Mandatory or Flexible: Whither Retirement Age Policy?

The debate over whether to end mandatory retirement age policy in favor of flexible retirement policy has heightened. It is argued that it is wasteful to compel productive workers to retire at an arbitrary chronological age and that productivity should be the correct criterion for continued employment. This paper examines the preference between mandatory and flexible retirement age policies based on a survey conducted among workers in Lagos State, the former federal capital of Nigeria. It evaluates the impact of eliminating mandatory retirement age policy on the productivity of Nigerian workers. Particularly, the study investigates the influence of age, gender, income, and duration to retirement on workers’ preference for the type of retirement age policy. The study found that all the factors of interest influence employees’ preference for type of retirement plan and employees are indeed more disposed to flexible retirement. It also found that flexible policy will have a positive welfare effect as many employees can then take care of their extended span of dependants for a longer period and employee productivity will also be improved. Key words: Retirement, Mandatory, Flexible, Pension Plan, Extended Family System

Physical Properties of Biomass Fuel Briquette from Oil Palm Residues

Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Mesocarp Fibre (MF) were used for the production of fuel briquettes in this study in order to supplement the energy mix of the nation. PKS was pulverized and then sieved into different grain particles of 350 μm, 250 μm and 150 μm, before mixing with MF in the ratios: 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30 (PKS: MF respectively). Cassava Peel (CP) was used as binder for the briquettes. A 200 kN force was exerted during densification while the waiting time for the briquettes to properly form was 120 seconds. Proximate/physical analysis was carried out and the results showed that briquette series of 150 μm (80:20) has the minimum moisture content of 6.00 % while series 350 μm (90:10) recorded the lowest ash content of 1.50 %. Volatile matter of 72.80 % was recorded from series 150 μm (70:30) as the highest of all the series produced. Briquette series of 350 μm (70:30) have the highest fixed carbon and calorific value of 19.90 % and 18.1063 kJ/g, respectively. The results showed that the fuel briquettes from PKS and MF (especially 350 μm series) could serve as alternative source of energy for domestic and industrial applications. Keywords: Palm kernel shell; Mesocarp fibre; Briquette; Biomass solid fuel; proximate analysis

Relationship between some selected Socio Demographic Profiles and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus among Apparently Healthy Residents in Ekpoma, Nigeria

This study assesses the relationship between some selected demographic profiles and methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA) amongst 384 apparently healthy residents in Ekpoma, Edo, Nigeria. Followingstandard protocol, nasal swab samples were subjected to bacteriological investigation and Staphylococcus aureusisolates were identified by mannitol fermentation and coagulase positivity. Antimicrobial susceptibility test wasperformed via Kirby-Bauer’s disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar medium. Results showed thatStaphylococcus aureus was present in 136 (35.4%) samples (male: 33.8% and female: 37.0%) among which 27.9%were methicillin-resistant (male; 27.3%; and female; 28.6%). The distribution of nasal colonisation ofStaphylococcus aureus was significantly higher (P< 0.05) among those within the age group of 41–50 years(66.7%) and civil servants (52.9%). Also, MRSA was common among age group 31 – 50 years (50%) and amongstcivil servants (33.3%). The MRSA isolated were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin (92.1%), tetracycline(68.4%), chloramphenicol (18.4%), streptomycin (18.4%), erythromycin (18.4%) and gentamicin (0%). Judging bythe results, MRSA is prevalent in the study area and the use of gentamicin may be recommended as the drug ofchoice for the treatment of multi-drug resistant MRSA.Keywords: Demographic profile, Antibiotic resistant, Staphylococcus aureus, Ekpoma

Intestinal helminthes infestation in relation to some haematological parameters among pregnant women attending antenantal clinics in Ekpoma,

This study assessedintestinal helminthes infection in relation to some haematological parameters among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ekpoma, Southern Nigeria, over a period of 3 months. Two hundred and thirty (230) subjects comprising of 180 pregnant women and 50 controls (non-pregnant women) were examined.Their stool samples were examined using direct saline and iodine preparation, while the blood samples were analyzed for full blood count (Packed Cell Volume, Heamoglobin concentration, White Blood Cell count and Differential White Blood Cell count). Twenty-three (23; 10%) of the total examined subjects were infected with intestinal parasites, 15 (8.3%) out of the 180 pregnant women were infected, while 8 (16%) of the non-pregnant women were infected with intestinal helminthes. Ascaris lumbricoides was the only intestinal helminth seen in this study and pregnant women in the first trimester were mostly infected with intestinal helminthes. The mean and standard deviation of Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and total white blood cells count in the infected and non-infected pregnant women was 33.00 + 26 and 34.17 + 2.86 and 5.3 + 0.97 (109/L) and 9.7 + 0.97 (109L) respectively. It was observed that there was a significant difference in the total white blood cell values and eosinophil count between intestinal helminthes infected pregnant women and those that were not infected. These findings show that total white blood cell values and eosinophil count was more elevated in those that were infected than those that were not infected.Key words: Pregnant, women, intestinal, infection, helmint

Phytochemical and anti‐plasmodial screening of three selected tropical plants used for the treatment of malaria in Oshogbo, south-western Nigeria

