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Researchers at the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) are developing a next-generation instrument for monitoring the Earth radiation budget (ERB) from low Earth orbit. This instrument is called the DEMonstrating the Emerging Technology for measuring the Earth's Radiation (DEMETER) instrument. DEMETER is a candidate to replace the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instruments which currently monitor the ERB. LaRC has partnered with the Thermal Radiation Group at Virginia Tech to model and evaluate the thermal and optical design of the DEMETER instrument. The effort reported here deals with the numerical modeling of the optical and thermal radiative performance the DEMETER instrument. The numerical model is based on the Monte Carlo Ray-Trace (MCRT) method. The major optical components of the instrument are incorporated into the ray-trace model using 3-D surface equations. A CAD model of the instrument baffle is imported directly into the ray-trace environment using an STL triangular mesh. The instrument uses a single freeform mirror to focus radiation on the detector. A method for incorporating freeform surfaces into a ray-trace model is described. The development and capabilities of the model are reported. The model is used to run several ray-traces to compare two different quasi-black surface coatings for the DEMETER telescope baffle. Included is a list of future tests the Thermal Radiation Group will use the model to accomplish. / Master of Science / For decades NASA has used satellite-mounted scientific instruments to monitor the Earth radiation budget (ERB). The ERB is the energy balance of the planet Earth with its surroundings. Radiation from the sun is absorbed and reflected by the Earth. The Earth also emits radiation. The balance between these heat transfer components drives the planetary climate. Researchers at the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) are developing a new instrument for monitoring the ERB from low Earth orbit. This Earth observing instrument is called the DEMonstrating the Emerging Technology for measuring the Earth's Radiation (DEMETER) instrument. NASA has partnered with the Thermal Radiation Group at Virginia Tech to model and evaluate the thermal and optical design of the DEMETER instrument. The effort reported here deals with the numerical modeling of radiation heat transfer in the DEMETER instrument. The numerical model uses the Monte Carlo Ray-Trace (MCRT) method to evaluate the thermal and optical behavior of the DEMETER instrument. The development and capabilities of the model are reported. The model is used to run a series of simulations to compare the performance of two different quasi-black surface coatings for the DEMETER telescope baffle. Included is a list of future tasks the Thermal Radiation Group will accomplish using the model.

In order to optimally design and utilize any system or process, it is necessary to know the parameters within which the process must function. This thesis developed some of the more important organizational parameters affecting the capital expenditure process. A primary objective that has operational significance for capital expenditure decision-making purposes was developed. The primary objective was formulated in a framework of uncertainty utilizing the basic characteristics of a closed-loop information-feedback system. Since it was formulated in a framework of uncertainty, it allowed for variation; therefore, the limits of this objective were established. The enterprise damps oscillations in its complex interconnected system of objectives to assure relative stability within the limits of the developed primary objective. The damping methods employed by the enterprise place parameters on the capital expenditure process. The important parameters that were discussed are: 1. The common and unique characteristics that evolve from the pattern in which an enterprise increases in magnitude. 2. The organizational structure that evolves in an effort to plan, coordinate, and control all activities of the enterprise. 3. The administrative processes utilized within the framework of the primary objective and the organizational structure to perform all activities relative to the capital expenditure process. Although detailed design considerations were beyond the scope of this thesis, it was emphasized that an awareness on the part of the decision-maker that these parameters exist and have an impact on decision-making can contribute to improved capital expenditure decisions within an existing capital expenditure process. In the design or redesign of a capital expenditure process, it appears essential that they be considered. / Master of Science

Correctly predicting water levels is key to the success of created wetlands. The Pierce method is a commonly used technique for modeling and designing mitigation wetlands that assumes minimal groundwater interaction with the wetland. This technique for mitigation wetland design relies primarily on surface water inputs, assuming a relatively impermeable substrate (perched system), and level pool routing. The Pierce method was applied utilizing two different evapotranspiration estimation methods: Thornthwaite (IPM) and FAO-56 Penman-Monteith (IPM-FAO). A second process-based model, utilizing MODFLOW-2005, was constructed to better predict water levels in mitigation wetlands. Modeled processes included groundwater movement and vegetative resistance to flow, which can be a significant factor in wetland water levels. The two versions of the Pierce method were compared to the process-based wetland representation developed in MODFLOW-2005 using data from an existing mitigation wetland. Output from these models were compared to observed data from an existing mitigation wetland near Manassas, VA, USA. Results indicate the use of Thornthwaite's method to estimate wetland evapotranspiration (ET) does not capture the timing or magnitude of wetland ET losses, leading to over-prediction of wetland water levels during the growing season. The Modflow-based approach resulted in more accurate hydroperiod predictions on a yearly basis than the Pierce Method. However, the Integrated Pierce method model, utilizing the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method of estimating potential evapotranspiration instead of Thornthwaite's method most accurately predicted water levels during the growing season (March-October). / Master of Science

