bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ALTERNATE WETTING AND DRYING IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FOR YIELD AND WATER PRODUCTIVITY OF BASMATI RICE CULTIVARS UNDER CLAY LOAMS OIL CONDITIONS
Authors: ALI MUDDASSIR , MEHMOOD AZHAR , RIZWAN MUHAMMAD , AWAN TAHIR HUSSAIN
Published: July 2023

The present study was conducted to evaluate the performance of four commonly grown Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (Punjab Basmati, Chenab Basmati, Kisan Basmati and Basmati 515) under four irrigation treatments ranging from continuous flooding (IRC) to alternate wetting drying (AWD) with irrigation thresholds of IR15, IR20 and IR25 in which plots of each AWD treatment were re-flood to a depth of about 5 cm when the water level was dropped to a certain level (15, 20, and 25 cm) below field surface. The results revealed that IRC attributed by the highest total water use (1207.7 mm) and the lowest water productivity (0.38 kg m-3) produced the second highest grain yield (4.62 t ha-1). Whereas, IR15 saved 3638% of the irrigation water and produced the highest grain yield (4.7 t ha-1) with the water productivity of 0.63-0.66 kg m-3. Raising rice under IR20 and IR25 had significant influence on water-savings but produced considerable lower grain yield (33% and 44%) than IRC. Significantly, higher numbers of productive tillers were recorded under IRC while highest numbers of sterile spikelets per panicle were recorded in IR25. Plant height and harvest index were found to be reduced with increased water stress. In conclusion, Basmati rice cultivars can also be grown under AWD irrigation systems but beyond the certain level (IR15), AWD might incur a huge yield penalty.
THE EFFECTS OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID CONTENT IN CALLUS CULTURES OF Ardisia silvestris Pitard
Authors: THI QUYNH NGUYEN , LE TRUNG HIEU , PHAM THANH
Published: July 2023

Ardisia species are highly-prized for their medicinal value. Due to their habitat loss and exploitation for medicinal purposes, many species in this genus have become threatened. One of the most important medicinal species in the Ardisia genus is A. silvestris Pitard. The current study evaluated the roles of TDZ combination with different auxins (NAA and IAA) and their concentrations in the accumulation of phenolic and flavonoid content of A. silvestris callus. In research study, the maximum phenolic content was observed in the medium with 1 mg.L-1TDZ supplemented with 0.2 mg.L-1 NAA. Meanwhile, a medium containing 1.0 mg.L-1 TDZ and 0.2 mg.L-1 IAA showed the greatest level of flavonoid content.
In vitro PROPAGATION OF BANANA SHOOT TIPS AND CRYOPRESERVATION BY VITRIFICATION
Authors: VATS NITIKA , AGRAWAL ANKIT
Published: July 2023

Micropropagation of banana is limited as explants are difficult to maintain in culture. The present study was conducted to investigate different factors for banana cryopreservation. This study has two parts. In the first part of study in vitro propagation of banana was done to propagate large number of explants for cryopreservation. Whereas, in the second part, banana shoot tips were cryopreserved by vitrification technique. During this study, different parameters such as exposure to plant vitrification solution PVS2 and PVS3, rewarming time were optimized. For cryopreservation by vitrification method, shoot tips were precultured on solidified MS medium supplemented with 0.3 M sucrose for 16 h at 25C. Then they were loaded in loading solution containing 2M glycerol and 0.4 M sucrose for 30 minutes at room temperature. After loading step, shoot tips were dehydrated with plant vitrification solution (PVS2) and (PVS3) with different exposure times (10,30,40,60,90,120 min) respectively. The best result was obtained with shoot tips treated with PVS2 for 60 min and 120 minutes for PVS3 with survival rates of cryopreserved shoot tips as 85% and 33% respectively. Furthermore, effect of different rewarming times was also investigated on shoot tip viability. Among tested different rewarming times (0,2,4 and 6min), 2 min of rewarming time in PVS2 and 4 min of rewarming time in PVS3 were found suitable for cryopreservation as they retained survival rate as 97% and 75% respectively.
COMPARATIVE INHERITANCE INDEX IN ELITE WHEAT LINES THROUGH RAPD MARKERS
Authors: LAIQUE ARUBA , MARIAM TEHREEM , IFTIKHAR AYMUN , RAZZAQ RUBAB , ZAFAR TANZEELA , KHAN NAZAR HUSSAIN , BIBI I. E. AMIR , NAWAZ SEHAR , SALEEM FOZIA , NIAZ SIDRA , IQBAL M. AHSAN
Published: July 2023

The experiment was conducted at Centre for Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), university of Agriculture Faisalabad. The 15 genotypes were evaluated for heredity. Through 15 primers, 1181 bands were amplified using PCR based identifiers-rapid DNA markers. FSD-2008, KOHISTAN97, 4072, 9021, 9189, 9244, 9272, 9277, 9381, 9428, 9249, 9451, 9452, 9481 and 9476 are the genotypes which were evaluated to check heredity similarities. The elevated number of bands were produced by K7- (88) and lowest by primer 17 that were 16. FSD-2008 and 9481 showed 82% similarities while 9381 and 9249 depicted 81% heredity. Similarly, KOHISTAN-97 and 9277 showed 81% heredity. 88% heredity was found among 4072 and 9021 accessions.
SUGAR AND PROTEIN CONTENT, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE RADICAL SCAVENGING AND TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF Polianthes tuberosa L FLOWERS GROWN IN ALGERIA
Authors: NIHED BARGHOUT , SALIHA DJIDEL , AMEL BOUAZIZ , ASSIA BENTAHAR , SAIDA MESSGO-MOUMENE , DJAMEL EL HADI , AMINA BOUDINA , SALIHA DAHAMNA , SEDDIK KHENNOUF
Published: July 2023

