Search

In recent decades, plural logic has established itself as a well-respected member of the extensions of first-order classical logic. In the present paper, I draw attention to the fact that among the examples that are commonly given in order to motivate the need for this new logical system, there are some in which the elements of the plurality in question are internally singularized (e.g. 'Whitehead and Russell wrote Principia Mathematica'), while in others they are not (e.g. 'Some philosophers wrote Principia Mathematica'). Then, building on previous work, I point to a subsystem of plural logic in which inferences concerning examples of the first type can be adequately dealt with. I notice that such a subsystem (here called 'discrete plural logic') is in reality a mere variant of first-order logic as standardly formulated, and highlight the fact that it is axiomatizable while full plural logic is not. Finally, I urge that greater attention be paid to discrete plural logic and that discrete plurals are not used in order to motivate the introduction of full-fledged plural logic--or, at least, not without remarking that they can also be adequately dealt with in a considerably simpler system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the relative significance of concrete and abstract features for the identity and persistence of a group. The theoretical background for our analysis is the position according to which groups are realizations of structures. Our main argument is that the relative significance of the abstract features (structural organization of the group) with respect to the significance of concrete features (the group's members) can vary across different types of groups. The argumentation will be backed by introducing the examples in which we show that this difference in significance can affect the identity and persistence of the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The academic performance of students in mathematics among public secondary schools in Nigeria has consistently been low over a period. There are many factors that may have contributed to this, however, the influence of classroom management practices on the academic performance have not been given much attention. Studies have shown that very little learning occurs in disorganized classrooms. This study therefore aims to explore how students' academic performance in mathematics could be augmented through classroom management practices. Three research questions were raised, the main question is, how does classroom management practices enhance academic performance among students of public secondary schools in Nigeria? A descriptive research design was adopted using a total sample size N=250. The research instrument was a paper-based questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale administered face to face to randomly selected mathematics teachers from among 5 states in Nigeria, Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data and possible conclusions were drawn. The result among others shows that disciplined and well-motivated classrooms have a significant impact on students' academic performance in mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce an agent-based representation of games, in order to propose a compact representation for multi-party games in game theory. Our method is inspired by concepts in process theory and process algebra. In addition, we in- troduce an algorithm whose input is a game in the form of process algebra (proposed in this paper) and as an output, the algorithm finds the Nash equilibrium of the game in linear space complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multivariate polynomial matrices arise from the treatment of linear systems of partial differential equations, delay-differential equations or multidimensional discrete equations. In this paper we generalize some of the results obtained for the equivalence to the Smith normal form for a class of multivariate polynomial matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study asymptotic properties of multidimensional Lasota equation. We give the conditions of its stability and chaos in the sense of Devaney in Orlicz spaces Lp for any p > 0. We also give criteria when the semigroup generated by the equation has not asymptotic behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a Hierarchical Trust Region Algorithm for solving PDE-constrained optimization problems is developed. A hierarchy of finite element meshes is used to define a hierarchy of quadratic models for the approximation of the discrete reduced cost functional on the finest mesh. The proposed algorithm simultaneously controls the choice of the model and the size of the trust region radius. Application of the trust region convergence theory allows for proving that every accumulation point of the sequence produced by the algorithm is a stationary point of the discretized problem. Numerical examples illustrate the behavior of the method and show a considerable reduction of computation time compared to the standard Newton trust region scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the Moore-Gibson-Thompson equation which arises, e.g., as a linearization of a model for wave propagation in viscous thermally relaxing fluids. This third order in time equation displays, even in the linear version, a variety of dynamical behaviors for their solutions that depend on the physical parameters in the equation. These range from non-existence and instability to exponential stability (in time). It will be shown that by neglecting diffusivity of the sound coefficient there arises a lack of existence of a semigroup associated with the linear dynamics. More specifically, the corresponding linear dynamics consists of three diffusions: two backward and one forward. When diffusivity of the sound is positive, the linear dynamics is described by a strongly continuous semigroup which is exponentially stable when the ratio of sound speedxrelaxation/parameter sound diffusivity is sufficiently small, and unstable in the complementary regime. The theoretical estimates proved in the paper are confirmed by numerical validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to extend Poincaré-Wirtinger inequalities from Sobolev spaces to spaces of functions of bounded variation of second order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider a control problem governed by a semilinear elliptic equation with pointwise control and state constraints. We analyze the existence of an exact penalization of the state constraints. In particular, we prove that the first and second order optimality conditions imply the existence of such a penalization. Finally, we prove some extra regularity of the strict local minima of the control problem, assuming the existence of an exact penalization for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present a new perspective of the linear-nonlinear thinking style and its critical role in knowledge management education. Previous works in this field identified linear thinking as being rational, logic and analytic, and nonlinear thinking as being based on intuition, insight and creativity. In this perspective, linear thinking is related mostly with cognitive intelligence, while nonlinear thinking is related mostly with emotional intelligence. These interpretations have a slight connection with the generic concepts of linearity and linear spaces developed in science. Our research changed the cognitive-emotional perspective into a new one based on the fundamental properties of linear spaces, as they are defined in Mathematics. Basically, a linear model is characterized from operational point of view by a linear equation. That means that outputs of this model should be proportional with inputs. For instance, the temperature level indicated by a familiar thermometer is proportional with the mercury dilation. If the operational model is based on a nonlinear equation, then the model is nonlinear. Thus, cognitive thinking can be linear or nonlinear, while emotional thinking is by its nature nonlinear. Based on this new theoretical construct we developed an investigation instrument to measure the linear-nonlinear thinking style, and applied it to our students in master programs of business administration where there is an important module of knowledge management and learning organizations. The initial sample consisted of 500 graduate students in attending courses in master programs at the Faculty of Business Administration, Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest, the most important and best considered university for economics and business in Romania. The questionnaire contains 50 items, with answers evaluated on a Likert-type scale. Using the STATA program we performed various analyses, and interpreted the final results in connection with the educational curricula at the Bachelor and Master levels. Conclusions show a dominant role of the linear thinking style, which might constitute o severe limitation in knowledge management and business decision making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]