bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Galleries on Thermal Conditions of Urban Open Areas
Authors: Kariminia Shahab
Published: January 2018

Computer simulations were performed by ENVI-met model along with physical measurements in two urban squares under hot summer conditions in Isfahan, central Iran. Each scenario concentrated on adding or extending galleries in each square. The results confirmed the role of galleries on thermal conditions; however, it was found that the effectiveness of this strategy depends on the square geometry. It presented higher efficiency for the small square with higher H/W ratio. This solution is advisable for smaller squares and when the peripheral parts are frequently used compared to the middle areas. Galleries are most efficient when allowing enough natural ventilation.
Traditional and Web-Based Technologies to Improve Partner Notification Following Syphilis Diagnosis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Lima, Peru: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Clark Jesse L , Segura Eddy R , Oldenburg Catherine E , Salvatierra Hector J , Rios Jessica , Perez-Brumer Amaya Gabriela , Gonzales Pedro , Sheoran Bhupendra , Sanchez Jorge , Lama Javier R
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Patient-initiated partner notification (PN) following the diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection is a critical component of disease control in men who have sex with men (MSM) sexual networks. Both printed and internet-based technologies offer potential tools to enhance traditional partner notification approaches among MSM in resource-limited settings.

OBJECTIVE

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of 2 different PN technologies on notification outcomes following syphilis diagnosis among MSM in Peru: a Web-based notification system and patient-delivered partner referral cards.

METHODS

During 2012-2014, we screened 1625 MSM from Lima, Peru, for syphilis infection and enrolled 370 MSM with symptomatic primary or secondary syphilis (n=58) or asymptomatic latent syphilis diagnosed by serology (rapid plasma reagin, RPR, and Microhemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum antibody; n=312). Prior to enrollment, potential participants used a computer-based self-interviewing system to enumerate their recent sexual partnerships and provide details of their 3 most recent partners. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of 4 intervention arms: (1) counseling and patient-initiated Web-based PN (n=95), (2) counseling with Web-based partner notification and partner referral cards (n=84), (3) counseling and partner referral cards (n=97), and (4) simple partner notification counseling (control; n=94). Self-reported partner notification was assessed after 14 days among 354 participants who returned for the follow-up assessment.

RESULTS

The median age of enrolled participants was 27 (interquartile range, IQR 23-34) years, with a median of 2 partners (IQR 1-5) reported in the past month. Compared with those who received only counseling (arm 4), MSM provided with access to Web-based partner notification (arms 1 and 2) or printed partner referral cards (arms 2 and 3) were more likely to have notified one or more of their sexual partners (odds ratio, OR, 2.18, 95% CI 1.30-3.66; P=.003 and OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.01-2.79; P=.045, respectively). The proportion of partners notified was also higher in both Web-based partner notification (241/421, 57.2%; P<.001) and referral card (240/467, 51.4%; P=.006) arms than in the control arm (82/232, 35.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Both new Web-based technologies and traditional printed materials support patient-directed notification and improve self-reported outcomes among MSM with syphilis. Additional research is needed to refine the use of these partner notification tools in specific partnership contexts.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01720641; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01720641 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/70A89rJL4)
Safer Prescribing and Care for the Elderly (SPACE): Protocol of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Primary Care (Preprint)
Authors: Wallis Katharine Ann , Elley Carolyn Raina , Lee Arier , Moyes Simon , Kerse Ngaire
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

High-risk prescribing, adverse drug events, and avoidable adverse drug event hospitalizations are common. The single greatest risk factor for high-risk prescribing and adverse drug events is the number of medications a person is taking. More people are living longer and taking more medications for multiple long-term conditions. Most on-going prescribing occurs in primary care. The most effective, cost-effective, and practical approach to safer prescribing in primary care is not yet known.

OBJECTIVE

To test the effect of the Safer Prescribing And Care for the Elderly (SPACE) intervention on high-risk prescribing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet medicines, and related adverse drug event hospitalizations.

METHODS

This is a protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial. The clusters will be primary care practices. Data collection and analysis will be at the level of patient.

RESULTS

Recruitment started in 2018. Six-month data collection will be in 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

This study addresses an important translational gap, testing an intervention designed to prompt medicines review and support safer prescribing in routine primary care practice.

CLINICALTRIAL

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000034235 http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12618000034235.aspx (Archived with Webcite at http://www.webcitation.org/6yj9RImDf)
An Analysis of Energy Consumption in the Campus Building’s Operation (Case Study: The Building of Faculty of Engineering and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada)
Authors: Syarifudin Syarifudin , Saputra Ashar , Siswosukarto Suprapto
Published: January 2018

Energy Consumption Intensity (IKE) is an indicator that is used to determine the amount of energy used per area by an air-conditioned building within a month or a year as a reference to determine how much energy conservation can be done in the building. To determine the energy consumption of buildings and to determine the savings opportunities, there should be an effort to review the energy consumption through energy audits. In this research, energy consumption analysis was conducted at the Main Office building of the Faculty of Engineering (KPFT) and Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental (CEED) of UniversitasGadjah Mada Yogyakarta. The analysis was conducted on the main variables of energy efficiency, namely: measurement of temperature and relative humidity, calculation of Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) and Roof Thermal Transfer Value (RTTV), calculation of Energy Consumption Intensity (IKE) in air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms as well as an analysis of opportunities to increase the efficiency of energy consumption in the buildings.The results showed that the temperature and the relative humidity of the KPFT building = 28.4℃ and 62%, while CEED Building = 28.4℃ dan 65%. Calculation of average OTTV of the KPFT building = 17.61 W/m2 and CEED building = 43.05 W/m2. Average IKE of the KPFT building in 2015 was 3.25 kWh/m2/month and in 2016 was 3.45 kWh/m2/month, while the average IKE of CEED building in 2015 was 1.5 kWh/m2/month and in 2016 was 0.79 kWh/m2/month. Based on the calculation of IKE in both buildings, they are still considered in the category of efficient. However, based on the measurement of temperature and relative humidity, it shows that in both buildings air conditioning is still necessary to achieve the level of thermal comfort, therefore an increase of efficiency in the load is needed to avoid wastage.
Transparencia activa, su relación con el ámbito de gobierno: caso administraciones públicas territoriales en Colombia
Authors: Católico Segura Diego Fernando , Cano Buitrago Jenniffer , Camacho Rodríguez Jeraldin
Published: January 2018

El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar el grado de transparencia activa en las administraciones públicas territoriales en Colombia y evaluar la influencia que puede tener el ámbito de gobierno en sus prácticas de divulgación de información. Se diseñó un índice de transparencia global (ITG), a partir de la información publicada en sus sitios web y se empleó el modelo de ANOVA para comprobar la existencia de diferencias entre este tipo de instituciones. Los resultados evidenciaron un grado medio en la transparencia activa y se encontró que no existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los resultados obtenidos entre alcaldías y gobernaciones, por lo que el ámbito de gobierno pareciera no ser un factor que influye en la divulgación de información.
Spectrum of Transfusion Transmitted Infections Among Apparently Healthy Blood Donors in Blood Bank RIMS Ranchi From 2008 to 2014
Authors: Kumari Sushma , Kumar Ritesh , Srivastava Ramesh Kumar
Published: January 2018

Context: Apparently healthy blood donors might carry out transfusion transmitted infections which might be fatal for the donor himself as well as the recipient later on.Aim: To assess the seroprevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) among apparently healthy blood donors in Ranchi, India.Methods and Materials: All blood samples were screened for HIV-I and II, HBsAg, HCV (by using third generation enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay technique), Syphilis (by Rapid Plasma Reagin Kit), and Malaria antigen both for plasmodium  falciparum and plasmodium vivax (by One step, rapid, immunochromatographic test).Result: On screening of 106,306 blood units for TTIs, 1,462 (1.37 %) donors were found positive for one of the TTIs. Highest prevalence was for HBV (970 donors - 0.91%) ranging from 0.73% to 1.19%. This was followed by Malaria (272 donors - 0.25%) ranging from 0.08% to 0.48%, HCV (127 donors - 0.11%) ranging from 0.04% to 0.25%, HIV (72 donors - 0.06%) ranging from 0.03% to 0.10%, and syphilis (21 donors 0.01%) ranging from 0.00% to 0.09%.Conclusions: Apparently healthy blood donors are not omitted from the danger of transfusion-transmitted infection.
The Butterfly Diversity in Bhilai Mahila Mahavidyalaya College Campus
Authors: Shrivastava Shikha , Alleppa Ruby
Published: January 2018

In the midst of the industrial area of Bhilai steel plant, the greenery on the campus of this college provides a home for many butterflies. The diversity of butterflies was investigated within the college campus of Bhilai Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Bhilai, which lies in the Durg district of Chattisgarh State. The state enjoys a tropical climate. The survey was done from February 2015 to October 2015. This period includes the summer and monsoon months. During the survey, a total of 45 species, belonging to five families of the Order Lepidoptera, were recorded in the study area. The predominance of family Nymphalidae was noted, which comprised of 37.77% of the butterflies surveyed,  followed by Pieridae (22.22%), Papilionidae (20%), Lycaenidae (11.11%), and Hesperidae (8.88%). Among the forty-five species of butterflies investigated, 11 species come under the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
Strategic Management Accounting Practices among Indigenous Nigerian Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Ojua Michael Olusegun
Published: January 2018

