Foreign Product Perceptions and Country of Origin Analysis across Black Sea:Studies on Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia and Turkey

The research aims to join the limited knowledge about COO perceptions of Black Sea regional consumers with the examples of the selected countries. Studies on foreign product perceptions are still scarce about this region. In the consequences of radical reforms to adopt free market system, consumers are exposed to a large variations of imported products more than ever before. Lack of consumer experience of particular products and inadequate product information and their producers resulted in the perception of the product's country-of-origin (COO) as the most important cue to assess the quality. This study analyses approaches toward foreign products, country of origin effect and the ethnocentric behavior of consumers of the selected countries. The study is a literature review of related studies in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia and Turkey.Consumer Behavior, Country of Origin, Ethnocentrism, Developing Countries, International Marketing, BSEC, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Turkey

Middle School Students’ Perceptions, Experiences, And Behaviors Towards Using a Virtual Reality Application to Build Molecules

To deliver successful integration of virtual reality (VR) technology into chemistry education, it is essential that students have clear and positive perceptions about the purpose and the value of such integration. An important part of establishing a plan for integrating virtual reality technology into chemistry education is to explore the current perceptions, experiences, and behaviors of students towards the use of VR technology to establish an initial baseline of skills and areas in need of development. The purpose of this exploratory mixed methods study was to explore the perceptions, experiences, and behaviors of 62 middle school students in the state of Colorado towards the use of virtual reality technology in chemistry education. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data from participants using a demographic survey, observations, interviews, and a student perception survey. Participants went through a chemistry exercise delivered through a VR application called Molecule Builder. The first research question asked: “What are middle school students’ perceptions toward using VR technology as a learning tool in the chemistry exercise?”. For this research question, the quantitative portion of the data were collected using 24-Likert-scale items in the student perception survey completed fully by 60 student participants and partially by two participants. Quantitative results of the student perception survey yielded an overall mean of 4.58, indicating that student participants, overall, had very positive perceptions of VR as a learning tool. In addition, the qualitative findings showed the emergence of three themes through the analysis of student responses to the five open-ended questions in Section B: Reflections in the student perceptions survey: (a) advantages of VR as a tool to learn chemistry, (b) disadvantages of using VR as a tool to learn chemistry, and (c) suggestions about using virtual reality applications for teaching chemistry. The second research question asked: “Are there any differences between female and male middle school students’ perceptions toward using VR technology as a learning tool in the chemistry exercise?”. This research question was answered using the findings from the 24 Likert-scale items in Section A: Perceptions in the student perception survey, the demographic data from the demographic survey, and participants’ responses to open-ended questions in Section B: Reflections in the student perception survey. Quantitative results of the student perception survey yielded a non-statistically significant difference between female and male students’ perceptions towards utilizing VR for learning chemistry. The results revealed that female and male students have similar perceptions towards using VR as a tool to learn chemistry. In addition, the qualitative findings showed that both females and males had similar perceptions on most of the three themes and nine sub-themes in general. The third research question asked: “How do middle school students describe their experience during the chemistry exercise using the VR tool?”. This research question was answered using structured interviews with all 62 participants. The majority of participants expressed an overall sense of a positive experience of the chemistry exercise using the VR tool. Two main themes were identified during the interviews: (a) positive experiences and (b) mixed experiences. The fourth research question asked: “How do middle school students behave before, during, and after using the VR tool to conduct the chemistry exercise regarding emotions, body language, and any apparent reactions?”. This research question was answered using observation notes and participants’ responses to three open-ended questions in section C: Behaviors in the student perception survey, which were completed by all 62 participants. The emergent themes from participant behaviors before using the VR tool to conduct the chemistry exercise were: (a) exited, (b) anxious, (c) ambivalent, and (d) joyful. The emergent themes from participant behaviors during the use of the VR tool to conduct the chemistry exercise were: (a) joyful, (b) engaged, (c) virtually present, and (d) ambivalent. The emergent themes from participant behaviors after using the VR tool to conduct the chemistry exercise were: (a) motivated, (b) joyful, (c) accomplished, (d) surprised, and (e) dissociated. In conclusion, results and findings indicated that the use of VR as a tool to learn chemistry was perceived positively by middle school students without gender differences. Additionally, the majority of students had positive experiences using the VR application to build molecules. Finally, students’ behaviors were mostly positive towards the use of VR as a learning tool. The findings and recommendations made in the study could be addressed and utilized by the stakeholders including policymakers, administrators, and educators in the integration of virtual reality technology in the classroom and education in general

