Abstracts
The major purpose of the study was to assess the contribution of the short-term training provided to educational leaders, teachers and supervisors in the region to enhance the quality of education. To this end, the study used a concurrent mixed methodology study design. The study selected 333 respondents using stratified sampling techniques. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from respondents using questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion (FGD). The collected data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods using narratives and organizing data under themes and using Pearson correlation and one-sample t-test. The findings revealed that topics covered are useful and job-related, while some topics are irrelevant to the job being done. Generally, training participants found the training modality to be appropriate. Training has also resulted in improvement in student behavior. These short-term training sessions have enabled trainees to grow as professionals on top of enabling them to acquire knowledge and skills that can directly be applied to the job they are doing. The findings also show that there are support and requirement to implement and report by the directors and supervisors while teachers do not have the support and requirement to report on the implementation of what is learnt from short-term training. Also, almost all teachers, directors and supervisors believe that short-term training contributes to the enhancement of quality of education in the region. While some respondents don't have the belief that training improves quality of education, the majority has the conviction that the short-term training provided by the education bureau has helped improve the quality of education. Thus, in order to improve on the limitations of the short-term training, it was suggested that the region's Education Bureau should conduct a needs assessment before short-term training is organized. Trainees should be supported and held accountable for the implementation of the knowledge, skills and attitudes they have acquired from short-term training, and the Education Bureau needs to make sure that training is conducted in a comfortable environment during the organization and conduct of future training.
Keywords :Short-term training; training effectiveness; education quality; Kirkpatrick’s model.
Abstracts
This study sought to identify factors that influence learning during training among small holder farmers on the new moisture conservation innovations (conservation farming) by Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX) and the objectives of the study was to identify the training methods used by AGRITEX officers in training Conservation agriculture and to find the effectiveness of the training methods in transferring knowledgeThe study took the form of a case study. Six small holder farmers trained on the new moisture conservation innovations were researched on.The study showed that AGRITEX to certain extent gave farmers some chance to participate during training especially in carrying out demonstrations, field days and during look and learn tours. The look and learn tours were appreciated most by many farmers as they were saying they can learn much by visiting other farmers. However, AGRITEX can further improve its training to improve learning among farmers through participatory course design which can help in the improvement of training for farmers to improve on practicing what they have trained.
Keywords :Learning; training; small holder farmer; conservation farming.
Abstracts
This systematic literature review focused on the noise levels within intensive care units (ICU) and how this can negatively affect nurses working on the unit. A comprehensive literature search and systematic review were conducted to find evidence-based research on noise levels and its impact on nurses. Studies revealed various sources of noise, elevated noise levels, health effects of increased noise, and its impact on patients and nurses. Several interventions were implemented to decrease the number and level of sounds in ICUs. Increased amounts of noise in intensive care units, for extended periods of time, led to quicker nurse “burn-out” and caused adverse physiological and detrimental emotional effects. Major trends found for this systematic review included relocation of the intensive care units, implementing quiet times, limiting staff conversations, and modifying the alarm levels.
Keywords :‘Nurse stress’; ‘noise; nurses’; ‘stress’; ‘intensive care unit’; ‘occupational noise’ and ‘ICU’.
Abstracts Seaweeds or marine macro-algae form the base for the marine ecosystems and considered as direct or indirect source of food for people across the world. Today, algae have made their way to almost all the areas of human life like food, feed, fuel, medicines etc. Marine algae provide exceptional diverse storage of bioactive compounds such as antimicrobial elements. 5 different varieties of seaweeds were collected from Salalah and they were: Ulva fasciata, Asparagopsis taxiform, Rhizoids of Jolyna laminarioide, Jolyna laminarioides and Laminaria brasiliensis. The biochemical composition of these seaweeds were determined by using several analytical techniques such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and spectrophotometric methods. The phenolic content, antioxidant of TPC, DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP analysis were measured. The results have shown a higher antioxidant activity in Brown (Rhizoids of Jolyna laminarioides) comparing with the other varieties. The antimicrobial activity of Ulva fasciataon on E. coli (G-) and Rhizoids of Jolyna laminarioides) on S. aureus (G+) was higher comparing with the control sample and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study points out the possibility of seaweeds to be used in making different products that can be employed in biotechnological, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications even though more investigations are required for separating, purifying and characterizing the varieties of seaweeds in Oman.
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Abstracts Anthocleista vogelii have been shown to possess a number of medicinal properties. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the roots and leaves of A. vogelii for phytochemicals using crude qualitative analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS) techniques, in addition to the antibacterial activity of its aqueous and ethanolic extracts against four clinical isolates namely Staphylococcus aureus, Esherichia coli, Proteus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Isolation of clinical isolates, biochemical tests, antimicrobial sensitivity and screening for phytochemicals were all carried out using standard methodologies. Resulting replicate mean readings were analysed using analysis of variance and student t-test. The results of the crude screening showed that the leaves and roots contained alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, reducing compounds and polyphenols. However, GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 13 and 14 phytochemicals in the leaves and root, respectively. In addition to terpenens, phytosterol, oxalate, steroid, tannin, phenols, saponins, alkaloids, anthocyanides, flavonoids, phytate, cardiac glycoside and cyanogenic glycoside found in the roots, the leaves also had coumarin. Alkaloid (22.6 conc. units) was the most abundant phytochemical in root but third most abundant in the leaves (15.6 conc. units). In the leaves, the most abundant phytochemical was phytate (20.4 conc. units) while the second was terpenes (20.7 conc. units). The results of the antibacterial sensitivity revealed varying activities against the test clinical isolates. For the leaves, the highest zone of inhibition of 18.00±0.00 mm was obtained with 100 mg/ml ethanolic extract against Proteus species while the least zone of 11.51±0.02 mm was recorded against E. coli. However, the highest zone of inhibition was 32.67±0.67 mm with 200 mg/ml of the aqueous extract against Proteus species for the root. Based on the findings of this study, the leaves and root of A. vogelii are rich in phytochemicals with promising antibacterial potentials that is worth exploiting further.
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Background: The Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands of Micronesia lie in the western Pacific Ocean and are unique in terms of their isolation, climate, soils and diversity of rare plant species. We hypothesized that the vegetation on the islands will be a robust model system to study long-term climate change impacts on vegetation dynamics.
