bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terrorism and National Morality
Authors: DiPietro William R.
Published: November 2016

This paper empirically investigates whether there is a negative relationship between the impact of terrorism in a country and national morality. A negative relationship between terrorism and national morality is predicted to exist, because it is reasoned that, in general, greater national morality leads to higher individual and social costs of terrorism, and to lower individual and social benefits from terrorism. Given the standard neoclassical assumption of rationality, an increase in the cost benefit ratio of terrorism due to increased national morality means that, with increased national morality, individuals will rationally choose to engage in less terrorism.The paper uses cross country regression analysis on contemporary data to test these ideas. It regresses the impact of terrorism on national morality and other variables. The results of the empirics of the paper are consistent with the key theoretical hypothesis. They show that the impact of terrorism is negatively associated with national morality.
Determinants of Household Debt in Botswana: 1994-2012
Authors: Zimunya Faith M. , Raboloko Mpho
Published: November 2016

The paper identifies the factors that are influential in determining the growth of household debt in Botswana. Understanding the relationship between household debt and other economic indicators is an important step towards formulating focused and effective policies that control the effects of household debt on the whole economy. Using quarterly data from the first quarter of 1994 to the second quarter of 2012, the paper employs the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to analyse the influence of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, interest rates, inflation, household consumption and money supply on household debt. The findings indicate that GDP per capita, interest rates and money supply determine changes in household debt in the long-run. Further analysis shows that lagged household debt, interest rates and money supply influence changes in household debt in the short-run.
Debt-Oriented Growth Efforts & the Inevitable End: The Eurozone Sovereign Debt Crisis
Authors: Zungun Deniz , Guven Emine Turkan Ayvaz
Published: November 2016

This study tries to reveal the unsustainable long-term effects of public expenditures, which are extended based on loan between 2000 and 2015 in 18 Euro zone countries, on economic growth. The countries located in Euro zone chose a way to obtain economic growth by directly lowering taxes on foreign capital investments in the subject period. However, while they could achieve this purpose especially between 2006 and 2007, by 2008 which is subsequent to aforementioned years, they increase their countries’ debt loads and thusly public expenditures extremely. Therefore, these countries which applied austerity policies by 2010 to lower the expenses faced sharp declines of their economic growth rates when they achieved their aims. For this reason, even if Euro zone countries continue to apply various policies today, they have difficulty in redressing their macroeconomic balance because of the effects of debt crisis. Since the solution does not lie behind having a debt-growth which is aimed at increasing public expenditures; it lies behind a foreign trade-oriented growth aimed at developing the production.
Be Wary Investors: Foremost Factors in Asset Performance in East Africa: A Case of Collective Investment Schemes in Kenya
Authors: Shano Dawe Mohamed
Published: November 2016

Alternative investment schemes are one of financial intermediaries through which funds are pooled
together for the purpose of investment in various financial assets which are normally managed by
professional managers. One such avenue in Kenya is investing through a unit trust fund. It is therefore
important for an investor utilizing one of these managers to evaluate how well the fund has done relative
to other funds and that of the benchmark. However, these performances were affected by numerous
factors. It was on the above footing that the research is focused on evaluating the importance of key
factors that affect its performance. The research employed descriptive research design mainly cross
sectional and longitudinal research to achieve the objectives. The target population was all the eleven
unit trust funds in Kenya. The study used both primary and secondary data. As a source of primary data,
structured questionnaires and scheduled interview were used. The key factors were analyzed using factor
analysis and multiple regressions to establish the importance of these factors in determining funds’
performance. The finding was that the factors that affect performance of funds in Kenya were classified
into five categories namely foreign investment participation, online trading, experience, age and equity
risk. The main factors affecting equity funds performance were experience, age and online trading only
while none of these factors were significant in influencing the blended funds’ performance. The
prospective investors must therefore be mindful about these factors while weighing their investment
proposals.
Understanding General Activity Motivation for Persons with Stroke—A Reversal Theory Perspective
Authors: Ng Serena S.W. , Chan Marko K.L. , So C.T. , Chin Annie M.H.
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Motivation is the barrier identified for clients with stroke to reintegrate community living. Reversal Therapy may help to understand the pattern of bipolar variations of motivational factors. This study analyzed the general activity motivation of clients with stroke and their relationship with community participation and mental wellbeing. Methodology: Sampling of 115 subjects including 30 stroke clients and 85 normal subjects. Measurements included the validated Chinese version of General Activity Motivation Measure (GAMM), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) & Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). Results: In GAMM, the normal group scores (Mean 50.09 SD 5.79) higher then clients with stroke (Mean 46.09; SD 8.00) (p < 0.05). GAMM correlated positively with CIQ and SWEMWBS (p < 0.05). Four factors identified under GAMM namely Means-end, Relationship, Rules and Transactions that identified with Reversal Theory. Reversals between poles of each domain evidenced between two groups. “Acquiring new experiences” was strong predictor for community integration. Conclusion: Reversal Theory is useful to explain motivational changes among clients with stroke. To develop chances of “new experiences”, “feel accomplishment every day”, “get out of house regularly” and “to do the things that they can enjoy” at “their own pace” are the motivators for reintegrate into community living.
The Relationship between Trauma due to Winter Storm Alexa, PTSD, Mental Health of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
Authors: Thabet Abdelaziz M. , Thabet Sanaa S.
Published: November 2016

Aim: This study investigated the relationship between trauma due to winter storm Alexa, PTSD and other mental health problems of Palestinian in Gaza Strip. Method: The sample consisted of 105 males (50%) and 105 females (50%) selected from three of the most affected areas by flooding in 2014 due to Alexa storm in Gaza Strip. Participants age range was 20-65 years, with a mean age 40.88 (SD = 9.8), with a mean age of years. Mental health status was assessed by a sociodemographic scale, the Trauma Due to Flood Scale, PTSD scale, and General Health Questionnaire (28 items). Results: Mean traumatic events experienced were 7.8. There were no statistically significant differences between males and females in reporting traumatic events. Mean post-traumatic stress disorder was 18.65, re-experiences symptoms was 6.4, avoidance symptoms was 5.7 and mean arousal symptoms was 5.73.

The study showed that 34.8% reported full criteria of PTSD. There were no statistically significant differences in PTSD total scores and subscales and sex of participants. Mean GHQ-28 was 12.12, somatization mean was 3.21, anxiety was 3.31, social dysfunction was 3.34, and depression was 2.27, 91% of the participants were rated as psychiatric morbidity cases and need further investigation. Males significantly scored more in social dysfunction than females. Traumatic events were significantly correlated with PTSD and general mental health and all subscales. Conclusion and implications: This study has important implications for need of establishing and implementing psychosocial intervention programs for in the Gaza Strip not only for those victims of political violence but also for people exposed to other types of traumatic events such as natural disasters.
Annoucement of Retraction
Authors: Yu Amelia
Published: November 2016

The editorial board announced this article has been retracted on August 4, 2016.

If you have any further question, please contact us at: rhs@scholink.org
A Study of Dictionary Use by Saudi EFL Students at Qassim University
Authors: Hamouda Arafat
Published: November 2016

Dictionaries are an indispensable tool for learning a foreign language in general. Dictionaries provide students with valuable information in all aspects of language. They include phonological, morphological, syntactical and semantic information in addition to etymological and usage information. Unfortunately, there is currently a paucity of research on dictionary use by EFL learners and very little is known about the behavior and preferences of dictionary users and the complex operation involved in a dictionary consultation. The main objective of this study is to identify types of dictionaries used by Saudi students, the frequency of dictionary use, and the lexical information examined while using a dictionary. Two data-collection instruments were used in this study, namely a questionnaires and interviews. The results of the questionnaire show that Saudi students do not take full advantage of the different dictionaries available, and that they are not trained on how to make full use of the dictionaries. For example, most of them pay attention only to the definition or meaning of a word while neglecting the pragmatic aspect of the word, collocations as well as word formation knowledge. Results also indicated the superiority of the e-dictionary over the other types of dictionaries. Another more important finding was that participants favored bilingual dictionaries over monolingual dictionaries particularly when finding meaning of unknown words. Other information such as pronunciation, usage, and examples was of secondary importance. The final conclusion reached reported some difficulties that the students face when they use dictionaries. The results suggest that failure to locate the right entry is a common problem among Saudi EFL students. The implications of these and other findings are discussed and suggestions made regarding the importance of teaching dictionary skills in educational settings.
The Role of Instructing Substitution as a Kind of Grammatical Cohesion on Its True Identification and Creation of Modal, Reporting and Conditional Contexts
Authors: Hasannejad Mohammad Reza , Assadi Nader , Mirzaei Mehdi
Published: November 2016

