bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-situ Reactive Interfacial Compatibilization and Properties of Polylactide/Sisal Fiber Biocomposites via Melt-blending with Epoxy-functionalized Oligomer
Authors: Hao Mingyang , Wu Hongwu , Qiu Feng , Wang Xiwen
Published: February 2018

To improve the interfacial bonding of sisal fiber reinforced polylactide biocomposites, polylactide (PLA) and sisal fibers (SF) were melt-blended to fabricate bio-based composites via in situ reactive interfacial compatibilization with the addition of an epoxy-functionalized oligomer (ADR). The FTIR analysis and SEM characterization demonstrated that PLA molecular chain was bonded to the fiber surface and epoxy-functionalized oligomer played a hinge-like role between sisal fibers and PLA matrix, which resulted in improved interfacial adhesion between fibers and PLA matrix. The interfacial reaction and microstructures of composites were further investigated by thermal and rheological analyses, which indicated that the mobility of the PLA molecular chain in composites was restricted because of the introduction of ADR oligomer, which in turn reflected the improved interfacial interaction between SF and PLA matrix. These conclusions were further investigated by the calculated activation energies of glass transition relaxation (△Ea) of composites via dynamic mechanical analysis. The mechanical properties of PLA/SF composites were simultaneously reinforced and toughened via addition of ADR oligomer. The interfacial interaction and structure-properties relationship of composites are key points of this study.
Light Trapping with Silicon Light Funnel Arrays
Authors: Prajapati Ashish , Nissay Yuval , Gabay Tamir , Shalev Gil
Published: February 2018

Silicon light funnels are three-dimensional subwavelength structures in the shape of inverted cones with respect to the incoming illumination. Light funnel arrays can serve as an efficient absorbing layers on account of their light trapping capabilities associated with the presence of high density complex Mie modes. Specifically, light funnel arrays exhibit broadband absorption enhancement of the of the solar spectrum. In the current study, we numerically explore the optical coupling between surface light funnel arrays and underlying substrates. We show that the absorption in LF array-substrate complex is higher than the absorption in LF arrays of the same height (~10% increase). This, we suggest, imply that a LF array serves as an efficient surface element that imparts additional momentum components to the impinging illumination, and hence optically excites the substrate by near-field light concentration, excitation of traveling guided modes in the substrate and mode hybridization.
Pengembangan Media Pembelajaran Interaktif tentang Optika Berbasis Android Menggunakan Perangkat Lunak Ispring Suite 7.0 untuk Mahasiswa S-1 Pendidikan Fisika pada Pokok Bahasan Interferensi Cahaya
Authors: Sasahan Elfira Yulia , Oktova Raden , I.R.N. Oky Oktavia
Published: February 2018

Abstract: Light interference in the course Optics at undergraduate Physics Education is an abstract subject, and students need a practical, interactive medium for learning independently the material already given in lectures by the lecturer, especially for problem solving exercise. Therefore a study has been performed to develop an android-based interactive learning medium on light interference in Indonesian using the software Ispring Suite 7.0. The study was based on the ADDIE development model, which includes the steps: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The feasibility of the medium was validated using questionnaires by subject experts, media (IT) experts, and students as users. The feasibility level of the medium given by the subject  experts, the media experts, and the students are, respectively, 87.94 %, 90.44 %, dan 87.99 %. It is concluded that the medium developed is highly feasible for independent learning.

 

Abstrak: Pokok bahasan interferensi cahaya dalam mata kuliah Optika S-1 Pendidikan Fisika bersifat  abstrak, dan mahasiswa memerlukan media interaktif yang praktis untuk belajar secara mandiri materi yang diberikan dosen dalam tatap muka, terutama untuk berlatih soal secara mandiri. Oleh karena itu dilakukan penelitian untuk mengembangkan media pembelajaran tentang interferensi cahaya berbasis android dalam bahasa Indonesia dengan menggunakan perangkat lunak Ispring Suite 7.0. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan model pengembangan ADDIE, yang meliputi langkah-langkah: analysis (analisis), design (desain), development (pengembangan), implementation (implementasi), dan evaluation (evaluasi). Untuk mengetahui kelayakan media dilakukan validasi melalui angket oleh ahli media (TI), ahli materi, dan pengguna mahasiswa. Tingkat kelayakan media yang diberikan oleh ahli materi, ahli media dan pengguna berturut-turut adalah sebesar  87,94 %, 90,44 %, dan 87,99 %. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa media yang dikembangkan sangat layak digunakan sebagai sumber belajar mandiri.
Pengaruh Penerapan Metode Eksperimen Menggunakan Phet Simulation Terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis dan Hasil Belajar Ditinjau dari Pengetahuan Awal Siswa SMP/MTs
Authors: Wiravanjava Wiravanjava
Published: February 2018

