Isetl: A programming language for learning mathematics

This paper gives a brief history of the development of an approach to help students learn mathematical concepts at the post-secondary level. The method uses ISETL, a programming language derived from SETL, to implement instruction whose design is based on an emerging theory of learning. Examples are given of uses of this pedagogical strategy in abstract algebra, calculus, and mathematical induction. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A reexamination of the pyrolysis of bis trifluoromethyl peroxide

The literature results for the pyrolysis of bis trifluoromethyl peroxide are reexamined and compared with those for dimethyl peroxide. The thermochemistry yields the result that the π-bond energy in carbonyl fluoride is 96 ± 10 kcal/mol compared to 74 kcal/mol for that in formaldehyde. Thermodynamic additivity contributions are derived for the C? (F)₃(O) and O? (C)(F) groups. Some conclusions are drawn in relation to the oxidation of halogeno methyl radicals and the chemistry of the atmosphere.     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reaction between iodine and monosilane and the bond dissociation energy D(H3Si?H)

The title reaction has been investigated in the temperature range of 494–545 K. During the early stages of reaction the only observed products were silyl iodide and hydrogen iodide. Initial rates were found to obey the rate law over a wide range of initial iodine and monosilane pressures. Secondary reactions, most probably of SiH₃I with I₂, became more important as the reaction progressed. However, provided [SiH₄]₀/[I₂]₀ > 20, these secondary processes had a negligible effect on the kinetics, and an integrated rate expression could be used. These kinetics are consistent with an iodine atom abstraction chain mechanism, and for the step has been deduced. From this the bond dissociation energy D(SiH₃? H) = 378 ± 5 kJ/mol (90 kcal/mol) is obtained. The kinetic and thermochemical implications of this value, especially to the pyrolysis of monosilane, are discussed.     

Macrolactamization of glycosylated peptide thioesters by the thioesterase domain of tyrocidine synthetase

The 35 kDa thioesterase (TE) domain excised from the megadalton tyrocidine synthetase (Tyc Syn) retains autonomous capacity to macrocyclize peptidyl thioesters to D-Phe1-L-Leu10-macrolactams. Since a number of nonribosomal peptides undergo O-glycosylation events during tailoring to gain biological activity, the Tyc Syn TE domain was evaluated for cyclization capacity with glycosylated peptidyl-S-NAC substrates. First, Tyr7 was replaced with Tyr(beta-D-Gal) and Tyr(beta-D-Glc) as well as with Ser-containing beta-linked D-Gal, D-Glc, D-GlcNAc, and D-GlcNH2, and these new analogs were shown to be cyclized with comparable kcat/Km catalytic efficiency. Similarly, Gal- or tetra-O-acetyl-Gal-Ser could also be substituted at residues 5, 6, and 8 in the linear decapeptidyl-S-NAC sequences and cyclized without substantial loss in catalytic efficiency by Tyc Syn TE. The cyclic glycopeptides retained antibiotic activity as membrane perturbants in MIC assays, opening the possibility for library construction of cyclic glycopeptides by enzymatic macrocyclization.     

Boundary element modeling of the external human auditory system

In this paper the response of the external auditory system to acoustical waves of varying frequencies and angles of incidence is computed using a boundary element method. The resonance patterns of both the ear canal and the concha are computed and compared with experimental data. Specialized numerical algorithms are developed that allow for the efficient computation of the eardrum pressures. In contrast to previous results in the literature that consider only the "blocked meatus" configuration, in this work the simulations are conducted on a boundary element mesh that includes both the external head/ear geometry, as well as the ear canal and eardrum. The simulation technology developed in this work is intended to demonstrate the utility of numerical analysis in studying physical phenomena related to the external auditory system. Later work could extend this towards simulating in situ hearing aids, and possibly using the simulations as a tool for optimizing hearing aid technologies for particular individuals.     

Spatial and temporal structure of edge-localized modes

This Letter provides information on the spatial and temporal structure of periodic eruptions observed in magnetically confined laboratory fusion plasmas, called edge-localized modes (ELMs), and highlights similarities with solar eruptions. Taken together, the observations presented in this Letter provide strong evidence for ELMs being associated with a filamentlike structure. These filaments are extended along a field line, are generated on a 100 micros time scale, erupt from the outboard side, and connect back into the plasma. Such structures are predicted by a theoretical model based on the "ballooning" instability, developed for both solar and tokamak applications.