bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le Financement Des Pme « Africaines » : La Nécessité Du Crédit-Bail Et La Bourse Des Valeurs
Authors: Lucas Pony
Published: August 2016

Confronted with the growing scarcity of resources in the global scale, the international political dialogue, in accordance with the Monterry consensus (2002) and the Doha conference (2008), recommends the reinforcement of internal resources mobilization in developing countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In the case of Cameroon, emphasis is put on leasing as a form of financing, so as to enable a company to acquire production equipment; that is, goods that will enhance production in a company. Moreover, the financing of SME centered on the stock exchange speculations as possible alternatives of long-term SME financing, i.e. for more than five years and based on tangible fixed assets, can be an orientation to the fight against poverty in Africa. To succeed, the main objective of this study consist of evaluating the leasing performance between 1994 and 2008 practiced in cameroonian banking system, following the 2007-2008 economic and financial world crisis. What will not be possible without insisting on the Durban Watson test for the period of 1994-2008; thus, evaluating the role of leasing and the Stock Market in the SME financing. The present study identifies suitable strategies to improve the output and the effectiveness of leasing. In addition, investigations will lead to results that can contribute to decrease the bank loan application shares rejected by the banks in short and long periods; the stock market will take over. The methodological approach will focus on data collection, statistical and econometric analysis which estimates the output and the performance of leasing in development, financing and poverty in Cameroon. The recommendations will reinforce the Cameroon banks’ capacities to finance development and the fight against poverty by leasing.
Organized Crime In The Balkans
Authors: Krasniqi Kole
Published: August 2016

Legal systems are put in jeopardy and social stability and welfare are harmed wherever there are organized criminal activities. In the Balkans, organized crime is also tantamount to a main obstacle to the European integration of the region. The permanent influence of organized crime on the state structures, the cooperation between different criminal organizations and especially their collaboration with some extremist groups impact political stability in an extremely negative way. The states in the Balkans have recognized the dangers for their peoples constituted by organized crime and have already taken a number of required legal, institutional and political measures in order to be able to successfully combat organized crime. However, organized crime still constitutes the main risk to the new democratic states in the Balkans in spite of these measures. For that reason, combating organized crime may not treated just as the task or responsibility of one single state but it needs to be understood as an obligation and responsibility of all the states in the entire region as well as of the European Union. Therefore, cooperation and coordination of joint activities for combating organized crime have to be based on modern international standards. Besides, a continual perspective is required according to the interest of the peoples of the region to live together in peace and mutual harmony and to establish a society where human rights are not threatened by criminal violence but protected just like in the European Union.
Implementation of Internal Quality Assurance in Polytechnics: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Mensah Mary Afi
Published: August 2016

Quality assurance in higher education has become a global issue. There has been a growing interest of governments around the world that higher education institutions in their countries need to provide quality education to their students. This study investigated the implementation of internal quality assurance in two purposively selected Ghanaian Polytechnics. Qualitative methodology was employed using in-depth interviews based on a case study research design. The participants indicated that the internal quality assurance systems and practices in place in the Polytechnics included areas such as the availability of internal quality assurance policy, teaching and learning processes, curriculum design, evaluation and review, research performance, extension activities, student assessment practices, student-lecturer assessment and student support services. Infrastructure challenges, funding and budget constraints, human capacity constraints and lack of quality culture were found to militate against the implementation of quality assurance in the Polytechnics. It was recommended that Ghanaian Polytechnics should have clear policies and associated procedures for the assurance of quality and standards of their programmes and awards. They should commit themselves explicitly to the development of quality culture and quality awareness. Also, the necessary learning facilities, resources and support systems should be provided by the Polytechnics to ensure quality of teaching and learning. The products, environments, programmes and services provided by the Polytechnics should be accessible and usable, to the greatest extent possible, by all categories of students. Assistive devices should be provided for persons with disabilities where needed. Building internal capacity for quality assurance was also recommended.
Pillars of Strength in The Nuclear Negotiations between Iran and The Great Powers (5+1)
Authors: Albadawi Jihad Aldeen
Published: August 2016

This research examines the causes as well as motives that contributed to a landmark nuclear agreement with the U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran. It also finds out a combination of internal factors in Iran, which in turn led to that agreement. An examination of these influencing factors, we can ensure that the United States needs a comprehensive and strategically diplomatic approach to dealing with the Islamic Republic of Iran because of the threats that Iran poses to U.S. interests in the region. More generally, the window of opportunity for achieving a diplomatic breakthrough is needed because of Iran’s progress in developing its military capabilities, an increase in Iran’s regional standing and capacity to attack any great power. Therefore, the west and Obama's administration believe that the international parties must adopt a comprehensive approach to diplomacy with Iran over the nuclear issue as it happened in the Vienna agreement, which gave Iran all its nuclear rights. The growing influence of Iran in the region, and at a time when the Middle East witnesses the gradual decrease of US influence have forced the United States to make a “grand bargain” with Iran—that is, an overarching framework in which outstanding bilateral differences are resolved, which resulted in the Vienna agreement that guarantees the peaceful nuclear rights to the Islamic republic under strategically meaningful limits on its nuclear activities. The results show that Iran has succeeded in having and developing military strategy, which in turn designed to defend against external or hard threats from the United States and Israel. Therefore, the US must think deeply about the disastrous costs of military action against Tehran, and accept Iran as a great regional power that cannot be defeated.
Influence Of Library Environment And User Education On Undergraduates’ Use Of Library At The University Of Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Folorunso Oluyomı , Njoku Esther
Published: August 2016

