51 research outputs found
Influences of variation in geometry of tape insert on thermal performance and flow characteristics in tubes
No full textThis paper presents the results of the numerical
investigation carried out on different tube designs to assess the
impacts of variations in the geometry of the twisted tape on heat
transfer, friction factor and thermal performance of water inside
the tubes. Alternate-axis triangular cut twisted tape was
considered and its pitch and width, as well as the perimeter of
the cuts on it were varied. The walls of the tubes were subjected
to a uniform heat flux condition. The results of the investigation
revealed that the thermal performance of the tube designs
improved with an increase in the width of the tape and an
increase in the size of the cuts on the tape but diminished as the
pitch of the tape increases
Digitizing Africal local content : The way forward
No full textThis paper sought to expound on how the African local content can be preserved and
transmitted to the larger world via a successful digitization process by providing answers
to four major questions as follows: What is local content? Why do we need to digitize our
local content? How do we digitize local content? And how do the digitized local content
help in preserving and transmitting African literary and cultural heritage to the world at
large? Furthermore, recent initiatives at digitizing and transmitting local content were
highlighted while constraints to digitizing and transmitting African local content were
also identified. However, the paper concluded and made recommendations on how
Nigeria can join the rest of Africa in improving and promoting our local content in the
Global Information Infrastructure (GII), which is seen presently to be minimal
Role of the chancre in induction of immunity to tsetse-transmitted Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense in goats
No full textLocal skin reactions (chancres) developed in goats at the sites of deposition, by tsetse flies, of metacyclics of Trypanosoma congolense. The chancres developed much faster and were more pronounced when ten infected tsetse were allowed to feed on a spot as compared to only one fly per spot. The initial host cellular reaction in the chancre was predominantly polymorphonuclear, followed at the peak of development of the chancre by a predominantly lymphoblastic and plasmacytic reaction. Trypanosomes were found in various stages of division as well as degeneration in chancre biopsies taken at various days post-infection (p.i.). Most of the trypanosomes recovered from the chancre tissue fluid were found to bear the same variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) epitopes as the corresponding metacyclics for as long as 13 days p.i., as revealed by indirect immunofluorescence using mouse anti-metacyclic VSG hyperimmune sera and monoclonal antibodies. Immunization of goats with metacyclic trypanosomes, by exposure to infected tsetse bites followed by treatment of the infected goats on day 13 p.i., gave rise to the development of protection to homologous tsetse-transmitted challenge, whilst immunization by intravenous inoculation of the metacyclics did not induce such protection. Chancre formation would thus appear to be vital for the induction of comprehensive immune recognition of the metacyclic variable antigen repertoire deposited in the skin by infected tsetse, and hence development of protective immunity.LR: 20031114; PUBM: Print; JID: 8002006; 0 (Antibodies, Monoclonal); 0 (Antibodies, Protozoan); 0 (Antigens, Protozoan); ppublishSource type: Electronic(1
In-silico identification of differentially expressed genes in Type 1 diabetes mellitus
No full textThe incidence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus T1DM varies markedly in different geographical populations but seems to be increasing globally. The focus of this research is to screen for T1D-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A meta-analysis was conducted using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The datasets included samples from T1DM and normal patients. The Robust Multichip Averaging (RMA) procedure was used for background correction, normalization and summarization to obtain expression level data and to discover differentially expressed genes. Box plots, Density plots, RNA degradation plots and recommended procedures from Affymetrix for quality control were implemented. The DEGs were screened and the exclusively expressed genes were uncovered through the Venn diagrams and heat maps functions in R language. 3,824 genes were classified, as DEGs of which 2,030 were upregulated and 1,794 were downregulated. Seven key genes (TLN1, ANPEP, F13A1, SPARC, SPTBN1, IGHA2 and IGHA1) were exclusively expressed in the whole progression. 58 DEGs were revealed through the Venn diagrams while the Heatmaps showed the differential expression data for 35 genes. IGHA1, IGHA2, IGKV4-1 were significantly expressed and upregulated. Although some of these genes have been previously associated with T1D, many other genes were identified for further studies
141 146 Nairobi, Kenya: Organization of African Unity/Scientific, Technical and Research Commission
No full textThe author describes the effects on the prevalence of cattle trypanosomiasis of increasing cattle production in the sub-humid regions of southern Nigeria, and compares the results with infection levels in 1984 in northern Nigeria where Glossina and trypanosomiasis were being actively controlled. Information is given on the differing infection rates in Zebu, N'Dama and Keteku cattle and on the different Glossina species which transmit Trypanosoma in different parts of Nigeria.
Incidence of Catastrophic Health Expenditures Amongst Hospitalized Neonates in Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria.
No full textBACKGROUND: Neonatal illnesses require huge spending due to prolonged hospital stay. The management of these illnesses is usually financed by individual families which in most instances are living below the poverty line. This healthcare financing method can readily push families into catastrophic spending on health. AIM: To ascertain the average cost of managing common neonatal illnesses and the financial burden, it constitutes to families in Ekiti State, southwest Nigeria. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on the out-of-pocket spending involved in managing neonates admitted into and discharged from the SCBU of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, southwest Nigeria. Data collected included the monthly family income, the money spent on drugs, laboratory investigations and the hospital bill using a purposely designed structured questionnaire. Healthcare spending greater than 10% of the overall family income was described as catastrophic health spending (CHS). RESULTS: The medical bills for most (95%) of the 119 study participants were paid through the out-of-pocket means and 81.5% of the families spent more than 10% of their monthly earnings (CHS) to settle medical bills. Close to 50% of the families belonged to the lower social economic class. The median (IQR) duration of hospital stay was 2.75 days (3.0-8.0). The median (IQR) total expenditure was N24,500.00 (N13,615.00-N41,487.50). The median (IQR) expenditure for the treatment of prematurity was highest at N55,075.00 (USD 133.10) [N27,350.00 (USD 66.10)-N105,737.50 (USD 255.53)] and more than 60.5% of the expenses was on hospital utilities and consumables. The length of hospital stay showed a robust positive correlation with the total hospital bill (r = 0.576, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Neonatal illnesses put many households at risk of catastrophic health spending. There is need for increased government investment in health and extension of the health insurance scheme to all the citizens of the country
Cotton-textile-apparel sectors of India:
No full text"Cotton, textiles, and apparel are critical agricultural and industrial sectors in India. This study provides descriptions of these sectors and examines the key developments emerging domestically and internationally that affect the challenges and opportunities the sectors face. More than four million farm households produce cotton in India, and about one-quarter of output is produced by marginal and small farms. Although production has expanded—most recently with the introduction of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton—domestic prices dropped sharply in the late 1990s, in parallel to world cotton prices. Using partial equilibrium simulations, we estimate that a price movement of the magnitude that occurred has a significant effect on levels of poverty among cotton-producing households. The fiber-to-fabric production chain, from cotton processing through apparel, employs more than 12 million workers in India and provides 16 percent of export earnings. Except for the spinning industry, these sectors are dominated by small, fragmented, and nonintegrated units, which adversely affect their competitiveness. Recent policy reforms have induced some technological improvements. In terms of future prospects for the Indian processing, textile, and apparel industries, our analysis emphasizes three dimensions of reform—the need for further investments in human resource development to improve industry productivity and reduce poverty among workers in these sectors, the emergence of modern domestic retail marketing chains, and the potentially vibrant prospects for the industry that arise from a growing domestic fabric demand and new opportunities in world markets if appropriate policies and investments are undertaken." from authors' abstractCotton, textiles, Apparel, Rural poverty, subsidies, Industry policy, World markets,
An Evaluation of Bank Workers Welfare in Post Consolidation Era in Nigeria
No full textThe bank consolidation exercise that came in form of merger and acquisition or complete buy-over in some cases in Nigeria put the banks in vantage position in terms of increased capital base, competitive strength and arguably improved performance. Furthermore, many scholars had written so much about how the exercise led to employee downsizing through retrenchment, rationalization and cost reduction with other attendant consequences on job security, employee motivation and on the long run decreased productivity. However, there is dearth of research in terms of bank workers welfare after the consolidation exercise. Hence this study examined employee’s welfare after the banking reforms in Nigeria. A sample size of four hundred and seven (407) employees from ten (10) selected banks in Ilorin metropolis was purposively chosen in order to achieve the objectives of the study. Primary data were obtained with the aid of questionnaire administered to bank workers. Secondary data were obtained from the official book of the various banks. Data were analyzed with appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results revealed that employee welfare were compromised in spite of the increase in capital base that accrued to the banks from the consolidation exercise. Consequently, the study recommended that regulatory agencies and managements of banks should incorporate factors of job security and motivational incentives in subsequent reforms. Keywords: Bank Consolidation, Reforms, Workers Welfare, Nigeria. Corresponding author: OLANIYI Taiwo Azeez
Strategic marketing management of oil and gas industry: A review of literature
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to review the literature on strategic marketing management. This study adopted an expost facto research methodology to examine the strategic marketing management literature in an attempt to attain their desired level of performance. The overall findings suggest that strategic marketing is a driver of organizational positioning in a dynamic environment, and that it helps to enhance the development of new products/services for existing markets. These findings, along with other interesting findings of the study, are discussed. From the empirical and anecdotal managerial evidence as well as from the literature, implications are drawn for the efficient and effective strategic marketing practices in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Based on the findings of the study, the concepts and principles of total quality management within a holistic framework it is recommended that (i) efforts should be made by organizational marketers towards understanding the relevant economic factors that affect both clients’ behaviour and the strategic options that may be adopted to cope with such behaviours; (ii) in a constantly changing business environment, firms can adopt different strategic marketing practices since the yardstick is the enhancement of business performance.Strategic Marketing, Strategies, Dynamic environment, Deployment, Resources, Management
Biochar and neem seed cake co-amendment effects on soil nitrogen cycling and NH3 volatilization in contrasting soils
No full textAbstract In a 28-day incubation study, ball milling technologies were applied to enhance the sorptive and functional properties of pristine biochar. The effect of ball-milled (BM) biochar, neem seed cake, and their co-amendment was evaluated on nitrification, ammonia (NH3) volatilization, and the abundance of nitrifying microbial communities in three contrasting tropical soils of different pH (acidic, neutral, and alkaline). The amendments were applied at 2% dry w/w to soils fertilized with ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). Results showed that in neutral and alkaline soils, the co-amendment led to a 40% and 64% increase in NH3 volatilization, respectively, compared to control due to significant ammonium (NH4 +) retention and temporary nitrification inhibition. Conversely, in acidic soil, BM biochar and neem seed cake amplified nitrification by 23% and 62%, respectively, compared to sole amendments, while neem seed cake increased NH3 volatilization by 56% compared to BM biochar + neem seed cake due to NH4 + retention, altered soil pH, and changes in nitrifying microbial community. The abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and complete ammonia oxidizers (Comammox) was altered by changes in soil pH and N availability modulated by BM biochar and neem seed cake. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between soil organic matter (SOM), NH4 +, and NO3 − on the abundance of nitrifying microorganisms. The study affirms the efficacy of BM biochar-neem seed cake co-amendment on nitrification inhibition but indicates potential N losses by NH3 volatilization depending on soil type, highlighting the need for soil type-specific management strategies to optimize N retention while minimizing environmental impacts
- …
