PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE USE OF SOUND AND ACOUSTICS IN IGBO CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Language had been a veritable tool for communication among homo sapiens and had been described as human specific. However, there are several extra linguistic forms of communication that have been made possible also by sound and acoustic effects as in language production. Based on the foregoing, the paper investigates non verbal forms of communication among the Igbo people of the south eastern Nigeria. The production of sounds and acoustic effects from various traditional instruments are studied. Also, also various parts of the body other than the normal vocal sounds are investigated. Furthermore, the paper studied the use of these sounds in communication, especially in cultural communication among the Igbo people. We adopt the descriptive survey method and use the theoretical framework of oramedia an aspect ethno-cultural communication in exploring the dynamics of extra-linguistic sounds in Igbo cultural communication. The paper discovers that sound patterns and acoustic effects (extra linguistic) other than the sounds from the vocal tract system of man play a significant role in human communication, especially in cultural communication. Key words: sound, acoustic effects, extra-linguistic communication, non verbal communication, cultural communicatio

Al-Si alloy for thermal storage applications-a review

In regions that experience abundant sunshine, solar radiation emanating from the sun constantly generates significant thermal energy which has been an established potential source of harvestable clean energy. But an enormous amount of this form of renewable energy reaching the earth’s crust gets re-emitted back into the space at sunset period without being harnessed. There is a special need for researches to further develop thermal storage alternatives with high thermal capacity, good thermal transfer rate, portable, cost effective and durable. From literature, aluminum and silicon alloys have proved to be one of the most efficient thermal storage materials for medium to high temperature storage applications. It has been shown that different combinations of these gives different results depending on the application the alloy is to be used for. This paper reviews the application of Al-Si alloys for thermal storage with superior properties to Al-Cu, Al-Mg, Al-Cu-Zn, Al-Si-Mg and Al-Si-Cu alloys. The making of Al-Si for thermal storage through liquid and solid metallurgical processes were also highlighted

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Pattern of Presentation and Surgical Management of Spine Tumors in Southeast Nigeria over a 10‑Year Period

Background: Spine tumors could affect the bony elements and/or its neural contents. Clinical manifestations are underlined by their biological behaviors. Aim: This study aims to identify the pattern of presentation and surgical management of spine tumors in southeast Nigeria over a 10-year period. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who were managed surgically for the spine and spinal cord neoplastic lesions over a 10-year period. All patients had pre-and post-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological diagnosis. Relevant clinical, radiological, and histological data were extracted and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 21. Results: Four hundred and seventy-two spine procedures performed within the study period, 39 cases of histologically proven primary spinal cord tumors (PSCT) and non-PSCT were identified. These represented 8.3% of spine procedures. Seventeen were PSCT (3.6% of spine procedures), while 22 (4.7%) had non-PSCT, mean age for the PSCT group was 45 yrs and non-PSCT 59.5 years. A total of 56.5% of tumors are involved in the thoracic region, 43.7% in the cervical region. PSCT was likely to affect the cervical spine; while bony spine tumors, thoracic spine [odds ratio (OR) 4.9, P value 0.019]. A total of 84.6% of non-PSCT affected the bony spine, mainly the vertebral body. The histological result showed metastatic adenocarcinoma to be the most common tumor (33.3%). PSCT was likely to be benign than non-PSCT (P value < 0.00001). Gross total resection (GTR) was done in 100% of PSCT, and 50% in non-PSCT. Thirteen (40.6%) patients improved and 11 (34.4%) patients remained the same. Conclusions: Metastatic adenocarcinoma was the most common tumor of the spine. There was restricted ability at a GTR for non-PSCT compared to PSCT. Grossly 75% had improved/same neurological status, as such adjudged as a good outcome

Comparative Analysis of Biogas Produced from Cow Dung and Poultry Droppings

This study involves a comparative analysis of two waste substrates; cow dung and poultry droppings. The purpose of this study was to ascertain which of the waste substrates produces a greater yield of biogas, their individual retention period as well as the percentage of the methane content in the gas generated. The study was divided into two experiments which comprised of a water displacement set up in a laboratory and one 30 L fixed dome digester for each waste substrate. In both experiments waste substrates were mixed with water in ratio 1:1 and operated at a mesophilic temperature condition. In the laboratory, the daily gas yield of the individual substrates in ml was obtained, it was observed that cow dung produced an average of 29.9 ml of biogas per day and the poultry waste produced 60.7 ml per day. A gas analysis was performed to obtain the gas profile of gas produced from the two substrates. As deduced from the analysis, cow dung had a methane and CO2 weight percentage of about 92 wt% and 6.68 wt% respectively, while poultry droppings had about 90 wt% methane and 6.56 wt% CO2.With the aid of a constructed mini gas stove, a flame test was performed, which gave off a blue flame. Hence, the two substrates are efficient for biogas production