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A full scale prototype of a vortex storm sewage overflow with peripheral spill has been build in Sheffield, its design being based on the results of model tests. The project described has been involved in monitoring this prototype with the aims of i) Assessing its hydraulic performance, ii) Assessing its ability to retain polluting material, particularly large 'gross solids' in the sewer, iii) To compare its performance with predictions made by the model tests. A review of previous work concerning storm overflows, the development of vortex overflows and sewer monitoring techniques was undertaken. The overflow was monitored with flow measurement equipment, bottle samplers and equipment designed to count the numbers of gross solids in the sewage entering and spilling from the chamber. The latter worked by pumping large volumes of sewage through a transparent cell, where it was filmed by a video camera. Objects passing were counted by eye when the film was examined later. The hydraulic monitoring showed that the overflow was effective at controlling flows in the sewage, and that mathematical and physical models predicted its performance. Analysis of discrete samples collected using bottle samplers showed little difference between the fine suspended solids and the dissolved material in inlet or spill. The results from measuring gross solids appeared to show that their concentration in the spill was less than that in the inflow by 20-40%. However insufficient storms were recorded to be sure to what extent the method of sampling affected the results. The results from the gross solid monitoring bore some resemblance to the predictions made by the model tests using estimates of the nature of particles in the storm sewage. This suggested that model tests using synthetic gross solid particles could give a good indication of the performance of full scale overflows.

Enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) are expensive. The decision to install an ERP system necessitates a choice of mechanisms to determine whether an ERP system is needed, and once implemented, whether it is success. User satisfaction is one such evaluation mechanism. This research investigates the measurement of ERP user satisfaction in the specific context of the outsourcing environment. Starting with an analysis of the characteristics of ERP systems and the outsourcing environment and using the critical incident interview technique, a previously validated instrument was selected and adapted. A modified version was then developed and tested to prove its reliability and validity. The results of this effort and suggested uses of the questionnaire are reported here.

The State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System is an interactive web-based application and data tool providing up-to-date state-level information related to tobacco use. Indicators in STATE present data related to current and former tobacco use, smoking cessation, funding, tobacco-related health costs, and tobacco control policies. The STATE System also serves as a primary data source for many objectives in Healthy People 2020’s Tobacco Use chapter. Currently, there is no common thread between access to information pertaining to Healthy People 2020 objectives and STATE System data. For this reason, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted of the STATE System’s individual reports and static web-content as it relates to Healthy People 2020 objectives. Implications for research and evaluation are intended to educate the Office on Smoking and Health’s staff & colleagues in the states, networks, and territories on identifiable, cross-promotional opportunities that highlight both state and national data.

Under the severe competition environment, it is very important for enterprise to create various goals and install process oriented information system to support it to reach business visions on business growth and expansion. For keeping the enterprise competitive advantage the business goals needed to be modified continuously under the change of competition environment. But the business information systems could still support the modified business goals? Information system could become less efficiency than before after business goals changed. The purpose of this study is to develop a business goals oriented information system evaluation approach to understand the degree of information system supporting the business goals. The approach first abstracts business goal and process oriented information system by business management methods and utilizes use case as the evaluation tool. Quantitative index and diagram as the result of evaluation explains the relationship between business goals and information systems. The results of evaluation could provide advantages on the information technology decision making for business leaders.

25 airports have a connection with the local rail transit system, but each is unique. Variables such as network size, train frequency, type of airport station, time, and cost vary by airport. Both airport passengers and planners should have a technical basis of selecting which system is the most useful, efficient, and reliable. To date, there have been no scoring procedures created to rank the airports in order of quality of connection. This thesis analyzes rail transit accessibility for all 25 airports (3 of which have 2 separate transit systems) by investigating 8 characteristics, 3 of which are market factors and 5 of which are system factors. The 5 system factors are travel time difference between car and train, transit cost difference between car and train, airport/transit connection type, network size, and train frequency. The 3 market factors are rail transit mode share, business traveler percentage, and low-cost carrier percentage. A scoring system was then developed and each airport's characteristics were inputted. The airports were scored using three different methods and were subsequently evaluated to understand why airports received the scores they did. This evaluation led to a better understanding of airport transit best practices. The scoring system was used again to evaluate an airport (Washington-Dulles) undergoing radical changes to understand by what factor a score can improve. A "top 10" list of airport transit connections was produced with JFK coming in first. This method is a starting point for developing a robust system to evaluate transit connections to airports. / Master of Science

