Thesis (M.S. in Management)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2010. / Thesis Advisor(s): Mehay, Stephen L. ; Westerbeck, Margery A. "March 2010." Description based on title screen as viewed on April 21, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Continuation, Retention, Attrition, SMCR, Activation, Mobilization, Monetary Incentives, Bonus, Marine Corps Reserve, Probit Regression, End Strength, Prior Service. Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-142). Also available in print.

Over 2 years (Year 1, 2009-2010; Year 2, 2010-2011), two separate experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of winter feeding system (n=3) on beef cow performance, reproductive performance, economics and forage degradability. The three systems (treatments) were grazing pea crop residue (PEA) cv. ‘Performance 40-10’ (Year 1, TDN = 50.2%, CP = 7.3%; Year 2, TDN = 56.9%, CP = 8.9%) in field paddocks, grazing oat crop residue (OAT) cv. ‘Baler’ (Year 1, TDN = 59.1%, CP = 2.9%; Year 2, TDN = 66.9%, CP = 5.3%) in field paddocks, and feeding mixed grass-legume hay in drylot pens (DL) (Year 1, TDN = 61.4%; CP = 8.8%; Year 2, TDN = 52.3%, CP = 12.3%). In the first experiment, 90 dry, pregnant Black Angus cows (Year 1, 629 kg ± 74 kg; Year 2, 665 ± 69 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) and days pregnant were randomly allocated to 1 of the 3 systems. Cows were allocated feed in the field or pen on a 3 d basis and supplemented oat grain daily at 0.4-0.6% BW depending on environmental conditions. Dry matter intake (DMI) was estimated for each system using the herbage weight disappearance method. Cow BW, body condition score (BCS), and rib and rump fat were measured at start and end of trial and cow BW was corrected for conceptus gain based on calving data. When data from the first 20 d were pooled over 2 years, initial cow BW was greater (P < 0.01) for the DL and OAT cows compared to the PEA cows and final cow BW was different (P < 0.01) between all 3 winter feeding systems. The change in BW was also greater (P < 0.01) for DL cows compared to cows on the OAT and PEA treatments. Analysis of the first 20 d of Year 1 study period and the total Year 2 study period, showed a significant (P < 0.01) year by treatment interaction for final BW and BW change. The differences (P < 0.01) in initial BW, final BW and BW change between the first 20 d of Year 1 study period and the total Year 2 study period (20 d) suggest feed quality, animal preference and weather conditions may cause difficulties when grazing residues in winter grazing systems. Analysis of the entire trial period in Year 1 (62 d) indicates differences (P < 0.01) for final BW and BW change between cows on all three systems. The change in rib and rump fat was also different (P < 0.01) between cows in all 3 systems. In Year 2 (20 d), initial BW, final BW and BW change were different (P < 0.01) between DL and PEA cows, and between (P < 0.01) OAT and PEA cows. No difference (P > 0.05) was found for cow rib and rump fat in Year 2 and no difference (P > 0.05) was found for BCS in either Year 1 or Year 2 for cows managed in all 3 systems. Differences (P < 0.05) were observed for calving rate and calf birth weight between the DL and OAT system cows, but not between (P > 0.05) cows managed in the DL and PEA or OAT and PEA systems. Costs per cow per day were $1.22, $1.01 and $2.77 for PEA, OAT and DL systems in Year 1, respectively. In Year 2, cow costs per day were $1.59, $1.44 and $1.84 for PEA, OAT and DL systems, respectively. In experiment 2, three ruminally cannulated, dry Holstein cows were fed a silage based total mixed ration (TMR) of 22 kg barley silage, 7 kg chopped alfalfa hay and 1 kg energy supplement (DAC-485). In-situ degradability was studied to determine the extent of degradation of pea, oat and grass-legume hay collected at start (SOT) and end of test (EOT) in experiment one. Rate of degradation (Kd) of DM was greater (P < 0.01) for PEA EOT compared to HAY, OAT SOT and OAT EOT. Dry matter rate of degradation for PEA SOT was greater (P < 0.05) compared to OAT SOT and OAT EOT. The effectively degradable fraction of CP was greater (P = 0.03) for HAY compared to PEA EOT. The ruminally undegradable fraction of CP was greater (P = 0.03) for PEA EOT compared to HAY. Acid detergent fiber rate of degradation (Kd) was greater (P = 0.01) for PEA EOT compared to HAY, OAT SOT and OAT EOT. Acid detergent fiber rate of degradation for PEA SOT was greater (P < 0.05) compared to OAT SOT and OAT EOT. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between either OAT SOT and OAT EOT or PEA SOT and PEA EOT for S, D, U, ED or RU suggesting that weathering did not have an effect on the degradability of the forages. The results of these experiments show that it is possible to maintain cow BW through the winter months in Western Canada by grazing oat crop residues, which have the potential to reduce winter feeding costs.

