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Seminar and Colloquia
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers a weekly colloquium series on Thursdays. Most colloquia begin between 3:00 and 3:30. Seminars alternate between those aimed at Undergraduate (type U) and Graduate (type G) audiences.
Nicaise Mbunteu Graduate Student UMD Department of Mathematics and Statistics Abstract: In order to draw public attention to a brand of product that companies wish to sell, they use various types of notices and announcements. Assuming that the social dynamics of advertising is largely analogous to mathematic epidemiology, modeling can describe how individuals who are in a market for a brand of product can move from one purchasing class to another. In order to distinguish the different stages of the buying process to the advertising model, we segment the total population into classes of individuals: 1) the class of people who are unaware of the product; 2) the class of people who are aware of the product but not buying the product; and 3) the class of purchasers or consumers of the product. The goal is to build a model that explains the influence that advertising has on the success or failure of a product. Models with more than three subgroups are also considered. Time: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 1:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Xiaowei Zhan Graduate Student UMD Department of Mathematics and Statistics Abstract: While Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) technique is well developed and widely used, its data lacks meaningful explanation, such as finding similar functional tags. Comparing many clustering methods that are invented to solve this problem, recent papers, including cai et al., suggest a more applicable and reliable clustering method using a Poisson approach. Based on their work, the author proposed a new clustering method in which we not only associate every SAGE tag to a certain group but also calculate the probability of that association. We called it a Poisson Mixture Model. The number of clusters is determined using gap statistics. All these methods have been implemented by computer and their source code is available in the appendix. Time: Thursday, August 23, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Andrew Larson Graduate Student UMD Department of Mathematics and Statistics Abstract: Truss Structures are common in Earth-borne constructions, such as bridges and cranes, as well as in space applications. In recent years there has been renewed interest in inflatable-rigidizable space structures because of the efficiency they offer in packaging during boost-to-orbit. However, research is needed to better understand dynamic response characteristics, including inherent damping, of truss structures fabricated with these advanced material systems. A mathematical model of a joint-in-legs-beams system, a basic element of the truss structure has been obtained by Professor Zhuangyi Liu and his colleagues at Virginia Tech. Moreover, numerical solution of the system has been obtained by implementing a finite dimensional approximation scheme and computer programming. The focus of this paper is the presentation of the means used in visualizing the vibration of the structure and approximation to render the numerical data into a conceivable format. Time: Monday, August 27, 2007 12:00 p.m - 1:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center UMD Department of Mathematics and Statistics Abstract: It comes as a surprise to some people that mathematicians and statisticians are still working to discover new mathematics! While some advances require years of background preparation in order to make any progress, others can be attacked with just an undergraduate background. In this colloquium, Professors Zhuangyi Liu, Dalibor Froncek and Marshall Hampton will describe a variety of potential research projects for undergraduates. The colloquium should be of interest to all Math/Stat students, whether or not you plan on doing a research project. The talks will be preceeded by general information about this year's Undergraduate Colloquium Series (Professor Gallian), Math Club (Katie Malevich), Actuarial Club (Matt Steffen), and undergraduate research funding (Professor Peckham.) EVERYONE IS WELCOME! A pizza party hosted by the Math Club will follow from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. New Math/Stat majors are especially invited to attend. Friends are welcome. Time: Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:30 p.m - 4:30 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Sara Fett and Paul Decker (UMD Graduate) Mayo Foundation Abstract: Programming, data management and statistical analyses are used to assist our medical colleagues in answering a variety of research questions. The goal of our presentation is to give a broad overview of the different types of medical research questions and how programming, data management and statistical analyses are used to answer these questions. We will also share information on our application process and what we look for in prospective candidates at each level (B.S. and M.S.). Note: while at UMD, Sara would like to interview UMD math and stat students between 11:00 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. who will grduate in December or May (B.S. or M.S.) and are interested in possible employment at the Mayo Foundation. Sara is interested in the technical background (statistical and computational) of applicants along with their attitude, initiative, and time management skills. Students interested in interviewing should bring a resume. Please contact Carol Stockman (cstockma) to schedule an interview. Time: Thursday, October 4, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Professor Bruce Peckham UMD Department of Mathematics and Statistics Abstract: A famous example of a map of the plane is the Henon map: f(x,y) = (y + 1 - ax 2, bx). Maps generate dynamical systems by using the map as a recurrence relation:(x{n+1}, y{n+1}) = f(xn, yn). An initial condition (x0, y0), along with a recurrence relation, generates and orbit (x0, y0), (x1, y1,), (x2, y2), ... . The basic goal in dynamical systems is to describe the long term behavior of orbits, how they depend on the initial condition, and how they depend the iteration function. The Henon map is famous because, at least for specific parameter values, the map has a Òchaotic attractor.Ó The chaos is due to the intersection of two special curves called the stable and unstable manifolds, respectively, in what is called a homoclinic tangle. In another example - a noninvertible one - chaos is created in a different way, through the creation of "loops" on an "invariant" curve.This talk will be an introduction to maps of the plane, bifurcations of invertible maps, and bifurcations of noninvertible maps. Time: Thursday, October 11, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Instructor Laura Zimmerman UMD Department of Mathematics and Statistics Abstract: When students think of math, some may be excited and enjoy math, but many students have negative feelings toward the subject. Some say it is just too hard, they don't get it, or they have performed poorly in class in the past and have just given up. How can we get these students to feel better about math and their math skills? In this talk, I will discuss how to motivate students with a SNAP (Student-centered, Non-competitive, All-inclusive, and Problem-based) Math Fair. I will discuss how to set a class schedule, choose problems, make the displays, and design evaluation procedures. In addition, I will show some projects done by my students and discuss their reactions to the math fair as well as the benefits I noticed for the students. Time: Thursday, October 18, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Jerimi Walker UMD Department of Mathematics and Statistics Abstract: One of the oldest and most simply stated problems in topology is the Poincare Conjecture. While most people can understand the basic ideas behind the conjecture, the proof eluded mathematicians for over a century. When a proof released by Grigori Perelman in 2002 was finally verified in 2006, it was called the "Breakthrough of the Year" by Science magazine and created a firestorm of publicity and controversy. This was further fueled when Perelman was awarded, but declined to accept the Fields Medal, the hightest prize in mathematics. In this talk, we will briefly review the ideas of topology, discuss the specifics of the Poincare Conjecture, its history (including some of the many attempts to prove it), and the controversy surrounding its final proof. Time: Thursday, November 1, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Professor Seraphin Abou UMD Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Abstract: There are different approaches to develop mathematical models of a system. All of them depend on the purpose of the model. This presentation is based on the use of a "systems thinking" approach to analyzing and developing mathematical models of nonlinear systems. This means identifying the principle influencing the system's behavior in a holistic manner and estimating and/or verifying their impacts through testing and simulation. An application on mineral processing is illustrated. The approach allows subsequent extensions of the model to span multiple levels of evolution of the system's behavior. Time: Thursday, November 8, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Professor David Barker and Professor Saad I. El-Zanati Department of Mathematics Illinois State University Abstract: We give a preliminary report on the development, implementation and evaluation of a model teacher-scholar program in secondary mathematics. The yearlong program consists of two junior/senior level research capstone courses. In the first course, Introduction to Research in Mathematics (offered in the Spring), students explore several research topics (from the instructor's main research interest/expertise areas) with emphasis on experimentation, conjecture, careful justification, and clear, precise reporting. The second course, Research in Mathematics II (offered in the fall), places emphasis on further examination of specific research topics and on writing and disseminating results. The main objective of the program is to graduate teacher-scholars. Teacher-Scholars are highly qualified teachers who have experienced scholarship in mathematics in a setting that emphasizes the interconnections amoung theory, procedures, and applications and who "develop habits of mind of a mathematical thinker" (CBMS, 2001). A two-year run of the program is being supported by a grant from the Division of Undergraduate Education at the National Science Foundation. We report on the results from the first complete run, which was piloted in 2007. Time: Monday, November 12, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Alex Kranz, UMD 2006 Wesley Griffiths, UMD 2000 Abstract: The Talk will cover the following topics:
