Forecasting Mango and Citrus Production in Nigeria: A Trend analysis

This paper provides the prediction of future production of citrus and mango in the medium term up to 2010. The prediction was based on the assumptions that past trends (area planted and yield) and existence of normal weather pattern will hold. Time trend model with specific emphasis on growth model was employed. The analysis delineated three different eras (period between 1961 and 2003, 1986 – 2003, and 1991-2003). These eras were used to simulate the different policy regimes of Regulation, Structural Adjustment era and Liberalization era. In general, output of citrus and mango maintained upward trend over the years. However, the growth rate was highest for the era including Structural Adjustment. Following from this, output predictions over the medium term are highest for the analysis with Structural Adjustment era.Mango; Citrus; Production; Yield; Prediction; Trend analysis & Nigeria;

Maternal mortality audit in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria: Lessons from direct causes and its drivers

Introduction: Nigeria has the second highest number of maternal deaths in the world.The study aimed at determining the causes of and non-obstetric contributors to maternal mortality at a tertiary referral hospital.Materials and Methods: It was a prospective audit of all consecutive maternal deaths in the hospital over a three-year period. Immediately after the death,information was retrieved via a data collection form.Data were analysed with SPSS-20.Results: Seventy deaths were examined over the study period. Maternal mortality ratio was 1,265/100,000 live births.The annual ratio decreased steadily over the study period.Most of the deaths were of multiparous women who had not received any antenatal care,and were mostly postpartum, within 24 hours of delivery.Most of them were critically ill on admission to the hospital. Major causes of death were haemorrhage (36%), sepsis (17%) and hypertensive disorders (16%).Delays were identified in 34.3% of cases;most (70.1%) were Phase III delays.Discussion: Direct causes of maternal mortality are consistent with those found in literature. Steps which the centre has been taken to counter direct and non-obstetric causes are discussed. Possible strategies to improve health financing and referral system are proffered.Keywords: Maternal mortality,delay

Forecasting Mango and Citrus Production in Nigeria: A Trend analysis

This paper provides the prediction of future production of citrus and mango in the medium term up to 2010. The prediction was based on the assumptions that past trends (area planted and yield) and existence of normal weather pattern will hold. Time trend model with specific emphasis on growth model was employed. The analysis delineated three different eras (period between 1961 and 2003, 1986 – 2003, and 1991-2003). These eras were used to simulate the different policy regimes of Regulation, Structural Adjustment era and Liberalization era. In general, output of citrus and mango maintained upward trend over the years. However, the growth rate was highest for the era including Structural Adjustment. Following from this, output predictions over the medium term are highest for the analysis with Structural Adjustment era

Forecasting Mango and Citrus Production in Nigeria: A Trend analysis

This paper provides the prediction of future production of citrus and mango in the medium term up to 2010. The prediction was based on the assumptions that past trends (area planted and yield) and existence of normal weather pattern will hold. Time trend model with specific emphasis on growth model was employed. The analysis delineated three different eras (period between 1961 and 2003, 1986 – 2003, and 1991-2003). These eras were used to simulate the different policy regimes of Regulation, Structural Adjustment era and Liberalization era. In general, output of citrus and mango maintained upward trend over the years. However, the growth rate was highest for the era including Structural Adjustment. Following from this, output predictions over the medium term are highest for the analysis with Structural Adjustment era

High environmental temperature potentiated marker of oxidative cellular damage and renal expression of p38 MAPK in male rats fed a high salt diet

Aim: Oxidative stress, heat shock protein (HSP70) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are important functional cellular signals involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the effect of high environmental temperature (HET) and high salt diet (HSD) respectively and together on systemic oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), HSP70 and  renal p38 MAPK. Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups with eight rats in each group: Control rats (C) fed a normal diet; salt-loaded rats (S) fed a HSD (8%NaCl); normal diet rats (H) exposed to HET (38.5 ± 0.5oC 4h daily for 8weeks); and salt-loaded rats (SH), fed a HSD and exposed to HET. Circulatory oxidative stress parameters (SOD: superoxide dismutase; GSH: glutathione; CAT: catalase; MDA: malondialdehyde), HSP70 and renal p38 MAPK were determined by colorimetric, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques respectively. Results:  Plasma GSH concentration and CAT activity decreased significantly, with significant increase in MDA concentration in all the rat groups compared to control. However, MDA in SH rats was significantly higher than in either S or H rats. Circulatory HSP70 and NO were significantly raised in S and H rats but unchanged in SH rats compared to control. Conversely, renal expression of p38 MAPK was significantly increased in H and SH rats compared to control, but SH rats had significantly higher level than either S or H rats. SH rats also had weight gain slowing compared to control. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that prolonged exposure to HET and HSD intakes synergistically increased renal p38 MAPK and circulatory product of oxidative cellular damage without alteration in circulatory HSP70 and NO

Open, Flexible and Distributed e-Learning Environments

What generate an effective e-learning environment to course writers may differ to a developer but the major consideration is to the prospects because they are the receiver.  An e-learning system is meaningful to learners when it is easily accessible,well-designed, learnercentred, affordable and efficient; flexible and has a facilitated learning environment. When learners display a high level of participation, involvement and tremendous output in meeting a course’sgoals and objectives, this can makee-learningmeaningful to instructors.Therefore, when learners enjoy all availablesupportservices provided in the course without any interruptions, it makes supportservices staff happyas they strive to provide easy-to-use, reliable and accessible services.This paper examines components and features that can make e-learning as competitive as face-to-face learning whereby students derive equal benefits as when undergoing face-to-face learning.

Electrochemical Studies of the Corrosion Behavior of Al/SiC/PKSA Hybrid Composites in 3.5% NaCl Solution

The corrosion behavior of metal matrix composites (MMCs) is accelerated by the inclusion of reinforcements. Hence, this study investigates the corrosion behavior of MMCs produced from Al 6063 matrix alloy with reinforcement particulates of silicon carbide (SiC) and palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) inclusion at different mix ratios. The MMCs were synthesized using the double stir casting technique. The corrosion behaviors of the composites in NaCl solutions were studied via gravimetric analysis and electrochemical measurements. The gravimetric analysis showed fluctuating dissolution rate of the samples in NaCl solution to indicate flawed film as well as corrosion product formation over the surface of the specimens. The observed corrosion mechanism of the samples was general and pitting corrosion. The presence of reinforcements within the Al6063 matrix acted as active sites for corrosion initiation. The range of values for Ecorr and Icorr obtained in 3.5% NaCl at 24 h was between −220.62 and −899.46 mV and between 5.45 and 40.87 µA/cm2, respectively, while at 72 h, the Ecorr values ranged from 255.88 to −887.28 mV, and the Icorr ranged from 7.19 to 16.85 µA/cm2. The Nyquist and Bode plots revealed the electrochemical corrosion behavior of the samples under investigation, with predominant reactions on the surface of the samples linked to charge transfer processes. The relative resistance to corrosion of the samples depends on the thin oxide film formed on the surface of the samples

Model-based Information Retrieval System

Information retrieval System (IRS) is often defined as the location and delivery of documents to a user to satisfy their information needs. IR is the area of study concerned with searching for documents, for information within documents, and for metadata about documents, as well as that of searching structured storage, relational databases, and the worldwide web. There is an overlap in the usage of the terms data retrieval, document retrieval, information retrieval, and text retrieval. IR is interdisciplinary; based on computer science, mathematics, library science, information science, information architecture, cognitive psychology, linguistics, statistics and law. Automated information retrieval systems are used to reduce what has been called information overload. Many universities and public libraries use IR system to provide access to books, journals and other documents. Web search engines are the most visible IR applications. This article is the design and implementation of information retrieval system that deals with this aspect of the institution’s administration by providing an easy to use computerized application to assist in retrieving information

Solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst of the thoracic spine: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst is rare, and only 13 cases involving the spine have been reported to date, including seven in the thoracic vertebrae. The diagnosis is difficult to secure radiographically before biopsy or surgery.</p> <p>Case report</p> <p>An 18-year-old Hispanic man presented to our facility with a one-year history of left chest pain without any significant neurological deficits. An MRI scan demonstrated a 6 cm diameter enhancing multi-cystic mass centered at the T6 vertebral body with involvement of the left proximal sixth rib and extension into the pleural cavity; the spinal cord was severely compressed with evidence of abnormal T2 signal changes. Our patient was taken to the operating room for a total spondylectomy of T6 with resection of the left sixth rib from a single-stage posterior-only approach. The vertebral column was reconstructed in a 360° manner with an expandable titanium cage and pedicle screw fixation. Histologically, the resected specimen showed predominant solid fibroblastic proliferation, with minor foci of reactive osteoid formation, an area of osteoclastic-like giant cells, and cyst-like areas filled with erythrocytes and focal hemorrhage, consistent with a predominantly solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst. At 16 months after surgery, our patient remains neurologically intact with resolution of his chest and back pain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Because of its rarity, location, and radical treatment approach, we considered this case worthy of reporting. The solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst is difficult to diagnose radiologically before biopsy or surgery, and we hope to remind other physicians that it should be included in the differential diagnosis of any lytic expansile destructive lesion of the spine.</p

Maximizing the potential of aggressive mouse tumor models in preclinical drug testing.

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is an aggressive embryonal brain tumor among infants and young children. Two challenges exist for preclinical testing in ATRT. First, genetically quiet, ATRT is a difficult tumor to target molecularly. Tumor cells need to divide to propagate tumor growth-intercepting the common crossroads in cell cycle progression is a feasible strategy. KIF11 is needed for bipolar spindle formation in metaphase. We identified KIF11 as a universal target of all ATRT-molecular-subtypes. Ispinesib, a KIF11-inhibitor, effectively inhibited tumor proliferation in all seven cell lines. A second challenge-a major challenge in preclinical drug testing in-vivo among aggressive tumor models, is the narrow therapeutic window to administer drugs within the limited murine lifespan. Our most aggressive ATRT tumor model was lethal in all mice within ~ 1 month of tumor implantation. Such short-surviving mouse models are difficult to employ for preclinical drug testing due to the narrow time window to administer drugs. To overcome this time restriction, we developed a clinical staging system which allowed physically-fit mice to continue treatment, in contrast to the conventional method of fixed drug-dose-duration regimen in preclinical testing which will not be feasible in such short-surviving mouse models. We validated this approach in a second embryonal brain tumor, medulloblastoma. This is a clinically relevant, cost-efficient approach in preclinical testing for cancer and non-cancer disease phenotypes. Widely used preclinical mouse models are not the most accurate and lack the aggressive tumor spectrum found within a single tumor type. Mice bearing the most aggressive tumor spectrum progress rapidly in the limited murine life-span, resulting in a narrow therapeutic window to administer drugs, and are thus difficult to employ in preclinical testing. Our approach overcomes this challenge. We discovered ispinesib is efficacious against two embryonal brain tumor types