Integrated Geochemical And Mineralogical Investigation of Soil From The Volcanic Fogo Island (Cape Verde): Implications For Ecological And Probabilistic Human Health Risks

Volcanic regions are associated with increased environmental and human health risks due to elevated concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Fogo Island, Cape Verde, experienced recent volcanic eruptions, which raised questions about local soils' potential to pose such risks. To better understand the local mineralogy and geochemistry, and environmental and probabilistic human health risks, we (i) investigate the distribution of selected PTEs in 140 soil samples covering different geologic units, (ii) determine major associations between minerals and geological units, (iii) calculate the potential ecological risk, and (iv) model human health risks based on Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that the soils overlaying the older pre-caldera units yield higher contents of secondary minerals (phyllosilicates and Fe-oxides), with relative enrichment of PTEs. The soils covering more recent units are enriched with primary minerals (feldspar and pyroxene) and show elevated concentrations of Pb. This study suggests that As, Pb, Cd and Hg pose ‘considerable’ to ‘very high’ ecological risks. Based on probabilistic health risk simulation, ingestion is identified as the dominant pathway of PTEs exposure. Metal(oid)s are unlikely to cause a non-carcinogenic health risk, although As may pose a cancer risk for children. This research also provides health and environmental authorities with a tool to manage such risks.

Inference for the Linear IV Model Ridge Estimator Using Training and Test Samples

The asymptotic distribution is presented for the linear instrumental variables model estimated with a ridge penalty and a prior where the tuning parameter is selected with a holdout sample. The structural parameters and the tuning parameter are estimated jointly by method of moments. A chi-squared statistic permits confidence regions for the structural parameters. The form of the asymptotic distribution provides insights on the optimal way to perform the split between the training and test sample. Results for the linear regression estimated by ridge regression are presented as a special case.

Pengembangan Multimedia Interaktif Berbasis Articulate Storyline Pada Mata Pelajaran IPA Materi Penggologan Hewan Kelas IV di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Al-Firdaus Gubug

This risearch discusses the development of Articulate Storyline-based learning media in class IV at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Al-Firdaus Gubug. The objectives of this study were (1) To determine the technique of developing Articulate Storyline teaching media into a Compact Disk (CD) in Natural Sciences subjects in grade IV. (2) To determine whether or not the use of Articulate Storyline interactive media is appropriate in Natural Sciences subjects in grade IV. (3) To find out which Articulate Storyline-based media is very effective in increasing student motivation in Natural Sciences subjects in Class IV. The development model used in this study uses the 4D model development model (Define, Design, Develov, and Disseminate). The choice of this model is based on systematic consideration and is based on the theoretical foundation of learning. This 4D model is more appropriate to be used to develop learning tools, not to develop learning systems Abstrak Penelitian ini membahas tentang Pengembangan Media pembelajaran berbasis Articulate Storyline pada kelas IV Di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Al-Firdaus Gubug. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah (1) Untuk mengetahui teknik mengembangkan media ajar Articulate Storyline kedalam Compact Disk (CD) pada mata pelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam di kelas IV. (2) Untuk mengetahui layak ataupun tidaknya penggunaan media interaktif Articulate Storyline dalam mata pelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam di kelas IV. (3) Untuk mengetahui media berbasis Articulate Storyline ini sangat efektif untuk meningkatkan motivasi belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam di Kelas IV. Model pengembangan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini menggunakan model pengembangan model 4D (Define, Design, Develov, dan Disseminate). Pemilihan model ini didasari atas pertimbangan secara sistematis dan berpijak pada landasan teoritis suatu pembelajaran. Model 4D ini lebih tepat digunakan untuk mengembangkan perangkat pembelajaran bukan untuk mengembangkan sistem pembelajaran.

