The Use of bubble nasal CPAP in the management of IRDS -A Case report and literature review

A one hour old baby boy presented to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria, on account of respiratory distress noticed from birth. He was a product of supervised pregnancy, delivered at 37 weeks gestation via emergency caeserien section performed due to severe pre eclampsia and fetal distress. APGAR scores were 2 and 7 at one and five minutes respectively.He weighed 1850 grams and was found to be dusky, inactive, hypothermic(T = 35.50C) and in severe respiratory distress (SPO2 ranged between 60 % and 72 %). He was tachypnoeic with respiratory rate persistently above 80 cycles/ min, and had reduced air entry in the mid and lower zonesof the lungs bilaterally with wide spread coarse crepitations. A diagnosis of perinatal asphyxia was entertained with differential diagnoses of pulmonary hypoplasia, hyaline membrane disease and group B streptococcal (GBS) pneumonia. He had a full sepsis screen including chest radiograph and was commenced on supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula, antibiotics and other supportive measures. The patient howevercontinued to have laboured breathing and subsequently had an apnoeic attack. He was resuscitated and commenced on bubble nasal CPAP. He did remarkably well and was weaned off CPAP after a total of 60 hours. A repeat chest radiograph showed remarkable aeration of the lungs asagainst an earlier one which showed a reticulogranular (ground glass) appearance. Key words: Neonates, Respiratory distress, Bubble nCpap, Downesscor

Application of Kozeny-Carman Equation to Estimate Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity of an Alfisol at Samaru and a Cambisol at Kadawa, Nigeria

Kozeny-Carman equation was used to estimate field and laboratory determined saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) based on Pe values obtained from soils of two Northern Savanna ecological zones of Nigeria (Samaru and Kadawa). Total porosity was determined from measured dry bulk density (Db), particle density (Dp) and moisture content at –33kPa pressure potential. Effective porosity was calculated as the difference between total porosity and volumetric moisture at -33kpa. The Ks and Pe values were fitted into the Kozeny-Carman equation using the linear least square fitting. In Samaru, 91.7 and 61% variation of Ks were explained respectively from field (Kfs) and laboratory measurements (Kls) while 61% variation of Ks was explained from the average values of laboratory measurement for Kadawa. The proportionality constant (β) varied widely between 7.1 × 10-3 to 6918.30 while the fitting parameters (n) varied from values < 1 to 2.37. The Relative Effective Porosity (REP) was adapted to substitute Pe in the Kozeny-Carman equation. Only field measured data (r2 = 0.881) and laboratory measured data (r2 = 0.573) from Samaru fit into the model and the regression coefficients were not improved. The REP- Model did not perform well with the data presented in this study

Heavy Metals Pollution Status of Sediments of Ahmadu Bello University Dam, Zaria-Nigeria

Pollution status of the sediments of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) dam, Zaria-Nigeria, was assessed. Twenty-four samples were collected from specified stations and analyzed for the concentrations of Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, and Cr, using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The concentrations of the analyzed heavy metals ranged between 1.162±0.006(A) and 49.878±0.685(K); 53.262±0.075(H) and 105.546±0.842(I); 2.427±0.001(F) and 3.343±0.002 (J); 1.083±0.006(A) and 0.100±0.002(H); 7.572±0.042(E)) and 27.222±0.053 mg/kg (K), respectively. All values were below the permissible limits declared by World Health Organization (WHO) (2006). Pollution load index (PLI) and geo-accumulation index (I-geo) were employed to assess the pollution status of the dam across the sampling stations. The PLI values obtained across the sampling stations ranged between 5.94×10-7 (A)and8.19×10-5 (K).The I-geo found for the concentrations of Ni, Pb, Cd, Co and Cr in the sediments ranged between -6.597(A) and -1.173(K); -3.564(H) and -2.2.577(I); -5.715(F) and -5.297(L); -5.893(D & E) and - 4.047(J) respectively. Results obtained indicate that none of the sampling stations was polluted. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis (ANOVA) and P values > 0.05 obtained for the analyzed metals indicate that there were no significant differences in the concentrations of the analyzed metals across the sampling pointsKeywords: ABU dam, Sediments, Heavy metals, Pollution index (PLI), Geo-accumulation index (I-geo