Earth observing instruments, such as those embarked on the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) and Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES), have been used to monitor the arriving solar and the upwelling solar reflected and longwave emitted radiation from low Earth orbit for the past three decades. These instruments have played a crucial role in studying the Earth's radiation budget and developing a decadal climate data record. Prior to launch, these instruments go through several robust design phases followed by rigorous ground calibration campaigns to establish their baseline characterization spectrally, spatially, temporally, and radiometrically. The knowledge gained from building and calibrating these instruments has aided in technology advancements as the need for developing more accurate instruments has increased. In order to understand the prelaunch performance of these instruments, NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC) has partnered with the Thermal Radiation Group at Virginia Tech to develop first-principle, dynamic electrothermal, numerical models of scanning radiometers that can be used to enhance the understanding of such instruments. The body of research presented here documents the construction of these models by highlighting their development and results and possible applications to the next generation of Earth radiation budget instrument. Much of the effort reported here is based on the author's contribution to NASA's now-deselected Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI) project. / Doctor of Philosophy / Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) sensors, such as the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) and the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) have been a crucial part of studying the Earth's radiation budget for the past three decades. The Earth's radiation budget is the natural balance that exists between the energy received from the Sun and the energy radiated back into space. These instruments, which measure the radiative energy arriving and leaving at the top of the Earth's atmosphere, enhance understanding of the roles played by clouds and aerosols in reflecting and absorbing energy, thereby cooling or heating the planet. In order to enable the design for the next-generation Earth radiation budget sensors, NASA Langley has partnered with the Thermal Radiation Group at Virginia Tech to develop a capability for high-fidelity computer modeling that permits the complete characterization of an Earth radiation budget instrument. The resulting simulation consists of computer models for optical components, calibration targets, detecting elements and a source that includes information on anisotropy of a given Earth scene-type (clear vs. cloudy scene, ocean, desert, etc.). The modeling tool permits simulation of the entire science data stream as photons entering the instrument are converted to digital counts leaving the instrument, and provides the flexibility to observe various scene-types whether they be calibration targets or Earth scenes. This dissertation highlights the construction of this modeling tool and its capabilities as it is applied to NASA's now-deselected Radiation Budget Instrument.

This thesis analyzes the impact of capital budget on capital spending in the U.S. states. The analysis is based on the James Poterba's 1995 study of the impact of a capital budget on capital spending using 1962 U.S. state-level data. I first replicate Poterba's model using the 1992-1996 data set that I had constructed for this study. I then extend Poterba's model to include a set of variables that allows exploration of the specific effects of the regulatory environment on spending outcomes in each state. These are mainly categorical variables that classify states in accordance with their definition of capital expenditure, organization of capital planning process, project selection and cost estimating techniques and capital financing practices. These were constructed using the data of the 1997 NASBO survey after reviewing the suggestions of practitioners and policy makers, as well as those engaged in research in this field. The introduction of a set of budget rule/budget composition variables into the analysis is an important contribution of this study. I also introduce additional control variables such as those controlling for the age of infrastructure. This study supports the claim that government spending is determined by a host of causal factors that can be grouped into four broad categories, (1) demographic-economic factors, representing both demand for public capital and source of its financing, (2) political decision-making factors that reflect electorate/party in power preferences for spending, (3) capital stock variables that relate to the age of infrastructure and control for spending culture in a state, and (4) budget composition/spending rules. The main finding of this study is the confirmation of Poterba's finding with respect to the positive effect of capital budget on capital spending using a recent data set and longer time frame of analysis. Another major contribution of this study is a statistically significant effect of sixteen spending rule/ budget composition variables. The results of this study support the basic premise found in the literature that budget process affects capital spending. / Master of Public and International Affairs

The Thermal Radiation Group, a laboratory in the department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is currently working towards the development of a new technology for cavity-based radiometers. The radiometer consists of a 256-element linear-array thermopile detector mounted on the wall of a mirrored wedge-shaped cavity. The objective of this research is to provide analytical and experimental characterization of the proposed radiometer. A dynamic end-to-end opto-electrothermal model is developed to simulate the performance of the radiometer. Experimental results for prototype thermopile detectors are included. Also presented is the concept of the discrete Green's function to characterize the optical scattering of radiant energy in the cavity, along with a data-processing algorithm to correct for the scattering. Finally, a parametric study of the sensitivity of the discrete Green's function to uncertainties in the surface properties of the cavity is presented. / Master of Science

