bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospects for phytopreparations (botanicals) use in modern pharmacology
Authors: Sambukova Tatyana V , Ovchinnikov Boris V , Ganapol’sky Vyacheslav P , Yatmanov Alexei N , Shabanov Petr D
Published: August 2017

Relevance. In recent years, the popularity of phytotherapy, despite the great success in the development of chemical medicines, is increasing. Interest in the natural healing substances and preparations created on their basis has increased due to both the unique properties of phytopreparations and the rapidly developing technologies of research in biology, medicine and the production of medicines. Methodology. The analysis and structuring of the content of literature sources containing information on herbal medicines was carried out. Results. Herbal preparations (botanicals) have the following advantages: low toxicity at a sufficiently high efficiency; wide range of therapeutic effects; integrated organoprotective effect; harmonizing effect on all organs and systems of the body; minimal side effects; the relative cheapness compared with synthetic drugs; the possibility of cooking in the home. Herbal medicine has been applied as a primary and secondary prevention of various diseases, recovery and rehabilitation of the general population under the impact of negative environmental factors as a means of improving the health of adaptive reserves of the organism, in sports medicine. (For citation: Sambukova TV, Ovchinnikov BV, Ganapolskii VP. Prospects for phytopreparations (botanicals) use in modern pharmacology. Reviews on Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Therapy. 2017;15(2):56-63. doi: 10.17816/RCF15256-63).
Neurological status and imaging spinal cord in patients with infectious spondylitis: is it possible to comparisons with spondylogenic myelopathy?
Authors: Makogonova Marina E , Mushkin Aleksandr Yu , Gavrilov Pavel V
Published: August 2017

Spend a literary analysis of the role of radiation diagnosis in the first place - magnetic resonance imaging to visualize changes in the spinal cord in infectious spondylitis. Neurological disorders, manifested by radicular symptoms and signs of spinal cord irritation to deep paresis and plegia in violation of the pelvic organs, are observed in the majority of patients with spondylitis and may be due to the spinal cord and its roots and / or a breach of its microcirculation on the background of the pathological process in the vertebrae. Dynamic (pre- and postoperative) imaging of the spinal canal and its contents in tuberculous and nonspecific spondylitis is important for a more complete assessment of the disease, and for the prediction of the dynamics of neurological disorders. (For citation: Makogonova ME, Mushkin AYu, Gavrilov PV. Neurological status and imaging spinal cord in patients with infectious spondylitis: is it possible to comparisons with spondylogenic myelopathy?. Reviews on Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Therapy. 2017;15(2):64-72. doi: 10.17816/RCF15264-72).
Mechanisms of disorders of the reproductive function in women of the Republic of Dagestan survived the vital stress
Authors: Temirkhanova Kepiya T , Tsykunov Sergey G , Pyatibrat Elena D , Shabanov Petr D
Published: August 2017

The analysis of case histories and ambulatory cards of women from different districts of the Republic of Dagestan. Women experienced psychological trauma in puberty metabolic disorders are manifested by increased glucose level and decrease high density lipoproteins. Violation of reproductive function in women who have experienced psychological trauma high risk of terrorist threat, due to the increase in the concentration of cortisol, prolactin and a decrease in luteinizing hormone and estradiol. Revealed that women exposed to mental trauma associated with a high risk of a terrorist threat in the pubertal period compared to women from areas powerassist attack, developed stressinducing immunity disorders manifested in the reduction of amount of b-cell populations system immune system Supplement available, increased levels of IFN-g and TNF-α and decrease in IL-4 and IL-6. It is proved that the key mechanisms of pathology of the reproductive system are dysregulation of the immune and endocrine. (For citation: Temirkhanova KT, Tsykunov SG, Pyatibrat ED, et al. Mechanisms of disorders of the reproductive function in women of the Republic of Dagestan survived the vital stress. Reviews on Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Therapy. 2017;15(2):73-79. doi: 10.17816/RCF15273-79).
Orientação de estágio em Administração: aproximando teoria e prática?
Authors: Beckhauser Sheila Patrícia Ramos , Souza Júlio Cesar Lopes de , Parisotto Iara Regina dos Santos , Domingues Maria José Carvalho de Souza
Published: August 2017

Este estudo buscou investigar o processo de orientação de estágio na perspectiva de professores e estudantes em um Curso de Administração. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, conduzida sob abordagem mista, com fases qualitativa e quantitativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário elaborado com perguntas abertas e fechadas e aplicado em 2015. A população da pesquisa envolve docentes e discentes do curso de Administração da disciplina Estágio Supervisionado. A amostra foi composta por 299 discentes e 20 docentes. Entre os resultados encontrados constata-se que os estudantes realizam o trabalho de estágio, em grande parte, em casa e nos finais de semana. Além disso, os professores destacaram que as principais dificuldades dos estudantes são quanto ao conhecimento das normas técnicas, revisão da literatura e interpretação de texto. Conclui-se com este estudo que, apesar de os estudantes considerarem o seu desempenho no trabalho e a orientação dos professores entre bom e ótimo, há muito ainda para ser melhorado, tanto por parte do estudante quanto do professor.
Educação e mercantilização: um estudo sobre a expansão do setor de ensino superior privado no Brasil a partir da década de 1990
Authors: Franca Acson Gusmão
Published: August 2017

