Applying Qualitative Methods in Organizations: A Note for Industrial/Organizational Psychologists

Early approach to research in industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology was oriented towards quantitative techniques as a result of influences from the social sciences. As the focus of I/O psychology expands from psychological test development to other personnel functions, there has been an inclusion of qualitative methods in I/O psychology practice. The present paper therefore examines how qualitative methods like observation, interviews, ethnography, focus group discussion, nominal group technique, Delphi method, and projective techniques can be used by I/O psychologists in organizational studies. It is believed that knowledge gained on the application s of these qualitative methods would enhance understanding of workers’ behaviors in organizations and facilitate management decisions. Empirical studies are also presented, on how these qualitative methods have successfully been used in organizatio

Properties of Arginase from the Hepatopancreas of Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii, de Man).

We describe the hepatopancreas arginase activity of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). The enzyme was isolated using reactive blue 2- agarose affinity chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. The enzyme had a specific activity of 5.70 μmol/min/mg of protein. The enzyme exhibited a maximal activity at pH 8.5 and Km of 12.5 mM. The enzyme was capable of hydrolysing L-arginine and to a lesser extent, L-arginine monohydrochlorate and L-arginine monohydrate. The optimum temperature of the enzyme was 35 0C. The molecular weight as determined by gel filtration was approximately 160,000 dalton and SDS-PAGE, was 22,000 dalton. The different amino acids (L-lysine, L-cysteine, Lvaline, L-proline, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid and L-serine) and metal ions (Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Mg2+) did not show any inhibition on the enzyme activity. The enzyme was activated with Mn2+ and different concentration of Mn2+ had no effect on the enzyme activity. EDTA, citrate and urea showed considerable inhibition on the enzyme activity.Key words: Freshwater prawn; arginase; uricotelism; invertebrates; hepatopancrea

Survey on Acceptance and Practice of Exclusive Breast Feeding in selected Quarters in Auchi Community

Breast milk is the easiest, most nutritious, and healthy form of food for all infants for healthy growth and especially in their cognitive development and helps in fighting against some diseases, and reduces infant mortality during childbirth. Previous studies have shown that there is a high rate of breastfeeding but the rate of EBF is relatively low. This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study that surveyed the responses of 604 mothers who have breastfed and currently breastfeeding of which the majority of them are multipara. Aside Igbei Quarter which had already been covered, the other four quarters namely Akpekpe, Utsogun, Iyekhei, and Aibotse were demarcated into smaller enumeration areas for ease of coverage. A listing of the residential buildings was done and structured questionnaires on the acceptance and practice of exclusive breastfeeding were administered to females of childbearing age who have given birth at one point in time. Of a total of the 604 females, 500 (82.8%) of the women received teachings on EBF at different times and through different mediums while only 104 (17.2%) did not receive teaching on EBF. It is expected that having educated more of the mothers on EBF, a very large proportion if not all will accept and practice EBF, however, our result showed that 376 (62.3%) accepted and practice EBF, while 228 (37.7%) did not practice EBF. Despite the high rate of breastfeeding in the quarters, the acceptance and practice of EBF is relatively low less than 70%. Therefore, there is a need and call for holistic interventions aimed at improving the knowledge and practice of EBF in the study community. Keywords: Breast milk, Exclusive breastfeeding, cognitive, infant mortality DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-8-05 Publication date:May 31st 202

In vitro induction of rat liver mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore opening by solvent extracts of Momordica charantia leaves

