Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references.

A source expansion algorithm automatically extends a given text corpus with related information from large, unstructured sources. While the expanded corpus is not intended for human consumption, it can be leveraged in question answering (QA) and other information retrieval or extraction tasks to find more relevant knowledge and to gather additional evidence for evaluating hypotheses. In this thesis, we propose a novel algorithm that expands a collection of seed documents by (1) retrieving related content from the Web or other large external sources, (2) extracting self-contained text nuggets from the related content, (3) estimating the relevance of the text nuggets with regard to the topics of the seed documents using a statistical model, and (4) compiling new pseudo-documents from nuggets that are relevant and complement existing information. In an intrinsic evaluation on a dataset comprising 1,500 hand-labeled web pages, the most elective statistical relevance model ranked text nuggets by relevance with 81% MAP, compared to 43% when relying on rankings generated by a web search engine, and 75% when using a multi-document summarization algorithm. These differences are statistically significant and result in noticeable gains in search performance in a task-based evaluation on QA datasets. The statistical models use a comprehensive set of features to predict the topicality and quality of text nuggets based on topic models built from seed content, search engine rankings and surface characteristics of the retrieved text. Linear models that evaluate text nuggets individually are compared to a sequential model that estimates their relevance given the surrounding nuggets. The sequential model leverages features derived from text segmentation algorithms to dynamically predict transitions between relevant and irrelevant passages. It slightly outperforms the best linear model while using fewer parameters and requiring less training time. In addition, we demonstrate that active learning reduces the amount of labeled data required to fit a relevance model by two orders of magnitude with little loss in ranking performance. This facilitates the adaptation of the source expansion algorithm to new knowledge domains and applications. Applied to the QA task, the proposed method yields consistent and statistically significant performance gains across different datasets, seed corpora and retrieval strategies. We evaluated the impact of source expansion on search performance and end-to-end accuracy using Watson and the OpenEphyra QA system, and datasets comprising over 6,500 questions from the Jeopardy! quiz show and TREC evaluations. By expanding various seed corpora with web search results, we were able to improve the QA accuracy of Watson from 66% to 71% on regular Jeopardy! questions, from 45% to 51% on Final Jeopardy! questions and from 59% to 64% on TREC factoid questions. We also show that the source expansion approach can be adapted to extract relevant content from locally stored sources without requiring a search engine, and that this method yields similar performance gains. When combined with the approach that uses web search results, Watson's accuracy further increases to 72% on regular Jeopardy! data, 54% on Final Jeopardy! and 67% on TREC questions.

Thesis (M.A.)--Liberty University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

This psychobiography is focused on the life of Glenda Watson-Kahlenberg, whose life history epitomises the redemptive theme of triumph over tragedy. A phenomenological approach to the study allowed the researcher to observe the participant‟s lived experience through the theoretical lens of Frankl‟s conceptualization of a meaningful and full existence. A holistic perspective of factors contributing to redemption was accommodated by the Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model. The aim of this longitudinal revelatory study was to illuminate the process of redemption in a life, which leads to restoration and wholeness. This study breaks with traditional psychobiography – in that a life in progress has been selected; and personality development is not the key focus. This psychobiographical undertaking was anchored in qualitative research in the form of a single case study. Four types of triangulation were utilized, namely: data, investigators, theory and methodological triangulation. In addition, Alexander‟s identifiers of saliency, Miles and Huberman‟s data-management guidelines, Schultz‟s prototypical scenes, and Guba‟s criteria for trustworthiness, guided the methodology to ensure reliable data extraction and interpretation. The present researcher was in search of a deeper understanding of the enabling factors facilitating a restorative process in a life that was challenged by setbacks. Given the increasing pressures facing individuals in this modern era, the redemptive theme holds particular relevance, and was graphically demonstrated in the life of the participant who experienced trauma, widowhood, divorce, single parenthood, and a spate of medical and psychological setbacks. The findings suggest that the mental health clinician‟s utilisation of Frankl‟s conceptualisation of meaning in the most challenging circumstances, proffers itself as an all-purpose life-tool which enables individuals to overcome their challenges. The study demonstrated that gaining meaning in life is inextricably tied to an implicit legacy-oriented worldview. Of significance, is the role of forgiveness which emerged as the central redemptive catalyst. In this study, the resolution of past hurts through forgiveness, and the search for meaning, merge, forming an arterial theme in the life story of the participant. The dual impact of these factors not only reversed contaminated life-scripts, it also birthed a new calling in life which set the participant on a generative life course. The findings related to a redemptive life not only confirms existing theory, but also adds perspectives not previously considered. In addition, the findings related to the role of forgiveness has positive implications for the individual‟s physical and psychological wellbeing. Greater intentionality on the part of therapists to thread forgiveness into their practice, remains invitational in the light of the eugraphic impact demonstrated in this study.

"To Be and Build the Glorious World" examines the educational thought and practice of Watson Thomson, the most passionate and controversial of the activist educators who worked in Canada from the mid-1930s to the mid-1940s. Using a contextual biographical methodology, the evolution of Thomson's motivational structure and world-view is examined. The opening chapters identify the educative forces that shaped Thomson's transformative-communitarian educational philosophy. Subsequent chapters analyze the interplay of Thomson's transformative- communitarian vision with the Canadian context—Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. A critical examination of Thomson's educational thought and practice shows that he adopted a consistent modus operandi. For Thomson, study-groups were to be spearheads of social change. Guided by the vision of a new, fully co-operative society, these groups would gradually initiate a social and intellectual revolution. Thomson's spearhead theory, put into practice in many contexts, was most successful in Saskatchewan. There he found support in a left populist culture. Thomson's accomplishments as an adult educator were many. First, he had a significant impact on many individual lives, helping people to see life as an indivisible whole. Second, Thomson participated in, and initiated, a remarkable range of educational ventures, some successful, others not. Thomson's educational thought and practice raises important questions on the relationship between nonformal education, social movements and policy outcomes. Indeed, a close study of Watson Thomson's career reveals the existence of a gentle, but persistent movement towards cultural revitalization in Western Canada in the 1930s and 1940s. Further, it suggests the presence of some unexpected avant-garde themes in the life of the Canadian left. This thesis, then, "explains" Watson Thomson's educational thought and practice contextually. In so doing, it also offers an explanation of the previously undocumented histories of adult education in three prairie provinces. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

Idag transplanteras med framgång bl.a. hjärta, lungor, njurar och lever. Behovet av organ ökar men tillgången minskar. Det finns många olika sätt att göra sin vilja känd om sin inställning till organdonation. Om den avlidnes vilja inte är känd är det anhöriga som måste ta beslutet om organdonation. Att mista en närstående plötsligt och oväntat är i många fall förenat med ett chocktillstånd. Att i det tillståndet bli tillfrågad av en läkare om tillåtelse att ta den avlidnes organ, kan medföra både skuldkänslor och ångest, speciellt eftersom beslutet tas under tidspress och psykisk stress. Syftet med denna kvalitativa studie var att genom intervjuer beskriva vårdpersonals erfarenheter av hur de stödjer och hjälper anhöriga vid beslut om organdonation. I studien används Watson som teoretisk referensram, Watson har en syn på människor som passar bra att använda sig av när en människa står inför en stor förändring. Intervjuerna analyserades med hjälp av Burnards analysmetod. I resultatet förekommer det att information till anhöriga är mycket viktigt. Informationen skall vara lättförståelig, upprepad och tydlig. Det är till en början viktigt att de anhöriga förstår vad hjärndöd innebär, det är en förutsättning för att kunna gå vidare. Det är också viktigt att anhöriga får ta farväl av den avlidne, det underlättar förståelsen att den närstående är död. I många fall är det kaotiskt för de anhöriga och då spelar vårdpersonalen en viktig roll att ge de anhöriga stöd och hjälp. Den vårdpersonal som intervjuats menar att det är deras erfarenhet som gör att de på ett bra och effektivt sätt kan ge de anhöriga stöd och hjälp.

No description available.

Many milestones have been passed in computer science and currently we are on our way to pass yet another: artificial intelligence. One of the characteristics of AI is to be able to interpret so-called unstructured data, i.e., data that lacks structure. Unstructured data can be useful and with the new tools within AI is it possible to interpret it and use it to solve problems. This has the potential to be useful in practical applications such as processing and decision support. The work has been done at Apendo AB, which has the Swedish National Land Survey as a customer. The work is to investigate how AI-driven cognitive services through IBM Watson can be applied to the Swedish National Land Survey. The goal is to answer the following questions: Is it possible to apply cognitive services through Watson's services to give decision support to the Swedish National Land Survey already? In what ways can you use Watson's services to create a decision support? How effective can the solution for the Swedish National Land Survey be, i.e. how much time and costs can they save by using Watson's services on the chosen concept? As a practical part of the AI study, a perceptron was developed and evaluated. Through an agile approach, tests and studies about IBM Watson have taken place in parallel with interviews with employees at the Swedish National Land Survey. The tests were performed in the PaaS service IBM Bluemix with both Node-RED and an own built web application. Though the interviews, the Watson service Retrieve and Rank became interesting and examined more closely. With Retrieve and Rank you can get questions answered by ranking selected corpus pieces that are then trained for better answers. Uploading the corpus with related questions resulted in that 75% of the questions was answered correctly. Applications for the Swedish National Land Survey can then be a cognitive search function that helps administrators to search information in manuals and the law book. / Många milstolpar har passerats inom datavetenskapen och just nu håller vi på att passera en till: artificiell intelligens. En av de egenskaper som kännetecknar AI är att kunna tolka s.k. ostrukturerad data, alltså sådan data som saknar struktur. Ostrukturerad data vara användbar och med de nya verktygen inom AI är det möjligt att tolka för sedan använda det till att lösa problem. Detta har potential att vara användbart inom praktiska applikationer såsom handläggning och beslutsstöd. Arbetet har skett på företaget Apendo AB som har Lantmäteriet som kund. Arbetet går ut på att undersöka hur AI-drivna kognitiva tjänster genom IBM Watson kan tillämpas på Lantmäteriet. Målet är att besvara följande frågor: Är det möjligt att tillämpa kognitiva tjänster genom Watsons tjänster för att ge beslutsstöd åt Lantmäteriet redan i dagsläget? På vilka sätt kan man använda Watsons tjänster för att skapa ett beslutsstöd? Hur effektiv kan lösningen för Lantmäteriet bli, d.v.s. hur mycket tid och kostnader kan de tänkas spara genom att använda Watsons tjänster på valt koncept? Som praktisk del av studien om AI utvecklades och utvärderades en perceptron. Genom ett agilt förhållningssätt har tester och studier om IBM Watson skett parallellt med intervjuer med anställda på Lantmäteriet. Testerna utfördes i PaaS-tjänsten IBM Bluemix med både Node- RED och egenbyggd webbapplikation. Av intervjuerna blev Watson-tjänsten Retrieve and Rank intressant och undersöktes noggrannare. Med Retrieve and Rank kan man få frågor besvarade genom rankning av stycken av valt korpus som sedan tränas upp för bättre svar. Uppladdning av korpus med tillhörade frågor gav att 75 % av frågorna besvarades korrekt. Tillämpningarna Lantmäteriet kan då vara en kognitiv uppträningsbar sökfunktion som hjälper handläggare att söka information i handböcker och lagboken.

