This thesis focuses on decision support for regional LTL carriers. The basic operating characteristics of regional LTL carriers are similar to those of national LTL carriers, i.e., they operate linehaul networks with satellites, breakbulks, and relays to consolidate freight so as to be able to cost-effectively serve their customers. However, there are also key differences. Most importantly, because the area covered by a regional carrier is smaller, a regional carrier handles less freight (sometimes significantly less) and therefore typically has fewer consolidation opportunities, which results in higher handling and transportation costs per unit of freight. Consequently, competing with national carriers on price is difficult. Therefore, to gain or maintain market share, regional carriers have to provide better service. To be able to provide better service, regional carriers have to be more dynamic, e.g., they have to be able to deviate from their load plan when appropriate, which creates challenges for decision makers. Regional carriers deliver about 60% of their shipments within a day and almost all of their shipments within two days. Furthermore, most drivers get back to their domicile at the end of each day. Therefore, the focus of the thesis is the development of effective and efficient decision models supporting daily operations of regional LTL carriers which provide excellent service at low cost. This thesis presents an effective solution approach based on two optimization models: a dynamic load planning model and a driver assignment model. The dynamic load planning model consists of two parts: an integer program to generate the best paths for daily origin-destination freight volumes and an integer program to pack freight into trailers and trailers into loads, and to determine dispatch times for these loads. Techniques to efficiently solve these integer program solution are discussed in detail. The driver assignment model is solved in multiple stages, each stage requiring the solution of a set packing models in which columns represent driver duties. Each stages determines admissible driver duties. The quality and efficiency of the solution approach are demonstrated through a computational study with real-life data from one of the largest regional LTL carriers in the country. An important "technique" for reducing driver requirements is the use of meet-and-turn operations. A basic meet-and-turn operation involves two drivers meeting at a location in between terminals and exchange trucks. A parking lot or a rest area suffices as a meet-and-turn location. This ensures that drivers return to the terminal where they started. More sophisticated meet-and-turn operations also exist, often called drop and hook operations. In this case, drivers do not exchange trucks, but one of their trailers. The motivation in this case is not to get drivers back to their domicile, but to reduce load- miles. The thesis presents analytical results quantifying the maximum benefits of using meet and turn operations and optimization techniques for identifying profitable meet-and-turn opportunities.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:07:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao2008_Leonado_Franca.pdf: 610450 bytes, checksum: 1fc7bfc6096780687d2226f632e6aa85 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-28 / Intending to stipulate the parcel of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in several sources, using the PCR techicic, 360 samples were analyzed in the period between november 2006 and february 2008, proceeding from 25 commercial abattoirs of five companies all licensed to export from some Brazilian States. Primers U1/LI1 for Listeria spp. and LM1/LM2 and LL5/LL6 for L. monocytogenes. Listeria spp. was detected in 19,72% of the samples, with percentage of 23% in the bone rooms, cold chamber and half carcass, 15% in beef cuts and 10% in the slaughter rooms. In the slaughterhouses it was detected in 19,42% in the A, 17,72% in the B, 22,95% in the C and 20% in the D and E. Analyzing the states, 16,34% in São Paulo, 23,94% in Mato Grosso do Sul, 14,06% in Goiás, 32% in Mato Grosso, 27,27% in Bahia and 14,28% in Pará were positive for its genus. No matter the pair of ‟primers‟‟ used for amplication, L. monocytogenes were detected in 14,72% of the samples, 20% in cold chambers, 15,83% in bone rooms, 13.33% in halfcarcass and in beef cuts and 10% in slaughter rooms. In the slaughterhouse A, 12,57% of the samples were detected positive‟, 11,39% in B, 21,31% in C and 13,33% in D e E. The bacterium was detected in São Paulo in 12,42% of positive samples, 14,08% in Mato Grosso do Sul, 12,30% in Goiás, 24%, in Mato Grosso, 27,27% in Bahia and 14,28% in Pará. The pair of primer LM1/LM2 revealed better efficience than the LL5/LL6 and although this last one has presented low efficiency to detection, the total of positive samples of L. monocytogenes of this research only was possible by the association of both. Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes are largely propagated in the sources and studied places, and, therefore, disseminated in all slaughterhouses and analyzed States, excepting Minas Gerais. The results of this research revealed the necessariness of adoption of urgent providences about the control of the pathogen in the bovine slaughterhouses in Brazil and must alert the possibility of occurrence of outbreak of listeriosis of nutritious transmission, considering the occurrence and the frequency repetition here verified in half-carcass and beef cuts / Objetivando determinar a distribuição de Listeria spp. e L. monocytogenes em fontes diversas, pela técnica de PCR, foram analisadas 360 amostras no período de novembro de 2006 a fevereiro de 2008, procedentes de 25 unidades frigoríficas de cinco empresas habilitadas para comércio internacional localizadas em alguns Estados. Foram utilizados os primers U1/LI1 para Listeria spp. e LM1/LM2 e LL5/LL6 para L. monocytogenes. Listeria spp. foi detectada em 19,72% do total analisado, com percentuais de 23% em salas de desossa, câmaras-frias e meiascarcaças, 15% em cortes cárneos e 10% em salas de matança. Nos matadouros frigoríficos foi identificada em 19,42% no A, 17,72% no B, 22,95% no C e 20% no D e E. Em relação aos Estados, 16,34% em São Paulo, 23,94% no Mato Grosso do Sul, 14,06% em Goiás, 32% no Mato Grosso, 27,27% na Bahia e 14,28% no Pará foram positivas para o gênero. Independente do par de primers utilizado para amplificação, L. monocytogenes foi detectada em 14,72% da amostragem, sendo 20% em câmaras-frias, 15,83% em salas de desossa, 13,33% em meiascarcaças e em cortes cárneos e 10% em salas de matança. Foram obtidas 12,57% de amostras positivas no matadouro-frigorifico A, 11,39% no B, 21,31% no C e 13,33% no D e E. A espécie foi detectada em São Paulo, com 12,42% de amostras positivas, 14,08% no Mato Grosso do Sul, 12,30% em Goiás, 24% no Mato Grosso, 27,27% na Bahia e 14,28% no Pará. O par de primer LM1/LM2 revelou maior eficiência que o LL5/LL6 e, apesar deste último ter apresentado baixa eficiência para detecção, a totalidade de amostras positivas para L. monocytogenes deste trabalho só foi possível com a associação de ambos. Listeria spp. e L. monocytogenes se encontram amplamente distribuídas nas fontes e sítios estudados, estando disseminadas em todos os matadourosfrigoríficos e Estados analisados, com exceção de Minas Gerais. Os resultados deste trabalho revelam a necessidade de adoção de medidas urgentes para o controle do patógeno nos estabelecimentos de abate de bovinos no Brasil e devem servir de alerta para a possibilidade de ocorrência de surtos de listeriose de veiculação alimentar, dadas as freqüências de ocorrência aqui verificadas em meias-carcaças e cortes cárneos

The ever-growing Internet of Things is promoting more data acquisition, data exchange and fewer human interactions, engendering a higher demand for sensors and therefore power. While in most cases it is possible to directly connect these sensors to the power grid, it will not always be feasible with emerging technologies, especially in remote areas where human access is limited. Moisture-Electric Energy Transformation (MEET) devices are components that use moisture as a “fuel” to generate electrical power. Upon contact with moisture, a potential difference results from a diffusion mechanism, allowing charge to be stored locally in capacitors or rechargeable batteries to be utilized for useful work. The focus of the present work was to investigate the potential of Cold Gas Dynamic Spray (CGDS) as an additive manufacturing (AM) process for the fabrication of MEET devices. Following a layer-by-layer approach, MEET devices were successfully built by CGDS, by combining aluminum (electrode material) and an in-situ composite of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and alumina (diffusion medium). The main challenges of this work were the determination of the spray parameters of PEEK and the investigation of the MEET capability of the manufactured devices. On the other hand, the main contributions of this work were the demonstration of the viability of CGDS in the deposition of PEEK/Al2O3 on aluminum 6061-T6 substrates, as well as the potential of PEEK as a MEET-capable material. The diffusion mechanisms that govern power generation were also hypothesized, explained and summarized. Initial tests of a MEET device of 66 mm x 34 mm indicate an uninterrupted power generation cycle of over 30 hours, and a maximum output voltage of 268 mV with a 6.8 MΩ load. The output power and power per unit area of the device were computed to be 10.63 nW and 4.736 µW/m2 respectively. The output current and current density were evaluated to 39.53 nA and 17.62 µA/m2.

To the religiously minded, few things carry greater importance than a connection to the divine. For centuries, the literature of prophets and the work of gifted artists have served to create a liminal space where man and Maker can meet. The advent of cinema and the creation of the Internet pose unique questions for the artist seeking to lead an audience toward an encounter with God. In a modern world where discretionary time is dominated by on-demand video streaming, the value of understanding cinema and its myriad potential is particularly relevant. As a religious organization, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has eagerly (and to a certain extent, uniquely) embraced and used film to further its aims. This thesis will further the conversation already begun on the topic of spirituality in official LDS Church productions, particularly adding new analysis regarding the form and content of more recent institutionally produced films. How do stylistic trends in recent official film productions of the LDS Church relate to the broader academic and theological discussion regarding cinematic spirituality? After the introduction and thesis overview in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 will provide a survey of prominent works regarding cinematic spirituality. Theories that entertain how movies speak to human spirits are varied and highly subjective. Many theories about what makes a work "spiritual" grow from particular religious traditions and are informed by that theorist's beliefs about God's nature. Some theories are dependent on loosely measured criteria (editing pace, complexity of music, distance between camera and subject, etc.), while others rely almost entirely on the "feeling" a work conveys (which may or may not be determined by objectively measurable parts).Chapter 3 relates the prominent theories laid out in Chapter 2 to the cinematic efforts made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the past two decades. Examining the form and content of these media projects will reveal trends that indicate inherent assumptions on the part of the LDS Church's media department regarding the purpose and potential of spirituality and film. Chapter 4 explores how the Church's typical approach compares and contrasts with films made by independent Latter-day Saint filmmakers. Some stylistic possibilities will be derived from the efforts of Mormon artists more generally and may have implications for how Latter-day Saint films could help spiritually engage audiences.

This thesis work describes how to apply the stochastic analysis framework, presented in [1] for general priority-driven periodic real-time systems. The proposed framework is applicable to compute the response time distribution, the worst-case response time, and the deadline miss probability of the task under analysis in the fixed-priority driven scheduling system. To be specific, we modeled the task execution time by using the beta distribution. Moreover, we have evaluated the existing stochastic framework on a wide range of periodic systems with the help of defined evaluation parameters. In addition we have refined the notations used in system model and also developed new mathematics in order to facilitate the understanding with the concept. We have also introduced new concepts to obtain and validate the exact probabilistic task response time distribution.    Another contribution of this thesis is that we have extended the existing system model in order to deal with stochastic release time of a job. Moreover, a new algorithm is developed and validated using our extended framework where the stochastic dependencies exist due to stochastic release time patterns. / This is Second Version of the report. Submitted after few modifications made on the order of Thomas Nolte (Thesis Examiner). / START - Stochastic Real-Time Analysis of Embedded Software Systems

This study investigates the restructuring and alignment processes within the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. The nature of the study was neither inclusive nor an exclusive study accommodate every input of the sub-directorate, and review the staff capacity to meet with set objectives of the Department. It also investigates some of the problematic areas shortsighted by the restructuring and alignment processes in the hub and areas of concerns which included: Accommodation (office space and sports fields); support of staff by senior managers; contracting and performance reviews; transport; progress review meeting of the hub system; budgeting and its implementation; equipment demand; administration tools leading severe problems; contracting of contract workers leading severe problems; and overtime and excessive workload in the hubs. It was showed in the research that problems occurred due to the inappropriate alignment of internal programmes complimented with inadequate human resources strategic planning and implementation. The problem of restructuring and alignment are due to oversight on the processes and implementation of the programmes at the foundational level, the lack of follow-ups on Service Level Agreement (SLA) with local government (still not signed), interdepartmental and intergovernmental integration strategy not in place, inadequate facilities for offices, consultation with community and stakeholders which only took place at the later stage. The respondents seriously commented regarding the organisational structure that has been changed thrice since its implementation. This led to overcrowding of staff hubs, with no career path strategy. Further causes are lack of alignment of human resource management strategy with programmes, and structural arrangement of all the departmental sub-directorates, confusing the implementation of programmes and the reporting systems. Considering the challenges of restructuring and alignment at the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the study concludes that there is a need for further restructuring and alignment of the human resource strategy to manage the objectives of the Department effectively and efficiently. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

This study investigates the restructuring and alignment processes within the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. The nature of the study was neither inclusive nor an exclusive study accommodate every input of the sub-directorate, and review the staff capacity to meet with set objectives of the Department. It also investigates some of the problematic areas shortsighted by the restructuring and alignment processes in the hub and areas of concerns which included: Accommodation (office space and sports fields); support of staff by senior managers; contracting and performance reviews; transport; progress review meeting of the hub system; budgeting and its implementation; equipment demand; administration tools leading severe problems; contracting of contract workers leading severe problems; and overtime and excessive workload in the hubs. It was showed in the research that problems occurred due to the inappropriate alignment of internal programmes complimented with inadequate human resources strategic planning and implementation. The problem of restructuring and alignment are due to oversight on the processes and implementation of the programmes at the foundational level, the lack of follow-ups on Service Level Agreement (SLA) with local government (still not signed), interdepartmental and intergovernmental integration strategy not in place, inadequate facilities for offices, consultation with community and stakeholders which only took place at the later stage. The respondents seriously commented regarding the organisational structure that has been changed thrice since its implementation. This led to overcrowding of staff hubs, with no career path strategy. Further causes are lack of alignment of human resource management strategy with programmes, and structural arrangement of all the departmental sub-directorates, confusing the implementation of programmes and the reporting systems. Considering the challenges of restructuring and alignment at the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the study concludes that there is a need for further restructuring and alignment of the human resource strategy to manage the objectives of the Department effectively and efficiently. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

科学研究費補助金 研究種目:基盤研究(C)(2) 課題番号:09610114 研究代表者:村上 隆 研究期間:1997-1998年度

本研究以台灣上市櫃公司及分析師投資報告為研究對象，探討會計師忙碌程度與審計品質之關聯性，以及產生學習或互斥效果。審計品質以裁決性應計項目、財務報表重編及迎合或擊敗分析師預期三種特性進行分析。 研究結果發現，會計師忙碌程度與裁決性應計項目、財務報表重編及迎合或擊敗分析師預期皆呈現顯著負相關。此結果表示，會計師忙碌程度愈高，受查公司管理當局進行盈餘管理之可能性愈低。本研究藉此結果推論，會計師忙碌程度愈高，透過累積查核經驗，促進知識改善，產生正向的學習效果，進而提高審計品質。 / This thesis examines the association between the busyness of auditors at partner level and audit quality and whether the association stems from learning effect or crowding-out effect, by using the listed firms’ data and the analysts’ reports in Taiwan. I use the following three measures of audit quality to examine my hypotheses: discretionary accruals, financial restatement, and meet or beat analyst forecast. The empirical results indicate that firms experience lower discretionary accruals, are less likely to restate financial statements and have lower likelihood of meeting or beating analysts’ expectations when auditors are busier. The results are consistent with the notion that auditor busyness is positively related to audit quality. Taken together, the findings provide strong evidence in favor for learning effect rather than crowding-out effect of auditor busyness. Further analyses reveal that the results remain unchanged, regardless of lead auditor busyness or concurring auditor busyness.

