bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Esterco bovino, biofertilizante, inoculante e combinações no desempenho produtivo do feijão comum
Authors: Martins Jéssyca Dellinhares Lopes , Moura Mácio Farias de , Oliveira João Paulo Ferreira de , Oliveira Marcos De , Galindo Cathylen Almeida Félix
Published: February 2016

Onde o cultivo do feijão é realizado por agricultores familiares sem grandes investimentos em insumos, a adubação orgânica pode vir a suplementar ou, até mesmo, substituir os adubos químicos, a longo prazo, na lavoura. Diante disso, objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo do feijão comum cultivado com esterco bovino, biofertilizante, inoculante, adubação mineral e diferentes combinações desses. O experimento foi realizado em condições de sequeiro, no município de São João-PE, no ano agrícola de 2013. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, constituído por nove tratamentos ( T - testemunha; E - esterco; B - biofertilizante; I - inoculante; EI - esterco + inoculante; BI – biofertilizante + inoculante; EB - esterco + biofertilizante; EBI - esterco + biofertilizante + inoculante; AM - adubação mineral). O esterco bovino (40 t ha-1), quer isolado (E), quer associado ao biofertilizante e/ou inoculante (EI, EB, EBI), proporcionou aumento significativo no comprimento de vagem, no número de vagem por planta, bem como no rendimento da palha e na produtividade da cultura do feijão. Os métodos alternativos de adubação (E, EI, EB, EBI) podem substituir a fertilização mineral no cultivo de feijão, contudo, o inoculante e o biofertilizante não devem ser empregados de maneira isolada para produção do feijão comum de sequeiro.
Emergência e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de cupuaçu cultivadas sob diferentes substratos e condições de sombreamento
Authors: Moura Elias Ariel de , Chagas Pollyana Cardoso , Moura Marcela Liege da Silva , Souza Olisson Mesquita , Chagas Edvan Alves
Published: February 2016

O cupuaçu pode ser propagado por via sexuada ou assexuada, sendo a via seminífera o processo mais utilizado. Dessa forma, ambientes apropriados para a produção de mudas propiciam melhores condições para o crescimento inicial em campo, colaborando para o aumento da homogeneidade, sanidade e redução da mortalidade de plantas no momento do plantio. Assim, fatores como luz e tipo de substrato são importantes para a germinação de sementes e emergência inicial de plantas. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar o efeito de diferentes substratos, bem como a influência do sombreamento na emergência e no crescimento inicial de plântulas de cupuaçu. O experimento foi conduzido na Embrapa Roraima, utilizando-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 7, constituídos de diferentes ambientes (canteiro sem cobertura, canteiro com cobertura tipo sombrite de 50% de luminosidade e canteiro com cobertura plástica transparente de 100 micras), combinados com diferentes substratos (areia, solo, vivatto®, serragem, areia+solo, areia+solo+vivatto® e areia+solo+serragem). Após a semeadura, avaliou-se a porcentagem de emergência e o índice de velocidade de emergência no intervalo de cinco dias, quando, ao final dos 50 dias, avaliou-se o comprimento da parte aérea, o número de folhas, a área foliar, o comprimento do sistema radicular, o diâmetro do caule, a massa seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicular. Observou-se que maior porcentagem de emergência, IVE e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de cupuaçuzeiro são obtidos ao se utilizar substrato constituído por areia+solo+serragem. O ambiente com sombreamento de 50% de luminosidade proporciona maior porcentagem de emergência, IVE, diâmetro do colo e massa seca do sistema radicular.
Características agronômicas da soja em semeadura convencional e cruzada
Authors: Santana Ormond Antonio Tassio , Voltarelli Murilo Aparecido , Paixão Carla Segatto Strini , Gírio Lucas Augusto da Silva , Zerbato Cristiano , Silva Rouverson Pereira da
Published: February 2016

Considerando-se que modificações relacionadas à população de plantas podem influenciar positiva ou negativamente na produtividade, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar as características agronômicas relacionadas com a produção de soja em sistemas de semeadura convencional e cruzada. Para tanto, utilizaram-se as ferramentas do controle estatístico de processo. O experimento foi realizado no município de Jaboticabal - SP, em solo classificado como LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Eutroférrico, sendo empregado um conjunto trator MF660, 4x2 TDA (tração dianteira auxiliar), com 110 kW e semeadoraadubadora de precisão da marca Marchesan, modelo COP Suprema 7/4, com disco vertical pneumático. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi baseado na metodologia do controle estatístico de processo, na qual os pontos foram coletados ao longo da operação. Os tratamentos consistiram de dois sistemas de semeadura da soja, sendo: convencional e cruzada. Empregou-se uma malha regular espaçada de 20 x 20 m, além de avaliações em duas linhas nos dois sistemas de semeadura. Os indicadores de qualidade ou variáveis avaliados foram: altura de plantas; altura da inserção da primeira vagem; número de vagem por planta; altura de corte; distribuição de palha e produtividade de grãos. As características agronômicas da soja foram influenciadas em função dos sistemas de semeadura convencional e cruzada. A altura de corte e a produtividade de grãos apresentaram estabilidade do processo para ambos os sistemas de semeadura.
Screening of Ethanolic Extract of Borassus flabellifer Flowers for its Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Potential
Authors: Kavatagimath Satish A. , Jalalpure Sunil S. , Hiremath Ravindra D.
Published: February 2016

Diabetes mellitus is an age old metabolic disorder characterized by increased blood glucose levels. This may be due to deficiency of insulin (Type I Diabetes) or insulin resistance (Type II Diabetes). Traditional system of medicine provides with many plant sources for the effective management of diabetes mellitus preferable than any other system of medicine. The rationale behind use of such herbal medicines is to be supported by establishing the scientific basis for their traditional claims. In the present study ethanolic extract of Borassus flabellifer flowers was screened for its anti-diabetic potential against alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood glucose level, serum lipid profile and histological study of pancreas were performed. The free radical scavenging effect was studied by using DPPH method. After administration of the ethanolic extract, there was a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels from 60 min (OGTT) acute study reveals blood glucose lowering potential of 20 % at 6 hr whereas sub-acute study after 15 days of treatment it was observed to be 35 %. The extract exerts a significant DPPH radical scavenging effect. From the data it can be inferred that ethanolic extract of Borassus flabellifer flowers are in confirmation with the claims made in traditional system of medicine. This marked antihyperglycemic effect and in vitro antioxidant potential may be attributed to the presence of active constituent’s like flavonoids and triterpenoids.

 
A Pharmacognostical study on Fumaria parviflora Lamk.
Authors: Modi Karuna , Amin Aeshna , Shah Mamta
Published: February 2016

Fumaria parviflora Lamk., is a valued herb in Ayurvedic medicine and is used as Parpata by majority of Ayurvedic practitioners amongst the other plant sources mentioned under the same common name. It is found in many parts of India from Indo-Gangetic plain and Nepal down to the Nilgiri Mountains. The whole plant is diuretic, diaphoretic, aperient, laxative and anthelmintic. It is used as antipyretic, blood purifier and in skin disorders. In the present study, physico-chemical parameters were established for identification of the drug. Protopine and β-sitosterol were quantified by validated HPTLC method, developed using precoated silica gel plates as a stationary phase and toluene: ethyl acetate: diethyl amine (7: 2: 1) and toluene: methanol (9.4: 0.6) as a mobile phase respectively. It is a diffuse, annual herb with thin winged stem; alternate leaf finely divided into small, linear lanceolate segments, small white or pink flowers with purplish tips. Microscopically root can be characterized by the presence of centrally located diarch primary xylem encircled by wide secondary xylem occupying major area and a narrow cork; stem by collenchymatous hypodermis, vascular bundle capped with lignified pericyclic fibres and hollow pith; leaf by vascular bundles with groups of sclerenchyma underneath the phloem and narrow spongy parenchymatous lamina. Powder can be typified by xylem vessels with varied thickening, lignified and thick walled testa and spherical pollen grains. The plant was found to be rich in alkaloids. The amount of protopine and β-sitosterol were found to be 0.47 – 0.50% w/w and 0.23 – 0.26% w/w.   The quality parameters and HPTLC method developed would serve as useful gauge in standardization of Fumaria parviflora.
How to Define Bone Loss in Spinal Cord Lesion
Authors: Dionyssiotis Yannis
Published: February 2016

Editorial
Atypical Insufficiency Fractures Associated with Long-Term Bisphosphonate Therapy: 3 Case Reports
Authors: Guinamand Sandrine Malochet
Published: February 2016

Atypical femoral fractures as defined by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) are linked with long-term bisphosphonate therapy. We report the cases of 3 patients treated with bisphosphonates, and presenting non femoral atypical fracture. Our first patient presented with a series of fractures after being treated with risedronate: the left tibia, bilateral tibial plateau successively, the left femoral and tibial metaphysis, the right tibia and calcaneus, the left talus, and the left talar dome. The second patient had been taking alendronate and presented with a spontaneous fracture of the spine of the left scapula. The third patient had been treated with alendronate and presented with a fracture of the upper right tibial diaphysis with an unusual oblique orientation. These fractures could be suggestive of bisphosphonate therapy failure or stress fractures. However, the number of fractures in our first case, the fracture site in the second and the fracture line orientation in the third brings to mind the hypothesis of atypical non femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonate therapy. We therefore suggest the possibility of a new type of atypical fracture in patients treated with bisphosphonates, and whose causal relationship with bisphosphonates is even more difficult to demonstrate.
Serum Omentin-1 Concentrations are Significantly and Independently related to Carotid Intima:Media Thickness in Postmenopausal Saudi Women
Authors: Alissa Eman Mokbel
Published: February 2016