Abstract:. This study aims to determine the effect of the experimental method using PhET simulation on the ability of critical thinking and learning outcomes in review from the initial knowledge of students of class VIII MTsN Maguwoharjo Sleman. The population used is class VIII which is divided into 4 classes of parallel namely class VIII A, VIII B, VIII C, VIII D. Sampling is done randomly, so that obtained class VIII B as control class and class VIII C as experimental class treated with experimental method using PhET simulation. Technique of data retrieval is done by giving pretest to know early knowledge of student. Then do different learning, then students are given a post to know the ability of critical thinking and learning outcomes. Hypothesis testing was done by Mancova test using SPSS 17.0 program. based on the Mancova test that has been done, obtained the significance of the critical thinking ability 0,00 and the learning result is also 0.00. Since all of the significance below 0.05 means there is an influence of the application of experimental methods using PhET simulations to critical thinking skills and student learning outcomes

 

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penerapkan metode eksperimen menggunakan simulasi PhET terhadap kemampuan berpikir kritis dan hasil belajar di tinjau dari pengetahuan awal siswa kelas VIII MTsN Maguwoharjo Sleman. Populasi yang digunakan adalah kelas VIII yang terbagi dalam 4 kelas parallel yaitu kelas VIII A, VIII B, VIII C, VIII D. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara acak, sehingga diperoleh kelas VIII B sebagai kelas control dan kelas VIII C sebagai kelas eksperimen yang diberi perlakuan dengan metode eksperimen menggunakan simulasi PhET. Teknik pengambilan data dilakukan dengan memberikan pretest untuk mengetahui pengetahuan awal siswa. Kemudian dilakukan pembelajaran yang berbeda, selanjutnya siswa diberi postest untuk mengetahui kemampuan berpikir kritis dan hasil belajarnya. Pengujian hipotesis dilakukan dengan uji Mancova dengan menggunakan program SPSS 17.0. berdasarkan uji Mancova yang telah dilakukan, diperoleh nilai signifikansi kemampuan berpikir kritis 0,00 dan hasil belajar juga 0,00. Karena semua signifikansinya di bawah 0,05 berarti terdapat pengaruh penerapan metode eksperimen menggunakan simulasi PhET terhadap kemampuan berpikir kritis dan hasil belajar siswa.
Pengaruh Penerapan Media Pembelajaran Gerbang Logika Berbasis IT Untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Berpikir Dan Hasil Belajar Mahasiswa
Authors: Kartikawati Sulistyaning , Pratama Hendrik
Published: February 2018

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui Pengaruh Penerapan Media Pembelajaran Gerbang Logika Berbasis IT dalam meningkatkan Kemampuan Berpikir Dan Hasil Belajar Mahasiswa. Penelitian ini berbentuk penelitian kuantitatif. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah satu kelas yang diambil dengan menggunakan teknik sampling jenuh. Kelas penelitian diberi  perlakuan dengan menggunakan media pembelajaran gerbang logika berbasis IT. Adapun variabel bebas dalam penelitian ini adalah media pembelajaran gerbang logika berbasis IT, sedangkan variabel terikatnya adalah kemampuan berpikir dan hasil belajar mahasiswa. Teknik analisis data ada 2 macam yaitu teknik analisa data kemampuan berpikir dan teknik analisa data hasil belajar mahasiswa. Analisis uji hipotesis penelitian ini menggunakan  uji-t dengan taraf signifikan 5 %. Kriteria uji-t adalah sebagai berikut, Ho diterima/H1 ditolak jika t hitung lebih kecil dari t tabel dan Ho ditolak/H1 diterima jika t hitung lebih besar dari t tabel. Dari hasil uji t untuk kemampuan berpikir diperoleh t hitung = 15,671, dan t tabel = 1,746, dan hasil uji t untuk hasil belajar diperoleh t hitung = 12,33 dan t tabel = 1,746, karena t hitung lebih besar dari t tabel maka Ho ditolak/H1 diterima, artinya terdapat pengaruh penerapan media pembelajaran gerbang logika berbasis IT dalam meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir dan hasil belajar mahasiswa.
State Variation in Medicaid Reimbursements for Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Lalezari Ramin M. , Pozen Alexis , Dy Christopher J.
Published: February 2018

Update

This article was updated on September 12, 2019, because of previous errors. On page 238, in the Table I “Coefficient of Variation” column, the values that had read “0.70” now read “0.07.” On page 239, in the Results section entitled “Coefficient of Variation,” the sentence that had read “These values contrast with a very low variability in Medicare reimbursements, in which each of the 10 procedures had a coefficient of variation of 0.70 (Table I).” now reads “These values contrast with a very low variability in Medicare reimbursements, in which each of the 10 procedures had a coefficient of variation of 0.07 (Table I).”

An erratum has been published: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2019 Oct 16;101(20):e112.

Background:

Medicaid reimbursements are determined by each state and are subject to variability. We sought to quantify this variation for commonly performed inpatient orthopaedic procedures.

Methods:

The 10 most commonly performed inpatient orthopaedic procedures, as ranked by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample, were identified for study. Medicaid reimbursement amounts for those procedures were benchmarked to state Medicare reimbursement amounts in 3 ways: (1) ratio, (2) dollar difference, and (3) dollar difference divided by the relative value unit (RVU) amount. Variability was quantified by determining the range and coefficient of variation for those reimbursement amounts.

Results:

The range of variability of Medicaid reimbursements among states exceeded $1,500 for all 10 procedures. The coefficients of variation ranged from 0.32 (hip hemiarthroplasty) to 0.57 (posterior or posterolateral lumbar interbody arthrodesis) (a higher coefficient indicates greater variability), compared with 0.07 for Medicare reimbursements for all 10 procedures. Adjusted as a dollar difference between Medicaid and Medicare per RVU, the median values ranged from −$8/RVU (total knee arthroplasty) to −$17/RVU (open reduction and internal fixation of the femur).

Conclusions:

Variability of Medicaid reimbursement for inpatient orthopaedic procedures among states is substantial. This variation becomes especially remarkable given recent policy shifts toward focusing reimbursements on value.
Hayy ibn Yaqzan: A Philosophical Novel by Ibn Tufayl
Authors: JACKSON Roy
Published: February 2018

This is the philosophical tale Hayy ibn Yaqzan, named after the hero of this story and written by the Muslim philosopher Ibn Tufayl (1105-1185). It was the first Arabic novel, and anticipated such European works as Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Emile, as well as the thought of a number of western philosophers including Locke and Kant. This paper will bring out the philosophical themes contained within the novel, centred on those key philosophical questions of ‘what can we know?’ and ‘how can we know?’. These questions have been with us since the beginning of philosophy and continue to be important today with such contentious debate concerning the veracity of non-empirical experience.
Las máscaras de Juan Rulfo. Revisión de dos cuentos de El llano en llamas
Authors: TEROL PLÁ Gracia
Published: February 2018

El trabajo contiene una revisión de dos cuentos de El llano en llamas, “En la madrugada” y “Es que somos muy pobres”. La revisión consta de una parte analítica basada en la comparación de las técnicas narrativas más destacables de los cuentos; y otra interpretativa que trata el sentido de las dos historias centrándose en motivos determinados como la violencia, la muerte o la figura de la mujer mexicana. Con ello, este artículo aspira a reafirmar el talento de Rulfo para manejar diversas estructuras y técnicas narrativas y para retomar los mismos ejes temáticos bajo la forma de distintas historias. A su vez, pretende ofrecer una interpretación de los cuentos centrada en los motivos mencionados.
Screening Almond Rootstocks for Sources of Resistance to Armillaria Root Disease
Authors: Baumgartner Kendra , Fujiyoshi Phillip , Ledbetter Craig , Duncan Roger , Kluepfel Daniel A.
Published: February 2018

Prunus dulcis (almond) is one of the most susceptible horticultural crops to Armillaria root disease. Resistance to Armillaria mellea and Armillaria tabescens, the geographically isolated causal fungi that attack almond and closely related Prunus persica (peach), has been evaluated in studies of almond, peach, and other Prunus rootstocks, but not in one comprehensive study. We evaluated the relative resistance to A. mellea and A. tabescens of six clonally propagated almond and peach rootstocks (Bright’s 5, Empyrean 1, Hansen 536, Krymsk 1, Krymsk 86, and Lovell) in comparison with that of clonally propagated Marianna 2624 rootstock (resistant control) and clonally propagated Nemaguard rootstock (susceptible control). Replicate clones used in the growth chamber assay were micropropagated and rooted in vitro before inoculating the culture medium with Armillaria spp. At 2 months, the most resistant and susceptible rootstocks were Krymsk 86 and Hansen 536, respectively, with 27% vs. 89% mortality. This finding was consistent among two isolates of A. mellea and one isolate of A. tabescens in three replicate experiments. Our finding of low mortality among Krymsk 86, Krymsk 1, and Marianna 2624, which all share Prunus cerasifera (Myrobalan plum) parentage, is consistent with past reports of resistance in the field to A. mellea, but conflicts with reports of susceptibility to A. tabescens. Resistance to A. tabescens of genotypes with Myrobalan plum parentage in our assay may reflect the simplified rooting environment of tissue culture medium, which does not perfectly mimic a field trial, in which biotic and abiotic factors may affect host resistance. Nonetheless, our growth chamber assay may provide a more rapid alternative to identify sources of resistance for breeding and to screen progeny of such crosses.
Effects of Fertilization on Potassium and Magnesium Deficiencies Associated with Flowering in Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia ×blakeana Dunn)
Authors: Broschat Timothy K.
Published: February 2018

Hong Kong orchid tree is an outstanding flowering tree for tropical and subtropical areas, but in south Florida’s nutrient-poor sand soils, it typically develops moderate to severe K and Mg deficiency symptoms during the fall, winter, and spring months. A 3-year field experiment was conducted to determine if flowering was responsible for the development of these deficiencies and to determine if these deficiencies could be prevented by fertilization with medium or high rates of a 24N–0P–9.2K turf fertilizer (24–0–11) an 8N–0P–10K–4Mg plus micronutrients palm fertilizer (8–0–12) or a 0N–0P–13.3K–6Mg plus micronutrients palm fertilizer (0–0–16). Onset of deficiency symptoms coincided with the beginning of flowering, but leaf nutrient concentrations of N, P, K, and Mg continued to decline after flowering ceased in late January, presumably because of movement of these elements from the leaves to stem tissue. Leaf nutrient concentrations were poorly or negatively correlated with all measured plant quality variables and were poor indicators of plant quality or nutritional status. Although fertilization with a high rate of 24–0–11 or either rate of 8–0–12 increased tree height, caliper, and number of flowers, no treatment significantly decreased the severity of K and Mg deficiencies.
Reproductive Sink of Sweet Corn in Response to Plant Density and Hybrid
Authors: Williams Martin M.
Published: February 2018

