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Background Emergence of Candida glabrata, which causes potential life-threatening invasive candidiasis, has been widely associated with high morbidity and mortality. In order to cause disease in vivo, a robust and highly efficient metabolic adaptation is crucial for the survival of this fungal pathogen in human host. In fact, reprogramming of the carbon metabolism is believed to be indispensable for phagocytosed C. glabrata within glucose deprivation condition during infection. Methods In this study, the metabolic responses of C. glabrata under acetate growth condition was explored using high-throughput transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Results Collectively, a total of 1482 transcripts (26.96%) and 242 proteins (24.69%) were significantly up- or down-regulated. Both transcriptome and proteome data revealed that the regulation of alternative carbon metabolism in C. glabrata resembled other fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, with up-regulation of many proteins and transcripts from the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis, namely isocitrate lyase (ICL1), malate synthase (MLS1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) and fructose 1,6-biphosphatase (FBP1). In the absence of glucose, C. glabrata shifted its metabolism from glucose catabolism to anabolism of glucose intermediates from the available carbon source. This observation essentially suggests that the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis are potentially critical for the survival of phagocytosed C. glabrata within the glucose-deficient macrophages. Conclusion Here, we presented the first global metabolic responses of C. glabrata to alternative carbon source using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. These findings implicated that reprogramming of the alternative carbon metabolism during glucose deprivation could enhance the survival and persistence of C. glabrata within the host.

Summary Filopodia are thin finger‐like protrusions at the surface of cells that are internally occupied with bundles of tightly parallel actin filaments. They play significant roles in cellular physiological processes, such as adhesion to extracellular matrix, guidance towards chemo‐attractants and in wound healing. Filopodia were recently reported to play important roles in viral infection including initial viral attachment to host cells, cell surfing, viral trafficking, internalization, budding, virus release and spread to other cells in a form that would avoid the host immune system. The detailed virus‐host protein interactions underlying most of these processes remain to be elucidated. This review will describe some reported virus‐host protein interactions on filopodia with the aim of identifying potential new anti‐virus therapeutic targets. Exploring this research area may lead to the development of novel classes of anti‐viral therapeutics that can block signalling pathways used by the virus to trigger filopodia formation. Successful compounds would inhibit initial virus attachment, formation of filopodia, expression of putative virus binding protein, extracellular virus trafficking, and budding.

Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan infection caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii . The parasite was described as the most successful having full potentials to be transmitted through various routes from contamination of the environment and food substances to continuous spread as tissue cyst in meat, among its intermediate host, bypassing its sexual stage of life cycle in its definitive host. Relevant English databases were searched for the prevalence studies conducted in Nigeria. In this review, we identified the various ways through which the infection can be spread within human population as reported by various studies in Nigeria. Keywords: cosmopolitan, environment, intracellular, protozoan, toxoplasmosis

Background In February 2006, poultry outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus were confirmed in Nigeria. A serosurvey was conducted to assess H5N1 transmission among poultry workers and laboratory workers in Nigeria. Methods From 21 March through 3 April 2006, 295 poultry workers and 25 laboratory workers with suspected exposure to H5N1 virus were administered a questionnaire to assess H5N1 exposures, medical history, and health care utilization. A serum specimen was collected from participants to test for H5N1 neutralizing antibodies by microneutralization assay. Results The 295 poultry workers reported a median of 14 days of exposure to suspected or confirmed H5N1-infected poultry without antiviral chemoprophylaxis and with minimal personal protective equipment. Among 25 laboratory workers, all handled poultry specimens with suspected H5N1 virus infection. All participants tested negative for H5N1 neutralizing antibodies. Conclusions Despite widespread exposure to poultry likely infected with H5N1 virus, no serological evidence of H5N1 virus infection was identified among participants. Continued surveillance for H5N1 cases in humans and further seroprevalence investigations are needed to assess the risk of avian-to-human transmission, given that H5N1 viruses continue to circulate and evolve among poultry.

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that acts to regulate gene expression by binding to palindromic DNA sequence, known as the estrogen response element, in promoters of estrogen-regulated genes. In breast cancer ERalpha plays a central role, where estrogen-regulated gene expression leads to tumor initiation, growth and survival. As an approach to silencing estrogen-regulated genes, we have studied the activities of a fusion protein between ERalpha and the promyelocytic leukemia zinc-finger (PLZF) protein, a transcriptional repressor that acts through chromatin remodeling. To do this, we have developed lines from the estrogen-responsive MCF-7 breast cancer cell line in which the expression of the fusion protein PLZF-ERalpha is conditionally regulated by tetracycline and shows that these feature long-term silencing of the expression of several well-characterized estrogen-regulated genes, namely pS2, cathepsin-D and the progesterone receptor. However, the estrogen-regulated growth of these cells is not inhibited unless PLZF-ERalpha expression is induced, an observation that we have confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these results show that PLZF-ERalpha is a potent repressor of estrogen-regulated gene expression and could be useful in distinguishing estrogen-regulated genes required for the growth of breast cancer cells.

One of the most essential issues in software products is to maintain it relevancy to the dynamics of the user’s requirements and expectation. Many studies have been carried out in quality aspect of software products to overcome these problems. Previous software quality assessment models and metrics have been introduced with strengths and limitations. In order to enhance the assurance and buoyancy of the software products, certification models have been introduced and developed. From our previous experiences in certification exercises and case studies collaborating with several agencies in Malaysia, the requirements for user based software certification approach is identified and demanded. The emergence of social network applications, the new development approach such as agile method and other varieties of software in the market have led to the domination of users over the software. As software become more accessible to the public through internet applications, users are becoming more critical in the quality of the services provided by the software. There are several categories of users in web-based systems with different interests and perspectives. The classifications and metrics are identified through brain storming approach with includes researchers, users and experts in this area. The new paradigm in software quality assessment is the main focus in our research. This paper discusses the classifications of users in web-based software system assessment and their associated factors and metrics for quality measurement. The quality model is derived based on IEEE structure and FCM model. The developments are beneficial and valuable to overcome the constraints and improve the application of software certification model in future., {"references":["Deraman, A. & Yahaya, J.H. 2012, Research and Development in Software Certification: Past, Present and Future (Keynote), Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Technology and Applied Mathematics 2012, Jakarta, Indonesia, 6 Sept 2012, pp. 1-7.","Deraman, A. 2011, Software Certification: The way forward (keynote), The 5thMalasyian Software Engineering Conference (MySec2011), Johor Bharu, 13-14 Dec 2011.","Ropponen, J. &Lyytinen, K. 2000. \"Components of Software Development Risk: How to Address Them? A Project Manager Survey,\" IEEE Trans. Software Engineering 26(2), pp. 98-112.","Berntsson-Svensson, R. & Aurum, A. 2006. \"Successful Projects and Products: An Empirical Investigation\" ACM Proceeding of ISESE'06, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 21 - 22 September, 2006, pp. 144-153.","Yahaya, J.H., Deraman, A &Hamdan, A.R. 2008, SCfM_Prod: A software product certification model\", 3rd International Conference on information and Communication Technologies: From Theory to Applications, ICTTA, 2008, art 4530350.","Yahaya, J.H., Deraman, A. &Hamdan, A.R. 2010, Continuously ensuring quality through software product certification: A case study. 2010 International Conference on Information Society, i-society 2010, London. Art No. 6018821, pp. 183-188.","Sommerville, I. 2007, Software Engineering 8, England: Pearson Education Limited, pp. 516-656.","Patton, J. \"Understanding User Centricity\", IEEE Software, Volume 24, No. 6, pp. 9-11, November/December 2007.","Voas, J. 1998, The Software Quality Certification Triangle. Crosstalk, The Journal of Defense Software Engineering, November 1998:12-14.\n[10]\tRawashdeh, A. & Matalkah, B. 2006, A New Software Quality Model for Evaluating COTS Components, Journal of Computer Science 2 (4): 373-381, ISSN 1549-3636.\n[11]\tYahaya, J.&Deraman, A. 2010. Measuring the Unmeasurable Characteristics of Software Product Quality. International Journal of Advancements in Computing Technology (IJACT). Vol.2 (4), pp 95-106. \n[12]\tPanovski, G. 2008, Master's thesis Product Software Quality, Department of Mathematics and Computing Science, Eindhoven University of Technology.\n[13]\tHwang, S.M. 2009, Process Quality Levels of ISO/IEC 15504, CMMI and K-model, International Journal of Software Engineering and Its Applications, Volume 3, No. 1, pp. 33-42, January.\n[14]\tDeepshikhaJamwal, 2010. Analysis of Software Quality Models for Organizations International Journal of Latest Trends in Computing (E-ISSN: 2045-5364), pp. 19-23.\n[15]\tQuasthoff, M. &Meinel, C. 2007, User Centricity in Healthcare Infrastructures, Internet Technologies and Systems HassoPlattner Institute, Germany, pp. 141-151.\n[16]\tKhaled M Khan, Mohammed Samaka, Christopher Van Eeno & Surianto Budihardjo. 2010. Assessing User-Centric Quality of Web-Based System. Int. Journal of Software Engineering, IJSE vol. 3, No. 1 January 2010.pp 13-27.\n[17]\tISO 9126, 2014. ISO 9126 Software Quality Characteristics. http://www.sqa.net/iso9126.html (accessed 11 Feb 2014).\n[18]\tFlorac, W.A. 1996. Software Quality Measurement: A Framework for Counting Problems and Defects. Technical Report CMU/SEI-92-TR-022 ESC-TR-92-022 Sept 1992.\n[19]\tJohnson, M. 2010. User Involvement, Social Media, and Service Evolution: The Case of Habbo. In Proceedings of the 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences – 2010, IEEExplore.ieee.org.\n[20]\tJohnson, M. 2013. M. How Social Media Changes User-Centred Design: Cumulative and Strategic User Involvement with Respect to Developer–User Social Distance, Aalto University publication series, DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS 46/2013.\n[21]\tYahaya, et al., 2008, Software Certification Implementation: Case Studies Analysis and Findings, The 3rd International Symposium on Information Technology 2008 (ITSim2008), Kuala Lumpur, Volume 3, pp. 1541-1548, 26-29 August 2008.\n[22]\tSpantzel, A.B., Camenish, J., Gross, T. & Sommer, D. 2007, User Centricity: A Taxonomy and Open Issues, Department of Computer Science, Purdue University,IBM Zurich Research Lab, Switzerland.\n[23]\tKim, J. & Park, Y. 2011, Two Directions of User-centric Approach to Identifying New Service Opportunities: Vacuum to Solution and Practice to Niche, 3rd International Conference on Information and Financial Engineering IPEDR, Volume.12, pp. 487-491.\n[24]\tAhn, G.J. et al., 2009, Privacy-enhanced User-Centric Identity Management, IEEE Communications Society (IEEE ICC) proceedings.\n[25]\tDeraman, A., Hamdan, A.R., Yahaya, J.H, Baharom, F, & Hood, Z. 2010, Software Certification Process by Product Quality Approach: The Process Manual, Kuala Terengganu: PenerbitUniversiti Malaysia Terengganu.\n[26]\tHeck, P., Klabbers, M. &Eekelen, M. v.2010, A Software Product Certification Model, Software Qual J (2010) 18:37–55.\n[27]\tJ. McCall, P. Richards, G. Walters, \"Factors in Software Quality\", in N. Fenton & S Pfleegers (Ed), Software Metrics: A rigorous Approach, 2nd edition, Boston, PWS Publishing Company, 1977.\n[28]\tIEEE. 2005. IEEE Standard for a Software Quality Metrics Methodology. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=& arnumber=749159 (accessed 4 Feb 2014)"]}

