Effect of Topography on the Heavy Metal Levels of Raphia Palm Tree and Oil Palm Tree Wine Produced within Awka South and North Local Government Areas in Anambra State

Studies were carried out to evaluate the effect of topography on the heavy metal levels of raphia palm tree and oil palm tree wine produced within Awka South and North local government areas using standard analytical procedures and instrumentation. Soil and palm (oil palm tree and raphia palm tree) wine samples produced in the studied upland and lowland areas were wet digested and analyzed for the presence of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.The lowland soil samples had 0.38±0.08, 6.27±0.40, 0.18±0.05 and 9.55±0.80µg/g as mean levels for Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn respectively. The upland soil samples had 0.70±0.04, 4.89±0.15, 0.06±0.02 and 7.07±0.22 µg/g as the mean levels for Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn respectively. The studied heavy metals were present in the soil sample areas in the following decreasing order; Zn > Cu >Pb >Cd.The mean range of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn levels in the palm (oil palm tree and raphia palm tree) wine samples produced in the upland areas were 0.04- 0.06, 1.06- 1.91, 0.03- 0.05 and 2.86- 4.04 µg/g respectively. Pb was at toxic level in the oil palm tree wine samples produced in the upland areas.The mean range of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn levels in the palm (oil palm tree and raphia palm tree) wine samples produced in the lowland areas were 0.05- 0.09, 1.95- 3.23, 0.04- 0.07 and 4.66- 6.51µg/g respectively. Pb, Cu and Cd were at toxic levels in the oil palm tree wine samples produced in the lowland areas. The palm wine samples produced in both the lowland and upland areas contained the investigated heavy metals at statistically significant levels. Because of the near daily consumption of palm wine produced from the oil palm and raphia trees as a drink of leisure by all categories of the people in the society, especially with high volume of production taking place in the lowland areas, it is important that human activities that supports the contamination of the soil with heavy metals, where these wines are produced are checkmated by government and host communities so as to limit the exposure to the heavy metals by palm wine consumers

Assessment of growth performance of African catfish (Clariasgariepinus) fed with feed produced from blend of pigeon pea (Cajanuscajan) bambara groundnut (Vignasubterranea) and fish meal

A 3-factor -factorial experiment (2K) was designed to produce fish feeds from mixture of pigeon pea, bambara groundnut and fish meal as major ingredients, while maize, red palm oil, salt and micro nutrient pre-mix were added as minor ingredients. The raw materials were processed into flours. The ingredients were weighed out in various ratios and mixed. The mixture was extruded; sun-dried and packaged and labeled F1-F8 and a commercial feed labeled F9 served as control. The feeds were feed to juvenile Clariasgariepinus kept in 9 separate plastic bowels and fed for 42 days. The forty-five fish of uniform weight and age were grouped into 9 and stocked in the nine artificial ponds, each pond contained five fish. The feeds were analyzed for proximate composition, while the growth performance of the fish was evaluated at the end of the feeding period. Result showed that F3 (20g pigeon pea, 20g Bambara ground nut and 16g fish meal) contains the highest protein (33.14 %) and F1(20g pigeon pea, 30g bambara ground nut and 16g fish meal) the least (23.13 %). F3 exhibited the highest specific growth rate (1.14 %) followed by the F9 (control) which contains 1.09%. The highest weight gain (16 g) was observed in the fish fed the control feed. However, F3 and F4 (20g pigeon pea, 30g bambara ground nut and 18g fish meal) ranked next to the control with respect to growth performance. It is therefore possible to produce quality catfish feed from bend of pigeon pea, Bambara ground nut and fish meal. Keywords: catfish, fish feed, bambara groundnut, pigeon pea, fish mea

The burden of Hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia in Jos – Nigeria

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an important public health problem in Nigeria associated with frequent blood transfusion. Patients with this disease are at increased risk of contracting hepatitis B and C virus through blood transfusions.Objective: The study aimed at determining the burden of hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia and the role of blood transfusion in these infections acquisition in Jos.Materials and methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted on patients with SCA attending the Haematology Out-patient Clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital,between November 2014 and August 2015.Consenting patients with SCA had their blood screened for anti- HBV and HCV antibodies using fourth generation Elisa techniques after completing a questionnaire.Results: One hundred and eleven patients with SCA participated. Antibodies to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was detected in 21 (18.9%) while that to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was found in 16 (14.7%). Seventy six (68.5%) of the participants had history of blood transfusion while 35 (31.5%) were never transfused. 22.4% and 15.8% of those transfused were positive for HBV and HCV antibodies respectively. There was no significant difference in the proportion of those positive for anti HBV or HCV with respect to their transfusion status (p=0.24 and 0.81 respectively).Conclusion: The proportion of our patients with SCA that were anti HBV and anti-HCV positive was high. Blood transfusion did not significantly influence their positive status. Strategies aimed at controlling these viral infections in these patients and the general population should be enforced after public awareness campaigns and advocacy are instituted.Keywords: Sickle Cell Anaemia, burden, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis CVirus, infection, Blood Transfusio

Assessing the Global Development Agenda (Goal 1) in Uganda: The Progress Made and the Challenges that Persist

The international development agenda (2000-2015) that was hailed in Uganda was unsuccessful and powerless in elevating individuals and groups to a place of comfort through the achievement of the MDGs. Hence, according to a survey of the Directorate of Social Protection in 2012, 67% of citizens of Uganda are either highly vulnerable to remaining in poverty or being poor.  This study therefore assesses the gains of the global development agenda (2000 – 2015) in Uganda. The study relies heavily on review papers, secondary dataset and material, and quasi-quantitative method in analyzing the research aim. Results show that ambiguous and unrealistic targets of the MDGs did not take into cognizance the structures, institutions, and interaction of systems and governance issues in Uganda. Despite these, the gains were also shortchanged as a result of drought, flood, and high prices of commodities, due to low farm production in most (rural) areas in Uganda. In addition to the drought and the negative effects of climate change, other challenges include deficient access to markets and market place, lack of motorized and non-motorized load-carrying wheel vehicles, lack of capacity and infrastructure, lack of mechanized farming implements, and the lack of access to credit reduced the potency of the achievement of most of its goals. However, significant strides were attempted and the country was able to achieve several targets, which are worth celebrating. The study contends that the realization of the SDGs will only be wishful thinking, if challenges of rural poverty, governance and institution are not put in check. Shared progress and prosperity as acclaimed by the World Bank will never be visible in Uganda

Mechanical and thermomechanical properties of clay-Bambara nut shell polyester bio-composite

Ecological impact of improper disposal of growing agricultural waste is huge. These low cost, renewable, and biodegradable materials can be utilized in production of eco-friendly polymer composite. However, further property enhancement can be achieved by hybridization. This work evaluated the feasibility of enhancing the properties of Bambara nut shell particulate (BNSp) reinforced polyester composite by incorporation of clay. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 23.98 MPa was recorded for the hybrid composite of 3 wt% clay + 12 wt% BNSp compared to 19.86 MPa for 12wt% BNSp polymer composite. DMA analysis showed a damping factor of 0.586 at 89.51 °C for 3 wt% clay + 12 wt% BNSp composite. Clay addition modifies and improves the properties of agro-waste reinforced polymer composites with clay/BNSp/polyester composite exhibiting higher mechanical properties compared to the BNSp reinforced polyester composite due to the ability of the clay to insert themselves between the layers of the polyester matrix. This work also showed that Bambara nut is a potential low-cost filler material for polymer composites and can be used in areas requiring medium strength but lightweight materials