EFFECT OF POST-WELD HEAT TREATMENT ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ARC WELDED MEDIUM CARBON STEEL

Effect of post- weld heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of arc welded medium carbon steel was investigated. Medium carbon steel samples were butt- welded by using the shielded metal arc welding technique and, thereafter, heat treated by annealing, normalising and quench hardening in water. The microstructure of the as- welded and post- weld heated samples was characterised by means of optical microscopy while the hardness, toughness and tensile properties of the samples were determined by using Indentec universal hardness testing machine, Izod impact testing machine and Denison tensile testing machine respectively. The results of the optical microscopic test show that fine grains of pearlite in ferrite were obtained in normalized samples and martensite was also observed in quenched samples. On the other hand, mechanical property tests indicated that normalized welded specimens gave good combination of mechanical properties. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i2.1

Mini-review on the efficacy of aquatic macrophytes as mosquito larvicide

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease, which is endemic in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Vector control is the current strategy used for the eradication and elimination of malaria in these countries, but this control method has not proven to be effective, as malaria continues its increasing trend. Although chemical larvicide can also be used to eradicate the malaria vector at the larval stage, preventing the growth of mosquitoes into hematophagous adults, the continuous use of chemical insecticides leads to environmental pollution. It is therefore of paramount importance to identify effective, low-cost, biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides for the control of mosquito larvae.This mini-review aims to assess the present and future of the use of macrophytes as a mosquito larvicide. We critically analyze the trend of malaria cases in sub-Saharan Africa and evaluate why botanical larvicides may contribute to the eradication of malaria in the region. The ecological role of macrophytes in the aquatic environment and their potential as botanical larvicide are explained in detail. The study illustrates that the macrophytes Azolla pinnata, Pistia stratiotes, Eicchornia crassipes, Phragmites australis, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea lotus, Typha latifolia and Leucas martinicensis have been effectively used as larvicides against mosquito larvae. It is recommended that additional work be done to purify the biologically active components that are responsible for the larvicidal activity of these macrophytes, and future research should assess the potential of other macrophytes for effective utilization as larvicides

Effect of ethanol root extract of Gardenia sokotensis on the level of parasitaemia in Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected rabbits

A study was conducted to determine the effect of the ethanol roots extract of Gardenia sokotensis in rabbits infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The animals were divided into five groups of 6 each. Group A was infected and treated with the extract of G. sokotensis; Group B infected and treated with Berenil®; Group C infected and untreated; Group D uninfected but treated with the extract; Group E was uninfected and untreated. The experimental animals were inoculated intraperitoneally with approximately 104 - 5 x 105 Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasites. Berenil® was administered once, intramuscularly, at the dose rate of 3.5 mg/kg body weight, while the extract of G. sokotensis was administered orally at the rate of 60mg/kg body weight daily for seven days. Administration was done at peak of parasitaemia (41 days post infection, p.i.). The animals were examined daily for parasitemia

Assessment of Groundwater Drinking Sources in Eku and Its Environs, in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria

قيمت هذه الدراسة جودة مصادر مياه الشرب المحفورة يدويا في ايكو وضواحيها. باستخدام طريقة مؤشر جودة المياه الحسابية. تم جمع عينات المياه من الآبار المحفورة يدويًا في هذه المواقع والتي أعطت قيمًا للمعلمات التي تم تحليلها. درجة الحرارة 26 - 30، الأكسجين المذاب (D.O) 5.2-8 ملجم / لتر، الطلب على الأكسجين البيولوجي (BOD) 5.2-8 (ملجم / لتر)، التوصيل الكهربائي (EC) 77-119 (µS / سم). إجمالي المواد الصلبة العالقة (TSS) 20000-120000 (مجم / لتر) ، الرقم الهيدروجيني 5.31-7.09 ، الفوسفات 2-9.2 (مجم / لتر) ، القلوية 28-160 (مجم / لتر) ، التعكر ، 0.02 -0.19 (NTU) المجموع coliform 2 -48 (cfu / ml) وعدد الفطريات 1-502. كانت الاختلافات في قيم هذه المعلمات مهمة فقط للفوسفات والقلوية والعكارة بين Samagidi و Okuechi عند مستوى معنوية p≤0.05. أوصت NSDWQ / WHO باستخدام D.O، BOD، الفوسفات، إجمالي القولون ومستوى TSS، مما يجعل مصادر المياه هذه غير مناسبة لأغراض مياه الشرب. كشف التحليل العنقودي عن ثلاث مجموعات عنقودية؛ المجموعة 1 (Eku2) والمجموعة 2 (Samagidi) والمجموعة 3 (Eku1 و Okuechi) ، بينما أظهر تحليل العوامل ارتباطًا قويًا مع الأس الهيدروجيني ، والأكسجين المذاب ، والأكسجين الحيوي ، والفوسفات ، والتوصيلية ، والتعداد القولوني الكلي والفطريات مع مصادر المياه في الدراسة المحطات. WQI المحسوب لمصادر المياه هذه هو 107.56 و 95.18 و 103.45 و 110.36 لـ Eku I و Samagidi و Eku 2 و Okuechi ، على التوالي ، وتصنيفها على أنها ذات نوعية مياه سيئة للغاية وغير مناسبة لأغراض الشرب. يعتبر التخلص العشوائي من النفايات والجريان السطحي وسوء المرافق الصحية والطبيعة المكشوفة لهذه الآبار من العوامل الرئيسية في تدهور هذه الآبار.This study assessed the quality of hand-dug drinking water sources in Eku and its environs at Eku I, Samagidi, Eku 2, and Okuechi, using the weighted arithmetic water quality index method. Water samples collected from hand-dug wells at these locations returned values for analyzed parameters. Temperature 26 – 30(⁰C), dissolved Oxygen (D.O) 5.2-8mg/l, biological oxygen demand (BOD) 5.2-8(mg/l), Electrical Conductivity (EC) 77-119(µS/cm), Total suspended solids were  (TSS) 20000-120000(mg/l), pH 5.31-7.09, Phosphates 2-9.2(mg/l), Alkalinity 28-160(mg/l), Turbidity, 0.02 -0.19(NTU) Total coliform 2 -48 (cfu/ml) and fungal count 1-502. Variations in the values of these parameters were only significant for phosphate, alkalinity, and turbidity between Samagidi and Okuechi at a level of significance of p≤0.05. D.O, BOD, phosphates, total coliform and TSS levels, exceeded standards recommended by NSDWQ/WHO, rendering these water sources unsuitable for drinking purposes. Cluster analysis revealed three cluster groups; cluster 1(Eku2), cluster 2(Samagidi), and cluster 3(Eku1 and Okuechi), while factor analysis showed a strong correlation with pH, D.O, BOD, phosphate, conductivity, total coliform and fungal counts with water sources in the study stations. The calculated WQI for these water sources is 107.56, 95.18, 103.45, and 110.36 for Eku I, Samagidi, Eku 2, and Okuechi, respectively, classifying them as very poor water quality and unsuitable for drinking purposes. Indiscriminate waste disposal, surface runoff and poor sanitary facilities, and the exposed nature of these wells are major contributors to the deterioration of these wells

A case of hydrated lime (CaOH)2 toxicity in

A sudden increase in mortality was observed in a fish pond stocked with 1034 6-weeks old Clarias juveniles, after exhibiting various forms of nervous disorders such as severe irritation and erratic convulsive swimming habits. A total of 165 mortality, with mean of 20.6 ± 14.8/day were recorded within the first week of stocking. A perfect positive correlation of water level in the pond R2= 0.92, with inverse mortality R2= 0.14 and pH values R2= 0.78 within the first 8 days were recorded. Carcasses exhibited various forms of skin discoloration, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages were observed on the cranium, base of the fins, body sides and bloated belly. Many carcasses had eroded body mucous, manifested by various forms of grayish bands of skin lesion. Mean optimal values for nitrate (0,mg/litre), nitrite (0.1,mg/litre) and ammonia (0.1mg/litre) in the water were recorded using commercial multiple water testing kit, although declining pH value of 11 to 7.5 was observed within the period. Another set of 200 Clarias juveniles of the same batch was raised in an adjacent pond, and appeared clinically healthy. Spontaneous recovery was observed upon transfer of the whole juveniles to a new pond of fresh water, with mean pH 7.5 and treated with oxytetracycline and vitaminmineral supplements. Diagnosis of acute lime toxicity was made. Normal growth was restored but, evidence of necrotic skin discoloration was retained to adulthood in 20% of the fishes.Keywords: Clarias gariepinus juveniles, hydrated lime, toxicit

TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19: A SCOPING REVIEW

Background: In developing countries, the lack of accessible, affordable and acceptable orthodox care makes a significant proportion of the populace patronize the nearby available and cheap traditional birth attendants (TBAs) that share similar local custom and tradition. Although there are widely diverging shreds of evidence regarding their effectiveness as health care providers, they may have a limited role as a workforce during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic where the more community-based distribution of commodities is increasingly considered due to movement restrictions. However, it is still doubtful if their integration into the formal health system may substantially contribute to basic health care delivery especially in the rural often hard to reach areas. Objectives: To explore the various roles of TBAs in reproductive health service delivery with implication for redefining their roles especially with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: We searched and reviewed relevant literature on TBAs in PubMed, Africa Journals Online (AJOL) and Google scholar and relevant institutional websites for the role of TBAs pre and during the pandemic. The databases searched yielded 92 articles of potential significance to this review. After title/abstract review, 65 articles were moved to full document review. Nineteen articles explicitly and strictly focusing on TBAs concerning reproductive health were included in this review. Results: TBAs are providers of a wide range of reproductive health services and training to expand their roles and makes them safer is necessary for any consideration of their engagement; this implies the fight against COVID-19. TBAs should only be engaged if the gap in the resources for health must be filled by leveraging on their existing traditional roles and acceptance in the community. Conclusion: TBAs are widely utilised providers of care to their communities especially in the area of maternal care. With increasing emphasis on community-based services in healthcare delivery and the emergence of COVID-19, their roles must be reviewed and updated regularly to redefine their role in the health care delivery system especially because of the myriad personal and technical limitations associated with them. Any engagement with them should be with caution and as a stop-gap measure

Prevalence of Non-communicable Diseases and its Awareness among Inhabitants of Sokoto Metropolis: Outcome of a Screening Program for Hypertension, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus and Overt proteinuria

Introduction: Developing countries confront double jeopardy of prevalent infectious disease and increasing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) with imminent projected epidemic proportions. Nigeria has witnessed tremendous socio-economic changes and rural to urban migration culminating in emergence of NCD. The impact of these diseases on the lives of people is enormous when measured in terms of outcomes. We initiated a screening program among inhabitants of Sokoto metropolis in an attempt to unravel the prevalence and pattern of NCD.Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study involving 535 participants who were randomly selected during World Kidney Day Screening in Sokoto. Health promotion talk was organized for the participants before commencing the screening. We took anthropometric measurements and calculated body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio for all individuals. We also checked blood pressure and blood glucose levels and performed urinalysis for all participants.Results: There were 535 participants including 332 males and 203 females with a mean age of 37±17 years. Over-weight, obesity and morbid obesity were found in 12.3%, 6.7% and 0.9% of participants respectively. About 11% had waist/hip ratio greater than 1. The prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension was 8.5% and 30.2% respectively. Elevated random blood glucose levels were found in 6% of participants while 17.9% had at least 1+ of proteinuria in urinalysis.Conclusion: Non-communicable diseases are common in our environment and the level of awareness is low. Regular health education and screening programs are necessary in order to reduce the menace.Key words: Non- communicable disease; Prevalence; Screening; Sokot

Two decades of neuroscience publication trends in Africa.

Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa's neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent's 54 countries. Here, we analyse neuroscience publications affiliated with African institutions between 1996 and 2017. Of 12,326 PubMed indexed publications, 5,219 show clear evidence that the work was performed in Africa and led by African-based researchers - on average ~5 per country and year. From here, we extract information on journals and citations, funding, international coauthorships and techniques used. For reference, we also extract the same metrics from 220 randomly selected publications each from the UK, USA, Australia, Japan and Brazil. Our dataset provides insights into the current state of African neuroscience research in a global context

Determination of hand grip strength and its correlates during pregnancy : a cross-sectional study

Background: Pregnancy results in many changes, including reduced hand grip strength (HGS). However, good HGS is required for physical functions such as carrying and breastfeeding the baby after birth. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that may predict HGS during pregnancy. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study approved by the Research Ethics Committees of Kano State Ministry of Health and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, north-west, Nigeria. Pregnant women at the designated hospitals were included in the study if they had no serious comorbidities or any known neurological condition that affects the hands and the neck. Demographic characteristics and independent (predictor) variables (age, weight, height, BMI, maternity leave status, number of full-term deliveries, number of preterm deliveries, number of live births, number of abortuses, gravidity, trimester, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, inter arm systolic BP difference [IASBP], inter arm diastolic BP difference [IADBP], and heart rate) of each of the participants were recorded by experienced therapists. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and standard multiple regression. Result: One hundred and sixty-one pregnant women with mean age, 25.04 ± 4.83 years participated in the study. In the dominant hand, 120 participants (74.5%) had weak grip strength. In the non-dominant hand, 135 participants (83.9%) had weak grip strength. For the dominant hand, the total variance explained by the whole model was significant, 28.5%, F(11, 161) = 1.187, R2 = 0.081, p = 0.300 . In the final model, none of the variables significantly predicted HGS. However, systolic blood pressure contributed to the model more than any other variable (Beta = -0.155). For the non-dominant hand, the total variance explained by the whole model was not significant, 33.1%, F(11, 161) = 1.675, R2 = 0.111, p = 0.089 . In the final model, only systolic blood pressure (Beta = -0.254, p = 0.023) significantly predicted hand grip strength. Conclusion: Cardiovascular events or changes during pregnancy (such as change in systolic blood pressure) may be related to HGS in pregnant women. It is therefore, important for clinicians to pay attention to this, in planning rehabilitation strategies for pregnant women