Study of atmospheric pollution levels by trace elements analysis of tree bark and leaves

The concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, and Mn in leaf and bark samples of 7 tree species at 22 sampling locations with different pollution levels, in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, were investigated. The metal concentrations (mean ± RSD in mg g-1) in leaf and bark samples, respectively, were: Pb, 203±70, 282±120; Cu, 19.5±4.2, 12.7±2.6; Zn, 42.7±12.9, 42.8±13.1; Ni, 30.0±11.1, 20.0±9.9; Fe, 869±348, 504±118; and Mn, 108±18, 73.7±13.8. The high-pollution automobile parking lots showed higher levels of these elements (p < 0.05). The correlation coefficient between element pairs of high and low-pollution automobile parking lots was carried out to determine the extent of relationship between the elements investigated. KEY WORDS: Atmospheric pollution, Trace elements analysis, Tree bark, Tree leaves  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2003, 17(1), 11-17

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of acetyl substituted benzyl disulfides

The synthesis and fungicidal activity of acetyl substituted benzyl disulfides 1(a – g) are reported. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR and 13C NMR) and mass spectrometric techniques. The results of the biological screening showed that the synthesized compound possess very high fungicidal activity. KEY WORDS: Acetyl substituted benzyl disulfides, Fungicidal activity  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2003, 17(1), 53-60

Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Bank Performance Before and During COVID-19: Empirical Evidence of Nigeria

This study assessed Information Communication Technology (ICT) and bank performance before and during COVID-19: Empirical evidence of Nigeria. The urgent need for ICT in banking subsector was unavoidable in Nigeria to meet daily liquidity needs and ease business transactions.  Panel data comprised pooled Least Square (PLS), Fixed Effects Model (FEM) and Random Effects Model (RAM), which were adopted for a period of ten (10) years (2011 – 2020). The choice of adopting the appropriate model could be traced to Hauman test outcome. The secondary source of data was from financial statements of thirteen (13) purposively sampled banks. Findings showed a mixed marginal influence of ICT on bank performance in Nigeria and were statistically significant. The study concluded that banks’ financial products / services were fully supported and driven more by information communication-technology before and during recent temporary lockdown in Nigeria. The paper recommended that regulators and policymakers should review and implement information-technology vis-à-vis Fin-Tech policies as incomparable mechanism to improve bank performance in case of any uncertainties in the nearest future. Keywords: Information Communication Technology, Bank Performance, COVID-19, Return on assets, Nigeria. JEL Classification: C1, C23, C83, G2, O17 DOI: 10.7176/IKM/11-4-13 Publication date:October 31st 202

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its component traits among students in a Nigerian university

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and all-cause mortality. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of MetS and its component traits among students in a Nigerian university in whom there are limited data.Methods: 173 students (109 females and 64 males) students aged 18 – 30 years with no prior diagnosis of any component trait of MetS participated in the study. We obtained anthropometry, blood pressure (BP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and complete lipid profile of the participants. MetS was defined using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program for Adult Treatment III Guidelines (NCEPATPIII), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria.Results: The prevalence rates of MetS according to the NCEP-ATP III, IDF and JIS criteria were 4.0, 3.5 and 5.8% respectively. Elevated BP, FPG, increased waist circumference (NCEP) and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were present in 13.3%, 15.0%, 4.6%, and 46.2% participants respectively. Seventy seven (44.5%) and 19 (11.0%) participants had 1 or 2 MetS traits (NCEPIII criteria). None of the participants had elevated triglyceride. The males had significantly higher mean FPG, and systolic BP while the females had significantly higher prevalence of low HDL-C. There was no statistically significant gender difference in the prevalence of MetS.Conclusions: Nigerian university students have and are at risk of MetS. Screening and identification of MetS in this population will help in targeted intervention to reduce the risk of CVDs.Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, university students, Nigeri

Dietary habits, lifestyles and anthropometric characteristics of police officers in Owo Local Government Area Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: Poor nutritional status couples with sedentary lifestyles are some of the risk factors that hindered optimum health not only among individual but also the Nigeria police officers. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the dietary habits, lifestyles practices and anthropometric status of police officers in Owo local government area of Ondo state. Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which involved 200 (140 male and 60 female) police officers who were randomly selected from seven (7) police divisional stations in Owo local government area of Ondo state. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, medical and lifestyle was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Food consumption data was obtained using the World Food Programme (WFP)'s standard food consumption score questionnaire. Obesity was assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist –Hip Ratio (WHR) and Waist Circumference (WC). Statistical Product Service Solution (SPSS) version 20.0 was used in data analysis. Coded data were analyzed using descriptive and statistics results presented in frequencies and percentage Result: Finding shows that nearly half (46%) of them were of 30-49yrs. More (70%) male police officers participated than female police officers (30%). One third (33%) had parents that were suffering from chronic diseases while 38% were hypertensive. About (60%) drink alcohol, 67% smoke cigarette, 23% did not engage in physical exercise. Large number (66%) always adds vegetables to their diet, 30% took orange fruit been the most widely consumed and 16% skipped meal. On food consumption score, 50% met the acceptable consumption score for calorie level Prevalence of underweight and Overweight/Obesity as determined by abnormal values for BMI, WC, and WHR, 17%, 30%, 35% and 16% respectively. Conclusion: This study observed high prevalence of obesity, poor dietary practices and higher consumption of alcohol and cigarette among the police officers in Owo

The Effect of Incubator Type on Hatchability and Chick Survival of Emu Dromaius Novae Hollandiae (Le Souef 1907)

The population of wildlife is declining due to unsustainable harvest for meat. There is need to increase animal protein to fill the gap between the demand and supply from conventional sources through production and management of non-conventional sources of meat like Dromaius Novae Hollandiae . In this study hatchability and chick survival due to the use of two different types of incubators examined. Sixteen birds aged 20 month were managed in eight pens (25m by 25m each) under semi intensive system at Ajanla farms, Ibadan at the rate of one male to one female per pen. They were fed with pelleted feed and Tridax procumbens. Eggs were collected daily for viability test before setting and hatching in two different types of incubators; electric cabinet and kerosene incubators. Both were maintained at a temperature of 40\ub0C and 25% relative humidity. Hatched chicks were monitored for the first six weeks of life to determine chick survival. Data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA. Proximate analysis of the diet revealed that it contained 45% crude protein. Average production for three years was 62 + 2.4 eggs, with a total average of 35 + 18.2 eggs per hen during the breeding period. The mean weight recorded for Emu eggs was 625 + 2.59g. Fertility percentage was 75.4%. Average hatchability of 60.4%, 70.1% and 65.4% observed for kerosene-operated incubator for 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively were significantly higher (P&lt;0.01) than 17.5%, 16.1% and 18.2% respectively for the electric incubators. For both incubators, incubation period was 50 days. The average weight of newly hatched chick was 414g. Mean weight of hatchings from kerosene and electric incubators were 418.5g; 409,6g respectively. Mortality recorded in hatchlings from electric incubator was 30% while that for kerosene incubator was 10%. There was low hatchability in electric incubator compared to kerosene incubator

Geospatial Design of Optimal Water Distribution Network in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

The supply of water to both rural and urban centres of Nigeria is extremely poor with reference to quantity and access. The study investigated water distribution and supply in Ado-Ekiti metropolis applying a geospatial approach, with a view to generating baseline information to optimize water supply and distribution in the metropolis. Materials used included: a map of Ado-Ekiti with a scale of 1:50000 obtained from the Local Government Office, AdoEkiti water distribution facility map (2000) with a scale of 1:30000 obtained from the Ado-Ekiti State Water Corporation and population estimate of Ado-Ekiti from the Bureau of Statistics. Sets of structured questionnaires were used to get information from the residents and the State’s Water Corporation. The study delineated existing water distribution network of the metropolis, provided (i) a map of the service areas, (ii) information on areas with distribution problems and (iii) the per capita demand of the population as inferred from the questionnaires. A lasting solution was also proffered through the design of a water distribution network for the estimated daily water demand for the years 2019 and 2049 irrespective of the variation in water needs of the residents in the area. The Geospatial approach was found to be useful in improving the distribution system through extension of pipelines and identification of various locations for service reservoirs.Keywords: Management, reservoir, distribution problems, served, pipe-born

A review of biofuel and biochemical production from forest and agricultural wastes

Utilization of fuels and chemicals from fossil fuel and its derivatives have some disadvantages. Forest and agricultural wastes such as wood wastes are potential resources for the production of chemicals and biofuels. These wastes are lignocellulosic materials which are cheap, renewable and their conversion to bio-based chemicals contributes to resource and environmental conservation. Application of various conversion methods could convert these wastes to myriad of industrial chemical products, platform chemicals, biofuel and other products. The major obstacle in processing these wastes into chemicals is the recalcitrant nature of lignin and the compact structure of these materials. Pretreatment of these waste materials remains a valid option to fracture their recalcitrance and improve the yield of products obtainable from their conversion. In this article, the sources of wastes useable for production of biofuel and biochemicals were discussed. The article also x-rayed the mode of conversion and the types of biofuel and biochemicals obtainable from these wastes. Notably, conversion of these wastes encourages greener environment and lessens the effect of fossil fuel and its derivatives on climate change. Keywords: Wastes, pretreatment, biofuel, fossil fuel, lignin

Characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised adults with COVID-19 in a Global Health Research Network: A cohort study

Objective To examine age, gender, and temporal differences in baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes of adult patients hospitalised with COVID-19. Design A cohort study using deidentified electronic medical records from a Global Research Network. Setting/Participants 67 456 adult patients hospitalised with COVID-19 from the USA; 7306 from Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific between February 2020 and January 2021. Results In the US cohort, compared with patients 18-34 years old, patients ≥65 had a greater risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.73, 95% CI 1.58 to 1.90), acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)/respiratory failure (aHR 1.86, 95% CI 1.76 to 1.96), invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV, aHR 1.93, 95% CI, 1.73 to 2.15), and all-cause mortality (aHR 5.6, 95% CI 4.36 to 7.18). Men appeared to be at a greater risk for ICU admission (aHR 1.34, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.39), ARDS/respiratory failure (aHR 1.24, 95% CI1.21 to 1.27), IMV (aHR 1.38, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.45), and all-cause mortality (aHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.24) compared with women. Moreover, we observed a greater risk of adverse outcomes during the early pandemic (ie, February-April 2020) compared with later periods. In the ex-US cohort, the age and gender trends were similar; for the temporal trend, the highest proportion of patients with all-cause mortality were also in February-April 2020; however, the highest percentages of patients with IMV and ARDS/respiratory failure were in August-October 2020 followed by February-April 2020. Conclusions This study provided valuable information on the temporal trends of characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised adult COVID-19 patients in both USA and ex-USA. It also described the population at a potentially greater risk for worse clinical outcomes by identifying the age and gender differences. Together, the information could inform the prevention and treatment strategies of COVID-19. Furthermore, it can be used to raise public awareness of COVID-19's impact on vulnerable populations