Analisis Efisiensi Teknis dan Faktor Penentu Inefisiensi USAha Penggemukan Sapi Potong di Kabupaten Gorontalo

Secara umum budidaya penggemukan sapi potong di Provinsi Gorontalo dikelola oleh peternak rakyat dengan ciri-ciri diantaranya produktivitas USAha rendah, skala USAha kecil dan pengelolaan tradisional. Usaha ini menjadi unggulan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan konsumsi daging sapi. Tujuan penelitian adalah menganalisis tingkat efisiensi teknis dan faktor penentu inefisiensi USAha penggemukan sapi potong. Pengambilan data dilaksanakan di Kecamatan Tolangohula, Kabupaten Gorontalo pada bulan Oktober-November 2013. Penelitian menggunakan data primer yang diperoleh dari 30 peternak yang dipilih dengan metode accidental sampling. Data kemudian dianalisis menggunakan fungsi produksi stokhastic frontier. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa USAha penggemukan sapi potong layak diusahakan namun capaian efisiensi teknis USAha sapi potong masih rendah dengan nilai indeks efisiensi rata-rata sebesar 0,690. Faktor yang mempengaruhi produksi sapi potong yaitu tenaga kerja, pakan hijauan dan bobot bakalan. Sementara inefisiensi USAhatani ditentukan oleh status kepemilikan sapi dan intensitas penyuluhan. Oleh karena itu, akses terhadap sumber informasi seperti pelatihan teknis dan akses terhadap peningkatan jumlah sapi melalui peningkatan modal perlu terus dikembangkan

In-vitro Release Study of Carvedilol Phosphate Matrix Tablets Prepared with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of two molecular weight grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose on the release characteristics of carvedilol phosphate matrix tablets.Methods: Matrix tablets containing carvedilol phosphate were prepared from 27 formulations in three batch series coded A, B and C, each containing 9 formulations. Each batch incorporated different ratios of two molecular weight grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Methocel® K4M CR and K15M CR) used as release retarding agents. Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH 101), starch (Sta-Rx 1500) and lactose monohydrate were used as diluents in the formulations while the effect of sodium lauryl sulphate (wetting agent) was studied for some of the formulations. The tablets were characterized for carvedilol phosphate release in both simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The data were subjected to different models in order to determine their release kinetics and mechanisms.Results: All the batches released more than 50 % of their carvedilol content in 12 h when Methocel® K4M CR and K15M CR constituted 18 % and 15 % of the matrix, respectively. Avicel® PH 101 decreased while Starch 1500 and lactose monohydrate increased drug release. Drug release mechanism was predominantly diffusion.Conclusion: By using varying combinations of two molecular weight grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as the matrix, controlled or sustained release carvedilol tablets of varying release characteristics can be prepared

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases among Geriatric population in Block Hazratbal, District Srinagar

Elderly population aged 60 years and above in the world will reach 1.2 billion by the year 2025, the majority of whom will be in developing countries.Major health problems which are faced in this age group are hypertension, coronary artery disease, strokes, diabetes mellitus, obesity, cancers, cataracts, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, chronic obstructive airway disease, benign hyperplasia of prostate, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, senile Dementia and depression. Globally, the burden of non-communicable diseases, which also bear the greatest morbidity and mortality, is rising in developing countries. Demographic and epidemiological transitions taking place in the developing countries of Asia is shifting the disease burden from communicable towards non-communicable disease. India’s poor are at heightened risk of acquiring NCDs owing to high rate of smoking, tobacco use and high salt intake. So this paper analyses the links between sociodemographic correlates and non-communicable diseases in block Hazratbal, district Srinagar. Objectives:1.To estimate the prevalence of NCDs among study population.2.To find out the socio-demographic correlates of NCDs in the study population. Study design: A Community Based, Cross sectional study. Study population: Elderly (?60 years) persons residing in selected geographical area. Results:In this study, majority of the elderly study population were suffering from Hypertension/Ischemic/Other heart diseases (52.2%) followed by COPD (11.4%), Arthritis/other Musculoskeletal problems (10.6%), Diabetes mellitus (10.4%). Gastritis (9.8%), Hypothyroidism (9.6%), Benign prostrate hypertrophy (9.4%). The main reason for high prevalence of Hypertension/Ischemic heart disease could be that we take lots of salty products in our daily diet. Other causes could be living in a conflict area or genetic susceptibility. Most of elderly study subjects 446(89.9%) were on drugs for their chronic diseases

