Effects of Organic Amendments on Cocoa Soil and Leaf Nutrient Contents

Comparative effects of two organic soil amendments on soil and leaf nutrients composition were evaluated on cocoa seedlings planted in 10kg soils in plastic pots at Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria Headquarters, Ibadan, South-west zone of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of Cocoa pod husk ash (CPHA) and oil palm bunch ash (OPBA) applied at 0, 0.005, 0.010, 0.015, 0.020 and 0.030gmN/ pot which were equivalent to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5kgNha?1 and laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) in three replicates. Prior to commencement of the study, a composite soil samples were collected, air dried, sieved to pass through a 2mm sieve and was analyzed for its chemical and physical properties. Two cocoa beans were sown per pot and later thinned to one per pot three weeks after emergence. Treatments were imposed on each of the pots one month after emergence. Watering was done twice throughout the period of the experiment. At harvest, soil and leaf samples were collected per treatment, processed and analyzed for leaf and soil nutrients contents. Results show that ash from CPHA and OPBA had a significant (p< 0.05) impact on soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg, organic matter and pH at 5kgNha-1 . Results also reveal that CPHA and OPBA significantly improved leaf nutrients uptake relative to control treatments. Keywords: cocoa pod husk ash, oil palm bunch ash, nutrient uptake, organic matter, as

Work capacity assessment of Nigerian bricklayers

The main aim of this study is to assess the physical work capacity of bricklayers with focus on the energy expenditure during work. Eighty Nine bricklayers’ working on various sites in Ibadan and Eruwa towns of Oyo State, Nigeria are used for the study. Correlation and regression analysis using SPSS 16.0 Statistical Package was used to determine the relationship between VO2 given the age and weight of the subjects; % RHR(Relative Heart Rate) and working heart rate (HRW) given weight; VO2 and %RHR given Body Mass Index (BMI). The results showed that the mean energy expenditure of bricklaying was 1.5l/min of oxygen (7.23Kcal/min, using a conversion factor of 4.82) which classified bricklaying as “heavy work”. A rest allowance of 64.45% (38.67 minutes rest for 60 minutes work duration) was calculated. It was concluded that there is a need to redesign the work content of the aforementioned occupation in order to reduce excessive strain on the workers, which in turn will increase productivity

ERGO-ANALYSIS OF SCHOOL FURNITURE IN USE BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

The anthropometric data of the students in secondary schools was obtained and possible mismatch between the relevant dimensions of students and the classroom furniture they use were examined.A total of 480 students in Junior Secondary 1 through Senior Secondary 3 in sixteen (Eight Public and Eight Private) Secondary Schools participated in the study with ages ranging from 10 years to 18 years. Fourteen anthropometric measurements and the dimensions of four types of chairs and four types of desks prevalent in the students' classrooms were measured. The means, standard deviations, fifth, fiftieth and ninety fifth percentiles were calculated. The anthropometric dimensions of the students in the public schools were statistically compared with those in the private schools with use of SPSS 16.0 Statistical Package. Moreover, the student body dimensions and furniture dimensions were compared. The results show that that all the measured dimensions of the students in the public schools (Popliteal Height: 39.5 cm, Sitting Height: 77.3 cm, Knee Height: 53.0 cm, Elbow Height Sitting: 16.0 cm, Buttock-Popliteal Length: 43.8 cm; using the 50th percentiles) and private schools (Popliteal Height: 40.2 cm, Sitting Height: 80.3 cm, Knee Height: 53.3 cm, Elbow Height Sitting: 16.5 cm, Buttock-Popliteal Length: 44.0 cm; using the 50th percentiles) were not significantly different (p = 0.00) except Buttock-Popliteal Length (p = 0.08) and Hip Breadth (p = 0.12). Moreover, a degree of mismatch between the students' bodily dimensions and the classroom furniture available to them was established. It was concluded that the anthropometric data of the .Nigerian Students were not employed in the manufacture of the school furniture and may be an indication that school furniture and students anthropometric dimensions are at variant nationwide

Study on the Use of Seat Belt by Nigerian Drivers

Abstract: The use of seat belts while driving vehicles to prevent injuries and deaths has been well reported in the literature. The use of seat belt while driving became mandatory in January, 2005 in Nigeria; the main aim of this study is to determine the level of usage of seat belt while driving for commercial vehicle drivers as well as private vehicle drivers. In the collection of data collection, observatory method was used and the data analyzed using percentages. A total number of 462 vehicles and thus drivers were observed. It was observed that 20 percent of the commercial vehicle drivers use seat belt while 80 percent of the private vehicle drivers were observed to use seat belt. It is then suggested that a three stage approach should be adopted namely; enlightenment campaign by relevant agencies as the first stage, threat of enforcement of compliance as the second stage and actual enforcement should be last stag

Hysterosalpingography findings among women presenting for gynecological imaging in Ado-Ekiti, South western Nigeria

Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a valuable radiological procedure for imaging the female reproductive tract. This study highlights the spectrum of HSG findings among women presenting for gynaecological imaging in a tertiary health institution in Ado-Ekiti, South western Nigeria.Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted between October 2014 and September 2015. The study population consisted of 134 women presenting at the Radiology department with request forms for HSG. Pelvic ultrasonography was done using a 3.5MHz transducer prior to HSG. Imaging findings were documented, results were entered into a spread sheet and analysed using SPSS version 20. Chi square was used to determine association between tubal occlusion, age, type of infertility and previous history of surgery. Statistical significance was set at p-values <0.05.Results: The age range of the study participants was between 23 to 50 years with a mean age of 34.9±5.53years. Age group 30-34 years (n=43, 32.1%) constituted a majority. Secondary infertility (n=84, 62.7%) was the most common clinical indication for HSG. The predominant relevant past surgical history was uterine evacuation (n= 41, 30.6%). Normal HSG findings were seen in 34 (25.4%) of the patients while others (n=100, 74.5%) had various abnormalities, the most common of which were tubal pathologies (n=89, 66.4%). There was a significant association between age and tubal occlusion (P=0.02).Conclusions: HSG is still a relevant gynecological imaging modality in resource limited settings. Tubal occlusion was the most common abnormal HSG finding in this study. There is a need for continuous advocacy on preventive measures targeted at reducing the incidence of tubal pathologies among women in developing countries

REPRODUCTIVE RESPONSE TO INCLUSION OF GRADED LEVELS OF Ipomoea purpurea LEAF MEAL (MORNING GLORY) IN DIETS OF LAYING CHICKENS

Reproductive responses of laying birds fed Ipomea purpurea leaf meal (IPML) were investigated. Atotal of 40, 25-weeks old birds grouped into four treatments of 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% inclusion levels of IPML were used for this experiment in a completely randomized design layout. The birds were artificially inseminated with semen from cockerels on controlled diet thrice in a week. A total of 400 eggs were collected and set in an incubator. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in Hen day production,feed/dozen eggs and the egg characteristics investigated. The blood glucose levels significantly decreased (p<0.05) while level of progesterone significantly increased (p<0.05) with increase inlevel of IPLM inclusion. The percentages of fertility and hatchability were high while the survivability was 100%. It can be concluded that IPLM inclusion level of up to 7.50% supports high fertility, hatchability and survivability and could be used in breeder diets for the production of fertile eggs

Evaluation of Refractivity Gradient and k-factor within the Lower Troposphere of Maiduguri and Enugu under Two Climatic Zones in Nigeria

Estimation of radio refractivity is important in the planning and design of terrestrial radio communication links for the availability and accessibility of strong networks and signals. This paper investigates the refractivity gradient, effective earth radius factor (k), and the geo-climatic factor K in the first 1km of the troposphere of two selected stations (Maiduguri and Enugu) under different climatic zones in Nigeria. The indirect method of measuring radio refractivity was employed in this study to take measurements over the two selected stations. Vertical profile values of pressure (hPa), Temperature (°C), and Relative humidity (%) within the first 1 km were extracted from MERRA MAIMCPASM V5.20 database profile obtained from a satellite sounding instrument by NASA in the United States. MatLab programming language was used to evaluate the refractivity gradient, k-factor, and geo-climatic factor using the equations recommended by ITU. The results showed that Enugu was predominantly sub-refractive due to the tropical savannah climate while Maiduguri encountered both sub-refractive and normal refractive conditions due to the hot semi-arid climate, and unstable and extreme weather conditions in the region

Factors Associated With Pulmonary Tuberculosis-HIV Co-Infection in Treatment-Naive Adults in Jos, North Central Nigeria

Background: Co-infection with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (TB-HIV) remains a major global health problem, with about 1.1 million new cases of TB in HIV-positive persons reported in 2011; 79% of the reported cases were amongst patients living in Africa. Advanced immune suppression remains the most important risk factor for tuberculosis in those with HIV, but epidemiological and clinical factors have also been identified. We sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in antiretroviral therapy (ART)- naive HIV-infected patients seeking HIV care services at a tertiary health facility in North Central Nigeria. Methods: We compared clinical and laboratory data for 218 HIV-1 positive adults with and without a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Results from univariate analyses informed the selection of predictors to conduct multivariate analysis to determine which factors were associated with presence of PTB-HIV co-infection. Results: The prevalence of PTB-HIV co-infection in the evaluated cohort was 9.6%. Lower CD4+ cell count and the presence of oropharyngeal candidiasis were independently associated with PTB-HIV co-infection. CD4+ cell count was strongly associated with PTB-HIV co-infection (p=0.002) with the odds of co-infection reduced by 85% in those with a CD4+ cell count >100 cells/mm3 compared to those with <100 cells/ mm3. There was a strong association between oropharyngeal candidiasis and PTB-HIV co-infection, where the odds of co-infection are about 4.5 times higher in those with oropharyngeal candidiasis than those without candidiasis (p=0.008). Conclusion: PTB was prevalent among HIV patients seeking care in our setting. Severe immune suppression and oropharyngeal candidiasis were associated with PTB-HIV co-infection in our patients at presentation. Potential implications for severe immune suppression and advanced HIV disease are a poor clinical outcome and further spread of PTB. Strategies to encourage the early diagnosis of both HIV and TB should be considere

Genetic compendium of 1511 human brains available through the UK Medical Research Council Brain Banks Network Resource.

Given the central role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of common neurodegenerative disorders, it is critical that mechanistic studies in human tissue are interpreted in a genetically enlightened context. To address this, we performed exome sequencing and copy number variant analysis on 1511 frozen human brains with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 289), frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD/ALS, n = 252), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD, n = 239), Parkinson's disease (PD, n = 39), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB, n = 58), other neurodegenerative, vascular, or neurogenetic disorders (n = 266), and controls with no significant neuropathology (n = 368). Genomic DNA was extracted from brain tissue in all cases before exome sequencing (Illumina Nextera 62 Mb capture) with variants called by FreeBayes; copy number variant (CNV) analysis (Illumina HumanOmniExpress-12 BeadChip); C9orf72 repeat expansion detection; and APOE genotyping. Established or likely pathogenic heterozygous, compound heterozygous, or homozygous variants, together with the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions and a copy number gain of APP, were found in 61 brains. In addition to known risk alleles in 349 brains (23.9% of 1461 undergoing exome sequencing), we saw an association between rare variants in GRN and DLB. Rare CNVs were found in <1.5% of brains, including copy number gains of PRPH that were overrepresented in AD. Clinical, pathological, and genetic data are available, enabling the retrieval of specific frozen brains through the UK Medical Research Council Brain Banks Network. This allows direct access to pathological and control human brain tissue based on an individual's genetic architecture, thus enabling the functional validation of known genetic risk factors and potentially pathogenic alleles identified in future studies.This work was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (13044). M.J.K. is a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Training Fellow. P.F.C. is a Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow in Clinical Science (101876/Z/13/Z) and a UK NIHR Senior Investigator, who receives support from the Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit (MC_UP_1501/2), the Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research (096919Z/11/Z), the Medical Research Council (UK) Centre for Translational Muscle Disease (G0601943), EU FP7 TIRCON, and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre based at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge