Abstract: Acoustical properties of speech have been shown to
be related to mental states of speaker with symptoms: depression
and remission. This paper describes way to address the issue of
distinguishing depressed patients from remitted subjects based on
measureable acoustics change of their spoken sound. The vocal-tract
related frequency characteristics of speech samples from female
remitted and depressed patients were analyzed via speech
processing techniques and consequently, evaluated statistically by
cross-validation with Support Vector Machine. Our results
comparatively show the classifier's performance with effectively
correct separation of 93% determined from testing with the subjectbased
feature model and 88% from the frame-based model based on
the same speech samples collected from hospital visiting interview
sessions between patients and psychiatrists.
Abstract: In this research, the main aim is to investigate the
antimicrobial effectiveness of ammonyx solutions finishing on
Sweatshirt Sport with immersion method. 60 Male healthy subjects
(football player) participated in this study. They were dressed in a
Sweatshirt for 14 days and some microbes found on them were
investigated. The antimicrobial effect of different ammonyx
solutions(1/100, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 v/v solutions of Ammonyx)
on the identified microbes was studied by the zone inhabitation
method in vitro. In the next step the Sweatshirt Sports were treated
with the same different solutions of ammonyx and the antimicrobial
effectiveness was assessed by colony count method in different times
and the results were compared whit untreated ones. Some mechanical
properties of treated cotton/polyester yarn that used in Sweatshirt
Sport were measured after 30 days and were compared with
untreated one. Finally after finishing, scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) was used to compare the surfaces of the finished and
unfinished specimens. The results showed the presence of five
pathogenic microbes on Sweatshirt Sports such as Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus, Mucor and Candida. The
inhalation time for treated on Sweatshirt Sports improved. The
amount of colony growth on treated clothes reduced considerably
and moreover the mechanical tests results showed no significant
deterioration effect of studies properties in comparison to the
untreated yarn. The visual examination of the SEM indicated that the
antimicrobial treatments were applied usefully to fabrics.
Abstract: This research study examines cases of Saudi Arabian
universities and female academics for work environment issues
within the context of design management applications. The study
proposes use of design research, ergonomics and systems design
thinking to develop the university design which facilitates removal of
physical and cognitive barriers for female academics. Review of
literature demonstrates that macro and micro ergonomic combined
with design management and system design strategies can
significantly improve the workplace design for female academics.
The university design model would be prepared based on the analyses
of primary data obtained from archived documents, participants'
observation logs, photo audits, focus groups and semi-structured
interviews of currently employed female academics in the selected
case universities.
Abstract: There is inadequate information on the practice of
female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK, and there are often
myths and perceptions within communities that influence the
effectiveness of prevention programmes. This means it is difficult to
address the trends and changes in the practice in the UK.
To this end, FORWARD undertook novel and innovative research
using the Participatory Ethnographic and Evaluative Research
(PEER) method to explore the views of women from Eritrea, Sudan,
Somalia and Ethiopia that live in London and Bristol (two UK cities).
Women-s views, taken from PEER interviews, reflected reasons for
continued practice of FGM: marriageability, the harnessing and
control of female sexuality, and upholding traditions from their
countries of origin. It was also clear that the main supporters of the
practice were believed to be older women within families and
communities.
Women described the impact FGM was having on their lives as
isolating. And although it was clearly considered a private and
personal matter, they developed a real sense of connection with their
peers within the research process.
The women were overwhelmingly positive about combating the
practice, although they believed it would probably take a while
before it ends completely. They also made concrete
recommendations on how to improve support services for women
affected by FGM: Training for professionals (particularly in
healthcare), increased engagement with, and outreach to,
communities, culturally appropriate materials and information made
available and accessible to communities, and more consequent
implementation of legislation.
Finally, the women asked for more empathy and understanding,
particularly from health professionals. Rather than presenting FGM
as a completely alien and inconceivable practice, it may help for
those looking into these women-s lives and working with them to
understand the social and economic context in which the practice
takes place.
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to find out the efficacy
of selected mobility exercises and participation in special games on psychomotor abilities, functional abilities and skill performance
among intellectually disabled children of age group under 14. Thirty male students who were studying in Balar Kalvi Nilayam and YMCA
College Special School, Chennai, acted as subjects for the study.
They were only mild and moderate in intellectual disability. These
students did not undergo any special training or coaching programme apart from their regular routine physical activity classes as a part of
the curriculum in the school. They were attached at random, based on
age in which 30 belonged to under 14 age group, which was divided
into three equal group of ten for each experimental treatment. 10
students (Treatment group I) underwent calisthenics and special
games participation, 10 students (Treatment group II) underwent
aquatics and special games participation, 10 students (Treatment
group III) underwent yoga and special games participation. The subjects were tested on selected criterion variables prior (pre test)
and after twelve weeks of training (post test). The pre and post test
data collected from three groups on functional abilities(self care,
learning, capacity for independent living), psychomotor
variables(static balance, eye hand coordination, simple reaction time
test) and skill performance (bocce skill, badminton skill, table tennis
skill) were statistically examined for significant difference, by
applying the analysis ANACOVA. Whenever an 'F' ratio for
adjusted test was found to be significant for adjusted post test means,
Scheffe-s test was followed as a post-hoc test to determine which of
the paired mean differences was significant. The result of the study
showed that among under 14 age groups there was a significant improvement on selected criterion variables such as, Balance,
Coordination, self-care and learning and also in Bocce, Badminton & Table Tennis skill performance, due to mobility exercises and
participation in special games. However there were no significant
differences among the groups.
Abstract: This paper looks at transgender identities and the law in the context of marriage. It particularly focuses on the role of language and definition in classifying transgendered individuals into a legal category. Two lines of cases in transgender jurisprudence are examined. The former cases decided the definition of 'man' and 'woman' on the basis of biological criteria while the latter cases held that biological factors should not be the sole criterion for defining a man or a woman. Three categories were found to classify transgender people, namely male, female and "monstrous". Since transgender people challenge the core gender distinction that the law stresses, they are often regarded as problematic and monstrous which caused them to be subjected to severe legal consequences. This paper discusses these issues by analyzing and comparing different cases in transgender jurisprudence as well as examining how these issues play out in contemporary Hong Kong.
Abstract: Background, measuring an individual-s Health
Literacy is gaining attention, yet no appropriate instrument is available
in Taiwan. Measurement tools that were developed and used in
western countries may not be appropriate for use in Taiwan due to a
different language system. Purpose of this research was to develop a
Health Literacy measurement instrument specific for Taiwan adults.
Methods, several experts of clinic physicians; healthcare
administrators and scholars identified 125 common used health related
Chinese phrases from major medical knowledge sources that easy
accessible to the public. A five-point Likert scale is used to measure
the understanding level of the target population. Such measurement is
then used to compare with the correctness of their answers to a health
knowledge test for validation. Samples, samples under study were
purposefully taken from four groups of people in the northern
Pingtung, OPD patients, university students, community residents,
and casual visitors to the central park. A set of health knowledge index
with 10 questions is used to screen those false responses. A sample
size of 686 valid cases out of 776 was then included to construct this
scale. An independent t-test was used to examine each individual
phrase. The phrases with the highest significance are then identified
and retained to compose this scale. Result, a Taiwan Health Literacy
Scale (THLS) was finalized with 66 health-related phrases under nine
divisions. Cronbach-s alpha of each division is at a satisfactory level
of 89% and above. Conclusions, factors significantly differentiate the
levels of health literacy are education, female gender, age, family
members of stroke victims, experience with patient care, and
healthcare professionals in the initial application in this study..
Abstract: Most parts of the world such as Iran are facing the excessive consumption of fertilizers, that are used to achieve high yield, but increase the cost of production of fertilizer and degradation of soil and water resources. This experiment was carried out to study the effect of PGPR and planting pattern on yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa L.) using split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Ilam province, Iran. Bio-fertilizer including Azotobacter, Nitroxin and control treatment (without consumption) were designed as a main plot and planting pattern including 15 × 10, 15 × 15 and 15 × 20 and the number of plant in hill including 3, 4 and 5 plants in hill were considered as a sub-plots. The results showed that the effect of bio-fertilizers, planting pattern and the number of plants in hill were significant affect on yield and yield components. Interaction effect between bio-fertilizer and planting pattern had important difference on the number spikelet of panicle and harvest index. Interaction effect between bio-fertilizer and the number of plants in hill were significant affect on the number of spikelet per panicle. The maximum grain yield was obtained by inoculation with Nitroxin, planting pattern of 15 × 15 and 4 plants in hill with mean of 1110.6 g.m-2, 959.9 g.m-2 and 928.4 g.m-2, respectively.
