bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enabling Social Justice through Progressive Taxation in ‘Discriminated’ Societies
Authors: Titus Ray
Published: May 2015

The advocates of taxes point to its legitimacy as derived from the need for government to work for the people. Those who oppose taxes call it a burden imposed on the people, benefitting none than those in government and bureaucracy. The latter who advocate free markets believe the „invisible hand‟ to be the better arbitrator to social justice. To put the debate on taxes in perspective, it is important to consider the need for social justice against a backdrop of societies that have practiced discrimination based on caste. Such societies stratify people by birth based on the castes they are born into. Caste based discrimination on its part has systematically ensured subjection of certain classes, with minimal access to fundamental rights. This in turn has ensured such classes live their lives in near penury. This research paper looks at class based discrimination as a preceding social more in the demand for progressive taxation.
The Impact of Sales Promotion and Product Branding on Company Performance (“STATE LIFE” Insurance Industry of Pakistan)
Authors: Ibrar Muhammad
Published: May 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate how to effect of product branding and sales promotion to an organization growth has its performance. the insurance industry because the growth of this industry is mainly tied to the success of good product brands and sales promotion. However, the organizational performance and increase in profit and revenue should be understood by the content. The study also aims to show focus how to insurance industry effect the performance of slae promotion and product branding. Design/methodology/approach: Survey of insurance companies is to be considered but due to the large number of the operators, the authors chose only one case sample of State Life Insurance which has a larger sales outlet and good number of branches nationwide. A total of 60 field survey questionnaires were distributed while 14 refined. Findings: The data collected and analyzed using the chi-square (x2) method. Conclution: Hence, our conclusions from findings show that product branding and sales promotion affect organizational growth. Originality/value: By reviewing the different finding that the Sale promoton and product branding. The contribution of this paper is to look at how to finding the effective solution of sale promotion and product branding to effect the performance of insurance idustry. Study of paper: The study of this paper is exploratry is qualitative study of research.
Hypothesis and Conceptual Framework Development of Cross Cultural Training and Perceived Success of Expatriates
Authors: Farooq Qamar , Ahmad Naveed , Shafique Muhammad Nouman
Published: May 2015

Rising trends of globalization in economic, managerial and social arenas have resulted in interpersonal contacts across the cultures. Multinational companies are increasingly focusing on trainings of their employees for improvement of performance. This research is based on the practical idea and literature review about the success of employees who are deputed for overseas assignments. Various factors related to the success or failures of expatriates have been explored in this study and one of the important aspects “cross cultural training” has been focused to find its impact on success of expatriates. This study encompasses the definition of cross cultural training ranging to its importance and effects. Substantial investment pertaining to foreign subsidiaries fashions the management to expect for the high returns, on the other hand, failure of expatriates adds significantly in failure of companies in deed. Proper cross cultural training of employees help them to shun the cultural shock and difficulties in adjustment abroad. For completion of this research, a very comprehensive questionnaire was designed basing on theoretical framework and a case study of expatriates of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) of Pakistan was carried out. Study found that there are multi-faceted uses of cross cultural training and it is one of the major sources to reduce cultural shock and pre-mature return of the employees. The research is not only useful for NADRA and Government Sector of Pakistan rather through conceptual work it is universally constructive for developing a general idea about cross cultural training and its impact on success of expatriates. This research specifically covered all related areas of expatriates of studied organization and findings have been discussed in order to grasp the relevant sides of topic by controlling rest of variables for getting potentially reliable results.
Industrial Development vs Resistance - A Study of Posco Project in Odisha
Authors: Nayak Subhakanta
Published: May 2015

Magnitude of resistance to mega-industrial & other developmental projects by the project affected peoples has gradually been noticed in a greater scale in India. The present paper attempts to focus on the emerging issues related to the out raged protest movement launched by a large number of local inhabitants against land acquisition & other process for POSCO project in Jagatsingpur district of Odisha (India]. Since there appears to be two conflicting groups on the rationale for POSCO project, this paper also examines & analyses the perception of pro-project local peoples on the potential development prospects of the region during post –project implementation period. Since this study is explorative & descriptive, data collection was made using qualitative research methodology through both primary & secondary source. The study reveals that the economic & socio-cultural factors associated with the resistance of large number of local people are attributed to the issues like threat for land alienation, threat for loosing their agrarian structure of permanent livelihood source, threat for socio-cultural disintegration due to proposed displacement from their ancestral home, threat for water crisis due to poor water management policy & threat for ecological imbalance in the region etc. The study also suggests that the other section of peoples who supports the project, on the contrary, found very much optimistic regarding the positive impact of the project on the quality of lives of the local community in particular & inclusive growth of the state in general.
Singularity and Intelligence Explosion in William Hertling’s A.I. Apocalypse
Authors: Mirenayat Sayyed Ali , Soofastaei Elaheh
Published: May 2015

