bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Devolution on Organizational Effectiveness: An Exploratory Case Study of Faith-Based Child Care
Authors: Stanziola Javier , Schmitz Tania
Published: February 2021

Although the foundations of President Bush’s faith-based initiative could be traced back at least to Colonial times, the re-packaging of this idea has raised concerns about the role of the federal government in the affairs of faith based organizations, the professionalization of social services, rent seeking, and the crowding out of private funding. This paper aims to examine the local implications of decentralizing the provision of social services in Lee County, Florida. More specifically, we will identify how devolution has affected the organizational effectiveness of faith-based organizations in the day care sector. For this paper, organizational effectiveness was defined in terms of goal setting, efficient use of resources, and reputation. This initial exploratory study suggests that any devolutionary policy that aims to aggressively include faith-based organizations in the provision of social services will face the challenge of weak information flow mechanisms within the industry.
Self-Monitoring and Consumer Behavior
Authors: Kjeldal Sue-Ellen
Published: February 2021

In the present research, the relationship between the psychological construct of self-monitoring (Snyder, 1974) and consumer behavior is investigated. The word association study undertaken for the present paper was deliberately unstructured. This type of methodology provides respondents with a context free environment in which contents of fruit and vegetable knowledge structures can be elicited. This is the first such study that examines self-monitoring in a free-recall situation, and the results are instructive in providing more information on the specific nature of self-monitoring effects. Furthermore, the results of this study demonstrate a relationship between two sub-disciplines of psychology, namely self-monitoring (Snyder, 1974) and decision-making (Damasio, 1994; Epstein, 1997; Hammond, 1996).
Using Participatory Focus Groups Of Graduate Students To Improve Academic Departments: A Case Example
Authors: Linville Deanna , Lambert-Shute Jennifer , Fruhauf Christine , Piercy Fred
Published: February 2021

The authors report on a participatory focus group evaluation of an academic department. The 20 participants, and the majority of the evaluators, were graduate students in that department. The authors report on their methods, their reflections, ethical issues they encountered and what they did about them, and how they used the results.
Writing Truth as Fiction: Administrators Think about Their Work through a Different Lens
Authors: Ketelle Diane
Published: February 2021

This article argues that school administrators can learn about themselves through fictionalizing their real world experience. Examples of this writing form are offered in the text to illustrate the form and possible function of this type of work. The author presents this alternate writing form as a reflective tool that can assist professionals in learning about themselves and as a result resituate themselves in the world of leadership.
Postmodern Influence in Family Therapy Research: Reflections of Graduate Students
Authors: Hertlin Katherine , Lambert-Shute Jennifer , Benson Kristen
Published: February 2021

Postmodernism has influenced family therapy in significant ways, from clinical work to family therapy research. Little has been written, however, on how to conduct postmodern research in a manner reflecting marriage and family therapy inquiries. The present study seeks to investigate doctoral students understanding of postmodern family therapy research. Using collaborative language theory and collaborative inquiry, students participated in a dialogue to answer several questions: a) what is postmodernism, b) what is postmodern research, c) what does postmodern research look like, and d) what does this mean for the field of marriage and family therapy. Students indicated that postmodern research is characterized by its flexibility in methods, translates into a new way of conducting research, and creates a natural bridge between family therapy researchers and clinicians.
Combining Causal Model and Focus Group Discussions: Experiences Learned from a Socio-Anthropological Research on the Differing Perceptions of Caretakers and Health Professionals on Children's Health (Bolivia/Peru)
Authors: Lefèvre Pierre , De Suremain Charles-Édouard , Rubín De Celis Emma , Sejas Edgar
Published: February 2021

During the summer of 2002, thirty-one medieval frescoes went on display at the Museum of Texas Tech University, the only venue in the world for this extraordinary exhibition. This paper summarizes a qualitative research study that focused on the experiences of three visitors to the Medieval Frescoes from the Vatican Museums Collection exhibition. The study applied Gadamers (1993) idea of horizons to both the visitor-participants and the frescoes to illuminate the interpretive event, the meeting of horizons, and to uncover any obstacles that might hinder the fusion of horizons. The findings of the study are presented in a readers theatre format as an alternative to traditional reporting methods so that the voices of the participants, frescoes, and researcher can be portrayed more clearly.
El programa de imágenes visuales del entorno en la producción de textos poéticos
Authors: Ortega Chávez Wilmer , Moreno Modesto Annie Hellen , Zevallos Solis Liliam Carola
Published: February 2021

