Application of expert systems in project management decision aiding

The feasibility of developing an expert systems-based project management decision aid to enhance the performance of NASA project managers was assessed. The research effort included extensive literature reviews in the areas of project management, project management decision aiding, expert systems technology, and human-computer interface engineering. Literature reviews were augmented by focused interviews with NASA managers. Time estimation for project scheduling was identified as the target activity for decision augmentation, and a design was developed for an Integrated NASA System for Intelligent Time Estimation (INSITE). The proposed INSITE design was judged feasible with a low level of risk. A partial proof-of-concept experiment was performed and was successful. Specific conclusions drawn from the research and analyses are included. The INSITE concept is potentially applicable in any management sphere, commercial or government, where time estimation is required for project scheduling. As project scheduling is a nearly universal management activity, the range of possibilities is considerable. The INSITE concept also holds potential for enhancing other management tasks, especially in areas such as cost estimation, where estimation-by-analogy is already a proven method

Crossing Over, Moving Over: Personal Narratives of Caribbean Adult College Women’s Struggles and Strategies

This research study documented the personal narratives of Caribbean immigrant college women’s struggles and strategies as they adjusted to life in the United States. The main purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which the concurrent work, family and community settings impact their personal and cognitive development

Mrs. Regina Borum interview (2) conducted on May 16, 1984 about the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University

In this second interview, Mrs. Borum continues her description of responsibilities and duties, concentrating on her interactions with the press and organizations outside of the university. Mrs. Borum then turns to the development of the School of Medicine\u27s Development Department, and her thoughts and recollections on key people in the School of Medicine\u27s development

Multivariate climate reconstruction for the last 14,000 years in southernmost South America

Comparison between past changes in pollen assemblages and stable isotope ratios (deuterium and carbon) analyzed in the same peat core from Tierra del Fuego at latitude 55°S permitted identification of the relative contribution of precipitation versus temperature responsible for the respective change. Major steps in the sequence of paleoenvironmental changes, such as at 12700, 9000, 5000, and 4000 years ago are apparently related only to increase in precipitation, reflecting the latitudinal location and intensity of the westerly storm tracks. On the other hand, high paleoenvironmental variability, which is characteristic for the late-glacial and the latest Holocene, is related to temperature variability, which affects the relative moisture content. Comparison with other paleoenvironmental records suggests that the late-glacial temperature variability is probably related to variability in the extent of Antarctic sea-ice, which in turn appears to be related to the intensity of Atlantic deep-water circulation. Temperature variability during the latest Holocene, on the other hand, is probably related to the dynamics of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation

Dental fluorosis and parental knowledge of risk factors for dental fluorosis

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent)Introduction: Dental fluorosis is a developmental disturbance of enamel that results from ingestion of high amounts of fluoride during tooth mineralization. Drinking water remains the main source of fluoride. Other sources of fluoride include infant formula, vegetables; canned fish as well as early, improper utilization of fluoridated toothpastes in children. Knowledge of risk factors in the causation of dental fluorosis may improve strategies to prevent dental fluorosis. Objective: To determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis among children aged 12-15 years old in Athi River sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya and assesses the level of knowledge on risk factors for dental fluorosis among their parents. Methodology: This was a descriptive study with an analytic component. A total of 281 children aged 12-15 years attending public primary schools within Athi River sub-county, Machakos County were included. A self-administered questionnaire was send to parents for socio-demographic characteristics and oral health practices. Children whose parents consented were examined and dental fluorosis scored according to the Thylstrup and Fejerskov index. Fourty randomly selected children were requested to bring water samples from their homes. Retail stores located in the area were visited for purchase of six different brands of bottled water. These samples were sent to a certified laboratory for fluoride analysis and reported in milligrams of fluoride per litre. Data analysis: Data was entered into SPSS version 20 and analysed for means, ANOVA of means and chi-square test of significance for categorical variables. All tests for significance were set at 95% confidence level (α≤0.05). Results: A total of 314 self-administered questionnaires were send to parents together with consent forms for their children‟s participation in the study. Two hundred and eighty six responded positively, giving a response rate of 91%. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis among children aged 12-15 years was 93.4% with only 6.6% (n=19) recording a TFI score of 0. About one quarter 70(24.4%) of children had severe fluorosis with TFI scores of ≥5. The mean TFI score for all children was 3.09 (SD=2.0), with males recording a mean TF score of 3.01 (SD=2.11) and females a mean TF score of 3.16 (SD=1.88). Out of 44 water samples analysed, 29 (65.9%) had a fluoride content of less than 0.6mg/l, 5 (11.4%) had fluoride content of 0.7 - 1.5mg/l while 10 (22.7%) of samples had a fluoride content ≥1.5mg/l. The highest fluoride content recorded was 9.3mg/l, with another sample reflecting 8.9mgF/l. Three of the bottled water samples had a fluoride content of less than 0.6mg/l, while the other half of the bottled water reported 0.7 - 0.8mg/l fluoride. A majority (87.8%) of parents indicated that they had noticed children with brown staining of their permanent teeth in their community. About 80% of parents thought dental fluorosis was caused by salty water, while only 12.9% correctly identified water with high fluoride content as being responsible for the discolored teeth. Conclusion: Although about one in five water sources sampled had fluoride content of ≥1.5mg/l, the prevalence of dental fluorosis in this community was very high. Parental knowledge on the risk factors for dental fluorosis was low. Further research is necessary to identify the water distribution networks to provide sound evidence for engaging with the county authorities on provision of safe drinking water to the community