GSTF Digital Library (GSTF-DL): Open Journal Systems (Global Science and Technology Forum)
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Comparison between the Laser Beam Ceilometer and an Algorithm for Continuous Evaluation of Cloud Base Height and Temperature, and Cloud Coverage at Local Scale
Get PDFThe ground-based laser beam ceilometers are used at the Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) in major airports in the U.S. to measure the cloud base height and report the sky conditions on an hourly basis or at shorter intervals. These laser ceilometers are fixed-type whose transmitters and receivers point straight up at the cloud (if any) base. They are unable to detect clouds that are not above the sensor. To report cloudiness at the local scale, many of these types of ceilometers are needed. A single cloud hanging over the sensor will cause overcast readings, whereas, a hole in the clouds above the sensor could cause a clear reading to be reported. To overcome this problem, we have set up a ventilated radiation station at Logan-Cache airport, Utah, U.S.A., since 1995. This airport is equipped with one of the above-mentioned ceilometers. This radiation station (composed of pyranometers, pyrgeometers with fields of view of 150o), and net radiometer provide continuous measurements of incoming and outgoing shortwave and longwave radiation and net radiation throughout the year. Considering the additional longwave radiation captured by the facing-up pyrgeometer during cloudy skies, coming from the cloud in the wave band (8-13 μm) which the gaseous emission lacks, we developed an algorithm which provides the continuous cloud information (cloud base height, cloud base temperature, and percent of skies covered by cloud) at local scale during the day and night throughout the year. Comparisons between the ASOS and the model data during the period June, 2004, are reported in this article. The proposed algorithm is a promising approach for evaluation of the cloud base temperature and height, and percent of skies covered by cloud and its effects on aviation throughout the year
Assessing Lecturers and Student’s Readiness for E-Learning: A preliminary study at National University in North Sulawesi Indonesia
No full textIn recent years, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development has spurred the growth of the Internet and networked technologies, influencing lifestyles, businesses, training and work processes including in the educational area. Educational institutions use ICT as a tool for teaching and learning in a number of ways including but not limited to Internet-based content delivery and visualization. This research was assessing lecturers and student’s readiness for using e-learning at the University of Sam Ratulangi (UNSRAT) in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. A set of questionnaires, which consists of 40 items was distributed to lecturers as well as 30 items to students, 207 respondents in total. From the questionnaire results, both subject’s readiness for e-learning was evaluated. The outcome of the research can be seen as a description of lecturers and student’s experience and can offer a recommendation on how to design e-learning based courses. Furthermore, the results of this study could assess university student’s capability in using e-learning under the circumstances at UNSRAT
Robust Stabilization for Non-linear Applications of Cyber physical Systems
No full textThe stabilization of unstable non-linear compositions is an important and complex phenomenon across the worldwide. The purpose of this research is to model a robust control design for the stabilization of non-linear, unstable, and under actuated applications of Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) using the High Performance Sliding Mode Control (HPSMC) methodology, which has a negligible control errors (chattering) phenomenon. This study focuses on the designing of feedback controllers by means of HPSMC for two applications of CPS i.e., inverted pendulum system and mass spring damper system, both representing non-linear structures. The SMC procedure is based on saturated approximation of the control laws in order to obtain balanced and controlled behavior at, 1) minimum stabilizing time, and 2) unstable equilibrium points while producing negligible chattering occurrences. This technique provides a robust platform for the non-linear, unstable, and under actuated applications of CPS. The systems’ narrations, control objectives, and implementation results of robust feedback controllers are drawn attention to evaluate the reduced control error performance
Art Cannot Own What Reason Disowns: Caste in Kannada1 Literature
