Cognitive abilities,digital games and arithmetic performance enhancement: A study comparing the effects of a math game and paper exercises

Besides entertainment, games have shown to have the potential to impact a broader variety of cognitive abilities. Research has consistently shown that several aspects in cognition such as visual short-memory, multitasking and spatial skills can be enhanced by game play. In a previous study, it was found that playing Monkey Tales, a game aimed at training arithmetic skills, helped second grade pupils to increase their accuracy in mental calculation as compared to paper exercises. In this follow up study we explore whether traditional methods and game training differ in terms of the cognitive processes that both are able to impact. We incorporated standardized measures of working memory and visuo-motor skills. Additionally, the mathematics game was modified and its contents extracted to allow precise comparison between the gaming and paper exercises condition. Thus each single math exercise, type of question (e.g., multiple choice), quantity and order was perfectly matched in the game training and the traditional training conditions. Gains in arithmetical performance, and self-reported measures of enjoyment were also investigated. We found some evidence suggesting that arithmetic performance enhancement induced by game play and paper exercises differ not only in terms of enjoyment but also of working memory capacity improvements.     

Cost-minimization analysis of a working vacation queue with N-policy and server breakdowns

This paper investigates the N-policy M/M/1 queueing system with working vacation and server breakdowns. As soon as the system becomes empty, the server begins a working vacation. The server works at a lower service rate rather than completely stopping service during a vacation period. The server may break down with different breakdown rates during the idle, working vacation, and normal busy periods. It is assumed that service times, vacation times, and repair times are all exponentially distributed. We analyze this queueing model as a quasi-birth–death process. Furthermore, the equilibrium condition of the system is derived for the steady state. Using the matrix-geometric method, we find the matrix-form expressions for the stationary probability distribution of the number of customers in the system and system performance measures. The expected cost function per unit time is constructed to determine the optimal values of the system decision variables, including the threshold N and mean service rates. We employ the particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the optimization problem. Finally, numerical results are provided, and an application example is given to demonstrate the applicability of the queueing model.     

三维施工中SN388炮点表的设置

本文提供了SN388在三维施工中炮点表的几种设置方法，并进行了相应的对比说明，最后给出了改进炮点表设置的有关设想。     

ERCM与数据库设计

本文介绍了一种实用的数据库设计方法，它以实体分析法为理论基础，通过对我们日常使用的表进行聚集和归类，完成数据库的逻辑设计，所设计的数据库满足ＢＮＯＦ范式。同时该方法可操作性较强，本文还介绍了自行设计的ＥＲＣＭ数据库辅助设计工具。     

Life quality index for the estimation of societal willingness-to-pay for safety

The engineering and management of human safety is an important societal objective that includes extensive efforts by governments, both legislative and administrative, to enhance the health and safety of the public. Although the achievement of safety goals depend primarily on individuals and organizations responsible for safety, much support is drawn from expertise in diverse scientific and engineering disciplines. The activities range from structural safety (dams, tunnels, bridges to tall buildings) to safe operation of hazardous industrial installations (energy generation facilities, LNG terminals, petrochemical plants) to transportation systems (airline, rail, car safety) to technologies designed to minimize adverse impacts on the environment. All these activities are crucially concerned with risk: with the likelihood and the probable effects of various measures on life and health. We have developed a unified rationale and a clear basis for effective strategic management of risk across diverse sectors. Safety is an important objective in society but it is not the only one. The allocation of society's resources devoted to safety must be continually appraised in light of competing needs, because there is a limit on the resources that can be expended to extend life. The paper presents the Life Quality Index (LQI) as a tool for the assessment of risk reduction initiatives that would support the public interest and enhance safety and quality of life. The paper provides an intuitive reformulation of the LQI as equivalent to a valid utility function that is consistent with the principles of rational decision analysis. The LQI is further refined to consider the issues of discounting of life years, competing background risks, and population age and mortality distribution. The LQI is applied to quantify the societal willingness-to-pay, which is an acceptable level of public expenditure in exchange for a reduction in the risk of death that results in improved life-quality.     

化学结构式的拓扑描述

化学结构式的拓扑描述,是化学信息计算机化的手段之一。这里系统地建立了一整套的连接表(三类:紧缩连接表、冗余连接表、和连接方阵),用来进行结构式中原子之间连接关系的拓扑描述,对分子结构进行数值化。同时,阐述了连接表唯一化的方法,并介绍了不同类型连接表之间的转换关系和还原为平面结构式图形的绘图程序。     

挖掘机工作装置实验样本长度确定方法及程序系统

本文通过对某液压挖掘机工作装置实验样本长度的研究,详细讨论了样本长度的确定方法,重点分析了趋势曲线拟合法,提出了样本长度精度区间分析的方法,并在处理大量实验数据的基础上,从载荷分布及寿命估算的角度做了实际的验证.编制了应用程序,使样本长度确定至寿命估算整个过程程序化.     

龙开口水电站溢流坝段动力模型破坏试验研究

采用仿真混凝土材料研究了龙开口水电站溢流坝段在不同因素影响下的动力破坏特征,并通过对6个模型试验结果的分析探讨了溢流坝段的动力破坏机理。试验中考虑了坝体-库水的动力相互作用以及横河向地震动对大坝破坏的影响,采用规范谱波和场地谱波两种地震动激励进行模型超载破坏分析。试验结果为工程设计和评价溢流坝段的抗震性能提供依据。     

TRANSFER FUNCTION MODEL ORDER AND PARAMETER ESTIMATION

Abstract. A distributed lag model with a rational transfer function is considered. We have demonstrated that the C -table can be used to determine the orders of the rational transfer function and the Padé table can be used to estimate the parameters of an identifiable transfer function. In case the model is not uniquely identified, the C -table reduces possible competing models to only a few for further examination. Padé approximant gives consistent initial values for possibly more efficient iterative procedures to estimate the coefficients of the identified model. Some asymptotic results on the estimation of the C -table and the Padé table are given. A few examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.     

检测骨架图形特征点的新方法

端点、折点、歧点和交点是骨架图形的重要特点是，提出用快速查表法检测侯选特征点，再进行侯选特征点聚集，用局部结构分析，去除假特征点，判别真特征点的类型，并对折点给以大致的定量描述。实验结果表明，该方法能快速有效地找出骨架图形的特征点，在目标识别、字符识别等应用中起着关键作用。