<p>U radu je ispitan sledeći problem: <em>Pod kojim&nbsp;uslovima se može rekonstruisati&nbsp; (sintetisati)&nbsp;intervalno-vrednosni rasplinuti skup iz&nbsp; poznate&nbsp;familije nivo skupova.</em></p><p>U tu svrhu su proučena svojstva mreža&nbsp;intervala za svaki od četiri izabrana mrežna&nbsp;<br />uređenja: poredak po komponentama, neprecizni&nbsp;poredak (skupovna inkluzija), strogi &nbsp;i leksikografski&nbsp;poredak.&nbsp;</p><p>Definisane su i-između i ili-između ravne&nbsp;mreže&nbsp;&nbsp; i ispitana njihova svojstva potrebna za&nbsp;re&scaron;avanje postavljenog problema sinteze za&nbsp;intervalno-vrednosne rasplinute skupove. Za i-između ravne mreže je dokazano da su, u svom&nbsp;konačnom slučaju, slim mreže i dualno, da su ili-između ravne mreže dualno-slim mreže.</p><p>Data je karakterizacija kompletnih konačno&nbsp;prostornih i dualno konačno prostornih mreža.&nbsp;</p><p>Određena je klasa mreža koje se mogu&nbsp;injektivno preslikati u direktan proizvod n&nbsp;<br />kompletnih lanaca tako da su očuvani supremumi i&nbsp;dualno, određena je klasa mreža koje se mogu&nbsp;injektivno preslikati u direktan proizvod n lanaca&nbsp;tako da su očuvani infimumi.&nbsp;</p><p>U re&scaron;avanju problema sinteze posmatrana su&nbsp;dva tipa nivo skupova - gornji i donji nivo skupovi.&nbsp;Potreban i dovoljan uslov za sintezu intervalno-vrednosnog rasplinutog skupa iz poznate familije&nbsp;nivo skupova određen je za mrežu intervala koja je&nbsp;uređena poretkom po komponentama, za oba tipa&nbsp;posmatranih nivo skupova.</p><p>Za mrežu intervala uređenu nepreciznim&nbsp;poretkom, problem je re&scaron;en za donje nivo skupove,&nbsp;dok su za gornje nivo skupove određeni dovoljni&nbsp;uslovi.</p><p>Za mrežu intervala koja je uređena&nbsp;leksikografskim poretkom, takođe su dati dovoljni<br />uslovi i to za oba tipa nivo skupova.&nbsp;</p><p>Za mrežu intervala uređenu strogim poretkom&nbsp;problem nije re&scaron;avan, jer izlazi izvan okvira ovog&nbsp;rada.</p><p><br />Dobijeni rezultati su primenjeni za re&scaron;avanje&nbsp;sličnog problema sinteze za intervalno-vrednosne&nbsp;intuicionističke rasplinute skupove&nbsp; za mrežu&nbsp;intervala uređenu poretkom po komponentama.&nbsp;</p><p>Rezultati ovog istraživanja su od teorijskog&nbsp;značaja u teoriji mreža i teoriji rasplinutih skupova,&nbsp;ali postoji mogućnost za primenu u matematičkoj&nbsp;morfologiji i obradi slika.</p> / <p>In this thesis&nbsp; the following problem was investigated: Under which conditions an interval-valued fuzzy set can be reconstructed from the given family of cut sets.</p><p>We consider interval-valued fuzzy sets as&nbsp; a special type of lattice-valued fuzzy sets and&nbsp; we studied properties of lattices of intervals using four different lattice&nbsp; order: componentwise ordering, imprecision ordering (inclusion of sets), strong and&nbsp;lexicographical ordering.</p><p>We proposed new definitions&nbsp; of meet-between planar and join - between planar lattices, we investigated their properties and used them for solving problem of synthesis&nbsp; in&nbsp; interval-valued fuzzy sets.</p><p>It has been proven that finite meet- between planar lattices and slim lattices are equivalent, and dually:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; finite join-&nbsp; between planar lattices and dually slim lattices are equivalent.</p><p>Complete finitely&nbsp; spatial lattices and complete dually finitely spatial lattices are fully&nbsp;characterized&nbsp; in this setting. Next, we characterized&nbsp; lattices which can be order<br />embedded into a Cartesian product of&nbsp; n&nbsp; complete chains such that all suprema are preserved under the embedding.</p><p>And dually, we characterized lattices which can be order embedded into a Cartesian product of n complete chains such that all infima are preserved under the embedding.</p><p>We considered two types of cut sets &ndash; upper cuts and lower cuts.</p><p>Solution of the&nbsp; problem of synthesis of interval-valued fuzzy sets are given for lattices of intervals under componentwise ordering for both types of cut sets. Solution of problem of synthesis of&nbsp; interval-valued fuzzy sets&nbsp; are&nbsp; given for lower cuts for lattices of intervals under imprecision ordering.&nbsp; Sufficient conditions are given for lattices of intervals under imprecision ordering and family of upper cuts.</p><p>Sufficient conditions are also given for lattices of intervals under lexicographical ordering.</p><p>The problem of synthesis of interval-valued fuzzy sets for lattices of&nbsp; intervals under strong ordering is beyond the scope of this thesis.</p><p>A similar problem of synthesis of&nbsp; interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets is solved for lattices of intervals under componentwise ordering.</p><p>These results are&nbsp; mostly of theoretical importance in lattice theory and fuzzy sets theory, but also they could&nbsp; be applied in mathematical morphology and in&nbsp; image processing.</p>