Influence of Socio-economic characteristics of irrigation farmers to access and utilization of agricultural knowledge and information.

The study investigated the influence of socio-economic characteristicsof irrigation farmer’s access to and utilization of agricultural information in North Western Nigeria. A questionnaire survey of 368 households in three (3) states in North Western Nigeria was used. The objectives of the study is: To identify the extent to which some socio-economic variables of irrigation farmers affects their utilization of agricultural information; to highlight how the socio-economic variables could help in determining the type of information needed. Using the Diffusion of Innovation paradigm of Rogers, multiple regression, correlation coefficient and Chi-square analysis, the results of the study suggest that age, sex, experience, educational status and belonging to farmers association have significant relationship on access to and utilization of agricultural information by the irrigation farmers.However, a critical gap still needs to be filled by the research extension services in combining the technical and socio-economics aspects of irrigation farming in order to boost the country’s food production and food securit

A Study of the Phytochemical Properties and Synergistic Antibacterial Activity of Annona comosus (LINN) Merr. Peel and Citrus senensis Peel Extracts on Aeromonas hydrophila and Salmonella species.

In Nigerian traditional medicine, the combination of A. comosus and C. senensis peels has antibacterial effect against typhoid fever and diarrhoea due to Aeromonas hydrophila. A. comosus and C. senensis peels were extracted using percolation method and ethanol solvent. The antibacterial potential of ethanolic extract of A. comosus and C. senensis peels were investigated by disc diffusion and broth dilution techniques. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening using standard procedures. This study was aimed at verifying the synergistic effects of the two plant extracts against some clinical isolates: six Salmonella paratyphi B, one S. typhi and three A. hydrophila. The antibacterial activity of the combined extracts was 7-12mm and from 15- 42mm for the standard antibiotic disc. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the combined extracts was 0.25-12.50mg/ml while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 0.50-50.00mg/ml. Phytochemical investigation of the extracts revealed the presence secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, triterpenoids and phytosterols in C. senensis peels while alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenoids and phytosterols were found in A. comosus peels. In-vitro antibacterial potential was confirmed and no synergism was demonstrated at a combination ratio of 1:1 of the extracts tested (P = 0.05).Keywords: - Anti-bacterial, Annona comosus, Citrus senensis, synergism, Extract

Lightweight Concrete Elements from Burnt Palm Nut Shells

This paper investigates the characteristiCS . technology and the use of burnt palm ke.r nel shells as a replacement for aggregates 1n light weight concrete The need to find ' alternative sources to imported and expens1ve building matenals for construction led to the investigation of Qurnt palm kernel shells as a poss11;>1e substitute for some aggregates. Investigation into the physical and structural charactenSttcs of the burnt palm k.ernel shells was conducted. The paper was used concrete mi.x 1 :2:4 design. Different tests were also performed on the wet and cured light weight concrete prepared by replacing 0%. 10% and 25% of the fine and coarse aggregates with the shells burnt to 1 00°C. 300°C, 500°C and thos€ shells burnt in the open air. The result indicated that compressive strength of concrete with burnt shells was lower than that of concrete with unburnt shells at the same percentage replacement. The compressive and tensile strength were found to be decreasing with temperature increase of the burnt shells up to 300°C but picked up tremendously with shells burnt to 500°C The result showed that burnt palm kernel shells is a viable substitute for aggregates for light weight concrete in floors. partitions. insulated panels and lawn tennis concrete floor

Impact of the Nodal and Internodal Sections on the Strength Properties of Bamboo

The structural use of bamboo as a material of construction demands for the deeper study of the mechanical properties of the culm as regards its nodal and internodal sections. Most literatures have concentrated majorly on the use of bamboo as reinforcement in low modulus concrete with little or' no regard on the other factors that affect its structural performance This study therefore investigates the influence of nodal and internodal sections on the strength properties of bamboo The results indicate that the average compress1ve stress was 59.4 N/mm= for the internodal section-and 66 .09 N/mm- for the nodal section. The average flexural stresses were 35.78 Nmm- and 46.44 N/mm: respectively for the internodal and nodal sections the average modulus of elasticity was between~ 2.68 and 8.22. x "164 N/ mm= for the nodal section. It is concluded that the strength of bamboo culm is a function of the nodal and internodal sections and that nodal section has higher strength when compared with the internodal sectio

MACROECONOMIC BEHAVIOUR AND FDI INFLOWS IN NIGERIA: AN APPLICATION OF THE ARDL MODEL

Based on the Macroeconomic theory of FDI movement, this study examined the relationship between FDI ~ and some selected macroeconomic variables both at the long and short run equilibrium in Nigeria. The study used ARDL estimation techniques to inquire if the selected macroeconomic variables have significant influence on FDI, what macroeconomic variable(:.) need to be manipulated so as to enhance inflows of FDI to the nation 's economy? What policy implication should be adopted? The results show that policy that attempt to expand trade, increase government expenditure, manipulate the exchange rate system, lower inflation and interest rates are useful in attracting FDI inflows

The Influence of Training on Bricklayers’ Productivity in Nigeria

The global economic situation and the need for construction contractors to remain in business in this competitive environment have made productivity improvement more and more important. This study therefore investigated the impact of formal and informal trainings on the productivity of bricklayers in three commercial nerve centres of Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt).To achieve this, questionnaires, backed up with interviews and on-site measurements were conducted on the management and bricklayers of construction firms who were randomly drawn from the three categories of construction firms in the country (large-sized, medium-sized and small-sized firms). 90 and 180 structured questionnaires were distributed to the management and bricklayers in the study area while 72 and 118 questionnaires were respectively filled and returned in this regard. The results of the descriptive and inferential statistical techniques indicated that training had significant effect on the productivity of bricklayers in Nigeria. Other factors such as monetary and nonmonetary incentives, planning and control, organizational strategy, supervision aspects and general management also had their contributory effects to bricklayers’ productivity. The study concluded that the issue of training should be accorded a priority attention by the managements of construction firms in order to attain greater workers’ productivity on construction sites

Monitoring of specific activities of long-lived radioactive elements along the Mini- Okoro/Oginigba Creek, Port Harcourt

Presence and concentrations of radionuclides could be as a result of natural and human activities. This  study examined the associations and differences  among soil, sediment and water specific activities of long-lived radioactive element (LLRE). Gamma spectroscopy was used to measure the concentration of  the LLRE along the Mini Okoro/Oginigba Creek, Port Harcourt. Specific activities of three selected LLRE were derived. Correlation analysis was carried out to  examine associations among the specific activities across different substrates. A strong and a significant negative correlation exists between the specific  activities of Water 40K and Soil 232Th (r =-0.721, p<0.05); Water 238U and Soil 238U (r = -0.717, p<0.05) and Water 40K and Sediment 238U (r=-0.69,  p<0.05). Comparison using Mann-Whitney U test shows that, soil and sediment are similar in their specific activities with Z values of -0.408, -1.209 and  -1.021 (p > 0.05) for 40K, 232Th and 238U respectively. The concentration of solid samples (soil and sediment) is different from the liquid (water) samples. These associations can be attributed to some specific underlying factors. And in other to understand them there is need for more studies. © JASEMKeywords: Radionuclide; environmental monitoring; Niger Delta; Gamma spectroscopy; Environmental managemen

CT-423: Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Hospitalized Patients Undergoing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

Context: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies have shown efficacy in treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Neuropsychiatric disorders (NPD) in patients undergoing CAR-T have not been well described. Objective: To evaluate prevalence of NPD in patients who underwent in-hospital CAR-T therapy for MM and explore association of NPD with in-hospital outcomes of CAR-T therapy. Design: Retrospective. Setting: We evaluated NPD among patients undergoing in-hospital CAR-T therapy for MM in 2018 using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). We applied discharge level weights to extrapolate findings to hospitalizations across the nation. Patients: Hospitalizations for patients ≥ 18 years who received investigational CAR-T therapy for MM were selected from the NIS database using International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) procedure and diagnostic codes. Demographic and CAR-T treatment variables were collected. Regression models were fit to assess association of NPD with clinical variables, and odds ratios (OR) were reported. Main Outcomes Measures: The primary outcome was prevalence and distribution of NPD. The secondary outcome was association of NPD with CAR-T outcomes. Results: A total of 200 CAR-T procedures met inclusion criteria; 65% males, 71% Caucasians, and 15.8% African Americans, with a median age of 59 years. Most CAR-T procedures (95%) were performed in urban teaching hospitals. Prevalence of NPD was 27.5%. Anxiety was the most common NPD, then depression and insomnia. Patients with NPD, compared to those without, were more likely to have Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) \u3e 3 (54.5% versus 20.7%, p= 0.01). There were no observed differences in the distribution of NPD with regard to race, age, gender, insurance, or prior receipt of bone marrow transplantation. Association was noted between NPD and CCI ≥ 3 (OR= 4.60, 95% CI= 1.29–16.40), between NPD and fever (OR= 0.16, 95% CI= 0.04–0.70). No significant association were found between NPD and neurotoxicity, in-hospital mortality, respiratory or renal failure, length of stay, or hospital charges. Conclusions: One in every four patients who underwent CART therapy for MM in 2018 had NPD. Patients with multiple comorbidities were at higher risk, while patients with fever during CART therapy were likely underdiagnosed with NPD

A Survey for Biting Flies in three Local Government Areas of Taraba State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of biting flies from Gashaka, Ibi and Karim Lamido Local Government Areas (LGA) of Taraba State between July and August, 2010 using biconical traps, and identify them using morphological characteristics. Of the 908 biting flies collected from the traps 37.9% (344/908) were Tabanus, 25.9% (235/908) were Haematopota, 24.5% (223/908) were Chrysops, and 11.7% (106/908) were Glossina. Based on the LGAs sampled, the distribution of the flies in Gashaka, Ibi, and Karim Lamido (K/Lamido) were 44.6% (419/908), 21.9% (199/908), and 33.5% (290/908) respectively (p<0.05). An infection rate of 1.89% (2/106) was observed among the tsetse flies trapped. Two species of tsetse flies were identified as Glossina palpalis representing 67.9% (72/106) and Glossina tachinoides 32.1% (34/106). In conclusion, Tabanids had the highest distribution while Glossina had the lowest distribution across the three (3) LGAs of the State.Keywords: Biconical traps, Biting Flies, Survey, Taraba State