Development of a Learning Progression Assessment Tool for Electrostatics Utilizing the Rasch Model

The Learning Progression (LP) model has gained significant attention in science education due to its successful integration of students' cognitive development with scientific concepts. This study aims to address the challenges of delivering the electrostatic field topic in physics education at the tertiary level, where students often find it abstract and challenging to grasp. To create a tailored electrostatic LP model suitable for this educational level, appropriate teaching tools were developed. The Electrostatic Field Test (EFT) was devised and subjected to validation using Rasch models. The validation results affirm the EFT's reliability and validity

A new First-Order mixture integer-valued threshold autoregressive process based on binomial thinning and negative binomial thinning

In this paper, we introduce a new first-order mixture integer-valued threshold autoregressive process, based on the binomial and negative binomial thinning operators. Basic probabilistic and statistical properties of this model are discussed. Conditional least squares (CLS) and conditional maximum likelihood (CML) estimators are derived and the asymptotic properties of the estimators are established. The inference for the threshold parameter is obtained based on the CLS and CML score functions. Moreover, the Wald test is applied to detect the existence of the piecewise structure. Simulation studies are considered, along with an application: the number of criminal mischief incidents in the Pittsburgh dataset.Comment: 34 pages;5 figure

Punishment Effect of Prisoner Dilemma Game Based on a New Evolution Strategy Rule

We discuss the effect of the punishment in the prisoner’s dilemma game. We propose a new evolution strategy rule which can reflect the external factor for both players in the evolution game. In general, if the punishment exists, the D (defection-defection) structure (i.e., both of the two players choose D-D strategy) which is the Nash equilibrium for the game can keep stable and never let the cooperation emerge. However, if a new evolution strategy rule is adopted, we can find that the D-D structure can not keep stable and it will decrease during the game from the simulations. In fact, the punishment mainly affects the C-D (cooperation-defection) structure in the network. After the fraction of the C-D structure achieved some levels, the punishment can keep the C-D structure stable and prevent it from transforming into C-C (cooperation-cooperation) structure. Moreover, in light of the stability of structure and the payoff of the individual gains, it can be found that the probability which is related to the payoff can affect the result of the evolution game

Modeling and Model Predictive Power and Rate Control of Wireless Communication Networks

A novel power and rate control system model for wireless communication networks is presented, which includes uncertainties, input constraints, and time-varying delays in both state and control input. A robust delay-dependent model predictive power and rate control method is proposed, and the state feedback control law is obtained by solving an optimization problem that is derived by using linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques. Simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method

Printing surface charge as a new paradigm to program droplet transport

Directed, long-range and self-propelled transport of droplets on solid surfaces, especially on water repellent surfaces, is crucial for many applications from water harvesting to bio-analytical devices. One appealing strategy to achieve the preferential transport is to passively control the surface wetting gradients, topological or chemical, to break the asymmetric contact line and overcome the resistance force. Despite extensive progress, the directional droplet transport is limited to small transport velocity and short transport distance due to the fundamental trade-off: rapid transport of droplet demands a large wetting gradient, whereas long-range transport necessitates a relatively small wetting gradient. Here, we report a radically new strategy that resolves the bottleneck through the creation of an unexplored gradient in surface charge density (SCD). By leveraging on a facile droplet printing on superamphiphobic surfaces as well as the fundamental understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the creation of the preferential SCD, we demonstrate the self-propulsion of droplets with a record-high velocity over an ultra-long distance without the need for additional energy input. Such a Leidenfrost-like droplet transport, manifested at ambient condition, is also genetic, which can occur on a variety of substrates such as flexible and vertically placed surfaces. Moreover, distinct from conventional physical and chemical gradients, the new dimension of gradient in SCD can be programmed in a rewritable fashion. We envision that our work enriches and extends our capability in the manipulation of droplet transport and would find numerous potential applications otherwise impossible.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure