Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Table Of Contents

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Mac Os X, Ipod, And Iphone Forensic Analysis Dvd Toolkit, Gary C. Kessler

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

Apple's hold on the personal computer marketplace started dwindling on August 12, 1981, the day that the IBM PC was introduced. As an Apple ][+ bigot myself, I refused to touch a PC for some years. But I was also a command line bigot, so when the first Macintosh was introduced in 1983 and hermetically sealed the operating system from users, I did not go out and buy one. In fact, like many of my era, I did eventually end up on the PC side which, ironically, let me do many of the things that my trusty Apple ][+ had …

Reaction To The Reactors, Ted Eisenberg

The Mathematics Enthusiast

1. A comment. I discussed the contents of my paper with colleagues on many different occasions. By their reactions they seem to divide themselves into two camps. One camp takes the stance of: Are you crazy to mention such things in the classroom? We are charged to teach mathematics, and that’s it. Who cares if Einstein never learned to swim? The other camp however takes an opposite stance: Such items are really important for students to know because they help students to think about the lives and times of the men who created the material they are studying; our lessons …

Comments Provoked By "Flaws And Idiosyncrasies In Mathematicians: Food For The Classroom?", Brian Greer

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In mathematics classes, it is appropriate for many reasons to discuss mathematicians as people with lives, personal problems, both influenced by and influencing cultural movements and societal issues. Mathematics is a human activity, and mathematicians are human. Eisenberg's paper raises important and fascinating issues, such as the extent to which intellectual achievements can be kept separate from the personality and actions of their creator (such as Wagner). However, in my reactions, I suggest ways in which I believe the discussion needs to be broadened and refocused.

Values In Mathematics And Science Education: Similarities And Differences, Alan Bishop

The Mathematics Enthusiast

literacy and expertise from their citizens than ever before. At the heart of such demands is the need for greater engagement by students with school mathematics and science. As the OECD/PISA definition of numeracy puts it:

“Mathematical literacy is an individual’s capacity to identify and understand the role that mathematics plays in the world, to make well-founded judgements and to use and engage with mathematics in ways that meet the needs of that individual’s life as a constructive, concerned and reflective citizen”(OECD, 2003)

Values are an inherent part of the educational process at all levels, from the systemic, institutional macro-level, …

Critique On Eisenberg's Article, Renuka Vithal

The Mathematics Enthusiast

I enjoyed reading the article and learned some interesting (and disturbing) information about well known mathematicians that is not so well known. However in its current form it is more appropriate for the popular media rather than as an academic or scholarly article.

Having said that it does raise some serious questions of ethics and values that all mathematics educators should be engaging. The increasingly popular view that mathematics teaching be socially contextualised means that this kind of historical information may be communicated in lecture rooms and classroom with little understanding or awareness of the "hidden curriculum" being enacted.

Doin' The Math: On Meaningful Mathematics-Ethics Connections, Kurt Stemhagen

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this essay mathematics is conceived of as intentional human activity. Since intention implies choice, there are ethical dimensions to making mathematical choices. Embracing these dimensions requires acknowledging the contextual nature of mathematics. First John Dewey’s philosophy of mathematics and a reconsideration of mathematical empiricism are posited as ways to foster a context sensitive understanding of mathematics. Next, I address the ways in which existent conceptions of mathematics—even those which support reform in mathematics education—are insufficient with regard to their ability to recognize its human dimensions. The essay concludes with a distinction between mathematics education that ethically applies existing versions …

The Action Map As A Tool For Assessing Situated Mathematical Problem Solving Performance, Murad Jurdak

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The aim of this paper is to investigate the appropriateness, concurrent and construct validity of action map as a tool for assessing situated problem solving performance. Action map is rooted in activity theory whose stipulations are compatible with situated problem solving. Thirty-one last year secondary students were given three tasks with real –world context. Based on the analysis of the written solutions and interviews, evidence is presented on the appropriateness and validity of action map as an instrument to assess situated problem solving performance.

A Reflection On Mathematical Cognition: How Far Have We Come And Where Are We Going?, Kristin Umland

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Any theory of mathematical cognition and learning must ultimately articulate with our current understanding of how the mind works and with current theories of how knowledge is acquired from both an individual and social perspective. Certainly the human mind is very complex; understanding how it works in general and identifying the components that contribute to “doing mathematics” in particular is no easy task. To understand how the mind does mathematics, we must identify what mathematicians actually do in the context of everyday cognition. Here we discuss some of what is known and about this and point out directions for future …

Relationship Of Some Psychological Variables In Predicting Problem Solving Ability Of In-Service Mathematics Teachers, M. K. Akinsola

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This paper examines some psychological variables in predicting problem solving ability of inservice mathematics teachers. The sample consists of 122 in-service teachers enrolled in degree programme. Five standardized instruments were used to collect the data on teachers’ mathematics anxiety, mathematics teaching efficacy belief, locus of control, study habits and problem solving ability. Multiple regression, Chi-square analysis,and Pearson moment correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. The results show that mathematics anxiety, mathematics teaching efficacy belief, locus of control and study habits all have significant relationships with problem solving ability with mathematics anxiety having the highest and study habits the …

How Is Mathematics Education Philosophy Reflected In The Math Wars?, David M. Davison, Johanna E. Mitchell

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Throughout the duration of what has been termed the “math wars”, many overlygeneralized statements by both sides have detracted from the quest for a solution to the conflict between conceptual and procedural approaches to mathematics study. In terms of philosophies of mathematics education, the absolutist view posits that mathematical knowledge is certain and unchallengeable while the fallibilist view is that mathematical knowledge is never beyond revision and correction. We suggest that the major mathematics education reforms have been absolutist in focus and have not reflected the changing nature of the discipline. Thus we believe that true reform will reflect changing …

Teaching Proof At Ks4, Sue Waring

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Proof is a fundamental component of mathematics and so, in my opinion, it should be part of mathematical education in schools. It is an important link between topics and so can help pupils achieve a deeper understanding of the “wholeness” of mathematics and, moreover, it is vital for able pupils if they are to be inspired by mathematics and given a firm basis for future mathematical studies.

Consecutive Numbers, Steve Humble

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The hidden secrets of our number system can often reveal the magical quality of mathematics. Through the process of discovery and discussion with fellow classmates, the hidden depths of maths takes on new appeal. Consecutive numbers is one such area that gives this excitement.

New And Noteworthy Books From Sense Publishers

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.

Tme Worldwide Daily Circulation [Dec 6-11, 2007]

The Mathematics Enthusiast

No abstract provided.

Rational Approximation Schemes For Solutions Of Abstract Cauchy Problems And Evolution Equations, Patricio Gabriel Jara

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation we study time and space discretization methods for approximating solutions of abstract Cauchy problems and evolution equations in a Banach space setting. Two extensions of the Hille-Phillips functional calculus are developed. The first result is the Hille-Phillips functional calculus for generators of bi-continuous semigroups, and the second is a C-regularized version of the Hille-Phillips functional calculus for generators of C-regularized semigroups. These results are used in order to study time discretization schemes for abstract Cauchy problems associated with generators of bi-continuous semigroups as well as C-regularized semigoups. Stability, convergence results, and error estimates for rational approximation schemes …

A Study Of Rheological And Thermodynamic Properties Of Polymer-Clay Gels And Multilayered Films, Eduard Adrian Stefanescu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The overall objective of the research presented here is to understand the nanoscopic and microscopic structures that exist in dispersions of laponite and montmorillonite in poly(ethylene oxide), (PEO) and to correlate their shear responses with the final structure and properties of multilayered nanocomposite films prepared from these dispersions. These structures were examined as a function of polymer molecular weight, polymer and clay concentrations, and type of clay used to prepare the nanocomposites. A sequence of shear and elongational rheological measurements is used to provide a more complete physical picture on the structure of polymer-clay hydrogels, while a combination of techniques …

Bioanalytical Methods For Studies Of Homocysteine And Novel Cardiovascular Disease Indicators, Arther T. Gates

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the development of analytical methods for studies of CVD biomarkers and related biomolecular indicators. Initially, spectroscopic studies were conducted to investigate the chemical reactivity of homocysteine (Hcy), an independent CVD risk factor and serological biomarker. Consequently, we proposed an alternate theory for in vivo Hcy clearance based on spontaneous pyridoxal tetrahydrothiazine (PT) formation from Hcy and pyridoxal. The validity of PT-assisted Hcy clearance was further evaluated by use of capillary electrophoretic methods, which allowed rapid monitoring of protein oligomerization in PT-protein reaction mixtures. The results of these studies suggest that PT formation is a plausible mechanism for …

