Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies of the Palatine Mucosa and Its Microvascular Architecture in the Rat

Detailed observations were made on the structure and microvasculature of the palatine mucosa of the rat by means of microvascular corrosion casts and epithelium-digested specimens using scanning electron microscopy. The rat palate was divided into four regions according to the characteristics of the palatine plicae. In the atrial region, no transverse palatine plicae were present, but there were longitudinal ridges and folds in the median area. These structures contribute to the transportation of rough and grainy foods with the assistance of the hairy buccal part. Capillary loops in the ridge and folds appeared as continuous, sagittally elongated loops. In the palatine fissure or antemolar region, only three typical transverse palatine plicae contribute to the regurgitation of food. Capillary loops appeared in variant forms on the top, and the anterior and posterior slopes of the plicae. Venous palatine plexus was observed only in the palatine fissure region. In the intermolar region, each of the five transverse plicae was composed of many wedges arranged sagittally. These plicae contribute to the transportation of food toward the larynx. Capillary loops in the plica were in the shape of complicated villi. Filiform protrusions or papillae were aggregated immediately posterior to the last plica. The capillary loops appeared as typical hairpins. They contribute to swallowing of food with active assistance from the epithelial eminence of the lingual dorsum. Palatine plicae showed considerable local differences, which may contribute to the prehension, transportation, and mashing of food

Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Catfish Farming in Edo State, Nigeria

This study examined the technical efficiency (TE) of fish farming in Edo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 180 respondents from whom data was collected using well-structured questionnaire and interview schedules. These were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier production function. The result showed that the TE of the farmers ranged from 0.46 to 0.99, with a mean of 0.95 at which 77% of them were operating. The efficiency was significantly (p<influenced positively by stocking rate and negatively by the farmers’ age, educational level as well as poor access to extension services. Serious constraints that affected optimum production include high cost of feed, limited capital, poor power supply, high cost of pond construction, disposal of effluents, increased fish price created by middlemen and inadequate water supply. Determination of efficiency of resource use revealed that pond size, fingerlings, feeds and  fixed cost of items were underutilized while labour and operating cost were over utilized.  Farmers’ access to suitable extension services and the implementation of policies aimed at tackling the detected constraints would help to increase the efficiency of fish farming in the state. Keywords: Technical efficiency, Fish farming, Pond, Resource use, Edo Stat

Ekologi Makan Ikan Glyptothorax Major (Blgr) (Bagaridae, Siluriformes) Di Sungai Alas, Aceh Tenggara

IKE RACHMATIKA & SOETIKNO WIRJOATMODJO.1988.Feeding ecology of Glyptothorax major Blgr) (Bagaridae, Silurifoimes) in the Ala River,South East Aceh. Berita Biologi. 3(8): 396 399.A study on the feeding ecology of Glyptothorax major (Blgr) was conducted in the Alas River South East Aceh, Sumatra during early dry season, January 1983.Index of Preponderance analysis showed that this species is a benthic-insect feeder It was found that the food habit of immature and mature fish is slightly different.The mature fish\u27s food habit is more varied than the immature\u27s. Based on the concept of the "availability factor"of prey species,a tendency was also found that the mature fish is a more opportunistic of using food resources than the immature\u27s.The supposed mechanisme of this difference and its relation with condition factor values is discussed

Commingling Effect of Gynoid and Android Fat Patterns on Cardiometabolic Dysregulation in Normal Weight American adults

AIM: To determine the independent and commingling effect of android and gynoid percent fat (measured using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) on cardiometabolic dysregulation in normal weight American adults. METHODS: The 2005–2006 data (n = 1802) from the United States National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) were used in this study. Associations of android percent fat, gynoid percent fat and their joint occurrence with risks of cardiometabolic risk factors were estimated using prevalence odds ratios from logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Android-gynoid percent fat ratio was more highly correlated with cardiometabolic dysregulation than android percent fat, gynoid percent fat or body mass index. Commingling of android and gynoid adiposities was associated with much greater odds of cardiometabolic risk factors than either android or gynoid adiposities. Commingling of android and gynoid adiposities was associated with 1.75 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.42–2.93), 1.48 (95% CI = 1.32–1.91), 1.61 (95% CI = 1.50–1.89), 3.56 (95% CI = 2.91–4.11) and 1.86 (95% CI = 1.49–1.96) increased odds of elevated glucose, elevated blood pressure, elevated low- density lipoprotein-cholesterol, elevated triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Normal weight subjects who present with both android and gynoid adiposities should be advised of the associated health risks. Both android and gynoid fat accumulations should be considered in developing public health strategies for reducing cardiometabolic disease risk in normal weight subjects

Pengembangan Modul Fisikaberbasis Masalah Pada Materi Listrik Dinamis Untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Berpikir Kreatif Siswasma

