Critical Review of Inundation Mapping Procedures for Floodplain Management

Inundation mapping is a major component of floodplain management, providing critical information as to the consequences of potential failures of flood control structures, such as dams. To develop inundation maps, a dam and river system are modeled with engineering computer programs, and a simulation of the dam failure is performed to generate data for the flood. This output data is input into other programs to develop inundation maps. Inundation maps have traditionally been produced in a paper format, but recent advances in computer modeling have provided the capability for virtual inundation maps. Thus, these mapping methods need to be investigated to determine the applications and relevance to floodplain management.;The goal of this research is to advance the development and use of inundation maps by floodplain managers and emergency agencies. In this work, a simulation of a potential dam failure was performed for a candidate river system, and the inundation maps were created using two procedures: Terrain Tiles and Google Earth. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each mapping procedure was conducted. The Terrain Tiles procedure has advantages in displaying critical information, such as arrival times and water depths. However, this mapping procedure is more labor-intensive, and the online file sharing may not be accessible for all users. The strengths of the Google Earth procedure include two-dimensional and three-dimensional views for analysis, user-friendly file sharing, and the inclusion of built-in critical infrastructure and terrain data. Drawbacks of this procedure are that the inundation must still be generated in ArcGIS, that the display of critical information is not as clear, and that the online file sharing may pose security issues. Thus, the Terrain Tiles procedure should be used for the development of emergency response measures, while the Google Earth procedure should be used by emergency responders in the event of an actual emergency

Two Tongues, One Brain: Imaging Bilingual Speech Production

This review considers speaking in a second language from the perspective of motor–sensory control. Previous studies relating brain function to the prior acquisition of two or more languages (neurobilingualism) have investigated the differential demands made on linguistic representations and processes, and the role of domain-general cognitive control systems when speakers switch between languages. In contrast to the detailed discussions on these higher functions, typically articulation is considered only as an underspecified stage of simple motor output. The present review considers speaking in a second language in terms of the accompanying foreign accent, which places demands on the integration of motor and sensory discharges not encountered when articulating in the most fluent language. We consider why there has been so little emphasis on this aspect of bilingualism to date, before turning to the motor and sensory complexities involved in learning to speak a second language as an adult. This must involve retuning the neural circuits involved in the motor control of articulation, to enable rapid unfamiliar sequences of movements to be performed with the goal of approximating, as closely as possible, the speech of a native speaker. Accompanying changes in motor networks is experience-dependent plasticity in auditory and somatosensory cortices to integrate auditory memories of the target sounds, copies of feedforward commands from premotor and primary motor cortex and post-articulatory auditory and somatosensory feedback. Finally, we consider the implications of taking a motor–sensory perspective on speaking a second language, both pedagogical regarding non-native learners and clinical regarding speakers with neurological conditions such as dysarthria

Analysis of the Impacts of Freight Subsidisation on Transport Mode Selection: An Assessment of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme

The objective of this research is to identify the key selection criteria that form the basis of a shipper’s selection of freight transport mode. The study is undertaken in the context of sea freight. The study is localised to Tasmanian shippers who are, or are potentially, recipients of freight subsidisation through the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme. Data collected through an internet-based survey is described, and influential mode choice selection criteria are reported with the use of descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that Tasmanian shippers are conscious of cost, service, and cargo characteristics.Median responses indicate that cost, service, and cargo are equally significant in the selection process. The findings indicate that cost and cost flexibility are influential cost-based criteria. The findings also indicate that transit time, service capacity, and service flexibility are influential service-based criteria. Shipment size, cargo weight, and cargo volume are also identified as influential cargo-based criteria.This study provides insight into mode choice selection for Tasmanian shippers. In this function, it may assist existing air and sea carriers operating in the Tasmanian market to evaluate their performance and strategy by providing an analysis of shippers’ transport mode choice process. Tasmanian shippers themselves may benefit from the potential expansion of their existing freight transport mode choice process. New shippers of freight into and out of Tasmania may benefit from the perspectives of existing shippers of freight into and out of Tasmania