<p>Datum: 2010-06-03</p><p>Nivå: Magisteruppsats i företagsekonomi, 15 hp</p><p>Författare: Sanne Jotorp, Emelie Strandh och Katrin Wilhelmsson</p><p>Handledare: Esbjörn Segelod</p><p>Titel: Budgetlös styrning - Har Wallanders budgetlösa styrning stått sig oförändrad inärmare 40 år och har den varit ett vinnande koncept till framgång?</p><p>Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka huruvida Handelsbankens budgetlösa styrning utvecklats sedan införandet för nästan 40 år sedan samt att studera om bankens framgång grundar sig på den budgetlösa styrningen.</p><p>Metod: Undersökningen har formen av en fallstudie med en kvalitativ undersökningsmetodik har använts. Den teoretiska referensramen bygger på en litteraturstudie och empirin grundar sig på semistrukturerade intervjuer med två utvalda respondenter.</p><p>Slutsats: Handelsbanken har sedan Wallanders tid varit den mest lönsamma banken i Sverige och varje år haft en högre räntabilitet än genomsnittet för konkurrenterna. Denna framgång har sin grund i en kombination av en decentraliserad organisationsstruktur och den flexibilitet, frihet och anpassningsförmåga som den budgetlösa styrningen innebär. Decentraliseringen har inneburit att beslutsfattandet flyttats nedåt iorganisationen, vilket medför snabbare beslut och bättre kundkännedom. Decentraliseringen medför även en känsla av frihet och ett engagemang hos de anställda och det leder till kostnadsmedvetenhet. Styrningen skapar en miljö av frihet där innovativa strategier kan växa fram. Den budgetlösa styrningens flexibilitet har resulterat i att banken kunnat anpassa sig snabbare än konkurrenterna och därför kunnat återhämta sig fortare under år av kris och förändring. Decentralisering och budgetlös styrning är beroende av varandra för att vara så effektivt som möjligt. Decentralisering är en förutsättning för den budgetlösa styrningen och utan den radikala decentralisering som Wallander genomförde hade troligtvis den budgetlösa styrningen aldrig blivit lyckad. Likväl hade en decentralisering inte fått samma effekt om den traditionella budgetstyrningen vidhållits.</p> / <p>Date: 2010-06-03</p><p>Level: Master thesis in Business Administration, 15 credits</p><p>Authors: Sanne Jotorp, Emelie Strandh and Katrin Wilhelmsson</p><p>Tutor: Esbjörn Segelod</p><p>Title: Beyond budgeting – Has Wallander’s beyond budgeting control not changed incloser to 40 years and has it been a winning concept for success?</p><p>Background: In the beginning of the 1970’s Handelsbankens new CEO Jan Wallander removed the budgeting control of Handelsbanken. He decentralized the organization and implemented the beyond budgeting control.</p><p>Purpose: The purpose of the essay is to examine whether Handelsbankens beyond budgeting control has developed since the phase out of budgetary control and study if the banks success is based on the beyond budgeting control.</p><p>Method: The essay has the form of a case study and a qualitative study method has been used. The theoretical reference frame is established on a scholarly literature study and the empirical material is based on semi structured interviews with two respondents.</p><p>Conclusion: Handelsbanken has since the time of Wallander been the most profitable bank in Sweden and has presented a higher return on equity than the average of its rivals each year. The success is a combination of a decentralized organization and the flexibility, freedom and adaptability that a beyond budgeting control means. The decentralization has meant that the decision making has moved downwards in the organization, which has lead to faster decisions and a better knowledge of the customer. The decentralization also brings out a feeling offreedom and a commitment in the employees and that leads to cost-awareness. The beyond budgeting control creates an environment of freedom where innovative strategies can develop. The flexibility in the beyond budgeting control has resulted in that the bank can adapt faster than the other banks and thereby come back faster from crisis and change. Decentralization and beyond budgeting control is dependent of each other to be as effective as possible. This comes of the fact that decentralization is a presumption for the beyond budgeting control to work and without de radical decentralization that Wallander implemented the beyond budgeting control never had been successful. However had the decentralization never given the same effect if the traditional budgeting control had been kept.</p>