Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Examining Regression Analysis Beyond The Mean Of The Distribution Using Quantile Regression: A Case Study Of Modeling The Internal Bond Of Medium Density Fiberboard Using Multiple Linear Regression And Quantile Regression With An Example Of Reliability Methods Using R Software, Leslie Brooke Shaffer

Masters Theses

The thesis examines the causality of the central tendency of the Internal Bond (IB) of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) with predictor variables from the MDF manufacturing process. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models are developed using a best model criterion for all possible subsets of IB for four MDF thickness products reported in inches, e.g., 0.750”, 0.625”, 0.6875”, and 0.500”. Quantile Regression (QR) models of the median IB are also developed.

The adjusted coefficient of determination (R² _a) of the MLR models range from 72% with 53 degrees of freedom to 81% with 42 degrees of freedom, respectively. The …

Advantages Of “Function Domain Sets” Confidence Intervals Over Hypotheses Comparison Tests Of One Mean Residual Life (Mrl) Function Dominating An Improved Baseline And Of Two Mrl Functions Comparisons With Applications In Modern Engineered Composite Wood Products: One Sample And Two Sample Cases. Also Exploring General Theory, Insights, And Applications Of Mrl Functions, Jonathan Cody Steele

Masters Theses

In this thesis, we analyze mean residual life (MRL) functions and unique “function domain sets” confidence intervals to identify important opportunities for improving quality of medium density fiberboard (MDF). We stress these tools have tremendous potential for many other forest products (e.g., various composites, natural woods), not just MDF.

These “function domain sets” confidence intervals can assess variation in quality where one MRL function dominates an industrial baseline. Assessments of the internal bond of MDF illuminate opportunities for helpful improvements, plus perform valid statistical comparisons of different types of MDF. For example, these MRL methods detect a new, higher-valued MDF …

A Reliability Case Study On Estimating Extremely Small Percentiles Of Strength Data For The Continuous Improvement Of Medium Density Fiberboard Product Quality, Weiwei Chen

Masters Theses

The objective of this thesis is to better estimate extremely small percentiles of strength distributions for measuring failure process in continuous improvement initiatives. These percentiles are of great interest for companies, oversight organizations, and consumers concerned with product safety and reliability. The thesis investigates the lower percentiles for the quality of medium density fiberboard (MDF). The international industrial standard for measuring quality for MDF is internal bond (IB, a tensile strength test). The results of the thesis indicated that the smaller percentiles are crucial, especially the first percentile and lower ones.

The thesis starts by introducing the background, study objectives, …

Novel Algorithms And Datamining For Clustering Massive Datasets, Aruna K. Buddana

Masters Theses

Clustering proteomics data is a challenging problem for any traditional clustering algorithm. Usually, the number of samples is much smaller than the number of protein peaks. The use of a clustering algorithm which does not take into consideration the number of feature of variables (here the number of peaks) is needed. An innovative hierarchical clustering algorithm may be a good approach. This work proposes a new dissimilarity measure for the hierarchical clustering combined with a functional data analysis. This work presents a specific application of functional data analysis (FDA) to a highthrouput proteomics study. The high performance of the proposed …

An Applied Statistical Reliability Analysis Of The Internal Bond Of Medium Density Fiberboard, David Joseph Edwards

Masters Theses

The forest products industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years and has a huge impact on the economies of many countries. For example, in the state of Maine in 1997, the forest products industry accounted for 9 billion U.S. dollars for that year. In the state of Tennessee, for example in 2000, this figure was 22 billion U.S. dollars for that year. It has, therefore, become more important in this industry to focus on production higher quality products. Statistical reliability methods, among other techniques, have been employed to help monitor and improve the quality of forest products. With such …

A Monte Carlo Model Of Uncertainty In A Deterministic Hazardous Waste Transportation Risk Assessment, Michael A. Cowen

Masters Theses

This thesis is aimed at developing and applying advanced modeling tools in the prediction of risk to the general public from transportation of chemical waste on public highways. The modeling tools developed can then be used to compare alternative waste management scenarios. The application considered is related to the transport of hazardous waste generated by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to current treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. DOE is currently considering four different scenarios.

