Ear, nose and throat injuries at Bugando Medical Centre in northwestern Tanzania: a five-year prospective review of 456 cases.

Injuries to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) regions are not uncommon in clinical practice and constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in our setting. There is dearth of literature on this subject in our environment. This study was conducted to describe the causes, injury pattern and outcome of these injuries in our setting and proffer possible preventive measures. This was a descriptive prospective study of patients with ear, nose and throat injuries managed at Bugando Medical Centre between May 2007 and April 2012. Ethical approval to conduct the study was sought from relevant authorities. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS computer software version 17.0. A total of 456 patients were studied. The median age of patients at presentation was 18 years (range 1 to 72 years). The male to female ratio was 2:1. The commonest cause of injury was foreign bodies (61.8%) followed by road traffic accidents (22.4%). The ear was the most common body region injured accounting for 59.0% of cases. The majority of patients (324, 71.1%) were treated as an outpatient and only 132(28.9%) patients required admission to the ENT wards after definitive treatment. Foreign body removal and surgical wound debridement were the most common treatment modalities performed in 61.9% and 16.2% of cases respectively. Complication rate was 14.9%. Suppurative otitis media (30.9%) was the commonest complication in the ear while traumatic epistaxis (26.5%) and hoarseness of voice (11.8%) in the aero-digestive tract were commonest in the nose and throat. The overall median length of hospital stay for in-patients was 8 days (range 1 to 22 days). Patients who developed complications and those who had associated injuries stayed longer in the hospital (P < 0.001).Mortality rate related to isolated ENT injuries was 1.3% (6 deaths). The majority of patients (96.9%) were treated successfully and only 3.1% of cases were discharged with permanent disabilities. Injuries to the ENT regions are not uncommon in our environment and foreign bodies constitute a significant cause of injury. Majority of these injuries can be prevented through public enlightenment campaigns

Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Litter Size and Birth Weight of Rabbit in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

. Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing litter size and birth weight of rabbit was evaluated using New Zealand White and Chinchilla breeds. Parameters measured were total number of kittens born per litter, number of litter born alive, live litter birth weight and average litter birth weight. Results of the experiment revealed that dam breed had no significant affect on total number of kittens born per litter, number of litter born alive and average litter birth weight while live litter birth weight were affected. Sire breed and month of birth did not significantly influenced all the parameters measured. Heritability estimates were low to moderate for all the traits (0.27 to 0.44), while repeatability estimates were observed to be low (0.17 to 0.26). No heritability and repeatability values were estimated for average litter birth weight of kittens due to negative genetic variance. Significant correlations were found between litter size traits and birth weight. Correlation between litter size traits and average litter birth weight, as well as live litter birth weight and average litter birth weight were observed to be non-significant

Mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V selectively laser melted parts with body-centred-cubic lattices of varying cell size

Significant weight savings in parts can be made through the use of additive manufacture (AM), a process which enables the construction of more complex geometries, such as functionally graded lattices, than can be achieved conventionally. The existing framework describing the mechanical properties of lattices places strong emphasis on one property, the relative density of the repeating cells, but there are other properties to consider if lattices are to be used effectively. In this work, we explore the effects of cell size and number of cells, attempting to construct more complete models for the mechanical performance of lattices. This was achieved by examining the modulus and ultimate tensile strength of latticed tensile specimens with a range of unit cell sizes and fixed relative density. Understanding how these mechanical properties depend upon the lattice design variables is crucial for the development of design tools, such as finite element methods, that deliver the best performance from AM latticed parts. We observed significant reductions in modulus and strength with increasing cell size, and these reductions cannot be explained by increasing strut porosity as has previously been suggested. We obtained power law relationships for the mechanical properties of the latticed specimens as a function of cell size, which are similar in form to the existing laws for the relative density dependence. These can be used to predict the properties of latticed column structures comprised of body-centred-cubic (BCC) cells, and may also be adapted for other part geometries. In addition, we propose a novel way to analyse the tensile modulus data, which considers a relative lattice cell size rather than an absolute size. This may lead to more general models for the mechanical properties of lattice structures, applicable to parts of varying size

A Hybrid Algorithm for Topology Optimization of Additive Manufactured Structures

Most topology (TO) algorithms involve the penalization of intricate structural features to eliminate manufacturing difficulties. Since additive manufacturing is less dependent on manufacturing constraints, it becomes necessary to adapt these algorithms for AM. We propose a hybrid algorithm consisting of an adaptive meshing strategy (AMS) and a modified form of the bidirectional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method. By solving a standard cantilever problem, we show that the hybrid method offers improved performance over the standard BESO method. It is proposed that the new method is more suitable for optimizing structures for AM in a computational efficient manner.Mechanical Engineerin

A study on removal characteristics of (Mn2+) from aqueous solution by CNT

It is important to remove manganese from water because of its effects on human and the environment. Human activities are one of the biggest contributors for excessive manganese concentration in the environment. The proposed method to remove manganese in aqueous solution by using adsorption as in carbon nanotubes (CNT) at different parameters: The parameters are CNT dosage, pH, agitation speed and contact time. Different pHs are pH 6.0, pH 6.5, pH 7.0, pH 7.5 and pH 8.0, CNT dosages are 5mg, 6.25mg, 7.5mg, 8.75mg or 10mg, contact time are 10 min, 32.5 min, 55 min, 87.5 min and 120 min while the agitation speeds are 100rpm, 150rpm, 200rpm, 250rpm and 300rpm. The parameters chosen for experiments are based on experimental design done by using Central Composite Design, Design Expert 6.0 with 4 parameters, 5 levels and 2 replications. Based on the results, condition set at pH 7.0, agitation speed of 300 rpm, 7.5mg and contact time 55 minutes gives the highest removal with 75.5%. From ANOVA analysis in Design Expert 6.0, the residual concentration will be very much affected by pH and CNT dosage. Initial manganese concentration is 1.2mg/L while the lowest residual concentration achieved is 0.294mg/L, which almost satisfy DOE Malaysia Standard B requirement. Therefore, further experiments must be done to remove manganese from model water to the required standard (0.2 mg/L) with the initial concentration set to 0.294 mg/L

The BCC Unit Cell for Latticed SLM Parts; Mechanical Properties as a Function of Cell Size

The existing framework describing the mechanical properties of lattices places strong emphasis on one important property, the relative density of the repeating cells. In this work, we explore the effects of cell size, attempting to construct more complete models for the performance of lattices. This was achieved by examining the elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength of latticed parts with a range of unit cell sizes and fixed density. The parts were produced by selective laser melting (SLM). The examined cell type was body-centred-cubic (BCC), a cell of high relevance for SLM because of its self-supporting structure. We obtained power law relationships for the mechanical properties of our latticed specimens as a function of cell size, which are similar in form to the existing laws for the density dependence. These can be used to predict the properties of latticed column structures comprised of BCC cells, and may be easily amended for other situations. In addition, we propose a novel way to analyse the elastic modulus data, which may lead to more general models, applicable to parts of varying size. Lastly, our general methodology may be of use in future studies which explore the other parameters that determine lattice performance; the choice of cell type, the global shape of the lattice structure and the type of stress.Mechanical Engineerin

DEVELOPMENT OF A MANUALLY OPERATED DOUGH DICING MACHINE FOR COLD EXTRUSION

The timely production of diced dough for the final preparation of chin-chin (a confectionery made of fried dough) have not witnessed any substantial development among the women folk that engaged in such activities in Nigeria. A manually operated dough-dicing machine was designed and developed for the timely production of diced dough. The dough dicer offers a better method of dicing dough into various desired shapes and lengths, which may not be possible with the existing processing method. Preliminary test of the manually operated dough dicer showed that a minimal pressure of 4473.122 Pa is sufficient to force out the dough through the die outlet. The low cost dough dicer requires the minimum manual power input of 0.16 Watt for the dicing of the dough with a density of 1126.4 Kg/m3. The overall performance of the manually operated dough dicer showed that the machine would be of great benefit to the small scale producers of the confectionery

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analyses of Energy and Exergy in Thin Layer Drying of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Slices using Centre Shaft Rotary Tray Cabinet (CSRTC) Dryer

