ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Factors for the Low Adoption of Virtual Learning Environments in Universities of Western Uganda
Bukenya Moses, Nansamba Hadijah, Mwanje Derrick, Tumwebaze Godfrey
Page no 662-666 |
10.21276/sjeat.2018.3.11.1
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in higher learning institutions presents
a podium for academic material accessibility that entails creation, evaluation,
communication and general course administration with customizable interfaces. Virtual
learning environments are online based platforms which are used to ease the student’s
course content access and improving learning ability. Virtual learning environments
bear features such as collaborative tools, embedded external recourses, detailed
reporting logs, roles and permissions and calendars. However without finding out the
factors for the low adoption rates, the effort to implement VLE remains in question.
This paper discovers the factors that have brought about the low adoption rates of VLE
in higher learning institution. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative case
study research approach and a purposive (non-probability) sampling technique where
both staff and student respondents were selected from the case study institutions. A
survey questionnaire was administered to 22 staff members and 305 students making a
total of 327 respondents using Chris Morgan (1999) formula for sample determination.
The results indicated power fluctuations, poor internet connections, and luck of
management support, slow computers, and skills to access the VLE platforms as the
major factors. The research suggests that, institutional readiness assessment, Virtual
learning environments implementation framework, implementation policy formulation,
training of trainers and improving the infrastructure should be given a high priority if
VLE are to be successfully implemented in higher learning institutions.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Uric Acid Lowering Effect of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors, Febuxostat and Allopurinol in an Animal Model
Qura Tul Ain, Naveeda Manzoor, Naseem Saud Ahmad, Bushra Shaheen, Mahreen Akhtar
Page no 1264-1268 |
10.36348/sjmps.2018.v04i11.001
We had investigated the xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity and uric acid lowering effect of newly marketed xanthine oxidase inhibitor, febuxostat and compared its effect with allopurinol in vitro. In hyperuricemic animal model serum uric acid, lowering effect of these drugs was evaluated. Serial dilutions of febuxostat and allopurinol were made, ranging from100 µg/ml to 0.75µg/ml. Xanthine oxidase inhibition was carried out in vitro. Hyperuricemia was induced in Wistar rats by potassium oxonate injection on day 1, 3 and 7. Febuxostat and allopurinol (5mg/kg) once daily was given for 7 days. Serum uric acid was measured on day zero, 1, 3 and 7 by uricase method. Michaelis Menten equation was applied to calculate IC50, Vmax and Km. IC50 of allopurinol and febuxostat were 9.07 and 8.77 µg/ml respectively. Km and Vmax of febuxostat were 8.89 and 107.13 where as allopurinol showed Km 7.77 and Vmax 194.14.Graded dose response was observed for both allopurinol and febuxostat. Hyperuricemia was successfully induced with potassium oxonate. Treatment with allopurinol reduced serum uric acid levels up to 3.21±0.8mg/dl on day 7, but reduction was less than febuxostat 0.81 ± 0.12 mg/dl. From this study, we have concluded that febuxostat is an effective option for cases of hyperuricemia.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Investment of Human Capital through Educational Economic Values at Private Universities in Surabaya Indonesia
Muhammad Anang Firmansyah, Didin Fatihudin
Page no 1303-1306 |
10.21276/sjhss.2018.3.11.7
Higher education is not a form of cost but is one form of investment. This
form of return can be in the form of a high bargaining value when the relevant person
gets a job offer. Higher education not only has economic value in individuals, but in
society One of the economic values of higher education is the existence of
employment opportunities for the community when higher education is held in a
location where economic value can be in the form of employee recruitment or the
opening of new jobs in the informal sector for the surrounding community. The
challenge for the education sector is to develop educational systems capable of
improving basic education equity, education quality and relevance of education to
development needs, as well as science and technology education. Because everything
that has been proven to have direct and indirect impact on economic growth of the
Indonesia Economic.This study uses a qualitative approach with study methods case.
