bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Middle School Students’ Graph Skills and Affective States about Graphs
Authors: Bursal Murat , Yetiş Serap
Published: September 2020

This survey design study was designed to test whether the graph skills and affective states of middle school students about graphs differ by their gender, grade level, and graph types (line, bar, and pie). The data collection instruments consisted of two scales developed by the authors and a Graph Skills Test, which consisted of graph questions from the previous TIMSS and PISA exams. Based on the findings, while middle school students were found to succeed at reading the data level graph questions, they were found to struggle in questions requiring higher graph skills, such as graph interpretation and graph construction. As for the affective states investigated, participants were found to hold high self-efficacy beliefs and positive attitudes toward graphs. No significant difference among the dependent variables (graph skills, self-efficacy beliefs about graphs, attitudes toward graphs, and graph literacy perceptions) was found by gender; however, grade level and graph type variables were found to impact students’ graph skills, graph attitudes, and personal graph literacy perceptions. Middle school students with less school experience with graphs (seventh graders) were found to hold more positive attitudes toward graphs than the eighth graders. On the contrary, eighth graders were found to perform better at graph questions requiring interpretations of the graph data. Also, participants in all subgroups were found to hold significantly higher personal graph literacy perceptions for the bar graphs, than the line graphs and pie charts. Based on the findings of the study, while middle school students were found to hold positive affective states about graphs, they were found to lack advanced graph skills. In agreement with the previous literature, it is recommended that graph literacy should become a dedicated part of the school curriculum.
Pre-Service Science Teachers’ Perceptual Biases Regarding Sustainable Food Consumption: Negative Footprint Illusion
Authors: Ates Huseyin
Published: September 2020

Global warming presents a threat for human and nature systems. For a few decades, sustainable food consumption behaviors have been considered remarkable to protect environmental sources. Changes in food consumption behaviors can benefit in improving environmental quality. While consumers are trying to reduce their environmental impact, it is needed to study what consumers think about the environmental impact of their consumption preferences. Earlier studies reported that sustainable conditions can bias judgments, since when an unsustainable plus a sustainable condition is thought as less environmentally impactful than the sustainable condition alone called “negative footprint illusion”. In line with this, the current study aimed to examine negative footprint perceptual biases regarding sustainable food consumption. A within-subjects design was used with a total of 165 pre-service teachers studying at the department of science education in a mid-sized university in Turkey. Data were collected through a series of scales developed by Gorissen and Weijters (2016). The scales include three-meal menu food types including ‘standard menu condition’, ‘sustainable-addition condition’, and ‘unsustainable-addition condition’. Participants were asked to evaluate the environmental impact of these menu conditions independently. The results of the study indicated that the participants believed that ‘sustainable-addition condition’ has a lower environmental impact than ‘standard menu condition’, even though ‘sustainable-addition condition’ indicates higher environmental impact- indicating a negative footprint illusion. It can be concluded that pre-service science teachers have perceptual biases related to sustainable food consumption even when they have enough knowledge related to environmental issues.
Preservice Science Teachers’ Informal Reasoning about Hydroelectric Power Issue: The Effect of Attitudes towards Socio-scientific Issues and Media Literacy
Authors: Namdar Bahadır , Aydin Burak , Raven Sara
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of media literacy and attitudes towards socioscientific issues as two major predictors of informal reasoning. A sample of 208 preservice science teachers completed an open-ended informal reasoning questionnaire on hydroelectric power plant issue, media literacy level determination scale, and attitudes towards socio-scientific issues scale. In this study, descriptive research method was used. We used both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the data. Results indicated that the participants frequently used ecological-oriented arguments. The participants least used health-oriented arguments. Regarding reasoning qualities, the participants typically created supportive arguments, rather than counterarguments and rebuttals. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed validity and reliability evidence consistent with previous research. Multiple regression analyses revealed that perceived level of media literacy predicted informal reasoning. However, attitudes towards socioscientific issues did not explain informal reasoning. We offer implications for science teacher education programs.
Emotional Intelligence and Workplace Conflict Resolution: The Case of Secondary Education Teachers in Greece
Authors: Skordoulis Michalis , Koukounaras Liagkis Marios , Sidiropoulos Georgios , Drosos Dimitrios
Published: September 2020

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and conflict resolution among secondary education teachers in Greece. The research sample consists of 130 high schools’ teachers in Greece. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, concerning teachers’ working environment, their behavior during workplace conflicts as well as their emotional intelligence and were analyzed using descriptive and inductive statistics. The statistical analyses have revealed that the main reason for workplace conflicts in secondary schools is the existence of informal groups. In addition, emotional intelligence seem to have a direct relationship with conflict resolution styles, while a negative relationship between emotional intelligence and the frequency of involvement in workplace conflicts is observed. Furthermore, it was found that holding a position of responsibility does not play a significant role in conflict resolution style adoption. The research results show that the solution-oriented method is the most popular amongst the other conflict resolution styles. Last, it was found that the average score of emotional intelligence among the respondents was high.
The Big-Five-Personality and Academic Self-Concept in Gifted and Non-Gifted Students: A Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Peperkorn Colin , Wegner Claas
Published: September 2020

