CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF SUGAR SYRUP ON COLONY SIZE OF HONEYBEES, Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille (1804) (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) IN ARTIFICIAL BEEHIVES

Cumulative effect of sugar syrup (nectar supplement) on colony size of honeybees, Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille (1804) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), in the Biological Garden of University of Lagos, was studied. The population density (colony size) of honeybees in each hive was monitored monthly for two years. In one treatment of two replicates, 0.1g/ml of sugar syrup was introduced using 350ml jar with the aid of wooden tray feeders, while the second treatment of another two replicates lacked sugar syrup. Colony size was estimated in each of the replicate using gravimetric method. The pattern of colony population of the honeybees fed with sugar syrup was similar to those without sugar syrup initially but unequal during most of the period of observation. The population size of the colonies fed with sugar syrup remained significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those that were not fed with sugar syrup after the first six months of the commencement of the study despite their similar pattern of fluctuation. The practical implication of this study was that regular feeding of sugar syrup at appropriate time to honeybee colonies for long duration (2 years) helped to sustain bee colonies with optimum population for nectar and pollens gathering from the wild against active season, hence increasing colony productivity during nectar flow period

Resources availability in basic schools in Kwara State of Nigeria: implications for instructional supervision

Teachers and textbooks are vital human and instructional resources, which administrators of educational institutions require for successful implementation of their educational programmes. This study investigated availability and adequacy of these resources and their implications on instructional supervision. Two research questions were answered and two hypotheses were tested in the study. Population for the study was basic school teachers in the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State, Nigeria. Research instrument tagged “Resource Availability Questionnaire” (RAQ) was administered to a sample of 300 teachers from 30 basic schools, which were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. Results of data analyses showed that teachers and textbooks were not adequate, that there was no significant difference between urban and rural schools in supply of textbooks, and that there was a significant difference between urban and rural schools in supply of teachers. It was recommended that instructional supervisors should ensure proper coordination and foster cooperation among parents, community members and other stakeholders so that they could assist the Government in supply of teachers and textbooks to basic schools in the State

A study on the contribution of supply chain management to Ghana's rice industry

The cropping system in Ghana is generally characterized by low productivity especially rice and as such efforts have been made by stakeholders in the industry to address this phenomenon. This development has therefore generated a persistent gab between the supply side of locally cultivated rice and the demand side of it. The system is also characterized by low level of technology and productivity, low income and un-competitiveness in production, processing and distribution hence a weak linkage between production areas and the market largely due to supply chain problems. Other challenges associated with the rice supply chain system are low inventory levels, inadequate facilities, poor road infrastructure leading to post-harvest losses, inadequate investment in irrigation, logistics, lack of information on best farming practices and market trends. The impact of these hiccups in the rice industry is low level of rice production on a yearly basis. This therefore leads to huge rice imports. To boost rice production, this study employed the six drivers of supply chain management (inventory, transportation, pricing, sourcing, information and facilities) and assessed how each would contribute to the performance of the rice industry in terms of quantity. This study was on the contribution of supply chain management to Ghana's rice industry

Family Planning Perceptions and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

There have been concerns on the galloping population growth and its effects on human beings. The world’s population is increasing with significant social and economic implications at the individual, family, and societal levels. Family planning seems to be the potent cornerstone of a worldwide strategy to slow down population growth. However, in developing countries, the perception of the core population is not clear considering the hyper fertility rate in these countries. This study, a household survey, sampled 424 married women, and conducted five in-depth interviews, to examine the relationship between family planning methods and high fertility rate among married women in Nigeria. Health Belief Model was used to explain factors that influenced the perceptions of married women about family planning. Data collected were analysed using percentages for univariate analysis and chi square to test relationships between the variables. The results revealed that 95.5% of the respondents had heard about family planning while 53.3% stated that they had never used it. A greater percentage of them admitted that they refused to adopt family planning for fear of side effects. About 51% of them stated that money was a barrier to the adoption of family planning while 35% of the respondents claimed that their religion did not support it. Linear regression results revealed that significant relationships existed between family perceptions (p< 0.013), and sustainable development variables. Family planning was seen as an important preventive measure against infant and maternal mortality. The study concluded that culture, socio-economic factors and poor knowledge about family planning were major determinants of perceptions about family planning, and its utilisation. The study recommended increased family planning talks during clinical meetings with mothers, and empowerment of women in decision making about family planning within households

Molecular detection of two cassava Begomoviruses in some parts of Southern Nigeria

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD), caused by an array of is the most economically important viral disease of cassava in sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently reported in West Africa are African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV). In this study, 42 cassava leaves and 30 symptomatic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae and Leguminosae families were collected from backyard gardens in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, and Delta States in 2009. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracts from these leaves were tested for ACMV and EACMCV in a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The PCR primers used were designed to amplify the replicase regions of DNA-A components of both viruses. Most of the cassava plants within the survey area were either symptomless or showed mild symptoms. ACMV was detected in 16% of cassava leaves from Edo State but not in any of the cassava leaves from the other three states. One weed sample each from Edo State (5.56%) and Ondo State (10%) were also positive for ACMV. EACMCV was not detected in any of the samples tested. The low virus occurrence observed from PCR results and the observed low incidence of the CMD characteristic mosaic symptoms on cassava leaves in the states sampled may be attributed to the use of CMD resistant or tolerant cassava varieties, and may be a result of the massive distribution of virus resistant cassava cuttings to these States by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

Four Radical Panaceas for Reversing Mass Failure in Certificate English Language Examinations in Nigeria

Given the present-day perspectives of Nigerians to the imperatives of qualitative education in the lives of youths, quite a lot of Nigerians have strongly bemoaned and condemned the recurrent woeful performances of students in Certificate examinations. Many research works have therefore concerned themselves with solving the problems of mass failure in public examinations. This paper, with special focus on improving English language teaching and learning in Secondary schools and improving students’ performances in public examinations, reviewed the problem, and causes, of mass failure in English language as enunciated by scholars and, proposed four radical panaceas – introducing the reading of prose texts to all students; separating English Language and Literature-in-English in the JSCE curriculum; separating the aspects of English Language for teachers and, moving up the teachers as their students move up from class to class – of improving learners’ performances in English language in internal and Certificate examinations. The paper reasoned that given a good background of discipline, the four panaceas would reverse the ugly trend of mass failure in Nigerian schools, improve academic performances in English language in internal and Certificate examinations and help foster improved performances in other school subjects. Presenting some public examination results of a school where the panaceas have been fruitfully practised, the author appealed to the educational planners and administrators, ministries of education, private secondary school managements and teachers to adopt the solutions for the overall improvement of the English language teaching and learning since a good mastery of English enhances improved performances in other school subjects. Keywords: English language, mass failure, certificate examinations, literary texts, the teacher

OCULOPLASTIC TRAINING AND ITS ROLE IN EYE CARE SERVICES IN A NIGERIA TERTIARY HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT Oculoplasty subspecialty in Ophthalmology was barely 7 years in Nigeria. National statistics show an increased number of cases that should have benefitted from this expertise that is rare. As a result of this deficit, a consultant ophthalmologist was sent to Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Chennai, India for 3 months oculoplastic training with the help of International Council Ophthalmology (ICO). To evaluate the role of oculoplastic training in eye-service care in our hospital, all patients seen at our oculoplastic unit during the 8 months period from April to November 2017, had information extracted from their medical record. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 20. Out of 53 patients seen 30 (56.65) were males and 23 (43.4%) were females. Majority 10 (18.9%) were diagnosed with a traumatic irreparable ruptured globe, while 10 (18.9%) had congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Page 7 of 23 https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/sljbr Sierra Leone Journal of Biomedical Research Oculoplastic training and its role in eye care services in a Nigeria tertiary hospital for Review Only 2 Thirty-six (67.9%) patients had surgery and 10 (18.9%) were successfully managed with lacrimal sac massage for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children. Majority 10(18.9%) of the surgery were evisceration with primary ocular implants. One patient with clinically significant orbital floor fracture was referred. Four cases of congenital ptosis declined surgery. This expertise resulted in increased patient turnout by 30% and income to the department, while it saves cost to patients who need not be referred. The skills acquired from oculoplastic training have help in rendering oculoplastic services to the people of Kebbi State and its environs at a reduced cost. Also, there is improved internally generated revenue to the hospital. The importance of skill transfers and subspecialty training is underscored. Keywords: oculoplastic; subspecialty training; Kebbi State; tertiary hospita

Subspecialty training in Ophthalmology; How far?

No Abstract

Three Steps Hybrid Block Method for the Solution of General Second Order Ordinary Differential Equations

Block method is adopted in this paper for the direct solution of second order ordinary differential equations. The method is derived by collocation and interpolation of power series approximate solution to give a continuous hybrid linear multistep method which is implemented in block method to derive the independent solution at selected grid points. The properties of the derived scheme were investigated and found to be zero-stable, consistent and convergent. The efficiency of the derived method was tested and found to compare favourably with the existing methods