Near Surface Hydrometeorology for Sustainable Water Management

Due to strong interactions between the land and atmosphere and the resulting feedbacks as altered by the anthropogenic changes, it is critical to quantify the surface fluxes and boundary layer properties that has direct implications on the regional evolution of hydrometeorology. This study evaluates the impact of irrigation using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical weather prediction (NWP) model in the Snake River Basin in Idaho. Our simulation extends for the period in the growing season and compares the control and irrigation runs to assess the irrigation induced cooling on the surface energy balance. Understanding this near surface cooling is directly useful for sustainable water management under changing climate conditions in the future. We present simulated latent and sensible heat fluxes as well as air temperature, relative humidity and the depth of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) over the region

Impact of Parents’ Socio-Economic Background on Students’ Achievement in Agricultural Science at the Senior Secondary School Level in Ogbomoso South Local Government, Ogbomoso, Oyo State

The study examined the prediction of students’ achievement in Agricultural Science by parents’ socio-economic background in selected secondary schools in Ogbomoso South Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria. It made use of 300 senior secondary school students drawn from ten secondary schools in Ogbomoso South Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria. An agricultural achievement test containing fifty multiple choice items was used together with socio-economic pattern questionnaire these contain a section for students to fill in their demographic data was used to gather data. Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics, pearson product moment correlation coefficient, and t-test. The result showed that fathers that have secondary school certificate dominated the group while fathers that have no educational qualification have the least. It was also revealed that secondary school certificate and primary school certificate dominated the group mothers that have secondary school certificate being the modal qualification. It was also showed that there is a significant difference between parents’ educational qualification and students’ achievement. It was also revealed that there is a significant difference between the nature of family and students achievement Nature of family. It was revealed that there is low negative relationship between students’ access to learning materials and their achievement in Agricultural Science. It was showed that there is a high positive correlation between socio-economic background and students’ achievement in Agricultural Science. The implication of the findings was also discussed, and suggestion for stakeholders in education industry. Keywords: Agricultural Science, impact, socio-economic background, students’ achievemen

Socio-Economic Background and Access to Internet as Correlates of Students Achievement in Agricultural Science

This study investigated access to internet and socio-economic background as correlates of students’ achievement in Agricultural Science among selected Senior Secondary Schools Two Students in Ogbomoso South and North Local Government Areas. The study adopted multi-stage sampling technique. Simple random sampling was used to select thirty (30) students from each of the selected school in the two local governments. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 300 students from various strata (school) chosen in the two local governments. Five research questions were answered. Descriptive Statistics, Pearson Moment Correlation and Multiple regressions were used to analyse the data gathered. The study observed that, 67.7% of the students have access to the internet (two-third of the sample). A positive but not significant relationship exists between access to internet and students’ achievement in Agricultural Science (r = 0.110 and p>0.05). There is a positive and significant relationship between socio-economic background and students’ achievement in Agricultural Science (r = 0.515** and p<0.01). Furthermore, relationship between socio-economic background and access to internet is not significant (r = 0.040 and p>0.05). Access to internet and socio-economic background are jointly related to students’ achievement in Agricultural Science. F (3,296) = 37.082, p<0.05, R value of .523ª, R ² of 2.73 and adjusted R square of .266

The Effects of Childhood Social Support and Family Resiliency on Mental Health in Adulthood

The effect of social support on the overall health and quality of life in adulthood has been well documented particularly in chronic disease populations. Very few studies examined the relationships between childhood social support, family resiliency and mental health in adulthood in the community and among disadvantaged minority populations. We examined the role of social support and family resilience during childhood on subsequent mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adulthood among racial/ethnic minorities. A needs assessment survey which was designed to explore health determinants and quality of life indicators using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in a low-income community in Tampa was analyzed. Participants were predominantly low-income non-Hispanic black and Hispanic population (n=187). The outcome mental HRQoL was measured using the validated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Healthy Days Measure” instrument. We utilized sequential multivariable logistic regression models to examine the independent effects of childhood social support and family resiliency on mental HRQoL in adulthood. Approximately 12.3% of study participants reported poor mental HRQoL (i.e. ≥14 unhealthy days due to mental health). Childhood social support and family resiliency were significant predictors of mental HRQoL in adulthood, after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Sleep and composite health issues in adulthood were also associated with mental HRQoL. Our analyses highlight an opportunity to promote mental health through support of interventions that improve positive family relationships and reduce the burden of chronic health issues among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children

Pathologic changes in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: a review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters cells using the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which are expressed by the respiratory tract endothelium, epithelial cells of the stomach, duodenum, ileum, rectum, cholangiocytes, and hepatocytes. Pathological examinations of these organs are not feasible method of diagnosis but can explain pathological changes, pathogenesis of the disease, and the cause of death in COVID-19 cases. In this review, we performed a literature search for COVID-19-related pathological changes seen during post-mortem examinations in different organs of the body including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, skin, heart and blood. Our findings showed that SARS-CoV-2 has damaging effects on many organs, probably due to the host immune responses to the presence of the virus. It is recommended that both antiviral and immunomodulatory agents should be considered in the management of COVID-19 patients for better prognosis, and clinical outcome.   French title: Changements pathologiques chez les patients infectés par le SRAS-CoV-2: une revue Le syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pénètre dans les cellules à l'aide de l'enzyme de conversion de l'angiotensine 2 (ACE2), qui est exprimée par l'endothélium des voies respiratoires, les cellules épithéliales de l'estomac, du duodénum, de l'iléon, du rectum, des cholangiocytes, et les hépatocytes. Les examens pathologiques de ces organes ne sont pas une méthode de diagnostic réalisable, mais peuvent expliquer les changements pathologiques, la pathogenèse de la maladie et la cause du décès dans les cas de COVID-19. Dans cette revue, nous avons effectué une recherche bibliographique sur les changements pathologiques liés au COVID-19 observés lors d'examens post-mortem dans différents organes du corps, notamment les poumons, le tractus gastro-intestinal, le foie, les reins, la peau, le coeur et le sang. Nos résultats ont montré que le SRAS-CoV-2 a des effets néfastes sur de nombreux organes, probablement en raison des réponses immunitaires de l'hôte à la présence du virus. Il est recommandé que les agents antiviraux et immunomodulateurs soient pris en compte dans la prise en charge des patients COVID-19 pour un meilleur pronostic et des résultats cliniques. &nbsp

Case report: Spontaneous staphylococcal arthritis in athymic SPF mice

Six cases of spontaneous purulent arthritis confined to the hock joints in male Han-NMRI-nu/nu mice have been observed in a SPF colony. Bacteriological examination revealed a protein A-positive Staphylococcus aureus belonging to phagegroup II. results of the histological, bacteriological examinations and the importance of S. aureus of the 3A/3C/55/71 phage complex for small laboratory animal are discussed

Cadmium-free silica-encapsulated molecularly imprinted AuZnCeSeS quantum dots nanocomposite as an ultrasensitive fluorescence nanosensor for methamphetamine detection

One of the major challenges facing forensic drug analysis is the difficulty in detecting ultralow concentration of illicit drugs in biological matrices without the need for an extraction or a pre-treatment step. This work report on the development of a novel AuZnCeSeS quantum dots (QDs)-molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) nanocomposite fluorescent probe for methamphetamine (METH) recognition. Silica-coated AuZnCeSeS QDs were synthesized and characterized using spectrophotometric, spectroscopic and electron microscopy techniques. Via a free radical polymerization reaction, a thin layer of MIP shell with METH as the template was coated around the QDs surface leading to the formation of a QDs-MIP nanocomposite probe. The MIP coating passivated the QDs surface leading to radiative fluorescence enhancement of the bound QDs. Under optimum reaction conditions, METH was selectively and quantitatively detected via a fluorescence quenching reaction process. The unique selectivity of the nanoprobe for METH recognition showed clearly that METH was able to precisely re-bind to the MIP surface with size and shape reorganization. While the MIP shell functioned to provide the required selectivity, the AuZnCeSeS QDs functioned to fluorescently report the surface binding interaction. The use of a AuZnCeSeS QDs-non-imprinted polymer as probe to detect METH resulted in poor sensitivity and selectivity; hence, demonstrating the suitability of the AuZnCeSeS QDs-MIP nanoprobe to accurately detect METH. METH was detected within a wide concentration range from 0.05 to 50,000 nM with a detection limit of ∼0.02 nM (0.0036 ng/mL). The developed AuZnCeSeS QDs-MIP nanoprobe was efficiently used to detect METH in untreated urine sample with recovery efficiency from ∼100 to 110%

Information services provision for access and utilization of agricultural science students in national agricultural extension research and liaison services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,

This study investigated Information Services Provision for Access and Utilization of Agricultural Science Students in National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The study aimed at finding out the types of agricultural information services required for access and use by agricultural science students from NAERLS, ABU, Zaria and the level of awareness of agricultural science students on agricultural information services provided by NAERLS, ABU, Zaria. The study adopted quantitative research method using descriptive research design. The population of the study was 995 and a sample size of 320 was drawn for the study from agricultural science students in Faculty of Agriculture, ABU, Zaria. Questionnaire was the instrument used and in order to incorporate all respondents in all levels, proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting respondents for the study. Data collected were sorted and analysed using frequency tables, simple percentages and descriptive mean of Standard Deviation. Findings revealed that agricultural science students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria access and use Technical/Scientific and Commercial Agricultural Information Services and are aware of these services. Consequently, the study recommended that NAERLS and her international bodies should create more awareness on the availability of these agricultural information services as they are of importance to the entire students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and not the agricultural science students alone. Also efforts should be intensified on creating a pact between NAERLS, their international agencies and their immediate environment which they are expected to serve on the available services for effective and efficient use. Keywords: Information Provision, Access, Utilization, Agricultural Extension Information&nbsp