Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 13 of 13

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

A Comparison Of The Trojan Y Chromosome Strategy To Harvesting Models For Eradication Of Non-Native Species, Jingjing Lyu, Pamela J. Schofield, Kristen M. Reaver, Matthew Beauregard, Rana D. Parshad Aug 2019

A Comparison Of The Trojan Y Chromosome Strategy To Harvesting Models For Eradication Of Non-Native Species, Jingjing Lyu, Pamela J. Schofield, Kristen M. Reaver, Matthew Beauregard, Rana D. Parshad

Faculty Publications

The Trojan Y Chromosome Strategy (TYC) is a promising eradication method for biological control of non-native species. The strategy works by manipulating the sex ratio of a population through the introduction of supermales that guarantee male offspring. In the current manuscript, we compare the TYC method with a pure harvesting strategy. We also analyze a hybrid harvesting model that mirrors the TYC strategy. The dynamic analysis leads to results on stability of solutions and bifurcations of the model. Several conclusions about the different strategies are established via optimal control methods. In particular, the results affirm that either a pure harvesting …


Large And Small Data Blow-Up Solutions In The Trojan Y Chromosome Model, Rana D. Parshad, Matthew Beauregard, Eric M. Takyi, Thomas Griffin, Landrey Bobo Jul 2019

Large And Small Data Blow-Up Solutions In The Trojan Y Chromosome Model, Rana D. Parshad, Matthew Beauregard, Eric M. Takyi, Thomas Griffin, Landrey Bobo

Faculty Publications

The Trojan Y Chromosome Strategy (TYC) is an extremely well investigated biological control method for controlling invasive populations with an XX-XY sex determinism. In [35, 36] various dynamical properties of the system are analyzed, including well posedness, boundedness of solutions, and conditions for extinction or recovery. These results are derived under the assumption of positive solutions. In the current manuscript, we show that if the introduction rate of trojan fish is zero, under certain large data assumptions, negative solutions are possible for the male population, which in turn can lead to finite time blow-up in the female and male populations. …


Quenching Estimates For A Non-Newtonian Filtration Equation With Singular Boundary Conditions, Matthew Beauregard, Burhan Selcuk Jul 2019

Quenching Estimates For A Non-Newtonian Filtration Equation With Singular Boundary Conditions, Matthew Beauregard, Burhan Selcuk

Faculty Publications

In this paper, the quenching behavior of the non-Newtonian filtration equation (φ(u))t = (|ux| r−2 ux)x with singular boundary conditions, ux (0, t) = u −p (0, t), ux (a, t) = (1 − u(a, t))−q is investigated. Various conditions on the initial condition are shown to guarantee quenching at either the left or right boundary. Theoretical quenching rates and lower bounds to the quenching time are determined when φ(u) = u and r = 2. Numerical experiments are provided to illustrate and provide additional validation of the theoretical estimates to the quenching rates and times.


A Variable Nonlinear Splitting Algorithm For Reaction Diffusion Systems With Self- And Cross-Diffusion, Matthew Beauregard, Joshua L. Padgett Jan 2019

A Variable Nonlinear Splitting Algorithm For Reaction Diffusion Systems With Self- And Cross-Diffusion, Matthew Beauregard, Joshua L. Padgett

Faculty Publications

Self- and cross-diffusion are important nonlinear spatial derivative terms that are included into biological models of predator-prey interactions. Self-diffusion models overcrowding effects, while cross-diffusion incorporates the response of one species in light of the concentration of another. In this paper, a novel nonlinear operator splitting method is presented that directly incorporates both self- and cross-diffusion into a computational efficient design. The numerical analysis guarantees the accuracy and demonstrates appropriate criteria for stability. Numerical experiments display its efficiency and accuracy


A Nonlinear Splitting Algorithm For Systems Of Partial Differential Equations With Self-Diffusion, Matthew Beauregard, Joshua L. Padgett, Rana D. Parshad Oct 2015

A Nonlinear Splitting Algorithm For Systems Of Partial Differential Equations With Self-Diffusion, Matthew Beauregard, Joshua L. Padgett, Rana D. Parshad

