Comparative Analysis of Poverty Level Among Rural and Urban Farmers in Ekiti and Ondo States

The study was carried out to investigate the poverty level differential among rural and urban households in Ekiti and Ondo states of Nigeria. A total of 180 households, were randomly selected, from nine Local Government Areas of the two states.  A structured interview schedule was used in eliciting information from them. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts Mean, Standard Deviation and inferential statistics (Foster-Greer-Thorbeck, FGT). The Foster-Grear-Thorbecke (FGT) measure showed that 78% and 57% of the rural and urban farmers from the two states were poor respectively. Based on the poverty line of N5668, the depth of poverty is 0.3889 and 0.1875 for the urban dwellers. For the rural dweller, the severity of poverty is 0.2613 and 0.0856, and this showed that there was a higher level of poverty among households in the rural areas than the urban areas of the study area

Preservative Effect Of Gelatin Coatings On Carrot

Edible coating extends the life span of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is used to preserve food and prevent spoilage of fruits stored at room temperature. Preservative effect of gelatin coatings on the preservation of carrots was analyzed. Gelatin was prepared in four concentrations (0.5 g/ml, 1.0 g/ml, 1.5 g/ml and 2.0 g/ml). It was applied using dipping technique and allowed to dry before storage in sterile containers. Physiochemical parameters, weight loss and microbiological qualities of the coated and uncoated carrots were analyzed for a period of 7 days using standard procedures. Isolation and identification of bacteria was carried out using pour plate method and biochemical tests. Gelatin concentration at 0.5 g/ml attained nutrient retention with moisture content, total soluble solids and protein content of coated carrots ranging from 90.50 ± 0.01 – 85.40 ± 0.00 %, 12.20 ± 0.01 – 10.60 ± 0.00 Brixo and 1.50 ± 0.01 – 0.25 ± 0.01 % respectively. Weight loss of coated carrots at 0.5 g/ml concentration ranged from 0.35 ± 0.01 – 0.25 ± 0.02 g while 1.0 g/ml concentration ranged from 0.35 ± 0.00 – 0.28 ± 0.03 g. The bacterial and fungal counts of carrots coated with gelatin ranged between 0.20 ± 0.01 x 104 - 7.50 ± 0.05 x 104 Cfu/g and 0.20 ±0.01 x 104 – 18 ± 0.01 x 105 Cfu/g respectively. Eight bacterial and five fungal isolates namely Proteus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp., Aeromonas sp, Bacillus sp, Streptococcus sp, Fusarium sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizopus stolonifera, Penicillum sp. were the most occurring bacterial and fungal species respectively. Coating with gelatin extends life span, reduce water and helps maintain the phytochemical properties of the carrot

Pedo-Transfer Functions for Predicting Total Soil Nitrogen in Different Land Use Types under Some Tropical Environments

 Nitrogen pedo-transfer functions were developed for different land use types, soil depths and agro-ecologies across eight states in Nigeria. The results showed that total nitrogen had a good relationship with the soil organic carbon; therefore, the functions developed were based on the relationship between organic carbon and total nitrogen as other soil parameters (pH, and particle size distribution) had little contribution and no significant correlation (p>0.05) with total nitrogen. Correlation and forward stepwise regression and Kendall’s Coefficient Concordance were used to fit and validate the developed model with datasets other than those used for the model formulation. The R2 of the best fitted regression models varied from 0.77 to 0.85. We obtained a generalized fitted model (TN = 0.0736*OC, R2 = 0.83) which is independent of the agroecology and the land use types. Significant fitted models were also obtained for the arable farms (TN = 0.08*OC, R2 = 0.85) and the plantation farms (TN = 0.0698*OC, R2 = 0.83). It was discovered that variations in agro-ecology, land use, and soil depth did not significantly affect the model performance

Evaluation of CD4+ T Cells in HIV Patients Presenting with Malaria at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Nigeria

CD4 count is an important immunological marker of disease progression in HIV seropositive patients. This study was carried out to determine the effect of malaria or fever of unknown origin on the population of CD4+ T lymphocytes of HIV seropositive patients attending the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. 36 subjects were selected for this study. Ongoing history of fever was used as a case definition for malaria and malaria was confirmed from microscopic examination of thick and thin film of blood sample obtained from the patients during presentation with fever. The CD4 count was evaluated during presentation of fever and post-fever using flow cytometry. There was significant decrease in CD4 count of the patients. However, upon classifying the patients into 2 groups - those that returned to the clinic after a week and those that returned after a month - a significant increase in CD4 count was noticed in the group that returned after a week, while a significant decrease was noticed in the group that returned after a month (at p value of 95%). Further classification of the patients based on presence of malaria parasite, and body temperature resulted in varying effects on CD4 count post-fever (in the general group, 27 were positive for malaria parasites. Of these 27, there was an increase in CD4 count in 9 (33.3%). However in the group that returned after a week, all 6 (100%) that were positive for malaria parasites showed increase in CD4 count. Five (26.3%) of the 19 patients that had body temperature within the range of 35.5-37.4^o^C showed an increase in CD4 count, while 7 (41.2%) the 17 patients that had body temperature of 37.5^o^C and above showed an increase in CD4 count. The results led to the conclusion that while some components of the immune response to malaria could strengthen the immune system of HIV seropositive patients by increasing their CD4 count, other components will suppress their immunity by decreasing their CD4 count, accelerating the progression to AIDS

Effects of PID Controller on Performance of Dish Antenna Position Control for Distributed Mobile Telemedicine Nodes

Introduction of telemedicine into developing nation’s healthcare delivery scheme could be a solution to a number of challenges facing the scheme including acute shortage of medical personnel. Because of distribution and mobility nature of the system combined with Nigeria’s large land mass, the resulting propagation delay will be large which may lead to system poor quality of performance or instability if the system is not compensated. This study aimed at assessing the effects of introducing Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller into the control of the position of dish antenna mounted on distributed mobile telemedicine nodes within Nigeria when the link is via Nigcomsat-1R. The system closed loop composite transfer function was obtained and subjected to unit step forcing function which then yielded time domain parameters. There was reduction in the value of system time domain parameters obtained for PID controller compensated system compared to uncompensated system. Based on the value of the system time domain parameters obtained from the simulation, introduction of PID controller into this system has improved the system response significantly

Quality of Life of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Studies assessing the quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients prior to initiating dialysis therapy are much fewer than studies of patients on dialysis. However many of the factors affecting quality of life during dialysis already exist in the early stage of chronic kidney disease and suitable management of these factors could have a positive influence on the course of the illness. This is a cross-sectional study assessing the relationship between sociodemographic and medical factors with the quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients. The study comprises of 113 consecutive adult chronic kidney disease patients attending the renal clinic of the university of Ilorin teaching hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. Health related quality of life was assessed using the 26 item World Health Organization quality of life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF). Age greater than 60 years (p=0.001), receiving adequate social support (p=0.038) were statistically significantly associated with higher score on Environment domain of WHOQOL-BREF, while being divorced (p=0.005) was significantly related to a lower score (i.e. poorer QOL) on this domain. Among the clinical characteristics, being at an advanced stage of CKD and being on current treatment with RRT were statistically significantly associated with lower scores on overall QOL (p=0.017; p=0.045 respectively). These two clinical characteristics were also associated with lower scores (i.e. poorer QOL) on the physical health (p=0.007; p<0.001 respectively), psychological health domain (p=0.04; p=0.01 respectively) and environment domain (p=0.035; p=0.018 respectively) of the WHOQOL-BREF. Both the presence of complication and using higher number of medications were statistically significantly associated with lower scores on health satisfaction (p=0.026; p=0.01 respectively) and the physical health domain (p=0.006; p<0.001 respectively) of WHOQOL-BREF. Sociodemographic and clinical factors influence the quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients. However, efforts made at early detection and treatment with provision of social assistance may help reduce their negative effects on the quality of life of these patients. Keywords: quality of life; chronic kidney disease; Nigeri

Perception of Skin Bleaching Among Female Secondary School Students in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Despite the social, pathological, physiological and psychological effects that skin bleaching presents, it has become a popular practice among individuals of different age groups, gender and religious affiliations in Nigeria. An objective observation would identify a particular group as being mostly involved in the practice than the others. Upon this backdrop, this study investigated the perception of female secondary school students on skin bleaching practice in Ibadan metropolis. The sample comprised six hundred female students across ten secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis. The instrument employed for the study is titled “Perception of Skin Bleaching Questionnaire” (POSBQ) designed by the researchers. The data collected were analyzed using percentage, mean and t-test statistical measures. The major findings revealed that young girls engaged in skin bleaching as a method of receiving desired attention and relationship from the opposite sex and attract the desired marriage partners. The study revealed that religion has no significant influence on the perception of the respondents as regards skin bleaching while age has significant influence. Therefore, counsellors should enlighten female students on best practice in body beautification and guide them on life building skills such as assertiveness, decision making and healthy living. Keywords: Beautification, Perception and Skin bleachin

The Social Use of Batonu Personal Names

Previous researchers on the use of Batonu personal names argue that there are different categories of Batonu names and using thirty (30) respondents, the researchers submit that the use of Muslim names has replaced the use of Batonu native names in all domains. However, the present study, using three hundred (300) respondents, visited the study area and identifies names that are used as personal names among the Batonu people. It also examines the social use of the names in formal and informal domains. The research adopted the theory of Domains  of language use by Ferguson (1966). Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data on the various uses of personal names in intra and inter group interactions. There were three findings. Some showed names that were drawn from Islam and Christianity. Some names were also drawn from Batonu native names. Two domains of name usage have been identified. The informal domains consisted of home/community, peer-group and play ground. The formal ones comprised school, places of worship, certificates, wedding cards, almanacs and work places. It is evident that the Batonu native names are still frequently used with foreign or Christian and Muslim names in formal and in informal domains although with different degrees of use. This present study has shown that although a foreign culture may have an overwhelming influence over an indigenous culture, it does not mean that the indigenous culture will not thrive especially if the indigenous culture has traditional activities that can help sustain it

Kinematics of Lower Limb Segments during Cycling Session

This paper presents the kinematics of the leg-bicycle five-bar linkage system mechanism including foot segment. Kinematics is very important in the analysis of rigid bodies system whenever theoretical analysis is being sought especially in bicycle-leg linkage mechanism. A lot of experimental works has already been carried out on lower limbs segments biomechanics during cycling which involved the use of positions of the lower limb segments, but there has not been a complete theoretical analysis of the lower limb segments positions in the literature. Therefore, there is need for a complete kinematics of the bicycle-leg linkage mechanism which includes the position analysis of the lower limb segments. The position, velocity, and acceleration equations were derived and the profiles of the thigh, shank and foot segments were plotted against crank angles. It was found that the profiles obtained are reasonable and agrees with experiments. Keywords: Cycling; Five-bar linkage; Kinematics Analysis; Lower Limb Segments