Analysis of the distribution of heavy metals in the soils of Bagega mining area Zamfara state, Nigeria

Uncontrolled exploitation and degradation in the environment over the past few decades as the result of urbanization and poverty has caused a serious damage to lives and properties. The study analysed the spatial distribution of heavy metal (Fe, Cu and Zn) in Bagega, Zamfara state. Three mapping units were identified and samples were collected from the top soil (0-15cm) horizon using stratified random sampling techniques. These include the Mining Processing Environment (MPE), Residential exterior (RE) and Surrounding Farmlands (SF). In each mapping units, twelve (12) samples were collected randomly. Coordinates of all samples points were recorded using GPS. The soil sample were analyse for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and the result were recorded in Microsoft excel and later transformed into GIS environment in the Arc GIS 10.1 version. Krigging model was used for mapping the spatial distribution of the heavy metals in the study area. The result shows that there are more concentrations of heavy metals (Fe and Cu) in the Residential exterior (RE) and streams sites. The level of heavy metal in the soils of the area were below the acceptable toxic level of and this can be attributed to the number of years quarry activities in the study area have been in operation. The study concluded that Fe and Zn are more concentrated to the mining and river sites areas, while Cu is highly concentrated at the farmlands areas. The study recommends for continuous monitoring and mining should be avoided especially closer to the residential areas.Keywords: Spatial distribution, Mapping, Heavy metals, Bageg

Evaluation of Two Bone Anchored Appliances During En Masse Distalization of Maxillary Buccal Segment with Class II Patients; A Comparative Clinical Study

Objective: to assess quality of orthodontic tooth movement during distalization by two different skeletally anchored distalizing appliances. Patients and methods: the current study was applied on 22 orthodontic patients with class ΙΙ molar relationship. Patients were divided into two active groups; group Ι: include 11 patients treated by modified sagittal screw distalizer and group ΙΙ: include 11 patients treated by modified distal jet distalizer. Quality of distalization was assessed by the following measurements; first and second premolars root horizontal distance (mm), first and second molars root horizontal distance(mm), SNA, SNB, U1 to FH. Results: The highest change (%) in first molar root horizontal distance (mm) was recorded in group II with a decrease by -11.5 % in the left side and -11.4 % in the right side. Conclusion: Bone anchored Distal Jet and modified Sagittal screw distalizer provide an effective tool for treating mild to moderate class II malocclusion. But the modified distal jet produces high quality of distalization than the modified Sagittal screw distalizer

A relational study of supply chain agility, competitiveness and business performance in the oil and gas industry

This paper assesses the link between dimensions of agile supply chain, competitive objectives and business performance in the UK North Sea upstream oil and gas industry. A questionnaire was designed and administered covering important criteria of agility identified from the literature. The questionnaire was sent to a sample of 880 supply chain managers within the UK oil and gas industry and a net response rate of 17.8% was achieved. Statistical tests for validity and reliability were carried out. Also, the KS statistical test for normality was undertaken on the data. All the tests affirm that the data came from a normal distribution. Non-response bias analysis was conducted through wave analysis using one-way ANOVA and no statistically significant difference was revealed by the t-test result. By examining the whole supply chain associated with agile practices in an important sector, the paper identifies the most important dimensions and attributes of supply chain agility and provides a deeper insight into those characteristics of agility that are most relevant within the oil and gas industry

Testing strategies to improve access to emergency contraception pills: Prescription vs. prophylactic distribution

This report is the second in a series of research summaries produced in connection with the operations research project “Enhancing Access to Family Planning Services through the Introduction of Emergency Contraception.” Launched in September 1997, the project explores the many issues surrounding the introduction and delivery of emergency contraception services in a developing country context. The study described in this report compares two different approaches to overcoming barriers that prevent women from accessing emergency contraception during the 72-hour period when the first dosage of emergency contraception pills (ECPs) must be taken. In one approach, new family planning (FP) acceptors were given a pack of ECPs for later use in the event of method failure, rape, or unprotected sex. In the other approach, acceptors were given an advanced prescription which, if necessary, could be redeemed for an actual pack of ECPs at participating health centers. Implemented at four public-sector clinics in Lusaka, Zambia, the strategies are compared in terms of their effectiveness at communicating appropriate information on emergency contraception; reducing wastage of ECPs; facilitating timely access to emergency contraception; and limiting use of emergency contraception for emergencies only

