Research In Anemia

Research -1

Anemia: progress in molecular mechanisms and therapies

Aims: Knowledge and practices of both men and women on factors that contribute to anemia in pregnancy needs to determined if sound and successful measures to prevent pregnancy anemia are to be implemented. This study was designed to understand knowledge, practices and attitudes of pregnant women and men on anemia during pregnancy.

Study Design: This was a cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Moshi town, in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania between January and May, 2012 in 4 health centers.

Methodology: A total of 64 participants were enrolled, involving 44 pregnant women, 11 in each study centre, 18-45 years old, and 20 married men, 5 in each center attending health care services. A structured, ‘close ended question’ questionnaire was used for data capturing after it was pre-tested. Participants were asked questions and responses were recorded by the investigator. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0) in which mainly descriptive statistics was used. 

Results: Approximately 82% (n=36) of women were spending ≤ 60 minutes to reach the ANC, majority (68.2%, n=30) incurring less than Tanzanian Shillings (TAS) 1,000 per visit while 13.6% (n=6) were parting with more than TAS 2,000 per visit. Compliance to required 4 antenatal clinics (ANC) visits was high by 93.2% (n=41) with a mean gestation age at first visit at 18th week. Causes of anemia were known by 93.8% (n=42), with 79.7%, 96.2%, 80.8% and 67.4% having good knowledge on malaria as a cause of anemia, foods and medications that prevent anemia and cut-off hemoglobin level for anemia, respectively. Knowledge on effects of anemia on birth outcomes was poor with 17 (26.6%) with adequate knowledge.

Conclusion: Although ANC services are very accessible in the study area and pregnant women keep ANC visits, we report presence of inadequate knowledge on anemia in pregnancy, particularly effects on birth outcomes. Strengthened training and increased scope of education on reproductive health in general during ANC clinics should be prioritized.

Research -2

Variation in Blood Indices in Cases of Anemias Coexisting with HbE from Eastern India

Hemoglobin E is one of the most common forms of abnormal hemoglobin, related to hemoglobinopathies in the world. It can result in a heterogeneous group of disorders ranging from asymptomatic to severe anemia with regular blood transfusion dependency. HbE trait and HbE/E are mild disorders, as compared to other form of β globin defect. But when HbE combine with other forms of anemia, it can yield variety of clinical manifestations. Not only these various clinical changes caused by HbE hemoglobinopathy in homozygous or heterozygous forms, but also the standard haematological parameters changes interestingly often leading to misdiagnosis, when other anemia like Aplastic Anemia and Iron Deficiency Anemia are coexisted with HbE allele.

In this paper, we have tried to address how different anemias along with HbE hemoglobinopathy can bring about changes in different hematological parameters. We have categorically tried to address the issue by comparing the specific and relevant hematological parameters of these HbE hemoglobinopathy patients, with presence of others forms of anemia, like aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia.

This paper can give very significant clues to both the future researchers and clinicians to diagnose the HbE hemoglobinopathy with more certainty and clarity, when other forms of anemia co-existed with HbE.

Research -3

Anemia and Dietary Habits among Pregnant Women in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Aims: To determine the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women in Jazan in the Southern region of Saudi Arabia, and identify some food habits of pregnant women. The association between having anaemia and some maternal factors like age and obstetric history are also studied.

Study Design:  A descriptive cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Five different health care centres and Jazan general hospital in Jazan, Southern region of Saudi Arabia during November 2014. 

Methodology: A sample of 389 pregnant women in the reproductive age (15-49 years) was studied. Cluster sampling was used to choose the different health facilities and systemic random sampling technique was used to select the women within these institutes. 

Data was collected using a pre-structured interview questionnaire and review of files of pregnant women in these facilities.

Results: The prevalence of anaemia among the pregnant women was found 58.9%. The percentage of pregnant women who experienced cravings was 35.5%, 56.1 % had aversions and 67.3 % had pica. The study also found that two thirds of women who got pregnant more than 5 times were anaemic with a P value (0.005). However, no significant relation was found between anaemia and maternal age, number of deliveries or number of abortions.

Conclusion: Anaemia among pregnant women in Jazan region is high. Many pregnant women experience cravings and aversions which affect their nutrition. These findings signal the need for proper interventions to address female’s nutritional habits in this area. Nutritional advice during ante-natal care visits for pregnant women are advised.

Research -4

Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adolescent Girls in Rural Upper Egypt

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adolescents tends to increase with age due to acceleration of growth.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID and IDA in adolescent girls in rural Upper Egypt.

Methods: 912 girls in 5 different village preparatory schools situated in El-Minya governorate at Upper Egypt were enrolled in the study. Complete blood count and serum ferritin were done to determine the prevalence of ID and IDA among them.

Results: Our study revealed 39.9% of the girls were anemic, the prevalence of IDA was 30.2% and that of ID without anemia was 11.4%.

Conclusions: ID, with or without anemia is still a major health problem in adolescent girls living in rural Upper Egypt.

Research -5

Anemia—still a major health problem in many parts of the world!

Anemia is a major global health problem, especially in developing countries. This fundamental health issue still has not been solved and continues to exist affecting the health, quality of life, and working capacity in billions of people all over the world. This paper gives a review on the prevalence and major causes of anemia seen on a global scale. Most cases of anemia are due to iron deficiency, which often work in symphony with folate deficiency and/or vitamin B12 deficiency as well as with infections. More efforts should be dedicated to tackle this massive problem—we have the tools, and we know the ways. Iron fortification of appropriate food items combined with iron supplements in specific population groups has proven to be efficient. Initially, the efforts should be centered on the specific risk groups for iron deficiency anemia, i.e., young children, adolescent females, women of reproductive age, as well as pregnant women and postpartum lactating mothers.

Recent Research In Women Empowerment

Research No-1

Characterising Loan Default among Women Microcredit Borrowers an Empirical Study in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Aims: Credit is a critical input for agriculture and women empowerment. Rural Savings and Credit Cooperatives (RuSACCOs) are important financial institutions in remote villages of Ethiopia offering avenues for savings and credit for farmers and the poor. The aim of this study was to find out the repayment status of loans obtained by women farmers who were members in RuSAACOs.

Study Design: The Study design followed was Ex-post facto Design through survey research.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was undertaken in Kindo Koysha Woreda (district) in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. The study was held between December 2015 and May 2016.

Sample: From four randomly selected RuSACCOs of the study district, 96 women farmers who had been members of RuSACCOs were selected as respondents.

Methodology: Primary and Secondary data were gathered respectively from women members and district government agencies respectively. The sample size was determined using Yamane formula. The primary data yielded quantitative information on repayment status (Repaid regularly or otherwise). Similarly, data was gathered on 17 personal, socio-economic characteristics of the women members to provide the backdrop for their loan repayment status and to analyze the possible linkage between such characteristics and the repayment status.  

Results: Descriptive statistics of the study showed that out of 96 respondents 50 per cent repaid the loan before due dates and the rest 50 percent could not repay the loan before due dates. The following categories of women borrowers were found to have higher tendency to repay rather than not to repay on time: Younger women, more educated, married, with lower dependency ratio, with higher household income and expenses, with higher livestock holding, with prior business engagement, having better access to road and market, who availed higher loan amount and having higher amount as savings in  RuSACCO, higher level of training, following weekly repayment rather than fortnightly or monthly and higher economic motivation. Interestingly, the characteristics of women like family size, household social ceremony expense, timeliness and adequacy of loan did not show any association with repayment status. 

Conclusion: The study recommended that RuSACCOs must follow up closely with women borrowers having the characteristics opposite of those aforementioned (in “Results” paragraph) for ensuring prompt repayment of loan. The cooperative management could consider frequent cooperative training of women members for ensuring prompt repayment of loan.

Research No-2

Impact of Self-Help Groups on Empowerment Status of Rural Women in Udaipur District

The study was conducted in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan to know the level of empowerment of rural women through self-help groups. A total of ten groups were selected from Badgaon panchayat samiti. A sample of 130 respondents (100 SHG members and 30 non members) was selected for the study. Questionnaire method was used for collecting the data. The four parameters which are considered to be the scale of determining the level of knowledge are socio-psychological, economic, legal and political issues. The results revealed that medium empowerment status was found in all four components i.e. socio-psychological, economic, legal and political with mean scores 2.71, 2.60, 2.49 and 2.60. Whereas not a single member had medium empowerment in socio-psychological and legal component with mean per cent score 2.56 and 2.34. Similarly, the non-members had poor empowerment in economic and political component with mean scores 2.26 and 2.16, respectively.

Research No-3

Women Empowerment – A Comparative Case Study among Agricultural and Coir Industry Wage Labourers

A comparative study was conducted among randomly selected Agricultural and Coir Industry women wage Labourers of Sonitpur district, Assam, India during 2012-13 to find out whether more economic empowerment of women is able to change the status of women in society or still customs and values play a role to assign status of a person thorough field survey and questioner methods. It was found that the agricultural wage labourers had more children than that of the coir industry wage labourers. It was because of preference for male child and lesser control over choices. Though they didn’t want to have another child, the preference and inability to take the decisions along with their husbands led to more children. The decision making authority was solely with the male partners. Whereas, the coir industry wage labourers had some power with their husbands to take decisions like family planning. Those decisions had an impact on the family income and expenditure. The family income of the coir industry wage labourers were higher than that of the agricultural wage labourers and having lesser children had positive impact on the children’s education and nutritional supply in the families. The coir industry wage labourers were comparatively more educated than the agricultural wage labourers. This also helped them to go for family planning. With extra income, the coir industry labourers were able to spend more in nutritious food, education for children and the expenses on the alcoholic items were cut down as came up in the study vis-a-vis the agricultural wage labours. The agricultural wage labourers were new in the field of savings. Very recently they had started savings and they didn’t have any bank deposits rather they saved very small amounts with Self Help Groups (SHG). The coir industry wage labourers also had savings with SHGs and very few had deposits in banks. However, the concept of saving was new to them. The household items of the agricultural labourers’ house didn’t include electricity, but most of them had mobile phones. Nevertheless, the coir industry labourers were well equipped with household items necessary for better sustenance. Economic self-sufficiency and education, use of technology, exposure to the outer world, decision making etc. determined the amount of empowerment. The agricultural labourers were comparatively lacking in empowerment than the coir industry labourers in Tezpur sub-division of Sonitpur district of Assam, India.

