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Articles 811 - 840 of 1284

Full-Text Articles in Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering

A Value Focused Thinking Model For The Development And Selection Of Electrical Energy Source Alternatives At Military Installations, Gregory T. Schanding Mar 2004

A Value Focused Thinking Model For The Development And Selection Of Electrical Energy Source Alternatives At Military Installations, Gregory T. Schanding

Theses and Dissertations

Electrical power on military installations is vital for mission accomplishment. Most installations obtain electrical power from a local commercial utility. Although commercial power service has a very low interruption rate, the threat of a sustained power outage resulting from a terrorist act or a natural disaster is of concern. The military should posture itself to prevent such power outages and prepare to mitigate the adverse effects associated with the loss of power. This thesis presents a Value Focused Thinking approach to the development of a decision analysis model to assist a decision maker at a military installation in the generation …

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Keys To Successful Implementation And Sustainment Of Managed Maintenance For Healthcare Facilities, Elizabeth A. Waggoner Mar 2004

Keys To Successful Implementation And Sustainment Of Managed Maintenance For Healthcare Facilities, Elizabeth A. Waggoner

Theses and Dissertations

Health care providers are faced with two critical issues in today's evolving marketplace: lowering operational costs and achieving more efficient, cost-effective methods to deliver high quality patient care. The rising costs of healthcare and decreasing budgets have placed additional strain on the United States Air Force Medical Service to aggressively lower its facilities' costs. With fewer funds and less personnel, the Air Force medical service is re-evaluating its current maintenance outsourcing implementation practices and reexamining how these strategies might be implemented and sustained more successfully. This research offers some of the foundational needs for designing, implementing and sustaining any type …

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Investigating The Optimal Management Strategy For A Healthcare Facility Maintenance Program, Daria J. Gaillard Mar 2004

Investigating The Optimal Management Strategy For A Healthcare Facility Maintenance Program, Daria J. Gaillard

Theses and Dissertations

Reacting to the need to transform and the increasing pressure to outsource all non-core activities, Air Force Material Command Surgeon General discontinued its previous use of full service contracts with original equipment manufacturers and adopted a relatively new maintenance outsourcing strategy: strategic partnering with an equipment management firm. The objective of this study is to create a decision-model for selecting the optimal management strategy for a healthcare organization's facility maintenance program. This study used personal interviews with facility management personnel from MAJCOMs to collect and analyze data. This study offers a re-conceptualized framework for viewing and understanding the various maintenance …

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Decision Analysis With Value Focused Thinking As A Methodology To Assess Air Force Officer Retention Alternatives, Sang-Ho Moon Mar 2004

Decision Analysis With Value Focused Thinking As A Methodology To Assess Air Force Officer Retention Alternatives, Sang-Ho Moon

Theses and Dissertations

Many countries realize the importance of the retention of qualified military personnel, and have tried to solve this problem using various methods. Nevertheless, the effects of those methods have not been determined or proven yet. The military retention problem is closely related to each individual's separation decision from the military. The characteristics of this decision are multi-objective and highly subjective. Accordingly, the effectiveness of various methods is heavily dependant on the value set of each individual. Decision Analysis (DA) using Value Focused Thinking (VFT) can be an excellent process to deal with this decision. Also, the data can reflect the …

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An Investigation Of The Optimal Sensor Ensemble For Sensor Fusion, Paul P. Clemans Mar 2004

An Investigation Of The Optimal Sensor Ensemble For Sensor Fusion, Paul P. Clemans

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis continues the research begun by Storm, Bauer and Oxley in 2003 into the fusion of classifiers. It examines the fusion of up to three correlated classifiers using three different fusion techniques. The overall objective was to determine the optimal ensemble of classifiers to maximize the expected classification accuracy. The ISOC fusion method (Haspert, 2000), the ROC Within fusion method (Oxley and Bauer, 2002) and a Probabilistic Neural Network were the three fusion techniques employed in these set of experiments. Performance of the classifiers and the fusion methods is measured via ROC curves. Two possible configurations of feature correlations …

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Modeling And Analysis Of Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Damon B. Richardson Mar 2004

Modeling And Analysis Of Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Damon B. Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

