The Suitability of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Purposes: A Case Study of Ikere-Ekiti, SW-Nigeria

Shallow groundwater in Ikere-Ekiti was assessed for potability and irrigation employing chemical and bacterial analyses. Twenty two groundwater samples were collected and analyzed using Atomic absorption spectrometer for cations and ion chromatographic method for anions determinations (˚C), pH and electrical conductivity (EC) (µS/cm) were measured in the field using pH Testr meter. The bacteriological analysis was carried out using nutrient agar medium to obtain plate count of living bacteria. Results of the analysis revealed that all EC values were less than 1000µS/cm indicating fresh water. The pH with average values of 9.48, 7.82 and 7.44 in migmatite, granite and charnockitic terrains respectively exceeded the approved standard (6.5 – 8.5) for drinking water in two samples from migmatite, one sample from granitic terrain and none from the charnockites. Sodium was the dominant cation with average concentrations (mg/L) of 95.65, 38.33 and 6.61 in migmatite, granite and charnockite respectively while K+ ions in the same order of rock units have average concentrations (mg/L) of 60.49, 32.33 and 15.77. The average concentrations (mg/L) of Ca2+ ions in groundwater located on migmatite, granite and charnockitic terrains were 36.67, 24.63 and 10.98 respectively while those for Mg2+ were 9.94, 7.48 and 4.57. The order of cation abundance was Na+> K+ > Ca2+> Mg2+. In respect of the major anions, Cl- was dominant with average concentrations (mg/L) in charnockites (187.20) within approved standard of 250mg/L while the average values (mg/L) in migmatite (475.2) and granite (340.62) exceeded the standard value. Following the same sequence of rock units, HCO3- average concentrations (mg/L) were 34.6mg/L, 27.07mg/L and 25.7. Sulphate and nitrate were less dominant ions and the order of anions abundance in the groundwater was Cl- > HCO3-> SO42-> NO3-. Bacteria evaluation revealed that all sampled groundwater tested positive to bacteria with TBC values (CFU/100ml) ranging from 1.76X108 to 1.78X109 in migmatite, 5.3x105 to 8.9x108 in granite and 2.55x107 to 8.2x108 in charnockite. Gibb's diagram revealed that chemical weathering of rock-forming minerals has contributed to solute source in the groundwater of the area. Water type on migmatite was mainly NaCl while granite and charnockite had NaCl and CaCl types revealing lithologic effects. Irrigation water quality assessment employing Sodium absorption ratio (SAR), Soluble sodium percent (SSP), Residual sodium bicarbonate (RSBC) and Permeability index (PI) revealed that the groundwater is suitable for irrigation purpose. Groundwater in the study area is low mineralized, chemically potable, suitable for irrigation but infected by bacteria pollutants. Differences in rock types affected the chemistry of the groundwater as reflected in their physico-chemical compositions, water facies and irrigation quality

Investigative study of seasonal changes in Quality Parameters of Oluwa River Water, Agbabu area of Nigeria

Physico-chemical parameters of River Oluwa water in Agbabu, Nigeria were investigated to determine its quality characteristics and establish seasonal effects on the water. Water from the river was collected at five different points in dry season (March, 2008 and 2009) and rainy season (July, 2008 and 2009). Insitu parameters (pH, EC and Turbidity) were measured using Horiba Water Checker Model U-10 while TDS was by Lovibond CM – 21 Tintometer. Subsequently in the Laboratory, Na+ and K+ were determined using flame photometric methods while Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3-, SO42-, Cl-, PO42- and NO3- were determined by wet analysis. River Oluwa water was alkaline with average pH of 7.41 and 7.53 in dry and rainy seasons respectively. Electrical conductivity (EC) was high during dry season (av. 630.44 µS/cm), but low in the rainy season (av. 317.58 µS/cm) due to long residence time in dry season allowing more water-rock interaction. Turbidity's average values of 0.14 NTU and 2.29 NTU in dry and rainy seasons respectively suggested moderate pollution with particulate matter. The order of average cations concentrations in the dry and rainy seasons was Ca2+ K+ Na+ Mg2+ while that of the anions was HCO3- Cl- SO42- NO3-. The ions concentrations though lower in rainy season, Ca2+-HCO3- water was dominant in both seasons. Quality evaluation for irrigation revealed that the water was suitable for all irrigation purposes. River Oluwa water was soft, low mineralized, chemically potable, suitable for irrigation but with lower ionic concentrations in rainy season