Este estudo objetiva analisar o processo de expansão do setor de educação superior no Brasil, ocorrido ao longo da década de 1990 até os dias atuais. Nesse sentido, procura investigar de que forma esse setor se inseriu na lógica de mercado e passou a criar estratégias de crescimento e concentração, as quais transformaram a educação superior num produto comercializado em larga escala e facilmente adquirido pelos clientes consumidores. Além disso, busca-se apontar o papel das inovações e da diversificação na criação de vantagens competitivas e, consequentemente, para a maximização de lucros no setor, uma vez que essa é uma das estratégias utilizadas por essas empresas para subsistir no mercado. Para o alcance dos objetivos propostos, utilizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica com base em livros, artigos, teses, revistas especializadas, jornais e websites institucionais (MEC/INEP), os quais nos forneceram as bases para a investigação e fundamentação teórica do problema levantado. Em suma, observou-se que a expansão deste segmento/setor e, consequentemente, de massificação da educação superior tornou-se contínuo, de modo a contribuir diretamente para o aumento do número de estudantes matriculados nos cursos superiores, bem como, na criação de novas vicissitudes no setor.
Análisis De La Práctica Creativa Musical En Educación Primaria Como Base Para El Diseño Y Desarrollo De Una Herramienta Metodológica De Evaluación Didáctica
Authors: Aranda Luis del Barrio
Published: August 2017

This study focuses on the analysis of musical creativity as a capacity of self didactics favoring the development of the autonomy of the student in Primary education. Our goal is to design and develop a tool of evaluation of the musical knowledge of the student in creative practice that serves as the basis for the orientation of the educational process. To do this, we carry out an ethnographic research with a class group of 26 pupils of fourth of Primary school who performed sixty creative tasks during two school years. The results obtained from the analysis of the works of children have shown that systematic creative activity stimulates musical thinking, hearing, musicalverbal expression and critical analysis and provides the student a greater confidence and security in the undertaking of new challenges. At the end of the study, analysis of productions has improved the design of a methodological tool capable of analyzing the musical knowledge of the student in a creative educational process.
Protestant Reformation and Albanian Nationalism
Authors: Doci Ylli H.
Published: August 2017

The relationship of the Protestant Reformation with Nationalism is understandable if one can appreciate the nature of the general emancipation from the authority as understood during the Middle Ages to the subjectively defined authority that the Reformation brought forth. The connection of the emancipating influence of the Reformation with the Albanian National Awakening is made more clear if one understands not only the thought patterns typically associated with the Reformation, but also some historical dimensions of the Albanian language and education. Therefore, we propose here the thesis that the influence of the Protestant Reformation is discernable also in the history of Albanian Nationalism.
El Aprendizaje Significativo Como Estrategia De Estimulación De La Escritura Del Idioma Inglés En Educación General Básica
Authors: Merino Daniela Fernanda Guano , Peñafiel Marcelo Eduardo Allauca , Yerovi Enrique Jesús Guambo , Andrade Luis Alberto Veloz
Published: August 2017

The objective of the present investigation was the analysis of the use of strategies of significant learning in order to stimulate writing in the English language, which affect the development of the writing skill causing low performance and deficient level of knowledge in the students of sixth and seventh years of general basic education. The bibliographic information on significant learning sustains the importance of the use of didactic material in the processes of assimilation and interaction when acquiring educational skills and competences. They facilitate the connection to preexisting mental schematics in order to incorporate knowledge that generates significant learning. The methods used were deductive-inductive, documentary and applied bibliography, which allowed the collection of information through observation sheets. The results showed that the cognitive processes are inadequate due to lack of didactic material to develop and stimulate the writing of the English language. Due to this worksheets were designed and applied that contain grammatical structure, vocabulary, completion exercises, active memorization, spelling, word classification, sentence formation, short sentences and long with positive and negative answers; use of demonstrative adjectives, possessive pronouns, classification of nouns; all this to stimulate writing and a base of knowledge in the learning of English as a second language.
Head Teachers’ Role in Facilitating School Facilities that Influence Pupils’ Performance in Kcpe
Authors: Mbunde John M.
Published: August 2017

