The Suitability of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes: A Case Study of Ikere-Ekiti, SW-Nigeria

Shallow groundwater in Ikere-Ekiti was assessed for potability and irrigation employing chemical and bacterial analyses. Twenty two groundwater samples were collected and analyzed using Atomic absorption spectrometer for cations and ion chromatographic method for anions determinations (˚C), pH and electrical conductivity (EC) (µS/cm) were measured in the field using pH Testr meter. The bacteriological analysis was carried out using nutrient agar medium to obtain plate count of living bacteria. Results of the analysis revealed that all EC values were less than 1000µS/cm indicating fresh water. The pH with average values of 9.48, 7.82 and 7.44 in migmatite, granite and charnockitic terrains respectively exceeded the approved standard (6.5 – 8.5) for drinking water in two samples from migmatite, one sample from granitic terrain and none from the charnockites. Sodium was the dominant cation with average concentrations (mg/L) of 95.65, 38.33 and 6.61 in migmatite, granite and charnockite respectively while K+ ions in the same order of rock units have average concentrations (mg/L) of 60.49, 32.33 and 15.77. The average concentrations (mg/L) of Ca2+ ions in groundwater located on migmatite, granite and charnockitic terrains were 36.67, 24.63 and 10.98 respectively while those for Mg2+ were 9.94, 7.48 and 4.57. The order of cation abundance was Na+> K+ > Ca2+> Mg2+. In respect of the major anions, Cl- was dominant with average concentrations (mg/L) in charnockites (187.20) within approved standard of 250mg/L while the average values (mg/L) in migmatite (475.2) and granite (340.62) exceeded the standard value. Following the same sequence of rock units, HCO3- average concentrations (mg/L) were 34.6mg/L, 27.07mg/L and 25.7. Sulphate and nitrate were less dominant ions and the order of anions abundance in the groundwater was Cl- > HCO3-> SO42-> NO3-. Bacteria evaluation revealed that all sampled groundwater tested positive to bacteria with TBC values (CFU/100ml) ranging from 1.76X108 to 1.78X109 in migmatite, 5.3x105 to 8.9x108 in granite and 2.55x107 to 8.2x108 in charnockite. Gibb's diagram revealed that chemical weathering of rock-forming minerals has contributed to solute source in the groundwater of the area. Water type on migmatite was mainly NaCl while granite and charnockite had NaCl and CaCl types revealing lithologic effects. Irrigation water quality assessment employing Sodium absorption ratio (SAR), Soluble sodium percent (SSP), Residual sodium bicarbonate (RSBC) and Permeability index (PI) revealed that the groundwater is suitable for irrigation purpose. Groundwater in the study area is low mineralized, chemically potable, suitable for irrigation but infected by bacteria pollutants. Differences in rock types affected the chemistry of the groundwater as reflected in their physico-chemical compositions, water facies and irrigation quality

C-Reactive Protein In Hospital Patients In A Southwestern Nigerian Community

This study was conducted to evaluate c-reactive proteins on some inflammatory diseases among individuals aged 1 year and above attending out-patient clinic and emergency units of three hospitals in Abeokuta in southwestern Nigeria.  Of the 266 blood samples examined overall, the CRP value was highest (16.7%) among age group 31-40 years and there was significant difference between CRP value and age groups (p=0.0060).  More males (18%) had high CRP than female (16%), however there was no significant difference between the CRP values and sex.  C-reactive protein was significantly high among the patients with anaemia (p<0.0001. r = -0.376).  Of the patients with high CRP, all had significantly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.0001).  There was significant difference between CRP and both urea and creatinine (P<0.0001).  There was association between CRP and cholesterol with X2 value of 59.484 and significant at less than 1%. &nbsp

Investigative study of seasonal changes in Quality Parameters of Oluwa River Water, Agbabu area of Nigeria

Physico-chemical parameters of River Oluwa water in Agbabu, Nigeria were investigated to determine its quality characteristics and establish seasonal effects on the water. Water from the river was collected at five different points in dry season (March, 2008 and 2009) and rainy season (July, 2008 and 2009). Insitu parameters (pH, EC and Turbidity) were measured using Horiba Water Checker Model U-10 while TDS was by Lovibond CM – 21 Tintometer. Subsequently in the Laboratory, Na+ and K+ were determined using flame photometric methods while Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3-, SO42-, Cl-, PO42- and NO3- were determined by wet analysis. River Oluwa water was alkaline with average pH of 7.41 and 7.53 in dry and rainy seasons respectively. Electrical conductivity (EC) was high during dry season (av. 630.44 µS/cm), but low in the rainy season (av. 317.58 µS/cm) due to long residence time in dry season allowing more water-rock interaction. Turbidity's average values of 0.14 NTU and 2.29 NTU in dry and rainy seasons respectively suggested moderate pollution with particulate matter. The order of average cations concentrations in the dry and rainy seasons was Ca2+ K+ Na+ Mg2+ while that of the anions was HCO3- Cl- SO42- NO3-. The ions concentrations though lower in rainy season, Ca2+-HCO3- water was dominant in both seasons. Quality evaluation for irrigation revealed that the water was suitable for all irrigation purposes. River Oluwa water was soft, low mineralized, chemically potable, suitable for irrigation but with lower ionic concentrations in rainy season

Integration of Information Communication Technology in Journalism Practice: A Survey of Journalists in Ekiti Metropolis, Nigeria

The aim of this study was predicated on the need to ascertain the extent to which Nigerian Journalists, especially those in the state capital of Ekiti state; have integrated the use of information communication technology (ICT) tools in their journalism practice which includes, but not limited to; news gathering, dissemination etc. The objectives among others is to decipher the extent of use and the adoption of new information communication technologies in journalism practise. A total of thirty four (34) TV and radio journalists were sampled with a view to ascertain their use and types ICT tools employed for the achievement of communication efficiency. Despite the perceived importance of the role of ICT in improving communication efficiency (as opined by 97% of the respondents), findings from this study revealed that the use of modern ICT tools were not fully employed for their day to day task execution. Also, only 24% of the respondents agreed to the availability and free access to internet facility in their day to day operations while 64.7% own or have personal access through their owned devices. The challenges enumerated by journalists includes lack of corporate internet access and information, technology hardware and software configurations that are crucial to journalism in new media practice. Hence, it is recommended media proprietors should provide as part of the work environment, modern facilities to enable journalists discharge their duties in line with international best practices

EVALUATION OF MATERNALLY-DERIVED ANTIBODIES AGAINST NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS IN DAY-OLD CHICKS IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

High maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in chickens can interfere with active immunity at early age. This study was conducted to assess the titre of MDA in chicks against NDV from two poultry breeder farms. Twenty-six blood samples were collected from day-old chicks randomly selected from two poultry breeding farms and forty blood samples were collected from the parent stocks of the same farms. The vaccination record of the parent stocks were collected while the antibody titres of the birds were estimated using Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test. The geometric mean titre (GMT) of MDA against NDV in chicks from Farms 1 and 2 were log 27.2 and log 27.4 respectively while the parent stocks from Farms 1 and 2 had log 27.7 and log 27.9HI units. The percentage of chicks from Farms 1 and 2 with MDA titre above protective level (>log 23) were 90% and 100% respectively. It was concluded that MDA titres against ND virus was high in the chicks therefore vaccination at day one in the hatcheries and farms should be done after the immune status of the chicks are known since high MDA titre during vaccination neutralizes vaccine virus preventing active immunity.Â

REPRODUCTIVE FAILURES IN FOOD ANIMALS - A FIVE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW

A total of 140 reproductive cases were recorded in food animals at the Teaching and Research farm, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, between August, 2003 and May, 2008. Of these cases, the cattle, goat, sheep and piggery sections accounted for 14.3, 38.6, 10.7 and 36.4%, respectively. In the cattle section, cases recorded were, calf mortality (30.0%), agalactia (20.0%), mastitis (20.0%), still-birth (20.0%) and maternal mortality (10.0%). Cases recorded in the goat section were kid mortality (40.7%), abortion (24.0%), retained placenta (11.1%), mastitis (5.6%), maternal mortality (5.5%), still-birth (3.7%), paraphimosis (3.7%), agalactia (3.7%) and pyometra (1.9%). In sheep section however, cases recorded were lamb mortality (66.7%), uterine prolapse (6.7%), abortion (6.7%), retained placenta (6.7%), maternal mortality (6.7%) and metritis (6.7%). Cases recorded in the piggery section were piglet mortality (64.7%), infantophagia (7.8%), paraphimosis (5.9%), metritis (3.9%), mastitis (3.9%), stillbirth (2.0%), post parturient paralysis (2.0%), pyometra (2.0%), vesico-vagina fistula (2.0%), maternal mortality (2.0%), abortion (2.0%), and congenital eye defect (2.0%). In conclusion, good management practice, good environmental condition and genetic selection were identified as the bedrock for elimination and prevention of reproductive loss in food animals especially in the area of neonatal loss. Therefore, these three factors most critical in the sustenance of high productivity. &nbsp

Groundwater Potential Evaluation of College of Engineering, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria

Availability of water for daily activities has constituted serious challenge at the College of Engineering, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. Hence, geophysical study of the College was conducted to investigate its groundwater potential with a view to proffer solution to water availability in the study area. Profiling and Vertical electrical sounding methods were employed using Dipole - Dipole and Schlumberger configuration respectively. Eight points were sounded along three traverses and one profile was occupied. Five different subsurface lithologic units were established namely; lateritic topsoil, sandy-clay, weathered basement, fractured basement and, fresh basement. The curve types range between simple K, H to complex HA, HK and KH. The topsoil, sandy-clay and weathered basement materials are characterised with relatively low resistivity values while the fresh basement materials are characterized with high resistivity values. The average resistivity and thickness values for the topsoil are 178Ωm and 1.0m respectively. Sandy-clay was encountered in six locations with average resistivity and thickness values of 23Ωm and 7.0m respectively. Weathered basement was encountered in six locations with average resistivity and thickness values of 231Ωm and 8.0m respectively. Fractured basement was encountered in four locations with average resistivity and depth to the top of fracture values of 294Ωm and 18.0m respectively. Basement is relatively shallow in the study area, it was encountered in three locations and the average resistivity and depth values to the top of basement are 1000Ωm, and 11.0m respectively. Overburden thickness was established in six locations with an average value of 11.0m. The combination of overburden materials with the fractured basement constitutes aquiferous units within the study area. The groundwater potential of the area is rated as medium with VES 2 and 5 more promising

EFFECTS OF STRONGYLOSIS ON SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS IN GOATS

This study was designed to find any possible relationship between strongylosis and some blood parameters. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 44 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats and 53 Red Sokoto (RS) goats of different ages and sexes. The blood parameters studied were packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein (TSP) and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations in West African Dwarf (WAD) and Red Sokoto (RS) goats. The mean PCV of WAD and RS goats with strongylosis were significantly (p<0.01and p< 0.05, respectively) lower than that in goats without strongylosis. The mean TSP level for WAD and RS goats were not significantly (p>0.05) different between goats with strongylosis and those without strongyle eggs. The serum Ig concentration for WAD goats with strongylosis was significantly lower than that in goats without strongylosis. This was, however, not so for RS goats with and without strongylosis. Generally, the mean Ig levels for WAD goats were significantly higher than that for RS goats. The results indicated that PCV and serum Ig concentrations may be used as potential indicators of resistance to gastro-intestinal strongylosis. &nbsp

Diallel analysis of maize inbred lines for agronomic traits in nitrogen stress and optimal conditions

Increasing demand, soil cultivation pressure and adverse climate change effects necessitated maize production in nitrogen stress soils. This study examined the general combining ability (GCA) of 12 maize inbreds and specific combining ability of their crosses for agronomic traits under varied nitrogen conditions. GCA accounted for 53% of the variation for grain yield (GY) under stress and 40% under optimal condition. GCA contributed over 59% for days to anthesis (DTA) and days to silking (DTS), anthesis-silking-interval (ASI) and ear aspect (EASP) under both conditions. BD74-165 and BD74-161 had positive significant GCA for GY under stress with TZEI12 under optimal and BD74-222 under both conditions. TZEI13 and TZEI16 had positive significant GCA for DTA and ASI under stress, and TZEI12, TZEI11 and BD74-161 under optimal. Additive genes control DTA, DTS and PH; non-additive genes were responsible for ASI, PASP and EASP while both additive and non-additive genes governed inheritance of GY, EH and leaf-senescence (SEN) under stress. Inheritance of GY, ASI, PH, PASP and EASP were due to non-additive genes; DTA and DTS to additive genes while additive and non-additive genes control EH and SEN under opti­mal condition. Inbreds with significant GCA can be parents for GY improvement under respective conditions. Keywords: Combining ability; diallel; low nitrogen; maize lines; stress toleranc

Posterior urethral valves in fraternal twins: case report and review of the literature

We report a pair of dizygotic twins with type 1 posterior urethral valves. Concomitant and discordant presentation of posterior urethral valves in twins is rare, with a handful of cases in the literature. The occurrence of identical pathology in dizygotic twins probably suggests the possibility of an inherited trait as it does exist in monozygotic twins.Keywords: fraternal twins, identical pathology, inherited trait, posterior urethral valve