Vol. 2 No. 8; October 2012 Vol_2_No_8_October_2012 1. Indicators and Quality Indices of Soil (QIS) Producer’s Barley in the Southern State of Hidalgo, Mexico Judith Prieto Méndez, Francisco Prieto García, Otilio A. Acevedo Sandoval, María A. Méndez Marzo Abstract The aim of this study was to propose and establish indicators and quality index of soil (QIS) to enable rapid assessments and estimates in feedlot soils of the southern state of Hidalgo, Mexico. An indicator is a variable that summarizes or simplifies relevant information by which a phenomenon or condition of interest is made visible and quantified, measured and communicated. They are known various methods that allow widespread use of indicators and benchmarks for assessing environmental quality, land quality, sustainable development, risk, vulnerability, territorial planning, among others. Consideration was given eight indicators were standardized on a 0-1 scale, representing respectively the worst and best condition from the standpoint of quality, regardless of the absolute values measured for each indicator. The maximum and minimum values for some attributes were set to optimal conditions. The QIS found in this region was 0.48 which places it in kind of moderate quality. This value is strongly influenced by low values of soil organic carbon (SOC), as property that is affecting these soils. This decrease of SOC is also the main cause of the low values of aggregate stability and infiltration and an indicator of the values of bulk density. These changes affect the physical properties of soil surface condition leading to increased erosion processes, with consequent loss of thickness of the surface horizon, reflected by the indicator. 2. Evidence for Validity and Reliability of Multiarticular Leg Extension Machine Christos Papadopoulos, Konstantinos Theodosiou, Georgios Noussios, Evaggelia Gantiraga, Konstantinos Meliggas, Michalis Sambanis, Ioannis Gissis Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a multiarticular leg extension machine (MaLEM) to assess the kinematic characteristics of MaLEM, the force time curve characteristics of isokinetic (concentric and eccentric), isometric force measurements, and two different jumps with slow (CMJ) and fast (DJ) stretch shortening cycle (SSC). Nineteen subjects (age: 20.6±1.6years, body mass: 75.3±6.5kg, height: 180±6cm) participated in this study. After familiarization, subjects were tested and retested 2 days later for isokinetic strength (eccentric and concentric peak force (Fisoki-ecc&conmax) and rate of force development (RFDecc&con)), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and RFD, as well as jumping ability (CMJ and DJ maximum height, force and power), to evaluate relative and absolute reliability and usefulness of the test. The criterion validity of the MaLEM was determined by examining the relationship between MaLEM indices and the isometric force and both vertical jumps performances. Reliability of the Fisoki-ecc&conmax and RFDecc&con of the MaLEM was very good, with intraclass correlation coefficient >0.90 and SEM <5% and low bias. The usefulness of the Fisoki-ecc&conmax and RFDecc&con of the MaLEM was rated as ‘‘good’’ respectively. Both, the Fisoki-ecc&conmax, and the RFDecc&con of the MaLEM had high significant correlations with both isometric force measurements (Fmax & RFDiso), and the Pmax of the vertical jumps; and good and high correlations with RFDiso and the Fmax of the two vertical jumps. With regard to HmaxCMJ&DJ good correlations observed only the Fisoki-ecc&conmax with the peak height jump of CMJ. These findings suggest that the MaLEM is a reliable and valid test for assessing force, explosiveness and power in the rehabilitation and sport. Consequently, the isokinetic MaLEM test is an easily applied, and can provide coaches, strength and conditioning professionals with relevant information concerning the choice and the efficacy of training programs. 3. Lesson Study: Collaboration, Improvement, and Reflection Anthony P. van Groningen, Sarah Bennett 4. Studying the Effect of Cooling Rate on the Linear, Non-Linear Deflection and Elastic Properties of Stainless Steel (grade 410) Beams Ali S. Yasir, Luay S. Al-ansari Abstract In this paper, the non-linear analyses of beam deflection were used to calculate the modulus of elasticity of stainless steel ( grade 410) beams that exposed to heating and then cooling with different rate. Several specimens of alloy steel were heated to temperature above critical temperature AC3 at iron-carbon diagram (about 920Co) and then cooling with different cooling rate by using various cooling media. The cooling rates were (0.11, 1.2, 17, 77 and 150oC/Sec). In order to measure the modulus of elasticity of these specimens, the linear and non-linear analysis (using ANSYS V.14 Software) for calculating the deflection of beam are used in additional to experimental results of maximum deflection of beam. From the theoretical and experimental results of maximum deflection of beam, the modulus of elasticity of the specimens were calculated using statistical method and then compared the results with the experimental results from tensile stress. For calculating the modulus of elasticity, the experimental results of maximum deflection of beam at different applied load were recorded and the modulus of elasticity calculated. A very good agreement between experimental and theoretical results and the maximum error was (8%). 5. Measurement of Electrical Properties of Rapeseed Seeds with LCR Meter Good Will 8211 Krassimira Kardjilova, Emilian Bekov, Zuzana Hlavacova, Akos Kertezs Abstract This article aims to present methods for measuring the electrical properties of sample - a granular material - rapeseed seeds developed in physics research laboratory at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Electrical properties were measured with LCR meter. Resistance R, impedance Z, capacity C, relative permittivity? of six samples of rapeseed seeds with different moisture content were measured. The results are represented graphically and analytically. Obtained results are analyzed. The measured values and results obtained allow to conclude that resistance, impedance and capacity of rapeseed seeds functionally dependent on the frequency, as obtained by other authors. Research on electrical properties of biological materials and the results can be used when constructing the apparatus for measuring moisture content based on electrical and dielectric properties of materials. Knowing the dependencies would allow to find the most optimal and accurate method for measuring moisture content in agricultural production. 6. Novice Java Programmers’ Perceptions on the Correctness, Code Assessment, Fairness of Assessment, and Bases of Assessment on Codes with Syntax and Logical Errors: A Comparative Perspective Rex P. Bringula Abstract This descriptive study determined the perceptions of novice programmers on the correctness, assessment, fairness of assessment, and bases of assessment on codes with syntax and logical errors. It also determined whether these perceptions on codes with these two types of programming errors differed significantly. It was found out that novice programmers considered a program to be somewhat correct regardless of the types of error it had. They gave a passing mark to flawed codes and they agreed to a lesser extent that the teachers’ assessment on the codes was fair. It was revealed that a code with syntax error was rated based mainly on the difficulty of the error while a code with logical error was rated based primarily on the effort exerted in doing the code. It was concluded that novice programmers also had the incorrect notions of program assessment and fairness of assessment. One of the four hypotheses was rejected. In the light of the findings and conclusions presented, implications and recommendations were set forth. 7. Adomian Decomposition Method for the Solution of Boundary Layer Convective Heat Transfer Flow over a Flat Plate M. Jiya, Oyubu J. Abstract This paper examines the boundary layer convective heat transfer flow over a flat plate. The nonlinear equations of momentum and energy are transformed from partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations by using similarity transformation; the results are compared with Numerical method (NM) and Homotopy perturbation method (HPM). Conclusion can be drawn that ADM provides highly precise numerical solution for nonlinear differential equations. The results were accurate especially for ??=4, a general equating terms of Eckert number (EC) is derived which can be used to investigate velocity and temperature profiles in boundary layer. The effect of various flow parameters are presented and discussed as they affect the flow. 8.