Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Leslie Matrices For Logistic Population Modeling, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

Leslie matrices are taught as a method of modeling populations in a discrete-time fashion with more detail in the tracking of age groups within the population. Leslie matrices have limited use in the actual modeling of populations, since when the age groups are summed, it is basically equivalent to discrete-time modeling assuming exponential population growth. The logistic model of population growth is more realistic, since it takes into account a carrying capacity for the environment of the population. This talk will describe an adjustment to the Leslie matrix approach for population modeling that is both takes into account the carrying …

Peaklet Analysis: Software For Spectrum Analysis, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

This is the presentation I was invited to give at the Kentucky Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference, regarding the software that I have developed and worked at commercializing with the help of Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation.

Operation Comics: Making Math Fun, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

This talk gives a background on the Operation Comics series, which integrates mathematics into a comic book storyline, as an example of how creativity is not exclusive to the traditional arts, like music and dance, but is a vital part of math, science, and engineering.

Operation Comics: The Story Continues, Bruce Kessler, Tressa Tullis

Bruce Kessler

This talk was given, with Tressa Tullis as the main presenter and Bruce Kessler as a minor co-presenter, at the 2011 Bridges Conference in Coimbre, Portugal, on the current developments on our Operation Comics project with Cumberland Trace Elementary.

“Drawing” Upon Your Students’ Creativity: Teaching (Your Subject Here) With Comic Books, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

During Spring 2009, Dr. Kessler created and published a comic book series that embedded math content into the story for 4th-6th grade students. The comics were well received in the classrooms at Cumberland Trace Elementary. Dr. Kessler contends that this approach to teaching and learning can be used in any content area, and is useful for engaging students who might not be as interested otherwise. This session will explore ways of utilizing the skills of your students to construct learning comics in your classes, regardless of the funds, technology, and artistic experience at your disposal. The session will include a …

Wavelet-Based Analysis Of Neutron-Induced Photon Spectral Data, Bruce Kessler, Alexander Barzilov, Phillip Womble

Bruce Kessler

Neutron-based methods of non-destructive inter- rogation of objects for the purpose of their characterization are well-established techniques, employed in the field of bulk material analysis, contraband detection, unexploded ordnance, etc. The characteristic gamma rays produced in nuclear reactions initiated by neutrons in the volume of the irradiated object (inelastic neutron scattering, thermal neutron capture, and activation) are used for the elemental identification. In many real-world applications, an automated spectral analysis is needed, and many algorithms are used for that purpose. The Applied Physics Institute at Western Kentucky University has recently started to employ a mathematical spectrum analysis technique based on …

A “Peak” At The Algorithm Behind “Peaklet Analysis” Software, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

In response to a problem posed by faculty at the Applied Physics Institute at Western Kentucky University, the speaker has developed an algorithm for providing an automated analysis of spectrum data for the purpose of determining the elemental composition of the item generating the data. A full, non-provisional patent application has been filed on the idea, and a full marketing campaign has started to license software implementing the algorithm. This presentation will give a brief explanation of the mathematics in use in the algorithm, and will give some examples of the software in action.

A Primer On Chaos And Fractals, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

This is a prelude to a performance of the play "Arcadia" exclusively for the science and math majors of Lipscomb University. One of the main characters of the story is a mathematical genius, and has realized the power and limitations of iterations in generating mathematical models and structures, although she is living in the early 1800's. This talk gives an introduction to the ideas of chaos theory, fractals, and randomness.

An Algorithm For Wavelet–Based Elemental Spectrum Analysis, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

At the previous Approximation Theory XII meeting, I discussed some preliminary work with the Applied Physics Institute at Western Kentucky University in using multiwavelets to provide an objective analysis of gamma-ray spectrum generated from fast neutron bombardment of objects, for the purpose of identifying the elemental composition of the object. The method discussed at the time worked moderately well with the limited amount of data provided, but subsequent use with data sets of different compounds and with different detectors brought to light serious flaws with its implementation.

This talk will illustrate those issues and will address how they have been …

Comic Books That Teach Mathematics, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

During the 2008--2009 academic year, the author embarked on an extremely non-standard curriculum path: developing comic books with embedded mathematics appropriate for 3rd through 6th grade students. With the help of an education professor to measure impact, an elementary-school principal, and talented undergraduate illustrators, this project came to fruition and the comics were implemented in elementary classrooms at Cumberland Trace Elementary in the Warren County School System in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This talk gives the motivation for the idea, introduces the characters, and how the comics integrated the math content into the stories.

Elementary-Level Mathematics Content In Comic Book Format, Bruce Kessler, Janet Tassell, Mary Evans, Cathy Willoughby, Melissa Zimmer

Bruce Kessler

No abstract provided.

Multiwavelets For Quantitative Pattern Matching, Bruce Kessler

Bruce Kessler

This was my presentation in Hawaii that accompanied my paper on pattern matching, published in the conference proceedings.