Assessment of Equipment Maintenance Practices for Effective Electric Power Distribution in Adamawa State

The main purpose of this study was to assess equipment maintenance practices for effective electric power distribution in Adamawa State by Yola Electricity Distribution Company. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 69 consisting of 46 technicians and 23 supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company. The whole population was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers titled “Assessment of Equipment Maintenance Practices for Effective Electric Power Distribution Questionnaire (AEMPELPDQ)”. The instrument was validated by three experts and a reliability of 0.89 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The finding of the study revealed that Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts monthly routine maintenance on 18 out of the 31 items listed equipment while quarterly routine maintenance is carried out on 11 of the 31 items. Weekly maintenance is adopted for only two (2) of the equipment; Out of the 31 items listed, 22 of the items are semi-annually maintained; while eight (8) of the items are annually maintained and only one (1) of the equipment (distribution board) is weekly maintained. Based on the findings, YEDC should ensure adequate inspection and supervision of equipment to prevent unwarranted breakdown that may affect effective distribution of electrical power; YEDC should ensure at least monthly routine maintenance is carried out on the equipment available to ensure effective usage

Characterization of Brick Masonry: Study towards Retrofitting URM Walls with Timber-Panels

The overall purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of using timber-panels to retrofit URM walls. However, this paper only present the overall proposed experimental program together with the experimental characterization of mechanical properties of masonry components: units and mortar. The present work developed finite element numerical model that is able to predict the strength of the masonry cube, on the safe side. The numerical model was validated with an experimental test on masonry cube showing 9% difference in the maximum compressive strength of masonry. The modelling technique adopted is the detailed micro modelling where the unit and mortar were represented by their respective mechanical properties using ABAQUS. Because, the numerical results compliment what was observed during the experimental test, then the developed model can be used to predict the general behaviour of masonry wall in the subsequent study

ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF FERMENTED AND UNFERMENTED SEED OF CISSUS POPULNAE FROM NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

The assessment of nutritional properties of fermented (for 24 and 48 h) and unfermented seeds of Cissus populnae from Niger State, Nigeria were determined using standard analytical methods. The proximate parameters determined were moisture, protein, ash, fat, fiber and carbohydrate.  The ranges of these values were from 12.44±0.03 (unfermented) to 15.21±0.51 (fermented for 48 h), 4.23±0.16 (unfermented) to 5.04±0.15% (fermentation at 48 h), 2.00±0.05 (unfermented) to 3.10±0.45 (fermented for 48 h), 7.20±0.60 (unfermented) to 9.01±0.11), 4.02±0.23% (fermentation for 48 h) to 7.00±0.06 (unfermented) and 63.62±0.46 (fermented at 48 h) to 67.13±0.53 (unfermented) % for the moisture, crude fiber, ash, crude protein, crude fat and crude carbohydrate contents respectively. The energy values obtained were 1522.61±0.21, 1446.82±0.33 and 1383.45±0.50 Kcal/100g for the unfermented, fermentation for 24 and 48 h respectively. From the results of this study, fermentation generally improved the mineral contents of the samples and decreased their anti-nutrient contents. Thus, large-scale production of fermented Cissus populnae seeds will be a valuable source of nutrition to man and his animals

Local Rice Production Trend Analyses and Consumption in Benue State, Nigeria: 1980 – 2016

The research examined local rice production trends and factors inhibiting the consumption of local rice from 1980 to 2016 in Benue State. Primary data were collected with the aid of questionnaire in Benue State, while secondary data were obtained from Benue Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA) in 2017. Multistage random sampling method was employed in selecting respondents. Primary data were collected from one hundred and fifty six (156) respondents. Descriptive statistics, Z – test, Growth model and Kendal’s coefficient of concordance were used for the analysis. The results revealed that from 1980 to 2016, a total of 9.5mt of local rice was produced in Benue State. The result also shows that the respondents were all married (99%), with household size of 1 - 10 persons (95%) and mean household size of about 8 persons. The result further indicated that majority of respondents’ attained tertiary school level. The result also shows that the respondents had low income (40.3%).  The mean quantity of local rice production was 257,333.06mt per year. The instantaneous growth trends of local rice production and price were 0.00122 and 0.01103, and compound growth rate as 3.72 and 3.76 respectively. The result also indicated that many of the respondents were above the age of 41 years (49%) with the mean age of 47 and all respondents male. The presence of stones, poor aroma, impure rice and broken grain were some of the factors inhibiting consumption of local rice in Benue State. The study recommended that the policies that focus on increasing growth rate of local rice in Benue State should be intensified. Breeders and Scientists should make effort in breeding rice with aroma. The processors of local rice should use modern processing mills like rice polisher and des-stoners to mill quality local rice that will be acceptable to consumers

Dietary supplementation of different parts of Andrographis paniculata affects the fatty acids, lipid oxidation, microbiota, and quality attributes of longissimus muscle in goats

The effects of dietary supplementation of different parts of Andrographis paniculata on fatty acids, lipid oxidation, microbiota and quality attributes of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle in goats were assessed. Twenty four, entire Boer bucks (4 months old; 20.18 ± 0.19 kg BW) were randomly allotted to either a basal diet without additive (AP0), a basal diet + 1.5% Andrographis paniculata leaves (APL) or a basal diet + 1.5% Andrographis paniculata whole plant (APW). The bucks were fed the diets for 100 d and slaughtered. The LTL muscle was subjected to a 7 d chill storage. The AP0 meat had higher (p  .05) on muscle glycogen, pH, drip loss, chemical composition and lactic acid bacteria count. Cooking loss, shear force, and TBARS values were lower (p < .05) in APL (23.98%, 0.76 kg, 0.12 mg MDA/kg) and APW (24.53%, 0.80 kg, 0.15 mg MDA/kg) meat compared with AP0 (26.49%, 1.13 kg, 0.23 mg MDA/kg) meat. Meat redness was higher (p < .05) in APL (13.49) and APW (12.98) than AP0 (10.86). Sensory scores for juiciness, tenderness, and overall acceptability of APL (7.92, 7.88, 7.89) and APW (7.90, 7.08, 7.77) meat were higher (p < .05) than that of the AP0 (5.38, 5.95, 5.41) meat. Total viable counts and populations of Pseudomonas spp, Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriacea were higher (p < .05) in AP0 meat than in APL and APW meat. The APL exhibited higher (p < .05) antimicrobial potential than the APW. Chill storage affected (p < .05) the physicochemical properties, lipid oxidation and microbial counts in chevon. Dietary APL and APW enhanced the beneficial fatty acids, quality attributes and oxidative stability, and reduced microbial counts in chevon

Development of disease-specific, context-specific surveillance models : avian influenza (H5N1)-related risks and behaviours in African countries

Avian influenza virus (H5N1) is a rapidly disseminating infection that affects poultry and, potentially, humans. Because the avian virus has already adapted to several mammalian species, decreasing the rate of avian-mammalian contacts is critical to diminish the chances of a total adaptation of H5N1 to humans. To prevent the pandemic such adaptation could facilitate, a biology-specific disease surveillance model is needed, which should also consider geographical and socio-cultural factors. Here we conceptualized a surveillance model meant to capture H5N1-related biological and cultural aspects, which included food processing, trade, and cooking-related practices, as well as incentives (or disincentives) for desirable behaviours. This proof-of-concept was tested with data collected from 378 Egyptian and Nigerian sites (local [backyard] producers/ live bird markets /village abattoirs/ commercial abattoirs and veterinary agencies). Findings revealed numerous opportunities for pathogens to disseminate, as well as lack of incentives to adopt preventive measures, and factors that promoted epidemic dissemination. Supporting such observations, the estimated risk for H5N1-related human mortality was higher than previously reported. The need for multi-dimensional disease surveillance models, which may detect risks at higher levels than models that only measure one factor or outcome, was supported. To develop efficient surveillance systems, interactions should be captured, which include but exceed biological factors. This low-cost and easily implementable model, if conducted over time, may identify focal instances where tailored policies may diminish both endemicity and the total adaptation of H5N1 to the human species.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1863-23782017-02-28hb2016Food ScienceProduction Animal Studie