In an effort with a two-fold research question regarding the role of teaching substitution as a kind of grammatical cohesion on the true identification of confusing substitution elements with cohesive or noncohesive roles in different contexts and also the production of modal, reporting and conditional contexts through clausal substitution acquaintance, the following procedures were taken. First 120 male and female EFL students were selected from Iranshahr Azad University. Having administered the language proficiency test, researchers selected 80 students as intermediate subjects according to their TOEFL band scores. First, pretests of cohesion identification (substitution) and production of modal, reporting and conditional environments were administered to both control and experimental groups. Then, the experimental group was exposed to the teaching of the above-said cohesive device. Finally, post-tests of substitution elements identification and modal, reporting and conditional contexts production through clausal substitution familiarity were administered. The results showed that cohesive device treatment helped students on the true identification of substitution elements. Another finding proved that EFL students may have no difficulty in learning certain rules or classification of rules and application of their clausal substitution knowledge in creating modal, reporting and conditional contexts. Our findings can have implications for the field of language learning and teaching by deepening our understanding of the nature of the cohesive devices used by Iranian intermediate EFL learners in the process of reading comprehension and also applying their knowledge of cohesive devices not only in reading skill but also in speaking and writing skills to have more fluent and accurate speakers, writers and successful readers.
The Impact of Computer Games on EFL Learners' Spelling: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Shokri Hossein , Abdolmanafi-Rokni Seyed Jalal
Published: November 2016

This is a qualitative study in which video games were applied as one of the basic steps of language learning and literacy skill for specific students i.e. spelling. In this study 40 students from two classes at the age group of 14-16were randomly divided into two groups, control and experimental (each 20). The participants in the control group receive a placebo while the experimental group was presented with original computer games. During the treatment period the experimental group worked with each game by the teacher in the class. The classroom was equipped with the computer, television, overhead projector, etc. Each week they was subjected to one game. At the end of each session, the students were required to play the games and elicit words and spelling of them. After eight sessions of treatment, a questionnaire was filled out by the participants in the experimental group. The results of the study showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group. This finding subscribes to the role and efficacy of video computer games on spelling among students.
The Effects of Motivation on EFL College Students’ Achievement
Authors: Alqurashi Fahad
Published: November 2016

The current study examined the motivation of 48 newly-admitted students at the English department of Umm Al-Qura University for the study and learning of English as a foreign language. The surveyed informants responded to a two-part questionnaire that measured their intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in an attempt to explore the problems that many students encounter during their college life that negatively affect their academic progress. Students’ responses revealed that they were highly motivated to learn the target language—which may indicate that there are other factors related to students’ underachievement. The study recommends that students’ motivation be reexamined at different stages during their enrollment in the BA program and that other aspects related to students’ achievement, such as language aptitude, cognitive style and memory, and other affective factors, such as attitudes and anxiety, be scrutinized. In addition, promoting students’ motivation is a key step towards improving classroom atmosphere and making learning more effective and persistent. Learners need to have positive relationships with teachers. Positive affirmations, constructive guidance, and encouraging words serve as a secure base to enhance their self-esteem, create a positive learning experience, and build constructive attitudes towards learning the target language.
Some Common Language Learning Strategies Used by French-Speaking Cameroonian Advanced Learners of English: Strengths and Weaknesses
Authors: Safotso Gilbert Tagne
Published: November 2016

This paper analyses some common language learning strategies used by French-speaking Cameroonian advanced learners of English. The Terminale learners (N=200) and undergraduate students (N=100) are used as the study’s subjects. This choice was motivated by the fact that, before these levels, these learners have been using a wealth of language learning strategies in French, English, German Spanish or Arabic. The data is analysed following O’Malley’s and Chamot’s (1990) taxonomy of language learning strategies. Results show that these learners use more cognitive than social and metacognitive learning strategies. This prevents them from efficiently developing their communication skills and evaluating their learning. Consequently, when these subjects leave the secondary school or the university, many of them are unable to hold a discussion in English. Some suggestions are made as to the strategies to develop in order to assist these learners in their English learning process.
The Effect of Teaching Collocations on the Students’ Perceptions toward Language Learning
Authors: Wu Kun-huei
Published: November 2016

Knowledge of collocation is fundamental for both receptive and productive use of the language. Collocation is often regarded as insurmountable obstacle to the attainment of native-like fluency. In other words, collocation skill has often been used to differentiate native and non-native speakers. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of teaching collocation on the students’ attitudes toward language learning in the classroom. To enhance both oral reading and speaking fluency, the researcher uses the repeated reading method to check the participants’ productive performance. In addition, the participants are introduced and taught to use the online language database during the learning process. The results indicate that the participants hold positive attitudes toward the explicit teaching of collocations. The analyzed data reveal that the participants’ language performance has been siginificantly affected by the instruction of collocations. The participants also express that they feel more confident and motivated to acquire accurate and native-like competence.
The Discrepancy between Teachers’ Belief and Practice, from the Sociocultural Perspective
Authors: Rashidi Naser , Moghadam Meisam
Published: November 2016