Research No-4

Rural Women Empowerment in New Valley Governorate, Egypt

Aims: The objectives of this study are to: i) Measure the rural women’s empowerment level, and ii) Determine factors affecting rural women’s empowerment level.

Study Design: One-time point cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Data were collected through personal interviews of 300 rural women (240 from Al-Mounirah village belonging to El-Kharga district and 60 ones from Al-Thaniyah (the second) village belonging to Darb El-Arbaien, Paris District), during the period from May to June, 2016 using a questionnaire form.

Methodology: Frequencies, percentages, range, average, standard deviation, weighted average (relative weight), T test, Pearson’s simple correlation, Step-Wise Regression Analysis, and verification of hypotheses were used for data processing and presentation.

Results: Findings revealed that dimensions of rural women’s empowerment could be ranked as social (relative weight = 60.8%), cognitive and psychological (RW = 60.7% for each), economic (RW = 58.7%), and finally the political dimension of empowerment (RW = 56%). Of the studied eleven independent variables, eight variables accounted for 71.9% of variance in rural women’s economic empowerment, seven accounted for 61.7% of variance in political empowerment, eight accounted for 69.6% of variance in social dimension, one accounted for 4% and 1.6 of variance in cognitive and psychological dimensions, respectively. Results also indicated that the eight independent variables (family type, average of sons’ education, average age of sons, family size, women’s age, women’s employment status, and husband’s age) accounted for 63.4% of variance in rural women’s overall empowerment.

Conclusion: The study concluded that rural women’s empowerment could be strengthened through support factors influencing it.

Research No-5

Evidence of women’s empowerment in India: a study of socio-spatial disparities

Various national and international communities have addressed women’s issues and taken various efforts to empower them so as to enhance their social and health status and involve them in developmental activities. The Indian DHS survey (National Family Health Survey, 1998–1999) provides an opportunity to study women’s empowerment in India. The survey collected information on several dimensions of women’s empowerment from 90,303 ever-married women (ages 15–49), from all the states of India. Utilizing these data sets, four indices – household autonomy index, mobility index, attitude towards gender index and attitude towards domestic violence index – are constructed to measure the different dimensions of empowerment. Using these indices, the spatial and socio-economic and cultural disparities that exist within India are analyzed. Finally, an attempt is made to identify some important determinants for women’s empowerment using multiple logistic regression analysis. The results show that at the national level, 43% of the women have high household autonomy; 23% of the women have high freedom to move outside their home; 40% of the women have no gender preference attitude; and only 43% of the women defy domestic violence. But there are significant divergences in these indices of women’s empowerment across the different states and socio-economic and cultural settings within India. Women’s educational levels emerged as an important predictor for all the four dimensions of women’s empowerment. Additionally, media exposure and age have emerged as the important predictors for some dimensions of woman’s empowerment.

Latest Research In Information System and Information Technology

Research No-1

Information Technology and Its Effect on Performance of Logistics Firms in NigeriaThis study 

investigates the impact of Information Technology (IT) on logistics firms’ performance in Lagos Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select ten (10) logistics firms in Lagos, while simple random sampling was employed select eight (8) respondents from each logistics firm in Lagos, totalling eighty (80) respondents as the sample size for the study. Simple percentage and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Result reveals that adoption and usage of information technologies such as radio frequency identification, web-based tracking, voice recognition technology, geographical information system, automated guided vehicle system, automated inventory tracking system and geographical positioning system are very low. Results also show that tracking and security system, usage of IT for the customer service delivery system and information integration have a positive and significant influence on the performance. Subsequently, the study recommends that management of logistics firms should adopt IT in their operations such as radio frequency identification, web-based tracking, voice recognition technology, geographical information system, automated guided vehicle system, automated inventory tracking system and geographic positioning system. This will assist them to improve inventory visibility in the supply chain, and it will also increase logistics system productivity through speed, accuracy and reliability.

Research No-2

Contribution of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System to Identify Potential Areas of Groundwater in the Department of M'Bahiakro (Central-East of Côte d'Ivoire)

This study concerns an area located at central-east of Côte d'Ivoire and constituted by fractured crystalline and metamorphic rocks. In this area, problems of drinking water supply exist because of overpopulation and lack of knowledges about groundwater prospection. This study aims to highlight hydrogeological potentiality areas where drilling can provide a large discharge. Database is constituted by technical data from drillings and satellite images of Landsat ETM+. Remote sensing tools, multi-criteria analysis and geographic information systems (GIS) are used in this study. The results indicate that water resources are available in this area. GIS enabled to elaborate thematic maps of groundwater. Indeed, more than 80% of studied area has good to excellent availability of groundwater. Poor and bad groundwaters potentiality classes respectively cover 14 and 6% of the studied area. These resources are well exploited over 78% of the territory with good and excellent exploitability of groundwater resources. However, these resources are not easy to be reached because 67% of the territory presents difficult accessibility. Results of this study constitute an important element that must be considered for hydrogeological prospection.

Research No-3

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Road Accidents in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria Using Geographical Information System (GIS) Techniques

Aims: Road accidents have impacted adversely on the socio-economic development of cities in developing countries. Abuja, the administrative headquarters of Nigeria is known for regular occurrences of such accidents. This study attempted to identify factors responsible for these accidents and assessed their pattern with a view to mapping the black spots in the city using GIS techniques.
Study Design: The study was an attempt to investigate the various accident spots in Abuja, Nigeria in a bid to present a platform for proffering plausible solutions to the rampant road accidents in the city.
Place and Duration of Study: Abuja, Nigeria, between January 2011 to July 2011.
Methodology: Road accidents data from road users, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were acquired using structured questionnaire. Also, secondary data including topographical map, quick bird image, accident records between 2009 and 2011, and GPS points of areas prone to road accidents were plotted on the Abuja base map. These data were integrated and analyzed using spatial analysis tools of AcrGIS 9.3. Table data were also imported into ArcGIS database. Overlay function and query operation were performed to determine the accident hotspots based on the frequency of road accidents and their spatio-temporal trend.
Results: Findings showed that Wuse maintained the highest black spots while Asokoro experienced the least. It was observed that accidents are caused by road, vehicle, driver and environmental factors.
Conclusion: The study recommends provision of functional traffic lights and defining danger times of high risk locations in Abuja.

Latest Research In Archaeology

Research No-1

Modifying Soil Chemistry to Enhance Heathland Recreation: A Use for Sulphur Captured During Oil Refining

The overall aim of this paper is to evaluate potential new modifications to methods for re-creating heathland habitats. Heathlands need acidic soils so the specific objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness of a new method for heathland re-creation by soil acidification using a sulphur soil amendment and to explore the benefits for re-creation of applying a soil stripping treatment in conjunction with soil acidification. A new source of sulphur was recovered from oil refinery towers and applied over agricultural sites covering a total of 13 ha on Trehill Farm, Marloes, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK in 2004. In the summer of 2011 we compared soil chemistry and plant communities on sites subjected to different sulphur treatments (sulphur applied to the existing soil surface and sulphur applied after top soil had been stripped) with those on an adjacent untreated control and on a nearby established heathland. Each of the four treatment sites and the control and heath site was surveyed using 10 random locations measuring 4 m x 4 m. The total above ground % cover was measured for each plant species and a bulk soil sample was taken in a ‘W’ shape from within each 4 m x 4 m quadrat. pH and all chemical parameters of the soil showed highly significant differences amongst the sampled sites (P>0.01 in all cases) and produced even greater abundance of ericaceous species on some of the treated sites than occurred in the established heath. However, soil stripping had no significant additional effect on either edaphic factors or plant species abundances. Sulphur recovered from oil refinery is a potentially useful tool in heathland re-creation, but soil stripping prior to sulphur amendment did not enhance success. We propose that sulphur application drives success through increasing H⁺ toxicity reducing the availability of base cations and creating Fe-induced Mn deficiency in plants.

Research No-2

Factors Affecting the Investment of Tourism in Jordan

Across years numerous Arab regions have made substantial investments in different tourist amenity packages. These investments were made to either capture a portion of the growing tourism market or establish an image that attracted the human capital needed to advance economic development. This study analyze the factors affecting the investment of tourism in Jordan on the different dimensions of the study.

Data have been processed and analyzed through the use of “SPSS” program in order to obtain means, standard deviations, and percentages for the demographic characteristics of the sample. Moreover, analysis of variance (ANOVA) is conducted to test if there are any statistical evidences of the existence of difference between participants to the independent variables.

The subject of this study was selected for its theoretical and practical importance in the field of tourism management in general and investment of tourism in particular.

This importance arises from the factors affecting the investment of tourism in Jordan which have great effects on individual performance.

The study revealed that there are strong statistical evidences that differences exist between employees according to their qualification of the hotel managers, hotel Location, years of experience in the hotel, number of training programs attended by the manager. However, the results show that there is statistical evidence that a difference exists between. The study provided a number of recommendations to help dealing with factors affecting the investment of tourism in Jordan.

Research No-3

Urban Tourism in Jordan: Challenges and Opportunities Case Study: Amman

This paper examines the challenges and opportunities of urban tourism in Jordan with a case study from Amman the capital city of Jordan. Jordan has tourism of sites not tourism of cities and towns, but lately Jordan paid a good attention on this subject and began to rehabilitate many cities especially in the Jordanian capital Amman.  

The definition of urban tourism has initially been discussed, particularly because the definitions of urban tourism range from the downright abstruse to the straightforward. From all the definitions it is concluded that urban areas are very important for this type of tourism because they are: Destinations in their own right, gateways for tourist entry, centres for accommodation, and ideal bases for excursions bringing the tourists along interesting cultural as well as natural itineraries. The discussion then evaluates the aspects of urban tourism through identifying trends, developments and challenges within the tourism sector in Jordan.

The paper discussed also the key elements that can enhance the visitor-friendliness in urban areas. It also considers new sector opportunities and acknowledges the difficulties and challenges associated with the development of the city of Amman as a centre for urban tourism. 

Bibliographic documentation and descriptive-analytic method were used as a methodology for this paper to improve and deepen the knowledge to understand thoroughly the concept of urban tourism. From the main results of this research is that the country has a number of attributes that will likely contribute to the continuing growth of its urban tourism sector, including an enormous array of cultural-heritage destinations, a well developed transportation infrastructure and a hospitality sector that can accommodate budget-minded tourists as well as the needs of the most discriminating affluent travelers.

Finally, the paper indicates the suggestions that Amman require to become a true destination city in the region.

Research No-4

The organization of stingless beekeeping (Meliponiculture) at Mayapán, Yucatan, Mexico

This article presents evidence for the importance of traditional stingless beekeeping (meliponiculture) at the Postclassic period (CE 1150–1450) Maya political capital of Mayapán, Yucatan, Mexico, with a particular focus on the domestic and public contexts of this practice and its association with metallurgy and balché production. The spatial and social distribution of beekeeping activities throughout the city refines scholarly understanding of an integrated and functionally complex Maya agro-urban cityscape. Beekeeping activities are identified through the distribution of small limestone disks, interpreted as the covers for traditional hollow log hives, which were widely distributed throughout the Mayapán’s urban landscape. High concentrations of limestone disks at the outlying ceremonial/administrative center of Itzmal Ch’en and also at an elite palace group, may indicate concentrated honey production for crafting fermented honey wine, balché. Limestone disks are also widely distributed at other contexts such as temples and halls of the site’s monumental center as well as secondary elite and commoner house groups. Limestone disks are regularly recovered (although not exclusively) in association with metallurgical ceramics, suggesting that meliponiculture and lost-wax metallurgy were often practiced by the same households. Honey and wax production was a complex undertaking, involving by-products essential for other industries that were not solely produced for commercial exchange. Instead, these activities were frequently embedded into symbolically charged consumption spheres and specialized artisanal practices.

Research No-5

Defining the ‘generalist specialist’ niche for Pleistocene Homo sapiens

Definitions of our species as unique within the hominin clade have tended to focus on differences in capacities for symbolism, language, social networking, technological competence and cognitive development. More recently, however, attention has been turned towards humans’ unique ecological plasticity. Here, we critically review the growing archaeological and palaeoenvironmental datasets relating to the Middle–Late Pleistocene (300–12 thousand years ago) dispersal of our species within and beyond Africa. We argue, based on comparison with the available information for other members of the genus Homo, that our species developed a new ecological niche, that of the ‘generalist specialist’. Not only did it occupy and utilize a diversity of environments, but it also specialized in its adaptation to some of these environmental extremes. Understanding this ecological niche provides a framework for discussing what it means to be human and how our species became the last surviving hominin on the planet.

Morphological and Microstructural Characterization of Organoclays from Low Smectite Containing Clays Materials

Abstracts

Two low smectite-containing clay materials were modified, using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMAB) as intercalating agents, under very mild experimental conditions, to investigate their potentials as suitable organoclays for industrial and environmental applications. Changes in the general morphological and microstructural characteristics were studied by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Brauner Emmet Taylor (BET) Analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) before and after modification. The shift in XRD reflections after intercalation indicated that the HDTMA chains adopt monolayer and bilayer arrangements within the clay interlayers and were largely dependent on the reaction time and surfactant loading. This resulted in decreased specific surface area and increased pore sizes in the organoclay samples. The presence of typical CH stretching bands in the new materials was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Mass loss from TGA showed that the new materials were thermally stable, the amount of organic modifier in the organoclays were in good agreement with the theoretically calculated contents. The intercalated materials were hydrophobic, stable, biocompatible and were suitable materials for several industrial and environmental applications.

Keywords : Clays; HDTMAB; interlayers; organoclays; intercalation; smectites.

