International Journal of Applied Science and Research

Grigory Andreevich Korablev

ABSTRACT: It is shown that in biophysical systems a stable state is achieved and maintained under the condition of equality of entropic and negentropic characteristics. In relation to this condition, some principles of longevity for living systems are given, and rules for their implementation are given.

Keyword: principles of longevity, movement, rest, entropy, equilibrium systems.

EMMANUEL ALPHA, HAWA R.M ALPHA, ANTHONY KAMARA, FRANCESS SIA SAQUEE

ABSTRACT: A total of nineteen (19) clones of CIRAD Indonesia oil palm seedlings were planted in 2015 at the Goldtree clonal garden in Daru, Jawei chiefdom, Kailahun District, Sierra Leone. They were improved imported varieties from Indonesia. These seedlings were nursed in January 2015 at the Goldtree nursery site at Daru and transplanted in June 2015. The aim of the research was to evaluate pests affecting mature CIRAD Indonesia oil palms planted in 2015 at the Goldtree clonal garden in Daru. The experimental design consisted of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with nineteen clones as the treatments. Three sets of five of the mature oil palm trees were randomly selected and tagged from each clone and formed the samples for three (3) replications used. Data was collected on redpalm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) incidence, Rhinoceros beetle incidence and Mammalian rats (Rattus rattus diardii) incidence. The data was subjected to statistical analysis. The results obtained showed significant differences among the clones. Further examination of the mean scores for each clone revealed various levels of the variables; some clones showed least and highest red palm weevil incidence, other clones showed least and highest rhinoceros beetle incidence whilst certain clones showed least and highest mammalian rats attack. This confirmed that there is variability among the clones. Moreover, the proper management practices on these clones could assure farmers and the company of having high yield and improved breeding materials for subsequent planting, and thereby contributing to the achievement of Food Security in Sierra Leone.

Keyword: INCIDENCE.

Hindowa Batilo Momoh

ABSTRACT: Electoral disputesare not infrequent particularly before, during and in post-elections.There are historical footnotes that these electoral disputes/violence are caused by various factors and evidently manifest in so many ways within the electioneering process. The fundamental need to understand the dynamics around electoral violence remains germane to limiting the risk of electoral dispute, which has the potential to improve the quality of democracy in Africa. This is so because electoral disputes negatively impact on the survivability and health of buddingdemnocracies and,if not handled efficiently, could have a cataclysmic impact on the political stability and, by implication, on thesocio-economic development of a country. To this end, there is the exigency to recalibrate and reingeneer informal and alternative dispute resoliution mechanisms that can effectively and expeditiously settle and determine these disputes within the Judicial system and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms of a nation. The main thrust of this article is to recalibrate andbring to the fore the framework (legal and regulatory)employed in resolving electoral disputes in Sierra Leone. It argues that while the judiciary system is established by the 1991 Constitution to handle disputes arising from electoral processes, alternative electoral disputes resolution mechanisms established by the Elections Management Bodies (EMBs) continue to prevent disputes from arisingor sliding into outright violence.The article concludes that EDRMs are quintessential and pivotal in preventing, resolving and managing electoral disputes and providing stable electioneering process in Sierra leone.

Keyword: elections management, electoral disputes, judiciary, electoral process,

Azza A.K. El-Sheikh 1,2,*, Faten A. AlRadini 3, Malak T. Bokhamseen 3, Ameera I. Alhariqi 3, Malak O. Aldossary 3, Shahla H. Alhussein 3, Mona S. Alalyani 3

ABSTRACT: Body weight image dissatisfaction may motivate females to use over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for targeting ideal body weight. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of self-image perception and the prevalence of use of OTC agents for weight control. Thus, a questionnaire has been distributed among female student participants at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia. Results showed that large number of the participants had correct self-image perception. From those who misperceived their image, 24.5% were underweight, 39.8% overweight and only 8.6% obese. Only 6% of the participants were using drugs for weight control, which was not significantly correlated with body mass index or health habits. The majority of drug users were from non-health colleges (60%). Participants who tried to control their weight with methods other than drugs were more prevalent among normal weight individuals and underweight. In conclusion, body image misperception may be a factor leading to the abuse of OTC pharmaceutics for weight control and correlated with the notably low levels of awareness of drugs' adverse effects. Since most of drug users were students in non-health colleges, health education for rational drug use for weight control is recommended.

