International Journal of Management and Sustainability(181)
International Journal of Mathematical Research(57)
International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Policy(67)
The International Journal of Biotechnology(88)
International Journal of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Research(72)
International Journal of Education and Practice(283)
International Journal of Chemistry and Materials Research(57)
Review of Information Engineering and Applications(28)
International Journal of Natural Sciences Research(76)
Humanities and Social Sciences Letters(169)
International Journal of Chemical and Process Engineering Research(34)
Journal of Empirical Studies(32)
The Economics and Finance Letters(98)
International Journal of Business, Economics and Management(181)
Journal of Food Technology Research(69)
Journal of Social Economics Research(81)
International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research(125)
The Asia Journal of Applied Microbiology(27)
International Journal of Advances in Life Science and Technology(14)
Review of Industrial Engineering Letters(22)
Review of Environment and Earth Sciences(32)
Current Research in Agricultural Sciences(93)
International Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research(52)
Journal of Tourism Management Research(75)
Review of Knowledge Economy(23)
Review of Energy Technologies and Policy Research(17)
Review of Computer Engineering Research(59)
Review of Advances in Physics Theories and Applications(8)
Journal of Minerals and Materials Research(2)
Asian Journal of Energy Transformation and Conservation(15)
International Research Journal of Insect Sciences(12)
Cancers Review(14)
Journal of Building Construction, Planning and Materials Research(3)
Animal Review(46)
Journal of New Media and Mass Communication(16)
Journal of Future Internet(8)
Journal of Forests(39)
Journal of Nutrients(12)
Journal of Sports Research(57)
Journal of Diagnostics(23)
Review of Catalysts(4)
Journal of Diseases(33)
Review of Plant Studies(16)
Journal of Challenges(6)
Journal of Brain Sciences(6)
Financial Risk and Management Reviews(31)
Games Review(8)
International Journal of Veterinary Sciences Research(22)
Journal of Information(17)
Journal of Cells(6)
Quarterly Journal of Econometrics Research(19)
Genes Review(7)
Journal of Atmosphere(8)
World Journal of Molecular Research(3)
International Journal of Hydrology Research(9)
International Journal of Climate Research(17)
International Journal of Business Strategy and Social Sciences(10)
International Journal of Geography and Geology(1)
World Journal of Vocational Education and Training(24)
Research in English Language Teaching(3)
In this paper, we develop numerical methods based on a non-polynomial spline function with uniform grid for solving certain class of singularly perturbed boundary value problems. The proposed methods are second-order and fourth-order accurate. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methods. Contribution/ Originality
Since 2007, Northern Ghana has continuously experienced the double tragedy of droughts and floods which are manifestations of climate change. How these climate change manifestations are affecting livelihoods and social organisations of affected people and communities, especially the poor and vulnerable in Northern Ghana remains largely underestimated. This paper examines how climate change affects household food security, livelihoods and social safety in Northern Ghana. The paper conceptualises the transmission mechanisms of the effects of climate change on rural livelihoods. Observations and a desk review were the main methods employed. The main conclusion drawn is that, climate change is being felt in almost all parts of the world, particularly in the developing world including Ghana. Climate change makes affected communities and people vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity and reduces social safety. It challenges the resilience of the poor and vulnerable across Ghana, especially those in the Northern part of the country where poverty is endemic to cope with emergencies triggered by natural and related disasters. To mitigate the effects of the climate change menace on the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable, the development and implementation of a holistic climate change adaptation framework across the country and Northern Ghana in particular is recommended. Concerted efforts must be made to ensure that such a framework is socially acceptable, environmentally sustainable, economically viable, gender sensitive and politically stable. Contribution/ Originality
In this paper, we examine the relationship between information and communications technology (ICT) development and economic growth in top 10 economic, using panel cointegration, and panel-based error correction models from annual data covering the period of 1980 to 2010. The empirical results support of a short-run cointegration relationship after allowing for the heterogeneous country effect. The long-run relationship is estimated using a full-modified OLS. The evidence shows that short run causalities run from ICT to GDP and vice versa. This means that an increase in ICT directly affects economic growth and that economic growth also stimulates further ICT. The direction of causation between ICT and economic growth has significant policy implications. Contribution/ Originality
