The objectives of the research study are to review existing subnational credit rating methodologies and their applicability in the South African context, to develop the quantitative parts of credit rating methodologies for two provincial departments (Department of Health and Department of Education) that best predict future payment behaviour, to test the appropriateness of the proposed methodologies and to construct the datasets needed. The literature study includes background information regarding the uniqueness of South Africa’s provinces and credit rating methodologies in general. This is followed by information on subnational credit rating methodologies, including a review of existing subnational credit rating methodologies and an assessment of the applicability of the information provided in the South African context. Lastly, the applicable laws and regulations within the South African regulatory framework are provided. The knowledge gained from the literature study is applied to the data that have been collected to predict the two departments’ future payment behaviour. Linear regression modelling is used to identify the factors that best predict future payment behaviour and to assign weights to the identified factors in a scientific manner. The resulting payment behaviour models can be viewed as the quantitative part of the credit ratings. This is followed by a discussion on further investigations to improve the models. The developed models (both the simple and the advanced models) are tested with regard to prediction accuracies using RAG (Red, Amber or Green) statuses. This is followed by recommendations regarding future model usage that conclude that the department-specific models outperform the generic models in terms of prediction accuracies. / PhD (Risk analysis), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is a popular financial instrument and communication tool for the appraisal of companies. Often, companies management and other practitioners use untested rules and behavioural approach when investigating the key determinants of ROCE, instead of the scientific statistical paradigm. The aim of this dissertation was to identify and quantify key determinants of ROCE of individual companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), by comparing classical multiple linear regression, principal components regression, generalized least squares regression, and robust maximum likelihood regression approaches in order to improve companies decision making. Performance indicators used to arrive at the best approach were coefficient of determination ( ), adjusted ( , and Mean Square Residual (MSE). Since the ROCE variable had positive and negative values two separate analyses were done. The classical multiple linear regression models were constructed using stepwise directed search for dependent variable log ROCE for the two data sets. Assumptions were satisfied and problem of multicollinearity was addressed. For the positive ROCE data set, the classical multiple linear regression model had a of 0.928, an of 0.927, a MSE of 0.013, and the lead key determinant was Return on Equity (ROE),with positive elasticity, followed by Debt to Equity (D/E) and Capital Employed (CE), both with negative elasticities. The model showed good validation performance. For the negative ROCE data set, the classical multiple linear regression model had a of 0.666, an of 0.652, a MSE of 0.149, and the lead key determinant was Assets per Capital Employed (APCE) with positive effect, followed by Return on Assets (ROA) and Market Capitalization (MC), both with negative effects. The model showed poor validation performance. The results indicated more and less precision than those found by previous studies. This suggested that the key determinants are also important sources of variability in ROCE of individual companies that management need to work with. To handle the problem of multicollinearity in the data, principal components were selected using Kaiser-Guttman criterion. The principal components regression model was constructed using dependent variable log ROCE for the two data sets. Assumptions were satisfied. For the positive ROCE data set, the principal components regression model had a of 0.929, an of 0.929, a MSE of 0.069, and the lead key determinant was PC4 (log ROA, log ROE, log Operating Profit Margin (OPM)) and followed by PC2 (log Earnings Yield (EY), log Price to Earnings (P/E)), both with positive effects. The model resulted in a satisfactory validation performance. For the negative ROCE data set, the principal components regression model had a of 0.544, an of 0.532, a MSE of 0.167, and the lead key determinant was PC3 (ROA, EY, APCE) and followed by PC1 (MC, CE), both with negative effects. The model indicated an accurate validation performance. The results showed that the use of principal components as independent variables did not improve classical multiple linear regression model prediction in our data. This implied that the key determinants are less important sources of variability in ROCE of individual companies that management need to work with. Generalized least square regression was used to assess heteroscedasticity and dependences in the data. It was constructed using stepwise directed search for dependent variable ROCE for the two data sets. For the positive ROCE data set, the weighted generalized least squares regression model had a of 0.920, an of 0.919, a MSE of 0.044, and the lead key determinant was ROE with positive effect, followed by D/E with negative effect, Dividend Yield (DY) with positive effect and lastly CE with negative effect. The model indicated an accurate validation performance. For the negative ROCE data set, the weighted generalized least squares regression model had a of 0.559, an of 0.548, a MSE of 57.125, and the lead key determinant was APCE and followed by ROA, both with positive effects.The model showed a weak validation performance. The results suggested that the key determinants are less important sources of variability in ROCE of individual companies that management need to work with. Robust maximum likelihood regression was employed to handle the problem of contamination in the data. It was constructed using stepwise directed search for dependent variable ROCE for the two data sets. For the positive ROCE data set, the robust maximum likelihood regression model had a of 0.998, an of 0.997, a MSE of 6.739, and the lead key determinant was ROE with positive effect, followed by DY and lastly D/E, both with negative effects. The model showed a strong validation performance. For the negative ROCE data set, the robust maximum likelihood regression model had a of 0.990, an of 0.984, a MSE of 98.883, and the lead key determinant was APCE with positive effect and followed by ROA with negative effect. The model also showed a strong validation performance. The results reflected that the key determinants are major sources of variability in ROCE of individual companies that management need to work with. Overall, the findings showed that the use of robust maximum likelihood regression provided more precise results compared to those obtained using the three competing approaches, because it is more consistent, sufficient and efficient; has a higher breakdown point and no conditions. Companies management can establish and control proper marketing strategies using the key determinants, and results of these strategies can see an improvement in ROCE. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Sc. (Statistics)

