Theses and Dissertations

Spring 2020

Akude, Philip J

This thesis explores the impact of Ghana’s farm-gate cocoa price shocks on welfare. It comprises of two essays. The first essay examines the impact of a farm-gate cocoa price boom on child health, where the price boom directly affects household incomes and indirectly affect the investments in child

production. I identify the effects of the cocoa price boom by comparing child health outcomes in cocoa, producing districts to other non-cocoa producing districts during pre and post price boom periods. The evidence suggests that the cocoa price boom led to a differential increase in the probability of

stunting and underweight in children living in cocoa districts relative to those in non-cocoa districts. Next, I explore the mechanisms through which a cocoa price increase affects child health and find that there is a differential increase in the probability of stunting and underweight for children in

Fall 2021

Pak, Andrey

ruin probabilities of such models is shown and supported by diverse examples. The main object of the final part of this thesis is a general regression model in an optional setting – when an observed process is an optional semimartingale depending on an unknown parameter. The cases when the model

stochastic differential equations are stated and proved using a local time approach. Furthermore, these results are applied to the pricing of financial derivatives. Second, the estimates of N. V. Krylov for distributions of stochastic integrals by means of Lebesgue norm of a measurable function are well

This thesis is dedicated to the study of the general class of random processes, called optional processes, and their various applications in Mathematical Finance, Risk Theory, and Statistics. First, different versions of a comparison theorem and a uniqueness theorem for a general class of optional

Fall 2020

Karami, Mahdi

applicable method to construct complex probability density. Herein, I investigate a set of invertible convolutional flows based on the circular and symmetric convolutions with efficient Jacobian determinant computation and inverse mapping (deconvolution) in 𝒪(𝑁 log𝑁) time. Further, an analytic approach to

representation and a set of view-specific factors. To approximate the posterior distribution of the latent probabilistic multi-view layer, a variational inference approach is developed that results in a scalable algorithm for training deep generative multi-view neural networks. Empirical studies confirm that the

the second part, a deep generative framework is expanded to multi-view learning. This model is composed of a linear probabilistic multi-view layer in the latent space in conjunction with deep generative networks as observation models where the variations of each view is captured by a shared latent

Spring 2023

Andrade Rossi, Ricardo

floc size distribution, and the morphology of populations of aggregates from breakage experiments that were conducted in a previous study (Gustavo Cifuentes, Aggregate Breakage in Laminar Couette Flow, 2022). These experiments were performed in a Taylor-Couette cell at laminar flow conditions. The

easier to separate than individual particles due to their larger size. Depending on the shear rate of the system, the hydrodynamic forces acting on flocs can break them into smaller fragments or induce their restructuring, which leads to the formation of small compact flocs. Aggregate breakage is an

mechanisms in shear flows. Therefore, the objective of the present work is to investigate the breakage and restructuring of populations of aggregates in laminar shear flow via a statistical approach. A population balance model (PBM) was developed to predict the evolution of the average aggregate size, the

Spring 2019

Xie, Mingjiang

method.Studies are performed on improving risk-based maintenance strategies, which are currently widely adopted in pipeline industry. A simulation-based approach is developed for cost evaluation for pipelines with corrosion defects. The probability of failure (PoF) threshold is used as input random variable

effective pipeline integrity management system. This thesis provides a comprehensive review and fundamental knowledge on pipeline integrity management based on ILI data. Physics-based models and data-driven methods for predicting defect growth for pipelines with different categories of defects are discussed

needed to accurately evaluate defects based on ILI data, predict defect growth and optimize integrity activities to prevent pipeline failures, and pipeline integrity management has drawn extensive and growing research interests.The aim of this thesis is to develop effective prognostics and risk-based

Spring 2016

Stralberg, Diana

Often referred to as North America’s bird nursery, the boreal forest biome provides a productive environment for breeding birds, supporting high species diversity and bird numbers. These birds are likely to shift their distributions northward in response to rapid climate change over the next

) model uncertainty in current and future projections, (2) time lags in ecosystem responses to climate change, (3) the static nature of correlative models, and (4) the influence of historical biogeography in determining current distributions. In my first chapter, using a continental-scale avian dataset

younger forest. In my third chapter, I developed a hybrid modelling approach based on topo-edaphically constrained projections of climate-driven vegetation change potential, coupled with weather- and fuel-based simulations of future wildfires, and projections of large-scale industrial development

Fall 2009

Rizwan, Tania

study indicates that particles tend to preferentially deposit at the edges of the chemically favourable stripes. The theoretical investigation involved the formulation of a mathematical model based on Random Sequential Adsorption (RSA). This study showed that a simple binary probability distribution

This dissertation investigates the influence of surface heterogeneities on colloid deposition. First, deposition of colloidal particles on a nanofiltration membrane during cross flow membrane filtration was studied under different operating pressures and solution chemistries. An atomic force

assumed in the model is able to predict the experimental deposit morphology adequately, particularly the periodicity of the underlying patterns on the substrate. Furthermore, the effect of charge heterogeneity on the electrostatic double layer interaction between a particle and a charge heterogeneous

Fall 2024

Al Hasan, Iyad

pairwise comparison matrices and utilizes probability distributions to establish objective weights for each criterion. The developed evaluation model incorporates a Linear Additive Utility Model (LAUM) to calculate a Performance Index (PI) that quantifies subcontractor performance across various levels

The management of the contractor-subcontractor relationship is a pivotal component of supply chain management in the construction industry, significantly impacting project success. This thesis explores approaches to assess performance of subcontractor, select the best subcontractor and the critical

role of subcontractors in construction projects. Traditionally, process of subcontractor assessment performance and selection have been influenced by subjective assessments, often leading to biased decision-making processes. To address this, the research develops a comprehensive framework that links

Spring 2018

Gordon, Hermes E

anemometer. Data were recorded with a constructed datalogger, which allowed us to reduce equipment cost. Data of the month of February was processed and different statistical tools were used, including daily and hourly mean averages, wind roses, and Rayleigh wind probability distribution to determine the

length scale were determined based on Taylor’s hypothesis. These calculations approximated the size of the turbulent elements present in the urban environment. The DICE building presented higher wind speeds than the Tory building, and has a wind power density comparable to coastal areas. However the

turbulence intensity is extremely high compared to the open ground and coastal zones. There was a small reduction in the turbulence intensity when using 1 min. averaging time, showing that 10 min. gives an upper estimation for turbulence intensity which can be used as a conservative approach when assessing a

Spring 2014

Zarnani, Ashkan

employed in concert with fitting appropriate probability distributions to obtain statistical models that can dynamically provide PIs depending on the forecast context. Second, a range of quantile regression methods (including kernel quantile regression) are studied that can directly model the PI boundaries

arranged on a three-dimensional grid. However, there is always some level of error and uncertainty in the forecasts due to inaccuracies of initial conditions, the chaotic nature of weather, etc. Such uncertainty information is crucial in decision making and optimization processes involved in many

as a function of influential features. In the third class, we focus on various time series modeling approaches including heteroscedasticity modeling methods that can provide forecasts of conditional mean and conditional variance of the target for any forecast horizon. iv All presented PI computation