bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SPATIOTEMPORAL ANALYSIS FOR WILDLIFE-VEHICLE-COLLISIONS BASED ON ACCIDENT STATISTICS OF THE COUNTY STRAUBING-BOGEN IN LOWER BAVARIA
Authors: Pagany R. , Dorner W.
Published: August 2016

During the last years the numbers of wildlife-vehicle-collisions (WVC) in Bavaria increased considerably. Despite the statistical registration of WVC and preventive measures at areas of risk along the roads, the number of such accidents could not be contained. Using geospatial analysis on WVC data of the last five years for county Straubing-Bogen, Bavaria, a small-scale methodology was found to analyse the risk of WVC along the roads in the investigated area. Various indicators were examined, which may be related to WVC. The risk depends on the time of the day and year which shows correlations in turn to the traffic density and wildlife population. Additionally the location of the collision depends on the species and on different environmental parameters. Accidents seem to correlate with the land use left and right of the street. Land use data and current vegetation were derived from remote sensing data, providing information of the general land use, also considering the vegetation period. For this a number of hot spots was selected to identify potential dependencies between land use, vegetation and season. First results from these hotspots show, that WVCs do not only depend on land use, but may show a correlation with the vegetation period. With regard to agriculture and seasonal as well as annual changes this indicates that warnings will fail due to their static character in contrast to the dynamic situation of land use and resulting risk for WVCs. This shows that there is a demand for remote sensing data with a high spatial and temporal resolution as well as a methodology to derive WVC warnings considering land use and vegetation. With remote sensing data, it could become possible to classify land use and calculate risk levels for WVC. Additional parameters, derived from remote sensed data that could be considered are relief and crops as well as other parameters such as ponds, natural and infrastructural barriers that could be related to animal behaviour and should be considered by future research.
ASSESSMENT OF FIRE SEVERITY AND POST-FIRE REGENERATION BASED ON TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES USING MULTITEMPORAL LANDSAT IMAGERY: A CASE STUDY in MERSIN, TURKEY
Authors: Tonbul H. , Kavzoglu T. , Kaya S.
Published: August 2016

Satellite based remote sensing technologies and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) present operable and cost-effective solutions for mapping fires and observing post-fire regeneration. Mersin-Gülnar wildfire, which occurred in August 2008 in Turkey, selected as study site. The fire was devastating and continued 55 days. According to Turkish General Directorate of Forestry reports, it caused two deaths and left hundreds of people homeless. The aim of this study is to determine the fire severity and monitor vegetation recovery with using multitemporal spectral indices together with topographical factors. Pre-fire and post-fire Landsat ETM+ images were obtained to assess the related fire severity with using the widely-used differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) algorithm. Also, the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) were used to determine vegetation regeneration dynamics for a period of six consecutive years. In addition, aspect image derived from Aster Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) were used to determine vegetation regeneration regime of the study area. Results showed that 5388 ha of area burned with moderate to high severity damage. As expected, NDVI and SAVI values distinctly declined post-fire and then began to increase in the coming years. Mean NDVI value of burned area changed from 0.48 to 0.17 due to wildfire, whilst mean SAVI value changed from 0.61 to 0.26. Re-growth rates calculated for NDVI and SAVI 57% and 63% respectively, six years after the fire. Moreover, NDVI and SAVI were estimated six consecutive year period by taking into consideration east, south, north and west facing slopes. Analysis showed that north-facing and east-facing slopes have higher regeneration rates in compared to other aspects. This study serves as a window to an understanding of the process of fire severity and vegetation regeneration that is vital in wildfire management systems.
DETECTING DISASTER DAMAGE FROM 2015 TYPHOON ETAU BY THE COMBINED USE OF DIFFERENT SAR SATELLITES
Authors: Honda Kenichi , Fujihira Kei , Asada Norichika , Fukushima Ayumi , Mushiake Naruo
Published: August 2016

In this study, focusing on the flood damages in Joso City in Ibaraki Prefecture, we estimated the extent of inundation using multiple SAR satellites and examined their varied results depending on observational bands. We further examined the potential utilization of combined different SAR data for initial responses to disasters. For classification of the inundated areas, a binary classification was used with a threshold of backscatter coefficient and the difference in backscatter coefficient between the usual condition and the situation after the breach. In the extraction of inundation after the breach of the levee, COSMO-SkyMed showed the accuracy of 72.6%, while ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 indicated the accuracy of 66.1%. The extent of inundation were extracted by difference of backscatter coefficient using the data taken by Sentinel-1 and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 before the breach of the levee, and the comparison analysis results showed that the extent of inundation expanded after the breach of the levee. From the above results, we graded the characteristics of the satellites by their observational bands and spatial resolution.
USING SATELLITE DATA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE CASE OF MONGOLIA
Authors: Tungalag A. , Tsolmon R. , Ochirkhuyag L. , Oyunjargal J.
Published: August 2016

The Mongolian economy is based on the primary and secondary economic sectors of agriculture and industry. In addition, minerals and mining become a key sector of its economy. The main mining resources are gold, copper, coal, fluorspar and steel. However, the environment and green economy is one of the big problems among most of the countries and especially for countries like Mongolia where the mining is major part of economy; it is a number one problem. The research of the work tested how environmental elements effect to current Mongolian economic growth, which is growing economy because of mining sector.

 The study of economic growth but the starting point for any study of economic growth is the neoclassical growth model emphasizing the role of capital accumulation. The growth is analysed either in terms of models with exogenous saving rates (the Solow-Swan model), or models where consumption and hence savings are determined by optimizing individuals. These are the so-called optimal growth or Ramsey-Cass-Koopmans. The study extends the Solow model and the Ramsey-Cass-Koopmans model, including environmental elements which are satellite data determine to degraded land and vegetation value from 1995 to 2013. In contrast, we can see the degraded land area increases from 1995 (4856 m2) to 2013 (10478 m2) and vegetation value decrease at same time.

 A description of the methodology of the study conducted follows together with the data collected and econometric estimations and calibration with environmental elements.
URBAN VEGETATION MAPPING BASED ON THE HJ-1 NDVI RECONSTRCTION
Authors: Li Feng , Han Liu , Liujun Zhu , Yinyou Huang , Song Guo
Published: August 2016

HJ-1A/B NDVI (HJ NDVI) time-series data possess relatively high spatio-temporal resolution which is significant for the research on urban areas. However, its application is hindered by noise resulting from the restrictions of imaging quality and limits of the satellite platform. The NDVI noise reduction is necessary. Some noise-reduction techniques including the asymmetric Gaussian filter (AG), the double logistic filter (DL), the Savitzky-Golay (S-G) filter and the harmonic analysis (Hants) of NDVI time-series have been used to carry out the NDVI time series reconstruction, and based on the comparison results of different filter, S-G filter is the optimal in the application on urban areas. Finally,urban vegetation mapping is carried out based on the new HJ NDVI.
PREDICTION OF CHANGES IN VEGETATION DISTRIBUTION UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE SCENARIOS USING MODIS DATASET
Authors: Hirayama Hidetake , Tomita Mizuki , Hara Keitarou
Published: August 2016

The distribution of vegetation is expected to change under the influence of climate change. This study utilizes vegetation maps derived from Terra/MODIS data to generate a model of current climate conditions suitable to beech-dominated deciduous forests, which are the typical vegetation of Japan’s cool temperate zone. This model will then be coordinated with future climate change scenarios to predict the future distribution of beech forests. The model was developed by using the presence or absence of beech forest as the dependent variable. Four climatic variables; mean minimum daily temperature of the coldest month (TMC)，warmth index (WI)， winter precipitation (PRW) and summer precipitation (PRS): and five geophysical variables; topography (TOPO), surface geology (GEOL), soil (SOIL), slope aspect (ASP), and inclination (INCL); were adopted as independent variables. Previous vegetation distribution studies used point data derived from field surveys. The remote sensing data utilized in this study, however, should permit collecting of greater amounts of data, and also frequent updating of data and distribution maps. These results will hopefully show that use of remote sensing data can provide new insights into our understanding of how vegetation distribution will be influenced by climate change.
PRECISION VITICULTURE FROM MULTITEMPORAL, MULTISPECTRAL VERY HIGH RESOLUTION SATELLITE DATA
Authors: Kandylakis Z. , Karantzalos K.
Published: August 2016

In order to exploit efficiently very high resolution satellite multispectral data for precision agriculture applications, validated methodologies should be established which link the observed reflectance spectra with certain crop/plant/fruit biophysical and biochemical quality parameters. To this end, based on concurrent satellite and field campaigns during the veraison period, satellite and in-situ data were collected, along with several grape samples, at specific locations during the harvesting period. These data were collected for a period of three years in two viticultural areas in Northern Greece. After the required data pre-processing, canopy reflectance observations, through the combination of several vegetation indices were correlated with the quantitative results from the grape/must analysis of grape sampling. Results appear quite promising, indicating that certain key quality parameters (like brix levels, total phenolic content, brix to total acidity, anthocyanin levels) which describe the oenological potential, phenolic composition and chromatic characteristics can be efficiently estimated from the satellite data.
A STUDY ON THE SAR DATA OBSERVATION TIME FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTING CONDITION OF PADDY FIELDS
Authors: Kimura A. , Kondo A. , Mochizuki K.
Published: August 2016

In recent years, cultivation methods of rice have been diversified due to the low cost of rice-growing techniques. For example, there is direct sowing of seed rice in paddy field in addition to the practice of usual paddy field to flooding at the time of planting. The yield of the usual paddy field and the direct sowing is different even though the same varieties are grown in the same area. It is necessary to grasp by performing classification for the usual paddy field or direct sowing for the management of agricultural crops. The main objective of this study was to select the observation time for the classification of paddy fields’ planting conditions by utilizing Synthetic Aperture Radar TerraSAR-X satellite. The planting conditions included the usual planting of rice, the direct sowing of rice and the soybean. We selected the observation time by the statistical distance of the microwave backscattering in each paddy field for maximizing the planting condition classification. In addition, the satellite data observation timing considered the processing time of the analysis and the acquisition costs. The acquisition was performed 4 periods from 2 periods in the rice growing season and the planting phase. In the current study, we were able to classify the usual planting of rice, the direct sowing of rice and the soybean by TerraSAR-X data for the later planting of rice during mid-May and initial growth of rice in early June.
DYNAMIC MONITORING OF SOIL AND WATER LOSSES USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS TECHNIQUES: A CASE STUDY OF JIALING RIVER, YANGTZE RIVER, CHINA
Authors: Li C. , Zhu Y. J. , Li G. E. , Zhu Y. Q. , Li R. H. , Wang L. , Wu Y. J.
Published: August 2016

Water and soil loss problems are serious in China, especially in the upper and middle reaches of big rivers. This paper dynamically observed water and soil loss in key control regions in Jialing River Basin. Based on remotely sensed images, the method used in this paper is a combination of field investigation and indoor artificial interpretation under the technologies of RS and GIS. The method was proven to be effective of improving the accuracy of interpreting. The result shows the land use types of the researched regions and how they changed among the previous years. Evaluation of water and soil conservation was made. This result can provide references for further policy-making and water and soil loss controlling.
RICE YIELD ESTIMATION THROUGH ASSIMILATING SATELLITE DATA INTO A CROP SIMUMLATION MODEL
Authors: Son N. T. , Chen C. F. , Chen C. R. , Chang L. Y. , Chiang S. H.
Published: August 2016

Rice is globally the most important food crop, feeding approximately half of the world’s population, especially in Asia where around half of the world’s poorest people live. Thus, advanced spatiotemporal information of rice crop yield during crop growing season is critically important for crop management and national food policy making. The main objective of this study was to develop an approach to integrate remotely sensed data into a crop simulation model (DSSAT) for rice yield estimation in Taiwan. The data assimilation was processed to integrate biophysical parameters into DSSAT model for rice yield estimation using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The cost function was constructed based on the differences between the simulated leaf area index (LAI) and MODIS LAI, and the optimization process starts from an initial parameterization and accordingly adjusts parameters (e.g., planting date, planting population, and fertilizer amount) in the crop simulation model. The fitness value obtained from the cost function determined whether the optimization algorithm had reached the optimum input parameters using a user-defined tolerance. The results of yield estimation compared with the government’s yield statistics indicated the root mean square error (RMSE) of 11.7% and mean absolute error of 9.7%, respectively. This study demonstrated the applicability of satellite data assimilation into a crop simulation model for rice yield estimation, and the approach was thus proposed for crop yield monitoring purposes in the study region.
Automatic landslide length and width estimation based on the geometric
processing of the bounding box and the geomorphometric analysis of DEMs
Authors: Niculiţǎ Mihai
Published: August 2016

Abstract. The morphology of landslides is influenced by the slide/flow of the material downslope. Usually, the distance of the movement of the material is greater than the width of the displaced material (especially for flows, but also the majority of slides); the resulting landslides have a greater length than width. In some specific geomorphologic environments (monoclinic regions, with cuesta landforms type) or as is the case for some types of landslides (translational slides, bank failures, complex landslides), for the majority of landslides, the distance of the movement of the displaced material can be smaller than its width; thus the landslides have a smaller length than width. When working with landslide inventories containing both types of landslides presented above, the analysis of the length and width of the landslides computed using usual geographic information system techniques (like bounding boxes) can be flawed. To overcome this flaw, I present an algorithm which uses both the geometry of the landslide polygon minimum oriented bounding box and a digital elevation model of the landslide topography for identifying the long vs. wide landslides. I tested the proposed algorithm for a landslide inventory which covers 131.1 km2 of the Moldavian Plateau, eastern Romania. This inventory contains 1327 landslides, of which 518 were manually classified as long and 809 as wide. In a first step, the difference in elevation of the length and width of the minimum oriented bounding box is used to separate long landslides from wide landslides (long landslides having the greatest elevation difference along the length of the bounding box). In a second step, the long landslides are checked as to whether their length is greater than the length of flow downslope (estimated with a flow-routing algorithm), in which case the landslide is classified as wide. By using this approach, the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve value for the classification of the long vs. wide landslides is 87.8 %. An intensive review of the misclassified cases and the challenges of the proposed algorithm is made, and discussions are included about the prospects of improving the approach with further steps, to reduce the number of misclassifications.
Characteristics of Global Oceanic Rossby Wave and Mesoscale Eddies
Propagation from Multiple Datasets Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yunfan , Tian Fenglin , Chen Ge
Published: August 2016

