Showing papers in "International Journal of Research in 2019"

A Shift from Classroom to Distance Learning: Advantages and Limitations

Abstract: As there is a great improvement in technology, the demand for innovative ways of delivering education is increasing and this has led to changes in learning and teaching methods. Distance education, which is so different from traditional education, consists of studying from home where students and teachers are physically distant while classroom learning is the type of education system in which the learners and the teachers work under one roof. Electronic means are used to keep students in touch with teachers, provide access to communication between students and bridge the gap and distribute educational material though distance learning programs. Both learning systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing between these two learning methods highly depends on learners’ requirements. In this paper, the researcher aims to discuss history and theories of distance learning, review literature on distant learning, state advantages and disadvantages of distance learning, express implications of the study to learners and teachers, and finally mention suggestions for improving distance learning.

Autonomous vehicles: challenges, opportunities, and future implications for transportation policies

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles are future of Smart Cities. In this paper challenges faced by autonomous vehicles are discussed. What are the future implications for transportation policies we can opt? How artificial intelligence is helping in autonomous vehicles. With the advancement of technology autonomous vehicles can be used safely in future. What technology is being used today in autonomous vehicles? What can be used in future? This paper also discuss benefits of autonomous vehicles.

Puerto Rico: The Future In Question

Abstract: This essay is based on ethnographic fieldwork carried out from December 2017 to August 2019. In it, I reframe the condition of disaster that Puerto Rico faced after Hurricane Maria through a consideration of the political economy of the post-hurricane crisis. I consider the ways that Puerto Rico has become a highly active extractive zone on the periphery of US empire and the role of Maria in these transformations, including in terms of the politics of knowledge production. I investigate the notion of auto-gestión for the ways it acts as both a mode of survival within the permanent crisis, and as a quandary of decolonisation that sometimes buttresses colonial state power. I also document some of the autonomous efforts that were part of the recovery, questions that people who survived the storm continue to confront in their everyday lives, and the importance of resource sharing strategies that exist outside the commodity market. Ultimately, enacting food sovereignty within a colony is a paradox, but one that harbours transformative potential. What is transformed after Maria? What changes lie ahead? What role will small farming and climate change play? Puerto Rico’s future remains in question.

Experiential learning: inclusive art education for joyful learning

Abstract: Art integrated learning makes class-room transition joyful, creative and promote appreciation of our rich and cultural heritage. It also promotes art based enquiry, investigation, exploration critical thinking and creativity for class, conceptual understanding of the concepts among the students.It also enhances experiential learning, as it enables students to drive meaning and understanding.Despite the challenging situation facing art education in schools but there are some exemptions.This paper is based on the ethnographic case study of the school to explore art education.In this school art is integrated as natural part of school thathas taken holistic approach to education.Art education practices were carried out in creative manner.

Pedagogical Efficacy of Experience-Based Learning (EBL) Strategies for Improving the Speaking Fluency of Upper-intermediate Male and Female Iranian EFL Students

Abstract: Learning from experience is a central physiological and theoretical idea in adult language learning which has become increasingly important in the field of second language acquisition (SLA) and is closely connected to task-based language teaching (TBLT). Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the role of experience-based learning strategies in developing male and female intermediate EFL learners’ speaking fluency. To this end, from the target population of 300 language learners attending evening English classes at a language institute, a sample of 50 intermediate participants were randomly chosen by administering an Oxford placement Test (OPT). The average age of the selected students ranged between 17 and 25. An interview was utilized as a pretest to determine participants’ speaking fluency entry behavior. Subsequently, they were divided into two groups labeled as experimental and control groups. While the control group students received instruction through a traditional method without any focus on experience-based activities and strategies, those in the experimental group were exposed to interactive solutions verbally participating in class discussions during task-based classroom sessions in which they discussed their experiences in performing carefully prepared two-way tasks. The analysis of the data obtained from the posttest interview indicated that the participants in the experimental group outperformed those in the control group. Moreover, the results reflected that experience-based tasks considerably improved language the learners’ speaking fluency. Notably, the findings of the present study may have certain insightful pedagogical implications for language instructors and material developers.

