Modeling the Factors that Influence Employee Attitude and Service Delivery Behavior among Higher Education Professionals

Good and well calculated service delivery is very essential for the smooth running of institutions and for life long learning of students. Looking at factors that lead to employee attitude and service delivery bevaviour helps the higher education professionals to build a strong positive relationships with peers, students, staff and university leaders. This paper will look at remuneration, professional development and Information Communication Technology (ICT) efficiency as factors that contribute to positive employee attitude and good service delivery behaviour. Efforts by higher education institutions to improve the quality and standards of education professionals have progressed through the use of various forms of student feedback and methods of evaluation in an attempt to understand what matters to students’ and educational professionals regarding their educational experience. Structured questionnaires were distributed to university professionals, which include all university staff like Deans of faculties, Heads of departments and lecturers at one University of Technology (UoT). A quantitative method using Smart PLS was employed to test the relationships among the four hypotheses. The positive relationship between the four proposed hypotheses validatesthat remuneration; professional Development and ICT efficiencyare instrumental strategy to stimulating employee attitude and service delivery behavior of employees.Practically, the study build on a new direction towards research based on consumer behaviour by opening up a discussion on the importance of marketing practices in the development and improvement of service delivery behaviours in one UoTs in South Africa. Based on the findings, recommendations will be made to both the university policy makers and the university professionals for efficacy reasons. The proposed study is expected to have practical and theoretical implications to policy makers for the university and university professionals. In addition, it will provide added insights and added new knowledge to the existing body of literature hitherto not studied extensively in South Africa and UoT in particular

Effect of Soft Contact Lens Materials on Tear Film Stability and Central Corneal Radius of Curvature: A Comparative Study of Polymacon and Lotrafilcon B

This study investigated the effects of soft contact lens material on the  corneal radius of curvature and the tear film stability. A total of thirty  (n=30) subjects aged between 17 and 33 years with mean age 22.3 ± 3.4 years, made up of 11 males and 19 females were recruited for this study. The corneal radius of curvature (CRC) and non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) were assessed with the Bausch and Lomb Keratometer H-135A (Bausch and Lomb Corp., USA). The subjects were categorised into two groups: Polymacon (conventional soft contact lens) group (n = 17) and lotrafilcon B (O2 optix contact lens) group (n = 13). The difference in NIBUT between pre-task and 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of polymacon contact lens wear was statistically significant (ANOVA: P = 0.003). However, for lotrafilcon B, the difference in mean NIBUT was not statistically significant (P = 0.22). The difference in mean CRC between pre-task and 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of polymacon and lotrafilcon B contact lens wear was not statistically significant (ANOVA: P > 0.05). The degree of association between CRC and NIBUT was also not statistically significant (p>0.05). This indicates that the tear film stability measured as non-invasive tear break-up time varied under conventional soft (polymacon) lens wear while it remained stable under silicone hydrogel (lotrafilcon B) lens wear. The corneal curvature was not significantly affected by the contact lens materials during the period under study. In conclusion, Lotrafilcon B was a preferred contact lens material since it demonstrated no significant effect on tear film stability as measured as NIBUT

Antioxidant and phytochemical properties of Carpobrotus edulis (L.) bolus leaf used for the management of common infections in HIV/AIDS patients in Eastern Cape Province

