bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching-Learning Anglophone Cultures at the University of Pedagogical Sciences of Holguín and at the ELC of Shantou University: A Comparative Study
Authors: Sarduy Yunier Pérez , Harper John , León Manuel de Jesús Velázquez
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a comparative study of the teaching-learning process of Anglophone cultures through the English as a foreign language programs of Shantou University, Guangdong, China, and Universidad de Ciencias Pedagógicas “José de la Luz y Caballero”, Holguín, Cuba. As criteria for the comparison, the authors have selected the objectives, teaching methods, and resources of the two institutions. The comparative analysis allowed for the determination of the main trends common to both universities: the teaching of language as a means to an end, the active participation of faculties in the elaboration of teaching materials and textbooks for the specific courses they teach, the validity of research work aimed at improving the teaching resources for the EFL courses offered at both universities, the use of the communicative approach as a general method for the teaching-learning process, and the development of co-curricular activities to enhance the teaching-learning of cultural elements. The analysis also allowed for a reflection on how the distinct departmental/institutional structures of the two schools may lead to some significant differences in terms of educational focus. Finally, the analysis provoked questions concerning the balance between culture teaching-learning and intercultural communication training.
Language and Culture
Authors: Kayam Orly
Published: November 2016

The study focuses on Ethiopian Jewish women’s struggles with language usage and social adaptation. The study aims to (a) evaluate the importance of knowledge and usage of Amharic in their daily lives, (b) evaluate the importance of knowledge and usage of Hebrew in their daily lives and (c) identify the differences in Israeli and Ethiopian Jewish cultures. The study was based on data collected and analyzed from a questionnaire that was distributed to a class of Ethiopian Jewish women who study English at a school in Netanya, Israel. The findings showed that while all of the participants speak Amharic, there are differences in literacy in Amharic among them. All of them have difficulties in Hebrew, but see Hebrew as the vehicle for upward mobility within Israeli society. They view Israeli culture as one that is lacking in politeness, respect and dignity, which is very much part of the fabric of the Ethiopian Jewish lifestyle. There is also a strong desire to preserve the past by preserving their language. This study promotes a new dimension to the study of Ethiopian Jewish women (Kayam & Hirsch, in press) in that it adds to the study of language acquisition in the immigrant setting.
A Comparative Study on Kung Hungming’s Version and Waley’s Version of the Analects “Lun Yu” from Adaptation Theory
Authors: Li Mingxin
Published: November 2016

The Analects, Chinese original name Lun Yu, as the most important Confucius book, has enjoyed its powerful vitality with its enduring influence in Sinology home and abroad. People have made many attempts to explore its problems of translations, hoping to account for factors behind individual versions of Lun Yu. However, what the researchers based either on language-oriented or culture-oriented theory, a systematic study is on demand with the development on Confucianism research. This thesis explores two English versions of Lun Yu in light of the adaptation theory of Translational ecology. It provides a new way to interpret Lun Yu as the representative cultural classic. The research objective can be attained as: in light of Verscheren’s adaptation theory, different translations of Lun Yu can be investigated comprehensively at the Language-internal and the language-external levels. The adaptation theory can manifest the translators’ subjectivity according to different eco-translational environment. Moreover, the research focuses on Kung Hung ming’s translation version and Arther Waley’s version with their distinct features which can thrown light on the readers to understand Lun Yu from a new perspective. In this thesis, a descriptive approach is adopted in the comparative analysis on the two versions of Lun Yu. This research can provide an attempting and concept for the broader context of translation study.
Indonesian EFL Students’ Proficiency in Writing and Ability in Speaking across Personality Learning Styles
Authors: Cahyono Bambang Yudi , Mutiaraningrum Ira
Published: November 2016

This research aimed at examining Indonesian EFL students’ proficiency in writing and ability in public speaking across personality learning styles: extroversion and introversion. It involved 74 undergraduate students who took an Essay Writing course in the English Department of Universitas Negeri Malang, one of the leading universities in Indonesia. The students were distributed into three classes. They were taught how to write essays. Then, the students were made aware that they had to complete two tasks: writing and presenting a cause and effect essay on topics related to English language teaching. The students’ cause and effect essays were scored to know their proficiency in writing and their presentation was assessed to know their ability in speaking. Two scoring rubrics were used and two raters were involved in the scoring process for interrater reliability. The results of the research showed that the Indonesian EFL students’ proficiency in writing is strongly related to their ability in speaking for both groups of students. In addition, the Indonesian extrovert EFL students’ proficiency in writing is strongly related to their ability in speaking. The Indonesian introvert EFL students’ proficiency in writing is also strongly related to their ability in speaking. However, there is no significant difference of the proficiency in writing and ability speaking between the extrovert and introvert students.
A Study on the Effect of Age on the Representation and Processing of Second Language Grammar Achievement
Authors: Ganjoee Mohsen Ashraf , Narafshan Mehry Haddad
Published: November 2016

