Analysis of measured data is often required when there is no deep understanding of the mathematics that accurately describes the process being measured. Additionally, realistic estimation of the derivative of measured data is often useful. Current techniques of accomplishing this type of data analysis are labor intensive, prone to significant error, and highly dependent on the expertise of the engineer performing the analysis. The ?Self-Smoothing Functional Estimation? (SSFE) algorithm was developed to automate the analysis of measured data and to provide a reliable basis for the extraction of derivative information. In addition to the mathematical development of the SSFE algorithm, an example is included in Chapter III that illustrates several of the innovative features of the SSFE and associated algorithms. Conclusions are drawn about the usefulness of the algorithm from an engineering perspective and additional possible uses are mentioned.

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This thesis proposes some new model independent or nonparametric methods for estimating the dose-response curve and the effective dosage curve in the context of bioassay. The research problem is also of importance in environmental risk assessment and other areas of health sciences. It is shown in the thesis that our new nonparametric methods while bearing optimal asymptotic properties also exhibit strong finite sample performance. Although our specific emphasis is on bioassay and environmental risk assessment, the methodology developed in this dissertation applies broadly to general order restricted inference.

This simulation study examined the performance of the curve-of-factors growth model when serial correlation and growth processes were present in the first-level factor structure. As previous research has shown (Ferron, Dailey, & Yi, 2002; Kwok, West, & Green, 2007; Murphy & Pituch, 2009) estimates of the fixed effects and their standard errors were unbiased when serial correlation was present in the data but unmodeled. However, variance components were estimated poorly across the examined serial correlation conditions. Two new models were also examined: one curve-of-factors model was fitted with a first-order autoregressive serial correlation parameter, and a second curve-of-factors model was fitted with first-order autoregressive and moving average serial correlation parameters. The models were developed in an effort to measure growth and serial correlation processes within the same data set. Both models fitted with serial correlation parameters were able to accurately reproduce the serial correlation parameter and approximate the true growth trajectory. However, estimates of the variance components and the standard errors of the fixed effects were problematic. The two models also produced inadmissible solutions across all conditions. Of the three models, the curve-of-factors model had the best overall performance. / text

In the apparel industry, pattern making and alterations are expensive and time consuming, because they require iterative fitting and adjustment to develop garment patterns that fit their target consumers. The goal of this paper is to accelerate the pattern making process for jeans customization, which incorporates proper ease distribution at crotch curve in a 3D jeans design and pattern alteration by developing ease distribution models. In this research, four female jeans with different crotch ease allowances were developed. The patterns were drafted using flat patterning methods. The fitting process was conducted and evaluated according to standard fitting criteria. Furthermore, the size 8 mannequin, and then the jeans with the mannequin inside were scanned by the Kinect Body Image System. The crotch curves of the mannequin and the jeans were obtained, and were then extracted to the Accumark CAD system where the radial distance eases of the crotch curves were defined and measured. Correlation analysis between the distance ease and crotch ease allowance was conducted, and regression analysis was used to develop ease distribution models. The applications of the regression models in 3D jeans design and jeans pattern alterations were discussed. This research enhances the understanding of the ease distribution at the jeans crotch area. The results of this research provide essential ease distribution information for the jeans pattern alterations and jeans construction on a 3D model. / text

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The question for this thesis is whether the static and the dynamic theory of international trade stability holds in reality in Bangladesh.

Název práce: Náborová křivka H-reflexu v diagnostice radikulárních syndromů Cíle práce: Ověření spolehlivosti vyšetření náborové křivky H-reflexu a M-vlny diagnostice kompresivní radikulopatie Metody práce: U 24 osob s jednostranným kořenový syndromem S1 byl vyšetřen H-reflex m. soleus oboustranně bipolární stimulací n.tibialis v popliteální jamce. Elektromyografický signál byl digitalizován a následně byla hodnocena data pro asymptomatickou a symptomatickou končetinu. Hodnoceny byly prahy pro vyvolání H-reflexu a M-vlny, latence a amplitudy H-reflexu a M-vlny, strmost náborové křivky, její maxima Hmax. a Mmax. a poměr Hmax/Max . Tyto hodnoty pro symptomatickou stranu a asymptomatickou stranu byly statisticky porovnány. Výsledky: Výsledky měření potvrdily, že vyšetření náborové křivky H-reflexu je vhodnou diagnostickou metodou k objektivizaci radikulopatie S1. Na symptomatické straně došlo k signifikantnímu poklesu Mmax., Hmax, poměru Hmax/Mmax a sklonu náborové křivky H-reflexu. Klíčová slova: radikulopatie, EMG, H-reflex, M-vlna, náborová křivka

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agricultural Economics / Jeff Peterson / This dissertation is composed of three chapters each investigating the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for water pollution. The first chapter looks at downstream dependence, the second chapter looks at the effect water abundance has on an EKC for water pollution, and the third chapter looks at different ways to control for population across countries in an EKC empirical model. Of particular note a theoretical model is developed in the first chapter that links directly with the empirical EKC model and marginal effects of consumption and effort on pollution are derived. This model specification may be particularly useful in future EKC studies. In general, there is some evidence of an EKC although it appears to depend on the country.