NIGEDU CLOUD: Model of a National e-Education Cloud for Developing Countries.

To achieve global competitiveness, governments in developing countries are evolving and implementing information technology policies, to enable their countries participate in the current ICT revolving. One barrier to attaining the education objectives of the policies is inadequate national ICT infrastructure and service. The inadequate of ICT infrastructure and service is attributed to inadequate government funding, which in turn becomes difficult for education institutions to own and use sophisticated ICT facilities. In spite of inadequate funding, the gap can be reduced if education institutions in developing countries have access to ICT infrastructure available in developed countries

Vaginal Vault Prolapse

Introduction. Vaginal vault prolapse is a common complication following vaginal hysterectomy with negative impact on women's quality of life due to associated urinary, anorectal and sexual dysfunction. A clear understanding of the supporting mechanism for the uterus and vagina is important in making the right choice of corrective procedure. Management should be individualised, taking into consideration the surgeon's experience, patients age, comorbidities, previous surgery and sex life. Result. Preexisting pelvic floor defect prior to hysterectomy is the single most important risk factor for vault prolapse. Various surgical techniques have been advanced at hysterectomy to prevent vault prolapse. Studies have shown the McCall's culdoplasty under direct visualisation to be superior. Vault prolapse repair rely on either the use of patient's tissue or synthetic materials and can be carried out abdominally or vaginally. Sacrospinous fixation and abdominal sacrocolpopexy are the commonly performed procedures, with literature in favour of abdominal sacrocolpopexy over sacrospinous fixation due to its reported higher success rate of about 90%. Other less commonly performed procedures include uterosacral ligament suspension and illiococcygeal fixation, both of which are equally effective, with the former having a high risk of ureteric injury. Colpoclesis will play a greater role in the future as the aging population increases. Mesh procedures are gaining in popularity, and preliminary data from vaginal mesh procedures is encouraging. Laparoscopic techniques require a high level of skill and experience. There are many controversies on the mechanism of prolapse and management techniques, which we have tried to address in this article. Conclusion. As the aging population increases, the incidence of prolapse will also rise, older techniques using native tissue will continue, while new techniques using the mesh needs to be studied further. The later may well be the way forward in future

The influence of stocking density on the growth performance and production of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in earthen pond

An experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of stocking density on the growth of the initial stocked tilapia (O.niloticus) in earthen ponds, the effect on the reproductive performance of the fish and impact on the economy of production. Six African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC), Aluu, Port Harcourt earthen genetic ponds split into three compartments representing three replicates were stocked with 666 fingerlings of 4.33g average initial weight and 6.06cm average initial length at 37 per replicate. They were fed with a 28%CP blood meal based diet for nine months. The size of the ponds and depth of water was such as to attain average stocking densities of 6.33, 6.45, 5.05, 3.60, 2.88 and 2.05 fish/m3. The result showed distinct increase in growth as the stocking densities decreased. Ponds 5,6 and 4 with lower densities 2.88, 2.05 and 3.60 fish/m3 having higher final weights of 146.10, 120.79 and 108.69g than ponds 3, 2 and 1 with 85.37, 74.36 and 59.68g respectively (P<0.05). Average final length was higher in ponds 5, 6 and 4 at 14.46, 13.86 and 13.79cm than ponds 3, 2 and 1 with 12.09, 10.62 and 11.36cm. Relative weight gain followed suit with 3274.13, 2689.61 and 2410.16% in ponds 5, 6 and 4 as against 1871.59, 1617.32 and 1277.83% in 3, 2 and 1. Percentage survival increased as stocking density decreased at 28.18, 35.45, 37.27, 40.91, 41.82 and 45.45% for the 6.33, 6.45, 5.05 , 3.60, 2.05 and 2.88 fish/m3 treatment respectively, with the 3.60, 2.05 and 2.88fish/m3 treatment significantly higher (P<0.05). The 2.88fish/m3treatment (treatment 5) also provided the cheapest cost of producing 1kg of fish at N178.74 as against N457.14, N351.44, N312.41, N242.81 and N217.25 per kg fish of treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 respectively. The total number of off-springs produced all in progressive sizes increased as the stocking density decreased at 1530, 1636, 1674, 2053, 3160 and 3234 for ponds 1-6. The experiment showed that tilapia fingerlings stocked in earthen pond at low densities grow and reproduce more and at a lower cost of production than those with higher stocking densities. The ideal appears to be between 2 and 3 fish/m

