bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oversocialized Mathematics
Authors: Riggs Francis Behn
Published: January 2021

Teaching of mathematics in the public schools of this country appears to he based, to a considerable degree, on a belated reaction against earlier American individualism. Accordingly one of the aims of teaching mathematics is to develop thoughtful contributing citizens in a democratic society. To carry out this aim both the content and procedure have been socialized for many years—more recently through the inclusion of war-time material. There is much to be said for this point of view. By using everyday illustrations and problems of a democracy in action, interest and a consequent achievement have pervaded the school rooms, which could never have been reached by the old problem of A and B doing”a piece” of inscrutable work while C pays for it, and D is injected merely to produce the desired academic confusion.
The Junior High School Textbook—Plus
Authors: Schult Veryl
Published: January 2021

This year, 1946, besides our celebrating 25 years of the work of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of a great educator, the Swiss, Pestalozzi. And since he taught us much that applies to the teaching of mathematics today, I want to begin by reviewing briefly our debt to this man who might well he called the father of modern education.
Proof in Arithmetic
Authors: Welch Dorothy , Spitzer Herbert F.
Published: January 2021

Proof as an aid in securing understanding has always been an essential part of the teaching of advanced courses in mathematics. Within the last twenty years teachers of arithmetic have begun to realize more fully the necessity of making sure that their pupils understand the processes with which they work. Many writers have suggested use of proof as one way of ensuring that the arithmetical processes children use are understood. Unfortunately the writings of authorities do not include either a definite statement of the nature of the proof to be used or a description of its operation in an instructional program. This paper is a report of a study which had its two major purposes (1) the definition of proof to be used in arithmetic and (2) a description of an instructional program that makes use of proof.
Some Forgotten Areas of Instruction in Mathematics
Authors: Gowan Arthur M.
Published: January 2021

In many areas of instructions it often happens that in our desire to cover the prescribed material, we assume that some of the fundamental skills of the area of instruction will be developed by themselves more or less automatically. The instructor evidently feels that if he succeeds in putting across the more difficult concepts and techniques that these fundamental skills, because they are a part of every problem, will be taken care of without any specific attention. It appears that such is the case in the teaching of elementary and secondary mathematics.
Demonstration of Conic Sections and Skew Curves with String Models
Authors: von Baravalle H.
Published: January 2021

For the demonstration of conic sections in high schools and colleges, we generally use the w ooden model of a cone with detachable parts, showing the four kinds of plane sections, a circle, an ellipse, a parabola, and a hyperbola. The wooden model is naturally limited to fixed positions of the intersecting plane and the conic sections appear as four separate facts. As one of the most stimulating parts of a study of conic sections is the realization of how each one of the four curves changes with the position of the intersecting plane and how one kind of conic section can turn into another, a more flexible medium of demonstration seems desirable. It can be found through applying two changes to the usual demonstrations. The first one is to replace the actual cutting of a solid wooden model by projecting a cut on a larger cone, thus achieving an easy flexibility, as either the projector or the model can be moved during the demonstration. The second change is to replace a solid surface by one formed by strings, which not only makes a larger model considerably lighter, but also allows the conic sections to be seen all around the cone. The alternative to string models, models with transparent surfaces, produce too many disturbing light reflections. Figure 1 shows the string model of a cone and Figure 2 its application in the demonstration of ellipses. The system of parallel ellipses in Figure 2 is produced by parallel light planes which are obtained from an ordinary slide projector with slides showing transparent lines on black background. Instead of glass slides also rectangular pieces of stronger drawing paper can be used into which the lines have been cut. Moving the projector slightly to the side makes the ellipses in Figure 2 go up or down the cone and each ellipse widens or contracts during the motion. If one increases the angle of the planes the form of all the ellipses change until they turn into parabolas and finally hyperbolas.
What Is General Mathematics?
Authors: Brown Kenneth E.
Published: January 2021

As our halls of learning are bulging from the surge of returning veterans, courses are being added to fill the needs of this large heterogeneous group, many of whom are non-mathematics specialists. Among these courses are those bearing the title General Mathematics.
Control of Fundamental Mathematical Skills and Concepts by High School Students
Authors: Ohlsen Merle M,
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to answer the following questions concerning the mathematical achievement of the students in grades ten, eleven, and twelve in forty-three selected Iowa high schools: (1) What degree of mastery of the mathematical skills and concepts described as essential for the ordinary citizen in the Final Report of the Joint Commission of The Mathematics Association of America and The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics1 is attained by high school students? This question involved the dual problem of determining the degree of mastery for each defined concept and skill as well as the degree of mastery of the composite of these concepts and skills. (2) What common errors do students make in applying these concepts and skills? (3) Are there significant differences between grade levels in the degree of mastery of this basic mathematics?
A Logical Symbolism for Proof in Elementary Geometry
Authors: Manheimer Wallace
Published: January 2021

