Abstract: How to secure the power supply for future generation vehicles is an open question. This thesis uses Web-HIPRE as a tool of Decision Support System to predict the main compositions of future generation vehicles and also analyzes the advantages and shortages of currently existing solutions. The method of system approach is utilized to find out common problems of those existing solutions and to form an integrative solution. A model for this integrative solution is built under PowerSIM environment and the main objective of the model is to simulate the energy balance between power supply and demand. Finally, a brief discussion mainly focuses on the social and economic impact of the solution is made under PEBOSCA framework.

This thesis chronicles my experiences with developing a panelized wall system for use by Habitat for Humanity and with testing that system in the design and construction of a house. Presented as a series of narratives, it follows the progress of the project from August 2003 to December 2005. Described is my motivation to test my theories through design and construction, the applicability of prefabrication to Habitat for Humanity’s use of unskilled volunteer labour, the incorporation of panelization into the design of a house for the Waterloo Region affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, the prefabrication of preclad wood framed wall panels for this house by students at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, the erection of these wall panels on-site, and the completion of the house to a weathertight state. The thesis concludes with discussions of the understanding I gained through my experiences, the necessity for further development and testing of the panelized wall system, and the future use of prefabrication by Habitat for Humanity.

The medical equipment market is very competitive in Taiwan, the equipment suppliers in response to the multiplex market changing, and to satisfy with the hospitals about demands of equipment and costs of control, we adopt the cooperative way, buildoperate- transfer (BOT) for specific equipment in some hospitals. ¡´The equipment suppliers may participate in the management of non-medical behavior to achieve mutual benefit and win-win situation with the hospital. ¡´ This study is case study research, according to the experiences of management over past several years I collect data from the objects of 6 BOT cases in each 6 hospital. By data classification and statistical analysis, found the characteristics and differences in each case that the equipment suppliers can proposed the more precise investment appraisal in the future. ¡´ This research found that medical equipment, the number of patients, examination items, the proportion between hospital and the equipment supplier, hospital¡¦s location, and the payment points from NHI are causing hospitals and equipment suppliers having a large gap between revenue and are affecting the survival of medical suppliers. ¡´ According to the results, in order to providing more accurate diagnosis to doctors and improving patient's medical quality, this study suggested that the hospitals and the equipment suppliers should develop a set of medical equipment about BOT investment appraisal system. To achieve the aspect that a three-way win for the patient, hospital and equipment supplier.

Competitive Bidding, Competitive Sealed Proposal, construction management agency, construction management at risk, Design-Build, Design-Build-Bridging, and job order contracting are seven project delivery methods that are commonly used in the state of Texas today. This paper empirically compares the cost, schedule, and change order management performance of these project delivery methods in 2009 Engineering News Record (ENR) Best Construction Projects in Texas, using the data collected from the projects representative of the population. Also information is collected on lessons learned from these projects. The thesis included development of survey instrument, getting approval from Institutional Review Board (IRB), data collection from the industry, statistical analysis and inferences. Based on the data collected, project performances were measured in terms of five identified variables and then plotted in the form of probability distribution curves to understand the characteristics of the target population. Then, the results were grouped into six categories based on project delivery methods used and compared to understand their impacts on these projects. Findings revealed predominant usage of CM at Risk PDM, and better cost and schedule performance of CM at Risk, Design-Build, and Owner customized PDM. Detailed performance metrics, results, interpretations and conclusions are presented.

Currently, many researchers and stakeholders believe that effective delivery systems for construction projects are key to improving project quality and value in the construction industry. Therefore, it is important that owners use the best project delivery system because there are significant consequence due to differences in contracting processes and roles and responsibilities among contracting parties. For the reason, this research aims to compare the efficiency of DB with that of CMAR, as two methods used to select or deny expectations, specifically through quantitative and qualitative analysis. In order to do that, the researcher identified performance data and benefits, drawbacks, and success factors of DB and CMAR through survey and case projects and also analyzed performance data collected from two case projects. Consequently, owners will be able to understand characteristics, differences, and success factors of two different PDSs based on the comparative study. Furthermore, this research could be used to develop a decision support system for owners to select an appropriate PDS.

BOT model is widely used in developing countries to facilitate the construction of immediately needed infrastructure projects with both technical and financial risks being borne by the private sector. BOT model differs from traditional ones because of its financial structure and operation service that is included in the concession. The aim of this research is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) for BOT projects by examining real BOT projects, mainly airport projects. In this research, a detailed literature survey has been carried out as well as in-depth interviews with experts to identify the CSFs that are categorized in 13 groups. Based on these factors, a decision support v checklist has been developed. The checklist has the &ldquo / source&rdquo / of each CSF and the &ldquo / phase&rdquo / of the project that the CSF will have an effect. Finally two BOT projects, namely Dalaman and Aktau International Airport Projects, are studied thoroughly using the developed checklist. This research gives clear description and understanding of CSFs for airport projects which was a missing part in the construction management literature together with illustrative real cases. The findings of this research may be helpful for decision makers at the initial stages of BOT projects by providing a checklist of CSFs and demonstrating their significance in each phase of a BOT project.

