September 2011

In this study the impact of road construction dust were tested on some of the physicochemical parameters of plantain fluid. Samples of plantain fluid (juice) were taken to examine the characteristics of fluid content upon the influence of road construction dust on the plantain vegetation. These samples were collected on monthly basis over a 12-month period. Sampling of the data was conducted using the acceptable standard. The effect of road construction dust on pH, ion content (Fe2+), total hardness, chloride, sulphate, acidity, alkalinity and total suspended solute was examined under two scenarios: dry and wet seasons.

This paper is derived from a study conducted at the University of East Africa, Baraton (UEAB). The study sought to: identify the counselling services that were being offered; establish the counselling services that students needed and determine whether students utilised the services that were being offered. The study involved 627 students and 10 administrators. Data from students and administrators were obtained using questionnaires and interview schedules respectively and analysed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) computer package. Tyler’s evaluation model was used to define the parameters of evaluation, the concepts to study and the process and methods needed to extract data. The results revealed that the counselling services were not adequately offered and hence not effective. This implied the university had not recognized the counselling services as an important aspect in the students’ lives. The concern of the counselling services should be a responsibility of all involved. It was thus recommended that counselling services be made available, expanded, made accessible and helpful to the students. In addition, a programme of sensitization on the importance of the counselling services should be initiated.

When the NCCK Secretary General described the President as being ‘moribund’ and the Prime Minister ‘ineffective’ in the Kenyan coalition government, it meant that in the eyes of the NCCK there is something wrong in the Kenyan politics. Indeed, a political setup that is ‘moribund and ineffective’ cannot deliver services to the ‘polis’ as it ought to. The bane of the Kenyan politics can be viewed from many perspectives. One such perspective is from a religio-ethical point of view. Specifically, Kenyan politics is imbued with Machiavellism. This is a political system where the survival of the political elite surpasses anything else. There is no morality or ethics in politics other than an ethic of perpetuating the interests of the ruler resulting to wanting political leadership. This is at the expense of the ruled, who continues to suffer injustice manifested in such social ills as lack of basic needs. In such a scenario, it seems that the saviour of the populace should come from outside the political class. These writers analyze the problem in Kenyan politics from a religio-ethical perspective with the contention that politics in Kenya is bedevilled with machiavellistic ills. The basic argument presented towards addressing the situation is that the Church in Kenya has a major role to play at least checking the excesses of Machiavellism.

This paper is based on a study to establish the effect of competitive strategies on shareholder value among listed companies on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. The specific objectives were: to establish the effects of cost leadership strategy; differentiation strategy and focus strategy on shareholder value. The study depicted each of the three competitive strategies as independent variables and shareholder value as the dependent variable. The study utilized explanatory research and multiphase sampling designs targeting companies and employees. Questionnaires were used to collect data on competitive strategies while document analysis guide was used to gather secondary data on shareholder value. The results revealed that cost leadership and differentiation and focus strategies have a weak positive association with shareholder value. Furthermore, the regression model revealed that competitive strategies accounted for 12% of variations in shareholder value hence able to create value. It was concluded that all competitive strategies have a significant positive effect on shareholder value. The study recommended that firms implement competitive strategies, and scholars pursue studies towards how differentiation and cost leadership strategies can be utilised together.

There is a wide gap in the utilization of reproductive health services among the states in India. Certain states like Kerela, Tamilnadu and Maharashtra are well performing states in the utilization of reproductive health care services. But the so called BIMARU states (Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajastan and Utter Pradesh) are poor in the utilization of reproductive health care services. In view of the above, this paper analyses the utilization pattern of the above states. The data for this analysis were obtained from the District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS-3) conducted by Reproductive Child Health Project. The utilization of Ante-natal care services, Delivery care, Initiation of Breast feeding, Children received immunization, Use of Family planning, Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, were used as the indicators of reproductive health care utilization.

This study is aimed at investigating the effects of the agricultural practices of the rural people bordering the Old Oyo National Park on the distribution of Western Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) within the park. The study area was carried out in Marguba, Sepeteri and Yemoso ranges out of the five ranges of the park. Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods and structured questionnaires were used to collect information on the issues about their agricultural activities within and around the park. Animal census was carried out using line transect method to determine the distribution pattern of Western Hartebeest in Sites ‘A’ and ‘B’ within the park. Site ‘A’ represents the core zones of the park without human activities, while site ‘B’ represent areas of the park with human and agricultural activities. Chi-square tests, T distribution paired test, ANOVA and percentages were used as statistical tools to analyse the data collected. Thirty five percent of the farmers have their farms around the park boundary, 30% close to the park boundary, 20% were located inside the park while only 15% were far from the park. The systems of land preparation for planting employed are fire (32.5%), human labour (40%) and tractor (27.5%). Fire is used by the respondents for hunting (25%), clearing farmland (40%), gathering honey (20%) and regeneration of fresh grasses (15%). Therefore, there is no significant difference (P >0.05) in the purposes of using fire by the respondents. The mean population relative density of Western Hartebeest is 0.07group per kilometer. Site ‘A’ and ‘B’ have population density of 0.08 and 0.06 respectively. The mean solitary individuals at both sites are the same, which is 0.05. The T distribution paired test showed significant difference (P<0.025) in the distribution of Western Hartebeest in both sites. It is recommended that since majority of the rural dwellers are illiterates, conservation education in term of extension service should be carried to them and modern techniques of agriculture such as planting of hybrids with high yield quality, pest and disease resistance should be introduced to the farmers in the support zone of the park to prevent farmers from encroaching into the park in search of fertile land.

In January 2003 the Kenyan government declared Free Primary Education (FPE) in all public schools in the country as a fulfillment of the Education for All (EFA) global commitment and strategy to give children universal primary education. The study established that FPE was hastily implemented hence there was no time to prepare the school management as well as sensitize stakeholders on the requirements and expectations of FPE. Most of the head teachers have difficulties in planning and managing the schools funds among other managerial challenges. This study examined implications of the implementation of free primary education policy on the management of primary schools in Keiyo District, Kenya. This was a descriptive survey study where questionnaires, interview schedule and an observation were used to collect data from the head teachers, teachers and Education Officers. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the education officers and the head teachers while random sampling technique was used to select the zones, teachers and the primary schools that participated in the study. A total of 260 respondents participated in the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics; percentages and frequencies. The findings showed that the school management is not effective as change agents; they have difficulty in planning; and are plagued with inadequacy in financial management as well as in other administrative skills. It is imperative that training of head teachers and teachers be a continuous process; and the public should be sensitized further to support the government efforts in the provision of FPE if this noble initiative is to succeed.

This study investigated the nature of student participation in secondary schools in Kenya. The study was prompted by the recurrent student unrest in Kenya; often blamed in media and research to unequal decision making opportunities in schools. The traditional hierarchical authoritarian culture prevailing in the Kenyan society often influences decision making processes in schools hence the locking out of students in decision making. Data was collected by means of a survey questionnaire distributed among 150 secondary school learners and sixty teachers. The findings revealed that though there attempts to include views of students in school policy, such attempts were mainly tokenistic and did not include core management issues. It was also found that students were excluded from key decision making bodies such as the Board of Governors, Parent Teacher Associations and special management committees. In addition, preferred channels of harnessing students’ views included notice boards, prefect body, assemblies, and class meetings. Though popular, these means of communication were found to be disproportional and unfair as communication was one way- a form of telling and instructing students - rather than encouraging dialogue and open discussion between student and school administrators. Further, it was found that communication channels that fostered dialogue and open discussion were unpopular and little used. These included the baraza system, student council, open forums and student parliaments. It was thus concluded that student participation in secondary schools was still wanting and needed to be expanded to include issues beyond student welfare issues.

This paper examines whether, in the context of a fast emerging economy like Malaysia, demographic variables namely age, gender, education, income and region influence the consumer animosity, consumer ethnocentrism and patriotism among Malaysian Muslim consumers. The data was collected by using survey questionnaire and the analyses were conducted on 663 respondents in Malaysia. The findings suggest that gender, age and region have an influence on consumer animosity. All the five demographic variables show a significant relationship with consumer ethnocentrism, whereas only age has an effect on the patriotism among Malaysian Muslim consumers.

