There has been increasing interest in evaluating the performance of existing reinforced concrete (RC) bridges just after natural disasters or man-made events especially when the defects are invisible, or in quantifying the improvement after rehabilitations. In order to obtain an accurate assessment of the reliability of a RC bridge, it is critical to incorporate information about its current structural properties, which reflects the possible aging and deterioration. This dissertation proposes to develop an adaptive reliability analysis of RC bridges incorporating the damage detection information obtained from nondestructive testing (NDT). In this study, seismic fragility is used to describe the reliability of a structure withstanding future seismic demand. It is defined as the conditional probability that a seismic demand quantity attains or exceeds a specified capacity level for given values of earthquake intensity. The dissertation first develops a probabilistic capacity model for RC columns and the capacity model can be used when the flexural stiffness decays nonuniformly over a column height. Then, a general methodology to construct probabilistic seismic demand models for RC highway bridges with one single-column bent is presented. Next, a combination of global and local NDT methods is proposed to identify in-place structural properties. The global NDT uses the dynamic responses of a structure to assess its global/equivalent structural properties and detect potential damage locations. The local NDT uses local measurements to identify the local characteristics of the structure. Measurement and modeling errors are considered in the application of the NDT methods and the analysis of the NDT data. Then, the information obtained from NDT is used in the probabilistic capacity and demand models to estimate the seismic fragility of the bridge. As an illustration, the proposed probabilistic framework is applied to a reinforced concrete bridge with a one-column bent. The result of the illustration shows that the proposed framework can successfully provide the up-to-date structural properties and accurate fragility estimates.

Les îles tropicales sont soumises à un ennuagement hétérogène et changeant rapidement. Par ailleurs, elles ont une ressource solaire importante mais significativement variable d’un jour à l’autre. Dans le sud-ouest de l’océan indien (SWIO), La Réunion fait partie de ces îles tropicales ayant un potentiel solaire colossal mais fortement intermittent. Dans cette étude, nous proposons une nouvelle approche de prévision déterministe des cartes journalières rayonnement solaire (SSR), basée sur quatre modèles de régression linéaire : une régression linéaire multiple (MLR), une régression en composantes principales (PCR), une régression des moindres carrés (PLSR) et une régression pas à pas (stepwise--SR). Ces quatre régressions sont appliquées sur les données satellites SARAH-E (CM SAF) à 5km de résolution entre 2007 et 2016, en vue d’en effectuer la prévision. Pour obtenir de meilleures performances, nous proposons d'inclure les paramètres multi-fractale (H,C_1 et α) comme nouveaux paramètres prédictifs. Ceux-ci sont obtenus à partir de l'analyse de l'intermittence du SSR basée sur la méthode d’analyse d’ordre spectral arbitraire de Hilbert. Cette analyse qui est une extension de la transformation d’Hilbert Huang (HHT) est utilisée afin d’estimer l’exposant d’échelle ξ(q). On effectue la combinaison d’une décomposition en mode empirique et de l’analyse spectrale de Hilbert (EMD + HSA). Dans une première étape, l’analyse multi-fractale est appliquée sur une mesure du SSR d'une seconde échelle à partir d'un pyranomètre SPN1 à Moufia en 2016. La moyenne infra journalière, journalière et saisonnière de la structure multi-fractale a été dérivée, et la loi d’échelle d’exposants ξ(q) a été analysée. Dans une seconde partie, l’analyse de l’intermittence est effectuée sur les mesures du SSR, d'une période d’une minute, à partir le réseau de SPN1 contenant 11 stations en 2014. Les modèles spatiaux pour toutes les stations avec les paramètres multi-fractales H,C_1 et α sont mis en évidence. La variabilité de la largeur du spectre de singularité est considérée pour étudier l'intermittence spatiale et la multi-fractalité dans l'échelle quotidienne et l'échelle saisonnière. Sur la base de ces analyses d'intermittence faites sur les mesures de plusieurs stations, les paramètres multi-fractaux universels (H,C_1 et α) pourraient être choisis comme de nouveaux prédicteurs afin d’indiquer les propriétés multi-fractales du SSR. / Due to the heterogeneous and rapidly-changing cloudiness, tropical islands, such as Reunion Island in the South-west Indian Ocean (SWIO), have significant solar resource that is highly variable from day-to-day. In this study, we propose a new approach for deterministic prediction of daily surface solar radiation (SSR) maps based on four linear regression models: multiple linear regression (MLR), principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), and stepwise regression (SR), that we have applied on the SARAH-E@5km satellite data (CM SAF) for the period during 2007-2016. To improve the accuracy of prediction, the multifractal parameters (H,C_1 and α) are proposed to include as new predictors in the predictive model. These parameters are obtained from the analysis of SSR intermittency based on arbitrary order Hilbert spectral analysis. This analysis is the extension of Hilbert Huang Transform (HHT) and it is used to estimate the generalized scaling exponent ξ(q). It is the combination of the Empirical Mode Decomposition and Hilbert spectral analysis (EMD+HSA). In a first step, the multifractal analysis is applied onto one-second SSR measurements form a SPN1 pyranometer in Moufia in 2016. The mean sub-daily, daily and seasonal daily multifractal patterns are derived, and the scaling exponent ξ(q) is analyzed. In a second step, the intermittency study is conducted on one-minute SSR measurements from a SPN1 network with 11 stations in 2014. The spatial patterns for all the stations with the multifractal parameters H,C_1 and α are shown. The variability of singularity spectrum width is considered to study the spatial intermittency at the daily and seasonal scale. Based on this intermittency analysis from measurements at several stations, the universal multifractal parameters (H,C_1 and α) could be taken as new predictors for indicating the multifractal properties of SSR.

