This research is intended to serve as an in-depth analysis of air pollution patterns and monitoring networks in the Atlanta area. A ten year database of carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) measurements at 17 monitoring stations across the Atlanta area was developed for use in this research. Temporal profiles of air pollutants are analyzed and described. Several factors are identified that impact these profiles, including changes in emissions, meteorology, and photochemistry. Most sites exhibited decreasing annual average concentrations during the study period, with the exception of O3 and NOx, both of which initially increased and then decreased. CO, NOx, and SO2 all have the lowest concentrations in the summer months, while O3 and PM2.5 are highest in the summer months. CO, NOx, and SO2 are also slightly lower on the weekends. CO and NOx have peak daily concentrations at rush hour, while O3 and SO2 peak in the afternoon hours. Instrument error was evaluated through audit and calibration data and collocated data. Collocated data is assumed to be a more accurate representation of instrument error; the percent error calculated using collocated data is much higher than that calculated using audit data. Percent errors were similar for all pollutants using audit and calibration data (2-4%) and were similar for all concentration ranges. Percent errors using collocated data were several times larger. Semivariogram plots are developed to quantify spatial variation of air pollutants. These plots can be interpreted to give the fraction of temporal variation in a pollutant that is actually due to spatial variation. As expected, primary pollutants have higher spatial variation than secondary pollutants. Population weighted averages of the semivariogram function are developed to give a level of uncertainty for a pollutant across the study area. Pollution rose plots are developed to qualitatively examine local sources that are impacting the monitoring sites used in this research. Point sources are easily identified in SO2 plots, as are mobile sources in CO and NOx plots. Pollution roses are also corrected for time of day and season to eliminate false sources.

Precision control of translational motion is vital for many CNC machine tools as the motion of the machinery affects the dimensional tolerance of the manufactured goods. However, the direct measurement along with the accurate motion control of machine usually requires relatively expensive sensors i.e. potentiometers, linear scales, laser interferometers. Hence, this study attempts to develop reference models utilizing low-cost sensors (i.e. rotary encoders) for accurate position estimation. First, an indirect measurement performance is investigated on a Timing Belt driven carriage by a DC Motor with a backlash included Gearbox head. An advanced interpolated technique is proposed to compensate the position errors while using indirect measurement to reduce the total cost. Then, a similar study was realized with a ball screw driven system. Next, a cable drum driven measurement technique is proposed to the machines which have long travel distance like plasma cutters. A test setup is proposed and manufactured to investigate the capstan drive systems. Finally, characteristics of Optical Mouse Sensors are investigated from different point of views and a test setup is proposed and manufactured to evaluate their performances in long terms. Beside all of these parts, motion control algorithms and motion control integrated circuits are designed and manufactured to realize experimental studies in a detailed manner.