There are some educational methods to use for changing educational trend better. These ways include book and without book. Libraries are centers containing many books in various subjects and fields. In fact they involve books for different needs for students, scientists, teachers and even ordinary people to obtain knowledge. The most important purpose to covering finding needs of people is information; of course we are living in information and connections ages. But we should use information and data resources in correct form. In this paper, we analyze using information resources.

The present study aims to find out the land use and land cover in Thanjavur district. The total extention of the area of 3397 sq.km. The district is located in the Eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. The study has been mainly used of satellite imagery for identifying the land use and land cover of the study area. ERDAS and GIS soft were has been used in the study area. Here the researcher followed to the supervise classification and followed the block wise land use and land cover classification in the Thanjavur district. There are 14 blocks in the district such as Ammapettai, Budalur, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Papanasam, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thiruvonam, Thiruppanandal, Orathanadu, Madukkur, Thiruvaiyaru, Pattukkottai, Peravurani, and Sethubhachatram.. The district has been classified into 11 classes in level I to level II. In Thanjavur district total major land use and land cover categories of agriculture land was 1775.4 sq.km, built-up land was 545.12 sq.km, water bodies were 68.29 sq.km, mixed plantation was 424.49 sq.km, scrub land was 131.25 sq.km, without scrub land was 150.99 sq.km, river sand was 45.58 sq.km, mangroves 19.55 sq.km, aquaculture and salt pan 26.9sq.km and marshy land 7.68sq.km. Finally the Rank correlation methods were followed in the district.

To determine the effect of ‘flare’ spreader size on the fracture resistance of mandibular premolar roots prepared using variable taper rotary files. Crowns of 50 mandibular first premolars having no carious lesions, devoid of any aberrant anatomy were resected 2mm coronal to the cemento-enamel junction. Root canals were prepared in different groups: 1. No canal preparation. 2. Preparation using crown down technique to a size F2 MAF with no obturation performed. 3. Preparation using crown down technique to a size F2 MAF and obturated using lateral condensation; first spreader used being a size 25 flare spreader. 4. Same as 3 except first spreader used being a size 20 flare spreader. 5. Same as 3 except first spreader used being a size 15 flare spreader. All specimens were mounted in addition silicone putty and fractured vertically on a universal testing machine. Fracture load was recorded in kilogram force. Values obtained were analyzed using the ANOVA test. The mean force at fracture for roots obturated using size 15.05 spreaders approached similar values required to fracture uninstrumented samples. But was significantly higher than what was required to fracture samples filled using size 20.05 and size 25.05 spreaders. Spreader size used during lateral condensation of gutta percha may affect the fracture resistance of roots in extracted teeth. Larger size spreaders do decrease the fracture resistance and jeopardize the strength of obturated roots.

Salinity is a wide-spread problem seriously influencing barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) production, but development of tolerant cultivars is hampered by the lack of effective selection criteria. The objective of this study was to produce screening techniques for selecting salt-tolerant progeny in barley breeding program. Fourteen barley cultivars differing in yield performance were grown in separate experiments under salt stress and non-salt stress conditions in 2008–2009. Eight selection indices including salt susceptibility index (SSI), salt tolerance index (STI), tolerance (TOL), regression coefficient of cultivar yield on environmental index (b), yield index (YI), yield stability index (YSI), mean productivity (MP), and geometric mean productivity (GMP) were calculated based on grain yield under salt and non-salt stress conditions. Results showed that the effectiveness of selection indices in differentiating tolerant cultivars varies with the salt stress intensity. Thus, under moderate salt stress, MP, GMP and STI were more effective in identifying high yielding cultivars in both salt and non-salt stress conditions. Under severe stress, regression coefficient (b) and SSI were found to be more useful in discriminating tolerant cultivars. Breeders should, therefore, take the stress intensity of the environment into account in choosing an index.

