Proposals

Below are some proposals for talks from the past (and current). By clicking on the ID number, more details are shown. By default, these are sorted chronologically (recent first) and by then by last name. The data can be sorted by alternate means by using the links at the top right, each allowing ascending or descending orders.

Displaying 81-100 of 471 results.
ID: 158
Year: 2006
Name: Steve Bean
Institution: Cornell College
Subject area(s): math history
Title of Talk: Why does 0! = 1? The evolution of the gamma function

Abstract: The gamma function is typically introduced as an attempt to interpolate the factorial function, but what motivation does one have to do this? After giving a brief overview of the gamma function and its properties--from the modern point of view,--we will talk about the same function from a historical perspective. In particular, we will examine the reasons behind Euler's original formulation of this function.
ID: 240
Year: 2008
Name: James Freeman
Institution: Cornell College
Subject area(s): Teaching College
Title of Talk: Calculus: The 800 lb Gorilla in the Curriculum---Ideas from Cornell

Abstract: Even though there has been over 30 years of trying to keep the 800 lb gorilla (calculus) from dominating the room (collegiate level mathematics curriculum), the gorilla is still with us. Whether it is arguing about what and how calculus material is taught; what to do with over-prepared (high school calculus) and under-prepared students; and how to keep calculus from dominating the mathematics major in the zero sum game of available courses in most schools in Iowa, we all must deal with the gorilla. In this presentation, we will discuss two different answers to these questions currently being tried at Wartburg and Cornell and hopefully get a lively discussion going on what everyone is doing to control the gorilla. Cornell is following the lead of Grinnell and replaced our 4 sequence calculus offering with a two course sequence which covers several variable calculus in the second course.
ID: 522
Year: 2018
Name: Lorenzo Riva
Institution: Creighton University
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Feynman Operational Calculus

Abstract: The forthcoming paper "Combining continuous and discrete phenomena for Feynman's operational calculus in the presence of a $(C_0)$ semigroup and Feynman-Kac formulas with Lebesgue-Stieltjes measures" (by L. Nielsen, to appear in Integral Equations and Operator Theory) contains, as its main result, an evolution equation which serves to describe how Feynman's operational calculus evolves with time in the presence of a $(C_0)$ semigroup of linear operators. There are several examples in this paper which give rise to so-called, Feynman-Kac formulas with Lebesgue- Stieltjes measures (first investigated from a function space integral point of view by M. L. Lapidus in the late 1980s). However, due to the different approach, the Feynman-Kac formulas obtained in the paper by Nielsen have some significant differences from those obtained by Lapidus. An associated operator differential equation (essentially a nonhomogeneous Schrodinger's equation) is also obtained in Nielsen's paper. This talk will concentrate on the explanation of the newly-found Feynman-Kac formulas and some associated results.
ID: 523
Year: 2018
Name: Billy Duckworth
Institution: Creighton University
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: The Randic Index and Average Path Length

Abstract: In graph theory the Randic Index is a number that gives information about the degree of branching within a particular graph. We examined the relationship between the Randic Index and other well known graph properties such as radius, diameter, and average path length. We attempt to bound the Randic Index for families of graphs such as paths, cycles and "methylated" paths and cycles.
ID: 533
Year: 2019
Name: Lorenzo Riva
Institution: Creighton University
Subject area(s): Analysis, PDEs
Title of Talk: Low Regularity Non-$L^2(\mathbb{R}^n)$ Local Solutions to the gMHD-$\alpha$ system

Abstract: The Magneto-Hydrodynamic (MHD) system of equations governs viscous fluids subject to a magnetic field and is derived via a coupling of the Navier-Stokes equations and Maxwell's equations. It has recently become common to study generalizations of fluids-based differential equations. Here we consider the generalized Magneto-Hydrodynamic alpha (gMHD-$\alpha$) system, which differs from the original MHD system by the presence of additional non-linear terms (indexed by the choice of $\alpha$) and replacing the Laplace operators in the equations by more general Fourier multipliers with symbols of the form $-\vert \xi \vert^\gamma / g(\vert \xi \vert)$. In \cite{penn1}, the author considered the problem with initial data in Sobolev spaces of the form $H^{s,2}(\mathbb{R}^n)$ with $n \geq 3$. Here we consider the problem with initial data in $H^{s,p}(\mathbb{R}^n)$ with $n \geq 3$ and $p > 2$, with the goal of minimizing the regularity required to obtain unique existence results.
ID: 559
Year: 2021
Name: Jack Rausch
Institution: Creighton University
Subject area(s): Quantum Information Theory, Quantum Computing
Title of Talk: Developing a Quantum Resource Theory for One-Way Information

Abstract: In quantum information theory, the one-way information of the joint evolution of a composite system quantifies the causal relationship between systems. Given a composite two systems, an algorithm is used to create a state $\rho^{A'ABB'} $ which quantifies the one-way information via the measure $R\left(\rho^{A'ABB'} \right) = I\left(\rho^{B} : \rho^{A'AB'} \right) - I\left(\rho^{B} : \rho^{B'} \right)$. A quantum resource theory offers a new perspective to view one-way information. A quantum resource theory examines a problem under a set of physically meaningful limitations which identify certain operations as free (can be used without limitations) and others as resources (operations with limitations or costs). We define a quantum resource theory for one-way information based on the measure $R\left(\rho^{A'ABB'} \right)$, showing that: $R$ is an additive measure, all free states contain $0$ one-way information, the free operations contain all unitary operators $U_{AB} = U_A \otimes U_B$, and $R$ is monotonic under free operations, but not under the restricted operations.
ID: 561
Year: 2021
Name: Presley Kimball
Institution: Creighton University
Subject area(s): Mathematical Models, Epidimiology
Title of Talk: An ODE model of yaws elimination in Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea

Abstract: Yaws is a chronic infection that affects mainly the skin, bone, and cartilage and spreads mostly between children. The new approval of a medication as treatment in 2012 has revived eradication efforts and now only few localized foci of infection remain. The World Health Organization strategy mandates an initial round of total community treatment (TCT) with single-dose azithromycin followed either by further TCT or by total targeted treatment (TTT), an active case-finding and treatment of cases and their contacts. We develop the compartmental ODE model of yaws transmission and treatment for these scenarios. We solve for disease-free and endemic equilibria and also perform the stability analysis. We calibrate the model and validate its predictions on the data from Lihir Island in Papua New Guinea. We demonstrate that TTT strategy is efficient in preventing outbreaks but, due to the presence of asymptomatic latent cases, TTT will not eliminate yaws within a reasonable time frame. To achieve the 2030 eradication target, TCT should be applied instead.
ID: 432
Year: 2015
Name: Dave Richeson
Institution: Dickinson College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: The Four Problems of Antiquity

Abstract: We discuss the history of four of the most famous problems in mathematics-the so-called problems of antiquity: squaring the circle, trisecting the angle, doubling the cube, and constructing regular n-gons. We know the outcome-that they are all impossible to solve using compass and straightedge. But there is a long and fascinating history of mathematicians' attempts to solve the problems using the Euclidean tools and their success at solving them by other means (using marked straightedges, conic sections, transcendental curves, and mechanical devices). Like all great mathematical problems, they pushed mathematics forward.
ID: 538
Year: 2019
Name: William Lindsey
Institution: Dordt University
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Epidemic! Role-Playing in Introductory Statistics

Abstract: How can we use our statistical knowledge to help save (or at least, inform) the world? I will describe a day from my Introductory Statistics class where students were "hired" by the CDC to help answer questions about a fictional epidemic that was plaguing the Atlanta area.
ID: 543
Year: 2019
Name: Valorie Zonnefeld
Institution: Dordt University
Subject area(s): Pedagogy of Mathematics
Title of Talk: Classroom Environments that Nurture a Growth Mindset

Abstract: Carol Dweck and Jo Boaler's landmark research regarding the importance of a growth mindset for learning and specifically mathematics is a game changer for professors and teachers. Learn what a growth mindset is and how to foster it in your classroom.
ID: 532
Year: 2019
Name: Michael Rieck
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): Elliptic curves, algebraic geometry, projective geometry
Title of Talk: Elliptic Curves and the Perspective 3-Point Problem

Abstract: The Perspective-Three-Point Problem (P3P), a camera tracking problem, is solved by first focusing on determining the directions of the lines through pairs of control points, relative to the camera, rather than the distances from the camera to the control points. The analysis of this produces an efficient, accurate and reasonably simple P3P solver, which has been compared with a state-of-the-art P3P solver. However, the principal value of the present work is not in introducing yet another P3P solver, but lies rather in the discovery of an intimate connection between the P3P problem and a special family of elliptic curves that includes curves utilized in cryptography. This holds the potential for further advances in a number of directions. To make this connection, an interesting spherical analogue of an ancient “sliding” problem is stated and solved.
ID: 292
Year: 2010
Name: Jason Grout
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: SageTeX: Computing inside LaTeX documents

Abstract: I will talk about SageTeX, a system for embedding computer mathematical calculations or graphs inside TeX documents. The user simply puts a few simple commands in the TeX document and a computation is performed automatically and the output or graph appears in the PDF file. The system uses the powerful free open-source Sage computer algebra system (http://www.sagemath.org), but can also embed results and graphs from Mathematica, Maple, and a variety of other software. The author has used this in writing quizzes, tests, solution guides, papers, etc. Others have used SageTeX to generate interactive books and online worksheets.
ID: 55
Year: 2004
Name: Luz DeAlba
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): Geometry, Calculus
Title of Talk: An overview of Geometer's Sketchpad with applications to Calculus

Abstract: We present a quick overview of the basics of software packege Geometer's Sketchpad. Then move on to how one can use the software in the classroom. We showcase applications from several areas of mathematics including applications to Calculus.
ID: 320
Year: 2011
Name: Jason Grout
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): calculus, software
Title of Talk: Free Online Homework with Webwork

Abstract: Webwork (http://webwork.maa.org) is a mature popular open-source system for online homework. Sponsored by the NSF and MAA, the system includes tens of thousands of class-tested problems for a large number of undergraduate math courses. Webwork has not only enhanced the quantity and quality of interaction around homework in my class, but it has also dramatically cut costs for students by enabling them to use inexpensive editions of textbooks. I will discuss how Webwork fits into the larger landscape of free open-source educational tools, how I use it in my class, and how you can set it up for your courses.
ID: 66
Year: 2004
Name: Bernadette Baker
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): Teaching and Learning (College Algebra)
Title of Talk: DOES TEACHING FUNCTIONS BASED ON TRANSFORMATION OF BASIC FUNCTIONS WORK?

Abstract: One typical pre-calculus approach introduces students to transformations of basic functions to help them develop a better understanding of functions. There is no research focusing on how or if this type of course achieves its goal. The present study addresses this issue as well as the difficulties students face when working with the concept of transformations of functions. This research attempts to explain, in terms of APOS (Action, Process, Object, Schema) theory, the difficulties that students exhibited in one particular course and to gain insights into why many students were not as successful as expected. Through the analysis of detailed interviews with 24 students, this study describes students
ID: 67
Year: 2004
Name: Bernadette Baker
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): Teaching and Learning (College Algebra)
Title of Talk: DOES TEACHING FUNCTIONS BASED ON TRANSFORMATION OF BASIC FUNCTIONS WORK?

Abstract: One typical pre-calculus approach introduces students to transformations of basic functions to help them develop a better understanding of functions. There is no research focusing on how or if this type of course achieves its goal. The present study addresses this issue as well as the difficulties students face when working with the concept of transformations of functions. This research attempts to explain, in terms of APOS (Action, Process, Object, Schema) theory, the difficulties that students exhibited in one particular course and to gain insights into why many students were not as successful as expected. Through the analysis of detailed interviews with 24 students, this study describes students
ID: 68
Year: 2004
Name: Alexander Kleiner
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): Analysis, History
Title of Talk: "Summing" Unbounded Sequences: Some History Preliminary Report

Abstract: The question of which, if any, unbounded sequences were summed by regular methods of summation was considerd repeatedly. This talk will show how these questions were answered (over and over).
ID: 72
Year: 2004
Name: Daniel Alexander
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): History of mathematics
Title of Talk: Stefan Banach During World War II

Abstract: There is virtually no mention in mathematical literature of Stefan Banach's experience during World War II. This is unfortunate because not were his experiences fairly dramatic, but they are part of a greater story of the Polish Resistance during World War II. This presentation will discuss how Banach survived the Nazi occupation despite Nazi plans to annihilate the Polish intelligentsia. It will also discuss the role of a relatively unknown "Schindleresque"factory owner, Rudolf Stefan Weigl.
ID: 108
Year: 2005
Name: James Collingwood
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): History of Mathematics
Title of Talk: Rigor in Analysis: From Newton to Cauchy

Abstract: This paper seeks to examine the level of rigor which was present in work with the calculus from the time of its invention through Cauchy
ID: 112
Year: 2005
Name: Alexander Kleiner
Institution: Drake University
Subject area(s): history of mathematics, analysis
Title of Talk: The Toeplitz-Silverman Theorem

Abstract: In the first two decades of the twentieth century summability developed from collection of special results used in other parts of analysis into a full-blown field. One of the main points of this transition was a collection of general results that gave conditions for a method to sum every convergent sequence. Papers by Toeplitz, Silverman, Kojima, Schur and others established these theorems. This note will look at the development of these conditions and, as time permits, the reoccurrence of these results in the early day of the "Polish" school of functional analysis.