Improvements in plant density tolerance have played an essential role in grain corn yield gains for ≈80 years; however, plant density effects on sweet corn biomass allocation to the ear (the reproductive ‘sink’) is poorly quantified. Moreover, optimal plant densities for modern white-kernel shrunken-2 (sh2) hybrids are unknown. The objectives of the study were to 1) quantify the effect of plant density and hybrid on the reproductive sink of sweet corn and 2) determine optimal plant densities for white-kernel sh2 sweet corn. Field experiments were conducted across 2 years on 10 white-kernel sh2 hybrids grown at plant densities ranging from 4.3 to 8.6 plants/m2. Increasing plant density negatively influenced reproductive sink characteristics of individual sweet corn plants, including linear decreases in ear shoots/plant, marketable ears/plant, ear length, filled ear length, ear mass/plant, and kernel mass/plant. Reproductive traits varied widely among hybrids, including ear mass (15.6–20.6 Mt·ha−1) and recovery (32.3% to 42.4%), which is the contribution of fresh kernel mass to total ear mass. Hybrids had a common response to plant density, whereby ear yield was optimized at 5.5 plants/m2 and gross profit margin was optimized at 6.1 plants/m2. Plant density data from 586 growers’ fields suggest current seeding rates have optimized the reproductive sink size for today’s white-kernel sh2 hybrids. However, room exists for improving plant density tolerance, yield, and profitability.
Fate of Manure‐Borne Pathogens during Anaerobic Digestion and Solids Separation
Authors: Burch Tucker R. , Spencer Susan K. , Borchardt Spencer S. , Larson Rebecca A. , Borchardt Mark A.
Published: February 2018

Anaerobic digestion can inactivate zoonotic pathogens present in cattle manure, which reduces transmission of these pathogens from farms to humans through the environment. However, the variability of inactivation across farms and over time is unknown because most studies have examined pathogen inactivation under ideal laboratory conditions or have focused on only one or two full‐scale digesters at a time. In contrast, we sampled seven full‐scale digesters treating cattle manure in Wisconsin for 9 mo on a biweekly basis (n = 118 pairs of influent and effluent samples) and used real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to analyze these samples for 19 different microbial genetic markers. Overall, inactivation of pathogens and fecal indicators was highly variable. When aggregated across digester and season, log‐removal values for several representative microorganisms—bovine Bacteroides, Bacteroidales‐like CowM3, and bovine polyomavirus—were 0.78 ± 0.34, 0.70 ± 0.50, and 0.53 ± 0.58, respectively (mean ± SD). These log‐removal values were up to two times lower than expected based on the scientific literature. Thus, our study indicates that full‐scale anaerobic digestion of cattle manure requires optimization with regard to pathogen inactivation. Future studies should focus on identifying the potential causes of this suboptimal performance (e.g., overloading, poor mixing, poor temperature control). Our study also examined the fate of pathogens during manure separation and found that the majority of microbes we detected ended up in the liquid fraction of separated manure. This finding has important implications for the transmission of zoonotic pathogens through the environment to humans.

Core Ideas

Pathogen inactivation is highly variable among full‐scale anaerobic digesters.

Pathogen inactivation by full‐scale digesters on cattle farms needs optimization.

Most microbes end up in the liquid fraction during solids separation of manure.
Leakage reduction in water distribution system using efficient pressure management techniques. Case study: Nagpur, India
Authors: Gupta Aditya Dinesh , Kulat Kishore
Published: February 2018

Leakages in water distribution system (WDS) are directly proportional to its operating pressure. Pressure management is becoming an important technique for reducing leakages in the water networks. This paper presents a pressure management technique for leakage reduction in north central WDS of Nagpur City, India, using variable speed pump and pressure reducing valves (PRVs). Variable speed pump is utilized for eliminating pressure deficiency during high demand and for reducing excess pressure causing leakage reduction during lower demand, by controlling the pump speed. PRVs have been used for further leakage reduction. This paper proposes a modified reference pressure algorithm for determining the location of valves in WDS. A multiobjective genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is used to determine the optimized control value of pressure reducing valve with respect to change in demand pattern and to minimize the leakage rate in the WDS. Proposed pressure management technique leads to leakage reduction of 16.57% to 26.30% with respect to changes in demand pattern, causing daily average saving of 5.066 Ml. Minimum required pressure is maintained on every demand nodes to avoid pressure deficiency in WDS.
Histomorphometric Analysis of Bone Density in Relation to Tactile Sense of the Surgeon During Dental Implant Placement
Authors: Rokn Amir Reza , Labibzadeh Akram , Ghohroudi Amir Alireza Rasouli , Shamshiri Ahmad Reza , Solhjoo Somaye
Published: February 2018

Introduction:

A correct diagnosis and optimal treatment planning is essential for success in implant dentistry. Proper diagnosis of bone quality is an important part of the diagnostic procedure.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to correlate the tactile sense of the surgeon in the assessment of bone density to the histomorphometric analysis of bone quality.

Methods:

In this study, 56 bone samples from 33 patients were harvested from implant sites with trephine drills. The samples were analyzed with Image J software. In the samples following parameters were measured: BV/TV, superficial cortical plate thickness, the number and thickness of haversian canals in cortical bone and the number, thickness and distance of trabecules in cancellous bone. The clinical hardness of bone during drilling was evaluated by surgeon according to Misch. GEE analysis with exchangeable correlation structure and linear model was used to evaluate the relationship between the tactile sense of the surgeon and histomorphometric parameters and all analysis was adjusted for two confounding variables: gender and location.

Results:

There were 51.79% implants in D2 samples and 48.21% in D3. Bone classification according to Misch was significantly correlated to distance of trabecules in cancellous bone (P-value=0.05), and shown marginally significant correlation with mean superficial cortical bone thickness (P-value =0.07) and number of haversian canals (P-value =0.005) in cortical bone.

Discussion:

There were differences between our results and others. The authors believed that these differences mainly are because of confounding factors, that in this study were eliminated. The clinical finding during surgery can approximately explain the histologic properties of bone.

Conclusion:

It is concluded that tactile sense of the surgeon can exhibit the histologic properties of the bone, and we are able to estimate the healing prognosis of the bone in implant placement.
Evaluation of Dimensional Changes of 3D Printed Models After Sterilization: A Pilot Study
Authors: Shaheen Eman , Alhelwani Abdulhadi , Van De Casteele Elke , Politis Constantinus , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: February 2018

Objectives:

To assess the effect of two of the most commonly used sterilization techniques on 3D printed clinical objects.

Materials & Methods:

The two sterilization methods used in our hospital and investigated in this paper are: Steam heat and Gas plasma. Three objects were printed and tested in this study: a tooth replica, an orthognathic final splint, a surgical cutting guide for the purpose of mandible reconstruction. For each of the 3 objects, 4 copies were made: one original STL object, one copy of the object pre-sterilization, one copy of post-steam heat sterilization, and one copy of post-gas plasma sterilization. Each printed object was scanned using a high resolution CBCT protocol and the compared (morphologically and volumetrically).

Results:

At the level of volumetric changes, no difference was found between pre and post-sterilization for both methods evaluated. As for the morphological changes, only differences were noticed with the orthognathic splint object indicating deformation of the printed splints after sterilization. Larger differences were observed with heat sterilization, making it less reliable.

Conclusion:

Sterilization of dental objects to be used in a clinical setting may lead to deformation of the printed model, especially for heat sterilization. Further investigations are needed to confirm these findings.
Conventional Vs Digital Impressions: Acceptability, Treatment Comfort and Stress Among Young Orthodontic Patients
Authors: Mangano Alessandro , Beretta Matteo , Luongo Giuseppe , Mangano Carlo , Mangano Francesco
Published: February 2018

Objective:

The objective of the present study was to compare patients’ acceptability, comfort and stress with conventional and digital impressions.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty young orthodontic patients (15 males and 15 females) who had no previous experience of impressions were enrolled in this study. Conventional impressions for orthodontic study models of the dental arches were taken using an alginate impression material (Hydrogum®, Zhermack Spa, Badia Polesine, Rovigo, Italy). Fifteen days later, digital impressions of both arches were acquired using an intraoral scanner (CS3600®, Carestream Dental, Rochester, NY, USA). Immediately after impression taking, patients’ acceptability, comfort and stress were measured using two questionnaires and the State anxiety scale.

Results:

Data showed no difference in terms of anxiety and stress; however, patients preferred the use of digital impressions systems instead of conventional impression techniques. Alginate impressions resulted as fast as digital impressions.

Conclusions:

Digital impressions resulted the most accepted and comfortable impression technique in young orthodontic patients, when compared to conventional techniques.
Students English Speaking Ability
Authors: Mukammal - , Priyono - , Amrullah -
Published: February 2018

This Study is intended to assess students’ English speaking ability in Syaikh Zainuddin Islamic Senior High School NW Anjani East Lombok which includes; the categories of students’ English speaking ability, the problems are experienced by students when they speak English and factors affect students’ English speaking ability. The data was collected through audio and video recording of students’ group discussions and depth interviews with the headmaster, English teachers, language advisors and students. The data was analyzed using descriptive qualitative and quantitative method. The results of this study are; first, the categories of students’ English speaking ability are 86.8 % students in high, 11.2 % student medium and 2.8 % in the low category. Second, the problems are experienced by students when they speak English are; difficult to begin, vocabularies mastering, pronunciation, and grammatically, and third, factors affect students’ English speaking ability are; environment, learning method, control, language rules, rewards, and punishments.
A Study on Customer Satisfaction towards in Health Drinks in Theni District
Authors: Mahalakshmi - , Devi Anusuya
Published: February 2018

This research is mainly dealt with the mindset of the consumers buying health drinks. The study on the Brand Loyalty on Consumer Health Drink explains the Taste, Preference. Essential also of the consumers consuming health drinks in their day to day life. This research also focuses on the changing preference of the customers because, in today’s time, there are much more options in choosing the health drinks according to the consumers taste. To increase the customer’s satisfaction, marketers have developed various marketing programs.
The Rural Sub-regions of the East-Province in the recent historical Dynamics of Zaïre: from 1960 to 1985 (the Case of the Bas-Ulélé)
Authors: Denda-Sakala Dieudonné Mily
Published: February 2018

This study takes the Sub-Region of the Bas-Ulélé as an example of the recent history of the rural areas in Zaire. It gives a description from an insider's point of view based on local research, results in a testimony relating the complete deterioration of rural potentialities in Zaire. The article describes how in the first years after independence, the rich natural resources and the colonial infrastructure brought prosperous development. From 1964 to 1966, however, the Simba-rebellion ravaged the area, destroying a great deal of the infrastructure and caused large-scale massacres among the local population. After the crushing of the rebellion, the subsequent revival was quickly halted by constant bureaucratic hindrances and interference from Mobutu's MPR. "Zairisation " led to further deterioration of the economic infrastructure. From 1980 on, the Sub-Region was neglected more and more by the central government and even by its elected representatives. Finally, the liberalising of gold- prospecting withdrew farmers, schoolchildren and teachers form their normal activities leading only to more misery in the area.KEY WORDS: Development, Local Administration, Politics, Zaire
Territorial Cults in West-Congo: Vanished or Transformed?
Authors: Vanhee Hein
Published: February 2018

This paper discusses some of the key issues in my current research on the history of the relationship between society, tradition and Christianity in the west of Congo-Kinshasa over the last century. My focus here is on the process of progressive transformation of the nineteenth-century territorial cults and the structural continuity which is apparent in the development of the Congolese Christian church in the area. In presenting some of my working hypotheses I am suggesting that after an initial period of open hostility towards the first missionaries, BaKongo became aware - 'empirically' as it were - of the fact that new ways were to be explored in order to compete with the challenges of Western colonialism and the forces of modernity and globalisation. In this regard, the history of religious life in West Congo can be described as a progressive attempt to regain control over the relations between human society and the supernatural world. KEY WORDS: African Christiantity, Central Africa, religion, territorial cults
Legal control of discretionary powers in Ghana: Lessons from English administrative law theory
Authors: Mensah Kwadwo B.
Published: February 2018

This paper develops along the following line. First, we shall attempt to explain what discretion is, why it has become very important in the modem administrative state, and the dangers that it poses in a democratic legal system. It then looks at the problems which have to be faced in justifying judicial review of discretion. It takes an in depth analysis of legal liberalism and functionalism. Aimed with these 'lenses', it attempts to explain the theoretical basis of two important Ghanaian cases, Re Akoto , and People's Popular Party v Attorney General (PPP v AG)'. It examines the provisions which regulate the use of discretionary powers in the Ghanaian 1993 Constitution and it looks at the choices we have to make from the various theories and the development of the administrative state in Ghana.KEY WORDS: functionalism, Ghana, judicial review, law, liberalism
Changing Rwandan vision of women and land, in the heart of the house, at the outskirts of the world
Authors: De Lame Danielle
Published: February 2018

Because the current situation is unstable and the countryside is out of reach, it is impossible to assess in what measures and ways the fact that many women carry the daily burden alone will affect, more generally, the views about gender and gender roles. Women can, indeed keep working in the name of their dead or disappeared husbands; still bearing in mind the old ideology of a continuity based on fidelity to the family ancestors. The disillusions about the further reaching effects on local communities, society, and nation, of beliefs related to the ritual gender complementarity will probably result in a yet more individualized vision of the family. It is realistic to suppose that the rising generation of women would have other views about their own rights, and be less submissive to men if they were, by law, recognized as equal to them on all grounds. This was, however, far from achieved before the genocide, even after the reform of the law which put daughters at an equal footing with sons as far as succession to land rights was concerned. The fact that a majority of households are now female-headed is no, in itself, a guarantee against oppression. If, then, gender roles remain perceived as unchanged, a majority of women will be oppressed in a very crude manner, that is to say, with very little "moral" justification of their exploitation. It also remains to be seen what kind of negotiation the peasant women will be able to achieve with those in power, either male or female.The hope for change rests with active efforts at providing women who are said to be 70% of household heads now, with structures giving them sufficient knowledge, efficacy and credit to organize without being patronized. There are examples of such attempts but their success can only be achieved on the basis of a democracy aiming at giving all access to basic rights. The old modes of exploitation and patronage could perfectly become, under the guises of feminism, associated with female cosmopolitanism. Peasant women could well submit themselves to its local bearers, as they would see no other avenues to the wider world and its wealth. Conformity would take its toll again. Nothing much could have improved in their daily lives, even if the old vision of an engendered fertile land has vanished.
War as Exit from Exclusion? The Formation of Mayi-Mayi Militias in Eastern Congo
Authors: Vlassenroot Koen , Van Acker Frank
Published: February 2018

