Purpose – This paper, which originates in an English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) classroom activity in Hong Kong, aims to explore English learners’ expressive and creative potential in writing by studying their work in the literary narrative genre. Design/methodology/approach – A group of upper secondary students (15-16 years of age) with limited English resources and competence was enlis…
Development of hybrid rice is an important strategy to increase yields of irrigated rice in China. Day length is a highly important environmental factor for hybrid rice adaptability, productivity and quality. Heterosis of hybrid rice has been utilized under natural- (long) day length conditions in the middle and lower reaches plain of Yangtze River Valley in China for a long time. However, whet…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore a model of Lesson Study owned entirely by pre-service teachers (PSTs), conveying its potential to facilitate mutual spaces of learning between peers beyond formal hierarchical relationships with expert teachers. Fuller’s (1969) conceptual framework of teacher development informed the study, consisting of self, task and impact “phases of co…
Breeding for salinity tolerance using Bangladeshi rice landraces and understand genetic diversity has been limited by the complex and polygenic nature of salt tolerance in rice genotypes. A genetic diversity and association mapping analysis was conducted using 96 germplasm accessions with variable response to salt stress at the seedling stage. These included 86 landraces and 10 indica varieties…
Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), a non-destructive measurement technique, was combined with partial least squares regression discrimiant analysis (PLS-DA) to discriminate the transgenic (TCTP and mi166) and wild type (Zhonghua 11) rice. Furthermore, rice lines transformed with protein gene (OsTCTP) and regulation gene (Osmi166) were also discriminated by the NIRS method. The perfo…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review live-client learning activities in higher education,highlighting a lack of multi-stakeholder evaluation of “learning by doing” pedagogies in current literature. It extends existing discussion of employability outcomes, dominated by findings from larger organisations, towards arguably, a more meaningful concept: “employagility”;whereby g…
Phytic acid is the major storage form of phosphorus in cereals. It binds with nutritionally important metals and affects mineral bioavailability. The present study analyzed phytic acid, inorganic phosphorus (IP) content, seed weight, and grain yield in 98 sorghum landraces and varieties grown in two environments to evaluate genotypic and environmental effects and to determine trait stability. …
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the literature on school leadership and management in South Africa, linked to the 20th anniversary of democratic government and integrated education. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a systematic review of all published work since 2007 with a more selective review of sources before 2007. Findings �…
More and more people begin to pay attention to how foodstuffs are produced. Due to the changing lifestyle, consumers seek products that do not require long preparation. The extrusion-cooking process responds to this type of applications with an easy management of processing promising product stability and quality. Extrusion-cooking involves the extruding of granular material under high pressure…
To study the impacts of nanometer pottery trays (NPTs) on different rice varieties, three rice varieties, Zhongzheyou 1, Jinzao 47 and Xiushui 09, were treated with four NPTs (NPT-A, NPT-B, NPT-C and NPT-D) with different energies, respectively. The results showed that when the same rice variety was treated with different NPTs or different rice varieties were treated with the same NPT, the impa…
Rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, is one of the major foliage feeders found in the rice growing regions in India. When the crop was at maturity, numerous adults of rice leaffolder were found in the rice fields though the larval population gradually decreased, and no eggs were found on rice leaves. The population characteristics of C. medinalis were assessed based on the physiological a…
Elimination Sugarcane Mozaic Virus (SCMV) in sugarcane plantlets and propagation via somatic embryogenesis was assessed. The aim of this study was to obtain a virus-free sugarcane and determine methods for propagation via somatic embryogenesis. Explants derived from sugarcane SUT-02 plantlets. The explants were cultured on ribavirin and acyclovir medium at 0, 20 and 40 mgl-1 concentrations. Vir…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose an attributes framework for embedding “Changemaker” – a university initiative for promoting social innovation and social impact – across the disciplines at the University of Northampton. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on the authors’ (2015) phenomenographic study that proposed five different conceptions of Change…
Purpose – This purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between political independence and operational impartiality in regard to the effectiveness of anti-corruption agencies (ACAs). Against this background of western orthodoxy, it asks whether a non-western country with high levels of corruption (Vietnam being an example) can find another pathway in its efforts to effectively com…
Litopenaeus vannamei (1.98 ± 0.28 g) were fed diets containing soybean oil (SBO), beef tallow (BFT), fishoil (FIO), linseed oil (LNO), and an equal combination of SBO + BFT + FIO (SBF) or SBO + BFT + LNO (SBL) asdietary lipid source respectively for 8 weeks at low salinity of 3‰. The shrimp fed the SBL diet had thehighest weight gain and survival rate. The whole body fatty acid composition i…
Morphometry and terrain analyses are important in geomorphology where quantitative measurements are made on physical characteristics of landforms. It is done mainly to understand the structure, processes and evolution of landscape. Analysis of the flow pattern in the basin helps to relate the runoff characteristics to the morphometric parameters. In this paper,an attempt is made to study the m…