Considering teachers’ belief as a construct and its relationship with teachers’ practice, a growing body of research has explored the effect of teachers’ belief on their practice while there is a bulk of research on the discrepancy between teachers’ belief and practice. However, most of the studies indicate that teachers’ beliefs should be studied within a framework that is aware of the influence of culture and context leading to the point that teachers’ belief is context dependent. The purpose of this paper is to present an argument about the relationship of teachers’ beliefs and practices and to find out sociocultural framework to explore the inconsistency of this relationship. Discussing the nature of teachers’ beliefs, the relationship among beliefs, knowledge and practices, sociocultural perspectives is explored to explain the inconsistency between teachers’ beliefs and practices found in the sample of the study. To this end a two-phase, sequential explanatory mixed methods study was employed to obtain quantitative results and then select participants for follow-up interviews to further clarify the results. In the first phase, quantitative research questions addressed the relationship between teachers’ pedagogical and epistemological beliefs in relation to eight teaching methods the teachers might utilize in the classroom. 20 teachers teaching different levels of English proficiency from Kish Institute are randomly chosen for this phase. Epistemic Belief Inventory (EBI) is used to be scattered among the teachers addressing their pedagogical and epistemological belief about teaching. 5 teachers scored high and 5 teachers scored low are chosen based on their responses to the questionnaires. Determining the target participants through the previous stage, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore how teachers described their beliefs about those eight constituent of teaching. The interviews are transcribed and codified. Using theme analysis, the main themes of teachers’ belief are extracted and explained. In the second phase, the actual practices of these ten teachers are observed by the researchers and an observation checklist is filled out for each teacher to determine the congruity or incongruity between teachers’ belief and practice. Analyzing the main themes of teachers belief and comparing them with the observation checklist, a brief description of each class is reported in the next chapter and the antecedent of the mismatches are discussed under the rubric of sociocultural framework.
Politics and Identity in an EFL Class: Did You Say a Suicide Bomb Attack?
Authors: Ibrahim Nizar Kamal
Published: November 2016

This article explores the possibility of critical analysis of terrorist suicide bomb attacks in an EFL critical literacy course. It reports on a part of a broader study that explored how 24 EFL high school Lebanese students were engaged in critical literacy activities during the whole 2013-2014 academic year. Most participants belonged to Lebanese communities that support Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party that plays an important role in the regional politics of the Middle East. The school was also located in an area dwelled mainly by supporters of this party. The participants wrote critical analysis essays about a double suicide bomb attack that took place close to their school, were involved in a focus group and were interviewed, all of which constituted the data. The study revealed that critical literacy events around hot political topics of significance to the students stimulate the students’ desires to learn the target language and give rise to complex discourses that reflect their multiple identities. In addition, critical analysis involved students in reconsidering their ideas and their ways of reacting to critical militarized political events.
Starting Compulsory English Early in Pakistan: A Study of Newly Emerged Scenario in the Light of TEYL Principles
Authors: Hussain Muhammad Sabboor
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this article is to describe and analyse complex and important issues surrounding the new scenario that has emerged after compulsory English has been introduced from class-1 in Pakistan. This paper attempts to explore these vital issues in the light of TEYL principles. A literature review of the problem is presented enumerating the TEYL principles to provide a proper theoretical framework to administer research tools for collection of relevant data. Both qualitative and quantitative research tools have been administered viz., interviews, observations, and survey on the target population. In order to highlight the advantages of starting English early in Pakistan and get the optimum benefits from this change, this paper provides some suggestions and recommendations. We must train and prepare the teachers and the schools so that they may cope with the new scenario, in a professional and planned way. This paper mainly focuses on highlighting the problems emerging in the new scenario to the forefront. Limited scope does not allow the researcher to provide practical solutions to the problem at length. It does, however, open areas of research for the future researches and researchers. This paper tends to engage the teachers, administrators, policy makers to focus on the complexities of TEYL to make the change in the policy a real success. The culture of the classrooms, teaching and learning could be transformed towards betterment by funding the researchers to focus on this issue. The hiring, training and evaluation of school instructors could also be impacted in this way. The paper begins with an overview of previous researches bringing out the TEYL principles on the forefront focusing on the definitions, explanations and argumentation on this theme. It then focuses on the target population viz., the teachers and students to find out the ground realities, opinions, perceptions, apprehensions and suggestions, and then moves on to give recommendations.
Vocabulary Acquisition: What does It Mean to Know a Word?
Authors: Zhang Xin
Published: November 2016

This paper demonstrates vocabulary acquisition from psycholinguistics perspective, and tries to explain the questions through exploring the nature and the organization of the mental lexicon. It finally leads to pedagogical implication and provides suggestions for vocabulary teaching. Effective vocabulary instructions should contains the following characteristics: multiple exposures to instructed words, the establishment of ties between instructed words and students’ own experience and prior knowledge.
Repetitions as a Communication Strategy: A Case Study
Authors: M. Kovac Mirjana
Published: November 2016

This extensive study examines repetitions in English (L2) which are considered as indicators of speech disfluency as well as a communication strategy. The participants of this study were 101 first-year undergraduate students of technical studies who received nine years of formal instruction of English. The results revealed that the speakers tend to repeat shorter speech fragments, that is, the absolute majority of all repetitions comprised up to one syllable. Consequently, even shorter repetitions generally provide sufficient additional time for linguistic planning or retrieving a particular linguistic unit. The former conclusion refers to both L1 and L2 repetitions. However, the comparison with the results obtained for L1 in a previous study confirmed that the speakers in L2 employ considerably more repetitions compared to L1. This points to the conclusion that repetitions as a communication strategy in L2 are used in order to give the speaker the opportunity to hold the floor, namely, it prevents breakdowns in communication. Even though repetitions are considered as forms of speech disfluency, they are indeed a resource learners can use in order to engage in a conversation despite their limited language resources.
The Practicality of Critical Pedagogy: A Case Study of Iranian EFL Learners’ Motivation
Authors: Abdollahzadeh Hossein , Narafshan Mehry Haddad
Published: November 2016

The most basic goal of education besides enhancing students’ educational success is to improve their social skills; this goal is achieved only if learners are trained to become critical thinkers and responsible ones for their own social change. Consequently, this study is focused on the impact of critical pedagogy on EFL learners’ motivation. In this study, 54 students were randomly and equally assigned to the experimental and control groups (27 students in each group). The instrument applied in this study was a motivation questionnaire. The questionnaire was given to the students in both control and experimental group (as the pre and post questionnaire). The results revealed that the critical approach to the teaching of English as a foreign language increases the learners’ motivation reflecting a sincere and personal interest in the people and culture represented by the other group.
Preventing Problem Behavior in School through School-Wide Staff Empowerment: Intervention Outcomes
Authors: Sørlie Mari-Anne , Ogden Terje , Olseth Asgeir Røyrhus
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the universal “Preventing Problem Behavior in School” (PPBS) intervention on both establishing high-quality learning environments and increasing the use of positive teaching strategies to prevent student problem behavior. PPBS was developed and piloted in Norway as an abbreviated version of the School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Model (SWPBS) and includes a four-day in-service training program for a school’s entire staff. Seventeen primary schools (Grades 1-7) implementing PPBS and 20 control schools engaging in “practice as usual” were compared using a three-wave measurement design. Multilevel analyses based on staff ratings indicated significant positive main effects of PPBS in the moderate range on the level of school behavior problems, positive behavior management, and perceived staff efficacy. Moreover, school size, implementation quality, proportion of unqualified staff members, and program training dosage moderated the intervention outcomes. Student ratings did not, however, support the staff ratings. The results are discussed in relation to the outcomes of the full-scale SWPBS model, meta-analyses of school-wide interventions, and measurement issues. Study limitations, strengths, practical implications, and future directions are highlighted.
Role of ICT in Higher Educational Administration in Uganda
Authors: Juma Kayiwa Shafik , Raihan Dr. Md. Abu , Clement Dr. Che Kum
Published: November 2016

The study was on the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in higher educational administration in Uganda. The study population comprised of four universities. Convenience sampling was used to obtain the sample size of 48 admininistrators from the population. The study aimed at identifying the roles of ICT in higher educational administration and a survey method was employed to investigate the study. Related literatures were reviewed from journals and past researches, data was collected using a well designed and validated questionnaire, the data was statistically analyzed and interpreted using weighted average and chi square test. The findings of this study revealed that ICT greatly enhanced educational administrator’s performance through improving cross communication at the managerial level, quick access to needed information, provides media and enhances information accuracy, analyzing data fast and effectively, their knowledge and skills a networked platform for collaborative work, motivates administrators through access to new information, for research purposes and enhances research skills of administrators, evaluation of staff and students is made easier, helps administrators in result processing, analyzes data quickly and accurately, reduces on workload, good and secure storage of information, improves coordination of tasks and activities. Therefore, the findings reveal that the proprietors of universities should procure more ICT facilities and equipment in order to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness in all dimensions of educational administration.
Discovering the Environment around School, with Local Communities: A Reflection Approach of Required Skills
Authors: Kalathaki Maria
Published: November 2016

A Cretan Lyceum, with local communities, materialized an Environmental Education Project, with the subject of “Forest, Biodiversity and Quality of Life” based on the principles of the Education for the Sustainable Development. The project aimed to update, aware and mobilize students on issues related to the forests, wetlands, biodiversity, sustainability and quality of life, to develop an anti-consumer model by highlighting the traditional way of life and to involve them in the care-management of natural ecosystems. The project activities took place in two different natural ecosystems of Greece, in the north and south.

Objectives of the research were to draw attention to the skills that teachers and students need and cultivate for the implementation of Discovery Teaching method in projects of Education for the Sustainable Development which aim to cultivate the future environmentally and science literate active citizens. This research is a case study of content analysis of the project’s archival material by using the Evaluation Tool for the Application of Discovery Teaching Method in the Greek School Project of Environmental Education (Kalathaki, 2015). Were coded 7 research categories, such as the promoting of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Communication and Collaboration, Establishment of Requirements for Lifelong Learning, Promotion of the Sustainable Development, Cultivation of Active Environmentally Literate Citizens, Inquiry Skills, Use of ITCs.
Development of Boyhood in Female Sex Workers’ Family — A Representation of their Vicious Cycle
Authors: Adhikari Harasankar
Published: November 2016

The brothel based female sex workers (FSWs) are in obstruction in their daily life. Beyond the male politics, mothering and motherhood are a common phenomenon to testify their universal womanhood through procreation. Usually they have settled up their family in their typically constructed community- red light area. Mostly their family is matrifocal and single parent family which was failed to provide proper control and strategies for up-bringing of their offspring. The present study was conducted to explore the development of boyhood in female sex workers’ community purposively because there was a need of explanation of the masculinity their community. For that purpose, 50 boys of below 18 years of age were selected adopting simple random purposive sampling and both quantitative and qualitative method of data collection used to get information on their up-bringing process including life experiences. The result showed that their development was enough to continue their vicious cycle of FSW-Child-FSW. Only the educational development, sometimes separate shelter and if their mothers were able to hide their involvement, had brought changes in their pathways of development outside their community.
The Changing Landscape of Race, Culture, and Family Life: Interracial Couples’ Contribution to the Conversation
Authors: R. White Theresa , M. Love Susan , L. DeBose Herman , M. Loprieno Daniele
Published: November 2016

The published social science research on interracial marriages has burgeoned considerably over the past few decades as experts address not only traditional, but also emerging questions about the quality of life in mixed-race families. The “emic” experience of being in a mixed race family remains, though, a relatively under-explored topic. To help fill the gap, we conducted a nationally distributed, snowball sample, anonymous, online survey of 241 married or cohabiting individuals; 83.6% self-identified as a member of a bi-racial couple. The 131 items surveyed couples’ experiences of their partnership, family life, support, and discrimination—both in time and in place. The study presented multiple findings including a persistence of race discrimination in neighborhoods and at work; surprisingly, the couples also reported that their children were allowed to play with the children of White neighbors, regardless of the racial makeup of the family. There was a significant relationship between “importance of falling in love” and the racial makeup of the couple (χ2 (15, N=205) =30.42, p=.01); Black/White and Hispanic/White couples choose their partner for love. Moreover, same race couples expressed the most unhappiness and the most regret of all of the couple-groups surveyed. Most concerning, though, was that interracial couples perceive raising multiracial children as more difficult; these results were significant (χ2 (30, N=206) =62.68, p=.00) with Black/White couples, at 45.7%. The study presents multiple correlation tables. Additionally, limitations of the study are discussed and suggestions for further studies are presented.
Foreign Policy from Khatami to Ahmadinejad There is One Foreign Policy in Iran, which is Khamenei’s Foreign Policy
Authors: ALDosari Noof Rashid
Published: November 2016

This Article is part of an MA thesis: “Iran Wilayat al Faqih System of Governance and Public Policymaking” which tried to investigate the challenges that public policy in Iran is facing under Wilayat al Faqih system of governance. The article here deals with foreign policy making in Iran from Khatami to Ahmadinejad in regards to both Iran regional roleand Iran-U.S. relations. It sheds light on the challenges that are facing Iranian foreign policy making which can affect both the regime and the ideology of Wilayat al Faqih itself. It also, discusses series of problems that are challenging the authority of the supreme leader which resulted in a power struggle between the supreme leader (representative of the Wilayat al Faqih institution) and the president (representative of the Republican institution) inside the system of governance when it comes to policymaking. The contradictory roles between both is a result of the president limited power in formulating foreign policies, together with his ideological preferences that is different from the supreme leader. The Article concludes by stating that such power struggle between the offices may impact Iran’s domestic policies but not Iranian foreign policies, as Iran is becoming a regional power.
Entrepreneurs: Investment and Rhetoric. Contributions to an Economics of Persuasion
Authors: Priddat Birger P.
Published: November 2016

The entrepreneurs business is not only businesss, but to persuade the banker to lend him money, to persuade the employees to be motivated to do any innovative new project, and to persuade the custormers to buy it. Without this entreprenuerial rhetorics no business will succeed. From this point of view the entrepreneur is as well an artist as a businessman.
Aristotelianism and African Political Predicament: New Implications and Imperatives
Authors: John Elijah Okon , Uka Joseph Ajuluchukwu
Published: November 2016

Aristotle’s socio-political theory emphasizes the belief that human beings are naturally political. Aristotelian ideals that the political life of a free citizen is a sovereign state which provides for the well-being of the citizenry is the highest form of life. Thus, his idea of free citizenship immediately introduces the concept of limitations between citizens—the free and the not free, the masters and the slave. The consequence of his political theory is the introduction of inequality among the members of the society but the question is: was Aristotle right in justifying social inequality? The answer to it embodies the major issues of this work. How we can evaluate Aristotle’s positive and negative socio-political theories is one of the concerns of this paper. Effort will be made to critically explicate the good aspects of his theory as well as drawing a synthesis from the critique of the condemnable aspects of Aristotle’s political philosophy in fashioning out a formidable route for African political leaders.
To Promote the Sustainable Development of Regional Economies in South Asia by Enhancing Economic Cooperation of the Pan-Red River Basin
Authors: Li Feng , Wang Zhaorui
Published: November 2016

In the significant trend of economic globalization, the regional competence becomes increasingly fierce. China and Southeast Asia are inevitably involved in this competition. In framework of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, the Pan-Red River basin is the complement and expansion of it. The Red River mainly flows through China, Vietnam and Laos, especially China and Vietnam. The concept of the Pan-Red River basin plays an important role under the new situation. The overall stable political and economical situation, the complement of industrial resources, the improvement of transportation conditions and the further development of regional cooperation all provide certain foundations and conditions for accelerating the development of the Pan-Red River basin. In order to achieve the development of the Pan-Red River basin, developing consensus should be reached, regional factors flow and industrial upgrading and transfer should be achieved, transportation advantage should be played, the logistics centers of China and Vietnam should be built, multipolar regional development impetus should be achieved, and the port construction and border regional cooperation zone should also be built and strengthened.
Solitary Osteochondroma Arising from the Dorsal Vertebral Spinous Process
Authors: Joshi Ruban Raj , Sundararaj Gabriel David
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Osteochondroma are benign tumors which arise from aberrant cartilage nodules within the periosteum. They can be either pedunculated or sessile and are more common in the extremities and rarely seen in spine. En-bloc excision is the preferred treatment.

Case Report: We present a case of 20 year female, who came with a swelling and pain in lower back for two years which was diagnosed to be thoracic vertebra(D11) osteochondroma on x-ray and computed tomography. Excision biopsy was done and confirmed it to be osteochondroma. There has been no recurrence even after 16 months of follow up.

Conclusion: Although rare, osteochondroma of the vertebra should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis when evaluating mass in spine. En bloc excision should be performed.
Knowledge on Perimenopausal Symptoms among Women Attending Lumbini Medical College Teaching Hospital
Authors: Paudyal Parbati Nepal , Nepal Manju
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Perimenopause is an unavoidable stage of a woman's reproductive life that starts several years before menopause. Due to declining estrogen level, women experience physiological and psychological changes during perimenopausal period and sometimes symptoms are very distressing that affect the women’s quality of life negatively. This study was done to assess the knowledge of women about perimenopausal symptoms.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was done at Lumbini Medical college (LMC) throughout the months of November and December, 2013. Women of age 40-60 years, attending various clinics in LMC and ready to take part in the study were included. A total of 142 women were selected purposefully. The data was collected using the semi structured interview schedule.

Results: The study revealed that half of respondents were between age group 40-44 years, 141 (99.3%) were married and 82 (57.7%) were literate. Three quarter of respondents (74.6%) were menstruating women. The main source of information on perimenopausal symptoms was friends and relatives (81.2%). Majority of respondents (n=90, 63.4%) had poor, 52 (33.8%) had fair and only 2.8% had good level of knowledge on perimenopausal symptoms. The respondents’ level of knowledge on perimenopausal symptoms was statistically significant with educational status (p<0.001), level of education (p=0.048) and economic status (p=0.02).

