bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Process Safety Culture-A Practical Implementation
Authors: Nesa Peddy C. , Hadikusumo Iwan S.
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a real-implementation example of how leaders at all levels of the organization work in unison to build a process safety culture in complex and very diverse operations. The process safety culture of this organization comprises the beliefs, attitudes and work practices from senior management to the front-line operations supervisor, field engineer and most importantly to the operator level.

ConocoPhillips Indonesia (COPI) Business Unit has been implementing a process that engages people from all levels of the functional organization through a purposeful process safety management review approach. At the top of the hierarchy of this process safety management review approach, COPI has formed a Process Safety Board comprised of the operations vice president, senior managers from operations, engineering and HSE. In the middle of the hierarchy, COPI has established Process Safety Council composed of process safety engineers and engineering managers. COPI also assigns Process Safety Coaches who interface daily with operators in the field. This paper focuses on the process safety management review, which is conducted at the Process Safety Board level to continually build the appropriate process safety culture within the organization.

The COPI Leadership Team actively participates in the business unit process safety culture and engages both occupational safety and process safety issues through Process Safety Board meetings, which are attended by the next layer of the process safety management team, Process Safety Council, and representatives from operations including Process Safety Coaches (Figures 1-3). Process safety leading indicators are reviewed during the board meeting. The review of the leading indicators does more than the checking of procedures and process safety training statistics. The Leadership Team also evaluates the leading indicators at the bottom, and all levels, of the process safety pyramid to drive process safety performance. The building of the process safety culture effort is recognized after board members and others demonstrate their commitment to the process and equally value process safety as occupational safety and operational activities. Through this review approach, process safety events and issues garner appropriate attention from all levels of the organization, and help COPI to continually support an appropriate process safety culture.

Figure 1 Process Safety Board Members

Figure 2 Process Safety Council Members

Figure 3 Process Safety Coach Members

This paper does not present novel improvements to process safety management, but provides structural information to commit, engage, understand, and support a developing sustainable process safety culture.
Asset-Level Social Performance in Conflict Areas & Frontier Markets; Doable or Doomsday Scenario?
Authors: Zandvliet Luc
Published: March 2017

For many managers, social performance is still viewed as a slightly unfamiliar topic that is unrelated to business objectives, not always strategically implemented, and best left to a specialized department. The assumption behind this view is that since social performance (incorrectly) only deals with people's behavior, it is often unpredictable, if not at times outright irrational, and therefore difficult to manage.

This view is prevalent in business management in general; however an additional layer of complexity comes into play when a company is operating within an area of conflict. Such a context can add a more acute sense of powerlessness, leading to a wide spectrum of company responses, ranging from adopting a wait-and-see approach, to addressing conflict dynamics through community investment efforts, to relying heavily on security provisions.

Throughout this paper we will be distinguishing between macro-level conflict in the broader jurisdictions of a context of operations, on one hand, and conflict dynamics at an asset level, on the other. Companies have difficulties making this distinction. As a result, they deploy approaches that are re-active and focus on management of the manifestations of conflict rather than to take a more pro-active approach based on an understanding of the macro-level context in which they operate. At best this leads to missed opportunities, but more often results in heightened risk exposure for the company.

The objective of this paper will be to demonstrate that Oil & Gas (O&G) companies with operations in areas of conflict actually have much more control over their socio-political risk exposure at an asset level than they generally assume. Gaining this control will require an asset-level social-performance plan that is informed by an analysis of underlying root causes, and serviced by a well-implemented integrated approach that, at a minimum, is focused on avoiding preventable mistakes.
How Market Conditions Can Drive Innovation in HSE - A Case Study Looking at Setting Up a New Facility in PNG
Authors: Simpson-Langley T. , Duncan S.
Published: March 2017

This paper details the critical health, safety, environment and security (HSES) process in establishing a new independent multi-service line project in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG). PNG presents several specific challenges including high rates of crime and violence, highly dependent HSE culture, limited access to comprehensive medical care and several endemic communicable diseases. The challenge was to ensure that the risks were managed adequately in a cost-conscious market by creating innovative solutions.

Identification of the critical HSES risk areas was key to the establishment of a safe and functional facility for the project. The identification was undertaken by gathering information through a number of sources including medical and security providers as well as internal assessments. The prioritised risk areas included environmental management, security and health. The new market conditions meant that the team responsible for the project had to find ways to novel ways to address each of the problem areas.

Waste management represented a significant challenge because most hazardous waste generated could not be disposed of in-country. This forced us to critically examine our potential waste streams to eliminate waste products. Another area we were able to find a creative solution was the site's water usage. We faced high potable water costs and the high cost of waste process water disposal. The solution was a custom-built water treatment system that enabled recycling 75% of the water used, reducing water costs dramatically.

The high-security risks present in PNG were initially assessed by working closely with local security companies; this enabled us to get a dynamic and accurate understanding of the risk. The decision was made to collaborate with a security company that had a wide network across Port Moresby and a sophisticated in-vehicle monitoring system that enables us to track our personnel in transit and call on them for a quick response, if required.

PNG is widely considered as a high health risk area. Malaria, Dengue Fever, and Tuberculosis (TB) are just some of the known health risks that are endemic in parts of PNG. After consultation with international medical providers, a country-specific Fitness for Work plan was developed that detailed all vaccinations, medications and other preventative measures. Several in-country personnel were up-skilled so they could further communicate the risk and administer the program.
Operational Excellence Efficiencies: Effective Transition from Capital Project to Operating Facility
Authors: Green Elizabeth L , Tonge Piers
Published: March 2017

Extended Abstract

Oil & gas super majors spend extensive resources to develop and execute asset integrity, health, safety, environmental and social management systems to drive better business performance in their day to day operations. In addition, the same companies have invested extensive resources to successfully deliver large capital projects into their operating business units. However, the management systems associated with the capital project delivery is often not aligned with the business unit systems. In many cases the projects are executed in isolation from the operating business until the project is ready to "turn over the keys" of the new asset to the operating business. This miss alignment results in, at best, time consuming and inefficient transition of a capital project into an operating business unit. At worst, the lack of alignment can result in costly rework of operating systems related to the new operating facility as well as increased risk of incidents during transition and ultimate operations. This extended abstract will address how to transition a project’s compliance and risk management obligations and assurance activities during the period of hand-over to the operating business, in order to provide more confidence around the project’s successful integration into the operating business. Specifically this extended abstract will address: Importance of transition to project and operational successReview of health, safety, social and environmental (HSSE) and risk management systems for projectsPlanning for project transition to operationsMechanics of project transition to operations
Lessons Learned from Oil and Gas Industry Project on Community Grievance Mechanisms
Authors: Abdullah A. , Wild E. , Boladeras S. , Murphy H. , Collacott R.
Published: March 2017

Community grievance mechanisms (CGMs) are processes for receiving, investigating, responding to and closing out complaints or grievances from affected communities in a timely, fair and consistent manner. To assist oil and gas companies in designing, implementing and managing community grievance mechanisms, IPIECA (the oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues) conducted an in-depth research project, involving seven two-year pilot projects, to inform a new guidance document. The outcome of this work was Community grievance mechanisms in the oil and gas industry: A manual for implementing operational-level grievance mechanisms and designing corporate frameworks (the Manual).

The Manual draws on experience from across IPIECA's broad membership to identify global good practice in implementing CGMs. It gathers and summarises learnings from across the oil and gas industry to provide a practical step-by-step guide to planning and implementing operational-level CGMs, and/or designing and managing corporate CGM frameworks.

This paper discusses the importance of community grievance mechanisms, their connection to expectations set out in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the progress of IPIECA's recent work and the content and key themes of the project.
Environmental Fate for Subsea Discharge of Hydrogen Sulphide Laden Seawater
Authors: Jakobsen Kim Parsberg , Mohd Amin Abdul Malek , Dabbi Edgar Peter , Md Isa Mohd Azlan , Wong Rachel
Published: March 2017

There are numerous undeveloped sour gas fields worldwide where the content of hydrogen sulphide is so high that it is not economically viable to dispose the gas using conventional techniques. A new technique capable of removing high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide is being proposed, which requires the discharge of hydrogen sulphide laden seawater through a subsea outlet. Hydrogen sulphide can be harmful to the environment and to assess the risk of impacts, the dispersion, advection and breakdown of hydrogen sulphide is described using high resolution hydrodynamic and water quality models. The description of the hydrodynamic processes is based on the CORMIX near-field flow model coupled with a MIKE 3 far-field flow model while the chemical breakdown of hydrogen sulphide is described using a customised ECO Lab water quality model with the half-life being a function of available dissolved oxygen. The coupled models are used to derive the temporal and spatial variation of hydrogen sulphide and dissolved oxygen concentration within the model domain. The application of the modelling approach is demonstrated for a sour gas field development offshore Sarawak, Malaysia where it is proposed to discharge seawater with a hydrogen sulphide concentration in the excess of 800 mg/l. Initial modelling shows a risk of environmental impacts over a sizeable area and that it is important to not only consider hydrogen sulphide, but also the possible oxygen depletion in that area. With the coupled models it was possible to define and document a practicable option that with increased seawater dilution and discharge through a multi-port outlet results in a noticeable reduction in the risk of environmental impacts.
The Application of Ultrasonic Technology for Cleaning Oil Contaminated Sand
Authors: Xu Yiwen , Langbauer Clemens , Hofstaetter Herbert
Published: March 2017

Oil contaminated sandy soil is considered to be an economical and environmental problem for the oil industry. The level of contamination is measured in Total Organic Carbon (TOC), which is a sum parameter to measure hydrocarbon compounds. TOC is considered to be the main contributor to the oil contamination in the field. The disposal process of oil contaminated sandy soil, commonly used in the current oil fields, attracts huge investment and resource.

