Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Going beyond the Flood Insurance Rate Map: insights from flood hazard map co-production

Abstract. Flood hazard mapping in the United States (US) is deeply tied to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Consequently, publicly available flood maps provide essential information for insurance purposes, but they do not necessarily provide relevant information for non-insurance aspects of flood risk management (FRM) such as public education and emergency planning. Recent calls for flood hazard maps that support a wider variety of FRM tasks highlight the need to deepen our understanding about the factors that make flood maps useful and understandable for local end users. In this study, social scientists and engineers explore opportunities for improving the utility and relevance of flood hazard maps through the co-production of maps responsive to end users' FRM needs. Specifically, two-dimensional flood modeling produced a set of baseline hazard maps for stakeholders of the Tijuana River valley, US, and Los Laureles Canyon in Tijuana, Mexico. Focus groups with natural resource managers, city planners, emergency managers, academia, non-profit, and community leaders refined the baseline hazard maps by triggering additional modeling scenarios and map revisions. Several important end user preferences emerged, such as (1) legends that frame flood intensity both qualitatively and quantitatively, and (2) flood scenario descriptions that report flood magnitude in terms of rainfall, streamflow, and its relation to an historic event. Regarding desired hazard map content, end users' requests revealed general consistency with mapping needs reported in European studies and guidelines published in Australia. However, requested map content that is not commonly produced included (1) standing water depths following the flood, (2) the erosive potential of flowing water, and (3) pluvial flood hazards, or flooding caused directly by rainfall. We conclude that the relevance and utility of commonly produced flood hazard maps can be most improved by illustrating pluvial flood hazards and by using concrete reference points to describe flooding scenarios rather than exceedance probabilities or frequencies.
Economic Globalisation and Higher Education Transformation: Comparing the Trends in the States, Kerala and Tamil Nadu of India

Abstract It is viewed that globalisation, mainly economic globalisation, has severely influenced education, particularly higher education. A comparative case study using document analysis and qualitative interviews is made on the trends in higher education transformation in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu of India and at the six selected higher education institutions from the two states. The decline of public fund to higher education has paved ways for the development of self-financed higher education, increase of tuition fee and self-financed courses at public and at state supported private higher education institutions. As a result cost of higher education has increased and the vulnerable are further marginalized from access to quality higher education. Kerala has resisted privatisation of higher education and experienced mass exodus of students going to neighbouring states for higher education. While Tamil Nadu has gone with privatisation of higher education to create more access to higher education, attracting private investment, yet adverse effects of privatisation are evident. The six micro cases (public / not-for-profit-private / for-profit private higher education institutions) have been responding to these developments, differently, given their nature, interest and capacity.
Literature Synthesis on Curriculum-Based Measurement in Reading

In this article, the authors review the research on curriculum-based measurement (CBM) in reading published since the time of Marston's 1989 review. They focus on the technical adequacy of CBM related to measures, materials, and representation of growth. The authors conclude by discussing issues to be addressed in future research, and they raise the possibility of the development of a seamless and flexible system of progress monitoring that can be used to monitor students' progress across students, settings, and purposes.
An investigation into the levels of job satisfaction and organizational commitment amongst South African police service employees

The objective of the study is to determine whether a relationship existed between the variables of job satisfaction and organizational commitment within the South African police services. Data were collected using questionnaires, administered to a sample of 103 respondents, received 71% response rate from a population of 140 employees and used the simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. No statistically significant correlation was found between the dimensions of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The ANOVA test showed a significant difference in normative commitment among the age, home language and ethnic groups. The ANOVA test revealed significant differences among the biographical variables and the job satisfaction dimensions. The findings of this study indicated no relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment.
Ice as a granular material

Ice is a unique material, fundamental to vital processes on earth, in the atmosphere [1] and as planets and comets form [2]. In this work, we introduce two experiments investigating ice as a granular material, to provide snippets of insight into those processes. Initial investigations of ice particles in a granular flow show that the energy spent in collisions can generate localised surface wetting, even below the melting point [3]. This wetting reduces friction between granules, leading to acceleration of the bulk flow and in turn more wetting. The experiments described here are designed to show how even wetting invisible to an observer, can fundamentally alter the flow. The experiments also use the diamagnetic properties of ice to investigate how the outcome of high speed binary collisions, energetic enough to generate some melting, depends on this wetting.
Evaluating the quality and impact of professional development programs