Time: Thursday, November 15, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Professor Gregory Rutkowksi Department of Chemical Engineering, UMD Abstract: Upon injury to the peripheral nervous system, neurons receive physical and chemical cues from the microenvironment in order to regenerate by a process akin to that observed during embryonic development. The microenvironment consists of the extracellular matrix which provides structural and chemical support as well as diffusible molecules from noneuronal cells (Schwann cells) which control cellular processes. The combination of these factors in a dynamic state contributes to the overall regenerative process. In order to promote regeneratin, various bioartificial nerve grafts have been developed to mimic the microenvironment of the tissue. Concurrently, computer models have also been created to describe the regeneration process. These models consider the growth of axons as a stochastic process and do not take into account the dynamic interactions with the microenvironment. Initial modeling efforts in our lab have focused on the steady state, one dimensional transport of nutrients and growth factors within a bioartificial nerve graft. In vitro studies have supported predictions from the model. Current work has shifted to the chemoattractive nature of nerve growth factor (NGF) secreted by Schwann cells. In a bioartificial nerve graft, these cells will have an impact on the microenvironment of the nerve tissue. A three dimensional transient model can be used to describe the distribution of NGF within the graft as well as predict axon extension in response to graients of NGF. Time: Friday, November 30, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Matt Steffen - Travelers - P/C Insurance Brian Rock - Securian - Health & Life Insureance Bridget Huss - Hewitt Associates - Health Care Consulting UMD Students Abstract: Ever want to know what to expect from an acturial internship? Well, here is your chance. Three UMD students will describe their 2007 summer actuarial internships. They will talk about the company they worked for, the actuarial field in which they worked, and also some specific projects they completed. The presentations will be followed by a short a panel discussion. This will be a good time to compare and contrast the different areas of actuarial work and also find out about what to expect on the job or internship. So bring along your questions. Also note: The Math Colloquium will be followed by an Actuary Club meeting that will be hosted by Brad Diaz. Brad is a former UMD student working as an actuary for Reden & Anders. He will discuss what to expect in life after college, the health care consulting industry, and of course Reden & Anders. All are welcome to attend. Time: Thursday, December 6, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Rosa M. LeJeunesse MS Candidate in Applied and Computational Mathematics Advisors: Robert McFarland and Joseph Gallian Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: In this talk I will demonstrate various techniques for finding closed circuits that pass exactly once through each element of a group represented as vertices on a 2-dimensional torus grid. We consider four variations on this problem according to whether the vertices of various subsets of the group are not on the circuit or the circuit passes through these vertices twice. Time: Thursday, December 6, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Jay A. Johnson Professor Wood and Paper Science University of Washington Abstract: I will discuss a problem I have worked on that was motivated by pure curiosity. It is about the shape of a pear tree branch bent excessively by the weight of a hanging fruit. It turns out the problem has a connection with elliptic functions; not the standard mathematics of biologists! I will use this problem to move into a discussion about the interaction of biology and mathematics. I'll also talk about two academic units at the University of Washington that focus on problems in the area of natural resources and ecology. The Center for Quantitative Science (CQS) provides alternative mathematics and statistics courses for undergraduates who are in biological curriculums and Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management (QERM) is a graduate program with faculty from several disciplines involved in research projects involving some form of mathematical modeling. In this talk, I will prove nothing; nor will I pass myself off as a mathematician. I am, however, very interested in teaching low level mathematics to students who may have never experienced the beauty of it all and I hope to inject some enthusiasm into my talk. Time: Friday, December 14, 2007 3:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Wenjie Xu MS Candidate in Applied and Computational Mathematics Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: Bifurcating autoregressive(BAR) processes are used to model the bifurcating cell lineage tree. Least squares estimate method and empirical likelihood ratio method can be used to construct confidence regions for parameters in the model. In this project we use monte carlo simulations to estimate the coverage probabilities for confidence regions based on the two methods and compare the accuracy of the two approaches. Time: Friday, December 21, 2007 2:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m. Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: Hard Problems is a newly released 82-minute documentary film about the extraordinarily gifted students who represented the United States in 2006 at the world's toughest math competition--the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). It is the story of six U.S. high school students who competed with 500 others from 90 countries in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The film shows the dedication and perseverance of these remarkably talented students, the rigorous preparation they undertake, and the joy they get out of solving challenging problems. It captures the spirit that infuses the mathematical quest at the highest level. The film trailer is at http://www.hardproblemsmovie.com/ The film has several connections to UMD. One of the people in the film has visited UMD for the past seven summers; another one will be at UMD in the summer of 2008; the film's sponsor was at UMD in the summer of 1981; and the executive producer of the film has been at UMD since 1972. After the film there will be free pizza. Students will receive two Math 3941 attendance points for this event. Time: Thursday, January 31, 2008 3:30-5:00 Colloquium Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Angela Sharp Instructor Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: As a math educator, I have often wondered how to get my students more interested in math. To that end, I have looked for opportunities to engage students both physically and mentally with the concepts we are discussing in class. The result is a collection of activities I have used in an introductory calculus course. Some activities are hands-on and others provide the opportunity of ownership. I will present several of these activities, along with the supplies and required planning. Also, I will describe the students’ response to these activities. Time: Thursday, February 7, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: As part of UMD's observance of Pi day, we show a film of a debate of the burning question that has plagued humankind from time immemorial: "Which is the better number, e or pi?" Williams College Professors Adams and Garrity use any means within their powers to prove their point. The debaters challenge orthodoxy, brazenly flaunt convention and behave rather badly in their attempts to convince the audience of the absolutely ridiculous nature of their adversary's arguments. The genesis of both numbers is explained and the entire debate lasts 40 minutes. Which number is the superior number? Which number deserves to be held in the highest regard? You may already have your strongly felt opinions but get ready to have them stood on their heads when you watch the Great Pi/e Debate! Time: Thursday, February 21, 2008 3:15-4:00 Colloquium Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Dr. Robert L. McFarland Professor Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: What do the following items have in common: wrenches, hair clippers, self-trimming candles, the development of the wheel, sailboats with canting keels, the Mona Lisa, Michelangelo de Caravaggio, the actress Hedy Lamarr (and her husbard George Antheil), electronic communications, some Nobel prizes in Physics, why Isaac Newton developed Calculus, mammalian brains, and some cognition (even in insects)? In this talk I will try to convince you of the importance (and certainly the ubiquity) of the concept of broken symmetry, for that is the answer to the question posed above. Time: Thursday, February 28, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Dr. Robert E. Megginson Professor of Mathematics Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Education College of Literature, Science and the Arts University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan Abstract: Too many people believe that "Native American Mathematics" is almost an oxymoron, and that mathematics is an activity in which the Native people of the Western Hemisphere did not participate before the arrival of Europeans. In this talk, I will try to dispel that myth, and will even show how, arguably, a too-good knowledge of how to do mathematics by the Mexica (Aztec) people contributed to the European conquest of Central America! I will also discuss some of the barriers preventing more full participation of Native Americans in mathematics, again hoping to dispel some myths. I will end by talking about the opportunities now available to Native American people in mathematics-based fields, and why it is important for ourselves, our sovereign Indian nations, and the U.S. nation of which we are a part to pursue those opportunities. This talk will be dedicated to the memory of Thomas F. Storer, Dine (Navajo), a friend, colleague, and role model for me. Tom was probably the first Native American to receive a Ph.D. in pure mathematics, and is greatly missed by all those he inspired. Time: Thursday, March 6, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Marshall Hampton Professor Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: Hibernation in small mammals involves extreme physiological changes, as well as some puzzling dynamics. In a ground squirrel, heartrates can fall from 400 beats per minute to 3, and the core body temperature can plummet from 37 C to -3 C. Much smaller changes would be lethal in a non-hibernator - and the first thing to fail is the heart. How do the hibernators survive? Even more striking, every one to two weeks, hibernating mammals arouse to normal temperatures but do not eat or drink. This consumes most of their fat reserves. Why do they do it? These and other issues will be explored with a focus on how mathematics can help. Time: Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Angela Sharp and Chad Pierson Instructors Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: The proverb "A picture is worth a thousand words" conveys the fact that often times an image is the ideal way