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Articles 1 - 29 of 29
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Power, Performance, And Perception (P3): Integrating Usability Metrics And Technology Acceptance Determinants To Validate A New Model For Predicting System Usage, Alan P. Fiorello
Power, Performance, And Perception (P3): Integrating Usability Metrics And Technology Acceptance Determinants To Validate A New Model For Predicting System Usage, Alan P. Fiorello
Theses and Dissertations
Currently, there are two distinct approaches to assist information technology managers in the successful implementation of office automation software. The first approach resides within the field of usability engineering, while the second approach is derived from the discipline of management information systems (MIS). However, neither approach has successfully produced conclusive evidence that explains what characteristics facilitate system use as well as influence user acceptance of the system. This study reports on the validity of a new model, entitled the Power, Performance, Perception (P3) model, that links the constructs of usability engineering to user acceptance. Additionally, speech recognition software (SRS) was …
Defining Virtual Interactions: A Taxonomy For Researchers And Practitioners, Glade G. Oxborrow
Defining Virtual Interactions: A Taxonomy For Researchers And Practitioners, Glade G. Oxborrow
Theses and Dissertations
Many uses for virtual technology are being identified by diverse organizational entities around the world. Before these technologies can be fully utilized, it is important to have a common definition and understanding of what is meant by the term virtual. It is also important to understand the structural configurations possible using virtual technology and the types of virtual interactions that may occur using these technologies. This thesis will define the basic premises, structures, and definitions applicable to vial interactions. It also defines various types of virtual interactions that may occur using virtual technology. These designations will help both practitioners and …
Professional Contracting Certification: An Examination And Model Development, Robert D. Lorton, Daniel I. Dunn
Professional Contracting Certification: An Examination And Model Development, Robert D. Lorton, Daniel I. Dunn
Theses and Dissertations
This study compared the elements of existing contracting certification programs to an ideal contracting certification model developed by experts. The expert panel responded to an open-ended electronic interview to convey their ideas regarding the individual elements for the model. Input received from the initial interviews was used to develop a survey for the panel members. The surveys were completed and results were recorded and conveyed back to the panel members. This process was repeated until a majority was reached on each individual element of the model, resulting in the ideal certification model. The final model contained elements of both the …
A Validation Assessment Of Thunder 6.5'S Intelligence, Surveillance, And Reconnaissance Module, Francine N. Nelson
A Validation Assessment Of Thunder 6.5'S Intelligence, Surveillance, And Reconnaissance Module, Francine N. Nelson
Theses and Dissertations
A validation assessment of THUNDER 6.5's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) module is accomplished using formulational and experimental validation techniques. A comparison of ISR purposes and processes according to military doctrine is made with the purposes and processes of ISR implemented within THUNDER 6.5. This comparison provides an overview of the process, an understanding of the level of aggregation within THUNDER, insight into possible problem areas in THUNDER, and a basis for improving THUNDER ISR processes. Sensitivity analysis of the ISR parameters as they relate to the Quality, Quantity, and Timeliness of ISR is also presented to provide insight into …
Visualizing Early-Stage Breast Cancer Tumors In A Mammographic Environment Through A 3-Dimensional Mathematical Model, Christopher B. Bassham
Visualizing Early-Stage Breast Cancer Tumors In A Mammographic Environment Through A 3-Dimensional Mathematical Model, Christopher B. Bassham
Theses and Dissertations
In response to the insidious and deadly nature of breast cancer and the less-than-perfect detection ability of mammography, we develop a mathematical model as a foundation to the long-term goal of improving early breast cancer detection. By using modeling and simulation to construct an accurate breast cancer tumor model, we hope to solve the problems associated with mammogram misdiagnosis and, perhaps as a by-product, lend insight to tumor development dynamics. The final tumor model, written in MATLAB, provides realistic tumor growth and 2-dimensional visualization of 3-dimensional structures. Earlier modeling attempts capture slices of the tumor in the 2-dimensional growth spaces. …
Modeling And Analysis Of Aerial Port Operations, Timothy W. Albrecht
Modeling And Analysis Of Aerial Port Operations, Timothy W. Albrecht
Theses and Dissertations
