Asian Journal of Advances in Research
Not a member yet
547 research outputs found
Sort by
Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilization and Plant Density for Improved Growth and Yield of Syrian Rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.)
Get PDFThis study was carried out in Jibul village - Lattakia city, Syria during the agricultural season 2022, to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer (urea 46%) at a rate of (0, 100, and 200 kg. ha-1) and plant density at a rate of (500,000 and 1,000,000 plants. ha-1), and the interaction between them in some growth characteristics of Rocket plant local Syrian cv. “Balady”. The experiment was designed as a factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatment means were compared using the least significant difference test (LSD) at a significant level of 5%.
The results showed that there was a significant effect (p < 0.05) of nitrogen fertilization on all the studied traits and the rate of 200 kg. ha-1 achieved the highest plant height (80.12 cm), the highest number of branches on the plant (7.50 branches. plant-1), and the highest number of leaves. (18.00 leaf. plant-1), and the highest fresh weight (60.50 g).
The results also showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the plant in all the studied traits. The low density of 500,000 plants. ha-1 achieved the highest number of branches on the plant (5.83 branches. plant-1), the highest number of leaves on the plant (15.16 leaves. plant-1), and the highest fresh weight (51.41 g), while the high density of 1,000,000 plants. ha-1 achieved the highest plant height (74.33 cm). The interaction between nitrogen fertilization and plant density had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on all studied traits
Utilization of Waste Peels for Enhanced Production of Bioplastics by Enterococcus fecium - A Green Initiative
Get PDFFrom ancient times, plastics have become a part and parcel of human life. Though it has become indispensable, yet disposal has created a problem and has become an environmental concern. The introduction of bioplastics is thought to be a solution to address the problem. However, isolation and characterization of microbes with bioplastic production potential are being investigated. Several sources were sought after to screen for PHB producing bacteria and in such attempt, we have initiated to isolate bacteria producing PHB from curd sample. Such bacteria was cultured and identified through 16SrRNA sequencing. To replace expensive conventional media, peels of banana and beet roots were used to culture the bacterium without any chemical supplementation. This has been reported for the first time. The PHB produced by the bacterium was extracted following standard protocol and was confirmed by GC-MS analysis. The bioplastic film was prepared using PHB powder extracted and biodegradation and solubility study was conducted. Hence, utilization of waste vegetable and fruit peels serve as carbon source enhancing the bacterial growth, leading to the production of PHB in nitrogen-deficient condition. In future, the waste peels could be utilized as medium for PHB production, which also addresses the problem of pollution
Effect of Endo-xylanase on Dough Properties and Bran Bread Quality
Get PDFThe rheological properties of dough are determined during mixing, extension, and warming and are closely related to the quality of the flour. However, when dietary fibre content is increased, the properties alter because this weakens the proteins and degrades the gluten net. The equipment which is used in determining the rheological qualities is those of Alveograph and Mixolab. The composition of enzymes is a real substitute for chemicals to enhance the functional characteristics of flours and to produce changes in the dough's structure and bread quality. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of enzyme (endo-xylanase). on dough properties and bran bread quality made from wheat flour with low amylolytic activity. The results showed that some technological characteristics of dough rheology produced from endo-xylanase improvers can indicate in order to obtain specific features of the bread. The effect of endo-xylanase on hydration. Xylanase incorporation into the dough caused a higher water absorption (MWA), shorter development time (MDT). The bread with enzymes had a higher porosity, aldehyde content and reducing sugar content than the control bread made without enzyme. Bread with enzymewas characterized by tenderer and not crumbly compared to the control. The crusts with enzyme were more brightly colored. Sensory evaluation results showed good overall acceptability scores for the bran bread with xylanase
The Effect of Oil Price Shocks on Inflation in Kenya
