bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability Conditions for the Leaky LMS Algorithm Based on Control Theory Analysis
Authors: Bismor Dariusz , Pawelczyk Marek
Published: December 2016

The Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm and its variants are currently the most frequently used adaptation algorithms; therefore, it is desirable to understand them thoroughly from both theoretical and practical points of view. One of the main aspects studied in the literature is the influence of the step size on stability or convergence of LMS-based algorithms. Different publications provide different stability upper bounds, but a lower bound is always set to zero. However, they are mostly based on statistical analysis. In this paper we show, by means of control theoretic analysis confirmed by simulations, that for the leaky LMS algorithm, a small negative step size is allowed. Moreover, the control theoretic approach alows to minimize the number of assumptions necessary to prove the new condition. Thus, although a positive step size is fully justified for practical applications since it reduces the mean-square error, knowledge about an allowed small negative step size is important from a cognitive point of view.
Technique for Measuring Spatial Distribution of the Surface Acoustic Wave Velocity in Metals
Authors: Mokryy Oleh , Tsyrulnyk Oleksandr
Published: December 2016

In this paper a possibility of determining a local velocity of the surface acoustic Rayleigh waves using a transducer, with the rigidly connected emitting and receiving parts, is considered. A problem on spatial resolution of such a transducer for investigation of inhomogeneous specimens is also examined. A high spatial resolution can be obtained due to the transducer displacement by a value less than the distance between the emitting and receiving parts. It is shown that in this case it is not necessary to measure the transducer displacement with a high accuracy for precise determination of the velocity. Such an effect is obtained through measuring the velocity of surface waves in one local region of the specimen with respect to the other. The criterion for optimal spatial resolution selection during spatially inhomogeneous specimens study is also proposed. The proposed criterion use is illustrated on the example of the determination of spatial distribution of the surface acoustic velocity in a steel specimen subjected to inhomogeneous plastic deformation.
Dependency between Risks and the Insurer’s Economic Capital: A Copula-based GARCH Model
Authors: Shim Jeungbo , Lee Seung-Hwan
Published: December 2016

Copulas can be a useful tool to capture heavy-tailed dependence between risks in estimating economic capital. This paper provides a procedure of combining copula with GARCH model to construct a multivariate distribution. The copula-based GARCH model using a skewed student’s t-distribution controls for the issues of skewness, heavy tails, volatility clustering and conditional dependencies contained in the financial time series data. Using the sample of U.S. property liability insurance industry, we perform Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the insurer’s economic capital measured by Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES). The result indicates that the choice of dependence structure and business mix between asset classes and liability lines has a significant impact on the resulting capital requirements and diversification benefits. We find the incremental diversification benefit in terms of a reduction in the total capital requirement from the joint modeling of underwriting risk and market risk compared to the modeling of market risk only.
Hydrological Excitations of Polar Motion Derived from Different Variables of Fgoals − g2 Climate Model
Authors: Winska M.
Published: December 2016

The hydrological contribution to decadal, inter-annual and multi-annual suppress polar motion derived from climate model as well as from GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) data is discussed here for the period 2002.3-2016.0. The data set used here are Earth Orientation Parameters Combined 04 (EOP C04), Flexible Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System Model: Grid-point Version 2 (FGOAL-g2) and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) climate models and GRACE CSR RL05 data for polar motion, hydrological and gravimetric excitation, respectively. Several Hydrological Angular Momentum (HAM) functions are calculated here from the selected variables: precipitation, evaporation, runoff, soil moisture, accumulated snow of the FGOALS and GLDAS climate models as well as from the global mass change fields from GRACE data provided by the International Earth Rotation and Reference System Service (IERS) Global Geophysical Fluids Center (GGFC).

The contribution of different HAM excitation functions to achieve the full agreement between geodetic observations and geophysical excitation functions of polar motion is studied here.
Ultra Short-term Prediction of Pole Coordinates via Combination of Empirical Mode Decomposition and Neural Networks
Authors: Lei Yu , Zhao Danning , Cai Hongbing
Published: December 2016

It was shown in the previous study that the increase of pole coordinates prediction error for about 100 days in the future is mostly caused by irregular short period oscillations. In this paper, the ultra short-term prediction of pole coordinates is studied for 10 days in the future by means of combination of empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and neural networks (NN), denoted EMD-NN. In the algorithm, EMD is employed as a low pass filter for eliminating high frequency signals from observed pole coordinates data. Then the annual and Chandler wobbles are removed a priori from pole coordinates data with high frequency signals eliminated. Finally, the radial basis function (RBF) networks are used to model and predict the residuals. The prediction performance of the EMD-NN approach is compared with that of the NN-only solution and the prediction methods and techniques involved in the Earth orientation parameters prediction comparison campaign (EOP PCC). The results show that the prediction accuracy of the EMD-NN algorithm is better than that of the NN-only solution and is also comparable with that of the other existing prediction method and techniques.
Control of microbial contamination in drinking water from microfiltering dispensers by dialysis ultrafilters
Authors: Bolelli Luca , Ferri Elida Nora , Girotti Stefano
Published: December 2016

