The primary contributions of this thesis are associated with the development of a new method for exploring the relationships between inputs and outputs for large scale computer simulations. Primarily, the proposed design space exploration procedure uses a hierarchical partitioning method to help mitigate the curse of dimensionality often associated with the analysis of large scale systems. Closely coupled with the use of a partitioning approach, is the problem of how to partition the system. This thesis also introduces and discusses a quantitative method developed to aid the user in finding a set of good partitions for creating partitioned metamodels of large scale systems. The new hierarchically partitioned metamodeling scheme, the lumped parameter model (LPM), was developed to address two primary limitations to the current partitioning methods for large scale metamodeling. First the LPM was formulated to negate the need to rely on variable redundancies between partitions to account for potentially important interactions. By using a hierarchical structure, the LPM addresses the impact of neglected, direct interactions by indirectly accounting for these interactions via the interactions that occur between the lumped parameters in intermediate to top-level mappings. Secondly, the LPM was developed to allow for hierarchical modeling of black-box analyses that do not have available intermediaries with which to partition the system around. The second contribution of this thesis is a graph-based partitioning method for large scale, black-box systems. The graph-based partitioning method combines the graph and sparse matrix decomposition methods used by the electrical engineering community with the results of a screening test to create a quantitative method for partitioning large scale, black-box systems. An ANOVA analysis of the results of a screening test can be used to determine the sparse nature of the large scale system. With this information known, the sparse matrix and graph theoretic partitioning schemes can then be used to create potential sets of partitions to use with the lumped parameter model.

No description available.

Much of the recent progress in cosmology has come from studying the power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The latest results from the Planck satellite confirmed that the inflationary paradigm with the $\Lambda$CDM six-parameter model provides a very good description of the observed structures in the Universe. Even so, additional parameters, such as cosmic defects, are still allowed by current observational data. Additionally, many of the inflationary models predict a significant departure from Gaussianity in the distribution of primordial perturbations. Higher order statistics, such as the bispectrum, are required to test and constrain such models. The late-time distribution of matter in the Universe - large-scale structure (LSS) - contains much more information than the CMB that has not yet been used. In this thesis, we look at both problems: the effects of cosmic defects, in particular cosmic strings and domain walls on the CMB power spectrum through numerical simulations, and the dark matter bispectrum of large-scale structure. Topological defects are predicted by most inflationary theories involving symmetry breaking in the early Universe. In this thesis we study the effects of cosmic strings and domain walls on the CMB by determining their power spectrum. We use Nambu-Goto and field theory simulations for cosmic strings and domain walls respectively, and we determine the power spectra they produce with a modified Einstein-Boltzmann solver sourced by unequal time correlators from components of the energy-momentum tensor of the defects. We use these spectra together with CMB likelihoods to obtain constraints on the energy scales of formation of the cosmic defects, finding $G\mu/c^{2} < 1.29 \times 10^{−7}$ and $\eta < 0.93$ MeV (at 95% confidence level) for cosmic strings and domain walls respectively, when using the Planck satellite likelihoods. For the matter bispectrum of LSS, we compare different perturbative and phenomenological models with measurements from $N$-body simulations by using shape and amplitude correlators and we determine on which scales and for which redshifts they are accurate. We propose a phenomenological ‘three-shape’ model, based on the fundamental shapes we have observed by studying the halo model that are also present in the simulations. When calibrated on the simulations, this model accurately describes the bispectrum on all scales and redshifts considered, providing a prototype bispectrum HALOFIT-like methodology that could be used to describe and test parameter dependencies.

No description available.

An interactive software shell has been developed which integrates several packaging simulation tools developed at the University of Arizona which are used to analyze electro-magnetic coupling between interconnects in an integrated circuit. This software shell uses experimental frames to manage this simulation process. Through the experimental frames, the model descriptions and the model inputs are separated, and input data is verified for correctness. This model/input separation allows several model variations to be tested based on several input variations. The results of these simulations are then analyzed and displayed graphically. Further work for the software shell is discussed. This tool provides a user-friendly, efficient method for performing coupled-line analyses in interconnect systems.

A study to examine factors that influence dairy cattle fertility was conducted in the United Kingdom (UK) and Malawi. Productivity data from the UK comprising 56,014 records from 574 Holstein cows were retrieved from a database at Scotland’s Rural College Dairy Research Centre in Dumfries. The cows were of either high (select) or average (control) genetic merit and fed total mixed rations with high or low forage. These formed four production systems - high forage select (HFS), low forage select (LFS), high forage control (HFC) and low forage control (LFC). Data from Malawi were obtained through a baseline survey in 67 smallholder farms and monitoring of 28 and 62 dairy cows from smallholder farms and a commercial farm, respectively. The breeds were Holstein-Friesians and Holstein-Friesian x Malawi Zebu crosses predominantly fed forages supplemented with concentrates. Some cows were fitted with accelerometers to enable monitoring of cow activity which was then related to cow fertility and energy balance. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, mixed models and logistic regression models using SAS 9.3. The UK data showed that production system significantly (p<0.05) influenced milk yield, body energy content (BEC) and fertility. BEC is a trait that indicates absolute level of energy in the body per day regardless of energy use and intake the previous day. Daily milk yield of LFS cows was 35±0.1 (mean±SEM) litres which was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of LFC (30.4±0.1 litres), HFS (27.5±0.1 litres) and HFC (24.3±0.1 litres) cows. LFS cows also had the highest milk yield acceleration to peak milk yield (0.51 litres/day/day) than (LFC 0.47±0.02 litres/day/day), HFC (0.47±0.03 litres/day/day) and HFS (0.46±0.03 litres/day/day) cows. The interval from calving to nadir BEC was 68±5, 83±6, 88±5 and 106±6 days for LFC, LFS, HFC and HFS cows, respectively. Days to first high luteal activity (DFHLA) and days to successful service (DSS) were significantly different with production system and genetic merit, respectively. LFC cows had DFHLA of 27±2 days (mean±SEM) which were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of HFC (30±3 days), HFS (30±2 days) and LFS (35±3 days) cows. Average genetic merit cows had significantly lower (p<0.05) DSS (119±5 days, mean±SEM) than high genetic merit cows (132±5 days). Results from data collected in Malawi showed variations that reflected differences in management and other environmental factors. Average daily milk yield per lactation in Malawi was 13.3±4.9 (mean±SD) litres. Fertility traits in the UK herd were better than those in Malawi herds. The average DFHLA in Malawi was 79±29 days while in the UK it was 31±18 days. Cow activity in both the UK and Malawi farms varied with the feeding system, genetic merit and BEC. Select cows on home grown feeding system were more active (motion index =6250±40), stood longer (13.4±0.04 hours/day) and spent more time eating (5.6±0.32 hours/day, mean±SEM) than select cows on by products feeding system that had motion index, standing and eating time of 5166±37, 11.9±0.04 hours/day and 4.6±0.16 hours/day, respectively. Genetic merit, lactation number, days to first observed oestrus, calving BEC, service BEC and service milk yield were significant predictors of pregnancy to first insemination (p<0.05) while genetic merit, milk yield, percentage BEC between calving and service, service milk yield and service BEC were significant predictors (p<0.05) of pregnancy to the first three inseminations. Validation of models derived showed C-statistics of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.66 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57 to 0.75) and 0.65 (CI: 0.55-0.75), respectively. It is concluded that genetic merit, feeding system, parity, energy status and stage of lactation are the major factors that determine the likelihood of achieving pregnancy following insemination. Models developed have a potential to predict the probability of pregnancy to an insemination at an acceptable level of accuracy.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / November 04-07, 1991 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Real-time data processing of telemetry data has evolved from a highly centralized single large scale computer system to multiple mini-computers or super mini-computers tied together in a loosely coupled distributed network. Each mini-computer or super mini-computer essentially performing a single function in the real-time processing sequence of events. The reasons in the past for this evolution are many and varied. This paper will review some of the more significant factors in that evolution and will present some alternatives to a fully distributed mini-computer network that appear to offer significant real-time data processing advantages.

We are currently witnessing an increase of international interest in mathematics education, fueled partly by the growing concerns of students’ declining results, but also by changed perceptions of what mathematics students should master. In response, many initiatives have appeared in order to move away from traditional to more inquiry based approaches to teaching. Though several small-scale studies have contributed much to our understanding on how to support teachers in this work, there is still a lack of research conducted on a larger scale. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to add to our knowledge of how to support instructional improvement at scale. This is done by focusing on two common approaches to support mathematics teachers’ development of reform based practices: teacher professional development [PD] programs and curriculum materials. The thesis builds on four papers which are all connected to a project aiming at improving the mathematics instruction in a large Swedish municipality. The project includes a PD-program for almost 400 elementary teachers and the mathematics curriculum materials that teachers are using play a central role in the program. The first two papers focus on curriculum materials either by using surveys to compare teachers’ views of the support offered in the materials and their reported mathematics instruction, or by conducting textbook analyses to characterize how some commonly used materials communicate about, for example, goals of lessons. The results demonstrate that teachers using different materials experience different levels of support from them and also show variations in their reported instruction. These differences are further reflected in the textbook analyses which show that the materials offer teachers various support, for example regarding how they communicate about goals. The last two papers focus on teacher PD-programs either by comparing the effects of two programs on student achievement, or by using surveys to examine teachers’ views of one of the programs and its impact on their reported instruction. The results indicate that the two PD-programs have affected students’ achievement in different ways, demonstrating both decline and improvement. Even within the programs differences are revealed between students at the primary and secondary levels. These variations are further present in the teacher surveys, where the results show differences between teachers from different grade-levels. By drawing on the literature review and the results of the papers, the thesis ends with a discussion of possible elaborations of a widely used core conceptual framework for studying teacher PD.

With the advantages of MOS monolithic technology in mind, Switched-Capacitor (SC) filter design and simulation are studied in this research. For SC circuit design, Shunt SC, bilinear, and LDI z-Transform methods are discussed. A practical design example, together with its circuit implementation, is used to check both design and simulation behaviors. For SC circuit simulation, certain methods are analyzed to compare with the Four-Port Method, from which a proposed method, STAMP, is derived. STAMP improves on the large computation time and storage space problems of other well-known programs. It has the capability of being expanded using some of the routines which are appended.

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy