Laying Down the Foundations for International Student Journey. Students as Academic Partners Project Report.

The aim of this project was to explore the lived experiences of being an international student studying at a University within the UK and to make recommendations for future provision. There are increasing numbers of international students studying at Universities within the UK. Positive learning environments and arrangements are the responsibility of the host University and international students’ needs should be taken into consideration. This project was led by international students in collaboration with academic staff. It involved a qualitative exploration of international student perspectives and their experiences of studying within the UK. Ten international students completed a questionnaire that was designed by international students. Respondents were asked questions in relation to three areas: coming to the UK, arriving in the UK and studying in the UK

Quality assessment of smoke-dried Clarias gariepinus and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus stored in two storage facilities

The quality of smoke-dried fish can be enhanced by storing the products in good storage facilities. This research was carried out to determine the proximate composition, microbiological quality and sensory properties of smoke-dried Clarias gariepinus and Chrysichthysis nigrodigitatus stored in refrigerator and kitchen cabinet during a 6-week storage period. Sensory properties were assessed using panel of assessors. Bacterial load was done using plate count agar spread plate technique. Fish were purchased alive, washed, sacrificed and smoked for 72 hours. Percentage weight loss after smoking C. gariepinus and C. nigrodigitatus were 57.42% and 65.91%, respectively. Results for crude protein, moisture and lipid content of smoke-dried C. gariepinus stored in refrigerator ranged between 67.80-68.31%, 8.32-9.00% and 12.15-12.34% while the values for those stored in kitchen cabinet ranged from 67.04-68.30%, 8.30-8.49% and 12.15-12.34, respectively; for smoke-dried C. nigrodigitatus the ranges of the nutrients were 61.75-62.20%, 7.40%-8.00, 16.15-16.28% and 60.89-62.19%, 7.40-7.49%, 16.15-16.28% for those stored in refrigerator and kitchen cabinet, respectively. The results showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in proximate composition of the samples in the two storage facilities. Microbes isolated from the smoke-dried fish samples were Staphyloccus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Total bacterial counts (TBC) at week 6 for C. gariepinus were 0.17×10-6 and 0.25×10-6; C. nigrodigitatus, 0.24×10-6 and 0.31×10-6 in refrigerator and kitchen cabinet, respectively, and the values were not significantly different (p>0.05) in the two storage facilities. No fungal growth was present throughout the six-week storage period. The sensory quality ratings ranged between 8.00±0.00 for flavour and 4.67±0.58 for overall acceptability. Sensory quality was significantly different (p<0.05) in flavour, texture, appearance and aroma at week 2 and 6. The findings of this study show that the storage facilities retained good nutritional and sensory qualities as well as overall acceptability of the smoke-dried fish throughout storage

Prevalence of Parasitic contamination of salad vegetables in Ilorin, North Central, Nigeria

Fresh salad vegetables are essential for good health and they form a major  component of human diet in every family in Nigeria. Raw vegetables can be agent of transmission of intestinal parasites. The aim of this study is to determine the  parasitic contamination of salad vegetables sold at wholesale and retail markets around Ilorin metropolis. A total of 150 samples of salad vegetables obtained from five different markets were examined for both protozoa and helminth parasites using standard methods. About 25 samples each of lettuce, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, tomato and onion were examined. Eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba  histolytica/dispar, Enterobius vermicularis, cysts of Giardia lamblia, Fasciola hepatica, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Balantidium coli and Necator americanus were detected in 28.0%, 23.3%, 11.7%, 5.0%, 6.7%, 3.3%, 10.0%, 3.3% and 8.3% respectively. Of the sampled areas, Ipata market recorded the highest parasite prevalence of 63.3% while G.R.A market recorded the lowest parasite prevalence of 13.3%. The most encountered parasite was A.lumbricoides (28.0%) while N.americanus was the least (3.3%) parasite found. The study  revealed a high rate of protozoa and helminthes contamination of salad vegetables in the study areas. Parasitological contamination of raw salad vegetables sold in wholesale and retail markets in the study area may pose a health risk to consumers of such products.Keywords: Parasitic, Salad vegetables, Contamination, Ilorin, Nigeria

The Effects of Global Warmingontourism Development in Nigeria

It has been observed that our environments are changing daily because of the effect of global warming. Similarly the tourism industries are facing challenges as a result of Ozone Layer depletion. This has prompted the topic of this research which is “The effect of Global warming on Tourism Development”. In the course of this research, the researcher used primary and secondary methods to collect data. A total of 165 copies of questionnaires were distributed and only 160 were returned completely. Simple percentage was used in circulating the research questions. It was concluded that global warming has effect on tourism development. The study therefore, recommends that the introduction of aviation fuel tax throughout the world is preferable and also a shift from fossil fuel use to renewable energy sources. Keywords: Global warning, Tourism, Development, Impact

Geomagnetic Activity Control of Irregularities Occurrences Over the Crests of the African EIA

Abstract This paper investigated the behavior of ionospheric irregularities over the African equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crests during intense geomagnetic storms that occurred from 2012 to 2015. Irregularities were monitored using the rate of change of TEC index along with variations of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field (H) and ionospheric electric current disturbance (Diono). The predictive capability of the Prompt Penetration Equatorial Electric Field Model (PPEFM) was assessed by comparing prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) inferred from interplanetary electric field and Diono with PPEF derived from the PPEFM, with emphasis on how well the model reproduced enhancement/reduction in the prereversal enhancement (PRE). Eastward PPEF triggered short duration irregularities on 23 April 2012, 17 March 2013, and 20 February 2014 while westward electric field reduced them thereafter. The PPEFM rightly predicted enhancement (reduction) in PRE on 17 March 2013 (19 February 2014) when irregularities were triggered (inhibited). It, however, showed no change in the PRE on 23 April 2012 and 20 February 2014. During the storms recoveries, irregularities were always inhibited/reduced over the trough by westward disturbance dynamo and the inhibition lasted longer during the superstorm of March 2015. Also, there was a hemispheric asymmetry in irregularities over the African EIA crests. On 16–17 July 2012, 15 November 2012, and 19 March 2013, there were differences in irregularities behavior. On these days, the asymmetry of the postsunset crests was pronounced in both hemispheres

Bacterial Indicators of Contamination in Highly Impacted Segment of Tropical Lagoon, Southwest Nigeria

Increasing deterioration of coastal waters is a major public health concern in many regions of the developing world. This study investigates the impact of water quality on the proliferation of bacterial pathogens in surface water, sediment and tissues of fish, Sarotherodon melanotheron from the Makoko axis of Lagos Lagoon. Analysis of physicochemical characteristics and microbial quality of samples followed standard methods and procedures.  Measured water quality parameters (water temperature, turbidity, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen) which showed no significant variation (p>0.05) across study stations were within the Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency set limit The highest total bacterial count (TBC) (214.09±43.95 x 105 CFU g-1), total coliform counts (TCC) (91.15±15.05 ×104 CFU g-1) and total faecal coliform (TFC) (36.22±12.98×10³ CFU g-1) were recorded in fish muscle tissue while the lowest TBC (52.39±39.72 x 105 CFU ml-1), TCC (33.45±33.94 ×104 CFU ml-1) and TFC (0.19±0.18×10³ CFU ml-1) were recorded in water sample. The bacterial species with the highest percentages of occurrence in water, sediment, fish gill and fish muscle tissue were Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.11 %), Enterobacter aerogenes (32.37 %), Escherichia coli (32.97 %) and E. coli (29.00 %) respectively. A very strong positive correlation (r = 1.00) was obtained between TBC in water and salinity as well as with dissolved oxygen levels. Likewise, the TBCs in fish parts (muscle tissue and gill) were positively correlated with the water temperature and turbidity. On the other hand, a negative correlation was obtained between pH and TBC in fish muscle tissue (r = -0.81) as well as with fish gut (r = -0.77). The relatively high counts of pathogenic bacteria species recorded during the study have serious public health implications

Design of the Xylitol for Adult Caries Trial (X-ACT)

Abstract Background Dental caries incidence in adults is similar to that in children and adolescents, but few caries preventive agents have been evaluated for effectiveness in adults populations. In addition, dentists direct fewer preventive services to their adult patients. Xylitol, an over-the-counter sweetener, has shown some potential as a caries preventive agent, but the evidence for its effectiveness is not yet conclusive and is based largely on studies in child populations. Methods/Design X-ACT is a three-year, multi-center, placebo controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial that tests the effects of daily use of xylitol lozenges versus placebo lozenges on the prevention of adult caries. The trial has randomized 691 participants (ages 21-80) to the two arms. The primary outcome is the increment of cavitated lesions. Discussion This trial should help resolve the overall issue of the effectiveness of xylitol in preventing caries by contributing evidence with a low risk of bias. Just as importantly, the trial will provide much-needed information about the effectiveness of a promising caries prevention agent in adults. An effective xylitol-based caries prevention intervention would represent an easily disseminated method to extend caries prevention to individuals not receiving caries preventive treatment in the dental office. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT0039305