Bakgrund: Arbetsrelaterad stress är ett växande problem inom vården, och de krav som ställs i förhållande till otillräckliga resurser skapar en hög arbetsbelastning vilket i sin tur kan leda till stress och ohälsa. Sjuksköterskans profession innebär ett stort ansvar då hon ska ge en god omvårdnad till alla som behöver och samtidigt agera arbetsledare samt organisera omvårdnadsarbetet. Den arbetsrelaterade stressen kan leda till konsekvenser som psykiska problem, nedsatt koncentrationsförmåga och svårigheter att sova. Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka arbetsrelaterad stress hos sjuksköterskor och dess möjliga påverkan på patientsäkerheten. Metod: En litteraturöversikt har genomförts. Resultatet är baserat på tolv kvalitativa och kvantitativa studier som valdes från databaserna PubMed och Cinahl Complete. Resultat: Litteraturöversikten resulterade i två huvudteman och fem underteman som beskriver de vanligaste arbetsrelaterade stressfaktorerna hos sjuksköterskor och hur dessa påverkar patienterna. De två huvudteman som framkom var: arbetsrelaterade stressfaktorer som påverkar sjuksköterskan och faktorer som påverkar patientsäkerheten. De fem underteman som framkom var arbetsbelastning, samarbete och arbetsledning, skiftarbete, sociala interaktionen, vårdskador- och längre vårdtider. Diskussion: Metoden diskuteras utifrån litteraturöversiktens styrkor och svagheter. Resultatet diskuteras under tre rubriker som utgår från Jean Watsons karativa faktorer: Inge tro och hopp, stödja, skydda och/eller förbättra den psykiska, fysiska, sociala och andliga miljön och att tillgodose mänskliga behov. Diskussionen förs i relation till Jean Watsons omvårdnadsteori, litteraturöversiktens bakgrund, författarnas egna reflektioner samt annan relevant forskning. Detta för att skapa en djupare förståelse för sjuksköterskans arbetsrelaterade stress och dess påverkan på patientsäkerheten. / Background: Occupational stress in healthcare is a growing issue, and the demands in relation to inadequate resources, creates a high workload which can lead to stress and illness. The nursing profession involves a big responsibility. As a nurse, you have to give good health care to everyone who needs it, and at the same time supervise and organize the nursing care. The occupational stress can lead to consequences such as psychological problems, reduced attention span and sleeping disorder. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine occupational stress among nurses and its possible impacts on patient safety. Method: A literature review was carried out and the result is based on twelve qualitative and quantitative studies which has been chosen from the databases PubMed and Cinahl Complete. Results: The literature review resulted in two main themes and five sub themes which describes the most common occupational stress factors among nurses and how these factors affect the patients. The two main themes that emerged were: Occupational stress factors which affects the nurse and Factors that affects patient safety. The five sub themes that emerged were: Workload, Cooperation and work management, Shift work, Social interactions and Healthcare detriment and longer hospital stays. Discussion: The method was discussed from the perspective of the strengths and weaknesses of the literature review. The result was discussed out of three of Jean Watsons carative factors: Generate hope and faith, Support, protect and/or improve the psychological, physical, social and spiritual environment and Cater to human needs. The discussion is conducted in relation to Jean Watsons care theory, the background of the literature review, the authors own reflections and other relevant researches. The purpose is to create a deeper understanding for the occupational stress among nurses and the effect on patient safety.