Social Sciences & Humanities

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Microscopy and outpatient malaria case managementamong older children and adults in Kenya
(Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com), 2006-04) Zurovac, D; Midia, B; Ochola, S . A; English, M; Snow, R. W
To evaluate the accuracy of routine malaria microscopy, and appropriate use andinterpretation of malaria slides under operational conditions in Kenya.methods Cross-sectional survey, using a range of quality of care assessment tools, at governmentfacilities with malaria microscopy in two Kenyan districts of different intensity of malaria transmission.All patients older than 5 years presenting to outpatient departments were enrolled. Two expertmicroscopists assessed the accuracy of the routine malaria slide results.results We analysed 359 consultations performed by 31 clinicians at 17 facilities. Clinical assessmentwas suboptimal. Blood slide microscopy was performed for 72.7% of patients, who represented 78.5%of febrile patients and 51.3% of afebrile patients. About 95.5% of patients with a positive malariamicroscopy result and 79.3% of patients with a negative result received antimalarial treatment.Sulphadoxine–pyremethamine monotherapy was more commonly prescribed for patients with anegative test result (60.7%) than for patients with a positive result (32.4%). Conversely, amodiaquine orquinine were prescribed for only 14.7% of patients with a negative malaria microscopy result comparedto 57.7% of patients with a positive result. The prevalence of confirmed malaria was low in both high(10.0%) and low-(16.3%) transmission settings. Combining data from both settings, the sensitivity ofroutine microscopy was 68.6%; its specificity, 61.5%; its positive predictive value, 21.6% and itsnegative predictive value, 92.7%.conclusions The potential benefits of microscopy are currently not realised because of the poor qualityof routine testing and irrational clinical practices. Ambiguous clinical guidelines permitting treatment ofolder children and adults with a negative blood slide also undermine rational use of antimalarial drugs
Capacity Development for smallholder Irrigation in Kenya
(Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com), 2008-05) Mati, Bancy M.
This paper presents the experiences on capacity development for irrigation in Kenya, drawing from a study of sevensmallholder irrigation schemes, namely: New Mutaro, Emening, Mitunguu, Ng’uuru Gakirwe, Lari, Mukuria-Kyambogo and Isiolo River Water Users Association. These schemes were selected for their apparent success inirrigation management, sustainability and poverty reduction among the beneficiaries. Although the seven schemeshad diverse innovations and enterprises, common drivers of success were identified as: (i) introduction of newknowledge/technology, (ii) availability of markets, (iii) good governance structures, (iv) funding for infras tructuredevelopment, and (v) targeted capacity development. It was also found that initial investment costs for smallholderirrigation schemes ranged from about US $198 to $1744 per ha, which is much lower than reported for large publicschemes. Generally, all the schemes had recorded im proved food security and incomes, with net earnings rangingfrom US $200 to $1200 per month for single-crop ente rprises. Capacity development had played a major role in thepositive performance of the schemes. However, the respective schemes had experienced different modes ofcapacity building, which included government extension services, NGOs, private sector, research institutes,out-grower support schemes and farmer-to-farmer learning. This paper focuses on the role of capacity develop-ment. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The Extent of Students’ Initiation of Ideas in The Classroom
(University Of Port Harcourt, 2012-02-01) Dr Oranu Chika, Philomena
This study sought to identify the extent of students’ initiation of ideas in the classroom using three classroom interaction techniques. All senior secondary schools in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria constituted the population. One research question guided the study. One hypothesis was tested and analysed using chi square statistics. The population is made up of 10,983 students 496 teachers. The sample is made up of 1098 students and 12 teachers. SS1 and SS11 students in three public participated in the study. Six classroom were used; three in SS1 and three in SS11 respectively. Six teachers taught SS1 and six teachers taught SS11 using a technique (Flanders, IRE, and Teaching Cycles). Twelve lessons were recorded on a cassette, transcribed, coded and analysed. Flanders category was the observational instrument. Test- retest method was used to establish the reliability of the instrument at 0.87 co-efficient. The result showed students’ initiation ideas in the classroom is not contingent on classroom technique used. The extent of students’ initiation of ideas in the classroom is very minimal therefore teacher should go extra step to encourage voluntary verbal contribution by the students’ in every classroom. This makes them more critical and reflective in weighing life challenges.
