Analysis Of The Influence Of The Skills Acquisition Programms Of The National Directorate Of Employment On Job Creation In Abia State

Abstract: The study assessed the the skill acquisition programs of the Nationa

X-ray crystallographic and structural studies of (benzothiazol-2-yl)ethanesulphonamide, and its antimicrobial properties

N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)ethanesulphonamide (ES2ABT) was synthesized by the condensation of 2-aminobenzothiazole and ethanesulphonylchloride in acetone at 130 °C. The resulting crude precipitates were recrystallized in absolute ethanol. ES2ABT was characterized using X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, elemental microanalysis, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, infra red, proton and 13C NMR spectroscopies. The antimicrobial tests of the compound were carried out on both multi-resistant bacterial strains isolated under clinical conditions and cultured species using agar-well diffusion method. The multi-resistant bacterial strains used were Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus which were isolated from dogs. The culture species were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia Coli (ATCC 25922) Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), and the fungi, Candida krusei (ATCC 6258) and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). The tests were both in vitro and in vivo. Thus the Inhibition Zone Diameter (IZD), the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and the Lethal and Effective Concentrations (LC50 and EC50) were determined. The antimicrobial activity of the compound was compared with those of Ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole as antibacterial agents and Fluconazole as an antifungal drug. The compound showed varying activity against the cultured typed bacteria and fungi used. However, ES2ABT was less active than the antibacterial standard drugs used but not Fluconazole which did not show any activity against Candida krusei (ATCC 6258). The Lethal Concentration (LC50) is 338.80 ± 28.6 ppm. This is within the permissible concentrations. Key words: N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)ethanesulphonamide, antimicrobial, in vivo, in vitr

Assessment of river water quality for irrigation using multiple indices

The use of a single irrigation water index in the characterization of irrigation water quality may not suffice because of the combined and individual impact of several primary water physiochemical parameters on the overall water quality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess irrigation water quality using multiple indices. Surface water samples were taken from ten locations and analyzed using standard methods. The potential effects of the water quality on soil salinity, sodicity, and permeability hazards were assessed by using derived parameters including sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), permeability index (PI), Kelly's ratio, potential salinity (PS) and cation ratio of soil structural stability (CROSS)indices.SAR and CROSS values ranging from 1-1.93 and 0.86-1.36 respectively showed that all ten water samples had no sodicity hazard potential. KR and SSP, with values ranging from 0.66-1.58and 39.82-111.32 respectively, showedfour and eight samples were without sodicity hazard potentials, respectively.PS and Electrical conductivity assessed salinity hazard potential, while permeability hazard potential was assessed by the combinative indices of PI, SAR, and CROSS. Results of the indices showed that all ten river water samples were without permeability hazard potentials. However, with salinity hazards, EC and PS values which ranged between 128-552.38 S/cm and 0.52-0.84 showed that 90% and 100% of the river samples respectively were suitable for irrigation. Based on the results, using multiple indices is effective, but for sodicity hazard, the combinative use of SSP and KR should be accompanied by soil analysis

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Metabolic effect of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus) enriched diet on some organs of albino rats

No Abstract. Animal Production Research Avancees Vol. 3 (3) 2007: pp. 205-20

COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF RURAL ROAD TRANSPORTATIONS ON CASSAVA PRODUCTION AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Comparative effect of rural road transportation on cassava production among rural farmers in Abia State was conducted in Abia State, Nigeria. A sample size of 144 respondents was realized, using multi-stage purposive and randomized methods. Data generated using questionnaire and participant observations were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result revealed mean ages of 31.9, 32.7 and 33.1 years for Ohafia, Umuahia, and Aba Zones respectively. About 88.3, 70.8, and 87.5 % respectively of the respondents were married and 58.3, 37.5, and 54.2 % respectively were males. A mean farm- size of 1.87, 0.9, and 1.25 hectares respectively were recorded in the three zones. A monthly mean income of ₦30,208.33, ₦23,645.80, and ₦30,687.50 respectively were also recorded in the three Zones. Result equally revealed that trekking (100%) pick – up van (73.6 %), motor cycle (72.2%), cycling (66.7%), and bus (56.6%) respectively were the dominant modes of rural road transportation. Rural road transportation affected cassava production via sales of produce (2.40), ranked 1st. total income (2.33) ranked 2nd, storage (2.30) ranked 3rd, quality of produce (2.15) ranked 4th, and harvesting (2.13) ranked 5th respectively. H01 is accepted since ZTAB (-418) > ZCal (-0.0324), therefore, there was significant difference between the modes of rural road transportation in the three Zones. H02 was rejected since Гs = 0.928 which implies that there was significant relationship between the three Zones. The study concludes that rural road transportation affected cassava production negatively when the roads are poor and modes of transportation slow and positively when the roads are good and modes of transport fast. The study recommends the re–introduction of Directorate of Rural Roads and Infrastructural (DIFFRR) as was the case in the 80s this will ensure the maintenance of rural roads and the evacuation of agricultural produce mostly in the study area.  Article visualizations

Solvent Extraction Studies on Copper(II) and Silver(I) Complexes of Bis(4-hydroxypent-2-ylidene)diaminoethane: Composition of Extracted Copper(II) Species

Copper(II) complexes of bis(4-hydroxypent-2-ylidene)diaminoethane (BHPDE) were prepared by extractive method. Job’s continuous variation and equilibrium constant methods, as well as spectral and elemental analyses were applied in the determination of the nature of extracted species. The results indicate the formation of mixed ionic complexes of the types Cu(H2L)X2, Cu(H2L)2X2 and CuL (where H2L = BHPDE and X = NO3-, CIO4-, Cl- or ½SO42-). Cu(H2L)X2 and Cu(H2L)2X2 predominate at low pH extractions while CuL chelate predominates at high pH extraction. The complexes exist in two isomeric forms, the blue readily-water-soluble and the violet less water-soluble forms. Both complexes show maximum absorption at 540 nm and molar absorptivity values of about 2.0 x 102 dm3 mole-1 cm-1

Factors Affecting Agricultural Productivity among Arable Crop Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

The main objectives of the study were to examine and identify the factors that affect agricultural productivity in Imo State, Nigeria. The method of proportionate random sampling technique was used in selecting a sample of 99 farmers who were interviewed using validated, structured questionnaire. Primary data collected were analyzed using frequencies, means, and the Ordinary Least Squares multiple regression analysis technique. The results of the analysis show that the marginal value products estimated for farmland, planting materials, chemical fertilizer and labour are 0.0654, 0.0615, 0.0871 and 0.0831 respectively. Yam/cassava/maize/vegetable/melon combination was identified as the main crop combination practiced by the farmers in the state. Analysis of resource use efficiency shows that the farmers are highly efficient in the use of planting materials but highly inefficient in the use of land and chemical fertilizer. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis on the determinants of agricultural productivity show that age, level of education, years of farming experience, farm size, extension contact, fertilizer use, planting materials and labour use are the main determinants of agricultural productivity in the state. It is recommended that extension agents should teach farmers to use the right quality and quantity of chemical fertilizers, and the use of high yielding planting materials to enhance farmers’ productivity