bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 lockdowns highlight a risk of increasing ozone pollution
in European urban areas
Authors: Grange Stuart K. , Lee James D. , Drysdale Will S. , Lewis Alastair C. , Hueglin Christoph , Emmenegger Lukas , Carslaw David C.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. In March 2020, non-pharmaceutical interventions in the form of lockdowns were applied across Europe to urgently reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes the COVID-19 disease. The near-complete shutdown of the European economy had widespread impacts on atmospheric composition, particularly for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3). To investigate these changes, we analyze data from 246 ambient air pollution monitoring sites in 102 urban areas and 34 countries in Europe between February and July, 2020. Counterfactual, business as usual air quality time series are created using machine learning models to account for natural weather variability. Across Europe, we estimate that NO2 concentrations were 34 and 32 % lower than expected for traffic and urban-background locations while O3 was 30 and 21 % higher (in the same environments) at the point of maximum restriction on mobility. The European urban NO2 experienced in the 2020 lockdown was equivalent to that which might be anticipated in 2028 based on average trends since 2010. Despite NO2 concentrations decreasing by approximately a third, total oxidant (Ox) changed little, suggesting that the reductions of NO2 were substituted by increases in O3. The lockdown period demonstrated that the expected future reductions in NO2 in European urban areas are likely to lead to a widespread increase in urban O3 pollution unless additional mitigation measures are introduced.
Variability of the Brunt–Väisälä frequency at the OH∗-airglow layer height at low and midlatitudes
Authors: Wüst Sabine , Bittner Michael , Yee Jeng-Hwa , Mlynczak Martin G. , Russell III James M.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Airglow spectrometers, as they are operated within the Network for the Detection
of Mesospheric Change (NDMC; https://ndmc.dlr.de, last access: 1 November 2020), for example, allow the derivation of rotational
temperatures which are equivalent to the kinetic temperature, local thermodynamic
equilibrium provided. Temperature variations at the height of the airglow layer
are, amongst others, caused by gravity waves. However, airglow spectrometers do
not deliver vertically resolved temperature information. This is an obstacle
for the calculation of the density of gravity wave potential energy from these measurements. As Wüst et al. (2016) showed, the density of wave potential energy can
be estimated from data of OH∗-airglow spectrometers if co-located
TIMED-SABER (Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics Dynamics, Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) measurements are available, since they allow the calculation of the
Brunt–Väisälä frequency. If co-located measurements are not
available, a climatology of the Brunt–Väisälä frequency is an
alternative. Based on 17 years of TIMED-SABER temperature data (2002–2018),
such a climatology is provided here for the OH∗-airglow layer height and for
a latitudinal longitudinal grid of 10∘×20∘ at
midlatitudes and low latitudes. Additionally, climatologies of height and thickness
of the OH∗-airglow layer are calculated.
HARMONIE-AROME single-column tools and experiments
Authors: Gleeson Emily , Outten Stephen , Kokkvoll Engdahl Bjørg Jenny , Whelan Eoin , Andrae Ulf , Rontu Laura
Published: November 2020

Abstract. The single-column version of the shared ALADIN-HIRLAM numerical weather prediction system, called MUSC, was developed by Météo-France in the 2000s and has a growing user-base in both HIRLAM and ALADIN countries. Tools to derive the required input, to run the experiments and to handle outputs of experiments carried out using MUSC have been developed within the HARMONIE-AROME canonical model configuration of the ALADIN-HIRLAM system are described within and constitute a large portion of this paper. The paper also illustrates the usefulness of the single-column approach for testing and developing HARMONIE-AROME physical parametrizations related to cloud microphysics and radiative transfer. Study cases concerning these physical parametrizations have been included for illustration purposes.
A METHOD TO GENERATE FLOOD MAPS IN 3D USING DEM AND DEEP LEARNING
Authors: Gebrehiwot A. , Hashemi-Beni L.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. High-resolution remote sensing imagery has been increasingly used for flood applications. Different methods have been proposed for flood extent mapping from creating water index to image classification from high-resolution data. Among these methods, deep learning methods have shown promising results for flood extent extraction; however, these two-dimensional (2D) image classification methods cannot directly provide water level measurements. This paper presents an integrated approach to extract the flood extent in three-dimensional (3D) from UAV data by integrating 2D deep learning-based flood map and 3D cloud point extracted from a Structure from Motion (SFM) method. We fine-tuned a pretrained Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG-16) based fully convolutional model to create a 2D inundation map. The 2D classified map was overlaid on the SfM-based 3D point cloud to create a 3D flood map. The floodwater depth was estimated by subtracting a pre-flood Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from the SfM-based DEM. The results show that the proposed method is efficient in creating a 3D flood extent map to support emergency response and recovery activates during a flood event.
Towards a swath-to-swath sea-ice drift product for the Copernicus
Imaging Microwave Radiometer mission
Authors: Lavergne Thomas , Piñol Solé Montserrat , Down Emily , Donlon Craig
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Across spatial and temporal scales, sea-ice motion has implications on ship navigation, the sea-ice thickness distribution, sea ice export to lower latitudes and re-circulation in the polar seas, among others. Satellite remote sensing is an effective way to monitor sea-ice drift globally and daily, especially using the wide swaths of passive microwave missions. Since the late 1990s, many algorithms and products have been developed for this task. Here, we investigate how processing sea-ice drift vectors from the intersection of individual swaths of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) mission compares to today's status-quo (processing from daily averaged maps of brightness temperature). We document that the swath-to-swath (S2S) approach results in many more (two orders of magnitude) sea-ice drift vectors than the daily-maps (DM) approach. These S2S vectors also validate better when compared to trajectories of on-ice drifters. For example, the RMSE of the 24 hour Arctic sea-ice drift is 0.9 km for S2S vectors, and 1.3 km for DM vectors from the 36.5 GHz imagery of AMSR2. Through a series of experiments with actual AMSR2 data and simulated Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) data, we study the impact that geo-location uncertainty and imaging resolution have on the accuracy of the sea-ice drift vectors. We conclude by recommending that a swath-to-swath approach is adopted for the future operational Level-2 sea-ice drift product of the CIMR mission. We outline some potential next steps towards further improving the algorithms, and making the user community ready to fully take advantage of such a product.
Strong-motion instrumentation and records in the Wanganui earthquake swarm
Authors: McVerry G. H , Hefford R. T.
Published: November 2020