Genetic diversity analysis and DNA finger printing are very useful in breeding programs,seed conservation and management. Jute (Corchorus spp.) is the second most important natural fiber crop after cotton. DNA fingerprinting studies in jute using SSR markers are limited. In this study, 58 jute accessions, including two control varieties (Huangma 179 and Kuanyechangguo) from the official variety…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to re-orientate assessment tasks in tertiary art and design,arguing the important role ecologies of practice and work-place learning play in professional identity formation. Linking coursework design with dilemmas and self-regulatory tasks which move beyond compliance and static content in isolated courses. Design/methodology/approach – Two purposive c…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain how initial teachers in Japan can develop instructional and thinking skills through lesson study with mentors. It will clarify the point of view in which mentors evaluate the lesson plan, research lessons and kyouzai-kenkyuu of initial teachers. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts a case analysis that shows how a mentor gives ad…
Maintenance and enhancement of the quality of degraded soil are, in essence, dependent upon the improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Improvement in microbial parameters of the degraded soil was studied in the present experiment through the effect of fertilizer sources and levels and cropping patterns in a factorial design in northern Pakistan. The experiment …
Research work on the selection of appropriate construction materials for tsunami resistant structures is still in inception. An attempt is made to assess the suitability of composite materials reinforced with coconut, glass and sansevieria cylindrica fibres. A building model is fabricated based on coconut fibre composites, which is performed better among the three fibre composites is tested in …
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between educational orientation and employer influenced pedagogy and to consider some implications for work-based learning (WBL) higher education (HE) policy and practice in Europe. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on purposefully selected case studies to describe the key attributes of WBL related pedagogy asso…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of using a living case study method to teach graduate students in an organizational development (OD) course. A living case is defined as one where participants study a current, ongoing situation over the entire semester. Students worked with an authentic client to solve an authentic problem. After the course concluded interviews wer…
Purpose – Knowledge concerning the meaning of the object of learning is an important contribution of Learning study. The purpose of this paper is to generate this kind of knowledge and show how it can be developed and refined in the different phases of a Learning study. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports on a Learning study in primary technology education conducted with stu…
Purpose – Enhancing student employability and bridging the gap between theory and practice in law education requires a more multifaceted approach than the traditional mix of lectures, tutorials and simulations. Law placements also provide an opportunity to reinforce the importance of the professional practice standards and requirements laid down by the Law Society of Scotland. The purpose of …
Purpose – Current drivers in higher education have led to the questioning of traditional placement support methods. Within many programmes, students undertaking practice-based learning experience structured, one-to-one support from an academic in the placement location. With the financial and environmental implications of this practice, the potential for using video-based communications as a …
Purpose – This study aims to explain the factors affecting students’ acceptance and usage of a lecture capture system (LCS) – ReWIND – in a Malaysian university based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model. Technological advances have become an important feature of universities’ plans to improve the flexibility and accessibility in a learning…
Brick represents one of the most used materials for the construction of buildings, but the rising demand of building materials and increased construction and demolition wastes have encouraged the development of new building materials. However, the traditional brick production causes several environmental and human health impacts, so there is a clear need of searching and replacing for more effi…
According to the latest OECD Global Forum on Environment “ Water, food and energy are crucial for sustainable long term economic growth and human wellbeing” and crucial is the identification of the strong linkages between all three. As the UN has spotted out agriculture is currently the largest user of water at the global level, accounting for 70% of total withdrawal while the food producti…
Purpose – It is considered a mystery by many people that, despite charging significantly higher fees when compared to public institutions, research has shown an increase in the demand and enrolments at private higher education institutions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical factors considered by students when deciding to make private higher education institutions their …
Direct seeded rice is promising alternative to traditional transplanting, but requires appropriate crop and water management to maintain yield performance and achieve high water productivity. Present study evaluated the effect of seed priming and irrigation on crop establishment, tillering, agronomic traits,paddy yield, grain quality and water productivity of direct seeded rice in alternate wet…
Oil spills from marine transportation and oil exploration are of great importance in marine environment protection. Marine oil platforms and ships which have similar spectral characteristics and size can be simultaneously extracted from satellite images. Oil platforms and ships have different modes of behavior: offshore ships usually move with time, and even if they are moored,this mooring stat…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to incorporate Lesson Study (LS) from initial teacher training as a privileged area in which to accompany and tutor future teachers in the complex but necessary scenario of reflective practice in cooperative processes. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents an innovative educational experience in the university context, incorporating Lesson…
