Physicochemical and microbiological examination of hand-dug wells, boreholes and public water sources in selected areas of Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined some physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of some water sources and evaluates their health implications in selected areas of Ibadan, Nigeria. Forty (40) water samples were collected into 1-litre plastic kegs from hand-dug wells, boreholes and public water points between June 12 and July 11, 2014. Samples were analysed for physical, chemical and microbial parameters using standard procedures. Well-structured questionnaires were used to elicit information on sanitation conditions in the areas. Electrical conductivity in many of the sampled water were higher than the recommended limit, while TDS were within the desirable limit of 200 mg/l except for the borehole at Ita-Baale Borehole (IB) and hand dug well at Oke-Aare (OAH). Microbial assessment of water samples in most areas confirmed the presence of vibrio species due to faecal pollution. Bacterial isolates identified in some of the water samples were Enterobacter cloaca, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomaonas fluorescens and Salmonella spp. The study revealed that sanitary facilities including toilets and improved latrines are lacking in many areas. Hand dug wells had the highest frequency of occurrence pollutants and bacteria due to their close proximity to pit latrines. The study concluded that residents in the study area are exposed to polluted water sources, which pose serious threat their health. This study added to the existing data on the inadequacy of sanitation in urban centres in the country hence the need for increased effort in the provision of more cleaner and well protected water sources such boreholes and piped-borne water.Keywords: Hygiene, microbial contamination, sanitation, urban slums, water quality, healt

The Effect of International Business on SMEs Growth in Nigeria

The research examined the effect of international business on SMEs growth in a competitive environment, particularly Nigeria. The secondary data were gathered from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) annual report. This study adopted ordinary least square method of data analyses. The finding revealed that trade openness as a measure of competitiveness and FDI has no significant effect on SMEs growth in Nigeria. It was also revealed that the exchange rate has a significant effect on SMEs growth in Nigeria, and the level at which exchange rate affects SMEs growth is relatively high. It was further showed that the exchange rate has a negative coefficient indicating that, as the exchange rate reduces SMEs growth increases. It is concluded that trade competitiveness had no significant effect on SMEs growth in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that government should formulate policies, which will encourage the reduction of exchange rate in the country in order to enhance competition and improve business activities across the country, and improve the growth of SMEs across the country, as well as encouraging entrepreneurship spirit in the country

Accessibility and Utilization of Internet Service by Graduate Students in University of Lagos, Nigeria

The major objective of the study was to examine the accessibility and utilization of Internet service by graduate students in university of Lagos, Nigeria. Specifically, the study made effort to determine the extent to which Internet service was accessible to staff and students of the university, how point of Internet access influenced its usage, factors motivating the use of Internet and what Internet was used for by graduate students in University of Lagos. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and data were collected by administering questionnaires to two hundred respondents randomly selected from faculty of Education in the University. Results of the findings revealed that students didn’t have as much access to Internet service as the staff (27.7 % and 62.4 % respectively). 47.9 % of respondents strongly agreed to visiting the cybercafé to access Internet. 53.1 % and 50.2 % of the respondents strongly agreed that proximity to cybercafé and valid information contained from the Internet were their major motivating factors for surfing the Internet. It also found that the respondents strongly agreed that the purposes for their surfing the Internet were to register courses, enroll for exams, gather information for literature review, send and receive mails, amongst others. Based on the findings, it is therefore recommended that since the Internet is being utilized in every sector such as Education, Banking, Medicine and others, the University should make Internet service assessible for students’ use. This study can further be conducted in other institutions in Nigeria

Genetic Differentiation Studies among Natural Populations of <i>Tilapia zillii</i>

The population structure of Tilapia zillii (Gervais 1848) from three reservoirs in Nigeria, Osun State (Opa, Osu and Igun) was determined by employing morphological and molecular (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) methods. For morphological studies, 25 morphometric measurements and six meristic counts were recorded on 40 individuals within each population. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed on the morphometric and meristic data using the PAST software. For RAPD studies, genomic DNA was extracted from caudal fin tissue using CTAB method and five primers were used to initiate PCR amplifications. All the clusters produced by the Principal components analysis (PCA) of the morphometric and meristic parameters overlapped indicating a low level of genetic differentiation between the three populations of T. zillii studied. The UPGMA cluster diagram from RAPD analysis identified two major genotypic groups with inter and intra group relationships. All individuals in the first cluster were from the Osu reservoir, while individuals from Opa and Igun reservoirs constituted the second cluster. Nei’s unbiased measure of genetic distances was 0.8532, 0.7321 and 0.7111 for Osu, Igun and Opa populations respectively. This revealed that Opa and Igun populations were genetically closer, while Osu populations is distant from them. The results suggest that the RAPD technique could be used to differentiate populations of T. zillii. However, additional methods such as microsatellite and sequence analysis can be used to maximize the efficiency of genetic differentiation studies

Genetic Differentiation Studies among Natural Populations of <i>Tilapia zillii</i>

<p>The population structure of <em>Tilapia zillii</em> (Gervais 1848) from three reservoirs<em> </em>in Nigeria, Osun State (Opa, Osu and Igun) was determined by employing morphological and molecular (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) methods. For morphological studies, 25 morphometric measurements and six meristic counts were recorded on 40 individuals within each population. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed on the morphometric and meristic data using the PAST software. For RAPD studies, genomic DNA was extracted from caudal fin tissue using CTAB method and five primers were used to initiate PCR amplifications. All the clusters produced by the Principal components analysis (PCA) of the morphometric and meristic parameters overlapped indicating a low level of genetic differentiation between the three populations of <em>T. zillii </em>studied. The UPGMA cluster diagram from RAPD analysis identified two major genotypic groups with inter and intra group relationships. All individuals in the first cluster were from the Osu reservoir, while individuals from Opa and Igun reservoirs constituted the second cluster. Nei’s unbiased measure of genetic distances was 0.8532, 0.7321 and 0.7111 for Osu, Igun and Opa populations respectively. This revealed that Opa and Igun populations were genetically closer, while Osu populations is distant from them. The results suggest that the RAPD technique could be used to differentiate populations of <em>T. zillii</em>. However, additional methods such as microsatellite and sequence analysis can be used to maximize the efficiency of genetic differentiation studies.</p

An acid-doped ice membrane for selective proton transport

Cation exchange membranes need to have high permselectivity for protons to make these membranes suitable for, for example, energy storage devices. Here, we present the proof of concept for a proton selective membrane made of hydrochloric acid-doped ice. The proton selectivity of this acid-doped ice membrane is the result of defects in the ice structure, caused by the acid. Ice membranes were made from different hydrochloric acid concentrations (0.1-2.0 M). The proton permselectivity of all ice membranes was above 99.7% when both Na+ and K+ were present. The resistivity decreased exponentially with the concentration of acid in the ice membrane, reaching a value of 12 Ω.cm. The ice membranes were tested in an electrochemical cell using the Fe/Fe2+ and Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couples, and a power density of 7 W/m2 and OCV of 0.87 V were measured. The resistance of the ice membrane increased with time as protons moved from the ice structure, as determined from the higher pH of the ice after melting. These expelled protons (and corresponding counter charged ions) were not replaced by other mobile cations, indicating a permanent loss in conductivity, but not selectivity. To apply the ice membrane as a selective separator for protons in energy storage devices in the future, the membrane thickness should be reduced and the protons should be retained inside the ice.</p

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways