Mesoporosity, thermochemical and probabilistic failure analysis of fired locally sourced kaolinitic clay

A dense and mesoporous ceramic from locally sourced Nigerian clay under fracture-strength test were produced and the reliability analysis of the fractured strength was conducted using a three-parameter Weibull probability distribution. The samples were prepared by addition of starch (0–20wt%), pressed at 60 MPa and fired at 1300 °C. The as-received Nigerian clay, dense and porous ceramic were characterized using XRD, XRF, TGA/DTA, PSD, multi-point BET and FESEM. The fracture strength of the samples (33 each) was determined using a three-point bending test. The fracture strength data were analyzed using three-parameter Weibull probability distribution. From the characterization results, a mullite ceramic formed at a sintering temperature of 1300 °C. The threshold strength for the three-parameter Weibull provides the strength below which the dense and the porous ceramic will not fail. The Weibull moduli of the ceramics at different starch compositions show that failure modes in these materials are not identical. The Weibull modulus increases with increase in percentage starch from 0% to 15%. However, the value decreases with 20% starch addition. Reliability analysis provides a detailed interpretation and assessment of the fracture strength of the porous ceramics

Lignocellulolytic activities of culturable marine woodborers' gut microbiota

In this study, pure bacterial and fungal isolates obtained by culturing inoculum from woodborers’ gut were induced to produce lignocellulolytic enzymes in a variety of substrates and their lignocellulolytic activities investigated. The inocula were obtained from woodborers Dicyathifer mannii (Wright, 1866), Sphaeroma terebrans (Bate, 1866) and Cirolana sp. The cultures used enrichment media containing ground Rhizophora mucronata wood, filter paper, carboxyl methylcellulose, avicel cellulose, beechwood xylan and cellobiose as sole carbon sources. The microorganisms showed generally low ligninolytic activities but commendable cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic activities. β-glucosidase and xylanase activities were the highest activities exhibited by both bacterial and fungal isolates. The highest was bacterial β-glucosidase activity (94.55 U/ml) shown by Lysinibacillus boronitolerans from S. terebrans gut cultured in a medium containing avicel cellulose. Xylanase activity was also relatively high (up to 91.7U/ml) cultured in media containing cellobiose and xylan. The fungal isolate with the highest cellulolytic activity was β-glucosidase activity of 38.34 U/ml shown by Aspergillus niger obtained from the gut of S. terebrans and cultured in a medium containing avicel cellulose as a sole carbon source. Avicel cellulose, cellobiose and xylan beech wood were found to be best inducers of cellulase and hemicellulase production. Lysinibacilli and Aspergilli in this study present interesting advantages that make them good models for studying physiological approaches to enzyme production and lignocellulose degradation. Published by the International journal of Microbiology and Mycology (IJMM

Control of Meloidogyne incognita (kofoid and white) chitwood (root-knot nematode) of Lycopersicon esculentus (tomato) using cowdung and urine

Screenhouse experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of cowdung and urine separately and in combination in the control of root-knot nematode of tomato. Equal quantities of cowdung, urine and their mixture were separately made up to one litre with autoclaved soil. Two weeks old seedlings of tomato raised in autoclaved soil were transplanted into soil manure mixture and inoculated with 1,000 second stage larvae of Meloidogyne incognita race I. Treatments were completely randomized and effects assessed based on plant height, dry weight, extent of galling and the nematode multiplication factor. Results obtained showed that cowdung, urine, and their mixture produced significantly higher result than the untreated control. Similarly, the mixture of urine and cowdung, produced significantly higher results than the separate treatments. Key words: Meloidogyne incognita, Lycopersicon esculentus, cowdung, urine, tomato. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(8) 2004: 379-38

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROILER PRODUCTION AT MIANGO PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

This paper evaluate the economics of broiler production at Miango, Plateau State, Nigeria using a – 9 years record (1992 – 2000). During the period, 76 batches of broilers were reared to point of slaughter. The results shows that the enterprise incurred an average total variable cost of N620,6333.31 out of which feeding cost, day old chicks (stock) and mortality cost represents 58.13%, 19.13% and of 9.64% of the total cost of production, respectively. Total revenue within the period was estimated to be N763,969.44 which was mainly generated from the sales of broiler birds. The gross margin was found to be N143,334.13 with N0.23 as the returns per naira invested in the enterprise. Thus the broiler production is a profitable venture in the study area.Broilers, Income, Investment & Profitability, Livestock Production/Industries,

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminth Infections among School Children in Relation to Occupation of Parents and Toilets Facilities in Maru L. G. A. Zamfara State.

The Study was conducted to study the prevalence of soil transmitted helminth parasites among school age children in Maru L. G. A. Zamfara State. A total 600 hundred school children between the ages of 4- 14 years were examined for Intestinal helminth infections using formol ether concentration technique. A total of 152 (25.33%) were found to be infected with various species of intestinal helminth parasites. The study showed five common intestinal worms in the area. Ascaris lumbricoides has the highest prevalence of 32.23% followed by Enterobius vermicularis (21.05%), Trichuiris trichuira (20.39%), Hook worm (13.81%) and Taenia spp (12.50%). Mixed Infections (29.60%) with some species of parasites were also encountered. The studies shows a significant difference between infection and the occupation of parents (P < 0.05). The study also showed that there was a significant relationship between infection and the  type of toilet facilities used (P < 0.05). Data suggested that soil transmitted helminths are important public health problems hence actions is imperative against deficiencies in sanitary facilities, improper disposal of human faeces, insufficient supplies of potable water, poor personal hygiene and health education

Effect of reward systems on workers' performance at the university of Abuja

This study examined the effect of reward systems on workers' performance at the University of Abuja. It utilized descriptive and inferential statistics on a sample of 337 workers’ derived from 2145 workers through the random sampling technique. The results showed that employees are contented with the recognition accorded to them for executing good works, supervisors are open to assist or direct employees, supervisors encourage the ideas of employees’ and their styles of accomplishing things, supervisors’ expectations from employees in terms of job done are unclear to them and promotions and pay increases depend on the attainment of known performance goals exerted a positive effect on workers’ performance. However, this university does not automatically reward good performance, exceptional incentives and rewards are provided by management to all employees and the process of performance appraisal is connected to the reward system had a negative impact on workers' performance. The study recommends that the University of Abuja management should ensure that rewards are based on merit and matched with performance to inspire workers to perform optimally. In addition, reward management practices on rewards for good performance, promotions going to people that deserve them and celebration of excellent service should be reviewed and strengthened

Response to the meningococcal meningitis epidemic (MME)at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (2008-2009)

No Abstract

Clinical correlates of plasma antithrombin and protein C levels in patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate 17% of pregnancies in Sokoto, Nigeria with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia accounting for 6% and 4.29% respectively. Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia stand out as major causes of poor pregnancy outcomes with eclampsia contributing 46% of adolescent maternal mortality in Sokoto. These disorders increase risk of venous thromboembolism, DIC, placental abruption, IUGR, premature delivery and recurrent pregnancy loss. The roles of antithrombin and protein C in disease severity and outcomes of pregnancies in pre-eclampsia/eclampsia are subject of recent researches albeit with conflicting findings. The aim of the study was to determine the plasma antithrombin and protein C levels of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Sokoto with a view to assessing any relationship with clinical severity and pregnancy outcomes.Methods: Prospective comparative study involving 31 each of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and normotensive pregnancy. Plasma antithrombin and protein C levels were determined via kinetic method using S4 Nortek semi-automated coagulometer. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0.  Results: The mean plasma antithrombin and protein C levels for eclampsia, pre-eclampsia and normotensive pregnancy were (61.17±9.13 and 60.00±5.76) vs (71.24±13.15 and 71.06±6.16) vs (85.54±8.77 and 89.64±7.61) respectively; p=0.0001. Severe pre-eclampsia when compared with mild pre-eclampsia had lower antithrombin (70.21±13.58 vs 73.74±12.43; p=0.507) and protein C (70.52±6.27 vs 72.40±6.00; p=0.451) levels respectively, though without statistical significance. Pre-eclampsia with low plasma antithrombin levels had increased risk of preterm delivery when age, gravidity and booking status were factored (OR, 1.2, 95% CI 0.035 to 0.348, p=0.017).Conclusions: Lower plasma antithrombin and protein C levels were found with eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia suggesting consumptive depletion of anticoagulants with disease progression. Women with pre-eclampsia and low plasma antithrombin levels were found to have increased odds of having preterm delivery when age, gravidity and booking status were considered

Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in children at Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara state, Nigeria

Epidemic meningococcal meningitis is a major public health problem still affecting tropical countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, which lieswithin African meningitis belt. Repeated large scale epidemics of CSM have been reported in northern Nigeria for the past four decades. It is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in these regions. Mortality from the CSM remains high despite advances in treatment modalities. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A have been the major cause of large scale epidemics in tropical countries, while serogroups B, C, Y and W-135 are responsible for most of invasive disease in America and other developed countries.Objective: To determine the pattern of epidemic CSM in children atFederal Medical Centre, Gusau.Method: The study was a retrospective one carried out in children agedsix months to 12 years admitted into Emergency Paediatrics Unit (EPU) with a diagnosis of CSM within the period January to May, 2009.Results: Seventy- seven children with epidemic CSM were admittedand managed in EPU from January-May 2009.Conclusion: Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A CSM is becoming thedisease of young infants, and stresses the need for inclusion ofCSM vaccine in early infancy in routine immunization policy, in areas within the meningitis belt in Sub-Saharan Africa

Overview of Educational Services in Nigerian Public Universities for Sustainable Development

The paper examines Assessment of educational services in Nigerian Public Universities for sustainable national development. In attempt to address this, issues such as, Concept of educational services, Challenges of educational services, concept of sustainable national development, sustainable development, goals of sustainable development, University Education and Sustainable National Development: The Relationship, Policy implications, challenges of university education in Nigeria has been discussed. The paper therefore concluded that, managing educational services in Nigerian universities for sustainable development requires a multi-faceted approach that encompasses effective leadership, innovative strategies, quality management, ICT integration, human resource management, and sound financial practices. By implementing these strategies, Nigerian universities can enhance the quality of education, foster research and innovation, and contribute significantly to the country's sustainable development goals. The Paper recommended that, Government at all levels should provide adequate funds for the educational institutions particularly universities that are the apex of education, and Finally, Infrastructural facilities in universities in Nigeria should be provided