The data analyzed is the result of interviews with the field of service and direct
observation in the field of services and general fields, and review documents at
Private Universities in Surabaya
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Development, Characterization & Comparative Evaluation of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Potent Oral Delivery of Furosemide
Anurughma S, Neema George
Page no 1269-1285 |
10.36348/sjmps.2018.v04i11.002
The aim of the present study was to increase the solubility and thereby improve the oral bioavailability of Furosemide by incorporating the drug in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and in solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and also to compare the efficiency of NLC over SLN. Both the NLC and SLN were prepared by solvent diffusion method using labrafil m 2130 as solid lipid, capryol pgmc as liquid lipid, and tween 80 as surfactant. Properties of Furosemide loaded NLCs & SLNs such as drug content, entrapment efficiency, loading capacity, particle size, PDI , zeta potential, morphology, storage stability, in vitro drug release and mechanism of drug release were investigated and compared. Drug content, entrapment efficiency, loading capacity, average particle size, PDI and zeta potential of Furosemide NLC were found to 83.56%, 75.50%, 25.63%, 99.24nm, 0.302 and -31.2mV and that of Furosemide SLN were found to 84.55%, 71.07%, 24.62%, 193.4nm, 0.835 and -36.1mV respectively. Morphology study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed spherical particles with smooth surfaces. As compared to in-vitro drug release of Furosemide pure drug, both the NLC and SLN showed fast initial release followed by a sustained release, best fitted to Higuchi equation. Pure drug followed Zero order release kinetics. Furosemide NLC showed higher entrapment efficiency, drug loading capacity, in-vitro drug release, reduced the drug expulsion in storage when compared to SLN. This investigation demonstrated the efficiency of NLC over SLN for improved oral bioavailability of Furosemide and it was deduced that the liquid lipid (capryol pgmc)was the principal formulation factor responsible for the improvement in characteristics and pharmacokinetics of NLCs.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
The Influence of Postate Cancer Awareness Campaigns on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Men in South-Eastern Nigeria
Ifeanyi F. Didiugwu, Eze Emmanuel Obumneme, Apeh, Andrew C.
Page no 1281-1292 |
10.21276/sjhss.2018.3.11.5
This study was designed to investigate the influence of Postate cancer
awareness campaigns on the knowledge, attitude and practices of men in SouthEastern Nigeria. The study employed the survey method of enquiry. The population of
the study is 8,184,951 adult males in South-Eastern Nigeria. Five research questions
guided the study. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science
(SPSS). The result of the data analysed revealed that the awareness and knowledge
level on postate cancer is relatively low among the men in South-Eastern Nigeria.
Also, most information on postate cancer were made known to the respondents by
medical practitioners, however, those respondents that are exposed to the campaigns
agreed that the campaigns have influenced their behavior positively. The study
recommends that, awareness campaigns should be well structured both in English and
the target audience local language to sufficiently and effectively convey the Prostate
cancer campaign messages. Thus, the risks and the effects of the negative attitudes of
men towards this campaigns must obviously be stated citing relevant examples. Also,
campaign planners should involve the target audience/opinion leaders as participants
in the campaign and too, lower the age for screening, so that early detection and
prevention can be detected before it becomes late. There must always be emotional,
physical and psychological appeal in the campaign messages.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
A Scientific and Technical Approach to the Development of Device for the Extraction of a Nucleotide-Peptide Substance from the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an Activator of Ca2 + -Dependent NO Synthase
Marakhova AI, Zhuravleva MA, Stanishevsky Ya M, Kezimana P
Page no 1295-1298 |
10.36348/sjmps.2018.v04i11.005
