The thesis aims to elaborate on the optimum trigger speed for Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) and to study the effectiveness of VAS trigger speed on drivers’ behaviour. Vehicle activated signs (VAS) are speed warning signs that are activated by individual vehicle when the driver exceeds a speed threshold. The threshold, which triggers the VAS, is commonly based on a driver speed, and accordingly, is called a trigger speed. At present, the trigger speed activating the VAS is usually set to a constant value and does not consider the fact that an optimal trigger speed might exist. The optimal trigger speed significantly impacts driver behaviour. In order to be able to fulfil the aims of this thesis, systematic vehicle speed data were collected from field experiments that utilized Doppler radar. Further calibration methods for the radar used in the experiment have been developed and evaluated to provide accurate data for the experiment. The calibration method was bidirectional; consisting of data cleaning and data reconstruction. The data cleaning calibration had a superior performance than the calibration based on the reconstructed data. To study the effectiveness of trigger speed on driver behaviour, the collected data were analysed by both descriptive and inferential statistics. Both descriptive and inferential statistics showed that the change in trigger speed had an effect on vehicle mean speed and on vehicle standard deviation of the mean speed. When the trigger speed was set near the speed limit, the standard deviation was high. Therefore, the choice of trigger speed cannot be based solely on the speed limit at the proposed VAS location. The optimal trigger speeds for VAS were not considered in previous studies. As well, the relationship between the trigger value and its consequences under different conditions were not clearly stated. The finding from this thesis is that the optimal trigger speed should be primarily based on lowering the standard deviation rather than lowering the mean speed of vehicles. Furthermore, the optimal trigger speed should be set near the 85th percentile speed, with the goal of lowering the standard deviation.

Syfte: Studera sju portföljer och notera den bästa typen av portfölj med högst avkastning till lägst risk. Metod: Sekundärdata är grunden för uträkning av samtliga portföljers avkastningar, risker och korrelation. Studien är deduktiv med kvantitativa inslag av kända teorier av nobelpristagare i ekonomisk vetenskap.  Slutsats: Studien visar att stora bolag i olika branscher är ett vinnande portföljinnehåll för denna studie. Stora bolags aktier har visat högre avkastning till lägre risk jämfört med små bolag under studiens tid då ekonomiska kriser drabbade marknaden. Den mest presterande portföljen var därför storbolagsportföljen. Vidare forskning: Längre tidsperspektiv och nya teorier som Jensens alfa samt Treynorkvot är av intresse för vidare forskning för att styrka vår slutsats. / Intention: To study seven portfolios and note the best type of portfolio with the maximum return at a minimum risk. Method: Secondary data is the basis for calculation of the total portfolio returns, risk and correlation. This study is deductive based using a quantitative method of world-known theories of Nobel laureates in economic sciences. Conclusion: The study shows that the best efficient portfolio contains large companies in different lines of business. Large companies' shares have higher returns at lower risk compared to small companies in circumstances to difficult economic situations globally. The best performed portfolio was the portfolio with large companies.                                       Further Research: Longer period of time study and a study of new theories such as Jensens Alfa and Tretnor ratio would be interesting for further research.

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Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:32:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 688077 bytes, checksum: 369ec0145d58b4c3f2d93ab69403df95 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-01-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Many times, the interpretation of the results in cluster analysis is done subjectively, that is, through inspection on dendograms, since there are no objective criteria to identify the formed clusters. In face of such a problem, the present study aimed to: (1) find out an objective way to achieve the cut-point (optimal number of clusters) in a dendogram in order to help on taking the right decision; (2) work out index concepts such as Root Mean Square Standard Deviation (RMSSTD) and R Squared (RS), explaining the contribution of each one of them in determining the optimal number of cluster; (3) method application, aiming to identify divergent accessions that will be used on improvement programs. An alternative solution for this problem is to use the RMSSTD and RS which are calculated according to the number of variables among and within the clusters formed, characterizing an objective way to determine the optimal number. Another solution is achieved by using the RS. Some morphological characteristics of the forty nine accessions of the species Capsicum chinense Jacq. from the Germplasm Bank of Vegetables of the Federal University of Viçosa (Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais Brazil) were analyzed by means of cluster analysis. The accessions were clustered based on the proposed techniques and an optimal number of clusters was achieved. The 49 accessions analyzed were classified into only seven clusters according to the graph of the RMSSTD versus the number of clusters and the graph of the RS versus the number of clusters. / Muitas vezes, a interpretação dos resultados em análise de agrupamentos é feita de forma subjetiva, isto é, através da inspeção de dendrogramas. Isto se deve ao fato de haver dificuldade em se encontrar na literatura um critério objetivo de fácil aplicação para identificar o número ideal de grupos formados. Diante deste problema, o presente trabalho teve por objetivos: 1) Avaliar a aplicabilidade de critério objetivo de se obter o ponto de corte (número ótimo de clusters) num dendrograma para a tomada de decisão; 2) trabalhar os conceitos de índices como RMSSTD (root mean square standard deviation) e RS (R-Squared), discutindo a contribuição de cada um destes na obtenção do número ótimo de clusters em acessos de Capsicum chinense; 3) aplicação do método, visando a identificar acessos divergentes de Capsicum chinense para serem utilizados em programas de melhoramento. Os índices RMSSTD e RS são calculados de acordo com as variáveis entre e dentro dos grupos formados, caracterizando uma forma objetiva para determinar o número ótimo. Para se obter o ponto de máxima curvatura da trajetória dos índices RMSSTD e RS em função do aumento do número de grupos (X), utilizou-se o Método da Máxima Curvatura Modificado. Foram analisadas, por meio da análise de agrupamentos, algumas características morfológicas de quarenta e nove acessos da espécie Capsicum chinense Jacq. do Banco de Germoplasma de Hortaliças da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. A partir das técnicas propostas agrupou-se os acessos, obtendo um número ótimo de grupos. Os resultados classificam os 49 acessos avaliados em apenas sete grupos de acordo com o gráfico do RMSSTD versus o número de grupos e o gráfico do RS versus o número de grupos.

This dissertation work focuses on evaluation of the performance and credibility of domestic pension funds. It includes information about pension systems in six selected countries in the world, specifically Chile, Hungary, Switzerland, Poland, Sweden and Slovakia, and culminates with a proposal for pension reform in the Czech Republic. The evaluation of the performance of pension funds is based on experience with measuring performance in twenty-three countries of the world processed for the OECD and cites original basis materials for proposals for the regulation of pension funds in the Czech Republic. Setting of indicators is preceded by an analysis of measurements of performance by the Association of Pension Funds in the Czech Republic and the Research Institute of Labour and Social Affairs. The most important proposed indicators include the actual result in relation to the participants' funds, which captures the influence of changes in the market values of financial assets, and the indicator of competence covers obligations, reflecting the influence of changes in costs during subsequent periods, which include yet undistributed commission for mediators of pension insurance. For a comparison of benefits and risks, mutual funds denominated in CZK were selected, which were verified as a suitable alternative to long-term saving. The method of evaluation of pension funds itself is based on explanation, evaluation and selection of favourable indicators for determining the rating of domestic pension funds, which clients of pension funds could use as a method for evaluating the credibility and benefits of a specific domestic pension fund for the purpose of securing it in retirement age.

The basic problem of speech is a complete separation of the natural noise which arise from correct articulation of voiced and unvoiced consonants from noise and disturbance environment. Objective of this master’s thesis is to find an effective method that could identify the pauses without speech activity, which can identify the properties of noise and disturbance. Once the noise is correctly identified, it is already possible to use different methods for its removal. The master’s thesis describes two methods of pauses identification. These methods are programmed in Matlab and tested on nine speech recordings. Methods analysis of the results was performed using the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves. In the end are summarized results analysis of created methods.

