Transformation Models as Predictive of Comparability Indices of Continuous Assessment in Nigeria.

This study investigated the predictive strength of Transformation models of continuous assessment scores in English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies in Secondary Schools in Nigeria. The study employed survey and cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 2,520 JSS III students selected from 36 secondary schools in 18 Local Government Areas based on multistage sampling technique. Data were collected directly from the Ministries of Education, Continuous Assessment Units with a proforma. The data collected were subjected to inferential analysis using regression. The results showed that the overall best predictor of comparability indices was True score followed by Predictive true score, T-score, derived true score while Z-score was the least. Based on the findings, it was recommended that secondary school teachers should be trained on the procedure to transform continuous assessment scores. True score should be used to standardize continuous assessment scores before finally used by examining bodies and continuous assessment units of Ministries of Education. Keywords: comparability indices, continuous assessment, predictive true score, true score, derived true scor

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

Wind‐Driven Self‐Excited Reluctance Generator for Rural Electrification

This chapter presents the dynamic performance of an isolated wind‐driven self‐excited reluctance generator (WDSERG) for rural electrification application. The performances of the machine under conditions of constant wind speed, varying wind speed, constant load, and varying loads are analysed and presented. The modelling and simulation have been carried out using MATLAB‐Simulink. A step‐wise procedure clearly set forth for the Simulink implementation of the wind‐driven machine forms the balance of this work, which can be a good teaching aid. The result shows that with the variations in the connected loads, the output frequency of SERG remains constant, which makes it a good alternative for rural electrification

Nutritional evaluation of bitter leaf meal (Vernonia amygdalina): effects on performance, carcass and serum metabolites of broiler chickens

A study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemicals present in bitter leaf meal and to determine the effect of graded levels of bitter leaf meal (BLM) on performance, carcass quality, internal organs and serum metabolites of broiler chickens. A total of 72 one-day-old broiler chicks of Abor-acre breed were used for the trial and fed with diets supplemented with graded levels of bitter leaf meal (0%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%). The diets were isonitrogenous and iso-caloric. The chicks were grouped into 4 treatments (18 chicks per treatment) and teach treatment was replicated 3 times using a complete randomized design. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Results showed a relatively high proximate and mineral content while phytochemical screening revealed that BLM contains bioactive substances beneficial to broiler chickens with anti-nutrient concentrations below the critical levels. The final liveweight, carcass weight and dressing percentage at 1362.27g, 1138.85g and 75.22%, respectively improved in treated groups especially among birds fed diet containing 0.3% BLM. The improvement in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 2.56 resulted in improved muscle development. The inclusion of BLM at 0.3% reduced the level of cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, low density lipoprotein, creatinine at 70.67mg/dl, 34.67mg/dl, 10.33mmol/l , 7.67mg/dl and 0.12mg/dl, respectively, and increased the high density lipoprotein values at 90.33mg/dl. It was concluded that BLM is not deleterious to the growth and health status of broiler chicken rather it can be a good growth booster.Keywords: broiler chickens, bitter leaf meal, growth performance, serum metabolite

Kinetics of periodate oxidation of tris-(4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) iron(II) in acid medium

The kinetics and mechanism of periodate oxidation of the complex tris-(4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) iron(II) in acid medium was investigated. The complex undergoes extensive protonation in acid medium. Both protonated and the unprotonated species undergo electron transfer reaction with the active periodate species such as IO3+ and H6IO6+. The protonated species forms an ion pair with IO3- and thus suggests an outer-sphere mechanism for the reaction. (Received March 22, 2000; revised October 25, 2000)Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2000, 14(2), 175-184Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia. ISSN: 1011-392

Effect of feeding broiler chickens with diets containing Alchornea cordifolia leaf meal and enzyme supplementation

This study sought to evaluate the effect of Alchornea cordifolia leaf meal (ACLM) inclusion and exogenous enzyme supplementation on broiler chickens. Two hundred and fifty-two (252) arbour acre two weeks-old broiler chicken were selected from a larger flock that had been brooded on deep litter and raised on commercial diet. These birds were balanced for weight and thereafter distributed into 18 pens of 14 birds each. These pens were randomly allotted to six dietary treatment groups in such way that 3 replicates were fed on each experimental diet. For the starter and finisher phase, six experimental diets were formulated and designated as 0-E, 5-E and 10-E for the diets without enzyme and 0+E, 5+E and 10+E for diets with enzyme. Diet 0-E and 0+E serve as positive and negative control respectively. The experiment was carried out using a 2x3 factorial experiment comprising of 2 enzyme levels (0 and 0.35 g/kg) and 3 ACLM inclusion levels (0, 5 and 10%).The final weight (FW) and weight gain (WG) were significantly affected by enzyme supplementation (pEn este estudio se trata de evaluar el efecto de la inclusión de harina de hojas de Alchornea cordifolia (ACLM) con inclusión de enzimas exógenos en la alimentación de pollos para carne. Doscientos cincuenta y dos pollos Arbor Acre de dos semanas de edad, fueron seleccionados de un lote grande criado mediante el sistema de cama profunda y alimentado con una dieta comercial. Las aves fueron equilibradas según peso y distribuidas en 18 corrales con 14 aves cada uno. Los corrales fueron asignados aleatoriamente a seis tratamientos de forma que hubiera tres réplicas en cada dieta experimental. Para las fases de iniciación y finalización se diseñaron seis tratamientos alimenticios denominados 0-E, 5-E y 10-E para las dietas sin enzima y 0+E, 5+E y 10+E para las dietas con enzima añadido. Las dietas 0-E y 0+E sirven como control negativo y positivo respectivamente. El experimento se realizó empleando un diseño factorial 2 x 3 incluyendo dos niveles de inclusión de enzima (0 y 0.35 g/kg) y tres niveles de inclusión de ACLM 0, 5 y 10%). El peso final (FW) y la ganancia de peso (WG) de los pollos, fueron afectados significativamente por la adición de enzima (p< 0,05), mientras que la inclusión de ACLM causo una disminución significativa del 15,13% de la ingestión total de alimento y del 11,61% de la tasa de conversión de alimento (FCR). La suplementación enzimática, aumento significativamente (

An intelligent load manager for PV powered off-grid residential houses

This paper proposes a management system based on certain rule set implemented by Modified Mild Intrusive Genetic Algorithm (MMIGA) that will optimize the load allocation to match the house owner affordable solar system inverter. The algorithm optimized load allocation in real time in both sufficient and insufficient supplies of energy. A daily load discrimination profile is first established followed by the development of priority matrix for the respective time of the day; MMIGA is then used to intelligently evolve a sequence of bits, which are then implemented by the hardware while observing certain set of rules. The result shows that about 98.88% allocation was obtained in the sufficient case scenario while 99.84% allocation was achieved in the insufficient scenario. The proposed algorithm meets the objective of being cost effective, smart, simple to use and can be severally applied to different load profiles

Pattern of deranged haemostatic biomarkers among HIV patients: a descriptive case control cohort study in a tertiary health facility in northeastern Nigeria

HIV infection is known to affect haematological profile through various mechanisms; direct effect of the virus on haemopoiesis, natural anticoagulants and vasculopathy. In this study, we determine the pattern of derangement of some haemeostatic biomarkers among HIV cohort with Mild disease (WHO clinical stage I or II), those with moderate to advanced disease WHO clinical stages III and IV, and apparently health HIV sero negative participants. Parameters considered includes Platelet count (PLT), Prothrombin time (PT), Activated partial thromboplatin time (APTT), Antithrombin (AT), Protein C (PC), Protein S (PS) and Lupus anticoagulant (LA). A total of 750 participants made up of 249 with mild HIV infection in WHO clinical stages I and II , 250 with moderate to severe disease in stages III and IV were considered as cases and 251 HIV negative control subjects. A total of 262 (52.5%) HIV patients had derangement of one or the other of coagulation biomarkers considered. Prolonged LA ratio was more common among those with moderate to severe disease with prevalence rate of 39 (7.8%) in comparison to 5(1.0%) in those with mild disease. CD4 count &lt; 200 cells were overtly associated with prolonged LA ratio. HIV patients with clinical AIDS such as CD4 cell count = 200cells/ul are less likely to develop deranged LA, AT, PC and PS compared to those with CD4 cell count &lt;200 cells/ul (immunological AIDS). Deranged activity of haemostatic biomarkes is common among HIV infected patients, especially among those with immunological AIDS. Low CD4 cell count &lt; 200 cells/ul is a predictor of haemostatic abnormalities in this category of patients.Keywords: HIV Protein C, Protein S, Antithrombin III , PC = Protein C, Lupus anticoagulan

Five year review of oropharyngeal cancer patients at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, north central Nigeria

Oropharyngeal tumours constitutes 10 to 12% of all head and neck malignancies, and Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common histological variant seen in 90% of cases. Studies have confirmed the high prevalence of the disease among males, and the roles of alcohol intake and cigarette smoking as risk factors are well documented. This is a retrospective  review of  socio-demographic and risk factors of oropharyngeal cancers in our practice. All cases of orophyryngeal cancer seen at Ear, Nose and Throat Department of University of Ilorin Teaching  Hospital (U.I.T.H) between July 2008 and June 2013 were reviewed. UITH has over 600 beds and is a tertiary institution for the University Medical Scohool.There were 27 cases, 15 (54.6%) were within 40-60 years, 7 (27.3%) were below 40 years, and 5 (18.2%) above 60 years. Seventeen (63.6%) were females and 10 (36.4%) males with male to female ratio of 1:1.7.  Twenty (72.7%) were non-smokers while 7 (27.3%) were smokers. Ten cases (36.4%) had history of alcohol intake while 17 (63.4%) did not take alcohol. Lateral wall and tonsil tumours constituted 55.6% (15) of the total, closely followed by base of the tongue tumours 7 (27.3%), then soft palatal tumours 5 (18.2%). There was none in the posterior pharyngeal wall. Seven patients (26.0%) had surgery followed by chemoradiation, 3 (11.1%) had chemoradiation only, while 17 (63.4%) either declined surgery or defaulted clinic follow-up. Two of the patients (7.4%) had associated HIV infection. This study showed relative high incidence of oropharyngeal tumours in young and middle aged females; who are non-alcohol drinking and non-smokers. Incidental finding of HIV infection in some of the patients is a pointer to the possible role of sexually transmitted viral infections in the epidemiology of oropharyngeal cancers and a focus for preventive measures.Keywords: Oropharyngeal cancer, risk factor, sexually transmitted viral infectio