Abstract: Theexperiment was carried out with 2x5 male Merino
lambs raised under intensive conditions to investigate the effect of
dietary calcium soap of linseed oil on the color and fatty acid
composition of longissimusdorsi muscle. Control lambs fed a basal
diet and the experimental lambs consumed a diet supplemented with
3% calcium soap of linseed oil. The color values (L*, a*, b* a*/b*
and chroma) were not influenced by dietary treatment. The MUFA
proportion reduced, SFA and PUFA content did not alter. As
expected, the linolenic (C18:3 n3) and thusthe n-3 content
significantly improved by linseed supplement (0.47 and 0.81; 0.78
and 1.16 in control and in experimental samples, respectively). Other
n-3 and n-6 fatty acids had similar valuestocontrol samples. The n-
6/n-3 ratio was significantly narrower in the experimental group (6.31
vs. 9.38) but the P/S ratio did not differ betweenthe two groups.In
conclusion calcium soap of linseed oil seems to be a suitable
supplement form of n-3 fatty acids to improve the nutritive value of
lamb meat.
Abstract: Recent studies demonstrated that high-fat diet increases oxidative stress in plasma and in a variety of tissues. Many researchers have been looking for natural products, which can reverse the effect of high fat diet. Recently, buckwheat is becoming common ingredient in functional food because of it properties. In study on buckwheat, it is known that, this plant plays roles as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive. Nevertheless still little is known about buckwheat groats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of addition of buckwheat groats to the fat diet (30% lard), on some antioxidant and oxidant stress parameters in plasma and selected tissues in Wistar rats. The experiment was carried out with three months old male Wistar rats ca. 250g of body weight fed for 5 weeks with either a high-fat (30% of lard) diet or control diet, with or without addition of buckwheat groats. In plasma biochemistry and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes were measured selected tissues: glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT) and the levels of total and reduced glutathione (GSH), free thiol groups (pSH), antioxidant potential of plasma (FRAP) and oxidant stress indices - proteins carbonyl groups (CO) and malonyldialdehyde concentration (MDA). Activity of catalase (CAT) in plasma of rats was significantly increased in buckwheat groats groups and activity of GPx3 in plasma of rats was decreased in buckwheat groups as compared to control group. The reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma of rats was significantly increased and protein CO was significantly decreased in buckwheat groups as compared to controls. The lowered concentration of GSH was found in serum of rats fed buckwheat groats addition but it accompanied in 7-fold increase in reduced-to-oxidized glutatione ratio, significant increase in HDL and decrease in nonHDL concentration. Conclusions: Buckwheat groats indicate a beneficial effect in inhibiting protein and lipid peroxidation in rats and improved lipid profile. These results suggest that buckwheat groats exert a significant antioxidant potential and may be used as normal food constituent to ameliorate the oxidant-induced damage in organism.
Abstract: Neonatal lupus erythematous (NLE) is a rare disease marked by clinical characteristic and specific maternal autoantibody. Many cutaneous, cardiac, liver, and hematological manifestations could happen with affect of one organ or multiple. In this case, both babies were premature, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA) and born through caesarean section from a systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) mother. In the first case, we found a baby girl with dyspnea and grunting. Chest X ray showed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) great I and echocardiography showed small atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). She also developed anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated C-reactive protein, hypoalbuminemia, increasing coagulation factors, hyperbilirubinemia, and positive blood culture of Klebsiella pneumonia. Anti-Ro/SSA and Anti-nRNP/sm were positive. Intravenous fluid, antibiotic, transfusion of blood, thrombocyte concentrate, and fresh frozen plasma were given. The second baby, male presented with necrotic tissue on the left ear and skin rashes, erythematous macula, athropic scarring, hyperpigmentation on all of his body with various size and facial haemorrhage. He also suffered from thrombocytopenia, mild elevated transaminase enzyme, hyperbilirubinemia, anti-Ro/SSA was positive. Intravenous fluid, methyprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), blood, and thrombocyte concentrate transfution were given. Two cases of neonatal lupus erythematous had been presented. Diagnosis based on clinical presentation and maternal auto antibody on neonate. Organ involvement in NLE can occur as single or multiple manifestations.
Abstract: The aim of this research is to determine how preservice Turkish teachers perceive themselves in terms of problem solving skills. Students attending Department of Turkish Language Teaching of Gazi University Education Faculty in 2005-2006 academic year constitute the study group (n= 270) of this research in which survey model was utilized. Data were obtained by Problem Solving Inventory developed by Heppner & Peterson and Personal Information Form. Within the settings of this research, Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of the scale was found as .87. Besides, reliability coefficient obtained by split-half technique which splits odd and even numbered items of the scale was found as r=.81 (Split- Half Reliability). The findings of the research revealed that preservice Turkish teachers were sufficiently qualified on the subject of problem solving skills and statistical significance was found in favor of male candidates in terms of “gender" variable. According to the “grade" variable, statistical significance was found in favor of 4th graders.