In an effort to clean the oil contamination of the soil from the oil field, an experiment program is designed to remove oil from the sand by using ultrasonic technology. The experiments with samples from an oil field in Austria indicate a substantial decline of the TOC value, measured by an Oil-in-Water Analyzer with quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology.

Considering the physical feature of oil contaminated sand, a mechanical washing process is applied along with the ultrasonic technology in the experiment. The initial test of the experiment is to determine the real ultrasonic effect on the sample without washing effect in the treatment. The test proves that the combined process of mechanical washing and ultrasonic cleaning in two steps is an effective method to remove the oil from the sand sample.

The ultrasonic technology alone can remove 88% of oil from the oil contaminated sand. The lowest TOC is achieved by mechanical washing following by the ultrasonic cleaning, which ultimately removed 99.5% of oil from the contaminated sandy soil.

The new technology which is more safe, economical, reliable and environmental friendly will provide an alternative solution to remove oil from the sand not only to the oil industry, but for the society too.
A NECESSIDADE DE IMPLANTAÇÃO DE INSTITUIÇÕES DE LONGA PERMANÊNCIA PARA IDOSOS FRENTE AO PRINCÍPIO DA DIGNIDADE DA PESSOA HUMANA
Authors: Oliveira Nohana Moraes de , Lira de Resende Gisele Silva
Published: March 2017

A questão do envelhecimento e o direito que os idosos adquirem, vêm sendo observado com relevância, dada à expectativa de vida aumentada da população mundial. Considerando aquilo que é previsto no ordenamento jurídico e visualizado na realidade local, mediante a constante ausência de políticas públicas, indagou-se até que ponto o Estado é responsável pelo abrigamento dos idosos de baixa renda que não possuem moradia? Em busca de respostas, realizou-se estudo bibliográfico, alicerçado em pesquisa de campo, cujo objetivo foi analisar qual a responsabilidade do Estado diante da necessidade de implantação de instituições de longa permanência para idosos no município de Barra do Garças. Nesse contexto, foi desenvolvida pesquisa com análise de documentos e relatórios já realizados por profissional que atua em prol desse segmento da sociedade. Os dados foram analisados com base nas determinações das legislações, bem como na literatura existentes. Verificou-se que, embora o abrigamento não seja a primeira escolha de opção na vida de uma pessoa, a implantação de Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI) é necessária, uma vez que o aumento de idosos é constante e a necessidade de institucionalização do idoso, em alguns casos, é imprescindível. Assim, cabe ao Estado assegurar a esses indivíduos a garantia de seus direitos, bem como um processo de envelhecimento saudável.

 

 

 
A RESPONSABILIDADE CIVIL DO ESTADO PELA TRAGÉDIA OCORRIDA NA BOATE KISS
Authors: Boeno Bruna Katiane , Wickert Lisiane
Published: March 2017

O presente estudo aborda, inicialmente, uma análise da responsabilidade civil do Estado no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, estudando sua origem histórica, as formas de responsabilidade civil aplicáveis ao Estado e as causas extintivas da responsabilidade civil. Na seqüência, faz-se um estudo sobre as tragédias ocorridas em boates argentinas e a responsabilização civil dos Estados nesses casos. Nesta mesma linha de pesquisa, investiga-se o caso da Boate Kiss, a fim de descobrir as causas do incêndio e os possíveis responsáveis comissivos e omissivos pelo ocorrido, buscando assim, entender, se há responsabilidade civil do Estado na tragédia ocorrida na boate de Santa Maria.
Gráficos difusos versus gráficos tradicionales para el control de procesos por atributos
Authors: Chud Pantoja Vivian Lorena , Martinez Escobar Nathaly , Osorio Gómez Juan Carlos
Published: March 2017

Los gráficos de control son una buena herramienta controlar procesos. Han sido ampliamente utilizados —y aún ahora se utilizan— en la mayoría de los procesos manufactureros. Sin embargo, se han presentado propuestas orientadas a mejorar el desempeño de los mismos, principalmente en los aspectos referentes a la incertidumbre y ambigüedad existente en los datos. En este sentido, los gráficos de control difusos son una alternativa valiosa para mejorar el desempeño de los gráficos tradicionales. Se presenta, entonces, una comparación de los gráficos de control Shewhart (tradicionales) y los gráficos de control difusos por atributos, con el objetivo de establecer las similitudes y diferencias existentes entre las dos metodologías. De esta manera, se desarrolla un ejemplo numérico de un gráfico tradicional c y gráficos difusos construidos a partir de las siguientes técnicas de transformación: moda difusa, mediana difusa, rango medio difuso y enfoque difuso directo. Para realizar una comparación se utilizaron las reglas de evaluación de patrones de comportamiento no natural en un gráfico de control. A partir de los resultados de la comparación realizada en esta investigación se concluye que al utilizar las reglas de evaluación en ambos gráficos con los mismos datos no se obtienen diferencias en los resultados.
Pendekatan Antropolinguistik Terhadap Kajian Tradisi Lisan
Authors: Sibarani Robert
Published: March 2017

