DNA barcodes and new primers for nature's pest controllers: the social wasps

Globally, biodiversity is declining because of anthropogenic pressures, and this could lead to extinction of some species before they are discovered. The loss of insect taxa is of prime concern, given recent reports of significant declines in the populations of many taxa across the globe. Efforts to document biodiversity have met with several challenges, amongst which are the difficulties in using morphological features to discriminate species, especially in insects. DNA barcoding is a rapid and reliable method for species identification and discovery but choosing appropriate primers to amplify the barcode region without co-amplifying contaminants remains a key challenge. We developed and tested a set of primers for PCR amplification of the DNA barcode region of the COI gene in polistine wasps.Zethus miniatus Saussure. Samples were obtained from Africa, Americas, Asia, and Europe. The polistine-specific primers successfully amplified the barcode region for all polistines tested, without amplifying any Wolbachia present; they also worked with many species from the other Vespidae wasp subfamilies. The new primers are valuable for the discovery and accurate documentation of polistine wasps in the four continents

Evaluation of A Four Stroke Compression-Ignition Engine with Load (100N).

A loaded four stroke compression ignition (Nissan Primera model) engine mounted in a heat engine laboratory of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu was used for the exercise. An absorption dynamometer was attached to the engine to measure torque. As the engine was running, the speed was recorded with a digital tachometer at a time frame of 20 seconds. A lot of tests were carried out to determine a number of parameters like specific fuel consumption, mechanical efficiency, fuel mass flow rate, indicated power, brake power, brake horse power, rate of fuel consumption at different gear ratios. The data so obtained were tabulated and relationship between various parameters plotted in graphs. Results show that: volume of diesel consumed increases with increasing engine speed, increases with increasing gear; mass flow rate of diesel increases with increasing brake power, increases with increasing gear; specific fuel consumption decreases with increasing engine speed ; specific fuel consumption also decreases with increasing brake power; indicated power increases as engine speed increases. Keywords: Diesel Engine, Absorption Dynamometer, Tachometer, Engine Torque, Brake Horse Power, DOI: 10.7176/JETP/9-8-04 Publication date: November 30th 201

The Impact of Intervention on Sexual Practices of HIV Positive Individuals in Southeast Nigeria

Objective. To describe the impact of repeating behavioral educational intervention on sexual practices of HIV positive individuals. Method. A prospective cohort study of HIV positive individual was conducted in southeast Nigeria from June 2007 to May 2008. Information on sexual practices was collected at initial visit; education was given and its impact was evaluated afterwards. Results. Knowledge about risk of unprotected intercourse increased by 41%, condom use by 27% (P < .001) and consistent condom use by 55% (P < .001). The significant predictors of consistent condom use include male gender, multiple sexual partner, as well as good knowledge of HIV transmission, higher educational status and being married. Non use of condom at postintervention survey were characterized by female gender (n = 4), monogamous relationship (n = 10), little or no education (n = 10), and unmarried (n = 7) respondents. Conclusion. Repeated behavioral education intervention improves consistent condom use among HIV positive individuals and will help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS

Church proliferation and immorality in Nigeria. Interrogating the paradox

In Nigeria, there is an upsurge in the number of churches. This church proliferation in Nigeria has given rise to the founding of a variety of denominations whilst moral decadence thrives. This article therefore examines the issue of proliferation of churches, its causes and effects on Christianity and the Nigerian society at large. Data for the study were drawn from journals, books and other relevant materials. Employing descriptive narrative approach, this article indicates that the reasons for churches’ proliferation include God’s calling, unemployment, excessive desire for wealth or greed and leadership tussles. The article argues that despite the positive effects of proliferation of churches, which include socio-economic development, spiritual awakening and evangelism, it also has negative effects such as lack of quality Christian teachings, noise pollution, unhealthy competition and family disintegration. The article suggests that the pastors and ministers of God should receive good training from theological schools for proper interpretation of the Bible and better dissemination of the gospel. They should show good examples to their members and the society at large. It further suggests that noise regulation laws in the country should be enforced. CONTRIBUTION : The article examines the issue of proliferation of churches in Nigerian society. In Nigeria, churches are opened in every part of society but Christian religious worship is not being practiced in its true form. Notwithstanding the geometrical increase in churches, other vices have remained unabated in the country.This research is part of the research project ‘Africa Platform for NT Scholars’, directed by Prof. Dr Ernest van Eck, Department of New Testament Studies and Related Literature, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria.http://www.hts.org.zaam2022New Testament Studie

Patterns of Antimicrobial Use in a Specialized Surgical Hospital in Southeast Nigeria: Need for a Standardized Protocol of Antimicrobial Use in the Tropics