Faculty Publications

Systems of reaction-diffusion equations are commonly used in biological models of food chains. The populations and their complicated interactions present numerous challenges in theory and in numerical approximation. In particular, self-diffusion is a nonlinear term that models overcrowding of a particular species. The nonlinearity complicates attempts to construct efficient and accurate numerical approximations of the underlying systems of equations. In this paper, a new nonlinear splitting algorithm is designed for a partial differential equation that incorporates self diffusion. We present a general model that incorporates self-diffusion and develop a numerical approximation. The numerical analysis of the approximation provides criteria for …


Biological Control Via "Ecological" Damping: An Approach That Attenuates Non-Target Effects, Rana D. Parshad, Kelly Black, Emmanuel Quansah, Matthew Beauregard Feb 2015

Biological Control Via "Ecological" Damping: An Approach That Attenuates Non-Target Effects, Rana D. Parshad, Kelly Black, Emmanuel Quansah, Matthew Beauregard

Faculty Publications

In this work we develop and analyze a mathematical model of biological control to prevent or attenuate the explosive increase of an invasive species population in a three-species food chain. We allow for finite time blowup in the model as a mathematical construct to mimic the explosive increase in population, enabling the species to reach “disastrous” levels, in a finite time. We next propose various controls to drive down the invasive population growth and, in certain cases, eliminate blow-up. The controls avoid chemical treatments and/or natural enemy introduction, thus eliminating various non-target effects associated with such classical methods. We refer …


Winter Movements Of Louisiana Pine Snakes (Pituophis Ruthveni) In Texas And Louisiana, Josh B. Pierce, D. Craig Rudolph, Shirley J. Burgdorf, Richard R. Schaefer, Richard N. Conner, John G. Himes, C. Mike Duran, Laurence M. Hardy, Robert R. Fleet Jan 2014

Winter Movements Of Louisiana Pine Snakes (Pituophis Ruthveni) In Texas And Louisiana, Josh B. Pierce, D. Craig Rudolph, Shirley J. Burgdorf, Richard R. Schaefer, Richard N. Conner, John G. Himes, C. Mike Duran, Laurence M. Hardy, Robert R. Fleet

Faculty Publications

Despite concerns that the Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni) has been extirpated from large portions of its historic range, only a limited number of studies on their movement patterns have been published. Winter movement patterns are of particular interest since it has been hypothesized that impacts of management practices would be reduced during the winter. Using radiotelemetry, we determined winter movement patterns of Louisiana Pine Snakes (11 males, 8 females) in 5 study areas (2 in Louisiana and 3 in Texas). Movements during winter (November–February) were greatly curtailed compared to the remainder of the year; however, snakes occasionally undertook substantial …


Cooper’S Hawk Nest Site Characteristics In The Pineywoods Region, Richard R. Schaefer, D. Craig Rudolph, Josh B. Pierce, Jesse F. Fagan Jan 2011

Cooper’S Hawk Nest Site Characteristics In The Pineywoods Region, Richard R. Schaefer, D. Craig Rudolph, Josh B. Pierce, Jesse F. Fagan

Faculty Publications

Early accounts describe the Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) as a species in decline in much of North America during the early twentieth century (Bent 1937), particularly when in close proximity to humans (Eaton 1914). This decreasing population trend continued to be recognized later in the century in both Texas (Oberholser 1974) and Louisiana (Lowery 1974). Shooting and trapping during the first half of the 1900s, and pesticide use (especially DDT) after World War II are suggested as primary causes of the decline (Henny and Wight 1972, Bednarz et al. 1990). The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1972 and the ban …


Extending The Support Theorem To Infinite Dimensions, Jeremy J. Becnel May 2009

Extending The Support Theorem To Infinite Dimensions, Jeremy J. Becnel

Faculty Publications

The Radon transform is one of the most useful and applicable tools in functional analysis. First constructed by John Radon in 1917 [9] it has now been adapted to several settings. One of the principle theorems involving the Radon transform is the Support Theorem. In this paper, we discuss how the Radon transform can be constructed in the white noise setting. We also develop a Support Theorem in this setting.