Emergency contraception in Zambia: Setting a new agenda for research and action

This report summarizes the activities and findings of the first phase of the operations research study, “Enhancing Access to Family Planning Services through the Introduction of Emergency Contraception.” Launched in September 1997, the study was designed to explore a broad range of issues relating to emergency contraception within a developing country context. With financial and technical support from the United States Agency for International Development, the World Health Organization, the Canadian Public Health Association, and the British Department for International Development (DFID), the study consists of an initial exploratory exercise and a subsequent research phase. The report is divided into four sections. The first recounts the events and circumstances leading to development of the study and describes the roles of participating organizations. The second follows with a summary of the outputs and principal data collection activities during Phase One. The third details the research findings of Phase One and outlines implications for future programmatic activities. The fourth describes results of a national workshop held on March 10, 1998, to disseminate the results of Phase One data collection activities and identify areas for future research and action

Comparing alternative products in the provision of emergency contraception

This report is the third in a series of summaries produced in connection with the operations research project “Enhancing Access to Family Planning Services through the Introduction of Emergency Contraception.” Launched in September 1997, the project explores the many issues surrounding the introduction and delivery of emergency contraception services in a developing country context. The study compares the introduction of two different emergency contraception pills—the combined oral contraceptive PC-4, introduced in Zambia in 1997, and the progestin-only contraceptive Postinor-2, introduced by this study in the following year. Client histories showed only minor differences in the attitudes of emergency contraception users toward the two methods, but the study highlights important differences between the two products, some of which could have implications for service delivery

Ancestral European roots of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> in India

Background. The human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori is co-evolved with its host and therefore, origins and expansion of multiple populations and sub populations of H. pylori mirror ancient human migrations. Ancestral origins of H. pylori in the vast Indian subcontinent are debatable. It is not clear how different waves of human migrations in South Asia shaped the population structure of H. pylori. We tried to address these issues through mapping genetic origins of present day H. pylori in India and their genomic comparison with hundreds of isolates from different geographic regions. Results. We attempted to dissect genetic identity of strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of the 7 housekeeping genes (atpA, efp, ureI, ppa, mutY, trpC, yphC) and phylogeographic analysis of haplotypes using MEGA and NETWORK software while incorporating DNA sequences and genotyping data of whole cag pathogenicity-islands (cagPAI). The distribution of cagPAI genes within these strains was analyzed by using PCR and the geographic type of cagA phosphorylation motif EPIYA was determined by gene sequencing. All the isolates analyzed revealed European ancestry and belonged to H. pylori sub-population, hpEurope. The cagPAI harbored by Indian strains revealed European features upon PCR based analysis and whole PAI sequencing. Conclusion. These observations suggest that H. pylori strains in India share ancestral origins with their European counterparts. Further, non-existence of other sub-populations such as hpAfrica and hpEastAsia, at least in our collection of isolates, suggest that the hpEurope strains enjoyed a special fitness advantage in Indian stomachs to out-compete any endogenous strains. These results also might support hypotheses related to gene flow in India through Indo-Aryans and arrival of Neolithic practices and languages from the Fertile Crescent

Ancestral European roots of Helicobacter pylori in India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The human gastric pathogen <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>is co-evolved with its host and therefore, origins and expansion of multiple populations and sub populations of <it>H. pylori </it>mirror ancient human migrations. Ancestral origins of <it>H. pylori </it>in the vast Indian subcontinent are debatable. It is not clear how different waves of human migrations in South Asia shaped the population structure of <it>H. pylori</it>. We tried to address these issues through mapping genetic origins of present day <it>H. pylori </it>in India and their genomic comparison with hundreds of isolates from different geographic regions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We attempted to dissect genetic identity of strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of the 7 housekeeping genes (<it>atp</it>A, <it>efp</it>, <it>ure</it>I, <it>ppa</it>, <it>mut</it>Y, <it>trp</it>C, <it>yph</it>C) and phylogeographic analysis of haplotypes using MEGA and NETWORK software while incorporating DNA sequences and genotyping data of whole <it>cag </it>pathogenicity-islands (<it>cag</it>PAI). The distribution of <it>cag</it>PAI genes within these strains was analyzed by using PCR and the geographic type of <it>cag</it>A phosphorylation motif EPIYA was determined by gene sequencing. All the isolates analyzed revealed European ancestry and belonged to <it>H. pylori </it>sub-population, hpEurope. The <it>cag</it>PAI harbored by Indian strains revealed European features upon PCR based analysis and whole PAI sequencing.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These observations suggest that <it>H. pylori </it>strains in India share ancestral origins with their European counterparts. Further, non-existence of other sub-populations such as hpAfrica and hpEastAsia, at least in our collection of isolates, suggest that the hpEurope strains enjoyed a special fitness advantage in Indian stomachs to out-compete any endogenous strains. These results also might support hypotheses related to gene flow in India through Indo-Aryans and arrival of Neolithic practices and languages from the Fertile Crescent.</p