Other Applied Mathematics Commons^™

A New Approach To Generate Combinatorial Patterns In Logical Analysis Of Data And Its Application To Predict College Retention, Salihah Ahmed E. Jaafari

Theses and Dissertations

Student retention and degree completion remain central challenges for higher-education institutions, with significant implications for student success, institutional effectiveness, and public accountability. While advances in predictive analytics have enabled earlier identification of students at risk of withdrawal, many commonly used machine learning approaches suffer from limited interpretability, constraining their practical usefulness for advising, intervention, and policy decision making. This dissertation addresses the problem of predicting student persistence by developing and evaluating optimization based, interpretable classification models within the Logical Analysis of Data (LAD) framework. Building on existing LAD formulations, this research introduces two novel pattern generation models, the Best Term …

Quantum Entanglement As A Resource For Coordinating Navigation, Aamir Ahmad

Theses and Dissertations

John Clauser, Michael Horne, Abner Shimony, and Richard Holt (CHSH) originally formulated the CHSH game as an experiment to establish entanglement as a quantum mechanical phenomenon that could not be predicted by classical theories. I will apply the quantum strategy used in the CHSH game to demonstrate that it also establishes a structure that employs entanglement as a resource to enable coordination without communication in the context of navigation.

Advancing Real-World Implementation Of The Well Optimized Linear Finder (Wolf) High-Speed Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation Method, Timothy Evan Coon

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation advances the real-world implementation of the Well Optimized Linear Finder (WOLF) method for high-speed Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation (ATC). Atmospheric turbulence introduces phase aberrations into optical wavefronts and degrades image quality in terrestrial imaging systems. Traditional phase diversity methods are computationally intensive and poorly suited to real-time operation. The WOLF method addresses these limitations through a novel, point-wise formulation of the optical transfer function (OTF) as a structured autocorrelation of the generalized pupil function (GPF). This formulation enables the estimation of phase aberrations at individual spatial coordinates with distributed computational complexity.

The research begins by developing a MATLAB-based simulation …

Applications Of The Mathieu Groups And Information Theory In Dna Encoding Functions, Juan C. Nava Jr

Theses and Dissertations

A foundational idea in mathematics lies in breaking down existing components into their bare fundamentals. As evidenced by prime numbers and composites, we learn this idea at an early age. Categorizing these broken-down components into their simplest form allows mathematicians to construct proofs from emergent patterns. John Conway’s Atlas of Finite Groups in the 1990s was particularly concerned with the categorization of structures known as groups. There are certain axioms a group must adhere to, which amount to the retention of symmetry; ultimately a group helps us to better understand symmetric actions performed on a set with a binary operation. …

Swarming Segregation: Leveraging Swarm Intelligence And Regionalization As Instruments For School District Desegregation, Jeffrey Wooten

Theses and Dissertations

Even after Brown led to the South briefly having the most diverse schools in the nation, schools throughout the Northeast have remained the most segregated in the nation for decades. While federal jurisprudence has made compelling desegregation pursuant to the Equal Protection Clause more challenging, New Jersey has a particularly favorable landscape to address severe segregation. With a highly diverse, densely populated public enrollment, favorable state constitutional precedent, and a history of successfully compelling desegregation, New Jersey is fertile ground exploring regional desegregation. Scholars, judges, and even plaintiffs in ongoing litigation (Latino Action Network v. N.J.) have called for New …

Penalized Interpolating B-Splines And Their Applications, Kylee L. Hartman-Caballero

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most studied data analysis techniques in Numerical Analysis is interpolation. Interpolation is used in a variety of fields, namely computer graphic design and biomedical research. Among interpolation techniques, cubic splines have been viewed as the standard since at least the 1960s, due to their ease of computation, numerical stability, and the relative smoothness of the interpolating curve. However, cubic splines have notable drawbacks, such as their lack of local control and necessary knowledge of boundary conditions. Arguably a more versatile interpolation technique is the use of B-splines. B-splines, a relative of Bézier curves, allow local control through …

