Applied Mathematics Commons^™

The Implications Of Self-Driving Cars On Insurance, Amanda Lobello

Honors Projects in Mathematics

Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, are being researched and tested by automakers, technology industry leaders, and other institutions. Lawmakers and politicians are discussing the legislation that will affect the fate of such technology. Primary benefits include safety, mobility, free time, less traffic, and green effects. However, there are also obstacles to the implementation of self-driving vehicles including consumer acceptance, legal liability, and cost. With the potential shift in responsibility from driver to automaker, rating factors for insurance may change, weighing more heavily on the model of the car as a factor. The fate of auto insurance is in …

Analysis Of Discrete Fractional Operators And Discrete Fractional Rheological Models, Meltem Uyanik

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis is comprised of two main parts: Monotonicity results on discrete fractional operators and discrete fractional rheological constitutive equations. In the first part of the thesis, we introduce and prove new monotonicity concepts in discrete fractional calculus. In the remainder, we carry previous results about fractional rheological models to the discrete fractional case. The discrete method is expected to provide a better understanding of the concept than the continuous case as this has been the case in the past. In the first chapter, we give brief information about the main results. In the second chapter, we present some fundamental …

Boundary Problems For One And Two Dimensional Random Walks, Miky Wright

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis provides a study of various boundary problems for one and two dimensional random walks. We first consider a one-dimensional random walk that starts at integer-valued height k > 0, with a lower boundary being the x-axis, and on each step moving downward with probability q being greater than or equal to the probability of going upward p. We derive the variance and the standard deviation of the number of steps T needed for the height to reach 0 from k, by first deriving the moment generating function of T. We then study two types of two-dimensional random walks with …

Mathematics In Forensic Firearm Examination, Erin N. Zalewski

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Forensic Science encompasses many disciplines that employ the scientific method to examine, analyze, and interpret physical evidence in the courtroom. The discipline of Forensic Firearm Examination involves the examination and comparison of ballistic evidence components to determine if they came from the same source. In other words, firearm examiners are tasked with determining whether spent cartridge cases or bullets were fired through the same gun. Examination of ballistic evidence can involve the employment of automated matching systems, comparison microscopy, and mathematical analysis. The comparison microscope is the tool of the firearm examiner and allows for the simultaneous view of ballistic …

Geometry Of Hilbert Space Frames, Stephen Sorokanich Iii

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

In applied linear algebra, the term frame is used to refer to a redundant or linearly dependent coordinate system. The concept was introduced in the study of Fourier series and is pertinent in signal processing, where the reconstruction property for finite frames allows for redundant transmission of data to guard against losses due to noise. We give a brief introduction to the theory of finite frames in Section 1, including the major results that allow for the easy construction and description of frames. The subsequent sections relate to the theoretical importance of frames. As a natural extension of the definition …

Goppa Codes And Their Use In The Mceliece Cryptosystems, Ashley Valentijn

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

We explore the topic of Goppa codes and how they are used in the McEliece Cryptosystem. We first cover basic terminology that is needed to understand the rest of the paper. Then we explore the definition and limitations of a Goppa code along with how such codes can be used in a general cryptosystem. Then we go in depth on the McEliece Cryptosystem in particular and explain how the security of this method works.

The Minimal Zn-Symmetric Graphs That Are Not Zn-Spherical, Lowell Abrams, Dan Slilaty

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

Given a graph G equipped with faithful and fixed-point-free Γ-action (Γ a finite group) we define an orbit minor H of G to be a minor of G for which the deletion and contraction sets are closed under the Γ-action. The orbit minor H inherits a Γ-symmetry from G, and when the contraction set is acyclic the action inherited by H remains faithful and fixed-point free. When G embeds in the sphere and the Γ-action on G extends to a Γ-action on the entire sphere, we say that G is Γ-spherical. In this paper we determine for every odd value …

Bioinformatic Game Theory And Its Application To Cluster Multi-Domain Proteins, Brittney Keel

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The exact evolutionary history of any set of biological sequences is unknown, and all phylogenetic reconstructions are approximations. The problem becomes harder when one must consider a mix of vertical and lateral phylogenetic signals. In this dissertation we propose a game-theoretic approach to clustering biological sequences and analyzing their evolutionary histories. In this context we use the term evolution as a broad descriptor for the entire set of mechanisms driving the inherited characteristics of a population. The key assumption in our development is that evolution tries to accommodate the competing forces of selection, of which the conservation force seeks to …

On Mikhailov's Reduction Group, Tihomir Valchev

Articles

We present a generalization of the notion of reduction group which allows one to study in a uniform way certain classes of nonlocal $S$-integrable equations like Ablowitz-Musslimani's nonlocal Schr\"odinger equation. Another aspect of the proposed generalization is the possibility to derive in a systematic way solutions to S-integrable equations with prescribed symmetries.

On The 3-Dimensional Fluid-Structure Interaction Of Flexible Fibers In A Flow, Ryan Howard Allaire

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

We discuss the equilibrium configurations of a flexible fiber clamped to a spherical body and immersed in a flow of fluid moving with a speed ranging between 0 and 50 cm/s. Experimental results are presented with both two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical simulations used to model this problem. We present the effects of flow speed and initial configuration angle between the fiber and the direction of the flow. Investigations reveal that both the orientation of the fiber and the fiber length have a significant impact on the deformation of the fiber as well as on the forces it experiences. Specifically, we …

Modeling Enrollment At A Regional University Using A Discrete-Time Markov Chain, Zachary T. Helbert

Undergraduate Honors Theses

A discrete time Markov Chain is used to model enrollment at a regional university. A preliminary analysis is conducted on the data set in order to determine the classes for the Markov chain model. The semester, yearly, and long term results of the model are examined thoroughly. A sensitivity analysis of the probability matrix entries is then conducted to determine the overall greatest influence on graduation rates.