Correlation between length of tibia and dimensions of distal articular surfaces: a morphometric study

Background: Estimation of stature can be done from long bones especially tibia and femur as they have a correlation with height. Tibia is most commonly used as it resists erosion and keeps its anatomical shape even after burial. However intact bones are rarely available. Most often the exhumed remains are in fragmentary condition leading to lack of adequate sample for the study. A way of increasing utility of such samples would be the establishment of techniques which would permit estimation of stature from long bone fragments. The current study provides a correlation between length of tibia and its distal dimensions which can be used in anthropology for measuring the stature of an individual. Methods: A total of 50 tibiae were obtained from the bone bank of the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Srinagar. Measurements were taken from the bone using vernier calipers. Morphometric data obtained was analyzed, measurements expressed in mean and standard deviation and Pearson’s correlation test was carried out. This observational study was conducted within a period of 2 months, from April-June 2022. Results: Width of talar facet with a Pearson’s correlation of 0.62 and width of fibular notch with a correlation of 0.3 showed positive statistical significance (p<0.05). On the other hand, breadth of medial malleolus with a correlation of 0.18 and height of fibular notch with a correlation of -0.02 (p>0.05) was statistically insignificant. Conclusions: The study showed a positive correlation (p<0.05) between length of tibia with the width of talar facet and fibular notch

‘‘Lozenge’’ contour plots in scattering from polymer networks

We present a consistent explanation for the appearance of “lozenge” shapes in contour plots of the two dimensional scattering intensity from stretched polymer networks. By explicitly averaging over quenched variables in a tube model, we show that lozenge patterns arise as a result of chain material that is not directly deformed by the stretch. We obtain excellent agreement with experimental data

Effects of Brick Burning on Microbial Biomass and C/N Ratio in Selected Soil Profiles in the Eastern Region of Bangladesh

The pH values in the profiles of unburnt (agricultural land) soils were found to increase as a function of soil depth and burning (400 to 1000℃) of the soils increased average pH by 8%. The average sand content of the burnt (soil around brick kilns) soil profiles was increased by 245%, while 39 and 36% decreased the silt and clay contents. Soil organic carbon (Corg) in the unburnt soils (0-20 cm) at different agro-ecological zones in the eastern region of Bangladesh ranged from 0.8 and 1.4%, whereas the content of microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) in the studied unburnt soils ranged between 5 and 7% of the total Corg, suggesting that the microbial biomass releasing considerable amounts of carbon in soil while burning of the soils drastically reduced this contribution to about 1%. The values of soil Cmic in the unburnt soils were approximately 2 to 6 times higher in the topsoils than the subsoils (20-60 cm). Variable rainfall, temperature and soil fertility had an overriding influence, which was reflected by the average minimum (276 μg g(-1)) and maximum (439) amounts of soil Cmic in Moulvibazar and Cox' Bazar sites. The Cmic decreased upon soil burning by 92% of its original average value (346 μg g(-1)) in the soil profile of up to 100 cm. Burning of topsoils strikingly increased the Corg/Cmic ratio by about 6 to 9 times, while reduced the C/N ratio by about 1.5 to 2.5 times. The average loss of Corg, available and total N due to burning of the soils were 66, 72 and 44% (increase over average content of unburnt soil: IOAC), respectively, which suggests that the burning of the soils offset the essential roles of soil microorganisms, reduced soil fertility and soil microbial contribution

Complementary and Alternative Medicines Use during Pregnancy : A Systematic Review of Pregnant Women and Healthcare Professional Views and Experiences

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Modelling of Multi-Agent Systems: Experiences with Membrane Computing and Future Challenges

Formal modelling of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) is a challenging task due to high complexity, interaction, parallelism and continuous change of roles and organisation between agents. In this paper we record our research experience on formal modelling of MAS. We review our research throughout the last decade, by describing the problems we have encountered and the decisions we have made towards resolving them and providing solutions. Much of this work involved membrane computing and classes of P Systems, such as Tissue and Population P Systems, targeted to the modelling of MAS whose dynamic structure is a prominent characteristic. More particularly, social insects (such as colonies of ants, bees, etc.), biology inspired swarms and systems with emergent behaviour are indicative examples for which we developed formal MAS models. Here, we aim to review our work and disseminate our findings to fellow researchers who might face similar challenges and, furthermore, to discuss important issues for advancing research on the application of membrane computing in MAS modelling.Comment: In Proceedings AMCA-POP 2010, arXiv:1008.314