Factors Affecting Variation In Levels Of Participation In Watershed Management Programs In Iran

This study was designed to determine the factors that affect variation of level of participation in Watershed Management Programs (WMP) in Iran. In this regard, a conceptual model was developed to: 1) identify characteristics that lead to the participation in WMP, and 2) determine the factors that affect variation of level of participation in WMP. In this study the relationship of five factors with level of participation were examined to provide the role of each factor in explaining the variation of level of participation in WMP. These factors were; 1) socio demographic characteristics of the respondents, 2) respondents knowledge of WMP, 3) respondents attitude toward WMP, 4) respondents expectations of WMP, and 5) respondents satisfaction of prior programs as independent variables and the level of participation as dependent variable.In order to achieve to this goal, a cross sectional survey was design and utilized. The data were gathered through personal interview by using a set of questionnaire. data were collected from two hundred respondents which were randomly selected from three villages in Hable-Rud basin in Iran. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, Pearson product moment correlation, one way analysis of variance and multiple regressions were employed for analyzing data in this study

A social exchange approach to people's participation in watershed programs in Iran

The degree of popular participation in development programs is a major determinant of success or failure but the factors which make participation efforts successful still remained a mystery. Many studies have developed numerous and sometimes different views concerning to the dimensions of participation. Most of these literatures tends to be descriptive and rarely applies theory. This study was designed to analyze the people participation in Watershed Management Programs in Iran by using the framework of social exchange theory and determine the role of this theory in explaining people participate in Watershed Management Programs. In order to achieve to this goal, a cross sectional survey was design and utilized. The data for this study were gathered from 200 respondents which were randomly selected in three villages in August and September 2008 through personal interviews by using a questionnaire. Findings of study showed that there are significant relationship between exchange factors and level of people participation in watershed management programs in Iran. Multiple regression analysis discovered that exchange factors explained 33 percent of variation in the level of people participation in watershed management programs. This study found that social exchange theory is an appropriate perspective to explain level of people participation but participation is a complex issue and future researchers might use multiple perspectives for explaining participation

Effect of antimony addition relative to microstructure and mechanical properties of continuous cast lead alloy

It is well documented that the addition of antimony in pure lead increases tensile strength and reduced elongation. The goal of the present work is to identify the cause of these phenomena by investigation of the effects of the addition of Sb (1.25 wt.%) on the structure of pure continuously cast lead and lead alloy rods. The microstructure and morphology of both pure lead and lead with 1.25 wt.% antimony were examined by digital optical microscope and scanning electron microscope respectively. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) was used to identify alloying elements. The results showed that the effect of additions of antimony on mechanical properties of lead-antimony alloys is mainly due to the solid solubility of the antimony. Distribution of the antimony results in a decrease in the grain size of the pure lead. These smaller grains mean higher strength so long as there is a homogeneous grain structure.</p