The use of Donryu rats as a model for the humans in the formulation of dietary protein

The effects of brewery spent grain formulated diet on the performance of Donryu rats were investigated. The rats were allocated into 6 dietary treatment groups of 6 rats each and fed with diet containing graded levels of BSG 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 100%. The experimental feeding lasted for fifteen days. The BSG formulated diet was found to have a positive effect on the growth performance of the rats up to levels of 12% including the control(0%). The histopathological evaluation shows that 3–9% BSG could be used as protein supplement in human foods

How to Improve Outcome of Paediatric Cataract Surgery in Nigeria and Other Developing Countries

Paediatric cataract is an important problem all over the world. In developing countries, it is a major cause of childhood blindness resulting in a considerable level of morbidity, economic loss, and social burden. Managing cataracts in children remains a challenge because treatment is often difficult, due to the several ways in which the eyes of children differ from that of adults. The high cost of operative equipment and the uneven world distribution of the manpower that is required make the challenges unique. To assure the best long term outcome for cataract blind children, appropriate paediatric surgical techniques need to be defined and adopted by ophthalmic surgeons in developing countries. This review focuses on issues related to paediatric cataract management that are appropriate and suitable for ophthalmic surgeons in the developing world. It is hoped that adoption of some of the suggested guidelines and recommendations will lead to improved surgical outcome in developing countries, and thereby increase the uptake of the available services.Key words: paediatric cataract management, developing countrie

Drone Technology in Precision Agriculture: Are There No Environmental Concerns?

The adoption of drones in precision agriculture is expanding at a rapid rate, and expected to rise even faster as improvements in the technology result in cheaper models. Studies on the economic impact of drone technology in precision agriculture present optimistic projections of increased global food production. But increased food production almost always comes with significant environmental concerns. This paper examines the environmental concerns of drone technology in precision agriculture. The methodology of this paper is theoretical analysis and extrapolation of current literature in order to reveal the gap which future research needs to fill. While proposing a new area that has not received the close attention of experts and researchers, the paper reveals future scenarios of environmental issues around the various methods of drone applications in agricultural practices. Keywords: Drone technology, precision agriculture, agricultural practices, environmental impact, food security words DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-9-08 Publication date:September 30th 202

Association Between Adverse Health Behaviors and Depression in American Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Metabolic Syndrome has been defined as a complex of risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 Diabetes and all-cause mortality. Dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, elevated Fasting Blood Glucose and elevated Blood pressure are established clusters of risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome. Smoking, Alcohol use, sedentary behavior and Depression continue to be major public health issues. Several studies have shown association between Smoking, Alcohol use, depression and metabolic syndrome. No study has revealed association between clusters of adverse behavioral risk factors and depression in individuals with Metabolic Syndrome. Objective: To investigate the relationship between clusters of adverse behavioral risk factors and depression in American Adults with Metabolic Syndrome. Methods: logistic regression and NHANES 2009 – 2010 and 2011 – 2012 data were utilized to measure the association between the independent variables and the outcome variable. Results: Smoking was significantly associated with increased odds of depression among Non-Hispanic Whites (OR = 2.67 [(95% CI = 1.66 – 4.30]), Non-Hispanic Blacks (OR = 2.38 [95% CI = 1.49 – 3.81]), Mexican Americans (OR= 2.87 [95% CI= 1.33 - 6.21]) and other races/ethnicities (OR= 2.4 [95% CI= 1.18 - 4.86}). A joint occurrence of alcohol use and smoking was associated with 2.78 (95% CI = 1.96 – 3.91), 3.00 (95% CI = 1.80 – 5.02), 2.81 (95% CI = 1.51 – 5.22), 2.86 (95% CI = 1.13 – 7.28) increased odds of depression in the total sample, NHW, NHB and MA respectively. Joint occurrence of Smoking and Sedentarism was associated with 2.30 (95% CI = 1.20 – 4.40) and 2.59 (95% CI = 1.03 – 6.54) increased odds of depression in the total sample and NHW respectively. Joint occurrence of Alcohol use, smoking and Sedentarism was associated with 2.30 (95% CI = 1.05 - 5.03) and 2.77 (95% CI = 1.03 - 6.54) increased odds of depression in the total and NHW respectively. Conclusion: The study established that being a current smoker was significantly associated with increased odds of depression. The joint occurrence of selected behavioral risk factors was positively associated with depression in individuals who met the criteria for Metabolic Syndrome. People who are diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome need to be evaluated for the risk of adverse behavioral risk factors and depression. Intervention should be designed to target individuals with these risk factors among those with Metabolic Syndrome

PQ TREES, CONSECUTIVE ONES PROBLEM AND APPLICATIONS

A PQ tree is an advanced tree–based data structure, which represents a family of permutations on a set of elements. In this research article, we considered the significance of PQ trees and the Consecutive ones Problem to Computer Science and bioinformatics and their various applications. We also went further to demonstrate the operations of the characteristics of the Consecutive ones property by simulation, using high level programming languages. Attempt was also made at developing a PQ tree–Consecutive Ones analyzer, which could be instrumental not only as an educative tool to inquisitive students, but also serve as an important tool in developing clustering software in the field of bioinformatics and other application domains, with respect to solving real life problems

Passive cooling energy systems SWOT analyses for energy-use reductions at three spatial levels

Passive cooling energy systems are significantly important in achieving efficient design and performative built environment. Encouragingly, there are many passive cooling energy systems at three spatial levels of macro, meso and micro. In this research study, these energy systems are identified and are assessed in a SWOT analysis evaluation. Apart from social and economic implications that are broad and effective for most of passive cooling energy systems, this study focuses on the energy systems’ implications across five indicators of practice, health, environment, energy and policy, which are significant for disciplines of sustainable energy systems and the built environment. This study aims to evaluate the interdependency of each indicator across three spatial levels and then argue for methods that can be considered for potential implementation of passive cooling energy systems. Furthermore, this study offers a holistic overview of all available passive cooling energy systems and argue based on interplay between five indicators across the three studied spatial levels. This study focuses on warmer climate zones (e.g. hot and dry; hot and humid), where passive cooling is expected to me more effective and obligatory. As a result, this study aims to help energy specialists, policy makers, planners and designers to evaluate how they can utilize passive cooling energy systems based on the key studied indicators. Finally, this paper gives an overview of gaps in policy and practice implementation of such systems in practice and their effectiveness at various spatial levels of the built environment

Passive cooling energy systems: holistic SWOT analyses for achieving urban sustainability

In urban sustainability, passive cooling energy systems are recognised as primary design factors that highlight efficient and performative buildings. In the literature, there is a gap in addressing these design systems in the form of strategies that holistically suggest sustainable energy systems, cleaner built environments, and urban sustainability. This study fills this gap by conducting comprehensive SWOT analysis of all major passive cooling energy systems. In doing so, the study highlights key implications from a multi-indicator perspective comprised of five primary indicators, ‘energy’, ‘policy’, ‘practice’, ‘health’, and ‘environment’. These indicators are significant for disciplines of sustainable energy systems and the built environment. Through an in-depth interdependency evaluation of these indicators, this study assesses the passive energy systems across three spatial levels of macro, meso, and micro. Finally, this paper provides a holistic overview of these sustainable energy systems from the policy and practice perspectives across the three spatial levels

Efficacy of a clinical stroke score in monitoring complications in acute ischaemic stroke patients could be used as an independent prognostic factor

Background: Presence of medical complications in stroke patients has been established. The efficacy of a stroke score in intensive monitoring of these complications in acute ischaemic stroke patients has not been studied.Methods: Eighty-seven patients with acute ischaemic stroke were assessed with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) by the examiner within days of admission; (1, 7, 30, and 90 days). Onset and types of complications were documented within the duration of the study period, using a questionnaire and laboratory investigations.Results: Fifty-nine [67.8%] patients in the study population had complications, with mean initial NIHSS score 17.1 ± 7.9; mortality was 39%, and 27.8% of survivors had good recovery. In patients without complications, the mean initial NIHSS score was 11.4 ± 6.0; mortality was not observed, and 50% of survivors had good recovery.Conclusion: All patients without complications survived. High NIHSS scores, (with minimal changes below baseline) were related to high mortality and morbidity in the complications group

Rasmussen’s encephalitis

Background: Rasmussenfs encephalitis is an uncommon chronic inflammatory disease disorder of unknown etiology.Objectives: The aim of this report was to create an awareness of Rasmussenfs encephalitis in our clinical practice in Africa.Materials and Methods: We searched online for literature on Rasmussenfs encephalitis with an emphasis on documented cases in Africa and in blacks all over the world.Results: Master F.M., a 14.year.old male, presented with history of recurrent seizures on three occasions. The first was after an upper respiratory tract infection, the second was a post.complicated   meningo.encephalitis and the third episode was associated with receptive aphasia, hemiparesis and intellectual impairment. Neuroimaging studies revealed cerebellar atrophy and infarction of territory of the middle cerebral artery. His electroencephalogram showed bi.frontal theta activity left>right and poly spikes left>>right, diagnostic of complex partial seizures. In a period of 12 months, his gait and speech had improved while his intellectual impairment permitted re.admission into a lower academic class.He is presently on phenytion and prednisolone tablets only.Conclusion: Master F.M. had all the clinical features buttressed with neuroimaging results of a clinically probable Rasmussenfs encephalitis. However, an advanced neuroimaging study is needed to detect and quantify hemispherical volume loss.Key words: Rasmussen, encephalitis, diseas

Biocidal Properties of Cymbopogon Citratus Extracts on Termite (Microcerotermes Beesoni)

The aim of this experiment was to provide a biological approach to termite control through the use of extracts of roots and shoots of Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus). This was a laboratory experiment that involved various treatments through in-vitro contact applications of plant extracts and a pre-screening experiment on solutions for lethal properties against termites. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratories of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology and the Chemical Sciences of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria between August, 2005 and March, 2006. The roots and shoots of C. citratus were obtained from its tuft, sundried for 4 weeks and chopped into match-stick sizes. Extracts were obtained from the plant through non-polar (n-hexane) and polar (ethanol) solvents. In the laboratory experiments, the efficacy of the obtained oil extracts in controlling termites were determined through contact tests on termite castes and mortality rate recorded. This was also compared to a control contact invitro experiments where water, concentrated n-hexane and ethanol were determined for efficacy in termite control. Means of the results obtained were separated using Tukey's Honestly Significant test. Analysis showed that there was no significant different at P < 0.05 between n-hexane shoots extract and n-hexane roots extract at 60seconds treatment applications. Observations showed that extracts obtained from all the parts were effective in the control of the different castes of termites with the n-hexane roots extract showing the fastest efficacy within 50seconds