Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Avoiding The Karel-The-Robot Paradox: A Framework For Making Sophisticated Robotics Accessible, Doug Blank, Holly Yanco, Deepak Kumar, Lisa Meeden

Computer Science Faculty Research and Scholarship

As educators, we are often faced with the paradox of having to create simplified examples in order to demon- strate complicated ideas. The trick is in finding the right kinds of simplifications—ones that will scale up to the full range of possible complexities we eventually would like our students to tackle. In this paper, we argue that low-cost robots have been a useful first step, but are now becoming a dead-end because they do not allow our stu- dents to explore more sophisticated robotics methods. We suggest that it is time to shift our focus from low- cost robots to …

Psr J1829+2456: A Relativistic Binary Pulsar, D. J. Champion, D. R. Lorimer, M. A. Mclaughlin, James M. Cordes, Zaven Arzoumanian, Joel M. Weisberg, Joseph H. Taylor

Faculty Work

We report the discovery of a new binary pulsar, PSR J1829+2456, found during a mid-latitude drift-scan survey with the Arecibo telescope. Our initial timing observations show the 41-ms pulsar to be in a 28-hr, slightly eccentric, binary orbit. The advance of periastron ˙ω = 0 .28 ± 0 .01 deg yr − 1 is derived from our timing observations spanning 200 days. Assuming that the advance of periastron is purely relativistic and a reasonable range of neutron star masses for PSR J1829+2456 we constrain the companion mass to be between 1.22 M ⊙ and 1.38 M ⊙, making it likely …

First Upper Limits From Ligo On Gravitational Wave Bursts, Ligo Scientific Collaboration, Nelson Christensen

Faculty Work

We report on a search for gravitational wave bursts using data from the first science run of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory ~LIGO! detectors. Our search focuses on bursts with durations ranging from 4 to 100 ms, and with significant power in the LIGO sensitivity band of 150 to 3000 Hz. We bound the rate for such detected bursts at less than 1.6 events per day at a 90% confidence level. This result is interpreted in terms of the detection efficiency for ad hoc waveforms ~Gaussians and sine Gaussians! as a function of their root-sum-square strain hrss ; typical …

A Combintorial Proof Of The Sum Of Q-Cubes, Kristina Garrett, Kristin Hummel

Faculty Work

We give a combinatorial proof of a q-analogue of the classical formula for the sum of cubes.

Active Set Support Vector Regression, David R. Musicant, Alexander Feinberg

Faculty Work

We present ASVR, a new active set strategy to solve a straightforward reformulation of the standard support vector regression problem. This new algorithm is based on the successful ASVM algorithm for classification problems, and consists of solving a finite number of linear equations with a typically large dimensionality equal to the number of points to be approximated. However, by making use of the Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury formula, a much smaller matrix of the order of the original input space is inverted at each step. The algorithm requires no specialized quadratic or linear programming code, but merely a linear equation solver which is …

Transport And Urban Environment In Developing Countries: The Situation Is Known, Pragmatic Policies And Understanding Of Related Elements Are Needed, Ali S. Huzayyin, Nermeen F. Ashour

Conference Papers

Environmental impacts of urban transport in developing countries are well known as indicated through many examples from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Policies and countermeasures are classified and listed as well as the numerous involved actors, variables and effects. A pragmatic approach is needed to ensure success and sustainability of the solutions. The paper discusses main barriers impeding applicability, success and sustainability of mitigation policies and countermeasures. It also outlines the complexity of handling and modelling such multivariate problem of policies, actors, variables and effects. A simplified approach is suggested, which can ensure applicability, implement-ability, success and sustainability of policies …

Asymptotic Solutions Of A Discrete Schrödinger Equation Arising From A Dirac Equation With Random Mass, Bernd Aulbach, Saber Elaydi, Klaus Ziegler

Mathematics Faculty Research

For a Dirac particle in one dimension with random mass, the time evolution for the average wavefunction is considered. Using the supersymmetric representation of the average Green’s function, we derive a fourth order linear difference equation for the low-energy asymptotics of the average wavefunction. This equation is of Poincar´e type, though highly critical and therefore not amenable to standard methods. In this paper we show that, nevertheless, asymptotic expansions of its solutions can be obtained.

Faà Di Bruno’S Formula And Nonhyperbolic Fixed Points Of One-Dimensional Maps, Vadim Ponomarenko

Mathematics Faculty Research

Fixed-point theory of one-dimensional maps of R does not completely address the issue of non-hyperbolic fixed points. This paper generalizes the existing tests to completely classify all such fixed points. To do this, a family of operators are exhibited that are analogous to generalizations of the Schwarzian derivative. In addition, a family of functions f are exhibited such that the MacLaurin series of f(f(x)) and x are identical.

Radiotherapy Treatment Design And Linear Programming, Allen G. Holder

Mathematics Faculty Research

Intensity modulated radiotherapy treatment (IMRT) design is the process of choosing how beams of radiation will travel through a cancer patient to treat the disease, and although optimization techniques have been suggested since the 1960s, they are still not widely used. Instead, the vast majority of treatment plans are designed by clinicians through trial-and-error. Modern treatment facilities have the technology to treat patients with extremely complicated plans, and designing plans that take full advantage of the technology is tedious. The increased technology found in modern treatment facilities makes the use of optimization paramount in the design of successful treatment plans. …

Simultaneous Data Perturbations And Analytic Center Convergence, Allen G. Holder

Mathematics Faculty Research

The central path is an infinitely smooth parameterization of the non-negative real line, and its convergence properties have been investigated since the middle 1980s. However, the central "path" followed by an infeasible-interior-point method relies on three parameters instead of one, and is hence a surface instead of a path. The additional parameters are included to allow for simultaneous perturbations in the cost and righ-hand side vectors. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the perturbed central path that is followed by infeasible-interior-point methods, and we characterize when such a path converges. We develop a set (Hausdorff) convergence property and show …

Reduction Of Jump Systems, Vadim Ponomarenko

Mathematics Faculty Research

A jump system is a set of integer lattice points satisfying an exchange axiom. We discuss an operation on lattice points, called reduction, that preserves the jump system two-step axiom. We use reduction to prove a weakened version of a matroid conjecture by Rota[3], as well as demonstrate new operations on matroids and delta-matroids.

Effective Asymptotics For Some Nonlinear Recurrences And Almost Doubly-Exponential Sequences, Eugen J. Ionascu

Faculty Bibliography

We develop a technique to compute asymptotic expansions for recurrent sequences of the form an+1 = f(an), where f(x) = x − axα + bxβ + o(x β) as x → 0, for some real numbers α, β, a, and b satisfying a > 0, 1 < α < β. We prove a result which summarizes the present stage of our investigation, generalizing the expansions in [Amer. Math Monthly, Problem E 3034[1984, 58], Solution [1986, 739]]. One can apply our technique, for instance, to obtain the formula: an = √ 3 √ n − 3 √ 3 10 ln n n √ n + 9 √ 3 50 ln n n2√ n + o ln n n5/2 , where an+1 = sin(an), a1 ∈ IR. Moreover, we consider the recurrences an+1 = a 2 n + gn, and we prove that under some technical assumptions, an is almost doubly-exponential, namely an = bk 2 n c, an = bk 2 n c + 1, an = bk 2 n − 1 2 c, or an = bk 2 n + 5 2 c for some real number k, generalizing a result of Aho and Sloane [Fibonacci Quart. 11 (1973), 429–437].

Lanthanide Spectroscopic Studies Of The Dinuclear And Mg(Ii)-Dependent Pvuii Restriction Endonuclease, Gilles Muller, L. M. Bowen, J. P. Riehl, C. M. Dupureur

Faculty Publications, Chemistry

Type II restriction enzymes are homodimeric systems that bind four to eight base pair palindromic recognition sequences of DNA and catalyze metal ion-dependent phosphodiester cleavage. While Mg(II) is required for cleavage in these enzymes, in some systems Ca(II) promotes avid substrate binding and sequence discrimination. These properties make them useful model systems for understanding the roles of alkaline earth metal ions in nucleic acid processing. We have previously shown that two Ca(II) ions stimulate DNA binding by PvuII endonuclease and that the trivalent lanthanide ions Tb(III) and Eu(III) support subnanomolar DNA binding in this system. Here we capitalize on this …

Altered Phosphorylation Of [Beta]-Catenin In Glucocorticoid Treated 235-1 Rat Pituitary Tumor Cells, Susie K. Saunders

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Beta-catenin is an essential cell adhesion and signaling protein, associated with high prolactin levels in rat pituitary tumor cells. It has been shown that phosphorylation affects the location and activity of b-catenin. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3-b) is a serine-threonine kinase that phosphorylates b-catenin on N-terminal residues, targeting it for proteasomal degradation. Studies have shown that C-terminal tyrosine phosphorylation decreases the association of b-catenin with cadherin. In 235-1 rat pituitary tumor cells, our lab has shown that the glucocorticoid analog dexamethasone (Dex) decreases the half- life of b-catenin while increasing the activity of GSK3-b. The current study was undertaken to examine …

Image Compression And Its Effect On Data, Khaled S. Alkharabsheh

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This thesis is intended to define and study different image compression techniques, software programs, image formats (from early ones such as “GIF” to most recent ones such as “JPEG 2000”), compression effect on compressed data (compressed images), and its effectiveness and usefulness in reducing the file size and its transmission time, as a result.

