Evaluation of aquifer hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity of Ezza/Ikwo area, Southeastern Nigeria, using pumping test and surficial resistivity techniques.

Aquifer hydraulic parameters including hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity play a very important role in the assessment and management of groundwater. Conventionally, these parameters are best estimated employing pump test, which is usually expensive and time-consuming. The use of surficial electrical resistivity data integrated with few available pumping test data provides a cost-effective and efficient alternative. A total of thirty-five (35) vertical electrical soundings with a maximum half-current electrode spacing of 150 m using the Schlumberger array were used in this study. Five (5) of these soundings were parametric soundings carried out in the vicinity of monitoring wells for correlation and comparative purposes. The empirical relationships between the hydraulic parameters derived from the pump test data and the aquifer resistivity data were established for the Ebonyi and Abakaliki Formations, respectively, and, in turn, used to estimate aquifer hydraulic parameters in areas away from wells. Aquifer hydraulic conductivity estimated across the study area varies from 0.49 to 1.5735 m/day with a mean value of 0.9205 m/day for the Ebonyi Formation, while the Abakaliki Formation has hydraulic conductivity values that vary from 0.0775 to 1.3023 m/day, with a mean value of 0.2883 m/day. The transmissivity values estimated across the study area range between 0.29 and 57.27 m2/day with a mean value of 6.59 m2/day. Transmissivity values obtained were interpreted with Krásný's transmissivity classification, and this delineated the study area into three groundwater potential zones: very low, low, and intermediate zones. The study shows that the areas underlain by the Ebonyi Formation have a higher groundwater potential than those underlain by the Abakaliki Formation. These findings are supported by the geology of the area, which revealed that the Abakaliki Formation is dominated by shales with very low permeability, while the Ebonyi Formation consists of shales with alternations of sand/sandstones, which statistical analysis of the different model equations used in estimating the hydraulic parameters of the study area revealed that the new model empirical equations proposed and used in the present study proved to be the best alternatives to pumping test data.

Nonrelativistic solutions of Schrödinger equation and thermodynamic properties with the proposed modified Mobius square plus Eckart potential.

We obtain solutions of Schrödinger equation for the modified Mobius square plus Eckart (MMPSE) potential via the formula method. Numerical results are reported. In addition, the partition function Z and other thermodynamic properties such as vibrational free energy, F, vibrational internal energy, U, vibrational entropy, S, and vibrational specific heat, C are presented. We also discuss special cases of this potential. Our result is consistent with previous studies in the literature.

Nonrelativistic treatment of inversely quadratic Hellmann-Kratzer potential and thermodynamic properties.

The study presents approximate analytical solutions of the Schrödinger equation with a newly proposed potential model called Inversely Quadratic Hellmann-Kratzer potential (IQHKP). This potential is a superposition of Inversely Quadratic Hellman potential and Kratzer potential. The energy eigenvalues and corresponding wavefunction are calculated via the formula method. We applied our results to evaluate thermodynamic functions such as vibrational free energy, F, vibrational internal energy, U, vibrational entropy, S, and vibrational specific heat, C. We also reported special cases of importance.

Estimates of aquifer geo-hydraulic and vulnerability characteristics of Imo State and environs, Southeastern Nigeria, using electrical conductivity data.

Two hundred and twenty-six vertical electrical sounding (VES) data were acquired across the study area that has six geologic formations for the purpose of evaluating the geo-hydraulic potentials and the protective capacity of the aquifers of the study area. Schlumberger array was adopted for data acquisition using the ABEM™ Terrameter SAS 4000. Results of the study revealed four to six geo-electric layers. A variety of geo-electric curve types were identified in the study area with the KK curve type being dominant. The aquifer zones lie between the third and sixth layers with their resistivity values ranging from 101 to 8900 Ωm with a mean value of 1799 Ωm. Estimates of the aquifer hydraulic characteristics using the new set of model equations based on conductivity data revealed hydraulic conductivity range of 0.925 and 13.42 m/day while transmissivity ranged between 16.0 and 887 m2/day. These findings showed that groundwater potential is high in Benin Formation, moderate in Nsukka and Ajali Formations, and generally poor within Ogwashi and Imo Shale Formations. Aquifer vulnerability studies revealed that the values of the integrated electrical conductivity (IEC) of the study area ranged between 28.4 and 2202 mS with a mean value of 403 mS. Results of the IEC revealed that the aquifer protective capacity of most parts of the study area were extremely poor (86.2%) with percolation period of several months while only 1.8% of the study area are fairly good. The aquifers of the study area may therefore be vulnerable to contamination from anthropogenic sources, and adequate aquifer protective strategies are therefore recommended.

