bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Detection of a New Pathotype Enteroaggregative Haemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EAHEC) in Indonesia, 2015
Authors: Setyarini Wahyu , Raharjo Dadik , Arizandy Radita Yuniar , Pamoengkas Zakaria , Sudarmo Subijanto Marto , Athiyyah Alpha Fardah , Shirakawa Toshiro
Published: July 2020

Enteroaggregative haemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. Coli, EAHEC) has been identified as the agent responsible for one of the largest outbreaks of gastroenteritis and Haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) that is transmitted through food in Germany in 2011. The hypervirulent pathotype has a unique combination of two pathogens namely enterohemorrhagic E.coli strain (EHEC) which produces shiga/verotoxin and enteroaggregative E.coli toxins (EAEC) which produces toxins similar to ST and hemolysin. The toxin produced by the EAHEC strain is a hybrid pathotype that combines the virulence potential of the EAEC and EHEC strains that will damage the microcirculation, cause vasculitis and other toxic effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of samples infected with enteroaggregative hemorrhagic E. coli bacteria (EAHEC) in pediatric diarrhea patients at DR. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, 2015. This study used PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method to detect enteroaggregative E. coli strains (CVD432 and aaic genes) and enterohemorrhagic E.coli (eae gene).The results showed that 33 out of 40 (82.5%) stool samples examined were detected enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), 4 out of 40 (10%) enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and 3 out of 40 (7.5%) enteroaggregative haemorrhagic E. coli bacteria (EAHEC) , which caused diarrhea in pediatric diarrhea patients at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital. The unique combination of genomic features of the Surabaya outbreak strain, containing characteristics from pathotypes EAEC and EHEC, suggested that it represents a new pathotype enteroaggregative haemorrhagic E. coli (EAHEC). It is expected that development of specific primer design and sequencing are needed to continue in this research.
Zoonotic and Other Gastrointestinal Parasites in Cats in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Rabbani Izzu Ar-Rifqi , Mareta Fairuz Jihan , Kusnoto  , Hastutiek Poedji , Lastuti Nunuk Dyah Retno , Mufasirin  , Suharsono  , Sardjana I Komang Wiarsa , Sukmanadi Moh. , Suwanti Lucia Tri
Published: July 2020

Relationship between humans and cats has negative impact associates with zoonotic diseases. It is the reason why studies on the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in cats are important. Some of zoonotic GI parasites in cats are Toxocara spp., Ancylostoma sp., and Toxoplasma gondii. The current study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of GI parasites in owned and stray cats in Lumajang East Java Indonesia. One hundred and twenty fecal samples were collected from owned and stray cats on November 2018 to January 2019. The samples were examined by direct smears, sedimentation and flotation techniques. Identification of parasites was determined based on the morphology of worm eggs and protozoan cysts. The results showed that gastrointestinal parasites were found in 68.33% (82/120) examined samples, respectively, 48.33% (29/60) and 88.33% (53/60) from owned cats and stray cats. We found 7 genera of parasites, 4 genera of worm eggs and 2 genera protozoan oocyst. The egg worm were Toxocara cati (40%), Toxocara leonina (10.33%), Ancylostoma sp. (18.33%), Diphylobothrium sp. (3.33%) and Dipylidium caninum (1.67%). The protozoan oocyst were Isospora felis (27.5%), Isospora rivolta (13.33%) and Eimeria spp. (8.33%). Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma sp. (hookworm), Diphylobothrium sp. and Dipylidium caninum were zoonotic parasites. Rate infection in younger and older cat were no significant difference. One cat can be infected one or more parasite. To conclude, the prevalence of zoonotic GI parasites both in owned and stray cats were high. It is necessary to plan a program to control this zoonotic parasites.
The Relationship between Cadre’s Capacity and Assessing to the Fast food Seller’s Performance in Food Hygiene and Sanitation in Mokoau Primary Health Care, Kendari City
Authors: Tasnim  , Lusida Maria Inge
Published: July 2020

Kendari city had serious issues related to emerging a hundred of fast food sellers in 2017, including in Mokoau Health Centre area. However, there were only two health environmental staffs in that health care centre. Therefore, involving cadres in the fast food control become necessary. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between cadre’s capacity and Assessing to the food seller’s performance in food hygiene and sanitation management in Mokoau Health Centre in Kendari City since March 2019. There were 15 active cadres who controlled 35 fast food sellers. This study used the One-Group Pretest- Posttest Design. Data analysis used Paired T-test, Mann-Whitney test and Chi-Square test. This study found that 93.3% cadres had a senior high school diploma and only 6.7% of them had a Bachelor degree. There were 60.6% active cadres who had been in social health work for more than 5 years. The majority of cadres have got training about less than 15 times (86.7%). Involving cadres in the fast food control affected to seller’s performance change in fast food hygiene and sanitation management (P=0.006). Cadre with bachelor degree (P=0.006), were active in the social health work for less than 5 years (P=0.003), and got training less than 15 times (Pvalue= 0.026) influenced significantly to cadre’s assessing for the seller’s performance in food hygiene and sanitation management. This study suggested that improving cadre’s or community volunteer’s knowledge and skill related to fast food control technique becomes necessarily in fast food control.
How to Deal with Infrainguinal Arterial Calcifications: Atherectomy and Lithoplasty Devices
Authors: Vorwerk Dierk
Published: July 2020

This overview article should describe current technical problems of severe infrainguinal calcifications, outline solutions for challenging and complex lesions and give an overview over currently available debulking devices which are meant to deal with calcified lesions. As a relatively new device, arterial lithoplasty is discussed.
Percutaneous Image-guided Gastrostomy Insertion with and without Gastropexy
Authors: Alghamdi Nehal , Abdulrahman Shaima , Alzahrani Yousof , Alfaleh Hana , Alorfi Fawziah , Rajeh Ali , Aljarie Mohammed , Arabi Mohammad
Published: July 2020

Purpose: The objective was to compare the major and minor complications of percutaneous gastrostomy with and without gastropexy. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of adult patients who underwent percutaneous gastrostomy with or without gastropexy between January 2015 and November 2018. A total of 830 patients (512 males [61.8%] and 318 females [38.2%]) were included in the study. Gastropexy was performed for 428 (51.6%) patients (343 pigtail and 85 balloon-type gastrostomies). The remaining 402 patients (48.4%) had no gastropexy (387 pigtail and 15 balloon-type gastrostomies). Major and minor complication rates were assessed within 30 days postprocedure. Results: Technical success was 100% with and without gastropexy. Complications were recorded in 143 patients (17.2%): six major complications in 6 patients and 155 minor complications in 137 patients. Major complications included peritonitis (n = 1) and severe skin infection (n = 1) in the gastropexy group, whereas the remaining four complications were without gastropexy and had tube malposition and peritonitis (n = 4). There was no significant difference in major (0.47% vs. 1%; P = 0.37) or minor complication rate (18.7% vs. 14.2%; P = 0.08) between the gastropexy and nongastropexy groups, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed significantly more superficial infections in the gastropexy group (28 vs. 14; P = 0.04), and pneumoperitoneum was significantly more common with pigtail gastrostomy compared to the balloon-type catheter (30 vs. 0; P = 0.04). There was no significant difference in complication rates in relation to the number of anchors (P = 0.32 for major complications and P = 0.57 for minor complications). Thirty patients (3.6%) died within 30 days after the procedure due to other comorbidities. Conclusion: Gastropexy does not reduce the incidence of major or minor complications following percutaneous gastrostomy and is associated with increased risk for superficial infections. The use of pigtail-type gastrostomy is associated with a higher incidence of pneumoperitoneum.
A case of trastuzumab-induced dermatomyositis
Authors: Trontzas Ioannis Panagiotis , Syrigos Nikolaos Konstantinos , Kotteas Elias Alexandros
Published: July 2020

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is a checkpoint, controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against HER-2, is nowadays standard treatment for breast cancer patients whose tumors express HER-2. It is generally well tolerated, with a small number of patients developing mild adverse reactions. Dermatomyositis is a rare adverse event of trastuzumab therapy not well described in the literature. We herein present a case of a patient treated for hormone-sensitive invasive ductal carcinoma, who presented with symptoms of proximal muscle weakness, arthralgias, skin rash, and generalized fatigue. The symptoms started after the sixth cycle of trastuzumab and progressively deteriorated. The patient's medical and family history was unremarkable. Disease progression as a possible cause of dermatomyositis had been ruled out, and laboratory evaluation revealed moderate elevation of serum muscle proteins and acute-phase reactants. Trastuzumab treatment was discontinued, and 3 months later, the patient was free of symptoms without any further intervention.
The Idoma Concept of Ihotu (Love)
Authors: Agada Ada
Published: July 2020

The notion of love is one of the fascinating concepts available to humans. Love is perhaps the most powerful emotion a human being can  experience. Love is immediately recognized as a feeling. It is only after observing human conduct that it dawns on us that there is a rational dimension of love. In this paper I will discuss the Idoma-African concept of ihotu, or love. Since the very idea of an Idoma philosophy of love is an entirely novel idea, with no prior identifiable research in this field, I will rely heavily on my knowledge of Idoma culture and conversations with Ihonde Ameh of Ochobo community who has an in-depth knowledge of Idoma value-system. I will proceed to show how the consolationist theory of love is a systematization of the basic ethnophilosophical data supplied by Idoma traditional thought. With consolation philosophy transcending the basic intuition of the African collective, in this particular case the Idoma of Central Nigeria, I will argue for the rationality of love by pointing out its indispensability in the formation and expression of what we consider right or moral behaviour. I will argue that a greater part of the conduct we approve of as ethical is founded on our emotional experience and that this emotional experience is to a large extent determined by the urgings of pity or empathy. I will attempt to exhibit the philosophical grounds of empathy from the African perspective of consolationism and, in the process, delve into philosophical psychology from the African place. In achieving these objectives, I will have recourse to the metaphysics and epistemology of love from the consolationist perspective. The methodology adopted here is the analytical, conversational, and evaluative methodology.

Key words: Love, Ihotu, reason, consolationism, emotion, empathy.
The Community and the Individual: Revisiting the Relevance of Afro- Communalism
Authors: Asiegbu Martin F. , Ajah Anthony Chinaemerem
Published: July 2020

Afro-communalism has been largely conceptualized as a system in which individuals attain meaningfulness from the point of view of the community. We assess the implications of Afro-communalism on the individual’s rights. With particular focus on the transformative values of non-conformist features of individualism, this paper shows how Afro-communalism’s emphasis on the community is counter-productive. Our approach goes beyond the argument that Afro-communalism stifles the autonomy of the individual. Instead, we demonstrate how the community’s conformist expectations from the individual within the Afro-communalist system, sets the community against the individual and against itself. We draw the conclusion that Afro-communalism as a project is no longer relevant and needs to end. We do this by showing how most of the (re)interpretations of Afro-communalism are attempts to sustain a reductive contrast between the West and Africa. We also show how that contrast exaggerates the idea of community in Africa, to the detriment of a balance between the individual’s right and her duties to the community.

Keywords: Afro-communalism, individualism, non-conformist expectations, community, individual autonomy, Africa.
Spatial Expansion of Islamic Extremism in the Lake Chad Basin: Current Situation and Prospective Directions
Authors: Dmitriev Ruslan V. , Gorokhov Stanislav A. , Zakharov Ivan A.
Published: July 2020

The article discusses the expansion of the Islamic extremist groups (especially Boko Haram) in the Lake Chad basin countries. The geopolitical zones and states of Nigeria, regions of Niger and Cameroon, macro-regions of Chad were selected as the territorial range. The religious affiliation data has been compiled from the DHS-database. Income levels and literacy rates were evaluated indirectly using body mass index and the degree of age-heaping (modified Whipple's index), respectively. A hierarchical cluster analysis, has allowed us to categorize the territorial-administrative units into four groups by the probability of new Islamic extremist groups appearing there. The article clearly shows that Boko Haram may expand in the Western and North-Western directions. Meanwhile, the new cells are more likely to form inside Nigeria than outside it. Thus, in the near future, theexpansion of Islamic extremist organizations in the Lake Chad basin countries will occur at the local level.

Keywords: Lake Chad basin countries, Islamic Extremism, Boko Haram, expansion.
COVID -19 Pandemic as an Existential Problem: An African Perspective
Authors: Ufearoh Anthony Uzochukwu
Published: July 2020

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease and the efforts to contain the raging pandemic raise not only health, but also existential concerns. The present work sets out to examine how the pandemic impacts on the African socio-cultural life. The approach is analytical, phenomenological and above all conversational. For the African, the pandemic has two-pronged, positive and negative existential implications. On the one hand, the search for a possible cure and a vaccine for the novel coronavirus disease, when interpreted from the anthropological point of view, present an opportunity for cultural creativity in the areas of medicine and therapeutics. African traditional medicine as a cultural element is, here, referenced.On the other hand, it is discovered that the isolationist tendency of the pandemic, aggravated by another ‘virus of disinformation’ ─ an infodemics, threatens the social relations within the African world that is largely interdependent. The work argues that a fruitful utilization of the good cultural traits the pandemic brings can serve to boost the African self-confidence and cultural pride. The positive cultural traits that trail the pandemic can be absorbed to enrich the African culture whereas the negative traits should be jettisoned.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, African identity, equality, anthropology, medicine, and cultural pride.
Dynamic response control of swing roller follower system
Authors: Raji Nurudeen A. , Adedeji Kasali A. , Olaleye Joshua O. , Ogunleye Rotimi O.
Published: July 2020

This paper studied the design of Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control system for the attenuation of the residual vibration in the swing roller cam-follower system designed for horizontal narrow loom. The dynamic model for the system was developed and the PID controller  coefficients were synthesized to ensure that the follower and beater systems behaved in a desired manner. The controller for the system is designed and implemented on the MATLAB® and Simulink®. Basic concepts of feedback for closed-loop control regulators is used to maintain the system stability and to improve the system’s performance using the classical structure of proportional, integral, and derivative controllers. The performance of the mechanism is assessed according to the extreme residual vibration amplitude value of the working links. The variation in the gains of the derivative controller was found to have substantial influence on the reduction rate of the residual vibration of the mechanism during operation.

Keywords: Cam, mechanism, residual, vibration, modeling, control, feedback.
Optimization of total transportation cost
Authors: Kamba Adamu Isah , Kardi Suleiman Mansur , Dikko Yunusa Kabir Gorin
Published: July 2020

In this research work, the study used transportation problem techniques to determine minimum cost of transportation of Gimbiya Furniture Factory using online software, Modified Distribution Method (MODI). The observation made was that if Gimbiya furniture factory, Birnin Kebbi could apply this model to their transportation schedule, it will help to minimize transportation cost at the factory to ₦1,125,000.00 as obtained from North west corner method, since it was the least among the two methods, North west corner method and Least corner method. This transportation model willbe useful for making strategic decision by the logistic managers of Gimbiya furniture factory, in making optimum allocation of the production from the company in Kebbi to various customers (key distributions) at a minimum transportation cost.

Keywords: North West corner, Least corner, Transportation problem, minimum transportation.
Two Crucial Experiments on the Nature of Light: Beyond the Bounds of Wave-Particle Duality
Authors: Emedolu C.C. , Ihejirika C. , Nnamdi B.S.
Published: July 2020

The wave-particle duality of light has been hanging over the clouds of science as an insuperable mystery. Debates have gone on for centuries as to which of the two aspects of light best represents the natural property of light. On the one hand, the particle theory of light camp made its own submissions a long time ago with many experimental demonstrations to confirm its position. On the other hand, the wave theory of light camp did organize or face some experiments to corroborate its own position. But then, a middle ground interpretation was shoveled-in by Niels Bohr during the second decade of the 20th Century. For him, the two aspects of light are complementary and Louis de Broglie popularized it, despite the halting beginnings of the complementarity Thesis. A double-slit experiment was, however, organized to show that light has these dual aspects. The central thesis of this paper is that though light exhibits these dual aspects, it is fundamentally a wave. The paper adopts the historiographical approach in navigating this lingering issue of the nature of light in the history of science.
Aspects of the Grammar of Past Tense and the Present Perfective Aspect in English and Echie: A Contrastive Account
Authors: Nwala Michael Alozie
Published: July 2020

The absence of a parallel equivalence in the grammar of past tense and perfective aspect in English and Echie is significantly responsible for the errors that occur in the related sentences of the Echie second language learners of English. This article is a contrastive analysis of the grammar of past tense and present perfect tense in English and Echie and it highlighted the structural specifics of each of the languages. Using the descriptive research design, the data for this study were gathered through the primary sources (ten competent native speakers of Echie were interviewed) and the secondary sources (examples generated from textual materials). Our description showed a complete range of morphological differences in past tense and present perfect tense of English and Echie as seen in the use of 1st, 2nd and 3rd persons singular and plural respectively. The paper concludes that the parametric variation in the past tense and perfective aspect of English and Echie languages show that every language is unique in some sort.

Key Words: Contrastive, grammar, tense, parametric, descriptive,  interference; language.
When Enough is Enough: Breaking Free from Intimate Partner Violence in YejideKilanko’s Chasing Butterflies
Authors: Nutsukpo Margaret Fafa
Published: July 2020

Gender-based violence has become a common feature in gender relations globally, with women as the main victims. However, despite the fact that violence against women has been recognized as a violation of their human rights, the African society, in particular, is still plagued by gendered violence particularly in families. Adopting postmodern feminism as a theoretical framework, this article examines Kilanko’s portrayal of the devastating impact of gender-based violence, particularly intimate partner violence, on the female protagonist in Chasing Butterflies. In so doing, it establishes that dominant gendered norms and unequal power relations between men and women in the African society are the root causes of violence against women in intimate partner relationships such as marriage. The article, therefore, explores avenues of awareness-raising in the novel, as well as options and resources through which women can be effectively empowered to confront and surmount their status as victims leading to the realization of their rights and freedom.
Assessment of land-cover changes and carbon sequestration potentials of tree species in j4 section of Omo Forest Reserve, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi A.A. , Adeleke S.O.
Published: July 2020

We evaluated carbon stock accumulation on potential of tree species in five forest-types in Omo Forest Reserve of western Nigeria. This included four forest plantations and a natural forest of mixed species. The reserve was stratified into Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis, Pinus carebeae and Nauclea diderrichii plantations as well as natural forest. Each forest-type was assessed using circular plot method. Plot points were pre-determined using remote sensing. For each point, two circular plots were established, the main plot with a radius of 12.61 m (500 m2 ) and the subplot with a radius of 5.64 m (100 m2 ). In each plot, tree Dbh and height were measured for trees with Dbh ≥10 cm, while only trees with Dbh <10 cm but >2 cm (i.e. 2 cm ≤ Dbh < 10 cm) were considered in the sub-plot. Soil samples were also collected at 10 locations with 2 each in the north, south, east, west and at the plot centre, in each forest-type. The samples were analysed to obtain soil organic carbon. Above- and belowground biomass and carbon stocks were estimated using the appropriate allometries formulated for the tropics. All empirical relationships were included in the existing allometries with Dbh and height as predictors. Landsat images of the reserve in 1991, 2000, 2014 and 2019 were processed and analysed to assess forest degradation. The results revealed that 23-year-old Pinus caribaea plantation  sequestered more carbon (35.78±2.73 tons/ha) than 35-year-old Gmelina arborea (18.96±1.82 tons/ha), 43-year-old Tectona grandis (17.75±2.13 tons/ha) and 43-year-old Nauclea diderrichii (17.36±1.87 tons/ha) plantations and natural forest (21.98±2.38 tons/ha). The study showed that stand density influences carbon stock accumulation of forest. It was observed that individual stems of Pinus caribaea were better carbon accumulators than Gmelina arborea, Tectona gransdis and Nauclea diderrichii. The same trend was observed for CO2 captures as Pinus caribaea captured 131.31±10.02 tons/ha with Nauclea diderrichii the least, having a value of 63.71±6.9 tons/ha.