Keyword: Prevalence, over-the-counter drugs, weight control.

Mallam Bukar Jidda* and Eunice Anjikwi Mshelia

ABSTRACT: Field experiment was conducted during the dry season (February to June, 2020) at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Maiduguri, Borno State to assess the effect of sowing date and groundnut cultivar on the incidence of seedling damping-off induced by Aspergillus niger. Three groundnut cultivars (Ex-dakar, Kampala and Bomboy) and three sowing dates (4 February, 11 February and 18 February) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Varying sowing date within the month of February did not significantly affect seedling damping-off and yield components. However, the effect of sowing date was enhanced by its combination with cultivar. Ex-dakar sown on 11 February had significantly (P≤0.05) lower pre-emergence damping-off incidence than the other cultivars sown on the same or different dates. Number of emerged seedlings, pre-emergence damping-off, plant height and haulm yield varied significantly (P≤0.05) among cultivars. Preemergence damping-off ranged from 24.2 to 59.7 % among the cultivars. The least affected was Ex-dakar while the most affected was Kampala. Ex-dakar had the tallest (34.9 cm) plants and highest haulm yield of 2889 kg/ha. Kampala exhibited the shortest (14.1 cm) height and lowest haulm yield (1083.3 kg/ha). The results from this study suggests that Ex-dakar with the lowest pre-emergence damping-off and highest pod and haulm yield would be the first choice for dry season planting, especially in the second week of February in Northeastern Nigeria.

Keyword: sowing date, damping-off, Aspergillus, collar rot, cultivar

Onuoha, E.U.,Ani, A.O.,Anaeto, F.C., Umunakwe, P.C.&Okereke-Ejiogu, E.N.

ABSTRACT: The study analyzed the determinants of use of medicinal plants for the treatment of small ruminants' diseases in in Imo State, Nigeria. The contributions of small ruminants in rural livelihoods and the rising importance of alternative medicine necessitated the study. Two hundred and forty small ruminant farmers selected using multistage sampling procedure participated in the study. Data were collected using interview schedule and the variables were analyzed using percentage and mean score. The hypothesis was tested using multiple regression model. Results showed that rashes (73%), cough (69%) and retained placenta (69%) were the most prevalent diseases in the area. Eighteen indigenous plant species were identified as being used in the treatment of diseases among which were Psidium guajava (45%), Mangifera indica (44%), Afromomummeiegueta (41%) and Amaranthus hybridus (40%). The most popular methods of preparation/administration included squeezing (95 people), chewing (36 people) and grinding (20 people). The hypothesis showed thatage, marital status, educational level, herd size, sources of information, annual income, source of credit and major occupation determined the use of indigenous plant species for treatment of livestock diseases by the farmers. It was recommended that socioeconomic characteristics of farmers be considered while promoting the use of indigenous medicinal plants.

Keyword: Socioeconomic determinants, farmers, medicinal plants, use, treatment, small ruminant, animal diseases, Nigeria

N.Viviellenie 1 , B. Azhaili 2 , AB. Ruzanah 3, Hasim Awang 4, Imran Ali 5

ABSTRACT: Passive Design is design that uses the advantage of the climate for maintaining the thermal comfort inside the room. Comfort inside the house can be achieved with less dependence on artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation, and the application of eco-friendly materials. Timbers and bamboos are examples of eco-friendly materials which are excellent in lessen heat flow and with proper inlet and outlet allow natural ventilation thus giving comfort to occupants. These materials are widely used in the construction of Iban longhouses in Sarawak, Malaysia. Therefore, a study has been conducted to assess the presence of passive building design approach in the Iban longhouse in Sarawak. In the study, site observation with photo analysis, experimental work and CFD simulation by Autodesk CFD software were carried out at eight selected Iban longhouses in Sarawak. This study found that Iban longhouses practice passive building design. Iban longhouse implements passive design strategies in achieving comfort for occupants. This contributes to natural adaptation to the hot and humid weather conditions in the tropical climate. The findings are expected to generate ideas for bioclimatic building design for other modern terrace houses in a tropical climate. In conclusion, the Dayak traditional longhouse in Sarawak, Malaysia is a good example of bioclimatic building design of the past.