The Natural Gas market in the U.S is growing rapidly with evidence that the nation has enough shale reserves to power the country for the next century. To ensure continued economic benefits through the use of this environmentally desired energy source, it becomes important to optimize the transportation network system design. Transportation through pipelines is one of the most common methods used to distribute Natural Gas from source to destination. This transportation system, consisting of pipelines, compressors and other supporting equipment, must be optimized, considering all relevant parameters to minimize cost and increase profit. The research presented here improves on the fuel cost minimization models in literature to incorporate pipeline elevation and safety requirements. A new model is proposed to consider the entire transportation network as a single system and optimize it considering all relevant parameters. The optimization model is setup as a mixed integer nonlinear program. The proposed model is used to optimize the pipeline network for a case study, evaluate the model as well as investigate design capacity and installed capacity of pipeline network.

The research presented in this thesis demonstrates the qualitative modelling of an advanced service delivered by a Product Service System (PSS) through the use of a socio-technical systems-based approach. The created model represents dependencies between functions and organisations, and can be used as basis for a quantitative cost model. Focus is on how one particular example of advanced services, namely availability is delivered in an industrial context. Following a review of multi-disciplinary literature and the outline of a suitable methodological approach, a detailed case study of the delivery of an exemplar piece of avionics equipment by BAE Systems and GE Aviation to the UK Royal Air Force is described. This research shows that the delivery of avionics availability through a PSS has organisational, contractual and functional facets that overlap and influence each other. Multiple qualitative models represent the investigated setting, from a functional and from an organisational perspective. Top-level functions ‘Analysis & Optimisation’, ‘Administration’ and ‘Delivery’ are identified. The results show distinctive similarities and differences between GE Aviation and BAE Systems including a variety of parallel contracts, organisational segmentation and tensions between relationships and contractual obligations. The findings suggest that understanding a PSS as a socio-technical system is crucial for modelling the PSS and the cost associated with it. This is particularly important when the aim is to continuously control and manage costs rather than the creation of a one-off forecast. The contribution of this work to the existing body of knowledge, primarily within the domain of cost engineering is twofold: First the creation of qualitative models of an existing PSS delivering avionics availability to show “what is a PSS”, and second a methodologically robust approach that takes into account the sociotechnical character of PSS to demonstrate “how to know about PSS”.

Submitted by Neusa Fagundes (neusa.fagundes@unioeste.br) on 2018-02-27T17:06:58Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Keila_Santos2017.pdf: 3513237 bytes, checksum: 30e5e7b012e8ac3fb2f20aacd38b17c9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-27T17:06:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Keila_Santos2017.pdf: 3513237 bytes, checksum: 30e5e7b012e8ac3fb2f20aacd38b17c9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-29 / The objective of this study was to analyze the process of institutionalization of the cost and waste treatment system at the Ministro Costa Cavalvanti Hospital in the city of Iguassu Falls, state of Paraná, Brazil, following the model of Burns and Scapens (2000). Therefore, a descriptive study was conducted, a case study procedure and a qualitative-quantitative approach. The selected case corresponded to a hospital that already implemented the SIC in the year 2008 and it is currently discussing the issues. Data collection was done through interviews, documents, field observations and surveys. For the qualitative analysis, content analysis was applied for the interpretation of the results, with the help of technological tools: Atlas TI® and Nvivo® and for the quantitative descriptive and frequency statistical part, using SPSS® software. The main results indicate that the SIC passed through the coding and incorporation stage, being in the reproduction phase, not yet occurring the institutionalization of the management tool. As a theoretical contribution of the study, we highlight the understanding of the factors present in the institutionalization process, as well as institutionalization difficulties. / Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar o processo de institucionalização do sistema de custos e tratamento de desperdícios no Hospital Ministro Costa Cavalvanti do município de Foz do Iguaçu PR sob a ótica do modelo de Burns e Scapens (2000). Para tanto, foi realizada pesquisa descritiva, de procedimento, estudo de caso e abordagem quali-quantitativa. O caso selecionado correspondeu a um hospital que já implantou o SIC no ano de 2008 e está em discussão atual sobre os temas. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas, documentos, observações de campo e questionários. Para a análise qualitativa aplicou-se análise de conteúdo para interpretação dos resultados, com auxílio das ferramentas tecnológicas Atlas TI® e Nvivo®, enquanto para a parte quantitativa, a estatística descritiva e de frequência formam aplicadas por meio do software SPSS®. Os principais resultados encontrados apontam que o SIC passou pelas etapas de codificação e de incorporação, encontrando-se portanto, na fase de reprodução, não ocorrendo ainda a institucionalização da ferramenta de gestão. Como contribuição teórica do estudo, destaca-se o entendimento dos fatores presentes no processo de institucionalização, assim como os dificultadores da institucionalização.

