Archives-j  

Stress is an adaptive response, mediated by individual characteristics and/or psychological processes that are a consequence of any external action, situation or event that places special physical and/or psychological demands upon a person. A total of 112 out of 132 rehabilitation counsellors completed occupational stress questionnaire and 13 administrators were interviewed in five counties. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and percentages) were used to analyse the data. Results of the study revealed that the causes of occupational stress were found to be workload, clients’, organisational and interpersonal demands. The study further revealed that demographic and work characteristics interacted with the causes of occupational stress. This study recommends that regular assessment of occupational stress for preventive measures be done among the respondents.

This paper presents the characterization of solid state sintering schedule for near-net shaping of warm formed metal powder compacts. Iron ASC 100.29 powder was used as main powder constituent during this investigation.  The feedstock was prepared by mechanically mixed iron powder with 0.4 wt% zinc stearate as admixed lubricant. The powder mass was then formed as solid cylinder at 180ºC.  The defect-free green compacts were sintered in an argon gas fired furnace at different sintering schedule. The sintered products were characterized through dimensional measurement, and mechanical testing. The results revealed that sintering schedule plays an important role in manufacturing near-net shape yet high strength components.

The nutritional compositions of Hunteria umbellata were examined in this study. Proximate, mineral and inorganic elements of dehulled Hunteria umbellata seed (DHUS) and whole Hunteria umbellata seed (WHUS) were analyzed. The proximate composition (%) of the DHUS and WHUS seed are as follows; crude protein (13.65) and (9.0), crude fibre (26.79) and (2.74), crude fat (2.87) and (14.97), ash (3.89) and (3.45), moisture (9.57) and (10.95) and carbohydrate (43.23) and (58.88). Hunteria umbellata are good source of macro and micro nutrient (mg/100g) with Potassium (1130) and 1150, Magnesium(180) and (189), Calcium (76) and (78), Sodium (87.5) and (90), Iron (60) and (63), Manganese (5) and (7) also present in appreciable quantities. The result of inorganic element (mg/100g) also revealed in Hunteria umbellata; Nitrogen (7.14) and (2.11), Carbon (52.1) and (68.4), Hydrogen (4.22) and (6.11), Sulphur (2.33) and (2.26) and Oxygen (34.3) and (21.1) respectively. Nitrogen content was determined by micro-Kjeldahl method. Total carbohydrate was calculated by the difference method while mineral analysis was carried out after acid digestion using spectrophotometer and flame photometry. The high value obtained for potassium, carbohydrate, and carbon reveal that Hunteria umbellata seed has potential of serving as supplement for food, source of synthetic and antimicrobial drugs, and traditional herbal medicine. 

Automatic annotation is in fact the process of classifying medical using global and local features of standard image codes (IRMA) while being extracted. This includes four technical data axes of providing image (modality), direction, anatomy, and biological system. A number of recent researches have been conducted on the extraction of the local binary pattern texture features for automatic annotation, but until now no complete comparison has been conducted on the accuracy of the different classifications in resolution and annotation of the images based on the local binary pattern texture features. The results from the known and famous classifiers used on the four characteristics of anatomy, direction, biological system and modality are presented in this paper, which show that Sequential Minimal Optimization is the most efficient classification group as far as accuracy is concerned.

In tandem with the impending full liberalization of global economy and Basel III requirements in 2015, most commercial banks worldwide might encounter the risks of being taken over by larger bank on account of full liberalization. Therefore, it is imperative for commercial banks to be in the know about the macroeconomic factors that might affect their total assets. In this dissertation, macroeconomic determinants of total assets volume for commercial banks in Malaysia was scrutinized in 2008 – 2010 intervals (post 2008 financial turmoil) via quarterly data through multi-variate single-equation regression method and correlation. Regression results advocate that all the macroeconomic determinants in this thesis have statistically significant impact on total assets of the banks except Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The empirical findings demonstrate that Base Lending Rate (BLR) together with Foreign Exchange Rate (FER) are negatively interrelated to total assets of the banks whilst FDI has positive relationship with the same dependent variable (DV). The most influential factor against total assets of the banks is BLR. Albeit correlations techniques in this paper signify that BLR, FER as well as FDI have not significantly explained the variations in total assets of the Malaysian banking sector, it is noteworthy that the empirical findings produce similar results as regression methods.

The present students at the tertiary level need a learning environment in which they seek more involvement. The challenge for the English language teacher is to create such a situation and enhance the morale of the students. Cooperative learning certainly does augment the motivational levels of the students and provides a platform for better learning. The present paper explores the cooperative learning as a learning strategy and includes the findings of a questionnaire on English language learning at the tertiary level in VIT University. As competition is valued over cooperation, a student should be made aware of the need for healthy and positive interaction.

In this paper, a compact, low cost and high radiation efficiency antenna structure, planar waveguide, substrate integrated waveguide (SIW), dielectric resonator antennas (DRA) design using Advanced Design System (ADS) tool is presented. Since SIW is a high Q waveguide and DRA is a low loss radiator, then SIW-DRA forms an excellent antenna system with high radiation efficiency at millimeter-waveband, where the conductor loss dominates. The impact of different antenna parameters on the antenna performance is studied. Experimental data for SIW-DRA, based on two different slot orientations, at millimeter-wave band are introduced and compared to validate this antenna model. The measured gain for SIW-DRA single element showed a broadside gain of 5.51 dB. The Return Loss/Reflection coefficient is found to be -48.617 dB at the Cut off frequency 33.02 GHz.

Using MCNP6 to determine axial and radial neutron fluxes of the seven channels irradiation sites of 3 mCi of radium is tended for physics experiments on artificial radioactivity and irradiation facility in nuclear physics laboratory at (FSDM-USMBA) Fez Morocco. Ra-Be source in the interior of the shielded laboratory is sealed emanation-tight into a brazed nickel and it’s eccentrically off the axis of the lead cylinder. Lead thickness and distance shield are so designed that the gamma-dose rate from the source remains small enough in all directions. The seven irradiation channels are arranged vertically within the paraffin block.

The knowledge of bioecology of any predator is essential to explore its biocontrol potential. This study presents the effect of different temperature regimes i.e., 22-27°c and 27-32°c on the development and survival of the predator Cydnocoris gilvus (Heteroptera:Reduviidae). Both temperatures showed deleterious effects on nymph development and nymph survival. The stadial period decreased with increasing temperature. The maximum rate of nymphal and egg development occurred at 27-32°C temperature range. When compared both temperature regimes in the laboratory, the incubation period averaged 8.7±0.3 and 4.0±0.1 respectively. The five nymphal stadia averaged 8.7, 8.0, 11.25, 11.25, 16.5, 84.5 and 4.0, 5.0, 8.6, 6.57, 8.43, 12.5 respectively. Total developmental time averaged 139.5d and 41.1d respectively.

This paper employs widely used Water Quality Index (WQI), which is valuable and unique rating to depict the overall water quality status in a single term and simple (e.g., good or poor) for reporting to authorities management and the public in a consistent manner , that is helpful for the selection of appropriate treatment technique to meet the concerned issues. The water quality of Muthanna Province has been assessed from 2011 to 2014 to express the suitability of water for drinking purposes. Water quality data obtained from two sampling sites. According to the WQI values, the water quality at most of the sites was within an environmentally satisfactory condition during summer, and during the winter. Generally, the results showed that water quality varied from Excellent to Medium range during seasons. The results of the study confirm the suitability of all selected water sources for drinking purposes. Since this is unprecedented attempt to apply WQI on Muthanna , the used WQI proved to be a highly effective tool to assess the water quality of Muthanna in simple way, and its use is strongly recommended.