Computer peripherals, such as keyboards, scanners, printers, cameras, and Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) typically communicate with a host PC via an unencrypted protocol, leaving them vulnerable to eavesdropping techniques, such as keyloggers. An encryption system was developed that is simple enough to be used in peripherals that do not have large amounts of processing power and memory. A software driver loaded in the operating system of the host computer communicates with a simple 8-bit microcontroller in the peripheral device. The driver handles key generation, key exchange, and provides decrypted data to the operating system. A key exchange protocol allows the driver and microcontroller to securely exchange randomly generated keys. The system can function without user intervention, but will alert a user if a non-encrypting or non-authorized peripheral device is detected. The system is designed to be implemented over a variety of interfaces including PS/2, RS-232, TCP/IP over Ethernet, 802.11, and Bluetooth. A demonstration system was built, which encrypts data on the PS/2 bus between a keyboard and the host computer. Several ciphers were considered for use in encryption. The RC4 cipher was selected for encrypting and decrypting the data in a demonstration system because of it's speed and efficiency when working with 8-bit data. The driver and the microcontroller share a hard-coded key, which is used to encrypt a randomly generated session key, in order to provide a secure exchange of the session key. The demonstration system performs well, without introducing enough latency to be noticed by the user, and the microcontroller is idle over 95% of the time, even when a fast typist is using the keyboard.

The purpose of this research is to discover if home builders along the Wasatch Front in Utah are advertising smart home technologies. Research was conducted by a review of the display advertisements placed in the Saturday and Sunday editions of The Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune from March 4, 2006 through April 1, 2006. An internet search for smart home terminology was performed on the web sites of home builders advertising in The Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune. A review of the display advertisements for the Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune revealed that home builders are not using that medium of advertising for smart home technology. A review of the usage of smart home terminology on the home builders' websites showed similar results. Although there was some usage of smart home terminologies on the websites, the vast majority were found on only two of the home builders' websites.

The most common personal authentication techniques used for identity management employ a secret PIN or password that must be remembered. The challenge, for a given user, is that a multitude of such codes must be recalled over the course of the day for transactions involving distinct computer applications. Password mania prevails. Fingerprint biometric technology is an ideal alternate solution to this password recall problem. In spite of their availability for nearly thirty years, fingerprint biometric systems still remain uncommon in public sectors of industry such as education, government, and technology. Technology has improved sufficiently that false acceptance and rejection rates are no longer valid excuses. Two proposed reasons for this lack of deployment are 1) society's misunderstanding regarding the personal privacy, security, and function of the technology; and 2) inadequate education regarding the technology. This present research was structured to test these hypotheses, and attempt to identify the major societal factors that have limited fingerprint biometric eployment in IT authentication systems. Three research approaches regarding acceptance of fingerprint biometric technology by targeted populations were used in this study, namely 1) a personal survey, 2) a personal training exercise, and 3) a web-based survey. Targeted populations included the general public in the State of Utah and its legislative members who made decisions regarding identity management legislation for state departmental functions. Objectives of this research included gaining a better understanding of 1) legislator's perceptions of why past legislation was rejected, and 2) the public's perception of the personal security of the technology. An additional objective was the confirmation that proper education on security issues improves personal confidence in and acceptance of fingerprint biometric technology.

Accounting plays a crucial role in the success of any business, but it is particularly vital in the construction industry, a complex field that typically requires the coordination of multiple subcontractors and multiple jobs in any given year. Although small-volume home builders make up 70 percent of the membership of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), a trade association of the home building industry, little is known about the accounting practices of these builders. This thesis undertook to study the accounting practices of small-volume home builders. Small-volume home builders were defined as those producing 25 homes or fewer in a given year. A 20-question questionnaire was sent to 750 small-volume home builders, 141 of which responded for a 20-percent response rate. The names were taken from a sampling of an NAHB membership list. Respondents were asked about their accounting practices, including what type of accounting method they used, whether they employed an outside certified public accountant, and what types of accounting software they used. Respondents were asked to give specifics about their accounting system, such as how their chart of accounts was developed and how they viewed different accounting tools. Collected data was run through the data-analysis program SPSS for Windows. The results gave a picture of the accounting practices of these small-volume home builders. There was a fairly even split between cash and accrual methods of accounting. Most owners or managers did their own day-to-day accounting, and most employed an outside CPA. Most used Quickbooks computer software for every accounting function, and most reviewed financial statements monthly. Most respondents were satisfied with their accounting system. Reasons for this satisfaction included ease of use, simplicity, accuracy, and the ability to job cost. On the other hand, dissatisfaction with an accounting system was often tied to expense of software, complexity, and the need for frequent updating of software programs. These responses give an important first look at what kinds of accounting methods small-volume homebuilders are using.

This thesis researched why light gauge steel framing members are not used more in single-family residential construction. A survey was designed to extract information from licensed contractors in Utah on uses of light gauge steel framing members in residential homes. The purpose of the research was to discover what Utah builder's perception was concerning light gauge steel framing. Also, the researcher tried to learn a little about the contractors to see if there was a correlation between contractors that used light gauge steel and those that did not. Names of licensed general building contractors and residential contractors and their contact information were acquired from the State of Utah's Department of Professional Licensing. A random sample of the licensed contractors was selected. They were contacted by mail and telephone and invited to participate in a survey. The researcher discovered that light gauge steel was used in a very limited amount. The respondents seemed build using traditional methods, namely lumber. They were unfimiliar with light gauge steel and its properties, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of light gauge steel.

