Abstract: Pressures for urban redevelopment are intensifying in
all large cities. A new logic for urban development is required –
green urbanism – that provides a spatial framework for directing
population and investment inwards to brownfields and greyfields
precincts, rather than outwards to the greenfields. This represents
both a major opportunity and a major challenge for city planners in
pluralist liberal democracies. However, plans for more compact
forms of urban redevelopment are stalling in the face of community
resistance. A new paradigm and spatial planning platform is required
that will support timely multi-level and multi-actor stakeholder
engagement, resulting in the emergence of consensus plans for
precinct-level urban regeneration capable of more rapid
implementation. Using Melbourne, Australia as a case study, this
paper addresses two of the urban intervention challenges – where and
how – via the application of a 21st century planning tool ENVISION
created for this purpose.
Abstract: The Yasuj city stream named the Beshar supply
water for different usages such as aquaculture farms , drinking,
agricultural and industrial usages. Fish processing plants
,Agricultural farms, waste water of industrial zones and hospitals
waste water which they are generate by human activity produce a
considerable volume of effluent and when they are released in to the
stream they can effect on the water quality and down stream aquatic
systems. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of outflow
effluent from different human activity and point and non point
pollution sources on the water quality and health of the Beshar
river next to Yasuj. Yasuj is the biggest and most important city in
the Kohkiloye and Boyerahmad province . The Beshar River is one
of the most important aquatic ecosystems in the upstream of the
Karun watershed in south of Iran which is affected by point and non
point pollutant sources . This study was done in order to evaluate the
effects of human activities on the water quality and health of the
Beshar river. This river is approximately 190 km in length and
situated at the geographical positions of 51° 20' to 51° 48' E and 30°
18' to 30° 52' N it is one of the most important aquatic ecosystems of
Kohkiloye and Boyerahmad province in south-west Iran. In this
research project, five study stations were selected to examine water
pollution in the Beshar River systems. Human activity is now one of
the most important factors affecting on hydrology and water quality
of the Beshar river. Humans use large amounts of resources to sustain
various standards of living, although measures of sustainability are
highly variable depending on how sustainability is defined. The
Beshar river ecosystems are particularly sensitive and vulnerable to
human activities. The water samples were analyzed, then some
important water quality parameters such as pH, dissolve oxygen
(DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen
Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TDS),Turbidity,
Temperature, Nitrates (NO3) and Phosphates (PO4) were estimated
at the two stations. The results show a downward trend in the water
quality at the down stream of the city. The amounts of
BOD5,COD,TSS,T,Turbidity, NO3 and PO4 in the down stream
stations were considerably more than the station 1. By contrast the
amounts of DO in the down stream stations were less than to the
station 1. However when effluent discharge consequence of human
activities are released into the Beshar river near the city, the quality
of river are decreases and the environmental problems of the river
during the next years are predicted to rise.
Abstract: The Post colonial society in India has witnessed the turmoil to come out from the widespread control and influence of colonialism. The socio-cultural life of a society with all its dynamics is reflected in realistic forms of literature. The social events and human experience are drawn into a new creative form and are given to the reader as a new understanding and perspective of life. It enables the reader to understand the essence of life and motivates him to prepare for a positive change. After India becoming free from the colonial rule in 1947, systematic efforts were made by central and state governments and institutions to limit the role of English and simultaneously enlarge the function of Indian languages by planning in a strategic manner. The eighteen languages recognized as national languages are having very rich literatures. Telugu language is one among the Dravidian language family and is widely spoken by a majority of people. The post colonial socio-cultural factors were very well reflected in Telugu literature. The anti-colonial, reform oriented, progressive, post modernistic trends in Telugu literature are nothing but creative reflections of the post colonial society. This paper examines the major socio-cultural reflections in Telugu literature of the post colonial period.
Abstract: The concept of housing affordability is a contested
issue, but a pressing and widespread problem for many countries.