Advice was received from the Seis-mological Observatory in the afternoon of Thursday, October 14, 1982 that the earthquake swarm felt in Wanganui over the previous few days was the strongest activity in the area for many years and that it would be worthwhile to have strong-motion instrumentation in the area. The only PEL instrument in Wanganui at that time was a scratch-plate in the basement of the Post Office, with the nearest film-recording MO2 accelerographs 25 kilometres from Wanganui in the four-instrument array at Atene on the Wanganui River. There were, however, two six-component Solid State Equipment (SSE) Ltd digital accelerographs located in an office building in Wanganui. No earthquakes had been recorded on a SEE accelerograph previously. It was therefore decided to install a MO2 in Wanganui and another at some suitable site to be determined after discussion with the Seismological Observatory team monitoring the swarm.
Causality in the Crime of Willful Murder by Transmission of Coronavirusin the Jordanian Legislation
Authors: Alazab Saleem Isaaf
Published: November 2020

Article (326) of the Jordanian Penal Code does not differentiate between methods of willful murder. These methods include transmission of Covid-19, where such type of disease is considered contagious under Article (17) of Jordanian Public Health Law No. (47) of 2008. However, medical science has not certainly proven that the transmission of the virus to a victim is a viable method of infection that definitely causes death. This is since this result (death) might happen a long time after transmission of coronavirus to a victim.

It is difficult for the legislator to draft clear provisions that take into account the various circumstances of the willful murder and its sophisticated methods. Therefore, the trial judge is required to verify the existence of the causal relationship in each willful murder case based on its relevant circumstances.
Drivers of Support for the Populist Radical Left and Populist Radical Right in Belgium
Authors: Goovaerts Ine , Kern Anna , van Haute Emilie , Marien Sofie
Published: November 2020

Drivers of Support for the Populist Radical Left and Populist Radical Right in Belgium

This study investigates how protest attitudes and ideological considerations affected the 2019 election results in Belgium, and particularly the vote for the radical right-wing populist party Vlaams Belang (VB) and for the radical left-wing populist party Partij van de Arbeid-Parti du Travail de Belgique (PVDA-PTB). Our results confirm that both protest attitudes and ideological considerations play a role to distinguish radical populist voters from mainstream party voters in general. However, when opposed to their second-best choice, we show that particularly protest attitudes matter. Moreover, in comparing radical right- and left-wing populist voters, the article disentangles the respective weight of these drivers on the two ends of the political spectrum. Being able to portray itself as an alternative to mainstream can give these parties an edge among a certain category of voters, albeit this position is also difficult to hold in the long run.
Campaigning Online and Offline: Different Ballgames?
Authors: Lefevere Jonas , Van Aelst Peter , Peeters Jeroen
Published: November 2020

Campaigning Online and Offline: Different Ballgames?

