Construction and application of green house techniques for aquaculture practice in the arid zone of Nigeria

An experimental greenhouse was constructed at the fish pond site of the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga using the freestanding design style. Air temperature, water temperature and evaporation readings were observed for two weeks. Temperature records in the green house ranged between 25-27~'C at 6am and 26-32~'C at 6pm while atmospheric temperature was observed between 22-25~'C at 6am and 24-28~'C at 6pm respectively. Evaporation rates were observed to be higher in the water trough placed outside than the one placed inside the greenhouse. Water depth dropped from 39.5cm to 34.5cm (i.e 9cm) and 39.5cm to 30.5cm (5cm) in the trough placed outside and inside the greenhouse respectively. From this experiment, water is connserved as a result of low evaporation rate and higher water temperatures are attainable in the greenhouse which is desirable in the extremely cold harmattan season in the arid zone of Nigeria

Development of an Instrument for Measuring Women’s Multi-Dimensional Attitudes towards Menopause

The study was undertaken to develop and validate an instrument for measuring cognitive, affective and behavioural aspects of attitudes of women toward menopause. The sample size for the study was 610 women from three Local Government Areas of Enugu in Nigeria. Models within Item Response Theory and Classical Test Theory were used for calibrating the subscales. Analysis of the study indicate that the final three subscales of 33 item met standards for internal reliability, content validity, construct validity, criterion validity and convergent validity. This provides preliminary evidence to guarantee further use of this instrument for the purpose of measuring women’s attitudes toward menopause.   Key words: Instrument, attitude, cognitive, affective, behavioural, item response theory, classical test theory

Differentials in the Cassava Seed System among Entrepreneurs in Southern Nigeria: A Gender Situation Analyses

The study analysed gender differentials in the cassava seed system among entrepreneurs in southern Nigeria to proffer policies for growth and sustainable cassava seed systems. A multi-stage and purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. Village seed entrepreneurs (VSEs) and cassava farmers in the cassava seed network of the BASICS project in 4 States were sampled in the first stage. Data were collected with interview schedules for individual interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The results show that the different gender groups compliment each other in the roles they play. Among the most important drivers of seed demand include; big roots size/ yield (67.56%) and (60.97%) for the male and female cassava farmers respectively), among the male was income generation (17.14%) and yield good gari quality for the female (31.70%), followed by high starch content (17.14%) for male and female (22.85). The profitability analyses show that for every N1.00 spent in cassava seed production, about N0.92 (male) and N0.90 (female) were generated, while N1.50 (male) and N1.32 (female) were generated for root production. The seed flow system shows that both male and female cassava farmers receive seed from various channels but at varying levels. The results call for policy issues targeted at increasing cassava production by advocating for more involvement of the women in seed production and increased access to and control of finance. There is also need to mitigate important constraints militating against cassava seed production for increased participation and production of cassava seed

Funding as Correlates of Library Service Delivery for Students with Special Needs in North Central Nigeria

This paper assessed funding as correlates of library service delivery in schools which have students with special needs in North central, Nigeria. The study was guided by three objectives and three corresponding research questions. Survey research design method was adopted for the study. The total population for the study was three hundred and nine (309) secondary school students in the three schools which have students with special needs. A total of two hundred and forty six (246) copies of questionnaire were filled, returned and found usable for the analysis representing 80% response rate. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Descriptive statistical such as frequency counts and percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. The results from the findings showed that the major sources of funding for special needs schools under study are: Subvention from State Government, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) and Religious Group. In addition, the major services offered by these libraries are circulation services, document delivery services and reference services. The analysis of the findings further revealed that lack of fund to procure library resources is one of the major problems affecting effective service delivery among the libraries under study. Hence, the study recommended among others that the management of special needs schools should look of alternative means of funding for the acquisition of information resources in their libraries to enable them meet the information needs of the users with special needs

The Interplay of TLR9, Myeloid Cells, and A20 in Periodontal Inflammation

TLR9 deficient (TLR9-/-) mice are resistant to periodontitis, a disease characterized by a dysbiotic microbiota and deregulated immune response resulting in tooth loss and various systemic conditions. However, the mechanisms and biological pathways by which TLR9 instigates periodontal inflammation are yet to be identified. In a ligature-induced model of periodontitis, we demonstrate TLR9-/- mice exhibited significantly less alveolar bone loss compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts. Consistent with the disease phenotype, gingival tissues showed significantly more inflammatory cell infiltrate in the WT ligated but not in the TLR9-/- ligated mice compared to their unligated controls. Peritoneal infection model using Porphymonas gingivalis, a keystone pathogen for periodontitis, revealed reduced neutrophils in TLR9-/- mice on day 1 post infection compared to WT mice. Transcriptomics analyses showed increased A20(TNFAIP3) expression, an inhibitor of NF-kappa B pathway and a negative regulator of TLR signaling, in ligated TLR9-/- gingival tissues compared to WT. Ex vivo, TLR9-/- bone marrow derived macrophages produced more A20 compared to WT cells following P. gingivalis challenge. Clinically, A20 was modestly upregulated in human gingival tissues from chronic periodontitis patients further confirming the biological relevance of A20 in periodontal inflammation. We conclude that TLR9 modulates periodontal disease progression at both cellular and molecular levels and identify A20 as a novel downstream signaling molecule in the course of periodontal inflammation. Understanding the regulation of the TLR9 signaling pathway and the involvement of A20 as a limiting factor of inflammation will uncover alternative therapeutic targets to treat periodontitis and other chronic inflammatory diseases

Assessment of peripheral arterial disease in diabetic adults with foot ulcers in an African population

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a recognized risk factor for diabetic foot ulceration. It was thought that PAD is not common in Sub-Saharan Africa. Studies show otherwise. It becomes necessary to assess the prevalence of PAD among diabetic adults with foot ulcers in Nigeria. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of PAD in diabetic subjects with foot ulcers in Nigeria.Methods: Diagnosis of PAD was made with the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Edinburgh claudication questionnaire was administered to the patients. An ABI of <0.9 is diagnostic of PAD. Risk factors for PAD were assessed. A control group of non-diabetic adults was used.Results: Sixty-seven per cent (67%) of the test group has PAD as compared to 18% of the control group. Smoking, duration of diabetes and systemic hypertension were strongly associated with PAD.Conclusions: Diabetic adults with foot ulcers in Nigeria have a high prevalence of PAD

Evaluation of nephrotoxic effect of lead exposure among automobile repairers in Nnewi Metropolis

Background:Lead toxicity is one of the most common occupational hazards that affect several organs of the body, kidney inclusive. Auto repairers are exposed to lead in petrol, radiator, leaded battery, lead soldering wire, and spray paints, thus this study was designed to evaluate lead-induced nephrotoxic effect among automobile repairers.Methods:A total of 80 male subjects within the age range of 20 and 65 years were recruited for this study. 50 subjects were occupationally exposed automobile repairers, of which 15 were electricians, 21 mechanics and 14 panel beaters/spray painters, whereas 30 were non-exposed students and staff from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus. Blood sample was collected from these individuals and their blood lead levels were determined alongside creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate.Results:The results showed that the mean levels of blood lead is significantly higher in automobile repairers than in control group (P 0.05). The evaluation of the renal function markers show that, there were significant increases in the mean serum concentration of creatinine, urea, and uric acid in the study group compare to the control subjects (P 0.05).Conclusion:Findings from this study show that blood lead level is high among automobile repairers above CDC recommended level for adults. This high blood lead level among automobile repairers may be responsible for raised levels of renal markers which may eventually lead to their renal damage.

Cassava trait preferences of men and women farmers in Nigeria: implications for breeding

Nigeria is the world’s largest cassava producer, hosting a diverse array of cassava farmers and processors. Cassava breeding programs prioritize “common denominator” traits in setting breeding agendas, to impact the largest possible number of people through improved varieties. This approach has been successful, but cassava adoption rates are less than expected, with room for improvement by integrating traits in demand by farmers and processors. This paper aims to inform breeding priority setting, by examining trait and varietal preferences of men and women cassava farmer/processors. Men and women in eight communities in Southwest and Southeast Nigeria were consulted using mixed methods. Women and men had significantly different patterns of cassava use in the Southwest. Fifty-five variety names were recorded from the communities demonstrating high genetic diversity maintained by growers, especially in the Southeast. High yield, early maturity, and root size were most important traits across both regions, while traits women and men preferred followed gender roles: women prioritized product quality/cooking traits, while men placed higher priority on agronomic traits. Trait preference patterns differed significantly between the Southeast and Southwest, and showed differentiation based on gender. Patterns of access to stem sources were determined more by region and religion than gender