Produksi Dan Kualitas Jerami Padi Sumber Hijauan Pakan Dengan Waktu Panen Dan Dosis Pupuk Berbeda : Production and Quality of Rice Straw as Forage Sources with Different Harvest Time and Fertilizer Doses

This study was  aimed to analyze the fertilizer  dosage and harvest age in Ciherang rice varieties to increase the rice straw production and quality. This study used a block randomized design with 3 x 4  blocks divided based on harvest age H1 = 114 days, H2 = 118 days and H3 = 122 days.  The treatment was fertilizer dose level which consists of 4 levels, namely: P0 (control) = Urea 55 g+SP-36 5 g+KCl 6 g, P1= Urea 63,25 g+SP-36 5 g+KCl 6 g, P2= Urea 71,50 g+SP-36 5 g+KCl 6 g dan P3= Urea 79,75 g+SP-36 5 g+KCl 6 g. The variables observed were straw production, grain production, filled grain production, empty grain production, crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance  followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The results showed that P3 was significantly (p< 0.05) the highest  among fertilizer dose level treatments on the  straw production (27.63 tons  ha-1), filled grain production (5.52 tons ha-1), and reduced empty grain (0.15 tons  ha-1). The Quality of rice straw were CP 7.49%, CF 20.35%, ADF 55.03 %). While at harvest age, H1 was significantly (p< 0.05) the highest  among harvest ages treatments on the variables of straw production 28.18%, empty grain production 0.21 tons  ha-1) and NDF 69.11%. It can be concluded that the best fertilizer  dosage was an addition of urea by 45% with harvesting  age of 114 days. Key words:        fertilizer, harvest age, production, quality, rice stra

Measuring postgraduates’ research experiences in an Australian university

This article reviews two instruments which have been used to measure postgraduates’ research experiences in an Australian university; (1) the UK Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES); and (2) the Australian Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ). A comparative study of PRES and PREQ at an Australian university was carried out in 2011. The data collected by the university using PREQ were used as a reference base to compare the validity of the PRES data gathered by the researchers. The results were then benchmarked against the state of Victoria and Australian national standards

Kinetic modeling of LDPE pyrolysis using coats-Redfern method

Pyrolysis of polymer waste can potentially be a source of renewable energy, as it is a possible way to produce liquid fuel. In order to industrialize the process, the kinetic behavior of the pyrolysis has to be well understood. In this study, pyrolysis of virgin low density polyethylene (LDPE) was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The test was carried out from 303-923 K at 20K/min in a nitrogen atmosphere. The TGA result was used to develop suitable models to calculate the activation energy, E, and pre-exponential factor, A, using Coats-Redfern method. Proximate and elemental analysis was also carried out on the LDPE sample. It was discovered that all reaction models were able to produce satisfactory linear fit of the data, with high correlation coefficients. Therefore, Coats-Redfern method cannot be used alone, but must be coupled with other methods to determine the correct reaction mechanism for the pyrolysis. By assuming first-order reaction, the calculated activation energy and pre-exponential factor are 166.75 kJ/mol and 4.97 x 1011 s-1, respectively

Physiological responses of Indigofera zollingeriana, a feed plant at different levels of drought stress and trimming interval

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the effect of drought stress and trimming intervals on physiological responses of Indigofera zollingeriana. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD), 3x3 factorial and each treatment had four replications. The first factor consisted of 3 level of drought stress i.e: 100% field capacity (FC) (as a control), 50% FC, and 25% FC.  The second factor was comprised of 3 trimming intervals, those were at 60, 90 and 120 days. The observed variables were leaf water potential, relative water content, proline, and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and differences between treatments were tested by LSD. The results showed that there were no interaction (P<0,05) between drought stress and trimming interval on all observed variables. Drought stress treatment significantly (P<0,05) decreased leaf water potensial and relative water content, whereas proline, and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents increased. Trimming interval significantly (P < 0.05) on leaf water potensial, and water soluble carbohydrate, whereas the relative water content and proline content were not significantly. Key Words: Indigofera zollingeriana, Drought stress, Trimming interval, Physiologycal respons

Self-efficacy of catering students of Faculty Technical and Vocational Education, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in the Field of Career to be pursued

The increasing rate of unemployed graduates in Malaysia has received alarming attention in recents years. One of the factors that contribute to the unemployment problem is the lack of self-efficacy among graduates in making career choices. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the self-efficacy of catering students to make decision on career field options to be pursued either as a teacher, hospitality employee or entrepreneur. The design of this study is a quantitative descriptive study through survey and questionnaire is used as research instruments. A total of 66 catering students of year 3 and 4 from Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education (FPTV) were selected as the study sample. The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.00 software involving mean, standard deviation, and ANOVA. The results showed that the mean scores of self-efficacy of catering students were high to become teachers (M= 4.11, SD=0.617) and followed by hospitality employee (M= 3.87, SD= 0.574) and entrepreneurs (M= 3.93, SD=0.514). However, there was no significant difference between the three career fields with a value of p = 0.052. In conclusion, catering students have high self-efficacy in venturing into the field of career when graduating from university. Graduates need to see the importance of enhancing self-efficacy because it opens paths for career opportunities and advancement

Converting E-Learning Into M-Learning Application Using MMCD

E-Learning system has dominated the internet-based distance education for the past two decades. With the advance of mobile technology, the use of mobile device as m-learning platform has now becoming a new way of e-learning that deliver knowledge at any time any place. However, the limitation of mobile devices compared to computers give challenges to the developers in developing good m-learning applications. Aspects such as content design, navigation design and mobile HCI are critical and need extra attention during the development phase. MMCD is a set of development framework and methodology designed for multimedia mobile content development using Flash Lite technology. This research will present the MMCD framework and methodology for converting e-learning application into m-learning application to ease and guide the development process

Public health lessons from a pilot programme to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 in Khayelitsha

Objective. Short-course antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been shown to be effective in reducing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1. This article details the public health lessons learnt from a district-based pilot programme where a short-murse zidovudine (ZDV) regimen has been used in a typical South African peri-urban setting.Methods. The pilot programme was initiated at two midwife obstetric units in January 1999. Lay counsellors conducted pre- and post-test counselling and nurses took blood for HIV enzyme-linked imrnunosorbent assay (EUSA) testing. Shortcourse ZDV was administered antenatally (from 36 weeks gestation) and during labour. Mother-infant pairs were followed up at eight child health clinics where free formula feed was dispensed weekly. Infants received co-trimoxazole prophylaxis and were EUSA tested for HIV at 9 and 18 months. After 17 months protocol changes aimed at eliminating weaknesses included initiation of ZDV at 34 weeks, self-administration of the first dose of ZDV with the onset of labour, and rapid HIV testing for both mothers and infants.Results. Voluntary counselling and testing was shown to be highly acceptable, with individual counselling more effective than group counselling. Based on less than optimal availability of records, ZDV utilisation was encouraging with up to 59% of subjects initiating treatment, 3 weeks' median duration of ZDV use, and up to 88% receiving at least one intrapartum ZDV dose. Self-administration of the intrapartum dose reached 41%.Conclusions. Short-course antenatal and intrapartum ART to prevent MTCT of HIV1 was shown to be feasible