Get PDFAs deductivist as it is inductive, as theoreticallymotivated as it is empirically oriented, the paper, a low-down on my view of (literary) art, argues that there has to be a natural adductive-abductive tension in art, which corresponds to how the world is and how you wished it was, or to put it in more picturesque terms, the prose of reality and the poetry of the soul, the outer eye of empiricism, real-worldism and the inner eye of deductivist mentalism and rationalism. There is at the least a three-way typology of indian literature as regards how they deal with caste, for instance, which happens to be one of the slimiest scams of human history. The three ways are: a. caste endorsed and legitimized as a matter of course or justified or assumed as a basic immutable irreducible iron-clad premise. This is the theoretically flawed kind. This subcategorises in two ways: those that assume caste as an ironclad immutably basic premise and then go on to build their worlds. e,g The Death-Rite(sanskaara) and those that legitimise this slimy construct called ‘caste’ after averring that tinkering, rather jibbingly, with this barbaric system would be infructuous. e.g. Crossing-Over (daaTU) b. caste/religion described as it exists and then transcended (Man needs to transcend the manifest to ignite change). e.g. The Inscrutable Mystery (Chidambara Rahasya), The Twilight Narrative (Mussanjeya Kataa Prasanga), The Unbrahmin (Abrahmana) being other possible examples. c. Caste depicted in passing without either endorsing/justifying/legitimising or critiquing it, it being used merely as an incidental and almost irrelevantbackdrop to a different thematic space. e.g. Carvalho,Purushoottama, The Woods (KaaDu), ... The latter twocategories source, nourish, affirm and protect life andcivilization, seeking out fresh new life-narratives of remaking ourselves vis-a-vis caste
Health Insights: The Efficacy of Current Prenatal Education on Listeria Monocytogenes
Get PDFEvery year, at least one major Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) outbreak occurs within the United States. If pregnant women are uninformed of possible ramifications of contracting Listeria, the mother and child are at risk for health complications. One possibly effective communication approach to this population regarding prevention and risk is through Listeria Educational Materials (LEM). In order to ascertain the status and effectiveness of currently available LEM for pregnant women, a systematic literature review was conducted. Literature searches were conducted using widely accepted public/private databases. The mesh terms used included “Listeria pregnancyâ€, “listeria educationâ€, “Listeriosisâ€, “Listeria pregnancy prevalence†“Listeria monocytogenesâ€. Articles published within the past 10 years pertaining to educational materials for pregnant women were evaluated. Articles relating to general information of Listeria, were also narrowed to specific characteristics, traits, and origin for exposure. References to Listeria in elderly and immunocompromised individuals were excluded. Four studies involving Listeria interventions including LEM for pregnant women were identified. These studies all concluded a majority of pregnant women were still not provided with sufficient information on infection prevention of Listeria. Most educational materials provided to the women were in the form of pamphlets, and the majority of pregnant women who had heard of Listeria gathered the information through their own research efforts. The current evaluation of the available studies concludes there is inadequate emphasis placed on educational interventions for pregnant women regarding Listeria risk. These interventions concluded more must be done to inform these pregnant women of the dangers of Listeria as well as on the high-risk foods they consume on a daily basis
The Impact of Transparency on Quality of Health Service Delivery in Bangladesh: Findings of a Field Survey of Rural and Urban Health Service Organisations
Get PDFBangladesh has gained a glorious achievement in the quantitative reduction of maternal and child mortality in the recent past. But, the quality health service delivery still needs much improvement. This is considered as a big challenge facing the Government of Bangladesh in general and the agencies providing health care services to the people. This study endeavours to explore how organisational management, electronic devices, socio-economic and political factors impact on transparency in delivering good quality health care. This study selects two health service organisations of rural and urban areas for understanding the issues surrounding transparency and quality health service provision. This study used 68 in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions for gathering the required data. The urban health service organisation provides slightly improved transparent health care delivery because of better physical communication, adequate supervision and participative civil society organisation. However, general community has limited participation to both the rural and the urban health service organisations for lack of their education, poverty and bureaucratic mis-management in the organisations. Electronic devices contribute significantly for promoting transparent health service delivery, although resource constraints have posed a big challenge. Inadequate transparency contributes to corruption and absenteeism of health professionals which has an impact on quality health care provision. Participation of local elected representatives through adequate decentralisation and strengthening information management system in health care organisations can improve transparency and quality health service delivery
Tackling Health Inequalities in Scotland: an Innovative Approach to Implement the ‘Early Years’ Policy into Practice
