A one-way ANOVA test for functional data with graphical interpretation

A new functional ANOVA test, with a graphical interpretation of the result, is presented. The test is an extension of the global envelope test introduced by Myllymaki et al. (2017, Global envelope tests for spatial processes, J. R. Statist. Soc. B 79, 381--404, doi: 10.1111/rssb.12172). The graphical interpretation is realized by a global envelope which is drawn jointly for all samples of functions. If a mean function computed from the empirical data is out of the given envelope, the null hypothesis is rejected with the predetermined significance level $\alpha$. The advantages of the proposed one-way functional ANOVA are that it identifies the domains of the functions which are responsible for the potential rejection. We introduce two versions of this test: the first gives a graphical interpretation of the test results in the original space of the functions and the second immediately offers a post-hoc test by identifying the significant pair-wise differences between groups. The proposed tests rely on discretization of the functions, therefore the tests are also applicable in the multidimensional ANOVA problem. In the empirical part of the article, we demonstrate the use of the method by analyzing fiscal decentralization in European countries. The aim of the empirical analysis is to capture differences between the levels of government expenditure decentralization ratio among different groups of European countries. The idea behind, based on the existing literature, is straightforward: countries with a longer European integration history are supposed to decentralize more of their government expenditure. We use the government expenditure centralization ratios of 29 European Union and EFTA countries in period from 1995 to 2016 sorted into three groups according to the presumed level of European economic and political integration.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1506.0164

Paths of Least Resistance: A Geospatial Analysis of the Integration of Mississippian Communities in the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks

During the Mississippi period (ca. AD 1050-1500), native groups occupying bluff shelters in the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks constructed three similarly sized mound-and-plaza centers: Goforth-Saindon (3BE0245), Collins (3WA0001), and Huntsville (3MA0022). Similarities in size and number of mounds suggests none rose to a position of power over the other and each integrated a separate community. Previous research hypothesizes that communities in emergent complex societies such as these are best defined by those who you interact with regularly, with mound centers less than a day’s travel from each other likely integrating the same communities. This study uses least-cost analysis, generating likely travel paths from the three mound centers in Northwest Arkansas to each other and to nearby bluff shelters with evidence of Mississippian occupation, factoring in water resources and slope to calculate the distances one would have traveled between sites and to identify catchments of bluff shelters. The resulting models show these mound centers are distant more than a day’s travel and depict clear catchments of bluff shelters around each one, supporting the idea that each mound center served a separate community

Straight Quantum Waveguide with Robin Boundary Conditions

We investigate spectral properties of a quantum particle confined to an infinite straight planar strip by imposing Robin boundary conditions with variable coupling. Assuming that the coupling function tends to a constant at infinity, we localize the essential spectrum and derive a sufficient condition which guarantees the existence of bound states. Further properties of the associated eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are studied numerically by the mode-matching technique.Comment: This is a contribution to the Proc. of the 3-rd Microconference "Analytic and Algebraic Methods III"(June 19, 2007, Prague, Czech Republic), published in SIGMA (Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications) at http://www.emis.de/journals/SIGMA

SPINS : spectral phase interrogation using nonlinear spectra

A novel technique for ultrafast pulse measurement is presented. This technique involves only the measurement of the fundamental, second harmonic, and third harmonic (or other third-order nonlinear) spectra of an ultrafast pulse. An algorithm is employed to generate trial SHG and THG spectra based on the measured fundmental spectrum and a trial phase. The phase is adjusted iteratively until the best match between the trial and measured SHG and THG spectra is obtained. The technique is experimentally simple, not subject to delicate temporal alignments, and potentially insensitive to wavefront quality

Sudan : Malaria

Sudan faces a great number of public health issues, however one of the most prevalent diseases within the country is Malaria. An estimated nine million cases were reported in 2002, with the total number of deaths at 44,000, in a country that has a population of 37,345,935. The research done on Malaria in Sudan looks at the basic epidemiology of the region, how to identify the disease, and major risks factors present. Other major challenges that Sudan faces are included, as well as suggestions for preventing further illness from the disease

A Teacher’s Journey Integrating Engineering in a Middle School Science Classroom and the Effects on Student Attitudes (RTP)

As teachers are encouraged to help students become problem solvers, incorporating engineering methods into the classroom has become an important theme of conversation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the change in student attitudes when integrating engineering instruction within a middle school science classroom. This study involves 8th grade students located within a single science teacher’s classroom exploring the integration of engineering activities and content for the first time. We assessed student attitudes using a survey constructed by the Friday Institute1 aimed measuring perception toward STEM related fields and study. Surveys were administered before and after engineering lessons. Along with student perceptions toward STEM content, we will describe the journey and thought process throughout the 8-week period from the implementing teacher’s point of view. We will detail the implementation process, reflect on student success and struggles, describe perceptions of student achievement based on student responses and completed work, as well as present an overarching reflection on the author’s journey throughout the process. Through the study and reflection others can learn how to bring engineering design into the classroom. It is also our goal that this process and study, including implementation, will help teachers become more confident adding engineering into their common practices and aid them in finding a place to begin