Archives-December 

Librarians are expected to ensure the availability of information to all categories of people without any form of hindrance that may be based on gender, race or any type of impairment. This paper examines library services as they are connected to impaired users. An impaired user here means an individual that has decreased strength or quality. This category of people could be the visually, hearing, speech impaired or any other form of impairment. The ability to be able to render services to individuals that are visually impaired, physically impaired, deaf and dumb through assistive technologies such as Screen reader, Braille translation software, Braille writing equipment, Closed–circuit television (CCTV), Wheel chair, large print, talking/audio books and Braille embosser and scanners has been faced with a number of challenges. It is recommended that libraries, special education teachers, university authorities and stakeholders should endeavour to provide adequate facilities for impaired users.

The present paper analyses words and phrases in sexual discourse among university students in Kenya in order to determine men’s patriarchal language attitudes. Using Foucault’s (1978) theory of discourse analysis and Feminist Theory, the study shows power differences in male and female sexual discourse. Results revealed that males use powerful language which promotes patriarchal tendencies. This paper may help reduce exploitation and discrimination of women.

The lipid composition of the heart, liver and brain of roan antelope was determined on a dry weight basis. The crude fat ranged between 4.16-8.65 g/100 g with corresponding contributing energy as 120-180 kJ/100 g and total fatty acid of 3.25-4.85 g/100 g. The fatty acids were (in % of total fatty acids): SFA: 46.3 (brain) > 39.5 (heart) > 37.7 (liver); MUFA (cis): 44.2 (brain) > 39.8 (heart) > 25.4 (liver); MUFA (trans): 0.131 (brain) > 0.121 (heart) > 0.053 (liver) and PUFA: 36.8 (liver) > 20.5 (heart) > 9.26 (brain). Best SFA level was C16:0 in brain (25.8 %) and in heart (25.2 %) but C18:0 in liver (17.3 %). C18:1 (cis-6) was highest MUFA in liver (12.7 %) but C18:1 (cis-9) was highest MUFA in heart (18.3 %) and brain (22.3 %). These n-6 PUFA were high in concentration: C18:2 (cis-9, 12) 2.05 -21.4 % and C20:4 (cis-5, 8, 11, 14) 3.91-13.3 %. SFA as food was 1.23-2.24 g/100 g and PUFA was 0.449- 1.20 g/100 g with corresponding energy contributions of 45.4-83.0 kJ/100 g and 16.6-44.2 kJ/100 g. AA/DGLA was 5.73-13.7; EPA/DHA was – to 0.027; LA/ALA was 7.48-60.6; n-6/n-3 was 2.72-51.9; PUFA/SFA was 0.200-0.976; MUFA/SFA was 0.676-1.01 and EPSI was 0.209-1.44. The only sterol of significance was cholesterol with a range of 88.7-1234 mg/100 g whereas total phospholipids range was 283-2791 mg/100 g with the brain being highest in concentration and the liver being lowest in both sterol and phospholipids respectively.

Table of contents for the month of April 2017

A 222Rn survey was carried out in order to explore the pattern of geographical and seasonal changes of 222Rn activity in soil-gas at different locations in Chitradurga district of Karnataka State using RAD7 radon detector coupled with special accessories, without dilution by outside air technique. Radon activity in the soil gas varied from 0.5 to 812.9 (mean: 93.78 Bq/m3) and 0.8 to 810.4 Bq/m3 (mean: 92.84 Bq/m3) during pre- and post-monsoon seasons respectively, with an annual mean of 0.65 to 811.65 Bq/m3 (mean: 93.31 Bq/m3). A significant spatial and insignificant temporal variation in soil radon activity has been observed in the study area, which is in the order of Hosadurga taluk (346.56 Bq/m3)> Hiriyur taluk (95.10 Bq/m3) > Challakere taluk (36.45 Bq/m3) > Chitradurga taluk (20.40 Bq/m3) > Holalkere taluk (2.87 Bq/m3). The results showed the radon values in the soil-gas of Chitradurga district are low (< 0.8 kBq/m3) enough to categorize them under low radon risk areas (viz., 10 kBq/m3).