This Research Note investigates party advertising in newspapers and on social media (Facebook) during the 2019 general elections in Flanders, the largest region of Belgium. The 2019 elections saw a marked increase in the use of social media advertising by parties, whereas newspaper advertising saw a decline. Prior research that compares multiple types of advertising, particularly advertising on social and legacy media remains limited. As such, based on a quantitative content analysis we investigate not just the prevalence of party advertising on both types of media, but also compare the level of negativity, presidentialisation, and issue emphasis. Our analysis reveals substantial differences: we find that not only the type of advertisements varies across the platforms, but also that social media ads tend to be more negative. Finally, parties’ issue emphasis varies substantially as well, with different issues being emphasized in newspaper and Facebook advertisements.
Recidive na verblijf in buitenlandse detentie
Authors: van Hall Matthias , Cleofa-van der Zwet Laura
Published: November 2020

Reoffending after foreign detention: A study among returning prisoners in the Netherlands

Worldwide, at least 1,900 Dutch prisoners are housed in foreign detention every year. Although previous research describes this group of prisoners and the conditions of their detention, it is unknown to what extent they reoffend after returning to the Netherlands. A unique dataset with data of 690 Dutch people has been used. They are supervised during their foreign detention by the International Office, part of the Dutch Probation Service. The results show that 23% of this group reoffended within two years. Furthermore, the probability of reoffending differs for the country of detention, age, way of return and prior incarcerations.
Straftoemeting in zaken betreffende seksuele uitbuiting van minderjarigen
Authors: Huls Eva , Huls Frits
Published: November 2020

Sentencing sexual exploitation of child victims

This article is a summary of the recently published study of Defence for Children - ECPAT: Sentencing of Sexual Exploitation of Minors: an analysis. The aim of the research was to provide insight into the penalties imposed in 2015-2019 in cases involving the sexual exploitation (human trafficking) of child victims. Another aim was to gain a better understanding of how the sentence was determined. A total of 145 convictions were analysed. This article first describes (the reason for) the research. Subsequently, the crime of human trafficking is briefly discussed. The findings of the analysis are then presented in a summarized version. Finally, the conclusion and recommendations follow.
Institutioneel misbruik en geweld uit het verleden
Authors: Aertsen Ivo , Schotsmans Martien
Published: November 2020

Historical institutional abuse and violence. A comparison of two restorative programmes in Belgium

In this article, an analysis is made of two response models for different forms of abuse and violence that occurred in the past on children in institutional settings. Two programmes are compared, as they operated during last 10 years in Belgium: on the one hand the Centre of Arbitration for sexual abuse and violence in the Catholic Church at the national level, on the other hand the Commission for Recognition and Mediation for various types of abuse and violence in youth and educational institutions and other organisational contexts in the Flemish Community. Both models are analysed and compared at the conceptual and empirical level from a restorative justice approach, looking at the elements that may reveal a certain form of restorative justice and/or may contain lessons for the further development of restorative justice. The background and origins of both programmes are presented into detail, followed by a comparison with respect to the political options on the basis of their creation, the composition of their boards, their scope of application and their procedures. Some numbers and characteristics of cases dealt with are presented.

The analysis of both models points at the presence – in varying degrees – of important restorative justice elements as provided in the international literature. However, restorative justice standards are more prominent in the Flemish Commission for Recognition and Mediation as compared to the national Centre of Arbitration for sexual abuse in the Church. Both programmes also demonstrate that restorative action is needed at different, mutually interwoven levels: the personal (micro) level, the institutional (meso) level and the societal (macro) level. At the institutional and societal level the transformative potential of the interventions is very much needed, but also most challenging in terms of the development of effective restorative methods.
Mediation in strafzaken: de werkstijl is de methode
Authors: Mual Makiri
Published: November 2020

Mediation in penal cases: style of working is the method. Reflections on its practice

Since the beginning of 2020 mediation in penal cases (mediation in strafzaken) has officially become the preferred intervention for victim-offender mediation in the criminal procedure in the Netherlands. Although mediation in general has a sound theoretical framework, the methodological elaboration appears pluriform and somewhat limited. In practice mediators in penal cases operate conform their own personal and professional standards and preferences, apparently without tailor made methodology. This article describes the current methodological directions such as transformative or narrative mediation and seeks for useful references. As a part of restorative practice, mediation in penal cases seems to remain secluded from insights and methodology developed in the domain of restorative justice practices. Educational institutes providing trainings for mediators barely refer to this theoretical framework. Besides a methodological reconnaissance this article offers a fundamental comparison of mediation styles and interventions, but is above all an incentive to further methodological research and development.
Welke toekomst voor herstelrecht in Brussel?
Authors: Moustatine Ali , Flachet Tom , Claes Erik
Published: November 2020

‘Radicalisation’ and restorative justice in Brussels. Which future for restorative interventions?