Doctor of Philosophy / Over the past decade, population-based cancer registry data have been used increasingly worldwide to evaluate and improve the quality of cancer care. The utility of the conclusions from such studies relies heavily on the data quality and the methods used to analyse the data. Interpretation of comparative survival from such data, examining either temporal trends or geographical differences, is generally not easy. The observed differences could be due to methodological and statistical approaches or to real effects. For example, geographical differences in cancer survival could be due to a number of real factors, including access to primary health care, the availability of diagnostic and treatment facilities and the treatment actually given, or to artefact, such as lead-time bias, stage migration, sampling error or measurement error. Likewise, a temporal increase in survival could be the result of earlier diagnosis and improved treatment of cancer; it could also be due to artefact after the introduction of screening programs (adding lead time), changes in the definition of cancer, stage migration or several of these factors, producing both real and artefactual trends. In this thesis, I report methods that I modified and applied, some technical issues in the use of such data, and an analysis of data from the State of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, illustrating their use in evaluating and potentially improving the quality of cancer care, showing how data quality might affect the conclusions of such analyses. This thesis describes studies of comparative survival based on population-based cancer registry data, with three published papers and one accepted manuscript (subject to minor revision). In the first paper, I describe a modified method for estimating spatial variation in cancer survival using empirical Bayes methods (which was published in Cancer Causes and Control 2004). I demonstrate in this paper that the empirical Bayes method is preferable to standard approaches and show how it can be used to identify cancer types where a focus on reducing area differentials in survival might lead to important gains in survival. In the second paper (published in the European Journal of Cancer 2005), I apply this method to a more complete analysis of spatial variation in survival from colorectal cancer in NSW and show that estimates of spatial variation in colorectal cancer can help to identify subgroups of patients for whom better application of treatment guidelines could improve outcome. I also show how estimates of the numbers of lives that could be extended might assist in setting priorities for treatment improvement. In the third paper, I examine time trends in survival from 28 cancers in NSW between 1980 and 1996 (published in the International Journal of Cancer 2006) and conclude that for many cancers, falls in excess deaths in NSW from 1980 to 1996 are unlikely to be attributable to earlier diagnosis or stage migration; thus, advances in cancer treatment have probably contributed to them. In the accepted manuscript, I described an extension of the work reported in the second paper, investigating the accuracy of staging information recorded in the registry database and assessing the impact of error in its measurement on estimates of spatial variation in survival from colorectal cancer. The results indicate that misclassified registry stage can have an important impact on estimates of spatial variation in stage-specific survival from colorectal cancer. Thus, if cancer registry data are to be used effectively in evaluating and improving cancer care, the quality of stage data might have to be improved. Taken together, the four papers show that creative, informed use of population-based cancer registry data, with appropriate statistical methods and acknowledgement of the limitations of the data, can be a valuable tool for evaluating and possibly improving cancer care. Use of these findings to stimulate evaluation of the quality of cancer care should enhance the value of the investment in cancer registries. They should also stimulate improvement in the quality of cancer registry data, particularly that on stage at diagnosis. The methods developed in this thesis may also be used to improve estimation of geographical variation in other count-based health measures when the available data are sparse.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Due to the effects of global warming and climate change there is currently intense and growing international interest in suitable modelling methods for relating satellite remotely sensed spectral imagery of vegetated landscapes to the biophysical structural variables in those landscapes across regional, continental or global scales. Of particular interest here is the satellite optical remote sensing of forest foliage cover—measured as foliage projective cover (FPC)—by Landsat ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus) sensor. In the remote sensing literature, different empirical and physical modelling approaches exist for relating remotely sensed imagery to the landscape parameters of interest, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. These approaches, in the main, may be broadly categorised as belonging to one, or a combination of: spectral mixture analysis (SMA) modelling, canopy reflectance modelling, multiple regression (MR) modelling or, spectral vegetation index (SVI) modelling. This thesis uses the SVI approach, partly in comparison to the MR approach. Both the SVI and MR approaches require field-based data to establish the relationship between the biophysical parameter and the spectral index or spectral responses within defined spectral bandwidths. Surrogate measures of the biophysical parameter are sometimes used extensively to establish this relationship and therefore a separate calibration relationship is required.This has inherent problems when the output of one model is substituted into the next and the effects of carry-over of error from one model to the next are not considered. My main goal is therefore to develop a modelling approach that will allow a larger set of one or more surrogate measures to be combined with a smaller set of ‘true’ measures of the biophysical parameter into the one model for establishing the relationship with the SVI and hence the spectral imagery. Success in meeting the goal is the illustration of a working model using real data. In progression towards meeting the goal, two new modelling ideas are developed and synthesised into the creation of an overall modelling framework for estimating FPC from spectral imagery. The modelling framework, which has potential for use in other applications, allows for the incorporation of different types of data including different calibration relationships between variables while avoiding the usual, stepwise approach to the linking of separate relationship models and their variables. One contribution that is new to both remote sensing and statistical modelling practices involves a polar transformation of the principal components of a multi-spectral image of a local reference landscape to produce a set of empirically based, invariant three-dimensional spectral index transformations that have potential for application to the spectral images of different regional landscapes and possibly global landscapes. In particular, the vegetation index from the set has approximate bounded properties that we exploit for modelling of its contribution to residual variation in its relationships with the biophysical variables measured on the ground. The other contribution to statistical modelling practice that has potential for application by a wide range of disciplines is the direct modelling of interdependent relationships between pairs of bounded variates, each considered to have a measurement error structure that can be modelled as though it is similar to sampling variation. Associated with this particular contribution is the development of novel geometric methods to construct approximate prediction bounds and to assist with model interpretations.