Abstract: This study aimed at assessing whether and to what extent moral judgment and behaviour were: 1. situation-dependent; 2. selectively dependent on cognitive and affective components; 3. influenced by gender and age; 4. reciprocally congruent. In order to achieve these aims, four different types of moral dilemmas were construed and five types of thinking were presented for each of them – representing five possible ways to evaluate the situation. The judgment criteria included selfishness, altruism, sense of justice, and the conflict between selfishness and the two moral issues. The participants were 250 unpaid volunteers (50% male; 50% female) belonging to two age-groups: young people and adults. The study entailed a 2 (gender) x 2 (age-group) x 5 (type of thinking) x 4 (situation) mixed design: the first two variables were betweensubjects, the others were within-subjects. Results have shown that: 1. moral judgment and behaviour are at least partially affected by the type of situations and by interpersonal variables such as gender and age; 2. moral reasoning depends in a similar manner on cognitive and affective factors; 3. there is not a gender polarity between the ethic of justice and the ethic of cure/ altruism; 4. moral reasoning and behavior are perceived as reciprocally congruent even though their congruence decreases with a more objective assessment. Such results were discussed in the light of contrasting theories on morality.
Abstract: In the Northern hemisphere, sheep reproduction is
seasonal (September-November). Among several natural factors
influencing the reproduction status of rams, we studied the daylight
length and temperature. Rams from different breeds were studied:
Merinos de Palas (half-precocious), Karakul de Botosani (halfbelated)
and Turcana (belated breed, low reproductive plasticity). In
Merinos de Palas, ejaculate volume during sexual repose is 51.3%
from normal quantity. When autumn climate was experimentally
induced, ejaculate volume reached 98.45% (Merinos), 94.97%
(Karakul) and 97.59% (Turcana). Semen density increased from
1.031-1.033 till 1.035 after exposition to artificial light and
temperature conditions. Spermatozoids mobility and sperm pH
improved, passing over 82% and 6.75, values identical to those in the
natural reproduction season. Behaviour analysis after
photoperiodicity indicated that over 83.3% Merinos and Karakul
males and all Turcana rams exteriorised normal and intense sexual
reflexes. Certain effort and reduced expenses brought rams in good
condition, producing higher quantity and quality sperm.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to study the factors
that influenced the success of mobile phone entrepreneurs at Central
Plaza. The sample group included 187 entrepreneurs at Central Plaza.
A questionnaire was utilized as a tool to collect data. Statistics used
in this research included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard
deviation. Independent- sample t- test, one way ANOVA, and
multiple regression analysis. Data were analyzed by using Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences.The findings disclosed that the
majority of respondents were male between 25-40 years old, and held
an undergraduate degree. The average income of respondents was
between 15,001-25,000 baht. The majority of respondents had less
than 5 years of working experience.
In terms of personality, the findings revealed that expression and
agreement were ranked at the highest level. Whereas, emotion
stability, consciousness, open to new experience were ranked at high.
From the hypotheses testing, the findings revealed that different
genders had different success in their mobile phone business with
different income from the last 6 months. However, difference in age,
income, level of education, and experience affected the success in
terms of income, number of customers, and overall success of
business. Moreover, the factors of personalities included expression,
agreement, emotion stability, consciousness, open to new experience,
and competitive strategy. From the findings, these factors were able
to predict mobile phone business success at 66.9 percent.
Abstract: Thermoplastic starch, polylactic acid glycerol and
maleic anhydride (MA) were compounded with natural
montmorillonite (MMT) through a twin screw extruder to investigate
the effects of different loading of MMT on structure, thermal and
absorption behavior of the nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction analysis
(XRD) showed that sample with MMT loading 4phr exhibited
exfoliated structure while sample that contained MMT 8 phr
exhibited intercalated structure. FESEM images showed big lump
when MMT loading was at 8 phr. The thermal properties were
characterized by using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The
results showed that MMT increased melting temperature and
crystallization temperature of matrix but reduction in glass transition
temperature was observed Meanwhile the addition of MMT has
improved the water barrier property. The nanosize MMT particle is
also able to block a tortuous pathway for water to enter the starch
chain, thus reducing the water uptake and improved the physical
barrier of nanocomposite.
