Beginners’ progress in early arithmetic in the Swedish compulsory school

This article focuses on spontaneous knowledge-building in the field of “the arithmetic of the child.” The aim is to investigate the conceptual progress of fifteen children during their early school years in the compulsory school. The study is based on the epistemology of radical constructivism and the methodology of “multiple clinical interviews”. A model of “the arithmetic of the child” elucidates mental structures used by the child in solving problems. The individual interviews are video-recorded. The results show that the children's solutions are compatible with the model. When the researcher adapts problems to the children's available concepts to bring out their capability, they all solve them in their own ways. Further, the conceptual levels of the children differ to a great extent at school start and do not all show conceptual progress after 2 years of traditional teaching. An implication for an alternative teaching process is suggested, namely “the arithmetic for the child”, accomplished in a triadic teaching process.     

群桩作用机理的数值试验研究

 在分析桩土支撑体系及其相互作用关系的基础上，利用有限元分析软件ANSYS建立了群桩 体系计算模型. 通过对均质土体例题计算结果分析，可以看出利用该建模方法与传统解答有 很好的一致性. 根据辽宁工程技术大学实验馆场地土实测资料，利用该建模方法，求解出了承台与桩的 荷载分担比，对安全、经济地进行群桩基础设计具有重要指导作用和应用价值.     

Quantification of endocrine disruptors and pesticides in water by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation using weighted linear regression schemes

A multi-residue methodology based on a solid phase extraction followed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed for trace analysis of 32 compounds in water matrices, including estrogens and several pesticides from different chemical families, some of them with endocrine disrupting properties. Matrix standard calibration solutions were prepared by adding known amounts of the analytes to a residue-free sample to compensate matrix-induced chromatographic response enhancement observed for certain pesticides. Validation was done mainly according to the International Conference on Harmonisation recommendations, as well as some European and American validation guidelines with specifications for pesticides analysis and/or GC–MS methodology. As the assumption of homoscedasticity was not met for analytical data, weighted least squares linear regression procedure was applied as a simple and effective way to counteract the greater influence of the greater concentrations on the fitted regression line, improving accuracy at the lower end of the calibration curve. The method was considered validated for 31 compounds after consistent evaluation of the key analytical parameters: specificity, linearity, limit of detection and quantification, range, precision, accuracy, extraction efficiency, stability and robustness.     

Third order residual distribution schemes for the Navier–Stokes equations

We construct a third order multidimensional upwind residual distribution scheme for the system of the Navier–Stokes equations. The underlying approximation is obtained using standard P² Lagrange finite elements. To discretise the inviscid component of the equations, each element is divided in sub-elements over which we compute a high order residual defined as the integral of the inviscid fluxes on the boundary of the sub-element. The residuals are distributed to the nodes of each sub-element in a multi-dimensional upwind way. To obtain a discretisation of the viscous terms consistent with this multi-dimensional upwind approach, we make use of a Petrov–Galerkin analogy. The analogy allows to find a family of test functions which can be used to obtain a weak approximation of the viscous terms. The performance of this high-order method is tested on flows with high and low Reynolds number.     

Numerical modeling of transient two-dimensional viscoelastic waves

This paper deals with the numerical modeling of transient mechanical waves in linear viscoelastic solids. Dissipation mechanisms are described using the generalized Zener model. No time convolutions are required thanks to the introduction of memory variables that satisfy local-in-time differential equations. By appropriately choosing the relaxation parameters, it is possible to accurately describe a large range of materials, such as solids with constant quality factors. The evolution equations satisfied by the velocity, the stress, and the memory variables are written in the form of a first-order system of PDEs with a source term. This system is solved by splitting it into two parts: the propagative part is discretized explicitly, using a fourth-order ADER scheme on a Cartesian grid, and the diffusive part is then solved exactly. Jump conditions along the interfaces are discretized by applying an immersed interface method. Numerical experiments of wave propagation in viscoelastic and fluid media show the efficiency of this numerical modeling for dealing with challenging problems, such as multiple scattering configurations.     

An adaptive reservation scheme for optical network

In this paper, the various Optical Burst Switching (OBS) reservation schemes have been examined in order to reduce data loss caused by either channel scheduling or resources. A novel multi-service OBS edge node with synchronized bandwidth reservation mechanism (SRM) has been proposed, which enables high-speed network transport nodes to dynamically reserve bandwidth needed for active data burst flows. The performance of the proposed mechanism is evaluated by means of NS-2 simulation. The results show that the packet delay is kept within the constraint for each traffic flow and the performance metrics such as burst loss rate, throughput and fairness are remarkably improved.     

Structural behaviour of fibre metal laminates subjected to a low velocity impact

Structural impact tests were first presented to cover typical fibre metal laminates (FMLs) subjected a low velocity projectile impact,which produced the corresponding load-displacement traces and deformation/failure modes for the validation of numerical models.Finite element (FE) models were then developed to simulate the impact behaviour of FMLs tested.The aluminium (alloy grade 2024-0) layer was modelled as an isotropic elasto-plastic material up to the on-set of post failure stage,followed by shear failu...     

Effective potential in curved space and cut-off regularizations

We consider derivation of the effective potential for a scalar field in curved space-time within the physical regularization scheme, using two sorts of covariant cut-off regularizations. The first one is based on the local momentum representation and Riemann normal coordinates and the second is operatorial regularization, based on the Fock-Schwinger-DeWitt proper-time representation. We show, on the example of a self-interacting scalar field, that these two methods produce equal results for divergences, but the first one gives more detailed information about the finite part. Furthermore, we calculate the contribution from a massive fermion loop and discuss renormalization group equations and their interpretation for the multi-mass theories.     

Exploring the mechanisms of renoprotection against progressive glomerulosclerosis

In this review, I introduce the strategy developed by our laboratory to explore the mechanisms of renoprotection against progressive glomerulosclerosis leading to renal death. First, I describe the experimental rat model in which disturbances of vascular regeneration and glomerular hemodynamics lead to irreversible glomerulosclerosis. Second, I discuss the possible mechanisms determining the progression of glomerulosclerosis and introduce a new imaging system based on intravital confocal laser scanning microscopy. Third, I provide an in-depth review of the regulatory glomerular hemodynamics at the cellular and molecular levels while focusing on the pivotal role of Ca(2+)-dependent gap junctional intercellular communication in coordinating the behavior of mesangial cells. Last, I show that local delivery of renoprotective agents, in combination with diagnostic imaging of the renal microvasculature, allows the evaluation of the therapeutic effects of angiotensin II receptor and cyclooxygenase activity local blockade on the progression of glomerulosclerosis, which would otherwise lead to renal death.     

COMPACT DIFFERENCE SCHEMES FOR THE DIFFUSION AND SCHRODINGER EQUATIONS. APPROXIMATION,STABILITY, CONVERGENCE,EFFECTIVENESS, MONOTONY

Various compact difference schemes （both old and new, explicit and implicit, one-level and two-level）, which approximate the diffusion equation and SchrSdinger equation with periodical boundary conditions are constructed by means of the general approach. The results of numerical experiments for various initial data and right hand side are presented. We evaluate the real order of their convergence, as well as their stability, effectiveness, and various kinds of monotony. The optimal Courant number depends on the number of grid knots and on the smoothness of solutions. The competition of various schemes should be organized for the fixed number of arithmetic operations, which are necessary for numerical integration of a given Cauchy problem. This approach to the construction of compact schemes can be developed for numerical solution of various problems of mathematical physics.