Detection of Extended-Spectrum Β-Lactamases among Gram Negative Isolates from Gombe Specialist Hospital Using Disc Replacement Method

A total of 500 clinical bacterial isolates from various sources including stool, urine, sputum and swabs obtained from Gombe State Specialist Hospital between July, 2011 and January, 2012 were used in this study. Gram’s stain reaction of the isolates separated them into Gram-positives (200) and Gram-negatives (300). Biochemical tests confirmed the identity of the Gram-negative isolates to be members of the enterobactericeae, which included Klebsiella pneumoniae (60), Escherichia coli (98), Providencia Spp. (32), Morganella moganii (32), Shigella Spp. (14), Citrobacter freundii (14), Serratia marcescens (10), Salmonella paratyphi A (10), Yersinia enterocolitica (8), Proteus vulgaris (4), Salmonella typhi (2) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16). Of the 300 Gram-negative isolates subjected to screening using Cefpodoxime (CPX 10μg, oxoid England) and Cefotaxime (CTX 30μg, Oxoid England) for ESβL- production based on Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) breakpoint, 250 (83.33%) were found to be positive which included K. pneumoniae (40), E. coli (92), Providencia Spp. (30), M. morganii (20), P. aeruginosa (14), Shigella Spp. (14), C. freundii (12), S. marcescens (6), and Y. enterocolitica (6), S. paratyphi A (10), P. vulgaris (4) and S. typhi (2). However, one hundred and sixty four, 164 (65.6%) were confirmed ESβL- producers based on DRM using Amoxicillin-clavulanate (AMC 30μg, Oxoid England) which included; K. pneumoniae 32(19.50%), E. coli 52(31.71%), Providencia Spp 20(12.20%), M. morganii 16(9.76%), P. aeruginosa 8(4.88%), Shigella Spp. 12(7.32%), C. freundii 6(3.66%), S. marcescens 4(2.44%), S. paratyphi A 8(4.88%), Y. enterocolitica 6(3.66%), P. vulgaris (0.0%), and S. typhi (0.0%).Keywords: Detection, ESBLs, Clinical isolates, Disc Replacement Method, Gomb

Hydrogeology and Groundwater Quality of Deep and Shallow Boreholes in Kano Metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria

The study area is located in the Kano Municipal. It is bounded by latitudes 11°51´ to 12°06´N and longitudes 8°23´ to 8°38´ E covering an area of about 770.063 Km2. It lies on the average altitude of 478m above sea level, and is generally undulating lowland. The relief is greatly influenced by the geology; characterized by small, blocky and low laying outcrops. Twenty (20) samples of groundwater collected from the study area from both deep (about 200m) and shallow boreholes, following the standard procedure as prescribed by APHA Guidelines. The analysis was achieved using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS-Varian AA240Fs), Direct reading Photometer (Hanna model), Titrimetric method, and Flame photometer (FPF9 Jenwy model).The interpretation of groundwater chemistry of the samples suggest that most of the samples analysed are within the WHO and Nigerian Standards for drinking, while some have concentrations beyond desirable limits. However, the concentrations of some elements such as Pb, above permissible limits in the samples analyzed have created a concern over the suitability of the water for drinking and other domestic uses. The assessment of water for irrigation indicates that most of the samples are suitable for irrigational purposes. The result of the laboratory analysis revealed that the selected ions were present in varying concentrations in the study area. The chemical parameters of water samples from the boreholes were plotted using AquaChem and revealed interaction between the groundwater and aquifer materials, and identified important data trends and groupings. Keywords: Water quality, analysis, WHO, SON, AquaChem, permissible limits, anion, cation, Kano

Lineaments Analysis to Identify Favourable Areas for Groundwater in Kano City, Northwestern Nigeria

This work was carried out to investigate groundwater potentials of Kano city using lineament analysis, and to study the relationship between the characteristics and occurrence of groundwater in aquifers of about 200m deep in crystalline basement rocks of the area by examining the possibility of groundwater occurrence at such depths; despite the general understanding that fractures closes with depth. It shows the use of LANDSAT ETM+ imagery and geological map to investigate areas favorable for groundwater development.  This was achieved by plotting the lineament trends, and lineament density to know the groundwater potentials. Rose (azimuth-frequency) diagram of the lineaments delineated on the imagery shows trends in the directions of N-S, E-W, NE-SW, and NW-SE. The dominant trend is NW-SE. The analyses have shown that the study area has numerous fractures whose major trends are mainly in north-south and northwestern-southeastern directions. Lineament density map shows the cross-cutting lineaments are relatively high in areas around the north-eastern and south-western parts of the study area but low in the other areas. The zones of high lineament intersection density are feasible zones for groundwater prospecting.  The positions of deep boreholes on the map of the area do not coincide with the cross cutting lineaments, and are therefore the yields of the deep boreholes are not sustainable. Keywords: Lineaments, groundwater, boreholes, aquifer, fracture

Hydrochemical characterization and evaluation of groundwater quality of zamfara area, northwest, nigeria

This study deals with hydrochemical assessment of groundwater within the lithological framework underlain Zamfara State, Northwestern Nigeria with the aim of ascertaining its suitability for human consumption. Groundwater samples were collected from boreholes tapping the aquifer of the area and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters, such as total dissolve solids, electrical conductivity (Ec), pH, temperature, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3, Cl-, SO4, NO3, PO4, and trace elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cr). The results obtained were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis, water quality index method, and hydrochemical variation plots for proper characterization. As far as suitability is concerned most of the studied physic-chemical parameters trace elements (iron, lead and chromium ions) revealed average concentrations lower than the permissible limit set for domestic water use by World Health Organization. However, the compiled overall water quality index for the studied groundwater shows ‘very poor water quality’. Due to the fact that WQI rating reflect the composite influence of different water quality parameters. The result of the multivariate statistical analysis, as applied to the chemical data set of the studied groundwater provides an insight into the underlying controlling hydrochemical processes in the area. Four factors including factor-1 (total hardness, chloride, nitrate, manganese, bicarbonate and alkalinity), factor-2 (TDS, conductivity, total hardness, magnesium and calcium), factor-3 (Temperature, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron and chromium), factor-4 (calcium, magnesium and nitrate) represents the signatures from dissolution of bedrock through which the groundwater passes, ionic mixing, leaching from the lateritic overburden, agricultural activities (fertilizer application) and effluent from waste dumpsites in the study area. The distribution of major ions in the groundwater shows relative abundance of cations: Na++K+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+; while the relative abundance of the anions is: Cl- > HCO3- > SO42-. Groundwater in the aquifer of the study area are majorly of evolved type with mixing of ionic concentrations. Alkali’s are more in abundant to that of alkaline earth, while Cl and HCO3 dominate SO4 and NO3 concentration. The water samples are basically ‘Alkali waters’ with ‘Earth Alkaline’ components that are predominantly HCO3- and Cl-.The relative abundance of the three (3) dominant water types are as thus: Na-HCO3-Cl > Ca-Mg-HCO3-Cl > Na-Ca-Cl. Simple mineral dissolution or mixing processes is mainly responsible for the variation in the hydrochemistry of the groundwater of the study area. &nbsp

Groundwater Resource Appraisals of Bodinga and Environs, Sokoto Basin North Western Nigeria

The groundwater resources of semi-arid region of Bodinga town and its environs within the Sokoto basin of Northwestern Nigeria have been evaluated. Data obtained at site during pumping test sessions which lasted for a period of between 8-12 hours for a total of 67 boreholes in the area of study were used alongside Information gathered from the careful analysis of lithological logs of the drilled Boreholes. The Hydraulic conductivity for the Kalambaina, Wurno, and Taloka formations are 22.00x10 m/s , 8.00x10-1 m/s, and 1.02x10 m/s and respectively with an average of 3.00x10 m/s for the area. The Transmissivity calculated for these formations are 167.54x10 m2/s, 3.02x10 m2/s and 3.00x10 m2/s respectively while the average total for the area is. 20.30x10 m2/s. Specific capacity for the Kalambaina is 140.00x10 m2/s/m, for Wurno the value is 2.10x10 m2/s/m while Taloka formation have a value of 2.35x10 m2/s/m and the mean computed for this part of the basin is 16.30x10 m2/s /m. Yield is between 0.23 l/s and 6.7 l/s. The calculated properties show the area to be rich in groundwater resources mainly tapped from the coarse sandy and cavernous/jointed limestone layers. However the high drawdown values recorded in some of the boreholes is attributed to the presence of silt- clay materials which act as aquiclude. The high yielding boreholes are those with thicker and sandy aquifer material and less drawdown, however the area have high groundwater resource that is partly affected by the presence of silt and clay intercalations within the sandy Aquiferous units.Keywords: Groundwater, Transmissivity, Coarse-sandy layer, Aquiclude, Semi-confined, Sokoto basin

Mathematics of FIV and BTB dynamics in buffalo and lion populations at Kruger National Park

