Theories of mathematics education: European perspectives, commentaries and viable research directions

We briefly comment on different perspectives on (1) the role of mathematics education theories, (2) the issue of plurality and healthy heterogeneity versus consolidation; (3) underlying inquiry systems or the implicit role of philosophy in theories of mathematics education. This paper also outlines developments within the European research scene on theory usage in mathematics education research, which complement the discussion at the 29th PME research forum in Melbourne.     

New strong interactions: From QCD to LHC

The concept of strong interactions need not be limited to the sector of physics taken by QCD. While this domain is investigated by RHIC, LHC will be able to probe potential new strong interactions simultaneously: Finding the precise mechanism for electroweak symmetry breaking is one of the prime problems of physics. Intricately linked to this point is the question after the true nature or even the existence of the Higgs boson. Here, we present stronly interacting theories providing an explanation for the hierarchy problem and leading to a light composite Higgs boson, favoured by experimental data. Our variation of the standard model is consistent with precision data. We achieve this accordance by using technifermions in a higher representation of their gauge group. Anomaly conditions require at least one extra lepton family for some of the theories whereby they contain a natural dark matter candidate. We can accurately determine the masses of said leptons from experimental data.     

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of S-amino derivatives of O-alkyldithiocarbonic acids

S-Amino derivatives of O-alkyldithiocarbonic acid were prepared by oxidative condensation of certain alkaloids with sodium xanthates. Some of the compounds synthesized exhibit fungicidal activity.     

On Critical Stability of Three Quantum Charges Interacting Through Delta Potentials

We consider three one-dimensional quantum, charged and spinless particles interacting through delta potentials. We derive sufficient conditions which guarantee the existence of at least one bound state.     

A Constraint Programming Approach to Extract the Maximum Number of Non-Overlapping Test Forms

This paper introduces a novel approach for extracting the maximum number of non-overlapping test forms from a large collection of overlapping test sections assembled from a given item bank. The approach involves solving maximum set packing problems (MSPs). A branch-and-bound MSP algorithm is developed along with techniques adapted from constraint programming to estimate lower and upper bounds on the optimal MSP solution. The algorithm is general and can be applied in other applications including combinatorial auctions. The results of computer simulations and experiments with an operational item bank are presented. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Butyltins in california river and lake marina waters

Butyltins were analyzed in waters from California river and lake marinas and were detected at the part per trillion (ppt) level in most locations. The tributyltin:dibutyltin (TBT/DBT) ratios in the fresh waters were similar to those in their saline counterparts indicating like rates of degradation in the two salinity regimes.     

New methods for determining the volumetric flow rate in the column and the retention time of the unretained substance in gas chromatography

New methods for calculating the mean volumetric flow rate of the carrier gas and the retention time of the unretained substance in the column under conditions of gas chromatography were proposed. The methods are based on preliminary isothermal calibrations of the flow rate and holdup time for a packed column. A theoretical substantiation of the methods was given. Procedures of plotting calibration dependences for determining the indicated quantities at a desired temperature were described. The calculation results were compared to experimental data obtained by traditional methods. It was demonstrated that the use of calculation methods substantially simplifies the determination of the specific retention volume over a wide temperature range.