An anatomy of curriculum innovation failure: the case of political economy in Zimbabwean secondary school sector

A study on Curriculum Innovation Failure in Political Economy in the Zimbabwean educational sector.The magnitude of educational reforms and change in the first decade of independence in Zimbabwe is legendary and more or less unparalleled in the history of educational provision in post-colonial Africa. By the late 1980s, it was increasingly realised that for the then guiding educational philosophy of education with production to take root, it was necessary to undergird it with the subject of political economy (PE). It was envisaged that the subject would provide an epistemological understanding of socialism among secondary pupils who would consequently champion a socialist transformation as future citizens and leaders. The attempt to introduce political economy ranks as one of the most outstanding curriculum innovation failures in Zimbabwe. This study, through documentary analysis, informant interviews ofsome protagonists of the innovation and erstwhile school pupils who encountered the curriculum in schools, proffers that the introduction of political economy failed mostly because it was a top down process of change which was not predicated on a supportive constituency of the various educational stakeholders. The study recommends that planned curriculum change and innovation should always be informed by the values, goals and expectations of the various stakeholders it seeks to serve

Ayurvedic and modern review on types of Sugar

Sugar is a natural ingredient that has been part of our diet, medicine since ancient times. Sugar made from sugar cane is consumed mostly and said to have health benefits. There are some Sharkara’s (sugar) told in Ayurvedic classics which are not in use now days. The functional quality and medicinal quality differ according to form and origin of sugar. In Ayurveda specific description of different types of Sharkara method of processing and their properties can be seen. Now industrializations keep sugar to undergo several chemical processing steps to make it into the refined sugar. This results into decline in health benefits of sugar. This article reviews Sharkara in Ayurveda classics and different forms of sugar used in present days. Information collected from various classics and published information on recent research articles in PubMed, Dhara online data bases and other allied databases were taken into consideration for the review

Automated Brain Tumor Detection from MRI Scans using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

The brain, as the central nervous system's most critical part, can develop abnormal growths of cells known as tumors. Cancer is the term used to describe malignant tumors. Medical imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are commonly used to detect cancerous regions in the brain. Other techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), cerebral arteriography, lumbar puncture, and molecular testing, are also utilized for brain tumor detection. MRI scans provide detailed information concerning delicate tissue, which aids in diagnosing brain tumors. MRI scan images are analyzed to assess the disease condition objectively. The proposed system aims to identify abnormal brain images from MRI scans accurately. The segmented mask can estimate the tumor's density, which is helpful in therapy. Deep learning techniques are employed to automatically extract features and detect abnormalities from MRI images. The proposed system utilizes a convolutional neural network (CNN), a popular deep learning technique, to analyze MRI images and identify abnormal brain scans with high accuracy. The system's training process involves feeding the CNN with large datasets of normal and abnormal MRI images to learn how to differentiate between the two. During testing, the system classifies MRI images as either normal or abnormal based on the learned features. The system's ability to accurately identify abnormal brain scans can aid medical practitioners in making informed decisions and providing better patient care. Additionally, the system's ability to estimate tumor density from the segmented mask provides additional information to guide therapy. The proposed system offers a promising solution for improving the accuracy and efficiency of brain tumor detection from MRI images, which is critical for early detection and treatment

Hepatoprotective activity of methanolic leaves extract of Rostellularia procumbens by using carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats

Background: Rostelluria procumbens is a medicinal plant used traditionally in the treatment of asthma, cough and constipation and as an antioxidant etc. it is rich in phytochemical compounds, which are responsible for its biological properties. The present study focused on evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of R. procumbens leaf in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxocity in rats.Methods: In this study, 30 wistar rats were used and grouped into 6 each group contain 6 rats. In this study, CCl4 is used as hepatotoxin. Four groups were treated with CCl4 and taken as disease control, standard, and two test groups. One group was taken as control treated with saline. Blood samples were collected and estimated serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, which are key markers of liver function. The rats were sacrificed and livers were isolated and histopatological studies carried out.Results: On oral administration of methanolic leaves extract of R. procumbens to ethanol intoxicated, rats resulted in significant restoration of enzyme levels and also silymarin at a dose of 25 mg/kg. The reversal of increased serum enzymes in ethanol-induced liver damage by the extract may be due to the prevention of leakage of intracellular enzymes by its membrane stabilizing activity.Conclusion: The results confirm that R. procumbens have hepatoprotective activity againstCCl4 induced hepatotoxicity and significant hepatoprotection seen at 500 mg/kg dose

Education For All In Zimbabwe: A Mirage?

A ZJER article on assessing the attainment of MDG's (Millennium Development Goals) of Education for All in Zimbabwe.This paper assesses Zimbabwe’s efforts towards the attainment of, the goals of Education For All, (EFA) as determined and agreed upon at the World Conference on Education For All (WCEFA) held in Jomtien, Thailand in 1990 and re-affirmed in Dakar, Senegal in 2000. While Zimbabwe has been noted to have made huge strides in increasing access to education for previously marginalized Africans during the first decade of independence from Britain, there is need to take stock of progress in recent years against a background of socioeconomic decline experienced in the country since the early 1990s, more so since the year 2000.The introduction of the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP) marked the beginning of a phase of reduced government funding of social services sectors, education included. This saw the re-introduction of school fees arid various levies in both primary and secondary schools, negatively impacting oh access to education, particularly by children from disadvantaged groups such as those from impoverished rural, farming and mining communities. Added to this is the HIV/AIDS phenomenon that has ravaged communities particularly in the last decade, leaving a considerable number of children orphaned and without a means of sustaining their livelihoods in general and to pay school fees in particular. Then came the economic down-tum of the last decade, but particularly pronounced since the year 2000, again.rendering more families poorer and with a reduced capacity to pay fees for school going children. It:is against this background, that this paper scrutinizes Zimbabwe's efforts towards the attainment, of the ERA goals. Is Zimbabwe still on course