Simple ratio measures based on housing expenditure and income are
habitually used to defined and assess housing affordability. However,
conceptualising and measuring affordability in this manner focuses
only on financial attributes and fails to deal with wider issues such as
housing quality, location and access to services and facilities.
The research is based on the notion that the housing affordability
problem encompasses more than the financial costs of housing and a
households ability to meet such costs and must address larger issues
such as social and environmental sustainability and the welfare of
households. Therefore, the need arises for a broad and more
encompassing set of attributes by which housing affordability can be
assessed. This paper presents a system of criteria by which the
affordability of different housing locations could be assessed in a
comprehensive and sustainable manner. Moreover, the paper explores
the way in which such criteria could be measured.
Abstract: Overall, the findings of the present study suggest that
teachers have low to moderate levels of professionalisation, high
level of career identity and moderate levels of career resilience, and
career planning. From the T-tests and F-tests conducted, it was found
that gender has a significant impact on career identity whereas age
and marital status have significant impact on career planning and also
on career identity. The results indicate that there is a higher
possibility of male teachers to leave the teaching profession than the
female teachers. The result of the T-test on career identity in relation
to gender supports this deduction in which female teachers have
significantly higher career identity than their male counterparts.
Marital status was also found to have a significant impact on career
identity.
Abstract: As the latest advancement and trend in IT field, Green
& Smart IT has attracted more and more attentions from researchers.
This study focuses on the development of assessing tools which can be
used for evaluating Green & Smart IT level within an organization. In
order to achieve meaningful results, a comprehensive review of
relevant literature was performed in advance, then, Delphi survey and
other processes were also employed to develop the assessment tools
for Green & Smart IT level. Two rounds of Delphi questionnaire
survey were conducted with 20 IT experts in public sector. The results
reveal that the top five weighted KPIs to evaluate maturity of Green &
Smart IT were: (1) electronic execution of business process; (2)
shutdown of unused IT devices; (3) virtualization of severs; (4)
automation of constant temperature and humidity; and (5) introduction
of smart-work system. Finally, these tools were applied to case study
of a public research institute in Korea. The findings presented in this
study provide organizations with useful implications for the
introduction and promotion of Green & Smart IT in the future
Abstract: This study discusses the stumbling blocks stifling the
adoption of GPS technology in the public sector of Pakistan. This
study has been carried out in order to describe the value of GPS
technology and its adoption at various public sector organisations in
Pakistan. Sample size for the research conducted was 200; personnel
working in public sector having age above 29 years were surveyed.
Data collected for this research has been quantitatively analysed with
the help of SPSS. Regression analysis, correlation and cross
tabulation were the techniques used to determine the strength of
relationship between key variables. Findings of this research indicate
that main hurdles in GPS adoption in the public sector of Pakistan are
lack of awareness about GPS among masses in general and the
stakeholders in particular, lack of initiative on part of government in
promoting new technologies, unavailability of GPS infrastructure in
Pakistan and prohibitions on map availability because of security
reasons.
