EFFECT OF pH STABILITY ON ALPHA AMYLASE EXTRACTED FROM Aspergillus niger ON STARCH FROM LOCAL RICE IN GHANA

Background: Alpha-amylases are one class of the amylase enzymes extensively synthesized in plants, animals, and microbes. They have been generally used in many industrial applications in a wide range of industrial processes such as food, pharmaceutical and detergent industries.

Due to their high catalytic and thermos stability property according to Yadav, fungal amylases are effectively applied in a wide range of industrial processes. These enzymes are affected by pH, temperature and/or substrates concentration.

Aim: This study aimed at determining the stability of alpha amylase from Aspergillus niger with varied pH conditions.

Methods: The kinetic stability of the enzyme was measured by determining its half-life (t_1/2) and inactivation rate constant (k_d) where pH was varied from 4.5 to 8.5 along with temperature from 50°C to 90°C. The inactivation rate constant was determined from the equation  while the t_1/2 was determined from=.

Results: The activation energy of inactivation was determined from the Arrhenius plot of inactivation. The protein concentration was estimated to be 2.57mg/ml by the Biuret method. The amylase isolated was thermos table with an optimum temperature of 70°C, optimum pH of 6.5 and an optimum substrate concentration of 0.26%. The Km was 0.13% while the Vmax was 1.0×10^-4g/ml. The k_d values ranges from 0.0780 to 0.0814 min^-1 while the t_1/2 values ranges from 8.51 to 8.78min and the results observed for pH 4.5, 6.5, 7.0, and 8.5 are 4.821 x10²J/mol, 9.342 x10²J/mol, 28.025 x10²J/mol and -9.362x10² J/mol respectively.

Conclusion: The stability of the enzyme is decreased by pH variation in the order pH 8.5 < pH 4.5 < pH 6.5 < pH 7.0 showing that the enzyme is stable in alkaline and acidic medium than in a neutral pH. The optimum substrate at which the reaction rate is independent of the substrate concentration was determined to be 0.26% (0.0026 g/ml)

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THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONAL THEORY IN CITIZEN TRUST IN LOCAL E-GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Trust in government (TG) represents to one’s explanations regarding the truth and ability of the movement, as long as the e-government services. E-government services can support to start citizen trust of government. In former study, very few is attentive on the significant of e-government services and trust in local government. To fill up these research gaps present study absorbed to found trust in local government services by institutional theory. The research is grounded on the quantitative field survey wherever 300 respondents after the rural area of Bangladesh have been measured as sample. Sample has been collected at Chittagong, one Union Parishad, in Bangladesh. The IBM statistics SPSS 21 and LISREL 8.7 used to perform statistical analysis. The theoretical outline is observed by structural equation modelling (SEM). This article suggests a model observe in what way e-government services (i.e., mimetic mechanism, coercive mechanism, normative mechanism) affect citizen trust in local government. Using Statistical equation model (SEM) in current research, it finds that mimetic and transaction services are associated with the e-government services while normative services does not associate. We conclude with implications and suggestion for future research.

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DETERMINANTS OF STOCK RETURN REVISITED: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA

This study examines the macroeconomic determinants of stock returns in Nigeria over the period 1985-2016 using the ARDL approach to cointegration and error correction model.  Our findings have shown that GDP is not significant both in the short and long run, while, Interest rate and money supply exert position positive and significant influence on stock market returns while inflation negatively affects stock market returns in Nigeria. Our findings have shown that GDP significant both in the short and long run, while, Interest rate and money supply positively influence stock market returns while inflation negatively affects stock market returns in Nigeria. It was also found that these macroeconomic variables significantly affect stock market returns in Nigeria. The results in general highlight the need government and monetary authorities to provide policies that will ensure sustained economic growth and development. CBN should continue its policy target on economic activities and investment.