William Hertling’s A.I. Apocalypse(2012) is a post-apocalyptic novel about vulnerability of modern technological life against superintelligence. The novel shows living in an A.I-controlled society behind a revolution or revolt by self-controlling machines. A personified computer virus infects all the world’s computers. As a result, it leads to disruption in main factors of human life— billions of people are about to die. A novel in which, Hertling warns of dehumanization under the shadow of superintelligence to challenge our minds to ponder about such a future. This study attempts to demonstrate that Hertling criticizes singularity and intelligence explosion in which mankind are entrapped in A.I-controlled society. It also investigates probable bilateral relation between dehumanization and intelligence explosion.
Comparative Examination of Teachers' Educational Role and Method in the Teaching-Learning Process from the Perspective of John Dewey and Abu Ali Sina
Authors: Mostafa Jamalahdin , Ghodsi Faranak , Momenzadeh Rezvan
Published: May 2015

The Teaching-Learning process is a complex, widespread and time consuming task. To this end, the first step is to determine objectives we intend to reach and reaching these objectives necessitates using methods. Awareness of methodologies and objectives in the teaching process and specifically the educational role and method of teacher in the Teaching-Learning process requires understanding the opinions of renowned instructors and philosophers and scholars. Hence, the aim of the present research was to investigate the Teachers' educational role and methodologies in the Teaching-Learning process from the perspective of John Dewey and Abu Ali Sina. Here, in this research, first the educational role of the teacher in the Teaching-Learning process is expressed from the view of John Dewey and Abu Ali Sina and then, the educational objectives and methodologies of these two philosophers are put into discussion. The Dewey and Sina's educational objectives from the view of the teacher and its impacts on the society and the people under instruction have been examined. Later, by investigating similarities and differences of objectives and methods of the teachers' roles in the Teaching-Learning process by Dewey and Sina, we conclude that both philosophers consider the most significant and primary objectives of the teachers' educational role in the process of teaching as observing individual differences, group training and teaching based on tendencies and talents and interests of students. Meantime, these are the most important goals of the teachers in the Teaching-Learning process which these two philosophers share.
Diversity of Love Relationship in Janette Oke’s Fictions
Authors: Mirenayat Sayyed Ali , Soofastaei Elaheh
Published: May 2015

Love is used in different ways in literature. The treatment of love in the love stories of Janette Oke are nearly similar and all show the roles that love plays in life of people and how deal with it. Her novels are among the finest works in Canadian literature without whom the world of Canadian literature would be dark and empty. Love is the eventual weakness, but philosophy, religion and art during time have portrayed it in its place as a way to a higher level of being beyond the pain and transformation of every day. This paper points out to different kinds of love relationship in Oke’s fictions.
Abai and Firdowsi
Authors: Kamaladdini Seied Mohammad Bagher
Published: May 2015

Abay Qunanbaev (Qunanbaiuli) was the founder and architect of Kazakh written literature. Since his childhood, he studied religious science and got acquainted with eastern literature, particularly Iranian classic literature and Persian poetry and poets such as Ferdowsi, Hafiz, Sa’adi, Molavi, Nezami and etc.Abay read epic poetry and odes from the great eastern poets on their original texts or Jugatay (old language of central Asia) translations and first raised prosody derived from Persian poetry in Kazakh poetry and this way many Persian vocabulary entered Kazakh language.Using a bibliographic method, the author in current research studies this Kazakh poet’s works from valid and reliable resources. Regarding the special attention paid by this poet to the existing concepts in Persian poetry, particularly those of Ferdowsi, we have attempted to express some of their similarities.
Analysis of Resource-Use Efficiency and Productivity of Residual Soil Moisture Tomato Production in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Umar A.S.S. , Abdulkadir M.B.
Published: May 2015

This study was conducted to examine the resource-use efficiency and productivity of residual soil moisture tomato production Kaduna state, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and production function analysis were used to analyze the data. The result showed that the production function analysis showed that 54.55% of the residual soil moisture tomato yields among the sampled farmers were explained by the specified inputs. The coefficients of land and labour, and Seed/seedlings significantly influence the output of residual soil moisture of tomato production. Similarly, land and seed were under-utilized, while labour is the most was over used. To improve the efficiency of inputs used, the study recommends that farmer’s access to modern technologies should be enhance, there should be effective and efficient extension service, easy access to formal credit facilities and also encourage them to form cooperative societies to enable them procure their inputs at reduce rate.
Use of Lecture Method and Concept Mapping Strategies in Enhancing Primary School Pupils Achievement and Retention in Social Studies at Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors: Ijoyah Grace Terdoo Waya , Moji Rebecca Ashikor , Ijoyah Joy Ojorumi
Published: May 2015

