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A Study of Maternal Serum Lipids in Pregnancies Complicated by Pre-Eclampsia in a Cohort of Nigerian Women
Yakubu Emmanuel Nyam,
Ajen Stephen Anzaku,
Madziga Isa Gamece,
Daru Patrick Haruna
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
150-154
Received:
6 November 2014
Accepted:
17 November 2014
Published:
24 November 2014
Abstract: Background: Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, that has adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Abnormal serum lipid levels have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia, this can give rise to increased oxidative stress and then subsequently, endothelial dysfunction. Methods: This study was a comparative cross-sectional study that involved fifty pregnant women that had pre-eclampsia and another fifty healthy pregnant women. Cases and controls were matched for Age in years, Parity, Gestational age in weeks and Body mass index in Kg/M2. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained and analyzed for serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) using enzymatic colorimetric method aided by Cobass C111 Autoanalyser machine. The Data was analyzed using Epi-info version 3.5.4, CDC, Atlanta, USA and P <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean age of the case and control groups were 28.86 + 4.50 Years and 29.9 + 4.95 Years respectively (P = 0.59). Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in terms of total Cholesterol (P = 0.98) and low density lipoprotein (P = 0.92). However, mean triglycerides (1.95 + 0.89 mmol/L versus 1.02 + 0.51 mmoI/L) was significantly higher in women with pre-eclampsia compared to the control (P= 0.0004) and a significant reduction in high density lipoprotein (0.79± 0.30 mmol/L versus 1.74 + 0.45 mmol/L) in the case group (P = 0.0005). Conclusion: In this study, Pre-eclampsia is associated with elevated serum triglycerides and reduced high density lipoprotein. These findings may serve as screening markers for preeclampsia.
Abstract: Background: Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, that has adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Abnormal serum lipid levels have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia, this can give rise to increased oxidative stress and then subsequently, endothelial dysfunction. Methods: This study was a comparative cross-sect...
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Geochemical Dispersion of Gold in Stream Sediments in the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Series, Southern Cameroon
Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba,
Nforba Melvin Tamnta,
Cheo Emmanuel Suh
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
155-165
Received:
29 October 2014
Accepted:
5 November 2014
Published:
27 November 2014
Abstract: Twenty-five stream sediment samples were collected in the Ngovayang area of southern Cameroon over a 1100 km2 area for heavy mineral fraction geochemical survey. The heavy mineral fraction of the stream sediments was analyzed for 45 trace elements. The majority of samples showed high Au concentrations though the anomalies were erratic. The geochemical data were processed using statistical and spatial analytical methods. R-mode Factor analysis produced a four-factor model which accounted for 77.02 % of the total variance in the data with the following metal associations: U-Th-Pb-W, Nb-Ta-Co-V, Au-Hf and Cu. The Au-Hf association indicated gold mineralization while the others reflect lithologic control. Uranium, Pb, Co, Ni and Ag show an almost uniform distribution within the Nyong Series indicating essentially the lithology. Anomalous gold concentrations clustered mostly in the northeastern part of the study area defining a potential primary gold target.
Abstract: Twenty-five stream sediment samples were collected in the Ngovayang area of southern Cameroon over a 1100 km2 area for heavy mineral fraction geochemical survey. The heavy mineral fraction of the stream sediments was analyzed for 45 trace elements. The majority of samples showed high Au concentrations though the anomalies were erratic. The geochemi...
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Effect of Accessibility and Utilization of Electronic Information Resources on Productivity of Academic Staff in Selected Nigerian Universities
Okon E. Ani,
Patrick Ngulube,
Bosire Onyancha
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
166-171
Received:
13 November 2014
Accepted:
28 November 2014
Published:
2 December 2014
Abstract: The aim of the paper was to investigate the effect of accessibility and utilization of electronic resources on productivity of academic staff in Nigerian universities. A survey method was used in the study, with a questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. Responses from 324 academic staff out of 586 that were surveyed were used for data analysis. Correlation analysis showed that, there was a positive correlation between accessibility and utilization of electronic resources on productivity of respondents in the survey (r=0.135; p=0.015). This implies that increase in access and use of e-resources will lead to increase in productivity among respondents at the surveyed universities. Similar result was obtained when the hypothesis was tested at international level with r=0.158 and p=0.004. In other words, respondents that access and use e-resources in research frequently publish more articles in international journals than those who do not. It was recommended that, in view of the observed positive impact of e-resources on productivity in the survey; university managements, university librarians, National Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders in Nigerian universities should intensify the process of effective information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion and provision of relevant e-resources in Nigerian universities towards qualitative research. This will also make academic staff in Nigerian universities to be globally competitive for journal space in international journals, and thus bridge the productivity gap between Nigeria and developed countries.
Abstract: The aim of the paper was to investigate the effect of accessibility and utilization of electronic resources on productivity of academic staff in Nigerian universities. A survey method was used in the study, with a questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. Responses from 324 academic staff out of 586 that were surveyed were used for data ...
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Coag-Flocculation Kinetics of Phosphorus Containing Effluent Using Corchorus Olitorious Seed
Akinpelu Kamoru Babayemi,
Okechukwu Dominic Onukwuli,
Akindele Oyetunde Okewale
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
172-178
Received:
18 November 2014
Accepted:
27 November 2014
Published:
8 December 2014
Abstract: Corchorus olitorius, (CR) an environmentally friendly biomass was used as a coagulant in this work for the treatment of phosphorus containing effluent using Nephelometric method. The research evaluates the coag-flocculation efficiency of CR coagulant as well as kinetic parameter response of CR to varying pH and dosage of the waste water effluent. Coag-flocculation reaction order α, coag-flocculation rate constant K, and coagulation period were determined. The maximum coag-flocculation performance is recorded at rate constant, K of 5x10-5 l/mg.mm, dosage of 500mg/l, pH of 6 and coagulation period of 5.4 mins. While the coag-flocculation efficiency obtained E > 70% at the condition of the experiment.
Abstract: Corchorus olitorius, (CR) an environmentally friendly biomass was used as a coagulant in this work for the treatment of phosphorus containing effluent using Nephelometric method. The research evaluates the coag-flocculation efficiency of CR coagulant as well as kinetic parameter response of CR to varying pH and dosage of the waste water effluent. C...
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Rice (Oryza Sativa) and Chickpea (Cicer aritinum L) Relay Intercropping Systems in an Additive Series Experiment in Rain Fed Lowland Ecosystem of Fogera Vertisols
Yayeh Bitew,
Fekremariam Asargew
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
179-184
Received:
24 November 2014
Accepted:
7 December 2014
Published:
17 December 2014
Abstract: Study on rice as a main crop and chickpea as a companion crop relay intercropping in an additive series experiment in rain fed lowland ecosystem of Fogera vertisols was conducted for two consecutive years to test the rice-chick pea relay intercropping planting method and to determine the optimum proportion for component crops in rice- chick pea relay intercropping on transplanted rice. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications. Five seed rates of chick pea relayed intercropped in between rows of transplanted rice and one sole rice were tested i.e. full recommended seed rate of chick pea relay intercropped in between rows of transplanted rice, two-third of the recommended seed rate of chick pea relay intercropped in between rows of transplanted rice, two-third of the recommended seed rate of chick pea relay intercropped in between alternate rows of transplanted rice, half of the recommended seed rate of chick pea relay intercropped in between rows of transplanted rice, half of the recommended seed rate of chick pea relay intercropped in between alternate rows of transplanted rice and the sole transplanted rice used as comparison. Rice yield and yield component data were statistically subjected to analysis of variance using SAS-JMP-5 software. All growth, yield and yield component of rice did not significantly affected by additive relay intercropping and seed proportion in rice-chickpea relay intercropping systems. However, the study conducted for two consecutive years at all test sits confirmed that chick pea after twenty to thirty days from the planting time was completely dried and unable to gave seed yield from rice-chickpea relay intercropping experiment. Hence, under current crop management practice of rice at Fogera vertisol areas, chickpea cannot replace the grass pea in rice-grass pea relay intercropping system (farmers practice); and relay intercropping of chickpea with rice is not economically important for farmers to increase the yield potential and land use efficiency. It needs intensive Agronomy research on rice-chickpea intercropping systems and breeding on both component crops.
Abstract: Study on rice as a main crop and chickpea as a companion crop relay intercropping in an additive series experiment in rain fed lowland ecosystem of Fogera vertisols was conducted for two consecutive years to test the rice-chick pea relay intercropping planting method and to determine the optimum proportion for component crops in rice- chick pea rel...
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Research on the Dynamometer Temperature Characteristics of Magneto-Rheological Fluid Dynamometer
Fang Yi,
Luo Yiping,
Ren Hongjuan
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 6, December 2014
Pages:
185-189
Received:
9 December 2014
Accepted:
23 December 2014
Published:
4 January 2015
Abstract: The dynamometer measuring device through the magnetic rheological fluid self-designed, analyzes the basic characteristics of magneto rheological fluid, and then through the experimental study on the temperature characteristics of magneto rheological fluid. Dynamometer with magneto rheological fluid (MRF) was tested, in different conditions, when the system reached the steady state, temperature changes in the key points of the rotary. And through the analysis, the temperature distribution of the device was obtained, which provides the theoretical basis for the effect of temperature on transmission performance. Then, the obtained results, which can provided a good reference for the design of MRF gearing to optimum design and intelligent cooling system.
Abstract: The dynamometer measuring device through the magnetic rheological fluid self-designed, analyzes the basic characteristics of magneto rheological fluid, and then through the experimental study on the temperature characteristics of magneto rheological fluid. Dynamometer with magneto rheological fluid (MRF) was tested, in different conditions, when th...
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