Optical and structural properties of rice husk silicate incorporated borotellurite glasses doped with erbium oxide nanoparticles

A system of erbium oxide nanoparticles doped rice-husk-silicate borotellurite glasses with compositional formula, {[(TeO2)0.7 (B2O3)0.3]0.8 (SiO2)0.2}1−y (Er2O3 NPs)y with y = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 was fabricated using the method of melt-quenching. Various characterizations and measurement techniques such as density and molar volume, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy were carried out to study the structural, morphological and optical properties of the fabricated glasses. The density values for the glasses increased from 4.1900 to 4.6003 g cm−3 with the addition of 1% to 5% of Er2O3 NPs in the glass structure. The increase can be ascribed to increase in the overall molar weight of the glass caused by the higher molecular weight of erbium. The microstructural nature revealed in the glass morphological evidence of nanoparticle agglomerations in the glasses. From the UV–Vis spectra both direct and indirect energy band gap decreased with Er2O3 NPs increased 0.01 to 0.02 mol and then increased thereafter up to 0.05 mol%. The refractive index was found to be high, in the range of 2.6050 to 2.6794, metallization criterion ranged from 0.3268 to 0.3414 which according to Berwal et al. (J Mol Struct 1127:636–644, 2017), is an indication that the glass has good optical non-linearity and also suggests the glass has good potential for non-linear optical application. The molar polarizability ranged from 7.7041 to 7.4515 Å3 while the optical transmission coefficient values ranged from 0.6551 to 0.6691. The high refractive index, good metallization criterion, polarizability and transmission coefficient values suggest that the erbium oxide nanoparticles doped Rice husk silicate borotellurite glasses studied has some good potential for optical fibre amplifier application

A 5-year review of maternal mortality associated with eclampsia in a tertiary institution in northern Nigeria

Objective : To determine the incidence of maternal mortality associated with eclampsia and to determine how socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the women influence the deaths. Methodology : Records of 52 eclampsia-related mortalities from January 2003 to December 2007 were reviewed, retrospectively. Their social demography, mode and place of delivery, time of eclampsia, and fetal outcome were extracted for analysis. Results : Eclampsia accounted for 52 (46.4%) of the 112 total maternal deaths recorded within the 5-year period, with case fatality of 22.33%. Age grou

Detection and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strains among rural chickens in the arid region of north-eastern Nigeria

Aim: To know the prevalence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains among adult apparently healthy rural chickens slaughtered in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Cloacal swabs were examined by Gram staining, biochemical tests such as indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer and citrate (IMVC) tests and serotype by standard slide agglutination test with antisera against somatic antigen using six monospecific “O” antisera to E. coli belonging to the avian pathogenic E. coli group namely O1, O2, O26, O78, O86 and O141. The sensitivity of the isolated APEC strains to 10 antibiotics of human and veterinary use was also determined. Results: Out of a total of 510 samples examined, 356 (69.8%) were positive for E. coli. Of this number 20 (5.6%) samples were positive for O1, 20 (5.6%) for O2, 0 (0%) for O26, 25 (7.0%) for O78, 25 (7.0%) for O86 and 24 (6.7%) for O141 serotypes. The remaining 242 (68.0%) E. coli isolates were non typable with the 6 sera of avian pathogenic E. coli strains used for the study. The sensitivity profile of the isolates showed complete resistance of all the isolates against ampicillin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid and cefuroxime, while on the other hand all the isolates showed very high susceptibility to oxofloxacin followed by ciprofloxacin and gentamycin. The result of this study suggests that multiple-antimicrobial-resistant APEC isolates are present in rural chickens in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria. In addition to animal health problems created by the resistant strains, there may also be potential danger posed to human health because these strains could easily infect humans through the food chain. Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that multiple-antimicrobial-resistant APEC isolates are present in rural chickens in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria. Consequently, introduction of surveillance programs to monitor antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria is strongly recommended in Nigeria. [Vet. World 2012; 5(6.000): 325-329

An Assessment of Policies and Programs for Reducing Maternal Mortality in Borno State, Nigeria

The study was designed to identify and document the nature of current policy framework and programs for addressing maternal health in Borno state. In-depth interviews were conducted with key officers of the Borno State Ministry of Health, and available hospital data and other existing documents were reviewed. The results as well as those of the 2008 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), and surveys conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) indicate that Borno has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the country (1,600/100,000 live births). Although Borno state government has a policy on free maternal health care, the programme is not officially gazetted; it reaches only a few women; and is poorly funded. Several international development partners are active in the state but are increasingly concerned by the lack of official policies and the inadequate budgetary allocation for addressing the high rate of maternal mortality in the state. We conclude that increased political will is needed to address the inordinately high rate of maternal mortality in Borno State. (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[2]: 49-54).Key words: Maternal mortality, Borno state, Free maternal health care, northern Nigeria

Evaluation des politiques et des programmes pour la réduction de la mortalité maternelle dans l'état de Borno, Nigéria.

The study was designed to identify and document the nature of current policy framework and programs for addressing maternal health in Borno state. In-depth interviews were conducted with key officers of the Borno State Ministry of Health, and available hospital data and other existing documents were reviewed. The results as well as those of the 2008 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), and surveys conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) indicate that Borno has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the country (1,600/100,000 live births). Although Borno state government has a policy on free maternal health care, the programme is not officially gazetted; it reaches only a few women; and is poorly funded. Several international development partners are active in the state but are increasingly concerned by the lack of official policies and the inadequate budgetary allocation for addressing the high rate of maternal mortality in the state. We conclude that increased political will is needed to address the inordinately high rate of maternal mortality in Borno State.L'étude a été conçue pour identifier et documenter la nature du cadre de la politique et des programmes destinés à s'occuper de la santé maternelle dans l'état de Borno. Nous avons recueilli des interviews en profondeur auprès des responsables clé du ministère de la santé de l'état de Borno et nous avons passé en revue les données hospitalières et d'autres documents. Les résultats aussi bien que ceux de l'Enquête Nigériane de la Santé et de la Démographie de 2008 (ENSD) et les enquêtes menées par le ministère fédéral de la santé et la Société de Gynécologues et d'Obstétriciens de Nigéria (SOGON) montrent que l'état de Borno a des rapports les plus élevés de la mortalité maternelle dans le pays (1.600/100.000 naissances vivantes). Bien que l'état de Borno ait une politique de soins de la santé maternelle gratuit, elle n'a pas encore été publiée à l'Officiel ; cela n'atteint que très peu de femmes et elle n'est pas bien financée. Beaucoup de partenaires de développement internationaux sont actifs dans l'état mais ils s'inquiètent du manque de politiques officielles et de l'insuffisance d'allocation budgétaire pour s'occuper du taux élevé de la mortalité maternelle dans l'état. Nous concluons qu'il faut une volonté politique intensifiée pour s'occuper du taux de mortalité maternelle excessivement élevé dans l'état de Born

Power Grid Corridor Modelling for Efficient Electricity Distribution in Communities of Damaturu Nigeria Using GIS

This study focused on modelling of power grid corridor using geographic information system (GIS). The objectives are to map and evaluate the communities and existing Substations on national Grid with the aim of modelling new substations source for effective power distribution in the study area. The mapping of positions of the substations and communities around the grid wasachieved using Etrex 10 handheld GPS receiver and the evaluation was carried out using the Location allocation analysis of ArcGIS 10.3. The result of the model reveals that ten (10) out of the thirty-two (32) communities found were on the national grid while eight (8) distribution substations out of the ten (10) communities were discovered during location-allocation analysis. Consequently, the pattern of distribution of the substations was found to be random but optimal and least cost. Hence, the result of this study will certainly make electricity distribution efficient in the study area and hence recommended for use by all stakeholders

A six year (2005-2010) retrospective study of avian coccidiosis diagnosed in Gombe veterinary clinic, Nigeria

Chicken Coccidiosis remains one of the major diseases of concern in the poultry production enterprise in Nigeria. A six year retrospective study to establish the prevalence of chicken Coccidiosis (CC) in relation to other poultry  diseases diagnosed at the Veterinary Clinic Gombe was conducted. CC occurred year round with high prevalence  during the rainy season (July-September). Incidence of CC was 1.7 more likely to occur in November. CC is endemic  with higher prevalence during the rainy season in Gombe. Farmers should adhere to routine chemoprophylaxis and  avoid factors of predisposition to coccidiosis especially during the rainy season.Keywords: Avian coccidiosis, Gombe, Northeastern Nigeria, Retrospective prevalence, Seasonalit

Indications and outcome of abdominal myomectomy in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital: Review of ten year

Background: Abdominal myomectomy is a common modality of treatment for large and symptomatic uterine fibroid in women who wish to retain their fertility. Though frequently performed the procedure may still be associated with complications. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who had abdominal myomectomy from January 1999 to December 2008 at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Information on the Sociodemographic characteristics, indication for the myomectomy, uterine size, pre and post operative packed cell volume (PCV), intraoperative findings, cadre of surgeon, duration of hospital stay and complications were obtained. Results: The rate of abdominal myomectomy was 3.34%. Majority of the patients (79.8%) aged 30-49 years, and most (58.9%) were nulliparas. Abdominal mass (63.7%), menorrhagia (57.7%), and subfertility 55.2% were the leading indications for abdominal myomectomy. Complications were seen in 10.9% of the cases, 55.5 % of which were wound infections. Clinical and intra operative factors associated with complications included menorrhagia (P=0.003), estimated blood loss (EBL) ≥500mls (P=0.005) and post operative PCV of <30% (P=0.081). Conclusion: Complication rate after myomectomy was low with menorrhagia and EBL ≥ 500 mls being significantly associated with development of complication