The Environmental Impact of Flooding on Transportation Land Use in Benin City, Nigeria

Environmental problems of flooding on transportation land use manifest as a result of different land use activities of man to earn his living and his livelihood. Natural surfaces were replaced by more impermeable roads and concrete which have very low infiltration capacity, which have hydrological consequences of resulting into flooding problems in the Benin City metropolis. Data for this study were collected through the administration of 200 questionnaires, using the random sampling technique on respondents and through the physical survey of the study area. Simple percentages were used to analyze the data. Two hypotheses were formulated. The student ‘t’ test statistical method was used to test the hypotheses. Results from this study show that illegal disposal of refuse on drainage channels, high intensity of rainfall, the absence or infective drainage channels, poor construction of roads and building of houses on stream channels were identified as the causes of flooding on transportation land use in the study area. The study recommends that good road construction works, controlled dump sites, and timely response of the Town Planning Authority to flooding menace should be carried out as a matter of urgency to tackle the environmental problems of flooding on transportation land use in Benin City, Nigeria.Keywords: Environment, Impact, Flooding, and Transportation Land us

ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT) ON THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF AGRO-BASED FOOD INDUSTRIES IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

The use of Information Communication technologies (ICTs) as a management tool has gained widespread significance in recent years and the stock of management advantages provided by ICT cuts across disciplines and sectors. Management experts see this globalization of management options as the “super production and marketing input” needed by firms to boost their competitive edge. This paper assesses the adoption and use of ICTs on the economic performance of Agro-industries (ABFIs) in South-West, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from a total of 80 respondents from the study area. Budgetary analysis, t-test of mean differences and multiple regressions were used in the data analysis to actualise the study objectives. In assessing the effect of ICTs on the economic performance of the companies, the “before and after” scenarios were analysed. The results revealed an increase of about 14 percent increase in total profit after adoption of ICTs. The reduction in marketing cost brought about by adopting ICT s were found to be largely responsible for the increase in profit of the ICT adopting firms. The results also revealed that irrespective of the scale of operation, there was a general reduction in total marketing cost due to ICT adoption. The Cobb Douglas function fitted to explain the cost effect relationship between yearly firms’ expenditure on ICTs and firm’s characteristics revealed that the proportion of ICT literate staff to the total staff strength and age of firm were found to be significant positive determinants of ICTs expenditure. The study recommends the adoption and use of ICTs by agro-based firms as a cutting edge input that is not only cost effective but more efficient in the long run.Agribusiness,

Fertilization, hatchability, survival and larval biometry in interspecific and intergeneric hybrids of Clariid catfishes

Interspecific and intergeneric hybridization studies were carried out in H. longifilis, C. gariepinus and C. anguillaris under controlled hatchery conditions to estimate their aquaculture potential in terms of fertilizability, hatchability and survival. Fertilization rate in all the nine genetic crosses ranges from 60-87.5%, the fertilization rates of the parentals being significantly higher(P<0.05) with highest value of 87.5% obtained in C. gariepinus. The intergeneric hybrids had the lowest rate of fertilization. Hatchability ranges between 75- 88.1 %, with the parental C. anguillaris being slightly significantly higher than the other genetic combinations. C. anguillaris x H. longifilis I had the lowest hatchability and there was no significant difference (P<0.05) in percent hatching among the the interspecific hybrids. The survival of all the nine genetic crosses from hatching up to the end of the two weeks indoor rearing period ranges between 78-89%, which wasn't significantly different among the interspecific and intergeneric hybrids. C. anguillaris and C. gariepinus had the highest percent survival which was significantly different from all the other mating combinations. The intergeneric hybrid larval had significantly greater (P<0.05) length in comparison to the interspecific hybrids. H. longifilis and the hybrids produced from its eggs had greater body weight than that of C. gariepinus and C. anguillari

Neuromuscular disease mimicking myasthenia gravis in a Nigerian female adolescent: Could this be Nemaline rod Disease?

Background : Nemaline rod disease is a congenital myopathy, presentation of which may mimic myasthenia gravis.Methods : We report a suspected case of nemaline rod disease in a female adolescent who presented with features similar to myasthenia gravis but failed to respond effectively to its conventional management. She had features of respiratory failure and cardiomyopathyResult: Patient had a turbulent clinical course and finally succumbed to illness on the fifth day of admission.Conclusion: This report is meant to sensitize child neurologists and general paediatricians on the need to have a broad spectrum of considerations in the management of suspected myasthenia gravis, especially when response to anticholinesterase is poor.Keywords: Nemaline disease, Myasthenia gravis, Anticholinesteras

Toxicity of African locust bean effluent on Oreochromis niloticus

The effects of 96 h sub-lethal concentrations of African locust bean effluent on Oreochromis niloticus were studied using plastic buckets. Packed cell volume (PCY) and histological study of gills and liver were the tissue chemistry parameters investigated. The control buckets contained no effluent. Results revealed increase in ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) decrease in haemoglobin, red blood cell and PCY Yalue of the fish exposed to all sub-lethal concentrations. Damage to liver and gills were noticed in some of the sub-lethal concentrations of all the effluent. Normal situation was observed in all the examined tissues of fish from the control buckets. The African locust bean effluent is toxic on O. niloticus and the lethal concentrations of African locust bean effluent deducted from the 96 hours acute toxicity effect ranged from 3ml