Keyword: Passive Design, Long House, Thermal Comfort, Computational Fluid Dynamics

Willem Francois Esterhuyse

ABSTRACT: We develop symbols for proving Modus Ponens, Modus Tollens and Syllogism more easily. We also develop axioms for these purposes. We do this by postulating certain operators having axioms of application. We state that Logical Structures (LS) requires only one level of abstraction and less symbols than Standard Logic. Standard Logic requires three levels of abstraction to prove the same. The Pilosophical advantage of LS is that it states reasonig clearer, preciser and is closer to written or spoken language than Standard Logic. LS is a second order logic since quantification over enclosures is allowed. The symbols can also be used to construct advanced "Mind maps" of knowledge. This is a major reason for introducing this alternative.

Keyword: Logical Structures, Logic, Modus Ponens, Modus Tollens, Syllogism.

Ani Susanti

ABSTRACT: This study aims to examine the situational leadership of the head of Uemalingku village, Ratolindo Subdistrict, Tojo Una-Una District, Indonesia. The population of this studywas the Uemalingku staff. It involved 7 respondents determined purposively. Data were collected by field observations, in-depth and structured interviews, and documentation. It used both primary data and secondary data. The data were analyzed interactively covering data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the study show that one of the four indicatorsdoes not work well, namely telling, which is related to directing or explaining work to subordinates. It means that the head of villagehas not been able to explain and direct his subordinates their duties in detail. Overall, it can be concluded that the situational leadership of the head ofUemalingkuvillage, Ratolindo Sub-district, Tojo Una-Una District is quite effective and he affects the subordinates' level of motivation in carrying out public services to the community.

Keyword: leader, leadership, situational leadership, government, village.

Romina Dedi

ABSTRACT: The consequences of postpartum depression are multidimensional. He can be a threat to the quality of health of the whole family. It has negative impacts in three major areas which are mother, child and family themselves. Mothers are more likely to develop poor quality of life, recurrence of depressive episodes, insecure relationship with the child, attachment problems, interact less, be less functional, have marital problems. Children are more likely to have social, cognitive and emotional problems. The data show that postpartum depression also has negative effects on the mental health of fathers, suggesting that in such cases an assessment and treatment of the whole family is needed. Given the fact that postpartum depression affects many aspects of family life as a whole and each member in particular, I think it is very important to prevent it. Therefore, this study will analyze different alternative methods that have been used to prevent this phenomenon and based on their success to create a package of psychological intervention. The application of this intervention package to mothers predisposed to postpartum depression, has as its main goal the prevention of postpartum depression in these mothers. From the analysis of various studies on the prevention of postpartum depression, it results that cognitive-behavioral therapy is more effective. Cognitive-behavioral orientation therapy has had the best results in preventing this phenomenon in predisposed mothers.

Keyword: postpartum depression, pregnancy, prevention, psychological therapy.

Shirley Onyinye Odunze-Akasiugwu

ABSTRACT: Detailed down-dip, bed-by-bed sedimentary logging of outcrops of the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) transition in the Oji River-Awka area of southeastern Nigeria, was carried out to identify the stratigraphic components, the ichnological aspects and to integrate the lithofacies and ichnological characteristics to decipher the paleoenvironmental interpretation. Facies analysis reveals six lithofacies association, namely; Lower sandstone unit, lower mudrock unit, middle sandstone unit, middle mudrock unit, upper sandstone unit and upper mudrock unit. The sandstone components of the facies association are deposited in tidally influenced fluvial channel while the mudrock units represent sedimentation in proximal lagoon and offshore settings. The trace fossils encountered in the study area belong to three ethological categories: (i) domichnia (ii) Fugichnia and (iii) Fodichnia. Five ichnogenera identified belong to Cruziana and Skolithos ichnofacies, namely; Ophiomorpha, skolithos, rhizocorallium, diplocraterion, teichichnus and thalassinoides. The gross sedimentary characteristics, facies relations of the facies association and the trace fossil assemblage reflect deposition in shallow marine environments.

