Mathematics Commons^™

[Introduction To] Ordinary And Particial Differential Equations: An Introduction To Dynamical Systems, John W. Cain, Angela M. Reynolds

Bookshelf

Differential equations arise in a variety of contexts, some purely theoretical and some of practical interest. As you read this textbook, you will find that the qualitative and quantitative study of differential equations incorporates an elegant blend of linear algebra and advanced calculus. This book is intended for an advanced undergraduate course in differential equations. The reader should have already completed courses in linear algebra, multivariable calculus, and introductory differential equations.

Extending The Skill Test For Disease Diagnosis, Shu-Chuan Lin, Paul H. Kvam, Jye-Chyi Lu

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

For diagnostic tests, we present an extension to the skill plot introduced by Briggs and Zaretski (Biometrics 2008; 64:250–261). The method is motivated by diagnostic measures for osteopetrosis in a study summarized by Hans et al. (The Lancet 1996; 348:511–514). Diagnostic test accuracy is typically defined using the area (or partial area) under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. If partial area is used, the resulting statistic can be highly subjective because the focus region of the ROC curve corresponds to a set of low false‐positive rates that are chosen by the experimenter. This paper introduces a more …

Common Cyclic Vectors For Unitary Operators, William T. Ross, Warren R. Wogen

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

In this paper, we determine whether or not certain natural classes of unitary multiplication operators on L²(dƟ) have common cyclic vectors. For some classes which have common cyclic vectors, we obtain a classification of these vectors.

A Nonlinear Extremal Problem On The Hardy Space, William T. Ross, Stephan Ramon Garcia

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

We relate some classical extremal problems on the Hardy space to norms of truncated Toeplitz operators and complex symmetric operators

Complementary Responses To Mean And Variance Modulations In The Perfect Integrate-And-Fire Model, Joanna R. Wares, Todd W. Troyer

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

In the perfect integrate-and-fire model (PIF), the membrane voltage is proportional to the integral of the input current since the time of the previous spike. It has been shown that the firing rate within a noise free ensemble of PIF neurons responds instantaneously to dynamic changes in the input current, whereas in the presence of white noise, model neurons preferentially pass low frequency modulations of the mean current. Here, we prove that when the input variance is perturbed while holding the mean current constant, the PIF responds preferentially to high frequency modulations. Moreover, the linear filters for mean and variance …

Biology In Mathematics At The University Of Richmond, Lester Caudill

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

In an effort to meet the needs of science students for modeling skills, three new courses have been created at the University of Richmond: Scientific Calculus I and II, and Mathematical Models in Biology and Medicine. The courses are described, and lessons learned and future directions are discussed.

[Introduction To] The Hardy Space Of A Slit Domain, William T. Ross, Alexandra Aleman, Nathan S. Feldman

Bookshelf

If H is a Hilbert space and T : H ? H is a continous linear operator, a natural question to ask is: What are the closed subspaces M of H for which T M ? M? Of course the famous invariant subspace problem asks whether or not T has any non-trivial invariant subspaces. This monograph is part of a long line of study of the invariant subspaces of the operator T = M (multiplication by the independent variable z, i. e. , M f = zf ) on a z z Hilbert space of analytic functions on a bounded …

Length Bias In The Measurements Of Carbon Nanotubes, Paul H. Kvam

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

To measure carbon nanotube lengths, atomic force microscopy and special software are used to identify and measure nanotubes on a square grid. Current practice does not include nanotubes that cross the grid, and, as a result, the sample is length-biased. The selection bias model can be demonstrated through Buffon’s needle problem, extended to general curves that more realistically represent the shape of nanotubes observed on a grid. In this article, the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator is constructed for the length distribution of the nanotubes, and the consequences of the length bias are examined. Probability plots reveal that the corrected length …

Degradation Models, Suk Joo Bae, Paul H. Kvam

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Reliability testing typically generates product lifetime data, but for some tests, covariate information about the wear and tear on the product during the life test can provide additional insight into the product’s lifetime distribution. This usage, or degradation, can be the physical parameters of the product (e.g., corrosion thickness on a metal plate) or merely indicated through product performance (e.g., the luminosity of a light emitting diode). The measurements made across the product’s lifetime are degradation data, and degradation analysis is the statistical tool for providing inference about the lifetime distribution from the degradation data.

Load Sharing Models, Paul H. Kvam, Jye-Chyi Lu

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Consider a system of components whose lifetimes are governed by a probability distribution. Load sharing refers to a model of stochastic interdependency between components that operate within a system. If components are set up in a parallel system (see Parallel, Series, and Series–Parallel Systems) for example, the system survives as long as at least one component is operating. In a typical load-sharing system, once a component fails, the remaining components suffer an increase in failure rate due to the extra “load” they must encumber due to the failed component.

Indestructible Blaschke Products, William T. Ross

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Algorithm-Independent Optimal Input Fluxes For Boundary Identification In Thermal Imaging, Kurt Bryan, Lester Caudill

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

An inverse boundary determination problem for a parabolic model, arising in thermal imaging, is considered. The focus is on intelligently choosing an effective input heat flux, so as to maximize the practical effectiveness of an inversion algorithm. Three different methods, based on different interpretations of the term “effective", are presented and analyzed, then demonstrated through numerical examples. It is noteworthy that each of these flux-selection methods is independent of the particular inversion algorithm to be used.

The Bar-Natan Skein Module Of The Solid Torus And The Homology Of (N,N) Springer Varieties, Heather M. Russell

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

This paper establishes an isomorphism between the Bar-Natan skein module of the solid torus with a particular boundary curve system and the homology of the (n, n) Springer variety. The results build on Khovanov's work with crossingless matchings and the cohomology of the (n, n) Springer variety. We also give a formula for comultiplication in the Bar-Natan skein module for this specific three-manifold and boundary curve system.

Truncated Toeplitz Operators On Finite Dimensional Spaces, William T. Ross, Joseph A. Cima, Warren R. Wogen

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

In this paper, we study the matrix representations of compressions of Toeplitz operators to the finite dimensional model spaces H²ƟBH², where B is a finite Blaschke product. In particular, we determine necessary and sufficient conditions - in terms of the matrix representation - of when a linear transformation on H²ƟBH² is the compression of a Toeplitz operator. This result complements a related result of Sarason [6].

G-Perfect Nonlinear Functions, James A. Davis, Laurent Poinsot

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Perfect nonlinear functions are used to construct DES-like cryptosystems that are resistant to differential attacks. We present generalized DES-like cryptosystems where the XOR operation is replaced by a general group action. The new cryptosystems, when combined with G-perfect nonlinear functions (similar to classical perfect nonlinear functions with one XOR replaced by a general group action), allow us to construct systems resistant to modified differential attacks. The more general setting enables robust cryptosystems with parameters that would not be possible in the classical setting. We construct several examples of G-perfect nonlinear functions, both Z₂ -valued and Z^{a …}

Sir Francis Galton, Sandra J. Peart, David M. Levy

Jepson School of Leadership Studies articles, book chapters and other publications

Cousin to Charles Darwin and a talented statistician, Sir Francis Galton had an influence on social science that was profound. His major contributions to mathematical statistics included the initial development of quantiles and linear regression techniques. Along with F. Y. Edgeworth and Karl Pearson, he developed general techniques of multiple regression and correlation analysis, statistical devices that serve as substitutes for experiments in social science. Galton had a major impact on economics, and with W. R. Greg, was instrumental in creating the “science” of eugenics.

Proof Of The Barker Array Conjecture, James A. Davis, Jonathan Jedwab, Ken W. Smith

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Using only elementary methods, we prove Alquaddoomi and Scholtz’s conjecture of 1989, that no s × t Barker array having s, t > 1 exists except when s = t = 2.

Crossover Property Of The Nonperiodic Autocorrelation Of Quaternary Sequences, Michael Pohl

Honors Theses

Sequences with identical nonperiodic autocorrelation functions have recently been used to construct Golay sequences different than the Davis-Jedwab construction. In this thesis, we construct infinite families of quaternary sequences with identical non periodic autocorrelation functions. These results demonstrate that current con­ structions for quaternary families are not all encompassing and need further study.

Statistical Models For Hot Electron Degradation In Nano-Scaled Mosfet Devices, Suk Joo Bae, Seong-Joon Kim, Way Kuo, Paul H. Kvam

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

In a MOS structure, the generation of hot carrier interface states is a critical feature of the item's reliability. On the nano-scale, there are problems with degradation in transconductance, shift in threshold voltage, and decrease in drain current capability. Quantum mechanics has been used to relate this decrease to degradation, and device failure. Although the lifetime, and degradation of a device are typically used to characterize its reliability, in this paper we model the distribution of hot-electron activation energies, which has appeal because it exhibits a two-point discrete mixture of logistic distributions. The logistic mixture presents computational problems that are …

Degradation Models And Implied Lifetime Distributions, Suk Joo Bae, Way Kuo, Paul H. Kvam

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

In experiments where failure times are sparse, degradation analysis is useful for the analysis of failure time distributions in reliability studies. This research investigates the link between a practitioner's selected degradation model and the resulting lifetime model. Simple additive and multiplicative models with single random effects are featured. Results show that seemingly innocuous assumptions of the degradation path create surprising restrictions on the lifetime distribution. These constraints are described in terms of failure rate and distribution classes.

Centers And Shore Points In Λ-Dendroids, Van C. Nall

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

A dendroid is the disjoint union of the set of centers and the set of shore points. We show this is also true for λ-dendroids and use this fact to show that the finite union of shore continua in a λ-dendroid is a shore set.

An Observation About Frostman Shifts, William T. Ross, Alec L. Matheson

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

A classical theorem of Frostman says that if B is a Blaschke product (or any inner function), then its Frostman shifts B_w = (B − w)(1 – w­­¯B)⁻¹ are Blaschke products for all |w| < 1 except possibly for w in a set of logarithmic capacity zero. If B is a Frostman Blaschke product, equivalently an inner multiplier for the space of Cauchy transforms of measures on the unit circle, we show that for all |w| < 1, B_w is indeed another Frostman Blaschke product.

[Introduction To] Schaum's Outline Of Data Structures With Java, John R. Hubbard

Bookshelf

Schaum's Outlines are the key to faster learning and higher grades in every subject. Each Outline presents all the essential course information in an easy-to-follow, topic-by-topic format. You also get hundreds of examples, solved problems, and practice exercises to test your skills.

Schaum's Outline of Data Structures with Java gives you:

• Practice problems with full explanations that reinforce knowledge
• Coverage of the most up-to-date developments in your course field
• In-depth review of practices and applications

Fully compatible with your classroom text, Schaum's highlights all the important facts you need to know.

[Introduction To] Nonparametric Statistics With Applications To Science And Engineering, Paul Kvam, Brani Vidakovic

Bookshelf

This book presents a practical approach to nonparametric statistical analysis and provides comprehensive coverage of both established and newly developed methods. With the use of MATLAB, the authors present information on theorems and rank tests in an applied fashion, with an emphasis on modern methods in regression and curve fitting, bootstrap confidence intervals, splines, wavelets, empirical likelihood, and goodness-of-fit testing.

Nonparametric Statistics with Applications to Science and Engineering begins with succinct coverage of basic results for order statistics, methods of categorical data analysis, nonparametric regression, and curve fitting methods. The authors then focus on nonparametric procedures that are becoming more …

Adding Depth To The Discussion Of Capital Budgeting Techniques, Tom Arnold, Terry D. Nixon

Finance Faculty Publications

The subject of capital budgeting generally encompasses a significant percentage of any beginning finance course with net present value (NPV) often receiving the most attention. Even after this substantial time allotment, critical assumptions and comparisons of the different techniques (such as payback period, discounted payback period, NPV and IRR) are frequently glossed over due to time constraints. Consequently, the goal of this paper is to present these non-NPV techniques in a manner that allows the beginning finance student to expeditiously see the intuition, inherent assumptions, and any connection with the more popular NPV calculation. A small portion of this paper …

Boundary Behavior Of Laplace Transforms, Timothy Ferguson

Honors Theses

In this thesis, we examine the boundary behavior of Laplace transforms (as analytic functions on the right and left half planes) of certain bounded functions. The types of bounded functions we consider are Fourier transforms of measures and almost periodic functions.

On Conway's Generalization Of The 3x + 1 Problem, Robin M. Givens

Honors Theses

This thesis considers a variation of the 3x+1, or Collatz, Problem involving a function we call the Conway function. The Conway function is defined by letting C3(n)=2k for n=3k and C3(n)=4k±1 for n=3k±1, where n is an integer. The iterates of this function generate a few 'short' cycles, but the s' tructural dynamics are otherwise unknown. We investigate properties of the Conway function and other related functions. We also discuss the possibility of using the Conway function to generate keys for cryptographic use based on a fast, efficient binary implemenation of the function. Questions related to the conjectured tree-like structure …

Reliability Modeling In Spatially Distributed Logistics System, Ni Wang, Jye-Chyi Lu, Paul H. Kvam

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

This article proposes methods for modeling service reliability in a supply chain. The logistics system in a supply chain typically consists of thousands of retail stores along with multiple distribution centers (DC). Products are transported between DC & stores through multiple routes. The service reliability depends on DC location layouts, distances from DC to stores, time requirements for product replenishing at stores, DC's capability for supporting store demands, and the connectivity of transportation routes. Contingent events such as labor disputes, bad weather, road conditions, traffic situations, and even terrorist threats can have great impacts on a system's reliability. Given the …

A Logistic Regression/Markov Chain Model For Ncaa Basketball, Paul H. Kvam, Joel Sokol

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Each year, more than $3 billion is wagered on the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. Most of that money is wagered in pools where the object is to correctly predict winners of each game, with emphasis on the last four teams remaining (the Final Four). In this paper, we present a combined logistic regression/Markov chain model for predicting the outcome of NCAA tournament games given only basic input data. Over the past 6 years, our model has been significantly more successful than the other common methods such as tournament seedings, the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls, the RPI, and …

Statistical Reliability With Applications, Paul H. Kvam, Jye-Chyi Lu

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

This chapter reviews fundamental ideas in reliability theory and inference. The first part of the chapter accounts for lifetime distributions that are used in engineering reliability analyis, including general properties of reliability distributions that pertain to lifetime for manufactured products. Certain distributions are formulated on the basis of simple physical properties, and other are more or less empirical. The first part of the chapter ends with a description of graphical and analytical methods to find appropriate lifetime distributions for a set of failure data.

The second part of the chapter describes statistical methods for analyzing reliability data, including maximum likelihood …