Tuberose flowers (Polianthes tuberosa L.) belong to the Amaryllidaceae family and they are widely enhanced through their absolute and essential oils, especially in the perfume industry. However, the sugar and proteins of tuberose are still unknown. For this reason, this work aimed to quantify them, particularly in flowers, besides to the evaluation of their hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity. The obtained results revealed 79.51±0.08 mg glucose equivalent/g extract of sugar and 0.097±0.001 mg bovine serum albumin equivalent/g extract of proteins. These metabolites were quantified using phenol-sulfuric acid and Coomassie Blue methods, respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of flower extract was investigated using total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging. The TAC assay indicated the inhibitory concentration of 50% of free radicals (IC50) was 0,09±0,01 mg/mL of flower extract, however, the scavenging ability against H2O2 showed the IC50 of 7,09±0,15 mg/mL of tuberose flower extract. This work contributes to the knowledge of tuberose flowers content in proteins and sugar, in addition to the total antioxidant and the H2O2 scavenging capacities.
“SUPREME” AN EARLY SEGMENT HIGH-YIELDING PEA VARIETY
Authors: NAJEEBULLAH MUHAMMAD , IQBAL MUDASSAR , NADEEM KASHIF , SARDAR SADIA , HAMMAD GHAZANFAR , MUNAWAR MUNEEB , IQBAL MUHAMMAD
Published: July 2023

Average low yield in pea is associated with low yielder varieties for early segment in comparison with normal and late segment lines. Early segment varieties are short stature and have less no of pods. Supreme an early segment high yielding variety is developed that can be helpful in the increase of average per acre yield in Pakistan. ‘Supreme’ is an indigenous pea (Pisum sativum L.) variety developed through hybridization. It is early in pod bearing and produces pods in 55-60 days after sowing. It is competitive with all locally cultivated commercial varieties being established early in the field. The variety produces attractive pod size, sword shape, maximum no of seed per pod and higher green pod yield which indicates its superiority over existing early pea varieties being cultivated in country. This variety/line is tolerant to collar rot and powdery mildew diseases. No serious insect/pest on ‘Supreme’ has been recorded. This variety was approved by Punjab Seed Council in 2019 and its seed is available for dissemination.
BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND EFFECT OF BACTERIAL BLIGHT ON MICRO AND MACRO NUTRIENT CONCENTRATION IN POMEGRANATE
Authors: RASHID MUHAMMAD , CHOHAN SOBIA , SAJID MUHAMMAD , IQBAL SHEHZAD , MUBEEN MUSTANSAR , MEHTAB MUHAMMAD , FAROOQ AMMARA , ABBAS AQLEEM , KHALID ZAHEER , SAEED MUNAWAR , MUBEEN IQRA
Published: July 2023

Bacterial blight is a serious disease of pomegranate. The disease affects the yield and quality of pomegranate fruits. In this present work, we investigated the biochemical characterization and role of micro and macro nutrients in diseased and healthy leaves of pomegranate. Pathogen was isolated infected leaves, twigs and fruits and grown on different culture media. Different biochemical tests (Gram staining, KOH, catalase, oxidase, starch hydrolysis, gelatin liquefaction) were performed to identify the bacteria. All these tests confirm the presence of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv punicae. Pathogenicity was done in the greenhouse using three different methods (Pin-pricked, infiltration and spray method) and symptoms appeared in 8 days; and infiltration method showed early symptoms compared to the spray and pin prick method. Ionic contents (Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Boron, Zinc and Copper) are reduced by using these nutrients for the growth, multiplication and survival of pathogenic bacteria. Proper application of these nutrients helps the host plant to improve its physiological and biochemical development and resistance to bacterial blight disease in pomegranate.
EVALUATION OF SOME BREAD WHEAT GENOTYPES UNDER DIFFERENT ABIOTIC STRESSES
Authors: EL-HAWARY M. N. A. , DARWISH M. A. H. , MOHAMED M. M.
Published: July 2023

The current study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station (31o06 N,30o 56 E) during the two growing seasons of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to evaluate sixteen genotypes of bread wheat, such as ten promising lines from the local breeding program and six local cultivars, under normal, water deficit, and soil salinity conditions. The genotypes were arranged in three experiments representing the growing conditions. The used design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results appeared that there was significant decrease in all studied characters as result of water deficit and soil salinity conditions compared to the normal one, except 1000-kernel weight which increased under water deficit conditions. The effect of genotypes x growing conditions interaction was significant for days to heading, days to maturity and grain yield in both seasons while it was only significant in the 1st season for number of spikes m-2 and 1000-kerenl weight. The mean comparisons indicated that Line 7, Line 10 and Line 9 had moderate values of grain yield under both water deficit and soil salinity stresses with low grain yield reduction under those conditions. Therefore, Line 7, Line 10 and Line 9 may be applied in breeding program to generate new recombination with good soil salinity and water deficit tolerance characteristics. Meanwhile, the three cultivars; Misr 3, Sakha 95 and Giza 171 exhibited the highest grain yield under the three conditions with lowest grain yield reduction under both water deficit and soil salinity conditions indicating their good ability to tolerant difficult growing conditions. Therefore, these cultivars can recommend to be grown under water deficit or salt affected soil conditions. These results may be helpful to plan appropriate selection strategies to improve grain yield under water deficit and soil salinity in wheat crop in Egypt.
STUDIES ON INTERCROPPING SNAP BEAN WITH PEPPER IN EARLY FALL SEASON AND INFLUENCE OF THAT ON GROWTH, YIELD AND VALUES OF LAND EQUIVALENT RATIO
Authors: EL-SHIMI NAHED M. M.
Published: July 2023