Keyword: Createcous-Tertiary transition, lithofacies, ichnology and ichnofacies

David Lumaile Tshanga, Zeleke Worku and Mammo Muchie

ABSTRACT: About three million people live and work in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. The perception of people who live and work in the City was assessed by gathering data from a sample of 402 people who live in the City on 57 indicators of satisfaction with the quality, affordability and efficiency of municipal services (water, sanitation, electricity, waste removal, safety and security, and the maintenance of roads, street lights and municipal infrastructure. The study found that about 76% of respondents were happy with the quality of municipal services provided to them. Perceived satisfaction with various aspects of municipal services was measured by using a measurement tool defined by Ananda and Pawsey (2019). The results identified 3 influential mediating factors of service excellence. The three influential mediating factors were resolving queries from customers on municipal accounts promptly, the effective use of the Help Desk for assisting customers who require help, and the effective collection of municipal bills from customers.

Keyword: Service excellence, City of Tshwane, Structural Equations Modelling.

Ann Mwangi 1 , Joseph Kweri 2 , Cyrus Kamau 3 , James Kanyoni 4 , Peris Macharia 5, Caroline Sigei 6 , Rono Walter 7 , Michael Mwangi 8 , Jane Karanja 9 .

ABSTRACT: The relative teratogenicity risks of lamotrigine the mostly used antiepileptic medicines on the development fetal memory circuitry structures following in-utero exposure remains unclear. Though some studies have reported that the in-utero exposure to lamotrigine may perturb the normal morphogenesis of the fetal brain, there is paucity of data on its histostereological teratogenic effects on the development of the fetal prefrontal and medial temporal cortices the key components of memory circuitry system. In addition, data on the e histoanatomical quantitative effects following exposure to varied doses and at differing gestational periods is generally lacking. The broad objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the maternal outcomes on the development of prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe following their in-utero exposure to varied doses and at different gestational periods in albino rats. A post-test only experimental design with control group study design was adopted in conducting the study. Animal experimentation was carried out at Small Animal Facility for Research and Innovation (SAFARI) animal house while tissue processing for histology and stereological analysis will be done in the department of human anatomy. A Sample size of 30 albino rat dams (Rattus norvegicus) weighing between 230+30grams were used in the study as determined by use of the resource equation for One Way Analysis of Variance method. These 30 Albino rats were divided into 2 broad groups of 3 control and 27 experimental rats. To evaluate the maternal pregnancy outcomes of lamotrigine on differing doses, the 27 rats in the experimental group were further subdivided into three study groups of 9 rats as follows; (i) Low lamotrigine group (25mg/kg) (ii) Medium lamotrigine group (327.5mg/kg) and (iii) High lamotrigine group of (500mg/kg). To further evaluate the comparative effects of lamotrigine on differing gestation periods, the 9 rats in each of the three dose categories were further be sub-divided into three groups of 3 rats according to trimesters as follows; (i) Trimester I-(3rats); (ii) trimester II-(3rats) and (iii) trimester III-(3rats) respectively in each study group. Data on pregnancy outcomes that forms the parametric data (inferential data) was collected using structured checklists, stored and coded in excel spreadsheets windows 10, version 2013. It was then be exported for analysis to SPSS programme for windows version 25 for analysis (Chicago Illinois). Data was expressed as mean+ standard error of the mean (SEM) for all values. It was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparison tests. All results whose P<0.05 will be considered to be significant considered.

Keyword: Lamotrigine, Anticonvulsant, Teratogenic, Histostreology.

Emre Avcı 1 and Gülçin Alp Avcı 2*.