BACKGROUND: Carpobrotus edulis (Mesembryanthemaceae), also known as igcukuma in Xhosa language is a medicinal plant used by the traditional healers to treat common infections in HIV/AIDS patients. Based on this information, we researched on the plant phytoconstituents, as well as its inhibitory effect using aqueous and three different organic solvent extracts in order to justify its therapeutic usage. METHODS: Antioxidant activity of the extracts were investigated spectrophotometrically against 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) diammonium salt, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), nitric oxide (NO), and ferric reducing power, Total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols, proanthocyanidins, tannins, alkaloids and saponins were also determined using the standard methods. RESULTS: Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the four solvent extracts revealed a high percentage of phenolics (55.7 ± 0.404%) in the acetone extract, with appreciable amount of proanthocyanidins (86.9 ± 0.005%) and alkaloids (4.5 ± 0.057%) in the aqueous extract, while tannin (48.9 ± 0.28%) and saponin (4.5 ± 0.262%) were major constituents of the ethanol extract. Flavonoids (0.12 ± 0.05%) and flavonols (0.12 ± 0.05%) were found at higher level in the hexane extract in comparison with the other extracts. The leaf extracts demonstrated strong hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, with the exception of water and ethanol extracts. IC(50) values of the aqueous and ethanolic extract against DPPH, ABTS, and NO were 0.018 and 0.016; 0.020 and 0.022; 0.05 and 0.023 mg/ml, respectively. The reducing power of the extract was found to be concentration dependent. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of the extracts on free radicals may justify the traditional use of this plant in the management of common diseases in HIV/AIDs patients in Eastern Cape Province. Overall, both aqueous and ethanol were found to be the best solvents for antioxidant activity in C. edulis leaves

Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women on antenatal visits: rapid tests or ELISA?

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health challenge with over 360 million people infected worldwide, and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) is the most important marker for HBV screening, and HBSAg rapid screening test methods are the most widely used compared with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nucleic acid testing methods. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the comparative efficacy of rapid test kits and ELISA for HBV screening among pregnant women on antenatal visits and to screen for other HBV serological markers among HBsAg positive patients. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study of 172 pregnant women who were recruited consecutively on their first antenatal visit at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between November 2018 and February 2019. All participants were screened for HBsAg using both rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) and ELISA techniques. HBsAg negative samples were further screened for anti-HBeAg/Ab, anti-HBcAg and anti-HBs by ELISA. Socio-demographic data of the participants were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire, and data were analyzed using EPI INFO 7.2 statistical software. Results: The prevalence rate of HBsAg among pregnant women in this study was 10.5% (18/172). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) of the rapid ICT kit were 72.2%, 97.4%, 94.8%, 76.5% and 96.8% respectively. Level of education, previous history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and previous positive HBV results were significantly associated with HBsAg seropositivity. Majority of the pregnant women (66.9%) tested negative to all the serological markers. Conclusion: The low efficacy of rapid ICT kits compared to ELISA justifies the need to develop a safer antenatal screening strategy for HBV by combining the use of the less sensitive rapid screening techniques with the more sensitive ELISA method to limit vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus. Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Rapid ICT kits; ELISA; pregnant women   French title: Infection par le virus de l'hépatite B chez les femmes enceintes en consultation prénatale: tests rapides ou ELISA? Contexte: L'infection par le virus de l'hépatite B (VHB) est un défi de santé publique mondial avec plus de 360 million de personnes infectées dans le monde et est l'une des principales causes de décès dans le monde. L'antigène de surface de l'hépatite B (HBSAg) est le marqueur le plus important pour le dépistage du VHB, et les méthodes de test de dépistage rapide HBSAg sont les plus largement utilisées par rapport aux méthodes de test immuno-enzymatique (ELISA) et d'acide nucléique. Les objectifs de cette étude sont d'évaluer l'efficacité comparative des kits de tests rapides et de l'ELISA pour le dépistage du VHB chez les femmes enceintes lors de consultations prénatales et de dépister d'autres marqueurs sérologiques du VHB chez les patients AgHBs positifs. Méthodologie: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale de 172 femmes enceintes qui ont été recrutées consécutivement lors de leur première visite prénatale à l'Hôpital Universitaire, Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigéria entre novembre 2018 et février 2019. Tous les participants ont été dépistés pour l'AgHBs en utilisant les deux tests immuno-chromatographiques rapides (TIC) et techniques ELISA. Les échantillons négatifs à l'AgHBs ont en outre été criblés pour l'anti-HBeAg/Ab, l'anti-HBcAg et l'anti-HBs par ELISA. Les données sociodémographiques des participants ont été obtenues à l'aide d'un questionnaire semi-structuré et les données ont été analysées à l'aide du logiciel statistique EPI INFO 7.2. Résultats: Le taux de prévalence de l'HBSAg chez les femmes enceintes dans cette étude était de 10,5% (18/172). La sensibilité, la spécificité, la précision, la valeur prédictive positive (VPP) et la valeur prédictive négative (VPN) du kit ICT rapide étaient respectivement de 72,2%, 97,4%, 94,8%, 76,5% et 96,8%. Le niveau d'éducation, les antécédents d'infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) et les résultats positifs antérieurs pour le VHB étaient significativement associés à la séropositivité de l'AgHBs. La majorité des femmes enceintes (66,9%) ont été testées négatives pour tous les marqueurs sérologiques. Conclusion: La faible efficacité des kits TIC rapides par rapport à l'ELISA justifie la nécessité de développer une stratégie de dépistage prénatal plus sûre du VHB en combinant l'utilisation des techniques de dépistage rapide moins sensibles avec la méthode ELISA plus sensible pour limiter la transmission verticale du virus de l'hépatite B. Mots clés: virus de l'hépatite B; Kits TIC rapides; ELISA; femmes enceinte

