A cross-cultural study of factors influencing helping behaviour

The burgeoning research into altruism and helping behaviour has examined the effect of many variables that enhance or inhibit helpfulness, but little attention has been given to the influence of culture. In the present research, data on various aspects of helping behaviour were collected in both the UK and the Sudan so that the importance of cultural influences could be investigated. In addition this research also tested the validity of current models of helping. In a repertory grid study, urgency and cost emerged as the main constructs people in the two countries use to distinguish between various helpful situations. A laboratory experiment designed to test existing models of intervention behaviour found significant main effects of country, group, size, cost and urgency; and a group size/urgency interaction. Subjects in the Sudan intervened faster than subjects in the UK; lone subjects intervened faster than subjects in small and large groups; subjects in low cost intervened faster than subjects in high cost conditions; and subjects in high urgency intervened faster than subjects in low urgency conditions. Group size effect was stronger in low than in high urgency conditions. Two field studies further investigated the effect of urgency and cost in urban-nonurban context. Significant main effects of urgency and cost were found in cities but not in towns; and people in cities were less helpful than people in towns. A questionnaire survey found that in both countries there were significant urban-nonurban differences in the incidence of reported social contacts and exchange of helpful acts between acquaintances, neighbours and strangers. However, there were no urban-nonurban differences between relatives and close friends. Finally, attitudes to altruism and helpfulness did not differ between the two countries or between urban and nonurban residents. The results highlight the need to incorporate urgency and cultural variables in theoretical models of helping behaviour

Effects of Heat Treatment of Ultrafiltered Milk on its Rennet Coagulation Time and on Whey Protein Denaturation

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of heating (including heating to ultra-high temperatures) homogenized ultrafiltered whole and skim milks on whey protein denaturation and milk\u27s subsequent rennet coagulation properties: coagulation time, curd firmness, and microstructure. Whole and skim milk samples were ultrafiltered using a spiral wound ultrafiltration membrane system. Samples were preheated to 72°C for 58 s, held for 8 s then heated to 72, 89, 106, 123, or 140°C for more than 97 sand held for 4 s. The milk was then cooled to 60°C and homogenized, further cooled to 30°C, packaged into 120 ml sterile containers, and refrigerated overnight. Rennet coagulation time and curd firmness were monitored using a Formagraph . Milk and gel samples were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution and examined by electron microscopy. Whey protein denaturation was determined by precipitating casein at pH 4.6 with .lN HCl and measuring protein content in the filtrate by the Kjeldahl procedure. Rennet coagulation time of milk increased as processing temperature was increased. Gel strength decreased with an increase in processing temperature. Ultrafiltration shortened rennet coagulation time and increased gel firmness. Ultra-high- temperature- heated whole and skim milks did not coagulate upon addition of rennet, but their concentrated counterparts did. Rennet coagulation of the concentrated milks was delayed by heating. Samples treated with ultra-high-temperature formed only a weak gel. The casein micelles in milk increased in size as a function of increasing processing temperature and concentration by ultrafiltration. Additional protein material adhered to the casein micelles after high-temperature processing and was especially noticeable in the samples treated with ultra-high-temperature. Whey protein denaturation increased as a function of increased heating temperature. The heated concentrated milks had higher levels of protein denaturation than the heated unconcentrated ones

Design studies of infrastructural development for applications of hydrogen energy technologies

Countries around the world are trying to reduce their energy consumption, fossil fuel usage, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the International Energy Outlook 2012 released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the estimated fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards proposed for light-duty vehicles for model years 2017-2025 has an increase of 44% in fuel economy and a reduction of 34% in GHG emissions. The use of alternative fuel vehicles and renewable energy sources are, therefore, inevitable toward achieving this goal. Biogas has untapped potential as an alternative energy source. This immediately available resource would allow countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and reliance on fossil fuels. This energy source is created by the anaerobic digestion of a feedstock. Sources for feedstock include organic and inorganic wastes, agricultural wastes, animal by-products, and industrial wastes, each a renewable energy source. A fuel cell can utilize the methane present in biogas using integrated heat, power, and hydrogen systems. A study was performed on both energy flow and resource availability to ascertain not only the type but also the source of feedstock needed to run a fuel cell system continuously while maintaining maximum capacity. A hydrogen fueling infrastructure was also created for the northeastern United States. The infrastructure is to be implemented between 2013 and 2025. The design itself gives priority to customer convenience with minimal additional investments. Extensive research has been done on a generating hydrogen supply from factories and other potential sources that can satisfy the demand in that region. Several markers (e.g., population density, traffic density, legislations, and growth patterns) have driven the process of estimation of the demand. --Abstract, page iv

Economics of using combine harvesters in the mechanized rainfed schemes of eastern Sudan

