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.     

打造新时代创新策源地——以湖北科技特派员制度为例

湖北省多年来深入推行科技特派员制度,在全国科技特派员制度推行和科技服务的伟大实践中拼搏奋进,从启动科技特派员地市试点工作,到全面开展科技特派员基层创业行动,从出台深入推行科技特派员制度实施意见,到开展湖北省科技特派员"百县千镇万人"工程实施,围绕产业链布局人才链的科技生态日臻完善.科技特派员个人、团队和法人单位点面结合,工作室与工作站交相辉映,他们立足湖北服务华中片区和秦巴山区,辐射服务全国各地,湖北科技特派员的服务足迹遍布荆楚星辰大地,谱写着新时代湖北科技特派员服务体系的新篇章.     

基于知识图谱的核电设备健康管理知识建模与分析

随着信息技术发展,设备健康数据与知识图谱技术结合为设备健康发展带来新的发展机遇,知识图谱利用其多种特异性优势,使企业系统中积累的海量设备维修数据得到有效整合利用.本文提出基于知识图谱的核电设备健康管理知识建模与分析方法,并根据实体关系模型构建维修知识图谱本体框架,同时基于核电企业实际的维修工单数据,从统计分析和关联分析两方面取得良好的实践效果.研究结果表明,知识图谱能够在设备维修知识的集成上解决传统的数据孤岛问题,同时能基于故障的可视化分析为维修人员和管理人员提供决策和知识支持.     

Controllability of Quantum Systems with SU(1, 1) Dynamical Symmetry

This paper presents sufficient and necessary conditions for the propagator controllability of a class of infinite-dimensional quantum systems with SU(1, 1) dynamical symmetry through the isomorphic mapping to the non-unitary representation of SU(1, 1). The authors prove that the elliptic condition of the total Hamiltonian is both necessary and sufficient for the controllability and strong controllability. The obtained results can be also extended to control systems with SO(2, 1) dynamical symmetry.     

Blockage of the NLRP3 inflammasome by MCC950 improves anti-tumor immune responses in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical innate immune pathway responsible for producing active interleukin (IL)-1β, which is associated with tumor development and immunity. However, the mechanisms regulating the inflammatory microenvironment, tumorigenesis and tumor immunity are unclear. Herein, we show that the NLRP3 inflammasome was over-expressed in human HNSCC tissues and that the IL-1β concentration was increased in the peripheral blood of HNSCC patients. Additionally, elevated NLRP3 inflammasome levels were detected in tumor tissues of Tgfbr1/Pten 2cKO HNSCC mice, and elevated IL-1β levels were detected in the peripheral blood serum, spleen, draining lymph nodes and tumor tissues. Blocking NLRP3 inflammasome activation using MCC950 remarkably reduced IL-1β production in an HNSCC mouse model and reduced the numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Moreover, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation increased the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in HNSCC mice. Notably, the numbers of exhausted PD-1⁺ and Tim3⁺ T cells were significantly reduced. A human HNSCC tissue microarray showed that NLRP3 inflammasome expression was correlated with the expression of CD8 and CD4, the Treg marker Foxp3, the MDSC markers CD11b and CD33, and the TAM markers CD68 and CD163, PD-1 and Tim3. Overall, our results demonstrate that the NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β pathway promotes tumorigenesis in HNSCC and inactivation of this pathway delays tumor growth, accompanied by decreased immunosuppressive cell accumulation and an increased number of effector T cells. Thus, inhibition of the tumor microenvironment through the NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β pathway may provide a novel approach for HNSCC therapy.     

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.     

时标轴上二阶Dirichlet边值问题的弱解（英文）

采用变分方法和临界点理论研究一个时标轴上二阶Dirichlet边值问题弱解的存在性.     

关于二面体群的共轭类长素图

讨论二面体群的结构问题,利用GAP软件给出二面体群D2n的共轭类长素图,并完整给出当n以及n/2分别是奇数和偶数时的共轭类长素图情况.     

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) ...