[Self-amputation of the penis treated immediately: Case report and review of the literature]. / Auto-amputation de verge traitée par réparation d'emblée: à propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

Self-amputation of the penis treated immediately: case report and review of the literature. Self-amputation of the penis is rare in urological practice. It occurs more often in a context psychotic disease. It can also be secondary to alcohol or drugs abuse. Treatment and care vary according on the severity of the injury, the delay of consultation and the patient's mental state. The authors report a case of self-amputation of the penis in an alcoholic context. The authors analyze the etiological and urological aspects of this trauma.

Excision of a giant anterior chest wall neurofibroma and chest wall reconstruction with methlymethacrylate and vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Plexiformneurofibromas (PNFs) are benign nerve tumours resulting from aberrant growth of cells of nerve sheath. PNFs are generally painless, slow growing neoplasms. Although most neoplasms are asymptomatic, they can be particularly debilitating due to their potential to grow to very large sizes. They have potential for transformation into highly malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours which occur in approximately 5% of patients. They can affect most parts of the body. When they occur in the chest wall, they are amenable to excision. Following excision, a surgeon is faced with a large skeletal and soft tissue defects which pose functional and cosmetic challenges. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 24-year-old farmer that presented with a giant anterior chest wall plexiformneurofibroma that was noticed since childhood. He had excision of the mass and skeletal reconstruction with methylmethacrylate sandwiched in prolene mesh and softtissue coverage with vertical rectus abdominismusculocutaneous flap. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of methylmethacrylate and myocutaneous flaps give both good functional and cosmetic outcome following excision of large chest wall tumours.

Microbial status of smoked fish, scombia scombia sold in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria

As one of the common sources of protein available to man; fish is highly consumed due to its lower cholesterol content and price. So it forms a rich protein source for both poor and rich. As a part of checkmating the public health risks associated with this general dependence of the population on fish; the microbiological assessment of smoked fish; Scombia; scombia sold in Owerri was embarked on with the aim of ascertaining the microbial quality; the presence and prevalence of microorganisms of public health importance. A total of one hundred and eight (108) samples were collected from the smoking Factory; Open Market and Hawkers. These were analyzed microbiologically for viable heterotrophic bacteria and fungi count on Nutrient and Potato dextrose agar respectively; using pour plate method and coliform count in MacConkey broth by multiple tube method (MPN). The mean value results from the analysis revealed high microbial contamination in all the samples. The resultant data were analyzed statistically using randomized block design of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 95 level of confidence and the difference were separated using the least significance difference (LSD). The mean results of viable heterotrophic bacteria and fungi count showed no significance difference for the collection sites; but the coliform mean results for the three sites showed marked variation at 95 level (P0.05). Identified bacteria; include: Staphylococcus aureus; E. coli; Bacillus sp.; Klebsiella sp.; whereas fungi are Penicillium sp.; Aspergilusl sp.; Fusarium violaceum; Biospora sp.; Candida sp; Botryodioplodia sp.; Alternania sp. This high level of microbial contamination can be traceable to handlers; and environment to which this fish is exposed during smoking and selling exercises; and considering the danger it portends to human health; public health and food safety authorities should intensify their monitoring efforts towards controlling such contamination

Prevalence of sickle cell disease in a northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo: what impact on transfusion policy?

Transfusion therapy may save the lives of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), but it is also associated with a high risk of transmission of infection. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of SCD in a northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and to define ways in which the procedures involved in the security of transfusions should be improved. During a 3-month period in 2006/2007, 520 samples of umbilical cord blood were obtained through neonatal screening in five health centres in Kisangani. The samples were analysed using an isoelectric focusing technique. The estimated prevalence of sickle cell trait and SCD in the population tested was 23.3 and 0.96%, respectively. These numbers will be presented for the attention of the health authorities in DRC with responsibility for SCD and they will be asked to consider improvements in treatment procedures for SCD, such as blood transfusions, as a public health priority.

Frontiers in viral diagnostics.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a fatal myocardial disease with an incidence of 40:100,000. In recent years, viral infection as a causative agent for myocarditis followed by DCM has become a main topic of research. On the one hand, the virus violates the myocardial integrity itself; on the other hand, the virus induces inadequate local humoral and cellular defense reaction resulting in cardiomyocyte death, fibrosis, and overall cardiac dysfunction. Classical virological approaches are no longer sufficient to detect and identify the virus in the heart. The possibility of endomyocardial biopsies, as well as the further development of new high-specific and sensitive molecular approaches including real-time PCR or sequencing, allows us to detect and to identify the patient- specific causal virus and to predict the progression of disease and hopefully, in the future, to develop virus-specific treatment strategies.

Water supplies in some rural communities around Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria: bacteriology of drinking waters.

Several communities in Nigeria exist without regular water supplies of good quality and quantity. Despite this situation, successive governments have tended to ignore the problem. The water supplies to two rural communities 7-8 km north of Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria, were examined bacteriologically using standard indicator bacteria (coliforms and streptococci). A contiguous community supplied with treated piped water was also studied in parallel. The rural water supplied was found to be bacteriologically unsatisfactory, having failed to meet the international standards for drinking water as set by the WHO. The geometric mean bacterial counts per 100 ml of serial samples from six sources ranged from 0.12 x 10(1) to 1.57 x 10(2) for fecal coliforms (E. col) and 0.05 x 10(1) to 7.5 x 10(1) for the fecal streptococci. Fecal streptococci were particularly recovered in large numbers from one source (Ayip Asikimangfuk) at concentrations of up to 3.0 x 10(2) per 100 ml at the onset of the rains. The water supplies from the community with piped water were, in general, bacteriologically satisfactory; fecal coliforms were found only in occasional samples (0.12 x 10(1)/100 ml).

Water supplies in some rural communities around Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria: impact on water-related diseases.

Two traditional surface water sources and one piped supply around Calabar, Nigeria were examined to reveal the community water use patterns and the impact on water-related diseases. Using questionnaires, it was shown that some communities trekked long distances (up to 5 km) to reach their supply source. The quantity of water collected per day in each of the five rural sources was inadequate (approximately 6 buckets or 90 liters). The traditional water sources were not available all year round, forcing users to trek longer distances for alternative supplies. Only 4.4% of rural water users subjected them to any further treatment, such as boiling or filtration. Fetching water was the occupation of children; they were the worst hit by water-related diseases, such as diarrhea/ dysentery, stomachache, worms and scabies/craw-craw. About 84% of the respondents were dissatisfied with their water supplies. Deaths due to apparent water-related diseases occurred among 6.3% of respondents during the twelve months preceding the study. The overall impact was a loss of school hours/days, loss of labor and general discouragement. The community served with piped treated water fared better in all respects.

The Kargasok tea: no scientific basis for claimed medicinal wonders

An unusual yeast; the Kargasok yeast; allegedly originating from the Soviet Union; was introduced unanimously into Nigeria in 1988. It was attributed with unlimited and eccentric medicinal values which attracted the curiousity of many and it became a popular beverage; gaining regular press coverage. Laboratory investigations showed that the active yeast resembles the genus Saccharomyces and the tea is basically an alcoholic beverage. Biochemical and phytochemical studies of the tea revealed its high acid; low protein and electrolyte contents. It also contained alkaloids; saponins and reducing compounds; properties inconsistent with the ascribed medicinal wonders. The public is therefore warned