Substantial step-wise advances and efficient work processes geared towards leveraging the modularization strategy to an optimal extent are needed in industry in order to maximize its potential benefit for capital projects because the industry suffers from low levels of application of the strategy. Due to this, this research focused on what changes to the traditional work processes within the industry as a whole and on individual projects are required. The ideas presented in this thesis seek to guide individual professionals and engineering organizations to create an optimal environment in which broader and more effective use of modularization can occur. / text

Simulation is a powerful and efficient tool for studying wireless networks. Despite the widespread use of simulation, particularly in the study of IEEE 802.11-style networks (e.g., WLAN, mesh, and ad hoc networks), doubts about the credibility of simulation results still persist in the research community. These concerns stem, in part, from a lack of trust in some of the models used in simulation as they do not always accurately reflect reality. Models of the physical layer (PHY), in particular, are a key source of concern. The behavior of the physical layer varies greatly depending on the specifics of the wireless environment, making it difficult to characterize. Validation is the primary means of establishing trust in such models. We present an approach to validating physical layer models using the direct execution of a real PHY implementation inside the wireless simulation environment. This approach leverages the credibility inherent to testbeds, while maintaining the scalability and repeatability associated with simulation. Specifically, we use the PHY implementation from Hydra, a software-defined radio testbed, to validate the sophisticated physical layer model of a new wireless network simulator, called WiNS. This PHY model is also employed in other state-of-the-art network simulators, including ns-3. As such, this validation study also provides insight into the fidelity of other wireless network simulators using this model. This physical layer model is especially important because it is used to represent the physical layer for systems in 802.11-style networks. Network simulation is a particularly popular method for studying these kinds of wireless networks. We use direct-execution to evaluate the accuracy of our PHY model from the perspectives of different protocol layers. First, we characterize the link-level behavior of the physical layer under different wireless channels and impairments. We identify operating regimes where the model is accurate and show accountable difference where it is not. We then use direct-execution to evaluate the accuracy of the PHY model in the presence of interference. We develop "error-maps" that provide guidance to model users in evaluating the potential impact of model inaccuracy in terms of the interference in their own simulation scenarios. This part of our study helps to develop a better understanding of the fidelity of our model from a physical layer perspective. We also demonstrate the efficacy of direct-execution in evaluating the accuracy of our PHY model from the perspectives of the MAC and network layers. Specifically, we use direct-execution to investigate a rate-adaptive MAC protocol and an ad hoc routing protocol. This part of our study demonstrates how the semantics and policies of such protocols can influence the impact that a PHY model has on network simulations. We also show that direct-execution helps us to identify when a model that is inaccurate from the perspective of the PHY can still be used to generate trustworthy simulation results. The results of this study show that the leading physical layer model employed by WiNS and other state-of-the-art network simulators, including ns-3, is accurate under a limited set of wireless conditions. Moreover, our validation study demonstrates that direct-execution is an effective means of evaluating the accuracy of a PHY model and allows us to identify the operating conditions and protocol configurations where the model can be used to generate trustworthy simulation results. / text

Sėkmingas sprendimų vykdymo procesas neįmanomas be tinkamo finansavimo. Nuo 2003-01-01 pradėjus veikti privačiai antstolių sistemai pasikeitė ir vykdymo proceso finansavimo tvarka. Valstybė vykdymo proceso finansavimo naštą perkėlė išieškotojui. Pagal šiuo metu galiojančią tvarką, išieškotojas pateikdamas sprendimą priverstiniam vykdymui privalo apmokėti ir visas su tokio sprendimo vykdymo susijusias išlaidas. Vykdymo išlaidų atlyginimo tvarkos teisiniame reglamentavime įtvirtintas bendrasis principas, kad įvykdžius vykdomąjį dokumentą visos vykdymo išlaidos išieškomos iš skolininko. Tačiau kaip vėliau darbe atskleidžiama, praktinis minėto principo taikymas kelia daug problemų visiems vykdymo proceso dalyviams. / The main target for this work is to find out how effective is today`s regulations about payments made for execution process and how capable are those regulations in order to protect one`s right`s not to be involved in a perpetual legal proceedings to have those payments back?. There were four tasks author had to do. First to have an analysis in law regulating payment for execution process. Second task was to find out if those regulation have any dearth`s. If results were positive, than how they affects parties rights in execution process in order to keep their assets and not to be forced to pay for those proceedings again and again and not to start court proceedings. Third there was a need to define how important is to have better regulations about payments made for execution process. Fourth task was to give suggestions about how to improve regulations about payments made for execution process in order to have parties assets protected and annul all chances to start court proceedings for the same question. In order to get better results for his researches author has tried to separate each party. In that way it was possible to learn from each parties perspective exactly how civil execution costs and the order of reimbursing them, affects their material and procedural rights. In doing that first party was the bailiff. For him our regulations in most of the cases establishes broadly acknowledged principle that all expenses he suffers must be compensated by recoverer... [to full text]

