Showing papers in "International Journal of Research in 2015"

Growth in a Time of Debt

Abstract: In this paper, we exploit a new multi-country historical dataset on public (government) debt to search for a systemic relationship between high public debt level growth and inflation our main result is that whereas the link between growth and debt seems relatively weak at “normal” debt levels, median growth rates for countries with over roughly ninety percent of gdp are about one percent lower than otherwise; average (mean) growth rates are several percent lower . surprisingly,

Effects of heavy metals on human health

Abstract: Some heavy metals have bio-importance as trace elements but the biotoxic effects of many of them in human biochemistry are of great concern. Hence, there is a need for proper understanding of mechanism involved, such as the concentrations and oxidation states, which make them harmful. It is also important to know their sources, leaching processes, chemical conversions and their modes of deposition in polluting the environment, which essentially supports life. Literature sources point to the fact that these metals are released into the environment by both natural and anthropogenic means, especially mining and industrial activities, and automobile exhausts. They leach into the underground waters, moving along water pathways and eventually depositing in the aquifer, or are washed away by run-off into surface waters thereby resulting in water and subsequently soil pollution. Poisoning and toxicity in ecosystem occur frequently through exchange and co-ordination mechanisms. When ingested, they form stable biotoxic compounds, thereby mutilating their structures and hindering bioreactions of their functions. This paper reviews certain heavy metals and their impact and biotoxic effects on man.

Does procedural justice matter to youth? Comparing adults' and youths' willingness to collaborate with police

Abstract: Public cooperation with police is essential for the effective management of crime and disorder. Understanding factors that shape young people's willingness to cooperate and collaborate with the police is important because young people are more likely than adults to come into contact with police. Research with adults suggests that police use of procedural justice is important for encouraging adults' cooperation with police. This study examines the importance of procedural justice for fostering youth collaboration with police. Using survey data collected from 513 adolescents and 2611 adults, results indicate that procedural justice is in fact more important to youth than it is to adults. A theoretical explanation is offered for why this may be the case and the implications for determining how the police can foster better relationships with young people will be discussed.

Financial literacy and SME firm performance

Abstract: The performance of the SME firm was viewed along the full proportions of financial, strategic and structural development. The socioeconomic function performed by SMEs is widely known in developing and emerging countries. But, in recent times, developing and developed nations have become more and more concerned about the level of financial literacy of the entrepreneur. This has emanated from peculiar to declining public and private to support systems and wide-ranging developments in the financial marketplace. Concern was also intensified by the challenging faced by the SME firm in financial context aided by the recognition that dearth of financial literacy has been one of the many elements responsible for lacks proper knowledge or information about financial decision making and that these decisions could, in turn, have tremendous unexpected consequences. Subsequently, financial literacy is now globally recognized as a major factor of economic and financial stability and development of SMEs for performance. A series of tangible trends underpin the growing worldwide interest in financial literacy as a major life skill, thus, this study set to review the influence of financial literacy on the performance of the SMEs from Nigeria’s context. The study will serve as an information because that will promote and orient SMEs firm performance towards financial awareness, knowledge and perceive attitude. Also, the applied significant framework developed will assist SMEs firm owners and policy makers to identify the importance of financial literacy.

A Reconfigurable Smart Sensor Interface for Industrial WSN in IOT Environment

Abstract: Thus it can read data in parallel and in real time with high speed on multiple different sensor data. The standard of IEEE1451.2 intelligent sensor interface specification is adopted for this design. A new technique is provided for the traditional sensor data acquisitions. The device is combined with the newest FPGA programmable technology and the standard of IEEE1451.4 intelligent sensor with specific specification. The performance of the proposed system is verified and good effects are achieved in practical application of IoT to water environment monitoring. By detecting the values of sensors it can easily find out the Temperature, Vibration, Gas present in the industrial environment. So that critical situation can be avoided and preventive measures are successfully implemented. Index Terms--

Regional Imbalance affecting quality of e-banking services with special reference to Tuticorin District- An Analysis

Abstract: Banking is a part and parcel of life. Nowadays all the financial transactions are linked with bank account. Every individual is encouraged to open account account in bank. Due to stiff competition in the banking industry and globalisation of the world leads to various changes in the banks apart from traditional banking activities i.e with the help and advancement of technology (IT) the banks are tremendously changed and computerised. It leads a path way for introducing new electronic banking services which is connected with internet. From that the quality services offered by the banks are increased. The researcher take a step to analyse the factors affecting e-banking services in Tuticorin District.

