Develop a useful management tool for water resources allocation in the Saq aquifer in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

The main aquifer, which supplies most wells in the Al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia, is the Saq aquifer. The objectives of current study were: (1) to develop hydraulic properties of Saq aquifer by analyzing pumping test data, (2) to evaluate the impact of groundwater withdrawals from wells on future groundwater levels of Saq aquifer under different groundwater pumping scenarios using numerical techniques (MODFLOW), and (3) to evaluate the appropriate groundwater pumping scenario that can be adapted;A quasi-three-dimensional simulation model was developed using the groundwater flow model MODFLOW (McDonald and Harbaugh, 1988). Four management plans were considered using different discharge rates for a planning period of 51 years (1999--2050) through the existing wells. The first management plan assumes that the present tend of increase in the water extraction rates continue until the end of year 2050. The second management plan was based on the assumption that the rate of increase in water extraction will be reduced by 50% of the first management plan. The third management plan allows that the rate of increase in water extraction will be increased by 50% of the first management plan. The fourth management plan is the combination of the second and third management plans;The results show that the water level in the central area where the observation well #10 is located will be reduced to 435 m at the end of the year of 2050 by implementing the first management plan. The water level at the observation well in 2050 will be 475 m and the net drawdown will be reduced to 40 m by implementing the second management plan. By implementing the third management plan, the water level of the observation well #10 will be reduced from 515 in 1999 to as low as 395 m in 2050. By implementing the fourth management plan, the water level will be 463 m at the end of 2050 and the resulting change in the hydraulic head (drawdown) will be 52 m;From the above it seems that it is very important to implementing the fourth management plan for the Al-Qassim, area. Groundwater withdrawal from existing wells in future should be maintained at the present level, if not reduced. (Abstract shortened by UMI.

An alkaliphilic cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from a new Bacillus agaradhaerens WN-I strain isolated from an Egyptian soda lake: Purification and properties

Alkaliphilic bacteria were isolated from soil and water samples obtained from Egyptian soda lakes in the Wadi Natrun area. Screening for cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase- producing alkaliphilic bacteria resulted in the isolation of 15 positive strains. Strain WN-I was selected as the best producer of CGTase. 16S rDNA sequence analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization identified the isolate as Bacillus agaradhaerens. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity up to 21 fold by starch adsorption and anion exchange chromatography with a yield of 26.40%. The pure enzyme was a monomer with an estimated molecular weight of 85 kDa. The enzyme was stable, at 25°C, over a pH range of 5.0 to 11, with a maximum activity at pH 9.0. The enzyme activity exhibited an optimum temperature of 55°C and was stable at 40°C for at least 1 h. Thermal stability was improved in the presence of maltodextrin, starch or CaCl2. The enzyme was slightly stimulated by CaCl2, KC1 and BaCl2 but was completely inhibited in the presence of FeCl2 and strongly inhibited by ZnCl2 and CoCl2 and to a lower extent by CuCl2, EDTA, 2-mercaptoethanol, and dithiothritol. The enzyme produced mainly β-CD (71.20% of the total cyclodextrin amount). The enzyme had higher cyclyzation activity (1.9 fold higher) toward Paselli starch than soluble starch.Key words: Alkaliphiles, soda lakes, cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase, Bacillus agaradhaeren, purification, 16S rDNA

Number Symbolism in Christianity: A Descriptive Study

The research is concerned with symbolism in Christianity, with particular reference to numbers. It identifies number symbolism in Christian holy texts and the statements of recognized religious leaders. It also identifies related contradictions in Christian beliefs and holy texts. The research follows an inductive-deductive approach. The following are the research findings in brief. Symbolism in Christianity inVol.ves associating and matching reality with mind content, and it presumes the symbol to be identical to the symbolized object. Renowned representatives of Christian symbolism include Origenes, Didemos and Augustine. The study identifies the numbers 1-10 as symbols: Number one symbolizes the presence of the One God. Number two is thought to symbolize love and amicableness and to symbolize divisiveness, too. Number three symbolizes faith. As for the number four, it is interpreted to symbolize has a variety of things: creation; earth; good tidings; notification; comprehension; guarantying; preservation. Number five is seen as a symbol of: category/type; perfection; man; blessing and salvation. Number six symbolizes: perfection; negligence/forgiveness. Number seven is considered an important symbol of perfection. Number eight symbolizes a new beginning, especially Christ's second coming. Number nine is believed to symbolize ends and conclusions. Number ten symbolizes how one thing includes another in its entirety

Bioreduction of Cr (VI) by potent novel chromate resistant alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain KSUCr5 isolated from hypersaline Soda lakes