This article critically examines the prospects of restorative justice in Brussels from the perspective of urban youth work. The insights issue from action research on the topic of ‘radicalisation’. The authors develop two arguments. The first tempers restorative optimism. It shows how restorative interventions are not necessarily the most adequate response to tensions and conflicts in urban settings. The second argument points out that resistance from urban youth workers regarding the implementation of restorative interventions should not be seen as a regrettable obstacle for academics who are eager to experiment with these interventions. Such a resistance can lead to new insights and fresh opportunities to radically rethink Restorative Justice. One of the ideas that the article brings to the surface comes down to this. In a city like Brussels, characterised by superdiversity, and clearly marked by social inequalities, academic researchers only gain credibility in initiating restorative interventions if they undeniably denounce these inequalities and fully express their engagement for social justice.
Monumentale løgner. Utkast til en orwellsk arkeologi
Authors: Gjerpe Lars Erik
Published: November 2020

Inspired by George Orwell’s novel 1984 I explore the Viking Age use of the past at Gulli, Vestfold. In the Viking Age a person’s legal status depended on genealogy, a leader should be able to claim to be a descendant from gods. As there are no gods, a potential leader needed to create a mythical genealogy by weaving her/himself into the landscape. Graves are understood to be documents written in sand, soil and dead bodies, and as ideals and networks changed and new persons aspire to power, the documents are erased by shovels and new ones created. By discerning history as a precise description of the past from collective memory, as a story about a glorious past used to strengthen self-image, the monumental lies of the Big Brother of Gulli are revealed.
Ingrid Ystgaard (red.): Environment and settlement: Ørland 600 BC – AD 1250. Archaeological excavations at Vik, Ørland main air base.
Authors: Meling Trond
Published: November 2020

Bokanmeldelse av boken Environment and settlement: Ørland 600 BC – AD 1250. Archaeological excavations at Vik, Ørland main air base.
Minneord Sæbjørg Walaker Nordeide (1956–2020)
Authors: Christophersen Axel , Jondell Erik , Barndon Randi , Marstrander Lyder
Published: November 2020

Minneord Sæbjørg Walaker Nordeide (1956–2020)
Sachenrecht
Authors: Kainer Friedemann
Published: November 2020

Das Sachenrecht gehört zum Pflichtfachstoff in den beiden Staatsexamina und ist bei Studenten aufgrund der oftmals auftretenden Mehrpersonenkonstellationen nicht sehr beliebt. Das neue Lehrbuch zum Sachenrecht will dies ändern. In einem Band wird das Mobiliar- und das Immobiliarsachenrecht dargestellt. Alle typischen Fallkonstellationen werden durchgespielt und zahlreiche Beispiele, Schemata sowie Wiederholungs- und Vertiefungsfragen am Ende eines jeden Kapitels erleichtern das Verständnis. Die enthaltenen Fälle samt Lösungen helfen bei der Umsetzung des Gelernten in der Klausurpraxis. Das Lehrbuch eignet sich sowohl für Anfänger als auch für Fortgeschrittene. Besondere Sorgfalt wird auf das Verständnis der sachenrechtlichen Prinzipien in allen Einzelfragen gelegt.
Predictive Power of Preoperative Serum Total Bilirubin for the Outcomes Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Saeidi Shahri Sara , Aliakbarian Mohsen , Jarahi Lida
Published: November 2020

Background: The high levels of bilirubin in patients with periampullary cancers may increase the morbidity or mortality after curative surgery. Objectives: We aimed at evaluating the predictive power of preoperative serum total bilirubin for the outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in resectable periampullary cancers. Methods: The data of 80 patients, who had undergone PD, were retrospectively analyzed. Regarding the preoperative bilirubin, we opted for 20 mg/dL as the cut-off value to divide patients into two groups to be subjected to simple and multiple logistic regression. Results: A total of 80 patients with a mean age of 54.90 ± 14.33 years underwent PD. The median preoperative bilirubin level was 4.7 mg/dL and the majority of cases (88.8%) had bilirubin < 20 mg/dL. While there was no significant difference in the mortality between bilirubin groups (P = 0.266), bilirubin≥20 mg/dL remarkably increased the postoperative morbidity (P = 0.012, Odds ratio = 3.04); 57.5% of cases underwent biliary drainage before surgery, which did not impact the mortality and morbidity. Multiple analysis by a logistic regression model disclosed that the only statistically significant variable for mortality was the total operative time (P = 0.038) and among all factors, total bilirubin level was the only independent predictor for the morbidity status (P = 0.009). Conclusions: This study suggested that preoperative biliary drainage should only be limited to patients with high bilirubin levels (≥ 20 mg/dL) or expected delayed surgeries.
Differentiation of Zaghrouta, Ululation to Express Joy in the Middle East, from Movement Disorders and Other Conditions
Authors: Elshourbagy Tarek , Mousa Aliaa , Adel Mohamed Mona , Robert Brasic James
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Clinicians are trained to elicit symptoms and signs to formulate a differential diagnosis. Ruling out treatable diseases is crucial. Movement disorders specialists interpret observable behaviors as indicators of potential pathological processes. Movement disorders specialists must be able to identify symptoms and signs of organic disorders as well as actions that represent normal behaviors in healthy members of specific ethnic and cultural groups. The goal of this presentation is to describe zaghrouta, a manifestation of joy in the Middle East and other cultures, and to differentiate this normal expression of feelings from movement disorders, exaggerated startle responses, and functional disorders. Case Presentation: A 29-year-old Egyptian woman observed the performance of zaghrouta frequently for happy events in her family, neighborhood, and community since early childhood as long as she can remember. Ten years ago she herself first performed zaghrouta at the engagement party of her friend. Since then she has performed zaghrouta five or six times a year to express happiness for cheerful events. Conclusions: Zaghrouta may resemble pathological behaviors seen in movement disorders such as tardive dyskinesia, focal seizures, psychiatric manifestations such as catatonia in schizophrenia, tics in the syndrome of Gilles de la Tourette, and functional disorders. Therefore, clinicians around the world must be able to differentiate this normal behavior to express emotions from abnormal behaviors indicating pathology.
Explore, Conjecture, Connect, Prove: The Versatility of a Rich Geometry Problem
Authors: Quinn Robert J. , Ball Tom S.
Published: November 2020