Design Build is rapidly becoming one of the most commonly used project delivery methods in the construction industry. The United States Corp of Engineers (USACE) has started implementing its own version of Design Build with the introduction of Military Transformation in April 2005. Per the Department of the Army (2008) Military Transformation is a term employed by the Corps to implement the use of alternate project delivery method as a means of achieving best value. The United States Air Force (AF) and the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) are expected to establish a target of 75% of all future Military Construction Projects (MILCONs) executed when using the Design Build method. The use of this delivery method results in significant changes to the relationships between the various parties associated with facility project delivery compared to the traditional Design Bid Build method. AFRC construction project procedures and requirements must also change.

Environmental planning and permitting for transportation projects is often seen as one of the top reasons for project delay. On design-build projects, this process is often treated as the critical path to advertising the project and on all transportation projects many critical phases of the project such as right of way acquisition, final design, and construction cannot begin until the environmental planning process is complete. The objective of this research is to identify challenges to the environmental planning and permitting process and opportunities for managing those challenges. To identify these challenges and opportunities, a synthesis of transportation and design-build research was done along with interviews with agencies leaders at seven State Departments of Transportation (DOTs). Once these challenges and opportunities were identified, example environmental planning documents and requests for proposals were reviewed from various State DOTs to document their usage. Additionally follow up interviews were conducted with environmental planning experts with experience on design-build projects from six of the State DOTs that were previously interviewed. This research contributes to the state of knowledge through providing comprehensive information on environmental planning and permitting challenges that must be managed on design-build transportation projects and opportunities for managing these challenges. Managing the identified challenges by utilizing these opportunities provides transportation agencies with opportunities to make the environmental planning and permitting process on design-build projects more efficient. This research contributes to the state of practice of transportation agencies through providing opportunities for streamlining environmental analysis and permitting that is vital to transportation agencies who strive to accelerate the delivery of design-build projects.

Elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) activity levels, hyperlipemia, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance and obesity, in particular central obesity, are all related to increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease.Some risk factors are known to be and shown to be influenced by dietary habits. One aim of this study was to determine the distribution of PAI-1 activity and its linkage to serum lipids, body build, glucose and insulin (including glucose tolerance) among healthy men and women. Another aim was to elucidate the effects of different diet programes on the relationship between PAI-1 activity, serum lipid, glucose and insulin levels. Two cross-sectional studies, involving 260 individuals, the Norsjö study 1986, the mean PAI-1 activity among 30-60 year-old men was 7.9 U/mL and among women 7.8 U/mL. Both men and women with a body mass index over 27 kg/m2 had higher PAI-1 activity, tPA antigen, fasting insulin and insulin responses following an oral glucose tolerance test than persons with body mass index &lt;27. They also had lower HDL-cholesterol. Women with a high waist/hip circumference ratio had a higher mean PAI-1 activity, tPA antigen, triglyceride, blood pressure and insulin response to an oral glucose tolerance test than women with low or normal waist/hip ratio. Men with high waist/hip ratio had higher tPA antigen, glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test than men with low or normal waist/hip ratio. In two dietary studies different low-energy diets (a juice fast or a weight reduction program) were followed. PAI-1 activity was decreased in both cases. In a third dietary study, transition from a high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet to a low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet decreased PAI-1 activity provided that it did not also cause a substantial increase in triglycerides or glucose. In a fourth dietary study the regular diet was supplemented with oat-husk. PAI-1 activity was reduced; a small increase in glucose but not in triglyceride levels was observed. On the basis of these results it is concluded that PAI-1 activity levels are associated with constitutional factors such as body mass index and waist/hip ratio. PAI-1 is elevated in obesity. Nutritional factors are also of importance for the PAI-1 activity levels. PAI-1 activity levels can be reduced by dietary regiments such as low-energy diets or high-fiber diets. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1993, härtill 6 uppsatser.</p> / digitalisering@umu

In a production-based general equilibrium model, I study the impact of time-to-build and time-to-produce technology constraints and inventory on asset prices and macroeconomic quantity dynamics. A time-to-build constraint captures the delay in transforming new investment into productive capital; a time-to-produce constraint captures the delay in transforming productive capital into final products. Empirically, I find that the U.S. economy in aggregate exhibits approximately a three-quarter time-to-build and a four-quarter time-to-produce constraint. These delays in the production process introduce short-run risks in the economy where inventory accumulation facilitates consumption smoothing over time. Using this structure for time-to-build and time-to-produce constraints, I numerically calibrate a production-based general equilibrium model where the representative investor has recursive preferences over consumption and inventory. The model delivers first and second moments of macroeconomic quantities and asset prices consistent with the data. A small elasticity of intertemporal substitution is necessary to positively price the short-run risks induced by the production constraints. Inventories help fit the volatilities of asset returns, while the time-to-produce feature ensures nontrivial inventory holdings. In addition, the model is able to match empirical lead-lag patterns between asset prices and macroeconomic quantities as well as observed equity return predictability.