Digital Commons Network^™

Watch Your Spelling!, Kurt Hornik, Duncan Murdoch

The R Journal

We discuss the facilities in base R for spell checking via Aspell, Hunspell or Ispell, which are useful in particular for conveniently checking the spelling of natural language texts in package Rd files and vignettes. Spell checking performance is illustrated using the Rd files in package stats. This example clearly indicates the need for a domain-specific statistical dictionary. We analyze the results of spell checking all Rd files in all CRAN packages and show how these can be employed for building such a dictionary.

Nonparametric Goodness-Of-Fit Tests For Discrete Null Distributions, Taylor B. Arnold, John W. Emerson

The R Journal

Methodology extending nonparametric goodness-of-fit tests to discrete null distributions has existed for several decades. However, modern statistical software has generally failed to provide this methodology to users. We offer a revision of R’s ks.test() function and a new cvm.test() function that fill this need in the R language for two of the most popular nonparametric goodness-of-fit tests. This paper describes these contributions and provides examples of their usage. Particular attention is given to various numerical issues that arise in their implementation.

Portable C++ For R Packages, Martyn Plummer

The R Journal

Package checking errors are more common on Solaris than Linux. In many cases, these errors are due to non-portable C++ code. This article reviews some commonly recurring problems in C++ code found in R packages and suggests solutions.

Glm2: Fitting Generalized Linear Models With Convergence Problems, Ian C. Marschner

The R Journal

The R function glm uses step-halving to deal with certain types of convergence problems when using iteratively reweighted least squares to fit a generalized linear model. This works well in some circumstances but non-convergence remains a possibility, particularly with a non standard link function. In some cases this is be cause step-halving is never invoked, despite a lack of convergence. In other cases step-halving is invoked but is unable to induce convergence. One remedy is to impose a stricter form of step halving than is currently available in glm, so that the deviance is forced to decrease in every iteration. …

Creating And Deploying An Application With (R)Excel And R, Thomas Baier, Erich Neuwirth, Michele De Meo

The R Journal

We present some ways of using R in Excel and build an example application using the package rpart. Starting with simple interactive use of rpart in Excel, we eventually package the code into an Excel-based application, hiding all details (including R itself) from the end user. In the end, our application implements a service oriented architecture (SOA) with a clean separation of presentation and computation layer

Grapher: A Multiplatform Gui For Drawing Customizable Graphs In R, Maxime Hervé

The R Journal

This article presents GrapheR, a Graphical User Interface allowing the user to draw customizable and high-quality graphs without knowing any R commands. Six kinds of graph are available: histograms, box-and-whisker plots, bar plots, pie charts, curves and scatter plots. The complete process is described with the examples of a bar plot and a scatter plot illustrating the legendary puzzle of African and European swallows’ migrations.

Evaluation Of Fastt Math, Krystal Clawson, Valerie Grier, Amanda Iocoangeli

Graduate Capstone Projects

FASTT Math is an online, computer-based program that helps students develop fluency with basic math facts. FASTT Math can be used by students in second grade and up. Monroe Public Schools implemented this program in 2008 as a way to help improve fact fluency in the elementary grades. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program was conducted and recommendations for future use are provided.

Inventing Norms, William Hubbard

All Faculty Scholarship

Patent law strives to promote the progress of technology by encouraging invention. Traditionally, scholars contend that patent law achieves this goal by creating financial incentives to invent in the form of exclusive rights to new technology. This traditional view of invention, however, fails to recognize that inventors are motivated by more than money. Like most people, inventors are also motivated by social norms, that is, shared normative beliefs favoring certain actions while disfavoring others. This Article argues that many Americans embrace social norms that favor and encourage successful invention. Because of these "inventing norms" inventors enjoy enhanced personal satisfaction and …

Management Theories In Manufacturing, James Nathan Webster

Graduate Research Papers

The principles and ideology of management have been around for thousands of years. "Before industrialization, organizations were primarily the household, the tribe, the church, the military, and government" (Wren, 1987, p. 13). It was very rare for people to gather and organize outside of these structures prior to the industrial revolution. As mankind and civilization have progressed, the power of organizations has shifted throughout time. In the time of Confucius, government positions were of the utmost respect, and Confucius taught that positions of power "should go to men of proven merit and ability" (Wren, 1987, p. 14). The ancient Egyptians …

On The Accuracy Of Classical And Long Wavelength Approximations For Phonon Transport In Graphene, Dhruv Singh, Jayathi Murthy, Timothy S. Fisher

Birck and NCN Publications

This paper presents a critical evaluation of the approximations usually made in thermal conductivity modeling applied to graphene. The baseline for comparison is thermal conductivity computations performed using a rigorous calculation of three-phonon scattering events and accounting for the anharmonicity of interatomic forces. Three central assumptions that underlie published theories are evaluated and shown to compromise the accuracy of thermal conductivity predictions. It is shown that the use of classical phonon occupation statistics in place of the Bose-Einstein distribution causes the overprediction of specific heat and the underprediction of phonon relaxation time; for ZA phonons, the classical approximation can underpredict …

Least Sine Squares And Robust Compound Regression Analysis, Hao Han

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

The errors-in-variables (EIV) regression model, being more realistic by accounting for measurement errors in both the dependent and the independent variables, is widely used in econometrics, chemistry, medical, and environmental sciences, etc. The traditional EIV model estimators, however, can be highly biased by outliers and other departures from the underlying assumptions. In this work, we propose two novel nonparametric estimation approaches - the least sine squares (LSS) and the robust compound regression (RCR) analysis methods for the robust estimation of EIV models. The RCR method, as a natural extension and combination of the new LSS method and the compound regression …

Illumination And Geometry Inference Using Graphical Models, Alexandros Panagopoulos

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Image formation is a function of three components: scene geometry, surface reflectance and illumination. Estimation of one or more of these components from an image gives rise to inverse rendering problems, such as shape reconstruction or illumination estimation, which are the two major problems of interest in this thesis. We formulate such problems in a way that attempts to bridge the gap between low-level approaches based on the physical laws governing image formation and higher-level models that examine images in a statistical way. We take advantage of the powerful formalism offered by graphical models, which lead to modular frameworks and …

Isotopy Invaraints Of Immersed Surfaces In A 4-Manifold, Luoying Weng

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

In this this dissertation we introduce an isotopy invariant of generically immersed surfaces in some 4-manifold. The construction is based on Khovanov homology and its variants in the same way as the construction of Turaev-Viro module of a 3-manifold with infinite cyclic covering relies on TQFT. The invariant is first constructed for generically immersed surfaces in S3 × S1 using the functoriality of Khovanov homology, and is generalized by using new versions of Khovanov homology. Moreover, it is also generalized to surfaces generically immersed transversal to a standardly embedded S2 in S4. Examples are studied to illustrate the strength and …

The Ahlfors Iteration For Confromal Mapping, Christopher Michael Green

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

The Riemann Mapping Theorem states that for any proper, simply connected planar domain there exists a conformal mapping from the disk onto the domain. But can this map be explicitly described? For general domains, there is no obvious answer. However, if the domain is the interior of a simple polygon, a convenient formula for the Riemann map was discovered independently by Schwarz and Christoffel. In this dissertation, we present a local quadratically convergent algorithm, the Ahlfors Iteration, based on the theory of quasiconformal maps in the plane, to compute the Schwarz-Christoffel mapping. This algorithm will also apply to a larger …

Legitimacy And Legality: Carl Schmitt And The Dialectic Of Modernity, Celina Maria Bragagnolo

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Recently, Carl Schmitt's critique of the modern liberal state has been deployed in an assessment of political modernity. One of the key ideas underlying this critique is the distinction between legitimacy and `mere legality,' which he identifies with modernity. I begin to asses this distinction first from the point of view of Schmitt's theory of secularization, since his critique of legality is the result of a certain philosophy of history. Secondly, I set Schmitt's critique of legality against a critical theoretical account of law and modernity by means of a discussion of the work of Hans Blumenberg, Franz Neumann and …

The Missouri Miner, December 1, 2011

The Missouri Miner Newspaper

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: December 01, 2011, Eastern Illinois University

December

No abstract provided.

