A Comprehensive Evaluation Model for Cumputer Based Educaton

As opportunities to use computers in learning laboratory settings increase,directors will be faced with the problem of assisting faculty to select and evaluate themost appropriate courseware for their needs. This article presents a comprehensiveevaluation model that could be applied for computer based education programs in avariety of arts and sciences areas. The model includes a pre-implementation stage.This stage determines program compatibility, content evaluation and hardwareconsiderations. A second stage considers formative evaluation, continued availabilityof equipment and the recording of time records. Finally, the last phase, summativeevaluation, includes collecting student attitudes, assessing cost effectiveness,determining external influences and finally, suggesting ways of reaching a decision ofworth. The implementation of this model should provide a system where studentscould work with computer programs of a proven quality. Also, learning laboratorydirectors and faculty could show a certain level of accountability towards spendingmoney on computer software or courseware

Algebras, dialgebras, and polynomial identities

This is a survey of some recent developments in the theory of associative and nonassociative dialgebras, with an emphasis on polynomial identities and multilinear operations. We discuss associative, Lie, Jordan, and alternative algebras, and the corresponding dialgebras; the KP algorithm for converting identities for algebras into identities for dialgebras; the BSO algorithm for converting operations in algebras into operations in dialgebras; Lie and Jordan triple systems, and the corresponding disystems; and a noncommutative version of Lie triple systems based on the trilinear operation abc-bca. The paper concludes with a conjecture relating the KP and BSO algorithms, and some suggestions for further research. Most of the original results are joint work with Raul Felipe, Luiz A. Peresi, and Juana Sanchez-Ortega.Comment: 32 page

The precession of eccentric discs in close binaries

We consider the precession rates of eccentric discs in close binaries, and compare theoretical predictions with the results of numerical disc simulations and with observed superhump periods. A simple dynamical model for precession is found to be inadequate. For mass ratios less than approximately 1/4 a linear dynamical model does provide an upper limit for disc precession rates. Theory suggests that pressure forces have a significant retrograde impact upon the precession rate (Lubow 1992). We find that the disc precession rates for three systems with accurately known mass ratios are significantly slower than predicted by the dynamical theory, and we attribute the difference to pressure forces. By assuming that pressure forces of similar magnitude occur in all superhumping systems, we obtain an improved fit to superhump observations.Comment: 6 pages to appear in MNRAS (accepted

Modelling human control behaviour with a Markov-chain switched bank of control laws

A probabilistic model of human control behaviour is described. It assumes that human behaviour can be represented by switching among a number of relatively simple behaviours. The model structure is closely related to the Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) commonly used for speech recognition. An HMM with context-dependent transition functions switching between linear control laws is identified from experimental data. The applicability of the approach is demonstrated in a pitch control task for a simplified helicopter model

Grappling with “Solicitation”: The Need For Statutory Reform in North Carolina after Lawrence v. Texas

Teresa Pope was charged with solicitation of the crime against nature for offering oral sex for money to two undercover police officers.5 Solicitation is an inchoate offense-like attempt or conspiracy-that relies on the criminality of the underlying conduct. 6 Although oral sex by itself cannot be criminalized post-Lawrence, the North Carolina Court of Appeals held in State v. Pope that the charge of solicitation of the crime against nature survived Lawrence by virtue of an exception in that decision allowing criminalization of prostitution. 10 In State v. Richardson, the Supreme Court of North Carolina construed this statute to apply only to vaginal, heterosexual sex.11 Consistent with the canon that criminal laws are to be interpreted narrowly, the court explained that [i]f the legislature wishes to include within [the prostitution statute] other sexual acts, such as cunnilingus, fellatio, masturbation, buggery or sodomy, it should do so with specificity