ABSTRACT: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a complication that develops due to progressive diabetes, and it is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in both type I and type II diabetes. Many genes are known to contribute to the development of DN. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is the most common single nucleotide polymorphism and the ACE gene is thought to be crucial in the DN' pathogenesis. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the ACE gene I/D polymorphisms, which we think that it is effective in diabetic nephropathy. Ninety DN patients (30 Male/60 Female), and 45 Non-Diabetic Nephropathy patients (15 Male/30 Female) and 30 healthy individuals (control groups) were included in the work. DNA genotyping was performed by PCR amplification using primers specific for ACE I/D. I/D genotypes and allele distributions were significantly different in DN compared to non-DN patient (x2=21.174, P=0.0000142). DN patients had a significantly higher prevalence than patients with non-DN patients according to D allele and DD genotype. In our studies, a significant relationship is observed between ACE I/D polymorphism and DN.

Keyword: Diabetic nephropathy, diabetes mellitus, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), polymorphism

Hendra Daniel Willar, Saiful Darman, Sitti Chaeriah Ahsan, Nawawi Natsir

ABSTRACT: This study aims to identify the implementation of corporate social responsibility policies concerning community empowerment in the industrial area of PT. Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (PT. IMIP). This study used a qualitative approach involving internal and external parties of PT. IMIP as informants. The internal parties were representatives of the company, while the external parties were the government and the community who benefit from the CSR implementation of PT. IMIP. The informant was determined by purposive sampling technique meaning that the researcher deliberately chose informants who were considered to know the problems of the study with a total of 15 people. Data were collected by observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Then, the data were analyzed through simultaneous interactive analysis including (1) data condensation, (2) data display, and (3) conclusion drawing/verification. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of CSR policies in the community empowerment of PT. IMIP is quite effective. Of the six aspects studied (policy standards and objectives; policy resources; communication between organizations; characteristics of implementing agents; economic, social, and political conditions; and attitude of implementing agents), only one aspect has not run well, namely aspects of economic, social, and political conditions, especially the parameters of political conditions.

Keyword: CSR, implementation, policy, empowerment, PT. IMIP

Willies Ntshani

ABSTRACT: The City of Tshwane renders municipal services to about 3 million people. The perception of people who live and work in the City was assessed by gathering data from a sample of 402 people who live in the City on 57 indicators of satisfaction with the quality, affordability and efficiency of municipal services (water, sanitation, electricity, waste removal, safety and security, and the maintenance of roads, street lights and municipal infrastructure. The study found that about 76% of respondents were happy with the quality of municipal services provided to them. Perceived satisfaction with various aspects of municipal services was measured by using a measurement tool defined by Ananda and Pawsey (2019). The results identified 3 influential mediating factors of service excellence. The three influential mediating factors were resolving queries from customers on municipal accounts promptly, the effective use of the Help Desk for assisting customers who require help, and the effective collection of municipal bills from customers.

Keyword: Gauteng Province, Municipal services, Efficiency in municipal service delivery

1 Wamalwa Peter Wekesa, 2 Prof. Patrick Acleus Kafu, 2. Dr. Edwin Nyongesa Masibo, 3. Dr. Wambeye Kimweli Marakia

ABSTRACT: The rapid pace of economic development in the world has initiated and demand for technological growth in education and training system as a global yard stick for continuous improvement. As internet connectivity expands, online education and training content becomes readily available. This, therefore, calls for broader networking opportunities and adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to improve access and performance in education and training for lifelong learning. There is a marked improvement by the government investment in e-learning in tertiary institutions in Kenya while trainees' performance in national tests is declining. The specific objectives of this study were: to determine the influence of trainers' based individual factors about elearning adoption and trainees' performance in selected engineering programmes in TVET institutions in Kenya, to examine the influence of technological based factors in the adoption of e-learning paradigm and trainees' performance in selected engineering programmes of TVET institutions in Kenya, to evaluate the extent to which institutional based factors about e-learning adoption influenced trainees' performance in the selected engineering programmes of TVET institutions in Kenya and, to determine the influence of trainers' demographic factors in adoption of e-learning paradigm and trainees' performance in the selected engineering programmes of TVET institutions in Kenya. The target population for the study was 5544 comprising of the principals, trainers, technicians and trainees from 14 technical institutions that were implementing e-learning between 2016 and 2020. This research study used a sample size of 568 people from four technical institutions. Standard multiple linear regressions at α= .05 was used to test the determinants of trainers' adoption (individual, technological and institution) of e-learning have significant statistical influence on trainees' performance in national examinations in TVET institutions in Kenya. The study therefore recommends that: the Ministry of Education should train TVET trainers and equip them with e leaning competences.

