bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatty acid and triacylglycerol compositions of milk thistle seeds growing wild in Tunisia (Silybum marianum L.)
Authors: Harrabi S. , Romdhane H. , Daassa M. , Fellah H.
Published: May 2015

The milk thistle plant grows in many regions in Tunisia; however, there is no literature regarding their oil composition. In this study, oil content, fatty acids and triacylglycerols compositions of milk thistle seeds growing wild in Tunisia were determined. The oil content was 30.5%, thus milk thistle seeds could be exploited as natural new source of oil. Among the fatty acids, linoleic acid had the highest percentage (59.98%) followed by oleic acid (21.26%) and palmitic acid (12.74%). The extracted oil from milk thistle seeds is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (60.37%). Various molecular species of TAGs were detected and the major forms were LLL (22.30%), OLL (20.40%), PLL (17.31%), POL (14.30%), and OOL (7.90%). It can be concluded that milk thistle seed oil has a characteristic TAG pattern as compared with these elucidated for olive oil and soybean oil.
Istállóskő revisited: Lithic artefacts and assemblages, sixty years after
Authors: Markó András
Published: May 2015

The Istállóskő cave, one of the classical sites in Hungary was generally regarded as the only important locality of the Aurignacian culture with two discrete culture-bearing layers. The assemblages played a key role in several theories on the appearance of the Upper Palaeolithic in Europe; however, this is the first time that all the lithic artefacts found since 1912 until 1965 are studied in details.

As a result of our analysis, none of the studied lithic assemblages could be attributed to to the s. str. Aurignacian industry as the diagnostic pieces are absent. Quite atypical fragmented blades and a bifacial tool have been uncovered in the poor ‘lower ( Aurignacian I) culture-bearing layer’, which — together with the rich osseous industry, including split based points — are compared to the assemblages of the Jankovich cave (Transdanubia), the Dzeravá skála/Pálffy cave (Slovakia) and layer G1 in the Vindija cave (Croatia).

In the ‘upper (Aurignacian II) culture-bearing layer’ the few Mladec/Olschewa-type osseous artefacts were associated with Gravettian flint lithics and Middle Palaeolithic and bifacial elements made from radiolarite and felsitic porphyry. This industry is compared to those known from early Gravettian sites and the Szeleta cave.
La ceramica rinvenuta nella villa romana di San Potito di Ovindoli (AQ)
Authors: Gabler Dénes
Published: May 2015

This paper presents the pottery originating from three groups of objects found in close association – in a well, a cistern and a burnt layer –, and the most characteristic vessel types as well as all the lamps found during the series of excavations at the site. The well excavated in the eastern part of the villa yielded pottery dating from the second half of the AD 1st and the beginning of the 2nd century. Only 0.5% of this ensemble was imported pottery, 6.4% was thin-walled and color-coated pottery, and 91.4% coarse pottery. In addition to these, the deposit contained a few ampullae and incense burners (turibulum). Only one piece of North-African red slip ware was found in the fill of the cistern located in the middle of the northern courtyard and the channel leading there. Here 10% of the pottery finds was composed of fine ware, and the amount of coarse pottery was significant. The fill of the well established in the later phase of the villa dated from the second half of the AD 3rd century. However, the pottery found in it is composed of types characteristic for the AD 1st and 2nd centuries – if its chronology can be reconstructed at all. Amphora fragments from Hispania and a piece of samian ware form Dr. 29 from La Graufesenque was unearthed in a burnt layer in the southern part of the early villa, as well as household ware dating from the period of the Flavian dynasty and the reign of Trajan. Here fine ware constituted 7.8% of the pottery finds. Vessels that were intact or could be refit were found atop the terrazzo floor in the central part of the villa, which might have been still in use when the villa was destroyed.
Definizione della composizione dei campioni di ceramica con il metodo dell’attivazione neutronica
Authors: Balla Márta
Published: May 2015

Based on the results of the examination of 55 samples, the vast majority of the analyzed pottery originated from the same place, they were probably local products. Some slightly different pieces were identified as well, which was perhaps due to a difference in their dating or in the production technology. Six potsherds proved to be significantly different concerning their chemical composition. These were supposedly imported vessels.
Grave relief of Sempronius Marcellinus in Savaria
Authors: Gesztelyi Tamás
Published: May 2015