Abstract. In this paper we present a research of propagation characteristics of global Rossby wave and mesoscale eddies, and we preliminarily discussing the relationship between them from multiple datasets analysis. By filtering the MSLA-H data and by means of optimized SSH method we have extracted signals of the Rossby wave, and estimated the propagation speed (zonal phase speed) of the Rossby wave and eddies. Validation for the identification of the Rossby wave also has been completed with the Argo temperature and salinity data. The prime focus covers: propagation speed comparison between the Rossby wave and the eddies, propagation characteristics in different regions. Overlaying the signals of the Rossby wave with the signatures of the eddies indicates that the Rossby wave and the eddies propagates together (westward only) in the mid-latitude, but differences appear with increasing of latitude, especially in some areas affected by ocean current, for instance, the West Wind Drift(WWD) and the North Atlantic Drift(NAD). Actually we have found that the currents led the eddies, and the Rossby wave might play an accelerative or moderative role in the eddies propagation, as a result of the velocities of the eddies and the currents were matched well, but comparison between the Rossby wave and the eddies revealed disparity. The findings are useful for understanding the relationship between the Rossby wave and mesoscale eddies.
Mobilizing Global Business for a Healthier World
Authors: Nathan Maria L.
Published: August 2016

GBCHealth (formerly the Global Business Coalition) has sought to apply the unique skills and expertise of the for profit world in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, and other global health problems. Founded in 2001, GBCHealth is dedicated to “mobilizing business for a healthier world.” The alliance has rapidly grown from 17 to 220-plus international companies headquartered in over 30 different countries and representing all parts of the world; different workforces, industries, and geographical regions. A sharper focus is given to this analysis of GBCHealth’s within and cross-sector initiatives and accomplishments with use of an inter-organizational theory-based framework. This commitment by GBCHealth and alliance partners is a hopeful act of social responsibility that represents awareness of correlated fates as well as good business sense.
ESL/EFL Instructors’ Perceptions of the Efficacy of Online Reading Instruction
Authors: Al-Seghayer Khalid
Published: August 2016

New technologies offer significant potential for teaching and learning L2 reading skills. Accordingly, this study examined ESL/EFL instructors’ perceptions of the usefulness and effectiveness of online reading in L2 reading instruction. A convenience sample of seventy male and female ESL/EFL instructors was selected, and the respondents completed a 24-item, researcher-constructed questionnaire and responded to open-ended questions. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, including means and standard deviations, as well as various statistical tests, such as paired t-tests and bootstrapped p-values, were used to assess the data. Results revealed that the participants held strong beliefs about the usefulness of online reading in improving the quality of L2 reading instruction and developing learners’ reading skills. A thorough discussion of these results is provided. These findings highlight significant practical, technical, and pedagogical implications for online L2 reading classrooms, particularly in terms of teacher training and practices of computer integration.
Current Language Maintenance Research in Jordan
Authors: M. Alshboul Abdelkader
Published: August 2016

This paper investigates the methodology utilized in Jordanian language maintenance and shift research on six minorities including Chechens, Armenians, Gypsies, Druze, Circassian, and Kurds. It argues that the methodology has been based on the macro-level analysis that examined the role of a number of sociodemographic factors in the LMLS process. However, this analysis does not offer a complex picture of immigrants’ language use and attitudes. It is suggested in this paper that the micro level analysis should also be employed to illuminate the way language is negotiated and used. 
Anatomy of Igbo Wh-Phrases
Authors: Nwankwegu Jeremiah Anene
Published: August 2016

The Igbo wh-phrases display interesting variable behaviours in movement, with respect to whether they move to the left peripheries of direct or embedded interrogative clauses. A question arises why, unlike the English wh-phrases, the Igbo wh-phrases cannot maintain consistent shape and behaviour across the different syntactic constructions and in the face of different movement triggers. This paper dissects the wh-phrases in Igbo with the view to showing that they are not only different in their surface shapes but also in their internal configurations. The wh-phrases divide into basic and non-basic. It is found that the basic wh-phrases have their wh-features merged not only higher in the primary trees but as the head of the maximal wh-projections whereas the non-basic ones have theirs merged lower, usually as complement of DPs. The paper argues that these differences in internal configuration determine the wh-ness of the wh-phrases and are responsible for the observed variability in response to different syntactic stimuli or wh-movement triggers in direct and indirect wh-interrogative constructions. The study explores the minimalist framework.
A Comparative Analysis of Locative and Directional Motion Events in English and Arabic
Authors: Zeddari Ikbal
Published: August 2016