Gifted students provide interesting opportunities for careers in all professional areas. To benefit from that chance, the promotion of gifted students moves more and more into focus of educational research and becomes an important facet of today’s teachers’ professional competencies. To meet these requirements, teacher training courses must be offered which are based on current state of research. This article presents a systematic literature review which investigates the current research state regarding quantitative studies of gifted students’ personality and self-concept. To assess a comparable state of research about the personality of gifted students the Big-Five model of personality was considered as a criterion for admission. A total of 40 quantitative studies was included. Results for personality of gifted students show that there are only a few studies which deliver comparable and valid data. Gifted students’ academic self-concept seems well researched, but indications of a multilayered subject specific academic self-concept receive little attention. Recommendations include a higher focus on students gifted in specific subjects, to find valid implications for their individual promotion.
Examining the Levels of Freedom, Life Satisfaction and Happiness Perceived by College Students in Leisure Time
Authors: Tükel Yalçın , Temel Abdullah Sencer
Published: September 2020

The main purpose of this paper is to identify the relationship between the perceived freedom, life satisfaction and happiness scales scores of college student according to some demographic variances. Within the scope of the research; 1024 male (n=532) and female (n=492) students who currently study in the universities were selected by random sampling method. Descriptive, correlation and regression analysis techniques were used for the data obtained through the survey. The result revealed that the perceived freedom in leisure is significantly positively correlated. In terms of life satisfaction, there is a significant difference in gender factor, while there is no significant difference in grade and active sports status. According to the happiness factor, grade variables were the only parameter that had a statistically significant correlation with happiness. Gradual regression analysis indicated that there is a positive correlation between the life satisfaction and happiness level. Similarly, significant correlation was found between the perceived freedom in leisure time and happiness levels of students. In conclusion, our ﬁndings indicate that perceived freedom in leisure has a positive impact on the life satisfaction and happiness.
An Investigation of Pre-service Visual Arts Teachers’ Perceptions of Computer Self-Efficacy and Attitudes Towards Web-based Instruction
Authors: Doğru Orhan
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to examine the pre-service visual arts teachers’ perceptions of computer self-efficacy and attitudes towards web-based instruction studying at the Faculties of Education. Their perceptions of computer self-efficacy and attitudes towards web-based instruction were compared by the variables of gender, class and academic success based on causal comparison method. The participants of the study consisted of 250 pre-service teachers who received visual arts education at the Faculties of Education at Marmara, Necmettin Erbakan, Atatürk and Gazi Universities. Data were collected through Perceptions of Computer Self-efficacy Scale and Attitudes Towards Web-based Instruction Scale. The findings showed that the pre-service visual arts teachers’ perceptions of computer self-efficacy and attitudes towards web-based instruction were high. In addition, pre-service teachers’ perceptions of computer self-efficacy and attitudes towards web-based instruction differed by gender and year of study. There were significant positive correlations between pre-service visual arts teachers’ perceptions of computer self-efficacy and attitudes towards web-based instruction.
Nursing Education during COVID-19 Pandemic: Way Forward for Teaching Hospitals in Nepal
Authors: Singh Babita , Singh Rakesh
Published: September 2020

COVID-19 pandemic has affected nursing education globally, with more impact in nations like Nepal with limited resources. Although, the use of technology and virtual platforms has long history in nursing education, it is relatively very new for teaching hospitals in Nepal where the health system is fragile. The challenges seen in nursing education have depicted an urgent need to address nation’s gaps in educational infrastructure including capacity building of faculties and enabling nursing students to utilize technology effectively. In fact, the pandemic has unveiled underlying structural vulnerabilities and existing disparities in educational settings between nations, particularly in nursing education.

Keywords: nursing education, COVID-19, pandemic, teaching hospitals, Nepal
Applications of Molecular Markers to Assess Genetic Diversity in Vegetable and Ornamental Crops – A Review
Authors: Ahmad Riaz , Anjum Muhammad Akbar
Published: September 2020

Assessment of genetic diversity has attained much consideration during the last two decades for efficient germplasm management and its utilization in breeding programs. Molecular markers system is very helpful in correct identification of plants, successful management of plant resources, and to achieve various aspects of breeding programs in vegetables and ornamental crops. Applications of molecular markers for appraisal of DNA variations in plants provide significant approach in field of molecular genetics. Morphological markers are not appropriate for evaluation of genetic diversity due to less differentiating traits among species, genera or their individuals. These are also highly affected by climatic factors. So, molecular markers system is very effective method for detailed DNA finger printing of crop plants. However, successful use of molecular markers in crop breeding programs relies on strong coordination among plant breeders, biotechnologists and trained manpower as well as proper financial support. The current review explains the basic descriptions of different molecular markers and their applications for genetic improvement programs in some vegetables and ornamental plants.
Optimizing Planting Time for Some Selected Commercial Gladiolus Cultivars under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan
Authors: Amjad Nasar , Ahmad Iftikhar , Qasim Muhammad
Published: September 2020