The Effects of Communication Efficacy on Information-Seeking Following Events That Increase Uncertainty: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis
(Published Online, 2012-05) Jang, Su Ahn; Tian, Yan
This study examined how past information-seeking experience influences individuals’ information-seeking decision process following an event that increases uncertainty in close relationships. To examine this issue, a two-wave, cross-lagged, panel-design study was conducted, and outcome expectancy, communication efficacy, and information-seeking were measured at each time. Analyses revealed that communication efficacy mediates the link between outcome expectancies and information-seeking under the conditions of uncertainty. The results also suggest that communication efficacy and information-seeking impact each other cyclically. The findings of this research suggest that scholars should focus on people's information-seeking experience and communication efficacy when examining information-seeking following events that increase uncertainty in close relationships.
Adapting Communities That Care in Urban Aboriginal Communities in British Columbia: An Interim Evaluation
(Sociology Mind, 2013-03-02) Stubley, Tammy; Margolin, Indrani; Rojas, Marcela
A considerable amount of research has been conducted on Aboriginal mental health and health promotion. However, implementation and impacts of culturally relevant health promotion strategies have not been equally addressed. This article provides an interim evaluation of Connecting the Dots, an innovative pro-ject designed to support and promote the mental health of Aboriginal youth and families in urban areas in British Columbia. Connecting the Dots adapted the Communities that Care (CTC) model, a prevention planning program promoting positive youth development and reducing risk factors that predict youth’s future involvement in problem behaviors. This article devotes specific attention to the necessitated adap-tations of the CTC model to promote cultural relevancy in urban Aboriginal communities. Evaluation findings suggest that Aboriginal communities can successfully adopt mainstream evidence-based pro-gramming, provided that programs permit adaptations to meet the communities’ needs. For urban Abo-riginal communities, programs must be re-conceptualized so that the linear, western delivery model is transformed to a holistic and circular implementation approach congruent with Aboriginal worldviews. In the Connecting the Dots project, inclusion of traditional Aboriginal practices and key Aboriginal repre-sentatives were among the most well received model adaptations. Evaluation participants reported that the adaptations made to the CTC framework have been critical to sustainability.
Economic and Cultural Peripheralization in the Eurozone
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2013-11-22) Paolilli, Antonio Luigi
Copyright © 2014 Antonio Luigi Paolilli. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. In accordance of the Creative Commons Attribution License all Copyrights © 2014 are reserved for SCIRP and the owner of the intellectual property Antonio Luigi Paolilli. All Copyright © 2014 are guarded by law and by SCIRP as a guardian. In this paper, we will discuss the reasonableness of the decision by Italy and other southern and western EU states to become members of the eurozone. We will also discuss whether this economic choice can be socially and culturally sustainable in a Europe characterized by cultures which, despite their shared sub- stratum, are in competition with each other.
The Construction and Standardization of a Domestic Violence Questionnaire
(Scientific Research, 2014-01) Abolmaali, Khadijeh; Saberi, Hayedeh; Saber, Sousan
The purpose of this research was to standardize the self-reported domestic violence scale. 530 participants were randomly selected via clustered sampling methods from married students of The Islamic Azad University of district 8 in Iran. According to this scale, a total score was measured for domestic violence and also, based on exploratory factor analysis, 2 scores were measured for two dimensions of domestic violence, and these dimensions are: 1) Psycho-physical violence, 2) Control violence (sexual, economic, coercive violence). The reliability of this test was measured with internal consistency (α = 0.915) and the test retest method (r = 0.987). The criterion validity of this scale was significant and this scale had a significant relationship with the quality of marital life test. This scale can be used by psychologists and researchers for diagnostic assessment, intervening programs and identification of domestic violence dimensions.