Dalam makalah ini dibahas tentang bagaimana kajian antropolinguistik mampu membedah suatu tradisi lisan dan menghasilkan suatu analisis yang apik dari hubungan keduanya. Dalam pembahasan ada tiga pendekatan utama dalam kajian antropolinguistik yaitu performansi (performance), indeksikalitas (indexicalty), partisipasi (participation),yang  terbukti efektif dalam mengkaji hubungan struktur teks, koteks dan konteks (budaya, ideologi, sosial, dan situasi) suatu tradisi lisan yang dilatarbelakangi unsur-unsur budaya dan aspek kehidupan manusia yang berbeda-beda. Dengan mengacu pada teori Duranti (1977: 14), disimpulan dalam akhir pembahasan bahwa meskipun pendekatan antropolinguistik terhadap kajian tradisi lisan ‘terkesan’ tumpang-tindih dengan pendekatan linguistik budaya (cultural linguistics) dan etnolinguistik (ethnolinguistics) (lihat Folley, 1997:16 ), namun dengan jabaran penekanan tertentu pada kajian antropolinguistik, yaitu penekanan antropolinguistik dalam menggali makna, fungsi, nilai, norma, dan kearifan lokal suatu tradisi lisan, konsep ketiganya dapat dibedakan. Lebih dari pada itu, pendekatan antropolinguistik mampu merumuskan model revitalisasi dan pelestarian suatu tradisi lisan. Dalam hal inilah  ciri pembeda kajian antropolinguistik dengan pendekatan yang lain terlihat kuat dan menonjol.
As Open Access Is Public Access, Can Journals Help Policymakers Read Research?
Authors: Willinsky John
Published: March 2017

A study was conducted with 13 federal policymakers in Canada of a “Research Support Tool” intended to assist readers of open access research articles online to build a context for their reading. Interviews were conducted as the policymakers were introduced to this tool that would form part of the publishing environment for journal articles. The study found a growing interest among policymakers in the use of online and especially open access research. The tool proved helpful in providing access to author background, related studies, and relevant media stories, but posed real challenges to the users in design, intent, and the fairness of the databases it drew on in offering readers a greater context for the article they were reading.
Publishing Trends and Practices in the Scientific Community
Authors: Holmes Aldyth
Published: March 2017

Scientific, technical, and medical (STM) publishing has been changing over the past 10 years. In Canada it has multiple business models that differ significantly from those in the humanities and social sciences. STM publishing worldwide is dominated by a few major publishers but is also very dispersed. The introduction of electronic publishing has changed the business model. This paper presents the results of a reader and author survey and discusses the implications of these results for STM publishers and their library clients.
GAP—German Academic Publishers: A Network Approach to Scholarly Publishing
Authors: Braun Kim
Published: March 2017

GAP—German Academic Publishers ( www.gap-c.de ) is a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) to create an infrastructure for a new model for academic publishing. One aim of the project is to create an organizational network of academic presses and other eligible academic publishing institutions, including a business plan to guarantee a sustainable “life” for GAP after funding expires. Another goal is to establish the necessary infrastructure for online publishing (including a peer-review process) and online management of persons, roles, and other elements of the publishing process. GAP will act as both data and service provider for the Open Archives Initiative. GAP’s most prominent aim is to make what is published through its channels available for free on the Internet.
Terrorism, Trade, and Internet Privacy
Authors: Dowding Martin R.
Published: March 2017

It became evident that Canada’s ISPs could become party to the work of the Canadian security establishment when the Department of Justice released its consultation document on “lawful access” in August, 2002, proposing unprecedented intervention by the state into citizens’ privacy in order to fight terrorism. Since September 11, 2001, there has been an increase in surveillance within the structure of globalized markets and in information technology. Potentially repressive legislative responses to terrorism and other crime, such as those from the U.S. and European countries, have caused many communities to call for a heightened response to sustain the right to gather and exchange information freely. This essay addresses the potential threat to our communicative privacy posed by increased “lawful access.”
Toronto’s Cultural Renaissance
Authors: Jenkins Barbara
Published: March 2017

