Invalidity of Classes of Approximated Hall Effect Calculations

In this comment, I point out a number of approximated derivations for the effective equation of motion, now been applied to d-wave superconductors by Kopnin and Volovik are invalid. The major error in those approximated derivations is the inappropriate use of the relaxation time approximation in force-force correlation functions, or in force balance equations, or in similar variations. This approximation is wrong and unnecessary.Comment: final version, minor changes, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Transpupillary Thermotherapy for Classic Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization: A case report

Aim: To report a case of successful treatment of a classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization with a transpupillary thermotherapy protocol. Case Report: A 67-year old pensioner presented with a sixmonth history of reduced vision in both eyes. He had been previously diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma. After anterior and posterior segment examination and fundus fluorescein angiography were done, a diagnosis of a classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration OS with bilateral cataracts and primary open angle glaucoma OU was made. Complete resolution of the choroidal neovascular membrane was achieved with transpupillary thermotherapy. Keywords: transpupillary thermotherapy, age-related macular degeneration, subfoveal choroidal neovasularization, fundus fluorescein angiographyNigerian Journal of Opthalmology Vol. 15 (2) 2007: pp. 49-5

Spatial modelling of population at risk and PM2.5 exposure index: A case study of Nigeria

Particulate matter is a primary air pollutant, widely reported as important for public health especially for respiratory problems. However, monitoring, spatial representation and development of associated risk indicators have been major problems undermining formulation of relevant policy on air quality. This study used remotely sensed PM data complemented with population data to quantify population at risk and develop an Exposure Index (EI). Population at risk was computed from the population density data using the percentage contribution of two different ages groups (ages of 0-19 and 65+) and intersecting this with the PM concentration classes. EI is the sum product of the air quality measure and the population of vulnerable group per unit area. Almost the entire study area has PM2.5 concentration above the WHO guideline. Change in PM2.5 concentration showed that, around 54% of the study area remains the same, 43% improved and the remaining areas showed reduction. Between 77million and 81million of young vulnerable people were at risk over the period and about 4million elders were at risk. EI ranges between 1.5 x 10-4 and 8.3 x 10-2 per capita in 2001 and 1.9 x 10-4 and 1.5 x 10-1 per capita in 2010. This situation presents an environmental health burden in relation to potential risk of continuous exposure to dangerous levels of PM2.5. This information is necessary for rapid assessment of environmental health risk. However, research on the computation and exploration of other risk measures such as relative and attributable risks would further enhance policy making in relation to environmental health.Key Words: Population at risk, PM2.5; Spatial modeling, GIS, Exposure index, environmental healt

Two Stages in the evolution of binary alkali Bose-Einstein condensate mixtures towards phase segregation

Two stages of quantum spinodal decomposition is proposed and analyzed for this highly non-equilibrium process. Both time and spatial scales for the process are found. Qualitative agreement with existing data is found. Some cases the agreements are quantitative. Further experimental verifications are indicated.Comment: late

Challenges of Surgical Repair of Hypospadias in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Objective: To document the presentation, outcome and challenges of management of hypospadias in a resource-limited setting.Patients and Methods: For this retrospective study we analyzed the files of  all patients with hypospadias managed at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria between 1996 and 2006. The parameters studied were the patients’ bio-data, clinical presentation,treatment and outcome. Results: During the 10-year period under review 51 cases of hypospadias were managed. The majority of the patients (n=39, 76.5%) presented within the first year of life with a mean age atpresentation of 1 year and 8 months, though most of the repairs were done in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of life. Of the 51 patients 46 (90.2%) came from rural and semi-urban areas and 18 (35.3%) had been circumcised before presentation. Surgical repair consisted of preputial island flap in 22 patients (43.1%) followed by a peri-meatal based flap (Mathieu procedure) in 16 patients (31.4%). The MAGPI procedure was used in 5 patients (9.8%) and the Snodgrass procedure in 1 (2%).Staged repair was necessary in 7 patients (13.7%). Post-operative complications were encountered in 15 patients with urethrocutaneous fistula being the commonest one (11 patients, 21.6%). Conclusion: Our results show that hypospadias can be successfully managed in a low- resource setting

Normal Limits of Electrocardiogram and Cut-Off Values for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Young Adult Nigerians

This study assessed healthy young adults to determine the normal limits for electrocardiographic variables and cut-off values for left ventricular hypertrophy. It was a cross sectional descriptive study in which the participants were evaluated clinically by standard 12-lead resting electrocardiogram (ECG) at 25mm/s during quiet respiration. The heart rate, P wave duration, axis and amplitude, PR and QT intervals, QRS duration, axis and amplitude and T wave axis were assessed. Three hundred and twenty four (324) volunteers comprising of 175 males and 149 females aged 20 to 30 years (mean, 23.01±2.88years) participated in the study. The normal limits for heart rate, P wave duration, amplitude and axis in lead II, QRS duration and axis, T wave axis, PR interval, QT interval and QTc respectively were; 61-93beats per  minute,0.08-0.12s,1.00-2.00mm,22.00-79.000,78.00-106.00ms,15.50-81.000, 24.25-69.000,0.12-0.19s, 0.32-0.40s and 0.36-0.44s. The cut-off values for Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell and Araoye criteria for assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were higher than those previously in use in  medical practice. Gender difference exists in some cut-off values for LVH. This study defined the normal limits for electrocardiographic variables for young adult Nigerians. Racial factor should be taken into consideration in interpretation of ECG.Keywords: Normal limits, Electrocardiogram, Cut-off values, Left ventricular hypertrophy, Young Adult

Term quadruplet pregnancy: a case report

Higher order multiple pregnancies are rare and often associated with complications. Term delivery is uncommon. This is a report of a 22 years old G3 p2 + 0 (1 alive) teacher who had quadruplet pregnancy following ovulation induction is presented. She had elective caesarean section at term with the delivery of two live male and two live female infants with birth weights ranging between 1750gram and 2850grams. Term delivery in quadruplet pregnancy is possible as demonstrated in this case, and has the advantage of improved perinatal outcome. Bed rest early detection and management of antenatal complications, and planned elective delivery are probably the keys to a successful outcome

Tunneling of a Quantized Vortex: Roles of Pinning and Dissipation

We have performed a theoretical study of the effects of pinning potential and dissipation on vortex tunneling in superconductors. Analytical results are obtained in various limits relevant to experiment. In general we have found that pinning and dissipation tend to suppress the effect of the vortex velocity dependent part of the Magnus force on vortex tunneling.Comment: Latex, 12 page

Characterization of a thermostable Bacillus subtilis &#946-amylase isolated from decomposing peels of Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

&#946-Amylase (á-1, 4 glucan maltohydrolase; E.C:3.2.1.2) is used in the food processing, brewing and distilling industries due to its capacity to produce maltose syrup from starch. Here, we report the purification and characterization of â-amylase from Bacillus subtilis isolated from cassava peel waste obtained from a milling factory in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. The enzyme was extracted, fractionated at 90% (NH4)2SO4 and further purified using DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 34.67 Kd. The specific activity of the partially purified enzyme was approximately 1.35 units per mg of protein (Umg-1), Kinetic analysis of its starch hydrolysis activity gave a Km value of 2.496 ± 0.025% and a Vmax of 1.136 ± 0.055 units min-1. The optimum pH and temperature were determined to be 5.5 and 70 0C respectively, and the thermal stability curve gave a maximum activity of 9.75 U at 70oC for 60 min of incubation. Bacillus subtilis â-amylase is valuable for maltose production, which can be hydrolyzed further by other groups of amylase for the production of high cassava glucose syrup used as sweeteners in the food industry

Impact of Deregulation on Financial Sector Development in Nigeria

The financial system in an economy is known to serve as the lubricant which facilitates the smooth running of the economy. The Nigeria financial sector has undergone several reforms since 1987 when the Structural Adjustment Programme was introduced. This paper investigates the impact of these reforms on the development of the sector using correlation analysis and Granger Causality test. The result obtained showed that deregulation has failed to enhance the development of the financial sector. It is therefore, suggested that the supervisory authorities should be strengthened to enhance people’s confidence in the sector; so that the sector can perform its intermediation role effectively.Keywords: Financial reforms, Financial sector, Deregulation, and Nigeria JEL Classification: E 58, G18, G28International Journal of Development and Management Review (INJODEMAR) Vol. 7 June, 201