Sustainability of Guinea Fowl (Numidia meleagris) layers fed varying levels of Centrosema pubescent leaf meal.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of egg size on hatchability of Guinea fowl keets. Three different egg size groups (treatments): small (<39 g); medium (39 - 42 g) and large (>42 g)] were used in the experiment. Each treatment had three replicates of 10 eggs each. A complete randomized design was used for the experiment. Eggs were incubated with their sharp ends pointing downwards at 37.5 - 37.8oC and 60% relative humidity for 28 days. Thereafter, incubation parameters including hatchability (number of eggs that successfully hatched), dead in shells (DIS), clears, pips and keets with deformities evaluated. Data were analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) of SAS. Medium sized eggs had significantly (P<0.05) higher hatchability than small eggs. Also, medium sized eggs had lower pips. Egg size did not have effect on DIS, clears and deformities. The results of the present study showed that medium sized eggs (39 - 42 g) hatched best in comparison to both small and large categories. Keywords: Dead in shells, deformities, egg size, guinea fowl, hatchability, incubatio

Study of the Structural and Mechanical Properties of Recycled High Density Polyethylene/Palm Kernel Shell Ash Bio-Composite

This study examined the structure and mechanical properties of recycled high density polyethylene(RHDPE)/palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) bio-composite. The reinforcement was added to the polymer matrix in concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25wt% and particle sizes of 100, 150, 200, 250, 300µm. The composite samples were produced using injection moulding technique and subjected to mechanical and tribological property tests for percentage elongation, ultimate tensile strength, and hardness. The structure of the composite samples was analyzed using an optical metallurgical microscope. Results of the structural analysis revealed that the reinforcement of small particle size (100µm) formed a better interfacial bond with the polymer matrix compared with that of other particles sizes. The structural analysis also revealed uniform distribution of hard and brittle particles of the reinforcement in the polymer matrix. Mechanical test results showed that addition of palm kernel shell ash to the polymer matrix decreased its percentage elongation and impact strength by 24.5% and 22% respectively but significantly increased the tensile strength and hardness by 107.9% and 72% respectively. The ultimate tensile strength, and hardness of the developed composite increased with decrease in reinforcement particle size. Maximum ultimate tensile strength of 131MPa was obtained by the RHDP containing 10wt% PKSA of 100µm particle size while maximum hardness value of 86BHN was obtained at 25wt% palm kernel shell ash of 100µm particle size addition. Palm kernel shell ash reinforced recycled high density polyethylene bio-composite of improved mechanical properties that can be applied in production of engineering components. Keywords: Palm kernel shell ash, RHDPE, Percentage elongation, Ultimate tensile strength, Hardness. DOI: 10.7176/CPER/62-05 Publication date: January 31st 202

Safe and Effective Prescribing with Dyslexia: A Collaborative Autoethnography

Prescribing medicines is the most common patient-level intervention made by doctors in the United Kingdom. However, this is associated with a potential for harm. Whilst dyslexia can bring many strengths, it also impacts reading and writing abilities and therefore has the potential to contribute to errors in the prescribing process if dyslexic doctors are unsupported. This paper explores the experiences of Seb – regarding prescribing and prescribing education – as a dyslexic medical student and doctor. We hope that this might spark more research on this overlooked issue. This is a collaborative, analytic, autoethnographic study within an interpretivist paradigm. Firstly, Seb wrote an autobiographical account; he was then interviewed by Mike. The interview audio-recording was transcribed verbatim and both data sources were thematically analysed. Emerging themes included: learning to prescribe, coping, struggling and support, errors, near misses and handwritten charts, and moving forward. Specific issues included a deficiency in active learning/assessment at an undergraduate level, a lack of support, and potential safety concerns regarding handwritten charts. Electronic prescribing was felt to be a positive step forwards for both safety and accessibility. Our findings suggest that further consideration of specific supports is needed to assist dyslexic trainee doctors in the prescribing of medicines, so as to prevent the clinical environment acting to disadvantage them. They also suggest that we may need to review the ways in which we teach and assess this vital skill at an undergraduate level

The Impacts of E-Learning in Facilitating Academic Performance Among Private Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

