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.     

2017—2019 年北京地区实验动物质量抽检结果分析

摘要:目的 比对分析 2017—2019 年北京地区实验动物微生物及遗传质量监测结果,为实验动物产业发展提供参考。 方法 按照国家和地方现行实验动物检测标准,对北京地区实验动物生产单位进行抽检,并发布检测报告。按照报告数据,对此阶段小鼠、大鼠、豚鼠、地鼠、兔、犬、猴和小型猪共 8 个品种的实验动物按照品种、等级、单位等进行分类,分析质量问题,并与 2014—2016 年同期实验动物质量比对,分析变化趋势。 结果 2017—2019 年分别抽检动物 144、131 和 135 批次,检出不合格批次分别为 30、15 和 17 批。 不合格主要因素为兔、犬及猪免疫不达标(20 批) ,病原感染 20 批,未发现遗传变异。 与 2014—2016 年同期相比,未检出遗传问题相同,免疫不达标状况好转,但病原感染出现上升。 结论 通过质量分析比对,能够为实验动物产业健康发展提供数据支持。     

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.     

Geochemistry of Clayey Aquitard Pore Water as Archive of Paleo-Environment,Western Bohai Bay

The record of paleo-environment in clayey aquitard pore water is much more effective relative to aquifer groundwater owing to the low permeability of clayey aquitard. Oxygen-18 (18O), deuterium (D), an...     

A Layer-Stripping Method for 3D Near-Surface Velocity Model Building Using Seismic First-Arrival Times

In order to improve the efficiency of 3D near-surface velocity model building, we develop a layer-stripping method using seismic first-arrival times. The velocity model within a Common Mid-Point (CMP) ...     

Methods for backcasting,nowcasting and forecasting using factor‐MIDAS: With an application to Korean GDP

We utilize mixed‐frequency factor‐MIDAS models for the purpose of carrying out backcasting, nowcasting, and forecasting experiments using real‐time data. We also introduce a new real‐time Korean GDP dataset, which is the focus of our experiments. The methodology that we utilize involves first estimating common latent factors (i.e., diffusion indices) from 190 monthly macroeconomic and financial series using various estimation strategies. These factors are then included, along with standard variables measured at multiple different frequencies, in various factor‐MIDAS prediction models. Our key empirical findings as follows. (i) When using real‐time data, factor‐MIDAS prediction models outperform various linear benchmark models. Interestingly, the “MSFE‐best” MIDAS models contain no autoregressive (AR) lag terms when backcasting and nowcasting. AR terms only begin to play a role in “true” forecasting contexts. (ii) Models that utilize only one or two factors are “MSFE‐best” at all forecasting horizons, but not at any backcasting and nowcasting horizons. In these latter contexts, much more heavily parametrized models with many factors are preferred. (iii) Real‐time data are crucial for forecasting Korean gross domestic product, and the use of “first available” versus “most recent” data “strongly” affects model selection and performance. (iv) Recursively estimated models are almost always “MSFE‐best,” and models estimated using autoregressive interpolation dominate those estimated using other interpolation methods. (v) Factors estimated using recursive principal component estimation methods have more predictive content than those estimated using a variety of other (more sophisticated) approaches. This result is particularly prevalent for our “MSFE‐best” factor‐MIDAS models, across virtually all forecast horizons, estimation schemes, and data vintages that are analyzed.     

基于小波变换的雷达目标回波信号提取算法

随着雷达技术的快速发展,低信噪比(signal-to-noise ratio, SNR)条件下的雷达目标信号提取越来越重要。传统的脉冲压缩算法在低SNR条件下作用不明显。提出了一种新的在低SNR条件下的雷达目标回波信号提取算法。该算法在传统脉冲压缩算法的基础之上,采用小波变换对脉冲压缩后的信号进行分解,提取信号高频信息的小波系数。再用改进的小波变换模极大值算法对信号的高频信息进行去噪,然后重构信号的高频信息,最后再重构完整的雷达目标回波信号。仿真结果表明,该算法能够有效地去除噪声,提取出雷达目标的回波信号,相比于脉冲压缩算法及其他算法性能得到了很大的提升。     

女大学生排球选修课教学之我见

本文依据大学生生理、心理的阶段特征，通过变换组织教法以及增强学生主体、教师主导的双边作用，分析排球课的项目特点。使技能学习和人格发展相结合，培养身心健康发展的大学生。