Organisational culture of construction companies in Lagos State, Nigeria

The study investigated the cultural features of construction companies in Lagos state and determined the organisational culture profile of the construction companies in the study area, with a view to providing information that could enhance the organisational performance of Nigeria construction firms. Primary data were sourced through the administration of 196 structured questionnaires to 98 construction companies (i.e., two questionnaires per company) represented by their construction professionals and administrative staff. The information elicited from the returned 140 questionnaires (71% return rate) included features of organisational culture and dominant characteristic element of organisational culture profile of the construction companies. Data collected for this study were analysed using percentages, factor analysis and mean score (MS). The result showed a dominant organisational cultural feature of strategic direction explaining 17.73% variance in respondent’s perception. However, communication (9.66%), adaptability (8.43%) and employee involvement (6.88%) were also relevant. The organisational culture profile showed a predominant market culture (MC) with focus on production and goal accomplishment (MS = 3.62), a hierarchy culture (HC) of a coordinator, organiser and efficiency expert (MS = 3.60) and an ad hoc culture with strategic emphasis on dynamics and readiness (MS = 3.56). The family type of culture is undermined within the companies (MS = 3.47). The study concluded that strategic direction being a MC feature corroborates a predominant MC revealed by assessing organisational culture of construction companies in Lagos state, Nigeria

Haematological profile of cytomegalovirus antibody positive blood donors in Jos, Nigeria.

Various kinds of Haematological abnormalities and alterations have been known to occur in a number of viral infections. These alterations define the pathology of the infection, serve as tools for diagnosis, and assist in treatment and prognostication. But much more importantly, such alterations may constitute a hazard andmake an individual unfit for blood donation. Given the high frequency of haematological alterations and complications associated with many viral infections and coupled with the observation that cytomegalovirus antibody positive persons are accepted for routine blood donation in many countries, this paper aims to evaluate the haematological profile of cytomegalovirus antibody positive prospective donors in Jos. This is with a view to recognizing and characterizing any associated abnormal haematological changes. It is also hoped that such data will assist in ascertaining the safety and fitness of seropositive persons for blood donation. Atotal of 200 prospective blood donorswere recruited into the study. Screening forCMVantibodies was done using ELISA kit, manufactured by DIALAB, Austria. ( ). Complete blood count (PCV: Packed cell volume,WBC:White cell count-total and differential counts, and platelet counts) was done on all donors using automated coultermachine. Although the mean PCV value was higher in the CMV positive (38.04) than in the CMV negative donors (37.25), there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups (p>0.05).Among the CMV negative donors the mean Total WBC, Granulocyte, lymphocyte, middle cells (basophils, eosinophils and monocytes), and platelet counts were higher than those of CMV positive donors, but there was also no statistical difference between the two groups (p>0.05). There were no abnormal alterations in the full blood count profile of cytomegalovirus antibody positive prospective blood donors in Jos. Seropositive individuals can safely donate blood, provided there are no other contraindications.Keywords: Cytomegalovirus, antibody, blood donor

Chronic myeloid leukaemia presenting with priapism as the only symptom: A case report and review of literature

Objective: There have been few reports of priapism as complications of various haematological malignancies. Delays in establishing the cause and late institution of appropriate intervention in patients suffering from priapism could result in long-term complications, especially erectile dysfunction. We present here a case of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in a 30 year old male who presented with priapism as the only symptom. Apart from presenting this as a rare case report, it also emphasizes the need for early full blood count in patients presenting with priapism.Methods: The case note of the patient, as well as all available literature on the subject were reviewed.Results: The 30 year old man who presented with a 9 (nine) day history of persistent painful non-sexually related penile erection was found to have chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) following peripheral and bone marrow aspiration studies. He however had a delay in referral and diagnosis of his primary condition and eventually had erectile dysfunction. The priapism responded well to surgical intervention and use of cyto-reductive therapy. The erectile dysfunction could have been averted if complete blood count and, or peripheral blood film were carried out at the time of first presentationConclusion: Priapism due to hyperviscosity can be the first presentation in patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, and CML should therefore always be considered in a patient with priapism. High Index of Suspicion, as well as early full blood count and peripheral blood/Bone marrow examination among patients presenting with priapism will facilitate prompt and correct diagnosis, and reduce, if not prevent erectile dysfunction and other severe complications that may arise from priapism.Keywords: Priapism, Chronic myeloid leukaemia, erectile dysfunctio

Posterior urethral valve: a retrospective review of cases and challenges of management in a low-resource centre

Objective: Posterior urethral valves (PUV) diagnosis and management remain a major challenge in developing countries. We sought to review cases of PUV managed in our health centre and to highlight the challenges in its management.Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with PUV managed over a 12month period. Data obtained from patients' medical records include: demography, clinical presentation, serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine, radiological diagnosis, initial management, surgical management and the outcome of management.Results: Eight patients were managed during the period under review. The median age was 26 months. The commonest clinical feature was recurrent fever. Three patients (37.5%) had renal insufficiency requiring peritoneal dialysis at initial presentation. Six patients (75%) had Mohan's valvotomy while two (25%) died before valve ablation. One patient (12.5%) died a month after valve ablation from renal failure, while one (12.5%) had residual valve requiring a repeat valve ablation. Post-operative complication of urosepsis occurred in two patients (25%).Conclusions: Physicians should have a high index of suspicion for PUV in boys who present with recurrent fever or urinary tract infections. Screening for foetal anomalies during routine ante-natal maternal ultrasonography will improve prenatal diagnosis of this condition.Keywords: Low-resource centre, Management, Nigeria, Posterior urethral valv

Development of a Hybridized Model for Predicting the Life Span of Power Transformers

Power transformers are important equipment of the electrical switchyard whose failure leads to long hours of outage. In this research, a two-stage hybridized model for determining the lifespan of power transformers is presented by using the furan content to determine the Degree of  Polymerisation (DP) of transformer. For a ‘virgin’ transformer, the furan content was about 0.01ppm while a transformer with about 10ppm was within its end of useful life. 2-Furaldehyde (2FAL) content values of  0.01ppm and 10ppm correspond to DP values of approximately 1200 and 250, respectively. These parameters were used in developing a DP model using Jacobi and Gauss Seidel numerical analysis iterative techniques. The techniques were implemented in Matrix Laboratory 8.2 (R2013b)  environment. The second stage involved the hybridisation of the developed DP model with another rate constant model adopted from Arrhenius. This stage was also implemented in Matrix Laboratory 8.2 (R2013b)  environment. The life span of the transformer was determined by adding the service age at any point in time to the remaining lifetime at that point. A GUI of the hybridised model was developed using SIMULINK blocks. The developed model yielded a DP range of 247 ≤ DP ≤ 1184. Factors such as the hotspot temperature, activation energy and pre-exponential factor were useful for the determination of lifespan.Keywords: Degree of Polymerization, Furan Content, Life Expectancy, Power Transforme

Prediction of electricity consumption demand pattern for 2018 in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study uses probabilistic load forecast technique to predict the load demand pattern in Ogun State for year 2018. Energy consumption data for Ogun State for year 2016 and 2017 was obtained from the regional headquarter of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Abeokuta. The results of the study show that the energy consumption in Ogun State has the probability tendency of rising above 98,469.40 MWHR by 2.68%. Similarly, it was also established that the probability of energy consumed in the state rising below 46,494.68 MWHR within the next few months will be 5.98%. The probability that energy consumption in year 2018 will fall between 98,469.40 MWHR and 46,494.68 MWHR is 91.84%. Energy consumption in year 2018 will mostly fall between 63,500 MWHR – 86,000 MWHR. The result also indicated that energy consumption in 2018, has the highest probability of falling between 72,500 MWHR and 77,000 MWHR by 15.34%. It is unlikely it falls between 45,000 MWHR to 50,000 MWHR and 95,000 MWHR to 99,500 MWHR, with both range having their percentage probabilities at 0.19% and 2.99% respectively. Result of this study is useful to IBEDC for their operational planning and control activities.Keywords: energy consumption forecast, probabilistic load forecast (PLF), deterministic forecas

The effect of pyridoxine supplementation on quality of life of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Objective: Pyridoxine, is essential in the metabolism of many classes of food, we aimed at determining the effect of its supplementation on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).Methods: This study compared the (QoL) and haematological parameters of CLL patients before and after the administration of pyridoxine. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 19.Results: There was improvement in the QoL of the patients after pyridoxine supplementation; Majority of the parameters that make up the physical functional scales was significantly higher after pyridoxine supplementation. There were also significant improvements in insomnia, appetite loss and constipation after pyridoxine supplementation.Conclusion: Pyridoxine supplementation in patients with CLL marginally improved quality of life.Keywords: Pyridoxine, Supplementation, Quality of life, Leukaemia, CL

A stone age conduct of unsafe abortion in adolescent: Complicated by gangrenous uterus and bowel

Unsafe abortion in adolescents is of great public health challenge and it occupies a large armamentarium in contemporary adolescent reproductive health issues. This case report was that of induced unsafe abortion, done without analgesia and inside a sitting room, in a 15‑year‑old, secondary school girl, nullipara; complicated by gangrenous uterus and bowel for which she had subtotal hysterectomy, bowel resection, and anastomosis. Primary preventive strategies should be the cornerstone of prevention with more emphasis on advocacy for adolescent sexuality and  reproductive health education, information, and family planning/emergency contraception.Keywords: Adolescent; complication; unsafe abortio

Effect of Using Combination of O’level Result With JAMB Score on Student Performance in The First Two Years of Medical School in Benue State University, Makurdi

This study was carried out to assess the performance of students in the first two years of Medical School in Benue State University, a newly established College of Health Sciences. The assessment was based on some of their scores on admission into the University. These were the University Matriculation Examination (UME) scores, O&apos;level (SSCE) score and combination by equal weighting of O&apos;level scores with UME (CJSC) scores. The period of study involved the 100 and 200 level years respectively. Result showed that there was no correlation between UME score only and 100 level average score (r = -0.054, P > 0.05); but it correlates with 200 level results (r = 0.318, P < 0.01). There was correlation between SSCE and 100 level result (r = 0.406, P < 0.001) but not with 200 level average (r = 0.176, P > 0.05). CJSC correlates with 100 level weighted average (r = 0.368, P < 0.001) and 200 level result (r = 0.240, P < 0.05). Based on UME score only, 21.10% of students with UME score ≥ 240 as compared with 15.40% of those with UME score < 240 failed and were withdrawn at 100 level (z = 0.695, P > 0.05) . The performance of students with high derived SSCE ≥ 60 was significantly better than those with lower SSCE < 60 (P < 0.01). Result also showed that SSCE is the best predictor of student performance at 100 level. It is suggested that the quality of Secondary School Certificate result should be given good consideration in admitting students into Medical Schools