This paper provides a contrastive analysis of locative and directional motion events in English and Arabic. Within a micro‑parametric approach to crosslinguistic variation, it argues that both languages encode the distinction between manner and direction in their inventory of motion verbs. In the prepositional domain, purely locative and directional prepositions are shown to exist in the two languages; they respectively derive locative and directional interpretations with manner of motion verbs. The class of ambiguous prepositions, which gives rise to both locative and directional interpretations, is shown to be distinctive of English. Implications of this contrastive analysis to the bidirectional acquisition of English and Arabic locative and directional motion constructions are discussed.
To What Extent is the Innate Linguistic Knowledge Involved in Second Language learning?
Authors: Alkazwini Azhar A.
Published: August 2016

A number of theoretical possibilities regarding UG and L2 learning have emerged in recent years. Some theories lend support to the fact that UG plays a role in L2 acquisition, where as other hypothesis claims that L2 learners have no access to UG. In this paper, a detailed explanation of these hypothesis in the light of different studies shall be presented, and the claim that L2 learners have no access to UG is falsified by studies that prove the opposite.
“Isla Juan Venado”
Authors: Corea Arellano Damiana
Published: August 2016

Para mí es una satisfacción descubrir la obra pictórica de Damiana Corea Arellano (Juigalpa, 1979) y entenderla a ésta como posibilidad real de un relevo solvente en la plástica nicaragüense. Con dominio magistral de la espátula, digna discípula de van Gogh o Marín, crea sus densas texturas de mares, cielos y fondos encrespados, para llamar la atención del espectador a esa dimensión de la pintura, que en experimentación y búsqueda, reflexiona sobre sí misma y su estética: la metapintura. Otra dimensión destacada en la producción de Damiana es la creación de colores inéditos, es decir de su propia cosecha y que evidencian la calidad de una pintora que crea sus propios cromatismos como sello e idiolecto de una obra personal y desafiante. Tampoco es menos en Damiana, su pertinente sentido de la composición, al abordar una variedad de temas manejados con propiedad y dignidad, en su ejecución y concreción. Damiana es una artista plástica empeñada en experimentar y añadir sentido, rebeldía y belleza a este bravo mundo que nos toca habitar. Anastasio LovoPoeta, escritor y crítico de arte nicaragüenseManagua, 24 de Noviembre 2015.
La rama de olivo. Una cultura de paz global/Prólogo
Authors: Zamora Cortez Lidya
Published: August 2016

La rama de olivo. Una cultura de paz global, es una obra de especial importancia y trascendencia, por la temática que aborda, la estatura de los escritores y el actual estado del mundo.
Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in Patients Older Than Age 80 Years
Authors: Rubin Lee Eric , Blood Travis D. , Defillo-Draiby Julio C.
Published: August 2016

A rapidly aging population is currently reshaping the demographic profile of the United States. Among older patients, the cohort aged >80 years is not only living longer but also is electing to undergo more total hip and knee arthroplasties. To improve perioperative safety, orthopaedic surgeons should understand the risks and clinical outcomes of arthroplasty in patients of advanced age. Although morbidity and mortality rates are higher for patients aged >80 years than for younger patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasties and revision surgeries, functional outcomes, pain relief, and patient satisfaction are consistent between groups. In addition, geriatric co-management before total hip and total knee arthroplasty has reduced the rate of minor complications and the length of hospital stays in elderly patients. Surgeons should inform older patients and their families of the increased risks of morbidity and mortality before these procedures are undertaken.
The Impediments Facing Community Engagement in Omani Educational Tertiary Institutions
Authors: Issa Jinan Hatem
Published: August 2016

Prior to the vital role that social capital plays in accomplishing prosperity for any educational tertiary institution, it was emphasised in several countries’ agendas, including the Sultanate of Oman. This study endeavours to explore the impediments facing the enhancement of the social capital in Omani educational tertiary institutions through the lens of community engagement. A case study method employing a purely qualitative approach was employed at one of the six public Colleges of Applied Sciences in Oman. Twelve academicians were purposively semi-structured interviewed. Performing the thematic analysis technique, the results revealed more than ten key impediments. Some implications to stakeholders were illustrated and several suggestions were provided for better performances in terms of this specific capital.
Secondary Education under Tension between Democratization and Modernization: Reflections from the Brazilian Experience
Authors: Ferreira Eliza Bartolozzi
Published: August 2016

