Archives-June... 

An experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources management, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki in order to evaluate productivity of a degraded ultisol amended with different animal wastes in Abakaliki. The field was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were four treatments viz poultry droppings (PD), Swine Waste (SW), Cow Dung (CD) and Control (C) applied at 12 ha-1, respectively. These treatments were replicated five times. Maize hybrid (Oba super II) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) were used as test crops. Core and auger samples were collected at 0 – 20 cm depth before and after planting for pre and post planting soil properties determination. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated with Fisher’s least significant difference. Results showed that bulk density, total porosity, moisture content, hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability and mean weight diameter were significantly (P<0.05) higher in poultry droppings amended plots than in control. The texture of soil remained sandy loam. The studied chemical properties showed no significant treatments effect except magnesium that was significantly (P<0.05) higher in PD and CD amendments relative to control. Cow dung treatment significantly (P<0.05) depressed Na compared to control and other animal wastes amendments. Bulk density was lower by 5 and 7% under poultry droppings compared to cow dung and swine waste treatments. Total porosity and hydraulic conductivity were 9,7,4 and 11% higher in PD relative to cow dung and swine wastes amendments. Available P, total N and organic matter were higher under PD treatment by 8, 17, 18, 12, 17 and 27% compared to SW and CD amended plots, respectively. Maize grain and groundnut yields significantly (P<0.05) increased in all animal wastes amended plots relative to control. Animal wastes enhanced physical properties of soil and yields of crops more than chemical ones. Poultry droppings that proved more superior compared to others could be recommended for improving productivity of a degraded soil in the study area.

This paper reviews the current situation with regard to generation of low grade fuels and their prospects of economic conversion into electrical power, the technologies presently available for this purpose, and the problems faced in such efforts. It emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to devise ways and means for generating electrical power from low grade fuels; keeping in mind the requirements of cleaner production and environmental protection so that the initiative leads to a total solution. The calorific value of such fuels varies between 550kcal/kg-1050 kcal/kg as compared to developed countries ie1550kcal/kg to 2050kcal/kg. The combination of various low grade fuels were prepared and tested, experimental analysis amply high light the usage of these fuels as a replacement of coal. There is a shimmering promise that the whole process of using low grade fuel i.e. too Agriwaste harvesting, collection, transport,economic processing and utilization of low grade fuel can be made technically and economically more viable in future. Thus, this paper highlights the value of low grade fuels as a prospective source of electric power and thus serving the remote areas in the form of stand- alone units giving a boost to decentralized power supply. This approach and option seems to be possible in view of its potential contribution to our economic and social development. No doubt, this initiative needs to be backed and perused rigorously for removing regional imbalances as well as strengthening National economy.

We are very happy to announce that from 31st January 2015, Mr.Rudrarup Gupta has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Sales & Distribution Management and E-Commerce. Mr.Rudrarup Gupta currently working as Commercial Manager in Multifarious Projects Group, Kolkata, India. The appointment of Mr.Rudrarup Gupta as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. 

We are very happy to announce that from 24th December 2014, Ms. Babita Bharti has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. She will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Agriculture. Ms. Babita Bharti currently working as Research Associate, FICCI (Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industries), New Delhi, India. The appointment of Ms. Babita Bharti as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal.

The present study was conducted to evaluate wound healing potential of Nigella sativa L. oil extract on induced skin wounds in animal model. The present experimental study was conducted at animal house of Isra University from May to August 2013. A sample of 30 male rabbits was divided into three groups; Group 1. (n=10) controls, Group 2. (n=10) treated with Bacitracin powder and Group 3. (n=10) treated with Nigella sativa (NS) oil extract. The skin of rabbits was shaved after anesthetized with 1% xylocaine subcutaneously. The wound size was observed on days 4, 8 and 12. The tissue samples were embedded in paraffin, and stained with H&E and Masson`s trichrome staining for microscopy. Data was analyzed on SPSS 21.0 using ANOVA and post-Hoc Duncan`s test. Significant p-value was defined at ?0.5. The controls (Group 1) wounds showed severe inflammatory response compared with Bacitracin (Group 2) and NS (Group 3) L. oil extract groups. The animals showed significant differences in wound size days 4, 8 and 12 days among groups (p<0.001) except for controls and Bacitracin groups on 8th day (p=0.06). The wounds in NS group showed abundant robust granulation tissue formation and accelerated wound healing. The Bacitracin group also showed better wounds compared to controls. The microscopy revealed marked vascularity and collagen fibers in NS group compared to either. It can be concluded form present study that the NS oil extract has wound healing potential as indicated by gross wound size and histological findings of skin wound in rabbit model.

Alterations in mineral metabolism has been observed in all patients suffering from kidney disorders. While elevations in urea and creatinine values are definitely suggestive of renal disease, alterations in minerals metabolism is a secondary findings in all such cases. The metabolism of major macro divalent metals calcium and magnesium along with phosphorus are altered significantly and elevation in the level of one of the analytes always decreases the other. In the past, numerous publications have been carried out in this field, but only very few studies have been done to find out the associations between the analytes. This paper present the clinical usefulness of measuring all three analytes in patients suffering from kidney related disorders.

We are very happy to announce that from 22nd May 2014, Dr. Prabu Sevugan has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Advanced Image Processing and Soft Computing and Pattern Recognition. Dr. Prabu Sevugan is currently working as Associate Professor in School of Computing Sciences and Engineering, VIT University, Vellore. The appointment of Dr. Prabu Sevugan as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com.

We are very happy to announce that from 24th November 2014, Dr.Hussein Rabee Hamadi has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Educational Psychology. Dr.Hussein Rabee Hamadi currently working as Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Education, University of Babylon, Iraq. The appointment of Dr.Hussein Rabee Hamadi as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com.

We are very happy to announce that from 29th September 2014, Dr.Neeran Obied Jasim has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. She will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Pharmacy. Dr.Neeran Obied Jasim currently working as Assistant Professor, Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Al-Qadisiyha, Iraq. The appointment of Dr.Neeran Obied Jasim as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com.

We are very happy to announce that from 3rd February 2014, Dr.P.S.Ravindra has joined the team of Elixir Editorial Advisory Board. He will carry a special responsibility for dealing with manuscripts based on Finance & Accounting. Dr.P.S.Ravindra is currently working as Professor & HOD, Department of Management Studies, Miracle Educational Society Group of Institutions, Miracle City, Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram. The appointment of Dr.P.S.Ravindra as member Editorial Advisory Board strengthens the links and will make it easier for prospective authors to establish contact with the journal. Please send any expressions of interest to elixirpublishers@gmail.com. Sincerely Editor-in-Chief