Reconsidering Policy Implementation of Vocational Technical Education using 6-3-3-4 System of Education in Curbing Societal Problems

Vocational and Technical education as preserved in the Nigerian national policy on education, is connected with producing adequate and qualitative technological human resources directed towards a producing of trained, experienced and self-reliant craftsmen, technologists and technicians in the field of technical and vocational education for the general development of the country and its citizenry. However, the training of technical personnel has witnessed many hindrances and challenges originating from unrealistic policies, unclear curriculum that has little correlation with the needs of the society. In addition, misappropriation of fund meant for education development purposes, lack of qualified teachers, inadequate funding and cases of bribery and corruption are all connected to the poor implementation of the policy. This paper is aimed at providing a rethink in the implementation of 6334 system of education by examining the issues, challenges and the way forward in curbing out societal problems through Vocational and Technical Education

Major limb amputations in a tertiary hospital in North Western Nigeria

Background: Amputation is the removal of whole or part of a limb, often as a life saving measure. It is a mutilating surgical procedure altering the body image and producing severe functional deficit. It is a common orthopedic surgical procedure performed worldwide.Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and indications for amputation in Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria; between January 2008 and December 2014, in a bid to proffer preventive measures.Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients who had major limb amputations at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria; between January 2008 and December 2014. Case notes of patients were retrieved with relevant information extracted and analyzed.Results: A total of 112 amputations were studied. The age range of patients was between 3-89 years. Amputation in 23.5% of patients was due to trauma, followed by diabetic foot gangrene in 21% of cases. About 42.9% of the amputations were above knee, followed by below knee amputations in 37% of cases. The lower limbs were involved in 84.8% of cases and upper limbs in 15.2% of cases.Conclusion: Trauma was the most predominant indication for amputation in this study. This was followed by diabetic foot gangrene. This is usually due to the high rate of road traffic accidents and consequent mismanagement by traditional bone setters.Keywords: Limb amputations, tertiary hospital, North Western Nigeri

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among apparently healthy adults in a rural community, in north-western Nigeria

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of multiple metabolic abnormalities that increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and a resultant severe economic implication.This study assessed the burden of MetS in a Nigerian rural community setting.Method: This was a cross-sectional, community based study on apparently healthy subjects.A multi stage cluster sampling technique was employed to recruit the study subjects.A standardized pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain data, and blood samples from subjects were analysed using standard laboratory techniques. MetS was defined using the NCEP-ATP3 criteria. Data were analysed using STATA version 11, and a p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 450 subjects completed the study, with 38% being males, and a mean age of 40.27±16.41 years. MetS was found in 116 (25.78%) of the subjects.Of these, systemic hypertension was found in 91(78.45%), while all (116) had elevated cholesterol and triglycerides.Abdominal adiposity was found in 45 (38.79%) subjects and 44 (37.93%) had Type 2 diabetes mellitus.Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS and its components in our studied population was high; hence the need for further large population based studies to determine its predictors in our environment

Investigation of input and output energy for wheat production : a comprehensive study for Tehsil Mailsi (Pakistan)

The global increasing food demand can be met by efficient energy utilization in mechanized agricultural productions. In this study, input–output energy flow along with CO2 emissions for different wheat production cases (C-I to C-V) were investigated to identify the one that is most energy-efficient and environment-friendly case. Data and information about input and output sources were collected from farmers through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Input and output sources were converted into energy units by energy equivalents while CO2 emissions were calculated by emission equivalents. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) was conducted to compare technical efficiencies of the developed cases for optimization of inputs in inefficient cases. Results revealed that case C-Ⅴ (higher inputs, larger fields, the tendency of higher fertilizer application and tillage operations) has the highest energy inputs and outputs than the rest of the cases. Moreover, it possesses the lowest energy use efficiency and energy productivity. The highest CO2 emissions (1548 kg-CO2/ha) referred to C-Ⅴ while lowest emissions per ton of grain yield were determined in C-Ⅳ (higher electricity water pumping, moderate energy input). The grain yield increases directly with input energy in most of the cases, but it does not guarantee the highest values for energy indices. C-Ⅲ (moderate irrigations, educated farmers, various fertilizer applications) was found as an optimum case because of higher energy indices like energy use efficiency of 4.4 and energy productivity of 153.94 kg/GJ. Optimum input and better management practices may enhance energy proficiency and limit the traditionally uncontrolled CO2 emissions from wheat production. Therefore, the agricultural practices performed in C-Ⅲ are recommended for efficient cultivation of wheat in the studied area.The global increasing food demand can be met by efficient energy utilization in mechanized agricultural productions. In this study, input–output energy flow along with CO2 emissions for different wheat production cases (C-I to C-V) were investigated to identify the one that is most energy-efficient and environment-friendly case. Data and information about input and output sources were collected from farmers through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Input and output sources were converted into energy units by energy equivalents while CO2 emissions were calculated by emission equivalents. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) was conducted to compare technical efficiencies of the developed cases for optimization of inputs in inefficient cases. Results revealed that case C-Ⅴ (higher inputs, larger fields, the tendency of higher fertilizer application and tillage operations) has the highest energy inputs and outputs than the rest of the cases. Moreover, it possesses the lowest energy use efficiency and energy productivity. The highest CO2 emissions (1548 kg-CO2/ha) referred to C-Ⅴ while lowest emissions per ton of grain yield were determined in C-Ⅳ (higher electricity water pumping, moderate energy input). The grain yield increases directly with input energy in most of the cases, but it does not guarantee the highest values for energy indices. C-Ⅲ (moderate irrigations, educated farmers, various fertilizer applications) was found as an optimum case because of higher energy indices like energy use efficiency of 4.4 and energy productivity of 153.94 kg/GJ. Optimum input and better management practices may enhance energy proficiency and limit the traditionally uncontrolled CO2 emissions from wheat production. Therefore, the agricultural practices performed in C-Ⅲ are recommended for efficient cultivation of wheat in the studied area.King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabi

Analysis of Sedimentation as Implications of Beach Accretion using Spatial Analysis in the Coastal Area of Banyuasin South Sumatra, Indonesia

This study was conducted in the coastal area of ​​Banyuasin (CAB) which was considered to have a variety of sedimentation classes originating from fluvial and marine processes. The study aimed to observe/determine changes in the morphology of coastal areas related to sedimentation in the CAB and to make maps related to oceanographic parameters, changes in the land cover and identification of the distribution of sedimentation occurring in the CAB, and the dominant factors influencing the change. This study used imagery interpretation method and the sediment data collection used sediment traps to determine the occurrence of accretion and abrasion. The results of the study showed that there was a change in the environment based on the analysis of Landsat imagery, that have undergone changes are Ekor Tikus island (PET), Tg Api-api (TAA), and the Bungin River (SB), which are affected by the land conversion, sedimentation, and tidal currents. There has been an environmental change in the CAB, especially at the Banyuasin estuary (PET) with a high sedimentation rate. The changes also occurred in TAA and SB, with the dominant factor being the decline in mangrove forests. As a result, it is necessary to conduct a more detailed study and time series related to mangroves

Study of average seasonal variations of surface radio refractivity across some selected cities in Nigeria

The average seasonal variations of surface radio refractivity based on measurement of atmospheric pressure, temperature and relative humidity made across Yola (9o11' N, 12o30' E), Anyigba (7o 45' N, 6o45' E), Lagos (6o 27' N, 5o12' E), and Port-Harcourt (4o 48'N, 7oE) Nigeria, is reported. The measurement was made using wireless automatic weather station installed at the surface of each station under study. The study utilized three years of meteorological data measured from January 2010 to December 2013 to calculate the surface radio refractivity using empirical formula recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R 453, 2012). The result shows that the average value of surface radio refractivity showed seasonal variations with high values during the rainy season and low values during the dry season with an increase in the value of surface radio refractivity of 242N units at Anyigba station to a maximum value of 384-N units at Lagos station. The result also shows that climatic condition is the force behind the seasonal variations of surface radio refractivity in all study stations.Keywords: Refractivity, Temperature, Atmospheric pressure, Relative Humidit

Resistance-Associated Substitutions/Variants Correlate to Therapeutic Outcomes of Novel Direct-Acting Antivirals in Different HCV Genotype Treated Individuals

The expanded classification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome into various genotypes and numerous subtypes significantly correlates to therapeutic outcomes of interferon-free direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in HCV treated patients. In particular, genotypes 3 and 4 are still harder to treat, and higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates are not achieved in some difficult-to-treat specific populations (i.e., HCV subtype 1a patients, compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients, HCV/HIV co-infection, and prior treatment failure with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin and first-generation protease inhibitor based therapeutic regimens). Furthermore, the pre-existing and treatment-emergent resistance associated substitutions (RAS) at specific amino acid positions within the viral quasispecies may increase the chances of viral breakthrough (HCV RNA remains lower limit of quantification, but increased to 100 IU/mL or 1.log10 during DAAs therapy), viral relapse (undetectable viral load at the end of treatment but positive within the follow-up of 6 months), and discontinuation of therapy in treated individuals. Although the clinical importance of RAS is not entirely elucidated, it is believed that such substitutions decrease the therapeutic efficacy of DAAs in treated individuals. Similarly, the emergence of multiclass hepatitis C virus resistance to interferon-free DAAs failure in real-world experiences demands eagerly tailored second-line anti-hepatitis C therapies. This book chapter comprehensively overviews the clinical correlation of HCV genotypes, viral quasispecies and harboring RAS to treatment outcomes of revolutionary interferon-free DAAs in hepatitis C-treated patients

IoT LoRa-Based Energy Management Information System with RAD Method and Laravel Frameworks

This work presents a design and implementation an information system called LoRa-Building Energy Management System (Lo-BEMS). This research proposes an engaging data transmission (read and write), that combines the HTTP and MQTT protocols using third party broker that has monitor and control features for energy usages. Data retrieving uses single LoRa modulation and delivery to the Application Programming Interface (API) in Laravel Framework will then be stopped by the system and stored in the database. The development of this system uses the Rapid Application Development (RAD) method and the Laravel Frameworks. The black-box, UAT, and performance validation test results showed that the information system was running properly and following the objectives

Extadigits: an unusual presentation

Extra digit is a common congenital anomaly in our environment which usually affect the hands and occasionally the feet but very rarely both. A five months old male infant presented with accessory digits of the both hands and feet, with two extra digits on the left hand and one on the right hand, right foot and left foot. The extra digits were well developed, with normal range of motion, good capillary refill and intact sensation. General examination revealed an otherwise healthy child with no associated congenital malformations. The treatment modality used was surgical removal of the extra digits and reconstruction of any associated anomalies in the remaining ray such as longitudinal epiphyseal bracket. After the surgery the patients is no longer experience difficulty with fitting gloves and shoes as well as discrimination among peer groups in his future life

Effect of Salinity Stress on Physiological Changes in Winter and Spring Wheat

Salinity is a leading threat to crop growth throughout the world. Salt stress induces altered physiological processes and several inhibitory effects on the growth of cereals, including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, we determined the effects of salinity on five spring and five winter wheat genotypes seedlings. We evaluated the salt stress on root and shoot growth attributes, i.e., root length (RL), shoot length (SL), the relative growth rate of root length (RGR-RL), and shoot length (RGR-SL). The ionic content of the leaves was also measured. Physiological traits were also assessed, including stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll content index (CCI), and light-adapted leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, i.e., the quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv′/Fm′) and instantaneous chlorophyll fluorescence (Ft). Physiological and growth performance under salt stress (0, 100, and 200 mol/L) were explored at the seedling stage. The analysis showed that spring wheat accumulated low Na+ and high K+ in leaf blades compared with winter wheat. Among the genotypes, Sakha 8, S-24, W4909, and W4910 performed better and had improved physiological attributes (gs, Fv′/Fm′, and Ft) and seedling growth traits (RL, SL, RGR-SL, and RGR-RL), which were strongly linked with proper Na+ and K+ discrimination in leaves and the CCI in leaves. The identified genotypes could represent valuable resources for genetic improvement programs to provide a greater understanding of plant tolerance to salt stress.Salinity is a leading threat to crop growth throughout the world. Salt stress induces altered physiological processes and several inhibitory effects on the growth of cereals, including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, we determined the effects of salinity on five spring and five winter wheat genotypes seedlings. We evaluated the salt stress on root and shoot growth attributes, i.e., root length (RL), shoot length (SL), the relative growth rate of root length (RGR-RL), and shoot length (RGR-SL). The ionic content of the leaves was also measured. Physiological traits were also assessed, including stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll content index (CCI), and light-adapted leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, i.e., the quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv′ /Fm′ ) and instantaneous chlorophyll fluorescence (Ft). Physiological and growth performance under salt stress (0, 100, and 200 mol/L) were explored at the seedling stage. The analysis showed that spring wheat accumulated low Na+ and high K+ in leaf blades compared with winter wheat. Among the genotypes, Sakha 8, S-24, W4909, and W4910 performed better and had improved physiological attributes (gs, Fv′ /Fm′, and Ft) and seedling growth traits (RL, SL, RGR-SL, and RGR-RL), which were strongly linked with proper Na+ and K+ discrimination in leaves and the CCI in leaves. The identified genotypes could represent valuable resources for genetic improvement programs to provide a greater understanding of plant tolerance to salt stress