Alau reservoir: a multi-dimensional resource base in Borno State

Aspects of the fishery resources of Alau Reservoir in Maiduguri are reported upon in this paper. It focuses attention on the fishery in terms of fish abundance and potential. It also discusses other resources associated with the fish production. Various other possible uses of the reservoir are discussed too. The reservoir is thus revealed to be a most useful and versatile one in terms of fishery resources and fund generatio

An analysis of Nigerian freshwater fishes: those under threat and conservation options

The study assessed qualitatively the threat status of all nigerian freshwater fishes using such criteria as rarity, size at maturity, mode of reproduction, human population density, habitat degradation, pollution and range of each species among others. The biology of 48% (129n) of nigerian freshwater species is not well known. Of the 266 known freshwater fishes, 47 species represented 17% are critically endangered, 15 (5%) are endangered , 8(3%), are vulnerable while 23(8%) are near threatened. The paper suggests increased basic knowledge of threatened species and conservation policy along three lines public awareness, legislation and creation of national parks, aquaria and reserves as measures needed to ensure the conservation of the fishe

The evaluation of interdisciplinary learning initiative in managing depression

This paper reports the findings from a descriptive study exploring community-nursing students’ experiences of interdisciplinary learning on managing depression. The study was completed as part of a specialist module workshop included in a post-registration community specialist practitioner programme. Questionnaire data included attitude ratings and qualitative evaluations of problem-based learning (PBL). A cohort of 34 community nurses responded. The findings identified issues relating to the learning process and its influence on the knowledge gained and attitudes to team work. Community nurses reported the workshop was thought provoking and the challenging issue is the different opinions of the district nurses role in managing depression from the perspective of the students. This study suggests that problem based learning had a positive impact on students’ learning which makes it a well-received contribution to learning. It also reinforced the importance of healthy attitudes towards collaboration in promoting mental health practice. All of these do ultimately have implications for clinical practice

James Bankole to Brother (3 October 1962)

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/mercorr_pro/1138/thumbnail.jp

Comparative Analysis of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Spirochaetes from Ethiopia and Nigeria

In recent decades, the reports of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) spirochaetes and its tick vectors have been increasing in Africa. Soft ticks of the Ornithodoros genus are the predominant vector for these spirochaetes and are endemic in many regions in Africa including East and West Africa. While TBRF of veterinary importance are exclusively transmitted by hard ticks. Despite this, TBRF is still a neglected disease in many regions such as Nigeria and Ethiopia where the disease epidemiology is still largely unknown. In Nigeria, O. savignyi ticks infected with a human TBRF specie Candidatus B. kalaharica has been reported. While in Ethiopia, the agent of relapsing fever is the louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) that is endemic in some parts of the country, with no evidence of TBRF available. To demonstrate the presence of TBRF of clinical and veterinary importance in Nigeria, 550 livestock, 152 patients presenting with recurrent fever, 550 livestock sera, 71 dog sera, and 251 soft ticks of the genus’s Ornithodoros and Argas were sampled. Conversely, in Ethiopia, to demonstrate the possible coexisting of TBRF with LBRF, 312 Ornithodoros ticks were sampled from soil around cattle shelter. Samples were screened for Borrelia infection on RT-PCR, with reactive samples subjected to further confirmation on conventional PCR using the 16S rRNA flagellin B genes, and the 16S-23S intragenic spacer region of Borrelia genome. While ticks were identified to the molecular level using tick 16S rRNA and tick mtrrs genes. Borrelia infection rate in livestock from Nigeria after initial screening was 3.8% (21/550), and 14% (3/21) after final confirmation. While the prevalence of infection in ticks from Ethiopia was 3.5% (11/312), and 36% (4/11) upon final confirmation. No infection was reported in the patients recruited. Sequencing analysis revealed the borreliae from Nigerian livestock as B. theileri ‘a bovine borreliosis” specie. Whereas the borreliae from the Ethiopian ticks was identified C. B. kalaharica, a human species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the identity of the Ornithodoros ticks as O. savignyi with >98% similarity for the Nigerian ticks, while the Ethiopian species had a 94% similarity. Conspicuously, the Ethiopian ticks formed a sister clade from the Nigerian ticks and other O. savignyi species available in the GenBank. This raises the question of whether the Ethiopian ticks represent a distinct species. The Argas ticks were identified as A. persicus using the 16S rRNA gene sequences. This is the first documented evidence of a C. B. kalaharica and its O. savignyi vector in Ethiopia. This is significant for both diagnostic and public health, as the possible coexisting of both RFs may likely increase the burden of the diseases. The gold standard for RF diagnosis in the country is microscopy, which is unable to differentiate between LBRF and TBRF. Concurrently, this is also the first report of TBRF in livestock from Nigeria. This study has clearly revealed the possible coexisting of LBRF and TBRF in Ethiopia. With this evidence, additional research into the vector distribution and disease epidemiology is vital to better understand its true burden in the country. This applies for Nigeria as there is a need for additional research to determine the true clinical and veterinary significance of the disease, especially in high-risk areas where these ticks are known to be endemic

Modelling Organisational Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Implementation Performance in Higher Education Institutions: An Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) Approach

open access articleGlobally, higher education institutions (HEIs) have continued to record varied sustainable development (SD) implementation performances. This variance has been attributed to the presence of certain organisational factors. Whereas previous studies have successfully identified the factors influencing the SD implementation performance in HEIs, few studies have attempted to explore the relationship between these factors and the influence of such a relationship on the management of SD implementation in HEIs. This is the objective of this study. Understandably, an understanding of such relationships will facilitate the development of appropriate frameworks for managing SD implementation in HEIs. Relying on a case study of a South African University of Technology (SAUoT), this study elicits data through a focus group discussion session. An interpretative structural modelling (ISM) focus group protocol indicating extant pair-wise relationships between identified organisational factor categories was extensively discussed. The emergent data was recorded, transcribed verbatim and subsequently analysed. The findings suggest that communication was critical to the prevalence of other factors, hence indicating its centrality to the effective management of SD implementation in HEIs. These findings will guide implementing agents in HEIs towards developing appropriate strategies for communicating SD implementation strategies

Graphic Design Visuals A Means of Cultural Development in Technological Age

Inrecent years the relationship between graphic design and visuals GDV has become a source of debate for researchers Human beings are symbolically innovative they react to their environment by creating devices that will assist them in adapting to the numerous problems of communication This reaction to environmental influence led to the development of different devices which are problem solving technologies in their recurrent activities The springing up and advancement of graphic design devices in Information Technologies and Communication brought series of benefits and relief to mankind Modern man exists in an era in which technological innovation and devices are dominating the accomplishments of human endeavour and the supersonic age of Information Technology explosion in graphic design communication which has made life much more meaningful New innovations and methodologies are applied in graphic communication visual system in disseminating information to the audience This paper surveys the impact and the role of graphic visuals communication In cultural development

Fish transplantation as an ecological tool in boosting fish production: Tiga case study

The paper discusses the status of the Tiga Reservoir Fishery pre-and Clupeid transplantation. This was achieved by examining the species diversity, abundance and distribution with mitigating factors. It concludes with a verdict on the achievement of the transplantation exercis

The Effects of High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C in Cancer Patients

Problem: Currently used standard treatments (Chemotherapy, radiation) in cancer patients are generally accompanied with side effects, which may include pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) during and after completion of treatments. High dose IV C may improve the anti-cancer action of chemotherapeutic agents by reducing side effects of fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting and boosting immune cell functioning, and inhibiting angiogenesis (Mikirova, Casciari, & Hunninghake, 2019).The purpose of this quality improvement project was to explore whether high dose intravenous vitamin C (IV C) prevented major side effects that frequently occur with standard treatments in cancer patients and measure quality of life. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cohort study utilizing a retrospective medical record review. A Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycle was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of IV C in cancer patients. Results: A total number of twenty (N=20) charts of participants who received IV C therapy for different types of cancer were reviewed. There were fourteen females (N=14, 70%) and six males (N=6, 30%) who underwent the therapy. Seven (N=7, 35%) of the patients received IV C/Traditional and thirteen (N=13, 65%) received IV C only. None of the participants reported any side/adverse effects to IV C and all reported improved quality of life. Implications: There were little to no side/adverse effects noted to this study, therefore IV C could be an appropriate alternative or adjunct therapy to treat cancer patients. Monitoring these patients for a longer period of time may yield more beneficial results and improved quality of life

Drug-Testing: Some Fundamental Conceptual and Juristic Problems

Discussions about the use or abuse of drugs or of drug-testing are usually charged with a high degree of emotiveness and subjectivity. By the same token, additionally, writings on the subject of drug testing often pose peculiar problems of analysis and objectivity. The purpose of this article is to explore and analyze some fundamental conceptual legal problems germane to a consideration of the legality of drug-testing in a democratic society which practices the rule of law and which places a high premium, in its normative scheme, on the principle of individual or personal liberty. The justification for this exercise lies primarily in the fact that in contemporary American society drug-testing is not only a reality, but raises issues both of immense legal complexity and practical significance. This article approaches the subject from five perspectives. The first is that of constructing a factual substratum for the conceptual legal issues to be addressed. The second is that of identifying and isolating the critical issues for determination raised by the facts. The third is an analytical examination of those issues by reference to certain conceptual or juristic criteria. The fourth is to predict, by way of rationalization of existing legal principles, the probable judicial approach of the courts in resolving the issue of the legality of drug-testing if confronted with the task of pronouncing upon it. The fifth is to inquire whether judges can validly and legitimately apply juristic principles postulated by legal scientists to complex moral and social issues of the day