The construction of a small-scale differential analyser and its application to the calculation of actuarial functions

1942 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Beard
Keyword(s):  
Differential Equations ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ◽  
Theoretical Formulation ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Scientific Investigations ◽  
Practical Model ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Mechanical Devices ◽  
Lord Kelvin

In many problems arising from scientific investigations their theoretical formulation leads to differential equations, the numerical solution of which is frequently an extremely laborious process. To handle such problems various mechanical devices have been developed from time to time and the Differential Analyser is one such device, possessing great flexibility in the range of differential equations which can be dealt with by it. Lord Kelvin conceived of such a machine, and the first practical model was designed by Dr V. Bush of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Subsequently another full-scale machine was designed by Prof. D. R. Hartree and is in operation at Manchester University. Various small-scale machines have been constructed in this country and mention may be made of those at London University and Cambridge University, designed by Profs. H. S. W. Massey and J. E. Lennard-Jones respectively.

Rebel Genius

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara H. Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ◽  
Scientific Investigations ◽  
American Science ◽  
Cognitive Neurosciences ◽  
History Of ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Iconic Status ◽  
The University ◽  
The Brain

Warren S. McCulloch (1898-1969) has become an icon of the American cybernetics movement and of current work in the cognitive neurosciences. Much of this legacy stems from his classic 1943 work with Walter Pitts on the logic of neural networks, and from his colourful role as chairman of the Macy Conferences on Cybernetics (1946-1953). This biographical work looks beyond McCulloch’s iconic status by exploring the varied scientific, personal, and institutional contexts of McCulloch’s life. By doing so, the book presents McCulloch as a transdisciplinary investigator who took on many scientific identities beyond that of a cybernetician: scientific philosopher, neurophysiologist, psychiatrist, poet, mentor-collaborator, and engineer, and finally, his public persona towards the end of his life, the rebel genius. The book argues that these identities were neither products of McCulloch’s own will nor were they simply shaped by his institutional contexts. In integrating context and agency, the book as provides a more nuanced and rich understanding of McCulloch’s role in the history of American science as well as the institutional contexts of scientific investigations of the brain and mind: in particular at Yale University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The book argues that one of McCulloch’s most important contributions was opening up new ways of understanding the brain: no longer simply an object of medical investigation, the brain became the centre of the multidisciplinary neurosciences.

scholarly journals A Small-Scale Concept-based Laboratory Component: The Best of Both Worlds

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Gould Halme ◽  
Julia Khodor ◽  
Rudolph Mitchell ◽  
Graham C. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Method ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Laboratory Component ◽  
Biological Concepts ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Concept Framework

In this article, we describe an exploratory study of a small-scale, concept-driven, voluntary laboratory component of Introductory Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We wished to investigate whether students' attitudes toward biology and their understanding of basic biological principles would improve through concept-based learning in a laboratory environment. With these goals in mind, and using our Biology Concept Framework as a guide, we designed laboratory exercises to connect topics from the lecture portion of the course and highlight key concepts. We also strove to make abstract concepts tangible, encourage learning in nonlecture format, expose the students to scientific method in action, and convey the excitement of performing experiments. Our initial small-scale assessments indicate participation in the laboratory component, which featured both hands-on and minds-on components, improved student learning and retention of basic biological concepts. Further investigation will focus on improving the balance between the minds-on concept-based learning and the hands-on experimental component of the laboratory.

Single Units and Grandmother Cells

2019 ◽  
pp. 141-160
Author(s):  
Alan J. McComas
Keyword(s):  
Firing Rate ◽  
Single Units ◽  
Massachusetts Institute ◽  
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
Specific Recognition ◽  
Human Hippocampus ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
The Brain

This chapter turns to a more recent discovery in the human hippocampus, that of “concept” (or “grandmother”) cells. These grandmother cells are neurons that code for multiple aspects of the same person or object. The prediction that specific recognition cells were present in the brain had been made many years previously by vision scientists in Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Especially relevant for an understanding of conscious mechanisms was the observation that merely thinking about a person or image could increase the impulse firing rate of the corresponding concept cell, even when the person or image was no longer being seen. At about the same time Jerzy Konorski, in Warsaw, had argued for the existence of similar neurons (“gnostic units”) serving a number of functions.

scholarly journals BEST PRACTICES REVIEW OF FIRST-YEAR ENGINEERING DESIGN EDUCATION

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Bazylak ◽  
Peter Wild
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Polytechnic Institute ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
First Year ◽  
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Institute Of Technology

This work reviews best practices in first-year engineering design courses at 40 universities across Canada and the United States. The authors reviewed the subject matter and instructional methods of these engineering design courses. University selection was based on prominence, level of engineering design content, and availability of data. The authors narrowed the scope of the study to seven Canadian programs and eight American programs for further investigation: University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, Queen’s University, University of Sherbrooke, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, University of Colorado, Franklin W. Olin Engineering College, Harvey Mudd College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stanford University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The authors then identified six reoccurring themes in the methods of engineering design instruction: full-scale project, small-scale project, case study analysis, reverse engineering project, design tools and methods instruction, and integration. These themes are then discussed from the point of view of educators looking to develop first-year engineering design courses.

Educational Use of a Small-Scale Cherrypicker

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Maleki ◽  
Brice Pridgen ◽  
William Singhose ◽  
Urs Glauser ◽  
Warren Seering
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Analysis ◽  
Vibration Control ◽  
System Response ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Massachusetts Institute ◽  
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ◽  
Safe Operation ◽  
Control Techniques ◽  
Experimental Apparatus ◽  
Institute Of Technology

Cherrypickers are a useful class of machines that can lift people to great heights. Unfortunately, the operator bucket oscillates and the entire machine can tip over in catastrophic accidents. Understanding the dynamics and stability of these machines is crucial for efficient and safe operation. To this end, a small-scale cherrypicker was constructed for experimental dynamic analysis and educational use. The dynamic behavior of the cherrypicker, as well as the improved system response using vibration-control techniques are presented. The cherrypicker was used during fall 2010 as an experimental apparatus in an advanced graduate controls course taught simultaneously at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its educational use in this multi-institutional course is discussed.

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