AWM at SIAM 2013 Abstracts
Monday, July 8, 2013, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Room: Royal Palm 3
AWM Career Panel – Part I of II
This panel presents women who have careers in the mathematical sciences. You will have an opportunity to hear their career experiences and to ask questions. In particular, there will be open discussion of issues that affect women in mathematics.
- Organizers:
- Hoa Nguyen, Trinity University, USA
- Sigal Gottlieb, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, USA
Adventures at Convergence of the Mathematical and Biological Sciences
Sarah D. Olson, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA
Abstract. Onwards and upwards. In this talk, I will discuss my meandering career path. This will include a discussion of finding the right graduate program on the second try and finding an academic with the right balance in a tough job market. Throughout the journey, experiences and challenges will be highlighted.
Bridge Building 101 – The Impact of Diversity in Scientific Research
Elebeoba May, University of Houston, USA
Abstract not available
Some Lessons I Learned
Anne Gelb, Arizona State University, U.S.
Abstract not available
Unexpected Choices Made Along the Way
Mary Ann Horn, Vanderbilt University, USA and National Science Foundation, USA
Abstract not available
Monday, July 8, 4:00 pm-5:25 pm, Royal Palm 3
AWM Careers Session Part II of II
On the Road to My Career
Karin Leiderman, University of California, Merced, USA
Abstract not available
Your Career Trajectory
Bettye Anne Case, Florida State University, USA
Abstract. What are the types of influences on your career path – and what can you do to stay on your chosen trajectory? Online advice includes: “be proactive, not reactive”. More realistic is: “be both proactive and reactive” depending on the situation. Advancing, improving, developing – and altering: all likely have their place at some time as we blend, or separate, our work and personal lives.
Tuesday, July 9, 10:30 am-12:25 pm, Royal Palm 3
AWM Workshop Minisymposium: Research Talks by Recent Ph.D.s
Thermodynamic Modeling and Numerical Simulation of the Flow of Wormlike Micellar Solutions<
Natalie Germann, L. Pamela Cook, and Antony N. Beris, University of Delaware, USA
Abstract. In this talk, we present a new model for wormlike micellar solutions, a class of viscoelastic fluids. The dynamic aggregation/de-aggregation processes of the surfactant molecules were described using a nonequilibrium extension to the mass-action treatment of chemical reaction kinetics. The model has few parameters and satisfies the principles of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Time-dependent simulations were performed on an inhomogeneous shear flow using a semi-implicit Chebyshev method.
Boundary Feedback Control Designs for the Boussinesq Equations with Application to Control of Energy Efficient Building Systems
Weiwei Hu, University of Southern California, USA
Abstract. Theoretical and numerical results for feedback stabilization of the Boussinesq Equations with finite dimensional boundary controllers are discussed. The problem is motivated by design and control of energy eefficient building systems. In particular, new low energy concepts such as chilled beams and radiant heating lead to problems with Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin type boundary conditions. It is natural to consider control formulations that account for minimizing energy consumption and providing reasonable performance. We discuss a LQR type control problem for this system with Robin/Neumann boundary control inputs and apply the results to a 2D problem to illustrate the ideas and demonstrate the computational algorithms.
Formulation and Simulation of the Force-Based Blended Quasicontinuum Method
Xingjie Li, Brown University, USA
Abstract. The development of consistent and stable atomistic-to-continuum coupling models for multi-dimensional crystalline solids remains a challenge. For example, proving stability of the force-based quasicontinuum (QCF) model remains an open problem. In 1D and 2D, we show that by blending atomistic and Cauchy– Born continuum forces, one obtains positive-definite blended force based quasicontinuum (B-QCF) models. We establish sharp conditions on the required blending width, which is much narrower than the macroscopic regions.
Finite-Temperature Dynamics of Matter-Wave Dark Solitons in Linear and Periodic Potentials
Yannan Shen, University of Minnesota, USA
Abstract. We study matter-wave dark solitons in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates at finite temperatures, under the effect of linear and periodic potentials. Our model, namely a dissipative Gross-Pitaevskii equation, is treated analytically by means of dark soliton perturbation theory, which results in a Newtonian equation of motion for the dark soliton center. For sufficiently small wave numbers of the periodic potential and weak linear potentials, the results are found to be in good agreement with pertinent ones obtained via a Bogoliubov-de Gennes analysis and direct numerical simulations.
Tuesday, July 9, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm, Royal Palm 3
AWM Workshop: Mathematics of Planet Earth (MPE) Research Talks by Recent Ph.D.s
Application of Population Dynamics on Heterotypic Cell Aggregation in Tumor Metastasis
Yanping Ma, Loyola Marymount University, USA
Abstract. This work studied the process of polymorphonuclear neutrophils tethering to the vascular endothelial cells, and subsequential tumor cell emboliformation in a shear flow, an important process of tumor cell extravasation during metastasis. The focus lies in modeling of the process and application of Bayesian framework to the related parameter identification problems. Quantitative agreement was found between numerical predictions and in vitro experiments. The effects of factors, including: intrinsic binding molecule properties, near-wall heterotypic cell concentrations, and cell deformations on the coagulation process, were discussed. Sensitivity analysis has been done, and we concluded that the reaction coefficient along with the critical bond number on the aggregation process should be recommended as the most critical variables.
Uncertainty Quantification for Large-Scale Bayesian Inverse Problems with Application to Ice Sheet Models
Noemi Petra, University of Texas at Austin, USA
Abstract. We address the problem of quantifying uncertainty in the solution of inverse problems governed by Stokes models of ice sheet flows within the framework of Bayesian inference. The posterior probability density is explored using a stochastic Newton MCMC sampling method that employs local Gaussian approximations based on gradients and Hessians (of the log posterior) as proposal densities. The method is applied to quantify uncertainties in the inference of basal boundary conditions for ice sheet models.
Dynamic Model of DNA Structure and Function
Cheryl Sershen, University of Houston, USA
Abstract. Our research has focused on developing a dynamic statistical mechanical model for predicting the mechanical behavior of DNA in an evolving biological environment. We model events like transcription and protein binding. Among the measures calculated are the time-series probability distribution, time-dependent energy of opening and probability of opening for each base pair of the DNA chain. Our dynamic model thus enables a better understanding of mechanisms in the cell and function of DNA in vivo.
Transmission Dynamics of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 in a Cattle Population
Xueying Wang, xueying@math.wsu.edu
Abstract. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important foodborne pathogen with a natural reservoir in the cattle population. To understand the spread and persistence of E. coli O157:H7 infection in cattle so that better infection control strategies can be designed, I proposed a stochastic model for E. coli O157:H7 transmission in cattle. In this work, the Kolmogorov equations that determine the probability distribution and the expectation of the first passage time were rigorously derived in a general setting. As an application of the theoretical results to E. coli O157:H7 infection, I will talk about the extinction and outbreak of infection by solving the Kolmogorov equations associated with statistics of the time to extinction and outbreak. The results provided insight into E. coli O157:H7 transmission and apparent extinction, and suggested ways for controlling the spread of infection in a cattle herd. Specifically, this study highlighted the importance of ambient temperature and sanitation, especially during summer.