А device for the isolation of nucleotide complex from biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells was developed, and the biological active substances in the extract were analyzed. The isolated nucleotide preparation can be used to stop oxidative stress and improve immunity. The developed device allows extraction of biologically active substances from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells in series by extractants: distilled water under the action of an alternating voltage with a frequency of 105 Hz, a solution of hydrochloric acid with pH = 1.0-1.5 without using voltage. After acid extraction, the extract was neutralized with sodium hydroxide solution. The extracts obtained were combined and dried. The technical result of the device is a more complete two-fold extraction of the nucleotide complex from native Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass. The use of our constructed device makes extraction of biologically active substances easier and complete. The content of biologically active substances, such as adenine nucleotides, amino acids, vitamins, micro-, macro- elements in the obtained extract was analyzed. A comparison of the activating effect of the isolated nucleotide preparation on Ca2+-dependent NO - synthase with T-activin was performed. Experiments showed that the nucleotide preparation, obtained by new device has a pronounced activating effect on Ca2+ -dependent NOS from rat thymocytes.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
The Influence of Social Effects, Trust in Government, Hedonic Motivation on Behavior taxpayers with Behavior Intention as an intervening variable case E-Faktur Indonesia
Maya Qodarsi, Syamsurijal, Luk luk Fuadah
Page no 270-278 |
10.36348/sjef
This study aims to analyze the behavior of the use of Information Systems in
registered taxpayers at the Palembang Middle Tax Service Office through the Unified
Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Specifically the purpose of this study was
to examine trust in government, hedonic motivation, and social influence on the Behavior
Intention and User Behavior of e-faktur and test Behavior Intentions towards User
Behavior of e-faktur. This research is Quantitative Descriptive Research. The sampling
method is proportional stratified random sampling method. The number of samples was
282 respondents are director and accounting major in company who registered in Middle
Tax Service Office Palembang. The method in this study is statistics using SmartPLS 3.0.
The results of this study indicate that trust in government has a significant effect on
Behavior Intention whereas behavior does not have an effect as well as Hedonic
Motivation which has a significant positive effect on behavioral intentions while behavior
does not affect. Social Influence does not have a significant effect on the Behavior
Intention and User Behavior of e-faktur. As well as Variable Intentions of Behavior
towards User Behavior e-faktur has a significant effect. In the next study we suggested
adding gender, age, experience and voluntary variables.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Familial Multiple Sclerosis
Radhakrishna H, Bimal Prasad P, Priyanka S
Page no 1357-1359 |
10.36348/sjmps.2018.v04i11.016
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important cause of neurological disability. Familial MS is uncommon in India and is seen mostly in the high prevalence countries like United States of America, Canada and New Zealand. In the present paper, two members of the same family were diagnosed as having MS. As the disease is uncommon, there was initial diagnostic difficulty in the first case. The clinical and radiological findings are described with a note on the treatment and follow up.
REVIEW ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Effectiveness of Micro Financing For Poverty Alleviation
Syed Zahid Abbas Naqvi, Muhmmad Hamza Qummar, Shahzad Ahmad, Syed Ali Raza Naqvi
Page no 279-281 |
10.36348/sjef
Poverty is a serious issue which is faced by masses around the world. This
study aims to determine whether the microfinance institutions established for the purpose
of reduction of poverty have been successful in achieving their objective or not. Primary
data was collected for the proposed research study through structured questionnaires. In
order to analyze the collected data multiple liner regression and paired t-test were applied.
