A Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (SEM, do inglês Structural Equation Modeling) é uma metodologia multivariada que permite estudar relações de causa/efeito e correlação entre um conjunto de variáveis (podendo ser elas observadas ou latentes), simultaneamente. A técnica vem se difundindo cada vez mais nos últimos anos, em diferentes áreas do conhecimento. Uma de suas principais aplicações é na conrmação de modelos teóricos propostos pelo pesquisador (Análise Fatorial Conrmatória). Existem diversas medidas sugeridas pela literatura que servem para avaliar o quão bom está o ajuste de um modelo de SEM. Entretanto, é escassa a quantidade de trabalhos na literatura que listem relações entre os valores de diferentes medidas com possíveis problemas na amostra e na especicação do modelo, isto é, informações a respeito de que possíveis problemas desta natureza impactam quais medidas (e quais não), e de que maneira. Tal informação é importante porque permite entender os motivos pelos quais um modelo pode estar sendo considerado mal-ajustado. O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar como diferentes perturbações na amostragem, especicação e estimação de um modelo de SEM podem impactar as medidas de qualidade de ajuste; e, além disso, entender se o tamanho da amostra influencia esta resposta. Simultaneamente, também se avalia como tais perturbações afetam as estimativas, dado que há casos de perturbações em que os parâmetros continuam sendo bem ajustados, mesmo com algumas medidas indicando um mau ajuste; ao mesmo tempo, há ocasiões em que se indica um bom ajuste, enquanto que os parâmetros são estimados de forma distorcida. Tais investigações serão realizadas a partir de simulações de exemplos de amostras de diferentes tamanhos para cada tipo de perturbação. Então, diferentes especicações de modelos de SEM serão aplicados a estas amostras, e seus parâmetros serão estimados por dois métodos diferentes: Mínimos Quadrados Generalizados e Máxima Verossimilhança. Conhecendo tais resultados, um pesquisador que queira aplicar a técnica de SEM poderá se precaver e, dentre as medidas de qualidade de ajuste disponíveis, optar pelas que mais se adequem às características de seu estudo. / The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is a multivariate methodology that allows the study of cause-and-efect relationships and correlation of a set of variables (that may be observed or latent ones), simultaneously. The technique has become more diuse in the last years, in different fields of knowledge. One of its main applications is on the confirmation of theoretical models proposed by the researcher (Confirmatory Factorial Analysis). There are several measures suggested by literature to measure the goodness of t of a SEM model. However, there is a scarce number of texts that list relationships between the values of different of those measures with possible problems that may occur on the sample or the specication of the SEM model, like information concerning what problems of this nature impact which measures (and which not), and how does the impact occur. This information is important because it allows the understanding of the reasons why a model could be considered bad fitted. The objective of this work is to investigate how different disturbances of the sample, the model specification and the estimation of a SEM model are able to impact the measures of goodness of fit; additionally, to understand if the sample size has influence over this impact. It will also be investigated if those disturbances affect the estimates of the parameters, given the fact that there are disturbances for which occurrence some of the measures indicate badness of fit but the parameters are not affected; at the same time, that are occasions on which the measures indicate a good fit and there are disturbances on the estimates of the parameters. Those investigations will be made simulating examples of different size samples for which type of disturbance. Then, SEM models with different specifications will be fitted to each sample, and their parameters will be estimated by two dierent methods: Generalized Least Squares and Maximum Likelihood. Given those answers, a researcher that wants to apply the SEM methodology to his work will be able to be more careful and, among the available measures of goodness of fit, to chose those that are more adequate to the characteristics of his study.

It has previously been determined that using 3 or 4 points on a categorized response scale will fail to produce a continuous distribution of scores. However, there is no evidence, thus far, revealing the number of scale points that may indeed possess an approximate or sufficiently continuous distribution. This study provides the evidence to suggest the level of categorization in discrete scales that makes them directly comparable to continuous scales in terms of their measurement properties. To do this, we first introduced a novel procedure for simulating discretely scaled data that was both informed and validated through the principles of the Classical True Score Model. Second, we employed a measurement invariance (MI) approach to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in order to directly compare the measurement quality of continuously scaled factor models to that of discretely scaled models. The simulated design conditions of the study varied with respect to item-specific variance (low, moderate, high), random error variance (none, moderate, high), and discrete scale categorization (number of scale points ranged from 3 to 101). A population analogue approach was taken with respect to sample size (N = 10,000). We concluded that there are conditions under which response scales with 11 to 15 scale points can reproduce the measurement properties of a continuous scale. Using response scales with more than 15 points may be, for the most part, unnecessary. Scales having from 3 to 10 points introduce a significant level of measurement error, and caution should be taken when employing such scales. The implications of this research and future directions are discussed.

It has previously been determined that using 3 or 4 points on a categorized response scale will fail to produce a continuous distribution of scores. However, there is no evidence, thus far, revealing the number of scale points that may indeed possess an approximate or sufficiently continuous distribution. This study provides the evidence to suggest the level of categorization in discrete scales that makes them directly comparable to continuous scales in terms of their measurement properties. To do this, we first introduced a novel procedure for simulating discretely scaled data that was both informed and validated through the principles of the Classical True Score Model. Second, we employed a measurement invariance (MI) approach to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in order to directly compare the measurement quality of continuously scaled factor models to that of discretely scaled models. The simulated design conditions of the study varied with respect to item-specific variance (low, moderate, high), random error variance (none, moderate, high), and discrete scale categorization (number of scale points ranged from 3 to 101). A population analogue approach was taken with respect to sample size (N = 10,000). We concluded that there are conditions under which response scales with 11 to 15 scale points can reproduce the measurement properties of a continuous scale. Using response scales with more than 15 points may be, for the most part, unnecessary. Scales having from 3 to 10 points introduce a significant level of measurement error, and caution should be taken when employing such scales. The implications of this research and future directions are discussed.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Sinais diversos estão presentes em nosso cotidiano, assim como nas medidas realizadas nas atividades de ciência e tecnologia. Dentre estes sinais, tem grande importância tecnológica aqueles associados à corrosão de estruturas metálicas. Assim, esta tese propõe o estudo de um esquema local de transformada de Fourier janelada, com a janela variando em função da curtose, aplicada a sinais de ruído eletroquímico. A curtose foi avaliada nos domínios do tempo e da frequência e processada pelo programa desenvolvido para esse fim. O esquema foi aplicado a sinais de ruído eletroquímico dos aços UNS S31600, UNS G10200 e UNS S32750 imersos em três soluções: FeCl3 0,1 mol=L (cloreto férrico), H2SO4 5%(ácido sulfúrico) e NaOH 0,1%(hidróxido de sódio). Para os aços inoxidáveis, estas soluções promovem corrosão localizada, uniforme e passivação, respectivamente. Visando testar o desempenho do esquema de Fourier desenvolvido, testes foram realizados utilizando-se inicialmente sinais sintéticos e em seguida sinais de ruído eletroquímico. Notou-se que os sinais têm características de não-estacionaridade e a maior parte da energia está presente em baixa frequência. Os intervalos de tempo e de frequência onde se concentra a maior parte da energia do sinal foram correlacionados. Para os picos máximos dos sinais de potencial e corrente obtidos de amperimetria de resistência nula, a correlação entre eles foi baixa, independente da forma de corrosão presente. Conclui-se que o método se adaptou bastante bem às características locais do sinal eletroquímico permitindo o monitoramento dos espectros tempo-frequência. O fato de ser sensível às características locais do sinal permite analisar aspectos dos sinais que do modo clássico não podem ser diretamente processados. O método da transformada de Fourier janelada variável (Variable Short-Time Fourier Transform - VSTFT) adaptou-se muito bem no monitoramento dos sinais originados de potencial de circuito aberto e amperimetria de resistência nula. / Several signals are present in our daily lives, as well as in the measurements from scientific and technological procedures. Among these signals, it has great technological importance those associated with corrosion of metallic structures. Thus, this thesis considers a local windowed Fourier transform, varying according to the kurtosis of signals, applied to electrochemical noise. The kurtosis was assessed in the kurtosis of the time and frequency domains and evaluated by the software developed for this purpose. The scheme has been applied to electrochemical noise signals of UNS S31600, UNS G10200 and UNS S32750 steels immersed in three solutions: FeCl3 0.1 mol=L (ferric chloride), H2SO4 5 % (sulfuric acid) and NaOH 0.1 % (sodium hydroxide). For stainless steels, these solutions cause localized corrosion, uniform corrosion and passivation, respectively. To test the performance of the proposed Fourier scheme, tests were conducted initially using synthetic signal and then electrochemical noise signals. It is worth noticing that the signals have non-stationary