The Effects of Combining the Variables in Allometric Biomass Models on Biomass Estimates over Large Forest Areas: A European Beech Case Study

Effective initiatives for forest-based mitigation of climate change rely on continuous efforts to improve the estimation of forest biomass. Allometric biomass models, which are nonlinear models that predict aboveground biomass (AGB) as a function of diameter at breast height (D) and tree height (H), are typically used in forest biomass estimations. A combined variable D2H may be used instead of two separate predictors. The Q-ratio (i.e., the ratio between the parameter estimates of D and parameter estimates of H, in a separate variable model) was proposed recently as a measure to guide the decision on whether D and H can be safely combined into D2H, being shown that the two model forms are similar when Q = 2.0. Here, using five European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) biomass datasets (of different Q-ratios ranging from 1.50 to 5.05) and an inventory dataset for the same species, we investigated the effects of combining the variables in allometric models on biomass estimation over large forest areas. The results showed that using a combined variable model instead of a separate variable model to predict biomass of European beech trees resulted in overestimation of mean AGB per hectare for Q > 2.0 (i.e., by 6.3% for Q = 5.05), underestimation for Q < 2.0 (i.e., by –3.9% for Q = 1.50), whereas for Q = 2.03, the differences were minimum (0.1%). The standard errors of mean AGB per hectare were similar for Q = 2.03 (differences up to 0.2%), and the differences increased with the Q-ratio, by up 10.2% for Q = 5.05. Therefore, we demonstrated for European beech that combining the variables in allometric biomass models when Q ≠ 2.0 resulted in biased estimates of mean AGB per hectare and of uncertainty.

Three methods of coding nominal variables in regression analysis

The paper compares three methods of coding nominal variables in regression analysis: coding of each level as a separate variable, coding with binary code, numbering of factor levels. Although these methods have existed for a long time and even have a theoretical justification (except for encoding with binary code), there were no recommendations and comparisons for their practical application. The features of the application of each method and the existing limitations are analyzed. In the article, there are considered two examples that provide a detailed comparison of these three methods. Comparative analysis has been carried out in the following areas: the presence of restrictions in use; statistical properties of plans; labour intensity and difficulty of obtaining mathematical models and the final result of their building; convenience of semantic analysis and use. Additionally, there have been made comparisons with models based on Chebyshev orthogonal polynomials. It has been established that different methods of coding nominal variables, when used correctly, lead to regression models that are approximately identical in their properties. Moreover, the method of encoding each level as a separate variable is possible only if there are experiments in which there is no nominal variable as an influence effect. The binary coding method is inconvenient to use with a large number of levels of variation of the nominal variable and inconvenient to analyze. When coding by level numbering, it is necessary that the average response values, according to the dispersion diagram of this factor, are sorted by value in accordance with the assigned numbers. With this encoding method, a natural number of factors is preserved. Sharply distinguishable best results are achieved with this coding method using Chebyshev orthogonal polynomials. The highest accuracy and uniformity of approximation are ensured.

Public Awareness and Participation in Local Selfgovernance in Armenia

Raising public awareness and active participation in local self-government is a key component of governance instruments, public organizations and social initiatives in Armenia aimed at achieving “good governance” and strengthening democracy. However, there is no interest in the local self-government system in the Armenian society. This study analyzes the degree of public awareness of LSG and its participation in it in a comparative perspective for 2015 and 2019. In particular, the article is aimed at identifying the structure of the Armenian society using two main dimensions: public awareness of LSG and participation in LSG. For the existing variables, public participation in LSG was impossible to measure, while the result of measuring public awareness of LSG was sufficient. One separate variable was chosen as an indicator of participation in LSG. An index of public awareness about LSG was created. The cluster analysis revealed three clusters that make up society in 2015 and four clusters for 2019. The analysis showed that the overwhelming majority of the population has a low level of knowledge about LSG and public participation both in 2015 and 2019. In 2015, only 2.4% of the population had a high level of participation and awareness of LSG, which dropped to 1.8% in 2019.

Solusi Persamaan Laplace pada Koordinat Bola

Penelitian ini mengkaji mengenai persamaan Laplace pada koordinat bola dan menerapkan metode pemisahan variabel dalam menentukan solusi persamaan Laplace Persamaan Laplace merupakan salah satu jenis persamaan diferensial parsial yang banyak digunakan untuk memodelkan permasalahan dalam bidang sains. Bentuk umum persamaan Laplace pada dimensi tiga dimana adalah fungsi skalar dengan menggunakan metode pemisahan variable diperoleh persamaan Laplace dimensi tiga pada koordinat bola. Hasil penelitian ini mendapatkan penyelesaian persamaan Laplace pada koordinat bola dalam bentuk variabel terpisah dengan tidak menggunakan nilai batas. Hubungan koordinat kartesian dan koordinat bola pada persamaan Laplace dapat ditentukan dalam persamaan Laplace dan memperoleh solusi dengan menggunakan koordinat bola.Kata Kunci: Koordinat Bola, Pemisahan Variabel, dan Persamaan Laplace. This study examines Laplace equations on spherical coordinates and applies variable separation methods in determining Laplace equation solutions Laplace equations are one type of partial differential equation that is widely used to model problems in the field of science. The general form of the Laplace equation in the third dimension in which u is a scalar function using the separation method of the variable is obtained by the third dimension Laplace equation on spherical coordinates. The result of this research get solution of Laplace equation on spherical coordinate in the form of separate variable by not using boundary value. The relationship of cartesian coordinates and spherical coordinates to the Laplace equation can be determined in the Laplace equation and obtain solutions using spherical coordinates.Keywords: Spherical Coordinat Variabel Separation, and Laplace Equation.

