Characterization of Local Chickens in Akwa Ibom State Using Hatch Weights

This study was conducted to determine hatch weights of male and female local chickens in Akwa Ibom State; to evaluate the effects of hatch batch on hatch weights and also characterize local chickens in Akwa Ibom state using hatch weights. A total of 84 local chickens (60 pullets and 24 cocks) used for the experiment were purchased from Uyo, Nsit Atai, Eket and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas. Chickens from all localities were assembled on deep litter to generate a broad-based population for random mating. Mating ratio of males and females was maintained at 1:5 to ensure fertilization of eggs. From inception, chickens were fed growers mash (15% CP). Feed was changed to layer’s mash (16.5% CP) when 5% egg production was attained. At 4 months egg production, collection of egg for incubation commenced. Data were collected on hatch weights of male and females chicks. Means and ranges were computed for hatch batches and sexes. Significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Mean hatch weights ranged between 22.33±0.75 and 27.03±0.82. Mean hatch weight of 25.99±0.61 for males was significantly higher (P<0.05) than 24.53±0.66 for females. Hatch weights of local chickens in Akwa Ibom State are low. Hatch batches had no effects on hatch weights. Variations observed in hatch weights constitute a valuable genetic resource for breeding programmes and in designing proper conservation strategies. Key Words: Local chickens, hatch weights, characterization, conservation

Infopreneurship Skills for Sustainable Development: A Focus on Library and Information Science Students of Selected Federal Universities in Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study examined infopreneurship skills for sustainable development in Nigeria, with a focus on Library and Information Science (LIS) students of selected federal universities in Nigeria. The study was guided by six objectives which were to identify the infopreneurship opportunities that LIS students in Nigeria can venture into, the motivational factors for venturing into infopreneurship, the skills required, ways of acquiring infopreneurship skills, challenges militating against infopreneurship skills development and strategies for enhancing the infopreneurship skills development of LIS students in Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study revealed that infopreneurship opportunities for LIS students in Nigeria include: indexing and abstracting services business; computer services business; sale of library equipment business and information consultancy services business, among others. The findings also showed that the motivational factors for infopreneurship skills development of LIS students include: a desire to become a boss of their own, become an employer of labour and a job creator, increased social status and prestige, personal financial gain and freedom, as well as high rate of unemployment in Nigeria, among others. It further revealed that the infopreneurship skills required by LIS students consist of financial management skills, ICT literacy skills, communication skills, marketing skills, interpersonal relationship skills and leadership skills, among others. The results equally revealed that LIS students acquire infopreneurship development skills through training from the entrepreneurship directorates of their universities, seminars, formal classroom learning, reading books on business development and growth and also personal apprenticeship training, among others. The findings revealed the challenges militating against infopreneurship development of LIS students in Nigeria, the strategies for enhancing the infopreneurial skills development and also recommended the way forward. The study concluded that the acquisition of infopreneurship skills is a key to sustainable development as it galvanizes sustainable employment opportunities for LIS students and graduates while engendering socio-economic balance for an improved standard of living and promoting LIS students and graduates positive contributions to a national and global economic renaissance. Thus, training for LIS students’ infopreneurship skills development should be given priority attention by all LIS schools through the provision of necessary facilities and enabling learning environment

Haematological Indices in Three Genotypes (Naked Neck, Frizzled Feather, Normal Feathered) of Nigerian Local Chicken

A study was designed to evaluate the haematological parameters and body weights of three genotypes (naked neck, frizzled feather and normal feathered) of Nigerian chicken. Chickens were managed intensively for 2 months before blood samples were collected for analysis. Body weights and 2ml of capillary blood samples were collected from the right side of the neck of each bird into a syringe and collected in a test tube containing EDTA (Ethylene diaminetetra acetic acid) as an anticoagulant. These blood samples were taken to Animal Science Department Laboratory where haematological parameters in the 3 varieties of local chickens were evaluated within 2 days. Haematological parameters evaluated were Packed Cell Volume, Haemoglobin Concentration, Platelets Counts and White Blood Counts. Hematological parameters and body weights were compared between varieties using Multivariate General Linear model of SPSS version 7.0 for ANOVA. Significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Comparison of cockerels of the 3 varieties revealed that frizzled feather cockerels performed best in Platelets Counts (33.20x109l), Haemoglobin Concentration (9.9g/dl), Packed Cell Volume (29.40%), ranked second in White Blood Counts (4.29 x 109ml) and body weight (1.12kg). Naked neck cockerels had the best mean body weight (1.15kg), White Blood Counts (4.71 x 109ml), ranked second in Platelets Counts (22.90 x 109l), Haemoglobin Concentration (3.82g/dl) and Packed Cell Volume (25.80%). Normal feathered cockerels performed worst in all the haematological parameters and body weight with the values of Packed Cell Volume (28.30%), White Blood Counts (3.20 x 109ml), Platelets Counts (203.60 x 109l), Haemoglobin Concentration (7.74g/dl) and body weight (0.91kg). There were significant differences (P<0.05) in haematological parameters and body weights among the 3 varieties of local chicken cockerels. Comparison of pullets of the 3 varieties revealed that frizzled feather pullets had the best Platelets Counts (30.80 x 109l), White Blood Counts (3.64 x 109ml), ranked third in mean body weight (0.98kg), Haemoglobin Concentration (8.05g/dl) and Packed Cell Volume (25.80%). Naked neck pullets performed best in mean body weight (2.43kg), Packed Cell Volume (29.80%), ranked second in Haemoglobin Concentration (8.91g/dl), third in Platelets Counts (29.00 x 109l) and White Blood Counts (3.51 x 109ml). Normal feathered pullets performed best in Haemoglobin Concentration (9.27g/dl), ranked second in mean body weight (1.01kg), White Blood Counts (3.34 x 109ml), Packed Cell Volume (28.30%) and Platelets Counts (29.20 x 109l). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in haematological parameters and body weight of pullets in the 3 varieties of local chickens. Best results in haematological parameters were obtained from cockerels of naked neck and frizzled feather varieties. Generally, naked neck and frizzled feather varieties performed better than the normal feathered variety. It is recommended that the naked neck and frizzled feather cockerels be characterized, conserved and crossed with normal feathered pullets to enhance their haemtological profiles and body weights. Keywords: Local Chickens, haematology, body weight, management, genetic improvement

Validation Study of Hadlock3 Model of Foetal Weight Estimation

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of Hadlock 3 model of foetal weight estimation among fetuses in a Nigerian population. Methods: 2008 mothers with singleton term pregnancy admitted in the labour ward of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital for planned delivery were recruited for the study. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria were scanned within 24 hours prior to delivery. A greyscale high resolution ultrasound machine, Sonoace 5500, manufactured by Medicol in Korea, with a 3.5 MHz transducer was used to obtain the sonographic measurements. The birth weights of the fetuses were estimated using Hadlock3 model for foetal weight estimation. The actual weights of the neonates were measured immediately after birth by an experienced midwife. Intra-class correlation coefficient was used to compare the ultrasound estimated fetal weight with the actual fetal birth weight.Results: The mean actual birth weight of the neonates was 3.42 ± 0.36 kg while the meanestimate obtained from Hadlock3 model was 3.44 ± 0.45kg. There was no statistically significant difference between the estimated mean weight and the actual weight of the neonates at the reference birth weight (P < 0.05). The accuracy of this model was highest at the weight range of 3.00 to 3.99 kg, with inter-class co-efficient of 0.88 and accuracy of 86 % within ± 10 % of actual birth weight.Conclusion: Hadlock3 model has a high intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.88 at birth weight of 3.00 to 3.49 kg and predicts the birth weight in 86% of cases within ± 10% of actual birth weight

Evaluation of Some Properties of Soils Affected by Diesel Oil Pollution in Uyo, Niger Delta Area, Nigeria

Soil pollution due to oil spill is a common problem in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This necessitated the experiment to determine the effect of diesel oil pollution on some soil properties in Uyo within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.  The experiment was conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm in 2009. It was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) in triplicates.  The size of the experimental plot was 60.7m2, sub-divided into three sub-plots each measuring 20.24m2. Each sub-plot was divided into five experimental units receiving the following treatments: 0 (control), 8, 11.5, 14.5 and 22.0 litres of diesel oil, which was converted into 0.0%, 1.39%, 2.50%, 3.45% and 5.06%. The results at two weeks after oil application (2WAOA) showed significant decrease in soil pH from  4.90 in the control  to 4.35 in 5.06% pollution levels resulting in soil reaction being rated as extremely acid in oil polluted soils compared to the control with soil/reaction being rated as very strongly acid. There was depletion in total nitrogen and basic cations such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+. at 2WAOA. Carbon/nitrogen ratio increased in all the treatments, with the highest pollution level (5.06%) having 114.33±1.41. Percent base saturation increased inconsistently across the treatments with the highest being 56.96±0.003% (for 2.50% pollution) and the lowest being 44.24±0.008% (for 5.06% pollution level). The results at 18WAOA showed varying degrees of increase in the soil pH. The control plot had the pH of 6.39±0.002 and the highest pollution level of 5.06% had the pH of 6.05±0.2. The soil reaction at 18 WAOA was rated slightly acid compared to extremely acid in 2WAOA. There were varying degrees of increase in organic carbon in all the treatments. Total nitrogen also increased at 18WAOA, the increase ranged from 50-80%. Carbon/Nitrogen ratio was significantly reduced (? < 0.05) across the treatments.  Basic cations and percent base saturation increased across the treatments at 18WAOA. Correlation between concentrations of diesel oil in the soil and some soil properties at 2WAOA and 18 WAOA showed that at 2 WAOA soil pH, total N and percent base saturation showed negative correlation, while organic carbon and carbon/nitrogen ratio showed positive correlation. At 18 WAOA, organic carbon and total N, showed positive correlation, while soil pH, carbon/nitrogen ratio and percent base saturation showed negative correlation. Keywords: Evaluation, Soil Properties, Oil polluted, Niger Delta Area, Nigeri

The Devastating Effect of Gully Erosion Menace on Urban Infrastructures in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

Gully erosion is caused by several factors such as heavy rainfall industrial construction poor drainage system and deforestation were overtime resulted in loosening the soil structure and expose it to vagaries of agents of erosion The study was aimed at assessing the effect of gully erosion menace on urban infrastructures in Calabar metropolis Data for the research were collected using a structured questionnaire handheld measuring tape leveling staff and rope The coordinates of gully erosion sites and the affected infrastructure were obtained from the field using the Global positioning system GPS Findings revealed that the total length and average width of each of the gullies as at 2015 were 385m and 20m for Ikot Anwantim 1925m and 43m for Ikot Udauk 3995m and 68m for Ikot Nkebre 721m and 40 for Etinym Abasi 1430m and 48m for EdimOtop and 1700m and 28m for Ekeya respectively Also 18 houses were destroyed at Ekeya gully site Seventy respondents attributed the impact of gully erosion menace in urban infrastructure to be the collapse of buildings with 35 percent The researcher recommended that public awareness programme sensitization be undertaken to discourage the inhabitants from developing areas prone to gully erosio

Seasonal variations in phytoplankton composition and biomass in a small lowland river-lake system (Melen River, Turkey)

WOS: 000294698400012A series of studies were carried out to determine the succession and phytoplankton community of the Melen River in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The study was conducted at 6 stations at monthly intervals between May 2003 and April 2004. It was observed that the abundance and biovolume of phytoplankton were low in winter, though higher values were recorded in late spring and summer. Among the values noted, the spring peak was 534.38 x 10(5) ind. L-1 and 7384.8 mm(3) L-1 belonging to Peridinium sp. The most common diatom, Cyclostephanos dubius, was favoured by low discharge at stations 1 and 2 in the early summer (214.29 x 10(5) in L-1 and 9.84 x 10(5) in L-1), respectively. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were between 0.86 and 64.2 mu g L-1. A total of 135 taxa belonging to Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, Heterokontophyta, Streptophyta, and Xanthophyta were identified. The total biomass of the stations 1 and 2 was mainly characterised by Dinophyta and at other stations by Bacillariophyta. Five major genera (Peridinium, Ceratium, Phacus, Cyclostephanos, and Melosira) accounted for over 70% of the total phytoplankton abundance. Phytoplankton abundance was significant and positively correlated with Chl-a and temperature (r = 0.57 and r = 0.78, respectively P < 0.05). Species richness and diversity indices increased gradually throughout the course of the river.Gazi University, Scientific Projects Research ManagementGazi UniversityWe would like to thank Gazi University, Scientific Projects Research Management for financing this research and also the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) for analysing the physical and chemical parameters of the Melen River

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

Analgesic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Solanum anomalum

Background: Solanum anomalum Thonn. ex Schumach. (family Solanaceae) is a shrub with edible fruit consumed locally for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Objective: To evaluate the leaf extract of Solanum anomalum for analgesic properties in mice. Method: The ethanol leaf extract of Solanum anomalum (70-210 mg/kg) was evaluated for analgesic activity against nociception in mice using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced hind paw licking and thermally-induced pain models. Results: The leaf extract significantly inhibited nociception in all the models tested in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusion: The leaf extract possesses analgesic activity which confirms its use in traditional medicine in the treatment of pains. Keywords: Solanum anomalum, analgesic, medicinal plant Published: May, 202

Strategic Information Access Tools for Dissemination of Information in Academic Libraries in a Digital Era in Nigeria.

This study examines strategic information access tools for dissemination of information in academic libraries in a digital era in Nigeria, using the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Library, Abia State, as a case study. The study was guided by four (4) specific research objectives. The descriptive survey design was adopted with a population of forty-six (46) library staff; comprising academic librarians, para-professional staff and library assistants. The complete census sampling technique was used due to the size of the population. A-4 point structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions was adopted to generate data for the study, and out of the forty-six (46) copies of the questionnaire distributed, 43 copies representing 96% were completed and retrieved with valid information. The data collected were analysed using the descriptive statistics to determine the mean scores and frequency counts in accordance with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS Version 23). The criterion mean of 2.50 was used to ascertain the level of agreement or disagreement in each case. The finding reveals that strategic information access tools for dissemination of information in academic libraries in a digital era include: library catalogue, indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, Internet search engines, online databases/CD-ROMs, etc. It also reveals that strategic information access tools assist in the acquisition of information resources, the speed of disseminating information, promote accuracy in the dissemination of information, enhances effective management of information resources, and facilitates convenience in the dissemination of information. The findings also points out that inadequate trained staff to handle technical services, lack of current digital information access tools such as: OPAC, MARC 21, Dublin Core, etc., inadequate computers and related ICT facilities, epileptic power supply, poor Internet connectivity, etc. are the problems confronting strategic information access tools for dissemination of information. Based on the findings of this study, some measures such as: adequate training of staff on technical services, including ICT training on how to handle web-based access tools; provision of adequate funding to academic libraries, provision of adequate functional computers and related facilities, provision of effective internet connectivity, provision of constant power supply in academic libraries, etc., were recommended. Finally, this study concludes that academic libraries and librarians need to rise up to their responsibilities by ensuring that strategic information access tools are not only acquired but effectively put to use, through improved skills, in order to enhance timely dissemination of information to users