The focus is on cross-sectional dependence in panel trade flow models. We propose alternative specifications for modeling time invariant factors such as socio-cultural indicator variables, e.g., common language and currency. These are typically treated as a source of heterogeneity eliminated using fixed effects transformations, but we find evidence of cross-sectional dependence after eliminating country-specific effects. These findings suggest use of alternative simultaneous dependence model specifications that accommodate cross-sectional dependence, which we set forth along with Bayesian estimation methods. Ignoring cross-sectional dependence implies biased estimates from panel trade flow models that rely on fixed effects. / Series: Working Papers in Regional Science

Passive network reconstruction is the process of learning a structured (networked) representation of a dynamic system through the use of known information about the structure of the system as well as data collected by observing the inputs into a system along with the resultant outputs. This work demonstrates an improvement on an existing network reconstruction algorithm so that the algorithm is capable of consistently and perfectly reconstructing a network when system inputs and outputs are measured without error. This work then extends the improved network reconstruction algorithm so that it functions even in the presence of noise as well as the situation where inputs into the system are unknown. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the capability of the new extended algorithms by reconstructing financial networks from stock market data, and then performing an analysis to understand the vulnerabilities of the reconstructed network to destabilization through localized attacks. The creation of these improved and extended algorithms has opened many theoretical questions, paving the way for future research into network reconstruction.

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This study introduces new families of wavelets. The first is directly derived from the response of Second Order Underdamped Linear-Time-Invariant (SOULTI) systems, while the second is a generalization of the first to the complex domain and is similar to the Laplace transform kernel function. The first takes the acronym of SOULTI wavelet, while the second is named the Laplace wavelet. The most important criteria for a function or signal to be a wavelet is the ability to recover the original signal back from its continuous wavelet transform. It is shown that it is possible to recover back the original signal once the SOULTI or the Laplace wavelet transform is applied to decompose the signal. It is found that both wavelet transforms satisfy linear differential equations called the reconstructing differential equations, which are closely related to the differential equations that produce the wavelets. The new wavelets can have well defined Time-Frequency resolutions, and they have useful properties; a direct relation between the scale and the frequency, unique transform formulas that can be easily obtained for most elementary signals such as unit step, sinusoids, polynomials, and decaying harmonic signals, and linear relations between the wavelet transform of signals and the wavelet transform of their derivatives and integrals. The defined wavelets are applied to system analysis applications. The new wavelets showed accurate instantaneous frequency identification and modal decomposition of LTI Multi-Degree of Freedom (MDOF) systems and it showed better results than the Short-time Fourier Transform (STFT) and the other harmonic wavelets used in time-frequency analysis. The modal decomposition is applied for modal parameters identification, and the properties of the Laplace and the SOULTI wavelet transforms allows analytical and accurate identification methods. / Ph. D.

Os sinais de eletromiografia de agulha podem ser modelados por um sistema linear invariante no tempo (SLIT). A pergunta é: Quantos coeficientes são necessários para tal? O presente mestrado estuda, para sinais de eletromiografia de agulha gravados sob as mesmas condições experimentais, como varia o número ótimo de coeficientes autorregressivos com o comprimento das épocas e com a força de contração muscular concomitantemente. O estudo foi realizado tendo como base sinais de 10%, 25%, 50% e 80% da máxima contração voluntária (MCV) e tendo épocas de 500ms, 250ms, 100ms, 50ms e 25ms de seis indivíduos normais. Desta forma, uma função densidade de probabilidade é sugerida para a ordem do modelo autorregressivo que melhor descreva o sinal de eletromiografia obtido a uma força de contração específica e que tenha uma duração de época definida. / Needle electromyography signals (EMG) can be modeled by a linear time invariant system (LTI). The posed question is How many coefficients are needed for an adequate modeling? This Masters dissertation studies how the optimal number of autoregressive coefficients changes concomitantly with the epoch length and the muscle contraction force for needle electromyography signals recorded under the same experimental conditions. The study was conducted on signals from six normal individuals at 10%, 25%, 50% and 80% of the maximum voluntary contraction and epoch lengths of 500ms, 250ms, 100ms, 50ms and 25ms. Thus, a probability density function is suggested for the autoregressive model order that best describes the electromyographic signal obtained at a specific \"contraction force\" and has a defined \"epoch length\".

Os sinais de eletromiografia de agulha podem ser modelados por um sistema linear invariante no tempo (SLIT). A pergunta é: Quantos coeficientes são necessários para tal? O presente mestrado estuda, para sinais de eletromiografia de agulha gravados sob as mesmas condições experimentais, como varia o número ótimo de coeficientes autorregressivos com o comprimento das épocas e com a força de contração muscular concomitantemente. O estudo foi realizado tendo como base sinais de 10%, 25%, 50% e 80% da máxima contração voluntária (MCV) e tendo épocas de 500ms, 250ms, 100ms, 50ms e 25ms de seis indivíduos normais. Desta forma, uma função densidade de probabilidade é sugerida para a ordem do modelo autorregressivo que melhor descreva o sinal de eletromiografia obtido a uma força de contração específica e que tenha uma duração de época definida. / Needle electromyography signals (EMG) can be modeled by a linear time invariant system (LTI). The posed question is How many coefficients are needed for an adequate modeling? This Masters dissertation studies how the optimal number of autoregressive coefficients changes concomitantly with the epoch length and the muscle contraction force for needle electromyography signals recorded under the same experimental conditions. The study was conducted on signals from six normal individuals at 10%, 25%, 50% and 80% of the maximum voluntary contraction and epoch lengths of 500ms, 250ms, 100ms, 50ms and 25ms. Thus, a probability density function is suggested for the autoregressive model order that best describes the electromyographic signal obtained at a specific \"contraction force\" and has a defined \"epoch length\".

The signal structure is a partial structure representation for dynamic systems. It characterizes the causal relationship between manifest variables and is depicted in a weighted graph, where the weights are dynamic operators. Earlier work has defined signal structure for linear time-invariant systems through dynamical structure function. This thesis focuses on the search for the signal structure of nonlinear systems and proves that the signal structure reduces to the linear definition when the systems are linear. Specifically, this work: (1) Defines the complete computational structure for nonlinear systems. (2) Provides a process to find the complete computational structure given a state space model. (3) Defines the signal structure for dynamic systems in general. (4) Provides a process to find the signal structure for a class of dynamic systems from their complete computational structure.

This thesis aims to investigate the controllability and observability of the discrete fractional linear time-invariant state-space model. First, we will establish key concepts and properties which are the tools necessary for our task. In the third chapter, we will discuss the discrete state-space model and set up the criteria for these two properties. Then, in the fourth chapter, we will attempt to apply these criteria to the discrete fractional model. The general flow of our objectives is as follows: we start with the first-order linear difference equation, move on to the discrete system, then the fractional difference equation, and finally the discrete fractional system. Throughout this process, we will develop the solutions to the (fractional) difference equations, which are the basis of our criteria.

Closed-end funds’ (CEF) discount and discount fluctuations have been puzzling researchers for decades. Up to date, there are no multidimensional or cross-sectional variables that have been proved to influence CEFs simultaneously. Fact is that, earlier research and theories on the subject are contradictious and several suggestions on the origin of the CEF’s discount and its fluctuations have been proposed. To mention a few, investor sentiments, taxation issues, dividend policies, agency costs and agency problems are considered to influence these discounts. The purpose of this report is to examine the relationship between micro- and macroeconomic variables fluctuations, and how these can explain the discount fluctuation of the Swedish CEFs. This report focuses upon the CEFs traded at NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, which have been selected through a comprehensive multistage selection process. 10 CEFs were selected. Monthly data for calculating micro- and macroeconomic variables was collected for the period March 2003 – February 2013, which resulted in approximately 1 200 observations. OLS regression analysis, Fixed- and Random Effect Models and Hausman tests were conducted. The findings conclude that some of this report’s chosen micro- and macro variables influence on the Swedish CEFs’ discount fluctuation, although these findings are conditioned. The CEFs’ individual characteristics or traits result in a significant impact on the fluctuation of CEFs’ discount. Hence, only by controlling these characteristics, multidimensional or cross-sectional micro- and macroeconomic variables can be proved to affect the CEFs’ discount fluctuation.

The thesis addresses the problem of structural damage detection using inverse sensitivity based methods. The focus here is on characterization with regard to identification, location, and, quantification of structural damage in linear time invariant (LTI) systems, using vibration data. The study encompasses both analytical and experimental methods. A suite of five algorithms for damage detection, namely, inverse eigensensitivity method that is refined to account for cross orthogonality between distinct modes, damping dependent eigensolutions, and sensitivity with respect to points of antiresonance and minima, inverse FRF method that includes refinements in terms of inclusion of second order sensitivity, response function method (RFM) based on first order Taylor’s expansion, a newly proposed inverse sensitivity method based on singular values of FRF matrix, and method based on response time histories, are presented. The scope of these methods vis-à-vis the need for model reduction, ability to deal with incomplete data, ill-posedness of governing equations and the need for regularization, sensitivity with respect to measurement noise, ability to identify damping characteristics, the highest and lowest magnitudes of changes in structural properties, and the ability to characterize systems with closely spaced natural frequencies that the methods can detect are discussed. The performance of proposed procedures is illustrated by considering a five degrees-of-freedom (dof) mass-spring-dashpot system and subsequently applied on three archetypal structural systems using analytical and experimental methods. In the examples presented, factors, such as, completeness of measured data in time and frequency, nature (proportional/non-proportional) and magnitude of damping, levels of changes in structural properties, modal truncations, number of governing equations for system parameters, and efficacy of regularization techniques are investigated. The study also highlights the difficulties in implementing the damage detection algorithm based on real life noisy vibration data. A comparative study on the suitability of each of these methods in locating and quantifying of different damage scenarios has been reported. A critical review of performance of the various methods is presented. The thesis concludes with a summary on the contributions made and also deliberates on future avenues for research and development in this area of research.