Patients’ satisfaction with eye care services in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: Understanding the patientsf perception of services received is essential as the parameters important to the patient may be quite  different from that to the eye health provider.Aim: This study aims to evaluate patientsf satisfaction with the care received from the pioneer teaching hospital in south.eastern Nigeria and use it to audit services.Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross.sectional study. An interviewer.administered questionnaire was administered to 307 consecutive consenting patients seen at the eye clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu in April 2013. The questionnaire asked questions regarding satisfaction with the time spent in the clinic, attitudeof various categories of staff, physical facilities, cleanliness of the clinic and willingness to come again to the clinic or recommend it to others.Results: The respondents were more satisfied with the attitude of the doctors and nurses than that of revenue and medical records clerks (P = 0.001). Most patients, 288 (93.8%) expressed satisfaction with the overall cleanliness of the eye clinic; 220 (71.7%) and 288 (93.8%) were not satisfied with the toilet facilities and cost of services, respectively. Only 140 (45.6%) participants will recommend the hospital to others strongly, 145 (47.2%) will do so hesitantly.Conclusion: Majority of the patients were satisfied with the services  received. The major dissatisfaction points were cost of services and inadequate toilet facilities.Key words: Developing country, eye care services, patient satisfactio

Modal Space Controller for Hydraulically Driven Six Degree of Freedom Parallel Manipulator

This paper presents the Modal space decoupled control for a hydraulically driven parallel mechanism has been presented. The approach is based on singular values decomposition to the properties of joint-space inverse mass matrix, and mapping of the control and feedback variables from the joint space to the decoupling modal space. The method transformed highly coupled six-input six-output dynamics into six independent single-input single-output (SISO) 1 DOF hydraulically driven mechanical systems. The novelty in this method is that the signals including control errors, control outputs and pressure feedbacks are transformed into decoupled modal space and also the proportional gains and dynamic pressure feedback are tuned in modal space. The results indicate that the conventional controller can only attenuate the resonance peaks of the lower eigenfrequencies of six rigid modes properly, and the peaking points of other relative higher eigenfrequencies are over damped, The further results show that it is very effective to design and tune the system in modal space and that the bandwidth increased substantially except surge (x) and sway (y) motions, each degree of freedom can be almost tuned independently and their bandwidths can be increased near to the undamped eigenfrequencies

Vertical Velocity of Pollutants through Porous Rocks of Anambra State: Implications for Water Resources Planning and Management

Indiscriminate siting of human activities has become a common practice in Anambra State, resulting to generation of mobile pollutants. To this effect, an infiltrometer was used to investigate the velocities of pollutants (four fluids) through five sedimentary formations of varying lithological characteristics, with a view to proffering efficient strategy for management of groundwater resources in the area. A purposive/judgmental sampling technique was used to select the formations used. The study tested the following hypotheses:(i) the velocity of pollutants through rocks is not related to the lithological characteristics of the underlying rocks and (ii) pollution level (densities of pollutants) is not related to the vertical infiltration (velocity) of pollutants. The following findings were recorded: (i) the velocity of pollutants through rocks is closely related to the lithological characteristics of rocks, including porosity and hydraulic conductivity, (ii) pollution level (densities of pollutants) is weakly related to vertical infiltration of pollutants. Consequently, the study recommended that the lithological characteristics of underlying formations should be known before selecting such sites for human activities that generate pollutants so as  to safeguard the groundwater resources of the area. This is to say that shale terrains or any other formations that have, at most, porosity and hydraulic conductivity values of 18% and 2.3 x 10-8 cm/sec. respectively, should be used for human activities that generate mobile pollutants. It also recommended that site selection for various wide scales human activities that generate mobile pollutants should be based on the knowledge of underlying geology of the place in question, and not merely on the availability of such space and close proximity to users. Further research areas were also recommended. Keyword: Pollutants, porous rocks, groundwater, lithological characteristics and managemen

Syntheses, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Screening of N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-nitrobenzenesulphonamide and its Cu(I), Ni(II), Mn(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) Complexes

N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-nitrobenzenesulphonamide (NBS2ABT) was synthesized by the condensation of 2-aminobenzothiazole and 2-nitrobenzenesulphonylchloride under reflux. Five metal complexes of Cu(I), Ni(II), Mn(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) of the ligands were synthesized. The compounds were characterized using magnetic susceptibility measurements, mass spectrometry, elemental microanalysis, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, infra red, 1H and 13C nmr spectroscopies. The antimicrobial tests of the ligands and its metal complexes were carried out on both multi-resistant bacterial strains isolated under clinical conditions and cultured species using agar-well diffusion method. The multi-resistant bacterial strains used were E. coli, Proteus species, P. aeroginosa and S. aureus which were isolated from dogs. The culture species were P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), E. coli (ATCC 25922), S. aureus (ATCC 25923), and the fungi, C. krusei (ATCC 6258) and C. albicans (ATCC 90028). The tests were both in vitro and in vivo. The antimicrobial activities of the compounds were compared with those of Ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole as antibacterial agents and Fluconazole as an antifungal drug. All the compounds showed varying activities against the cultured typed bacteria and fungi used. The Lethal Concentration (LC50) ranged from 5.00±0.86-618.90±30.8 ppm. These are within the permissible concentrations. Key words: N-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-nitrobenzenesulphonamide, Metal complexes, Antimicrobial, Ligan

Quality Assessment of Surface and Groundwater Sources in Lugbe, Abuja, North-Central Nigeria

Lugbe is one of the satellite towns in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It is situated between latitudes 08º55´N to 09º00´N and longitudes 07º19´E to 07º26´E covering an area of about 50 km2.  The area is underlain by crystalline rocks of Precambrian age mainly the older granite and the Migmatite-gneiss. Groundwater and surface water samples were collected and analyzed for their physical, chemical and microbial parameters. Results of the analyses indicate that the physical parameters falls within the acceptable limit except pH which ranged from 5.8 and 6.9 indicating slightly acidic environment. Concentrations of the chemical parameters analyzed are within the permissible limits except copper and lead whose concentration in few locations where found to be higher than the WHO and NSDWQ recommended limits for safe drinking water. The water is poor bacteriologically as total coliform and E.coli were determined in both the surface and groundwater samples which is an indication of faecal contamination. The dominant water type from Piper diagram and Schoeller plot is Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4. Due the poor quality of surface and groundwater sources in Lugbe, treatment of the water before domestic usage is recommended. The observed anomalies in the water sources are finger-prints of anthropogenic contamination due to upsurge in population and urbanization without proper sanitary measures as well as rock-water interaction mechanism. Keyword: Quality Assessment, Surface water, Groundwater, Lugbe, Abuja, North-Central Nigeri

Variability and Heritability of Yield and Yield Components of Various Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted at the Rivers State University Teaching and Research Farm Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, during the 2019 planting season under rainfed condition and complimented by irrigation in two different planting dates to access the genetic variability and heritability in yield and yield components of twenty-five rice varieties. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on eleven yield and yield components. Results from the analysis of variance indicated significant differences (P < 0.01 < 0.05) among the varieties for all parameters except plant height and tiller number in planting date one. Combined analysis of variance across planting dates showed that there was significant variation (P < 0.01) among the rice varieties for all parameters evaluated. The varietal mean performance for phenological parameters showed significant differences (P < 0.05) for all parameters except tiller number in planting date one. Variability evaluation of varieties for yield parameters showed significant differences (P < 0.05) for all parameters evaluated except for 100-grain weight in planting date two. The pooled mean values of the varieties differed significantly (P < 0.05) for all yield parameters evaluated. The highest grain yield per stand was recorded in UPIA 2 with 7.41 g/stand, and was significantly different from FARO 67 with the least (1.70 g/stand). The estimate of variance components showed that phenotypic variance (Vp) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PVC) were higher than their corresponding genotypic variance (Vg) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the parameters studied. Heritability estimates in broad sense were found to be moderate for majority of the parameters, except leaf area (68.12%), panicle number (63.41%), spikelet fertility (50.23%) and grain yield per stand (55.87%) that had high heritability estimates and tiller number (15.93%) which had a low estimate. However, only leaf area, panicle number and grain yield per stand had high heritability estimates which were accompanied by high genetic advance. There was considerable variation among the 25 rice varieties evaluated. UPIA 2 and FARO 44 had the best agronomic performance. However, UPN 324, UPN 228, FARO 61 and 66 could be selected for onward improvement programme. Keynote: Grain yield, heritability, Oryza sativa, variation, yield components DOI: 10.7176/ALST/86-04 Publication date:March 31st 202

Application of High-Voltage, Precision, Low-Power Max9943/Max9944 Operational Amplifier in Industrial Process Control Using ±20ma OR 4-20ma Current-Loop Systems

This article explains how to apply a high-voltage, high-current-drive operational amplifier to convert a voltage signal into a ±20mA or 4–20mA current signal for use in process-control industrial applications. The MAX9943 op amp a family of high-voltage amplifiers that offers precision, low drift, and low power consumption device was used as case study]. Experiments are described and test results presented. Current loops are known for their high immune to noise compare to voltage-modulated signals, a feature that makes it ideal for use in a noisy industrial environment. This signal can travel over a long distance, sending or receiving information from remote locations. A current loop typically includes a sensor, transmitter, receiver, and an ADC or a micro-controller (figure 1). The sensor measures a physical parameters such as pressure or temperature and provides a corresponding output voltage. The transmitter converts the sensor's output into a proportional 4mA-to-20mA current signal, while the receiver then converts the 4mA-to-20mA current into a voltage signal output. This receiver's output is then received, interpreted and converts into a digital signal output by an ADC or a micro-controller. Experiment performed using the relationship the relationship stated in equation 5, shows that if the input voltage level rise above or fall below ±2.5v, the op amp device attains its saturation point and its output voltage can no longer increase. As shown in figure 3, where the curve flatten and no longer follow the ideal linearity characteristics that was supposed

Financial System Development and Real Sector Performance in Nigeria

This paper examines the relationship between financial sector development and real sector pe1jormance in Nigeria using d{lta over the period 1986-2014. Owing to the dominant role of the banking sub-sector in the Nigerian financial system. it was adopted as proxy for the financial sector. Exchange rate. national sOl'ing rate, interest rate and financial depth were adopted as proxies for financial qevelopmentwhile ratio of industrial output to GDP 11~s adopted as proxy for real sector performance. Lending rate was adopted as the relevant interest rate for the study. Econometric method of the · vector error ~orrection mode/was used to estimate the magnitude and direction of the impact of the exogenous mriables on the endogenous variable as well as the speed of adjustment of the system to short-run disequilibrium. The short-run estimate shows significant negative effect of national saving rate and financial deepening on the real sector. There is no evidence of significant effect of exchange rate and lending rate on the performance of the sector during the period of the study. Estimated long·11m coefficients show significant negative impact of exchange rate and lending rate on real sector output. There is also evidence of non-significant positive impact of national sat·ing rate and non-significan/ negatire impact of financing deepening on real sector pe1jormance. This result indicates that as exchangot rate becomes more volatile during the reform period, output of the real sector is adt·ersely affected. On the other hand. though reforms associated with financial sector development in post-SAP era led to high lending rate. the real sector became more efficient in resource utili:ation and hence had higher productivity growth. Therefore, the study concludes that development of the financial system has supported real sector in Nigeria through efficiency gains from resource allocation and utili=ation

Macroeconomic Performance and Government Fiscal Deficits - Evidence from Nigeria

Governments in most developing economies, including Nigeria, have often had to contend with issues of weak economic and social indicators vis-à-vis poor fiscal performance. In Nigeria for instance, there is evidence that between 1981 and 2014 fiscal operations have been dominated by fiscal deficits while major indicators of economic health have remained at sub-optimal levels. There has been considerable disagreement on the relationship between fiscal deficits and economic performance. As our contribution towards the resolution of this contentious issue, this study examines the relationship between the performance of key macroeconomic indicators (exchange rate, inflation rate, gross fixed capital formation and unemployment) and fiscal deficits. Data on the research variables covering the period 1981-2014 were sourced from the publications of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Employing the econometric methodology of the vector error correction model (VECM), the study shows significant positive effect of gross fixed capital formation as well as significant negative impact of inflation rate and unemployment on fiscal deficits in Nigeria. Though, there is evidence of negative effect of exchange rate, the study shows it is not significant. These results imply that policies aimed at enhancing the infrastructure base of the economy promote the practice of deficit budgeting, Similarly, economic policies that tend to reduce inflation (such as raising domestic output levels) and unemployment reflect in higher fiscal deficits. The causality tests show evidence of causal impact of government fiscal deficits on exchange rate, inflation rate and unemployment but failed to show evidence of causation between fiscal deficits and gross fixed capital formation. It is recommended that government should ensure prudent utilization of the proceeds of debt finance in promoting domestic production in order to strengthen the economic fundamentals required to support improved fiscal performance in the long-ru

Transactional Sex in Nigerian Universities among Female Students: Drivers and Safety Concerns

Freedom away from parents and guardians for students in higher institutions could have effects on their sexual decisions and behaviours, which when not guided could portend devastating consequences. Such a decision could lead to indulging in transactional sex (TS), a kind of sexual relationship that is adopted in exchange for material and non-material benefits. In this study, we underscored why female students are involved in TS in some Nigerian universities and offer potential remedies that could mitigate or prevent associated negative consequences. The study relied on a qualitative research methodology, adopting in-depth interviews to source data from 40 female students across 5 universities in southeastern Nigeria. Data were analysed in thematic categories that reflected the research questions. Family pressure/parental disconnectedness, gender, peer influence, poor economic background, greed, etc., influenced TS involvement. We also identified some psychosocial and health risks associated with TS. The roles of social service professionals were found to be of much importance, although the universities that were studied barely employed and/or utilised their services