Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays

193-203

Authors: Akram Rahhal, Tariq Darabee.

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (5) Pp. 193-203, May, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper Adoption of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in Palestinian Corporations. *Akram Rahhal, (PhD) and Tariq Darabee, (MA,CMA). Accounting Department, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem. Accepted April 16th, 2014 Abstract This paper examines the extent of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) adoption and implementation among Palestinian listed corporations as a performance evaluation tool, and explores whether Palestinian corporations realize the importance of non-financial measures of BSC in their performance evaluation process as well. For that, collected data through questionnaire directed to top level management of Palestinian Corporation including Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Internal Auditor and Controller has been analyzed using statistical software of SPSS. Our findings show only 30% of surveyed corporations have fully adoption of BSC, 42% of them have partially adoption while rest corporations have not been adopted BSC at all. Although the majority of Palestinians corporations realize the importance of BSC adoption in full, financial measurements are still considered the most important indicators in evaluation process of corporation’s performance. In case of non-financial measurements, all surveyed corporations realize the importance of BSC customer perspective while importance of other perspectives has different views between corporations. Only Banking sector realize the importance of growth and learning perspective and has the priority in periodically performance evaluation process in order financial perspective. Finally, respondents of questionnaire who realize the importance of BSC implementation, indicate corporations readiness to bear cost and to recruit all needed human and non-human resources toward BSC fully adoption. Keywords: Balanced Scorecard (BSC), Key Performance Indicators, Palestinian Listed Corporations.

222-237

Authors: Owolabi T.A, Aderinola O.S.

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (5) Pp. 222-237, May, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper An assessment of Renolith on cement-stabilized poor lateritic soils. *Owolabi T.A a and Aderinola O.S. b A. Civil Engineering Department, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti Nigeria B. Civil Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Accepted March 17th, 2014 Abstract The influence of Renolith, a polymer-based product composed of latex with cellulose and available in liquid form, on cement-stabilized lateritic soils was investigated to find out any improvement in the strength of the soils. The assessment was carried out on materials from four different borrow pits. After classification of the soils, the unsuitable ones were established in the fourth borrow pit and subjected to stabilization. The ensuing results showed an array of remarkable improvements over each percentage at which cement was kept constant (i.e. at 5% and 10% of the dry weight of soil), and Renolith varied (i.e. at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of the weight of cement respectively). There was a consistent peak of strength observed at the value of Renolith at 5% of the weight of cement used; though the stronger result was arrived at with higher percentage of cement (at 10% of the dry weight of soil). However, the poorest of the stabilized samples displayed interesting results from the tests in that it’s strength indices increased by 7% in Maximum Dry Density; 1,863% in Unsoaked California Bearing Ratio and 200% in Unconfined Compressive Strength after 28 days. Keywords: Cement, Classification, lateritic soil, Renolith, stabilization, strength.

8

Authors: Philipos Petros.

Aim: The study sought to assess risk perception, HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitude and behaviors of the ECSC community to more adequately contribute to the literature in the field. Background: Though HIV/AIDS is one of the worst health crises in recorded history in the world, it has moved beyond being primarily a health issue, to a developmental crisis. More than 83% of all new infections in many African countries are among young and productive people in which females are outnumbering males. Higher learning institutions such as the Ethiopian Civil Service College need to seriously address HIV/AIDS in their mandate. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January-June 2011 using mixed methods where a structured questionnaire was administered to 250 respondents while focus group discussion was conducted and selected key informants were interviewed. Results and Conclusion: Out of 250 respondents, 238(with 95% response rate) returned the questionnaire. The majority of respondents know about the risk, the means of transmission and prevention about HIV&AIDS. All respondents never perceive they are at risk for HIV. Unsafe sex and multiple concurrent sexual partnerships were found among all religious groups, married staff and students. However, compared to female respondents, males were found to admit to more unsafe sex practices. Qualitative data supports this finding. Positive changes regarding awareness and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS were noted, yet comprehensive knowledge is still lacking. An improved strategy to promote comprehensive knowledge and behavioral change interventions is needed in ECSC. Implications from these finding suggest that other institutions may benefit from similar changes.

147-150

Authors: Ramin Ataee, Ali Asghar Ahmadi, Mohammad Shadifar, Amin Ataie, Cathy Vaillancourt, Majid Jafari-Sabet, Talal Oufkir.