The primary objective of this study was to review the extent of application of Strategic Management Accounting Practices (SMAP) by local Nigerian manufacturing enterprises in the making of effective decisions by business managers and accountants. Using a sample of ten manufacturing enterprises, fifty professional accountants and business managers working in the organizations were used in this study. In addition, questionnaires were used for gathering primary data. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression analysis were adopted as the main statistical tools for this analysis. The first hypothesis shows a ranking of -0.58 which is less than 0.5 level of confidence. On the other hand, the second hypothesis shows that the sampled enterprises were hindered by inherent barriers in utilizing the benefits of SMAP resulting in the p value of 0.061 which is greater than 0.05. The results of this study indicated significant disapproval of SMAP among professionals working in indigenous manufacturing enterprises. The findings of the study may have implications on the management staff and accountant of the enterprise. Thus, this is because they revealed the below average knowledge of the workings of SMAP. As a result of this research, one is able to conclude on the need for managers to employ SMAP to enable them identify, accumulate, and manage the costs of their activities to ensure accuracy in their decisions making.
A Review On Sub-Surface Flow Constructed Wetlands In Tropical And Sub-Tropical Countries
Authors: Wijaya Dadan Sudana
Published: January 2018

Water pollution is mostly caused by direct disposal of waste to the ground or river without prior treatment. Several methods had been proposed to overcome the pollution, e.g. by treating the waste prior disposal or by applying artificial wetland systems (constructed wetlands) to treat domestic wastewater. Artificial wetland systems (constructed wetlands) resembles water treatment processes in natural wetlands, that utilizes hydrophytes to symbiose with the microorganisms in the media around the rhizosphere of the plants. A good example of the plant is Cyperus alternifolius, a plant that grows rapidly in wet environments. This plant has a triangular stem, with adult stem height ranged between 0.5-1.5 m. Organic materials contained in the wastewater will be cleaved by the microorganisms into simpler compounds and will be consumed by the plants as a nutrient, while the root system of aquatic plants will produce oxygen that can be used as a source of energy or catalyst for a series of metabolic processes for heterotropic aerobic microorganism. In general, horizontal flow SSF-Constructed Wetlands (hSSF-CW) is being used continuously and applied in many tropical countries. SSF-CW is a good choice for wastewater treatment due to its low maintenance costs and simple operational.
The ‘Small House’ Phenomenon in Zimbabwe’s Urban Space: Study in Glen Norah-Harare.
Authors: Mutseta Alex
Published: January 2018

The ensuing study is an assessment of factors influencing the establishment of the common new marital arrangement and examining the power dynamics within this form of marriage and the effects it has on the family form and structure in Zimbabwe’s urban space. The findings made herein show that inasmuch as the general beliefs constrains small housing, residents of Glen Norah are knowledgeable actors who act in contrast to beliefs. Everywhere in Zimbabwe’s urban areas, ‘Small House’ phenomenon is a topical issue and now it seems as it is difficult to envisage an urban set up without this phenomenon. ‘Small house’ is a marital practice which allows the extension of the monogamous marriage institution into a quasi-polygamous system, in a nostalgic cultural way, creating a new form of marriage between two ideologies, that of modernity, and cultural adherence. Structuration thesis was utilised as a theoretical framework. To meet the study objectives, qualitative methodology instrumented by semi-structured interviews and key informant interviews were adopted. Purposive and convenience sampling were utilised as sampling techniques. Findings show that most adults in Glen Norah are involved in the modified-clandestine polygyny commonly known as small house institution. Socioeconomic and psychological factors are attributed to the phenomenon as individuals have various motives in small housing. The small house institution has similar functions, roles and structure as those found in established monogamous families. The small house union is an emergent form of a family which is ‘fluid and a floating structured structure’ which also resulted from the interplay between ‘conflicting structures’ and ‘convenient agency’. Small House practice in Glen Norah has become a social common denominator as men and women across social strata are practising this phenomenon.
The Effects of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Libya: A Causality Analysis
Authors: Abushhewa Abdulhakim , Zarook Tarek
Published: January 2018

This paper aims to analyse the causal relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows and economic growth in Libya by using empirical analysis to examine FDI Led-Export (FLE) and Export Led-Growth (ELG) hypotheses, over the period, 1992-2010. Most of FDI inflows are concentrated in the oil sector of the Libyan economy, which led to make Libya as one of the Petroleum Exporting Countries around the world. However, the role of FDI, oil exports and GDP growth relationship in Libya is still unclear. Therefore, the major focus of this paper is to explore this relationship through employing Vector Autoregressive (VAR) Model on the relevant variables which are FDI inflows, Oil exports and GDP growth. Our results confirm that there is a long-term relationship between FDI and increasing oil exports, and economic growth in Libya.
An Evaluation Model for Social Work with Substance Abusers
Authors: Kivipelto Minna , Kotiranta Tuija , A. F. Kazi Mansoor , Borg Pekka , Jauhiainen Tuula , Korteniemi Pertti
Published: January 2018