Learners considering their age (children & adults) differ fundamentally, and these differences can affect the second language acquisition. This study aimed at investigating the effect of age on EFL learners’ grammar achievement. Oxford placement test was used to homogenize the participants. Based on the oxford placement test, the students were homogenized as the beginner ones and then they were distributed into two groups of children and adults each containing 50 students. In order to see the effect of age on EFL learners’ grammar achievement, oxford grammar test was used as a pre-test and post-test (simple present, present continuous & to be verbs) in both groups. The results revealed that there is not a critical period, but a sensitive period for second language grammar learning, and adults can show to be better learners in case of grammar achievement.
Comprehending the Learning Process of Peer-Feedback Activities of EFL Learners with Autism in Different Settings in Indonesia
Authors: Putera Alam Aji , Latief M. Adnan , Saukah Ali , Rachmajanti Sri
Published: November 2016

This classroom observation study attempts to comprehend, reveal and find the learning possibilities from the social learning perspective, in the process of peer-feedback activities of EFL Learners with autism learning with different peers in different settings. This study aimed at discovering the viability of the practice of EFL learners with autism peering with other autistic students, normal students, and special needs students. The research took place in inclusive (IC) classroom, mainstreaming and Special Educational Needs (SEN) classroom.8 autistic students, 7 males and 1 female, were observed during their discussion with their peers in the teaching and learning process in English Foreign Language class. Throughout the classroom observation and discourse analysis during the students’ discussion there are four pattern of interaction took place: unique collaborative, expert-novice, and passive-passive. Wherein the unique collaborative is divided into active unique collaborative and passive unique collaborative and these are new findings and may add to the theory of peer-feedback interaction in EFL context.
Reflective Practitioners: Foreign-Language Teachers Exploring Self-Assessment
Authors: Spicer-Escalante María Luisa , DeJonge-Kannan Karin
Published: November 2016

It is the professional and personal responsibility of teachers to analyze, evaluate, reflect on, and improve their classroom practice (Desimone & Garet, 2016). This paper introduces a guided teacher observation model which combines both self and peer-observations, designed for Foreign-Language (FL) teachers to evaluate their own classroom practice through video recording and directed reflection. Instructors’ self-assessment statements that implement this model show that it enables teachers to identify and address their areas for improvement (Bailey, 1981; Barber, 1990; Zeichner & Liston, 2014; Spicer-Escalante & deJonge-Kannan, 2014). Moreover, this guided teacher observation model entails a dialogue between observed instructor and observers. It does not ignore peer-evaluations, but rather requires responsive and responsible observations that are merged later with the self-reflection written by the observed instructor. As research in the field shows, regularly implemented self-assessment averts negative performance appraisals and reduces the need for intervention by superiors (Barber, 1990), thus offering reflective practitioners a pathway not only to professional growth (Burns, 2015; Matsuda, 2015) but also to personal development. In our own research, this model has also served as an excellent tool to inform our peers about our discipline and about the complexities involved in the training of foreign language teachers.
Assessing Cultural Invariance of the Extended Objective Measure of Ego-Identity Status (EOM-EIS) Questionnaire
Authors: Forbes Sean A. , Guarino A.J.
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study was to assess the cultural invariance of the Extended Objective Measure of Ego-Identity Status (EOM-EIS) Questionnaire across three ethnic groups (African-Americans, Caucasians, and Latinos).

The total sample consisted of 289 undergraduates from a comprehensive doctoral university in the Southeastern United States. Results of the chi-squared test of goodness-of-fit indicated that the sample reflected the university’s student body proportionally by gender, ethnicity, and academic major. To assess if the factor structure of the EOM-EIS operated equivalently across the three ethnic groups, a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. Results indicated that EOM-EIS was invariant across the ethnic groups.
Trade Union Education and Life Long Learning in Modern Greece —A Critical and Empirical Approach Concerning the Case of GSEE
Authors: Fotopoulos Nikos , Goulas Christo , Karra Vicky
Published: November 2016

The issue of lifelong adult learning has a long tradition in several EU countries and specifically in the field of the trade unions which seem to function not only as having a defending role towards their employees but an educational one as well. In light of the educational philosophy in the field of adult education, Greece still lags behind most of Europe in its modernization policies of the education system thus widening the social and democratic deficit.

