The Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDDM), a growing field of study argued to be very useful in discovering knowledge hidden in large datasets are slowly finding application in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). While literature shows that KDDM processes enable discovery of knowledge useful to improve performance of organisations, limitations surrounding them contradict this argument. While extending the usefulness of KDDM processes to support HEIs, challenges were encountered like the discovery of course taking patterns in educational datasets associated with contextual information. While literature argued that existing KDDM processes suffer from the limitations arising out of their inability to generate patterns associated with contextual information, this research tested this claim and developed an artefact that overcame the limitation. Design Science methodology was used to test and evaluate the KDDM artefact. The research used the CRISP-DM process model to test the educational dataset using attributes namely course taking pattern, course difficulty level, optimum CGPA and time-to-degree by applying clustering, association rule and classification techniques. The results showed that both clustering and association rules did not produce course taking patterns. Classification produced course taking patterns that were partially linked to CGPA and time-to-degree. But optimum CGPA and time-to-degree could not be linked with contextual information. Hence the CRISP-DM process was modified to include three new stages namely contextual data understanding, contextual data preparation and additional data preparation (merging) stage to see whether contextual dataset could be separately mined and associated with course taking pattern. The CRISP-DM model and the modified CRISP-DM model were tested as per the guidelines of Chapman et al. (2000). Process theory was used as basis for the modification of CRISP-DM process. Results showed that course taking pattern contextualised by course difficulty level pattern predicts optimum CGPA and time-to-degree. This research has contributed to knowledge by developing a new artefact (contextual factor mining in the CRISP-DM process) to predict optimum CGPA and optimum time-to-degree using course taking pattern and course difficulty level pattern. Contribution to theory was in extension of the application of a few theories to explain the development, testing and evaluation of the KDDM artefact. Enhancement of genetic algorithm (GA) to mine course difficulty level pattern along with course taking pattern is a contribution and a pseudocode to verify the presence of course difficulty level pattern. Contribution to practise was by demonstrating the usefulness of the modified CRISP-DM process for prediction and simulation of the course taking pattern to predict the optimum CGPA and time-to-degree thereby demonstrating that the artefact can be deployed in practise.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects over 8 million people in the United States and has been found to be associated with an increased incidence of coronary and carotid artery disease. The ankle brachial index (ABI) measurement is a highly specific noninvasive screening and diagnostic test for PAD, but is rarely performed in primary care office settings. This study sought to determine the actual performance time involved in completing an ABI in a primary care office. Methods: Data were collected by one provider on a convenience sample of women who met the inclusion criteria. The time was recorded at the beginning and upon the completion of the ABI procedure for each patient. Analysis of the time data was completed and barriers to performing the ABI were recorded by the provider. Results: The average time to complete an ABI was 5 minutes, with a range of 3-11 minutes. In 83.8% of patient encounters, the ABI procedure took less than 6 minutes to complete. Barriers identified by the provider included the additional time needed to explain the test and assist patients into the proper testing position. Conclusions: The actual performance time for an ABI in a primary care setting takes an average of 5 minutes, but additional time may be required for patient preparation and education. With proper scheduling and training, the ABI can be completed in a timely manner. The ABI is an important screening/diagnostic test that can be performed in primary care and potentially impact patient treatment plans.

This work evaluates SiteManager, the construction documentation system used by VDOT, as a tool for collecting the daily installed quantity and active crew days necessary to populate the operations level of the database. This evaluation first sought to determine if SiteManager was a feasible option for collecting performance data. This was done by establishing data collection methods to enable SiteManager to have the ability to collect performance data, implementing the methods on select projects, resolving issues, and developing recommendations to cause SiteManager to be a more practical option. Secondly, a statistical analysis was performed to determine if the data collected from SiteManager was reasonably accurate. Thirdly, the technical issues of transferring performance data from SiteManager into the performance time database were resolved. It was found SiteManager could not be used in its current format to collect performance data and some modifications are required. / Master of Science

