Archives-March 2014

Problem solving method is a student-centered learning model which develops active learning and creative thinking. Using this method has very importance to the discipline of mathematics and it is the nature of mathematical thinking. The purpose of this research is the study of effectiveness of using problem solving method on improving mathematics achievement and creativity of 5th grade primary school students. The sample of the research was consisted of 60 5th grade female primary school students in shahr-Rey, Iran. These students were selected using simple random assignment. In this study quasi-experimental design was implemented which had pre-test/post-test and control group. Experimental group (30 students) was taught problem solving method but control group (30 students) was instructed same science content as traditional teaching methods for same length of time. The Torrance's test of creative thinking (TTCT) and mathematical achievement test were administered to both groups before and after the instruction as a pre and post test. Results of the study reveal that experimental group students have higher mean scores than control group students in post achievement test and post TTCT test while there is no significant difference between experimental and control groups students’ pre achievement test and pre TTCT test scores.

The batch tests enabled determination of the degradation of the compounds at different temperatures and times, using various sludge types after characterization. Removal rates of cocaine (91.0%), benzoylecgonine (90.6%), heroin (97.9%), morphine (99.7%), 6 monoacetylmorphine (93.3%) and diazepam (99.7%) were measured after 3 hours equilibration; partition coefficients (Kd) for these six substances ranged from 1.2 – 68.1 Kg L-1. The degradation of compounds at 19 ± 0.5o C was relatively greater but it still occurred slowly at 4 ± 0.5o C, at between 5 and 10%. Work encompassed in this study directly measures illicit drug removal rates in laboratory studies for the first time. The application of batch studies in calculating removal rates in sewage works is an improvement over prior studies where assumptions on removal rates at STW were made.

Abstract In the health care industry today, failed programs cost organizations a loss of revenues on daily basis. Therefore, management strategies in these organizations need a balance (equilibrium) between program implementation control and the relationships that goes along. These relationships exist between the organization and defined individuals or groups who are directly or indirectly part of the organization’s hierarchy. These groups or individuals comprise the so-called stakeholders and they do have a stake in the organization. A major factor for a program success with any organization is the proactive involvement and management of its strategies with its component staff, including the stakeholders (Thomas, Delisle & Jugdev, 2002). The argument is organizations should look at their stakeholders as part of core management objectives for maximum return of investment. Many organizational programs have failed due to lack of direct top management involvement and support (Jiang and Klein, 1999). The importance of this problem therefore, requires that every organization examine its relationships with its stakeholders constantly since its success or failure revolves around these relationships. Findings: Findings from this study were of great economic importance. The identification, prioritization, and engagement strategies of evaluation of the key stakeholders in Mission Hospital, USA, was an effective tool that could help any organization to know the individuals or groups with power within their organization and how such powers are used. The second importance was the power of teamwork; how individuals or groups may collaborate for a common good; here both the executive management of Mission Hospital, USA, collaborating with the stakeholder management to affect the objectives and goals of the hospital. Third, it showed improved relationships between two former unaligned managers with informal power structures and possible outcome. The conclusion here was that collaboration, involvement, negotiations with the use of inducements; all play major roles in straightening relationships, be it personal or corporate. Statement of the problem: The specific statement of the problem of this study examined management and program implications when upper management and related management (stakeholder management) do not collaborate and involve in pursuing the strategic objectives and goals of the corporation. Many projects, and indeed corporations, have failed for lack of management involvement of component staff in management strategies. Description of design method: The design methodology was in three phases. Phase1 involved the interaction process of identifying, prioritizing, and engaging the key stakeholders of the hospital. Phase2 involved the data gathering techniques, including workshops exercises with the participants. Survey questionnaires were designed separately for the hospital’s management and the identified key stakeholders. The exercises were open-ended and interactive processes with the participants. The outcome was important in that it provided the necessary factors for effective stakeholder management. From the collection and analysis of data, phase 3 was a descriptive case study designed to effect phase 2, through the process of planning, implementing, and monitoring – used in the incremental process improvement management (Carroll & Swatman, 2000). The investigator went further with fact-finding interviews with employees of the hospital. The results findings were spectacular. Design of the study: The purpose of this study was to examine and encourage upper management strategy of Mission Hospital, USA, in order to improve its stakeholder relationships. The study used rationale to establish and analyze outcomes, allowed prediction, and aim for generalization. In order to articulate the stakeholder’s perception of values to the organization pertinent questions were designed to affect the study. The main research question of the study was directed to the hospital’s executive management, challenging them to commitment to teamwork for the overall benefits of the hospital’s objectives and goals attainment. A stakeholder management methodology workshops exercises were designed to assist them in this process. The subject sample group was small. The criteria for the small group were to use a phenomenological approach to find out how a few groups or individuals of important status in an organization feel as a sub-set; making it a qualitative descriptive case study. Significance of conclusions: The implications of notice in this case study on stakeholder management in Mission Hospital, USA, was exploratory yet unique, and based on the combination of qualitative and quantitative designs with limited results. The study is unique in that no similar study exits presently with direct involvements of inside power brokers. Nevertheless, the analysis should be viewed as suggestive, and not one hundred percent definitive. Certain unresolved issues still remains, the resolution of which should challenge practicing health care managers on how to manage their stakeholders to attain the objectives and goals of their organization. However, this investigator presented many suggestions to the management of Mission Hospital, USA, to any promising manager of health care, and to future researchers of health care management in general. Recommendations: The confirmation of the “Pilot study” of this case study should encourage a more detailed research study of economic benefits with stakeholder management collaborations. Such study should be broadened and without any restrictions, as was witnessed in this case study.