Complex Dynamics Of Discrete Seis Models With Simple Demography, Hui Cao, Yicang Zhou, Baojun Song

Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

We investigate bifurcations and dynamical behaviors of discrete SEIS models with exogenous reinfections and a variety of treatment strategies. Bifurcations identified from the models include period doubling, backward, forward-backward, and multiple backward bifurcations. Multiple attractors, such as bistability and tristability, are observed. We also estimate the ultimate boundary of the infected regardless of initial status. Our rigorously mathematical analysis together with numerical simulations show that epidemiological factors alone can generate complex dynamics, though demographic factors only support simple equilibrium dynamics. Our model analysis supports and urges to treat a fixed percentage of exposed individuals.

Electron Screening And Disorder-Induced Heating In Ultracold Neutral Plasmas, Mary Elizabeth Lyon

Theses and Dissertations

Disorder-induced heating (DIH) is a nonequilibrium, ultrafast relaxation process that occurs when laser-cooled atoms are photoionized to make an ultracold plasma. Its effects dominate the ion motion during the first 100 ns of the plasma evolution. Using tools of atomic physics we study DIH with ns time resolution for different plasma densities and temperatures. By changing the frequency of the laser beam we use to probe the ions, we map out the time evolution of the velocity distribution. We can compare this to a fluorescence simulation in order to more clearly determine the relationship between the fluorescence signal and the …

Chemical Modification On Gold Slides To Gain Better Control Of Patterning Techniques, Ragini Vuppalapati

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Nanolithography is a rapidly evolving field that requires new combinations of techniques to improve patterning and to assist in fabricating electromechanical devices. An increasing number of applications require surfaces with defined regions of different chemical functionality. In our previous project optimum conditions for lithographic patterning were determined and potential blockers were identified to reduce force on the tip.

This work is focused on identifying good chemical modifications that will allow better control of basic patterning and to investigate the minimum force of patterning required while using each chemical system. The primary aim is to gain better control of basic pattern …

Activity Of Analogs Of Anticancer Drugs On The Serine Protease Enzymes Subtilisin And Chymotrypsin, Dhatri Ravipati

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The anticancer activity of several platinum compounds is due to the formation of complexes with DNA. We hypothesize that the size and shape of the platinum compounds would impact interaction with proteins, and these interactions may be partly responsible for the anticancer activity. Chymotrypsin and subtilisin are serine proteases that have a histidine residue in the active site. We are investigating the inhibition of the digestive enzymes chymotrypsin and subtilisin by analogs of the anticancer drug cisplatin and trying to discern trends in the inhibition as the active site residues vary. In our research, we found that the enzyme subtilisin …

Sustainable Renovation Of Public Buildings In Kosova - Case Study: Kindergarten “Fatosat”, Sadije Kelmendi

Theses and Dissertations

“It's a simple approach. Sustainable architecture looks to the future by looking at the past.”

Stephen Gist

The research topic came up during the master studies on sustainable design courses which influenced the reflection on present thermal situation of buildings in Kosova and personal interest on how to contribute to its improvement with the new knowledge pursued.

This research focuses on sustainable renovation possibility in Kosova, illustrated by a case-study, more precisely an existing kindergarten building in Prishtina. The majority of these kinds of building were constructed about 30 years ago and apart from the ageing of the façade, roof …

Exploratory Case Study: How The Inclusion Of Nature In The Design Of Learning Environments Affects Learning Among Children, Cheryl Knodel

Interior Design Program: Student Creative Activity

The theoretical framework of Stephen R. Kellert linking nature and the built environment was used as the basis for this research. This case study research was conducted to describe the effect nature had on learning among children 3 to 6 years of age attending two north central Florida Montessori learning environments. Methods were examined by which this phenomenon might be studied in more detail in order to: (a) provide verification of the independent and dependent variables, (b) establish the empirical measure of learning outcomes, and (c) provide the refinement of the variable learning outcomes as influenced by nature.