Analysis and Design of A Low-Voltage Low-Power Double-Tail Comparator

Abstract: The need for ultra low-power, area efficient and high speed analog-to-digital converters is pushing toward the use of dynamic regenerative comparators to maximize speed and power efficiency. In this paper, an analysis on the delay of the dynamic comparators will be presented and analytical expressions are derived. From the analytical expressions, designers can obtain an intuition about the main contributors to the comparator delay and fully explore the tradeoffs in dynamic comparator design. Based on the presented analysis, a new dynamic comparator is proposed, where the circuit of a conventional double-tail comparator is modified for low-power and fast operation even in small supply voltages. Without complicating the design and by adding few transistors, the positive feedback during the regeneration is strengthened, which results in remarkably reduced delay time. Post-layout simulation results in a 0.18- μm CMOS technology confirm the analysis results. It is shown that in the proposed dynamic comparator both the power consumption and delay time are significantly reduced. The maximum clock frequency of the proposed comparator can be increased to 2.5 and 1.1 GHz at supply voltages of 1.2 and 0.6 V, while consuming 1.4 mW and 153 μW, respectively. The standard deviation of the input-referred offset is 7.8 mV at 1.2 V supply

The effect of work environment on employee performance through work discipline

Abstract: With the existence of a conducive and comfortable work environment, will create enthusiasm from employees in work and will improve performance and work discipline in each his job. Comfortable work environment, adequate facilities, and good employee relations. Will affect employee performance. When employees feel comfortable with the environment in which they work will certainly bring them to be more disciplined and can improve their performance in achieving the goals of the company/agency. The purpose of this study is to find out (1) the influence of the work environment on employee performance (2) the influence of the work environment on work discipline (3) work discipline mediates the influence of the work environment on employee performance. This research uses a quantitative approach that is useful for researching the population and samples within a company, where in this study using proportional random sampling as a sampling techniques. The population in this study amounted to 208 employees. And a sample of 137 respondents from PT. GatraMapan. Methods of research data collection used questionnaires. Data analyzed with Path Analysis. The results of this study prove that work discipline is able to mediate the influence of the work environment on employee performance.

Sisters of Ocean and Ice: On the Hydro-feminism of Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner and Aka Niviâna’s Rise: From One Island to Another

Abstract: The video poem Rise: From One Island to Another, a 2018 collaboration between Marshallese poet Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner and Inuk poet Aka Niviâna from Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) raises key questions about the antimonies of climate mitigation and adaptation discourses across oceans and islands. As “sisters of ocean and ice,” the poets reference the climate relationships between ice melt in Greenland and sea inundation of the Marshall Islands as part of the extended, but differentiated, island colonial histories of occupation, militarism, and development. Having been brought together by environmental activist organisation 350.org, Jetn̄il-Kijiner and Niviâna also strategically use their positionalities as Indigenous islanders to critique not only the continuity between colonial and neo-liberal operations but also the continuity between colonial and environmental scopic regimes, that taken together, stymie climate change imaginaries. In response to these discourses, they claim a feminist hydro-ontological imaginary. Ultimately, the video poem allows an examination of the value of materialist hydro-feminisms and “feminism without borders” (Mohanty, 2003) to extend Island Studies frameworks of the aquapelagic—the assemblage of human interactivity with sea, land, and sky.

Exploring Research Methodology: Review Article

Abstract: Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. In it we study the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them. It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the research methods/techniques but also the methodology. Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain indices or tests, how to calculate the mean, the mode, the median or the standard deviation or chi-square, how to apply particular research techniques, but they also need to know which of these methods or techniques, are relevant and which are not, and what would they mean and indicate and why. Researchers also need to understand the assumptions underlying various techniques and they need to know the criteria by which they can decide that certain techniques and procedures will be applicable to certain problems and others will not. All this means that it is necessary for the researcher to design his methodology for his problem as the same may differ from problem to problem.

Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Leaf Potential in the Prevention of Peptic Ulcer in Wistar Rats

Abstract: This study is aimed at investigating the potential of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf in the prevention of indomethacin-induced ulcer. To achieve this, thirty adult male rats of body weight between 150 and 200g were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group I was treated with 0.8mg/ml of Omeprazole for seven days. Group II was treated with a solution of 0.8 g/ml Moringa oleifera leaf for seven days, while group III received distilled water for seven days. This group served as the control group. Groups IV, V and VI were treated similarly as groups I, II and III respectively but were treated for fourteen days . Gastric ulceration was induced in the rats by the administration of 50 mg/kg indomethacin after pre-treatment with distilled water, omeprazole and Moringa oleifera leaf for 7 and 14 days respectively. Significant ulcer inhibition was produced in the groups treated with M. oleifera and Omeprazole when compared with control groups at p<0.05, but omeprazole-treated group showed greater ulcer inhibition (72.60 % and 74.29 %) when compared with the Moringa oleifera leaf-treated groups (53.43% and 57.58%) after 7 and 14 days respectively. This study showed that M. oleifera leaf possesses anti-ulcerogenic properties and can be used as herbal remedy for the prevention of peptic ulcers.

Animal manure as fertilizer: changes in soil attributes, productivity and food composition

Abstract: Animal manure (AM), such as swine, cattle, sheep, horse, as well as other organic waste materials from recycling agri-food or other processes may be used as nutrient source for horticultural annual and perennial crops, increasing nutrient cycling and reducing costs related to acquisition of industrial fertilizers. Additionally, over the years it is expected to modify chemical, physical, and biological soil attributes such as increasing the nutrient content in the soil, which can affect crop productivity, change the food composition, fruit and vegetable storage aptitudes, and impact on the environment. The present review addresses the effect of AM applications on the soil-plant interface, emphasizing the following aspects: (a) changes in chemical, physical and biological attributes in soils with a history of AM applications, (b) effect of application of AM on annual plant productivity and (c) AM as fertilizer: productivity and food composition of horticultural crops. Successive applications of AM in soils tend to increase the chemical and physical attributes, and, increased production of grain crops. Effect of AM fertilizations on quality and nutritional value of fruits is still uncertain; it depends on several factors, including: 1) characteristics of organic matter, 2) pedoclimatic conditions, 3) time of application and 4) plant species.

Integrated Financial Management System and Financial Reporting In Selected Commercial Banks in Bujumbura, Burundi

Abstract: The quality and standard of financial reporting among Burundian commercial banks do not match the international standard of reporting in the banking sector of more developed countries. lack of clarity on the extent to which integrated financial management system influences financial reporting will therefore continue to inhibit common understanding and explanation which might deter financial reporting improvement in selected commercial banks in Bujumbura, Burundi. The study analyzed the relationship between integrated financial management system and financial reporting in selected commercial banks in Bujumbura, Burundi and it was hypothesized that. Commercial banks have come under spotlight for cases of poor financial reporting standards. Lack of empirical studies to assess the impact of integrated financial management system on the financial reporting of commercial banks in Burundi is the motivation behind this study. Therefore, this study is important not only because it fills the gap, but also it set out to address this evident knowledge gap The study adopted phenomenological, epistemology and quantitative-qualitative methodology dimension with cross sectional and correlation designs. the unit of analysis was selected commercial banks, and employees were the units of inquiry. Hierarchical regression, linear regression analysis were used to test the predictive power of the variables and indicate precisely what happens to the model as different predictor variables are introduced in the model fit The study revealed that cash management significantly affect the financial reporting of commercial banks (Adjusted R 2 =0.562, p=0.000). Furthermore, the study revealed that budgeting significantly affect the financial reporting of commercial banks Adjusted R 2 =0.439, p=0.000).In addition, the study found that accounting system significantly affect the financial reporting of commercial banks (Adjusted R 2 =0.612, p=0.000). The study concluded that IFMS influences financial reporting. The study recommended that the management of the banking industry should involve all the stakeholders in the development of cash management framework that is used in the planning, implementation, auditing, supervision, monitoring and maintenance of the IFMS to streamline all roles and responsibilities of all the users of the system so that no cash is mismanaged. Furthermore, the study recommended that the management of the banking industry should promote efficient and clear budgeting by incorporating it with the IFMS. In addition, the study recommended that commercial banks should adhere to s trict IFMS guidelines such as payment terms, credit limit, and automatic voucher number. Similarly, the study recommended that the management of the banking industry should ensure that IFMS easily adapts to the changes in cash management, budgeting and accounting system practices without complete overhaul of the system so as to ensure efficient and timely financial reporting. The current study added to the body of knowledge that IFMS in terms of cash management, budgeting and accounting system are synonymous in ensuring clear and quality financial report.

Review Article on Applications and Classification of Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract: The Nanoparticles have several industrial and biomedical based applications in the diagnosis of different disease, drug delivery and targeted chemotherapy. The major character of nanoparticle is multifunctionality and micro-size. Nanoparticles can be linked with different ligands, therapeutic agents, imaging labels, and other functionalities. In the review paper we are deliberating the application, types and characteristics of gold nanoparticles which are commonly considered among all the metallo-nanoparticles. Many anticancer medications are present but this causes the necrosis of cancerous cell and as compared the gold nanoparticles cause necrosis of the cancer cells. These are the selected drug delivery schemes which are lesser than the human cells so it can easily enter into the tumors and terminate the cancerous cell. Several anticancer based drugs interconnected with gold nanoparticles and it increased the efficiency of the various anticancer drugs. Gold nanoparticles are valuable for the chemotherapy and also in the diagnosis of cancer due to having high photo and optical property. It is also possible to functionalize with peptides, protein and many nucleic acid units. So the gold NPs have application in bio sensing, gene, protein and drug delivery.

Mental Health, Quality of Life and Medication Use Among Care Home Residents and Community Dwelling Older People

Abstract: In most countries, the prevalence of depression in care homes is substantially higher than among community-dwelling older people. Negative media reports and the stigma associated with long-term care perpetuates the belief that community care is associated with a better quality of life than nursing or residential home care. The aim of this paper is to investigate mental health, quality of life and medication use among a sample of care home residents and community dwelling older people. This cross-sectional study comprised of structured interviews with 75 care home residents and 852 community dwelling older adults in a large health and social care trust within the U.K. Data were collected using an abridged version of the World Mental Health-Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the SF-6D, derived from responses to the SF-12, which was embedded within the screening section of the WMH-CIDI. Results showed a significantly lower level of mental disorders among older people in the care home sample. Health-related quality of life results indicated that although care home participants were significantly more limited in their physical functioning, they reported better mental health and social functioning than older people living in the community. These results were statistically significant. Prescription rates for mental health medication were higher in the care home sample. This study provides tentative findings about mental health and quality of life in care homes, which should be further explored in future research. The study addresses the negative public perception of quality of life in care homes while contributing to the debate around the health care implications of ‘ageing in place’ for older people. There is a need to address the relationship between mental health, quality of life and medication use among older people across a range of care settings.

Teachers’ roles on english language teaching: a students centered learning approach

Abstract: This study is about teachers’ roles on english language teaching viewed from the perspective of students centered learning approach, and it is aimed at investigating the teachers’ roles in teaching the language to the students based on students centered learning activity and enlarging the knowledge of the language teachers’ roles in teaching in order to help them to be more professional in their field. The method of the study used in this study was a library research study, where theories from any sources that related to the theory used in this study, were used to provide the answers of the problem of this study. The instruments of this study were books and documents. The results of this study indicated that there are some roles that must be possessed by the teacher during language teaching, such as: an organizer, an assessor, a prompter, a participant, a resource, a tutor, an observer, a performer, a controller and as teaching aid. It can be concluded that in order to succeed the language teaching based on students centered learning approach, a teacher should implement those roles.

Environmental Pollution by Cement Industry

Abstract: Cement is the primary material for building and civil engineering constructions. Therefore, the cement manufacturing sector plays a vital role in the nation’s economic development. The objective of this research is to identify the environmental impacts of cement industry, propose solutions, and improve the sustainability of the cement industry. The main environmental issues associated with cement production are the consumption of raw materials and energy use as well as emissions to air.

Academic E-learning in Poland. Results of a Diagnostic Survey

Abstract: Academic e-learning is not a new phenomenon world-wide or in Poland. However, there are only a few publications examining academic e-learning in Poland from a wider perspective (i.e., country-wide, and not only from that of the specific course, faculty member, or university orientation), and none of them present complex analysis and diagnosis. The goal of this paper is to present an investigation of academic e-learning in Poland in both public and private universities. The sample of 139 universities was surveyed, and relations between variables – such as e-learning process characteristics and university characteristics – were analysed via hypotheses testing. Results of the survey may constitute a basis for comparison on a national and international level and offer strategic directions for university authorities.

Eliciting Concepts in the Field of Extended Education – A Swedish Provoke

Abstract: The aim of this article is to contribute to the discussion concerning the concepts used in the field of extended education by scrutinising different concepts that can contribute to research and gua ...

Corporate Digital Responsibility: New Challenges to the Social Sciences

Abstract: Contemporary practitioners and scientists more and more frequently highlight the extraordinarily rapid process of implementation of new technologies – including those based on artificial intelligence – and unpredictable consequences of such actions. Therefore, it is important to be an active participant in the debate on the relation between human and modern technologies, a debate based on interdisciplinary scientific knowledge. The article refers to selected ideas related to knowledge management, organisational learning, knowledge area, or innovation environment. The challenge which social science researchers face, next to examining the theoretical aspects, is the application of various calculation methods and new technologies to make quicker and easier decisions in social contexts – with regard to various groups of people, e.g. employees, customers, or voters. Apart from the new methods, another serious challenge is to raise social awareness regarding the digital responsibility in certain groups such as managers or, more generally, employers and employees. The responsibility of the elite and scientific authorities should consist in instilling awareness in one another and approaching the new phenomenon with care. Potential threats may completely change our civilisation. The presented discussion is based on literature study which included selected theories and reports of research centres and scientific bodies. A particularly interesting case study discussed in this article includes TOP CDR initiative and a report prepared by SW RESEARCH agency in cooperation with Procontent public relations and digital marketing agency. The conclusions of this report indicate that corporate digital responsibility (CDR) may be a pioneering area for in-depth empirical studies. The nature of the topic, despite being clearly related to DOI . /IJREL. . . . International Journal of Research in E-learning Vol. ( ), , pp. – Małgorzata Suchacka 6 sociology, requires interdisciplinary approach and cooperation of numerous circles, not only scientific ones. K e y w o r d s: corporate social responsibility, corporate digital responsibility, technology, artificial intelligence Towards Corporate Digital Responsibility – Future or Nowadays Challenges? Contemporary scientific authorities and, more and more frequently, political leaders highlight new kinds of threats to global labour market posed by automation and mass implementation of solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI). Development of new technologies, robotics, and process automation threatens current workplaces in both industry and the service sector. These processes may create social unrest, and their consequences are difficult to foresee due to the dynamic nature of their progression. The aim of the article is to characterise new challenges in corporate digital responsibility and new research areas which emerge in that field for social sciences. The author will identify certain theoretical aspects and potential consequences related to threats posed by the development of new technologies, artificial intelligence, automation, and digitalisation of social environment on a large scale. Selected thematically, relevant reports of scientific bodies, employers’ organisations, and companies collaborating with scientific circles will be analysed. The author will analyse in particular the TOP CDR initiative, which is the first project of this kind in Poland, focused on digitally responsible enterprises. A Few Words about Methods The analysis is based on theoretical considerations substantiated by selected research data. The theoretical themes referred to are part of the author’s selective attempt to indicate significant areas of possible future research. The scope of the analysis is largely based on literature study of selected concepts and is therefore significantly limited. All empirical remarks refer to existing data, reports of research centres and scientific bodies. The analysis will also include the TOP CDR report prepared by SW RESEARCH agency in cooperation with Procontent public relations and digital marketing agency. Corporate Digital Responsibility. New Challenges to the Social Sciences 7 Development of Technologies in the Field of Artificial Intelligence – Responsibility and Challenges in Social Context For many years scientists and experts from virtually all scientific fields have been discussing the relationship between human and technology, which is developing at an increasing rate. These considerations include not only new ways of learning or human reaction to resulting changes in the reality, but also possible social processes which occur or will occur in the future due to technologisation and increasing presence of machines and robots in everyday life. The challenge which social science