The pupil who draws dashes through lines or angles in a geometric diagram to denote equality by hypothesis is taking advantage of an elementary logical symbolism. Ever since the days of Boole and Frege such symbolisms have become increasingly important in representing and furthering mathematical thought. Present day symbolic logic, which is an outgrowth of the methods of logical symbolism, has begun to revolutionize such diverse fields as the design of mathematical instruments, insurance analysis, brain physiology, and electrical network design. The study of symbolic logic at present occupies the full time research of at least two hundred creative mathematicians in our universities and industrial laboratories.
History of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England, 1903-1953
Authors: Ransom William R.
Published: January 2021

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England was first called together by the superintendent of schools in Boston, E. P. Seaver, in 1903. A committee consisting of professors from Harvard University, Wellesley College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and five teachers in secondary schools announced a meeting to be held in the Boston Latin School on April 18, 1903. By a singular chance that date came again on a Saturday fifty years later, when the semicentennial of the Association was celebrated by a dinner, a history, and a festspiel.
Tips for Beginners: Organizing a mathematics club
Authors: Williams Annie John
Published: January 2021

Soon after one begins teaching in a new school, he is likely to be asked to help with some extracurricular activity. Often, one is permitted to choose the activity he will sponsor. Not many schools have a mathematics club, yet it represents a real opportunity for a teacher to develop in capable students a keen interest in mathematics.
What Mathematical Subjects Should be Introduced in the Curriculum of the Secondary School?
Authors: Betz William
Published: January 2021

The discussion of the question before us may be undertaken in two different ways. One may regard the high school curriculum as relatively fixed by traditions and external regulations over which the individual teacher or group of teachers has little or no control. In that case we should merely have to consider the merits of the various existing syllabi. Thus, in algebra we might examine the syllabus prepared by a committee of this association (published in School Science and Mathematics, December, 1909). In geometry we now have the National Geometry Syllabus. Other material of this sort is represented by the syllabi of such examining bodies as the College Entrance Examination Board and the Regents of the State of New York. Many good suggestions may also be found in the reports prepared by the numerous subcommittees of the International Commission.†
¿Se puede considerar formal la lógica de Aristóteles?
Authors: Llovet Abascal José María
Published: January 2021

En este trabajo planteo la pregunta de si la lógica de Aristóteles es o no una lógica formal. Respondo que, aunque las doctrinas contenidas en el Organon inauguren, efectivamente, la lógica formal, hay también buenas razones para pensar que Aristóteles no creía que la lógica fuese una disciplina que pudiera prescindir por completo del contenido.

In this paper I discuss the question of whether Aristotle’s logic is a formal logic or not. I answer that, although the doctrines contained in the Organon inaugurate indeed formal logic, there are also good reasons to think that Aristotle did not believe that logic was a discipline that ought to prescind completely from content.
O galego, unha lingua sen dialectos: olladas sociais e lingüísticas sobre a variación dialectal
Authors: Dubert-García Francisco
Published: January 2021

Os dialectólogos galegos acostuman a negar que o galego conteña no seu seo dialectos e interpretan esta ausencia como mostra da súa unidade. Con todo, estes investigadores agrupan as diversas falas en entidades que poden denominar bloques, áreas ou modalidades. Neste traballo analízase como os dialectólogos galegos establecen a unidade do galego, organizan as súas variedades xeolectais e xustifican a súa autonomía fronte ás linguas veciñas. A miña aproximación mostra que existen dúas formas de contemplar as falas galegas: unha ollada social e outra lingüística.

Galician dialectologists often deny that Galician language includes dialects and take this absence as an evidence of its unity. However, these scholars group the different geographical varieties into entities that they may refer to as blocks, areas or types. In this paper I will analyse the way Galician dialectologists stablish the unity of Galician language, organize its geolectal varieties and justify its autonomy with respect to its neighbour languages. My approach suggests that there exist two ways of looking at the Galician dialectal varieties: a social and a linguistic view.
La voce del satiro.
Authors: Tabacchini Paolo
Published: January 2021

The objective of this article is to highlight the peculiar aspects of the character of the Satyr in Aminta, the pastoral play by Torquato Tasso. The study – that will take into account both traditional use of this mask in the pastoral genre (ancient and modern) and the particular poetic conception of the author – is conducted through the systematic commentary of the Satyr’s monologue (Aminta II, 1), the only time when his voice can be heard and his real and deep intentions can be understood. Beyond the pastoral allegory, the singular theory about love and violence, brought by the words of this contradictory character into the peaceful scene of the drama, appears like a strong invective against the hypocrisies hidden in civil society.