The focus of this thesis effort is gaining useful insight into aerial port operations by employing an animated simulation. Understanding airfield capacity, resources, and functioning allows greater accuracy and efficiency in both planning for future force structures and matching mobility assets with commanders' objectives. Two current simulations, ACE (Airfield Capacity Estimator) and BRACE (Base Resource Allocation and Capabilities Estimator), model mobility activities at the base level with some deficiencies. The model proposed by this thesis, APOM (Aerial Port Operations Model), will provide the mobility analyst an animated simulation with two, new measures of aerial port operations; a real-time estimate of …
A Comparison Of Genetic Algorithm Parametrization On Synthetic Optimization Problems, Mehmet Eravsar
A Comparison Of Genetic Algorithm Parametrization On Synthetic Optimization Problems, Mehmet Eravsar
Theses and Dissertations
Meta-heuristics have been deployed to solve many hard combinatorial and optimization problems. Parameterization of meta-heuristics is an important challenging aspect of meta-heuristic use since many of the features of these algorithms cannot be explained theoretically. Experiences with Genetic Algorithms (GA) applied to Multidimensional Knapsack Problems (MKP) have shown that this class of algorithm is very sensitive to parameterization. Many studies use standard test problems, which provide a firm basis for study comparisons but ignore the effect of problem correlation structure. This thesis applies GA to MKP. A new random repair operator, which projects infeasible solutions into feasible region, is proposed. …
Using Simulation To Model The Army Recruiting Station With Multi-Quality Prospects, Edward L. Mclarney
Using Simulation To Model The Army Recruiting Station With Multi-Quality Prospects, Edward L. Mclarney
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis explores the application of simulation to the Army Recruiting Station. Included are the effects of leadership styles and policies, the effects of recruiters with different personality types, and differences in processing for varying types of recruits. Research included heavy emphasis into determining the effects of leadership on recruiter productivity. In addition, major changes were made to a previous simulation model. The changes allowed current research to be implemented into the simulation. This research is intended to help the United States Army Recruiting Command better understand how changes in the recruiting process and in leadership policies affect productivity.
Multi-Discipline Network Vulnerability Assessment, Karilynne Wallace
Multi-Discipline Network Vulnerability Assessment, Karilynne Wallace
Theses and Dissertations
Air Force Space Command has a mission to provide real-time, survivable, and enduring communications, surveillance, environmental monitoring, navigation, and warning....according to Air Force Space Handbook - A War Fighters Guide to Space. In order to prevent disruption of the critical networks in Space Command, a vulnerability assessment must be performed. The set of components called a vulnerability set, which could cause network disruption, must be identified and prioritized. In order to move beyond subjective prioritization, implementation of a quantitative methodology that measures the value of each vulnerability set is needed. This thesis proposes a technique for vulnerability assessment of a …
Two-Stage Stochastic Linear Programming With Recourse: A Characterization Of Local Regions Using Response Surface Methodology, David T. Mills
Two-Stage Stochastic Linear Programming With Recourse: A Characterization Of Local Regions Using Response Surface Methodology, David T. Mills
Theses and Dissertations
The LP recourse problem applies to two-stage optimization problems where uncertainty in resource availability of the second stage hinders informed decision making. The recourse function affords a way to compensate "later" for an error in prediction "now." The literature provides a rich body of work on the optimization of such problems, but little research has been accomplished regarding the characterization of the surface in the local region of optimality, in particular sensitivity analysis. A decision maker faced with considerations other than the modeled objective function must be presented with a way to estimate the impact of operating at non-optimal decision …
A Bayesian Decision Model For Battle Damage Assessment, Daniel W. Franzen
A Bayesian Decision Model For Battle Damage Assessment, Daniel W. Franzen
Theses and Dissertations
Battle damage assessment (BDA) is critical to success in any air campaign. However, Desert Storm highlighted numerous deficiencies in the BDA process, and operations since Desert Storm continue to point out weaknesses. We present a review of the Phase I BDA decision, or physical damage assessment, and model the decision process using a Bayesian belief network. Through subject matter expert (i.e., the targeteers) elicitation sessions, imagery was found to be critically important to the BDA process yet this information is generally not retained. This use of "perfect information" is delineated in the BDA process models. We proposed a methodology based …
The Quota Allocation Model: The Linear Optimization Of A Markov Decision Process, David A. Brown
The Quota Allocation Model: The Linear Optimization Of A Markov Decision Process, David A. Brown