The grave relief of Sempronius Marcellinus in Savaria does not show the scene of abreptio Helenae — as thinks Z. Kádár — but rather the painful moment of Eriphyle’s fateful decision followed by Amphiaraus’s leave (profectio). The closest conceptual analogy of the scene can be found on the Phaedra-sarcophagus with the difference that the fateful decision is made by the man there, not by the woman. Instead of the multi-figure scene of the sarcophagi here the three-figure composition, together with the figures in the background, can compress the entire story, enabling a complex semantic interpretation. This meaning is fateful separation and praise of the deceased person. Sempronius Marcellinus, who had ordered the tombstone, placed himself in the role of Amphiaraus while his wife in that of Eriphyle. But the representation of their relationship is obviously not the expression of betrayal but of pain felt over eternal separation.
Roman building techniques observed in the municipium of Brigetio
Authors: Dobosi Linda , Borhy Lászlóo
Published: May 2015

The research excavations in Brigetio at Komárom/Szőny–Vásártér between 1992–2014 unearthed a part of the civil town (municipium) with domestic buildings and workshops with several construction phases from the end of the 1st century AD to the second half of the 3rd century AD. Best preserved are the ruins from the Severan era which offer us an insight into the building techniques of the age: adobe walls with stone foundations, mortar floors, hypocaust heating systems, ceilings and vaulted ceilings, roofs covered with ceramic roof tiles, stair cases, door and window openings and wells.
Screening of active components as scavenger of radical from perennial fujimoto bean (Hyacinth Bean) whole herb by HPLC-MS coupled radical reaction
Authors: Shi G.-F. , Wang Z.-J. , Wang G.-Y. , Yao R.-X. , Chen F.-W. , Shi Z.-R.
Published: May 2015

High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) method coupled with radical reaction for screening active ingredients from perennial fujimoto bean whole herb was established. The active ingredients, present in perennial fujimoto bean whole herb, possess scavenging effects towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide, peroxy radical, and hydroxyl radical. The radical scavenging abilities of these active ingredients were evaluated based on the relative peak areas in the HPLC chromatogram. The results indicate that potent antioxidants are present in the anhydrous methanol extract of perennial fujimoto bean whole herb. Based on HPLC-MS analysis, it was found that the scavenging ability can be mostly attributed to the presence of three compounds: cyanidin-3-o-β-d-glucopyranoside, troxerutin, and rutin. The structures were identified based on the MS and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. Free radical scavenging activity decreased in the following order: troxerutin > rutin > cyanidin-3-o-β-d-glucopyranoside.
Comparison of two real-time PCR assays for the detection of malaria parasites from hemolytic blood samples — Short communication
Authors: Hagen Ralf Matthias , Hinz Rebecca , Tannich Egbert , Frickmann Hagen
Published: May 2015

We compared the performance of an in-house and a commercial malaria polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using freeze–thawed hemolytic blood samples.

A total of 116 freeze–thawed ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood samples of patients with suspicion of malaria were analyzed by an in-house as well as by a commercially available real-time PCR.

Concordant malaria negative PCR results were reported for 39 samples and malaria-positive PCR results for 67 samples. The inhouse assay further detected one case of Plasmodium falciparum infection, which was negative in the commercial assay as well as five cases of P. falciparum malaria and three cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria, which showed sample inhibition in the commercial assay. The commercial malaria assay was positive in spite of a negative in-house PCR result in one case. In all concordant results, cycle threshold values of P. falciparum-positive samples were lower in the commercial PCR than in the in-house assay.

Although Ct values of the commercial PCR kit suggest higher sensitivity in case of concordant results, it is prone to inhibition if it is applied to hemolytic freeze–thawed blood samples. The number of misidentifications was, however, identical for both real-time PCR assays.
White beam X-ray Diffraction Topography (WBXDT) Studies of Bridgman Grown CdZnTe Crystals
Authors: Babalola Stephen , Uba Samuel , Hossain Anwar , Camarda Giuseppe , James Ralph , Montgomery Trent
Published: May 2015

CZT is a semiconductor material that promises to be a good candidate for uncooled gamma radiation detectors. However, to date, we are yet to overcome the technological difficulties in production of large size, defect-free CZT crystals. The most common problem is accumulation of Tellurium precipitates as microscopic inclusions. These inclusions influence the charge collection through charge trapping and electric field distortion. We employed high energy transmission X-ray diffraction techniques to study the quality of the CdZnTe crystals grown by Bridgman Technique. Crystallinity and defects within two different growth set-ups, i.e. with and without choked seeding, were compared by imaging the crystal orientation topography with white beam X-ray diffraction topography (WBXDT). The X-ray diffraction topography results show high correlation with large-area infrared transmission images of the crystals. Grain boundaries that are highly decorated with Te inclusions are observed. Characteristic Te inclusion arrangements as a result of growth conditions are discussed. We also measured the electronic properties of the detectors fabricated from ingots grown using two Bridgman processes, and observed a reduction in electrical resistivity of choked-seeding-grown CdZnTe crystals. Our results show that although choked seeding technique holds a promise in the realization of high quality mono-crystalline CdZnTe, current growth parameters must be improved to obtain defect-free crystals. These results are helpful to attain optimal seeding process for Bridgman-growth of large single crystals of CdZnTe.
Textile transcatheter heart valve prosthesis: state of the art
Authors: Heim Frederic , Vaesken Antoine
Published: May 2015

Today, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a largely considered alternative technique to surgical valve replacement in patients who are not operable or patients with high risk for open chest surgery. However, the biological valve tissue used in the devices implanted clinically appears to be a fragile material when folded for low-diameter catheter insertion purpose and released in calcified environment with irregular geometry. Textile polyester material is characterised by outstanding folding and strength properties combined with proven biocompatibility. It could therefore be considered to replace biological valve leaflets in the TAVR procedure. Different issues must, however, be addressed concerning the development of the fabric construction in order to make the material compatible with the valve-requested durability. The performances of a textile valve mainly depend on the ability of the fabric to undergo repeated cyclic loading, the ability of the fibrous construction to resist exaggerated tissue ingrowth with leaflet stiffening and the ability to be crimped into the catheter sheet. The purpose of the present work is to present how a polyester fabric material can address these critical issues, and how the material can be tuned in order to optimise the performance of the device.
Non-precious metal catalysts with TBAH as carbon source for ORR
Authors: Thanganathan Uma , Kalevaru Venkata Narayana
Published: May 2015

The development of inexpensive non-precious metal catalysts, with high-performance oxygen reduction reaction and durability, is highly desirable. Here, facile, nitrogen- and carbon-extracted titanium dioxide-based cathode catalysts have been prepared through sol–gel method for oxygen reduction in fuel cells. Iron is incorporated into the parent ‘Ti’ host lattice to improve the conductivity of catalysts.
The plasma oxidation mechanism of Al coatings on Si substrates
Authors: Lin Yuebin , Zhu Yan , Shi Daning , Tao Jie
Published: May 2015

In this study, the plasma oxidation mechanism of aluminium (Al) coatings was studied by experimental and theoretical methods. Two alumina coatings prepared by thermal oxidation or plasma oxidation treatment were characterised by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy line-scan analysis. It was found that the sample treated by plasma oxidation had a peak curve of the O2− ions at a depth of 0·7 μm. This phenomenon indicated that high-energy O2− ions could be injected into the inner part of the coatings. The distribution and diffusion of O2− ions in Al coatings were investigated by computer simulation using the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) software and the first principles of molecular dynamics-based calculations. The experimental results of the distribution of O2− ions agreed with those calculated by the SRIM software, which proved that the range of O2− ion concentrations in the Al coatings was proportional to the energy of the O2− ions. Through simulations of the Vienna Ab-Initio Simulation Package, it was shown that the inserted O2− ions moved back and forth nearby the original location if there were no other Al vacancies available and the diffusion mechanism of oxygen was vacancy diffusion.
Optimising composite PMMA/PVC profile cooled calibrator
Authors: Wang Qibing
Published: May 2015

Thermal polymethylmethacrylate/polyvinylchloride surface composite co-extrusion profile (referred to as composite profile for short in the following part) was cooled and calibrated through calibrator. Calibrator cooling was completed by its internal flow of water. As a result, the design of the calibrator cooling channel structure was an important foundation for guaranteeing the molding quality of the material. According to the target function, preliminary design was conducted for cooling channel structure of the calibrator. Atypia design optimisation was carried out for local cooling channel structure around the composite profile by numerical simulation using analysis software. The result suggests the following: the cooling effect has been increased; on the basis of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Engineering (CAD/CAE) network system expert database of concurrent engineering, it is further optimised to design the cooling channel structure of calibrator. The optimisation focuses on composite profile, structure, size and performance of the extrusive composite.
Effect of material on damping characteristics of impact mass during hard turning
Authors: Paul P. S. , Varadarajan A. S. , Lawrance G.
Published: May 2015

Machining is a complex process in which many variables can affect the desired results. Among them, tool vibration is the most critical phenomenon, which affects the life of the cutting tool, quality of the components machined and functional behaviour of the machined tools. This tool vibration can be controlled by increasing the rigidity of the cutting tool through a damper. In this study, suppression of tool vibration during turning process was done by providing an impact mass to the turning tool holder. An impact mass made of brass, copper, aluminium and mild steel was used in this study. The size and shape of the impact mass were identified and the material that provides effective damping was determined using computational analysis. Cutting experiments were conducted to study the influence of impact mass on tool vibration during turning of hardened AISI 4340 steel using a hard metal insert with a sculptured rake face. From the computational and experimental results, it was observed that the use of impact mass on tool shank reduces tool vibration effectively.
Abrasive wear behavior of thermoplastic copolyester elastomer composites
Authors: Hemanth Rajashekaraiah , Sekar Mohan , Suresha Bheemappa
Published: May 2015

