Performance test of a dual-purpose disc agrochemical applicator

The performance test of a dual-purpose disc agrochemical applicator for field crop was conducted with view to assess the distribution   patterns/droplet sizes and uniformity of spreading and or spraying for the agrochemical application. The equipment performances for both granular and liquid chemical application were assessed and reported. Results obtained for NPK granular chemical indicate that at low (50 kg/ha) and high (150 kg/ha) application rates and 550 rpm disc speed, mean distribution pattern skewed to the left. The mean distribution pattern shape at medium (100 kg/ha) application rate was flattop; whereas for the HC amine 48 liquid chemical herbicide application, the average values of volume median diameter (VMD) and number median diameter (NMD) were 106 ìm and 76 ìm at 90 lt/ha application rates and 5000 rpm disc speed and 190 ìm and 120 ìm at 90 lt/ha application rates 2000 rpm disc speed, respectively. Results from the experimental tests shows that the average effective field capacity for the equipment with a prime mover was found to be 0.89 ha/hr or 7.12 ha/man-day for a 8 hour working day. It was concluded that the dual purpose disc agrochemical applicator could be used for the application of both granular and liquid chemicals by the rice growers.Keywords: Performance test, Dual-purpose, Disc, Agrochemical applicator

Development of a par-boiled rice solar dryer

Energy is required in various forms to do useful work and necessary for the continual improvement in the standard of any society. This study presents the development of a par-boiled batch type rice solar dryer using an indirect mode natural convection solar energy. The dryer was designed and constructed to provide easier, faster and more efficient par-boiled rice drying method. The dryer has the capacity of drying 30 kg of the par boiled rice per batch. The major design features of the dryer include a convenient drying process, uniformity in drying product, protect the quality of the drying products, minimal heat loss from the drying chamber. The developed dryer have generated higher air temperature and consequently lowered the relative humidity which are both conducive to improve the drying rate and lower the moisture content of the dried products.  Preliminary performance evaluation of the dryer was also carried out. It was concluded that the dryer could be used for drying par-boiled dry in a batch.Keywords: Par-boiled, batch, solar dryer, natural convection, ric

Immunohistochemical evaluation of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves orally exposed to Pasteurella multocida B:2

The gastrointestinal lesions and bacterial distribution of buffalo calves were evaluated histologically using immunoperoxidase, following oral exposure to wild-type Pasteurella multocida B:2 at 109cfu/mL in   phosphate buffered saline. The lesions were basically of mild to severe mucohaemorrhagic abomasitis and  enteritis.The lesions were confirmed to be associated with the inoculated P. multocida B:2, using the   immunoperoxidase technique. P. multocida B:2 antigen was detected not only in the bacterial clusters in  the gastric pits, intestinal epithelia and capillaries, Brünner’s glands and Crypt of Lieberkühn but was also  seen interacting with infiltrating neutrophils and macrophages intracellularly and on the surface of  erythrocyte in congested vessels and haemorrhages. We observed higher localization and distribution of the  immunoperoxidase reaction with increased severity of lesions along the gastrointestinal tract. This suggest intensity increases with increased amount of P. multocida B:2 or antigen in the tissue, which  possibly leads to increase tissue damage.Keywords: Buffalo calves, Gastrointestinal lesions, Immunoperoxidase, Oral infection, Pasteurella  multocida B:

Anthelmintic Efficacy Trials using Fractionsof Ethanolic Crude Extract of Anogeissusschimperi Hoechst against Nippostrongylus braziliensis in Rats

No Abstract

Response to the meningococcal meningitis epidemic (MME)at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (2008-2009)

No Abstract

Purpura Fulminans with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy and Symmetric Peripheral Gangrene Complicating Sepsis in an Infant: A Case Report

Purpura fulminans is a rare consequence of sepsis that could be complicated by DIC and gangrene. We report the case of a 2-months-old infant who developed gangrenous limbs. He presented with fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and irritability for 5 days and was dehydrated and unconscious with global hypertonia. With a clinical impression of sepsis antibiotics, IV fluids and supportive care were commenced. He developed purpuric rashes over the trunk and feet, the latter of which gradually ascended over the legs, with swellings and ischemic skin changes up to the knees. A diagnosis of purpura fulminans was made and further evaluation revealed deranged haematologic parameters, features of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC), hypernatraemia, azotaemia and arterial occlusion. Despite blood transfusions and supportive care gangrene emerged and progressively ascended towards the knees. Parents however rejected offer for surgical amputation and left against medical advice. The coexistence of purpura fulminans with multiple triggers for DIC should alert clinicians of a potential risk of peripheral gangrene.Keywords: Infant, Sepsis, Purpura fulminans, DIC, Gangren

Household Expenditure on Treatment of Presumptive Malaria in a Rural Community of North-western Nigeria

Background: Malaria is endemic in Nigeria and there is a vicious cycle between it and poverty. It contributes towards poverty, while poverty influences the risk of its infection. Majority of Nigerians, 70%, live in rural areas, below poverty line. They earn less than $1.25 a day. Subsistence farming is their main occupation. The cost of malaria treatment represents a significant portion of their income.Objective: This study was conducted to assess the direct cost of presumptive malaria treatment on households in Gimba Village of Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria.Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted during community diagnosis posting of final year medical students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in July 2012. An interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to collect data from household heads.Results: Most of the respondents (69.7%) were farmers. A large proportion of the respondents (47.3%) earned between N10,000.00 to N20,000.00. monthly. The average household size was 6 while the average number of presumptive malaria cases per household per year was 13. On average, the direct cost of presumptive malaria treatment alone, consumes 4.9 % of the annual income of household heads. There was a statistically significant association between cost of treatment and place of seeking treatment (p <0.001).Conclusion: The direct cost of presumptive malaria treatment alone consumed a large proportion of the meagre annual income of households in the study area. For effective malaria control in Nigeria, free or subsidized malaria treatment and rural health insurance scheme are recommended.Keywords: Household, expenditure, Treatment, presumptive malaria, Gimba Community, Nigeria

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Crude Saponin Extracts from Five Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Crude saponin extracts of five medicinal plants used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, gout and haemorrhoids were screened for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test. These plants were the whole plant of Schwenkia americana Linn (WSA), the rhizomes of Asparagus africanus Lam (RAA), the leaves of Dichrostachys cinerea Linn (LDC), the stem bark of Ficus iteophylla Miq (BFI) and the leaves of Indigofera pulchra Willd (LIP). A modify traditional method of crude saponins extraction was used to give the following percentage yields: WSA-2.74%, RAA-3.59%, LDC-1.62%, BFI-0.81% and LIP-1.57% respectively. Thin-layer chromatography was used to identify the type of saponins present in the extracts. The acute toxicity study of the crude saponin extracts in mice gave the following intraperitoneal LD50: WSA-471.2mg/kg, RAA- 1264.9mg/kg, LDC-1264.9mg/kg, BFI-118.3mg/kg and LIP-1264.9mg/kg respectively.  The antiinflammatory study of the extracts showed statistically significant (P<0.05) decreases in the rat paw-oedema as compared to the control. The percentage inhibitions of the extracts after four hours were as follow: WSA-61%, RAA-55%, LDC-72%, BFI-66% and LIP-40% respectively. These values were found to be comparable to that of ketoprofen-63%. The study showed that the antiinflammatory properties attributable to these plants may be due to their saponins contents.Keywords: - Asparagus africanus, Dichrostachys cinerea, Ficus iteophylla, Indigofera pulchra, Schwenkia americana, Saponin,Anti-inflammatory activity, Carrageenan, TLC

Resolusi Konflik Dalam Komunitas Hibua Lamo Sebagai Upaya Memelihara Kohesi Sosial(Studi Etnografi Pada Etnis Tobelo Di Halmahera Utara).

Komunitas Hibua Lamo adalah suatu kelompok masyarakat yang hidup dan saling berintegrasi di Halmahera Utara, yang ditandai dengan perlakuan adat- istiadat. Dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat, komunitas Hibua Lamo selalu hidup rukun dan damai, sejak 1606, dibawah landasan nilai-nilai budaya, sebagai basis kearifan lokal. Tahun 1999-2001, komunitas Hibua Lamo dilanda konflik dan kekerasan antar saudara yang bernuansa agama (Islam vs Kristen), mereka saling membunuh. Resolusi konflik merupakan upaya analisis dan penyelesaian masalah yang dialami oleh kelompok masyarakat, untuk menghilangkan alasan-alasan yang bersifat substansial disertai emosional sebagai penyebab konflik, dengan mempertimbangkan nilai-nilai budaya yang dimilikinya. Konflik dan kekerasan yang bernuansa agama di dalam komunitas Hibua Lamo tidak dapat diselesaikan dengan pendekatan agama, melainkan dengan pendekatan adat, padahal diberbagai kasus, konflik yang bernuansa agama, harus diselesaikan melalui pendekatan agama. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mendiskripsikan dan menganalisis: (1) Perkembangan komunitas Hibua Lamo dan sebab-sebab terjadinya konflik antarsaudara yang berbeda agama di Halmahera Utara; (2) PeranHibua Lamo, sebagai media kearifan lokal yang menjadi simbol perekat sosial dalam resolusi konflik dan upaya memelihara kohesi sosial di Halmahera Utara; (3) Peran Pemerintah Daerah dan Elite Lokal dalam resolusi konflik, sebagai upaya memelihara kohesi sosial. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif, dengan pendekatan etnografi, pengumpulan data melalui observasi, wawancara, dokumen. Pendekatan ini digunakan karena informan yang diperlukan bervariasi dan membutuhkan waktu yang cukup lama (6 bulan 2 minggu dan 5 hari). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, bahwa proses terjadinya perubahan sosial dan perkembangan komunitas Hibua lamo, ditandai dengan iklim kehidupan bermasyarakat, terpetakan menjadi tiga keadaan: Pertama, keadaan masyarakat sebelum 1999. Pada era ini dinamika kehidupan sosial kemasyarakatan komunitas Hibua Lamo dalam suasana harmonis. Kedua, keadaan komunitas Hibua Lamo, sedang berada dalam suasana berkonflik (1999-2001). Pada era ini sistem kekerabatan menjadi rapuh, semua pranata sosial kacau-balau. Masyarakat telah terprovokasi oleh gerakan tak berwajah (provokator), masing-masing mengambil pilihan dan sikap sesuai akidah dan keyakinan yang dianut. Ketiga, keadaan masyarakat pasca konflik dan kekerasan setelah 2001, era iniproses rekonsiliasi, yakni usaha mempertemukan keinginan pihak-pihak yang telah berselisih untuk mencapai tujuan bersama (menyelesaikan perselisihan dan memelihara kohesi sosial). Konflik dalam komunitas Hibua Lamo dipicuh oleh konflik dan kekerasan antar penganut agama di Ambon 1999. Ada tiga faktor yang menjadi eskalator konflik dan kekerasan di dalam komunitas Hibua Lamo: (1) Fanatisme masing-masing penganut agama yang berlebihan; (2) Rapuhnya nilai-nilai luhur dalam budaya Hibua Lamo; (3) Kelompok masyarakat yang eksodus sebagai dampak dari korban konflik kekerasan di Ambon, masing-masing membawa informasi sesuai dengan penderitaan yang dialaminya, bermuara pada rasa iba oleh masing-masing penganut agama (Islam dan Kristen), mempercepat terjadinya konflik dan kekerasan (saling membunuh) antar saudara dalam komunitas Hibua Lamo, di Tobelo Halmahera Utara. Teknologi resolusi konflik dalam komunitas Hibua Lamo, melalui pendekatan adat dibawah naungan nilai-nilai budaya Hibua Lamo, yang berbasis kearifan lokal, dengan cara “barekata” (silaturahim/saling berkunjung) dan “Higaro”(mengajak). Komunitas Hibua Lamo, telah memiliki salah satu media pengendalian sosial, lembaga adat (Hibua Lamo), sebagai institusi lokal yang berfungsi sebagai perekat sosial. Ketika terjadi konflik dan kekerasan antar saudara yang bernuansa agama, Hein hadir sebagai lokomotif resolusi konflik, berhasil menyatukan masyarakat melalui pendekatan adat, dengan cara “barekata” dan ‘ber-higaro” yakni melakukan silaturahim/berkunjung kepada komunitas yang berkonflik di pengungsian untuk saling mengajak dan membicarakan proses penyelesaian konflik dengan pendekatan “adat se-atoran” (nilai dan norma) sebagai landasan kerukunan sosial di dalam komunitas Hibua Lamo. Lembaga adat Hibua Lamo berfungsi dan berperan sebagai simbol perekat sosial,menampung dan memfasilitasi berbagai komunitas yang berada di wilayah adat, memupuk rasa persaudaraan dari berbagai golongan, mengayomi semua komunitas, melindungi setiap orang yang datang dan menetap di wilayah adat, untuk memelihara kohesi sosial Halmahera Utara. Hein sebagai tokoh sentral dari dua kekuatan, yakni sebagai Bupati untuk mengendalikan regulasi pemerintahan, sebagai “Jikomakolano” (penjaga kawasan adat) untuk mengendalikan fungsi dan peran nilai-nilai budaya sebagai basis kearifan lokal, berhasil memelihara kohesi sosial.Peran Hein sebagai pengendalian regulasi birokrasi dan pengendalian nilai-nilai budaya sebagai basis kearifan lokal, berhasil melahirkan kesadaran kolektif dalam komunitas Hibua Lamo, yakni: Pertama, kesadaran masyarakat tentang sikap kealpaan terhadap fungsi dan peran nilai-nilai budaya lokal sebagai falsafah hidup komunitas Hibua Lamo (etnis Tobelo). Kedua, kesadaran tentang kepentingan politik sesaat oleh elite lokal. Ketiga, adanya sikap mengalah dari kelompok yang berkonflik, bahwa tidak ada yang paling beruntung di antara mereka yang berkonflik. Keempat, segera adanya kesadaran para elite lokal yang terlibat dalam permainan (sebagai motivator konflik), untuk mengakhiri permainannya. Jika konflik dan kekerasan tidak segera berhenti maka wilayahnya (Halmahera Utara) yang baru dimekarkan itu akan terlambat atau tidak segera dibangun. Apabila konflik di antara mereka tidak berhenti dan berjalan terus maka impian kepentingan politik oleh para elite lokal pun tidak kunjung diperoleh. Dalam upaya memelihara keseimbangan perasaan dan rasa keadilan antara komunitas Islam dan Nasrani, Pemerintah Daerah membangun rumah ibadah (Masjid dan Gereja). Kalau sebelumnya hanya dikenal adanya gereja pusat, maka pasca konflik telah dibangun juga Masjid Raya. Kalau ada jalan aspal ke Selatan (daerah mayoritas nasrani) yang dibangun, maka pasca konflik telah dibangun juga jalan aspal ke Utara (daerah mayoritas muslim), sehingga proses hubungan timbal-balik antar masyarakat dan segera adanya pembauran antar kelompok masyarakat secara holistik. Saran-saran: (1) Harus ada Peraturan Daerah tentang pengelolaan resolusi konfli dan kohesi sosial, dan ada klausul di dalam PERDA tersebut menyatakan, bahwa setiap Bupati yang terpilih harus memangku dua jabatan (Bupati dan Jikomakolano/pengendali kawasan adat), selama menjabat Kepala Pemerintahan Daerah (khususnya daerah adat), agar dapat mengendalikan masyarakat secara holistik, melalui dua kekuatan dimaksud; (2) Agar konflik dan kekerasan. antarsaudara tidak terulang lagi, harus ada kesadaran kolektif. Pertama, kesadaran terhadap kepentingan politik sesaat (para elite politik). Kedua, kesadaran tentang sikap kealpaan terhadap eksistensi nilai-nilai budaya lokal, sebagai perekat sosial (para tokoh adat dan komunitas Hibua Lamo). Ketiga, Kesadaran tentang cara berfikir terhadap pemahaman ajaran agama masing-masing, Islam dan Kristen (para tokoh agama dan masyarakat); (3) Pemerintah Daerah bersama elite lokal, harus memfungsikan dan memberdayakan peran lembaga adat sebagai perekat sosial serta menjadi pilar pelestarian nilai-nilai budaya yang berbasis kearifan lokal. Jika ada kehadiran gelombang eksodus sebagai korban koflik dan kekerasan secara masif di daerah asalnya, jangan langsung diberi ruang untuk berbaur dengan masyarakat setempat, harus diisolir di tempat khusus, agar masyarakat tidak segera terprovokasi dan bisa merusak sistem kekerabatannya. Untuk membangun sistem kekerabatan dan memelihara kohesi sosial di dalam komunitas Hibua Lamo, maka budayakan bahasa lokal (bahasa Tobelo) sebagai bahasa pengantar dikalangan komunitas Hibu