The forces at play in reconstruction operations are a complex system of time phased interlocking cause and effect relationships that are not thoroughly understood. A model capable of capturing the general dynamics involved in post-conflict reconstruction would provide insight to decision makers regarding potential policy alternatives. This research effort demonstrates the viability of using systems dynamics modeling techniques to simulate the establishment of public order and safety in a post-conflict reconstruction operation (Phase IV operations). A high level generic framework is developed that can be used as a general template for modeling post-conflict reconstruction. It is then demonstrated with a …

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Using Value-Focused Thinking To Evaluate The Effectiveness Of Air Force Utility Privatization, Carlos Braziel Mar 2004

Using Value-Focused Thinking To Evaluate The Effectiveness Of Air Force Utility Privatization, Carlos Braziel

Theses and Dissertations

The majority of the Air Force s stateside utility systems are old, obsolete, and unreliable. The cost to upgrade and repair these systems is currently estimated at over $4 billion. In response, the Air Force began efforts to convey ownership of these utility systems to the private sector through privatization efforts. However, privatization critics believe that newly privatized entities of government will cost the public more money and provide a lower level of service. Therefore, independent audits are a necessity to ensure government initiatives, meet their intended goals. However, the Air Force currently lacks an effective auditing tool to ensure …

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Developing Team Cohesion: A Quasi-Field Experiment, John F. Costello Mar 2004

Developing Team Cohesion: A Quasi-Field Experiment, John F. Costello

Theses and Dissertations

Within military organizations, research findings have lent support to the positive influence cohesion has on group performance in combat and non-combat areas, Beyond performance, research findings show that cohesion influences the job satisfaction, and health of military members, particularly under highly stressful conditions, such as those encountered in combat or extended deployments. The purpose of this research effort is to further analyze the strategies that should be used to develop cohesiveness among Air Force members. This was done by testing the extent to which cohesion changed when familiarization and challenging situations were coupled in a technical training course geared towards …

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The Application Of Value Focused Thinking To Utilities Privatization Source Selection, J. Heath Duncan Mar 2004

The Application Of Value Focused Thinking To Utilities Privatization Source Selection, J. Heath Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense's utility systems have suffered from under-funding and lack of technology investment, thereby creating a service gap between these DoD systems and systems operated by commercial providers. In order to overcome this gap and refurbish their systems, the DoD has focused its efforts on privatization of these systems. The utilities privatization decision is extremely vital and permanent and thus warrants backup source selection methodologies. Since awarding contracts in the utilities privatization arena requires a decision considering tradeoffs between multiple competing objectives, a value-focused thinking approach was used to create a structured, standardized value model taking into account …

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Cross-Service Investigation Of Geographical Information Systems, Matthew H. Beverly Mar 2004

Cross-Service Investigation Of Geographical Information Systems, Matthew H. Beverly

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the armed services current uses of GIS, and asked the question whether or not a joint GIS program could benefit the DOD. An information technology implementation model was presented as a framework to implement a joint GIS program. It was found that all four armed services use GIS for forward deployments. The Army has its Combat Terrain Information System (CTIS). The Navy's digital nautical charts are a GIS. The Marine Corps has created their Geographically Linked Information Display Environment (GLIDE) program, which is similar to a map repository. Finally, the Air Force has its GeoBase program for …

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A Study Of Information Exchange Between United States Air Force Bases And Their Surrounding Communities, Andrew C. Clewett Mar 2004

A Study Of Information Exchange Between United States Air Force Bases And Their Surrounding Communities, Andrew C. Clewett

Theses and Dissertations

Data, information, and knowledge are exchanged daily from United States Air Force (USAF) bases to surrounding communities. The purpose of this research is to aid managers and commanders in gaining a better understanding of their information flow and bettering their information management practices. The research specifically seeks answers to the questions of where information is exchanged, why information is exchanged, and to whom information is exchanged with.

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Phase-Type Approximations For Wear Processes In A Semi-Markov Environment, Christopher J. Solo Mar 2004

Phase-Type Approximations For Wear Processes In A Semi-Markov Environment, Christopher J. Solo

Theses and Dissertations

The reliability of a single-unit system experiencing degradation (wear) due to the influence of a general, observable environment process is considered. In particular, the failure time distribution is evaluated using only observations of the unit's current operating environment which is characterized as a finite semi-Markov process (SMP). In order to impose the Markov property, generally distributed environment state sojourn times are approximated as phase-type (PH) random variables using observations of state holding times and transition rates. The use of PH distributions facilitates the use of existing analytical results for reliability evaluation of units subject to an environment process that evolves …

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Value-Focused Thinking In The Presence Of Weight Ambiguity: A Solution Technique Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Timothy W. Porter Mar 2004

Value-Focused Thinking In The Presence Of Weight Ambiguity: A Solution Technique Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Timothy W. Porter

Theses and Dissertations

When a Decision Maker is asked to provide his or her preferences, the response represents a snapshot in time. While their preference structure elicited at any given moment may represent their revealed preferences at that point in time, it may change over time. These changing preferences over time represent ambiguity in the decision maker's preferences. Other sources of ambiguity may exist. One weakness of many decision analysis techniques today is the inability to incorporate ambiguity into the basic decision model. The existence of the problem has been known and commented on for many years. This research addresses that problem. It …

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An Analysis Of Coast Guard Hh-65 Engine Reliability: A Comparison Of Malfunctions To Component Removals, Donna L. Cottrell Mar 2004

An Analysis Of Coast Guard Hh-65 Engine Reliability: A Comparison Of Malfunctions To Component Removals, Donna L. Cottrell

Theses and Dissertations

The Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter experienced 31 in-flight loss of power incidents during FY 2003 and 21 during the first two months of FY 2003. Concurrent with this apparent decrease in reliability, the Coast Guard seeks ways to expand the HH- 65’s Airborne Use of Force capabilities as a result of the September 11th, 2001 terrorists’ attacks. This study is an exploratory, empirical analysis of engine and airframe component replacements as related to engine mishaps and reliability in the HH-65. We use contingency table analysis, ordinary least squares regression, and logistic regression to examine the mishap history and component replacement …

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Effects Of Uncertainty On Real World Aerospace Mission Data, Steven J. Barosko Mar 2004

Effects Of Uncertainty On Real World Aerospace Mission Data, Steven J. Barosko

Theses and Dissertations

Uncertainty is an age old element of warfare. How does one measure success or failure on the battlefield? This thesis explores the effect of uncertainty on real world aerospace mission data from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Sources of uncertainty are identified during data preparation and the effects of uncertainty are investigated using multivariate analysis techniques. Two distinct cases are analyzed: one case with a low level of uncertainty in predicting whether or not a mission is pre-planned or alert generated, and another case with a high level of uncertainty in predicting whether or not a mission is a success or …

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Age Replacement And Service Rate Control Of Stochastically Degrading Queues, Patrick S. Chapin Mar 2004

Age Replacement And Service Rate Control Of Stochastically Degrading Queues, Patrick S. Chapin

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis considers the problem of optimally selecting a periodic replacement time for a multiserver queueing system in which each server is subject to degradation as a function of the mean service rate and a stochastic and dynamic environment. Also considered is the problem of optimal service rate selection for such a system. In both cases, the performance metric is the long-run average cost rate. Analytical expressions are obtained, in terms of Laplace transforms, for the nonlinear objective functions, necessitating the use of numerical Laplace transform inversion to evaluate candidate solutions in conjunction with standard numerical algorithms. Due to the …

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Agent Based Simulation Seas Evaluation Of Dodaf Architecture, Gregory V. Destefano Mar 2004

Agent Based Simulation Seas Evaluation Of Dodaf Architecture, Gregory V. Destefano

Theses and Dissertations

With Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems being deeply rooted in the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) structure, it is necessary for combat models to capture C4ISR effects in order to properly assess military worth. Unlike many DoD legacy combat models, the agent based model System Effectiveness and Analysis Simulation (SEAS) is identified as having C4ISR analysis capabilities. In lieu of requirements for all new DoD C4ISR weapon systems to be placed within a DoD Architectural Framework (DoDAF), investigation of means to export data from the Framework to the combat model SEAS began. Through operational, system, …

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An Investigation Of The Effects Of Correlation, Autocorrelation, And Sample Size In Classifier Fusion, Nathan J. Leap Mar 2004

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Correlation, Autocorrelation, And Sample Size In Classifier Fusion, Nathan J. Leap

