Raising Standards In Natural History Dioramas: The Background Painting of James Perry Wilson

Abstract James Perry Wilson transformed the subjective methodology of diorama background painting into a more objective practice by replacing an emotional and interpretive model with one based on the science of optics and other supportable references. He also succeeded in creating an overall mood in each of his diorama paintings. This article documents the step by step process of Wilson's methods. Wilson's two methods for documenting the site chosen for the diorama were: a plein air field painting, and panoramic photographs. At the museum, he created a complete scale model of the diorama and its background, accurate in all aspects, though miniature. On the full‐scale diorama background, a charcoal underdrawing preceded the painting. The sky was painted first, next the horizon, then the mid‐range distances, and finally the foreground. Each stage increased in colorvalue contrast and in resolution of detail. Wilson's mastery is most evident in the “tie‐up,” where the painted background meets the three‐dimensional foreground.     

Dynamic mental models in learning science: The importance of constructing derivational linkages among models

We present a theory of learning in science based on students deriving conceptual linkages among multiple models which represent physical phenomena at different levels of abstraction. The models vary in the primitive objects and interactions they incorporate and in the reasoning processes that are used in running them. Students derive linkages among models by running a model (embodied in an interactive computer simulation) and reflecting on its emergent behaviors. The emergent properties they identify in turn become the primitive elements of the more abstract, derived model. We describe and illustrate derivational links among three models for basic electricity: a particle model, an aggregate model, and an algebraic model. We then present results of an instructional experiment in which we compared high school students who were exposed to these model derivations with those who were not. In all other respects, both groups of students received identical instruction. The results demonstrate the importance of enabling students to construct derivational linkages among models, both with respect to their understanding of circuit theory and their ability to solve qualitative and quantitative circuit problems. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 36: 806–836, 1999     

Central suboptimal H∞ filtering for nonlinear polynomial systems with multiplicative noise

This paper presents the central finite-dimensional H_∞ filter for nonlinear polynomial systems with multiplicative noise, that is suboptimal for a given threshold γ with respect to a modified Bolza-Meyer quadratic criterion including the attenuation control term with the opposite sign. In contrast to the previously obtained results, the paper reduces the original H_∞ filtering problem to the corresponding optimal H₂ filtering problem, using the technique proposed in [1]. The paper presents the central suboptimal H_∞ filter for the general case of nonlinear polynomial systems with multiplicative noise, based on the optimal H₂ filter given in [31]. The central suboptimal H_∞ filter is also derived in a closed finite-dimensional form for third (and less) degree polynomial system states. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify performance of the designed central suboptimal filter for nonlinear polynomial systems against the central suboptimal H_∞ filters available for polynomial systems with state-independent noise and the corresponding linearized system.     

Optimal filtering over linear observations with unknown parameters

This paper presents the optimal filtering and parameter identification problem for linear stochastic systems over linear observations with unknown parameters, where the unknown parameters are considered Wiener processes. The original problem is reduced to the filtering problem for an extended state vector that incorporates parameters as additional states. The resulting filtering system is bilinear in state and linear in observations. The obtained optimal filter for the extended state vector also serves as the optimal identifier for the unknown parameters. Performance of the designed optimal state filter and parameter identifier is verified for both, positive and negative, parameter values.     

Children and adults' intuitions of what people can believe

Two preregistered studies tested how 5- to 6-year-olds, 7- to 8-year-olds, and adults judged the possibility of holding alternative beliefs (N = 240, 110 females, U.S. sample, mixed ethnicities, data collected from September 2020 through October 2021). In Study 1, children and adults thought people could not hold different beliefs when their initial beliefs were supported by evidence (but judged they could without this evidential constraint). In Study 2, children and adults thought people could not hold different beliefs when their initial beliefs were moral beliefs (but judged they could without this moral constraint). Young children viewed moral beliefs as more constrained than adults. These results suggest that young children already have sophisticated intuitions of the possibility of holding various beliefs and how certain beliefs are constrained.     

关于单层1T-MoS_2吸附元素汞的密度泛函理论研究（英文）

目的:探索1T-MoS_2(多型结构的二硫化钼)的除汞机制。方法:1.采用密度泛函理论(DFT)分析Hg~0在1T-MoS_2单层上的吸附机理。2.考察1T-MoS_2的不同吸附位置。3.对不同的吸附构型,研究电子吸附前后的变化,从而进一步了解吸附过程。结论:1.化学吸附是Hg原子与1T-MoS_2单层吸附的主导因素。同时,在所有可能的吸附位置中,T_(Mo)(在钼原子上方)的位置是最强烈的吸附构型。2.汞(Hg)原子在1T-MoS_2单层上的吸附受邻近的硫(S)和钼(Mo)原子的影响。3.吸附的汞(Hg)原子在1T-MoS_2的TMo位置上会被氧化,其吸附能为-1.091 eV。4.从局部态密度(PDOS)分析来看,Hg原子和1T-MoS_2表面之间的相互作用是由汞(Hg)原子的d轨道与硫(S)原子的s轨道及钼(Mo)原子的p轨道和d轨道重叠所致。     

The Deep-Time Digital Earth program: data-driven discovery in geosciences

Current barriers hindering data-driven discoveries in deep-time Earth (DE) include: substantial volumes of DE data are not digitized; many DE databases do not adhere to FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles; we lack a systematic knowledge graph for DE; existing DE databases are geographically heterogeneous; a significant fraction of DE data is not in open-access formats; tailored tools are needed. These challenges motivate the Deep-Time Digital Earth (DDE) program initiated by the International Union of Geological Sciences and developed in cooperation with national geological surveys, professional associations, academic institutions and scientists around the world. DDE’s mission is to build on previous research to develop a systematic DE knowledge graph, a FAIR data infrastructure that links existing databases and makes dark data visible, and tailored tools for DE data, which are universally accessible. DDE aims to harmonize DE data, share global geoscience knowledge and facilitate data-driven discovery in the understanding of Earth''s evolution.