Effects Of Slip On Highly Viscous Thin-Film Flows Inside Vertical Tubes (Constant Radius, Constricted And Flexible), Mark S. Schwitzerlett

Theses and Dissertations

Viscous liquid film flows in a tube arise in numerous industrial and biological applications, including the transport of mucus in human airways. Previous modeling studies have typically used no-slip boundary conditions, but in some applications the effects of slip at the boundary may not be negligible. We derive a long-wave model based on lubrication theory which allows for slippage along the boundary. Linear stability analysis verifies the impact of slip-length on the speed, growth rate, and wavelength of the most unstable mode. Nonlinear simulations demonstrate the impact of slip-length on plug formation and wave dynamics. These simulations are conducted for …

Mathematical Models Of Infection Prevention Programs In Hospital Settings, Kelly A. Reagan

Theses and Dissertations

Hospitals play a vital role in providing for the healthcare needs of a community. Patients can develop hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) during their hospitalization due to exposure to foreign bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Infection prevention programs target and reduce HAIs, but implementing the infection prevention programs often comes with a cost. The goal of my research is to use mathematical models to quantify the impact of infection prevention programs on cases of HAIs and total healthcare costs. First, I use a Markov chain model to quantify how one infection prevention program reduces general HAIs in the hospital. Then, I calculate the …

Role Of Inhibition And Spiking Variability In Ortho- And Retronasal Olfactory Processing, Michelle F. Craft

Theses and Dissertations

Odor perception is the impetus for important animal behaviors, most pertinently for feeding, but also for mating and communication. There are two predominate modes of odor processing: odors pass through the front of nose (ortho) while inhaling and sniffing, or through the rear (retro) during exhalation and while eating and drinking. Despite the importance of olfaction for an animal’s well-being and specifically that ortho and retro naturally occur, it is unknown whether the modality (ortho versus retro) is transmitted to cortical brain regions, which could significantly instruct how odors are processed. Prior imaging studies show different …

Modeling The Evolution Of Barrier Islands, Greg Robson

Theses and Dissertations

Barrier islands form off the shore of many coastal areas and serve as the first line of defense, protecting littoral communities against storms. To study the effects that climate change has on barrier islands, we use a cellular model of wind erosion, surface dynamics, beach dynamics, marsh dynamics, and vegetation development. We will show the inhibition of movement when vegetation is present.

An Imputation Approach To Developing Alternative Futures Of Country Conflict, Zachary J. Kane

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding what causes countries to be in a state of violent conflict is of vital importance to developing realistic national strategies on both a regional and global scale. Given these causes, it is important to understand the effects of missing data, how to impute that data, and the interrelation between data elements. Utilizing both open source data and previously generated equations that predict a country’s likelihood to transition conflict statuses, this research projects data into the future and predicts each nations’ subsequent conflict statuses. Future data is populated using a novel approach inspired by stochastic regression imputation. The replicated future …

Determination Of Optimal Parameter Estimates For Medical Interventions In Human Metabolism And Inflammation, Marcella Torres

Theses and Dissertations

In this work we have developed three ordinary differential equation models of biological systems: body mass change in response to exercise, immune system response to a general inflammatory stimulus, and the immune system response in atherosclerosis. The purpose of developing such computational tools is to test hypotheses about the underlying biological processes that drive system outcomes as well as possible real medical interventions. Therefore, we focus our analysis on understanding key interactions between model parameters and outcomes to deepen our understanding of these complex processes as a means to developing effective treatments in obesity, sarcopenia, and inflammatory diseases.

