Covid-19 Effects on Libraries Goes Beyond Books: Lead City University in Perspective

Information is a resource that is naturally needed in all aspects of human endeavors and the library, as an institution responsible for the acquisition, organization and dissemination of information is highly sought by information users. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure or restriction of access to libraries all over the world, of which the Lead City University Library was not an exception. This article contends that the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has a wide ranging impact on the library and its users that goes beyond lack of access to books and other information resources. This is because the library is a social institution which has become more of a community center where people can come together not only to access information but also to learn new skills and make new connections in their quest for enlightenment, leisure, up skilling, learning, re-learning and self-fulfillment. To ameliorate this situation and maintain the relevance of the library, the study recommended that it is important that academic libraries invest more on Information Technology infrastructures and electronic resources. Librarians also need to acquire improved ICT skills needed for virtual interaction with information users which is sacrosanct in this era of the new normal

Library Services, Information Resources Availability and Perceived Academic Achievement of Physically Challenged Students in Ibadan Oyo State

Physically challenged students are entitled to all the support necessary to succeed in their academic pursuits. However, the reality in developing countries, particularly Nigeria, is that little attention is often paid to physically challenged students. This study examined the influence of information resources and library services provision on the perceived academic achievement of physically challenged students in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative survey research method. A structured questionnaire was adopted as the instrument for data collection. The study population comprises of 348 physically challenged students from Cheshire Special School Ijokodo, Ibadan, Oyo State. Total enumeration was used due to the manageable size of the population. The findings show that the level of availability of information resources in the library is above average (mean = 2.76) It was also found that library services available to the student is above average (mean = 3.07). Furthermore, hypotheses testing revealed that availability of information resources (ß=0.420, t=3.690, p\u3c0.05) and school library services (ß=1.008, t=6.297, p\u3c0.05) have a significant have positive influence on the perceived academic achievement by the students. The study, therefore, concluded that the library can serve as a veritable evidence of the importance of school libraries in special education and recommends that other schools also embrace the establishment school libraries

Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: a case report in a Nigerian child and literature review

This report of Hereditary anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HAED), a genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities of structures of ectodermal origin, was informed by its rarity, and its import for survival in a tropical environment. The five-year old male was first seen on account of inability to cut the front teeth, and a persistent offensive nasal discharge. He had heat intolerance and inability to perspire from early infancy. Pedigree evaluation revealed that both parents are Nigerians and unrelated, but the maternal front dentition was visibly defective. A 19-year old female sibling needed dentures at 10 years of age, while the father was one of two survivors out of 12 children, eight of whom were males. Findings included hypotrichosis; “saddle-nose” deformity and an offensive nasal discharge; the skin was thin, warm and dry; he had no incisors and canines, but had a single erupted premolar on either side and radiographic evidence of unerupted premolars was found. Genetic counseling and parental anticipatory guidance were offered, as was antimicrobial treatment for the co-morbid atrophic rhinitis. Dentures were deferred on the dentist's advice. This case report of HAED in a Nigerian was aimed at raising the local index of clinical suspicion by highlighting the reality of rarities, even with inadequate diagnostic support. The diagnostic parameters, literature review and the management strategies are discussed.Key words: Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia; hypotrichosis; oligodontia;Nigeri

External Debt and Economic Growth: Evidence from Nigeria

The study examined the impact of external debt on economic growth in Nigeria for the period 1981-2014 based on annual data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin (various issues) and abstract of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The researcher examined the existence of Co-integration among the underlying variables using Auto-regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model after conducting preliminary statistical test to ascertain the normality of the variables as well as stationary of the data set using descriptive and unit root tests. The result of the ARDL test shows that a significant relationship exists between external debt and economic growth both at the long and short run. The study also examined the causality among the variables using Granger causality test and observed that no causality exist among the variables. The study therefore recommends that government should ensure that loans obtained are used to finance profitable projects that would generate reasonable amount of revenue to service the debts and also adequate record of debt payment obligations should be kept and debt should not be allowed to exceed a maximum limit in order to prevent debt overhang.&nbsp

Cardiac Repair and Regenerative Potential in the Goldfish (Carassius auratus) Heart