Cervical cancer awareness, perception, and attitude among tertiary health institution students in northeastern Nigeria

BackgroundThe devastating scourge of cervical cancer in Africa is largely due to the absence of preventive interventions, driven by low awareness and poor perception of the disease in the continent. This work is a preliminary effort toward understanding key social drivers promoting this disease in our immediate environment with a view to mitigating it.MethodFemale students of two tertiary health institutions in Azare, northeastern Nigeria, were approached to participate in this cross-sectional descriptive study. A structured self-administered questionnaire was administered to consenting participants and covered questions on their socio-demographics, awareness, perception, and attitude about/toward cervical cancer and its prevention. The responses were scrutinized for coherency and categorized into themes using summary statistics, while a chi-square test was used to determine the association between awareness of cervical cancer and participant age, marital status, religion, screening uptake, and willingness to undergo screen.ResultsAwareness of cervical cancer was recorded among 174/230 (75.7%) respondents who enrolled in this study; 117 (67.2%) knew that it was preventable, but only three (1.3%) respondents had undergone screening. Among the aware participants, 91 (52.3%) and 131 (75.3%) knew that sexual intercourse and multiple sexual partners are risk factors for the disease, respectively. In contrast, knowledge of the etiology was poor; 82 (47.1%) respondents who knew it was preventable had heard about human papillomavirus (HPV), while 72 (41.4%) knew that HPV causes cervical cancer. Most (78%) of the participants expressed willingness to take a human papillomavirus vaccine or undergo screening (84.6%) if made available to them. Awareness was significantly associated with participants’ age (p = 0.022) and willingness to undergo screening (p = 0.016).ConclusionThis study revealed discordance between awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer. Educational initiatives reflective of population perception/knowledge of cervical cancer are needed to mitigate the rising incidence of this disease, especially among female healthcare providers

Effectiveness of a self-management intervention with personalised genetic and lifestyle-related risk information on coronary heart disease and diabetes-related risk in type 2 diabetes (CoRDia): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background Many patients with type 2 diabetes fail to achieve good glycaemic control. Poor control is associated with complications including coronary heart disease (CHD). Effective self-management and engagement in health behaviours can reduce risks of complications. However, patients often struggle to adopt and maintain these behaviours. Self-management interventions have been found to be effective in improving glycaemic control. Recent developments in the field of genetics mean that patients can be given personalised information about genetic- and lifestyle-associated risk of developing CHD. Such information may increase patients’ motivation to engage in self-management. The Coronary Risk in Diabetes (CoRDia) trial will compare the effectiveness of a self-management intervention, with and without provision of personalised genetic- and lifestyle-associated risk information, with usual care, on clinical and behavioural outcomes, the cognitive predictors of behaviour, and psychological wellbeing. Methods/Design Participants will be adults aged 25–74 years registered with general practices in the East of England, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with no history of heart disease, and with a glycated haemoglobin level of ≥6.45 % (47 mmol/mol). Consenting participants will be randomised to one of three arms: usual care control, group self-management only, group self-management plus personalised genetic- and lifestyle-associated risk information. The self-management groups will receive four weekly 2-hour group sessions, focusing on knowledge and information sharing, problem solving, goal setting and action planning to promote medication adherence, healthy eating, and physical activity. Primary outcomes are glycaemic control and CHD risk. Clinical data will be collected from GP records, including HbA1c, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and HDL and total cholesterol. Self-reported health behaviours, including medication adherence, healthy eating and physical activity, and cognitive outcomes will be assessed by questionnaire. Measures will be taken at baseline, 3 months (questionnaire only), 6 months and 12 months post-baseline. Discussion This study will determine whether the addition of personalised genetic- and lifestyle-associated CHD risk information to a group self-management intervention improves diabetes control and CHD risk compared with group self-management and usual care. Effectiveness of the combined intervention on health behaviours cognitions theorised to predict them, and psychological outcomes will also be investigated. Trial registration This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov; registration identifier NCT01891786, registered 28 June 2013