Based on this reasoning, in the context of lifelong learning, KANEP and INE/GSEE designed the training program “Education and Work” at a time when the applied policies of lifelong learning are faced with a number of challenges, succeeding though to combine a wide range of theoretical and technical methodological tools, in order to fully meet the several needs of the members of the trade union movement. So, at a time when the forces of labour gradually collapse, the trade union educational intervention in Greece becomes of vital importance in order for the vocational and social progress of the workers to be ensured.
An Interview with Professor Patrick Allitt: Who is the Professor and Who is the Student?
Authors: Shaughnessy Michael F. , Sansom Shyanne , Barnes Bryan
Published: November 2016

Profile: Patrick Allitt is Cahoon Family Professor of American History. He was an undergraduate at Oxford in England, a graduate student at the University of California Berkeley, and held postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard Divinity School and Princeton University. At Emory since 1988, he teaches courses on American intellectual, environmental, and religious history, on Victorian Britain, and on the Great Books. Author of six books, he is also presenter of seven lecture series with “The Great Courses” (www.thegreatcourses.com), including “The Art of Teaching”.
Approaches to Social Behaviour and Suitable Learning toward Growth and Innovation in SMEs
Authors: Hamburg Ileana
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this paper is to present some approaches which could be used in small and medium sized companies (SMEs) to improve social behaviour of managers and staff, learning methods and content used in education of entrepreneurs and SME staff. It is known that a social and diversity oriented manager behaviour supports company productivity and retaining of skilled staff. Very important is to prepare young entrepreneurs in this context besides the achieving of skills like leading, coordination, organisation and creativity. Vocational education and training of entrepreneurs should enable the integration of people with special needs i.e. by mentoring.

Conclusions of studies and projects coordinated by the author show that issues like problem-based learning, informal and social learning, diversity, mentoring by intensive use of social media can contribute to growth and innovation in SMEs and to increase the motivation of staff. These conclusions and the approaches presented in this paper will be used in two ongoing European projects especially orientated towards grow and innovation in SMEs.
Pedagogic Dilemma for History Education: Voices of Student Teachers in Lesotho
Authors: Fru Raymond N.
Published: November 2016

It is no secret that history education in many parts of the world is facing immense challenges. This academic discipline has never been under more pressure to justify its place in the curriculum of many educational systems. While some systems such as South Africa have overtly downplayed the importance of the discipline through unfavorable curriculum implementations over the years since the dawn of democracy, other systems like Lesotho have adopted more covert strategies to systematically out-phasing history education in the secondary and high schools. The result in the case of Lesotho is that the subject is very unpopular in secondary and high schools as the number of schools teaching the subject has dwindled drastically over the years. The situation is exacerbated by poor Junior Certificate (JC) examination results for the few schools that teach the subject.

Against this backdrop, this article engages the discourses around the status of history education in the context of Lesotho from a student teacher’s perspective. While many studies have focused on the role of students, government departments and school administrations in explaining the negative position of history education, the stance in this article is that the role of the history teacher is as vital and cannot be undermined. Teachers’ understanding of the objectives of history teaching and their attitudes towards the discipline has important implications for the way the discipline is perceived by students and the public. As a result, this article presents findings ofa study conducted with some novice history teachers in Lesotho on their understandings of the objectives of history teaching especially in a Lesotho context. Such understandings are then used as a basis to theorise the status of the discipline, but also to reflect on the future of history education in Lesotho.
Factors Effecting on Study Habits
Authors: Khan Zebun Nisa
Published: November 2016

The present study was undertaken with the objectives to find out the impact of Socio-economic Status as well as sex differences on study habits of class VII students (100) of Government Colleges of Amroha District. The effects of two independent variables on study habits of the aforementioned students were assessed by using two Psychological tests namely Socio-economic Status Scale (Urban); by Dr. Kulshrestha and Rao’s Study Habits Inventory. The findings indicated a significant effect of gender on study habits of the subjects. The effect of Socio-economic Status on study habits was found to be insignificant. Interaction effect of sex difference and Socio-economic Status was also not significant.
Strategies for Improving the Academic Performance of Students in Botswana Primary Schools
Authors: Maimela Ms Moletlanyi , Perci Monyatsi Professor Pedzani
Published: November 2016

Background: The Government of Botswana has since attaining independence from Britain in 1966 demonstrated a lot of interest in the improvement of primary education by adopting two policies; the Education for kagisano of 1977 and the Revised National Policy on Education of 1994 to guide the development of education in the country. Other efforts include partnering with organizations from countries such as the USA and Britain and others to help improve the quality of the primary education. The other major aim for these was to improve the performance of students in the final examinations.

Purpose/Aims: The purpose of the study was to establish strategies that can be used to influence student’s performance in Primary School Leaving Examinations.

Methodology: A mixed-method design allowed the researcher to triangulate data from the professional literature and a questionnaire comprised of closed and open-ended questions. Out of the two hundred questionnaires distributed, one hundred and twenty seven questionnaires were returned; while only one hundred questionnaires were properly completed and therefore used in the study. Respondents were also interviewed.

Data Analysis: For the closed ended section of the questionnaire, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used. Data from the interviews and open-ended section of the questionnaire was coded, and then emerging patterns and themes were identified and described in order to understand the meanings of these categories from the perspectives of the respondents, with verbatim texts included. The findings of the study show that there are various strategies that can be used to help improve the performance of students in PSLE. Some of the strategies include parental involvement, infrastructure provision and human resources.
An Analysis of Elementary Science Teachers’ Beliefs Regarding Inquiry Science Teaching
Authors: Worch Eric A. , Duran Emilio , Duran Lena B.
Published: November 2016

The National Science Teachers Association (2015) recommends that teachers experience science as inquiry as a part of their teacher preparation; however, what assistance can be provided to practicing teachers? This paper describes the results of a professional development program in inquiry science teaching for third through sixth grade teachers and its effects on the participants’ beliefs about the teaching of science. Qualitative data were collected using reflections written by the teachers at the end of the program, lesson summaries completed throughout the program, and observations paired with interviews of teachers implementing inquiry lessons in their own classrooms. The data suggest that the following aspects of the professional development model employed in the study enhanced the participants’ feelings of self-confidence, preparation, and excitement about teaching science to their students: 1) supplying teachers with content/background knowledge, 2) promoting positive experiences with inquiry, 3) providing a chance to implement inquiry lessons in the classroom, 4) facilitating collaboration, and 5) modeling effective teaching strategies. Follow-up studies will include quantitative analyses to further examine teachers’ beliefs, as well as to determine if their beliefs are sustained over time.
Age Related Visual Pathologies among Nursing Home Residents: An Evaluation of Light Conditions and Recording in Client Files
Authors: Sinoo Marianne M. , Tilborg Mirjam Van , Schols Jos M. G. A. , Kort Helianthe S. M.
Published: November 2016

Objective: Reflection on visual problems in nursing homes.

Data Sources: Eye examinations, documented visual problems and illuminance levels.

Study design: The optometric examinations and recorded visual problems were combined with illuminance data.

Data collection: In seven nursing homes, 259 residents underwent an optometric examination. Their client records were analyzed for information regarding visual functioning. The illuminance data were ranked to set the quality of the lighting conditions.

Principal findings: 50% of the referred residents had problems with cataracts, retinal problems (21%), suspected glaucoma (13%), and other pathologies (16%). The information was not current in 56% of the records. The quality of lighting conditions was low or moderate.
 Conclusion: The finding of poor lighting conditions in nursing homes in combination with a high prevalence of visual problems (with cataract found to be the most common age related pathology), stretches the need of enhanced awareness of eye care by professional caregivers.
Tourism and the Target of the Convention on Biological Diversity: Community Acceptance for Involvement —A Case Study of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Authors: Melita Asantael Williams
Published: November 2016

There is a growing demand of Biological diversities uses in the world as a global asset of tremendous value to the present and future generations. This demand has raised threats to species and ecosystems existences. The Convention for the Biodiversity forum for Aichi Biodiversity identified about 5 strategies and 20 targets for the conservation of the biodiversity of the protected areas. The Community Based Diversity is the main goals that promoted by the Aichi targets as to protect biodiversity; to use biodiversity without destroying it; and, to share any benefits from genetic diversity equally. Tourism in Tanzania is basically based on biological diversity for about 69% in protected areas in Mainland and 31% at beaches in Zanzibar. All those biological diversities needs clear programs for the conservation and protection of flora, fauna and the environment to facilitate jobs and wealth creation for the indigenous population who often pay a cost in lost land usage for conservation and tourism. The Ngorongoro Conservation area with its uniqueness has about 87,851 people living within and a growing tourism population of about 647,733 visitors by the year 2013, and highly diversity of wildlife respectively. Community in the Ngorongoro counts tourism as an alternative activity that supports their livelihood. For the purposes of this study a survey of 100 local Maasai and oral interviews of 60 employees of the NCA’s and Pastoral Council (PC), examines whether tourism revenue sharing to the Maasai communities within the area has a positive support impact on conservation of biological diversity of the area as stipulated in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). I found that members of the Maasai community within the area of Ngorongoro are benefiting from Tourism and support the conservation strategies of the Authority positively. Nevertheless the benefits to communities within the protected areas like the Ngorongoro should properly structured as may reduce the natural resources existence basing on the nature and its driving forces that accelerate the population increases within and around the protected areas.
Rising Food Insecurity and Conservative Policy in the US: Impact on the Elderly
Authors: Arno Peter S. , Knapp Kenneth A. , Russo Stephan , Viola Deborah
Published: November 2016