Across the world, NGOs act as critical players in the promotion of socioeconomic by providing gap filling interventions. This article examined NGOs working in the land sector in Zimbabwe, paying special focus on their formation dynamics, programming, research and policy advocacy. The study identified around 155 NGOs working in the land sector. While NGO advocacy during the first decade was restricted to community welfare issues, by 2008, it had expanded to include topical issues such as land allocation, land rights, land use, water rights, gender rights and human rights, among others. NGOs such as the African Institute of Agrarian Studies were at the forefront, cogently articulating land reform discourse in Zimbabwe as a global phenomena with parallels across the world. Notwithstanding this, NGO land advocacy faced several structural and operational challenges. It suffered from a highly polarized environment, blurred lines of authority, mutual mistrust between State and NGOs, reluctance by donors to provide funds for land advocacy as well as deep-seated discrepancies in the conceptualization of land reform issues. Global experiences suggest that effective NGO land advocacy is most likely where there is mutual trust between state and non state policy actors. Contribution/ Originality
Xylanases are hydrolases which depolymerise the plant cell wall component-xylan, the second most abundant polysaccharide. They are mainly produced by microorganisms but can also be found in plants, marine algae, protozoans, crustaceans, insects, and snails. Because of their ability to break down xylan, these enzymes especially of microbial origin, have attracted more attention due to their potential role in pulping and bleaching processes, in food and feed industry, textile processes and organic waste treatment. Xylanases are more suitable in paper and pulp industry than lignin degrading enzymes. Owing to the increasing biotechnological importance of thermostable xylanases, many potential thermophilic and hyperthermophilic bacterial genera like Bacillus, Thermotoga, Streptomyces, Thermomyces, Pyrococcus and Sulfolobus and some fungal genera like Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Penicillum, Aureobasidium have been identified. As tolerance to higher pH and temperature are desirable properties of xylanase for effective use in pulp treatment, thermophillic organisms are of special interest as a source of novel thermostable xylanases. But for large scale production of xylanases, reduction of cost is still very challenging. This review encompasses the sources, classification, industrial and future prospects of xylanases with special reference to thermostable ones. Contribution/ Originality
Ageratum conyzoides, Moringa oleifera and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides are among medicinal plants commonly used in African folk medicine as remedies for the treatments of high blood pressure and heart related diseases. This study was carried out to compare the effects of Ageratum conyzoides, Moringa oleifera and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides extracts on serum lipid profile in albino rats. Thirty five albino rats were grouped into seven each containing five rats. Control rats (Group 1) received distilled water while test groups (2-7) were administered the extracts at two dose levels (200mg/kg bw and 500mg/kg bw) for 14 days. Results indicated that Moringa oleifera and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides extracts caused significant reduction in the concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol with Moringa oleifera having the most significant effect. There was also a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol concentration in rats administered Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides compared with the control. Treatment of rats with Ageratum conyzoides had no effects on lipid metabolism as there was no significant changes in lipid profile of rats treated with this extract compared with the control. This result implies that Moringa oleifera and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides might be useful in the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases arising from hyperlipidemia. Contribution/ Originality
The present study investigated the effects of sodium azide on the survival, growth and yield performance of rice (Oryza sativa, FARO 57 variety) in a hydrocarbon-polluted soil. Top soil (0 - 10cm) of known physiochemical parameters was collected randomly from a marked plot beside the Botanic Garden, University of Benin. Thereafter, 10 kg of sun-dried soil each was placed into large perforated buckets with 8 perforations made, at the bottom of each bucket, with a 2-mm diameter nail. Waste petrol-engine oil (WEO) was poured into the measured soil, and thoroughly mixed to obtain 2.5 % w/w oil in soil. Soils were then allowed to attenuate for two months. Rice seeds were pre-treated with various concentrations of sodium azide (NaN3) solution on weight per volume basis (0.004, 0.008, 0.016, 0.032 and 0.064% w/v NaN3 solution) for 6 hours before sowing in polluted and control soils. The untreated seeds were presoaked in distilled water. Results showed that tillering of rice plant was greatly enhanced by NaN3 treatment. At 89 days after sowing (DAS), the average number of tillers observed was 6.70, 7.00 and 7.00 for the untreated plants in unpolluted soil, 0.004%w/v NaN3 and 0.016%w/v NaN3 treated plants respectively. Total number of grains obtained per rice stand was 81 in the untreated plants (control). This reduced to 64 grains/stand in the untreated rice plants sown in polluted soils. However, yield increased to a range of 103 ??? 159 grains/stand as levels of NaN3 pre-treatments increased. Evidently, pre-treatment of rice seeds prior to sowing in polluted soils enhanced their vegetative growth and yield as well as plant survival. Contribution/ Originality