Ultrafine particles in rural and urban dwellings with different household fuel use in developing countries – An example from Pakistan

Exposure to indoor particulate matter (PM) is a major public health concern, in particular, in developing countries where solid fuels are typically used as a household energy source.Despite the fact that emission from these fuels can have a dominant fraction of ultrafine particles, exposure to PM is generally characterised in terms of mass concentration of PM10 and PM2.5. The present study was carried out to examine the number concentration of ultrafine particles in rural and urban Pakistani households with different fuels. Air samples were collected from kitchens, living rooms and courtyards of two rural sites (Site I - Solid fuel; Site II - Natural gas) and an urban site (Natural gas) by using condensation particle counters.At rural site –I the 24 hour mean concentration of particles in the kitchen, living room and outdoors was 40,991#/cm3 (± 7472), 30,291#/cm3 (± 13774) and 34,534#/cm3 (± 4947), respectively. During cooking the number concentration can increase significantly with an average hourly maximum value of 169,455#/cm3. Higher outdoors levels than in living rooms highlight the effect of cooking in open kitchens on ambient levels. At the rural site II the daily average number concentration in living rooms was in the range of 10,745 – 16,126 #/cm3 with a mean of 13,542 #/cm3.These values were more than half those in living rooms at rural site I. Whereas in the kitchen the 24hour mean was 27,446#/cm3 (± 4487). At the urban site the mean 24 hour average in the living rooms and kitchens was 45,466 #/cm3 (± 5919)and 65,904 #/cm3 (± 11490), respectively. The 24 hour mean concentration was more than double in the urban kitchens than in rural kitchens at site II. The 24 hour average outdoors was 33,424 #/cm3 (± 6037)– slightly lower than outdoors at rural site I. Overall, the number concentration was higher in kitchens using natural gas fuel at the urban site than in those with solid fuels and natural gas at rural sites. While between rural sites the households with solid fuel had higher concentrations than those with natural gas. Furthermore, outdoors at rural site-I households had higher concentrations as compared to urban household outdoors

Assessment of airborne particulate matter (PM<inf>2.5</inf>) in university classrooms of varrying occupancy

Air pollution is a major concern in Pakistan. Levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) in educational built environments, have not yet been studied comprehensively in Pakistan. This study was conducted to assess relationships between indoor and outdoor particulate matter in classrooms of the University of the Punjab, Lahore, using a DUSTTRAK Aerosol Monitor (TSI Model 8520). Sampling for PM2.5 concentrations was carried out simultaneously outdoors and indoors in different classrooms on the campus. According to the level of occupancy three classrooms were selected i.e. Classroom I: low occupancy, Classroom II: medium occupancy and Classroom III: high occupancy. Simultaneous outdoor measurements were carried out at rooftop of each classroom. A tracer method was used to measure the air change per hour in each classroom. The 24 hour average concentrations of PM2.5 in Classrooms I, II and III were observed to be 282 μg/m3, 75 μg/m3 and 673 μg/m3 whereas 24 hour average outdoor levels were 324 μg/m3, 121 μg/m3 and 998μg/m3 respectively. Results showed a significant impact of ambient air and occupancy level on PM2.5 levels inside classrooms and all observed values exceeded the WHO limits

Heavy metal composition of particulate matter in rural and urban residential built environments in Pakistan

