Archives-July 2011

As states look to move towards the knowledge-based economy as a means of prolonging competitive advantages first obtained from labour-intensive, export-oriented manufacturing, the role of creative industries becomes increasingly important. These industries are variously defined and may be problematic in terms of their actual contribution to the overall economy but, nevertheless, facilitating their smooth functioning is held to be one of the state’s principal economic roles in the years ahead. This requires the creation of a form or forms of infrastructure that will support the creative industries and the fostering of links between them and the education system and labour market, such that the latter produce what is required by the former. The city in East Asia which has most consciously and actively pursued the means of causing the growth of creative industries is Seoul. This has necessitated the creation and implementation of a wide range of policies, in addition to affecting the physical growth of the city. As the authorities of Thailand’s city Bangkok look to the next round of growth beyond the East Asian Economic Model, the example of Seoul burns brightly. Yet there are various problems in following the Seoul example, ranging from the nature of the education system, the inability of metropolitan authorities to separate politics from planning decisions and the persistence of the value of low-labour cost manufacturing operations. This paper evaluates the nature of the Seoul model and the implications this has for the recreation of Bangkok in an environment in which the entire city may have to be abandoned to the elements.

Language development in second language learner using metacognitive strategies is the primary focus of the paper. In this study we explored how the suggested activity affected students’ conceptual knowledge of the domain and improved strategical implications in second language and developed the problem solving ability. The qualitative and quantitative findings proved positive effects of the experiments in facilitating cognitive and metacognitive strategies.

The effect of dried grain final moisture content on breaking force and milling properties of paddy and brown rice were studied. Results revealed that the breaking force decreased significantly (P<0.01) from 146.66 to 113.51 N, 150.49 to 101.93 N and 150.31 to 113.86 N for Hashemi, Kadous and Khazar, respectively, as the moisture content increased from 6 to 12 %(w.b.). In case of brown rice, the similar trend were observed such that at the same moisture range, the breaking force decreased from 93.18 to 79.32 N, 93.4 to 82.06 N and 104.4 to 83.64 N for Hashemi, Kadous and Khazar, respectively. The maximum and minimum head rice yield (HRY) of 80.13 and 73.76 % were obtained at moisture content of 6 and 12 % respectively. There was an incremental trend in the values of head brown rice yield (HBRY) and milling recovery with decreasing dried final moisture content.

Accurate estimation of water and soil losses from agro-ecologically diverse areas is extremely important for designing appropriate resource management or soil/ water conservation measures. The developed KW-GIUH-MUSLE(Kinematic wave-Geomorphlogical Instantaneous Unit Hydrograph-Modified universal Soil loss equation) model is tested for its sediment yield estimation potential on three agro-ecologically diverse micro-watersheds in Almora district of Uttranchal. It is observed that estimates are associated with about 49% mean relative errors and mean DV value of about 0.51 in Salla Rautella and Naula micro-watersheds. This showed that point predictions of annual sediment yields are of moderate quality. However, root mean square error estimates and comparison of mean and standard deviation values for the observed and simulated sediment yields showed that long term sediment yields could be estimated quite realistically. This is also observed in Deolikhan micro-watershed that storm wise sediment yield estimates are associated with about 6% mean relative error and 0.94 mean DV value. The analysis thus clearly showed that the developed KW-GIUH-MUSLE model could indeed be utilized for obtaining reasonable sediment yield estimates for un-gauged/ inadequately gauged micro-watersheds.

This research is carried out to study the used of SPC tools towards identifying the variation in quality finished product at Bio-organic fertilizer company. The objectives of this research are to analyze and monitor quality of finished product using Xbar R chart and identify the relationship between variables using scatter diagram. Data was obtained from Quality Department through finished product of 5.5.5PE from January 2008 until December 2008. This finished product can be measure according to pH, moisture, and crash. SPSS version 11.5 software has been used to analyze and interpret the data into control chart and scatter diagram. The unstructured interview with respective workers was done in order to support the data analysis. The finding revealed that the SPC tools can determine process variation in finished product through systematical analysis with more accurately. Since All Cosmos has no specific tool to analyze the data, it is suitable for them to implement this tool.

Today in water and soil sciences, many attentions have been arisen on Geostatistical methods to estimate spatial parameter using some data (kriging) or using auxiliary variables (cokriging). The quality of ground water for agriculture is very important, however its measurement is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, finding solution to estimate such parameters from easily measurable parameters is essential. In this study, two estimation models (spatial and regression models) were used to estimate SAR¹ and CL¹ in Tehran region using Geostatistic theory and spatial parameter concept. In this regard, ArcGIS software was used to estimate these parameters. Multi-parameter estimate of cokriging was applied using water salinity as an auxiliary variable. In addition, different estimation methods, cokriging, kriging and regression models, were compared and evaluated by RMSE statistic index. The results of this study showed that cokriging method with high correlations coefficient and with Gaussian Semivariogram is more precise than kriging and the selected regression models in estimating SAR and CL.

Real estate sector is under deep crisis due to global financial meltdown. To mitigate the impact of GFM the real estate players were forced to adopt uncalled for practices such as lay-off, suspension of capital intensive projects etc. resulting into job losses. DLF Ltd, a leading real estate player in Indian was giving lot of thrust to sell its core assets such as residential, industrial and commercial plots to ease liquidity crunch faced by it due to GFM. As there are very few buyers available in the real estate market today the real estate players are wooing them by offering incentives and have adopted various management practices to neutralise the impact of GFM on their bottom-line. The real estate players have adopted practices such as redefining capital structure, low cost housing projects, value engineering, asset monetization, offering discount etc. to face the burnt of GFM effectively rather than adopting uncalled for means. These management practices adopted by Indian real estate players have helped them not only in bringing down adverse impact on bottom-line but also in managing their business effectively. In the back drop of this a study has been conducted to study effective management practices do adopted by DLF Ltd, a leading player in the Indian real estate market to manage global financial meltdown.

The authors examined computer-mediated-communication technologies, perceived social support, perceived cultural distance, and socio-cultural adjustment in 80 international undergraduate students. Findings revealed that computer-mediated-communication technologies not elated to socio-cultural adjustment. Perceived social support and perceived cultural distance were positively related to socio-cultural adjustment in international students.

Moringa is known to contain elements that are essential to life. Major roles played by elements include enzyme activation, nerve impulse conduction, oxygen transport, immune functions. The two major groups of elements are major and minor elements (trace elements). Major elements such as Na, Ca, K,P, Mg and trace elements such as Fe, V, Zn, Cr, Cu, Cd, Co , Mn, Pb, Al, Br were determined using both Neutron Activation Analysis(N.A.A) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer(A.A.S). Further research is required to carry out the effectiveness of Moringa preparations in reducing the risks associated with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension.

Today, due to the effects of tourism activities in the economy of the tourist receptive areas on leaves, Great attention to this field of activity is focused. West of Islamabad city with great tourist potential and the potential remains for tourists unfamiliar, Therefore, tourist attractions in this city And planning with special geographical conditions appear to be necessary. For this purpose the paper uses a descriptive method and analytical and strategic models of SWOT, and field studies to determine the strengths, weaknesses, to provide a strategy to develop tourism opportunities and threats are discussed. After reviewing data collected barriers such as lack of facilities along with other attractions, Weak advertising, the neglect of infrastructure to attract tourists in this city and to provide guidelines for tourism development Use of modern methods of advertising west has been building facilities in the city of Islamabad. According to obtained results, strategies city near Islamabad, the West is aggressive strategies the authorities should try to take advantage of the strengths and opportunities and to take steps towards these strategies.