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With the collapse of Soviet Russia, transition of communist countries towards the market economy not only caused an economic transformation but also formal and informal constraints, institutional structures and legal norms in society were changed. IMF's and World Bank’s reports and governance concept containing neoliberal policies that took place in World Bank’s publications were important factors behind this transition. In this study, it is aimed to analyze quality of governance in transition economies by the year 2014. With this framework, Cluster analysis is performed by Ward (1963) Minimum Variance Method by using World Bank Governance and Freedom House dataset. Contribution/ Originality
This paper contributes to the literature by determination of transition economies’ position in terms of their governance scores in a multivariate framework. The results of Cluster analysis indicate that countries in the process of integration with the EU have better governance scores with respect to other transition economies.
In the recent time marketing communication, challenges need to develop obsolete business practices and create some new ones, and even stop using conventional wisdom that has proven obsolete. The pace of change is increasing and marketing communication must reflect those changing effects if it is relevant in the twenty first century. What need to change are not the only tools of marketing communications, although the impact of information technology and rapid broadcast communication will cause change enough. Advances in communications technology, increased interaction between buyer and producer and increasing integration of marketing communication will lead to change in both the levels and the impact of communication. However, marketers must also change the ways what they plan for communications and recognize the strategic implications of the shift in the power base that underpins communications. This paper attempts and discusses the main strategic issues that arise for marketers in the twenty first century such as the World Wide Web, the net, social changes and technological change encompasses more issues than information technology, cellular phones, new print technology, hologram and new media will also have a major impact in the twenty first century marketing communication. Contribution/ Originality
Nonlinear single-unit commitment problem (NSUCP) is a NP-hard nonlinear mixed-integer optimization problem, encountered as one of the toughest problems in power systems. This paper presents a new algorithm for solving NSUCP using genetic algorithm (GA) based clustering technique. The proposed algorithm integrates the main features of binary-real coded GA and K-means clustering technique. Clustering technique divides population into a specific number of subpopulations. In this way, different operators of GA can be used instead of using one operator to the whole population to avoid the local minima and introduce diversity. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is validated by comparison with other well-known techniques. By comparison with the previously reported results, it is found that the performance of the proposed algorithm quite satisfactory. Contribution/ Originality
This study presents a new algorithm for solving nonlinear single-unit commitment problem using genetic algorithm based clustering technique; where it integrates the main features of binary-real coded genetic algorithm and K-means clustering technique. The tests demonstrated that the proposed approach has a satisfactory performance compared to previous studies.
The need to diversify the economy so as to ensure sustainable economic growth has been of great concern. Accelerating productivity in agriculture is seen as one of the alternatives to support the diversification initiatives by the government and drive growth in Botswana. This study discusses the factors contributing to increased long term agricultural productivity and hence its subsequent impact on growth in the short. The study employs the vector error correction model and annual data to explain the connection between key variables. This paper concludes that there is unidirectional causality from agricultural productivity to growth. This study shows that economic growth can be improved in the short term by improvements in agricultural productivity. Agricultural productivity can be enhanced by providing adequate infrastructure, additional farming machinery per hectare of arable land and having a targeted approach in the provision of funding towards agricultural oriented initiatives. Contribution/ Originality
This study’s primary contribution is the finding that the agricultural led growth hypothesis applies to Botswana. The study is one of the few that use the vector error correction model to analyze the determinants of long term agricultural productivity.
Quality improvement is one of the most important requirements to strengthen a competitive position in our markets today. So improving the quality, will lead to decrease variations, shrinkages and so production costs hence the customers acquire the appropriate products and services to use. Control charts have an effective usage field to keep the process under control. Control charts are illustrated as graphical analysis method which defines the products whether to stay in the acceptable limits or not and as a graphical analysis technique that specifies a signal in the state of product to be out of that limits. In this paper by detecting basic concept and essentials beyond the control charts usage and the improvement; so it combined with fuzzy approach to detect the optimal limits. Hence the application of the proposed fuzzy control chart is in Al–Dura Refinery to monitor variable quality characteristics. The proposed fuzzy control chart is under vague, imprecise, uncertain, and incomplete data and based on ?-level fuzzy midrange for ? – cut approach. As a result of the application, it’s rational to say that constructing fuzzy control charts have a more flexible, a more convenient mathematical characterization concept and have more reasonable results than the traditional quality control chart techniques. Contribution/ Originality
The paper's primary contribution is finding a way to improve the quality of petroleum products in Al- Dura refinery / Baghdad/ Iraq. This can be achieved by applying fuzzy control charts to monitor the petroleum products specification which is rarely mentioned in relative literature.
