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The study described the development of cluster for mountains and hills tourism potentials in Ekiti State. Mapping and direct observation were used to collect both primary and secondary data. Mapping was done by the use of Geographic Information Sysytem (GIS), and Remote Sensing Tools (RST) which properly identified the GPS corodinates and photographs of mountains and hills locations in Ekiti State. These were later downloaded using Arc GIS software for further analysis and the production of multiple maps such as elevation, slope map, shaded relief map and contour map of Ekiti State. Findings clealy showed 57 elevations which were 600m and above, and 245 elevations that were less than 600m in different proportions and heights spread across 27 communities in the 3 zones of Ekiti State. Thus, communities that have two or more mountains and hills at different locations formed cluster as tourism destinations with proposed headquaters where all administrative works will be controlled. The study will ensure that the selected communities in Ekiti State would be given priority in massive infrastructural development to enable potential visitors and tourists to mountains and hills in Ekiti state have deserving comforts that could be compared to other existing mountains and hills destinations outside Nigeria. Conclusively, the government of Ekiti should provide adequate funds for infrastructure in all communities where mountains and hills are domociled.
Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes to the existing literature on mountains and hills in Ekiti State, Nigeria. This study is one of the very few studies which have investigated mountains and hills tourism potentials in Ekiti State. Business & Management » Journal of Tourism Management Research » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Income Shocks and Child Mortality Rates: Evidence from Fluctuations in Oil Prices
Previous studies show that children in lower socioeconomic status families reveal higher rates of mortality. We complement the income-mortality literature by establishing a causal link between income and child mortality. Our instrument for income is based on time-series global shocks to oil prices combined with the cross-sectional share of employment in manufacturing across US states as their exposure to oil price changes. Using the universe of death records between the years 1975-2004, we find the OLS results of income-child-mortality relationships are under-biased. The 2SLS-IV results suggest that a $1,000 increase in income per capita at the state level reduces child mortality and infant mortality by 0.87 and 0.53 fewer incidences per 1,000 population of age-specific children. Contribution/ Originality
This is the first study to establish a causal link between income and child mortality rate. Moreover, it adds to the literature on oil and income by introducing an oil-price-based instrument which has the potential to influence household income and health. Economics » The Economics and Finance Letters » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
A Review Paper on Skills Mismatch in Developed and Developing Countries
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Policy
The focus of this review research is on skill mismatch rather than educational mismatch. Specifically, this research examines the definition, extent, measurement of skill mismatch, and the impact of skill mismatch on earnings, productivity, and job satisfaction of employed individuals. Skill mismatch occurs when a worker’s possessed skills are incompatible with the required task-related skills. Skill underutilization or overskilling arises when the skills of an employed individual exceed those required to perform the job. On the other hand, skill overutilization or underskilling ensues when a worker’s skills are below those required to perform the task. The extent of skill mismatch varies from country to country and by measurement approaches: subjective (self-assessment) and objective approaches. The literature review also reveals that underskilling often results in a wage premium and overskilling in a wage penalty. In addition, skill mismatch has a negative impact on productivity and job satisfaction. Contribution/ Originality
This study documents the imbalance between skills employer required and skills workers have and the negative impact of skill mismatch on earnings and job satisfaction. Most empirical evidences are found in developed countries such as US. and Australia because of available of skill data so that the effect of study can recommend educational institutions and government how to improve workers’ skills in the labor market. Few studies in skill mismatch are found in developing countries so researchers who are interested in education and labor market can do the research in this field. Economics » International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Policy » Month: 03-2021 Issue: 1
Development of an Effective Biocatalyzed Organic Fertilizer Derived from Gliricidia Sepium Stem Biochar
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: Current Research in Agricultural Sciences