Purpose: Cytokines and hormones derived from adipose tissue are implicated in bone metabolism and atherogenesis. There is little data on the relationship between serum omentin-1 and vascular disease.Ã‚Â  We aimed to investigate the relationship between levels of serum omentin-1 in Saudi postmenopausal females with and without subclinical atherosclerosis.Methods: 126 postmenopausal women were recruited from the King Abdulaziz University Hospital in a case-control study design. Measurements were made of clinical biomarkers, including carotid intima: media thickness (CIMT) for all subjects.Results: Serum omentin-1 levels were higher amongst postmenopausal women with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis than their age-matched controls (p<0.05). Only body weight and mean CIMT were shown to be independent predictors of serum omentin-1 levels by explaining 10.6% of the total variance according to the multiple regression model. Conclusion: Serum omentin-1 levels are higher in postmenopausal women with evidence of early carotid atherosclerosis as assessed by CIMT and negatively associated with body weight.
Estudo da cinética de secagem em camada delgada da bráctea da macambira
Authors: Pessoa T. R. B. , Portela J. V. F. , El-Aouar Â. A. , Martins P. C.
Published: February 2016

A macambira é uma bromélia do sertão brasileiro e a sua principal utilização para consumo de suas brácteas é na forma de produtos secos, tais como a farinha. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o processo de secagem em camada delgada da bráctea da macambira (Bromelia laciniosa, Mart.) in natura a diferentes temperaturas. A secagem convectiva foi realizada a 43, 49 e 56 °C em condições constantes de velocidade e umidade absoluta do ar. Foi utilizado um secador de leito fixo com escoamento de ar perpendicular as partículas, cujos ensaios de secagem foram conduzidos até que as amostras alcançassem massa constante. A cinética de secagem foi avaliada através das curvas experimentais de secagem. A difusividade efetiva média de umidade foi determinada através de correlações empíricas e da solução do modelo de Fick para a difusão de água líquida. O aumento da temperatura do ar de secagem provocou o aumento da taxa de secagem e a diminuição do conteúdo de umidade das amostras ao longo de toda operação. As correlações empíricas (análoga a lei de resfriamento de Newton e de Page) apresentaram melhores ajustes aos resultados experimentais em relação ao modelo de Fick. Os valores da difusividade média de umidade encontradas para a bráctea de macambira a 43, 49 e 56°C foi na ordem de 10-10 m/s². Os melhores resultados para a secagem de bráctea de macambira foi a 56°C.

Mathematical modeling and effective diffusivity of drying process of bract of macambira

Abstract: The macambira is a bromeliad in the Brazilian arid regions and its main use for consumption of its bract is in the form of dry products such as flour. The objective of this work was to study the drying process thin layer bract macambira (Bromeliad laciniosa Mart.) at different temperatures. The convective drying was performed at 43, 49 and 56 °C under constant air conditions of speed and absolute humidity. Experimental tests were conducted in a fixed-bed dryer with air flowing perpendicular to the sample the particles to obtain constant weight. Drying kinetics was evaluated using the experimental curves drying. The average effective moisture diffusivity was determined by empirical correlations and Fick's model solution for the diffusion of liquid water. The increase in drying air temperature caused an increase in the drying rate and decreased moisture content of the samples throughout operation. The empirical correlations (analogous to Newton's law of cooling and Page) had best fits the experimental results than the model of Fick. The values of average moisture diffusivity found for bract macambira at 43, 49 and 56 °C was in the order of 10-10 m2/s. The best results for drying bract macambira was at 56 °C.
Effects of dietary fiber preparations made from maize starch on the growth and activity of selected bacteria from the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria phyla in fecal samples from obese children.
Authors: Barczynska Renata , Slizewska Katarzyna , Litwin Mieczyslaw , Szalecki Mieczyslaw , Kapusniak Janusz
Published: February 2016

Currently, there is a search for substances that would be very well tolerated by an organism and which could contribute to the activation of the growth of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria strains, with simultaneous inhibition of the growth of Firmicutes. High expectations in this regard are raised with the use of fiber preparations from starch - resistant corn dextrins, branched dextrins, resistant maltodextrins and soluble corn fiber. In this paper, the influence of fiber preparations made from corn starch was evaluated on growth and activity of Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes strains isolated from obese children. It was demonstrated that in the stool of obese children Firmicutes strains predominate, while Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria strains were in the minority. A supplementation of fecal culture with fiber preparations did not cause any significant changes in the number of strains of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Addition of fiber preparations to the fecal samples of obese children increased the amount of short-chain fatty acids, especially acetic (p < 0.01), propionic, butyric (p = 0.05) and lactic acid (p < 0.01).
Editorial
Authors: Bussinguer Elda Coelho de Azevedo
Published: February 2016

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A crise do direito fundamental ao trabalho no início do século XXI
Authors: Fabriz Daury Cesar
Published: February 2016

