Influence of indices of reproduction on condition factor and some morphometric features of Tilapia guineensis

The influence of indices of reproduction (Gonadosomatic index-GSI-and Hepatosomatic index -HSI-) on condition factor and morphometric features of Tilapia guineensis were examined using 160 fish comprising 70 females and 90 males. Total length, standard length and body depth were measured to the nearest 1cm, while each fish was weighed to the nearest 0.1 g. The gonads and liver were removed and weighed separatdy to the nearest 0.00lg. Gonadosomatic index, Hepatosomatic index and condition factor were calculated. Correlation analysis between the reproductive indices and the external features of the fish were carried out. Results revealed positive correlation between gonadosomatic index and body depth and between GSI and standard length in both sexes, indicating the dependence of gonadal development on body depth and standard length in both sexes. However, the relationship between the reproductive indices and total length was significant only in the female. The relationship between HSI and Standard length was also significant in female (P<0.01, r = 0.707) and male (P<0.05, r = -0.216), but in positive and negative direction-respectively. The correlation between the reproductive indices and condition factor were not significant in both sexes. The correlation of GSI and HSI in male (r = 0.062) was not significant, while the positive correlation of GSI and HSI in female (r= 0.300) was significant (P<0.05). It was therefore concluded that body depth and standard length could be important factors in determining spawning success in both sexes, while total length may be an additional tool in determining spawning success only in female T. guineensis

Effects of salinity on larval dimension of Tilapia guineensis

Tilapia guineensis eggs were spawned and hatched in different salinities (17, 12, 7, 5, 2 and 0) ppt. The study was conducted in eight replicates. The aim of the investigation was to ascertain disparity in hatching size of Tilapia guineensis attributable to salinity. Immediately hatching was observed, body weight of five hatchlings in each replicate was individually weighed in milligramme. The individual total length of the five hatchlings was also measured in millimeter. The height of the yolk sac larva was determined with micro-metre screw gauge graduated in millimeter from the top of the yolk sac to the dorsal region of the larva. Data obtained were used to calculate yolk sac volume. Significant differences (P<0.01) were observed in body weight and total length of larvae hatched in different salinities. The heaviest and longest larvae were hatched in 12 ppt saline water. The yolk sac volume of larvae hatched in lower salinities were significantly higher (P<0.01) than the yolk sac volume of larvae hatched in higher salinities. The smallest yolk sac volume was recorded in 12ppt saline water. Our findings show that salinity could be manipulated for economic production of heavier seeds of Tilapia

Public perception of mudskipper consumption in some fishing communities of River State

Mudskippers are a delicacy in some fishing communities of Rivers State, public perception of mudskipper consumption were determined in these areas. 120 structured questionnaires were randomly distributed in ten communities spread across three local governments. The results of the survey showed that consumption of mudskipper was more popular among the old people than the younger ones. A greater number of people 82.50% considered mudskipper as fish, 10% as nuisance, 4.17% as snake and 3.32% as pest. Also, 83.33% of the respondents were favourably disposed towards mudskipper 15.0% were negative and 1.67% were indifferent. The study revealed that there is no taboo in the consumption of mudskipper in these area, any perceptions was observed personal to individual and not a communal affair

Effects of decaying leaf litter and inorganic fertilizer on growth and development of maize (Zea mays L.)

The effects of decaying leaf litter of Tithonia diversifolia and Vernonia amygdalina as organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer (NPK 15-15-15) and their combination effects on the growth and development of maize were studied in a screen house. Twenty-four experimental bags filled with 20 kg of loamy soil were laid out in a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications for each treatment which included: 250 g of decaying leaves of T. diversifolia as mulch (T1), 250 g of decaying leaves of V. amygdalina (T2), 1.52 g of NPK (inorganic) fertilizer (T3), a mixture of 250 g of decaying leaves of T. diversifolia and 1.52 g of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (T4), a mixture of V. amygdalina and 1.52 g of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (T5) and control (T6). The significant growth as well as maize yields were obtained from T3 treated maize seedlings, and this was closely followed by T4 treated seedlings. The study showed that the decaying leaf litter as an organic fertilizer in maize production in a screen house conditions did not give better yield than NPK treatment alone

Investigating the clinical utility of wearable motion sensors to guide therapy in children with cerebral palsy

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience a wide range of motor impairments and rarely achieve the recommended level of daily physical activity. To recognise environmental barriers and facilitators, clinicians depend upon an objective evaluation of performance in daily life. Wearable inertial sensors (Physilog®) have recently been developed to measure meaningful spatio-temporal gait parameters. In this study, we investigated the clinical utility of wearable sensors to guide therapy in children with CP. Methods: 9 patients with CP wore inertial sensors at baseline (= week 0), at pre- (= week 4) and post-intervention (= week 8) and follow-up (= week 12). Physiotherapists were asked to develop the intervention phase (i.e., a training plan integrated in their patient’s daily routine) according to the sensors outcomes. To assess the clinical utility of inertial sensors, we designed three different questionnaires for the patients, caregivers and physiotherapists, respectively. The answers were recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS; 0 representing the worst score, 100 representing the best score; ≤30 not satisfied, 31–69 average, ≥70 satisfied) and comments were noted down during the interviews. Furthermore, technical problems and training plans were gathered in a case report form. Results: Overall, patients were satisfied with the sensors (mean 70.6 - 87.4) but experienced tiredness (mean 53.4) during the month of personal training. Caregivers found the sensors useful (mean 77.4) and six out of eight parents noticed an improvement of their child’s physical performance. All physiotherapists would consider using sensors in their practice (mean 82.0) even though they scored their usefulness as average (mean 66.0). Despite having a better representation of patients’ physical activities with sensors (mean 70.0), physiotherapists had trouble adapting the exercises proposed to their patients (mean 49.0). Conclusion: Despite some technical issues, Physilog® sensors presented fairly good acceptability and practicability. Nevertheless, several physiotherapists faced difficulties in adapting existing therapy according to sensor outcomes. Therefore, the implementation of the sensors in clinics to guide therapy will require further adaptations of the setting to increase its relevance

Internal conflict of laws in Nigeria: Making a case for the consolidation of the rules of jurisdiction in inter-state disputes

Owing to the central place that jurisdiction occupies in the adjudication process in Nigeria, jurisdictional conflicts will continue to take up precious judicial time into the foreseeable future. A lesser-known facet of these conflicts is the one among the various High Courts in Nigeria in actions in personam. Until recently, Nigerian courts have had to resolve these conflicts and generally interpret internal conflict of laws questions without the benefit of the direction that legislation and high-quality academic works provide. This paper examined the position on the jurisdiction of courts in inter-State disputes especially in actions in personam. It analysed decisions which tackled territorial jurisdictional challenges in actions in personam with a view to highlighting their inherent errors. Ultimately, the paper proposed a hierarchical roadmap for Nigerian courts to adopt in the determining the issue of jurisdiction in inter-State in personam disputes which if followed, would potentially go a long way towards resolving the protracted jurisdictional conflicts between Nigerian courts, reduce the largely unnecessary challenges to these courts’ authority, significantly reduce the notorious delays in the determination of cases in Nigeria, and eliminate one of the biggest impediments to the smooth administration of the justice delivery system in Nigeria

Differences in physicochemical properties of water from neighbourhood boreholes and their usefulness in Clarias gariepinus egg hatching

Water parameters and egg hatching success in water from three boreholes within close proximity were investigated. The studies were conducted to ascertain differences in their quality and ability to support Clarias gariepinus egg hatching. The boreholes were tagged 300m, 400m and 330m in relation to their distances from a perennial stream within the vicinity. Temperature and pH were investigated using digital metres. Dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and total hardness were determined using titration method. The water parameters were measured twice a week for 5 weeks. Percentage egg hatching, time to commencement and termination of egg hatching were studied in triplicates. The results obtained showed that pH, Dissolve oxygen (DO), Alkalinity and total hardness were significantly different (P&lt;0.05) among the boreholes, while temperature was not significantly different (P&gt;0.05). Total hardness fluctuated most at 21% coefficient of variation (CV). Egg fertilization success was not significantly different (P&gt;0.05). Percentage egg hatching (68.8%, 92.8% and 87.3% for 300m, 400m and 330m) respectively was significantly different (P&lt;0.05). Higher coefficient of variation in hardness enhanced egg hatching. It could be induced in hatchery operations. Time to commencement (1443, 1453 and 1517) minutes and termination of hatching (1962, 1957 and 2037) minutes were significantly different (P&lt;0.05). Larval survival by day-3 post hatch was significant[y different (P&lt;0.05). The study provided evidence of disparity in water quality among the boreholes and revealed differences in their ability to support Clarias gariepinus egg hatching. These suggest carefulness in choice of borehole water for fish egg hatching regardless of proximity of boreholes.Keywords: Catfish, Propagation, Water and Eg

Evaluation of pigment concentrations of roadside tree species as bioindicators of air pollution in Abakaliki Metropolis

Variations in the concentration of different photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll and carotenoids) of leaves of three tree species growing in some polluted sites were evaluated. Terminalia catappa, Polyalthia longifolia and Mangifera indica which were in abundance and well distributed in the Residential (Control), Industrial and Traffic sites (Polluted area) were selected for the study. Reduction in chlorophyll ‘a’, ‘b’ and carotenoid was recorded in the leaf samples collected from polluted sites when compared with samples from control sites. In the polluted area (Industrial and Traffic sites), the highest decrease in total chlorophyll of the studied plants was in Mangifera indica (1.02 mg/g) followed by Terminalia catappa (0.89 mg/g) and Polyalthia longifolia (0.78 mg/g). There was a decrease in carotenoid content at the polluted area (Industrial and Traffic sites) compared with the control (Residential). The value was highest in Terminalia catappa (0.19 mg/g) and lowest in Mangifera indica (0.12 mg/g). It is evident from this study that residential tree species have more chlorophyll a/b ratio compared with the tree species exposed to air pollution. The ratio of chlorophyll a+b and carotenoid ratio decreased, which is an indication of stress arising from the industrial and vehicular air pollution. This study clearly showed that the industrial and vehicular-induced air pollution reduced the concentration of photosynthetic pigments in the trees exposed to it. These changes could be used as bioindicator of air pollution of an area

Marital Disharmony: Causes and resolution strategies in Enugu State of Nigeria

This study investigated the causes of marital disharmony and resolution strategies for resolving marital disharmony among couples in Enugu State. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was used. The sample for this study comprises 300 (150 literate and 150 non-literate) couples drawn through multi-stage random sampling from a population of 646,311 married people. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The research questions were analyzed using mean scores and hypothesis tested with t-test statistics. The findings revealed among others, infertility, lack of trust, sexual deprivation, early marriage, finance, communication gap, infidelity as the causes of marital disharmony. Avoiding the idle mind by engaging in hard work, use of family counsellors, listening carefully to spouse, developing a positive attitude towards disharmony, communicating feelings of love, admiration, likes and dislikes, are resolution strategies for resolving marital disharmony. However, there is no significant difference in the perception of literate and non-literate couples about the extent of the use of resolution strategies in resolving marital disharmony. Based on the findings, recommendations were made. Key words: Marital disharmony, causes, resolution strategies, literacy

International meta-analysis of PTSD genome-wide association studies identifies sex- and ancestry-specific genetic risk loci.

The risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following trauma is heritable, but robust common variants have yet to be identified. In a multi-ethnic cohort including over 30,000 PTSD cases and 170,000 controls we conduct a genome-wide association study of PTSD. We demonstrate SNP-based heritability estimates of 5-20%, varying by sex. Three genome-wide significant loci are identified, 2 in European and 1 in African-ancestry analyses. Analyses stratified by sex implicate 3 additional loci in men. Along with other novel genes and non-coding RNAs, a Parkinson's disease gene involved in dopamine regulation, PARK2, is associated with PTSD. Finally, we demonstrate that polygenic risk for PTSD is significantly predictive of re-experiencing symptoms in the Million Veteran Program dataset, although specific loci did not replicate. These results demonstrate the role of genetic variation in the biology of risk for PTSD and highlight the necessity of conducting sex-stratified analyses and expanding GWAS beyond European ancestry populations