This paper analyzes the extension of the right to secondary education in Brazil. Currently, the debate on secondary education has been intensified in civil society highlighting the problem of the reason of its precarious offer, not to mention a significant proportion of young people and adults who have not finished this level of schooling. Opinions vary on how the offer to secondary education should be held: while a minority believes that schooling should be humanistic and scientific; others support integrated education with a technical certification. Others advocate the separation of secondary professional education. This myriad of projects and programs has invaded the educational systems and schools, a portrait of public action in the education area, divided between republicans and private interests, in the context of disputes between the process of democratization and modernization, guided by the excellence of the performance of the institutions and students. This paper has an essay character produced within the research ‘Innovative High School Program: working conditions and teacher education’ with CNPq funding and during the post-doctoral studies conducted at the École Normale Supèrieure de Lyon/France, with CAPES financial support.
From the Pulpits to the Boards: A Study on Prospective Second Career Teachers in Turkey
Authors: Unisen Ali , Polat Huseyin
Published: August 2016

Teaching career is the widest state employment type in Turkey. The career is resourced by many higher education institutions besides the ones deploying regular teacher training programs. Teacher candidates other than the graduates from education faculties have to attend a program specially designed to instruct on foundations of education such as theories, principles, strategies, planning, teaching methods and assessment. That alternative teacher certification program paves the way to transition to teaching career as well. This study was carried out with 11 religious officials who intend to shift into teaching career. The data was collected through 5 essays written by each participant while they were attending the program. The study was conducted as content analyses of total 55 essays. The analyses revealed that the participants, 1 preacher-woman, 4 mosque leaders-preachers and 6 Quran instructors, did not display any role confliction, intended to use their skills and experiences developed through their current careers selectively. The results were discussed with relevant available literature.
Comparison of Digital Technology Competencies among Mexican and Spanish Secondary Education Students
Authors: Cuevas-Salazar Omar , Angulo-Armenta Joel , García-López Imelda , Navarro-Ibarra Lizzeth
Published: August 2016

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are tools to be used to support educational processes and students have access to them more and more every day. However this does not assure the appropriate use of these tools. That is why the objective of the present study is to identify the level of competency in the use of ICT of students in secondary schools in Obregon City, Sonora, Mexico, in the opinions of the students themselves and of their teachers and to compare this with the level of digital competencies of students in some regions of Spain, using an investigation carried out earlier. Two questionnaires with 51 questions were used, one for 949 students and the other for 49 teachers. The results show that students claim to have between moderately and very high levels of competence in ICT skills while their teachers say the students have high levels of competence in some technological skills such as producing a written documents with a word processor. In the study in Spain, students and teachers voiced similar averages in the highest level of competencies, but differed in the competencies with the lowest averages.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Education Studies, Vol. 9, No. 9
Authors: Lee Chris
Published: August 2016

Reviewer acknowledgements for International Education Studies, Vol. 9, No. 9, 2016.
Relationship between the Religious Attitude, Self-Efficacy, and Life Satisfaction in High school Teachers of Mahshahr City
Authors: Bigdeloo Masoomeh , Bozorgi Zahra Dasht
Published: August 2016

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the religious attitude, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in high school teachers of Mahshahr City. To this end, 253 people of all high school teachers in Mahshahr City, in Iran were selected as the sample using the multistage cluster sampling method. For data collection, Glock and Stark’s (1965) religious attitude questionnaires, Schwartz and Jerusalem’s general self-efficacy questionnaire and Diener et al.’s (1985) life satisfaction questionnaire were used. For data analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used. Results showed that there is a positive and meaningful relationship between the religious attitude and life satisfaction. In addition, there is a meaningful relationship between the religious attitude and self-efficacy. Results also showed that religious attitude and self-efficacy can predict the life satisfaction.
Exploring Teacher Candidates’ Attitudes towards Pedagogical Teacher Training Based on Different Variables
Authors: Toraman Cetin , Aydin Hasan , Ulubey Ozgur
Published: August 2016

The raising of the life standards of individuals living within a society is only possible through the provision of quality education. Quality education can be realized only through the training of teachers with the necessary skills and positive attitudes towards the training provided at faculties of education and through teacher training programs. The purpose of this study is to compare the attitudes of teacher candidates enrolled on teacher training programs towards this type of education with their views concerning this model of education within the context of numerous variables factors. The participants in this study, that was designed according to a descriptive model, consisted of an appropriate sample of 202 teacher candidates from the teacher training program program at a state university situated in Istanbul. The data of the research were collected using “an attitude scale with regard to teacher training” and “an identification scale of the level of support provided to become a teacher”. The data were analyzed using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, a Spearman Brown Rank Correlation Coefficient (test) and Binary Logistic Regression (method). A positive development was seen to have taken place in the attitudes of teacher trainees from the point prior to embarking on Teacher Training to completion of the training. Teacher candidates were of the view that teacher training contributed only slightly to the acquisition of skills relating to the learning and teaching process, however contributed greatly to development of the skills of being able to recognize diversity (among students) and in those related to class management. In accordance with the logistic regression model, it was realized that the above may represent predictor variables outside the model adopted.
Philosophical Education toward Democratization and Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria
Authors: Ugwuozor Felix Okechukwu
Published: August 2016

This paper examines Nigeria's democratization dilemmas and the imperatives of an educational framework against the backdrop of the Boko Haram insurgency. It identifies and connects the pattern, character and dynamics of the existing educational system. It also discusses the system’s failure in calling for a new approach to overcome the prevailing dearth of civic order and the increasing spread of dissent groups. This new method is about acculturating Nigerian youth into a more civic culture, a Nigeria where citizens can live side by side with each other in peace.” While examining both theoretical and practical characteristics of this new educational agenda, the paper especially examines the link between philosophical education and the development of a civic culture, trusting that such a connection suggests an approach to education that may assist future policy makers, educators, and teachers. Specific theoretical analysis of pedagogical and philosophical education contained here can further the current understanding of how philosophical education is likely to facilitate the development of the values, beliefs, and attitudes that generally underpin the operations of a civic society, developments desperately needed to address the problem of Boko Haram and the increasing spread of dissent groups in Nigeria.
Reasons for College Students to Plagiarize in EFL Writing: Students’ Motivation to Pass
Authors: Al Darwish Salwa , Sadeqi Abdul Azeez
Published: August 2016

EFL students acquire their writing skill through practice and hard work. However, there seems to be a lot of reasons why EFL students should find the task of composing an essay so difficult that leads them to plagiarize. For that, the present paper tries to find out the real motivation for EFL students to plagiarize in writing. This research was conducted with freshman writing students through Fall Semester 2015/2016 in the English Department. A simple questionnaire and journal writing was used. The results shows that mainly the participants plagiarize in writing just to get good grades and pass the course. Moreover, their main source for plagiarizing is the internet. However, through the journal writing practice, the policy of free choice of topics evoked divided reactions from students.
Modeling the Pedestrian Ability of Detecting Lanes and Lane Changing Behavior
Authors: Mahmod Shuaib Mohammed
Published: August 2016

Incorporating decision-making capability as an intelligence aspect into crowd dynamics models is crucial factor for reproducing realistic pedestrian flow. Crowd dynamics models are still suffering from poor representation of essential behaviors such as lane changing behavior. In this article, we provide the simulated pedestrians in the social force model more intelligence as an extension to the pedestrian’s investigation capability in bidirectional walkways, to let the model appear more representative of what actually happens in reality. In the proposed model, the lane’s structure is modeled as social network. Thereby, the simulated pedestrians with inconvenient walking can detect the available lanes inside his environment, investigate their attractions, and then make decisions to join the most attractive one. Simulations are performed to validate the work qualitatively by tracing the behavior of the simulated pedestrians and studying the impact of this behavior on lane formation. Finally, a quantitative measurement is used to study the effect of our contribution on the pedestrians’ efficiency of motion.
Development of a Measure: Reasons of Social Networking Sites Use
Authors: Ranaiey Samira , Taghavi Mohammad Reza , Goodarzi Mohammad Ali
Published: August 2016

Because of increased attention to PIU (Problematic Internet Use), some measure had been made, but they seem to be

Inadequate, due to new issue of the internet interactions. Therefore the necessity and importance of

Standard, valid and reliable tools to assess PIU and the related behaviors are clear.
This paper presents results of a study that develops a measure of Reasons of Using Social Networking Sites (S.N.S). The reasons were based on an article by Morahan – Martin and Schumacher. The reasons were arranged as a questionnaire. This questionnaire was completed by 156 volunteer students of Shiraz University. The results indicated that Reasons of S.N.S Use Scale is both reliable and valid. The result of factor analysis showed that two dimensions (Positive and Negative reasons of S.N.S use) explains total variance acceptably.
A Skewed Truncated Cauchy Uniform Distribution and Its Moments
Authors: Ashani Zahra Nazemi , Bakar Mohd Rizam Abu , Ibrahim Noor Akma , Adam. Mohd Bakri
Published: August 2016