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (4), Pp. 147-150, April, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper Apoptosis is induced by curcumin in synergism with 5FU in human colorectal cancer cell line. *Ramin Ataee1, 2, Ali Asghar Ahmadi3, Mohammad Shadifar3, Amin Ataie4, Cathy Vaillancourt5, Majid Jafari-Sabet6, Talal Oufkir5 1. Talasemia research center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. 2. Pharmaceutical sciences research center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. 3. North research center-Pasteur institute of Iran, Amol, Mazandaran, Iran. 4. Department of Pharmacology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. 5. INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec, Laval, QC, Canada. 6. Department of Pharmacology, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. *Correspondence Author E-mail: ramin_ataee@yahoo.com Accepted March 6th, 2014 Abstract Background: Curcumin, a phenolic derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa linn (Zingi-beraceae), has been recognized as a promising anti-cancer drug due to its multiple properties, including anti-inflammatory,antioxidant and anti-angiogenic. Also some evidences show its' anti-cancer effect in some malignancies as in colon, prostate and breast cancer. To show better, the role of curcumin in colon cancer and apoptosis in comparison with 5flurouracil (5-FU) we have planned this project. Material and methods: For Proliferation test we used MTT assay and for apoptosis study we used TUNEL assay. Also 5FU has been provided as positive control Results: Our experiment has shown that curcumin, in a dose-dependent manner, reduces cell viability and increases apoptosis in HT29, SW480 and SW742 colorectal cancer cell lines as analyzed by MTT and TUNEL assay, respectively. Moreover, combined with 5FU synergistically increased the number of hypodiploid cells and DNA fragmentation and decreased cell viability in all colorectal cancer cell lines. This study demonstrates that adding curcumin to 5FU have a synergic anti-mitogenic and apoptotic effect on colorectal cancer cell lines. These results suggest a potential use of serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist in co-treatment with curcumin in colon cancer therapy. Keywords: Curcumin, Colon Cancer, 5FU, MTT assay, Apoptosis.

156-159

Authors: Agere Hemen, Kela SL., Istifanus WA.

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (4), Pp. 156-159, April, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper Chemotherapeutic Trials of Praziquantel and Ivermectin on victims of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Taraba North Senatorial District; Nigeria. 1Agere Hemen, 2Kela SL., and 2Istifanus WA. 1. Biological Sciences Department, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State-Nigeria. 2. Biological Sciences Department, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi-Nigeria. *Correspondence Author E-mail: agere.hemen@gmail.com Accepted March 24th, 2014 Abstract Chemotherapeutic trials of two antihelminthic drugs, namely praziquantel and ivermectin were carried out for urinary schistosomiasis control in Jalingo and Ardo-kola LGAS of Taraba State. Three children with the highest worm burden in each school were selected and in the order of decreasing intensity; the first child was given praziquantel, the second child was given ivermectin and to the third child the placebo, dependol (panadol which shapes like praziquantel) was administered. 13(76.47%) of the 17 children in Jalingo treated with praziquantel shed no eggs after the administration of the first dose. The remaining four children shed no eggs after the second dose of praziquantel. Using the Chi-square statistic, a significant difference(X2 16= 230.15, P<0.01) was observed in the egg burden before and after treatment with praziquantel. Pupils treated with ivermectin, MSD showed a slight decrease in the egg burden after the second dose, but the decrease was not significant(X2 16=31.47, P>0.001). A similar trend to that observed in Jalingo was the case in Ardokola; with 12(85.71%) of the children shedding no eggs after the first dose of praziquantel and the remaining 2 children becoming worm free after the second dose. Therefore, in Ardokola too there was a significant difference(X2 13=357.24, P<0.001) in the egg burden after treatment with praziquantel. In Ardokola, though the chemotherapeutic trial showed a reduction in egg burden, it was not statistically significant(X2 13=31.17, P>0.001). The high cure rates of praziquantel observed in both Jalingo and Ardokola portend that the drug remains the drug of choice for the treatment of urinary schistosomiasis. On the contrary, though ivermectin is known to have good cure rates against Onchocerca species, and some other gastrointestinal helminthes and protozoans, the result of this study does not conclusively show it is suitable for the treatment of schistosomiasis. However, there is need for further investigation of the efficacy of ivermectin on schistosomiasis since in the study slight reduction in worm burden was observed in the two areas studied. Keywords: Chemotherapy, Ivermectin, Praziquantel, Placebo, Urinary Schistosomiasis.

