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This study fabricated and characterized a self-sustaining hydrogenous content clay-polyethylene composite opted for ionizing radiation shielding. Composites designated A–G were fabricated each containing 0–30 wt% of recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE), respectively. To know the effects of the incorporated LDPE on the morphology, microstructural, compressive strength, thermal property and displacement effect on the vital elements were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), universal mechanical testing machine, differential thermal analysis (DTA), Rutherford backscattering (RBS) technique and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), respectively. The bulk densities of the clay composites ranged between 1.341 and 2.030 g/cm3. The samples’ XRD analysis revealed similar patterns, with a sharp and prominent peak at angle 2θ equals ~26.11°, which matched with card number 16-0606 of the Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS) that represents Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide (Al2Si2O5(OH)4), a basic formula for Kaolin clay. The compressive strength ranged between 2.52 and 5.53 MPa. The ratio of Si to Al in each composite is about 1:1. The dehydroxylation temperature for samples ranged between 443.23 °C and 555.23 °C.

The Facial nerve is the most common cranial nerve to be paralysed due to the fact that it has a long intracranial route, related to the ear and parotid gland and thus susceptible to injuries and infections. This study aims to describe the epidemiology and management of facial nerve palsy. A retrospective cohort review of patients that presented to ORL-HNS Department of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Nigeria from November 2008 to March 2015 was done. The age, sex, clinical presentations, duration of symptoms prior to presentation, aetiology/diagnosis, treatment and outcome were obtained. Twenty-six patients with age ranging from 1.7 to 83 years and a male: female ratio of 1.6:1 was analysed. Facial nerve palsy occurred more on the left (61.5%) and all unilateral. Otogenic aetiology accounted for 34.62% (9 Cases) followed by idiopathic (26.92%), 5 (19.23%) were due to Malignant parotid tumour, 3 (11.55%) due to temporal bone fracture, and a case (3.84%) due to iatrogenic trauma. The duration of facial nerve palsy before presentation ranged from 1 day to 1 year with a mean of 6.1months. All the patients had eye care, other modalities of treatment included one or a combination of antibiotics, steroids, physiotherapy, acyclovir and surgery. None had facial nerve decompression, repair or grafting done. Outcome was good in 4 cases (15.4%), satisfactory in 10 cases (38.5%) and unsatisfactory in 3 cases (11.5%), 9 cases (34.6%) were loss to follow up. Facial nerve from otogenic causes ranked highest in our environment. Late presentation and defaulting during treatment is still a challenge in our environment and affect the outcome of facial nerve palsy.Keywords: facial nerve palsy, ear infection, iatrogenic, trauma, Parotid tumours.

Aim:The study describes the epidemiology, treatment, and treatment outcomes of the 10 cases of facial nerve palsy seen in children managed at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife over a 10 year period. It also compares findings with report from developed countries.
Methodology:
This was a retrospective cohort review of pediatric cases of facial nerve palsy encountered in all the clinics run by specialists in the above named hospital. A diagnosis of facial palsy was based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Information retrieved from the case note included sex, age, number of days with lesion prior to presentation in the clinic, diagnosis, treatment, treatment outcome, and referral clinic.
Findings:
Only 10 cases of facial nerve palsy were diagnosed in the institution during the study period. Prevalence of facial nerve palsy in this hospital was 0.01%. The lesion more commonly affected males and the right side of the face. All cases were associated with infections: Mainly mumps (70% of cases). Case management include the use of steroids and eye pads for cases that presented within 7 days; and steroids, eye pad, and physical therapy for cases that presented later. All cases of facial nerve palsy associated with mumps and malaria infection fully recovered. The two cases of facial nerve palsy associated with otitis media only partially recovered.
Conclusion:
Facial nerve palsy in pediatric patients is more commonly associated with mumps in the study environment. Successes are recorded with steroid therapy.