Alteration of mitochondrial functions such as permeability transition (PT), a process associated with the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, has been found to play a vital role in the apoptotic process induced by certain anti-cancer agents. When triggered, PT facilitates the release of mitochondrial apoptogenic proteins which in turn activate the caspase cascade of apoptosis. Thus, this study investigated the in vitro effects of varying concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 mg/ml) of different leaf extracts [Crude Water-Soluble Extract (CWSE), Decoction (DE) and Methanol Extract (ME)] of Momordica charantia (M. charantia), a purported anti-cancer plant of the family Cucurbitaceae on normal rat liver mitochondria. Opening of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore (MMPTP) was spectrophotometrically assayed under succinate-energized condition. Results obtained showed concentration-dependent and significant (P<0.05) increases in the extents to which MMPTP opening was induced by the three extract types when compared with the control group. Inductions caused by CWSE and DE increased with increasing concentrations while those caused by ME decreased with increasing concentrations, giving the maximum induction at 1.0 mg/ml (8.1-fold increase) of CWSE and the least induction at 1.0 mg/ml (4.3-fold increase) of ME, respectively. Spermine, a reference inhibitor of MMPTP opening, reversed all observed openings. These results indicate that the tested leaf extracts of M. charantia are potent (CWSE being the most potent) MMPTP opening inducers and the pathway by which M. charantia causes apoptosis in cancer cells is probably mitochondrial-mediated (intrinsic).Keywords: Mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore (MMPTP), Momordica charantia, Apoptosis, Spermine

Screening for rhodanese producing Bacterium in freshly pressed Cassava effluents of a Cassava processing industry channeled to Odo-Oba Stream in Ogbomoso-Nigeria

Rhodanese is a key enzyme that plays an important role in cyanide detoxification. The enzyme was extracted, purified and physico-chemically characterised from Bacillus licheniformis which demonstrated the highest efficacy compared to the seven isolates of bacteria of the cassava processing industry effluent morpholologically and biochemically characterised.  Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and values were considered significant at p<0.05. This study showed that the optimum growth temperature was 350C at a pH 9.0. The highest duration time for the synthesis of rhodanese was at 40 hours. Potassium cyanide (KCN) and casein were the best carbon and nitrogen sources. The enzyme has a specific activity of 10.99 RU/mg, with a purification fold of 4.38, a percentage yield of 15.96%. The apparent Km for KCN and Sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) were determined to be 30.24mM and 24.93mM respectively while their Vmax were 5.40 RU /ml/min and 5.07 RU /ml/min respectively.  The optimum pH and temperature were 8.0 and 50 0C respectively. The enzyme showed a high stability at 500C. The enzyme showed specificity at 6.78 RU/ml/min for Na2S2O3 while it was inhibited by other sulphur containing substrates namely 2-mercaptoethanol, ammonium persulphate, and sodium metabisulphite The enzyme activity was not inhibited by metal ions such as (K+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Ni2+, Sn2+ and Na+) at 1mM and 10mM and was not significant (p>0.05). Therefore, B. licheniformis have the potentials of reducing cyanide pollution thereby enhancing effective management of cassava mill effluent before eventual discharge into the environment and this may be developed into a more effective tool for bioremediation.&nbsp

Bioefficiency of Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) on hematological and lipid profiles in sublethal cyanide poisoning in male wistar rats

Chromolaena odorata is an invasive plant which is acclaimed to have cyanide remediation potential from contaminated sites. This examination means to decide the impact of ethanol concentrates of C. odorata (ECO), sodium thiosulphate and a mix of both on hematological parameters and blood lipid profile of rodents presented to potassium cyanide. (KCN). A sum of thirty five male Wistar rats partitioned into seven groups of five units were used. KCN Group rats were administered with KCN alone. Rats in 100ECO, 150ECO, 200ECO groups were administered with 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight of ECO respectively. Rats under Na2sS2O3 and Na2S2O3+ECO groups were administered 200 mg/kg sodium thiosulphate and sodium thiosulphate with ECO at 200 mg/kg respectively. The trial was done in about a month. Toward the finish of the investigation, the packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin level (Hb), Red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) were resolved utilizing known biochemical methodology. The outcomes demonstrated a noteworthy increment (p ? 0.05) in PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC level of remedial groups when contrasted with the cyanide group. Total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were altogether lower while HDL-cholesterol was fundamentally expanded in all the treated groups when contrasted and the untreated group given cyanide alone. However, no significant difference in LDL-cholesterol was indicated in all therapeutic groups compared with the cyanide group. The study revealed that C. odorata at the tested doses was able to improve the hematological parameters and lipid profile in cyanide exposed rats

Psychological Factors Influencing Perceived Entrepreneurial Success Among Nigerian Women in Small-Scale Businesses

This paper considered self-concept, perceived managerial competence, work stress and business commitment as important psychological variables for perceived entrepreneurial success among female entrepreneurs. A study was conducted to examine these factors, using 213 female entrepreneurs. The results showed that although all the predictor variables jointly accounted for perceived entrepreneurial success only business commitment contributed significantly. But in the independent prediction of the variables, only self-concept and business commitment were significant. Additionally, number of children significantly influenced perceived success with females having 5 children and more, and those having 1-2 children reporting better success than those without children or having 3-4 children. However, marital status did not significantly influence perceived entrepreneurial success. The study concludes that success for female entrepreneurs relies on a high self-concept regarding their role in business, commitment to business and reduction of a conflict between home responsibilities and business. The authors also encourage women to attend training programs on business management

Characterization of a cellulolytic enzyme from wood degrading bacteria, Bacillus circulans

This report describes the purification and characterization of an enzyme that exhibits cellulase activity produced by the wood degrading bacteria, Bacillus circulans. The enzyme was purified by ion-exchange chromatography using CM-Sepharose CL-6B, and shown to exhibit hydrolytic activity on carboxymethylcellulose. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was determined to be 43 KDa by means of SDS-PAGE. The kinetic parameters, and the effects of pH and temperature on the purified enzyme were determined. The enzyme was 4.37 fold and showed a specific activity of 29.13 μg of glucose produced/min/mg protein. The apparent Km value for the hydrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose was 1.061 ± 1.17 mg/ml with a Vmax of 13.75 ± 1.51 μg of glucose produced/ml/min. The enzyme showed an optimum pH value of 9.0 and the optimum temperature was 50 °C. Alkalophilicity and moderate thermostability of this enzyme are some of its essential characteristics that may make it suitable for industrial and biotechnological applications.Keywords: Bacillus circulans, cellulase, decayed wood, optimum, bacteria, enzym

Isolation and kinetic properties of arginase in the gut of grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus Linn)

Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of arginine to ornithine and urea. Arginase was purified and characterized from the gut of Zonocerus variegatus through DEAE-cellulose and biogel-P100 gel filtration chromatography. The specific activity of the enzyme was 3.7 μmoles/min  per mg of protein and a yield of 14.7%. An apparent molecular weight of 143,000 daltons was estimated by gel filtration on biogel P-100. The Michaelis constant (Km) of the enzyme was 40 mM with arginine as substrate. The optimum pH was 8.0 and the optimum temperature was 40 oC for Z. variegatus arginase. The enzyme was stable up to 40 oC for 20 min and lost all of its activity at 80 oC. The enzyme was specific for arginine as substrate. The enzyme was strongly enhanced in the presence of Mn2+, Na+, NH4 + and Hg2+ showed similar activation. Ni2+ and Zn2+ slightly inhibited Z. variegatus. Chelating (EDTA, citrate, ascorbic acid and urea) and thio (2-mercaptoethanol and cystein) compounds inhibited the activity of arginase in Z. variegatus. While amino acids (proline, lysine, aspartate and valine) showed no inhibition on arginase activity. The presence of arginase in the gut of Zonocerus variegatus could be for other functions rather than urea production in urea cycle. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Arginase; Zonocerus variegatus; Distribution; Physicochemical Properties

Least Square Approximation of Percentage Body Fat for Black Women

This work analyzes the least square model describing the response variable (Percentage Body Fat) with twoindependent variables, the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the Skin-fold. We show that with little disturbance of themodel, generated six parameters were obtained which approximate the percentage body fat. The result obtainedfrom MATLAB inbuilt function was compared with that of MAPLE programming and the approximation of themodel was significantly equal. We also considered the goodness of fit test, the test hypothesis at five percentlevel of significance for z, z and z- Ù. It was discovered that it was a good fit for the three values of Z. Thesignificance of the test shows that z, z and z- Ùwhere less than the critical points, hence falls within theacceptance region of the 2tab c .Key words: Body Mass index, Skin-fold, percentage body fat, essential body fat, storage body fat, bioelectricalimpedance analysis