The study investigated the influence of library environment and user education on undergraduates’ use of the University central library at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.The study adopted the survey research design and the population consisted of 18,034 regular undergraduates in ten faculties from which a sample size of 360 respondents was selected using the proportionate, random sampling technique. The research instrument used for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire while data was analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, mean and standard deviation together with regression and correlation analysis.The finding of the study revealed that library environment at the University of Ibadan was characterised by good library building (mean=3.75), seating arrangement (mean=3.59), availability of information resources (mean=3.54), and fair electricity supply while there was poor Internet connectivity and Wi-Fi within and outside the library (mean=2.39). Methods of delivering user education were library orientation for new students (64.3%) and use of library course (53.4%) with guided library tour. Most undergraduates used the library daily or weekly in order to study and read for examinations. However, inadequate technological facilities to use for electronic sources (mean=2.65), and poor network/internet connectivity to access electronic databases were some of the major challenges of using the University library. The study found a significant relationship between the independent variables (library environment and user education) and the dependent variable (use of library) (r = .342, N= 322, P < .01); while both library environment and user education jointly and independently contributed to the use of library among the undergraduates. programmes given more priority in the University library in order to sensitise more students and draw their attention to the available resources and services while the environment of the University library (both internal and external) should be made more conducive to always attract the users to the library.
Gender Differences in the Effect of Chronic Illness on Employment Status in Kenya
Authors: Machio Phyllis Mumia
Published: August 2016

The burden of illness in Kenya has been high and rising with chronic illness becoming an important contributor to disease burden. Grossman (1972) viewed stock of health as an investment good that determines total healthy time available for market activities. Illness, therefore, can reduce total amount of healthy time causing individual’s to prefer flexible types of employment. This study estimates the effect of chronic illness on probability of participating in various type of employment in Kenya using the Kenya integrated household budget survey data. Multinomial probit models were used to model choice between wage employment, non-agricultural self- employment, agricultural self-employment and not working since data did not support the multinomial logit’s assumption of IIA. The results indicated that compared to not working, chronic illness reduced likelihood of individuals working in wage employment and in agricultural self-employment. When the analysis was disaggregated by gender, results showed that while chronic illness significantly reduced women’s likelihood of working in wage employment and in agricultural self-employment, it did not significantly influence men’s choice of employment type. Policies need to be put in place by the government to control the up rise in chronic illnesses. This can be through promotion of health lifestyles by advocating for consumption of healthy diets, physical activity and non tobacco consumption. The government can ensure proper management of chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, high blood pressure by making available at subsidized prices management drugs. Reducing chronic illness incidences not only increases utility of the individuals, but also affect labor market choices.
Career Orientation Of Employees In Islamic Banks: Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: Moovala Vijayalaxmi
Published: August 2016

The main aim of the study was to identify the career anchors of employees working in Islamic banks of Bahrain and to examine the similarities or differences, in the career anchor preferences of males and females, managers and non-managers, and among the three generations [baby-boomers, Gen X and Gen Y]. Edgar Schein’s eight career anchors formed the basis of this study. The study revealed that there is no significant difference in the career anchor preferences of the male, female, managers and non-managers. The main anchor for majority of these categories was technical/functional competence, for the second majority of respondents it was general managerial competence. The career anchors preference of babyboomers and Gen X, and Gen X and Gen Y was somewhat similar. However there was a variation in the career anchor preferences of baby-boomers and Gen Y. Majority of the baby-boomers and Gen X preferred technical/functional competence as their main anchor, and Gen Y opted for general managerial competence. The preferred anchor for the second majority of baby-boomers was security/stability, for Gen X general managerial competence and Gen Y pure challenge. The findings of this study would facilitate Islamic banks in Bahrain to develop appropriate career development plans based on their employee preferences. For male, female, managers and non-managers, career plans based on career anchors like technical/functional competence, and general managerial competence need to be made. Whereas for baby-boomers, Gen X and Gen Y relevant career plans based on specific preferences need to be formulated.
Strategic Information Systems Planning Of Public Sector In Economic Crisis: An Integrated Framework
Authors: Farantos Georgios I. , Koutsoukis Nikitas Spiros
Published: August 2016