A field experiment was conducted at Commercial Floriculture Research Area, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, during 2017-18 to evaluate different planting times for quality production of selected gladiolus cultivars. Sixcommercial gladiolus cultivars, viz., Advance, Amsterdam, Essential, Grand Prix, Rose Supreme and White Prosperity were compared by planting at five different planting times from September to November at 15 days interval. Data regarding vegetative growth, flowering and quality parameters were collected. Early sprouting, best vegetative growth and higher quality gladiolus stems were produced when planted in September for all tested cultivars, while among cultivars, ‘Rose Supreme’ proved best for all planting times in the agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad. Early planting of gladiolus crop in the season with favourably high temperature and longer photoperiod produced strong growth response as compared to late plantings when temperature dropped below 20 °C with photoperiods became shorter. The minimum time to 50% sprouting (7.0 days) along with the highest sprouting percentage (95%), number of leaves per plant (9.6), leaf area (67.6 cm2), plant height (96.4 cm), spike length (73.0 cm), the longest vase life (11.9 d), the best spike quality (8.3) and the greatest number of cormels per clump (30.5) were recorded for September plantation, which gradually decreased with delayed planting. In summary, the best time of planting gladiolus under agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad, Punjab (Pakistan) is September, which may be adopted by growers for quality stem production.
Cold Storage Influences Postharvest Chilling Injury and Quality of Peach Fruits
Authors: Khan Ahmad Sattar , Hussain Kamal , Shah Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib , Malik Aman Ullah , Anwar Raheel , Rehman Rana Naveed ur , Baksh Allah
Published: September 2020

Peach (Prunus persica L.) fruits exhibit limited postharvest shelf and storage life due to rapid softening. Therefore, in the present study effect of cold storage was investigated on postharvest chilling injury (CI) and fruit quality during ripening following cold storage on five peach cultivars including ‘Peach Select No. 3’ (PS-3), ‘Florida Gold’ (FG) and ‘Florida King’ (FK) as early season maturing, and ‘Indian Blood’ (IB) and ‘Maria Delezia’ (MD) as late season maturing cultivars. Peach fruits harvested at commercial maturity were ripened at ambient conditions following cold storage for 0, 10 and 20 days at 0±1 °C with 80±5% RH. Data regarding peach fruit quality parameters and incidence of CI were recorded at fully ripe eating soft stage. Results indicated that apart from the cultivars, fruit weight loss, levels of soluble solid content (SSC) and sugars increased as the storage period was progressed. However, fruit firmness, titratable acidity (TA), and ascorbic acid content significantly reduced during cold storage. Among early season maturing peach cultivars, fruits of ‘FG’ and among late season maturing peach cultivars, fruits of ‘MD’ showed better postharvest shelf life and fruit quality during ripening following cold storage. The highest SSC and SSC: TA ratio were observed in ‘FG’ peach fruits; however, these fruits exhibited 50% and 75% CI after 10 and 20 days of cold storage, respectively. During first 10 days of cold storage, ‘PS-3’ peach fruits showed better taste with higher fruit firmness and ascorbic acid content, however, later on the highest level of CI was observed in these fruits. Among all the tested peach cultivars, the ‘IB’ peach fruits showed higher fruit firmness, lower weight loss, as well as acceptable biochemical fruit quality (SSC, SSC; TA, ascorbic acid content, total sugars) during 20 days of cold storage without showing any symptoms of CI.
Pre-harvest Foliar Application of Oxalic Acid Improves Strawberry Plant Growth and Fruit Quality
Authors: Anwar Rahee , Gull Shaista , Nafees Muhammad , Amin Muhammad , Hussain Zahoor , Khan Ahmad Sattar , Malik Aman Ullah
Published: September 2020

Delicate fruit of strawberry is susceptible to high temperature stress and fungal infection. An extensive spray program is usually adapted to secure yield and fruit quality which sometimes pose a serious threat to consumer health. However, development of eco-friendly, economical and safer strategies has always been in focus of R&D sector. In this study, field-grown strawberry plants cv. Chandler were sprayed with 1, 2 or 3 mM oxalic acid at flowering stage. Interestingly, foliar application of oxalic acid in low doses (1 mM and 2 mM) had more growth-promoting effect on strawberries whereas foliar application of 3 mM oxalic acid either negatively affected or remained ineffective. Low-dose applications of oxalic acid resulted in enhanced nitrogen (1.5-fold), phosphorus (2.5-fold) and potassium (1.75-fold) levels in leaf petioles. Increase in primary macronutrients was also correlated well with enhancement in plant growth indicators including dry biomass (1.5-fold), leaf area (1.7-fold), specific leaf area (2.8-fold) and leaf area ratio (2.6-fold), root weight ratio (1.9-fold), root-to-shoot ratio (1.4-fold). Only, leaf chlorophyll and fresh fruit weight were negatively impacted by oxalic acid. In addition to increase in number of fruits per plant, oxalic acid also improved sensory properties of strawberry fruits mainly due to increase in sugar: acid ratio (1.6-fold), ascorbic acid contents (1.2-fold) and non-reducing sugars (2-fold). Overall, foliar application of 1 mM oxalic acid favoured vegetative growth and enhanced yield and fruit quality of strawberry cv. Chandler.
Optimizing planting density for cut Helianthus annuus and Zinnia elegans
Authors: Sharif Muhammad Modassar , Ali Irslan , Ahmad Iftikhar
Published: September 2020

