Information systems (IS) research frequently uses survey data to measure the interplay between technological systems and human beings. Researchers have developed sophisticated procedures to build and validate multi-item scales that measure latent constructs. The vast majority of IS studies uses classical test theory (CTT), but this approach suffers from three major theoretical shortcomings: (1) it assumes a linear relationship between the latent variable and observed scores, which rarely represents the empirical reality of behavioral constructs; (2) the true score can either not be estimated directly or only by making assumptions that are difficult to be met; and (3) parameters such as reliability, discrimination, location, or factor loadings depend on the sample being used. To address these issues, we present item response theory (IRT) as a collection of viable alternatives for measuring continuous latent variables by means of categorical indicators (i.e., measurement variables). IRT offers several advantages: (1) it assumes nonlinear relationships; (2) it allows more appropriate estimation of the true score; (3) it can estimate item parameters independently of the sample being used; (4) it allows the researcher to select items that are in accordance with a desired model; and (5) it applies and generalizes concepts such as reliability and internal consistency, and thus allows researchers to derive more information about the measurement process. We use a CTT approach as well as Rasch models (a special class of IRT models) to demonstrate how a scale for measuring hedonic aspects of websites is developed under both approaches. The results illustrate how IRT can be successfully applied in IS research and provide better scale results than CTT. We conclude by explaining the most appropriate circumstances for applying IRT, as well as the limitations of IRT.

This thesis, within a long-term project at the Institute of automotive engineering at FME BUT, aspires to prepare a motorcycle for analysis of its dynamic riding behavior. A multi-body model of a motorcycle is created based on the measured parameters and a system for measuring driving conditions is designed. The necessary motorcycle parameters were measured using a 3D scanner and through experiments aided by computer technology and CAD software. This laid the foundation for the follow-up research and development work.

The main task of this thesis is to find out dimensions of family house from photos and after that use this dimensions to create a 3D model. Another task is to create and then test optimal procedure of taking photographs of house for the purpose of work in PhotoModeler software and subsequent processing in Autocad. The result is a model that serves for creation of sections and taking measurements necessary for valuations of a family house. The optimum process should be a compromise of the simplest and the most accurate method of creating 3D models.

Harmonic propagation studies of public distribution networks require accurate models of aggregate residential customers (groups of customers) that simulate the harmonic emission of the multitude of household appliances in the network. Most of the present models were developed with the component-based approach, where models of individual household appliances are combined to build the model of multiple customers. This approach requires high amount of input data, like models of individual household appliances and detail information of customer behavior and device composition, which is usually not easy to acquire. However, with the increasing number of PQ-analyzers in the networks, the measurement-based approach is now more and more considered for the modeling of aggregate customers. The measurement-based approach uses measurements of the network in combination with top-down methodologies to obtain models of the aggregate customers. Compared to the component-based approach it has several advantages, like inherent consideration of the real operating changes of the individual household appliances, variation of customer behavior, effect of line impedances, cancellation and attenuation effects, etc. This thesis presents the development of a time-series stochastic model of the low-order harmonic emission of aggregate residential customers based on a top-down measurement-based approach. The model represents the daily variation of the harmonic magnitudes and phase angles. Besides, the model includes the representation of the harmonic unbalances, which is of great importance for the proper analysis of harmonic propagation in medium-voltage networks. The model is parametrized for German networks, but the methodology can be applied to find the models of other regions or countries.

Le bruit dû aux infrastructures de transports terrestres fait partie des premières préoccupations environnementales de ce début de 21e siècle. Un moyen utilisé pour réduire ce bruit est de placer des protections acoustiques le long des grands axes routiers et ferroviaires. Actuellement, les choix de ces protections antibruit se portent généralement sur des solutions traditionnelles : écran droit, merlon, écran incliné, écran avec un couronnement. Le but de ce travail est de proposer des protections acoustiques innovantes utilisant des moyens naturels et d’en étudier la performance acoustique en utilisant des approches numériques et expérimentales. L’approche numérique peut être couplée en outre à un outil d’optimisation, développé dans cette thèse, pour chercher des formes améliorées de tels dispositifs antibruit novateurs. Après une présentation des principaux phénomènes mis en jeu dans la propagation des ondes acoustiques en milieu extérieur complexe, un état de l’art des principaux écrans acoustiques dédiés aux transports terrestres a été établi, permettant de choisir trois protections antibruit innovantes pour en étudier la performance acoustique. Une analyse des principales méthodes de simulation numérique, de mesure et d’optimisation des protections antibruit a permis de choisir les méthodes adaptées à notre problématique des écrans acoustiques utilisant des moyens naturels. Les méthodes choisies ont été utilisées dans ce travail pour évaluer la performance acoustique de ces écrans innovants. Pour le premier écran choisi, dit écran en gabions, nous avons effectué des mesures in-situ et sur modèles réduits, ainsi que des simulations numériques montrant une efficacité satisfaisante. Pour le deuxième écran, utilisant des cristaux soniques, et pour le troisième écran, de type merlon acoustique de forme complexe, nous avons réalisé une étude numérique paramétrique suivie d’une étude d’optimisation. Les résultats des calculs ont montré l’intérêt de tels dispositifs antibruit pour réduire le bruit de circulation routière et ferroviaire en milieu urbain et ils ont abouti à des formes améliorées des protections acoustiques utilisant des moyens naturels. / Noise due to ground transportation infrastructures is among the first environmental concerns of this beginning of 21th century. Building noise protections along motorways and railways is usually the chosen solution to reduce this noise. Currently, noise abatement systems used are mainly conventional ones: straight barriers, earth berms, tilted barriers, capped barriers. The purpose of this work is to propose innovative noise barriers using natural means and to study their acoustic performance by using numerical and experimental approaches. The numerical approach can also be coupled with an optimization tool, developed in this thesis, to obtain improved shapes of such devices using natural means. First, the main phenomena that appear during acoustic wave propagation in a complex outdoor medium are described. Then, a state of the art of the main noise barriers dedicated to ground transportation noise is achieved. It drives the choice of three innovative noise barriers using natural means. An analysis of the main numerical, experimental and optimization methods is carried out which allows to choose the methods adapted to our problem of noise barriers using natural means. The chosen methods are used in this work to assess the acoustic performance of the three innovative noise barriers. For the first chosen noise barrier called “gabions barrier”, we perform in-situ and scale model measurements and numerical simulations. The results show a satisfactory efficiency of such noise devices. For the second and the third chosen noise barriers called respectively “sonic crystal assisted barrier” and “complex shaped earth berm”, we perform a parametric numerical and an optimization studies. The results show the capacity of such noise devices to reduce motorways and railways noises in urban areas and they lead to improved shapes of innovative noise barriers using natural means.

This diploma thesis aims to explore possibilities of using IT in real estate and projection practice. It deals with simplification of difficult or insolvable tasks. It focuses on rapidly developing field of photogrammetry and its further processing via software. The work presents methods of measurement of existing realties without using standard methods (tape line, laser). Instead of these tools, the author uses photographic data and program PhotoModeler for surveying and creating a 3D model of the facade. The thesis verifies further serviceability of gained data up to the render phase of the surveyed building facade.

This report describes a study aimed at uncovering flaws and finding potential improvements from when the modelling tool EAAT is used in conjunction with the modelling language CySeMoL. The study was performed by developing a framework and applying it on CySeMoL and EAAT in real life context networks. The framework was developed in order to increase the number of flaws uncovered as well as gather potential improvements to both EAAT and CySeMoL. The basis of the framework is a modified version of the Quality in use model from ISO/IEC 25010:2011 standard. Upon the characteristics and sub characteristics of this modified model different values for measuring usability where attached. The purpose of these values is to measure usability from the perspectives of both creating and interpreting models. Furthermore these values are based on several different sources on how to measure usability. The complete contents of the framework and the underlying ideas, upon which the framework is based, are presented in this report. The framework in this study was designed in order to enable it to be used universally with any modelling language in conjunction with a modelling tool. Its design is also not limited to the field of computer security and computer networks, although that is the intended context of CySeMoL as well as the context described in this report. However, utilization outside the intended area of usage will most likely require some modifications, in order to work in a fully satisfying. Several flaws where uncovered regarding the usability of CySeMoL and EAAT, but this is also accompanied by several recommendations on how to improve both CySeMoL and EAAT. Because of the outline of the framework, the most severe flaws have been identified and recommendations on how to rectify these shortcomings have been suggested.