Toronto is experiencing a building boom, with eight major cultural construction projects in the works. These new monuments, part of what the City of Toronto calls its “Cultural Renaissance,” are intended to bolster the city’s reputation as an international economic and cultural capital. Albeit architecturally important, these buildings are better understood in the context of contemporary patterns of global economic competition and the changing role of culture in capitalist production. They also assert national identity and reflect a reorientation of Canadian cultural policy. This paper analyzes Toronto’s “Cultural Renaissance” in light of changing cultural policies at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, examining the role these new buildings will play in terms of promoting cultural tourism, city “branding,” and nationalism.
Pundits, Ideologues, and Ranters: The British Columbia Election Online
Authors: Jansen Harold J. , Koop Royce
Published: March 2017

This article examines the potential for Internet discussion boards to be a vehicle for political deliberation through a case study of the BC Votes discussion board during British Columbia’s 2001 provincial election. Research reveals that the board was dominated by a relatively small number of users and that the favourite discussion topics were not issues but how parties and leaders were performing. The authors conclude that the perception of ideological homogeneity in online discussion may be overstated and that the first post in a discussion thread has an important agenda-setting function. They also find that the relative newness of discussion boards may play a role in shaping the nature of discussion there.
The Divergent Anarcho-utopian Discourses of the Open Source Software Movement
Authors: Bradley Dale A.
Published: March 2017

The discourse informing open source programming is important for many reasons, not the least of which is the way in which its ideological positions are translated into practical actions. It is argued that the initial anarcho-utopian move initiated by Richard Stallman’s GNU Project and Free Software Foundation is currently being transformed into an organizational utopia in the form of the largely Linux-based open source movement. The utopian impulse evident in open source software development is therefore addressed from the perspective that the promises of liberation that inform its anarchy-inspired politics may be undermined by efforts to integrate its communal programming practices into existing market hegemonies.
In Memory of Jean-Pierre Desaulniers
Authors: Collins Richard
Published: March 2017

This article is a personal response to the death of Jean-Pierre Desaulniers, a friend and important Canadian communication scholar, in which his work is reviewed.
In the Presence of Absence: Invisibility, Black Canadian History, and Melinda Mollineaux’s Pinhole Photography
Authors: Fatona Andrea M
Published: March 2017

In the official history of Canada, alternative Black narratives often erase the complexities of Black Canadian experiences. This article examines the pinhole photographic work of Canadian artist Melinda Mollineaux, Cadboro Bay: Index to an Incomplete History, to discuss Mollineaux’s performative act of commemorating the forgotten place of Cadboro Bay, where Black people gathered to celebrate Emancipation Day in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The photographs in the series act as material reminders of this artist’s attempt to resurrect public memories of a time and place that are intimately tied to slavery and the diasporic movement of Black people. In so doing, the article discusses the dynamics of presence and absence and the significance of what is not seen in Mollineaux’s pictures. This article features online ( http://www.cjc-online.ca ) photographs of Melinda Mollineaux’s pinhole photography.
Fear and Coughing in Toronto: SARS and the Uses of Risk
Authors: Leslie Myles
Published: March 2017

The 2003 SARS outbreak in Toronto offers an opportunity to study the ways risk has come to form a rhetorical basis for public discussions of morality in contemporary Canadian society. This paper combines Ewald’s precautionary description of risk functionality with Douglas’ pollution theories to analyze quantitative and qualitative data taken from a print media content analysis. Precautionary conceptions are pre-eminent at the outset of the story, while pollution formulations become more important when the international community accuses Toronto of hosting a plague. This shift in emphasis between the two risk formulations is linked to a change in story frames from a public-health focus to an economic one. The paper concludes that risk is defined, redefined, and deployed as a moral tool and agent of social control by members of Canada’s information elite.
Convergence, Corporate Restructuring, and Canadian Online News, 2000-2003
Authors: Sparks Robert , Young Mary Lynn , Darnell Simon
Published: March 2017

This paper critically examines the corporate restructurings that took place in the Canadian news industry in 2000, using findings from website analyses in 2001 and 2003 that assessed the impact of the changes on the provision of online news. The paper shows that despite their stated commitment to convergence, the restructured companies only selectively exploited the interactive potential of the Web, and that they tended to operate under traditional news and revenue strategies. It also documents a continued shift in Canadian regulatory policies toward neo-liberal conceptions of news and the public good framed in terms of private ownership, free markets, and consumer choice.
Defending Listeners’ Rights: Labour and Media Reform in Postwar America
Authors: Fones-Wolf Elizabeth
Published: March 2017

Historians have paid relatively little attention to labour’s involvement in radio reform in the United States. Unions criticized the poor quality of programming and the lack of public service. They were also concerned about corporate control of radio and particularly about labour’s lack of access. After briefly examining organized labour’s initial efforts to reform radio, this paper focuses on the key role unions played in the postwar media reform movement, which advocated a “listeners’ rights” approach to broadcasting. This concept, along with a commitment to localism, diversity, and community involvement, was among the key ideas championed by media reformers in postwar America.
Virtually Queer? Homing Devices, Mobility, and Un/Belongings
Authors: Bryson Mary , MacIntosh Lori , Jordan Sharalyn , Lin Hui-Ling
Published: March 2017

This article counters and complicates decontextualized, celebratory accounts of queer subjects and cyberspace. The authors explore the significance of communicative media for queer women, with a particular focus on the negotiation of complex identifications, communities, social networks, and knowledge practices. Using a critical, sociocultural approach, the authors make illustrative use of interviews conducted in British Columbia and Alberta that are part of an ongoing research project (www.queerville.ca) that situates media practices in the quotidian. The authors’ arguments concerning queer virtualities attend to (im)mobilities across multiple offline and online contexts; complex geographies of un/belonging; a paradoxical relation of intense suturing to, and disavowal of, mediation; as well as the problematics of a “politics of recognition” and of “visibility,” at work in sites of subjectification and sociality. (Click here for interview) (Click here for interview transcript)
The Canonic Economy of Communication and Culture: The Centrality of the Postcolonial Margins
Authors: Alhassan Amin
Published: March 2017

This paper examines three major paradigms—mass communications, political economy, and poststructuralism—to demonstrate how the process of knowledge production erases their connection with their postcolonial subjects and locations. This mapping indicates that what one perceives to be at the margins actually subtends or holds together the theoretical centre. As such, I explore and explain how a canonic economy of value operates within the field of communication and cultural studies. This discussion is followed by a brief reflection on the institutional, and potentially imperial, effects of this canonic economy on university programs and curricula and on the distinction between what is required and what is optional or elective in a course.
Mortalidade embrionária/fetal e abortos em suínos do Brasil
Authors: Teste Teste
Published: March 2017

The objective was to evaluate the major infectious etiologies for embrionary/fetal mortality and abortion in pigs. Brazil is the world's fourth producer and third largest pork exporter. The causes of infectious abortion in swine are of the order of 40%, where the infections are the most important causes of reproductive disorders such as absorption, mummification, abortions, stillbirth and infertility. Due to high technification of swine in Brazil, a high density is found in animal farms, which lead to the virus are the main agents of reproductive disorders.
Nutritional quality and safety assessment of ingredients and feed given to pregnant swine and piglets
Authors: Teste Teste
Published: March 2017

The assessment of the nutritional composition and quality of feed is of fundamental importance, as feed represents a large percentage of animal production cost. Changes in feed composition can alter metabolisms, reduce digestive capacity and growth, hence affecting the production performance and profits which are more critical in smaller swine farms. In this paper we report on an evaluation of the nutritional quality [proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fibre, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P)] and safety [mycotoxins, moisture content (mc) and water activity (aw)] of feed ingredients and final products in pregnant swine (gilts/sows) and off-spring (piglets) from a small production farm in Southern Brazil. From the nutrition quality data obtained, feed ingredients such as soybean meal, rice meal and corn presented protein average content of 46.35%, 13.94% and 8.88%, respectively. As far as anti-nutritional factors are concerned, the urease level in the soybean meal used for swine feed production was of 0.03% (0.01 to 0.09). For the two different swine formulations analysed, the fibre values obtained were 1.74% and 2.14% for piglet and pregnancy feed, respectively. The Ca and P levels found in the two formulation samples were 0.499 & 0.715% and 0.753 & 0.963%, respectively. As far as the samples’ safety parameters are concerned, the average mc & aw obtained were 12.30% & 0.66% for corn, 9.77% & 0.64 for rice meal and 12.93%  & 0.67% for soybean meal. In addition to this, the moisture levels found were high enough for fungi proliferation and mycotoxin production. 10% of samples showed some contamination by mycotoxins (AFLs and ZON). OTA and EST were not found in any of the tests performed (LOD: 1; LOQ: 2µg/kg). Our results demonstrated that small farms are able to produce animal feed within the recommended nutritional standards. However, the implementation of quality assurance practices, to prevent nutritional fluctuations are necessary and can contribute to improving the production process and then enhancing its profitability.
Level of Inhibition in Trained Secondary School Teachers: Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Rafiq Fauzia , Sharjeel Yousuf
Published: March 2017

The study found that the inhibition amongst trained secondary school teachers in using learned teaching methodologies is caused due to the lack of content knowledge, insufficient support from the administration, scarce continuous professional development opportunities, unsupportive environment, large class size, in-efficiency to integrate technology, inadequate post-training support and lack of motivation. The study also concluded that teaching inhibition is not possible to be controlled by virtue of teacher’s training skills only. This study recommends that trained teachers be permitted to experiment within their permissible limits to try new teaching methodologies under supervised conditions and reflect upon them intermittently. Continuous support of the school administration is the key to successfully implementing the newly-acquired pedagogic and scholastic skills for an educational institution to improve its teacher education programme.
Impact of Self-Regulation Skills on Academic Performance of Young Children in Private Schools of Karachi
Authors: Kathawala Abeer , Bhamani Shelina
Published: March 2017