Food insecurity, a critical problem in the developing world, has recently received increased attention among wealthy nations. Food insecurity, broadly defined, is when a lack of resources prevents household members from having enough food. In the US, food insecurity has been rising while social safety net programs to ameliorate hunger among at-risk households have been targeted for cuts by conservatives. Our main objective was to assess the prevalence and impact of food insecurity among the elderly. In a survey of 500 older, homebound meal clients in New York City, we found that nearly one in five (17%) is food insecure, 89% endure chronic health problems, 14% live with severe functional impairments, 38% are in declining health, and 10% experience unmet needs for services. New York City’s oldest community residents have serious health problems, multiple unmet social service needs, and often suffer from food insecurity. Understanding the relationship between these issues is critical if community organizations and government agencies at all levels—even in wealthy countries—are to be more effective in assuring the well being of their oldest residents.
The Acoustic Efforts of the Medieval Arab Philosophers: Brethren of Purity as a Model
Authors: Ahmed Mahmoud Ahmed Ragheb
Published: November 2016

This study discusses the acoustic efforts of the Medieval Arab philosophers and thinkers, and explain specifically the efforts of Brethren of Purity (ikhwãn al-safã) also The Brethren of Sincerity). They were a famous secret society of Muslim philosophers in Basra, Iraq, in 4th century HD/8th century CE. The structure of this mysterious organization and the identities of its members have never been clear. This study is an overview of the reality and the actuality of the vocal acoustic research which the Arab thinkers produced. It also will discusses the efforts of Al-Safa brothers community in the Arab Acoustic field, who presented a logical definition of the linguistic sound, then started to categorize the sound according to the meaning, quantity and quality, determined the sounds articulation and the ways of its production, then they made a great analysis on the ways of analyzing it based on all the qualitative and quantitative levels, and highlighted the semantic aspects and the ways of recognizing and perceiving the sounds.
Kant on the Experience of Passivity
Authors: Saji Motohide
Published: November 2016

This article reconstructs Kant’s thought on early human development and its effect throughout one’s life in his empirical, anthropological work. To do so, I examine Kant’s treatment of three aspects of the early human development chronologically. Kant’s argument concerns processes that one goes through before becoming an adult, which take place beyond one’s control, which form the basis for one’s adult self, and which affect one throughout one’s life. One’s experience of these three aspects can be called the experience of passivity. First, while an infant, one is subject to the drive and inability to coordinate and control one’s bodily motion, to the drive to communicate, and to the activity of imitation. Second, one is compelled to begin reasoning rather than actively beginning the exercise of reason. The initial activity of reason suddenly has already taken place in one beyond one’s control in such a way that one cannot choose whether to begin to exercise the faculty of reason in the first place. Third, one is affected by otherness in the formation and development of one’s self. Kant’s thought thus reconstructed proves to be consistent with what recent empirical research demonstrates. The present analysis ends with questions and implications for social science research.
Economic Empowerment of Women in Lebanon
Authors: Hamdar Bassam Charif , Hejase Hussin , El-Hakim Fadi , Le Port Jessica Antonios , Baydoun Rebecca
Published: November 2016

This research discusses the importance of the economic role of the working woman in Lebanon. It discusses the revolution of the changing role of the Lebanese woman from being a mother and a wife, to being an important contributor to the economic growth. It highlights the effective impact of this changing role on the family stability, following the Lebanese woman integration into the working force which results in decreasing the dependency on the male partner in providing essential family needs.

Furthermore, this paper tackles the cultural differences among Lebanese women, the ambitions, the values, and the priorities of Lebanese women. It touches also on the economic empowerment of woman, who plays a significant role in facilitating the achievement of a higher level of economic welfare. However, the main focus of this paper is on the socio-economic role of the woman in the global environment where material needs have become a priority and an ultimate value.

Questions which to be addressed by this paper are: should oriental women devote their lives to material gains even if it is done at the expense of the family life? How economically important to promote the women’s role as leaders and managers fully devoted to economic growth and money earnings? Are working women economically independent?
Application of Available Attributes and Physical Characteristics for Learning through Play in Malaysian Preschools
Authors: Li Pearly Lim Pei , Khan Tareef Hayat , Hussein Abdul Halim Bin , Mei Hee Jee
Published: November 2016

The National Preschool Curriculum (NPC) of Malaysia introduced “Learning through Play” (LTP) as one of the major teaching and learning approaches for preschools. However, for holistic growth, learning environment for young children should also emphasize on quality built environment that are planned in alignment with the vision and principles of LTP and consideration of children’s development psychology. The theory of affordances was utilized whereby the existence of affordance within the physical environment creates potential to be actualized and it is independent of the users, namely children. This paper examined application of available attributes and physical characteristics for LTP in private preschools within converted residential houses. For this purpose, four case study preschools in Johor Bahru were selected through purposive sampling for participant observation to observe available attributes and physical characteristics as well as gain an understanding on potential and actualized affordances for LTP in the respective preschools. After qualitative analysis, findings indicated that opportunities for learning through play within preschools were hindered by four main factors which included lack of materials, equipment and free will; allowable play and independent mobility factors; time factor and safety factor.
Then, There Were Nine: The Forgotten Higher Schools of Imperial Japan
Authors: Yamamoto Kaoru
Published: November 2016

Following the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan hurried to modernize all aspects of the new nation-state and prevent colonization by Western powers. As a critical element in that effort, a centralized system of education was created, compulsory schooling instituted, and advanced schools were established. A further development saw, in a single Taisho decade of the 1920s, the birth of nine higher schools of an articulated structure with progressive pedagogical perspective. In the following Showa era, Japan’s defeat in the Second World War resulted in a wide-ranging reshuffling of its education system, first imposed by the victorious Allied Occupation Forces. In that process, with little appreciation of the significance of their venture, all of the unique institutions were summarily abolished in 1950. This article traces the history of the obliterated schools and closely examines the virtues of their educational approach in the light of modern studies from the East and West.
Revisiting Mead on Pragmatic “Fusion”: From Emotion to Function
Authors: Weigert Andrew J.
Published: November 2016

A recent biography and re-issue of George H. Mead’s Mind, Self, and Society emphasize the emergent meanings of his work and of self’s cognitive and affective dimensions in interaction. Erving Goffman likewise posits an interaction order based on individual and social identity. Mead’s metaphor of fusion furthers recognition of an emotional merging of selves with each other and with emerging community. He initially characterizes this experience as “precious” and illustrates its presence in interactional domains such as teamwork, religion, and patriotism. Among other scholars, Charles Taylor uses fusion to interpret aspects of the contemporary secular age. Application to terrorist identities finds that emotional fusion motivates actions that threaten the moral imperative informing presentation of selves that grounds public order. From a pragmatic perspective, selves in pluralistic contexts must subordinate emotional fusion to functional fusion within an interaction order that fosters a larger self and more inclusive community to address common issues.
Choking on Structural Adjustment: Dependency and Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution in Developing Countries
Authors: Austin Kelly F. , McCarthy Kellyn
Published: November 2016

Indoor air pollution represents a global health crisis, leading to 4.3 million deaths annually. Despite widespread variation in solid fuel burning across developing nations, little is known about the large scale socio-economic causes. We draw on theories of political-economy to consider the role of economic, social, and environmental predictors on solid fuel use, with a special focus on structural adjustment, debt service, and agricultural production. Utilizing a sample of 75 developing nations, we find that these economic dependencies increase solid fuel use. Thus, current neoliberal development strategies enhance vulnerabilities to indoor air pollution for millions of people in impoverished nations.
Consumer perceptions of climate change and willingness to pay for mandatory implementation of low carbon labels: the case of South Korea
Authors: Kim Hyeyoung , House Lisa A. , Kim Tae-Kyun
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine consumer values for mandatory carbon labels incorporating South Korean consumers’ perceptions about climate change using conjoint analysis. In a face-to-face consumer survey, we asked about individuals’ perceptions of the impact of climate change on their personal lives to measure its effect on consumer preference for carbon labels. The results of ordered logit and conditional logit regressions showed that a significant preference for mandatory carbon labels reflected Koreans’ level of concern about climate change. As an increasing number of consumers feel the impact of climate change, the gap of willingness to pay between voluntary and mandatory low carbon labels is significant. Also, consumer perception of the impact of climate change on their personal lives was significantly influenced by the area in which the respondents’ lived.
Economic feasibility of tobacco leaves for biofuel production and high value squalene
Authors: Maisashvili Aleksandre , Bryant Henry L. , Richardson James W.
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we estimate the economic feasibility of biofuel production and high value squalene from tobacco-based biomass. Pro-forma stochastic financial statements were constructed and the feasibility of multi-year financial projects were evaluated. The results suggest the commercialization of biofuel production from tobacco is not economical in the short run, but may have a potential in the long run. The results also indicate the economic feasibility of high value squalene is viable under the certain conditions.
The influence of value chain integration on performance: an empirical study of the malt barley value chain in Ethiopia
Authors: Watabaji Mulugeta D. , Molnar Adrienn , Dora Manoj K. , Gellynck Xavier
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the interplay between value chain integration dimensions and value chain performance along the malt barley value chain in Ethiopia. The analyses were based on survey data sets obtained from 320 farmers and 100 traders and qualitative interview responses captured from sixty-two key informants selected from members of the chain. The structural equation modelling technique was employed to seek answer for the question of how value chain integration dimensions are related to performance. The results of the analyses showed the existence of positive relationships between coordination of activities and performance; between joint decision-making and performance at farmers-cooperatives interface; and between commitment towards long-term relationships and performance at farmers-traders interface. The study has made important empirical contributions in areas of value chain integration and performance and their interplays within the context of the studied malt barley value chain. The key findings of the study make important policy implications for agribusiness value chains in the developing countries. The study would open a venue for robust investigation based on a wider database from various agribusiness chains in Ethiopia or even beyond, for better validation of the findings.
Profile of Breast Diseases in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Bajracharya Amir , Pangeni Anang
Published: November 2016