Background: Antimicrobial resistance remains a growing global health menace. One of the key actions to curb this menace by the World Health Organization is antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). A prescription protocol is one of the cost‑effective AMS interventions in surgery. This study determines the patterns of antimicrobial usage in a hospital specialized in orthopedic and plastic surgeries care in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, a tertiary hospital specialized in orthopedic and plastic surgeries in Southeast Nigeria in May 2019. All the inpatients were included in the study. A standardized tool for point prevalence survey was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Epi Info version 7.2.4. Results: A total of 127 inpatients&nbsp; participated in the survey with 387 antimicrobial encounters. The most common reasons for antimicrobial use were for the treatment of community-acquired infections (65.0%) and prophylaxis (29.4%). The decision for their use was made majorly on an empirical basis (92.4%). The reasons for antimicrobial prescriptions were documented in the majority (97.5%) of the cases and stop review dates in all (100%) of the prescriptions. Ceftriaxone (25.7%), tinidazole (21.9%), and metronidazole (14.6%) were the commonest antimicrobials prescribed among the patients. Conclusion: Orthopedic and plastic surgery practices require tailored prophylactic antibiotic regimens in the tropics due to peculiarities of both the specialties and the subregion. The claim that existing protocols in the temperate regions may apply in the tropics has been questioned due to the microbial profile on the tropics. Keywords: Antimicrobial protocol in surgery, antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship, prophylactic antibiotic

HIV/TB Co-infection Among HIV Positive Children Attending Clinics In Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome and tuberculosis are among the leading causes of death from infectious diseases worldwide. The resurgence of tuberculosis in children is partly attributed to the coexisting burden of human immunodeficiency virus infection, which is most pronounced in sub Saharan Africa.Aim: To determine the prevalence and pattern of HIV/TB co-infection among HIV positive children attending clinics at Imo State University Teaching Hospital.Method: This is a retrospective review of HIV/AIDS children attending HIV clinics at Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria from January, 2011- December, 2012.Results: Of the total of 128 HIV infected children reviewed during the 24 months period, 16(12.5%) were coinfected with tuberculosis, (95% CI, 10.7% - 14.3%). Among these 16 patients, TB co-infection was diagnosed before commencement of ART in 93.7% of them. Majority of the TB cases (87.5%) presented with pulmonary TB amongst whom only 25.0% were sputum positive. The factors found to affect TB development significantly were stage of HIV disease (p=0.000) and CD4 count level (P=0.021) of patients. The factor with the highest influence on TB development was the clinical stage of HIV disease (Odds ratio =6.013) and that of least influence was sex of patient (Odds ratio= 0.8319).Conclusion: The study revealed a moderately high TB/HIV co-infection rate. Low CD4 count level below 200cell/ml and late clinical stages of HIV disease contribute significantly to the development of TB disease.Key Words: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, co-infection, children

Improving Students&apos; Retention in Junior Secondary School Statistics using the Ethno-mathematics Teaching Approach in Obi and Oju Local Government Areas of Benue State, Nigeria * 1

ABSTRACT This study was designed to determine the effect of the ethnomathematics teaching approach on Junior Secondary three (JS3) students&apos; retention in statistics. It is also aimed at determining whether any of the sexes (male and female) would retain statistics concepts more than the other from the teaching. The study was carried out in Obi and Oju education areas of zone C in Benue state of Nigeria using a sample size of 248 junior secondary three (JS3) students. The study employed Quasi-experimental design of non-equivalent but culturally homogenous group. Intact classes were used for both the experimental and control groups. The experimental group was taught using the ethnomathematics approach while control group was taught using conventional approach. Two research questions and two research hypotheses were formulated to guide this study. Statistics Retention Test (SRT) instrument with the reliability coefficient of 0.80 was used as pre, post and retention tests though reshuffled each time for data collection. Mean and Standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while an ANCOVA was used to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed among others that the ethnomathematics teaching approach was more effective in facilitating and improving students&apos; retention in statistics than the conventional approach. The ethnomathematics teaching approach did not significantly differentiate between the sexes (male and female) retention scores in statistics. These findings have implications for all Mathematics teachers and stakeholders in mathematics education. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the ethnomathematics teaching approach be adopted in schools particularly in our junior secondary school education, while teaching statistics since it has proved to be a viable option in promoting meaningful learning and affected students&apos; retention rate positively. Again, the ministry of education and professional bodies such as Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) should be involved in promoting this method through conferences, seminars and workshops so as to expose to teachers an ethno method in teaching mathematics

The evaluation of "Safe Motherhood" program on maternal care utilization in rural western China: a difference in difference approach

BACKGROUND: Maternal care is an important strategy for protection and promotion of maternal and children's health by reducing maternal mortality and improving the quality of birth. However, the status of maternal care is quite weak in the less developed rural areas in western China. It is found that the maternal mortality rates in some western areas of China were 5.8 times higher than those of their eastern costal counterparts. In order to reduce the maternal mortality rates and to improve maternal care in western rural areas of China, the Chinese Ministry of Health (MOH) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) sponsored a program named "Safe Motherhood" in ten western provinces of China from 2001 through 2005. This study mainly aims to evaluate the effects of "Safe Motherhood" program on maternal care utilization. METHODS: 32 counties were included in both surveys conducted in 2001 and 2005, respectively. Ten counties of which implemented comprehensive community-based intervention were used as intervention groups, while 22 counties were used as control groups. Stratified 3-stage probability-proportion-to-size sampling method was used to select participating women. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted with questionnaires about the prenatal care utilization in 2001 and 2005, respectively. Difference in difference estimation was used to assess the effect of intervention on the maternal care utilization while controlling for socio-economic characteristics of women. RESULTS: After the intervention, the proportion of pregnant women who had their first prenatal visit in the first trimester was increased from 38.9% to 76.1%. The proportion of prenatal visits increased from 82.6% to 98.3%. The proportion of women mobilized to deliver in hospitals increased from 62.7% to 94.5%. Hospital delivery was improved greatly from 31.1% to 87.3%. The maternal mortality rate was lowered by 34.9% from 91.76 to 59.74 per 100,000 live births. The community-based intervention had increased prenatal visits rate by 5.2%, first prenatal visit in first trimester rate by 12.0% and hospital delivery rate by 22.5%, respectively. No effect was found on rate of women being mobilized to hospital delivery compared with that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The intervention program seemed to have improved the prenatal care utilization in rural western China

Symphysiotomy in Zimbabwe; Postoperative Outcome, Width of the Symphysis Joint, and Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice among Doctors and Midwives

BACKGROUND: Obstructed labour remains one of the leading causes of maternal and foetal death and morbidity in poorly resourced areas of the world, where the 24 hours availability of a caesarean section (CS) cannot be guaranteed, and the CS related mortality rate is still high. In these settings, reinstatement of symphysiotomy has been advocated. The objectives were, in1994; to study perioperative and long-term complications of symphysiotomy and compare them to those related to CS for similar indications, in 1996; to measure the symphyseal width after symphysiotomy and compare it to that after normal vaginal delivery, and, in 1998; to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice related to symphysiotomy among doctors and midwives in Zimbabwe. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Thirty-four women who had undergone symphysiotomy and 29 women who had undergone a CS for obstructed labour were interviewed. The symphyseal widths of 19 women with a previous symphysiotomy were compared to that of 92 women with previous normal vaginal deliveries, using ultrasound technique. Forty-one doctors and 39 midwives, in three central hospitals and seven district hospitals in Zimbabwe, were interviewed about symphysiotomy. None of the 34 women reported serious soft tissue injuries or infections post symphysiotomy. Long-term complications after symphysiotomy do not differ notably from those after CS for similar indications. The intra-articular width of the symphysis pubis is increased after a symphysiotomy. Seventy-nine of the 80 interviewed health care workers knew about symphysiotomy. One obstetrician had performed symphysiotomies. Two-thirds of the participants considered symphysiotomy an obsolete and second-class operation, but lifesaving and appropriate in remote areas of Zimbabwe. Ten of 13 midwives in remote areas wanted to carry out symphysiotomies themselves. CONCLUSIONS: No severe complications due to symphysiotomy were revealed in this study. The results suggest that a modest permanent enlargement of the pelvis post symphysiotomy (together with the absence of a scarred uterus) may facilitate subsequent vaginal delivery. Doctors and midwives working in district hospitals have a more positive attitude to symphysiotomies than the colleagues in central hospitals. Obstetricians (who would have to do the teaching), working in the large urban hospitals almost exclude symphysiotomy as an alternative management in Zimbabwe

Dynamics of MOOC Discussion Forums

In this integrated study of dynamics in MOOCs discussion forums, we analyze the interplay of temporal patterns, discussion content, and the social structure emerging from the communication using mixed methods. A special focus is on the yet under-explored aspect of time dynamics and influence of the course structure on forum participation. Our analyses show dependencies between the course structure (video opening time and assignment deadlines) and the overall forum activity whereas such a clear link could only be partially observed considering the discussion content. For analyzing the social dimension we apply role modeling techniques from social network analysis. While the types of user roles based on connection patterns are relatively stable over time, the high fluctuation of active contributors lead to frequent changes from active to passive roles during the course. However, while most users do not create many social connections they can play an important role in the content dimension triggering discussions on the course subject. Finally, we show that forum activity level can be predicted one week in advance based on the course structure, forum activity history and attributes of the communication network which enables identification of periods when increased tutor supports in the forum is necessary