A rich geometry problem and discussion of its solution. Preservice teachers are challenged to prove their conjecture in a variety of mathematically correct justifications. The authors demonstrate that mathematical rigor is possible at a variety of student ability levels.
Eliciting Students' Beliefs about Who Is Good at Mathematics
Authors: Morge Shelby P.
Published: November 2020

A series of activities designed to elicit students' mathematics-related beliefs, particularly those related to gender. As a result of the activities, females in upper-level classes rated themselves as having less confidence than males, and viewing a movie clip was sufficient for some students to modify their descriptions of someone who is good at mathematics.
Some Interesting and Thought-Provoking Geometric Fallacies
Authors: Sultan Alan
Published: November 2020

Some interesting geometric fallacies that were used in a problem-solving course for preservice high school mathematics teachers. Errors in logic and false assumptions lead to misleading conclusions. The authors demonstrate that incorrect sketches lead us to wrong conclusions. The use of Geometers Sketchpad is one strategy that will benefits students.
Purchasing a Used Car Using Multiple Criteria Decision Making
Authors: Edwards Thomas G. , Chelst Kenneth R.
Published: November 2020

A Multiple Criteria Decision Making process (MCDM) in which students assign a numerical value to each alternative in a situation, and compute the highest value in order to quantify the optimum choice. MCDM can be used in making decisions such as choosing the best car or right college. This lesson can be used across the mathematics curriculum.
Teaching Preservice Secondary Teachers How to Teach Elementary Mathematics Concepts
Authors: Kalder Robin S.
Published: November 2020

A course in elementary mathematics concepts that was specially designed for preservice teachers who plan to teach at the secondary level. The article suggests concrete methods for teaching basic number facts for understanding at the secondary level.
Technology Tips: Don't Curve It, Convert It! Translating Assessment Score Languages with a Graphing Calculator
Authors: Walgren Jay
Published: November 2020

In this month's tip, Jay Walgren, a physics teacher from Vernon Hills High School in Vernon Hills, Illinois, introduces his method of using a programmable calculator to convert grades that are based on learning objectives and mastery of content to a standard grading scale. Although he could use a spreadsheet for this practice, Walgren prefers the convenience and portability of a programmable calculator.
Inquiry-Discourse Mathematics Instruction
Authors: Manouchehri Azita
Published: November 2020

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM 2000) proposes that mathematics instruction provide opportunities for students to engage in mathematical inquiry and in meaningmaking through discourse. Mathematics teachers are encouraged to build on student discoveries in designing subsequent instruction. Natural consequences of using an inquiry-based approach to teaching include the emergence of unexpected mathematical results and the articulation of novel and different strategies by students. Anticipating the potential for such occurrences, Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics (NCTM 1991) urges all teachers to remain flexible and responsive to student ideas in their instruction: Help students make connections among various solutions, tie student ideas to important mathematical structures, and extend student inquiry by posing questions and tasks that challenge their initial interpretations of problems or their false generalizations.
On Blocks, Stairs, and Beyond: Learning about the Significance of Representations
Authors: Rubel Laurie H. , Zolkower Betina A.
Published: November 2020

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2000) recommends that students at all grade levels be provided with instructional programs that enable them to “create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas; select, apply, and translate among mathematical representations to solve problems; and use representations to model and interpret physical, social, and mathematical phenomena” (p. 67). This article describes a particular classroom activity used to highlight the significance of mathematical representations.
Technology Tips: What's Another Way to Make 18?
Authors: Smith Derek
Published: November 2020

