EXERCISE AND SYMPTOMS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: WHAT HAS BEEN KNOWN SO FAR?

Auwal Abdullahi

Department of Physiotherapy

 Bayero University, Kano

e-mail: therapistauwal@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Exercise was thought to exacerbate the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis before now. However, an avalanche of researches reported otherwise, presently. Exercise has beneficial effects to persons with Multiple Sclerosis. These effects range from improved cognition, memory, gait and mobility, self efficacy, balance and many other improvements. The exercises known to be good for this category of patients include Strength exercise, cardiorespiratory fitness exercise and aquatic exercise. Persons with multiple sclerosis present clinically with witness, gait disturbance, cognitive decline, memory impairment, etc. These could render the persons affected incapable of observing their activities of daily living and hence would have reduced quality of life. The symptoms are due to demyelination taking place especially in the periventricular and perivenular regions of the CNS. Thankfully, exercise is now known to improve the symptoms of this condition. This is because, it is neuroregenerative, neuroprotective and it improves immune functions.

Keywords: Exercise, Multiple Sclerosis, Symptoms

EMPOWERING GEOSCIENTISTS WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS – BRING BACK THE ‘ECONOMICS’ IN ECONOMIC GEOLOGY COURSE

¹Igonor, Emmanuel E. and ²Oden, M. Ikpi

¹Petra Prospectors Limited ( Nigeria)

²Department of Geology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

eeigonor@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Unemployment is on a steady increase and the probability of getting a job is on a steady decline. This unemployment has caused serious economic and financial crisis, which is not restricted to the poor or developing nations of the world but has also affected the developed nations. Global trends report of 2011 shows that the global unemployment-to-population ratio declined from 61.7 in 2007 to 61.1 in 2010. Also the number of countries with falling employment-to-population ratio was still twice the number that had rising ratios. The youths are the worst hit by this, as the global youth unemployment rate stood at 12.6% in 2010, an increase from 11.8% in 2007. The geosciences sector is not exempted from this global crisis. The pending retirement of professionals and the uncertainty   regarding the adequacy of this replacement with respect to quantity and quality is a major concern. This work looks at the possibility of empowering geoscientists with entrepreneurship skills to combat unemployment. Research results show that entrepreneurial skills and training is so much needed today to empower geoscientists. And the easiest means is when the ‘economics’ in ‘economic geology’ is brought back. The policy makers and geoscientists/geosciences students must all work together to see that the true elements of economics – business, trade, money, and industry is re-introduced fully into the teaching of economic geology course, as this is the fastest way to generate interest and alertness to the whole geosciences education and ensure the production of qualitative and quantitative geoscientists to replace the ageing and retiring ones. In other words, the geosciences education needs to be ‘monetized’. So the ‘economics’ of economic geology course must be brought back.

Keywords: entrepreneur; money; trade; business; economic geology; empowerment.

ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF INMATES IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Akinlotan J.V, Nupo S .S  and Olorode O.O

Department Of Food Science and Technology

Moshood  Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State

e- mail: sundaynupo@yahoo

ABSTRACT

Prison is an ancient instrument where diverse people who had run foul of the law, some of them possibly innocent lives. Food plays a major role in the life of prisoners, poorly designed meal, inadequate portion sizes, lack of variety and poorly cooked food can contribute to serious health conditions. Representative samples of one hundred and eighty seven (187) inmates were selected from Oyo state prison randomly. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle, health status, sanitary information, nutritional knowledge and frequency of food consumption. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. The result of the demographic characteristics of the respondents showed that majority of the respondents were within the age range 19-59 years, most of them were married and had nuclear family. The result of the lifestyle and health status of the respondents revealed that majority of the respondents (95%) were cigarette smokers, the result of their health status showed that most of the respondents (80%) had malaria as their regular illness and got sick at least once in a month. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, arm, waist and hip) of the respondents were measured to determine the body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) which were used to determine their nutritional status. The result of the nutritional status showed that most of the respondents (59%) had normal weight, 4% were underweight, and 29% overweight while 7% obese.  Information on the food intake obtained from 24 hours dietary recall techniques showed that the energy intake were higher than WHO, 2000 recommended intake while protein intake was low. The nutritional status of the respondents can be improved if proper nutritional status counseling and care can be given. The prisons were not as worse as people view it.

