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Background: Breast cancer (BC) remains a significant health burden globally, with high incidence and mortality rates, particularly in Nigeria. Chemotherapy, a common treatment modality for BC, often leads to various physical and psychological side effects, impacting patients' quality of life. Despite the growing use of mobile health (mHealth) interventions to provide psychoeducational support, there is a paucity of evidence regarding their feasibility and acceptability among Nigerian women with BC. Objective: To develop and investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a mHealth psychoeducational intervention (mPEI) named the ChEmo Nurse Breast cancer Application (CENBA) programme. Methods: A multi-centre, assessor-blinded, parallel-group pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Thirty women newly diagnosed with BC and undergoing chemotherapy were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. The intervention group received the CENBA programme, which included BC education, coping skills training, a discussion forum, and nurse-led consultations, delivered via a mobile application and phone calls over six weeks. The control group received standard care. Feasibility was assessed through consent, attrition, and completion rates, while acceptability was explored via qualitative interviews. Results: The completion rate was 93.3%. Qualitative data indicated that participants found the intervention beneficial, particularly appreciating the educational content and the emotional support provided through the discussion forum and nurse consultations. Conclusion: The CENBA programme was perceived as a feasible and acceptable mHealth intervention for providing psychoeducational support to Nigerian women with BC undergoing chemotherapy. These findings suggest that the CENBA programme could be a valuable tool in addressing the psychoeducational needs of this population, warranting further investigation in a full-scale RCT. Trial registration: This manuscript reports a feasibility study preceding the full trial, which was registered with the United States Clinical Trials registry (number NCT05489354). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing chemical reactivity is crucial for sustainable chemistry and industry, fostering efficiency, reducing chemical waste, saving energy, and protecting the environment. Emulsification is used for different purposes, among them controlling the reactivity of highly reactive chemicals. Thermochemical fluids (TCFs), such as NH4Cl and NaNO2 salts, have been utilized in various applications, including the oil and gas industry. However, the excessive reactivity of TCFs limits their applications and consequently negatively impacts the potential success rates. In this study, an emulsification technique was employed to control the high reactivity of TCFs explored at 50% and 70% in diesel, using three distinct emulsifier systems at concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5% to form water-in-oil emulsions. The reactivity of 4M neat TCFs and emulsified solutions was examined in an autoclave reactor as a function of triggering temperatures of 65–95 °C, volume fraction, and emulsifier type and concentration. Additionally, this study explores an alternative method for controlling TCF reactivity through pH adjustment. It investigates the impact of TCFs at pH values ranging from 6 to 10 and the initial pressure on the resulting pressure, temperature, and time needed to initiate the TCF's reaction. The results revealed that both emulsification and pH adjustment have the potential to promote sustainability by controlling the reactivity of TCF reactions. The findings from this study can be utilized to optimize various downhole applications of TCFs, enhancing the efficiency of TCF reactions and success rates. This paper presents in detail the results obtained, and discusses the potential contributions of the examined TCFs' reactivity control techniques to sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since April 2024, sporadic infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses have been detected among dairy farm workers in the United States. To date, infections have mostly been detected through worker monitoring, and have been mild despite the possibility of more severe illness. During June–August 2024, CDC collaborated with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to implement cross-sectional serologic surveys to ascertain the prevalence of recent infection with HPAI A(H5) virus among dairy workers. In both states, a convenience sample of persons who work in dairies was interviewed, and blood specimens were collected. Among 115 persons, eight (7%; 95% CI = 3.6%–13.1%) had serologic evidence of recent infection with A(H5) virus; all reported milking cows or cleaning the milking parlor. Among persons with serologic evidence of infection, four recalled being ill around the time cows were ill; symptoms began before or within a few days of A(H5) virus detections among cows. This finding supports the need to identify and implement strategies to prevent transmission among dairy cattle to reduce worker exposures and for education and outreach to dairy workers concerning prevention, symptoms, and where to seek medical care if the workers develop symptoms. Timely identification of infected herds can support rapid initiation of monitoring, testing, and treatment for human illness, including mild illness, among exposed dairy workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the transformative potential of integrating reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) into sixth-generation (6G) wireless non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). The focus is on the RIS's capability to address diverse user requirements, including secure data transmission, power efficiency, extended coverage, and enhanced data rates. The paper delves into the synergy between RISs and NTNs, emphasizing key components like multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems and advanced radio communications. Additionally, it highlights the crucial role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in optimizing RIS-based beamforming to solve scientific and engineering challenges while ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability in NTN operations. By positioning RISs as a key enabler in shaping the future of wireless communication systems, this research underscores their significance in unlocking the full potential of NTNs and advancing next-generation wireless communications. This paper contributes valuable insights and projections for future research directions, highlighting RISs' potential to revolutionize NTNs for 6G technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the perception of a higher risk of COVID-19 infection among young people who used e-cigarettes, and its association with a change in the use of e-cigarettes during the pandemic in Nigeria. A secondary analysis of the Nigerian component of a multi-country online survey data, which was obtained from adolescents and young adults on e-cigarette use from November 1st to December 30th, 2021, was conducted. Multi-nominal regression analyses were done to determine the associations between the dependent (use of e-cigarettes) and independent (perception that e-cigarette users are more likely to be infected with COVID-19) variables after adjusting for confounders (health status, COVID-19 status, HIV status, anxiety level, age and sex). Of the 568 respondents (52.8% male), 122 (21.5%) perceived that e-cigarette users were more likely to be infected with COVID-19. In addition, 188 (33.1%) respondents increased e-cigarette smoking during the pandemic. A greater percentage of participants who perceived that e-cigarette use is associated with a greater risk of COVID-19 infection, and a significantly higher percentage of participants with high levels of anxiety reported decreased e-cigarette use (28.6% versus 13.3%, p = 0.029). The perception that e-cigarette use increased the risk for COVID-19 was associated with higher odds of an increase in e-cigarette use (AOR: 1.328) and lower odds of a decrease in e-cigarette use (AOR: 0.580) during the COVID-19 pandemic, though these associations were not statistically significant. The persistence of e-cigarette use among the youth in Nigeria despite awareness of COVID-19 risks highlights the need for stronger public health interventions. Simply providing information on risks is insufficient; targeted strategies addressing addiction, social factors, and accessibility are crucial for meaningful behavioural change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional head and neck cancer treatment involves open surgery, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and conventional radiotherapy planning. Emerging techniques aim to improve precision and reduce associated toxicity and functional impairment in current practice. This review article describes four such adaptations in image guidance, tailored to next generation therapies. Methods: This is a review of current literature, including feasibility studies from our cancer center, relating to: saline‐aided intra‐oral ultrasound‐guided retropharyngeal biopsy; intra‐oral ultrasound guided trans‐oral robotic surgery (TORS); ultrasound‐guided injection of "directly injected therapies"; and magnetic resonance imaging‐guided radiotherapy. Results: Presented within the context of the wider literature, initial local experience and data indicate good technical outcomes and patient tolerance, and low technical complications in all four image guidance techniques. Conclusion: Initial findings suggest a potentially important future role for these four image guidance techniques, on which next generation therapies are reliant. The broader implications on cross‐disciplinary collaboration are also explored herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Egyptian International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Technology (EIJEST) is the property of Egyptian International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Gas sensing is essential for detecting and measuring gas concentrations across various environments, with applications in environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and healthcare. The integration of two-dimensional (2D) materials, organic materials, and metal oxides has significantly advanced gas sensor technology, enhancing its sensitivity, selectivity, and response times at room temperature. This review examines the progress in optically activated gas sensors, with emphasis on 2D materials, metal oxides, and organic materials, due to limited studies on their use in optically activated gas sensors, in contrast to other traditional gas-sensing technologies. We detail the unique properties of these materials and their impact on improving the figures of merit (FoMs) of gas sensors. Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), with their high surface-to-volume ratio and tunable band gap, show exceptional performance in gas detection, especially when activated by UV light. Graphene-based sensors also demonstrate high sensitivity and low detection limits, making them suitable for various applications. Although organic materials and hybrid structures, such as metal–organic frameworks (MoFs) and conducting polymers, face challenges related to stability and sensitivity at room temperature, they hold potential for future advancements. Optically activated gas sensors incorporating metal oxides benefit from photoactive nanomaterials and UV irradiation, further enhancing their performance. This review highlights the potential of the advanced materials in developing the next generation of gas sensors, addressing current research gaps and paving the way for future innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus amarus extracts and its influence on the performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. The fish were fed diets containing 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 g P. amarus methanol extract (PAE) / kg basal diet for 84 days. Thereafter, blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analyses. At the end of the 84-day feeding trial, fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, after which immune response parameters were measured. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance at p<0.05. The results showed significant antibacterial activity of PAE against A. hydrophila, and its application at 0.5-1.5 g significantly promoted growth performance, with the highest at 1.0 g. Hematocrit, hemoglobin and lymphocytes were enhanced at 0.5-1.5 g PAE. All the fishes fed PAE-supplemented diets had lower concentrations of serum liver enzymes; while the values of creatinine, glucose and total bilirubin did not differ among the treatments. Glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, lysozyme, phagocytic and respiratory burst activities increased in all PAE-fortified treatments, with highest fish survival in 1.0 g PAE treatment. Therefore, the inclusion of 1.0 g Phyllanthus amarus extract is recommended as a dietary supplement for Clarias gariepinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barry Driscoll's book "Power, Patronage, and the Local State in Ghana" fills a gap in research on patronage systems in developing countries, focusing on their impact on state capacity and local governance. Through empirical data from surveys and interviews in Ghana, Driscoll explores how competitive elections shape patronage dynamics and influence local governance. While the study challenges the idea that patronage undermines responsive governance, it also highlights the potential negative long-term effects of patronage on institutional integrity and public trust in government institutions. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Sandbag building technologies (SBTs) have been offered as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative building technology (ABT) capable of accelerating house construction in South Africa, but its acceptance remains low. However, knowledge about how to effectively improve SBT social acceptance is limited. This study aims to develop and prioritise SBT social acceptability strategies towards providing a comprehensive framework for the successful deployment and widespread adoption of sandbag technology. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a quantitative research strategy that included a literature review and a structured questionnaire survey of 228 ABT professionals and stakeholders in the South African housing industry. The study statistically analysed 13 strategies for the social acceptance of SBT. Findings: The analysis showed that the top three strategies include the availability of sandbag demonstration projects in all provinces, the approval of a sandbag building code and the availability of standard design methods for earthbags. A factor analysis clustered the 13 strategies into Stakeholders integration and policy formation, Effective education and knowledge sharing and Grassroots advocacy and incentives. Practical implications: The current study's findings provide a broad framework for the effective implementation and wide acceptance of sandbag technology in housing projects. It offered certain best practices that policymakers and practitioners might use to promote ABT and SBT societal acceptability. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, the study represents the first and only attempt to investigate the viewpoints of experts and housing market stakeholders in South Africa regarding sandbag technology social acceptance strategies and contributes to the social acceptance body of knowledge in ABT and SBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as an adsorbent for removing total phenols from textile wastewater. The ZnO NPs were synthesized by reducing Zn(NO3)2⋅6H2O using an extract from Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica). Characterization of the adsorbent was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify functional group modifications, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) for structural orientation, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental analysis, and X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) for crystallinity, revealing particle crystallinity around 200 nm. Adsorption experiments were conducted over contact times of 20–60 min, with adsorbent loadings between 0.2 and 1 g/100 mL, and temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °C. Optimal phenol removal, achieving 55.93% (0.67 mg/L), occurred at 43.40 min, 33.70 °C, and an adsorbent dosage of 0.69 g/L of textile wastewater. The phenol adsorption process using ZnO NPs was exothermic, spontaneous, and required low energy, fitting well with the Langmuir isotherm and following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has the ability to rapidly assess function and identify systolic heart failure (HF), an often-missed diagnosis. POCUS has the potential to expedite medical intervention, improving overall outcomes. There have been limited studies describing pediatric emergency center (EC) utilization of cardiac POCUS and its impact on outcomes in pediatric patients. Authors performed a retrospective chart review at a tertiary children's hospital to identify all patients admitted from the EC to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) with acute systolic HF between January 2017 and August 2019. Outcome measures included EC length of stay (LOS), CICU LOS, and time until first IV HF medicine was administered. A total of 21 patients and 24 encounters meeting criteria were identified. Cardiac POCUS agreed with standard echocardiography in 8 of 9 cases. Patients who had a cardiac POCUS in the EC seemed more likely to receive their first dose of intravenous heart failure medication while in the Emergency Center (70% vs 43%). There was a trend toward significance, but it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.1). EC and CICU LOS were not significantly different between POCUS and non-POCUS groups. Cardiac POCUS has the potential to have a valuable role in the early diagnosis of acute systolic HF in children. However, early diagnosis by POCUS did not translate into shorter EC or CICU LOS. This pilot data serves as a baseline for efforts to promote earlier clinical recognition of acute HF and more efficient collaboration between clinical services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study converted pig dung (PD) with garlic (Allium sativum) peel extract (GPE) to adsorbents (dried pig dung (DPD), activated carbon DPD (ACDPD) and GPE impregnated DPD (EDPD) and GPE impregnated ACDPD (EACDPD)), applied in the removal of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) from diesel. The four adsorbent samples (DPD, EDPD, ACDPD and EACDPD) were used for the removal of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) through batch desulfurization process at different experimental condition (dosage: 100 to 500 mg; time: 30 to 120 min and temperature: 25 to 50 °C) and appropriately characterized. EACDPD proved to be an adsorbent that can be employed for the desulfurization of diesel. The optimum equilibrium condition was achieved at 90 min for the removal of 67.76% of DBT applying a dosage of 178 mg, temperature of 45 °C and agitation of 260 rpm for the desulfurization process. The kinetic of the desulfurization process was best described by pseudo second order rate expression while the best isotherm model that best fitted the desulfurization data was Temkin model. The removal of DBT from diesel and its adsorption on EACDPD was an endothermic reaction with estimated change in enthalpy and entropy of 34.41 kJ/mol and 68.69 J/mol K respectively. Characterization showed transformation to the surface of the modified adsorbent (EACDPD) after chemical, thermal and impregnation from amorphous to plat like with improvement in micropore and mesopore of the adsorbent (EACDPD) while it was deduced that the presence of Mg and Zn in EACDPD enhance removal of DBT from diesel. This research is applicable in sustainable development goals (SDG) 7 and 11 respectively.Article Highlights: Pig Dung was thermally and green modified for the removal of removal of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) from oil. Optimal condition for the removal efficiency of produced adsorbents was presented Reusability potential of the produced adsorbent in removal of DBT was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative approach to modeling the conduction of electrical impulses via intricate neuronal structures is introduced in this paper, which offers a theoretical and computational examination of parameter estimation in a coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo model. With this goal in mind, we present a finite volume approach to solving the FitzHugh–Nagumo model and check the numerical method's accuracy against previous findings. To further assess and contrast the efficacy and precision of the model's outputs, a finite difference formulation is incorporated. To clarify the basic qualitative properties of the inhibitor–activator mechanism intrinsic to the coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo model, the analysis uses dynamical system approaches and linear stability analysis. The results show that the suggested schemes are very accurate, with conditional stability, reaching fourth-order spatial and second-order temporal precision. The results are given in both tabular and graphical forms. According to numerical results, the suggested finite volume method outperforms the finite difference method in accurately and efficiently solving the nonlinear coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo model. Neuronal activity and electrical communication are complex biological systems with a lot of investigated nonlinear differential equations; this research helps us understand more about these topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the promotion of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) principles in building design, specifically focusing on quantity surveying (QS) firms in Nigeria. The study identifies measures to encourage the adoption of IEQ principles, such as financial incentives, educational resources, clear reporting mechanisms, awards and recognition programs, and advocacy campaigns. These measures are categorized into four clusters: education and training, policy and regulation, incentivization and recognition, and collaboration and networking. The article also highlights the importance of smart building technologies and the design of building services and systems in optimizing IEQ. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, construction industry professionals, and stakeholders interested in promoting IEQ principles. The EPIC framework outlined in the article offers practical guidance for prioritizing IEQ principles and contributing to sustainable building practices. However, the study acknowledges the need for further research and a larger sample size. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of incorporating IEQ principles in building design to improve occupant satisfaction and well-being. [Extracted from the article]

Well logging is a significant method of geological formation description and resource assessment in the exploration and development of oil, natural gas, minerals, groundwater, and sub-surface thermal energy, as well as geotechnical engineering and environmental research. However, the challenging problem of estimating well logging data always exists because well logs can only be measured through a drilling process involving costly and time-consuming field trials. This study provides a brief overview of Deep Learning (DL) models and examines the well-logging issues in estimating missing well-log data. In addition, it discusses a literature review focusing on the application of DL models for well-log estimation. The outcome of this exploratory work necessitates suitable requirements for the design and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing presence of persistent synthetic dyes, like crystal violet (CV), in wastewater poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to its genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Biochar derived from agricultural waste offers a promising, cost-effective, and eco-friendly approach for dye removal. This study explores the potential of flamboyant pod biochar (FPB) as a novel and sustainable adsorbent for CV removal. FPB offers a unique advantage as it utilizes readily available flamboyant pod waste, promoting waste valorization and a cost-effective approach. FPB was synthesized through a simple process involving milling, sun-drying, and pyrolyzing flamboyant pod waste at 300 °C. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of contact time and initial dye concentration on removal efficiency. Kinetic modeling using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models explored the underlying mechanisms governing the adsorption process. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model exhibited a superior fit (R² > 0.87) compared to the pseudo-first-order model, suggesting a chemisorption mechanism governing the adsorption process. These findings demonstrate the potential of FPB as a low-cost, sustainable adsorbent for CV removal from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of mathematical biology and dynamical systems has proven to be an effective approach for studying viral infection models. To contribute to this research, our paper proposes a new CHIKV model that takes into account an adaptive immune response and distributed time delays, which accurately reflects the time lag between initial viral contacts and the production of new active CHIKV particles. By analyzing the model’s qualitative behavior, we establish a biological threshold number that can predict whether CHIKV will be cleared from or persist in the body. We demonstrate the global stability of both CHIKV-present and CHIKV-free steady states using the Lyapunov functional method and LaSalle’s invariance principle. In addition, we conduct numerical simulations to examine how time delays can affect the stability of the steady states. Through these simulations, we gain insights into how varying time delays can influence the persistence or clearance of CHIKV within the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This review aimed to chart the landscape of literature concerning the precise applications of traditional medicine in managing specific oral diseases and, in doing so, to pinpoint knowledge gaps surrounding the use of traditional medicine for oral disease management in the African context. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL. The search was conducted from the inception of the database till September 2023. A search of related citations and references was also carried out. Only English language publications were included. A summary of studies that met the inclusion criteria was conducted. Results: Of the 584 records identified, 11 were duplicates and 12 studies, published between 2006 and 2021, met the inclusion criteria. The studies were published from eight countries located in the five sub-regions on the continent. All the studies were either experimental designs or ethnobotanical surveys and they all utilized plant-based remedies. The five experimental studies aimed to assess the impact of whole plants or plant extracts on the three microorganisms responsible for dental caries and seven responsible for periodontal diseases. The number of plant species identified by the seven ethnobotanical surveys ranged from 29 to 62 while the number of plan families ranged from 15 to 29. The remedies were either topical applied, use as mouth rinses, gargled, or chewed. The systemic routes of administration identified were inhalation and drinking. The remedies were used for the treatment of hard such as dental caries and tooth sensitivity, to soft tissue lesions such as mouth ulcers, gingival bleeding, and mouth thrush. Other oral disorders managed include halitosis, jaw fracture, and oral cancer. Conclusions: Given the increasing prevalence of oral diseases within the region, the shortage of oral healthcare professionals and limited access to financial resources, it becomes imperative to support the generation of empirical evidence to enhance the provision of traditional medicine for oral healthcare in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a sizable number of pregnant women patronize Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) for deliveries in Nigeria, efforts to prevent or reduce the risk of HBV transmission are not targeted at the TBAs and the pregnant women patronizing them. This may be linked to the dearth of information on the serological profiles of HBV among this cohort. We, therefore, show the serological profiles of HBV among the cohort. One hundred and seventy pregnant women and 91 TBAs participated in this study between May and July 2019. Serological markers of HBV infection were assayed using ELISA. A prevalence of, 8.0% (95% CI: 5.0% − 11.5%) for HBsAg, 0.8% (95% CI: 0.0% − 1.9%) for HBeAg, 2.7% (95% CI: 0.8% − 5.0%) for HBcIgM, 26.1% (95% CI: 20.7% − 31.4%) for anti-HBs, 21.5% (95% CI: 16.5% − 25.4%) for anti-HBe and 67.0% (95% CI: 60.9% – 72.8%) for anti-HBc was found indicating a high percentage of carriers. Although 32 (12.3%) of the entire participants claimed to be fully vaccinated, serological evidence was only detected in 4 (12.5%). The high percentage of carriers and low evidence of vaccination necessitate intensified efforts to ensure that adequate interventions are made available and accessible to the TBAs and the pregnant women patronizing them (including newborn babies). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives : Novel or rare damaging mutations have been implicated in the developmental pathogenesis of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL ± P). Thus, we investigated the human genome for high-impact mutations that could explain the risk of nsCL ± P in our cohorts. Materials and Methods: We conducted next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of 130 nsCL ± P case-parent African trios to identify pathogenic variants that contribute to the risk of clefting. We replicated this analysis using whole-exome sequence data from a Brazilian nsCL ± P cohort. Computational analyses were then used to predict the mechanism by which these variants could result in increased risks for nsCL ± P. Results : We discovered damaging mutations within the AFDN gene, a cell adhesion molecule (CAMs) that was previously shown to contribute to cleft palate in mice. These mutations include p.Met1164Ile, p.Thr453Asn, p.Pro1638Ala, p.Arg669Gln, p.Ala1717Val, and p.Arg1596His. We also discovered a novel splicing p.Leu1588Leu mutation in this protein. Computational analysis suggests that these amino acid changes affect the interactions with other cleft-associated genes including nectins (PVRL1, PVRL2, PVRL3, and PVRL4) CDH1, CTNNA1, and CTNND1. Conclusion : This is the first report on the contribution of AFDN to the risk for nsCL ± P in humans. AFDN encodes AFADIN, an important CAM that forms calcium-independent complexes with nectins 1 and 4 (encoded by the genes PVRL1 and PVRL4). This discovery shows the power of NGS analysis of multiethnic cleft samples in combination with a computational approach in the understanding of the pathogenesis of nsCL ± P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate knowledge among health care providers (HCPs) and parents of affected children limits the understanding and utility of secondary genetic findings (SFs) in under-represented populations in genomics research. SFs arise from deep DNA sequencing done for research or diagnostic purposes and may burden patients and their families despite their potential health importance. This study aims to evaluate the perspective of both groups regarding SFs and their choices in the return of results from genetic testing in the context of orofacial clefts. Using an online survey, we evaluated the experiences of 252 HCPs and 197 parents across participating cleft clinics in Ghana and Nigeria toward the return of SFs across several domains. Only 1.6% of the HCPs felt they had an expert understanding of when and how to incorporate genomic medicine into practice, while 50.0% agreed that all SFs should be returned to patients. About 95.4% of parents were willing to receive all the information from genetic testing (including SFs), while the majority cited physicians as their primary information source (64%). Overall, parents and providers were aware that genetic testing could help in the clinical management of diseases. However, they cited a lack of knowledge about genomic medicine, uncertain clinical utility, and lack of available learning resources as barriers. The knowledge gained from this study will assist with developing guidelines and policies to guide providers on the return of SFs in sub-Saharan Africa and across the continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The radiative thermal memristor boasts versatile applications, excelling particularly in contactless thermal sensing, where its unique properties make it ideal for scenarios requiring non-intrusive temperature measurements. Additionally, it holds promise in revolutionizing neuromorphic computing systems, contributing significantly to energy-efficient information processing that mimics the human brain. Furthermore, the integration of radiative thermal memristors into memory devices presents opportunities for optimizing performance, enhancing data storage, and advancing memory device technologies. This study presents a theoretical framework for a radiative thermal memristor (RTM), utilizing Tungsten-doped vanadium dioxide (WVO) as the phase-change material (PCM) and silicon carbide (SiC) in the far-field regime. The behavior of the RTM is depicted through a Lissajous curve, illustrating the relationship between net flux (Q) and a periodically modulated temperature difference Δ T(t). It is established that temperature variations in the memristance (M) of the RTM form a closed loop, governed by PCM hysteresis. The analysis explores the impact of thermal conductivity contrast (r) and periodic thermal input amplitude (θ) on the Q– Δ T curve and the M– Δ T curve and negative differential thermal resistance (NDTR), revealing notable effects on the curve shapes and the emergence of NDTR. An increasing r leads to changes in the Lissajous curve's shape and enhances the NDTR influence, while variations in both r and (θ) significantly affect the Q values and Lissajous curve amplitudes. In the M– Δ T curve, the height is linked to thermal conductivity contrast (r), with increasing r resulting in higher curve heights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores if and how migrating social workers' gender, country of origin and time living in the United Kingdom relate to their job and life satisfaction, and to building a new social network post-migration. Online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were carried out with participants from Australia, Canada, India, Romania, South Africa, the United States and Zimbabwe. We found a statistically significant connection between the length of time in the United Kingdom and satisfaction from working as social workers and living in the United Kingdom. All our participating groups were generally only mildly satisfied professionally, but satisfied with living in the United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review mapped and critically reviewed the extant literature exploring associations between oral disease status and adverse pregnancy outcomes among women residing in sub-Saharan Africa. A literature search was conducted in July 2023 using PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. The articles selected were those published in the English language between 1990 and 2022. After screening 833 potential studies, 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Among these, 12 (80.0%) adopted a descriptive research design, while 3 (20.0%) used experimental methodologies. Eight (53.3%) studies were conducted in East Africa, fourteen (93.3%) studies were hospital-based, and one (6.7%) study was community-based. Periodontitis was linked with low birth weight, preterm birth, preterm birth and low birthweight, stunting, wasting, and underweight in most studies. Periodontitis was, however, not linked with adverse pregnancy outcomes in four studies. Caries was not linked with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but its sequalae was linked with low birth weight, preterm birth, neonatal stunting, and small head circumference. Two studies showed that periodontal diseases were linked with preeclampsia and chorioamnionitis. Maternal poor oral hygiene was linked with stunting. Two other studies showed no links between maternal periodontal disease and preterm premature rupture of membranes, eclampsia, spontaneous abortion, and vaginal bleeding. Furthermore, two intervention studies found that the treatment of periodontal diseases during pregnancy reduced the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the effect size of the links observed between oral diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A fundamental ethical issue in African genomics research is how socio-cultural factors impact perspectives, acceptance, and utility of genomic information, especially in stigmatizing conditions like orofacial clefts (OFCs). Previous research has shown that gatekeepers (e.g., religious, political, family or community leaders) wield considerable influence on the decision-making capabilities of their members, including health issues. Thus, their perspectives can inform the design of engagement strategies and increase exposure to the benefits of genomics testing/research. This is especially important for Africans underrepresented in genomic research. Our study aims to investigate the perspectives of gatekeepers concerning genomic risk information (GRI) in the presence of OFCs in a sub-Saharan African cohort. Methods: Twenty-five focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of 214 gatekeepers (religious, community, ethnic leaders, and traditional birth attendants) in Lagos, Nigeria, explored the opinions of participants on genomic risk information (GRI), OFC experience, and the possibility of involvement in collaborative decision-making in Lagos, Nigeria. Transcripts generated from audio recordings were coded and analyzed in NVivo using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes—knowledge, beliefs, and willingness to act—emerged from exploring the perspective of gatekeepers about GRI in this group. We observed mixed opinions regarding the acceptance of GRI. Many participants believed their role is to guide and support members when they receive results; this is based on the level of trust their members have in them. However, participants felt they would need to be trained by medical experts to do this. Also, religious and cultural beliefs were crucial to determining participants' understanding of OFCs and the acceptance and utilization of GRI. Conclusions: Incorporating cultural sensitivity into public engagement could help develop appropriate strategies to manage conflicting ideologies surrounding genomic information in African communities. This will allow for more widespread access to the advances in genomics research in underrepresented populations. We also recommend a synergistic relationship between community health specialists/scientists, and community leaders, including spiritual providers to better understand and utilize GRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined owners-based exogenous factors that could hamper adequate management and treatment of Biomedical Waste (BMW) at the Federal and State governments owned tertiary health facilities located in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Failure to address these impediments has been identified as bane of inadequate BMW management, capable of escalating insurgence of epidemics. The study employed survey research design using a well-structured five-item based questionnaire to elicit primary data from 103 purposively selected health officers from the two healthcare facilities. Evidence from relative importance index and One-way Contingency Chi-Square tests unveil that the five factors examined possess latency to impede adequate BMW management, but more for lack of modern medical waste management equipment and less for the health workers salary and allowances while the factors are found to be statistically significant in obstructing proper management of biomedical waste. The study concludes that failure to ensure that these factors are put in place can lead to inappropriate handling of medical waste which in turn can worsen disease outbreak in the environment. Thus, as a proactive measure to curb epidemics, it is recommended that government and hospital management boards should provide adequate fund to support this course in line with global best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates a new type of heterostructure photodetector (PD) made of cerium hexaboride (CeB6) and tungsten (W) alloy deposited on top of a nitrogen-doped silicon carbide substrate. Density function theory (DFT) suggests that the alloy with 67% CeB6 and 33% W provides an optimal photo response for the PD. The optimum alloy thickness is computed numerically using particle swamp optimization (PSO) in lumerical Finite difference time domain (FDTD) software, and the alloy is fabricated using direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) sputtering. The performance of the PD is experimentally characterized, and our findings show a maximum photocurrent of 71.86 nA and a maximum responsivity of 94.1 µAW−1 at the near ultraviolet (UV) wavelength of 405 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium benzoate (SB), the sodium salt of benzoic acid, is a food preservative with wide applications in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries due to its ability to kill many microorganisms effectively. Experimental evidence however suggests that excessive intake of SB poses detrimental health risks among consumers in the population. The present study investigated the toxic effects of various concentrations of SB using Drosophila melanogaster as a model. Adult wild‐type flies of Canton S strain (1‐ to 3‐days old) was orally exposed to SB (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 mg/5 g diet) to evaluate survival rates for 21 days. Thereafter, we evaluated markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant status and behavioral activity in D. melanogaster exposed to SB for seven (7) days. We observed that SB (2.0 and 5.0 mg/5 g diet) decreased the survival of D. melanogaster. Also, SB inhibited glutathione‐S‐transferase activity and depleted total thiols and nonprotein thiols contents. Moreover, SB (5 mg/5 g diet) increased nitric oxide (nitrite/nitrate) level and reduced flies' emergence rate. Conclusively, findings from this study revealed that exposure to high concentrations of SB reduced survival rate and induced toxicity via the induction of oxidative stress and inhibition of antioxidant enzymes in D. melanogaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the issue of personal data breaches among elderly internet users in the United States. The study reveals that there has been a rise in these breaches among the elderly population, resulting in financial losses. The article provides recommendations to government and concerned agencies on how to protect elderly individuals from falling victim to personal data breaches. Factors contributing to these breaches include weak passwords, isolated lifestyles, and exposure to caregivers or family members. To address this issue, the article suggests using strong passwords, being cautious of internet scams, and maintaining strict document security. [Extracted from the article]

This document provides an overview of experimental pharmacology in precision medicine, focusing on recent advancements and challenges in the field. It discusses the application of precision medicine in areas such as drug metabolism, drug-drug interactions, therapeutic drug dose monitoring, and interventions for cystic fibrosis. The article also mentions the 19th World Congress of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology (WCP2023), which explored precision medicine approaches for improving human health. The importance of molecular information and quantitative proteomics in enhancing drug safety and efficacy, as well as predicting individual variations in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination, is emphasized. The document highlights the success and challenges of precision medicine in specific cases, including drug-drug interactions, targeted cancer therapies, and cystic fibrosis. It also underscores the significance of collaboration between patient advocacy groups, academia, industry, and regulatory authorities in advancing precision medicine. [Extracted from the article]

This research paper investigated the citation patterns within the Moor Journal of Agricultural Research from the year 2006 to2016, offering a comprehensive analysis of author collaboration, institutional contributions, and preferred information resources. The study spans a significant period and presents key findings that shed light on the journal's significance in the agricultural research community.One notable finding is the prevalence of collaborative efforts among authors, with threeauthored papers leading the pack at 32.79% of the total published articles during the study period. Two-authored papers follow closely, constituting 26.23% of the total output. In contrast, singleauthor papers occupy the fourth position, contributing 14.75% of the recorded papers. These results align with previous research, particularly the findings of Singh (2017), highlighting the collaborative nature of scientific research. Institutional analysis reveals that the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in Ogun State, stands as the journal's most prominent contributor, accounting for 39.80% of the articles. The University of Ibadan in Oyo State follows with 19.14%, while Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife contributes 13.40%. This strong representation indicates the high recognition of the journal among agricultural scientists in the South West of Nigeria. Collectively, fifteen universities from the South West contribute 90.91% of the articles, while five universities from the northern region contribute 5.27%. The South-South region contributes 2.39%. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, representing the South East, contributes the least at 1.43%, emphasizing the need for broader regional coverage. In terms of institutional affiliations of authors, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) emerges as the dominant contributor, with an impressive 68.47% of the articles. This significantly surpasses other institutions, with the National Horticulture Research Institute and Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, both in Ibadan, contributing 8.11% each. The substantial difference between IAR&T and other institutions suggests a potential advantage related to its role as the journal's publisher. Further analysis reveals that the Federal College of Agriculture in Ibadan contributes the highest number of articles (41.18%), followed by the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology in Ibadan (29.41%).. In conclusion, this research offers a comprehensive overview of citation patterns in the Moor Journal of Agricultural Research, uncovering valuable insights into author collaboration, institutional contributions, and citation preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this scoping review was to map the research that links oral health and sustainable development goals (SDGs). The question that guided this review was what is the published evidence specifically linking oral health and SDGs? The search of articles published between 2015 and June 2023 in English was conducted in June 2023 in PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Scopus. The extracted data from the 12 of the 520 publications that met the inclusion criteria were synthesized. These were publications from the African (n = 2) and European (n = 1) regions. Ten of the studies were not country specific. There were three observational studies. The referenced SDGs were SDG 1 (n = 1), SDG 3 (n = 11), SDG 4 (n = 3), SDG 5 (n = 2), and SDG 13 (n = 1). The studies linking oral health to SDG3 discussed a range of issues related to integrated oral health care, dental education on the SDGs, improved health equalities, access to universal health care, and sustainable health approaches. The small number of studies identified suggests the need to take proactive steps to generate research-based evidence that explores the interplay between oral diseases, oral health, and SDGs to address the dearth in the literature. By so doing, resources allocated to the SDGs can also be effectively uses to control oral diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor localization is a key research area and has been stated as a major goal for Sixth Generation (6G) communications. Indoor localization faces many challenges, such as harsh wireless propagation channels, cluttered and dynamic environments, non-line-of-sight conditions, etc. There are various technologies that can be applied to address these issues. In this paper, four major technologies for implementing an indoor localization system are reviewed: Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Ultra-Wide Bandwidth Radio (UWB), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Inertial Measurement Units (IMU). Sections on Data Fusion (DF) and Machine Learning (ML) have been included as well due to their key role in Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS). These technologies have been categorized based on the techniques that they employ and the associated errors in localization. A brief comparison between these technologies is made based on specific performance metrics. Finally, the limitations of these techniques are identified to aid future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to propose a method called the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (F-TOPSIS) to select parameters of the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process. Consequently, the parameters principally influencing the outputs of the WEDM process were identified and examined using the F-TOPSIS framework where the inputs of three decision makers, representing their opinions are incorporated into the analysis. The idea of parametric selection in a WEDM process is multicriteria-based when the production of nitinol-60 smart memory alloy (SMA) is critically considered. Current approaches of TOPSIS and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) evaluations to select the WEDM parameters fail because of the constraints of linguistic evaluations, but the use of F-TOPSIS crosses over the restriction to choose the best parameters in a WEDM process for nitinol-60 SMA. In this work, the experimental results obtained from published research were utilised to validate the proposed method. The validation of the suitability of F-TOPSIS, aided by the published work on the WEDM process, analysed the surface integrity of nitinol-60 SMA. From the five outputs, the closeness coefficients of the best and worst are found to be 0.7567 and 0.2838, respectively. This research aids the process engineer in optimising the outputs in the WEDM process, to select the best output. Hence, the research showcased how the WEDM process could select outputs efficiently, thus aiding process engineers to maintain the process to optimise parametric resource allocations and guarantee utmost productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the influence of sex and age on morphometric traits in Balami sheep. Fourteen Balami sheep were purchased from Maiduguri cattle Market and reared at the Livestock Teaching Research Farm, Borno State University Maiduguri. The Morphometric traits measured include; Body Weight (BW) (Kg), Height at withers (HW) (cm), Body length (BL) (cm) and Heart girth (HG) (cm). The data obtained was subjected to Analysis of Variance using the General Linear Model Procedure of SAS (Statistical Analysis Systems) software. Significant means were compared by the Least Significant Difference method of the same statistical package. The results indicated that male Balami sheep had heavier body weight (78.04 kg) (P<0.05) and higher height at withers (42.82 cm) than female. They equally had higher heart girth and body length. Higher body weight was observed among the ages between 3-5 years. Measurements of various body conformations are of value in deciding which animals to buy, sell, cull or breed and are also helpful in developing suitable selection criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofluids are unique thermal fluids with enhanced heat transfer efficiency relative to conventional thermal fluids. The density of nanofluids is an important thermophysical property that determines the heat transfer coefficient of fluids. Hybrid nanofluids are known to show superior thermal properties compared to normal nanofluids, yet investigation on the predictive modeling of the density of hybrid nanofluids is scarce in the literature. In this report, the application of machine learning (ML) for predicting the density of hybrid nanofluids is examined. The considered hybrid nanofluids consist of Al2O3/SiO2, TiO2-SiO2, Fe3O4-MWCNT, Al2O3-CNT, Al2O3-MWCNT, TiO2-MWCNT, CeO2-MWCNT, ZnO-MWCNT, MgO-MWCNT, CuO-MWCNT, Co3O4/rGO, TiO2-MgO, Ag-GNP, and ND-Fe3O4 nanoparticles suspended in H2O, GB, DW, and W-EG (60:40%). The ML algorithms examined in this report include: support vector regression optimized with genetic algorithm (SVR-GA), Gradient Boost Regression Algorithm (GBR) with Grid Search Optimization (GBR-GSO), Decision Tree (DT), and Voting Ensemble (VE). These models were developed using the following input parameters: temperature, volume concentration, the density of individual nanoparticles, and density of the base fluid. Excellent correlations of 99.81%, 99.76%, 96.36%, and 95.05% were obtained for the SVR-GA, GBR-GSO, VE, and DT, respectively. This result shows that the SVR-GA had the highest correlations with experimental results. The development of a highly accurate predictive model for the density of hybrid nanofluids is essential because it can facilitate the rapid design of heat transfer devices. Developing a diffusivity model for hybrid nanofluids using a machine learning approach is a possible extension of the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]