Other Statistics and Probability Commons^™

Fundamental Conditions For The Evolution Of Altruism: Towards A Unification Of Theories, Jeffrey Alan Fletcher

Dissertations and Theses

In evolutionary theory the existence of self-sacrificing cooperative traits poses a problem that has engendered decades of debate. The principal theories of the evolution of altruism are inclusive fitness, reciprocal altruism, and multilevel selection. To provide a framework for the unification of these apparently disparate theories, this dissertation identifies two fundamental conditions required for the evolution of altruism: 1) non-zero-sum fitness benefits for cooperation and 2) positive assortment among altruistic behaviors. I demonstrate the underlying similarities in these three theories in the following two ways.

First, I show that the game-theoretic model of the prisoner’s dilemma (PD) is inherent to …

Assessing Left-Handedness With Exact And Approximate Confidence Intervals Appropriate For Samples Of Different Sizes, Virginia Gardner

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Nuclear Genes That Encode Mitochondrial Proteins For Dna And Rna Metabolism Are Clustered In The Arabidopsis Genome, Annakaisa Elo, Anna Lyznik, Delkin O. Gonzalez, Stephen D. Kachman, Sally A. Mackenzie

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

The plant mitochondrial genome is complex in structure, owing to a high degree of recombination activity that subdivides the genome and increases genetic variation. The replication activity of various portions of the mitochondrial genome appears to be nonuniform, providing the plant with an ability to modulate its mitochondrial genotype during development. These and other interesting features of the plant mitochondrial genome suggest that adaptive changes have occurred in DNA maintenance and transmission that will provide insight into unique aspects of plant mitochondrial biology and mitochondrial- chloroplast coevolution. A search in the Arabidopsis genome for genes involved in the regulation of …

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Does Not Improve Insulin Tolerance In Mice, Kimberly M Hargrave, Michael J. Azain, Stephen D. Kachman, Jess Miner

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

Objective: To determine if the addition or removal of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) would alter insulin tolerances in mice from two genetic lines.

Research Methods and Procedures: High metabolic rate (MH) and low metabolic rate (ML) mice were assigned to consume 1) a control diet ad libitum, 2) a control diet at a restricted intake, or 3) a diet containing 1% CLA ad libitum. After 9 weeks, an insulin tolerance test was conducted, and a portion of the mice were killed. All remaining mice consumed the control diet ad libitum. Insulin tolerance tests were conducted 11 and 32 days …

Comparing Bayes Model Averaging And Stacking When Model Approximation Error Cannot Be Ignored, Bertrand S. Clarke

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

We compare Bayes Model Averaging, BMA, to a non-Bayes form of model averaging called stacking. In stacking, the weights are no longer posterior probabilities of models; they are obtained by a technique based on cross-validation. When the correct data generating model (DGM) is on the list of models under consideration BMA is never worse than stacking and often is demonstrably better, provided that the noise level is of order commensurate with the coefficients and explanatory variables. Here, however, we focus on the case that the correct DGM is not on the model list and may not be well approximated by …

Adipose Depletion And Apoptosis Induced By Trans-10, Cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid In Mice, Kimberly M. Hargrave, Changlong Li, Brett J. Meyer, Stephen D. Kachman, Diane L. Hartzell, Mary Anne Della-Fera, Jess Miner, Clifton A. Baile

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomer mixture (mCLA) with each main isomer [trans-10,cis-12 CLA (CLA10,12) and cis-9,trans-11 CLA (CLA9,11)] in causing body lipid loss and adipose tissue apoptosis.

Research Methods and Procedures: Mice selected over 16 generations for high (MH) or low (ML) energy expenditure and a control group (MC) were fed diets containing either soy oil or soy oil plus mCLA, CLA10,12, or CLA9,11 for 5 days in one study and 14 days in a second study.

Results: Mice fed mCLA or CLA10,12 had less body lipid (p _ 0.05), smaller retroperitoneal …

Manifest Characterization And Testing For Certain Latent Properties, A. Yuan, Bertrand S. Clarke

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

Work due to Junker and more recently due to Junker and Ellis characterized desired latent properties of an educational testing procedure in terms of a collection of other manifest properties. This is important because one can only propose tests for manifest quantities, not latent ones. Here, we complete the conversion of a pair of latent properties to equivalent conditions in terms of four manifest quantities and identify a general method for producing tests for manifest properties.

Fluid Flow In Micro-Channels: A Stochastic Approach, Hilda Marino Black

Doctoral Dissertations

In this study free molecular flow in a micro-channel was modeled using a stochastic approach, namely the Kolmogorov forward equation in three dimensions. Model equations were discretized using Central Difference and Backward Difference methods and solved using the Jacobi method. Parameters were used that reflect the characteristic geometry of experimental work performed at the Louisiana Tech University Institute for Micromanufacturing.

The solution to the model equations provided the probability density function of the distance traveled by a particle in the micro-channel. From this distribution we obtained the distribution of the residence time of a particle in the micro-channel. Knowledge of …

Simpson's Paradox Can Emerge From The N-Player Prisoner's Dilemma: Implications For The Evolution Of Altruistic Behavior, Jeffrey Alan Fletcher, Martin Zwick

Complex Systems Faculty Publications and Presentations

Simulations of the n-player Prisoner’s Dilemma in multiple populations reveal that Simpson’s paradox can emerge in such game-theoretic situations. The relative proportion of cooperators can decrease in each separate sub-population, while the proportion of cooperators in the total population can nonetheless increase, at least transiently. Factors that determine the longevity of this effect are under investigation. The increase of altruistic behavior exhibited in these simulations is not based on reciprocal altruism, as there are no strategies conditional on other players’ past actions, nor does it depend on kin selection via inclusive fitness, as there are no genes. This model is …

Cramer-Rao Bound And Optimal Amplitude Estimator Of Superimposed Sinusoidal Signals With Unknown Frequencies, Shaohui Jia

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation addresses optimally estimating the amplitudes of superimposed sinusoidal signals with unknown frequencies. The Cramer-Rao Bound of estimating the amplitudes in white Gaussian noise is given, and the maximum likelihood estimator of the amplitudes in this case is shown to be asymptotically efficient at high signal to noise ratio but finite sample size. Applying the theoretical results to signal resolutions, it is shown that the optimal resolution of multiple signals using a finite sample is given by the maximum likelihood estimator of the amplitudes of signals.

Breeding And Genetics 5: Survival Analysis/Threshold Models, Applications In Survival Analysis, Stephen D. Kachman

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

Survival or failure time traits such as herd life and days open are both important economically and pose a number of challenges to an analysis based on linear mixed models. The main features of a survival trait are that it is the time until some event occurs, and some of the observations are censored. Survival models and the associated estimation procedures provide a flexible means of modeling survival traits. In this paper I will discuss the application of survival analysis based on the Weibull distribution. The components that make up a survival model will be presented along with their interpretation. …

Seasonal Adjustment Of Naira Exchange Rate Statistics 1970-1995, O M. Akinuli

CBN Occasional Papers

This paper uses a current statistical approach to examine and adjust the seasonalities in the Naira exchange rate statistics, vis-a-vis the U.S. Dollar and the pound sterling for a period of twenty-five (25) years. Such study is necessary as it helps to understand the behavioural pattern of a trend in an attempt to predict the future. An investigation like this also helps to expose both the short and long run tendencies of a series which may require urgent or new policy measures to be taken sooner than expected. This paper reviews the regimes of exchange rate under the period, the …