Get PDFThe current empirical study analyses the effects of oil price fluctuations on inflation in Kenya. The study utilized structural vector Autoregressive modelling of the time series to assess the relationship between oil price fluctuations and inflation trends, utilizing time series annual data from 1990 to 2022. The findings of the study were that there exists a Bi-Direction causality between oil price fluctuations and inflation in the country, the SVAR estimation confirmed positive significant effect of oil price fluctuation on inflation trends, the results of the IRF pointed out oil price fluctuation affect the country’s inflation performance and finally the FEVD of oil price fluctuation on inflation reflected that there exist indirect effects of oil price fluctuation on inflation as well as inflation influencing oil price after the third period. Based on these findings we therefore conclude that crude oil price fluctuations contributes significantly to the real inflation in Kenya and hence affecting other sectors of the economy inversely. It is on this ground that we recommend adoption of policies that will reduce this effect on this countries, to start with to reduce the burden the countries should look for alternative locally available source of power that include adoption of Bi-diesel, compressed methane that can be source from sugar cane give the un tapped potential of sugar can in the three countries. In addition, the countries can consider price hedging of oil purchases where the countries enter into contract with their oil supplies for a constant crude oil price over the contract period
Study of the Carcinogenic Effect of Benzo[a]pyrene Compound in the Mammary Glands of Female Balb/c Mice: A Histopathological Study
Get PDFBenzo[a]pyrene represents a global health threat. it spreads everywhere in the ecosystem in water, air and soil and is widely included in the daily food chain for humans. It is a major risk factor for many human cancers such as breast cancer. The previous studies that proved the carcinogenic effect of benzo[a]pyrene on the breast were very few, in addition to lacking microscopic examinations. Therefore, our current study aimed to prove the carcinogenic effect of benzo[a]pyrene in breast tissue based on histopathology. The focus was on breast cancer due to its high prevalence rate in war countries such as Syria. The experiment was carried out on 30 female Balb/c mice distributed equally into two groups. The control group was given water and food only throughout the experiment period, the experimental group was injected with benzo[a]pyrene 30 mg/kg into the abdominal peritoneum three times a week 10 months. At the end of the experiment, we conducted autopsies on mice that developed tumor masses where samples were taken from them for histological study and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin to determine the distinctive features of the tumor tissue. A histological study was also conducted on the kidneys and livers of dead mice during the course of the experiment. The results of this study showed that benzo[a]pyrene is able to develop malignant breast tumors in experimental animals (P=0.000). This effect was clear grossly and histologically as malignant tumors of the ductal type developed in these mice
Magnitude of Undernutrition and Associated Factors among Adolescents in Refugee Camps in Somali Region, Ethiopia
Get PDFBackground: Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and maturation in human development that demands extra nutrients and energy to support growth. Focusing on adolescents’ nutrition provides a unique opportunity to break the intergenerational cycles of malnutrition.
Objectives: To assess the magnitude of undernutrition (thinness and stunting) and associated factors among adolescents living in refugee camps in the Somali region, Ethiopia.
Methods: An institute-based cross-sectional study design was employed among adolescents in refugee camps. About 433 adolescents were sampled by using simple random sampling procedures. Anthropometric measurements followed by the WHO growth standard procedure were employed to generate anthropometric indices. WHO Anthro Plus software was used to calculate body mass index for age z-score and height for age z-score. Data were entered into Epi Data and transferred to SPSS (version 22) for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure the association between the dependent variable and independent variables with a 95% confidence interval and the significance of the outcome variable was declared at P<0.05.
Results: an overall magnitude of stunting and thinness of the adolescents were found in 34.4% and 33.9%, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression model, head of household (Adjust odd ratio (AOR) = 1.758, 95%, and Confidence Interval (CI): 1.019–3.003), place of refugee (AOR 3.611, 95%, and CI: 1.835-7.105) Awbarre and (AOR = 16.039, 95%, and CI: 5.950-43.237) Kebribayah, monthly income (AOR = 5.847, 95%, and CI: 1.486-23.007) were significantly associated with stunting. The family size [AOR = 9.776, 95%, and CI: 1.132-84.404) and age of the adolescents (AOR = 0.596, 95%, and CI: 0.362-0.982).
Conclusion: The prevalence of thinness and stunting was high in this study, being the head of household location of refugees and monthly income statistically significant with adolescent stunting. Being larger family size was found to be statistically significant with adolescents’ thinness. Therefore, stakeholders should support nutrition intervention and other activities to reduce stunting and thinness among adolescents living in refugee camps
Environmental Disclosure and Firm Performance of Selected Firms in Nigeria
Get PDFThis study investigated the effect of environmental disclosures and firm performance of selected consumer goods firms in Nigeria from (2011-2020). The study has two research questions and two hypotheses. Ex-post facto research design was employed in the study. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of local content disclosures on returns on assets of consumer goods manufacturing companies in Nigeria; the study also examined the impact of emissions disclosure on returns on assets of consumer goods manufacturing companies in Nigeria. The population of the study included allconsumer goods manufacturing firms quoted on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NXG) (NSE) as at 31st December 2021 with a sample size of Sixteen (16) consumer goods manufacturing companies selected from the population sector. The study relied on secondary sources of data which was obtained from Annual reports of sampled companies as provided by individual companies and Nigerian Exchange Group (NXG) website. The Fixed effect panel least square regression analysis was employed in validating the hypotheses. The investigation discovered a significant effect of local content disclosures on returns on assets of consumer goods manufacturing companies in Nigeria; the study also found that emissiondisclosure has no significant impact on returns on assets of consumer goods manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Consequent on the findings, the study recommends amongst others that a detailed and well spelt out local content and environmental disclosure theme and evidence must be established to provide firm foundation for corporate environmental disclosures among companies. Also, the study recommends that a standard setting body should set up guidelines or principles or accounting standards in other to improve the financial and non-financial environmental disclosures of companies in Nigeria
First Record of the Anisakis simplex Parasites from the Family Anisakidae on the Lepidorhombus whiffiganos (Walbaum; 1974) Caught in the Marine Waters of Syria
Get PDFThe During the implementation of our research entitled: "A Contribution study of biodiversity of flat fish and some Biological characteristics of Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis (Welbeum,1792) in marine water of Lattakian Coast" And studying the food spectrum of the species Lepidorhombus wiffiagonis, we found the parasite Anisakis simplex inside the body of the fish, above the digestive tract, caught on 14/9/2022 in the AL-Basit area using bottom fishing nets and traps. The external and anatomical characteristics were consistent with the scientific references
Exploring the Role of Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Reducing Oxidative Stress in the Earthworm Pheretima posthuma Exposed to Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil
Get PDFThe present study of 96 hrs was carried out to analyze the toxic effects of heavy metal lead nitrate (1.69 and 1.27 ppm) on anti-oxidative enzymes viz. Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione-S-transferase in Pheretima posthuma. The worms for this observation were exposed to different concentrations of heavy meals viz. The lower and higher concentration calculated 1.69 and 1.27 ppm dry soil for lead nitrate for 5 days of exposure. A dose and time dependent increase in activities of these enzymes was observed. Lead nitrate was found to be more toxic at its highest concentration
A Review of Water Policies
Get PDFWater is a key driver of economic and social development while it also has a basic function in maintaining the integrity of the natural environment. However, water is only one of many vital natural resources and its issues mustn't be considered in isolation. Every year the number of deaths that are taking place due to the use of unsafe water is increasing and to minimize these problems policymakers are working at various levels by framing the policies i.e., United Nations Convention 1966,1977, 1992, 1997, and 2010. From 1992 onwards every year 22nd of March has been declared World Water Day by the United Nations. At the national level, the acts are The Easement Act of 1882 protects private property rights to groundwater, The Indian Fisheries Act [1] poses which bans the Use of explosive material near coastal areas, The River Boards Act [2] by the federal government is to establish an Advisory River Board to settle concerns in interstate cooperation, The Merchant Shipping Act [3] deals with a different aspect of merchant shipping, The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act [4] established a framework of governing bodies like central and state pollution Control Boards, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act [5] provides for the levy and collection of cess or fees on water-consuming industries and local authorities, National Water Policy [6] and revised NWP 2002, 2012 [7,8] deal with conservation and efficient use of water. Indian government also implementing various schems realated to water like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Clean Ganga Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana and National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture. Telangana state adopted the Telangana Water Resources Act [9] that concerned with the efficient and equitable administration of water supply, The Telangana Water, Land, and Trees Act [10] is to protect and conserve water, land, and trees in Telangana, Telangana State Water Policy [11] deals with the state's strategy for the conservation, management, and development of its water resources