Wear of human teeth: a tribological perspective

The four main types of wear in teeth are attrition (enamel-on-enamel contact), abrasion (wear due to abrasive particles in food or toothpaste), abfraction (cracking in enamel and subsequent material loss), and erosion (chemical decomposition of the tooth). They occur as a result of a number of mechanisms including thegosis (sliding of teeth into their lateral position), bruxism (tooth grinding), mastication (chewing), toothbrushing, tooth flexure, and chemical effects. In this paper the current understanding of wear of enamel and dentine in teeth is reviewed in terms of these mechanisms and the major influencing factors are examined. In vitro tooth wear simulation and in vivo wear measurement and ranking are also discussed

Comparative Characterization of Petrophysical and Mechanical Properties of Siliciclastic Reservoir Rocks within a compressional structure of the Teapot Dome Oilfield, Wyoming, USA

Working with subsurface engineering problems in Hydrocarbon exploration as regard rock elastic and petrophysical properties necessitate accurate determination of in-situ physical properties. Several techniques have been adopted in correlating log-derived parameters with petrophysical and mechanical behavior of the rocks. However, limited field applications show there are no particular parameters and correlations that are generally acceptable due to the regional variation in geologic features (i.e., degree of mineralogy, texture, etc.). This study presents a method that assesses the disparity in petrophysical properties of oil and gas reservoir rocks in relation to their elastic/mechanical properties from 10 well-logs and 3D migrated seismic data. Two distinct facies were identified from seismic data after computing attributes. Reflection strength attribute of 2.5 and above depicts Bright spots within the central section of the field as clearly revealed by Variance and Chaos attributes. Formation properties calculated from logs were conformally gridded in consonance with the reflection patterns from the seismic data. The average Brittleness index (BI) of 0.52 corresponds to Young's modulus (E) values of between 8 and 16 for the dense portion. This portion is the laminated, reasonably parallel, and undeformed part, flanked by the unlaminated and chaotic zones. From cross plots, the distinguished lower portion on the plot is the segment with higher sand of more than 50 %. This segment corresponds to the reservoir in this study as confirmed from the genetic algorithm neural network Acoustic impedance inversion process result. Similarly, the plot of Compressional velocity (Vp) and Poisson’s ratio (ν), reveals the laminated sand value of not less than 0.32 of ν, and Vp of about 4.2 km/s. The average porosity is about 16 %, average water saturation is about 16 %, and average permeability is approximately 25 md. Rock properties trends in a unique pattern and showing fluctuation that confirms the compressive nature of the structure with corresponding petrophysical properties. This trend is sustained in permeability computed and suggests a significant gravity-assisted compaction trend and fluid movement. It gives a reasonable idea of the fluid movement interplay and mechanical property variation within the sequence and across the dome. This part probably has been subjected to fair compressional deformational forces initiated from outside the survey

Ascertaining the Overall Occurrence of Dental Fluorosis in Students of Selected Secondary Schools in Rivers State

Public health places a premium on understanding the amount of fluoride in potable water and other toothpastes, as well as how it affects skeletal and dental tissues to cause fluorosis. Fluorosis is, however, poorly understood and known in Nigeria. The goal of this research was to Ascertain the Overall Occurrence of Dental Fluorosis in Students of Selected Secondary Schools in Rivers State. A cross-sectional survey of 541 students from selected secondary schools in Rivers State who were between the ages of 9 and 17 was carried out. All students present at school on the day of data collection had their mouths examined by oral health professionals as part of a quasi-experimental method. Each subject was supported by a torch light while seated on a chair, and their teeth were examined for dental fluorosis in their wet state. The presence of dental fluorosis and the severity of it were documented using Dean's Dental Fluorosis. The presence of dental fluorosis and the severity of it were documented using Dean's Dental Fluorosis. (358) Dental fluorosis impacted 66.17% of the students, varying in severity from very mild to severe cases