173-179

Authors: Mona Mohammad H, El-Gamal MM, Abdel Razek FA, Elgiar EA, Nour Eldeen F

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (4), Pp. 173-179, April, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper Effect of different feeding regimes on the performance of Daphnia longispina. *1Mona MH., 1El-Gamal MM., 2Abdel Razek FA., 1Elgiar EA., 1Nour Eldeen MF. 1. Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt. 2. National Institute of Fisheries Oceanography, Alexandria, Egypt. *Correspondence Author E-mail: Drmona2005@hotmail.com Accepted April 15th, 2014 Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the best feeding regime that will be helpful in reducing the cost of production and increasing the profit margin of Daphnia. Daphnia longispina was collected from Kafr El-Sheikh (Egypt). Four food types were tested (Scendesmus quadricola; Osillatoria ocutasama, horse manure and yeast). Six criteria were investigated (Length and width; fecundity; number of offspring/brood; number of broods/female; number of offspring/female and Life span) to meet the food quality. The tested foods didn't affect the survival, swimming activity or life span of Daphnia. Daphnia fed with Scendesmus quadricola scored significant length, width, number of offspring/pouch, total offspring/female followed by yeast. While those fed with the other algae (Osillatoria ocutasama) recorded the lowest outcomes followed by horse manure. Keywords: Daphnia, food, quality, quantity, algae, yeast, manure, reproduction.

188-192

Authors: Dr. (Mrs) Ayodele Omojuwa.

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (5) Pp. 188-192, May, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper HIV/AIDS: “In God we believe, in condoms we trust” an exposition of the role of Faith, Sex, and Ethics among Tertiary Education Students in Lagos Nigeria. Dr. (Mrs) Ayodele Omojuwa Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Accepted May 07th, 2014 Abstract In every community all over the world volunteers discuss HIV/AIDS transmission and its prevention. At the end of 2007, there were about 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS: 2.7 million people were estimated to have acquired the HIV that year. Although the epidemic has stabilized, it remains a leading challenge for global health. Many people believed that condom is the best method of protection against HIV/AIDS while some believe that if you trust in God you will not have the disease in any form. In the light of these opinions, this paper has showcased the opinion of the university Students on the use of condom as a protection against HIV/AIDS. The study was a survey that sought to identify the role of condom in protecting HIV/AIDS. Nine months ago, I waited anxiously in the Education Hall as the clock approached the start time for our first student panel discussion on faith and sexual ethics, and the hall remained quiet as a few audience members passed the time in their chairs. That was the beginning of “In God we believe, in condoms we trust”. In the light of this, I aspired not to establish the religious "rights" and "wrongs" on the issue of faith, sex and ethics (though that is a valuable pursuit in ethics), but rather to explore and analyze the methods of ethical discernment employed consciously and unconsciously by students as they encounter sexual ethics topics in their lives and communities. With so many other interesting events on our campus, would anyone show up to hear their peers-not experts or intellectuals discuss religion and sex freely? To my surprise, the quiet crowd eventually grew to nearly two hundred and fifty students, many of whom squatted on the floor or squeezed in along the walls around the cramped room in order to participate in "Homosexuality and Religion," the first panel's title and theme. ," the phenomenally popular student discussion series I had the privilege of facilitating through University Student Research Fellowship at the West African Christian university Center for Applied Ethics this year. In conjunction with over 50 one-on-one interviews I conducted among the student body, the series aimed to explore the complex ways in which students' religious affiliations inform (or do not inform) their views on issues in sexual ethics, including premarital sex, use of condom, birth control, abortion, dating, and homosexuality. In identifying the methodological trends in ethical discernment through the discussion series, students were challenged to mindfully consider their own methods of ethical discernment and invited to critically assess their own sexual ethics and those of their peers. This study also highlighted the theoretical issues, trends in student ethical strategies, faith and student views and strategies analysis. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Sex, Faith, Ethics and Education.

117-123

Authors: Ojo OM and Agbede OA.