Grinding requires high specific energy and the consequent development of high temperature at tool-workpiece contact zone impairs workpiece quality by inducing thermal damage to the surface. Finishing grinding process requires component to be cut more than one pass. This paper deals with an investigation on the effect of multipass cutting on grinding performance in term of surface roughness and surface defect. An experimental set-up has been developed for this and a detailed comparison has been done with a single pass and various numbers of cutting pass. Results showed that surface roughness increase with the increase in a number of cutting pass. Good surface finish of 0.26μm was obtained for single pass cutting and 0.73μm for twenty pass cutting. It was also observed that the thickness of the white layer increased with the increased in a number of cutting pass.

Ophthalmic examinations on 6831 individuals aged 5 years or more, living in 34 guinea savannah communities mesoendemic for onchocerciasis, in Kaduna State, Nigeria, revealed a relatively high prevalence (9%) of optic nerve disease (OND). Further investigations were performed to determine what proportion of this burden of OND might be due to onchocercal infection. Information on history of cerebro-spinal meningitis (CSM), past use of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and chloroquine, consumption of cassava and locally produced alcohol was collected for all individuals by questioning. In addition, a nested case-control study of 81 cases of OND and 136 age and sex-matched controls was performed to investigate whether syphilis or a variety of other neurological disorders were responsible for a substantial proportion of cases of OND. Our data suggest that in this population, onchocercal infection is the single most important cause of OND and may account for 50% of all cases. Some 13% of cases were associated with signs suggestive of glaucoma. DEC use might be responsible for up to 30% of all OND. We found no evidence to suggest that any of the following are important causes of OND in the communities studied: CSM, syphilis, neurological syndromes such as polyneuropathy or other generalized neurological disease, consumption of raw cassava, consumption of locally prepared alcohol.

The increase in production of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) and Amp C beta lactamase among clinical isolates in our hospitals is of utmost importance. Failure to detect these enzymes in many of our hospitals has greatly led to treatment failure and uncontrolled spread of multi drug resistant pathogens. It was for this purpose that the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence, distribution and susceptibility pattern of Gram negative bacteria producing ESBLs and Amp C beta lactamases in the largest tertiary health care provider in Kano, North-West Nigeria. A total of 75 ESBL and 10 AmpC producing bacteria were involved in the study which were obtained from a study involving 500 Gram negative clinical bacterial isolates from various hospital wards over a period of 9 months from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Nigeria. Isolates were screened for ESBLs and AmpC using Double Disc Diffusion Method and Amp C Disc test respectively. All confirmed ESBL and Amp C producing isolates were tested for susceptibility to sixteen (16) different antibiotics by the Disc Diffusion Method (DDM). The prevalence of ESBLs was high in Shigella spp. (1/2 or 50%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (10/50 or /20%), and E. coli (47/247 or 19.3%) while Amp C producers were detected more in Klebsiella pneumoniae (4%) and E. coli (2.8%). Of the specimens screened, distribution varies between ESBL and AmpC producers, but more prevalent in urinary tract pathogens in both. Highest prevalence of ESBLs and AmpC producers was recorded in intensive care units and surgical wards. ESBL and AmpC production in the hospital is not sex dependent statistically, thought higher in males (52 and 60%) than in females (48 and 40%) for ESBL and AmpC respectively. ESBL and AmpC producers were both sensitive to Imipenem, Nitrofurantoin and Levofloxacin and resistance to Amoxycillin, Ceftazidime and Tetracycline. The study indicates the occurrence of ESBL and AmpC producers in our tertiary health provider, widely distributed in various clinical samples, wards and sexes and are multi drug resistant posing serious threat in managing life threatening infections. Key words: prevalence, distribution, ESBL producers, Amp C producers, antibiotic susceptibility

Over the last few years, the increase in the number of multi-resistant (MR) enterobacteria has become a major clinical problem. This study detects the occurrence and prevalence of Metallo betalactamase production among some clinical bacterial isolates in Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano and Al-Madina Specialist Hospital Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of 200 clinical isolates comprising of E. coli (83), Klebsiella pneumoniae (52), Pseusomonas aeruginosa (28) and Proteus mirabilis (37) were screened phenotypically for carbapenemase and specifically for Metallo betalactamase using Modified Hodges Test and EDTA Disc Synergy Test respectively. The result showed that 67(33.5%) of the isolates were found to produce carbapenemase. High production occurred in 24(35.8%) and low production occurred in 43(64.2%) of the isolates. Highest prevalence of carbapenemase was found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38.55%) followed by E. coli (34.8%), Proteus mirabilis. (29.1%) and least prevalence in Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.0%). The prevalence of MBLs in the study was 24.5% with highest prevalence in E. coli (31.32%) followed by Proteus mirabilis. (21.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.2%) and least among Klebsiella pneumoniae. (14.3%). Most of carbapenemase producers produce MBL type. Urine samples were found to be with the highest prevalence of 38.3% when compared with ear swab (12.0%). Prevalence of 67.9% and 76.9% were recorded for Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital Kano and Al-madina hospital Kaduna respectively. This showed that carbapenemase-mediated resistance occurred in the selected hospitals and uncontrolled spread may lead to treatment failure and frustration. Keywords : Metallobetalactamase, Carbapenemase, Enterobacteriaceae, prevalence, Hospital

The study was conducted to determine the sources of awareness of climate change and ascertain the perception of the effects among sesame producers in the Southern Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting 180 sesame farmers that participated in the study. Descriptive statistics were used in analyzing data. Major results show that both males and females mostly (40%) between the ages of 31-40 years were involved in sesame production. The level of education was low. Increased rains, insect infestation and torrential downpours were perceived as effects of climate change. Sesame farmers’ had adapted to such changes through the use of chemicals, insect powders, early planting and early harvesting. Results also show that extension agents, radio and television were the major sources of awareness of the effects of climate change. The study concluded with the recommendation that farmers’ awareness of the devastating effects of climate change is very critical for helping them adapt to climate change and need to be urgently strengthened by extension service so as to sustain sesame production even in the event of climate change.

Studio-based learning is a shared learning environment in which ambiguous problems are addressed. This paper primarily focused on the lightings at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)’s architecture studio and to find out whether it had achieved the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). A good design, involving a space in a building, requires sufficient daylight in order to perform a task. This can be achieved by providing enough means to let in diffused light from the sky, yet keeping out direct light from the sun to prevent heat gain and glare. The purpose of this research was to identify the importance of the IEQ in creating conducive studio-based learning environment. The IEQ is crucial for a learning institution since indoor environment factors can actually affect human comfort, health and productivity. Lighting is most important to students as high-quality lighting will improve students’ moods, behavior, concentration, and consequently, their learning. However, the effectiveness of learning in a studio cannot be fully achieved if the IEQ is being overlooked. Presently, artificial lights are being used most of the time in the UKM architecture studios in order to optimize students’ vision and comfort. Using an equipment, named LM-8100, and supported by a questionnaire survey to gauge the lighting comfort level from the students’ perspective, a lighting reading was taken for a duration of 10-hours for three days in the UKM third year architecture studio. The finding showed that the lighting setting is not within the range of the Malaysian Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). However, the students have perceived it as normal and thus, the situation does not hinder them to stay long inside their studio. This situation will affect the students’ ability to perceive visual stimuli in the short-term and health, in terms of students' vision, in the long run.