Time in Walter Benjamin’s Thesis on the Philosophy of History

Abstract: History has always been shown to empathize with these victors in history, or the rulers or political elites who have derived their power from the oppression of the lower classes or proletariat. As Benjamin puts it, this empathy with the victors in history is also an occasion of horror because the spoils of victory owe themselves to the anonymous toil of contemporaries as much as their great minds and talents who have created them. Thus Benjamin holds that there is no document of civilization which is not free from barbarism, it is the violence of class oppression which has allowed the victors in history to maintain their power and advantage. The task of the historical materialist is thus to brush history up against the grain and also depict the losers in history who will be eventually redeemed by the coming of the Messiah who will bring justice for them and give them a voice. Keywords: Benjamin; History; Messianic Time; Class struggle; Redemption

Small and medium scale business performance in Nigeria: Challenges faced from an intellectual capital perspective

Abstract: The contribution of small and medium enterprises in a knowledge-based economic system is very salient for the economic growth and development of a developing nation like Nigeria. The competitiveness of the SMEs in a knowledge-based economy is the main purpose of this study. One of the most important component sources of sustainable competitive advantage in intellectual capital is the application of human capital. The paper will reviews the challenges that are confronting the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance in Nigeria from this position. The paper will increase the savoir faire about the present concern relating to Small and medium enterprises in Nigeria and human capital value creation.

Review of the greywater and proposed greywater recycling scheme for agricultural irrigation reuses

Abstract: In this study, we reviewed greywater characteristics and various treatment technologies with the aim of coming up with the schematic of greywater recycling system designed specifically for restricted agricultural irrigation reuse. Characteristics of greywater are highly variable; greywater amount varies from 50% to 80% of the wastewater volume produced by households. All types of greywater show good biodegradability in terms of COD: BOD5 ratios. The ratio of BOD5/COD in greywater ranged from 0.31 to 0.71. Most countries apply the same standards to reclaimed municipal wastewater as they do to greywater. However, some countries have established specialized standards for greywater reuse. Technologies used for greywater treatment are classified into physical, chemical, biological, and natural systems, or a combination of these. Using physical greywater treatment processes solely as the main treatment method is insufficient for greywater treatment, chemical greywater treatment processes are attractive for single household low-strength greywater treatment systems, as the variability in the strength and flow of the greywater did not affect their treatment performance. Constructed wetland can be regarded as the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective technology for greywater treatment and reuses. Finally, the study suggests the possible greywater recycling scheme for agricultural irrigation reuse purposes.

Review paper on cryptography

Abstract: Cryptography is derived from the Greek words: kryptos, "hidden", and graphein, "to write" or "hidden writing". People who study and develop cryptography are calledcryptographers. The study of how to circumvent the use of cryptography for unintended recipients is called cryptanalysis, or codebreaking. Cryptography and cryptanalysis are sometimes grouped together under the umbrella term cryptology, encompassing the entire subject. In practice, "cryptography" is also often used to refer to the field as a whole, especially as an applied science.

Smart Sensor Interface for Industrial environment by using GSM

Abstract: IoT is nothing but the Internet-of-Things in which where daily life all things connected to internet and can be monitor & can be operate remotely from anywhere. Daily life things like urban management, Green agriculture, industrial wireless sensor network or Industrial management, Environmental monitoring, Tele-medicine, intelligent transportation and smart homes etc. To develop such systems smart or standard technologies are used like Zigbee, Radio Frequency Identification, Gsm, WSN (Wireless Sensors Network), and Actuators etc. This paper provides an overview on IoT and technologies used in IoT.