Nude carps, a genotype of common carp which are devoid of scales, have been banned from farmedpopulations of carp in Europe due to both the lethal effect of the N (nude) gene when in homozygousstate, and to the negative pleiotropic effects on growth and survival (especially in harsh conditions) ofthis same gene in the heterozygous state, which produces the nude phenotype. In Madagascar, wherecl…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the effectiveness of Project Based Learning (PBL) in comparison to the prevailing English language pedagogy. Design/methodology/approach – The pre-test/post-test experimental design with one control and one treatment group was used to complete the study that was carried out for 12 weeks. In all, 140 female students enrolled in Grade-XI at a p…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the possibilities offered by Lesson and Learning Studies (LLS) for training and for improving and generating knowledge by reconstructing the practical knowledge of teachers in university training through joint design, observation and reflection. In short,the research aims to show how merging LLS contributes to developing fundamental teaching s…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present how lesson study can be instrumental in improving the use of physical manipulatives that are used in teaching elementary science topics. Design/methodology/approach – Objectives are achieved through the following means: first,planning a research lesson in the workshop; second, presentation and critiquing in a seminar workshop; third, impleme…
Purpose – A priority for initial teacher education (ITE) is the development of reflection by pre-service teachers (PSTs) in preparation for transition towards qualified teacher status. Whilst much literature exists on the practice of reflection, little attention has been placed on under-standing and developing the processes that inform this practice. Drawing upon the concepts of strong struct…
The effects of air temperature and velocity on the drying qualities (cracking, bulk density,shrinkage and rehydration) of soybean kernels in fluidized bed dryer were investigated. Drying was carried out at 80, 100, 120 and 140 C and air velocity of 1.8, 3.1 and 4.5 m/s. Soybean kernels were dehydrated from the initial moisture content of 25% (w.b) to a final moisture content of 10%. The drying…
Suspended sediment transport plays a major role in many coastal, estuarine and offshore engineering applications. The transport of suspended sediment influences the constructions of harbours, constructions of coastal power stations and refineries, safety of offshore platforms and pipelines, erosion and accretion of beaches, quality of the water and many other applications. To understand the sus…
We relate sustainability to the wine industry and recognize that for practitioners in the wine industry, priority number one is leaving the land in better shape for the next generation. We show an overview of sustainable wine business practices around the world and five illustrative decision-focused case studies about sustainable wineries. Among those case studies, one presented “live” at t…
This study was performed to evaluate the effect of pomegranate peels powder at concentrations of 1%, 2% and 3% on keeping quality characteristics of prepared beef sausage during a storage period at (4 ±2 C) for 12 days. Chemical compositions, physical, physicochemical and chemical characteristics, microbiological criteria, cooking quality and sensory characteristics of different prepared beef…
The rurality index has been explored using Spatial Statistical Techniques, Multicriteria Decision Support System and Cluster Analysis to obtain areas with homogenous characteristics. The profile outlined is an effective tool to support decision-makers in defining actions aimed to the development of rural areas, in view of a global rationalization and optimization of resources.To check the consi…
Purpose – The globalization of the market economy and the technology revolution present multiple demands for education to meet the needs of the knowledge society. In this global context, work-based learning (WBL) has become increasingly valuable and critical for individuals and governments to enhance employability and to produce competitive workforces. Yet, the interdependence nature of globa…
Sorghum is an important staple food crop of Asian and African countries. As a “poor man's crop”, it provides dietary starch, protein, and some vitamins and minerals. Minerals are important for various physiological functions in the human body. As a major staple crop of central and southern Indian provinces, sorghum landraces are a source of supplementary micronutrients. Concentrations of mi…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the teacher and pupil learning progress through the first implementation of a computer-based method called PrimarWebQuest in a primary school classroom. The study aimed at identifying cognitive and metacognitive skills that are needed to work successfully with the platform. To do so, this lesson study (LS) investigated the pupils’ strate…
The main purpose of this study was to identify effective factors on optimum agricultural water management based on opinions of farmers in Amlash, Guilan Province. The research design of the study was a descriptive study. The target population of this study was the farmers of Amlash in Guilan Province. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by universi…
Two mutants with rolled leaves, temporally designated as rl3(t)-1 and rl3(t)-2, were served for exploring the mechanism underlying the rolled leaf characteristic. Except for having typical rolled leaves, the plant heights and panicle lengths of rl3(t)-1 and rl3(t)-2 significantly decreased, and the seed-setting rate also decreased when compared with wild type 93-11. Cytological analysis sugg…
Nowadays the higher occurrence of cereal insects is observed. Until recently it has been considered to be of little economic relevance. Today cereal insects develop better, thanks to the climate warming, simplification of agricultural techniques and extensive farming in large areas. One of the most pervasive species is leaf miners from the Agromyzidae family, which larvae feed on inner side of …
On the basis of defining the Ocean Oil Spill Information Services and in order to improve the efficiency of disposal and command of more frequent ocean oil spill accidents, the SOA (service oriented architecture) and P2P (peer-to-peer) are utilized to design the physical framework and functional framework of the emergency ocean oil spill command information systems. The goal in this is to study…