DNA Barcode Authentication and Improvement of Andrographolide Yield in Andrographis paniculata Plant

Background: Andrographolide, the major bioactive compound responsible for most pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial activity exhibited by the Andrographis paniculata plant is present in small quantities. In addition, the genus Andrographis has about 28 species most of which possess no medicinal value. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcode is utilized in species identification and plant authentication.Objectives: This study aimed at authenticating Andrographis paniculata using DNA barcodes and improving the yield of andrographolide via enzymatic treatment.Materials and Method: The DNA of Andrographis plant was obtained using the Qiagen kit. The psbA-trnH and rbcL DNA barcode regions were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Presence of amplified regions was confirmed using gel electrophoresis and the amplicons were sequenced. A blast N search was performed on the sequenced DNA. The constituents of A. paniculata dried leaves was extracted using methanol, followed by treatment with and without β glucosidase. The extract obtained was dried and partitioned using ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was concentrated and dissolved in methanol. Andrographolide content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results: The psbA-trnH and rbcL DNA regions were successfully amplified having 358 and 604 bp respectively. The DNA barcode sequences obtained were identical to the psbA-trnH (97%) and rbcL (99%) genes of A. paniculata voucher MICET P00101. The mean andrographolide yield was 9.4±0.11mg/g and 8.9±0.13mg/g dry weight for the treatment and control groups respectively; statistical analysis at p = 0.05 shows a significant difference.Conclusion: The Andrographis plant used in this study was confirmed to be Andrographis paniculata, enzymatic treatment increased andrographolide yield from the plant. Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, andrographolide, authentication, DNA barcodes, β-glucosidase

Ethical and Spiritual Values of the Church Library in Nigeria: A Study of Three Selected Church Libraries

This study was aimed at investigating the current state of church libraries in Nigeria considering the fact that not much attention has been given to the place and relevance of the church Library in promoting ethical values and spiritual growth among Christians in Nigeria. A survey was undertaken in three selected church libraries within Nigeria. Findings from the study showed that the teenage category of the library users was the largest and that there were a sizeable number of people who are not members of the churches that uses the library. The major problems identified included inadequacies in the availability of computers, internet connection and furniture and poor awareness of the church library. It is hoped that Church Administrators and Leaders will find this report useful and inspiring in considering the establishment of libraries within their churches. Keywords: church libraries, ethical and spiritual values, library resource

Furthering Our Understanding of Post-Traumatic Mental Health Conditions and Intimate Relationship Outcomes in Veterans of the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

Objective: Although there has been substantial research on post-traumatic stress disorder and its commonly comorbid conditions, the unique associations among these mental health symptoms and relationship adjustment have not been investigated. The purpose of this paper is to extend understanding of the associations among PTSD and relationship adjustment for female and male veterans, as well as to account for the impact of comorbid symptoms of depression and problematic alcohol use in a large sample. Method: Participants were 2325 (n = 1122 men and 1203 women) veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from a larger study exploring wartime experiences and post-deployment adjustment. Chi-square analyses and regressions tested the associations among mental health symptoms (PTSD symptom severity, depressive symptoms, and problematic alcohol use) and relationship status and adjustment. Results: For both men and women, those with probable PTSD were less likely to be in an intimate relationship than those without probable PTSD, and those in intimate relationships had lower PTSD symptom severity compared with those not in intimate relationships. However, when accounting for PTSD, depression, and problematic alcohol use simultaneously, only depression emerged as a significant negative predictor of relationship adjustment. Conclusions: Shared variance among these common post-traumatic mental health conditions comorbidities may be most responsible for PTSD&rsquo;s negative association with relationship adjustment. Unique remaining variance of depression is also negatively associated with relationship adjustment. Treatment implications of these findings for individual and couple therapy post-trauma are provided

ABSTRACTS OF PRESENTATIONS

Second International Conference on African Digital Libraries and Archives, abstracts of presentation

Soluble transferrin receptor levels among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is one of the medical problems that affect pregnant women in developing countries. It contributes considerably to the morbidity and mortality in pregnancy especially in areas where malaria is endemic. The concentration of soluble transferrin receptor is a reflection of body iron status. It is therefore, a valuable tool for assessing bone marrow erythropoetic activity and can also be a marker of iron deficiency.Methods: This study evaluated the levels of soluble transferrin receptor in pregnant subjects. A total of 275 pregnant subjects of age 20 to 45 years and 88 age-matched apparently healthy control subjects were involved in this study. Individuals who had severe anaemia, HIV infection, sickle cell disease or Hookworm infestation were excluded from this study. Five millilitres (5ml) of blood were collected from each consenting subject for the analysis of soluble transferrin receptor, haematological parameters and iron parameters using appropriate methods.Results: The mean value of parameters for the study subjects were sTfR( 21.16±9.11 nmol/L), Hb(9.05±1.22 g/dl), TIBC(332.61±80.87 µg/dl), Serum Iron(97.91±39.44 µg/dl), LIBC(239.36±80.52 µg/dl), TS(30.24±11.00 %) while for control subjects were sTfR(18.21±3.77 nmol/L), Hb(12.19±0.66 g/dl), TIBC(261.94±52.49µg/dl), Serum Iron(107.10±34.77 µg/dl), LIBC(155.52±61.25 µg/dl), TS(42.81±18.03 %). The mean sTfR levels in pregnant women was significantly lower (p<0.001) than in control subjects. The pregnant women also had significantly lower values of Hb (p<0.001), serum iron (p=0.038) and TS( p<0.001) values, and significantly higher values of TIBC(p<0.0001) and LIBC(p<0.0001). There were also increases in soluble transferrin receptor levels from first to third trimesters. The sensitivity of sTfR as against Serum iron parameters from this study was 76% while the specificity was 50%. The positive predictive value was 60% while the negative predictive value was 50%.Conclusions: sTfR may be a useful supplementary diagnostic tool in the management of anaemia in pregnancy

Preparation of snail cyst and PEG-4000 composite carriers via PEGylation for oral delivery of insulin: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Purpose: To develop PEGylated mucin as a carrier system for oral insulin delivery. Methods: Varied ratios of snail cyst were molecularly modified with polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000). Briefly, In each case, 20 g quantities of snail cyst and PEG 4000 were separately dispersed in distilled water, stirred and allowed to stand for 24 h to produce a homogeneous dispersion and clear solution, respectively. The solution of PEG was added to the snail cyst dispersion, stirred and allowed 12 h for molecular interaction. The mixture was added to a 250-mL beaker containing 100 mL of light liquid paraffin. The microparticles were obtained after stirring and removing the paraffin using chilled acetone. The obtained PEGylated mucin matrices, which were subsequently loaded with insulin using a diffusion method, characterized for particles size, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release and evaluated for oral application in diabetic rats. Results: The polymer hybrids improved insulin encapsulation efficiency (max 82.3 %), gave. polydispersity indices that ranged from 0.11 ± 0.1 to 0.24 ± 0.2, zeta potential values between 28 ± 0.3 and 38 ± 1.1 mV. Insulin release was highest (68 % in 6 h) for batch C and was sustained for 10 h in simulated intestinal fluid. The optimized batch (C-5) showed higher hypoglycaemic activity (56.5 %) than control (0.5 %) in diabetic rats. Conclusion: The results suggest that PEGylated mucin can potentially be developed as a platform for oral insulin deliver

Ethical and Spiritual Values of the Church Library in Nigeria: A Study of Three Selected Church Libraries

This study was aimed at investigating the current state of church libraries in Nigeria considering the fact that not much attention has been given to the place and relevance of the church Library in promoting ethical values and spiritual growth among Christians in Nigeria. A survey was undertaken in three selected church libraries within Nigeria. Findings from the study showed that the teenage category of the library users was the largest and that there were a sizeable number of people who are not members of the churches that uses the library. The major problems identified included inadequacies in the availability of computers, internet connection and furniture and poor awareness of the church library. It is hoped that Church Administrators and Leaders will find this report useful and inspiring in considering the establishment of libraries within their churches