This study investigated the use of concept mapping strategy with the lecture teaching method as it affects achievement and retention ability of primary six pupils in social studies. A total of 244 primary six pupils from Makurdi local government area of Benue State, Nigeria, were randomly selected. The total number of boys was 123, while that of girls was 121. A Quasi experimental design was adopted for the study. Two instruments were used for data collection, namely: the social studies achievement test (SSAT) and social studies retention test (SSRT). The data collected were subjected to independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test, at a probability level of .05 to indicate statistical significance. The finding revealed that concept mapping strategy was more effective in enhancing achievement score of pupils as compared to the lecture method. Pupils taught using concept mapping recorded a mean achievement score of 63.0 %, as compared to those taught using the lecture method strategy with a mean achievement score of 49.9 %. Though, the mean achievement scores of pupils taught using the two different teaching techniques showed significant difference, however, the mean retention score of pupils was not significantly (P<0.05) affected, hence hypothesis was upheld. The implication of study showed that social studies teachers should adopt concept mapping strategy as an effective teaching-learning technique in improving pupils academic performance in school.
Pay and Job Satisfaction: A Comprehensive Analysis of PTCL after its Privatization
Authors: Ibrar Muhammad , Shafique Muhammad Nouman , Ahmad Naveed , Abbass Haider
Published: May 2015

Job satisfaction has major impact on PTCL(Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited)after it was privatized and had been studied by many researchers and many of them providedgood arguments that how it affected the job satisfaction of employee on the firm after it was privatized. It has been recognized that job satisfaction can play a vital role. We examine the impact of human job satisfaction when the firm privatized. We identify different variables onthe basesof job satisfaction.In this research paper different components of job satisfaction had been identified i.e. Promotion, Pay, Recognition, Supportive Management and Organizational Commitment. To find out its relation of job satisfaction of the employees, working in different types of organization such as public and private organizations etc.This term was taken to visiting PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited) to understand the effect of job satisfaction on both employee and organization.The result revealed that job satisfaction has significance correlation with privatization of firm and employee’s. However job satisfaction showed significant correlation with the dependent variable.Job satisfaction is a mental position of an employee that changes with time that arise factors of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Gratified employees will feel more confident and answering to the organization commitment dissatisfied employee will lead to ambiguity.
Some Aspects of Geographic View on Economy: The Case Northeastern Montenegro
Authors: Rajović Goran , Bulatović Jelisavka
Published: May 2015

Text which follows represents geographical contribution to the study of the economy of northeastern Montenegro, on example of municipalities Berane, Andrijevica and Plav. Temporal frame for the study covers the period from prehistoric of our time. The focus of research directed on two sets of questions, it is on: the characteristics of economic development to the Second World War and on characteristics of the development of the economy after the Second World War. By the beginning World War II, analyzed the geographical space was one of the underdeveloped areas of Montenegro. Prevailing is mostly agricultural production. After the Second World War former Yugoslavia, in whose composition is entered and Montenegro, started is in process accelerated industrialization. High measure of job security prevented activity mechanism of competition and the market economy. There was no pressure on employed workers to increase efficiency, which led to such situations that for exercise same scale of production engaged considerably more workers than in the classical (an entrepreneurial) firms. The economic consequences were are expected: since the mid-of the seventies years ago the last century up to the complete collapse of the economic system at the end of the eighties years ago the last century, productivity Labour is mobiles falls while is hidden unemployment grew. Development problems and irrational economic system retain all the professional and scientific opinions, without the possibility of that the any particular conduct proceedings. I then, appearance and now we did not manage to elevate above observation. Therefore, thus conclude that is necessary develop a special economic innovative strategy for regional policy, adapted on the hilly-mountainous regions what, kind of is exactly and analyzed geo-space
Servant Leadership
Authors: Thakore Digvijaysinh
Published: May 2015

The philosophical foundation of servant leadership existed thousands of years ago. Servant leadership is a unique style of leadership ideology which flows against the grain of self-interest human behavior. The nature of both work and the workplace has changed drastically (Billett, 2006). The focus of leadership needs to be shifted from process and outcome to people and the future. The new challenge for management and leadership education is threefold: (a) How to develop workers and unleash their creative potentials, (b) How to create a positive workplace that will attract and retain talented knowledge workers, and (c) How to reinforce innovations and risk-taking to adapt to an uncertain future. In today's thinking about effective, productive, and enduring organizations, we can reorganize, restructure, or reengineer our organization to be more effective but it will not be successful for very long, unless change is first built on the preeminence of human resources. People and process will always be more important than tasks and organizational structure in accomplishing goals and productivity. Effective systems and processes are only effective if the people who make them work are effective. Highly motivated and well-trained human resources provide the only assurance that any organization will be effective in accomplishing its goals. Servant-leaders motivate followers through investing in them and empowering them to do their best. In this paper, servant leadership is characterized by listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualizing, foresight, stewardship, commitment to growth, and community building (Spears, 2004).
Post-Colonial State and Bureaucracy in Bangladesh: Theoretical Understanding
Authors: Miah Hanif
Published: May 2015

