Development of 2.14 M one sheet canoe (SAMPAN) for pond activities

A 2.14 M length overall (LOA) flat bottom modern canoe (Sampan), was designed and constructed using locally available materials. The canoe features include easy construction, portability, least cost, light weight, shallow draft, and easy maneuverability. The light displacement (weight empty) was 25kg, which was less than local canoe of same size. When placed on water a draft of 5.5cm. The capacity of the canoe was 200kg, and the total production cost of N10, 000.00, ($67) which was not beyond the reach of an average fisher folks, or any fish farmer. The canoe was easily maneuvered when propelled by paddling as it floated at a shallow draft; this makes the canoe adequate for use on shallow water bodies such as ponds and reservoirs. The craft, because of its easy maneuverability, can also be used on shallow water bodies for recreational activities such as, sport fishing and canoeing

Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus antibodies and CD4 level among HIV/AIDS patients attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is member is a member of the family Herpesviridae. It establishes latent state following primary infection, reactivating when there are changes in immune status. It is a virus of paradoxes and can be a potential killer or a silent lifelong companion. CMV infection is a common opportunistic viral infection among HIV/AIDS patients.Aim: This study therefore aimed at Studying “Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus (IgG, IgM) antibodies and CD4 level among HIV Positive Patients Attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto.Methodology: A total of 90 HIV patients and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. Blood was collected and the samples were screened serologically for IgG, IgM, IgG/IgM antibodies and CD4 levels were estimated. Results: The results showed that out of 90 HIV patients, 15(16.6%) were IgG reactive, 6(7.1%) IgM reactive and 5(5.88%) were IgG/IgM reactive. For the Controls out of 30, 3(10%) IgG positive, 3(10%) IgM and2 (6.6%) IgG/IgM positive with p=0.358, 0.689, 0.824 respectively. This shows that there no statistically significant difference between CMV infection in HIV patients and Healthy individuals. The CD4 level was estimated for test and control, Mean 514.92±202.36 and 997.84±145 respectively. P value is 0.000 which shows that there is statistically significant difference between CD4 level in the test and control. Similarly, the association between CD4 level and CMV antibodies (IgG, IgM and IgG/IgM) was obtained using Chi square and the p values were 0.057, 0.968 and 0.464. This indicated that there is no statistically significant association between CD4 level and CMV infections.Conclusion: Although, the study indicated that CMV infection among HIV positive cases is statistically not significant, but the case study reveals the need of further investigation to highlight the severity of the problem. It will help in better management of the HIV cases with early diagnosis of CMV antibodies in the patients

Social BIM: Co-creation with shared situational awareness

© 2015 The authors. A common data environment (CDE) is a specific requirement for Level 2 BIM in the UK in accordance with BS1192-2007 and PAS1192-2 standards. It is a central repository of BIM data and examples include 4BIM and Autodesk 360. These repositories have some disadvantages:(i) it is after synchronisation or file upload that changes between local and cloud versions of BIM models can be appreciated by remote teams; (ii) there is a cost associated with subscribing to these servers, which could marginalise SMEs wanting to adopt BIM; and (iii) during the design phase, these systems do not permit real-time co-creation capabilities or audiovisual consensus amongst designers. So although these repositories are helpful technologies, it is people who collaborate (not systems) and in the design phase, audio-visual feedback and consensus can augment the collaboration experience and outcomes. With socio-technical input, the quality of BIM data/models generated by team members can be enhanced (and clashes minimised) if visual isolation is eliminated. This research presents a framework and proof-of-concept which redefines Social BIM (SBIM) as a socio-technical mode of BIM that enriches the co-creation process for Levels 2 and 3 BIM. It enables 'shared situational awareness' by empowering remote participants with visual and remote control of BIM models using GoToMeeting as a 'groupware'. The BIM data was hosted by surrogate servers linked to cloud-based storage. A quasi-experiment through a desktop sharing and communication system enabled 14 globally dispersed participants to control the graphical user interface (GUI) of a host PC in the UK running Autodesk Revit. Four audio-visual collaboration protocols were developed and three were tested. Participants interacted via the host PC remotely using computers (which acted as nomadic servers) and with mobile devices. Remote desktop/laptop users had unlimited control of the data in host PC, while real-time audio-visual communication improved the collaboration and co-creation of 3D BIM models. The experience of participants in editing BIM models was a function of internet bandwidth, hardware and operating systems. Unitary optimisation of modelling efforts/outcomes was possible on shared/coordination models. Divisible optimisation of industry-specific tasks (i.e. architectural, engineering and management) by participants was enhanced by feedback which was either on-demand (requested) or just-in-time (spontaneous)

Factors associated with seizure severity among children with epilepsy in Northern Nigeria

Objective: To describe how seizure severity in children with epilepsy may be affected by certain socio-demographic and clinical variablesDesign: A cross-sectional studySetting: At the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, NigeriaParticipants: Sixty children and adolescents who were being followed up for seizure disorder at the child neurology clinicIntervention: Information on socio-demographic characteristics was obtained with a questionnaire, details of neuro-logical co-morbidities were extracted from the participants’ records, and seizure severity was assessed with the Na-tional Hospital Seizure Severity Score 3 tool.Main Outcome Measure: Chi-square test was used to establish the relationship between categorical variables, while the Independent t-test was used in describing the differences between means. Simple linear regression was calculated to assess the predictability of seizure severity.Result: The median age was ten years (IQR = 6-13 years), with a male dominance (1.5:1). The Seizure Severity Score (SSS) ranged between 3 and 24 units, with a mean of 12.22 ± 4.29 units. The only characteristic that had a significant association with SSS on bivariate analysis was the “presence of co-morbidities” (p=0.019). A simple linear regression revealed that the presence of a neurological co-morbidity predicted an increase in the SSS by 2.67 units. [R2 = 0.091, F (1, 58)= 5.837, p = 0.019. ꞵ = 2.67, t= 2.42, p= 0.019.]Conclusion: This study shows that neurological co-morbidities predict worsening seizure severity. This knowledge may influence prognostication and the charting of a treatment trajectory

Respiratory effects of propofol-ketamine and propofl-fentanyl combinations for total intravenous anaesthesia

propofol combined with other intravenous analgesic agents has been used as the sole anaesthetic agent to provide hypnosis and analgesia for various minor and major surgeries. However, because it lacks analgesic property, propofol in large doses causes respiratory depression. Combination of propofol with other analgesic agents reduces the dose of propofol necessary for procedural sedation. Objectives: This study evaluated the respiratory effects of two drug combinations: propofol-ketamine and propofol-fentanyl used as the sole anaesthetic agents. Method: one hundred and eight adults aged 18 to 50 years of either gender with ASA physical status I & II, randomly grouped into K and F, comprising of 54 patients each. Group K received propofol-ketamine while group F received propofol-fentanyl for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. Respiratory Rate (RR) and Oxygen saturation (SpO were recorded before and one 2) minutes after induction of anaesthesia and thereafter every five minutes till the end of procedure and at recovery till the patient is fully recovered. Results: Demographic and clinical characteristics such as age, sex, weight, duration of surgery, types of surgical procedures and volumes of drugs used were comparable between the two groups. Fall in respiratory rate was greater in propofol-fentanyl group compared to propofol-ketamine group during maintenance and early postoperative period (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both propofol-ketamine and propofolfentanyl combinations produced safe and effective anaesthesia. Propofol-ketamine results in a more stable respiratory profile

Design and construction of 2.14 m. LOA (one sheet) flat bottom canoe (punt) for pond activities

A 2.14M length overall (LOA) flat bottom canoe (punt), was designed and constructed using locally available materials. The features of the canoe are least cost material, light weight, shallow draft and easy maneuverability. The canoe's light displacement (weight empty) was 28kg, which was less.than local canoe of same size. When placed on water a draft of 5.5cm was achieved which is 14.8% of its depth (37cm). The capacity of the canoe was 200kg, and the total production cost of N8, 700.00 which was, not beyond, the reach of an average fisher folks, or any fish farmer. The canoe was easily maneuvered when propelled by paddling as it floated at a shallow draft; this makes the canoe adequate for use on shallow water bodies such as ponds and reservoirs. Such easily maneuvered craft can also be used on pond or reservoirs for recreation which include, sport fishing, canoein