Solid-Phase Synthesis Of Asymmetrically Substituted Phthalocyanines, Sultan Sibel Erdem

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are excellent candidates for use as fluorophores for near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescent tagging of biomolecules and as photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents. Synthesis of Pcs with asymmetrical substitution on the periphery is often difficult due to the problems during the purification of the Pc mixtures obtained. The objective of this project is to design and synthesize chemically robust near-IR fluorophores for bioanalytical applications and to develop new synthetic methods for rapid synthesis of the target compounds. A novel synthetic route was developed utilizing a hydrophilic, polyethylene glycol-based (PEG) support with different types of linkers. The Pcs were functionalized with either …

Mechanistic Investigations Of The Trans Excision-Splicing And Trans Insertion-Splicing Reaction, Perry Patrick Dotson Ii

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Group I intron-derived ribozymes are catalytic RNAs that have been engineered to catalyze a variety of different reactions, in addition to the native self-splicing reaction. One such ribozyme, derived from a group I intron of Pneumocystis carinii, can modify RNA transcripts through either the excision or insertion of RNA sequences. These reactions are mediated through the trans excision-splicing (TES) or trans insertionsplicing (TIS) reaction pathways. To increase our current understanding of these reactions, as well as their general applicability, a mechanistic and kinetic framework for the TES reaction was established. Furthermore, additional ribozymes were investigated for their ability to …

Multivariate List Decoding Of Evaluation Codes With A Gröbner Basis Perspective, Philip Busse

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Please download dissertation to view abstract.

Fast Domain Wall Motion In Nanostripes With Out-Of-Plane Fields, Andrew Kunz, Sarah C. Reiff

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

Controlling domain wall motion is important due to the impact on the viability of proposed nanowire devices. One hurdle is slow domain wall speed when driven by fields greater than the Walker field due to nucleation of vortices in the wall. We present simulation results detailing the dynamics of these vortices including the nucleation and subsequent fast ejection of the vortex core leading to fast domain wall speeds. The ejection is due to the reversal of the core moments by an out-of-plane field. The technique can be used to produce domain walls of known orientation, independent of the initial state.

Aluminum-Containing Layered Double Hydroxides: The Thermal, Mechanical, And Fire Properties Of (Nano)Composites Of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate), Charles Manzi-Nshuti, Dongyan Wang, Jeanne Hossenlopp, Charles A. Wilkie

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Hydrotalcite-like anionic clays or layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of the general formula, [M^II_1-xM^III_x(OH)₂]_intra[(CH₂=CH(CH₂)₈COO^-)_x•nH₂O]_inter, with M^III = Al and M^II = Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, have been prepared by the co-precipitation method and used to prepare nanocomposites with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). One goal of this work was to compare the morphology, thermal, fire and mechanical properties with those of the well known PMMA–montmorillonite system. The thermal properties of these systems are greatly …

Reactivity Of (2-Alkenyl-3-Pentene-1,5-Diyl)Iron Complexes: Preparation Of Functionalized Vinylcyclopropanes And Cycloheptadienes, Rajesh K. Pandey, Lizhu Wang, Nathaniel J Wallock, Sergey V. Lindeman, William A. Donaldson

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The reactivity of (2-alkenyl-3-pentene-1,5-diyl)iron complexes toward olefin metathesis, cycloaddition, and mild oxidations (MnO₂ or mCPBA) was examined. Cycloaddition reactions were observed to occur with modest diastereoselectivity (33−63% de). Decomplexation of the (3-pentenediyl) ligand may be accomplished by oxidation with either CAN or alkaline hydrogen peroxide to afford vinylcyclopropanecarboxylates or divinylcyclopropanecarboxylates. Reduction of the latter, followed by Cope rearrangement generates cycloheptadienylmethanols. These studies demonstrate that (2-alkenyl-3-pentene-1,5-diyl)iron complexes can serve as organometallic scaffolds for the preparation of a wide variety of structural motifs containing up to 5 contiguous stereocenters.

Application Of Impedance Spectroscopy To The Study Of Dithiocarbamate Species On Au Surfaces: Effects Of Aqueous Cu²⁺ And Mg²⁺ Ions, Tom Riha

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of dithiocarbamate ligands were formed on the Au surface of an interdigitated electrode (IDE) array by reaction of amines with CS₂ in H₂O/CH₃OH solutions. Impedance spectroscopy was used to probe for the presence of each SAM as they were individually applied to the surface of the IDE by examining differences in collected impedance data after each step of the chemical application sequence. The impedance behavior of the SAM’s were then studied in the presence of aqueous Cu²⁺ and Mg2+ ions. A treated IDE array would, in theory, be able to preferentially …

Adding Simple Simulations To Video Games To Improve Realism, Leonard Kinnaird-Heether

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In this paper a method of enhancing the realism of certain computer game types, particularly First Person Shooter games, is explored by attempting to include intelligent neutral background characters to the game environment. This method also requires that the inclusion of these background characters will not adversely affect the performance of a game by drastically increasing the computational complexity of the game. A simulation was created to show how this can be done using a group of intelligent agents based in a simulated world, and a simplified system of norms designed to influence the agents’ behavior. The agents are designed …

Kinetic, Spectroscopic, And X-Ray Crystallographic Evidence For The Cooperative Mechanism Of The Hydration Of Nitriles Catalyzed By A Tetranuclear Ruthenium-Μ-Oxo-Μ-Hydroxo Complex, Chae S. Yi, Tonya N. Zeczycki, Sergey V. Lindeman

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The tetranuclear ruthenium-oxo-hydroxo-hydride complex {[(PCy₃)(CO)RuH]₄(μ₄-O)(μ₃-OH)(μ₂-OH)} (1) was found to be a highly cooperative catalyst for the nitrile hydration reaction. The cooperative mechanism of the hydration of benzonitrile was established by Hill inhibition kinetics. The treatment of a nitrile substrate with complex 1 led to the catalytically relevant nitrile-coordinated tetraruthenium complex 3. The X-ray structure of the nitrile-coordinated complex 3 showed a considerably “relaxed” tetrameric core structure compared to that of 1. The hydration of para-substituted benzonitriles p-X-C₆H₄CN with an electron-withdrawing …

Chiral Ionic Liquids:  Synthesis, Properties, And Enantiomeric Recognition, Shaofang Yu, Sergey V. Lindeman, Chieu D. Tran

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

We have synthesized a series of structurally novel chiral ionic liquids which have a either chiral cation, chiral anion, or both. Cations are an imidazolium group, while anions are based on a borate ion with spiral structure and chiral substituents. Both (or all) stereoisomeric forms of each compound in the series can be readily synthesized in optically pure form by a simple one-step process from commercially available reagents. In addition to the ease of preparation, most of the chiral ILs in this series are liquid at room temperature with a solid to liquid transformation temperature as low as −70 °C …

Double Carbon−Hydrogen Activation Of 2-Vinylpyridine: Synthesis Of Tri- And Pentanuclear Clusters Containing The Μ-Nc5H4Ch═C Ligand, Kazi A. Azam, Dennis W. Bennett, Mohammad R. Hassan, Daniel T. Haworth, Graeme Hogarth, Shariff E. Kabir, Sergey V. Lindeman, Luca Salassa, Sultana R. Simi, Tasneem Siddiquee

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Reactions of 2-vinylpyridine with the triruthenium complexes [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] and [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-dppm)] leads to a previously unknown double carbon−hydrogen bond activation of the β-carbon of the vinyl group to afford the pentaruthenium and triruthenium complexes [Ru₅(CO)₁₄(μ₄-C₅H₄CH═C)(μ-H)₂] (1) and [Ru₃Cl(CO)₅(μ-CO)(μ-dppm)(μ₃-NC₅H₄CH═C)(μ-H)] (2), respectively. Crystal structures reveal two different forms of bridging of the dimetalated 2-vinylpyridyl ligand, capping a square face in 1 and a triangular face in 2.

Rice Straw Fiber Polymer Composites: Thermal And Mechanical Performance, Fei Yao

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Rice straw fiber can be considered as important potential reinforcing filler for thermoplastic composite because of its lignocellulosic characteristics. It is thus of practical significance to understand and predict the thermal decomposition process of rice straw fibers. A method proposed by Málek, Šesták, and co-workers was used to investigate and model thermal decomposition process of common natural fibers with detailed analysis on rice straw system. Assuming a global model occurring within the entire degradation of natural fibers with consideration of fiber as one pseudo-component, model can be used to describe both isothermal and non-isothermal degradation process of most selected fibers …