A study was conducted to optimize plant spacing for cut Helianthus annuus cv. Pro Cut Orange and Zinnia elegans cv. Double Super Yoga. Seedlings were raised in 128-celled plastic plug trays containing coco coir, compost and silt (1:1:1; v/v/v) as substrate. At 2-4 true leaf stage, seedlings were transplanted outdoors in thoroughly tilled and leveled flat beds at plant and row spacing of 15.0 × 15.0, 15.0 × 22.5, 22.5 × 22.5, 22.5 × 30.0, or 30.0 × 30.0 cm with plant populations of 40, 26, 17, 13 or 10 plants per m2, respectively. Experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications individually for each species. Findings revealed that for Helianthus annuus, plants grown at 15.0 × 15.0 cm spacing produced tallest plants with greatest plant canopy diameter. While leaf area, stem diameter and vase life were highest for plants spaced at 30.0 × 30.0 cm. Plant spacing had no effect on number of leaves per plant, fresh weight of stem, flower quality and internodal distance. Similar results were recorded when this experiment was repeated on Helianthus annuus during next year for confirmation of results. In case of Zinnia elegans, plants spaced at 30.0 × 30.0 cm exhibited highest plant canopy diameter, number of leaves per plant and number of flowers per plant, while plants spaced at 15.0 × 15.0 cm had highest plant height and leaf area. Flower diameter, stem diameter, flower quality, internodal distance, fresh weight of a stem and vase life were similar irrespective of plant spacing. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that quality cut Helianthus annuus production was greatly improved when plants were spaced at 15.0 × 15.0 cm, while 30.0 × 30.0 cm spacing was optimal for cut Zinnia elegans production and may be used for commercial cultivation of Helianthus and Zinnia in Punjab.
Effect of Different Irrigation Sources on Growth, Yield and Heavy Metals Accumulation in Tomato and Okra
Authors: Naz Safina , Anjum Muhammad Akbar , Haider Sakeena Tul Ain
Published: September 2020

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different irrigation sources (canal, tube-well and sewage) on growth, yield and heavy metal uptake of two summer vegetables i.e. tomato and okra. Growth attributes (plant height, number of leaves, relative leaf chlorophyll content and leaf area) and yield components (number of fruits / pods per plant and fruit size) of okra and tomato were significantly increased with sewage water application. Lesser growth and yield of the studied vegetables was recorded with tube-well water. Use of sewage water improved total yields and fresh and dry plant biomass production of both the vegetables. Significantly higher and lower lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and iron (Fe) contents were recorded in edible parts of the sewage and tube-well water irrigated vegetables, respectively. Edible parts (tomato fruits and okra pods) of the sewage water irrigated vegetables exhibited heavy metals contents above the maximum permissible limits. Leaf and root samples of the sewage water irrigated tomato and okra also contained significantly greater metals contents as compared to those irrigated with canal and tube-well water. It is concluded that vegetables irrigated with sewage water produced greater yields but these were found contaminated with heavy metals.
Improving Salt Stress Tolerance in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) by Using Triacontanol
Authors: Sarwar Mubeen , Amjad Muhammad , Anjum Sumreen , Alam Muhammad Waqar , Ahmad Shahbaz , Ayyub Chaudhary Muhammad , Ashraf Arfan , Hussain Rashid , Mannan Abdul , Ali Ahmad , Shahid Adeel , Hussain Tanveer
Published: September 2020

Salinity is an ancient environmental phenomenon and reflected as the most important process of land degradation. It is widespread at variable degrees across the world. A sand culture study was conducted in order to investigate the performance of exogenously applied triacontanol on two tolerant (Green long and Marketmore) and two sensitive (Summer green and 20252) genotypes of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under salinity stress (NaCl 50 mM). The foliar application of triacontanol was carried out @ 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80, 1.00 and 1.20 mg L-1. Salinity caused significant reduction in growth rate, gas exchange and other physiological attributes. Results revealed that triacontanol seemed to relieve the harmful impact of salt stress by improving morpho-physiological attributes and decreasing membrane leakage. Genotypes Green long and Marketmore performed better under salt stress regarding all studied parameters than Summer green and 20252. However, foliar feeding of triacontanol significantly enriched the efficiency of sensitive genotypes under saline conditions. The highest values of different attributes of cucumber plants were observed with foliar application of 0.80 mg L-1 triacontanol. Hence, triacontanol can be effectively used as a mitigating agent to alleviate phytotoxic effects in plants under saline stress.
Licorice a Supernatural Herb for Healthy Life: Bioactive Phytochemicals and Biological activities – A Review
Authors: Aslam Rozina , Aslam Misbah , Abdullah Shawana , Yaqub Muhammad Sarwar
Published: September 2020

