Abstract: The main question of the research is - how did the Kazakhs manage to keep their religious thinking in the period of active propaganda of Soviet atheism, for seventy years of struggle against religion with the involvement of the scientific worldview as the primary means of proving the absence of the divine nature and materiality of the world?
Our hypothesis is that In case of Kazakhstan the conservative female religious consciousness seems to have been a factor that helped to preserve the “everyday” religiousness of Kazakhs, which was far from deep theological contents of Islam, but able to revive in a short time after the decennia of proclaimed atheism.
Abstract: People with hepatitis C are likely to experience psychological distress related to adjustment issues following diagnosis. Objective: The study was conducted to determine the psycho-social stressors accompanying Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection. The study focused on immediate and later on reactions to being diagnosed as infected HCV patients. Effect of HCV on disruption of patients’ relationships in term of family relationship and friendship, employment and financial status was assessed. The magnitude and causes of the social stigma and its relation to awareness about illness, level of education were also assessed. Methods: During this study the subjective experiences of people having HCV was explored through a designed questionnaire targeted 540 cases; 359 males and 181 females from ten out of 21 National Treatment Reference Centers of National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institutes of Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals. The study was conducted along a period of six months from September 2011 to March 2012. Results: The study revealed that the financial problems are the commonest problems faced by 75.5% of the cases. More than 70% of the cases suffered from immediate sadness versus 67.4% suffered from worry. Social stigma was reported by 13 % of HCV +patients, the majority of which were females. Conclusions: Exploring the psychosocial consequences of HCV infection can act as pressing motivators for behavior change needed for limiting HCV endemicity in Egypt.
Abstract: The study aimed at determining the impact of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on patients’ Quality of Life (QoL), its relation to geographical characteristics of patients, awareness of the disease, treatment regimen, co-morbid psychiatric or other diseases. 457 patients were randomly selected from ten National Treatment Reference Centers of Ministry of Health hospitals from four community locations representing Egypt. Health related QoL assessment questionnaire with the 36-item Short Form used for assessment of the enrolled patients. The study showed no significant difference between HCV patients in different governorates as regards total QoL. Females, illiterate patients and those had bilharziasis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or were depressed had significantly the lowest QoL score. HCV patients who knew the danger of the disease had significant lower mean score of physical and mental health components. Optimal care of overall well-being of HCV patients requires adequate knowledge of their neurological and psychological status. It is important to know how to cope with having a family member with hepatitis C and more importantly to know what should you say and what shouldn’t you say as a positive hopeful attitude is essential for combating HCV chronic infection.
Abstract: The aging of the workforce is occurring globally and has significant impact on organizations. The Malaysian population is ageing. Although, not as quickly as the populations of a number of Asian nations, or of parts of Europe; the rate is sufficient to cause a concern. The life expectancy of Malaysians has increased in year 2012 with an average of 73.8 years or equal to 71.1 years for males and 76.7 years for females. The birth and death rates are 26.05 births/1,000 population and 5.29 deaths/1,000 population respectively. These figures have placed a greater liability on the government’s shoulder, and have become a push factor for the country to revise a new retirement age for the public servants. The ‘aged population’ impinged on the new challenges faced by the Malaysian government, which had to deal with an unproductive aged workforce. A new retirement age from 58 to 60 years old has been introduced and this could have a positive effect on this cohort, in maintaining financial security. However, keeping older employees might affect organizations’ performance and productivity. The organizations need to pay more attention on them, since they are less effective and might be affected by numerous health problems. An innovative culture should be introduced and this could be a good indicator for organizations that deal with these ‘expensive’ workers.
Abstract: Purpose: The fear of falling is a major concern among the elderly. Sixty-five percent of individuals older than 60 years of age experience loss of balance often on a daily basis. Therefore, balance assessment in the elderly deserves special attention due to its importance in functional mobility and safety. This study aimed at assessing balance performance and comparing some anthropometric parameters among a Nigerian non-institutionalized elderly population.
Methods: Sixty one elderly subjects (31 males and 30 females) participated in this study. Their ages ranged between 62 and 84 years. Ability to maintain balance was assessed using Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Sharpened Romberg Test (SRT). Anthropometric data including age, weight, height, arm length, leg length, bi-acromial breadth, foot length and trunk length were also collected. Analysis was done using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Independent T-test, while level of significance was set as p
Abstract: This article aims to assess the level of basic knowledge of statutory employment rights at the workplace as prescribed by the Malaysian Employment Act 1955. The statutory employment rights comprises of a variety of individual employment rights such as protections of wages, statutory right to the general standard of working time, statutory right to rest day, public holidays, annual leave and sick leave as well as female employee’s statutory right to paid maternity leave. A field survey was carried out to collect data by using self-administered questionnaires from Human Resource (HR) practitioners in the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The results reveal that the level of basic knowledge of legislated employment rights varies between different types of statutory rights from high level to low level.
