Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research

Abstract: In this paper the agricultural productivity growth in Developing Eight (D-8) from 1993 - 2007 is examined using the data envelopment analysis (DEA). The study focuses on growth in total factor productivity and its decomposition in to technical and efficiency change components. It was found that, during that period, total factor productivity has experienced a positive evolution in D-8. Decomposition of TFP shows that technical change is the main source of this growth. The study also describes that technical efficien…

Abstract: The paper studies the effects of the liberalization of the Nigerian fertilizer sector, vis-à-vis the sustenance of the present dual fertilizer distribution arrangement, on maize production in Nigeria. Time series data was collected for the period 1990- 2006. A multiple regression model was specified with aggregate fertilizer use, maize hectarage and a dummy variable designed to capture the effects of the changes induced by fertilizer liberalization measure, as explanatory variables. Aggregate maize output was the d…

Abstract: This study focuses on the impact of real exchange rate on savings rate and economic growth. It further explores the savings transmission mechanism through which such a link can take place in the country. The results show that real effective exchange rate (REER) volatility has adverse effects on economic performance. Contextually, an appreciated REER is significantly and positively correlated with economic growth, reflecting Malawi’s net-importer position. On the other hand, REER volatility is significantly and nega…

Abstract: Using the convergence theory inspired by models of endogenous growth, this paper analysed convergence in the economies of the Franc Zone countries in Africa. With an econometric validation based on cross-sectional and panel data, the paper tested a number of hypotheses, the main ones being the convergence of the economies of the UEMOA and CEMAC zones through per capita income, the existence of spillover effects, as well as the search for a common growth path for the economies of the two zones. The study’s findings…

Abstract: The Ethiopian government has boldly set very rapid and sustainable growth and its equitable distribution as its prime development objective to end poverty in the foreseeable future. For this reason, promoting agricultural and rural development has been purported by the government as its top development agenda since it took power some 19 years back. Yet the extent to which the government realizes this objective remains in doubt. This paper attempts to analyze the dynamic relationships among poverty, inequality and g…

Abstract: The aim of this study was to measure the impact of liberalisation on the South African agricultural economy, particularly the impact on trade flow of the exchange rate, trade liberalisation and distance of trading partners using the gravity model. The model found that all variables were significant at one percent and carried the expected sign. Only the EU dummy variable had an inverse relationship, implying that the EU trade agreement has a negative impact on the export capacity of the South African farmers. This r…

Abstract: The extracts from the root, bark and seed of Garcinia kola are currently used in traditional medicine in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity of crude extracts of G. kola on Fusobacterium nucleatum isolated from the oral cavity. Methanol and aqueous extracts were prepared from the seed and the minimal inhibitory concentration was evaluated by the agar dilution method, using a Wilkins-Chalgren agar supplemented with horse blood (5%), hemin (5 µg/ml) and menadione (1 µg/ml). Antimicr…

Abstract: The radiation resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans R1 possesses a high intracellular Mn/Fe concentration ratio. Non-enzymic Mn(II) in D. radiodurans acts as an antioxidant to scavenge reactive oxygen species which contributes to its extreme radioresistance. The gene dr2539 encodes a transcriptional regulator that is predicted to be involved in regulating the transportation of Mn(II) or Fe(II) in D. radiodurans R1. In this study, we constructed a dr2539 disruption mutant with D. radiodurans R1 and compared th…

Abstract: In this study, we implement a set of probit models to analyze the determinants of household hurricane evacuation choice for a sample of 1,355 households in Florida. This article contributes to the literature by accounting for two issues normally neglected in previous studies; namely, regional variability and within season variability. The empirical results suggest that households living in risky environments (mobile home and flooding areas) are more likely to evacuate. In addition, households with children and thos…

Abstract: There has been a consistent increase in the search for alternative and efficient compound for food conservation, aiming a partial or total replacement of antimicrobial chemical additives. Garlic offers a promising alternative for food safety and bioconservation. Filter sterilized, aqueous garlic extract was tested for ability to inhibit the growth of some isolated Salmonella serovars. The aqueous garlic extract (A. G. E., 57.1% (w/v), containing 324 µg/ml allicin) inhibited the growth and killed most of the tested…

Abstract: Pine wilt disease, caused by the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the most serious disease of pine tree with great economic losses. So far it is not clear why the pine trees turn wilting, though several hypotheses about the pathogenic mechanism of pine wilt disease have been presented, such as phytotoxins causing death of pine trees; cellulases hydrolyzing celluloses of pine tree; terpenoids causing cavitation and water column breakage of pine tree, etc. Recently, it was found that certain bacteria…

Abstract: Dermatophytes are fungi capable of invading keratinized tissues of humans and animals, causing dermatomycosis. Azole antifungal drugs are often used in the treatment of dermatomycosis. Because of increased use of these medications, azoles are known to cause drug resistance; hence this study investigated an alternative anti-dermatophyte which is plant-based, and biodegradable natural product. Allicin is a pure bioactive compound derived from garlic, which is known worldwide for its antifungal activities. This study…

Abstract: The global burden of measles has remained a public health challenge. Worldwide, measles is the fifth leading cause of death among under-five children with an estimate of 197,000 deaths in 2007. In Nigeria, measles is an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Measles outbreaks have been increasingly common in the country with 30, 194 and 256 outbreaks reported in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. This paper describes the investigation, findings and mitigation efforts of a measles outbreak in Ogunmakin…

Abstract: -galactosidases enzyme have been used in the dairy industry for the improvement of lactose intolerance. The aim of this study was to detect b-galactosidase enzyme produced by isolated lactobacilli from milk and cheese. Isolated lactobacilli were cultured on MRS agar. Lactobacilli were identified by Gram stain and standard bacteriological and biochemical methods. Their ability to hydrolyze 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl- -D- galactopyranoside (X-Gal) and O-nitrophenyl- -D-galactopyranoside (ONPG) was determined. A prote…

Abstract: Twenty eight isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were obtained from cotton seedlings and twenty three isolates from other hosts; eight from peanut, five from chickpea, two from each of flax, tomato and watermelon and one from each of potato, cantaloupe, pepper and lupine. Microscopic examination revealed that 17 isolates (33.33%) each belonged to AG-2- 2, 17 and AG-4 HG-I, while 7 isolates (13.73%) belonged to AG -4 HG-II and 10 isolates (19.61%) belonged to AG-5. Pathogenicity test on cotton cultivar Giza 86, under gre…