Theses and Dissertations
One of the many needs of the Air Force is advanced technical degrees. These degrees can be acquired in three ways: the Air Force can directly recruit personnel with the required degrees; Air Force personnel can obtain them during off duty time from local civilian colleges near their base; or the Air Force can provide advanced academic degrees (AADs) through the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) or AFIT-sponsored programs. In 1995, the AFIT Commandant initiated a re-engineering study to review the AFIT mission. One of the initiatives of that study was the Quota Allocation Model (QuAM). The QuAM model …
An Evaluation And Comparison Of The Ace And Brace Airfield Models, David W. Wiliams
An Evaluation And Comparison Of The Ace And Brace Airfield Models, David W. Wiliams
Theses and Dissertations
Airfields are a critical aspect of our military's ability to project power or respond to crises throughout the world. It is crucial that mobility planners have an effective means to estimate the capacity of these airfields. The objective of this research is to examine common mobility metrics and evaluate existing means of measuring them. Currently, Air Mobility Command has two models, the Airfield Capacity Estimator (ACE) and the Base Resource and Capabilities Estimator (BRACE), that were designed to estimate the resource requirements and capacities of an airfield. This study offers a critical evaluation and comparison of the two models. Discrepancies …
Portfolio Selection Of Innovative Technologies Via Life Cycle Cost Modeling, Scott C. Naylor
Portfolio Selection Of Innovative Technologies Via Life Cycle Cost Modeling, Scott C. Naylor
Theses and Dissertations
High technology firms are faced with the dilemma of deciding which products to develop, which generations of technology to pass over, and which products to skip entirely. As competition among these firms increases and the life cycles of technological products shorten, there exists a great deal of pressure to bring products rapidly to the market. As a result, recouping the costs of research and development (R & D) and earning a profit becomes increasingly uncertain. Traditional life cycle cost models do not directly address shortened life cycles, time to market, or learning curve issues; all are critical factors in the …
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Mission Level Simulation, Jennifer G. Walston
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Mission Level Simulation, Jennifer G. Walston
Theses and Dissertations
We develop an object-oriented simulation that models the surveillance and Active Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) missions of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) RQ-1A Predator. The simulation, written in Java using the Silk simulation package, interfaces with a Reactive Tabu Search routing algorithm to provide optimal UAV routes. The routing algorithm is called by the simulation to account for changes in weather conditions and to provide a means of dynamically retasking the UAV. The simulation and analysis support a UAV Battlelab initiative to test the operational effects of proposed changes in Predator performance and UAV capability to perform in …
Technology Selection For The Air Force Research Laboratory Air Vehicles Directorate: An Analysis Using Value Focused Thinking, Michael F. Winthrop
Technology Selection For The Air Force Research Laboratory Air Vehicles Directorate: An Analysis Using Value Focused Thinking, Michael F. Winthrop
Theses and Dissertations
A technology selection model was developed for the Air Vehicles Directorate of Air Force Research Laboratory. The model was developed and demonstrated to aid in addressing the question of what technologies Air Vehicles' should invest in to remain consistent with Air Force values. Both Value-Focused Thinking and optimization approaches were used to identify the value of Air Vehicles technology, to provide insights to Air Vehicles' decision-makers, to determine where value gaps might exist with the scored alternatives, and to determine how sensitive the model was to changes. As a demonstration of the approach, seven technologies were scored, representing all three …
Decision Analysis Methodology To Evaluate Organization, Shawn C. Thompson
Decision Analysis Methodology To Evaluate Organization, Shawn C. Thompson
Theses and Dissertations
The organizational structure of the civil engineer squadron's operations flight has undergone numerous changes over the last fifty years. Today the structure of the flight to the element level is mandated by Air Force Instructions; however, each unit is given the flexibility to organize below the element level. Most civil engineer units are struggling through the decision of how to organize their flights without a sound methodology to guide their efforts. Providing such a methodology is the objective of this thesis. To accomplish the objective, the history behind the operations flight structure was researched. In addition to this historical research, …
Dynamic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav) Routing With A Java-Encoded Reactive Tabu Search Metaheuristic, Kevin P. O'Rourke
Dynamic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav) Routing With A Java-Encoded Reactive Tabu Search Metaheuristic, Kevin P. O'Rourke