Isolation of Cr (VI) resistant alkaliphilic bacteria from sediment and water samples collected from Wadi Natrun hypersaline Soda lakes (located in northern Egypt), resulted in isolation of several alkaliphilic bacterial strains that can tolerate up to 2.94 g/l of Cr (VI) in alkaline medium. However, with increasing Cr (VI) concentration up to 29.4 g/l, only one strain, KSUCr5, was able to tolerate up to 22 g/l (75 mM) and with MIC value of 23.5 g/l (80 mM) in alkaline medium (pH 10.5) containing 10% NaCl. Based on the 16S rRNA gene analysis, strain KSUCr5 was identified as Bacillus sp. with 99% similarity and was referred to as Bacillus sp. KSUCr5. In addition, Bacillus sp. strain KSUCr5 showed high tolerance to several other heavy metals including Cd2+ (50 mM), Mo2+ (75 mM), Mn2+ (100 mM), Cu2+ (2 mM), Ni2+ (100 mM), Pb (75 mM), Co2+ (5 mM) and Zn2+ (2 mM). Strain KSUCr5 was shown to be of a high efficiency in detoxifying chromate, as it could rapidly reduce up to 40 mg/l of Cr(VI) to a non detectable level over 24 h. In addition, at initial Cr(VI) concentration of 60 to 80 and 100 mg/l, 100% of the chromate reduction was achieved within 48 and 72 h, respectively. Strain KSUCr5 could reduce Cr(VI) efficiently  over a wide range of initial Cr(VI) concentrations (10 to 300 mg/l) in alkaline medium under aerobic conditions without significant effect on the bacterial growth. It was able to reduce Cr(VI) in a wide range of NaCl (0 to 20%) with a maximum reduction yield at concentration of 0 to 1.5%, indicating the halo tolerance nature of the bacterium. It was found that addition of glucose and Na2CO3 to the culture medium caused a dramatic increase in Cr(VI)-reduction by Bacillus sp. strain KSUCr5. The maximum chromate removal was exhibited in alkaline medium (pH 10) containing 1.2% Na2CO3, 1.5% glucose and 1% NaCl and at incubation temperature of 35°C and culture shaking of 150 rpm. Under optimum Cr (VI) reduction conditions, Cr(VI) concentration of 80 mg/l was completely reduced within 24 h, with reduction rate of 3.3 mg h-1 which is one of the highest Cr(VI) reduction rate under high alkaline conditions, compared with other microorganisms that has been reported so far. Furthermore, the presence of other metals such as Ni2+, Mo2+, Cu2+ and Mn2+ at concentration of 100 mg/l together with Cr(VI) in the culture medium slightly increased Cr(VI)-reduction by the strain KSUCr5. Moreover, the isolate, Bacillus sp.  strain KSUCr5, exhibited an ability to repeatedly reduce hexavalent chromium without any amendment of nutrients, suggesting its potential application in continuous bioremediation of Cr(VI). The results reveal the possible isolation of potent heavy metals resistant bacteria from extreme environment such as hypersaline Soda lakes and their application in bioremediation of heavy metals.Key words: Chromate reduction, bioremediation, heavy metals, Bacillus sp., Soda lakes

Peran Sekolah dalam Membentuk Karakter Sopan Santun Siswa SD Adinda Surabaya

Character education is an effort to form the habit of doing good, so that in carrying out character education, polite character values are also needed. This study aims to determine the constraints and barriers to the school's role in shaping the polite character of SD Adinda Surabaya students. This study uses a descriptive qualitative research method that aims to define and explain how the role of the school in shaping the character of student manners. Data collection techniques using observation, interviews, and questionnaires. From the results of the data obtained then analyzed, that the school's role in shaping the polite character of SD Adinda Surabaya students, the school as a facilitator by providing character values and understanding to students through habituation activities programs for students, as well as being a role model in polite character . There are supporting and inhibiting factors in shaping the polite character of students including: support for the participation of school members including principals, teachers, employees and students, lack of support from parents and family, daily student friendship groups that are not conduciv

Characterization of immobilized alkaline cyclodextringlycosyltransferase from a newly isolated Bacillus agaradhaerens KSU-A11

Alkaliphilic bacteria were isolated from soil and water samples obtained from Egyptian soda lakes (Wadi Natrun area, Egypt). Screening for cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase)-producing alkaliphilic bacteria resulted in isolation of 10 positive strains. Strain KSU-A11 was selected as the best CGTase producer (2.1 U/ml). 16S rDNA sequence analysis identified the KSU-A11strain as Bacillus agaradhaerens. CGTase was partially purified using starch adsorption technique. The partially purified CGTase was immobilized on chitin by covalent binding tecnique using cross linking reaction with high immobilization yield (85%). The properties of the free and immobilized CGTase were determined. The optimum pH of the immobilized enzyme was slightly higher than that of the free enzyme at pH 10 and 10.5, respectively. In addition, both free and immobilized enzyme retained 94 to 100% of its initial activity over a wide pH range (pH 6.0 to 11.0). The enzymatic activity of both free and immobilized CGTase was highest at temperature 50°C; however, the relative activities of the immobilized CGTase were slightly higher than those of the free enzyme. Furthermore, investigation of thermostability of the enzyme indicated that the immobilization process of CGTase on chitin significantly protected the enzyme against thermo-inactivation. Kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax, values for free and immobilized enzymes were estimated and while there was no change in the Vmax value (83.3 μmol/min. mg) for both free and immobilized CGTase, the Km of the enzyme increased from 14.28 to 20 mg/ml upon immobilization. The immobilization of the enzyme showed high operational stability by retaining almost 50% of the initial activity after nine uses.Key words: Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase, Bacillus agaradhaerens, immobilization, chitin, alkaliphiles

Tapping uncultured microorganisms through metagenomics for drug discovery

Natural products have been an important historical source of therapeutic agents. Microorganisms are major source of bioactive natural products, and several microbial products including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, immunosuppressants and others are currently used as therapeutic agents for human and  domestic animals. Most of these products were obtained from cultured environmental microorganisms. However, it is widely accepted that a very large majority of the microorganisms present in natural  environments are not readily cultured under laboratory conditions, and therefore are not accessible for drug  discovery. Metagenomics is a recent culture-independent approach that has been developed to access the  collective genomes of natural bacterial populations. It enables discovery of the diverse biosynthetic pathways encoded by diverse microbial assemblages that are known to be present in the environment but not-yet  cultured. Recently, several new bioactive molecules and proteins have been discovered using a metagenomic approach. This review highlights the recent methodologies, limitations, and applications of metagenomics for the discovery of new drugs. Moreover, it shows how a multidisciplinary approach combining metagenomics with other technologies can expedite and revolutionize drug discovery from diverse environmental microorganisms.Key words: Microbial diversity, metagenomics, natural products, drug discovery, microbial ecology

Chrome Tanning Leather of Giant Sea Perch Combined with Seed Extract Areca Nut on the Physical Characteristics

Tanning is the process of converting raw hide protein to leather, which are stable, not easily decompose, and is suitable for a variety of uses. The use of vegetable based tanning materials in the leather tanning process has not been carried out. Vegetable based materials that were used are betel nuts. This plant contains tannin which is the main agent in the process of leather tanning. The aim of this study was to determine the physical characteristics of snapper leather treated with betel nut extract. Soxhlet extracting method with methanol as a solvent were used to obtain tannin from betel nuts. Tanned Snapper Leather were analyzed for physical quality, elongation strength, tensile strength, tear strength, and sewing strength. The result showed that methanol extracted betel nut with 10% concentration gives the optimum physical characteristics.Keywords: areca nut, chrome, snapper, snappe

Outcomes of the Indonesian Chronic Disease Management Program (PROLANIS) in Patients with Hypertension During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Areas:A Preliminary Evaluation Study

Background: The Indonesian Chronic Disease Management Program (PROLANIS) is a government program that aims to improve the health outcomes of patients with chronic diseases, including hypertension. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the health outcomes of hypertension patients in rural areas who were enrolled in PROLANIS. Material/Methods: This study used data from 4 PROLANIS groups in East Java province. The data were collected from participants' 6-month evaluations at 3 time points: before the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 (T0), during the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020 (T1), and in December 2020 (T2). Evaluated parameters were body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipid (LDL), high-density lipid (HDL), triglyceride (TG), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results: There were 91 patients included in the analyses. Compared to T0, BMI, blood pressure, eGFR, and TC had significantly deteriorated at T1, but LDL, HDL, and TG showed no marked changes. At T2, BMI, DBP, and TC were similar to T0. On the other hand, SBP and eGFR did not improve, while HDL significantly deteriorated. Stratified based on age, worsening of DBP, TC, and LDL at T1 and eGFR at T1 and T2 was only observed in those aged 60 years and older. Conclusions: This preliminary study showed that the health outcomes of hypertension patients in rural areas who were enrolled in PROLANIS were negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the elderly being the most affected.</p

Production of extracellular alkaline protease by new halotolerant alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. NPST-AK15 isolated from hyper saline soda lakes

Background: Alkaline proteases are among the most important classes of industrial hydrolytic enzymes. The industrial demand for alkaline proteases with favorable properties continues to enhance the search for new enzymes. The present study focused on isolation of new alkaline producing alkaliphilic bacteria from hyper saline soda lakes and optimization of the enzyme production. Results: A new potent alkaline protease producing halotolerant alkaliphilic isolate NPST-AK15 was isolated from hyper saline soda lakes, which affiliated to Bacillus sp. based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. Organic nitrogen supported enzyme production showing maximum yield using yeast extract, and as a carbon source, fructose gave maximum protease production. NPST-AK15 can grow over a broad range of NaCl concentrations (0\u201320%), showing maximal growth and enzyme production at 0\u20135%, indicated the halotolerant nature of this bacterium. Ba and Ca enhanced enzyme production by 1.6 and 1.3 fold respectively. The optimum temperature and pH for both enzyme production and cell growth were at 40\ub0C and pH 11, respectively. Alkaline protease secretion was coherent with the growth pattern, started at beginning of the exponential phase and reached maximal in mid stationary phase (36 h). Conclusions: A newhalotolerant alkaliphilic alkaline protease producing Bacillus sp.NPST-AK15 was isolated from soda lakes. Optimization of various fermentation parameters resulted in an increase of enzyme yield by 22.8 fold, indicating the significance of optimization of the fermentation parameters to obtain commercial yield of the enzyme. NPST-AK15 and its extracellular alkaline protease with salt tolerance signify their potential applicability in the laundry industry and other applications