Licorice, a medicinal herb, has been found to contain various phytochemicals including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, sapogenins, pterocarpenes, coumestan derivatives, 2-arylobenzofuran derivatives, chemopreventive agents, acidic constituents and glycyrrhizin having different biological activities. Licorice is used in medical for treatment of various diseases like atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. It is used as anti-inflammation, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, anti-virus and in many other problems. It is also used as additive for flavoring candies, chewing gum and toothpaste. The roots of this plant are majorly used for extracting different phytochemicals. Various licorice species: Glycyrrhiza glabra, G. uralensis, G. inflata, G. lepidota, and G. pallidiflora contain various phytochemicals with different type of biological activities. This paper provides a brief of the bioactive constituents and biological functions of different licorice species in details.
Effect of PGRs on Vegetative and Reproductive Traits of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.): A Field Assessment
Authors: Ahmad Tanveer , Zia-ul-Hassan Syed Muhammad , Iqbal Qumer , Ghani Muhammad Awais , Tariq Rana Muhammad Sabir
Published: September 2020

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a popular crop grown as field and backyard vegetable in Asian countries. A field experiment was performed using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to assess the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the productivity of bitter gourd cv. Faisalabad Long. There were four treatments viz. control (no PGR), GA3 100 mg L-1, IAA 200 mg L-1 and GA3 50 + IAA 100 mg L-1, and each treatment was replicated thrice. Results revealed that untreated (control) plants took maximum days to flower (45.66), while both GA3 100 mg L-1 and GA3 50 + IAA 100 mg L-1 treated plants behaved statistically alike with 41.00 and 42.33 days, respectively. Application of GA3 100 mg L-1 depicted significant superiority for fruit length, average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and seed yield per plant. However, statistically similar response was recorded for all the PGR treatments for male and female flowers per plant, time to first harvest, number of fruits per plant and fruit diameter; while maximum vine length at final harvest was recorded when GA3 and IAA were applied in combination. Overall results indicated that application of GA3 100 mg L-1 resulted in early crop maturity and significantly higher fruit yield per plant when compared with other treatments.
Effectiveness of Fruit Bagging for the Control of Insect-Pests Complex and its Impact on Quality of Mango Fruits
Authors: Karar Haider , Ahmad Maqbool , Ullah Hameed , Wajid Muhammad , Zubair Muhammad , Raza Hamid
Published: September 2020

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is famous among all fruits because of its taste, variety and color. However, the quality of mango fruits is mainly deteriorated by insect-pests complex. The study was performed to evaluate bagging effects on insect-pests complex, yield and quality of mango fruits at private mango orchards located in Multan district. A mango cultivar, Anwar Rataul was selected, and the fruits were bagged during 1st week of May (at stone size stage) to 1st week of July 2017 (at maturity stage). The results indicated that the attack of fruit flies and other insect-pests complex were zero in bagged fruits. It was further recorded that the maximum average fruit weight i.e. 203.50 g was noted in those where butter paper bag was wrapped as compared with brown paper bagged fruits having 197.83 g and un-bagged fruits with 159.50 g per fruit. However, brown paper bag resulted in better fruit color development. Similarly, average fruit lengths were greater i.e. 91.33 and 90.18 mm in butter paper and brown paper bagged fruits, respectively as compared to 85.33 mm in un-bagged fruits. Bagged fruits had higher total soluble solids and slightly lower titratable acidity as compared to un-bagged fruits. Further, bagged fruits had no cracks, sunburn, mechanical injury, bird damage, skin blemishes and agrochemical residues. So, it is concluded that fruit bagging on mango cv. Anwar Rataul trees at stone size stage proved to be an effective practice against insect-pests complex and for quality production of fruits for export purposes.
Effect of Boric acid, Potassium nitrate and Magnesium sulphate on Managing Fruit Cracking and Improving Fruit Yield and Quality of Pomegranate
Authors: Bashir Muhammad Azhar , Noreen Ammara , Ikhlaq Muhammad , Shabir Kashif , Altaf Faheem , Akhtar Naheed
Published: September 2020

Pomegranate is a drought tolerant fruit crop and is well adapted to sub-tropical and tropical climates. Fruit cracking is a major disorder in pomegranate which causes significant economic losses. In the present work, effect of foliar application of boric acid (0.05%), potassium nitrate (1.0%) and magnesium sulphate (1.0%) alone or in combinations was investigated to manage fruit cracking and improve fruit yield and quality of pomegranate cv. Golden. First treatment (foliar spray) was applied one month after fruit setting (April) and repeated twice during May and June each year. Application of foliar sprays affected fruit yield and quality positively. The maximum number of fruits per plant (254), average fruit weight (192 g), yield per plant (58.3 kg), number of arils per fruit (592), juice content (41.1%) as well as the minimum fruit cracking (3.9%) were recorded when 0.05% boric acid, 1% potassium nitrate and 1% magnesium sulphate were applied in combination. Fruit size and total soluble solids (TSS) of fruit juice were not affected by the applied treatments. Thus, combined application of boric acid, potassium nitrate and magnesium sulphate could be recommended for reducing fruit cracking and improving yield and quality of pomegranate fruits under semi-arid conditions of Southern Punjab, Pakistan.
Performance of Two Onion (Allium cepa L.) Cultivars under Two Different Planting Systems in Calcareous Soil
Authors: Anjum Muhammad Akbar , Muhammad Hafiza Muniba Din , Balal Rashad Mukhtar , Ahmad Riaz
Published: September 2020

Onion is one of the most valuable vegetables all over the world. It prefers loose, well drained loamy soils rich in organic matter. In calcareous soils, the growth and yield of onion crop is low. The objective of the present investigation was to study the performance of two onion cultivars (Super Selection and Nasarpuri) in calcareous soil by adopting proper planting system. The crop was planted under two planting systems i.e. flat bed and ridge system. Significantly higher leaf weight was recorded on ridges than flat beds. Root weight was significantly higher in cultivar Nasarpuri than Super Selection. Moreover, plants on ridges attained more root weight than those grown on flat beds. Larger equatorial and polar diameters of bulbs were recorded in Super Selection, and also in the plants grown on ridges. The bulbs harvested from ridges had higher moisture content, than those harvested from flat beds. The neck diameter was significantly greater in Nasarpuri as compared with Super Selection. Number of splited bulbs and number of splits in bulbs were not affected by the cultivars and planting systems. The highest bulb weight was recorded from ridges in cv. Nasarpuri, followed by Super Selection. The significantly greater economic yield, biological yield and harvest index were obtained from the plants grown on ridges. Leaf weight showed significant association with neck diameter, bulb weight, economic yield and biological yield. Bulb weight showed significant correlation with economic yield, biological yield and harvest index.
Growth and Yield Response of Different Brinjal Cultivars to Irrigation Deficit Conditions
Authors: Rehman Shafeeq ur , Hafiz Ishfaq Ahmad , Ali Irfan , Abbasi Nadeem Akhtar
Published: September 2020

Brinjal is an important vegetable crop having low fat content and high nutritional value. Brinjal is considered moderately sensitive to water deficit conditions. A study was conducted to investigate growth and yield potential of different brinjal cultivars i.e. ‘Black Long’, ‘Nirala’, ‘Bemisal’ and ‘Purple Queen’ in response to various levels of water stress by providing 100, 80 and 60% of the required irrigation. The results revealed that growth and yield characteristics of brinjal cultivars varied to a great extent in response to water stress. As expected, 100% irrigation level showed the highest plant growth and fruit yield, while a gradual decrease in growth and yield of brinjal was observed with increasing water stress, the lowest being at 60% irrigation level. ‘Black Long’ and ‘Nirala’ produced significantly better results for most of the parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, root length, number of flowers and fruits, fruit length and fruit yield per plant in response to varying degree of water stress. It is concluded from the results that ‘Black Long’ and ‘Nirala’ are best suited for arid areas which are facing water deficit conditions during most of the time in the year, but full potential of the crop can be achieved by managing the irrigation.
Pre-storage Application of L-arginine Alleviates Chilling Injury and Maintains Postharvest Quality of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Authors: Hasan Mahmood Ul , Rehman Rana Naveed Ur , Malik Aman Ullah , Haider Muhammad Wasim , Ahmed Zeeshan , Khan Ahmad Sattar , Anwar Raheel
Published: September 2020

Chilling injury in cucumber is the major issue under low temperature storage, which substantially affects cosmetic quality and market value of fruits. Present study was aimed to assess the effect of L-arginine to alleviate surface pitting caused due to chilling injury and response of various quality attributes during cold storage (5 ± 1 °C; RH 90 ± 5%). Cucumber cv. ‘7003’ fruits were treated with different concentrations of L-arginine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM) and stored for 16 days. Fruits were removed at 4 days storage interval followed by 1 day of conditioning (22 ± 2 °C) before quality analysis. Visual quality, fruit colour, decay, fruit weight loss, firmness, chilling injury (CI), electrolyte leakage, taste, texture, flavour, aroma, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), sugar: acid ratio (SSC/TA ratio) and ascorbic acid content were measured for cucumber fruits. Overall, it was noted that L-arginine treated fruits showed lower fruit weight loss and electrolyte leakage, and maintained taste, texture, aroma, SSC, and sugar: acid ratio during storage. Fruits treated with 0.5 mM L-arginine had significantly reduced chilling injury and decay, maintained fruit colour, firmness and flavour, and displayed higher ascorbic acid content compared with control. Conclusively, pre-storage application of L-arginine (0.5 mM) can be employed as promising technique to alleviate postharvest chilling injury and maintain fruit quality of cucumber under cold storage.
OTEL İŞLETMELERİ ÇALIŞANLARININ ALGILADIKLARI LİDERLİK TARZININ PERFORMANS DÜZEYİNE ETKİSİ: ANTALYA ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: TURAN Yağmur , CİNNİOĞLU Hasan
Published: September 2020