Abstract: This study examines the media habits of young people
in Saudi Arabia, in particular their use of the Internet and television
in the domestic sphere, and how use of the Internet impacts upon
other activities. In order to address the research questions, focus
group interviews were conducted with Saudi university students. The
study found that television has become a central part of social life
within the household where television represents a main source for
family time, particularly in Ramadan while the Internet is a solitary
activity where it is used in more private spaces. Furthermore, Saudi
females were also more likely to have their Internet access monitored
and circumscribed by family members, with parents controlling the
location and the amount of time spent using the Internet.
Abstract: The aim of our study was to compare knowledge of regarding HPV and cervical cancer in female student of 18 to 26 years old, with or without sexual intercourse. We conducted a questionnaire survey of the students (N=568), in Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tirana, Albania. Sexually experienced students were more likely to have heard of risk factors such as multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse before age 18, having contracted any sexually transmitted diseases, having genital warts, smoking cigarettes, use of oral contraceptive, poor diet or nutrition and using tampons. No significant sexually experience differences were observed in knowledge of the way of transmission of the virus associated with cervical cancer knowledge, the virus associated with cervical cancer knowledge, the prevention of cervical cancer knowledge. On the other hand strong significant sexually experience differences were observed in knowledge of the diagnostic way of cervical cancer and what HPV can cause knowledge.
Abstract: The reproductive aging of women is a biological process which is expressed by the loss of ovarian function and therefore the loss of the possibility of procreation. The present work aims to evaluate the effect of menopause on sexual health of rural women and to examine the determinants of female sexuality after menopause. A survey was conducted among 527 women in the rural area of Marrakech. The average age of women was 51.92 ± 7.24 years. It appears from this study that sexual activity in menopausal women decreases with age, 20% of women had no sexual activity after menopause. 72% of respondents reported having sex by obligation, 71% of women say they are not satisfied with their sexuality, while 29 % are very satisfied. The most common sexual complaints are represented by the decreased libido (81%), vaginal dryness (54%), and pain (22,7%). Of the 511 women with sexual dysfunction, only 34 (6, 4%) consulted for this disorder. Many factors may influence sex include menopause and all the biological changes but also the roles of culture, social constructions and perception of sexuality after menopause are complicated.
Abstract: Although women have merit in their jobs, they still
are located very few in the top management in many sectors. There
are many causes of such situation. Such a situation creates obstacles;
especially invisible ones are called “glass ceiling syndrome”. Also,
studies which handle this subject in academic community are very
few. The aim of this research is to reach the results about glass
ceiling obstacles in terms of female teaching staff (academics)
working in higher education institutions. To this end, our study was
performed on female academics working at Selcuk University, Konya
/ Turkey. Our study's main aim can be expressed as to determine
whether there are glass ceiling obstacles for female academics
working at the higher education institution in question, to measure
their glass ceiling perceptions and, thus, to identify what the glass
ceiling barrier components for them to promotion to senior
management positions are.
Abstract: Measuring the effect of perinatal lead exposure on learning ability of offspring is considered as a sensitive and selective index for providing an early marker for central nervous system damage produced by this toxic metal. A total of 35 Sprague-Dawley adult rats were used to investigate the effect of lead acetate toxicity on behavioral patterns of adult female rats and learning ability of offspring. Rats were allotted into 4 groups, group one received 1g/l lead acetate (n=10), group two received 1.5g/l lead acetate (n=10), group three received 2g/l lead acetate in drinking water (n=10) and control group did not receive lead acetate (n=5) from 8th day of pregnancy till weaning of pups.
The obtained results revealed a dose dependent increase in the feeding time, drinking frequency, licking frequency, scratching frequency, licking litters, nest building and retrieving frequencies, while standing time increased significantly in rats treated with 1.5g/l lead acetate than other treated groups and control, on contrary lying time decreased gradually in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, movement activities were higher in rats treated with 1g/l lead acetate than other treated groups and control. Furthermore, time spent in closed arms was significantly lower in rats given 2g/l lead acetate than other treated groups, while, they spent significantly much time spent in open arms than other treated groups which could be attributed to occurrence of adaptation. Furthermore, number of entries in open arms was dose dependent. However, the ratio between open/closed arms revealed a significant decrease in rats treated with 2g/l lead acetate than control group.
