Vulnerability assessment using remote sensing: The earthquake prone megacity Istanbul, Turkey

Hazards like earthquakes are natural, disasters are not. Disasters result from the impact of a hazard on a vulnerable system or society at a specific location. The framework of vulnerability aims at a holistic concept taking physical, environmental, socio-economic and political components into account. This paper focuses on the capabilities of remote sensing to contribute up-to-date spatial information to the physical dimension of vulnerability for the complex urban system of the megacity Istanbul, Turkey. An urban land cover classification based on high resolution satellite data establishes the basis to analyse the spatial distribution of different types of buildings, the carrying capacity of the street network or the identification of open spaces. In addition, a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) enables a localization of potential landslide areas. A methodology to combine these attributes related to the physical dimension of vulnerability is presented. In this process an n-dimensional coordinate system plots the variables describing vulnerability against each other. This enables identification of the degree of vulnerability and the vulnerability-determining factors for a specific location. This assessment of vulnerability provides a broad spatial information basis for decision-makers to develop mitigation strategies

Electron Collisions in a Magneto-Optical Trap

Measurements of the multiple ionization cross section ratios of Cesium were performed with ion time-of-flight (TOF) spectroscopy with a magneto-optical trap (MOT) apparatus, updating the previous measurement which dates back almost a century. Results are presented for collisions at energies of 50 eV to 120 eV. With a MOT, experiments can be performed with trapped, cold atomic targets which allow for unparalleled accuracy and experiments with signicant excited state target fractions above those achievable in most atomic beam experiments. A basic overview of optical cooling trapping, electron collision and atomic phenomena are presented. Experimental studies of electrons with Argon and Cesium targets were performed, measuring the multiple ionization ratios with ion TOF spectroscopy. The experimental apparatus and analysis methods are described in detail. Results are compared with previous measurements of multiple ionization ratios for both targets. Agreement within experimental error is found with the results of Tate and Smith across the energy range

A critical assessment of imbalanced class distribution problem: the case of predicting freshmen student attrition

Predicting student attrition is an intriguing yet challenging problem for any academic institution. Class-imbalanced data is a common in the field of student retention, mainly because a lot of students register but fewer students drop out. Classification techniques for imbalanced dataset can yield deceivingly high prediction accuracy where the overall predictive accuracy is usually driven by the majority class at the expense of having very poor performance on the crucial minority class. In this study, we compared different data balancing techniques to improve the predictive accuracy in minority class while maintaining satisfactory overall classification performance. Specifically, we tested three balancing techniques—oversampling, under-sampling and synthetic minority over-sampling (SMOTE)—along with four popular classification methods—logistic regression, decision trees, neuron networks and support vector machines. We used a large and feature rich institutional student data (between the years 2005 and 2011) to assess the efficacy of both balancing techniques as well as prediction methods. The results indicated that the support vector machine combined with SMOTE data-balancing technique achieved the best classification performance with a 90.24% overall accuracy on the 10-fold holdout sample. All three data-balancing techniques improved the prediction accuracy for the minority class. Applying sensitivity analyses on developed models, we also identified the most important variables for accurate prediction of student attrition. Application of these models has the potential to accurately predict at-risk students and help reduce student dropout rates

How Affinity Groups Can Help With Bipoc Teacher Support, Retention, And Growth

Our classrooms have become increasingly diverse. Teachers of Color (TOC) make up about 20% of U.S. public school teachers while Students of Color represent about 52% of public school students. It becomes difficult to model affirmative acknowledgement of diversity in the classroom when most of the adults fit into the demographics of white, cisgender, middle class, and female. To help all students, but especially BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students, we must first address the importance of Teachers of Color and the crucial need to support and retain them through having BIPOC affinity groups. This brings about the question: How do affinity groups support BIPOC staff and how can an affinity group resource support future groups? Topics explored in the review of literature include the history of Teachers of Color in the U.S., the challenges TOC face, the benefits of having TOC, how affinity groups support TOC, and examples of affinity groups for TOC. The website designed for this project serves as a resource guide that provides the topics, context, and set up for BIPOC affinity groups for school districts to utilize for their BIPOC staff, particularly Teachers of Color (TOC). While there has been a recent push to hire more TOC to diversify the teaching field, these efforts are rarely accompanied by shifts needed in schools to train and support TOC’s specific needs. Affinity groups meet these needs and serve as a powerful tool to retain TOC

Growing Networks with Positive and Negative Links

Scale-free networks grown via preferential attachment have been used to model real-world networks such as the Internet, citation networks, and social networks. Here we investigate signed scale-free networks where a link represents a positive or negative connection. We present analytic results and simulations for a growing signed network model and compare the signed network to an unsigned scale-free network. We discuss several options for preferential attachment in a signed network model. Lastly we measure preferential attachment in a real-world network and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of data fitting methods

Analysis of urban sprawl at mega city Cairo, Egypt using multisensoral remote sensing data, landscape metrics and gradient analysis

This paper is intended to highlight the capabilities of synergistic usage of remote sensing, landscape metrics and gradient analysis. We aim to improve the understanding of spatial characteristics and effects of urbanization on city level. Multisensoral and multitemporal remotely sensed data sets from the Landsat and TerraSAR-X sensor enable monitoring a long time period with area-wide information on the spatial urban expansion over time. Landscape metrics aim to quantify patterns on urban footprint level complemented by gradient analysis giving insight into the spatial developing of spatial parameters from the urban center to the periphery. The results paint a characteristic picture of the emerging spatial urban patterns at mega city Cairo, Egypt since the 1970s