Tap water filtering devices are widely employed to improve odor and taste of tap water, or to obtain refrigerated or sparkling drinking water. The presence of disinfectants-resistant bacteria in tap water is responsible of the biofilm formation inside tubes and tanks. The consequent contamination of dispensed water is a well-known hygiene problem because of the quite constant presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria likes P. aeruginosa. In this study, we tested the technical feasibility and effectiveness of the addition to different commercial devices of a packaged polysulphone fibers filter. We aimed to find a simple solution to implement the quality of the delivered water. Water contamination levels were determined in a wide selection of microfiltered water dispensers and we selected among them a representative group of 10 devices, new or in use. The packaged ultrafilter was introduced in about half of them, to monitor, when possible, in parallel the contamination levels and flow rate of a couple of identical units, with and without the filter. The placement of the dialysis filters resulted feasible at different positions along the water circuits of the variously designed filtration units. Delivered water resulted completely free from bacteria when the filter was placed exactly at, or very close to, the outlet in spite of the inner surfaces contamination. This performance was not obtained in presence of a more or less long tract of water circuits downstream the ultrafilter: a significant but not complete reduction of the plate count numbers was observed. The filters worked in continue over the whole study period, ten months, showing exactly the same efficiency. Moreover, the flow rate in presence of the filter was quite unaffected. The addition of this kind of filter to already in use water dispensers was technically easy, and its use can be recommended in all cases a simple but reliable water sanitization is requested.
On the superstability of the cosine and sine type functional equations
Authors: Lehlou Fouad , Moussa Mohammed , Roukbi Ahmed , Kabbaj Samir
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we study the superstablity problem of the cosine and sine type functional equations:
$$f(x\sigma (y)a) + f(xya) = 2f(x)f(y)$$
and
$$f(x\sigma (y)a) - f(xya) = 2f(x)f(y),$$
where f : S → ℂ is a complex valued function; S is a semigroup; σ is an involution of S and a is a fixed element in the center of S.
Research on Poppers Used as Electrical Connectors in High Speed Textile Transmission Lines
Authors: Leśnikowski Jacek
Published: December 2016

This paper presents results of research on poppers used as electrical connectors connecting fragments of textile signal lines. These lines can be used in intelligent clothing for connecting electronic modules implemented in it. Intelligent (smart) clothing can be used, among others, in the health monitoring of the elderly, newborn babies, or people working in hazardous conditions, for example, firefighters and soldiers. The aim of the present study was to examine the usefulness of poppers, widely used in clothing, as electrical connectors connecting parts of the textile signal lines designed for transmission of high-speed digital signals. The paper presents examples of measured parameters characterizing transmission properties of two fragments of the coplanar, textile transmission line connected to each other using conventional poppers. The presented measurement results contain the so-called s parameters, characteristic impedance of the poppers, and eye measurements characterizing distortions of digital signals passing through the tested line. In the article, the effect of temperature and humidity of air surrounding the tested poppers on their characteristic impedance was also presented. This property and its stability are important in signal lines designed for high-speed data transmission.
Research on Biophysical Properties of Protective Clothing
Authors: Wagner Anna , Dorawa Piotr
Published: December 2016

The aim of this research was to assess thermal insulation properties of select protective suits by performing appropriate tests on a thermal manikin according to Polish standards. The research was conducted for three variants of the user’s positions, which change during work. It has been demonstrated that different body positions, as well as movement of particular body parts, have a significant impact on changes of thermal insulation values of the tested clothing.
Performance evaluation of the construction products as a research challenge. Small error – big difference in assessment?
Authors: Szewczak E. , Piekarczuk A.
Published: December 2016

The paper refers to the importance of test results uncertainty in the assessment of the construction product performance. Uncertainty understood as dispersion attributed to any value which is result of the tests, calculations or other evaluations, occurs at every level of assessment (material, product, construction). Authors presented the various approaches to uncertainty estimation, especially in situation of small number of tests results which is characteristic for testing of construction products. Effects of uncertainty on final assessment of construction product was analyzed using the example of bearing capacity of thin-walled structure obtained by numerical calculation. Different values of material tests uncertainty resulting from different approaches to its assessment was taken into account. It was demonstrated that the difference in the results of strength tests of a material, which falls within the limits of uncertainty, may result in a very significant difference in the evaluation of a structure.
An approach to in-situ compressive strength of concrete
Authors: Brunarski L. , Dohojda M.
Published: December 2016

The paper presents the problem of estimating in-situ compressive strength of concrete in a comprehensive way, taking into account the possibility of direct tests of cored specimens and indirect methods of non-destructive tests: rebound hammer tests and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements. The paper approaches the discussed problem in an original, scientifically documented and exhaustive way, in particular in terms of application.
Dynamic stability of moderately thick beams and frames with the use of harmonic balance and perturbation methods
Authors: Obara P. , Gilewski W.
Published: December 2016

The objective of this paper is to determine dynamic instability areas of moderately thick beams and frames. The effect of moderate thickness on resonance frequencies is considered, with transverse shear deformation and rotatory inertia taken into account. These relationships are investigated using the Timoshenko beam theory. Two methods, the harmonic balance method (HBM) and the perturbation method (PM) are used for analysis. This study also examines the influence of linear dumping on induced parametric vibration. Symbolic calculations are performed in the Mathematica programme environment.
The use of gabbro dust in the cold recycling of asphalt paving mixes with foamed bitumen
Authors: Iwański M. , Buczyński P. , Mazurek G.
Published: December 2016

Mineral fines are a waste product of aggregate production in quarries and asphalt mixing plants. The incorporation of mineral gabbro dust into foam bitumen causes developing of a mesh reinforcement in the recycled base mixture. This mesh reinforcement, observed in a recycled base structure, induces an increase in stiffness modulus, where its elastic part of complex modulus dominates over the imaginary part. Therefore, it is possible to create a recycled mixture with a lower susceptibility to loading time/temperature. In result, the presence of gabbro dust in recycled mixture limits the magnitude of strains induced by the traffic load. This paper presents the results of the tests carried out on the mineral dusts derived from gabbro rock. Structural and functional properties of the fines were determined to prepare their characteristics. Then, the cold recycled mixtures for the road base were designed with the 5–20% mineral fines content. The mixtures were prepared in cold recycling technology with foamed bitumen. Further tests involved determining mechanical and physical properties of the recycled mixes, including air voids content, Marshall stability, Marshall quotient (stiffness), indirect tensile strength and stiffness modulus at 20°C). The results indicated a positive influence of the gabbro dusts on the investigated parameters. With the use of ANOVA tests, the significance of the influence of the gabbro dust and foamed bitumen on these properties was evaluated. Harrington’s multicriteria method was employed to establish gabbro dust and foamed bitumen amounts, the addition of which would guarantee optimal properties of the recycled base mixture.
Verification of iris image authenticity using fragile watermarking
Authors: Czajka A. , Kasprzak W. , Wilkowski A.
Published: December 2016

This paper proposes and evaluates a watermarking-based approach to certify the authenticity of iris images when they are captured by a genuine equipment. In the proposed method, the iris images are secretly signed before being used in biometric processes, and the resulting signature is embedded into the JPEG carrier image in the DCT domain in a data-dependent way. Any alteration of the original (certified) image makes the signature no longer corresponding to this image and this change can be quickly identified at the receiver site. Hence, it is called fragile watermarking to differentiate this method from regular watermarking that should present some robustness against image alterations. There is no need to attach any auxiliary signature data, hence the existing, already standardized transmission channels and storage protocols may be used. The embedding procedure requires to remove some part of the original information. But, by using the BATH dataset comprising 32 000 iris images collected for 1 600 distinct eyes, we verify that the proposed alterations have no impact on iris recognition reliability, although statistically significant, small differences in genuine score distributions are observed when the watermark is embedded to both the enrollment and verification iris images. This is a unique evaluation of how the watermark embedding of digital signatures into the ISO CROPPED iris images (during the enrollment, verification or both) influences the reliability of a well-established, commercial iris recognition methodology. Without loss in generality, this approach is targeted to biometric-enabled ID documents that deploy iris data to authenticate the holder of the document.
FPGA-based bandwidth selection for kernel density estimation using high level synthesis approach
Authors: Gramacki A. , Sawerwain M. , Gramacki J.
Published: December 2016

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) technology can offer significantly higher performance at much lower power consumption than is available from single and multicore CPUs and GPUs (graphics processing unit) in many computational problems. Unfortunately, the pure programming for FPGA using hardware description languages (HDL), like VHDL or Verilog, is a difficult and not-trivial task and is not intuitive for C/C++/Java programmers. To bring the gap between programming effectiveness and difficulty, the high level synthesis (HLS) approach is promoted by main FPGA vendors. Nowadays, time-intensive calculations are mainly performed on GPU/CPU architectures, but can also be successfully performed using HLS approach. In the paper we implement a bandwidth selection algorithm for kernel density estimation (KDE) using HLS and show techniques which were used to optimize the final FPGA implementation. We are also going to show that FPGA speedups, comparing to highly optimized CPU and GPU implementations, are quite substantial. Moreover, power consumption for FPGA devices is usually much less than typical power consumption of the present CPUs and GPUs.
Structures of vector control of n-phase motor drives based on generalized Clarke transformation
Authors: Janaszek M.
Published: December 2016

The paper presents vector control structures for n-phase AC motors derived from generalized Clarke transformation. In contrast to known works, where authors operate on generalized formulas of the Clarke transformation, in this work, only a number of actually used phases, of mostly industrial purposes, are considered (n = 5, 6, 2×3). This allows to perform control calculations in stationary orthogonal coordinates aβ or rotating dq. There are implementations of different control strategies: ROC (rotor-oriented control) or FOC (field-oriented control). Next, the paper presents the novel concept of a voltage modulator designed for multi-phase drive systems. Operation of the modulator is based on the extended Clarke transformation for multiphase systems. A mathematical model of the multiphase voltage modulator, operating in open-loop and closed-loop current control has been presented. Some selected oscillograms of voltage and current waveform, which illustrate properties of proposed control structures have been presented.
Input-output pairing criterion applied in the genetic algorithm for unstable linear systems
Authors: Baban P.Q. , Rahimabadi I.N.
Published: December 2016