Integration of Information Communication Technology in Journalism Practice: A Survey of Journalists in Ekiti Metropolis, Nigeria

The aim of this study was predicated on the need to ascertain the extent to which Nigerian Journalists, especially those in the state capital of Ekiti state; have integrated the use of information communication technology (ICT) tools in their journalism practice which includes, but not limited to; news gathering, dissemination etc. The objectives among others is to decipher the extent of use and the adoption of new information communication technologies in journalism practise. A total of thirty four (34) TV and radio journalists were sampled with a view to ascertain their use and types ICT tools employed for the achievement of communication efficiency. Despite the perceived importance of the role of ICT in improving communication efficiency (as opined by 97% of the respondents), findings from this study revealed that the use of modern ICT tools were not fully employed for their day to day task execution. Also, only 24% of the respondents agreed to the availability and free access to internet facility in their day to day operations while 64.7% own or have personal access through their owned devices. The challenges enumerated by journalists includes lack of corporate internet access and information, technology hardware and software configurations that are crucial to journalism in new media practice. Hence, it is recommended media proprietors should provide as part of the work environment, modern facilities to enable journalists discharge their duties in line with international best practices

Fatigue Behaviour of Medium Carbon Steel of Different Grain Structures

This paper investigated the effect of heat treatment operations on the fatigue resistance of low carbon steel. Specimens after preparation for fatigue testing were subjected to annealing, normalizing and quenching heat treatment. Results show that the annealed specimen had the largest number of cycles to failure, indicating a high fatigue resistance. The microstructure of the specimens was examined in other to corroborate the obtained property with the microstructure. When compared with the untreated specimen, the annealed specimen (with optimum fatigue resistance) shows a large grains size of pearlite which was distributed across the entire surface of the microstructure. Generally, it was found that the size and distribution of specimens’ grains affect the resistance of the low carbon steel to fatigue failure. Keywords: fatigue, low carbon steel, heat treatment, microstructur

MODIFIED ABOODH HOMOTOPY PERTUBATION METHOD FOR SOLVING NONLINEAR GAS DYNAMIC EQUATION

In this paper, we present a reliable combination of Aboodh Transform and Modified Homotopy perturbation method to solve nonlinear gas dynamic equations. Some problems were solved to demonstrate the capability and reliability of the mixture of Aboodh Transform and Modified Homotopy perturbation method. We have compared the result obtained with the available Laplace Transform New Homotopy Perturbation Method solution and homotopy perturbation method of solution which is found to be exactly the same. The result revealed that the combination of the Aboodh Transform and Modified homotopy perturbation method is practically well appropriate for use in such problems

GENDER-RELATED ALTERATIONS IN FREE FATTY ACIDS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN HYPERTENSION CO-MORBIDLY OCCURRING WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Increase in plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) concentrations may cause cellular damage via the induction of oxidative stress. The aim of this present study was to investigate FFAs and oxidative stress in hypertension co-morbidly occurring with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Age and sex matched control subjects (n=150) and patients (n=470) [hypertensive nondiabetics (HND, n=179), normotensive diabetics (ND, n=132), hypertensive diabetics (HD, n=159)] presenting at the Medical Out-Patient Clinic of the State Hospital, Abeokuta, Nigeria were recruited. Fasting plasma glucose, creatinine, urea, FFAs, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined spectrophotometrically. The presence of either or both diseases resulted in significant increase (p<0.05) in the plasma FFAs and oxidative stress marker-TBARS in different compartments (plasma, erythrocytes andlipoproteins) for both male and female patients when compared with their control counterparts. The increase in FFAs was more marked in comorbidity female when compared with other female patients. There was significant (p<0.05) difference in gender FFAs concentrations. In both controls and patients, FFAs in plasma are significantly (p<0.05) higher in male when compared with their female counterparts. This research revealed biochemical variations in hypertension co-morbidly occurring with T2DMcharacterised by gender-related elevation in FFAs and enhanced oxidative stress. Plasma FFAs might be a good biomarker predicting the occurrence and development of hypertension and/or T2DM. &nbsp