The application considered can be more specifically defined as an analysis of the risk to the general public from transporting the 63 shipments of …

An Integrated Simulation Model Development Environment For Slam Ii Using Object-Oriented Paradigm, Rizvan Erol

Masters Theses

An integrated simulation model development environment was implemented to assist the modeler by automating certain activities of simulation modeling. The system included interactive model definition, experimental design, automatic simulation program generation in SLAM II. Object-oriented paradigm at software development stage was extensively used to conceptualize the structure, and rules of the SLAM II language in order to generate efficient, and modular program code. The present system targeted modeling of various probabilistic inventory control system problems. The remarkable advantages of the system were rapid model development time, and achieving reliable program code without requiring any knowledge in SLAM II. Object-oriented programming …

A Computer Simulation Of The Rotary Vacuum Filter Brown Stock Washing System Using Distribution Sampling, Edison G. Yiu

Masters Theses

A probabilistic model was utilized to simulate the brown stock washing system's error due to process variability and measurement noise. Mass balances of the washing system were performed using distribution sampling. This model relies on a nonlinear relationship between displacement and dilution, which permitted the generation of displacement ratio based upon wash liquor ratio. Experimental trials were performed on a pilotscale rotary vacuum single-stage washer. Nonlinear first-order relationship appears to characterize a pilotscale washer adequately. Differences were observed between the means and standard deviations of the measured results compared to the simulation output. Future work is needed to identify the …

The Application Of A Statistical Trend Analysis Program To Ground-Water Quality Monitoring Data From Eight Western Michigan Solid Waste Landfills, Amy Decosta Lachance

Masters Theses

A statistical analysis and interpretation of ground-water chemistry data from eight landfills in Western Michigan was performed. Data were collected over approximately the past ten years, pursuant to the requirements of Michigan's Solid Waste Management Act. A statistical regression model was used to reduce the data to identifiable trends and estimated magnitudes. These results were analyzed with respect to each landfill's characteristics and hydrogeological setting. Comparisons were made concerning the landfills' relative potential for environmental harm. Also, the effectiveness and applicability of this model to the analysis of ground-water monitoring data was assessed.

It was concluded that this analysis and …

A Statistical Approach To The Study Of The Ecosystems Of Seven Ponds In East-Central Illinois, Gregory Lee Orr

Masters Theses

Gross primary productivity, heterotrophic bacterial numbers, and net phytoplankton densities of seven ponds in Coles County, Illinois, were studied in relation to physical, chemical, and biological habitat variables (light intensity and duration, turbidity, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, production, bacteria, and phytoplankton). Ten observations were made for each pond (except where otherwise noted) from 17 June through 25 August 1974. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses of the data were used in order to determine those environmental factors which were important in predicting (i.e., significantly correlated with) bacterial and phytoplankton densities, and production. A multiple linear regression equation …

The Extended Tukey Procedure Compared To The Scheffe And Bonferroni Procedures, Wilber B. Emmert

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Statistical Analysis And Forecast Of The University Of Tennessee Enrollment, Edward J. Boling

Masters Theses

Statement of the Problem: It is the problem of this investigation to analyze by use of statistical methods the number of students enrolled at The University of Tennessee from 1899 to 1950, and with the aid of such analysis to forecast possible future enrollments.

The data used in this investigation will be limited in that only the resident students of that portion of The University of Tennessee which is located at Knoxville, Tennessee, will be used. Thus, the Colleges, Schools and Experiment Stations located in Memphis, Martin, Jackson, Columbia, Greeneville, Nashville, Crossville and Springfield, and the University extension work carried …

A Study Of The Retail And Wholesale Distribution Of Frozen Foods In Tennessee, John F. Boyd Iii

Masters Theses

[From the Introduction]

One of the most amazing stories to come from the foods business during the past decade is the growth of the frozen foods industry. Its rapid development, after having partially solved many perplexing problems of production and distribution, was somewhat accelerated by higher consumer incomes and wartime scarcities. Equally important is the fact that housewives have been relatively quick to adopt frozen foods. Therefore, today frozen foods are occupying an increasingly important position and the industry no longer considers itself as being in the "infant" stage of development.