Different intercropping systems between sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annum cv. California wonder) as a main crop with snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Valantino) as intercrop were examined under two rates from mineral fertilization. The field experiments were executed during two successive seasons of 2017 and 2018. The results showed that the plants of sweet pepper which fertilized by added100% of the recommended mineral fertilization of sweet pepper +50% of the recommended mineral fertilization of snap bean and planting snap bean on the other side of sweet pepper gave augmentvalues with significant increase on most vegetative growth parameters, yield and its quality in both growing seasons in addition the maximum increase in net return, benefit cost ratio and land equivalent ratio (LER).. Meanwhile total green pods yield for snap bean per feddan significant increase when snap bean was planted on the other side of sweet pepper plants and between them under same fertilizer rate in both seasons.
ADAPTIVE COMPONENTS OF Cyperus exaltatus UNDER HARSH SALINE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: IMRAN MUHAMMAD , AHMAD IFTIKHAR , ALI AAMIR , NIJABAT ANEELA , MUNEEB AHMED
Published: July 2023

Among the environmental problems, salinity is one of the major threats to agriculture around the globe which affects more than 6% of the available land on earth. However halophytes are blessed with the ability to cope with high salinity by various mechanisms. The present study was aimed to explore adaptive components of Cyperus exaltatus which is now growing widely at a number of saline areas across the Pakistan. Extensive trips were made across the country to collect the populations of Cyperus exaltatus from all sorts of environments with varying levels of salinity.  The morphological study of ecotypes showed that many growth parameters were affected negatively under higher salinity. However, root length, shoot length, plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight showed a high association with hyper saline sites. Moreover the physiological parameters such as proline content, total soluble proteins and total soluble sugars were accumulated in higher concentrations among populations at hyper saline sites while in lower concentrations at moderately saline and less saline sits which may have supported the production of higher biomass under salinity. The results show that the plants like Cyperus exaltatus can be grown under various types of environmental stresses especially under salinity. Thus the barren saline lands can be used to produce fodder as well as the growth of plants may also help to reduce the levels of salinity in such areas.
EFFECT OF VARIOUS SPROUTED PULSES AS POLLEN SUBSTITUTES TO MANAGE INDIAN BEE, APIS CERANA INDICA (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE)
Authors: FLORET V. MARY , MANICKAVASAGAM S.
Published: July 2023

Sprouted pulses as pollen substitutes were evaluated to develop an efficient and cheap protein supplement to manage Indian honeybee (Apis cerana indica) during build up period, to enhance the colony strength and honey production. Bees were provided with six different sprouted pulses as pollen substitutes viz., black gram, green gram, chickpea, soya bean, horse gram and red gram to determine their impact on desirable attributes of colony parameters. Results indicated that per cent acceptability of horse gram was more as compared to other sprouts. A gradual increase in hive parameters was observed which was maximum in horse gram due to it’s multi-nutritional property and minimum in green gram due to it’s anti-nutritional factors. However, all the diets were found significantly superior over control. Data on cost and shelf life of these diets as patties are also furnished and discussed.
Jelenlegi és múltbeli állapot a Gömör-Tornai-karszt tavain a Papverme-tó példáján
Authors: Samu Andrea , Keveiné Bárány Ilona
Published: July 2023

A karsztos tavak értékes elemei a karsztos tájnak. Élőhelyet biztosítanak számos fajnak, valamint esztétikai értéket is képviselnek. Jelenleg a Gömör-Tornai karszt legtöbb tava előrehaladott trofitási stádiumban van. Mivel az antropogén befolyás lerövidítette természetes folyamataikat, eltűnnek, több védett fajjal együtt. Ezenkívül egybegyűjtik a szennyezőanyagokat és igen gyorsan közvetítik ezeket a felszín alatti vizek és ezáltal az esetlegesen velük kapcsolatban álló barlangrendszerek felé is, veszélyeztetve ezzel a karsztökológiai rendszert. A Gömör-Tornai karszt egyes tavainak vízminőségét vizsgáltuk egy két éve tartó monitoring-program keretében. Célunk volt információt gyűjteni a tavak állapotáról, illetve az ebben bekövetkezett változásokról. Megvizsgáltuk, hogy a jelenlegi tájhasználat mennyiben változott a múlthoz képest és ez milyen hatással van a tavakra. A tanulmányban a Szlovák-karszt területén található Papverme-tavat mutatjuk be példaként. A hatályos magyar szabvány alapján értékeltük a vízminőséget, valamint az ökológiai vízminőség egyes tulajdonságait 2008-ban és 2009-ben. A víz minősége jól tükrözi a terület antropogén befolyásoltságát.
A szálló por okozta járulékos halálozás 22 hazai városban
Authors: Szuhi Attila
Published: July 2023

