The potential of energy recovery from by–products of small agricultural farms in Nigeria

ArticleAgricultural by–products are renewable energy sources from which essential amount of energy can be recovered, which can be used to replace the use of conventional fossil fuel, reduces the potential of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and at the same time reduces deforestation, especially in rural areas. Energy values of biomass from small Agricultural farms, in particular waste generated from different tropical crops, viz; Maize, Millet, Rice, Sorghum and Groundnut were determined, to ascertain their potentials as alternative fuel sources for rural use. The materials were found to be of importance judging by their combustion potentials in all the forms investigated. The Energy values of the by-products considered ranged between 11.68 MJkg-1 to 17.48 MJkg-1 with Groundnut pods and millet husk having the highest and least respectively. Moisture and ash had effect on the energy values of these biomass. Our results are relevant to the problems posed by the management of farm residues in developing countries

Cost-effectiveness of pin-in-fibreglass cast versus Kirschner-Ehmer type I external skeletal fixator in the management of transverse radius-ulna fractures in dogs

The cost of medical care is an important issue all over the world. With worsening global economy and the poverty inherent in low earning  economies in the third world countries, economic considerations have always remained a major determinant factor in the choice of treatment. In this study, the cost-effectiveness of pin-in-fibreglass cast fixator (PFCF) was comparatively evaluated against a commercially available fixator  (Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixator) (KESF) in the management of induced closed transverse mid-shaft radius-ulna fractures in dogs. Four adult (2 males and 2 females) dogs with closed transverse mid-shaft radius-ulna fractures were used for this study. These dogs were randomly assigned to two groups (A and B) with each group made up of two dogs. Radius-ulna fractures were created in all the dogs under injectable anaesthesia as follows: Group A; PFCF, and Group B; KESF. A cost analysis was performed using the duration of operative and post-operative procedures, duration of morbidity period, direct and indirect labour cost, and cost of dog-hour lost during the morbidity period as economic indices. The overall duration of the operative and the entire post-operative procedures were 5.5±0.14 and 22±0.21 hours (1:4.4) for PFCF and KESF (P>0.05) respectively. The morbidity period was 9 and 8 weeks for PFCF and KESF respectively. The average cost of medical care (in 2015 $1 US ≈ N198 Nigerian Naira) was$81.8 and $294 (1:3.6) for PFCF and KESF respectively. The cost benefit analysis based on the economic loss due to dog-hour lost during the morbidity period were$990. 9 and $1103 (1:1.1) for PFCF and KESF respectively. In conclusion, PFCF is faster and easier to perform, and more economical than the KESF technique despite the longer morbidity period associated with it. This is accounted for by the lower cost of fixative and hospital charges.Keywords: Dog, Cost effectiveness, Pin-in-fiberglass cast, Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative, Radius-ulna, fracture

Desire for independence and financial status as determinants of entrepreneurial intention among national diploma students in taxation in North-Eastern Nigeria

This study Desire for Independence and financial status as Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intention among National Diploma students in Taxation in North-Eastern Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to determine the entrepreneurial intention among National Diploma students in business studies in North-Eastern Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives, with corresponding research questions and null hypotheses. Relevant literature related to the study was reviewed. The design for the study was descriptive survey. The population of the study comprised 24,625 National Diploma II students of Schools of Business studies of all the Polytechnics in North-Eastern Nigeria. The researcher sampled 379 subjects using proportionate random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was developed by the researcher through adaptation from the existing instruments. The instrument was validated by 4 experts. The instrument was tested and reliability coefficient of 0.80 was obtained. The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) while the hypotheses were tested using regression analysis. The study revealed that Desire for independence; has large extent influence on students’ entrepreneurial intention. Financial status also has large extent influence on students’ entrepreneurial intention of National Diploma students in business studies in North-Eastern, Nigeria. Based on the results, it was recommended, that the students should be encouraged to embrace entrepreneurship education or training in order for them to become self-reliant and wealth creators; The Government should make accessible loans available for graduates of the National Diploma in business studies so as to start up their businesses

Comparative evaluation of pin-in-fiberglass cast and Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative in the management of radius-ulna fractures in dogs

Four adult (two males and two females) dogs were used to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of pin-in-fiberglass cast with Kirschner-Ehmer type I external skeletal fixative in the management of surgically created radius-ulna fractures in dogs. These dogs were assigned to two groups (A and B) with each group made up of two dogs. The radius-ulna fracture was created in all the dogs under general anaesthesia as follows: Group A, pin-in-fiberglass casting; and Group B, Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixation. Post-operatively, minimal increase in vital parameters were observed, but were not significant (P>0.05) when compared with pre-operative values in both groups. The haematological indices were within acceptable normal limits for both group (P>0.05). Dogs in both groups bore weight on the operated limb and could walk within 24 hours post-operative. Radiographic evaluation revealed minimal soft tissue swelling and minimal periosteal tissue reaction in both groups. The Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative group attained the faster fracture healing time (7 weeks) compared to the pin-in-fiberglass group (8 weeks). Functional and cosmetic appearances were graded as excellent for both groups. Complications associated with the two techniques were cast sores in the pin-in-fiberglass group while pin loosening and serous pin tract drainage were observed in the Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative group. Thus, it was concluded that pin-in-fiberglass cast could be used as a satisfactory substitute to Kirschner-Ehmer type I external fixative in the management of simple radius-ulna fractures in dogs.Keywords: Bone, Dog, Fracture, Kirschner-Ehmer external fixative, Pin-in-fiberglass cast, Radius-uln

Correlation of ultrasonographic renal volume with modified body mass index in Nigerian indigenous dogs

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ultrasonographic kidney volume and modified body mass index through evaluating the kidney architectural appearance, variations between right and left kidney dimensions and correlation between ultrasonographic kidney volumes and modified body mass index in clinically healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs. The ultrasonography was performed to obtain the kidney dimensions in centimeter for the length (bipolar length), width and height of the kidney for both right and left kidneys to compute for the kidney volume in centimeter cube using the formula for the volume of an ellipsoid (L X W X H X 0.523), while the modified body mass index for dogs was obtained by taking the body weight in kilogram of each dog against the squared length of the trunk. The serum creatinine and urea parameters are within normal limits in dogs used for this study. This research revealed normal kidney architecture with hyperechoic renal capsules, hypoechoic renal cortex, anechoic medullary pyramids and hyperechoic renal pelvis. Left kidneys are significantly larger than the right kidneys and there was a weak positive correlation between right (r2= 0.21) and left (r2= 0.18) kidney volumes with modified body mass index in clinically healthy in Nigerian indigenous dogs. In conclusion, the left kidney appeared larger than the right kidney and there is a positive but weak relationship between ultrasonographic kidney volume and modified body mass index in healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs.Keywords: Kidney dimensions, Kidney volume, Modified BMI, Nigerian indigenous dogs, Ultrasonograph

Hypospadias in a German Shepherd dog

No AbstractKeywords: hypospadias, cleft scrotum, urinary bladder diverticulum, German Shepherd do