Biomass burning has a significant impact on global atmospheric chemistry since it provides large sources of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons, primarily in the tropics. Rural areas of developing countries depend primarily on biomass for fuel. Biofuels include the wood fuels, and agricultural waste, such as crop residues and dung. The recent thrust in bioconversion of agricultural and industrial wastes to chemical feedstock has led to extensive studies on the pretreatment methods. The main aim of this study was to determine the effective pretreatment method, therefore, to alter or remove structural and compositional impediments to hydrolysis and subsequent degradation processes. The agrowastes collected were subjected to acid and alkali hydrolysis and thereby the release of sugar was studied both before and after pretreatment. The results showed that compared to the acid pretreated samples, more release of sugar was achieved from the alkali-pretreated samples. Also, it was found that as the concentration of alkali increases, the release of glucose also increased. Of the different agrowastes used in the study, groundnut shell (387 mg glucose / g of agrowaste) was found to be the best in releasing the sugars. The released sugar could help in the bioethanol production.

One of the key material properties in Mechanistic design of flexible pavement design is the dynamic modulus of asphalt concrete. In order to improve the performance of asphalt pavement, various techniques of modifications of the physical properties of bitumen have evolved over the years using different materials like natural rubber (rubber latex). Research has also proved that dynamic modulus of asphalt concrete is influenced by loading frequency. It is on this basis that the present study was indented to investigate the effect of loading frequency on the dynamic modulus of rubber latex-modified asphalt concrete. The result of the study showed that the dynamic modulus of the modified asphalt concrete at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% and 3% rubber latex increased from 73,188.27 to 198,703.64 PSI, 70,879.34 to 192,442.87 PSI, 69,197.70 to 187,877.09 PSI, 65953.17 to 179,067.94 PSI, 64,388.41 to 174,819.48 PSI and 64,388.41 to 160,086.18 PSI at loading frequencies of 0.1HZ, 1HZ, 5Hz, 10Hz and 25Hz respectively. This behaviour is comparable with that of unmodified asphalt concrete indicating that rubber latex-modified asphalt concrete is adequate for design and construction of asphalt pavement. The result however, showed an optimum dynamic modulus at 0.5% rubber latex at all loading frequencies investigated.

Carbapenemases are β- lactamases that confer resistance to the carbapenems (e.g., imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, and doripenem). Most often these enzymes confer resistance to the other b-lactam agents as well, including extended-spectrum cephalosporins. The enzymes are usually found in bacterial isolates that are already resistant to nearly all other antimicrobial agents, and treatment options for infections caused by them are significantly limited. This important mechanism of resistance is emerging in the USA include Klebsiella pneumonia carbapenemases (KPC), while in India it is New Delhi metalo betalactamase (NDM) and in spain it is Verona imipenem hydrolyzing enzyme (VIM). Prevention and control of this emerging resistance is complicated by the occurrence of low-level carbapenem resistance isolates that are hard to detect in the clinical microbiology laboratory. This article will review the epidemiology, diagnostic methods and therapeutic options of emerging carbapenemases.

Water samples obtained seasonally from April 2010 to March 2011 at eight different sites of Dal Lake, Kashmir were serially diluted five folds followed by spread plate technique for the isolation of Penicillium and Aspergillus species, spreading 0.1ml inoculum from the serial dilution tubes on the Petri dishes containing Rose-Bengal Streptomycin Agar medium. Out of a total 213 fungal colonies isolated six (6) species of Penicillium viz, P. caseicolum, P. commune, P. chrysogenum, P. funiculosum, P. lilacinum, Penicillium spp. and six (6) species of Aspergillus viz, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. japonicus, A. terreus, A. niger and Aspergillus spp. were obtained. Out of these species P. chrysogenum was the most abundant (30.99%) followed by P. funiculosum (16.43%), A. fumigatus (14.09%), A. niger (13.15%), A. flavus (9.39%), A. terreus (3.76%), P. lilacinum (3.27%), P. caseicolum (2.82%), P. commune (2.35%), A. japonicus (1.88%), Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. (0.94%) each. Highest number of colonies 60 (28.17%) was obtained from site Pokhribal Nallah (PKB) followed by Tailbal Nallah (TBN) - 45(21.13%), Dal Lock Gate (DLG) and Gagribal (GB) - 28(13.14%) each, Nageen Lake (NL) - 1(8.45%), Boathall Nallah (BHN) - 15 (7.04%), Hazratbal (HB) - 11(5.17%) and Bod Dal (BD) - 8(3.76%).

