The estimation of software project attributes, such as size, is important for software project resource planning and process control. However, research regarding software attribute modeling, such as size, effort, and cost, are high-level and static in nature. This research defines a new operation-level software project attribute that describes the operational characteristic of a software project. The result is a measurement based on the s-curve parameter that can be used as a control variable for software project management. This result is derived from modeling the count of artifact instances created by the software engineering process, which are stored by software tools. Because of the orthogonal origin of this attribute in regard to traditional static estimators, this s-curve based software attribute can function as an additional indicator of software project activities and also as a quantitative metric for assessing development team capability.

The estimation of software project attributes, such as size, is important for software project resource planning and process control. However, research regarding software attribute modeling, such as size, effort, and cost, are high-level and static in nature. This research defines a new operation-level software project attribute that describes the operational characteristic of a software project. The result is a measurement based on the s-curve parameter that can be used as a control variable for software project management. This result is derived from modeling the count of artifact instances created by the software engineering process, which are stored by software tools. Because of the orthogonal origin of this attribute in regard to traditional static estimators, this s-curve based software attribute can function as an additional indicator of software project activities and also as a quantitative metric for assessing development team capability.

In the past the machinery used in punching of flexible printed circuit boards(FPCBs), it used mostly the rotary motor as the power source in the mechanism design. To transfer rotary motion to linear motion need a succession of mechanical conversion components, in order to achieve the purpose of linear output. However these mechanical parts for transforming bring some unavoidable problems such as the machinery itself huge volume, backlash and friction which created during the action process, all have harmful influences on the system dynamic performance and precision. Voice coil actuator has direct-drive output, high response and high thrust force these characteristics, therefore this research apply voice coil actuator to the punching of flexible printed circuit boards. For present industry, S-curve velocity profile is often used in point-to-point displacement intermittent action applications, due to its jerk-limited characteristic for reducing vibration and raising precision. Then integrating plans of S-curve velocity profile with voice coil actuator based on punching characters, to analyze the whole system dynamic performance in such a vertical linear output application. Then generalizing the dependence of influence factors of punching quality and motion characteristics of punching mechanism through experimental results. The achievement of this research could provide references for some related designers using similar linear actuators in vertical linear output applications.

To provide point-to-point output motions needed for automation, intermittent indexing tables have widely been employed in various industries. For ensuring adequate production volume and profit margins, such devices are usually required to accurately generate intermittent motions as rapidly as possible. As a result, both of the positioning time and residual vibration are major concerns with the design of a fast, intermittent indexing table. A procedure that can be used to synthesize motor motion curves with minimized positioning time for intermittent indexing tables at high speeds is presented. First, based on the measured dynamic characteristic of an indexing table, it is then simulated to derive the equations of motion. Subsequently, favorable parameters for defining asymmetrical motor motion commands by S-curves for the modeled indexing table with improved kinematic and dynamic performance are identified. To verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed approach, numerical and experimental results are revealed and compared to those obtained by using the traditional method.

Abstract In search for new investments, innovative investment corporations need to consider many factors, including, the market side, technology side, finance side, human resources quality level and so on¡K. However, with regards to Fuel Cell and similar new heavy duty products, it is not just a normal technology and 3-5 years investment analysis; as a technological researcher, the initial research ideology is to find a norm, which can be used as a lead target at the start of the new innovative technology investment. This is one of the issues besides technological analysis, that a company investing in fuel cell need to consider at the point of investment. This also can be used as a reference for normal public investors. This research takes the point of view of the technology growth curve. It makes an attempt by representing the growth curve with accumulated patent numbers. It also investigates whether the over rated remuneration for the fuel cell industry is supported by increase in technology levels and if there were significant increases. From historical data, the results were initially unexpected as there was a positive relationship. After investigation, the main reason was that related applicable products haven¡¦t reached mature levels. Hence using fuel cell cars as the research objective, with the assistance of a realistic growth curve, initial estimates predicts the product will mature around 2008 and will be in mass production in 2010 ~ 2012. This is very similar to the prediction of future new technology schedule provided by George Washington University. Therefore the conclusion of this thesis is as below: 1. Illustrate that accumulated patent numbers represents technological advancement which can be reflected in the industry¡¦s technology capability, the growth curve. 2. According to technological capability growth curve, the over rated remuneration stock prices will raise once it reaches the applicable growth period. This is generally predicted to be after the year 2012. Even if Honda¡¦s fuel cell car is in production, the investors will still continue to invest. Otherwise, according to each company¡¦s financial analysis the investment risks will be too high.

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A Formulation of Multidimensional Growth Models for the Assessment and Forecast of Technology Attributes Travis W. Danner 229 Pages Directed by Dr. Dimitri Mavris This research proposes the formulation of multidimensional growth models as an approach to simulating the advancement of multi-objective technologies towards their upper limits. These multidimensional growth models are formulated by noticing and exploiting the correlation between technology growth models and technology frontiers. Both are frontiers in actuality. The technology growth curve is a frontier between capability levels of a single attribute and time, while a technology frontier is a frontier between the capability levels of two or more attributes. Multidimensional growth models are formulated by exploiting the mathematical significance of this correlation. The result is a model that can capture both the interaction between multiple system attributes and their expected rates of improvement over time. The fundamental nature of technology development is maintained and interdependent growth curves are generated for each system metric with minimal data requirements. Being founded on the basic nature of technology advancement, relative to physical limits, the availability for further improvement can be determined for a single metric relative to other system measures of merit. A byproduct of this modeling approach is a single n-dimensional technology frontier linking all n system attributes with time. This provides an environment capable of forecasting future system capability in the form of advancing technology frontiers. In addition to formulating the multidimensional growth model, this research provides a systematic procedure for applying it to specific technology architectures. Researchers and decision-makers are able to investigate the potential for additional improvement within that technology architecture and estimate the expected cost of each incremental improvement relative to the cost of past improvements. In this manner, multidimensional growth models provide the necessary information to set reasonable program goals for the further development of a particular technological approach or to establish the need for new technological approaches in light of the constraining limits of conventional approaches.

The prime objective of this thesis is to research and develop a new system of project budgeting, monitoring and forecasting to meet the needs of the Construction Industry. It is intended that this work will facilitate the means for more efficient control of projects from inception to final completion, utilising where possible the latest developments in computer technology. The initial stage of the work involves an investigation and appraisal of existing methods of formulating project budgets. In particular attention is paid to previous work in the development of mathematical 's' curve models, together with their limitations in use and application. Potential for future development is also identified. The thesis then focuses on the evolution of an improved modelling philosophy for project budgets and forecasts which overcomes previously known problems. In parallel with this work is the development of a computerised system intended to enable the testing of the model against live project data. The model finally selected is then tested against the extensive research work previously undertaken by the DHSS and the data collected from sixteen construction projects. To facilitate the development of a suitable control system to act as a vehicle for the application of the principles developed, a contextual survey is included. This survey is intended to provide an update of previous survey work undertaken by the author in 1977 and to further investigate factors orientated specifically to the objectives of the thesis. The research then concentrates on the development of an integrated set of sub-systems which contribute to the budgeting, monitoring and prediction of project expenditure. These systems are developed in accordance with the need to establish the financial status of projects both before, during and after they are completed. The overall system is based on the latest computer technology available and is designed to be flexible in its application. Tests documented in the text prove that the system operates both in principle and in practice. A further extension of the research is the use of the various project data bases to provide information for a corporate control system which has been developed in principle. This thesis provides a significant step forward in computerised project budgeting and control utilisng 's' curve philosophy and provides a basis for further development. Potential exists for future development of the prediction and corporate control systems, together with software developments to improve general application over a wide range of industries and disciplines where project work is undertaken.

Objective of this thesis was construction of Engel´s curve of demand for children, separately for mother´s and father´s income. Moreover, analysis shows differences in Engel´s curve according to genders or marital status (if couple is married or not and only lives together). The models were estimated from data of the survey ISSP 2008. Results estimated by OLS models and models with corrected hetoreskedasticity were supported by multinomial regression. Estimations showed that in case of decision about children, women are influenced by income more than men. Own income has negative impact on number of children demanded by woman because of higher opportunity cost. Married women are less influenced by own income than single women, because married women take into the account also income of husband which has positive effect on number of children. In case of men´s demand for children, neither effect of own income nor effect of partner´s income was proven.

According to the US Department of Transportation, around 20 people die on a daily basis in a signalized intersection, with most of these resulting from angle or head-on collisions. The US-DoT’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has identified modern roundabout intersections to be substantially safer than signalized intersections, due in part to the reduction in conflict points from 32 in a traditional signalized intersection to 8 in a modern roundabout. Despite the increased adoption of modern roundabouts across the US, there are a number of specific design elements for which the direct impact they have on operational and safety related performance of the roundabout remains unknown. To be specific, there is currently no conclusive research on the direct effects related to the introduction of a reverse curve (S-curve) on the approach to a roundabout. Moreover, what are the impacts of S-curves of varying geometries on the approach to a roundabout? This research employed a series of microsimulation-based analyses to investigate the speed related impacts related to the introduction to S-curves on the entry to a roundabout. An existing roundabout, in Amherst, MA, USA was used as a case study for this experiment. The data at each approach of the roundabout was collected by a static camera strategically placed to attain both the pedestrian and vehicle count during peak traffic hours. The data was manually reviewed to determine the upstream and downstream vehicle counts. The dimensions and angles of the existing roundabout were measured from Google earth and the image was extracted to AutoCaD Civil 3D. Since the objective is to check whether S-curves near an approach have a significant impact in speed, the deflection angle of the roundabout was not altered. The turning radius and angle at the approach was cross verified by measuring it on site. The existing roundabout was considered as the base model. The four approaches of the roundabout have different entry angles and radii. The revised models were drafted by strategically placing the S-curve at each approach and by steadily increasing their deflection angle and approach radius. The base and revised models cases were initially modelled, after which the conventional linear approach was modified to an S-curve and evaluated. Field data from the locations were to and calibrate microsimulation models on AIMSUN. The resulting trajectory data was analyzed for both the base case as well as three levels of experimental S-curves (ranging from 30 to 60 degrees) on each roundabout approach (16 total). The results provide evidence to suggest that a significant reduction in speed can be realized with a minimal amount of the reverse curvature on the roundabout approach. The trajectory output files were then imported into the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) to determine the number and type of conflicts experienced at each approach under each scenario evaluated in AIMSUN.