O presente estudo procura avaliar o direito ao trabalho no contexto de uma sociedade em transformação. O valor fundamental do trabalho, e seu desenvolvimento e sua proteção. O trabalho como condição da dignidade da pessoa humana e gerador de riquezas na era da globalização financeira; processo esse que vem modificando o universo da produção e da dominação. Ressalta a decadência do estado do bem-estar e o fim da sociedade do emprego.
A função simbólica dos direitos fundamentais
Authors: Moreira Nelson Camatta
Published: February 2016

Na pesquisa bibliográfica realizada e no raciocínio desenvolvido ao longo do texto, intenta-se analisar os direitos humanos e a sua correlação com o Estado na pós-modernidade. Nesse iter, torna-se imprescindível o diagnóstico acerca das transformações e crises do modelo jurídico que ainda segue fortemente marcado pelo Estado. Todavia, diante de inúmeros abalos sofridos por esta Organização Estrutural – que ainda se mantém como a mais importante instituição da modernidade – causados principalmente pelo fenômeno da globalização (em seus diferentes perfis), o direito contemporâneo se mostra insuficiente diante de tanta complexidade. Isso ocorre porque o paradigma jurídico ainda segue atrelado a uma racionalidade insatisfatória, na medida em que nega a diferença e abomina os paradoxos. Portanto, a fim de oferecer contributos para a construção de um Direito mais coerente com o veloz século XXI, com aporte na teoria pragmático-sistêmica, intenta-se, no artigo subseqüente, apresentar uma observação dos direitos humanos (fundamentais) com base nesse novo paradigma como matriz teórica do Direito. Nesse sentido, como canal privilegiado de discussão dos paradoxos da pós-modernidade, aborda-se a função dos direitos fundamentais, a sua relação com o Estado, bem como a importância da democracia como mecanismo para a manutenção da abertura das possibilidades de sentido dos direitos humanos.
Community Participation In Tourism Management In Busai Village Homestay, Wangnamkheo District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand
Authors: Naipinit Aree , Maneenetr Thirachaya
Published: February 2016

The objective of this research was 1) to study community participation in tourism management at Busai Village Home Stay, Wangnamkheo District, Nakhon Ratchasim Province, and 2) to study the effect of the attitudes upon local tourism, particularly in Busai Village Homestay, Wangnamkheo District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. This research used both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the population studied was 155 family leaders of households in Busai Village Homestay. In addition, we used content analysis in the qualitative method, and in the quantitative method, we analyzed 155 questionnaires utilizing percentage, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation with the SPSS/PC program. The findings were as follows: Community participation was high with regard to developing ideas for tourism management, in planning locations for tourist attractions and use of natural resources, in budgeting for supporting and developing tourist attractions, and  in viewing tourist attractions as financially beneficial for the community. Villagers’ participation in keeping attractions clean and safe, in beautifying the attractions, and in receiving information on tourism were also high. The community’s overall attitude toward tourism was at a medium level. A widely held opinion was that Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO) should accept the people’s ideas in order to develop a tourism management system because TAO has not cooperated with the local people in tourism management as it should have. Apart from this, the local people believe that all people are the owners of natural resources serving as tourist attractions and that all should be responsible for taking care of them.. The local people should not protest tourism management, and neither should they consider it as the responsibility of TAO only.
Public Perceptions On Water Reuse Options: The Case Of Sulaibiya Wastewater Treatment Plant In Kuwait
Authors: Alhumoud Jasem M. , Madzikanda David
Published: February 2016

The main sources of water in Kuwait are seawater desalination and groundwater. Reclaimed wastewater effluent could be an additional water source. Its use would reduce the volumes of recycled water being disposed of to the environment and it could reduce the demand for fresh water supplies. The results of a questionnaire survey of more than 1,500 random households residing in 64 districts in Metropolitan Kuwait are presented. The frequency distribution of the education level, knowledge of wastewater reuse, age, nationality and gender of the sample population are presented. In addition, we have presented the results of a survey of attitudes amongst residents of their willingness to use reclaimed water for a variety of purposes. The research analyzes the costs and benefits of using reclaimed water. The study concludes with useful recommendations for both the authorities and the citizens of Kuwait.
The Role Of Business Education At The K-12 Level: Faculty Perceptions On Establishing A Business Education Department In The College Of Basic Education At The Public Authority For Applied Education And Training
Authors: AlSagheer Abdullah , Al-Sagheer Areej
Published: February 2016