Seroprevalence of Varicella Zoster Virus Infection among Primary school Children In Northern Nigeria

Background: Varicella Zoster infection occurs exclusively in man and commonly affects children with predilection for school age children. Following infection the course of the disease in immunocompetent children is often mild and self limited but in older age groups infection may be severe with poor outcomes ranging from complicating bacterial morbidities to death. In Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria the seroprevalence ofVaricella - zoster virus (VZV) infection is unknown The current cross - sectional study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of VZV infection among nursery and primary school pupils in Kaduna State. Mathods: Nursery and primary school pupils between the ages 4 and 15 years were randomly selected from the three geopolitical zones of Kaduna State . Demographic data on each subject  were obtained by administration of a questionnaire and blood samples were collected for serum analysis of Varicella - zoster virus immunoglobulin G (IgG) using the Automat ion ELISA IgG Kit manufactured by Automation INC. USA. Data obtained were summarized using percentages and frequency tables. Results were analyzed using Epi- info version 3.0. Results: Three hundred and fifty three pupils were recruited for the study. The overall prevalence rate for VZV infection was 66.3% with the value in males being 68.5% and in females 63.9%. The prevalence of VZV infection increased with age in both sexes. A high percentage of children (60%) were seropositive at 4-6 years. Conclusion: The study shows a 66.3% prevalence of VZV infection among children in Kaduna State. Thi s high pr eva l enc e r a t e necessitates further studies to establish the burden of the problem in Nigeria and rationalize the institution of preventive measures against the infection, particularly immunocompromi sed young children

Kinetics of the reduction of μ–oxo–tetrakis(1, 10–phenanthroline) diiron (iii) complex by thiourea in aqueous phenanthrolinium buffer

The homovalent oxo-bridged binuclear iron(III) complex ion [Fe2O(phen)4Cl2]4+ (phen = 1, 10–phenanthroline) aquates to [Fe2O(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ in aqueous phenanthrolinium buffer solution (pH 3.25–4.50). The reaction of [Fe2O2(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ with thiourea in this buffer solution to give [Fe(phen)3]2+, sulphite ion and urea was studied spectrophotometrically at 510 nm and found to be first order in [Fe2O2(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ and of mixed zero and first order in thiourea, i.e. reaction order with respect to thiourea varies from one to zero on increasing the thiourea concentration from 1.0–7.0 × 10-2 mol dm-3. The reaction is characterized by adduct formation. Changes in pH from 3.25 to 4.50 and ionic strength from 0.10 moldm-3 to 0.60 moldm-3 of the reaction solution were found to have no effect on the reaction rate. Catalysis and retardation were observed with the addition of Mg2+ and CH3COO- ions respectively. A plausible mechanism consistent with the results obtained is proposed.Keywords: kinetics, mechanism, oxo-bridged, phenanthrolinium buffer, thioure

An evaluation of phototherapy services in newborn units in Kaduna State Nigeria

Background Phototherapy (PT) for unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia remains an important and invaluable intervention in the management of neonatal jaundice when appropriately and optimally employed. The efficiency of PT greatly depends on the irradiance of the device, which is measured using an irradiance meter. Available optimal phototherapy is a key desirable newborn service that should be offered and accessible in secondary and tertiary health care facilities.Objective: The study aimed at determining the availability and irradiance measure of phototherapy devices in neonatal units in Kaduna state, Northwestern Nigeria.Materials and Methods: The study was an action research survey of all hospitals providing newborn care in Kaduna state including public and private profit and nonprofit faith based facilities. Phototherapy devices in use in the facilities were documented (types, brand and bulbs). The average irradiance of PT device was measured using model 22 Olympic Bili – MeterTM at facility traditional PT distance and distance of optimal irradiance was also determined and documented. Facilities were introduced to and educated on protocols on neonatal jaundice and how to ensure optimization of irradiance and management of neonatal jaundice.Results: None of the 31 public secondary health care facilities operated a newborn unit nor provided management for neonatal jaundice. Overall 15 facilities provided PT services of which 87% were non-government facilities made up of 15% faith based and 85% private for profit facilities. Only 13.3% facilities had PT devices which offered irradiance (> 10 μW/cm2/ nm) suitable for conventional PT at the facilities’ traditional PT distance this however, increased to 7 (46.7%) facilities with adjusted distances. Only 3 (20%) facilities had devices that co uld o ffer intensive PT (irradiance > 30 μW/cm2/ nm) at varying distances. None of the surveyed facilities had a radiometer nor knew irradiance of their PT devices and neither did any have a written protocol for the management of neonatal jaundice. Expertise for and availability of exchangeblood transfusion (EBT) services was available only in 26.7% of the facilities.Conclusions: Private health care facilities constitute a major provider of neonatal jaundice healthcare services however the services were grossly suboptimal and inadequate and will need significant and urgent improvement to enhance newborn health and indices.Keywords: phototherapy, neonatal jaundice, newborn care, kernicterus, action researc