In many GeoBioPhysical applications, some information inside any image may be the keys to solve different kinds of problems and classify features. This kind of data and information has to be handled with care; i.e. it’s not allowed to be lost during the compression process. On …

Semi-Biosynthesis Of Dna Nanostructures, Aoune Barhoumi

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Nanotechnology refers to all technologies aiming to build objects, make measurements, and carry out processes on the nanometer length scale. In particular molecular nanotechnology exemplifies the so-called "bottom up" approach, which is briefly defined as the ability to build useful nanostructures with molecular precision, such as molecular machinery. Such capability for controlling matter at the molecular scale has always been the dream of scientists.

All living things are nanofoundries. Billions of years ago, nature perfectly provided all living things with the most accurate biological nanotechnology systems. Cellular internal dynamics, communicative resonance in protein conformational states, viruses as microreplicators, nanoscale life …

Ac Frequency Dependence Of Electroluminescent Zns Phosphor Panel Color, Farrah Shantell Boggess-Machado

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In this study, electroluminescent panels manufactured by Meadow River Enterprises were used to study the AC frequency dependence of their color. A project was developed to acquire their emittance color at various frequencies. Three frequencies were selected for the investigation. Data, obtained by measuring the spectrum at a constant excitation frequency, were taken for each of the three standard frequencies: 200 Hz, 1500 Hz, and 20 kHz. In general the higher the frequency, the bluer the emittance color of the panel. The lower the frequency, the more green the panel became. An explanation for this phenomenon, the frequency dependence of …

Urban Development And Effects To Transportation Systems Of Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, Wannaporn Jarupath

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Urban growth and its relationship to the transportation system of Lexington, Kentucky were investigated using temporal images of Landsat Thematic Mapper and multi-date line data. Land cover of the area was extracted using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems Technologies. Change detection techniques were employed to identify areas of transformation between 1988 and 2000. Several digital image processes such as geometric registration, radiometric normalization, unsupervised classification, and accuracy assessment were applied to analyze the results. Vector analysis was utilized as well along with raster analysis to examine the effect of urban growth to the transportation system. Two datasets of line …

Pokémon® Cards And The Shortest Common Superstring, Mark Stamp, Austin Stamp

Faculty Publications, Computer Science

Evidence is presented that certain sequences of Pokémon cards are determined by selecting consecutive elements from a longer sequence. We then consider the problem of recovering the shortest common superstring (SCS), i.e., the shortest string that contains each of the Pokémon card sequences as a consecutive substring. The SCS problem arises in many applications, most notably in DNA sequencing.

0730: Denver Yoho Papers, 1702-2000, Marshall University Special Collections

Guides to Manuscript Collections

Soil conservation agent; genealogist. Papers consist of genealogical research, correspondence, and other related items. Ca. 28 linear ft. of notebooks; 4.5 cu. ft. of correspondence and other papers.

An Unusual Lava Cave From Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania, Donald A. Mcfarlane, Joyce Lundberg, Frederick Belton

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

A new type of lava cave is described from the summit crater of Ol Doinyo Lengai, a unique active carbonatite volcano in Tanzania. This and other similar caves on Ol Doinyo Lengai are formed by thermal erosion and aqueous dissolution of otherwise solid spatter cones. Meteoritic water and endogenous condensates act to form speleothems of complex mineralogy up to 3 m in length. We propose the new classification of “polygenetic spatter cone cave”.

Guano, Donald A. Mcfarlane

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

This is an encyclopedia article.

Is Mathematics Education Taking A Step Backward?, Frances Kuwahara Chinn

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

This paper considers the recent history of mathematics teaching.

Using Humanistic Content And Teaching Methods To Motivate Students And Counteract Negative Perceptions Of Mathematics, Roger Haglund

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

This paper examines the following questions: How is math commonly taught, why is it taught this way, and what are the outcomes? Who are some of the voices calling for change and what are they saying? Can a humanistic approach produce positive results in students who have learned to dislike math and have not been successful in a traditional classroom?

Taxicab Geometry As A Vehicle For The Journey Toward Enlightenment, Neil Greenspan

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Tesselland: A Mathematical Oddment, Martin Glover

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Bridging To Infinity, Mike Pinter

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

The author's own experiences as a mathematics student and teacher have influenced how he thinks about the infinite. Author Madeleine L'Engle has also shaped his thinking with her writing. The author offers some thoughts that connect some of L'Engle's writing with his experience.

Man's Cards And God's Dice: A Conceptual Analysis Of Probability For The Advanced Student, Elie Feder

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Mathematics, The Liberal Arts, And Slavish Devotions, J. D. Phillips

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

What Are Mathematical Problems?, Emam Hoosain

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.