Estimation of Global Solar Radiation in Ibadan, Nigeria using Angstrom - Prescott and Glover - Mcculloch’s Model

In this study, the data of mean daily bright sunshine hour for Ibadan was obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Ibadan. It was used to estimate the monthly mean global solar radiation for Ibadan (latitude and longitude ). The data considered were for a period of 2008 to 2012. Angstrom-Prescott, and Glover & McCulloch’s Models were then used to estimate the mean monthly global solar radiation at Ibadan based on the monthly mean bright sunshine hour data of Ibadan. A new sunshine based model is also proposed to estimate global solar radiation at Ibadan for a period of five years (2008 – 2012). The performance of the models are evaluated by some statistical analysis like mean bias errors, root mean square error, mean percentage error, Nash- Sutcliffe error and coefficient of correlation in order to know the most suitable model. It was discovered that the month of August is the least amount of measured global solar radiation averaged for five years (2008 – 2012) at Ibadan is 9.77kW/m2. The most suitable model for Ibadan is Model 2 (Glover & McCulloch’s Model). The results obtained were validated with data of monthly mean global solar radiation data for Ibadan, obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibada

Investigating the cyclic breaking of butyl-, methyland ethyl-biodiesel from waste vegetable oil using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry

The main advantage of biodiesel to fossil-diesel is attributed to the ester functional group in its structure. Many researchers have affirmed that the functional group assists the diesel engine to function at its peak. However, the efficiency of the biodiesel to keep the mechanical piston-strokes in the diesel engine is experimentally presumed low especially if the engine works for a long time. In this research, it was proposed that the cyclic break down of the ester functional group of biodiesel is a major disadvantage. Butanol, ethanol and methanol biodiesel were produced in the laboratory using waste vegetable oil from restaurant. The Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy or spectrophotometer (UV–Vis) was used to investigate the cyclic break down in the Butyl-, Methyl- and Ethyl- biodiesel. The Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy or spectrophotometer (UV–Vis) was used to probe the various biodiesel samples with a start and stop wavelength of 500 and 900 nm respectively. The wavelength interval was 1 nm at a high scanning speed. Between 500–550 and 800–850 nm, the Ethyl- and Butyl- biodiesel had an absorbance of 2.7 and 1.6 respectively with 3 peaks each. Methyl-biodiesel had the highest absorbance of 1.7 at 600–650 nm with 1 peak. The computational extrapolation of all outcomes affirms that cyclic breaking is highest in Butylbiodiesel. The most resilient biodiesel type was the Ethyl-biodiesel. However, it was recommended that cyclic breaking may be preserved by ratio-mixing of biodiesel with fossil-diesel

Hand numbness and carpal tunnel syndrome after volar plating of distal radius fracture

We report the incidence of late onset post-operative carpal tunnel syndrome (late carpal tunnel syndrome) and late median nerve neuropathy after volar plating of distal radius fracture by conducting a retrospective study on volar plating for distal radius fracture performed during 2002 to 2006. Two hundred eighty-two volar plating were performed for acute distal radius fracture after exclusion. Post-operative hand numbness occurred in 24 patients of which nine had carpal tunnel syndrome. Thus, the incidence of late carpal tunnel syndrome was 3.2% (9/282). Of the eight (8/24, 33%) patients with post-operative hand numbness that failed to respond to conservative treatment, five had carpal tunnel release and three had neurolysis of median nerve at distal forearm. All had clinical improvement except in one patient. The incidence of late carpal tunnel syndrome after volar plating of distal radius in the present series is similar to the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in general population. The incidence is low compared with other series, regardless of treatment method (conservative treatment, volar or dorsal plating). The outcome of post-operative hand numbness is generally favourable

CARCASS INDICES AND MEAT QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING FORTIFIED FERMENTED CASSAVA STUMP

A 56-day study was conducted to evaluate carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens fed diets containing fortified fermented cassava stump (FFCS) as a replacement for maize. Cassava stumps and leaves were fermented in the solid state at room temperature, using Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 for 192 and 96 hours, respectively, and then mixed at a ratio of 19:1 to obtain the FFCS. The birds were allotted into four treatments with three replicates (n= 30). The treatments consistzzed of different inclusion levels of FFCS: Diet 1 containing 0% FFCS (control treatment); Diet 2 containing 20% FFCS; Diet 3 containing 40% FFCS; and Diet 4 containing 60% FFCS. Dressing and eviscerated percentages were higher (p 0.05) by the inclusion of FFCS, but values obtained were higher with up to 40%. Meat quality was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the FFCS. In addition, the degree of meat peroxidation decreased with increased FFCS levels. Diets with up to 40% FFCS inclusion resulted in improved carcass traits, oxidative stability, and meat quality. Therefore, the addition of fortified cassava stump in broiler chickens' diets could produce meat of better quality, with low peroxidation, high oxidative stability, and longer shelf-life.z

Validation of biodiesel quality of Monodora myristica and Moringa oleifera using regression and error analysis of UV absorption results