Micron-sized polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) particles, short glass fibre (SGF), short carbon fibre (SCF), SiC and Al2O3 particles were used as fillers in thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TCE), and the influence of these fibres and fillers on two-body abrasive wear (single-pass) behaviour of the TCE composites was investigated. The composite samples were prepared by extrusion followed by injection moulding. Their wear behaviour was investigated under ambient conditions in a reciprocating wear apparatus by running a waterproof SiC abrasive paper against the TCE composite sample. The morphology of the wear traces and wear debris was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experiments were planned according to L27 orthogonal array by considering four factors and three levels. The routine abrasive wear tests were also conducted, and the results indicated that TCE-filled PTFE composite demonstrated the best abrasion resistance. Lowest abrasion resistance was observed in case of hybrid TCE composite consisting of PTFE, SGF and SCF, SiC and Al2O3. From the Taguchi’s experimental findings, optimal combinations of control factors were obtained for minimum wear loss. Significant contributions of control factors for abrasive wear were identified by analysis of variance (ANOVA). SEM analysis indicated that severe abrasive wear occurred on the worn surfaces of hybrid TCE composites.
Is Lord Acton Right? Rethinking Corruption, Democracy, and Political Power
Authors: Werlin Herbert H.
Published: May 2015

This article examines Lord Acton’s famous assertion, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power, to corrupt absolutely,” including the suggestion that democratization reduces corruption. This assertion requires us to look at the meaning of political power, corruption, and democracy. By making a distinction between primary and secondary corruption (essentially, controllable and uncontrollable corruption) and between liberal democracy (emphasizing competitive politics) and classical democracy (emphasizing consensus-building politics), together with introducing Political Elasticity (PE) theory, a number of difficult questions are raised: 1. What is political power (with Hobbes and Russia, in mind)? 2. What is the linkage between political power and corruption? 3. Why is it that corruption does not necessarily prevent economic development (with China in mind)? At the conclusion the autocracy-corruption linkage is examined, as exemplified by a comparison of Singapore and Jamaica, indicating: (1) that political power, if persuasive, is not necessarily corruptive; (2) liberal or partisan democracy tends to corrupt and lawless democracy, to corrupt absolutely and (3) authoritarian regimes may recognize that controlling corruption is essential for their legitimacy and economic prosperity.
Erving Goffman and Michel Foucault - Discourses Analysis
Authors: Borowski Andrzej
Published: May 2015

Functioning of the man in extreme conditions posed by some social institutions was a subject of many scientific studies so far. Among them some works are taking the special place E. Goffman and M. Foucault. Every school of the power should be so checking the total structure of action influencing action/ interaction/s other in special cases and of oppositions and dodge with which this action is connected. Using to such a school analytical categories Goffman’s neosymbolic of interactionism in the microsociological aspect and coming from Foucault’s discourse analysis in the macrosocjological aspect a novelty especially in examinations can constitute of total institutions associated with the authority of the state.
Negotiating Universalism and Cultural Relativism in Peace and Development Studies
Authors: Bukuluki Paul
Published: May 2015

Culture is an Indispensable Factor for both Sustainable Development and Lasting Peace since Itforms the Fabric for People‟s Mutual Respect and Co-Existence. Thepaper Argues for the Need Toconstantly Negotiate between Universalism and Cultural Relativism in Peace and Development Studies.It Argues that any Attempt to Radically Lean towards either Universalism or Cultural Relativism Withoutproviding Room for Aconversation between the Two would either Lead to Narrowly Focusing on the Localcontext without Taking into Account the Global Discourses or Followingtheglobal Discoursesthat Maybe Far Removed from the Local Context to Make any Sense to the Affected People. without Soundingidealistic, the Paper Argues for the Need to Nurture and Create Space for Hybridity that Emerges out Ofthe Negotiation between Cultures Rather than Suffocate it in Favor of the Local Context or Universals.Thepaper Argues for Adoption of Concepts such as Cosmopolitan Localism that take into Account Globaldiscourses but Also Maintain a Strong Focus on the Context in which People Experience Conflict, Peaceand Development as Perceived and Experienced by them
Post-Development and BuenVivir: An Approach to Development from Latin-America
Authors: Cerdán Paulina
Published: May 2015

This paper intends to contribute to the academic and popular discussions on the concept and practices of development and how it is linked to peace studies. Basing on the subaltern critiques of the concept of development and the Latin-American indigenous understanding of well-being – BuenVivir, the paper explores indigenous ways of seeking and achieving peace. It underscores the need to transcend the orthodox understandings and practices of development. In this paper, I intend to prompt a critical investigative conversation and evaluation on development which focuses on exploring the possibilities that these alternatives present in the transition from the current world order to a more human, sustainable and intercultural one. The article therefore, presents the prospects and relevance of cultural diversity towards peace and development across communities.
Morphology and Opportunities Agricultural Valorization: The Case Northeastern Montenegro
Authors: Rajović Goran
Published: May 2015

