Comparative Analysis of the Soil Geotechnical Characteristics of the Failed and Unfailed Sections of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, Southeastern Nigeria.

This work compared the soil geotechnical characteristics of the failed sections of the road and that of the un-failed sections of the road to establish whether they are significantly different or related. To achieve this, soil samples from both failed and un-failed sections of the road were analyzed. The data so generated, were tested using Correlation Coefficient for relationship and Students T-test for difference. It was found that there exist insignificant relationship between the failed and the un-failed sections of the road, there is significant difference between the two variables and there is wide discrepancies between the geotechnical characteristics of the failed sections and the standard of soil geotechnical characteristics set by the Federal Ministry of Works for highway sub-grades.  It was therefore concluded that the road failure was due to poor geotechnical characteristics of the soil. The work recommended that the variation in the geotechnical characteristics of the soils along the roadway should be accommodated during reconstruction. Sequel to this, knowledge of soil geotechnical characteristics and underlying geology of an area becomes indispensable before any construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation project commences.

Identification of Major Subclinical Symptoms of Malaria among Carriers in Owerri, Nigeria

Malaria remains a life-threatening disease with significant public health implications, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria can be detected early, which can lead to earlier care and a reduction in morbidity and disease burden. Researchers in Owerri, Nigeria, decided to learn more about subclinical malaria symptoms. The study took place in two communities: Naze and Ikenegbu, both of which are suburbs of Owerri metropolis, between September and December.ated early

Assessment of Rainwater and Groundwater Quality in Izombe Town, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State

Rainwater and groundwater quality in Izombe were assessed. Five water samples were collected from five (5) different locations, with at least one location from one of the four autonomous communities in Izombe, Oguta L.G.A of Imo State. The physicochemical and microbial parameters of rainwater and groundwater samples from Umuakpa, Ndeuloukwu, Ugbele, Ndioko, and Orsu were assessed using Varian Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The study was aimed to assess the physicochemical and microbial qualities of groundwater and rainwater in Izombe and how these affect their health as individual members of the community, and their environment when compared to WHO standards. The water samples were collected from five different locations, with at least one location from each of the four autonomous communities, and were assessed. The result indicated that rainwater and groundwater pollutants in the community were turbidities, ammonia, copper and temperatures 7.59±0.02 ph, 6.42±0.28 nitrate, 59.56±0.50 ammonia, 0.29±0.07 phosphate, 0.88±0.03 iron, copper, lead, nickel, aluminum, mercury, manganese, cadmium, bacteria count, coliform count, and E-coli. Also, all the pollutant parameters were identified, only iron, copper, aluminum, and bacteria count were not identified as being associated with petroleum products and exploratory activities. This research has broadened the understanding of the suitability of Izombe water sources for both consumption and other purposes. The findings show that the rain and groundwater sources of the community are not fit for human consumption, due to the contaminants inherent in them, attributed majorly to the oil production activities in the area which corroborates other research studies

Evaluating the Causes of the Road Failure of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway, Southeastern Nigeria.

Considering the persistence of road failure along the Onitsha -Enugu expressway and many other roads in the southeastern Nigeria, this work was conceived with the aim of evaluating the causes of the road failure in other to help marshal out effective and efficient measures of tackling this problem of road failure. The study adopted a survey design which employed the use of a well structured questionnaire to gather information on the causes and effects of the road failure. To determine the sample size, volumetric analysis was used and the data so generated was analyzed using One-way Analysis of Variance and Post HOC test. The ANOVA shows the variation among the causes is not significantly different while the Post HOC test ranked the causative factors treated. The work thus concluded that all the factors listed contribute to the failure of the road with inadequate maintenance, mismanagement by the government and old age of the road pavement being the major factors. The work therefore recommends that there should be Quality Determination for materials during construction, Effective Maintenance Programme (routine or preventive maintenance, periodic maintenance, and disaster maintenance or major repairs of our roads) and Establishment of an Active Maintenance Crew

Health state utilities of a population of Nigerian hypertensive patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Establishment of the health impact of hypertension on quality of life of Nigerians is a step towards controlling the disease. The study aimed to provide a Nigerian specific reference list of utility scores of hypertensive patients with various interacting conditions.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>An interviewer-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using hypertensive patients in two purposively selected tertiary hospitals located in South-Eastern Nigeria. Health Utility Index Mark 3 (HUI3) was used.</p> <p>A total of 384 participants with either hypertension alone or with hypertension-associated complications were interviewed in the two tertiary hospitals.</p> <p>The overall mean utility score was 0.35 +/- 0.42. Patients with hypertension alone had the highest overall mean utility score (0.57 +/- 0.29) while hypertensive patients with stroke had the lowest overall mean score (0.04 +/- 0.36). Being a male, increase in age and mean arterial blood pressure, emergency visit and loss of work due to illness were associated with significant decrease in overall utility scores.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study presented a reference for health state utilities of a population of Nigerian hypertensive patients.</p

Understanding the Value of Tumor Markers in Pediatric Ovarian Neoplasms

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of tumor markers for malignancy in girls with ovarian neoplasms. Methods A retrospective review of girls 2–21 years who presented for surgical management of an ovarian neoplasm across 10 children's hospitals between 2010 and 2016 was performed. Patients who had at least one concerning feature on imaging and had tumor marker testing were included in the study. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values (PPV) of tumor markers were calculated. Results Our cohort included 401 patients; 22.4% had a malignancy. Testing for tumor markers was inconsistent. AFP had high specificity (98%) and low sensitivity (42%) with a PPV of 86%. The sensitivity, specificity, and PPV of beta-hCG was 44%, 76%, and 32%, respectively. LDH had high sensitivity (95%) and Inhibin A and Inhibin B had high specificity (97% and 92%, respectively). Conclusions Tumor marker testing is helpful in preoperative risk stratification of ovarian neoplasms for malignancy. Given the variety of potential tumor types, no single marker provides enough reliability, and therefore a panel of tumor marker testing is recommended if there is concern for malignancy. Prospective studies may help further elucidate the predictive value of tumor markers in a pediatric ovarian neoplasm population

Static Modulus of Elasticity Of Sand-Laterite Blocks

There is little documentation with regards to some structural characteristics of masonry units. Inadequate information on these characteristics leaves room for much speculation, approximations and arbitrariness, which could be detrimental to the design of structures. Static modulus of elasticity of sand-laterite blocks was determined in this work. Simplex optimization technique was used to formulate mathematical model for optimization of static modulus of elasticity of the blocks. Statistical tools were used to verify the adequacy of the model. The model proved satisfactory. With the model, values of static modulus of elasticity can be obtained if the mix ratios are specified. It can also provide the mix proportions that will give a desired value of static modulus of elasticity. The maximum value of static modulus of elasticity of sand-laterite blocks obtainable from this model is 6.414GPa

Simplex Lattice Design Models for the Determination of Modulus of Rupture of Concretes

This work aims at assessing the suitability of run-off sand for concrete production and presents Simplex Lattice Design models for the determination of Modulus of Rupture of Concrete. Fine aggregates obtained from five different sources tagged Samples A, B, C, D and E were used to produce concrete beams referred to as Concrete A, Concrete B, Concrete C, Concrete D and Concrete E respectively. Two of the fine aggregate samples were obtained from Otamiri and Njaba rivers while the other three samples were run-off sand from Awomama, Iho and Nekede (all in Imo State, Nigeria). Each fine aggregate sample was used to produce sixty concrete beam specimens which were tested for modulus of rupture giving a total of 300 concrete beams measuring 150 x 150 x 600, mm in dimension. Scheffe’s simplex lattice design technique was used to formulate mathematical models for the determination of the modulus of rupture of the produced concrete beam specimens. The values of responses determined from the models agreed with the corresponding values obtained experimentally. The formulated models can predict all possible combinations of mix proportions if the value of modulus of rupture is given. Conversely, it can determine the modulus of rupture if a mix proportion is specified.&nbsp; The formulated models were tested for adequacy using F – statistic test.&nbsp; The models were found to be adequate. The highest optimum modulus of rupture predictable within the factor space of Scheffe’s Simplex lattice design models is 9.99 N/mm2obtained from Sample D