Improvement in the nutritive quality of soyabean meal by co-ensiling with under-utilized fish discards

Improvement in the nutritive value of soybean meal was investigated by Co-ensiling it with underutilized trash fish discards (gizzard shad)at different proportions. The following proportions of gizzard shad to soybean meal were used; (a) 100% gizzard shad + acid combination (b)80% gizzard shad +20% soybean meal & 10% WB (c) 60% gizzard shad + 40% soybean meal & 10% WB (d) 100% gizzard shad without acid combination. Co-ensiling was achieved by adding sufficient acid to produce a paste. Products were neutralized by addition of 2% (by weight) calcium hydroxide and drying was affected by freeze-drying.The dried silage products were stored at low temperatures. Products were analysed for proximate composition and amino acid composition.The amino acid composition and ration of essential amino acid. Non essential amino acid (EAA/NEAA) was used as index of nutritive quality. Also essential amino acid profile of the co-ensiled products were compared with essential amino acid requirement of some warmwater fish species to estimate their nutritive usefulness for these specie

Urban heat island and bioclimatological conditions in a hot-humid tropical city: the example of Akure, Nigeria

The impact of weather on human health has become an issue of increased significance in recent times, considering the increasing rate of urbanisation and the much associated heat island phenomenon. This study examines the urbanisation influence on human bioclimatic conditions in Akure, a medium sized hot-humid tropical city in Nigeria, utilising data from measurements at urban and rural sites in the city. Differences in the diurnal, monthly and seasonal variation of human bioclimatic characteristics between both environments were evaluated and tested for statistical significance. Higher frequencies of high temperatures observed in the city centre suggest a significant heat stress and health risk in this hot-humid city

Observed urban heat island characteristics in Akure, Nigeria

A climatological analysis of the differences in air temperature between rural and urban areas (Tu-r) corroborates the existence of an urban heat island (UHI) in Akure (7º 25’ N, 5º 20’ E), a tropical city in the south western part of Nigeria. The investigations which have been conducted out of a year-long experiment from fixed point observations focuses on the description of the climatology of urban canopy heat island in the Akure and the analysis of the results were presented. The results show that the nocturnal heat island was more frequent than the daytime heat island as it exists from less intense to higher intensity categories throughout the study period. Nocturnal heat Island intensity was observed to be stronger during the dry season. Although of lower intensity, daytime heat Island exists throughout the day except for few hours in the months of November and December that exhibits a reverse thermal contrast. The daytime heat island is observed to be intense in the wet months than the dry months, which may be caused by the evaporative cooling of wet surfaces. On the average, the urban/ rural thermal differences are positive, varying from 4°C at nocturnal hours during dry months to an approximate of 2°C around noon during wet months. This paper explain the aspects of heat islands and their relation to other causative agents such as the sky view factor (SVF) and also discusses its potential impact on energy demand.Key words: Urban heat island, sky view factor, energy demand

The Epidemiology of COVID-19: A Review

COVID-19 is a new lethal disease with limited information on its transmissibility, the severity of its sequelae, its clinical manifestations, and  epidemiology. This commentary analyzed the global epidemiology of COVID-19 among the vulnerable population. The analysis revealed that most pediatric COVID-19 cases are not severe, but related severe illness still occurs in children. All ages of children are susceptible to COVID-19, and no significant gender difference exists. COVID-19 infection during pregnancy produced fatal outcomes for mothers, but less risky for the baby. The hot spot clusters for COVID-19 are the prisons/jails, nursing/group homes, and long-term facilities where most of the vulnerable populations reside. Ethnic minority groups in the USA and UK are disproportionately exposed to COVID-19 infection and death than Caucasians. The differencemay be because ethnic minorities are exposed to higher risks at work and the long-standing structural economic and health disparities in the two countries. There are now changes in guidelines on who is qualified to receive ventilators in dire situations in many countries around the world if the healthcare system is overwhelmed. Keywords: COVID-19, Epidemiology Le COVID-19 est une nouvelle maladie mortelle avec des informations limitées sur sa transmissibilité, la gravité de ses séquelles, ses manifestations cliniques et l'épidémiologie. Ce commentaire a analysé l'épidémiologie mondiale du COVID-19 parmi la population vulnérable. L'analyse a révélé que la plupart des cas pédiatriques de COVID-19 ne sont pas graves, mais que des maladies graves associées surviennent toujours chez les enfants. Tous les âges des enfants sont sensibles au COVID-19 et aucune différence significative entre les sexes n'existe. L'infection au COVID-19 pendant la grossesse a eu des conséquences fatales pour les mères, mais moins risquées pour le bébé. Les groupes de points chauds pour le COVID-19 sont les prisons / prisons, les maisons de soins infirmiers / de groupe et les établissements à long terme où résident la plupart des populations vulnérables. Les groupes ethniques minoritaires aux États-Unis et au Royaume-Uni sont exposés de manière disproportionnée à l'infection au COVID-19 et à la mort que les Caucasiens. La différence peut être due au fait que les minorités ethniques sont exposées à des risques plus élevés au travail et aux disparités structurelles économiques et sanitaires de longue date dans les deux pays. Il y a maintenant des changements dans les lignes directrices sur les personnes qualifiées pour recevoir des ventilateurs dans des situations difficiles dans de nombreux pays du monde si le système de santé est débordé.  Mots-clés: COVID-19, épidémiologi