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis extends the research found in Storm, Bauer, and Oxley, 2003. Data correlation effects and sample size effects on three classifier fusion techniques and one data fusion technique were investigated. Identification System Operating Characteristic Fusion (Haspert, 2000), the Receiver Operating Characteristic Within Fusion method (Oxley and Bauer, 2002), and a Probabilistic Neural Network were the three classifier fusion techniques; a Generalized Regression Neural Network was the data fusion technique. Correlation was injected into the data set both within a feature set (autocorrelation) and across feature sets for a variety of classification problems, and sample size was varied throughout. Total …

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Modeling And Simulation Of The Military Intelligence Process, Carl R. Pawling Mar 2004

Modeling And Simulation Of The Military Intelligence Process, Carl R. Pawling

Theses and Dissertations

There is concern within U.S. space and intelligence organizations that the current Tasking, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination processes may be insufficient to support current and future Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems. As part of a larger intelligence process, more detailed analysis becomes critical to determine what portions need to be improved. This analysis can be accomplished by simulation, which is appropriate due to the complexity of the process and the ability to compare variations in the process. We construct a high level model of a generalized military intelligence process based in part on the Intelligence Cycle outlined in Joint Publications. …

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Recovering From A Stalled Change Initiative: A Case Of Correcting Implementation Mistakes, Ellen L. Dorey Mar 2004

Recovering From A Stalled Change Initiative: A Case Of Correcting Implementation Mistakes, Ellen L. Dorey

Theses and Dissertations

Amid an age of increasing technology, innovation, and global business competition, there is no question that the pace organizational changes are introduced will increase, as well. With this pace of change, organizational leaders might find themselves short on the time and resources necessary to properly create readiness by utilizing implementation strategies. Frequently, a change initiative that is not introduced properly will meet resistance within the organization. When strong resistance is encountered, the initiative is often abandoned and replaced with some other effort. However, in some situations, the initiative can not be abandoned and implementation must continue. This research effort sought …

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Policy Analysis Of Chapter 101a, Readiness And Range Preservation, Of The National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2004, William E. Sitzabee Mar 2004

Policy Analysis Of Chapter 101a, Readiness And Range Preservation, Of The National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2004, William E. Sitzabee

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzed the United States Air Force's ability to meet the two conditions required for exemptions of critical habitat designations that are authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. The research was limited to natural resources management on United States Air Force training ranges. Department of Defense exemptions can only be achieved if two conditions exist: the management activities must meet the intent of the Endangered Species Act and conserve the threatened and endangered species identified on the lands managed under an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), and the plan must ensure that there …

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A Value Focused Thinking Approach To Software Interface In A Complex Analytical Domain, Christopher M. Mcgee Mar 2003

A Value Focused Thinking Approach To Software Interface In A Complex Analytical Domain, Christopher M. Mcgee

Theses and Dissertations

The intelligence community is faced with an extensive amount of data. Software programs are being developed to examine this issue of data overload and to develop solutions. The responsibility of making the final software decision lies on the analyst, therefore, the interface is the key to linking the intelligence data to the processing and results, If the interface is difficult and complex, the software will be less likely to be used. A methodology must be created which can objectively evaluate the effectiveness of the interface, This methodology will also measure the improvements in the interface's effectiveness that result when various …

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A Stochastic Model For Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, And Integration (Jrsoi), Nathan P. Sherman Mar 2003

A Stochastic Model For Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, And Integration (Jrsoi), Nathan P. Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

A stochastic model for the performance evaluation of a key phase in the deployment process, namely Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (JRSOI) is presented. The process is modeled as an open, multi-class tandem queueing network wherein personnel and various classes of cargo are modeled as the flow entities and the stages of the process constitute individual queueing stations. Single and multiple-class models at both low and high resolutions are presented. No analytical stochastic model of this process currently exists in the literature or in practice. The model provides a quick look at key aggregate performance measures such as …

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Planning Coverage Of Points Of Interest Via Multiple Imaging Surveillance Assets: A Multi-Model Approach, Sarah E. Jackson Mar 2003

Planning Coverage Of Points Of Interest Via Multiple Imaging Surveillance Assets: A Multi-Model Approach, Sarah E. Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

For the United States to maintain information superiority, it is necessary to have a means of allocating intelligence-gathering assets to collect information on particular points of interest. In today's geopolitical environment, however, the number of points of interest is growing rapidly, whereas the number of available assets is not. To aid in maintaining information superiority, this research explores the use of a Multi-Modal Goal Programming Resource Constrained Project Scheduling approach for allocating imaging surveillance assets (land, air, sea, and space) to a set of points of interest for a given time period. The multiple objectives of this formulation are to …