Keyword: Trainers' e-learning adoption Trainees' performance,

Michael, Itoro Tim*, Iseh, Matthew Joshua, Ikpang, Ikpang Nkereuwem, George, Ekemini Udoudo, and Bassey, David Ita

ABSTRACT: This paper fits a lognormal probability model to the weights of Students of the Akwa Ibom State University. A sample of 983 Students was drawn from the Medical Centre of the Institution's Main Campus, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State. Some exploratory data analyses were carried out to observe the behavior of the data set graphically. A chi-square test is used to ascertain whether or not the weights of students are log-normally distributed. From the graphical displays and the chi-squared test results, it is observed that the weights follow lognormal distribution even though the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters are quite influential on the results at α≥ 0.11% significance level.

Keyword: Chi-Square Test, Lognormal Distribution, Maximum Likelihood Estimates, Weights of Students

Talaat M. Hammad 1* , Nasser K. Hejazy 2

ABSTRACT: Cu1-xNixFe2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) nanoferrites were organized by means of co-precipitation technique. The influence of Ni2+ substitutions on the structure, morphological, optical, magnetic properties of Cu1-xNixFe2O4 nanoferrites were studied. XRD patterns of synthesized samples exhibit the single-phase formation of spinel crystalline structure besides any trace of impurity. The substitution of Ni2+ in Cu1-xNixFe2O4 outcomes in a minimize of particle size from 20 to 11 nm. In addition, the lattice constant always decreased from 8.362 to 8.345 8 Å by increasing the concentration of Ni2 ions. Particle sizes obtained from TEM micrographs correspond to crystallite size calculated in the XRD results. The FTIR spectra of Cu1-xNixFe2O4 display two primary extensive metal-oxygen bands. The band gap energy of nanoferrites will increase from 3.32 to 3.62 eV with an increase the content of Ni2+ ions. The magnetic properties of the samples were measured using a superconductive quantum interferometer (SQUID) system at room temperature. The findings showcase that the magnetic properties of copper ferrite are noticeably impacted by the amount of Ni2 ions doping. When the quantity of nickel ions increases, the saturation magnetization increases as seen from the M-H loops.

Keyword: Magnetic; Optical properties; Magnetic properties; Nickel Nano Ferrites.

Sujata Mullick 1 , Dr Anoop Khanna 2

ABSTRACT: Purpose: The purpose of this research is to understand the correlation between access to health care and participation of rural women in Self Help Groups (SHGs). The study also focuses on the access to finances through SHGs and its impact on the overall empowerment the women members. Methodology: Mixed methods design was used to undertake the study covering women members from functional and non-functional SHGs in the delta region of Sundarbans, West Bengal, India. Structured interview tool was used for 234 members of sampled SHGs across the two categories; functional and non-functional. Qualitative tools were used to capture views of the other stakeholders such as local leaders, Frontline Health Workers. Descriptive analysis and binary regression analysis were used to find the comparison between the two categories. Findings: The more vulnerable members-representing poorer, less literate, disadvantaged social groups, reflected higher propensity to slip into non-functional SHGs. A significant association was found between functionality of groups and women believing it is important to take care of their own health. The functional SHG members are more aware about the dietary needs and immunization needs of children below two years. Overall, significant association with functionality of groups emerged through regression analysis across a range of variables. This depicted that a higher proportion of women from functional groups delivered the know their local health worker made decisions regarding their own health and delivered last child in an institution. However, a significant proportion of members still visit unregistered local medical practitioners, popularly called, "quacks", when sick and also are subjected to violence at various levels. Conclusion: The findings highlight to the policy makers and implementation partners that health care and other socio-economic need of the SHG programme is integrated as a part of the overall design. Convergent approaches are important to have the best results.

Keyword: Self Help Groups (SHG), access to health care, women’s empowerment