Improved Self-Consistency For Sced-Lcao., Lyle C. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this document I describe a novel implementation of the generalized bisection method for finding roots of highly non-linear functions of several variables. Several techniques were optimized to reduce computation time. The implementation of the bisection method allows for the calculation of heterogeneous systems with SCED-LCAO, since derivative-based methods often fail for these systems. Systems composed of Gallium and Nitrogen are currently receiving much interest due to their behavior as semi-conductors and their ability to form nano-wires. The methods developed here were employed to create a set of SCED-LCAO parameters for homogeneous Gallium and heterogeneous Gallium Nitride systems. These parameters …

Time Integration Methods Of Fundamental Solutions And Approximate Fundamental Solutions For Nonlinear Elliptic Partial Differential Equations, Corey Leon Jones

Dissertations

A time-dependent method is coupled with the Method of Approximate Particular Solutions (MAPS) of Delta-shaped basis functions, the Method of Fundamental Solutions (MFS), and the Method of Approximate Fundamental Solutions (MAFS) to solve a second order nonlinear elliptic partial differential equation (PDE) on regular and irregular shaped domains. The nonlinear PDE boundary value problem is first transformed into a time-dependent quasilinear problem by introducing a fictitious time. Forward Euler integration is then used to ultimately convert the problem into a sequence of time-dependent linear nonhomogeneous modified Helmholtz boundary value problems on which the superposition principle is applied to split the …

Situational Assessment Using Graph Comparison, Pavan Kumar Pallapunidi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In strategic operations, the assessment of any given situation is very important and may trigger the development of a mission plan. The mission plan consists of various actions that should be executed in order to successfully mitigate the situation. For a new mission plan to be designed or implemented, the effect of the previous mission plan should be accessed. These mission plans use various sensors to collect the data which can be very large and aggregate them to obtain detailed information of the situation. In order to implement an effective mission plan the current situation has to be assessed effectively. …

Random Walks On Random Lattices And Their Applications, Ryan Tyler White

Theses and Dissertations

This work studies a class of continuous-time, multidimensional random walk processes with mutually dependent random step sizes and their exits from hyperrectangles. Fluctuations of the process about the critical boundary are studied extensively by stochastic analysis and operational calculus. Further, information on the process can be ascertained only upon observations occurring according to a delayed renewal process, rather than in real time. Passage times are thus obscured and results are first derived pertaining to the pre-passage and post-passage observations. Two distinct strategies are developed to combat the crudeness of delayed observations in order to derive more refined information about the …

The Effect Of Noise On The Response Of A Vertical Cantilever Beam Energy Harvester, Michael I. Friswell, Onur Bilgen, S. Faruque Ali, Grzegorz Litak, Sondipon Adhikari

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

An energy harvesting concept has been proposed comprising a piezoelectric patch on a vertical cantilever beam with a tip mass. The cantilever beam is excited in the transverse direction at its base. This device is highly nonlinear with two potential wells for large tip masses, when the beam is buckled. For the pre-buckled case considered here, the stiffness is low and hence the displacement response is large, leading to multiple solutions to harmonic excitation that are exploited in the harvesting device. To maximise the energy harvested in systems with multiple solutions the higher amplitude response should be preferred. This paper …

A Hierarchical Graph For Nucleotide Binding Domain 2, Samuel Kakraba

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of the most prevalent inherited diseases is cystic fibrosis. This disease is caused by a mutation in a membrane protein, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR is known to function as a chloride channel that regulates the viscosity of mucus that lines the ducts of a number of organs. Generally, most of the prevalent mutations of CFTR are located in one of two nucleotide binding domains, namely, the nucleotide binding domain 1 (NBD1). However, some mutations in nucleotide binding domain 2 (NBD2) can equally cause cystic fibrosis. In this work, a hierarchical graph is built for NBD2. …

Mathematical Modeling And Optimal Control Of Alternative Pest Management For Alfalfa Agroecosystems, Cara Sulyok

Mathematics Honors Papers

This project develops mathematical models and computer simulations for cost-effective and environmentally-safe strategies to minimize plant damage from pests with optimal biodiversity levels. The desired goals are to identify tradeoffs between costs, impacts, and outcomes using the enemies hypothesis and polyculture in farming. A mathematical model including twelve size- and time-dependent parameters was created using a system of non-linear differential equations. It was shown to accurately fit results from open-field experiments and thus predict outcomes for scenarios not covered by these experiments.

The focus is on the application to alfalfa agroecosystems where field experiments and data were conducted and provided …

An Experimental Analysis Of Adaptive Learning In A Multi-Subject Economy, David Martin

Business and Economics Honors Papers

The rational expectations hypothesis (REH) has long served as a foundation in macroeconomic laws of motion. However, the assumptions of REH are likely too powerful to be representative of economic actors. This research evaluates adaptive learning, a developing alternative to rational expectations, using a multi-agent macroeconomic prediction “game.” Data was gathered from a group of students, each predicting the outcome of a single economy over time. Each agent was asked to forecast output (GDP) and inflation in each period based on historic levels of output, inflation, and interest rates. These data were then analyzed under various theoretical models of adaptive …

Modeling Traffic At An Intersection, Kaleigh L. Mulkey, Saniita K. Fasenntao

Symposium of Student Scholars

The main purpose of this project is to build a mathematical model for traffic at a busy intersection. We use elements of Queueing Theory to build our model: the vehicles driving into the intersection are the “arrival process” and the stop light in the intersection is the “server.”

We collected traffic data on the number of vehicles arriving to the intersection, the duration of green and red lights, and the number of vehicles going through the intersection during a green light. We built a SAS macro code to simulate traffic based on parameters derived from the data.

In our program …