L’obiettivo di quest’articolo è mettere in luce gli aspetti peculiari del personaggio del Satiro nella favola pastorale di Torquato Tasso Aminta. Lo studio (che terrà conto sia dell’uso tradizione di questa maschera nel genere pastorale (antico e moderno), sia la particolare concezione poetica dell’autore) è condotto attraverso il commento sistematico del monologo del Satiro (Aminta II, 1), l’unico momento in cui la sua voce può essere ascoltata e le sue reali e profonde intenzioni possono essere comprese. Al di là dell’allegoria pastorale, la singolare teoria sull’amore e la violenza che le parole di questo contradditorio personaggio portano sulla pacifica scena del dramma si mostra come una forte invettiva contro le ipocrisie nascoste nella società civile.
Narrativas transmedia y publicidad: análisis de las campañas más premiadas (2011-2016)
Authors: Martínez Sáez José , Canós Cerdá Elvira , Sanchis Roca Gemma
Published: January 2021

Los objetivos de la presente propuesta pueden ser resumidos como sigue: 1) Comprobar si, entre las campañas más galardonadas durante los últimos seis años en los principales festivales, podemos encontrar campañas que merezcan ser consideradas transmedia. 2) Establecer una escala para medir el grado de transmedialidad y el de interacción con los usuarios en las campañas analizadas. Nuestra hipótesis es que la narrativa transmedia todavía no está presente como rasgo distintivo y significativo dentro de los discursos publicitarios. Para el trabajo de campo hemos recurrido a una metodología que hibrida lo cuantitativo y cualitativo. Los resultados se han obtenido mediante el análisis de contenido con la identificación de los parámetros básicos que dan cuenta de la transmedialidad y la interacción. El corpus a analizar ha sido extraído de los palmarés de los principales festivales publicitarios desde 2011 a 2016, centrándonos en los grandes premios y los galardones de oro en las categorías de campañas integradas y/o interactivas. De los resultados del análisis se ha confirmado que, aunque cada vez las campañas integran más medios, las condiciones que caracterizan una campaña conceptualizada como transmedia se dan en una minoría de las campañas premiadas. Concluyendo, por tanto, que el carácter transmedia no es en la evolución de los últimos seis años un valor para los creativos publicitarios.
La universidad asincrónica: Uso de las TIC en estudiantes de periodismo
Authors: Araujo Batlle Alex , Micó Josep Lluís
Published: January 2021

La formación universitaria es uno de los pilares en la redefinición del rol del profesional del periodismo. La transformación que ha vivido la industria de la información en los últimos años y el creciente número de profesionales del sector formados en la universidad alimenta todavía más la necesidad de arrojar luz a lo que ocurre en esta etapa formativa. En paralelo, una generación hiperconectada, acostumbrada a la inmediatez, en movilidad y dispuesta a consumir en múltiples formatos, ocupa en la actualidad las aulas de las universidades; siendo esta la generación de futuros profesionales del periodismo que se encuentran en su etapa formativa. ¿Qué está sucediendo en las aulas de las universidades actuales? ¿Son permeables a las particularidades de esta generación? A través de una encuesta a 276 estudiantes del Grado en Periodismo de dos universidades, una pública y una privada, este trabajo aborda el uso que esta generación hace de las TIC en el contexto universitario. Los resultados muestran un perfil dual. En la universidad los estudiantes adoptan unos hábitos más asíncronos, estáticos y textuales. En el contexto no universitario estos mismos estudiantes se transforman en más síncronos, en movilidad y audiovisuales, adoptando los rasgos característicos de esta generación.
Test of nuclear mass models
Authors: Li Tao , Li Chun-Qing , Zhou Hou-Bing , Wang Ning ,   College of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China,   Guangxi Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, Guilin 541004, China
Published: January 2021

The reliability and prediction ability of 8 global nuclear mass models is systematically analyzed in terms of the accuracy of the model and the new neutron magic number predicted by experiments based on the ground-state nuclear mass data from AME2016. The root-mean-square (RMS) deviations of nuclear mass predicted by 8 nuclear mass models are calculated by subregion, and find that the Bhagwat and WS4 models possess better accuracy to describe the existing experimental data. By analyzing the trend of the neutron shell energy gap varying with neutron number, it is found that the KTUY, WS3 and WS4 models can well represent the mutation behavior caused by the new magic number N = 32, and it is predicted that N = 32 is likely to be a new magic number in the Cl isotope chain and Ar isotope chain. By analyzing the variation trend of α decay energy in the superheavy region, it is found that the FRDM12, WS3 and WS4 models can reproduce the phenomena of subshell with N = 152 and N = 162 well, and predict the relatively long life of nuclei at the neutron number N = 184 for the isotope chain with proton number Z = 108—114. The comprehensive analysis shows that the mass model with good accuracy cannot reproduce shell evolution behavior. For example, the Bhagwat model has the same accuracy as the WS4 model, but it cannot reproduce the mutation behavior of the new magic number N = 32, 152 and 162. But the KTUY model and FRDM12 model can reproduce the new magic number behavior of N = 32, 152 and 162, respectively, although the RMS deviation is slightly larger. The RMS deviation of WS4 model is small and can describe the shell evolution behavior in the nuclear mass well.
Pasienters evaluering av informasjonsskrivet til CT abdomen
Authors: Abrahamsen Marie , Popłońska Sylwia , Lanuza Stephanie Gonzaga
Published: January 2021

SammendragInnledning: Flere pasienter møter opp til CT-time uten å ha fått med seg tilstrekkeliginformasjon om undersøkelsen de skal gjennomføre, informasjon som skal være gitt dem iinformasjonsskrivet i forkant av undersøkelsen.Målsetning: Målet med denne studien var å avdekke om informasjonsskrivet bidro tiltilstrekkelig kunnskap om CT-undersøkelsen. I tillegg ønsket vi å kartlegge om det var behovfor forbedring av informasjonsskrivet, eventuelt avdekke pasientens syn på hva som kunneforbedres.Metode: I denne studien ble det benyttet et spørreskjema i papirform somdatainnsamlingsmetode. Spørreskjema ble gitt ut til pasienter som fikk innkallingsbrev oggjennomførte en av de utvalgte CT-undersøkelser på St. Olavs Hospital.Resultat: Det totale antallet respondenter var 25. De fleste var fornøyde medinformasjonsskrivet både med tanke på innhold og utseende, og de følte at skrivet inneholdtall informasjon som var nødvendig for å bli forberedt til CT-undersøkelsen. Allerespondentene svarte at innholdet i informasjonsskrivet var lett å forstå. Respondenter medhelsefaglig bakgrunn var mer kritiske til innholdet av informasjonsskrivet enn de utenarbeidserfaring fra helsevesenet. Et fåtall respondenter ønsket mer informasjon om bl.a.kontrastmiddel.Konklusjon: Selv om pasientene i denne undersøkelsen stort sett var fornøyde med dagensinformasjonsskriv, er er det likevel rom for forbedring med tanke på innholdet.
miR-875-5p exerts tumor-promoting function via down-regulation of CAPZA1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kang Nan , Ou Yunwei , Wang Guangchao , Chen Jie , Li Dan , Zhan Qimin
Published: January 2021

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Currently, efficient genetic markers for diagnosis and treatment of ESCC are lacking. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are global genetic regulators that control cancer gene expression by binding to the 3′untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of targeting mRNAs. In addition, miRNAs function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in the progression of tumors. In the current study, we found that hsa-miR-875-5p (miR-875-5p) exhibited amplification in ESCC according to the TCGA database. Then, xCELLigence Real-Time Cell Analyzer (RTCA)-MP system and colony formation assays were employed to detect cell proliferationand colony formationability. The results showed that miR-875-5p promoted the proliferation ESCC cells. Subsequently, transwell results indicated that miR-875-5p promoted the invasion and migration of ESCC cells. Furthermore, we showed that miR-875-5p was able to bind to CAPZA13’UTR, which contains the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs373245753, as reported in our previous study involving WGS and WES on ESCC. Subsequently, mRNA affinity pull-down assays verifiedthat the SNP disrupts miR-875-5p binding to CAPZA1. The current study is the first demonstration that miR-875-5p may function as an oncogene via down-regulation of CAPZA1 expression in ESCC.
Impacts of Urban Expansion on Welfare of Expropriated Peri-Urban Communities of Hossana Town, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Shikur Sara , Haji Jema , Leza Tekle
Published: January 2021

As demand for land increased over time, urban centers have been physically expanding their boundaries to surrounding rural and peri-urban areas by including additional land where people did base their lives in agriculture. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of urban expansion on welfare of expropriated peri-urban communities of Hossana town, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia by using propensity score matching method. Household survey research design with semi-structured interview schedule for a sample of 369 households (clustered in to 148 expropriated and 221 non-expropriated) was conducted. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. In addition to household interview schedule; focus group discussion, key informant interview, transect walk, case story and personal observation were used as data collection tools. After propensity score matching, the per capita income of non-expropriated households is significantly greater than expropriated households. Therefore, urban expansion has significant impact on welfare of expropriated peri-urban local communities. Hence, it was suggested that rehabilitation programs should be developed to support the expropriated households to enable them appropriately use their cash compensation and remaining asset and prepare them for the new environment.
A New Recongnition System Based on Gabor Wavelet Transform for Shockable Electrocardiograms
Authors: Okai Takayuki , Akimoto Shonosuke , Oya Hidetoshi , Nakano Kazushi , Miyauchi Hiroshi , Hoshi Yoshikatsu
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a new recognition system for shockable arrhythmias for patients suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. In order to develop the recognition system, lots of electrocardiogram (ECGs) have been analyzed by using gabor wavelet transform (GWT). Although, there is a huge number of spectrum feature parameters, recognition performance for all combinations for spectrum feature parameters are evaluated, and on the basis of the evaluation results, useful and effective spectrum features for ECGs are extracted. As a result, the proposed recognition system based on the selected effective spectrum feature parameters can achieved good performance comparing with the existing results.
Cyclodextrin Modified Block Polymer for Oral Chemotherapy
Authors: Pankaj .
Published: January 2021

Cationic polymers have received much attention for their potential use as nonviral gene delivery agents. Under certain conditions, these polymers self-assemble with poly(nucleic acids) via electrostatic interactions and condense them into submicron size particles that can be endocytosed by cells. Many drugs are commercially available for cancer treatment but most of them lacks in terms of poor solubility thereby resulting in inappropriate treatment. This research was planned and tested to ensure the preservation of product safety in our body for enhancing bioactivity of hybrid cyclodextrine nano-capsules, wherein cyclodextrin molecules are modified with Poly(e-Caprolactone)-Poly(Ethylene Glycol) (PCL-PEG), wherein nanocapsules were prepared from cyclodextrin and further were coated with PCL-PEG for enhancing cellular uptake and interacting with biological films in order to provide drug delivery of anti-cancer agent i.e. camptothecin. The nanocapsules were then further subjected to characterization studies which comprises zeta potential, drug release profiles, in-vitro toxicity and transfection effectiveness.
A Study on Microzonation of Sejong City Area by Site Amplification Caused by Gyeongju Type Earthquake
Authors: Lee JunSung , Park HyungChoon , Oh HyunJu
Published: January 2021

When an earthquake occurs, ground amplification is caused by the soil. For the same earthquake, the magnitude of ground vibration experienced by buildings varies depending on the ground conditions. In this study, ground response analysis was performed for 120 locations in Sejong City, using Gyeongju earthquake waves, which reflect the characteristics of possible seismic waves in Korea. By creating a map using the Peak Ground Accelation (PGA) that the structure will experience and the ground natural period for each location, a map of the building type (building layer) that is likely to be earthquake-prone was determined based on the double resonance phenomenon, and the seismic hazard in the target area was assessed. The microzonation map based on the characteristics of these ground amplifications could be used for selecting the priority for inspection or the priority for anti-seismic reinforcement in the event of an earthquake.
Recent advances in stimuli‐responsive theranostic systems with aggregation‐induced emission characteristics
Authors: Hu Jing‐Jing , Jiang Wenlian , Yuan Lizhen , Duan Chong , Yuan Qiming , Long Zi , Lou Xiaoding , Xia Fan
Published: January 2021

Theranostic systems by integrating the tumor imaging and tumor therapeutic capabilities into one platform have attracted numerous attentions from worldwide researchers. Despite the great developments, their clinical application is still in the nascent stage, owing to the unsatisfied imaging quality and limited therapeutic efficacy. Fortunately, the emerging of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecules with unique fluorescence property offers an opportunity to solve the imaging problem. Besides, further utilizing the tumor microenvironments and external triggers to design the stimuli‐responsive imaging‐guided therapy could enhance the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the side effects. In this review, the advancements in stimuli‐responsive theranostic systems with AIE characteristics are summarized. Theranostic systems are first classified according to their treatment modes, and then subdivided based on various stimuli, including pH, redox, enzyme, and light. In each section, the design strategies and application examples are introduced. At last, the current state of the art, limitations, as well as prospects are also discussed.
HNO to NO Conversion Mechanism with Copper Zinc Superoxide Dismutase, Comparison with Heme Protein Mediated Conversions, and the Origin of Questionable Reversibility
Authors: Shi Yelu , Michael Matthew A. , Zhang Yong
Published: January 2021

The interconversion of NO and HNO, via copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), is important in biomedicine and for HNO detection. Many mechanistic questions, including the decades‐long debate on reversibility, were resolved in this work. Calculations of various active‐site and full‐protein models show that the basic mechanism is proton‐coupled electron transfer with a computed barrier of 10.98 kcal mol−1, which is in excellent agreement with experimental results (10.62 kcal mol−1), and this nonheme protein‐mediated reaction has many significant mechanistic differences compared with the conversions mediated by heme proteins due to geometric and electronic factors. The reasons for the irreversible nature of this conversion and models with the first thermodynamically favorable and kinetically feasible mechanism for the experimental reverse reaction were discovered. Such results are the first for nonheme enzyme mediated HNO to NO conversions, which shall facilitate other related studies and HNO probe development.
On the performance of joint low‐complexity equalization and CFO compensation for SISO‐OFDM communication systems with chaotic interleaving and DCT
Authors: Ramadan Khaled , Alturki Abdulrahman , Dessouky Moawad I. , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E.
Published: January 2021

The implementation of the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) can be achieved using Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform (IDCT), and DCT instead of Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT), and DFT. The Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO) is the main issue of the OFDM system. One of the tools to mitigate the CFO effect and improve the Bit‐Error‐Rate (BER) performance is the equalization procedure. Also, the 1‐Dimension (1‐D), and 2‐Dimension (2‐D) burst errors can be mitigated using a chaotic interleaver in the OFDM system. This consequently improves the BER performance. In this paper, we propose a Joint Low‐Complexity Regularized Linear Zero Forcing (JLCRLZF) equalizer for the OFDM system based on DCT in addition to a chaotic interleaving scheme. The proposed equalizer depends on the concept of the banded‐matrix approximation, and jointly performs the equalization and CFO compensation processes. Simulation results ensure the importance of the proposed JLCRLZF equalizer compared to other algorithms.
Highly reflective algae for enhancing climate change resilience in rice production
Authors: Zhang Shenglu , Yang Chao , Ni Xin , Xu Ligen , Cheng Fangmin , Pan Gang , Wang Fumin , Huang Jingfeng , Tian Hanqin , Zhou Qifa
Published: January 2021

There is an urgent need for enhancing climate change resilience in rice production. Here, we report a reflective algal mulching‐based culture practice to attain a simple and low‐cost biological method for enhancement of climate change resilience. The dense mulching of Rhizoclonium sp. in field water highly reflected sunlight in the visible and infrared regions, thus significantly decreasing the root zone temperature, and significantly and simultaneously mitigated CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions through gas retention and removal in the field water layer, as well as reducing gas production. The algae could also enhance rice growth and soil fertility.
Application of spatial multicriteria decision analysis in healthcare: Identifying drivers and triggers of infectious disease outbreaks using ensemble learning
Authors: Devarakonda Phani , Sadasivuni Ravi , Nobrega Rodrigo A. A. , Wu Jianhong
Published: January 2021

Modelling infectious diseases is a complex and multi‐disciplinary problem that necessitates the combined use of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) and machine learning (ML) in a spatial framework. This research attempts to demonstrate the extensive applications of MCDA in the field of public health and to illustrate its utility with the combined use of spatial models and machine learning. The study investigates the risk factors for communicable diseases with a focus on vector‐borne infectious diseases, such as West Nile Virus (WNV), malaria, dengue, etc. It aims to quantify vector‐borne disease risk by examining the geographic contextual effects of socio‐economic, climatic, and environmental factors using the objective‐weighting technique adopted from MCDA and machine learning in a geographic information systems (GIS) framework. The authors attempted to minimize subjective bias from the decision space by utilizing an objective‐weighted technique to quantify the risk. The study adopted Shannon's entropy to derive weights for each factor and its classes. The derived weighted layers are fed to an artificial neural network to obtain a final map of risk susceptibility. This final risk map allows policymakers to examine vulnerable areas and identify the factors pivotal to the contribution of risk. Findings show the traffic volume as the most influential variable, and terrain slope as the least one in the disease spread for the study area. The risk appears to be concentrated and distributed along vegetation, wetlands, and around water bodies. The results produced by ensemble learning show great promise with more than 94% accuracy. The accuracy of the results was determined by the confusion matrix and the kappa index of agreement (KIA). The vector control programmes need to adapt to better manage the dynamic changes in patterns involving vector‐borne infectious diseases.
Promoting Metamagnetic Transition by Interphase Magnetic Coupling
Authors: Chen Jia‐Hui , Zhang Yu‐Jun , Wang Yue , Lin Yuan‐Hua , Ma Jing , Nan Ce‐Wen
Published: January 2021

Magnetic mixed‐phase materials with competing ground states are important from both scientific and technical points of view due to their magnetic phase transition and phase coexistence properties. Unlike artificially fabricated multi‐phase composites, it should be possible to modify their physical properties more efficiently by making use of the interphase coupling effects in mixed‐phase materials. In this study, the magneto‐transport properties are investigated to provide evidence of the existence of interphase coupling in a magnetic mixed‐phase system, specifically, Ni‐doped FeRh thin films. The rotation of the external magnetic field induces an emergent promotion effect of the antiferromagnetic (AFM)–ferromagnetic (FM) phase transition, which can be attributed to the modification of the magnetic free energy by interphase magnetic coupling across the AFM–FM phase boundary. The results shed light on the availability of an extra degree of freedom for manipulating the physical properties of material systems with mixed magnetic phases and help to further exploit their potential applications.
Climate Change and Variability on Food Security of Rural Household: Central Highlands, Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfaye Argaw , Alemayehu Arragaw
Published: January 2021