This paper discusses the head teachers’ role in facilitating school facilities that influence pupils’ performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary School (KCPE). The objective was to establish the head teachers’ role in facilitating school facilities that influence pupils’ performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary School. The research was based on the Max Weber’s Theory of Bureaucracy. The target population was 612 head teachers, senior teachers and accounts’ clerks in Nairobi County. The sample size was 123. The research employed descriptive survey design. The schools selected were 14 from Westland and Dagoretti districts and 13 from Lang’ata district through simple random sampling. The head teachers and accounts’ clerks were selected by purposive sampling methods. The research instruments used were the interview and document analysis guides. Validation of both instruments was done by the expert judgment review by supervisors from the Department of Educational Administration and Planning of the University of Nairobi. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data which was presented in a table. The study established that all the 41 sampled schools had fairly adequate exercise books, buildings and furniture; inadequate textbooks, radios, equipment, computers, displays, charts and playgrounds. The study concluded that the head teachers had not facilitated adequate school facilities that influence pupils’ performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary School (KCPE). It was recommended that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should increase funding of schools to enable the head teachers to procure more school facilities to enhance pupils’ performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary School.
The Strategy of Lithuanian State Security in the 21st Century
Authors: Pukenis Robertas
Published: August 2017

The article analyses state security as harmonious functioning of the constitutional system without interference of any outside forces, protection of territorial integrity and undisturbed functioning of a state in all public spheres. The state security in the broadest sense is strengthened by the factors of foreign and home policy. The security is based not only on strong, well trained armed forces, equipped with modern guns but also on the entire potential of a state: the approval of citizens for armament and the willingness to defend the country; economic stability, functioning of democratic principles, positive contribution of national communities into the welfare of the society, harmonious agreement of national communities, loyalty to the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and the competence of the Department of State Security to neutralise the forces willing to harm the consolidation of the State; they penetrate into the governmental institutions, instigate slanderous moods against the leaders or institutions of the state via mass media. The history reminds us that the West often used to betray nations; thus the question may arise whether the NATO will succeed in defending the Baltic countries according to the binding provision of Article 5 that obligates the parties for collective defence. Therefore, Lithuania urgently needs an augmented distribution of NATO toops in the Baltics. Further strategy requires insightful diplomatic steps in oreder to preserve peace and establish friendly alliances, e. g. a stronger military cooperation with Scandinavian states, brotherhood with Latvians and Estonians and approval of the dispositions of the Polish President to create a union “from the sea to the sea”. Conclusive thoughts are based on the arguments of serious political observers, sociological research, official statistics and verified data. The aim of this article is to describe the strategy of Lithuanian Republic in the field of security in the beginning of the 21st century. The object of the article is the analysis of the ways and measures for preservation of Lithuanian statehood. The author referred to the most recent media and provided political analysis of geopolitical and historical context.
Rethinking of Public Secondary Schools Discipline in Kenya
Authors: Nandeke Erick , Chumba Sammy K. , Kiprop Catherine
Published: August 2017

Student Council is a representative structure through which students in a secondary school become involved in school affairs. The study set out to investigate student council participation in the management of discipline in public secondary schools in Teso North Sub-County in Busia County, Kenya. The study sought to establish: the influence of student council participation in the formulation of rules and regulations on management of discipline, and the influence of student council involvement in formulating punishment on the management of discipline. The target population was 7379 students and 189 teachers and 27 principals from 27 schools. The research employed descriptive survey design using a random sample of 365 students, 18 teachers and 9 principals. This sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan’s table of sample determination and using coefficient variation of 30% and a standard error of 2% through stratified simple random sampling technique. The data was collected using a selfadministered questionnaire. The study established that schools involved students in designing punishment but students never took punishment positively and that common disciplinary problems experienced in schools was due to lack of students involvement. It was further established that students were haphazardly involved in the school management of students’ discipline. Thus the study recommends schools to empower students’ council in which students’ views and ideas are heard and discussed; Ministry of education to organize and offer seminars where school heads are well sensitized on involving students in school management.
The Global Financial Crisis, Inflation Rate And Stock Market Returns In Kenya
Authors: Otieno Donald A. , Ngugi Rose W. , Wawire Nelson H. W.
Published: August 2017

The moderating effect of events such as the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on the relation between stock market returns and macroeconomic variables has attracted very little attention. This study investigates the extent to which the 2008 GFC moderated the relationship between inflation rate and stock market returns. The study uses month-onmonth inflation rate and year-on-year inflation rate from 1st January 1993 to 31st December 2015 and divides the sample data into pre-crisis period (from 1st January 1993 to 31st December 2007); crisis period (from 1st January 2008 to 30th June 2009); and post-crisis period (from 1st July 2009 to 31st December 2015). It uses a product-term regression model instead of the most widely applied additive regression model. Results indicate that a unit increase in the both measures of inflation rate had significant depressing effects on stock market returns after the crisis compared to before the crisis. Likewise, the results reveal that average stock market returns were significantly higher after the crisis compared to before the crisis at low rather than medium or high values of the two measures of inflation rate. These results suggest that the Kenyan stock market is highly sensitive to variations in inflation rate, especially as it emerges from a financial or political turmoil. This study is empirically innovative in the sense that it is the first to examine the moderating effect of the 2008 GFC on the relation between inflation rate and stock market returns in Kenya using a product-term model.
Les Représentations Schématiques Des Enseignants Stagiaires En Sciences De La Vie Et De La Terre : Quelles Compétences Pour Une Utilisation Pédagogique?
Authors: El Hnot Hasnae , Cherai Bouamama , Sibari Hayat
Published: August 2017

This article aims to analyze schemes made by teacher trainees in Life and Earth sciences at the Regional Center of the Trades of Education and Training (CRMEF) Tangier-Tetouan-Al Houceima- middle school - in order to identify the conceptions of these future teachers about the schematic representation of a concept. An analysis was made of 30 teacher trainees diagrams at the beginning of their qualifying training on concepts in internal geodynamics. The results obtained have shown that they are generally known by teacher trainees, but their schematic representations raise many problems, notably the scientific aspect of the scheme, the maintenance of a correct methodological organization and the respect for the symbolic code to be done on a scientific basis. To remedy this, the qualifying training of these teacher trainees must be reinforced with schematization sessions supplemented by an integration of these schemes in sequences of learning for better pedagogical use.
Investigating the Relationship Between Financial Integration and Economic Growth in the East African Community
Authors: Nzioka Onesmus Mutunga
Published: August 2017

This study set out to investigate the relationship between financialintegration and economic growth in the EAC community states. Secondarydata on financial integration and GDP was obtained from worldbank and theEast African Community(EAC) community secretariat. The data wassubjected to simple linear regression and correlation analysis to achieve theset objective. The study found that, Gross capital flow to GDP (financialopenness) is positively correlated to economic growth (r=0.2093, p <0.05).The study also found that, 3.98% of the variations in economic growth, asmeasured by GDP per capita, within the countries are explained by financialintegration, as measured by the ratio of gross capital flows, 38.98% of thevariations in economic growth between the countries are explained byfinancial integration while 4.38% of the variations in economic growth of theEast African communityEAC as an economic bloc (considering panel data)are explained by financial integration. The findings confirm that, whencapital flows increase, economic growth also increases, pointing to thenecessity of the East African member states to explore ways of increasing thecapital flows between the countries. The researcher recommends conductingof a comparative study between the old and the new EAC to establishwhether the inclusion of Rwanda and Burundi, has had any positive impact(catalyzed) on the level of financial integration and economic growth.
La Interdisciplinariedad En El Aula De Educación Secundaria: Una Investigación A Través De La Opinión Del Profesorado De Las Áreas De Música, Lengua Castellana Y Literatura, Y Ciencias Sociales.
Authors: Arnal Carmen M. Zavala , Salinas Jorge Ramón
Published: August 2017

This paper shows the results of a study which analyzes daily practice through the opinion of teachers in Spain, which prompt us to consider the need for interdisciplinary activities. The study focuses on three areas: Music, Spanish Language and Literature, and Social Sciences. The results point at a favourable opinion of teachers regarding interdisciplinarity between the three subjects, although they highlight the obstacles arising from the curricular and educational context. The aim is to contribute to the integration in learning/teaching processes of interdisciplinary activities which can favour teachers as well as learners of these subjects.
La Gestion du Risque de Micro-crédit: La Nécessité du Diagnostic Financier: Cas de la PME MIGEG Microfinance S.A.
Authors: Pony Lucas
Published: August 2017

The reduction of the losses related to credit outstanding payment is very necessary in the micro finance institutions in general, and the SME of micro finance MIGEG* S.A in particular. Here, we carried out a study concerning the management of micro credits risk which result to losses due to non-refund. The method that was proposed in this study is that of the financial diagnosis which operates in two phases. The first phase involves the use of the data collected during the interview to analyze the morality of the customer (Phase 1), while the second phase involves the use of the financial and accounting quantitative data to analyze the financial health of the customer (Phase 2).The diagnosis method considered is that of Dupont which allows us to considerably reduce the percentage of credits outstanding payment. Consequently, it also helps to improve the company’s funds. The proposed method will help the managers to detect the risks of application for credit. The bank will thus grant only the credit bonds related to the highest refunds. This, however, will further lead to the following results: For MIGEG S.A to be viable, it must insist on the ratio of the assets. This refers to the sales of the credits to promote refunds without risk. On the other hand, MIGEG S.A will insist on the ratio of the financial lever, debt and assets, in order to promote the prefinancing of the risk credits. Therefore, it will help to avoid credits related to the guarantees such as the land certificate, inheritance etc.
Influence of Monitoring Tools on Project Performance in Kenyan State Corporations
Authors: Wanjala Muchelule Yusuf , Iravo Mike Amuhaya , Odhiambo Romanus , Shalle Noor Ismail
Published: August 2017