The Protective Effect of Polyphenol - Rich Extract of Syzygium cumini Leaves on Cholinesterase and Brain Antioxidant Status in Alloxan - Induced Diabetic Rats

Syzygium cumini leaves are used locally especially in Nigeria for the treatment \ management of diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease. This study was designed to investigate the effects of polyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini l eaves on the occurrence of oxidative stress in the brain of rats with diabetes, which can trigger Alzheimer’s disease by determining both in vitro and in vivo c holinesterase, the antioxidant defense system, and the extent of oxidative damage. The effect of polyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini leaves was investigated on in vitro c holinesterase. Thereafter, the extract (400 mg/kg body weight) of both free and bound polyphenols was administered orally to alloxan - induced rats, and the effect were monitore d on in vivo c holinesterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxides. The extract demonstrated inhibitory effects against in vitro c holinesterase. A significant reduction in the c ho linesterase activities increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione. A reduction in lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxide concentrations was observed in the brain of diabetic rats treated with p olyphenols extracted from Syzygium cumini leaves. This study suggests that the polyphenols of Syzygium cumini leaves have anti - Alzheimer and antioxidant boosters, as well as antiperoxidative activities. Therefore, the plant is recommended for both diabetic and Alzheimer’s disease patients worldwid

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Update on the management of Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia: role of nilotinib

Josephine Emole,1 Taiwo Talabi,2 Javier Pinilla-Ibarz1 1Department of Malignant Hematology, 2Moffitt Program for Outreach Wellness Education and Resources, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA Abstract: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a pluripotent stem cell disease characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome and the bcr-abl gene. The discovery of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) revolutionized therapy for CML, such that durable response, increased overall survival, and increased progression-free survival of patients in chronic phase CML is now possible. Due to resistance and intolerance to imatinib, there was need for development of second- and third-generation TKIs for the treatment of CML. This review examines the role of nilotinib, an oral second-generation TKI, in the treatment of Philadelphia positive CML. The pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of nilotinib are critically evaluated. Patient-related issues, including tolerance, drug interactions, and quality of life issues are also examined. Keywords: chronic myelogenous leukemia, nilotinib, tyrosine kinase inhibito

The Growth and Opto-Electrical Characterization of SILAR- grown Iron Copper Sulphide (FeCuS) Ternary Thin Films

This paper reports the growth and characterization of Iron Copper Sulphide (FeCuS) ternary thin films prepared by Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) technique onto glass substrate at room temperature of 300 K with varied molar concentrations of Fe2+ (0.7 M and 1.0 M) at varied SILAR cycles of deposition (20, 30 and 40 cycles) from aqueous solution of ferrous nitrate, cuprous chloride and thiourea, ammonium solution, EDTA and TEA. The grown thin films were characterized using an AVALIGHT-DH-S-BAL Avantes UV-VIS spectrophotometer and KEITHLEY 4ZA4 2400 Source-meter Four-point probe machine. The results of this study revealed that the reflectance, transmittance and absorbance of the films exhibited appreciable change for Fe2+ concentration at the varied SILAR cycles. However, the energy band gaps for direct transitions (ranges from 3.61-3.84 eV) of the thin films decreased with increase in SILAR cycles for the Fe2+