Effect of Escherichia coli endotoxin on Archachatina marginata haemolymph coagulation system

The effect of _E. coli_ endotoxin on the heamolymph coagulation response of _Archachatina marginata_ was studied. Heamocyte Lysate(HL), Haemocyte Lysate Supernatant(HLS) and Haemocyte Lysate Debris (HLD) were exposed to _Escherichia coli_ endotoxin. Controls were prepared with endotoxin-free water(<0.025 EU/ml). The differential protein coagulation was estimated in each mixture. Fractions of the haemolymph exposed to endotoxin produced higher protein coagulates than endotoxin-free fractions when incubated at 37 °C for 1 h (p<0.05). The results showed significantly higher (p<0.05) concentrations of protein coagulated when HL/plasma mixture were used than when either fraction was used. At a ratio 1:1 of HL:Plasma, highest protein coagulation was recorded. This study revealed that maximum protein coagulation in response to endotoxin was elicited by a synergy between plasma and haemocyte lysate(HL). From this research haemolymph fractions of Archachatina marginata may provide an alternative test material for endotoxin in medical preparations in the future

Penalaran Hakim Menerapkan Ajaran Penyertaan dalam Putusan Tindak Pidana Korupsi pada Bank Riau-Kepri

Perbedaan penalaran hakim memutus perkara korupsi pemberian kredit yang terjadi di Bank Riau-Kepri,menjadi persoalan yuridis ketika menentukan kesalahan perbuatan turut serta para terdakwa. Permasalahan yang diteliti adalah tentang konstruksi pemikiran hakim menentukan unsur tindak pidana dan kesalahan para terdakwa. Urgensi penelitian ini untuk memahami pilihan prakis hakim menggunakan ajaran penyertaan, ketika menerapkan Pasal 55 KUHP dalam mengadili perbuatan turut serta. Pendekatan penelitian yang digunakani yuridis empiris dengan spesifikasi penelitian hukum normatif. Temuan penelitian, bahwa perbuatan pemberi kredit dari Bank Riau-Kepri terbukti bersalah dan dipidana. Penerima kredit diputus lepas dari segala tuntutan hukum. Konstruksi penalaran hakim, perbuatan penerima kredit tidak dapat dipertanggungjawabkan secara pidana karena perbuatan yang terbukti masuk dalam lingkup hukum perdata

Islamic business ethics and finance: an exploratory study of islamic banks in Malaysia

Ethics has become increasingly important in the financial services sector on the grounds that the aim of business activities in general and financial services in particular is the creation of value for the consumer. Furthermore, an ethical environment in the business and financial sectors provides vital support for maximising long-term owner value. If ethics played a larger role in the financial services sector, the recent global financial crisis might have been averted. Islamic finance which claims to offer global financial stability and high ethical standards should reflect Islamic values in all facets of behaviour to bring about collective morality and spirituality, which when integrated with the production of goods and services advance the Islamic way of life. However, there is an apparent lack, in the current literature around Islamic finance and Islamic business ethics, of an evaluation of the extent to which the ideal ethical norms of Islam are implemented by Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs). International standard setting organisations such as the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for IFIs (AAOIFI) have published the Guiding Principles and Conduct of Business for Institutions offering Islamic Financial Services and the Code of Ethics for the Employees of IFIs respectively. While the relevant authorities may issue appropriate frameworks or standards, which are necessary to ensure that public interest is adequately served, joint commitment from the IFIs concerned is essential. Against the above-mentioned background, this paper attempts to investigate the consistencies or, if any, inconsistencies and explore the relationship between the Islamic business ethical norms and the practices of Islamic banks in Malaysia. In doing so it tries to address the current imbalance of emphasis and the lack of a comprehensive discussion on business ethics from a wider cultural and religious perspective with reference to Islam, particularly focussing on selected Islamic banks in Malaysia. The main research question of this study is: How do the current practices in Malaysian IFIs mirror the Islamic ethical norms in business? The findings in this paper would potentially assist in the improvement of practices among IFIs to conform with the ethical norms established by Islam, which are in fact the core of their existence

IMPACT OF SITE ISSUES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Site issues are found to be a very common issue in construction industry and it has brought negative impacts to each of the participants in a construction project. Therefore, this research study was carried in order to investigate the causes, impacts and solutions related to the site issues in construction industry. A questionnaire survey involving 30 respondents was conducted in order to assess the research objectives based on the perspective of construction issues in Malaysia, the research objectives are to study the impact of site issues on the construction projects. In order to do that, causes of site issues and the impact of site issues to the construction projects are identified. The problem concerning now is site issues at construction sites now give much of an impact to the construction projects. This can affect the progress of the construction work which will cause the project could not be completed on time and increased cost exceeding a predetermined budget. The scope of study under this research project will be focus on site issues in construction projects based on project of particular companies which focus to residential construction, building construction, institutional and commercial construction. The data will be collected by doing questionnaire survey which will be carried out with contractors, consultants and client organization and from the data, and by using Microsoft Office Excel, graph, Relative Important Index and Reliability Test Analysis will be designed to show the results. The methodology of this study was divided into five parts, planning and analysis, identify problems, developed a questionnaire survey, analysis of data and impact to construction projects. At the end of the study, based on the analysis of impact of site issues on the construction project, it is anticipated that impact of site issues will cause an effect to the construction work and progress

