Diversity of Free – Living Nitrogen – Fixing Bacteria in Soil of Sioux Prairie of South Dakota

There are only two natural ways by which molecular nitrogen can be available to support life, either by free-living or by symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria. The best studied diazotrophs form symbiotic associations with plants, primarily legumes and certain tree species, but little is known about how non-leguminous plants such as grasses obtain nitrogen in their environment. Natural prairies have few legumes, thus have less symbiotic nitrogen fixer interaction. This indicates presence of free-living nitrogen (FLN) fixation activity towards the balance of the N cycle. The objective of this study was to characterize the culturable diversity of free-living diazotrophs in native prairie. I isolated bacteria using Nitrogen Free Medium (NFM). Bacteria growing on NFM were subcultured with repeated steps to obtain single isolates. The phylogeny tree of 458-putative diazotrophs was determined using the 16S rRNA gene. The PolF/PolR primer set was used for nifH PCR to confirm the presence of nitrogenase, required for the reduction of molecular nitrogen to ammonia. Due to poor performance of multiple nifH primer sets various approaches to improve amplification efficiency were evaluated focusing on addition of Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Bovine Serum Albumin, and glycerol alone or combination. Of 458 putative diazotrophs, 96 yielded nifH by PCR. The sequences were analyzed using ARB and R. High diversity was found among FLN fixers, including alpha-, beta-, and gamma – Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, but the largest group were Streptomyces. Out of 115 Streptomyces, 40 yielded nifH amplicons aligning with those of unrelated taxa such Mesorhizobium, Paenibacillus, and Herbaspirillium. Whole genome sequencing of three Streptomyces revealed presence of Bacillus, indicating co-culture. Purity of the isolates obtained was confirmed using phylum-specific 16S rRNA gene primers for Actinobacteria and Firmicutes as well as alpha and beta – Proteobacteria. This revealed that many of the putative pure cultures had a second strain belonging to a different phylum. In conclusion, there is a considerable diversity in the free-living nitrogen fixing bacterial community in prairie soil. Additionally, our data indicate apparent bacterial bi-cultures associated with nitrogen cycling. These findings could help us understand the dynamics of nitrogen cycling in naturally sustained prairie grassland ecosystem

Review Article: Appropriate Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Oil Palm Biomass in Palm Oil Mill

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is one of the most planted trees in Malaysia for the palm oil production.  Thus, solid biomass had been generated from this industry such as empty fruit bunch, shell, mesocarp fibre, frond and trunk produced that causes problematic to the nation and expected to escalate up to 85-110 million tonnes by 2020. Besides that, palm oil mill effluent and excessive steam also generated from the production of palm oil. In situ hydrothermal pretreatment means the utilisation of excessive steam produced by the oil palm mill and at the same time, generating value added product as well as reducing the biomass. Oil palm biomass is rich in lignocellulosic materials which comprised of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. Refinement of lignocellulosic from oil palm biomass can be utilised to form fermentable sugar, bioethanol and other potential chemicals. Recalcitrant property of lignocellulosic reduces the ability of enzymes to penetrate, thus pretreatment is required prior to hydrolysis process. Pretreatment can be either physical, chemical, biological or combined. In this review paper, three types of hydrothermal pretreatment were discussed as suitable in situ pretreatment process for oil palm biomass; in palm oil mill. The suitability was measured based on the availability of excess steam and energy in the mill. Furthermore, physicochemical pretreatment also facilitate the saccharification process, whereby it loosened the lignocellulose structure and increase the surface area. The effects and factors in choosing right pretreatment are highlighted in this paper

The Factors Affecting the Consumer Buying Behaviour Towards Local Brand of Food Product in Selangor

The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting the consumer buying behaviour toward food products in Selangor. Consumer behaviours comprise four factors: cultural, social, personal, and psychological factors. These factors influence consumer buying behaviour toward Malaysian local brands. Data were collected through online questionnaires using Google form. The sample of study consisted of 210 consumers in Selangor. In particular, principal components analysis (PCA) was employed in order to identify the factors that affect consumers on preferring locally produced food products. The findings of this study indicate that Halal logo was the first choice in terms of consumer’s perspective on the product attributes when buying food products followed by price. Size and quantity, and packaging are the third and fourth attributes considered by consumers when buying food products.  Our result suggests that, by providing this consumer information to small scale or local sellers will encourage more consumers to purchase local food products

PSIKOEDUKASI BERMAIN EXPERIENTAL LEARNING PERMAINAN TRADISIONAL DALAM MENINGKATKAN KEAKASARAN DASAR ANAK KAMPUNG BATU LUBANG

Abstrak: Kurangnya fasilitas belajar serta tenaga pendidik menjadi alasan minimnya kemampuan literasi anak. Tujuan Pengabdian ini untuk meningkatkan keaksaran dasar atau literasi dengan menggunakan metode bermain experiental learning permainan tradisional. Metode yang digunakan dalam pengabdian ini adalah dengan sosialisasi, penyuluhan, serta praktik bermain permainan tradisional yang ditujukan kepada anak-anak Kampung Batu Lubang Pantai sebanyak 35 anak dengan melakukan pretes dan postes dengan total 75 aitem untuk mengukur ketercapaian program. Hasil yang didapatkan adalah sebanyak 40% anak mengalami peningkatan literasi baca tulis, dan sebaganyak 34% anak mengalami peningkatan literasi numerasi yang mana hal ini berdampak pada penggunaan Bahasa Indonesia yang baik dan benar.Abstract: The lack of learning facilities and teaching staff is the reason for the lack of children's literacy skills. The aim of this service is to improve basic literacy by using traditional experiential learning game play methods. The method used in this service is socialization, counseling, and the practice of playing traditional games aimed at 35 children from Batu Lubang Pantai Village by conducting pre-tests and post-tests to measure the program's achievements. The results obtained were that as many as 40% of children experienced an increase in reading and writing literacy, and as many as 34% of children experienced an increase in numeracy literacy, which had an impact on the good and correct use of Indonesian

Fish and invertebrate diversity at coral reef of Talang-Talang Island, Sematan, Sarawak

This study was carried out in July 20 II and April 2012 to determine the abundance and diversity of fish and invertebrates at the natural reef of Talang-Talang Island. Data were collected using belt transect technique method with the aid of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) and underwater visual censu es (UVC). Transect lines were laid 100 m parallel to the shore, with depth ranging between 3 -10m. Survey carried out covered a distance of 2.5 m from both sides of the transect line or a total area of 250 m2. Data collected were recorded with the aid of underwater slate, underwater flash card to aid in identification, and underwater camera. A total of 73 individuals of invertebrates were recorded at the study area representing 2 families and 3 species. Results show that species richness among the three stations ranged from 0.3899 at station 3 to 0.4969 at station I. A total of 18 genera and 22 species from a total number of 860 individuals of t1sh were documented. Results show that species richness among the three stations ranged from 2.2 171 at station I to 3.2633 at station 2. The assemblages of reef fish in coral reef ecosystem are affected by the percentage of live coral cover and feeding behavior of tishes. The population of invertebrate is affected by the overall condition of the coral reef

Hydrothermal pretreatment of mixed oil palm biomass

Oil palm biomass has high amount of carbohydrates which potentially to be converted into biosugar. Due to complex structure of the lignocellulosic component, pretreatment is needed to allow the penetration of cellulase into cellulose. While several pretreatments were available to open up the lignocellulosic structure, hydrothermal pretreatment process was chosen as the effectiveness and environmental-friendly process. Earlier research using individual biomass in different pretreatment processes had proven great effect on conversion of glucose. In this study, a pretreatment process was tested on mixed biomass to adapt bulk amount of biomass produced daily. The aim is to achieve high cellulose content after hydrothermal preatment. Mixing ratio of oil palm biomass was 1:1:1 of 2.0 mm size that involved empty fruit bunch, mesocarp fibre and frond fiber, and then continued to hydrothermal pretreatment with different severity factors (log, Rₒ) of 2.48 until 5.14. Chemical composition of untreated and pretreated mixed oil palm biomass was determined using acid hydrolysis. Each sample was examined with scanning electron microscope, wide-angle x-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analyses to check on the structure of biomass after pretreatment. High cellulose content which 50.1±0.3% was successfully achieved at temperature of 190˚C in 10 min. In conclusion, this experiment succeeded to approve that by hydrothermal pretreatment can give high cellulose content in mixed oil palm biomass under low temperature and short time

Hubungan antara Berat Badan Berlebih dengan Terjadinya Sindrom Syok Dengue pada Anak di RSD dr. Soebandi, Jember

Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) is shock syndrome that happened in dengue hemorrhagic fever patients. There are risk factors that cause DSS. One of them is overweight in children. This study aimed to determine the relationship between overweight and the occurence of DSS. This retrospective case control study conducted at the dr. Soebandi Hospital Jember. Sampels were divided into DSS group (case group) and non-DSS group (control group). To analyze the data, Chi-Square test was performed using SPSS version 21. Aa many as 191 patients were included in this study which consisted of 132 patients as the control group and 59 patients as the case group. Chi-square analysis showed the p-value was 0,649. In conclusion, overweight was not significantly associated as a risk factor of DSS in children at the dr. Soebandi hospital

Analysis of Zakat Management in Brunei Darussalam

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the management of zakat funds in Brunei Darussalam. More specifi cally, it aims at investigating how zakat funds recipients perceive the quality of the current zakat management with special attention to the aspect of zakat funds disbursement. It also aims to examine how effi cient Brunei’s zakat administration is, particularly the distribution aspect. This paper is explanatory and descriptive in nature and uses both secondary and primary data to examine the trends of zakat collection and distribution. The fi ndings in this paper show that zakat management in Brunei Darussalam is progressing to achieve the main objectives of zakat system. The paper also provides some useful policy implications to improve the management of zakat funds and how policy-makers can respond to the challenges positively as well as to develop and support zakat institutions in Brunei Darussalam to be more efficient and reliable in the collection and distribution of zakat funds.   Keyword: Zakat management, Islamic finance, zakat recipients, Brunei Darussalam

A preliminary survey of ectoparasites of small mammals in Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia

Ectoparasite host a wide range of zoonotic pathogens and are significant source of disease that affected human and animals. However, little study has been conducted on island habitat. Pangkor Island is a virgin jungle reserve and one of the most popular tourist attraction located at Perak, Malaysia. This preliminary survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites on small mammals residing in this island’s forests. Small mammals were trapped by deploying 50 cage traps at two different sites which were Pangkor Selatan and Sg. Pinang forests. Ectoparasites were extracted from the captured individuals. Identification of the ectoparasite species was performed based on morphological features and molecular approach using COI (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) genes. A total of 13 individuals of small mammals belonging to 4 species (Maxomys surifer, Rattus tiomanicus, Maxomys rajah, Callosciurus notatus) were captured in the study areas. From these, 5 individuals from 2 small mammal species were infested with mites only, identified as Laelaps sp. The most infested host species was Maxomys rajah. Ectoparasites load in M. rajah was higher with 27 individual’s mites collected, compared to Rattus tiomanicus with 7. This study provides information on ectoparasites present on small mammal hosts within the study areas. Our findings suggest that the resident and tourist of the island area were exposed to mite bites and potentially infected by mite-borne disease, therefore, precaution should be taken to avoid contact with small mammal hosts by improving the cleanliness of the island

Gold extraction via cyanide leaching using alkaline-based empty fruit bunch activated carbon

This research is carried out to extend the knowledge on the modernized method of modifying the physical and structural properties of empty fruit bunches (EFB), a low-cost, highly accessible and abundant agricultural waste in Malaysia, for gold adsorption process. To complete this aim, EFB was modified by using an alkaline-based chemical to improve the surface area, porosity volume and surface chemistry of sorbents. The structure of the empty fruit bunch is characterized by using characterization techniques such as Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The gold solution was prepared by mixing gold with a sodium cyanide solution to undergo a leaching process for 24 hours. The solution was then used for the adsorption experiment. The performance of the alkaline-based EFB-AC to separate gold from the cyanide leaching solution was further studied on the effect of contact time, pH and agitation rate. The gold adsorption capacity achieved by the alkaline-based EFB-AC was measured by calculating the difference between the initial and final gold concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The maximum gold adsorption capacity findings of contact time, pH, and agitation rate were found to be 2.5 hours, pH of 10 and 60 rpm, respectively. This study reveals that the alkaline-based EFB-AC has the potential to extract gold as an alternative activated carbon in the gold adsorption process