Cloning and Characterization of Three Alleles of the Mouse Furloss (Frl) Gene

Single-gene mutations in the mouse serve as useful models for understanding the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of human diseases. Three dominant autosomal mutations affecting skin, hair and eye development in the mouse were recovered in mutagenesis experiments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Previous work demonstrated that these mutations constitute an allelic series at the mouse Furloss (Frl) locus, and they were given the symbols Frla, Frlb and Frlc. The heterozygous phenotypes of all three mutants are similar; the mice appear normal at birth but gradually lose their hair until the hair follicles and sebaceous glands are completely absent. Mice also develop corneal opacities at about six months of age. Homozygous mice exhibit the same skin, hair and eye abnormalities, but Frla and Frlb homozygotes have reduced viability. The phenotype of Frl mice closely resembles seven other dominant mouse mutations (Bareskin, Bsk; Rex denuded, Reden; Recombination-induced mutation 3, Rim3; Defolliculated, Dfl; Reduced Coat 2, Rco2; Finnegan, Fgn; and Hairloss), which all map to the distal portion of chromosome 11. Genetic linkage analysis with Frl and Rex (Re) demonstrated that Frl also maps to this same region. Recent work by others demonstrated that Rim3 mice have a mutation in the Gasdermin 3 (Gsdm3) gene. Due to the striking similarity of phenotypes between Rim3 mice and Frl mice, as well as the Frl mapping data, the Gsdm3 gene was sequenced in the Frl mice, and through collaboration, in Bsk mice. The mutations for all three Frl alleles were identified in exon 12, and the mutation for Bsk was identified in exon 10, of Gsdm3. In addition to Rim3, Frla, Frlb, Frlc and Bsk, other groups have recently determined that Bsk, Reden, Rco2, Dfl, Fgn and Hairloss (unpublished) are all the result of mutations in Gdm3, bringing the allelic series of unique mouse mutations in the Gasdermin 3 gene to nine. Histological analysis revealed acanthosis, hyperkeratosis and hypergranulosis in the epidermis of the skin and the cornea of the eye. In addition, it also showed a prolonged catagen stage, which resulted in abnormally long hair follicles during the next anagen stage, and the eventual complete destruction of hair follicles. Gsdm3 does not have an ortholog in humans or rats, and is believed to be the result of a unique duplication event of Gasdermin1 in the genus Mus. The Furloss mice will serve as useful models for studying related sebaceous gland defects and scarring alopecia in humans. The allelic series of nine mutations in Gsdm3 will be valuable for studying the structure and function of the Gsdm3 protein

Electron Collisions with Atoms and Molecules

Measurements of the production of atomic and molecular metastable states are performed using a novel frozen solid layer detector. This includes examination of solid CO2 and N2O layers in metastable detection, measurements of N(2P) production from dissociation of N2, investigations into the suitability of solid neon layers for detection of S(1D) based on electron-impact dissociation studies of OCS and production of O(1S) and CO(a3Pi) in electron-impact dissociation of methanol. Novel solid layers for detection of metastable states were examined to determine which products they were sensitive to. First, CO2 layers were deposited and were found to be sensitive to both O(1S) and N2(a1Pi g) metastable states. The relative efficiency of these layers as a function of temperature and lifetime of the state formed from the impinging O(1S) atoms are reported. Mechanisms which may be responsible for the radiation through formation of CO3 or its ion are also suggested. The detection of metastable N2(a1Pi g) states from solid N2O layers is also reported. A study of N(2P) production after electron-impact dissociation of N2 was also performed. It was determined that two excitation channels contribute to production of this state. Time-of-flight and fragment kinetic energy spectra are presented for 100 eV impact energy. Excitation function data is also provided over the 0-200 eV range for one of these channels. Dissociation processes are proposed for both production channels which appear to be due to both a direct dissociation and pre-dissociation mechanism. Intermediary states are proposed for both channels. Investigations into the suitability of solid neon layers for the detection of S(1D) are performed through studies of electron-impact dissociation of OCS. It was found that while production of S(1D) is likely occurring, interactions with solid neon layers do not result in emission within the optical spectral range of our photo-multiplier tube. However, an ultraviolet emission from these layers was detected in these experiments. While the nature of this feature was not definitively identified, some possible processes which may be responsible are discussed. Future investigations to determine the source of the emission are proposed. In addition, likely production channels of S(1D) are suggested. Electron-impact dissociation of methanol was also performed. It was observed that both CO(a3Pi) and O(1S) metastable states are produced and detected with solid xenon layers. While production of CO(a3Pi) has been reported previously, this appears to be the first observation of O(1S) production from electron-impact of methanol. Time-of-flight and released kinetic energy spectra are presented for both features at 100 eV impact energy. Excitation functions are also presented for 10-90 eV impact energy for both states. The production of CO(a3Pi) coincides with the observations of previous studies and the measurement of the excitation cross section is extended from an energy of 21 to 90 eV. No new dissociation channels for this state were found. Meanwhile, production of O(1S) appears to occur through a direct dissociation mechanism causing breakage of the CO bond and formation of OH(B2Sigma-) which subsequently dissociates into O(1S) and H(2S)

The effect of educational placement on self-concept

The purpose of this study was to examine self-concept of students from different placement settings. Academic, social, and general self-concepts were considered. Subjects were chosen from four placement settings: regular education classroom, basic skills instruction (BSI), resource room instruction, and self-contained special education classroom. A sample size of forty-eight students from grades five and six was used. Data was collected through the use of a self-concept scale as well as several student interviews. Data was recorded and analyzed on a computer using the StatView program. Mean scores and standard deviations were compared to determine differences in self-concept scores among the four groups. The results of this study indicated a significantly higher self-concept of regular education students when compared with the other three groups. Although the comparison of scores among the BSI, resource, and self-contained students did not produce statistically significant data, some differences were found. These findings support the notion that a relationship does exist between self-concept and educational placement