Stature estimation using foot dimensions via 3D scanning in Taiwanese male adults

In forensic identification, the use of foot dimensions to predict stature is a requisite. For Taiwanese male stature prediction, available information about stature estimation using foot dimensions is still lacking. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to establish Taiwanese adult male stature prediction models for various foot dimensions. A total of 2,072 male 3D foot models were collected and the subjects' ages ranged from 18 to 59 years old. Thirteen foot dimensions for each foot were utilized in this study. Bilateral differences were tested using paired t-tests. Stature predictions based on different foot dimensions were conducted using simple linear and stepwise regression methods. The results showed significant bilateral differences in the majority of the selected foot dimensions (p < 0.001). Foot length had the highest positive correlation with stature in the right and left foot. Using length-related dimensions generated better prediction accuracy (0.356 < R² < 0.533, 4.193 < SEE < 4.928), whereas the worst accuracy was observed with angle-related dimensions (0.001 < R² < 0.023; 6.072 < SEE < 6.137) when employing a single foot dimension to estimate Taiwanese male stature. Stepwise regression analysis results indicated that the coefficient of determination was improved to 0.590 and 0.593 by applying five and six foot parameters to predict stature, respectively. The findings of the present study suggest that these stature estimation equations can be applied to predict Taiwanese male stature in the forensic science field.     

Access to Reliable Public Records as Evidence for Freedom of Information in Commonwealth Africa

Abstract

International attention to the benefits of openness for empowering citizens, strengthening economic performance and ending poverty has emphasised the importance of achieving accountability and transparency through freedom of information and open data. The ability to achieve openness depends upon the quality, completeness and accessibility of government records and data. However, chronic problems in managing this information in many Commonwealth countries, particularly in the digital environment, undermine the ability to achieve these goals. There is a critical need to develop and share solutions for managing this essential resource as a basis for digital governance across the Commonwealth, especially in relation to the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.     

External Interventions in Post-Cold War Africa, 1989–2010

The study of external interventions in conflict management is critical and has implications for international relations and conflict theory. Quantitative studies of the relationship between external interventions and civil war have been prone to some conceptual limitations (understudied lower-intensity periods) and data limitations (unavailability of event battle death data). This article presents a new external interventions data set covering the period between 1989 and 2010 for Africa, building on the Regan et al. (2009) data set, which covers the period between 1945 and 1999. Novel features of this new data set are: the recoding of the overlap period; a broader range of categories of intervention, including UN and non-UN missions; and wider temporal scope, by extending the period of analysis to 2010, by lowering the civil war threshold to 25 battle deaths, and by starting the conflict period from the date of the first battle death in each civil war (based on UCDP GED version-1.5-2011). The advantages of the data set are illustrated with an analysis of the different effects interventions have on high- and low-intensity conflict periods.     

No News Is Good News: Mark and Recapture for Event Data When Reporting Probabilities Are Less Than One

We discuss a common, but often ignored, problem in event data: underreporting bias. When collecting data, it is often not the case that source materials capture all events of interest, leading to an undercount of the true number of events. To address this issue, we propose a common method first used to estimate the size of animal populations when a complete census is not feasible: mark and recapture. By taking multiple sources into consideration, one can estimate the rate of missing data across sources and come up with an estimate of the true number of events. To demonstrate the utility of the approach, we compare Associated Press and Agence France Press reports on conflict events, as contained in the Social Conflict in Africa Database. We show that these sources capture approximately 76% of all events in Africa but that the nondetection rate declines dramatically when considering more significant events. We also show through regression analysis that deadly events, events of a larger magnitude, and events with government repression, among others, are significant predictors of overlapping reporting. Ultimately, the approach can be used to correct for undercounting in event data and to assess the quality of sources used.     

行政执法诱发公共事件的特点及法律对策

我国行政执法不当诱发了诸多公共事件,事件起因的多样性、事件主体的多元性、事件意图的目的性、事件发生的必然性使行政执法转化为公共事件独具个性。行政职权交叉,执法行为利益化;执法主体、执法行为、执法程序缺乏规范性;行政执法人员素质不高;责任追究和监督机制等方面存在的缺陷极易引发公共事件。防范行政执法转化为公共事件,需要在合理配置行政事权和职责的基础上,规范执法行为、程序及执法人员准入制度,提高行政执法人员素质,建立健全行政执法监督、问责、奖励机制。     

论网络集群事件多维生成模型的构建

根据网络集群事件的基本要素,可构建以现实社会和网络空间为外部环境,以参与者、信息传播活动和事件发展进程为维度的网络集群事件生成模型。参与者在网络集群事件中经历由个体体验、到群体围观、到形成共同信念、到淡化与转移等心理、行为变化过程。网络集群事件信息传播活动可分为“碎片化”传播、扩散化传播、聚集化传播和衰减化传播等阶段。网络集群事件存在由散点引爆、热点聚集、群体极化到事件终结的过程。现实社会和网络空间以及两者的融合、互动,则构成了网络集群事件的社会空间。     

大数据时代高校网络舆情应对策略的重新定位

大数据时代,网络舆情应对能力成为衡量高校管理水平的重要评价指标,但是高校网络舆情应对策略的研究对于事前应对分析仍然存在不足。高校网络舆情应对策略的重新定位,不仅需要转变思想观念如重视批评与自我批评、正确看待应急预案、正确看待网络舆情、相信并且重视科学;而且需要加强能力建设如重视顶层设计、具备大局观念、利用大数据挖掘技术、加强沟通与合作、挖掘本质根源。     

基于裁判文书的法学实证研究之审视

知识图谱分析结果表明,基于裁判文书的法学实证研究成果数量总体上呈现增长趋势,但在近两年出现明显下降;基于裁判文书法学实证研究学术群体规模正在逐步缓慢扩大,但研究成果在研究主体间的分布呈较为集中趋势;研究成果所涉及学科领域具有较为明显的局限性,且具体研究内容伴随热点问题获得短暂爆发之后开始呈退缩之势。在方法转型背景之下,基于裁判文书法学实证研究的演变,受到研究方法在数据可得性、数据完整性以及数据客观性等方面所存在之优势与缺陷影响。研究人员自身应当在研究过程中通过丰富研究数据、规范研究方法之适用以及推动数据处理技术的发展等方式寻求基于裁判文书法学实证研究的长远发展之道。     

法学研究目标受众选择的大数据分析

文章为谁而写,是法学研究需要解决的基础性命题。从近二十年约2.5万篇法学核心期刊文章的大数据机器学习分类结果看,我国的法学研究成果呈多重目标格局,其中近三成服务于执法机关(包括行政机关和司法机关),同时也有为立法者、执政者建言献策的成果。经检验,目标受众类型的选择与论文的传播能力以及获得基金支持的机会之间有显著相关性。这一决定成果影响力大小的机制迟早会被个体习得并不断强化,成为研究者选择目标受众类型的重要因素。该机制良性运转的关键是处理好学者和实践受众的关系,保持学术研究必要的自主性,警惕学术研究在追逐发表、经济支持时被有关主体"认知俘获"。