Heavy metals in outdoor and indoor airborne particulate matter (PM) and dust in different residential built environmentsat two rural and one urban site in Pakistan were analysed. An eight stage non-viable impactor (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., USA) loaded with EMP 2000 glass microfiber filter papers (Whatman, England) was used to collect airborne PM.The indoordust samples (settled dust) were collected from different indoor surfaces (floor, cupboards) in living rooms and kitchens from houses at rural sites. The outdoor samples were collected from courtyards of the houses.At the urban site dust samples were also collected by the roads at 27 different locations around Lahoreand at a background site (University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences).Additionally, samples of dung cake, used as solid fuel, at one of the rural sites were taken.Heavy metals (Si, Al, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, Co and As) were determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. At rural site I, in general, the concentrations of metals were higher outdoors than indoors, except for slightly higher indoor levels of Cu (0.85μg/m3 indoor: 0.56 outdoorμg/m3), Si (3.31μg/m3 indoor: 3.17 outdoorμg/m3) and Pb(11.99 ng/m3 indoor: 9.32 outdoor ng/m3). At the rural site II the mean concentration were higher outdoors than indoors, excluding Ni which was considerably higher indoors (55.68 ng/m3) than outdoors (31.91 ng/m3).At the urban site,outdoors, Si had the highest concentration (3.46 μg/m3) followed by Al, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb and Co. Similarly, the indoor levels had a maximum contribution from Si (12.30 μg/m3) followed by Al, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, As, Pb, Ni and Co.With reference to dust at rural site I the top five metals outdoors were Si (708 mg/kg), Al, Cu, Zn and Pb (52 mg/kg) while, indoors Al was highest (281 mg/kg), followed by Si, Cu, Zn and Pb (57 mg/kg). At rural site II, both outdoors and indoors, Al (274 mg/kg – outdoor: 266 mg/kg - indoor), Si, Zn, Cu and Pb (61 mg/kg – outdoor: 80 mg/kg - indoor) were the five most abundant metals.The main five metals in decreasing order of their concentration in the road dust around Lahore were Si (686 mg/kg), Al, Cu, Zn and Pb (81 mg/kg). On the other hand, the dust samples from the background site showed Si (345 mg/kg) > Al >Pb> Cu > Zn (73 mg/kg). The airborne metal concentration of Pb was within the guideline value of WHO (0.5 μg/m3) but the levels of Mn, Cd and Ni were higher at all sites than the guidelines proposed by European Commission and WHO highlighting the risk of exposure to toxic metals in non-occupational environments

Automotive related exposure to particulate air pollution in developing countries cities

Poor urban air quality in developing countriesis a growing public health challenge due to rises in population, industries, urbanization and vehiclesalong with insufficient air quality management. Among the range of air pollutants exposure to particulate matter (PM) is of greatest concern due to its association with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The present study reports traffic related exposure to PM by the roads in Lahore, Pakistan. The measurements of mass and number of PM were carried out by GRIMM analysers (Model 1.108 and Model 1.101) and condensation particle counter (TSI 3781). The heavy metals concentration in PM was determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Unicam atomic absorption, Cambridge, UK).The mean hourly average concentration of PM10, PM2.5, PM1 and PM10 – 2.5 at the road siteswas higher during weekdays(305 μg/m3, 84 μg/m3, 61 μg/m3 and 222 μg/m3, respectively) in comparison to the weekend (136 μg/m3, 60 μg/m3, 40 μg/m3 and 76μg/m3, respectively). At the background site the levels in the same size fractions were 206μg/m3, 63μg/m3, 31μg/m3, and 143μg/m3, respectively. Likewise, the number concentration of ultrafine particles was considerably higher at road sites (417,003 #/m3) than the background(97,300 #/m3).The concentration of heavy metals in PM decreased in the following order: Si, Al, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb. Overall, the concentration of PM10, PM2.5 and toxic metals (Mn, Cd, Ni) was substantially higher than guidelines by the WHO. Furthermore, relatively higher levels of the fine fraction (PM2.5 and PM1) in the background reflect their higher residence time and resultant increased risk of exposure to the wider public beyond that of the vicinity to automotive sources. Everyday commuters, mostly on two and three wheelers as well asthe residential population in urban areas are at an enhanced risk of exposure to high levels of particulate pollution

Exposure to PM <inf>10</inf>, PM <inf>2.5</inf>, PM <inf>1</inf> and carbon monoxide on roads in Lahore, Pakistan

Particulate matter pollution is one of the major environmental concerns in Pakistan. Over the past 20 years there has been a considerable increase in the number of motor vehicles. The present study was conducted to assess journey time and roadside exposure to particulate matter and carbon monoxide along major roads of Lahore during November, 2007. Measurements of particulate mass and carbon monoxide were carried out continuously inside an air conditioned vehicle, while commuting, and outside the vehicle at 36 different locations in the city. Additionally, monitoring was undertaken at a background site throughout the period. The overall mean journey-time concentrations of PM 10, PM 2.5, PM 1, PM 10-2.5 and CO were 103 μg/m 3, 50 μg/m 3, 38 μg/m 3, 53 μg/m 3 and 8 ppm, respectively. At the roadside average PM 10, PM 2.5, PM 1, PM 10-2.5 and CO concentrations were 489 μg/m 3, 91 μg/m 3, 52 μg/m 3, 397 μg/m 3 and 4 ppm, respectively. The highest levels were found at the sites with traffic congestion reflecting, not only, the large contribution of automobile exhaust but also the resuspension of road dust. The majority of public transport vehicles in Lahore are not air-conditioned and it is very likely that commuters are exposed to the similar high levels of pollution. © Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research