Chaque jour, des décisions doivent être prises quant à la quantité d'hydroélectricité produite au Québec. Ces décisions reposent sur la prévision des apports en eau dans les bassins versants produite à l'aide de modèles hydrologiques. Ces modèles prennent en compte plusieurs facteurs, dont notamment la présence ou l'absence de neige au sol. Cette information est primordiale durant la fonte printanière pour anticiper les apports à venir, puisqu'entre 30 et 40% du volume de crue peut provenir de la fonte du couvert nival. Il est donc nécessaire pour les prévisionnistes de pouvoir suivre l'évolution du couvert de neige de façon quotidienne afin d'ajuster leurs prévisions selon le phénomène de fonte. Des méthodes pour cartographier la neige au sol sont actuellement utilisées à l'Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec (IREQ), mais elles présentent quelques lacunes. Ce mémoire a pour objectif d'utiliser des données de télédétection en micro-ondes passives (le gradient de températures de brillance en position verticale (GTV)) à l'aide d'une approche statistique afin de produire des cartes neige/non-neige et d'en quantifier l'incertitude de classification. Pour ce faire, le GTV a été utilisé afin de calculer une probabilité de neige quotidienne via les mélanges de lois normales selon la statistique bayésienne. Par la suite, ces probabilités ont été modélisées à l'aide de la régression linéaire sur les logits et des cartographies du couvert nival ont été produites. Les résultats des modèles ont été validés qualitativement et quantitativement, puis leur intégration à Hydro-Québec a été discutée. / Every day, decisions must be made about the amount of hydroelectricity produced in Quebec. These decisions are based on the prediction of water inflow in watersheds based on hydrological models. These models take into account several factors, including the presence or absence of snow. This information is critical during the spring melt to anticipate future flows, since between 30 and 40 % of the flood volume may come from the melting of the snow cover. It is therefore necessary for forecasters to be able to monitor on a daily basis the snow cover to adjust their expectations about the melting phenomenon. Some methods to map snow on the ground are currently used at the Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec (IREQ), but they have some shortcomings. This master thesis's main goal is to use remote sensing passive microwave data (the vertically polarized brightness temperature gradient ratio (GTV)) with a statistical approach to produce snow maps and to quantify the classification uncertainty. In order to do this, the GTV has been used to calculate a daily probability of snow via a Gaussian mixture model using Bayesian statistics. Subsequently, these probabilities were modeled using linear regression models on logits and snow cover maps were produced. The models results were validated qualitatively and quantitatively, and their integration at Hydro-Québec was discussed.

Analysis of the impact of ageing on health care spending in selected countries of the Commonwealth Abstract This thesis examines and analyses development of population ageing in Australia, Canada and New Zealand and especially its impact on the spending in the sector of health care. It includes comparison of demographic trends and description of health care systems in selected countries. The analysis is then processed by an econometric model focused on the impact of population ageing on government spending and spending of the private sector on health care through life expectancy at birth, ratio of population aged 65 years and above and other indicators. The modelling is carried out using linear regression, vector autoregression and fixed effects model in panel data. The results show that population ageing indeed affects through different intensity both government and private sector spending on health care in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Title: Evaluation of body composition analysis using anthropometric measurements and methods based on bioimpedance Aims: The main goal of this study is to analyze correlations of the data from bioimpedance with direct anthropometric measurements using statistical data analysis taking into consideration that the latter data is recognized as a gold standard. Methods: The sample of 42 men and 20 women was evaluated using standard anthropometric techniques. In addition, the dimensions, which are necessary to establish the weight of segments in upper and lower arms. The obtained data was firstly evaluated using a universal software ANTROPO. The both samples were concurrently investigated using the bioimpedance methods and the relationships between the aforementioned data and data from InBody was evaluated by three independent statistical methods such as substantive significance (Cohen's d), two-parameter linear regression and robust Passing- Bablok regression. Results: The results obtained enable to conclude that (with the exception of body height and BMI) the remaining parameters do not sufficiently correlate when using anthropometric measurements and data from InBody. As the relatively low number of participants may result in certain misrepresentation of the results, particularly in women, the...

