Determination of Calorific Values of Some Nigerian Bio-Mass Solid Materials

Nigerian biomass for thermal energy generation can be classified into field wastes, such as straw and corn cob; processing by products, such as rice husk, cocoa pods and palm kernel husk; and products from the lumber industry, such as saw dust, fire wood and wood shavings. These materials are produced in sufficiently large quantities within the country to warrant a thorough study on their potential utilization as renewable energy sources. This paper deals with the experimental determination of the calorific values of some Nigerian solid fuel materials such as rice husk, corn cob, corn grain, corn stover, saw dust, wood shavings, palm kernel husk and coal. Mixtures of these materials (1:1) were also investigated. Calorific values were determined by standard methods using the adiabatic bomb calorimeter and ultimate analysis of the biomass. The results showed that gross calorific values ranged from 19,642 KJ/kg for palm kernel husk to 13,643 KJ/kg for rice husk which compared favourably with Nigeria’s sub-bituminous coal with across calorific value of 28,466 KJ/kg. Calorific values were found to be inversely dependent on moisture content of the biomass, which is significant in determining energy availability from biomass

Cardiovascular Disease Risks, Knowledge, Perceptions and Experiences of African Immigrant Taxicab Drivers in the DC Metro Area: A Mixed Methods Study

Taxi drivers have a higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence compared to the general population. Many African immigrants in the US work as taxi drivers. Studies have also shown increased rates of CVD among African immigrants compared to other ethnic groups. However, very few studies have examined CVD risk among African immigrant taxi drivers in the US. This dissertation is a compendium of three manuscripts that represent an integrative review of CVD and taxi driver studies, followed by qualitative and quantitative studies relevant to the understanding of the CVD risk knowledge and perceptions of African immigrant drivers in the Baltimore-Washington area. The first manuscript is an integrative review of CVD risk and taxi driver studies. The second manuscript examines the CVD knowledge of this population using the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire. The final manuscript involves a qualitative study of the CVD perceptions and experiences of AITD, using Kleinman’s Explanatory Models post-coding and initial analysis for subsequent clinical application. Findings from both studies provide a better understanding of the CVD risk knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of African immigrant taxi drivers in the Baltimore-Washington area as a basis for future intervention

Effects of Curing and Humidity on the Storage Stability of Yams (D. SSP)

An experimental study was made of the hygroscopic characteristics as well as the response of yam (D.SPP) tuber to a curing treatment prior to storage. The results indicate that the yam tuber possesses a sigmoidal isotherm dominated by the local isotherm LI – II. The yam tissue responds favorably to proper curing conditions, which generated a well – developed periderm that is impermeable to moisture and resistant to penetration by pathogens. Microscopic studies showed that interruption of tissue continuity by mechanical injury stimulates physical and chemical processes in the cells of which structural re-differentiation is one visible expression. In 20 weeks, properly cured samples lost about 28 per cent total weight while tubers which did not receive any treatment lost as much as 41 per cent of initial weight in the same time interval

PERCEPTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON THEIR SATISFACTION OF LEVELS 1 – 3 OF MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS IN KOGI EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The study was on the perception of secondary school teachers on their satisfaction of Levels 1 – 3 of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in Kogi East Senatorial District of Kogi State, Nigeria. The sample for the study consisted of 302 secondary school teachers from three randomly selected council areas in the district. A survey research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The research instrument was “Teachers Perception of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Questionnaire” (TPMHNQ). TPMHNQ was constructed by the researchers and validated by three experts in the Department of Curriculum & Teaching, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. The reliability of the instrument was calculated using Cronbach Alpha and the internal consistency was found to be 0.73. The instrument was administered on the sample with the aid of two research assistants. Data collected were analyzed using Mean to answer the research questions and Chi-Square to test the hypotheses. Among other findings were; (i) level 1 and 2 of Maslow’s hierarchy are not completely satisfied,  (ii) level 3 of Maslow’s hierarchy is not satisfied at all,  (iii) the satisfaction of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is depended on teachers qualification (p<0.05), (iv) satisfaction of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is dependent on gender (p<0.05).  Based on the findings, some recommendations were put forward among which are, (i) effort should be made by government in the areas of prompt payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances, (ii) government should provide good working conditions, (iii) teachers should be sponsored by government to workshops / conferences on regular basis to up-date their knowledge.  Article visualizations

Effect of Brewing Time and Temperature on the release of Manganese and Oxalate from Lipton Tea and Azadirachta Indica (Neem), Phyllanthus Amarus and Moringa Oleifera blended Leaves

This study evaluates the oxalate content and manganese released in three plant material (Moringa oleifera leaves, Phyllanthus amarus leaves, Neem leaves) used as tea and compared with the conventional Lipton tea. The manganese and oxalate test was determined by varying brewing temperature at 29\ub0C, 50\ub0C, 100\ub0C for different times 2mins, 5mins, and 10mins in 200ml of water. From the experimental result, oxalate released in the tea samples brewed for 2mins, 5mins and 10mins in 200ml, was 0.15mg, 0.31mg 0.44mg at 29\ub0C , 0.20mg, 0.44mg, 0.88mg at 50\ub0C, 0.56mg, 0.88mg, 1.22mg at 100\ub0C for Phyllanthus amarus, 0.11mg, 0.33mg, 0.55mg at 29\ub0C, 0.22mg, 0.44mg, 0.66mg, at 50\ub0C, 0.33mg, 0.65mg, 0.88mg, at 100\ub0C for Moringa oleifera, 0.16mg, 0.39mg, 0.68mg at 29\ub0C, 0.39mg, 0.50mg, 0.73mg at 50\ub0C 0.46mg, 0.80mg, 1.12mg, at 100\ub0C for Azadirachta indica, 0.20mg, 0.44mg, 0.60mg at 29\ub0C 0.33mg, 0.55mg, 0.80mg, at 50\ub0C 0.68mg, 0.88mg, 1.08mg at 100\ub0C for Lipton respectively. Manganese in the tea samples brewed for 5mins and 10mins in 200ml, released 0.36mg, 0.48mg at 50\ub0C, 0.98mg, 1.18mg at 100\ub0C for Phyllanthus amarus, 0.26mg, 0.36mg at 50\ub0C, 0.58mg, 0.66mg at 100\ub0C for Moringa oleifera, 0.46mg, 0.56mg at 50\ub0C, 0.72mg, 0.76mg at 100\ub0C for Azadirachta indica, 3.0mg, 6.08mg at 50\ub0C, 4.16mg, 8.56mg at 100\ub0C Lipton. Oxalate release was highest in Phyllanthus amarus blended leaves sample brewed for 10mins at 100\ub0C and lowest in Moringa oleifera blended leaves sample at brewing temperature and time of 29\ub0C and 2mins respectively. While manganese release is highest in Lipton at a brewing temperature of 100\ub0C for 10mins and lowest in Moringa oleifera leaves sample at a brewing temperature of 50\ub0C for 5mins. The result shows that the rate of release of manganese and oxalate in brewed tea increase with increase in brewing temperature and time

Successful multiple-dose methotrexate therapy for unruptured repeat ectopic pregnancy with high β-human chorionic gonadotropin value: a case report

Successfully managing an unruptured ectopic pregnancy necessitates prioritizing the preservation of fertility as the primary objective. Medical management is traditionally considered to be more successful at lower ß- human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) values. However, there is emerging evidence that successful treatment can be achieved with modification of dosage regimen in the presence of high β-HCG value. We reported the successful management of a case of unruptured repeat ectopic pregnancy in a patient with high β-HCG. Mrs PA is a 25-year-old G4P0+3 with previous right salpingectomy due to ruptured ectopic gestation who presented with an ultrasound diagnosis of unruptured left tubal ectopic gestation at a gestational age of 6 weeks. The pre-treatment quantitative β-HCG level was 7066 IU/l. She had multiple dose methotrexate therapy which was well tolerated with normalization of β-HCG levels within 44 days. Hysterosalpingography done six (6) months post-treatment demonstrated patent left fallopian tube. She subsequently had spontaneous conception of an intrauterine pregnancy 16-months post-treatment. The pregnancy was carried to term and culminated in successful delivery at term. Multiple-dose chemotherapy was successful in this patient with high β-HCG level with no reported adverse effect

Utilization of second opinion pathology consults by clinicians: a cross sectional study

Background: Pathology diagnosis is key to critical decision making in clinical medicine. In clinico-pathologic consults, there may be errors in pathologic diagnoses resulting in delayed or inappropriate treatment, hence impaired quality of care. Seeking a second opinion on a pathology consults is one procedure that enhances quality of healthcare services. In the spate of medical litigations, some doctors are either not aware of the procedure or do not utilize second opinion pathology consults (SOPCs). Methods: This cross sectional study used an online structured questionnaire to assess the awareness of and utilization of SOPCs by clinicians in Nigeria. Information regarding socio-demography, cadre, years in practice, reasons for utilization or non-utilization and modalities for seeking SOPCs were collected. Results: Of the 511 respondents, 75.7% of whom practiced in government-run tertiary hospitals, 33.5% have never utilised SOPC. Surgeons (29.7%) and gynaecologists (12.1%) are the major users of SOPCs; utilization of which is associated with cadre (p= 0.001) and not years of practice (p= 0.199). 24.3% divided specimen between pathologists, 15.5% sent a fresh specimen, 15.2% and 24.1% sent out the same slides and tissue blocks respectively, used for the first diagnosis. 65.8% SOPC requests were not accompanied with the first pathologist’s report. Conclusions: SOPC is an important component of a total quality assurance that helps reduce the overall cost of patient care. Many clinicians are not aware of SOPC procedure, hence the under-utilization. It is our opinion that proper enlightenment of clinicians will bridge this gap in knowledge and enhance better practice

The prevalence of urinaru schistisomiasis among primary school children in Aguata LGA, Anambra state, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 23(1) 2002: 139-14

Yam Storability and Economic Benefits of Storage Under the Modern (underground) and Traditional (Yam barn) Technologies in southeastern Nigeria

This paper examines yam storability and the economic benefits of storage under the modern (underground) and the traditional (yam barn) storage technologies in Southeastern Nigeria. Data were collected mainly from 55 respondents who were interviewed, as well as from measurement of storage parameters on yam tubers stored in 55 traditional yam barns and 11 modern underground yam storage structures. The results show that on the average about 55 percent of the tubers stored under the modern technology and less than 20 percent of the tubers stored under the traditional system remained in a fairly good condition after the fifth month of storage; and the value of storage loss was about N46,231 for the traditional yam barn and N23,951 for the modern storage system per 1000kg of tubers stored under both systems. Hence the value of storage losses under the traditional system was about 55 percent higher than that under the modern system. On the average about 400kg yams valued at N22,280 was saved from 1000kg of yams stored under the modern storage technology for a period of five months. The net benefits would be significantly higher if the full potentials of the modern storage technology are exploited especially in terms of prolong storage which attracts higher revenue from stored tubers. Key words: Yam; storability; modern; ttraditional; technology