Student-Invented Numeration Systems: Pattern-Analysis and Mathematical Understanding

Thirteen fifth graders were given an assignment to invent their own numeration systems, following a unit on bases and a look at early events in the history of numbers. The task presented options that required the students to make decisions (such as whether to use a base, which base to use, design of symbols, etc.), and build a rationale for the elements of their system. Analyses of patterns embedded in their invented systems provided an assessment of student understanding of numeration. The progression of more and less complex thinking related to the student's choice of a base other than 10, consistency of logic throughout the system in words and symbols, rationale for change, and perception of real life examples that would change if the system was adopted. The invention task is presented as another way to make connections.     

Improving the rate of convergence of Newton methods on Banach spaces with a convergence structure and applications

In this note, we use inexact Newton-like methods to find solutions of nonlinear operator equations on Banach spaces with a convergence structure. Our technique involves the introduction of a generalized norm as an operator from a linear space into a partially ordered Banach space. In this way, the metric properties of the examined problem can be analyzed more precisely. Moreover, this approach allows us to derive from the same theorem, on the one hand, semilocal results of Kantorovich-type, and on the other hand, global results based on monotonicity considerations. By imposing very general Lipschitz-like conditions on the operators involved, on the one hand, we cover a wider range of problems, and on the other hand, by choosing our operators appropriately, we can find sharper error bounds on the distances involved than before. Furthermore, we show that special cases of our results reduce to the corresponding ones already in the literature. Finally, several examples are being provided where our results compare favorably with earlier ones.     

Asymptotics of the necessary sample size under small error probabilities

The asymptotics of the necessary sample size is considered in testing close hypotheses when the error probabilities vanish. Proceedings of the XVII Seminar on Stability Problems for Stochastic Models, Kazan, Russia, 1995, Part III.     

Experimental studies of microwave amplification in the ion-focusedregime

Studies of microwave amplification with an in-focused electron beam drawn from an induction injector are reported. A free-electron laser (FEL) operating at 9.4 GHz and employing ion-focusing within the interaction region has achieved power in excess of 30 MW at 9.4 GHz, with a beam energy of 0.8 MeV and current of 0.7 kA. Peak gain is 20 dB/m, with no saturation after 15 wiggler periods. Also reported are the first evolution and detuning data for an ion-channel laser/maser (ICL). Two shortcomings of the prematurely halted ICL studies are poor frequency discrimination and a large axial plasma gradient. Prospects for operation with an upgraded 1.6 MeV accelerator are discussed     

The stress-deformed state of a packet of cylindrical shells taking account of friction

We propose a method of determining the contact pressures between the shells in a packet under the influence of nonlinear internal and constant external pressure. Using the equations of the general moment theory of shells we determine the stress-deformed state of a packet of finite cylindrical shells taking account of frictional forces on the contacting surfaces. One table. Bibliography: 10 titles.Translated fromMatematicheskie Metody i Fiziko-Mekhanicheskie Polya, Issue 30, 1989, pp. 94–98.     

2-Carbethoxymethyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one. 4. Reaction with anilines

In a solution of DMF, 2-carbethoxymethyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one reacts with primarily aromatic amines basically with the formation of the corresponding 2-carbethoxymetlzyl-3-arylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones. Possible mechanisms of these chemical transformations are reported and discussed.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 225–228, February, 1994. Original article submitted June 28, 1993.     

Porphyrins 34. Mass spectrometric study of ethane- and ethylene-bis-porphyrins

The mass spectral behavior of 1, 2-di (mesoetioporphyr inyl-1)- and 1, 2-di (mesooctaethylporphyrlnyl) ethanes and ethylenes, their Cu and Ni complexes, as well as Ni Schiff bases of 1, 2-di (mesooctaethylporphyrinyl)ethane complexes, under ionization by electron impact and bombardment by accelerated atoms, was studied. Peaks of molecular ions, for which the basic decomposition pathways were established on the basis of an analysis of the parent and daughter ions, were observed in the electron impact mass spectra of all these compounds.For Communication 29, see [1].Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 24–29, January, 1994.     

Synthesis,structure, and chemical properties of some N-(3-chloro-2-quinoxalyl)arylsulfonamides

We have developed a method for synthesis of N-(3-clzloro-2-quinoxalyl)sulfonamides by reaction of 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline with substituted arylsufonamides. Based on the IR spectra, we have established that in the solid state, the synthesized compounds exist in the form of amide tautomers. Alkylation of these compounds leads to N-metliyl-N-(3-chloro-2-quinoxalyl)arylsulfonamides. We demonstrate the possibility of nucleophilic substitution of the halogen upon treatment with O- and N-nucleophiles. The use of bifunctional nucleophiles leads to condensed quinoxalines.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 387–392, March, 1994.     

5-[5-R-furfurylidene]-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-diones 5. Nucleophilic replacement of halogen in the furan ring

Halogen in positions 3 and 5 of the furan ring in ftirfurylidenedioxanediones is readily replaced by dithiocarbonate, dithiocarbatnate, dithiophosphate, thiocyanate, and azide anions, and by thiourea, and secondary and tertiary amines. The conformation of the initial halogen derivative is retained in the substitution products.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 327–334, March, 1994.