The head-body weight and head-body length relationship of Synodontis schall (Bloch and Schneider 1801) in Asa Lake, Ilorin, Nigeria

A total of 710 specimens of Synodontis schall were analyzed for the head body weight and head body length relationship. The head constituted 40% of the total body weight and 30% of the total body length. The mean head weight for male and female computed was 23.90g and 29.13g respectively. Head weight in both male and female was significantly different (P0.05). Fat accumulation in the body tissue was prominent in the females than males usually before the breeding season. The significance of the cephalo-nuchal shield in the bony head of Synodontis species compared with some other catfishes in the lake was also discusse

Harnessing the fishery potential of man-made lakes for the partial commercialisation of Niger River Basin Development Authority, Minna, Nigeria

Niger River Basin Development Authority Minna (NRBDA) is one of the eleven river basins in Nigeria now undergoing transition towards partial commercialisation. In the light of this the need to be self-sustaining through exploration and exploitation of every possible areas along their operation to yield revenue cannot be over-emphasized. Therefore it is most pertinent to consider fisheries activities along their water bodies as one of the major sources of revenue by organising the local fishermen operating along the water into cooperative bodies and made to pay for fishing rights. Strategies to accomplish this objective is highlighted. The need to embark on aquaculture projects by construction of fish ponds at suitable sites along the reservoirs and developing the recreational potentials of their water bodies as sources of revenue is also stresse

The Impact of Audit Committee on Financial Performance of Insurance Firms in Nigeria

This study examined the effect of audit committee size on the financial performance of insurance companies in Nigeria between the year 2004 and 2015. The study used secondary data obtained from the annual report, National Insurance Commission Facts Books and Nigeria Stock Exchange Facts Books of fifteen selected insurance companies listed on the Nigeria stock exchange. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The result revealed a significant negative correlation between audit committee and financial performance. The study recommended that the regulatory authorities focus more on other appropriate measure like competence (financial expert in committee) and independence of the committee that will ensure check and balance framework in the audit exercise and hence positive performance. Keywords: Audit Committee, Financial Performance, Insurance companies, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-14-02 Publication date:July 31st 201

Hegemonic agendas, intermesticity and conflicts in the postcolonial state

Drawing from the literature and interpreting the evidence, this article explores the sources, factors and forces that interact to spark and drive conflict in the post-colonial state and its environment. It advances that the structure of the post-colonial state and its immediate environment is characterised by the juxtaposition of transnational groups and proto states interacting with sovereign entities. This intermestic (international/domestic) environment engenders a security dilemma to which constituent groups and their extraterritorial affiliates respond by seeking to appropriate the totality of the space. Simultaneously, elite systemic forces engage to impose their strategic interests. The state is thus doubly instrumental. Forces from both the first and second levels align in collaborative and confrontational engagements in pursuit of partisan interests. The objectives of the competing loci of power to appropriate the total space or carve out an autonomous Lebensraum instigate a zero-sum game. Coercion is the principal currency of this engagement. Structural factors, principally the incongruous internal construction and the intermestic location of the state, account for the proneness of whole sub-regions to implode. The evolved behaviour of post-colonial states in the post-Cold  War period responds to the complex realities of the state and its environment

Awareness and Utilization of Family Planning Methods among Mothers of Under-Fives in Gindiri, North-Central Nigeria

Introduction: Interactions between Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection influence the design and background Family planning is an important preventive measure against maternal and child morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed at determining the awareness and utilization of family planning methods among mothers of under-fives.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving 165 mothers that brought their children to the clinic for immunization. A semi- structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain data. These were analyzed using Epi info version 3.2.3Result: One hundred and fifty two respondents (92%) were aware of family planning methods and knew at least one method or the other. The common family planning methods that respondents were aware of included injectables (77.6 %), daily oral pills (70.3 %) and male condoms (62.4 %). The hospital (73.9%) was their major source of information. Sixty seven respondents (40.6 %) were using one form of family planning or the other  before their last child birth. The common methods used were injectables (47.8 %) and daily oral pills (22.4 %) among others. The places patronized for the services were mainly Government hospitals (86%) followed by chemists and private clinics. Proximity to home and perceived staff competence were major reasons for patronage of such places. Among nonusers of the services, desire for more children, fear of side effects and partner's opposition to it were their major constraints to utilization.Conclusion: High awareness regarding family planning methods did not commensurately translate to utilization of services. The constraints to utilization should be addressed. These should include programmes that would sensitize and promote men's involvement and participation in family planning services as well as enlightenment campaign that would allay the people's fears regarding side effects.Keywords: Awareness, Utilization, Family planning methods, mothers of underfives, North Central Nigeria

Awareness and Utilization of Family Planning Methods among Mothers of Under-Fives in Gindiri, North-Central Nigeria.

