Evaluation of Soil Reaction, Exchangeable Acidity and Cation Exchange Capacity of Soils from Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil Teaching, Research and Commercial Farm, Gaya

This study evaluates the soil reaction, CEC and exchangeable acidity of some soils in the newly established Teaching, Research and Commercial Farm of the University of Science and Technology Wudil. Four profile pits designated as EPU, RU, CPU and HORTU were sunk at each representative unit. Soil samples were taken from the profile according to the pedogenic horizons identified and used for laboratory analysis. The fertility capability classification (FCC), system was used to evaluate the soils. Result obtained indicated that all soil profiles were found to be slight to neutral in acid content. The exchangeable acidity and CEC were low in all the locations. The study concludes that, the exchangeable acidity and CEC of the soils of the study area are generally low with slightly acidic to slightly alkaline in reaction. Adequate application of both organic and inorganic fertilizers will improve the organic matter content which will increase the level of CEC of the soils and also liming was recommended to rise the pH of the soils for enhanced production capacity in the study area.Keywords: Exchangeable Acidity, Soil, Pedons and Fertility Status

Surgical management of uterine fibroids at Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Kano, Nigeria: a 5 year review

Background: Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumors. They account for a significant number of gynecological consultations. Prevalence, presentation and outcome of treatment vary in different communities.Objectives: To determine the prevalence and clinical presentation of uterine fibroids, and the morbidity associated with surgical management of uterine fibroids at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.Study design: Retrospective study of all the cases of uterine fibroids that were surgically managed in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2010.Results: The period prevalence of uterine fibroids found in this study was 3.1%, 8.3% of gynecological operations were for fibroids. Main presentations were menstrual irregularities 75.9%, abdominal swelling 51.9%, lower abdominal pain 46.5%, dysmenorrhea 29.1%, infertility 20.3%. The postoperative complication of anemia occurred in 34.1% of patients who had myomectomy and 14.6% of those who had hysterectomy. Anemia was 3 times more likely to occur with myomectomy (OR 3.02, CI 1.69-3.56, P <0.05). Pyrexia occurred in 31.2% of patients who had myomectomy and 12.4% of those who had hysterectomy. It was 3 times more likely to occur following myomectomy than hysterectomy (OR 3.21, CI 1.74-5.93, P <0.05).Wound infection occurred in 13.8% and 12.4% of patients who had myomectomy and hysterectomy respectively, UTI in 6.5% and 5.6% of patients who had myomectomy and hysterectomy . They both showed no significant statistical difference between myomectomy and hysterectomy (for wound infection OR 1.13, CI 0.56-2.29, P >0.05 and for UTI OR 1.17, CI 0.42-3.23, P >0.05).Conclusion: The prevalence and presentation of uterine fibroids found in this study is similar to the finding of other studies from Northern Nigeria. The most common presentations were menorrhagia and lower abdominal swelling, and not infertility. Myomectomy was associated with higher complication rates compared to hysterectomy.Key words: Uterine fibroids, prevalence, presentation, postoperative morbidity

Surgical management of uterine fibroids at Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Kano, Nigeria: a 5 year review

Background: Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumors. They account for a significant number of gynecological consultations. Prevalence, presentation and outcome of treatment vary in different communities.Objectives: To determine the prevalence and clinical presentation of uterine fibroids, and the morbidity associated with surgical management of uterine fibroids at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.Study design: Retrospective study of all the cases of uterine fibroids that were surgically managed in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2010.Results: The period prevalence of uterine fibroids found in this study was 3.1%, 8.3% of gynecological operations were for fibroids. Main presentations were menstrual irregularities 75.9%, abdominal swelling 51.9%, lower abdominal pain 46.5%, dysmenorrhea 29.1%, infertility 20.3%. The postoperative complication of anemia occurred in 34.1% of patients who had myomectomy and 14.6% of those who had hysterectomy. Anemia was 3 times more likely to occur with myomectomy (OR 3.02, CI 1.69-3.56, P <0.05). Pyrexia occurred in 31.2% of patients who had myomectomy and 12.4% of those who had hysterectomy. It was 3 times more likely to occur following myomectomy than hysterectomy (OR 3.21, CI 1.74-5.93, P <0.05).Woundinfection occurred in 13.8% and 12.4% of patients who had myomectomy and hysterectomy respectively, UTI in 6.5% and 5.6% of patients who had myomectomy and hysterectomy . They both showed no significant statistical difference between myomectomy and hysterectomy (for wound infection OR 1.13, CI 0.56-2.29, P >0.05 and for UTI OR 1.17, CI 0.42-3.23, P >0.05).Conclusion: The prevalence and presentation of uterine fibroids found in this study is similar to the finding of other studies from Northern Nigeria. The most common presentations were menorrhagia and lower abdominal swelling, and not infertility. Myomectomy was associated with higher complication rates compared to hysterectomy.Key words: Uterine fibroids, prevalence, presentation, postoperative morbidity

Performance of the CMS Cathode Strip Chambers with Cosmic Rays

The Cathode Strip Chambers (CSCs) constitute the primary muon tracking device in the CMS endcaps. Their performance has been evaluated using data taken during a cosmic ray run in fall 2008. Measured noise levels are low, with the number of noisy channels well below 1%. Coordinate resolution was measured for all types of chambers, and fall in the range 47 microns to 243 microns. The efficiencies for local charged track triggers, for hit and for segments reconstruction were measured, and are above 99%. The timing resolution per layer is approximately 5 ns

Cancer of the Cervix in Unscreened West African Women

Background: Cancer of the cervix remains an important health problem amongst women worldwide. Widespread comprehensive cervical cancer control programs have resulted in a marked reduction in the incidence and mortality in most developed countries. Developing countries bear over 80% of the global burden, with only 5% of the global resources for the control of cancer. Majority of the cases in these countries present late and are incurable at the time of diagnosis.Aim: To review the presentation and histopathological types of cervical cancer cases seen in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, over a sixteen-year period (1995–2010).Materials and Methods: Case records of histopathologically diagnosed cases of cancer of the cervix were retrieved. Demographic data, stage of the tumor at presentation, and histopathologic type were extracted. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: Six hundred and sixty gynecological cancers were seen during the study period, with cancer of the cervix accounting for 58.5% (386/660) cases. Among these cases with cancer of the cervix 71.1% (275/386) were grand multiparous and majority 89.7 % 346/386 presented with advanced disease. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounted for 86.3% (333/386) of the cancers, adenocarcinoma contributed 12.4%,(48/386) and others contributed 1.3% (5/386).Conclusion: Cancer of the cervix is the commonest gynecological cancer at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. SCC is the commonesthistological type. Keywords: Africa, cervical cancer, screenin

Social, economic and psychological burdens of sickle cell disease care among households of sufferers in a tertiary health facility in North Western Nigeria

The study assessed the social, economic and psychological burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) care among households of SCD patients attending sickle cell outpatient clinic in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 205 caregivers of SCD outpatients selected through systematic sampling. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, and analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 20.0 Results: The mean age of the SCD patients was 12.7±9.0 years and their mean duration since diagnosis was 10.9±8.7 years. In the last 12 months, 92 (44.9%) patients had been admitted at least once due to complications of SCD, 72 (35.1%) had been transfused with blood and 150 (73.1%) had experienced painful crises. Caring for SCD patients frequently reduces the amount of care that other household members were receiving 95 (46.3%), patient's illness frequently caused disagreement or quarrel among household members 150 (73.2%), and households experienced stigmatization by community members 33 (16.1%). Ninety-six (71.2%) of the households were experiencing catastrophic expenditure from providing medical care for the SCD patient. Conclusion: Households of SCD patients were experiencing various forms of psychological, social and economic burden. It is recommended that locally applicable methods of psychological, social and economic support be included in the routine care of SCD patients and their families

Factors influencing health seeking behaviour among residents of basawa community, sabon gari l.g.a. Kaduna state, Nigeria

The health of the citizenry is crucial to the growth and development of any nation. Nigeria is riddled with poor health indices ranging from maternal mortality to infant mortality rates. It has been established that health-seeking behaviour has a strong influence on health status, morbidity and mortality indices of a society. It also drives utilisation of health services and is affected by predisposing, enabling and need factors. This study assessed the factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among residents of Basawa community, Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in September 2017 among 125 residents of Basawa community selected by systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using asemi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed with SPSS version 21. The results were presented as tables and charts among others. Level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 42±10 years. Majority of the respondents were male (60.8%) and married (90.4%). About two-thirds of the respondents delayed for more than 24 hours before seeking healthcare. Long waiting time (55.2%), the attitude of health workers (22.4%) and the high cost of drugs (22.4%) were given as barriers to health care utilisation. High cost of services, type and severity of illness and attitude of health care workers are the main determinants of health-seeking behaviour. There was a statistically significant relationship between education, monthly income and delay in seeking health care. Conclusion: The study showed several factors that influence health care seeking behaviour. In view of the multifactorial determinants of health-care seeking behaviour, there is need for health workers to be trained and retrained to improve on their attitude, and the provision of community-based social health insurance scheme by the government among others

