Bat diversity and abundance in Omo Forest Reserve, Nigeria

Bats are yet to be incorporated in management plans in Nigeria. This is attributed to dearth in information as well as social stigma. This study was designed to determine bat species diversity, abundance and the relation of both indices to habitat structure. The survey was carried out in Omo forest reserve between May and June. Mist nets were deployed using stratified sampling method to place nets at 20 points. Netted points were set to be at least 200m apart. Total length of net averaged at 60 m, height ranged between 2-4m and set up after sunset from 1800-2300 hrs and before sunrise from 0400-0630 hrs. Sixty-four individuals were trapped belonging to 14 species in 8 genera and 6 families. Two other species were observed but not captured Eidolon helvum (Straw coloured fruit Bat) and Hypsignathus monstrosus (Hammer headed Fruit bat). Identification was based on Mammals of Nigeria and Mammals of Africa. Bat species diversity and bat abundance were higher in the forest compared to plantation but not significantly different. Bat species diversity decreased significantly as density of trees and litter cover increased while bat abundance decreased with increase in tree density but the relationship was not significant. Difference in diversity and abundance of bats is attributed to relative short distance between farmland and forest habitat types which provides easy access to bats for foraging. Habitat type and land usage influences the level of diversity and abundance of wildlife species for which bats are good indicators of habitat suitability.Keywords: Bats, diversity, Omo forest reserve, deforestation, density of tree

EFFECT OF CLASS SIZE ON THE LEARNING OF MOTOR SKILL AMONG SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IFE CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

The effect of class size on the learning of motor skill among selected secondary school students of Ife Central Local Government of Area of Osun state, Nigeria was examined. The study was experimental in nature and it involved pre-test and post-test using a novel skill (push pass in hockey). Three secondary schools where the game of hockey was neither taught nor played were purposively selected for the study. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling method with sex as the stratum. Participants for the study comprised 56 male and female students age 11-15 years that were not familiar with the skill. Three classes were drawn from the three schools. A small class size was drawn from School A with eight participants. In school B, a medium class size of 16 participants was drawn. The large class size of 32 participants was drawn from School C. Each of the classes had equal number of male and female participants. Push pass in hockey was measured at pre-test and post-test. Skill training took place after the pre-test measures. Mean and standard deviation were the descriptive analysis while t-test was the inferential statistic used for the data. The results of the analysis show that participants in medium class performed significantly better than participants in the large (t= 2.81: 46 p˂0.05) and small (t= 3.44: 22 p< 0.05) classes in the learning of motor skill. Females in medium class size also performed significantly better than those in large class size (t= 4.13: 22 p<0.05) and those in small class size (t= 4.15:10 p<0.05). Gender is a significant factor in such learning.  Article visualizations

Bilateral perineal hernia with bladder retroflexion in a 13-year-old intact Jack-Russel Dog: Case report

A 13-year-old male Jack-Russel was presented to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sokoto because of a swollen perineum. Physical and laboratory examinations revealed normal parameters, however a bilateral protrusion was noticed at the perineum suggestive of a bilateral perineal hernia. Contrast radiography revealed a hernia sac with intestinal segments on the left, urinary bladder and prostate on the right. Standard obturator muscle transpositional herniorhaphy was successfully performed.Keywords: Bilateral Perineal Hernia, Bladder Retroflexion, Cystic Kidney, Canine

Activities of a Cellulase of the Termite, Ametermes Eveuncifer (Silverstri) Soldier: Clue to Termites Salt Intolerance