Building condition assessment is a critical activity in Malaysia-s Comprehensive Asset Management Model. It is closely related to building performance that impact user-s life and decision making. This study focuses on public primary school, one of the most valuable assets for the country. The assessment was carried out based on CSP1 Matrix in Kuching Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. Based on the matrix used, three main criteria of the buildings has successfully evaluate: the number of defects; schools rating; and total schools rating. The analysis carried out on 24 schools found that the overall 4, 725 defects has been identified. Meanwhile, the overall score obtained was 45, 868 and the overall rating is 9.71, which is at the fair condition. This result has been associated with building age to evaluate its impacts on school buildings condition. The findings proved that building condition is closely related to building age and its support the theory that 'the ageing building has more defect than the new one'., {"references":["Syamilah Yacob. 2005. Maintenance Management System through\nStrategic Planning for Public School in Malaysia. Sarjana Sains\n(Pengurusan Pembinaan). Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.","Nik Elyna Myeda, Syahrul Nizam Kamaruzzaman & Pitt, M. 2011.\nMeasuring the performance of office buildings maintenance\nmanagement in Malaysia. Journal of Facilities Management. Vol 9 No.\n3. pp. 181-199.","Abdul Lateef, O. A., Mohd Faris Khamidi & Arazi Idrus. 2011.\nAppraisal of the building maintenance management practices of\nMalaysian universities. Journal of Building Appraisal. Vol 6, . Pp\n261-275.","Edwards, M. 1992. Building Condition, Parental Involvement and\nStudent Achievement in the D.C. Public School System. M. Ed.\nDissertation. Washington, D.C., Georgetown University.","Lewis, M. 2001. Facility conditions and students test performance in the\nMilwaukee Public School. Council of Educational Facility Planner,\nInternational, Scottsdale, AZ.","Earthman, G.I. 2002. School Facility Conditions and Student Academic\nAchievement. UCLA-s Institute for Democracy, Education, &\nAccess. University of California, Los Angeles.","Earthman, G.I. 2002. School Facility Conditions and Student Academic\nAchievement. UCLA-s Institute for Democracy, Education, &\nAccess. University of California, Los Angeles.","Hutchinson, L. 2003. Educational environment. British Medical Journal.\nVol. 326. Pp 810-812.","Mendell, M.J., Heath, G.A. 2003. Do Indoor Environments in Schools\nInfluence Student Performance? A Review of the Literature. Indoor\nHealth and Productivity Project (IHP). USA.\n[10] Bosch, S.J. 2004. Identifying relevant variables for understanding how\nschool facilities affect educational outcomes. Tesis doktor falsafah.\nTidak diterbitkan. Georgia Institute of Technology.\n[11] Tiburcio, T. & Finch, E.F. 2004. The impact of an intelligent classroom\non pupils- interactive behavior. Facilities. 23(5/6): 262-278.\n[12] Adeogun, A.A. & Osifila, G.I. 2008. Relationship between Educational\nResources and Students- Academic Performance in Lagos State\nNigeria. International Journal of Educational Management. Vol 5&6.\npp. 144-153.\n[13] Tanner, C.K. 2008. Effect of school design on students outcomes.\nJournal of Educational Administration. 47(3): 381-399.\n[14] Uline, C. & Tschannen-Moran, M. 2008. The wall speak: the interplay\nof quality facilities, school climate, and student achievement. Journal\nof Education Administration. Vol 46. No 1. pp. 56-73.\n[15] Fram, S.M. 2010. One built environment: an example for school\nadministrators and planners. Journal of Educational Administration.\nVol. 48. No. 4 pp 468-489.\n[16] Nurul Syakima, M.Y., Maimunah Sapri, Mohd Shahril A.R. 2011.\nMeasuring Performance for Classroom Facilities. 2011 International\nConference on Sociality and Economics Development IPEDR. Vol.10.\nIACSIT Press, Singapore.\n[17] Rapoport, A. 1982. The Meaning of the Built Environment: A Nonverbal\nCommunication Approach. Sage. Beverly Hill. USA.\n[18] Schneider, M. 2002. Do School Facilities Affect Academic Outcomes?\nNational Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities. Washington D.C.\n[19] GAO. 2011. Opportunities to Reduce Potential Duplication in\nGovernment Programs, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue.\nReport to Congressional Addressees. United States Government\nAccountability Office. Mac 2011.\n[20] Ministry of Education (MOE). 2010. Number of School Statistic.\nWebsite: MOE. Access: 22 Aug 2010. Last update: 20 Aug 2010.\n[21] Che-Ani A.I., Tazilan A.S.M., Kosman K.A. 2011. The Development of\na Condition Survey Protocol Matrix.Structural Survey. 29(1):35-45."]}

Housing is a basic human right. The provision of new house shall be free from any defects, even for the defects that people do normally considered as 'cosmetic defects'. This paper studies about the building defects of newly completed house of 72 unit of double-storey terraced located in Bangi, Selangor. The building survey implemented using protocol 1 (visual inspection). As for new house, the survey work is very stringent in determining the defects condition and priority. Survey and reporting procedure is carried out based on CSP1 Matrix that involved scoring system, photographs and plan tagging. The analysis is done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The finding reveals that there are 2119 defects recorded in 72 terraced houses. The cumulative score obtained was 27644 while the overall rating is 13.05. These results indicate that the construction quality of the newly terraced houses is low and not up to an acceptable standard as the new house should be.

In-building powerline communications mainly concentrates on low frequencies below 30 MHz and there is a need to increase the frequency usage to cater for higher demand. Recently, there is research focusing on high frequency powerline communication above 30 MHz. It is still relatively new and it was found that in-building powerline measurements show a potential for low attenuation applications above 30 MHz. This research focuses on broadband powerline communications in the low voltage region or end user region above 30 MHz. A study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of the powerline communications and the test setup required mainly for implementing the high pass filter was described. A model representing the propagation channel was also identified. Initial data obtained indicates that broadband powerline communications are possible over the frequency range of 300–700 MHz.

