Uncertainty quantification involves sampling the reservoir parameters correctly from a posterior probability function that is conditioned to both static and dynamic data. Rigorous sampling methods like Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) are known to sample from the distribution but can be computationally prohibitive for high resolution reservoir models. Approximate sampling methods are more efficient but less rigorous for nonlinear inverse problems. There is a need for an efficient and rigorous approach to uncertainty quantification for the nonlinear inverse problems. First, we propose a two-stage MCMC approach using sensitivities for quantifying uncertainty in history matching geological models. In the first stage, we compute the acceptance probability for a proposed change in reservoir parameters based on a linearized approximation to flow simulation in a small neighborhood of the previously computed dynamic data. In the second stage, those proposals that passed a selected criterion of the first stage are assessed by running full flow simulations to assure the rigorousness. Second, we propose a two-stage MCMC approach using response surface models for quantifying uncertainty. The formulation allows us to history match three-phase flow simultaneously. The built response exists independently of expensive flow simulation, and provides efficient samples for the reservoir simulation and MCMC in the second stage. Third, we propose a two-stage MCMC approach using upscaling and non-parametric regressions for quantifying uncertainty. A coarse grid model acts as a surrogate for the fine grid model by flow-based upscaling. The response correction of the coarse-scale model is performed by error modeling via the non-parametric regression to approximate the response of the computationally expensive fine-scale model. Our proposed two-stage sampling approaches are computationally efficient and rigorous with a significantly higher acceptance rate compared to traditional MCMC algorithms. Finally, we developed a coarsening algorithm to determine an optimal reservoir simulation grid by grouping fine scale layers in such a way that the heterogeneity measure of a defined static property is minimized within the layers. The optimal number of layers is then selected based on a statistical analysis. The power and utility of our approaches have been demonstrated using both synthetic and field examples.

To decrease the computational cost of genetic algorithm optimizations, surrogate models are used during optimization. Online update of surrogate models and repeated exchange of surrogate models with exact model during genetic optimization converts static optimization problems to dynamic ones. However, genetic algorithms fail to converge to the global optimum in dynamic optimization problems. To address these problems, a multiploid genetic algorithm optimization method is proposed. Multi-fidelity surrogate models are assigned to corresponding levels of fitness values to sustain the static optimization problem. Low fidelity fitness values are used to decrease the computational cost. The exact/highest-fidelity model fitness value is used for converging to the global optimum. The algorithm is applied to single and multi-objective turbine blade aerodynamic optimization problems. The design objectives are selected as maximizing the adiabatic efficiency and torque so as to reduce the weight, size and the cost of the gas turbine engine. A 3-D steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver is coupled with an automated unstructured grid generation tool. The solver is validated by using two well known test cases. Blade geometry is modelled by 37 design variables. Fine and coarse grid solutions are respected as high and low fidelity surrogate models, respectively. One of the test cases is selected as the baseline and is modified in the design process. The effects of input parameters on the performance of the multiploid genetic algorithm are studied. It is demonstrated that the proposed algorithm accelerates the optimization cycle while providing convergence to the global optimum for single and multi-objective problems.

Human upright posture exhibits an everlasting oscillatory behavior of complex nature, called as human postural sway. Variations in the position of the Center-of-Pressure (CoP) were used to describe the human postural sway. In this study / CoP data, which has experimentally been collected from 28 different subjects (14 males and 14 females with their ages ranging from 6 to 84), who were divided into 4 groups according to their ages has been analyzed. The data collection from each of the subjects was performed in 5 successive trials, each of which has lasted for 180-seconds long. Linear analysis methods such as the variance/standard deviation, Fast Fouri&eacute / r Transformation, and Power Spectral Density estimates were applied to the detrended CoP signal of human postural sway. Also the Run test and Ensemble averages methods were used to search for stationarity and ergodicity of the CoP signal respectively. Furthermore, in order to reveal the nonlinear characteristics of the human postural sway, its dynamics were reconstructed in m-dimensional state space from the CoPx signals. Then, the correlation dimension (D2) estimates from the embedded dynamics were calculated. Additionally, the statistical and dynamical measures computed were checked against any significant changes, which may occur during aging. The results of the study suggested that human postural sway is a stationary process when 180-second long biped quiet stance data is considered. In addition, it exhibits variable dynamical structure complex in nature (112 deterministic chaos versus 28 stochastic time series of human postural sway) for five successive trials of 28 different subjects. Moreover, we found that groups were significantly different in the correlation dimension (D2) measure (p&amp / #8804 / 0.0003). Finally, the behavior of the experimental CoPx signals was checked against two types of linear processes by using surrogate data method. The shuffled CoPx signals (Surrogate I) suggested that temporal order of CoPx is important / however, phase-randomization (Surrogate II) did not change the behavioral characteristics of the CoPx signal.

