Digital Commons Network^™

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, October 8, 2007, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

Eigenvalue Solvers For Atomistic Simulations Of Electronic Structures With Nemo-3d, Maxim Naumov, Sunhee Lee, Ben Haley, Rajib Rahman, Hoo Ryu, Faisal Saied, Steve Clark, Gerhard Klimeck

Other Nanotechnology Publications

In the atomistic simulation of electronic structures (e.g. quantum dots, Fig. 1), it is imperative to take advantage of the most efficient parallel numerical algorithms. In order to determine the energy levels and corresponding wave functions of interest, we need to find few of the interior eigenvalues of a large sparse standard Hermitian eigenvalue problem. Several algorithms have been devised for such problems, including (P)ARPACK [1], (Block) Lanczos [2] and Tracemin [3]. In this paper, the tradeoffs of these algorithms for the solution of eigenvalue problems arising in Nanoelectronic Modeling tool NEMO-3D [4], [5] will be discussed. The effectiveness of …

A Phenomenological Template Family For Black-Hole Coalescence Waveforms, P. Ajith, S. Babak, Y. Chen, M. Hewitson, B. Krishnan, J. T. Whelan, B. Brügmann, P. Diener, J. Gonzalez, M. Hannam, S. Husa, M. Koppitz, D. Pollney, L. Rezzolla, L. Santamaría, A. M. Sintes, U. Sperhake, J. Thornburg

Faculty Publications

Recent progress in numerical relativity has enabled us to model the non-perturbative merger phase of the binary black-hole coalescence problem. Based on these results, we propose a phenomenological family of waveforms which can model the inspiral, merger and ring-down stages of black-hole coalescence. We also construct a template bank using this family of waveforms and discuss its implementation in the search for signatures of gravitational waves produced by black-hole coalescences in the data of ground-based interferometers. This template bank might enable us to extend the present inspiral searches to higher-mass binary black-hole systems, i.e., systems with total mass greater than …

Reliability Of Krylov Subspace Methods - A Practical Perspective Ii, M. Naumov, M. Manguoglu, C. C. Mikkelsen, Ahmed Sameh

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Adtrees For Sequential Data And N-Gram Counting, Robert Van Dam, Dan A. Ventura

Faculty Publications

We consider the problem of efficiently storing n-gram counts for large n over very large corpora. In such cases, the efficient storage of sufficient statistics can have a dramatic impact on system performance. One popular model for storing such data derived from tabular data sets with many attributes is the ADtree. Here, we adapt the ADtree to benefit from the sequential structure of corpora-type data. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach on a portion of the well-known Wall Street Journal corpus from the Penn Treebank and show that our approach is exponentially more efficient than the naïve approach to …

A Data-Dependent Distance Measure For Transductive Instance-Based Learning, Jared Lundell, Dan A. Ventura

Faculty Publications

We consider learning in a transductive setting using instance-based learning (k-NN) and present a method for constructing a data-dependent distance “metric” using both labeled training data as well as available unlabeled data (that is to be classified by the model). This new data-driven measure of distance is empirically studied in the context of various instance-based models and is shown to reduce error (compared to traditional models) under certain learning conditions. Generalizations and improvements are suggested.

Robust Multi-Modal Biometric Fusion Via Multiple Svms, Jonathan Dinerstein, Sabra Dinerstein, Dan A. Ventura

Faculty Publications

Existing learning-based multi-modal biometric fusion techniques typically employ a single static Support Vector Machine (SVM). This type of fusion improves the accuracy of biometric classification, but it also has serious limitations because it is based on the assumptions that the set of biometric classifiers to be fused is local, static, and complete. We present a novel multi-SVM approach to multi-modal biometric fusion that addresses the limitations of existing fusion techniques and show empirically that our approach retains good classification accuracy even when some of the biometric modalities are unavailable.

An Experimental Technique For The Evaluation Of Strain Dependent Material Properties Of Hard Coatings, Shad A. Reed, Anthony N. Palazotto, William P. Baker

Faculty Publications

A novel vibration experiment consisting of a free-free boundary condition, an electromagnetic excitation source, a vacuum chamber, and a laser vibrometer based surface measurement system has been developed that permits high levels of excitation on highly damped specimens with a minimal amount of unwanted systematic error. While some of the aspects of this experiment are not unique, when combined with a processing technique that accounts for the nonlinearities present in the system, this experiment permits, accurate measurement of strain dependent stiffness and damping properties of hard coatings at high strain levels. This procedure has been demonstrated using a titanium beam …

Outsourcing In U.S. Cities, Ambulances And Elderly Voters, Matthew J. Holian

Working Group on Interlocal Services Cooperation

Many of the largest cities in the United States outsource emergency medical services. This paper develops a political economy model of city service provision. Empirical analysis of emergency ambulances in the 200 largest U.S. cities finds that a number of variables are significant determinants of amblu- ance outsourcing, including the fraction of a city's voters over the age of 65. This finding provides evidence that interest-group politics are important, and suggests a particular shape of the contracting cost curve.

Modeling Optical And Uv Polarization Of Agns I. Imprints Of Individual Scattering Regions, René W. Goosmann, C. Martin Gaskell

C. Martin Gaskell Publications

Context. Spectropolarimetry of AGNs is a powerful tool for studying the structure and kinematics of the inner regions of quasars. Aims. We wish to investigate the effects of various AGN scattering region geometries on the polarized flux. Methods. We introduce a new, publicly available Monte Carlo radiative transfer code, STOKES, which models polarization induced by scattering off free electrons and dust grains. We model a variety of regions in AGNs. Results. We find that the shape of the funnel of the dusty torus has a significant impact on the polarization efficiency. A compact torus with a steep inner surface scatters …

Optimal Propensity Score Stratification, Jessica A. Myers, Thomas A. Louis

Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Biostatistics Working Papers

Stratifying on propensity score in observational studies of treatment is a common technique used to control for bias in treatment assignment; however, there have been few studies of the relative efficiency of the various ways of forming those strata. The standard method is to use the quintiles of propensity score to create subclasses, but this choice is not based on any measure of performance either observed or theoretical. In this paper, we investigate the optimal subclassification of propensity scores for estimating treatment effect with respect to mean squared error of the estimate. We consider the optimal formation of subclasses within …

The Echo: October 5, 2007, Taylor University

2007-2008 (Volume 95)

IT announces campus bandwidth increase – It’s all about the T-shirt – Bayh to speak at graduation – Buffalo Wild Wings buys building in Marion – James Dean festival redefines cool – Calculator training program offers a free TI-84 Plus – CE retreat addresses complacency – Noah’s sub shop sets sail, lands in Marion – Foundations of an open house: coffee and ‘Young Love’ – Healthy DC eating habits – English causes ‘Inferno’ – Oscar gold discovered ‘In the Valley of Elah’ – Regina Spektor concert: minimalism done right – ‘Cavemen’ foils decades of evolution in television – Diagnosis: senioritis …

Eutrophication In Farmington Bay And Its Potential Impacts On Wildlife, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Measurement Of The ΛB Lifetime In The Exclusive Decay ΛB→ J/Ψλ, V. M. Abazov, Kenneth A. Bloom, Gregory R. Snow, D0 Collaboration

Gregory Snow Publications

Λ are identified via the decays J/ψ → μ⁺μ^- and Λ →pπ, we measured the Λ_b lifetime to be 1.218_-0.115^+0.130 (stat) ± 0.042(syst) ps. We also measured the B⁰ lifetime in the decay B⁰ → J/ψ(μ⁺μ^-)K_s²(π⁺π^-) to be τ(B⁰) = 1.501_-0.074^+0.078 (stat) ± 0.050(syst) ps, yielding a lifetime ratio of τ(Λ_b)/τ(B⁰) = 0.811_-0.087^+0.096 (stat) ± 0.034(syst).

Campus Report, Vol. 35, No. 2, University Of Dayton

Campus Report

The publication for faculty and staff of the University of Dayton. Upward Bound grant; Chapel renovation planning; post-Katrina symposium.