researchers face is the application of various calculation methods and new technologies to make quicker and easier decisions in social contexts with regard to various groups of people, e.g. employees, customers, or voters. This allows to gather data faster and identify digital traces of human activity – either in social networks or in information obtained during behavioural studies using mobile phones. Access to this type of data provides the ability to stimulate various behaviours. Specialised software used on this kind of data has been perfected at an increasingly fast rate since the 1990s towards study of methods of AI operation. Initially, data compilation software was created to build databases using a specific type of reasoning mechanisms. Nearly 70 years have passed since the first widely recognised definition of artificial intelligence was presented by Alan Turing in 1950. At the time, artificial intelligence was understood, for the purpose of the conducted experiment, as an ability of a machine to perform cognitive tasks effectively without making human interrogator realise that that the respondent is a machine (Turing, 1950). Nowadays, programmers are focused on the creation of intelligent behaviour patterns which may be utilised in computer software. The goal is to develop a model allowing machine to imitate sophisticated human manifestations of intelligence: making decisions under uncertainty, analysis and synthesis of natural languages, conducting logical reasoning, diagnosis, expertise and participation in logic-based games such as chess. Machines already have achieved the ability to learn and perfect their behaviour on the basis of new experience. Using algorithms and specific data, the machines can, through the process of induction, transition from supervised learning to unsupervised learning (Russell & Norvig, 2003). More and more often, people are being replaced by machines, devices, and appropriate software, all through learning specific forms of response based on the output data. Nowadays, the ethical question should be a top priority for scientists, because many people might be really hurt by these algorithms (Suchacka & Horáková, 2019, p. 917). Małgorzata Suchacka 8 This has specific consequences – chances and threats. At the threshold of revolution initiated by introduction of artificial intelligence into various areas of socioeconomic life, an increasing number of socially sensitive practitioners and scientists call for the need to create a complex strategy of AI development. The analysis of selected AI development programmes conducted by Digital Poland Foundation in 2018 points to differences in approach to this matter between various countries. Depending on the government’s policy, emphasis is placed on retaining scientific leadership and development of basic research around AI (France), ensuring national security, order and monitoring behaviour of the citizens (China), maintaining leadership in robotics, increasing the level of industrialisation and supporting ageing society (Japan). The report characterises world’s most prominent centres of innovation and highlights the need to promote economy based on knowledge, cooperation, and sharing experience with the support of the regional and national level authorities (Digital Poland Foundation, 2018). The aware and responsible decision-makers should create conditions favourable for close integration of the worlds of science and business and accelerated commercialisation of the results of their cooperation. The responsibility of the elites and scientific authorities should consist in raising awareness about AI and taking the new phenomenon seriously. Potential threats may completely change our civilisation. The research conducted on the matter is still focused primarily on technical and IT issues, despite the fact that great minds of our times like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Stephen Hawking have been warning us against development of a model of artificial intelligence able to continuously improve itself. It is difficult to image what is becoming the reality – machine surpassing human. The most controversial is the use of artificial intelligence in the army [armed forces], from rockets or jets to all kinds of infrastructure control systems. At this stage, it is assumed that people are in control, not threatened by computers deciding anything themselves. It will be this way until the artificial intelligence begins to modify its goals. Even if it is possible for the machine to become self-conscious, it will still have to set tasks for itself and find a justification for them, and that part is not immediately obvious. At the moment, intelligent technologies assist us with acquiring knowledge quickly, learning new behaviors outside the traditional system of education, which, however, should not be completely eliminated. A constant reflection, inherently sociological, should accompany these technological changes, for the algorithms behind ethical actions are the very traits of humanity and it is quite difficult to assume that the machine will accept them or will develop them itself without error of proper access path (Suc

