ökat tack vare den tilltagande trenden kring Internet of Things (IOT). I den tekniska världen återfinns ett flertal begrepp för inomhuspositionering, däribland Real Time Locating System (RTLS). RTLS främsta egenskap är att identifiera och lokalisera objekt inomhus, kvalitetssäkra processer, informationsutbyte mellan aktörer, alarmera om objekt rör sig utanför vissa gränser. Gemensamt är att det ska effektivisera processer i flödet. En verkstadsindustri, som Scania CV AB, karaktäriseras av maskiner, rörelse, buller, personal och material. Materialet som återfinns på Scania kan påverka RTLSteknologin. Det finns idag inte en dominerande teknik för inomhuspositionering därav att det har genererat i flertalet tekniker däribland UWB, RFID, IR, BLE, Wi-Fi. Rapportens frågeställningar är vilka utvärderingskriterier som styr valet av RTLSsystem och vilka av de här kriterierna är mer kritiska än andra? samt vilka tekniker kan användas i en verkstadsindustrin idag? För att besvara rapportens frågeställningar har ett kvalitativt förhållningssätt använts. Rapporten har använt fallstudie för att kunna svara på studiens frågeställningar. En kvalitativ ansats har använts med intervjuer och observationer som genomförande på produktionsenheterna. Tidigare forskning har legat till grund för utformningen av utvärderingskriterierna. Utvärderingskriterierna har i rapportens analysdel vägts in mot teknikens förutsättningar, omgivningens preferenser och mot det specifika behovet. Slutsatsen är att behovet och omgivningen är de två viktigaste elementen att beakta vid ett beslutsfattande av RTLS-system. I ett beslutsfattande är vissa kriterier mer kritiska än andra. Då behovet styr valet av teknik blir således samtliga tekniker användbara i en verkstadsindustri. Det finns dock ingen teknik som passar samtliga behov varför det således blir viktigt att välja en leverantör med bred produktportfölj som har möjlighet att erbjuda hybrider. / During the recent years the interest of positioning has increased due to the growing trend of Internet of Things (IoT). In the technical world there are several concepts for indoor positioning, among them Real Time Locating System (RTLS). RTLS main feature is to identify and locate objects indoors, to insure the quality of processes, to exchange information between stakeholder and to alert if items move beyond certain limits. Common is that it will streamline working processes. A engineering industry, such as Scania CV AB, is characterized by objects such as machines, motions, noise, personnel and materials. These objects found in Scania may affect the RTLS technology. There is currently no dominant indoor positioning technology on the market, thus there are many different technologies including UWB, RFID, IR, BLE and Wi-Fi. The problem definition of the thesis is therefore “What evaluation criteria are affecting the decision-making process when choosing RTLS and what criteria is more critical than the other?” and “Which technologies can be used in a engineering industry today?” To answer these problem definitions a qualitative research has been issued structured by a case study. Interviews and observations has been carried out as methods at the production units. The evaluation criteria are based on previous research. The criteria have been weighed against the technical conditions, the preferences of the environment and the specific use case. The conclusion is that the use case and the environment are the two most important elements to consider when deciding on a RTLS technology. In decision-making some criteria are more critical than others. As use case directs what technology should be used, all technologies are considered to be useful in a engineering industry. However there is no technology that fits all applications, thus it is important to choose a vendor that has a comprehensive product portfolio and one that enables hybrid solutions.

This research investigates progress in the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) into curriculum-based teaching and learning in the Lesotho secondary and high school science classroom, with the aim of establishing how effective e-learning and integration of ICT can be supported. E-learning was perceived by education stakeholders in Lesotho as an effective way to enhance teaching and learning. To this end, Lesotho embarked on three partnership projects, namely SchoolNet, Microsoft STIC and NEPAD e-School Projects. There is a volume of research, international and regional, on e-learning and ICT integration, mainly conducted by European and American researchers. This study by an African author, therefore, fills a gap. Using a variant of action research, the author undertook six studies over four years, investigating the extent of computing infrastructure in schools and ways in which e-learning was implemented in subject-based teaching. In particular, he studied barriers to ICT implementation in Lesotho; advantages and disadvantages of combining e-learning with classroom practice; the perceptions, aptitude and skills of Lesotho science teachers and students; professional development programmes; and preparations for introducing e-learning, including infrastructural issues. Literature studies were conducted, following which pertinent concepts from the literature were used to generate a framework of evaluation categories and criteria for addressing the research questions of this study. The criteria were translated into questions and evaluation statements for data collection instruments for the empirical studies. Triangulation in data collection and analysis was provided by applying multiple and mixed data collection methods: questionnaires, interviews, observations and case studies, to gather data from principals, teachers and students in selected schools across the three projects and in varying regions of Lesotho. The study identified notable progress, but determines that more remains to be done, on an ongoing basis, to support secondary and high schools in Lesotho with implementation plans and strategies. The study concludes with guideline and recommendations for educators. / Computing / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

Dissertation / This dissertation proposes a generic methodology for evaluating intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs), and applies it to the evaluation of the SQL-Tutor, an ITS for the database language SQL. An examination of the historical development, theory and architecture of intelligent tutoring systems, as well as the theory, architecture and behaviour of the SQL-Tutor sets the context for this study. The characteristics and criteria for evaluating computer-aided instruction (CAl) systems are considered as a background to an in-depth investigation of the characteristics and criteria appropriate for evaluating ITSs. These criteria are categorised along internal and external dimensions with the internal dimension focusing on the intrinsic features and behavioural aspects of ITSs, and the external dimension focusing on its educational impact. Several issues surrounding the evaluation of ITSs namely, approaches, methods, techniques and principles are examined, and integrated within a framework for assessing the added value of ITS technology for instructional purposes. / Educational Studies / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

Text in Afrikaans / Ten einde 'n kurrikulum relevant en doeltreffend te kan hou, is di t noodsaaklik om die kurrikulum gereeld te evalueer en dienooreenkomstig die bevindinge aan te pas, indien nodig. Spesiale skole in Suid-Afrika beskik oor 'n eiesoortige kernkurrikulum wat hoofsaaklik ontwikkel is vir leerders wat primer verstandelik matig gestrem is. Om verskeie redes, waarvan die belangrikste is, dat die meerderheid leerders wat hulle tans in spesiale skole bevind nie verstandelik matig gestremd is nie, word die werklike doeltreffendheid en relevansie van hierdie kurrikulum bevraagteken. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was derhalwe om die doeltreffendheid en relevansie van die kernkurrikulum wat vir die meerderheid spesiale skole in Suid-Afrika van toepassing is, te bepaal. 'n Sekondere doel van die ondersoek was om 'n kurrikulumevalueringsmodel te ontwikkel aan die hand waarvan kurrikulumevalueerders 'n kurrikulum vanuit 'n literatuurperspektief sou kon evalueer. Ten einde die ondersoek teoreties te fundeer, is 'n li teratuurondersoek onderneem na die grondslae en komponente van 'n kurrikulum. Op grond van die navorsingsresultate is die kurrikulumevalueringsmodel ontwikkel. Twee van die kurrikulumgrondslae wat by wyse van die navorsing blootgele is, is die leerder en die gemeenskap. By wyse van 'n li teratuur- en dokumentasie-ondersoek is bepaal wat die eise is wat spesialeskoolleerders en die gemeenskap aan die kernkurrikulum vir spesiale skole stel. Aan die hand van hierdie bevindinge is kurrikulumevalueringskriteria ontwikkel waarmee die kernkurrikulum vir spesiale skole toe geevalueer is. By die toepassing van hierdie kriteria is gevind dat die kernkurrikulum vir spesiale skole in vele opsigte nie behoorlik aan die eise van die leerders en die gemeenskap voldoen nie. Die gevolgtrekking kon derhalwe gemaak word dat die kernkurrikulum vir spesiale skole oor die algemeen nie doel treffend en relevant genoeg is nie. Aanbevelings is gemaak oor hoe die kernkurrikulum moontlik meer doeltreffend en relevant gemaak kan word. / Sustaining curriculum relevance and effectiveness, necessitates regular curriculum evaluation and adjustment in concurrence with the evaluation results. Special schools in South Africa have at their disposal their own · peculiar curriculum which was developed mainly for learners who are primarily mildly mentally disabled. For various reasons, the most important of which is that the majority of learners currently in special schools are not mildly mentally disadvantaged, the relevancy and effectiveness of this curriculum are questioned. The primary aim of this research was therefore to determine if the core curriculum for special education, which is applicable to the majority of special schools in South Africa, is relevant and effective. A secondary aim of this investigation was to develop a model for curriculum evaluation by means of which curriculum evaluators would be able to evaluate a curriculum from a literature perspective. With a view to founding this research theoretically, literature research was conducted into the foundations and components of the curriculum. On the basis of the research findings, the model for curriculum evaluation was developed. Two of the curriculum foundations that were disclosed by means of the research, were the learner and the community. By means of an investigation of literature and other relevant documentation, the demands made on the curriculum by the learner and the community, were determined. On the basis of these findings, criteria were developed by means of which the core curriculum for special schools was then assessed. When the above criteria were applied, it was found that in many respects the core curriculum for special schools did not completely comply with the demands of the learners and the community. The conclusion could therefore be drawn that the core curriculum for special schools are in general not effective and relevant enough. Proposals were made on how the core curriculum could possibly be made more effective and relevant. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didaktiek)