Knowledge, Attitude and practices of HIV post exposure prophylaxis amongst health workers in Lagos University teaching hospital

Introduction: timely PEP after needle stick exposure to high risk body fluids can reduce the rate of occupational transmission significantly. Ignorance of this may increase the risk of seroconversion to HIV for healthcare workers. This study was conducted with the aim of demonstrating the current level of knowledge and practise of healthcare workers as regards PEP. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study, pretested questionnaire were self administered to 372 health workers from various clinical specialties. The responses were collated and analyzed; results were presented in frequency tables. Results: this study revealed a high level of awareness among the respondents as 83.3% were aware of PEP. Despite the high level of awareness, respondents still have an inadequate knowledge about PEP, only 32% of the respondents could name at least two of the recommended drugs for PEP, only 54.0% of respondents knew when to commence PEP following occupational exposure to HIV. There was a low level of practice of PEP among the respondents as only 6.3% of respondents had PEP despite occurrence of needle stick injury. Conclusion: this study revealed a general low level use of PEP despite the average knowledge of PEP and the favourable attitude towards HIV PEP amongst the respondents

Presence of Nitrites, Nitrates, Nitrosamines in the Eggs of Intensively raised Layers in Abeokuta, Nigeria

In this study, the presence and concentrations of nitrosamines and their precursors (nitrates and nitrites) in raw table eggs obtained from four layer-farms in Abeokuta, were analysed. Nitrosamines are highly toxic and carcinogenic group of chemicals that have the potential to be formed in the body through a process called nitrosation. Nitrates and nitrites react under acidic and /or high temperature conditions with nitrosable substrates usually secondary amines to form several of hundreds of N-nitroso amine compounds known. A spectrophotometric method was used to assay for nitrosamines and their precursors in eggs (n=5 from each farm), entailing separate analysis of each egg yolk and albumen. The three compounds measured, were detected in all the samples. The nitrates and nitrites levels were significantly higher in the yolk than in the albumen (P<0.05). However, there was no significant correlation observed between the levels of nitrosamines and its precursors in the eggs (P<0.05). Findings from this study reveals that nitrosamines and their precursors are present in eggs from these layer farms. These compounds can be potentially toxic, thus constituting a hazard to human and animal health

EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATION OF CRUDE AQUEOUS LEAVE EXTRACT OF Anacardium occidentale ON ISOLATED RABBIT INTESTINE

The effect and probable mechanism of action of an aqueous extract of Anacardium occidentale on intestinal motility of the rabbit was studied. Five (5) rabbits were used as experimental animals in the study and the standard organ bath procedure was used to monitor and record the contractions of the isolated intestine of the rabbits. The result showed strong correlation between the log concentration of the extract and the % contractility of the ileum with r= 0.879. This correlation was highly significant at p,&lt;0.05. Also regression analysis done on these result show y=12.236x-0.2789 and was highly significant at (p&lt;0.05). The above result suggests that aqueous extract of Anacardium occidentale increase intestinal contraction in rabbits. &nbsp

Sustainable Facilities Management Practices in Selected Universities in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

&nbsp;Sustainable development is being pursued at a global level and acknowledged across all sectors of the economy including universities. In order to apply sustainable measures, universities need to be vigilant in their management approaches. This study aimed at assessing the extent to which the selected universities in Ado-Oda/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have incorporated sustainability principles into their facility management practices. The study adopted a qualitative case study approach where interviews were conducted with experts from Covenant University (CU) and Bells University of Technology (BUT) who were purposefully sampled. The study population was comprised of facility managers from the physical planning and development units of the two universities who were chosen because of their expertise and responsibility. The interview guide contained questions about the types of buildings in the universities, sustainable facilities management (SFM) strategies being used by the universities, factors influencing the adoption of SFM strategies at the universities and challenges to the adoption of SFM practices. Data was analysed using conventional content approach. The study found that the universities have partially implemented SFM practices. The common practice adopted by the universities includes energy management. The universities have also done well in waste management. Legislation and cost savings were the drivers for the adoption of SFM practices. Despite such being the case, there are challenges to the adoption and implementation of SFM. These include resource constraints, design constraints, and lack of knowledge about SFM. Therefore, the study recommends development of a system that monitors and evaluates progress of sustainable facilities management practices in the Universities in Ado-Odo/Ota LGA, Ogun State

Optimizing Hydroelectric Power Generation: The Case of Shiroro Dam

Abstract—Hydroelectric power, one of the most important sources of mass generation of electric power, is a renewable source of energy. The amount of electricity that can be produced by a hydro-electricity generating system depends on systemic variables viz; plant efficiency, volumetric water flow through the turbine and the head of the water from the water surface to the turbine. The availability of the Water in the reservoir is a function of some hydrological variables principal among which are rainfall, reservoir inflows and evaporation. Understanding the dynamics of these variables, and the correlation between them are core to proper planning and management of a hydroelectric power station. In this Study, simple mathematical methods that include linear programming and statistical analysis based on simulation techniques were used to evaluate vital parameters based on the hydrologic data obtained from the Hydrologic Units of the Shiroro Power Stations in Nigeria. The overall aim of the study is to idealize power generation at Shiroro dam in and out of rain season so as to ensure optimum generation of electricity all year round in order to achieve energy sufficiency in Nigeria