In recent years, business education has grown rapidly at the university level, though there have been some critics who believe that this approach does not instill the outcomes that business schools claim.  One possible approach suggested is the expansion of business education to general education at the   K-12 level in order to better instill business skills among the general student population.  The validity of this theory and the proposal to add a business education component to the College of Basic Education at The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training in The State of Kuwait was tested using the perspectives gathered through interviews of six faculty members from the College of Basic Education and the College of Business Studies.  The interviews revealed varying opinions between the two faculties on the usefulness of business education generally, the applicability of business skills, and the importance of teaching business ethics.  Though the hypothesis is ultimately not fully supported, the perspectives given provide a good start for considering expanding business education to the K-12 level.
Currency Crisis: The Case Of Iceland
Authors: Lakehal-Ayat Merouane
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the Krona (the Icelandic currency) from an investment perspective while determining what has influenced its recent value deterioration.  The paper looks at many different variables that have influenced the currency since the 1980s.  These factors include: Iceland’s market-based economy, the layout of their financial system, the exchange rate system, balance of payments, international investment position, and the fiscal/monetary policies that influence their society.  When investing in this currency, it is vital to understand the importance of each of these factors and their role in the valuation of the currency as an investment.  With the recent decline of the Krona’s value, recommendations are put forward regarding Iceland’s currency’s management.  Due to the fact that their financial system has been the backbone of their economy over the last decade, they need to stabilize this system first and foremost.  As soon as the economy will display signs of recovery, the government must take measures to curb the deficit and external debt, while encouraging the diversification of the Icelandic economy.  Moreover, Iceland must do its best to join the Euro zone.  In that context and from an investment approach; namely, trading the Krona, individuals should sell it if they have a short-term investment horizon.  However, in the long-term ranging from three to five years, the currency promises modest return.
Internationalization And Profitability Of The U.S. Multinational Companies After The Free Trade Agreement
Authors: Yuce Ayse , Rakhmanyil Sergiy
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the effect of North American liberalization on the degree of internationalization and profitability of US companies using industry-level data between 1985 and 2005. We find evidence of long-run increases in the degree of internationalization and evidence pointing at increases in firm profitability in the short and long run for US companies following the introduction of NAFTA. We find cross-sectional variation in the degree of internationalization and profitability for US industry sectors. Overall, our results indicate that the process of liberalization has had a positive impact on both the degree of internationalization and on firm profitability for US companies.
Modeling Monetary Policy In South Africa: Focus On Inflation Targeting Era Using A Simple Learning Rule
Authors: Naraidoo Ruthira , Gupta Rangan
Published: February 2016

A simple empirical nonlinear framework is used to analyze monetary policy between 1983 and 2007 in South Africa, focusing on the policy of inflation targeting introduced in Feb 2000, more precisely when the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announced that an inflation zone targeting regime of 3-6% would be in place. We find that a model specification embodying a simple ‘inflation learning rule’ for the future inflation rate seems to provide a better understanding of the decision process made by the SARB in its interest rate setting policy. The main findings are:  1) that the adoption of inflation targeting led to significant changes in monetary policy, 2) post-2000 monetary policy is asymmetric as policymakers respond more to downward deviation of inflation away from the target, 3) post-2000 policymakers may be attempting to keep inflation within the 4.5%–6.9% range rather than pursuing a target zone of 3-6%, as generally pre-announced, and 4) the response of monetary policy to inflation is nonlinear as interest rates respond more when inflation is further from the target.
IFRS Adoption In The E.U., Accounting Harmonization And Markets Efficiency: A Review
Authors: Guggiola Gabriele
Published: February 2016

As of 1st January 2005 all European listed companies had to adopt IAS/IFRS in order to prepare their consolidated financial statements. Half a decade later, the paper analyzes the advancements in the accounting harmonization process within European countries and between E.U. and the rest of the world, over-viewing the first available evidence on the effects on financial markets efficiency. The paper aims at providing an updated description of the process of IFRS adoption in the E.U., pointing out the positive aspects and the main drawbacks and reviews the major contribution provided by the literature during the last years on this subject.
A Conceptual Study Of Privatization Of Public Enterprises And Industrial Relations Practice In A Mixed Recessional Economy
Authors: Akintayo D. I.
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the effect of privatization of public enterprises on industrial relations practice in a mixed recessional economy.  This is with a view to ascertaining the economic effect of privatization on labour–management relations in Nigeria.  The qualitative approach was adopted for this study.  The paper submits that privatized public enterprises in a recessional economy does not create enabling environment for harmonious labour–management relations.  Also, it is established that though privatization policy implementation enhances efficiency and improved workers’ performance, however, retrenchment and job insecurity of the workers are always the resultant effects of any privatized public enterprises.  Therefore, it is recommended that privatization policy implementation should be normally be designed to guarantee workers’ job security, while pragmatic efforts towards sustaining the level of efficiency and productivity attained by the privatized public enterprises should always be given a priority.
Cost/Benefit Evaluation Of Sulaibiya Wastewater Treatment Plant In Kuwait
Authors: Alhumoud Jasem M. , Al-Humaidi Hanouf , Al-Ghusain Ibrahim N. , Alhumoud Ali M.
Published: February 2016

