Technology Can Save the Environment

The environment is fast degrading. Experts believe that in the nearest future, the environment will collapse, if the current rate of degradation continues. One of the main drivers of this degradation is believed to be technology. This has led to the widespread perception of technology as a curse rather than a blessing to the environment and humanity. This work agrees that technology is one of the main causes of environmental problems but disagrees that technology is a curse. Technology in itself is value-neutral; it is its usage that leads to bad or good consequences. It is the contention of these researchers, that technology when well driven could restore the health of the environment. Technology due to its wrong positioning in the past has caused environmental problems. It could be repositioned to foster environmental health in the future. Technology therefore, has the potential, to restore and heal what it has wounded, when properly driven

Anti-inflammatory medicinal plants and the molecular mechanisms underlying their activities

Background: Medicinal plant and plant products have shown tremendous potentials and are used  beneficially in the treatment of inflammation and in the management of diseases with significant  inflammatory components. Many medicinal plants employed as anti-inflammatory and antiphlogistic remedies lack the gastro-erosive side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or the  plethora of unwanted side effects associated with steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In order to harness and optimise the applications of these herbs in inflammatory diseases, there is a need to understand how these herbs produce their anti-inflammatory actions.Materials and Methods: This paper is a review of some anti-inflammatory herbs and their molecular mechanisms of action. A literature search and analysis of published manuscript was employed to x-ray research findings that show how medicinal plants produce anti-inflammatory activities.Results: Many studies have shown that anti-inflammatory activities of herbal extracts and herb-derived compounds are mainly due to their inhibition of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, cyclo-oxygenase  (COX), lipo-oxygenase (LOX), pro-inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide, and transcription activation factor (NF-êB). Some anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs are reported to stabilize lysosomal membrane and some cause the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation of intracellular signalling  molecules. Many have also been shown to possess strong oxygen radical scavenging activities.Conclusion: Most of the mechanisms by which anti-inflammatory medicinal plants act are related and many herbal products have been shown to act through a combination of these molecular pathways.Key words: Medicinal plants, antiinflammatory, mechanism of action, molecular pathways.

Application of Time Series Analysis to Some Indices of Economic Growth during the Period 1960 to 2010 in Nigeria

The private sector is recognized as a critical stake holder and partner in economic development. The study was conducted to determine the effects of Credit to Private sector on Economic Growth in Nigeria. Data on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Credit to Private Sector (CPS), Export (EX) and Import (IM) were collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin spanning from 1960 through 2010. Analysis of data was achieved using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test for stationarity, the Johansen test for Cointegration, the Granger’s test for Causality and the Error Correction Mechanism to reconcile the short-run and the long-run behavior of the variables. The results indicate that a long-run relationship exists between Economic Growth (GDP), Credit to Private Sector ratio (CG) and Terms of Trade (EXIM) in Nigeria. A unidirectional relationship exists between Economic Growth and Ratio of Credit to GDP, in the direction CG GDP, in Nigeria. Economic Growth in Nigeria was discovered to be in its equilibrium. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria should increase efforts in pursuing Credits for economic growth and foreign partnership. These will encourage economic growth and help the private sector in Nigeria overcome its challenges. Keywords: Credit to Private Sector, Gross Domestic Product, Terms of Trade, Unit root, Cointegration.

Application of Time Series Analysis to Some Indices of Economic Growth during the Period 1960 to 2010 in Nigeria

The private sector is recognized as a critical stake holder and partner in economic development. The study was conducted to determine the effects of Credit to Private sector on Economic Growth in Nigeria. Data on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Credit to Private Sector (CPS), Export (EX) and Import (IM) were collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin spanning from 1960 through 2010. Analysis of data was achieved using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test for stationarity, the Johansen test for Cointegration, the Granger’s test for Causality and the Error Correction Mechanism to reconcile the short-run and the long-run behavior of the variables. The results indicate that a long-run relationship exists between Economic Growth (GDP), Credit to Private Sector ratio (CG) and Terms of Trade (EXIM) in Nigeria. A unidirectional relationship exists between Economic Growth and Ratio of Credit to GDP, in the direction CG GDP, in Nigeria. Economic Growth in Nigeria was discovered to be in its equilibrium. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria should increase efforts in pursuing Credits for economic growth and foreign partnership. These will encourage economic growth and help the private sector in Nigeria overcome its challenges. Keywords: Credit to Private Sector, Gross Domestic Product, Terms of Trade, Unit root, Cointegration.

