Department of Statistics

Statistical Planning and Inference: Concepts and Applications by Dr. Subir Ghosh: 

Description: 
Explore the foundations of, and cutting-edge developments in, statistics

Statistical Planning and Inference: Concepts and Applications delivers a robust introduction to statistical planning and inference, including classical and computer age developments in statistical science. The book examines the challenges faced in statistical planning and inference, exploring the optimum methods identifying limitations and commonly encountered pitfalls.

It addresses linear and non-linear statistical inference and discusses noise-effect reduction, error rates, balanced and unbalanced data, model selection, discrimination and classification, truncated and censored data, and experimental designs.

Each chapter offers readers problems and solutions and illustrative examples to introduce the concepts and methods discussed within.

The book offers:

Analysis of both classical theory and modern developments in the field of statistical inference and planning
Expansive discussions of linear and non-linear statistical inference
Statistical problems and solutions to test the reader’s progress through and retention of the material contained within
Aimed at practitioners and researchers in the field of statistics, Statistical Planning and Inference: Concepts and Applications is also a must-read resource for graduate students, professors, and researchers in the life sciences, agriculture, psychology, education and measurement, sociology, computer and engineering sciences, and all other fields that rely on statistical concepts.

Molt-related changes in the major ampullate silk gland of the barn spider Araneus cavaticus by Linda M Penas and Others:

Abstract:

Spiders molt periodically before reaching full maturity, but several spiders continue to molt after sexual maturity. This post-maturity molting (PMM) behavior has been observed in the barn spider Araneus cavaticus (Araneae: Araneidae) among the orb-web spiders. In this study, we investigated molt-related changes in the ampulla and tail regions of the major ampullate gland during the PMM sequences (intermolt, pre-molt, ecdysis, and post-molt). The results showed that all gland units consist of a monolayer of epithelial cells surrounding a large central lumen, and two types of secretory granules (Type-M and Type-S). During the molting period, most cells showed fine structural modification in their organelles, and conspicuous tissue swelling was detected at the glandular epithelium. Following the molting cycle, the amount of Type-M granules continues to increase in the cell with a corresponding swelling, but Type-S granules gradually disappeared during the process of ecdysis. This suggests that the molt-related changes in spider silk production originates from the periodic production of Type-S secretory granules in the ampulla region. As Type-M granules flow toward the funnel, it is coated with viscous liquid secretion of Type-S granules in order to produce dragline silk fibers. We provide fine structural evidence for Type-S granules of hexagonal crystalline substructures representing glycoprotein substances to maintain high level of water content.

Laboratory refugia preferences of the brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae) by Linda M Penas and Others: 

Abstract: 

During collecting episodes in urban southern California, brown widow spiders, Latrodectus geometricus C. L. Koch, 1841, were observed to reside most often in specific locations such as acute angles within patio furniture or on the underside of railings. In this laboratory study, we tested several variables to determine which factors brown widow females may use for web site selection. All tests were conducted with corrugated cardboard refugia in enclosed dome-shaped insect cages. Brown widows were found to significantly prefer: 1) 30º angles compared to 60º or 90º angles, 2) cavities of 75 and 100 mm depth compared to 25 or 50 mm depth, 3) cavities lined with single-faced corrugated cardboard compared to smooth surfaces, and 4) refuges that had previously housed a brown widow compared to similar but previously unoccupied refugia. These data provide unusually detailed information about microhabitat selection by an urban pest, with possible implications for the pest control industry for eradication or for home owners to avoid envenomations.