characteristics and most part of its energy is present at low frequency. The time and frequency intervals which concentrate most part of the energy of the signal were correlated. For the maximum peaks of the potential and current signals obtained by zero resistance ammeter, the correlation between them was low, regardless of the form of present corrosion. We conclude that the method is well adapted to the local features of the electrochemical signal allowing the monitoring of time-frequency spectograms. As the method is sensitive to the local features of the sign, it allows to analyse signals that by the classic approach can not be directly processed. The windowed Fourier transform (Variable Short-Time Fourier Transform - VSTFT) adapted very well in monitoring of the signals originated by open circuit potential and zero resistance ammeter.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Sinais diversos estão presentes em nosso cotidiano, assim como nas medidas realizadas nas atividades de ciência e tecnologia. Dentre estes sinais, tem grande importância tecnológica aqueles associados à corrosão de estruturas metálicas. Assim, esta tese propõe o estudo de um esquema local de transformada de Fourier janelada, com a janela variando em função da curtose, aplicada a sinais de ruído eletroquímico. A curtose foi avaliada nos domínios do tempo e da frequência e processada pelo programa desenvolvido para esse fim. O esquema foi aplicado a sinais de ruído eletroquímico dos aços UNS S31600, UNS G10200 e UNS S32750 imersos em três soluções: FeCl3 0,1 mol=L (cloreto férrico), H2SO4 5%(ácido sulfúrico) e NaOH 0,1%(hidróxido de sódio). Para os aços inoxidáveis, estas soluções promovem corrosão localizada, uniforme e passivação, respectivamente. Visando testar o desempenho do esquema de Fourier desenvolvido, testes foram realizados utilizando-se inicialmente sinais sintéticos e em seguida sinais de ruído eletroquímico. Notou-se que os sinais têm características de não-estacionaridade e a maior parte da energia está presente em baixa frequência. Os intervalos de tempo e de frequência onde se concentra a maior parte da energia do sinal foram correlacionados. Para os picos máximos dos sinais de potencial e corrente obtidos de amperimetria de resistência nula, a correlação entre eles foi baixa, independente da forma de corrosão presente. Conclui-se que o método se adaptou bastante bem às características locais do sinal eletroquímico permitindo o monitoramento dos espectros tempo-frequência. O fato de ser sensível às características locais do sinal permite analisar aspectos dos sinais que do modo clássico não podem ser diretamente processados. O método da transformada de Fourier janelada variável (Variable Short-Time Fourier Transform - VSTFT) adaptou-se muito bem no monitoramento dos sinais originados de potencial de circuito aberto e amperimetria de resistência nula. / Several signals are present in our daily lives, as well as in the measurements from scientific and technological procedures. Among these signals, it has great technological importance those associated with corrosion of metallic structures. Thus, this thesis considers a local windowed Fourier transform, varying according to the kurtosis of signals, applied to electrochemical noise. The kurtosis was assessed in the kurtosis of the time and frequency domains and evaluated by the software developed for this purpose. The scheme has been applied to electrochemical noise signals of UNS S31600, UNS G10200 and UNS S32750 steels immersed in three solutions: FeCl3 0.1 mol=L (ferric chloride), H2SO4 5 % (sulfuric acid) and NaOH 0.1 % (sodium hydroxide). For stainless steels, these solutions cause localized corrosion, uniform corrosion and passivation, respectively. To test the performance of the proposed Fourier scheme, tests were conducted initially using synthetic signal and then electrochemical noise signals. It is worth noticing that the signals have non-stationary characteristics and most part of its energy is present at low frequency. The time and frequency intervals which concentrate most part of the energy of the signal were correlated. For the maximum peaks of the potential and current signals obtained by zero resistance ammeter, the correlation between them was low, regardless of the form of present corrosion. We conclude that the method is well adapted to the local features of the electrochemical signal allowing the monitoring of time-frequency spectograms. As the method is sensitive to the local features of the sign, it allows to analyse signals that by the classic approach can not be directly processed. The windowed Fourier transform (Variable Short-Time Fourier Transform - VSTFT) adapted very well in monitoring of the signals originated by open circuit potential and zero resistance ammeter.

It has previously been determined that using 3 or 4 points on a categorized response scale will fail to produce a continuous distribution of scores. However, there is no evidence, thus far, revealing the number of scale points that may indeed possess an approximate or sufficiently continuous distribution. This study provides the evidence to suggest the level of categorization in discrete scales that makes them directly comparable to continuous scales in terms of their measurement properties. To do this, we first introduced a novel procedure for simulating discretely scaled data that was both informed and validated through the principles of the Classical True Score Model. Second, we employed a measurement invariance (MI) approach to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in order to directly compare the measurement quality of continuously scaled factor models to that of discretely scaled models. The simulated design conditions of the study varied with respect to item-specific variance (low, moderate, high), random error variance (none, moderate, high), and discrete scale categorization (number of scale points ranged from 3 to 101). A population analogue approach was taken with respect to sample size (N = 10,000). We concluded that there are conditions under which response scales with 11 to 15 scale points can reproduce the measurement properties of a continuous scale. Using response scales with more than 15 points may be, for the most part, unnecessary. Scales having from 3 to 10 points introduce a significant level of measurement error, and caution should be taken when employing such scales. The implications of this research and future directions are discussed. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

The aim of this master thesis is the comparison of selected methods and parameters for roller bearings diagnostics. Selected statistical parameters are kurtosis, crest factor, and parameter K(t). The other selected methods are envelope analysis, cepstral analysis, and ACEP method. These methods are implemented in LabVIEW software and compared based on noise resistance, computation speed, and overall capability of identifying roller bearing faults.

This master's thesis deals with data processing for an electrodynamic test bench. The thesis presents a theoretical overview of signal distribution, determination of fatigue damage from random vibrations and a description of test benches. The next part deals with setting up the test time reduction in GlyphWorks software. The aim of this thesis is to process and create a procedure for an accelerated fatigue test from data measured during an operational test on a polygon. The data are then verified on an electrodynamic test rig using a Skoda Auto dynamic test room. The final part of the thesis contains data evaluation and a guide explaining how to easily create a test in the relevant software.

因為股票市場常具有厚尾、偏態和峰態的特性且在國際的股票市場之間，股票報酬長存在有尾端相依的情況，所以我們的資產模型不能選用Gaussian分配。 近幾年來，常用GH 分配建構單維度的股票報酬。這篇文章將利用多元仿射JD、多元仿射VG 和多元仿射NIG分配去建構風險性資產的報酬並請應用到資產配置。 建構風險性資產的報酬後，我們提供兩種不同形式的投資組合並且可以導出投資組合的期望值、變異數、偏態和峰態。我們嘗試以投資組合的期望值、變異數、偏態和峰態當成我們的目標函數，然後得出未來最佳的投資組合的權重。為了讓我們的資產配置更加動態和有效率，我們重新估計模型的參數、選擇最佳的投資組合權重，然後重新評估最佳的資產配置在每個決策日期。實證結果發現當股票市場的表現好的時候，我們建議資產配置應使用偏態當成我們的目標函數，但是當股票市場的表現太好的時候，我們建議資產配置應使用變異數當成我們的目標函數。 / Since the stock markets always have the characteristics of heavy-tailness, skewness and kurtosis and there exists tail dependence among the international stock markets, we can’t use the Gaussian distribution as our model. Recently, the generalized hyperbolic (GH) distribution has been suggested to fit the single stock returns. This article will use the multivariate affine JD (MAJD), multivariate affine variance gamma (MAVG) and multivariate affine normal inverse Gaussian (MANIG) distributions to construct the risky asset returns, and apply them to asset allocation. After constructing the risky asset returns, we provide two different forms of portfolio and obtain the mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis of portfolio. We can try to select the optimal weights of portfolio by using the mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis of portfolios as our objective functions. To make our asset allocation more dynamic and efficient, we re-estimate all parameters for our models, select the optimal weights of portfolio, and re-assess the optimal asset allocation at each decision date. Empirically, when the performances of stock markets are good, we suggest that our asset allocation uses the skewness as the objective function. When the performances of stock markets are not good, we suggest that our asset allocation uses the variance as the objective function.

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