Looking to Purpose: An Examination of Statutory Interpretation in Denaturalization Cases

This note analyzes the effects of recent decisions interpreting the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA). The INA allows a naturalized citizen to be “denaturalized”, i.e. to have his or her citizenship revoked. This can happen where citizenship was “knowingly procured contrary to law.” Prior to the Supreme Court decision in Maslenjak v. United States, lower courts divided on whether a non-material misstatement in the citizenship application was a sufficient basis to denaturalize a citizen. In Maslenjak the Court determined a citizen could not be denaturalized unless the false statement could have justifiably resulted in the denial of naturalization. This note argues the Court came to the right conclusion but that contrary to the Court’s assertion the statutory text was ultimately ambiguous and the statutory purpose of the INA should have guided the decision

Efficacy of Physical Therapy in the Management of Reproductive Disorders

Several textbooks and anecdotal reports exist on the management of reproductive disorders by physical therapy (PHT). However, the recommendations from these sources are often not supported by recent empirical outcome evidence. Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive, up-to-date appraisal of the effectiveness of PHT in the management of reproductive disorders. An exhaustive review of the relevant articles published between 1988 and 2019 was undertaken on the primary electronic databases. The search produced 352 “hits,” but only 47 of them met the stated purpose of the review and subsequently classified into nine disease domains. The overwhelming majority (91%) of the 47 articles reviewed found the PHT modalities being investigated to be effective. The credibility of the work ranges from “poor” (for the case reports) to “strong” (for the meta-analysis). The pubococcygeus contraction exercise training (PCET), aka Kegel’s exercise, was the most studied modality, followed by aerobic exercise. Although substantial evidence suggests that PCET and transvaginal electrical stimulation are effective for reducing the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (UI), the data on adjunctive techniques (EMG biofeedback, and vaginal cones) are less consistent. There is presently no reliable evidence to support the use of PCET in combination with EMG biofeedback and electrical stimulation to relieve overactive bladder and improve sexual function in men. The conflicting findings are because many of the published studies are heterogeneous in methodology with variant time frame follow-up; therefore, making firm conclusion difficult. There is a need for more randomized controlled trials (RCT) with adequate sample sizes and the use of sensitive, reproducible, and valid outcome measures. In conclusion, systematic reviews and meta-analyses are needed to bolster the rationale for recommending PHT in the management of chronic pelvic diseases in women. Similarly, RCT is required to support the recommendation for using PCET, electric stimulation, and EMG biofeedback to treat ejaculatory/orgasmic dysfunction, prostatitis, UI and erectile dysfunction in men. The information in this chapter will be useful to physical therapist students, frontline clinicians, and healthcare policymakers

Internal Model Loss Minimization Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine

Electric drives are very useful in propelling the wheels of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). They also play a central function in the electric power steering (EPS). This paper describes studies carried out on the efficiency optimization of an interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) for application in the EPS. An analytic loss- minimization algorithm for an IPMSM was derived and the optimization problem took into consideration copper, iron and stray losses. The proposed loss minimization algorithm is simple and cost effective to implement. From the simulations carried out, significant efficiency gains are possible with this model. The internal model control (IMC) method was employed to achieve current and speed control with acceptable sensitivity to machine parameters

The Biological Effect of a Class of Alternating Magnetic Field on Life Field Using Distilled Water as Test Materials

This study investigated the biological effect of a class of alternating magnetic field on life field using distilled water as test materials. Extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF - MF) was carried out using a 50Hz AC power as the source, and a self made copper wire solenoid (magnetic chamber) inside which the sample was placed. A variable transformer was used to vary the current in the magnetic chamber to achieve different field intensities. The results indicate that magnetic field affects the rate of solubility of salts in water as well as an alteration in its pH. This study supports initial reports that extremely low frequency magnetic field alters the physiochemical properties of water. Keywords: magnetic field, life field, distilled water, biological effec

ADAPTING MODERN METHODS OF LECTURING IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: A CRITIQUE

Different disciplines have explored the concept of lecturing from different perspectives. However, adapting some modern methods of lecturing in Nigerian universities have not been systematically studied.   Therefore, this paper examines critically the modern   methods of lecturing in our modern days tertiary institutions in Nigeria.In agreement with other researches, this paper notes that there are many challenges facing the   methods of teaching in Nigerian Universities today. Triangulation method was used to gather information for this paper, and both primary and secondary   sources were used to obtain information for this article.  The findings of this paper show that the traditional lecture method will not lead to much educational achievements unless it is combined with interactive engagements with the students and prompt feedback from the tutorsThe paper recommends that if Government could live up to her   expectation by provision of basic amenities and   state-of-the-arts teaching facilities to the tertiary institutions, the phenomenon could be reduced. A concerted effort is therefore needed among all stake holders in the education sector for the task of promoting effective teaching in our tertiary institutions

Influenza virus morphogenesis and budding.

Influenza viruses are enveloped, negative stranded, segmented RNA viruses belonging to Orthomyxoviridae family. Each virion consists of three major sub-viral components, namely (i) a viral envelope decorated with three transmembrane proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and M2, (ii) an intermediate layer of matrix protein (M1), and (iii) an innermost helical viral ribonucleocapsid [vRNP] core formed by nucleoprotein (NP) and negative strand viral RNA (vRNA). Since complete virus particles are not found inside the cell, the processes of assembly, morphogenesis, budding and release of progeny virus particles at the plasma membrane of the infected cells are critically important for the production of infectious virions and pathogenesis of influenza viruses as well. Morphogenesis and budding require that all virus components must be brought to the budding site which is the apical plasma membrane in polarized epithelial cells whether in vitro cultured cells or in vivo infected animals. HA and NA forming the outer spikes on the viral envelope possess apical sorting signals and use exocytic pathways and lipid rafts for cell surface transport and apical sorting. NP also has apical determinant(s) and is probably transported to the apical budding site similarly via lipid rafts and/or through cortical actin microfilaments. M1 binds the NP and the exposed RNAs of vRNPs, as well as to the cytoplasmic tails (CT) and transmembrane (TM) domains of HA, NA and M2, and is likely brought to the budding site on the piggy-back of vRNP and transmembrane proteins. Budding processes involve bud initiation, bud growth and bud release. The presence of lipid rafts and assembly of viral components at the budding site can cause asymmetry of lipid bilayers and outward membrane bending leading to bud initiation and bud growth. Bud release requires fusion of the apposing viral and cellular membranes and scission of the virus buds from the infected cellular membrane. The processes involved in bud initiation, bud growth and bud scission/release require involvement both viral and host components and can affect bud closing and virus release in both positive and negative ways. Among the viral components, M1, M2 and NA play important roles in bud release and M1, M2 and NA mutations all affect the morphology of buds and released viruses. Disassembly of host cortical actin microfilaments at the pinching-off site appears to facilitate bud fission and release. Bud scission is energy dependent and only a small fraction of virus buds present on the cell surface is released. Discontinuity of M1 layer underneath the lipid bilayer, absence of outer membrane spikes, absence of lipid rafts in the lipid bilayer, as well as possible presence of M2 and disassembly of cortical actin microfilaments at the pinching-off site appear to facilitate bud fission and bud release. We provide our current understanding of these important processes leading to the production of infectious influenza virus particles