This chapter analyzes the impact of climate change and variability on food security of rural households in the central highlands of Ethiopia taking Basona Werana district as a case study site. Data were obtained from 123 households selected using simple random sampling from three agro ecological zones. Key informant interviews and focus group discussion (FDG) were used to supplement the data obtained from household survey. The monthly rainfall and temperature data are for 56 points of 10 × 10 km grids reconstructed from weather stations and meteorological satellite observations, which cover the period between 1983 and 2016. Standardized rainfall anomaly (SRA), linear regression (LR), and coefficient of variation (CV) are used to examine inter-annual and intra-annual variability of rainfall. Annual and seasonal rainfalls show decreasing trends over the period of observation. The decreasing trends in annual and March–May (Belg) rainfall totals exhibit statically significant decreasing trends at p = 0.05 level. Kiremt (June–September) shows statically significant decreasing trends at p = 0.1 level. Mean annual maximum and minimum temperatures show statically significant increasing trends at p = 0.05 level. More than 80% of households perceived that the climate is changing and their livelihoods (crop and livestock production) are impacted. The district belongs to one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change and variability in the country where large proportions of households (62%) are under different food insecurity classes. Results suggest that local level investigations are useful in developing context-specific climate change adaptation.
Digital Russia Studies: An Introduction
Authors: Gritsenko Daria , Kopotev Mikhail , Wijermars Mariëlle
Published: January 2021

The “digital” is profoundly changing Russia today. In this introduction, we argue that area studies, as a geographically and geopolitically motivated interdisciplinary research domain, is of particular value to and can provide a framework for describing the variety of responses to digitalization and explaining the mechanisms that assist or obstruct the “domestication” of global trends. Making a case for “Digital Russia Studies”, we sketch the contours of this emerging field. “Digital Russia” studies focuses on the digital transformation of the (geographical) area of study, while digital “Russia Studies” indicates the use of digital sources and methods in studying it. Together, Digital Russia Studies emphasizes how these two research lines are intertwined, interdependent, and mutually reinforcing. An overview of topics and methods covered by the chapters in the volume is provided.
Digitalization of Religion in Russia: Adjusting Preaching to New Formats, Channels and Platforms
Authors: Khroul Victor
Published: January 2021

Examining the “digital” as a challenge to one of the most traditional spheres of private and public life of Russians, the chapter is focused on institutional aspects of the religion digitalization in the theoretical frame of mediatization. Normatively, digitalization as such does not contradict the dogmatic teaching of any traditional for Russia religion, in Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism theologically it is being considered as a neutral process with good or bad consequences depending on human will. Therefore, functionally digital technologies are seen by religious institutions as a shaping force, one more facility (channel, tool, space, network) for effective preaching while the core of religious practices still remains based on non-mediated interpersonal communication.
Digitalization of Consumption in Russia: Online Platforms, Regulations and Consumer Behavior
Authors: Gurova Olga , Morozova Daria
Published: January 2021

This chapter offers an overview of the main aspects of digital consumption in Russia with an emphasis on the late 2010s. It also sheds light on the tendencies that digitalization of the sphere of consumption has brought to Russian retail and consumers. In particular, we look at how digitalization has changed retail trade; what kind of digital retail platforms gained popularity in Russia; how Russian retailers utilize data related to consumption; how cross-border internet trade has been developing and how it has been regulated; and what the profile is of the typical online consumer. We also look at platforms and practices of online exchange and the sharing economy. The chapter is based on the analysis of scholarly literature on digital consumption, marketing research data and media publications to identify the current trends in consumption. It addresses the question of what challenges and opportunities the digitalization of consumption has brought about for Russia.
RuThes Thesaurus for Natural Language Processing
Authors: Loukachevitch Natalia , Dobrov Boris
Published: January 2021

This chapter describes the Russian RuThes thesaurus created as a linguistic and terminological resource for automatic document processing. Its structure utilizes two popular paradigms for computer thesauri: concept-based units, a small set of relation types, rules for including multiword expression as in information retrieval thesauri; and language-motivated units, detailed sets of synonyms, description of ambiguous words as in WordNet-like thesauri. The development of the RuThes thesaurus is supported for many years: new concepts, new senses, and multiword expressions found in contemporary texts are introduced regularly. The chapter shows some examples of representing newly appeared concepts related to important internal and international events.
Open Government Data in Russia
Authors: Parkhimovich Olga , Gritsenko Daria
Published: January 2021

This chapter provides a brief overview of the history and current state of open government data in Russia. First, it discusses the concept of “open data” and defines the basic principles of open government data. It further describes the institutional, legal, and infrastructural frameworks for the development of open government data in Russia. The chapter discusses the main sources of open data, the availability of key datasets, and the current situation around future development of the open data agenda in Russia. Finally, it provides examples of projects and cases of interaction with government agencies based on open data.
E-Government in Russia: Plans, Reality, and Future Outlook
Authors: Gritsenko Daria , Zherebtsov Mikhail
Published: January 2021

Russia, like other countries, is facing a challenge to integrate new Information and Communication technologies in its administrative system. This chapter traces the evolution of e-Government concept from the first state program “Electronic Russia” (2002) to the latest “Government as a Platform” (2018) concept. Analyzing the digital transformation of government through the lens of public administration, the chapter demonstrates procedural, infrastructural, and political challenges that shaped the Russian version of electronic government. Emphasizing the discrepancy between plans and reality, we show how the “Russian style” of unrolling e-Government from above in combination with the focus on infrastructures have created a situation where further development of the reform has stagnated. Finally, the tensions between transparency and control accentuated by digitalization in Russian public administration are discussed.
Structural and functional polarisation of human pancreatic beta cells in islets from organ donors with and without type 2 diabetes
Authors: Cottle Louise , Gan Wan Jun , Gilroy Ian , Samra Jaswinder S. , Gill Anthony J. , Loudovaris Thomas , Thomas Helen E. , Hawthorne Wayne J. , Kebede Melkam A. , Thorn Peter
Published: January 2021

Aims/hypothesis

We hypothesised that human beta cells are structurally and functional polarised with respect to the islet capillaries. We set out to test this using confocal microscopy to map the 3D spatial arrangement of key proteins and live-cell imaging to determine the distribution of insulin granule fusion around the cells.

Methods

Human pancreas samples were rapidly fixed and processed using the pancreatic slice technique, which maintains islet structure and architecture. Slices were stained using immunofluorescence for polarity markers (scribble, discs large [Dlg] and partitioning defective 3 homologue [Par3]) and presynaptic markers (liprin, Rab3-interacting protein [RIM2] and piccolo) and imaged using 3D confocal microscopy. Isolated human islets were dispersed and cultured on laminin-511-coated coverslips. Live 3D two-photon microscopy was used on cultured cells to image exocytic granule fusion events upon glucose stimulation.

Results

Assessment of the distribution of endocrine cells across human islets found that, despite distinct islet-to-islet complexity and variability, including multi-lobular islets, and intermixing of alpha and beta cells, there is still a striking enrichment of alpha cells at the islet mantle. Measures of cell position demonstrate that most beta cells contact islet capillaries. Subcellularly, beta cells consistently position polar determinants, such as Par3, Dlg and scribble, with a basal domain towards the capillaries and apical domain at the opposite face. The capillary interface/vascular face is enriched in presynaptic scaffold proteins, such as liprin, RIM2 and piccolo. Interestingly, enrichment of presynaptic scaffold proteins also occurs where the beta cells contact peri-islet capillaries, suggesting functional interactions. We also observed the same polarisation of synaptic scaffold proteins in islets from type 2 diabetic patients. Consistent with polarised function, isolated beta cells cultured onto laminin-coated coverslips target insulin granule fusion to the coverslip.

Conclusions/interpretation

Structural and functional polarisation is a defining feature of human pancreatic beta cells and plays an important role in the control of insulin secretion.

Graphical abstract
Introspective interviewing for work activities: applying subjective digital ethnography in a nuclear industry case study
Authors: Fauquet-Alekhine Philippe , Bauer Martin W. , Lahlou Saadi
Published: January 2021

Subjective Evidence-Based Ethnography (SEBE) is a family of methods developed in digital ethnography for investigation in social science based on subjective audio–video recordings using first-person perspective. Recordings are used for self-confrontation (collect subjective experience, discussion of findings and final interpretation). Several studies applying SEBE methods mentioned “introspection” as a process occurring during self-confrontation and discussed it without providing evidence of its occurrence. This article aimed at clarifying introspection and its occurrence in SEBE. After a literature review addressing introspection, the process of introspection in SEBE was analyzed, depicted and illustrated by a case study. Conditions for introspection to occur in SEBE and the related mechanisms were proposed: it was found that indirect introspection could actually occur but not frequently and could go unnoticed without lessening the quality of the analysis. A refined analysis of introspection during or after the interviews was not identified as an added-value for the activity analysis.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Blues: Powering BRI Research Back on Track to Avoid Choppy Seas
Authors: Blanchard Jean-Marc F.
Published: January 2021

This piece examines and critiques the massive literature on China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It details how research currently seems stuck on the road to nowhere. In addition, it identifies a number of the potholes that collective research endeavors are hitting such as that they are poorly synchronized. It also stresses that lines of analysis are proliferating rather than optimizing, with studies broadening in thematic coverage, rather than becoming deeper. It points out that BRI participants are regularly related to the role of a bit player in many analyses and research often is disconnected from other literatures. Among other things, this article recommends analysts focus on the Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI) or Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) in specific regions or countries. It also argues for a research core that focuses on the implementation issue (i.e., the issue of MSRI and SREB project implementation), project effects (i.e., the economic and political costs and benefits of projects), and the translation issue (i.e., the domestic and foreign policy effects of projects) and does work that goes beyond the usual suspects. On a related note, research need to identify, more precisely, participants and projects, undertake causal analysis, and take into account countervailing factors. Furthermore, studies need to make more extensive use of the Chinese foreign policy literature. Moreover, works examining subjects like soft power need to improve variable conceptualization and operationalization and deliver more nuanced analyses. Finally, studies, especially by area specialists, should take the area, not the China, perspective.