The diploma thesis deals with the project solution of the selection and implementation of a new information system of the company META-GAS, spol. s r.o. It specifies the basic theoretical knowledge of project management, that are further used in all parts of the work. Based on the results of analyzes of the external, internal and competitive environment a project plan and the benefits of the solution design are prepared.

Mit dem zunehmenden Ausbau von fluktuierenden erneuerbaren Energien werden zusätzliche Technologien und/oder Bereitstellungskonzepte im Stromsystem benötigt, die den Ausgleich von Angebot und Nachfrage zu jeder Zeit gewährleisten. Neben Flexibilitätsoptionen wie Stromspeicher oder flexible konventionelle Kraftwerke, können Biogasanlagen eine Technologie zur Systemintegration von fluktuierenden erneuerbaren Energien darstellen. Der zukünftige kostenoptimale Einsatz von Biogasanlagen wurde bisher nicht ausreichend untersucht. Daher sollen die Forschungsfragen beantwortet werden, ob Biogasanlagen eine ökonomisch konkurrenzfähige Flexibilitätsoption darstellen und in welchem Umfang sowie mit welcher Betriebsweise diese zukünftig kostenoptimal eingesetzt werden sollten. Dazu wurden drei verschiedene Ausbaupfade mit sich unterscheidenden Kapazitäten für Biogasanlagen und weitere erneuerbare Energien zur Zielerreichung der nationalen ZubauZiele in Deutschland für den Zeitraum 2016 – 2035 definiert. Mit Hilfe der daraus abgeleiteten Residuallastdaten wurde der Einsatz der Biogasanlagen zur Systemstabilität optimiert. Die entstehenden Werte wurden im Anschluss verwendet, um mit einem nichtlinearen Optimierungsmodell den Einsatz von Flexibilitätsoptionen kostenminimal zu ermitteln. Der reduzierte Bedarf an Flexibilitätsoptionen durch zusätzliche (flexible) Biogasanlagen sowie die verringerte Stromeinspeisung aus anderen erneuerbaren Energien stellen dabei den Nutzen der Biogasanlagen dar. Zusätzliche Kosten entstehen durch die Flexibilisierung von Bestands- als auch durch den Bau und Betrieb von Neuanlagen. Kosten und Nutzen, die mit zusätzlichen Investitionen in flexible Biogasanlagen einhergehen, wurden abschließend in einer Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse gegenübergestellt. Ein erhöhter Anteil von Biogasanlagen im zukünftigen Stromsystem reduziert die Auslastung von vergleichsweise kostenintensiven Kraftwerken und verringert die Investitionen in Stromspeicher und konventionelle Kraftwerke. Dennoch wird durch die vergleichsweise hohen Kosten von (zusätzlichen) Biogasanlagen in keinem Szenario ein ökonomisch vorteilhaftes Ergebnis erzielt. Die Unwirtschaftlichkeit von Biogasanlagen könnte im Falle eines frühzeitigen Kohleausstiegs signifikant verringert werden. Grundsätzlich sollten Biogasanlagen möglichst flexibel eingesetzt werden, um fluktuierende erneuerbare Energien in das Stromsystem zu integrieren. Ein wirtschaftlicher Betrieb von Biogasanlagen im zukünftigen Stromsystem ist nur möglich, wenn deren Kosten gesenkt und/oder zusätzliche Nutzen in anderen Sektoren und Bereichen generiert werden. Bei einer geringen Zubau-Rate von Neuanlagen wären die geringsten Kostensenkungen notwendig. / To reduce the negative impact of climate change, the German government has decided to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector through the extension of intermittent renewable energies, inter alia. The power supply from photovoltaic and wind power plants is characterized by intermittency that depends on local weather conditions. To ensure a sufficient power supply, further technologies and/or new concepts are required to balance demand and supply in the energy system with an increasing proportion of renewable energies. In addition storage technologies, the extension of power grids and conventional power plants, biogas plants can be one technological solution. However, the cost-efficient role of biogas plants has not been sufficiently assessed. The main objective of this thesis is to compare the economic feasibility of biogas plants with other flexibility options (namely storage technologies and conventional power plants) for the period of 2016 to 2035 in Germany´s electricity system. From an economic point of view, the cost-efficient future installed capacities and the modes of operation of biogas plants have to be analyzed. To do so, three biogas extension paths and renewable energy portfolios are defined for the considered period. Hourly residual load data are used to optimize the flexible power generation from biogas plants in all scenarios. The resulting residual load data (including biogas) is used as an input in a non-linear optimization model that simultaneously minimizes the costs of the hourly dispatch and the annual investments in conventional power plants and storage technologies. On the one hand, additional biogas plants in the future electricity system reduce the demand for additional flexibility options and substitute the generation from further renewable energies. On the other hand, the flexibilization of existing biogas plants and the investments in new biogas installations lead to additional costs. Finally, the resulting costs and benefits are quantified in a cost-benefit analysis. As a result, an increasing proportion of biogas plants reduces the demand for additional storage technologies and conventional power plants. Furthermore, the utilization of (existing) conventional power plants with high marginal costs in the considered period is decreased. However, in all scenarios, the costs of additional biogas plants exceed their benefits for the electricity system. This is why Germany´s electricity system is characterized by a sufficient installed capacity of existing flexibility options. An accelerated phasing-out of lignite- and coal-fired power plants to reach national greenhouse gas reduction target values improves the results of the cost-benefit analysis. The electricity generation from biogas plants should be as flexible as possible. The highest net present values are found in the extension path characterized by a low construction rate of new biogas plants. Nevertheless, compared to the phasing-out of biogas plants, additional biogas plants in Germany´s future electricity system require cost reductions and/or must be accompanied by further benefits in other sectors and areas to ensure economically feasible operation.

En este artículo se presenta un estudio de caso de una empresa industrial peruana, en el cual se explica el desarrollo del modelo de costeo basado en las actividades a partir del costeo de una línea de producto fabricada por la empresa.

<p>The optimization of the electrical system voltage range of a mild hybrid electric vehicle is examined in this research study. The objective is to evaluate and propose the optimized vehicle voltage level for the mild hybrid electric vehicle from both technical and economic aspects. The approach is to evaluate the fuel economy improvement from the mild hybrid electric vehicle of various voltage level for the cost benefit study. The evaluation is conducted from the vehicle system level with discussions of components selection for system optimization. Autonomie, a simulation tool widely used by academic and automotive industry, is used for the vehicle simulation and fuel economy evaluation. The cost analysis is based on the system cost factoring in the component cost based forecasted production volume. </p> <p>The driver for this study is to propose an optimized voltage for the mild hybrid electric vehicle for the vehicle manufacturers and suppliers to standardize the implementation to meet the fuel economy and emission requirements and vehicle power demand. The standardization of the vehicle voltage level can improve design and development efficiency, reusability and reduce cost in developing non-standard voltage levels of the mild hybrid vehicle. The synergy in standardized voltage level for the mild hybrid vehicle can accelerate technology implementation toward mass production to meet regulatory emission and fuel economy requirements. </p>

The accuracy appraisal and its evaluation with what the results of geodetic work are being achieved will be shown in this graduation thesis. As well as the related legislation and economic point of view of the price setting in comparison to other geodetic companies. One of the major surveyed area is testing of the used instruments - confrontation of achieved values with the values stated by manufacturer, accuracy analysis of the used methods and allignment of independent measurements of equal magnitude.