Conclusion: Many women have poor knowledge on perimenopausal symptoms. The role of health care provider is that they should seriously discuss about mid-life women’s health problems including perimenopausal symptoms and treatment modality including hormonal replacement therapy so the quality of life of women can be improved.
Tracheal Resection and Anastomosis for Postintubation Tracheal Stenosis
Authors: Acharya Anup , Singh Madan Mohan , Tambay Yeshwant Gajanan
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Tracheal stenosis is one of the dreaded complication of tracheal intubation. Tracheal resection and anastomosis is an established definitive treatment for stenosis more than one cm. Here, we present a case of postintubation tracheal stenosis managed by resection and anastomosis, first of its kind in our centre.

Case Report: We present a case of 26-year female who underwent tracheal intubation during her treatment of tubercular meningitis. Two weeks later, she returned with respiratory difficulty. A diagnosis of post-intubation tracheal stenosis was made. Tracheal resection and anastomosis was done. Recovery was uneventful and she was discharged on 14th post-operative day.

Conclusion: Post-intubation tracheal stenosis is still a dreaded complication even after the introduction of high volume low pressure cuff. They can be successfully managed. Care personnel in intensive care unit (ICU) should perform to prevent this complication.
Risk factors for healthcare-acquired urinary tract infections caused by multi-drug resistant microorganisms
Authors: Djordjevic Zorana , Folic Marko , Gavrilovic Jagoda , Jankovic Slobodan
Published: November 2016

Introduction. Healthcare-acquired urinary tract infections (HAUTI) make up to
40% of all healthcareacquired infections and contribute significantly to
hospital morbidity, mortality, and overall cost of treatment. Objective. The
aim of our study was to investigate possible risk factors for development of
HAUTI caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens. Methods. The prospective
case-control study in a large tertiary-care hospital was conducted during a
five-year period. The cases were patients with HAUTI caused by multi-drug
resistant (MDR) pathogens, and the controls were patients with HAUTI caused
by non-MDR pathogens. Results. There were 562 (62.6%) patients with MDR
isolates and 336 (37.4%) patients with non-MDR isolates in the study. There
were four significant predictors of HAUTI caused by MDR pathogens:
hospitalization before insertion of urinary catheter for more than eight days
(ORadjusted = 2.763; 95% CI = 1.352-5.647; p = 0.005), hospitalization for
more than 15 days (ORadjusted = 2.144; 95% CI = 1.547-2.970; p < 0.001),
previous stay in another department (intensive care units, other wards or
hospitals) (ORadjusted = 2.147; 95% CI = 1.585-2.908; p < 0.001), and cancer
of various localizations (ORadjusted = 2.313; 95% CI = 1.255-4.262; p =
0.007). Conclusion. Early removal of urinary catheter and reduction of time
spent in a hospital or in an ICU could contribute to a decrease in the rate
of HAUTI caused by MDR pathogens.
Treatment of stump complications after above-knee amputation using negative-pressure wound therapy
Authors: Babic Srdjan , Tanaskovic Slobodan , Lozuk Branko , Samardzic Drazen , Popov Petar , Gajin Predrag , Matic Predrag , Maric Vesna , Radak Djordje
Published: November 2016

Introduction. The stump wound complications after above-knee amputation lead
to other problems, such as prolonged rehabilitation, delayed prosthetic
restoration, the increase in total treatment cost and high mortality rates.
Objective. To evaluate the safety and outcomes of negative-pressure wound
therapy (NPWT) using Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VACR) therapy in patients with
stump complication after above-knee amputation (AKA). Methods. From January
2011 to July 2014, AKA was performed in 137 patients at the University
Cardiovascular Clinic. Nineteen (12.4%) of these patients (mean age 69.3 ?}
9.2 years) were treated with NPWT. The following variables were recorded:
wound healing and hospitalization time, rate of NPWT treatment failure, and
mortality. Results. AKA was performed in 17 (89.5%) patients after the
vascular or endovascular procedures had been exhausted, while urgent AKA was
performed in two (10.5%) patients due to uncontrolled infection. The time
before NPWT application was 3.1 ?} 1.9 days and the duration of the NPWT use
ranged from 15 to 54 days (mean 27.95 ?} 12.1 days). During NPWT treatment,
operative debridement was performed in 12 patients. All the patients were
kept on culture-directed intravenous antibiotics. The average hospital length
of stay was 34.7 days (range 21-77 days). There were four (20.9%) failures
during the treatment which required secondary amputation. During the
treatment, one (5.3%) patient died due to multi-organ failure after 27 days.
Conclusions. The use of NPWT therapy in the treatment of AKA stump
complication is a safe and effective procedure associated with low risk and
positive outcome in terms of wound healing time and further complications.