The aim of this study was to discover a method for testing the quality of agricultural feedstocks (Monodora myristica and Moringa oleifera) for biodiesels production. The quality of the biodiesel was tested using UV absorption spectroscopy, regression analysis of the absorption index and error analysis. It was observed that the chromophore in the feedstock influences the quality of the biodiesel. The best sampling method to determine the quality of the biodiesel from Monodora myristica is within wavelength combination 600 nm/500 nm and 700 nm/600 nm while the best sampling method for testing biodiesel from Moringa oleifera is within wavelength combination 800 nm/500 nm and 800 nm/700 nm. Results showed that regression and error analysis of UV absorption spectroscopy is reliable in determining both the structure of the chromophore and the quality of the biodiesel

Incidence and mortality from cervical cancer and other malignancies after treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature

Background Although local treatments for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are highly effective, it has been reported that treated women remain at increased risk of cervical and other cancers. Our aim is to explore the risk of developing or dying from cervical cancer and other human papillomavirus (HPV)- and non-HPV-related malignancies after CIN treatment and infer its magnitude compared with the general population. Materials and methods Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Eligibility criteria: Studies with registry-based follow-up reporting cancer incidence or mortality after CIN treatment. Data synthesis: Summary effects were estimated using random-effects models. Outcomes Incidence rate of cervical cancer among women treated for CIN (per 100 000 woman-years). Relative risk (RR) of cervical cancer, other HPV-related anogenital tract cancer (vagina, vulva, anus), any cancer, and mortality, for women treated for CIN versus the general population. Results Twenty-seven studies were eligible. The incidence rate for cervical cancer after CIN treatment was 39 per 100 000 woman-years (95% confidence interval 22–69). The RR of cervical cancer was elevated compared with the general population (3.30, 2.57–4.24; P <0.001). The RR was higher for women more than 50 years old and remained elevated for at least 20 years after treatment. The RR of vaginal (10.84, 5.58–21.10; P <0.001), vulvar (3.34, 2.39–4.67; P <0.001), and anal cancer (5.11, 2.73–9.55; P <0.001) was also higher. Mortality from cervical/vaginal cancer was elevated, but our estimate was more uncertain (RR 5.04, 0.69–36.94; P = 0.073). Conclusions Women treated for CIN have a considerably higher risk to be later diagnosed with cervical and other HPV-related cancers compared with the general population. The higher risk of cervical cancer lasts for at least 20 years after treatment and is higher for women more than 50 years of age. Prolonged follow-up beyond the last screening round may be warranted for previously treated women.Peer reviewe

Enhancement of Nutritive Value of Cassava Stumps by Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 in Solid State

This study investigated the nutritional and anti-nutritional components of non-fermented and microbe fer mented cassava stumps using Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404) strain in a solid substrate. The dried and milled cassava stumps were aseptically inoculated with Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404) strain in a solid-state at substrates to water ratio 1.0:1.0 w/v and then incubated for 192 hours at room temperature. Samples were taken at 48 h interval for the proximate, minerals and anti-nutrients composition determination of the fermented cassava stumps. The experimen tal design employed was completely Randomized Design. The results showed that the fermentation media and the fermentation period significantly (P < 0.05) affected the nutritional and anti-nutritional components of the cassava stumps, as there was better enhancement of the by-product at higher fermentation period. The highest crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, and lowest crude fiber (CF) in fermented cassava stumps were obtained at 192 hours of fermentation with the following values CP 7.45%, EE 9.81% and ash 7.01%. A similar trend was also observed for mineral enhancement and anti-nutrient degradation. Conclusively, this study showed that solid-state fermentation using Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404) strain can effectively enhance the nutritive value of cassava stumps which can help increase the feed resources for non-ruminant animals

Text-message reminders increase uptake of routine breast screening appointments : a randomised controlled trial in a hard-to-reach population

Background: There is a need for interventions to promote uptake of breast screening throughout Europe. Methods: We performed a single-blind randomised controlled trial to test whether text-message reminders were effective. Two thousand two hundred and forty women receiving their first breast screening invitation were included in the study and randomly assigned in a 1 : 1 ratio to receive either a normal invitation only (n=1118) or a normal invitation plus a text-message reminder 48 h before their appointment (n=1122). Findings: In the intention-to-treat analysis, uptake of breast screening was 59.1% among women in the normal invitation group and 64.4% in the text-message reminder group (χ2=6.47, odds ratio (OR): 1.26, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.05–1.48, P=0.01). Of the 1122 women assigned to the text-message reminder group, only 456 (41%) had a mobile number recorded by their GP and were thereby sent a text. In the per-protocol analysis, uptake by those in the control group who had a mobile number recorded on the GP system was 59.77% and by those in the intervention group who were sent a reminder 71.7% (χ2=14.12, OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.29–2.26, P<0.01). Interpretation: Sending women a text-message reminder before their first routine breast screening appointment significantly increased attendance. This information can be used to allocate resources efficiently to improve uptake without exacerbating social inequalities