Determination of effective diffusion coefficient of immobilized Baker's yeast invertase in various concentration of PVA-alginate matrix

Baker's yeast invertase is immobilized in PVA-alginate matrix using an improved method. PVA beads were prepared by adding calcium alginate to improve its stability, mechanical and chemical properties. Boric acid was used as the cross-linking agent and additional chemicals consisting of 10% boric acid and sodium sulphate solution was used as a treatment solution to harden the PVA-alginate beads. The determination of the effective diffusion of PVA-alginate matrix the vital step in optimizing the preparation of immobilized and water-soluble biocatalyst. In this study the two-level full factorial design was used to investigate the effect of PVA and boric acid concentrations and diffusions coefficient. Diffusion coefficient (De) is one of the factors that significantly affect the mass transport within the immobilization matrix. De value varies for each concentration of PVA and boric acid. The result concluded that both factors significantly affect the De. A maximum De value of 5.0141 x 10(-5) cm2s-1 was obtained at boric acid and PVA concentraion of 7w/v and 10.5 w/v respectively

Peningkatan Kemampuan Membaca Dan Menulis Dengan Menggunakan Kartu Huruf Di Kelas I SDN 2 Wombo

Permasalahan dalam penelitian ini adalah, apakah kemampuan membaca dan menulis permulaan di kelas I SDN 2 Wombo dapat ditingkatkan dengan menggunakan kartu huruf siswa kelas I SDN 2 Wombo ?. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui peningkatan kemampuan membaca dan menulis di kelas I SDN 2 Wombo. Setting penelitian tindakan kelas ini adalah SDN 2 Wombo Kecamatan Tanantovea, dengan jumlah 15 siswa yang terdiri dari atas 9 orang laki-laki dan 6 orang perempuan. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dua siklus, setiap siklus terdiri atas perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi, dan refleksi. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah 1) lembar observasi guru, 2) lembar observasi siswa, dan 3) penilaian tes perorangan. Hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa peningkatan kemampuan siswa membaca dan menulis permulaan dengan menggunakan media kartu huruf yakni dengan presentase peningkatan kemampuan siswa pada penelitian sebelum tindakan terdapat 5 siswa 33,33% yang termasuk dalam kategori kurang. Pada penelitian siklus I menunjukkan presentase aktivitas guru sebesar 89,28% (kriteria baik), persentase aktivitas siswa sebesar 53,57% (kriteria cukup), serta rata-rata hasil penilaian kemampuan siswa membaca dan menulis permulaan adalah 64,70% dengan kriteria cukup. Pada siklus II persentase penilaian aktivitas guru sebesar 98,21% (kriteria sangat baik), persentase penilaian aktivitas siswa sebesar 96,42% (kriteria sangat baik), serta rata-rata hasil penilaian kemampuan siswa membaca dan menulis permulaan melalui media kartu huruf sebesar 86,67% (kriteria sangat baik). Hasil tersebut secara keseluruhan telah mencapai kriteria yang ditetapkan yakni, daya serap individual minimal 65%, daya serrap klasikal 70% dan ketuntasan klasikal 80%, maka dianggap tuntas belajar. Dengan demikian, melalui media kartu huruf dapat meningkatkan kemampuan siswa membaca dan menulis pada siswa kelas I SDN 2 Wombo

Single-, Dual- and Triple-band Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna

The paper presents a frequency reconfigurable slot dipole antenna. The antenna is capable of being switched between single-band, dual-band or triple-band operation. The antenna incorporates three pairs of pin-diodes which are located within the dipole arms. The antenna was designed to operate at 2.4 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 5.2 GHz using the aid of CST Microwave Studio. The average measured gains are 1.54, 2.92 and 1.89 dBi for low, mid and high band respectively. A prototype was then constructed in order to verify the performance of the device. A good level of agreement was observed between simulation and measurement

Correlation Between Gunung Padang and Sundanese Traditional Roof

Gunung Padang is the oldest prehistoric megaliths in Indonesia which has a function as a place of worship for the people who settled there about 2000BC according to its orientation and philosophy. Meanwhile after dark ages, people knowledge on building shelter arises therefore many traditional houses are build and had their philosophy implemented such as the vertical and horizontal beliefs in relation of human, nature, and divinity. This study concerns architecture identity correlation of place in the two eras because of cultural transition which can be observed until now. Gunung Padang has a similar vertical concept identity compare to Sundanese traditional roof according to both philosophy if the highest place is the most sacred place and describes the relationship between human, nature and divinity. The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between Gunung Padang and the Sundanese traditional roof concept in religion and cultural aspect. Qualitative methods that leverages vernacular theory is used of the analysis methods

DESIGN, FABRICATION AND EVALUATION OF DIGITAL TILT TEST DEVICE

Due to the high and fluctuating exchange rate, obtaining devices and equipment for practical demonstration of theoretical contents of engineering and applied science courses in developing countries is becoming a herculean task. To sustain the practical aspect of these courses, some of the devices have to be locally manufactured. In this study, a digital tilt test device for determining the basic friction angle and joint roughness coefficient (JRC) of rock samples was designed and fabricated using majorly local materials. Comparing the device's results with those obtained from the Profilometer, there was a satisfactory correlation between the two results. The device is much cheaper to manufacture locally than the imported onesTherefore, it is recommended that the device be used for estimating the friction angle and JRC of rock samples. Similar devices with simple mechanisms should be manufactured locally in higher institutions to reduce dependency on foreign devices, which are expensive

Effect of Computer Simulation and Jigsaw Technique in Teaching Reproductive System in Human in Senior Secondary Schools Minna Metropolis, Niger State

The conventional method of teaching is most common in Nigeria and researchers have shown that this method has led to poor performance of students in Biology and in other subjects. Researchers have been able to ascertain that students will learn best when they participate in the teaching-learning process. This study examined the effects of Computer simulation and jigsaw technique on the performance of senior secondary school students in Biology in Minna metropolis, Niger state. The study also investigated gender differences in the performance of Male and Female students in Biology. The sample used consists of seventy-eight (78) Senior Secondary (SSII) Biology students. Twenty-six (26) students consisting of thirteen (13) males and thirteen (13) females were randomly selected from each school. The schools were randomly assigned to Experimental group 1, Experimental group 2 and Control group. Experimental group 1 (n=26) was treated with jigsaw technique, experimental group 2 (n=26) was treated with computer simulation, while the control group (n=26) was treated with convectional teaching method. Quasi-experimental design employing pre-test, treatment and post-test was adopted. The test instrument used for the study was a twenty (20) multiple-choice Biology Achievement Test (BAT) questions. The test had a reliability index of 0.72 determined using split- half reliability approach.  The data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), t-test, mean, standard deviation and mean gains. Three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Treatments used had significant effects on students’ Post-test achievement score. Students exposed to Computer simulation and jigsaw technique performed better than their counterparts who were taught with conventional teaching method (F=8.811, df=2, 75 P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the performance of the Male and Female students taught with both Computer simulation and jigsaw technique. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that biology teachers should adopt computer simulation technique and jigsaw technique in teaching Biology concepts in view of its high facilitative effect on students’ performanc

Catheter associated urinary tract infection among patients attending some selected hospitals in Kano Metropolis

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection has become one of the major global health concerns, especially in developing countries including Nigeria. Risk factors for CAUTIs include prolongation of the catheterization and possible contamination of the indwelling catheter by normal microbial flora. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate catheter-associated urinary tract infection among patients attending some selected hospitals in the Kano metropolis. Methodology: This is cross sectional prospective study among 231 consented patients, ages ≥18 years that were catheterize. Urine samples were collected and subjected to standard bacteriological procedure for culture and sensitivity test. Patient data were collected using structured questionnaire. Result: The overall CAUTIs incidence of 163(70.6%) was obtained in this study, Escherichia coli was the highest uropathogene 62(38.0%) obtained followed by 58(35.6%) with Staphylococcus aureus. Majority of the participants are male 89(54.6%) and participants within the age group of 68 – 77 years had the highest incidence 37(22.7%) and least incidence was obtained among ages group ≥88 years 3(1.8%). Nitrofurantoin and Amoxicillin were found to be the most active antibiotics. Prolonging stay of the catheter showed the great impart in the occurrence of CAUTIs. Conclusion: An incidence rate of 70.6% was obtained in this study. The present study revealed the presence of bacteria associated with urinary catheters in individuals with UTIs. High incidence was observed in male participant than female counterpart. Keywords: Catheter; CAUTIs; E. coli; Urinary tract infection

Importance of Fine Needle Aspiration in Evaluation of Single Nodular Goiter

Background: Improvements in the sensitivity and specificity of biochemical thyroid tests, as well as the development of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) and improved cytological techniques, have dramatically impacted clinical strategies for detecting and treating thyroid disorders. Fine needle aspiration is a safe and relatively painless procedure where a hypodermic needle passed into the lump and samples of tissue taken out. This procedure will provide us with more information about the nature of the lump, and especially differentiate between a benign and malignant mass.Objectives: The current prospective study designed to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNA. The study was performed in the regional major hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Patients and methods: A thousand and three hundred thirty one patients who underwent thyroidsurgery 'between' January 2004 to June 2007 were enrolled.Results: 247 (18.3%) had single nodular goiter. The incidence of benign and malignant lesions in single nodular goiter were 204 (87.6%) and 29 (12.4%) respectively. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNA were 95.5%, 99.5% and 99.4% respectively.Conclusion: Also there is correlation between the nodule size and the result of FNA, as the nodular size increase there is increase of the probability of malignant changes. So, solitary or dominant nodules ≥ 1cm in diameter might be evaluated by FNA.Keywords: Thyroid, Single nodule, Malignancy.