The thesis compares several non-linear regression methods on synthetic data sets gen- erated using standard benchmarks for a continuous black-box optimization. For that com- parison, we have chosen the following regression methods: radial basis function networks, Gaussian processes, support vector regression and random forests. We have also included polynomial regression which we use to explain the basic principles of regression. The com- parison of these methods is discussed in the context of black-box optimization problems where the selected methods can be applied as surrogate models. The methods are evalu- ated based on their mean-squared error and on the Kendall's rank correlation coefficient between the ordering of function values according to the model and according to the function used to generate the data. 1

Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is a popular financial instrument and communication tool for the appraisal of companies. Often, companies management and other practitioners use untested rules and behavioural approach when investigating the key determinants of ROCE, instead of the scientific statistical paradigm. The aim of this dissertation was to identify and quantify key determinants of ROCE of individual companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), by comparing classical multiple linear regression, principal components regression, generalized least squares regression, and robust maximum likelihood regression approaches in order to improve companies decision making. Performance indicators used to arrive at the best approach were coefficient of determination ( ), adjusted ( , and Mean Square Residual (MSE). Since the ROCE variable had positive and negative values two separate analyses were done. The classical multiple linear regression models were constructed using stepwise directed search for dependent variable log ROCE for the two data sets. Assumptions were satisfied and problem of multicollinearity was addressed. For the positive ROCE data set, the classical multiple linear regression model had a of 0.928, an of 0.927, a MSE of 0.013, and the lead key determinant was Return on Equity (ROE),with positive elasticity, followed by Debt to Equity (D/E) and Capital Employed (CE), both with negative elasticities. The model showed good validation performance. For the negative ROCE data set, the classical multiple linear regression model had a of 0.666, an of 0.652, a MSE of 0.149, and the lead key determinant was Assets per Capital Employed (APCE) with positive effect, followed by Return on Assets (ROA) and Market Capitalization (MC), both with negative effects. The model showed poor validation performance. The results indicated more and less precision than those found by previous studies. This suggested that the key determinants are also important sources of variability in ROCE of individual companies that management need to work with. To handle the problem of multicollinearity in the data, principal components were selected using Kaiser-Guttman criterion. The principal components regression model was constructed using dependent variable log ROCE for the two data sets. Assumptions were satisfied. For the positive ROCE data set, the principal components regression model had a of 0.929, an of 0.929, a MSE of 0.069, and the lead key determinant was PC4 (log ROA, log ROE, log Operating Profit Margin (OPM)) and followed by PC2 (log Earnings Yield (EY), log Price to Earnings (P/E)), both with positive effects. The model resulted in a satisfactory validation performance. For the negative ROCE data set, the principal components regression model had a of 0.544, an of 0.532, a MSE of 0.167, and the lead key determinant was PC3 (ROA, EY, APCE) and followed by PC1 (MC, CE), both with negative effects. The model indicated an accurate validation performance. The results showed that the use of principal components as independent variables did not improve classical multiple linear regression model prediction in our data. This implied that the key determinants are less important sources of variability in ROCE of individual companies that management need to work with. Generalized least square regression was used to assess heteroscedasticity and dependences in the data. It was constructed using stepwise directed search for dependent variable ROCE for the two data sets. For the positive ROCE data set, the weighted generalized least squares regression model had a of 0.920, an of 0.919, a MSE of 0.044, and the lead key determinant was ROE with positive effect, followed by D/E with negative effect, Dividend Yield (DY) with positive effect and lastly CE with negative effect. The model indicated an accurate validation performance. For the negative ROCE data set, the weighted generalized least squares regression model had a of 0.559, an of 0.548, a MSE of 57.125, and the lead key determinant was APCE and followed by ROA, both with positive effects.The model showed a weak validation performance. The results suggested that the key determinants are less important sources of variability in ROCE of individual companies that management need to work with. Robust maximum likelihood regression was employed to handle the problem of contamination in the data. It was constructed using stepwise directed search for dependent variable ROCE for the two data sets. For the positive ROCE data set, the robust maximum likelihood regression model had a of 0.998, an of 0.997, a MSE of 6.739, and the lead key determinant was ROE with positive effect, followed by DY and lastly D/E, both with negative effects. The model showed a strong validation performance. For the negative ROCE data set, the robust maximum likelihood regression model had a of 0.990, an of 0.984, a MSE of 98.883, and the lead key determinant was APCE with positive effect and followed by ROA with negative effect. The model also showed a strong validation performance. The results reflected that the key determinants are major sources of variability in ROCE of individual companies that management need to work with. Overall, the findings showed that the use of robust maximum likelihood regression provided more precise results compared to those obtained using the three competing approaches, because it is more consistent, sufficient and efficient; has a higher breakdown point and no conditions. Companies management can establish and control proper marketing strategies using the key determinants, and results of these strategies can see an improvement in ROCE. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Sc. (Statistics)