Background & Objectives: Breast problems, benign or malignant are common in occurrence worldwide. Breast problems can present themselves in a number of ways like breast pain, nipple discharge, cystic lesions and more commonly a lump. Breast diseases are under reported and cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in women. This prospective study was undertaken with an aim to study the profile of various breast diseases in eastern Nepal.Materials & Methods:  This is a prospective study of women with breast diseases conducted from March 2011 to February 2012. Inclusion criteria were women irrespective of age with breast diseases with or without complaints. Exclusion criteria were women having breast abscess and mammary fistula.Results: Out of 125 breast diseases 39 cases (31%) had malignancy and 86 cases (69%) had BBD. The overall mean age for BBD was 25.9 years, with range of 10-60 years. The mean age for malignant breast diseases was 45.6 years, with range of 28-67 years. All of the cases had breast lump as their presenting complaints whether they came out benign or malignant. 52.8% had no significant pain associated with lump; in malignant cases 35.8% had pain associated with lump. In benign cases 68.7% had no perceptible change in lump size. On ultrasound scan, 69% of the lesions were designated benign compared to 31% malignant features. FNAC resulted in 68% lesions to be classified as of benign nature and 32% as malignant /suspicious malignancy.Conclusion: BBD constituted 69% of breast diseases, and mostly fibroadenoma and FCC/FCD and commonest malignant lesion was infiltrating ductal carcinoma. The BBD peaked at the age of 21-30 years.
Maxillary central incisor dimensions and its association with lower anterior facial height
Authors: Gyawali Rajesh , Singh Varun Pratap
Published: November 2016

Introduction: Maxillary anteriors are the major teeth displayed during the smile and have a dominant role in the dentofacial appearance. As the dimensions of incisors vary with various facial dimensions, this study aimed to find out the ratio of width to height of the maxillary central incisor and correlate it with the lower anterior facial height.Materials and methods: One hundred participants (50 male and 50 female) were enrolled in this study. The width-height ratio of maxillary central incisor was calculated by measurements made in the photographs with Image J software. Lower anterior facial height was measured as the distance between subnasale and lower border of the chin with the help of digital vernier caliper. Correlation between width-height ratio and lower anterior facial height was done with Pearson’s correlation.Results: The width height ratio of maxillary central incisor was found to be 0.86 for male and 0.89 for female. This ratio was statistically insignificant when compared between gender and sides. There was negligible correlation between this ratio and lower anterior facial height.Conclusion: Mean Width-height ratio of maxillary central incisor obtained from this study would serve as a guide in esthetic enhancement of the maxillary anterior dentition.
Prevalence of inducible clindamycin resistance in erythromycin resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and CONS at tertiary care hospital
Authors: Thapa Sangita , Sapkota Lokendra Bahadur
Published: November 2016