In this paper, a new approach towards input-output pairing for an unstable system has been proposed. First, it is demonstrated that the previous method of input-output pairing for unstable plants cannot find appropriate pairs as it only checks necessary conditions for stability and integrity. Then, a new approach using relative error matrix and genetic algorithm for finding appropriate pairs in unstable systems is proposed. As it is shown, this approach takes into consideration both static and dynamic information of plant in measuring interaction. Finally, the accuracy of proposed method is demonstrated by an example and closed loop simulation.
Implementation of a Web-based remote control system for qZS DAB application using low-cost ARM platform
Authors: Korzeniewski M. , Kulikowski K. , Zakis J. , Jasinski M. , Malinowski A.
Published: December 2016

Continuous development of intelligent network applications drives the demand for deployment-ready hardware and software solutions. Such solutions are highly valued not only by distributed producers of energy but by energy consumers as well. The use of intelligent network applications enables the development and improvement of the quality of services. It also increases self-sufficiency and efficiency. This paper describes an example of such device that allows for the control of a dual active bridge (DAB) converter and enables its remote control in real time over an IP-based network. The details of both hardware and software components of proposed implementation are provided. The DAB converter gives a possibility to control and manage the energy between two DC power systems with very different voltage levels. Not only information, but also the quality of energy, the direction of power flow, and energy storage systems can be easily controlled through an IP-based network and power electronics converters. Information technology, together with intelligent control of power electronics technology, provides a flexible solution, especially for sustainable smart grids.
Dedicated system for design, analysis and optimization of AC-DC converters
Authors: Piasecki S. , Szmurlo R. , Rabkowski J. , Jasinski M.
Published: December 2016

This paper presents an originally-developed system for design and optimization of AC-DC converters dedicated in particular to operation in distributed generation systems. The proposed procedure is based on a multi-objective discrete optimization and expert knowledge of electrical engineering, especially power electronics. The required accuracy of calculations is obtained by using the database with real components, while the parameters applied in calculations are based on parameters provided by the manufacturer. The paper presents the foundations and basic system properties, the design and optimization process, and selected optimization results, obtained with a fully functional prototype of the design and optimization system (DaOS).
A study on power losses of the 50 kVA SiC converter including reverse conduction phenomenon
Authors: Rąbkowski J. , Płatek T.
Published: December 2016

This paper deals with performance of the 50 kVA three-phase converter built with switches based on SiC MOSFET and anti-parallel Schottky diodes. In contrast to popular IGBT converters, a negative switch current is capable of flowing through the reverse conducting transistor, which results in different distribution of power losses among the devices. Thus, equations describing the conduction power losses of the transistor and diode are improved and verified by means of circuit simulations in Saber. Moreover, a comparison of power losses calculated with the use of standard and new equations is also shown. Total power losses in three SiC MOSFET modules of a 50 kVA converter operating at 20 kHz are up to 30% lower when reverse conduction is taken into account. This shows the importance of the discussed problem and proves that much better accuracy in the estimation of power losses and junction temperatures of SiC devices may be obtained with the proposed approach.
Teachers’ and students’ motivation model as a strategy for open distance learning processes
Authors: Zaikin O. , Tadeusiewicz R. , Różewski P. , Busk Kofoed L. , Malinowska M. , Żyławski A.
Published: December 2016

Motivation and social aspects as interaction among teachers and students are essential for a successful learning process in an Open Distance Learning environment, and the goal of this paper is to develop an interactive model to manage motivation between the participants of that process. The article contains the concept of developing a motivation model aimed at supporting activity and cooperation of both the students and the teacher. The structure of the motivation model and formal assumptions are presented. The proposed model constitutes a theoretical formalization of a new situation in which a teacher and the students are obligated to elaborate on a didactic material repository content in accordance with the competence requirements. A mathematical method based on game theory and simulation is suggested. The conditions for applying simulation to the model are analyzed in two simulated cases.
Continuation of Prof. Władysław Latek’s research – revitalization of old power units
Authors: Krok R. , Pasko M.
Published: December 2016

The research conducted by Prof. Władysław Latek (1916‒1991) has contributed greatly to development in turbogenerator design. The economical transformation taking place in Poland after 1991 initiated the process of revitalization of old power units in electric power stations. For the past 25 years, a team of scientists continuing the work on perfecting the turbogenerator design and design methods has been working in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of Silesian University of Technology. The work of this team has led to proposing and implementing many modernization projects for turbogenerators operating in Polish power plants, as well as in power plants in European Union and Asian states. Numerous novel and innovative solutions have made it possible to significantly increase turbogenerator power, improve effectiveness of electrical energy production and reliability and safety of operation.
“Disabled” Education Reform and Education Reform’s “Disability” A Case Study of an NGO’s Deaf Education Program in China
Authors: He Xiaoxing , 晓星 贺
Published: December 2016

This article focuses on a prominent NGO in mainland China, the Amity Foundation, and its programs for deaf education reform in recent years. Through analyzing primary sources, such as round table minutes, it presents a vivid process in special education reform and the engagement and influence of this NGO, as a critical social force, in education and its reform. The idea that the Amity Foundation advocates and propagates – that is, deafness as a distinct cultural or cross-cultural existence that education reform should fully acknowledge – is embodied in the “bilingual bicultural” education program for the deaf in many provinces of mainland China. Many of this program’s materials can help us to deeply understand the social and sociological meanings of education reform.
Comparative characteristics of professional predispositions of medical personnel
Authors: Markiewicz Renata , Gajewski Jacek , Żmuda Diana
Published: December 2016

Professional predispositions are an important component characterising people working as health care professionals. The aim of this study was to compare professional predispositions of students at medical courses with professionally active nurses. The study methods included a survey (SOPZ) and the Delta questionnaire. The analysis showed there were no differences in levels of sense of threat, responsibility and creativity in all analysed group, as well as while there was a differentiating influence of the sense of control in the analysed group of students.
Modern faces of hysteria, or some of the dissociative disorders
Authors: Stefańska Alena , Dziwota Ewelina , Stefański Marcin , Nasiłowska-Barud Alicja , Olajossy Marcin
Published: December 2016

The concept of “hysteria” comes from the Greek word “hystera” (uterus) and dates back to the time of Hippocrates, at least. Modern classifications differ regarding the area encompassed by the concepts of dissociation and conversion differ. Mental health professionals in the United States (DSM-5) use a standard classification of mental disorders codifying dissociative disorders as a distinct class of disorders, but subsumes conversion disorders under “somatoform disorders”. The history of hysteria is as long as the history of mankind. Apparently, both the essence and mechanisms of dissociative disorders remain unchanged despite the fact that many years have passed. According to Owczarek et al., dissociative symptoms are caused by the malfunctioning of defence mechanisms and anxiety. This article provides an overview of the available literature on the etiology and pathogenesis of dissociative disorders as well as disorders such as amnesia, dissociative fugue, trance and possession.
On Hermite-Hadamard Type Inequalities for s–Convex Mappings via Fractional Integrals of a Function with Respect to Another Function
Authors: Budak Hüseyin , Sarikaya Mehmet Z.
Published: December 2016

In this paper, we obtain some Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities fors–convex function via fractional integrals with respect to another function which generalize the Riemann-Liouville fractional integrals and the Hadamard fractional integrals. The results presented here provide extensions of those given in earlier works.
Uniqueness of Differential Polynomials of Meromorphic Functions Sharing a Small Function Without Counting Multiplicity
Authors: Oanh Bui Thi Kieu , Thuy Ngo Thi Thu
Published: December 2016

The paper concerns interesting problems related to the field of Complex Analysis, in particular Nevanlinna theory of meromorphic functions. The author have studied certain uniqueness problem on differential polynomials of meromorphic functions sharing a small function without counting multiplicity. The results of this paper are extension of some problems studied by K. Boussaf et. al. in [2] and generalization of some results of S.S. Bhoosnurmath et. al. in [4].
On Coefficient Problems of an Operator with Respect to Symmetric Point
Authors: Terwase Ajai P. , Darus Maslina
Published: December 2016

In this research work, we study the properties of a certain differential subordination involving an operator with respect to a symmetric point. We establish coefficient estimates as our main results.
Bildungstheorie und Bewegungsforschung
Authors: Bunk Benjamin
Published: December 2016

Die Bewegungsforschung analysiert gerne äußere Bedingungen um soziale Bewegungen, ihre Entstehung, ihren Verlauf oder Ergebnisse zu erklären. Oder sie untersucht vorausgehende Einstellungen und Motive von Individuen. So aber geraten sowohl die Eigendynamik von Situationen, die Binnenräume von Kollektivsubjekten und so deren Bedeutung für individuelle Bildungsprozesse aus dem Blick. Wie aber verändern sich Individuen in sozialer Bewegung? Die Bildung reflexiver Subjekte in sozialen und kulturellen Zusammenhängen aber ist die Problemstellung, mit welcher sich traditionell Bildungstheorie befasst; Grund genug, den Zusammenhang zwischen Bildungstheorie und Bewegungsforschung theoretisch als auch exemplarisch anhand der brasilianischenMovimento dos Sem Terrazu vertiefen: als pädagogischer Raum welcher Individuierungsprozesse und die Konstitution eigenwilliger Subjektivität ermöglicht.
„Wir sind SchülerInnen, keine Kunden!“
Authors: Alarcón Cristina
Published: December 2016

Seit fast einem Jahrzehnt sind jene mit dunkelblau-weißen Schuluniformen gekleideten Jugendlichen von der politischen Landschaft, ja von der Tagespolitik Chiles, nicht mehr wegzudenken. An Geltung gewann diese SchülerInnenbewegung nicht nur, weil sie die erste massive soziale Protestbewegung seit dem Ende der Militärdiktatur (1973–1990) organisierte, sondern auch weil sie gegen die bis dahin nicht nahezu unangetasteten neoliberalen und autoritären Grundlagen des Bildungswesens rebellierte. Während vorige Studien sich vornehmlich mit der Entwicklung und/oder den sozialpolitischen Auswirkungen der Bewegung beschäftigt haben, analysiert dieser Beitrag die chilenische SchülerInnenbewegung als Bildungsort. Untersucht werden einerseits die sozialen Bewusstseinsprozesse, die die Bewegung für die Gesellschaft ankurbelte, andererseits die Lern- und Selbstbildungsprozesse, die die SchülerInnen im Rahmen der Bewegung durchliefen, wie z. B. die Aneignung von Kompetenzen der politischen Reflexion, Argumentation, Kommunikation und Mobilisierung. Der Beitrag gründet auf Interviews von SchülerInnen, sowie auf Berichten, Blogs, Webplattformen und Plakaten der Bewegung. Darüber hinaus wurden Periodika, Foto- und Videoquellen analysiert.
„La Educacion no se vende, se defiende“: Der Kampf um Bildung im post-autoritären Chile
Authors: Bechtum Alexandra
Published: December 2016

In Chile protestieren seit 2011 hunderttausende Studierende für eine bessere und kostenfreie Bildung. Während sich die Forderungen der Studierenden zu Beginn der Demonstrationen noch auf strukturelle Reformen des Bildungssystems beschränkten, wurden im weiteren Verlauf Rufe nach umfassenderen politischen und sozioökonomischen Veränderungen laut, mit denen zugleich politische Macht- und Verteilungsverhältnisse fundamental hinterfragt wurden. Dieser Beitrag geht der Frage nach, wie die chilenischen Bildungsproteste ihre gesamtgesellschaftliche Bedeutung entfalten konnten. Anhand von post-liberalen Ansätzen der Demokratietheorie wird aufgezeigt, dass die Studierenden mit ihren Protesten die politische Arena erweitern, wobei sie dem Charakter der chilenischen Demokratie diametral entgegenstehen. Ferner wird diskutiert, wie die Studierenden die Kritik am Bildungssystem als gesamtgesellschaftliches Problem konstruieren und auf diese Weise die Kontingenz gesellschaftlicher und politischer Problemlagen sichtbar machen.
Bildung als Instrument sozialer Bewegungen – der Fall der interkulturellen zweisprachigen Erziehung der Indigenenbewegung Ecuadors
Authors: Altmann Philipp
Published: December 2016

Viele soziale Bewegungen unterhalten Bildungsstrukturen, die die staatlichen ersetzen, verändern oder ergänzen sollen. Diese Anstrengung ist meist darauf ausgerichtet, zum einen einen besseren Zugang zu Bildung im weiteren Sinne für die jeweilige Zielgruppe anzubieten, zum anderen aber, auf diskursiver, organisatorischer und politischer Ebene, die soziale Bewegung selbst zu stärken und in der Gesellschaft zu verankern. In diesem Sinne ist Bildung ein Instrument sozialer Bewegungen. Die Indigenenbewegung Ecuadors hat seit ihrem Beginn in den 1930ern systematisch eigene Bildungsstrukturen aufgebaut, die die vom Nationalstaat gelassenen Lücken füllen sollten. Diese zuerst klandestinen Schulen wurden zunehmend anerkannt und in staatliche Strukturen integriert bis hin zur Schaffung einer von den Indigenenorganisationen autonom verwalteten staatlichen Behörde der interkulturellen zweisprachigen Erziehung 1988, die bis 2009 in diesem Sinne funktionierte. Die indigenen Bildungsstrukturen waren bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt ein Freiraum für die Bewegung, ein Zugang zu Ressourcen für ihre Mitglieder und eine Strategie der Verankerung der Organisationen in den indigenen Gemeinden. Gleichzeitig haben interne Bildungsstrukturen der Indigenenorganisationen zu ihrer Entwicklung entscheidend beigetragen.
Graswurzel-TechnologInnen: Kritische digitale Medienkompetenz in der amerikanischen Immigrantenbewegung
Authors: Costanza-Chock Sasha
Published: December 2016