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PERTINENCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF COCOA PRODUCTION IN SANTCHOU, CAMEROON

The importance of social capital is another new stylized fact in promoting agriculture. The study has as objective to examine the impact of social capital in the enhancement of cocoa production and to determine the challenges faced by cocoa producers in Santchou. Methodologically, we have constructed a social capital index through the application of Multiple Correspondence Analyses using primary data collected within the Santchou cocoa zone and the probit model is used for regression estimates. The result revealed a strong correlation between social capital and cocoa production, while the level of education, sex, marital status, financial status, experience in faming, household size and agricultural training are strongly corroborating with the determinants of social capital. In addition, farm size, level of education, application of farm inputs (pesticides and fertilizers), modern equipment, climate change, access to credit and land tenure system were observed to be the major challenges faced by cocoa farmers in Santchou. We suggest that cocoa farmer’s social network should be improved to enable them easily get assistant when necessary.

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THE CONTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF KIGALI CITY: A CASE STUDY OF RWANDA FEDERATION TRANSPORT COOPERATIVE (RFTC)

The study was to establish the contribution of public transport services to the development of Kigali city. Glossily, the transport sector plays an important role in the economic development of a country, the transport network drives other sectors such as agriculture, trade or business sector and all other service sector. Though research transport services has been found to create employment, income, revenue, increase tax and infrastructure development as well as improve wellbeing of the people. The problem was that transport services does not offer the expected services and benefits in Kigali city and its economic contribution is not recognized by the local community. The specific objectives included to find out transport services contribution to economic development, to find out the factors that limit the contribution and the solution to the problems. Pearson correlations test indicates a positive and very high relationship between variables of this study. The researcher concluded that transport is an important element of economic development and several factors influence transport which also affects economic development. It was recommended that RFTC should bring modern busses for better transport and satisfaction of passengers. RFTC should also train drivers and conductors to improve professionalism service to passengers.

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ISOLATION AND DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF SODIUM HYDROGEN ANTIPORTER (NHX1) GENES IN Leucas aspera

Leucas aspera is a medicinal plant well known for its traditional uses such as antipyretic and insecticide. It is commonly known as Thumbai or Thumba and distributed throughout India from the Himalayas down to Srilanka. Soil salinity is an adverse environmental problem affecting agriculture and over 800 million hectares of the world land is affected by salt stress. To study the effect of salt stress on L. aspera, one month old seedlings were subjected to salt stress. The study showed a significant reduction of chlorophyll content after 72 hours of treatment with 150 mM and higher salt concentrations. Vacuolar Na+/H+ exchanger (NHX1) is one of the key gene playing a vital role in salt tolerance. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify conserved regions of NHX1 and to design degenerate primers. The NHX1 gene homologue was isolated and sequenced from L. aspera and submitted to NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) database. The real time PCR based expression study showed significant upregulated expression of NHX1 after the plant subjected to salt stress up to 12 hours but a reduction in expression was observed after 24 hours.

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THE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF TOTAL WHITE CELL COUNT AND ABSOLUTE NEUTROPHIL COUNT AS MARKERS OF EARLY NEONATAL SEPSIS IN A TERTIARY NEONATAL UNIT IN SUDAN

Background and Objectives: Neonatal sepsis remains an important cause of neonatal mortality in developing countries. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the role of total white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Methods: This was a prospective, hospital-based study conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit at Soba University Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, from January to

June 2018. 90 babies were included in the study. Data was collected using a specifically designed questionnaire including maternal and neonatal data. .Chi square test was used to study the correlation between risk factors for sepsis and absolute neutrophil count. P value was set at 0.05 level of significance.

Results: The main results showed that 14 babies (15.6%) had TWBCS less than 5000/ mm3, 69 babies (76.6%) had TWBCS between 5000-20000 /mm3 and 7 babies (7.8%) had TWBCS more than 20000 /mm3.   81(90%) had ANC more than 1800 mm3, 6 (6.7%) had ANC between 500-1000 /mm3, 3(3.3%) had ANC between less than 500 /mm3.The study showed that 71 babies (78.9%) had positive CRP. All babies included in the study had positive blood culture. Correlation between ANC and risk factors for sepsis showed that there was significant correlation between ANC and gestational age, mode of delivery, low Apgar score and UTI in the third trimester (P values = 0.020, 0.030, 0.036 and 0.020 respectively). The study showed that there was significant correlation between ANC and blood culture (p value = 0.00).

Conclusion: Total white cell count and absolute neutrphil count, being easily measurable and more affordable, can be conveniently used as good markers for the diagnosis of early neonatal sepsis especially in low resource setting.

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CAN Camellia japonica GROW IN VIETNAM? SEED GERMINATION AND INITIAL GROWTH

Camellia japonica L. is an evergreen tree, belonging to family Theaceae. The species naturally distributes in China, Taiwan, Korea, and southern Japan. It has been widely planted for ornamenting purpose. Also, C. japonica oil has been extracted and used for healthcare. In this study, seed germination and initial seedling growth of C. japonica were experimented in Hanoi, Vietnam.Seeds were collected in January in Kyoto, Japan and transported to Vietnam. Seeds were stored in normal room conditions until the experiment in February. Pre-sowing treatment was conducted by soaking in 50-55oC ordinary water until reaching normal temperature. Treated seeds were then sown in wet sandy bed for germination. Germinated seeds were then transplanted to forested-soil pots and tended normally by watering twice a day without fertilization and pest/disease control. The results indicated that the first seed germinated was recorded 3 weeks after experimenting, and germination ended in 2 weeks from the first germination. Most seeds germinated in the duration of 5th day to 10th day after the first germination. The germination rate was 62.5% and seedling survival rate was 96.8% at 4 months of growth. Seedlings of 4 months old had an average height of 15.9 cm, diameter at the stump of 2.1 mm, the taproot of 11.4 cm long, and average 10.6 leaves/seedling. It is possible to grow C. japonica in Vietnam. However, further study should be conducted in the field conditions.

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Determination Of Chemical And Gross Organic Pollutant Levels In Leachates From Approved Waste Dumpsites, Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

This study was aimed at the determination of chemical and gross organic pollutants levels in leachates from some selected and government approved dumpsites in Port Harcourt metropolis. Leachates from the 3-selected dumpsites were analyzed and compared with the seasons, controls and established standards using descriptive statistical designs. Integrated samples were collected during both wet and dry seasons and analyzed for DO, BOD, ORP, Salinity and pH. The use of 2-way ANOVA, t-test, graphs and mean variation were applied to explain trend and variations. The results show that there was no significant difference in temporal dimension (seasonally) but high level spatial variation (stations) in most parameters occurred. Most chemical/ gross organic pollutants showed higher level concentrations during the dry season. Though some of the parameters were relatively low compared to standard limits; the study revealed that these dumpsites remain major polluting sources to the surrounding surface and ground water regimes. In order to recover these dumpsites from acute contamination, state government should ensure the use active remediation processes and treatment to reduce the effects of pollution to the ecosystem.

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ON a precise TWO-SMALL-PARAMETER CUBIC-QUINTIC NON-LINEAR equation HAVING SLOWLY-VARYING COEFFICIENTS WITH APPLICATION TO DYNAMIC BUCKLING

Abstract

The present analysis uses multi-timing regular perturbations in straight line expansions to research a precise equation having a cubic-quintic nonlinearity. The equation contains slowly-varying expressly time-dependent coefficients moreover as some tiny parameters upon that straight line expansions ar initiated. The formulation is seen to be typical of a precise mass-spring arrangement (with geometric imperfection), treed by a loading history that's expressly time-dependent and slowly variable, however endlessly decreasing in magnitude, whereas the restoring force on the spring encompasses a cubic-quintic nonlinearity.  The dynamic buckling load of the elastic model structure is decided analytically and is said to the corresponding static buckling load. To the amount of the accuracy maintained, it's ascertained that the dynamic buckling load depends, among others, on the worth of the primary spinoff of the loading perform evaluated at the initial time. All results ar straight line and underlying the load amplitude.

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IATROGENIC ANTERIOR bicuspid valve LEAFLET PERFORATION WITH SEVERE MITRAL REGURGITATION

Abstract

A 4-year-old male patient, WHO had separate subaortic stricture and underwent subaortic membrane surgical operation (SAM), bestowed with symptom and palpitation three months once surgical intervention, transthoracic diagnostic technique disclosed severe mitral regurgitation thanks to perforation of the anterior bicuspid valve leaflet.

Learning objectives: separate subaortic membrane stricture is that the commonest sort of subaortic stricture, definitive medical aid is surgical surgical operation, anterior bicuspid valve leaflet perforation could be a rare complication post internal organ surgery, meticulous surgical surgical operation and TEE steering is needed to scale back complications risk.

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ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLES OF NON-TIMBER FOREST merchandise within the support SUSTAINANCE IN GUJBA government space denizen OF YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed the roles of Non-Timber Forest product within the keep sustainance in Gujba regime space of Yobe State, Nigeria. A Multi-stage sampling technique was random used for the choice of respondents. a complete of 1 hundered (100) copies of questionnaires were administered, within which twenty 5 (25) copies each were administered to every of the four wards. and therefore the form used was coded and analysed exploitation descriptive datum, information obtained was subjected to chi-square to determine whether or not there's important distinction of a number of the respondent.The result obtained unconcealed that men and girls were involve in assortment of various NTFPs that are chiefly used regionally and to a lesser extent commercially. therefore fruits, leaves, gums, epiphyte, barks and life. Among others are largely collected is that the gum acacia are extremely marketed. the bulk of the respondent were at the aged cluster of 31- 40(33.3% were male dominated by (60.2%) and whose house ranges from 3-4 were (32.4%) and while not western education (47.7%) and majority of the collector were married (70.2%). the foremost occupation is farming and therefore the farmers were (31.5%) counting on the NTFPs. last the gathering of NTFPs for keep sustainance in Gujba LGA, through provision of assorted NTFPs like leaves fruits, gums and life for domestic use and sales for financial gain generation and therefore the sources of their keep sustainance become extremely necessary.

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IDENTIFYING FACTORS THAT HINDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF inexperienced SCOR MODEL IN FMCG corporations

Supply chain consists of doing the task from purpose of initiation to point of consumption by effectively and with efficiency. thanks to the recently modified environmental circumstances that have an effect on producing and delivering method, growing attention is given to the event of inexperienced management ways for offer chain. This insane and cut throat competition among firms has forced and pushed the producing and FMCG sectors to revamp and reorient their ways, procedures, approaches and policies to realize and gain a competitive come near their operations and competitive advantage in throughout their offer chain network. In FMCG firms or method industries preferences will amendment with the blink of a watch. dynamic  client demands, customers’ tastes towards completely different product, large quantity of substitute product, the shift of lots towards branded product, dynamic  priorities of suppliers’, competition most significantly and also the changing technological shifts within the business worlds are all the erratic factors that are gift in the surroundings to somehow completely and negatively impact and hinder the performance of producing and FMCG firms. the aim of the inexperienced offer at proscribing the waste at intervals the producing system thus on jam energy and stop the indulgence of harmful materials into the surroundings. Researchers in study on drivers of inexperienced offer chain are disapproved  for its slim views and lack of business relevancy. So, it's a true must notice improved processes for adaptation and implementation of inexperienced practices and green image in FMCG industries. In current state of affairs, the inexperienced SCOR Model gain the importance because it could be a major tool for offer chain inexperienced Initiative. The aim of the paper is to be examining the inexperienced Practices within the elect Pakistani FMCG.

Better drivers mentioned within the analysis were inexperienced style, integrated quality environmental management into the event and operation method, reducing energy consumption, and reusing and utilisation resources and packing drivers.


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