Today’s construction buildings contain more advanced technologies than before. The development of newer and stricter regulations to the construction industry makes the door environment more and more complex. In large construction projects the door environment is held up as a major challenge to get to in a good way. It turned out after a discussion with one project manager and a site manager at NCC, that the door environment is difficult to get right in major construction projects and it often causes many error reports in to the aftermarket after that the final inspection is completed. Interviews have been done with key figures in the building process at NCC and Akademiska hus. A study on a university building for around 3500 students and with 300 workplaces was made. There were a lot of data with fault reports to the go trough to find fault report from doors and be analyzed and statistic. The results from the data collection showed that many fault messages on the doors in was caused by the door operator. And from the interviews the content was clear that the coordination has to be good to have a functioning and a good door environment. One part that can contribute to a better door environment is to plan space for possible door operator over the door. Another part is that the construction documents which production workers are working with, is to find a way to always have the latest documents in hand.

This thesis draws on electronic government (e-govemment) policy formulation, implementation and execution. IT has been enthused by the perceived lack of a model for e-government in Saudi Arabia public sectors. A model for e-government implementation is developed for Saudi Arabia. It examines critical factors that have impacts on e-government implementation in Saudi public sectors by collecting and analysing data in both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and further presenting an extensive review on literature. This exercise is significant, to avoid the pitfalls of imposing universal approaches to research and policy practices. The conclusions and recommendations of this research are significant for both practitioners, in providing guidelines for e-government implementation, and scholars, in suggesting further research in the new area of e-government.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. / MBA Professional Report / This purpose of this Master's of Business Administration Professional Report is to deliver an enabling concept future joint expeditionary contracting execution. The Commanding General of the Joint Contracting Vommand-Iraq/Afghanistan )JCC-I/A) pioneered Effects-Based Contracting (EBC) during the Enable Civil Authority phase of Operation Iraqi Freedon to align tactical contracting efforts with the strategic objectives of the Combatant Commander's Campaign Plan. JCC-I/A accomplished this by integrating contingency contracting officers into the warfighters' operational planning cycles, linking contracting efforts with desired strategic operational effects and prioritizing contracting work based on the warfighters' main effort. This report applies components of EBC and the Systems Engineering Process (SEP), and with them, introduces the general framework for the Joint Effects-based Contracting Execution System (JEBCES), and a researcher proposed Phase-based Acquisition Capability (PBAC) to enable forward-leaning, responsive expeditionary contract support. This framework emphasizes providing the future Joint Expeditionary Contracting Force with a rapidly deployable, pre-awarded acquisition capability, creating greater efficiency and effectiveness.

The execution process is very important for protection of human rights. If court decisions were not executed the very court decisions would loose their importance. Rights of a creditor and a debtor are written in the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) and in other legal acts, but these rights should be properly explained to the parties of the execution process. Only the prescription to present the writ of execution is determined in Lithuanian laws, but any prescription for the whole case of execution is not determined usually. It would be reasonable to determine such a period of time at least for enforcement of administrative sanctions. A proposal to fulfil a decision is an important mean to offer to a debtor to pay the debt by himself. But according to CPC the proposal is sent not in every case. For example, it is not sent in cases of enforcement of administrative sanctions. According to the new Instruction on Execution of Judgements, there is an alternative document to the proposal. To have in mind that both these documents have the same functions and almost the same content, there is a doubt if it is reasonable to regulate the same thing in different laws. The Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania has decided that the Instruction on Execution of Judgements adopted in 2002 years violates other legal acts adopted by the Government. So there is a problem which Instruction should be implemented for the executive cases which were started before adopting the new Instruction... [to full text]