Morphology northeastern Montenegro in terms of agricultural valuation is not wells understood. Therefore, the paper discusses the morph metric analysis of the relief: hypsometric structure, the structure of the slope and exposure. Based on morphological characteristics of relief, we selected the observed geographic space, morphological entities with different benefits and limitations for agricultural development.
The Effect of Collaborative Writing on EFL Students’ Grammatical Accuracy
Authors: Meihami Hussein , Meihami Bahram , Varmaghani Zeinab
Published: May 2015

Writing is considered as an activity which is done individually and the role of thumb for its feedback is thought to be provided by teachers and instructors. Although there has been a growing body of research on using pair and small group activities in second or foreign language learning in relation to oral skill (e.g. Speaking), on writing there are only a few well-documented researches. This research describes a study exploring the effect of collaborative writing on EFL student’s grammatical accuracy in their writing. A total of 50 Iranian Advanced students of English all male and with the age range of 20 to 24 participated in this study. The subjects were engaged in tasks in which they worked on each other’s writing and gave feedback on grammatical points to each other. Obtaining corrective feedback from their fellows, enabled students to pinpoint their grammatical errors better and subsequently improve their grammatical accuracy in their upcoming writings. The results suggest that collaborative writing (CW) is beneficial in allowing EFL learners to make gain in grammatical accuracy.
The Effect of Computer-Assisted Language Learning on Iranian EFL Students Listening Comprehension
Authors: Meihami Hussein , Meihami Bahram , Varmaghani Zeinab
Published: May 2015

Listening has often played second fiddle to its counterpart, speaking (Brown, 2007). Because of the complexity involved in both teaching listening and assessing it, listening skill hasn’t been overlooked in comparison with other skills, speaking, reading, and writing. This problem has been multiplied when somebody looks at listening skill in EFL contexts. This research describes a study exploring the effect of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) on listening skill of Iranian EFL learners. A total of 74 Iranian Advanced students of English all male and with the age range of 20 to 22 participated in this study. They were divided into one experimental group (N = 37) and one control group (N = 37). While in the experimental group CALL was the dominate instrument in teaching listening skill, in the control group there was no use of CALL material. The findings of this study reveal that CALL materials have significant effect on improving Iranian Advanced EFL learners listening.
Training - A Strategic HRM Function
Authors: Thakore Digvijaysinh
Published: May 2015

People are the most important and valuable resources every organization has in the form of its employees. There is a realization that people sub system is a critical dimension in organizational effectiveness. Training is an important and integral part of HRD and is crucial to organizational effectiveness. Many organizations appreciate the value of adequate, consistent and long term investment in such functions. Training helps employees to prepare for change to face the challenges. Training helps individual to acquire competencies necessary to achieve organizational objectives. Every organization wants to prosper and grows. New materials, new products, new systems and techniques and above all new and constantly increasing customer expectations means that people have to learn. Training improves the capability of an organization. So training plays an important role in the effectiveness of people at work. Training has implication for productivity, health and safety at work and personal development.
An Investigation on the Earnings Quality in Companies (Evidence from Iran)
Authors: Meihami Bahram , Varmaghani Zeinab , Meihami Hussein
Published: May 2015

A considerable focus of bottom-line income losses is important in the case of investigating quality of earnings. The future of stock returns is all associated with accruements that are in relation with reliability, and negativity. Earning increases that are accompanied by high accruals, suggesting inferiority of earnings, are related with poor future returns. This study describes the investigation of different hypotheses earnings manipulation, extrapolative fundaments about future growth, and under reaction to changes in business conditions to explain accruals’ predictive power. Differentiations between the hypotheses are grounds on operating performance, the behavior of individual accrual items, discretionary versus fixed investment trust components of accruals, and special items. In the main hypothesis we tested stock return and Earning Quality separately. In this investigation firms in according to a mount of accruals. Later on the validity using within-industry comparisons, and data on Tehran stocks was checked. This means that earnings management occurs with a time lag by market participants. In this research it was indicated that components of accruals including changes in accounts receivable, inventory, other current assets, current liabilities and other current liabilities have not significant effect on stock return. It was also indicated that for discretionary accruals, decreasing of stock return is greater than the decreasing of stock return for non-discretionary accruals.
A Figurine from Stare Bielsko - Sexuality in Middle Ages
Authors: Przybyłok Arkadiusz
Published: May 2015

Medieval authorities of the Church unequivocaly condemned sex in its all manifestations. At least, that was their formal stand in this case. Though, relics of the literature, art and archaeology undermine this „prudish” point of view. A ceramic figurine from late Middle Ages, found in Stare Bielsko, shows a couple that is having sex and can be a good example of not such sanctimonious way of thinking. Originally, the figurine could be a handle of a lid which was glazed green. It seems that figurine's ideological essence is not so far from social standards of decadent Gothic.
Quality of Life of Patients with early Onset Dementia in Nigeria
Authors: Wahab Elias Olukorede , Ikebudu Chioma Joan
Published: May 2015

Dementia is a major cause of disability and mortality among the elderly, it becomes early onset of dementia, when it occurs before the age of 60 years. It is the loss of cognitive abilities, particularly the loss of memory; it appears to be one of the most dreaded conditions of old age. Around 5% of the population aged 65 and above is affected by dementia, and its prevalence rises with the rate nearly doubling every 5 years. The study used the key informant interview research tool to achieve its aim and objectives, thereby collecting data to answer its research questions. Purposive sampling was used, while ethnographic summary was used to analyse the data. The results of the study showed that the quality of patients with early onset of dementia is generally poor, in that the illness brings about the crippling of finance, loss of memory and independence, loss of position in the society. The study recommends detecting factors that can prevent or postpone the disease, and educating the public on early onset of dementia (OED). Interventions that could delay early onset of dementia would have a major positive public health impact and the prospect of dementia prevention may also reduce some of the common fears and anxieties of becoming older.
Human Resource Management Strategies: A Panacea for Quality Education Delivery
Authors: Briggs Francis , Desmond Elizabeth
Published: May 2015

Managing human resources in public secondary schools is of great important in the attainment of quality education delivery. The quality and quantity of human resources available will determine how the process-output will enhance continual growth in the educational system, since human resources organizes and coordinates other factors. This study examined human resource management strategies that enhances quality education delivery in public secondary schools in Rivers State.
Academic Quality Assurance in the Colleges of Education: Challenges and Ways Forward for Future Development
Authors: Ebisine Sele Sylvester
Published: May 2015

Colleges of education encompassed the production of professional teachers who are equipped with skills and methodologies of teaching in our primary and junior secondary levels of education in Nigeria. Essentially, colleges of education are to provide full-time courses in teaching, instruction and training and to conduct courses in education for qualified teachers. In order to achieve this objective, academic quality assurance is required. Against this background, the paper examines academic quality assurance and determines the general opinion on academic quality assurance in the colleges of education. It equally highlights some challenges to academic quality assurance in the colleges of education. Finally, the paper proffered some solution required by the colleges of education to stamp out the challenges for future development. Finally, the paper recommends that there should be regular monitoring and evaluation of all the units concern with the certification of colleges of education graduates.
Prison Service and Cooperation in System of Safety
Authors: Borowski Andrzej
Published: May 2015

Prison service in view of total character and place of executable task is enforced affirmation of safety on purpose for with other discretional groups for optimization of operation society having cooperation. Operations related with assuring safety and there must be fitted cooperation affect for potential sources of threats new threats systematically appearing forcefully.
An Ethical Examination of the Challenges of In Vitro Fertilisation in Nigeria
Authors: Bingel Daniel D.
Published: May 2015

It is the position of this paper that the availability of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment clinics in Nigeria‟s healthcare system has moral implications which are as yet not fully considered nor critically understudied. The paper argues that the availability of such procedures ought to be properly considered and the many ramifications it may have to individuals as well as to national values be comprehensively examined at this early stage before it becomes widespread so as to preserve both our national values and the good of the individual citizen. It proceeds by identifying the need for Nigeria as a country to dedicate resources for research based innovations; it also examines the practice of IVF in Nigeria highlighting history, procedure and accessibility. The paper then proceeds to discuss some challenges of IVF in Nigeria before arguing that there are moral objections to IVF that call for national discussion at an early stage. It concludes that IVF has the potential to change the values of Nigerians and it would be wise if these values change consciously rather than unconsciously
Agribusiness as a Veritable Tool for Rural Development in Nigeria
Authors: Tersoo Pawa
Published: May 2015

This paper examines the role of agribusiness in all its tri-aggregates to the socio-economic development of the rural sector in Nigeria. It acknowledges the importance of agriculture as it employs a majority of the rural population in a predominantly agrarian society like Nigeria. It draws majorly from documentary evidence on agribusiness and agro-industrial linkage and reveals that, the farm, off farm and processing components of agribusiness are capable of generating jobs, provision of income, poverty reduction and infrastructural growth. The paper however identifies poor policy articulations, shortage of working capital, poor infrastructure lack of ideology etc. as major obstacles to effective agribusiness. The paper recommends a robust political will, a sound ideological frame, adequate funds among other measures to develop a strong interface between agricultural policies and politics in achieving a sustainable agribusiness as a veritable tool for rural development in Nigeria.
Civil Service and the Challenge of Productivity in Nigeria
Authors: Ishaq Rabi’u Muhammad
Published: May 2015

A key challenge facing the country in general is how to ensure the socio-economic and political development of the citizenry. Development, in all its facets, has remained a mirage in spite of the favourable human and material resources endowment of the country. This paper focuses on the role of the civil service against the growing expectations of the public. It looks at the 'political' context within, which the civil service operates and argues that positive cooperation or „organic solidarity‟, to quote Durkheim, is necessary if the general and specific development objectives of Nigeria are to be achieved. A number of interrelated issues are addressed. What is the nature and impact of the civil service vis-à-vis the drive toward development? What kind of cooperation must be forged between political office holders and career civil servants, on the one hand, and between them and the public, whose increasing expectations stare us at the face, on the other? What are the obstacles in the chosen task of harmonious working relationships between the two and what strategies could be developed to enhance such relations? What is emphasized here is the positive partnership of administrations and politicians in the quest for development.
Conflicts as Constraints to Effective Management of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria: The Way Forward
Authors: Ada Adoga James
Published: May 2015

This study examines the concepts of conflict and constraints and their antecedents in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It makes a clarification of causes, and types and conflict management in higher institutions of learning. The paper observes that management staff, students, teachers, government. Trade Unions may be sources of conflict for one reason or the other. Nevertheless, the outcomes of such conflicts causes prolong of academic activities, destruction of life and properties and in some cases render school environment completely insecure for serious academic activities not beneficial to students, institutions and the society at large. It recommends that the way forward should be proper handling of higher institutions by management and government to be more democratic in handling conflicts by creating avenues for discussing and designing. The paper concludes that conflict is an attendant feature of human interaction in every organization which cannot be eliminated, therefore, maintaining a cordial relationship between staff, students by school authority, is necessary, also involving students and trade unions in decision making process appeared to be the most effective way forward for effective management of tertiary institutions.
Education and Sustainable National Development in Nigeria: Challenges and Way Forward
Authors: Boyi Abubakar Aminu
Published: May 2015

Education is an important key of achieving a sustainable national development. For a state or society to achieve a sustainable national development, the quality of its education should be improved. This paper attempts to explain the concept of education, the concept of sustainable national development and relationship between education and sustainable national development. The paper provides an insight into various challenges confronting education in Nigeria such as gender inequity in education, dearth of teachers, inadequate infrastructures, overcrowded classrooms etc. It finally suggested way on how to solve challenges confronting education in Nigeria. This is done through creation of conducive atmosphere for learning, allocation of enough funds for educational development, discouraging gender disparity in education by an enlightenment programme, setting up a trustworthy committee that will manage and supervise education etc.
Nigerian Child Learning Styles: A Teaching Strategy for Achieving Effective Education in Nigeria
Authors: Modebelu Melody Ndidi , Igwebuike F.K.
Published: May 2015

This study investigated the Nigerian child learning styles as a teaching strategy for achieving effective education in Nigeria. It was a survey design carried out in 258 public secondary schools in Anambra State. Respondents were made up of 1000 classroom teachers drawn through simple random sampling. Four research questions guided the study. A four-point scale questionnaire containing 28 items, validated by experts in Educational administration/supervision and Educational psychology was used for data collection. Data analysis was done using frequency distribution tables and mean scores. The findings revealed that secondary school teachers in Nigeria possess characteristics of good teaching to a high extent, eight learning styles for effective teaching were identified. The identified learning styles were applied to a low extent and five constraints responsible for the low application were also identified. Recommendations were made included that regular seminars and workshops should be organized to up-date these teachers, especially on the areas of learning styles and their effective application to encourage learners centred education.
The Erosion of University Freedom and Autonomy: Nigerian Experience
Authors: Mukoro Akpoyovwaire Samuel
Published: May 2015

The goals of tertiary education which include the university, are well spelt out in the National Policy on Education. One of the basic characteristic of academic necessity motivating the founding of universities is the need to develop and maintain established academic discipline or areas of knowledge and investigation so as to produce intellectuals, researchers, among others. One way to achieve this was to resist tendencies or development that tends to erode their academic freedom and autonomy. Obviously, universities with predominant academic focus tend to guard their freedom and autonomy very jealously and so remain impervious to new development that tends to erode it. The paper, therefore, examine the concepts of freedom and autonomy. The paper equally examines the indispensability of freedom and autonomy to universities. Also, the paper highlights the issues of erosion of university academic freedom and institutional autonomy in Nigeria. Finally, the paper recommends that government should ensure that universities are managed in line with their statutory laws and acts. In this way each organ of the university such as governing councils, senate, faculties, departments among others will carry out their laid out functions successfully, thus reducing the realities that may have limit university freedom and autonomy.
The Imperative of the Provision of Infrastructure and Improved Property Values in Nigeria
Authors: Udoka Israel Sunday
Published: May 2015