Abstract: This study compared socio-economic status attainment between the Muslim and Santal couples in rural Bangladesh. For this we hypothesized that socio-economic status attainment (occupation, education and income) of the Muslim couples was higher than the Santal ones in rural Bangladesh. In order to examine the hypothesis 288 couples (145 couples for Muslim and 143 couples for Santal) selected by cluster random sampling from Kalna village, Bangladesh were individually interviewed with semistructured questionnaire method. The results of Pearson Chi-Squire test suggest that there were significant differences in socio-economic status attainment between the two communities- couples. In addition, Pearson correlation coefficients also suggest that there were significant associations between the socio-economic statuses attained by the two communities- couples in rural Bangladesh. Further crosscultural study should conduct on how inter-community relations in rural social structure of Bangladesh influence the differences among the couples- socio-economic status attainment
Abstract: Cities denote instantaneously a challenge and an
opportunity for climate change policy. Cities are the place where
most energy services are needed because urbanization is closely
linked to high population densities and concentration of economic
activities and production (Urban energy demand). Consequently, it is
critical to explain about the role of cities within the world-s energy
systems and its correlation with the climate change issue. With more
than half of the world-s population already living in urban areas, and
that percentage expected to rise to 75 per cent by 2050, it is clear that
the path to sustainable development must pass through cities. Cities
expanding in size and population pose increased challenges to the
environment, of which energy is part as a natural resource, and to the
quality of life. Nowadays, most cities have already understood the
importance of sustainability, both at their local scale as in terms of
their contribution to sustainability at higher geographical scales. It
requires the perception of a city as a complex and dynamic
ecosystem, an open system, or cluster of systems, where the energy
as well as the other natural resources is transformed to satisfy the
needs of the different urban activities. In fact, buildings and
transportation generally represent most of cities direct energy
demand, i.e., between 60 per cent and 80 per cent of the overall
consumption. Buildings, both residential and services are usually
influenced by the local physical and social conditions. In terms of
transport, the energy demand is also strongly linked with the specific
characteristics of a city (urban mobility).The concept of a “smart
city" builds on statistics as seven key axes of a city-s success in
moving towards common platform (brain nerve)of sustainable urban
energy systems.
With the aforesaid knowledge, the authors have suggested a frame
work to role of cities, as energy actors for smart city management.
The authors have discusses the potential elements needed for energy
in smart cities and also identified potential energy actions and
relevant barriers. Furthermore, three levels of city smartness in cities
actions to overcome market /institutional failures with a local
approach are distinguished. The authors have made an attempt to
conceive and implement concepts of city smartness by adopting the
city or local government as nerve center through an integrated
planning approach. Finally, concluding with recommendations for
the organization of the Smart Sustainable Cities for positive changes
of urban India.
Abstract: Healthcare providers sometimes use the power of
humor as a treatment and therapy for buffering mental health or easing
mental disorders because humor can provide relief from distress and
conflict. Humor is also very suitable for advertising because of similar
benefits. This study carefully examines humor's widespread use in
advertising and identifies relationships among humor mechanisms,
female depictions, and product types. The purpose is to conceptualize
how humor theories can be used not only to successfully define a
product as fitting within one of four color categories of the product
color matrix, but also to identify compelling contemporary female
depictions through humor in ads. The results can offer an idealization
for marketing managers and consumers to help them understand how
female role depictions can be effectively used with humor in ads. The
four propositions developed herein are derived from related literature,
through the identification of marketing strategy formulations that
achieve product memory enhancement by adopting humor
mechanisms properly matched with female role depictions.
Abstract: Previous researches found that conventional WBL is effective for meaningful learner, because rote learner learn by repeating without thinking or trying to understand. It is impossible to have full benefit from conventional WBL. Understanding of rote learner-s intention and what influences it becomes important. Poorly designed user interface will discourage rote learner-s cultivation and intention to use WBL. Thus, user interface design is an important factor especially when WBL is used as comprehensive replacement of conventional teaching. This research proposes the influencing factors that can enhance learner-s intention to use the system. The enhanced TAM is used for evaluating the proposed factors. The research result points out that factors influencing rote learner-s intention are Perceived Usefulness of Homepage Content Structure, Perceived User Friendly Interface, Perceived Hedonic Component, and Perceived (homepage) Visual Attractiveness.
Abstract: Pregnancy is considered a special period in a woman’s life. There are myths about pregnancy that describe gender predictions, dietary beliefs, pregnancy signs, and risk of magic or witchcraft. Majority of these myths is in connection with the early childcare. In traditional societies midwives and experienced women practice and teach these myths to young mothers. Mother who feel special and vulnerable, at the same time feel secure in following these socially transmitted myths. Rural Punjab, a province of Pakistan has a culture rich with beliefs and myths. Myths about pregnancy are significant in rural culture and pregnancy care is seen as mother and childcare. This paper presents my research reflections that I did as a part of my Ph.D studies about early childcare beliefs and rituals practiced in rural Punjab, Pakistan.
