Maxwell's role in turning the concept of model into the methodology of modeling

This is a contribution towards a history and philosophy of modeling in its early stages in electromagnetism. In 1873, James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) hinted at the methodology of modeling at the end of his Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism. We focus on Maxwell's impact on physicists who immediately followed him, specifically Oliver Lodge (1851–1940) and George Francis FitzGerald (1851–1901). We begin with the role that the scientific concept of model played in the late nineteenth century, as assessed by Ludwig Boltzmann (1844–1906). We then discuss the role of hypothesis as a methodology, the appeal to (dynamical) illustration, and the way Maxwell applied model and working model in his studies of electromagnetism. We show that for Maxwell these key terms were kept distinct, but Lodge did not maintain these distinctions and, in this regard, FitzGerald followed Lodge. Notwithstanding Lodge's influence, Fitzgerald modified Maxwell's theory based on the mechanical model he designed, thereby implicitly taking the first step towards modeling. This methodology consists in drawing consequences from the (mechanical) model to the (electrodynamic) theory and modifying the latter in light of the functioning of the former. At the core of our argument is the thesis that it was a methodological novelty to move from the concept of model to the methodology of modeling. The introduction of modeling as a new methodology into physics in the late nineteenth century was a major event which deserves proper recognition.     

Little-known and phylogenetically obscure South African estuarine microgastropods (Mollusca: Truncatelloidea) as living animals

Areas of the Knysna estuarine bay in the Western Cape are dominated by three endemic South African truncatelloid microgastropods, temporarily known as ‘Hydrobia’ knysnaensis (Krauss), ‘Assiminea’ capensis (Sowerby) and ‘Assiminea’ globulus Connolly. Although first described 80–170 years ago and present in abundance (up to 100,000 m^?2), they remain surrounded by confusion and still await taxonomic assignment, largely because they appear most atypical members of their groups by virtue of anatomy and/or biogeography and/or habitat. This study contributes in-life perspectives to morphological and phylogenetic analyses known to be on-going. At Knysna, they are syntopic: at least two occurring in >85% and all three in >40% of individual 0.0026 m² samples from their region of dominance. Nevertheless, they tend to greater abundance in divergent microhabitats; ‘A.’ globulus dominating higher tidal levels, and ‘A.’ capensis and ‘Hydrobia’ lower ones; the former especially unvegetated sediment, the latter, if anything, seagrass. Interspecific feeding interactions appear unlikely to be responsible for these patterns, other evidence suggesting that all are maintained below carrying capacity. Field biology of ‘H.’ knysnaensis generally appears equivalent to that of northern-hemisphere intertidal hydrobiids and that of ‘A.’ globulus is typically assimineid, albeit at atypically low shore height. Unlike assimineids, however, ‘A.’ capensis is truly aquatic. The success of these truncatelloids in unusual circumstances may be consequent on the absence from South Africa of other microgastropod groups that fill their niches elsewhere in the southern hemisphere.     

冬枣贮藏效果与相关酶活性的相关研究

以鄂北冬枣为材料,对果实采后低温贮藏过程中相关酶活性与果实硬度进行相关分析、通径分析和灰色关联分析。分析结果表明,各相关酶活性与硬度的相关程度依次为PG、SOD、CAT、PME、POD,与果实硬度的贡献率大小依次为PG、CAT、SOD、PME、POD,与果实硬度的关联度顺序为PME、SOD、PG、CAT、POD。综合分析结果表明,PG活性、CAT活性、SOD活性为果实贮藏过程中主要的酶,在贮藏过程中对果实软化衰老起重要作用。     

非同分布φ混合序列加权和的强极限收敛性

利用φ混合序列矩不等式和截尾的处理方法,研究非同分布φ混合序列加权和强极限收敛性质的问题,得到了若干新结果,推广并改进了独立同分布情形下的相应结果.     

Hom-李三系上的乘积结构和复结构

本文主要从代数角度研究Hom-李三系上的两种几何结构,即积结构、复结构。分别给出了积结构和复结构存在时对应的Hom-李三系的分解。同时,也研究了一些特殊的积结构和复结构。最后,在这两种结构间增加一个兼容条件,得到了复积结构。     

Speeding Up the GVW Algorithm via a Substituting Method

Journal of Systems Science and Complexity - The GVW algorithm is an efficient signature-based algorithm for computing Gröbner bases. In this paper, the authors consider the implementation of...     

大数据环境下的数据分析及应用研究

大数据蕴含着巨大的商业价值和社会价值。针对大数据的分析与应用面临的新挑战,文章重点阐述了文本分析、Web分析、网络分析及移动数据分析等数据分析技术,并从商务智能挖掘、公共安全预警等领域介绍了大数据分析与挖掘的热点应用。     

项目引入法——可普遍采用的研究性学习模式

研究性学习是实施素质教育和创新教育的一种新型教学方式。在工科类课程的教学中 可采用引入一个工程项目,通过项目设计来学习研究新知识,完成教学计划。