Chest X-ray findings in HIV- infected Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) - naïve patients

Introduction: Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection frequently present with a wide spectrum of pulmonary and cardiaccomplications from the virus, opportunistic infections and neoplasms that may be associated with a high mortality rate. Diseases of the respiratorytract account for about half of deaths from AIDS, while cardiac diseases account for more than a quarter of deaths from AIDS. This study aimed atdetermining the prevalence of pulmonary and cardiac diseases using a chest radiograph in HAART-naïve HIV-infected patients. Methods: Thisstudy was conducted at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) HIV clinic between September 2010 and August 2011 amongst allregistered HAART-naïve HIV/AIDS patients. Patients had posterior-anterior chest radiographs done in full inspiration. Participants were asked andaided to fill the structured questionnaires to obtain demographic data. Results: Out of a total of one hundred and two recruited for the study, 54 (52.94%) had a normal chest radiograph, while 48 (47.06%) had abnormal chest radiograph .The abnormal findings included, 27.45% who hadbronchopneumonia, 6.86% cardiomegaly, 5.88% pulmonary tuberculosis, 5.88% radiological features of congestive cardiac failure, and 0.98%bronchitis. Conclusion: It appears that more than half of HAART–naïve HIV-infected patients have normal chest radiographs. Bronchopneumonia(27.5%) is the commonest pulmonary abnormality associated with HIV infection, while the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis is 5.88%.Key words: Chest X-ray, HIV-infected, HAART-naïve

Retirement And Adjustment Levels: A Case Study Of Retirees In Ogun State

This study examined the level of adjustment (positive or negative) of retirees in Ogun State, Nigeria, as well as their perception (positive or negative) of retirement and the level of adjustment. A self-developed questionnaire was used for data collection. The subjects for the study were 72 retirees (34 males and 38 females), drawn from public, private and government owned companies in Ogun State. Results of the study revealed that respondents had positive perception of retirement and positive level of adjustment in retirement.  The relationship between perception and level of adjustment was not statistically significant [p > 0.05] which indicates that factors other than perception contribute to the positive level of adjustment of the respondents.  &nbsp

ADAPTING MODERN METHODS OF LECTURING IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: A CRITIQUE

Different disciplines have explored the concept of lecturing from different perspectives. However, adapting some modern methods of lecturing in Nigerian universities have not been systematically studied.   Therefore, this paper examines critically the modern   methods of lecturing in our modern days tertiary institutions in Nigeria.In agreement with other researches, this paper notes that there are many challenges facing the   methods of teaching in Nigerian Universities today. Triangulation method was used to gather information for this paper, and both primary and secondary   sources were used to obtain information for this article.  The findings of this paper show that the traditional lecture method will not lead to much educational achievements unless it is combined with interactive engagements with the students and prompt feedback from the tutorsThe paper recommends that if Government could live up to her   expectation by provision of basic amenities and   state-of-the-arts teaching facilities to the tertiary institutions, the phenomenon could be reduced. A concerted effort is therefore needed among all stake holders in the education sector for the task of promoting effective teaching in our tertiary institutions

SUSTAINING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN A DEREGULATED ECONOMY

This paper reuiews the policy framework for Nlgelian agriculture and gauges Its Impact plior to and since the commencement of economic deregulation. It investigates the prospects, analyses tile constraints and ouUlnes a feasible strategy for sustaining ag~icultural growth In a deregulated enabling environment. The paper notes that In the period, 1970 to 1982, the deterioration In ag~icultural pe1jormance In Nlge1ia was the result not only of extemal shocks and erwironmental and/or edaphfc foctors, but of distorted policy pursuits which created clislncentiues for farming. Howeuer, following attemptS to deregulate the economy with the adopUon of the Structural Adjustment Pl:o!P·amme In 1986 and the consequent eff01t to get price lncenUues right for agriculture, there was some Improvement in ag~icultural performance. It Is noted that agricultural sector growth has recently been lwmpered by increased costs 01ising mainly from genera/deregulation. An lnuestlgatlon of the resource base and prospects shows that ag~kulture can contlibute more to g~·owth than In recent years. But success wlll require engendering a conducive enabling environment and Incentives, avaliC!bility of technology and Inputs as well as Infrastructure. This calls for an oction plan which glues the prluate and Informal sectors bigger roles In the execution of development prog~·ammes. In addition, the public section would need to refocus current policies and priolitles with more uigorous implementation of known successful approoches based on factor endowments for stimulating growth

Assessment and Impacts of Metal Recycling on Groundwater Quality in Ogijo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Groundwater is an essential source of water supply globally. Recently, however, the groundwater environment is being threatened due to heavy metal contamination resulting from the indiscriminate use, storage, and disposal of toxic metal elements. This study evaluates heavy metals concentrations in groundwater systems close to a metal recycling industry in Ogun State, Nigeria. In the study, thirty-six (36) water samples were collected from boreholes within the vicinity of a metal recycling industry and analysed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Water samples collected had trace concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni); metal concentrations were highest in the borehole closest to the industry. Pb, Cr, and Mn concentrations were above the acceptable standards. The findings showed that the activities within metal recycling industries can potentially elevate toxic metal concentrations in groundwater water sources close to it if proper mitigation measures are not put in place

EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF BROILER BREEDER EGG WEIGHTS ON HATCHING AND POST-HATCH PERFORMANCES IN MARSHAL BREED

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of different Marshal breed broiler on hatching egg weights on hatching characteristics and post-hatch performances; and also to compare the cost of production of hatchlings to table size. A total of 900 hatching eggs (HE) from 40 weeks old parent stock were sorted, graded and purposively grouped on weight basis into small (<50g), medium (50-65g) and large (>65g) sizes (3 groups). Each group was allotted 300 eggs and replicated thrice, with each replicate having 100 eggs in a complete randomised design before incubation for 21 days. Candling of incubated eggs was done on day 18 on group basis and numbers of fertile eggs noted. The chicks were individually weighed and counted to determine hatchability, hatchling weight and cost of production. Thereafter, hatched chicks were allotted into the respective groups and replicated to determine the post-hatch performance. Each replicate has 45 chicks, intensively raised and were fed ad libitum with broiler starter mash for the first 4 weeks of life and broiler finisher mash from 4-8 weeks. Data generated include feed intake, final weight, mortality; weight gain, feed conversion ratio and unit cost of production of chicken were calculated. The data were analyzed by GLM of SAS and Duncan’s multiple-range test was used to separate significance of differences among treatment means at 5% significance level. The medium HE had the best fertility (93.00%), hatchability (95.67%) and cost of producing a chick (N 90.07) when compared with the small and large HEs. The large HE has the best results in terms of, final weight and weight gain, while medium HE has the best FCR, lowest mortality and least cost of production, which are significant at p< 0.05. It is therefore recommended poultry breeders and hatchery operators should consider the use of medium weight (50-65g) HEs in their operations, so as to cut down the production cost.   &nbsp

Assessment of Energy Saving Potentials in Covenant University, Nigeria

In this study, an energy audit was conducted at Covenant University in Nigeria looking for ways to reduce energy costs. Results show that of the total university electricity energy demand, space cooling and lighting have the highest electrical consumption (29%). In academic buildings, space cooling consumed the maximum power (49%), while lighting consumed the most power (39%) in staff quarters. Annual energy and cost savings for replacement of traditional fluorescent lights(FLTs) and incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)in student hostels and staff quarters are about 394 MWh, N4.8 million ($30,000) and 644 MWh, N7.9 Million ($49, 375) respectively. Consequently, for space cooling systems, the annual energy and cost savings for replacement of conventional resistance electric regulator fans with electronic regulator fans is about 367 MWh and N 9.8 Million ($61,250).A well-articulated and vigorously pursued energy efficiency policy measures in the university can result in an estimated annual savings in electricity consumption of about 16%

Preparing medical students to recognize and respond to gender based violence in Nigeria

Background: Medical practitioners are ideally positioned to mitigate the impact of gender based violence (GBV) on the health of victims.  However, there is a lack of information on students’ ability and willingness to do so. Objective:  To identify factors which impact on students’ attainment of the knowledge and perceived ability to manage victims. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 388 (91.5%) final year medical students from three medical schools in South West, Nigeria.   Results: Students were knowledgeable on sexual (63.7%) and physical (54.6%) forms of GBV and unfamiliar with other forms. The mean scores for knowledge (7.1 ± 2.5 out of 11); attitude (52.6 ± 10.3 out of 80); personal comfort (44.1 ± 10.0 out of 65) and skills (3.1 ± 2.6 out of 7) were calculated.  Younger respondents, females and married students reported less skill to manage victims.  The location of school, previous training and personal comfort remained significant determinants of students’ self reported skills on GBV. Respondents with prior training on GBV and comfortable with managing patients, were four times more likely to perceive they were more skilled than their peers [AOR = 4.33, 95% CI: 2.37 – 7.90 and AOR 3.53; 95% CI 2.16- 5.78 respectively]. Conclusion: Formalised skills training on GBV is a necessity, especially for young, female students and training cannot be left to serendipity. The medical curriculum should be reviewed.Keywords: Undergraduate medical curriculum, gender based violence, violence against women, medical student perceptions, teaching and training undergraduate

TOWARDS EFFECTIVE PLANNING, DESIGN AND MONITORING OF DAMS IN NIGERIA

Besides serving as a center of tourist attraction, creating jobs for the unemployed, a rich source of fish and a fallback in times of drought, a dam also creates electricity from nothing other than the falling of water through its turbines. In Nigeria, like in many other parts of the world, dam projects are often seen as key to economic solution through hydroelectric power supply. The technology of dam construction in Nigeria is still experimental. There are so many unknown factors in dam design, construction and operation that may affect dam’s safety and performance. Relying on field experience from various parts of Nigeria, this paper examines the essential details necessary for consideration in dam planning and design using the complete and accurate information on the important variables such as technical, environmental, socio-cultural, economic or cultural factors. The results of these examined factors indicated that most of dam projects in Nigeria are not properly planned. The basic planning flaws include hydrologic, environmental and social factors which are seen by dam builders as obstacles to be ignored, covered up or surrogated to engineering in the project planning. Incorrect calculation of flood flows has lead to dam failures and reservoir siltation has drastically reduced the lifespan of dams, making one to conclude that the entire concept of dam safety as a design criterion is a new one. It appears that Nigeria will have to live with these flaws and some of these cost for sometimes to come. There is, therefore, the need for us to reduce these through proper planning, design and monitoring of our dams. It is recommended that a comprehensive dam safety study of all old dams (i.e. ≥ 20 years) be carried out. &nbsp

Treatment of brewery wastewater using electro-Fenton and granulated activated carbon

Improvement of electro-Fenton (EF) process with granulated activated carbon (GAC) for the treatment of brewery effluent obtained from Ota, South-West Nigeria was investigated. The GAC was obtained by crushing, carbonising, sieving, and activating cow bones. Duplicate samples of the raw effluent and 10 treated brewery effluent samples were analysed for conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), copper, manganese, cadmium, lead, and zinc. The average readings were taken as final values. Results showed that the combined use of EF and GAC treatment of the effluent yielded better result than use of EF alone. The removal efficiency was 1181, 50, 565, 4375, 160, and 840% for turbidity, COD, copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc respectively. EF and GAC treatment were, however, found to be inefficient for the treatment of conductivity, TDS, and manganese. It was also found that pH had a direct impact on the treatment media. Turbidity and cadmium, which had the highest removal rates were achieved at pH 2, while COD, copper, and zinc had optimum treatment at pH 6. It was concluded that the combined advantage of electrolytic separation from EF and adsorption from GAC yielded better treatment result for the brewery effluent samples