Abstract: Although a picture can be automatically a graphic
work, but especially in the field of graphics and images based on the
idea of advertising and graphic design will be prepared and
photographers to realize the design using his own knowledge and
skills to help does. It is evident that knowledge of photography,
photographer and designer of the facilities, fields of reaching a
higher level of quality offers. At the same time do not have a graphic
designer is also skilled photographer, but can execute your idea may
delegate to an expert photographer. Using technology and methods in
all fields of photography, graphic art may be applicable. But most of
its application in Iran, in works such as packaging, posters, Bill
Board, advertising, brochures and catalogs are. In this study, we
review how the images and techniques in the chart should be used in
Iranian graphic photo what impact has left. Using photography
techniques and procedures can be designed and helped advance the
goals graphic. Technique could not determine the idea. But what is
important to think about design and photography and his creativity
can flourish as a tool to be effective graphic designer in mind.
Computer software to help it's very promotes creativity techniques
shall graphic designer but also it is as a tool. Using images in various
fields, especially graphic arts and only because it is not being
documented, but applications are beautiful. As to his photographic
style from today is graphics. Graphic works try to affect impacts on
their audience. Hence the photo as an important factor is attention.
The other hand saw the man with the extent of forgiving and
understanding people's image, instead of using the word to your files,
allows large messages and concepts should be sent in the shortest
time. Posters, advertisements, brochures, catalog and packaging
products very diverse agricultural, industrial and food could not be
self-image. Today, the use of graphic images for a big score and the
photos to richen the role graphic design plays a major.
Abstract: Based on statistics released by Islamic Republic of
Iran Police (IRIP), from among the total 9555 motorcycle accidents
that happened in 2007, 857 riders died and 11219 one got injured. If
we also consider the death toll and injuries of other vehicles'
accidents resulted from traffic violation by motorcycle riders, then
paying attention to the motorcycle accidents seems to be very
necessary. Therefore, in this study we tried to investigate the traits
and issues related to production, application, and training, along with
causes of motorcycle accidents from 4 perspectives of road, human,
environment and vehicle and also based on statistical and
geographical analysis of accident-sheets prepared by Iran Road
Patrol Department (IRPD). Unfamiliarity of riders with regulations
and techniques of motorcycling, disuse of safety equipments,
inefficiency of roads and design of junctions for safe trafficking of
motorcycles and finally the lack of sufficient control of responsible
organizations are among the major causes which lead to these
accidents.
Abstract: The Taiwan Health Literacy Scale (THLS) was developed to cope with the need of measuring heath literacy of Chinese-speaking adults in Taiwan. Although the scale was proven having good reliability and validity, it was not popularly adopted by the practitioners due to the length, and the time required completing. Based on the THLS, this research further invited healthcare professionals to review the original scale for a possible shorten work. Under the logic of THLS, the research adopted an analytic hierarchy process technique to consolidate the healthcare experts- assessments to shorten the original scale. There are fifteen items out of the original 66 items were identified having higher loadings. Confirmed by the experts and passed a pilot test with 40 undergraduate students, a short form of THLS is then introduced. This research then used 839 samples from the major cities of the Hua-lien county in the eastern part of Taiwan to test the reliability and validity of this new scale. The reliability of the scale is high and acceptable. The current scale is also highly correlated with the original, of which provide evidence for the validity of the scale.
Abstract: This paper examines the role and the place of
transdisciplinarity in the urbanism of the 21st century, with the
emphasis on Montenegro urbanism. Global processes require a
systematic strategy and systemic synergistic engagement in the
development of cities in 21st centuries. Urbanism as a profession and
a discipline should be developed parallel and in correlation, based on
the principles of integrality and communication skills, in order to
enable development of the sustainable urban system. The importance
of integrated urbanism and other disciplines are also emphasized as
well as their synergies activities. The paper also presents the positive
examples of urban theory and practice in the world, which influenced
the direction of development of the modern urbanism.
Transdisciplinarity is a priority methodology for sustainable urban
development, which is insufficiently developed in Montenegro, but
there is a basis for its development. It is necessary to unite different
social sensibilities, academic and non-academic knowledge, as well
as the public and private sectors in order to develop holistic,
inclusive and sustainable urban spaces of the 21st centuries.
Abstract: We depend upon explanation in order to “make sense"
out of our world. And, making sense is all the more important when
dealing with change. But, what happens if our explanations are
wrong? This question is examined with respect to two types of
explanatory model. Models based on labels and categories we shall
refer to as “representations." More complex models involving
stories, multiple algorithms, rules of thumb, questions, ambiguity we
shall refer to as “compressions." Both compressions and
representations are reductions. But representations are far more
reductive than compressions. Representations can be treated as a set
of defined meanings – coherence with regard to a representation is
the degree of fidelity between the item in question and the definition
of the representation, of the label. By contrast, compressions contain
enough degrees of freedom and ambiguity to allow us to make
internal predictions so that we may determine our potential actions in
the possibility space. Compressions are explanatory via mechanism.
Representations are explanatory via category. Managers are often
confusing their evocation of a representation (category inclusion) as
the creation of a context of compression (description of mechanism).
When this type of explanatory error occurs, more errors follow. In
the drive for efficiency such substitutions are all too often proclaimed
– at the manager-s peril..
Abstract: The 9/11 suicide attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, triggered a number of security responses both in the United States of America and other Countries in the World. Kenya, which is an ally and a close partner to North America and Europe, was not left behind. While many states had been parties to numerous terrorism conventions, their response in implementing them had been slow and needed this catalyst. This special case offered a window of opportunity for many “security conscious" regimes in cementing their legal-criminological and political security apparatus. At the international level, the 9/11 case led to the hasty adoption of Security Council resolution 1373 in 2001, which called upon states to adopt wide-ranging and comprehensive steps and strategies to combat international terrorism and to become parties to the relevant international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism. Since then, Kenya has responded with speed in devising social-legal-criminological-political actions.
Abstract: Solidarity and kinship has long been an intangible
emblem to Malay community especially in the rural area. It is visibly
seen through the dependability among each unit of the community
either in religious and social events including the matrimonial or
wedding. Nevertheless, the inevitable phenomenon, modernization
legitimately alters every facets of human life not only the routines,
traditions, rituals, norms but also to the daily activities and the
specific occasion. Using triangulation approach of interview and self
completed questionnaire this study empirically examine the level of
alteration of Malays wedding foodways which relate to the
preparation and consumption of it and its impact on the community
social bonding. Some meaningful insights were obtained whereby
modernization through technology (modern equipments) and social
factors (education, migration, and high disposal income) significantly
contribute to the alteration of wedding foodways from preparation up
to consumption stages. The domino effect of this alteration
consequently leads to the fragility of social kinship or somehow
reduced cohesiveness and interaction among the individual of Malay
society in the rural area.
Abstract: In the fifteenth century, the Malacca Empire emerged
as the centre of Islamic civilization in the Malay Archipelago. The
history had been recorded in Sulalat Al-Salatin, an important literary
source about the genealogy of all Kings in Malacca. The objective of
this study was to analyze the understanding of sayings from Prophet
Muhammad among Malays in Malacca during the fifteenth century
through all of the hadith quoted in Sulalat Al-Salatin. This study used
content analysis methodology to validate the sayings where all of
them were critically analyzed and compared with the classical hadith
sources from prominent Muslim scholars. As a result, only two out of
the four quotations were considered as authentic sayings of Prophet
Muhammad. This study also showed the importance of the palace as
the centre of the Islamic education system and the role played by
Muslim preachers from outside of Malacca to propagate Islam in
Malacca.