Early life factors play important roles in disease susceptibility in later life. However, the relationship between dietary factors in early life on childhood growth, especially linear growth, remains unclear. This research aimed to improve our understanding of the associations between dietary factors in early life (i.e., infant feeding practices and age of introduction of solid foods) and childhood growth, especially using ulnar length as a surrogate measure of length/height, in a cross-sectional study of 1634 mother-child dyads across eight study centers in the National Children's Study Formative Research in Anthropometry in the United States from 2011-2012 (Chapter 1). Chapter 2 described the data acquisition and preprocessing procedures used in this research and provide practical guidelines of data quality control. In Chapter 3, predictive models for exclusive breastfeeding (XBR) initiation and duration was developed. Discriminant analysis revealed maternal sociodemographic factors had greater discriminating abilities to predict XBR initiation and XBR for 6 months, compared to child birth characteristics and maternal perinatal factors. Chapter 4 demonstrated that ulnar length can serve as an accurate and reliable surrogate measure of recumbent length in healthy infants/children aged 0-1.9 years and of height in healthy children aged 2-5.9 years, respectively. Bland-Altman plots and mixed-effects linear regression analyses showed that the three simple and portable tools (i.e., caliper, ruler, and grid) used to measure ulnar length could be used interchangeably in terms of prediction accuracy. Chapter 5 focused on assessing the interplay among gestational weight gain (GWG), birthweight, infant feeding practices, and childhood anthropometrics. Longer duration of breastfeeding reduced the positive associations of GWG and birthweight with weight-for-age z-scores, weight-for-height/length z-scores, and body mass index-for age z-scores in non-Hispanic Whites. These findings underscore the importance of promoting breastfeeding among women with excessive GWG to mitigate childhood obesity. Longer breastfeeding and a later age at introduction of solid foods had positive effects on ulnar length, a linear growth parameter of upper extremity, in Hispanics. Future prospective research aiming to investigate the underlying mechanisms that drive ethnic variation in these associations between early life dietary factors and childhood growth is warranted (Chapter 6). / text

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This dissertation investigates the psychological processes relevant to consumers relinquishment of decision control to surrogates (e.g., physician, financial advisor). While the first essay investigates the antecedents of relinquishing decision control to surrogates, the second essay focuses on the consequences of such relinquishment of control. The first essay proposes that a key reason for consumers reluctance to relinquish the control of their decisions to expert surrogates is that such relinquishment contradicts their inherent motivation to experience an internal perceived locus of causality (PLOC) for their decisions. Based on this, I hypothesize that consumers become more likely to relinquish decision control either (1) when their motivation to maintain an internal PLOC is weakened or (2) when contextual factors specific to the decision itself are present that shift the anticipated PLOC for it from internal to external. Evidence from three studies provides strong support for this theoretical framework. I show that consumers willingness to relinquish decision control increases when an external PLOC is induced directly (Study 1), when an external event restricts the set of available alternatives (Study 2), and when an incentive to choose a particular alternative is present (Study 3). Based on the self-regulatory strength model and prior research on self-esteem threats, the second essay predicts and shows that delegating decisions to surrogates depletes consumers limited self-regulatory resources more than making the same decisions independently, thus impairing their subsequent ability to exercise self-control. This is the case even though decision delegation actually requires less decision making effort than independent decision making (Study 1). However, the resource depleting effect of decision delegation vanishes when consumers have an opportunity to affirm their belief in free will (Study 2). Moreover, remembering a past decision that one delegated impairs self control more than remembering a decision that one made independently (Studies 3 and 4). The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. / Marketing

Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / This thesis identifies and elaborates on the way in which notions of genetic inheritance connect with notions of ’proper’ families and hence shape policies concerning reproduction and family formation. Assumptions about the structure and shape of the ’proper’ or ’traditional’ family - as a heterosexual two-parent unit with biological children - and its claim to naturalness, are embedded in policies related to reproductive technologies and family formation. The thesis explores the discourses surrounding the following specific policies - surrogacy, IVF, adoption, abortion, child support and posthumous reproduction - to elucidate the frameworks of meaning within which we understand these issues. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1295254 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of History and Politics, 2006

Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / This thesis identifies and elaborates on the way in which notions of genetic inheritance connect with notions of ’proper’ families and hence shape policies concerning reproduction and family formation. Assumptions about the structure and shape of the ’proper’ or ’traditional’ family - as a heterosexual two-parent unit with biological children - and its claim to naturalness, are embedded in policies related to reproductive technologies and family formation. The thesis explores the discourses surrounding the following specific policies - surrogacy, IVF, adoption, abortion, child support and posthumous reproduction - to elucidate the frameworks of meaning within which we understand these issues. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1295254 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of History and Politics, 2006

Thesis (MScEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis presents a thorough study of the printed sinuous antenna and its characterisation as a feed for re ector antenna applications. Two di erent techniques are used in this study, namely a parametric study and an e cient surrogate based optimisation strategy. A planar sinuous antenna over a re ecting ground plane, with no absorber lining, is designed following a parameter study from which e ective design guidelines are derived. The designed prototype displays a bandwidth ratio of more than 3 : 1 from 1:9􀀀6:2 GHz, at a measured return loss of 10 dB, representing a signi cant improvement over the octave band previously achieved with a similar antenna. An optimisation based approach is followed in formally investigating a conical sinuous antenna over a re ecting ground plane. An e cient surrogate based optimisation strategy, in which the antenna's response is approximated by a Kriging model, is used. The search for optimal design parameters as well as improvements in the accuracy of the Kriging model is accomplished by using expected improvement as the in ll sampling criterion. The antenna is optimised for return loss, aperture e ciency for a prime-focus paraboloid re ector as well as cross-polarisation and results from the optimisation are used to derive e ective design guidelines and performance limitations. The investigations are conducted for the 2 􀀀 6 GHz band and the obtained results can be easily applied for designs with wider bandwidths. Simulation results reveal improved return loss, aperture e ciency and cross-polarisation performances compared to what has previously been reported for this antenna. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis bied 'n deeglike studie van die gedrukte stroombaanbord sinuous antenna, sowel as die karakterisering daarvan as voer vir re ektor antenna toepassings. Twee verskillende tegnieke word gebruik, naamlik 'n parametriese studie en 'n surrogaat-gebaseerde optimering strategie. E ektiewe doeleindes vir die ontwerp is van 'n parameter studie afgelei, waarvolgends 'n planêre sinuous antenna met 'n weerkaatsingsgrondvlak ontwerp is sonder enige absorberende materiale. Die prototipe vertoon beter as 'n 3 : 1 bandwydte van 1:9 GHz tot 6:2 GHz teen 'n gemete weerkaatsingskoë siënt van beter as 􀀀10 dB, wat dui op 'n aansienlike verbetering teenoor die oktaaf bandwydte wat voorheen met 'n soorgelyke antenna bereik is. 'n Optimering-gebaseerde benadering is gebruik om ondersoek in te stel in die gebruik van 'n koniese sinuous antenna met 'n weerkaatsingsgrondvlak. 'n Doeltre ende surrogaat-gebaseerde optimeering strategie is gebruik, waar die antenna se weergawe deur 'n Kriging model benader word. Die verwagte verbetering is gebruik as maatstaf in die soektog vir optimale ontwerpsparameters, sowel as om die akkuraatheid van die Kriging model te verbeter. Die antenna is geoptimeer vir sy weerkaatsingskoë siënt, stralingsvlak e ektiwiteit for 'n paraboloïed antenna sowel as kruispolarisasie. Resultate van die optimering is gebruik om e ektiewe riglyne vir die ontwerp en grense vir die werkverrigting op te stel. Die antenna is ondersoek vir die 2 tot 6 GHz frekwensieband en die resultate wat verkry is kan maklik op ontwerpe met selfs wyer bandwydtes toegepas word. Simulasie resultate dui op 'n verbetering in weerkaatsingskoë siënt, stralingsvlak e ektiwiteit en kruispolarisasie in vergelyking met wat berig is vir hierdie antenna.

Surrogacy is an arrangement whereby a woman conceives in order to give birth to child or children for another individual or couple to raise. This thesis explores how commercial gestational surrogacy is culturally framed and socially organised in Russia and investigates the roles of the key actors. In particular it explores the experiences of surrogacy workers, including those who migrate or commute long distances within and to Russia for surrogacy work and the significance of their origin, citizenship, ethnicity and religion in shaping their experience. Ethnographic fieldwork was carried out in St Petersburg between August 2014 and May 2015 and involved semi-structured interviews, (participant) observations, informal conversations and ethnographic fieldnotes with 33 surrogacy workers, 7 client parents, 15 agency staff and 11 medical staff in medical and surrogacy agency facilities. Data were analysed using inductive ethnographic principles. A reflexive account, which includes a consideration of the utility of making one’s own emotional responses a research tool, is also included. Drawing on and expanding on Colen’s (1995) conceptual framework of stratified reproduction and Crenshaw’s (1989) analytical framework of intersectionality, this research shows that surrogacy in Russia is culturally framed and therefore socially organised as an economic exchange, which gives rise to and reinforces different forms of intersecting reproductive stratifications. These stratifications include biological, social, geographic, geo-political and ethnic dimensions. Of particular novelty is the extension of Colen’s framework to address geographic and geo political stratifications. This was based on the finding that some women (temporarily) migrate or commute (over long distances) to work as gestational carriers. The thesis also demonstrates how an economic framing of surrogacy induced surrogacy workers to understand surrogacy gestation as work, which influenced their relationships with client parents. Given the rapid global increase in the use of surrogacy and its increasingly internationalised nature, this research into the social organisation of commercial gestational surrogacy in Russia is timely and has implications for users, medical practitioners and regulators, as well as researchers concerned with (cross-border) surrogacy and reproductive justice.