A levegő szennyezettsége jelentősen emeli a mortalitást és a morbiditást. Kutatásunkban 2007-es adatokból kiindulva felbecsültük a szálló por okozta többlethalálozást. Az Országos Légszennyezettségi Mérőhálózat adatait alapul véve a WHO által ajánlott módszertant követve, a megfelelő expozíció-válasz függvény segítségével felbecsülhető a szálló por okozta járulékos halálozás. Számításaink szerint a 22 hazai városban, mely az ország népességének mintegy harmadát adja, összesen 4891 idő előtti halálozás következik be a légszennyezettség következtében. Eredményeink alapján megállapítható, hogy a légszennyezettség jelentős szerepet játszik a kedvezőtlen hazai halálozási statisztikákban. A hatások pontosítása, és a nem vizsgált területeken jelentkező hatások feltárása érdekében a jövőben emisszió katasztereken alapuló, a térbeli jellemzőket figyelembe vevő modellszámításokra van szükség
Successful red deer management in Southern Transdanubia and its physico-geographical background
Authors: Sipőcz Márk , Lóczy Dénes , Törzsök András
Published: July 2023

The paper examines the factors of the physical environment which exert remarkable influence on the conditions of game management in Southern Transdanubia, a part of Hungary particularly rich in natural values. The focus is on the the traditional lead game of hunting in Hungary red deer, whose populations – although still rather isolated in space – have showed a spectacular upswing recently. The long traditions of deer management are briefly outlined. The demands of deer for a favourable habitat are analysed and international survey methods are presented. The landscapes of Transdanubia are suitable for red deer to variable degrees. The health conditions of red deer are described by the quality of their antlers. Regional differences in antler types are presented. Climatic, vegetation and soil conditions are evaluated from the viewpoint of providing favourable red deer habitat. As an example of game management problems, Gemenc Forest is cited, a well-preserved floodplain area, which is rated excellent for big game hunting.
Poszméh faunisztikai adatok természetvédelmi területértékelésben való felhasználhatóságának megalapozása az Ipoly vízgyűjtőjének példáján
Authors: Sárospataki Miklós
Published: July 2023

Területek állapotfelmérésekor, természetvédelmi értékelésekor a gerinctelen állatcsoportok felmérése általában nem, vagy csak nagyon korlátozott mértékben történik meg. Ugyanakkor az életközösségekben kulcsszerepet betöltő megporzó szervezetek felmérése ilyen esetekben nagyon fontos. A legfontosabb megporzók a méhek (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), és ezen belül a poszméhek (Bombus sp.) különösen alkalmasak lehetnek a területek természeti értékének meghatározására. Jelen munka az Ipoly vízgyűjtőjének példáján mutatja be a poszméhek természetvédelmi területértékelésben való felhasználhatóságát. Sajnos a pillanatnyilag rendelkezésre álló adatok csak nagyon kevés helyen érik el azt a mennyiséget, ami többé-kevésbé használható (Drégelypalánk, Ipolyhídvég, Ipolykér). Amennyiben az Ipoly vízgyűjtőjén kialakításra kerül egy monitorozó rendszer, mely az ott található természetközeli területek minőségi változásának nyomonkövetését célozza, abban mindenképpen fontos szerepet kell kapjon a poszméhek monitorozása is. Ez esetben nagyon fontos a monitorozó pontok körültekintő kiválasztása, és a felvételezési erőfeszítés standardizálása. Az alapos gyűjtésekből származó adatok mindenképpen alkalmasak lesznek a területek állapotváltozásainak nyomonkövetésére.
La universidad cubana contra la socialización de la cultura y el protagonismo de sus elecciones
Authors: Angel Sergio , Ruiz Urquiola Omara , Herrera Maria Camila , Aguiló Alenmichel , Castellanos Dimas , Gallego José Raúl , Fernández Leonardo , Gómez David
Published: July 2023

El Observatorio de Libertad Académica (OLA) pone a consideración pública su vigésimo octavo informe denominado “La universidad cubana contra la socialización de la cultura y el protagonismo de sus estudiantes”, correspondiente al mes de febrero de 2023. En esta ocasión se describen las circunstancias acompañantes de procesos de censura asociados a las pretensiones de dos estudiantes que, en diferentes décadas e instituciones del nivel superior, intentaron llevar adelante iniciativas que convocaban a la libre discusión dentro de sus respectivos colectivos, de problemáticas sociales de actualidad.
Desarrollo de una guía informativa para que padres y madres oyentes puedan acompañar el fortalecimiento del autoestima de hijas e hijos sordos en la adolescencia
Authors: Borbor Mendez Christian Alberto , Yagual Bazán Karly Margarita , Alcívar Ponce Johanna Lilibeth
Published: July 2023