Water Pollution and Quality Assessment of Lakes Gerio and Njuwa in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

The study focuses on water pollution and quality assessments of Lakes Gerio and Njuwa and its consequent effects on the water and the live that exist in and around the lakes basins. The effects of anthropogenic activities and particulate matter on water quality of the lakes were assessed. The objective is to analyse the physical properties of the water, conduct pH and coliform test in order to assess water quality. Water samples were subjected to microbial analysis in order to test for faecal contamination as well as pH test. Both waters turned out to contain coliforms and are acidic with Lake Gerio (pH of 6.5) and Lake Njuwa (pH of 6.0). The activities taking place around the lakes include; farming in which farm inputs like fertilizers, herbicides affect the water quality, fishing, washing, bathing, as well as deposition of human and animal urine and faeces due to open defaecation. Sedimentation and siltation of River Benue as well as the lakes also introduce more challenges that need particular attention. Conclusively, both lakes were unfit for human consumption. It is therefore recommended that there should be public enlightenment of the lake users about the dangers of inappropriate usage and consumption of the contaminated waters. Farmers around the lakes should be encouraged to minimise the use of chemicals through advocacy and incentives, for the application of sustainable conservation farming practices to conserve the ecosystem so as to improve on the quality of the water of the two lakes

Plasma Disposition of Ampicillin following Thiopentone Sodium Anaesthesia in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi)

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(2): 2011; 97 - 10

Isolation and Identification of Postharvest Spoilage Fungi Associated with Sweet Oranges (Citrus sinensis) Traded in Kano Metropolis

Mycological studies on fungi in apparently diseased sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) sampled from retailers at Na'ibawa Yan Lemu market in Kano Metropolis was carried out between August and September 2006. The samples were surface sterilized using 85% ethanol and homogenates were cultured on potato Dextrose Agar and incubated aerobically at room temperature for 7 days at 30°C. Pure cultures of the resulting fungal colonies were obtained from the subcultures of the primary plates. These were identified morphologically and microscopically. The investigation revealed that up to 90% of the samples were infected with one or more fungal species. The most predominant pathogenic fungus isolated from the samples was, Aspergillus sp (32.5%); others include Mucor sp. (25%), Penicillium sp (15%), Rhizopus sp (15%), Fusarium sp, (7.5%), and Alternaria sp. (5%). Proper handling from the farm as well as during storage and the avoidance of mixing of diseased ones with the healthy ones were identified as important factors in preventing loss. The use of suitable chemical treatment of the orange is also recommended as means of reducing economic loss due to fungal pathogens.Key words: Mycological studies, Fungal colonies, Sweet orange, Kan

Association Between Glomerular Filtration Rate And Body Mass Index Among Orthopaedic Patients In Kano-Nigeria

Any association between body mass index and kidney disease has so far proved inconclusive. Therefore, this study is aimed to provide association between glomerular filtration rate and body mass index among orthopaedic patients. A total of sixty (60) patients irrespective of gender were recruited. Weight and height were measured prior to the sample collection. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain the demographic data of the subjects. Blood samples were collected from each patient by venepuncture from the antecubital vein of the forearm using disposable syringes. Serum creatinine was determined by method of Rosano et al. Body Mass Index and Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) were calculated using creatinine-based equation of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease. Mean BMI was found to be higher in females (25.48±5.65) than their male counterparts (21.44±4.52), while eGFR was found to be higher in males (184.14±53.23) than in females (152.06±32.71). Subjects with eGFR ≥60 were observed to be more frequent (98.30%); normal weight individuals had higher frequency (48.33%). Positive correlation exists between BMI and eGFR in males whereas negative correlation was found in females which indicates association between body mass index and kidney function is gender related