Bureaucracy is the management apparatus of a state administration. Even in private sector, bureaucratic organization is very much essential for its smooth functioning and betterment. A legalized domination of bureaucracy only can ensure highest efficiency of an organization in a country. But the state bureaucracy of Bangladesh not developed legally from Pre-colonial period to post-colonial phase as well as an independent Bangladesh eventually. The state bureaucracy of Bangladesh is patrimonial in nature based on personal interests. The politicians and bureaucrats are interdependent in various manners for the fulfillment of their purpose illegally in Democratic Bangladesh. Simultaneously, the impact of militarism still exists in state bureaucracy of Bangladesh as it faced military rule in several times.
Youth's Personal Models - Selected Socio-Economic
Authors: Dziwanska Kinga
Published: May 2015

The aim of study was to inverstgatr the preffered by young peoplr of personal models and factors influencing them. The study was conducted in 1999 and 2011 on the sample of high school students (third class), using questionnaire "personal patterns". The results show that the choice by yuung people of personal models occurs in conjunction with the family, school, theachers, peers and the media. Yuong people from these communities draws behavioral models from the different situations of everyday life, the system of social norms and values. Young people from these communities also draws models of socialization. In particular, the mass media (according to research) is an important and attractive component of the educational environment of youth, presenting different lifestyles and value systems, used by the adolescents.
Post-Transition Period and Quality of Higher Education: Ways to Overcome the Crisis Phenomena
Authors: Suleimenova K.I. , Obukhova P.V. , Shaltykova D.B. , Suleimenov I.E.
Published: May 2015

The evidence of appearance of post-transitional crises previously predicted by methods institutional economy is given on the base of data obtained by interview method. It is shown that decreasing of quality of engineering education in Kazakhstan may be considered namely as post-transition phenomenon, which is determined mostly by the inertia of mass consciousness that was formed during the period of transition from the plan economics to the market one rather than financial factors. Some possibilities of overcoming of observed negative trends are discussed
Truscott’s Claims in Giving Corrective Feedback: Does it Matter in EFL Writing Context?
Authors: Meihami Hussein
Published: May 2015

Giving Corrective Feedback in students’ writings has got the center of attention in the recent years. The question of whether to give CF to students or not to do so has become a controversial quest. In this research three Truscott’s claims on giving CF were investigated to EFL students’ writing. For the purpose of this investigation Direct Feedback has been used to draw the conclusion on Truscott’s claims. These claims are: (a) correction may have value for non-grammatical errors but not for errors in grammar; (b) students are inclined to avoid more complex constructions due to error correction; and (c) the time spent on CF may be more wisely spent on additional writing practice to improve writing ability. The obtained results indicated that giving CF to students’ grammatical errors has a significant result on their accuracy improvement. The research also showed that students don’t tend to avoid Complex Structures due to the CF provided on these structures. And finally it indicated that in a class without any provided CF and just with doing exercises on a specific subject the accuracy of students decrease during a writing program.
Teach how to Listen: The Effect of Listening Strategy Instruction on Documentary Video Comprehension
Authors: Hosseini Fatemeh
Published: May 2015

Developments in broadcast and multimedia technology have generated a readily available and vast supply of videos for use in second and foreign language learning contexts. However, without pedagogical direction learners are unlikely to be able to deal with the complexities of this authentic listening resource, and strategy instruction may be one route to augmenting comprehension (Cross, J, 2009). The essence of this experimental study was to investigate the impact of teaching listening strategy on comprehension of documentary videos. For the purpose of this study, 54 advanced EFL students, 27 in experimental group and 27 in control group, participated in this study procedure. In 10-week-period, the experimental group went through a well-scheduled instruction in listening strategy. On the other hand, the control group wasn’t received any instruction in listening strategy. The finding of this study has revealed that teaching listening comprehension strategies has significant influence on comprehension of authentic documentary videos
Investigating the Effect of the Centralized Planning System on Developing the Critical Thinking in Junior School Students
Authors: Mohammadi Rezgar , Naderi Ezatullah
Published: May 2015

The aim of the present research is to investigate the effect of the centralized planning system on developing the critical thinking among junior school students. This research is an applied one. The statistical population of this research includes third grade junior school students of the Kurdistan province (9372 girls and 11521 boys). The selected sample in this research, in accordance with the nature of the research population and its characteristics that was selected through the multi stage cluster and classified sampling includes 220 junior school students. The Watson and Glaser critical thinking questionnaire was used for measuring the critical thinking and for analyzing the data; the Z test and Levine test were used. Results indicated that the centralized planning system will decrease critical thinking among junior school students. The centralized planning system will reduce the inference ability, deduction ability, interpretation ability, and the evaluative ability of logical arguments while it increases the ability to identify assumptions among junior school students.
Tur Family in Shahname
Authors: Fotoohi Susan
Published: May 2015

In Shahname, Turanian has been regard as the opposite side of Iranians (Iraj’s Family). Ferdowsi has been devoted the main part of his masterpiece, Shahname, in to the dispute between these two family. In this paper, Tur story, their family and the causes of their dispute are take into consideration then, in a comprehensible manner, Tur family members, the meaning of their names, psychological characteristics wars and their genealogy are studied.
Neglecting the null: the pitfalls of underreporting negative results in preclinical research
Authors: Foster William , Putos Samantha
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTHeightened competition for funding and increased pressure to publish in high-impact journals has led to a modern-day publication culture that favours positive results. The underreporting of negative, or null, results is a form of publication bias that occurs when researchers and/or reviewers fail to communicate findings due to unfavourable directionality or perceived unimportance. For nearly three decades, recognition of this bias in clinical research has led to revised policies and guidelines in an effort to improve reporting transparency and accuracy. Only recently has the existence of this reporting bias been fully appreciated as a formidable problem in preclinical research. Considering that preclinical research provides the foundation on which many clinical trials are conceived, finding solutions to increase the reporting accuracy of preclinical studies is of paramount importance. In this commentary, we will explore how the underreporting of negative results in preclinical research distorts scientific knowledge and subsequently misguides clinical research. We will conclude with several suggestions for reducing this bias with the intention of transitioning towards a truly transparent and objective publishing landscape.
Harm Reduction at its Best: A case for Promoting Safe Injection Facilities
Authors: Meyers Emilie , Snyder Ellen
Published: May 2015

Injection Drug Users (IDU) represent less than 1% of Canada's the total population. Nevertheless, it is estimated that health and law enforcement costs for controlling the drug problem in Canada amount to $5 billion annually. The current strategies targeting IDU have limited efficacy with reducing emergency department visits, limiting HIV/Hep C virus transmission and providing accessible health care. This paper makes the case for safe injection facilities (SIF) as a means to improve IDU health outcomes, while reducing health care expenditures, decreasing public injecting and having no impact on crime rates. This topic is of particular concern  now that the Conservative government is in the process of trying to pass bill C-2 to modify the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act making exemptions for SIF inaccessible. This is occurring while leading researchers in the field are applying for an exemption for such a facility in Ottawa.
Preface
Authors: Suen Colin , Cheung Loretta , Noel Ariana , Ranganath Nischal
Published: May 2015

UOJM Volume 4 Issue 2 marks a significant milestone for UOJM. For the first time, UOJM has sustained activity over the summer due to increased interest and submissions, which has resulted in the release of multiple issues in a year. Our second issue reflects an increase in awareness and support for UOJM both internally at the University of Ottawa and externally. We have made several infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the high volume of submissions, including the implementation of the Open Journal Systems platform hosted through the University of Ottawa Library as a peer review management platform, content manager, anddigital archive. We have also expanded our effort to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ to provide day-to-day communication to our followers around the world.
Shoot Growth, Phosphorus–Nitrogen Relationships, and Yield of Canola in Response to Mineral Phosphorus Fertilization
Authors: Bélanger Gilles , Ziadi Noura , Pageau Denis , Grant Cynthia , Lafond Jean , Nyiraneza Judith
Published: May 2015

Crop responses to increasing P fertilization are often variable and poorly related to soil P test. Our objectives were to determine the influence of P fertilizer on the growth and seed yield of canola (Brassica napus L.) and to develop a first approximation of its critical phosphorus concentration (Pc) in shoot biomass. An experiment with four rates of P fertilizer (0, 20, 40, and 80 kg P ha−1) was conducted on soils with a low available P content at 5 site‐years [Normandin (QC; 2010, 2011, 2012) and Brandon (MB; 2010, 2012)] in Canada. Dry matter (DM) yield, and N and P concentrations were measured weekly on 5 d from early bolting to late flowering, and seed yield was measured at harvest. Seed yield was significantly increased by P fertilization at only 1 of the 5 site‐years, even though a positive response was expected at all site‐years. Phosphorus fertilization did not affect shoot growth and P uptake at any of the 5 site‐years. However, the estimated shoot biomass on the first sampling day was reduced with no P application at 3 of the 5 site‐years. A reduction in early crop growth of more than 30%, however, was required to affect seed yield. The whole‐plant canola Pc was expressed as function of N concentration (Pc = 1.74 + 0.024N, R2 = 0.24, P = 0.05) but this first approximation requires further validation.
Stover Removal Affects No‐Till Irrigated Corn Yields, Soil Carbon, and Nitrogen
Authors: Halvorson Ardell D. , Stewart Catherine E.
Published: May 2015