Awareness, attitudes and knowledge of evidence-based medicine: A cross-sectional baseline survey among academic healthcare practitioners in Namibia

This cross-sectional study examined the awareness, attitudes and knowledge of  evidence-based medicine (EBM) among academics in higher education institutions in Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Botswana. Data were collected using a convenient sampling technique and analyzed by SPSS. Thirty-eight academics completed an  anonymous questionnaire. Most (76%) of the respondents were aware of the Cochrane Collaboration and 97% have heard about EBM, of whom 89% perceived its benefits.  Yet, 74% lacked high level of EBM knowledge, 76% had no formal EBM training and  92% were unfamiliar with the Cochrane library. Motivation to attend EBM training was  high among the respondents. Our results highlight the inadequacy of EBM knowledge and training among academics. There is a need to train academics in EBM in order to improve the practice of EBM in teaching.Keywords: Academic, evidence-based medicine, knowledge, attitude, Cochrane Library, Namibia

Analysis of Indentation Test Using SolidWorks Simulation

The finite element analysis of spherical indentation was conducted using the SolidWorks simulation software. The relationship between the load and indention was determined, and comparison with the Hertzian solution was made. In this study spherical indenters of diameter 5, 10 and 15 mm were used to assess the effect of indenter radius on indentation response at a specified load. The outcome of our study shows that the resulting load-indentation response does not closely correlate; as a result, a difference of 21.2% was observed between the hertz solution and simulated results. The increase in diameter was observed to be associated with the corresponding decrease in indentation depth and the indentation stress. The von Mises stress contour at maximum load was analysed and was observed to be highest on the indented surface beneath the indenter. The resultant displacement contour shows a uniform displacement distributio

Major Development Communication Paradigms and Practices: Implications for Graphic Communication

Modernization, Dependency, and Multiplicity are three major concepts of development, which have occasioned the use of hierarchical and/or participatory communication practices in our society today. These significantly impact on the mediation role of the graphic encoder during media production process that could either afford or hinder development. Therefore, in order to adopt communication strategies that would produce desired outcomes, this paper focused on the implications of the major paradigms of development and communication practices on graphic communication. It employed a triangulation of research methods: the Critical-Historical-Analytic Examination, In-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussion and Content Analysis. The paper started with the centrality of graphic communication media to the success of development initiatives. Furthermore, it aptly presented an overview of the major paradigms of development vis-a-vis the key models of communication on which practices are hinged. Moreover, it copiously discussed the impact of the Source’s concept of development on mediation role of the graphic encoder during communication development. And it examined the impact of communication practices on produced media for campaigns in Africa. The paper ended with the need to adopt communication approaches that embed the graphic encoder and other stakeholders in order to produce effective graphic communication. Keywords: Major Development Paradigms, Communication Practices, Graphic Communication, Graphic Encoder’s Mediation, Media Production Process

Influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy and its domains in selected secondary schools

Teachers’ self-efficacy remains one of the most important constructs that determine their delivery and competence in schools. In Kenya, it has been reported, that there is low teachers’ self-efficacy, however, no analytic attention had been paid to the influence of school category. The study examined the influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy in Kenyan secondary schools. The study used Concurrent Embedded Design. The sample size comprised 327 teachers, obtained using stratified sampling technique. The Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale and an interview schedule were used to collect data. The reliability of teachers’ self-efficacy was ascertained by using Cronbach’s alpha and a reliability coefficient of 0.992 was obtained. Quantitative data was analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The results indicated that the influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy was significant, Wilk’s λ (2, 324)=0.893, p=0.000. Furthermore, the results show that the influences of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy in student engagement, F (2, 324)=11.498, p=.000, instructional strategy, F (2, 324)=8.432, p=.000, and classroom management, F (2, 324)=10.173, p=.000, were all statistically significant. The study recommends that Teachers’ Service Commission should organize mentorship programs for teachers to boost their self-efficacies