Background & Objectives: The objective of this study was to isolate and identify Staphylococcus species from different samples clinical samples and to determine the current trend regarding the incidence and distribution of inducible clindamycin resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and CONS.Materials & Methods: A total of 264 isolates of staphylococcus species were isolated from various clinical samples. Clinical samples were cultured and Staphylococcus species were identified using standard microbiological methods recommended by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Methicillin resistance was confirmed using cefoxitin and oxacillin disks. Inducible clindamycin resistance was identified using D-zone test.Results: Among 264 erythromycin resistant staphylococcus species, 213 (80.6%) were S. aureus and 51 (19.3%) were CONS. Out of 213 erythromycin resistant isolates of S. aureus, 140 (65.7%) were MRSA and 73 (34.2%) were MSSA whereas out of 51 erythromycin resistant isolates of CONS, 28 (54.9%) were MRCNS and 23 (45%) were MSCNS. Constitutive MLSB phenotype and Inducible MLSB phenotype was higher among both MRSA and MRCNS isolates. MS phenotype was more predominant among 11 (5.1%) MSSA and 5 (9.8%) MSCNS isolates compared to 9 (4.2%) in MRSA and 2 (3.9%) in MRCNS.Conclusion: The prevalence of constitutive & inducible clindamycin resistance in staphylococcus isolates was high among both MRSA and MRCNS. Hence the implementation of D-test routinely, will reveal the iMLSB & cMLSB phenotype & will guide the clinicians whether to use clindamycin in staphylococcal infections when erythromycin resistance is present.
Intra-articular lignocaine as a means of analgesia during manual reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation
Authors: Kadel Manoj , Thapa Shrawan Kumar , Marasini Rudra , Thapa Sushil , Dhakal Shankar , Shrestha Robin
Published: November 2016

Background & Objectives: Acute anterior shoulder dislocation needs prompt reduction of the dislocation. The ideal reduction method should be simple, fast, effective and non- traumatic, with minimal pain, and should not cause further injury to the affected shoulder. Intra-articular local lignocaine injection is a means of achieving analgesia with less complication, and allowing prompt patient discharge of patient after reduction. The study was conducted with objective to evaluate the effectiveness of intra-articular lignocaine for reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation.Materials & Methods: Twenty- one cases of acute anterior shoulder dislocation were reduced using intra-articular local lignocaine injection as a method of analgesia by modified Hippocrates method.Results: The mean age was 44.71 years ± SD 20.14 while 11 cases were reduced with one to six hours of injury. Pain assessed through application of a visual analogue scale during the maneuver revealed scores ranging from two to eight with mean score of 4.29 ± SD 1.55.Conclusion: This method is not only safe and effective but also reduces hospital stay and has negligible adverse effects making it a popular choice for most orthopedists.
Prevalence of Arm Lymphedema among Patients with Breast Cancer Surgery
Authors: Pandey Radha Acharya , Shrestha Shilpa
Published: November 2016

Background & Objectives: Lymphedema is a common complication of cancer therapeutics; its prevalence, treatment outcomes, and costs have been poorly defined. It is potentially debilitating condition in breast cancer survivors which negatively affects the quality of life. This study aims to assess the prevalence of arm lymphedema among patients with breast cancer surgery.Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of arm lymphedema among the women with breast cancer surgery. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data from a sample of 66 women of selected hospitals.  Data were collected through self constructed structured and semi structured interview based questionnaire which consisted socio demographic information and clinical related factors. Results: Among The overall prevalence of arm lymphedema was found to be seven (10.6%) respondents among the study population. In this study, 41 (62.1%) respondents were < 50 years of age, 13 (19.7%) had education of secondary level, 27 (40.9%) had received radiation therapy, 63 (95.5%) had no history of infection, 54 (81.8%) had undergone modified radical mastectomy, and 56 (84.8%) had involved lymph node resection. Statistically no any significant association was found between these variables.Conclusion: On the basis of the findings, this conclusion has been drawn that prevalence of arm lymphedema among patients with breast cancer surgery was low (10.6%). Moreover no association was found between the prevalence of arm lymphedema, sociodemographic variables and clinical related factors.
Attitude and perception of medical interns towards abortion in a teaching hospital in central Nepal
Authors: Pradhan Manohar , Subedi Nuwadatta
Published: November 2016

Background & Objectives: The objectives the study was to explore the, attitude and perception of medical interns, who are in the verge of being registered medical practitioners about abortion care services in Nepal.Materials & Methods: This is a questionnaire based descriptive-cross-sectional study conducted among the 96 interns of the College of Medical Sciences. The questionnaire was semi structured consisting of questions on self-assessed educational program characteristics, attitudes and perceptions regarding abortions in the context of Nepal.Results: The response rate of the participants was 88.07%. The mean age of the respondents was 24.43±1.449 years. A total of 65 (67.7%) responded that the topic of reproductive health was adequately covered in their course of study and 31 (32.3%) opined that the topic was somewhat covered. Only two of the respondents self-assessed that their theoretical knowledge of sexual and reproductive health was very good while 68 (70.8%) told that it was good and 26 (27.1%) graded themselves as having just fair knowledge in the field. Twenty four (25.0%) responded that they had clinical practice in abortion care services during their course of study. Conclusion: The medical interns had been adequately exposed to the reproductive health though they had less clinical practice on abortion care services. The attitude and perceptions of the future health care providers should be understood to properly orient them to the clinical practice.