Although usually normal distribution is considered for statistical analysis, however in many practical situations, distribution of data is asymmetric and using the normal distribution is not appropriate for modeling the data. Base on this fact, skew symmetric distributions have been introduced. In this article, between skew distributions, we consider the skew Cauchy symmetric distributions because this family of distributions doesn't have finite moments of all orders. We focus on skew Cauchy uniform distribution and generate the skew probability distribution function of the form , where  is truncated Cauchy distribution and  is the distribution function of uniform distribution. The finite moments of all orders and distribution function for this new density function are provided. At the end, we illustrate this model using exchange rate data and show, according to the maximum likelihood method, this model is a better model than skew Cauchy distribution. Also the range of skewness and kurtosis for  and the graphical illustrations are provided.
The Brand Through the Prism of a Model – An Interdisciplinary Concept
Authors: Burešová Jana
Published: August 2016

A brand is a symbol that is created by the strategic management of the brand, so-called brand management, which is a dynamically developing discipline in the field of international marketing. If the brand is legally protected, it is called a registered trademark. In this form, it fulfils the essence of intellectual property in the sense of the law and plays a vital and strategic role in the assets of the company. It helps create business opportunities, and, generally speaking, it strives to make the maximum of its value. To fully comprehend it, it is necessary to understand the interdisciplinary circumstances that helped create the brand and its unique identification. The aim of this paper is to present a model that offers an interdisciplinary perspective on a brand with the potential to expand its unique identification.
A Comparative Study of the Efficiency and the Effectiveness of Primary Education Management between the Provincial Administrative Organisation and the Office of the Basic Education Commission: A Service User Satisfaction Survey
Authors: Jermsittiparsert Kittisak , Sriyakul Thanaporn , Pamornmast Chayongkan , Rodboonsong Sudarat , Boonprong Wanwichit , Sangperm Nuanluk , Pakvichai Vanisa , Vipaporn Tanapon , Maneechote Kulnalee
Published: August 2016

This research aims to (i) examine the effectiveness and the efficiency of primary education management with regards to the service user satisfaction within 29 primary schools in Thailand, subject under provincial administrative organization (PAO), and their counterparts, which are under the authority of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), (ii) to conduct a comparative study concerning the effectiveness and the efficiency generated from the selected schools by specifically handpicking, from each province, one school from the PAO and two from the OBEC, amounting to the total number of 3 schools representing each province. The selected samples can be categorized into those containing similar numbers of students and the ones with certain amounts of operating unit cost (OUC), which are essentially contributing to the sum of 87 schools. The data collection was carried out by drawing samples from the students, the parents, and the members of the concerned communities. Each group comprised 812 subjects, leading to the total number of 2,436 study subjects. The gathered data is analysed using average mean and t-test. The findings indicate that the level of user satisfaction, in general, towards the primary education management of the PAO schools, which is marked as  x= 4.34, is lower than those listed under the supervision of the OBEC. Such result is consistent for either cases where the sample schools contain similar students numbers ( x= 4.41) or the case where the amount of OUC is relatively equal ( x= 4.41). Upon considering and assessing each group, it was found that while the user satisfaction level, as produced from the students and the community members, did not have significant differences, on the other hand, the level of satisfaction that was generated by the parents reveals that the parents’ perception towards primary education management under the PAO authority ( x= 4.36) was placed lower than those of OBEC, which was also applicable to both cases where similar number of students were present ( x= 4.49) and where the OUC was somewhat equivalent ( x= 4.48).
Analysis of the Brazilian Program of Subsidies for Rural Insurance Premium: Evolution from 2005 to 2014
Authors: Loyola Pedro , Moreira Vilmar Rodrigues , Da Veiga Claudimar Pereira
Published: August 2016

Rural insurance is inserted in the field of agricultural policies to mitigate risks that farmers face. It was an innovation for the Brazilian government from the implementation standpoint, despite the existence of similar programs in other countries. The purpose of this paper is to assess the recent evolution of the Brazilian Rural Insurance Premium Subsidy Program (PSR) and its main variables: amount insured area, policies, average area, benefiting producers, total premiums involved and total subsidy. The study examined in detail the PSR representation by region and farming. In order to evaluate the results of this program on agricultural policy, an exploratory and descriptive analysis was performed with the objective of studying the evolution of the Brazilian rural insurance in the context of PSR, using the information available in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) about the program. The information and data were collected between July and August 2015. The study was based on data collected from 2005 to 2013 with some general data of 2014 program included in the study. Even though the focus of the analysis was on the most recent years, 2009-2013. Data analysis revealed that the increased supply and demand for rural insurance is in the South and in the agricultural modalities for grains and fruits, with growth potential in other sectors and other regions in the country. PSR, as public policy, was responsible for the expansion of the rural insurance market in Brazil, encouraging and providing the access of producers to agricultural insurance by subsidizing the premium fee. Although this expansion has been slow and gradual, Brazil had in 2013 about 13.8% of the agricultural area with rural insurance coverage. This reveals the need for expanding the program to popularize this important risk mitigation tool.