Security Risks Associated with the Cloud Computing

Abstract: Security in distributed computing is developing as a sub space of PC security, data security and system security. Notwithstanding the security chances officially display in IT, distributed computing additionally incorporates dangers identified with protection, agreeability regulations, personality, utilization of virtual machines, security of information and the security of the system through which the information ventures. This paper examines these security dangers connected with distributed computing.

Effects of Wetlands Type and Size on Bird Diversity and Abundance at the Hadejia - Nguru Wetlands, Nigeria

Abstract: Bird diversity and abundance at the Hadejia – Nguru Wetlands, Nigeria was studied within an eleven week period in 2011 to determine the effects of wetlands size and type. Thirty two wetlands within the Hadejia – Nguru Wetlands complex were surveyed. The study involved recording birds at predefined wetlands within the HadejiaNguru wetlands complex. Point counts were used to survey birds. Bird count was from 06:30h to 11:00h in the morning and 16:00h to 18:00h in the evening. Data collected was explored for normality and Shannon-Wiener index was used to determine the diversity. Bird diversity and abundance determined by counting birds was related to wetlands size and type. A total of 110,162 of 119 bird species were recorded. Bird species richness and diversity varied across wetland types: Marshes had the highest number of bird species compare to Ponds and lakes whereas bird diversity was significantly higher in ponds than lakes but was similar to the diversity of marshes. Wetlands size decreased bird diversity.

Frequency Domain Analysis for Detecting Pipeline Leaks

Abstract: This paper introduces leak detection methods that involve the injection of a fluid transient into the pipeline, with the resultant transient trace analyzed in the frequency domain. Two methods of leak detection using the frequency response of the pipeline are proposed.

Satisfaction of Customers towards User Friendly Technological Services offered by Public and Private Sector banks at Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District

Abstract: Due to advancement of technology, all the sectors induced in tremendous change with full fledged growth and development. Especially in services sector, In banking sector there were improvement in services in the name of Technological Banking Services which is user friendly system to all categories of people. Even though, it is advanced, there are so many problems occur, while using it. It is important to analyse the satisfaction of customers towards technological banking services because it is necessary for each and everyone’s life. The major finding of the study is most of the respondents are satisfied in the factor analysed and few are not satisfied regarding the grievance and behavior of employees working in the bank. Here this study is to analyse and discuss whether really the users get satisfaction regarding the services. It is will be very much useful to bankers as well as the customers.

Fingerprint Compression Based on Sparse Representation

Abstract: A new fingerprint compression algorithm based on sparse representation is introduced. Obtaining an overcomplete dictionary from a set of fingerprint patches allows us to repre-sent them as a sparse linear combination of dictionary atoms. In the algorithm, we first construct a dictionary for predefined fingerprint image patches. For a new given fingerprint images, represent its patches according to the dictionary by computing l 0-minimization and then quantize and encode the representation. In this paper, we consider the effect of various factors on com-pression results. Three groups of fingerprint images are tested. The experiments demonstrate that our algorithm is efficient compared with several competing compression techniques (JPEG, JPEG 2000, and WSQ), especially at high compression ratios. The experiments also illustrate that the proposed algorithm is robust to extract minutiae. Index Terms— Fingerprint; compression; sparse representa-tion; JPEG 2000; JPEG; WSQ; PSNR

From university to working life: an analysis of field-based studies in early childhood teacher education and recently graduated kindergarten teachers’ transition to work

Abstract: The aim of this article was to shed light on problematic issues related to the practical element in early childhood teacher education. We approach these questions mainly through scrutinizing and interpreting this part of kindergarten teachers’ university education in Finland. We then expand our analysis to include the broader issues of job commitment and the role of mentoring programmes among newly qualified kindergarten teachers. With the ‘kindergarten teacher as researcher’ as the chosen teacher model, our findings indicate that this aim can only be realistically achieved if all stages of the teacher education process are effectively linked. Key elements begin with the entry requirements for students and include productively connecting practicum experiences with on-campus courses, establishing a ‘double supervision model’, and cooperating with a stable network of early childhood centres for field studies. A further finding is that, despite a successfully completed professional education, the induction p...

