Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

This document presents a systematic investigation of the geometric index theory of Dirac operators coupled superconnections. A local version of the index theorem for Dirac operators coupled to superconnection is proved, and extended to families. An [eta]-invariant is defined, and it is shown to satisfy an APS-like theorem. A geometric determinant line bundle with section, metric, and connection is associated to a family of Dirac operators coupled to superconnections, and its holonomy is calculated in terms of the [eta]-invariant. / text

Single index models are a special type of nonlinear regression model that are partially linear and play an important role in fields that employ multidimensional regression models. A wavelet series is thought of as a good approximation to any function in the space. There are two ways to represent the function: one in which all wavelet coefficients are used in the series, and another that allows for shrinkage rules. We propose posterior inference for the two wavelet representations of the function. To implement posterior inference, we define a hierarchial (mixture) prior model on the scaling(wavelet) coefficients. Since from the two representations a non-zero coefficient has information about the features of the function at a certain scale and location, a prior model for the coefficient should depend on its resolution level. In wavelet shrinkage rules we use "pseudo-priors" for a zero coefficient. In single index models a direction theta affects estimates of the function. Transforming theta to a spherical polar coordinate is a convenient way of imposing the constraint. The posterior distribution of the direction is unknown and we employ a Metropolis algorithm and an independence sampler, which require a proposal distribution. A normal distribution is proposed as the proposal distribution for the direction. We introduce ways to choose its mode (mean) using the independence sampler. For Monte Carlo simulations and real data we compare performances of the Metropolis algorithm and independence samplers for the direction and two functions: the cosine function is represented only by the smooth part in the wavelet series and the Doppler function is represented by both smooth and detail parts of the series.

This thesis investigates several theoretical and practical problems in index numbers. In Chapter 2 a hedonic elementary price index for accessing the Internet in Canada is constructed. We find that the quality-adjusted price index declines at about 15% per year. Detailed data are readily available on-line. We discuss the use of different functional forms in the regression, their ease of use and performance, and compare the result with the matched model approach. Problems in using the Box-Cox transformation and in handling packages with unlimited access are also discussed. Chapter 3 studies the problems associated with the treatment of seasonal commodities in a consumer price index. Economic assumptions behind various commonly used methods are examined from the cost-of-living perspective. A new theoretical justification based on the theory of preference change is provided for the maximum overlap method. Empirical studies using a particular data set show that indices based on various approaches give substantially different results. Direct measurement techniques have recently been employed by some statistical agencies for government output components in the SNA. These methods use proxies and indicators for outputs due to the inherent lack of market valuations. Chapter 4 investigates the pros and cons of these new approaches and compares them with the traditional cost method. This leads us to take a deeper look at the purposes, objectives, and uses of the SNA. The current method can be justified from a collective household point of view, but the lack of direct output data frustrates students of productivity analysis. By taking the economic approach in index number theory, some direct measurement methods can be compatible with the cost-of-living approach in the CPI. Using implicit expected utility theory, a money metric for utility derived from playing a lottery game is developed in Chapter 5. Using a kinked parametric functional form, outputs of the Canadian Lotto 6/49 are estimated. Results show that this direct economic approach yields an average output three times that of the official GDP. The estimated price elasticity of demand -0.67 closely resembles results for the U.K. in previous studies.

Potatoes are often thought of as high GI. It is known that cooking and cooling affect GI and that these effects may be mediated through the physicochemical properties of their starch. As part of a Canadian initiative to develop low GI potatoes, novel potato varieties which differed in starch composition were tested in 2 separate studies. In study 1, we determined the GI of 8 varieties and found that cooling produced a wide range of effects (0-50% reduction in GI). In study 2, four previously tested varieties were re-examined. A significant variety-x-treatment interaction (p<0.01) was observed with cooling reducing GI in some potatoes. Examination of the starch properties and their role in determining GI showed that RDS was positively associated with GI (r2= 0.85, p= 0.001) and SDS (r2=-0.60, p= 0.02) and amylose (r2=-0.99, p=0.007) negatively associated with GI. No relationship between RS and phosphorous content and GI was observed.

Potatoes are often thought of as high GI. It is known that cooking and cooling affect GI and that these effects may be mediated through the physicochemical properties of their starch. As part of a Canadian initiative to develop low GI potatoes, novel potato varieties which differed in starch composition were tested in 2 separate studies. In study 1, we determined the GI of 8 varieties and found that cooling produced a wide range of effects (0-50% reduction in GI). In study 2, four previously tested varieties were re-examined. A significant variety-x-treatment interaction (p<0.01) was observed with cooling reducing GI in some potatoes. Examination of the starch properties and their role in determining GI showed that RDS was positively associated with GI (r2= 0.85, p= 0.001) and SDS (r2=-0.60, p= 0.02) and amylose (r2=-0.99, p=0.007) negatively associated with GI. No relationship between RS and phosphorous content and GI was observed.