Property development in most cases will not be attempted beyond the level of owner occupation at regions where infrastructure are not provided; talk less of property so developed having enhanced value. This research examines the imperative of infrastructural provision on property values. The research beamed its light on the relationship between property values and the development of infrastructure; the factors that influence property values; and assessing the trend of infrastructural development in Akwa Ibom State in recent past. It recommends that government should provide more infrastructure in rural areas to harness development and ginger property values; urban neighbourhoods to be landscape, with site and service schemes provided; allocate budgetary provisions adequately for the maintenance of the infrastructure; and private individual beneficiaries in the various communities where these facilities are provided to maintain sufficient security to avoid theft and vandalisation, so as to continue to improve values of properties in such domains.
Impact of Polytechnic Education on Enterprenuership Development in Nigeria
Authors: Bukar Grema Maina , Timothy Yohanna A.
Published: May 2015

The consequential failures of breakeven in respect to business expectations in Northern Nigeria drive around the competent knowledge acquired by entrepreneurs. This knowledge can be translated into identifiable opportunities with lucrative business openings. As such impacting knowledge on Entrepreneurship Education to yield employment opportunities through the entrepreneurship development was the bases of this Research work. Survey Method was designed and used with Multistage sampling procedure. The responses were categorized into four Stages. (9) local governments were randomly selected from three (3) senatorial zones in Stage One. In the second stage, fifty (50) Ramat Polytechnics graduates engaged in Entrepreneurship businesses in the areas of Technical, Vocational, Businesses etc. courses were purposively selected from 27 local governments of the state. Descriptive statistic and five point likert scale were used to analyze the data. The result shows that; there were several types of entrepreneurs that are products of Polytechnic Education fastened in economic growth with employment opportunities created through the entrepreneurship development through expanding of businesses and poverty reduction. It was recommended that Entrepreneurship development should become part and parcel of tertiary Institutions’ curriculum so that youngsters will acquire the necessary skills from the onset.
Consideration of Culture in Development of Home Economics Curriculum in Nigeria
Authors: Oguzor Uloma Charity
Published: May 2015

This paper tries to examine the consideration of culture in the development of HomeEconomics curriculum in Nigeria. The cultural element which the school draws from include the society’s values, norms, religion, belief, languages, customs e.t.c and other attributes which are transmitted and local acquired. The role of culture in school should be appreciated particularly in HomeEconomics curriculum development which is practically oriented subject that deals with people’s clothing, feeding, housekeeping, e.t.c. This will be a guide towards helping the teachers of the subject know how to deal students with culural diversity.
The Trend and Challenges of Cloud Computing: A Literature Review
Authors: Eviwiekpaefe Abraham E. , Ajakaiye Fiyinfoluwa
Published: May 2015

One of the most significant innovation in the Information Technology (IT) industry after the introduction of the personal computer and the internet is Cloud computing. The shift to cloud is a landmark in the IT industry and has raised keen interest both from the industrial community and academia. It is a new virtualization model for the quick provisioning of shared resources, software, applications and services over the internet to fulfill the elastic demand of the customer with minimum effort or interaction with the service provider. Thus cloud computing has become an interesting and increasingly essential trend. This paper presents a detailed review of Cloud Computing. It includes a discussion of the main service model of cloud computing, the general deployment models, the characteristics of Cloud computing and terminologies adopted in cloud computing. The paper also presents the trend of cloud computing and its challenges.
Theoretical Analysis of Entrepreneurship Challenges and Prospects in Nigeria
Authors: Ihugba Okezie A. , Odii Alex , Njoku A.C.
Published: May 2015

The success of generating income for majority of rural and urban dwellers with no formal paid employment highly depends on Entrepreneurship. They are the backbone of economic development all over the world and play important role for employment, income and societal changes, particularly in transition economies like Nigeria. This paper is concerned with the nature and the extent to which entrepreneurship in Nigeria has been developed so far, and outlines the initiative by government and also the main current and future challenges and perspectives for the development of entrepreneurship. The study revealed that such initiatives by government failed abysmally due to over bearing bureaucracies, corruption, inadequate and inefficient infrastructural facilities and maladministration. The paper concludes that entrepreneurship miracle in other country is an engine for job creation; innovation and diversity and Nigeria’s entrepreneurs have a long way to go before they can effectively drive changes in the economy and recommends that Government (policy makers) should genuine recognize the essence of entrepreneurship to economic development by providing the enabling environment for private sector led investment for economic development and also provide adequate infra-structural facilities (water, electricity, road network, communications etc.).