Applied Mathematics Commons^™

Population Coding Of Tone Stimuli In Auditory Cortex: Dynamic Rate Vector Analysis, Peter Bartho, Carina Curto, Artur Luczak, Stephan L. Marguet, Kenneth D. Harris

Department of Mathematics: Faculty Publications

Neural representations of even temporally unstructured stimuli can show complex temporal dynamics. In many systems, neuronal population codes show “progressive differentiation,” whereby population responses to different stimuli grow further apart during a stimulus presentation. Here we analyzed the response of auditory cortical populations in rats to extended tones. At onset (up to 300 ms), tone responses involved strong excitation of a large number of neurons; during sustained responses (after 500 ms) overall firing rate decreased, but most cells still showed a statistically significant difference in firing rate. Population vector trajectories evoked by different tone frequencies expanded rapidly along an initially …

The Regular Excluded Minors For Signed-Graphic Matroids, Hongxun Qin, Dan Slilaty, Xiangqian Zhou

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

We show that the complete list of regular excluded minors for the class of signed-graphic matroids is M*(G₁),...,M*(G₂₉),R₁₅,R₁₆. Here G₁,...,G₂₉ are the vertically 2-connected excluded minors for the class of projective-planar graphs and R₁₅ and R₁₆ are two regular matroids that we will define in the article.

A Pair Of Operator Summation Formulas And Their Applications, Tian-Xiao He, Leetsch Hsu, Dongsheng Yin

Scholarship

Two types of symbolic summation formulas are reformulated using an extension of Mullin–Rota’s substitution rule in [R. Mullin, G.-C. Rota, On the foundations of combinatorial theory: III. Theory of binomial enumeration, in: B. Harris (Ed.), Graph Theory and its Applications, Academic Press, New York, London, 1970, pp. 167–213], and several applications involving various special formulas and identities are presented as illustrative examples.

On Sequences Of Numbers And Polynomials Defined By Linear Recurrence Relations Of Order 2, Tian-Xiao He, Peter Shiue

Scholarship

Here we present a new method to construct the explicit formula of a sequence of numbers and polynomials generated by a linear recurrence relation of order 2. The applications of the method to the Fibonacci and Lucas numbers, Chebyshev polynomials, the generalized Gegenbauer-Humbert polynomials are also discussed. The derived idea provides a generalmethod to construct identities of number or polynomial sequences defined by linear recurrence relations. The applications using the method to solve some algebraic and ordinary differential equations are presented.

Infimal Convolutions And Lipschitzian Properties Of Subdifferentials For Prox-Regular Functions In Hilbert Spaces, Miroslav Bačák, Jonathan M. Borwein, Andrew Eberhard, Boris S. Mordukhovich

Mathematics Research Reports

In this paper we study infimal convolutions of extended-real-valued functions in Hilbert spaces paying a special attention to a rather broad and remarkable class of prox-regular functions. Such functions have been well recognized as highly important in many aspects of variational analysis and its applications in both finite-dimensional and infinite-dimensional settings. Based on advanced variational techniques, we discover some new sub differential properties of infima! convolutions and apply them to the study of Lipschitzian behavior of subdifferentials for prox-regular functions in Hilbert spaces. It is shown, in particular, that the fulfillment of a natural Lipschitz-like property for (set-valued) sub differentials …

Using Works Of Visual Art To Teach Matrix Transformations, James Luke Akridge, Rachel Bowman, Peter Hamburger, Bruce Kessler

Mathematics Faculty Publications

The authors present a modern technique for teaching matrix transformations on $\R^2$ that incorporates works of visual art and computer programming. Two of the authors were undergraduate students in Dr. Hamburger's linear algebra class, where this technique was implemented as a special project for the students. The two students generated the images seen in this paper, and the movies that can be found on the accompanying webpage www.wku.edu/\~{\space}bruce.kessler/.

