MULTI – HAZARD VULNERABILITY MAPPING: AN EXAMPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Vulnerability mapping has emerged as one of the mitigation strategies in the midst of increasing losses due to environmental hazards in recent years. It generally improves the ability of policy makers to promote disaster reduction thereby protecting inhabitants and their livelihoods, the natural environment, infrastructure and property. Although vulnerability maps can be created manually, they are now mostly created with the assistance of computer technology called Geographic Information System (GIS). Mapping the vulnerability of the region in a GIS environment allows for ease of data editing, integration, analysis, storage and visualization. The resultant product will help to identify, and locate sensitive populations so that emergency managers can customize disaster relief efforts based on needs determined by the identified vulnerability. Vulnerability of the study area was conceptualized in a GIS environment as a combination of Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive capacity maps. The three surfaces for each hazard were generated and combined using the Single Output function of Arcmap 9. The study area is Akwa Ibom State located in the South East Coast of Nigeria, an area prone to sea level rise, coastal erosion and flooding. The result shows that the high and moderate zones are concentrated in the North East and Southern parts of the state while the low zones can be found in the North West. As the state borders the Atlantic Ocean, the study confirms the fact that the southern parts of the state are highly vulnerable to climate change related hazards

MULTI – HAZARD VULNERABILITY MAPPING: AN EXAMPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Vulnerability mapping has emerged as one of the mitigation strategies in the midst of increasing losses due to environmental hazards in recent years. It generally improves the ability of policy makers to promote disaster reduction thereby protecting inhabitants and their livelihoods, the natural environment, infrastructure and property. Although vulnerability maps can be created manually, they are now mostly created with the assistance of computer technology called Geographic Information System (GIS). Mapping the vulnerability of the region in a GIS environment allows for ease of data editing, integration, analysis, storage and visualization. The resultant product will help to identify, and locate sensitive populations so that emergency managers can customize disaster relief efforts based on needs determined by the identified vulnerability. Vulnerability of the study area was conceptualized in a GIS environment as a combination of Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive capacity maps. The three surfaces for each hazard were generated and combined using the Single Output function of Arcmap 9. The study area is Akwa Ibom State located in the South East Coast of Nigeria, an area prone to sea level rise, coastal erosion and flooding. The result shows that the high and moderate zones are concentrated in the North East and Southern parts of the state while the low zones can be found in the North West. As the state borders the Atlantic Ocean, the study confirms the fact that the southern parts of the state are highly vulnerable to climate change related hazards

Microporous polymer particles via phase inversion in microfluidics: impact of non-solvent quality

We investigate the impact of ternary phase behavior on the microstructure of porous polymer particles produced by solvent extraction of polymer solution droplets by a nonsolvent. Microfluidic devices fabricated by frontal photopolymerization are employed to produce monodisperse polymer (P)/solvent (S) droplets suspended in a carrier (C) phase before inducing solvent extraction by precipitation in a nonsolvent (NS) bath. Model systems of sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (P), water (S), hexadecane (C), and either methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) or ethyl acetate (EA) as NS are selected. Extraction across the liquid–liquid interface results in a decrease in the droplet radius and also an ingress of nonsolvent, leading to droplet phase demixing and coarsening. As the concentration of the polymer-rich phase increases, droplet shrinkage and solvent exchange slow down and eventually cease, resulting in microporous polymer particles (of radius ≃50–200 μm) with a smooth surface. The internal structure of these capsules, with pore sizes of ≃1–100 μm, is found to be controlled by polymer solution thermodynamics and the extraction pathway. The ternary phase diagrams are measured by turbidimetry, and the kinetics of phase separation is estimated by stopped-flow small-angle neutron scattering. The higher solubility of water in MEK results in faster particle-formation kinetics than in EA. Surprisingly, however, the lower polymer miscibility with EA/water results in a deeper quench inside the phase boundary and small phase sizes, thus yielding particles with small pores (of narrow distribution). The effects of droplet size, polymer content, and nonsolvent quality provide comprehensive insight into porous particle and capsule formation by phase inversion, with a range of practical applications

An assessment of the impact of flood events in Makurdi, Nigeria

Flood disaster is not a recent phenomenon in Makurdi people in the town have been experiencing its destructive tendencies which are sometimes enormous. Using information sourced from questionnaire, personal observation, and archival records of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and newspaper reports; this paper examines flood events and its impacts on the people of Makurdi Town. A sample size of 400 respondents was drawn from flood prone areas of the town and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a modified 4-point Likert Scale Rating System. The results of the analyses show that floods in Makurdi occur at the event of high rainfall intensity and mostly between September and October. When flooded, it takes 2-3 days for the flood water to recede depending on the magnitude of event. Apart from rainfall, other factors that influence flooding in the study area included lack of and poor drainage networks, dumping of wastes/refuse in drainage and water channels, and degree of built up areas leading to and increased runoffs. Although, personal properties and public infrastructure suffer all forms of flood damages, residents in the flood prone areas have remained on the basis of having no alternative, cultural ethnic affinity, family home where parent were buried and cheaper houses to rent. Identified flood mitigation measures include river dredging, raising house foundations and building of levees and embankment. Public enlightenment and necessary legislation and enforcement are recommended to checkmate activities aiding flooding. Keywords: Flooding, Hazards, Rainfall, Causes, Management measures and Infrastructur

Critical steps in recruiting librarians in academic libraries

The study investigated the critical steps in recruitment librarians in academic libraries. The process includes planning, advertisement, interview, screening, selections and placement of recruited librarians. Schema of the critical steps of recruitment process of librarians was also adopted

Freshwater Fish Diversity of a Tropical Rainforest River in Southeast Nigeria

Fish samples were collected at three stations twice per month from January to December 2013 with the help of local fishers using hook and line, gill net, cast net, bagnet and local traps for ecological studies of important fish species and resource management issues of Oramiri-Ukwa River, southeast Nigeria. An estimate of 25 fish species, 15 genera, 21 families and six orders were obtained. Ecological indices indicate a polydiverse community and no single species exhibited true dominance (? 50%). Paired group cluster analysis establishes Tilapia zilli and Hemichromis fasciatus as the focal species and identifies the associated species combinations that characterize spatial variability and account for the biodiversity resources and structure of the artisanal fishery. Other important species include Tilapia mariae>Synodontis nigrita while Polypterus senegalus>Parachanna africana and Shilbe mystus were the least in number. Monospecific and rare fish species of ecological and conservation significance identified include Ctenopoma kingsleyae, Clarias gariepinus as well as Erpetoichthys calabaricus and Pantodon buchholzi derived from interconnections with other African rivers. This study presents lower fish diversity compared to earlier reports. This difference may be linked to increased human activities and fluctuating biotic and abiotic factors of the ecosystem, among others. Keywords: Abundance, biodiversity, conservation, rare specie

Enterocutaneous fistula and internal hernia: unusual complications of peritoneal catheter migration into the ileum in a patient with ventriculoperitoneal shunt

The aim of the present study was to report the treatment of an unusual association of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). Although a commonly performed paediatric neurosurgical procedure, a VPS is associated with several complications. There are reports on gut perforation by the peritoneal catheter, but an enterocutaneous fistula is very rare. Only two have been previously reported in literature. We report, here, the first case seen in Nigeria involving a 3-year old boy, at our teaching hospital setting, with a history of a fall 18 months after VPS; this was followed by purulent, and, later, faeculent discharge from the right subcoastal region and abdominal wound. He underwent detailed neurological examination. Preoperative evaluation with a fistulogram (as a barium meal and follow-through because the superficial opening was not clearly visible to allow direct injection of contrast) showed a connection between the intestine and the skin over the shunt tunnel. He underwent a laparotomy with thorough antiseptic irrigation and repositioning of the VPS in peritoneal cavity. Postoperatively, the faeculent discharge from the upper anterior abdominal wall ceased.  He was discharged home in 2 weeks. There was complete resolution after 6 months. We conclude that there should be a high index of suspicion of an enterocutaneous fistula, although very rare, when faecal discharge is noticed following a VPS and should necessitate a fistulogram. Effective surgical treatment of the intraluminal migration and other possible complications, should involve a multidisciplinary team.Keywords: complications, enterocutaneous fistula, internal hernia, intraluminal migration, multispecialty treatment, ventriculoperitoneal shun

The value of serum C reactive protein in the assessment of severity of HIV infection among children in a resource limited setting

Background: Human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) infection has devastating impact especially on well-being of children. Management of HIV infected children in resource-limited countries poses significant difficulties. The role of C-reactive protein as a potentially useful/cost-effective tool for assessing severity of HIV infection is yet to be established. The relationship between serum C-reactive protein and severity of HIV infection among children aged 6 months to 12 years was evaluated.Methods: Authors recruited 85 children each on combined antiretrovirals for ≥3 months, and apparently healthy HIV-negative controls. Severity of HIV infection was assessed by classification into immunologic categories 1, 2, 3 and clinical categories N, A, B, C according to the Centre for Disease Control revised classification system. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for serum CRP estimation. CD4 count was estimated by flow cytometry. Data analysis was with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.Results: Response rate was 160 (94.1%) with mean age of participants being 8.50±3.36 years. Male to female ratio was 1.35:1. Lymphadenopathy was the commonest clinical feature in 26 (32.50%) participants, 59 (73.75%) participants were asymptomatic, and 52 (65.00%) were immunologic stage 1. Median serum CRP of HIV infected group and controls were 4.2 (1-13.9) mg/l and 0.5 (0.2-1.9) mg/l respectively. There was an association between Clinical and immunolological stages of infection and levels of serum CRP, p values = 0.001 and 0.002 respectively.Conclusions: The serum level of CRP may predict the severity of HIV infection among children

Psychosocial variables and overschooling at the tertiary education level: implications for psycho-academic interventions

This study examined the individual and collective contributions of selected psychosocial variables to overschooling at the tertiary education level. Th is ex-post-facto research randomly selected 500 graduate students from the University of Uyo for the study. The Self-assessment Graduate Overschooling Questionnaire (S-GOQ) was used in obtaining data. Chi square statistics and regression analysis were used in testing the two hypotheses in the study. The results indicate that there is significant relationship between overschooling and each of the selected psychosocial variables while the variables returned a no significant collective effect on overschooling. The implication of these findings for psychoacademic intervention was drawn