Excess phosphorus (P) that is transported into water bodies can cause water quality problems. A high potential for P delivery occurs when there is a high transport potential from erosion, runoff, and/or leaching coupled with high soil test P and/or high rate of fertilizer P application. A management tool is needed to identify those fields that have a high transport and source potential to deliver P to surface water. The Virginia P-Index is a mass-based tool that estimates the annual risk of delivery of P from a given field to surface water. Guidelines on P application rates are then given based on the level of risk. This is a new tool and additional research and testing are needed to determine the dependability and validity of the index. The overall goal of the research was to contribute to the continued development of the Virginia P-Index as an effective P management tool. A sensitivity analysis was completed to identify the parameters to which the P-Index was most sensitive under a range of conditions. In low erosion and runoff conditions, the P-Index was most sensitive to P management factors including application rate. As erosion and runoff potential increased, the P-Index was most sensitive to the erosion risk factors including soil loss. Under conditions with subsurface leaching, the P-Index was most sensitive to the subsurface leaching factors and Mehlich I soil test P. A stochastic analysis was also conducted to determine the effects of parameter variability. Variability of the P-Index output was greater as the risk of P delivery increased and this could affect management recommendations. A survey was completed to determine expert opinion as to the appropriateness of parameter estimation methods used in the Virginia P-Index. Thirty-eight surveys were returned, representing a diverse range of participants within and outside of Virginia. Comments from the respondents were used to evaluate the appropriateness of the parameter methods. All factors were determined to be appropriate given the state of the science. Estimation methods for the following factors were determined to be less appropriate than the other sub-factors by the survey respondents: soil texture/drainage class, subsurface dissolved reactive orthophosphate (DRP), runoff delivery, and sediment delivery. The Virginia P-Index was determined to be a well thought out management tool and implementation should identify fields with the greatest risk of P delivery to surface water. Recommendations for improvement were identified including a need for additional analysis and studies. / Master of Science

This thesis is focused on analysis of expert opinions on the business valuation. Its goal is to identify the most serious mistakes in expert opinions and how to prevent them. The analysis is processed using preselected criteria. Totally twenty-two expert opinions are analyzed. The conclusion is a quantitative summary of the results of analysis of expertise, as well as pointing out the most common shortcomings and proposals for their elimination.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(エネルギー科学) / 甲第24974号 / エネ博第470号 / 新制||エネ||88(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院エネルギー科学研究科エネルギー社会・環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 MCLELLAN Benjamin, 教授 下田 宏, 教授 吉田 純 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Energy Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

1 Diploma thesis: Methods of investigation of sexual crimes (selected issues) Key words: Investigation, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Expert Opinion Summary This thesis deals with problematics of sexual crimes investigation. Since the area of investigating sexual crimes is very broad, I have limited the scope of my paper to investigation of the two most frequent types of crime, which are rape and sexual abuse. Regarding the operations usually performed during investigation, I have paid close attention to expert opinions. The purpose of this paper is to stress concrete specifics occuring during investigation, which is discussed throughout the chapters. Chapter One introduces acts of sexual crime (particularly the rape and the sexual abuse) from the criminal-law point of view as it is stated in the contemporary legal regulation in the Czech Republic. This chapter also provides statistical tables showing the evolutionary trend in the number of prosecuted and adjudicated sexual criminal acts of rape and sexual abuse between 2000 and 2010. Criminalistic characteristics of sexual criminal acts are looked at in Chapter Two, and Chapter Three presents common ways of committing sexual offences. The chapter describes what is typical of sexual offences committed by adults, and by and on youngsters. Chapter Four characterizes...