This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Teaching and Learning and Leadership at ACEReSearch. It has been accepted forinclusion in Professional Development for Teachers and School Leaders by an authorized administrator of ACEReSearch. For more information,please contact mcdowell@acer.edu. au.
Towards a Low-Cost Real-Time Photogrammetric Landslide Monitoring System Utilising Mobile and Cloud Computing Technology

Abstract. Close-range photogrammetric techniques offer a potentially low-cost approach in terms of implementation and operation for initial assessment and monitoring of landslide processes over small areas. In particular, the Structure-from-Motion (SfM) pipeline is now extensively used to help overcome many constraints of traditional digital photogrammetry, offering increased user-friendliness to nonexperts, as well as lower costs. However, a landslide monitoring approach based on the SfM technique also presents some potential drawbacks due to the difficulty in managing and processing a large volume of data in real-time. This research addresses the aforementioned issues by attempting to combine a mobile device with cloud computing technology to develop a photogrammetric measurement solution as part of a monitoring system for landslide hazard analysis. The research presented here focusses on (i) the development of an Android mobile application; (ii) the implementation of SfM-based open-source software in the Amazon cloud computing web service, and (iii) performance assessment through a simulated environment using data collected at a recognized landslide test site in North Yorkshire, UK. Whilst the landslide monitoring mobile application is under development, this paper describes experiments carried out to ensure effective performance of the system in the future. Investigations presented here describe the initial assessment of a cloud-implemented approach, which is developed around the well-known VisualSFM algorithm. Results are compared to point clouds obtained from alternative SfM 3D reconstruction approaches considering a commercial software solution (Agisoft PhotoScan) and a web-based system (Autodesk 123D Catch). Investigations demonstrate that the cloud-based photogrammetric measurement system is capable of providing results of centimeter-level accuracy, evidencing its potential to provide an effective approach for quantifying and analyzing landslide hazard at a local-scale.
Study habits in undergraduate mathematics: a social network analysis

This paper presents an exploratory social network analysis of the study behaviours of undergraduate mathematics students. Focusing on the second-year students within a large lecture class, it presents data on their self-reported percentage lecture attendance, number of hours spent studying alone and with others outside lecture time, and occasional and frequent conversations about mathematics with other students. It then presents analytical results on relationships between individuals’ centrality within the network and amount of study time.
Differential Perceptions, Challenges, Conflicts and Tensions in the Role of Board of Governors (BOG) and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in Sub-Saharan Africa: A case of Kenyan Secondary Schools

2Reading Gap International, UK Accepted 19 January 2012 Parental involvement in schools as Parent Teacher Association (PTAs) and Board of Governors (BOGs) is now recognized as a widespread phenomenon. In many contexts they constitute part of the school governance structure. Their involvement and active support in teaching and learning is critical to sustained educational quality. Their support is a critical factor in the success of the school and their cooperation with teachers enhances pupils’ performance. Parental involvement in schools takes different kinds and forms or aspects. As key stakeholders in education, they are involved in mobilization of local resources, improving school management and strengthening local ownership. This article reports on the findings of a study conducted in the Gucha district of Kenya. The main focus of the study was on school governing bodies’ roles, issues and challenges. The study, a survey design comprising of heads (30), chairs of BOGs (30) and PTAs (30) set out to investigate the roles of BOGs and PTAs in the teaching and learning process. Thirty secondary schools which were purposively sampled were involved in the study. Data was collected from the heads and chairs of BOGs and PTAs through use of questionnaires whose response rate was 100%. The questionnaire format consisted of closed, open-ended and rating scale items. While BOGs and PTAs were considered part of the school leadership team, they perceived their respective roles differently and operated in an environment characterized by contradictions, challenges, tensions and conflicts which were attributed to role overlap and lack of clear guidelines. The study also identified lack of training and appropriate induction programme and induction pack as challenges that impeded the roles of the BOGs and PTAs. Also, a majority of the BOGs and PTAs lacked confidence in their roles.
Tapping the potential of the Internet in the classroom : a case study

The internet may well change the way lecturers think about teaching, but many of these changes could have happened without the Internet. The real potential seems to lie in the way it changes the relationship between teacher and student, forcing the lecturers, the students and also the institutions to rethink their behaviour and attitudes. In this article, the potential of using the internet in face-to-face teaching will be explored, based on my personal experience with using the internet in teaching an Introduction to Business course at Midrand University in 2000. What emerged from the experience was that something as simple as a website introduces sufficient new elements into the classroom system to change the system of relationships and the awareness of all participants in the system. The change in awareness and relationships, more than the internet change in the methods or tools, seems to explain most of the benefits derived from using the in the classroom.
Electronic cigarette use and risk perception in a Stop Smoking Service in England