Methodical approaches to the investment climate evaluation have been formed. Methodological tools for assessing the investment attractiveness of the economy have been classified. To create a database to select the most important methods of assessment of the investment climate should undertake a comparative analysis on the target group of potential investors, the depth of research, the frequency of assessment of the investment climate, purpose assessment of the investment climate. International ratings are effective tools that help reduction information asymmetry, and a large number of methods of ranking permit the investor to receive information on all aspects of the investment attractiveness of the state. Rankings are shaping the image of the state, and ignoring the results of the ratings can lead to financial isolation of the state. Information on the methodology of the ratings in most cases is transparent, so the domestic state institutions have the ability to affect the future results of the ratings in the case of related reforms. However, there is no unified model of investment climate evaluation of the national economy, which directly affects the state of the investment climate of Ukraine's economy and the volume of foreign capital in the state. Rating evaluation of the investment climate for the Ukrainian economy has been offered. Contribution/ Originality This study uses new estimation methodology of investment climate in the national economy, which based on analysis and classification of approaches and tools that are used to investment climate, investment attractiveness, business environment rating evaluate, and are directed to information sparseness reduction, target orientation of investment climate management.
The relationship among CO2 emission, Economic Growth and Energy Consumption were examine in this study. This study specifically examines the combine impact CO2 emission, and Economic Growth on Energy Consumption. The study uses a dynamic panel data of esteem the time series analysis on 1980. Our result shows that Economic Growth is positively related to Energy Consumption. But when CO2 emission is interacted with Economic Growth the combine impact is increasing in energy consumption. The study therefore recommend that appropriate policy should formulated by the government to drive up energy consumption. Contribution/ Originality
The paper contributes the first logical analysis in the existing literature of the relationship between Co2 emission, economic growth and energy consumption. The study departs from other studies by examining the combined impact of Co2 emission and economic growth on energy consumption in Sub- Saharan African countries during the period of the study. There is also robust use of system GMM developed by Arellano and Bond (1991) which gave consistent and efficient estimates.
The study assessed principally the level of equality/inequality in the sales distribution of sesame among farmers, wholesalers and retailers. The sampling procedure used involved a random selection of 120 sesame farmers, 40 wholesalers, and 60 retailers proportionately drawn from the three agricultural zones of Nasarawa State. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Tools of data analysis were descriptive statistics, regression technique and measures of market concentration such as Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient and Herfindahl index. The results which showed Gini coefficient index values of 0.686, 0.331 and 0.589 and Herfindahl index values of 0.115, 0.442 and 0.118 for farmers, wholesalers, and retailers, respectively, were indications of varying levels of inequality in the distribution of sesame sales income and the existence of some monopolistic forces in sesame market. Socio-economic variables which affected sales income (the main determinant of market concentration) positively and significantly (p≤0.01) were education, total value of investment and non-farm sources of income. As farmers and middlemen are indispensably interdependent, deliberate policy intervention is required in areas such as adequate formal credit, diversification of enterprises and human capital development to make them (farmers and middlemen) more competitive in the rapidly evolving global economy. Contribution/ Originality
The study is one of very few studies which have investigated the existence or otherwise of monopolistic forces in the marketing of farm products using a combination of analytical tools such as Gini coefficient, Herfindahl index, and Lorenz curve.
