Development of Leucaena Mimosine-Degrading Bacteria in the Rumen of Sheep in Myanmar

Myanmar has an agricultural base, and about 70% of people reside in rural areas. They depend for survival on agriculture and small-scale crop production, with ruminant livestock consuming fibrous agricultural residues. For optimal ruminant production, concentrates are needed as supplements to these residues. As concentrates are expensive, researchers are testing alternative protein sources like legumes, including foliage from leguminous trees such as leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). Leucaena is the most widely used leguminous tree as a ruminant feed because it is rich in protein (~ 22%) and contains easily digestible fibre (23% neutral detergent fibre, 16.6% acid detergent fibre; Ni Ni Maw 2004). Khin Htay Myint (2005) noted that 25% of leucaena in the ration tended to increase nitrogen retention without decreasing dry matter and organic matter digestibilities. However, leucaena leaves contain a toxic non-protein amino acid, called mimosine. Research workers have endeavoured to reduce mimosine toxicity in animals fed leucaena in Myanmar (Aung Aung 2007, Wink Phyo Thu 2010) and one avenue of research was the development of mimosine-degrading bacteria in the rumen of sheep fed leucaena. In this paper we describe an experiment tracing the development of mimosine-degrading bacteria in the rumen of sheep

Effect of leucaena forage and silage substitution in concentrates on digestibility, nitrogen utilization and milk yield in dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding leucaena forage and silage substitution in concentrate on the performances of dairy cows. Nine cross-bred Holstein Friesian cows (410±12kg) in the 12th week of lactation were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups with three replicates/treatments in a completely randomized design. The three treatments were control diet without substitution of leucaena forage and silage (DLFS0), diet with substitution of leucaena forage 10% (DLF10) and diet with substitution of leucaena silage 10% (DLS10). Cows were fed treatments for 60 days. Although nutrient intakes were not significantly different (p>0.05) each other, digestibility of DLFS0 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than others. Conversely, nitrogen utilization and average milk yield of cows offered DLFS0 were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of cows fed on DLF10 and DLS10. The highest feed cost (p<0.05) per kg of milk was found in DLFS0 and the lowest cost was observed in DLF10. Therefore, although the leucana forage and silage could be substitute up to 10% of concentrates without adverse effects on the performances of dairy cows, the substitution of leucaena forage gave the better performances than that of leucaena silage

Determinants of Export Performance in ASEAN Region : Panel Data Analysis

International trade is one of the major aspects that grow tremendously in Southeast Asia and export is regarded as main accelerators of growth in either developed or developing countries. The objective of this study is to determine the determinants of export performance for ASEAN countries. In this study, panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method is adopted for time period between 2000 to 2015. Empirical findings indicate that there is a long-run relationship between determinants of export such as interest rate, economic growth and foreign direct investment with export performance of ASEAN countries. Therefore, policy makers need to strategize their policies to move towards closer cooperation among the ASEAN countries, especially promoting sustainable exportation in the region

Export Performance In Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar And Vietnam (CLMV) Countries : Panel Data Analysis

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) countries endeavour to increase the country's foreign exchange earnings by export performance. This study aims to identify the macroeconomic determinants of export performance of CLMV countries from the period of 2000 to 2015. This study adopted panel unit roots test, panel co-integration test and Pooled-mean group (PMG) method for testing and estimating purpose. Empirical findings show that the determinants of export performance are inflation, gross domestic and foreign direct investment, where there are positively associated with export performance of CLMV countries while the interest rate and exchange rate cannot influence the export performance in long run

Spatial distribution, work patterns, and perception towards malaria interventions among temporary mobile/migrant workers in artemisinin resistance containment zone

BACKGROUND: Mobile populations are at a high risk of malaria infection and suspected to carry and spread resistant parasites. The Myanmar National Malaria Control Programme focuses on preventive interventions and vector control measures for the temporary mobile/migrant workers in Myanmar Artemisinin Resistance Containment Zones. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 in Kawthaung and Bokepyin townships of Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar, covering 192 mobile/migrant aggregates. The objectives were to identify the spatial distribution of the mobile/migrant populations, and to assess knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practices concerning malaria prevention and control, and their preferred methods of interventions. The structure of the192 migrant aggregates was investigated using a migrant mapping tool. Individual and household information was collected by structured interviews of 408 respondents from 39 aggregates, supplemented by 12 in-depth interviews of health care providers, authorities, volunteers, and employers. Data were analyzed by triangulating quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: The primary reasons for the limitation in access to formal health services for suspected malaria within 24 hours were identified to be scattered distribution of migrant aggregates, variable working hours and the lack of transportation. Only 19.6% of respondents reported working at night from dusk to dawn. Among study populations, 73% reported a perceived risk of contracting malaria and 60% reported to know how to confirm a suspected case of malaria. Moreover, only 15% was able to cite correct antimalarial drugs, and less than 10% believed that non-compliance with antimalarial treatment may be related to the risk of drug resistance. About 50% of study population reported to seeking health care from the public sector, and to sleep under ITNs/LLINs the night before the survey. There was a gap in willingness to buy ITNs/LLINs and affordability (88.5% vs. 60.2%) which may affect their sustained and consistent use. Only 32.4% across all aggregates realized the importance of community participation in effective malaria prevention and control. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based innovative approaches through strong collaboration and coordination of multi-stakeholders are desirable for relaying information on ITNs/LLINs, rapid diagnostic test, and artemisinin combination therapy and drug resistance successfully across the social and economic diversity of mobile/migrant aggregates in Myanmar

Anti-hyperglycemic Activity in Vitro, Actuate Toxicity in Vivo and Antioxidant Activity of the Crude Extract of the Root of Plumeria alba L.

Medicinal plants are the single most productive sources for the development of drugs and play an important role in treating and preventing a variety of diseases through the world.  Plumeria alba Linn. commonly known as Tayoke-sakar-aphyu in Myanmar is one of the medicinal plants belonging to Apocynaceae family. The pharmacological studies were carried out to investigate antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, anti-hyperglycemic activity in vitro and acute toxicity in vivo. The main aim of the present research is to evaluate the biological activities of the root of Plumeria alba L, Firstly, phytochemical screening of the collected sample was performed. Elemental composition of the crude sample was examined by EDXRF (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence) spectroscopy. Moreover three different solvents such as ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of the sample were examined for their antimicrobial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus pumilus, Candida albicans and E. coli by Agar- well diffusion method. The antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of the root of Plumeria alba L. was studied by DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrayl) assay. The acute toxicity of ethanol extract of the root of Plumeria alba L. on Artemia salinna were investigated. The glucose lowering activities of the water and ethanol extracts of the sample were determined by iodometric titration

EFFECT OF RISK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN MYANMA ECONOMIC BANK

This study is focused on the effect of risk management practices on the financial performance of Myanma Economic Bank .The main objectives of this study are to identify and to examine the effect of the risk management practice on financial performance of Myanma Economic Bank. This study is used by Descriptive Method and the primary data are collected by personal interview with the responsible person of Myanma Economic Bank. Secondary data are obtained from the financial statements of Myanma Economic Bank of the last five years for the period from 2013 to 2018. This study found that Myanma Economic Bank has effectively managed their risk management practices since 2016 when State- Owned Bank reform started. This study revealed that Myanma Economic Bank has highly liquid assets and limitations of lending activities .It is needed to encourage more lending for short –term and long - term borrowings based on their excess of deposits. As a result of analysis on financial performance of Myanma Economic Bank, profitability of Myanma Economic Bank is not strongly satisfied as expected .Myanma Economic Bank needs to create new products and services review for getting profit with effective operational risk management practices. Myanma Economic Bank should review on the varieties and bank needs skillful risk management analyst in long-run

Enhancing Supportive Leadership, Affective Organizational Commitment and Work Engagement through ODI : A Case Study of Gold Power Company Limited, Myanmar

This participatory action research aims to enhance work engagement and affective commitment by designing and delivering the necessary organizational development interventions (ODIs) at the focal company, the Gold Power Company Limited (GPCL). The researcher employed action research method to answer three objectives, comprising 1) Diagnosing the current situations of supportive leadership, affective organizational commitment, and work engagement at Gold Power Company, 2) Designing and experimenting with the ODIs of supportive leadership, affective organizational commitment, and work engagement, and 3) Measuring the effects of ODIs on supportive leadership, affective organizational commitment, and work engagement. The research site is at Gold Power Company, Myanmar, involving the managers (n=50) who are full-time employees. This study employs quantitative survey research method with the use of structured questionnaire with 5-point Likert scale as research instruments, where the instruments are validated and tested with Cronbach Alpha Co-Efficient. The results indicate that the ODIs have improved supportive leadership (P=0.000), Affective organizational commitment (P=0.000), and work engagement (P=0.000).  The recommendations include 1) providing more leadership training to enhance supportive leadership and people-oriented leadership behaviors, 2) encouraging middle managers to use more of supportive leadership behaviors, 3) suggesting HR department at GPCL to inspect affective organizational commitment and work engagement level routinely, and to include leader’s supportive behaviors as KPIs in performance appraisal

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Tropical Plants and Their Characterizations

Green synthesis is one of the most popular methods in nanotechnologies. Different tropical plants have a characteristic feature of medicinal effects that are associated with metallic nanoparticles present in the plants. Nanoparticles are used immensely due to its small size, orientation, physical properties, which are reportedly shown to change the performance of any other material which is in contact with these tiny particles. These particles can be prepared easily by different chemical, physical, and biological approaches. The green synthesis was done by using the aqueous solution of Neem(Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts and zinc nitrate solution as well as aqueous solution of Golden shower (Cassia fistula) leaf extracts and zinc acetate solution. Moreover, the synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterized by using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Visible) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT IR), Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), X ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses

Proposed Framework of Rule-based Grammar Checker for Myanmar Language

Natural language processing is normally usedto describe the function of computer system whichanalyze or synthesize spoken or written language.One area of Natural language processing isconcerned with creating proofing systems, such asgrammar checkers. Many researchers have beenworked for Grammar checker of Asian Languages.However, Myanmar Grammar Checker has not stillwell developed yet. This paper develops the grammarchecker which uses to detect grammatical errors inthe formal texts written in Myanmar language. Theaim of this paper is to develop the Grammar Checkerfor detecting grammatical errors in Myanmar textsand resulting from the lack of agreement, order ofwords in various phrases. Rule-based approach willbe used for Grammar Checking System. Theproposed framework of this paper is to describe theoverview of Myanmar grammar checke