This paper sought to accomplish three goals. First, it provided a systematic, comparative review of several intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). Second, it summarized problems and solutions presented and solved by developers of ITS by consolidating the knowledge of the field into a single review. Third, it provided a unified language from which ITS can be reviewed and understood in the same context. The findings of this review centered on the 5-Component Framework. The first component, the domain model, showed that most ITS are focused on science, technology, and mathematics. Within these fields, ITS generally have mastery learning as the desired level of understanding. The second component, the tutor model, showed that constructivism is the theoretical strategy that informs most ITS. The tutoring tactics employed in the ITS stem from this paradigm. The third component, the student model, describes the several ways ITS infer what a student knows. It described the variety of data that is collected by an ITS and how it is used to build the student model. The fourth component, the interface, revealed that most ITS are now web-based, but vary in their capacity to interact with students. It also showed that user experience is underreported and ought to be included more in the research. Finally, the fifth component, learning gains, demonstrated that ITS are capable of producing learning gains equivalent to a human tutor. However, reporting learning gains does not seem to be a focus of the literature.

Passive localization of aircraft in flight using signal time of arrival (TOA) poses some unique challenges. The sensors must be deployed in an approximately coplanar configuration, which produces significant vertical uncertainty in the estimated position. This dissertation examines the traditional algorithms used in passive localization. It presents general forms of linear TOA, time difference of arrival (TDOA), angle of arrival (AOA), and frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) equations from the literature and explains how to apply an intuitive geometric interpretation of these equations. It presents two novel algorithms for passive localization. One uses a one dimensional AOA (1AOA) to improve the vertical estimate. The other employs an a priori estimate to approximate the non-linear localization problem as a linear problem and produce a high quality position estimate. A comprehensive survey of the literature is presented. This dissertation provides a summary and classification of passive localization algorithms from the literature with simple descriptions of how the form of the equations relate to their numerical stability. It presents two novel algorithms for passive localization. The hybrid multilateration and triangulation algorithm improves wide area multilateration by using vertical 1AOA to constrain the vertical position. The multilateration with a priori estimates algorithm provides a linear localization method that utilizes previous location estimates.

In the dynamic domain of Development, Security, and Operations (DevSecOps), a quantitative approach is critical, with the usage of metrics being a key method to realize this goal. However, there is a notable absence of a set of metrics and assessment specifically for Cloud-Based Web Microservices (CBWMs) within a DevSecOps framework. This study seeks to fill this void by developing a quantitative assessment framework designed for CBWMs in the context of DevSecOps. Utilizing a Multi-Vocal Literature Review (MLR) methodology, we gathered and analyzed 92 documents from 2018 to 2023, sourced from IEEE Xplore, Springer, and Google, to select twelve effective metrics for CBWM assessment within DevSecOps. These metrics, categorized by scale and interrelationships, were chosen due to the tools available in the market for obtaining them, their general applicability across various CBWMs, and their clearly defined measurements and criteria. Each metric is supported by academic and industry literature, providing a comprehensive basis for their selection. Leveraging the Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO) II and the stages of Development and Operations (DevOps) – Plan, Code, Build, Test, Release, Deploy, Operate, and Monitor – our framework outlines an assessment flow that segments into three phases - Development, Integration, and Post-Deployment, aligning with the iterative Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This structure facilitates continuous improvement of CBWMs within a DevSecOps framework using these carefully selected metrics. / 2025-01-08T00:00:00Z

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We present and study the current research trends and advances for optimizing assemble-to-order systems with stochastic lead times. Assemble-to-order systems are widely used in several industries, where end products consist of multiple components and are customizable. Manufacturers can offer greater flexibility to their customers by delaying the assembly of the components until after the order is placed. This means they do not keep an inventory of end-products. Only components can be kept in the inventory and assembled upon demand. We compare and contrast different formulations and the features of assemble-to-order systems studied in the literature including system configuration, replenishment policy, lead time type, and demand distribution. Single-period systems, periodic-review systems, and continuous-review systems are considered. Current assumptions, formulations, solutions, and challenges are discussed. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

An unprecedented 65.6 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes; 22.5 million of these individuals are refugees and 10 million are considered stateless (UNHCR, 2016a). Although, the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic and the large arrival of asylum-seekers at the European borders in 2015 and 2016 gained significant global media attention, the frequently interchangeable use of the terms “migrant” and “refugee” to describe population within news headlines imposes significant implications on the legal protections entitled to each label. Conflating refugees and migrants can undermine public support for refugees and the asylum system at a time when there are more refugees than at any previously recorded time (UNHCR, 2016a). To better understand, two electronic databases CBCA Reference and Current Events and Canadian Periodical Index were searched for headlines containing the key term “refugee(s)” in Canadian English language newspapers. A total of 94 words were identified that offered an indication of the portrayal of refugees in the news media. Fourteen words were categorized as positive, 56 words were negative and 25 words were identified as neutral In addition, a literature review was conducted mirroring the five-stage Arksey and O’Malley (2005) scoping review framework and a data charting form was used to extract descriptive themes. Seven electronic databases (Sociology, Social Sciences Abstract, Web of Science, Communication Source, JSTOR and Social Work) were searched.. A total of 32 studies were selected for the literature review (16 through the database search and 16 through reference list search). From the included literature, five descriptive themes were found: securitization, immigration, legitimacy, economic considerations and othering. Both analyses indicated a dominant securitized discourse that portrays refugees negatively as a threat to the state and revealed a decrease in humanitarian dialogue within news media coverage. Positive representations of refugees were limited to the narrative of a passive victim or contributors to the economy. In addition, refugee voices within news media were restricted to their expression of gratitude towards the state and their compassion. The lack of refugee perspective and the use of journalistic semantic strategies perpetuate a one-sided negative portrayal of refugees. A more balanced media narrative is required to ensure that refugees are being portrayed accurately and their voices are heard. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Background: Communication is key to expressing oneself and, in healthcare, communication may be compromised due to different limitations. In dementia care, relatives often take on the role of caregivers for their loved one and thereby adopt a role of advocacy. With this role communication with healthcare staff becomes a necessity. However, certain factors affect the way communication is perceived. Since nurses in Sweden have laws and ethical codes as well as a description of competence to follow to ensure that health is promoted and good care given, the knowledge of communication factors is a necessity. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the factors affecting the communication between healthcare staff and caregivers in dementia care. Method: The chosen method was literature review and nine scientific articles from 2012-2022 were analysed. Results: The analysis resulted in the following themes and subthemes: Affected perception with the subthemes Frustration, stress and concern, Language barriers.Staff qualifications and commitment with the subthemes Lack of competence, Inadequate information, Staff presence and display of interest. Availability with the subthemes Support and correct information, Teamwork, Cooperation and participation and Good competence. Conclusion: The results showed that communication with caregivers was affected by lack of staff and knowledge in dementia care. When staff were unavailable, caregivers experienced that they were left out and kept uninformed. This caused them to feel frustrated and stressed and affected their communication skills. To prevent this, staff need to gain more knowledge in dementia care, should make themselves available and be able to provide accurate and timelyinformation.

Background: Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients with limited time remaining. In the transition to end-of-life care, the complete focus is on relieving symptoms and easing the patient's pain. It has emerged that patients experience inadequate communication from nurses during their hospital stay, while nurses perceive insufficient knowledge regarding conversations with relatives. Engaging with relatives' experiences at the end of life contributes to a greater understanding of their preferred approach. Aim: To create an overview of relatives' experiences in palliative care. Method: Involves a general literature review that included eight qualitative and four quantitative articles. Results: The articles results pointed to three main themes: the importance of communication for relatives, the impact of the care environment on their palliative care experience, and how the illness affected life outside of caregiving. Conclusion: Insufficient support and communication were crucial factors in relatives the end-of-life experiences. Positive health outcomes were observed in relatives receiving support, information, and discussions in the end-of-life stage. Relatives experienced that the attitude of nurses, influenced their well-being, leading to difficulties in balancing everyday life while maintaining strength in front of the patient.

As a prerequisite for all adult learners in life-long learning, self-directed learning has been constantly discussed since the early 1960s. However, in what manner research operationalizes the concepts and what similarities occur across the empirical studies and theoretical studies are still ambiguous. The purpose of this study is to employ an integrative literature review to investigate and disentangle various interpretations of self-directed learning by identifying how the topic is defined and what competencies and strategies are needed for a highly self-directed learner. This is a six-phase study, including: 1) problem formulation; 2) data collection; 3) problem re-formulation; 4) data evaluation; 5) data collection; and 6) presentation of the findings. This study provided a comprehensive perspective of self-directed learning in a dynamically expanding process to include multifaceted interpretations of the topic and advanced research in self-directed learning in an updated, enriched learning environment. Specifically, the researcher updated the evidence for self-directed learning to date, identified all of the potential dimensions of self-directed learning that distinguish a highly-directed self-directed learner and the related instructional strategies, and made suggestions for the future direction of research on the topic. / Ph. D.

Yes / The landscape for health professional education is changing. The higher education (HE) sector faces the challenge of delivering high quality education at a time of financial constraint and increased emphasis on the student as a consumer. But universities also face new expectations from a health sector that is increasingly recognising both the interdependency between the quality of health care and the quality of education and training and the potential for education to support innovation. Although the differences in the HE and health policy context across the four UK home nations are increasingly significant, these are common challenges for all 85 members of the UK Council of Deans of Health. ... The literature review throws up many interesting findings. It is striking that there is relatively little research evidence on assessment or practice oriented innovative teaching and learning interventions, nationally or internationally. So too, the gaps revealed in the evidence base around the culture of innovation are something that we will pursue as a project group with a further literature review in 2014. However, the literature review reveals a rich body of research, covering areas as diverse as simulation, social media, drama and peer learning. Our hope is that the findings will help colleagues across the UK to track down the research evidence behind existing innovative practice and that it will stimulate many new ideas as we seek to continually improve the way we teach. Professor Brian J. Webster, Assistant Dean, Edinburgh Napier University and Chair, Innovation Project Advisory Group. / Full text will be available in the Bradford Scholars Repository on receipt of permissions from the Council of Deans of Health.