Confucian and Socratic learning.

Replies to the comments by R. A. R. Gurung (see record 2003-03405-011) and J. Li (see record 2003-03405-012) regarding comments on the article by R. G. Tweed and D. R. Lehman (2001) which stated that a Confucian-Socratic framework provides a structure for analyzing culture-influenced aspects of academic learning. In this article, Tweed and Lehman argued that these ancient exemplars model approaches to learning continue to differentiate students within a modern Canadian postsecondary context. In this reply, Tweed and Lehman advise caution in how Gurung placed their Confucian-Socratic framework within the context of prior theory on education and epistemological development because these models were developed exclusively in the West. Furthermore, Tweed and Lehman believe that Li's argument misinterpreted their article, and that they should of consistently used the term "personal reform" rather than "behavioral reform" in order to communicate the depth of personal change envisioned by Confucius. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Numerical solution for shape optimization of an impactor penetrating into a semi-infinite target

The shape of the impactor with the maximum depth of penetration (DOP) for a given impact velocity is found using a numerical procedure for solving a corresponding non-classical variational problem. It is shown that the optimum shape in a general case is close to a blunt cone. The variation of the optimal shape of the impactor and the dependence of the DOP vs. the initial (impact) velocity and friction coefficient is studied. The analysis is performed also for optimal conical impactors.     

Simulation of the Accelerating Systems of Cyclotrons for Applications

The results of a comparative numerical investigation of three types of resonator systems of a cyclotron for acceleration of negative hydrogen and deuterium ions up to maximum energy 30 and 15 MeV, respectively, are presented. It is shown that a vertical system with two half-wave resonators excited in-phase has the smallest active losses and the smallest differential of the amplitude of the accelerating voltage along the edge of the dees and is effective for accelerating particles at dual working frequencies.     

Kolmogorov's Contributions to the Foundations of Probability

Andrei Nikolaevich Kolmogorov was the foremost contributor to the mathematical and philosophical foundations of probability in the twentieth century, and his thinking on the topic is still potent today. In this article we first review the three stages of Kolmogorov's work on the foundations of probability: (1) his formulation of measure-theoretic probability, 1933; (2) his frequentist theory of probability, 1963; and (3) his algorithmic theory of randomness, 1965–1987. We also discuss another approach to the foundations of probability, based on martingales, which Kolmogorov did not consider.     

The atoms, molecules and fibers of organizations

The increasing demands concerning the modifiability and connectivity of business processes cannot be met adequately anymore by relying on best practices only. There is an urgent need for a reference conceptual framework for studying, modeling, analyzing and designing business processes. The Language–Action Perspective (LAP), in particular Habermas’ theory of Communicative Action offers a sound and rigid foundation for such a framework. In this paper, the DEMO (Demo Engineering Methodology for Organizations)-framework is presented. It builds on the LAP-based theoretical foundation of the DEMO methodology. Several other LAP-based frameworks have been proposed in the past years. They are evaluated in a comparative review with the DEMO-framework. Several shortcomings of these frameworks are revealed and discussed. The practical applicability of the DEMO-framework is demonstrated using a small example.     

Beyond Boundary Objects: Collaborative Reuse in Aircraft Technical Support

Boundary objects are a critical, but understudied, theoretical construct in CSCW. Through a field study of aircraft technical support, we examined the role of boundary objects in the practical achievement of safety by service engineers. Their resolution of repair requests was preserved in the organization’s memory via three compound boundary objects. These crystallizations did not manifest a static interpretation, but instead were continually reinterpreted in light of meta-negotiations. This suggests design implications for organizational memory systems which can more fluidly represent the meta-negotiations surrounding boundary objects.     

Effect of Nontraditional Additives on the Processes of Silicate and Glass Formation

The results of studying the effect of nontraditional additives, namely, metallic aluminum and zinc powders on the process of silicate and glass formation using polythermal and thermogravimetric analysis, are described. The specifics of the glass-melting process for decorative glasses using the nontraditional additives are considered. __________ Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 5, pp. 7 – 10, May, 2005.