Nonlinear pedagogy: a constraints-led framework for understanding emergence of game play and movement skills

Team sport competition can be characterized as a complex adaptive system in which concepts from nonlinear dynamics can provide a sound theoretical framework to understand emergent behavior such as movement coordination and decision making in game play. Nonlinear Pedagogy is presented as a methodology for games teaching, capturing how phenomena such as movement variability, self-organization, emergent decision making, and symmetry-breaking occur as a consequence of interactions between agent-agent and agent-environment constraints. Empirical data from studies of basketball free-throw shooting and dribbling are used as task vehicles to exemplify how nonlinear phenomena characterize game play in sport. In this paper we survey the implications of these data for Nonlinear Pedagogy, focusing particularly on the manipulation of constraints in team game settings. The data and theoretical modeling presented in this paper provide a rationale in nonlinear dynamics for the efficacy of a prominent model of game play teaching, Teaching Games for Understanding approach.     

Valence band x-ray emission spectra of compressed germanium

We report measurements of the valence band width in compressed Ge determined from x-ray emission spectra below the Ge K edge. The width of the valence band does not show any pressure dependence in the semiconducting diamond-type structure of Ge below 10 GPa. On the other hand, in the metallic beta-Sn phase above 10 GPa the valence band width increases under compression. Density-functional calculations show an increasing valence band width under compression both in the semiconducting phase (contrary to experiment) and in the metallic beta-Sn phase of Ge (in agreement with observed pressure-induced broadening). The pressure-independent valence band width in the semiconducting phase of Ge appears to require theoretical advances beyond the density-functional theory or the GW approximation.     

On multidimensional discrete-time Beverton–Holt competition models

Following Ackleh et al. (2005), we study the multidimensional discrete-time competitive Beverton–Holt equations with equal interspecific competition coefficients. It is shown that competitive exclusion occurs if only one species has the largest carrying capacity. Otherwise, all the species with the largest carrying capacity coexist. In the former case, the system is globally asymptotically stable. In the latter case, the system has a linear stable manifold.     

Nonexistence of Global Solutions to Nonlinear Stochastic Wave Equations in Mean L p -Norm

This article is concerned with explosive solutions of the initial-boundary problem for a class of nonlinear stochastic wave equations in a domain 𝒟 ? ? ^d . Under appropriate conditions on the initial data, the nonlinear term and the noise intensity, it is proved in Theorem 3.4 that there cannot exist a global solution and the local solution will blow up at a finite time in the mean L ^p  ? norm for p ≥ 1. An example is given to show the application of this theorem.     

Trace Analysis Using Position-Sensitive Detection in Magnetic Sector Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A position-sensitive ion detection system for trace analysis with magnetic sector mass spectrometers is described in detail, with particular application to high temperature mass spectrometry. The detection system consists of two stacked microchannel plates (Chevron assembly) backed by a resistive anode encoder and associated electronics. The range of masses simultaneously detectable is m to 1.2m. For electron impact ionization of silver at an electron energy of 10.5 eV, the sensitivity is 1.6 × 10^?7 Pa, and the mass resolution is 260 at mass 80 (valley 10% of the peak height definition). Additional applications for the detection system are discussed.     

Spherical mean solutions of stochastic wave equation

The paper is concerned with solutions of a multi–dimensional wave equation perturbed by a spatially dependent white noise. A spherical mean representation of the solutions is given. Based on such a representation, the regularity properties of the classical and generalized solutions are

studied.The dependence of the solution regularity on the smoothness of the noise and the spatial dimension is determined.     

Singular Perturbation of Kolmogorov Equation in Gauss–Sobolev Space

Abstract

This article is concerned with the Kolmogorov equation associated to a stochastic partial differential equation with an additive noise depending on a small parameter ε > 0. As ε vanishes, the parabolic equation degenerates into a first-order evolution equation. In a Gauss–Sobolev space setting, we prove that, as ε ↓ 0, the solution of the Cauchy problem for the Kolmogorov equation converges in L ²(μ, H) to that of the reduced evolution equation of first-order, where μ is a reference Gaussian measure on the Hilbert space H.     

Biopolymer-assisted self-assembly of ZnO nanoarchitectures from nanorods

We have investigated three-dimensional (3-D) architectures–microspheres and radial structures–based on biopolymer-assisted self-assembly from one-dimensional ZnO nanorods. The developed method is simple, rapid and cost-effective and can be used for self-assembly of different complex superstructures. A possible model of 3-D architectures self-assembled with biopolymer assistance is presented using minimum energy considerations. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, micro–Raman spectroscopy and cathode luminescence investigations show that the novel 3-D architectures are built from high-purity ZnO nanorods with a wurtzite structure. The resulting radial structures show an intense ultraviolet (UV) cathode luminescence emission suggesting applications as UV light emitting diodes or lasers. Their structural characteristics endow them with a broad area of applications and offer a possibility to be used as fundamental low-dimensional building units. These building units open opportunities for the self-assembly of multifunctional nanostructured systems with applications in bioscience and nanomedicine, electronics and photonics.     

EBC-232 and 323: A Structural Conundrum Necessitating Unification of Five In Silico Prediction and Elucidation Methods

Structurally unique halimanes EBC-232 and EBC-323, isolated from the Australian rainforest plant Croton insularis, proved considerably difficult to elucidate. The two diastereomers, which consist an unusual oxo-6,7-spiro ring system fused to a dihydrofuran, were solved by unification and consultation of five in silico NMR elucidation and prediction methods [i.e., ACDLabs, olefin strain energy (OSE), DP4, DU8+ and TD DFT CD]. Structure elucidation challenges of this nature are prime test case examples for empowering future AI learning in structure elucidation.     

Catalytic Chemosensing Assay for Selective Detection of Methyl Parathion Organophosphate Pesticide

Herein, a catalytic chemosensing assay (CCA), based on a bimetallic complex, [Ru^II(bpy)₂(CN)₂]₂(Cu^II)₂ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine), is described. This complex integrates a task-specific catalyst (Cu^I-catalyst) and a signaling unit ([Ru^II(bpy)₂(CN)₂]) to specifically hydrolyze methyl parathion, a highly toxic organophosphate (OP) pesticide. The bimetallic complex catalyzed the hydrolysis of the phosphate ester to generate o,o-dimethyl thiophosphate (DTP) anion and 4-nitrophenolate. Intrinsically, 4-nitrophenolate absorbed UV/Vis light at λ_max=400 nm, creating the first level of the chemosensing signal. DTP interacted with the original complex to displace the chromophore, [Ru^II(bpy)₂(CN)₂], which was monitored by spectrofluorometry; this was classified as the second level of chemosensing signal. By integrating both spectroscopic and spectrofluorometric signals with a simple AND logic gate, only methyl parathion was able to provide a positive response. Other aromatic and aliphatic OP pesticides (diazinon, fenthion, meviphos, terbufos, and phosalone) and 4-nitrophenyl acetate provided negative responses. Furthermore, owing to the metal-catalyzed hydrolysis of methyl parathion, the CCA system led to the detoxification of the pesticide. The CCA system also demonstrated its catalytic chemosensing properties in the detection of methyl parathion in real samples, including tap water, river water, and underground water.