In eastern Congo scores of young and marginalized people have been increasingly attracted to the mobilising efforts of new local actors. The inquiry into this phenomenon traces the emergence of the first militias to the end of the eighties. These first generation militias were a result of the growing willingness of marginalized youngsters and school drop-outs to form groups of under-aged combatants acting against eveiy representative of modern political authority and against their desperate feelings of exclusion, for which both their political and social environment were held responsible. As they had nothing more to lose than their marginalisation, rebellion became an option, both as a survival strategy and as a strategy of self-defence against a predatory political and social order. The shiftiness of their ideological basis and allies only further proved what these first militias were about: a search for alternatives to a situation of acute deprivation.This article reveals that the present RCD rebellion that rages through the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo has had an escalating effect on the proliferation of new militias. Before, the Kabila-led AFDL rebellion had already offered the already existing militias a new cause: that of an anti-Tutsi force fighting against foreign occupation. In resistance to the effects of state collapse and armed foreign interventions, rural and urban youth today have combined former traditions and newly developed patterns of mobility in an interpretation of customary and national defence. This has not meant that they link up with the traditional emanations of authority. Rather, a crisis in the social fabric has meant a shift in authority towards these combatants and the use of violence. In addition, shared feelings of antipathy towards the 'Tutsi-aggressors ' have facilitated the creation of links between these diverse local groupings and other, foreign, factions of armed militia roaming the local countryside. Consolidation, however, remains unlikely as this shared ideology does not run very deep and alliances continuously change. The question remains what the future impact of these militias might be on the local social order. On the one hand, for several years now in some remote areas these armed groupings have become the only representatives of any authority structure, even if this structure is based on violence. Contrary to other cases, these militias in South Kivu are still closely linked to the rural population and have not turned against them. On the other hand, the dynamic of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue has forced their leaders to present their grievances to the outside world.  Key Words: Mayi Mayi, militias, politics, rebellion, R.D. Congo
De Civiele Maatschappij: een 'nieuwe' partner in een 'oud' systeem
Authors: Vervisch Thomas
Published: February 2018

Since the 1990s, there has been a growing consensus in the international development community about the role of civil society as a relevant partner in economic development and political change all over the world. This article places this debate in the context of state-society relations in Sub-Sahara-Africa. As will become clear, the international consensus is based on one specific and highly normative interpretation of this relation between state and civil society. This consensus defines civil society as an independent actor vis-à-vis the state, capable of championing democratic and governance reforms. Our own argument starts from the assumption that this interpretation ignores the complex interrelatedness of state and civil society in African societies. As such, we propose a theoretical framework that recognizes a plurality of different state-society relations and also pays attention to informal as well as formal relations between state and civil society. By doing so, we question the international consensus about the role civil society can play in Sub-Sahara-Africa.Key Words: Civil Society, State-Society Relations, Sub-Sahara-Africa
Classification of Nouns and Things in Bantu
Authors: Schadeberg Thilo
Published: February 2018

Is there a semantic foundation for the system of noun classes and genders found in Bantu (and in Niger-Congo-Kordofanian) ? This question has intensely occupied many bantuists for over a century. Fundamentalist, mentalistic, and ethnosemantic approaches were used to construct explanations. The present paper reviews several such approaches, giving particular emphasis to some old and recent Dutch contributions to this field. KEYWORDS : nominal classification, Bantu, semantics
The Protection of Land Rights in Ethiopia
Authors: Witten Montgomery Wray
Published: February 2018

Protection of land rights takes place within a complex interconnected environment of constantly changing domestic institutions and organizations at the federal, state and local levels of society. Usually these institutions and organizations function imperfectly, are the subject of a variety of ongoing reforms, and are poorly understood by those who seek to change them. These statements are as true of rich countries as of poor, but poverty does matter. This paper frames the Ethiopian environment within an Ecology of Land Rights Protection, presents examples of the current mixture of outcomes, and concludes with observations about the work of the Mekelle University Law Faculty in improving human rights protection. Key Words: Land Rights, Federal Laws and Regional Laws, Tigray, Land Registration and Certification, Local Government
New political order in the DR Congo? the transformation of regulation
Authors: Vlassenroot Koen , Raeymaekers Timothy
Published: February 2018

It has been said repeatedly: the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) remains only a shadow of its former self, a typical case of state failure and collapse. Closer observation suggests a different image, however: not only has this country demonstrated “a remarkable propensity for resilience” (Englebert, 2003), its administration and regulatory frameworks – which in some domains have not changed since colonial times – have remained largely intact even during the latest period of war and political turmoil. In this article, we would like to explain these different “cross currents and contradictions” (Young, 2004) that emerged during the past Congolese war, addressing the question of whether processes of state erosion and political reconfiguration during this period should be described as a further “privatisation of the state”, as proposed by Hibou and others, or rather as a transformation or commodification of state sovereignty. The article is organized diachronically: it first discusses the Mobutu period (1965-1997), and then the war (1996-2003), to finally draw some conclusions from Congo’s long period of political “transition”. Key words: Congo, conflict, non-state regulation, Armed groups
Virtuous mobility: moralising vs measuring geographical mobility in Africa
Authors: Pirie Gordon H.
Published: February 2018

