Socio-economic analysis of artisanal fish production in Lower Ogun River basin areas of Lagos State, Nigeria

The study was conducted in lower Ogun river basin areas of Lagos State to evaluate the socioeconomic status of artisanal fisher folks using primary data collected with the aid of a well structured questionnaire from 120 fisher folks randomly selected in four fishing communities. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and budgetary analysis. The results revealed that fishing in the study area was dominated by the males with a mean age of 39 years. The results further revealed that an average total cost of ₦115,406.26 was incurred per annum by fisher folks while total revenue of ₦185, 990.51 was realized with a gross margin of ₦96,227.84 and a profit of ₦70,584.25. The rate of return on investment of 0.61 implies that for every one naira invested in fish production by the fisher folks, a return of ₦1.61 and a profit of ₦0.61 was made. The study concluded that fish production was profitable in the study area

Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Dieffenbachia seguine aqueous leaf extract for dye degradation

Dye pollution became a serious environmental and health challenge in many industrialized cities of the world. Natural dye degradation process takes a long time and thus, dye wastewater requires treatment before release into the environment. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were readily synthesized for photocatalytic dye degradation using phytochemicals from the leaves of Dieffenbachia seguine Linn. The phytochemicals present in the aqueous leaf extract of dumb cane or Dieffenbachia seguine (L) were used as reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The ZnONPs shows effective capping and stabilization by the phytochemicals as observed by the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The particle size of the synthesized ZnONPs was studied using transmission electron microscopy. In this study, we used phytosynthesized ZnONPs for the degradation of Methylene Blue under UV Light. The ZnONPs photocatalyst showed excellent activity with over 95% of the dye degraded within 30 minutes. This highlights the strong potential of the ZnONPs as a photocatalyst for the treatment of dye wastewater

Live birth after laparotomy for ruptured heterotopic cornual and intrauterine twin gestation in a Spontaneous cycle: A case report and literature review

Background: Heterotopic pregnancy is the coexistence of an intrauterine and extrauterine gestation.It is a rare occurrence especially in a natural conception. Its incidence is however increasing with the advent of  assisted reproductive techniques.Case Presentation: A rare case of triplet heterotopic cornual gestation involving twin intrauterine and a cornual gestation in a spontaneous conception.She presented with an acute abdomen and she had laparotomy with cornual resection.The intrauterine pregnancy remained uneventful till term.Conclusion: Heterotopic pregnancy is a life threatening  condition.Management with laparotomy can result in the survival of the intrauterine gestation till term without adverse outcome.Keywords: Heterotopic gestation,cornual ectopic gestation,term  gestation

Population dynamics of Mormyrus rume (Valenciennes, 1847; Osteoglossiformes; Mormyridae) Of Ikere-Gorge, Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria

The structure of a fish population is determined by the equilibrium between growth, recruitment and total mortality. But, there is paucity of information on the growth and mortality of Mormyrus rume in Nigeria. Therefore this study is needful to determine its population parameters, with a view of evolving management strategies for its sustainable exploitation. Estimates of population parameters of Mormyrus rume were obtained from length-frequency data of 836 individuals collected monthly for a period of 24 months from January 2017 to December 2018. The estimated growth parameters were: asymptotic length (L∞) was 100.8cm; growth coefficient (K) was 0.62/year; growth performance (Ɵ) was 3.8; length at maturity (Lm) was 52.57cm; reproductive load (Lm/L∞) was 0.52 and optimum length (Lopt) was 65.10cm. Likewise, natural, fishing and total mortalities were 0.93, 1.46 and 2.39 respectively. The values of exploitation rate (0.61) and ratio of total mortality and growth coefficient (3.85) showed that Mormyrus rume is most exploited in Ikere-gorge. Therefore, appropriate fishing regulations should be enforced to regulate fishing gears and mesh size that will fish Mormyrus rume at sustainable level. Keywords: Recruitment, mortality, growth, exploitation, lengt

Biochemical Changes in Plasma Lipids and Mineral Elements in Preeclampsia Patients in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study has determined the concentrations of Total Cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low  Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Triacylglyceride (TG),  Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL),  Mineral Elements and some Electrolytes. Subjects used for this study were made up of 180 women with preeclampsia and 80 normotensive pregnant women, who attended antenatal and postnatal clinics of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti and Federal Medical center, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. In addition, 80 control volunteers were also involved in this study. The control participants comprise of 40 normotensive and 40 hypertensive non-pregnant women randomly selected. They were also non-users of contraceptives therapy. Anthropometric measurements including age, parity, blood pressure, height and weight were recorded for the subjects.  Plasma concentrations of each of the biomarkers were determined using test kits, based on established methods, in the subjects at 1st trimester , 2nd trimester and  3-6 days post-partum. The results in the hypertensive pregnant subjects were compared statistically (P<0.05), with the normotensive pregnant subjects. TC, LDLC, VLDLC and TG increase significantly in PIH subjects, but HDL showed significant decrease in the preeclampsia subjects ,as the pregnancy progresses to the 3rd trimester. At post –partum the lipid profile becomes normal again in preeclampsia. Subjects with preeclampsia showed more significant decrease in the levels of Ca, Mg, Na, and P elements.   This research work pointed out clearly that, Plasma lipids and some mineral elements are implicated in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. They may be likely etiological factors in the disease, and may also serve as indicators for early detection. Keywords: Preeclampsia, Total Cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low  Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Triacylglyceride (TG),  Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), Mineral elements

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Africa unlike other developing regions of the world has experienced declining flows of foreign direct investment (FDI).The flow of FDI is expected to result into gradual reduction in reliance on external borrowed capital and acceleration of economic development. The study examined the declining flow of FDI to the African regions as well as the impact that it has had on economic development of the region, using the proxies of Income per capita, Life expectancy and Education indices. The study made use of pooled data from thirty nine African countries within the period 1993 and 2012.The method of analysis utilized for the study was the fixed effect least-square dummy variable model, employed to estimate the impact of foreign direct investment on economic development for the selected host African countries. The study finds that foreign direct investment is statistically significant in relation to economic development for host African countries. It is therefore recommended that the governments of host countries should consider closely the sectors that FDI flows into, encourage investment domestically in such sectors such that dependence on external financial flows could be reduced, resulting in sustained increases in income, literacy level and hence improved life expectancy which are expected to result into sustained economic development

The Disappointing Performance of Foreign Direct Investment in Industrial Development in Sub-Saharan African Countries

The Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region compared to other developing regions has been the most vulnerable as regards foreign capital inflow. The flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to result into advanced managerial and technological capacities and acceleration of industrial development. The study examined how the flow of FDI to the SSA region has impacted the industrial development of the region, using the proxy of industry value added growth. The study made use of pooled data from thirty three SSA countries within the period 1993 and 2012. The method of analysis utilized for the study was the fixed effect least-square dummy variable model, employed to estimate the impact of FDI on industrial development for the selected host countries. The study finds that FDI is statistically significant in relation to industrial development for host SSA countries; but it is disappointing that the expected desired features of industrial development, like increased manufacturing outputs, reduction in high level of import and manufactured goods; etc., have not been realized. It is therefore recommended that the governments of host countries should put policies in place to encourage development of industries domestically, to enhance sustained industrial development, such that dependence on external financial assistance and borrowing could be reduced, resulting in sustained increases in non-oil export earnings, domestic income, savings, investment, technology, and hence improved living standard