Outcomes illustration that microfinance has a durable positive effect on children
education and enterprise financial performance. Though, there is varied indication found
on food security, household expenses and household assets. No effect has been detected
on housing and income smoothening of enterprise. Among other independent variables, it
was exposed that number of salaried persons was originate to be very important variable
contributing to the wellbeing of the microfinance clients
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Cost Analysis of Anti- Diabetic Drugs in India
Rabiya Ahamedi, K. Dileep, J. John Kirubakaran, M.D Dhanaraju
Page no 1291-1294 |
10.36348/sjmps.2018.v04i11.004
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs extremely due to a combination of sedentary lifestyle and following an imbalanced diet. Thus the medications are to be taken for life time. So there is a need for the prescribers to prescribe the medication which would be cost effective to the patients. This study was planned to analyse cost variations of antidiabetic drugs available in Indian market. There is a wide range of variations as the price of drug marketing in India. This paper gives the information regarding the drugs available for diabetes, their available brands, average cost and cost variations. Which help the physician in giving the drugs to the respective patient which are effective to them as well as which are cost efficient and are afforded easily by the patient. As a result of which there will less medication non-adherence and increased patient compliance. It was conducted by taking the maximum and minimum cost of anti- diabetic agents manufactured by different brands of same drug, strength and dosage forms. The data is obtained from the current index of medical specialties [CIMS] April-July 2018. The cost ratio and percentage cost variations were calculated for each anti-diabetic drug. The average percentage price variation of different brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drugs in Indian market is very wide.
REVIEW ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
The Structural Shift of China’s Foreign Exchange Reserves in the Trend Function
Gaolu Zou
Page no 282-287 |
10.36348/sjef
China’s foreign exchange reserves kept growing quickly for a decade;
however, they have decreased since 2014. The paper aims to test for a break date
probably existing on the trend function of foreign exchange reserve series. Monthly series
covered the period from January 2000 to March 2018. A standard ADF unit root test, an
ERS DF-GLS test along with the modified AIC, and an MZα test along with GLS
detrending were conducted. Structural shift tests were the Perron test (in a mixed IO
Model C and Model A or crash model), and the Zivot-Andrews test (in a mixed IO Model
C and Model A). Empirical analyses show that at least two unit roots exist in the variable,
implying a robust long memory. A break point took place most likely in January 2014.
US exit out of quantitative easing (QE) and federal funds interest rate hikes may be (at
least partially) attributable to the shift.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Local Infiltration of Ropivacaine Hydrochloride 0.20% for Postoperative Analgesia in Caesarean Section under Spinal Anaesthesia - A Randomised Study
Anju Gautam, Nidhi Sharma, Bhupendra Muzalda, Neelima Tandon
Page no 1316-1320 |
10.36348/sjmps.2018.v04i11.009
Smooth and complication free postoperative period is always desired after completion of surgery in every case but it becomes more important in case in ceaserean section as patient has to start nurture newborn immediately. All the techniques for multimodal analgesia have some or other side effects and thus they have to be used very cautiously in postoperative ceaserean section patient as they can adversely affect health of the baby also. Local infiltration of ropivacaine is effective analgesic and wit lesser side effects than pharmacological drugs. Our hypothesis is that local ropivacaine infiltration reduces postoperative pain in patients undergoing ceaserean section. This randomized control study was conducted on 60 patients of ASA grade 1 and 2 after taking ethics committee approval. Group I (n=30) is control group with no local infiltration and Group II (n=30) local infiltration of 20 ml Inj. Ropivacaine 0.2% at incision site. Diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressure, heart rate were measured throughout the procedure. Time of rescue analgesia and VAS score was recorded postoperatively. local infiltration of 0.2% ropivacaine provides postoperative analgesia. Mean duration of rescue analgesia in group I was 115.67±4.09 that was significant (p<0.05) in comparison to group II 147.17±4.67. local infiltration of 0.2% ropivacaine reduces postoperative pain in patients of ceaserean section under spinal anaesthesia.
