Prognostic indicators of early and late death in children admitted to district hospital in Kenya: cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical indicators of immediate, early, and late mortality in children at admission to a sub-Saharan district hospital and to develop prognostic scores. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: One district hospital in Kenya. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged over 90 days admitted to hospital from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prognostic indicators of mortality. RESULTS: Of 8091 children admitted up to 1 June 2000, 436 (5%) died. Sixty (14%) died within four hours after admission (immediate), 193 (44%) after 4-48 hours (early), and 183 (42%) after 48 hours (late). There were marked differences in the clinical features associated with immediate, early, and late death. Seven indicators (neurological status, respiratory distress (subcostal indrawing or deep breathing), nutritional status (wasting or kwashiorkor), severe anaemia, jaundice, axillary temperature, and length of history) were included in simplified prognostic scores. Data from 4802 children admitted from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001 were used to validate the scores. For simplified prognostic scores the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.92 to 0.94), 0.82 (0.80 to 0.83), and 0.82 (0.81 to 0.84) for immediate, early, and late death, respectively. CONCLUSION: In children admitted to a sub-Saharan hospital, the prognostic indicators of early and late deaths differ but a small number of simple clinical signs predict outcome wel

Valorization of Napier grass via intermediate pyrolysis: Optimization using response surface methodology and pyrolysis products characterization

This study presents first optimization report on pyrolysis oil derived from Napier grass. Effects of temperature, heating rate and nitrogen flow rate on the intermediate pyrolysis of Napier grass biomass in a vertical fixed-bed tubular reactor were investigated collectively. Response surface methodology with central composite design was used for modelling the process and optimization of the process variables. Individual second order polynomial model was found to be adequate in predicting bio-oil, bio-char and non-condensable gas yield. The optimum bio-oil yield of 50.57 wt% was recorded at 600 �C, 50 �C/min and 5 L/min nitrogen flow. The bio-oil obtained throughout this study was two-phase liquid, organic and aqueous phase. The bio-oil, bio-char and non-condensable gas were characterized using standard analytical techniques. The results revealed that the organic phase consists of hydrocarbons and various benzene derivatives, which can be further processed into fuels and valuable chemicals. The aqueous phase was predominantly water, acids, ketones, aldehydes and some phenolics and other water-soluble organics. The non-condensable gas was made up high hydrogen/carbon monoxide ratio suitable for liquid fuel synthesis via Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis. The bio-char was a porous carbonaceous material with high energy content, which can be applied as a solid fuel, adsorbent or source of biofertilizer. This study demonstrated that Napier grass biomass is a viable feedstock for production of high-value bioenergy precursors

Climate change and anthropogenic intervention impact on the hydrologic anomalies in a semi-arid area : lower Zab river basin, Iraq

Climate change impact, drought phenomena and anthropogenic stress are of increasing apprehension for water resource managers and strategists, particularly in arid regions. The current study proposes a generic methodology to evaluate the potential impact of such changes at a basin scale. The Lower Zab River Basin located in the north of Iraq has been selected for illustration purposes. The method has been developed through evaluating changes during normal hydrological years to separate the effects of climate change and estimate the hydrologic abnormalities utilising Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration. The meteorological parameters were perturbed by applying adequate delta perturbation climatic scenarios. Thereafter, a calibrated rainfall-runoff model was used for streamflow simulations. Findings proved that climate change has a more extensive impact on the hydrological characteristics of the streamflow than anthropogenic intervention (i.e. the construction of a large dam in the catchment). The isolated baseflow is more sensitive to the precipitation variations than to the variations of the potential evapotranspiration. The current hydrological anomalies are expected to continue. This comprehensive basin study demonstrates how climate change impact, anthropogenic intervention as well as hydro-climatic drought and hydrological anomalies can be evaluated with a new methodology

Adaptation strategy to mitigate the impact of climate change on water resources in arid and semi-arid regions : a case study

Climate change and drought phenomena impacts have become a growing concern for water resources engineers and policy makers, mainly in arid and semi-arid areas. This study aims to contribute to the development of a decision support tool to prepare water resources managers and planners for climate change adaptation. The Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (The Water Balance Department of the Hydrological Bureau) hydrologic model was used to define the boundary conditions for the reservoir capacity yield model comprising daily reservoir inflow from a representative example watershed with the size of 14,924 km2 into a reservoir with the capacity of 6.80 Gm3. The reservoir capacity yield model was used to simulate variability in climate change-induced differences in reservoir capacity needs and performance (operational probability of failure, resilience, and vulnerability). Owing to the future precipitation reduction and potential evapotranspiration increase during the worst case scenario (−40% precipitation and +30% potential evapotranspiration), substantial reductions in streamflow of between −56% and −58% are anticipated for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Furthermore, model simulations recommend that as a result of future climatic conditions, the reservoir operational probability of failure would generally increase due to declined reservoir inflow. The study developed preparedness plans to combat the consequences of climate change and drought

Antibacterial Activity and Fatty Acid Composition of Sudanese Castor Bean (Ricinus communis L) Seed Oil

The castor bean plant (Ricinus communis L) has very popular seed oil that is consumed in different applications around the world. In the present study, the seed oil of Ricinus communis grown in Sudan was investigated in respect to its antibacterial activity and fatty acid composition. The antibacterial activity of the oil was tested against six bacteria strains using the disc diffusion method, while its fatty acid composition was analyzed by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil exhibited different degrees of antibacterial activity depending on the doses of the oil applied. The maximum zone of inhibition observed for each bacterium was as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (8.1 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (6.5 mm), Bacillus subtilis (6.2 mm), Escherichia coli (6.0 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.5 mm) and Salmonella typhi (5.2 mm). The unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content was 97.9% of the total fatty acid composition. Ricinoleic acid comprises over 85% while other fatty acids identified were linoleic (8.1%), oleic (4.3%), stearic (1.1%), palmitic (0.8%), and linolenic (0.4%). The findings from this study may add to the overall value of the industrial and medicinal potential of this plant.

Reactions of Improved Cowpea Genotypes to Some Major Diseases in a Sorghum-Based Cropping System in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

The study was carried out to investigate the susceptibilities of some improved cowpea genotypes to infection and damage due to bacterial blight, smut and cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus CABMV in a sorghum-based cropping system during 1999 and 2000 at Minjibir, Kano, Nigeria. Treatments consisted of six (6) genotypes made up of one (1) local Danila and five (5) improved (IT90K-277-2, IT95K-1090-3, IT95K-222-14, IT96D-666 and IT96D-759) and in a four (4) row arrangements (1S:1C, 2S:2C, 1S:2C, and 2S:4C, reflecting millet to cowpea rows). These were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. There was a significant effect (P < 0.05) of cowpea genotype on bacterial blight. In both seasons IT96D-666 recorded the highest for bacterial blight and smut damage. In 1999, Danila along with improved genotypes recorded lower ratings for blight, while in 2000 only Danila and IT95K-277-2 recorded the highest protection against bacterial blight. For smut with the exception of IT96D-666, the other (Danila, IT95K-277-2, IT95K-1091-3, IT95K-222-14 and IT96D-759) recorded statistically comparable lower damage ratings. In both seasons IT95K-277-2 recorded the least incidence and severity of leaf virus. Although the other genotypes had virtually similar and higher ratings in both or one of the two seasons, Danila and IT95K-1091-3 recorded consistently higher values. In the two seasons Danila produced significantly higher Total Dry Matter (TDM) and the other semi-determinate genotypes had comparable values. In both seasons IT95K-222-14 consistently out-yielded the other genotypes but it had statistically similar grain yield with IT95K-277-2 in 2000. Row arrangement had a significant effect on bacterial blight in 1999, whereas planting cowpea at 1S:1C recorded the least infection while the highest rating was obtained at 2S:4C row arrangement. Incidence and severity of leaf virus were not affected by row arrangement. In both seasons TDM and grain yields were significantly higher at 2S:4C while the least values were recorded at 1S:1C row arrangement was superior to the row arrangement. The genotype and row arrangement interaction indicated that planting of IT95K-222-14 at 2S:4C row arrangement produced the highest grain yield

Application of Cry1Ab/Ac Bt strip for screening of resistance for Maruca vitrata in cowpea

Maruca vitrata is a significant constraint to cowpea production in most cowpea growing areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Yield losses caused by M. vitrata in these regions are estimated in millions of tons annually and the prevalence of M. vitrata infestation is steadily increasing. Recombinant DNA technology have led to development of some cowpea lines with Maruca resistance as well as other important agronomic traits but it is time-consuming and difficult to screen for the resistant trait especially in the segregating populations using conventional screening techniques, which will lead to delay in the development of Maruca resistant cowpea varieties. The use of allele-based selection tool will make it easier to select plant traits and reduce the time needed to develop new Maruca resistant cowpea varieties. In this study, the efficacy of using Cry1Ab/Ac Bt strip for detecting Maruca resistant transgene in transgenic cowpea was systematically investigated for the first time through field derived progenies. The results show that the Cry1Ab/Ac Bt strip was effective for detecting the presence of the resistant gene in cowpea genome. Maruca resistant plants were successfully screened from the segregating cowpea plants and the genetics of the gene was monitored. The Cry1Ab/Ac Bt strip was found to be suitable for genetic analysis of the Maruca resistant transgene in cowpea. This study has demonstrated the precision of using Cry1Ab/Ac Bt strips as a screening tool of transgenic lines containing Cry1Ab gene, this has an importance in the hybridization programme where genotypes having cry gene can be distinguished at seedling stage at lesser time, with the potential of putting the breeding process on a fast track and increase the efficiency of breeding activities.Keywords: Bacillus thuriengiensis, Cry1Ab/Ac Bt strips, transgenic cowpea, Maruca vitrata.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(40), pp. 5869-587

Impact of genetic transformation on morphological expression of transgenic cowpea

Two genetically engineered cowpea lines(TCL-709 and TCL-711) were evaluated under field conditions along with the original parental genotype (IT86D-1010) at confined field trial site Samaru Nigeria for expression of morpholgical traits. The present study was designed and conducted in order to understand whether genetic transformation of cowpea with Cry1Ab gene had led to unwanted changes on the morphological features of transgenic cowpea lines, by making comparative assessment between the transgenic lines and untransformed original parental genotype. The result showed that comparison made between transgenic cowpea line TCL-709 and original parental type showed non-significant differences in all the parameters compared. Similarly, comparison made between cowpea transgenic line TCL-711 and IT86D-1010 had significant differences for days to first flowering, days to first pod maturity and plant height while vegetative traits such as number of primary branches, yield attributes like total number of pods per plant at maturity were not significantly different from the original parent. The most important character in a crop-improvement programme is yield, the result indicated that the genotypes (TCL-709, TCL-711 and IT86D-1010) had non-significant differences among themselves regarding total number of pods per plant. It is therefore concluded that the introduction of Cry1Ab gene has not led to harmful changes on the gross morphological characteristics of cowpea plants, besides conferring insect resistance to Maruca pest.Keywords; Cry1Ab-Transgene, Genetic Transformation, Transgenic-Cowpe

Sizing of wind powered axial flux permanent magnet alternator using analytical approach

The demand for a more sustainable energy supply worldwide is constantly growing hence, leading to the exploration of various renewable energy sources in energy generation systems especially in the demand for power in homes, industrial sectors and other utilities. Hydro power, wave power, solar energy, biomass and wind power are only a few that are being harnessed in various capacities. With new advances in wind energy technologies and energy conversion systems, a perfect fit is found in the utilization of wind in developing direct drive energy conversion systems. In this work, a wind-powered, single-phase, permanent magnet alternator utilizing an axial flux distribution system is developed. Using analytical calculations, the design parameters of the alternator’s main dimensions were obtained in a similar procedure for conventional electrical machines. To prove the feasibility of the concept, a prototype was built and tested. The alternator was built using Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB), a permanent magnet, with high concentration of flux around its periphery. The stator is slot-less and carries a concentrated air-cored type of winding. The procedures leading to either the selections and/or calculations for the machine parameters were carried out from first principle and fundamental assumptions in electrical machines design were made accordingly. Tests were conducted to determine its voltage output and were found optimal giving the abound limitations as stated. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i4.2

Poly(Glycerol Adipate-co-ω-Pentadecalactone) Spray-Dried Microparticles as Sustained Release Carriers for Pulmonary Delivery

Purpose The aim of this work was to optimize biodegradable polyester poly(glycerol adipate-co-ω-pentadecalactone), PGA-co-PDL, microparticles as sustained release (SR) carriers for pulmonary drug delivery. Methods Microparticles were produced by spray drying directly from double emulsion with and without dispersibility enhancers ( L -arginine and L -leucine) (0.5–1.5%w/w) using sodium fluorescein (SF) as a model hydrophilic drug. Results Spray-dried microparticles without dispersibility enhancers exhibited aggregated powders leading to low fine particle fraction (%FPF) (28.79 ± 3.24), fine particle dose (FPD) (14.42 ± 1.57 μg), with a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) 2.86 ± 0.24 μm. However, L -leucine was significantly superior in enhancing the aerosolization performance ( L- arginine:%FPF 27.61 ± 4.49–26.57 ± 1.85; FPD 12.40 ± 0.99–19.54 ± 0.16 μg and MMAD 2.18 ± 0.35–2.98 ± 0.25 μm, L -leucine:%FPF 36.90 ± 3.6–43.38 ± 5.6; FPD 18.66 ± 2.90–21.58 ± 2.46 μg and MMAD 2.55 ± 0.03–3.68 ± 0.12 μm). Incorporating L -leucine (1.5%w/w) reduced the burst release (24.04 ± 3.87%) of SF compared to unmodified formulations (41.87 ± 2.46%), with both undergoing a square root of time (Higuchi’s pattern) dependent release. Comparing the toxicity profiles of PGA-co-PDL with L -leucine (1.5%w/w) (5 mg/ml) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide), (5 mg/ml) spray-dried microparticles in human bronchial epithelial 16HBE14o- cell lines, resulted in cell viability of 85.57 ± 5.44 and 60.66 ± 6.75%, respectively, after 72 h treatment. Conclusion The above data suggest that PGA-co-PDL may be a useful polymer for preparing SR microparticle carriers, together with dispersibility enhancers, for pulmonary delivery