Effects of Mixed Alkaline Earth Oxides in Potash Silicate Glass

The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of mixed alkaline earth oxide in potash silicate glasses with regards to their physical properties. More recently; there has been an increase in the demand for light weight glasses which retains their physical and chemical properties for both domestic and industrial applications. The effect of mixing Alkaline earth oxide in potash silicate glass on their density, thermal properties and other physical properties has been studied. As for the method used, raw materials were collected, batch calculations were made, and the batches (A and B) were melted in an electric furnace to produce blocks of glasses. Three pieces were cut out of the block of glasses, grinded, polished and re – annealed. The re – annealed glasses were measured, for their densities, thermal, toughness, hardness, elastic moduli and brittleness. More so micrographs of the indented glasses were taken.Results showed that mixed alkaline effect (MgO:CaO) is minimal on the densities of the A glass series while the addition of (MgO:BaO) to the glass matrix of the B glass series increased its density. The crystallization temperatures of the glasses were influenced by the addition of alkaline earth oxides. The hardness and brittleness of both glass series (A and B) decreases with increasing magnesia fraction of the total alkaline earth oxide. The fracture toughness increases as the magnesia fraction of the total alkaline earth oxide increases. Conclusively, glasses of different properties depending on the desired requirement can be obtained by varying the known quantities of mixed alkaline earth oxides.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i4.1

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A PILOT PARAPLEGIC CENTRICITY MOBILITY AID

This paper was aimed at evaluating the functional characteristics of a developed mobility aid for paraplegics in Benin City, Nigeria using their anthropometric data. These functional characteristics were compared with the conventional motorised wheel chair found in most city centres in Nigeria under the same condition. The method adopted in establishing the differences in the developed mobility aid and the conventional types include the use of variables such as, the time required to board, time to complete a 100 meters distance, fuel consumption rate and the subjects’ operational postural angles. The values obtained from these findings were computed and compared with the values obtained from the conventional wheel chair under the same operational conditions. Consequently, the values obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the Van der Waerden normal score test and the Wilcoxin’s signed rank test. The result of the test showed a remarkable improvement in fuel consumption rate, ease of use and other functional characteristics of the developed mobility aid over the conventional wheelchair available to paraplegics in Nigeria. From the result, it is evidential that the developed mobility aid meets the requirements of adult paraplegics in Nigeria. The use of this mobility aid will make them lead a normal way of life and contribute meaningfully to national growth and development. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i1.

Teachers’ knowledge and attitudes towards seizure disorder: A comparative study of urban and rural school teachers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Background: Knowledge and attitude of school teachers with regard to seizure disorder has an important impact on continuation of schooling of children with seizure disorder. Though school teachers in both rural and urban settings are exposed to the same training, their perception of seizure disorder could be influenced by the environment in which they reside.Objectives: To determine the knowledge and attitudes of school teachers towards children with seizure disorder, and the influence of urban residence on perception of seizure disorder by the teachers.Materials and Methods: A self‑administered questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes to seizure disorder were filled by school teachers drawn from both urban and rural settings in Akwa‑Ibom State, Nigeria.Results: One‑hundred and thirty‑two urban school teachers and an equal number of their rural counterparts completed the questionnaire. There were significantly more female teachers in the urban schools whereas the rural schools were dominated by male teachers with male to female ratio of 1:5.6 and 1.2:1, respectively. Majority of the urban (60.6%) and rural (57.6%) school teachers were National Certificate of Education holders. Thirty‑eight (28.8%) of urban respondents versus eight (6.1%) of rural respondents thought seizure disorder was caused by evil spirits whereas 60 (45.5%) urban respondents compared to 80 (60.6%) of rural respondents felt seizure disorder was infectious. Majority of the respondents from both urban and rural schools (68.2% and 63.6% respectively) believed that the foam from the mouth of a convulsing child with seizure disorder is the infecting agent. However, 62.1% of urban respondents as well as 45.5% of rural respondents would advise that children with seizure disorder be admitted into special schools. There was no significant difference in the mean overall knowledge and attitudes of school teachers to seizure disorder in the two settings (P = 0.33 for knowledge and 0.28 for attitudes). Teachers’ high level of education however, had a positive influence on their knowledge and attitudes towards children with seizure disorder.Conclusion: School teachers in both urban and rural schools exhibited poor knowledge and negative attitudes towards children with seizure disorder. Residing in the urban setting did not have a positive impact on teachers’ perception of seizure disorder. Massive health education on seizure disorder is therefore advocated for teachers in both urban and rural schools.Key words: Attitude, knowledge, perception school teacher