Swimming pools consume large amounts of energy compared with various buildings. Most of them utilize conventional fuels for covering their heating and electricity needs. Increase of their sustainability could be achieved with the replacement of conventional fuels with renewable energies. The possibility of using only renewable energies for covering all their energy requirements has been examined. Solar thermal energy, solid biomass and low enthalpy geothermal energy with heat pumps could cover their heating needs. Solar-PV energy could generate the necessary electricity in the pool. Investigation of the possibility of using different combinations of the abovementioned renewable energies in swimming pools indicate that they could cover all their energy needs zeroing their CO2 emissions and their carbon footprint due to energy use. These renewable energy technologies are also reliable, mature and cost effective. A case study in Crete, Greece has been implemented indicating that an investment in renewable energy systems of 1,072 to 1,474 € per m2 of pool would achieve reduction of 1,538 kg CO2 per m2 of pool zeroing their CO2 emissions. A significant decrease of the operating cost of the swimming pool due to lower fuel cost would be also achieved offering an attractive payback period of the investment. Contribution/ Originality
The study contributes in the existing literature regarding the creation of swimming pools with low environmental impact due to energy use. It indicates the replacement of fossil fuels used in them with reliable and cost effective renewable energy technologies minimizing the CO2 emissions.
The continued development of manufacturing industries along with increasing greenhouse gas emissions has become a critical concern that forces mankind to reduce global warming. Given the long atmospheric lifetimes of Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), it is especially important to reduce the emissions of PFCs which are commonly found in the semiconductor industry. In this study, we propose four master planning models that incorporate pollution taxes, subsidies, and/or progressive pollution taxes into capacity allocation to examine the problem of anthropogenic PFC emissions. The results show that master planning with subsidies and/or progressive taxes provides more flexibility to a foundry plant than that with flat taxes only. Setting emission limits and considering taxation for master planning is the first step toward the success of an environmental policy. Contribution/ Originality
This study proposes four master planning models for the semiconductor foundry plants by using ecological taxation methods. The paper’s primary contribution is finding that the master planning models with subsidies and/or progressive taxes provide more flexibility to a foundry plant than the model with flat taxes only.
Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelioration of soil fertility with less attention in research on N-fixation. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the magnitude of heterosis for nitrogen fixation and yield and yield associated traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Six F1 crosses obtained from crossing of four parents (two nodulated and non-nodulated) in a half diallel fashion were evaluated in 2014/15 season in lath house using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center. Significant (P<0.05) differences were exhibited among entries for all traits studied. Considering all traits, relative to the mid parent (MPH), better parent (BPH) and standard heterosis (SH) in percent ranged from 0.009 to 59.8, 0.009 to39.9 and 0.009 to58.8, respectively. The highest degrees of MPH were noted for nodule dry weight and of BPH and SH were noted for number of pods per plant, while the lowest was observed for grain yield (0.009). The hybrid obtained from nodulated parents (ICC5003 x ICC19180) showed high heterosis for number of nodule on the basis of MPH and BPH, while ICC4918x ICC19181 exhibited low heterotic effect which exhibited positive and significant MPH for nitrogen fixed in grain, BPH for seed filling duration and SH for days to 50% flowering, days to 90% maturity and shoot dry weight at maturity traits. Contribution/ Originality
Formal Islamic Education received tremendous boost with rapid increase in the number of Schools and Teachers in the recent past in Northern Nigeria generally and Nasarawa State specifically. Predictably, Pupils enrolment also incredibly expanded. This burst of Islamic educational activities brought in its marked changes, some positive, while others negative. Thus, the rapid increase in enrolment figures and the clamour for better and quality Islamic education by educationally conscious parents began to impose pressure on available resources. Loud grumblings started to manifest from members of the public about deterioration in the quality of Islamic education offered pupils in many Islamiyyah Schools. It is in view of the above that this paper attempts to explain the use of local teaching aids for cost control in learning Islamic Studies in Nasarawa State. Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies which have investigated the importance of using local teaching aids in the teaching and learning of Islamic Studies in Nasarawa State.
