The relevance of the problem subject to the research is conditioned by need for introduction of modern technologies into the educational process and insufficient adaptation of the higher school teachers to the applied information and automated procedures in education and science. The purpose of the publication consists in the analysis of automated…

Newborn infants appear to possess an innate bias that guides preferential orienting to and tracking of human faces. There is, however, no clear agreement as to the underlying mechanism supporting such a preference. In particular, two competing theories (known as the "structural" and "sensory" hypotheses) conjecture fundamentally different biasing…

Compares the coulumbic point charge model for hydrogen chloride with the valence bond model. It is not possible to assign either a nonpolar or ionic canonical form of the valence bond model, while the covalent-ionic bond distribution does conform to the point charge model. (JM)

Reviews recent developments in structural equation modeling (SEM). Discusses issues critical to designing and evaluating SEM studies and recent technological developments. Examines innovations in applying SEM to different research contexts and designs. Also discusses procedures for redressing common problems and misunderstandings in the…

Self-assembly or spontaneous assembly is a process in which materials build themselves without assistance. This process plays a central role in the construction of biological structures and materials such as cells, viruses, and bone, and also in abiotic processes like phase transitions and crystal formation. The principles of self-assembly help…

Discusses in great detail aspects connected with the visual and mental processing of chemical images. Presents various types of conventions for translating three-dimensional objects into two-dimensional representations. (Author/CCM)

An introductory undergraduate physical organic chemistry exercise that introduces the harmonic oscillator's use in vibrational spectroscopy is developed. The analysis and modeling exercise begins with the students calculating the stretching modes of common organic molecules with the help of the quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator (QMHO) model.

Describes the author's experience with a model structure used to demonstrate the difference between the idealized behavior predicted by theory and the actual behavior of a real structure. The model is a truss bridge with a span of 1.5 meters. (Author/SK)

Presented is a technique for making various molecular models from a strip of paper. Instructions for six models including tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramid, octahedral, pentagonal bipyramid, and capped octahedron models are provided. (CW)

This paper reports the results of applying a particular analytical perspective to data from an interview study: a typology of learning impediments informed by research into learning and students' ideas in science. This typology is a heuristic tool that may help diagnose the origins of students' learning difficulties. Here it is applied to data…

Cites advances in x-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, computer modeling, and display to guide the design and analysis of protein structures. Reviews recent advances in knowledge, synthesis techniques, and theory of proteins. (JM)

Describes an inexpensive molecular model which is small enough to manipulate and large enough to be seen by large audiences. Discusses models of atoms and double and triple bonds. (JM)

Discusses ways that chemists have traditionally used models to represent chemical structures. Suggests new ways to construct three-dimensional models of receptor sites using thermoplastics or heavy aluminum foil. Provides sketches and photographs of several models. Points out the advantages of using such models over traditional two-dimensional…

Explores the applicability of Mulliken's united atom model to a variety of chemical systems and demonstrates its value as a teaching tool. Considers applications to first row hydrides, compounds of the first and second periods, heavy atoms, and cluster systems. (MVL)