The purpose of the study is to establish a framework for the impact of strategic planning on the public sector's information systems during the economic crisis. The survey has been designed for the literature review of the strategic planning of information systems and the enrichment through the review of the effect on this economic crisis. The research methodology extends to the literature review of strategic planning of information systems and the creation of a framework for its implementation in an economic crisis. We approach the general concepts of Strategic Management and Policy Analysis and also the more specific ones of Strategic Planning of Information Systems. We note the relationship between strategy and crisis and the relationship between efficiency and strategic management in the economic crisis. Based on the results of the survey for the strategic planning of public sector information systems, we enrich the study with more specific crisis management and we create a new study framework. Useful conclusions for the integrated management of public sector information systems in crisis arise. The study is limited by the introduction of the economic crisis and cannot be generalised as such in a period of normal operation of the organisations. This original research leaves room for further study cases in the future and completion of the strategic planning studies of public sector IT systems during the economic crisis.
Analysis of Organizational Silence Attitudes of Hotel Operations’ Employees by Structural Equation Model: Examplary of Rize Province
Authors: Gulluce Ali Caglar , Erkilic Eren
Published: August 2016

The objective of this research is to be able to identify the organization silence attitudes of the employees working at the hotels being operated in the city of Rize. For this purpose, questionnaire was applied to 228 employees functioning at the hotels. The data obtained have been analyzed with LISREL program. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis oriented towards determining the organizational silence behaviors of those who have taken part in the survey, favorable significant differences have been identified among the factors of organizational silence behavior. In this context, it has been determined that the most effective variable of "I think that my managers would not listen to my ideas" at a rate of .84 on the factors of Managerial and Organizational Reasons; at a rate of .83 on the factor of the Work – Related Topics "Public speaking can lead to loss of my job" variable; at the rate of .84 on the factor of Lack of Experience of “Since my position I am in is a lower level, my notification of an idea is disregarded” variable; at a rate of .84 on the factor of Isolation Factor “Reporting an issue may reduce confidence and respect felt to me" and at a rate of .87 on the factor of Fear Regarding Harming the Relationships “When I tell the problems, my relationships are damaged” variable. In addition, it has been observed that the Work – Related Topics factor had an influence at the rate of .93 between the factors of Fear of Isolation and Fear of Damaging the Relationships and the factors of Lack of Experience and Fear of Damaging the Relationships had an impact at the rate of .93 between each other.
A Study of Occupy D.C.: The Global Psychology Perspective
Authors: Pradhan Deepti , Trullinger Mark , Thatcher Joyce , Morales Gerson , Riggins Nickesha , Beck Stephanie , Carroll Shirley
Published: August 2016

The Occupy Movement in the U.S. was a reflection of globalization inspired by the Arab Spring and grounded in Ghandi’s model of non-violent protestation. However, it was largely ineffective at significantly shifting public policy. This study was conducted during the heart of the movement, spring 2012, and utilized a qualitative phenomenological design from an international psychology perspective to explore the meaning, perception, change, and motivation of Occupy members at one of the most prominent Occupy Movement locations, Washington, D.C.’s McPherson Square Park. Additionally, the study explored the understanding of, attitudes toward, and willingness to assist the Occupy Movement of students and faculty at a professional psychology school located in one of the buildings overlooking McPherson Square Park. Semi-structured and online interviews of Occupy members (N=10) and psychology school students (N=10) and faculty (N=3) were conducted. An online survey was also utilized for each group, Occupy members (N=8) and students (N=40). The results indicate that Occupy DC members valued diversity of opinion, goals, and viewpoints; however the acceptance and promotion of varying viewpoints appears to have disjointed occupiers’ vision and the professional psychology school’s student and faculty knowledge of the meaning and reason behind Occupy in DC. The first signs of the reasons for the eventual decline of Occupy DC were identified, such as a loss of coherent vision and forced removal from the park for environmental and health reasons. These signs also acted as barriers that kept the neighboring professional psychology students and faculty from providing assistance to the occupiers.
The Influence Of Performance Appraisal Satisfaction On Nurses’ Motivation And Their Work Outcomes In Critical Care And Toxicology Units
Authors: Mohamed Aly Nagah Abd El-Fattah , El-Shanawany Safaa Moustafa
Published: August 2016

Nurses’ satisfaction with performance appraisal is a critical and important aspect for increasing intrinsic motivation and achieving better work outcomes among nurses. The present study attempted to understand how satisfaction with the performance appraisal process among nurses affects their motivation and their work outcomes as well as to identify the influence of nurses’ motivation on nurses’ work outcomes. Additionally, it tried to describe obstacles that hinder nurses’ satisfaction with performance appraisal process. The study applied cross-sectional descriptive correlation study amongst 323 nurses in Critical Care and Toxicology Units. This study revealed that nurses were dissatisfied with the performance appraisal process and less motivated in their work. Also, their performance and productivity were at fair levels. The present study found that nurses’ satisfaction with performance appraisal had a highly significant positive impact on nurses’ intrinsic motivation and nurses’ work outcomes. This study also indicated that nurses’ intrinsic motivation had a highly significant positive relationship with nurses’ work outcomes. Additionally, nurses perceived that managerial and organizational forces may hinder their satisfaction with the performance appraisal process.
Effect of Deferent Type of Training on C-reactive protein Level in Healthy Middle Age Men
Authors: Al Hindawi Mohammad , Mjallie Majed
Published: August 2016