Increasing evidence supports the use of physical activity for modifying brain activity and overall neurological health (Hillman et al, 2008). Specifically, aerobic exercise appears to improve cognitive efficacy with regards to decisional oddball tasks shown through the P300, whose amplitude and latency is augmented (Magnié et al., 2000). Furthermore, the effects of an acute bout of aerobic exercise on cardiovascular function are well established and are sustained following exercise cessation. Based on these findings, we proposed that (1) an acute bout of exercise may modulate movement-related cortical excitability within motor areas and (2) that transient effects would be sustained as long as heart rate (HR) remained elevated. Subjects (n=23) were placed in a soundproof booth and instructed to perform a self-paced unimanual ballistic wrist extension every 3-6 seconds of the right wrist while holding a moveable handle. The motion involved a brisk contraction followed by relaxation and positional reset, collected continuously for approximately 8 minutes. Electroencephalography was used to measure movement-related cortical activity of the Bereitschaftspotential (BP) time-locked to onset of muscle activity associated with movement. The BP is a slow negative self-paced movement related cortical potential that precedes movement by approximately 1500ms. Current work commonly separates the BP into 3 main components early, late, and re-afferent Potentials. The early BP is representative of motor preparation of supplementary motor area (SMA) activity while the late component is representative of motor execution from primary motor cortex (M1). Early and late components are often distinguished by a a characteristic change in slope; where the early BP is a slow negative rise and the late components a steeper negative deflection beginning approximately 500ms prior to movement onset. Broken down further the late component consists of a portion of negative slope before giving rise to a peak approximately 100ms after movement onset known as the motor potential (MP). Following baseline measures, subjects performed 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at a moderate intensity (70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate) on a recumbent cycle ergometer. After the cessation of exercise, BP measures were recorded at two time points: immediately post-exercise (Post) and following a return to iv baseline HR (Post[Rest]) and two additional measures separated by 15 minutes each (Post[Rest2] and Post[Rest3]) which was, on average, 45 minutes after the cessation of exercise. Electromyography (EMG) was employed over the extensor carpi radialis muscle belly to describe muscle burst activity and onset characteristics. Results determined that Early but not Late BP was influenced by aerobic exercise. This early movement related cortical adaptation is indicative of enhanced processing within supplementary motor area. Moreover, this effect was sustained for up to an hour and 15 minutes following exercise cessation. This data is suggestive that aerobic exercise influences on motor related cortical excitability is not driven by an aerobic exercise effect and is more indicative of a delayed neurotransmitter effect.

In this thesis, a framework for the specification and execution of composite trading activities is presented. We begin by introducing the basic concepts and characteristics of elementary and composite trading activities. Based on these characteristics, we identify the issues associated with composite trading activities and argue the requirements of a frame- work for the specification and execution of those trading activities. In the second chapter, the most relevant work on negotiation protocols, software specification approaches, and recent work on trading activity specification is reviewed. In the third chapter, we analyse the characteristics of negotiation protocols and the information required to adequately represent composite trading activities. In the next two chapters, we introduce two alternative approaches (myopic and forward- looking) for specifying composite trading activities by means of constraints, such as the number of required successful negotiations, the limit price for the items to be traded, and the temporal constraints imposed by all trading parties. A special interface is also defined in each framework to homogenise trading activities with differing negotiation protocols. In myopic trading, composite activities are synchronised according to the information available on the constituent negotiation processes at any point in time. Myopic trading supports iterative negotiation in which trading activities can be renegotiated with new constraints. Myopic trading is suitable for situations in which finer control over the negotiation process is preferred by the trader, and information on previous negotiations as well as future negotiation opportunities are unavailable. Forward-looking trading is based on the generation of negotiation plans detailing the exact time and duration for which trading activities are going to be executed. These plans are generated based on the histories of previous negotiations and future negotiation opportunities. In forward-looking trading, a planning and execution model is designed to maximise the expected utility of the trader. Forward-looking trading is suitable for situations in which a well-planned negotiation process is possible. In the following chapter, two case studies are given to illustrate the applicability of the proposed framework. In the final chapter, we review our framework based on the set of requirements defined for the specification and execution of composite trading activities. In conclusion, we believe that composite trading activities can be effectively specified and executed based on the homogenisation of the various negotiation protocols involved and systematic planning of how these activities are going to be executed.

Orientador: Geraldo José Guimarães da Silva / Resumo: A informática propiciou um processo de evolução jamais presenciado pela humanidade. Neste contexto evolutivo, propõe-se neste trabalho a análise da substituição dos documentos em papel pelo suporte informático, fenômeno esse que a doutrina jurídica denominou de desmaterialização dos documentos, colocando em discussão o direito cambiário, especialmente os títulos de crédito. Esta descartularização causou mudanças profundas na duplicata, principal título de crédito do direito brasileiro, pois sem a materialização do documento, não se pode falar em título. Outra questão colocada diante desse fenômeno de desmaterialização está relacionado ao direito de crédito em caso de inadimplemento. Na procura de uma resposta para esta indagação será analisada a execução da duplicata virtual; o protesto por indicação via boleto bancário; a prova da entrega da mercadoria e do recebimento; e a recusa do aceite. / Abstract: The computer science propitiated an evolution process never witnessed by humanity. In this evolutionary context, this paper intends to analise the replacement of documents in paper for the computing support, phenomenon which the juridical doctrine denominated de-materialization of documents, putting in discussion the exchange rights, especially the securities. This phenomenon caused deep changes in the trade note, that is the main security of the Brasilian Law, because without the materialization of documents one cannot speak of securities. Another subject which lies along with that de-materialization phenomenon is related to the right of credit in case of default on payments. In search for an answer to this inquiry, the execution of the virtual trade note will be analised; the protest for indication through bank ticket; the proof of delivery of merchandise and of reception; and the refusal of its acceptance. / Mestre