CS 740: Algorithms, Complexity and the Theory of Computability

The objective of this course is to use the formal algorithmic system provided by Turing machines as a tool to analyze the complexity of decision and optimization problems and the algorithms that solve them. The topics to be covered include • the definition of the time and space complexity of a deterministic algorithm• the classes of deterministic polynomial and non-polynomial time languages• the complexity of nondeterministic algorithms• the P=NP question (relationship between solvability by deterministic and nondeterministic polynomial time algorithms)• the implications of a solution to the P=NP question• NP completeness and examples of NP complete problems• classes of NP complete problems• techniques for approximate solutions of NP complete problem

CS 466/666: Introduction to Formal Languages

CS 466/666 is an introduction to formal language and automata theory. In this course we will examine methods for defining syntax of languages and recognizing patterns: the syntax of languages can be defined using grammars and patterns accepted by finite state machines. Along with presenting the fundamentals of these two topics, the course will develop and investigate the relationships between language definition and pattern recognition. The text will be the third edition of Languages and Machines: An Introduction to the Theory of Computer Science

A single-subject study examining the effects of a behavioral intervention for verbal recurrent perserveration

BACKGROUND: Approximately 1 million people in the United States suffer from aphasia and \u3e 50% of those people may demonstrate recurrent perseverations. No consensus has been forthcoming on whether (1) a therapy that directly confronts clients with imminent pre-articulatory automatisms (the perseverations) or (2) a more typical neuropsychological therapy that eschews any direct confrontation with automatic behaviors works best. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the treatment efficacy of a non-confrontational picture naming intervention on naming ability in individuals with aphasia and recurrent perseverations. METHODS: This is a prospective single-subject ABAB multiple baseline design replicated across 3 right-handed individuals with moderate fluent aphasia subsequent to left hemisphere ischemic strokes to answer the study¡¯s experimental questions. Participants ranged from 61 to 77 years of age and ranged from 7.5 to 13.0 months post stroke. Further, the participants demonstrated total and/or blended perseverations errors on ¡Ý10% of a confrontational picture naming task that consisted of 60 items derived from the categories of the Naming in Categories subtest of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination Third Edition (Goodglass, Kaplan, & Barresi, 2001). Multiple measurements of accuracy and efficiency were taken during the naming intervention, after the intervention, and during other speech tasks including single word repetition, reading, and picture description. Consistent with single-subject design, we used visual inspection to determine whether or not improvement in picture naming associated with the non-confrontational intervention had occurred. We also opted to analyze the data using paired t-test, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Generalized Least Squares (GLS) with type 1 error rate set at ¦Á = 0.05. RESULTS: All three subjects increased performance on picture naming accuracy and decreased their number of recurrent perseverative responses with intervention. Only one subject elicited anticipatory errors in this study, and he demonstrated an increase in anticipatory proportion when presented with facilitating cues compared to pre-intervention performance. Preliminary results suggested communication improvements after the intervention extended beyond the speech process undergoing treatment. Significant individual variation in improvement was seen in response to therapy. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provided preliminary evidence regarding the efficacy of a non-confrontational picture naming intervention as a strategy to improve speech accuracy and efficiency. In addition, preliminary evidence suggests that the immediate improvements are feasible with relatively short duration and frequency of intervention

Ecology and management of cottontail rabbits in Missouri (2014)

Cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) have long been one of the most popular game species across rural Missouri (Figure 1). Cottontails are also common in urban and suburban areas. They have the capacity to produce several litters of young in a year, which helps cottontail populations grow quickly in areas with suitable habitats. There are two rabbit species in Missouri. The eastern cottontail is most common and is found across the state. The larger swamp rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus) lives only in the Bootheel area in the southeastern part of the state. Although many people refer to both as cottontails, they are two distinct species. This publication describes how landowners can create habitat that will attract cottontails to their property.New 6/14/Web

Ecology and management of mourning doves in Missouri (2016)

Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) are among the most popular migratory game birds in Missouri (Figure 1). Though found across the state year-round, most Missouri doves migrate to the southern United States rather than overwinter here. Mourning doves are classified as a federal migratory species, which means the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages hunting regulations at the national level. Doves' quick flight, erratic movements and edible meat make them a popular species among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in Missouri, where the annual harvest of mourning doves is greater than that of other game bird species. Managing habitats for doves can provide hours of enjoyment for homeowners and landowners alike. Doves find food and shelter in a variety of habitat types, including pastures, croplands, open forests and forest edges, and in urban and suburban areas. Establishing and managing fields for dove populations can provide recreational hunting opportunities during fall, which can be a source of income for the landowner. Before undertaking efforts to establish or improve dove habitats on your land, you should understand their life history and biology. With that in mind, you can implement management practices to improve or add habitat components that might be in short supply and improve the overall habitat for doves and other species.Revised 2/16/Web only

Hunting doves on agricultural lands in Missouri (2016)

Many hunters and landowners establish crops and manage habitats to create ideal conditions and locations to hunt mourning doves and provide food and cover for a variety of wildlife. Mourning doves are migratory birds, so they are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which specifically prohibits baiting a field for the purpose of hunting (Figure 1). Planting and managing fields using normal agricultural practices require careful planning and an understanding of the relevant regulations. This publication aims to help landowners understand baiting regulations and particularly the differences between baiting and what constitutes a normal agricultural operation in Missouri. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) are empowered to enforce regulations governing baiting migratory birds. You can find more specific information about these regulations in the Additional information section.New 2/16/Web only

Solar decathlon : Show-Me solar team

Project Leaders: Barbara Buffaloe, Katie-Grantham-Lough, Michael Goldschmidt, Robert Stone, Luke Sudkamp, Paul Bilger, Anna Fleischer, Chris Krueger, Heather Benson, Anne Felts, Adam Smith, Renee Henry, Ben Brannon, Ruth Brent Tofle, Jo Britt-Rankin, Marjorie Sable"University of Missouri--Columbia (MU) and the Missouri University of Science & Technology (S&T) have composed the "Show-Me Solar Team." This team is composed of undergraduate and graduate students with a goal to design and build the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house for the 2009 Solar Decathlon. The Solar Decathlon, an international design competition, exists to educate the public on solar energy, energy efficiency, and the best in home design. While this effort is well over the budget available for the current funding opportunity, we have selected certain components for submission in this application. Specifically, this effort includes architecture, interior design, architectural engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, history, and business disciplines across two campuses in a unique experience for all involved and utilizes technology and IT communications to make it happen. Most of the components of the project are done through computer and the virtual world. The students must rely on the ability to communicate via the internet for most decisions because only occasional face-to-face meetings take place. In addition, students on both campuses utilize computer programs related to their discipline and learn programs associated with other disciplines due to the multidisciplinary efforts required. For example, MU students often use Google Sketch?up to convey the architectural elements of the home. S&T students, new to Google Sketch-up, have found that with a tutorial by MU that they can better understand the dialogue going on between the teams on the design. We believe that the Show-Me Solar team�s proposal for the Interdisciplinary Innovation Fund meets the requirements from the MU Information Technology Committee. The student-led team is working hard to make the University of Missouri system a leader in the next wave of home design through the use of innovative technology and strong relationships between disciplines. We look forward to working with the MUITC and hope that our combined effort will continue to foster interdisciplinary projects throughout the UM system. Please let us know if any further clarification is needed." --DescriptionMU Interdisciplinary Innovations Fun

Talking quiescence: a rigorous theory that supports parallel composition, action hiding and determinisation

The notion of quiescence - the absence of outputs - is vital in both behavioural modelling and testing theory. Although the need for quiescence was already recognised in the 90s, it has only been treated as a second-class citizen thus far. This paper moves quiescence into the foreground and introduces the notion of quiescent transition systems (QTSs): an extension of regular input-output transition systems (IOTSs) in which quiescence is represented explicitly, via quiescent transitions. Four carefully crafted rules on the use of quiescent transitions ensure that our QTSs naturally capture quiescent behaviour. We present the building blocks for a comprehensive theory on QTSs supporting parallel composition, action hiding and determinisation. In particular, we prove that these operations preserve all the aforementioned rules. Additionally, we provide a way to transform existing IOTSs into QTSs, allowing even IOTSs as input that already contain some quiescent transitions. As an important application, we show how our QTS framework simplifies the fundamental model-based testing theory formalised around ioco.Comment: In Proceedings MBT 2012, arXiv:1202.582