Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

An Agent Based Model Of Tumor Growth And Response To Radiotherapy, Nicole O'Neil

Theses and Dissertations

An agent based model was developed to examine the growth of a tumor in a healthy cell population. Response to radiation and impact of mutation and bystander effects were studied. In the growth model, the cancer cells proliferated outward becoming invasive. The mass of cancer cells developed a necrotic core. Various treatment protocols of radiation were compared. Timing of treatments was critical to the success of therapy. The event of mutation was rare. When mutation occurred, either unsuccessful treatment or re-growth could result. Multiple rounds of radiation potentially led to increased mutation. Low levels of the bystander effect had little …

An Investigation Of Melodic Musical Modeling Using Homogeneous And Non-Homogeneous Markov Chains, Eric Robert Sherman Buenger

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

As an actuarial science student, my observations have a different focus than the other composers. In the industry, actuaries aren't interested in a probability model for its own sake. Rather, they "want to use the model to analyze the ... impact of the events being modeled" [Da]. This analysis focuses equally on the generation of the model as well as the results of the model. While other researchers have investigated many topics in the field of musical generation through mathematical means, no one has yet explored non-homogeneous and homogeneous models simultaneously. This study compares melodic material generated from both homogeneous …

A Comparison Of Van Hiele Levels And Final Exam Grades Of Students At The University Of Southern Mississippi, Cononiah Watson

Honors Theses

This research analyzed students final exam scores in a college mathematics class with geometric components and their van Hiele levels upon entering the class. After the class was completed, each student’s final exam grade was calculated. The researcher used a Spearman correlation to compare the two; the result was a correlation coefficient of 0.742. The researcher then reported that the results of the van Hiele test are a major component in predicting a student’s success in such a class.

A Study Of Women Working In The Actuarial Field, Jillian Emberg

Honors Projects in Mathematics

The goal of this project is to examine how women fit into the actuarial career path and how cultural expectations, biological factors, and personal aspirations affect their experiences in the field. Dramatic changes in the profession have occurred since its emergence in the nineteenth century to become more welcoming to women who choose to enter the profession. However, despite the equalizing demographic shifts of the field, it is still a male-dominated profession. This paper attempts to analyze why some of the changes in the demographics of the field have occurred as well as explain what factors contribute to women’s underrepresentation …

Orderly Ε-Homotopies Of Discrete Chains, Alexander Thomas Happ

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Scientific Notebook At Pace University: Technology For 21st Century Mathematics And Science, Brian Evans, Demos Athanasopoulos

Cornerstone 3 Reports : Interdisciplinary Informatics

No abstract provided.

Essays On Regular Variations In Classical And Free Setup: Randomaly Weighted Sums, Products In Cevm And Free Subexponentiality., Rajat Subhra Hazra Dr.

Doctoral Theses

In this thesis, we shall be focusing on some problems in probability theory involving regularly varying functions. The theory of regular variations has played an important role in probability theory, harmonic analysis, number theory, complex analysis and many more areas of mathematics. For an encyclopedic treatment of the subject, we refer to Bingham et al. (1987). In probability theory, the limiting behavior of the sums of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables is closely related to regular variation. The books by Feller (1971) and Gnedenko and Kolmogorov (1968) give characterizations of random variables in the domains of attraction of …

2012 Sonia Kovalevsky Math For Girls Day Report, Association For Women In Mathematics, Lincoln University Of Missouri, Donna L. Stallings

Math for Girls Day Documents

Report for the 7th Annual Lincoln University Sonia Kovalevsky Math for Girls Day that was held on April 27th, 2012 from 8:00am to 2:00pm on the campus of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO.