The effectiveness of promotional mix (advertising and sales promotion) in enhancing the customer awareness: “study in Agrobank” / Musa Muhammad @ Harun

Promotion is used to communicate with customers with respect to product offering. Promotion has a key role in determining profitability and market success and is one of the key is “Four Ps” of the marketing mix. The tools that can be employed in the promotional are advertising, sponsorship, public relations personal selling and etc. This project paper which entitled ‘The Effectiveness of Promotion Tools in Enhancing Customer Awareness: Study in Agrobank” purposely to study the influence of promotion tools used by Agrobank in order to enhance the customer awareness. From the study, the researcher can identify the major problems that faced by Agrobank and searching for effective solution on it matter arises such as their advertisement is not enough to attract consumer, lack of information by consumer towards their product, service that they offer, and also the restructuring of company by using new logo and name, etc. Therefore, the researcher comes out with a few recommendations to the company such as emphasize their promotion activities through internet website, need to provide a permanent staff at helps desk and so on. These recommendations will help the bank enhancing customer awareness among the target market and attract them. This report outlining the introduction, literature review, findings and analysis, conclusions and recommendations based on the journal and observation during the practical trainee at Agrobank Jeli Branch, Kelantan

Impacts of Observing Live Open Heart Surgery on Young Adults\u27 Health Behaviors

Having a heart healthy lifestyle at a younger age is beneficial in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in adulthood and various health education programs for CHD prevention exist to persuade young adults to adopt a heart healthy lifestyle. Little is known, however, about the influence of watching live open heart surgery on young adults\u27 adoption of a heart healthy lifestyle. To address that gap in knowledge, this study was conducted at a health facility in Virginia where students came to observe live open heart surgery. The purpose of the study was to understand whether watching live open heart surgery can influence young adults\u27 attitudes and behaviors towards adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. The theory of health belief model and the theory of reasoned action were used in guiding this research. A quantitative design involving observation and administration of surveys was used. A survey with questions about participants\u27 lifestyle practices was administered prior to observation of open heart surgery and 3 or more months afterwards. A total number of 179 young adults at baseline were considered eligible for the study. Ages of the research participants were between 18 and 35 years old. The t test and ANOVA results showed no significant differences between baseline and follow up data with regards to changes in behaviors of young adult students towards adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. The study concluded that observing live heart surgery did not significantly change behaviors of the students in adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. In order to achieve the desired changes in attitudes and behavior of students, looking into other evidence based options and pursuing those that can influence and motivate young adult students to adopt a heart healthy lifestyle can be a positive social change

Impact of working capital management and corporate governance on profitability of small and medium-sized entities in Nigeria

This study aims to explore the impact of working capital management and corporate governance on the profitability of small and medium-sized entities (SMEs) in Nigeria. Working capital management is concerned with management of firms’ short-term resources and short-term obligations; whereas corporate governance is the process and structure used to direct and manage the business affairs of a corporation with the objective of enhancing shareholders’ value. Based on review of studies by different scholars, a conceptual model was developed and three underpinning theories were employed to explain the relationship between working capital management, corporate governance and SMEs’ profitability. This study utilised a balanced panel data from 311 samples of Nigerian SMEs determined by the use of cluster sampling technique for a period of seven years from 2007 – 2013, which gave a total of 2,177 firms throughout the years of observation. Overall, findings of the study reveal that cash conversion cycle, board size and gender have a significantly positive relationship with gross operating profit; whilst accounts receivable period and family ownership show a significantly negative relationship. Further analysis shows that corporate cash holdings, cash conversion efficiency and board size have significantly positive relationship with return on assets; whilst accounts receivable period and inventory holding period have a significantly negative relationship. This study contributes to the body of knowledge theoretically by providing a factual conclusion on the impact of efficient working capital management and corporate governance on SMEs’ profitability. Further, the study adds to the existing literature to explain the relationship of working capital management and corporate governance with SMEs’ profitability by applying the three selected theories. Practically, the study will benefit SME owners/managers, the government, management consultants and financial institutions in policy and decision making related to SMEs in Nigeri

TIME-SAVING DESIGN AIDS FOR ONE-WAY HOLLOW SANDCRETE BLOCK SLAB

Although efficient computer programs are available for analysis and design of most structural systems, design aids are very important in engineering designs. This research study presents a time-saving design aids for oneway hollow sandcrete block slab. The slabs are designed to conform to the specifications of BS 8110, and are intended in design offices for preliminary designs and for checking computer results outpu