In May 2001, the Government of Kuwait awarded a build, operate and transfer (BOT) contract to a local company to finance, design, build and operate an advanced wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at Sulaibiya. The contract has a 30-year life, comprising 30 months of design and build and 27.5 years of operation and management. The total project cost was K.D. 116 million (US$ 442 million). The Sulaibiya plant currently treats up to 375 million imperial gallons.  It is designed for extension to 600 million imperial gallons and is the first of its kind to be built in the Middle East.  It is the largest in the world to use ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) for water purification. Ultrafiltration will remove all suspended solids and will provide a substantial reduction in micro biological activities. The main obstacle against the use of ultrafiltration membranes for WWTP has always been the higher operating cost of ultrafiltration. Up until now, this higher cost has prevented implementation of UF in all plants. A new membrane has been designed with the aim of tailoring it toward lowest total cost of ownership. Typical operating conditions have been used to quantify the following parameters for a potential large scale wastewater treatment system (UF + RO): amortization of investment in UF membranes and equipment; operating costs of the UF system; reduction in operating costs of the RO, when being compared against a conventional treatment system; and the increased output of the RO plant due to higher availability and shorter construction time. The total cost of ownership of a UF based RO plant has been determined (expressed in US$/m3 of water produced). Taking all factors into account, the total cost of ownership of a dual membrane WWTP (UF + RO) will be 2–7% lower than the total cost of ownership of on conventional retreatment plant.
An Investigation Of The Comparative Impact Of Degree Of Implementation Of IFRS Upon The Public And Private Information Quality Of Asia Pacific Country Firms
Authors: Djatej Arsen , Gao Grace , Sarikas Robert H.S. , Senteney David L.
Published: February 2016

This research investigates the comparative quality of public and private information environments between firms domiciled in 15 Asia Pacific countries of which seven are characterized as market supportive institutional infrastructure.  Our empirical analyses examine the comparative quality of public and private information components of equity securities analysts’ earnings forecasts for Asia Pacific firms, while controlling for firms cross-listing on U.S. equity securities exchanges and  country of domicile degree of implementation of IFRS.  Our results indicate that the quality of private information is higher for non-market supportive infrastructure countries, as compared to market-supportive infrastructure countries of domicile, and the quality of public information is higher for market-supportive infrastructure as compared to non-market-supportive infrastructure countries of domicile.  Furthermore, and particularly noteworthy, is that our results indicate that country of domicile degree of implementation of IFRS increases the quality of public information and decreases the quality of private information for both market-supportive infrastructure and non-market-supportive infrastructure countries of domicile, and also that the decrease in the quality of private and increase in the quality of public information associated with degree of implementation of IFRS are significantly more pronounced for market-supportive infrastructure countries relative to non-market-Supportive infrastructure countries of domicile.  We believe that our results suggest that IFRS is more beneficial for countries having market supportive institutional infrastructure in place as compared with those who do not.
The Influence Of Foreign Operations And Their Disclosure On Earnings Quality
Authors: Hu Fang , Yang Sixian , Giacomino Don E.
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the influence of foreign operations and their financial disclosure on earnings quality in terms of accounting conservatism (timely recognizing losses). In a large (7,311 corporate years) sample of U.S. corporations, we find earnings of firms with multinational operations (MNCs) tend to be of lower quality and are reported less conservatively than those without foreign operations (domestic firms). Further, by looking at the geographic segment information disclosed by MNCs, we find that earnings conservatism gets improved if a MNC reports “clean” segment information of foreign operations; wherein operating results of MNC are broken down by geographic regions (continent or country) and reported separately. This study has implications for monitoring foreign operations and regulations that may improve earnings quality in the global economy.
Does Human Capital Theory Account For Individual Higher Education Choice?
Authors: Van der Merwe Alex
Published: February 2016

South African higher education policy evidently assumes a human capital interpretation of the value of higher education. However, not much local evidence has been provided to support the human capital view that individuals enroll in higher education primarily on the basis of future earnings they expect to flow from such investments. This paper suggests that one reason for this circumstance is that neoclassical economic epistemology, human capital theory’s philosophical paradigm, cannot deal comfortably in the currency of expectations. The paper argues that individual choice can be understood only on the variable ground of human expectations, perceptions and beliefs. Such terrain is, however, not ideally suited to neoclassical economic analysis, so traditional human capital theory relies on improbable assumptions about human behaviour to model educational choice. The discussion proposes that it is not necessary to employ a neoclassical analytical framework to demonstrate that individuals’ enrolment decisions may be sensitive to their anticipated returns to higher education investments. This case study, within a qualitative research design and using principal components analysis of a purposive sample of Durban University of Technology first year students’ attitudes and perceptions relating to higher education, sought to establish whether their expected returns to higher education investments are significantly associated with their enrolment choices. Using binomial logistic regression analysis, respondents’ anticipated private rates of return were shown to be a significant consideration in respect of their higher education choices. This finding, the product of qualitative analysis, affirms the human capital theory proposition that individuals regard higher education as an investment, that is, as a risk versus return prospect.
Roles Of Stakeholders In Strategic Decision-Making Of Microfinance Organizations
Authors: Mori Neema
Published: February 2016

Microfinance organizations provide financial services to low income people. These organizations have been increasing dramatically worldwide. This increment calls attention for these organizations and their boards to make strategic decisions which enable them perform well and compete with each other. Based on literature, this paper identifies six types of microfinance stakeholders who sit on boards. These are clients, employees, government, donors, creditors and owners. This paper discusses the different roles of these stakeholders when they sit on boards of microfinance organizations and these roles are further explained to show how they contribute to the process of making strategic decisions. Literature on boards, strategic decision-making and stakeholder theory are used as guides in showing how microfinance stakeholders on boards can be advantageous to these organizations, specifically in strategic decision-making. Practical implications, propositions and areas for future research on stakeholders and strategic decisions in microfinance organizations are identified and encouraged.
Desain Dakwah Untuk Pembinaan Keagamaan Komunitas Elit Intelektual
Authors: Bukhari Bukhari
Published: February 2016

Dakwah must be designed dynamically to be able to respond various problems. One of dakwah objects that should be specifically considered is intellectual community. They are educated people who are used to think critically, objectively and systematically. They prioritize brain works over muscle ones. To face them we need to prepare special dakwah approaches that move and lead their mind and direct their contaminated ideas, and dakwah subjects that are suitable to their intelligence and religious understanding.

To meet such requirements, dakwah institutions should recruit preachers whose excellent capabilities of academic and social aspects. With academic capabilities, preachers can deliver dakwah by logic methods. In addition, they can construct dakwah materials based on logical arguments. With social capabilities, preachers find it easier to know dakwah objects’ characteristics. Therefore, preachers do not find any obstacle to enter into intellectual communities as their dakwah objects.
Physiotherapy Intervention During Level I of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: de Alvarenga Guilherme Medeiros , Remigio Gamba Humberto , Elisa Hellman Lilian , Ganzert Ferrari Vanusa , Michel de Macedo Rafael
Published: February 2016

Background:

The progressive and chronic course of COPD, characterized by difficulty in breathing, can be aggravated by periods of increased symptoms (exacerbation). The treatment often involves in-hospital care and among the interventions applied in COPD patients, physical therapy prompts good results. However the most used techniques are not properly pinpointed and there is no consensus in the literature regarding its effectiveness.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed to identify which physical therapy treatment was applied in these cases. The following bibliographic databases were consulted: PubMed, and Bireme Portal, Periódicos Capes. Controlled randomized clinical trials that is under went physical therapy intervention in patients hospitalized for exacerbated COPD without the use of NIV (non-invasive ventilation) were included in the study. The PEDro scale, which has a score of 0-10, was used to evaluate the quality of studies included in this review.

Results:

The electronic search yielded a total of 302 references published in English, of which only 6 met the criteria for inclusion and exclusion.

Conclusion:

It is possible to infer that physiotherapy’s techniques used in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation, based on this review, were the high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) on the chest; relaxing massage and active exercises, electrical stimulation via electro-acupuncture; strengthening of the quadriceps; the ELTGOL bronchial drainage technique (expiration with the glottis open in the lateral posture) and an incentive spirometer.
Coats’ Disease: Very Long-Term Outcome After Early Stage Conventional Treatment
Authors: Perrone Salvatore , Rossetti Alberto , Sportiello Patrick , Mirabelli Pierfrancesco , Cimatti Pierangela , Doro Daniele
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

To report on the outcome of conventional therapy in patients with Coats’ disease.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of the charts of thirteen patients with Coats’ disease.

Results:

Mean age of 9 male (70%) and 4 female (30%) patients was 17.7 (range, 5-33) years; one female had bilateral disease. Eleven eyes with retinal telangiectasia and exudation were treated with argon laser photocoagulation alone or photocoagulation associated with cryotherapy; the mean follow up was 32.5 (range,17-41) years. In four eyes without foveal involvement (stage 2a) the mean presenting visual acuity (VA) remained at 0.8 or improved, whereas poor VA in seven stage 2b eyes deteriorated minimally over time. In one and two of the three eyes with total retinal detachment, phthisis or neovascular glaucoma ensued.

Conclusion:

About three decades after conventional treatment of Coats’ disease stage 2a, treated eyes maintained good VA, and stage 2b eyes did not progress to advanced stages.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Quinazolinone-1,2,3-Triazoles as Inhibitors of Lipoxygenase
Authors: Farjadmand Fatemeh , Arshadi Hossein , Moghimi Setareh , Nadri Hamid , Moradi Alireza , Eghtedari Mohammad , Jafarpour Farnaz , Mahdavi Mohammad , Shafiee Abbas , Foroumadi Alireza
Published: February 2016

This work reports the successful synthesis of quinazolinones carrying triazole derivatives with potent lipoxygenase inhibitory activities. This protocol involves sequential reactions affording novel products in high yields without the need for a tedious work-up procedure.
Studies on the Causes, Impacts and Mitigation Strategies of Landslide in Chittagong city, Bangladesh
Authors: Mia MT , Sultana N , Paul A
Published: February 2016

Landslide is becoming a regular hazard in the urbanized hilly areas in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Generally, the hills consist of unconsolidated sedimentary rocks such as sandstone, siltstone, shale and conglomerate. Applying questionnaire survey with 120 respondents, and collection of secondary information, the study was carried out in two landslide prone sites located in Batali hill and Motijhrna area of Chittagong city for assessing the socio-economic condition of the people, causes of landslide, impacts of landslide on local people and mitigation strategies of landslide. People living in the study area were characterized by dominance of middle age group of population (52%), illiterate (49%), day laborer (27%), migrated from the other places (93%), low income (57%) and having poor housing infrastructure. The present study indicates that landslide affect the poor people living on the slope of hilly areas. The main reasons identified for landslide were hill cutting (36%), weak soil structure (23%) and devegetation (16%). The major impacts of landslide on the local communities, as reported by the respondents were loss of natural scenic beauty (77%), economic loss (77%), destruction of lives (57%) and environmental problems (47%). According to the respondents, the main mitigation strategies were stopping of hill cutting (75%), resettlement of the affected people in other places (57%), planting the affected area (55%) and development of robust policy (42%).J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 1-5 2015
Traffic Induced Noise Pollution and its Impact on Human Health in Chittagong City Corporation
Authors: Islam MT , Nahar N , Islam MJ , Islam MA , Hossen MAM
Published: February 2016

Noise is one of the most pervasive environmental problems. Excessive noise has become one of the major concerning of urban life. Chittagong, the port city of Bangladesh, is one of the nosiest cities of the country. With economic development, the situation is expected to worsen farther. Motor vehicles are the principal source of noise pollution in the city. This study illustrates the level of noise pollution in Chittagong city corporation and its impacts on city dwellers. The noise level is measured at 25 locations of Chittagong city road areas. Time-weighted average noise levels have been measured at the roadside. From the study it was observed that the highest noise level in the roadside in Chittagong city was about 93dB found at AK Khan Circle and Agrabad circle, which far exceeded the acceptable limit of 60 dB set by the Government of Bangladesh. The level of noise pollution is closely related with traffic volume, particularly with the number of heavy vehicles like trucks, buses as well as auto rickshaw have been observed during the study. Questionnaire survey was done during the study to determine the health impacts on the city dwellers. Most of the common problems, the dweller suffering from noise pollution are headache, bad temper, sleeplessness, aggravation, hearing problems etc.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 37-40 2015
Credit Facilities in Groundnut Production and its Impact on Poverty Reduction- A Farm Level Survey in Mymensingh District
Authors: Sarker JR , Akhter S , Jahan M
Published: February 2016

A study was conducted to determine the poverty and credit facilities of groundnut producers and profitability and resource use efficiency of groundnut production in the selected char areas of Gaffargaon upazila in Mymensingh district. In this study, 100 respondents were randomly selected from the mentioned upazila. Farmers were classified into three categories on the basis of loan size. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to determine the contribution of factors to groundnut yield. It is evident from the study that per acre net returns were greatly influenced by the use of human labour, animal labour, seeds and insecticides and it was found that they got profit from groundnut cultivation and the undiscounted BCRs (both the variable cost and total cost basis) was estimated at 1.88 in case of all categories of farmers. The mentioned factors were directly or jointly responsible for influencing per acre net returns for groundnut cultivation. Maximum loan money was utilized in family expenditure purpose for meeting their emergency and urgent needs to survive. But their repayment was satisfactory. However some problems were identified (i.e, tips and bribes, delay in providing loan and their poverty) in receiving loan for groundnut cultivation. It appears from the analysis that among three categories of farmers marginal farmers suffered a lot from inadequate supply of credit. The present study suggests that to develop agriculture, to reduce poverty and to increase the productivity of the farmers, both public and private sectors need to give attention on groundnut production in char area for their poverty reduction.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 57-62 2015
Variation in Morphological Characters and Yield Attributes of Five Selected Soybean Genotypes
Authors: Sultana D , Bari MN , Karim MA , Mia MAB , Sarker RR
Published: February 2016

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental field of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during November 2013 to March 2014. Four soybean genotypes i.e BU Soybean1, BD2329, BD2331, AGS313 and a check variety BARI Soybean 6 were used to evaluate their variations in morphological characters and yield attributes. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The highest LAI (4.4) was found in genotype AGS313 and the smallest was found in BU Soyabean1. The highest pod size of 625 mg pod-1 was found in AGS313 while the lowest of 340 mg pod-1 was observed in BU Soybean1. Although BU Soyabean1 had smaller seed size but it had higher number of pods plant-1 (32.1) compared to other genotypes. The maximum 100-seed weight was recorded in AGS313 (16.34 g) and the minimum was obtained from the genotype BU Soybean1 (11.0 g). AGS313 genotype contributed to the highest grain yield of 4.29 tha-1, while BU Soyabean1 stood second position contributing 2.65 tha-1. Results also indicated that not only seed size but also number of pods plant-1 contributed to grain yield. Again there were highly significant differences among genotypes for all the characters.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 93-96 2015