Determinants of mortality in Nigerian children with severe anaemia

Background. Severe anaemia (haemoglobin concentration <50 g/l) is amajor cause of paediatric hospital admissions and deaths in the tropics.Objectives.To examine the pattern and predictors of mortalityamong severely anaemic children.Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among children with severe anaemia at the Children’s Emergency Room of the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Sociodemographiccharacteristics, clinical features, laboratory findings and co-morbidities of the survivors and those who died were compared by logistic regression analysis.Results. Of the 1 735 children admitted, 311 (17.9%) had severeanaemia, with a case-fatality rate of 9.3%. The presence of respiratorydistress (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1 - 3.6, p=0.031); acidosis(95% CI 1.8 - 2.7, p=0.010); coma (95% CI 0.1 - 0.3, p=0.001);hypotension (95% CI 2.0 - 4.2, p=0.020); and bacteraemia (95% CI 3.1- 3.9; p=0.008) were the significant independent predictors of deathwith regression analysis.Conclusion. Early recognition with prompt and appropriate anticipatory intervention is essential to reduce mortality from severe anaemia

Biomembrane Modelling in Planar Chromatographic Determination of Lipophilicity Using Olive and Castor Oils

BackgroundLipophilicity is a crucial physicochemical parameter that predicts in vivo pharmacokinetics and should be reliably estimated in early stage drug discovery to reduce incidence of attrition. Previous methodologies for its measurement often lead to technically incorrect decisions due to simplistic architecture and poor biomimetic attributes. Significantly, a certain seed oil, used for biomembrane modelling on planar chromatographic platform, was reported to be sufficiently biomimetic and fit for purpose.ObjectivesTo evaluate olive oil (OL) and olive-castor oil (OL-C) equi-mixture as lipids for biomembrane simulation on planar chromatographic platform.Material and MethodRetention behavior of nabumetone, a model compound was used to optimize these potential lipid membranes using a thin film engineered from 5% Liquid paraffin (LP) as benchmark, while halofantrine, nabumetone , α-naphthol and β-naphthol representing varying molecular polarities, were used for validation studies. The validation involved 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) associated with variability in Basic lipophilicity parameter (Rmw), and Specific hydrophobic surface area (SHSA) for the optimized surfaces, relative to LP and octadecylsilane (ODS) Further validation entailed correlation of the lipophilicity descriptor i.e. isocratic chromatographic hydrophobicity index (ICHI) on OL, OL-C, ODS and LP with experimental Log P(octanol/water).ResultsOptimized film thicknesses were produced by 5% OL and 1.25% OL-C (p > 0.05). The 2-way ANOVA revealed great variability in performance characteristics of the surfaces (p < 0.0001), and the new surfaces also gave poorer correlation with Log P values (R2= 0.502 and 0.449 respectively).ConclusionThe 1.25 % OL-C demonstrated a higher biomimetic attribute and warrants further validation studies to ascertain biorelevance, of lipophilicity measurement on this platform, in predicting oral drug absorption. Keywords: Lipophilicity, Reversed-phase Thin Layer Chromatography, Retention behaviour, Olive oil, Castor oi

Anticorrosion Performance of Solanum Aethiopicum on Steel-Reinforcement in Concrete Immersed in Industrial/Microbial Simulating-Environment

This paper investigates anticorrosion performance of Solanum aethiopicum leaf-extract on steel-reinforcement in concrete immersed in 0.5 M H2SO4, simulating industrial/microbial environment. For this, corrosion rate by linear polarisation resistance and corrosion potential as per ASTM C876-91 R99 were monitored from steel-reinforced concrete slabs admix ed with different Solanum aethiopicum leaf-extract concentrations and immersed in the acidic test-environment. Obtained test-data were subjected to statistical probability distributions for which compatibilities were tested using Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit statistics, as per ASTM G16-95 R04. These identified all datasets of corrosion test-data, from the steel-reinforced concrete samples, as coming from the Weibull probability distribution. Analysed results showed that Solanum aethiopicum leaf-extract reduced rebar corrosion condition from “high” to “low” corrosion risks of ASTM C876-91 R99. Also, the corrosion rate analyses identified 0.25% Solanum aethiopicum leaf-extract with optimal inhibition efficiency performance, η = 93.99%, while the other concentrations also exhibited good inhibition of steel-reinforcement corrosion in the test-environment

Capacity and Quality Assessment of Awba River Basin

This study aims at determining the feasibility of a Mini Water Supply Scheme to meet the growing water needs of The Polytechnic, Ibadan community. The assessment focused on determination of population of the subject community vis-à-vis the location, discharge capacity and quality status of Oba river basin, being the only perennial stream within the community, seeking possible opportunities for capacity building in the areas water based developmental activities. The entire population of the community was obtained by enumeration method with 10years projection considered at a growth of 4 percent on yearly basis. Water budget was arrived at on the basis of per capita per day, in accordance with the United State specification. Raw water supply was obtained through impounding system of reinforced concrete chamber, which serves as an alternative to costly dam construction. Grid survey was carried out to determine the topographical nature along the stream axis at proposed location of the impounding house. Hydrological studies were carried out on the river to obtain its rate of flow and the harvestable volume of raw water at each month of a year. This was used to determine the size of chamber and the impounding hours before pumping. Physico-chemical analysis of the raw water was carried out and the results compared with that of W.H.O’s 1996 guide line for drinking water as to dictate the design of treatment plant and the recommendable chemical dosage. The study thus reveals that the available perennial stream within the community is a resource that could be utilized to alleviate the problem of acute water shortage and create better environment for research and other developmental activities of the institution. Key Words: Population, Raw Water, Capacity and Quality Assessment, Treatment

Self-compacting concrete in pavement construction: Strength grouping of some selected brands of cements

This paper investigates strength properties of some selected cement brands for self-compacting concrete application in pavement construction. Three brands each of Portland limestone cement grades, CEM II/A-L 42.5 (Brand A), CEM II/B-L 32.5 (Brand B) and CEM II/B-L 32.5 (Brand C), were used. Rheological test was carried out using the L-Box, V-Funnel and slump cone while compressivegas emissions from the building sector. These systems require high investments which are returned through the heat sales. Due to the changed climate conditions and building renovation policies, heat demand in the future could decreas

Wind Profile Characteristics and Turbine Performance Analysis in Kano, North-western Nigeria

This study analyzed the electricity generation potential from wind at Kano, Nigeria (12.05°N; 08.2°E; altitude 472.5 m; air density 1.1705 kg/m3). Twenty one years (1987 to 2007) monthly mean wind speed data at a height of 10 m were assessed from the Nigeria Meteorological Department, Oshodi. The data were subjected to different statistical tests and also compared with the two-parameter Weibull probability density function. The outcome shows that the average monthly wind speed ranged from 6.6 to 9.5 m/s. Seasonally, average wind speeds ranged between 6.6 to 8.5 m/s and 7.4 to 9.5 m/s for dry (October to March) and wet (April to September) seasons, respectively. Also, estimated monthly wind power ranged between 3.6 and 12.5 MWh/m2. The most probable and maximum energy carrying wind speeds were also determined and the two parameters of the Weibull statistics were found to lie between 2.1 ≤ k ≤ 4.9 and 7.3 ≤ c ≤ 10.7, respectively. These results indicate that wind speeds at Kano may be economically viable for wind-to-electricity at and above the height of 10 m. In addition, five practical turbine models were assessed for the site’s wind profile, with results suggesting strong economic viabilit

Effect of Biowaste Materials on the Physical Properties of Blended Fuel for Industrial Application

In this study, PMS gasoline gotten from randomly selected commercial fuel stations was blended with ethanol gotten from agricultural waste and developed nanoparticles Additives (D-NA). The blended samples were analyzed for their physical properties using methods recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The tests were carried out on the fuel's density, oxygenates, benzene content, research octane number (RON) and sulphur content. The results shown in the physical property tests done on these blended fuels when compared with the neat gasoline gotten from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), industry standards (DPR/SON) and global markets (United States US & United Kingdom UK) shows that the blended fuels meet all required standards and specifications. The additives had little effect on the fuel’s density but showed a sharp drop in its benzene content levels which makes it a healthier choice of fuel. Ethanol blended fuel had a higher oxygenate level than neat gasoline and the D-NA blended fuel. The research octane number for the three fuel samples showed favorably high numbers that fit the standards of the global market. The most interesting result is the Sulphur content which showed an increase in its values for the blended fuels although the values are within industrial and global limits

Metallic Oxide Nanoparticle from Agricultural Waste: A Review on Composition and Application

The rapid advancement in the extraction method of metallic oxide nanoparticles from agricultural waste has led to the significant use of agriculture waste in the nanotechnology industry because the use of chemical procedures in the production of metallic oxide nanoparticles produces hazardous toxic compounds that are dangerous to the ecosystem. In particular, this article examines the creation of silicon dioxide (silica) nanoparticles from agricultural waste. Environmental cleanup and wastewater purification are only two examples of the many areas where sand-sized silica particles (SNPs) have shown promising results. rural, agricultural, etc. The lack of toxicity of these particles has been demonstrated, making them an excellent tool for biomedical study. Additionally, because of the particles' ability to mobilize molecules onto their interior and external surfaces, they constitute good transporters for both biotic and non-biotic substances. In this regard, the current paper provides a thorough assessment of the sources of agricultural waste used in producing silica nanoparticles as well as the processes used to create it. The report also examines SNPs' most recent applications in a number of fields and discusses the technology's potential for the future. Keywords: Fuel additives; ethanol; brake power; Internal combustion engine; fue

CARCASS INDICES AND MEAT QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING FORTIFIED FERMENTED CASSAVA STUMP

A 56-day study was conducted to evaluate carcass and meat quality of broiler chickens fed diets containing fortified fermented cassava stump (FFCS) as a replacement for maize. Cassava stumps and leaves were fermented in the solid state at room temperature, using Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 for 192 and 96 hours, respectively, and then mixed at a ratio of 19:1 to obtain the FFCS. The birds were allotted into four treatments with three replicates (n= 30). The treatments consistzzed of different inclusion levels of FFCS: Diet 1 containing 0% FFCS (control treatment); Diet 2 containing 20% FFCS; Diet 3 containing 40% FFCS; and Diet 4 containing 60% FFCS. Dressing and eviscerated percentages were higher (p 0.05) by the inclusion of FFCS, but values obtained were higher with up to 40%. Meat quality was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the FFCS. In addition, the degree of meat peroxidation decreased with increased FFCS levels. Diets with up to 40% FFCS inclusion resulted in improved carcass traits, oxidative stability, and meat quality. Therefore, the addition of fortified cassava stump in broiler chickens' diets could produce meat of better quality, with low peroxidation, high oxidative stability, and longer shelf-life.z