Corn (Zea mays L.) stover removal can increase yields under no‐till (NT) in climates where cold spring soil temperatures delay emergence and plant growth. The study objective was to evaluate partial stover removal (PR) effects on irrigated NT corn grain and stover yields, N uptake, and changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and total soil nitrogen (TSN) compared to full stover retained (FR) under three N treatments on a clay loam soil. Stover removal (average 66%) increased early spring soil temperatures and enhanced early plant development compared to FR. Grain and stover yields increased with increasing N rate, as did plant N and C uptake, but varied with stover treatment. Averaged over N rate, grain yields were greater with PR than FR, but stover yields were lower with PR than FR. The C/N ratio of stover declined with increasing N rate. Nitrogen fertilization did not significantly influence SOC and TSN stocks after 7 yr. Averaged over N rates, PR removal decreased SOC 2.4 Mg SOC ha−1, but FR increased SOC 6.8 Mg SOC ha−1 in 0‐ to 30‐cm soil depth. TSN stocks increased significantly with FR (1176 kg N ha−1) but not with PR (70 kg N ha−1). These results suggest that continued, long‐term residue removal will negate any initial yield benefits from more rapid early spring plant development. Partial stover removal as a cellulosic feedstock at the levels we used for ethanol production would negatively impact soil quality under irrigated, NT corn production in Colorado.
An Islamic perspective on water quality: a case of Malaysia
Authors: Mokhtar Mohd Istajib , Abdullah Raihanah , Baharuddin Azizan
Published: May 2015

Water pollution has long been a crisis of life-threatening proportion in many Muslim countries. It is therefore timely to determine the role of traditional Islamic jurisprudence in outlining the water quality standards. This study examines the Islamic and scientific approaches in appraising water quality. More specifically, this study used the Taharah–Najasah (T–N) standards (pertaining to purification and degree of pollution) as stated in Islamic jurisprudence of purification to analyse the water classes, index ranges and parameters of the water quality index stipulated by the Malaysian Department of Environment. It is important that the T–N standards are taken into consideration in determining the water quality so that Muslim communities are assured of the purity of the water used in performing worship and instilling healthier water habits among Muslims. At the same time, the application of T–N standards in gauging water quality will also benefit the whole nation as the unique characteristic of mutlaq water (purest and purifiable water) can help significantly in formulating an innovative and advanced water quality index and hence in alleviating the water pollution issue The resemblances can be found in the aspects of acceptability (taste, odour and appearance).
Normal approximations of regular curves and surfaces
Authors: Carriazo Alfonso , Márquez Carmen , Ugail Hassan
Published: May 2015

B?zier curves and surfaces are two very useful tools in Geometric Modeling,
with many applications. In this paper, we will offer a new method to provide
approximations of regular curves and surfaces by B?zier ones, with the
corresponding examples.
Psychology and geometry: I. On the geometry of the human kind
Authors: Verstraelena Leopold
Published: May 2015

In this note an attempt is made to describe a personal look at some of the
main steps in the history of geometry from a psychological point of view,
hereby basing on and sometimes merely formulating again parts of some
previous papers, like [1-11]. For general references on elementary
differential geometry, pseudo Riemannian geometry and geometry of
submanifolds, see e.g. [12-22]. In reference [23], part II of some of the
author?s reflections on psychology and geometry, an attempt is made to
describe relativistic spacetimes in a way as kind of a supplement to the
contents of the present part I.
On generalized quasi-Einstein manifolds admitting certain vector fields
Authors: De Uday , Mallick Sahanous
Published: May 2015

The object of the present paper is to study some geometric properties of a
generalized quasi-Einstein manifold. The existence of such a manifold have
been proved by several non-trivial examples.
Mental health problems and speech development in toddlers with physical illnesses
Authors: Markovic Jasminka , Romic Teodora
Published: May 2015

Introduction. Mental health problems develop more and more frequently in
children and adolescents. Children with physical illnesses are at a
particular risk of developing associated mental health problems and it is
important to study this association in order to detect and treat these
problems on time. This study was aimed at determining whether there were
differences in the presence of mental health problems and delayed speech
development in children with physical illnesses between 18 and 36 months of
age compared to the presence of these problems in healthy children. Material
and Methods. The study was carried out as an observational cross-sectional
study. It included 100 children, of both sexes, aged up to 3 years. The first
group consisted of 50 children with physical illnesses that were hospitalized
at the Institute for Child and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, and the
control group consisted of 50 healthy children of the same age who attended
kindergarten ?Radosno detinjstvo? in Novi Sad. The instrument of the study
was ?A checklist of child behavior for children aged 1.5 to 5 years?. The
hypothesis was checked with t-test for independent samples. ?A survey of
language development for children aged 18 to 35 months? was used for
assessing the language development. The second part of the hypothesis was
checked with chi-square test. Results. A statistically significant difference
was detected in the following dimensions of the questionnaire: emotional
reactivity, anxiety / depression, withdrawal, aggression, stress,
internalization, externalization, and total problems. A statistically
significant difference was also found in the area of language delay.
Conclusion. It has been concluded that mental health problems, as well as the
language delay, are more pronounced among the children with physical
illnesses than in the control group of children.
Immunomodulatory effects of tulathromycin on apoptosis, efferocytosis, and proinflammatory leukotriene B4 production in leukocytes from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae–or zymosan-challenged pigs
Authors: Duquette Stephanie C. , Fischer Carrie D. , Williams Alison C. , Sajedy Saman , Feener Troy D. , Bhargava Amol , Reti Kristen L. , Muench Gregory P. , Morck Douglas W. , Allison Jim , Lucas Merlyn J. , Buret Andre G.
Published: May 2015

OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of tulathromycin in vitro and in experimental models of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae–induced pleuropneumonia and zymosan-induced pulmonary inflammation in pigs.