The effective use of combine harvesters not only needs knowledge about operation requirements, but also needs economic evaluation. The objective of this study was to make economic analysis for combine harvesters used in harvesting mechanized rainfed schemes in eastern Sudan. The data were collected from combine harvesters owners through a comprehensive questionnaire that covered 23 combine harvesters in 2016/2017 season. The collected data included fixed cost items such as purchase price, insurance, shelter and taxes and variable cost items like repair and maintenance, fuel, oil, drivers and supervision. Also, data on harvester working parameters like annual harvested area and working hours, besides custom hiring price and crop yield, were collected. In addition to cost analysis, the breakeven point (BEP), in terms of hectares that have to be harvested annually to cover annual fixed costs; and the payback period (PBP) were calculated. Also, sensitivity analyses were carried out to detect the effect of changing cost parameters on BEP and PBP. The results indicated that the annual harvested area by a combine harvester was found to be 1525 ha in 623 hours. The average fixed cost was found to be 207.5 SDG/ha, which constituted about 16.8% and 68.5% of the purchase price and total operating cost, respectively. Whereas the average variable cost was 95.4 SDG/ha, representing 7.7% and 31.5% of the purchase price and total operating cost, respectively. The results indicated that the depreciation cost was the highest among the fixed cost items and fuel cost was the highest among the variable cost items. The results showed that the average cost for direct harvesting operation was 303 SDG/ha (742.1 SDG/hr). It was found that the BEP was 904 ha and the PBP was 9 years. The sensitivity analysis revealed that increasing the purchase price will increase both the BEP and PBP. The study concluded that the use of a combine harvester in the mechanized rainfed schemes for direct harvesting was profitable for both farmer and investor. When the annual required areas by the combine harvester was satisfied, the estimated profit was 143 SDG/ha. However,it is not advisable to use direct harvesting when crop yield is lower than 450 kg/ha

Application Method of Potassium Humate on Growth And Yield of Green Onion (Allium Cepa L.)

The experiment was carried out during October 2011 at the vegetative research farm, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Duhok on onion (Allium cepa L. )., bulbs were planted in November -2011 .RandomizeCompleteBlock design (R.C.B.D.) was used in this experiment. Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 plants per each. The factors included the following; two concentrations of Potassium humate (0 and 1.8 gm.L-1) and application methods (foliar and fertigation),.Results showed that Potassium humate caused significant increase in most of vegetative growth characteristics .The dual interaction treatments among the tested factors at both fertilization methods especially by fertigation at the high levels revealed significant increase in vegetative characters. and significant increase occurred in the yield characters (bulbs weight, yield of a square meter kg.m2)

SYNTHESIS A NUMBER OF AZO COMPOUNDS DERIVED FROM GUANINE AND STUDYING THEIR BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY ON PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

ABSTRACT: A series of compounds were prepared by coupling dizonium salts with guanine. The structures of the prepared compounds were identified by ultra violet ,infra red spectra and Elemental (C.H.N) analysis .The biological activity of these compounds was investigated on five genera of pathogenic bacteria: S. aureus , Str. viridans , Ps. aeruginosa , E. coli and Sh. dysenteriae using Disc diffusion method. Also the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was calculated .It was found that these compounds have medium biological effect against these genera of bacteri Key words : Synthesis , Azo Compounds , Guanine and , Biological Activity , Bacteri

Future of Mobile Learning During and After Global (Covid-19) Pandemic: College of Basic Education as Case

The declaration of world health organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020 that the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic has urged countries around the world to impose severe restrictions on their populations in a bid to stop the spread of infection. Imposing social distancing policy has consequence to stop different sectors from daily operations and education one of these sectors. This movement has consequence to accelerate the need for alternative. Mobile learning known as the ability to provide educational content on personal pocket devices, or personal digital assistants (PDAs). This style of learning is in its early stages in terms of both pedagogies and its technologies. M-learning represents a new era in learning and educational development in terms of enhancing the educational outcomes and offering mobile training for employees who are busy off campus. The opposite argument here is that this approach of learning might not be sufficient to fulfill the educational process requirements. Aim of this study is to assess from students points of view, current applications of m-learning in Kuwait’s College of Basic Education and evaluate the potential of this approach. Sample of the study consist of fifty-two students (30 male and 22 female) determined by a purposive sampling method. Collected data via online questionnaire to assess the participant’s perceptions and the analysis has revealed a positive attitude towards the utilization of m-learning in higher education; the average perception of was above average, with a mean of 3.54 out of 5.00. No statistical differences were found reflecting students’ gender (female/ male) or their level of experience with information and communications technology (weak, above average, or advanced). As a result, the study recommends accelerating the development of courses taught and incorporating mobile learning delivery. Adopting a blended learning strategy based on m-learning can motivate the students’ learning and reduce the fears of adopting mobile technology within the curriculum. Keywords: Covid-19, M-learning, E-learning, Instructive knowledge, Distance learning DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-17-01 Publication date:June 30th 202

High Studies Deanery Faculty of Commerce Business Administration Department

This study aimed to show the influence of information overload on the decision making process, using the descriptive analytical method to study the influence of information overload represented through three dimensions (email overload, information characteristics and information & communication technology). The study was applied on INGOs that work in Gaza Strip. The questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The study population was (106) who are all managers (Top and Middle levels Management) in INGOs. A census has been used for the target population. Because of the policy of some organizations regarding confidentiality and privacy of work environment, only (86) questionnaires were collected and all were retrieved and analyzed. Results of the analysis of the questionnaire data demonstrate significant relationship of information overload with the managers ‘decision making process