Nesta tese, apresenta-se um modelo de confiabilidade estatística para aplicação em dados de vida de um produto, buscando classificar três modos de falhas distintos associados à ocorrência de falhas prematuras, aleatórias e por desgaste. A ocorrência dos três modos de falhas segue os princípios de aplicação dos modelos teóricos por riscos concorrentes e seccionais. O modelo proposto utiliza duas distribuições de Weibull, com dois e três parâmetros, e uma distribuição exponencial. A distribuição de Weibull com dois parâmetros tem por objetivo representar os modos de falhas prematuras: a distribuição de Weibull com três parâmetros busca capturar os modos de falhas por desgaste; a distribuição exponencial mede a ocorrência de falhas aleatórias decorrentes de uso operacional de um produto. Considera-se que falhas prematuras e por desgaste ocorram seqüencialmente, enquanto falhas aleatórias ocorram de forma concorrente às falhas prematuras e por desgaste tão logo o produto seja colocado em operação. Para dimensionar o número de ocorrências vinculadas aos três modos de falhas são utilizados dados coletados durante o período de garantia e pós-garantia. Os dados de garantia são registros históricos do produtor e os dados da pós-garantia referem-se a informações obtidas de especialistas, já que dados após a garantia apresentam elevado nível de censura. Equações de confiabilidade e estimadores de máxima verossimilhança são apresentados para definir o perfil e os parâmetros do modelo proposto. Um estudo de caso com dados coletados de um equipamento elétrico-eletrônico subsidia a aplicação do modelo enquanto que um teste estatístico de ajuste de dados é utilizado para validar o referido modelo. / This thesis presents a reliability model for product life data presenting three different failure modes, associated with early, random and wear-out failures. The model is based on theoretical concepts related to competing risk and sectional models. The proposed model is structured based on two Weibull distributions, with two and three parameters, and one exponential distribution. The Weibull distribution with two parameters is aimed at modeling early failure modes; the Weibull distribution with three parameters models wear-out failure modes; the exponential distribution models random failures due to operational use. It is considered that early and wearout failures take place one after the other while random failures occur at the same time as early and wear-out failures as soon as the product starts operating. To measure each period related to the three failure modes, data from warranty and post-warranty periods are used. Warranty data are historical records; post-warranty data are gathered from experts, and are aimed at decreasing the degree of censoring in the data. Once the model is defined, reliability figures and maximum likelihood estimators are derived. Real data obtained from warranty claims on electricelectronic equipments are used to illustrate the developments proposed and a goodness-of-fit test is used to validate the performance of this model.

The American marten (Martes americana) is an endangered species in Vermont and a Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the northeastern United States. Though historically widespread in northeastern forests, their range presumably contracted to northern Maine and the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks by the early 1900s. Regionally, populations appear to be in recovery. Natural recolonization is believed to have occurred in New Hampshire, northeastern Vermont and the western Adirondacks. A reintroduction effort in southern Vermont that was originally declared unsuccessful is now believed to be the source of a recently detected population in the area. However, our current knowledge of distribution, population history and population connectivity relies primarily on occurrence data from harvest records, which are limited in scope and resolution. In Vermont, where population size is estimated to be extremely low, more robust estimates of population status may be critical to continued recovery. I genotyped individuals from Maine, New York, New Hampshire, northeastern Vermont and southern Vermont at ten microsatellite loci and amplified a 320 base pair segment of the control region of mtDNA to estimate the source(s) of the two Vermont populations using statistical tests of genetic differentiation. I also used Bayesian and stochastic genetic clustering methods to estimate population genetic structure in the northeastern United States. Genetic structure exists at multiple scales in the region as a result of natural barriers to gene flow, human-mediated gene flow, and lineage sorting in relic populations. My results suggest that New Hampshire is a major source of colonization of northeastern Vermont and the population in southern Vermont is either a remnant of the reintroduction or a pre-reintroduction relic that has experienced introgression from the reintroduction stock. I identified three regions where relic populations perceived to be extirpated in the 1900s may have persisted. I also developed an occupancy model for American marten in the northeastern United States using mixed-effects logistic regression based on expert opinion data. Eighteen experts from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York with backgrounds in trapping, wildlife management, and wildlife science participated in the survey. Experts were asked to estimate the probability of marten occupancy at 30 sites in the northeastern United States. Three top models described the data. Habitat covariates in those models were 1) percent canopy cover, 2) percent spruce-fir forest cover, 3) winter temperature, 4) elevation, and 5) road density. An AIC-weighted average of these three models had significant predictive ability (area under an ROC curve = 0.88) with respect to occurrence records in the northeastern United States. In addition, the model predicted that high quality habitat existed patchily along the central and northern Green Mountain spine in Vermont – where no occurrence records exist for at least a century. Top-scoring movement corridors between southern Vermont and nearby populations in northeastern Vermont/New Hampshire and New York occurred in the northern and central Green Mountains and across high resistance movement barriers in the Champlain valley. Corridors to New York were considered strong movement barriers and are unlikely to facilitate gene flow.

