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In the last decades, corrosion control of metals and their alloys has been of environmental, aesthetic, economic, and technical importance. Ecologically acceptable, environment-friendly, and readily available corrosion inhibitors are one of the best options for protecting metals against corrosion. In this regard, use of polymers for inhibiting metallic corrosion is an authentic and acceptable practice, with a low environmental threat. Polymers may be used as composites, blends, or isolation for optimal inhibitory effects. Inhibition efficiencies of corrosion inhibitors were determined using mass loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization techniques, etc. The present study gives the idea about natural, synthetic, and conducting polymers and their utilization for corrosion inhibition applications. Effects of halide ions as additives or surfactants on their anticorrosion performances are also discussed. Polymeric materials as coatings are reviewed to align with recent research interests, such as cost-effectiveness, environment friendliness, and self-healing products, which are more convenient to synthesize and use in future applications.

Herein, we reported the dual functions of molybdenum disulfide/sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (MoS2/SGCN) composite as a sensing material for electrochemical detection of 4-NP and a catalyst for 4-NP degradation. The MoS2 nanosheet, sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (SGCN) and MoS2/SGCN were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical characterization of these materials with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 1 mM K4[Fe(CN)6]3-/4- show that the composite has the lowest charge transfer resistance and the best electrocatalytic activity. The limit of detection (LOD) and the linear range of 4-nitrophenol at MoS2/SGCN modified glassy carbon electrode (MoS2/SGCN/GCE) were computed as 12.8 nM and 0.1 – 2.6 μM, respectively. Also, the percentage recoveries of 4-NP in spiked tap water samples ranged from 97.8 – 99.1 %. The electroanalysis of 4-NP in the presence of notable interferons shows that the proposed electrochemical sensor features outstanding selectivity toward 4-NP. Additionally, the results of the catalytic degradation of 4-NP at MoS2/SGCN show that the nanocatalyst catalyzed the transformation of 4-NP to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) with a first-order rate constant (k) estimated to be 4.2 ×10−2 s−1. The results of this study confirm that the MoS2/SGCN nanocatalyst is a useful implement for electroanalytical monitoring and catalytic degradation of the hazardous 4-NP in water samples.

A corrosion inhibition test, coupled with a quantification of in-situ H2 evolution, can be used to evaluate an organic inhibitor such as Timoho leaf extract (TLE). TLE is a biodegradable and effective corrosion inhibitor because of its potential to protect 304SS against sulfuric acid. TLE corrosion inhibitor was studied through systematic electrochemical experiments and morphological characterization, with a concentration range of 0–6g L−1. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-VGG16 was one of the machine learning approaches used to classify and predict physical changes in hydrogen gas bubbles. Constituents of the TLE and 304SS surfaces were analyzed by FT-IR and UV–Vis tests. The results suggested that 3 g L−1 TLE inhibitor was able to reduce the corrosion rate by 99.37 %. The TLE's inhibition mechanism on 304SS was mixed adsorption and mixed type inhibitor that followed the Isothermal Freundlich Equation. The prediction model by CNN-VGG16 for corrosion tests at varied inhibitor doses was 96% accurate. SEM tests revealed that TLE constituent adsorption on the 304SS surface had a smooth surface morphology with few degraded spots.

Abstract Photoactive supramolecular porphyrin assemblies are attractive molecules for light‐harvesting applications. This is due to their relatively non‐toxicity, biological activities and charge and energy exchange characteristics. However, the extreme cost associated with their synthesis and requirements for toxic organic solvents during purification pose a challenge to the sustainability characteristics of their applications. This work presents the first report on the sustainable synthesis, spectroscopic and photophysical characterizations of a near‐infrared (NIR) absorbing Ca(II)‐meso‐tetrakis (4‐hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin using an electrolyzed pyrrole solution. The latter was obtained by cycling the pyrrole solution across the silver nanodumbbell particle surface at room temperature. The electrolyzed solution condensed readily with acidified p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, producing the targeted purple porphyrin. The non‐electrolyzed pyrrole solution formed a green substance with significantly different optical properties. Remarkable differences were observed in the voltammograms of the silver nanodumbbell particles and those of the conventional gold electrode during the pyrrole cycling, suggesting different routes of porphyrin formation. The rationale behind these formations and the associated mechanisms were extensively discussed. Metalation with aqueous Ca2+ ion caused a Stokes shift of 38.75 eV. The current study shows the advantage of the electrochemical method towards obtaining sustainable light‐harvesting porphyrin at room temperature without the need for high‐energy‐dependent conventional processes.