Theses and Dissertations
In this paper we consider the dynamic routing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) currently in operational use with the US Air Force. Dynamic vehicle routing problems (VRP) have always been challenging, and the airborne version of the VRP adds dimensions and difficulties not present in typical ground-based applications. Previous UAV routing work has focused on primarily on static, pre-planned situations; however, scheduling military operations, which are often ad-hoc, drives the need for a dynamic route solver that can respond to rapidly evolving problem constraints. With these considerations in mind, we examine the use of a Java-encoded metaheuristic to solve these …
Implementation Of The Metaheuristic Tabu Search In Route Selection For Mobility Analysis Support System, David M. Ryer
Implementation Of The Metaheuristic Tabu Search In Route Selection For Mobility Analysis Support System, David M. Ryer
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis employs a reactive tabu search heuristic implemented in the Java programming language to solve a real world variation of the vehicle routing problem with the objective of providing quality routes to Mobility Analysis Support System (MASS). MASS is a stochastic simulation model used extensively by Air Mobility Command (AMC) to analyze strategic airlift capabilities and future procurement decisions. This dynamic real world problem of strategic and tactical airlift possesses a number of side constraints such as vehicle capacities, route length and time windows in a sizeable network with multiple depots and a large fleet of heterogeneous vehicles. Finding …
Strategic Effects Of Airpower And Complex Adaptive Agents: An Initial Investigation, Thomas R. Tighe
Strategic Effects Of Airpower And Complex Adaptive Agents: An Initial Investigation, Thomas R. Tighe
Theses and Dissertations
US airpower theory and doctrine depend on the concept that the destruction of a few key targets or centers of gravity can unravel the enemy's physical ability to wage war or break his will to prosecute the war. This synergistic decimation of the enemy's effectiveness and resistance to our political will is known as Strategic Effects. These strategic effects are very difficult to quantify and are not directly accounted for in current DoD computer models. Since these computer models are used to aid with decisions about force structure and budget priorities, many believe that the Air Force's greatest potential contribution …
Quality Function Deployment From An Operations Research Perspective, Eve M. Burke
Quality Function Deployment From An Operations Research Perspective, Eve M. Burke
Theses and Dissertations
The methodology of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is compared to operations analysis standards. Of special concern is how Air Combat Command (ACC) uses QFD for the Modernization Planning Process (MPP). ACC digresses from the traditional use of QFD for incorporating quality into manufacturing processes to use it as a planning tool. ACC's goal in implementing QFD is to incorporate the demands of the Air Force mission into the modernization planning effort. ACC's use of QFD to identify and quantify current deficiencies and quantify the value of alternative future solutions has led to the investigation of inconsistencies with QFD, both generally …
Pilot Inventory Complex Adaptive System (Picas): An Artificial Life Approach To Managing Pilot Retention, Martin P. Gaupp
Pilot Inventory Complex Adaptive System (Picas): An Artificial Life Approach To Managing Pilot Retention, Martin P. Gaupp
Theses and Dissertations
The retention of skilled pilots continues to be a problem that plagues the United States Air Force. After spending millions of dollars on training and education, it is disheartening to see the mass exodus of experienced aviators from the Air Force that has been occurring in the past decade. Many blame the economy, others the Air Force itself but few are able to accurately predict how or why they are all leaving. The current personnel models do not adequately determine retention rates. Complex adaptive systems theory, however, might provide some insight. By modeling the system at the pilot's level, allowing …
An Approach For Tasking Allocated Combat Resources To Targets, David A. Koewler
An Approach For Tasking Allocated Combat Resources To Targets, David A. Koewler
Theses and Dissertations
Tasking allocated combat aircraft to strike targets is a complicated and time-consuming process for combat planners. Currently, the process of scheduling missions is a two to four day process. To be able to respond quickly to the changing conditions of the battlefield, the military needs to compress the time that this process requires. Despite efforts to develop computer-based tools to automatically plan missions, combat planners still manually perform most of the tasking and scheduling of aircraft and targets. Unfortunately some of the tools currently available are perceived to be complicated and time consuming to use by the planners. They also …
Selection Of Psychophysiological Features Across Subjects For Classifying Workload Using Artificial Neural Networks, Trevor I. Laine
Selection Of Psychophysiological Features Across Subjects For Classifying Workload Using Artificial Neural Networks, Trevor I. Laine
Theses and Dissertations
The issue of pilot workload is important to the United States Air Force because pilot overload or task saturation leads to decreases in mission effectiveness. Additionally, in the most extreme cases, pilot overload may lead to the loss of aircraft and crewmember lives. Current research efforts are utilizing psychophysiological data including electroencephalography (EEG), cardiac, eye-blink, and respiration measures in an attempt to identify workload levels. The primary focus of this effort is to determine if a single parsimonious set of psychophysiological features exists for accurately classifying workload levels between multiple test subjects. To accomplish this objective, the signal-to-noise (SNR) saliency …
Solving The Multidimensional Multiple Knapsack Problem With Packing Constraints Using Tabu Search, Jonathan M. Romaine
Solving The Multidimensional Multiple Knapsack Problem With Packing Constraints Using Tabu Search, Jonathan M. Romaine
Theses and Dissertations
This paper presents a methodology for solving military aircraft load-scheduling problems modeled as a multidimensional multiple knapsack problem, Because of the computational time associated with applying conventional algorithms to this type of problem, we employ tabu search to determine how much cargo a heterogeneous group of aircraft can carry. This study extends the previous work of Chocolaad in two areas. First, we modify Chocolaad's algorithms to solve the multiple (rather than the single) knapsack problem under the constraints he defined for the Airlift Loading Problem. Second, we drop his assumption of a homogeneous group of aircraft. We validate our model …
A Value Focused Approach To Determining The Top Ten Hazards In Army Aviation, Brian K. Sperling
A Value Focused Approach To Determining The Top Ten Hazards In Army Aviation, Brian K. Sperling
Theses and Dissertations
The United States Army Safety Center is challenged with identifying the top ten most severe hazards in Army Aviation. This research utilizes value-focused thinking and multiattribute preference theory concepts to produce a decision analysis model designed to aid decision-makers in their analysis process. The severity model is based on the Army's Risk Management doctrinal manual and has been tailored specifically for aviation related accidents and hazards. The model determines the severity and risk ranking for 65 categories of accidents and 24 existing hazards. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to examine the effects of variations in the weights of the top-level …
A New Sequential Goodness-Of-Fit-Test For The Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution With Known Shape Parameter Value Based On Skewness And Q-Statis G.O.F. Test Statistics, Tibet Memis
Theses and Dissertations
Due to its flexibility, the Weibull distribution has very wide applicability in a lot of disciplines and is very prevalent in reliability theory. Thus, a lot of statistical tests that generally have a substantial degree of computational complexity have been developed to determine if the data at hand can be represented with this distribution. This research presents a new omnibus goodness-of-fit test (G.O.F.) that has less computational complexity than the existing tests for the three-parameter Weibull distribution using a sequential application of two individual tests, sample skewness and Q-Statistic. A Monte Carlo procedure has been employed to generate critical values …
A New Sequential Goodness Of Fit Test For The Three-Parameter Gamma Distribution With Known Shape Based On Skewness And Kurtosis, Chil Ho Park
Theses and Dissertations
This research presents a new sequential goodness of fit test for the three-parameter gamma distribution with a known shape. The test is accomplished by employing two new tests, sample skewness and sample kurtosis, sequentially as test statistics. Unlike the typical goodness of fit test, using parameter estimation methods such as maximum likelihood estimation and minimum distance estimation, this test using the two test statistics above does not involve a substantial degree of computational complexity. Large Monte Carlo simulation has been used to determine critical values and overall significance levels for all combinations of the two tests, and to conduct extensive …
Analysis Of A Non-Trivial Queueing Network, Kelly Scott Bellamy
Analysis Of A Non-Trivial Queueing Network, Kelly Scott Bellamy
Theses and Dissertations
In studying complex queueing networks, one generally seeks to employ exact analytic solutions to reduce burden on computational resources. Barring the existence of an exact solution, the alternatives include approximation techniques and simulation. Approximation is the more attractive alternative from a time and effort perspective; however, cases exist that are not amiable to this technique. This work increases the flexibility of approximation techniques in obtaining estimates of congestion measures for complex, open queueing networks having several customer classes and class-dependent structures. We accomplish this by providing the procedure to aggregate multiple classes into a single class in order to apply …