scholarly journals Methodology of model development in the applied sciences

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-86
Author(s):  
Barna Szabó ◽  
Ivo Babuska

The formulation and validation of mathematical models in the applied sciences are largely consistent with the methodology of scientific research programmes (MSRP), however an essential modification is necessary: The domain of calibration has to be defined. The ranking and systematic improvement of mathematical models based on objective criteria are described and illustrated by an example. The methodology outlined in this paper provides a framework for the evolutionary development of a large class of mathematical models.

Acta Numerica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 765-851
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Pingwen Zhang

Liquid crystals are a type of soft matter that is intermediate between crystalline solids and isotropic fluids. The study of liquid crystals has made tremendous progress over the past four decades, which is of great importance for fundamental scientific research and has widespread applications in industry. In this paper we review the mathematical models and their connections to liquid crystals, and survey the developments of numerical methods for finding rich configurations of liquid crystals.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Taylor ◽  
J. A. D. Ranga Niroshan Appuhamy ◽  
J. Dijkstra ◽  
E. Kebreab

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate mathematical models that predict mineral excretion, particularly calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and selenium (Se), from lactating dairy cows. Mineral excretion can be affected by several dietary factors. A deficiency in Ca or Mg application to pasture, among other factors, can contribute to grass tetany or wheat pasture poisoning in cows, whereas an excess can cause runoff into water supplies. Manure application with high Se concentration can also result in runoff, causing the bioaccumulation of selenium in aquatic ecosystems, wetland habitats and estuaries, leading to toxic levels in fish. A database composed of studies relating to mineral utilisation in lactating dairy cows conducted after and including the year 2000 was compiled. A meta-analysis was conducted with the aim of creating multiple empirical equations to predict Ca, Mg and Se excretion from lactating dairy cows. Calcium intake, feed Ca content, milk yield, milk protein content and acid detergent fibre content in diet were positively and linearly related to Ca excretion. Dietary crude protein content and milk fat content were negatively related to Ca excretion. Magnesium intake, feed Mg content and milk yield were positively and linearly related to Mg excretion. Selenium content of diet and dry matter intake were linearly and positively related to Se excretion. Two sets of models were developed using or excluding the intake variable and both sets of models were evaluated with independent data originating from commercial herd or individual animals. In general, intake measurements improved prediction when evaluated with independent datasets (root mean square prediction error = 8% to 19% vs 14% to 26% of the average observed value). There were substantial mean biases, particularly those evaluated with data from a commercial farm, perhaps due to inaccurate feed intake measurements. Although there was generally good agreement between predicted and observed mineral excretion, model development and evaluation would benefit from an expanded database.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Alexandr Nikiforov ◽  
Olga Antipina ◽  
Nina Miklashevskaya

The authors consider Macroeconomics as a set of interrelateol research programmes which incorporates such schools of thought as Neoclassical, Keynesian, Neoclassical synthesis, Monetarism, New Classical and New Keynesian. This approach has a number of competitive advantages over a standard course and provides new opportunities for researchers, academics, entrepreneurs and students of economic theory.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Ruben N. Jorritsma

One of the most sophisticated philosophies of science is the methodology of scientific research programmes (MSRP), developed by Imre Lakatos. According to MSRP, scientists are working within so-called research programmes, consisting of a hard core of fixed convictions and a flexible protective belt of auxiliary hypotheses. Anomalies are accommodated by changes to the protective belt that do not affect the hard core. Under MSRP, research programmes are appraised as ‘progressive’ if they successfully predict novel facts but are judged as ‘degenerative’ if they merely offer ad hoc solutions to anomalies. This paper applies these criteria to the evolutionary research programme as it has performed during half a century of ERV research. It describes the early history of the field and the emergence of the endogenization-amplification theory on the origins of retroviral-like sequences. It then discusses various predictions and postdictions that were generated by the programme, regarding orthologous ERVs in different species, the presence of target site duplications and the divergence of long terminal repeats, and appraises how the programme has dealt with data that did not conform to initial expectations. It is concluded that the evolutionary research programme has been progressive with regard to the issues here examined.


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