Relationships between leadership communication practices and organisational commitment in a selected higher education institution

The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between leadership communication practices and organisational commitment among the staff in a selected institution of higher education. The chosen organisation is located in the Klang Valley and was established 37 years ago. Stratified random sampling was used for sample selection and a total of 235 respondents participated in this study using a questionnaire survey method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson Product Moment correlation, and Multiple Regression using both enter and stepwise methods. With regard to the levels of organisational commitment, the study shows that the employee’s affective, continuance and normative commitments are moderate. Correlation analysis showed significant relationships between leadership communication practices and organisational commitment. While communication climate tended to be a good predictor of organisational commitment. Through effective leadership communication practices, a leader is able to influence and convince employees to be more committed towards their organisation in order to achieve organisational objectives. In conclusion, this research shows that leadership communication practices can contribute towards higher staff commitment in an organisation

Therapeutic role of glucogalactan polysaccharide extracted from Agaricus bisporus on trimethyltin chloride induced neuropathy in rats

Trimethyltin (TMT) chloride induces limbic system neuro-degeneration, resulting in behavioral alterations like cognitive deficits. This study investigates the effect of glucogalactan polysaccharide (GA) extract, which was purified from the roots of Agaricus bisporus mushroom, on trimethyltin chloride (TMT) induced neuropathy in rats. Adult male rats (200 ±10 g) were divided into four groups that were fed with basal diet throughout the experiment (28 days). The first group (G I) was control group, the second group (GII) was treated with 300 mg/kg BW GA intraperitoneally (i.p.) daily for 28 day. The third group (GIII) was administered i.p. with 8.0 mg TMT /kg body weight (BW), and the fourth (G IV) was treated like the third group and was injected with GA 300 mg/kg BW daily for 28 day after 48 h of TMT. Many bioactive compounds, which were found in GA did not cause any changes in the second group compared to normal control group. The results reveal that GA given 48 h after TMT treatment has excellent neuropathy effect, lowers the average of MDA, HSP70, homocystein and the neurotransmitters in brain tissue homogenate; they were markedly reduced by the administration of GA to almost normal levels. Neurotransmitters and nitric oxide were significantly increased in the group given GA treatment compared to TMT group. The comet assay for DNA revealed that, TMT induced statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in the mean value of the tail length and tail moment of the rats. They significantly decreased after GA treatment, suggesting alleviated oxidative stress mediated by TMT. GA administered TMT-treated rats had improved brain histology, diminished level of MDA and nitric oxide (NO) in brain tissue and enhanced total antioxidant capacity in serum compared to TMT group. It could be concluded that GA plays a positive role in the improvement of brain function after TMT-induced neuropathy. Taken together, our results suggest that GA will be useful in developing strategies for protecting nervous system and improving the brain.Keywords: Trimethyltin, neuro-degeneration, Agaricusbisporus, glucogalactan

Haematological Characteristics and Blood Urea Nitrogen of Sokoto Red Goat Kids Fed Fore-Stomach Digesta as Replacement for Cowpea Husk

study was conducted to monitor the haematological characteristics and blood urea nitrogen of Sokoto Red kids fed varying levels of Fore-stomach digesta (FSD) replacing cowpea husk at 0, 10, 20 and 30 % levels of inclusion in complete experimental diets. Blood samples were collected prior to and after the feeding trial. The study lasted for 15 weeks. Results indicated thathaematological values and blood urea nitrogen were within the normal range indicating no toxicity associated with the feeding of FSD to Sokoto Red goat kids. The study concluded that 20 % was the best inclusion level for better economic production

Growth performance and economics of sheep production with varying levels of rice milling waste

A twelve-week feeding trial was conducted using sixteen (16) growing Uda lambs to determine the growth performance of sheep fed varying levels of rice milling waste. Diets containing graded levels of rice milling waste replacing wheat offal at 15, 30 and 45% inclusion levels were formulated. Diet without rice milling waste served as control. Results showed that incorporating rice milling waste in the diet of growing sheep up to 45% level did not adversely affect (P>0.05) growth performance. Such incorporation led to decrease in the cost of feed /kg live-weight gain. However, animals on 30% rice milling waste diet were better compared to other treatments in terms of dry matter intake, weight gain, and cost of production. For best economic returns, rice milling waste in the diet of the growing sheep should not exceed 30%. Finally, it is recommended that more trials should be carried out with different breeds of sheep in order to ascertain the true feeding value of rice milling waste

Soluble TWEAK and Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney patients (CKD). The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) as a marker of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in CKD patients.Methods: The study included 75 CKD patients classified according to eGFR into three groups; group-1 included 15 patients with stage-1 CKD, group-2 included 30 patients with stage-2 and stage-3 CKD, and group-3 included 30 patients with stage-4 and stage-5 CKD. The three groups were compared to 20 matched controls. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and sTWEAK were measured using ELISA and chemiluminescent techniques respectively. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was also measured.Results: We found that IL-6 showed significant difference between patient groups and controls, being highest in stage 4 and 5 CKD patients and lowest in controls. Soluble TWEAK showed significant difference between patient groups and controls, being lowest in stage 4 and 5 CKD patients and highest in controls. Soluble TWEAK level showed significant negative correlation with IL-6 (r = -0.68; P<0.01) and carotid IMT (r = -0.95; P<0.01). After two years follow up, nine out of 75 CKD patients developed ischemic heart disease (IHD). Two patients developed cerebrovascular stroke and another patient developed peripheral arterial disease. These patients had significantly lower levels of sTWEAK at baseline compared to other patients (160.5± 60.2 versus 274.8±90 pg/mL; P < 0.05).Conclusion: Soluble TWEAK can be a novel biomarker of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction as well as cardiovascular outcome in CKD patients

Pembangunan JIG robot pengimpal bagi mengoptimakan masa pengajaran dan pembelajaran dalam kelas pembuatan (Development of JIG robot welding to optimize teaching and learning time in manufacturing classes) / Norfauzi T. ... [et al.]

Makalah ini berdasarkan masalah yang dihadapi apabila menggunakan Mesin Robot Pengimpalmodel ABB IRB 1410 semasa sesi pengajaran dan pembelajaran (P&P). Mesin Robot Pengimpal adalah mesin yang diprogramkan untuk membawa Robot Pengimpal pada bahan kerja secara automatik, namun demikianterdapat pelbagai masalah yang dihadapi, antaranya adalah perubahan kedudukan bahan kerja apabila proses kimpalan dijalankan.Kaedah semasa, memerlukan proses kimpalan titik terlebih dahulu dan memerlukan waktu yang lama untuk menyiapkan kedudukan bahan kerja. Berdasarkan masalah yang dihadapi, masa yang ditetapkan untuk sesi makmal mengambil masa yang lama dan mengganggu proses P&P. Objektif projek ini adalah untuk mengoptimumkan jadual penggunaan mesin Robot Pengimpal pada masa yang telah ditetapkan dan menyediakan latihan yang mencukupi kepada para pelajar dalam rangka masa jadual. Jig dibangunkan melalui lukisan kejuruteraan serta analisis keberkesanan jig melalui perisian CATIA V5 R23. Melalui CAD (lukisan terbantu computer) ia akan diterjemahkan kepada CAM (Pemesinan dibantu komputer)dan seterusnya dipindahkan kepada mesin untuk melakukan proses pemesinan pada setiap komponen dan memasang keseluruhan komponen. Keputusan untuk pembangunan Jig pada penetapan masa bahan kerja dan masa penggunaanRobot Pengimpal dapat dikurangkan lebih dari 40% dan jig juga boleh digunakan untuk sambungan temu, sambungan tindih dan sambungan T, di mana ketiga-tiga sambungan digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran di Makmal Pencantuman Termaju. Kesimpulannya, Jig dibangunkan untuk memudahkan pelajarmengendalikan Robot pengimpal dan mengurangkan masa persediaan bahan kerja