Get PDFMajor health inequalities existing across the world and are often closely linked with degrees of social disadvantage. Scotland is fully committed to tackling this major challenge of health and social inequalities. One key focus is ensuring that every child and young person has equal access to opportunities and health improvements. This is supported by a series of national guidelines and ‘early years’ policy drivers. To implement these policies in practice, one National Health Service (NHS) health board (Lanarkshire) in collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), adopted an innovative approach to develop the Best Possible Start (BPS) program of focused activity to reshape ‘early years’ services and ways of working. The foundation for the program was the national transformational initiative ‘Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)’. This is based on the belief that the developments of the child and their experiences in the early years have a major impact on the child’s future life chances. The early nurturing environment is seen crucial in influencing emotional attachment. The BPS program focused on reshaping and streamlining the related health services in the early years between preconception and early school years. This is incorporated in the universal pathway of care encompassing all ‘early years’ services and related professionals. This universal pathway of care is underpinned with evidence based practice, workforce development, building research capacity and influencing leadership in the workplace. This paper presents a detailed overview of the BPS program including the structure, strategic aims and the rationale underpinning the pathway of care
Teaching the Structures of Academic Writing through Peer Review: A Study on the Beginners of English Language Courses at BRAC University
Get PDFSubstantial peer feedback of the students through peer review in the context of EFL or ESL can help them become skilled at different structures and strategies of academic writing in English rather than receiving feedback from teachers in the classroom. However, most of the students at English language classes in Bangladesh do not appreciate the significance of following the structures of academic writing from the lectures of the respective teachers immediately. On the other hand, most of the English language instructors in their classes are not used to encouraging their students to provide peer feedback through peer review. Therefore, this paper will be focusing on the issues regarding how peer review can be utilized for the beginners of English language courses in terms of making them aware of the structures of academic writing. Moreover, this paper will make an attempt to find out whether peer review makes them a better writer, a more rational thinker or a more critical appreciator of peers’ writings. At last, this paper will present some recommendations on how peer review can develop the students’ creativity while producing thought provoking and critical comments on their peers’ writing
Curriculum Orientations of K-12 Virtual Teachers in Kansas
No full textThis study explored the curriculum orientation preferences of K-12 public school teachers who provided instruction in virtual settings in a midwestern state. An examination of curriculum orientations was conducted using a mixed-methods design. Quantitative assessments data revealed suggest these virtual teachers chose similar curriculum orientations when compared to teachers in brick-and-mortar settings. However, qualitative interviews conducted with a subsample of participants indicated these virtual teachers expressed a choice to use online instruction to meet the needs of students more holistically including family and environment. Furthermore, they emphasized a lack of appropriate professional education, mentoring, and experiences to prepare them to make instructional decision in a virtual environment. The combination of quantitative and qualitative procedures provided a comprehensive understanding of teachers’ curriculum preferences and conceptualization. In addition, these results contribute to the growing body of knowledge about K-12 virtual teachers and the importance of understanding the way curriculum is perceived in different settings
Musical Expression on Wind Instruments: Perspectives from a Panel of Experts
Get PDFMusical expression, or a performer’s interpretation of the aesthetic message intended by the composer, involves thoughtful manipulation of perceptual variables such as dynamics, tempo, articulation, and timbre. Musical expression is commonly associated with artistry and achievement in music, yet research on pedagogy for teaching musical expression to wind instrumentalists is limited. The purpose of this study is to use perspectives from professional wind instrumentalists and conductors to explore how musical expression on wind instruments is demonstrated and measured. The qualitative tradition of the Delphi method, with three rounds of data collection, provided the structure for answering the research questions. The importance of effectively communicating musical interpretation through performance was a recurring theme within the data collection as well as the literature review. Findings suggest that a performer’s abilities both to appropriately analyze the music and then to successfully communicate his or her interpretation of the music to a listener are critical for achieving artistry in musical expression. The study may provide valuable insight for a deeper understanding of pedagogical strategies needed for teaching musical expression to wind instrumentalists