Archives-May 2014

This study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the effect of teaching problem solving skills and Locus of Control on the academic achievement of mathematics students. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test control group design. The study’s population comprised of students studying in the third year of Guidance school during the academic year of 89-90 in the town of Lordegan from which 30 students were selected via multi-stage cluster sampling. The subjects were then randomly divided into the experimental group who were taught problem solving skills and locus of control and the control group. To measure the reliabilities of the academic achievement tests and the open- trial test the researchers used Cranach Alpha which showed reliability coefficient .88 and .84, respectively. The data were analyzed through covariance analysis. The results showed that the teaching of problem solving skills and Locus of Control had significantly affected the academic performance of the mathematics students (p<0/001). The results of Turkey's post-hoc test revealed that there was no significant difference between the effects of teaching problem solving skills and the teaching of Locus of Control on the academic performance of the experimental group’s students (p>0/001).

Suitable climate, can improve motivation and morale, and participation in decision-making, and increase creativity and innovation in their work and as a resource in providing mental health staff into account. These studies, the aimed to investigate the relationship between organizational climate, and burnout in nurses Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah done. This descriptive - cross sectional study, conducted in 2010. Research community, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah nurses were the census, were studied. Collect data, standardized questionnaire Halpin and Craft climate, that the climate of the six dimensions of group spirit, harassed, interest, intimacy consider Gary, spacing, and influence the dynamics are examined, and a standard questionnaire was Meselch burnout. Data collected by the researcher in the present study, the relationship between variables using Spearman's correlation coefficient and chi-square test was evaluated. The findings showed that, 84/3 % of subjects with moderate burnout, and 13/1 percent had severe burnout, and only 2/6 percent had no burnout. On the other hand, organizational climate survey showed that, in terms of team spirit, to 41/6 percent, favorable climate, and only 4/6 percent unfavorable climate, as mentioned. Also, the perturbed 46/2 per cent, of Interest 17/3 percent, in terms of intimacy, see Gray, spacing, influence and dynamics, respectively, with 6/2 percent, 3/7 percent, 2 percent, and 40 percent unfavorable situation was assessed. Meanwhile, the morale of the team, and influence the dynamics of burnout, a significant relationship was observed (0/05> p). However, other climate variables, there was no significant association with burnout. Considering the widespread burnout at different levels among nurses in the study, adverse climate conditions, and also confirmed the relationship between organizational climate and job burnout of nurses in the study suggested, in line with the implementation of measures climate modification, and taking advantage of the favorable climate conditions as an opportunity to reduce burnout and improve the utilization efficiency of the nurses.

The growth hormone concentrations of 25 male students of Madonna University, Elele within the age group of 19-27years were determined pre and post exercise and compared. Growth hormone levels were assayed using the commercially available Human Growth Hormone quantitative test kit whose principle is based on a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data generated was calculated statistically using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17. The result showed significant difference in 4.23 ± 0.90 ng/ml in pre exercise and 15.13 ± 1.83 ng/ml in post exercise (P<0.05).There was significant increase in growth hormone pre and Post exercise at different age groups 19-21years(3.61 ± 0.90 ng/ml and 16.18 ± 4.40 ng/ml), 22-24(2.35 ± 0.77 ng/ml and 14.64 ± 2.09 ng/ml) and 25-27 (9.71 ± 2.91 ng/ml and 14.65 ± 4.14 ng/ml). The study has shown that exercise can affect concentration of growth hormone.

In this paper, an investigation is made regarding the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance of companies. Firstly, it examines the theories which support the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance of companies. To prove this relationship a sample of ten companies listed on the Karachi stock exchange are selected which are making investment in corporate social responsibility. To measure corporate social responsibility, content analysis of annual reports and other corporate documents is used while financial performance is evaluated using accounting based measures i-e ROE (return on equity), ROCE (return on capital employed) and GPS (gross profit to sales ratio) for the periods between 2007 to 2009. There is one year lag between measure of corporate social responsibility and financial performance to analyze the relationship between the two. The company size and risk is used as a control variable. The analysis concludes that better financial performance (past) will lead to engaging in more socially responsible activities and similarly more investment in corporate social responsibility will result in increased subsequent financial performance. However the author failed to find significant relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance. This paper will help in improving the performance management system through understanding the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance of companies although it has the limitation regarding the size of the sample.

This study investigated the kind of beliefs Ghanaian Junior High School (JHS) mathematics teachers held about mathematical problem solving and how they integrate the beliefs in teaching mathematics. The sample of the study consisted of 97 JHS mathematics teachers in 71 JHS in Keta District of Volta Region. Data were collected in 2009/2010 academic year. Participants completed a survey composed of questionnaires and classroom observations which were carried out on five JHS mathematics teachers. The results of this study indicated that, in general, JHS mathematics teachers held positive beliefs about mathematical problem solving, which means that their beliefs were in line with the new approaches. However, the results revealed that they did not actually integrate their beliefs in the teaching of mathematics. In order to gradually challenge teachers’ negative beliefs about mathematical problem solving, suggestions have been made regarding adequate educational interventions.

