PRICE FLUCTUATION AND SPATIAL MARKET INTEGRATION OF RICE IN ADAMAWA STATE RICE MARKET

This study investigates spatial price transmission for rice in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Data on weekly basis for the prices of 100kg was collected from ten markets for 52 weeks (September 2015 - August 2016). Data were analyzed with an econometric framework based on the estimation of Autoregressive Distributed lags models, and of the corresponding Error correction specification. Test for Granger causality was also performed. The extent of divergence of the lowest price from the highest price over the period of twelve months wasused to examine the dynamics of price behavior of rice marketing. The result of seasonal variation in price revealed that October and November is the period when rice prices are generally low while the highest price month occurred in December

An Election Energy Threshold Based Multi-Hop Routing Protocol in a Grid-Clustered Wireless Sensor Network

Owing to the limited energy of sensor nodes (SNs) in a wireless sensor network (WSN), it is important to reduce and balance the energy consumption of the SNs in order to extend the WSN lifetime. Clustering mechanism is a highly efficient and effective mechanism for minimizing the amount of energy that SNs consume during the transmission of data packets. In this paper, an election energy threshold based multi-hop routing protocol (mEEMRP) is presented. In order to minimize energy consumption, this routing protocol uses grid clustering, where the network field is divided into grid clusters. SNs in each grid cluster select a cluster head (CH) based on a weight factor that takes the node location, node’s residual energy (RE) as well as the node’s distance from the base station into consideration. An energy efficient multi-hop routing algorithm is adopted during the transmission of data packets from the cluster heads (CHs) to the base station (BS). This multi-hop routing algorithm uses an election energy threshold value, T­nhCH that takes into consideration the RE of CHs as well as the distance between CHs. Simulation results show a 1.77% and 10.65% improvement in terms of network lifetime for two network field scenarios over Energy Efficient Multi-hop Routing Protocol (EEMRP)

Geology and Hydrogeophysical Investigation of Gurum and Environs, Lere Sheet 147SE, Bassa-Plateau, North-Central Nigeria

Geology and hydrogeophysical investigation of Gurum and its environs was undertaken within Lere Sheet 147 SE. The geological studies revealed the presence of Precambrian rocks (undifferentiated migmatites and Older Granites) and Jurassic rocks (Younger Granite) of different varieties belonging to the Buji Complex. The Buji Complex is composed of two (2) super imposed ring complexes, the earlier volcanic and high- level hyperbyssal intrusion dominated by granitic rocks. Hydrogeophysical results showed depth to various geo-electric layers and the range of apparent resistivity values with lithological units and their water yielding potentials. The studies clearly show the aquifer thickness is sufficient and the resistivity value falls within the range of good water yield. Additionally, it can also be said that the aquifers in the study area including both weathered overburden and fractured crystalline rocks are capable of yielding significant amount of water to wells. The aquifer thickness appears to increase towards the north eastern part of Gurum.&nbsp

Assessment of Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals and Microbial Parameters on Well Water Quality in Urban Centre, Effluent Locations and Non-Effluent Location of Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

The groundwater consists of about 20% of the earth’s fresh water is the most widely used for drinking. Hence, the objective of this paper was to assess the seasonal variations of heavy metals and microbial parameters on well water quality in Urban Centre (UC), Effluent Locations (EL) and Non-Effluent Location (NEL) of Kano metropolis, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. The research collected 768 water samples from 48 wells at three different locations: Urban Centre (UC), Effluent Locations (EL) and Non-Effluent Location (NEL) in the city during dry and wet seasons in one year and subjected samples to laboratory analysis for determination of the concentrations of elements and bacteria in line with American Public Health Association (APHA, 2005). Higher mean values of Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Arsenic, Iron, Lead, Zinc, Manganese, Total Coliform and Escherichia Coli of 0.14mg/L, 5.11mg/L, 0.095mg/L, 0.15mg/L, 0.53mg/L, 3.1mg/L, 8.62mg/L and 4.1mg/L respectively at EL except Cadmium (UC). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and T-test 0.05% confidential level showed that Chromium F(2, 3) = 17.225, p =0.019, Arsenic F(2, 3) = 16.11, p = 0.031 and Iron F(2, 3) = 17.135, p = 0.021 while microbial parameters showed that E. coli F(2,3) =11.88 p = 0.038 parameters wells located at the UC, EL NEL areas of Kano. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations and microbial contamination in the metropolis are significantly different from each other where the mean level is significant at P<.05 across different locations, with higher levels found in industrial and urban areas during the rainy season. These findings highlight the need for improved management and monitoring of well water quality in Kano metropolis to protect public health

Effects of Soya Bean Oil and Vitamin C on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Ethanol -Induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Abstract: The aim of this experiment is to investigate the effects of Soya bean oil and vitamin C o

Wound Healing, Antioxidants and Toxicological Properties of Root Extracts of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth

The root extracts of Kigelia africana were screened for antibacterial and wound healing properties, using hole-plate bioassay and excision wound model on rats, respectively. Catalase activity, glutathione level and lipid peroxidation were assayed in the granulated tissues and liver homogenates. Chemical compositions of the root were determined using standard methods. Complete wound healing was observed on day 16 in group administered with 120mg/ml and on the 19th day in groups administered 90 and 60mg/ml of the extract. Clinical features indicate redness, scab formation, exudations and some other typical changes. The control and antibiotic treated groups show more redness compared to third day. The hydrolytic and organic solvent fractions show significant (p&lt; 0.05) inhibitory activities on woun

Immunomodulatory Effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaf Aqueous Extracts in Cockerels Vaccinated and Experimentally Infected with Infectious Bursal Disease Virus

The aim of the present work was to study the immunomodulatory potentials of aqueous extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf in cockerels vaccinated and/ or infected with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Four hundred and eighty (480) day old cockerels were used and allocated into 8 groups. The birds were grouped as vaccinated/ unvaccinated, challenged/ unchallenged, neem leaf treated/ untreated groups. The IBD vaccines (intermediate plus strain) were given at 14 and 28 days of age while the experimental infection using very virulent IBD virus (vvIBDV) was inoculated at 35 days of age and the extracts were given from day old to 6 week old.Serum samples were collected on first day and on weekly intervals while post challenge, onset of the disease, clinical signs and mortality rate were recorded. The results obtained showed higher antibody titre, faster seroconversion, mild clinical sign and very low mortality in the neem leaf treated groups. These results indicated that the neem leaf aqueous extract has immunomodulatory potentials by increasing the antibody titre post vaccination and the ability to prevent mortality

Research priorities to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to the functioning of societies and their health systems. Prior to the pandemic, health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) were particularly stretched and vulnerable. The International Society of Global Health (ISoGH) sought to systematically identify priorities for health research that would have the potential to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in LMICs. Methods: The Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) method was used to identify COVID-19-related research priorities. All ISoGH members were invited to participate. Seventy-nine experts in clinical, translational, and population research contributed 192 research questions for consideration. Fifty-two experts then scored those questions based on five pre-defined criteria that were selected for this exercise: 1) feasibility and answerability; 2) potential for burden reduction; 3) potential for a paradigm shift; 4) potential for translation and implementation; and 5) impact on equity. Results: Among the top 10 research priorities, research questions related to vaccination were prominent: health care system access barriers to equitable uptake of COVID-19 vaccination (ranked 1st), determinants of vaccine hesitancy (4th), development and evaluation of effective interventions to decrease vaccine hesitancy (5th), and vaccination impacts on vulnerable population/s (6th). Health care delivery questions also ranked highly, including: effective strategies to manage COVID-19 globally and in LMICs (2nd) and integrating health care for COVID-19 with other essential health services in LMICs (3rd). Additionally, the assessment of COVID-19 patients’ needs in rural areas of LMICs was ranked 7th, and studying the leading socioeconomic determinants and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in LMICs using multi-faceted approaches was ranked 8th. The remaining questions in the top 10 were: clarifying paediatric case-fatality rates (CFR) in LMICs and identifying effective strategies for community engagement against COVID-19 in different LMIC contexts. Interpretation: Health policy and systems research to inform COVID-19 vaccine uptake and equitable access to care are urgently needed, especially for rural, vulnerable, and/or marginalised populations. This research should occur in parallel with studies that will identify approaches to minimise vaccine hesitancy and effectively integrate care for COVID-19 with other essential health services in LMICs. ISoGH calls on the funders of health research in LMICs to consider the urgency and priority of this research during the COVID-19 pandemic and support studies that could make a positive difference for the populations of LMICs

Research priorities to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries

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Comparative analysis of co-processed starches prepared by three different methods

Co-processing is currently of interest in the generation of high-functionality excipients for tablet formulation. In the present study, comparative analysis of the powder and tableting properties of three co-processed starches prepared by three different methods was carried out. The co-processed excipients consisting of maize starch (90%), acacia gum (7.5%) and colloidal silicon dioxide (2.5%) were prepared by co-dispersion (SAS-CD), co-fusion (SAS-CF) and co-granulation (SAS-CG). Powder properties of each co-processed excipient were characterized by measuring particle size, flow indices, particle density, dilution potential and lubricant sensitivity ratio. Heckel and Walker models were used to evaluate the compaction behaviour of the three co-processed starches. Tablets were produced with paracetamol as the model drug by direct compression on an eccentric Tablet Press fitted with 12 mm flat-faced punches and compressed at 216 MPa. The tablets were stored at room temperature for 24 h prior to evaluation. The results revealed that co-granulated co-processed excipient (SAS-CG) gave relatively better properties in terms of flow, compressibility, dilution potential, deformation, disintegration, crushing strength and friability. This study has shown that the method of co-processing influences the powder and tableting properties of the co-processed excipient