The use of herbal remedy is featuring prominently as alternative to orthodox medicine but little is known on scientific validation of their efficacies in malaria treatment. Questionnaire survey was conducted in Osogbo metropolis to identify the frequently used antiplasmodial herbal remedies. The aqueous extracts of the three frequently used antimalaria herbs, Mangifera indica leaves, Lawsonia inermis leaves and Enanthia chlorantha stem bark were prepared as described by herbal vendors and subsequently analyzed for phytochemical constituents and antiplasmodial efficiencies using mice model. The qualititave phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed differences in the phytochemical constituents of the three plants. The comparison of the parasite load before and after treatment showed that the parasitamia level reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in the mice treated with E. chlorantha and M. indica but increased significantly (p = 0.012; p < 0.05) in the group treated with L. inermis while no parasite was detected in the group treated with chloroquine (antimalaria drug) after treatment. The treated groups had higher concentrations of creatinine, urea, bilirubin, Aspartate aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphate in comparison with the control, an indication of the plant extracts cyto‐toxicity. The results therefore showed that the extracts of E. chlorantha and M. indica only possess chemosupressive not curative antimalaria potential while L. inermis did not show any antiplasmodial effect. Further screening on antimalaria herbal remedies therefore becomes imperative so as to guide the policy on malaria treatment regime in Nigeria.Key words: Phytochemistry, antiplasmodial, plant extracts, biochemical marker

Pentalogy of Cantrell - A Case Report from Nigeria

FB was delivered at home to a para three low income mother, at term after an unsupervised pregnancy. At birth she was noticed to have an anterior chest wall defect with a protruding pulsating mass. Further examination revealed a defect from the suprasternal notch to the xiphoid process (bifid sternum) with the heart exposed and pulsating (ectopia cordis). The pericardium was absent and the great vessels were exposed. There was an epigastric omphalocoele and a ventral diaphragmatic defect. The diagnosis of Pentallogy of Cantrell was made. The challenges involved in the evaluation and management of this case in a Nigerian setting are discussed. Keywords: Pentallogy, Cantrell, Nigeri

In vitro Anticancer Screening of 24 Locally Used Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Background: Plants that are used as traditional medicine represent a relevant pool for selecting plant candidates that may have anticancer properties. In this study, the ethnomedicinal approach was used to select several medicinal plants native to Nigeria, on the basis of their local or traditional uses. The collected plants were then evaluated for cytoxicity. Methods: The antitumor activity of methanolic extracts obtained from 24 of the selected plants, were evaluated in vitro on five human cancer cell lines. Results: Results obtained from the plants screened indicate that 18 plant extracts of folk medicine exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against human carcinoma cell lines. Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan was found to demonstrate potent anti-cancer activity in this study exhibiting IC50 = 0.2-1.3 $\mu$g/ml. Conclusions: Based on the significantly potent activity of some plants extracts reported here, further studies aimed at mechanism elucidation and bio-guided isolation of active anticancer compounds is currently underway.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

An assessment of the levels of phthalate esters and metals in the Muledane open dump, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This work reports the determination of the levels of phthalate esters (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP)) and metals (lead, cadmium, manganese, zinc, iron, calcium) in composite soil samples. The soil samples were collected randomly within the Muledane open dump, Thohoyandou, Limpopo province, South Africa. Control samples were collected about 200 m away from the open dump. The phthalate esters were separated and determined by capillary gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector, whilst the metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Open dump values for the phthalate esters and metals to be generally higher in comparison to control samples for DMP, DEP, DBP and DEHP – the mean values calculated were 0.31 ± 0.12, 0.21 ± 0.05, 0.30 ± 0.07, and 0.03 ± 0.01 mg/kg, respectively, for the open dump soil samples. Nonetheless, the mean open dump values for lead, cadmium, manganese, zinc, iron and calcium were 0.07 ± 0.04, 0.003 ± 0.001, 5.02 ± 1.92, 0.31 ± 0.02, 11.62 ± 9.48 and 0.12 ± 0.13 mg/kg, respectively. The results were compared statistically.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results revealed that the discarding of wastes into the open dump is a potential source of soil contamination in the immediate vicinity and beyond, <it>via </it>dispersal. Increased levels of phthalate esters and metals in the soil pose a risk to public health, plants and animals. Sustained monitoring of these contaminants is recommended, in addition to upgrading the facility to a landfill.</p

Climate change adaptation options in farming communities of selected Nigerian ecological zones

This chapter examines the impacts of climate change on three tropical crops and assesses the climate change adaptation options adopted by rural farmers in the region. The study was conducted among farming communities settled in three major ecological zones in Nigeria. Over 37 years of data on rainfall and temperature were analyzed to examine climate change impacts on three major crops: rice, maize, and cassava. Farmers' adaptive capacity was assessed with a survey. Climatic data, crop yields, and survey data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The relation between rainfall/temperature and crop yields was examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results show a high variation in the annual rainfall and temperature during the study period. The major findings from this research is that crops in different ecological zones respond differently to climate variation. The result revealed that there is a very strong relationship between precipitation and the yield of rice and cassava at p <0.05 level of significance. The results further showed low level of adaption among the rural farmers. The study concludes that rainfall and temperature variability has a significant impact on crop yield in the study area, but that the adaptive capacity of most farmers to these impacts is low. There is a need for enhancing the adaptation options available to farmers in the region, which should be the focus of government policies

SPARC 2018 Internationalisation and collaboration : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2018 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the launch of our Doctoral School, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 100 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to take up this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas from your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers