Friday, April 23, 2021
3:00 - 4:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 930 1022 9187
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Ryan White, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Florida Institute of Technology
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Title: In-Orbit Object Detection with Computer Vision
Abstract: The proliferation of dysfunctional satellites and space junk in orbit, and the risks they entail, have generated much interest in the use of autonomous chaser satellites for in-orbit missions, such as servicing satellites and capturing space junk. Devising guidance and navigation systems for chaser satellites requires the ability to identify and localize in-orbit objects in real-time with limited local computational resources. This talk focuses on some methods and recent progress on an active project to use computer vision to detect components of satellites, such as solar panels and antennas, in real-time from camera feeds using convolutional neural networks, object detectors, and a new approach to improve their performance under heavy computational constraints.
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Friday, April 16, 2021
3:00 - 4:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 930 1022 9187
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Thomas Marcinkowski, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Florida Institute of Technology
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Title: The Theory and Practice of Assessing Environmental Literacy (EL) in the Context of Environmental Education (EE): A Review of Selected Projects and Papers
Abstract: This presentation will introduce and briefly summarize assessment work in the area of Environmental Literacy (EL) in which Dr. Marcinkowski has been involved over the past 20 years. The first part of this presentation, entitled ‘Background,’ describes conceptual features of EE and EL. The second part, entitled ‘Assessments.’ presents selected findings from the NELA Project in the U.S. and from assessments in other countries, and introduces recent dissertation work undertaken here.
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Friday, April 9, 2021
3:00 - 4:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 930 1022 9187
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William Feldman, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematics
University of Utah
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Title: Interfaces in inhomogeneous media: pinning, hysteresis, and facets
Abstract: I will discuss some models for the shape of liquid droplets on rough solid surfaces. The framework of homogenization theory allows to study the large scale effects of small scale surface roughness, including interesting physical phenomena such as contact line pinning, hysteresis, and formation of facets.
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Friday, March 12, 2021
3:00 - 4:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 930 1022 9187
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Christopher Henderson, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematics
University of Arizona
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Title: Front propogation and nonlocal interations
Abstract: Reaction-diffusion equations arise as models of systems in which spreading and growing forces interact in nontrivial ways, often creating a front (i.e., a moving interface). In many applications it is natural to consider nonlocal interactions, for example, bacteria feel a "pull" towards their neighbors. Mathematically this leads to a number of new features and technical difficulties; in particular, the comparison principle, which states that two initially ordered solutions remain ordered, no longer applies.
After giving an overview of classical results, I will discuss a few examples of nonlocal reaction-diffusion equations, including some where the nonlocality is subtle and nonobvious. The main goal of the talk is to determine how and when the long-range interactions of the nonlocal terms can influence the behavior of the fronts.
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Friday, March 5, 2021
3:00-4:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 974 4116 5152
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Sorin Alexe, Ph.D.
QML Alpha, LLC
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Title: Quantitative Machine Learning for Stock Markets
Abstract: Recently, there is an increased interest in applying Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to the construction of investment strategies. Here we introduce a Quantitative Machine Learning Platform for alpha discovery and strategy construction. There are three research layers that can help researchers finding signals that are hidden in large amounts of data:
- Interactive Desing
- Machine Learning Tools
- Computer Simulations
The platform offers researchers tools for applying supervised and unsupervised Machine Learning techniques to large collection of data describing time-series systems, where uncertainty plays an important role. Modeling with a programming-free GUI allows researchers to focus on discovery of models based on discriminative and generative Machine Learning algorithms and integrate them in complex decision-making tools. A high level of automation is achieved via the definition of a structured search space and investigation of large samples of strategy candidates.
A brief introduction on portfolio construction will be followed by a demo session on alpha design. For those of you who become interested in learning more about quantitative investment and model construction we can provide access to use this platform to investigate new ideas, discover new models and apply hedging techniques to balance the reward to risk ratio.
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Friday, November 20, 2020
3:00-4:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 947 0114 5457
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Antonnette Gibbs, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Florida Institute of Technology
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Title: Socio-Critical Mathematics Modeling and the Role of Mathematics in Society
Abstract: Socio-critical modeling is one of the six modeling perspectives in mathematics education. The socio-critial perspective on mathematical modeling is distinguished by its focus on:
- Critical view of mathematical models and the consequences of these models in society;
- Applying modling to real-life problems (social, political, economic, etc.);
- Empowerment of students and development of reflexive discourse among students.
The soci-critical modeling is constituted in practice through student reglexive discussions during mathematical modeling activities; however, little guidance can be found in the literature on how to design and plan classroom activities that would stimulate such reflexive discussions.
This talk will report findings from a project that examined student reflexive discussions about the role of mathematics in society based on a designed pedagogical tool. The project involves 27 community students' collaborative mathematics modeling activites, and student interation data was analyzed by the Constuctivist Grounded Theory (CGT) approach. The talk will highlight four concepts and an emerging theory from data along with key examples from students discourses. I will close the talk by contextualizing this project in a broader body of work focused on mathematics classroom projects that foster intellectually productive and critial citizens. This talk is based on findings from my dissertation research (Ph.D. advisor: Dr. Joo Young Park, Florida Institute of Technology).
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Friday, November 6, 2020
3:00-4:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 947 0114 5457
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Jian Du, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Florida Institute of Technology
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Title: Permeability, Elasticity, and Platelet Binding Kinetics in Arterial Thrombosis
Abstract: The stability of a platelet thrombus under flow depends strongly on the local hemodynamics and on the thrombus’ structural properties such as porosity, permeability, and elasticity. We develop a two-phase continuum model to investigate the biomechanics of thrombus stability in fluid channels. It is among the few existing models that are capable of explicitly tracking the formation and breaking of interplatelet molecular bonds, which directly determine the viscoelastic property of the thrombus and govern its ability to resist fluid drag. We characterize the stability/fragility of thrombi for various flow speeds, porosities, bond concentrations, and bond types.
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Friday, October 16, 2020
3:00-4:00pm
Zoom Meeting ID: 947 0114 5457
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Stanley Snelson, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Florida Institute of Technology
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Title: Mathematical approaches to kinetic theory: history, recent progress, and open problems
Abstract: Kinetic theory seeks to understand the physical properties of matter by studying statistical averages of its constituent particles. Mathematically, this leads to a differential equation for the particle density function (i.e. the density of particles at time t, location x, and velocity v). This talk will focus on two classical kinetic differential equations: the Boltzmann equation (1872) which models diffuse gases, and the Landau equation (1936) which models plasmas. Despite their long history, these equations have proven difficult to understand mathematically, and the question of global existence vs. breakdown remains open (in the general case) for both equations. I will give an overview of recent progress on these equations, focusing especially on the program of conditional regularity, which gives physically meaningful conditions under which the solution can be extended past a given time. The talk will end with a discussion of some promising directions for future research.
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