Indigenous knowledge and curriculum development in Rwanda

A conference paper presented during IPAR's Annual research conference 201

Self-Perception of Female Educational Administrators in Nigeria: Reflections on a Sociological Study

This study investigated the self-perception of female educational administrators in public post-primary schools in Edo State, Nigeria. It examined the appointment of public post-primary educational administrators, determined by qualifications to the position and considered factors such as the future career aspirations of female administrators, resistance of men to women advancing to the field, and stereotypes or discrimination. The researcher constructed the instrument used in this study, titled Personnel Management Inventory (PMI). It was validated using expert opinion approach. Major findings indicated that: Women were highly discriminated against in appointment and promotion, and Women were required to stay longer in service before they were appointed to the position of educational administrators. This study showed that there is gender discrimination and all policy makers, government and all concerned individuals who want the country to develop, therefore should discourage it

Influence of vitamin b-12 complex injection (eldervit-12) on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats: a preliminary study

Objectives: To assess the effect of vitamin B-12 complex injection on the nephrotoxicity of gentamicin. Design: Experimental study using a pre-validated model. Subject: Adult Swiss albino rats weighing 140-214g, Generic gentamicin sulphate injection and Vitamin B-12complex injection containing 2500mcg Cyanocobalamin, 12mg Niacinamide, 0.7 mg Folic acid and 150 mg Ascorbic acid in twin ampoules to be combined fresh before administration.Setting: A pharmacological research laboratory in a tertiary instituteResults: In Swiss albino rats, both 0.5mls/kg/day and 1mls/kg/day of B-12 complex injection for 5 days significantly and dose dependently exacerbated the increase in serum urea and creatinine caused by 80mg/k/day of gentamicin while both doses of B-12 complex injection given for 10 days significantly and dose dependently ameliorated the increase in serum urea and creatinine caused by 80mg/k/day of gentamicin (reversal of effect). Conclusion: 0.5mls/kg/day of B-12 complex injection for 5 days exacerbated gentamicin nephrotoxicity while the same dose for longer duration or 1ml/kg/day of B-12 complex ameliorated the toxicity. The exacerbation is probably due to the ascorbic acid component while the reversal is probably due to the other components acting directly or through a time dependent pharmacological advantage.KEYWORDS: Gentamicin, toxicity, B-complex, ascorbic acid, rat

Influence of catalyst bed temperature and properties of zeolite catalysts on pyrolysis-catalysis of a simulated mixed plastics sample for the production of upgraded fuels and chemicals

The pyrolysis-catalysis of a simulated mixture of plastics representing the plastic mixture found in municipal solid waste has been carried out to determine the influence of process conditions on the production of upgraded fuel oils and chemicals and gases. The catalysts used were spent zeolite from a fluid catalytic cracker (FCC), Y-zeolite and ZSM-5 zeolite. The addition of a catalyst to the process produced a marked increase in gas yield, with more gas (mainly C1 - C4 hydrocarbons) being produced as the temperature of the catalyst was raised from 500 ºC to 600 ºC. The Si/Al ratio of the catalysts influenced the composition of other gases with the more basic catalysts producing more CO and the strongly acidic catalyst producing more H2. The yield of product oil decreased with the addition of the catalysts, but the oil was of significantly lower molecular weight range, containing a product slate of premium fuel range C5 – C15 hydrocarbons. In addition, the content of aromatic compounds in the product oil was increased; for example, benzene and toluene accounted for more than 90% of the aromatic content of the oil from the strongly acidic Y-zeolite catalysts. A reaction scheme is proposed for the production of single-ring aromatic compounds via pyrolysis-catalysis of plastics

Economic Growth through the Lens of Non-Oil Export in Nigeria, 1970 – 2010

This study examined economic growth through the lens of non-oil export in Nigeria from 1970 to 2008. It was prompted by incessant insignificant contribution of non-oil export to economic growth of Nigeria from 1970 to 2008. The overall objective of the study is to ascertain the impact or influence of non-oil export on Gross Domestic Product by way of finding, if any, the relationship between economic growth and non-oil export through an economic lens. In order to achieve these objectives, research questions were raised and hypotheses were formulated. For these raised issues to be addressed, econometric analysis of Ordinary Least Squares regression method (multiple regression analysis) and the co-integration/error correction technique. The findings of the study include money supply is positively related to economic growth. This implies that an increase in money supply stimulates growth. This is in agreement with our expectation and economic theory. An increase in money supply spurs growth by making investment funds available at a reduced rate to investors. At a lower interest rate people borrow more that is as investment increases, production and output also raises leading to a rise in economic growth. Also, the result of our analysis indicates that non-oil export and money supply are positively related to economic growth. On the other hand credit to the private sector was found to be negatively related to economic growth. Based on the findings, it is therefore recommended that Government should increase investment in non-oil sector; because our result shows that non-oil export is positively related to economic growth but insignificant at 5 percent level. An increase in investment by both private and the government in real sector like agriculture, industry and manufacturing will help boost economic growth through employment creation, output stimulation and improvement in income level. The real sector remains the key avenue for rapid and sustained growth in an economy be it developed or developing countries. The monetary authorities should reduce lending rate to single digit may help stimulate investment and economic growth in the country. We therefore conclude that rise in these variables can stimulate growth while a fall, reduces economic growth. On the other hand credit to the private sector was found to be negatively related to economic growth. Keywords:Economic Growth, Non-oil Export Agriculture, Employment Creation, Stimulation Income Level

Effect of Tamsulosin Use on Plasma Insulin Status in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients in Sokoto, Nigeria

The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of tamsulosin use on plasma insulin status in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients in Sokoto, Nigeria. Standard methods and procedures were used. At 2nd and 3rd months of tamsulosin use, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values compared to baseline. Likewise, at 4th month of tamsulosin use, a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values was revealed compared to baseline and 2nd month values. Other inter-mean values comparisons were not significantly different (P>0.05). Plasma insulin at 4th months of the study in BPH patients (45-54 years) treated with tamsulosin revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) compared to baseline values. Other inter-mean values comparisons were not significantly different (P>0.05). BPH patients (aged 55-64 years) at 3rd month showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values compared to baseline values. Likewise, at 4th month of tamsulosin use, a significant increase  (P<0.05) in plasma insulin values was seen compared to baseline and 1st month values. Other inter-mean values comparisons were not significantly different (P>0.05). In BPH patients aged 65 and above, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in plasma insulin values from 1st through 4th month compared to baseline and other inter mean values comparisons. Plasma insulin at 0th , 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th months of BPH patients of different age groups treated with tamsulosin revealed no significant differences (P>0.05). This study revealed that tamsulosin use in the patients lead to significant increase in plasma insulin level (hyperinsulinemia). Careful and routine monitoring of BPH patients should be done. Patients need enough exercise activities and some drugs can be administered to alleviate elevated glucose or insulin. Keywords: Tamsulosin, hyperinsulinemia, benign prostatic hyperplasia patients, insulin resistanc

Full Length Research Paper-Occurrence and growth potentials of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria on the phylloplane of some tropical plants

The surface of leaf samples from ten tropical plants, Anthocleista, Sarcophrynium, Canna, Colocassia, Musa, Cola, Citrus, Mangifera, Terminalia and Annona were cultured for the estimation of total heterotrophic and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria. The total heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 0.75 x 107 to 0.98 x 107 (cfu/cm2) while the hydrocarbon utilisers ranged from 0.86 x 106 to 2.12 x 166 (cfu/cm2). The percentages of hydrocarbon degraders were highest on Mangifera and lowest on Colocassia. Hydrocarbon degraders identified as Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, and Micrococcus were obtained. Most of the organisms grew well on diesel. Pseudomonas sp. grew luxuriantly on diesel and kerosene while Bacillus sp. did not grow on kerosene. Optimal growth on the hydrocarbon occurred between the 8th and 14th day. It was therefore concluded that bacteria with ability to utilize hydrocarbons could be obtained from leaf surfaces. Such organisms could serve as seeds for bioaugmentation during remediation of polluted environments

Supporting information for National, regional, and worldwide estimates of low birthweight rates in 2015, with trends from 2000: a systematic analysis

Data produced by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, LSHTM and Johns Hopkins University to estimate national low birthweight (LBW) and numbers for 195 countries. LBW data was collated through a systematic review of national routine/registration systems, nationally representative surveys, and other data sources, and subsequently modelled using restricted maximum likelihood estimation with country-level random effects. Data includes a list of 1447 rate data points used as an input to the modelled estimates, yearly national-level covariates for each of the 195 countries studied from 2000 to 2015, and information on estimated low birthweight rates from 2000 to 2015 for 148 countries with data. Stata code used to generate these estimates is provided