Statistical analysis of extreme forest fires

Forest fires can cause extensive damage to natural resources and properties. They can also destroy wildlife habitat, affect the forest ecosystem and threaten human lives. In this paper extreme wildland fires are analysed using a point process model for extremes. The model based on a generalised Pareto distribution is used to model data on acres of wildland burnt by extreme fire in the US since 1825. A semi-parametric smoothing approach is adapted with maximum likelihood method to estimate model parameters.

Optimisation modelling for design of advanced interconnects

This paper describes a computational strategy for virtual design and prototyping of electronic components and assemblies. The design process is formulated as a design optimisation problem. The solution of this problem identifies not only the design which meets certain user specified requirements but also the design with the maximum possible improvement in particular aspects such as reliability, cost, etc. The modelling approach exploits numerical techniques for computational analysis (Finite Element Analysis) integrated with numerical methods for approximation, statistical analysis and optimisation. A software framework of modules that incorporates the required numerical techniques is developed and used to carry out the design optimisation modelling of fine-pitch flip-chip lead free solder interconnects.

The role of Minitab in teaching and learning statistics

This paper describes how the statistical package Minitab is used in teaching statistics in our undergraduate programmes in Mathematics and Statistics to enhance student learning. How the sophisticated recent versions of Minitab can be used to help students understand statistical concepts, develop their statistical thinking and gain valuable skills in performing statistical analysis are discussed.