The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of monitoring tools on project performance of Kenyan State Corporations. Simple random sampling was used to select 65 state corporations that constituted the sample size. Data were collected from the sample size using questionnaires with both open and closed questions and they were administered by the researcher through a drop and pick technique. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as qualitative methods. The relationships between variables were determined using Pearson correlation and t-test. Assessments of normality were done by Shapiro-Wilk test while multicollinearity was detected by use of variation inflation factor (VIF). The study revealed that monitoring tools had no significant effect on project performance in Kenyan State Corporations (β2= 0.073, p>0.05). there is also a possibility that the monitoring tools were unable to map out the needed steps to attain the desired project results.
Análisis De La Percepción De La Tutoría En Los Alumnos De Primer Año De La Licenciatura En Gastronomía Del Instituto Tecnológico Superior De Escárcega
Authors: Ramírez Ludwin Jaime Estrada , Moreno Paula Viveros , Camal María del Carmen Gómez , Espinosa Jocabeth Eunice Naal
Published: August 2017

The implementation of mentoring programs in higher level institutions has brought with it a series of implications that are susceptible to be evaluated, but above all, the way in which it is applied, and is generating the expected results for each student in the course The first semester and at the same time participates in the tutoring program corresponding to the Bachelor's Degree in Gastronomy of the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Escárcega. For this reason, the main objective of this basic research, of descriptive type, was to analyze the conceptualization of the tutoring processes that receive the students that were object of study. To achieve the objective, a questionnaire applied to the 64 tutors was used and validated using the Cronbach alpha coefficient, showing a value of 6,779, indicating that this instrument has an acceptable degree of reliability, validating its use for the collection of plotted data In the Excel 2010 program. The results indicated that 80% of the students surveyed disagree with the tutorial action processes they receive from their tutors, while only 20% reported the existence of certain tutorial activities. Therefore it should be considered in detail the assignment and personal relationship between the student and the assigned tutor, seeking the correct planning and development of the activities according to the Degree in the work plan based on the institutional program of tutoring of the Institutes Decentralized Technology.
Personnel Éducatif Du Secteur Public Et Activités Lucratives Parallèles En Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Philomène Koffi Affoué
Published: August 2017

The quality of education is based on the content of the lessons which depends on the interest of educators in their profession through their availability for work and learners. In Côte d'Ivoire, this availability is not always effective, since many educational staff in public secondary schools carry out lucrative activities in parallel with their professional activities. This article "public sector educators and parallel lucrative activities in Côte d'Ivoire", which aims to explain how these activities influence the quality of education, is based on a survey based on qualitative methods And in quantitative terms in ten (10) secondary public schools in Abidjan. The survey involved interviewing 274 educators with teachers, management, management and union leaders through accidental sampling for the quantitative method and saturation sampling for the qualitative method. Interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guides, while questionnaires were administered on the basis of standardized questionnaires on quantitative techniques. The results of the survey show that the lucrative activities of educational staff influence their attendance and contribute to the non-completion of school programs. These activities, which are also a source of exhaustion, undermine the efficiency of the educational staff of public secondary schools. The fatigue resulting from these activities does not always favor a better performance of the educational staff in the school while they negatively influence the integration of the values in the learners. In this way, the lucrative activities of educational staff contribute to the poor quality of education in Côte d'Ivoire. They should therefore be reorganized in order to achieve a quality education system as sought by the Ivorian educational community.
Efectos de la meditación sobre el estrés académico en estudiantes de Licenciatura en Fisioterapia
Authors: Gómez Nancy Elizet Gutiérrez , Cabrera Josué Mauricio Becerra , Camacho Miguel Ángel Martínez , Gutiérrez María Carlota García
Published: August 2017

Introduction: Stress is one of the most common psychological disorders. In Mexico, a study of academic stress in college students found that a high percentage of students had experienced intense anxiety (73.4%). Research on physical therapy students at the Riphah Rehabilitation Science Center show that the prevalence of perceived stress is 88%.Meditation programs in college students had resulted beneficial for the management of stress, depression and anxiety. Objective: To determine the effects of meditation on academic stress in first semester students of the degree in physiotherapy of the Autonomous University of Querétaro. Methodology: Quasi-experimental study. Participants: Thirty-six firstsemester students of the physiotherapy degree from the Autonomous University of Querétaro, a control group of 17 students and 19 in the experimental group. The experimental group was intervened for 8 weeks with guided meditation sessions with duration of 20 to 25 minutes from Monday to Friday. Both control and experimental groups were evaluated through the Academic Stress Inventory before and after the intervention program. Results: There is a significant reduction in stress levels using meditation in the experimental group (p = 0.0002). For the control group, no significant difference was found in stress p = 0.093. Conclusion: An 8-week meditation program has healthy effects on the academic stress of undergraduate physical therapy students.
Social Media in Social Organization
Authors: Aykurt Aylin Yildirim , Sesen Elif
Published: August 2017