Performance Analysis and Modeling of MIMO Systems

In this paper, various channel estimation, interpolation and equalization techniques used in the analysis of MIMO configurations or formats are compared and the technique with the optimum performance determined. The channel estimation of these configurations were determined by modelling and simulating them in a wireless environment using MATLAB software. The figure of Merits used are the BER and MSE as a function of the SNR. The study revealed that MIMO is a more energy efficient technique since it achieved a good BER performance at lower transmit SNR, when compared to the MISO and SISO which requires higher SNR to achieve at same BER performance. This is as a result of the diversity and multiplexing gain experienced in the multiple antenna techniques using the STB

Subchronic toxicity study of ethanolic extract of Uvaria chamae root in rats

Purpose: To assess the safety of ethanol extract of Uvaria chamae root consumption for the treatment of diseases in traditional medicine.Methods: Uvaria chamae was extracted with ethanol, and administered orally to rats at doses ranging from 200 to 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days while distilled water was administered to the control group, the survived animals (43 %), were then  euthanized, and blood collected for biochemical and haematological markers.  Histopathological examination of the pancreas, liver and kidney sections were also done.Results: There was a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in serum AST and a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in LDH at 500 mg and 200 mg respectively. Serum BUN was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced, while chloride and potassium ions were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated at 200 and 500 mg respectively. However, there was a  significant (p < 0.05) decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCHC) at 200 mg, and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in platelets at 500 mg/kg of extract.  Examination of haematoxylin and eosin stained sections of pancreas showed  well-formed islets; mild portal vascular congestion in liver sections; and periportal and interstitial infiltrates of lymphocytes in the liver and kidney sections of the surviving animals respectively.Conclusion: The consumption of extract at low doses may not be harmful.Keywords: Uvaria chamae, Safety, Kidney, Liver, Pancreas, Toxicit

Characterization and Toxicity of Hypoxoside Capped Silver Nanoparticles

The reducing potential of plant extracts in the green synthesis of nanoparticles has been associated with their phytochemicals. Although pharmacologically inactive, a norlignan diglucoside “hypoxoside” (HP) occurs in large quantities in the extract of Hypoxis hemerocallidea (HE). In this work, HP was isolated from HE where both were used in the biosynthesis of the corresponding silver nanoparticles (HP-AgNPs and HE-AgNPs). The AgNPs were fully characterized using various physicochemical techniques and their antimicrobial and anticancer properties were evaluated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed sizes of 24.3 ± 4 nm for the HE-AgNPs and 3.9 ± 1.6 nm for the HP-AgNPs. The HE-AgNPs demonstrated enhanced anti-bactericidal effects on Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 1.95 µg/mL, competing well with the standard drug. The cytotoxic activity showed that the HE-AgNPs reduced cell viability with an IC50 of 0.81 and 4.0 µg/mL, respectively, for the U87 and U251 cells, while the HP-AgNPs displayed 0.20 and 0.55 µg/mL for both cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, while the HE-AgNPs were selective to U87 alone, the HP-AgNPs were selective to both glioblastoma cells tested. The study demonstrated the ability of a single phytoconstituent (hypoxoside), not only as the chief bioreductant in the extract, but also as a standalone reducing and capping agent, producing ultra-small, spherical, and monodispersed AgNPs with enhanced biological properties

Replicating Intermittent Fasting in Human Skeletal Muscle Cells: A Pilot Study

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), the most common form of diabetes (90-95% of diagnoses), is marked by decreased insulin sensitivity (insulin resistance) or a defect in insulin secretion. T2D disrupts nutrient signaling where the body cannot maintain adequate blood glucose levels. Inability to receive glucose in skeletal muscle due to insulin resistance in T2D results in oxidative stress and increased muscle atrophy. Properly regulated glucose uptake is pivotal for healthy aging and maintenance of the skeletal muscle system. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of nutrient deprivation on human skeletal muscle metabolism, with an emphasis on oxidative stress and atrophy markers in healthy and T2D cell models. METHODS: Healthy human skeletal muscle myoblast cells (HSMM) and diabetic human skeletal muscle myoblast cells (DHSMM) (Lonza Inc, Walkersville MD) were cultured in a 37°C with 5% CO2 incubator in a T-75 flask. At confluency, cells were transferred into four 24-well plates and were incubated for 48h with standard culture media (Lonza Inc, Walkersville MD). The cells were then incubated for 12 or 24 h in media containing varying serum concentrations: 5%, 10%, and 15%. The media contained either fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Lonza Inc, Walkersville MD) or pooled human serum (HS) from either healthy or diabetic patients (Doctors Regional, Corpus Christi TX). Following the 24 hours, cell viability and density were determined, and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (RayBiotech, Norcross GA) were performed to measure the amount of superoxide dismutase (SOD1) present in each sample. RESULTS: A treatment effect was found using T2D HS which had a significant influence on mean SOD1 levels (range of SOD1 pg/mL; p=0.0423). There was no significant effect of time between 12h and 24h (p=0.1100). In the FBS models, a significant effect of concentration HSMM is seen (p=0.0263). Incubation time had little effect on FBS DHSMM (p=0.2671) and HSMM (p=0.2780) models. CONCLUSION: As serum concentration increases, the level of SOD1 present in the samples also increases. This suggests that treatment concentration may influence the activity of SOD1. This may be due to exogenous SOD1 already present in the serum. However, we did not asses the rate of appearance and decay of SOD1 already present in the serum. Incubation time shows little difference in all models. These results suggest that compositional environment can influence SOD1 levels and that a higher concentration may promote oxidative stress more so than a lower concentration environment

Anxiolytic Effects, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Methanol Extract of Jatropha tanjorensis Leaf

The methanol leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis was analyzed for its bioactive components, in-vitro antioxidant, antidepressant, anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory activities using established methods. The phytochemicals detected were saponins, tannins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids and eugenols. The total phenolic content (TPC) was 36.48 mgGAE/g, while the total flavonoid content (TFC) was 145.92 mgQE/g of the extract. 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity gave an IC50 of 185.02 and 5.15 µg/mL for the extract and ascorbic acid (standard), respectively. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) was greater than 5000 mg/kg, while graded doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the plant extract relieved depression in mice to 93.3, 100 and 80.8%, respectively when compared with 10 mg/kg amitriptyline (positive control). A significant anxiety reduction, exemplified by a decrease in the frequency of head dip, was observed for animals administered with the plant extract compared with untreated control (p < 0.05). The reduction of formalin-induced paw edema was significant (p < 0.01) at 50 mg/kg of the plant extract, when compared with the control. The methanol extract of J. tanjorensis leaf is therefore a potential source of plant medicine with remarkable pharmacological activities. Keywords:    Jatropha tanjorensis; anxiolytic; antidepressant; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant; phytochemical

Neuroprotective activities of Boophone haemanthoides (amaryllidaceae) extract and its chemical constituents

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition that progresses as age increases, and some of its major symptoms include tremor and postural and movement-related difficulties. To date, the treatment of PD remains a challenge because available drugs only treat the symptoms of the disease or possess serious side effects. In light of this, new treatment options are needed; hence, this study investigates the neuroprotective effects of an organic Boophone haemanthoides extract (BHE) and its bioactive compounds using an in vitro model of PD involving the toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells