Residential design affecting dimensions of equity

ABSTRACT: In Sweden social sustainability perspectives on housing design are rare, this strikes the group of weaker households. Due to the present housing shortage a dwelling providing a qualitative space for every-day life is not a realistic alternative for many households. The groups of households that not have the economical strength to involve in the housing market have little power to change their residential situation. The housing market focus on the limited group of buyers and the alternative, the rental apartment, implies years of abeyance in a que-system to get hold of an apartment. Meanwhile the on going demographic transformation challenges existing residential design and the design practice in turn tends to employ a narrow perspective on household constructions and residential use. The research work is focused on residential usability (flexibility) and how this can affect social sustainability dimensions in a residential situation. It also focuses on how social sustainability issues can be activated into the practice of residential floor plan design. The methodological approach is based on a mixed method research where qualitative, empirical studies and research by design are employed. The work embrace a theoretical perspective based on assumptions from Schneider and Till. Findings from the research show that flexibility in residential design represents an important factor in the realisation of a sustainable society. A salient finding is that flexible space can provide more equitable residential solutions as the extended spatial capacity can provide qualitative residential situations for diverse households during a residential process. This paper concentrates on the magnitude of flexible space as an agent for the dimension of equity, presenting parts of the work with empirical studies. The continuing research intends to delve deeper into the question of residential usability and social sustainability from the perspective of time and the residential process

STYLISTIC FEATURES OF CONTEMPORARY ADIRE IN NIGERIAN TEXTILE PRACTICE

With the whole lot of  innovation the adire textile is going through, the indigenous craft still maintained and retained its cultural values among its various users most especially the Yoruba people. The paper therefore examines the styles and forms of contemporary adire in Nigeria, its distribution and entrepreneurship. Of further interest is the wide gamut of other product which Kampala technique images have been adapted. From clothing to postcard and house hold decoration items. Examination of contemporary adire and its mellowed design, ease of production and recent acceptance as wearable fashion material and other uses, indicate the diverse direction that traditional art forms may take as it enters the international market, The paper deduced that the different innovations that have taken place in the traditional textile craft is as a result of the formal education been acquired by the very few 7.4% of new generation producers of adire and this innovations has in one way or the other improve the patronage of adire and the calibre of its users. It has also transformed adire into ceremonial attire, other than the usual knockabout. It highlights the differences in the patterning methods of the cloth and also the preference choice of users. The study discovered that adire can play a dual role of a commodity and a gift because of its new variety of uses among the customers, from dress to house hold materials and souvenir.

Analysis of Plant Nutrients in Soil by Ion Exchange resin Extraction and X-Ray Flourescence Spectrometry

A combined ion exchange resin and a multi-element x-ray fluorescence method was developed as an alternative to existing soil testing methods. By shaking soil and an ion exchange membrane sandwiched between permeable paper discs in an extraction cell, it was possible to extract and analyze all plant nutrient elements except Band Nin soils. Using six soils with different physical, mineralogical and chemical properties, the effects of soil sample size, soil-water ratio and equilibration time on nutrient extraction by resin were investigated to determine optimum conditions for use in a routine extraction procedure. The results showed that increasing soil sample size and equilibration time increased the concentration of nutrients adsorbed by resin. In high base soils monovalent cation adsorption by resin decreased as polyvalent cation adsorption increased with time. This relationship was attributed to greater preference by resin for the latter. In contrast, increasing the soil-water ratio decreased the concentration of polyvalent cations and increased the monovalent cations adsorbed by resin. The capacity of the resin to adsorb nutrients, restricted by the absence of contact exchange, was dependent on the nutrient concentration in the soil solution. Thus» the quantity adsorbed was regarded as a reflection of the quantity-intensity parameter of the soil nutrient pool since the quantity of a particular nutrient removed from soil by the ion exchange resin was found to be largely determined by the nutrient concentration in the soil. A comparison between cation exchange resin and lN ammonium acetate showed that both methods were very significantly correlated for Al, Ca, Mg, and K in a Typic Gibbsihumox (low base soil}, and very poorly correlated for Ca and Mg in a Typic Chromustert (high base soil). This difference was attributed to the selective adsorption of nutrients by ion exchange resin, in contrast to the non-selective extraction by the ammonium acetate solution. It was also pointed out that the quantity of a particular nutrient adsorbed by resin can be limited by competition among cations and the total exchange capacity of the resin. This extraction procedure using c1--saturated anion exchange membrane to estimate P, was only marginally successful. The dependence of the resin on water-soluble Pin the absence of contact exchange was believed to be responsible for this. Therefore, the use of a different and/or OH--saturated anion exchange resin was suggested for P extraction. By multiple regression analysis of experimental data, equations containing cation concentration ratios were employed to describe yield response and nutrient uptake by sudax (Sorghum bicolor x Sorghum sudanensis). The results showed that when only nutrient cations were considered in such equations, ion exchange resin was superior to 1N ammonium acetate extraction, in predicting yield response. Similarly, legume yields obtained from a field experiment designed to study the relative response of tropical and temperate legumes to liming, were adequately predicted by resin-extractable cations. In conclusion, the multi-element approach to soil testing presents a more sensitive method for assessing nutrient deficiencies and excesses in soils, and offers a means to study the delicate concentration dependent interactions among nutrient elements and their effects on nutrient uptake by plants

A Study of Female Circumcision in Eastern Nigeria: Its Medical Significance

Abstract Not Provided

Effect Of Gavage Treatment With Pulverised Garcinia Kola Seeds On Erythrocyte Membrane Integrity And Selected Haematological Indices In Male Albino Wistar Rats

Summary: This study examines the effect of the whole seed of Garcinia kola (GKS) on various blood parameters, in adult male albino rats. Five groups, of 6 animals per group, were treated by gavage with suspensions of graded concentrations of GKS daily for 5 weeks. The animals were then sacrificed and blood was obtained for estimation of the data herein presented. Packed red cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and red blood cell count (RBC) showed significantly (P < 0.05, Student’s t-test) increased response to treatment with GKS; while the platelet and white blood cell (WBC) counts showed no corresponding increase with increasing GKS dosage. The mean red blood cell volume (MCV) and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) levels decreased with increasing GKS dosage. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partialthromboplastin time (APPT) were both prolonged with increased GKS dosage; while the serum lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) decreased significantly (P< 0.05, Student’s t-test) with increased GKS dosage

Microbiological Safety Assessment of Apple Fruits (Malus domestica Borkh) Sold in Owerri Imo State Nigeria

This study aimed at assessing the microbial colonizers, of apple fruits sold in Owerri to determine its safety for consumption. Apple fruits are dependable source of vitamins, it is rich in fiber, electrolytes, minerals and antioxidants and it is usually eaten fresh and raw, making the vitamins fully available for the body. The popularity and increased consumption of apple fruits therefore calls for necessary safety checks. Two hundred fresh and apparently healthy apple fruits were obtained from street vendors and shopping malls in major streets, motor parks and higher institutions in Owerri. The fruits were washed-out separately in 10 mL sterile distilled water to obtain suspensions which were assayed for total aerobic plate count, coliform count, and fungal count and for specific pathogens. A count of 3.4×105-4.5×107 cfu/mL was obtained for TAPC, while total coliform and total fungal counts ranges from 2.4×104-2.2×106 and 5.0×102-3.6×105 cfu/mL respectively. Twelve bacterial and seven fungal spp were isolated. The apple fruits sold in major busy spots in Owerri are contaminated, the presence of Shigella spp, S. aureus, Salmonella and B. cereus which are known pathogens calls for concern. Education of fruit vendors on food hygiene, adequate packaging/covering of apple fruits on display for sale and washing of fruits before consumption is advanced

Effects of crude alkaloid extract of Garcinia Kola seed on serum gonadotrophins and testosterone levels in male rats

The effects of daily oral administration of alkaloid extract of Garcinia kola seed (GKA) at 1500mg/kg on serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (TST) were studied in male rats (100-150g) for six to seven weeks. The pair-fed control rats received oral doses of methanolic saline daily for six to seven weeks. The animals were injected i.m. with Menotrophin (1.07IU/kg) or Testosterone (2.6mg/kg) during the seventh week of receiving GKA or following six weeks of treatment with GKA. The control rats were injected with normal saline or olive oil vehicles during the seventh week. At the end of the seventh week, all animals were exsanguinated to collect serum for hormone assays. Results showed that levels of serum gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) were significantly elevated, while serum TST levels were markedly reduced, compared to the pair-fed controls.RUNNING TITLE: G. kola alkaloid effects on endocrine organ

Assessment of microbiological quality and nutritional values of a processed edible weevil caterpillar (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) in Port Harcourt, southern Nigeria

Investigation into the microbiological quality of processed Rhynchophorus species revealed the presence of bacteria and fungi. Total bacterial and fungal counts were 1.08 &times; 105 CFU/g and 9.2 &times; 102 CFU/g respectively. Bacterial isolates identified included, Lactobacillus plantarum, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, while the fungal species included Cladosporum sp, Penicillium verrecosum, Aspergilus flavus and Fusarum poae and one species of yeast. Rhynchophorus sp is rich in protein (71.63%), indicating high nutritional quality. The crude fibre (1.59%) and ash (11.97%) are high and could aid bowel movement and increase mineral contents respectively in the human body. High moisture (12.14%) and protein contents could encourage spoilage by proteophilic and hydrophilic bacteria and fungi. Poor sanitation and inadequate storage and marketing conditions may contribute to contamination and recontamination of the products. Intensive education on pre and post-harvest (handling) activities, including proper disposal of intestinal contents, preservation with spices and the application of atmospheric packaging system could reduce contamination with microbes

Meiofauna Occurrence and Distribution in Different Substrate Types of Bonny Brackish Wetland of the Niger Delta

The meiobenthic community of different sediment types was studied for 12 months between January and December 1997 in the Bnny estuarine environment. Five replicates core samples were collected from three sediment types (Muddy, Sandy and Chikoko sediments). Meiofaunal densities in order of magnitude are muddy (356 to 899 cm3), sandy (278 to 866 cm3) and chikoko (133 to 252 cm3). Most of the taxa groups had higher densities in dry season than in wet season with significant seasonal variations observed for Sandy sediment and Muddy sediment while Chikoko sediment densities did not show significant seasonal variation (t – test < 0.5). The meiofaunal densities for the different sediment types showed marked significant variation (ANOVA, p < 0.05)

Effect Of Dietary Garcinia Kola Seed On Selected Serum Electrolytes And Trace Metals In Male Albino Rats

Summary: The effects of various doses of dietary intake of Garcinia kola seed powder [incorporated in animal feed at levels of 5% w/w, 10% w/w and 20% w/w and fed daily for six weeks] on serum levels of selected electrolytes (K+, Na+, CI-, HCO- 3, Mg2+ and Ca2+) and trace metals (Cu2+ Zn2+ and Mn2+) were studied in male albino rats (100-150g body wt). The pair –fed controls received basal feed diet daily for six weeks. Results showed a significant (P< 0.05) dose dependent elevation of serum CI-, HCO-3, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+. These findings point to a possible relationship with already documented histopathology of various organs (such as the gonads) induced by Garcinia kola seed. It is also conjectured that the documented antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antidiabetic and antifertility effects of Garcinia kola seed may have underlying involvement of alterations in body levels of trace metals and electrolytes