Evaluation of the Relative Viability of Anthropometric Parameters, Aerobic Capacity, Spinal Mobility, Abdominal Muscular Endurance, Back and Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Predicting the Balance Performance of Young Adult Males
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research
Background: The physical-and-physiological factors that modulate balance performance are currently not well elucidated in the extant literature. Objectives: This study investigated the viability of using demographic factors, physical and physiological variables to predict balance performance. Methods: 150 adult males consented and completed all the 17 tests required. Their anthropometric indices (leg length, thigh and calf circumferences, height, body weight, quotelet index, body surface area), dominant leg isometric muscle strength (quadriceps femoris, hamstrings, plantar flexors and dorsiflexors), spinal mobility (back extension and forward flexion), aerobic capacity, isometric back extensor strength, abdominal muscular endurance and the non-timed criterion unipedal stance performance with eyes opened and eyes closed were measured using standard protocols. Results: Significant positive correlations were obtained between several of the independent variables. Thigh circumference was significantly related to quadriceps femoris strength (r = 0.545, p<0.001), hamstrings strength (r = 0.4.57, p<0.001), plantar flexor strength (r = 0.249, p<0.002), and dorsiflexors strength (r = 0.2496, p<0.002). The 17 independent variables combined contributed significantly (F = 2.051, p<0.05) to the prediction of balance performance with eyes opened. Unexpectedly, only 20.9% of the variance in balance performance was accounted for by the 17 independent variables. Stature and the plantar flexor muscle strength were the two viable predictors of balance performance when the eyes is opened; stature contributed 5.5% and the plantar flexor muscle strength contributed 3.8%. Abdominal muscular endurance contributed 3.1% out of the combined 14.4% variance in balance performance when the eyes are closed. Conclusions: From a practical perspective, the contribution of the 17 physical-and-physiological variables monitored in this study to the prediction of balance performance is dreary; therefore, follow-up studies should explore other independent variables. Contribution/ Originality
This study is the first to evaluate the viability of using multiple combinations of physical-and-physiological variables to predict balance performance. The regression equations derived in this study can be used to estimate the balance performance of young adult males.
Factors Influencing Consumer Purchase Intention of "KU Phuphan Black-Bone Chicken Product" in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand : A Study Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Management and Sustainability
The purpose of this research was to study the factors influencing Thai consumers’ purchase intentions of KU Phuphan Black-bone Chicken product in Sakon Nakhon Province by using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). KU Phuphan black-bone chicken is the rare chicken breed which is completely black inside and out despite its white feathers, developed by Thai researchers in Sakon Nakhon province and now was widely known as the economic animal. It was discovered that many previous studies conducted to focus on the genetics and nutrition; however, there was a lack of research concerning the marketing and consumer aspects. The quantitative research approach was adopted in this study. The research data was gathered using a questionnaire designed from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Using a total sample of 400 respondents who have recognized KU Phuphan Black-bone chicken product, a survey was developed and conducted in Sakon Nakhon province, Thailand. The results revealed that all three factors influenced consumers’ purchase intention. Attitude toward behavior and subjective norm had positively influenced on purchase intention. Consumers who had higher purchase intention of KU Phuphan Black-bone chicken product had significant higher attitudes about buying the product. In addition, an influence of subjective norm factor like parents, peers and media also played an important role in considering purchasing the product. Meanwhile, perceived behavior control factor such as availability of product and place to buy least influenced on purchase intention. Findings provided by this study will be helpful for marketers of KU Phuphan Black-bone Chicken product and others relevant to this business for planning, adapting and improving theirs related marketing activities. Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies which have investigated the marketing and consumer perspectives of KU Phuphan Black-bone chicken, the economic rare breed developed by Thai researchers. The results can be applied for developing marketing strategies which will benefit agricultural scenes in Thailand for the better and sustainable.