Reporter - October 5th 2007, Rit Reporter Staff

University Publications

Letters (p. 06); Dominican Republic (p. 07); Anti-Terrorism (p. 08); Brick Beat (p. 10); Forecast (p. 11); SG Weekly Update (p. 11); Reviews (p. 13); At Your Leisure (p. 15); Our Body (p. 16); Dirty Jobs (p. 18); That's How We Dine (p. 24); Sports Desk (p. 26); Volleyball Coach (p. 28); RIT Rings (p. 30); Views (p. 31)

Nitrogen Inputs To Rhode Island Coastal Salt Ponds - Too Much Of A Good Thing, Scott W. Nixon, Betty A. Buckley

Special Collections (Miscellaneous)

Reviews concerns about increase of nitrogen in Rhode Island salt ponds as a result of human activities.

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes Oct 5, 2007, A-State Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Daily Gamecock, Friday, October 5, 2007, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

October

No abstract provided.

Module 1 - How People Reason - Overview

Module 1: How People Reason

You have probably been puzzled at various times in your teaching career by the thinking strategies that students appear to use to solve problems. It is difficult for most of us to understand that many students do not use reasoning patterns that seem obvious to us. Many students substitute numbers into a formula they remember even though the formulas may not be applicable to the problem at hand. This situation quite naturally leads us to wonder about the reasoning that students utilize when we would employ mental operations such as separating variables, excluding an irrelevant factor, or applying a mathematical …

Flyer News, Vol. 55, No. 9 (Oct. 5, 2007), University Of Dayton

Flyer News

Student-run newspaper of the University of Dayton

Take Pride In America In Southern Nevada: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Covering July 6 – Oct. 5, 2007, Margaret N. Rees

Anti-littering Programs

• Don’t Trash Nevada website traffic remains strong despite no separate marketing.

• Project Manager Douglas Joslin has been assisting the IVP team due to the resignation of Donna Grady.

• A new ad created in cooperation with Republic Services of Southern Nevada appeared in five different View newspapers in July.

• The messaging campaign year two plan is in development and will be ready in November.

• Forty-three people took the anti-litter pledge this quarter, bringing the total number of pledges to 431.

• Planning for the Don’t Trash Nevada exhibit at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum continued …

Upward Bound

News Releases

No abstract provided.

The Hilltop 10-5-2007, Hilltop Staff

The Hilltop: 2000 - 2010

No abstract provided.

Challenges From Alfred Bork: What Has Happened To Computers In Physics Education?, Robert Fuller

Robert G. Fuller Publications

In his 1978 Millikan lecture on Interactive Learning, Alfred Bork discussed eleven different modes of computer use in physics education. This paper converts Bork’s modes into challenges to the computers in physics education community and evaluates our progress since 1978. It concludes with a brief discussion of future challenges.

Can One Book Really Transform Your Career?, Robert Fuller

Robert G. Fuller Publications

Bärbel Inhelder and Jean Piaget. The Growth of Logical Thinking from Childhood to Adolescence An Essay on the Construction of Formal Operational Structures. New York: Basic Books, Inc., Publishers. 1958, ISBN 041521002X, 356 pp, $25.

My recommendation is get your hands on this seminal book (it is probably in a library near you.), read at least the first part of each of the first 14 chapters and try an much of the rest of the book as you can stand. Then set it aside and read To Understand Is To Invent, The Having of Wonderful Ideas (Duckworth) and Children and …

Observer, Central Washington University

Student Newspaper

Student newspaper for Central Washington University for October 4, 2007

R.I.T. News & Events - October 4, 2007, University News Services, Rochester Institute Of Technology

University Publications

Main features of this issue: Funding for research hits record high; New Simone Center promotes innovation; Dominican Republic president visits RIT; RIT students get down and dirty for a good cause; Mystery novel hits close to home; Professor documents ˜Day of Dead rituals; Project explores notion of academic space; Research addresses parks energy conservation issues; New help for deaf students outside of the classroom; Bond heads research services; Saunders College reaches out to start-up ventures; Technology partnership will have profound effect on semiconductor industry; RIT scientists discover rippling gravity waves

The Carroll News- Vol. 84, No. 5, John Carroll University

The Carroll News

No abstract provided.

Um Math Reveals Hidden World Of Tiny Leaf Openings, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.