to communicate complex ideas. This happens to be precisely the case for several critical concepts in calculus. Mathematica 6.0 makes it easy to create dynamic visualizations designed to be used either in the classroom for instruction or accessed online by students at their leisure. We will show what is already available free from the Demonstration Project's website and how easy it is to create your own. This talk is accessible to anyone who has taken a calculus course and is intended for anyone who desires to teach mathematics. Time: Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 150 Chemistry Building Richard Green Professor Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: Parasitic wasps (parasitoids) have the ability to choose the sex of their offspring. Mated female wasps can produce either sons or daughters, while unmated females can only produce sons. Solitary parasitoids, which lay only one egg on each host, sometimes produce sons on smaller hosts and daughters on larger hosts. In 1979 Eric Charnov proposed a model to explain this host-size effect. If some females are unmated and produce only sons, then mated females should produce more daughters than they should if all other females are mated. In 1990 Charles Godfray showed exactly how the sex ratio of offspring from meted females should depend on the proportion of females that are unmated. However, Godfray did not consider the host-size effect. In this talk I will show that if daughters benefit more from being produced in large hosts than do sons, then there is a cost of being unmated. I will show how to measure this cost by using a method that I described in 1982 for treating the host-size problem. I will also make some comments about sex ratios in general and about parasitoid sex ratios in particular. Time: Thursday, April 3, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Patrick VanFleet Department of Mathematics Professor and Director Center for Applied Mathematics (CAM) University of St. Thomas St. Paul, Minnesota Abstract: In this talk, we will describe a basic algorithm for performing digital image compression. A digital image can be viewed as a matrix of integer entries ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white) inclusive. One of the steps in an image compression algorithm is to apply a linear transformation to the image matrix in hopes of improving the overall effectiveness of the algorithm. The popular JPEG standard uses the so-called discrete cosine transformation (DCT), but for a variety of reasons, the discrete wavelet transformation replaced the DCT in the revised JPEG2000 standard. We will provide a very elementary introduction to the discrete Haar wavelet transformation and discuss how it affects the compression algorithm. The talk will conclude with a construction of a discrete wavelet transformation used in the JPEG2000 standard. Students who know how to multply matrices will understand the entire talk. Time: Thursday, April 10, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 150 Chemistry Building Professor Yixin Zhu School of Mathematical Science Capital Normal University Beijing, China Abstract: In this talk, I am going to talk about the truth of natural numbers in real life from the point of view of arithmetic operation of numbers. Time: Thursday, April 17, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 150 Chemistry Building Sergeant Nicholas Alexander Patrol Sergeant/Computer Forensics Superior Police Department Abstract: Mathematics can be applied in all walks of life. Many times we take math's role in everyday situations for granted, or simply fail to recognize the application of it. Mathematics plays a significant role in many law enforcement related activities such as speed enforcement, forensic sciences, accident reconstruction, and computer forensics. We will explore how math applies to these situations and how it is valuable in law enforcement. As a result we will see why people with math and science backgrounds have become in more demand in law enforcement employment. Time: Thursday, April 24, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 150 Chemistry Building Sylwia Cichacz Fulbright Junior Scholar AGH University Science and Technology Crocow, Poland Abstract: I would like to talk about a Polish mathematician who founded the important modern mathematical field of functional analysis and made contributions to the theory of topological vector spaces. In addition, he contributed to measure theory, integration, the theory of sets and orthogonal series. In 1935, a large notebook was purchased by Banach's wife and deposited with the head waiter of the "Scottish Cafe," a restaurant frequented by Polish mathematicians like S. Ulam, S. Banach, S. Mazur, H. Steinhaus, and W. Orlicz. In this book they, and occasional visitors like Henri Leon Lebesque and John von Neumann, recorded open problems for any customer to solve. Some of the problems were solved immediately or shortly after they had been posed. A quarter of the problems remain unsolved to this day. A collection of 193 mathematical problems resulted from the meetings at the Scottish Cafe and appeared later on as the "Scottish Book." Time: Thursday, May 1, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 130 Solon Campus Center Speakers: Laura Hoffman: "Reform Versus Traditional Mathematics" Kathleen Malevich: "Are Placement Tests for Mathematics Working?" Matthew Steffen: "Statistical Arbitrage: Developing a Pairs Trading Model" Garrett Taft: "In Search of the Sunniest Day" Shawn Walwick: "Q-Binomial Coefficients" Abstract: Five undergraduate