Habitat Selection By Anolis Carolinensis (Green Anole) In Open Pine Forests In Eastern Texas, Richard R. Schaefer, Robert R. Fleet, D. Craig Rudolph, Nancy E. Koerth Jan 2009

Habitat Selection By Anolis Carolinensis (Green Anole) In Open Pine Forests In Eastern Texas, Richard R. Schaefer, Robert R. Fleet, D. Craig Rudolph, Nancy E. Koerth

Faculty Publications

We initiated a mark-recapture study to determine the effects of shrub density on Anolis carolinensis (Green Anole) populations. Green Anole perch site, shrub species, and shrub volume preferences were also examined. We established two study plots of different shrub densities in open pine forests on the Angelina National Forest in eastern Texas. In late spring, the Green Anole population at the higher shrub-density plot was estimated to be 16 times greater than the population at the lower shrub-density plot. Green Anoles most commonly perched on live shrubs, but exhibited very little preference or avoidance of any particular species of live …


Use Of Trees By The Texas Ratsnake (Elaphe Obsoleta) In Eastern Texas, Josh B. Pierce, Robert R. Fleet, Lance Mcbrayer, D. Craig Rudolph Jan 2008

Use Of Trees By The Texas Ratsnake (Elaphe Obsoleta) In Eastern Texas, Josh B. Pierce, Robert R. Fleet, Lance Mcbrayer, D. Craig Rudolph

Faculty Publications

We present information on the use of trees by Elaphe obsoleta (Texas Ratsnake) in a mesic pine-hardwood forest in eastern Texas. Using radiotelemetry, seven snakes (3 females, 4 males) were relocated a total of 363 times from April 2004 to May 2005, resulting in 201 unique locations. Snakes selected trees containing cavities and used hardwoods and snags for a combined 95% of arboreal locations. Texas Ratsnake arboreal activity peaked during July and August, well after the peak of avian breeding activity, suggesting arboreal activity involves factors other than avian predation.


Spatial Ecology Of The Coachwhip, Masticophis Flagellum (Squamata: Colubridae), In Eastern Texas, Richard W. Johnson, Robert R. Fleet, Michael B. Keck, D. Craig Rudolph Jan 2007

Spatial Ecology Of The Coachwhip, Masticophis Flagellum (Squamata: Colubridae), In Eastern Texas, Richard W. Johnson, Robert R. Fleet, Michael B. Keck, D. Craig Rudolph

Faculty Publications

We radio-tracked nine Masticophis flagellum (Coachwhips) to determine home range, habitat use, and movements in eastern Texas from April to October 2000. Home ranges of Coachwhips contained more oak savanna macrohabitat than early-successional pine plantation or forested seep, based on the availability of these three macrohabitats in the study area. Likewise, within their individual home ranges, Coachwhips used oak savanna more than the other two macrohabitats, based on availability. An analysis of microhabitat use revealed that, relative to random sites within their home range, Coachwhips were found at sites with fewer pine trees and more herbaceous vegetation taller than 30 …


Diel Activity Patterns Of The Louisiana Pine Snakes (Pituophis Ruthveni) In Eastern Texas, Marc J. Ealy, Robert R. Fleet, D. Craig Rudolph Jan 2004

Diel Activity Patterns Of The Louisiana Pine Snakes (Pituophis Ruthveni) In Eastern Texas, Marc J. Ealy, Robert R. Fleet, D. Craig Rudolph

Faculty Publications

This study examined the diel activity patterns of six Louisiana pine snakes in eastern Texas using radio-telemetry. snakes were monitored for 44 days on two study areas from May to October 1996. Louisana pine snakes were primarily diurnal with moderate crepuscular activity, spending the night within pocket gopher burrows or inactive on the surface. During daylight hours, snakes spent approximately 59% of their time underground within gopher burrows, burned out/rotten stumps, or nine-branded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) burrows. Remaining time was spent on the surface either close to subteranean refuge, or in long distance movements that generally terminet at …