Methods: A large, long-term vegetation monitoring plot was established on Chichijima Island and measured in 1976 and 2017. It was located in an undisturbed dry forest area that contained many endemic and endangered species.
Results: During the 41 year study period, total basal area of tree species increased by 24.6% and was dominated by Schima, Distylium and Pouteria, whereas tree density declined by 30%. Tree genera exhibiting the largest increases in basal area were Elaeocarpus, Ilex, Pandanus, Pouteria, Rhaphiolepis, Syzgium and Schima. During the study period, the annual average (23.2ºC), minimum and maximum temperatures increased by 0.5 to 0.8ºC, respectively. The average annual precipitation was 1276 mm with severe droughts occurring in 1980, 1990 and 2016. The largest increases in the basal area were exhibited in trees species with wide functional distribution and attributes, including drought tolerance.
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest a link between the drought tolerance, species dominance and climate change at the study location. Our unique approach of linking functional attributes with long-term vegetation and climate change can serve as a model for other studies of global change impacts.
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Abstracts The survey was carried out in 2017 main cropping season to support farmers for correct insect pest identification. Three Kebeles, Hallo, Sambaro and Herara with five farmer’s fields randomly selected. Ten representative plants were taken from each field. Data on mean larval density per plant, percentage leaf infestation and damage levels were assessed. Results from mean larval density per plant showed that significant difference between insect species (R2= 0.96, Pr (>|Z|=0.013) where the highest 1.55-2.30 was recorded from C. partellus. There was a significant difference between C. partellus and M. trapezalis; S. frugiperda and M. trapezalis in percentage leaf infestation (R2=0.75, Pr. (>|Z|=2e-16) where, the highest were recorded from C. partellus and S. frugiperda representing 50-90% and 40-90% respectively. From the above, C. partellus and S. frugiperda were at risk, as a result insecticide was recommended. M. trapezalis showed a lower infestation level so that hand picking was more economical than use of insecticide. Hence, registration and detail molecular identification will be needed as M. trapezals is the first record on maize crop in Ethiopia.
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Abstracts Bacillus spp have been widely adopted as one of the vital producers of the industrial enzymes including amylase, cellulase and xylanase. In fact, submerged fermentation (SmF) with the presence of excess water is the best suited technique for the culture of bacteria especially Bacillus that required high moisture content to grow. Pure carbon sources besides being expensive, are not economically viable for the production of enzymes. Therefore, inexpensive yet effective agricultural residues such as barley husk was used in this study.
Aims: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic of cell growth and enzymes production of amylase, cellulase and xylanase by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 using barley husk as the main carbon source under SmF.
Methodology: In the present study, the standard inoculum size of 1 × 108 cells of B. subtilis was inoculated into culture flask containing barley husk for the production of enzymes in SmF. Samples were collected every 12 h for analysis.
Results: In this study, B. subtilis possessed the maximum specific growth rate (µmax) of 0.55 h-1 at 48 h with the maximum cell productivity of 1.98 × 1010 cells/L/h was attained during the exponential growth phase. On the other hand, the highest enzyme activity by B. subtilis obtained in this study was identified to be amylase with its activity of 1.991 U/mL, followed by xylanase activity of 1.492 U/mL and lastly cellulase with the lowest activity of 0.304 U/mL. In addition, the specific enzymes activity and productivity were also elucidated to describe the kinetic study of enzymes production. The maximum specific xylanase activity of 6.81 U/mg, followed by specific amylase activity of 6.68 U/mg and the least specific cellulase activity of 0.73 U/mg were attained from B. subtilis. In fact, cellulase productivity of 18.23 U/mL/h was found to be relatively low compared to amylase with 119.48 U/mL/h and xylanase with 89.52 U/mL/h. Cellulase production was determined as growth associated process where its maximum production was attained at the end of the exponential growth phase. On the contrary, the production of amylase and xylanase were partially growth associated due to their maximal production observed after the exponential phase of cell growth.
Conclusion: In a nutshell, B. subtilis is anticipated to be potential bacteria for the optimisation of enzymes production for amylase, cellulase and xylanase using barley husk as the sole carbon source in SmF.
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Aims: This research was conducted in pot of trials at the farm land of Lawra-Yagtuuri in the Upper West Region to determine the effect of Rhizobia inoculants, Boostxtra, and appropriate Phosphorus Fertilizer level required for cowpea growth and yield.
Study Design: The research design used in this study was experimental. Specifically, the experiment was run as a split-plot design.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Statistics and Department of Mathematics, University for Development Studies, between November, 2015 and July, 2016.
Methodology: The experiment assessed the effects of rhizobia inoculants at two levels (2.5 g and 5.0 g) per kg, boostxtra and four levels of phosphorus fertilizer (0 kg P2O5 ha-1, 25 kg P2O5 ha-1, 50 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 75 kg P2O5 ha-1) on the growth and yield of cowpea. It was run in a split-plot design. The analysis was done using Generalized Linear Model and Subset Regression.
Results: Phosphorus Fertilizer and Boostxtra significantly enhanced cowpea growth and yield; Pod weight plant (g), Nodule dry weight (g), Pod and Nodule numbers in all the weeks of measurement were significantly improved. However, the highest yield was observed at 50 kg P2O5 ha-1. Cowpea response to rhizobia inoculation was not sufficient to raise cowpea yield. The model was significant (P<0.05) accounting for 77.70% of total variation in the yield. The subset regression analysis had C(p)=5.28 from six variables in the model with the Adjusted R Square = 0.9318.
Conclusion: The ability to optimize cowpea grain yield depends on the application of 50 kg P2O5/ha and Boostxtra and care should be taken to apply the right amount of Phosphorus Fertilizer.
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Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine common pathogens associated with infected wounds and the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activities of Randia acuminata root extract against isolates associated with infected wounds.
Study Design: The ethanolic extract was used for the phytochemical screening of the root extract. The disc diffusion method was used to assess the antibacterial activities of the alkaloid fraction of the root extract against isolated pathogens.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (Microbiology Laboratory) and Department of Microbiology (Microbiology Laboratory), University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria between the months of April, 2017 – August, 2017.
Methodology: The isolation of infective agents from wound specimens and the phytochemical screening of the root extract were performed using standard methods. The disc diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial activities of the alkaloidal fraction of the root extract on Staphylococcus aureus and species of Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Clostridium.
Results: Alkaloid, saponins, phlabotanin, anthraquinone deoxysugar, cardiac glycoside and terpenes constitute the bioactive components of the root extract. The pathogens associated with infected wounds and their frequency of occurrence were Staphylococcus aureus (35%) and species of Streptococcus (15%), Pseudomonas (20%) Klebsiella (20%) and Clostridium (10%). Susceptibility of the organisms to the root extract varied with concentration 30 < 40 < 50mg/ml The antibacterial activity of the extract suggests concentration-dependent inhibitory response by the test organisms.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the alkaloid fractions of R. acuminata root extract has potent antibacterial effect and can be incorporated into antiseptics for wound cleaning/dressing.
Keywords :Antibacterial; alkaloid fraction; concentration-dependent; inhibitory response; wound pathogens.
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The present study aimed to investigate whether ginseng, green tea and cinnamon or/and mixture can improve liver in a rats and whether this therapeutic approach resulted in amelioration in lipids profile (serum cholesterol, triglycerides, Serum HDL, Serum LDL, FT3 and FT4), liver function profile (serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, total protein and albumin) and cytokines profile (serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß and interleukin-6). Male albino rats weighing 150 g ± 10% were used. They were divided into two groups: negative control and Acetamiprid groups. The results demonstrated that Acetamiprid induced antioxidant and biochemical alterations at testing periods 15 and 30 days. The obtained results revealed a significant (P<0.001) increase in Lipid parameters in Acetamiprid rats than those in their control ones. Lipid parameters (serum cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids & cholesterol) were significantly (P<0.001) elevated in Acetamiprid rats compared with their corresponding control group. On the other hand, induction of Acetamiprid to rats caused a significant (P<0.001) decrease in adiponectin level. Liver function tests (serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase) were significantly (P<0.001) increased in Acetamiprid rats compared with their corresponding control group But, the levels of serum total protein and albumin were remarkably decreased in Acetamiprid rats group. A considerable (P<0.001) elevation were occurred in all cytokines parameters (serum tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-2 and interleukin-14) in Acetamiprid rats group compared with their corresponding control group. When Acetamiprid rats group was treated with ginseng, green tea and cinnamon or/and mixture a considerable amelioration effects in all previously studied parameters were pronounced dependent on certain mechanisms and time of treatment.
Keywords :Hepatoprotective; ginseng-green tea; cinnamon; acetamiprid; oxidative stress-rats.
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The purpose of the current review paper is to investigate and analyze about the effects of ohmic heating (OH) different application in the field of fish, meat and its product and compare it with other conventional thermal methods of food processing such as thawing, heating, cooking etc. Food quality, food safety, convenience, freshness, healthy food, natural flavor and taste with extended shelf-life are the main criteria for the demand made by today’s consumers. Ohmic heating is a substitute of conventional heating method of food commodities. It has shorter heating times, avoid hot surfaces and help to minimize temperature gradients. Product parameters such as electrical, thermo-physical and rheological properties of the food and process parameters such as the current frequency, electrode material and the geometry of ohmic chamber affect the process. as a result various application of OH are found such as heating, evaporation, dehydration, extraction, waste water treatment, thawing, cooking of different type fish and meat and its product such as meat ball, hamburger patties surmi, beef, turkey etc.
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The toxicity of tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum) leaf dust with piscicidal and pesticidal properties was investigated on some enzymatic and protein synthesis activities of juvenile African mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Fish were exposed to both lethal and sub-lethal concentrations of tobacco leaf dust for 21 days in a renewal bioassay procedure. The median lethal concentrations (LC50) were derived using Finney probit method while protein and enzymatic activities were determined using Biuret and Randox methods respectively. The LC50 values for 48 hours acute bioassay test was 2.11g/l for tobacco leaf dust. Tobacco exposed fish showed significant increase (P≤0.05) in serum AST, ALT and ALP levels. Significant decrease (p≤0.05) were observed for liver AST (141.00 ± 2.52 to 154.67 ± 0.67), serum and liver total protein (6.47 ± 0.03 to 7.80 ± 0.40 and 3.30 ± 0.00 to 3.57 ±0.12) and serum albumin (4.23 ± 0.09 to 4.83 ±0.20) across all concentrations. The study showed that exposure of C. gariepinus juvenile to sub-lethal concentrations of tobacco (Nicotiana tobaccum) leaf dust can induce various toxicological effects in the form of enzymatic alteration. Therefore, the longer exposure of tobacco leaf dust in aquatic ecosystem is dangerous to fish and subsequently human health.
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Background: Renal failure is highly prevalent among persons with Human Immuno Deficiency virus (HIV) infection and is linked to high morbidity and mortality rate.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HIV infection on CD4+ cells, urea and creatinine of HIV patients that are being treated with Combivir N for a period of 8 months.
Study Design: Forty three male and female HIV positive subjects ready to be placed on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) (Combivir N) and 20 non HIV positive subjects were randomly selected and CD4+ cells, urea and creatinine levels of HIV positive subjects were determined before treatment, 4 months and 8 months into treatment.
Methodology: Flow cytometry using partec cyflow machine was used in analyzing the CD4+ cells, serum urea was determined by Berthelot‘s method, while creatinine was measured by Bartels and Bohmer method.
Results: Mean cell level of CD4+ count was higher in 8 months of treatment (319.02 ± 138.68) than before treatment and 4 months into treatment (246.51 ± 71.30 and 310.04 ± 106.60) but lower than control group (1023. 01 ± 203.03). Mean serum level of urea was higher in 4 months into treatment (35.51 ± 13.92) than before treatment and control group (27.14 ± 11.06 and 14.71 ± 3.80). Also mean serum level of creatinine was higher in 4 months into treatment (1.30 ± 0.53) than 8 months into treatment and control subjects (0.98 ± 0.31 and 0.93 ± 0.12). In this study serum levels of urea were significantly correlated with creatinine level (p < .001).