Los adolescentes con pérdida auditiva que no reciben ayuda por parte de los padres y madres presentan problemas de lenguaje y de comunicación. Además, presentan otros retrasos en su desarrollo personal. Las familias que tienen niños o niñas con pérdida auditiva, a menudo necesitan adquirir habilidades especiales para ayudarlos a aprender tanto el lenguaje como la forma de comunicarse. Por tal motivo el objetivo principal de del estudio es Diseñar una guía informativa para que padres y madres oyentes puedan acompañar el fortalecimiento del autoestima de hijos sordos en la adolescencia, mediante una investigación. Se realizó mediante un diseño de corte cualitativo buscando detallar y describir características de las orientaciones y herramientas que pueden usar los padres o madres para los hijos sordos, el tipo de investigación es descriptiva. Participaron 25 padres de familia de hijos no oyente en etapa adolescente, donde se determinó un diagnóstico de la situación actual, mediante un estudio de campo utilizando una encuesta, encontrando que el 92% del total de padres encuestados indica que si está de acuerdo con una guía informativa que contengan orientaciones y herramientas para el fortalecimiento del autoestima en hijas e hijos sordos. Se elaboró una guía informativa con contengan orientaciones y herramientas para el fortalecimiento del autoestima en hijas e hijos sordos en la adolescencia entre 13 y 18 años, siendo necesario el acompañamiento de un profesional en psicología que entienda lenguaje de señas para poder comunicarse y expresarse.
Práctica del yoga como alternativa psicopedagógica para estimular el aprendizaje en niños de 3 años
Authors: Ganín Ortega Cecilia , Salazar Arango Edwar
Published: July 2023

El artículo investigativo denominado “práctica del yoga como alternativa psicopedagógica para estimular el aprendizaje en niños de 3 años”, se estableció con el objetivo principal de caracterizar la práctica del yoga como una alternativa psicopedagógica para estimular el aprendizaje en niños de 3 años; para concretar la investigación se implementó una investigación documental y descriptiva tomando en consideración para el estudio 20 estudiantes de 3 años de edad y una muestra de padres de familia, con la técnica cualitativa por medio de una ficha de observación áulica para identificar la influencia de la práctica del yoga en el proceso de aprendizaje de los niños, el registro anecdótico que buscaba medir el progreso en el aprendizaje de los niños de forma periódica y secuencial a traves de las sesiones y entrevista a padres de familia con la finalidad de conocer desde su perspectiva los beneficios de la práctica del yoga en sus hijos; por medio de estas herramientas se obtuvieron resultados positivos en función del aprendizaje de los niños, se identifican mejoras en procesos cognoscitivos como la atención, memoria, concentración, autonomía, creatividad, motivación, control de impulsos, manejo de emociones y mayor integración en el grupo, concluyendo el aporte significativo que genera la implementación del yoga a considerar como una estrategia pedagógica que aporte al proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje de los niños.
Mechanical properties test of plant fiber reinforced cementitious composites
Authors: Junping He  , Zongfeng He  , Qing Cui  , Xinyuan Wang  , Xuansheng Cheng
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a new type of plant fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (PFRCC) is developed. Compared with ordinary cement-based materials, its toughness is greatly improved. To investigate the tensile and bending mechanical properties of PFRCC, four kinds of PFRCC panels with different thicknesses were developed, and the axial tensile test and bending test of the PFRCC panel were designed. The results show that with the increase in the thickness of the PFRCC panel, the bearing capacity increases gradually. The peak tensile strain is about 0.022 %, which is 1.47-2.2 times that of the matrix cement mortar. The average tensile strength is about 2.52 MPa, which is slightly higher than that of the matrix cement mortar. The bending failure load of the PFRCC panel increases with the increase in thickness, but its peak displacement decreases gradually. The bending strength of the PFRCC panel is about 13.5 MPa, which is 2.7 times that of the matrix cement mortar. It shows that the addition of plant fiber can not only increase the toughness of cement mortar but also improve its tensile and bending strength. The above research provides a theoretical basis for the application of PFRCC panels in practical engineerings such as permanent formwork of foundation beams and light-gauge steel stud concrete composite external wall panels.
Laboratory study on the properties of concrete pavement containing blast furnace slag and Gilsonite
Authors: Zahedipoor Mohsen , Abdi Kordani Ali , Zarei Mohammad
Published: July 2023

This study evaluated the mechanical properties and abrasion resistance of the concrete pavement when cement was replaced by the blast furnace slag (BFS) and Gilsonite at levels of 20%, 25%, and 30%, as well as 5%, 7%, and 9%, respectively. For this purpose, a total of ten mixing designs were made and cured for 28 days. The results showed that the compressive strength of mixtures containing two additives decreased. In contrast, the BFS20-G7 mixture satisfied the proposed minimum compressive strength. However, the flexural strength and tensile splitting of the BFS20-G7 containing 20% BFS and 7% Gilsonite increased by about 4 and 7 percent. The Wide Wheel Abrasion Test results showed that the mixture containing 20% BFS-7% Gilsonite increased the abrasion resistance by about 5% and 17% in 100 and 300 revolutions, respectively. Conclusively, using BFS20-G7 in low-traffic areas such as parks and driveways can be suggested.
4 - Comment l’université sénégalaise se territorialise : modalités d’une cohabitation dynamique
Authors: Jean Alain Goudiaby
Published: July 2023

Avec les indépendances, une importante agitation intellectuelle s’est emparée de plusieurs pays africains avec l’idée selon laquelle leurs universités devaient porter les germes de l’autodétermination, et partant de là, elles ne pourraient s’isoler du reste de la société. Les articulations entre les universités et leurs territoires trouvent ici leurs prémices. Il restait toutefois à trouver les modalités de cette articulation. En partant de l’exemple du Sénégal, nous analysons la cohabitation dynamique entre les espaces académiques et les espaces économiques. Il se met en place des lieux d’expérimentation d’une construc- tion conjointe d’espaces de formation, de recherche et même de production. De fait, les universités sénégalaises incorporent les territoires (qu’ils soient géographiques, économiques ou symboliques) dans leurs processus actuels de constructions, permettant ainsi de nouvelles dynamiques de recherche et de structuration de curriculum.
7 - The Roles of Higher Education in the Democratization of Politics in Africa: Survey Reports from HERANA
Authors: Robert Mattes  , Thierry M. Luescher-Mamashela
Published: July 2023

Against the theory on the nexus of higher education and citizenship, this article brings together the main findings and conclusions of three related studies with African mass publics, parliamentarians from African legisla- tures, and students from three African flagship universities, conducted by the Higher Education Research and Advocacy Network in Africa (HERANA). The article shows that higher education provides advantages in various measures of democratic citizenship and leadership. It plays important roles with regard to access to political information, information gathering skills, and levels of political knowledge; the ability to offer opinions and critical perspectives on politics and the economy; and levels of democratic values and democratic action. Moreover, university-educated MPs seem to make much better sense of the unique complexities of legislatures and their mul- tiple competing functions than their less educated peers. This might reflect the knowledge and analytic skills acquired through higher education, the fact that universities are themselves highly complex institutions that they needed to negotiate as students, and the finding that students acquire ex- tensive organisational leadership experience while at university. In light of this, the article suggests that higher education can play a crucial role in the democratisation of politics in Africa by developing “institution-builders” for state and civil society.
4 - L’université, un outil de développement local ? Le cas de Jendouba en Tunisie
Authors: Dhaher Najem
Published: July 2023

Depuis le début des années 1990, l’université tunisienne a connu des réformes qui ont totalement bouleversé son paysage. L’explosion des effectifs étudiants a été accompagnée par un remarquable développement immobilier. En deux décennies, le nombre d’étudiants a augmenté d’une façon vertigineuse ce qui a contribué à la massification de l’enseignement supérieur. Ce phénomène a modifié la géographie des espaces universitaires et a favorisé une redistribution des enseignements. Les villes moyennes, tenues jusqu’ici à l’écart des implantations universitaires, se trouvent progressivement dotées de cette nouvelle fonction. Les investigations montrent que l’université dans certaines villes moyennes est un précurseur de changements importants. Elle génère un impact plus localisé et structurant pour les zones urbaines où elle est implantée et rayonne sur un vaste territoire régional comme l’illustrent les aires géographiques de recrutement des étudiants. Dans la ville de Jendouba et après plus d’une décennie sur l’implantation du campus universitaire, on commence à découvrir au niveau local les atouts de l’enseignement supérieur, évoqués en termes de dynamique urbaine et de potentialités socio-économiques et culturelles. Nous proposons ici de présenter les caractéristiques de ce développeur urbain en devenir à partir de ce cas d’étude en Tunisie.
1 - Deanship, Leadership Dilemmas and Management Challenges Facing the Social Sciences1 in Public University Education in Kenya
Authors: Kenneth Inyani Simala
Published: July 2023

This paper stems from a sense of unease with the current leadership and management of Faculties of Social Sciences in Kenyan universities. Guided by the belief that social sciences must be judged by their sound scholarship and their policy relevance, the paper discusses dilemmas facing deans of these faculties in the execution of their leadership roles in overall university management. The paper is premised on the fact that the university sector in Kenya is experiencing unprecedented change in an effort to meet local obligations and respond to the global higher education agenda.
5 - The Social Sciences at the Crossroads: Challenges and Opportunities at Addis Ababa University
Authors: Abeje Berhanu
Published: July 2023

The social sciences are at the crossroads in Ethiopia. This is because go- vernment’s overt policy favours the scientific and engineering disciplines and this translates to allocating more money to them. This could lead to acute shortage of research funding for MA and PhD programmes in the social sciences and lack of investment in infrastructure, resulting in shortage of office space for staff and shortage of classrooms and offices for PhD students. In the long run, this could lead to much lower support for staff development with fewer and fewer students choosing social science fields. But the social sciences can convert these challenges into opportunities. One way of doing this is to emphasize quality education – this being the key issue identified in recent debates on the nature and direction of higher education in Ethiopia. The saying ‘small is beautiful’, which in this case can be stated, ‘small is viable’, is applicable to the future of the social sciences in the Ethiopian higher education system. A manageable student size, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, can help the social sciences to provide relevant and quality education for their students.
1 - Surpassing the Spectre of Impossibility: Ideational Impoverishment and the Quest for Sustainable Rural Learning Ecologies in Africa
Authors: Onoma Ato Kwamena
Published: July 2023