In this article, the research topic is to develop an evaluation model for social work with substance abusers. It is studied by presenting an example of how the evaluation process could be carried out in practice. The study has been implemented with the Department of Social Services and Health Care’s Centre for Recovering Substance Abusers in Finland (RSA Centre). The term “evaluation model” refers to a way of collecting client follow-up information and the way the information is used to develop social work practices. Firstly it is described, how the evaluation model was created at the RSA Centre. Secondly, some results are lifted up to show, what kind of information were used. Finally, it is discussed how the evaluation model should be developed further to support social work processes.According to the results, the social work evaluation is possible to carry out in the side of social work with substance abusers. The model helped professionals to clarify Centre's main focus in the field of social rehabilitation and social work with substance abusers. In the long term, the model could enable to gain information about social work effectiveness. Disadvantages of the model were that it took a lot of time and resources from social work, and that the direct benefits of the model may not be available until only after some time. Evaluation’s integration to the client database system should be studied more.
Quality Management Systems That Serve the Subsea Oil & Gas Industries:
Authors: O'Donnell Vincent
Published: January 2018

This research project was to investigate the motives for gaining an ISO 9001 certified quality management system in companies that serve the subsea sector of the oil and gas industries: is certification a strategic business tool or just a marketing badge? A literature review revealed that if implemented rigorously, ISO 9001 could deliver increased efficiency and improved business processes. Many authors stated that certification was gained principally to allow trading in the European and global markets, and, to gain entry to the Approved Vendors List of prospective customers. Primary research consisting of interviews with approximately 55 professionals across 12organisationsindicated that a majority agreed, stating that certification was gained for marketing purposes or to satisfy customer requirements. However many went on to say that their companies had subsequently realized the full benefits of ISO 9001. Therefore the motives for certification could be aligned. Secondary research also revealed that a number of firms operated an integrated management system. Findings of this project point to two conclusions. First, if ISO 9001 is implemented rigorously enough, companies can realize its benefits despite alternative reasons for gaining certification. Second, both motives for gaining certification can be aligned. This is a significant that is absent in the literature. All of the companies operating in this industry that were researched in this study had an ISO 9001 certified QMS. Because of the absence of publications on the use of ISO 9001 in the subsea sector of the oil and gas industries, further research into the possible alignment of the motives investigated in this project is warranted, and recommended. Additional areas for further research include integrated management systems rather than ISO 9001 quality management systems and limiting the scope of analysis to a current single subsea project, such as the Gorgon Project (Hatch 2013).
Community Knowledge in Restoring Trees in Controversial Forest Hot Spots: Case of Nkanya-Lusewa rivers catchment area in Zomba-Malosa Forest Reserve, Malawi
Authors: Moyo Gift Gladson , Chikuni Marlene , Chiotha Sosten
Published: January 2018

Trees planted by the Forestry Department and other institutions in Nkanya-Lusewa river hotspot in Zomba-Malosa forest reserve in Domasi area in Malawi have not been surviving because villagers have been defiantly encroaching the forest reserve and this has led to many problems such as intermittent piped water supply in dry season. The study was done to investigate the community’s knowledge on better forest restoration strategies in the hotspot and it involved 591 interviewees selected from 2,111 households in 25 villages. Several sampling methods were used such as cluster, purposeful, snowballing and accessibility methods. The majority of people in the area know the importance of forests and impacts of deforestation mostly citing direct-use values such as firewood, rainfall, construction materials, medicine, and water catchment conservation. Many villagers (56%) view previous reforestation efforts in the area as being unsuccessful while 34% considered them as successful. Seedling uprooting, bush fires and lack of post-planting care are the key activities that lead to high mortality of young trees. Most respondents (28%) indicated that yearly tree planting must fully involve the community and that garden owners must provide post-planting care (19%) in their prohibited gardens. Khaya anthotheca, Senna siamea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Pterocarpus angolensis, Mangifera indica, Toona ciliata, Breonadia salicina, Uapaca kirkiana, and Albizia lebbeck were highly preferred for their various characteristics and purposes. Most villagers (96.1%) are willing to participate in forestry activities as long as their views are appreciated while 3.4% of them indicated unwillingness because they are busy with personal work, are aged and/or sickly.
The Contribution of Personal and Social Resources towards the Prediction of Ethiopian Students' Academic Achievements
Authors: Kalnisky Esther , Brenner Rina
Published: January 2018

The present research deals with the prediction of the academic achievements of students of Ethiopian origin in Israel. It seeks to explore the contribution of personal and social resources towards the success of these students in academic studies, in light of the poor achievements of Ethiopians in the conventional measures such as the Psychometric Entrance Test (PET) (Almagor-Lotan & Koch Davidovitz, 2011). Two classes of Ethiopian students from two colleges of education were investigated and compared with students from a control group. Besides the significant differences in the characterizations of the background data of the two groups, in their first-semester grades and in their personal resources, the Ethiopians manifested their own unique characteristics which include highly-focused future study goals, a low level of self-criticism, and lofty perceptions of coherence (control) and self-efficacy — all of which predict academic achievements.
A New Simulation Model for a Comprehensive Evaluation of Yard Truck Deployment Strategies at Marine Container Terminals
Authors: Dulebenets Maxim A.
Published: January 2018

Taking into account increasing volumes of the international seaborne trade and increasing port congestion, marine container terminal operators have to improve efficiency of their operations in order to provide timely service of vessels and avoid product delivery delays to customers. This paper focuses on improvement of container transfer operations between the seaside and the marshaling yard and proposes five yard truck deployment strategies. Performance of the considered marine container terminal is evaluated under each one of the yard truck deployment strategies via simulation. Different performance indicators are estimated to determine how the suggested yard truck deployment strategies will affect all equipment types, involved in container handling and transfer. Results from the extensive simulation experiments showcase that all five yard truck deployment strategies provide similar values of vessel service and quay crane performance indicators, while the shortest distance based yard truck deployment strategy yields superior gantry crane and yard truck performance indicators. The worst values of performance indicators are recorded for the random yard truck deployment strategy. Furthermore, the developed simulation model can serve as an efficient planning tool for marine container terminal operators and enhance productivity of the available equipment.
Catalytic hydrothermal upgrading of pyrolysis oil
Authors: Apunda Moses Otieno , Ogenga Daniel
Published: January 2018

Pyrolysis oil from wood pellets was upgraded in this research by catalytic hydrotreatment in a 100 ml batch reactor. Four heterogeneous 5% metal catalysts (Ru, Ni, Rh, and Ni) were used at different hydrotreatment temperatures (250 ºC and 300 ºC). Two different set-ups were also used with formic acid and with only bio-oil. The products of the reforming using two temperature conditions were then analysed and compared. The results showed that higher temperature yielded a lot of char compared to lower temperature giving low bio-oil recovery and poor carbon yield in the bio-oil. Also higher temperature resulted into the production of more carbon dioxide gas and hydrocarbon gases. Ru catalyst appeared to be the best among all the catalysts in reducing the amount oxygen wt-% by 42.12% at 250 ºC. Ru treated bio-oil also registered the highest composition of the lightest compounds of about 88.5% compared to initial bio-oil which only had 30.6%. Elemental analyses results show that all the upgraded bio-oils displayed lower oxygen content than the raw bio-oil with increased hydrogen and carbon composition.
Collaborative leadership in skills development: Getting the fundamentals right
Authors: Nkengbeza David , Ayehsabu Ayuk Patrick , L. Ntabi Morgan
Published: January 2018

Collaborative leadership in skills development is fundamental for the success of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and state education institutions like Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) in promoting sustainable livelihoods and social wellbeing in communities. The purpose of this research was to find out how Nongovernmental Organizations and state education leaders collaborate in building skills, what challenges hamper collaboration and what should be done to improve collaboration. The qualitative research approach was used in this study and nine participants from five organizations were purposely selected and interviewed. The major findings indicated the existence of inadequate collaborative practices between NGOs and educational leaders, exacerbated by recurrent major challenges like disunity or fragmentation amongst NGOs, over dependence on external funding and weak capacity which hampered their sustainability as partners as well as skills developers. This study has not only re-emphasised the need for effective collaborative leadership between NGOs and educational leaders in South Africa, it has also provided suggestions to their numerous challenges.
Physicochemical analysis of Lake Enriquillo in Dominican Republic
Authors: Mendez-Tejeda Rafael , Rosado Gladys , Rivas Diego V , I. Infante Maria
Published: January 2018

The water level in Lake Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic (DR) has increased by an unprecedented amount over the last decade, inundating thousands of acres of farmland and more than a dozen villages and inflicting adverse social, environmental, and economic impacts on the nation. The Lake Enriquillo Basin (LEB), located near the towns of Independencia and Bahoruco in the southwest region of the DR, is bordered to the north by the Sierra de Neyba mountain range and to the south by the Sierra de Bahoruco mountain range. Lake Enriquillo is hypersaline and endorheic, with a water level that normally fluctuates between 40–50 m below sea level (BSL). However, since 2000, both Lake Enriquillo and Lake Azuei (Sumastre) in Haiti have experienced alarming water level increases, with Lake Enriquillo’s water level rising to 17.2 m BSL This article explores the changes in some of the important physicochemical parameters—such as salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH—that have occurred in the period from 1977 to 2012. The highest salinity value occurred in 2012, at a value 103.1‰, with an average increase of 27.06‰, coinciding with the lake level of 17.2 m BSL. Changes in these parameters have caused damage to the ecosystem and the lives of people and species that inhabit the region.
Influence of anthropogenic activities on the initial establishment and growth rate of introduced Senna siamea in Zomba-Malosa Forest Reserve, Malawi
Authors: Moyo Gift Gladson , Chikuni Marlene
Published: January 2018