We are very happy to announce that from 14th March 2014, Dr. Tahmina Monowar has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. She will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Medical and Clinical Microbiology, Bacteriology, Parasitology and Immunology. Dr. Tahmina Monowar is currently working as Senior Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Semeling-Bedong Road, 08100 Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia. The appointment of Dr. Tahmina Monowar as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com. Sincerely Editor-in-Chief

We are very happy to announce that from 15th March 2014, Dr.Anil Kumar Tripathy has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Environmental Engineering and Engineering Chemistry. Dr.Anil Kumar Tripathy is currently working as Asst Professor at Department of Chemistry, GHITM Engineering College, Puri, India. The appointment of Dr.Anil Kumar Tripathy as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com. Sincerely Editor-in-Chief

We are very happy to announce that from 17th March 2014, Dr.M.Shakila Banu has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. She will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Food Technology. Dr.M.Shakila Banu is currently working as Professor and Head in Department of Food Technology at Avinashilingam Institute for Home science and Higher Education for Women University, Coimbatore. The appointment of Dr.M.Shakila Banu as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com. Sincerely Editor-in-Chief

We are very happy to announce that from 17th March 2014, Dr. Shahla Simin has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. She will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on English Language and Literature. Dr. Shahla Simin is currently working as English Instructor, Department of English Language & Literature, University of Isfahan, Iran. The appointment of Dr. Shahla Simin as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com. Sincerely Editor-in-Chief

We are very happy to announce that from 22nd March 2014, Dr.G.V.Satya Sekhar has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Financial Management and Financial Accounting. Dr.G.V.Satya Sekhar is currently working as Programme Coordinator-MBA, Centre for Distance Learning, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam. The appointment of Dr.G.V.Satya Sekhar as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com. Sincerely Editor-in-Chief

We are very happy to announce that from 26th March 2014, Dr.P.Sanjeevikumar has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Power electronics and Electrical Engineering. Dr.P.Sanjeevikumar is currently working as Associate Professor, National Institute of Technology, Puducherry, Karaikal, India. The appointment of Dr.P.Sanjeevikumar as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com. Sincerely Editor-in-Chief

We are very happy to announce that from 26th March 2014, Mr.M.Daniel Rajkumar has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Management Accounting and Financial Management. Mr.M.Daniel Rajkumar is currently working as Assistant Professor in Department of Business Administration, SRM School of Management Studies, SRM University, Chennai. The appointment of Mr.M.Daniel Rajkumar as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com. Sincerely Editor-in-Chief