Exploring the Feasibility of Adopting Cloud Computing in Computer Center Taiz University

The paper would discuss the possibilities of using cloud computing as a solution to expand work efficiency at Taiz university (TU) Computer Center and Information Technology (CCIT) labs, these Labs  equipped with hardware and software resources. Cloud computing has been adopted for managing the  labs to facilitate maintenance and network management according to cloud computing characteristics, also paper has studied  the different types of cloud-based computing to decide the appropriate type that would gain significant advantages for students and lecturers.  Surely result of this paper will be the guideline for all universities in Yemen to use the cloud computing in different areas of their work. Keywords: Distributed computing system , Network computing ,Cloud Computing, Infrastructure As A Service (IAAS) layer, Platform As A Service (PAAS) layer, Software As A Service (SAAS) layer, private cloud, pubic cloud, hybrid cloud

Assessment of Newspaper Circulation and Readership in Northern Ghana

There is a widespread concern that the print newspaper industry across the world and in Ghana particularly faces an uncertain future and a long-term decline in readership and circulation due to the prevalence of internet mediated News websites, making print newspapers obsolete in their present format. This paper is an assessment of the circulation and readership of printed newspapers in the northern regional capital, Tamale. It investigates preferred News sources among newsreaders and examines consumption pattern of newspapers in the metropolis. It discussed the challenges the print media industry faces in the wake of News websites’ proliferation in the Ghanaian media landscape. The paper is based on exploratory research design. It sampled four leading print newspapers in Ghana (Daily Graphic, Daily Guide, Ghanaian Times and Business and Financial Times) as reference points for data collection. Four newspaper vendors who vend these newspapers in the metropolis were sampled through simple random sampling. The paper finds a sharp decline in circulation and readership of printed newspaper in the metropolis in favour of internet powered News websites. The paper concludes that although newsreaders prefer sourcing News online, they still find the traditional printed media as the most credible and reliable sources for News. The paper recommends that the traditional print media take advantage of the reach of internet powered platforms to create online presence and ensure that they innovate to get newsreaders subscribe to their brands since print newspaper readership is gradually declining in the metropolis

Antibacterial Activity and Fatty Acid Composition of Sudanese Castor Bean (Ricinus communis L) Seed Oil

The castor bean plant (Ricinus communis L) has very popular seed oil that is consumed in different applications around the world. In the present study, the seed oil of Ricinus communis grown in Sudan was investigated in respect to its antibacterial activity and fatty acid composition. The antibacterial activity of the oil was tested against six bacteria strains using the disc diffusion method, while its fatty acid composition was analyzed by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil exhibited different degrees of antibacterial activity depending on the doses of the oil applied. The maximum zone of inhibition observed for each bacterium was as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (8.1 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (6.5 mm), Bacillus subtilis (6.2 mm), Escherichia coli (6.0 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.5 mm) and Salmonella typhi (5.2 mm). The unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content was 97.9% of the total fatty acid composition. Ricinoleic acid comprises over 85% while other fatty acids identified were linoleic (8.1%), oleic (4.3%), stearic (1.1%), palmitic (0.8%), and linolenic (0.4%). The findings from this study may add to the overall value of the industrial and medicinal potential of this plant.

Usefulness of genome-wide association studies to identify novel genetic variants underlying the plasma lipoprotein metabolism as risk factors for CAD

AbstractCoronary artery disease (CAD) is a major killer across the world. The pathogenesis of CAD is a construct of multiple predisposing elements, including environmental, health and genetic factors. Traditional risk factors for CAD include age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidaemia. Optimizing the lipid levels to within the normal range significantly and drastically reduces the risk of coronary atherosclerosis. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) promise to accurately identifying the variants that increase or decrease the risks of multiple and complex disorders. In this review, we shed light on and discuss the recent GWASs of lipoprotein genetics and how such studies have provided new pathways and pharmacological targets that might enable the control the pathological plasma cholesterol levels

Effects of electrical stimulation and age at slaughter on carcass and meat quality of two Sudanese Baggara beef types