The study was conducted to analyze rice production under the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 160 rice farmers made up of 80 participants of YES and 80 non participants. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires and personal interview. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics, linear regression and t-test. Majority of the respondents were less than 31 years and 31 to 40 years for participants and non participants, respectively. The respondents were mostly males and married with a minimum of secondary school education. Majority (62.5%) and (70%) of the participants and non participants, respectively were engaged in farming as main occupation, with less than 7 years farming experience and cultivating less than three hectares of land. Annual income and farm size had positive and significant effect on rice production with an R 2 value of 0.895. There was no significant difference (t=0.265 ; p> 0.05) between the yield of participants and non participants. Inadequate funds, high cost of agrochemicals, and inadequate extension services were the serious constraints to rice production. The study therefore, recommends that more efforts need to be put in place by government and all relevant stakeholders to provide adequate funds, agrochemicals and extension services. Keywords : Rice Production, Youth Empowerment Scheme, Agricultural Transformation

In providing a conducive learning environment for the student, the school building must be in good condition. This paper is evaluating the existing condition of primary school building in Sarawak, Malaysia. It focuses on building defects pattern for school building. The primary data collection is from the school building condition survey with involvement of 24 primary schools. The schools have been selected using simple random sampling and stratified sampling (of school age as the variable of selection). The reporting method is based on Condition Survey Protocol (CSP) 1 Matrix. Data analysis covers descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis carried out found that the overall 4,725 defects have been identified. The building defect pattern is mainly on Ground Level of 3,176 defects, the highest number of defects components found on walls (798). 16.2% defects are cracks from 11 common defects and most of all the highest score of defects based on age of the building were the building in the range of 11 to 20 years.

Described are two alternatives to the weighing of patients for assessing the dose of ivermectin for use in mass chemotherapy campaigns against onchocerciasis. The first method uses height to separate patients into four dosing categories (1/2, 1, 11/2 and 2 tablets), while the second involves estimating one of these dosing categories according to an individual's physical appearance, without making any measurements. Data for the height-based method were obtained from 6373 people who were taking part in a placebo-controlled trial of ivermectin in northern Nigeria. Use of an arbitrary trade-off of approximately 100 people "overdosed" for every person "underdosed" would lead to 0.5% of the population being underdosed by 1/2 tablet, 46.5% being dosed correctly, 51.7% being overdosed by 1/2 tablet, and 1.2% being overdosed by 1 tablet. The physical appearance approach involved three observers and 779 subjects. A total of 82% of the observers' estimates were "correct", with all the incorrect dosing deviating by only 1/2 tablet from the dose that the subjects should have received.Between December 1988 and October 1989, 6373 inhabitants of 34 rural communities in Kaduna State in northern Nigeria participated in a double-blind, placebo controlled trial of ivermectin for onchocerciasis, in which height was used to determine the dose of ivermectin. In December, 1991, the field team estimated the correct dose of ivermectin solely on the physical appearance of 779 people. Researchers conducted these studies to determine whether these methods could replace weight as a reliable assessment of the dose of ivermectin. (Use of weight poses practical problems, e.g., providing and maintaining many weighing scales in rural areas.) Most participants were assigned a dose of ivermectin that deviated by no more than 1/2 tablet from the correct dose (98.8% for height method and 100% for physical appearance method). The physical appearance method was more successful at determining the correct use than the height method (82 vs. 46.5%). These studies revealed that few underdosings occurred, and they were no more than 1/2 tablet (e.g., 0.5% for height method). This findings was especially important, since underdosing does not effectively destroy the microfiliarae of Onchocerca volvulus, while overdosing causes no harm. The researchers concluded that both the height and physical appearance methods would be appropriate alternative methods to assess the ivermectin dose for people in rural communities. Further research on both methods in different settings and populations would identify which one should become the method of choice.

10 patients with severe refractory hypertension were treated with captopril and frusemide. All patients had uncontrolled blood pressure (mean arterial pressure > 140 mm Hg), and 7 had developed accelerated hypertension despite maximum conventional treatment. Captopril and frusemide controlled blood pressure in all 10 patients, without side effects in 9. There was a significant rise in plasma-potassium in 9 patients (1 mmol/l), and hyperkalaemia (plasma-potassium > 6 mmol/l) developed in 3 patients despite coincident treatment with frusemide.