Advanced Journal of Graduate Research
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Expanding the Disciplinary Scope of AJGR: Welcoming Mentored Student Research from All Academic Fields
Get PDFThe Advanced Journal of Graduate Research (AJGR) was established as a specific journal for publishing mentored research conducted by bachelor’s and master’s degree students, with a focus primarily on science and allied disciplines. As student research across academic domains continues to grow in quality and scope, AJGR is expanding its scope to include all disciplines. This editorial outlines the rationale behind the decision, the submission expectations, and the continued emphasis on research mentorship, ethical publishing, and process improvements. The journal invites submissions from all academic fields, provided the research was carried out under an officially assigned supervisor as part of a formal academic research course
Knowledge and Awareness of Glaucoma and Their Associated Eye Care Practices in 3 Areas With Different Tiers in Khartoum State 2020-2021: A Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFPrimary open-angle glaucoma is the most prevalent type of glaucoma in Africa, in which the patient is usually asymptomatic early in the disease course; so early presentation is the only way to prevent blindness progression. This study is a community-based cross-sectional study in 3 different socioeconomic areas in Khartoum state among adults who were selected using systemic random sampling inside the area. Data were collected using an interviewing questionnaire after obtaining ethical approval from the Department of Community Medicine- University of Khartoum and a sample of 384 was collected. The overall level of awareness was 62%, which differed significantly with: tier-level, educational level, diagnosis of refractive error, use of medical eyeglasses, family history of blindness, and attendance history of eye care services. The main source of knowledge and awareness of Glaucoma was the local community (57%) followed by ophthalmologists (23%). Among the aware population, the second socioeconomic area residents possessed higher knowledge of glaucoma than those in the first area (P=0.032). Ophthalmologists as a source of knowledge are associated positively with higher knowledge. Attendance of eye care services is associated positively with a family history of blindness and a university degree. The awareness of glaucoma is low in low socioeconomic area compared to the middle and high socioeconomic areas. Middle socioeconomic area residents possessed higher knowledge than the highest socioeconomic area. The high awareness in the population was not translated into good knowledge in most of the population so health education is recommended
The Possibilities of Finding a Cure for HIV: A Literature Review
Get PDFThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major worldwide health concern, affecting millions of people globally, and when untreated progresses into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). With the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV infection is defined as a manageable, but not curable, chronic health condition. ART inhibits viral replication and prevents HIV transmission but does not eliminate the virus due to viral latency in memory T cells, exacerbated by the rise in drug resistant mutations (DRMs), so lifelong treatment and monitoring is required. In this review, we discuss the justifications and research approaches towards finding a “cure” for HIV i.e. complete elimination or control of the virus without the need for further treatment. The two main barriers to developing a cure for HIV infection are the property of HIV viral latency and high mutation rate of the virus. A few cases of HIV have been cured through bone marrow transplants to treat acute myeloid leukaemia, where the donors had rare mutations in the CCR5 gene, required for viral entry. More viable approaches to a cure include the “Shock and Kill” method which aims to use reverse viral latency allowing these cells to be detected and destroyed with ART, and the “Block and Lock” method aims to block viral transcription in HIV-infected latent cells, preventing a rebound viral replication after the cessation of ART. The possibility of vaccination has been widely explored, but an effective HIV vaccine has yet to be developed after more than 40 years of the pandemic. Currently, the “Block and Lock” approaches appear to be the most favourable, possibly in conjunction with other recently developed interventions such as passive immunisation with broadly neutralizing antibodies. However, approaches taken to develop a cure for HIV cannot be detached from ethical concerns which need to be acknowledged and navigated
Revising the Volume Titles of the Journal to Match Actual Publication Year
Get PDFThe Advanced Journal of Graduate Research (AJGR), a peer-reviewed journal for mentored research conducted by undergraduate and postgraduate students, historically followed a biannual publication model with issues designated as January and July volumes. However, this system often caused confusion regarding the actual year of publication, especially when articles published in the latter half of a year were assigned to the January volume of the following year. To address this inconsistency, AJGR decided to adopt a revised volume titling system beginning with the next issue. The new naming convention, June and December volumes, aligns volume titles with the calendar year of publication, thereby enhancing transparency, improving citation accuracy, and ensuring alignment with indexing standards
Factors Influencing the Distribution of Nosocomial Infections in Some Selected Hospitals of Kaduna State
Get PDFIt is becoming alarming on the rate by which nosocomial infections tend to rapidly spread affecting lives especially patient placed in the intensive care unit or wards thereby extending patient stay beyond specified period of time. Therefore, the cross sectional study is designed to determine the factors influencing the distribution of nosocomial infection in Kaduna state. The exploration into the research problem was carried out using qualitative method which involve generating an interpretive qualitative data using structured questionnaire and face to face interviews. The method comprises of the study setting, participants, method of data collection, procedure, data management and analysis. A total of 5 different species (E.coli, S.aureus, k.Pneumoniae , Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were identified from 6 parameters (fomites, sterilization techniques, disinfection techniques, water source, bed spacing, cleaning methods) evaluated from 100 respondents across the hospital screened and all the organism shows significant p-value less than 0.05 (p-value ≤0.05) across all the parameters evaluated. The findings suggest that infection control program should be set up in all public and private hospital to ensure effective management and control strategy and to curtail the widespread of these pathogenic nosocomial infections
Comparative Analysis of Phytocompound Variations in Leaves, Bark and Roots of Allspice (Pimenta Dioica) Collections in Tanzania
Get PDFAllspice, scientifically known as Pimenta dioica, holds potential as a natural source of beneficial compounds that have been historically used to address various human health concerns. The aim of this research was to explore differences in the compounds found in parts of Allspice (i.e., the leaves, bark, and roots). Petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and methanol were used to extract the substances from each part; the resulting crude extracts were then analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. To interpret the obtained data, the National Institute of Standards and Technology database was referred to for a spectra analysis. The findings indicated that the leaves contained 81 phytocompounds, bark had 18 types, and roots exhibited 12 varieties. Prominent phytocompounds found in the leaves were eugenol in 72.24% – 73.91% of the total compounds detected. Bark was primarily composed of 1,4-Methanoazulene, decahydro-4,8,8-trimethyl-9-methylene-, [1S-(1. alpha.,3a. beta.,4. alpha.,8a. beta.)] in 74.35% – 84.24%; while roots contained γ-sitosterol at an 86.08% concentration level. In terms of solvent performance, methanol exhibited high efficiency on leaves, while dichloromethane demonstrated optimal results on bark and roots. The findings confirm significant variations in phytocompound composition in different parts of Allspice and underscores the importance of considering specific types of phytocompounds, as well as extraction techniques to achieve valuable outcomes
Prevalence and Impact of Cattle Infections in Ghana: Challenges in Livestock Health and Disease Management
Get PDFThis article examines the critical issues surrounding cattle diseases in Ghana and their detrimental effects on animal farming, food supply, and public health. It offers a comprehensive analysis of common infections affecting cattle in Ghana's farming industry, along with proposing potential strategies to manage these health challenges. A literature search was conducted across four databases, retrieving 117 records, of which 12 were included for analysis. The most widespread disease found was trypanosomiasis, along with other infections such as bovine tuberculosis, bovine coronaviruses, heartwater, and parasitic worm infestations. Farmers often rely on antibiotics, antiprotozoal, anthelmintics, and vaccines to address these health concerns. The findings reveal that these diseases have a profound effect on cattle productivity, resulting in notable economic setbacks, and a decline in the availability of cattle-based products. Although various diagnostic techniques are employed, it is evident that there is a need for simpler and more effective diagnostic tools to identify and treat these infections early. The study highlights the need for continuous research on cattle diseases to develop more effective treatments and suggest the development of improved diagnostic methods. Additionally, it stresses the importance of implementing early detection technologies and control systems to reduce the economic and agricultural consequences of cattle diseases in Ghana
Can Stem Cell Therapy be an Effective Therapeutic Option for Complex and Neurological Conditions?
Get PDFThis article explores the feasibility and potential benefits of stem cell therapy as a promising therapeutic intervention for individuals facing severe behavioral and cognitive impairments, targeting underlying neurological mechanisms to offer potential symptom improvement and function restoration, thereby enhancing the quality of life for patients and potentially alleviating stress and burnout among caregivers. The aims of the study include investigating the efficacy of stem cell therapy in addressing these impairments and evaluating its potential to alleviate caregiver burden. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, clinical trials, and studies, this research synthesizes the mechanisms of stem cell therapy, potential applications, clinical trial outcomes, caregiver experiences, and economic implications. The methods employed involve analyzing diverse data sources to provide a holistic understanding of the possibilities and challenges associated with stem cell therapy. Key outcomes of the study include highlighting promising results from clinical trials targeting conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, Parkinson's disease, and Crohn's disease, which underscore the transformative potential of stem cell therapy in patient care. Additionally, economic implications suggest potential reductions in healthcare costs and alleviation of financial strain on individuals, families, and healthcare providers. Stem cell therapy represents a paradigm shift in healthcare, promising to redefine treatment approaches and alleviate broader societal burdens associated with complex neurological conditions. The relevance of the study lies in emphasizing the need for continued research, ethical considerations, and multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure the safe and effective integration of stem cell therapy into clinical practice, ultimately offering new hope and improved care for patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems worldwide
Remarks on the Solution of Fractional Ordinary Differential Equations Using Laplace Transform Method
Get PDFIn this work we used the Laplace transform method to solve linear fractional-order differential equation, fractional ordinary differential equations with constant and variable coefficients. The solutions were expressed in terms of Mittag-Leffler functions, and then written in a compact simplified form. As a special case for simplicity, the order of the derivative determined the order of the solution that was obtained. This paper presented several case studies involving the implementation of Fractional Order calculus-based models, whose results demonstrate the importance of Fractional Order Calculus
Potentiality of Biogas Production from Waste in Bangladesh
Get PDFBiogas is treated as a prominent renewable source in the world for mitigating fuel crises in developing countries. Using biogas technology toxic waste can be handled with an anaerobic process helping to generate natural fertilizers. So, it is a major concern for the researchers to find the proper solution by selecting a suitable renewable energy source in the present world. Biogas is treated as a type of biofuel that can be obtained from the fermentation of organic waste. The main goal of this research is to show the potential of a biogas generator in terms of cow dung, vegetable waste, kitchen waste, and poultry to generate biogas. The produced biogas from the decomposition of the organic waste can be utilized in electric power generation to fulfill the power demand of a house. From the analysis, it is seen that cow dung is the most powerful waste for the generation of biogas in comparison to other types of waste. The calculation shows that cow dung is almost 86.75 % more efficient than the kitchen waste and 44.49 % more efficient than the vegetable waste. And some practical data of a biogas power plant has been included to show the potentiality of biogas in the present world