As global integration process creates changes and new problem areas around individuals, people try to apply new ways for resilience. One of the methods used in this frame is social organization. Also, one of the most important tools of social organization in today’s world is social media which emerge as a result of new communication technologies. The aim of this study is to reveal the role of social media in organizing society. In this context, social organization and social media were primarily defined. Some examples of the use of social media in social action and social organization have been emphasized. Data for the study was collected by using an online questionnaire. Research population of the study was Facebook users in Turkey. The sample of the study uses the convenience incidental sampling. The opinions about the role of social media in the social organization of Facebook users were examined. According to the results of the study, 72% of the participants agree that social media is a powerful tool in organizing social actions. 40% of the respondents think that social media contributes in strengthening democracy. It might be said that participants believe in the power of social media, but they never thought that this power will remain permanent.
Turkish Version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Psychometric Properties
Authors: Bilgel Nazan , Ozcakir Alis
Published: August 2017

Empathy is an important component of medical education and could be taught throughout the years of medical study. Empathy is a skill that allows establishing a communication by evaluating the views, experiences and worries of the patients’ cognitively. Empathy can improve physicianpatient communication, increase patient satisfaction, establish greater patient compliance, decrease litigation, improve physician’s job satisfaction and prevent physician’s burnout. Therefore measurement of this skill is important. Jefferson Scale of Empathy is an instrument for this purpose and has been translated into 45 languages and used in more than 70 countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Turkish version. The scale was administered to 600 medical students in one medical school. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy was 0.85 which means a good reliability. Competing models of the latent structure of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy were derived from theoretical and empirical sources and evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. The best fitting model of the latent structure of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy consisted of three correlated factors corresponding to the “perspective taking”, “compassionate care” and “standing in patient’s shoes” dimensions. The reliability coefficients of these dimensions were 0.84, 0.73 and 0.62 respectively. The Turkish version of the Jefferson Empathy Scale is a reliable and valid measure of the constructs it was intended to assess. This measure was found useful for evaluating empathy among medical students
Effect of Social Assistance Programmes on Improving Quality of Life in Kenya: Evidence from Machakos County
Authors: Ngelu Joshua Mutambu
Published: August 2017

This study investigates the effect of social assistance programmes on improving quality of life in Kenya - evidence from Machakos County. Probit model was applied to model the empirical analysis. The paper concludes that moderate households’ awareness of available types of cash transfer. On the households’ quality of life with reference to social assistance programmes, the study posits that households in receipt of bursary support, cash transfers for orphans and vulnerable children, and cash transfers to the elderly will report an improved life quality compared to their counterparts who have not received such transfers. Similar conclusion is arrived at for remittances receipts from relatives residing outside the County. The paper recommends application and scaling up of social assistance programmes to reduce poverty at county and national levels so that in turn can improve quality of life of households. This will go a long way in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Concept of Ideology in Marxist Literary Criticism
Authors: Hamadi Lutfi
Published: August 2017

This paper attempts an exploration of the development of the Marxist literary theory in general and the concept of ideology in particular. Showing the significant role this theory plays in the field of literary criticism, the paper focuses on remarkable Marxist figures, explores their most notable works, and sheds light on their contributions to the theory and the field of literary criticism. For this purpose, the paper starts with basic Marxist principles of reading literature set by Marx and Engels and examines the changes that occurred with other critics, mainly Althusser, Jameson, and Eagleton in their attempts to show the importance of ideology in explaining literature and understanding its backgrounds, goals, and methods. Thus, the methodology will include an historical overview, shedding light on early Marxist perspectives, comparing and contrasting the contributions and adjustments added by remarkable Marxist thinkers, and illustrating by examples of literary texts and how they are seen and analyzed by these Marxist scholars.
The Role of Information Quality on the Performance of Hotel Industry in Kenya
Authors: Makau Scholastica , Lagat Charles , Bonuke Ronald
Published: August 2017

