Archives-December 

Job satisfaction is the sense of well- being, good feeling and positive mental state that emerge in an incumbent worker when his obtained reward consequent upon his performance is congruent with his equitable reward. Extant literature in other sectors of the economy points to the fact that factors such as poor working conditions, below competitive salaries, a lack of promotional opportunities are some of the factors contributing to employee dissatisfaction.The aim of this study is to ascertain the levels of job satisfaction amongst quantity surveyors in consulting firms in Lagos, Nigeria. Biographical and job descriptive index questionnaires (JDI) were administered to gather the data. The JDI measures job satisfaction on five facets, namely, pay, promotions, supervision, co-workers and the work itself. A total of 100 questionnaires were collected and used for the study. The survey covered quantity surveyors in consulting firms in Lagos and the respondents were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using mean item score, spearman rank correlation, correlation matrix, linear regression analysis where appropriate. Findings of the study revealed that the respondents were satisfied with the relationship with co-workers, nature of work and the supervision they receive. Major sources of dissatisfaction are promotion and salaries of the respondents. This finding is a bold step and necessary benchmark for resolving major sources of dissatisfaction among quantity surveyors in consulting firms. The roles of other contextual factors on job satisfaction need to be contemplated for future research.

L-proline monohydrate an intriguing new organic material for frequency conversion has been grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at room temperature. Their structural, optical and physicochemical properties were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR and FT-Raman spectra. The crystal belongs to orthorhombic system with space group Pbca. The mechanical response of the crystal has been studied using Vickers microhardness technique.

Modern polymer chemistry is highly progressive in tailoring polymers to specific requirements such as mechanical, thermal and chemical stability, with better performance with wide range of pore size. Composite materials combine and maintain two or more distinct phases to produce a material that has properties far superior than either of the base materials. Nanoparticles made of chitosan, a naturally occurring polymer isolated from crab and shrimp shells, have shown to be promising as carriers of anticancer drugs, antitumor genes, and other novel therapeutic agents. Cross linking agents improve the properties of polymer and their products. Polymer nanocomposited are a class of reinforced polymer with low quantities of nanometric-sized clay particle, which improved their fair resistance, strength and its porosity deceases. Hence, in the present work nanochitosan was prepared using sodium tripolyphosphate and composite of nanochitosan were prepared with methylcellulose in the presence of clay. However, a greater understanding of the nanoscale features of clays, and the ability to disperse the ultrafine layers within other materials has led to increased interest in their application in composite materials; to provide properties to lightweight polymers that would usually only be found in heavier or more expensive materials (such as glass or metals). The formation of the polymer membrane made by the immersion precipitation process depends on a large number of material and process specific parameters such as choice of the polymer (molecular weight, molecular weight distribution), choice of the solvents, choice of the casting solution temperature and the casting atmosphere. The composites were analyzed for their thermal stability, porosity, X-ray diffraction studies, etc. The results show that the addition of clay along with the nanosized chitosan had decreased the transparency of methylcellulose and with decreased pore size suitable for developing as RO membranes.

We are very happy to announce that from 20th April 2017, Dr. K. Vijayaraj has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He/She will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Mechanical Engineering. Dr. K. Vijayaraj working as Principal / Professor, A.K.T.Memorial College of Engg. &Tech., Kallakurichi-606 202, TamilNadu, India. The appointment of Dr. K. Vijayaraj as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal.

In recent times, many organizations in the Kenyan EPZ industry, have recorded cases of immoral and unethical practices, gratifications, high labour turnover, inability to meet basic required obligations, and incessant financial distress syndrome, which has led to many entities being merged and acquired or closing down. This may be as a result of lack of effective leadership. It is on this premise that this research work set out to examine the effects of leadership styles on employee performance in Export Processing Zones in Kenya. This was guided by the following specific objectives; determining the effect of transactional leadership style on employee performance, ascertaining the effect of transformational leadership style on employee performance and evaluating the effect of authoritarian leadership style on employee performance in Mombasa in Apparel EPZ Ltd. The study adopted a descriptive research design on a population of 676 which was further sampled to 43 through stratified sampling. The study findings indicated that transactional and transformational leadership style, in which employees are allowed to have sense of belonging, carry out higher responsibility with little supervision, and followers are helped to achieve their visions and needs enhance organizational efficiency. It is concluded that transactional and transformational leadership styles are the best for the management of Export Processing Zones in Kenya to be adopted in order for them to wax stronger in a global competitive environment. It was recommended that managers use a composition of transactional leadership and transformational leadership as a core managerial strategy in the organization. It was also suggested that managers to be trained to use both styles of leadership and along with the increasing need for new skills and competencies of leadership as a result of changes in community, leadership training program is more important whenever.

