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Literature: An Accelerator for Language Learning
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the University of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other at [email protected] do have an unshakeable belief that anyone who intends to learn the language has to cross the causeway leading to literature. In other words, literature is considered as a promising tool for language learning. Why? Because the repertoire of literature is pregnant with, as scholars in the field have claimed, various advantages: cultural /intercultural/ political awareness-. Moreover, motivation – literary texts are very motivating due to their authenticity and the meaningful context they provide (Ghoson, 2002, Van, 2009).
On the same score, Mackey (2001) claims that due to its authenticity, literature can develop {sociolinguistic/ pragmatic) knowledge as manifested in the communicative competence model. Maley (1989a) says that literature deals with a potpourri of language types from slang to formal in a wide variety of contexts. Arthur (1968) believes that syntactic knowledge and vocabulary enrichment can be accelerated through literary texts {vocabulary and grammar knowledge}
Quite in line with others, Van (2009) adds that literature is rich with innumerable authentic examples of language for the development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Moreover, Ghosn, (2002) posits that reading literary texts fosters emotional intelligence.
Literature is a good medium for critical thinking enhancement among learners (Gajdusek and Van Dommelen 1993; Ghoson 2002; Van 2009). Ghoson (2002) maintains that literature can not only bring about changes in the attitudes of the learners, but also positively sharpenmankind’s political consciousness. In order to substantiate this point, consider the following historical capsule, which the researcher believes could be of value
Potentialities of Hargel (Solenostemma argel ) Extract as a Preservative for Processed Meat
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the University of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other at Marwa Mohamed Ahmed Bakeet and Elgasim Ali ElgasimThis study was conducted to assess the effect of hargel (Solenostemma
argel) extract (HE) as a natural preservative in processed meat. Minced
meat was processed by the addition of 0%, 5% and 10% hargel extract,
packed in polyethylene bags, refrigerated and assessed objectively and
subjectively at 0. 3 and 7 days post – processing. Data were collected on
pH, peroxide value (PV) and moisture, protein and fat content, total viable
bacterial count (TVC), total coliform (TC), Escherichia coli,
Staphylococccus aureus and psychrotrophic bacteria (PS). Minced meat
without HE (0%) had the highest (P≤ 0.05) moisture content, pH, TVC,
TC, E. coli, S. aureus and PS. On the other hand, minced meat with 10%
HE had the lowest PV, TVC, TC, E. coli, S. aureus and PS. Generally, the
bacterial counts decreased with increase in HE concentration. The treated
minced meat, particularly with 10% HE, showed all the indices of shelf
life extension. Incorporation of hargel enhanced processed meat quality in
terms of microbial safety and fat stability, probably HE contains
antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. More studies are needed to
acertain these findings and assess consumer acceptability of meat
products treated with hargel
Potential Anti-diarrhoeal Activity of Aqueous Root Extract of Hydnora abyssinica in Rats
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the university of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other at [email protected] study was designed to investigate potential anti-diarrhoeal activity of
the orally administrated water extract of Hydnora abyssinica roots to rats.
The potential activity of the extract was tested by faecal mass inhibition.
Twenty-four albino rats were divided into 5 groups (a control + 3 test
groups + loperamide group) receiving oral doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg
extract/kg body weight/rat, 3 mg loperamide (reference anti-diarrhoeal
drug)/kg body weight/rat and 1 ml/kg body weight/rat of normal saline
(control). All the rats were orally given, 30 minutes subsequent to extract administration, an acute diarrhoea inducer (1 ml castor oil/ kg body
weight/rat). The weight of faeces was recorded at 4 and 6 hours for
assessment of diarrhoeal inhibition. The extract showed a significant
(P≤0.05) anti-diarrhoeal activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea in all
rats at the 4th hrs post treatment with reduction rates of 46.78%, 63.21%
and 74.68% for the doses 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight,
respectively. The same doses recorded inhibition rates of 27.42%, 50.88%
and 60.13%, respectively, at the 6th hours post treatment. Serum samples
were taken at 4 and 24 hrs and analyzed for enzymatic activities of AST
and ALT, metabolic indicators, total protein, albumin, sodium, potassium
and calcium. Metabolic indicators, total protein, albumin, sodium,
potassium and calcium showed significant increase while calcium showed
significant decrease. The antidiarrhoeal effect produced by H. abyssinica
can be due to inhibition of prostaglandin, the diarrhoeal inducer or due to
antimotility and antisecretary activity of the plant extract. It is concluded
that the results support the claim of traditional practioners about the
therapeutic values of H. abyssinica for treatment of diarrhoea in
traditional medicine
Biotechnology in Animal Production
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the university of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other Georg Erhardt and Christina WeimannBiotechnology has been part of human culture for a very long time. Farm
animals of today ensure food and agriculture production and have mainly
developed over thousands of years of domestication. They are the result
of selection on the basis of phenotypic parameters by humans and
adaptation to different environments and environmental challenges and
represent genetically distinct species and breeds of different purposes
within species. While breeding with the definition of breeds and herdbooks
started in most species about 100 years ago, the consequent use of
biotechnology began about 50 years ago with the introduction of artificial
insemination. Major fields of biotechnology applied to animal production
are further reproductive techniques, marker assisted selection including
detection of deleterious alleles, genomic selection, and conservation of
genetic resources. Artificial insemination and embryo transfer are
important methods used in animal breeding, especially in cattle
production to multiply the population of animals at a rapid rate. Both
techniques are essential to improve the genetics of animals by having a
high impact on selection intensity and accuracy and are usually
implemented in breeding programs all over the world. Supporting
methods such as embryo splitting/sexing, semen sexing, cloning and in
vitro maturation have improved the efficiency of artificial insemination
and embryo transfer, while transgenic farm animals do not exist on farm
level.
