Nutritional evaluation of yoghurt prepared by different starter cultures and their physiochemical analysis during storage

Yoghurt was prepared with two different types of starter cultures; Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The preparation was made by 3, 4 and 5% concentrations. It was stored at 4°C for 12 days. To analyze the effect of the two different cultures and their concentrations on the properties of yoghurt, different physio-chemical tests were performed. These two starter culture slightly enhanced the quality of yoghurt. The results showed that the protein, lactose, ash, fat, acidity and total solid mass were slightly increased while pH and moisture values gradually decreased during the storage period of 12 days. The comparative study of starter cultures showed that L. acidophilus produced good quality yoghurt as compared to L. bulgaricus

Experimental Evaluation of a Hybrid FRP-Concrete Bridge Superstructure System under Negative Moment Flexural Loads

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bridge systems are gaining wide acceptance among bridge engineers. At the same time, FRP bridge systems are relatively expensive when compared to traditional reinforced concrete bridge systems. In this study, the concept of the hybrid FRP-concrete structural systems is applied to a bridge superstructure. The hybrid FRP-concrete superstructure system is intended to have durable, structurally sound and cost effective hybrid system that will take full advantage of the inherent properties of both FRP materials and concrete. The primary objective of this study is to examine the structural behavior of an FRP-concrete hybrid bridge superstructure system subjected to negative moment flexural loads through experimental procedures. The experimental results showed that the design of the hybrid FRP-concrete bridge superstructure under a negative flexural moment is found to be stiffness- driven instead of strength-driven

Laser-induced radial birefringence and spin-to-orbital optical angular momentum conversion in silver-doped glasses

Samples of Ag$^+$/Na$^{+}$ ion-exchanged glass that have been subject to intense laser irradiation may develop novel optical properties, as a consequence of the formation of patterns of silver nanoparticles and other structures. Here, we report the observation of a laser-induced permanent transverse birefringence, with the optical axis forming a radial pattern, as revealed by the spin-to-orbital angular momentum conversion occurring in a probe light beam. The birefringence pattern can be modeled well as resulting from thermally-induced stresses arising in the silver-doped glass during laser exposure, although the actual mechanism leading to the permanent anisotropy is probably more complex.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure

Globalization and water resources management : the changing value of water

The Jordan River system, which is shared by Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Palestine, is a major issue in the current Middle East peace negotiations. Although we believe that the International Water Law is the most suitable basis to solve the disputes between Arab countries and Israel, it is worthwhile developing multi weighting approximation criteria for determining the water rights for the above riparian countries. The paper provides an overview of current resolution principles and procedures and presents the conflict resolution process in theory. The aim of this paper is to develop multi-criteria decision tool to the problem of allocating the waters of the Jordan River Basin between all riparian parties. The prime principle of the criteria is equitable and reasonable allocation factors identified by the International Law Commission in its draft articles on the non navigational uses of water. A general mathematical model was derived that found the optimal allocation outcome based on the weight of each factor. The approach presented here should be seen as a trial to deal with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict over water rights in such complex trans-boundary water resources system. It is hoped that, water negotiators review this approach

Stability and Aggregation Kinetics of Titania Nanomaterials under Environmentally Realistic Conditions.

Nanoparticle morphology is expected to play a significant role in the stability, aggregation behaviour and ultimate fate of engineered nanomaterials in natural aquatic environments. The aggregation kinetics of ellipsoidal and spherical titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) under different surfactant loadings, pH values and ionic strengths were investigated in this study. The stability results revealed that alteration of surface charge was the stability determining factor. Among five different surfactants investigated, sodium citrate and Suwannee river fulvic acid (SRFA) were the most effective stabilizers. It was observed that both types of NPs were more stable in monovalent salts (NaCl and NaNO3) as compared with divalent salts (Ca(NO3)2 and CaCl2). The aggregation of spherical TiO2 NPs demonstrated a strong dependency on the ionic strength regardless of the presence of mono or divalent salts; while the ellipsoids exhibited a lower dependency on the ionic strength but was more stable. This work acts as a benchmark study towards understanding the ultimate fate of stabilized NPs in natural environments that are rich in Ca(CO3)2, NaNO3, NaCl and CaCl2 along with natural organic matters

Tm(III) complexes undergoing slow relaxation of magnetization: exchange coupling and aging effects

The present study focuses on the dynamical magnetic behaviour of exchange coupled 3d-4f complexes containing the scarcely considered non Kramers Tm3+ center, the 3d metal ions being either the low-spin Fe3+ (1) or the diamagnetic Co3+ (2) ion. Both complexes display field-dependent slow relaxation of magnetization. The field and temperature dependences of the relaxation rate provided indication of relevant contributions from quantum tunnelling, direct and Raman processes, with only minor effects from exchange coupling interactions. Furthermore, aged sample of 2 exhibited additional relaxation process, possibly due to solvent loss, highlighting the importance of a careful consideration of this factor when analysing the magnetization dynamics in solvated systems

Economic domination, moderating role of public spirit and determinants of income tax evasion among Palestinian SMEs

This study investigates the determinants of income tax evasion among Palestinian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Previous studies regarding the determinants of income tax evasion among SMEs are limited and results are somewhat inconsistent. The factors that determine SMEs tax evasion have not been sufficiently examined especially in the Palestinian context. This study extends Fischer model that is built on the integration of both Economic and Socio-Psychological theories by incorporating the Social Dominance Theory. It contributes to existing literature by investigating the direct effect of economic domination and incorporating the moderating effect of public spirit. Therefore, this study hypothesises seven (7) factors affecting tax evasion, as well as six (6) hypotheses on the moderating effects of public spirit. The study employs questionnaire survey of 500 owners-managers of SMEs listed in the Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture operating in West Bank, of which 184 responses (37%) are usable for analysis. The Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypotheses. The results show that probability of detection, tax penalty, tax fairness, peer influence, tax rate, and economic domination have a significant direct relationship with tax evasion. The findings also ascertained the considerable moderating effect of public spirit on the relationship between probability of detection, tax penalty, and tax fairness on income tax evasion. The findings of the present study provide important insights into the tax authority, policy makers, and future researchers in understanding the tax evasion of SMEs. In order to curtail tax evasion in Palestine, tax authority should widen its audit, imposes more tax penalties, and publicise the information about detecting tax evaders to serve as warning to potential evaders. The current tax rate structure would be fairer if SMEs are given a lower tax rate to eliminate the perception of unfair tax burden

Brain Drain: Post Graduation Migration Intentions and the influencing factors among Medical Graduates from Lahore, Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The increasing migration of health professionals to affluent countries is not a recent phenomenon and has been addressed in literature. However the various facets of physician migration from Pakistan, the third leading source of International medical graduates has not been rigorously evaluated. The objective of the current study was to survey final year students and recent medical graduates in Lahore, Pakistan about their intentions to train abroad, their post training plans as well as to identify the factors responsible for their motivation for international migration.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A self administered structured questionnaire was developed to collect respondents' demographic and educational characteristics, intention to train abroad, their preferred destination & post training intentions of returning to Pakistan. Various influencing factors which impact on medical graduate's motivation to train abroad or stay in Pakistan were explored using a 10 point scale. SPSS software was used for data entry and analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 400 eligible respondents, 275 responded (response rate 68.7%). One hundred and sixty six respondents (60.4%) intended to train abroad either for a specialty (54.9%) or a subspecialty (5.5%) The United States and United Kingdom were the most preferred destination. While 14.2% intended to return to Pakistan immediately after training, a significant percentage (10%) never intended to return to Pakistan or wished to stay abroad temporarily (37%). Professional excellence and establishing quickly in the competitive market were the most important goal to be achieved by the respondents for intention for postgraduate training abroad. The most common reasons cited for training abroad were the impact of residency training on future career (mean score 8.20 ± 2.3), financial conditions of doctors (mean score 7.97 ± 2.37) and job opportunities (mean score7.90 ± 2.34).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>An alarming percentage of medical graduates from Lahore, Pakistan intend to migrate for post graduate training, mainly to United States. A significant proportion wished to stay in the host country either temporarily or indefinitely. Impact of residency abroad on future career, financial conditions of doctors, job opportunities and better working conditions were some of the motivating factors behind the migration.</p