In recent years there have been various studies investigating factors that influence hotel performance in Kenya mostly in coastal region. These studies have analyzed the drivers and factors influencing performance focusing at reasons why some hotels perform outstandingly while other do not. This study focused on how information quality affects the hotel performance. Resource base View theory was used in formulating the study framework. The study adopted a survey design which allowed easy sampling and analysis of data. The Target population was employees of 3 to 5 star rated hotels as classified by Hotel and Restaurants Authority (HRA) as its responses, with a sample of 324 from a population of 9,208 employees. SPSS software was used in analyzing and interpreting data that was collected. The sampling technique used was stratified random sampling. Primary data was collected by use of structured questionnaire instrument and a pilot study was conducted to check for the reliability and validity of the research instruments which were administered through drop and pick method. The results showed that firms need to align their supply chain practices with the level of their information quality in order to achieve enhanced overall business performance. Based on these study findings the researcher concluded that Information Quality has a significantly influenced on hotel Performance to very a great extent. In order for hotel managers to sustain their customer and retain the customer base , there is need to take into consideration on the quality and security of information they make available to their customers as well as their potential customers in order to make right decision e.g. on purchase, price, accommodation, service reservations among other services offered in hotels.
Perception of Linguistic Ambiguity
Authors: Awwad Mohammad
Published: August 2017

A qualitative-quantitative study was conducted on students preparing for their Master’s degree in English, linguistic and literary branch, at the Lebanese University, the deanship, to investigate the participants’ perception of ambiguity in language. Ambiguity in language is considered a problematic issue since it hinders precise language processing. Ambiguity leads to a confusion of ideas in the reader’s mind, for the reader will struggle to decide on the precise meaning intended behind an utterance. This study presented a holistic view on EFL learners’ perception of ambiguity. Via three questionnaires, the subjects’ perception of ambiguity was tested on the recognition and production levels as well as sentential and textual levels. The results depicted that the subjects were unaware of ambiguous language, and at many times ambiguity hindered the subjects’ ability to process language precisely. The research threw at some strategies that aid in disambiguating ambiguous language on the production level, and deciphering ambiguity on the interpretation level. Implications and recommendations for teachers, students, and curriculum designers were offered in the light of the study’s findings.
Facteurs Explicatifs Du Tarissement Des Points D’eau En Milieu De Socle Cristallin Dans Le Departement Des Collines Au Benin
Authors: Koumassi Dègla Hervé
Published: August 2017

The department of the hills is located at the center of Benin in plinth area. The water supply in this area is more and more directed towards surface water due to the hydrogeologic constraints and the impact of the climatic fluctuations. The climatological and geological data analysis made by the methods of descriptive statistical analysis made it possible to analyze the dynamics of the climatic parameters on the one hand and the behavior of the geological units to the recorded flows. The hydroclimatic study showed a deficit on the level of the climatic assessment and a decline of pluviometry since 1970. The study of the hydrogeologic characteristics carried out on 706 drillings made it possible to show the relationship between various parameters such as: thickness of change, flows end of boring and productivity of the drilling / lithology.
La Potencialidad Turística En Los Proyectos De Turismo Rural Comunitario
Authors: Santamaría Gabriela Estefanía Román , Vintimilla Mónica Cecilia Zurita , Romero Gabriela Natalí Fonseca , Vizuete Danny Daniel Castillo , Báez Luis Alberto Quevedo
Published: August 2017

Tourism is one of the main productive sectors that allow the improvement of the economy in diverse territories. The community of Guasuntos is regarded as a territory with natural and cultural scenic importance. The same, however, can be used in the development of tourism projects with the challenge of turning it into a competitive tourist destination. This was an alternative for local development in generating wealth in favor of the population, fostering the systemic competitiveness of the territory, and generating a guiding process that coordinates public, private, and community efforts. In order to involve the community in the development of this productive activity, an analysis of the situational diagnosis was carried out. Here, information was collected on the biophysical, sociocultural, economic productive components, political human settlement, mobility, energy, and institutional connectivity. In the territory, the inventory of natural and cultural attractions was carried out. This was done using the methodology proposed by the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR). Finally, the characterization of the tourist demand was carried out. The tourist demand helps to identify the potential market with the consumption capacity of the product. The evaluation of the tourist potential in the territories allows for the identification of the vocation. However, this became a starting tool for the formulation of projects and a planning tool that contributes to the conservation of resources and the implementation of any activity. In addition, it ensures a potential and orderly use of them and serves as a developmental support for the population.
Influence of Adult Literacy Education on the Environmental Behaviours of Women
Authors: Norris Erhabor Igbinosa , E.I. Osayande
Published: August 2017

The study assessed the influence of adult literacy education on the environmental attitudes and behaviours of women in Edo State. A sample size of 253 respondents were selected using both census sampling to select the 15 adult literacy centers in the state and simple random sampling by balloting to choose the sample for the study. The instrument for the study had a reliability of 0.75 for the attitude subscale and 0.83 for the behaviours subscale. It was observed from the study that the majority of the respondents (57.3%) had a positive attitude towards the environment and their response revealed that they rarely partake in most pro-environmental behaviours. There was a weak positive relationship observed between the respondents’ environmental attitude and their environmental behaviour. Hence the researchers recommended that more emphasis should be placed on implementing adult environmental education in each of the adult literacy centers in Edo State.
Risk and Social Interactions in the Adoption of Improved Dairy Breeds by Smallholder Farmers in Kenya
Authors: Kimani David
Published: August 2017

This study investigates the role of production risk and social interaction in the adoption of improved dairy breeds by smallholder farmers in Kenya. In agricultural production outputs are uncertain and they may turn out to be favorable or unfavorable. Therefore, farmers may not always get what they expect to produce. Deviation from expected output constitutes production risk. This form of risk is said to hinder the adoption of yield increasing technologies. Farmers rarely have complete information about the performance of new agricultural technologies. Lack of perfect information about the performance of new technologies may as well hinder adoption. To fill the information gap farmers seek to acquire information through formal and informal sources. Informal sources include social interations with peers and neighbors. Flexible moments method is used to derive production risk variables. While mean values of selected variables of a reference group defined at village level are used as proxies for social interactions. The study applies three different methods, probit, two-stage instrumental variable, and Control function on cross-sectional data collected from a sample of 373 smallholder farmers to evaluate role of risk and social interactions in the adoption of improved dairy breeds. The finding shows that endogenous social Interactions as measure by proportion of improved breeds’ adopters in a reference group have positive and significant effect on adoption of improved dairy breeds. Production risk as measured by variance and skewness of milk output is found to have negative and significant effects of adoption of improved dairy breeds.
Intervalos de referencia de agudeza visual y sensibilidad al contraste en una población escolar de Pereira, Colombia
Authors: Agudelo Guevara Ana María , León Álvarez Alejandro , Estrada Álvarez Jorge Mario
Published: August 2017

Introducción: las pruebas que evalúan la agudeza visual (AV) y la función de sensibilidad al contraste (FSC) permiten cuantificar e identificar la calidad de la visión. En Colombia, los intervalos de referencia para estas dos pruebas visuales se han establecido a partir de parámetros hallados principalmente en poblaciones foráneas. Objetivos: determinar los intervalos de referencia de la AV y la FSC en una población escolar sana de 5 a 19 años de Pereira, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo-transversal en el que se evaluaron 626 sujetos entre los 5 y los 19 años de edad, identificados en un muestreo aleatorio por conglomerados bietápico. La AV se evaluó con cartas tipo logMAR y la FSC, con el CSV 1000E. Resultados: se encontró que la AV en un sujeto normal entre los 5 y los 19 años oscila entre −0,20 y 0,10 logMAR, con una mediana de 0,0. La AV es superior entre los 15 y los 19 años; así mismo, los hombres presentan mayor AV. El intervalo de normalidad de la FSC con CSV 1000E en las frecuencias espaciales de 3, 6, 12 y 18 cpd son 1,49 y 2,08 logSC; 1,70 y 2,29 logSC; 1,40 y 1,99 logSC y 0,96 y 1,55 logSC, respectivamente. Conclusiones: en relación con la literatura, la AV en escolares entre los 5 y los 19 años es similar y la FSC es menor en las frecuencias espaciales bajas.
The cellular basis of feed efficiency in poultry muscle: mitochondria and nucleic acid metabolism
Authors:   University of Arkansas, USA, Bottje Walter , Kong Byung-Whi ,   University of Arkansas, USA
Published: August 2017

Feed is one of the most significant costs involved in animal production, and feed efficiency is therefore a very important genetic trait in animal agriculture. In poultry, a clear link between breast muscle mitochondrial function and feed efficiency has been reported. This chapter provides an overview of the mitochondrial processes which occur in muscle cells, presents the evidence that enhanced mitochondrial functions lead to high feed efficiency, and then considers the role of enhanced nucleotide metabolism and muscle cytoarchitecture in the feed efficiency of broilers.
Advances and future directions in poultry feeding: an overview
Authors:   Massey University, New Zealand, Ravindran Velmurugu , Abdollahi Mohammad R. ,   Massey University, New Zealand
Published: August 2017

The poultry industry has witnessed remarkable advancements in recent years. This chapter provides a discussion of the advances and future directions in the poultry feeding. Advancements include defining nutrient requirements, composition and ingredient quality, better feed formulation and the advent of additives. It also discusses the developments in feed processing and phase feeding. Future directions include sustainability, ingredient quality, antibiotic-free nutrition, crystalline and synthetic amino acids, feed enzymes, chick nutrition and growth models. Optimal feed processing and the related hygiene practices are discussed briefly. The chapter then discusses future trends in poultry feeding. The chapter concludes with a section dedicated to further information on these topics, in order for the readers to expand their knowledge.