Abstract Introduction: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use rose substantially within the UK in recent years but currently, Stop Smoking Services in England do not prescribe them due to a lack of regulation. Previous research has examined e-cigarette use and attitudes within English Stop Smoking Services using samples of practitioners and managers; the current study recruited a sample of service users. Methods: Participants (N = 319) aged 18–60 years old were recruited from Roy Castle FagEnds, Liverpool, England (Stop Smoking Service). A cross-sectional questionnaire was completed, which recorded demographic variables, e-cigarette use alongside risk perception, and lastly, smoking behaviour i.e. smoking duration, cigarettes per day, and nicotine dependence. Results: Most participants were female (57.1%), current smokers (53.0%), and current or former e-cigarette users (51.7%). Participants who perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than smoked tobacco were more likely to have smoked fewer cigarettes per day (p = 0.008). Furthermore, those who felt uncertain whether e-cigarettes were safer than smoked tobacco, were less likely to have tried them (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that e-cigarette use is becoming common among users of Stop Smoking Services (despite e-cigarettes being unavailable from such services) and that e-cigarette risk perception is related to e-cigarette status. The results highlight the importance of providing smokers intending to quit smoking with current and accurate e-cigarette information. Findings may inform future Stop Smoking Services provision and the results demonstrate that further research is warranted.
Psychological predictors of self-efficacy of the teacher of higher education

A study of the predictors of the self-efficacy of university teachers is presented in the article. Predictors of self-efficacy in the article are personalization and its psychological means: subjective activity, attitude to the professional system and personal significance. The randomization strategy was used to form a sample. Means of personalization for the study of predictors of self-efficacy was chosen diagnostic tools: a scale of self-efficacy and a specially made author's questionnaire. Statistical processing of the data was carried out using the methods of descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient, the variance analysis, and a posteriori Scheffe test. The results of the research showed the influence of personalization on the level of self-efficacy of university teachers. It is established that the strongest prediction in relation to the level of self-efficacy is the resource-activity attitude of teachers to the professional system. The article discusses the results of the study, summarizes some of the results, and identifies areas for further research in this area.
A Clinical Study of Oropharyngeal Microbial Flora in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) refers to retrograde flow of gastric contents to the upper aero-digestive tract which causes a variety of symptoms such as cough, hoarseness and asthma. In this study, we observed the changes seen in the microbiological flora in the pharyngeal wall mucosa in patientswith laryngopharyngeal reflux. A prospective study was conducted on 35 patients with Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) and 15 control patients in the ENT department in a tertiary care hospital. Swabs were taken from all the patients from the posterior pharyngeal wall and sent for microbiological analysis. Among the 35 patients with LPRD symptoms, 14.29% patients had normal pharyngeal flora, 21.88% isolates were of Non-fermenting Gram negative bacilli (Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species), while 26.67% isolates were having Gram positive bacteria – (Staphylococcus aureus – 70% isolates, Enterococcus species – 20% isolates, coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus – 10%). 50%of patients had isolates from the group of Enterobacteriaceae (E.coli – 12.5%, Klebsiella species – 37.50%, Citrobacter– 6.25%; Enterobacter species– 43.75%). The presence of bacterial flora in the posterior pharyngeal wall increases with the presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease with the predominant organism belonging to Enterobactericeae group.
Menthol containing formulation inhibits adzuki bean beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera; Bruchidae) population in pulse grain storage.

Plants synthesize many industrially useful chemicals for the benefit of humanity. Plant biopesticides are species specific, less harmful to beneficial arthropods, biodegradable and require low cost in developing formulations than synthetic pesticides that are directly developed from petrochemical derivatives. Twenty different tablet formulations prepared from various combinations of promising plant products have been evaluated for stored pulse grains protection. The natural menthol (9.09%) based tablet formulation containing natural binder and carrier agent - Vigna mungo seed powder (73.63%), liquid preservative-Acetic acid (11.36%), solid powdered preservative-sodium benzoate (5.68%) and edible lemon yellow colour (0.22%) (Treatment-XVII) applied once was found to be the most suitable for the management of adzuki bean beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. adult during pulse grains storage period of three and six months. The two tablets/250 g grains comprising menthol (XVII) was found to reduce significantly 100% C. chinensis population in jars containing grains of both Cicer arietinum and Lens esculenta up to six months storage period. The beetle population did not increase as compared to average increase range of 245 to 1515 adult beetle populations in C. arietinum and 1825 to 3346 in L. esculenta in other treatments and untreated control during three months of storage. Result indicates that menthol containing cost effective tablets formulation may be developed at commercial level to protect the pulse grains attack of adzuki bean beetles during storage in homes and market places
Maximum power point tracking in PV systems based on adaptive control and sliding mode control