Objective: The goal of our study was to investigate the effect of different type of exercise training on C-reactive protein level in middle age men. Methods: A total of 20 male subjects’ mean age 45±5 years were investigated at the University of Jordan Hospital to evaluate CRP level after training. Subjects were divided randomly into two groups they participated in supervise exercise training resistance and endurance exercise for 11 weeks. CRP level was measured pre-post training. Results: Mean C-reactive protein level measured before training program was 1.82 mg/L. And 1.81 mg/L for endurance and resistance groups respectively. Measurement of the CRP after the completion of the exercise program was 1.654 mg/L and 1.764 mg/L for both groups the endurance and the resistance respectively. TC was significantly reduced from 199.1 ml/dl to 176.1 ml/dl, for the endurance group and from 193.50 ml/dl to 181.60 ml/dl, for the resistance group. TG reduced significantly from 172.2 ml/dl to 161.50 ml/dl for the endurance group, and from 163.50 ml/dl to 159.20 ml/dl for the resistance group. HR at rest reduced from 79.63 b.pm to 74.47 b.pm for the endurance group, and from 77.50 b.pm to 74.6 b.pm for the resistance group. Fat % reduced significantly from 25.25 to 23.22 for the endurance group and from 23.03 to 21.60 for the resistance group. BMI reduced from 28.82 to 27.41 for the endurance group and from 27.63 to 27.40 for the resistance group.VO2max increased significantly from 37.13 to 43.30 ml.kg.min for the endurance group, and from 37.67 to 39.3 for the resistance group. HDL also increased from 46.12 mi/dl to 48.25 mi/dl for the endurance group, and increased from 42.70 mi/dl to 44.30 mi/dl for the resistance group Training gropes had lower CRP, weight, BMI, and body fat after the completion of the exercise program. Conclusions: Plasma C-reactive protein levels are reduced in response to both strength and endurance exercise training in sedentary healthy men (there was no different in the type of exercise in reducing CRP level.
Semantic Connotation of Hadith and the Emergence of Arabic Schools of Grammar
Authors: Shittu S. A. , Adebolu I. A. S.
Published: August 2016

Scholars focused the contributions of the Qur’ān to the evolution of Arabic Grammar, but few of them focused on the effect of prophetic tradition on the area. This paper, therefore, focuses on semantic connotation of prophetic traditions: “Guide your brother, he has gone astray” and “Divergent opinion of my followers is a blessing” These sayings of the prophet led to the evolution of Arabic grammatical studies and the establishment of its schools that enriched Arabic grammar. It opens with the grammarians’ contribution to the development of Arabic grammar such as Abul-Aswad Addu’alī (d.69 A.H), Seyyid ‘Ali b. Abī Talib, al-Khalīl ibn Ahmad al-Farāhidī and so on. Although, There were five major schools of Arabic grammar namely: al-Madhhab al-Basra, al-Madhhab al- Kūfa, alMadhhab al-Bagdād, al-Madhhab al- Andalusī and al-Madhhab al- Misrī but this paper, mainly focuses on the two prominent schools - Basran and Kūfan. It analyses the conflict of theory in Arabic grammar on some topics and other terms, grammatical debates between notable scholars of the two schools with their divergent opinions. The discussion ends with the justification of analogical deduction employed by the two schools in their analysis as a commendable exercise.
Repetitions, Their Phonetic Features And Functions In Kurmanji Kurdish
Authors: Hasan Aveen Mohammed , Mustafa Baydaa Mohammed Saeed
Published: August 2016

The study deals with the analysis of repetitions, their phonetic structures and functions as demonstrated in the organisation of talk-ininteraction in Kurdish. The repetitions are described as complex phonetic objects whose design has received no previous attention and are neglected by the scholars in the fields of discourse and conversation analysis studies in Kurdish. The main aims of the study are to identify the phonetic characteristics of repetitions in Kurdish, their functions and the relationship between differences in the phonetic features and their functions in speech. The study integrates the methodology of conversation analysis and impressionistic and instrumental phonetics to show how repetitions in a conversation are managed by the participants. The data used in this study comes from different types of natural speech, namely, face to face conversations, radio-phone-ins of Northern Kurdish. 27 cases of self repetitions have been analysed and they are lexical, phrasal and clausal with a range of syntactic forms. The study contributes to the theoretical issues of the prosody-pragmatics interface and participants’ understanding of naturally occurring discourse. It is hoped that such a study may contribute to language and information processing by providing a detailed analysis of patterns and functions of repetition in social interaction.
Government Amnesty Programme and Peace Efforts in the Niger Delta Region: An Analysis of Newspapers’ Coverage
Authors: Aderogba Adeyemi
Published: August 2016

