2013

University/Organization
University of Wisconsin – Platteville

Title I
Teaching CNC Machine Programming Using Virtual Machines

Synopsis
Presentation will focus on the author’s successful method of teaching CNC lathe and mill programming using virtual machines. Audience will find the presentation useful because most engineering and technology programs face budget and space constraints to keep updating CNC machines in laboratories. Typical programming assignments in the industrial engineering course on manufacturing system design are presented and discussed.

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Title II
Collaborative Learning in General Engineering Courses

Synopsis
Presentation will focus on the author’s teaching experience during past four decades with and without collaborative learning activities in general engineering courses. Author will list and discuss motivation for using collaborative learning activities in introductory level engineering courses. Presentation will conclude with student feedback in two courses.

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University/Organization
DePauw University

Title
On Continued Fractions, Fibonacci Numbers and Electrical Networks

Synopsis

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University/Organization
San José State University

Title
Wannier Functions and 3d Electron Localization of Magnetite

Synopsis
Magnetite (Fe3O4) shows a metal-to-insulator transition at Tv (~123 K) due to the properties of the “extra 3d” (3d*) conduction electrons. Magnetic anomalies observed above Tv suggest that Fe3O4 can be considered a Wigner electron glass. The Wannier states in Fe3O4 indicate a mixture of localized and delocalized electron states.

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University/Organization
Kansas State University

Title
VisiBoole: an Equation-Based Interactive Digital Design Tool

Synopsis
A visual-feedback, interactive, rapid digital design and verification tool (Windows-based program) is presented. The visual feedback consists of a color-coded display of a simulation of a design’s HDL equations. Design verification consists of clicking independent variables on the active display (toggles their value) or TICK (simulates a clock cycle).

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University/Organization
The University of Texas at Dallas

Title I
The Dallas STEM Gateways Collaborative: Initial analysis of course grade data vs. external test scores

Synopsis
The University of Texas at Dallas, Collin College, and Richland College of the Dallas County Community College District have established a joint effort, the NSF-sponsored Dallas STEM Gateways Collaborative, to significantly increase the number of undergraduate students completing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the North Texas region.

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Title II
A Matrix Map Method for Coordinated Undergraduate Curriculum Improvement in Electrical Engineering and Other Programs

Synopsis
Traditionally curriculum improvements are often based on comparisons with similar programs at other universities. In this paper we describe an alternative, generalizable method for coordinating curricula that does not require such comparisons and furthermore allows one to tailor the program to fit the specific needs of the students.

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University/Organization
San José State University

Title
Mathematics for Engineering Education

Synopsis
This paper presents author’s experience in teaching a course of Applied Mechanical Engineering Analysis at both undergraduate and graduate levels in two public universities in the U.S. and Canada. This course synergistically integrate the math that students learned in previous years to solve mechanical engineering problems on rigid body dynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer and mechanical vibrations. Statistics is used to handle quality control of products by mass production. The teaching of the engineering analysis course in his current university covers Junior and Senior year undergraduate students satisfying prerequisite courses in calculus and differential equations, as well as upper division courses of dynamics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. The course covers a 15-week semester and is offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

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University/Organization
Providence College

Title
A Note about Dynamical Systems in Different Frames of Reference

Synopsis
This paper integrates the formulation of dx/dt = f(x) in dynamical systems with Special Relativity, to model 4-dimensional spacetime dynamics realistically, among other things, to observe the limit of the speed of light c.

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University/Organization
Colby College

Title
Fibonacci Sequences and Toeplitz Matrices: Research Opportunities for Undergraduates

Synopsis
Matricial Fibonacci Identities are obtained.

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University/Organization
University of Detroit Mercy

Title
The Evaluation of Similarity Metrics in Collaborative Filtering Recommenders

Synopsis
We evaluate multiple similarity measures in a traditional collaborative filtering process. We also consider combinations of complementary measures, especially in edge cases when one of them falls short, e.g., a user with uniform ratings. We examine prediction accuracy, classification accuracy, confusion statistics, and actual/predicted distribution compatibility to find the best way to quantify vector similarity.

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University/Organization
George Mason University

Title
Oral Reviews: Retaining STEM Majors

Synopsis
Ungraded, voluntary oral reviews have shown statistically significant improvement in students’ understanding, grades and retention in Calculus I and II, the gatekeepers of STEM majors. Students learn to negotiate meaning, confront misconceptions and make mathematical connections. Oral reviews have been successfully used in Mechanical Engineering, Biology, and several university and high school mathematics.

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University/Organization
Scholars Academy and University of Houston-Downtown

Title
Innovative Seminar Course Model for Underrepresented Freshman/New Transfer Undergraduates in Math and Science

Synopsis
The UHD Scholars Academy is an academically competitive scholarship and mentoring program which supports gifted minority and female students, first-time-in-college (FTIC) students, first generation students and transfer students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and computer science (STEM) fields. In part, some of the Scholars Academy student success arises from two seminar courses offered for freshmen (CSP FTIC) and new transfers (CSP Transfers).

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University/Organization
Clayton State University

Title
Interactive Math Demos for Mobile Platforms

Synopsis
Mobile devices, increasingly common in universities and schools, have excellent potential for increasing student engagement during study. This presentation focuses on interactive math demonstrations that are available as web apps and electronic books.

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University/Organization
Santa Clara University

Title
A New Pedagogical Approach for Solid State Electronic Device Education: The Variational Thermodynamic Technique for Modeling the Variational Thermodynamic Technique for Modeling

Synopsis
A new pedagogical approach for solid state electronic device education is presented. We developed and applied a modeling technique to Trench Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (TIGBT). We compare our model results with measured capacitance-voltage characteristics which confirm that our technique is effective in modeling solid state devices.

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University/Organization
San José State University

Title
Maximally Localized Wannier Function of Fe3O4; an Ab Initio Study

Synopsis
Magnetite has many remarkable physics properties are not well understood. Among these are the metal-insulator transition at the Verwey Temperature (123K) and a spin-glass-like transition at 247K. To better understand these properties, we calculate a set of maximally localized Wannier functions. We start from a rst principles DFT+U band structure calculation and then perform a transformation of the Bloch orbitals to obtain maximally localized Wannier functions. We then perform a disentanglement procedure for the t2g orbitals located on the B sublattice which contain the “extra” spin-polarized 3d electrons that are mainlyresponsible for the conducting state of magnetite above TV.

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University/Organization
University of St. Thomas

Title
Cumulative Distance Histograms and their Application to the Identification of Melanoma

Synopsis
This research focuses on using a computer vision technique called “Invariant distance histograms”, to analyze border irregularity in skin lesions. This technique together with statistical methods enables us to compare the border of malignant melanoma samples to the border of common moles and to detect and quantize their difference.

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University/Organization
California State University

Title
Steady-State Viscoelastic Rimming Flow

Synopsis
Solution for Oldroyd-B fluid flow is found.

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University/Organization
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise

Title
Sensitivity Analysis of a Three-Species Non-linear Response Omnivory Model

Synopsis
We investigate how sensitive population densities are to changes in the parameters of a three-species non-linear response omnivory model. By deriving sensitivity equations and solving for the sensitivities, we determined that the predator mortality rate is the most sensitive and biologist should take extra care in collecting predator mortality data.

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University/Organization
University of Victoria

Title
Methodological Biases in Meta-Analytic Techniques: Investigating the Impact of Different Types of Drinker Misclassification Errors on Risk Estimates in Alcohol-Disease Associations

Synopsis
Statistical analyses have linked alcohol consumption to various disease outcomes. Our research explored the potential impact of four commonly encountered drinker misclassification errors on the accuracy of risk estimates in the alcohol-breast cancer relationship. These errors often arise from including former or occasional drinkers in an abstainer reference group when estimating risk.

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University/Organization
University of Detroit Mercy

Title
An Algebraic Connection between Ordinary Least-Square Regression and Regression Through the Origin

Synopsis
Ordinary least-square regression (OLS) or regression through the origin (RTO)? That is the question. This paper tries to establish an algebraic relation of the slopes and R squares between these two models and study the connection between them. One of the results can be used as a pedagogical tool to construct data set with breakdown point.

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