Mechanisms for Controlling the Synthesis of Lipids – Review

Abstract: Lipids are synthesized, transported, and recognized by the concerted actions of numerous enzymes, binding proteins, and receptors. A comprehensive analysis of lipid molecules, “lipidomics,” in the context of genomics and proteomics is crucial to understanding cellular physiology and pathology; consequently, lipid biochemistry has become a major research target of the postgenomic revolution and systems biochemistry. This review is aimed at studying the mechanisms involved in the regulation of lipids. These mechanisms can either be short term or long term. When the concentration of a particular lipid is high in the body, it inhibits the rate–limiting enzyme involves in its synthesis in a feedback mechanism thereby limiting its rate of synthesis. The synthesis of lipids can also be controlled through a negative feed-back mechanism. This is situation where the product when in a certain level, decreases the activities of the enzymes involved in its synthesis especially the rate–limiting enzymes. Diet also plays a major role in this regulation. When a diet is rich in a certain lipid, its synthesis is inhibited. Several hormones have been reported to regulate the synthesis of lipids. The transcription of the rate–limiting enzyme also plays a role in the regulation of the synthesis of lipids. This mechanism involves several transcriptional factors. The synthesis of lipids is well coordinated and regulated.

Stock price movement and volatility in muscat security market (msm)

Abstract: This paper examines the stock price movement and volatility in listed financial Omani Companies in MSM. The study made use of secondary data. This study is an attempt to answer these important questions, is there an effect of the announcement of the dividend policy on the market value of the shares of the Omani companies listed in MSM? Moreover, Is there any effect for each of the announcement of the earnings per share and distribution of profits on the market value of the shares of the Omani companies listed in MS at the level of each year of the study? The analytical descriptive approach was used to investigate. This study mainly depends on secondary data. The event study methodology is intended to investigate the effect of an event on a specific dependent variable. An “event” is the public announcement of a (usually voluntary) corporate action. In this considered corporate action is the dividend announcement. The abnormal return is calculated form 10 days prior to the event and 10 days post to the event.

Application Optimizing the Placement of Safety Stocks Using the Max-Min Method for Printing Companies

Abstract: Inventory management is an activity carried out by a company that is needed in making decisions so that the need for materials or goods for the needs of company activities both production and sales can be fulfilled optimally with the smallest possible risk. Over-inventory is a waste because it causes too high costs for storage and maintenance during storage in the warehouse. This study tries to build an inventory application by applying the Max-Min method as a basis for development. This research method is divided into three stages, namely the selection of system methods, database development, and implementation of solutions. The results of this study are inventory applications using the Max-Min method which emphasizes the results of controlling the stock to make it easier for company owners to make decisions. Inventory management system built with Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) and XAMPP as web servers using databases from MySQL, Sublime Text for application coding, and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and CSS to create views and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) to facilitate generating data. The results of this study succeeded in making the application to management to make the right and accurate decision to determine how many items were ordered to suppliers for stock replenishment, this application was able to analyze in advance the methods used so that more objective decisions would be obtained.

Importance Of Software Testing In Software Development Life Cycle

Abstract: In every organization, testing is the most vital and precious stage in the software development life cycle. However, the way it is carried out differs from one organization to another. Software testing has become the part of development and it is better to start testing from the initial stages, in order to avoid difficulty by correcting the bug at the last stage. The importance of testing in software development life cycle is to improve reliability, performance and other important factors, which may define under SRS (software requirement specification). Customer can wait more for software release, but they don't like to work with defected software . Software development life cycle (SDLC) is an integral part of any software application development. Testing has a lot of influence in SDLC. In this chapter I will discuss the importance of software testing in different stages of SDLC.

The Effects of Teachers’ Gender, Teaching Experience, and Brain Dominance on their Teaching Styles

Abstract: This study investigates the effects of gender, teaching experience, and brain dominance on English teachers’ teaching styles. In doing so, 68 English teachers (males and females) were selected from several language institutes in Shiraz, Iran. Considering the degree of teaching experience, the participants were categorized into three groups, namely novices, the moderately experienced, and professionals. Two instruments, including Hemispheric Dominance Test and Teaching Style Questionnaire were used to collect data. Using statistical package for the social science (SPSS) 20, the collected data were analyzed. The results of independent samples t-test revealed that male and female teachers differed significantly in terms of teaching styles, as far as the sub-component “formality” was concerned. Furthermore, the results of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test indicated that teaching styles in the three groups of teachers significantly differed. However, the analysis of MANOVA regarding the difference between brain dominance and teaching styles did not reveal any significant difference. Some related issues were also discussed.

The integration of group discussion method using audio visual learning media toward students’ learning achievement on listening

Abstract: This research is focus on the integration of group discussion method using audio visual learning media. The aim of conducting this research is to find out how the integration of group discussion method using audio visual learning media toward the students learning achievement on listening. The method of the study used was qualitative with Quasy Experimental design. It was done at Teruna Muda Jurnior High School. The instrument used were a set of test and observation sheets. The result of the research are: a) that the everage result using QA method using the audio visual learning is 74; and b) student learning outcomes using the QA method with audio media is no better than the student learning outcomes provided with conventional learning models using audio media. Then it is concluded that the teachers may implement the QA method or conventional learning in teaching listening to the students in the classroom.

Application of total productive maintenance in service organization

Abstract: This paper discusses the application of TPM in copy centre in Woldia University located in Woldia town, north wollo, Amhara region, Ethiopia. The problem encountered in the centre includes long waiting time due to frequent breakdown of equipment, unpleasant work environment, defective product etc. This leads to disrupt of the university programs such as exams, trainings and so on. This paper uses TPM for solving the above mentioned problem by employing Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). The OEE value on the centre is 35% which is less than world class standard of 85%. Therefore, the center needs urgent improvement in typical equipment maintenance management program. Advantages of TPM for the center includes better utilized equipment, clean and pleasant workplace, highly motivated employee, and satisfied customer.

Saffron in Jammu & Kashmir

Abstract: Saffron (Crocus sativus), originated from the Arabic word „Zafaran‟ which comes from the Persian word „Zarparan‟ meaning “flowers of golden petals”. Its secrets stem from the dried red stigmas which accumulate large amounts of three glycosylated apocarotenoids, namely crocin, picro crocin and safranal, which, among the more than 150 volatile and aroma yielding compounds, contribute to the colour, bitter flavour and aroma so typical of saffron (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Saffron). The spice is used as flavouring and colouring agent in food and is a vital part of the dye, perfumery and flavouring industries. Saffron also has countless biological properties like anticancer, antimutagenic and antioxidant. As a result, saffron fetches the highest price as a spice in the world, depending upon the country of its production. Its production is typically favoured in countries where labour is cheap, such as Iran and Azerbaijan, but is also produced in countries like Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Argentina or the USA and newer areas being brought under its cultivation, viz. China and Japan (Husaini et, al. 2013). Kashmir is one of the major saffron producing regions of the world.

Performance Based Seismic Design Of Buildings

Abstract: Amongst the natural hazards, earthquakes have the potential for causing the greatest damages. Since earthquake forces are random in nature & unpredictable, the engineering tools needs to be sharpened for analyzing structures under the action of these forces. Performance based design is gaining a new dimension in the seismic design philosophy wherein the near field ground motion (usually acceleration) is to be considered. Earthquake loads are to be carefully modeled so as to assess the real behavior of structure with a clear understanding that damage is expected but it should be regulated. In this context pushover analysis which is an iterative procedure shall be looked upon as an alternative for the orthodox analysis procedures. This study focuses on pushover analysis of multi-storey RC framed buildings subjecting them to monotonically increasing lateral forces with an invariant height wise distribution until the preset performance level (target displacement) is reached. The promise of performance-based seismic engineering (PBSE) is to produce structures with predictable seismic performance. To turn this promise into a reality, a comprehensive and well-coordinated effort by professionals from several disciplines is required. Performance Based Seismic Design Of Buildings

Prophylactic Efficacy of Aqueous Extract of Curcuma longa against Indomethacin-Induced Ulcer in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract: Evaluation of the anti-ulcerogenic and prophylactic efficacy of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa on indomethacin-induced ulcer in albino rats was the aim of this study. Thirty adult male rats of body weight between 150 and 200g were used and were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group I was treated with 0.8mg/ml of Omeprazole for seven days. Group II was treated with a solution of 0.8 g/ml Curcuma longa for seven days, while group III received distilled water for seven days. This group served as the control group. Groups IV, V and VI were treated similarly as groups I, II and III respectively but were treated for fourteen days . Gastric ulceration was induced in the rats by the administration of 50 mg/kg indomethacin after pre-treatment with distilled water, omeprazole and Curcuma longa for 7 and 14 days respectively. Significant ulcer inhibition was produced in the groups treated with Curcuma longa and Omeprazole when compared with control groups at p<0.05, but omeprazole-treated group showed greater ulcer inhibition (72.60 % and 74.29 %) when compared with the Curcuma longa -treated groups ( 46.53% and 43.84% ) after 7 and 14 days respectively. This study showed that Curcuma longa possesses anti-ulcerogenic properties and can be used as herbal remedy for the prevention of gastro-intestinal ulcers.