A Leishmaniose Visceral (LV) é uma doença crônica e sistêmica, também conhecida como, calazar, esplenomegalia tropical ou febre dundun, quando não tratada, pode evoluir para óbito em mais de 90% dos casos. É causada por um protozoário e transmitida por espécies de insetos vetores conhecidas como flebotomíneos. Considerada primariamente como zoonose, podendo acometer o homem, quando este entra em contato com o ciclo de transmissão do parasito, transformando-se em uma antropozoonose. De 2011 a 2015, foram notificados 49.608 casos, sendo 18.323 confirmados no mesmo período, com 1.258 óbitos, com casos confirmados nas 27 UF, evidenciando a expansão do vetor no país. A avaliação do sistema de vigilância (SV) visa assegurar que problemas de importância em saúde pública estejam sendo monitorados de maneira eficiente e efetiva, além de subsidiar recomendações para melhorar sua qualidade, eficiência e utilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o SV-LVH no Brasil, entre os anos de 2011 a 2015. Método: Optou-se pela metodologia do Guia de Avaliação de Sistemas de Vigilância em Saúde Pública proposto pelo CDC. Compreendeu a descrição do SV-LVH, bem como a avaliação de seu desempenho, por meio de atributos qualitativos, quantitativos e sua utilidade. Resultados e Discussão: Os resultados dos atributos qualitativos evidenciam que o sistema é complexo, possui qualidade boa dos dados, e apresentou boa aceitabilidade. Em relação aos atributos quantitativos, demonstrou possuir sensibilidade regular na captação de casos confirmados, foi oportuno, com valor preditivo positivo regular, representativo e estável. O sistema foi considerado útil, por cumprir com os objetivos propostos. Recomendações: Revisar o Manual de Vigilância e Controle da Leishmaniose Visceral, com ênfase nos aspectos do diagnóstico e do tratamento; realizar cursos de aperfeiçoamento para os técnicos de vigilância epidemiológica; divulgar de forma rotineira os resultados produzidos pelo sistema de vigilância; realizar novos estudos para se avaliar a sensibilidade do sistema; realizar um estudo qualitativo para complementar o entendimento e explorar outros aspectos não abordados nesta avaliação; realizar avaliação de custo do SV-LVH no Brasil. / Visceral Leishmaniasis (LV) is a chronic and systemic disease, also known as kalazar, tropical splenomegaly or dundun fever, when it is untreated, can progress to death in more than 90% of cases. It is caused by a protozoan and transmitted by species of insect vectors known as phlebotomines. Considered primarily as zoonosis, it can affect man when it comes into contact with the transmission cycle of the parasite, transforming itself into an anthropozoonosis. From 2011 to 2015, 49,608 cases were reported, of which 18,323 were confirmed in the same period, with 1,258 deaths, with confirmed cases in 27 UF, evidencing the expansion of the vector in the country. The evaluation of the surveillance system (SV) aims to ensure that problems of public health importance are being monitored in an efficient and effective way, as well as to support recommendations to improve its quality, efficiency and utility. The objective of this study was to evaluate SV-LVH in Brazil, between the years of 2011 to 2015. Method: The methodology of the Guide for Evaluation of Public Health Surveillance Systems proposed by the CDC was chosen. It comprised the description of the SV-LVH, as well as the evaluation of its performance, through qualitative, quantitative attributes and their usefulness. Results and Discussion: The results of the qualitative attributes show that the system is complex, has good data quality, and has good acceptability. Regarding quantitative attributes, it was shown to have a regular sensitivity in the collection of confirmed cases, it was opportune, with a positive predictive value that was regular, representative and stable. The system was considered useful, because it fulfilled the proposed objectives. Recommendations: Review the Visceral Leishmaniasis Surveillance and Control Manual, with emphasis on aspects of diagnosis and treatment; to carry out training courses for epidemiological surveillance technicians; to routinely disclose the results produced by the surveillance system; to carry out new studies to evaluate the sensitivity of the system; conduct a qualitative study to complement the understanding and explore other aspects not covered in this evaluation; the SV-LVH in Brazil.

<p>This master’s thesis presents experiences from an evaluation of AdApt, a multi- modal, conversational dialogue system, using PARADISE, PARAdigm for Dialogue System Evaluation, a general framework for evaluation. The purpose of this master’s thesis was to assess PARADISE as an evaluation tool for such a system. An experimental study with 26 subjects was performed. The subjects were asked to interact with one of three different system versions of AdApt. Data was collected through questionnaires, hand tagging of the dialogues and automatic logging of the interaction. Analysis of the results suggests that further research is needed to develop a general framework for evaluation which is easy to apply and can be used for varying kinds of spoken dialogue systems. The data collected in this study can be used as starting point for further research.</p>

In this thesis, we propose a new design of privacy and session control for improving a collaborative molecular modeling CVR system AMMP-VIS [1]. The design mainly addresses the issue of competing user interests and privacy protection coordination. Based on our investigation of AMMP-VIS, we propose a four-level access control structure for collaborative sessions and dynamic action priority specification for manipulations on shared molecular models. Our design allows a single user to participate in multiple simultaneous sessions. Moreover, a messaging system with text chatting and system broadcasting functionality is included. A 2D user interface [2] for easy command invocation is developed in Python. Two other key aspects of system implementation, the collaboration Central deployment and the 2D GUI for control are also discussed. Finally, we describe our system evaluation plan which is based on an improved cognitive walkthrough and heuristic evaluation as well as statistical usage data.

In this thesis, we propose a new design of privacy and session control for improving a collaborative molecular modeling CVR system AMMP-VIS [1]. The design mainly addresses the issue of competing user interests and privacy protection coordination. Based on our investigation of AMMP-VIS, we propose a four-level access control structure for collaborative sessions and dynamic action priority specification for manipulations on shared molecular models. Our design allows a single user to participate in multiple simultaneous sessions. Moreover, a messaging system with text chatting and system broadcasting functionality is included. A 2D user interface [2] for easy command invocation is developed in Python. Two other key aspects of system implementation, the collaboration Central deployment and the 2D GUI for control are also discussed. Finally, we describe our system evaluation plan which is based on an improved cognitive walkthrough and heuristic evaluation as well as statistical usage data.