The assessment of patients' perception and satisfaction of radiology waiting time in university of maiduguri teaching hospital.

The patient is the most important person in the entire hospital setup and it is the duty of the health care personnel to give special attention to the management of patient to enhance effective service delivery.Waiting time is the total time from registration until consultation with healthcare personnel.It is an aspect of care that patients value most. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate Patients' perceived satisfaction with waiting time in Department of Radiology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State Nigeria. Method: The study was a cross-sectional prospective survey, that targeted patients who presented at the radiology department for HSG and IVU over the period of six months with a response rate of 70%, (n=70). The mean age of the participants was 33.6years. Data was collected using a 23 item self-completion questionnaire designed in line with the objectives of the study. Data were categorized into groups and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 16.0, where descriptive statistics such as the mean, percentages and frequencies were generated and tabulated. Pearson's correlation at p<0.01(2 tailed) was used to test for relationship Results: The results showed that 64.3%, (n=45) were female while 35.7%, (n=25) were male, out of these, 42.9% (n=30) were referred for HSG, and 57.1% (n=40) were for IVU. Among the patients referred for IVU, 37.5%, (n=15) were female, and 62.5%, (n=25) were male. Waiting time (before and after investigation) and satisfaction was found to be significant at (p<0.01 2-tailed), with the waiting time. Conclusion: Insufficient number of counter service staff (Receptionist) and insufficient number of Radiologist and Radiographers were some of the factors that affect patient's satisfaction with waiting time, as investigations and reports were delayed.&nbsp