A new deterministic model for the transmission dynamics of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in lion‐buffalo population is designed and used to gain insight into the transmission dynamics of the two diseases in the population. The model is shown to undergo a backward bifurcation (a dynamic phenomenon characterized by the coexistence of the stable disease‐free equilibrium and a stable endemic equilibrium when the associated reproduction number of the model is less than unity). Two sources for this dynamic phenomenon, namely, the BTB reinfection of exposed buffalos and the BTB‐FIV co‐infection of lions, have been identified. It is shown that, for the special case of the model when backward bifurcation does not occur, the disease‐free equilibrium of the resulting model is globally‐asymptotically stable when the associated reproduction number is less than unity. Numerical simulations of the model, using initial and demographic data relevant to the BTB‐FIV dynamics in Kruger National Park, show that control strategies, such as the isolation of lions with FIV symptoms or the treatment of lions and buffalos with BTB symptoms, can lead to the effective control or elimination of the disease in the lion‐buffalo population if their effectiveness level is high enough. The time to elimination of any of the two diseases is significantly reduced if the strategies are combined.SMG acknowledges with thanks the support of South African DST/NRF SARChI chair on Math-ematical Models and Methods in Bioengineering and Biosciences (M3B2).http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/mma2019-12-01hj2019Mathematics and Applied Mathematic

Prise En Charge Des Victimes Du Conflit Armé Du Nord Mali Dans Les Hôpitaux De Niamey

Objectives: The aims of this study was to evaluate the management of lesions in victims of the malian conflict patients admitted to Niamey hospitals. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Niamey hospitals from January 1st, 2012 to December, 31th, 2013. Data collected included âge, sex, means of transport, topography of trauma, treatment and outcome. Results: The sample included fifty one (51) patients. All patients were male; the mean age was 29,5 years ± 9 years, ranging from 17-71 years. The age between 26 and 35 were most affected in 47% of cases (24 patients), soldiers represented 72.54% (37 patients); and civils 27.45% (14 patients). 74.50% of our patients (38) were been transported in Niamey by aircraft. The trauma concerned the members in 54.90% (28 cases), canio facial in 17.60% (9 cases), abdomen in 11.80% (6 cases). We observed only one polytrauma. 66.66% (34) of patients were injured by firearms, 29.41% (15) by accidents of roads, 3,93% by burn (2 patients). The lesions found were bone in 41.17% (21 patients), skin-muscle in 35.29% (18 patients), visceral in 9.80% (5 patients). Five patients died (9.80%). Conclusion: the internationalization of conflicts requires a reorganization of the care by involving all the nearness health structures in order to ensure adequate care and neutrality

Development of novel multiplex microsatellite polymerase chain reactions to enable high-throughput population genetic studies of Schistosoma haematobium

© 2015 Webster et al. Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. The attached file is the published version of the article

Modelling agricultural drought: a review of latest advances in big data technologies

Open Access Journal; Published online: 12 Oct 2022This article reviews the main recent applications of multi-sensor remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence techniques in multivariate modelling of agricultural drought. The study focused mainly on three fundamental aspects, namely descriptive modelling, predictive modelling, and spatial modelling of expected risks and vulnerability to drought. Thus, out of 417 articles across all studies on drought, 226 articles published from 2010 to 2022 were analyzed to provide a global overview of the current state of knowledge on multivariate drought modelling using the inclusion criteria. The main objective is to review the recent available scientific evidence regarding multivariate drought modelling based on the joint use of geospatial technologies and artificial intelligence. The analysis focused on the different methods used, the choice of algorithms and the most relevant variables depending on whether they are descriptive or predictive models. Criteria such as the skill score, the given game complexity used, and the nature of validation data were considered to draw the main conclusions. The results highlight the very heterogeneous nature of studies on multivariate modelling of agricultural drought, and the very original nature of studies on multivariate modelling of agricultural drought in the recent literature. For future studies, in addition to scientific advances in prospects, case studies and comparative studies appear necessary for an in-depth analysis of the reproducibility and operational applicability of the different approaches proposed for spatial and temporal modelling of agricultural drought

Investigating total entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurial intention in Africa regions using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA)

This study offers a novel evaluation of the conditions for Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) and Entrepreneurial Intention (EI) across 59 Sub-Saharan African regions. The analysis employs fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis using Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2013) survey data using five condition variables, measuring regional-level entrepreneurial attitudes and perceptions, including education level, considered against TEA and EI. This novel regional contribution identifies diversity between African countries and regions for entrepreneurial activities and its drivers, with several groups identified. This highlights a requirement for future research encompassing further countries and regions in African, and also multi-year studies that can track these issues longitudinally. The study informs knowledge and practice regarding entrepreneurial behaviour across African regions. Through examination of the different combinations of condition variables, across causal recipes, it provides understanding of variations in the socio-cultural drivers of entrepreneurial activity between regions, groups of regions, and countries, for TEA and EI