Table salt which contains predominantly NaCl is both toxic and lethal to termites and is therefore used to control the insect traditionally. In an attempt to find out a scientific explanation for this treatment and possibly design a pesticide for the destructive insect, we carried out some tests on the effects of NaCl (table salt), some other chloride and sodium salts on some important enzymes produced by termites. At 0.1mM concentration, all the chloride salts inhibited all the enzymes. Acid phosphatase and arginase were however mildly inhibited. Interestingly, some chloride salts were more potent than NaCl the conventional pesticide.  The greatest inhibition was by the chlorides of mercury (81%), manganese (78%), and sodium (76%). The inhibitory effect was more on cellulolytic enzymes; β-glucosidase and cellulase than on detoxifying enzymes; 3-MST and rhodanese. Again, all the sodium salts tested inhibited cellulase drastically with most of them more potent than NaCl. Thus both the sodium and chloride ions contributed immensely to the inhibition. Form these discoveries, one of the chloride salts of mercury, manganese and sodium or a combination of at least two can be used as a pesticide for termites. Almost all the sodium salts tested or a combination of at least two can also be used. Keywords: cellulase, cellulose, termites, salts, insects, enzyme

Telemedicine as a tool to prevent multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in poor resource settings: Lessons from Nigeria

Background This mini review aims to provide an overview of the role of telemedicine in preventing multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Nigeria. The specific objectives include examining the potential benefits of telemedicine, identifying the challenges associated with its implementation, and highlighting the importance of addressing infrastructure limitations and data privacy concerns. Methods This minireview is based on a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, including scholarly articles, and reports,. A systematic search was conducted using electronic databases, such as PubMed and Google Scholar, to identify relevant publications related to telemedicine and MDR-TB prevention in Nigeria. The selected articles were assessed for their relevance, and key findings were synthesized to provide an overview of the role of telemedicine in addressing the challenges of MDR-TB in Nigeria. Results The review demonstrates that telemedicine has the potential to significantly contribute to MDR-TB prevention efforts in Nigeria. The benefits of telemedicine include improved access to specialized care, enhanced patient adherence to treatment, and potential cost savings. However, challenges such as infrastructure limitations and data privacy concerns need to be addressed for successful implementation. Integrating telemedicine into the healthcare system has the potential to strengthen MDR-TB prevention, particularly in underserved areas, including within Nigeria. Specifically, the integration of telemedicine into the healthcare system can enhance access to specialized care, improve patient adherence, and potentially reduce costs associated with MDR-TB management. Conclusions Addressing infrastructure challenges, ensuring data privacy and security, and fostering trust among healthcare providers and patients are critical for successful implementation of telemedicine. Further research and policy frameworks are needed to guide the effective implementation and scale-up of telemedicine in MDR-TB prevention efforts in Nigeria

Effect of Oral Administration of Honey on Arginase Activity of Rats Exposed to Smoke

In this paper, we report the effect of oral administration of 125 mg/kg honey on the liver and kidney arginase activity of rats exposed to smoke from hydrocarbon-fueled lantern. Eighteen Wistar albino rats (weighing 150-200 g) were randomly assigned into three groups of 6 rats each. Group one served as the control (CTR) that was not exposed to smoke while Group two and three were exposed to smoke alone (SMW) and smoke with honey (SMH) respectively for 12 weeks. Results showed that the inhalation of smoke by the rats for 12 weeks significantly (p<0.05) reduced the total weight gain of experimental rats. The integrity of the liver and kidney were compromised in the SMW group as compared to the control and the SMH rats. There was a significant increase in arginase activity of SMW rats as compared to the control rats; Liver (0.71 ± 0.04 μmol/ml/min), Kidney (0.50 ± 1.07 μmol/ml/min). In addition, there was a significant reduction of arginase activity in the SMH rats as compared to the SMW rat; Liver (0.50 ± 0.06 μmol/ml/min), kidney (0.38 ± 0.60 μmol/ml/min). Our findings suggest that honey has a protective effect on liver and kidney in animals exposed to smoke.Keywords: Smoke, inhalation, honey, arginase, liver, kidne

Severe gastric impaction in an 8-Year-old Nigerian local dog

An 8-year old male, neutered Nigerian indigenous dog was presented to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sokoto because of chronic intermittent vomiting, off feed and progressive wasting. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed hard mass in the abdominal cavity. Survey abdominal radiography (lateral view) revealed impacted material along with electrical wire in the stomach. Standard gastrotomy was successfully performed to evacuate the gastric foreign body.Keywords: Dog, Foreign Body, Gastrotomy, Pica, Radiograph

Design of an Automatic Window Using a PIC Microcontroller and Stepper Motor

In this paper, the design of an automatic window is presented. The proposed window closes and opens automatically during and after a rainfall. The automatic system was developed with a focus on hospitals in order to allow medical staff and other supporting staff to concentrate on their primary responsibilities of taking care of patients. The system design includes a PIC16F877A microcontroller which gets activated when a moisture detector sensor sends a high logic signal to it. The microcontroller executes its embedded program by activating the stepper motor through a ULN2003 current-dependent integrated circuit (IC) chip resulting in stepwise control of the window. Hence, the window is automatically closed when rainfall is detected but opens and remains open when no rain is detected. We intend to extend our design to automatic opening and closing of the windows at others times in addition to during and after rainfall; for instance, window opening and closing every day at specific times in the morning and evening respectively

APPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS AND GENETIC ALGORITHMS IN DRYING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES : A REVIEW

oai:ojs2.laujet.com:article/1Fruits and vegetables play an important role in the diet of human beings and economic development of a country. They are cheapest and most available sources of important proteins, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. Considering the perishable nature of fruits and vegetables it is necessary to preserve them and drying is one such method to do it. The drying of fruits and vegetables is a complex operation that demands much energy and time. Due to this complexity, the use of drying mathematical models in estimating the drying kinetics, the behaviour and the energy needed in the drying of fruits and vegetables becomes indispensable. Numerous mathematical models, empirical and semi-empirical, have been proposed to estimate the drying characteristics of fruits and vegetables. But these models are generally solutions of simultaneous heat and mass transfer differential equations and the final result may be very complicated and difficult to use in actual drying systems. This article present a comprehensive review on the applications of artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms in drying of fruits and vegetables. The paper starts with the drying of fruits and vegetables, the introduction of basic theoretical knowledge of ANN and GA. Then summarize their application on modeling, predicting, and optimization of heat and mass transfer, thermodynamic performance parameters, and quality indicators as well as physicochemical properties of dried fruits and vegetables. Conclusively, opportunities and limitations of ANN and GA technique in are outlined to provide more ideas for research and development in this field

Early Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Immunization Services in Nigeria

Background: By 11 March 2022, there were 450,229,635 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and 6,019,085 deaths globally, with Nigeria reporting 254,637 cases and 3142 deaths. One of the essential healthcare services that have been impacted by the pandemic is routine childhood immunization. According to the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey, only 31% of children aged 12–23 months were fully vaccinated in Nigeria, and 19% of eligible children in the country had not received any vaccination. A further decline in coverage due to the pandemic can significantly increase the risk of vaccine-preventable-disease outbreaks among children in Nigeria. To mitigate such an occurrence, it is imperative to urgently identify how the pandemic and the response strategies have affected vaccination services, hence, the goal of the study. Methods: The research method was qualitative, including in-depth interviews of healthcare workers and focus group discussions (FGDs) with caregivers of children aged 0–23 months. We selected one state from each of the three zones of Nigeria: northern, central, and southern. Within each state, 10 local government areas and 20 healthcare facilities were purposively selected. In each facility, 10 healthcare workers were invited for interviews. Overall, 517 healthcare workers were interviewed. For the focus group discussion, 30 communities were selected. Within each selected community, six consenting caregivers were included. Overall, 180 caregivers participated. The data were analyzed using thematic inductive content analysis. Results: Three significant impacts that were observed are: difficulties in accessibility to immunization services, declining immunization demand and uptake among caregivers due to varying factors, and erosion of vaccine confidence among both caregivers and healthcare workers. Movement restriction and lockdown had numerous major impacts, such as decreased general healthcare service delivery, increased transportation costs, fewer engagements that promote vaccine uptake, and cessation of mobile vaccination campaigns that target hard-to-reach communities. Moreover, misinformation, conspiracy beliefs about the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines, and risk perception negatively influenced general vaccine confidence. Conclusion: The results of this early impact study show that immunization was directly affected by the pandemic and provide insights into areas where interventions are needed for recovery