Art therapy as a healing concept for the mentally challenged: Artistic approach

No abstrac

SLUDGE DEWATERING SUBJECTED TO CONSTANT VACUUM PRESSURE: A MODELLING APPROACH

Sludge is often generated from the treatment of wastewater and it is essential to reduce its volume before disposal into the environment through dewatering. This helps to reduce the cost of final sludge disposal. This study was therefore aimed at developing a model for the draining time of sludge through the application of vacuum pressure. A vacuum filtration experiment was performed on sewage sludge collected from the wastewater treatment plant situated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The sludge sample was poured into Buchner funnel apparatus and the volume of the filtrate collected was noted at a certain time interval until the end of the experiment. The specific resistance values were obtained using the newly derived-, modified-, and Carman’s-equation, respectively. A comparative study was carried out on the three values obtained and the results showed that the newly derived equation gave the best result. Overall, the newly derived equation demonstrated conformity with Carman’s equation and can be used for sludge dewatering investigation. This paper covers a relevant subject within the field of waste treatment processes, namely the dewatering of sludge from wastewater treatment system and on a large scale, can aid in producing cost effective mechanism that makes it more possible for developing nations to incorporate adequate and effective sanitation

Taxonomic Classification and Suitability Evaluation of Selected Soils of Gboko for Yam and Cassava Production.

This study evaluated soil fertility status of Gboko-South in Gboko Local Government Area and their suitability for cassava and yam production. Auger point investigations were carried out at 100 m intervals along traverses spaced at 100 m apart. Three soil units were identified on the field based on soil colour, structure, textures, surface characteristics and topography. The results showed that the soil units were deep (102 – 141 cm) and well drained except unit I that was poorly drained. The soils were coarse-textured and slightly to moderately acidic in reaction with pH values which ranges from 5.38 – 6.50. They had low organic matter contents ranging from 0.20 to 0.95 % and high base saturation which ranged from 76 to 86 %. The soils were classified as Typic Epiaqualfs/Epigleyic Stagnosols, Arenic Haplustalfs/Eutric Luvisols, and Eutric Haplustept/Eutric Haplic Luvisols. Soils of unit I (Pedon I and II), unit II (Pedon III and IV) and unit III (Pedon V and VI) were evaluated to be moderately suitable for cassava and yam production.Keywords: Soil, Taxonomic classification, Suitability evaluation, Land suitability assessment, Yam and Cassava

Response of Broiler Birds to Varying Dietary Levels of Gongronema Latifolium Leaf Meal

The study was conducted to investigate the response of broiler birds to varying dietary levels of Gongronema latifolium leaf meal (GLLM) as an antibacterial, vitamin and mineral feed additive. A total of 120 fourteen days old broiler birds (Anak strain) were used for the study. Gongronema latifolium was harvested fresh, air dried for 5 days under shade and milled to powder before incorporation in feed at the rate of 0g, 25g, 37.5g, 50g, 62.5g and 75g per 25 kg of feed, respectively to form 6 dietary treatments (T1 – T6). Birds were allotted to one of the six dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD) with two replications per treatment. Feed and water were given ad libitum to the birds during the experiment. Significant (P < 0.05) differences occurred among treatments in most of the traits studied. Broiler chicks fed 75g of GLLM per 25 kg of feed (3 g per kg) had significantly (P ? 0.05) higher final body weight (FBW) compared to the rest of the test groups but was similar to that of the control. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, weight of internal organs and relative organ weights differed significantly (P ? 0.05) among test groups. Effects on haematological indices were significant (P ? 0.05) but followed no definite trend except for WBC count which exhibited a dose related reduction in value (4800 x 103/mm3 at 0g/25kg or control to 3150 x 103/mm3 at 75g/25kg). It was concluded that up to 75g of GLLM can be incorporated per 25 kg of broiler starter and finisher diets (3 g/kg) as feed additive to enhance growth and well being.  Keywords: Anak broiler, feed additive, feed conversion ratio, Gongronema latifolium, growth performance, haematological indices

Body Temperature and Haematological Indices of Boars Exposed to Direct Solar Radiation

The effects of exposure to direct sun light on body temperature (BT) and blood profile (BP) of boars was studied using Large White and Large White x local F1 crossbred boars. The experiment involved three treatments: zero exposure (T1); 45 minutes (T2) and 60 minutes exposure (T3). Pigs were exposed between 13:30 and 14:45 hr daily for 4 weeks. Body temperature of control and exposed pigs was measured daily at the end of exposure. Blood samples were collected and analysed for LC, EC, HbC and PCV while MCV, MCH and MCHC were calculated from EC, HbC and PCV values. Ambient temperature (AT) averaged 27.84 oC indoors and 40.54 oC outdoors over the experimental period. There were significant genotype, treatment and interaction effects on most of the parameters studied. The LW boars were more severely affected by exposure to direct sunlight than the crossbred boars. It was concluded that wallow pits and shades should be provided for extensively managed pigs to enable them cope with the high thermal radiation and heat stress inherent in the tropics. Again, crossbreeding and selection for heat tolerance would ensure improved productivity in future. Key word: blood profile, body temperature, erythrocyte indices, Large White, local boar, thermoregulation

Improving Nigerian health policymakers’ capacity to access and utilize policy relevant evidence: outcome of information and communication technology training workshop

Information and communication technology (ICT) tools are known to facilitate communication and processing of information and sharing of knowledge by electronic means. In Nigeria, the lack of adequate capacity on the use of ICT by health sector policymakers constitutes a major impediment to the uptake of research evidence into the policymaking process. The objective of this study was to improve the knowledge and capacity of policymakers to access and utilize policy relevant evidence. A modified "before and after" intervention study design was used in which outcomes were measured on the target participants both before the intervention is implemented and after. A 4-point likert scale according to the degree of adequacy; 1 = grossly inadequate, 4 = very adequate was employed. This study was conducted in Ebonyi State, south-eastern Nigeria and the participants were career health policy makers. A two-day intensive ICT training workshop was organized for policymakers who had 52 participants in attendance. Topics covered included: (i). intersectoral partnership/collaboration; (ii). Engaging ICT in evidence-informed policy making; use of ICT for evidence synthesis; (iv) capacity development on the use of computer, internet and other ICT. The pre-workshop mean of knowledge and capacity for use of ICT ranged from 2.19-3.05, while the post-workshop mean ranged from 2.67-3.67 on 4-point scale. The percentage increase in mean of knowledge and capacity at the end of the workshop ranged from 8.3%-39.1%. Findings of this study suggest that policymakers' ICT competence relevant to evidence-informed policymaking can be enhanced through training workshop

That they may be one (Jn 17:11) : mending the seamless coat of Christ in assemblies of God Nigeria

Assemblies of God church in Nigeria, which has for over 40 years now, experienced various crises that have led to sucession and factionalism in that church. The once giant of spirituality and the mother of Pentecostalism has grappled with the problem of administration, leadership tussle and bigotry. This study is a review of previous and current crises that AG Nigeria has gone through at the General Council level in a bid to mend what seems to have torn asunder the seamless coat of Christ in line with the prayer of Jesus, ‘that they may be one’. The study uses historical-critical method and phenomenological design to analyse the depth of the crack in the church in order to predict the future of Pentecostalism in Nigeria.http://www.hts.org.zaNew Testament Studie

Religious fanaticism and thugocracy : catalysts to the brain drain in Nigeria

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multicultural society, and therefore, Nigeria’s religious inclinations differ broadly. There are currently three religions dominant in Nigeria, namely Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion (ATR). These three religions, especially the first two, have demonstrated varying levels of fanaticism in the past leading to many recounted crises and jungle justice incidents in Nigeria. Because of Nigerian politics, we have witnessed the use of armed thugs by politicians to harass and even kill party opponents and displace their families. These two factors have caused many young, highly skilled persons to flee Nigeria for a safer haven. This study therefore tries to review current religious fanaticism and electioneering thuggery leading to loss of lives and property, which consequently sees to the fall of the Nigerian economy and the subsequent enthronement of insecurity in the country. It suggests that these factors are foundational problems consequent to the amalgamation of 1914 and are leading causes for the rapid rate of migration of Nigerian experts out of the country. CONTRIBUTION : At a time when Nigeria is in dire need of great brains to help in its developmental struggle, politicians and religious bigots have constituted a serious blockade to this ambition. This article is a review of recent political and religious turmoil in Nigeria with a view to call the attention of all warring religious and political stakeholders to the damage their extremism has already caused and to also bring the attention of Nigerians to the foundation of these problems, namely the amalgamation and the need to address it.http://www.hts.org.zaam2023New Testament Studie