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Major Ion Chemistry of the Groundwater under Jhenaidah District of Bangladesh for Irrigation, Drinking and Industrial Uses

Abstracts

Aims: The study was carried out to determine the baseline cation and anion concentrations of the groundwater of Kaliganj Upazila of Jhenaidah district of Bangladesh and to evaluate the suitability of these water sources for irrigation, drinking and industrial uses.

Study Design: The research was carried out in laboratory and field.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples of water were collected from Kaliganj Upazila of Jhenaidah district during July-September 2013.

Methodology: A total of 45 groundwater (6 deep tube-wells, 19 shallow tube-wells, 20 hand tube-wells) samples were collected from existing wells in the study areas. The collected water samples were carried to the laboratory of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh for testing. The samples were analyzed as quickly as possible on arrival at the laboratory. All reagents were analytical grade. For SO₄²- and PO₄^-, samples were refrigerated and analyzed within 24 hrs.

Results: The pH values indicated that the waters were mostly acidic in nature. Among the chemical budget of ions, magnesium and chloride were found to be the most predominant ions. The average amount of Ca, Na, K and HCO₃- were safe for crop production. The mean values of TDS and SAR indicated the excellent category for irrigation. Based on SSP all waters were excellent classes. In respect to hardness, water was moderately hard to very hard classes. Based on the total hardness, most ground waters were moderately hard. All waters were free from RSC and belong to the suitable category. Most of the major ionic constituents were detected below the acceptable level for drinking. All water samples are more or less suitable for industrial uses. Other micronutrients like Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Cl were within the safe limit for irrigating agricultural crops. Iron and Mn exceeded the drinking standard in some waters.

Conclusion: All water samples are more or less suitable for industries like brewery, ice manufacture purpose, dairy farm and carbonate beverage.  But almost all waters were unsuitable for textile and laundering. All waters were suitable for drinking and irrigation uses; although some samples were rated to be unsuitable for some specific ions.

Keywords : Ion chemistry; groundwater; irrigation; drinking; industrial use.

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Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis and Efficacy of Praziquantel; a Case Study of School Pupils in Oke-Igbo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstracts

Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and remains a major public health problem among school-aged pupils in developing countries. In this study, urine samples were collected along with basic demographic information from 528 pupils from 3 primary schools in Oke-Igbo community of Ondo state, Nigeria. Centrifugation technique was used in the analysis of urine samples for Schistosoma haematobium. Out of the 528 pupils, I05 (19.9%) were infected while 37(7.0%) showed visible haematuria. Positive cases were treated using Praziquantel (40 mg/kg body weight) and a rescreening was done for the treated pupils 3months post-treatment to assess the efficacy of Praziquantel at the standard dose. 7 (6.7%) pupils were still positive after rescreening, with haematuria cases in 4 (3.8%). Age group 6-10 years had the highest frequency in the 3 schools, which is suggestive that they engaged more in water-contact activities. Praziquantel administered in a single oral dose at 40 mg/kg body weight showed 93.3% parasitological cure rate with a Percentage Geomean Egg Count (GMEC) reduction of 77.72%. There was a significant difference in the prevalence rate between age groups and gender (P<0.05). Disease control in Ondo State, is basically centred on chemotherapy hence, the rate of re-infection following parasitological cure is still of major concern. There is need for more political commitment from the government to provide basic amenities such as toilet facilities, and pipe borne water to rural areas other than the usual chemotherapy if elimination is to be achieved.

Keywords : Schistosomiasis; praziquantel; efficacy; prevalence; haematuria; control.

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Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance and Interrelationships for Agronomic and Yield Traits of Sorghum B-Lines under Different Environments

Abstracts

Information on heritability and trait association in crops assist breeders to allocate resources necessary to effectively select for desired traits and to achieve maximum genetic gain with little time and resources. The objectives of this investigation were to determine the amount of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and strength of association of yield related traits among sorghum lines under different environments in Egypt. Six environments with 25 sorghum B-lines were at two locations in Egypt (Giza and Shandaweel) in two years and two planting dates in one location (Giza). A randomized complete block design was used in each environment with three replications. Significant variation was observed among sorghum lines for all studied traits in all environments. Across environments, grain yield/plant (GYPP) showed positive and significant correlations with number of grains/plant (r = 0.71), days to flowering (r = 0.47), 1000-grain weight (r = 0.16) and plant height (PH) (r = 0.19). In general, the estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). Combined across the six environments, the highest PCV and GCV was shown by PH trait (95.14 and 43.57%) followed by GYPP (36.42 and 30.78%), respectively, indicating that selection for high values of these traits of sorghum would be effective. GYPP and PH traits showed high heritability associated with high genetic advance from selection, indicating that there are good opportunities to get success in improvement of these traits via selection procedures. Results concluded that PH is good selection criterion for GYPP and therefore selection for tall sorghum plants would increase grain yield.

Keywords : Sorghum bicolor; selection gain; correlations; broad-sense heritability; PCV, GCV.