In this month's tip, Derek Smith, a mathematics educator from Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand, introduces an activity that uses ClassPad 300 to help students think about multiple representations of the number 18 using algebra and geometry. ClassPad 300 allows students to represent geometric forms dynamically and collect data more easily.
Poverty: Teaching Mathematics and Social Justice
Authors: McCoy Leah P.
Published: November 2020

Three mathematics lessons in a social justice setting of learning about poverty. Student activities include budgeting, graphic data representation, and linear regression, all in the context of connecting, communicating, and reasoning about poverty. The author leads students through defining the poor and poverty, the effects of poverty on education, and what students can do to combat poverty through understanding the mathematical realities.
The Dreaded Work Problems Revisited: Connections through Problem Solving from Basic Fractions to Calculus
Authors: Shore Felice S. , Pascal Matthew
Published: November 2020

Contrived-rate problems, generally categorized as “work” problems, were a staple in commercial algebra textbooks of old.
Activities for Students: How LO Can You GO? Using GOLO to Illustrate the Sampling Distribution of a Sample Proportion
Authors: Gabrosek John , Stephenson Paul , Richardson Mary
Published: November 2020

In 2007, the American Statistical Association published the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education report (GAISE). This project was motivated by statistics educators seeking to clarify the nature and role of statistics within the school mathematics curriculum. Specifically, the report describes statistics as a problem-solving process, suggests three developmental levels for learning statistics, and discusses some of the unique aspects of statistical thinking.
Investigating the Mathematical Process with Nonlinear Asymptotes
Authors: Bossé Michael J. , DeUrquidi Karen A. , Edwards David L. , Nandakumar N. R.
Published: November 2020

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM 2000) emphasizes having students experience mathematics as mathematicians do and demonstrates that the Process Standards—Problem Solving, Reasoning and Proof, Communication, Connections, and Representation—are not simply means through which mathematics is learned and taught; they are also the manner through which mathematics is done. This article presents an abbreviated version of the musings and methodologies experienced by mathematics educators through a genuine problemsolving investigation. This account will investigate dimensions of an algebraic concept known to many high school students and show how these lead to an intuitive understanding of the limit in calculus. Readers will experience and come to a deeper understanding of the Process Standards as well as experience the necessity of using multiple representations to make and solve mathematical conjectures. To accomplish these multidimensional goals, the authors describe a chronological development of mathematical ideas among themselves and invite readers to reason along with them in their actual investigations.
Technology Tips: Using MS Excel to Simulate Coin Tossing
Authors: Lukáč Stanislav , Engel Radovan
Published: November 2020

Understanding the basic principles of the theory of probability can be challenging for students. Gelman and Nolan (2002) emphasize the importance of illustrating basic principles of the theory of probability through unusual stories and problems. Tossing coins and throwing dice are sure ways to provoke student interest and create teaching moments. In addition, the use of technology in association with the simulation of random events and data analysis can also increase student interest. An important advantage of modern technology is that a large number of random experiments can be accomplished during a short time, creating the possibility of using advanced numeric and graphic tools for processing the acquired results.
Deep Thoughts on the River Crossing Game
Authors: Canada Dan , Goering Dave
Published: November 2020

Games of chance can often serve well as motivation for learning about probability and statistics and thus as good introductions to lessons on these topics. The River Crossing game (Shaughnessy and Arcidiacono 1993) is interesting for at least three reasons that apply to secondary students as well as their teachers. First, finding a winning strategy is not obvious. Second, the game lends itself well to computer simulation and analysis of experimental data. Third, the game has surprisingly counterintuitive aspects, which this article highlights.
Delving Deeper: Heron Triangles and Moduli Spaces
Authors: Rosenberg Steven , Spillane Michael , Wulf Daniel B.
Published: November 2020

We teach triangle congruency every fall, proving and using the big five theorems—SSS, ASA, SAS, AAS, and HL. Preparing to teach this a few years ago, a colleague, Chuck Garabedian, wondered aloud if triangles with the same area and perimeter are congruent. Before you read any further, either prove this or find a counterexample.
Factors of Demographic Processes in Russian Agrarian Society in the Second Half of the 19th – Late 20th Centuries (Tambov Region Data)
Authors: Zhukov Dmitry Sergeevich , Kanishchev Valery Vladimirovich , Lyamin Sergey Konstantinovich
Published: November 2020

This paper outlines factors that impacted the change of demographic behavior of the rural population of the Central Black Earth Region from the middle of the 19th century to the late 20th century. Factor scores have been determined when modeling demographic processes in 1,500 rural settlements. The authors rely on a classical view that late traditional society was highly dependent on negative natural events, characterized by low migration and strong ties of birth rates with death rates. It has been shown that extraordinary positive factors (the rise of zemstvo medicine in particular) stimulated unlimited natural growth. Short-term stress factors (wars, hunger and epidemics) led to compensatory reproduction. The authors also come to a conclusion that modernized society (the latter half of the 20th century) had more complicated relations between demographic behavior factors. The evolution of modernized micro-communities (individual settlements) was subjected to a great number of nonlinear effects. The data demonstrate that the agrarian society at the time continued the move to natural growth although to a lesser extent than during the previous stages. However, the results of such an intention were largely neutralized by migration.
Event Study Analysis of Political and Economical Factors Influencing Bank Notes Exchange Rate Dynamics in the First Third of the 19th c.
Authors: Muraveva Anastasia
Published: November 2020