The abundance and composition of crabs (Decapoda) in Uta Ewa brackish water, Akwa Ibom State, South-South, Nigeria

Study on the abundance and composition of crabs in Uta Ewa brackish water was carried out between January and May 2012 at two sampling stations. The physicochemical parameters of the water were measured in situ using standard methods according to APHA (1998). Crabs species were collected at two sampling stations using square lift net trap, while at low tide, crab species were collected by hand-picking at random and preserved in a chest box for identification. Air and Water temperature ranges from 27.9-31.6 oC and 28.2-28.9 oC respectively, while Dissolved Oxygen and Salinity were between 3.28-4.09 mg/L and 7.5-12.9 ppt respectively. The results of the physicochemical parameters were within limits of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agencies for aquatic life. A total of 107 crabs were collected from the two sampling stations. Goniopsis pelii was the most abundant in Station 1 accounting for 57.9%, followed by Callinectes amnicola 26.3%, while in Station 2, Callinectes amnicola was the most abundant accounting for 46.6% of the percentage abundance. Station 2 had the highest Shannon diversity index of 1.22, while Station 1 had 1.15. The  abundance and composition of crab species in the study areas is an indication that the area is an important ecological zone for benthos macroinvertebrates  conservation. Keywords: Uta Ewa, Brackish Water, Physicochemical Parameters, Abundance, Composition, Crab species

Classroom Climate and Students’ Academic Achievement in Social Studies in Cross River, Nigeria

This research project examined “Classroom climate and its relationship with students’ academic achievement in Social Studies”. Ex post facto design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 14,297 JSS III students and the sample was 1,200 JSS III students selected through stratified random technique from the three Educational Zones in State Secondary Education Board, Cross River State. The instrument used was a structured six-point Likert scale questionnaire, the reliability estimate of which ranged from 0.7 to 0.8 and achievement test adapted from Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination, Ministry of Education, Cross River State (2004) were used to collect information used in the study. The data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression. The hypothesis was tested at .05 level of significance and 1198 and F (9,1190) degree of freedom. Based on the findings, it was concludedthat all the independent variables mentioned in this study jointly contribute to the variance in students’ academic achievement in Social Studies. It was recommended that Social Studies teachers should be trained to improve their skills on an encouraging classroom climate for students’ confidence and initiative through seminars, conferences and in-service programmes

Suppression of Gut Glucose Absorption and Enhancement of Gut Fluid Absorption in Alloxan -Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Crude Aloe vera Gel

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at determining the effect of treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with crude Aloe vera gel on gut fluid and glucose absorption which are determinants of the degree of post-prandial hyperglycemia. Twenty four male albino Wistar rats weighing 180 -200 g were randomly assigned 1 of 4 groups (n = 6) thus, control, diabetic untreated (DM) group, diabetic group treated (DMT) with crude Aloe vera gel at a dose of 0.4 ml/100g body weight per oral route and control group treated (CT) with crude Aloe vera gel at a dose of 0.4 ml/100g body weight per oral route. All animals had access to food and tap water ad libitum. After 21 days of administration, animals were sacrificed by cervical decapitation. Determination of fluid transfer and glucose uptake was done using appropriate methods. Histology of small intestine was also done using standard techniques. Serosal fluid transfer was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in DMT group compared with control. Gut fluid uptake was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in DMT group compared to control and CT group. Mucosal and serosal glucose concentrations before incubation were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in DM group compared to control. Mucosal glucose concentration after incubation was significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01) increased in DM, DMT and CT group respectively, compared to control. Serosal glucose concentration after incubation was significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.01) increased in DM, DMT and CT group respectively, compared to control. Gut glucose transfer was significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01) lowered in DMT group compared to control, DM and CT group respectively. We therefore conclude that crude Aloe vera gel potentiates the effect of T1DM in increasing gut fluid uptake. Crude Aloe vera gel also reduces gut glucose transfer in DM group, which is a beneficial effect to reduce post-prandial hyperglycemia