An unconventional Seeds of Ceiba pentandra (Kapok) were analyzed for enzymatic antioxidants, biochemical complexes and protein functionality to assess its potential usage as an alternative source of protein. Buffer extract of seeds had scrutinized for enzymatic antioxidants like Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, peroxidase as well as Glutathione Peroxidase and found to be ample. Total Carbohydrates and Proteins were determined by Phenol Sulphuric acid method and Lowry method, results obtained with the above procedures were 6.5% and 58.5% correspondingly and also the Proteolytic activity was estimated with trypsin as µg of tyrosine liberated in 30 minutes at pH 7.4 and temperature 370 C per ml of enzyme was found to be 275µg/ml. Seed storage protein profiles of Ceiba pentandra seeds studied by Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE),total soluble proteins were resolved on 10% SDS polyacrylamide gels. A total of 13 major protein bands were noticed in seed sample ranging in molecular weight from 31.40 KD to 15.71 KD.

Rose is an economically important plant for Turkey and the world floral industry. A survey was conducted during 2010-2011 to identify viruses infecting rose plants in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey. Samples (210) from seven rose-growing regions (Terme, Çarşamba, Ilkadım, Atakum, Canik, Ondokuz Mayıs and Bafra) were collected. All samples were tested for Apple mosaic virus (ApMV), Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) using double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). The incidence of ApMV, ArMV and PNRSV among the samples tested was 13.3, 2.0 and 0.5%, respectively.

Indian is no exception to these general trends, with a few special features. During last two decades India’s agricultural exports as a part of total merchandise exports have continued to decline from the preponderant position they occupied in the pre-independence. But with the achievement of self-sufficiency in food grains and some other major agricultural commodities, which used to account for large portion of import bill, overall imports of agricultural commodities have sharply declined. The outlay on agricultural imports as a proportion of earnings from agricultural exports has progressively declined, and all the balance has become progressively more favorable. Discussion on these issues has, naturally, to take into account the new trade regime as the stated objective of firstly to study the performance of India’s agricultural exports under WTO regime. secondly, to analyze the competitiveness of top agri-exports of India under WTO regime. Finally, to suggest policy measures in the identified India’s agricultural. In the first part of discuss briefly introduce, the developments in agricultural trade specially the agricultural exports at the world level in the recent years and discuss the performance of Indian agriculture in this respect finally shaped the shifts in this policy. Final part, I will try to spell out the ingredients of a strategy to augment agricultural exports in the changing, and more demanding, global economy.

Fungal strains were isolated from oil cakes and were screened for protease production on casein agar plate. Organisms capable of casein hydrolysis were selected and enzyme assay was carried out. Organisms with maximum enzyme activity were selected for further studies. Aspergillus niger and Mucor mucedo were used for the present investigation. Optimization of parameters such as pH and substrate concentration was carried out for production of protease. A pH of 5 was found optimal for maximal enzyme production. Casein at 10% concentration showed significant increase in protease activity. Effect of UV mutagenesis on protease production was also studied. For experiments on solid state fermentation several agro wastes (cotton seed oil cake, wheat bran and soya bean) were used as substrates. Among the substrates tested, cotton seed oil cake was the best for production of protease in Aspergillus niger. However, in Mucor mucedo more enzymes were produced when soya bean meal was used as substrate.

The effect of alkaline treatment in combination with air bubbling in banana fiber mat on the water absorption property of the fiber composite has been experimentally studied. Hot water immersion test is done on the samples. Water uptake was quantified for the composite disc under different processing conditions. The studies have revealed that the fibre surface modification rate is enhanced by the combination of air bubbling with the general process of alkaline treatment. This shows the importance of this method of fibre treatment and this shall encourage other researchers to develop an adequate system to expedite fabrication for better quality of woven banana fibre composites for various sectors such as household utility or automobile parts.