El problema que más ha preocupado en los distintos niveles educativos de nuestro entorno regional es la producción de textos resultado de ello nos propusimos el problema ¿Cuál es el efecto del programa uso de  imágenes visuales del  entorno en la producción de textos poéticos en estudiantes del segundo grado de educación secundaria de la Institución Educativa “Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes” de Huánuco?, cuyo objetivo general fue: Demostrar el efecto del Programa uso de imágenes visuales del entorno en la producción de textos poéticos. Siendo la hipótesis “El Programa uso de imágenes visuales del entorno mejora la producción de textos poéticos en los estudiantes del primer grado de educación secundaria de la Institución Educativa “Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes” de Huánuco”. En cuanto a la metodología de estudio, se utilizó el método científico y como método específico el analítico con un diseño experimental se realizó el trabajo con una muestra aleatoria de 41 estudiantes un grupo control y otro experimental (muestra), obteniendo los resultados siguientes: donde se tiene que en la preprueba el 63,2% se ubica en el nivel C, y 36,8% se ubican en el nivel B, de la misma forma tenemos que en la postprueba el 68,4% se ubican en el nivel B y 31,6% en el nivel A. y el promedio en preprueba (1,4) se diferencia con postprueba (2,3). Se tiene una diferencia considerable entre preprueba y postprueba en cuanto al nivel de consistencia e integración textual en estudiantes del grupo experimental, lo que se justifica como efecto de la aplicación del Programa imágenes visuales del entorno.
http://habibiaislamicus.com/index.php/hirj/article/view/182
Authors:   Dean of Social Sciences Greenwich University, Karachi, Daud Sayeda , Khanum Masroor
Published: February 2021

This paper aims at how the roots of national vernaculars and cultures directly strengthen the psychological and historical research. This is an internal and external study of history from another point of view, so the educational aspect is based on knowledge of the national culture. It is also a link between reading and writing skills in national culture, which is a typical rule for any nation.
Generalities About Caring Mental Illness and Impact on Family Caregivers in Chinese Community: A Ten Years Narrative Review Study
Authors: Balthazar Nkundimana , Xiaoming Xu , Kuang Li Prof. , Gao Fei , He Jiglan , Pang Hui , Zhang Yuxue , Yi Zhou , Kumar Sah Sanjay
Published: February 2021

Background: Worldwide, the burden of mental health is increasing day by day. The WHO alerts countries that diseases caused by mental health will occupy the second rank on the rest of non-communicable diseases. The increase of mental diseases is always associated with the increase of multiple challenges in primary caregivers who are mostly family members of the patient. China is one of nations with high prevalence of mental health disorders. Like many other countries caregiving mental health in china would have challenges and opportunities. This study aimed to narratively combine studies on family caregivers of psychiatric illness in China thereby making an objective conclusion Methods: A matrix method was narratively used in this study. Studies conducted in Chinese community which includes studies in main land China, Hong Kong and Taiwan conducted in the period between 2008-2019 were considered. 47 studies were considered for analysis and five main themes were found for consideration. Results: The findings in this study are summarized in the following themes 1. High burden and burnout of care and influencing factors, 2. The high stigma of caregivers 3. The low quality of life of caregivers 4. the social support. 5. Care and intervention for caregivers of psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: caregivers of psychiatric illness in Chinese community face challenges that are in some cases different to the rest of the world however there are many similarities with the rest of the world that are found. To overcome these challenges, all parties are called to play its assigned role in the eradication of these challenges. There is a need of strengthening the available opportunities and the common understanding of the problem is required in Chinese community.
STUDY THE PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION AMONG CRHON'S DISEASE PATIENTS DURING CLINICAL REMISSION
Authors: Elramli Safia S.
Published: February 2021