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.

M.Comm. (Financial Management) / There is a wide perception that bank net interest margins (NIMs) in Sub-Saharan Africa in general and South Africa in particular, are higher compared to other regions. The study investigates four commercial banks in South Africa with the aim of identifying the relevant factors affecting the behaviour of NIMs in commercial banking in South Africa, and draws comparisons with other markets. The study employs the Classical Linear Regression Model (CLRM) using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) data estimating technique to analyse net interest margins over the period 2000 to 2010. The study takes note of Ho and Saunders’s seminal work produced in 1981, and subsequent extensions and modification by other authors and researchers. Net interest margins are modeled in a single-step together with explanatory variables driven from the theoretical model. Using data obtained from the Bankscope data base, the variables examined in the study are; competitive structure of the market, average operating costs, management’s propensity for risk aversion, credit risk exposure, the quantum of the bank’s operations, short-term money market interest rate volatility, the opportunity cost of holding reserves and quality of management running the institution. The findings of the study suggest that market power, average operating costs, degree of risk aversion, credit risk exposure, and size of operations are major factors explaining the behaviour of NIMs in South Africa. These variables are major in terms of the number of banks that exhibit statistical significance. Market power, interest rate volatility and opportunity cost of holding reserves are also relevant factors, although they affect fewer banks than the major factors. Comparison of South African net interest margins determinants with those from other regions reveals some fundamental differences. These differences indicate that banks from different countries and regions are faced with different operating environments and risk profiles that drive net interest margins.

Die Kapitel 1 bis 6 im ersten Teil dieses Skriptes beruhen auf einer Vorlesung Ökonometrie I, die zuletzt im WS 2001/02 gehalten wurde, die Kapitel 7 bis 16 beruhen auf einer Vorlesung Ökonometrie II, die zuletzt im SS 2006 gehalten wurde. Das achte Kapitel enthält eine komprimierte Zusammenfassung der Ergebnisse aus dem Teil Ökonometrie I.

Supply chain operations of construction industry including road projects in disaster regions results in exceeding project budget and timelines. In road construction projects, supply chain with poor performance can affect efficiency and completion time of the project. This is also the case of the road projects in disaster areas. Disaster areas consider both natural and man-made disasters. Few examples of disaster zones are; Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Haiti and many other countries with similar environments. The key factors affecting project performance and execution are insecurity, uncertainties in demand and supply, poor communication and technology, poor infrastructure, lack of political and government will, unmotivated organizational staff, restricted accessibility to construction materials, legal hitches, multiple challenges of hiring labour force and exponential construction rates due to high risk environment along with multiple other factors. The managers at all tiers are facing challenges of overrunning time and budget of supply chain operations during planning as well as execution phase of development projects. The aim of research is to develop a Multiple Linear Regression Model (MLRM) and a Rule Based Decision Support System by incorporating various factors affecting supply chain management of road projects in disaster areas in the order of importance. This knowledge base (KB) (importance / coefficient of each factor) will assist infrastructure managers (road projects) and practitioners in disaster regions in decision making to minimize the effect of each factor which will further help them in project improvement. Conduct of Literature Review in the fields of disaster areas, supply chain operational environments of road project, statistical techniques, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and types of research approaches has provided deep insights to the researchers. An initial questionnaire was developed and distributed amongst participants as pilot project and consequently results were analysed. The results’ analysis enabled the researcher to extract key variables impacting supply chain performance of road project. The results of questionnaire analysis will facilitate development of Multiple Linear Regression Model, which will eventually be verified and validated with real data from actual environments. The development of Multiple Linear Regression Model and Rule Based Decision Support System incorporating all factors which affect supply chain performance of road projects in disastrous regions is the most vital contribution to the research. The significance and novelty of this research is the methodology developed that is the integration of those different methods which will be employed to measure the SCM performance of road projects in disaster areas.