Keywords: Biomass, Carbon stock, Degradation, Forest-type, Stand density
Changes in soil microbial respiration and physicochemical properties following bonny light crude oil contamination of sandy loam soil
Authors: Eze C.N. , Orjiakor P.I. , Ebeifenadi U.J.
Published: July 2020

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Bonny light crude oil contamination of sandy loam soil on aspects of microbial metabolism and physicochemical properties of the soil. Bonny light crude oil (specific gravity = 0.81) was used at eight different levels (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 10.0%, 15.0% or 20.0% v/w of soil) for the controlled pollution of pristine soil samples, each weighing 1 kg. The experiment lasted for eightweeks. Results of the effects of crude oil on the physicochemical properties of the soil showed that high levels of the oil significantly (p< 0.05) increased soil organic matter but had no significant effect on the pH and moisture content. With the exception of organic carbon, the levels of bioavailable nitrogen, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and phosphorus in the test samples with higher levels of crude oil (5.0%, 10.0%, 15.0% and 20.0%) were significantly reduced when compared to their levels in the controls. Similarly, higher levels of the oil significantly (p<0.05) reduced soil microbial phospholipid synthesis and CO emission. 2 Correlation analysis using the Pearson's correlation model showed a positive correlation between soil CO and 2 phospholipid (r = 0.74).

Keywords: Contamination, Crude oil, Microbial respiration, Physicochemical properties.
Morphology and anatomy of three species of Asplenium L. at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Authors: Oladipo O.T. , Philip T.V. , Bamigboye R.A. , Oloyede F.A.
Published: July 2020

Comparative morphological and foliar anatomical studies were carried out on three species of Asplenium: Asplenium nidus L., Asplenium scolopendrium (L.) Newn and Asplenium barterii Hook with a view to identifying important morphological and anatomical characters that can be employed in the separation of the species. Mature healthy plants of each species were collected from Erin Ijesa Waterfall and nursed in the FernGarden of Natural History Museum at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Morphological observations and measurements were documented for each species. The transverse sections of the petiole and stem foliar sections were prepared by cutting at 10 μm thickness using Reichert Sliding Microtome and microphotographs were taken. Quantitative data obtained from this study were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance with Duncan Multiple Range Test for mean separation. Findings revealed that the predominantly irregular epidermal cells on the adaxial surface of A. barterii is diagnostic of the species. The presence of tetracytic stomata in addition to anisocytic type also separates A. nidus from the other taxa. Similarly, A. scolopendrium had a significantly higher guard cell area compared to the other taxa. Morphological and foliar anatomical features in  the genus can be used to delimit the three species while the possession of two vascular bundles broadly admit the species into the genus Asplenium.

Keywords: Asplenium, Taxonomic, Foliar anatomy, Morphology.
Implications of fragile landscapes for endemic pollinators in an eastern afro-montane biodiversity hotspot of Kenya
Authors: Bobadoye B.O. , Bobadoye A.O. , Adekola P.J.
Published: July 2020

This study was carried out to determine how disturbances could shape the natural occurrence of African meliponine bee species in different ecological habitats of Taita hills of Kenya and how this could lead to changes in their diversity. Habitats sampled were indigenous forests, exotic forests, mixed highland forests, Acacia dominated bush lands, mixed deciduous woodlands and grasslands which were further categorized as either fragmented or un-fragmented habitats based on levels of disturbance. The study sites were chosen based on various features such as, forest fragment size, level of forest fragment isolation, forest fragment age, and level of degradation. In all study locations, meliponine bee species were sampled using the conventional complementary method, belt transect (direct observation of nesting colonies synonymous to a visual census) from the months of March to September 2014 (combining both the long rainy season and dry season). Nesting colonies of the 4 meliponine bee species, namely, Hypotrigona gribodoi, Meliponula ferruginea (black), Hypotrigona ruspolii and Plebeina hildebrandti, were surveyed following a successive gradient. In each study site (25 ha), 20 linear transects of 250 m × 20 m each were established using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to mark coordinates with relation to habitat type. Data such as nesting site/substrate, GPS coordinates of nest, and names of nesting trees were recorded. A total of four species depicted by the Renyi diversity profile was recorded in five out of the six main habitat types surveyed and a further extrapolation with Shannon index (EH) also predicted the highest species richness of 4.24 in a deciduous habitat type with more trees and vegetation and the lowest species of 1.01 in isolated forest patches habitat type. These meliponine bee species (Hypotrigona gribodoi, Hypotrigona ruspolii, Meliponula ferruginea (black) and Plebeina hildebrandti) were observed to be unevenly distributed across all six sampled habitats, further indicating that mixed deciduous habitat proved to be more diverse than Acacia dominated bush lands, grasslands and exotic forest strips which have all undergone varying levels of fragmentation. This has revealed that unprecedented conversions of natural habitats leading to fragmentations of such habitats is a key driving factor causing  increased habitat isolation and vulnerability in this afro-montane region which may potentially distort local assemblages of native pollinators such as meliponine bee species.

Keywords: Meliponine bees, habitat fragmentation, diversity, Eastern Afro Montane
Quality evaluation and UV spectrophotometric assay of ten brands of amlodipine tablets marketed in Uyo, Nigeria
Authors: Igboasoiyi Arnold C. , Egeolu Amarachi P. , Edet Effiong M.
Published: July 2020

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that is widely used to treat hypertension, which is a chronic health condition characterized by persistent elevated pressure of blood in the arteries. Hypertension is a predisposing factor to stroke, kidney failure, heart diseases and vision loss. The large demand for amlodipine makes it a good candidate for fakers. Consumption of substandard and/or fake amlodipine tablets will have a negative impact on the management of hypertension. This justifies continuous monitoring of amlodipine preparations in the marketplace and the provision of simple and cost-effective assay method that could be routinely utilised for their assay. Ten different brands of amlodipine tablets were  qualitatively assessed for uniformity of weight, friability, hardness, disintegration and dissolution rate using standard physical methods.  Quantitative assay was carried out using spectrophotometric method. The spectrophotometric measurement was done at a wavelength of 240 nm. Seven brands met the official requirements for uniformity of weight; eight passed the friability test and the hardness tests. All the brands tested passed the disintegration test and nine brands passed the dissolution test. The spectrophotometric assay showed that all the brands passed the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) requirement for percentage drug content. The assay method used in this study is reliable, simple and cost- effective and can be routinely used to assay amlodipine tablets.

Keywords: Amlodipine, qualitative, quantitative, assay, ultraviolet spectrophotometry
Anthelmintic activity of Ocimum gratissimum and Cymbopogon citratus leaf extracts against Haemonchus placei adult worm
Authors: Aderibigbe Segun A. , Idowu Sunday O.
Published: July 2020

Medicinal plants are promising, as source of alternative solution to the problem of parasitic helminth infections that hamper the sustainable supply of products from farm animals. Ocimum gratissimum and Cymbopogon citratus leaves are commonly used internally to treat worms, relieve abdominal pains and stomach ache. This study, therefore, evaluated their leaf extracts for anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus placei worm from cattle; the most active extract being subjected to phytochemical analysis. The extracts, obtained by maceration using acetone, were evaluated for anthelmintic activity by exposing adult H. placei to a range of concentrations (5-60 mg/mL) for 3 hours and then counting the number of confirmed dead worms. Anthelmintic activity data were fitted to a non-linear regression equation (Log [extract] vs. response; variable slope) to produce best-fit sigmoidal curves from which LC50 values were computed. The best-fit LC50 values, found to be significantly different (alpha < 0.0001), were 17.70 mg/mL and 56.04 mg/mL for C. citratus and O. gratissimum, respectively, suggesting that C. citratus is three times more potent than O. gratissimum. Phytochemical analysis of C. citratus indicated the presence of alkaloids, tannins, steroids, saponins, terpenoids and flavonoids. Cymbopogon citratus could be useful as an anthelmintic phytomedicine against livestock parasitic helminths.

Keywords: Anthelmintic; Haemonchus placei; Motility assay; Ocimum gratissimum; Cymbopogon citratus
Effect of methanol extract of Tridax procumbens flower on hematological parameters and serum lipid profiles of Wistar albino rats
Authors: Enwa Felix Oghenemaro , Jemikalajah Johnson Daniel , Oghenejobo Michael , Oghenebrume Victor Eseoghene
Published: July 2020

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the methanolic extract of Tridax procumbens L. flower on the hematological and serum lipid profile of Albino Wistar rats. Ten male albino Wistar rats were obtained and divided into two groups (control and test). The flowers were extracted by cold maceration using methanol. The extract was then administered orally to the Test group at a dose of 100 mg/kg/d. Thereafter, blood samples were obtained from both groups and the hematological and serum lipid parameters were analyzed using auto-analyzers. The results of the hematological parameters obtained for Test group were; PCV-46.2%, Hemoglobin-14.656 g/dl, Platelets-141.08 mm3, Eosinophil-4.0%, Neutrophil-38%, Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)-35.532pg, Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)-32.11gl and Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)-108.658 ft, which were higher compared to the Control; while that of the serum lipid profiles were determined to be; Cholesterol-142.58 mg/dl,Triglycerides-157.58 mg/dl, HDL-56.72 mg/dl, LDL-55.944 mg/dl and VLDL-31.516 mg/dl. The plants were seen to have slight weight reducing activity, no significant effect on total white blood cell count, increased eosinophils, neutrophils, packed cell volume, platelet count, mean corpuscular  hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), HDL, and reduced LDL, VLDL,triglycerides, cholesterol on the rats tested. Hence, from this study, this plant can serve as a good candidate to be used as a hematinic agent, as  weight reducers, and a lipid lowering agent.