Black Hole Attack detection in Zone based Wireless Sensor Networks

The Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) became an emerging promising technology deployed in an area for specific purpose and in the wide range of application area such as military application, control and tracking application, habitat monitoring, industry, medicine, health care, agriculture etc. Wireless sensor networks are prone to various attacks. One such type of attack is a black hole attack. A black hole attack is a type of denial of service attack where the node drops the packets fully or selectively, routed through this node which discards the sensitive data packets. This paper deals with the detection of black hole attack inzone basedwireless sensor network using the mobile agents

Generic drugs: a study on awareness among medical students and interns

Background: Use of generic drugs and its availability is one of the less discussed topics in the medical education but at the same time holds a lot of importance in providing affordable health care to the general public.Methods: All 150 II MBBS students and 80 interns who were willing were included in the study. After explaining the aims and objectives and obtaining the informed consent, a set of 14 semi structured questionnaire were given to the students through an online link. A total duration of 15 minutes was given to complete the questionnaire and submit to prevent bias.Results: Most of the students 98 (75.4%) believe that generic drugs are non-inferior to branded drugs compared to interns 33 (49.3%) who are still doubtful about its efficacy (p=0.0003). Most of the students 101 (77.7%) and interns 52 (77.6%) think that composition, dose and indications are same as branded drugs (p=0.987). 75 (57.7%) students and 25 (37.3%) of interns know that generic medicines are marketed only after the expiry of patent period of innovator drug (p=0.005). About 102 (78.5%) students and 44 (65.7%) interns prefer to prescribe generic drugs to their patients (p=0.061). Only 34 (26.2%) students and few interns 19 (28.4%) knew about jan aushadhi sugam app (p=0.744).Conclusions: Lack of awareness about the jan aushadhi sugam app and location of nearby generic stores was acting as the main hindrance in optimal utilization of generic drugs

Antibacterial Activity of Three Parmotrema Species from Western Ghats of Karnataka against Clinical Isolates of Burn and Dental Caries

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of methanol extract of three species of macrolichen Parmotrema (Parmeliaceae) viz., P.tinctorum (Nyl.) Hale, P. grayanum (Hue.) Hale and P. praesorediosum (Nyl.) Hale from Western Ghats of Karnataka against clinical isolates of burn and dental caries. Identification of lichens was done by morphological, anatomical and color tests. The powdered lichen materials were extracted using methanol in soxhlet apparatus. Inhibitory potential of lichen extracts was evaluated against two isolates of Staphyloccus aureus (Sa-01 and Sa-02 from burn subjects) and two isolates of Streptococcus mutans (Sm-01 and Sm-02 from dental caries) by agar well diffusion assay. Lichen extracts were found inhibitory against all clinical isolates and the inhibitory activity was dose dependent. Among S. aureus and S. mutans isolates, Sa-02 and Sm-02 were inhibited to higher extent respectively by lichen extracts. Extract of P. praesorediosum inhibited S. aureus isolates to higher extent. Extracts of P. praesorediosum and P. tinctorum inhibited S. mutans isolates to higher extent. The lichens of this study were found promising sources for development of agents active against clinical    isolates. The observed activity of extracts could be ascribed to the  presence of secondary metabolites

Incidence and pattern of infections in pregnant women with bad obstetric history

Background: Adverse outcomes have been seen in pregnant women who had prior bad obstetric history along with infection with TORCH [toxoplasma, other infections (syphilis, varicella zoster, hepatitis B), rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex]complex and bacterial vaginosis. These infections are known to affect the health of the fetus. Objective was to study incidence and pattern of infections in pregnant women with bad obstetric history.Methods: A total of 190 patients with bad obstetric history fulfilling the methodology criteria were evaluated. Serological and molecular evaluations were carried out for TORCH complex and bacterial vaginosis was detected by both gram stain and gold standard clinical Amsel criteria and outcomes were followed.Results: Out of 190 pregnant women with bad obstetric history, a total of 36 (18.8%) were detected to have infections causing bad obstetric history. Toxoplasma was positive in 7 (20%) of the cases, 3 (51.92%) of them had abortions. Rubella in 12 (32%) of the cases, 7 (60%) cases had sensorineural deafness. Cytomegalovirus in 1 (2%) of the cases, 1 (100%) of the case had microcephaly. Herpes in 8 (22%) cases, 6 (71.1%) cases had abortions. Bacterial vaginosis in 8 (22%) of the cases, 4 (48.6%) cases had preterm delivery. The presence of infections with TORCH complex and bacterial vaginosis was related to adverse pregnancy outcomes.Conclusions: Women with bad obstetric history are prone to infections during pregnancy and have been found out to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Hence pregnant women should be screened so that early diagnosis and treatment of infections can be done to have better pregnancy outcomes

Medicinal Plants Used by Herbal Healers in Narasipura and Manchale Villages of Sagara Taluk, Karnataka, India

The present study was designed to study the Medicinal plants used by herbalhealers in Narasipura and Manchale villages of Sagara Taluk, Karnataka, India. The people, particularly from rural places, depend on herbs for primaryhealth care where ethnomedicinal use of plants has been practiced since timeimmemorial. Sagara taluk is located in the midst of the Western Ghats regionof Shivamogga District, Karnataka State, India. Ethnobotanical field surveyswere conducted from January to March 2012 to document the uses of medicinal plants by herbal healers in villages Narasipura and Manchale ofSagarataluk, Karnataka state, India. A total of 21 plants in Narasipura and 14plants in Manchale were documented. The information about local name,partsused, type of formulation and disorders for which they were used aredocumented