Es ist mittlerweile allgemein bekannt, dass soziale Bewegungen die Vorteile des weitreichenden Zugangs zu Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien (IKT) und Veränderungen in der Medienlandschaft wahrnehmen um die Stimmen ihrer Communities zu stärken. Aber welche Stimmen kommen zu Wort? In den USA haben im Ausland geborene, spanisch-sprechende Niedriglohn-ArbeiterInnen weniger Zugang zu digitalen Medien und der dafür nötigen Ausstattung mit Geräten, Kenntnissen und Breitband-Internet als jede andere Bevölkerungsgruppe. Gleichzeitig nutzt die Immigrantenbewegung digitale Medien oft auf innovative Weise und AktivistInnen in der Bewegung arbeiten daran, eine Praxis kritischer Medienkompetenz zu entwickeln, in die die soziale Basis eingeschlossen ist. In diesem Artikel baue ich auf ein Jahrzehnt Aktionsforschung auf um zu beschreiben, wie zusätzlich zu formalem IKT-Training in Klassen und Workshops informelles peer-to-peer Lernen in Freundschafts- und Familiennetzwerken die kritische Medienkompetenz fördert und die Immigrantenbewegung in den USA stärkt.
Zwischen Kooptation und Repression: Die ägyptische LehrerInnenbewegung auf ihrem schweren Weg zur Emanzipation
Authors: Zaher Ain El Hayat
Published: December 2016

Bereits vor dem Aufstand im Januar und Februar 2011 und dem damit verbundenen Rücktritt von Hosni Mubarak gründeten sich in Ägypten unabhängige Gewerkschaften, zwei davon waren LehrerInnengewerkschaften. Seit den 1950er Jahren (unter dem sozialistischen Präsidenten Gamal Abd El Nasser) bis in das Jahr 2010 gab es für Lehrerinnen und Lehrer nur eine Staatsgewerkschaft, die nicht die Interessen der LehrerInnen vertrat, sondern vielmehr als verlängerter Arm des Staates fungierte. Der Beitrag analysiert Bewusstseins- und Lernprozesse in der ägyptischen LehrerInnenbewegung, die sowohl die Bildungspolitik als auch die berufliche Interessensvertretung umfasst. Unterschiedliche Organisationen werden hinsichtlich ihrer Ansätze zur beruflichen Interessensvertretung und ihrer Einstellung zur gewerkschaftlichen Organisierung verglichen. Dabei wird ein besonderer Schwerpunkt auf die Auseinandersetzung mit den alten Strukturen gelegt und herausgearbeitet, welchen Einfluss das jahrzehntelang herrschende autoritäre, korporatistische Regime auf die derzeitigen Organisationen hat. Neben Organisationskompetenzen sind hier auch Kompetenzen im Kommunikationsprozess gefragt und werden entsprechend untersucht: Konflikte und Widersprüche sind nicht nur auf Ebene der Organisationsfrage zu verzeichnen, sondern auch in Bezug auf Strategiefragen.
Neue Fragen in der gereiften Bürgergesellschaft
Authors: Hummel Konrad
Published: December 2016

In seinem Beitrag zeigt Konrad Hummel auf, worauf es beim Übergang von der akuten Krisensituation, in der viele Geflüchtete aufgenommen wurden, zu einer strategischen Integration dieser Menschen ankommt. Dabei verschiebt sich der Fokus von der Freiwilligenarbeit auf die Entwicklung funktionierender Kooperationsmuster zwischen den verschiedenen Akteuren vor Ort. Dafür ist es nicht zuletzt notwendig gegenseitiges Vertrauen aufzubauen.
Bleibt Deutschland Deutschland?
Authors: Kusterer Peter
Published: December 2016

Peter Kusterer plädiert in seinem Beitrag dafür, die Integration der geflüchteten Menschen als Chance für Deutschland zu sehen, unter anderem dem demografischen Wandel oder auch dem Fachkräftemangel zu begegnen. Zudem sei zunächst auch einmal anzuerkennen, dass bereits vieles geleistet worden sei. Dennoch: Es brauche weniger Prozess- und Detailverliebtheit und vielmehrklarer Strukturen und Pläne innerhalb der Kommunen, damit die Integrationsaufgabe gelingt.
ALS-based wood volume models of forest stands and comparison with forest inventory data
Authors: Arumäe Tauri , Lang Mait
Published: December 2016

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) based standing wood volume models were analysed in two contrasting test sites with different forest types in Estonia. In Aegviidu test site main tree species are Scots pine and Norway spruce and Laeva test site is mainly dominated by deciduous species. ALS data measurements were carried out for Aegviidu in 2008 and for Laeva in 2013. Approximately 450 sample plots were established additionally to the forest inventory dataset in both test sites. Exclusive to the sample plots, 46 stands were measured in 2012 in Aegviidu for stand level model. The sample plot-based model standard error in Aegviidu was Se = 59.8 m3/ha (22%) and in Laeva Se = 69.2 m3/ha (29%). The stand-level model based on 46 measured stands from Aegviidu had Se = 38.4 m3/ha. Based on the models a cross-validation between the two test sites was carried out and systematic differences between the two test sites were found. The reasons are related to differences in optical properties of trees, crown shapes, flight configuration and canopy cover even though the sample plot based models included ALS-based canopy cover variable. The ALS-based wood volume estimate was also compared to forest inventory (FI) data and systematically larger estimates compared to FI dataset in both test sites were found. This average systematic error increased substantially (by 100 m3/ha) for stands with volume over 250 m3/ha. It was also detected that a model developed on small point clouds drawn for sample plots may produce systematic errors when applied to stand-level point clouds.
Selecting site characteristics at different spatial and thematic scales for shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa L.) distribution mapping
Authors: Remm Kalle
Published: December 2016