Impairment of cognitive performance is often observed in time-on tasks. Theoretical considerations suggest that especially prefrontal cortex cognitive control functions is affected by time-on-task effects, but the role of effort/task engagement is not understood. We examine time-on-task effects in cognitive control on a neurophysiological level using a working-memory modulated response inhibition task and inter-relate prefrontal neuroanatomical region-specific theta-band activity with pupil diameter data using EEG-beamforming approaches. We show that task performance declines with time-on tasks, which was paralleled by a concomitant decreases of task-evoked superior frontal gyrus theta-band activity and a reduction in phasic pupil diameter modulations. A strong relation between cognitive control-related superior frontal theta-band activity and effort/task engagement indexed by phasic pupil diameter modulations was observed in the beginning of the experiment, especially for tasks requiring inhibitory controls and demanding high working memory. This strong relation vanished at the end of the experiment, suggesting a decoupling of cognitive control resources useable for a task and effort invested that characterizes time-on-task effects in prefrontal cortical structures.

Detta examensarbete har gjorts på uppdrag av Skanska Teknik med handledning av Johan Sjödin. Arbetets syfte var att jämföra olika limträförband, utförda av antingen spikningsplåtar eller WT-T skruvar, och komma fram till den bästa lösningen med hänsyn till bärförmåga, kostnad och utförandetid. I ett projekt har de spikningsplåtar, som används vid limträförband, börjat rosta under extremt fuktiga förhållanden fastän spikningsplåtarna är rostfria enligt tillverkaren. En fördel med WT-T skruvar är att de är gömda inne i träet och på så sätt inte i direkt kontakt med den aggressiva miljön, men även skyddad mot brand. Andra fördelar med WT-T är att utförandetiden är kort och kostnaden är lägre än spikningsplåtsalternativet. Ett experiment har gjorts för att undersöka hur träet med inborrade WT-T skruvar beter sig under uttorkning. / This diploma work was made under commission by Skanska Teknik, with guidance by Johan Sjödin. The purpose of this work was to compare different gluelam joints, performed by nailing plates or WT-T screws, and find out the best solution with regard to carrying ability, cost and performance time. In a certain project have the nailing plates, which are used in gluelam joints, corroded under extremely damp circumstances although the nailing plates are rust free according to the manufacturer. An advantage with WT-T screws is that they are hidden inside of the tree and in that way not in directly contact with the aggressive environment, but also protected against fire. The other advantages with WT-T screws are that the performance time is short and the cost is lower than the nailing plates-alternative. An experiment has been carried out to investigate how the tree with WT-T screws behaves itself during drying period.

<p>Detta examensarbete har gjorts på uppdrag av Skanska Teknik med handledning av Johan Sjödin. Arbetets syfte var att jämföra olika limträförband, utförda av antingen spikningsplåtar eller WT-T skruvar, och komma fram till den bästa lösningen med hänsyn till bärförmåga, kostnad och utförandetid. I ett projekt har de spikningsplåtar, som används vid limträförband, börjat rosta under extremt fuktiga förhållanden fastän spikningsplåtarna är rostfria enligt tillverkaren. En fördel med WT-T skruvar är att de är gömda inne i träet och på så sätt inte i direkt kontakt med den aggressiva miljön, men även skyddad mot brand. Andra fördelar med WT-T är att utförandetiden är kort och kostnaden är lägre än spikningsplåtsalternativet. Ett experiment har gjorts för att undersöka hur träet med inborrade WT-T skruvar beter sig under uttorkning.</p> / <p>This diploma work was made under commission by Skanska Teknik, with guidance by Johan Sjödin. The purpose of this work was to compare different gluelam joints, performed by nailing plates or WT-T screws, and find out the best solution with regard to carrying ability, cost and performance time. In a certain project have the nailing plates, which are used in gluelam joints, corroded under extremely damp circumstances although the nailing plates are rust free according to the manufacturer. An advantage with WT-T screws is that they are hidden inside of the tree and in that way not in directly contact with the aggressive environment, but also protected against fire. The other advantages with WT-T screws are that the performance time is short and the cost is lower than the nailing plates-alternative. An experiment has been carried out to investigate how the tree with WT-T screws behaves itself during drying period.</p>