Cost management forms a major discipline in delivering construction projects of different sizes and complexity. Traditional cost management systems are mostly based on principles enacted several decades ago. A notable feature of these traditional cost management systems is that key information required for critical decisions is usually produced too late, and is often too aggregated and configured in a form that is not amenable to the requirements for current project management practice. Other problems associated with traditional cost systems relate to inadequacies in estimating and cost control processes and particularly the lack of integration of cost management across the whole project. The lack of integration means measurements provided by traditional cost systems do not sufficiently align with the goals and objectives set for the project. To address these inherent weaknesses in the current practice of cost management, a number of studies have argued for an integrated alternative that better responds to the information demand and decision making need to be developed. The thesis presents the development of a solution to such an integrated cost management system. The developed solution addresses the gaps of the traditional option by integrating the stages making up the whole life cycle of the project to enable professionals gain an appreciation of the ramifications of any early decisions made. The investigation conducted to support the development of the integrated cost management system and the applied model addresses user requirements and determination of the system boundary conditions for efficacious use by key decision makers. The new cost management system developed achieves a linkage of the planning and control stages into one, with a continuous stream of cost management information in both stages. The integration ensures that cost information is more relevant to the circumstances of the modern project manager.

本文係採「探測研究」方法。以運銷學術及理論為基礎，對蔬菜運銷臺北市之運銷通路做一系統性之研究分析。主要研究目的有五： (一)分析通路成員運銷行為之現狀及其形成原因。 (二)討論有關之法律，規章能否與通路活動配合及其影響。 (三)以通路為一整體系統（Integrated System）的觀念，分析現行主要運銷通路有那些缺點及其對當前蔬菜運銷問題之影響。 (四)分析當前各級中間商的利潤是否合理，有無超額利潤的存在。 (五)根據前述討論與瞭解，分析目前的通路結構是否達到均衡，以及精簡現行通路結構的可行性。 本文依據臺灣省政府農林廳所出版的統計刊物，各級批發市場的業務記錄與中華民國臺北市物價統計月報等次級資料，以及筆者親赴各級市場訪問資深的市場從業人員，實際從事運銷活動的各級中間商並觀察其交易行為所獲得之資料。加以整理，研判與分析獲得下列七項要點： 1.臺北市蔬菜每年之需要量以民國61年計達143776公噸，其中109526公噸（約佔總消費量的3/4），係自中南部輸入。由於產地與消費地相隔甚遠，且蔬菜之生產與消費均極零星分散，於是在產地有各類集貨商出現，他們收集菜農採收待銷之零星蔬菜，成一個經濟的運銷單位，再運至臺北市委託行口出售。又由於現行蔬菜之包裝過大且零售商的銷售量有限，整件購回銷售不完，於是有零批商出現，提供拆件零批的服務。因此，當前蔬菜運銷臺北市之主要運銷通路即形成「生產者－集貨商－批發商－零批商－零售商－消費者」。運銷臺北市之蔬菜經過上述各級中間商之比例分別為49.91%, 68.95%, 57.62%, 70.88%。 2.根據筆者親自對80家主要通路蔬菜運銷商調查顯示：當前集貨商、行口商、零批商與零售商平均每日營業量分別為3004公斤、2151公斤、564公斤與138.1公斤；平均營業年數分別為9年、13.7年、8年與14.5年；平均每日營業時間分別為10小時、7.5小時、8小時與9小時：參與營業人數分別為1.25人、2.14人、1.95人、2.05人；經營主的教育程度，小學及小學以下者分別為75%, 70%, 85%與85%，教育程度高者其小；輔助勞動力除集貨商僱工較多外，絕大多數都由家屬提供；再者，他們絕大多數是獨資，其他形態之組織者極少。此外，根據各種次級資料推斷，各級運銷商上述之各種特性與實際狀況頗為符合。 3.各級運銷商從事運銷商有五種交易行為。