# Calendar

Dec
8
Fri
Lei Liu’s Master presentation @ Keller Hall 401
Dec 8 @ 1:30 pm – Dec 8 @ 2:15 pm
Jan
12
Fri
Colloquium Paul Terwilliger (U. Wisconsin) @ Keller 401
Jan 12 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Jan
18
Thu
Undergraduate Seminar: Gideon Zamba (U. Iowa) @ Keller 402
Jan 18 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Speaker: Gideon Zamba (U. Iowa)

Title: Recurrence of Subsequent Malignancies following Diagnosis of and Treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma Diagnosis

Abstract: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system and compromises the body’s ability to fight infection. HL typically starts in white blood cells. HL occurs when a specific type of cell, the Reed-Stenberg cell, is present in the host’s system, causing the body’s infection fighting cells to develop a mutation in their DNA. Each year, there are several thousand people in the United States and worldwide who develop HL. Although there are many prognostic factors for HL and post treatment malignancies, it has also been hypothesized that initial treatment after diagnosis may be associated with subsequent new malignancies or death. We explored the association between prognostic factors and subsequent malignancies using the Oncology Registry at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. In this exploration we account for subject random effect through a gamma frailty model for recurrent events, which acts multiplicatively and jointly on both the hazard of new malignancies and the hazard of death. The parameters of the model were iteratively estimated using a penalized marginal likelihood approach. The findings suggest a significant within subject correlation, and a significant treatment effect on both the hazard of recurrence and the hazard of death.

Jan
19
Fri
Colloquium: Elizabeth Gross (San Jose State U.) @ Post 127
Jan 19 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Speaker: Elizabeth Gross (San Jose State U.)

Title: Goodness of fit of statistical network models

Abstract: Exponential random graph models (ERGMs) are families of distributions defined by a set of network statistics and, thus, give rise to interesting graph theoretic questions. Indeed, goodness-of-fit testing for these models can be achieved if we know how to sample uniformly from the space of all graphs with the same network statistics as the observed network. Examples of commonly used network statistics include edge count, degree sequences, k-star counts, and triangle counts. In this talk, we will introduce exponential random graph models, discuss the geometry of these models, and show the role toric ideals play in determining the quality of model fit.

Feb
1
Thu
Colloquium: Leslie Hogben (Iowa State U.) @ Post 127
Feb 1 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Speaker:
Leslie Hogben
Iowa State University and American Institute of Mathematics

Title:
Power domination and zero forcing: Using graphs to model real-world problems

Abstract:
A graph $G = (V, E)$ is a set of vertices $V = {1, dots , n}$ and set of edges $E$ of
two element sets of vertices. A graph can be used to model connections between
vertices, such as airline routes between cities, internet connections, a quantum
system, or an electric power network.
Power domination and zero forcing are related coloring processes on graphs.
We start with a set of vertices colored blue and the rest colored white. We apply
a color change rule to color the white vertices blue. A set of blue vertices that
can color all vertices blue by using the power domination color change rule (or
zero forcing color change rule) is called a power dominating set (or a zero forcing
set). Finding a such set allows us to solve various problems, and a minimum
such set can provide an optimal solution.
In an electric power network, a power dominating set (blue vertices) gives
a set of locations from which monitoring units can observe the entire network.
In a quantum system, a zero forcing set (blue vertices) gives a set of locations
from which the entire system can be controlled.
This talk will describe power domination and zero forcing processes on
graphs and some of their applications.

Feb
2
Fri
Logic seminar
Feb 2 @ 2:30 pm – 3:20 pm

This semester the Logic Seminar continues at a new day and time, Fridays at 2:30 in Keller 314.

For the first meeting this Friday I will (probably) speak about _Skolem polynomials_:

Abstract:
Over 100 years ago Hardy proved that a certain large class of real functions
was linearly ordered by eventual domination. In 1956 Skolem asked
whether the subclass of integer exponential polynomials is *well*-ordered
by the Hardy ordering, and conjectured that its order type
is epsilon_0. (This class is the smallest containing 1, x, and closed
under +, x, and f^g.) In 1973 Ehrenfeucht proved that the class is
well-ordered, and since then there has been some progress on the order
type.

The proof of well-ordering is rather remarkable and very short, and I
will attempt to expose it (which is to say, cover it) in the hour.

David Ross

Feb
9
Fri
Logic seminar: Mushfeq Khan
Feb 9 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Mushfeq Khan will speak on amenability and symbolic dynamics.
As usual the seminar is in Keller 314.

Talk Story with Pavel Guerzhoy
Feb 9 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

A Talk Story in Number Theory.

There is a childish misconception that the occupation of a professional mathematicians
is to operate with very big numbers. That is presumably primarily applicable to those who
do Number Theory. In this talk, I will show that this sometimes may be not too far from truth.

The talk is supposed to be entertaining and is directed to grad students willing to get a rough idea
about what it takes (and what it may give) to choose Number Theory as a research speciality.