GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND BLOOD INDICES OF FINISHING BROILER CHICKENS FED VARYING LEVELS OF PRE-GELATINIZED CASSAVA GRITS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE

Pre gelatinized cassava grit (PGCG) is a new cassava product produced mechanically and commercially for poultry feeding. Five dietary treatments were formulated with PGCG replacing maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % in broiler starter (0-4 weeks) and finisher (4-8 weeks) diets. Two hundred (200) day-old broiler chickens were allotted to the five dietary treatments in a completely random design.  Each treatment was replicated four times with 10 birds per replicate and 40 birds per treatment. At the end of week 4 and 8 of the experiment, data were collected on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, haematological and serum biochemical indices. Final weight and weight gain were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in broilers fed 25 % PGCG diet, followed by those fed control diet. While, (P < 0.05) similar and lower values were obtained from broilers fed other PGCG diets. Feed intake decreased (P < 0.05) with PGCG in the diets at the starting and finishing phases. Dry matter and crude protein digestibility was (P < 0.05) highest in starting broilers fed 25 % PGCG diet, while digestibility (P < 0.05) declined with higher levels of PGCG. At the finishing phase, digestibility of all nutrients was similar (P < 0.05). Apparent metabolizable energy was (P < 0.05) higher in birds fed PGCG diets in the starting and finishing phases. Haematological and serum biochemical indices showed no significant (P>0.05) difference in the broiler chickens fed varying levels of PGCG in the diets. Broiler chickens fed PGCG above 25% in the diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher proventriculus values when compared with those fed the control diet and 25% PGCG diet. The study revealed that substituting maize with 25 % PGCG in broiler diets improved growth and nutrient digestibility. Reduction in weight gain and non significant increased thiocyanate at higher PGCG inclusion should be improved for effective utilization of pre gelatinized cassava grit in broiler diets. &nbsp

Performance Optimization of Step-Like Divergence Plenum Air-Cooled Li-Ion Battery Thermal Management System Using Variable-Step-Height Configuration

Several studies on air-cooled battery thermal management systems (BTMSs) have shown that improvement can be achieved through redesign of the BTMSs. Recent studies have achieved improvements in managing the temperature in the system, but mostly with an increase in pressure drop. It is therefore imperative to carry out an extended study or redesign of the existing designs to overcome these challenges. In this work, a standard Z-type BTMS, which has a flat divergence plenum, was redesigned to have a step-like divergence plenum of variable step height. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach was adopted to investigate the thermal and airflow performance of the BTMSs. The CFD methodology was validated by comparing its results with experimental data in the literature. Various step height configurations were considered for 3-step and 4-step models. Findings from the result revealed that the variable step height design enhances the cooling performance of the battery pack. For instance, a 3-step model with step heights of 3, 6, and 6 mm offered the least pressure drop and maximum temperature difference, and when compared with the model with a constant step height of 5, 5, and 5 mm, it yielded reductions of 3.4% and 21.6%, respectively. By increasing the inlet airflow velocity, the 4-step cases generally improved. The best cooling improvement was seen in case 26 at velocities over 3.7 m/s for maximum temperature and velocities over 4.8 m/s for maximum temperature difference. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-03-01 Full Text: PD

Sedentary behaviours and cognitive function among community dwelling adults aged 50+ years:Results from the Irish longitudinal study of ageing

Background: Sedentary behaviours (SB) are risk factors for poor cardiovascular health and all-cause mortality. However, their role in cognitive health in older adults is unclear. A few studies have examined associations between sedentary behaviours and cognition, but are limited by heterogeneity and insufficient longitudinal analyses. Therefore more robust studies, which would address identified limitations, are needed to accurately determine associations. Method: This study analysed data collected from participants aged 50+ years of The Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing (TILDA). We conducted cross-sectional linear regression with multivariate imputation analyses of baseline data from wave 1 (N = 8163, weekday-sitting time), and wave 3 (N = 6400, weekday-television viewing); longitudinal analyses between waves 1\u20133 (sitting) and waves 3\u20134 (television). Sedentary behaviours were analysed as both categorical and continuous variables. Outcome of cross-sectional analyses was standardised regression co-efficient of associations between sedentary exposures and cognitive function in respective waves, while for longitudinal analyses was cognitive change (verbal memory, verbal fluency, and global cognition) between waves based on standardised residuals. Result: Study found significant but mild cross-sectional associations between 1-h increase in weekday-television viewing and poorer verbal memory (b = 120.02, CI: 120.04, 120.003, P < 0.05) and verbal fluency (b = 120.02, CI: 120.04, 120.002, P < 0.05). Baseline television viewing of 3.5+ h/day had mild but significant association with a decline in verbal fluency 2 years later in participants aged 65+ years, when compared with a reference category of <1.5 h of TV viewing (b = 120.12, CI: 120.23, 120.001, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study findings indicated some association between increased levels of weekday-television viewing time, independent of physical activity, and poor cognition cross-sectionally and longitudinally in middle-aged and older adults. Intervention studies are needed to confirm the effects of SB on cognition in older adults. Public health campaigns should be targeted at displacing high levels of television viewing, in excess of 3.5 h/day among older adults. \ua9 2020 Elsevier Lt

Factors Affecting Efficiency of Biosorption of Fe (III) and Zn (II) by Ulva lactuca and Corallina officinalis and Their Activated Carbons

The removal of heavy metals from industrial waste has become crucial in order to maintain water quality levels that are suitable for environmental and species reproductive health. The biosorption of Zn+2 and Fe+3 ions from aqueous solution was investigated using Ulva lactuca green algal biomass and Corallina officinalis red algal biomass, as well as their activated carbons. The effects of biosorbent dosage, pH, contact time, initial metal concentration, and temperature on biosorption were evaluated. The maximum monolayer capacity of Ulva lactuca and Corallina officinalis dry algal powder and algal activated carbon was reached at pH 5 and 3 for Zn+2 and Fe+3, respectively, while the other factors were similar for both algae, which were: contact time 120 min, adsorbent dose 1 g, temperature 40 C and initial concentrations of metal ion 50 mgL1. The batch experimental data can be modelled using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Thermodynamic characteristics revealed that the adsorption process occurs naturally and is endothermic and spontaneous. For the adsorption of Zn+2 and Fe+3 ions, the value of G was found to be negative, confirming the practicality of the spontaneous adsorption process, which could be helpful for remediation in the era of temperature increase

Signet ring lymphoma: The import of immunohistochemistry in resolving diagnostic dilemnas

Signet ring cell lymphomas are a rare subtype of non Hodgkin lymphoma characterised by malignant lymphoid cells with cytoplasmic inclusions that displace the nucleus and imparts a “signet ring” appearance.This poses a diagnostic challenge as it can be mistaken for an adenocarcinoma or any other epithelial malignancy.A 54yr old male presented with a 6month history of generalised lymphadenopathy. Examination of excision biopsy of the lymph nodes show effacement of architecture by sheets neoplastic cells with abundant cytoplasm distended by eosinophilic amorphous substances. Immunohistochemistry with a panel of three monoclonal antibodies [LCA, CD20, and CD3] confirmed these cells to be of lymphoid origin.Keywords: Non Hodgkin Lymphoma;Signet Ring,Immunohistochemistr

Impacts of extension access and cooperative membership on technology adoption and household welfare

This paper examines the impacts of access to extension services and cooperative membership on technology adoption, asset ownership and poverty using household-level data from rural Nigeria. Using different matching techniques and endogenous switching regression approach, we find that both extension access and cooperative membership have a positive and statistically significant effect on technology adoption and household welfare. Moreover, we find that both extension access and cooperative membership have heterogeneous impacts. In particular, we find evidence of a positive selection as the average treatment effects of extension access and cooperative membership are higher for farmers with the highest propensity to access extension and cooperative services. The impact of extension services on poverty reduction and of cooperatives on technology adoption is significantly stronger for smallholders with access to formal credit than for those without access. This implies that expanding rural financial markets can maximize the potential positive impacts of extension and cooperative services on farmers’ productivity and welfare

