Germ Plasm Diversity of Groundnut Based on the Character of Morphology, Result, and Oil Content

Groundnut is one of the largest vegetable oil and has a good nutritional value. It could be used as an alternative source of food, industrial raw materials, and bioenergy. The main function of fats and oil in seeds reserves source of energy. This research aims to study the diversity of morphological, yield, and the oil content in groundnut germplasm. The planting of groundnut was conducted at the experimental station Cikeumeuh BB Biogen Bogor from July until December in 2013, with the germplasm of groundnut as much as 200 accessions. The characters identification is determined by the method of morphological characterization with Groundnut Descriptor from IPGRI. Analyze oil content of groundnut used soxhlets method at the Laboratory of Post-harvest Bogor. The results showed that germplasm groundnut have varied levels of diversity at characters. Relatively high morphological diversity founded the character of pod yield/plot, weight of pods/plant and number of immature pods. Groundnut oil content is range 33% to 47%. There are a real positive correlation between the number of pods to variable morphology, yield and oil content, but negatively correlation at weight of 100 seeds. Number of pods and number of branches is positively correlation with oil content of groundnut seeds. Cultivars groundnut that have the characters of promise could be used as national asset and the source of genes as a parent in the breeding program

Limiting worker exposure to highly pathogenic avian influenza a (H5N1): a repeat survey at a rendering plant processing infected poultry carcasses in the UK

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Current occupational and public health guidance does not distinguish between rendering plant workers and cullers/poultry workers in terms of infection risk in their respective roles during highly pathogenic avian influenza poultry outbreaks. We describe an operational approach to human health risk assessment decision making at a large rendering plant processing poultry carcasses stemming from two separate highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) outbreaks in England during 2007.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During the first incident a uniform approach assigned equal exposure risk to all rendering workers in or near the production line. A task based exposure assessment approach was adopted during the second incident based on a hierarchy of occupational activities and potential for infection exposure. Workers assessed as being at risk of infection were offered personal protective equipment; pre-exposure antiviral prophylaxis; seasonal influenza immunisation; hygiene advice; and health monitoring. A repeat survey design was employed to compare the two risk assessment approaches, with allocation of antiviral prophylaxis as the main outcome variable.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Task based exposure assessment during the second incident reduced the number of workers assessed at risk of infection from 72 to 55 (24% reduction) when compared to the first incident. No cases of influenza like illness were reported in workers during both incidents.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Task based exposure assessment informs a proportionate public health response in rendering plant workers during highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 outbreaks, and reduces reliance on extensive antiviral prophylaxis.</p

MICALs in control of the cytoskeleton, exocytosis, and cell death

MICALs form an evolutionary conserved family of multidomain signal transduction proteins characterized by a flavoprotein monooxygenase domain. MICALs are being implicated in the regulation of an increasing number of molecular and cellular processes including cytoskeletal dynamics and intracellular trafficking. Intriguingly, some of these effects are dependent on the MICAL monooxygenase enzyme and redox signaling, while other functions rely on other parts of the MICAL protein. Recent breakthroughs in our understanding of MICAL signaling identify the ability of MICALs to bind and directly modify the actin cytoskeleton, link MICALs to the docking and fusion of exocytotic vesicles, and uncover MICALs as anti-apoptotic proteins. These discoveries could lead to therapeutic advances in neural regeneration, cancer, and other diseases

Business Ethics Perceptions of Public and Private Sector Respondents in Pakistan

Pakistan is a developing economy and it has been a country in the forefront of ethical crossroads in todays challenging workplace. This research surveyed 232 citizens, managers, and employees in Pakistan to measure their Personal Business Ethics Scores (PBES) to see if age, gender, education, management experience, and government work experience makes a difference in making more ethical decisions. This study contributes to the theory of moral development. The results suggest that age and more years of management experience do lead to higher scores in moral maturity, but the results are not statistically significant. Gender is not a factor in the ethical maturity scores. Higher levels of education did not lead to higher scores. However, statistically significant differences were found for respondents with little or no government experience and those with two or more years of government work experience. Unexpectedly, those without any government work experience had significantly higher ethical maturity scores. Kohlbergs moral development theory regarding ethical maturity is partially supported since those who were older and with more years of management experience do have higher business ethics scores

Virtual Leaps in Distance Education: A Conversation with Dr. Naveed A. Malik, Founding Rector of the Virtual University of Pakistan

Besides being an honest, knowledgeable, humble, and respected man, Dr. Naveed A. Malik is the Founder-Rector of the Virtual University of Pakistan. In his position as the Rector, Dr. Malik is the Chief Executive and Academic Officer of the University and his responsibility is to ensure that the provisions of the Virtual University Ordinance, the Statutes, the Regulations and Rules are faithfully observed in order to promote teaching, research, administration, general efficiency and good order of the University

Stress Perceptions of Working Adult Pakistanis and Americans

Workplace stress can impact personal stress and these are of concern for all adults in every economy. This practical paper compares the perceptions of 231 working adults in Pakistan with 288 Americans. While a moderate level of stress was found among these respondents and in the U.S., higher stress levels were discovered among Pakistanis. While older respondents and males did have higher stress scores, no statistically significant differences were linked to age or gender. However, statistically significant differences were found between those who had for government and those who did not work in the public sector. Pakistani respondents without a college degree had higher stress scores than those with higher degree. Suggestions and recommendation for stress reduction and stress management are provide

Leadership Tendencies of Pakistanis: Exploring Similarities and Differences based on Age and Gender

The management styles of people are influenced by their cultural contexts and urgency of completing tasks. For example, it is expected that people will get things done in a speedy manner when their jobs are on the line, but they will still try to minimize the negative impact to their relationships. To explore the leadership tendencies of working adults in the Pakistani workplace, this paper focused on comparing the leadership orientation of 232 respondents based on their age and gender. Pakistanis have a significantly higher score on task orientation. Their relationship orientation score is also on the moderately high range. The high score on both leadership dimensions reflects on their cultural orientation. Practical suggestions for expatriates and implications for future studies are presented

Business Ethics of Pakistanis in Islamabad and Lahore: Do Age, Gender and Data Collection Processes Make a Difference?

Pakistan is an emerging economy and a modernizing workplace. This research surveyed 318 citizens, managers, and employees in Lahore and Islamabad to measure their Personal Business Ethics Scores (PBES) based on age and gender, as well as to see if face-to-face and online data collection processes make a difference in their level of ethical maturity. Furthermore, this study contributes to the theory of moral development. The results suggest that age is a significant factor in moral development as it leads to higher scores in moral maturity. Gender is not a factor in the ethical maturity scores of these respondents. Kohlberg’s moral development theory regarding ethical maturity is supported since those who were older do have higher business ethics scores. Furthermore, significant differences were found based on the data collection process. These results can be helpful for human resources managers and expatriates who work in these cities with local professionals. Suggestions and implications are discussed