Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

End digit preference in blood pressure measurement in a hypertension specialty clinic in southwest Nigeria.

Abstract: Background : One of the observer errors associated with blood pressure (BP) measurement using a mercury sphygmomanometer is end digit preference (EDP) which refers to the occurrence of a particular end digit more frequently than would be expected by chance alone. Published reports, mainly from outside Africa, have shown a high prevalence ranging from 22 to 90% of end digit zero in BP readings taken by healthcare workers (HCWs). This study examined the prevalence of EDP and patients' and physicians' characteristics influencing the occurrence of EDP. Methods : A retrospective review was undertaken of BP readings of 114 patients seen over a two-month period at our hypertension specialty clinic. Results : Nurses and physicians displayed a high frequency of preference for end digit zero in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings. The preference for end digit zero was, however, higher for nurses than for physicians (SBP: 98.5 vs 51.2%, p < 0.001; DBP: 98.5 vs 64.3%, p < 0.001). Among the physicians, the consultant staff displayed the least preference for end digit zero compared to resident doctors. There was no statistically significant difference in gender, age, weight, height and BMI of those with BP readings with end digit zero compared with those with non-zero end digits. Conclusion : The high prevalence of EDP for zero argues for the training, retraining and certification of HCWs in BP measurement and the institution of a regular monitoring and feedback system on EDP in order to minimise this observer error.

An Appraisal of the Impact of Information Technology (IT) on Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Performance

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate a deep understanding of influence of Information Technology (IT) on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operation in Nigeria. This paper attempts to explore the extent to which the improvement in SMEs operation performance can be certified to the implementation of Information technology (IT). The study was carried out in Lagos State, using multi-stage sampling technique, a sample of 200 out of 250 respondent SMEs were selected from a list of 4,535 registered small and medium Enterprises as provided by NASSMEs obtained from www.businessdayonline.com as at November 2013. Data collected were coded and analyzed using frequency table and percentage while non-parametric statistical test, chi-square was used to test the formulated hypothesis using STATA 10 data analysis package. The result of hypothesis tested showed that information technology has a significant impact on the performance of SMEs operation in Nigeria. It was concluded that involvement by SMEs in IT will significantly improve their performance in term of productivity, time saving, business turnover, operation expenses reduction and also increase level of country economy as whole. To this end, it is recommended that there in need for more training facilities in IT for SMEs, and ease of use to free professional advice and consulting on IT at reasonable cost to SMEs.

Contamination issues in sachet and bottled water in Nigeria: a mini-review

Abstract: Due to the unavailability of pipe-borne water in Nigeria, the idea of packaged drinking water in plastic bottles and sachets is now a common phenomenon in the country by private sector participation. The review aimed to evaluate and discuss the contamination issues on commercially available water in Nigeria. The review was conducted to synthesise the current body of knowledge in the research area to help present a proper perspective of the status quo. The result has shown that in most locations in the country, heavy metal pollution was still observable especially in sachet and bottled water. The result has shown that contamination by microbes, such as Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was rampant. Furthermore, the microbial contamination issues were more widespread than for heavy metals. This was an indictment of the regulatory bodies that have not fully enforced stricter measures to ensure good quality of water is available to the Nigerian populace. It is recommended that integrated water management systems be set up in most urban and suburban locations to ensure the availability of pipe-borne water. Considering the significance of the current issue to the achievement of the sustainable development goals, efforts must be made to implement technological strategies for the separation and/or degradation of pollutants from commercial water during production.

Numerical Analysis of the Effects of Selected Geometrical Parameters and Fluid Properties on MHD Natural Convection Flow in an Inclined Elliptic Porous Enclosure with Localized Heating

Abstract: Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) natural convection flow and associated heat convection in an oriented elliptic enclosure has been investigated with numerical simulations. A magnetic field was applied to the cylindrical wall of the configuration, the top and bottom walls of the enclosure were circumferentially cooled and heated, respectively, while the extreme ends along the cross-section of the elliptic duct were considered adiabatic. The full governing equations in terms of continuity, momentum, and energy transport were transformed into nondimensional form and solved numerically using finite difference method adopting Gauss–Seidel iteration technique. The selected geometrical parameters and flow properties considered for the study were eccentricity (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8), angle of inclination (0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°), Hartmann number (0, 25, and 50), Grashof number (104, 105, and 106), and Darcy number (10−3, 10−4, and 10−5). The Prandtl number was held constant at 0.7. Numerical results were presented by velocity distributions as well as heat transfer characteristics in terms of local and average Nusselt numbers (i.e., rate of heat transfer). The optimum heat transfer rate was attained at e value of 0.8. Also, the heat transfer rate increased significantly between the angles of inclination 58° and 90°. In addition, Hartmann number increased with decreased heat transfer rate and flow circulation. A strong flow circulation (in terms of velocity distribution) was observed with increased Grashof and Darcy numbers. The combination of the geometric and fluid properties thereforHeat Trans Asian Res, 00(0): 1–33, 2016; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21211e can be used to regulate the circulation and heat transfer characteristics of the flow in the enclosure. C⃝ 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of Tapinanthus globiferus and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides extracts on human leukocytes in vitro.

Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity effect of Tapinathus globiferus and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides to human leukocytes. In addition, the reductive potential and the chemical composition of the two plant extracts were also determined. Methods: Human leukocytes were obtained from healthy volunteer donors. The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of T. globiferus and Z. zanthoxyloides were assessed using the Comet assay and Trypan blue exclusion respectively. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was evaluated by the reducing power assay. Furthermore, HPLC-DAD was used to characterize and quantify the constituents of these plants. Results: T. globiferus (10-150 µg/mL) was neither genotoxic nor cytotoxic at the concentrations tested, suggesting that it can be consumed safely at relatively high concentrations. However, Z. zanthoxyloides showed cytoxicity and genotoxicity to human leukocytes at the highest concentration tested (150 µg/mL). In addition, the total reducing power of T. globiferus was found higher than Z. zanthoxyloides in potassium ferricyanide reduction. Both plants extract contained flavonoids (rutin and quercetin) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic and caffeic). Conclusion: The results obtained support the fact that some caution should be paid regarding the dosage and the frequency of use of Z. zanthoxyloides extract.