In our schools and universities today, learners have been exposed to a lot of technology applications. Therefore, the natural order of learning could be enhanced by the use of games. Using games through the application of technology provides the learner with lots of hands-on activities. Game-based learning activities are highly engaging and it helps the student learner to find ways of solving problems by various means. Using technology game-based learning devices give the learner also immediate feedback of a skill obtained or mastered. Educationally game-based learning is designed with the purpose of helping the learner to interact within an organizational experience by learning skills and knowledge to improve literacy. Educationally game-based learning is just another way to incorporate learning through the instructional process facilitated by teachers. Teachers must continue to seek ways to address how learners learn best. By using game related activities, the teacher has the opportunity to add value to a variety of instructional enhancers. With the effort of improving literacy across disciplines, teachers can use game-based devices to motivate and engage student learners more in their own learning. Students are motivated to learn and to be engaged in their work when the work has meaning, relevancy and is linked to real-world application. Contribution/ Originality
Visitors are aware towards touristic goods and service prices and take cost of tourism package involving touristic goods and services into consideration in decision of choosing destination. Addressing cost of touristic goods and service package with destination choice and touristic demand made price competition a current issue in tourism. The destination that has comparative price advantage among alternative destinations is accepted as having high tourism price competition power. In this scope the first aim of our study is to develop a method that can make tourism package price comparison in rival national destinations. The second aim on the other hand depending upon the first aim is to form price competition towards alternative national destinations. In this scope basing on Household Budget Study of Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), tourism package prices of the most important 4 destinations of Turkey were compared and price competition index was calculated. Contribution/ Originality
The present study investigates the hidden experiences of students in the doctoral programs. This qualitative study was performed using the phenomenological method. The data were collected through the interview. The population consists of PhD graduates whose study period had passed. Using normal purposeful sampling, 45 graduates were interviewed. Strauss and Corbin method of data analysis was used for the analysis. 252 thematic phrases were divided to the five main themes: "The lack of cross-border communications", "failure in doing the main task", "lack of social justice", "lack of economic justice", "non-equality of universities" and "lack of equal opportunities". Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies which have investigated the experiences that PhD students acquire in universities while passing research courses and conducted by authors.
A novel Channel Estimation (CE) approach in multi-carrier wireless communication systems, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system and Code Division Multiple access (CDMA) via a combination of Local Search (LS) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed in this study. The CE is vital towards overcoming the effect of channel fading, which causes the degradation of the Bit Error Rate (BER) and the jamming of pilot symbols. The CE expressions were derived as an objective function to study the effect of improving BER in MC-CDMA/OFDM for a frequency selective Rayleigh fading environment. The number of particles for each single swarm was used to determine the best fitness solution, and is being computed from an average BER value. The proposed channel estimator was tested under the fast fading channel in a multi carrier communication system with and without interpolation methods. The simulation showed that the proposed CE of the MIMO-OFDM system can significantly result in better BER performance compared with other techniques at different modulation types, mean square error (MSE), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) values, and channel lengths. Contribution/ Originality
This study originates new formula for modify local search and particle swarm optimization algorithm LS-PSO.
Contribution of Meat towards Nutritional Security - An Analysis through Consumption of Different Food Items among Meat and Non-Meat Consumers in Karnataka
Human diet and nutritional status have undergone a sequence of major shifts, stated as the nutrition transition. The present study was conducted to explore the contribution of meat towards nutritional security among rural, semi-urban and urban households in Karnataka with the sample size of 90 meat eating respondents and 30 non-meat eating respondents. Conventional analyses like mean and percentages were used for the present study. Apart from these analyses, the calorie and protein intake based on the respondent’s intake of food items of plant source, non-meat animal source and meat animal sources was worked out and discussed. As a whole, calorie and protein intake per consumption unit per day was found high in urban area followed by semi-urban area and awareness on calorie and protein intake among rural area in Karnataka was proposed. Contribution/ Originality
The study contributed the per capita consumption level of meat towards nutritional security in terms of calorie and protein intake at rural, semi-urban and urban households. Also conveyed the importance of meat consumption among children and senior citizens about the balanced nutrition including meat consumption to meet the recommended dietary intake of protein and calorie.
This study analyzed the determinants of farmer’s use of land reclamation practices in oil producing areas of Imo State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained with structured questionnaire from 172 food crop farmers selected through multistage sampling procedure. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the level of use of land reclamation practices, while inferential statistical technique (logit model) was used to estimate the determinants of farmers ‘use of land reclamation practice. Results showed low level of use of land reclamation practices (x =1.5) among the farmers, and land filling was better practiced than other land reclamation practices. Determinants of farmers ‘use of land reclamation practices were level of education, farm size, extension contact, annual farm income, social organization membership, availability of land reclamation technology, and access to information. In order for land reclamation practices to mitigate the land degradation and soil fertility loss experienced in the oil producing areas of Imo State, government should adequately motivate the extension personnel to follow-up the use of the introduced land reclamation practices by the farmers. Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes in the existing literature on determinants of farmers’ use of land reclamation practices using multivariate logistics analysis. The paper’s primary contribution is finding that education, farm size, extension, farm income, social organization membership, availability of technology and access to information significantly determined farmers’ use of land reclamation practices.
Abstract