The Effect Of The Addition Of Broccoli (Brassica Olaracea L.var Italic) On The Quality Of Fish Carp (Laptobarbus Hoevenii) Meatballs

The research aimed to determine the influence of the addition of broccoliflour on the quality of fish carp meatballs. The methods used in this study wasexperimental, namely conducting a series of experiments on producing carp fishmeatballs added with broccoli flour as a source of fiber and composed as thecompletely randomized design (CRD). The addition of broccoli flour wasconsisted of four treatment levels, those were B0 (0 g), B1 (20g), B2 (40 g) and B3(60 g), which the weight was calculated from the percentage of fish meat weight.The treatments were repeated three times. The quality of fish meatball wasevaluated for the organoleptic value (consistence, texture, aroma, taste) andchemical composition (water, fat, protein, fiber). The results showed that theaddition of the broccoli in the processing of meatballs carp fish indicated asignificant effect on the consistence, taste and texture, but not to the aroma. Theaddition of broccoli flour also affected to the content of water, protein, fat andfiber. The best treatment was the addition of powder 20 g broccoli for the highestquality of fish meatball. The product was showing neat, clean white greenish, byit's distinctive aroma of meatballs with the fresh carp fish and the aroma of spiceswas not strong, good taste and juicy, and the texture was chewy and solid. Thechemical composition was showing the content of water 67,52%, protein 16,08%,fat 2,48% and fiber 1,82%

Neutron Structural Studies on the Superconducting (Nd₁₋ₓCax)(Ba₁.₆La₀.₄)Cu₃Oz System

We have investigated the influence of Ca ion substitution on the structural and superconducting properties of (Nd1−xCax)(Ba1.6La0.4)Cu3Oz system. Magnetization, x-ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out on a series of compounds with x=0.0-0.6. The superconducting transition temperature Tc, determined from magnetization measurements, increases with increasing Ca2+ substitution. Neutron diffraction studies reveal that these compounds crystallize in a tetragonal structure (space group P4/mmm). A detailed analysis of the neutron diffraction data reveals that Ca and La ions are intermixed at the nominal Ba and Nd sites. While a major fraction of Ca ions occupy the usual Nd site, a small fraction occupies the Ba site. Consequently, the corresponding amount of La substitutes at the nominal Nd site. The intermixing of Ca and La sites randomizes the chain site oxygens leading to a tetragonal structure despite an oxygen content close to 7.0 for all the Ca doped samples. Further increase in Ca content leads to change in its coordination from sixfold to eightfold at x\u3e=0.4

Anti-Microbial Activity of Hempseed Oil and Sage Oil against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans: An In-Vitro Study

Objective: To assess the anti-microbial activity of sage oil and hempseed oil against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Material and Methods: The sage oil and hempseed oil in pure extract form were collected from an authorized government organization. The anti-microbial activity from the oils was assessed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Standard antibiotics Vancomycin and Fluconazole were taken as a positive control for Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, respectively. The mean zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours by HI-MEDIAs antibiotic zone scale. One-way Analysis of variance with Tukey’s Post Hoc was applied for statistical analysis. Results: The mean zone of inhibition of sage oil and hempseed oil at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours against Streptococcus mutans was (7.0 ± 4.24, 9.1 ± 3.71 and 8.4 ± 3.02) and (0.0, 3.2 ± 0.75, 1.9 ± 1.24) respectively. The zone of inhibition against Candida albicans 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours for sage oil (2.80 ± 1.151, 6.70 ± 1.30 and 6.30 ± 1.44), hempseed oil (0.0, 3.80 ± 0.75, 3.10 ± 0.41). Sage oil presented potential anti-microbial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Comparing the anti-microbial efficacy, standard antibiotic (Vancomycin/Fluconazole) was more effective than test oils. Conclusion: Test oils showed anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Among these, sage oil showed efficacy at 24 hours, while hempseed oil did not show any effect at this time point. Further studies are needed to affirm the same and test their efficacy in different forms and concentrations

Neutron structural studies on the superconducting (Nd1-xCax)(Ba1.6La0.4)Cu3Oz system

We have investigated the influence of Ca ions substitution on the structural and superconducting properties of (Nd1-xCax)(Ba1.6La0.4)Cu3Oz system. Magnetization, X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out on a series of compounds with x = 0.0 to 0.6. The superconducting transition temperature Tc, determined from magnetization measurements increases with increasing Ca2+ substitution. Neutron diffraction studies reveal that these compounds crystallize in a tetragonal structure (space group P4/mmm). A detailed analysis of the neutron diffraction data reveals that Ca and La ions are intermixed at the nominal Ba and Nd sites. While a major fraction of Ca ions occupy the usual Nd site, a small fraction occupies the Ba site. Consequently, the corresponding amount of La substitutes at the nominal Nd site. The intermixing of Ca and La sites randomizes the chain site oxygens leading to a tetragonal structure despite an oxygen content close to 7.0 for all the Ca doped samples. Further increase of Ca content lead to change in its co-ordination from six-fold to eight-fold at x >= 0.4.Comment: 13 Pages, 5 Figure

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on bank lending around the world

We evaluate the influence of the pandemic on global bank lending and identify bank and country characteristics that amplify or weaken the effect of the disease outbreak on bank credit. Using a sample of banks from 125 countries, we apply a difference-in-difference methodology and find that bank lending is weaker in countries that are more affected by the health crisis. This effect depends on the bank's financial conditions, market structure, regulatory and institutional environment, financial intermediary and debt market development, ease of access of corporate firms to debt capital, and the response of the public health sector to the crisis

Spin-offs, divestitures, and conglomerate investment

We examine whether spin-offs or divestitures cause improvements in conglomerate investment efficiency. At issue are endogeneity of these restructuring decisions and correct measurement of investment efficiency. Endogeneity is a problem because the factors that induce firms to spin off or divest divisions may also improve investment efficiency; measurement error is a problem because efficiency measures employ Tobin's q as a noisy proxy for investment opportunities. We find important differences between firms that divest or spin off and a control sample. After accounting for these differences and for measurement error in q, we find no evidence of improvements in investment efficiency. © The Author 2006

Climate change denial and corporate environmental responsibility

This paper examines whether corporate environmental responsibility is influenced by regional differences in climate change denial. While there is an overwhelming consensus among scientists that climate change is happening, recent surveys still indicate widespread climate change denial across societies. Given that corporate activity causing climate change is fundamentally rooted in individual beliefs and societal institutions, we examine whether local perceptions about climate change matter for firms’ engagement in environmental responsibility. We use climate change perception surveys conducted in the U.S. to compute a novel measure of climate change denial for each U.S. county. We find that firms located in counties with higher levels of climate change denial have weaker environmental performance ratings, are more likely to commit environmental violations, and impose greater environmental costs on society. Regional differences in religiosity, social capital, political leaning, or county-level demographic characteristics cannot explain these results. Furthermore, we document that strong corporate governance mechanisms and corporate culture moderate the negative relationship between climate change denial and corporate environmental responsibility. Overall, our findings offer new insights into how local beliefs and perceptions about climate change may influence firm-level sustainability practices.</p