The article studies Russian ruble bank notes dynamics in the first half of the 19th century. In particular, it addresses political and economical factors for this dynamics and empirically evaluates the influence of important military, political and economical events on bank notes exchange rate. The author analyzes the direction and the intensity of this influence during the period which is up to three months beginning with the initial start of these factors.  To form time series of the bank notes exchange rate from 1800 to 1839 the article examines Moskovskie Vedomosti that published Moscow stock exchange rates schedules as well as Sankt-Peterburzhskie Vedomosti and Kommercheskaya Gazeta which published Saint Petersburg stock exchange rates schedules. Time series analysis of daily exchange rates has shown that they were more sensitive to endogenous and economical events rather than exogenous and political ones. The study has found out that an exchange rate is more sensitive to internal political and economical reasons rather than external political and political ones. For instance, the sensitivity to cholera was stronger than that to wars. One sees that stock exchange demonstrated more sensitivity to events hindering foreign trade and uncertainty as far as foreign policy is concerned. In addition, it has been found out that Moscow exchange rate was much more sensitive than Saint Petersburg one. However, the later demonstrated longer sensitivity to events. .
3D Reconstruction of Nikolskoe-Uryupino Manor Complex (Krasnogorskiy Urban Okrug, Moscow Oblast): Research Methods and Technologies
Authors: Trishin Ivan
Published: November 2020

This article addresses spatial reconstruction of the manor complex with the help of 3D modeling and 3D visualization. The topicality of the issue is determined by a big number of dvoryane architectural monuments in Moscow Oblast which have been partially or totally lost, but bear historical and cultural importance at the local or the regional level. Not many of them will be restored but most of them are related to famous or influential noble dynasties that had played an important role in Russian history.  Virtual reconstruction of these complexes is a way to “revive” this history and search for new aspects of dvoryanstvo’s life in the 17th – early 20th centuries. The article describes the main methods and technological solutions of spatial reconstruction of a manor complex by the example of Nikolskoe-Uryupino Manor (Krasnogorskiy Urban Okrug, Moscow Oblast). The manor has become known due to Golitsyny dynasty that created a picturesque architectural and park ensemble. The current state of the complex and many different sources at hand provide for detailed reconstruction of the main buildings as well as create the surrounding space similar to the original one. The reconstruction is described in details starting with the source analysis and methodical studies to the description of the virtual projects visualization.
Effects of data count and image scaling on Deep Learning training
Authors: Hirahara Daisuke , Takaya Eichi , Takahara Taro , Ueda Takuya
Published: November 2020

Background

Deep learning using convolutional neural networks (CNN) has achieved significant results in various fields that use images. Deep learning can automatically extract features from data, and CNN extracts image features by convolution processing. We assumed that increasing the image size using interpolation methods would result in an effective feature extraction. To investigate how interpolation methods change as the number of data increases, we examined and compared the effectiveness of data augmentation by inversion or rotation with image augmentation by interpolation when the image data for training were small. Further, we clarified whether image augmentation by interpolation was useful for CNN training. To examine the usefulness of interpolation methods in medical images, we used a Gender01 data set, which is a sex classification data set, on chest radiographs. For comparison of image enlargement using an interpolation method with data augmentation by inversion and rotation, we examined the results of two- and four-fold enlargement using a Bilinear method.

Results

The average classification accuracy improved by expanding the image size using the interpolation method. The biggest improvement was noted when the number of training data was 100, and the average classification accuracy of the training model with the original data was 0.563. However, upon increasing the image size by four times using the interpolation method, the average classification accuracy significantly improved to 0.715. Compared with the data augmentation by inversion and rotation, the model trained using the Bilinear method showed an improvement in the average classification accuracy by 0.095 with 100 training data and 0.015 with 50,000 training data. Comparisons of the average classification accuracy of the chest X-ray images showed a stable and high-average classification accuracy using the interpolation method.

Conclusion

Training the CNN by increasing the image size using the interpolation method is a useful method. In the future, we aim to conduct additional verifications using various medical images to further clarify the reason why image size is important.
Clostridium manihotivorumsp. nov., a novel mesophilic anaerobic bacterium that produces cassava pulp-degrading enzymes
Authors: Cheawchanlertfa Pattsarun , Sutheeworapong Sawannee , Jenjaroenpun Piroon , Wongsurawat Thidathip , Nookaew Intawat , Cheevadhanarak Supapon , Kosugi Akihiko , Pason Patthra , Waeonukul Rattiya , Ratanakhanokchai Khanok , Tachaapaikoon Chakrit
Published: November 2020

Background

Cassava pulp is a promising starch-based biomasses, which consists of residual starch granules entrapped in plant cell wall containing non-starch polysaccharides, cellulose and hemicellulose. Strain CT4T, a novel mesophilic anaerobic bacterium isolated from soil collected from a cassava pulp landfill, has a strong ability to degrade polysaccharides in cassava pulp. This study explored a rarely described species within the genusClostridiumthat possessed a group of cassava pulp-degrading enzymes.

Methods

A novel mesophilic anaerobic bacterium, the strain CT4T, was identified based on phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analysis. The complete genome of the strain CT4Twas obtained following whole-genome sequencing, assembly and annotation using both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) platforms.

Results

Analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain CT4Tis a species of genusClostridium. Analysis of the whole-genome average amino acid identity (AAI) of strain CT4Tand the other 665 closely related species of the genusClostridiumrevealed a separated strain CT4Tfrom the others. The results revealed that the genome consisted of a 6.3 Mb circular chromosome with 5,664 protein-coding sequences. Genome analysis result of strain CT4Trevealed that it contained a set of genes encoding amylolytic-, hemicellulolytic-, cellulolytic- and pectinolytic enzymes. A comparative genomic analysis of strain CT4Twith closely related species with available genomic information,C. amylolyticumSW408T, showed that strain CT4Tcontained more genes encoding cassava pulp-degrading enzymes, which comprised a complex mixture of amylolytic-, hemicellulolytic-, cellulolytic- and pectinolytic enzymes. This work presents the potential for saccharification of strain CT4Tin the utilization of cassava pulp. Based on phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, we propose a novel species for which the nameClostridium manihotivorumsp. nov. is suggested, with the type strain CT4T(= TBRC 11758T= NBRC 114534T).
Characteristic of Anaemia in Hypothyroid Pregnant Females: A Case-control Study
Authors: Imteyaz Salamah Parveen , Nanda Bijli , Jindal Manisha , Hassan Mohammad Jaseem
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Anaemia is the most prevalent haematological abnormalities associated with thyroid disorders and it is often the first sign of hypothyroidism. Pregnancy is frequently associated with anaemia; most commonly iron deficiency anaemia, followed by dimorphic anaemia. Pregnancy complicated by the development of hypothyroidism could be further associated with a higher incidence of anaemia. Aim: To determine the incidence and characteristic of anaemia in pregnancy associated with hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in a Medical college hospital during January 2015 to January 2016. A total of 272 pregnant women were enrolled in the study by random sampling of all pregnant females attending Out Patient Department of our hospital. Serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level was used to detect thyroid function abnormalities. Complete Blood count was done. Peripheral blood smear was stained by Leishman stain and subsequently studied under microscope for morphological classification of anaemia. Anaemia was further classified according to the Haemoglobin (Hb) level into mild, moderate and severe anaemia. Unpaired t-test, Pearson’s correlation test and chi-square test have been used in the study for analysis and comparison of various parametres. p-value <0.05 considered level of significance. Results: Out of total of 272 subjects selected for the study, 207 were euthyroid and 65 were hypothyroid. Of the 65 hypothyroid subjects, 19 were in the first trimester, 25 in the second trimester and 21 were in the third trimester. The mean TSH of euthyroid group was 2.49±1.35 mIU/L and hypothyroid group was 6.27±3.6 mIU/L (p-value 0.0001). Mean Hb of Euthyroid was 10.16 g/dL, while mean Hb of hypothyroid subjects was 8.92 g/dL and this difference was significant (p<0.001). A total of 191 (70.22%) out of 272 pregnant subject were found to be anaemic. About 131 (63.28%) out of 207 of euthyroid patients were anaemic, while 92.31% of hypothyroid patients (60 out of 65) showed anaemia. A significant association was found between Hypothyroidism and anaemia (p-value <0.0001). The mean Thyroid stimulating hormone value of anaemic patients was 3.98±1.02, which is significantly higher (p<0.0001) than TSH value of 2.65±0.98 as seen in non-anaemic patients. The majority of anaemia cases in both euthyroid and hypothyroid groups were found to be of moderate severity. Dimorphic anaemia was the most common type of anaemia morphologically in both euthyroid and hypothyroid subjects. It was also the most common type of anaemia in all three trimesters. Conclusion: The incidence of anaemia was higher in the hypothyroid group compared to the euthyroid group. Thus, it is very important to study the incidence and type of anaemia in hypothyroid pregnant females, so that appropriate early nutritional and medicinal intervention can be taken so as to prevent the morbidity and mortality in these patients.