The usefulness of total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein - cholesterol ratio in interpreting lipid profile results of Diabetes Mellitus patients

Objective: To determine the usefulness of total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and/or highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol ratios in the interpretation of lipid profile result in clinical practice. Methods: This is a prospective case-control study involving 109 diabetics, 98 diabetic hypertensives, 102 hypertensives and 120 control subjects. Serum lipid profile and plasma glucose were determined using appropriatemethods. Results: The mean ages of the different study groups were similar. Body mass indices of diabetics with or without hypertension were significantly higher than that of the controls. The difference in the mean total cholesterol of each group was not statistically significant when compared with the controls. A significant difference existed in the mean LDL when the different study groups were compared with the controls. There was a significant difference in the mean TG of DM and DM/hypertension patients compared with that of controls.However, themeanTGof hypertensive patientswas not statistically differentwith that of the controls. ThemeanHDLwas lower in each group of patients compared to that of the controls however the differencewas not statistically significant. The mean TC/HDL ratios were significantly higher in all groups of patients when compared to that of the controls while HDL/TC ratios were significantly lower in all categories of patients when compared to that of the controls. Conclusion: The ratios identified more dyslipidaemia than either of the lipid profile components. Therefore, the use of TC/HDL and or HDL/ TC ratios should be encouraged in screening for dyslipidaemia in diabetic patientswith orwithout hypertension in clinical practice. Keywords: Total Cholesterol/HDL ratio, Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, Nigeria.       

Some physico-chemical properties of prepared metallic soap-driers of aluminium, copper and zinc.

No Abstrac

Density and Morphological Properties of Some Reinforced Polymers

The morphology of some reinforced blends of Polystyrene (PS) and Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) were estimated by density measurements, showing a definite pattern except that the filler composition increases the densities of the blends with 30/70, 20/80 and 10/90, PS/PVAc having highest values than other compositions. Also, photomicrographs of the different blends show a two phase system appearing bright (PVAc phase) and the other appearing black (PS phase) in virtually all the micrographs, even though the heterogeneity due to phase inversions is relevant for some compositions. For some composition a domain distribution shows considerable miscibility within the range of compositions. KEYWORDS: Phase inversions, domain distribution, miscibility, phase system

A Better Approach to Generating Random Numbers

The term random number has been used by many scholars to explain the behaviour of a stochastic system. Many of such scholars with statistical or mathematical background view it as an organized set of numbers produced by a function in a numerical way in which the next number to be produced is unknown or unpredictable. This paper produced software that generates a sequence of random number and also compared the algorithm with the commonly used method of random number generator. The three most common methods selected were the Mid Square method, Fibonacci method and Linear Congruential Generator Method (LCG). The result shows that the LCG provides a more acceptable result in terms of speed, long cycle, uniformity and independence Applications of this random numbers can be seen in Monte Carlo simulations, simulation or modelling, password generation, cryptography and online games

Effectiveness of reference services in providing students’ information needs in tertiary institutions in Nigeria

The main purpose of establishing library in any academic environment is to serve as the information centre to the community of users. But many have failed to serve this purpose after spending lots of money due to some reason and the other. This survey study is aimed at assessing Effectiveness of Reference Services in Providing Students’ Information Needs in Some Selected Tertiary Institutions in Borno State. The main objectives of the study were to : ascertain students’ level of’ utilization of reference section; availability of reference resources; types of reference services; users’ level of satisfaction with information and, problems inhibiting users from being satisfied with references services.. The study used survey method where questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. A total of One hundred and fifty (150) of students was used as population for the study - fifty from College of Agriculture Maiduguri, Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri and College of Education Maiduguri. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that: there is a high level of utilization of reference section by the students; there are inadequate Reference Librarians where “Book – Materials” constitutes the bulk of the information resources in Libraries; Referral Service, Current Awareness Services and Inter- Library lending constitutes the bulk of reference services provided in Libraries; the mostly use reference resources for “Assignment / Exams” and “Research/Project” purposes. Reference services provided by libraries were “poor” and, Lack of e-resources, irrelevance of the available information resources and lack of qualified reference Librarians constitutes the bulk of the problems inhibiting students’ satisfaction with reference resources of Libraries in Tertiary Institutions in Borno State. The study recommends among other things: Effort should be geared toward recruiting more professional Librarians and the provision of current information technologies facilities such computers and internet facilities such that students can be linked to the world of information; the Libraries should organize training for the reference librarians on how best to better serve the community of users.Keywords: reference sources, information needs, reference services, current awarenes

Clinical use and efficacy of biphasic insulin lispro 50/50 in people with insulin treated diabetes-A nationwide evaluation of clinical practice

© 2015 Informa UK Ltd. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the metabolic effects of biphasic insulin lispro 50/50 in routine clinical practice. A total of 229 patients who were 18 years old with diabetes, newly treated with biphasic insulin lispro 50/50, were sourced from six secondary care services in England. Methods: Detailed clinical parameters were compared at baseline, and 3 and 6 months post-initiation. Responders was defined as those with HbA1c 1% (11mmol/mol) at 6 months. Results: HbA1c showed significant reduction:-0.93% (-10mmol/mol) and-1.2% (-13mmol/mol) at 3 and 6 months respectively, while no significant change was noted for all the other parameters. When analyzed according to frequencies of injections/day, the greatest reduction was observed with the three times a day regimen (-1.0% [-11.0mmol/mol] and-1.3% [-14.6mmol/mol] at 3 and 6 months respectively). HbA1c reduction was greatest in the group who previously received a basal-bolus insulin regimen: (-0.8% [-9.0mmol/mol] and-1.5% [-16.2mmol/mol] at 3 and 6 months respectively). Reduction in weight was observed at 3 months (-1.8kg±4.3) only for those who were previously on a basal-bolus insulin regimen. Insulin doses increased following conversion to biphasic insulin lispro 50/50, irrespective of the types of insulin used prior to biphasic insulin lispro 50/50, but this was not associated with weight gain. The independent predictors of response to biphasic insulin lispro 50/50 were baseline HbA1c, Caucasian, presence of nephropathy, prior use of basal-bolus insulin and prior use of other premixed combination. Conclusion: Biphasic insulin lispro 50/50 is therefore an effective therapeutic option for achieving glycemic control in patients with suboptimal HbA1c levels, especially among those who were previously on a basal-bolus insulin regimen and those who received it three times daily, with a neutral effect on weight parameters. Limitations: This was a retrospective study of routine clinical practice and is therefore limited by allocation bias and some missing data. Information on rates of hypoglycemia and quality of life are not available

Obesity independently predicts responders to biphasic insulin 50/50 (Humalog Mix50 and Insuman Comb 50) following conversion from other insulin regimens: a retrospective cohort study

Aims This study aims to examine the metabolic effects of intensification or initiation of insulin treatment with biphasic insulin 50/50, and determine the predictors of responders or non-responders to biphasic insulin 50/50.Methods A cohort of 2183 patients ≥18 years with diabetes, newly treated with biphasic insulin 50/50 between January 2000 and May 2012, were sourced from UK General Practices via The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database. Baseline clinical parameters of 1267 patients with suboptimal glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7.5% (>58 mmol/mol) who had received background insulin regimens for at least 6 months preceding biphasic insulin 50/50 were compared against 12-month outcome data. Responders were defined as those with HbA1c 30 kg/m2), treatment duration for ≥9 months, and baseline HbA1c are independent determinants of responders. In addition, stratified for baseline HbA1c levels, HM50 was associated with better HbA1c outcome compared with IC50.Conclusions biphasic insulin 50/50 is effective for achieving glycemic control in suboptimal HbA1c levels, especially among obese patients with insulin-treated diabetes. Stratified for baseline HbA1c, HM50 was associated with improved HbA1c outcome compared with IC50

NEMA - Preserving cultural heritage through cross-dialogue between traditional and digital ways of making.

‘NEMA’ explores how various digital techniques and ways of thinking can intersect with traditional methods of making culturally inspired art and design. In this study, the traditional methods being focused on are the use of clay and paint on surfaces to create cultural designs that hold the significance of traditional heritage, beliefs, power, and ancestral knowledge within them. The digital techniques and methods being researched and studied are the use of digitally fabricated approaches like 3D modeling, scanning, and digital printing. “The goal of this research-creation work is to combine both digital and traditional methods to create an immersive experience that Africans in the diaspora can identify with, while also encouraging a wider audience to engage with African cultural heritage.” This research seeks to find ways to effectively preserve cultural and traditional practices through ways of thinking through making. As Dr. John Henry Clark says, “Take the best of what you are good at and use it to help your people.'' Through this work, I use my art to address certain negative notions about my Nigerian culture, opening discourse to bring about enlightening people and showcasing the richness of my cultural heritage, while also preserving it by creating an archival set of culturally inspired works through these methods

Effect of groundnut shell powder on the viscoelastic properties of recycled high density polyethylene composites

In the quest to clean up the environment and produce economically viable materials from plastic wastes and readily available natural fibres, groundnut shell powder reinforced recycled high density polyethylene composite was prepared via two roll melt mixing and compression moulding technique. The dynamic mechanical properties of the composites such as storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), and damping parameter (Tan ∂) were investigated using 242E dynamic mechanical analyzer in a temperature range from 30oC 100oC at a frequency of 1 Hz. It was found that the storage modulus of all the composites decrease with increase in temperature with composite containing 25%wt fibre having maximum E' value of 1158.47MPa compared to 1033.58MPa of the unreinforced recycled high density polyethylene. These results indicated that the thermal stability and load bearing capacity of the recycled high density polyethylene have been improved with the incorporation of groundnut shell powder. Scanning Electron micrographs showed better interfacial adhesion between treated groundnut shell powder in the polymer matrix; this explained the observed improvement in the viscoelastic properties of the composites.Keywords: Mechanical Properties, Groundnut Shell Powder, Recycled polyethylene, Viscolastic, Composites

The Effects of Iron Filling On Some Mechanical and Physical Properties of a Sawdust Particleboard

This research work was aimed at producing particleboard from sawdust (matrix) and iron filling (particulate) under the same conditions as ordinary particleboard produced from sawdust alone and their properties compared. Sawdust –iron fillings particleboards were produced using a sawdust of particle size 1.18mm and iron fillings of size 300μm, 20g binder (urea formaldehyde) concentration, hot pressing temperature of 160°C, applied pressure of 10 tons equivalent to 12.5Mpa, hot pressing time of 12 minutes throughout the production of the particleboards. The weight of sawdust was kept constant (50g) while the weight of iron filling was varied (i.e from 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50g). A controlled sample of only sawdust particleboard was produced and tested under the same condition as those of the sawdust- iron filling particleboard. The mechanical properties tested showed that the particleboard from 40g iron filling has the highest mechanical properties (MOR, MOE and UTS of 255.20Mpa, 432.43Mpa and 22Mpa). Particleboard produced from only sawdust alone was found to have the least mechanical properties that is MOR, MOE and UTS of 140.63Mpa, 46.19Mpa and 7Mpa respectively. The water absorption and thickness swell test results showed that the particleboard of 40g iron fillings has the highest water resistance capacity and least thickness swell of 33.69% and 5.87% respectively