This study aimed to evaluate the influences of electrical stimulation (ES), age at slaughter, and breed type on muscle pH, the decline in carcass temperature, and meat quality attributes of Sudanese indigenous Baggara cattle. Eighty Baggara bulls, representative of Nyalawi (n = 40) and Mesairi (n = 40) breed types, were selected at their typical marketing age of about 4.5 years. Electrical stimulation was applied for 30 seconds at 20 minutes post mortem to 20 randomly selected carcasses from each breed type and compared with 20 carcasses from each type that were not electrically stimulated (NES). Samples of the Longissimus dorsi muscle were collected for meat analyses. Breed type showed no significant influence on meat quality characteristics, while ES and age at slaughter did. Electrical stimulation accelerated the carcass pH decline significantly up to 24 hours post mortem. Meat from electrically stimulated carcasses and younger animals resulted in higher L* values, lower a* values, higher hue values, and better tenderness. Older Mesairi animals had darker meat than their younger counterparts. Electrical stimulation reduced water-holding capacity (WHC), although it had no influence on cooking loss (CL). Meat from older cattle showed better WHC compared with meat from younger animals. The ES treatment decreased the variations in meat tenderness between the younger and older bulls. It is concluded that the use of ES and younger bulls produced more tender meat with better colour. Therefore, these practices should be adopted in Sudan to ensure better beef quality management.Keywords: Longissimus dorsi muscle, meat characteristics, Mesairi, Nyalawi, Suda

Evaluation of food contact surfaces in selected restaurants of Kaduna State University for the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

The evaluation of food contact surfaces in Kaduna State University restaurants for the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. Five (5) selected restaurants in Kaduna State University were evaluated to assess the cleanliness of the surfaces that come into contact with food. Fifty (50) swab samples were collected from five (5) restaurants with three (3) samples each from plates, spoons and two (2) from chopping boards and tables. The samples were analysed using streak plate technique and biochemical tests to identify the bacterial isolates. Out of the 50 samples analysed, 13 (26 %) were positive for Escherichia coli and 0% was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Out of the 13 that were positive for Escherichia coli, 8 (61.5 %) were from plates, 3 (23.1 %) were from chopping boards and 1 (7.7 %) was from table and spoon each. Eleven (11) (84.6 %) isolates of E. coli were susceptible to pefloxacin and tarivid each and 3 (23.1 %) isolates of E. coli were intermediate to septrin and ciprofloxacin each. While 6 (46.2 %) isolates of E. coli were resistant to amoxicillin and 7 (53.8 %) isolates of E. coli were resistant to sparfloxacin. This suggests that there is need for enlightenment of food handlers on the importance of good hygienic practices. Like introducing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems in food production and practices.Keywords: Contact surfaces, restaurants, swab, streak plate, hygienic practice

Hepatoprotective effect of methanol extract of Senna occidentalis seeds in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxic rats

Effect of methanol seed extract of Senna occidentalis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damage in Wistar albino rats was investigated. Biochemical parameters such as serum AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine Amino Transferase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and Total proteins were determined. The level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and the liver antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Catalase were also determined. Phytochemical screening and subsequent quantification reveal the presence of bioactive compounds such as Flavonoids (0.27±0.01mg/g), Phenols (0.79±0.021 mg/g), Tannins (0.87±0.03mg/g) and Alkaloids (62.57±2.35mg/g). The level of AST, ALT, and ALP significantly increased in CCL4 induced groups. However, the administration of methanol extract of S. occidentalis at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kgbw decreased (p<0.05) the activity of ALT, AST and ALP in the treated groups. The activity of SOD and CAT in the CCl4 induced group was decreased. Also, increase in the level of MDA in CCl4treated group was observed when compared with the normal group and this was decreased (p<0.05) on administration with methanol seed extract of Senna occidentalis at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg (B/W). It can be concluded that methanol seeds extract of Senna occidentalis possess important phytoconstituents and hepatoprotective effect. Thus, the extract can be used as a potent therapeutic agent for the management of liver damage

Application of UPFC to Improve the LVRT Capability of Wind Turbine Generator

Variable speed wind turbine generators installation has been significantly increased worldwide in the last few years. Voltage sag at the grid side may call for the disconnection of the wind turbine from the grid as under such faults it may not comply with the recent developed grid codes for wind energy conversion systems (WECS). In this paper, a Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is applied to improve the low voltage ride through (LVRT) capability of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based WECS during voltage sag at the grid side. Simulation is carried out using MATLAB/Simulink software. Results show that UPFC can significantly improve the LVRT capability of DFIG-based WECS and hence maintaining wind turbine connection to the grid during certain levels of voltage sag at the grid side