A survey of medicinal plants in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to identify the medicinal plants used for the treatment of different ailments in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger&nbsp; State. Structured interview guides and direct field observation were used to collect data on the medicinal plants from one hundred and twenty&nbsp; respondents. The results obtained revealed a total of 52 medicinal plants belonging to 30 Families were identified as being used for treating different ailments in the study area in which Fabaceae is the most common Family whereby the bark and the leaves are mostly used. The medicinal plants identified had multiples uses while some were effective as mixtures. Seventy percent of the respondents had informal training on herbal&nbsp; medicine for two years. Twenty percent had formal training through forestry courses offered during advanced studies while ten percent inherited the knowledge from their parents. It was recorded that medicinal plants are cheaper, locally available and easily accessible than western drugs.&nbsp; Therefore, the conservation of these medicinal plants will be highly imperative if mobilizing individuals and communities to participate actively in afforestation programme; extension workers should convince local herb sellers and herbalists of the value and importance of nature and biodiversity; and research and documentation of medicinal plants are carried out. Keywords: Ailments, decoction, herbalists, medicinal plants, traditional, treatment

Jejunal linear foreign body obstruction in a three year old female Boerboel

A three year old Boerboel bitch was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, FUNAAB with complaint of lethargy and inappetence. Clinical signs observed included abdominal tenderness, watery bloody stool and palpable intestinal mass. Blood sample was obtained for complete blood counts, while transcutaneous abdominal ultrasound and lateral abdominal radiograph were also performed. Result of complete blood count showed severe neutrophilic leukocytosis. Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasound revealed dilated bowel loop containing a hyperechoic structure in the lumen, while radiographic contrast examination of the intestine revealed distended bowel loop and a radiopaque foreign body in the jejunum. Based on the findings, a tentative diagnosis of intestinal obstruction was made and an exploratory laparotomy was scheduled. After pre-anaesthetic medications with 3mg/kg intramuscular injection of 5% tramadol, 0.04mg/kg intramuscular injection of 0.1% atropine and 0.5mg/kg intramuscular injection of 2% Xylazine, anaesthesia was induced with a loading dose of 4mg/kg intravenous injection of 1% propofol and maintained with constant infusion of propofol at the rate of 0.12mg/kg/min. During laparotomy, the obstructed region was identified and enterotomy revealed the foreign body to be an ingested plastic bottle cap. Following removal of the foreign body, moderate inflammation of the segment of the intestine around the obstruction site was observed, necessitating the need for resection of the intestine to be performed and anastomosis using an end to end technique. The dog recovered without any complications after one week of postoperative antibiotic therapy and fluid administration. Prompt diagnosis of intestinal foreign body in dogs followed by appropriate selection of anaesthetic protocol and surgical technique with adequate intensive post-operative follow-up is essential for successful management.Keywords: Dog, Foreign-body, Jejuno-ileal, Intestine, Obstructio

DESIGN, FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS OF A SMALL SCALE DE-FEATHERING MACHINE

The aim of this work is to design and fabricate a small scale de-feathering machine and investigate into the optimal operational parameters for de-feathering. The fabricated de-feathering machine has its electric motor placed by its side for easy coupling, detachability and prolonged life span of motor. It has a door by its side for easy removal of the carcass.  The materials used for the fabrication of the de-feathering machine were carefully selected to ensure minimal damage to the carcass. The optimal scalding temperature of 60 oC, scalding time of 56.56 seconds, and de-feathering time of 12 seconds was found to have the highest efficiency of 96.6 %. The machine was able to achieve the desired quality. It saves time and it is of high efficiency. Keywords:  DESIGN, FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION, DEFEATHERING MACHINE DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-3-04 Publication date:September 30th 2021

Training needs on aquaculture value addition among fish farmers in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

The study assessed the training needs of fish farmers on value addition in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. Data were collected from fish farmers using interview guide. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data while Chi-square and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were employed to test relationship between variables. Respondents in this study were male dominated, in their productive ages (mean age of 38) and largely well educated (52% had tertiary education). Important training needs of respondents on value addition were improved smoking technology ( x̄ = 2.61), as well as improved packaging and labeling ( x̄ = 2.30), improved short duration storage technology ( x̄ = 2.29) and catching techniques ( x̄ = 2.20). Farmers’ stocking rate (r = 0.266, P = 0.017) and number of ponds (r = 0.243, P = 0.030) had a significant relationship with the training needs of farmers on fish value addition. The study therefore recommended that robust training programme and advisory services be made available by extension for fish farmers in areas of fish smoking, types packaging and storage material in order to enhance their utilization of value addition initiatives in fish farming.Keywords: Fish farming, value addition initiatives, constraint

An anatomical perspective: does the male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) have a scrotum?

We evaluated the anatomy of the “scrotal” skin pouch in an attempt to answer the question of whether (or not) there exist true scrotum in the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus). The “scrotal” skin folds from ten (10) matured male cane rats were morphologically and morphometrically studied with samples routinely processed for histology. Grossly, the pouch has features like fine hair on thin skin and longitudinal raphae typical of scrotum in other species. The histoarchitecture of the “scrotal” skin in the cane rat follows the normal scrotal pattern and the arrangements of the cutaneous strata, hair follicles and glands were similar in animals with perineal staining and those without perineal stain. The cane rat scrotal skin, though different in conformation from the scrotum of other mammalian species, has all the properties of a true scrotum thereby establishing the presence of scrotum in the greater cane rat.Keywords: Scrotum, Greater cane rat, Skin Pouch, Perineal stainin