Purpose: People with Crohn's disease are at risk of nutritional deficiency, especially those subject to strict diet. Aim of this study is to study the relationship between malnutrition and Crohn's disease during clinical remission.Methods: The patients were randomized from the Benghazi Medical Center. The total of the patients was 50 patients with 26 males and 24 females aged from 18 years and over was performed between the January 2017 to April 2017.   Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal information. The questionnaire included socio-economic characteristics, anthropometry, 24hr.recall method to find out whether they are malnourished or not.Result: approximately 82% of patients had their weight within the normal range, while 8% of their weight was below the normal range among of them approximately 6%   represented with men according to the BMI. As for skin fold thickness, it appeared that 36% of patients have ideal fat levels, 26% have lower fat levels, while ,22% have medium fat levels, whereas the rest (14%) have higher fat levels. Regarding the 24-hour recall method shows that most patients had their daily calories at a low rate and the maximum daily calorie consumption was 1115Kcal , while the minimum was 305Kcal.Conclusion: We conclude that the relationship between Crohn's disease and malnutrition is does not exist based on our study. Our study may lack some laboratory investigations of patients. Future studies will be needed to document the relation between malnutrition and Crohn's disease.
EFFECT OF RISK EVALUATION ON PERFORMANCE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Authors: Lagat Fredrick Kiprop
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of risk evaluation on performance of financial institutions.Methodology: The study used explanatory research design. The study used stratified random sampling to select respondents from target population comprising of managers of 46 commercial banks, 52 Micro Finance institutions (MFIs) and 200 SACCOs and a sample size of 239 respondents obtained. Data was collected using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was presented, while inferential statistics was done using Pearson product moment correlation.Results: There was a positive influence of risk evaluation [r = .813, p<.05] on the performance of financial institutions was obtained. The risk evaluation positively influenced the performance of financial institutions. The risk evaluation had positive relationship with performance of financial institutions (P<0.05). The null hypothesis HO3 stating that there is no significant effect of risk evaluation on performance of financial institutions was rejected. This indicates that for each increase in the risk evaluation, there is 0.821 increase in performance of financial institutions.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study has established the importance of ownership structure as a system of corporate governance that significantly moderates the relationship between risk management practices and performance of financial institutions can exploit various risk management practices identification, analysis, evaluation and monitoring should be enhanced so as to bring efficiency in the performance of financial institutions. These may be achieved through establishment and implementation of risk identification, analysis, evaluation and monitoring policy framework which will significantly influence performance of financial institutions and enhance shareholder capabilities to evaluate all risks that can hinder the financial institutions from achieving their set objectives
THE DETERMINANTS OF BANK CREDIT GROWTH AND CREDIT AGGREGATE BEHAVIOR DURING ALTERNATE BUSINESS CYCLES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Chakanyuka Dr. Goodman
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to Analyze of the Relationship between Business Cycles and Bank Credit Extension: Evidence from South Africa. The study sought establish the determinants of bank credit growth in South Africa and how the different credit aggregates behave during alternate business cyclesMethodology: This study adopted qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative research involves structured interviews with influential or well informed people on the subject matter. The study is used to understand the key determinants of bank credit in South Africa and to appreciate how each of the credit aggregates behaves during alternate business cycles. The qualitative results are used to formulate questions of the structured survey questionnaire. The ANOVA and Pearman’s product correlation analysis techniques are used to assess relationship between variables.Results: Results revealed that, key determinants of commercial bank credit in South Africa as economic growth, collateral value, bank competition, money supply, deposit liabilities, capital requirements, bank lending rates and inflation. The quantitative results show that there is direct and positive relationship between bank lending behaviour and credit aggregates namely economic growth, collateral value, bank competition and money supply.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It proposes practical policy prescriptions to address challenges currently facing South Africa. The other major contribution of this study is that it shall open new avenues for further research on determinants of bank credit growth in South Africa and how the different credit aggregates behave during alternate business cycles.
BIOECONOMIC POTENTIAL FOR SILVOPASTORAL AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM IN NORTH WALES
Authors: Nworji Michael Jide
Published: February 2021