Development Of Scoring Rubrics And Pre-Service Teachers Ability To Validate Mathematical Proofs, Timothy J. Middleton

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

The basic aim of this exploratory research study was to determine if a specific instructional strategy, that of developing scoring rubrics within a collaborative classroom setting, could be used to improve pre-service teachers facility with proofs. During the study, which occurred in a course for secondary mathematics teachers, the primary focus was on creating and implementing a scoring rubric, rather than on direct instruction about proofs. In general, the study had very mixed results. Statistically, the quantitative data indicated no significant improvement occurred in participants' ability to validate proofs. However, the qualitative results and the considerable improvement by some participants …

A Semilinear Wave Equation With Smooth Data And No Resonance Having No Continuous Solution, Jose F. Caicedo, Alfonso Castro

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

We prove that a boundary value problem for a semilinear wave equation with smooth nonlinearity, smooth forcing, and no resonance cannot have continuous solutions. Our proof shows that this is due to the non-monotonicity of the nonlinearity.

Variational Analysis In Semi-Infinite And Infinite Programming, Ii: Necessary Optimality Conditions, M J. Cánovas, M A. Lopez, Boris S. Mordukhovich, J Parra

Mathematics Research Reports

This paper concerns applications of advanced techniques of variational analysis and generalized differentiation to problems of semi-infinite and infinite programming with feasible solution sets defined by parameterized systems of infinitely many linear inequalities of the type intensively studied in the preceding development [5] from our viewpoint of robust Lipschitzian stability. We present meaningful interpretations and practical examples of such models. The main results establish necessary optimality conditions for a broad class of semi-infinite and infinite programs, where objectives are generally described by nonsmooth and nonconvex functions on Banach spaces and where infinite constraint inequality systems are indexed by arbitrary sets. …

An Adaptive Method For Calculating Blow-Up Solutions, Charles F. Touron

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

Reactive-diffusive systems modeling physical phenomena in certain situations develop a singularity at a finite value of the independent variable referred to as "blow-up." The attempt to find the blow-up time analytically is most often impossible, thus requiring a numerical determination of the value. The numerical methods often use a priori knowledge of the blow-up solution such as monotonicity or self-similarity. For equations where such a priori knowledge is unavailable, ad hoc methods were constructed. The object of this research is to develop a simple and consistent approach to find numerically the blow-up solution without having a priori knowledge or resorting …

Variational Analysis In Semi-Infinite And Infinite Programming, I: Stability Of Linear Inequality Systems Of Feasible Solutions, M J. Cánovas, M A. Lopez, Boris S. Mordukhovich, J Parra

Mathematics Research Reports

This paper concerns applications of advanced techniques of variational analysis and generalized differentiation to parametric problems of semi-infinite and infinite programming, where decision variables run over finite-dimensional and infinite-dimensional spaces, respectively. Part I is primarily devoted to the study of robust Lipschitzian stability of feasible solutions maps for such problems described by parameterized systems of infinitely many linear inequalities in Banach spaces of decision variables indexed by an arbitrary set T. The parameter space of admissible perturbations under consideration is formed by all bounded functions on T equipped with the standard supremum norm. Unless the index set is finite, this …

Sequence Characterization Of Riordan Arrays, Tian-Xiao He, Renzo Sprugnoli

Scholarship

In the realm of the Riordan group, we consider the characterization of Riordan arrays by means of the A- and Z-sequences. It corresponds to a horizontal construction of a Riordan array, whereas the traditional approach is through column generating functions. We show how the A- and Z-sequences of the product of two Riordan arrays are derived from those of the two factors; similar results are obtained for the inverse. We also show how the sequence characterization is applied to construct easily a Riordan array. Finally, we give the characterizations relative to some subgroups of the Riordan group, in particular, of …

Mehler-Fock Transformation Of Ultradistribution, Deshna Loonker, P. K. Banerji

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This paper deals with the testing function space Z and its dual Z', which is known as ultradistrbution. Some theorems and properties are investigated for the Mehler-Fock transformation and its inverse for the ultradistribution.

Analytical Solution Of Time-Fractional Advection Dispersion Equation, Tariq O. Salim, Ahmad El-Kahlout

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this paper, we get exact solution of the time-fractional advection-dispersion equation with reaction term, where the Caputo fractional derivative is considered of order α ϵ (0,2]. The solution is achieved by using a function transform, Fourier and Laplace transforms to get the formulas of the fundamental solution, which are expressed explicitly in terms of Fox’s H-function by making use of the relationship between Fourier and Mellin transforms. As special cases the exact solutions of time-fractional diffusion and wave equations are also obtained, and the solutions of the integer order equations are mentioned.

Circular Nonlinear Subdivision Schemes For Curve Design, Jian-Ao Lian, Yonghui Wang, Yonggao Yang

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Two new families of nonlinear 3-point subdivision schemes for curve design are introduced. The first family is ternary interpolatory and the second family is binary approximation. All these new schemes are circular-invariant, meaning that new vertices are generated from local circles formed by three consecutive old vertices. As consequences of the nonlinear schemes, two new families of linear subdivision schemes for curve design are established. The 3-point linear binary schemes, which are corner-cutting depending on the choices of the tension parameter, are natural extensions of the Lane-Riesenfeld schemes. The four families of both nonlinear and linear subdivision schemes are implemented …

Closed Knight's Tours With Minimal Square Removal For All Rectangular Boards, Joseph Demaio, Thomas Hippchen

Faculty Articles

A closed knight's tour of a chessboard uses legal moves of the knight to visit every square exactly once and return to its starting position. In 1991 Schwenk completely classified the rectangular chessboards that admit a closed knight's tour. For a rectangular chessboard that does not contain a closed knight's tour, this paper determines the minimum number of squares that must be removed in order to admit a closed knight's tour. Furthermore, constructions that generate a closed tour once appropriate squares are removed are provided.

Discussing Vocation As A Part Of A Senior Capstone Class, Maria Zack

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

Many of us in Christian higher education are seeking ways to help our students discern their own sense of call. At the 2007 ACMS meeting Greg Crow and I participated in a panel on vocation and published a related paper in the Journal of the ACMS. This current paper discusses what has been learned from incorporating some of our ideas into our department's senior capstone course. This has been very meaningful for both the students and the faculty involved.

Fire! Lessons Learned And Applied To Computer Systems, Kim P. Kihlstrom

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

A wildfire swept through Santa Barbara on November 13, 2008, burning 1940 acres and destroying 230 homes. Nine structures on the Westmont College campus were destroyed as well as fifteen faculty homes near campus. What insights can be drawn from this experience? We will examine some of the lessons that can be applied to the design of intrusion-tolerant computer systems.

Are Mathematical Entities Real?, Phillip E. Lestmann

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

This talk will introduce ontological questions related to mathematics. After surveying the views of Plato and Artistotle, other possible philosophical perspectives will be considered including realism, nominalism, conceptualism, and empiricism with their relative strengths and weaknesses. The discussion will conclude with a possible biblical foundation for mathematical ontology.

A Career Preparation Course For Students In Mathematics And Computer Science, Donna Pierce, Peter A. Tucker

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

As professors, we all want our students to succeed, and to be motivated to study. We all get questions from students that can be boiled down to, "What can I do with X degree?" Certainly, a quick answer is to point students to career websites, or to send them to the career services department on campus. However, we want to do better than that. We want students to learn how to investigate these future directions, and to have them think about their future more holistically--not just an effort to find a job. To that end, we have developed a course …

History Of Mathematics In The Service Of School Mathematics Education, Calvin Jongsma

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

This slide presentation outlines the author's use of history of mathematics in teaching a mathematics-content course to prospective middle school mathematics teachers. A pedagogical rationale for using history of mathematics is given, along with a case study illustrating its use for teaching the topic of ratio and proportion drawing upon the numerical and geometrical theories of such found in Euclid's Elements.

Galileo's Solution To Dante's Riddle, Andrew Simoson

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

In Dante’s Inferno, several riddles are posed regarding the relative sizes of ordinary men versus giants versus Lucifer—all of which Galileo solves in his first public lecture—which we review herein.

Sage: Math In Your Dorm Room, From Calculus To Research, Karl-Dieter Crisman

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

As computers have revolutionized math research in disciplines as disparate as number theory and bioinformatics, it is natural for us to introduce our students to technology in ways beyond mere homework-checking. However, most familiar programs are either not comprehensive enough to encompass all the math in our curriculum, or are very expensive and accessible only in a lab or with a student license. The open source software package Sage addresses all of these issues.

Sage is suitable for discovery and computation in introductory courses such as calculus or linear algebra, while also being ideal for use in upper-level courses or …

Can Critical Thinking Be Redeemed?, Jeremy Case

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

We often claim that mathematics develops critical thinking skills. Critical thinking has many different definitions, but problem solving, deduction, analyzing arguments, and identifying assumptions are all certainly a part of critical thinking. As the trend in higher education moves away from focusing exclusively on content towards assessment and learning outcomes, we can justify our endeavors since mathematics and critical thinking align themselves well.

However, when examining the ultimate purpose of critical thinking in higher education, we must take care. If there is no agreed upon content knowledge in our postmodern age, the focus of education falls elsewhere. How one thinks …

Exploring The Limits Of Computing Through Exhaustive Search, Jeffrey L. Lehman

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

Many computing problems can be solved by identifying all possible moves or combinations of events and then picking the best solution. Problems in this domain provide fertile ground for exploring problem representation, storage requirements, and computational complexity. The problems and solution approaches are easy to understand, yet quickly push the memory and storage limits of a personal computer. This paper describes insights from a preliminary investigating of two exhaustive search problems, the 15-puzzle and Rubik’s cube. The insights gained by looking at exhaustive search problems can be integrated into classroom discussions and projects.

Monoids For Math Majors, Brian D. Beasley

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

Inspired by an MAA PREP workshop on “The Art of Factorization in Multiplicative Structures”, this paper will treat the basics of congruence monoids and arithmetical congruence monoids with their potential for a Modern Algebra or capstone course.

Supplemental Vocabulary Acquisition In The Desymbol Logic Translator, Darren F. Provine, Nancy Lynn Tinkham

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

DeSymbol is a program that translates first-order predicate logic expressions into English. It is designed to help students practice when learning or reviewing symbolic logic: students begin by translating English sentences into symbolic logic notation, and then they can use DeSymbol to translate the logic back into English to check their work.

The newest version of DeSymbol adds the ability for the user to expand the system’s vocabulary, using a web interface. The user can enter new nouns, verbs, or adjectives, specifying each word’s part of speech, its singular and plural forms, and (for verbs) whether the verb takes an …

Professor Peacock's Symbolical Algebra: Glimpses Into The Life And Work Of A Mathematical Reformer, Richard Stout

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

In his 1859 obituary of George Peacock (Royal Society of London, 1859),the nineteenth century mathematician and Dean of Ely Cathedral, his friend and long-time colleague J. F. W. Herschel not only lists Peacock's accomplishments as an educator, a churchman, and a mathematician, but also describes a man who embodies warmth and wisdom, the kind of person you would enjoy knowing and having as a colleague. Writing about Peacock in the Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, Augustus DeMorgan echoes these sentiments when he says that "Whenever a man of safe judgment was wanted, who united kindness and courtesy to a …

The Development Of Mathematical And Spiritual Maturity In The Undergraduate Mathematics Curriculum, Angela Hare

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

Colleges and universities that teach mathematics have a responsibility to develop in students an appreciation of the powerful tools they are studying in the mathematics curriculum. Beyond this fundamental responsibility, the Christian college or university has the richer task of equipping mathematics graduates to use their mathematical knowledge and skills to sharpen their spiritual insight, to serve others, and to promote justice and freedom in society. The growth in mathematical maturity that occurs during the undergraduate years is an asset that enables Christian students of mathematics to participate in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ through their discipline of study. …

Approximating Sums Of Infinite Series, Kara Garrison, Thomas E. Price

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

The Euler-Maclaurin summation formula is frequently used to efficiently estimate sums of infinite series of the form $\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}f(j)$. The purpose of this article is to describe a modification of this numerical technique designed to simplify and reduce the computational effort required to obtain an acceptable estimate of the sum. The modified formula is obtained by replacing $f\left( x\right) $ with an easily constructed polynomial like interpolating function $a\left( x\right) $ designed to simplify the calculation of the integral and derivatives associated with Euler-Maclaurin. This approach provides a more tractable algorithm which can be written as a matrix equation. Examples are …