Speaker: Bernard Bodmann (University of Huston)

Title: From Quantum-Fuzz to Filters: the Uncertainty-Hedgehog and the Hare

Abstract:

Uncertainty principles are found in numerous situations, ranging
from their origins in optics and quantum mechanics to applications
in digital signal processing. First the general understanding of such
principles is reviewed with a simple example. Then we follow the
development from Heisenberg's idea to a refined uncertainty
inequality in quantum mechanics that is based on a quasi-classical
version of entropy. Finally, we turn to signal processing and illustrate
the challenge of uncertainty principles in the design of sharp filters
for texture detection in multi-dimensional images.


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Speaker: Kbenesh Blayneh (Florida A&M) (cancelled due to colloquium)

Title: Inherent net reproductive number and the impact of dispersion between 
       patches

Abstract:  

Application of a discrete hierarchical model is used to study two types of 
intra-specific competitions. The study focuses on the relation between a key 
parameter describing "the inherent net reproductive number" of each population
and the rates of their dispersions between different habitats in a patchy 
environment. Numerical and analytical results are obtained about the positive 
and the negative effects of dispersion on the local populations.

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Speaker: Maia Martcheva

Title: Competition and coexistence of strains: The Impact of
	       Vaccination

Abstract: We discuss an epidemic model with two strains and vaccination. 
	          We observe strain replacement - increasing vaccination
	          levels lead gradually from dominance of the first strain,
	          through coexistence, to dominance of the second strain.
	          Although this phenomenon has been observed in
	          epidemic models before, in our case it occurs
	          despite that the vaccine provides 100% protection
	          against each of the strains.

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Speaker: Ben Bolker (Zoo, UF)

Title: Models for decomposing endogenous and exogenous spatial ecological 
       processes

Abstract:
   
Spatial patterns in biological communities are driven by both exogenous
processes (environmental templates) and endogenous processes (such as
contagion and aggregation).  Ecologists have long argued over which is
more important, but the answer is clearly "both"; a variety of new
mathematical and statistical models have recently been proposed to
describe the process of pattern formation through spatial interactions of
organisms with each other and with their environment, and these models can
also be used to estimate or decompose the sources of spatial pattern.  I 
will give a brief overview of models of spatial pattern formation in 
ecological communities and then present work in progress that attempts to 
use these models to partition the driving forces behind observed patterns.

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