Improvement of hydroelectric power generation using pumped storage system

Hydroelectric power is a renewable source of energy. By principle, hydroelectric power generation relies on the law of conservation of energy where kinetic energy that resulted from the movement of the mass of water from the river is translated into electr icity, the quantum of which depends on systemic variables viz: plant efficiency, volumetric water flow through the turbine and the head of the water from the water surface to the turbine. Understanding the dynamics of these variables, and the correlation b etween them are core to proper planning and management of a hydroelectric power station. In this Study, simple mathematical methods that include linear programming and statistical analysis based on simulation techniques were used to evaluate vital parameters based on the data obtained from the Hydrologic units of the Shiroro Power Stations in Nigeria. The overall aim of the study is to idealize power generation at Shiroro dam in and out of raining season so as to ensure optimum generation of electricity all year round in order to achieve energy sufficiency in Nigeria. The result of the study is encouraging as it supports the viability of the pumped storage system for generating hydroelectric power all year round. The coupling of the hydroelectric power with pumped storage system if properly harnessed could be the needed panacea for the erratic power supply in Nigeria. Keywords: hydroelectric power, pumped storage, reservoir inflows, turbine, hydrological variables, simulation technique

Hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in subjects with metabolic syndrome

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a clinical condition characterized by insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity, has been linked with raised levels of serum ferritin (Sfr) concentrations. Objectives This study was carried out to compare hemoglobin (Hb) and Sfr concentrations in patients with MetS, regular donors and first-time donors. Materials and Methods A total of 102 subjects who were between 18 and 60 years were enrolled for the study. They were divided into three groups. The first group (n = 20) was made up of 5 males and 15 females, all who met the criteria that define MetS. The second group (n = 52; M = 34, F = 18) were regular donors, while the last group (n = 30; M = 16, F = 14) were first-time donors or those who had not donated before. Following an overnight fast, 20 mL of venous blood was drawn from each subject. About 5 mL of this was put into sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) specimen bottles for the full blood count parameters with Sysmex KX-21N hematology analyzer (made in Japan). The remaining 15 mL had serum separated for Sfr assay using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a commercial assay kit manufactured by Teco Diagnostics. Results Significant difference was found in the mean Sfr concentration of subjects with MetS (163 ± 136.92 ng/mL) and regular donors (41.46 ± 40.33 ng/mL), P = 0.001. The mean Sfr concentrations of subjects with MetS (163 ± 136.92 ng/mL) were also higher than that of first-time donors (102.46 ± 80.26 ng/mL), but it was not statistically significant, P = 0.053. The Hb concentrations of the three groups were not significantly different. Conclusion Sfr concentrations of regular donors were lower than that of subjects with MetS and first-time donors. The difference between regular donors and subjects with MetS was statistically significant. However, there is no significant difference in the Hb concentrations in the three groups. MetS is not associated with anemia or hyperferritinemia

Production of Biodiesel from Soybean Oil Using Calcium Oxide and Cow Bone as Catalysts

Biodiesel was produced from the transesterification of soybean oil using calcium oxide and cow bone (an animal waste bone that contains hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral) as heterogeneous catalysts. The soybean oil used was characterized using gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS) and the cow bone catalyst produced was characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. The effects of the variation of methanol/oil mole ratio (9–15), catalyst concentration (10–20 wt/wt%) and reaction temperature (55–65 °C) on biodiesel yield during the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol was investigated. Reaction time of 3 hours and stirring rate of 500 rpm were kept constant. It was observed that the calcination of cow bone catalyst (at 800 °C) enhanced its conversion to apatite [Ca5(PO4)3OH] and increased the yield of biodiesel obtained. Biodiesel yield results revealed an optimum condition of methanol/oil mole ratio of 9, catalyst concentration of 15 wt/wt% and reaction temperature of 55 °C. Also, the results obtained showed that the performance trends of the two catalysts used were similar. And the close values of highest biodiesel yields obtained when the two heterogenous catalysts were used separately (yields of 94.8 and 92.2% using calcium oxide and calcined cow bone catalysts respectively) implies that the use of low-cost and readily available calcined cow bone catalyst is a promising alternative to CaO catalyst

EFFECTS OF ADMINISTERING A COMBINATION OF VITAMINS A AND E ON FERTILITY AND HATCHABILITY OF ANAK 2000 BREEDERS

The ameliorative effect of a combined regime of vitamins A and E on fertility and hatchability was investigated in Anak 2000 breeders. Vitamin A and E individually administered at a dose rate of 0.125 ml/kg body weight intramuscularly produced an improvement in hatchability, fertility, and sperm quality. The percentage fertility (46%) and hatchability (40.5%) before vitamin A&amp;E&nbsp; administration was compared to those of fertility (76.9%) and hatchability (76.8%) after vitamin administration and found to be statistically significant at p&lt;0.05. From the findings of this study, we can therefore postulate that intramuscular administration of vitamin A and E during acute episode of nutritional hypovitaminosis provokes a quick and prompt response in birds &nbsp

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF COMBINED ELECTROMAGNETIC AND MAGNETIC DRUM-BELT CONVEYOR SEPARATOR

Mineral processing operations are faced with many challenges which include effective separation of unwanted materials generated through the extraction process from the bulk material. Magnetic device is a machine used for separating magnetic materials from non-magnetic materials by inducing the magnetic flux. Magnetic and electromagnetic separators are widely used as primary separation equipment. This work was centred on the design and construction of a laboratory-sized dual purpose magnetic and electromagnetic separator for separating the magnetic particles from the rest of the bulk mineral or ferrous materials from foundry sand in a single system. The main components of the equipment include: the hopper, conveyor belt rotating drums, pulley and belt, electromagnet. The approaches to achieving the result reported include the design conceptualization, design calculation, design drawing using the AutoCAD and Inventor software, fabrication and assembly of components. The evaluation showed that electromagnetic separation is more efficient than magnetic separation. The equipment was fabricated at an average cost of 224,000:00 naira