Perceived Effect of COVID-19 on the Health of Charcoal Producers in the Guinea Savannah Agro-Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Charcoal producers ignored the health implications of the activity especially during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in several health disorders. Thus, the study examined perceived effect of COVID-19 on the health of charcoal producers in the derived savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Data were collected through the use of structured interview scheduled. A total of 178 respondents were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were analysed through the use of frequency, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics: chi-square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study reveals that most of the respondents strongly agreed that they usually use local herbs to treat all ailments during COVID-19. More than 50% of them always experienced difficult breathing during COVID-19, and that high death were recorded than before COVID-19 pandemic, while 88.2% of the respondents perceived low level of the effect of COVID-19 on their health. In addition, more than 50% of them strongly agreed that COVID-19 does not exist at all, that it is a taboo, while shaking hands with customers/friends is a symbol of love and that they cannot do without touching both face and nose during COVID-19 pandemic respectively. However, 93.3% of the respondents did not comply with the COVID-19 preventive measures. The study concludes that charcoal producers did not believe in the existence of COVID-19 and this may be dangerous to their health. Hence, education awareness on the hazard of COVID-19 to the health of charcoal producers should be encouraged.

Variation in Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure Distribution among Students of a Tertiary Institution in Port-Harcourt

Introduction: Globally, reports on diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases have shown to pose a major pitfall of health challenge, resulting in mortality especially among middle and low-income groups in developing countries. Aim: This research was therefore undertaken to determine the variation in blood glucose and blood pressure distribution among individual students of a tertiary institution in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. Methodology: This is a randomized cross sectional observational study. 220 apparently healthy students (54 male and 166 female) of Rivers State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology (RIVSCOHSMAT), Port Harcourt were recruited into the study, Fasting blood glucose and blood pressure were determined using glucometer and sphygmomanometer respectively. Results: The results show the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension as 8.2% and 10.5% respectively. The results revealed that 2.3% of the population was pre-diabetic with a higher prevalence in men (5.6%) compared to females (1.2%). Male subjects had significantly higher fasting blood sugar, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure compared to the females (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed gender differences in blood glucose homeostasis between women and men. More awareness is needed to encourage a healthier lifestyle to reduce the burden of diabetes and hypertension.

Multiparametric Rational Solutions of Order N to the KPI Equation and the Explicit Case of Order 3

We present multiparametric rational solutions to the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation (KPI). These solutions of order N depend on 2N − 2 real parameters. Explicit expressions of the solutions at order 3 are given. They can be expressed as a quotient of a polynomial of degree 2N(N +1)−2 in x, y and t by a polynomial of degree 2N(N +1) in x, y and t, depending on 2N − 2 real parameters. We study the patterns of their modulus in the (x,y) plane for different values of time t and parameters.

The Indonesian Government's Political Control of the Islamic Ideology Movement in a Country with a Majority of Muslims

Geneological perspective differences on the Jakarta Charter had become the main cause for some Islamic groups to have an endless struggle in embodying Islamism and Islamic ideology formalism as the basis of their philosophy and ideology. Compromise and radicalism are part of the movement of these groups. This study aims to examine the supporters’ movement of the understanding of Islamism and Islamic Idiology formalism in order to get involve in Indonesian political system. The phenomenological constructivism approach is used in understanding the views of New Order Regime and Reforms Regime in dealing with Islamism and Islamic idiology formalism which are taken from interview and document analysis. The results of the study show that the radical issues are far more than the normal level of the Indonesian Islam movement. The concerns of certain groups which are oriented towards the Islamic movement in Indonesia are more co-opted in an anti-Islamic global network sponsored by the United States. The status of the New Order Regime and the Reform Regime do not differ significantly in addressing various state issues related to the issues of the Islamic movement. For these two regimes, Islamism is still seen as a movement that must be tightly controlled, radical issues and terrorism are the most effective political instruments for controlling Islamic nationalism groups whose views differ from secular nationalist groups with regard to national philosophy and identity.

Chemical and Microbial Analysis of Bedding Material (Wood Shavings) Treated with Graded Levels of Aluminium Sulphate (Alum)

The study was carried out at the poultry unit of the Department of Animal Science teaching and research farm, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to determine the chemical and microbial analysis of poultry litter (wood shavings) treated with graded levels of alum. The alum used was obtained from the Sabon-gari market in Zaria, Kaduna State. The rates of alum application (prior to keeping the birds) was as follows: T1 control (normal wood shavings with no alum), T2 (5% alum by kg weight of wood shavings), T3 (10% alum by kg weight of wood shavings) and T4 (15% alum by kg weight of wood shavings). Five sets of litter samples were obtained fortnightly from each pen from different locations i.e. the four corners and center from which the microbial load, pH, total nitrogen (N), soluble reactive phosphorus, VFA and NH4+ concentration were measured. The result shows significantly (P<0.05) lower pH value in all the alum treated wood shavings groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated wood shavings) compared to the control. The result showed that significantly (P<0.05) lower total volatile fatty acid level was obtained in all the alum treated wood shavings groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated wood shavings) compared to the control untreated wood shaving group. The results showed a decrease in total bacteria, E. coli and Salmonella spp. load in alum treated wood shavings groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated wood shavings) compared to the control, while mould and yeast load was increased in all the alum treated wood shavings groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated wood shavings) compared to the control. The study conclude that treating wood shavings with alum can reduce microbial load of the litter, hence improve health and reduce mortality. Treating wood shavings with alum tends reduce the microbial load of the litter.

Binomial Transform of the Generalized Fourth Order Pell Sequence

In this study, we define the binomial transform of the generalized fourth order Pell sequenceand as special cases, the binomial transform of the fourth order Pell and fourth order Pell-Lucassequences will be introduced. We investigate their properties in details.

Epidemiological Profile of Infectious Diseases Notified in a Municipality Integrated into the Bioceanic Route in Brazil

Introduction: The Bioceanic Routeand its economic integration will have tremendous impact within the cities under management. The state of Mato Grosso do Sul and interior municipalities of the Paraguay-Brazil Border are standouts. The permanence of these workers in Brazilian territory will lead to a rapid increase in population in the border towns connected by the corridor and consequently, in the incidence of infectious diseases. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive study of documentary approach that aimed to analyze the prevalence of tropical infectious diseases such asarboviroses and Diseases Related to Inadequate Environmental Sanitation (DRIES) notified and stored in the National System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). The sample consisted of new cases of these pathologies in the municipality of Porto Murtinho registered between January 2017 and December 2020. Results: Within the period analyzed, an increase of 10% in the total number of diseases occured. The number of dengue cases increased 36 times its previous rates; there was a maintenance from cases of Leptospirosis, Yellow Fever, Zika, Chikungunya, whereas the incidence of Syphilis, HIV and HPV decreased. Conclusions: Actions aimed at preventing the increase of Arboviruses and DRIESI before, during and after the construction of the Bioceanic Route are needed in view of the changes that will be imposed by it. Faced with the increase in the flow of people that is inevitable with the construction of this project, several outcomes are expected based on previous experiences already mentioned in this work.

Comparing Glycemic Indices among Different Ethnic Groups Residing in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Increased prevalence and incidence rates within ethnic minorities have been reported by numerous studies on tribal differences in type 2 diabetes patients, sharing a western setting. This study was aimed at comparing glycemic indices among different ethnic groups residing in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State. The study population consisted of apparently150 healthy male and female subjects; 116 Ijaws, 21 Igbos and 13 Yorubas residing in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State of Nigeria. All subjects were aged between 16 and 48 years. 4 mls of Blood samples was collected from each subject. 2mls of the blood was withdrawn into EDTA for HbA1c estimation while the other 2mls was withdrawn into fluoride oxalate for fasting blood glucose. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was determined using the automated CLOVER A1c Analyser while FBG was assayed using Glucose Oxidase Method. Results revealed that there was a significant difference in the mean levels of FBG among the studied groups (P-value < 0.05) but there was no significant difference in the HbA1c mean levels (P-value > 0.05). This study has revealed that ethnic differences may cause significant changes on fasting blood glucose but may not in HbA1c.

Assessing the Heamatology of Uda Rams Fed Graded Levels of Processed Cassava (Manihot esculentus L.) Peels

The experiment was carried out at Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero using thirty two (32) yearlings Uda Rams in two feeding trials ran concurrently. Sixteen (16) rams were used in each experiment with four treatments replicated four times in a completely randomized factorial design (2 × 4). The animal represents the replicates while the processing method (drying and ensiling) and the level of inclusion represents the treatments respectively. The level of inclusion are 0, 10, 20 and 30% dried cassava peels (DCP) and ensiled cassava peels (ECP) respectively. Data were collected in each trial on hematological characteristics. Data generated was subjected to analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) was used to separate the means. Hematological values of rams fed DCP were within the normal range while those fed ECP were below the normal range. The results shows significant difference (P<0.05) between dried and ensiled method of processing in terms of haemoglobin, MCH, WBC and MCV. Rams fed dried cassava peels had lower haemoglobin and PCV compared to normal range. It was concluded that there was no significant difference between rams fed dried cassava peels and those fed ensiled cassava peels at 30% level of inclusion.

Haematology and Serum Biomakers of Broiler Birds Fed Graded Levels of Clove (Sygzium aromaticum (L.) Buds Meal in Semi Arid Nigeria

The study investigated the effect of graded levels of cloves bud powder on broiler birds. The study was conducted using a total of 288 broiler birds in a Completely Randomized Design Four treatments; four experimental diets where formulated and designated as T1 (control), T2 (0.5kg/100kg), T3 (1Kg/100kg) and T4 (1.5kg/100Kg). At the end of the feeding trial (eighth week), fifteen birds (5 per replicate) from each treatment group were randomly selected for blood collection. About 2ml of blood were collected per bird. Birds in treatment 4 (1.5kg/100kg) had the highest (P<0.05) concentration of haemoglobin and PCV compared to treatment 1 (control) and 3 (1kg/100kg). Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in albumin, globulin, total protein, HDL, cholesterol, urea, AST and ALT. The result shows that birds fed 1.5/100kg clove buds meal have higher albumin, globulin and total protein. The study conclude that inclusion of clove buds meal up to 1.5/100kg in diet of broiler birds without adverse effect as in indicated by haematological and serum biochemical of the birds in this study.