133,042 research outputs found
Math Search for the Masses: Multimodal Search Interfaces and Appearance-Based Retrieval
We summarize math search engines and search interfaces produced by the
Document and Pattern Recognition Lab in recent years, and in particular the min
math search interface and the Tangent search engine. Source code for both
systems are publicly available. "The Masses" refers to our emphasis on creating
systems for mathematical non-experts, who may be looking to define unfamiliar
notation, or browse documents based on the visual appearance of formulae rather
than their mathematical semantics.Comment: Paper for Invited Talk at 2015 Conference on Intelligent Computer
Mathematics (July, Washington DC
Quantization of the Riemann Zeta-Function and Cosmology
Quantization of the Riemann zeta-function is proposed. We treat the Riemann
zeta-function as a symbol of a pseudodifferential operator and study the
corresponding classical and quantum field theories. This approach is motivated
by the theory of p-adic strings and by recent works on stringy cosmological
models. We show that the Lagrangian for the zeta-function field is equivalent
to the sum of the Klein-Gordon Lagrangians with masses defined by the zeros of
the Riemann zeta-function. Quantization of the mathematics of Fermat-Wiles and
the Langlands program is indicated. The Beilinson conjectures on the values of
L-functions of motives are interpreted as dealing with the cosmological
constant problem. Possible cosmological applications of the zeta-function field
theory are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, corrected typos, references and comments adde
Mathematics for the Masses: Door-to-Door Missionaries of Math and Twelve-Step Recovery Programs
Conversion of strangers, or proselytizing, is a feature of a range of groups for religious, organizational and other aims. In twelve-step recovery programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, belief in a higher power is a requirement for working the steps to recovery. People are encouraged to find a higher power of their own understanding. This paper presents a model for using mathematics as a higher power, and shows how recovery works with mathematics in that role instead of a more traditional higher power such as God. A contemplative definition of math is given along with a description of a three-categoried epistemology: mathematics, science, and the personal. This epistemology is shown to be sufficient to work the Twelve Steps, with mathematics as a higher power. Proselytizing is not required
Statistics of statisticians: Critical mass of statistics and operational research groups in the UK
Using a recently developed model, inspired by mean field theory in
statistical physics, and data from the UK's Research Assessment Exercise, we
analyse the relationship between the quality of statistics and operational
research groups and the quantity researchers in them. Similar to other academic
disciplines, we provide evidence for a linear dependency of quality on quantity
up to an upper critical mass, which is interpreted as the average maximum
number of colleagues with whom a researcher can communicate meaningfully within
a research group. The model also predicts a lower critical mass, which research
groups should strive to achieve to avoid extinction. For statistics and
operational research, the lower critical mass is estimated to be 9 3. The
upper critical mass, beyond which research quality does not significantly
depend on group size, is about twice this value
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