Pursuing Analogies Between Differential Equations And Difference Equations, David L. Abrahamson

David L. Abrahamson

The study of ordinary differential equations has long been a staple in mathematics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Recently, instruction in the study of difference equations has widened, primarily due to the expanded role of the digital computer in mathematics. The two topics are inextricably linked at all levels, from elementary techniques through current research questions. Pursuing the analogies between these fields of study can only deepen the understanding of each. In particular, the study of many elementary topics in difference equations, requiring not even the use of calculus, can serve as a founda- tion for intuition and …

Multiple Periodic Solutions For A Nonlinear Suspension Bridge Equation, Lisa Humphreys, P. Mckenna

Lisa D Humphreys

We investigate nonlinear oscillations in a fourth-order partial differential equation which models a suspension bridge. Previous work establishes multiple periodic solutions when a parameter exceeds a certain eigenvalue. In this paper, we use Leray Schauder degree theory to prove that if the parameter is increased further, beyond a second eigenvalue, then additional solutions are created.

When A Mechanical Model Goes Nonlinear, Lisa D. Humphreys, P. J. Mckenna

Lisa D Humphreys

This paper had its origin in a curious discovery by the first author in research performed with an undergraduate student. The following odd fact was noticed: when a mechanical model of a suspension bridge (linear near equilibrium but allowed to slacken at large distance in one direction) is shaken with a low-frequency periodic force, several different periodic responses can result, many with high-frequency components.

Circular Units Of Function Fields, Frederick Harrop

Frederick F Harrop

A unit index-class number formula is proved for subfields of cyclotomic function fields in analogy with similar results for subfields of cyclotomic number fields.

Are Nfl Athletes Receiving Over-Valued Contracts?, Jason Scott

Honors Projects in Mathematics

Many sport research studies have been conducted that examine the performance of professional athletes and their corresponding effect on franchise winning percentages, team revenues, economic repercussions, performance-based compensation, and much more. Research in the National Football League, however, has been found to be somewhat limited due to the numerous possible positions and resulting vastness of position-specific variables. The NFL lockout in 2011 caused many to question the specific relationship between professional athlete performance and salary distribution. This study’s purpose was to find a collection of variables with which all NFL athletes could be compared, and to identify relationships existing between …

Cost Of Winning: What Contributing Factors Play The Most Significant Roles In Increasing The Winning Percentage Of A Major League Baseball Team?, Patrick Tartaro

Honors Projects in Finance

Over the past decade, discussions of competition disparity in Major League Baseball have been brought to the forefront of many debates regarding the sport. The belief that "large market" teams such as the New York Yankees buy their championships through acquiring star talent at high prices has become a common belief of many followers of the game. This research will answer the pressing question, "What are the most significant factors that correlate to a Major League Baseball Team’s winning percentage?”. I used stepwise regression to identify factors significantly related to winning percentage. Interestingly enough, payroll is not a significant factor …

Logo Programming (Part 1) - A Creative And Fun Way To Learn Mathematics And Problem-Solving, Abhay B. Joshi, Sandesh R. Gaikwad

Abhay B Joshi

Programming means tapping into the computerʹs immense power by talking with it directly. Through programming, children use the computerʹs terrific power to draw graphics, design animation, solve mathematical or word puzzles, and even build robots. This idea was first proposed in the famous book ʺMindstormsʺ by Seymour Papert and has subsequently been appreciated and praised by educators and parents all over the world.

Through programming, students discover that the computer is a powerful and flexible tool. Using interesting ideas embedded in programming environments, students solve problems in their favorite subjects, and also develop interest in ʺdifficultʺ subjects like Math and …

Logo Programming (Part 2) - A Creative And Fun Way To Learn Mathematics And Problem-Solving, Abhay B. Joshi, Sandesh R. Gaikwad

Abhay B Joshi

Programming means tapping into the computerʹs immense power by talking with it directly. Through programming, children use the computerʹs terrific power to draw graphics, design animation, solve mathematical or word puzzles, and even build robots. This idea was first proposed in the famous book ʺMindstormsʺ by Seymour Papert and has subsequently been appreciated and praised by educators and parents all over the world.

Through programming, students discover that the computer is a powerful and flexible tool. Using interesting ideas embedded in programming environments, students solve problems in their favorite subjects, and also develop interest in ʺdifficultʺ subjects like Math and …

Book Review: Philosophy Of Science After Feminism By Janet Kourany, Gizem Karaali

Pomona Faculty Publications and Research

Janet Kourany’s book is a strange one: published by Oxford University Press (as a part of its Studies in Feminist Philosophy series), it is an academically oriented book, but reading it, you sense that this is not yet another theoretical monograph. For Kourany has her ax to grind, and more importantly she has a program to promote. The program is for philosophers of science and is motivated and encouraged by the amazing work done in the past few decades by feminist scientists and feminist scholars of science, technology, and society. In the following I will try to explain why I …

Prove It!, Kenny W. Moran

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

A dialogue between a mathematics professor, Frank, and his daughter, Sarah, a mathematical savant with a powerful mathematical intuition. Sarah's intuition allows her to stumble into some famous theorems from number theory, but her lack of academic mathematical background makes it difficult for her to understand Frank's insistence on the value of proof and formality.

Some Aspects Of Toric Topology., Soumen Sarkar Dr.

Doctoral Theses

The main goal of this thesis is to study the topology of torus actions on manifolds and orbifolds. In algebraic geometry actions of the torus (C * ) n on algebraic varieties with nice properties produce bridges between geometry and combinatorics see [Dan78], [Oda88] and [Ful93]. We see a similar bridge called moment map for Hamiltonian action of compact torus on symplectic manifolds see [Aud91] and [Gui94]. In particular whenever the manifold is compact the image of moment map is a simple polytope, the orbit space of the action. A topological counterpart called quasitoric manifolds, a class of topological manifolds …

Computer Aided Geometric Design, Thomas W. Sederberg

Faculty Publications

This semester is the twenty-fourth time I have taught a course at Brigham Young University titled, "Computer Aided Geometric Design." When I first taught such a course in 1983, the field was young enough that no textbook covered everything that I wanted to teach, and so these notes evolved. The field now has matured to the point that several semesters worth of valuable material could be compiled. These notes, admittedly biased towards my own interests, reflect my personal preferences as to which of that material is most beneficial to students in an introductory course. I welcome anyone who has an …

Parts Of The Whole: Learn More, Learn Better, Dorothy Wallace

Numeracy

Building on previous columns in Numeracy, this column analyzes various teaching techniques in terms of their ability to build cognitive schema, extend existing schema, reinforce learning, move mean understanding of a group of students, and reduce variance in understanding of a group. We offer a pedagogical cycle as an example of how to address multiple learning goals using common teaching methods.

Incorporating Quantitative Reasoning In Common Core Courses: Mathematics For The Ghost Map, John R. Jungck

Numeracy

How can mathematics be integrated into multi-section interdisciplinary courses to enhance thematic understandings and shared common readings? As an example, four forms of quantitative reasoning are used to understand and critique one such common reading: Steven Berlin Johnson’s "The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic - and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World" (Riverhead Books, 2006). Geometry, statistics, modeling, and networks are featured in this essay as the means of depicting, understanding, elaborating, and critiquing the public health issues raised in Johnson’s book. Specific pedagogical examples and resources are included to illustrate applications and …

If Only Math Majors Could Write..., Bernard L. Madison

Numeracy

This text of the opening plenary address to the 2011 Summit of the Appalachian College Association and the meeting of the National Numeracy Network makes an argument that quantitative reasoning and writing should be taught together. The argument is set up by noting that humanists have historically banished quantitative issues from their study of the liberal arts and that science, engineering, and mathematics education suffers from lack of approaches to learning that promote complex, deeper understanding, most notably integrative and reflective learning. Therefore, everyone would profit from combining writing and quantitative reasoning. Five more specific reasons are discussed, drawing evidence …

The Joy Of Quantitative Reasoning, Caren Diefenderfer

Numeracy

One of the advantages of focusing on quantitative reasoning is that it spans a wide variety of topics. As incoming president of the National Numeracy Network, I would like to take the opportunity of this editorial to tell my story of intellectual reward from finding common purpose in quantitative reasoning with colleagues from disciplines outside of mathematics. The story starts with an NSF-funded faculty development project (DUE-9952807) to further a QR across-the-curriculum program and the finding from that program that merging authentic context with mathematics brings interaction and collaboration. That joy in learning from and working with colleagues in other …

Improving Student Learning In Undergraduate Mathematics, Gabrielle Rejniak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to investigate ways of improving student learning, par- ticularly conceptual understanding, in undergraduate mathematics courses. This study focused on two areas: course design and animation. The methods of study were the following: Assessing the improvement of student conceptual understanding as a result of team project-based learning, individual inquiry-based learning and the modi ed empo- rium model; and Assessing the impact of animated videos on student learning with the emphasis on concepts. For the first part of our study (impact of course design on student conceptual understanding) we began by comparing the following three groups …

Delay-Periodic Solutions And Their Stability Using Averaging In Delay-Differential Equations, With Applications, Thomas W. Carr, Richard Haberman, Thomas Erneux

Mathematics Research

Using the method of averaging we analyze periodic solutions to delay-differential equations, where the period is near to the value of the delay time (or a fraction thereof). The difference between the period and the delay time defines the small parameter used in the perturbation method. This allows us to consider problems with arbitrarily size delay times or of the delay term itself. We present a general theory and then apply the method to a specific model that has application in disease dynamics and lasers.

Adventures In Teaching: A Professor Goes To High School To Learn About Teaching Math, Darryl H. Yong

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

During the 2009–2010 academic year I did something unusual for a university mathematician on sabbatical: I taught high school mathematics in a large urban school district. This might not be so strange except that my school does not have a teacher preparation program and only graduates a few students per year who intend to be teachers. Why did I do this? I, like many of you, am deeply concerned about mathematics education and I wanted to see what a typical high school in my city is like. Because I regularly work with high school mathematics teachers, I wanted to experience …

Determining Impact: Using Formative Evaluation In A Professional Development Program For Teachers Of Mathematics And Science, Tiah B. Alphonso

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a professional development (PD) program for middle and high school teachers of mathematics and science which is funded by a $5 million National Science Foundation grant. The evaluation was internal and formative in nature and took place in two separate phases. The focus of the evaluation was not only on program improvement but also to extend the body of existing knowledge in the area of teacher professional development. Both the needs of project stakeholders and the findings of previous research in the areas of professional development and program evaluation were drawn on …

Mathematical Analysis Of The Problems Faced By The People With Disabilities (Pwds), Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy, A. Praveen Prakash

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

The authors in this book have analyzed the socio-economic and psychological problems faced by People with Disabilities (PWDs) and their families. The study was made by collecting data using both fuzzy linguistic questionnaire / by interviews in case they are not literates from 2,15,811 lakhs people. This data was collected using the five Non Government Organizations (NGOs) from northern Tamil Nadu. Now any reader would be interested to know whether the Tamils (natives of Tamil Nadu) had ever spoken about people with disability. Even before 2000 years tamils had heroic poetry Purananuru (28th poem) about the war fare methods. In …

Boundary Values In Range Spaces Of Co-Analytic Truncated Toeplitz Operator, William T. Ross, Andreas Hartmann

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Functions in backward shift invariant subspaces have nice analytic continuation properties outside the spectrum of the inner function defining the space. Inside the spectrum of the inner function, Ahern and Clark showed that under some distribution condition on the zeros and the singular measure of the inner function, it is possible to obtain non-tangential boundary values of every function in the backward shift invariant subspace as well as for their derivatives up to a certain order. Here we will investigate, at least when the inner function is a Blaschke product, the non-tangential boundary values of the functions of the backward …