Invertebrate Encrustations On The Mangrove Swamp Oyster And Their Implication For Symbiotic Association: Example From SE Nigeria

The mangrove swamp oyster Crassostrea tulipa demonstrates a symbiotic relationship with the barnacle. Balnus sp and other encrusting invertebrates. It is inferred that the latter militate against predatory drilling on the oyster by Thais califera as well as prevent algal infestation and the consequent bioerosion by herbivorous gastropods. On the otherhand, the encrustants are offered anchorage surfaces and are thus better exposed for gathering of nutrients. It is argued that this relationship may be difficult to deduced in the fossil record but is significant in the fossilization of the oyster Keywords: Mangrove Swamp, Crassostrea tulipa, encrusting invertebrates.Global Journal of Geological Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 23-2

Pattern of Cardiothoracic Surgical Diseases in a New Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit in Nigeria

Background: Cardiothoracic surgical pathologies are available in all  geographical regions of the world. Human and material resources are necessary for prompt diagnosis and proper treatment of these cases.Methodology: Retrospective analysis of cardiothoracic surgical cases in the first five years of our new cardiothoracic surgery unit was done.Results: A total of 714 cases were seen during the study period with age range one month to 76 years with mean age of 37.12±11,24 and male  female ratio of 2:1. The yearly admissions from 2007 to 2011 were 14%, 17%, 21%, 21% and 26% respectively. Cardiovascular diseases occurred in 22.30%, with 6% of children suffering from congenital heart defect and 6% of men suffering from acquired vascular disease. Surgical complications of pleuropulmonary tuberculosis occurred in 21.4% while thoracic trauma occurred in upto 21% of the patients. Aerodigestive tract foreign bodies were encountered in 10.1% of cases and Pyogenic diseases occurred in 8.68%. Oesophageal lesions were diagnosed in 6.4% of the patients, pulmonary tumours including primary and secondary tumours were found in 4.3% while nontraumatic chest wall pathologies which included chest wall tumours, congenital deformities and chronic osteomyelities accounted for 3.2%. Mediastinal pathologies occurred in 0.98% and in the remaining 1.5% rare diseases were diagnosed such as third degree heart block,  pulmonary embolism and thoracic endometriosis syndrome.Conclusion: This study shows that cardiothoracic surgical pathologies are common in our centre with predominance of thoracic pathologies, and  therefore need to prioritize and ensure manpower development for  treatment of all kinds of thoracic pathologies

Malaria Treatment Using Oral Medkafin: Changes In Biochemical And Haematological Parameters In Nigerian Adults With Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

Objective: To observe the changes in the biochemical and haematological parameters of patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria after treatment with oral medkafin. Method: The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) E.C.2.6.1.1, alanine amino transferase (ALT) E.C.2.6.1.2, the levels of total and conjugated bilirubin, haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) in the serum of patients with uncomplicated malaria prior to (PT) and after treatment (AT) with oral medkafin, a new antimalarial drug, were assayed in consenting patients with plasmodium falciparum malaria treated at the University of Calabar Medical Centre in June 1997. Result: The activity of ALT and the level of Hb decreased significantly (p< 0.05) after treatment in the serum of male and female patients compared with their pre-treatment values. The activity of AST, total and conjugated bilirubin increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the serum of male and female patients (except that of female total bilirubin) compared with the PT levels. The PCV of males decreased significantly AT (p < 0.05) compared to the PT levels. Conclusion: This study showed that the levels of ALT, Hb and PCV decreased while those of AST, total and conjugated bilirubin increased in males after treatment with oral medkafin. Key Words: Medkafin, Malaria, Falciparum malaria, Treatment of Malaria Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.15(3&4) 2003: 23-2