Abstract: Scolothrips longicornis Priesner is one of the
important predators of tetranychid mites with a wide distribution
throughout Iran. Life table and population growth parameters of S.
longicornis feeding on two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus
turkestani Ugarov & Nikolski were investigated under laboratory
condition (26±1ºC, 65±5% R.H. and 16L: 8D). To carry of these
experiments, S. longicornis collections reared on cowpea infested
with T. turkestani were prepared. The eggs with less than 24 hours
old were selected and reared. The emerged larvae feeding directly on
cowpea leaf discs which were infested with T. turkestani. Thirty
females of S. longicornis with 24 hours age were selected and
released on infested leaf discs. They replaced daily to a new leaf disc
and the laying eggs have counted. The experiment continued till the
last thrips had died. The result showed that the mean age mortality of
the adult female thrips were between 21-25 days which is nearly
equal life expectancy (ex) at the time of adult eclosion. Parameters
related to reproductive table including gross reproductive rate, net
reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of natural increase and finite rate of
increase were 48.91, 37.63, 0.26 and 2.3, respectively. Mean age per
female/day, mean fertile egg per female/day, gross hatch rate, mean
net age fertility, mean net age fecundity, net fertility rate and net
fecundity rate were 2.23, 1.76, 0.87, 13.87, 14.26, 69.1 and 78.5,
respectively. Sex ratio of offspring also recorded daily. The highest
sex ratio for females was 0.88 in first day of oviposition. The sex
ratio decreased gradually and reached under 0.46 after the day 26 and
the oviposition rate declined. Then it seems that maintenance of
rearing culture of predatory thrips for mass rearing later than 26 days
after egg-laying commence is not profitable.
Abstract: Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) has
been used as a common research tool for different neurological
disorders like Multiple Sclerosis. Recently, technology let
researchers to introduce a new versions of the visual test, the paced
visual serial addition test (PVSAT). In this paper, the computerized
version of these two tests is introduced. Beside the number of true
responses are interpreted, the reaction time of subjects are calculated
by the software. We hypothesize that paying attention to the reaction
time may be valuable. For this purpose, sixty eight female normal
subjects and fifty eight male normal subjects are enrolled in the
study. We investigate the similarity between the PASAT3 and
PVSAT3 in number of true responses and the new criterion (the
average reaction time of each subject). The similarity between two
tests were rejected (p-value = 0.000) which means that these two test
differ. The effect of sex in the tests were not approved since the pvalues
of different between PASAT3 and PVSAT3 in both sex is the
same (p-value = 0.000) which means that male and female subjects
performed the tests at no different level of performance. The new
criterion shows a negative correlation with the age which offers aged
normal subjects may have the same number of true responses as the
young subjects but they have latent responses. This will give prove
for the importance of reaction time.
Abstract: The objective of this research was to study the career
success and the satisfaction of female executives working for schools
in Bangkok, Thailand. This paper drew upon the survey data
collected from 68 female executives. The survey conducted in on
Bangkok schools. The statistics utilized in this paper included
percentage, mean, standard deviation as well as t-test. The findings
revealed that the majority of samples had more than 30 years of
experience, held a master degree, and had an average income of less
than 40,000 baht. The majority of respondents worked not more than
50 hours per week. In addition, the mean score revealed career
development was ranked as their number one career satisfaction and
having a job related to education was ranked as their number one job
satisfaction. Also, the mean score of all categories of satisfaction was
4.61 with standard deviation of 1.677 which indicated that female
executive level of satisfaction was high. In terms of the subjectivity
career success, the hypothesis testing’s result disclosed that female
executives with different married status had a difference in their job
satisfaction which was significant at the 0.05 confidence level.
Abstract: Estimation of stature is an important step in developing a biological profile for human identification. It may provide a valuable indicator for unknown individual in a population. The aim of this study was to analyses the relationship between stature and lower limb dimensions in the Malaysian population. The sample comprised 100 corpses, which included 69 males and 31 females between age ranges of 20 to 90 years old. The parameters measured were stature, thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, foot length, foot height and foot breadth. Results showed that mean values in males were significantly higher than those in females (P < 0.05). There were significant correlations between lower limb dimensions and stature. Cross-validation of the equation on 100 individuals showed close approximation between known stature and estimated stature. It was concluded that lower limb dimensions were useful for estimation of stature, which should be validated in future studies.