The idea of sustainable rural learning ecologies in Africa apparently consti- tutes a contradiction in terms. Renowned for its provincialism, rural Africa seems to represent the opposite of the ideal setting for sustainable learning ecologies, which cultivate open, questioning and investigative spirits while fostering the acquisition of knowledge and skills. This rural landscape that is often seen as the den of parochialism is the outcome of colonial and postcolonial policies and processes of ideational impoverishment; the contrived nature of what we have come to see as the rural open space for creating and perpetuating sustainable rural learning ecologies. Pursued as a forward-looking project, the deliberate creation of sustainable rural learning ecologies is warranted by peculiarities that position rural spheres as ideal domains for cutting-edge learning on some of the most important questions in an Africa undergoing rapid transformation.
6 - ‘From Cradle to Grave’: Transforming South Africa’s Learning Ecologies
Authors: Monyooe Lebusa
Published: July 2023

This article examines key organizational principles that underpin responsive transformation strategies that have the potential to create spaces for critical engagement with South Africa’s basic education post the 1994 democratic elections. The article deploys various metaphors like the ‘ants, ecology, London Tube and bridge construction’ to unravel the deeper elements for transforming schools into sustainable learning ecologies. It concludes with an articulation of plausible interventions that the country may deploy to improve educational quality and the system’s efficacy.
5 - Reconnecting the University to Society: The Role of Knowledge as Public Good in South African Higher Education
Authors: Ndofirepi Amasa , Cross Michael
Published: July 2023

This article discusses the nature of university–society relations in response to the calls on South African universities for greater social and economic responsiveness driven by external stakeholders. The adoption of constitu- tional democracy and the provision of institutional autonomy have provided them with considerable freedom to pursue their goals in society. However, they have also left them under considerable pressure from competing inter- est groups, intensifying the levels of internal and external determination, very often in a conflicting manner. The article argues that current forms of determination (e.g. Constitutional framework, policy and stakeholder demands) on university operations cannot per se provide adequate options for university–society relations. Critical to effective university–society relations is the structure of production and distribution of knowledge. The problem in this regard stems from the failure to recognize the encroach- ment of the profit motive into the academy (the shift from a public good knowledge/learning regime to a neoliberal knowledge/learning regime). Under such circumstances, progressive virtues (self-development, positive human relations and informed citizenship), democratic principles (equity and social justice) and the commitment to social transformation guided by altruism and common good encapsulated in the South African higher education vision are under serious threat.
3 - Introducing Open Source Reference Management Software to a Rural South African Campus: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Workshops at the University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus
Authors: Breshears Diana , Le Roux Aliza
Published: July 2023

Despite the increased availability of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), the adoption of such information technology remains poor in developing countries. Free reference management software such as Zotero can significantly improve academic workflow and thus its adoption by academics in peripheral nations could be a cost-effective method of supporting and boosting research output. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model, we assessed the effectiveness of a workshop as intervention to introduce Zotero (a novel FOSS in this particular community) to staff members and students at a rural university campus in South Africa. A series of questionnaires assessed how this intervention affected attitude towards, and use of, Zotero. While participants had positive attitudes towards the software at the start of the intervention, the workshop improved the perceived usefulness and ease of use of FOSS. For all participants, the main predictor of eventual regular use was its perceived ease of use. This study suggests that brief training workshops could significantly improve usage of novel open-source software, even with a lack of prior exposure to similar technologies. For students, it becomes important to emphasise the usefulness of the software, while academic staff may benefit from an emphasis on hands-on technical training.
JHEA, Volume 15, n°1, 2017 - Full Issue
Authors: System Journal
Published: July 2023

Contents
Editorial: Building the Vision – Higher Education and Quality Assurance in East Africa
Pammla Petrucka........................................1
Why Measurement Matters: The Learning Outcomes Approach – A Case Study from Canada
Sarah Brumwell, Fiona Deller & Alexandra MacFarlane.....................................5
Quality Issues in Kenya’s Higher Education Institutions
Rosemary Kagondu & Simmy M. Marwa..............................23
University Students Learning Experiences: Nuanced Voices from Graduate Tracer Study
Omar Badiru Egesah & Mary Nyawira Wahome .................................43
Institutional Constraints Affecting Quality Assurance Processes in Tanzania’s Private Universities
Samson John Mgaiwa & Johnson Muchunguzi Ishengoma..................................57
Broadening Perceptions and Parameters for Quality Assurance in University Operations in Uganda
Frederick Kakembo & Rita Makumbi Barymak..........................69
Student Evaluation of Teaching: Bringing Principles into Practice
Geoff Tennant & Tashmin Khamis.........................89
Reflections on an Innovative Mentoring Partnership Facilitators and Inhibitors to Success in Faculty Development
Tashmin Khamis & Marilyn Chapman.......................105
Quality Assurance Self-assessment: A Catalyst at Aga Khan University
Tashmin Khamis & Khairunnisa Dhamani...........................................125
Assessing the Cognitive Domain through MCQs: Critical to Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Khairunnisa Aziz Dhamani & Zeenatkhanu Kanji..................................135
1 - Why Measurement Matters: The Learning Outcomes Approach – A Case Study from Canada
Authors: MacFarlane Alexandra , Brumwell Sarah
Published: July 2023

Learning outcomes assessment can be a valuable tool for improving educational quality and institutional accountability. When learning outcomes, learning experiences and assessment tasks are aligned, the learning outcomes approach can ground quality assurance and teaching, and learning improvements in direct evidence of student learning. We offer our experiences as an informal case study on the use and development of learning outcomes assessment for quality assurance purposes. Since assessment is the keystone of the learning outcomes approach, our reflections are more broadly driven by the question of how best to measure and demonstrate student learning. This question takes on challenging new dimensions when we consider the fact that the evidence collected through the assessment of learning outcomes must be sound enough to support multiple policy goals.
3 - Performative Injunctions in the Higher Education Body: The Discursive Career of Research Capacity Development in a South African University Faculty of Education
Authors: Fataar Aslam
Published: July 2023