Constructing relational space in early childhood education

Abstract: This paper examines early childhood education (ECE) by applying and developing relational-spatial perspectives on everyday life in educational institutions for young children. The aim is to investigate the dynamic process of construction of space and to illustrate with selected empirical episodes how this process occurs in ECE. Drawing on authors such as Soja and Bourdieu, the starting point for the analysis is that space is socially produced in everyday interactions in a process that intertwines the physical environment and concrete objects, personal interpretations of physical and cultural space, and cultural and collective views about space in ECE. We illustrate this process with ethnographic data from two day care centers. The analysis shows how children and educators engage in the process of constructing space from diverse positions and how the institutional context is embedded within this process.

Histological, Ultrastructural and Physiological Studies on the Effect of Different Kinds Of Energy Drinks on the Liver Of Wistar Albino Rat

Abstract: Three kinds of energy drinks (Power horse, Red bull and Code red) were used to study their histological, ultrastructural and physiological effects on Wistar albino rat liver. Forty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was the control, while Groups 2, 3 and 4 were each orally administered with a type of the energy drinks daily for 4 weeks. After two and four weeks of treatment, five animals from each group were killed and dissected. The liver was removed, cut and fixed quickly to carry out light and electron microscopic preparations. Blood samples were collected from each rat via Cardiac puncture method for enzyme determination. The histopathological and ultrastructural results indicated mild hepatotoxicity of Power horse, Red bull and Code red. The alterations in liver ultrastructure were almost similar to each other; however the necrotic areas and the pyknotic nuclei were more obvious in Power horse and Red bull than that of Code red. Moreover, the present study showed that the energy drinks induced an elevation of liver enzymes AST, ALT and ALP after two and four weeks of treatment. The data illustrated that power horse was more effective in its action on liver enzymes, followed by red bull and to less extend code red. The different action of the energy drinks on liver function could be attributed to the different mixture of their ingredients.

Advantages of green technology

Abstract: Technology is application of knowledge to practical requirements. Green technologies encompass various aspects of technology which help us reduce the human impact on the environment and create ways of sustainable development. Social equitability, economic feasibility and sustainability are the key parameters for green technologies. Today the environment is racing towards the tipping point at which we would have done permanent irreversible damage to the planet earth. Our current actions are pulling the world towards an ecological landslide which if happens would make destruction simply inevitable. Green technologies are an approach towards saving earth. Thus both its positives and negatives need to be investigated. Green technology uses renewable natural resources that never depletes. Green technology uses new and innovative energy generation techniques. Green nanotechnology that uses green engineering and green chemistry is one of the latest in green technologies. One of the important factors for environmental pollution is the disposal of waste. Green technology has answers to that as well. It can effectively change waste pattern and production in a way that it does not harm the planet and we can go green. Among the possible areas where these creations and growth are expected to come from include green energy, organic agriculture, eco-friendly textiles, green building constructions, and manufacturing of related products and materials to support green business. Because this is but new to the industry, it is also expected to attract new customers who will see the many advantages of using green technologies in their homes and others. Besides other forms of green technology in field of generation of energy are done by solar power and fossil fuel. These have no adverse effect on the planet and it won’t replenish. So future generation can also benefit from them without harming the planet. This paper focuses on the advantages of green technology and the benefits that can be accrued out of it.

Influence factors of spa and wellness tourism on revisit intention: the mediating role of international tourist motivation and tourist satisfaction

Abstract: Wellness and spa tourism has recently become a marketing strategy to attract tourists. It plays an important role in hotel industry, resorts and tourist destinations. Wellness and spa services are being required by local and international tourists. The interrelationship among motivations, satisfaction, and revisit intentions remain largely unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to facilitate understanding of the relationship among these constructs. In addition, very few studies on exploring consumers’ needs for the spa and wellness have been conducted in Malaysian context. Previous studies revealed that gaining deep insights into customer profiles and their desire for wellness and spa within this context needs to be taken into considerations, which encourages the development of wellness and spa tourism business. The findings of this study are believed to be advantageous to the wellness and spa service providers. More specifically, appropriate marketing strategies and tourist motivation will be paying more attention and developed in future research.