The study was conducted along the Nkanya-Lusewa rivers catchment as hot spot in Zomba-Malosa Forest Reserve  in Domasi area in Malawi to determine the influence of anthropogenic activities on the growth of Senna siamea planted by the community using  integrated indigenous-technocrat model. The study focused on 28 gardens along the rivers whose owners encroached the forest reserve and willed to participate in the study. In total we planted 101 S. siamea seedlings within a distance of 10 m on either side of the study rivers and we determined tree total height, canopy height, canopy base diameter and canopy base area in February, May, August, and November in 2014 using a ruler. We found that the average tree total height and canopy height slightly decreased from February to November  from initial 34.7 cm to 31.1 cm and 16.8 cm to 12.1 cm respectively due to impact of transplanting shock and bushfires which led to loss of tree tops and some branches but those of canopy base diameter and canopy base area increased slightly following sprouting of burnt seedling stems. We further found that tree growth rates varied among the gardens due to transplanting shock, post-planting care differences, soil moisture variation, and incidence of bushfires.
Identity politics and national integration in Nigeria
Authors: Wonah Emmanuel Ikechi
Published: January 2018

The aim of the paper is to examine the impact of identity politics on national integration in Nigeria. This paper relies on secondary sources of data, and contends that identity politics can create the necessary awareness and actions needed to redress the inequities promoted by the structural imbalance of the Nigerian State. The redress of the inequities can be a stabilizing force necessary for the actualization of national integration in Nigeria. On the other hand, it argues that identity politics can also be a divisive factor which can seriously threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria and make our quest for integration illusory. Also, the paper is  of the view that national integration can be achieved when identity politics is guided by certain objective conditions expressed in democracy. Therefore, it recommends that there should be an internalization and demonstration of the democratic culture in everyday life of Nigerians.
Variation in Adaptive Traits of an Endemic Meconopsis napaulensis DC. along an Elevation Gradient in Alpine Himalaya, Central Nepal
Authors: Rana Narmada , Ghimire Suresh Kumar
Published: January 2018

Understanding the pattern of variation in adaptive traits of rare and endemic species along environmental gradient can suggest important implications for developing optimal strategies for species conservation and sustainable management. In this studywe aimed to study variation in life-history traits of an endemic species M. napaulensis DC. along an elevation gradient in Langtang National Park, Central Nepal covering three populations. Each population was investigated two times (2013 and 2014) covering different seasons. Population sampling was made to read habitat during the peak growing period (during monsoon) except seed output, which was studied during  the late growing period (post monsoon). Entire area of each population was extensively surveyed to record all the individuals, including plants in flowering or fruiting and their detailed vegetative characteristics and traits related to population fitness. Analysis of the habitat features showed that M. napaulensis exhibited high habitat specificity. M. napaulensis was restricted to open and rocky habitats of high altitudes. M. napaulensis growing sites had low vegetation cover indicating decreased interspecific competition. M. napaulensis showed high variation in traits due to altitudinal variation, climatic conditions, and disturbances. Specifically, reproductive traits discriminated the populations. M. napaulensis was suffered from human disturbance mainly from livestock grazing, plant harvesting, and garbage pollution as the study area is an important tourist destination and pilgrimage site. Conservation of rare and endemic species such as M. napaulensis requires strong provisions restricting human activities and minimizing the impact of harvesting and grazing; and implementing habitat restoration and population augmentation programs.
Design of learning media for the solar system lesson using animation and virtual reality
Authors: Eryanto Daniel Raditya Donny , Prestiliano Jasson
Published: January 2018

The solar system is an astronomy subject which is taught in Elementary Schools, particularly in Grade 6. This subject requires the teachers to teach creatively because the lecturing method in teaching is too common. Besides, in learning this topic, the media is highly needed to help students understand and comprehend the materials given. The media used in the current learning process is considered not sufficient because of the limited teaching aids and learning media. Therefore, based on the technology development, there are many multimedia technologies. One of them is VR which provides real-time interaction to what is displayed in the application. Hence, a design of learning media for the solar system lesson using animation and virtual reality was developed. This study aims to help students who are studying this lesson to have a better understanding of the lesson since they can interact directly with what they are learning.
Irregular Antibodies Identified Previously In Blood Transfusions: A Review Of The 21st Century
Authors: Lima Patrícia Rodrigues , Destefani Afrânio Côgo
Published: January 2018

Introduction: In the blood transfusion patients may be exposed or are stimulated to produce red cell antibodies that cause immediate and delayed transfusion reactions. Antibodies that agglutinate the red blood cells are called signifiers. Already insignificant antibodies that agglutinate red blood cells "in vitro", and which do not promote changes in the body can be sub-categorized into Rh and Kell system, MNSs, Lewis, Duffy and Kidd. Objectives: Identify the types of irregular antibodies. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted through a wide reading-based research papers published from 2000 to 2014 available on the websites: Scielo - Scientific Electronic Library Online, LILLACS - Latin American and Caribbean Sciences WWII Health and PubMed - US National Library of Medicine and BIREME - Regional Library of Medicine. Inclusion criteria were: articles published in Portuguese, English and Spanish and exclusion criteria: review articles that do not directly addressed the issue of irregular antibodies and blood transfusion. Results and Discussion: We identified 51 articles on alternate sites: 43 in Scielo, 02 in BIREME, 01 in LILLACS and 05 found in PubMed. Only 22 articles met the inclusion criteria proposed for the study and were distributed in several categories: descriptive, quantitative and qualitative research. Conclusion: Common antibodies are Rh and Kell system. Erythrocyte sensitizations occur to each unit of transfused red blood cells. Therefore, phenotyping and genotyping for Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd and MNSs antibodies to patients undergoing blood transfusion is recommended for safe and quality therapy.
The Working Conditions in The Mining Sector: The Case of Mchenga and Kaziwiziwi Coal Mines in Malawi
Authors: Malema Kalani Geone Fungameza
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this paper is to examine the working conditions in the mining sector in relation to Mchenga and Kaziwiziwi coal mines in Rumphi district in Malawi. The paper reports that the working conditions in the mining sector are generally poor and that the workers’ organizations and their activities in the mining sector are effective tools for the improved working conditions. The paper however, argues that, to a greater extent, it is over expectations compounded by lack of knowledge on part of (amongst the) the employees and/or the community members around the mining workplaces regarding aspects of legal and non-legal liabilities of the workplace employers towards the implementation of labour practices and of corporate social responsibility interventions that complicates the sufferings of most mining sector employees in Malawi. It is thus important to encourage the establishment of workers’ organizations at a workplace and for stakeholders such as Civil Society Organizations to be conclusive in their complementary roles to government when it comes to the implementation of advocacy activities to the communities (employees) around the mining workplaces especially in the event that such activities’ implications have potential effects to cause some forms of conflicts between the mining workplace employers and their employees including the surrounding community members thereby likely to complicate workers’ sufferings as a result of some unresolved consequences.
Estimating the Value of Time and Its Application
Authors: Ambarwati Lasmini , Indraistuti Amelia K , Kusumawardhani Pretiwindya
Published: January 2018

Values of travel time are essential factors in the design of transport infrastructure. The value of time is used in transport models to monetize travel time related to the socio-economic background of travelers. This paper assesses the estimation of the value of time based on questionnaires distributed to travelers in a preference survey. The mode choice approach is employed to estimate these values dependent on vehicle classes for weekdays and at the weekend. Two of the main conclusions using the mode choice approach are that the value of time for private vehicle users is approximately 1.5 times the value of time for public transport users; and the value of travel time on the weekday is twice that of the weekend. This indicates that public transport passengers have more travel time savings than when they use other modes. Another method, the income approach, arrives at similar values of time as that estimated by the mode choice approach. The willingness to use public transport in weekdays is increasing. As a consequence, public transport should be operated at a higher frequency.
The Policy and the Strategy of the Provision of Bicycle Lane in East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Arifin Muhammad Zainul , Sulistio Harnen
Published: January 2018

Understanding the characteristics of the cyclists and stakeholders’ preferences towards the provision of bicycle lanes is the first step for sustainable transportation. The Government support for providing bicycle lanes can increase the number of cyclists, thus reducing the noise and air pollution, and providing safety, discipline and smooth traffic. Therefore, is required a study of a policy strategy about the provision of bicycle lanes. The aim of this study is to obtain a policy for handling the provision of bicycle lanes based on internal and external factors by considering the preferences of cyclists, road users and stakeholders. Data was collected by interviewing all stakeholders, i.e. the staffs from the City Government of the city of Malang, Jember, and Surabaya and the Department of Public Work Bina Marga of East Java. The analytical method used is SWOT Internal Factor Evaluation-External Factor Evaluation (SWOT IFE-EFE).Analysis of matrix of external and internal factors for the provision of bicycle lanes explains that positions of the current condition and the future condition are in the cell V (2.451; 2.493) and in the cell I (3.338; 3.135) respectively. The position of the cell V and the cell I indicates that the provision of bicycle lanes under development is a position of grow and develop.The development strategy can be applied through vertical integration thus all the strategic elements of government and stakeholders are able to jointly reformulate the strategy, starting from the preparation of legal protection for the provision of bicycle lanes in the neighborhood (“RT/RW”) of sub-district. The city authority is expected to reinforce the operational implementation. Meanwhile, the preference weight towards the provision of bicycle lanes of road users and stakeholders is 83.7%. Herewith the provision of dedicated bicycle lanes is required.
The Optimization Problem of Product Mix and Linear Programming Applications: Case Study in the Apparel Industry
Authors: Woubante Gera Workie
Published: January 2018

Industrial development strategy is characterized by the efficient use of resources at every production stage. The analysis and efficient utilization of resources are made sustainable by effective management decision making techniques employed in the industry. A quantitative decision making tool called linear programming can be used for the optimization problem of product mix. Understanding the concept behind the optimization problem of product mix is essential to the success of the industry for meeting customer needs, determining its image, focusing on its core business, and inventory management. Apparel manufacturing firms profit mainly depends on the proper allocation and usage of available production time, material, and labor resources. This paper considers an apparel industrial unit in Ethiopia as a case study. The monthly held resources, product volume, and amount of resources used to produce each unit of product and profit per unit for each product have been collected from the company. The data gathered was used to estimate the parameters of the linear programming model. The model was solved using LINGO 16.0 software. The findings of the study show that the profit of the company can be improved by 59.84%, that is, the total profit of Birr 465,456 per month can be increased to Birr 777,877.3 per month by applying linear programming models if customer orders have to be satisfied. The profit of the company can be improved by 7.22% if the linear programming formulation does not need to consider customer orders.
Economic Status and Maternal Health: Analysis of the 2013-14 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Mulenga Mulenga Chonzi
Published: January 2018

With the current high maternal mortality rates prevailing in Zambia, it is imperative to analyze the effect that the economic status of women has on maternal health outcomes. It is hypothesized that wealth is positively linked to better health outcomes. As a result, maternal health outcomes will improve when the economic status of women improve. Using data for women from the 2013-14 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to ascertain the impact of wealth as a proxy for economic status and other variables based on five independent outcomes (Number of antenatal care visits, timing of first antenatal care visit, tetanus toxoid vaccination, iron tablet/syrup uptake, and place of delivery) and a composite measure of maternal health. The results revealed that women’s wealth and region were the only significant factor associated with all the five independent indicators and the composite measure of maternal health. However, for the composite measure, literacy and age of the mother were also found to be associated with maternal health. The study therefore concluded that economic status is an important factor in improving maternal health outcomes in Zambia. As a result, policy should be aimed at providing support to women within the lowest wealth quintiles so as to enable them access maternal health services.
Different levels of job satisfaction by educational organization motivators
Authors: Mehrad Aida , Hossein Tahriri Zangeneh Mohammad
Published: January 2018

The aim of this literature review is to recognize the important role of motivators on job satisfaction at educational organizations. The results of this study illustrate that motivators play a considerable role in changing the level of employees’ job satisfaction; additionally, they have influence on employees views and reactions. This study is focused also on job satisfaction as a main factor that improves level of organizational outcomes. Moreover, lack of attention to job satisfaction which is influenced by various motivators can reduce employees well-being as well as management in educational organization. This paper supports employees’ requirements based on different organizational motivators to attain job satisfaction at workplace.
Renal Vein Thrombosis secondary to pyelonephritis: Case presentation
Authors: Ganeshan Anusha Skandini , Chongo Angel Alberto Calderon
Published: January 2018

The Renal Vein Thrombosis (RVT) is a rare pathology in adults as compared to children. It is usually present as a complication of other conditions as sepsis, hypercoagulable state, and malignancy. We present a male of age of 36 years, who suffered from RVT following pyelonephritis. Following all investigations, including blood tests, Computed Tomography (CT) of abdomen and CT angiogram, the concluding diagnosis of left RVT was made. Subsequent to confirmation of diagnosis, he was commenced an anticoagulation therapy with the low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin. Consequently, the patient was discharged home with regular follow-ups on an outpatient basis with PT/INR checks. After 3 months, a control CT renal angiogram was performed, which revealed complete resolution of the Left RVT.  In conclusion of this patient case, it can be stated that RVT is a rare condition which can have a good outcome with early diagnosis and subsequent appropriate anticoagulant therapy. In a view of this case, the review of the topic was made.
A Theoretical Study of Stopping Power and Range For Low Energy (<3.0mev) Protons In Aluminium, Germanium, Lead, Gold and Copper Solid Materials
Authors: Amable Anthony Kwesi Selorm , Godsway Banini Kwaku , Nyaaba Rudolf Anyoka , Manson Eric Naab
Published: January 2018

A new empirical relation was obtained by modifying an empirical relation deduced by Chaubey (1977) based on Bohr’s classical mechanics by using least squared fitting method for stopping powers from 0.20MeV to 2.90MeV protons in Aluminium (Al), Germanium (Ge), Lead (Pb), Gold (Au) and Copper (Cu) solid target materials and the results compared with some available experimental values and earlier investigations as well as PSTAR and SRIM (2013) results. The proton range relation was obtained by directly integrating the stopping power formula and the values of the ranges for the elements are calculated and compared with PSTAR and Janni (1982) values. The calculated stopping powers and range values were in excellent agreement with the experimental values of Bichsel since the percentage uncertainty was within 10% and the theoretical values of Janni (1982) and, the PSTAR and SRIM-2013 codes generated values had the percentage difference approximately within 10%. The cross section was also calculated and the results discussed. The practical applications of the stopping power, range and cross section values of the selected materials are discussed.