We develop …

Material Thermal Property Estimation Of Fibrous Insulation: Heat Transfer Modeling And The Continuous Genetic Algorithm, Elora Frye

Theses and Dissertations

Material thermal properties are highly sought after to better understand the performance of a material under particular conditions. As new materials are created, their physical properties will determine their performance for various applications. These properties have been estimated using many techniques including experimental testing, numerical modeling, and a combination of both. Existing methods can be time consuming, thus, a time-efficient and precise method to estimate these thermal properties was desired. A one-dimensional finite difference numerical model was developed to replicate the heat transfer through an experimental apparatus. A combination of this numerical model and the Continuous Genetic Algorithm optimization technique …

Penalized Mixed-Effects Ordinal Response Models For High-Dimensional Genomic Data In Twins And Families, Amanda E. Gentry

Theses and Dissertations

The Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study (BLTS) was being conducted in Australia and was funded by the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Adolescent twins were sampled as a part of this study and surveyed about their substance use as part of the Pathways to Cannabis Use, Abuse and Dependence project. The methods developed in this dissertation were designed for the purpose of analyzing a subset of the Pathways data that includes demographics, cannabis use metrics, personality measures, and imputed genotypes (SNPs) for 493 complete twin pairs (986 subjects.) The primary goal was to determine what combination of SNPs and …

The Effects Of Disturbance And Species Specific Interactions On Diversity In An Agent Based Forest Simulation, Matthew E. Mills

Theses and Dissertations

In ecology literature, there is much data which suggests that conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD) and abiotic disturbances increase biodiversity in forests. This thesis elucidates the notion that not only do these two forces increase diversity, but they may also interact with one another in order to achieve higher levels of biodiversity. Abiotic disturbances, like fires and hurricanes, can indirectly impact conspecific effects because when these forces remove individuals from the landscape, the role of the conspecific effects will change. The interaction of these two factors in biodiversity are explored in an agent based forest simulation through a resource surface. …

Network Analytics For The Mirna Regulome And Mirna-Disease Interactions, Joseph Jayakar Nalluri

Theses and Dissertations

miRNAs are non-coding RNAs of approx. 22 nucleotides in length that inhibit gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. By virtue of this gene regulation mechanism, miRNAs play a critical role in several biological processes and patho-physiological conditions, including cancers. miRNA behavior is a result of a multi-level complex interaction network involving miRNA-mRNA, TF-miRNA-gene, and miRNA-chemical interactions; hence the precise patterns through which a miRNA regulates a certain disease(s) are still elusive. Herein, I have developed an integrative genomics methods/pipeline to (i) build a miRNA regulomics and data analytics repository, (ii) create/model these interactions into networks and use optimization techniques, motif …

A Study Of The Effect Of Harvesting On A Discrete System With Two Competing Species, Rebecca G. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

This is a study of the effect of harvesting on a system with two competing species. The system is a Ricker-type model that extends the work done by Luis, Elaydi, and Oliveira to include the effect of harvesting on the system. We look at the uniform bound of the system as well as the isoclines and perform a stability analysis of the equilibrium points. We also look at the effects of harvesting on the stability of the system by looking at the bifurcation of the system with respect to harvesting.

A Pollination Network Of Cornus Florida, James H. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

From the agent-based, correlated random walk model presented, we observe the effects of varying the parameter values of maximum insect turning area, ��_max, density of trees, ω, maximum pollen carryover, ��_max, and probability of fertilization, P_��, on the distribution of pollen within a population of Cornus florida (flowering dogwood). We see that varying ��_max and ��_max changes the dispersal distance of pollen, which greatly affects many measures of connectivity. The clustering coefficient of fathers is maximized when ��_max is between 60° and 90°. Varying ω does not have a major …

A Multi-Objective Approach To A Bipartite Assignment Matching Problem Using Weighted Values From Multiple Contraints, Greg S. Jeong

Theses and Dissertations

US Air Force recruiters routinely assign new recruits to available jobs every month. The goal is to find the best assignments in an efficient manner. Although this problem is modeled as a bipartite assignment matching problem, it is not new to the field of Operations Research. This research presents a new approach to solve assignment matching problems given multiple side constraints. Using two multi-criteria optimization techniques, lexicographic optimization and the elastic constraint method, the assignment matching algorithm efficiently produces an optimal solution in a fraction of the time currently spent. This approach is demonstrated in assigning new USAF recruits to …

Maximizing Strike Planning Efficiency For A Given Class Of Targets, Necip Dirik

Theses and Dissertations

Strike planning is one of the fundamental tasks of the Turkish Air Force and involves assignment of strike aircraft to targets with a maximum level of efficiency. Therefore, planning an optimal strike plan based on the preferences of the decision maker is crucial. The efficiency of the strike plan in this research implies attacking the maximum number of targets while considering target priority and the desired level of damage on each target. Another objective is to minimize the cost of the plan. This research develops an exact model that maximizes the efficiency of the strike plan using LINGO with Excel …

The Uav Continuous Coverage Problem, Taegyun Ha

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to develop a method to find an optimal UAV cyclic schedule to provide maximum coverage over a target area to support an ISR mission. The goal is to reach continuous coverage. UAV continuous coverage of a target area is crucial for the success of an ISR mission. Even the smallest coverage gap may jeopardize the success of the mission. Ideally it is desirable to obtain continuous coverage of a target area but the stochastic nature of the problem makes continuous coverage without gaps unlikely. However, it is still possible to obtain a high coverage …

Characterizing And Detecting Unrevealed Elements Of Network Systems, James A. Leinart

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the problem of discovering and characterizing unknown elements in network systems. Klir (1985) provides a general definition of a system as “... a set of some things and a relation among the things" (p. 4). A system, where the `things', i.e. nodes, are related through links is a network system (Klir, 1985). The nodes can represent a range of entities such as machines or people (Pearl, 2001; Wasserman & Faust, 1994). Likewise, links can represent abstract relationships such as causal influence or more visible ties such as roads (Pearl, 1988, pp. 50-51; Wasserman & Faust, 1994; Winston, …

Quantification Of Mandatory Sustainment Requirements, Joe M. Blackman

Theses and Dissertations

To emphasize the importance of sustainment, the DoD Joint Requirements Oversight Council addressed sustained Materiel readiness and established a mandatory Key Performance Parameter (KPP) for Materiel Availability; it also established supporting Key System Attributes (KSAs) for Materiel Reliability and Ownership Cost (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM) 3170.01C, 2007). Current guidance requires two numbers: a threshold value and an objective value (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM) 3170.01C, 2007). No distinction is made between the approaches in establishing these values for major system acquisitions, versus smaller, modification-focused efforts for existing systems. The Joint Staff …

Probabilistic Estimation Of Rare Random Collisions In 3-Space, Timothy Holzmann

Theses and Dissertations

A study of risk assessment for artillery fire randomly colliding with fixed wing aircraft is presented. The research lends itself to a general study of collision models. Current models of object collisions fall under one of three categories: the historical model, the gas particle model, and the satellite model. These three vary in data requirements and mathematical representation of the impact event. The gas particle model is selected for its flexibility and robust estimation. However, current mathematical development in the literature does not include certain spatial and dynamic components necessary for a general encounter (collision) model. These are derived in …

Mathematical Models: A Generalization From Population Biology And Time Scales, Martin Eggensperger

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, the theory of time scales calculus that we will employ is developed, as derivatives, integrals, and fundamental results are introduced. When necessary for subsequent discussion, other results are presented. The Hilger Complex Plane, the time scale exponential function, and its properties are given, as is a generalization of the variation of constants formula. The discrete and continuous Malthus population model, and the discrete and continuous Verhulst population models are investigated and analyzed. A unified and extended version of both models is developed and criteria for stability of critical solutions is presented. We investigate the relationship between both …

An Algorithm For Robust Eigenstructure Assignment Using The Linear Quadratic Regulator, Thomas C. Huckabone

Theses and Dissertations

The Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) can guarantee a robust closed loop eigenstructure for full state feedback. The algorithm developed here takes advantage of the stability guarantees of LQR to achieve an eigenstructure close to desired but within the allowable region of LQR. The algorithm selects the LQR weighting matrices, Q and R, that minimize the distance between the elements of the desired and LQR achievable eigenstructures. The minimization is accomplished by using a simplex based optimization routine. Specific weightings placed on the elements of the desired eigenstructure define the relative importance of each element. The algorithm is programmed in FORTRAN …