Main issue of this master´s thesis deals with high-frequency pulsations caused by cavitating hydraulic components (in this case nozzle and throttle valve). In first measurement on the nozzle was not a high-frequency sensor set in the way, so the evaluation was incorrect. After re-setting of the way was the nozzle measured again and the pulsations were evaluated correct this time. During the last measurement was the sensor located behind the throttle valve, which was with gradual opening and cavitation treatment measured. Resulting dependencies worked out on time dependence. A special mathematical method, Fourier transformation, was used. It transformed pressure amplitudes into frequency dependence. Evaluation of dependecies is the basic step for frequency band assesment, in which the cavitation on particular components happens.

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Under detta arbete har klinkertillverkningen hos en cementfabrik studerats. Arbetet behandlar möjligheter till förbättring, duglighet och måluppfyllelse för medelvärde och variation. En minskad variation bidrar till en jämnare kvalitet vilket i sin tur har en positiv påverkar på cementmalning, energi och kvalitet. De främsta orsakerna till variationen i klinkerns kvalitet är kvaliteten på råmjöl och aska från bränslen. Arbetet stöds av teorier som handlar om offensiv kvalitetsutveckling, förändring, ledarskap och kommunikation. Vid datainsamling och dataanalys har både kvalitativa och kvantitativa metoder tillämpats. Den insamlade materialet har hämtats från cementfabrikens egna databaser. Det slutsatser som kan dras utifrån denna studie är att klinkertillverkningsprocessen inte är statistisk jämvikt och innefattar stora mängder data som avviker från fabrikens målvärden. Askans effekt på klinkerns kalkmättnad beräknades till ca 17% av den totala variationen. Olika syn på kvalitetsbegreppet kan anses bidra till oönskad variation. / During this work, the clinker production at a cement factory has been studied. The work deals with opportunities for improvement, ability, and goal fulfillment for mean value and variation for the lime saturation factor in the clinker. A reduced variation offers a more even quality, which can have a positive impact on cement grinding, energy consumption, and quality. The main reasons for variations in the quality of the clinker are the quality of raw meal and ash from fuels. The work is supported by theories that deal with quality management, change, leadership, and communication. In data collection and data analysis, both qualitative and quantitative methods have been used. The collected material has been retrieved from the cement factory's own databases. The conclusions that can be drawn from this study are that the clinker manufacturing process is not stable and low process capability. The effect of the ash on the lime saturation of the clinker was calculated to be about 17% of the total variance. Different views on the concept of quality can also contribute to unwanted variation.

This paper seeks to investigate whether management fees, set by mutual funds, rely on a set of explanatory variables. The study includes equity, bond, and money market funds, all investing in securities registered in Sweden. Results obtained from the project show that changes in assets under management, standard deviation, and tracking error, for a course of 5 years, can provide some explanation to what management fees mutual funds set. In turn, this raises many interesting questions on how capital flows and fund differentiation affects the fees. Also, a market analysis of the Swedish fund market shows that elements of monopolistic competition are present. Finally, because of the scope of this study, several suggestions on further research have been made. / Denna artikel ämnar undersöka huruvida förvaltningsavgifter, satta av fonder, beror på ett antal förklarande variabler. Studien inkluderar aktie, obligations och korträntefonder, vilka investerar i värdepapper registrerade i Sverige. Resultat erhållna från projektet tyder på att förändringar i kapital under förvaltning, standardavvikelse och spårningsfel (tracking error), alla uppmätta över 5 år, delvis kan förklara vilka avgifter fonder sätter. I sin tur väcker detta flera intressanta frågor över hur kapitalflöden och fonddifferentiering påverkar avgifter. Dessutom visar en genomförd marknadsanalys över den svenska fondmarknaden att karaktäristiska drag av monopolistisk konkurrens är närvarande. Slutligen, i samband med studiens omfattning, så har flertalet förslag på vidare studier gjorts.