Assisted parturition in a Balami ewe

In this study, we report a case of dystocia in a three-year old Balami ewe from a herd of small ruminant made up of 5 females and 2 males. The animals were acquired about 3 months before the incidence occurred and were managed under semi-intensive system. The ewe had no breeding records; neither was there an immediate evaluation of the pregnancy status of the ewe post purchase. One early morning, the ewe was found on sternal recumbency with a delivered lamb on its side. The lamb was still covered with amniotic membranes and grasping for breath. It was quickly lifted up and dried-up with clean towel. Further clinical examination on the ewe revealed presence of another foetus inside the uterus. About 20 mins after, uterine/abdominal contraction commenced but was not progressive. Amniotic sac was broken. This was not successively followed by higher intensity of contraction sufficient enough to cause expulsion of the foetus for about 30 mins. Insertion of gloved hand into the cervix showed a well dilated cervix and presence of foetus in the right parturition disposition as indicated by anterior presentation, dorso-sacrum position and extension of foetal forelimb and neck. An immediate intervention was required to save the foetus and the mother. The diagnosis was dystocia due to uterine inertia because of inadequate contraction of the uterine and abdominal muscle possibly resulting from weakness (hypoglycaemia) or hypocalcaemia after the delivery of the first lamb. The cervix was well dilated enabling the passage of the hand. Assisted parturition was instituted by grasping the forelimbs together with the head of the foetus. With a gentle traction, the foetus was delivered alive. The lamb was dried of foetal membranes and fluid. The two lambs were viable and able to suckle the dam. In conclusion, this report underscores the need for breeding record keeping and evaluating the pregnancy status immediately after animal purchase for proper monitoring of pregnant animal and instituting an adequate necessary treatment to prevent dystocia and its associated problem in farm animals.Keywords: Parturition, dystocia, sheep, breeding recor

Sociological Factors To Drug Abuse And The Effects On Secondary School Students Academic Performance In Ekiti And Ondo States, Nigeria

This study examined the influence of drug abuse on secondary school students in relation to their family background, family cohesion, peer group influence, and students academic performance. Descriptive research design of the survey type and an inventory were used for the study. The population comprised all secondary school students in Ekiti and Ondo States, while the sample consisted of 460 students that were found to be using drugs in Ekiti and Ondo states. Simple random sampling was used to select one school from each of the 16 local governments in Ekiti and one each from the 30 in Ondo state. Purposive sampling was used to select ten students from each school in the 16 local governments in Ekiti and ten each from the 30 local governments in Ondo states. The instruments used for collection of data were a self-designed questionnaire called Drug Abuse Questionnaire (DAQ) and an inventory for collection of students results. The data were analysed using Pearson Moment Correlation Analysis. The four hypotheses raised were tested at 0.5 level of significance. The study determined that there was significant relationship between family background, peer influence, family cohesion, and drug abuse. In the study, it was also discovered that drug abuse negatively affects students academic performance in Ekiti and Ondo States. It is therefore recommended that parents should give their children moral, social, psychological, and financial support to guide them against negative peer and societal influences

Boko Haram Activities and Its Implications for National Integration and Development in Nigeria

Nation building is no simple process. History has demonstrated the difficult, complex, and varied developments needed to unite a people under a government and to create among them a stable cultural, economic, political, and social community. The process has been especially strenuous where the people to be united have included diverse, large groups distinguished by their own customs, language, religion, or separate identity. The unfortunate security challenges currently faced by the country, with its new ethnic and religious dimension, have once again brought to the fore, the internal contradictions of the Nigerian system. The emergence of the militant sect Boko Haram and all it represents started like any other protest, but it seems to have come to stay. The battle has been taken to the door step of the government to command attention that breaks across borders. Hence, this paper examines the term Boko Haram, beliefs and philosophy, methods of operation and factors aiding their activities. The researcher employs primary and secondary sources of data collection to generate the required data mainly from books, journals, articles, dissertations, internet materials and audio and tapes (interviews). The study adopts a qualitative approach to data analysis to assess the impact of the sect activities and findings indicate that the activities of the religious sect have intense socio-economic, psycho-cultural, political and ethnic and religious implications for national integration and development in Nigeria

Physiological Responses of Rabbit Bucks Fed Diets Containing Cotton Seed Cake Supplemented with Carrot (Daucus Carota) or Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)

Twenty-four (24) weaner rabbit bucks, aged 6 – 7 weeks were used to investigate the physiological responses of rabbit bucks fed diets containing cottonseed cake supplemented with carrot or ginger. The bucks were allotted to four (4) dietary treatments of six (6) rabbits each. The treatment diets (T1, T2, T3 and T4) contained 16% crude protein such that soyabean meal (SBM) was the main protein source for the control diet (T1). In T2, the SBM was completely replaced with Cottonseed cake (CSC). In T3 (CSC + Carrot), 5g/ kg diet of carrot was added to the composition in T2; while in T4 (CSC + Ginger), 5g/ kg diet of ginger was added to the composition in T2. Animals were fed for nine (9) weeks after which blood was collected for both haematological and serum biochemical analyses. The haematological variables determined were Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell count (RBC), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Platelet count, White Blood Cell count (WBC) and the differential counts. The haematological indices, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), were also determined. The serum biochemical variables determined included total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose. The results indicated that lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelet counts were significantly (P<0.05) affected by treatment. Lymphocyte count for T4 (CSC + Ginger) was significantly (P<0.05) higher (78.0%) than for other treatments which were not significantly different from one another. Neutrophils for T4 was significantly (P<0.05) lower (18.0%) than for others (29.0; 30.7 and 30.7% for T1, T2 and T3 respectively). Platelet count was significantly (P<0.05) depressed by CSC (T2). Albumin and urea were depressed (P<0.05) by CSC (T2) and CSC + Ginger (T4). Creatinine was significantly (P<0.05) elevated by T3 (1.24mg/dl). The AST and ALT increased significantly (P<0.05) from 20.77 to 43.30 iu/L and 21.42 to 43.17 iu/L, respectively in T1 and T4. Cholesterol level was significantly (P<0.05) higher for T2 than for other treatments. It was concluded that CSC had adverse effects on the serum biochemical parameters of rabbit bucks. Carrot or ginger supplementation demonstrated a potential to correct the adverse effect with ginger exhibiting a greater influence, suggesting the need to always supplement CSC-based diets for rabbits with either of the products to safeguard the health of the animals. Keywords: Haematology, Serum biochemistry, cottonseed cake, carrot, Ginger, Rabbit buck

Male Arab-Muslims Health and Health Promotion Perceptions and Practices

The Arab Muslim population is one of the dramatically increasing minorities in the United States. In addition to other factors, gender, religion and cultural background influence individuals\u27 beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes to health and illness. Little is known about Arab American male immigrants, how they perceive illness, how they promote their health, and the stressors they experience and barriers they face in accessing the American health care system. The purpose of this study was to develop knowledge about the male Arab-Muslims\u27 health perceptions and health promotion perceptions and practices. This qualitative exploratory study used a grounded theory approach to gain an understanding of Arab Muslim men\u27s health perceptions and practices within their cultural context. The research participants were 20 Arab-Muslim men living in Orange County, California. Participants took part in one of four focus groups, conducted in the personal residences of some participants. Each group lasted from one and a half to two hours. Data analysis occurred concurrently with data collection. Tape recordings of each focus group were transcribed immediately, and additional notes were made regarding the date, the time, and the place of the discussion, the age of the participants, other personal and situational characteristics, and events associated with the discussion. The model presented in this study provides a comprehensive and unique view of health that is particularly pertinent to a subculture living in the United States. The dimensions of health presented in this view include the ability to function, engagement in healthy behaviors, the absence of disease, the sense of control, feelings of spiritual well-being, and body/mind integration. Participants in this study identified several factors that influence their health and their ability to engage in healthful behaviors. These factors can be categorized as behavioral forces, mental/psychological forces, social forces, and health system forces. This model presents the experiences of American Arab Muslims males and reflects the stressors they experience, including immigration stressors, family responsibilities, and cultural strain. It also demonstrates how these stressors may affect the health and health-related behaviors of this target population. In order to close the gap between the health of minority and majority populations, an in-depth understanding of health perceptions and health promotion beliefs and practices among immigrant populations in the United States should be used to provide culturally-sensitive health care and health promotion services

INVESTIGATING THERMAL PROPERTIES OF SAWDUST ASH – CEMENT CONCRETE AS A POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

This study examined the thermal properties of concrete produced from partial replacement of the cement content with Sawdust Ash (SDA). Sawdust col¬lected from sawmill was burnt into ashes and analyzed for chemical composition (silica, alumina and iron oxide) using x-ray fluorescence analyzer. Concretes were produced by replacing 5 - 25% by weight of the cement with SDA. Slump and compacting factor tests were also carried out. A total of 72 concrete cubes (150 mm) were cast. Thermal conductivity (k), diffusivity (α) and specific heat capacity (Cp) of the cubes were determined at the ages of 7, 28, 56 and 90 days, using KD2 Pro thermal properties analyzer. The data obtained were analyzed with SPSS…. The percentages of silica, alumina and iron oxide obtained for SDA were 65.29%, 6.43% and 3.83%, respectively. The slump and compacting factor values ranged from 85 - 110 mm and 0.91 - 0.95 mm, respectively. k of the SDA concrete at 90 days at both room and elevated temperature decreased from 1.67 - 1.21 W/mK and 1.63 - 1.19 W/m3K, respectively. Values of α at room and elevated temperature increased from 0.36 - 0.49 mm2/s and 0.37 - 0.54 mm2/s, respectively while the Cp at both room and elevated temperatures decreased from 3.79 - 2.63 MJ/m3K and 3.19 - 2.18 MJ/m3K, respectively. Second order polynomial equation described the relationship between the thermal properties and curing age. Thermal diffusivity increased with temperature. SDA exhibits good insulating properties required for external walls, partition walls of building and farm structures

Preparation and characterization of steam activated chicken eggshell for gaseous pollutant adsorption

Air pollution is a major issue because it can immediately cause health problems. The primary pollutants are oxides of nitrogen, Sulphur, carbon, and oxidants. The collection, preparation, and characterization of chicken eggshell for the production of activated carbon useful in air purification, was carried out. The preparation was done in succession from raw uncarbonized to carbonized and then to steam activated form for adsorption of air pollutants. Powdered Eggshell was Carbonized at different temperatures in the range of 150-600 ºC to achieve optimum and effective temperature for best carbon content from its char. The best carbon yield was gotten at 450 ºC/1 hour in a carbolite type muffle furnace which gives less room for air flow. Thermal / steam activation of the carbonized eggshell was done at 500 ºC for 1 hour. The ash content, bulk density, electrical conductivity, pH, and moisture contents were analyzed respectively. The samples were characterized for their surface area and pore volume. The ash contents for the three samples were in the order Uncarbonized (41.76 %) > Carbonized (32.62 %) > Stean Activated (29.47 %) while the bulk density followed Carbonized (1. 19 g/ml) > Steam Activated (1.11 g/ml) > Uncarbonized (0.79 g/ml). All the three samples had the same value of 0.31 mS/cm for the electrical conductivity while two of the samples (carbonized and activated) had the same pH (8.1) and uncarbonized had a lower pH (7.9). The moisture contents ranged from 2 to 9 % with steam activated sample having the least and uncarbonised, the highest. Tapping density, surface area, pore volume, iodine number, % iodine absorbed values followed the order Steam active > Carbonized > Uncarbonized samples. The steam activated sample having the highest values of all these parameters showed it possesses high adsorption capacity for gaseous pollutants

Influence of hyaluronan on endometrial receptivity and embryo attachment in sheep

An increasing number of reports suggests a role of hyaluronan (HA) in female reproduction and interest in its application in assisted reproduction is rising. However, there are contrasting data about the effectiveness of adding HA to the embryo-transfer medium on improving pregnancy rates. Using sheep as an experimental model, the studies reported here analysed the impact of HA infusion into the uterus on embryo attachment to uterine luminal epithelium (LE) and expression of selected markers of uterine receptivity. On Day 14 after natural mating (pre-attachment), uterine horns were infused with either (n = 4 each): PBS (control), HA (1 mg mL–1), HA + hyaluronidase 2 (Hyal2; 300 IU mL–1) or 4-methyl-umbelliferone (HA-synthesis inhibitor; 4MU, 1 mM). HA immunostaining on uterine sections collected on Day 17 was negative in the 4MU group and weak in the HA+Hyal2 group. In contrast to 4MU, which resulted in 100% attachment, HA infusion blocked embryo attachment in all treated animals. This was accompanied by the disappearance of mucin 1 and increased expression of osteopontin and CD44v6 in the LE of uteri with attached embryos. In conclusion, the presence of HA at the embryo–maternal interface during embryo implantation resulted in reduced endometrial receptivity and inhibited the interaction of trophoblasts with the LE, whereas clearance of HA favoured embryo attachment

A motorized device for cracking pre-treated dika nuts

Cracking of dika nut has presented serious challenges to local processors considering the arduous task it constitutes during processing.  A motorized machine that is capable of multiple cracking of dika nuts was designed, fabricated and tested. The major components of the machine include a sliding hammer, a gear unit, a chain conveyor and cracking trays.  The experimental machine was evaluated on the basis of cracking efficiency and throughput considering three types of pre-treated nuts (sun-dried, oven-dried and roasted) and two nut sizes (small and big).  The cracking efficiency and throughput were: 65% and 8.84kg/h, 63% and 7.75kg/h, 45% and 5.67 kg/h for roasted, oven-dried and sun-dried small nuts; while the corresponding values for big nuts were: 72% and 12.86kg/h, 70% and 12.58kg/h, 67% and 12.41 kg/h, respectively.  Big dika nuts indicated a higher cracking efficiency and throughput than small nuts. The highest cracking efficiency and throughput values (72% and 12.86 kg/h, respectively) were obtained for big roasted nuts.  The method of pre-treatment and dika nut sizes were found to affect the cracking efficiency and throughput of the motorized dika nut cracking machine.  With a throughput of 10 kg/h and the possibility of cracking twenty nuts at a time, this machine is an improvement over existing designs.  A machine of this nature will be suitable for small and medium scale applications in the processing of dika nut