Atualmente, com base na anÃlise computacional, avaliaÃÃes mais precisas vÃm sendo possÃveis em estudos de dimensionamento de redes de abastecimento de Ãgua. O transiente hidrÃulico à um fenÃmeno que pode afetar toda rede de escoamento forÃado. A compreensÃo deste fenÃmeno e a constante busca de soluÃÃes para evitar seus efeitos danosos acarretam avanÃos tecnolÃgicos significativos, principalmente atravÃs da aplicaÃÃo dos mÃtodos computacionais. O presente trabalho consiste em utilizar o MÃtodo Transiente Inverso (MTI) com um algoritmo genÃtico para a calibraÃÃo das rugosidades absolutas das tubulaÃÃes de duas redes de distribuiÃÃo de Ãgua utilizando quatro tipos de manobras diferentes, atravÃs de parÃmetros genÃticos. O estudo foi feito em duas redes fictÃcias, mas com caracterÃsticas fÃsicas de redes reais. Foi analisado a influencia de manobras de vÃlvulas na identificaÃÃo das rugosidades em tubulaÃÃes de redes de distribuiÃÃo de Ãgua. As simulaÃÃes foram feitas variando dois tipos de seleÃÃo: com elitismo e sem elitismo, considerando os indicadores de eficiÃncia: Erro MÃdio Relativo (EMR), Erro Relativo (ER) e FunÃÃo Objetivo (FO), onde os resultados da Rede A se mostraram melhores para o Erro Relativo (ER) com elitismo nas quatro manobras. Na rede B, o melhor indicador de eficiÃncia para a calibraÃÃo das quatro manobras foi o Erro MÃdio Relativo (EMR) com elitismo e que os indicadores Erro Relativo (ER) e FunÃÃo Objetiva (FO) variam conforme a manobra analisada. / Currently, based on computational analysis, more accurate assessments have been possible in studies of design of water supply networks. The hydraulic transient is a phenomenon that can affect all forced drainage system. Understanding this phenomenon and the constant search for solutions to avoid its harmful effects cause significant technological advances, principally through the application of computational methods. The present work is to use the Transient Inverse Method (TIM) with a genetic algorithm to calibrate the absolute roughness of pipes of two water distribution networks using four different types of maneuvers through genetic parameters. The study was done in two fictitious networks, but with physical characteristics of real networks. We analyzed the influence of valves maneuvers in the identification of roughness in pipes of water distribution networks. The simulations were made by varying two types of selection: elitism with and without elitism, considering the efficiency indicators: Average Relative Error (EMR), Relative Error (RE) and Objective Function (OF), where the results of the Network proved best for the relative error (RE) with elitism in four maneuvers. In network B, the best indicator of efficiency for the calibration of the four maneuvers was the mean relative error (EMR) with elitism and the indicators Relative Error (RE) and Objective Function (OF) vary according to the analyzed maneuver.

Introdução - A maior limitação para avaliar a dieta habitual é dada pelo erro de medida. Para minimizar os seus efeitos, tem-se proposto metodologias de calibração para correção dos dados e medidas associativas, consistindo na determinação de uma relação entre duas escalas de medida, utilizando-se regressão linear. Objetivo - Calibrar os dados obtidos por Questionário de Freqüência Alimentar para Adolescentes (QFAA), a partir do fator de calibração obtido por regressão linear. Metodologia - A amostra foi constituída por 74 adolescentes de ambos os sexos, alunos de uma escola pública de Piracicaba, com idade entre 10 e 14 anos. Foram excluídos indivíduos com idade superior ou igual a 14 anos ou com dados de consumo de energia não plausíveis. Obtiveram-se informações sobre dados socioeconômicos, antropométricos, demográficos e de maturação sexual. O consumo alimentar foi levantado por meio de Questionário de Freqüência Alimentar para Adolescentes e dois Recordatórios de 24 horas. Os dados de consumo de ambos os instrumentos foram ajustados pela energia, sendo que apenas os dados do recordatório foram ajustados pela variabilidade intrapessoal. Realizaram-se análises descritivas e de tendência central, one way ANOVA, coeficientes de correlação de Pearson e regressão linear. A média dos dois recordatórios foi utilizada como referência para a calibração dos dados. Resultados - De 74 indivíduos, 71,6% eram do sexo feminino. As médias das variáveis dietéticas foram muito semelhantes para o questionário calibrado e média dos recordatórios, com redução dos valores de desvio-padrão. Os coeficientes de calibração da regressão linear variaram de -0,05 (ferro) a 0,28 (vitamina C). Conclusão – Pelos resultados encontrados, a metodologia utilizada para a calibração dos dados dietéticos foi capaz de reduzir o erro de mensuração e, mesmo não o eliminando por completo, é uma abordagem que pode ser utilizada para obter estimativas menos enviesadas. / Background - A major limitation in usual diet assessment is the measurement error. Calibration approaches have been proposed to minimize its effects and to correct risk estimates. Calibration could be defined as a method which determines a relation between rank orders of two instruments by linear regression. Objective – to apply a calibration strategy in nutrient intake datas obtained by Adolescents Food Frequency Questionnaire (AFFQ), by using a calibration factor obtained by linear regression. Methodology – 74 boys and girls (10 to 14 years old) enrolled at a public school of Piracicaba were assessed. Values of energy intake higher than 6000Kcal and adolescents older than 14 years were excluded. Demographic and anthropometric data, sexual maturation and dietary intake (assessed by food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall) were examined. Dietary data intakes were adjusted by energy and, only 24-hour recall data were adjusted by within-person variance. Descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression were performed. Results - 71,6% were girls. The calibrated values were similar to the reference data, with a reduction of standard deviation values. Linear regression coefficients (λ) ranged from -0,05 (iron) to 0,28 (vitamin C). Conclusion – The methodology used to calibrate dietary data was capable to reduce measurement error. Although it was not able to eliminate error completely, it is an approach that can be used to obtain less unbiased estimates.

Calibration is assesment dependencies test data on values etalon. Work suggests optimum calibration routes inclusive uncertainties metering.

Work smoothing - out evaluation accuracy of measurement monostable moment steering linkage by the help of special machine. Evaluates individual characteristics accuracy, especially uncertainty metering.

This diploma thesis deals with measurement of vehicle centre of gravity height position. In the first part is created summary of methods used for measuring centre of gravity position and moment of inertia of the vehicle. In the other parts are designed and analyzed two dynamics method of measuring centre of gravity height position. This thesis presents analysis of the errors of the proposed methods, results of measurements and design of the construct adjustments device for measuring of the moments of inertia enabling its used for measuring centre of gravity height position. Some components are through analyse of tension.

This thesis deals with a methodological phenomenon called order effect. This effect creates a situation where the preceding questions influence answers of the subsequent questions. During cognitive responding process, the preceding questions may evoke specific mental associations and ideas that are more easily accessible afterwards during responding of the following questions. This induced information may be used during answer selection process which may cause bias in answers. The same questions placed in different order can generate different answers. Different question order can have different cognitive burden. The aim of this thesis is cognitive burden assessment of different question orders. Data collection was conducted by cognitive interviews which helped to detect how respondents work with particular questions during questionnaire responding process, and to identify specific types of order effect. There are four types of order effect: carryover effect, backfire effect, assimilation and contrast effect. A specific question preceding a general question evokes information which is more accessible for interpretation of a general question therefore this question order is less burdensome. Also the order from negative to positive question is less burdensome than the opposite order because it evokes...