不景氣的年代，民間企業裁員、減薪或強迫員工休無薪假的事件層出不窮，襯托出公職相對起薪高、福利制度健全，任職免職程序有政府法令保障。在公職逐漸被當前的社會氛圍視為是兼具地位及幸福的工作時，愈來愈多的民眾競相投入公務人員的考試，而競相爭捧鐵飯碗的現象，也成為近期媒體報導的新聞焦點。 惟前述種種的論述都仍停留在主觀的聯想及推論上，國內鮮少針對經濟變數與公務人員考試錄取率間之關係，建立統計實證模型進行客觀量化分析。基於這樣的時空背景及社會氛圍，本研究遂以客觀的高普考錄取率表示公務人員考試競爭程度，觀察經濟環境變數對其造成的影響，是否誠如媒體所言，當景氣愈差時，公職考試就愈熱門的現象。 經過實證模型分析後，發現影響經濟變數對高考錄取率較普考錄取率變動數的影響較為顯著，包括：當期或前期的高考薪資占民間薪資比、當期或前期的失業率、前期臺股指數變動數、當期或前期臺股指數標準離差率以及時間趨勢等解釋變數，並且各自存在不同程度的影響及合理的正負關係。而普考錄取率變動數部分，僅受當期普考薪資占民間薪資比、前期失業率及時間趨勢等變數所影響。 本文最後，提出針對可能影響民眾報考公務人員的重要因素，提出相應政策建議，以期抒緩公職考試過熱的現象並精進政府政策。 / Recession-era, layoffs, pay cuting, and forcing employees to take unpaid leave are more and more in private sector, highlight the work of public sector is high starting salary, benefits sound system, and having protection by law in appointment and dismissal. More people want to participate in civil service examination, then civil service examination craze has become the focus of recent news. Provided the foregoing various opinions are still subjective conjecture, almost no study about relationship between economic variables and the qualification rates of civil service examination in domestic studies. In this context, this study used a senior and junior civil service examination qualification rates to represent the competitive of civil service examination, and to observe the effects of economic variables on the qualification rates of civil service examination, if consistent with the media reports, the worse economy is, the less qualification rates of civil service examination will be. After empirical model analysis, we found that the effects of economic variables on the qualification rates of senior civil service examination are more significant than the changes of the qualification rates of junior civil service examination. Finally, make recommendations to relief civil service examination craze.

True market prices of real estates, unlike bid prices, are often hard to reach. Nevertheless, this information is necessary for many direct and indirect real estate market subjects, especially for valuation purposes. Therefore the bid prices of concrete real estates are often used, but they are not generally equivalent market prices. And so it´s necessary to find some way to convert bid prices to market prices. This dissertation thesis shows definite approach to this issue. Market price and bid price rate is estimated by multi-dimensional linear regression model and non-linear estimations of simple regression. Multi-dimensional linear regression model estimates the values of this rate from other variables, like supply duration, price line according to localities and other. Non-linear estimations of regression function were used for the trend bid and market price modelling in dependence on number of the population in various localities.

Denna studie undersöker användningen av maskininlärningsmodeller för att predicera arbetskraftstrender inom hälso- och sjukvården i Sverige. Med hjälp av en linjär regressionmodell, en Gradient Boosting Regressor-modell och en Exponential Smoothing-modell syftar forskningen för detta arbete till att ge viktiga insikter för underlaget till makroekonomiska överväganden och att ge en djupare förståelse av Beveridge-kurvan i ett sammanhang relaterat till hälso- och sjukvårdssektorn. Trots vissa utmaningar med datan är målet att förbättra noggrannheten och effektiviteten i beslutsfattandet rörande arbetsmarknaden. Resultaten av denna studie visar maskininlärningspotentialen i predicering i ett ekonomiskt sammanhang, även om inneboende begränsningar och etiska överväganden beaktas. / This study examines the use of machine learning models to predict workforce trends in the healthcare sector in Sweden. Using a Linear Regression model, a Gradient Boosting Regressor model, and an Exponential Smoothing model the research aims to grant needed insight for the basis of macroeconomic considerations and to give a deeper understanding of the Beveridge Curve in the healthcare sector’s context. Despite some challenges with data, the goal is to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the policy-making around the labor market. The results of this study demonstrates the machine learning potential in the forecasting within an economic context, although inherent limitations and ethical considerations are considered.