每種行為在各級交易的重複出現，即形成流程（FLOW），它們分別為情報溝通流程，所有權移轉流程，支付流程，實體分配流程及風險流程。透過情報溝通流程，消費者的需要由零售商輾轉傳遞到生產者手中。同時，各批發市場的價格與供需情況也傳送給有關人員作為交易之參考，買賣雙方因此能聚集一堂從事交易。透過所有權移轉流程，買賣雙方得以決定標的物及其附屬服務之價格，同時伴隨著支付流程，所有權逐次移轉到消費者手中。透過實體分配流程，蔬菜的實體流經各級中間商及其他有關機構送到消費者手中。各級中間商對蔬菜實體的處理，提供集貨、分級、整理、包裝、運輸、銷售等均衡產銷的服務。再者，各級中間商從事蔬菜運銷工作，可能遭遇的風險計有價差、蔬菜實體損耗以及賒賬的壞帳風險。 4.根據筆者對甘藍菜、花椰菜與蘿蔔三種蔬菜民國61年自中部運至臺北市運銷成本之估計顯示，三種蔬菜之運銷費用均以運銷商之毛利潤為最大（各佔運銷成本之50%以上，此與許教授對民國60年臺灣區蔬菜運銷成本調查結論極為接近。）損耗次之，運費再次之。各級運銷商所獲之單位利潤以零售商所獲者為最多，零批商次之，行口商再次之，集貨商最少。根據上述數字與其他資料綜合研判，運銷價差似超過運銷成本，且後者也超出必要的最低運銷成本，此種現象以零售階段為最嚴重。 5.當前蔬菜運銷臺北市之主要運銷通路計有下列缺點： (一)各級蔬菜運銷商的營業規模太小。 (二)通路成員彼此獨立，缺乏密切協調，導致許多活動的重複與浪費。 (三)家族謀生式的經營，缺乏現代管理知識與運銷觀念。 (四)託售制度使行口商無法適當控制貨源，導致到貨量日與日間的巨幅波動。 (五)情報溝通的不徹底。 (六)缺乏一套符合現況、完整的交易法規。 (七)消費者的購買習慣不能配合。 (八)議價制度有待改善。 上述運銷通路的缺點是導致當前蔬菜運銷問題的主要原因之一。 6.分析當前主要運銷通路現行之缺點，可知，當前主要運銷通路之結構似未達到均衡狀態。因此，精簡其中某些中間商或兼併某些中間商的業務而由一較大組織之運銷商承擔，似有助於運銷成本的降低。此可以由藉縮小包裝以消除中間商的作法，其整體的運銷成本並未提高與共同運銷的運銷成本似乎較低，獲得證實。 7.依據研究分析結果，玆提出若干筆者個人的看法，作為今後改進的參考： (一)建立正確的運銷觀念，使各級中間商切實瞭解他們存在的價值與彼此間必須有密切配合與協調的需要。 (二)輔導各級中間商擴大營業規模，並實施企業化管理，以發揮運銷效率，降低運銷成本。 (三)消除零批商或發展共同運銷，以精簡通路，加強產銷協調及減輕運銷成本。 (四)發展多種通路系統，維持競爭，並產生制衡作用。 (五)批發市場應改用拍賣方式交易，以取代議價的決價方式。 (六)訂定完整的交易法規，以加強對各級運銷商的管理，並統一蔬菜的規模，分級標準及硬性規定包裝體積，以促進交易速度的提高，與髒與亂的改善。

In this thesis, an integrated wind erosion assessment and prediction system has been developed. This system couples a physically based dust emission scheme, a high resolution limited area weather prediction model, a dust transport model, and a high resolution GIS (Geographic Information System) database. A simple expression for particle threshold velocity has been derived by considering the force balance of a single particle resting on the surface. Theoretical analyses have been performed to confirm that the main mechanism for dust uplifting is sand saltation bombardment rather than direct aerodynamic entrainment. A new model for dust emission by saltation bombardment is proposed and validated against experimental data. Preliminary sensitivity tests for the new dust emission model have been carried out by examining the dependence of dust emission rate on a range of parameters. The transport of airborne dust is modelled by using the particle mean concentration equation. The time-dependent advection terms are discretized and solved numerically by a multi-dimensional wave-propagation slope-limiter scheme. Some computational features of the integrated model are discussed in terms of its coupling, module decomposition, data handling and efficiency. A systematic sub-grid treatment is designed to extract soil surface parameters from the GIS database for large scale modelling. The integrated system is applied to investigate the February 1996 dust storms over the Australia continent. The simulated wind erosion pattern and intensity are in good agreement with available meteorological records and satellite images. It reveals that the system can be used to identify areas and periods under wind erosion threat as well as the responsible environmental factors.

The objective of this longitudinal study was to study the relationship between changes in prevalence of resistant enteric bacteria associated with mean monthly doses (MMD) of various antibiotics used in each of two host species. From January 2004 – January 2007, monthly composite swine fecal samples and human wastewater samples representing various production and occupational cohorts, respectively, were collected from 19 geographically unique locations in east- and south-central Texas. Bacterial isolates cultivated on CHROMagar-E.coliTM and DifcoTM mEnterococcus (ME) were tested for susceptibility to multiple antibiotics by microbroth dilution using the SensititreTM system. The relationship between the prevalence of resistant bacteria, sampling period, and antibiotic use within each host species was assessed in a generalized linear model adjusted for the dependence of responses within location using a binomial distribution and logit link function in STATA® ver. 9.2. For the swine E. coli isolates, the relationship between tetracycline resistance and level of chlortetracycline (CTC) use in swine illustrated a dose-response relationship, with odds ratios (OR) of 1.20 and 1.81 (P < 0.05) for second- and third-level categories of MMD relative to baseline (zero-use) respectively. When considered by swine production groups, intake boar isolates had an elevated relative odds of resistance to tetracycline (OR = 1.51, P < 0.05), and the nursery units had an elevated odds (OR = 2.61, P < 0.05) of exhibiting resistance to ceftiofur, relative to pigs housed in the farrowing barns. Regarding swine Enterococci isolates, those swine from locations that utilized tylosin had an elevated OR of 3.54 (P < 0.05) of exhibiting resistance to tylosin, relative to those locations that used no tylosin. At this juncture, an apparent occupational risk of harboring tetracycline-resistant E. coli, and the apparent sparing effect (Enterococcus spp.) associated with exposure to swine production, remain unexplained. This study demonstrated that the prevalences of tetracycline- and tylosin-resistant enteric bacteria swine were dependent on CTC and tylosin use in feed, respectively. Swine production group-effects on the prevalence of tetracycline, ceftiofur, and erythromycin resistance were also important. This study provides a better understanding of the relationships between antibiotic prescribing practices at the ecologic level and the relative odds of carriage of resistant bacteria within two host species in a vertically integrated agri-food system.

The objective of this longitudinal study was to study the relationship between changes in prevalence of resistant enteric bacteria associated with mean monthly doses (MMD) of various antibiotics used in each of two host species. From January 2004 – January 2007, monthly composite swine fecal samples and human wastewater samples representing various production and occupational cohorts, respectively, were collected from 19 geographically unique locations in east- and south-central Texas. Bacterial isolates cultivated on CHROMagar-E.coliTM and DifcoTM mEnterococcus (ME) were tested for susceptibility to multiple antibiotics by microbroth dilution using the SensititreTM system. The relationship between the prevalence of resistant bacteria, sampling period, and antibiotic use within each host species was assessed in a generalized linear model adjusted for the dependence of responses within location using a binomial distribution and logit link function in STATA® ver. 9.2. For the swine E. coli isolates, the relationship between tetracycline resistance and level of chlortetracycline (CTC) use in swine illustrated a dose-response relationship, with odds ratios (OR) of 1.20 and 1.81 (P < 0.05) for second- and third-level categories of MMD relative to baseline (zero-use) respectively. When considered by swine production groups, intake boar isolates had an elevated relative odds of resistance to tetracycline (OR = 1.51, P < 0.05), and the nursery units had an elevated odds (OR = 2.61, P < 0.05) of exhibiting resistance to ceftiofur, relative to pigs housed in the farrowing barns. Regarding swine Enterococci isolates, those swine from locations that utilized tylosin had an elevated OR of 3.54 (P < 0.05) of exhibiting resistance to tylosin, relative to those locations that used no tylosin. At this juncture, an apparent occupational risk of harboring tetracycline-resistant E. coli, and the apparent sparing effect (Enterococcus spp.) associated with exposure to swine production, remain unexplained. This study demonstrated that the prevalences of tetracycline- and tylosin-resistant enteric bacteria swine were dependent on CTC and tylosin use in feed, respectively. Swine production group-effects on the prevalence of tetracycline, ceftiofur, and erythromycin resistance were also important. This study provides a better understanding of the relationships between antibiotic prescribing practices at the ecologic level and the relative odds of carriage of resistant bacteria within two host species in a vertically integrated agri-food system.

This dissertation presents the investigation of thermal radiation from three-dimensional electromagnetic crystals (EMXT), as well as the development of a THz rapid prototyping fabrication technique and its application in THz EMXT components and micro-system fabrication and integration. First, it is proposed that thermal radiation from a 3-D EMXT would be greatly enhanced at the band gap edge frequency due to the redistribution of photon density of states (DOS) within the crystal. A THz thermal radiator could thus be built upon a THz EMXT by utilizing the exceptional emission peak(s) around its band gap frequency. The thermal radiation enhancement effects of various THz EMXT including both silicon and tungsten woodpile structures (WPS) and cubic photonic cavity (CPC) array are explored. The DOS of all three structures are calculated, and their thermal radiation intensities are predicted using Planck's Equation. These calculations show that the DOS of the silicon and tungsten WPS can be enhanced by a factor of 11.8 around 364 GHz and 2.6 around 406 GHz respectively, in comparison to the normal blackbody radiation at same frequencies. An enhancement factor of more than 100 is obtained in calculation from the CPC array. A silicon WPS with a band gap around 200 GHz has been designed and fabricated. Thermal emissivity of the silicon WPS sample is measured with a control blackbody as reference. And enhancements of the emission from the WPS over the control blackbody are observed at several frequencies quite consistent with the theoretical predictions. Second, the practical challenge of THz EMXT component and system fabrication is met by a THz rapid prototyping technique developed by us. Using this technique, the fabrications of several EMXTs with 3D electromagnetic band gaps in the 100-400 GHz range are demonstrated. Characterization of the samples via THz Time-domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) shows very good agreement with simulation, confirming the build accuracy of this prototyping approach. Third, an all-dielectric THz waveguide is designed, fabricated and characterized. The design is based on hollow-core EMXT waveguide, and the fabrication is implemented with the THz prototyping method. Characterization results of the waveguide power loss factor show good consistency with the simulation, and waveguide propagation loss as low as 0.03 dB/mm at 105 GHz is demonstrated. Several design parameters are also varied and their impacts on the waveguide performance investigated theoretically. Finally, a THz EMXT antenna based on expanding the defect radius of the EMXT waveguide to a horn shape is proposed and studied. The boresight directivity and main beam angular width of the optimized EMXT horn antenna is comparable with a copper horn antenna of the same dimensions at low frequencies, and much better than the copper horn at high frequencies. The EMXT antenna has been successfully fabricated via the same THz prototyping, and we believe this is the first time an EMXT antenna of this architecture is fabricated. Far-field measurement of the EMXT antenna radiation pattern is undergoing. Also, in order to integrate planar THz solid-state devices (especially source and detector) and THz samples under test with the potential THz micro-system fabricate-able by the prototyping approach, an EMXT waveguide-to-microstrip line transition structure is designed. The structure uses tapered solid dielectric waveguides on both ends to transit THz energy from the EMXT waveguide defect onto the microstrip line. Simulation of the transition structure in a back-to-back configuration yields about -15 dB insertion loss mainly due to the dielectric material loss. The coupling and radiation loss of the transition structure is estimated to be -2.115 dB. The fabrication and characterization of the transition system is currently underway. With all the above THz components realized in the future, integrated THz micro-systems manufactured by the same prototyping technique will be achieved, with low cost, high quality, self-sufficiency, and great customizability.

RBS 70 was introduced 1978 in Sweden and developed to be counter threats on the battlefield. This weapon is efficient against both conventional and small targets. Main components of the system are stand, sight and missile in container. RBS 70 NG with three legs is named as MANPADS configuration and has requirements for the natural frequency in launching direction to 4-6 Hz when placing it to a concrete ground.This Master Thesis has focus on vehicle integrate system, which requires legs to be removed from the MANPADS configuration and put it on a platform placed on a vehicle. For the vehicle integrated system 3.5 Hz will be acceptable as the lowest natural frequency. Four different concepts were purposed and evaluated for the mechanical interface between RBS 70 NG system and weapon platform: Existing platform with fix interface between RBS 70 NG system and platform where the thickness of the roof plate is 5 mm (named as reference model). Modified platform with thick plate (thickness of 30 mm) and fix interface between RBS 70 NG system and platform. Existing platform with damped interface between RBS 70 NG system and platform where the thickness of the roof plate is 5 mm. Modified platform with thick plate (thickness of 30 mm) and damped interface between RBS 70 NG system and platform.The final concept should meet the main requirements of SMU (Stabilized Mirror Unit) and simultaneously keep natural frequency for RBS 70 NG system within requirements.A theoretical evaluation of the longitudinal stiffness for the dampers has been calculated in the report and inputted as the value of the dampers in ANSYS R18.1. Modal analysis and harmonic response analysis was performed for all proposed concepts.Magnification ratio calculation for a system without dampers will illustrate that the upcoming amplitude for the 5 mm plate will amplified more than 30 mm plate at coherent frequencies.By studying the results it illustrates that a plate with thickness of 30 mm helps to minimize the disturbance in elevation direction but not in azimuth direction. To minimize the disturbance in all directions concepts with dampers will be a satisfied solution.

[pt] Este trabalho visa apresentar a integração de várias mídias de informação, como voz, texto, imagem e gráficos em um ambiente de troca de mensagens como a melhor resposta às solicitações de evolução de sistemas de troca de informação. Assim, será apresentado do LANBRETA-DMS (LAN-Based real Time Áudio-Data Message System), com ênfase na especificação de seus serviços, descrevendo-se a sintaxe do protocolo empregado e sua semântica, sendo esta última apresentada sob a forma de uma pseudo-linguagem de programação e sob a forma de redes de Petri. Uma implementação do LANBRETA-DMS, realizada nos laboratórios da PUC-RJ será também apresentada, seguindo- se proposições para extensões futuras. / [en] This work presents the integration of information media such as voice, text, imge and graphics in a message Exchange environment as the best answer to evolution of information Exchange systems. LANBRETA-DMS (LAN-Based Real Time Audio-Data Messege System) will be presented, with enphasis on the specification of its services, the protocol sintax used and its semantics, the latter being presented in a pseudo- programming language and in Petri Networks. An implementation of LANBRETA-DMS, made at PUC-RJ, will alos be introced, with some proposais for future extrensions following.

ITC/USA 2007 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Third Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2007 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / The Joint Strike Fighter program is the largest DOD contract ever awarded. There are three F-35 Lightning II variations, each intended to meet the specific needs of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and U.S. Allies. The Data System required for this flight test program challenged the conventional ways used in instrumenting test aircraft. Typical data systems available today don’t provide the level of hardware and software integration required for today’s complex applications. For example, cockpit control panels, recording systems, TM transmitters, data acquisition systems and avionic bus interface units are all independent systems. Additionally, avionic bus catalogs, ground-based systems, and flight setup software have historically been independent components. This paper will describe the hardware and software components used by the F-35 flight test program to provide an integrated system. A special emphasis will be given to the methods used to accommodate rapid changes to the IEEE-1394B avionic bus catalog including the acquisition of that data, and the use of an IRIG-106 Chapter 10 distributed multiplexer / recorder system, which is being used simultaneously as a data acquisition system.

I dagens samhälle har det skett en strukturomvandling på marknaden gällande detaljhandeln.Strukturomvandlingen har inneburit utveckling av bland annat omnikanaler och e-handelvilket har förändrat företagens affärsmodellsval för att kunna överleva på marknaden. Ehandelnhar i många år setts som en konkurrent för mikroföretag, men det börjar även blimöjligt för mikroföretag att införa ett integrerat system som innebär att den fysiska butikensamverkar med e-handeln. Resultatet av de ökade möjligheterna för mikroföretag är att de kanvälja mellan tre olika affärsmodellsval gällande sin marknadsplats och tillgänglighet avföretaget och sedan utifrån omnikanaler kan företagen välja hur de vill nå ut tillkonsumenterna.I denna studie vill vi få en ökad förståelse för hur lokala mikroföretag arbetar med att behållasin marknadsplats i den ökade konkurrensen som blir i och med e-handelns tillväxt. För attkunna undersöka mikroföretagen har vi tillämpat en kvalitativ metod med djupgåendehalvstrukturerade intervjuer. För att få reda på hur lokala handlare uppfattar marknaden,konkurrensen och handelsutvecklingen, intervjuades fem stycken strategiskt valdadetaljhandelsföretag.Av undersökningen framgick det att en gemensam syn kring marknaden föreligger vilketinnebar att oavsett företagens val så har företagen sitt fokus på konsumenten. Det framgickäven att en av de viktigaste framgångsfaktorerna är att tillgodose konsumenten med högservicegrad och på så sätt skapa en relation. Relationer bidrar till återkommande och lojalakonsumenter vilket i sin tur bidrar till lönsamhet för företaget. Samtliga informanter var enigaom att relationer upprättas i den fysiska butiken och har således valt att fokusera på denenskilda butiken i internets ständiga utveckling. För att attrahera konsumenter till butiken harde valt att tillhandahålla ett unikt sortiment. Sammanfattningsvis har internet och handelnsutveckling och den konkurrens det medför på lokala handlarna blivit tvungna ta ställning tilldet och anpassa en affärsmodell utefter sin egen verksamhet. / There has been a relatively recent structural change in the retail sector. This changes has ledto the development of omnichannels and e-commerce, which has changed the business modelto be able to survive in the market. E-commerce has for many years been seen a competitorfor micro-enterprises, but now it has made it possible for micro-enterprises to implement anintegrated system. Companies can choose between three different business options regardingthe marketplace and availability of the company and then select the omnichannel based onhow they want to reach out to customers. Options may be interconnected to facilitate abusiness.In this study we investigate how small local business are working to maintain theirmarketplace in the face of increased competition due to the growth of e-commerce. Toinvestigate this, we used a qualitative approach with in-depth semi-structured interviews. Tofind out how local traders perceive the market, competition and trade developments, fivestragically selected retailers were interviewed.The investigation revealed that a common view about the market exists. In addition, it wasidentified that one of the key success factors was to satisfy the customers with a high level ofservice, thus creating a relationship which contributes to the development of repeat and loyalcustomers and, which in turn contributes to the company's profitability. All the respondentsagreed that relationships are established via physical stores and therefore have chosen to focuson the individual store in the internet's continual development. To attract customers to thestore, they have chosen to provide a range tailored to their customers. In summary, theinternet and the resulting development of trade and online presence means that local businesscan create systems in line with their business.