This research aimed to explore if self-regulation skills had any effect
on the academic outcomes of young children in private schools of
Karachi, Pakistan. Quantitative research method was used to
determine the impact of self-regulation upon the academic outcome of
young children by utilizing Early School Self-Regulation Scale-Care Giver
Version (Bhamani, 2012).The sample size consisted of randomly
chosen 210 children, studying in grades 1 and 2 from seven different
private schools in Karachi. The results of the research show that selfregulation
skills had a significant impact on the academic outcome of
young children in private schools of Karachi, b = -6.3, t (198) = 0.693,
p < .01. Self-regulation skills also explained a significant proportion of
variance in students grades, R2 = .397, F (1, 198) = 130.536, p < .01.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BILINGUAL INSTRUCTION AND LEARNERS’ PERFORMANCE IN ENGLISH AS SECOND LANGUAGE CONTEXT
Authors: Khan Huma Imran
Published: March 2017

The prime purpose of this study was to explore a correlation
between bilingual instruction in an ESL class and the class
performance of the ESL learners at the secondary level. Quantitative
research method was used to evaluate the test performance of 60 ESL
learners divided into two groups: One was the controlled group (which
was given instructions in L2 only) and the other was the treatment
group (which was given instructions in both L1 and L2) in Public
School settings. Apart from the students, 15 language teachers’ feedback
upon their perceptions of L1 usage in L2 classrooms was taken
by using the Likert scale feedback forms. The results confirmed that
the instructions given bilingually are directly associated to improved
learner outcomes and teachers’ responses for the usage of L1 in
classrooms showed a strong positive response.
Science Education: Issues, Approaches and Challenges
Authors: Jessani Shairose Irfan
Published: March 2017

In today’s global education system, science education is much more
than fact-based knowledge. Science education becomes meaningless
and incomprehensible for learners, if the learners are unable to relate
it with their lives. It is thus recommended that Pakistan, like many
other countries worldwide should adopt Science Technology Society
(STS) approach for delivery of science education. The purpose of the
STS approach lies in developing scientifically literate citizens who can
make conscious decisions about the socio-scientific issues that impact
their lives. The challenges in adopting this approach for Pakistan lie in
four areas that will completely need to be revamped according to STS
approach. These areas include: the examination system; science textbooks;
science teacher education programs; and available resources
and school facilities.
Academic Reading Strategies used by Leeds Metropolitan University Graduates: A Case Study
Authors: Sohail Samira
Published: March 2017

Academic reading is different from other forms of reading because it is complex and discipline-specific. It involves a measured, challenging, and multifaceted process in which students are dynamically engaged with a range of reading strategies. Academic reading improvement is possible, provided students work on it and there are no short cuts or remedies which will cure the reading problems. Reading improvement is hard work and a difficult task, but it is rewarding as well. This study examined the selection and use of academic reading strategies used by the undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at Leeds Metropolitan University, Headingley Campus, Leeds. A quantitative data study was carried out to investigate three aspects of academic reading strategies: (a) efficiency, (b) interacting with texts, and (c) critical reading strategies. The results of this survey suggest that the participants on balance have proficient reading skills, but a significant number of participants have ineffective reading strategies and bad reading habits. Recommendations and suggestions have been put forward to improve academic reading strategies and for further research.
Head Teachers and Teachers as Pioneers in Facilitating Dyslexic Children in Primary Mainstream Schools
Authors: Jaka Fahima Salman
Published: March 2017

This study explores the perceptions of school heads and teachers in facilitating young dyslexic children in primary mainstream schools of Pakistan. Through purposive sampling, the researcher selected eight participants: Four primary school heads and four primary teachers from elite schools of Karachi. The research instrument selected for this study was in-depth interviews to get a deeper insight of school heads and teachers perceptions regarding the facilitation of dyslexic children. The findings revealed that children with dyslexia face many emotional and academic problems and only a few elite schools provide policy to facilitate them in mainstream education. Findings showed that some schools hired remedial teaching services or special education services and the school heads and primary teachers put in immense effort in preparing intervention plans and evaluation plans to suit individual and young dyslexic children needs. It was also suggested that positivity of the learning environment depends upon the teachers. The findings further disclosed that unlike the more developed nations, apart from a few elite schools in Pakistan, there is no importance paid to professional training related to dyslexia.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Improving Assessment and Teaching-Learning Process
Authors: Chandio Muhammad Tufail , Pandhiani Saima Murtaza , Iqbal Saima
Published: March 2017

This research study critically analyzes the scope and contribution of Bloom’s Taxonomy in both assessment and teaching-learning process. Bloom’s Taxonomy consists of six stages, namely;remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating and creating and moves from lower degree to the higher degree. The study applies Bloom’s Taxonomy to the prevailing assessment system at the level of secondary education in Sindh. The data are collected from the last five years’ question papers used by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Karachi, Hyderabad Sukkur at secondary level for the subject of English. The questions asked in these papers are classified and analyzed from the vintage point of Bloom’s Taxonomy to determine whether the present assessment system focuses on the lower degrees of learning like remembering, understanding, applying or it transcends to the higher degrees such as analyzing, evaluating and creating. The data are quantitative hence SPSS. 20 is used to analyze and draw conclusions and results. The findings of this study will help to improve both assessment and teaching-learning process, which will hopefully uplift the learner from the sheer practices of description, rote-learning and memorization to the profound level of analysis, evaluation and creativity.
South Africa’s Youth Unemployment Dilemma: Whose Baby is it anyway?
Authors: Meyer Natanya
Published: March 2017

Youth unemployment is a major concern to various different countries, including South Africa, which ranked fourth-worst in the global youth unemployment ratings in 2013 and 2014reaching rates of more than 50 percent. Entrepreneurship development and increased employability through appropriate skills development have been considered as possible solutions to this growing problem. The aim of this study is to determine perceptions of students pertaining their entrepreneurial outlook and perceived employability. Validated Entrepreneurship- and Employability Scales were used to determine entrepreneurial outlook and perceived employability perception. A total of 293 students from a South African University participated in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, histograms, Pearson correlation, MANOVA and ANOVA. The findingsof this studyshow that student’sperceptions indicated that if they haveamore entrepreneurial outlook, it could strongly increase their employability. They also do not think that after the completion of their degrees that they would be more employable. A significance difference was found between year level of study, race, age, and perception of entrepreneurial outlook and employability variables of the students.They seem to have a realistic view when it comes to the risk of possible unemployment for some time after graduation. Based on these findings, it is suggested that introducing entrepreneurship training and employability programs (skills development) to students during the completion of their higher education career, could assist in the reduction of youth unemployment in South Africa.
Nexus of Working Capital Management and Firm Performance in Nigerian Food and Beverages Industries: A Link with Risk-Return Theory
Authors: Olarewaju Odunayo Magret , Doorasamy Mishelle , Oladejo Titilayo Moromoke
Published: March 2017

This paper examines the nexus of working capital management and financial performance of selected multinational food and beverages industries in Nigeria for the period between 2006 and 2014 and establishes its linkage with risk-return theory. An explanatory research design is adopted and the secondary data used were gathered from 5 purposively selected quoted food and beverages companies using GLS panel regression analysis. The pooled regression shows that account receivable ratio (ARR) and debt ratio (DER) have negative effect but significant at 1%, working capital (WCA) is also significant at 5% but had positive effect, however, sales growth (SGR) was insignificant. It is also discovered from the Fixed Effect Estimation that working capital management variables such as account receivable ratio (ARR) and debt ratio (DER) have negative effect but significant at 1%, working capital (WCA) is also significant at 5% but has positive effect, while sales growth (SGR) has negative effect but insignificant to the performance of the companies. This signifies reduction in the performances of food and beverages industries which calls for urgent attention since they are posting inverse effect. The unison in both estimations shows that those variables are the major factors influencing the performance of food and beverages industries in Nigeria and thus, it is concluded that the management board of these industries should restructure their working capital management policy as it has the tendency of affecting the dividend policy and firms’ liquidity, which invariably affects the maximization of shareholders’ wealth. This can only be done when managers reduce account receivable days; ensure proper debt management technique, improve sales strategies to enhance sales growth as well as maintain optimal working capital level to reflect the risk-return theory of firms.
Does Financial Development Lead to Poverty Reduction in China? Time Series Evidence
Authors: Ho Sin-Yu , Iyke Bernard Njindan
Published: March 2017

The impact of financial development on poverty reduction has received attention in the literature recently. While the connection between financial development and poverty may appear straight forward in theory, in empirics it may be much complicated. This study attempted at empirically assessing the causal links between financial development and poverty reduction in China for the period 1985–2014. The study used the Toda-Yamamoto causality test to avoid pretesting bias that has featured majority of the existing studies. The study utilized two standard proxies for financial development, namely: the domestic private credit by banks as percentage of GDP, and money supply (M2) as percentage of GDP; and a standard proxy for poverty reduction namely: the household final consumption expenditure per capita growth (annual percentage). The study found a bidirectional causal flow between financial development and poverty reduction, implying that the causal flow between these important variables is independent of the proxy for financial development. This means that financial sector reforms and poverty reduction programs are more of “win-win” strategies in the case of China. Therefore policymakers in China should continue to implement robust financial sector reforms and poverty reduction strategies.