Conclusion: The commencement of HAART for the study population led to an increase in their CD4+ count. The levels of the renal markers creatinine and urea, showed a picture of an initial derangement but an attempt towards recovery by the system. These effects are indicative of a positive prognosis with regard to HIV/AIDS infection which resulted from the initiation of HAART (Combivir N).
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Abstracts
Aims: To evaluate the nutrient, antinutrient, mineral element and phytochemical compositions as well as acute toxicity profile of leaf extract of Microdesmis puberula.
Study Design: Quantitative nutrient, antinutrient and mineral elements assessment assays, quantitative phytochemical assays as well as acute toxicity test of leaf extract of Microdesmis puberula.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Nigeria, July 2016 - September 2017.
Methodology: Standard methods were used to evaluate the concentration of ash, moisture, crude protein, crude fibre, crude lipids, carbohydrate, phytic acid and hydrocyanide in the leaf extract of Microdesmis puberula. Levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and zinc were also evaluated in addition to the quantitative determination of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides.
Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and terpenes, while anthraquinones, phlobatannins and tannins were absent. Quantitative phytochemical determination (mg/100 g) gave the following: 12.80 ± 0.02, 5.85 ± 0.01, 2.48 ± 0.01 and 1.25 ± 0.01 for alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides respectively. Proximate analysis indicated moisture content (48.17 ± 0.07 %) with crude protein, crude fibre and lipid were also present in appreciable quantities. Mineral elements determination (mg/100 g dry weight) showed calcium (163.50 ± 2.01), iron (188.70 ± 2.50), magnesium (168.40 ± 1.50), potassium (42.55 ± 0.55) and zinc (40.80 ± 1.01). Antinutrient analysis indicated low levels of phytic acid (18.220 ±0.030), hydrocyanide (0.002 ± 0.000) and oxalate (1.861 ± 0.002). The LD50 (i. p. mice) of M. puberula was 2872.28 mg/kg.
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This research aims to investigate the Impact of Employee Personality Traits on Organizational Commitment among the employees of the apparel industry in Trincomalee. Based on the comprehensive literature review, two groups of variables were identifying in the workplace. Two variables were personality traits and organizational commitment. Personality traits include openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversions, agreeableness, neuroticism, Organizational commitment contains affective commitment, continuance commitment, and normative commitment.The sample was drawn employees of the apparel industry in Trincomalee District. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data from the sample. The primary data were collected through closed structure questionnaire from 200 respondents from selected garment factories in Trincomalee. Data analysis was used to analyses the primary data and data were analyzed by using univariate, bivariate and regression analyses.These outcomes show the analyzed data revealed that the personality traits are positively and significantly impact of organizational commitment. So, it can be revealed that there is a positive and significant impact on personality traits on organizational commitment in selected garment factories in Trincomalee District.
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This study was carried out to assess the impact of Foreign Trade and Foreign Direct Investment on Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria using annual time series data from 1980-2014. Inferential statistics were used for the analysis. Using Augmented Dickey Fuller test, the results shows that all variables were stationary in their first difference and that necessitated the application of Johansen co-integration test. The trace statistics of 59.28557 and maximum Eigen statistics of 32.58741 were greater than the critical values of 47.85613 and 27.58434 at 5% level of significance respectively. Both trace and maximum Eigen value indicates one co-integration equation. Further investigations based on Johansen co-integration test, indicate that long run equilibrium relationship exist among the variables of interest. The long run result shows a positive coefficient of 5.61 and 0.23 for Foreign Direct Investment and non oil export at 1% level of probability respectively. On the other hand, the coefficient of non oil import in the long run was negative (0.015) and significant at 1% level of probability. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) results show that there is no short run effect of foreign trade and foreign direct investment on agricultural productivity. It was recommended that importation should be discouraged, especially goods that the nation can produce or goods that the nation has comparative advantage in the production; Non oil goods exportation should be encourage through favorable trade policies, boosting the production of local industries and improving on the quality of Nigeria goods so as to compete favorably in the world market.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fermented soya bean supplements on thyroid profile and serum electrolytes of high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes in rabbits.Twenty rabbits weighing between 1 kg – 1.5 kg were used for the study. Diabetes was induced by feeding the animals with high fat diet for eight weeks. Rabbits having fasting blood glucose levels of 7.2 mmol/L and above after the induction were used for the study. The animals were grouped into four groups of five rabbits each: Group 1 (diabetic control) received distilled water ad libitum for six weeks; Groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed with 12.5%, 25% and 50% fermented soya bean supplements respectively for six weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the rabbits were euthanized by cervical dislocation and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture. The serum was extracted after clotting and centrifugation for the determination of thyroid profile and electrolyte levels. The results showed a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in serum T3 and T4 concentrations, and a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the serum TSH concentration in the groups fed with the supplements when compared with the diabetic control. Furthermore, as regards to the serum electrolytes concentrations there was a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in sodium ion concentration in the group fed 12.5% soya bean supplement when compared with the control and a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in potassium ion concentrations in all the groups fed with the soya beans supplements, as compared to control. Chloride ion concentrations were significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in groups fed 25% and 50 % supplement as compared to control, while bicarbonate ion concentrations were significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) in groups fed with 25% and 50% supplement when compared with the control. In conclusion fermented soya bean supplementation suppressed thyroid activity and improved serum electrolyte concentrations; it may be used to alleviate hyperthyroidism and electrolyte disturbances in diabetes patients.
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At pre-design stage of three wheeler automobile vehicle, engineers are posed to use simple models to show the fundamental and functional characterizations of the vehicle. Wobbling instability is consider as one of the major problems of a three wheeled automobile vehicle, and are of great interest to industry and academia. This study outlines the effect of applying camber angles on the handling and lateral stability of a three wheeled automobile vehicle and the use of a rigid body model with two variables, the sprung mass and un-sprung mass. This study investigates the effect of applying camber angles on the vehicle handling, lateral stability, ride comfort and skid of a three-wheeled automobile vehicle. Due to the unbalance nature of the vehicle, controlling the instability especially during turning, cornering and harsh maneuver is very challenging. Hence the stability is ensured by the introduction of an active camber system to the vehicle suspension system. Which are determined by modeling the (quarter car model) vehicle movement using harmonic and transient responses over isolated road bump model and the forces generated on each part of the suspension system are analyzed.