Keynotes: Prison, Anthropometric, Information, Overweight, Nutritional

THE EFFECT OF DIET WITH DIFFERENT INCLUSION LEVEL OF CASSAVA LEAF MEAL (CLM) MANIHOT UTILISSIMA ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF HETEROCLARIAS FINGERLINGS

^1*Ekanem, A.P.,  ²Eyo, V.O. and ³Ndome C.B.

^1*Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Calabar, Nigeria

²Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Calabar, Nigeria

³Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A feeding trial was conducted to asses the growth performance of Heteroclarias fed diets containing cassava leaf meal (CLM) at difference inclusion levels, in an attempt to reduce the cost of fish feed as well as add value to cassava leaves which are wasted after harvest. Four experimental diet  A, B, C  and D containing 0%, 15%, 25% and 40% inclusion levels of cassava leaf meal (CLM) respectively were fed to Heteroclarias fingerlings in glass aquaria (96cm 50 cm x 29cm) for 70 days. Evaluation of the growth performance indices  and food utilization indices was  based on weight gain, growth rate (GR), specific growth rate (SGR), mean growth rate (MGR), percentage weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER), food conversion ratio (FCR) and food conversion efficiency (FCE). The best growth performance was obtained in diet A (control) containing 0% CLM which was significantly different (P<0.05) in their growth performance and food utilization indices from fish fed diets B, C and D with 15, 25 and 40% CLM respectively.  The results led to the conclusion that inclusion of 15% CLM in diet for Heteroclarias would enhance excellent growth performance at a reduced cost.      

Keyword: Cassava leaf meal, Growth Performance, Heteroclaris.

THE USE OF GUM ARABIC AS A LATERETIC SOIL STABILIZER

M. S. Saleh and A. B. Bala

Department of Civil Engineering

 Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna

ABSTRACT

This research work was conducted to ascertain the suitability of stabilizing lateritic soil with Gum Arabic and to determine the proper economic percentage which could improve the engineering properties of the soil. Sample of the lateritic soil was obtained and the Gum Arabic was purchased and prepared.  The laboratory tests were carried out, according to the standards, using 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% of the Gum Arabic by weight. From the result of Atterberg Limit test, 0% and 4% of Gum Arabic recorded the lowest and highest values of 15.93% and 26.25% of plastic limit respectively. The test also showed that the soil was in A-6 class of ASSHTO classification (clayed soils).  While for shrinkage limit, 0% and 10% recorded the lowest and highest values of 10.00% and 12.14% respectively. In the compaction test, the MDD values decreased with an increase in the Gum Arabic in which 0% and 8% recorded the highest and lowest values of 1.88g/cm³ and 1.64g/cm³ respectively. For the compressive strength, 50% of the cubes tested, met the minimum strength requirement of 1.5N/mm² by the Civil Engineering Department of ABU Zaria, in collaboration with Nigeria Building and Road research institute for lateritic blocks. It is recommended, therefore, that the minimum of 2% of Gum Arabic be used to stabilize lateritic soil.

THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN CONTRIBUTING TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Dassah, E. T. and Nimlyat, P. S.

Department of  Architecture, University of Jos

Email: pontipn@unijos.edu.ng, ponscapeconsult@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Since the end of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, termed the Earth Summit in 1992 to the Bonne Agreement in 2001, all countries, people and particularly professionals whose activities impact the natural environment have been asked to re-consider issues related to environmental sustainability and adopt new ways of addressing such issues at global, regional and local scales. Despite increasing concern on the influence of human activities on the natural eco-system and global climate, professionals engaged in shaping the built environment in Nigeria appear to be oblivious of the demands of the sustainability agenda and the accompanying responsibilities it places on all. Shifting paradigms in contemporary thinking now emphasise the fact that professionals have to be accountable for the environmental effects of design decisions and developments. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role and responsibilities of professionals in the built environment in promoting and contributing towards achieving sustainable development. Expectations of society from professionals remain the delivery of competent services based on specialized knowledge. For this reason, professionals need to constantly engage themselves in improving knowledge and developing relevant environmental skills. How knowledgeable are planners, architects and construction professionals in Nigeria today in the principles of sustainable development and how is such knowledge translated into design decisions and physical interventions in every day practice?  The paper stresses the need for professionals to understand their roles and environmental responsibilities in society, and concludes by suggesting ethical approaches in engaging public awareness and participation. Keywords: built environment, natural environment, sustainable development, environmental sustainability,

ERGONOMICS DESIGN OF COMPUTER KEYBOARD LAYOUT

Asikhia, O.K ¹ and Ehondor, S.E.²

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Edo State Institute of Technology and Management, Usen, Nigeria

² Department of Computer Science, Edo State Institute of Technology and Management, Usen, Nigeria

E-mail:¹askess2002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

For the past six decades there has been tremendous development in computer technology. The computer keyboard basically is the main input device of a computer and the way we communicate with the computer has not changed. The “QWERTY” keyboard is considered to be the standard, even though the constraints that heavily influence the adoption have changed. From the ergonomics perspective, it has been proven that it inhibit speed and difficult to learn. It is the aim of this paper to design an optimum layout that maximise speed, improve comfort, minimize error and easy to learn using heuristic of ergonomics principles.

Keywords: Ergonomics, computer keyboard, QWERTY, Heuristic, speed

REDUCING THE VULNERABILITY OF WOMEN TO CLIMATE CHANGE: A BRIEF REVIEW OF IMPACTS AND STRATEGIES

*¹Chikaire, J., ²Oguegbuchulam, M.N, and ³Osuagwu, C.O

*Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Department of Agricultural Management & Extension, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo Ohaji

E-mail-bankausta@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

Climate Change is a global phenomenon, with impacts that are already being experienced on a human level. It is recognized that it is those who are already the most vulnerable and marginalized who experience the greatest impacts, and are in the greatest need of adaptation strategies in the face of shifts in weather patterns and resulting environmental phenomena. Women make up a large number of the poor in communities that are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood and are disproportionately vulnerable to and affected by climate change. Women’s limited access to resources and decision-making processes increases their vulnerability to climate change. Women in rural areas in developing countries have the major responsibility for household water supply and energy, for cooking and heating, as well as for food security, and are negatively affected by drought, uncertain rainfall and deforestation. Because of their roles, unequal access to resources and limited mobility, women in many contexts are disproportionately affected by natural disasters, such as floods, fires and mudslides. Women are not only victims of climate change, but also effective agents of change in relation to both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Women’s responsibilities in households and communities as stewards of natural resources has positioned them well for livelihood strategies adapted to changing environmental realities. It is therefore important to identify gender – sensitive strategies for responding to the environmental and humanitarian crises caused by climate change.

Keywords: Vulnerability, climate change, poverty, women, agriculture.

HYDRO AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Okpighe, Sunday Okerekehe,

Department of Project Management

Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

E-mail: eloziconsultants@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

A review of Hydro and Geothermal Energy is reported. In line with the effect of Climate Change, and the constraints imposed by these changes on mankind, the need arose for man to source for alterative and environmental friendly   energy.  Hydro and geothermal energies and their sources were reviewed and compared with other forms of energy globally. The economics, environmental impact and potential for the future were investigated. Consequent on the fore going, an inference was drawn that our primary attention should be focused on harnessing the solar energy for industrial and domestic usage.

Keywords: Hydropower, Geothermal Energy, Environmental Impact, Climate Change, Economics.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF COWPEA PRODUCTION IN DONGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

^1*Musa, Y.H., ²Vosanka, I.P., ³Inuwa, A* and ⁴Mohammed, S.

Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

*Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Nigeria Donga Local Government Area

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to analyze the economics of cowpea production in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State. The specific objectives are to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, determine the profitability of cowpea production and identify the major constraints of cowpea production. Data were mainly obtained from primary source from 80 respondents using multi-stage sampling techniques, and were analyzed by means of simple descriptive statistics and gross margin. The result of the socio-economic characteristics revealed that 88.75% of the respondents were males, 48.75% fall within the age brackets of 21-30 years. About 82.50% attended different education levels with 43.75% having farming experience of 11-20 years, and 56.25% of the respondents had farm size of 3-5 hectares. Total cost of production was estimated at N26, 225.00 per hectare. The returns was estimated at N153, 250.00 for gross income, with gross margin, net income and per naira invested estimated at N66, 005.00, N37, 380.00 and N0.7565.00 respectively. Some of the major problems identified during the research included pest infestation (90%), inadequacy of farm inputs (87.50%) and lack of credit to the farmers. Proper enlightment and education on pest control, timely and adequate provision of inputs and credit by government to enhance productivity and income of farmers were recommended.

Keywords: Economic Analysis, Cowpea, Production, Profitability, Zing.