Neste trabalho estudam-se alguns novos métodos de seleção de variáveis no contexto da regressão linear que surgiram nos últimos 15 anos, especificamente o LARS - Least Angle Regression, o NAMS - Noise Addition Model Selection, a Razão de Falsa Seleção - RFS (FSR em inglês), o LASSO Bayesiano e o Spike-and-Slab LASSO. A metodologia foi a análise e comparação dos métodos estudados e aplicações. Após esse estudo, realizam-se aplicações em bases de dados reais e um estudo de simulação, em que todos os métodos se mostraram promissores, com os métodos Bayesianos apresentando os melhores resultados. / In this work, some new variable selection methods that have appeared in the last 15 years in the context of linear regression are studied, specifically the LARS - Least Angle Regression, the NAMS - Noise Addition Model Selection, the False Selection Rate - FSR, the Bayesian LASSO and the Spike-and-Slab LASSO. The methodology was the analysis and comparison of the studied methods. After this study, applications to real data bases are made, as well as a simulation study, in which all methods are shown to be promising, with the Bayesian methods showing the best results.

Na tentativa de contornar os problemas ainda existentes para a detecção e identificação de erros grosseiros (EGs) no processo de estimação de estado em sistemas elétricos de potência (EESEP), realiza-se, neste trabalho, uma análise da formulação dos estimadores aplicados a sistemas elétricos de potência, em especial, o de mínimos quadrados ponderados, tendo em vista evidenciar as limitações dos mesmos para o tratamento de EGs. Em razão da dificuldade de detectar EGs em medidas pontos de alavancamento, foram também analisadas as metodologias desenvolvidas para identificação de medidas pontos de alavancamento. Através da formulação do processo de EESEP como um problema de álgebra linear, demonstra-se o porquê da impossibilidade de detectar EGs em determinadas medidas redundantes, sendo proposto, na seqüência, um método para identificação de medidas pontos de alavancamento. Para reduzir os efeitos maléficos dessas medidas no processo de EESEP verifica-se a possibilidade de aplicar outras técnicas estatísticas para o processamento de EGs, bem como técnicas para obtenção de uma matriz de ponderação adequada. / To overcome the problems still existent for gross errors (GEs) detection and identification in the process of power system state estimation (PSSE), the formulations of the estimators applied to power systems are analyzed, specially, the formulation of the weighted squares estimator. These analyses were performed to show the limitations of these estimators for GEs processing. As leverage points (LP) represent a problem for GEs processing, methodologies for LP identification were also verified. By means of the linear formulation of the PSSE process, the reason for the impossibility of GEs detection in some redundant measurements is shown and a method for LP identification is proposed. To minimize the bad effects of the LP to the PSSE process, the possibility of applying other statistic techniques for GEs processing, as well as techniques to estimate an weighting matrix are also analyzed.

Neste trabalho estudam-se alguns novos métodos de seleção de variáveis no contexto da regressão linear que surgiram nos últimos 15 anos, especificamente o LARS - Least Angle Regression, o NAMS - Noise Addition Model Selection, a Razão de Falsa Seleção - RFS (FSR em inglês), o LASSO Bayesiano e o Spike-and-Slab LASSO. A metodologia foi a análise e comparação dos métodos estudados e aplicações. Após esse estudo, realizam-se aplicações em bases de dados reais e um estudo de simulação, em que todos os métodos se mostraram promissores, com os métodos Bayesianos apresentando os melhores resultados. / In this work, some new variable selection methods that have appeared in the last 15 years in the context of linear regression are studied, specifically the LARS - Least Angle Regression, the NAMS - Noise Addition Model Selection, the False Selection Rate - FSR, the Bayesian LASSO and the Spike-and-Slab LASSO. The methodology was the analysis and comparison of the studied methods. After this study, applications to real data bases are made, as well as a simulation study, in which all methods are shown to be promising, with the Bayesian methods showing the best results.