Prospective Teachers\u27 Comprehension Levels of Special Relativity Theory and the Effect of Writing for Learning on Achievement

In the present study, the comprehension levels of special relativity theory in prospective teachers who take the Introduction to Modern Physics lesson in the faculty of education science teaching department and the effect of writing for learning on their achievement is researched. In the research, a control group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental research model was used. Research data were obtained by using open-ended questions prepared by the researcher. The lesson was conducted in the beginning by using the verbal-written explanation method. Then each student in the experimental group wrote a summary which clearly explains the special relativity theory for a high school student within the framework of the writing for learning activity. By contrast, the control group students solved the problems related to the subject in the course book. A total of 73 students (51 female and 22 male) studying at the second grade in the 2011-2012 academic year participated in the study. The research findings showed that the comprehension levels of special relativity theory in prospective teachers were low; the result obtained by the qualitative and quantitative comparison of the post-test results of the experimental and control groups and their achievement percentage in the exam were in favor of the experimental group. Furthermore, 87.2% of the students who wrote down their opinions about the activity of writing for learning understood the special relativity theory; and the activity of writing for learning was effective in learning the special relativity theory

Hybrid Taguchi-Harmony Search Algorithm for Solving Engineering Optimization Problems

Harmony search algorithm have recently gained a lot of attention from the optimization research community. In this paper, an improved harmony search algorithm is introduced to solve engineering optimization problems. To demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach, it is applied to an engineering design and manufacturing optimization problem taken from the literature. The results obtained by the new hybrid harmony search approach for the case studies are compared with a hybrid genetic algorithm, scatter search algorithm, genetic algorithm, feasible direction method and handbook recommendation. The results of case studies show that the proposed optimization approach is highly competitive and that can be considered a viable alternative to solve design and manufacturing optimization problems

Modificirana metoda čvorova u svrhu određivanja prijenosne funkcije linearnih sustava s više izlaza i više ulaza

A generalized method for determination of transfer functions of circuits with multi-inputs multi-outputs is introduced. The paper proposes a systematic and efficient formulation for generating the transfer matrix containing transfer functions, necessary to model these kinds of circuits. The modified nodal analysis, whose application is simpler than the state-space analysis, is used in obtaining the system equations. The method is a matrix-based approach. It is suitable for both symbolic manipulation and numeric processes. Furthermore, the frequency domain analysis is realized using the system model. Application examples are included to illustrate the method.Predstavljena je općenita metoda za određivanje prijenose funkcije sustava s više ulaza i više izlaza. U ovome članku predložena je sistematična i efikasna formulacija za računanje prijenosne matrice koja sadrži prijenosne funkcije, nužne za modeliranje sustava ovakvog tipa. Modificirana metoda čvorova, čija je primjena jednostavnija nego analiza u prostoru stanja, koristi se za određivanje jednadžbi sustava. Predložena metoda temelji se na matričnom računu. Prikladna je za simboličko i numeričko računanje. Nadalje, koristeći model sustava napravljena je i frekvencijska analiza. Također, priloženi su i primjeri radi ilustracije primjene metode

National (Dis)identification and Ethnic and Religious Identity:A Study Among Turkish-Dutch Muslims

National (dis)identification is examined in three studies among Turkish-Dutch Muslim participants. In explaining national (dis)identification, the first study focuses on ethnic identity, the second on ethnic and religious identity, and the third on three dimensions of religious identity. Many participants show low commitment to the nation, and many indicate national disidentification. In addition, there is very strong ethnic and religious identification. Ethnic and Muslim identifications relate negatively to Dutch identification and, in Study 3, to stronger Dutch disidentification. Furthermore, perceived group rejection is associated with increased ethnic minority and religious identification but also with decreased national Dutch identification. In addition, in Studies 1 and 2 the effect of perceived rejection on Dutch identification is (partly) mediated by minority group identification. The findings are discussed in relation to social psychological thinking about group identification, dual identities, and the importance of religion for intergroup relations