The introduction of multimedia technologies and the internet in learning has been observed as a means of improving accessibility and quality of delivery and learning among the students and teachers in private Secondary Schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Thus, e-learning is a new paradigm shift in educational sector for the purpose of advancing the knowledge base. The beginning of 21st Century has heralded the educational technology that has facilitated e-learning among secondary and tertiary institutions in the developing countries. The empirical study will focus on some selected private Secondary Schools and Higher Institutions in Ota. Both primary and secondary data shall be utilized in the study. Structured and unstructured interviews with some staff and students of the selected Secondary and tertiary institutions will be conducted. This is necessary so as to obtain qualitative data on their e-learning experiences as well as the understanding of the usage. The Secondary Schools and Tertiary institutions websites will be assessed so as to elicit information on their learning management system which is crucial for this study. Questionnaires will be administered to the students in order to elicit information on their experiences on e-learning. This study in its purpose employs descriptive design in its procedural approach. The method of data collection entails a survey study conducted by the researchers using the questionnaire as the research instrument. This provides opportunity of the researchers having a direct contact with the target population in a bid to obtain vital information necessary for a thorough study of this kind. The survey method also provides the researchers with the privilege of obtain “first hand’ information and having a personal interview with the key players in the field or area of focus by the researcher. The descriptive design is utilized to analyze the characteristic of the respondents and the number of participants that responded to a particular issue of concerned being addressed the current study. The impacts of e-learning in facilitating academic performance were examined using regression analysis based on the testable hypothesis based on the study objectives. Analysis of the result from the study provides evidence of significant impact of e-learning in facilitating academic studies and self-development resulting to improved learning process and high academic performance. The therefore recommends that more effort should be made by the management of secondary schools and tertiary institutions in providing a e-learning facilities in their institutions and students should be encouraged to make a proper use of these facilities by given them e-learning related assignment and projects

Safe and effective prescribing with dyslexia

Background: The term ‘dyslexia’ refers to a condition that impacts upon reading and writing abilities whilst not altering intelligence. Individuals with dyslexia may have difficulties with the speed and accuracy and their reading and writing, amongst other issues. Dyslexia is not automatically considered a disability but is a protected characteristic under the UK Equality Act (2010), and therefore employers and educational institutions are required to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to allow individuals to reach their full potential. There is a lack of research on this issue, but what little there is suggests that doctors feel as though any support they received ended when they graduated from medical school. Main body: A core distinction between medical school and medical practice is the requirement to prescribe medicines as registered medical practitioners. Junior doctors have to master this complex and potentially hazardous skill “on the job”, with a perceived lack of support. Here, we open up a debate about the potential impact of dyslexia on prescribing, and the need to find supports that may be effective in enabling doctors with dyslexia prescribe medicines safely and effectively – and thus reach their full potential as medical practitioners and promote patient safety. Conclusion: We argue that medical schools and hospitals could immediately provide dyslexia awareness training in both undergraduate and postgraduate settings. We discuss electronic prescribing systems, and conclude that research is required to identify effective supports for junior doctors with dyslexia

Digitisation and the Circular Economy: A Review of Current Research and Future Trends

This is the final verson. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordSince it first appeared in literature in the early nineties, the Circular Economy (CE) has grown in significance amongst academic, policymaking, and industry groups. The latest developments in the CE field have included the interrogation of CE as a paradigm, and its relationship with sustainability and other concepts, including iterative definitions. Research has also identified a significant opportunity to apply circular approaches to our rapidly changing industrial system, including manufacturing processes and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) which, with data, is enabling the latest advances in digital technologies (DT). Research which fuses these two areas has not been extensively explored. This is the first paper to provide a synergistic and integrative CE-DT framework which offers directions for policymakers and guidance for future research through a review of the integrated fields of CE and I4.0. To achieve this, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR; n = 174) of the empirical literature related to digital technologies, I4.0, and circular approaches is conducted. The SLR is based on peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and early 2018. This paper also summarizes the current trends in CE research related to manufacturing. The findings confirm that while CE research has been on the increase, research on digital technologies to enable a CE is still relatively untouched. While the “interdisciplinarity” of CE research is well-known, the findings reveal that a substantial percentage is engineering-focused. The paper concludes by proposing a synergistic and integrative CE-DT framework for future research developed from the gaps in the current research landscapeEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Burns in pregnancy: Five-year experience in a tertiary hospital in southeastern Nigeria

BackgroundBurns in pregnancy is often associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality especially when the total burn surface area (TBSA) involved is high. This study aims to review management outcome of cases of burns in pregnancy at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA).MethodsA five year retrospective study of all pregnant women that presented at AE-FUTHA with burn injury between April 2014 and March 2019. Information was collected from the medical records using a proforma and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) using descriptive statistics.ResultsA total of 222 cases of burns were managed but only 8 were pregnant, giving an incidence of 3.6%. The commonest causes were flame (62.5%), scald (25%) and friction (12.5%) occurring mostly during the harmattan season. The median age of participants was 25-34 years. The burns affected 12.5% of the patients in the first trimester and 62.5% and 25% in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters respectively. Most patients (62.5%) had superficial burns while 25% had other associated injuries in addition to burns. About 87.5% had term spontaneous vaginal delivery. There was no maternal death but, there was an early neonatal death.ConclusionThe good outcome observed in this study with a 100% survival, could be explained by inter-disciplinary management approach given, even as most cases were minor degrees of burns. Early involvement of obstetricians in all burns affecting pregnant women is advised especially in burn centres where obstetricians are hardly in the employ

