Asymmetric co-integration analysis of exchange rates and crude oil prices: evidence from India

Using monthly data from January, 1980 to July 2013, the aim of the article is to find out whether there is cointegrating relationship between exchange rates and crude oil prices in India. The result indicates that there exists cointegration between the variables and speed of adjustment shows symmetric based on TAR model, while MTAR model exhibit asymmetric adjustment. The findings indicated that exchange rates have significant influence on crude oil prices in India and the adjustment to equilibrium when variables deviated is non-linear. The implication is that Indian policy makers should focus more on their exchange rates dynamics in line with the persistent rises of crude oil prices that affects other macroeconomic variables specifically exchange rates that have significant influence on international trade considering the relevance of India in the international export market

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Assessment of Some Soil Health Indicators and Their Distribution Along Salanta River, Kano- Nigeria

Soil health is essential for the integrity of terrestrial ecosystems to remain intact and recover from disturbances. The paper aimed at assessing the spatial distribution and the relationship of some soil health indicators. Two square kilometer of irrigated land was delineated within which ten soil samples were collected using point composite sampling from 0 – 15cm depth. The soil samples collected were analyzed for pH, soil enzymes, chromium and lead. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using Micro soft excel. The results show that all the soil health indicators: SOC, pH, enzymes, Cr and Pb were found to be higher in all the point near the river. The high values of SOC and soil enzymes nearby the river bank is attributed to pH (7.7) values, which reduce the effect of Cr and Pb on soil enzmes activities. The relationship among the soil health indicators revealed that pH is negatively (r = -0.36) correlated with dehydrogenase and significantly correlated with urease (r = 0.57) and phosphatase (r = 0.43) at value of 0.05 probability level. The determination of pH, OC and enzymes activities reflect the microbial activities in the soil of the area and thes variables are sensitive biological indicators of heavy metals contamination in soil and could be considered as soil health indicators. Minimum tillage and application of organic fertilizer improves the structural stability of the soil, thereby reducing the solubility and availability of heavy metals in soil and also improve soil quality

Modulatory Effect of L-carnitine on Red Blood Cell and Indices in Testicular Ischaemic-Reperfusion in Wistar Rats

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2023, 10(2): 009-016 Authors: Richard Jewo Bebekah; Malajiya Ibrahim Alhaji Saleh., Aliyu Mohammed and Yusuf Tanko Received:  17 September 2023/Accepted 01 December 2023 Ischaemic-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a complex phenomenon that induces cell damage through a biphasic process and reperfusion. This results in oxidative damage via the reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecule generated during reperfusion. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effect of L-carnitine on Red blood cells and their indices following testicular torsion. Forty-five adult male Wistar rats were used for this study. The animals were divided into three groups comprising fifteen (n=5) in each group. Five (n=5) animals from each group i.e. Sham, IRI and IRI treated with 500mg/kg of L-carnitine were sacrificed on day twenty-two (22), forty-two (42) and sixty-two (62) of the study respectively. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected from each of the animals through cardiac puncture and a full blood count was done using an automated haematological analyzer to determine the Red blood cells and their indices. Our findings revealed a significant increase in RBCs count (6.30±0.44 x106 µL) for the group the IRI+L treated 62 groups when compared with sham treated group for the same duration and also when compared with the 1RI+L for 22 days. The Haemoglobin concentration (13.49±0.35 g/dL) increased significantly in the IRI+L for 42 days when compared with the Sham group for the same duration. A similar trend also was recorded in the Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Treatment of Wistar rats induced with testicular torsion with L-carnitine improved significantly the RBC and their indice

Influence of occupation on median nerve cross-sectional area in apparently healthy volunteers

Background: Sonographic measurement of the median nerve has been proposed as a useful alternative to the electrodiagnostic test in the diagnosis of the carpal tunnel syndrome because of its ability to reveal morphological changes. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of occupation, gender, and hand dominance on the median nerve cross-sectional area (MNCSA). Methodology: One hundred and eighty apparently healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. Hand dominance was ascertained in all volunteers. The device used was Voluson P8 ultrasound system with a 12-MHz transducer, using custom preset for musculoskeletal ultrasound. The Anteroposterior (D1) and transverse (D2) diameters of the median nerve were taken bilaterally at the level of the pisiform bone at the anterior surface of the wrist joint. Using these values, the MNCSA was calculated using the ellipse Formula. Results: The volunteers were divided into repetitive and nonrepetitive groups. The MNCSA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the repetitive work group than in nonrepetitive work groups. Similarly, a significant difference in mean MNCSA was noted between male and female volunteers in both groups. Again, a significant difference in mean MNCSA was observed in dominant and nondominant hands in the repetitive work group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mean MNCSA in the nonrepetitive work groups (P < 0.05). Interpretation and Conclusion: A statistically significant difference in MNCSA was detected between repetitive and nonrepetitive work groups, male and female gender as well as in dominant and nondominant hands. Occupation, hand dominance, and gender, therefore, affect the cross-sectional area of the median nerve

Influence of occupation and hand dominance on the thickness of pronator quadratus muscle among apparently healthy volunteers in a Nigerian population

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to sonographically measure and compare the pronator quadratus muscle thickness (PQMT) in apparently healthy volunteers between two occupational groups and to assess the influence of hand dominance on the PQMT. METHODS: A total of 180 apparently healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. The volunteers were grouped into repetitive (90) and nonrepetitive (90) workgroups. They were scanned with a B-mode ultrasound machine and linear transducer. RESULTS: The mean PQMT was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the repetitive workgroup than in nonrepetitive workgroups. Similarly, a significant difference in mean PQMT was observed between dominant and nondominant hands in the repetitive workgroups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mean PQMT among repetitive workgroup is significantly higher when compared with nonrepetitive workgroups in the study area

Gender preference between traditional and PowerPoint methods of teaching gross anatomy

Introduction: Teaching and learning process is increasingly metamorphosing from the traditional chalk and talk to the modern dynamism in the information and communication technology. Medical education is no exception to this dynamism more especially in the teaching of gross anatomy, which serves as one of the bases of understanding the human structure. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the gender preference of preclinical medical students on the use of traditional (chalk and talk) and PowerPoint presentation in the teaching of gross anatomy. Subjects and Methods: This was cross-sectional and prospective study, which was conducted among preclinical medical students in the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. Using simple random techniques, a questionnaire was circulated among 280 medical students, where 247 students filled the questionnaire appropriately. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 20 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) to find the method preferred by the students among other things. Results: Majority of the preclinical medical students in the University of Maiduguri preferred PowerPoint method in the teaching of gross anatomy over the conventional methods. The Cronbach alpha value of 0.76 was obtained which is an acceptable level of internal consistency. A statistically significant association was found between gender and preferred method of lecture delivery on the clarity of lecture content where females prefer the conventional method of lecture delivery whereas males prefer the PowerPoint method, On the reproducibility of text and diagram, females prefer PowerPoint method of teaching gross anatomy while males prefer the conventional method of teaching gross anatomy. Conclusion: There are gender preferences with regard to clarity of lecture contents and reproducibility of text and diagram. It was also revealed from this study that majority of the preclinical medical students in the University of Maiduguri prefer PowerPoint presentation over the traditional chalk and talk method in most of the questions ask

Autopsy and religion: A review of the literature

In spite of immense benefits derivable from carrying out autopsy on the dead, its practice has been very limited in northern Nigeria. One of the reasons for this is the perception that religion opposes the practice of autopsy. Using online search engines and religious doctrinal literature including the Qur'an, Bible and Talmud, a review of their teachings regarding autopsies was conducted. Findings were then harmonized with the practice of autopsy in its present form. Available literature reveals that the religious impediments include the permissibility or otherwise of the procedure, timing, opposite sexes seeing the corpse's nakedness, body mutilation, exhumation of the dead and retention of organs or tissues for teaching purposes. This study concludes that no religion expressly condemns the practice of autopsying the dead, and that the meeting points for various religions and the practice of autopsy is the need for learning and dispensation of justice. However, there is also a common agreement on the need for the procedure to be done promptly and to maintain the dignity of the dead during the procedure

Prevalence of Fasciola species from Cattle Slaughtered at Birnin Kebbi Modern Abattoir

Diagnostic tools to detect and differentiate Fasciola species have improved, but the understanding of the distribution and population structure of this parasite is location dependent. This study was aimed to phenotypically identify Fasciola species from cattle brought for slaughter at Birnin Kebbi Modern Abattoir. Ante-mortem faecal samples were collected from the sampled cattle for worm egg detection and post-mortem inspection of liver samples were performed. Two methods of Parasitological (Flukefinder Kit and formalin-ether sedimentation) methods were performed on the faecal samples. Results have yielded a high prevalence (31.2%) of fluke eggs with the Flukefinder Kit than with formalin-ether sedimentation technique (8.5%). Prevalence was higher (34%) in the males than in female (26.2%) cattle. Younger cattle (34.3%) were also more infected than their older (30.7%) counterpart. Sokoto Gudali had the highest prevalence of 44.0% followed by Red Bororo with 34.0%, and the least prevalence was observed in Bunaji breed with 18.0%. Statistical analyses results had revealed no significant relation between prevalence of fasciolosis and the co-variables (sex, age) as p &gt; 0.05 but there was a significant association between prevalence and breed of cattle (p = 0.018). There was no significant agreement between the methods of faecal analyses used. Prevalence of 15.8% was observed from the post-mortem examination. This have increased the knowledge about the existence of the parasite in the study area. It is recommended that the Flukefinder® Kit should be used in diagnosis of Fasciola species due to its high sensitivity compared to the conventional sedimentation method