Neurological problems are the major complications generally recognized during the early childhood Type I Diabetes Mellitus (DM).Which causes potential physio-morphological changes on central nervous system. Its early adverse impact can’t be ignored during the childhood cognitive behavior. The recognition of disease and initiation of early treatment can prevent the advanced complications in young diabetic children. The diabetes was induced in 22 days (postnatal) wistar rats by giving intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin at a dose of 60mg/kg body weight. After the confirmation of diabetes induction treatment with the alcoholic root extract of Salacia chinencis at a dose of 100mg/Kg body weight was started immediately. And it was continued for one month duration. At the end of 30 days treatment schedule the animals were scarified and the brain tissue was collected. The tissue was processed under rapid Golgi staining. Tissue sections of frontal cortical neurons were subjected to Camera Lucida drawings and later it was analyzed by considering the changes in dendritic arborization pattern. The alcoholic root extract of Salacia chinencis has shown significant changes in the dendritic arborization pattern in different groups as follows. The analysis of apical intersections has shown that normal control differs with treatment group (p=.014), diabetic control group differs with treatment group (p=.020). And in case of apical branching the normal control differs only with diabetic control (p=.029.) The basal branching points between the normal control differs with diabetic group (p=.013), diabetic control group differ with treatment group (p=.006). And in case of basal intersections none of them are statistically significant to compare.

Influence of Selenium (Se) concentration in the nutrient solution on yield, quality, and Se status of Brussels sprout plants (Brassica oleracea, varGemmifera) was evaluated.The Brussels sprout plants were treated with six concentration of Se asselenate sodium (Na2 SeO4., 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mg L-1).Treatments were arranged in a completely randomize design with four replicates. The highest concentration of Se in the leaves, buds and stem was observed at the 32mg L-1 Se concentration. The total Se accumulation in percentage differed among different parts of plants. Total Se for the differ parts of plants ranged from 2.44 to 65.93% and old leaves accounted for the greatest proportion of total Se, followed by stem, young leaves, roots and buds in descending order. Increasing Se concentration increased Se allocation to the roots, while reduced the Se allocation to the buds. The size of buds increased by increasing Se concentration from 0 to 8 mg L-1. However it was reduced in 16 and 32mg L-1 Se concentration. It can be concluded that Se supplements (8mg L-1) improve yield, and Se concentration in the bud.

The present investigation was carried out in the Purna valley of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra to study the effect of sodium adsorption ratio with total electrolyte concentration and on physical properties of salt affected soils in Purna valley of Maharashtra. The sampling was done in the month of October, 2013. The soil samples were taken from two sites; at the depth of 0-20 cm (surface soil) and 20- 40 cm (sub-surface soil) respectively. For equilibration of soil samples the synthetic waters were prepared with 4 levels of total electrolyte concentrations (TEC) i.e.10, 20,40,80 meL-1 with three levels of SAR viz., 5, 10 and 15 mmol1/2L-1/2. With SAR, MWD decreases due to the increase in dispersion. In case of COLE and VSP with increasing SAR they used to increase but with TEC they inversely related. Total electrolyte concentration and SAR significantly affect the MWD.

From the perspective of social-cognitive theorists, those who stress the efficient, Likelihood their impairment Against Stress and poor social functioning is less. Well as those in different situations Such as social interaction and academic performance have a strong sense of efficacy are less affected by anxiety and stress. This study examined the Effect of training Fordyce Happiness on Increase students' self-efficacy. This study used a quasi-experimental research. The population of all high school students in the first term is Harsin in iran were studying in the academic year 88-87. A sample of 40 of them were selected and divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group received 12 sessions of two hours training happiness. The tools used in this study include: 1- Cherer efficacy Questionnaire (GSE). 2- Program of Training Fordyce Happiness. T test was used for data analysis. T test on the difference between pre-test and post-test scores Showed that Fordyce Happiness Training was increased the efficacy in significance level of 0/05.

This study aimed to investigate the effect on women's employment and the economy on women and families, is in the city of Kermanshah in 2015. The method used in this study is survey method. The study population includes women working in Kermanshah, in 2015 that 380 women, according to Cochran's sampling method, as the population sample is chosen, the selected sample was based on random sampling. Using pre-tested questionnaire, collect required information, and to analyze the data, the Pearson correlation coefficient was used. The findings of the study showed a significant relationship between the variables education, careers, the earnings of women with respect to the upbringing of children, to participate in the decision-making of family affairs, psychological security of women, and to a large extent have traditional culture , and patriarchal views of their influence.