The largest natural population of shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) in the Baltic States was observed in the field to reveal the scale-dependent explanatory value of site characteristics for subsequent spatial distribution modelling of the species. About 700 km was crossed during field observations in 2008–2014. Thinning of the raw field records to ensure a distance of at least 50 metres between each point yielded 1459 presences and 7327 absences. These occurrence data were related to present and historical land cover, soil, elevation, human population density, the proportion of presence sites, and P. fruticosa mean coverage in the neighbourhood. Boosted classification tree models were used to compare the value of 60 individual site features at thematically and spatially different levels of generalization as indicators of the species’ presence or absence. P. fruticosa presence is significantly non-random regarding most of the studied site features but only a few of these are valuable predictors. The proportion of presences in the neighbourhood had the highest indicative value. P. fruticosa occurrence also coincides with moist thin calcareous soils according to the soil map, with larger scrubland patches according to the topographical database, and with tussock areas according to a topographical map from the 1930s. The explanatory value of nominal site characteristics primarily drops when the most indicative category is merged with other classes to form a more general category. Site characteristics calculated at the observation point are not always the most effective predictors for P. fruticosa occurrence – features of the neighbourhood are related to the occurrence as well. The study area was classified into: confirmed absence area, unclear presence/absence area and probable presence area. Subsequent distribution modelling in the unclear area should be targeted on a species presence/absence, while abundance could be the priority within the probable presence area.
Influence mechanism of development effect of forest ecotourism in China
Authors: Liang Hui
Published: December 2016

Owing to the abundant forest resources, China is endowed with the advantages of developing forest ecotourism. In order that the forest resources better meet the demand of national tourism, the key is to explore the development condition and effect of forest ecotourism resources. Only with a development plan that accords with the national tourism demand can the economic value of forest ecotourism resources be realized to the greatest degree. In this study, we introduced the structural equation model which could be used to reflect the relationship and influence between variables. In the aspect of tourist satisfaction, we put forward an evaluation model for tourist satisfaction. Then, based on questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews on the tourists from three scenic spots, we analyzed the development effect, quality of talents and support rates of the surrounding residents in the scenic areas. Furthermore, we established an influence mechanism model of the development effect of forest ecotourism resources, with resource factor, principal factor, market factor and macro factor as the influence factors. At last, we put forward countermeasures and suggestions for the optimization of resource development, which could provide policy suggestions for the development of national tourism.
Redistribution population data across a regular spatial grid according to buildings characteristics
Authors: Calka Beata , Bielecka Elzbieta , Zdunkiewicz Katarzyna
Published: December 2016

Population data are generally provided by state census organisations at the predefined census enumeration units. However, these datasets very are often required at userdefined spatial units that differ from the census output levels. A number of population estimation techniques have been developed to address these problems. This article is one of those attempts aimed at improving county level population estimates by using spatial disaggregation models with support of buildings characteristic, derived from national topographic database, and average area of a flat. The experimental gridded population surface was created for Opatów county, sparsely populated rural region located in Central Poland. The method relies on geolocation of population counts in buildings, taking into account the building volume and structural building type and then aggregation the people total in 1 km quadrilateral grid. The overall quality of population distribution surface expressed by the mean of RMSE equals 9 persons, and the MAE equals 0.01. We also discovered that nearly 20% of total county area is unpopulated and 80% of people lived on 33% of the county territory.
Earth Observation and Geospatial techniques for Soil Salinity and Land Capability Assessment over Sundarban Bay of Bengal Coast, India
Authors: Das Sumanta , Choudhury Malini Roy , Das Subhasish , Nagarajan M.
Published: December 2016

To guarantee food security and job creation of small scale farmers to commercial farmers, unproductive farms in the South 24 PGS, West Bengal need land reform program to be restructured and evaluated for agricultural productivity. This study established a potential role of remote sensing and GIS for identification and mapping of salinity zone and spatial planning of agricultural land over the Basanti and Gosaba Islands(808.314sq. km) of South 24 PGS. District of West Bengal. The primary data i.e. soil pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Sodium Absorption ratio (SAR) were obtained from soil samples of various GCP (Ground Control Points) locations collected at 50 mts. intervals by handheld GPS from 0–100 cm depths. The secondary information is acquired from the remotely sensed satellite data (LANDSAT ETM+) in different time scale and digital elevation model. The collected field samples were tested in the laboratory and were validated with Remote Sensing based digital indices analysisover the temporal satellite data to assess the potential changes due to over salinization. Soil physical properties such as texture, structure, depth and drainage condition is stored as attributes in a geographical soil database and linked with the soil map units. The thematic maps are integrated with climatic and terrain conditions of the area to produce land capability maps for paddy. Finally, The weighted overlay analysis was performed to assign theweights according to the importance of parameters taken into account for salineareaidentification and mapping to segregate higher, moderate, lower salinity zonesover the study area.