Integrated Heat Regenerator (IHR) Designs with Hydrogen Preheater and Thermoelectric Generator for Power Enhancement of a 2 kW Fuel Cell Vehicle

The power train efficiency of fuel cell vehicles (FCV) can be enhanced by improving the hydrogen energy utilization. Based on a mini FCV running on a 2 kW open-cathode Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, a waste heat recovery system design needs to be developed as an approach towards higher energy efficiency. The novelty of the system is on the integration of thermoelectric generator technology with hydrogen preheating process for a combined heat and power output. This manuscript presents the proposed integrated heat regenerator (IHR) designs, analysed using numerical computational modelling. Three IHR designs were proposed where the main design criteria are (i) a minimum of 10oC hydrogen preheating degree, and (ii) non-parasitic active cooling for the TEG cells. Three design concepts were studied to identify its design and performance limitations. The numerical results were validated with theoretical modelling analysis for hydrogen exit temperatures and TEG surface temperatures. The analysis on predicted fuel cell power enhancement, TEG power generation and waste heat utilization were performed by relating the temperature profiles of the hydrogen reactant and TEG surfaces to fuel cell reaction models and TEG power relationships. A compact IHR design that produced 7.7 to 8 % total power enhancement and suitable in size for a mini FCV was identified for future development work

ProtEQ : Social-emotional Development Media for Gifted Children in Pre-schools

Gifted children are children who have high potential in various fields such as science, math, art, music, language, have creativity and task commitment. One of the challenges faced by gifted children is social-emotional problems, even though mature social development will help individuals interact well with other individuals. One of the efforts to overcome these problems is to develop media that easy to use and reach by various parties such as websites. Design and Development Research (D&D) from Ellis and Levy (2010) was chosen as the research method, data collection techniques were carried out through interviews and questionnaires with thematic analysis techniques and descriptive statistics. The participants involved were children, teachers, parents, media experts, and special education experts. The results showed that there are two main problems in gifted children, namely obstacles in interacting and obstacles in managing emotions. Based on this analysis, the website development is focused on three services, i.e.: 1) services for children; 2) services for parents; and 3) services for teachers. The developed website received a "very good" rating from the validator and also received a positive response from the research participants. Therefore, this website can be used as a medium for the social-emotional development of gifted

Severe early onset preeclampsia: short and long term clinical, psychosocial and biochemical aspects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder commonly defined as de novo hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks gestational age. It occurs in approximately 3-5% of pregnancies and it is still a major cause of both foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide1. As extensive research has not yet elucidated the aetiology of preeclampsia, there are no rational preventive or therapeutic interventions available. The only rational treatment is delivery, which benefits the mother but is not in the interest of the foetus, if remote from term. Early onset preeclampsia (<32 weeks’ gestational age) occurs in less than 1% of pregnancies. It is, however often associated with maternal morbidity as the risk of progression to severe maternal disease is inversely related with gestational age at onset2. Resulting prematurity is therefore the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in patients with severe preeclampsia3. Although the discussion is ongoing, perinatal survival is suggested to be increased in patients with preterm preeclampsia by expectant, non-interventional management. This temporising treatment option to lengthen pregnancy includes the use of antihypertensive medication to control hypertension, magnesium sulphate to prevent eclampsia and corticosteroids to enhance foetal lung maturity4. With optimal maternal haemodynamic status and reassuring foetal condition this results on average in an extension of 2 weeks. Prolongation of these pregnancies is a great challenge for clinicians to balance between potential maternal risks on one the eve hand and possible foetal benefits on the other. Clinical controversies regarding prolongation of preterm preeclamptic pregnancies still exist – also taking into account that preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the Netherlands5 - a debate which is even more pronounced in very preterm pregnancies with questionable foetal viability6-9. Do maternal risks of prolongation of these very early pregnancies outweigh the chances of neonatal survival? Counselling of women with very early onset preeclampsia not only comprises of knowledge of the outcome of those particular pregnancies, but also knowledge of outcomes of future pregnancies of these women is of major clinical importance. This thesis opens with a review of the literature on identifiable risk factors of preeclampsia