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Latest Research in Plastic surgery

Research no -1

Investigation of New Ionic Plastic Crystals in NR₄BBu₄ (R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, Pen)

In order to investigate new ionic plastic crystals, differential-scanning-calorimetry (DSC), nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR), and electrical conductivity measurements were carried out in NR₄BBu₄(R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, Pen) salts. DSC measurements showed a low entropy change of 29.1 J K^-1 mol^-1at a melting point and large values of 35.7 and 17.8 J K^-1 mol^-1 at phase transitions in NEt₄BBu₄crystals. In contrast, the other compounds of NR₄BBu₄ (R = Me, Pr, Bu, Pen) showed large entropy changes at each melting point. On the basis of solid-state ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra results, tumbling motions were detected in the NMe₄BBu₄ and NEt₄BBu₄ crystals. Isotropic reorientation motions of partial ions were observed in the NPr₄BBu₄ crystals. Although NR₄BBu₄ (R = Me, Et, Pr) have no plastic phases, low activation energies of ion move were recorded in these salts. These results recommend that the tumbling motions can perform the resemble effect as isotropic reorientation in plastic crystals.

Research no -2

Emerging Changes in Mortality Pattern of Burn Patients in Relation to Resistant Bacterial Isolates in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Burn injury is a global public health problem with approximately 265,000 deaths annually. In India, over 1000,000 people are moderately or severely burnt every year and an annual mortality rate is 100,000 to 140,000. This study was aimed to identify and analyze the demographic aspects, various micro-organisms responsible for burn wound infections and antimicrobial resistance as predictors of mortality in burn patients so that preventive measures can be recommended and implemented to reduce mortality among burn patients. Wound swabs from 75 patients admitted in Burn unit with TBSA (total burn surface area) between 10% - 60% and having age between 10- 60 years were included in the study. In our study, case fatality rate was 26.7% with maximum mortality between 19-26 yrs of age and among females (36.6%). As the percentage of burns increase, the mortality rate also increases. The most common organism isolated was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (45%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (28.2%) and Acinetobacter baumanii (19.7%) and all the bacterial isolates in expired patients were MDR (multidrug resistant). MBL (metallo-beta-lactamase) producing isolates were more common among non-survivors than among survivors. This suggests that all the isolates should be screened for drug resistance parameters to reduce mortality and antibiotic policy should be framed for burn unit to prevent the spread of MDR organisms in admitted patients. Further strict infection control strategies should be implemented to achieve the ultimate objective of improving infection related morbidity and mortality in burn patients.

Research no -3

The Ethics of Facial Plastic Surgery

In a modern world of aesthesis, the role of surgery is ever broadening and with this healthcare professionals must be in constant vigilance of ethical values. We converse the role of facial plastic surgery in present society and the ethical standpoint of the field in the context of aesthetics.

Latest Research in Artificial Insemination

Research -1

Farmers’ Perceptions of Socio - Economic Biosafety Considerations Regarding Adoption and Use of Biotechnology: A Case Study of Sithobeleni and Lesibovu Communities in Swaziland

Agriculture plays a great role in the economy of Swaziland. It is also important for food production. Over 70% of the agriculture is practiced in the rural sector where mainly food crops are produced under subsistence farming systems characterized by large hectares cultivated with corn and a high cattle population producing low yields. Biotechnology has potential to improve agricultural production. Biosafety procedures have been developed to ensure safe handling of products of modern biotechnology. The aim of this study was to determine socio economic considerations for risk assessment when products of modern biotechnology are introduced into the environment. Information was obtained from key informants and focus discussion groups of cotton, maize and cattle farmers from Lesibovu and Sithobeleni communities. Key biotechnologies already practiced in the communities included production and use F1 hybrid maize seeds as well as artificial insemination in dairy cattle. The major socio economic factors that should be considered when new technologies are introduced include consideration of community norms and values such as seed sharing and seed saving, considerations of cultural and religious beliefs such as objection to eating of some animal species, and acceptability of products of modern biotechnology by markets. Major constraints limiting implementation of technologies in the communities include difficulties with acquisition of inputs, drought and shortage of advisory services. It was observed that farmers were willing to adopt modern biotechnology provided that it was safe to public health, animal health and the environment. The technology should be legally acceptable in the country and be approved for use elsewhere.  It was concluded that there is need to ensure that socio-economic factors form part of the risk assessment protocol when applications are considered for the release of products of modern biotechnology to the environment. Socio economic considerations should also form part of public awareness campaigns and training prior to the introduction of modern biotechnology into communities.

