Traiter les problèmes que pose la mobilité urbaine aujourdhui nécessite entre autres, lélaboration dune banque de données complète, capable de supporter les analyses qualitatives et quantitatives du système de transport et den évaluer lévolution en rapport aux éventuels changements de lensemble du système urbain. Les données relatives au domaine des transports sont indispensables à lalimentation des modèles de trafic, à lanalyse de la mobilité globale et aux suivis et à la gestion des conditions découlement du trafic au travers dun réseau de transport donné, dans le temps et dans lespace (Taylor M. et al, 1996; Bonnel P., 2004). Cependant, ces données sont très souvent collectées séparément selon les objectifs poursuivis par le planificateur. En effet, la planification urbaine ou la planification des transports en commun présente des objectifs différents de celle, par exemple, des trafics routiers et autoroutiers (Meyer M. et al, 2001). Ces planifications seffectuent généralement sans trop tenir compte des interactions qui sétablissent entre elles. Ainsi, fournir des solutions adéquates aux problèmes de mobilité urbaine, nécessite la prise en considération des aspects environnementaux et de lensemble des caractéristiques de lespace urbain : le système de transport et le système des localisations et des activités socio-économiques (Cancalon F. et al, 1991 ; Bonnel P., 2004). Les solutions ainsi générées doivent provenir dune approche intégrée de la planification des transports (Meyer M. et al, 2001). De plus, il a été pris en considération des éléments de modélisation de données (les GIS-T models) développés par (Dueker et al, 1997). Cest dans cette optique que cette recherche se propose dappréhender la question de la mobilité urbaine par une approche systémique de lespace urbain. Celui-ci sera caractérisé par lensemble des données qui le constitue afin de mettre en lumière les relations qui sous tendent la structure urbaine en question. Il sera ainsi développé un modèle intégré de données nécessaires à lanalyse de la mobilité urbaine : MIDAM. Ensuite, sur la base de MIDAM et de la synthèse de la littérature en matière de données « transports » et sur les logiciels de gestion de trafic, il a été possible de démontrer la faisabilité dun outil intégré « VISUTRANS » pour le suivi des politiques de transports ; la modélisation et les effets des transports urbains sur lenvironnement. Enfin, une méthodologie pratique quant à la manière dappréhender la mobilité urbaine est proposée avec pour cas dapplication la ville de Liège - Belgique.

Traditional data management technologies originating from business domain are currently facing many challenges from other domains such as scientific research. Data structures in databases are becoming more and more complex and data query functions are moving from the back-end database level towards the front-end user-interface level. Traditional query languages such as SQL, OQL, and form-based query interfaces cannot fully meet the needs today. This research is motivated by the data management issues in life science applications. I propose a methodology for domain-specific conceptual data modeling and querying. The methodology can be applied to any domain to capture more domain semantics and empower end-users to formulate a query at the conceptual level with terminologies and functions familiar to them. The query system resulting from the methodology is designed to work on all major types of database management systems (DBMS) and support end-users to dynamically define and add new domain-specific functions. That is, all user-defined functions can be either pre-defined by domain experts and/or data model creators at the time of system creation, or dynamically defined by end-users from the client side at any time. The methodology has a domain-specific conceptual data model (DSC-DM) and a domain-specific conceptual query language (DSC-QL). DSC-QL uses only the abstract concepts, relationships, and functions defined in DSC-DM. It is a user-oriented high level query language and intentionally designed to be flexible, extensible, and readily usable. DSC-QL queries are much simpler than corresponding SQL or OQL queries because of advanced features such as user-defined functions, composite and set attributes, dot-path expressions, and super-classes. DSC-QL can be translated into SQL and OQL through a dynamic mapping function, and automatically updated when the underlying database schema evolves. The operational and declarative semantics of DSC-QL are formally defined in terms of graphs. A normal form for DSC-QL as a standard format for the mappings from flexible conceptual expressions to restricted SQL or OQL statements is also defined. Two translation algorithms from normalized DSC-QL to SQL and OQL are introduced. Through comparison, DSC-QL is shown to have very good balance between simplicity and expressive power and is suitable for end-users. Implementation details of the query system are reported as well. Two prototypes have been built. One prototype is for neuroscience domain, which is built on an object-oriented DBMS. The other one is for traditional business domain, which is built on a relational DBMS.

The dissertation deals with the cutting-edge subject of electronic contracts, which have the potential to automatically process and control the access rights for (electronic) goods. The dissertation shows the design and the implementation of a rights expression exchange framework. The framework enables digital rights management systems to exchange electronic contracts with each other and thus, provides DRM system compatibility. The electronic contracts, which are formulated in a standardized rights expression language, serve as exchange format between different DRM systems. The dissertation introduces a methodology for the standardized composition, exchange and processing of electronic contracts respectively rights expressions. (author´s abstract)

Video database applications call for flexible and powerful modeling and querying facilities, which require an integration or interaction between database and knowledge base technologies. It is also necessary for many real life video database applications to incorporate uncertainty, which naturally occurs due to the complex and subjective semantic content of video data. In this thesis study, firstly, a fuzzy conceptual data model is introduced to represent the semantic content of video data. UML (Unified Modeling Language) is utilized and extended to represent uncertain information along with video specific properties at the conceptual level. Secondly, an intelligent fuzzy object-oriented database framework is presented for video database applications. The introduced fuzzy conceptual model is mapped to the presented framework, which is an adaptation of the previously proposed IFOOD architecture. The framework provides modeling and querying of complex and rich semantic content and knowledge of video data including uncertainty. Moreover, it allows (fuzzy) semantic, temporal, (fuzzy) spatial, hierarchical, regional and trajectory queries, based on the video data model. We think that the presented conceptual data model and framework can be adapted to any application domain related to video databases.

Mine safety is of paramount concern to the mining industry. The generation of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) which can administrate relevant spatial data and metadata of underground mining safety efficiently is a very vital issue in this sense. In an effort to achieve a balance of safety and productivity, GIS can contribute to the creation of a safe working environment in underground (U/G) mining. Such a system should serve to a continuous risk analysis and be designed for applications in case of emergency. Concept for safety should require three fundamental components, namely (i) constructive safety / (ii) surveillance and maintenance / and (iii) emergency. The implementation has to be carried out in a Web-Based Geographic Information System. The process comprises first the safety concept as the application domain model and then a conceptual model was generated in terms of Entity- Relationship Diagrams. After the implementation of the logical model a user interface was developed and GIS was tested. Finally, one should deal with the question if it is possible to extend the method of resolution used to a national GIS infrastructure.

Structural design of reinforced concrete structures requires involvement of many engineers who contribute to a single project. During the design process engineers have to exchange wide variety of information. Unmanaged data exchange may result in loss of resources. Developing a data model and setting up protocols for the management of data related to various structural design tasks can help to improve the quality of the structural design. In this study, an object oriented data model was developed for reinforced concrete beams. Geometry of the structure, detailed shape and placement of the reinforcement, and design specific information for beams were defined in the data model. Design code based computations are facilitated by developing a code library. Another focus of this study is developing a web based, platform independent data management and multi-user framework for structural design and detailing of reinforced concrete frames. The framework allows simultaneous design of a structure by multiple engineers. XML Web Services technology was utilized for the central management of design data. Design data was kept as XML files. Information was exchanged between the server and the engineer on a per-request basis. To design a beam strip, the engineer connects to the server and chooses a series of connected beams. The strip that is selected is locked for modifications of other engineers to prevent any data loss and unnecessary duplicate efforts. When the engineer finalizes the design of a beam strip, data is updated on the server and the lock for this strip is released. Between these requests no active connection is required between the engineer and the server. As a final task, the framework can produce structural CAD drawings in DXF format.

In design and detailing of a reinforced concrete frame project, there are many engineers who contribute a single project. Wide variety of information is exchanged between these engineers in design and detailing stages. If the coordination between engineers is not performed sufficiently, data exchange may result in loss of important information that may cause inadequate design and detailing of a structure. Thus, a data model developed for different stages of design and detailing of reinforced concrete structure can facilitate the data exchange among engineers and help improving the quality of structural design. In this study, an object oriented data model was developed for the design and detailing of reinforced concrete columns and beam column joints. The geometry of the structure, amount, shape and placement of reinforcement were defined in this data model. In addition to these, classes that facilitate the design and detailing of reinforced concrete columns and beam column joints according to a building codes were also developed. Another focus of this study is to develop a web based, platform independent data management and multi-user framework for structural design and detailing of reinforced concrete frames. The framework allows simultaneous design of a structure by multiple engineers. XML Web Services technology was utilized for the web based environment in such a way that the design related data was stored and managed centrally by the server in XML files. As a final step, CAD drawings of column reinforcement details in DXF format are prepared.

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本研究以Ohlson (1995) model為發展基礎，並將盈餘定義為（１）剩餘淨利及（２）盈餘水準，分別就此二種不同定義下的盈餘，以年度盈餘時間序列來測試其是否符合線性資訊動態假設，及針對各模式對股權價值估計與預測之結果做比較，探討何種評價方法或模式對於估計真實價值、解釋價格及預測報酬之效果較佳。 研究結果發現，我國上市公司之剩餘淨利及盈餘水準時間序列皆符合線性資訊動態假說。剩餘淨利線性資訊動態模型較能正確預估次一期的盈餘。相較於單獨以帳面價值來估計股價，考慮線性資訊動態模型所建立之各評價模型所預測之估計股價皆未能正確預測權益價值及解釋權益價值之波動。在投資策略方面，因剩餘淨利模型之投資績效最為穩定，在該模型之投資策略下，V/P比率愈低（高）之投資組合獲得之平均股票報酬愈低（高），代表股價愈是被低估的投資組合可賺取更多之投資報酬，這說明剩餘淨利模型預測次期投資報酬之能力最佳，投資人可以其做為建立投資策略的參考。 / Based on Ohlson (1995) model, this study specifies earnings variables as both residual income and earnings levels to test the linear information dynamic (LID) models per se and the ability of competing valuation models to value the contemporaneous stock prices. A comparison of future stock return predicting capability of competing models is also conducted. By using both residual income time series and earnings levels time series for examining the issue on the firms listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE), the empirical results support Ohlson’s information dynamics. However, when estimated as a time series, the linear information models using either residual income or earnings levels variables provide value estimates no better than book value does alone. From the investment strategy aspect, the superior predictive ability of the residual income valuation model with respect to future stock returns demonstrates that high (low) V/P ratios gets high (low) investment returns. It implies that the underpriced portfolio makes high investment returns. Accordingly, the residual income valuation is good for estimating returns on the following year and is therefore a valuable investment reference..

In this paper we estimate space-time impacts of the embeddedness in R&D networks on regional knowledge production by means of a dynamic spatial panel data model with non-linear effects for a set of 229 European NUTS-2 regions in the period 1999-2009. Embeddedness refers to the positioning in networks where nodes represent regions that are linked by joint R&D endeavours in European Framework Programmes. We observe positive immediate impacts on regional knowledge production arising from increased embeddedness in EU funded R&D networks, in particular for regions with lower own knowledge endowments. However, long-term impacts of R&D network embeddedness are comparatively small.(authors' abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series