students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics are graduating with honors this year. Students must complete a research project under the supervision of a department faculty member in order to qualify for Departmental Honors. Each student will give a 10-minute presentation about his or her research project. Time: Friday, May 2, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: 120 Solon Campus Center John Kiltinen Professor Emeritus Department of Mathematics Northern Michigan Univeristy Abstract: In this talk I will discuss some puzzle software I have written that was published by the Mathematical Association of America and some of the mathematics needed for understanding them. No background in advanced mathematics required. I will also discuss some easily understood open mathematical questions that the puzzles raise. Time: Thursday, May 6, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: Chemistry Building 251 Sylwia Cichacz UMD Visiting Researcher AGH University of Science and Technology Crocow, Poland Abstract: The European education system is structured differently than the American system. I will use the Polish system as an example to show how it works. For instance, school is mandatory until age 18 and public universities provide free secondary education. I will explain how this affects skill levels at universities. Time: Thursday, May 8, 2008 3:00-3:50 Colloquium Location: Chemistry Building 151 Riitta Schaublin MS Candidate in Applied and Computational Mathematics Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: In defending my Master's research project, I will use optimal control theory to derive the socially efficient allocation of a nonrenewable natural resource given that its demand is altered by the availability of an increasingly less costly renewable substitute. The research was motivated by society's drive to reduce oil consumption and rely on environmentally more sustainable renewable energy reources like ethanol. In developing the models for this energy market, a general overview for measureing social efficiency is provided. Time: Thursday, May 13, 2008 2:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: Solon Campus center 130 Brad Jannsen MS Candidate in Applied and Computational Mathematics Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: Machine learning is the process in which an algorithm improves or "learns" through experience. Machine learning has its roots in artificial intelligence and is a topic that has received increasing attention over the last few years. One method in particular, support vector machines, has become the standard by which other machine learning methods are compared. The idea behind support vector machines is to separate the data in some "optimal" method. In this talk, I will discuss how this optimality is satisfied, introduce required background information along with the underlying theory, and discuss advantages and disadvantages of support vector machines. Time: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 1:00-2:00 Colloquium Location: Solon Campus center 130 Lindsey Dietz MS Candidate in Applied and Computational Mathematics Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: Who has the best chance of winning the World Series this year? There are many who would love to predict the outcome of the Major League Baseball season with some degree of accuracy. A field of study known as sabermetrics, is dedicated to queries like these. Sabermetrics is defined as the analysis of baseball through objective evidence, especially statistics. In this project, sabermetric tools, such as the Pythagorean Expectation, as well as one of the conventional statistical methods, linear regression, are used to help answer the question of success in baseball. Time: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 3:00-4:00 Colloquium Location: Solon Campus center 130 Feng Qian MS Candidate in Applied and Computational Mathematics Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: In this paper, the methods used in the data analysis of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were described. First, the use of a reference gene and how to choose the best reference gene using BestKeeper Software were discussed. Secondly, three methods of testing treatment effects were described: Relative Expression Software Tool(REST), T-Test, and Analysis of Covariane(ANCOVA). These methods were tested using data sets from the University of Minnesota Duluth(UMD) Medical School. ANCOVA method gave the best results among the three methods. Finally, useful recommendations were made to the medical school researchers regarding RT-PCR data analysis. Time: Thursday, July 3, 2008 12:00-1:00 Colloquium Location: Solon Campus center 130 Junyan Shen MS Candidate in Applied and Computational Mathematics Department of Mathematics, UMD Abstract: What is option? Option is a flexible financial product, which can reduce investment risk. Lots of math models are set up to determine the option price, among which the Black-Scholes model is the most famous. In my project, I used the simulation to price the option. As the core of my simulation, wavelet-baseed bootstrap is useful to generate a large number of long memory time series. The method consists of two important statisitcs ideas: wavelet transform and bootstrap. Both methods are studied, and the wavelet-based bootstrap algorithm is established. The simulation performs well in estimating the option price. Time: Saturday, July 5, 2008 1:00-3:00 Colloquium Location: Solon Campus center 130 |
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