Mechanical properties of seven types of Ag - clay nano films were investigated. Elasticity of Modulus, Tensile Strength, Toughness, Elongation at break, Tear Strength and color of nano films were compared with those of the regular Low Density Poly Ethylene film. Results showed that inclusion of nano particles increased Modulus of Elasticity, Tensile Strength and Tear Strength but Elongation at break point and toughness of the films were decreased. The effect of film type on Modulus of Elasticity, Tensile Stress and Tear Strength, were significant at the 0.01 level and for Elongation at break point and toughness was significant at the 0.05 level. Investigation of film color parameters and ?E showed that the 1000 ppm nano Ag film has more color than other films. The smallest ?E was related to the control film. ?E value of the nano Ag films increased with increasing nano particle content and in nano composite films, decreased with increasing clay content. In sum, the nano film with 1000 ppm nano Ag content was the best film and control film was the worst film. In conclusion, the nano composite film (SC3) with 500 ppm nano Ag- 450 ppm nano clay content was the best film in terms of the mechanical properties.

The condensation product between 2,6-diacetylpyridinedihydrazone and pyridine-2-aldehyde were prepared and this was reacted with cis-Ru(phen)2Cl2.2H2O and cis-Ru(bipy)2Cl2.2H2O to form two mixed – ligand complexes. The complexes were characterized using elemental analyses, infrared and electronic spectra, mass spectra, 1H NMR, and the molar conductances determined. The elemental analyses data is satisfactory with the formation of the prepared complexes which conformed to the electrocyclisation of the introduced ligand. The mass spectra data is consistent with the molecular structural patterns of the complexes. The conductivity measurement revealed that the complexes were 1:2 electrolytes. Quantum chemical methods are used to calculate the binding and stabilization energies of the two complexes which suggested that binding and stabilization energies of [Ru(phen)2L]2+ are thermodynamically more favourable compared to [Ru(bipy)2L]2+ .

This paper proposes a review of the main uniqueness and parameters of photovoltaic (PV) cell. A photovoltaic (PV) cell converts the solar energy into the electrical energy by the photovoltaic effect. The heat does not participate constructively in this process. Heat actually limits the performance of p-n layers, and the presence of excess heat is a sign of deterioration in a PV cell. Most solar cells are built from silicon, and the presence of impurities influences their performance. The losses occurring in the field operation of a PV cell have to be considered in order to calculate precisely its real electric power output. The PV module model is simulated using Matlab. The reviewed model is based on previous studies and previous models. Finally, the model has been compared with experimental data of a commercial PV module USP5-6V.

We are very happy to announce that from 24h March 2017, Mr. Paresh Girish Chaudhary has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He/She will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Mechanical Engineering. The appointment of Mr. Paresh Girish Chaudhary as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal.

Giardiasis is a diarrheal disease caused by a flagellate protozoan Giardia lamblia infecting both human and animals. These parasites live in the intestines and are passed in feces. Outside the body, Giardia can survive for weeks or months. Giardia may be found in every region around the world. Mode of spreading is mainly through oral route mostly via contaminated water. Symptoms include diarrhea, gas or flatulence, greasy stool that can float, abdominal cramps, nausea, and dehydration accompanied by weight loss. WHO estimates that over 90% of diarrheal cases can be prevented by enhancing the availability of clean water and improving hygiene and sanitation measures. Some people with Giardia infection may remain asymptomatic hence acting as reservoirs for the parasite. Lack of safe water as a sanitation hazard has not been comprehensively studied. This cross section study was carried out to determine the point prevalence of G. lamblia amongst out-patients who attended Sio port sub-county hospital between the period of May-July 2014. To determine the point prevalence of G. lamblia and to determine the most affected gender and age-group(s).: Simple random sample method were used, to enroll three hundred and fifty three (353) participants. Stool was microscopically studied to identify presence of a trophozoite (in case the stool is diarrhoeic) and for a cyst of a G.lamblia (in case it is formed or semi-formed stool). Data was collected and analysed by discriptive statistics and presented in form of tables, pie charts and graphs. Female were the most affected (78.2%) as compared to male (21.8%). The most affected age-group was 26-30 years (21%), followed by 0-5years (18.5%) and the least affected was 41years and above (3.4%). Point prevalence of G.lamblia was concluded to be 33.7%. Prevalence of G. lamblia among out-patients was 33.7% with the highest being in the age-bracket of 26-30 (21%) and female being the most affected sex with the prevalence rate of 78.2%. Therefore giardiasis is a health problem in areas where proper personal hygiene is not taken into consideration.