THE EFFECT OF COMPACT OBJECT SPIN ON THE SEARCH FOR GRAVITATIONAL WAVES FROM BINARY NEUTRON STAR AND NEUTRON STAR-BLACK HOLE MERGERS

In this dissertation we study gravitational-wave searches for binary neutron star and neutron star - black hole coalescences. We determine the accuracy of post-Newtonian approximations as gravitational-wave templates in matched-filter based searches for NSBH mergers. We test a geometric method to generate template banks for BNS and NSBH mergers where the components have intrinsic spin, and estimate the sensitivity to astrophysical sources of searches that use these banks during Advanced LIGO. We explore simplifications and optimizations to the search pipeline used during S6/VSR2,3 gravitational-wave searches. We investigate methods for regenerating template banks as the noise behavior of a detector changes over time. We further investigate changes to the algorithm for determining coincidence between candidates from multiple-detectors. Finally, we develop a focused search for binary neutron stars, and test improvements to its configuration using LIGO detector data from the most recent science run

ESTIMATION OF THE FISHER EFFECT ON THE TERM STRUCTURE OF INTEREST RATES EMPLOYING A TERM STRUCTURE OF INFLATIONARY EXPECTATIONS

This study deals with the estimation of the effect of a term structure of inflationary expectations on the term structure of interest rates. By estimating the Fisher effect over the entire term structure, this analysis captures the associational effects between values of the interest rates along a term structure and values of inflationary expectations along a term structure. The study contains a discussion of the Fisher hypothesis as it was developed and tested by Irving Fisher. Models of inflationary expectations and previous applications of these to test the Fisher effect are discussed. A method of constructing a term structure of inflationary expectations is developed. Inflationary expectations are estimated and proof is offered to demonstrate that these expectations are statistically rational. A model for estimating nominal interest rates from yields on Treasury notes and Bank discounts on Treasury bills is developed. The technique is applied to obtain estimates of the term structure of nominal interest rates, monthly, for the period of January 1970 through November 1982. In order to summarize the term structures of inflationary expectations and the term structures of nominal interest rates as functions, this study estimates empirical term structures using cubic exponential spline functions. There is a discussion of spline methodology from a modeling perspective and from an econometric perspective. The Fisher effect of the term structure of inflationary expectations on the term structure of interest rates is estimated by pooling the cross-section data described by the coefficients of the cubic exponential splines, and the time-series data. The evidence does not reject the Fisher hypothesis of a complete pass-through of inflationary expectations to nominal interest rates in a world of taxes. The evidence also suggests that associational effects along the term structures are present