The basic reproductive number (R0) of SIS epidemics on networks

The basic reproductive number (R0) of an infectious disease is the expected number of secondary cases infected by the first case in an otherwise susceptible population. In this thesis, based on this fundamental concept, we propose a new method: the IIN-TN method that could calculate R0 of a network from the local structure of the network under...

Optimizing the packing strategy for parcel delivery vans

The increasing popularity of e-commerce has led to a greater emphasis on improving parcel delivery processes. Among the various stages of the delivery process, packing parcels into delivery vans affects the delivery time. The efficiency of delivery is optimized when each parcel is conveniently accessible upon arrival, thereby minimizing the...

Improve Coolblue's direct demand model for substitutable products

This thesis aims to improve Coolblue's direct demand estimation model for substitutable products. Their current model consists of three sub-models which all provide their direct demand estimations. For every product, the direct demand is taken from one of the sub-models based on their performance in estimating the sales. The sub-models are the...

Mathematical Modelling of a flute

The transverse flute can be studied on many aspects. In this thesis the sound waves that can be generated inside the flute are studied on their shape and frequencies. To achieve this, two mathematical models of the sound waves inside a flute are developed. To develop these models, solutions to the second dimensional wave equation are calculated...

Optimize the indescribable: A Look at the Unification between Machine Learning and Optimization

Packages to encode Machine Learned models into optimization problems is an underdeveloped area, despite the advantages is could provide. The main draw of implementing Machine Learned models into optimization models, is that it allows the optimizer to better account for the human experience.<br/>Maragno D., Wiberg H. et al. constructed an...

Non-parametric Estimation of Generators of Elliptical Distributions

In this thesis, we present simulation studies of a non-parametric estimator, proposed by Liebscher (2005). This estimator uses a well-known non-parametric estimator called kernel density estimator. Non-parametric estimation is used when the parametric distribution of a given dataset is unknown. This technique is then applied with an assumption...

The mechanics of a trebuchet using Lagrangian mechanics

In this report, we have taken a look at three different types of trebuchets: the seesaw, the traction trebuchet or mangonel, and the counterweight trebuchet. We have created models to describe their motion by making use of Lagrangian mechanics and have compared them based on their maximum ranges. Moreover, we have also calculated a lower bound...

Encoding undirected and semi-directed binary phylogenetic networks by quarnets

Phylogenetic networks generalize evolutionary trees and are commonly used to represent evolutionary relationships between species that undergo reticulate evolutionary processes such as hybridization, recombination and lateral gene transfer. In this thesis all quarnets, networks on four species, of a network are assumed to be known. We prove that...

A systematic approach to characterize consecutive events in the Netherlands: From extremely dry to extremely wet

Floods and droughts, also known as hydro-hazards, are phenomena that generally involve detrimental consequences to society and environment. Traditional practices for risk assessment consider flood and drought independently. However, they are two opposite extremes of the same hydrological cycle. Omitting their interaction might lead to an under-...

Causal Fairness of Machine Learning: Bridging Individual- and Population-Level Fairness Methods

As Machine Learning models are being applied to a wide range of fields, the potential impact that these algorithms can have on people's lives is increasing. In a growing number of applications, such as criminal justice, financial assessments, job and college applications, the data points are indeed people's profiles. Therefore, in the presence...

Traditional and ML approaches to generate and understand implied volatility surfaces

In this research, different models are used to construct volatility surfaces and these models are compared with each other in terms of accuracy. The models range from the SSVI to neural networks. Specifically, we look at the SSVI, the feedforward neural network and the gated neural network. Attention is also paid to the incorporation of...

Competitive Investors: A Game Theoretical Approach on Hedge Fund Dynamic Analysis

The Competitive Investor Game from Bell &amp; Cover (1980) and the 푘-Player Ranking Game from Alpern &amp; Howard (2017) are analysed in thesis. Optimal strategies have been derived and the related proofs have been given a new look. The Symmetric Multiplayer Ranking Game is considered as the general interpretation of financial competition among...

Automated classification of user reviews: Detection of topic and sentiment

Online customer reviews on products have become a large part of marketing intelligence in recent years. These documents are a source of information on what aspects of a discussed product can be improved upon. These aspects are named drivers. CQM, the company in which the internship for which this thesis was written took place, has developed a...

Simulating smart charging optimization for electric vehicles: A quantification and statistical analysis of the cost reduction and emission reduction potential of an aggregated Dutch EV fleet

The objective of this research is to understand what smart charging can bring business and society at large. In close collaboration with the largest fleet operator in the world and a commercial aggregator, the impact of smart charging on both cost reduction and carbon reduction was simulated for an electric vehicle (EV) fleet in 2018. The...

A robust optimization approach to synchromodal container transportation

This thesis addresses synchromodal planning at operational level from the perspective of a logistics service provider. The existing infrastructure and the transportation activities are studied and modeled as an optimization problem with simultaneous vehicle routing and container-to-mode assignment. A special characteristic of this problem is the...

Multi-attribute vehicle routing problems: Exploring the limits of exact methods in practice

The companies CQM and EVO-it work together to help many different companies with solving their vehicle routing problems. EVO-it provides the interface of the software that the companies can use for route planning and CQM provides the technology that is used to solve the route planning problems, which concerns a lot of mathematical programming....