Purpose: This study evaluated the bio-economic potentials of temperate lowland silvopastoral agroforestry systems in North Wales, United Kingdom.Methodology: The bioeconomic analysis compared three land-use plausible scenarios (‘forestry’, ‘pasture / livestock’ and ‘agroforestry’) at 3.5% discount rate on a 10-hectare farm over a 30-year rotation using discounted cash flow analysis and national costs and prices for both livestock and tree products based on 2016 baseline data. Base case net present value (NPV) and annual equivalent value (AEV) were calculated for each production livestock grazing, farm forestry, and silvopastoral agroforestry scenario, assuming no policy interventions.Findings: Generally, results of the economic analyses indicated that under the baseline case, assuming no policy interventions, none of the options was viable. This study also showed that increase in lamb sale price, wood price, and wood yield improved the economic viability of the three investment options significantly. Again, the viability of the three investment options in this study is shown to decrease with increase in discount rates. Furthermore, this study disclosed that the application of prevailing government grant/subsidy schemes significantly improved the economic viability of the three investment options as livestock, forestry and agroforestry options showed positive NPV and AEV values at the baseline assumptions and are therefore adjudged economically viable as they all met the decision rule criteria for investment acceptance. Forestry was the most viable option with the highest NPV and AEV, followed by pasture/livestock and agroforestry options.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study underscored the imperative need for policy makers to improve awareness of the benefits of grant incomes and address farmers’ concerns about the economic viability of livestock, forestry and agroforestry investments. The results of this research will help promote greater awareness of the economic value of trees in extensively grazed landscapes in the United Kingdom as well as provide a basis for future comparisons and analysis of farm programs and ecosystem service markets.
TARGET BENEFICIARY PARTICIPATION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CDF FUNDED PROJECTS: A CASE STUDY OF LAMU EAST CONSTITUENCY
Authors: Mohamed Aisha M. , Otieno Dr. Moses M.
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish the impact of beneficiary involvement and participation in CDF funded projects with specific reference of CDF projects in LAMU Constituency.Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive case study research design. The population of the study consisted of 107 projects in Lamu East constituency. This implied that 107 project management committees (PMC) were the target population. The preferred data collection instrument was a questionnaire. The data was analyzed by both statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and excel spreadsheet.Results: The study findings indicated that the beneficiaries /community members of Lamu East constituency were not given the opportunity or right to participate in evaluating, Selecting and prioritizing projects.   Overall, there was low beneficiary participation in CDF projects. From the findings, it is possible to conclude that that there is a low awareness of CDF projects in LAMU east constituency. Furthermore, the level of education of project beneficiaries was low. The low level of awareness may have led to the low participation of beneficiaries. To a large extent the level of education had affected the level of participation in CDF funded projects. It was also possible to conclude that the low level of education may have led to the low participation of beneficiaries in CDF projects. Finally, it was possible to conclude that, the low level of beneficiary participation affected CDF project implementation.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy:  It was recommended that the project management committees should encourage the participation of beneficiaries in evaluating, selecting and prioritizing projects, determining the location of the projects, follow-up or monitor the project and participation of management of project funds. Furthermore, the Government through the CDF committee should carry out awareness campaigns to sensitize the beneficiaries of their right and obligation to participate in CDF projects.
ASSESSMENT OF ICT APPLICATION BY SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES IN THE KENYAN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRY: A CASE OF SMES LOCATED ALONG MPAKA ROAD (WESTLANDS)
Authors: Chege Kennedy , Ntare Mr. J.
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The study was an assessment of ICT application by small and medium sized enterprises in the Kenyan professional service industry, a case of SMEs located along Mpaka road (Westlands).Methodology: A descriptive survey design was used as it was appropriate for reporting the way things are. A population of 124 SMEs gave rise to a sample of 25 SMES (20% of population) which were selected on a stratified non random sampling technique. The data collection instrument was a self-report questionnaire and the data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. It was then presented using graphs and chartsResults: Findings in this study indicated that though majority of SMES used various forms of ICT, they did not have faxes and internet connection. In addition, the SMEs did not use a website as an advertising tool since they did not have one and also didn’t use faxes for transmitting documents such as quotations and invoices. The challenges facing ICT use by SMEs were financial in nature, infrastructural in nature and capacity (training in nature). Benefits accruing to SMEs were as delineated in literature review though regional expansion was not applicable to SMEs in the study.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that there should be facilitation of training through workshops and courses on ICT, bridging the financial gap for SMEs, improvement in infrastructure and the internet backbone and a policy frame work on SMEs. Areas of further studies included a relationship analysis between the use of ICT and the financial performance, customer satisfaction, and staff morale in the context of SMEs.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO DECLINATION OF WOMEN PROJECTS FUNDED BY LOCAL MFIS
Authors: Kinuthia Phillip
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors contributing to declination of women projects funded by local MFIsMethodology: A qualitative and quantitative case study was adopted. The target population was included all the Kabete women groups financed by the KWFT Kabete branch. The number of groups was 200 with a total of 1000 members. As it not feasible for the researcher to study every member in the target population, a sample of 10% was considered representative. A nonrandom sampling technique was used to select 3 respondents from the various groups where the group leaders such as chair lady, treasurer and secretary were requested to fill in the questionnaires which were the instruments for data collection. The data collected was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: Findings indicated that the main causes of failure of women projects funded by MFIs can be attributed to the general SME constraints such as competition, lack of technical training and capacity building and inappropriate information and technology. In addition, genders issues such as women immobility, lack of confidence, inadequate time and unequal distribution of productive resources contributed to failure. It was also found that low degree of formal training in various business areas was a state common with many women undertaking projects funded by local MFIs. It was found that despite local MFIs offering flexible borrowing and repayment terms, majority of women borrowers found it difficult to repay loans on time. It was also found that majority of women projects had not expanded nor contracted, that is, they had no noticeable growth. Nonetheless, it was unfortunate that a significant portion of women projects had actually collapsed as a result of the general and gender constraints listed in this study.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It was recommended that general constraints to SMEs and gender disparities needed to be sorted out. The policy calling for improvement in the legal and regulatory framework require a comprehensive review of all pertinent Acts in order to determine the extent to which such acts have adverse impact on SMEs. The government effort to create markets such as Muthurwa and the other potential markets should be reinforced by the provision of amenities such as water, sanitation and electricity in those markets. Furthermore, more work places and land need to be set aside for the construction of effective trading structures. The government and stakeholders as well need to come together and establish public private partnerships with the mandate of providing business training as well building capacity among SME owners. The researcher recommends a study on an analytical study shedding light to the reasons for the slow implementation of various policies aimed at benefiting the SME sector
