Glycated haemoglobin (HBA1C): an update on available methods

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) assays give a retrospective index of the integrated plasma glucose over an extended period, usually 90-120 days. This period is, however dependent on the average red cell lifespan of the individual. Since its discovery in the 20th century, improvement in the analytical techniques for HbA1c have facilitated its wide acceptance as a useful tool in monitoring glucose control, and more recently, has been recommended for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. This review provides an update on the methods available for estimating HbA1c levels in the light of their suitability, advantages, and drawbacks.Keywords: Analytical Methods, Diabetes Mellitus, Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c

A FRAMEWORK FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Social networking sites (SNSs), such as Facebook and Twitter, are gaining more popularity and use among students in higher education institutions. Based on the design principles, feature usability and interactivity and affordability, these sites offer a variety of opportunities to support student engagement and student learning. Despite the potential pedagogical advantages of SNSs, and the widespread usage among students and considerable time spent daily on SNSs, the results of many studies indicate that the use of SNSs for academic purposes is still significantly limited. In the present study, individual interviews and focus group discussions were conducted based on a purposeful sampling strategy in order to explore in depth the factors that might motivate students to devote more time and efforts for academic purposes on SNSs; accordingly, a Framework for Student Engagement in SNSs (FSESNS) is proposed

Pattern of utilisation of oral glucose tolerance test: the experience of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the gold standard test for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). It is considered as the oldest dynamic function test in clinical practice and has several advantages over other plasma-based tests for diagnosis of type 2 DM, notably random plasma glucose (RPG) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). For instance, it is the only means through which diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance can be made, and has a higher diagnostic yield compared to FPG. There is paucity of data on the utilization of OGTT particularly in northern Nigeria. This study therefore aimed to determine the utilization of OGTT in a tertiary Hospital in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria. This was a retrospective study carried out in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital between January, 2013 and December, 2014. Following ethical approval, Hospital records of all clients who had OGTT in Chemical Pathology department of the Hospital were retrieved. The OGTTs were done using the 75g, 120 Minutes as recommended by WHO. Plasma Glucose were analyzed using quantitative glucose oxidase method described by Trinder. Data obtained were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.About 335 OGTTs were performed during the study period but 312 were selected. Majority of the clients were females, 290 (92.9%), aged between 20-39 years (74.0%). About 2/3rd of the clients 224 (78.5%) were pregnant women referred from antenatal clinic due to previous history of Gestational Diabetes  Mellitus (GDM), previous macrosomic baby, and unexplained intra uterine foetal death. Non-obstetric indications for OGTT encountered were obesity, impaired fasting glycaemia and suspected acromegaly. Majority of clients who had OGTT were pregnant women who were referred for obstetric indications. Previous history of GDM was the commonest indication for OGTT. There was under-utilization of OGTT for non-obstetrics medical indications.Keywords: OGTT, Diabetes mellitus, Gestational Diabetes, Nigeri

Journalists’ Attitudes towards the Coverage of Agricultural and Rural Development News in Ogun State.

The study examined the journalists’ attitudes towards the coverage of Agricultural and Rural Development News in Ogun State. Multistage technique was used to select 40 journalists from Print and Electronic media organizations in Ogun State. Primary data were collected with structured questionnaire. Chi-square and Spearman correlation were used to analyze the data collected. Result showed that most (57.5%) of the journalists were male and 72.5% married. Their mean age was 30.6years. About 70.0% were with a minimum of a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification. Majority (55.0%) were Christians while 45.0% were Muslims. Most (85.0%) of the journalists live in urban areas while few (15.0%) live in semi-urban areas. Result showed that 85.0% of the journalists were operating on a permanent basis while 15.0% were on part time/freelance appointments. Half (50.0%) of the journalists had 6-10 years work experience. Result further showed that 40.0% of the journalists were constrained by organizational problems,75.0% by lack of transportation to rural areas for news coverage, 92.5% by bad roads to rural areas, 55.0% by inadequate equipment and 90.0% were constrained by lack of interest in agricultural news by most of the members of the audience. Chi square analysis showed a significant association between age (c2=82.15, p<0.05), work experience (c2=80.21, p<0.05) and the perception of journalists toward the coverage of agricultural and rural development news. Result further showed an inverse relationship between the constraints experienced by the journalists and their reportage of agricultural and rural development news (r =-0.24, p=0.00). It was concluded that most of the journalists were not favorably disposed to the coverage of agricultural and rural development news owing to the identified constraints and challenges. Keywords: Journalist, Attitude, Agricultural News, Rural developmen

Economic Diversification and the Urban Image; Changing the Narrative on Street Vending