Mobility practices, discourse and measurement need rethinking in an age of energy shortages, environmental anxiety and virtual mobility. Standard numerical indexes and other proxies for geographical mobility can be misleading, not least in formulating public policy. The extremes of spatial mobilities in Africa may require particularly sensitive consideration; the peculiar social, psychological and economic dimensions of geographical mobility on the continent certainly need registering. Yet the exceptionalism of the African case is overdrawn and the developmentalism in- herent in yearnings for more mobility is a short-term exaggeration. Revaluing totemic mechanised mobility is urgently required. The way we act on, and the way we think, talk and write about, geographical mobility needs reconceptualising in terms of fairness, equity, environmental justice, and human rights. Key words: Africa, development indicators, human rights, inequality, mobility, transport
Tamarindus indica L. – A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology
Authors: De Caluwé Emmy , Halamová Kateřina , Van Damme Patrick
Published: February 2018

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica, Fabaceae), a tropical fruit found in Africa and Asia is highly valued for its pulp. Tamarind fruit pulp has a sweet acidic taste due to a combination of high contents of tartaric acid and reducing sugars. The pulp is used for seasoning, in prepared foods, to flavour confections, curries and sauces, and as a major ingredient in juices and other beverages. Commercial tamarind-based drinks are available from many countries. Vitamin B content is quite high; carotene and vitamin C contents are low. Presence of tannins and other dyeing matters in the seed testa make the whole seed unsuitable for consumption, but they become edible after soaking and boiling in water. Tamarind kernel powder is an important sizing material in textile, paper and jute industries. Seeds are gaining importance as an alternative source of proteins, and are besides rich in some essential minerals. Seed pectin can form gels over a wide pH range. Leaves and flowers can be eaten as vegetables, and are prepared in a variety of dishes. They are used to make curries, salads, stews and soups. Tamarind leaves are a fair source of vitamin C and α-carotene; mineral content is high, particularly P, K, Ca and Mg. Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal activity has been documented from several plant parts. Tamarind is also extensively used in tradi- tional medicine. The traditional uses, its phytochemistry and pharmacognosy is reviewed to provided with a particular orientation to its value in sub-Sahara Africa. Key words: Tamarind, Tamarindus indica L., traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, anti-nutritional factors
Researching gender: the challenge of global diversity today
Authors: Longman Chia
Published: February 2018

The text of this paper is based on a lecture given at the symposium of the Ghent African Platform “Researching Gender in/on Africa” at Ghent University in December 2009. It addresses some general challenges faced by ‘gender studies’ as an autonomous field versus ‘gender research’ as an integrated topic within mainstream disciplines in academia. Gender studies have sometimes superseded ‘women’s studies’ and expanded to cover the terrain of study of various forms of diversity including men’s and transgender studies. We will show that the ‘mainstreaming’ of gender in public policy at local, national and transnational levels is a development which may potentially lead to the loss of a – feminist – political edge. Secondly, while gender studies with their emphasis on socially constructed gender as opposed to biological essentialist understandings of ‘sex’ appear to face the challenge of a popular ‘new biological determinism’, it is shown that the binary model of sex/gender in fact has been criticised for some time now from within feminist theory and gender research. This is (selectively) illustrated with research from four disciplines, including the work of African gender studies scholars, i.e. feminist philosophy, social sciences (in particular socio-cultural anthropology), history and biology itself. This then shows how the accusation that gender studies would be ‘socially deterministic’ without attending to bodily matters or materiality is unfounded. Finally, it is argued that there is still a need for gender studies to become more culturally diverse, more global and transnational in its outlook, by becoming more deeply attuned to the way gender intersects with other forms of difference and taking into account postcolonial critiques of western feminist paternalism, without falling into the trap of cultural relativism. Key words: gender studies, feminism, sex/gender debate, gender mainstreaming, postcolonial critique, cultural relativism, Afrocentrism
Sorcellerie en milieu urbain amplifiée par les pentecôtismes camerounais
Authors: Batibonak Sariette
Published: February 2018

Once considered as a "rural" phenomenon, issues pertaining to the occult have, at the height of globalization, become an "urban" problem. Witchcraft is particularly invoked to designate suc- cess; to provide information on individual and collective misfortunes, justifying battles against fetishes, misfortune, bad genies and all kinds of evil spirits leading to poverty, unemployment, bad luck or (a state of ) being possessed. Increasingly since the nineties, the city has become the stage for Pentecostal effervescence. Preacher-healers have settled predominately in urban areas and play a crucial role in the reconstruction of sorcery's collective imagery, updating magical- religious systems of reference; rehabilitating exorcism and devotion in matters of deliverance. Religious and magical justi cations have become regular features of urban acts and behaviours. In this context, witchcraft distinguishes itself as a response to urban life and could even be one of its founding elements. What are its urban markers? How does it express itself in contemporary urban life? Using an in situ approach, active observation and semi-structured interviews – this research examines, from an ethnographical perspective, urban witchcraft as ampli ed by a Pente- costal discourse vector of anti-witchcraft violence. Key words: witchcraft, Pentecostalism, urban, occultism, churches