The literature comparing macronutrient metabolism in healthy and diabetic subjects is abundant; however, little data exists on how non-diabetic subjects with insulin resistance handle macronutrient. We did two studies to investigate the postprandial responses to macronutrient in healthy, hyperinsulinemic and type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects. In the first study, twenty-five healthy, non-diabetic subjects [9 with fasting serum insulin (FSI) <40pmol/L; 8 with 40 ≤ FSI < 70pmol/L; and 8 with FSI ≥ 70 pmol/L] were fed eleven test meals (50g oral glucose with 0-30g doses of canola oil or whey protein) after an overnight fast. There were no significant FSI × fat (p=0.19) or FSI × protein (p=0.08) interaction effects on glucose response, suggesting that the effects of fat or protein on glycemia were independent of FSI of the subjects. In addition, the changes in relative glucose response per gram of fat (r = -0.05, p = 0.82) or protein (r = 0.08, p = 0.70) were not related to FSI of the subjects. In the second study, Healthy (FSI < 40pmol/L), Hyperinsulinemic (FSI ≥ 40pmol/L), and T2DM were fed five foods with 50g available carbohydrate. Among the subject-groups, the Glycemic Index (GI) values were not significantly different for each food, and the mean (±SEM) GI values of all foods were not significantly different (p>0.05). However, the mean (±SEM) Insulinemic Index of the foods was higher in T2DM (100±7, n=10) than those of Healthy (78±5, n=9) and Hyperinsulinemic subjects (70±5, n=12) (p=0.05). The Insulinemic Index was inversely associated with insulin sensitivity (r=-0.66, p<0.0001), positively related to fasting- and postprandial-glucose (both r=0.68, p<0.0001) and hepatic insulin extraction (r=0.62, p=0.0002). The oral-glucose data were pooled from the two studies to investigate whether there was any relationship between GLP-1 and insulin sensitivity, β-cell function and hepatic insulin extraction. No significant correlation was observed (p>0.05). The results suggest that the glucose-lowering effect of fat and protein is not affected by insulin sensitivity. GI is independent of the metabolic status of the subjects; however, unlike GI, Insulinemic Index is influenced by the metabolic status of the subjects, and thus may have limited clinical utility.

The literature comparing macronutrient metabolism in healthy and diabetic subjects is abundant; however, little data exists on how non-diabetic subjects with insulin resistance handle macronutrient. We did two studies to investigate the postprandial responses to macronutrient in healthy, hyperinsulinemic and type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects. In the first study, twenty-five healthy, non-diabetic subjects [9 with fasting serum insulin (FSI) <40pmol/L; 8 with 40 ≤ FSI < 70pmol/L; and 8 with FSI ≥ 70 pmol/L] were fed eleven test meals (50g oral glucose with 0-30g doses of canola oil or whey protein) after an overnight fast. There were no significant FSI × fat (p=0.19) or FSI × protein (p=0.08) interaction effects on glucose response, suggesting that the effects of fat or protein on glycemia were independent of FSI of the subjects. In addition, the changes in relative glucose response per gram of fat (r = -0.05, p = 0.82) or protein (r = 0.08, p = 0.70) were not related to FSI of the subjects. In the second study, Healthy (FSI < 40pmol/L), Hyperinsulinemic (FSI ≥ 40pmol/L), and T2DM were fed five foods with 50g available carbohydrate. Among the subject-groups, the Glycemic Index (GI) values were not significantly different for each food, and the mean (±SEM) GI values of all foods were not significantly different (p>0.05). However, the mean (±SEM) Insulinemic Index of the foods was higher in T2DM (100±7, n=10) than those of Healthy (78±5, n=9) and Hyperinsulinemic subjects (70±5, n=12) (p=0.05). The Insulinemic Index was inversely associated with insulin sensitivity (r=-0.66, p<0.0001), positively related to fasting- and postprandial-glucose (both r=0.68, p<0.0001) and hepatic insulin extraction (r=0.62, p=0.0002). The oral-glucose data were pooled from the two studies to investigate whether there was any relationship between GLP-1 and insulin sensitivity, β-cell function and hepatic insulin extraction. No significant correlation was observed (p>0.05). The results suggest that the glucose-lowering effect of fat and protein is not affected by insulin sensitivity. GI is independent of the metabolic status of the subjects; however, unlike GI, Insulinemic Index is influenced by the metabolic status of the subjects, and thus may have limited clinical utility.

In the last decade the number of countries that have enacted Freedom of Information (FOI) laws have increased dramatically. In many respects FOI laws have become a democratic ‘right of passage’. No FOI, no ‘proper’ democracy. The promises of FOI regimes are far-reaching: access to personal information and increased transparency in the form of third-party independent access to government-held information will prevent corruption and maladministration and encourage the public to participate more fully in the political process. But are the promises borne out by the practice of FOI? To answer this question this thesis will track a number of real-life FOI requests in five countries. Based on this and other data this project will lay the foundation for the first International Freedom of Information Index, ranking five countries on how their FOI regimes deliver on the promises made. Included in the ranking will also be an evaluation of the legal situation for media whistleblowers and shield laws for journalists. The thesis will show that it is easier to promise information access than to implement it. It will demonstrate that for most of the countries of study FOI laws serve more as a PR tool projecting an illusion of an informed public, rather than granting real independent access to quality information.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1990. / Spine Title: Modeling refractive index variation. Includes index. "References": leaves 148-153.