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Air Force Reserve Force Structure Policy Evaluation Model, Scott A. Percival Mar 2003

Air Force Reserve Force Structure Policy Evaluation Model, Scott A. Percival

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force Reserve is a constantly changing force. In response to these changes, the Active Guard Reserve (AGR), a small organization within the Reserve, is seeking to create a career track for Unit and Headquarters' Officers. It is necessary for the AGR policy division to be able to evaluate the availability of career paths to accomplish this goal. The Air Force Reserve Force Structure Evaluation Model provides the AGR management with a tool to aid them in evaluating policy impact. This model allows the AGR management to identify the impact policy changes may have on the resulting …

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An Analysis Of Multiple Layered Networks, Kevin T. Kennedy Mar 2003

An Analysis Of Multiple Layered Networks, Kevin T. Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

Current infrastructure network models of single functionality do not typically account for the interdependent nature of infrastructure networks. Infrastructure networks are generally modeled individually, as an isolated network or with minimal recognition of interactions. This research develops a methodology to model the individual infrastructure network types while explicitly modeling their interconnected effects. The result is a formulation built with two sets of variables (the original set to model infrastructure characteristics and an additional set representing cuts of interdependent elements). This formulation is decomposed by variable type using Benders Partitioning and solved to optimality using a Benders Partitioning algorithm. Current infrastructure …

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Game Theory And U-Boats In The Bay Of Biscay, Joseph C. Price Mar 2003

Game Theory And U-Boats In The Bay Of Biscay, Joseph C. Price

Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of a large combat campaign using game theory is difficult due to non- linearities and other soft factors which exist in a complex system. However, game theory can give decision makers insight into strategies and outcomes that can be utilized to maximize one's objective. Agent-based simulation provides the means to model complex systems with non-linearities, by allowing for interactions among independent "agents." This thesis investigates game-theoretic strategies in agent-based simulation, modeled after the Allied search for U-boats in the Bay of Biscay during World War II (WWII). It also looks into the effects of adaptation on strategies by comparison …

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Auto Carrier Transporter Loading And Unloading Improvement, Brian M. Miller Mar 2003

Auto Carrier Transporter Loading And Unloading Improvement, Brian M. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Thousands of vehicles (cars, trucks and vans) are transported every day from one location to another. These vehicles are moved around the country on Auto Carrier Transports (ACTs). Delivering these vehicles involves large quantities of time, money and energy. Any reduction in time and energy will result in a significant savings of money. The intent of this research is to develop an algorithm to solve the Auto Carrier Transport Pickup and Delivery Problem. In doing so, the focus is to limit the total times vehicles are placed on and taken off the carrier, otherwise known as the number of loads, …

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Analyze The Air Force Methods For Facility Sustainment And Restoration, Ronald C. Cole Mar 2003

Analyze The Air Force Methods For Facility Sustainment And Restoration, Ronald C. Cole

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense (DoD) is improving the procedures for identifying, advocating, allocating funding, and accomplishing facility requirements to improve the readiness capability to support the mission. The purposes of this research were to fully explore the methodologies employed by the Air Force (AF) and try to capitalize on industry standard practices to improve the AF methods. Industry has conducted extensive research devoted to the development of predictive models to estimate facility maintenance or sustainment requirements. The DoD and the AF have already implemented the facility sustainment model (FSM) to predict facility sustainment requirements; now however, they are struggling with …

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Groundwater Flow Through A Constructed Treatment Wetland, Jack A. Blalock Mar 2003

Groundwater Flow Through A Constructed Treatment Wetland, Jack A. Blalock

Theses and Dissertations

This study is an analysis of the flow of water through a constructed treatment wetland at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. The purpose of the treatment wetland is to biodegrade perchioroethylene, which is present in the groundwater as a contaminant. Contaminated water enters the bottom of the wetland and flows upward, exiting the wetland from a weir at one end. The wetland is designed for water to move vertically through the soil layers composing the wetland. The main purpose of this study is to characterize the water flow through the different layers of soil in the wetland. In this study, hydraulic parameters …

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