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This study evaluates the relationships between dimensionless basin geomorphometry and discharge in the Ikpa River. The basin was stratified into seven sub-units using [1] scheme. Geospatial tools were used in generating data for the digital elevation model, while dimensionless geomorphometric parameters were generated from topographic maps (sheet 322 NE; sheet 322 SE; sheet 323 SW; and sheet 331 NW) of the basin area drawn on a scale of 1.50,000. The sampled sub-basins were gauged and discharge measured by a surface float. Graphical analysis of discharge revealed wide variations between months and in seasons across sub-basins with the rainy season attracting highest volume of discharge and the corresponding fluvial processes. The regression analysis yields a coefficient of multiple determination (R) of 0.937, signifying a very high effect expressed by 87.8 of the proportion of variance in dimensionless geomorphometric parameters on discharge in Ikpa River Basin. Also, the computed F value yields 1.439, while the Table value tested at (0.05)5/2 confident level offers 19.30. The result led to the conclusion that variations in relief ratio, average bifurcation ratio, circularity ratio, elongation ratio and form factor have a significant effect on discharge in Ikpa River Basin. This paper recommends for prompt installations of state of the art river gauging and monitoring facilities to provide the needed information to the government, researchers, and individuals for the sustainable land and watershed development options (dam and irrigation) in the coastal plain of Ikpa River basin.
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Estimation of parameters (rate constants) in infectious disease models can be done either through literature or from clinical data. This article presents parameter estimation of a disease model from clinical data using the numerical integration followed by minimization of the error function. The error function is the overall sum of squared distances between the model-fitted points and the corresponding clinical data points at certain time points. Numerical integration was done using written Mat lab code using ode15s solver because of stiff nature of the disease models. Minimization of the error function was also done through a written Mat lab code using Mat lab routine “fmincon”.
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The nutrient composition and the acceptability of biscuit from composite flours of wheat and Pleurotus sajur-caju (PSC) mushroom were evaluated. Pleurotus sajur-caju (PSC) mushroom was dried, processed into flour and used to substitute wheat flour as composite flour. The composite flour was at 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30% level of mushroom addition, the resulting mixtures were then used to produce biscuits. The proximate composition, minerals, physical (spread ratio, weight, thickness) and sensory properties of the composite biscuit were evaluated. The protein content increased from 13.04% in the control (100% WF) to a range of 13.41% - 15.55%. in the biscuits; crude fibre increased from 2.10 to 2.16 - 2.93 %.; ash content increased from 1.52% to a range of 1.87 - 3.85%, while crude fat and carbohydrate reduced from 21.71 to 19.05 - 20.58% and 61.63 to 58.62 - 61.58% respectively. As the ratio of mushroom level increased, the mean, thickness, diameter, weight as well as the spread ratio increased. The result of the mineral analysis revealed that the sodium and potassium were the predominant mineral elements in the biscuit samples and the mineral composition increases with level of mushroom addition. There was no significant difference in the overall acceptability of the control (100% WF) and 5% mushroom substitution samples. This shows the viability of producing nutritious biscuits with desirable nutritional qualities from mushroom-wheat up to 10% mushroom substitution level.
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This study highlighted the 12-months prevalence of elder abuse in rural and urban communities in Imo State and also compared the pattern of elder abuse in both communities.A cross-sectional study of 371 rural and 314 urban participants aged 60 years and above was conducted between first week of April and last week of June, 2015. Information collated was on abuse types using interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square. The level of statistical significance (p- value) was set at < 0.05. Participants were recruited using multi-stage random sampling technique.The prevalence of elder abuse in the previous 12 months was 14.7% and 9.8% in the rural and urban communities respectively. The pattern of abuse types was financial abuse 30.2%, emotional abuse 26.0%, physical abuse 16.7%, neglect 11.9%, social abuse 1.8% and sexual abuse 1.6% in the rural communities. The pattern in urban communities was financial abuse 29.6%, neglect 13.0%, emotional abuse 8.3%, physical abuse 5.7%, sexual abuse 1.3% and social abuse 0.9%.In conclusion, this study has shown that abuse of the elderly is quite prevalent in both the rural and urban communities. Policies geared towards protecting these vulnerable senior citizens at both state and federal level will help to minimize this menace.
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Abstracts
The study assessed climate change adaptation options and their implications on mangrove resources in Bagamoyo District. A total of three villages and 158 respondents were involved. Close and open-ended questions and FGDs were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive and content analysis was used for qualitative data while SPSS (Version 20) and Microsoft excel were used for quantitative data analysis. Results indicated that, majority of respondents (>80%) were aware of the climate changes and majority perceived rainfall (Kaole 72.7%, Kondo 70% and Mbegani 43.9%) as a major climate change indicator. Analysis of the empirical data from TMA showed a decline of rainfall (y = -3.8748x + 978.1) and an increase of earth’s surface temperature of an average of 0.8°C (y = 0.4142x + 21.655) from 1985-2015. Unpredictable and shortage of rainfall and increased earth’s surface temperature in combination acted to reduce agricultural yields and fish catch in the surveyed villages. Different climate change adaptation strategies identified in the surveyed villages include; expansion of farms, modifying fishing activities and engagement into different income generating activities such as casual labour, and petty businesses. The identified adaptation options in Kaole seemed to have positive implications on mangroves resources i.e. effective mangrove restoration programmes while those identified in Mbegani and Kondo i.e. weak mangrove restoration programmes, commercial firewood and charcoal making were unsustainable and had negative implications on mangroves resources. Further studies on climate change adaptation, awareness raising and scientific studies on mangroves species composition, richness and restoration in a changing climate are recommended to enhance coastal community adaptive capacity and effective management of coastal resources.
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Abstracts
Potato common scab development was assessed under the traditional farming system (TFS) and modern farming system (MFS) using irrigation interval and side dressing of Sulphur-based fertilizer application along the ridge. The 4-day irrigation interval starting with the tuber formation suppressed the disease development significantly producing 33.6% and 22.2% reductions in scab incidence and severity, respectively. Sulphur applications [Wettable Sulphur and (NH4So4)] resulted in a significant decrease in incidence of 50 and 73% in TFS and MFS respectively; severity was also decreased by 44% and 60% in TFS and MFS respectively. The effect was particularly pronounced when Sulphur was applied at tuber initiation and to a lesser degree when it was applied at planting. The combined effect of short irrigation interval and Sulphur application under TFS had a synergistic significant impact on scab development resulting in ~ 60% and 55.6-58.3% reductions in incidence and severity, respectively. Significant increases in tuber yield of 138% and 91-103% were obtained under TFS and MFS, respectively, when Sulphur was applied at planting. However, the yield was comparatively less when Sulphur was applied at tuber initiation. These results indicate that the common scab of potato in Sudan can practically be managed through short irrigation interval and application of Sulphur-based fertilizers during the early stages of tuber formation at planting or tuber initiation.
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Abstracts
There has been much debate about changes of oxidative capacity in aging skeletal and heart muscle, and endurance capacity. Physiological changes during aging are associated with a decline in muscle mass, strength and endurance capacity. These changes in muscle structure and function are leading to disability in the aging population. The purpose of the present review is to discuss about decrease of oxidative capacity in adult and aging striated muscle tissue, changes in interaction between mitochondria and myofibrils and loss in life quality;describe the effect of increased functional activity(endurance exercise) on the oxidative metabolism.Decrease of endurance capacity (ability to keeo moving for longer time) during aging is related with reduced oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle due to decrease of mitochondrial biogenesis.Striated muscle cells with high oxidative capacity during endurance exercise hypertrophy. Muscle fibres with lower and low oxidative capacity do not hypertrophy during endurance type of exercise. Skeletal muscle respond to endurance exercise training by increasing the fibre composition towards increase of fibres with higher oxidative capacity at the expense of proportion of fibres with low oxidative capacity. Decease of oxidative capacity in muscle tissue lead to the decrease of muscle quality, cause disability and loss in life quality of aging population.Endurance exercise training is the effective way to increase the oxidative and endurance capacity.
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Abstracts
The investigation was aimed to electrodeposit chromium on mild steel surface from non-toxic trivalent chromium bath instead of toxic hexavalent chromium employed for this purpose. We observed the effect of pH, temperature, current density (C.E.) and also time on to the current efficiency. On the other hand we also observed the effect of the concentration of CrCl3 on the plating thickness and optical reflectivity. The optimum pH value and bath temperature are 3 and 40°C respectively to obtain highest current efficiency. On the other hand, 90 min deposition time was the best for high current efficiency. We also achieved good current efficiency at 20 A/dcm2 current density. But the plating thickness was increased with increasing the CrCl3 concentration in the electrolyte. In case of optical reflectivity, the result is totally opposite. Our findings will contribute to develop the products of plating industries.
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Abstracts
The 1984 World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "the extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspirations and satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment.” Health is a resource for everyday life. It is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. To maintain human health is a complex matter, thus the need to apply mathematics education, and in particular, linear programming knowledge and skills, in order to bring up a healthy community. Linear Programming is about making maximum benefit or minimum loss out of limited resources in daily life. Applications of linear programming date back to 1930 and were first attempted by the Soviet mathematician Leonid Kantorovich and by the American economist, Wasilly Leontief. Linear programming is applied in many health programs. These include; application of linear programming in health care, in the most affordable heath diet, in surgery, menu planning, food production and in feeding. Linear programming is used by farmers to determine how much space to be used for each crop especially when practicing mixed farming and for optimal health care resource allocation. Linear programming is also used in home health care and medical services. It is used in radiation therapy treatment, for menu planning in restaurants and in nurses scheduling. It is therefore recommended that the topic linear programming be taught to all Kenyan students irrespective of what career they hope to pursue. This will go a long way in enabling the Kenyan society to maintain good health at minimum cost.
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Abstracts
Background: Vitamin D deficiency is greater than expected all over the world and it is linked to many health and disease conditions.
Aim of the Work: Our work aimed to study the relation between serum level of vitamin D 25( OH ) and lipid parameters.
Patients and Methods: This study included 176 participants 88 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 88 clinically healthy volunteers age and sex matched persons with normal glycated hemoglobin as a control group and their age ranged from 30 to 60 years old. A full history and clinical examination were done for both patients and control group. Fasting samples (12hrs) for lipid parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, (HDL) and (LDH), serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level ,fasting blood sugar and 2 hour postprandial and (HbA1c).
Results: In this study 71 patients had vitamin D deficiency (80.7%) and 17(19.3%) patients had either vitamin D insufficiency or sufficiency. Compared to the control group which showed that 38 persons had deficient vitamin D (43.2%) and 50 (56.8%) had either vitamin D insufficiency or sufficiency, which demonstrate that there were high statistical significance difference between case and controls regarding to 25(OH)D with p-value <0.001. Although in diabetic patients with vitamin D deficiency, serum levels of total cholesterol, TG, and LDL were higher and HDL was lower compared to patients with vitamin D sufficiency, this association was statistically significant for serum level of TG (237.3 ± 120.9 vs. 186.3 ± 77.0), and HDL (33.5 ± 6.4 vs. 40.4 ± 13.2), with P=0.037 and 0.003, respectively. Also in the control group there was a statistically significant difference between participants with vitamin D deficiency when compared to those without regarding the mean values of triglycerides (257.4 ± 106.2 vs. 155.8 ± 108.9), and HDL (30.7 ± 10.1 vs. 44.3 ± 15.5), with P<0.0001. This study also revealed that there was a negative statistically significant correlation between vitamin D level and HbA1C (P=0.035) in diabetic group.
Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that serum concentrations of 25(OH) D were inversely associated with high TG and low HDL in both diabetics and control groups.
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Abstracts
Background: Vitamin D deficiency is greater than expected all over the world and it is linked to many health and disease conditions.
Aim of the Work: Our work aimed to study the relation between serum level of vitamin D 25( OH ) and lipid parameters.
Patients and Methods: This study included 176 participants 88 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 88 clinically healthy volunteers age and sex matched persons with normal glycated hemoglobin as a control group and their age ranged from 30 to 60 years old. A full history and clinical examination were done for both patients and control group. Fasting samples (12hrs) for lipid parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, (HDL) and (LDH), serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level ,fasting blood sugar and 2 hour postprandial and (HbA1c).
Results: In this study 71 patients had vitamin D deficiency (80.7%) and 17(19.3%) patients had either vitamin D insufficiency or sufficiency. Compared to the control group which showed that 38 persons had deficient vitamin D (43.2%) and 50 (56.8%) had either vitamin D insufficiency or sufficiency, which demonstrate that there were high statistical significance difference between case and controls regarding to 25(OH)D with p-value <0.001. Although in diabetic patients with vitamin D deficiency, serum levels of total cholesterol, TG, and LDL were higher and HDL was lower compared to patients with vitamin D sufficiency, this association was statistically significant for serum level of TG (237.3 ± 120.9 vs. 186.3 ± 77.0), and HDL (33.5 ± 6.4 vs. 40.4 ± 13.2), with P=0.037 and 0.003, respectively. Also in the control group there was a statistically significant difference between participants with vitamin D deficiency when compared to those without regarding the mean values of triglycerides (257.4 ± 106.2 vs. 155.8 ± 108.9), and HDL (30.7 ± 10.1 vs. 44.3 ± 15.5), with P<0.0001. This study also revealed that there was a negative statistically significant correlation between vitamin D level and HbA1C (P=0.035) in diabetic group.
Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that serum concentrations of 25(OH) D were inversely associated with high TG and low HDL in both diabetics and control groups.
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Are you searching for a reliable website for journals associated with various topics of medicine, science and technology? If your answer to the above question is yes, then SCIENCEDOMAIN international is an ideal choice for you. Our website has an extensive range of journals and articles that you can access for free. We believe in establishing a trustworthy relationship with our readers and this is why, we provide them high quality international pieces of research papers through our website.
Since establishment, we have been serving the most respected academicians from all over the globe by allowing them to showcase their research work on our site. We aim at promoting their content without any monetary barrier. We have been the first and foremost choice of a myriad of scholars and scientists, as all our policies are completely transparent that work well for our contributors.
At SCIENCEDOMAIN international, we have always laid emphasis on giving back something to the society, and we have successfully conducted this by sharing new ideas and theories through the journals linked to distinct fields. Our every journal is open to access, but we have a policy of charging for the subscription of the hard copies of the published work. We offer discounts of 25% on the bulk order of subscriptions as well as for the agency that arranges subscriptions of journals.
We are well-known to offer the toughest Advanced OPEN peer review system in which minimum two peers of the same field peer-reviewed high quality manuscripts. Our review system offers the provision to uncover the authors' and reviewers' identities to each other during the review process. In addition, we publish the details of every reviewer and academic editor on the published paper's first page, while publishing authors' feedback, review comments, different manuscript versions and editorial comments with the paper in the 'Review History' link.
So through our unique system, we have helped the reviewers to get their due respect and recognition by publishing their names with the papers. Therefore, our process has enabled the society to be highly beneficial in the long run, opposite of some rumors which state that we at SCIENCEDOMAIN international are a predatory publisher.
Please see more information below
1. http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/journals.php?la=en&fIDnum=%7C,&mode=advanced&id=1014&letter=ALL
2. https://www.change.org/o/sciencedomain_international
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Science Domain International is a new and promising publisher of STM journals from India. It is noteworthy that this publisher follows Transparent and robust “Open peer review” model. In 2013 an article published in famous Science journal (http://www.sciencemag.org/content/342/6154/60.full), which reported that out of total 304 journals, only 20 journals rejected a fake article after substantial peer review. Sciencedomain’s journal was among these few successful journals. It also provides wide indexing coverage and provides public proof for every claim of indexing. It also renders the service of
perpetual archiving with Portico, DOI for every article, plagiarism checking for each submission, etc. Many scientists from world famous universities like Harvard, Columbia University, Cambridge, University of Chicago, Yale University, University of Göttingen, etc published with Science Domain journals. All these examples clearly stand against the working principle of some predatory publishers, who don’t provide any peer review service and don’t provide the basic services of a standard scholarly publisher.
Please see more information below
1. www.preventionweb.net/organizations/17259
2. http://www.sciencedomain.n.nu/
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SCIENCE DOMAIN international offers a great opportunity to the scientists and scholars to publish their findings and research papers, so that the interested readers can easily access them through internet free of cost. Sciencedomain provide transparent advanced open peer review, indexing, DOI service, permanent digital archiving with Portico, etc. This publisher claims that a dedicated indexing team is working to include all journals in reputed indexing services or journal evaluation services or catalogue or reference citations, etc. As a result, within a short span of time their journals have been included in many databases and the number is increasing every month.
It is really commendable that this publisher strongly encourage authors to take more informed decision before submission of any manuscript. In order to help the authors to take 'more informed decision' and to substantiate their claims, this publisher is providing web-links/proofs beside most of their claims of indexing or journal evaluation services. They also advise that authors should visit the official site of the indexing organization or journal evaluation services before submitting any manuscript. This is really a good example for any publisher and authors may appreciate their efforts to maintain integrity and transparency.
Please see more information below
1. https://www.facebook.com/sciencedomain.org
2. https://spark.adobe.com/page/tv9XdEXw3IMfa/
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If you are searching for a reliable publisher, where you can find free journals on different topics of science, medicine and technology, then you can completely depend upon SCIENCE DOMAIN international. They have earned a good brand name in the industry by providing readers free access to high quality journals through internet. These journals behave as a prominent link between the scholars of science, technology, etc. and the enthusiasts, who want to attain in-depth knowledge through the published research work and journals.
It seems that authors and researchers are happy with the transparent peer review service provided this publisher. High quality peer review should attract appreciation from all authors, irrespective of the nature of the review decision (i.e. Acceptance or Rejection of manuscript). Some of the testimonials are available here: http://www.sciencedomain.org/page/authors-speak. It is also mention worthy that this publisher provide the proof/web link beside every testimonial. As the email IDs of the authors are available in the proof, anybody can cross-check the authenticity. It is a good practice indeed.
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Publication charge of Science Domain international
journals is extremely low compared to other open access publishers who often
charge several hundred or thousands of dollars from authors. It is commendable
that even at such low cost they are providing excellent and transparent OPEN
Peer review service, DOI, permanent digital Archiving, wide indexing, etc.
Papers published in Science Domain journals are attracting huge visitors as
more than two millions visitors visited their journals with more than 7.9
million page view (see: http://sciencedomain.org/announcement/publication-and-site-statistics-up-to-sept-2015).
It has attracted more than 22 thousands manuscript submission and published
more than ten thousands papers. It is really an exciting record for any new
publisher. Science Domain international journal Web sites provide the ability for users
to comment on articles to facilitate community evaluation and discourse around
published articles. Comment section is mainly dedicated to promote
"Post-publication peer review". Therefore, all Science Domain international journals strictly follow 'pre-publication OPEN
peer review' and strongly encourage "Post-publication peer
review". Science Domain international journals follow transparent and
toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system (Detailed general information
is available in this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_peer_review). High quality manuscripts are
peer-reviewed by minimum two peers of the same field. OPEN peer review system
provides the provision to reveal the identities of the authors and reviewers to
each other during review process. In order to add transparency further, details
of all reviewers and academic editors are published in the first page of every
published paper (in the Article Information section: see example). As a final step to provide highest level transparency in
the process, all review comments, authors' feedbacks, all versions of the
manuscript and editorial comments are published (along with date) with the
paper in 'Review History' link (See example 1, example 2, example 3, etc). This transparent process will help to eradicate any
possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff,
reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review.
Science Domain journals are determined to promote integrity in research
publication. Science
Domain journals follow
the guidelines, given by COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS (COPE) for any
publication disputes, authorship disputes, etc. Please see following three pages to know the related polices
followed by SDI journal.
a. General Editorial
policy: http://sciencedomain.org/page/sdi-general-editorial-policy
b. Plagiarism related
policy: http://sciencedomain.org/page/sdi-general-editorial-policy#SDI-plagiarism-policy
c. Correction and retraction
policy is available here: http://sciencedomain.org/page/sdi-general-editorial-policy#SDI_Correction_and_retraction_policy
Examples of some cases are
presented below. Detailed investigation reports and communications are
digitally archived.
1. Example 1 (http://sciencedomain.org/abstract/8409)
2. Example 2 (http://www.sciencedomain.org/abstract/8741)
3. Example 3 (http://sciencedomain.org/abstract/6115)
4. Example 4 (http://sciencedomain.org/abstract/6118)
Science Domain journals follow the excellent guidelines regarding ‘Principles
of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing’, established
by the Committee on Publication Ethics, the Directory
of Open Access Journals,
the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association and the World Association of
Medical Editors. Science Domain journals sincerely thank OASPA-DOAJ-COPE-WAME for this
great effort. Science
Domain journals additionally publicly publish a ‘self-compliance report’ for public and
scholarly scrutiny. Science
Domain journals
heartily welcome any valuable feedback to improve (see here: http://sciencedomain.org/journal/32/odc-compliance).
Since inception, this publisher is making constant
efforts to promote integrity and transparency. It is completely baseless libel
that SCIENCE DOMAIN international is a predatory publisher, as no other
publisher put these much efforts to adhere to best publishing practices.
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The Open Access (OA) movement started in 1960s and gained momentum in the 1990s with the advent of internet and digital archiving, etc. It was reported that the world famous physicist Leó Szilárd was one of the supporter of the basic principle of OA. Once in the 1940s, he suggested lightly that at the beginning of the career each scientist should be issued with 100 vouchers to pay for his papers. It is now possible to publish a scholarly article and also make it instantly accessible anywhere in the world where there are computers and internet connections or any other digital data access system. This social movement is mainly carried out by academia, dedicated to the principle of open access to information without any financial barrier to the reader/user, specially from the developing and under-developed countries. This movement slowly became the subject of much discussion among researchers, academics, librarians, university administrators, funding agencies, government officials, commercial publishers, and learned-society publishers.
Different Initiatives
In 1997, the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) made Medline, the most comprehensive index to medical literature on the planet, freely available in the form of PubMed. Usage of this database increased a hundredfold when it became free, strongly suggesting that prior limits on usage were impacted by lack of access. While indexes are not the main focus of the open access movement, free Medline is important in that it opened up a whole new form of use of scientific literature - by the public, not just professionals. In 2001, 34,000 scholars around the world signed "An Open Letter to Scientific Publishers", calling for "the establishment of an online public library that would provide the full contents of the published record of research and scholarly discourse in medicine and the life sciences in a freely accessible, fully searchable, interlinked form". In 2002, the Open Society Institute launched the Budapest Open Access Initiative. In 2003, the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities was drafted and the World Summit on the Information Society included open access in its Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action. In 2006, a Federal Research Public Access Act was introduced in US Congress by senators John Cornyn and Joe Lieberman. In November 27, 2009, the Manchester Manifesto came as an initiative from philosopher John Harris, Nobel-winning biologist Sir John Sulston, and 48 others from the Institute for Science, Ethics and Innovation (iSEI) at The University of Manchester.
Current status
OA movement is slowly becoming one of the strongest movements in scholarly publication and information sharing history. For example, in 2007, MIT OpenCourseWare, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to put all of the educational materials from their undergraduate and graduate level courses online, hit a monthly traffic record of over 2 million visits. Since 2003 efforts have been focused on open access mandating by the funders of research: governments, research funding agencies, and universities. Many countries, funders, universities and other organizations have now either made commitments to open access, or are in the process of reviewing their policies and procedures, with a view to opening up access to results of the research they are responsible for. Harvard University through the Harvard Open-Access Publishing Equity (HOPE) provides funds for the reimbursement of reasonable article processing fees for articles authored or co-authored by Harvard researchers published in eligible open-access journals. Stanford university, MIT, York university, Boston university, Duke university, University College London, etc are also supporting OA movement. As per SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition), only in US more than 120 presidents, provosts, and chancellors of many large, small, public, and private U.S. universities and colleges have gone on record in support of the Federal Research Public Access Act (2009-2010 introduction) as of July 19, 2010. SPARC international currently have over 800 institutions in North America, Europe, Japan, China and Australia.
Source: All data of this page have been compiled from different internet sources, which are available in public domain.
Disclaimer: This page is created for general awareness about OA movement.
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