Research -2

Studies on the Effect of Lugol’s Iodine on Reproductive Efficiency of Dairy Cattle

The present investigation was conducted to study the effect of intra uterine infusion of 20 ml Lugol’s iodine (0.25 %) on day 5 (Group I; n= 18), day 17 (Group II n= 17) on reproductive performance as compared to untreated animals (Group III; n= 18). The average inter estrus interval in the animals in treatment group I (14.12 ± 0.396 days) was significantly (P<0.01) shorter than group II (23.93 ± 0.330 days) and control group III (20.93 ± 0.870 days). The average duration (days) for first postpartum fertile estrus was shortest (88.93 ± 10.053 days) in group I, followed by group II (106.46 ± 8.743 days) and control group III (113.72 ± 7.131 days). The number of artificial insemination (A.I.) required per conception was observed to be only 1.38 in group I while the values were 1.50 and 1.91 for group II and III, respectively.

Research -3

Effect of Skim Milk and Tris-citrate Extenders to Preserve the Semen of Indigenous Ram of Bangladesh

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the sperm preservation and maintenance of genetic resources of small ruminants. The study aimed to determine and compare the preservation effects of skim milk and Tris-citrate on the quality of chilled and frozen-thawed indigenous ram semen (n=13) during rainy monsoon season (June to October) in Bangladesh. Semen was collected from four indigenous rams by artificial vagina method to observe motility, viability and membrane integrity at 0, 24, 48, 72 hrs of storage. The hypo-osmotic resistance test (HOST) was used to evaluate the sperm membrane integrity. The ejaculates were divided into two groups according to dilution with skim milk or Tris-citric acid egg yolk media for chilling and freezing. Motility, viability and membrane integrity were significantly (p<0.01) higher in chilled semen samples diluted with skim milk in comparison to those of semen diluted with Tris-based extender at all time-based observations. However, around 50% motility was preserved up to 48 hours by both extenders. Results also showed that motility, viability and HOST (+ve %) decreased drastically after cryopreservation irrespective of diluents. Similar to chilled semen, studied parameters were significantly higher (p<0.05) in frozen-thawed semen diluted with skim milk based extender, though quality parameter of frozen-thawed semen was not satisfactory. In conclusion, skim milk based extender appears to be a better option compared to Tris based extenders for chilling semen of indigenous ram up to 48 hours with acceptable quality. Whether the differences found between the extenders will be reflected in the fertility results after artificial insemination (AI) is yet unknown and needs to be further studied.

Sciencedomain International: A bright example to solve predatory publication issues

Therefore Sciencedomain International took some proactive steps to fight against the predatory publication problem starting from 2011. Some distinguished operating principles of ‘Sciencedomain International’ are discussed below and the backgrounds of these steps are also discussed.

Problem : Predatory publishers don’t pay any attention to complaints after publication

Following Proactive Steps were taken by Sciencedomain International to solve this problem.

2.1 POST-publication peer review:

The pre-publication Peer review evaluation system is not perfect and many academicians proved loop-holes of the peer review system. We also never claimed that the peer review system is perfect. But we have tried to make it as transparent as possible. But still, we know that there will be errors. So we introduced also POST-publication peer review system.  SDI journal Websites provide the ability for users to comment on articles to facilitate community evaluation and discourse around published articles. The comment section is mainly dedicated to promote "Post-publication peer review". Please see here: http://bit.ly/post-peer-review.  As a result of this "Post-publication peer review", if authors agree and/or journal Editors agree (and/or SDI agrees) that any correction is necessary, then it will be published FREE of cost by following SDI Correction and Retraction policy (http://bit.ly/retraction-policy).

2.2 Established Retraction Policy:

No journal in the world has a hundred percent perfect peer review policy. It is not expected from the publisher that it should work like fraud detection agency or fake paper detection agency. No publisher has that capacity or enough resource for such activities. An academic publisher is expected to arrange honest peer review, editorial screening, editing, formatting, publication, DOI registration, digital preservation of papers, indexing of published papers, etc. An academic publisher depends on the integrity of the author for the submitted paper and expertise of reviewers and editors during the peer review process. At any stage, an academic publisher should never influence the publication decision by over-ruling the academic independence of the reviewers and editors. Therefore, a scholarly publisher is never expected to publish only a hundred percent perfect papers, as it depends on the author-reviewer-editor system. But an academic publisher is always expected to work promptly whenever a fraud/wrongdoing is reported. If an academic publisher sits idle when an irreparable wrongdoing is reported then the publisher is just supporting the wrongdoing of the author. Such careless idle steps of the publisher rather encourage other dishonest authors to harbour their papers with that publisher. Predatory publishers often sit idly by publishing fake papers and invite other dishonest authors to publish their papers by providing a safe shelter in exchange for publication charges. It is expected that a true academic publisher should officially retract wrong papers/fake papers immediately whenever reported. Retraction is a negative point for any publisher, but a true academic publisher should never be afraid to retract such papers with official retraction notice. Sciencedomain International has a very strong and official correction/retraction policy (see here: http://bit.ly/retraction-policy-sdi). Sciencedomain International is determined to promote integrity in research publication. We have great respect and we generally follow the guidelines given by COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS (COPE) for any publication disputes, authorship disputes, fake paper, etc. Whenever such a serious problem is reported, Sciencedomain International takes immediate action and officially retract the paper.