This dissertation is concerned with the estimation of three functions of the binomial probability of "success": estimation of a linear combination of independent binomial probabilities; fixed precision estimation of the binomial probability; and estimation of the logit transformation of the binomial probability. A Bayesian viewpoint is adopted temporarily to "suggest" a wide class of admissible estimators for each problem. Designated the class C of SBP estimators, it is the class of Bayes estimators derived from Symmetric Beta Priors (the class of conjugate priors for the binomial), and often includes the maximum likelihood estimator as a special case. Once a class of estimators for each problem is suggested by the Bayesian viewpoint, three criteria are used to obtain the "optimum" estimators in that class. Two of these criteria are classical in nature: minimax risk and minimax weighted risk. The third criterion, the solution of which is the estimator corresponding to the "least favorable" prior in the class of priors considered, is subjective in nature and would appeal more to Bayesians. For each of the three problems, a class C of SBP estimators is suggested, and the optimum estimators from this class are obtained. In addition, for a special case in the estimation of a linear combination of binomials, an estimator is found that is minimax among all estimators, as well as minimax among SBP estimators. / Ph. D.

Three-dimensional wind measurements and temperature measurements were obtained on a 250-foot meteorological tower located near the Atlantic Ocean at Wallops Island, Virginia. The type of flow measured approached the tower from the ocean resulting in a complex three-dimensional type of flow as it sees a change in roughness and a possible change in surface temperature when passing the shoreline. During warm summer afternoons, the stable air is heated from below, and an internal boundary layer (IBL) with an unstable stratification develops within the stable layer which originated over the ocean. As this flow moves inland the IBL grows vertically depending on changes in surface roughness and surface temperature. Eventually, far enough inland, the IBL replaces the original stable layer. The vertical heat flux is positive in the IBL and negative in the overlying inversion. The point where the heat flux changes sign corresponds to the height of the IBL. Measurements of the mean and turbulent flow quantities were made with a special computer-controlled data-acquisition system for the aforementioned type of flow. Data analysis includes the following statistical parameters: mean values, variances, covariances (heat flux and Reynold's stresses), spectra and cospectra. Nine, one-hour runs were analyzed and the results agreed closely with the suggested model. In addition, the spectra and cospectra measured in the IBL, as well as those from the overlying inversion layer, reduce to a family of curves when expressed in appropriate similarity coordinates. These results for moderately, thermally stratified flows compare quite well with the Kansas data which were obtained in the surface layer. The results for very stable flow (z/L > 2.0) do not follow the same trend as was established in the moderately stable range. / Master of Science

Marine sedimentary rocks ranging in age from Early Cambrian(?) to Middle Ordovician, inclusive, crop out in the Damascus area. Approximately 13,000 feet of beds are exposed, comprising 14 formations. The stratigraphic succession is rather complete and is broken by a single recognizable hiatus which represents most of late Early Ordovician time. Clastic rocks of questionable Early Cambrian age are about 3,600 feet thick. Rocks of known Cambrian age are about 6,800 feet thick and consist of, in ascending order, elastic rocks, dolomite, shale and carbonate rocks, and mixed carbonate rocks. Carbonate rocks of Early Orodovician age range from 1,000 to 6,000 feet in thickness. Middle Ordovician rocks aggregate approximately 800 feet in thickness, the basal 100 feet of which is limestone and the remainder is shale and sandstone. The Elbrook formation of middle and Late Cambrian age is herein divided into four members of which one, the Widener limestone member, is formally named and mapped. A crepicephalus fauna from the Widener limestone, and a single trilobite, Plethometopus sp. From the Conococheague formation are illustrated. The strata have been folded into five synclines and four anticlines and are broken by two major thrust faults, and Lodi thrust and the Holston Mountain thrust. The faults were initially low-angle thrusts which have been folded with the overridden rocks so that locally the fault planes have steep dips. / Master of Science

Using hourly data, we show that the convergence of German and French electricity spot prices depends on the employed generation mix structure, on the trade (export/import) capacity between the two countries, and on characteristics of neighbouring markets. Only when German and French electricity markets employ "similar" generation mixes price spreads vanish, and the likelihood for congestion of electricity flows is significantly reduced. This implies that, at least, a part of the convergence that was documented in recent literature is spurious, because it is not (only) driven by the forces of arbitrage, but by the similarity of the Generation structures. The direction of congestion matters in this regard. Furthermore, we document consistent evidence for the most important predictions of trade theory if markets are characterized by increasing marginal cost (i.e. supply) curves and limited cross-border capacities. (authors' abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series