REVIEW ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
Effect of Pension Industry Investments on Financial Intermediation in Nigeria
Okparaka Vincent C, Agbaji Benjamin Chukwuma
Page no 288-294 |
10.36348/sjef
This paper examined the effect of pension industry investment on financial
intermediation in Nigeria. The study used Ex-post facto research design. Its specific
objectives were to examine the effect of Pension fund investment in Federal government
bonds, Pension fund investment in State government bonds and Pension fund investment
in Private sector bonds on financial intermediation in Nigeria. Ordinary Least Square
regression was used as analysis technique. It was found that Pension fund investment in
Federal government bonds has positive and no significant effect on financial
intermediation in Nigeria; Pension fund investment in State government bonds has
negative and no significant effect on financial intermediation in Nigeria; and Pension fund
investment in Private sector bonds has positive and no significant effect on financial
intermediation in Nigeria. This implies that a unit change in pension fund investment do
not lead to significant increase in financial intermediation. Based on the findings of the
study it was concluded that pension industry investments have insignificant effect on
depth and liquidity of financial intermediation in Nigeria. It was recommended that the
pension industry should spread its investments beyond financial instruments in order to
widen its investments portfolio and aid a larger sphere of the economy with its
intermediation.
CASE REPORT | Nov. 30, 2018
Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis with Giant Papillae as Manifestation of Post Streptococcal Syndrome: Report of the First Case and Review of the Literature
Said Iferkhass, Nihad El halouat, Hatim Boui, Anas Bouassel, Abdalkader Laktaoui
Page no 1286-1290 |
10.36348/sjmps.2018.v04i11.003
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is an unusually severe allergic eye disease, occurring mainly in children. Giant papillae are frequently observed on the upper tarsal conjunctiva and expose, sometimes, to severe corneal complications, involving the visual prognosis. Other allergic states, conjunctival staphylococcus aerus and worm intestinal infection, were frequently associated with VKC. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl followed for five years for severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis resistant to treatment with topical corticosteroid. In front of, the high ASLO title, the isolation of pyogenic streptococcus in the throat swab culture, and the presence of a chronic pansinusitis, the diagnosis of a post-streptococcal syndrome was retained. The patient is treated with protected amoxicillin for 12 days. The evolution was spectacular with almost total disappearance of the giant papillae without any recurrence, after 6 months of follow-up. In our knowledge, this case is the first case of vernal keratoconjunctivitis with giant papillae reported as being a post-streptococcal immune complication. Ophthalmologists, confronted to vernal keratoconjunctivitis, should consider post-streptococcal syndrome as a possible cause. The search for an increasing title of ASLO and streptococcal infectious evidence can establishes the association.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | Nov. 30, 2018
International Capital Flows and Industrial Performance in Nigeria (1990-2015) Cointegration, DOLS and Granger Causality Approach
Olayemi Henry Omotayo, Aderemi Timothy Ayomiytunde, Ogunade Ayomide Olayinka, Eyeke Anayo Valentine
Page no 295-301 |
10.36348/sjef
It has been observed in the recent time that the bulk of studies on foreign
capital flows in Nigeria focused on aggregate economic performance, neglecting the
performance of industrial sub-sector. In order to move the frontiers of knowledge in this
regard, the paper critically examined the relationship between international capital flows
and industrial performance in Nigeria using Cointegration, DOLS and Granger Causality
Approach. The study extracted data from CBN Statistical Bulletin and UNCTAD
investment report from 1990-2015. Consequently, in order to address the objective of this
study necessary diagnostic tests such as unit roots, co-integration and Pairwise Granger
Causality Tests were estimated. The findings that emerged from this paper is as follows:
long-run effect shows that foreign direct investment and external debt have a significant
positive relationship with industrial performance in Nigeria. However, the remittances
though have a positive relationship with industrial performance in Nigeria, but are not
significant. Also, there is a unidirectional causality which runs from industrial
performance to FDI inflows in Nigeria. Hence, this paper recommends that Nigerian
government should see inflows of foreign capital as a viable catalyst that has the capacity
to propel the expansion of the country`s industrial sector, and the policy makers in the
country should embark on policy measures that will ensure the sustainability of foreign
direct investment inflows and external debt towards the direction of industrial sectors in
Nigeria. In the same vein, larger percentage of remittances should be tailored towards
industrial sector in the country. If foreign capital flows is sustained there will be industrial
revolution in the economy in the nearest future.