Los sistemas fotovoltaicos (PV) son comunmente controlados utilizando estructuras PI o PID, las cuales no pueden asegurar estabilidad global y un tiempo de establecimiento constante. Por esto, los algoritmos de optimizacion, e.g. Perturbar y Observar (P&O), son disenados utilizando el tiempo de establecimiento mas alto en el rango de operacion, lo cual produce una busqueda lenta del punto de maxima potencia (MPP) para gran parte del rango de operacion, introduciendo perdidas dinamicas de potencia al sistema. Este articulo propone combinar un controlador adaptativo y un controlador de corriente por modos deslizantes (SMCC) para garantizar estabilidad global y un tiempo de establecimiento constante para cualquier condicion de operacion, lo que permite incrementar la potencia generada en comparacion con controladores PI y PID. El SMCC permite mitigar las perturbaciones del sistema y garantizar estabilidad global, mientras que el controlador adaptativo define la referencia del SMCC para asegurar un tiempo de estabilizacion constante. El diseno de la nueva estructura de control se soporta con analisis matematicos y simulaciones realizadas en Matlab® para validar la robustez del sistema.
Sample Attrition in the HILDA Survey

This paper provides an assessment of the nature of attrition in the HILDA Survey sample between wave 1 and wave 2. More specifically, the paper presents summary statistics on the levels of response achieved in wave 2, reports on observable differences between wave 1 respondents who did not respond in wave 2 and those that did, and examines briefly the impact of attrition on population estimates.
Ethiopian students' achievement challenges in science education: implications to policy formulation

The purpose of this study was to investigate challenges on students’ academic achievement in science education across selected preparatory schools of Ethiopia. The participants were students, teachers and principals from three regions and nine schools. The participants of the study were 801 students and 118 science teachers from preparatory schools. A mixed case study research and multiple case research method were employed. Purposive and stratified sampling methods were used. The study examined the data generated through questionnaires, academic achievement tests, interviews and document analysis. Regression, Pathanalysis, ANOVA, T-test, correlation, standard deviation and other statistical tools were used for data analysis. The results showed that strong relationship existed between science achievement and school resource, family income, family occupation, family education, and teachers’ factors. Moreover, this study showed that the teaching-learning process of science education in Ethiopian schools failed to meet the requirements of policy expectation. It is recommended that due consideration should be paid to improving school conditions, teachers’ capacity, and studentrelated factors for effective implementation of science curriculum.
An Investigation into Restaurant Attributes: A Basis for a Typology

ABSTRACT This article has the aim of presenting the basis for a new, clearer classification of restaurant attributes. The research followed an interpretive approach with a systematic review of the literature, compared and contrasted with the findings of six focus group interviews. A new model was devised with seven categories of restaurant attributes. This article presents a model that needs to be tested. Also, follow-up articles with more detail about the attributes under each category will be presented. This article organizes the disparate literature on restaurant attributes and looks into the relationship between attributes, particularly its influence on perceived consumer value.
Monetary Policy on Twitter and its Effect on Asset Prices: Evidence from Computational Text Analysis

In this paper we dissect the public debate about the future course of monetary policy and trace the effects of selected topics of this discourse on U.S. asset prices. We focus on the “taper tantrum” episode in 2013, a period with large revisions in expectations about Fed policy. Based on a novel data set of 90,000 Twitter messages (“tweets”) covering the entire debate of Fed tapering on Twitter we use Latent Dirichlet Allocation, a computational text analysis tool to quantify the content of the discussion. Several estimated topic frequencies are then included in a VAR model to estimate the effects of topic shocks on asset prices. We find that the discussion about Fed policy on social media contains price-relevant information. Shocks to shares of “tantrum”-, “QE”- and “data”-related topics are shown to lead to significant asset price changes. We also show that the effects are mostly due to changes in the term premium of yields consistent with the portfolio balance channel of unconventional monetary policy.