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Socio-Demographic Characteristics Of Adults Screened For Hiv/Aids In A Rural Community In Benue State, Nigeria

Background: Benue state has been considered among the ‘hot zones’ for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria with a prevalence rate of 9.3 among adults aged 15 to 45 years. Yet, there is paucity of information on the socio-demographic factors associated with this level of prevalence. We hereby report the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with HIV among adults in Abwa-Mbagene, Benue state, Nigeria.Methods: Adults in Abwa-Mbagene community who accepted to participate between 9th and 24th of August 2007 were recruited. After counselling, screening was done using ‘Determine HIV’ kit.Results: 153 subjects (74 males and 79 females) were recruited. Their age ranges from 15 to 60 years (Mean: 26.2years). Fourty-two (27.5%) consisting of 12 (16.2%) males and 30 (38%) females were positive for HIV (male to female ratio, 2:5). The prevalence of HIV was higher among the divorcees (50%); those whose level of education was primary school (41.3%) and below and; farmers (60%). Majority (96%) knows AIDS exists, 85% are informed on mode and prevention of HIV transmission. Cases of AIDS deaths, unprotected casual sex, blood transfusion with unscreened blood and polygamy are common in the community. The single most important cultural factors in HIV transmission identified is indulgence in night parties, which increased the rate of unprotected casual sex.Conclusion: This community represents a high HIV/AIDS prevalence spot in Benue State, Nigeria. There is therefore the need for the establishment of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT), Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT), save blood and antiretroviral treatment services in the community. Vocational centers to engage single women and improve their financial state will boost preventive strategies. Finally, partnership with community leaders towards discouraging night parties will reduce the prevalence of HIV in the community

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) cationic derivatives induce NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent IL-1β secretion associated with mitochondrial ROS production

Erinolaoluwa Araoye1, Dejhy Pyram1, Usha D. Hemraz2, Rajesh Sunasee1, Karina Ckless1* 1 Chemistry Department, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh NY 2 National Research Council of Canada, Montreal Canada Crystalline cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) has emerged as a novel material for a wide variety of important applications such as nanofillers, nanocomposites, surface coatings, regenerative medicine and drug and DNA delivery. CNC has a fiber-like structure with sizes in the range of 200-300 nm long and 5-50 nm wide. Despite the great potential applicability of CNC and its derivatives very little is known about their potential immunogenicity. Fiber-like materials have been known for evoking an immune response in particular for activating the NLRP3-inflammasome/IL-1β pathway. In this study we evaluated the capacity of CNC and its cationic derivatives CNC-g-poly(AEM)-1, CNC-g-poly(AEM)-2, CNC-g-poly(AEMA)-1 and CNC-g-poly(AEMA)-2 to stimulate NLRP3-inflammasome/IL-1β axis and enhance mitochondrial ROS. Mouse macrophages (J774.A1) were stimulated for 24h with 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL of CNC and its cationic derivatives. IL-1b secretion was analyzed by ELISA, mitochondrial function by JC-1 staining, cytochrome c release, ATP content and total and mitochondrial ROS was assessed by DCF and MitoSox staining, respectively. Mitochondrial ROS and extracellular ATP was significantly increased in cells treated with CNC-g-poly(AEMA)-2, which correlates with the strongest effects on IL-1β secretion. Our data also suggest that the increases in mitochondrial ROS and ATP release induced by this compound may be associated with their capability to evoke immune response

Terrorist insurgencies, rebels and militias in asymmetric conflicts in Africa

Abstract: The use of terror, including the slaughtering of infidels and apostates, kidnappings of civilians and mass abductions, forced marriages and gang rapes of girls and women, is an expression of deeply held contempt for the extant social order

Knowledge, attitude and practice of injection safety among Benue State University Teaching Hospital healthcare professionals

Background: Globally about 16 billion injections are given in a year, 40% of which involves reuse of needles and syringes without sterilization. This predisposes both the recipient and the health worker to blood borne infections like Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), Hepatitis etc. States like Benue, which has HIV prevalence above the national average, probably have higher risk of these infections. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of injection safety among the healthcare professionals of Benue State University Teaching Hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study using stratified sampling technique was carried out on 141 health professionals of the institution between January to March 2014, using structuredself-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 with statistical significance set at p-value of p <0.05.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35.42 (SD±8.72) years. The respondents were predominantly males (56.7%) and nurses dominated the cadre. Overall, the respondents had good (70.2%)knowledge, positive (87.2%) attitude and appropriate (79.8%) practice scores respectively, but there were some misconceptions about the diseases transmissible by unsafe injection. The commonest unsafe injection practice among the respondents was recap of needles (19.1%). The relationship between the nature of injury and the cadre of health care professionals was statistically significant (P=0.004).Conclusion: There is disproportionate gap between the level of knowledge and the practice of injection safety, hence continuing medical education among health professionals is recommended to reduce the rate of needle stick injuries.Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Injection safety, Benue, health worker