A Method for Controlling Mouse Movement using a Real Time Camera

Abstract: This paper introduces another methodology for controlling mouse development utilizing an ongoing camera. Most existing methodologies include changing mouse parts, for example, including more catches or changing the following's position ball. Rather, we propose to change the equipment outline. Our system is to utilize a camera and PC vision innovation, for example, picture division and motion acknowledgment, to control mouse errands (left and right clicking, double tapping, and looking over) and we demonstrate how it can perform everything current mouse gadgets can. This paper demonstrates to assemble this mouse control framework.

A Novel Cooperative Opportunistic Routing Scheme in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract: Cooperative communication (CC) is a technique that exploits spatial diversity allowing multiple nodes to cooperatively relay signals to the receiver so that it can combine the received signals to obtain the original message. CC can be combined with topology control to increase connectivity at the cost of a small increase in energy consumption. This work focuses on exploring CC to improve the connectivity with a sink node in ad hoc wireless networks. More precisely, this work proposes a new technique, named CoopSink, that combines CC and topology control techniques to increase connectivity to a sink node while ensuring energyefficient routes. Simulation results show that connectivity and routing to the sink cost can be improved up to 6.8 and 2.3 times, respectively, when compared with other similar strategies. The first algorithm uses a distributed decision process at each node that makes use of only 2-hop neighborhood information. The second algorithm sets up the transmission ranges of nodes iteratively, over a maximum of six steps, using only 1-hop neighborhood information. We analyze the performance of our approaches through extensive simulation.

ELT Teachers’ Language Assessment Literacy: Perceptions and Practices

Abstract: A critical understanding and implementation of assessment is an essential aspect of any language program. There has been growing interest in examining teachers’ mastery and application of assessment literacy which addresses the knowledge and skills teachers need in order to use assessment effectively to evaluate and improve student learning. The present study was carried out with the aim of examining assessment-related perceptions and practices of Iranian ELT teachers. Eighteen male (4) and female (14) EFL instructors enjoying various educational status and levels of experience from different English language institutes in Iran participated in this study. They were divided into three groups based on their teaching experience (low, mid, high). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all the participants on an individual basis. All the interviews were recorded by voice recorder and saved in audio files in MP3 format. Then, they were transcribed and analyzed through content analysis to discern recurring themes. Analysis of the responses revealed that teachers across the three groups were familiar with the basic concepts and terminologies in assessment. Another noteworthy finding is that teaching experience appears to make no significant difference in the way teachers perceive assessment. Moreover, although the participants in this study were assessment literate, this literacy was not reflected in their practices. The findings have implications for language testing profession and also provide suggestions for further research.

Microbial Degradation of Phenol- A Review

Abstract: Aromatic compounds are widely distributed in nature and free phenols are frequently liberated as metabolic intermediates during the degradation of plant materials. In recent years the natural supply of phenolic substances has been greatly increased due to the release of industrial byproducts into the environment. Effluents from petrochemical, textile and coal industries contain phenolic compounds in very high concentration; therefore there is a necessity to remove phenolic compounds from the environment. Among various techniques available for removal of phenols, biodegradation is an environment friendly and cost effective method. The efficiency of biodegradation of organic compounds is influenced by the type of the organic pollutant, the nature of the organism, the enzyme involved, the mechanism of degradation and the nature of the influencing factors. This also depends on aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Under aerobic conditions, degradation of phenol was shown to be initiated by oxygenation into catechols as intermediates followed by a ring cleavage at either the ortho or meta position, depending on the type of strain. Aerobically, phenol is first converted to catechol, and subsequently, the catechol is degraded via ortho or meta fission to intermediates of central metabolism. This paper describes about the various sources of phenol, various microorganisms involved in the biodegradation including aerobe and anaerobe, effect of environmental parameters on phenol degradation and kinetic analysis of biodegradation.