Chemical kinetics: A discipline and a mechanistic tool

The purpose of this review is to introduce young researchers, advance undergraduate and graduate students of inorganic chemistry to the field of chemical kinetics both as a discipline and as a tool in mechanistic diagnosis of inorganic chemical reactions. Inorganic reaction mechanism is an important aspect of inorganic chemistry that deals with the study of the detailed step by step processes through which reactants in chemical reactions are converted to products. The overall equation of a reaction tell us what happens in a chemical reaction, whereas the mechanism explains how it happens –the steps involved and the effect of reaction conditions and catalyst, if employed. The review will deal with concepts and well established principles within the broad fields of chemical kinetics, which can be employed in determining the stoichiometry, kinetics and ultimately the mechanisms of chemical reactions

A Rapid Method of Crude Oil Analysis Using FT-IR Spectroscopy

This study determines the viability of the use of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as a substitute to traditional petroleum geochemical methods for crude oil characterisation. IR spectra of Crude oil sample containing a mixture of both degraded (sample 151) and non-degraded (sample 145) oils at different concentrations were determined. The IR fingerprints agree with results obtained from GC analysis. Partial least square regression analysis was used to predict saturates for omitted mixtures (10 and 80% 151) and also saturates of five other samples (i.e. 145, 149, 172, H1 and AL10) within acceptable error limits. It therefore, follows, that although some improvements might still need to be made, FTIR spectroscopy can indeed be a viable, simple, cheaper and faster technique of crude oil characterisation compared with the traditional fractionation methods.Keywords: FTIR-ATR spectroscopy; GC-MS; Partial least squares (PLSR). Rapid analysis

Trajectory Optimization of Quadrotor-UAV Drone Using Genetic Algorithm

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Technology recently attracts attention of many researchers; this is due toits numerous potentialities in civil application. One of the key areas of interest by researches is how to achievea total talent of “Sense and Avoid” in the UAV which will enhance safe and efficient trajectory of the vehicle.This is why this paper is going to use an optimization technique to optimize trajectory path of the UAV flight.The chosen optimization algorithm is Genetic algorithm (GA) which is going to be use to optimize the trajectoryof UAV by determine the shortest path of flight as well as obstacle-free path in order to save energy and timeduring flight. MATLAB and Simulink are used to simulate as well as evaluate the algorithm. In the result fromthe experiment, it appeared that an optimized trajectory path is tremendously better than path from the firstrandomly generated population in term of distance covered as well as time taken before triumph the target pointfrom the initial point

AROMA: An adapt-or-reroute strategy for multimedia applications over SDN-based wireless environments

To support new and advanced multimedia-rich applications and services while providing satisfactory user experience, the underlying network infrastructure needs to evolve and adapt. One of the key enabling technologies of the next generation (5G) networks is the integration of Software Defined Networking (SDN) within a heterogeneous wireless environment to enable interoperability and QoS provisioning. Leveraging on the features of the SDN paradigm, it is possible to introduce new solutions to handle the increasing mobile video transmission challenges with strict QoS requirements, such as: low delay, jitter, packet loss, and high bandwidth demands. However, degradation and instability perceived from video traffic makes it difficult to satisfy various end-users. In this context, this paper proposes AROMA, an Adapt-or-reROute strategy for Multimedia Applications over SDN-based wireless environments. AROMA enables QoS provisioning over multimedia-oriented SDN-based WLAN environments. The proposed solution is evaluated using a real experimental test-bed setup