Quality management of the bamboo resource and its contribution to environmental conservation in Malaysia

Purpose – The aim of this study was to contribute towards the systematic management of the natural stand bamboo resource at Nami, Kedah, Malaysia and to improve the forest environment rather than leaving it neglected and unmanaged. In addition, the study examines the commercial value of the abundant bamboo culms for a sustained industry in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – A one-hectare experimental plot of Gigantochloa scortechinii (buluh semantan) was established with a split plot design of fertilizer treatments 0, 2 and 5?kg of NPK 15:15:15 and felling intensities of 0, 40, 60 and 80 percent. The experiment was conducted for four years. Parameters such as the number of shoots, culms and basal area were observed throughout the study. Findings – From this study significant results were obtained and management principles were formulated. Due to the effect of fertilizer application, there was an increment of 30 percent of shoots sprouted per clump per application. Thinning should be done selectively and mature culms aged more than three years old well spaced within the clump need to be felled first. Originality/value – This new knowledge would be of value to managers and policy makers in formulating the proper management plan for the exploitation of future resources in the country

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the selected commercially important edible fish species gray mullet (Mugil cephalus) from Negombo estuary

Consumption of fish contaminated with non essential heavy metals such as Pb, Hg and Cd metals which exceed the required limits pose a risk to human health. Bioaccumulations of heavy metals in fish depend on several factors such as increased levels of industrial pollution and domestic solid waste dumping in the estuary. Based on the pollution inputs into the estuary, it is considered that different localities within the estuary are polluted at different rates.The objectives of this study were to determine the non essential heavy metals concentration in fish tissues and assess the seasonal variations in the ecosystem. For this study, fish tissue samples were collected from nine sampling locations along the North (n =3), South (n=2), West (n=2), and East (n=2) parts of the estuary for a period of one year from January to December 2014. Fish tissue heavy metals levels were analyzed employing standard methods. Results revealed that the average concentrations (mg/kg) varied from Pb 0 to 0.15 ± 0.06, Cd 0.35 ± 0.16 to 1.04 ± 0.28 and Hg 0.0005 ± 0.0004 to 0.05 ± 0.046 mg/kg respectively. The detected levels were below the maximum permissible limits for hazardous substances in fish and fishery products for recommendation of FAO. The detected lead, mercury and cadmium contents in fish tissue were below the standard limits defined for each element < 0.5 mg/kg < 0.05 mg/kg and < 0.05 mg/kg respectively. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed for Pb and Hg depending on fish tissues. The levels of Pb and Hg metals in muscle tissue were lower than the standard limit for FAO. The value obtained on Cd 1.04 ± 0.28 mg/kg concentration was much higher than the permissible threshold limit observed in the north, south, east and west regions. The most prominent increases in Pb and Cd metal concentrations in fish tissue were found during the October, November and December study of 2014, which corresponded to peak periods from October, November and December which apparently coincided with the second inter monsoon of the island respectively

Computational Modelling of Genome-Side Transcription Assembly Networks Using a Fluidics Analogy

Understanding how a myriad of transcription regulators work to modulate mRNA output at thousands of genes remains a fundamental challenge in molecular biology. Here we develop a computational tool to aid in assessing the plausibility of gene regulatory models derived from genome-wide expression profiling of cells mutant for transcription regulators. mRNA output is modelled as fluid flow in a pipe lattice, with assembly of the transcription machinery represented by the effect of valves. Transcriptional regulators are represented as external pressure heads that determine flow rate. Modelling mutations in regulatory proteins is achieved by adjusting valves' on/off settings. The topology of the lattice is designed by the experimentalist to resemble the expected interconnection between the modelled agents and their influence on mRNA expression. Users can compare multiple lattice configurations so as to find the one that minimizes the error with experimental data. This computational model provides a means to test the plausibility of transcription regulation models derived from large genomic data sets

Heavy episodic drinking on college campuses: Does changing the legal drinking age make a difference

ABSTRACT. Objective: This article extends the compartmental model previously developed by Scribner et al. in the context of college drinking to a mathematical model of the consequences of lowering the legal drinking age. Method: Using data available from 32 U.S. campuses, the analyses separate underage and legal age drinking groups into an eight-compartment model with different alcohol availability (wetness) for the underage and legal age groups. The model evaluates the likelihood that underage students will incorrectly perceive normative drinking levels to be higher than they actually are (i.e., misperception) and adjust their drinking accordingly by varying the interaction between underage students in social and heavy episodic drinking compartments. Results: The results evaluate the total heavy episodic drinker population and its dependence on the difference in misperception, as well as its dependence on underage wetness, legal age wetness, and drinking age. Conclusions: Results suggest that an unrealistically extreme combination of high wetness and low enforcement would be needed for the policies related to lowering the drinking age to be effective. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72

Effects of biofertilizer containing N-fixer, P and K solubilizers and AM fungi on maize growth: A greenhouse trial.

An in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the compatibility of indigenous plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with commonly used inorganic and organic sources of fertilizers in tea plantations. The nitrogenous, phosphatic and potash fertilizers used for this study were urea, rock phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively. The organic sources of fertilizers neem cake, composted coir pith and vermicompost were also used. PGPRs such as nitrogen fixer; Azospirillum lipoferum, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB); Pseudomonas putida, Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB); Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas putida were used for compatibility study. Results were indicated that PGPRs preferred the coir pith and they proved their higher colony establishment in the formulation except Azospirillum spp. that preferred vermicompost for their establishment. The optimum dose of neem cake powder

Variation in the provision and practice of implant-based breast reconstruction in the UK: Results from the iBRA national practice questionnaire

Introduction The introduction of biological and synthetic meshes has revolutionised the practice of implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR) but evidence for effectiveness is lacking. The iBRA (implant Breast Reconstruction evAluation) study is a national trainee-led project that aims to explore the practice and outcomes of IBBR to inform the design of a future trial. We report the results of the iBRA National Practice Questionnaire (NPQ) which aimed to comprehensively describe the provision and practice of IBBR across the UK. Methods A questionnaire investigating local practice and service provision of IBBR developed by the iBRA Steering Group was completed by trainee and consultant leads at breast and plastic surgical units across the UK. Summary data for each survey item were calculated and variation between centres and overall provision of care examined. Results 81 units within 79 NHS-hospitals completed the questionnaire. Units offered a range of reconstructive techniques, with IBBR accounting for 70% (IQR:50–80%) of participating units' immediate procedures. Units on average were staffed by 2.5 breast surgeons (IQR:2.0–3.0) and 2.0 plastic surgeons (IQR:1.0–3.0) performing 35 IBBR cases per year (IQR:20-50). Variation was demonstrated in the provision of novel different techniques for IBBR especially the use of biological (n = 62) and synthetic (n = 25) meshes and in patient selection for these procedures. Conclusions The iBRA-NPQ has demonstrated marked variation in the provision and practice of IBBR in the UK. The prospective audit phase of the iBRA study will determine the safety and effectiveness of different approaches to IBBR and allow evidence-based best practice to be explored

Instrumen Literasi Sains dalam Pembelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam di Sekolah Dasar

Literasi sains mendukung kurikulum sains yang sekarang ini berlaku dalam pembelajaran tematik, khususnya di sekolah dasar. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan: (1) Jenis literasi sains dalam pembelajaran IPA SD; (2) Kemampuan literasi sains siswa dalam pembelajaran IPA SD; (3) Hasil pengembangan instrumen literasi sains untuk pembelajaran siswa SD. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan dengan metode deskriptif eksplotif. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa Kelas IV dan Kelas V SDN Wonokusumo yang berada di wilayah Kecamatan Mojosari, Kabupaten Mojokerto. Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah lembar wawancara semi terstruktur untuk memperoleh data penggunaan literasi sains selama pembelajaran di kelas dan memperoleh data penguasaan siswa terhadap materi. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis secara deskriptif. Peneliti mendeskripsikan setiap aktivitas yang diperoleh dari hasil observasi dan hasil wawancara