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (3), pp. 116-123, March, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper Assessment of Ikogosi Warm Spring Water Quality in Ekiti State, South Western Nigeria. *1OJO OM., and 2AGBEDE, OA. 1. Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. 2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. *Correspondence Author E-mail: maryojo81@yahoo.com Accepted March 10th, 2014 Abstract A 6-month study spanning the wet and dry seasons was conducted on Ikogosi warm spring in South Western Nigeria to assess the variation in the quality of the warm spring water and a well in the middle of the town. Laboratory analyses were carried out to determine the physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics of the water. The results of physical and chemical analyses of the water samples for the two seasons of the year fell within WHO and SON water quality standard. The results of the bacteriological analysis showed that water at the source is very pure and free from bacteriological organisms. However, as it moves down the warm spring, the bacteriological quality deteriorates. During both seasons of the year, no coliform bacteria were recorded from the source up till a distance of 50m from the source. The results of the analysis also revealed that the spring water was of better quality than the well water as a result of high concentration of some contaminants present in the well water. The conclusion drawn from this study is that the warm spring water is of better quality than normal ground water in the town and is safe for human consumption without treatment if properly protected and collected. Keywords: Ikogosi, Warm spring, Water analysis, Ground water, South Western Nigeria.

128-131

Authors: UC Otuonye, JT Barminas, AM Magomya, EA Kamba and C. Andrew.

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (3), pp. 128-131, March, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper Removal of Chromium (VI) as a heavy metal from aqueous solution using Chitin obtained from Bargi fish (Heterotis Miloticus) scale. UC Otuonye1, JT Barminas2, AM Magomya1, EA Kamba1* and C. Andrew1 1. Department of Chemical Sciences, Federal University Wukari. Taraba State, Nigeria. 2. Department of Chemistry, Moddibo Adama University of Technology, Yola. Adamawa, Nigeria. *Correspondence Author E-mail: eacambah@gmail.com Accepted March 11th, 2014 Abstract The extraction of chitin from Bargi fish (Heterotis Miloticus) scale used in removing Cr (VI) have been evaluated using chemical and physical methods. The physical parameters investigated include: Equilibrium Contact Time (ECT), pH Adsorption Isotherm (AI) Langmuir isotherm (LI), Freundlich Isotherm (FI) and Thermodynamic Studies (TS). The chemical parameter used is Initial Metal Concentration (IMC). The physical parameters show the following: increasing the contact time increased the adsorption of the Cr (VI) ion and remained constant after an equilibration time of 60 min. The uptake of Cr (VI) ion by chitin was due to the presence of crystalline network, acetamide groups instead of hydroxyl groups and little amino groups which prevent further adsorption of Cr (VI). The adsorption of Cr (VI) increased with increase in pH from 2 to 6. The adsorption isotherm showed a sort of plateau, hence there is a formation of a complete monolayer of the metal ion covering the adsorbent surface. The thermodynamic study revealed that increasing the temperature decreases the adsorption capacity. The chemical parameter showed that when the concentration of the initial metal ion was increased, there was an increase in the amount of metal ion removed from the solution. Therefore the process is temperature dependent, pH dependent and maximum adsorption capacity was found at pH 6-8. Keywords: Bargi fish scale, Chitin, Chromium (VI), Adsorption isotherm, Thermodynamics studies.

138-140

Authors: A. Freitas, H. Costa, A Souza1, D. Souto, A. Mesquita, A. Mesquita.

Sci-Afric Journal of Scientific Issues, Research and Essays Vol. 2 (3), pp. 138-140, March, 2014. © Sci-Afric Journal Research Paper Efficacy of low-dose gamma radiation sterilization of polyethylene acetabular components used in hip replacements. Anderson Freitas1, Hélio Costa1, André Souza1, Diogo Souto1, Adriano Mesquita2, Alessandro Mesquita1. 1. Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital Ortopédico e Medicina Especializada (HOME) – Distrito Federal – Brasil. 2. Laboratório de Microbiologia de Alimentos e Água do Centro de Pesquisa em Alimentos da Universidade Federal de Goiás – Goiânia – Goiás – Brasil. *Correspondence Author E-mail: andfreitas28@gmail.com Accepted March 17th, 2014 Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of sterilization of the surface and deep layers of polyethylene acetabular components used in hip arthroplasties by the exposure to low doses of gamma radiation. Material and Methods: 15 acetabular components, made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) produced by domestic industry were tested in two phases: in the first phase, the surface’s sterility was studied by incubation of the components in Trypticase Soy Broth (DIFCO®). In the second phase, the sterility of the deep layer of the acetabular component was evaluated by incubation of samples of this layer, collected from regions in which there is usually greater prosthetic wear. Results: On all the samples evaluated, both the superficial and deep layers of the acetabular component showed no evidence of bacterial growth. Conclusion: Low-dose gamma radiation sterilization is effective in sterilizing both the superficial and deep layers of acetabular components used in hip replacements. Keywords: Hip, Arthroplasty, Infection, UHMWPE, Trypticase Soy Broth (DIFCO®).