Sachet water: Prevalence of use, perception and quality in a community of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State

Background: Sachet water is a phenomenon that has gained widespread use as an alternative to the insufficient provision of potable water. It is an alternative that is readily available, affordable but not without concerns about its purity. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of use, perception of safety and assess the quality of sachet water consumed by the population.Methods: A total of 360 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A semistructured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data and analysis was done using Epi info software version 3.5.4. The sachet water samples used were purposively selected and analyzed for specified physical, chemical and microbiological parameters and compared to the National and WHOGuidelines for drinking-water quality.Results: There is 93.1% use of sachet water among respondents amongst other sources such as tap water, bottled water, well and stream water. Sixty seven percent of respondents affirmed that sachet water is safe. Analysis of the five different sachet water brands showed normal physical and chemical values. Microbiological analysis showed presence of coliforms in three of the sachet water samples.Conclusion: The presence of contaminated sachet water available to the community increases the risk for waterborne diseases contributing to the already prevailing  cases present in our society at large. There is a need for regulatory bodies to do more to improve the safety of drinking water in communities which will ultimately improve their health status.Key words: sachet water, prevalence of use, perception, qualit

Exploring Content Moderation in the Decentralised Web: The Pleroma Case

Decentralising the Web is a desirable but challenging goal. One particular challenge is achieving decentralised content moderation in the face of various adversaries (e.g. trolls). To overcome this challenge, many Decentralised Web (DW) implementations rely on federation policies. Administrators use these policies to create rules that ban or modify content that matches specific rules. This, however, can have unintended consequences for many users. In this paper, we present the first study of federation policies on the DW, their in-the-wild usage, and their impact on users. We identify how these policies may negatively impact "innocent" users and outline possible solutions to avoid this problem in the future

Optimization of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase production by response surface methodology approach.

The aim of the study was to optimized cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) production using local isolated strain MK6 which was identified as Bacillus sp. Optimum activity obtained at temperature of 70 °C and the enzyme shows a wide range of pH stability ranging from 4-10 when stored at 4 °C for 24 h and temperature stability ranging from 30-80 °C at 1 h incubation period. The CGTase activity was even maintained at 0.4 U mL-1 at 90 °C for 40 min incubation. Prior to optimization of CGTase production, selection for the best carbon source through detection using modified phenolphthalein method containing different types of starch were performed. Sago starch gave significant result and was used for further optimization using statistical analysis namely Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach. The optimal calculated values were 3.34% sago starch, initial pH of 10.15 and agitation speed of 187 rpm; with predicted activity of 2.07 U mL-1 of CGTase. These predicted optimal parameters were confirmed in the laboratory and the final CGTase activity obtained was very close to the predicted value of 2.56 U mL-1

Exosomes in Cancer Diagnosis and Radiation Therapy

Exosomes are a subgroup of extracellular vesicles that are released by all types of cells, including tumor cells, and mediate intercellular communication via the transport of various intracellular components, including microRNAs, messenger RNAs, and proteins. Radiation produces reactive oxygen species and induces DNA double-strand break in cancer cells and normal cells. Cancer cells have severe damage and die by irradiation, but normal cells can keep proliferation with their high DNA repair ability. Irradiated cells generate communication signals and cause biological changes in neighboring or distant non-irradiated cells. This review outlines the role of exosomes in radiation therapy. In the tumor microenvironment, exosomes are considered to regulate cell survival, migration, and resistance to therapy by interacting with vascular endothelial cells and various types of immune cells. Nowadays, radiation therapy is typically combined with immunotherapy. Regulation of the activity of exosomes may overcome the problem of resistance to immunotherapy. Furthermore, exosomes can attenuate resistance to chemotherapy by transporting certain types of microRNA. The current evidence suggests that exosomes may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the future