Nigeria has undergone not a few crises since the country gained political independence from Great Britain in 1960. One of the current crises is the agitation of the youths of the oil-rich Niger Delta region for the control of oil and gas resources located in their region. In a bid to stem down the tide of violent activities and its attendant obstruction of the economic development of not only the region but also that of the nation at large, the government introduced what it termed "Presidential Amnesty Programme". This paper examined the newspapers' coverage of the situation in the Niger Delta region at a period considered the peak of the crisis, that is 2007 and 2009 as well as the coverage of the situation during the amnesty period (from 6th August to 4th October 2009). Content analysis was employed for this study. The study period was divided into two, that is, pre- amnesty period and amnesty period. Two popular national daily newspapers were examined, that is the Punch and the Guardian newspapers. A total number of three hundred and two copies of the two newspapers selected for the study were content analyzed. One hundred and eighty two were examined for the first period and one hundred and twenty copies were looked into for the second period. Social responsibility theory was considered relevant to the study. It was discovered that violent activities were well pronounced before the commencement of amnesty programme. 47.8 percent of the newspapers content on the region for the period was on violent activities such as vandalism of oil installations, violent attacks on oil workers and kidnappings. However, "Presidential Amnesty Programme" significantly reduced tension as well as crime in the region. Only 13 percent of all the stories published in the two newspapers during the amnesty programme were on violence. Huge numbers of the former militants (about 30,000) embraced reconciliation and rehabilitation. Amnesty programme so far has proved to be huge success.
A Literature Review On The Development Phases Of Hungarian Pig Industry (1945 - 1989) Part I
Authors: Belane Vinkler , Kalmar-Rimoczi Csilla , Lenkovics Beatrix
Published: August 2016

Pig farming enjoys a significant tradition in Hungary and the pig industry plays a key role within the domestic animal husbandry sector. Raising pork has always played an important role in the domestic meat supply, but it has a crucial role in supplying the export markets. It can be concluded that our natural resources provide in themselves significant comparative advantages for us with a high proportion of arable land in agricultural use. Our social and economic endowments and potentials are also favourable for agricultural production and stock-raising. Our paper aims to employ financial data to describe the development of raising pig livestock in Hungary best characterized by its constant changes. Part I summarises two periods describing the changes affecting the animal husbandry sector and their subsequent impact on the economy. On the one hand, it covers the period following World War II, from 1945 to 1965, describing the situation of the country and the farmers; on the other hand, it lists the economic achievements and their impact on the pig industry preceding the political-economic transition in the course of the years lasting from 1966 to 1989.
La Tecnología Del Desempeño Humano Y Cómo Influye En La Mejora Del Desempeño De Las Organizaciones, Una Reflexión Sobre Los Modelos De Procesos
Authors: Rodríguez Jesús Manuel Gutiérrez , Leyva Ernesto Alonso Lagarda
Published: August 2016

The present study explains the different models of performance improvement based on the Human Performance Technology (HPT) model, which is a diagnostic and strategy tool to increase organizational effectiveness in the workplace. The conceptual elements are based on studies conducted by the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI). Therefore, it is concluded that it is possible to know the fundamental characteristics of a model to improve organizational performance including the detection requirements of opportunity areas in an organization.
An Analysis Of The Psychosocial Risk Factors At The Work Place That Cause Family Disintegration: The Case Of A Textile Company
Authors: Parra-Sanchez Harumi , Ciofalo-Lagos María Eugenia , Gonzalez-Perez Manuel
Published: August 2016

It can be said that family is the foundation of every society. It is an intermediate institution in which values are learned. Also, it is the ideal environment to make progress and improve personal and professional capabilities, giving priority to human development and generating upstanding citizens that can survive in any environment. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to explore how it affects rotating shifts-to-family relationship and vice versa. Furthermore, this research intends to discover how to foster a better relationship among workers, their jobs, and their families. This is done by exploring and learning more about this problem. It is assumed that the shift rotation is a psychological factor that affects employees and fosters conflict between family and employment. Therefore, there is a precise definition of both, which is based on how couples under this scheme get along. This research was carried out in a textile company in Puebla City. The study subjects, who were workers, were chosen out of the four work shift options available at the business. For best results, the sample was formed with the convenience of the subjects in mind, taking the married ones who were cohabiting under these circumstances and who had at least one son.
Application Of A Remote Sensing Technique In Estimating Evapotranspiration For Nyazvidzi Sub- Catchment., Zimbabwe
Authors: Ncube N. , Zhakata D. , Muchandiona A.
Published: August 2016