Price volatility is a consistent problem that affects all of the parties involved in the residential construction industry. The myriad factors that can have an impact on construction costs are such that it is extremely hard to anticipate upcoming changes in a timely and accurate way. When prices fluctuate during the course of a project, estimates become erroneous and completion of projects within expected budgets becomes difficult. Increasing prices typically leave contractors with the majority of the risk burden due to the enforceability of contracts that are likely to have been executed months prior. The risk associated with the owner's role primarily exists when prices decrease and they are required to make payments on pre-existing contracts that do not accurately reflect "actual" costs at the time of construction. The risk of price volatility needs to be managed. Numerous methods have been developed for managing the risk of price volatility. The various methods available are implemented based on the parties involved, the types of contracts being used, and the existing market conditions. Typical practices transfer the risk of price volatility to other involved parties, be it the owner, the contractor, subcontractors, or suppliers. However, no method has proven completely effective at removing the risks associated with price volatility. Involved parties need to utilize a combination of best practices to protect themselves. They need to coordinate and communicate with the other parties to ensure that the risk of price volatility is appropriately accounted for and managed throughout the construction process.

In the commercial construction industry, the problem of price volatility as it pertains to materials and labor is a consistent problem. The changing instability of market conditions presents a challenge for construction companies to accurately estimate and complete projects within budget. This volatility can lead to higher costs and more risk to suppliers, contractors, and owners which can cause financial distress for all parties involved in the construction process. As lump sum contracts are typically being used on many projects, the owners seem to have the upper hand and are forcing contractors to honor lump sum contracts even when prices increase significantly. Owners are also using their position to reap the benefits of price decreases by basing future work relationships with the contractor as an incentive to pass on any savings of price decreases. Volatility in construction will continue to be a risk that participants in the construction industry in Utah will face. Commercial construction projects will continue to be built as the population increases and as more buildings are needed to service other industries. Price volatility can be economically dangerous when price changes affect the assumptions on which the contract is based. While there is no proven method to remove the risk of price volatility, methods have been developed to control the risk participants are exposed to in various contracting methods. Contractors, owners, and suppliers need to coordinate with each other and use best practices that will distribute the risk to the party that has the capability to handle the risk.

During the last few decades immigration by foreigners seeking work in the construction industry in the United States has increased dramatically. Of those seeking jobs in construction, Hispanics represent the largest and fastest growing population. The proportion of reportable accidents among Hispanic on-site construction workers in the United States is higher than that of non-Hispanics. This trend of on-site construction accidents is evident not only in states that have traditionally high populations of Hispanics, such as New York, Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas, it is also manifested in the State of Utah. This research focused on causes of accidents among Hispanic on-site construction workers along the Wasatch Front of Utah, which includes Brigham City, Utah in the north to Provo, Utah in the south. General contractors, subcontractors, job-site superintendents and on-site workers were interviewed to determine both causes of and solutions to accidents among Hispanic on-site construction workers. Results of this research indicated that some of the major causes of on-site accidents among Hispanics included worker negligence, lack of proper safety training, language barriers, and cultural issues. Suggested solutions include financial bonuses for good safety records, on-site translators, recognition of workers who complete approved training in job-site safety, and worker education on the importance of safety

The transportation system is vital to the nation’s economic growth and stability, as it provides mobility for commuters while supporting the United States’ ability to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy. State Transportation Agencies across the country continue to face many challenges to repair and enhance highway infrastructure to meet the rapid increasing transportation needs. One of these challenges is maintaining an adequate and efficient agency staff. In order to effectively plan for future staffing levels, State Transportation Agencies need a method for forecasting long term staffing requirements. However, current methods in use cannot function without well-defined projects and therefore making long term forecasts is difficult. This dissertation seeks to develop a dynamic model which captures the feedback mechanisms within the system that determines highway staffing requirements. The system dynamics modeling methodology was used to build the forecasting model. The formal model was based on dynamic hypotheses derived from literature review and interviews with transportation experts. Both qualitative and quantitative data from literature, federal and state database were used to support the values and equations in the model. The model integrates State Transportation Agencies’ strategic plans, funding situations and workforce management strategies while determining future workforce requirements, and will hopefully fill the absence of long-term staffing level forecasting tools at State Transportation Agencies. By performing sensitivity simulations and statistical screening on possible drivers of the system behavior, the dynamic impacts of desired highway pavement performance level, availability of road fund and bridge fund on the required numbers of Engineers and Technicians throughout a 25-year simulation period were closely examined. Staffing strategies such as recruiting options (in-house vs. consultants) and hiring levels (entry level vs. senior level) were tested. Finally the model was calibrated using input data specific to Kentucky to simulate an expected retirement wave and search for solutions to address temporary staffing shortage.

The concept of Lean Construction has been introduced successfully into the Construction Industry to increase efficiency and profit by elimination of non-value adding activities or ‘Waste’. Lean Construction is an adaptation of Lean manufacturing principles and is the future of the Construction Industry in developing as well as developed countries. There has been much study and documentation conducted on ‘Lean Construction’ in USA. Even though people have started practicing Lean in India, there is lack of documented information available about it. Professionals within the Industry could already be minimizing ‘Waste’ and/or following Lean principles without the knowledge of the term ‘Lean Construction’. This thesis has reviewed and compared Lean Construction practices and awareness in India and USA. A questionnaire based study was used to examine practices and collect data about Construction for analysis. Descriptive statistics was primarily used to make inferences from the data. The Lean Construction characteristics of the construction professionals from both the countries were discussed and analyzed. It was inferred that the Construction Industry in both the countries could benefit further from the Lean practices and increase profitability by up to 25%. In general, personnel in the Construction Industry from both the countries need to receive regular knowledge and updates about Lean principles in order to optimize resources effectively.