Keywords: Tridax procumbens, Wistar rat, HDL, LDL MCV, MCHC
An assessment of medication safety practices in selected public health facilities in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Lawal Basira Kankia , Alhaji Aliyu A. , Maiha Bilkisu Bello , Mohammed Shafiu
Published: July 2020

Medication errors occur frequently and have significant clinical and financial consequences, which could be preventable. Unsafe medication practices and errors have been found to be amongst the leading cause of injury and avoidable harm in both developed and developing countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended implementation of basic solutions to improve medication safety. This study assessed the presence of basic medication safety practices in four (4) public health facilities in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A validated survey tool was adopted which contains sections that assessed practices such as look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) medications, transitions in care, use of information technology, drug information and other practices. A structured interview was conducted with each head of Pharmacy department of the facilities after obtaining their consent. Only one facility had a medication safety committee, none of the facilities had a list of LASA medications nor a list of error proneabbreviations. Only one facility involved pharmacists in obtaining medication histories and none of the facilities uses ‘high risk’ warning label on diluted electrolyte solutions. Basic practices to improve medication safety were not implemented in the facilities. Effort must be put in place for the adoption of medication safety practices. Regulations and policies need to be implemented regarding these practices.

Keywords: Medication safety; Health facilities; Kaduna State; Nigeria; Medication errors
The discourse of thesis assessment reports in a disciplinary community at the University of Cape Coast: An exploratory study
Authors: Afful Joseph Benjamin Archibal
Published: July 2020

Thesis assessment reports constitute an important review genre in postgraduate education, though they largely remain occluded. This paper investigates the discourse of thesis assessment reports, with the view to gaining insights into their form and content in a Ghanaian university. Thirty-four (34) written assessment reports of 19 Master’s theses from the Department of English in the University of Cape Coast constituted the data set. A qualitative content analysis, supplemented with descriptive statistics, was adopted. Three key findings emerged from the analysis of the data. First, there were varying structural patterns adopted by assessors, thereby evincing individual preferences. Second, the least and most frequent comments in the assessment reports were on the methodology on one hand and literature review and analysis/discussion on the other hand. Third, theses assessors largely adhered to institutional guidelines in terms of the evaluative criteria. These findings have implications for the scholarship on thesis assessment reports in postgraduate education, postgraduate pedagogy, and further research in higher education in Ghana and elsewhere.

Key Words: Discourse, thesis assessment reports, Ghana, postgraduate education
The influence of cultural constraints on comprehension among second language (L2) learners: Implications for language teaching and learning
Authors: Ikonne Ugochi Happiness
Published: July 2020

Very many factors have been found to influence second language learning. For instance, affective factors such as attitude, motivation and personality have usually been acknowledged to play important role in second language learning. Other factors include environmental factors which could be geographical and/or cultural. This discourse reviewed the various ways in which cultural constraints and cultural differences impede comprehension among second language (L2) learners. Emphasis was on listening, reading, pragmatics and viewing comprehension. It was recommended that language teacher apply strategies and techniques like infantilization, dramatization, excursion, audio and visual resources to concretize their lessons. Also, to bridge the cultural gap between the second language learner and the culture of the target language, acculturation or immersion programme is recommended. This is to ensure deeper contact between the learner and the culture, native speakers and the target language.Key Words: culture, comprehension and second language learning
Out with old, in with the new: Negotiating identity in re-naming a Xhosa umtshakazi
Authors: Zungu Evangeline Bonisiwe , Maphini Nomvula
Published: July 2020

Umtshakazi (singular) is a bride and abatshakazi (plural) are brides in  isiXhosa language. The word is derived from the word ‘tsha’ which means new in isiXhosa. The word is popularly known as Makoti in other African languages, such as isiZulu. In short, a bride is a woman about to be married or newly married and thus a “new member” of the husband’s family. In a South African context, naming is not reserved for new-born children as there are circumstances whereby older people get new names. In Xhosa re-naming of abatshakazi, is a religious practice where name-givers bestow a name on a newlywed and then expect brides to live up to their newly acquired names. Like most things cultural, the brides  have no choice but to accept the  new name, embrace what the name entails and live up to the family’s expectations. Through the re-naming process the bride assumes a new identity which means taking the responsibility that comes with it. This article examines how such a process gives brides new roles to play; how brides make a conscious effort to live up to the name and how this changes their identity. This article is going to take a phenomenology stance. The phenomenology theory is a theoretical proposition which focuses on people’s perceptions of the world in which they live and what it means to them. It focuses on people’s lived experiences. This theory is essential in this article as the article focuses on the individual experiences of Xhosa  abatshakazi in the naming process.

Key Words: gender, culture, names, identity, marriage
Igbo dialects and the citation-form: the possibility of a standard Igbo dictionary
Authors: Oweleke Esther N.
Published: July 2020

It is the norm in lexicography to have dictionary headwords in the standard variety of the language. But up to date, no Igbo dictionary exists in this variety. Most Igbo lexicographers have adopted the dialectal or multidialectal approach in their choice of a citation-form. The multiplicity of Igbo dialects accounts for this situation. This paper examines both sound and lexical variations in the language; describes the lexicographic problems of choice and arrangement of headwords, and discusses the suitability of the Igbo dictionary as a tool for standardizing the language. Two major sources of data were employed: the modified Ibadan 400 wordlist of basic items - used for a survey of the seven dialect zones identified by Manfredi (1989), and the dictionaries of Welmers and Welmers (1968), Williamson (1972), Igwe (1999) and Echeruo (2001). The paper demonstrated that sound and lexical variants in Igbo can be harnessed by Igbo lexicographers to produce an Igbo dictionary in the standard variety. Considering the optimal benefits derivable from a standard dictionary, the following suggestions for future Igbo lexicographers are proffered: words from different dialects of the language should be included in the dictionary; the standard forms be selected and consistently entered as headwords. Words with sound variation should be treated as sub-entries and lexical variants be cited as main-entries in their right alphabetical positions. The paper argued that, for the Igbo dictionary to fulfil its indispensable role as a language standardizing tool, the production of a Standard Igbo dictionary is imperative in Igbo lexicography and Igbo language studies.
Single Item Supplier Selection and Order Allocation Problem with a Quantity Discount and Transportation Costs
Authors: Basa Getachew , Becker Till , Kedir Abdelkader
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we address a single item supplier selection, economic lot-sizing, and order assignment problem under quantity discount environment and transportation costs. A mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINP) model is developed with minimization of cost as its objective, while lead-time, the capacity of the supplier and demand of the product are incorporated as constraints. The total cost considered includes annual inventory holding cost, ordering cost, transportation cost and purchase cost. An efficient and effective genetic algorithm (GA) with problem-specific operators is developed and used to solve the proposed MINP model.  The  model is illustrated through a numerical example and the results show that the GA can solve the model in less than a minute. Moreover, the results of the numerical illustration show that the item cost and transportation cost are the deciding factors in selecting suppliers and allocating orders.

Keywords: Supplier selection, Economic Order Quantity, Order allocation, Mixed-integer nonlinear programming.
Structure of the Spectra and Resonances of Schrödinger Operators
Authors: Bouguetaia Tahar , Messirdi Bekkai
Published: July 2020

The main goal of this paper is to study the spectrum and resonances of several classes of Schrödinger operators. Two important examples occurring in mathematical physics are discussed: harmonic oscillator and Hamiltonian of hydrogen atom.

Keywords: Schrödinger operator, Spectrum, Periodic potential, Resonances.
Performance of Micro and Small Enterprisers in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebru Wubet Gebretsadik , Mmopelwa Gagoitseope
Published: July 2020

Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) have become the focus of attention for the economic development, economic growth and job creations in the world. Majority of the firms worldwide are dominated by businesses of micro and small enterprises. In developing countries, the informal sector that mainly establishes MSE remains the major source of employment and income for the urban population. A study was conducted to examine the performance of MSE in three zones of Tigray State, namely, Southern zone, Mekelle zone and Eastern zone. The data was collected using structured questionnaire on 246 MSE business owners. The data are analyzed using multiple linear regressions (dummy), Cross tabulations and chi-square test for test of independence. The result revealed that Gender, initial capital, enterprise and job type are found to be important factors of performance of MSE. There is a gender difference on sector type, education level and work sheds of micro and small enterprises business owner. The result also showed that initial capital has positively affected the performance of business owners and men headed business owners have better performance than female headed business owners.

Keywords: Micro- and Small Enterprises, Performance, Gender, Tigray, Ethiopia.
Economic Contribution of Cart Horses to the Livelihoods of Families in Gondar Town Ethiopia
Authors: Asfaw Hamelmal , Tadesse Gebrehiwot
Published: July 2020

Equines are providing traction power and transport services, like pulling cart, packing and riding, at low cost in both rural and urban areas of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gondar city from November 2014 to April 2015 to assess major health problems and to investigate the economic contribution of cart horses to livelihood of the community. Cart horses were randomly selected from the study area. Observational study was also conducted and semi-structured questionnaire survey was administered to all cart horse owners. The study revealed that behavioral responses, skin coat and dental conditions were significantly associated with body condition and age of cart horses (p<0.05). Wound and musculoskeletal problem had no significant association with body condition and age of working horses. Young horses with good body conditions were more prone to wounds (75%) than the older horses with poor body conditions. The majority of the carthorse owners used their horses for transportation for long hours (> 8 hours) per a day, 5-6 days per week and loaded them 500-700 kg. The income in cash for the cart horse owners was recorded as 80-100 ETB per day. The current study indicated that the cart horse contribution to livelihood of communities is considerable. The working animals deserve better husbandry and veterinary care to sustain their contribution. We suggest a more detailed and systematic study be conducted in the study area to influence policy makers towards better regulation in animal welfare.

Keywords: Cart horses, Economic contribution, Gondar, Ethiopia.