Children’s Voices in Australian School Age Care: What do They Think About Afterschool Care?

Abstract: Participation in after school care in Australia has more than doubled since the 1980s with hundreds of thousands of children attending every day. Historically this form of care has been regarded as a service for parents rather than an opportunity for children. There is a paucity of Australian research for school age care (SAC). This study investigated children’s perceptions and experiences of afterschool care. 164 children in Prep/kindergarten to Year 7 across 14 services in Canberra and Logan participated in the research. Five questions were used to survey the children. Their responses supported the notion that SAC settings are important contexts of childhood and development. Afterschool care affords children opportunities to develop skills and competencies, make new friends as well as promoting and protecting play. Areas of health and safety, staffing, relationships with children were revealed as ways afterschool care could improve. Keywords: school age care, afterschool care, out of school hours care, children’s voices ----- Bibliography: Simoncini, Kym/Cartmel, Jennifer/Young, Amy: Children’s Voices in Australian School Age Care, IJREE, Vol. 3, Issue 1-2015, pp. 114-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.3224/ijree.v3i1.19584

Production of Electricity by the Method of Road Power Generation

Abstract: This paper presents advantageous concept of the present day situation, energy is a foremost necessity for human life. Here we study of electricity generation through the speed breaker mechanism. There is a must to cultivate non- conventional bases for power generation due to the purpose that our conventional sources of power are attainment scarcer by the day.

Effect of zinc and boron application on growth and yield parameters of multiplier onion (Allium cepa L. var aggregatum Don.) var. CO (On)5

Abstract: Field experiment was carried out in the College orchard, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu during 2013 2014 to study the effect of zinc and boron application on seeding transplanting multiplier onion CO(On)5 at different levels of both foliar and basal application. The treatment consist of soil application of zinc sulphate (5 kg ha -1 and 10 kg ha -1 ), Borax (5 kg ha 1 and 10 kg ha -1 ), foliar application of zinc sulphate (0.5% foliar) and Borax (0.25% foliar), zinc sulphate (5 kg soil + 0.5% foliar), zinc sulphate (10 kg ha -1 soil + 0.5% foliar), borax (5 kg ha -1 soil + 0.25% foliar), borax (10 ha -1 kg soil + 0.25% foliar) and control without micronutrient, replicated thrice in a randomized block design. The foliar spray was given 30 and 45 days after transplanting for both zinc sulphate and borax. N, P, K, and S were applied at 9060-60-20 kg ha -1 respectively as basal dose. Results were found to be significant in most of the yield contributing parameters of multiplier onion. The plant height (50.30 cm), number of leaves per plant (51.3), leaf girth (8.1 mm), fresh leaf weight (22.7 g), fresh bulb weight (85.4 g), total dry matter production (5.31 t ha -1 ), bulb yield per plot (10.1 kg) and bulb yield per hectare (16.9 t ha -1 ) were highest in zinc sulphate 0.5% foliar spray. While 10 kg ha -1 borax soil application showed highest polar (26.0 mm) and equatorial diameter (27.2 mm) and borax (5 kg ha -1 soil + 0.25% foliar), highest number of bulblets per clump (8.8) in borax (10 kg ha -1 soil).

A Survey on Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Abstract: Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is the most efficient public key encryption scheme based onelliptic curve concepts that can be used to create faster, smaller, and efficient cryptographic keys. ECCgenerates keys through the properties of the elliptic curve equation instead of the conventional method ofkey generation. This scheme can be used with public key encryption methods, such as RSA, Diffie-Hellman keyexchange and Digital Signature. Review of the four protocols which applies ECC namely Bitcoin, secureshell (SSH), transport layer security (TLS), and the Austrian e-ID Card describes the high security by usingelliptic curve cryptography.