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.     

Correlation of Electron Beams and Hard X‐ray Emissions in ISTTOK Tokamak

The paper reports on experimental studies of electron beams in the ISTTOK tokamak, those were performed by means of an improved four‐channel detector. The Cherenkov‐type detector measuring head was equipped with four radiators made of two types of alumina‐nitrate (AlN) poly‐crystals: machinable and translucent ones, both of 10 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm in thickness. The movable support that enabled the whole detectors to be placed inside the tokamak vacuum chamber, at chosen positions along the ISTTOK minor radius. Since the electron energy distribution is one of the most important characteristics of tokamak plasmas, the main aim of the study was to perform estimations of an energy spectrum of the recorded electrons. For this purpose the radiators were coated with molybdenum (Mo) layers of different thickness. The technique based on the use of Cherenkov‐type detectors enabled the detection of fast electrons (of energy above 66 keV) and determination of their spatial and temporal characteristics in the ISTTOK experiment. Measurements of hard X‐rays (HXR), which were emitted during ISTTOK discharges, have also been performed. Particular attention was paid to the correlation measurements of HXR pulses with run‐away electron beams. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Topological invariants in the study of a chaotic food chain system

The study of ecological systems has generated deep interest in exploring the complexity of chaotic food chains. The role of chaos in ecosystems is not entirely understood. One approach to have a better comprehension of ecological chaos is by analyzing it in mathematical models of basic food chains. In this article it is considered a classical chaotic food chain model from the literature. We use the theory of symbolic dynamics to study the topological entropy and the parameter space ordering of kneading sequences associated with one-dimensional maps that reproduce significant aspects of the model dynamics. The topological entropy allows us to distinguish different chaotic states in some realistic system parameter region. Another numerical invariant is introduced in order to characterize isentropic dynamics. Studying a set of maps with the same topological entropy, we exhibit numerical results about the relation between the second topological invariant and each of the control parameters in consideration. This work provides an illustration of how our understanding of ecological models can be enhanced by the theory of symbolic dynamics.     

Quantum states transfer between coupled fields

We study the exchange of states in coupled fields along their time evolution. The coupling is described by a quadratic form in terms of annihilation and creation operator in the field Hamiltonian. An analytical approach is employed to describe the time evolution of the field state in Fock's space and the conditions for an arbitrary initial states to be transferred with 100% fidelity is determined. We show that only for initial states C₀|0>+C_N|N>, this situation can occurs. The important |1〉↔|0〉 qubits transfer is a particular case of this transference of number state. The relation between the coupling constant and characteristic field frequencies for complete state transference is also determined.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclohexanes by Hydrogen Borrowing Annulations

Hydrogen borrowing catalysis serves as a powerful alternative to enolate alkylation, enabling the direct coupling of ketones with unactivated alcohols. However, to date, methods that enable control over the absolute stereochemical outcome of such a process have remained elusive. Here we report a catalytic asymmetric method for the synthesis of enantioenriched cyclohexanes from 1,5‐diols via hydrogen borrowing catalysis. This reaction is mediated by the addition of a chiral iridium(I) complex, which is able to impart high levels of enantioselectivity upon the process. A series of enantioenriched cyclohexanes have been prepared and the mode of enantioinduction has been probed by a combination of experimental and DFT studies.     

On the relation between the fractional Brownian motion and the fractional derivatives

The definition and simulation of fractional Brownian motion are considered from the point of view of a set of coherent fractional derivative definitions. To do it, two sets of fractional derivatives are considered: (a) the forward and backward and (b) the central derivatives, together with two representations: generalised difference and integral. It is shown that for these derivatives the corresponding autocorrelation functions have the same representations. The obtained results are used to define a fractional noise and, from it, the fractional Brownian motion. This is studied. The simulation problem is also considered.     

Coherent electrically excited organic semiconductors: coherent or laser emission?

Recent experimental results demonstrating coherent emission from an electrically-excited pulsed dye-doped organic semiconductor interferometric emitter, are discussed from a coherence and a laser perspective. Examination of available results indicates that there is sufficient evidence to classify the reported emission as being equivalent to broadband dye laser radiation. From a practical perspective, however, this is an interferometric organic semiconductor emitter that yields a spatially coherent beam (Δθ≈ 2.53 mrad or 1.1 times the diffraction limit) and an emission linewidth comparable with broadband dye lasers (Δλ≈ 11 nm at half width). Geometrical dimensions, and electrical excitation parameters, for a significantly smaller interferometric organic emitter are suggested. PACS 42.25.Hz; 42.25.Kb; 42.55.Mv; 42.60.Da; 42.60.Jf     

Courtship and agonistic sounds by the cichlid fish Pseudotropheus zebra

Courtship and agonistic interactions in an African cichlid species present a richer diversity of acoustic stimuli than previously reported. Male cichlids, including those from the genus Pseudotropheus (P.), produce low frequency short pulsed sounds during courtship. Sounds emitted by P. zebra males in the early stages of courtship (during quiver) were found to be significantly longer and with a higher number of pulses than sounds produced in later stages. During agonistic intrasexual quiver displays, males produced significantly longer sounds with more pulses than females. Also, male sounds had a shorter duration and pulse period in courtship than in male-male interactions. Taken together, these results show that the acoustic repertoire of this species is larger than what was previously known and emphasize the importance of further research exploiting the role of acoustic stimuli in intra- and interspecific communication in African cichlids.     

Influence of Molar Mass and Concentration on the Thermogelation of Methylcelluloses

In this study, thermogelation of methylcelluloses is investigated in relation to the molar mass and concentration in aqueous medium. A large hysteresis between heating and cooling ramps was observed whatever the conditions. The heating process in particular was studied to analyze the two steps of gelation using rheometry. At low temperature, in the sol state, viscosity depends on the concentration and molar mass. Over 30°C a gel-like behavior was observed including two steps (the second step is a strong gel with phase separation) having storage moduli that are nearly independent of polymer molar mass but are directly related to polymer concentration.