This paper presents a simulation of the drying process of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in a Center Shaft (CS) Rotary Tray Cabinet Dryer using three drying temperatures (50, 60 and 70 °C). ANSYS 14.5 Workbench was used to simulate the dryer model in 2D (2 Dimensional). The detail of the CFD simulation was utilized to investigate the energy and exergy of the dryer. The ANSYS Design Modeler was used to model the 2D representation of the dryer and the meshing was done using ANSYS ICEM. ANSYS Fluent CFD solver was then used to calculate the alternative using the normal turbulence-realizable k-epsilon model in a steady-state system with improved wall temperature treatment. The simulation outcome was used in calculating the dryer's exergy and energy analysis based on the thermal efficiency. It was noted that the simulated temperature from the experiment is greater than that of the experiment. The results indicated that the experimental energy utilization (EU), energy utilization ratio (EUR) and energy efficiency increased from 14.1 to 57.93 J/s, 0.15 to 0.20 and 18.89 to 33.98 percent, while the simulated energy utilization ratio increased from 23.91 to 57.68 J/s, 0.19 to 0.20 and 26.21 to 33.40 percent, respectively, and as the drying air temperature increased from 50 °C to 70 °C. Experimental exergy inflow, outflow, exergy loss and exergy efficiency increased from 4.01 J/s to 6.98 J/s, 1.83 J/s to 1.9 J/s, 3.18 J/s to 5.07 J/s and 21 to 27%, while simulated air temperatures increased from 5.01 J/s to 7.49 J/s, 1.33 J/s to 2.20 J/s, 3.66 J/s to 5.29 J/s and 27 to 29% respectively with respect to the drying air temperature range (50–70 °C). Model equations were derived from the plotted graphs to express the energy and exergy parameters as a function of drying temperature

Women Farmers’ Contributions to Maize Production in Afijio Local Government of Oyo State

The study investigated the contributions of women farmers to maize production in Afijio Local Government area, Oyo state. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 128 women farmers as sample size for the study. Data collected through interview schedule were analysed using frequency counts, percentages and mean while Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Chi-square were used to test the relationships that exist between selected socioeconomic characteristics and contributions of women farmers to maize production. Results revealed the mean age of respondents was 45years, 83.5% of respondents were married and 41.4% of the respondents had no formal education. High percentage of the respondents (82.5%) engaged in farming for both commercial and subsistence purposes, and activities such as, planting, fertilizer application, harvesting, processing, storage and marketing were performed by women farmers whereas ridging, land clearing and weeding were considered laborious and were usually contracted to hired labour. The results of Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis showed that age (r = 0.950, P&lt;0.05), farm size (r = 0.174, P&lt;0.05), household size (r = 0.354, P&lt;0.05) while the results of Chi-square analysis revealed that educational status (ᵡ2 =36.864 P&lt;0.05), marital status (ᵡ2 =19.615, P&lt;0.05) have significant association with contributions of women farmers to maize production in the study area. Hence, the study recommended that female education (through adult literacy) be intensified, young women be encouraged to be more involved in maize production, women should form themselves into group to learn techniques of trapping farm pests and in time of surplus, women maize farmers should form supply cooperatives to transport their produce to areas where it commands higher prices

Comparative Evaluation of Nutritive Value of Okro (Abelmoschus esculentus) and Bush Mango (Irvingia gabonensis) Fruits Grown in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

The proximate, mineral and amino acid compositions of okro (Abelmoschus esculentus) pod and bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis) seed were determined using standard analytical techniques. Moisture, ash, crude fat, crude fibre, protein and carbohydrate (by difference) contents (%) of A. esculentus and I. gabonensis were: 25.9 and 2.1, 9.0 and 11.5, 17.2 and 62.0, 4.3 and 0.9, 21.8 and 7.4, and 21.8 and 26.1, respectively. The most abundant minerals were Ca (170.6 and 431.5 mg/100g sample), K (108.5 and 161.0 mg/100g), Mg (83.6 and 171.1 mg/100g) and Na (88.0 and 113.5 mg/100g), respectively. Generally, the two samples were found to be good sources of essential minerals while harmful metals such as Pb and Cd were not at detection limit of AAS. The levels of Na/K and Ca/P ratios were desirable compared with the recommended values. The amino acid profile revealed that samples of A. esculentus and I. gabonensis contained nutritionally useful quantities of most of the essential amino acids with total essential amino acids (TEAA) of 35.4 and 38.1 g/100g crude protein or 40.6 and 47.8% of the total amino acid (TAA), respectively while the limiting amino acids (LAA) were Val and Thr. The calculated isoelectric points (pI) and predicted protein efficiency ratios (P–PER) were 5.1 and 4.8, 2.5 and 4.1 for A. esculentus and I. gabonensis, respectively. However, dietary formula based on these fruits may require amino acids supplementation. Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus, Irvingia gabonensis, nutritional composition