Applications of Homogenous Balance Principles Combined with Fractional Calculus Approach and Separate Variable Method on Investigating Exact Solutions to Multidimensional Fractional Nonlinear PDEs

We investigate the exact solutions of multidimensional time-fractional nonlinear PDEs (fnPDEs) in this paper. In terms of the fractional calculus properties and the separate variable method, we present a new homogenous balance principle (HBP) on the basis of the (1 + 1)-dimensional time fnPDEs. Taking advantage of the new types of HBP together with fractional calculus formulas that subtly avoid the chain rule, the fnPDEs can be reduced to spatial PDEs, and then we solve these PDEs by the fractional calculus method and the separate variable approach. In this way, some new type exact solutions of the certain time-fractional (2 + 1)-dimensional KP equation, (3 + 1)-dimensional Zakharov–Kuznetsov (ZK) equation, and Jimbo–Miwa (JM) equation are explicitly obtained under both Riemann–Liouville derivatives and Caputo derivatives. The dynamical analysis of solutions is shown by numerical simulations of taking property parameters as well.

Study on liquid sloshing characteristics of a swaying rectangular tank with a rolling baffle

This study addresses the sloshing characteristics of a liquid contained in a tank with a vertical baffle mounted at the bottom of the tank. Liquid sloshing characteristics are studied through an analytical solution procedure based on the linear velocity potential theory. The tank is forced to sway horizontally and periodically, while the baffle is fixed to the tank or rolling around a hinged point. The rectangular tank flow field is divided into a few sub-domains. The potentials are solved by a separate variable method, and the boundary conditions and matching requirements between adjacent sub-domains are used to determine the sole solution. The free surface elevations with no baffle or a low fixed baffle are compared with those in published data, and the correctness and reliability of the present method are verified. Then the baffle is forced to rotate around the bottom-mounted point. It is found that the baffle’s motion, including the magnitude and the phase together, can be adjusted to suppress the free surface elevation, and even the sloshing wave can be almost eliminated.

Pengaruh Akuntabilitas Publik dan Transparansi Laporan Keuangan Terhadap Kepercayaan Donatur pada Yayasan PPPA Daarul Qur’an Nusantara

Non-profit organizations as the institute for public sector own functions and usefulness of providing facilities to the public by using wealth awarded by benefactors or society. But these functions cannot take place in good if rules out the importance of public management system. Among them is application of public accountability and transparency, especially for financial statements. Transparency indicates accountability form addressed to the foundation’s donors. Donors can be relied upon that trust and activities in organization can run continuously. These characteristics make the non-profit organization can not release itself from interests community area. This study will test related to the influence of public accountability and transparency from financial statements toward donors in PPPA Daarul Qur’an Nusantara Foundation. This test is quantitative research with multiple regression statistical analysis. The statistical result shows that at the same time (simultaneously), public accountability and transparency financial statements have a positive effect towarddonors trust. However, in partial or separate variable, public accountability does not have an influence toward trust of Donors. While the transparency of financial statement has influenced significantly.

An Optimal Method for Diffusion Parameters of Nonlinear Diffusion Problem of Drug Releasing in 2D-Disc Device by Separate Variable Method

An optimization control model and the corresponding computational method drawing the diffusion parameters of the nonlinear problem for the drug releasing in the 2D-disc device were given in this paper. Firstly, based on the nonlinear diffusion equation of the drug releasing in the 2D-disc device, we used the linear diffusion problem to discrete the nonlinear diffusion problem with the discrete space and the discrete time. Then, by the separate variable method, the solution of the linear problem was given. Next, the least square method based on the separate variable idea (LSMSV) was used to estimate the nonlinear appropriate diffusion parameters. Finally, a numerical example was presented to show that the control model and the numerical method were valid for computing the diffusion coefficient of the nonlinear problem for the drug releasing in the 2D-disc device.

Child and adolescent psychiatry training in Europe: Views of trainee representatives for 2009 – 2010 to the European federation of psychiatric trainees

Background and objectivesThe European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) is an independent federation of psychiatric trainees’ associations. Previous studies have shown that up to 1/3 of countries surveyed did not have separate CAP training We surveyed trainees to gain insights regarding current training within the member countries of the EFPT.MethodsTen item Survey of Trainee representatives from 32 countries- using surveymonkey questionnaire.Industry standard encryption technology utilisied.Results27 respondent countries. Response rate 84.4% In many countries CAP and General Adult Psychiatry training were not separate Variable availability of training posts (surplus posts 23%, no posts/ long waits 19.2%) Duration of training: 3 years (19.2%),4 years (23.1%), 5 years (26.9%). In 35% of countries CAP training was entirely separate from commencement of training. In 40%, entry to CAP training occurred after training in general adult psychiatry. Trainees in 61.5% of respondent countries indicate their intention to specialise in CAP before entering training in psychiatry; 15% of trainees can indicate this at any time.ConclusionsThis is a survey of trainee representatives to the EFPT of ten items related to CAP training experiences. It highlights significant differences in training experiences in 27 respondent countries. From 2010 the EFPT aims to record detailed information on CAP training yearly. CAP trainees are an integral part of EFPT, and there are specific areas of needs in CAP training.