The Impact of Service Quality Dimensions on Customer Satisfaction: Case Study of University Utara Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of service quality (reliability, empathy, tangibility, assurance, responsiveness) on customer satisfaction in University Utara Malaysia (Education Service). Each variable is measured using 7-point interval scale: reliability (6 items), empathy (6 items), tangibility (5 items), assurance (10 items), and responsiveness (5 items) on customer satisfaction (6 items). Using the primary data collection method, 160 questionnaires were distributed to postgraduate students inside University Utara Malaysia (Sintok Campus), in north Malaysia. The responses collected were 98 completed questionnaires representing with 61.25 % response rate. The data were analyzed using Structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 7. Confirmatory factor analysis of measurement models indicates adequate goodness of fit after a few items were eliminated through modification indices verifications. Goodness of fit for the revised structural model shows adequate fit. This study has established five direct effects: (1) reliability customer satisfaction; (2) empathy and customer satisfaction; (3) tangibility and customer satisfaction; (4) assurance and customer satisfaction; (5) and responsiveness on customer satisfaction. And, this study concludes that all hypotheses have been asserted in the revised model

Effects of Rainfall and Temperature Variability on Yam Production in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

The study assesses the effects of rainfall and temperature variability on yam production in lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The research data were collected from secondary data from the existed literatures such as textbooks, journals, articles, seminar papers, encyclopedia which are most pertinent to this study. The rainfall and temperature data of the fourteen years (2001-2014) were collected from synoptic weather station of NIMET archives Lafia sub station where rain gauge and thermometer are used. The Statistics Package for Social Science (SPSS) software was used for the analysis. The derivatives of these data were computed and used for further analysis such as average of number of rainy and temperature variations of months of years under study. The yam data was collected in metric tons as unit of measurement per year for the fourteen years under study which shows that there is an upward increase trend in yam production in the area of study over the time span in gradual and steady state which has a variation in production, across the years under consideration of 0.843%. It is also indicated the effect of 0.186 (19%) of the variation in yam production was explained by the variation in rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature between the study periods. It’s further stated that the magnitude of effect by the predictors (rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature) on the dependent variable (yam) varies. Rainfall had a non-significant (P-value > 0.05) effect of -0.269 and a coefficient value of -0.438. This by extension implies that for every unit (mm) decrease in rainfall over the period of time under investigation, yam production decreases by -0.438mt. The relationship between rainfall, temperature and yam using Pearson correlation shows that a weak negative relationship (-0.041) between rainfall and yam yield, a weak positive relationship (0.160) between maximum temperature and yam yield and there is a weak positive relationship (0.322) between minimum temperature and yam yield. The study identified increased production with non-significant positive effect of rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature on yam production. Since the study focused on the effects of rainfall and temperature variability on yam production in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, without taking into consideration of other parameters like land use patterns and since rainfall and temperature are not the only parameters that affects yam production. the following recommendations are made: Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) should be deployed to guide farmers through routine visits, regular access to weather information to farmers by NIMET, application of irrigation  for growing of crops,  study of land use pattern should be considered and there is need for modern farm inputs and price control by government and Non Governmental organization. Keywords: Effects, Rainfall, Temperature, Variability, Yam Production DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-3-13 Publication date:March 31st 201

Effects of skipping one irrigation at different growth stages on yield and water productivity of some maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars under heavy clay soils of central Sudan

      Crop production in arid and semi-arid regions faces the challenge to ensure high yields with limited supply of water. This study was conducted at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, during seasons 2014/15 and 2015/16. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of skipping one irrigation on yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.). A split-plot design with four replicates was used. Main plots were assigned to the cultivars namely: Hudaiba1, Hudaiba2 and Mogtamaa -45, and sub-plots to irrigation treatments which consisted of (T1) irrigation every 10 days throughout the season (control), skipping one irrigation at: Vegetative (T2), flowering (T3) and grain filling (T4) stages. The results indicated that irrigation treatments and cultivars had highly significant effects on all parameters tested. Irrigation every 10 days resulted in the highest values of plant height, cob length, number of grains per cob, 100 seed weight, grain yield and water productivity. Hudaaiba2 outyielded the other two cultivars. Skipping one irrigation at flowering (T3) stage gave the lowest values of the tested parameters. The highest grain yield was obtained when frequent irrigation (control) and Hudaiba 2 was practiced and the lowest was obtained by skipping of irrigation at flowering, which reflected the sensitivity of this stage for water deficit. Hence, it is recommended to grow Hudaiba2 maize cultivar and irrigate every 10 days

Responses of Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) to soil and foliar applications of Haza (Haplophyllum tuberculatum).

This study aimed to investigate the responses of Periwinkle plants to soil and foliar applications of Haza plant in two separate tests under the conditions of the nursery at Shambat, Khartoum North, Sudan. The foliar treatments were for boiled water extracts of hand crushed Haza shoots in concentrations: 0.0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/l, while the soil dressing test was for powder of dry shoots of Haza applied in doses of: 0.0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g per plant. The Periwinkle transplants were planted in 18 inch plastic pots containing River Nile sedimentary soil. The study was arranged in complete randomized design and each treatment was replicated 7 times. Data were collected 4 months after applications. The results showed substantial increments in vegetative and reproductive growth parameters coupled with high alkaloids content from soil dressing with 10 g/plant Haza treatment or the foliar application of the 10 g/l Haza extract. These findings elucidated the bio-stimulating potential of Haza applications for enhanced vegetative and reproductive growth beside alkaloids content of Periwinkle. This stimulating potential may be of value for trials on organic production of other horticultural crops

Carbon sequestration potential of a 27-year-old tree-based intercropping system in southwestern Ontario

Paper presented at the 13th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held June 19-21, 2013 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.In Poppy, L., Kort, J., Schroeder, B., Pollock, T., and Soolanayakanahally, R., eds. Agroforestry: Innovations in Agriculture. Proceedings, 13th North American Agroforestry Conference, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, June 19-21, 2013.This study aimed to quantify carbon (C) pools and fluxes in a 27-year-old tree-based intercropping (TBI) system as compared to a conventional agricultural system at the University of Guelph�s Agroforestry Research Station (43o 16�N 89o 26�W) (established 1987). Tree species quantified during this study include poplar hybrid (Populus spp.), Norway spruce (Picea abies), red oak (Quercus rubra), black walnut (Juglans nigra), and white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). In the TBI system, above- and belowground biomass, along with soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations, litterfall, litter decomposition and soil respiration were quantified. In the conventional agricultural field, SOC, litter decomposition and soil respiration were quantified. Preliminary results indicated higher C sequestration potential rate with faster growing species such as poplar, and slower potential rate for slower growing species such as spruce and cedar. SOC accumulation was highest in the predominant wind direction (east), closest to the tree rows (0.5 m), and at shallower depths (10-20 cm) for all species. SOC accumulation was highest under poplar tree, followed by spruce, oak and walnut. Quantities of litterfall followed similar pattern and decomposition rates are still being analyzed. Soil respiration rates were higher in TBI systems and at distances closer to the tree row. Further results will be presented on the total measured C pools and fluxes and the importance of C sequestration potential of a 27-year-old TBI system to sequester atmospheric C and mitigate climate change. Accumulation of SOC can also have implications on crop yields and long term stability of TBI soils.Amy Wotherspoon (1), Idris Mohammed (1), Naresh V. Thevathasan (1), Andrew M. Gordon (1), and R. Paul Voroney (1) ; 1. School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1.Includes bibliographical references

Gaharu (agarwood) distillate-incorporated roselle health drink

In this work, a nutraceutical product based on Gaharu distillate was developed. Gaharu (Agarwood) is a scented resin produced by trees of the Aquilaria species upon infection by fungus. While various components and parts of Gaharu tree have traditionally been reported to have medicinal values, it is the resin that is most sought after. Meanwhile, less have been focused on the distillates, a waste by-product of Gaharu oil distillation process. In this study, Gaharu distillate was found to have acidic pH of 3.60 and safe for consumption as it is devoid of steroids, has total suspended solid of less than 25 mg/L and an LC50 of 398000 ppm based on Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay. Gaharu distillate was also found to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties as well as being selective towards killing cancer cells. To increase market acceptability, formulation of Gaharu distillate incorporated Roselle health drink was developed and optimized. By discovering, developing and commercializing new use of Gaharu distillates(coupled with scientific evidences on safety and potential health benefits), we can ensure the sustainability of Gaharu industry as well as provide new means of income-generating activities

Toxicity of TiO2, SiO2, ZnO, CuO, Au and Ag engineered nanoparticles on hatching and early nauplii of Artemia sp.

The potential of environmental release enhances with increased commercial applications of the nanomaterials. In this work, a simple and efficient test to estimate the acute toxicity of nanoparticles is carried out on Artemia species and their hatching rates. We have tested six different engineered nanoparticles (silver, gold, copper oxide, zinc oxide, TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles) and three soluble salts (CuSO4, ZnSO4 and AgNO3) on Artemia sp. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles involved in this study were analyzed in normal water and marine water. Hydrated and bleached Artemia cysts were allowed to hatch in continuously aerated, filtered sterile salt water containing nanoparticles; hatching of viable nauplii and total hatchlings have been recorded. In parallel, standard Artemia toxicity test was conducted on the nauplii monitoring the viability. In hatching experiments, a reduction in hatching rate was observed along with mortality of newly hatched nauplii. The results of the hatching experiment and of the standard Artemia test showed a good correlation. The toxicity of the nanoparticles was compared and the order of toxicity was estimated as Ag>CuO>ZnO>Au>TiO2>SiO2. The study thus suggests that the hatching test itself is a reliable assay for determining the toxicity of nanomaterials

Engineering models for the design of long-lasting, sustainable, cost-efficient and climate-responsive pavements for Ashghal road projects in the State of Qatar

The planning, design, construction and management of modern transportation infrastructures is based on the use of continuously updated methodologies that consider, among others, the concept of sustainability. In such a context, for the specific case of road pavements, it is of crucial importance to carry out quantitative analyses based on the use of optimized engineering models. These models explicitly consider environment-pavement interactions, environmental impacts generated by all the components involved in the supply chain, and financial flows associated to pavement construction and maintenance. Such an approach is being adopted by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) of the State of Qatar, that is developing and implementing models tailored for its infrastructure projects and local environmental conditions. This paper provides an overview of some of the employed models and methodologies that are based on the physics of pavement structures and on the assessment of environmental and economic indicators. It is shown that such an approach leads to significant improvements to current practice and to the enhanced use of recycled materials, while still guaranteeing required pavement performance

Evaluation of Kinetic Models of Copper and Lead Uptake from Dye Wastewater by Activated Pride of Barbados Shell

Abstract Pride of Barbados shell was effectively used as a raw materials for the production of activated carbon with HNO 3 as an activating agent using twostep process. Batch adsorption was used in interacting the dye wastewater with activated carbon within 30-150 minutes contact time. The maximum adsorption of Cu and Pb were 96.63% and 85.55% at 150 minutes and 30 minute contact time respectively. The result was found to match well with pseudo second-order compared to pseudo first-order, Natarajan and khalaf first order and Elovich model tested. Therefore, activated pride of barbados shell could be employed as an adsorbent in removing Cu and Pb from similar wastewater and aqueous solution