A qualitative …

Problem-Based Learning Meets Web 2.0: Using A Youtube Video To Teach Information Literacy In A Problem-Based Learning Format, Frances A. May, Annie Downey

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2009

We are often taught to analyze verbal and written communication, but the analysis of visual communication, (for example, in advertising, art, media, and film,) is often neglected or ignored. This presentation is intended to show attendees the ways in which pictures and videos affect them, and how to analyze and decode images in order to construct meaning from the visuals. They can then pass this information on to their students.

Patricia Senn Breivik argues that information literacy should incorporate multiple types of literacy, including computer, library, media, network, and visual literacy (2005). In an era of massive exposure to visual …

Trail Mix: Buffet Style Offerings Using Delicious Bookmarking, E. Anne Kelly

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2009

This "recipe based and food themed" presentation will focus on the effective use of freely available web 2.0 technology on the web (delicious), and how it has transformed student access, engagement, and library use of the education materials available at Laurier’s library.

Because traditional cataloguing is limited in how in-depth subject headings can realistically be and practice has proven that subject description decided upon by non-practitioners can serve to obscure rather than clarify access to great materials. Finding curriculum related materials has proven very difficult for teacher education students given their needs (grade 2 math, about fractions), so a "delicious" …

A Gis Approach For Estimating Optimal Sites For Grid-Connected Photovoltaic (Pv) Cells In Nebraska, Tomotoshi Funabashi

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

In the context of rising energy concerns and increased spotlight on solar energy, this study examines and draws attention to the state of mid potential sunlight. The purpose of this study is to estimate the optimal sites for grid-connected photovoltaic cells in Nebraska, which is ranked 13th nationally in terms of insolation potential. Five factors – insolation potential, adjacency to roads, accessibility to grid, topography, and acreage – are examined with the use of Geographic Information System (GIS). Insolation potential was quantitatively analyzed by averaging, plotting, and interpolating the 20 years of datasets recoded at 28 weather stations of High …

Herpetofaunal Diversity At Yankee Hill State Lake And Wildlife Management Area, Lancaster County, Nebraska, Shelby Klima

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

A survey for amphibians and reptiles was conducted in March through October 2011 at Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area in Lancaster County, Nebraska. The survey was conducted using several different techniques including: visual and auditory encounters, artificial and natural cover objects, aquatic trappings and road surveys. A total of 145 individuals representing 12 species were identified including seven reptiles and five amphibians. A total of 48% of the species that may potentially occur on the site were encountered, all of which are common, widely distributed generalist species. Neither Graham’s Crayfish Snake nor the Massasauga, both target species for this survey, …

The Monetary Effects Of Deer Damage On The Environment, Scott Mendlik

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The focus of my study was deer damage that occurred to crops and trees in Northeast Nebraska, around Wisner in Cuming County. I collected data from corn fields and harvest yields to determine the monetary losses landowners receive to deer damage. The damage can be anywhere from minimal to significant and affects each person differently. I study used test plots to collect data for an average damage per acre, and variable-sized plots to accurately estimate the level of damage occurred. I also incorporated data from tree nurseries to estimate the damage tree farmers and landowners would have when planting new …

Factors That Cause Growth And Development In The City Of Lincoln, Ne, Kaylene Tegtmeier

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

This qualitative study looks at what factors may contribute to the outward growth and development of the city of Lincoln, Nebraska. The two main factors the study discusses are the Lincoln Public School planners and their placement of schools in the city, and the “American dream” of the people, looking at where the people of Lincoln want to be living throughout the city and what some of their daily habits are. This study also discusses some of the main visions of the city of Lincoln’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan how the plan’s ambitions may affect the two factors looked at in …

A Health Impact Assessment Of Mixed Use Redevelopment Nodes And Corridors In Lincoln, Nebraska, Katie Clear

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Obesity is a growing threat to America’s health. The national rate of obesity is 34% (Health Consequences, 2011), and Lincoln, Nebraska is not far behind that trend at 20.7% (BRFSS, 2011). Increasing physical activity is one way to reduce weight gain, (Edwards, 2008) and further studies show that small changes to the built environment can induce people to use alternative and more active forms of transportation such as biking, walking, and public transportation (Edwards, 2008; Zheng, 2008). The 2040 Comprehensive Plan for Lincoln, NE includes language to create a more walkable community. The proposal is to redevelop existing areas within …