The remarkable ability of the heart to regenerate has been demonstrated in the zebrafish and giant danio, two fish members of the cyprinid family. Here we use light and electron microscopy to examine the repair response in the heart of another cyprinid, the goldfish (Carassius auratus), following cautery injury to a small portion of its ventricularmyocardium. We observed a robust inflammatory response in the first two weeks consisting primarily of infiltrating macrophages, heterophils, and melanomacrophages. These inflammatory cells were identified in the lumen of the spongy heart, within the site of the wound, and attached to endocardial cells adjacent to the site of injury. Marked accumulation of collagen fibers and increased connective tissue were also observed during the first and second weeks in a transition zone between healthy and injured myocardium as well as in adjacent sub-epicardial regions. The accumulation of collagen and connective tissue however did not persist. The presence of capillaries was also noted in the injured area during repair. The replacement of the cauterized region of the ventricle by myocardial tissue was achieved in 6 weeks. The presence of ethynyl deoxyuridinepositive cardiac myocytes and partially differentiated cardiac myocytes during repair suggest effective cardiac myocyte driven regeneration mechanisms also operate in the injured goldfish heart, and are similar to those observed in zebrafish and giant danio. Our data suggest the ability for cardiac regeneration may be widely conserved among cyprinids

Acute Respiratory Infections in the Middle-Belt Region of Nigeria

Background: ARI continues to be a leeding cause of death among children globally beyond the year 2000. Close 12 million children under the age of 5years die each year in the developing countries, mainly from preventable causes and approximately 2.28 million (19%) were due to acute respiratory infections (ARI). It therefore became necessary to assess the present status of the disease in Nigeria to mastermind workable plans for reducing the mortality and morbidity burden.Methods: A designed pro-forma was used to collect and collate information from mothers or direct care givers of children at both hospital and community levels relating to family background, home setting, anthropometry, clinical presentation of ARI, previous medications, investigations, complications and outcomes of illness.Results: A total of 163 children were recruited for the study. One hundred and six had moderate and severe form of ARI while 57 had mild form. The in-patients accounted for 15.2% of all the admission within the study period.All children were under 12 years of age with male preponderance. Fast breathing, Tarchypnoea, Cough and Fever were the leading ways of presentations. The immunization coverage of study population by various antigens in the EPI were poor. Majority of the hospital children had pre-consultation antibiotics while none of the children from the rural community had pre-recruitment antibiotics. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were the leading organisms isolated with good sensitivity to Quinolones, Gentamycin and Cephalosporins. Heart failure was the leading complications. Mortality was 12.3% among the hospitalized patient and none among the community children.Conclusion: It was concluded that ARI is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children with opportunity for burden reduction.Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infection, present outlook, burde

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as an adjunct to education and exercise for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Objective To determine the additional effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for knee osteoarthritis (OA) when combined with a group education and exercise program (knee group). Methods The study was a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial. Patients referred for physiotherapy with suspected knee OA (confirmed using the American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria) were invited. Exclusion criteria included comorbidities preventing exercise, previous TENS experience, and TENS contraindications. Prospective sample size calculations required 67 participants in each trial arm. A total of 224 participants (mean age 61 years, 37% men) were randomized to 3 arms: TENS and knee group (n = 73), sham TENS and knee group (n = 74), and knee group (n = 77). All patients entered an evidence-based 6-week group education and exercise program (knee group). Active TENS produced a "strong but comfortable" paraesthesia within the painful area and was used as much as needed during the 6-week period. Sham TENS used dummy devices with no electrical output. Blinded assessment took place at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function subscale at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included WOMAC pain, stiffness, and total scores; extensor muscle torque; global assessment of change; exercise adherence; and exercise self-efficacy. Data analysis was by intent to treat. Results All outcomes improved over time (P 0.05). All improvements were maintained at 24-week followup. Conclusion There were no additional benefits of TENS, failing to support its use as a treatment adjunct within this context. Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Rheumatology

Capital Flight and the Economic Growth: Evidence From Nigeria

This research examined the impact of capital flight and its determinants on the Nigerian economy using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to analyze data source from the period of 1981 to 2015. The variables included current account balance, capital flight, foreign direct investments, foreign reserve, inflation rate, external debt, and the real gross domestic product. It was to examine the existence of a long run relationship among the variables studied. The result indicates that capital flight has a negative impact on the economic growth of Nigeria. Therefore, there is a need for government to implement policies that will promote domestic investment and discourage capital flight from Nigeria