The integration of Remote Sensing and ground data into hydrological and cropwater requirement models enables water resources managers to adequately quantify the availability of water for irrigation in space and time. The SEBS algorithm was used to derive actual evapotranspiration estimates using MODIS images to assess cropwater requirements in the Ruti irrigation scheme after validation with ground based evapotranspiration measurements. Results show that actual evapotranspiration computed using SEBS (EToS) were comparable to those obtained using Penman Monteith method (R2=0.96). The Kendall’s tau test showed that there is significant statistical association (α = 0.05) between Pan Coefficient (Kp) values determined using EToS and EToPM and Kp values from the Snyder equation. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential use of GIS and remote sensed data for catchment management, planning and irrigation scheduling at irrigation scheme level. Welch’s t test showed that there is no evidence to reject Ho: Kp determined from EToPM – Kp from EToS = 0. The above is crucial in the evaluation and comparison of performance of different irrigation systems in the country for food security and improvement of livelihoods in the light of integrated water resources management.
Apports En Carbone Et Azote Dans Le Fleuve Niger À Tondibia (Niamey) : Résultats De Deux (2) Ans D’observations
Authors: B Alhou , Boukari Issiaka , F. Darchambeau
Published: August 2016

The Niger River is the third more important river in Africa and drains a surface of about 2,120,000 km². It includes six hydrographic regions representing West African ecosystems. Despite the importance of this river at the regional and continental scale, little information has been collected on its biogeochemical characteristics and particularly on its role in the transportation and the transformation of matter (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus). This study present the results of two years investigation, April 2011 to March 2013 in the middle Niger, upstream Niamey (Niger) city [2.01° E, 13.57° N], according to a bi-weekly observation frequency. The variables measured are temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, suspended matter, dissolved inorganic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and particulars organics C and N as well as isotopic composition of these elements. Daily discharges of the river come from hydrologic station measurement of the Niger authority Basin (NBA) at Niamey city. Hydrologic situation was strongly contrasted between the 2 years of survey. The mean discharge of the first year was only 673 m3 s-1 (one of the weakest discharge recorded on the river Niger at Niamey since 1940), while the mean discharge of the second year was 1,096 m3 s-1. Our results show that suspended matter, particular organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon and dissolved inorganic carbon are transported mainly during the local flood, induced by precipitations in July and August. The second flood (Guinean flood) which occurred, during November to January, is characterized by low temperatures and clean waters.
Fases lunares en la reproducción vegetativa de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), Babahoyo, Ecuador
Authors: Barbotó Víctor Molina , Betancourt Ricardo X. Chávez , Alvarado Darío Dueñas
Published: August 2016

Cacao is the third entry in agricultural exports in Ecuador. In addition, it represents the income for more than 100000 workers in Esmeralda, the Amazon, Los ríos, Guayas and Manabi. The increase demand of ecuadorian cacao is due to its unique characteristics. This cacao is use to make the most important dark chocolate in the world. In this study, we determined which lunar phase is the more adequate in vegetative reproduction by rooted cuttings. Ten treatments were used with National Cacao and CCN-51. Results suggest that full moon is the phase with more influence for producers.
Treatment of Clubfoot Using the Ponseti Method
Authors: Dietz Frederick R. , Noonan Kenneth
Published: August 2016

The Ponseti method consists of a specific technique of manipulation of the clubfoot deformity, followed by the application of a plaster cast with the foot in the corrected position. A percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon is done prior to the final cast to gain complete correction in most patients. Bracing with a foot abduction orthosis is necessary to minimize relapse of the deformity.

The method begins with the Ponseti manipulation and consists of the following steps: (1) Identify the head of the talus by palpation. (2) Supinate the forefoot to eliminate the cavus deformity and create a normal-appearing arch. (3) Abduct the forefoot with the vector of force parallel to the sole of the foot while using the lateral head of the talus as the fulcrum and maintaining the reduction of the cavus deformity. (4) This manipulation is followed by the application of an above-the-knee cast with the foot in the corrected position. (5) The manipulation and casting steps are repeated every 5 to 7 days until the foot is abducted approximately 50° from the frontal plane of the tibia. (6) In most patients (60% to >90%), a percutaneous tenotomy of the Achilles tendon is necessary to correct the residual ankle equinus after gaining full abduction of the foot with the manipulations. (7) The final cast is applied and worn for three weeks. (8) After removal of the final cast, the patient is managed with bracing with a foot abduction orthosis for 23 hours per day for 3 months. Bracing at night and during nap time is recommended until the child is 4 to 5 years old.

The cavus deformity is eliminated after the application of 2 or 3 casts by the simple positioning maneuver. Abduction of the forefoot in the plane of the sole of the foot while using the head of the talus as the fulcrum results in the correction of the midfoot adduction deformity simultaneously with the hindfoot varus and the subtalar component of the equinus deformity. After full abduction is obtained, the cavus, adduction, and subtalar varus and equinus deformities are all completely corrected. The only residual deformity is the ankle equinus. Most feet require a percutaneous tenotomy to fully correct the ankle component of the equinus. The tenotomy can be performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthetic without the need for sedation. If the foot can be dorsiflexed to >15° (without midfoot breach), a tenotomy is unnecessary.

This manipulation allows complete correction of almost all idiopathic clubfeet in 4 to 7 sessions. Long-term follow-up (mean, 34 years; range, 25 to 42 years) has shown that clubfeet treated with the Ponseti method function as well as normal feet with respect to pain and level of activity.
Quantifying the Potential Yield and Yield Gap of Chinese Wheat Production
Authors: Liu Baohua , Wu Liang , Chen Xinping , Meng Qingfeng
Published: August 2016

Quantifying potential yield (PY) and yield gap (YG) is essential for prioritizing research and formulating food security policies. Here we used the highest recorded yield published in the literature based on 213 sites (n = 548) across China to estimate PY, the best farmers’ yield (the mean yield of 94th to 99th decile) according to 4552 farm surveys to estimate attainable yield (AY) in five wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) agro‐ecological regions in China. These data were compared with the average farmers’ yield (FY) to assess YG. The PY averaged 9.0 Mg ha−1 while AY was 8.0 Mg ha−1. The FY averaged 5.6 Mg ha−1. As a result, YG between PY and FY was 3.4 Mg ha−1 (FY/PY = 62%), and YG between AY and FY was 2.3 Mg ha−1 (FY/AY = 71%). Furthermore, PY and yield gaps varied considerably among different regions due to several factors, including water availability, climate, and management practices. Our findings highlight the potential for improving the wheat yield in China and regional advantages for wheat production.

Core Ideas

We evaluated potential yield and yield gap of wheat production for all of China.

Yield gap was calculated based on field measurements and farmer surveys.

Farmers achieved 62% of potential yield and 71% of attainable yield.

Wheat yield gaps varied a great deal across China.
Interseeding Forage Kochia into Established CRP to Improve Fall and Winter Grazing Potential
Authors: Waldron Blair L. , Banks Jeffrey E. , Newhall Robert L. , Snyder Donald L. , Thornton Kara J.
Published: August 2016

Core Ideas

Interseeding forage kochia into established CRP acreage can increase the potential for fall and winter grazing by livestock.

The addition of forage kochia improved the nutritive content of the stockpiled forage in terms of both protein and energy.

Interseeding forage kochia into established wheatgrass with the intention of fall and winter grazing was an attractive economic alternative to returning expired CRP acres to crop production.

Highly erodible farm acres coming out of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts could remain in perennial species and be used for fall and winter grazing if wheatgrass monocultures could be renovated by interseeding nutritious forage species. This on‐farm study evaluated the success of interseeding forage kochia into established wheatgrass stands and measured the effect on forage mass, forage nutritive value, grazing value, and economic return. Tillage treatments of one or two passes with a chisel plow were used to thin existing grass stands, and ‘Immigrant’ forage kochia was broadcast seeded (winter 2007) over the tilled area. Establishment, forage mass, and nutritive value were determined for four consecutive years (2010–2013) during the fall grazing season. Forage kochia became successfully established, with nearly double (179% greater) (P < 0.05) the plant frequency for the two‐pass chisel plow treatment than for the one‐pass treatment. The two‐pass treatment forage mass of 2991 lb/acre was 161% greater than the one‐pass treatment and 303% greater (P < 0.05) than control and resulted in stocking rates of 1.6, 0.9, and 0.5 animal unit month (AUM)/acre, respectively. Interseeding forage kochia improved (P < 0.05) the nutritive value of the stockpiled forage, with crude protein concentrations of 8.8, 7.8, and 4.5% for the two‐pass, one‐pass, and control treatments, respectively. Based on estimated grazing value, the two‐pass treatment had the highest yearly net return of $46.98/acre, compared with $24.82 for the one‐pass treatment and $18.80 for the control. This research documented that interseeding forage kochia into established CRP acreage can increase the potential for fall and winter grazing by livestock.
A novel magnetic biochar from sewage sludge: synthesis and its application for the removal of malachite green from wastewater
Authors: Zhang Jing , Liu Mao , Yang Tao , Yang Kai , Wang Hongyu
Published: August 2016

In this study, a novel magnetic sludge biochar (MSBC) from sewage sludge was created by the assembly of strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) onto the surface of sewage sludge biochar (SBC) under high-temperature and oxygen-free conditions. The characterization of MSBC was achieved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry, and the adsorption properties of the MSBC towards malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution were systematically investigated. The influence of variables (different mass ratio of SBC and SrFe12O19, initial MG concentration, absorbent dosage, pH and contact time) was also studied in detail. The optimal adsorption amount of MG (388.65 mg MG/g) was obtained with 500 mg MG/L, 2.0 g MSBC/L for 40 min under pH of 7.0, with different mass ratios of SBC and SrFe12O19 (1:4, 1:2, 3:4 and 1:1), when the mass ratio of SBC and SrFe12O19 was 3:4 at room temperature, and the Langmuir model was more suitable than the Freundlich model for equilibrium data. Meanwhile, the kinetic models showed that the overall adsorption process was better described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The results indicated that the MSBC was a novel, efficient, magnetically separable adsorbent for the removal of the dye from wastewater.
ANTROPOLOGIA DA RELIGIÃO - Entendendo a possessão espiritual e o transe baseado em estudo de casos
Authors: Pecora Alethea Aires , Melchior Cristina Angelini
Published: August 2016