Street vending is a dynamic phenomenon of network of events, socio-economic and cultural factors while remaining a narration of place. At the metropolitan level, the narrative is negatively skewed towards street vending and its aesthetic reality, contemporaneously exploring hostile environmental interventions within the informal sector. This paper attempted to explore a counter-narrative asking; based on aesthetic experience, can the “desired” urban image to be achieved by allowing street vendors proliferate in public spaces? This question was asked within the scope of the political-economy of diversification in Nigeria. The paper argued that, around public spaces such as parks and sidewalks, the precarious nature of vending activities lead to their diffidence in upgrades to stalls, tables and kiosks. With pictures from spaces that appear to approve of street vending tacitly, a pattern of upgrades in vending apparatus and kiosks were established. This paper proposes an integrative model of passive, active and tacit support that is required to influence the discourse of vending activities within the context of urban images produced in Nigerian. In conclusion and using sing Gouverneur (2014) concepts of receptors and transformers, this paper revealed that potential existing parks within a dense urban area could serve as transformers, creating an urban image that defies that “out of place” narrative associated with vendors

Performance of metakaolin based geopolymer concrete at elevated temperature

Due to the carbon dioxide emission arising from the production of cement, alternative concrete that is environmentally friendly such as metakaolin geopolymer concrete have been developed. However, the performance of metakaolin based geopolymer concrete (MKGC) when exposed to aggressive environment particularly elevated temperature has not been investigated. Therefore, this paper assessed the performance of MKGC exposed to elevated temperatures. MKGC cube specimens of grade 25 were produced using a mix ratio of 1:1.58:3.71.After preparing the specimens, they were placed in an electric oven at a temperature of 60oC for 24 hours. Thereafter, the specimens were stored in the laboratory at ambient temperature for 28 days. The specimens were then exposed to elevated temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800oC. After exposure to elevated temperatures, the MKGC specimens were subjected to compressive strength, water absorption and abrasion resistance tests. Results show that at 600 and 800oC, the MKGC lost a compressive strength of 59.69% and 71.71% respectively. Higher water absorption and lower abrasion resistance were also observed. Keywords: Cement, Compressive Strength, Metakaolin Concrete, Elevated Temperature

WHY STUDENTS USE ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO: FROM USES AND GRATIFICATION PERSPECTIVE

E-Portfolio is considered as a digital collection of students’ work which demonstrates their reflections, experiences and progress over a period of time. Students can collaborate with other students and their lecturers through e-Portfolio. This paper explains the importance of uses and gratification theory in an electronic portfolio. Using the theory, this paper will investigate and examine the gratifications that students receive from the use of e-Portfolio. Generally speaking, this paper intends to provide a better understanding of why students use e-Portfolio. For the purpose of this research, an exploratory study is applied using 15 in-depth interviews with the students who use e-Portfolio. The result of qualitative content analysis shows that the e-Portfolio use is motivated by eight major themes including giving and receiving feedback, long-term consequences of use, selfdocumentation, information sharing, informativeness, social interactions, entertainment and convenience utility. Among these themes, giving and receiving feedback, long-term consequence of use, information sharing and self-documentation have the considerable influence on student motivation to continue e-Portfolio utilization. These themes can help universities to be aware of their students’ needs and reasons of using e-Portfolio. Therefore, universities can change some of their policies to motivate the students to continue the use of e-Portfolio

Economic Diversification and the Urban Image; Changing the Narrative on Street Vending

Street vending is a dynamic phenomenon of network of events, socio-economic and cultural factors while remaining a narration of place. At the metropolitan level, the narrative is negatively skewed towards street vending and its aesthetic reality, contemporaneously exploring hostile environmental interventions within the informal sector. This paper attempted to explore a counter-narrative asking; based on aesthetic experience, can the “desired” urban image be achieved by allowing street vendors proliferate in public spaces? This question was asked within the scope of the political-economy of diversification in Nigeria. Mapping over google satellite images over critical periods leading to demolitions and/or developments, this paper documented the spatial distribution of vendors to determine the urban centres that are hostile to vending activities and those that were not. The paper argued that, around public spaces such as parks and sidewalks, the precarious nature of vending activities lead to their diffidence in upgrades to stalls, tables and kiosks. With pictures from spaces that appear to approve of street vending tacitly, a pattern of upgrades in vending apparatus and kiosks were established. This paper proposes an integrative model of passive, active and tacit support that is required to influence the discourse of vending activities within the context of urban images produced in Nigerian. In conclusion and using sing Gouverneur (2014) concepts of receptors and transformers, this paper revealed that potential existing parks within a dense urban area could serve as transformers, creating an urban image that defies that “out of place” narrative associated with vendors