Investigating the Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Version of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV) in Saudi Arabia

The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV) has been widely used to assess family functioning and to implement family therapeutic interventions. Cross-cultural adaptation is needed given the high sensitivity of family norms with culture. This study investigates the psychometric properties of the FACES IV in the context of Saudi culture. The sample consisted of 369 participants (270 females and 99 males) aged between 13 and 70. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the FACES IV model, after some adjustments. The findings indicated that FACES IV was a reliable and valid measure that can be used in the context of Saudi Arabia. The study showed some particularities with the rigid and enmeshed dimensions and concurred with previous validation studies in suggesting that these dimensions must be investigated further with respect to different cultures.

Media Miniatur Rumah Adat Dengan Panel Surya untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa Sekolah Dasar

Rendahnya hasil belajar kognitif peserta didik dikarenakan proses pembelajaran yang dilakukan masih berpusat pada pendidik, sehingga pendidik lebih banyak mendominasi kegiatan belajar mengajar. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengembangkan media miniatur Miniatur Rumah Adat dengan Panel Surya untuk siswa kelas IV. Model pengembangan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah model ADDIE yang terdiri dari lima yang meliputi analisis, perencanaan pengembangan, penerapan, dan evaluasi. Subjek penelitian yang digunakan yaitu uji coba kelompok kecil 5 orang siswa, uji coba terbatas yang melibatkan siswa berjumlah 15 orang serta uji coba kelompok besar yang melibatkan siswa dengan jumlah 30 orang. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode kuesioner, observasi dan wawancara. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan menggunakan analisis data kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan validasi ahli materi oleh mendapatkan hasil prosentase 100 %. Uji coba ahli media mendapatkan hasil 88%, dan Uji dari teman sejawat yang dilakukan oleh didapat prosentase 86 %. Uji coba kelompok besar didapat hasil total prosentase 88,7 %. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa media miniatur rumah adat dengan panel surya untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa kelas IV SD layak digunakan pada proses pembelajaran.

Landslide Susceptibility Assessment based on Information Value Model in Amzaz Watershed in Northern Morocco

This paper aims to identify potential areas of landslides in the Amzaz watershed in northern Morocco with its precarious environmental balance using the Information Value (IV) Model. Van Westen (1994) defines bivariate methods as a modified form of the quantitative map combination with the exception that weightings are assigned based upon the statistical relationship between past landslides and various factor maps, individual factor maps (independent variable). A set of factor maps were overlaid with a landslide map (dependent variable) to create cross-tabulations for each one and class. The landslide inventory is used to result in the susceptibility maps for better mitigation of the risks and losses related to this phenomenon. The results demonstrated that the percentage of rotational landslides varies between 8.79 and 30.08%, and between 9.79 and 23.36% for translational slides susceptibility in the Amzaz watershed.

Salvaging Falsified Instrumental Variable Models

What should researchers do when their baseline model is falsified? We recommend reporting the set of parameters that are consistent with minimally nonfalsified models. We call this the falsification adaptive set (FAS). This set generalizes the standard baseline estimand to account for possible falsification. Importantly, it does not require the researcher to select or calibrate sensitivity parameters. In the classical linear IV model with multiple instruments, we show that the FAS has a simple closed‐form expression that only depends on a few 2SLS coefficients. We apply our results to an empirical study of roads and trade. We show how the FAS complements traditional overidentification tests by summarizing the variation in estimates obtained from alternative nonfalsified models.

Theory of Weak Identification in Semiparametric Models

We provide general formulation of weak identification in semiparametric models and an efficiency concept. Weak identification occurs when a parameter is weakly regular, that is, when it is locally homogeneous of degree zero. When this happens, consistent or equivariant estimation is shown to be impossible. We then show that there exists an underlying regular parameter that fully characterizes the weakly regular parameter. While this parameter is not unique, concepts of sufficiency and minimality help pin down a desirable one. If estimation of minimal sufficient underlying parameters is inefficient, it introduces noise in the corresponding estimation of weakly regular parameters, whence we can improve the estimators by local asymptotic Rao–Blackwellization. We call an estimator weakly efficient if it does not admit such improvement. New weakly efficient estimators are presented in linear IV and nonlinear regression models. Simulation of a linear IV model demonstrates how 2SLS and optimal IV estimators are improved.