INFLUENCE OF MICROFINANCE LENDING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN GATANGA SUB COUNTY OF MURANG’ACOUNTY IN KENYA
Authors: Muruga Wachira P. , Ismail Dr Noor
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of microfinance lending on the performance of small and medium enterprises in Kenya.Methodology: The study adopted descriptive research design. The target population was 210 Small and Medium Enterprises operating in Gatanga Sub County of Murang’a County in Kenya. A stratified random sampling technique was used in this study. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. The sample population for this study was 94 Small and Medium Enterprises operating in Gatanga Sub County. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The data was presented using tables, graphs and charts. The study used multiple regression analysis model to establish the relationship between the variables.Results: The regression results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between access to credit facilities and performance of SMEs as supported by a p value of 0.000 and a beta coefficient of 1.088. Results further showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between credit lending policy and performance of SMEs as supported by a p value of 0.001 and a beta coefficient of .072. In addition, results showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between interest rates and performance of SMEs as supported by a p value of 0.000 and a beta coefficient of -0.351. Lastly, results showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between collateral security and performance of SMEs as supported by a p value of 0.000 and a beta coefficient of -0.588.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The findings of this study will be useful source of reference to researchers and scholars in their research work. Further, the government of Kenya will be able to appreciate which areas of microfinance lending need improvement and, thus formulate appropriate credit policies. In addition, MFIs will be able to train their credit officers on what kind of investment opportunities are viable for Small and Medium Enterprises. Similarly, the study will facilitate the availability of information for SMES businesses on influence of microfinance lending on the performance of their businesses and how best they can get access to microfinance as well as protect them from failure.
INFLUENCE OF SACCOS IN ENTREPRENEURIAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN DAGORETTI SOUTH CONSTITUENCY, KENYA
Authors: Njoroge Sammy Mwatha , Kagiri Dr. Assumpta
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to find out the influence of SACCOs in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency, Nairobi, Kenya. To successfully achieve the study objective the research was guided by the following specific objectives: - To establish the extent to which disbursed credit by SACCOs help in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency; To determine the extent to which deposits/share capital help in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency; To find out how SACCOs investment portfolios help in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency. To find out how information dissemination helps in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituencyMethodology: The study employed a descriptive survey research design to find out the role of SACCOs in entrepreneurial development in Dagoretti constituency. The study adopted a census study. A questionnaire was used as primary data collection instruments. The collected data was examined and checked for completeness and comprehensibility. The data was then summarized, coded and tabulated with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 17.0) Data presentation was done by the use of pie charts, bar charts and graphs, percentages and frequency tables.Results: With all the independent variables having p < 0.05, this indicates that there is a significant relationship among all the four variables with the influence of SACCOs in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoreti South constituency. From the results, a unit % increase in Access to Loans would result to 44% decrease in share capital. Additionally, a unit % increase in entrepreneurship education would result to 36% increase on the influence of SACCOs in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency. Having the composite mean as 3.68053 and the standard deviation as 0.4768, meant that the respondents agreed that Access to Loans, Share capital, and Entrepreneurship education had a significant influence on SACCOs in influencing entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency.Recommendation: With the Kenya government steering towards industrialization in her vision 2030, entrepreneurship training should be the first gear towards this direction. Many countries have prospered as a result of constructing and embracing entrepreneurial culture among their population. SACCOs are a good starting point especially in rural-urban areas where government devolution tentacles have started to spread.SACCOs should strive to maximize on the earnings to build the institutional capital. This institutional capital ensures the permanence and growth of the SACCOs even in turbulent economic times. In fact, it would help the SACCOs to grow and, remain economically and financially viable. Such growth should be enhanced by effective financial practices not to mention entrepreneurial training.
INFLUENCE OF LOW-COST BUILDING MATERIALS ON HOUSING PROJECT IN REDUCTION OF HOUSING DEFICIT IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Authors: Maina Kamau , Paul Dr. Samson Nyang’au
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of low cost building materials on reduction of housing deficit in Nairobi County, Kenya.Methodology: The study adopted four theories: open innovations theory, the value theory, transformational leadership theory, and institutional theory. Methodologically, the study adopted a descriptive research design, while the population of this study was all the real estate firms registered by Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA). Census technique was employed to collect data from all 69 real estate firms using questionnaires. Questionnaires were applied to collect primary data, where the researcher trained research assistants to aid the data collection procedure. A pilot-test was conducted as an approach to establishing both the reliability and validity assessments of the questionnaire. Statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) was used to undertake both descriptive and inferential statistical computations.Results: The findings of the study established that the use of technology enhances the capability and capacity of construction firms to use an array of building materials. The study found that use of modern technology defined skilled labour because most organizations are leveraging technology as a basis of realizing competitive advantage. It also established that real estate firms utilize competent based human resource management firms to hire qualified personnel. In addition, it was evident that personality traits influenced adoption of new technology in the construction of low cost housing, whereas knowledge and attitudes, and skills were significantly attributed to adoption of new technology.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: In light of the research findings, the study recommends that organizations should leverage modern technology as a basis of realizing efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of projects. The study likewise recommends that organizations should build capacities to enhance labour productivity. In addition, the study recommends that organizations should adopt transformational leadership approaches as a basis of enhancing performance. The study recommends the need to revise the legal framework with a view to ensure that it reflects the changing needs of the project requirements.
Automatic Fault Localization and Isolation in Power Distribution Network by Decision Support Method
Authors: PRAKASH Satya , HANS Manoj , THORAT Vikas
Published: February 2021

The power distribution network has grown complex and vulnerable as it increases its demand. The system's reliability has become a prominent factor for the end-users, although the continuity of supply in the distribution network still remains a challenge. In order to achieve the same distribution, automation came into the picture. The term “Distribution Automation” usually refers to an advanced switching system, which works as a subsystem of the existing network. The purpose of the subsystem is to offer real-time observation and control in distribution networks and electricity market operations. Consequently, the development of an autonomous system for isolating failures and restoring power for the distribution of LV (low voltage)/MV (medium voltage) can be an attractive solution for improving energy facilities' reliability. Advanced management techniques are devices and algorithms used to analyze, diagnose, and predict conditions in a distribution network, as well as to identify and take appropriate corrective actions to eliminate, mitigate, and prevent power outages and power quality problems. To demonstrate the model, we used a PIC16F877, CT microcontroller, and a power supply unit.
Judicial Response on Biodiversity Laws and Endangered Species
Authors: Dr. Sona Dr. Sona
Published: February 2021

India our country is blessed with the natural wealth and ranks amongst the top countries of the world in biodiversity. It has evergreen forest, grasslands, deserts, mountains, mangroves, seas, wetlands and marshlands, with diverse ecosystems that harbour a rich variety of wildlife .
Becoming Leo. Steinberg e l'Institute of Fine Arts di New York: dall’eredità dei professori tedeschi allo sviluppo di un nuovo criticism
Authors: Di Cola Daniele
Published: February 2021

Leo Steinberg, born in Moscow in 1920 but raised in Berlin and London, arrived in New York in January 1945. Trained as an artist in London in the early 1950s, when he was already in his thirties, he decided to study art history at the Institute of Fine Arts (IFA), where he was educated by Jewish-German refugee art historians such as Richard Krautheimer, Wolfgang Lotz, and Erwin Panofsky. This essay reconsiders Steinberg’s work, which is well-known for its unconventional and revisionist inter- pretations, through the lens of his academic formation and the legacy of German Kunstwissenschaft in postwar America. Taking into account unpublished material (including university course notes and papers and an abandoned dissertation on the afterlife of Romanesque art), I point out how Steinberg’s first scholarly works, while respecting the methodologies of his professors, at the same time tried to “resist” their heritage. His engagement with contemporary art, for example, led him to challenge the biases of his professors, sometimes to their annoyance, as was the case with his Ph.D. dissertation on Borromini’s church of San Carlino, which was contested by his adviser Richard Krautheimer. The essay argues that during the IFA years Steinberg had already developed some of the concepts that would characterize his later intellectual trajectory: the dialogue between Old Master art and contemporary experience, the emphasis on the beholder’s physical and psychological response to artworks, the epistemological reevaluation of subjectivity, the priority of visual data over texts, and the hermeneutical validity of ambiguity and multiple levels of meaning. Through these means, Steinberg achieved a personal synthesis between historical investigation and criticism, anticipat- ing the rethinking of the methodological tradition in the 1960s and 1970s.
Review of Leo Steinberg, Michelangelo’s painting: selected essays
Authors: Michael Hill
Published: February 2021

Leo Steinberg, Michelangelo’s painting: selected essays, is an anthology of the author’s published and unpublished essays on the artist. The book is a volume in the collected essays of Steinberg, edited by his long-time assistant, Sheila Schwartz.
Informação, Misinformação, Desinformação e movimentos antivacina: materialidade de enunciados em regimes de informação
Authors: Vignoli Richele Grenge , Rabello Rodrigo , Almeida Carlos Cândido de
Published: February 2021

Objetivo: O ensaio objetiva refletir sobre informação, misinformação e desinformação como meios empregados por movimentos antivacina, abordando a produção dos seus efeitos sociais em termos de materialidade e de institucionalidade de enunciados no âmbito de regimes de informação.Método: A revisão bibliográfica teve como foco os temas materialidade e institucionalidade de enunciados, informação, misinformação, desinformação, regimes de informação e movimentos antivacina. Além disso, foram realizadas consultas em legislações e em websites governamentais brasileiros, mediante as quais foi possível realizar as reflexões sobre os temas estudados.Resultados: As reflexões apontam para a materialidade da misinformação e da desinformação como fonte ou produto de discursos antivacina, algo que, por vezes, mimetiza recursos empregados pelo regime de informação em ciência e tecnologia vigente e, com efeito, alimenta um modo de resistência junto às políticas públicas do Estado, num contexto em que doenças imunopreveníveis antes erradicadas têm retornado, como é o caso do reaparecimento do sarampo no Brasil.Conclusões: A dificuldade de distinção entre informação, misinformação e desinformação constitui um problema para o Estado, para a ciência, para as entidades de saúde pública ou para os meios de comunicação e instituições de mediação, comprometidos com a informação. O viés de confirmação capitalizado pelos movimentos antivacina aparece como meio de resistência e/ou confrontação ao controle do Estado. Efeitos adversos de vacinas podem ser utilizados descontextualizadamente para reforçar a ideia de que “toda vacina é maléfica”. A ciência e o poder público têm o desafio de esclarecer a opinião pública sobre os benefícios ou cuidados a serem tomados em relação às vacinas.
A paisagem sócio-linguística: a política, a diversidade e a migração no espaço público
Authors: Bielenin-Lenczowska Karolina
Published: February 2021

No presente artigo, discute-se o conceito acerca da paisagem linguística. Combinando os métodos etnográficos com os linguísticos, visa-se fornecer uma imagem mais completa de dois lugares diversos: a da cidade suburbana de Varsóvia e a de uma colônia habitada por descendentes de migrantes poloneses no Brasil. Argumenta-se que a análise dos aspectos materiais do espaço público observados nestas regiões, bem como os provenientes dos encontros etnográficos, nos permite entender melhor a visibilidade e a invisibilidade dos vários grupos em questão. Por outro lado, nos permite também observar diversas práticas de comunicação formais e informais e reconhecer o espaço limitado para expressar a diversidade linguística e étnica, acessível para aqueles que habitam o município. Além disso, acredita-se que a análise da comunicação escrita é insuficiente, porque alguns grupos estão presentes mais auditivamente do que visualmente.
The normalisation of temporariness
Authors: Ferreri Mara
Published: February 2021

The concluding chapter examines the mechanisms that have normalised
temporary urban practices since the 2008 global financial crisis and
their relationship to longer-term cultural and economic shifts. Such
normalisation combines a narrative construction of vacant spaces as a
problem and a celebration of a projective logic of on-demand connectivity.
It argues that temporary urbanism has ushered in a deeply problematic
glamorisation of impermanence and ephemerality and a new ideal of urban
life in which the anticipatory politics of precarity become normalised and
celebrated. The imaginary of a ‘festivalisation of urban policy’ reveals an
increase in planned spatial and temporal foreclosures in contemporary
cities. The chapter concludes by offering a propositional cultural and
political critique of temporariness at times of permanent uncertainty.
Epilogue
Authors: Kostantaras Dean
Published: February 2021

The final chapter revisits and offers some final thoughts on the major themes and questions pursued throughout the volume.
Marriage Symbolism and Social Reality in the New Testament
Authors: Solevåg Anna Rebecca
Published: February 2021

The profound and complicated marriage symbolism pervading the
medieval West has its roots in the Bible, and particularly a set of images
in the New Testament. In Ephesians 5 it is argued that ‘the husband is
the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church’ (Eph 5:23).
Further, both the gospels and the Apocalypse metaphorically describe
Christ as a bridegroom (e.g. Matt 22:2–14; Luke 12:36–38; Rev 19:7–9).
This chapter seeks to disentangle the two rather distinct images of (1)
patriarchal marriage mapped onto the organizational structure of early
Christ-believing communities and (2) bridegroom at wedding feast mapped
onto the second coming of Christ. These two images mix and merge
even in some of the New Testament texts, whereas other texts treat them
separately, and with different emphases. The chapter presents the most
relevant passages and discusses the various uses and contexts.
‘His left arm is under my head and his right arm shall embrace me’
Authors: Hodne Lasse
Published: February 2021

Many have argued that the mosaic that decorates the apsidal dome of Santa
Maria in Trastevere is not a Coronation of the Virgin, but rather must be
defined as a Triumph of the Virgin or Virgin in Glory. The reason for this
is partly that the Virgin is not shown as she physically receives the crown
from her son, Christ, and partly that the two are seated on a common
throne, a synthronos. This chapter focuses on the meaning of Christ’s
embrace gesture. Besides its typological significance as a reference to the
bride and bridegroom from the Song of Songs, this gesture is important to
understanding the picture as part of a cycle comprising several episodes,
including the Virgin’s death and resurrection. The arm of Jesus and the
hand he places on Mary’s shoulder must thus be read as an allusion to
the soul’s reunion with God.
What Do We Mean by THE Qur’ān: On Origins, Fragments, and Inter-Narrative Identity
Authors: González Ferrín Emilio
Published: February 2021

This essay questions the two canonical narratives that hinder our understanding
of the Qur’ān as a literary masterpiece: the canonisation of its
unwarranted unity as a Sacred Book and the parallel canonisation of a
historiographical concept, i.e. the absolute beginning of a presumed Arab
conquest of the Near East, the meta-narrative of which unduly reverses cause
and effect. Unity and order thereby constitute a twofold obsession ultimately
ossified into what may be labelled as the unusual ‘otherness’ of Islam.
Afterword : The Redefinition of the Universe and the Twenty-First-Century Water Crisis
Authors: Starkey Lindsay J.
Published: February 2021

This afterword reflects on the implications of the historical study undertaken
in the rest of the book for our current water crisis. Without
ignoring the different contexts in which these Europeans wrote and
twenty-first-century people live, it proposes that the manner in which
sixteenth-century Europeans came to rethink water’s status and position
vis-à-vis the earth’s can provide some insight into how twenty-first-century
advocates for a different relationship between people and – at least fresh,
if not all – water can perhaps awaken people’s interest and active intervention
into what is already a growing global problem.
Exploring the Created Universe through Water
Authors: Starkey Lindsay J.
Published: February 2021

This chapter examines another explanation for why especially sixteenthcentury
Europeans were interested in the water-earth relationship and
the layout of the world’s landmasses and waterways, focusing on the shifting
conceptions of God and his providence that contemporary religious
reformations caused. This chapter argues that these religious reformations
helped lead authors to reconsider God’s connection to the universe and
how people were meant to perceive this connection through the behavior
of natural phenomena such as water. They helped because the water-earth
ontological and spatial relationships’ seeming violation of Europeans’
understanding of the nature of these elements. This relationship provided
an opportunity to explore just how God was associated with the universe
and what people should learn from that association.
Sea Voyages and the Water-Earth Relationship
Authors: Starkey Lindsay J.
Published: February 2021

This chapter argues that it was fifteenth- and sixteenth-century sea voyages
especially to the southern hemisphere that ultimately explain why
particularly sixteenth-century Europeans re-evaluated the ontological
and spatial relationships between water and earth. Though certainly there
were some medieval scholars who argued differently, the most prevalent
spatial model of the world’s landmasses and waterways in the late middle
ages positioned the dry land in the northern hemisphere and placed a large
amount of water in the southern hemisphere. As Europeans sailed down the
west coast of Africa and to South America, the water that carried them and the
texts that circulated about these voyages disproved many of the basic earlier
assumptions about the water-earth spatial and ontological relationships.
Evolving Advice for Women’s Health Through Diet
Authors: Vaughan Theresa A.
Published: February 2021

This chapter is a summary overview of how dietary advice for women
changed from Galen through the Early Modern period. Literature from
both anthropology and folklore are used to compare how both contemporary
and historical foodways can inform our understanding of medieval
medicine, and how women face some of the same cultural obstacles today
regarding pregnancy and health as they have in other eras. Looking at folk
medicine and traditional foodways can help us better understanding many
aspects of the life of subaltern classes in the Middle Ages and beyond, and
how food, medicine, and diet are ultimately culture-bound, even when
they purport to be scientific.
New Herding Networks
Authors: Hahn Allison Hailey
Published: February 2021

This chapter examines the multiple meanings that the case studies presented in this book hold for development politics, programs, and research. This analysis does not point to a winner or singular conclusion. Instead, it indicates that many herding communities are producing data, narratives, images, and films that enrich and advance academic and international understanding of moments of crisis. This chapter examines how herding communities deliberate through frames of “nomadology,” proleptic elegies, and settlement. It concludes with an examination of the roles of academics in ensuring that nomadic and mobile communities are accurately represented, discussed, consulted, and collaborated with in future research projects.