Qualitative Assessment of Surgical Repair of Three Types of Unilateral Cleft Lip

Objective: To assess the effect of the three types of unilateral cleft lip (UCL) [cleft lip only, cleft lip and alveolus, and cleft lip alveolus and palate] on the outcome of the repair. Material and Methods: This study was a case series of effect of types of UCL on the outcome of the repair. Fifteen subjects each were in three UCL phenotypes groups. Evaluation of the scar, lip, and nose was done qualitatively by both parents/guardians and professionals using a modified form of the criteria described by Christofides et al. (2006). Results: In the assessment of the surgical scar, the parents found a difference between the three types of cleft in terms of texture, shape, and width of the scar and presence of columella deviation. The professional assessors, however, only found the three types of cleft to be different in the presence of alar flattening. Conclusion: Differences truly exist in the outcome of surgical repair of the three types of unilateral cleft lip, especially in the aesthetics of the nose and in the width and shape of the residual lip scar. Thus, it is important to consider this in the assessment of UCL repair because putting the subtypes together might have a negative impact on the assessment

Entropy Generation of MHD Poiseuille Flow with Hall and Joule Heating Effects

In this article investigation has been conducted on the effects of Hall parameter, rotation parameter and Joule heating on the entropy generation of fully developed electrically conducting Poiseuille flow. The coupled system of ordinary differential equations for the flow are obtained, non-dimensionalised and solutions are constructed by Adomian decomposition technique. The effects of Hall current, Ion-slip, Joule heating and magnetic parameters on the velocity, temperature, entropy generation and Bejan number are explained and shown graphically. The results indicate that fluid entropy generation is induced by increase in Hall current, rotation and Joule heating parameters. Furthermore Bejan number is accelerated by Hall current, rotation, Magnetic and Joule heating parameters which signifies that heat transfer irreversibility dominates entropy generation

Hall Current and Ion-Slip Effects on the Entropy Generation of Couple Stress Fluid with Velocity Slip and Temperature Jump

In this work, analytical study of Hall current and Ion-slip effects on the rate of entropy generation of couple stress fluid is considered. The obtained partial differential equations governing the flow are reduced to ordinary differential equations by similarity variables, semi-analytical solution of the dimensionless nonlinear coupled differential equations for velocity, temperature, entropy generation and Bejan number are constructed using Differential Transform Technique. Effects of Hall current, Ion-slip, couples stress and magnetic parameters are presented and discussed graphically. From the results it is observed that Hall current and rotation parameters enhance secondary velocity, fluid temperature and entropy generation. In addition rarefaction and Hartman number reduce fluid temperature and entropy generation

Acute Kidney Injuries in Children with Severe Malaria: A comparative study of diagnostic criteria based on serum cystatin C and creatinine levels

Objectives: Serum creatinine levels are often used to diagnose acute kidney injury (AKI), but may not necessarily accurately reflect changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This study aimed to compare the prevalence of AKI in children with severe malaria using diagnostic criteria based on creatinine values in contrast to cystatin C. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was performed between June 2016 and May 2017 at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. A total of 170 children aged 0.5–14 years old with severe malaria were included. Serum cystatin C levels were determined using a particle-enhanced immunoturbidmetric assay method, while creatinine levels were measured using the Jaffe reaction. Renal function assessed using cystatin C-derived estimated GFR (eGFR) was compared to that measured using three sets of criteria based on creatinine values including the Kidney Disease: Improved Global Outcomes (KDIGO) and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria as well as an absolute creatinine cut-off value of >1.5 mg/dL. Results: Mean serum cystatin C and creatinine levels were 1.77 ± 1.37 mg/L and 1.23 ± 1.80 mg/dL, respectively (P = 0.002). According to the KDIGO, WHO and absolute creatinine criteria, the frequency of AKI was 32.4%, 7.6% and 16.5%, respectively. In contrast, the incidence of AKI based on cystatin C-derived eGFR was 51.8%. Overall, the rate of detection of AKI was significantly higher using cystatin C compared to the KDIGO, WHO and absolute creatinine criteria (P = 0.003, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Diagnostic criteria for AKI based on creatinine values may not indicate the actual burden of disease in children with severe malaria. Keywords: Biomarkers; Acute Kidney Injury; Renal Failure; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Cystatin C; Creatinine; Malaria; Nigeria