Effects of cost and accuracy on the decision to request and to utilize expert advice were investigated in 2 experiments using a choice task. Experiments 1 and 2 found that experienced accuracy significantly predicted requesting expert advice. Participants in Experiment 2 used very inaccurate experts to rule out the expert's option. Cost affected requesting advice in Experiment 1 only when cost was able to exceed the amount that could be gained for a correct choice. Experiment 2 found a significant interaction between cost and experienced accuracy. Both experiments found requesting advice was the only significant predictor for changing answers. The results did not support an adherence to sunk costs in the decision to change answers.

Three experiments were conducted to identify the impact of factors associated with the environment (predictability of the environment) and factors associated with an available expert (the accuracy of the expert and the cost of the expert's advice) on the optimal utilization of the expert. Across all three experiments, participants overutilized the expert (requesting advice when advice was suboptimal) when the expert accuracy was higher and when the environment was less predictable. Conversely, participants underutilized the expert (not requesting advice when doing so was optimal) more when the environment was more predictable and the expert was less accurate. Participants showed little sensitivity to the cost of advice, further compounding the errors. Requiring participants to request advice on every training trial increased reliance on the later optional expert and led to properties of the expert primarily influencing the decision to request advice. Requiring participants to rely only on the environmental cue during training decreased overall reliance on the later optional expert and led to properties of the environment primarily influencing the decision to request advice. Requiring participants to interact with both the environment and the expert during training led to better overall decisions and to the integration of environmental cues and properties of the expert to inform the decision to request advice.

A multi-level modular control scheme to realize integrated process monitoring, diagnosis and control for intelligent machining is proposed and implemented. PC-based hardware architecture to manipulate machining process cutting parameters, using a PMAC interface card as well as sensing processes performance parameters through sampling, and processing by means of DSP interface cards is presented. Controller hardware, to interface the PC-based PMAC interface card to a machining process for the direct control of speed, feed and depth of cut, is described. Sensors to directly measure on-line process performance parameters, including cutting forces, cutting sound, tool-workpiece vibration, cutting temperature and spindle current are described. The indirect measurement of performance parameter surface roughness and tool wear monitoring, through the use of NF sensor fusion modeling, is described and verified. An object based software architecture, with corresponding user interfaces (using Microsoft Visual C++ Foundation Classes and implemented C++ classes for sending motion control commands to the PMAC and receiving processed on-line sensor data from the DSP) is explained. The software structure indicates all the components necessary for integrating the monitoring, diagnosis and control scheme. C-based software code executed on the DSP for real-time sampling, filtering and FFT processing of sensor signals, is explained. Making use of experimental data and regression analysis, analytical relationships between cutting parameters (independent) and each of the performance parameters (dependent) are obtained and used to simulate the machining process. A fuzzy relation that contains values determined from statistical data (indicating the strength of connection between the independent and dependent variables) is proposed. The fuzzy relation forms the basis of a diagnostic scheme that is able to intelligently determine which independent variable to change when a machining performance parameter exceeds control limits. The intelligent diagnosis scheme is extensively tested using the machining process simulation.

Many people in widely varied fields are exposed to categorical data describing myriad observations. The breadth of applications in which categorical data are used means that many of the people tasked to apply these data have not been trained in data analysis. Visualization of data is often used to alleviate this problem since visualization can convey relevant information in a non-mathematical manner. However, visualizations are frequently static and the tools to create them are largely geared towards quantitative data. It is the purpose of this thesis to demonstrate a method which expands on the parallel coordinates method of visualization and uses a 'Google Maps' style of interaction and view dependent data presentation for visualizing and exploring categorical data that is accessible by non-experts and promotes the use of domain specific knowledge. The parallel coordinates method has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent times, but has several shortcomings. This thesis seeks to address some of these problems in a manner which involves not just addressing the final static image which is generated, but the paradigm of interaction as well.

The field of expertise studies offers several models from which to develop training programs that accelerate the development of novice performers in a variety of domains. This research study implemented two methods of expertise-based training in a course to develop undergraduate peer academic coaches through a ten-week program. An existing training curriculum was enhanced by implementing results gleaned from a preliminary expert performance study, in which the superior, reproducible performance of seasoned professionals (counselors and academic advisors working with undergraduate students at a large Midwestern research university) was analyzed. Part-task, observational training activities were created for the expertise-based (XBT) training group while whole-task, simulation-based activities were created for the expert performance based (ExPerT) training group. Trainee performance in four targeted skill sets (asking questions, reflective listening, noticing reactions, and providing feedback) indicated few significant differences between the XBT and ExPerT training groups. The ExPerT group demonstrated a greater number of evocative statements, aimed at helping coaching clients change behaviors. Overall, the utility of the expert performance approach in developing training in various domains is promising, particularly if an appropriate balance of part-task and whole-task training activities can be found.

Orientador: Monica da Costa Serra / Resumo: Nos processos criminais muitas vezes o magistrado precisa do aporte técnico de um expert no assunto relacionado ao crime sub judice para a aplicação da sanção penal. O proferimento da sentença, embasado em laudo de excelente qualidade, assegura ao processo o devido cumprimento da Justiça. A região de face, cabeça e pescoço costuma ser alvo daqueles que procuram lesionar ou mesmo matar suas vítimas. Não há estudos que analisem processos, laudos periciais e dados epidemiológicos de casos de mortes violentas, em que tenha havido acometimento da região de face, cabeça e pescoço. Assim, com tal objetivo, propomos a realização deste estudo. Para isto foram levantadas, primeiramente, decisões de segunda instância de processos criminais originários do Estado de São Paulo, no período de 2012 a setembro de 2017, de casos de morte violenta em que face, cabeça e pescoço tivessem sido acometidos. Foi utilizada a ferramenta de consulta de jurisprudência do site do Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo. Foram incluídas nesta pesquisa as comarcas cuja competência para realização dos exames periciais é do Instituto Médico Legal de Araraquara-SP. Os acórdãos foram lidos e selecionados os que tratavam de homicídio, lesão corporal seguida de morte e latrocínio consumados. Os laudos periciais correspondentes aos processos levantados foram buscados no IML de Araraquara. Essa busca resultou em 49 laudos, que foram analisados. Observou-se que a maioria das vítimas de homicídio e latrocínio era homem, bra... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In criminal lawsuits, the judge often needs the technical input of an expert on the subject related to the crime, for the application of the penal sanction. The delivery of the decision, based on a report of excellent quality, ensures to the lawsuit the due enforcement of justice. The face, head and neck region is often targeted by those who seek to injure or even to kill their victims. There are no studies that analyze lawsuits, expert reports and epidemiological data of cases of violent deaths, in which there has been involvement of the face, head and neck region. Thus, with this objective, we propose this study. For this purpose, we searched decisions of the second instance of criminal cases originated in State of São Paulo, from 2012 to September 2017, in cases of violent death in which the face, head and neck were affected. We used the consultation jurisprudence tool of the website of the Court of Justice of São Paulo. We included in this research the counties whose competence to perform the expert examinations is from the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML) of Araraquara-SP. The decisions were read and those related to consumated homicide, body injury followed by death and robbery followed by death were selected. The expert reports corresponding to the selected cases were searched in the IML of Araraquara. This search resulted in 49 reports, which were analyzed. We observed that the majority of homicide and robbery victims were male, white, under 40 years of age and of lo... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

abstract: A pressing question in public policymaking is how best to allocate decision-making authority and to facilitate opportunities for input. When it comes to science, technology, and environmental (STE) policy decisions, persons impacted by those decisions often have relevant information and perspectives to contribute yet lack either the specialized, technical knowledge or the means by which to effectively communicate that knowledge. Consequently, due to a variety of factors, they are frequently denied meaningful involvement in making them. In an effort to better understand why this is so, and how this might change, this dissertation uses an activity systems framework to examine how three factors mediate the circulation of information in STE public engagement mechanisms. In this project, I examine the transcripts of a 2015 administrative hearing and community meeting about the Santa Susana Field Lab—a former nuclear- and rocket engine-testing facility 30 miles from Los Angeles, where an experimental nuclear reactor suffered a partial meltdown in 1959. Specifically, I identify (1) who was designated as an "expert" versus a member of "the public," (2) the structural features, and (3) the stylistic features of participants' remarks at these events; and I study how these factors mediated the flow of information at each. To do so, I view "expert" and "public" as what Michael McGee has termed ideographs, and consider the structural and stylistic features that prior scholarship has identified to impact information flow. Based on my analysis, I theorize that role designations, structural features, and stylistic features work together to mediate whose, what, and how information flows in public engagement mechanisms. Based on my findings, I also suggest that this mediation impacts policy outcomes. As such, I contend that better understanding the relationships among these mediational means, information flow, and policy outcomes is an important step towards developing public engagement mechanisms that most effectively use the relevant knowledge and other insights of all who have a stake in policy decisions. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation English 2016

abstract: By examining the cognitive mechanisms behind human memory, the author hypothesizes that instrumental conductors can more quickly and effectively internalize music scores. With this theory, conductors could offer more informed and nuanced communications to their ensembles. Furthermore, these ideas could be incorporated into how conducting is taught to younger students by cultivating a more in-depth understanding of the music being studied. This research paper surveys current trends in cognitive science related to the interactions of long-term memory (LTM) and short-term memory (STM) concerning score study and memorization employed by instrumental conductors. The research is divided into three sections, beginning with an examination of the key literature from the field of cognitive science. It continues with an overview of current musicological research and applications and finally concludes with a review of current instrumental conducting pedagogy that include discussions of memory. Moreover, recommended steps and a potential framework to incorporate cognitive science research into future conducting pedagogies are further outlined. The primary cognitive theory of focus is the Working Memory Theory of Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2017

Sättet som el konsumeras och produceras i Sverige och i världen kommer att ändras de kommande årtiondena. En mer variabel elproduktion ska integreras i vår energimix samtidigt som ett användande av exempelvis elbilar kommer att ändra vårt konsumtionsmönster. För att möjliggöra denna förändring kommer nya krav att ställas på elnätet, vilket utgör länken mellan produktion och konsumtion. Eftersom elnät i Sverige är naturliga monopol måste elnätsbolagen regleras för att kunderna inte ska riskera att bli utnyttjade. Idag är det Energimarknadsinspektionen (Ei) som avgör hur mycket varje elnätsbolag får fakturera sina kunder. Det gör de via den så kallade intäktsramen. Intäktsramen är ett tak för hur mycket elnätsbolagen får ta betalt av sina kunder. Dock är många elnätsbolag i Sverige kommun- eller medlemsägda, vilket gör att deras huvudsakliga mål inte är att maximera vinsten. Dessa företag strävar alltså inte efter att utnyttja hela intäktsramen. Samtidigt finns det elnätsbolag som aktivt arbetar för att maximera vinsten. En följd av detta är att elnätskostnaderna varierar beroende på var man är lokaliserad i landet och vilket elnätsbolag man är hänvisad till. En tanke med intäktsramen är att den ska påverka hur elnätsbolagen väljer att investera. Det finns exempelvis incitament i intäktsramen som gör att elnätsbolagens vinst kan bli högre om de utnyttjar elnätet effektivt. Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att utreda vad som triggar eller motverkar investeringar för elnätsbolag som inte påverkas av intäktsramen i så stor utsträckning. Genom att undersöka två elnätsbolag, varav ett är kommunägt och det andra är medlemsägt, är målet att få en förståelse för deras syn på dagens reglering och hur de arbetar med investeringar. För att uppnå detta har intervjuer genomförts med de två vd:arna för de båda elnätsbolagen. Intervjun har kompletterats med rapporter från bland annat myndigheter och intresseorganisationer. Studien påvisar att det fanns en tydlig samstämmighet i hur investeringar i elnätet görs hos de båda elnätsbolagen. Elnätsbolagen utgår dels från underhållsplaner som finns upprättade för elnäten, men också från regelbundna besiktningar av elnäten. En plan för vilka investeringar som ska göras det kommande året klubbas igenom varje år. Elnätsbolagens strategi för investeringar och tankar om hur deras verksamheter ska drivas är alltså inte något som har påverkats av förändringarna som skett med olika regleringsmodeller. Dock kan det förslag rörande en sänkt intäktsram, vilken kommer att träda i kraft år 2020, få en påverkan för hur de båda elnätsbolagen väljer att göra investeringar.

The goal of this paper is to outline the legal and scientific implications of the admissibility standard defined in Daubert v. Merrel Row Pharmeceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993). The evolution of scientific admissibility is discussed. In addition, the author looks at criticisms of Daubert from the legal and psychological literature. Empirical data is presented with respect to judges’ abilities to act as “gate keepers” and jurors’ sensitivity to expert testimony. The author concludes with a discussion of the limitations and implications of this research.