The implementation of molecular genetic methods in animal breeding
resulted in remarkable advances over the last two decades in the
identification of chromosomal regions and loci affecting economically
important traits in livestock production. Basis for this were the advances
in the availability of whole genome sequences and the identification of
genetic variation on a large scale within international research projects.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping technology (SNPChip)
has, in the meantime, enabled profiling animals for thousands of
marker loci in a single analysis. This amount of information in
combination with phenotypic records of the breeding organizations and
with reproductive technologies supports high input breeding with a
dramatic increase in the level of productivity. While this technology is
already successfully used in breeding programs of breeds/species where
the economic environment supports high input breeding, the situation for
local breeds/species with at the moment less importance is difficult as
they lack at the necessary infrastructure especially in developing countries
and are declining in number. On the other hand, biotechnology is an
effective tool that allows the characterization and conservation of animal
genetic resources at risk of loss of genetic diversit
Prediction of Digestibility and Intake of Roughage Diets Fed to Ruminants
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the university of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other I.V. Nsahlai and J. ApalooPredicting intake of roughage diets by ruminants uses simulation
modelling. This study takes advantage of studies (e.g. Illus and Gordon
1991) that generalize across ruminants. The aim was to test the suitability
of Illius and Gordon’s model, and modify it for predicting digestibility
and intake of roughages in tropical ruminants. Data from seven studies on
roughages fed to tropical ruminants were used. These studies had 235
intake and 70 digestibility measurements on diets of cattle (n=43), goats
(n=5), and sheep (n= 22), with at least 5 animals.diet-1. Animals in all
degradation studies, but one (study 2), were provided with protein
supplement; roughages were fed non-supplemented except in one (study
3). The model comprises 13 digesta pools in the rumen and six postruminal
pools. Fluxes among pools were modelled by a system of
ordinary differential equations. Ingesta were partitioned into long and
short particles, chemically into cell content (CC) and cell wall (CW), and
biologically into digestible CW (DNDF) and indigestible CW (INDF).
Once consumed, the CC in the fine particle pool is instantly digested;
other particles are retained in the rumen for the duration of the lag phase.
All solid matter in the rumen contributed to the level of fill. Maximum
rumen load was determined as a function of body weight. Ingesta
disappeared from the rumen at a rate determined by fractional rates (FR)
of degradation (kdig or k2) and passage of particles (kp) for short and long
particles. The model allows a maximum of eight meals/ day. A re-run of
the model was needed after re-calibration: kp (/h) = 0.0907 x NDF-0.373 x
kdig
0.40 (n=72; R2=0.37); and rumen DM load (RL) as a function of live
weight (W) in proportion to the mature live weight (MW): RL (g/kg W) =
e3.38*(W/MW)-0.27*CP-0.17 (n=26, R2=0.31), with CP in g.kg-1. Observed
vs predicted digestibility and intake were respectively 0.52±0.080 vs
0.53±0.132 and 60±0.10.5 vs 59±0.12.9 for sheep, 0.69±0.057 vs
0.61±0.101 and 69±8.3 vs 63±20.8 for goats; and 0.59±0.097 vs
0.56±0.080 and 79±0.15.6 vs 66±0.12.0 for cattle. Relationships between
observed and predicted digestibility (R2=0.17) and intake (R2=0.13) were
poor. A re-run of the model increased the variation accounting for
digestibility (R2=0.32) and intake (R2=0.49); showing two studies
(R2=0.66-0.83 for intake; or 0.78-0.85 for digestibility) with good
precision. Both rates of passage and digestion are largely properties of
feeds, but rumen load is affected by animal and plant factors. Modified
particulate rate of passage and rumen load increased predictions
substantially. Consequently, more research is required to in this area to
refine these parameters
Determination of Chemical Contaminates of Meat and Meat Products which Threaten Human Health
No full textThis paper had been presented for promotion at the university of Khartoum. To get the full text please contact the other Isam T. KadimThe top priorities, which concern meat and meat products consumption
today, are food safety issues and meat quality. Humans around the world
are exposed to chemical contaminants during their life time. Among the
thousands of existing contaminates, some are persistent and remain in the
environment for years. The variation in measurable levels depends mainly
on the fact that some are synthesized as industrial products, whereas
others are released accidentally, as by-products, or given to animals as
growth promoters or as prophylactic or therapeutic agents. The
measurement of these contaminants requires a complex and tedious
procedure including sample extraction, sample clean-up, and physicochemical
analysis after chromatographic separation. Contaminants such as
organochlorine pesticides, heavy metals, microbes, melamine, hormones,
antibiotic, and other feed additives are often measured in various types of
matrices during food safety programs, environmental monitoring, and
epidemiological studies. Serious health problems including cancer, kidney
diseases, disarray and other diseases in humans might be related to food
contaminates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.8
million people died from diarrhea related diseases in 2005. Children and
developing fetuses are generally at greater risk from exposure to different
chemicals. A great number of these cases might be attributed to
contaminate found on food. More than 90% of human exposure to
harmful materials is due to consumption of contaminated food items such
as meat, milk and dairy products, as well as fish and derived products.
The overwhelming majority of food poisoning in the world might
originate from contaminated animal products and there are millions of
cases, and hundreds of deaths, caused by contaminated animal products
every year. This paper will discuss and highlight the most common
chemical and biological contaminates in meat and meat products from
various species which threaten human health
Behaniol Segmentation of telecom customer using data mining clustering algorithms
No full textBehaniol Segmentation of telecom customer using data mining clustering algorithm
Digital Forensics Collecting and Handling Tools
No full textDigital Forensics Collecting and Handling Tool