This article discusses Research Capacity Development (RCD), in a Faculty of Education at a South African university. It employs the notions of performativity and performance to argue that specific local sites at universities have complex stories to tell about their responsiveness to research output imperatives. The article emphasizes that there is a formative relationship between the specific RCD discursive text of this Faculty and the performance- based activities of its management and academics. The career of RCD in the Faculty is established in the light of specific activities against the background of a small Faculty environment. The article specifically considers the basis for its relative success in the area of doctoral completion by its academic staff and its diminishing article writing output. It draws the conclusion that efforts to secure a vigorous RCD platform depend on the ability to establish a nurturing institutional environment in which a scholarly culture can be encouraged and protected.
5 - Analysing South Africa’s Soft Power in Africa through the Knowledge Diplomacy of Higher Education
Authors: Shawa Lester Brian
Published: July 2023

In just 20 years of democracy, South Africa has benefitted immensely from the products of its high culture as reflected by its internationally recognized universities that have the potential to promote the country’s national interests, particularly at the continental level. The role that South Africa’s higher education plays as a sophisticated tool of influence in Africa’s development is becoming increasingly critical to the transformation of the continent, thus strengthening its status as an important regional and global actor. Using the notion of soft power, this article provides an analysis of the significance of Pretoria’s higher education for the country’s international reputation and how its Higher Education Institutions could position themselves internationally for economic and geopolitical benefits. While the article shows that the increasing preference for higher education in South Africa – especially by African academics and students – is a valuable soft power platform for Pretoria to assert itself as an acceptable regional power in Africa, it argues that this has shortcomings at the continental level.
8 - ‘Makererization’: Politics, Leadership and Management at the University of Botswana from 2011-2017
Authors: Makgala Christian John
Published: July 2023

I recently visited a friend in Soweto to pay my condolences after his wife died. While I was still in the process of greeting my bereaved friend, he said to me, “Thabo, I understand that you are the new Vice Chancellor for the University of Botswana, my condolences to you”!Professor Thabo FakoThis article examines an aspect of higher education leadership and university management through a critical appraisal of the leadership style and tenure of Professor Thabo Fako as Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Botswana (UB) from 2011 to 2017 and his attempts to dismantle the reforms of his predecessor. It addresses the important role played by the intersection between character, political strategy and administrative leadership in higher education reform. The article thus examines the manner in which these concurrently affect democratic and good corporate governance at university institutions, and as well the risks they pose in engendering widespread fear and institutional paralysis. It is written against the backdrop of a paper in 2004 by this VC castigating organizational restructuring undertaken by UB during that period. The article argues that state intervention in the selection and appointment of university management stalled reform and introduced a leader rendered paranoid by the selection process. ‘Makererization’ is used here to refer to the marginalization of UB by government through reduced funding and the VC’s persecution of university staff and students.
1 - Re-imagining Leadership Development for Middle-level Academic Leaders in Africa
Authors: Seale Oliver
Published: July 2023

The university today is a postmodern, neo-liberal, competitive, boundary-less
knowledge conglomerate, a far cry from its historical, traditional, classical and collegial roots. Although remaining true to its primary mission of research, teaching and community engagement, its organisational form has changed significantly, with its concomitant implications for governance, leadership and management, especially in a developing world context. The regional and institutional disruptions and protests by students and other stakeholders in African countries like Algeria, Kenya, Sudan and, more recently, South Africa in the guise of the ‘#RhodesMustFall,’ ‘#FeesMustFall’ and ‘#OpenStellenbosch’ campaigns, starkly illustrates this challenging, nebulous environment of higher education on the continent. The article provides a reflection and engagement on these critical issues and aims to illustrate that:(i) the global and local contexts of higher education have changed dramatically, with its concomitant added levels of complexity for academic leaders;(ii) this environment has implications for the conception and practice of leadership and management in universities, for middle level academic leaders in particular; and(iii) this setting provides the backdrop for a holistic and integrated academic leadership intervention in universities in Africa.
2 - Academic Programme Leadership in African Higher Education: A Phenomenological Reflection
Authors: Shawa Lester Brian
Published: July 2023

Given a dearth of literature on the role of middle-level academics in African higher education, this article contributes to the understanding of the roles played by this cadre. In this article, I draw on my lived experiences of leadership as an academic programme coordinator in higher education studies located at a higher education unit at a South African university. I pose two phenomenological questions: 1) how is it to be an academic programme leader, from my lived experiences of leadership at a South African university? and 2) what do my lived experiences of academic programme leadership reveal about programme leadership at a South African university? To answer these questions, I utilised a personal phenomenological reflection by drawing on concepts of lifeworld and being. The results showed that academic programme leadership was demanding and required paying attention to systemic contexts of universities as well as developing skills such as decision-making, curriculum development and pedagogical leading, and communication. These findings imply a need for careful planning of university structures, such as the locus of higher education units and their operations, a clearer definition of the role of academic programme leaders/coordinators and capacity building for academic programme leaders in South African universities.