Clocks, Watches and Timepieces: The Ace Bio-Political Tools
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2014-03-04) Butola, Balbir Singh
“...it’s my hypothesis that the individual is not a pre-given entity which is seized on by the exercise of power. The individual, with his identity and characteristics, is the product of a relation of power exercised over bodies, multiplicities, movements, desires, forces.” Michel Foucault. All relations are power relations. The sources of power vary from divine (supernatural) to mundane. Every age remains obsessed with its own power relations. Scholars believe that the post-enlightenment age is obsessed with two main sources of power. The Marxists are obsessed with economic (material) power articulated through class domination in the form of relations of production and forces of production. The liberals are obsessed with the existence of power centres articulated through certain institutions, which in turn play a significant role in generating legitimacy to the state. Foucault, while disagreeing with these formulations, believed that the enlightenment movement brought in a major paradigm shift in the then existing power relations. Thereafter, the paradigm “Power is knowledge” was replaced by “Knowledge is power”. Foucault believed that, “Knowledge is not for knowing, knowledge is for cutting”. Cutting means constructing not only the narratives and discourses but also the reality itself. But, unlike the Marxists and the Liberals Foucault did not emphasised on the macro attributes like economic structure and state. For him the micro attributes (capillary, subterrain) of power were more important than the macro. Meaning thereby, the centre or focal point of power are less significant as compared to the “power at its’ extremities, in its ultimate destinations, with those points where it becomes capillary, that is, in its more regional and local forms and institutions”. Clocks, watches and time-pieces are some of these capillary powers that have become the ace tools in the age of bio-politics in controlling the life and its processes.
English Language Learning Strategies of Malaysian Secondary School Students: Implication for Inter-Cultural Communication
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2014-03-21) Babikkoi, Mallam Adamu; Razak1, Binti Abdul; Zainab, Noor
English is unquestionably the contemporary language of science, technology, commerce, intercultural communication and scholarship. It is consists of accomplished growing importance in the world. Consequently, in Malaysia concerned parents, researchers, scientists and instructors that know the inevitable impact English language possess over the academic and socio-economic progress of the students clamour for English proficiency. In Malaysia, English is not only the second language in importance but also a school and college subject, and language of instruction of science and mathematics. Interestingly, ESL/EFL studies nowadays are devoted to finding out techniques employed by learners. It is against this backdrop that this study was carried out to discover strategy use among ESL students in Malaysian secondary schools to look further at the implication of their strategy use with regards to inter-cultural communication. Oxford’s SILL Questionnaire was administered to 180 secondary school students and SPSS 7.0 version was used for analysis. Findings reveal the dominance of indirect learning techniques, meaning high anxiety, dependence heavily on peers and teachers to learn English and fewer practice of the oral language. The study recommends the teaching of learning techniques to students and positive exploitation of core-curricular activities that will create and sustain constant practicing of English language among students to facilitate inter-cultural communication.
Additive Property and the Physical Reducibility of the Mind
(Scientific Research, 2014-05) Hyun, Kwangho
It is controversial whether the mind is physically reducible or not. If the mind is physically reducible, it must share properties with the physical world. To find out how the mind can be characterized, an “additive property” is used to describe the mind. The additive property is shown where many causes result in one effect. The additive property is shown in the biological domain when the senses process received input. It is also shown in the intellectual activities of daily life. In the physical world, there is no cause without an effect. The additive property of events is not satisfied in physical domain. If the mind is physically reducible, the additive property of the mind should not be satisfied. Because the additive property is shown in the mind, the mind cannot be physically reduced in terms of relationships of cause and effects.
Is the World Objective?
(Scientific Research, 2014-05) Sabbadini, Shantena Augusto
The assumption of an objective world underlying all our experiences is deeply embedded in our everyday thinking and in our language, and has been an unquestioned presupposition of the scientific enterprise for at least four centuries. Yet it is well known that quantum physics raises some highly problematic questions in this respect, questions that are still open, almost a century from the inception of the theory. I would like to propose that these questions stem from deep philosophical assumptions and can be answered in a much more coherent way if we understand the notion of an objective world not as a primary reality, but as an emergent aspect of a primary process that can be described as “experiencing”. A coherent description of the appearance of an objective world in the process of experiencing relies on a certain understanding of what is technically known as the “quantum measurement problem”, i.e. the description of the process of observation in quantum physics, which is the key problematic aspect of the theory. I will propose that the basic features that characterize a quantum observation have a much wider scope, and describe in fact all acquisition of information by an “embodied observer”, in short all experiencing happening in the world. By applying to this larger context work I have done in the more technical frame of the quantum measurement problem it can be shown that the nature of the process of experiencing is such as to inevitably generate the appearance of an objective world. Thus the objectivity of the world, although not primary and ultimately real, is an intrinsic consequence of our “experiential embodiment”, i.e. of the fact that we are in the world and all our experiences correspond to physical happenings in the world. When examined in this perspective, the “paradoxes” of quantum physics are an invitation to abandon the metaphysical assumption of the primacy of the objective dimension of reality. A philosophical position much more in tune with quantum physics views the process of experiencing as the primary source of both subject and object, consciousness and world.
Everyone Vegetarian, World Enriching
(Scientific Research, 2014-05) Wu, John Y.
This essay advocates global vegetarian diet. Firstly, seven personal health benefits and four global benefits of vegetarian dinners are specified to enrich the entire globe, and then, secondly, I explore concretely how to overcome internal hurdle and external hurdle, so as to effectively propagate vegetarian dinners throughout the world. Everyone wins, including animals!
Hand-Washing Global
(Scientific Research, 2014-08) Wu, John Y.
By the practical nature of the case, here is no theoretical argument but pragmatic reasoning for washing hands, with scientific evidence of hand-washing flushing out diseases into a sanitary condition globally. All facts found show some people surviving long without hand-washing, not denying healthful hand-washing, spreading health. Hand-washing remains a medium simplest most efficacious for global health. Thus this essay delivers an important message of global health by routine hand-washing, in four sections. 1) It describes what is hand washing (Section 2). 2) How to wash hands is concretely specified (Section 3). 3) Exceptions are responded to (Section 4). 4) How pivotal such an easy practice of hand washing is to global health is elucidated, to clinch the whole crucial issue at stake worldwide (Section 5).
Philosophy of Education: A Tool for National Development?
(Scientific Research, 2014-08) Abiogu, Godwin
This paper is an exposition on the theoretical and practical relevance of educational philosophy to national development. It postulated that philosophical ideas have been responsible for shaping the development of societies through the channels of education. Contextually, the concepts of “education”, “philosophy”, and the nexus between philosophy and philosophy of education were articulated. The term “development” was analyzed. The paper examined philosophy of education as a tool in the development of the nation from the perspective of men’s capacity to think more critically and reflectively. Seen also from men’s pursuit for wisdom, the good life, educational policy formulation and the intellectual development of the teacher and the learner in their educational practice, relevant implications and recommendations were proffered based at the end of the paper.
Public Sector and Corruption in Nigeria: An Ethical and Institutional Framework of Analysis
(Scientific Research, 2014-08) Casimir, K. C. Ani; Izueke, E. M.; Nzekwe, I. F.
The paper examines the imperatives of good ethical conduct in the conduct of government business in Nigeria. As government business grows in complexity with the adoption of technological innovations in government, governance in Nigeria’s public sector becomes more problematic and ethically tasking as a result of endemic corruption. An evaluation of the collapse of institutional measures and codes of conduct puts in place to ensure high standard of behavior, using institutional theory suggests that moral contradictions in institutional behavior expectation from the public deepen daily. The perceived lack of an effective ethical organizational framework to coordinate the activities of various institutions has astronomically worsened unethical practices such as corruption in the Nigerian public service. The paper recommends a more realistic African traditional approach to ethical restraint of public servants from indulging in corrupt behavior by subjecting them to customary oath taking based upon the theistic values of fear of sin against mother earth (Ani Casimir, 2009), (a departure from the western style, which sees public service as no man’s business: Ekene, 2012). These core African values that emanate from theistic humanism should also permeate the various anti-corruption organizational frameworks in Nigeria to coordinate the national fight against corruption in the public sector. The behavioral and errant departure of civil servants and Nigeria’s public service from the core human values that ensure transparent private and public conduct of individuals have resulted in underperformance and underdevelopment. It is perceived furthermore that this lack of public service commitment to human values which would have enabled them to consider others above selfish interests, fear divine retribution, dishonor of a good family name, distaste for greed and stealing of public good has weakened the fight against corruption and turned it into a pedantic and cosmetic exercise without results. Therefore, unethical practices and the systemic abandonment of core African human values by the Nigerian public servants oil the wheel of public sector corruption in Nigeria.
Why the Bible Cannot and Should Not Be Taken Literally
(Scientific Research, 2014-08) Firestone, Randall S.
This paper argues that there are at least five reasons why the claim that the Bible is to be taken literally defies logic or otherwise makes no sense, and why literalists are in no position to claim that they have the only correct view of biblical teachings. First, many words are imprecise and therefore require interpretation, especially to fill in gaps between general words and their application to specific situations. Second, if you are reading an English version of the Bible you are already dealing with the interpretations of the translator since the earliest Bibles were written in other languages. Third, biblical rules have exceptions, and those exceptions are often not explicitly set forth. Fourth, many of the Bible’s stories defy logic and our experiences of the world. Fifth, there are sometimes two contrary versions of the same event, so if we take one literally then we cannot take the second one literally. In each of these five cases, there is no literal reading to be found. Furthermore, this paper sets forth three additional reasons why such a literalist claim probably should not be made even if it did not defy logic to make such a claim. These include The Scientific Argument: the Bible contradicts modern science; The Historical Argument: the Bible is historically inaccurate; and The Moral Argument: the Bible violates contemporary moral standards.
“Do Not Weep” (Luke 7: 13): In the Footstep of the Compassionate Jesus
(Scientific Research, 2014-08) Obiorah, Mary Jerome
The divine image, which every human being bears as a result of God’s benevolence at creation, attracts us to the Divine. Human beings are religious by nature and in order to fully realise themselves as humans they have to be and live out the divine qualities instilled in each of them by the Creator. The opposite is often the case when human actions are critically evaluated. One of the divine qualities, which we ought to acquire and practice in order to enhance good human relationship, is compassion. This singular divine feature characterised Jesus earthly ministry in words and deeds. In this paper, the writer focuses on an episode in the life of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke 7: 11-17. Jesus had compassion on the widow who lost her only son; he consoled and restored her son back to her. In following Jesus’ footsteps we can make our world better and be able to bear and live with others.
The Relative Effects of Logistics, Coordination and Human Resource on Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Mission Performance
(University of Malaya, 2014-10) Idris, Aida; Che Soh, Saiful Nizam
Most studies on humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) missions suggest that the quality of logistics, coordination and human resource management will affect their performance. However, studies in developing countries are mainly conceptual and lack the necessary empirical evidence to support these contentions. The current paper thereby aimed to fill this knowledge gap by statistically examining the effects of the abovementioned factors on such missions. Focusing on the Malaysian army due to its extensive experience in HADR operations, the paper opted for a quantitative approach to allow for a more objective analysis of the issues. The results show that there are other potential determinants of mission success which deserve due attention in future studies. They also suggest that human resource is not easily measured as a construct, and that this limitation in methodology must be overcome to derive more accurate conclusions regarding its effect on HADR mission performance
Development of Teachers’ Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching by Using the Innovation of Lesson Study and Open Approach
(Scientific Research, 2014-10) Sudejamnong, Anake; Robsouk, Kittipot; Loipha, Suladda; Inprasitha, Maitree
This research was under context of professional development for mathematics teacher by using the innovation of lesson study and open approach project implemented by the Center for Research in Mathematics Education, Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University, during 2009-2011 academic years. The objective of this research was to study the development of mathematical knowledge for teaching of teacher from working based on 3 steps of the lesson study cycle that incorporated 4 phases of open approach. The target groups were a lesson study team in a project school. Data were collected from 3 steps of lesson study and analysis procedures were based on analyzing videos, protocols, and descriptive analysis. The research found that the teachers obtained development as follows: 1) during the step of collaboratively design research lesson, they discussed and shared knowledge in the mathematical textbooks of project, discussion in objective of the lesson and construction of open-ended problem situation, anticipation for students’ thinking, and specification of issues for discussion in classroom; 2) in the step of teaching and collaboratively observing the research lesson, they obtained knowledge for teaching by presenting the open-ended problem situation, the occurred difficulty of students’ problem solving, the students’ thinking approach in problem solving, the association of approach in each learning unit, the sequencing of thinking, and the extension of students’ incomplete thinking approach; and 3) during the step of collaboratively reflection on teaching practice, teachers obtained knowledge by reflecting the students’ goal accomplishment, the students’ learning process, the students’ thinking approach, the efficiency of media, and the experts’ recommendations.
The Influence of Visual Distraction on Awareness Test
(Scientific Research, 2014-10) Yen-Ting Lo, Rachel; Suen, Mein-Woei
In everyday situation, there are so many events happening around our lives. Although human beings are capable of perceiving many events happening at the same time, it is not possible for individuals to pay attention to every little detail that they face in this complex environment. In this study, the effect of visual distraction on awareness test was evaluated. The hypothesis was that the presence of visual distraction via laser lights will lower the score on awareness test, whereas a higher score on awareness test would occur when laser lights were absent. The study evaluated 3 male and 14 female university undergraduate students’ performance on awareness test and predicted that their performance would be affected by distractions. In the end, data analysis obtained a supportive result to the hypothesis. The study brought up more significant issues between distraction and awareness which also drew more interests for researchers in different fields.

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