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı otel işletmelerinde görev yapan çalışanların yöneticilerinde algıladıkları üretim, değişim ve çalışan odaklı liderlik algılarının sahip oldukları iş performansı düzeyine etkisini ölçmektir. Çalışmanın amacını gerçekleştirmek için Antalya ilinde faaliyet gösteren ve basit tesadüfi yöntemle seçilen 417 beş yıldızlı otel işletmesi çalışanından anket yöntemi ile veriler elde edilmiştir. Verilerin analizde korelasyon ve yapısal eşitlik modellemesi yöntemleri kullanılmıştır. Yapılan analizler neticesinde otel çalışanlarının yöneticilerini en fazla çalışan odaklı bir lider olarak algıladıkları ve çalışanların performans düzeyini en fazla etkileyen liderlik tarzının ise yine aynı şekilde çalışan odaklı liderlik tarzı olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bununla birlikte değişim ve üretim odaklı liderlik tarzlarının da çalışanların iş performansı düzeyini etkilediği tespit edilmiştir
The Effect of Inflation, US Dollar Exchange Rates, Interest Rates, and World Oil Prices on Gold Price Fluctuations in Indonesia 2014 – 2019
Authors: Kalsum Ummi , Hidayat Randy , Oktaviani Sheila
Published: September 2020

This study aims to determine the effect of inflation, US dollar exchange rates, interest rates, and world oil prices on fluctuations in gold prices in Indonesia in 2014 - 2019. This research is a type of explanatory research with a quantitative approach. The data used are monthly time series data for 2014 - 2019 with a sample of 72 samples. The multiple linear regression model is used as an analysis technique in this study. The results of this study indicate that simultaneously (F test) inflation, USD exchange rates, interest rates, and world oil prices have a significant effect on gold price fluctuations in Indonesia. Partially (t-test) shows that the USD exchange rate has a significant positive effect on gold price fluctuations in Indonesia. Inflation and interest rates have a negative and insignificant effect on fluctuations in gold prices in Indonesia. Meanwhile, world oil prices have a positive and insignificant effect on gold price fluctuations in Indonesia.
Targeting Poverty and Developing Sustainable Development
Objectives for the United Nation’s Countries using a Systematic
Approach Combining DRSA and Multiple Linear Regressions
Authors: Marin Jean-Charles , B-Trudel Bryan , Zaras Kazimierz , Sylla Mamadou
Published: September 2020

The objectives of this article is to target poverty using Dominance-based Rough Set Approach (DRSA) to help the United Nation’s Countries develop objectives for sustainable development. There are 12 variables divided into 2 perspectives. The first is an economical and technological perspective composed of 6 variables. The second is a sociological and political perspective composed of 6 variables. The methodology proposed classifies all the United Nation’s countries according to three different categories: [A] Developed countries; [B] Emerging economies that need support to acquire category A status; [C] Under Developed countries ranked the lowest and needing special support with regard to the criterion or criteria considered. Using this classification, DRSA provides decision rules to explain the classification and indicating precisely what are the conditions to be part of a higher category. Also, the results indicate what are the conditions to be part of the Under Developed countries category and therefore helps targeting poverty and proposing, at the same time, objectives to improve this classification. Finally, we used Multiple Linear Regressions with selected decision rules to test selected decision rules as the Gross National Income per capita as the dependent variable.
Taylor Principle under Inflation Targeting in Emerging ASEAN Economies: GMM and DSGE Approaches
Authors: Taguchi Hiroyuki , Tamegawa Kenichi , Wanasilp Mesa
Published: September 2020

This paper aims to reassess the performances of inflation targeting adopted by emerging ASEAN countries, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, by examining their monetary policy rules, both through generalized-method-of-moments (GMM) estimations of policy reaction functions and through Bayesian estimations of the New Keynesian dynamic-stochastic-general-equilibrium (DSGE) model. The main findings are summarized as follows. First, the GMM estimations identified inflation-responsive rules fulfilling the Taylor principle, with a forward-looking manner in Indonesia and Thailand and with a contemporaneous way in the Philippines. Second, the Bayesian estimations of the New Keynesian DSGE could reassure the GMM estimation results, as the former estimations produced consistent outcomes with the latter ones on the policy rate reactions to inflation with the Taylor principle.
Risk Affection and Transmission of News of Conditional Volatility from the Non-Life to Life Insurance Sector
Authors: Kiohos Apostolos
Published: September 2020

Non- Life and Life Insurance companies are the main expedients of risk transfer and risk management procedure in the economy and the society. This paper examines, in eight worldwide advanced insurance markets, whether there are transmissions of news of conditional volatility from the non-life to life insurance sector. The reason is that, regularly, non-life insurance risks have higher volatility and they are less predictable than life insurance risks. A GJR - GARCH model is used to test these relationships for the period January 1st 1990 to June 28th 2019 using daily trading observations for each listed insurance index. The results suggest that the French and the Australian non-life insurance sectors influence their life insurance sectors to a greater extent than the other countries insurance indices under study. There is also evidence that the leverage effect indicates that bad news concerning the non-life insurance index shows a more intense impact on the volatility of the life insurance index than the good news in the majority of the countries under study. However, bad and good news are symmetrical in French and Australian insurance markets.
Tasa de atropellamiento de fauna silvestre en la vía San Onofre – María la baja, Caribe Colombiano
Authors: Cecilia Monroy María , De La Ossa-Lacayo Alejandro , De La Ossa V Jaime
Published: September 2020

El presente estudio valora y compara la mortalidad de fauna silvestre y su tasa debida a colisión en la vía que conduce de San Onofre, Sucre a María la Baja, Bolívar, en época seca y época de lluvias; con longitud de 49Km, la vía bordea la porción noroccidental de los Montes de María, amplia zona de bosque seco tropical remanente del Caribe colombiano. Se trabajó durante 6 meses continuos de octubre de 2014 a marzo de 2015, con dos recorridos/ semana para un total de 48 muestreos, realizados de las 05:00 a las 08:00 horas, con velocidad media de 15 km/
hora. Las muestras fueron identificadas in situ.
Al comparar estadísticamente las dos épocas muestreadas respecto de los atropellamientos totales se determina que no existe diferencia signifi cativa (DS=13,213, t=0,468, df=31, p=0,642). No obstante, de manera particular analizando cada grupo respecto de la época climática existe diferencia signifi cativa para el grupo de aves (DS=1,449, t=2,400, f=9, p=0,039). Teniendo en cuenta que se trabajó en 48 sesiones, se tiene una tasa diaria de atropellamiento (TA) de 0,328 ind/día/km. La TA del presente estudio es relativamente alta al compararla con lo establecido en otros trabajos. La vía estudiada requiere de señalización e infraestructura que brinde protección a la fauna silvestre, de lo contrario la situación podría poner en riesgo a muchas de las especies que habitan estos relictos de bosque seco.
Tasa de atropellamiento de fauna silvestre en la vía San Onofre – María la baja, Caribe Colombiano
Authors: Monroy María Cecilia , De La Ossa-Lacayo Alejandro , De La Ossa V Jaime
Published: September 2020

El presente estudio valora y compara la mortalidad de fauna silvestre y su tasa debida a colisión en la vía que conduce de San Onofre, Sucre a María la Baja, Bolívar, en época seca y época de lluvias; con longitud de 49Km, la vía bordea la porción noroccidental de los Montes de María, amplia zona de bosque seco tropical remanente del Caribe colombiano. Se trabajó durante 6 meses continuos de octubre de 2014 a marzo de 2015, con dos recorridos/ semana para un total de 48 muestreos, realizados de las 05:00 a las 08:00 horas, con velocidad media de 15 km/
hora. Las muestras fueron identificadas in situ.
Al comparar estadísticamente las dos épocas muestreadas respec
to de los atropellamientos totales se determina que no existe diferencia signifi cativa (DS=13,213, t=0,468, df=31, p=0,642). No obstante, de manera particular analizando cada grupo respecto de la época climática existe diferencia signifi cativa para el grupo de aves (DS=1,449, t=2,400, f=9, p=0,039). Teniendo en cuenta que se trabajó en 48 sesiones, se tiene una tasa diaria de atropellamiento (TA) de 0,328 ind/día/km. La TA del presente estudio es relativamente alta al compararla con lo establecido en otros trabajos. La vía estudiada requiere de señalización e infraestructura que brinde protección a la fauna silvestre, de lo contrario la situación podría poner en riesgo a muchas de las especies que habitan estos relictos de bosque seco.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF KENYA’S INSURANCE COMPANIES
Authors: Kitaka Johannes Mwangangi , Kiragu Dr. David , Marwa Prof. Simmy M.
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The study investigated government regulation and sustainability of Kenya’s insurance companies.

Methodology: The study adopted the positivist research philosophy and employed a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was the 51 insurance companies registered by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) of Kenya as at 31st December 2016. The study took a proportionate sample of 30 companies from 10 life, 15 general and 5 composite companies. The primary data collection was through a structured questionnaire with closed questions. A pilot study was carried out before questionnaire distribution, which ensured the research instrument validity and reliability, before distribution through both hand delivery and email, followed by a telephone call to the respondents and a research assistant later visiting the respondents to collect the filled questionnaires. The raw data was cleaned, edited, coded and analyzed to generate descriptive statistics of ANOVA and T-test and inferential statistics of mean, standard deviation and frequencies,  while secondary data was collected using data collection sheets.

Study Findings: The findings showed that there is a moderating effect of government regulation on drivers of sustainability of insurance companies in Kenya. While there was positive and significant effect of government regulation on capital adequacy, management capability and sensitivity to risk, government regulation had no moderation on asset quality as management of other variables of management quality, capital adequacy and risk sensitivity would address the quality of capital.

Unique Contribution: The study recommends that IRA opens up the RBC measurement tool to bring in sustainability and management indices. Further, IRA should review regulation to support the insurance companies to enhance innovation and customer service delivery, which are key for growth, and sustainability of the various insurance companies in the country.