Comparative study of particulate matter in the transport microenvironment (buses) of Pakistan and UK

Transport microenvironments can contain higher levels of particulate matter due to infiltration from the roads, vehicular exhaust and commuter’s activities. The present study monitored PM, CO2, CO, temperature and relative humidity levels in diesel-powered buses in Pakistan and United Kingdom. Two routes of almost the same travelling distance were selected in Pakistan and the UK. Indoor air quality of the buses was monitored to determine the exposure faced by the commuters on inter-city journeys. While the observed levels in both countries were not in compliance with the WHO guidelines, levels of particulate matter were much higher in Pakistan than the concentrations in UK

Amtsal Ayat-Ayat Infak dan Tafsirnya dalam Kitab Al-Qur’an dan Tafsirnya Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia

Salah satu uslub Al-Qur’an, amtsȃl, memberikan makna yang indah dan menggelitik dengan maksud menggugah jiwa pembacanya dengan menyamakan yang gaib dengan yang terlihat, yang abstrak dengan yang konkrit, atau dengan menarik analogi antara hal-hal yang serupa. Ayat yang berbicara tentang infak merupakan salah satu ayat dalam Al-Qur’an yang mengandung amtsȃl. Banyak ayat yang memberikan inspirasi dan memberikan contoh betapa beruntungnya mereka yang gemar mengeluarkan harta untuk berinfak, dan betapa malangnya mereka yang tidak ingin melakukan hal tersebut. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia menafsirkan ayat-ayat amtsȃl&nbsp;infak dalam sudut pandang kitab Al-Qur’an dan Tafsirnya. Ini adalah bentuk penelitian perpustakaan atau literatur. Metode analisis data penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif. Untuk sumber primernya, kajian ini mengkaji ayat-ayat infak yang beredaksi amtsȃl dalam perspektif kitab Al-Qur’an dan tafsirnya. Sumber sekunder diambil dari berbagai literatur yang membicarakan mengenai ayat-ayat infak yang beredaksi amtsȃl. Berdasarkan temuan penelitian diketahui bahwa tafsir Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia terhadap ayat amtsȃl&nbsp;infak dalam kitab Al-Qur’an dan Tafsirnya menggambarkan seseorang yang menafkahkan hartanya sebagai benih yang menumbuhkan ratusan benih, taman di dataran tinggi yang disiram hujan lebat, taman yang ditiup angin kencang berisi api, batu halus yang disiram hujan deras, dan anjuran bersikap pertengahan, tidak boros dan tidak pula kikir

Environmental health and wildlife researchwith transnational education forebodings, applicability and approach

Pakistan, the sixth most populous country (91.71 million)in the world, is battling to keep the balance between economic growth and environmental protection. At present the government is mainly focusing on meeting the energy and food needs of the country and environmental protection is lacking serious attention. Pollution (air, water, and soil), sanitation and loss of wildlife and biodiversity are growing environmental health issues in Pakistan. In order to deliver demand led solutions to these multifaceted challenges development of institutional and technical capacities in the countryis prerequisite. Transnational Education (TNE) provides institutional mobility in tertiary education and through British Council facilitated links we were successful in developing a much needed baseline courses work and underway the research for environmental health related issues. The Government of Pakistan will certainly use the data from the research and experts will also be available to concerned departments to tackle emerging environmental problems. Additionally the understanding and concerns of TNE in academic, economic, career and socio-cultural contexts could be imperative challenges. Through TNE it was learned that other nations / regions can be benefitted from such institutes and concerned people for a true flow of knowledge for reciprocated problems. The recommendations include general considerations for policy makers which are linked with environmental health and wildlife. Among the general considerations, or overarching advice, is that policies should promote community-wide action to manage wildlife, biodiversity, environmental health and that the safety of new emissions and exposure with technologies must be assessed rather than estimated