Abstract: Job stress is one of the most important concepts for
the today-s corporate as well as institutional world. The current study
is conducted to identify the causes of faculty stress at Higher
Education in Pakistan. For the purpose, Public & Private Business
Schools of Punjab is selected as representative of Pakistan. A sample
of 300 faculty members (214 males, 86 females) responded to the
survey. Regression analysis shows that the Workload, Student
Related issues and Role Conflicts are the major sources contributing
significantly towards producing stress. The study also revealed that
Private sector faculty members experienced more stress as compared
to faculty in Public sector Business Schools. Moreover, females,
younger ages, lower designation & low qualification faculty
members experience more stress as compared to males, older ages,
higher designation and high qualification. The study yield many
significant results for the policy makers of Business Institutions.
Abstract: Supplement use is common in athletes. Besides their cost, they may have side effects on health and performance. 250 questionnaires were distributed among female athletes (mean age 27.08 years). The questionnaire aimed to explore the frequency, type, believes, attitudes and knowledge regarding dietary supplements. Knowledge was good in 30.3%, fair in 60.2%, and poor in 9.1% of respondents. 65.3% of athletes did not use supplements regularly. The most widely used supplements were vitamins (48.4%), minerals (42.9%), energy supplements (21.3%), and herbals (20.9%). 68.9% of athletes believed in their efficacy. 34.4% experienced performance enhancement and 6.8% of reported side effects. 68.2% reported little knowledge and 60.9% were eager to learn more. In conclusion, many of the female athletes believe in the efficacy of supplements and think they are an unavoidable part of competitive sports. However, their information is not sufficient. We have to stress on education, consulting sessions, and rational prescription.
Abstract: Depression is a serious mental health problem that
affects people of all ages, including children and adolescents. Studies
showed that female gender is one of the risk factors may influence
the development of depression in adolescents. However, some of the
studies from Turkey suggested that gender does not lead to any
significant difference in the youth depression level. Therefore, the
presented study investigated whether girls differ from boys in respect
of depression. The association between genders and test scores for
the adolescents in a population of primary and secondary school
students was also evaluated. The study was consisting of 254
adolescents (122 boys and 132 girls) with a mean age of 13.86±1.43
(Mean±SD) ranging from 12-16 years. Psychological assessment was
performed using Children-s Depression Inventory (CDI). Chi-square
and Student-s t-test statistics were employed to analyze the data. The
mean of the CDI scores of the girls were higher than boys- CDI
scores (t = -4.580, p = 0.001). Higher ratio appeared for the girls
when they compared with boy group-s depression levels using a CDI
cut-off point of 19 (p = 0.001, Odds Ratio = 2,603). The findings of
the present study suggested that adolescent girls have high level of
depression than adolescent boys aged between 12-16 years in
Turkey. Although some studies reported that there is no any
differences depression level between adolescent boys and girls in
Turkey, result of the present study showed that adolescent girls have
high level of depression than adolescent boys in Turkey.
Abstract: The contribution deals with problem of take-off phase of back somersault with twisting with various numbers of twists along longitudinal body axis. The aim was to evaluate the changes in angles during transition phase from back handspring to back somersault using 3D kinematic analysis of the somersaults. We used Simi Motion System for the 3D kinematic analysis of the observed gymnastic element performed by Czech Republic female representative and 2008 Summer Olympic Games participant. The results showed that the higher the number of twists, the smaller the touchdown angle in which the gymnasts lands on the pad in the beginning of take-off phase. In back somersault with one twist (180°) the average angle is 54°, in 1080° back somersault the average angle is 45.9°. These results may help to improve technical training of sports gymnasts.
Abstract: The cuticular hydrocarbons of Pamphagus elephas
(Orthoptera: Pamphagidae) has been analysed by gas
chromatography and by combined gas chromatograph-mass
spectrometry. The following hydrocarbon classes have been
identified in insect cuticular hydrocarbons are: n-alkanes and
methylalkanes comprising Monomethyl-, dimethyl-and
trimethylalkanes. Sexual dimorphism is observed in long chain
alkanes (C24-C36) present on male and female. The cuticulars
hydrocarbons of P.elephas ranged from 24 to 36 carbons and
incluted n-alkanes, Dimethylalkanes and Trimethylalkanes. nalkanes
represented by (C24-C36,72,7% on male and 79,2% on
female), internally branched Monomethylalkanes identified were
(C25, C30-C32,C35-C37;11% on male and 9,4% on female),
Dimethylalkanes detected are (C31-C32, C36; 2,2% on male and
2,06% on female) and Trimethylalkanes detected are (C32, C36;
3,1% on male and 4, 97 on female). Larvae male and female (stage
7) showed the same quality of n-alkanes observed in adults.
However a difference quantity is noted.
Abstract: Essential hypertension (HTN) usually clusters with other cardiovascular risk factors such as age, overweight, diabetes, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. The target organ damage (TOD) such as left ventricular hypertrophy, microalbuminuria (MA), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke and cognitive dysfunction takes place early in course of hypertension. Though the prevalence of hypertension is high in India, the relationship between microalbuminuria and target organ damage in hypertension is not well studied. This study aim at detecting MA in essential hypertension and its relation to severity of HTN, duration of HTN, body mass index (BMI), age and TOD such as HTN retinopathy and acute coronary syndrome The present study was done in 100 patients of essential hypertension non diabetics admitted to B.L.D.E.University-s Sri B.M.Patil Medical College, Bijapur, from October 2008 to April 2011. The patients underwent detailed history and clinical examination. Early morning 5 ml of urine sample was collected & MA was estimated by immunoturbidometry method. The relationship of MA with the duration & severity of HTN, BMI, age, sex and TOD's like hypertensive retinopathy, ACS was assessed by univariate analysis. The prevalence of MA in this study was found to be 63 %. In that 42% were male & 21% were female. In this study a significant association between MA and the duration of hypertension (p = 0.036) & (OR =0.438). Longer the duration of hypertension, more possibility of microalbumin in urine. Also there was a significant association between severity of hypertension and MA (p=0.045) and (OR=0.093). MA was positive in 50 (79.4%) patients out of 63, whose blood pressure was >160/100 mm Hg. In this study a significant association between MA and the grades of hypertensive retinopathy (p =0.011) and acute coronary syndrome (p = 0.041) (OR =2.805). Gender and BMI did not pose high risk for MA in this study.The prevalence of MA in essential hypertension is high in this part of the community and MA will increase the risk of developing target organ damage.Early screening of patients with essential hypertension for MA and aggressive management of positive cases might reduce the burden of chronic kidney diseases and cardiovascular diseases in the community.
Abstract: In this study, any possible differences between mathematics beliefs and anxiety of prospective elementary mathematics teachers have been investigated according to their gender. In this purpose, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students from a Government University in Turkey were selected as a sample. Mathematics Teaching Anxiety Scale (MATAS) and Beliefs About Mathematics Survey (BAMS) has been used as data collection tools. As a result of the study, it has been observed that prospective male teachers have more instrumentalist approach in learning mathematics than females according to their mathematical beliefs. On the other hand, females have more mathematics teaching anxiety than males especially, for subject knowledge in mathematics and selfconfidence.
Abstract: This paper aimed to study the factors that relate to
working behavior of employees at Pakkred Municipality, Nonthaburi
Province. A questionnaire was utilized as the tool in collecting
information. Descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage,
mean and standard deviation. Independent- sample t- test, analysis of
variance and Pearson Correlation were also used. The findings of this
research revealed that the majority of the respondents were female,
between 25- 35 years old, married, with a Bachelor degree. The
average monthly salary of respondents was between 8,001- 12,000
Baht, and having about 4-7 years of working experience. Regarding
the overall working motivation factors, the findings showed that
interrelationship, respect, and acceptance were ranked as highly
important factors, whereas motivation, remunerations & welfare,
career growth, and working conditions were ranked as moderately
important factors. Also, overall working behavior was ranked as high.
The hypotheses testing revealed that different genders had a
different working behavior and had a different way of working as a
team, which was significant at the 0.05 confidence level, Moreover,
there was a difference among employees with different monthly
salary in working behavior, problem- solving and decision making,
which all were significant at the 0.05 confidence level. Employees
with different years of working experience were found to have work
working behavior both individual and as a team at the statistical
significance level of 0.01 and 0.05. The result of testing the
relationship between motivation in overall working revealed that
interrelationship, respect and acceptance from others, career growth,
and working conditions related to working behavior at a moderate
level, while motivation in performing duties and remunerations and
welfares related to working behavior towards the same direction at a
low level, with a statistical significance of 0.01.
Abstract: There has been considerable growth in the issue of
food & beverage safety in Thailand. This is important because the
level of satisfaction in food & beverage safety has impacts on travel
decision made by foreign tourists. Therefore, this paper was aimed to
test if there is any significant gender effect in the level of satisfaction
of food & beverage safety made by foreign tourists in Thailand. In
addition, this paper utilized the Chi Square test of independent to test
if there was an association between gender and sickness because of
food and if there was an association between gender and the
perception of food safety standard. During January to June, 2012, a
total of 400 foreign tourist respondents, 200 male as well as 200
female foreign tourists, were interviewed at the departure lounge at
Suvarnabhumi airport, Thailand. The findings revealed the
astonishing result that there was no significant effect of gender. Also,
there was no significant difference in the association between gender
and being sick because of food as well as the association between
gender and the perception on the standard of food safety during their
trip in Thailand.