Research has been done on the culture of Ankistrodesmus sp. through heterotrophic conditions to obtain lipid content. Heterotrophic culture with the addition of several concentrations of cassava starch hydrolysate (CSH) as a source of organic carbon that increased lipid content. The highest cell density and cell growth rate (cell division) of Ankistrodesmussp achieved at 10 g.l-1 of CSH concentration on 2.46 x 106 cells.ml-1 which occurred at the 8th day and 0.50 cells.day-1 respectively. While the highest biomass and lipid content achieved at 5 g.l-1 of CSH concentration on 0.94 g.l-1 and 26% respectively. Contribution/ Originality
Heavy Metal Contents and Microbial Flora of Fresh Leaves of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfaria Occidentalis) Collected From Road-Side Open Markets in Benin Metropolis, Midwestern Nigeria
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: The International Journal of Biotechnology
The present study investigated heavy metal contents and microbial flora of fresh leaves of fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis) collected from road-side open markets in Benin Metropolis, Midwestern Nigeria. Seven roadside open stall markets were randomly selected in 4 Local Government Areas in Benin Metropolis, Southern Nigeria. Results of the present study showed varying bioaccumulated concentrations of heavy metals in the leaves. Cu in the leaves ranged from 12.0 ??? 15.5. This was however within the FAO/WHO limit. Hazard quotient for Fe in fresh leaves of fluted pumpkin ranged from 31.89 ??? 143.89 and 100.0 ??? 275.0 in Zn; an indication for heavy metal toxicity. Microbial flora of the leaves comprised of Vibro sp., Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Alcaligen faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas sp., Enterobacter aerogenes, Seratia sp., Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani. Contribution/ Originality
OBJECTIVE: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been found not to be specific for the screening of cancer of the prostate (CaP). We determined serum levels of prostate specific antigen, malondialdehyde (MDA) and gamma glutamyl transferase in patients with newly diagnosed CaP and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)DESIGN: A cross sectional studySETTING: It was carried out in the urology clinic of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, NigeriaSUBJECTS: A total of 67, 50 and 70 men for patients with BPH, CaP and healthy age matched control respectively were recruited. RESULTS: Serum MDA(µmol/l) was observed to be significantly higher in CaP(2.05±0.64) than in BPH (1.68±0.41); p<0.05. There were also a significant higher value of serum MDA in CaP(p<0.01) and BPH(p<0.05) when compared with control (0.06±0.09). Significant higher serum levels of PSA (ng/ml) was observed in patients with CaP (70.25±50.40) than patients with BPH (22.77±10.17); p<0.01. Serum PSA(ng/ml) also was found to be significantlly higher in CaP(p<0.01) as well as BPH (p<0.01) when compared with control (0.76±0.54). There was a significant positive correlation between serum MDA and PSA in patients with CaP(r=0.701;p<0.05) and BPH (r=0.651;p<0.05). There were no significant differences in serum GGT among the study groupsCONCLUSSION: Serum level of malonaldehyde may be used as a marker in screening for prostate cancer as a compliment to PSA. Gamma glutamyl transferase may have no place in prostatic cancer detection. Contribution/ Originality
There are increasing reports of food poisoning due to methods used for processing certain food items in most parts of Africa especially in Nigeria. Also, very scanty information is available on the nutritional status and microbial counts of over-ripe fried plantain (Dodo-ikire) locally produced among the indigenes of Ikire Town and sold in some parts of Western States of Nigeria. This experiment reports the proximate, minerals and microbial counts of over-ripe fried plantain as affected by vendors in three different markets in Ikire Town, Osun State, Nigeria. Samples were obtained from four vendors each in three different markets namely: Total Station Market (TSM1-TSM4), Oja Ale Market (OAM1-OAM4) and Gbongan Garage Market (GGM1-GGM4). Among the samples obtained in TSM, the crude protein of sample TSM1 (4.16%) is not statistically different from the control (4.59%) but higher (p<0.05) than other treatments. The total ash of sample TSM2 (1.53%) and TSM3 (1.51%) were lower (p<0.05) compared with other samples. In the market coded OAM; the crude fat of sample OAM2 (15.4%) is significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to the value obtained for control and other samples, while total carbohydrate ranged from 66.81 to 76.64%. The results obtained for crude fibre ranged from 1.69% to 2.55%. The bacterial counts of dodo ikire purchased from four vendors in Total Station Market indicated that the samples coded TSM1 (8.0cfu/g) and TSM2 (9.0 cfu/g) had higher (p<0.05) bacterial counts compared with samples purchased from all the vendors in the selected market and the control sample. Samples TSM2 and TSM3 had the same level of fungal counts (3.0cfu/g) which differed significantly (p<0.05) from the values of sample TSM1 (4.0cfu/g). Among the samples obtained from vendors in Gbongan Garage Market, it is observed that the crude protein of samples GGM1 (3.53%), GGM3 (3.54%) and GGM4 (3.94%) were not significantly (p<0.05) different but lower compared with the value (4.59%) of the control.The range of values obtained for minerals were Sodium (21.089-44.437mg/kg), Potassium (16.345-17.432mg/kg), Calcium (3.567-5.005mg/kg), Magnesium (1.842-2.776mg/kg), Phosphorus (5.026-5.263mg/kg), Copper (0.000-0.004mg/kg), Iron (0.075-0.246mg/kg), Manganese (0.023-0.034mg/kg) and Zinc (0.002-0.004mg/kg). The sodium content (44.437mg/kg) of sample TSM is significantly (p<0.05) higher compared with samples from other markets and the control, while the values of potassium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc were not significantly (p<0.05) difference among the treatment samples from the markets and the control.The study concluded that the observable increase in fat, which results from the addition of palm oil; which is a major source of cholesterol to the over ripe plantain could pose deleterious effect on susceptible person consuming foods containing high cholesterol. The significantly higher values of microbial counts obtained in the samples purchased from some of the vendors compared with control sample which was prepared in the laboratory indicated poor hygiene practices by the vendors. From the result of microbial counts, it is suggested that improvement be made on preparation practices and that better choice of dodo ikire packaging material could also help to minimize microbial contamination.Finally, it was suggested that hawking in densely populated areas of the town should be discouraged to minimize microbial contamination of the final dodo ikire product during distribution and marketing. Contribution/ Originality
The purpose of this paper was to examine teaching-learning process in primary schools in Tanzania within the context of the impact of teacher- pupil ratio on the teaching- learning process with reference to two selected administrative districts in Dar es Salaam region, which are Temeke and Kinondoni, to represent the entire country. Tanzania has made a significant effort to improve the educational system through the Primary Educational Development Plan (PEDP). The government launched the Primary Educational Development Plan (PEDP) in 2002. This reform aims to show Tanzania’s commitment towards the global education for all targets expressed by the international community in Jomtien 1990 and Dakar 2000. The main priority of Primary Educational Development Plan (PEDP) is to increase an overall enrolment of girls and boys. The country has been awarded and recognized for the attainment of the millennium development goals before the time frame of 2015. This incredible job on universal primary education enrolment has been due to the eradication of school fees for primary education. In 2001, primary school enrolment expanded to 95%. This reform has brought about a substantial increase in enrolment which in turn brings one important question to the fore. What are the effects of hasty enrolment on the teaching-learning of pupils in primary school? Contribution/ Originality
Remediating Some Learning Difficulties of L200 Science Education Students of Modibbo Adama University of Technology in Some Physics Concepts Using Multiple Representations
Research Article
Author(s):
Journal: International Journal of Education and Practice
Academic performance and achievement of students is highly dependent on the approach of presenting information and how it is received. This study was an action research using the problem-solving strategy to find out the effect of multiple representations-based instruction on students’ performance in some physics concepts. This was done by collecting both qualitative and quantitative data with two instruments, pre-test, to assess students’ prior knowledge and post-test to determine the final state of the learners. A sample of 40 L200 Geography Education students of the Department of Science Education, Modibbo Adama University of Technology took part in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The results obtained showed an improvement in students’ achievement on basic concepts in optics, heat and mechanics. Students performed relatively better in optics (80% of the students) scoring 45% and above of the marks; followed by thermal physics (heat) (70%) and mechanics (50%). Also, effect size of 0.41calculated to see effectiveness of the treatment confirmed the improvement in the students’ performance. This study suggests that it is possible to use multiple representations in physics instruction to motivate and sustain students’ interest in the subject, especially those with limited physics’ knowledge to apply the laws and formulae learnt to calculate and solve problems correctly. Contribution/ Originality
Recently, tablet technologies have grown tremendously in popularity. They lend themselves to a myriad of learning modalities and therefore may be well suited to use in schools and universities. While teachers work to find useful applications for tablets, students have already begun using them at home and, in secondary and higher education, in classes. Unfortunately, sometimes when students use tablets for courses they play with “apps,” rather than using the technology as a useful and powerful tool. The current article addresses ways to use tablet technologies to their fullest potential as important learning devices in higher education. Contribution/ Originality
In one study conducted in Turkey, Berberoğlu et al. (2002) stressed that methods of designing and implementing especially laboratory experiments should inevitably be focused on developing one’s higher-level mental skills. (Berberoğlu et al., 2002). It was suggested in a study by Koray et al. (2006) entitled as “Conditions of Representing Science Process Skills in 9th grade Chemistry Course Books and Chemistry Curriculums” that scientific process abilities should be given more place in Chemistry curriculums. In this study, conditions of representing science process skills in 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade Chemistry curricula were analysed. Related programs were studied by document analysis method. As a result, representations of basic level and advanced level abilities in above-mentioned programs were year ten, year eleven and year twelve respectively, and it can be inferred that the emphasis in the programs underlined by educators were not disregarded. Contribution/ Originality
The focus of the study was to improve upon cooperative learning with the use of Jigsaw technique in Basic six of Holy Child Practice Primary School. Action research design was used in addition to a Case study design to conduct the study. The research instruments were observation and questionnaire. The researcher employed the Jigsaw technique as the intervention. The sample size used was 40, made up of 30 pupils and 10 teachers from the same institution. Responses gathered from both the observation and the administration of the instruments indicate that some of the causes of pupils poor performance in school were poor teaching methods during lessons and the inability of teachers to vary teaching techniques. It was observed during the research period that pupils had problems in actively participating in lessons. More so pupils did not know how to learn in groups. It also came to light that lack of understanding of collaborative and cooperative learning was the pupils’ deficiency. The study therefore empowered both teachers and pupils to resort to the use of collaborative learning due to its immense benefits. Contribution/ Originality
This research reports the procedures the writers have employed in teaching several academic and workplace communication skills through engineering multidisciplinary projects (EMDPs). In these projects students are divided into teams, with each team comprising a minimum of three and a maximum of four students from different engineering majors. The students choose and appoint a team leader, choose a research topic/problem in the surrounding environment that requires input from all team members and collaboration from all students, each in his/her respective discipline, in finding a solution to the situation/problem. Team members choose the topics, obtain approval of the topics from cooperating engineering faculty and the course instructor, and then prepare detailed research proposals. They receive specialist feedback on their proposals, and based on how detailed their proposals are, are given the go ahead to proceed with their research. The execution of the research project requires the use of several technical communication skills such as, internet searches; sending email messages; writing formal letters; meeting with officials, engineering academics and experts, as well as giving powerpoint supported oral presentations, EMDP poster presentations and submitting end of research written reports. Contribution/ Originality
The purpose of study is to measure the level of financial literacy of accounting students at the Universidad Veracruzana; campus Mocambo, considering that financial education is the knowledge that people have on financial issues in order to solve everyday problems regarding financial management. The variables analyzed include age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, learning styles and student’s perceptions on financial services, the way they take care of their money and their knowledge of five key financial issues. Three hypotheses were raised, therefore, in order to test H1 we performed a factorial analysis with an extracted principal component; to H1.a the statistical procedure of linear correlation of Pearson r and t test are applied, and to H2 a Z test is performed. Although the theory suggests that the level of higher education gives the student a better understanding of the financial issues, this research however, proves otherwise. In fact, the range of “excellent money management” is below 50%. The findings suggest that there is no a good level of financial literacy in the population studied. This fact is contrary to expectations, because the student who studies public accountant is expected to have financial knowledge in these subjects, all this, in considering the subjects which integrates the curriculum related to the field of finance. Therefore this finding should be an important indicator for the academic authorities of the Universidad Veracruzana for corrective actions in this respect. Contribution/ Originality
Tourism is one of the vital sectors of Kashmir economy. Though this industry emerged in modern sense during nineteenth century but it flourished after 1947 with the establishment of popular government and subsequent change in the nature of state. Also the various plans were framed and implemented for the promotion of this industry. The present paper highlights the historical development of tourism industry and the causes responsible for its vicissitudes during the period under reference. Data has been collected from the department of tourism, Jammu & Kashmir Govt. The statistical data of the tourism industry reveals that the tourism industry in Kashmir saw a great progress and reached to its full boom in the eighties of the twentieth century, though the industry saw many ups and downs during this period. Contribution/ Originality
This research aims to evaluate the competitiveness of Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) Sahiwal with Other Higher Educational Institutions (OEI) of Sahiwal. An Early Warning System (EWS) has been used to analyze expectations and actual feelings of respondents from CIIT and OEI of Sahiwal. The research findings reveal that: (a) CIIT Sahiwal has more innovative capabilities and more competitive advantage as compared to OEI of Sahiwal. (b) The students of CIIT Sahiwal are almost satisfied from their institution however there is a need for further improvement especially regarding social responsibility. (c) The students of OEI of Sahiwal are completely unsatisfied on some points like human resources (HR), government support (GS), innovative learning (IL), library (LB) and social responsibility (SR) and showed almost satisfaction on some other points like research work (RW), international cooperation (IC), examination and assessment (EA) and fee structure (FS). Contribution/ Originality
Abstract