Prevalence and public health implications of the microbial load of abused Naira notes

A hundred and forty (140) pieces of abused Naira notes were randomly and aseptically collected in Kano metropolis and examined microbiologically for the load and type of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) using swab-rinse and standard plate count techniques. The mean average bacterial counts on the notes ranged between 3.59 x 102 cfu/ml and 1.29 x 105 cfu/ml while fungal counts ranged between 3.24 x 102 cfu/ml and 1.59 x 106 cfu/ml. The lowest and highest counts for both bacteria and fungi were found in the N500 and N5 abused naira denominations respectively. The bacteria isolated include the genera of Bacillus, Brucella, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Listeria, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus while fungi include the genera of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium and Rhizopus. There was no recovery of both bacteria and fungi in the control. The implications of the results have been discussed. Keywords: Microbiological load, abused naira notes, public health, Kano

Empirical Assessment of Breast Lesion Detection Capability Through an Innovative Microwave Imaging Device

This paper investigates the effect of conductivity weighting on microwave images obtained through a dedicated imaging device. MammoWave is a microwave imaging device for detection of breast lesions, operating using only two azimuthally rotating antennas without the use of matching liquids. For each breast, a set of conductivity weighted images are generated through modifying our algorithm based on Huygens principle, producing intensity maps representing the homogeneity of tissues’ dielectric properties. Subsequently, we introduce several imaging parameters (i.e. features) to quantify the non-homogenous behaviour of the image. Through empirical investigation on 103 breasts, we can verify that a selection of these features could allow distinction between breasts with radiological findings (WF), i.e. with benign or malign lesions, and breasts with no radiological findings (NF). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.We obtained single features Area Under the receiver operating characteristic Curves (AUCs) spanning from 0.65 to 0.68. Significantly, we achieve AUCs of up to 0.77 when considering dense breasts only, which tend to cause detection limitations in mammography exams

Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Copper (II) Complex with a Schiff base Derived from 2 – Hydroxy – 1 – naphthaldehyde and Ethylenediammine

Synthesis of Copper (II) complex with a Schiff base derived from the condensation of 2 – hydroxyl-1-naphthaldehyde and ethylenediammine was carried out. Solubility, melting/decomposition temperature, molar conductance, potentiometric as well as uv-visible spectrophotometric studies were carried out. The pKa of the Schiff base was determined potentiometrically and checked using ORIGIN 50 method. Potentiometric studies revealed 1:1 metal to ligand ratio. Job’s method of continuous variation also revealed 1:1 metal to ligand ratio. Molar conductance measurements showed that the complex is non electrolyte with very high stability constant value. Gibb’s free energy determination showed that the complex is very stable as shown by the high decomposition temperature measurements.Keywords: Complex, Potentiometry, Schiff base, Stability constan

Pengaruh Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Jigsaw Pada Materi Hakikat Biologi Terhadap Hasil Belajar Biologi Siswa Kelas X SMA Negeri 1 Rambah Hilir Tahun Pembelajaran 2014/2015

This study aimed to determine the effect of cooperative learning jigsaw on the nature of the biological materialto the results of class X student of SMA Negeri 1 Rambah Rambah Hilir. This was a Quasi-Experiments Study. Samples were the Student in class X1 and X2. Data collecting techniques in this study was a test. The data analysis technique is a “t” test. Result showed that the value of tcount = 5.128 and ttable at 5% significance level of 2.021. This suggests that tcount &gt; ttable that the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted

The primordial environment of super massive black holes: large scale galaxy overdensities around z∼6z\sim6 QSOs with LBT

We investigated the presence of galaxy overdensities around four $z\sim6$ QSOs, namely SDSS J1030+0524 (z = 6.28), SDSS J1148+5251 (z = 6.41), SDSS J1048+4637 (z = 6.20) and SDSS J1411+1217 (z = 5.95), through deep $r$-, $i$- and $z$- band imaging obtained with the wide-field ($\sim23'\times25'$) Large Binocular Camera (LBC) at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). We adopted color-color selections within the $i-z$ vs $r-z$ plane to identify samples of $i$-band dropouts at the QSO redshift and measure their relative abundance and spatial distribution in the four LBC fields, each covering $\sim8\times8$ physical Mpc at $z\sim6$. The same selection criteria were then applied to $z$-band selected sources in the $\sim$1 deg$^2$ Subaru-XMM Newton Deep Survey to derive the expected number of dropouts over a blank LBC-sized field ($\sim$0.14 deg$^2$). The four observed QSO fields host a number of candidates larger than what is expected in a blank field. By defining as $i$-band dropouts objects with $z_{AB}1.4$ and undetected in the $r$-band, we found 16, 10, 9, 12 dropouts in SDSS J1030+0524, SDSS J1148+5251, SDSS J1048+4637, and SDSS J1411+1217, respectively, whereas only 4.3 such objects are expected over a 0.14 deg$^2$ blank field. This corresponds to overdensity significances of 3.3, 1.9, 1.7, 2.5$\sigma$, respectively. By considering the total number of dropouts in the four LBC fields and comparing it with what is expected in four blank fields of 0.14 deg$^2$ each, we find that high-z QSOs reside in overdense environments at the $3.7\sigma$ level. This is the first direct and unambiguous measurement of the large scale structures around $z\sim6$ QSOs. [shortened]Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in A&

The primordial environment of supermassive black holes (II): deep Y and J band images around the z=6.3 quasar SDSS J1030+0524

Many cosmological studies predict that early supermassive black holes (SMBHs) can only form in the most massive dark matter halos embedded within large scale structures marked by galaxy over-densities that may extend up to 10 physical Mpc. This scenario, however, has not been confirmed observationally, as the search for galaxy over-densities around high-z quasars has returned conflicting results. The field around the z=6.28 quasar SDSSJ1030+0524 (J1030) is unique for multi-band coverage and represents an excellent data legacy for studying the environment around a primordial SMBH. In this paper we present wide-area (25x25 arcmin), Y- and J-band imaging of the J1030 field obtained with the near infrared camera WIRCam at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). We built source catalogues in the Y- and J-band, and matched those with our photometric catalogue in the r, z, i bands presented in Morselli et al. (2014). We used these new infrared data together with H and K and Spitzer/IRAC data to refine our selection of Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs), extending our selection criteria to galaxies in the range 25.2<zAB<25.7. We selected 21 robust high-z candidates in the J1030 field with photometric redshift around 6 and colors i-z>=1.3. We found a significant asymmetry in the distribution of the high-z galaxies in J1030, supporting the existence of a coherent large-scale structure around the quasar. We compared our results with those of Bowler et al. (2015), who adopted similar LBGs selection criteria, and estimated an over-density of galaxies in the field of delta = 2.4, which is significant at >4 sigma. The over-density value and its significance are higher than those found in Morselli et al. (2014), and we interpret this as evidence of an improved LBG selection.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Potensi Agribisnisusahaternak Ayam Broiler Di Kota Kendari

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis lembaga saluran dan pemasaran, untuk mengetahui bagian dari harga yang diterima oleh petani broiler dan lembaga pemasaran, untuk menganalisis tingkat marjin pemasaran petani broiler, tingkat lembaga pemasaran dan konsumen dengan tingkat pendapatan petani broiler.. Bahan penelitian adalah baik petani broiler mitra atau tidak miter untuk Perusahaan dengan kapasitas produksi antara 2,500-4,000 ekor. Metode penelitian ini adalah penelitian survei. Sedangkan untuk menentukan lokasi penelitian dengan menggunakan purposive sampling dan mengambil 35 responden terdiri 5 petani broiler dan 30 pedagang perantara dengan menggunakan purposive. Tabulasi data diperoleh dan dianalisis dengan memasarkan margin dan tingkat broiler pendapatan petani yang menguraikan secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa saluran broiler pemasaran di Kota Kendari yang terlibat 4 jenis dengan dua lembaga pemasaran yang terlibat: pedagang pengumpul dan pedagang pengecer, bagian dari harga yang diterima petani broiler dari konsumen terakhir adalah 68,8% sedangkan bagian dari harga yang diterima lembaga pemasaran adalah 31,2%, marjin pemasaran pada harga broiler dari petani broiler ke konsumen terakhir adalah Rp.14.150 ekor-1 (penjualan broiler di tingkat peternak broiler adalah Rp.31.200 ekor-1, petani broiler untuk kolektor pedagang adalah Rp. 9.000 ekor-1 dan pedagang pengumpul ke pengecer adalah 5.150 ekor-1) dan tingkat pendapatan petani broiler di Kota Kendari itu Rp.17.046.139 siklus 1 atau Rp.5.013 ekor-1 cycle- 1

Analisis Efektivitas Distribusi Beras Miskin (Raskin) di Kota Medan

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis apakah rumah tangga sasaran penerima manfaat Raskin di Kota Medan merupakan rumah tangga miskin, untuk menganalisis mekanisme penentuan rumah tangga miskin yang akan menjadi penerima manfaat Raskin di Kota Medan, untuk menganalisis sistem pendistribusian Raskin di Kota Medan dan untuk menganalisis keefektifan distribusi Raskin berdasarkan indikator enam tepat di Kota Medan. Metode analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian adalah analisis deskriptif dan analisis efektivitas program Raskin sesuai ketetapan Pemerintah. Hasil penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa rumah tangga sasaran penerima manfaat Raskin di Kota Medan adalah rumah tangga miskin. Rumah tangga sasaran penerima manfaat Raskin di Kota Medan ditentukan oleh Tim Nasional Percepatan Penanggulangan Kemiskinan berdasarkan data Program Perlindungan Sosial Badan Pusat Statistik tahun 2011. Sistem pendistribusian Raskin di Kota Medan adalah dimulai dari Walikota Medan menerbitkan Surat Permintaan Alokasi kepada Perum Bulog, Perum Bulog menerbitkan Surat Perintah Penyerahan Barang kecamatan dan kelurahan, Perum Bulog menyalurkan beras ke titik distribusi yaitu kantor kelurahan di masing-masing Kecamatan di kota Medan dan beras dibagikan ke penerima Raskin. Dalam pencapaian indikator keefektifan pendistribusian beras Raskin di Kota Medan dari sisi tepat sasaran, jumlah, harga, waktu, administrasi, dan kualitas belum sepenuhnya efektif

Dynamics investigation on motorcycle chassis based on Finite Element (FE) modelling and updating

Motorcycles built from multiple materials such as steel and aluminium that formed a welded of beams to construct the chassis. The frame is designed by combining the part-by-part saddle, handlebar and wheel that are attached together. In this study, the identification of structural dynamics study for motorcycle chassis was conducted to identify modal properties such as natural frequencies and mode shapes. This could be achieved by using two different analysis approaches; Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA). For FEA analysis, 3D modeling of the chassis frame is needed and modelled using CAD software. Normal mode analysis was run on modelled structure to determine modal properties after meshing type and properties of materials declared. Impact hammer testing using roving accelerometer method was conducted for EMA study and comparison of modal properties with FEA is carried out. Discrepancies that appeared after correlation among two approaches attempted to be reduced by performing model updating procedure and it was successfully reduced the average percentage of error to be less than 10%. The results show that the model updating was an effective technique for improving the discrepancy that may exist due to modelling issue and material properties prediction in FEA. This study clearly shows that model updating technique is an effective way of reducing the discrepancies between EMA and FEA

Providing surgical care in Somalia: A model of task shifting.

ABSTRACT