Comparative Analysis between Monophasic and Biphasic Methods of Blood Culture

A biphasic blood (BiPB) culture bottle (GIBCO Laboratories, North Andover, USA) with an architectural design that physically separates the agar slant from the broth was compared with a conventional vented monophasic bottle (MPB) (GIBCO Laboratories, North Andover, USA) for routine blood culture. Monophasic bottles contained thioglycollate broth (BioAmerica Inc., USA) while the biphasic contained Brain heart infusion agar-BHIA/Brain heart infusion broth-BHIB (BioAmerica Inc., USA). 120 blood cultures were examined on either of monophasic and biphasic blood culture experimental set up.  Out of 240 sets collected, 157(65.4%) were positive for bacterial growth while 83(35.6%) were negative. After subculture a total of 8 isolates (from 154 plates for BiPB and 117 plates for MPB) were recovered during the study. Of these isolates, 4 (from 126 plates for BiPB and 91 plates for MPB) were recovered, 2 isolates (from 28 plates) grew in the BiPB but not in MPB, 2 isolates (from 26 plates) grew only in the MPB but not in BiPB. The BiPB allowed more rapid recovery of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp. and Proteus spp. While Pseudomonas spp. and Enterococcus faecalis were more readily isolated using MPB. BiPB subcultures was easy enough to permit both early and daily subculture which provided isolated colonies sooner than could be done by using the MPB. Bacteria organisms were recovered at a non-significantly (P > 0.025) more frequent rate in the BiPB than in the MPB-A. Either bottle, however, should be used in conjunction with an anaerobic bottle for optimal recovery of anaerobic bacteria. Key words: Biphasic, Monophasic, Thioglycollate, Brain Heart Infusion Agar/Broth, blood culture

Phytochemical and anti-microbial screening of Crude Ethanolic Extract of Aristolochia repens

Aristolochia repens was extracted with 80% ethanol and the extract concentrated in vacuo to obtain the crude ethanolic extract. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, tannins, saponins and reducing sugar. The crude extract showed excellent to moderate inhibitory activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphlococcus aureus, Proteus spp , Aspergillus flavus and Candida albican. Key words: Aristolochia repens, phytochemical, anti-microbial, extract

CORRELATION BETWEEN SUNSPOT NUMBER AND GEOMAGNETIC STORM

Among the space weather subjects of research, geomagnetic storm and its effects on space and ground-based technologies has been of great interest to space scientists. For ages, geomagnetic storm has been observed after sunspot appearance, this in turn implies that there is a connection between the two. This study is aimed at finding the correlation between sunspot and geomagnetic storm over three solar cycles (i.e. solar cycle 21, 22, and 23). Our result shows a positive correlation between the two parameters with a correlation coefficient (r) of about 0.6. It was observed that severe geomagnetic storm is most likely around the solar maximum (The period when the sunspot numbers are most likely to be at the peak or high)and during declining years of sunspotcycle,it tends to halt at the sunspot minimum (Period when sunspot number is at its minimum). These findings are indicative of the interdependence of geomagnetic storms on the number of sunspot. Keywords: Sunspot number; Geomagnetic storm, Dst, CME, Solar cycl

Assessment of Preference of Information and Communication Technologies in Training and Communicating Crop Farmers by Village Extension Agents of Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria

The use of ICTs among the agricultural stakeholders is a prevalent phenomenon across the globe, which has significantly encouraged the information sharing on improved agricultural production. ICTs bridges the communication gap between the rural farmers and VEAs at least cost and lesser time. The study therefore assessed the ICTs preference in training and communicating crop farmers by VEAs. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of the VEAs in both States; identified and determined the frequency of use of the ICTs in training and communicating to farmers by the VEAs; and level of preference of ICTs for training and communicating farmers by the VEAs. The study revealed that more than half (57.5%) of the EAs in the selected States were between age of 31-40years and majority (90.6%) were males and literate with different educational qualifications and years of working experience in extension service. The study further revealed GSM-phone (=2.78 -1st), CD/DVD player (=2.35 – 2nd) and CD-ROM (=2.33 – 3rd) as ICTs that had highest mean values on basis of frequency of use; GSM-phone (=1.98 – 1st) and radio (=1.68 – 2nd) were also ranked first and second on the basis of most preferred ICTs in training and communicating farmers; age (0.514**), sex (0.432**), educational qualification (0.403**) and years of working experience (0.426**) of the EAs exhibited a significant relationship with their preference for ICTs in training and communicating farmers. The study therefore recommends the need to encourage the utilization of different ICTs that are considered to be appropriate for extension training and communication among the VEAs and the need for logistic support in form of acquisition of these ICT tools and provision of training on the application of different ICTs for extension services among the VEAs of the selected States

Perceived Roles of Selected Information and Communication Technologies in Agricultural Extension/Farmers Training in Oyo and Ekiti Southwestern States of Nigeria

Perception plays a serious role in individual’s disposition and making rightful judgement of any event. Farmers’ interest, knowledge and experience over time in crop production may influence their attitude and participation in extension training activities. This study therefore determined perceived role of ICTs in agricultural extension/farmers training in Oyo and Ekiti States of Southwester Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select Two-Hundred and Thirty-Five (235) crop farmers. Data for the study was collected through structured interview schedule and analyzed with frequency counts, percentage, mean and ranking as main descriptive statistical tools, while Ordered probit inferential tool was employed to make inference between the variables. The mean age of the crop farmers was 49years, both male (61.3%) and female (38.7%) constituted the sampled population, majority (82.5%) of the crop farmers are literate with different educational background with 26years of farming experience. GSM-Phone (100.0%), Digital Camera/Video (100.0%each), Posters and Extension Bulletins (100.0%) are part of ICTs that are available and used for agricultural extension/farmers training. The crop farmers had different perception towards agricultural extension/farmers training. Some of the selected socio-economic variables (age- 3.41***, p sex- 1.72*, pmarital status- 5.17***, p; years spent in school- 1.77*, p and years of farming experience- 2.12, p exhited significant relationship with farmers perception on roles of ICTs in agricultural extension/farmers training

Low Latitude Spread-F Occurrence during June Solstice and September Equinox of Sunspot Minimum

Ionosonde data from four low-latitude stations cutting across the two hemispheres have been employed to study the occurrence of spread-F. Quiet time ionograms for two months representing two seasons; June solstice and September equinox of the year 2010, a year of low solar activity (Rz = 16) were utilized. Results showed that the low latitude nighttime ionosphere is characterized by three different types of spread-F; range spread F, frequency spread F and mixed spread F. Spread F irregularity exhibits diurnal, seasonal and latitudinal dependence. Strong dependence on the magnetic dip latitude was observed in this study. At all the four stations, range spread-F (RSF) dominates the post-sunset period (1800 – 2200 LT) while the frequency type (FSF) dominates the post midnight period (0200 – 0400 LT). In general, the RSF has highest occurrence rate at all stations. The study revealed that occurrence of ESF is highest at Ilorin and lowest at Kwajalein with 33.9% and 16.8% respectively. Analysis of the total percentage occurrence of spread F revealed that the phenomenon exhibit hemispheric asymmetry during June solstice

Ionospheric response to magnetic activity at low and mid-latitude stations

The F2-layer response to the moderate storm of 5-7 April 2010 was investigated using data from two equatorial stations (Ilorin: lat. 8.5°N, 4.5°E; Kwajalein: lat. 9°N, long. 167.2°E) and mid-latitude (San Vito: lat. 40.6°N, long. 17.8°E; Pruhonice: lat. 50°N, long. 14.6°E). Before storm commencement, enhancement, and depletion of NmF2 values were observed in the equatorial and mid-latitude stations, respectively, indicating the latitudinal dependence of the pre-storm event. All the stations with the exception of Kwajalein show positive phase in NmF2 response at the storm onset stage. Positive phase in NmF2 continues over Ilorin and appears on the daytime ionosphere of Kwajalein on 6 April, whereas negative phase suppressed the positive feature in Pruhonice and San Vito until the recovery condition. The differences in the response of F2-layer to the storm for the two equatorial stations were attributed to their longitudinal differences. On the average, both the AE and Dst indices revealed poor correlation relationship. More studies are required to ascertain this finding

Perceived Effects Of Charcoal Production And Usage On Human Health In Ogbomoso Zone Of Oyo State

The production and usage of charcoal by rural dwellers as source of energy has contributed significantly to the development of the rural people but nevertheless, it has come with a huge price on the health status of individuals involved in its production and usage. This study therefore determined the perceived effects of charcoal production and usage on the health status of the rural dwellers in Oyo State. Multistage sampling technique was used to select Ninety (90) respondents (both producers and users). Data for this study was collected through structured interview schedule and analyzed with frequency counts, percentage, mean and ranking as main descriptive statistical tools while Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) was employed to make inference between the variables. The mean age of the respondents was 33.8 years, both male (68.9%) and female (31.1%) constituted the sampled population, almost all the respondents were literate with varied level of educational status with a mean of 6.7 years of experience in production and usage of charcoal as a source of energy. All (100%) the respondents used earth mound method for charcoal production while none of the respondents indicated metal kiln as a method used for charcoal production. Body pains, injuries and wounds to charcoal producers and rural dwellers, laceration of hands due to production and body odour to users and charcoal producers were the major effects on health status of the respondents. Selected socio-economic variables (age- -0.285**, p<0.01; household size- 0.314**, p<0.01; years of experience- -0.375**, p<0.01; income- -0.413**, p<0.01; quantity of charcoal produced- -0.450**, p<0.01) exhibited significant relationship with respondents perception on effects of charcoal production and usage on health of rural dwellers. Subject matter specialist should enlighten rural dwellers and charcoal producers association on ways to curtail health hazard incurable from charcoal production and usage

Assessment Of Health Hazards Incurable From Charcoal Production And Its Usage In Ogbomoso Zone Of Oyo State

Charcoal has been a blessing to the rural populace who are either producers or users. It contribution to the society is evident and this has encouraged people to engage in the charcoal production and usage but nevertheless, it is associated with its own risk to both producers and users. This study therefore identified the health hazards and methods used to control health hazards incurable from the production and usage of charcoal in Ogbomoso zone of Oyo state. Data for this study were elicited through the use of a well-structured interview schedule and were analyzed with frequency counts, percentages, mean and Chi-square. The mean age of the respondents was 33.8 years, both male (68.9%) and female (31.1%) constituted the sampled population, almost all the respondents were literate with varied level of educational status with a mean of 6.7 years of experience in production and usage of charcoal. All (100%) the respondents indicated back pain and injuries while majority indicated headache as health hazard incurable. Bathing immediately after production and use of charcoal and use of nose pad when producing and utilizing charcoal produced. Chi-square revealed that selected socio-economic variables (sex- x2=76.364, p<0.01; primary occupation- 248.750, p<0.01; secondary- 157.648, p<0.01; membership to association -77.175**, p<0.01) exhibited significant association with health hazards incurable from charcoal production and usage. Subject matter specialist should make provision for availability of safety materials and seminars to curtail the side-effects of charcoal producers and users in the study area