Biochar biocatalyst action could improve quality and reduce costs in producing biochar fertilizer. Objective of this study was to develop a high-quality organic fertilizer using biochar biocatalyst action. To activate Gliricidia stem biochar (produced at 400-500oC and 2.5 hours residence time), aqueous biocatalysts were prepared in two separate aerobic reactors containing 4L of water, 12.5 g of rock phosphate, and Gliricidia biocatalyst (GBC) with 1 kg of Gliricidia leaves and market waste biocatalyst (MWBC) with 1 kg of market wastes. Intermittently total 377.5 g and 525 g of biochar were added respectively to the reactors until they reach neutral pH. GBC showed higher total nitrogen (243 mg/L) and available phosphorous (8,125 mg/L) contents. Four compost piles were prepared with fresh immature grass of 18 kg/pile and Gliricidia leaves of 2 kg/pile. Produced biocatalysts were added at the beginning to three piles as 6% GBC, 3% GBC, and 3% MWBC and the control with 6% biochar on dw basis. N, P, K levels of all the compost piles after 8 weeks were within the recommended levels of compost. The highest total nitrogen (20.3 g/kg) and available potassium (83.71 g/kg) remained in 6% GBC and the highest available phosphorous (3.41 g/kg) measured in 3% MWBC. pH values of all piles ranged between 8.8-9.2. The made fertilizer is very suitable and cost-effective for acidic soils to improve soil nutrient status unlike the addition of lime. Michaelis-Menten kinetics indicates that it is preferable to add market waste-like substances to GBC for optimizing the qualities. Contribution/ Originality
This study documents a novel procedure of biochar activation using an aqueous mixture of Gliricidia sepium stem biochar, Gliricidia leaves and rock phosphate under aerobic conditions and also, production of high quality organic fertilizer with the addition of activated biochar during active phase of composting. Agricultural Sciences » Current Research in Agricultural Sciences » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Socioeconomic Determinants of Drug Abuse in the United States
We examine the association between drug abuse and several socioeconomic variables by estimating a multivariate regression model. The sample data includes seventy observations at the county-level from every state in the U.S., excluding Maryland and North Dakota, provided by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and the U.S. Census Bureau. The socioeconomic variables analyzed in the model are education, median household income, community poverty, insurance status, and employment status. The income, education, and community poverty variables are shown to have significant effect on the number of unintentional drug poisonings (drug abuse). Income is shown to have the largest effect followed by community poverty and then education. Neither insurance status nor employment status were found to be statistically significant. Empirical results suggest that encouraging higher levels of education for communities may be beneficial in reducing drug abuse and its consequences. In the short-run drug related information may can be made accessible through community centers, community clinics, and religious temples. Contribution/ Originality
Research on drug abuse in the US is mainly focused on underlying medical and psychological aspects of the problem. There is a surprising gap in the literature regarding the socioeconomic conditions associated with this problem. Our paper contributes to the existing literature by investigating the association between socioeconomic factors and drug abuse in the US. Economics » Journal of Social Economics Research » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Azotobacter and Total Bacterial Population in Enriched Compost: Preliminary Study
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: Current Research in Agricultural Sciences
Compost enrichment with nitrogen fixing Azotobacter is a method to enhance the used of biofertilizer in sustainable agriculture. The objective of a laboratory experiment was to verify the change in Azotobacter and total bacteria population in two kind of compost after inoculation with nitrogen fixing A. chroococcum. The experiment was setup in completely randomized design with four combination treatments of sterilized and unsterilized composted manure as well as vermicompost. The control treatments are the sterilized one. The results verified that irrespective of treatments, Azotobacter enrichment increased Azotobacter but reduced total bacteria population after 18-day incubation compared to the composts before treatment. At the end of experiment, the population of Azotobacter in both sterilized and unsterilized vermicompost were slightly lower than in manure; but the count total heterotroph bacteria in both organic matter was similar. The acidity of both enriched compost was neutral while their humidity was declined to 18-19% at the end of experiment. This experiment showed that inoculating the compost with Azotobater maintain the Azotobacter count but decline the total bacteria. This suggested that negative interaction between Azotobacter and other heterotroph bacteria in compost might be occured. Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies about the viability of total bacteria and Azotobacter in Azotobacter-enriched compost. Compost enrichment with Azotobacter enhanced Azotobacter population but decreased total bacteria decreased in the compost. This enriched compost can serve as organic matter and Azotobacter inoculant once introducing to the soil. Agricultural Sciences » Current Research in Agricultural Sciences » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Domestic Remittances and Household Food Diversity in Rural Ghana
This work investigates the effect of domestic remittances on households’ food diversity in rural Ghana using three-stage least squares estimation technique and cross-sectional data from the Ghana Living Standards Survey, round six (GLSS 6). The study finds that Northern Ghana rural households’ food diversity scores are lower than their Southern counterparts. Results show that domestic remittances positively affect rural household food diversity in Ghana, and the difference in food diversity index between Northern and Southern rural households narrows as remittances increase. The study also finds that rural households with at least primary educated householders have enhanced food consumption in variety while increasing household size tends to deteriorate food diversity. The study recommends that domestic remittances matter to food consumption diversity, especially in Northern Ghana. Therefore, policymakers should implement remittance tax credits to service providers and strengthen competition in the industry by supporting remittance technologies’ interoperability to minimize costs to increase flows. Increased domestic remittance flows to Northern Ghana could narrow the rural household food diversity gap between Northern and Southern Ghana. Farm and non-farm investment and rural sector-specific education investment are also recommended. Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes to the existing literature by investigating domestic remittances impact in narrowing food diversity gap between rural households in Northern and Southern Ghana, controlling for other household characteristics. The study’s originality comes from incorporating locational differences in the remittances-food security relationship. Economics » Journal of Social Economics Research » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Impacts of Rural Community on the Forest Estate in Ugbolu, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria
This study examined the impact of Community based forest management (CBFM) in Ugbolu forest reserve (UFR), Delta State. A random selection of 110 respondents was carried out. Information on activities encouraging deforestation, list of resources extracted, jobs and income provided from involvement in CBFM, structure and strategy used by community in managing UFR were collected using structured questionnaire and interview section. Descriptive statistics was used to analysed the data (frequency table and likert scale). Majority of respondents were male (51.8%), married (61.6%), between the age of 31-40 (34.5%), had household size of 7-9 (39.1%). The activities that contributed to deforestation in the reserve were logging (70.9%), livestock breeding (15.5%), and farming (10.9%). The forest resources harvested included Tectona grandis, Gmelina aborea, Rattus fuscipes, Thryonomy swinderianus. Involvement in CBFM provided jobs (categorized as Forest user groups (FUG) namely; timber merchants, fellers, loaders, hunters, farmers, forest guards to community members. The income earned varied between ?11,000 ($28.9) to ?200,000 ($526.3) monthly. Majority (58.2%) of respondent stated that heads of different FUG constituted the committee which works with an annual plan (53.4%), arrived at by voting (70.0%). The annual plans meet the demands of various FUG (81.8%) with little interference from government (86.4%). The committees major forest management strategies included partnership of forest guards with rural people (40.0%), creation of a community forest administration group (26.4%) and laws stopping illegal entry into the forest estate (23.4%). Intensification of government involvement and adequate funding for effective CBFM were recommended by the study. Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies that have investigated the participation of rural dwellers in the management of the forest. The interests of various user were met, the forest estate adequately managed, and crisis, a basic characteristic of natural resources management was reduced. Agricultural Sciences » Journal of Forests » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Employee Motivation in Light Oncial, Non-Financial Rewards and Employee Commitment among Pharmaceutical SMEs of Indonesia
This paper aim to assess the effect of financial and non-financial rewards on employees’ motivation along with mediating effect of employee’s commitment on relationship of financial and non-financial rewards with employees’ motivation in pharmaceutical industry of Indonesia. For achieving the purpose, structural equation modeling was performed on collected data from 235 employees through self-administered questionnaires from pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia. This research found significant and positive effect of non-financial payments with employee motivation in results of direct relationship, current study found positive but insignificant effect of financial rewards on motivation during direct relationship. This study also found significant results of effect of financial and non-financial rewards on employee commitment. Furthermore current study found positive significant results during mediation by employees’ commitment between financial rewards, non-financial rewards with motivation, and employee commitment proved as good mediator. Implication and recommendations were also discussed in current research. Contribution/ Originality
This study has contributed in extension of literature on both financial and non financial rewards’ importance in employee motivation. Further to this, this is one of the few studies conducted in Indonesia, especially in pharmaceutical industry. Economics » The Economics and Finance Letters » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
The New Pattern of Online Credit Loan in the Post-Epidemic Era
This paper is one of the few studies that discusses the impacts and challenges of banking business, especially online credit loans (also known as Internet loans or consumption loans) from the aspects of social environment, economic development, public policy, and technological environment changes under the impact of COVID-19 epidemic. Based on authors’ years of experiences in banking industry, they find that online loan products are facing with numerous problems, such as unclear position of online loan products, management dilemma of employees, dilemma between social responsibilities and debt collection, mismatch between risk and income, high bad-loan ratio issues and so on. To find effective ways to solve those problems, authors combined experience with practice and put forward several possible directions, such as seizing the opportunities of digital transformation to develop financial technology, expanding online products, establishing a new financial environment under changed consuming scene, and utilizing the strict supervision mechanism to expand traditional banking business. Contribution/ Originality
This is one of the few studies to discuss the current situation and problems of online banking business under the impacts of COVID-19. Then, ideals and solutions are presented based on the situation of reality and authors’ years’ experience in banking industry. Economics » The Economics and Finance Letters » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Drought Prediction with Raw Satellite Imagery and Ensemble Supervised Machine Learning
Drought is one of the biggest challenges that environmentalists face today because of rapidly evolving climate. The negative impacts of drought on the economy, humans and other living organisms endure long after the ending of drought, and with time its intensity also increases. One way to fight the adverse effects of drought is to perform drought prediction and so that appropriate decisions can be made accordingly. Drought prediction can be made considering vegetation and water level in any region therefore, in this research we are using satellite images to predict drought conditions and its various stages, like if it is about to come or it has passed. All these predictions will be helpful for authorities to make informed decisions. We are employing supervised machine learning nevertheless to obtain the best results. We are using boosting and bagging which is ensemble supervised machine learning techniques. The experiments performed proved that bagging is better than boosting classifiers and it is less computationally expensive; and boosting on the other hand is less accurate and computationally expensive. Contribution/ Originality
This research performs drought prediction on tharparkar district using raw satellite imagery and ensemble machine learning techniques. Energy & Environmental Sciences » Review of Environment and Earth Sciences » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
The Role of TV Sports Programs in Permeate of Ethical Values in Iranian National Athlete Women
The purpose of the study was to survey the role of TV sports programs in permeate of ethical values in Iranian national athlete women. The Methodology was descriptive and survey with field data gathering. The population was national women athletes in Iran which select 97 samples by accessible way from individual and group discipline include Taekwondo, Shooting, Boating, Kabbedi, and others. Data gathered by a questionnaire which preparing by researchers and improved validity and reliability. Results by one-sample t-test showed there is a significant effect from TV sports programs in permeates of ethical values and their components as cultural, economic, religious, politic and social by the view of women athlete. Also, the results of the Friedman test showed the most effect belongs to social component (3.83 means), cultural component (3.42) and political component (3.22). The suggestion from findings was to review TV sports programs in order to improve the content for the development of ethical values in Iranian national women athletes. Contribution/ Originality
The purpose of the study was to survey the role of TV sports programs in permeate of ethical values in Iranian national athlete women. Physical Sciences » Journal of Sports Research » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Nexus among Foreign Exchange Reserve, Remittance and Trade Openness: An Empirical Investigation in the Case of Bangladeshi Economy
This study has explored the nexus among foreign exchange reserve, remittance, exchange rate, and trade balance in Bangladesh for the period of 1986 to 2019. By employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bound test approach, a long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables has been found. The study has shown a statistically significant positive impact of remittance inflow and trade balance on foreign exchange reserves in the long run. If remittance inflow increases by 1 percent, then the foreign exchange reserve would increase by 0.43 percent, and if trade openness rises by 1 percent, then the foreign exchange reserve would rise by 1.22 percent. Granger causality test has revealed the presence of unidirectional causality from the remittance inflow to foreign exchange reserve and remittance inflow to exchange rate. Bidirectional causality has observed between trade openness and exchange rate; however, no causal relationship exists between reserve and trade openness. Based on the findings, this study has endorsed several policy directions that Bangladesh can take to excel in the 21st century and cope with post-pandemic challenges. Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of the very few studies which have investigated the foreign reserve dynamics in the context of Bangladesh and the first one to explore the nexus among foreign reserve, remittance, and trade openness by employing the ARDL approach. Economics » Journal of Empirical Studies » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Visitors Preferences for Tourist Destinations: A Comparative Analysis of Two Contrasting Destination Themes in Lagos, Nigeria
This research was conducted to investigate motivating factors that influences the preferences of visitors to either Culture-based or the Nature-based destination. The 'Push and Pull' theory of motivation was adopted to identify how Push (motivations) and Pull (destination attraction) influenced visitors’ preferences destinations under investigation, and to identify their relationship. Six (6) sampled destinations- a combination of both Nature-based and Culture-based destinations were randomly selected for this study. Appropriate statistical analyses were carried out and major findings indicated that both Push and Pull factors influences visitors preferences, however Pull factors had more significant effect on visitors preference, especially on the destination visited, indicating that destination attractions has more influence on visitors than their motivations to achieve their desires or needs. The chi-square was used to determine statistical significance among 'Push' and 'Pull' factors and analysis revealed a significant association between preferred Tourist destination and the actual destination visited. Mean measures unveiled that destination attributes/attraction (Pull factors) significantly influenced those that visited nature-based destinations than those that visited culture-based destinations, with attributes: 'Ease of access', ' Overall cleanliness of the destination' and 'Quality of service' with higher rankings. Destination Managers, marketers and all stakeholders in Tourism marketing should pay attention to the intrinsic and extrinsic reasons why people visit in other to grow tourism and because they are fundamental to why people visit or travel. Especially pull factors, as a lot more can be done in this regard, than what pushes visitors due to the unpredictability of human needs. Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies that have given an insight on what is obtainable in the types of tourist destinations and how they can be improved; it also characterized the relative preference of tourist between nature and culture based destinations and revealed major factors for these preferences. Business & Management » Journal of Tourism Management Research » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Construction of Sustainable Frugal Innovations Index for the Agriculture Sector
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research
The proliferation of agriculture innovations require stakeholders to have an accurate measurement scale to screen and select the best inventions for returns maximisation. Agriculture has evolved to become a scientific business hence the need for scientific measurements of agro-innovations and their consequences. The concepts of sustainability and frugality, hence sustainable frugal innovations are trending themes in agriculture. High quality scientific measures of these innovations remain scarce. The purpose of this study has been to develop a Sustainable Frugal Innovations index for use in the agriculture sector. A data collection instrument derived from sustainability and frugality constructs was developed and administered to 450 Agriculture experts across Zimbabwe. Twenty-five (25) constructs were extracted through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), validated and analysed, culminating in a composite Sustainable Frugal Innovation Index. Contribution/ Originality
This study originates a new index to measure the sustainability and frugality of agriculture-oriented innovations. The index guides innovations design thinkers to be sensitive to sustainability and frugality issues while helping users in making adoption choices. Agricultural Sciences » International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 2
Determinants of Mobile Learning Systems Adoption in Zimbabwe Rural Secondary Schools
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Education and Practice
In todays technologically-driven educational landscape, mobile learning systems (MBL) have progressively risen to become critical tools for effective education delivery in many rural schools. Like in most developing countries, the education sector in Zimbabwe plays a critical role in facilitating human capital development and economic growth and development. However, the country’s rural secondary schools are still lagging behind urban secondary schools in embracing MBLs. The adoption of MBLs could represent a significant breakthrough not only in terms of reducing educational costs but also for providing effective and efficient learning and teaching processes. The adoption and acceptance of MBLs is likely to transform rural secondary school students’ lives by enabling them to access cheap education and also to meaningfully contribute to the eradication of poverty and hunger in their communities. The study employed structural equation modelling where data was collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire from 100 randomly selected respondents attending rural schools in Guruve and Chiota Rural Districts. The findings show that the likelihood of adopting or deferring the adoption of MBLs in rural secondary schools is influenced by factors such as perceived usefulness, compatibility, perceived ease of use, social influence, learner and teacher’s autonomy, relative advantages and learner awareness. Policies that increase usage of mobile banking learning systems in rural secondary schools especially the reduction in transaction cost, perceived risk, complexity of user interfaces are recommended. Contribution/ Originality
This study show is one of the first to examine the likelihood of adopting or deferring the adoption of MBLs in Zimbabwe’s rural secondary schools. Therefore, it contributes to the existing literature on factors that contribute to the adoption of MBLs using unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). Arts and Education » International Journal of Education and Practice » Month: 03-2021 Issue: 1
Inclusive Values and Pedagogies Needed by Business Studies Teachers for Effective Inclusive Education in Secondary Schools
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Education and Practice
Inclusive education as a global phenomenon in the 21st century is becoming an acceptable approach for the training of children with less ability. Programs for teachers’ education all over the world are seeking innovative values and pedagogies to ingrain teachers with for its implementation. It is on this premise that this research was conducted to determine the inclusive values and pedagogical strategies needed by business studies’ teachers for effective practice of inclusiveness in secondary schools. The study utilized survey design for data collection and it was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses. The study’s population consisted of 54 lecturers of special education in tertiary institutions in Delta State, Nigeria. Data for the study were generated with a questionnaire and the questionnaire was scrutinized by three professional experts to enhance its validity. Data obtained from the field were analyzed with mean statistic and standard deviation in respect of the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses. The results of the study showed that business studies teachers need inclusive values such as patience, tolerance, fairness, equality, empathy, affection, confidence, trust, passion and respect as well as pedagogies such as encouraging peer-assisted learning, providing individualized attention and approach for effective inclusive education in the class rooms. No significant differences were found in the mean responses of participants based on their academic attainment and years of work experience on the inclusive values and pedagogies needed by business teachers for effective practice of inclusion. The study therefore concluded that inclusive values and pedagogies were strongly needed and should be acquired by business studies teachers for effective inclusive education in secondary schools. Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes significantly to existing body of knowledge on educational inclusivity by empirically determining some inclusive values and pedagogies needed by business studies’ teachers for effective practice and implementation of inclusiveness in the classrooms. The study has documented arrays of inclusive values and pedagogies to the benefit of business studies’ teachers and learners in general. Arts and Education » International Journal of Education and Practice » Month: 03-2021 Issue: 1
The Role of EFL/ESL Teacher Preparation Programs in Raising the Awareness of Pre-Service Teachers of Intercultural Communicative Competence Model: A Comparative Study between Saudi Arabia and Singapore
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Education and Practice
Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) empowers language learners with the skills to compare different cultures and raise critical cultural awareness. The present study aims to identify and compare the role of EFL/ESL teacher preparation program in raising the awareness of pre-service teachers of ICC Model in Saudi Arabia and Singapore. The author developed and applied an online questionnaire of the ICC Model to a sample of (30) faculty members in Saudi Arabia and (30) faculty members in Singapore. The descriptive comparative analytical approach was utilized to describe, analyze, and compare the present situation of the EFL/ESL teacher preparation program in raising the awareness of pre-service teachers of the ICC model in Saudi Arabia and Singapore. The results revealed the availability of the ICC in the EFL/ESL teacher preparation program in both countries. The study recommended reviewing and continually updating the EFL/ESL teacher preparation program at the College of Education according to the ICC Model to meet the needs and communicative competence of students. Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes to EFL/ESL teacher preparation by offering suggestions to reform the educational system through IC applications by comparing teacher preparation programs in Saudi Arabia and Singapore. This study is a pioneering work that links teacher’s preparedness with the communicative competence of students. Arts and Education » International Journal of Education and Practice » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 2
Comparative Analysis of Nested Domain Sensitivity on Thunderstorm Simulation using WRF-ARW Model: A Case Study Over Bangladesh
Several thunderstorm indicators (TI) and thermodynamic features were evaluated and compared by simulating a thunderstorm (TS) event over Sylhet (24.89° N, 91.86° E), Bangladesh that occurred from 1429 UTC to 1441 UTC on 29 March 2018 using the Advanced Research dynamics solver of Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF-ARW). The model was run to conduct a simulation for 36 hours utilizing six-hourly Global Final Analysis (FNL) datasets from 0600 UTC of 29 March 2018 to 1200 UTC of 30 March 2018 as initial and lateral boundary conditions. The domain was nested in two different ways: (a) two domains of 15 and 3 km horizontal resolution, and (b) three domains of 12, 6 and 3 km horizontal resolution. These domains were nested with varying outer-domain horizontal grid spacing but a constant 3km inner-domain resolution in order to reasonably verify the effect of nesting on the approximation of the thermodynamic indicators by WRF-ARW. The model outputs were generated with a 10-minute interval for the innermost domain. These outputs were analyzed numerically and graphically using Grid Analysis and Display System (GrADS). Model evaluations of mean sea level pressure (MSLP), maximum and minimum temperature, relative humidity (RH) and 24-hour rainfall were compared with available observational data obtained from Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) to validate the model performance in each case. Based on the analyses and comparisons, it is found that the estimated values in the case of three-way nesting were better indicators of the likelihood of a TS event over that area. Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of the very few studies that estimate several important thunderstorm indicators of a thunderstorm event over Bangladesh using the WRF-ARW model. This paper’s major contribution is the comparative analysis of those indicators based on different nested domain configurations. Energy & Environmental Sciences » Review of Environment and Earth Sciences » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 1
Evidence of Transformative Teaching Extracted from the Reflection Logs of Pre-Service Teachers using Butin's Cultural Lens
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Education and Practice
This study aimed to analyze the Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) pre-service teachers’ reflection logs using cultural lens of Butin’s model. Using the critical social design, this study investigated transformative teaching from 21 MAPEH pre-service teachers. The pre-service teachers were selected using maximum variation sampling method. Data were gathered from their written reflection logs in response to the questions crafted by the researcher. Findings revealed that pre-service teachers put premium to cultural competency and considered diversity in the educative process. Pre-service teachers have developed appreciation of student diversity by helping them understand and appreciate their uniqueness through meaningful connection with them. They even discussed with them issues beyond the classroom including personal problems and emotional concerns. In addition to this, MAPEH curriculum touches on the personal lives of students. Music and Arts depict culture, tradition, and beliefs of various groups. This study is based on the premise that MAPEH is best taught if teachers welcome cultural diversity, make learning forceful by touching on the personal experiences of the learners, and enhance the skills of students to make them useful in improving their lives and their community. These attributes require the adoption of transformative teaching and learning. Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few qualitative studies which have investigated pre-service teachers’ reflections on their practical teaching experiences in the Philippines. The results of the study have significant implications in designing and implementing a culturally relevant curriculum that fosters transformative teaching and learning in pre-service teacher education. Arts and Education » International Journal of Education and Practice » Month: 06-2021 Issue: 2
Abstract