Nesta tese, apresenta-se um modelo de confiabilidade estatística para aplicação em dados de vida de um produto, buscando classificar três modos de falhas distintos associados à ocorrência de falhas prematuras, aleatórias e por desgaste. A ocorrência dos três modos de falhas segue os princípios de aplicação dos modelos teóricos por riscos concorrentes e seccionais. O modelo proposto utiliza duas distribuições de Weibull, com dois e três parâmetros, e uma distribuição exponencial. A distribuição de Weibull com dois parâmetros tem por objetivo representar os modos de falhas prematuras: a distribuição de Weibull com três parâmetros busca capturar os modos de falhas por desgaste; a distribuição exponencial mede a ocorrência de falhas aleatórias decorrentes de uso operacional de um produto. Considera-se que falhas prematuras e por desgaste ocorram seqüencialmente, enquanto falhas aleatórias ocorram de forma concorrente às falhas prematuras e por desgaste tão logo o produto seja colocado em operação. Para dimensionar o número de ocorrências vinculadas aos três modos de falhas são utilizados dados coletados durante o período de garantia e pós-garantia. Os dados de garantia são registros históricos do produtor e os dados da pós-garantia referem-se a informações obtidas de especialistas, já que dados após a garantia apresentam elevado nível de censura. Equações de confiabilidade e estimadores de máxima verossimilhança são apresentados para definir o perfil e os parâmetros do modelo proposto. Um estudo de caso com dados coletados de um equipamento elétrico-eletrônico subsidia a aplicação do modelo enquanto que um teste estatístico de ajuste de dados é utilizado para validar o referido modelo. / This thesis presents a reliability model for product life data presenting three different failure modes, associated with early, random and wear-out failures. The model is based on theoretical concepts related to competing risk and sectional models. The proposed model is structured based on two Weibull distributions, with two and three parameters, and one exponential distribution. The Weibull distribution with two parameters is aimed at modeling early failure modes; the Weibull distribution with three parameters models wear-out failure modes; the exponential distribution models random failures due to operational use. It is considered that early and wearout failures take place one after the other while random failures occur at the same time as early and wear-out failures as soon as the product starts operating. To measure each period related to the three failure modes, data from warranty and post-warranty periods are used. Warranty data are historical records; post-warranty data are gathered from experts, and are aimed at decreasing the degree of censoring in the data. Once the model is defined, reliability figures and maximum likelihood estimators are derived. Real data obtained from warranty claims on electricelectronic equipments are used to illustrate the developments proposed and a goodness-of-fit test is used to validate the performance of this model.

A previsão de demanda que combina métodos quantitativos e a opinião de especialistas é uma técnica amplamente utilizada na tentativa de aproximar a previsão da demanda real. A presente dissertação apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre combinação de previsões e propõe um método combinado a partir de métodos quantitativos e opinião de especialistas. A revisão sistemática da literatura foi realizada em trabalhos atuais e de relevância para o tema em estudo, com o auxílio de cinco bases de dados. O referencial teórico, que totaliza 38 publicações, apresenta conceitos teóricos sobre combinação de previsões, bem como exemplifica, através de aplicações práticas, como esta técnica está sendo utilizada pelas empresas. Com base nesta revisão foi possível estruturar um método combinado de previsão de demanda. O método proposto não só combina matematicamente as previsões quantitativas e qualitativas, como também pondera, através da matriz de comparações do método AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), a opinião de cada especialista responsável por gerar as previsões qualitativas. Esta dissertação, além de descrever detalhadamente o método proposto, ilustra a aplicação deste através de um estudo de caso realizado em uma empresa metal-mecânica. Tal estudo foi realizado para diferentes modelos de produtos, considerando um horizonte de previsão de doze meses. Ao final, o método AHP mostrou-se uma forma eficiente de ponderação da opinião dos especialistas. O resultado mostra que a previsão combinada proposta apresentou os menores erros entre as previsões analisadas, não só melhorando a acurácia total da previsão em mais de 23%, como também aumentando a acurácia para a maioria dos meses analisados e dos modelos testados. A partir da revisão bibliográfica e do método proposto, oportunidades para estudos futuros foram identificadas. / Demand forecasting that combines quantitative methods and judgmental adjustments is a technique widely used in the attempt to approximate forecast to actual demand. This thesis presents a literature review on combination of forecasts, and proposes a combined method using quantitative methods and expert opinion. A systematic literature review has been carried out analyzing works that were considered relevant to the topic under study, gathered from five databases. The review, which is comprised of 38 references, introduces theoretical concepts about combination of forecast, and exemplifies through practical applications how companies are using this technique. Based on this review it was possible to structure a combination model. The model presented not only combines mathematically the quantitative and qualitative forecast, but also assigns importance weights to experts using the comparison matrices of AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). We describe in details the model proposed and illustrate it through a practical application in a manufacturing industry. The case study considers several products in a 12-month forecast horizon. AHP has proven to be efficient for assigning weights to experts. Using the combination model proposed in this thesis we obtained improvements in the overall forecast accuracy of more than 23%; accuracy was also improved for the majority of periods and products analyzed. The literature review and proposed model led to the proposition of several opportunities for future research.

Nesta tese, apresenta-se um modelo de confiabilidade estatística para aplicação em dados de vida de um produto, buscando classificar três modos de falhas distintos associados à ocorrência de falhas prematuras, aleatórias e por desgaste. A ocorrência dos três modos de falhas segue os princípios de aplicação dos modelos teóricos por riscos concorrentes e seccionais. O modelo proposto utiliza duas distribuições de Weibull, com dois e três parâmetros, e uma distribuição exponencial. A distribuição de Weibull com dois parâmetros tem por objetivo representar os modos de falhas prematuras: a distribuição de Weibull com três parâmetros busca capturar os modos de falhas por desgaste; a distribuição exponencial mede a ocorrência de falhas aleatórias decorrentes de uso operacional de um produto. Considera-se que falhas prematuras e por desgaste ocorram seqüencialmente, enquanto falhas aleatórias ocorram de forma concorrente às falhas prematuras e por desgaste tão logo o produto seja colocado em operação. Para dimensionar o número de ocorrências vinculadas aos três modos de falhas são utilizados dados coletados durante o período de garantia e pós-garantia. Os dados de garantia são registros históricos do produtor e os dados da pós-garantia referem-se a informações obtidas de especialistas, já que dados após a garantia apresentam elevado nível de censura. Equações de confiabilidade e estimadores de máxima verossimilhança são apresentados para definir o perfil e os parâmetros do modelo proposto. Um estudo de caso com dados coletados de um equipamento elétrico-eletrônico subsidia a aplicação do modelo enquanto que um teste estatístico de ajuste de dados é utilizado para validar o referido modelo. / This thesis presents a reliability model for product life data presenting three different failure modes, associated with early, random and wear-out failures. The model is based on theoretical concepts related to competing risk and sectional models. The proposed model is structured based on two Weibull distributions, with two and three parameters, and one exponential distribution. The Weibull distribution with two parameters is aimed at modeling early failure modes; the Weibull distribution with three parameters models wear-out failure modes; the exponential distribution models random failures due to operational use. It is considered that early and wearout failures take place one after the other while random failures occur at the same time as early and wear-out failures as soon as the product starts operating. To measure each period related to the three failure modes, data from warranty and post-warranty periods are used. Warranty data are historical records; post-warranty data are gathered from experts, and are aimed at decreasing the degree of censoring in the data. Once the model is defined, reliability figures and maximum likelihood estimators are derived. Real data obtained from warranty claims on electricelectronic equipments are used to illustrate the developments proposed and a goodness-of-fit test is used to validate the performance of this model.

A previsão de demanda que combina métodos quantitativos e a opinião de especialistas é uma técnica amplamente utilizada na tentativa de aproximar a previsão da demanda real. A presente dissertação apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre combinação de previsões e propõe um método combinado a partir de métodos quantitativos e opinião de especialistas. A revisão sistemática da literatura foi realizada em trabalhos atuais e de relevância para o tema em estudo, com o auxílio de cinco bases de dados. O referencial teórico, que totaliza 38 publicações, apresenta conceitos teóricos sobre combinação de previsões, bem como exemplifica, através de aplicações práticas, como esta técnica está sendo utilizada pelas empresas. Com base nesta revisão foi possível estruturar um método combinado de previsão de demanda. O método proposto não só combina matematicamente as previsões quantitativas e qualitativas, como também pondera, através da matriz de comparações do método AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), a opinião de cada especialista responsável por gerar as previsões qualitativas. Esta dissertação, além de descrever detalhadamente o método proposto, ilustra a aplicação deste através de um estudo de caso realizado em uma empresa metal-mecânica. Tal estudo foi realizado para diferentes modelos de produtos, considerando um horizonte de previsão de doze meses. Ao final, o método AHP mostrou-se uma forma eficiente de ponderação da opinião dos especialistas. O resultado mostra que a previsão combinada proposta apresentou os menores erros entre as previsões analisadas, não só melhorando a acurácia total da previsão em mais de 23%, como também aumentando a acurácia para a maioria dos meses analisados e dos modelos testados. A partir da revisão bibliográfica e do método proposto, oportunidades para estudos futuros foram identificadas. / Demand forecasting that combines quantitative methods and judgmental adjustments is a technique widely used in the attempt to approximate forecast to actual demand. This thesis presents a literature review on combination of forecasts, and proposes a combined method using quantitative methods and expert opinion. A systematic literature review has been carried out analyzing works that were considered relevant to the topic under study, gathered from five databases. The review, which is comprised of 38 references, introduces theoretical concepts about combination of forecast, and exemplifies through practical applications how companies are using this technique. Based on this review it was possible to structure a combination model. The model presented not only combines mathematically the quantitative and qualitative forecast, but also assigns importance weights to experts using the comparison matrices of AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). We describe in details the model proposed and illustrate it through a practical application in a manufacturing industry. The case study considers several products in a 12-month forecast horizon. AHP has proven to be efficient for assigning weights to experts. Using the combination model proposed in this thesis we obtained improvements in the overall forecast accuracy of more than 23%; accuracy was also improved for the majority of periods and products analyzed. The literature review and proposed model led to the proposition of several opportunities for future research.