Entrevista com Bettina E. Schmidt
Quanto uma experiência religiosa pode custar? Versões comerciais da oferta religiosa nos Países Baixos
Authors: Sengers Erik
Published: August 2016

No mercado da religião há muitos empreendedores que oferecem serviços com bases comerciais que, antes, eram oferecidos pelas principais igrejas cristãs gratuitamente. Este artigo analisa e descreve esses serviços e discute sua relação com as noções de religião em geral e coma religião cristã especialmente. Os dados foram tomados na sociedade holandesa; esse contexto é discutido na primeira seção. Os Países Baixos formam uma região de cultura plural, porém bastante secular, onde ainda muitas pessoas sentem a necessidade de buscar serviços religiosos. Combinados coma ausência de regulamentação sobre a religião, isso resulta em muitos empreendedores oferecendo seus serviços. A segunda seção é teórica e discute a natureza da religião, o papel do mercado religioso e as funções da religião e das atividades de fornecedores religiosos. Na terceira seção, discutem-se exemplos classificados em “serviços relacionados ao ciclo da vida”, “serviços relacionados às questões da vida” e “serviços relacionados à coesão social”. Torna-se claro que esses empreendedores comerciais oferecem uma forma religiosa do tipo “Nova Era” – enquanto uma experiência divina interna. Eles também preenchem muitas das funções das religiões e das igrejas. Por motivos teológicos, o autor entende que ainda há boas chances para serviços religiosos sob formas tipicamente cristãs ou orientadas para a igreja.
Notas de falecimento do Prof.Peter B. Clarke (1940-2011)
Authors: Usarski Frank
Published: August 2016

Faleceu o sociólogo da religião e colaborador da REVER Peter B. Clarke
Budismo japonês nos Estados Unidos: As tensões da identidade étnica e os ensinamentos universais
Authors: Tanaka Kenneth K. K.
Published: August 2016

Antes da Segunda Guerra Mundial, alguns políticos norte-americanos acusavam os templos do Budismo Japonês nos Estados Unidos de serem lugares de culto ao Imperador Japonês refletindo o forte sentimento discriminatório a respeito dos imigrantes e descendentes japoneses estabelecidos na Costa Oeste do país. Naquele ambiente social, templos budistas serviram não apenas como centros religiosos, mas também como refúgios sociais para imigrantes japoneses e seus descendentes. Especialmente desde o fim da Segunda Guerra Mundial, há esforços por parte das tradicionais instituições budistas japonesas nos Estados Unidos para cumprir sua função como entidades religiosas em prol de divulgação de uma mensagem universal que transcende limitações étnicas. Os resultados são ambíguos uma vez que os templos não conseguiram se liberar da sua herança étnica. O artigo aborda algumas das tensões entre as tendências étnicas e os ideais universais do Budismo e diferentes estratégias para superá-las.
Relato sobre a visita de José Casanova ao Brasil
Authors: Ribeiro Jorge Claudio
Published: August 2016

O artigo lembra da visita do Prof. Dr. José Casanova (Georgetown University, Washington) ao Brasil
Psicanálise da religiosidade: o marketing da intolerância ou de como a iurd oprime a umbanda
Authors: Oliveira Sidney Nilton de
Published: August 2016

A religiosidade sempre fez parte da história da humanidade. As igrejas hegemônicas e o Estado fizeram alianças em diferentes momentos. O fracasso da onipotência neoliberal fez com que os novos capitalistas lançassem mão dessas velhas alianças. A inevitável prevalência do mal-estar neoliberal permite que os sujeitos resgatem na religião messiânica a compensação para as frustrações e angústias da sociedade performática do espetáculo. Nesse contexto, abriu-se espaço para a ideologia conservadora da família, da tradição, da propriedade e da moral sexual. A IURD surgiu no contexto de redemocratização do Brasil e de crise das igrejas tradicionais, apoiada em um poderoso e agressivo marketing opressor no qual a intolerância e o preconceito foram as armas principais em sua guerra santa contra a Umbanda. O marketing da intolerância da IURD se ergueu em cima da demonização da cosmologia da Umbanda e por apresentar-se como a peça fundamental para a resolução do mal-estar da modernidade
Um olhar antropológico sobre o marketing religioso
Authors: Jorge Érica Ferreira da Cunha
Published: August 2016

Entrevista com Ana Keila Mosca Pinezi
FERREIRA, João Cesário Leonel (org.). Novas perspectivas sobre o protestantismo brasileiro
Authors: Scheliga Eva L.
Published: August 2016

Resenha da coletanea FERREIRA, João Cesário Leonel (org.). Novas perspectivas sobre o protestantismo brasileiro
PEREIRA, Rosalie Helena de Souza. Averróis: A Arte de Governar
Authors: Iskandar Jamil Ibrahim
Published: August 2016

Resenha do livro PEREIRA, Rosalie Helena de Souza. Averróis: A Arte de Governar