Posterior Convergence Given The Mean, Bertrand S. Clarke, J. K. Ghosh

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

For various applications one wants to know the asymptotic behavior of w(θ | X), the posterior density of a parameter θ given the mean X of the data rather than the full data set. Here we show that w(θ | X) is asymptotically normal in an L¹ sense, and we identify the mean of the limiting normal and its asymptotic variance. The main results are first proved assuming that X₁,...,X_n,... are independent and identical; suitable modifications to obtain results for the nonidentical case are given sepa- rately. Our results may be used to …

Reply To Valverde, Paul B. Thompson

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Professor Thompson responds to Valverde's argument, in the last issue, that his approach to Risk puts too much emphasis on the distinction between Risk subjectivism and Risk objectivism. In doing so, he asserts, inter alia, that anchoring Risk judgments in a probabilistic framework does not go far enough in rejecting reigning Risk-analysis notions of "real Risk."

Interaction Of Maternal Grandsire With Region Of United States And Herd For Calving Ease, Birth Weight And 205-Day Weight, K. J. Hanford, P. J. Burfening, D. D. Kress, Stephen D. Kachman

Department of Statistics: Faculty Publications

Field records supplied by the American Simmental Association from 2-yr-old dams were used to study maternal grandsire • region of the U.S. and maternal grandsire • herd within region (herd/region) interactions. Regions were 1) Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, 2) Kansas and Nebraska, 3) Texas and Oklahoma and 4) Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Analyses were conducted pairwise with respect to region with the following number of animals in each comparison: 1 (3,964) vs 2 (2,239), 1 (3,996) vs 3 (1,660), 1 (3,418) vs 4 (474), 2 (2,033) vs 3 (1,709), 2 (1,666) vs 4 (443) and 3 …

Statistical Section (September 1983), Central Bank Of Nigeria Cbn

Economic and Financial Review

The statistical tables comprised of the following: Central Bank of Nigeria statement of assets & liabilities, Central Bank monthly rediscounts gross, Commercial Banks' statement of assets and liabilities, Analysis of Commercial Banks' loans and advances, Selected predominant interest rates, Ratio of loans and advances to deposits, Net external assets of Commercial Banks, and Liquidity ratios of Commercial and merchants Banks'.

The Maine Coast, A Statistical Source, Maine Coastal Program

Maine Collection

The Maine Coast, A Statistical Source

Maine Coastal Program, Natural Resource Planning Division, Maine State Planning Office , Augusta, Maine

First Printing June 1978 - Second Printing September 1978

Contents: Preface / Introduction / Chapter 1 - Demography / Chapter 2 - Land Use and Taxation / Chapter 3 - Economy / Chapter 4 - Housing / Chapter 5 - Transportation / Chapter 6 - Education / Chapter 7 - Recreation / Chapter 8 - Social Services / Chapter 9 - Natural Resources / References / Index

Statistics For Decision Making, Central Bank Of Nigeria Cbn

Economic and Financial Review

The paper was reproduced for the Board of Trade Journal No 3783 of September 17, 1969. It was a speech from the Prime Minister on the need to for a change from the traditional system of industrial statistics to a more comprehensive scheme of quarterly reporting of production which will be supported by annual inquiries into such matters as purchases, fixed capital formation among others.

Beef Cattle In Western Australia : A Survey, W J O Wilkie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

B EEF CATTLE numbers have increased in Western Australia year by year for the past eight years, and there have been some dramatic changes in the industry.

A Study Of Cost Accounting At The Dietary Department Of The White Memorial Medical Center, Dorothy Syme

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was done at the White Memorial Medical Center to develop meaningful financial statements for the dietary department; to provide a simple method of interpretation of each financial statement; and to provide essential cost control data for the dietary department and the administrator. The benefits derived from this study were to assist the dietitian in controlling the dietary department's food costs.

In order to develop meaningful financial statements for the dietary service, cafeteria, and snack shop forms in current use were analyzed and reviewed.

Charges on the Monthly Profit and Loss Statements and Monthly Unit Cost Statements were analyzed …

A Statistical Review Of 436 Submucous Resections With Post-Operative Results Of 338 Cases, D. Wilson Hales

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]