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: (1) mengetahui karakteristik modul fisika berbasis masalah pada materi listrikdinamis, (2) mengetahui peningkatan kemampuan berpikir kreatif siswa setelah mengikuti pembelajaranmenggunakan modul fisika berbasis masalah pada materi listrik dinamis. Jenis penelitian ini adalah researchand development yang menggunakan model 4-D meliputi: define, design, develop, dan disseminate, untukmengembangkan modul fisika berbasis masalah. Teknik pengumpulan data dimulai dengan tahap prapenelitian; analisis siswa, kurikulum, dan materi; tujuan pengembangan modul; pemilihan formatberdasarkan kriteria modul; desain awal modul, validasi draf I, uji coba kecil, dan uji coba di kelas.Instrumen yang digunakan adalah angket untuk validasi modul, silabus, RPP, kisi-kisi soal kemampuanberpikir kreatif, serta angket respon siswa dan guru. Pengembangan modul dinilai berdasarkan kelayakan isi,penyajian, dan bahasa oleh 2 dosen, 2 guru, dan 3 peer review. Hasil penelitian ini adalah (1) kualitas modulfisika berbasis masalah pada materi listrik dinamis yang dikembangkan berkategori baik, dan (2) kemampuanberpikir kreatif siswa setelah mengikuti proses pembelajaran menggunakan modul fisika berbasis masalahpada materi listrik dinamis mengalami peningkatan

Implication of Key Challenges of Talent Management in Recessive Economy

The study investigates the influence of mergers and acquisitions in the integration of business. In our society today organization witnessed the phenomenon they referred as merger-mania. The merger reflects the symbiotic relation while the acquisition mirrors the predator-prey relation. The human influence of it indicates the harder side of merger-phobia that warrant the employee resistance, sabotage, insecurity and high lay-off, faulty integration and dissatisfaction. Because of the inability of the organization to handle the human problems, cultural conflicts and lack of appropriate risk management strategies exert negative influence in the activities. All these problems in effect reduce the productivity of the organization. The study sought to determine the intents that satisfy shareholder in Relation to the MAs Integration Strategies Implementation in the Organization. Secondly, to ascertain the factors that influences MAs Integration in organization. The study made effort to design a satisfactory success measure to achieve effectiveness in MA's deal and its integration success. Descriptive survey design was adopted where questionnaire was the key instrument for data collection. A sample of 200 staff and management (respondents) of selected business organization was randomly selected with particular interest with those that had experienced merger and acquisition. The study discovered that the organization was satisfied to the MA's integration strategies implementation because it accelerates the transition, define integration strategy, focus on priority initiative, and communication with the stakeholders. The result also revealed that culture conflict, resistance, changing structure, and dissatisfaction are among factors that influence MA's integration of business organization. The study recommend that there should be opportunities to establish a comprehensive integration plan/framework that can be designed based on foreseeable challenges and calculated risk of acquisition. Also the organization should endeavour to build a good team –spirited employees that will be supported by a vibrant leader who can move the organization to the next level or sustain the potentials of them

FISH FAUNA OF GUNUNG HALIMUN NATIONAL PARK REGION: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE UTILIZATION*[Fauna Ikan Taman Nasional Gunung Halimun: Informasi Tambahan Tentang Pemanfaatannya]

Gunung Halimun National Park is known to be the area of headwaters of a number of rivers/streams originate. However,there is no information about the fishes living in these rivers systems. In this regard, a series of ichthyofauna study was conducted from 1996 to 2002 in Cikaniki, Cimaja/Cisarua, Cisukawayana, Ciberang, Cidurian and Cibareno that covered 94 sampling stations. Method that was used was Catch Per Unit of effort (CPU) where electric fishing gear (and) cast net, trap were used.Forty fish species belonging to 16 families and 26 genera have been found. Gobiidae, the diadromous fishes, was dominant, comprising 14 species or 35 %, followed by Cyprinidae comprising 5 species or 12.5 %.These Gobioid fishes were derived from Cisukawayana, Cimaja, and Cibareno River, where these rivers flow south to the Indian Ocean. It was found that Paray, Rasbora aprotaenia; Beunteur, Puntius binotatus; Bogo, Channa gachua; Lele, Clarias batrachus; Kehkel, Glyptothorax platypogon; Soro, Tor tambra; Bungkreng/ Ikan Seribu Poecilia reticulata and Paris, Xiphoporus helleri were found in common in rivers flowing north and south, and Lentipes as well as Schismatogobius marmoratus extend their range to Java (new record for Java). The utilization of fishes for food by local people is presented including Gobioid fishes, which are at the juvenile stage (called as impun) are utilized as a part of their food source