Asymptotic Optimality Theory For Decentralized Sequential Multihypothesis Testing Problems

The Bayesian formulation of sequentially testing $M \ge 3$ hypotheses is studied in the context of a decentralized sensor network system. In such a system, local sensors observe raw observations and send quantized sensor messages to a fusion center which makes a final decision when stopping taking observations. Asymptotically optimal decentralized sequential tests are developed from a class of "two-stage" tests that allows the sensor network system to make a preliminary decision in the first stage and then optimize each local sensor quantizer accordingly in the second stage. It is shown that the optimal local quantizer at each local sensor in the second stage can be defined as a maximin quantizer which turns out to be a randomization of at most $M-1$ unambiguous likelihood quantizers (ULQ). We first present in detail our results for the system with a single sensor and binary sensor messages, and then extend to more general cases involving any finite alphabet sensor messages, multiple sensors, or composite hypotheses.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figure, submitted to IEEE Trans. Inf. Theor

Thermodynamics of the Schwarzschild-AdS black hole with a minimal length

Using the mass-smeared scheme of black holes, we study the thermodynamics of black holes. Two interesting models are considered. One is the self-regular Schwarzschild-AdS black hole whose mass density is given by the analogue to probability densities of quantum hydrogen atoms. The other model is the same black hole but whose mass density is chosen to be a rational fractional function of radial coordinates. Both mass densities are in fact analytic expressions of the ${\delta}$-function. We analyze the phase structures of the two models by investigating the heat capacity at constant pressure and the Gibbs free energy in an isothermal-isobaric ensemble. Both models fail to decay into the pure thermal radiation even with the positive Gibbs free energy due to the existence of a minimal length. Furthermore, we extend our analysis to a general mass-smeared form that is also associated with the ${\delta}$-function, and indicate the similar thermodynamic properties for various possible mass-smeared forms based on the ${\delta}$-function.Comment: v1: 25 pages, 14 figures; v2: 26 pages, 15 figures; v3: minor revisions, final version to appear in Adv. High Energy Phy

Why Are There so Few of Us? Counterstories from Women of Color in Faculty Governance Roles

Women scholars are underrepresented in faculty governance positions in the university settings. This initial descriptive study described the successes and challenges faced by eight (n = 8) women of color in current or former governance roles in California universities. A semi-structured interview schedule was administered that focused on their perceptions in the three areas: competence, confidence and credibility. The findings were analyzed and implications as well as recommendations for further research were made