Partisipasi Online Dalam Pembelajaran Community of Inquiry (Coi) Pada Materi Distilasi

Participation of chemistry student State University of Malang in the course of chemical separation is not maximized. It is necessary to apply one student centered learning strategy, that inquiry. Inquiry who form a learners group called the Community of Inquiry (CoI). Face-to-face meeting is a little on the distillation that can not maintain CoI in the classroom so that online learning is applied. The purpose of this study was to determine the online participation through CoI in the distillation. The method used is the pre-experimental with descriptive data analysis. Descriptive analysis states student participation in online learning in the distillation was high.Partisipasi mahasiswa Jurusan Kimia Universitas Negeri Malang dalam matakuliah pemisahan kimia belum maksimal sehingga perlu diterapkan salah satu strategi pembelajaran berpusat pada mahasiswa, yaitu inkuiri. Penerapan inkuiri dapat dilakukan dengan membentuk suatu kelompok mahasiswa yang disebut Community of Inquiry (CoI). Pertemuan tatap muka yang sedikit pada materi distilasi tidak dapat mempertahankan CoI di dalam kelas sehingga dilakukan pembelajaran online. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui partisipasi online mahasiswa melalui penerapan pembelajaran CoI pada materi distilasi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pra-eksperimental dengan analisis data deskriptif. Hasil analisis deskriptif menyatakan partisipasi mahasiswa dalam pembelajaran online pada materi distilasi adalah tinggi

Facility-Based Treatment of Under Five Diarrhoea in Cross River State: A Clinical Audit

Introduction: Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of under-five mortality globally and ranks second among the top 10 priority child health problems in Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended some cost-effective, evidence- based interventions for diarrhoea case management. It is needful to evaluate the current practice in the treatment of diarrhoea in under-fives in health facilities in the country.Objective: To determine the extent to which current treatment practice for diarrhoea in underfives conforms to the WHO recommendation.Method: A clinical audit was conducted between May and June 2013 in 32 health facilities in the Southern Senatorial district of Cross River State, Nigeria. Trained field workers extracted information from patients’ case records using a validated audit tool. Treatment was checked as appropriate, inappropriate, wrong or none, based on prescription on patients’ case records.Result: Of the 370 case records audited, prescription for diarrhoea was appropriate in 40 (10.8%), inappropriate in 231 (62.4%), wrong in 82 (22.2%) and no prescription was made in 17 (4.6%).Conclusion: Treatment of diarrhoea in under-fives in health facilities in the State is suboptimum. Retraining of health workers on the current WHO and UNICEF treatment guidelines is highly recommended.Keywords: Diarrhoea, Underfives, Health Facilities, Prescription, Clinical Audi

Response of Late Season Maize/Soybean Intercropping to Nitrogen in the Humid Environment of South Southern Nigeria

Intensification of maize/legume production during early rains in the High Rainforest region of South Southern Nigeria is limited by heavy rainfall. Production of late season maize/legume by peasant farmers is gaining prominence though yields are low due to low soil fertility and improper crop arrangement. The objective of this research was to investigate the yield performance of late season maize/soybean intercropping in response to nitrogen fertilization and spatial arrangement of the intercrops. The trial was a split-plot design in randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments consisted of five rates of nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha-1) and five crop arrangements (sole maize at 53,333 plants ha-1, sole soybean at 266,666 plants ha-1 and maize: soybean additive mixture arrangements of 1:1, 2:2 and 1:2). Nitrogen fertilization increased yield in both maize and soybean at all the treatment levels, when grown sole or in mixtures. Application of 100 kg N ha-1 to maize increased number of ears per plant, 100-grain weight, cob yield and grain yield by 46, 35, 138 and 153 percents, respectively in 2007, and by 15, 48, 88 and 109 percents, respectively in 2008, over no nitrogen application. Similarly, application of 100 kg N ha-1 to soybean increased number of pods per plant, number of barren pods and 1000-seed weight by 53, 120 and 16 percents, respectively in 2007, and by 55, 99 and 14 percents, respectively in 2008, over no nitrogen application. Optimum seed yield in soybean was obtained at 50 kg N ha-1. The yield values of 1,352.8 and 1,158.2 kg ha-1 were higher than those obtained at 0 kg N ha-1 by 31 and 21 percent in 2007 and 2008. Increasing the nitrogen level further to 100 kg ha-1 depressed seed yield by 8 percent in 2007 over 0 kg ha-1. The nitrogen x crop arrangement interaction effects on grain yield and all other parameters were not significant (p< 0.05). Late season maize and soybean populations may be superimposed on each other and fertilized with 50 kg N ha-1 to take advantage of optimum soybean seed yield and 66-76 percent of the maize grain yield. Key words: maize, soybean, intercropping, additive mixtures, nitrogen fertilize

Quality of life of patients with kidney failure in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a systematic review of quantitative studies

Introduction: The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising in sub-Saharan Africa. Access to kidney replacement therapy (KRT) remains limited and modelling suggests a significant hidden burden of kidney failure managed without KRT. Kidney failure is contributing to serious health-related suffering (SHS) at a global level. Despite this, access to palliative care remains extremely disparate. There is an urgent need for greater palliative care provision for patients with kidney failure in sub-Saharan Africa. To inform this, it is important to understand their current quality of life. This article outlines our review protocol, ensuring transparency of our planned methods and reporting. Methods and analysis: A comprehensive search will be conducted of MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, CINAHL, African Index Medicus and Africa Journals Online. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global will be searched for grey literature. Eligible sources will be quantitative observational studies, conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, and published in English or French. The primary outcome measure will be quality of life of those with kidney failure, measured using a validated quality of life tool. Abstract screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessments will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis will be performed on study subgroups, if appropriate, based on heterogeneity of included studies; otherwise results will be summarised narratively. This protocol is structured according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidance. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required because this review will synthesise published data. Findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO registration ID: 27543

Popcorn Yield and Nutrient Composition as affected Nitrogen Fertilization and Liming in Calabar, Nigeria

Zea mays L. everta (Popcorn) is a relatively new maize sub-species that is being introduced into the cropping system of arable crop farming in Calabar, Nigeria. Its productivity can, however, be impeded by low N concentration in the soil and high soil acidity that already affect the yield of conventional maize grown in the study area. Therefore, a two year trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Calabar, Nigeria to determine the effects of nitrogen and liming rates on growth, yield and nutrient composition of popcorn (Zea mays L. everta). A 3 x 4 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replication was used while treatments consisted of four levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1), applied as urea (46% N) and fitted in a factorial arrangement with three levels of lime (0, 500 and 1000 kg ha-1) applied as calcium trioxocarbonate (iv) (CaCO3). Results indicated that all plant parameters examined were significantly (p=0.05) higher with the application of 80 kg N ha-1 and 500 kg ha-1 lime rates than other N and lime rates. Grain yield performance was in the order 80 > 120 > 40 > 0 kg Nha-1, which corresponded to 23.78, 33.55, 50.32% during 2009 and 15.14, 36.41 and 76.76% in 2010 above the 120, 40 and 0 kg N ha rates of N applied, respectively. Also, an increase of 20.0 and 24.83% in 2009, and 9.09 and 18.03% in 2010, in grain yield were observed when 500 kg ha-1 lime rates was applied and out-yielded both the 1000 kg ha-1 and control rates, respectively in both years. The application of lime at 1000 kg ha-1 resulted in significantly (p=0.05) higher N and Ca uptake in crop in both years. The P and Mg concentrations were highest from plants treated with 500 kg ha-1 lime. Effect of liming was not significant (p=0.05) in 2009, but was statistically at par at 0 and 500 kgha-1 lime rates and significantly (p=0.05) higher than tissue K content at 1000 kg ha-1 liming rates in 2010. The effect of lime was not consistent in both years but N xLime (L) interaction was significant while 500 kg ha-1 liming rate was most promising. Maize grain yield performance was better and most rewarding with the application of 80 N ha-1 while grain yield was best when 500 kg ha-1 lime rates was applied, Therefore, application of 80 kg Nha-1 and 500 kg ha-1 of lime are recommended for a profitable popcorn production in Calabar, Nigeria

Nutrient Status and Ameliorating Effects of Poultry Droppings on Soil pH and Sustainable Production of Garden Egg

Sustainable production of crops on tropical soils requires soil amendment to remediate soil acidity status and raise fertility level. Industrial lime and inorganic fertilizers are either not available or too expensive to buy. This study was carried out with the objective of investigating the effects of poultry droppings on soil acidity amelioration and increased fertility for sustained production of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum L.).The field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farms of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and the Faculty of Agriculture, Cross River University of Technology, Obubra in 2009 and 2010. Two varieties of African garden egg (Gilo and Kumba) and three rates of poultry droppings (5, 10 and 15 t ha-1) were in factorial combinations. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications.  The results obtained showed that all rates of the manure reduced the soil pH within 30 days after incorporation in both years and locations. At 60 days after application, and up to 140 days after incorporation, all manure rates increased the soil pH in both locations and years. The highest increase occurred with 15 t ha-1 poultry droppings at 140 days after incorporation. With no manure application, there was a steady decrease in pH up to the harvest time. All manure rates significantly (P<0.05) increased the yield of the garden egg varieties over when no manure was used. Poultry droppings at 15 t ha-1 produced the highest fruit yield in both years and locations. The crop yields were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Makurdi than Obubra in both years. Yield for 2010 was significantly higher than 2009 in both locations. Poultry dropping at the rate of 15 t ha-1 may be used to remediate soil pH and improve fertility for sustainable production of garden egg in the Guinea savanna or the Rainforest agro-ecologies

Microfluidic Microcirculation Mimetic as a Tool for the Study of Rheological Characteristics of Red Blood Cells in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell disorder (SCD) is a multisystem disease with heterogeneous phenotypes. Al- though all patients have the mutated hemoglobin (Hb) in the SS phenotype, the severity and frequency of complications are variable. When exposed to low oxygen tension, the Hb molecule becomes dense and forms tactoids, which lead to the peculiar sickled shapes of the affected red blood cells, giving the disorder its name. This sickle cell morphology is responsible for the profound and widespread pathologies associated with this disorder, such as vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). How much of the clinical manifestation is due to sickled erythrocytes and what is due to the relative contributions of other elements in the blood, especially in the microcapillary circulation, is usually not visualized and quantified for each patient during clinical management. Here, we used a microfluidic microcirculation mimetic (MMM), which has 187 capillary-like constrictions, to impose deformations on erythrocytes of 25 SCD patients, visualizing and characterizing the morpho-rheological properties of the cells in normoxic, hypoxic (using sodium meta-bisulfite) and treatment conditions (using hydroxyurea). The MMM enabled a patient-specific quantification of shape descriptors (circularity and roundness) and transit time through the capillary constrictions, which are readouts for morpho-rheological proper- ties implicated in VOC. Transit times varied significantly (p < 0.001) between patients. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of microfluidics-based monitoring of individual patients for personalized care in the context of SCD complications such as VOC, even in resource-constrained setting

Introduction of Mobile Health Tools to Support COVID-19 Training and Surveillance in Ogun State Nigeria

Mobile health (mhealth) tools delivered through wireless technology are emerging as effective strategies for delivering quality training, ensuring rapid clinical decision making, and monitoring implementation of simple and effective interventions in under-resourced settings. We share our early experience of developing and deploying the InStrat COVID-19 health worker training application (App) in Ogun State, Western Nigeria where the country's first COVID-19 case was reported. This App was designed to directly provide frontline health workers with accurate and up-to-date information about COVID-19; enable them to quickly identify, screen and manage COVID-19 suspects; provide guidance on specimen collection techniques and safety measures to observe within wards and quarantine centers dealing with COVID-19. The App was deployed in 271 primary health care facilities in Ogun state and a total of 311 health workers were trained to use it. Of the 123 health workers who completed knowledge pre- and post-tests, their average test score improved from 47.5 (±9.4) to 73.1(±10.0) %, P < 0.0001 after using the tutorial. Rapid adoption and uptake were driven largely by public-private sector involvement as well as certification of health workers with reported satisfaction levels of over 95% among those who completed pre- and post-test surveys. Challenges encountered included a lack of universal availability of android phones for frontline health workers, lack of internet access in remote areas and a need to incentivize the workers. The timely deployment of this App targeting primary health care workers, mostly in hard-to-reach areas, obviated the need for conventional didactic training with potential of savings in training costs and time and could be applied to similar contexts

mHealth guideline training for non-communicable diseases in primary care facilities in Nigeria: a mixed methods pilot study

From BMJ via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-12-19, accepted 2022-07-12, ppub 2022-08, epub 2022-08-26Publication status: PublishedFunder: UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) [NIHR Global Health Research programme /NIHR Research Unit on Health in Situations of Fragility].; Grant(s): 16/136/100Objective: To pilot the use of a scalable innovative mobile health (mHealth) non-communicable diseases (NCDs) training application for nurses at the primary care level. Design: Mixed methods pilot of mHealth training on NCD care for nurses at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. We provide a descriptive analysis of mHealth training test scores, with trend analysis of blood pressure (BP) control using paired t-test for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Setting: PHC facilities in rural and urban communities in Cross River State, south eastern Nigeria. NCDs were not part of routine training previously. As in most low-and-middle-income settings, funding for scale-up using conventional classroom in-service training for NCDs is not available in Nigeria, and onsite supervision poses challenges. Participants: Twenty-four health workers in 19 PHC facilities. Intervention: A self-paced mHealth training module on an NCD desk guide was adapted to be applicable within the Nigerian context in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health. The training which focused on hypertension, diabetes and sickle cell disease was delivered via Android tablet devices, supplemented by quarterly onsite supervision and group support via WhatsApp. The training was evaluated with pre/post-course tests, structured observations and focus group discussions. This was an implementation pilot assessing the feasibility and potential effectiveness of mHealth training on NCD in primary care delivery. Results: Nurses who received mHealth training recorded a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in average pretest and post-test training scores of 65.2 (±12.2) and 86.5 (±7.9), respectively. Recordings on treatment cards indicated appropriate diagnosis and follow-up of patients with hypertension with significant improvements in systolic BP (t=5.09, p<0.001) and diastolic BP (t=5.07, p<0.001). The mHealth nurse training and WhatsApp support groups were perceived as valuable experiences and obviated the need for face-to-face training. Increased workload, non-availability of medications, facility-level conflicts and poor task shifting were identified challenges. Conclusions: This initiative provides evidence of the feasibility of implementing an NCD care package supported by mHealth training for health workers in PHCs and the strong possibility of successful scale-up nationally