Cyber-Attack as a Menace to Effective Governance in Nigeria

Cyber-attack is an attempt by hackers to damage or destroy a computer network or system for purposes of mischief, fraud, and/or hedonism. To say that the incidences of cyber-attack are increasing rapidly in Nigeria is not only an understatement but also a cliché. From the organized private sector to public service, hackers have not spared any entity. More recently, governments in both developed and developing countries have had to deal with this menace on a frequent basis. The government of Nigeria is not an exception the thorn in the flesh. Indeed some government officials have blamed ineffective governance on the menace of cyber-attack, thereby creating the impetus for this research. The study therefore investigates the incidences of cyber-attack in Nigeria and its impact on democratic governance. The study was based on descriptive and explorative research design. This involves the use of research instrument administered to retrieve vital information from the target audience. The information gathered were coded into scale variables that support empirical investigation of the subject matter. In this study a total of 150 questionnaires from which a total of 126 were retrieved and used for the analysis. The data analysis utilized frequency distribution involving percentage and factor analysis. This method is frequently used in the Social Sciences research. Both factor analysis and relational analysis were applied. Factor analysis establishes the most prominent factor responsible for cyber-attacks motivation while the relational analysis was further utilized in examining the determined effect of incidence and nature of cyber-attacks on the assessment of the effectiveness governance in Nigeria. The evidence from the study provides significant result in support of a significant influence of cyber-attack menace on the perception of governance. Analysis of the motivating factors suggests that financial benefits and wide spread dissemination of the virus accounted for most factor responsible for the attacks. The study therefore recommends that government and law enforcement agencies should strategize on means of providing a more comprehensive data base to facilitate effective investigation and further research in this area

Reporting on the Seminar - Risk interpretation and action (RIA): Decision making under conditions of uncertainty

The paper reports on the World Social Science (WSS) Fellows seminar on Risk Interpretation and Action (RIA), undertaken in New Zealand in December, 2013. This seminar was coordinated by the WSS Fellows program of the International Social Science Council (ISSC), the RIA working group of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) program, the IRDR International Center of Excellence Taipei, the International START Secretariat and the Royal Society of New Zealand. Twenty-five early career researchers from around the world were selected to review the RIA framework under the theme of \u27decision-making under conditions of uncertainty\u27, and develop novel theoretical approaches to respond to and improve this framework. Six working groups emerged during the seminar: 1. the assessment of water-related risks in megacities; 2. rethinking risk communication; 3. the embodiment of uncertainty; 4. communication in resettlement and reconstruction phases; 5. the integration of indigenous knowledge in disaster risk reduction; and 6. multi-scale policy implementation for natural hazard risk reduction. This article documents the seminar and initial outcomes from the six groups organized; and concludes with the collective views of the participants on the RIA framework

Impact of dietary patterns, individual and workplace characteristics on blood pressure status among civil servants in Bida and Wushishi communities of Niger State, Nigeria

The global burden estimate of hypertension is alarming and results in several million deaths annually. A high incidence of sudden deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the civil workforce in Nigeria is often reported. However, the associations between Dietary Patterns (DPs), individual, and workplace characteristics of hypertension among this workforce have not been fully explored. This study aimed to identify DP in the Bida and Wushishi Communities of Niger State and establish its relationship with hypertension along with other individual and workplace characteristics. Factor analysis was used to establish DP, Chi-square test to identify their relationships with hypertension, and logistic regression to determine the predictor risk factors. The prevalence of hypertension was 43.7%; mean weight, height, and body fat were: 72.8±15 kg, 166±8.9 mm and 30.4%, respectively. Three DPs: “Efficient Diet,” “Local diet,” and “Energy Boost Diet” were identified. The factor loading scores for these factors were divided into quintiles Q1–Q5; none of them had a significant effect on hypertension status. Conversely, increase in age, the Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) of employment, frequency of eating in restaurants, and obesity were identified as significant risk factors. After adjusting for confounders (age, body mass index, MDA, and eating habits), a high score (Q5) in “efficient diet pattern” was significantly related to a lower likelihood of hypertension than a low score (Q1). The prevalence of hypertension among the participants was relatively very high. An increase in age and working in educational sector were risk factors associated with hypertension. Therefore, it is recommended that civil servants engage in frequent exercise and undergo regular medical checkups, especially as they get older. These findings highlight the need for large-scale assessment of the impact of variables considered in this study on hypertension, among the civil workforce across Niger state and Nigeria