ANIMALS Blood samples from six 8- to 30-week-old healthy male pigs for the in vitro experiment and sixty-five 3-week-old specific pathogen–free pigs.

PROCEDURES Neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages were isolated from blood samples. Isolated cells were exposed to tulathromycin (0.02 to 2.0 mg/mL) for various durations and assessed for markers of apoptosis and efferocytosis. For in vivo experiments, pigs were inoculated intratracheally with A pleuropneumoniae, zymosan, or PBS solution (control group) with or without tulathromycin pretreatment (2.5 mg/kg, IM). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected 3 and 24 hours after inoculation and analyzed for proinflammatory mediators, leukocyte apoptosis, and efferocytosis.

RESULTS In vitro, tulathromycin induced time- and concentration-dependent apoptosis in neutrophils, which enhanced their subsequent clearance by macrophages. In the lungs of both A pleuropneumoniae– and zymosan-challenged pigs, tulathromycin promoted leukocyte apoptosis and efferocytosis and inhibited proinflammatory leukotriene B4 production, with a concurrent reduction in leukocyte necrosis relative to that of control pigs. Tulathromycin also attenuated the degree of lung damage and lesion progression in A pleuropneumoniae–inoculated pigs.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Tulathromycin had immunomodulatory effects in leukocytes in vitro and anti-inflammatory effects in pigs in experimental models of A pleuropneumoniae infection and nonmicrobial-induced pulmonary inflammation. These data suggested that in addition to its antimicrobial properties, tulathromycin may dampen severe proinflammatory responses and drive resolution of inflammation in pigs with microbial pulmonary infections.
The SO42- concentration and sulphur content in lysimetric water and throughfall in beech forest stands in the Štiavnické vrchy Mts. Ekológia
Authors: Janík Rastislav , Bublinec Eduard , Dubová Margita
Published: May 2015

This paper examines results of the sulphate sulphur content and its concentration in soil water from the beech forests situated in the Štiavnicke vrchy Mts in Slovakia. The S
Aeropalynological aspects in the detection of the quality of air in Bratislava
Authors: Dušička Jozef , Mičieta Karol , Brutovská Eva , Sámelová Andrea , Ščevková Jana , Zámečníková Mária , Terenová Alena
Published: May 2015

This work is focused on mapping the aeropalynologic situation in the Bratislavan atmosphere. Volumetric pollen and pollen abortivity analyses were used for this purpose. The research comprised comparison of two pollen stations in this city between 2007 and 2011. Twice the number of pollen grains was measured at the U.V.Z. station compared to the D.B. station. Results showed that (1) the highest pollen totals for the period were recorded in the Urticaceae family, (2) April was the month with the highest pollen yield, and (3) species of the Urticaceae family had the longest pollen season of all studied taxa. The detected differences may have been due to various factors including; the very different habitats in the vicinity of the stations, slightly different climatic conditions, different evaluation methods and human factors. The ecogenotoxicity and mutagenicity of air at these selected city locations was evaluated and compared, and the effectiveness of our methods were verified by Betula pendula Roth . and Pinus sylvestris L . indicator species.
Biotope mapping of extensive/intensive grassland supported by Remote Sensing and Mobile GIS in Eastern Styria (Austria)
Authors: Sulzer Wolfgang , Gspurning Josef , Magnes Martin , Pink Richard , Muick Marc , Sengl Philipp
Published: May 2015

Sulzer W., Gspurning J., Magnes M., Pink R., Muick M., Sengl P.: Biotope mapping of extensive/ intensive grassland supported by remote sensing and mobile GIS in Eastern Styria (Austria). Ekológia (Bratislava), Vol. 32, No. 4, p. 335-344, 2013.

The paper presents a case study for the application of remote sensing data (ASTER, LAND SAT and RG B orthophotographs) and GIS and methods in the context of biotope/grassland mapping/ monitoring in the Province of Styria (Austria). The range of the applied case study covers the detection of extensive/intensive grassland by techniques of multi-temporal satellite and airborne classification for grassland detection. The methodologies of three topics are discussed in this paper: special intensive used grassland detection, the preparation of a field map, with pre-processed land use polygons, and the description of a conceptual approach for a mobile client/server GIS grassland management and monitoring support system. Although from the legal (Government of Styria) point of view these methodologies cannot be used for the specific biotope mapping purposes, the verified results are showing valuable additional information for the intensive mapping activity during the fieldwork and postprocessing.
Sodium in precipitation in a beech forest ecosystem in the kremnické vrchy mts (Western Carpathians)
Authors: Dubová Margita
Published: May 2015

We present data on sodium amounts reaching the forest soil surface at the Beech Ecological Experimental Site Kremnické vrchy Mts (Western Carpathians). Sodium concentration and deposition were determined in precipitation and throughfall sampled from study plots. The mean annual sodium concentrations obtained on the two plots (CC - clear cut, C - control) were 0.16 (CC ) and 0.19 mg l
Impact Of Heavy Metals On Morphological And Biochemical Parameters Of Shorea Robusta Plant
Authors: Pant Preeti Pandey , Tripathi A.K.
Published: May 2015

Pant P.P., Tripathi A.K.: Impact of heavy metals on morphological and biochemical parameters of Shorea robusta plant. Ekológia (Bratislava), Vol. 33, No. 2, p. 116-126, 2014.

A study was conducted to determine the impact of heavy metals (cadmium [Cd], arsenic [As] and lead [Pb]) on the morphological, and biochemical parameters of Shorea robusta and to investigate the uptake capacity of this plant for individual heavy metal. The study showed that all three heavy metals had significant adverse impact on most of the plant parameters of S. robusta, at all the given concentrations of 1, 5 and 10 mg/l. Maximum reduction in morphological parameters is observed in leaf area (92.67%) followed by shoot length (54%) and, root length (28.78%). Maximum reduction in biochemical parameters is observed in amino acid (75.13%) followed by chlorophyll (68.33%) and, crude protein (35.68%), whereas polyphenol and ascorbic acid showed maximum enhancement of 77.1 and 139.8%, respectively. The accumulation of heavy metals was found to be higher in the root than shoot of S. robusta with maximum accumulation being 0.053 mg/g in root for Cd, 0.17 mg/g of As in leaf and, 0.201mg/g of Pb in soil. Concentration- dependent changes were observed in most of the morphological and biochemical parameters, which may thus serve to determine suitable bio-indicators of heavy metal pollution.
The Revolt of the Harem on the English Stage: A Spectacle of Domestic Reform
Authors: Engelhardt Molly
Published: May 2015

‘[I]t is the cause of woman we defend—it is your cause—it is time to free ourselves from the despotism of man.’ ( Bunn , p. 15)

The Revolt of the Harem was performed in London forty-three times during the 1834 season to sell-out crowds; it continued to be talked about and staged, in various forms, into the 1850s. The ballet was created by Filippo Taglioni and received its first performance in Paris in 1833; but it was rewritten, restaged and renamed by Alfred Bunn (the Manager of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden) to add novelty to the English stage and, of course, to sell tickets. While the French production and its reception have received some attention in dance studies, no one has studied the ballet's longevity and popularity in England, where the home was understood as the hallmark of nation but where, also, a ballet about domestic revolt and female solidarity was received enthusiastically. This article recovers the English reception of the ballet to argue that, rather than a mere orientalist spectacle to excite audiences and reinforce empire, Revolt of the Harem inspired feminist sentiments and participated in social reform beginning with the Child Custody Act of 1839 enacted better to protect women in their homes and marriages.
SnCl4·5H2O: A Highly Efficient Catalyst for Hydration of Alkyne
Authors: Chen Dongxue , Wang Dantong , Wu Wei , Xiao Linfei
Published: May 2015

SnCl4·5H2O is a highly efficient catalyst in the hydration of terminal alkynes that affords carbonyl compounds in high to good yields. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the moderate to excellent yields of corresponding ketones were obtained when the aromatic and aliphatic terminal alkynes were used as substrates. With using diphenylacetylene as an internal alkyne, the corresponding ketone was not detected in the reaction mixture.
Asymptotic Distribution and Finite Sample Bias Correction of QML Estimators for Spatial Error Dependence Model
Authors: Liu Shew , Yang Zhenlin
Published: May 2015

In studying the asymptotic and finite sample properties of quasi-maximum likelihood (QML) estimators for the spatial linear regression models, much attention has been paid to the spatial lag dependence (SLD) model; little has been given to its companion, the spatial error dependence (SED) model. In particular, the effect of spatial dependence on the convergence rate of the QML estimators has not been formally studied, and methods for correcting finite sample bias of the QML estimators have not been given. This paper fills in these gaps. Of the two, bias correction is particularly important to the applications of this model, as it leads potentially to much improved inferences for the regression coefficients. Contrary to the common perceptions, both the large and small sample behaviors of the QML estimators for the SED model can be different from those for the SLD model in terms of the rate of convergence and the magnitude of bias. Monte Carlo results show that the bias can be severe, and the proposed bias correction procedure is very effective.