Automation and control in surface irrigation systems: current status and expected future trends

Surface irrigation systems are the most popular methods for irrigating crops and pastures not only in Australia but the world over. However, these systems are often labour intensive and exhibit low water use efficiency. Rising labour costs especially in the developed world and competition for scarce water resources have generated renewed interest in the automation of surface irrigation systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current level of automation and control of surface irrigation systems. The automation techniques discussed utilise various devices including mechanical, electronic, pneumatic and hydraulic means. The use of telemetry is also discussed. With the almost universal access to high performance computers and fast internet, the concept of real-time control in surface irrigation is not far-fetched. Towards this end, an on-going research project at USQ aimed at modernising furrow irrigation by use of automatic control systems in real time is discusse

The euro and the dollar in the crisis and beyond

The euro has survived its first decade, overcoming questions about its viability and political and economic raison d'être. “The Euro and the Dollar in the Crisis and Beyond,” a conference sponsored by Bruegel, the Peterson Institute for International Economics and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, marked the milestone on March 17, 2010, with discussions of Europe's monetary integration, the euro's global role relative to the dollar and the currency's prospects in the aftermath of the 2008–09 global recession.>Euro-dollar market ; Global financial crisis ; Economic stabilization ; Monetary policy

A historical look at the labor market during recessions

Turmoil in housing, credit and financial markets plunged the U.S. economy into a recession that has taken a heavy toll on the labor market. The weakness that began during the second half of 2007 gravely worsened during a period of extreme financial stress in 2008, and the labor market has yet to recover. To put the recession's labor-market impact into perspective, we compare the past two years to previous downturns, including the Great Depression. We also examine the data commonly used to assess labor market conditions. While unemployment rates and nonfarm payroll losses are widely reported, a firm grasp of what they measure is critical to understanding what they tell us about the current state of the labor market.Recessions ; Labor market ; Unemployment

Customer Satisfaction On Library Services At Maasai Mara University Library, Narok, Kenya

This paper presents results of a survey conducted to investigate the level of satisfaction of Maasai Mara University (MMARAU) library user’s towards university library services. The study adopted survey research design and questionnaires was used for data collection. From the results, library users perceive the quality of library services to be above average. MMARAU main library was most used as compared to formally town campus with 93.85% (166) and 5.6% (10) respectively. Majority of library users were undergraduate students from the School of Education. The findings showed that MMARAU have few international students. Most of the library users frequently used the library for at least two to four days in a week preferably using print books for study, research, teaching and assignments. Library staff customer care stated include: good provision of accurate answers to enquires, excellent staff approachability, excellent staff availability, no discrimination for provision of library services and library users. Generally, the library has a conducive learning environment with average print and electronic information resources. The library website, facebook, local area network, internet access and wireless internet access were fairly available. The study concluded that, MMARAU library staffs have excellent customer care, print books are exhaustively used, and the library users are satisfied with the services except few electronic services with a representation of 14.7% (26). The study recommended that MMARAU library to develop an information literacy policy and equip digital library with more computers and expand wireless connectivity for exhaustive use of electronic resources

Grounding Design of Instruction: An exploration of the uses of Scientific-Based Research and Theory in the Design of Online Instruction by Faculty in Higher Education

This study was conducted to explore the processes educators in higher education used to ground their design of online instruction using scientific-based research and theory. Literature reviewed suggested reasons educators fail to ground the design of instruction were a lack of formal training in instructional methods, skills, support, and research understanding. The rationale for the study was to (a) increase understanding of how educators use scientific research and theory as a basis in decision-making during design and creation of online instruction,(b)identify best practices, and (c) add to the conversation in the instructional design field. A qualitative case study research design was utilized to interview, review course, and review documents of four participants to capture their viewpoints as to the (a) meaning of; (b) evidence; (c) step by step processes; and (d) problems associated with the processes of grounding the design of online instruction in scientific-based research and theory. Data obtained were analyzed through detailed case description, direct interpretation, cross-case analysis, pattern establishment, and naturalistic generalization. Pedagogy, instructional design, instructional technology, support, and problems emerged as key thematic issues. Findings suggested that although educators were consistent in defining meaning, followed step-by-step processes, and had evidence to support their decisions, they encountered logistical challenges of time, technology and design in the process of using scientific-based research and theory to ground the design of online instruction. The implications for practice from this research were similar to recommendations of other researchers. For this process to be smoother, regular training, peer professional interactions, and support must be present

“The only way I feel connected is through other Latinx friends”: Latinx Ethnic Identity, Social Connection, and Sense of Belonging at a Southeastern Predominantly White Institution

Research demonstrates that Latinx students enrolled in Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) face challenges in locating a sense of belonging and creating social connections on campus (e.g., Dueñas & Gloria, 2020). A lack of sense of belonging and limited access to affirming social connections can have negative consequences on ethnic identity development (e.g., Jones & Galliher, 2014). Our study sought to further investigate the experiences of Latinx students at a southeastern PWI, their experiences with locating a sense of belonging and social connections on campus, as well as their experiences navigating their ethnic identity development. Focus group data was collected from undergraduate and graduate Latinx students (n = 20) and our sample included both domestic students and international student perspectives. Data was analyzed using a critical-constructivist grounded theory (Levitt, 2021) approach. Findings indicate two core categories: 1) navigating ethnic identity with intersecting identities, and 2) creating a sense of belonging and connection with other Latinxs. Our preliminary conceptual model shows ethnic identity is utilized to locate a sense of belonging and social connection on campus with other Latinxs, and that sense of belonging and connection then functions to affirm and support ethnic identity development. Our findings have implications in clinical, institutional, and advocacy realms for PWIs to provide Latinx-specific resources and services

E-Optimal Designs For Maximal Parameter Subsystem Second-Degree Kronecker Model Mixture Experiments

Many products are formed by mixing together two or more ingredients, for example, in building construction; concrete is formed by mixing sand, water and cement. Many practical problems are associated with investigation of mixture of m ingredients which are assumed to influence the response through the proportions in which they are blended together. Second degree Kronecker model put forward by Draper and Pukelsheim is applied in the study. This study investigates E-optimal designs, second degree Kronecker model, maximal parameter subsystem for two, three and four ingredients, where Kiefer’s function serves as optimality criteria. The consideration was restricted to weighted centroid design for completeness results. By employing the Kronecker model approach, coefficient matrices and a set of feasible weighted centroid designs for maximal parameters subsystem is obtained. Once the coefficient matrix is developed, information matrices associated to the parameter subsystem of interest for two, three, and four is then obtained. E-optimal weighted centroid designs based on maximal parameter subsystem for the corresponding two, three, four ingredients is derived. Also optimal weights and values for the weighted centroid designs were numerically obtained using Matlab software. Results based on maximal parameter subsystem, second degree mixture model with two, three and four ingredient for E-optimal weighted centroid design for information matrix.....

TEACHER QUALIFICATION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES IN ECDE CENTRES IN KERICHO COUNTY, KENYA

The government policies and research theories emphasizes plenty of instructional resources that are well sourced, managed, selected and used for the purpose of quality ECDE Curriculum implementation. The purpose of this study was geared towards the analysis teacher qualification and its influence on the use of instructional resources in ECDE centres in Kericho County. The research was based on the theory of curriculum innovations. Descriptive survey design was adopted by the study. Simple random and stratified sampling techniques were used to select respondents. The target population was 84 head teachers and 180 pre-school teachers which led to a sample of 25 headteachers and 54 pre-school teachers selected from ECDE centres. Data was collected using questionnaires, observations and interviews. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, this included frequencies and percentages. Data was presented in the form of graphs, charts, and tables. The findings of the study revealed that the knowledge and skills of the pre-school teachers made them to be more competent in using the relevant IR. The teacher qualification did have influence in the use of IR in ECDE centres. The study recommends that teachers can use the findings to adjust and improve their teaching methodologies in the use of instructional resources.  Article visualizations

Contact and Explicit and Implicit Bias Towards Latinos/as

The positive effects of intergroup contact on prejudice reduction have been well established, with prior research demonstrating that real or imagined contact with outgroup members can reduce implicit and explicit racial bias (e.g., Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006; Turner, Crisp, & Lambert, 2007). The current research assessed non-Latinos’ to more closely examine the relationship between contact and explicit bias (Study 1) and implicit bias (Study 2) towards Latinos. Additionally, this work examined if imagining a contact scenario with a Latino stranger was sufficient in reducing bias compared to those imagining contact with a stranger of unspecified race/ethnicity and if this effect could be mediated by alleviation of each integrated threat theory classifications (realistic threat, symbolic threat, intergroup anxiety, and negative stereotypes; Stephan & Stephan, 1996). Study 1 results indicated that the individuals with more close, current contact with Latinos exhibited lower explicit bias towards this racial/ethnic group. Study 2 replicated Study 1’s finding that current, close contact predicted explicit bias to an extent, although Study 2 provided little evidence to support that current, close contact is a predictor of implicit bias (i.e., stereotypic associations, attention allocation, and affect) towards Latinos. Study 3’s manipulation of imagined contact did not yield differences in biases (neither implicit nor explicit) between the two groups. However, there were significant relationships between implicit associations, explicit biases, and each of the four threat classifications. This research has broad implications for the contact hypothesis literature and for non-Latino/Latino interactions in everyday life. Future research should continue examining non-Latino and Latino intergroup interactions to help determine mechanisms to reduce bias

A comparative analysis of early childhood education in Kenya and the United States of America : Kenya\u27s social and economic constraints

This study examined Early Childhood Education in Kenya and the United States of America. The development of Early Childhood Education in Kenya was discussed through detailed analysis of social and economic constraints. Conclusions were drawn from the available literature; also, suggestions and relevant recommendations were made to help improve Early Childhood Education in Kenya