Vetiver grass effectiveness for phytoremediation has received wide publicity. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to compare metal tolerance and metal uptake of two vetiver grass varieties; Vetiveria zizanioides (VZ) and Vetiveria nigritana (VN) on soil collected from an abandoned Exide battery site. A pot experiment with treatments of different levels of pollutant; 100% top soil, 100% polluted soil, 75% top soil + 25% polluted soil, 25% topsoil + 75% polluted soil and 50% topsoil + 50% polluted soil.Each treatment consists of a pot filled with 5kg of the dumpsite soil and top soil mixture. These were planted with two vetiver grass varieties and were replicated three times. The vetiver grass was carefully uprooted twelve weeks after planting and was analyzed for lead concentration. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS 2.0 and the means were separated using Least Significance Difference. The results showed thatVZ had a better growth performance thanVN. Number of tillers and root length were significantly higherfor VZ (7.9, 36.8 cm) than VN (4.0, 23.3 cm), respectively. However, VN had higher uptake of lead (11017mgkg? ?) than VZ (9405 mgkg-1). In summary, both varieties may be well suited for phytoremediation in tropical lead mine areas, but VN could tolerate higher lead concentration than VZ.

Spatial variability of soil properties have been attributed to factors of soil formation, land use and management. Mycorrhizal fungi are associated intrinsically with soil organic matter and have been reported to be spatially heterogeneous and largely influence soil fertility and crop production. The objective of this study was to assess spatial variability of arbuscular mycorrhizal and its relationship with particle size fractions on valley bottom soils in southwestern Nigeria. The study was conducted on a 9 hectare (900m by 100m) undergraduate internship plot in University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Surface (0 - 15cm) and subsurface (15 – 30cm) soil samples were collected at rigid grid nodes (10m by 100m), processed and analysed for particle size distribution, available phosphorus, organic carbon and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Gigaspora, Scultelospora, Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Glomus, etc.). Data collected were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistic, statistics of dispersion and geostatistics. The variables that were normally distributed included silt (surface), silt, clay and organic carbon (subsurface). Status of coefficient of variation of the soil properties ranged from least to moderate (7.6% - 42.3% and 0.7% - 42.7% for surface and subsurface soils respectively. There were significant correlations between clay content and Gigaspora (r = 0.43, p<0.01), clay and Glomus (r = -0.24, p<0.05), Gigaspora and Glomus (r = 0.43, p<0.01) on the surface. Whereas on the subsurface, clay and Glomus (r = 0.23, p<0.05), available phosphorus and Gigaspora (r = 0.23, p<0.05), Gigaspora and Glomus (r = 0.51, p<0.05) were significantly correlated. The semivariance analysis carried out indicated that extent of spatial dependence of the soil properties on both depths varied from strong to moderate (5.9% - 63.3% and 14.3% - 53.0% in surface and subsurface soils respectively) which is as a result of intrinsic variation caused by factors of soil formation. Variability of mycorrhizal spores in the study area is majorly attributable to pedogensis rather than land use and management. Clay and available phosphorus were found to influence distribution of mycorrhizal spores.

This experiment was conducted in a controlled environment, to evaluate the effects of Pre-treatment salts different on the characteristics of seeds Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) implemented. Experiment was carried out as completely randomized design with 4 replications. Pre-treatment included: potassium nitrate (1%), potassium phosphate (1%), sodium chloride (1%) and distilled water which was the control experiment. Seeds were submerged for 72 hours with aeration in treatments and then seeds dried and number of 50 seeds were on filter paper 30 x 30 towel method. The results indicated that in the pre-treatment, most positive effect on the germination coefficient of Ajowan plant was potassium nitrate, in other words,the seeds in less time, had the highest percentage of germination . Means comparison showed that the highest and lowest positive effect on the average time required for germination in plant Ajowan were potassium nitrate (6.9 days) and sodium chloride (9.3 days). According to results, the pre-treatment for 72 h with potassium nitrate 1% Seeds Ajowan recommended.

We are very happy to announce that from 14th May 2014, Dr. John Odiaga Oloo has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Environmental Science. Dr. John Odiaga Oloo is currently working as Department of Environmental Science, Egerton University, P. O. Box 536 Egerton, Kenya. The appointment of Dr. John Odiaga Oloo as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal.

We are very happy to announce that from 14th May 2014, Ms. Marwa Abdul Muhsien Hassan AL-Janabi has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. She will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Semiconductors Science, Gas Sensors and Piezosensors Application. Ms. Marwa Abdul Muhsien Hassan AL-Janabi is currently working as Department of Physics, Al -Mustansiriyah University, College of Science, USA. The appointment of Ms. Marwa Abdul Muhsien Hassan AL-Janabi as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal.