Effective Sample Size: Quick Estimation of the Effect of Related Samples in Genetic Case-Control Association Analyses

Correlated samples have been frequently avoided in case-control
genetic association
 studies in part because the methods for handling them are either not
easily implemented or not widely known. We
advocate one method for case-control association analysis of correlated
samples -- the effective sample size method -- as a simple and
accessible approach that does not require specialized computer programs.
The effective sample size method captures the variance inflation
of allele frequency estimation exactly, and can be used to modify the
chi-square test statistic, p-value, and 95% confidence interval of
odds-ratio simply by replacing the apparent number of allele counts with the
effective ones. For genotype frequency estimation, although a single
effective sample size is unable to completely characterize the variance inflation,
an averaged one can satisfactorily approximate the simulated result.
The effective sample size method is applied to the rheumatoid arthritis
siblings data collected from the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium (NARAC)
to establish a significant association with the interferon-induced
helicasel gene (IFIH1) previously being identified as a type 1 diabetes
susceptibility locus. Connections between the effective sample size
method and other methods, such as generalized estimation equation,
variance of eigenvalues for correlation matrices, and genomic controls,
are also discussed.
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Extent of Role Conflict Among Principals and Teachers on the Administration of Secondary School in Ebonyi State

This study set out to investigate the impact of role conflicts among principals and teachers on the administration of secondary schools in Ebonyi State. It was a descriptive survey. The study was guided by two (2) research questions and two (2) hypotheses, all derived from the purpose of the study. The population of the study consists of five thousand and forty seven (5047) teaching staff in the 221 secondary schools in the three education zones of Ebonyi State. A total sample of one thousand four hundred and seventy (1470) teachers and ninety eight (98) principals were sampled and was used for the study. A stratified proportionate random sampling technique was adopted by the researcher to select a sample of 98 principals and fifteen (15) teachers in each of the ninety eight (98) secondary schools from Afikpo, Onueke and Abakaliki respectively; given 1470 teachers for the study. Researcher developed instrument titled Principals Teachers role Conflict Questionnaire (PTRCOQ) was used for data collection The data were analysed using arithmetic mean and z-test statistics. The findings showed that there are no significant differences in the mean opinion scores of principals and teachers on the extent conflict between them arising from the role' performance of a principal in the areas of supervision, finance management, discipline and decision making affect secondary school administration. Based on the findings, appropriate recommendations were made regarding the various strategies to reduce conflict in secondary school administration which include among others; there should be very clear job description for both teachers and principals as this will help to reduce role confusion in secondary school. Principals should also strive to adopt democratic principles in school administration. This will help to promote team work and also enhance teacher's commitment in teaching and learning activities. Keywords: Role Conflict, Principals and Teachers, Administration, Secondary Schoo

Prevalence and Pattern of Adverse Drug Reactions among HIV Infected Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in Imo State, Nigeria: A Hospital Based Survey

Introduction:  It is a proven fact that almost all drugs carry the potential to produce undesirable effects in addition to the desired ones. Aim:  The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, pattern and socio-demographic determinants of adverse drug reactions among patients on HAART attending clinics in hospitals in Imo State Nigeria. Methodology:  This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out among HIV patients attending clinics in hospitals in Imo State.  The 400 participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique.  Data was collected using an interviewer administered, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using EPI Info version 3:2:1. Chi-square and regression analysis was used to test association between variables. P-value was set at ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.7±3.0 years with a male to female ration of 1:2. The adherence level to HIV treatment was 85.0%. The prevalence of ADRs in the last 1 year preceding the study was 13.7% and the common forms of ADR experienced by patients was Hematological symptoms (34%), GIT symptoms (21.8%) and skin manifestation (20.0%). Socio-demographic determinants of the occurrence of ADR among the participants were: age 50 years and above (OR: 9.28), female gender (OR: 2.55) and living in a rural area (OR: 4.47). Conclusion:  Though the prevalence of ADR reported in this study was low, there is need to increase the depth of knowledge among HIV patients in the State, monitor patients closely by care givers and find possible ways to increase adherence to HIV drugs which was not optimal among participants. Keywords: Prevalence, Pattern, Adverse Drug reactions, HAART, HIV, Patients, Imo State

The Theatre and Sustainable Human Development: Fumes of Fuel and Boundless Love as Paradigms

The performing Arts encompass a wide range of disciplines which are invariably synonymous with creativity, thus, creativity is the hallmark of performance. For the sake of clarity, Performing Arts comprise Theatre Arts, Music, Dance and Choreography and the electronic media of Radio, Television and film commonly referred to as the audio-visual or media arts. Development is invariably measured by performance using certain indices. It is also part of the function of the performing arts to project development as well be evidence of development themselves. For instance, it is a sign of development to produce a play before an audience, particularly an audience composed of persons saddled with the responsibility of showing the direction for the development of a certain society. This paper will use the plays, Fumes of Fuel and Boundless Love to expound on the relevance of the Performing Arts in human and societal development.Keywords: Performing Arts, Creativity, Development and Humanity

Prediction of Shelf Life of Dakuwa (Nigerian cereal/groundnut snack) Using pH as Index of Acceptability

This study was undertaken to establish the effect of pH on the acceptability of dakuwa. Dakuwa was prepared by malting and milling maize grains and groundnut. Maize flour and groundnut paste were mixed together in equal ratios with the addition of sugar and red pepper. pH of fresh dakuwa was varied using citric acid and subjected to sensory evaluation in order to establish the relationship between pH and acceptability of dakuwa. Accelerated storage test was also carried out in order to determine the kinetics of pH change and kinetics of pH change was tested using zero and first order reaction relationships. Linear regression was used to determine Arrhenius equation parameters and the relationship between pH and acceptability. Decreasing pH reduced dakuwa acceptability. Order of pH change was adequately described by both zero and first orders of reaction. From the data generated, using first order reaction kinetics, a relationship was derived which can be used to estimate the shelf life of dakuwa on the basis of pH. Keywords: Dakuwa, pH, acceptability, kinetics, sensory evaluation, accelerated storage, Arrhenius equation, regression, temperature, shelf-lif

Development of Transdermal Patches for the Delivery of Chlorpheniramine in Infants using Hypromellose and Cassava Starch Composite Polymers

Background: Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that is used in the treatment of rhinitis and other allergies. Objectives: The objectives of this research was to develop and evaluate transdermal patches for improved delivery of chlorpheniramine in infants using hypromellose and cassava starch composite polymers. Methods: Chlorpheniramine transdermal patches were formulated by solvent casting method using varying amounts of hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), cassava starch and polyethylene glycol 4000. The formulated transdermal patches were characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), folding endurance, elongation breaking test, percentage moisture uptake/loss and ex vivo permeation studies. Results: The spectra showed no chemical interaction between the ingredients. The transdermal patches showed elastic qualities and high folding endurance. Patches with consistently high moisture uptake (around 40%) were observed to contain high concentration of cassava starch while those with higher amounts of HPMC lost more water (around 35%). The ex vivo study showed efficient permeation and flux for the target purpose. Conclusion: Transdermal patches may be used to deliver low dose chlorpheniramine drug through the skin possibly soft and thin infant skin. Keywords: Transdermal; permeation; flux; allergy; chlorpheniramin

The Theatre and Sustainable Human Development: Fumes of Fuel and Boundless Love as Paradigms

The performing Arts encompass a wide range of disciplines which are invariably synonymous with creativity, thus, creativity is the hallmark of performance. For the sake of clarity, Performing Arts comprise Theatre Arts, Music, Dance and Choreography and the electronic media of Radio, Television and film commonly referred to as the audio-visual or media arts. Development is invariably measured by performance using certain indices. It is also part of the function of the performing arts to project development as well be evidence of development themselves. For instance, it is a sign of development to produce a play before an audience, particularly an audience composed of persons saddled with the responsibility ofshowing the direction for the development of a certain society. This paper will use the plays, Fumes of Fuel and Boundless Love to expound on the relevance of the Performing Arts in human and societal development. Keywords: Performing Arts, Creativity, Development and Humanity

Sexual Behavior and Abuse: A Case Study of University Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State, Nigeria

Introduction: In young people including adolescents, risky sexual behavior has been recognized as an important health, social and demographic concern in the developing world. Aim: To assess sexual behaviors and their association with current and life-time occurrence of sexual abuse among female undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a school based cross sectional study involving 600 female students selected from tertiary institutions in Imo State Nigeria, using the multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using a data software (EPI-INFO version 3.3.2). Descriptive variables were presented using summary indices, frequency tables/percentages, and graph while associations between variables were done using the Chi-square and binary regression. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.73.2 years. About 65.2% of the respondents have initiated sexual intercourse and of this proportion, 75.6% were sexually active in the last one year preceding survey. The mean age at initiation of sexual debut among the students was 18.93.8 years and the commonest form of sexual act practiced was penile/vaginal sex. About 15.2% of the students had been currently abused. Predictors of current sexual abuse were; ever had sexual intercourse (OR.4.63), being within 14-19 years of age at first sexual initiation, (OR: 0.42), had first sexual exposure with a casual partner (OR: 12.38), and being sexually active in the last 1 year preceding study, (OR: 2.16). Conclusion: Risky sexual behaviors were prevalent and were found to influence the occurrence of sexual abuse, among the students. Thus, there is need to institute appropriate prevention strategies to limit risky sexual behaviors and it consequences among adolescents and young adults