Abstract Monoamine neurotransmitters are essential for learning, mental alertness, emotions, and blood flow, among other functions. Fatal neurological disorders that signal the imbalance of these biomolecules in the human system include Parkinson's disease, myocardial infarction, Alzheimer's disease, hypoglycemia, Schizophrenia, and a host of other ailments. The diagnosis of these monoamine neurotransmitter‐related conditions revolves around the development of analytical tools with high sensitivity for the four major monoamine neurotransmitters namely dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. The application of electrochemical sensors made from notable metal oxide nanoparticles or composites containing the metal oxide nanoparticles for the detection of these monoamine neurotransmitters was discussed herein. More importantly, the feasibility of the application of the ZnO, CuO, and TiO2 nanoparticle‐based electrochemical sensors for a comprehensive diagnosis of monoamine neurotransmitter‐related conditions was critically investigated in this review.

Abstract In this study, a novel electrodeposition of poly(2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzaldehyde) on bare glassy carbon electrode for dopamine detection was reported. 2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzaldehyde and the electrodeposited poly(2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzaldehyde) were characterized using Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, UV‐visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The bare electrode modified with the optimum amount of 2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzaldehyde (PTGCE) was used for dopamine electroanalysis. The linear dynamic range and the limit of detection of DA at PTGCE were 0.70‐19.48 μM and 19.48–53.30 μM, and 0.64 μM, respectively. The modified electrode showed outstanding discriminatory dopamine detection in the presence of uric acid and ascorbic acid due to a dopamine‐uric acid and a dopamine‐ascorbic acid peak‐to‐peak separation of 160 mV and 200 mV, respectively. The proposed sensor showed considerable reproducibility of dopamine current response and excellent % dopamine recovery of 99.70 % from the real sample solution.

Abstract Background The low demand for maternal and child health services is a significant factor in Nigeria's high maternal death rate. This paper explores demand and supply-side determinants at the primary healthcare level, highlighting factors affecting provision and utilization. Methods This qualitative study was undertaken in Anambra state, southeast Nigeria. Anambra state was purposively chosen because a maternal and child health programme had just been implemented in the state. The three-delay model was used to analyze supply and demand factors that affect MCH services and improve access to care for pregnant women/mothers and newborns/infants. Result The findings show that there were problems with both the demand and supply aspects of the programme and both were interlinked. For service users, their delays were connected to the constraints on the supply side. On the demand side, the delays include poor conditions of the facilities, the roads to the facilities are inaccessible, and equipment were lacking in the facilities. These delayed the utilisation of facilities. On the supply side, the delays include the absence of security (fence, security guard), poor citing of the facilities, inadequate accommodation, no emergency transport for referrals, and lack of trained staff to man equipment. These delayed the provision of services. Conclusion Our findings show that there were problems with both the demand and supply aspects of the programme, and both were interlinked. For service users, their delays were connected to the constraints on the supply side.

Abstract Anticorrosion and adsorption behaviour of synthesized carbohydrazide Schiff bases, namely (Z)-N′-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-6-methyl-2-oxo-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carbohydrazide(MBTC) and (Z)-N′-(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-6-methyl-2-oxo-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carbohydrazide (CBTC) was examined for mild steel (MS) in 15% HCl medium. The corrosion inhibition study was performed by using gravimetric, thermodynamic, electrochemical and theoretical studies including density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamic simulation (MDS) and Monte Carlo simulations (MCS). The outcomes in terms of corrosion inhibition efficiency using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method at 303 K and 150 ppm concentration were 96.75% for MBTC and 95.14% for CBTC. Both inhibitors adsorbed on the MS surface through physical as well as chemical adsorption and followed the Langmuir isotherm. The mixed-type nature of both inhibitors was identified by polarization results. Surface analysis was done using FESEM, EDX, AFM and XPS studies and results showed that a protective layer of inhibitor molecules was developed over the surface of MS. The results of DFT, MCS and MDS are in accordance with experimental results obtained by weight loss and electrochemical methods.

Probiotics are live microorganisms recognized as natural candidates to substitute antibiotic substances, usually used to treat bacterial infections responsible for numerous human and animal diseases. Antibiotics are mostly prescribed for treating infections caused by bacteria. However, their excessive and inappropriate use has resulted in the increase of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and host microbiota imbalance or dysbiosis phenomena. Even though antibiotics are the most well-known lifesaving substances, the AMR within the bacterial community has become a growing threat to global health, with the potential to cause millions of deaths each year in the future. Faced with these worldwide issues, it is high time to discover and develop antibiotic alternatives. There exists some evidence of probiotic roles in antagonizing pathogens, modulating immune systems, and maintaining general host health by restoring the gut microbiota balance. The multi-antimicrobial action mechanisms of such beneficial living microorganisms are one approach to practicing the “prevention is better than cure” concept to avoid antibiotics. The current review proposes a comprehensive description of antibiotic-related AMR issues and the potential of probiotics as antibiotic alternatives, while discussing pros and cons, as well as some evidence of beneficial uses of probiotics for human and animal health protection through recent results of experimental models and clinical trials.

Background: At the moment, there is no vaccine for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), despite it being more infectious than the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Existing drugs based on protease and polymerase inhibitors present adverse clinical outcomes, sparking the search for alternatives. Medicinal plants contain bioactive compounds that hold great promise. Thus, the present study was aimed at evaluating the druggability of bioactive compounds implicated in folk medicine in the management of HCV against RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRp). Methods: Traditional healers involved in the management of hepatitis were consulted, and they suggested the use of leaves of Vernonia amygdalina, Jatropha tanjorensis, Annona muricata, and Solanum nigrum (berries too) in the management of hepatitis. The collection of plant parts and phytochemical screening via gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC–MS) were carried out. Resulting bioactive compounds and a control HCV drug, remdesivir, were screened for ADMET properties using the pkCSM online prediction tool, while molecular docking was performed using AutoDockTool 1.5.6 and the resulting interactions visualised in 2-Dimension using Discovery Studio 2022 Client. Results: GC–MS analysis of the medicinal plants revealed 60 bioactive compounds, of which 15 did not violate Lipinski's rule of five and 2 returned only one violation, while the control drug returned two violations. All the ligands were not inhibitors of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYPCC9, CYPAD6, and CYP3A4, except for 1,3-dihydrobenzo-[c]thiophen, docosahexaenoic acid, and benzonitrile N-oxide, which were inhibitors of CYP1A2. The intestinal absorption rates of the various ligands (73.56–100 %) were better than those of remdesivir, with an intestinal absorption rate of 67.15 %. Docking analysis revealed scores that ranged from -4.3 to -8.0 k/cal for the ligands, while the score for remdesivir was -9.0 k/cal. Eight ligands and remdesivir interacted with both the finger and palm regions, while one ligand interacted with the finger and thumb regions. Others interacted either with the finger (n = 5) or palm (n = 3) regions. These various interactions have the potential to alter the structural integrity and conformation of the RdRp protein and, in the process, interfere with its role in replication. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the selected medicinal plants possess bioactive compounds that hold great promise for the development of newer and safer nucleoside inhibitors against HCV. Given the high diversity of the virus, there may be a need to expand the scope of genotype-specific treatment regimens using bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. List of Abbreviations and Units: AA, Amino Acid; HCV, Hepatitis C Virus; HBV, Hepatitis B Virus; GC–MS, Gas chromatograph-mass spectrophotometer; MD, Molecular docking; PDB, Protein Data Bank; RdRp, RNA directed RNA polymerase; RNA, Ribonucleic Acid; HIV, Human Immunodeficiency virus; NIST, National Institute of Standards and Technology; WHO, World Health Organization

Sustainable corrosion inhibitors are being developed as many of them are ecologically friendly, biodegradable, and devoid of heavy metals and other potentially dangerous compounds. Albumin, a member of the globular protein family obtained from egg white, has found its application in a variety of various applications due to its intrinsic pharmacological qualities (anti-bacterial, immunomodulating, and anti-cancer angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition). Herein, Albumin extract containing atoms with lone pairs of electrons such as Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O) and having an aromatic ring (unsaturation) has been investigated as an eco-friendly inhibitor for low-carbon steel. The present work studied the inhibition action of Albumin extract for low-carbon steel in 1N acidic chloride and sulfate media using gravimetric, and electrochemical methods, viz potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and AC impedance studies (EIS). The results obtained from PDP and EIS analysis revealed that the inhibitor exhibited anodic inhibition in 1N HCl (92.72%) and mixed-type but predominantly cathodic inhibition in 1N H2SO4 (79.23%). The studied green corrosion inhibitor followed Langmuir monolayer adsorption and the formation of a protective film on a low-carbon steel surface was confirmed with AFM and FT-IR results. Thus, Albumin extract exhibited excellent corrosion resistance on low-carbon steel.

Abstract June 24th, 2022, a day that will be etched in today and future generations’ textbooks as a historic day, the United States of America revoked the constitutional right to seek safe abortion care. Overturning Roe v Wade allowed the divided individual states to independently decide the legal parameters regarding abortion care. A decision that disproportionately effects the reproductive lives of women residing on the land of America. Given the systemic impacts of racism, neoliberalism and white supremacy, it is the Black, racialized and poor women who suffer terrible repercussions. In this commentary the authors begin by discussing the historical biopolitical perspective, colonial systems and longstanding impacts on racialized women’s bodies in America. The discussion transitions to the implications of geopolitics at play nationally and cascading impacts globally, focusing on humanitarian and emergency settings. Using a medical humanities perspective, authors highlight the collision between politics and reproductive health policy and its implications on social determinants of health, such as women’s education, employment, housing, racial and gender equity and wellbeing. Long standing advocates, community leaders and healers, leading scientists, birth attendants, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals/providers and humanitarian workers – and many others - are reminded and live the weight of the continuous battle of population control, stemming from the oppressive history of control and exploitation.

Introduction: Compliance with the Government’s lockdown policy is required to curtail community transmission of Covid-19 infection. The objective of this research was to identify places Nigerians visited during the lockdown to help prepare for a response towards future infectious diseases of public health importance similar to Covid-19. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of unconventional data collected using Google Forms and online social media platforms during the COVID-19 lockdown between April and June 2020 in Nigeria. Two datasets from: i) partnership for evidence-based response to COVID-19 (PERC) wave-1 and ii) College of Medicine, University of Lagos perception of and compliance with physical distancing survey (PCSH) were used. Data on places that people visited during the lockdown were extracted and compared with the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all independent variables and focused on frequencies and percentages. Chi-squared test was used to determine the significance between sociodemographic variables and places visited during the lockdown. Statistical significance was determined by P0.05. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 22. Results: There were 1304 and 879 participants in the PERC wave-1 and PCSH datasets, respectively. The mean age of PERC wave-1 and PCSH survey respondents was 31.8 [standard deviation (SD)=8.5] and 33.1 (SD=8.3) years, respectively. In the PCSH survey, 55.9% and 44.1% of respondents lived in locations with partial and complete covid-19 lockdowns, respectively. Irrespective of the type of lockdown, the most common place visited during the lockdown was the market (shopping); reported by 73% of respondents in states with partial lockdown and by 68% of respondents in states with the complete lockdown. Visits to families and friends happened more in states with complete (16.1%) than in states with partial (8.4%) lockdowns. Conclusions: Markets (shopping) were the main places visited during the lockdown compared to visiting friends/family, places of worship, gyms, and workplaces. It is important in the future for the Government to plan how citizens can safely access markets and get other household items during lockdowns for better adherence to stay-at-home directives for future infectious disease epidemics.

Background: There is a rise in the prevalence of mental illness among adolescents and the impact of violence on this rising trend requires to be evaluated. Aim: The aim of the study is to better understand the impact of violence on adolescent's mental health. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional school-based study. Adolescents in the selected schools were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Information on previous experience of violence, the action is taken, and the effect on them was collected. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. The level of significance was at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 716 adolescents were studied over a one month period. The prevalence of violence was 87%. About 57.2% of the violence occurred at home, 44.2% was carried out by relatives and 49.2% happened within the past six months. Sexual abuse was 10.2%. Among the adolescents that experienced violence, 58.7% suffered some form of mental illness. There was a significant difference between the action the adolescents took after the violent incident and the action that was considered appropriate for it (P = 0.00001). Female gender (P = 0.042), not living with parents (P = 0.015) and poverty (P = 0.00001) significantly correlate with adolescent violence. Conclusion: Violence is high among adolescents and associated with a high prevalence of mental illness. Interventional measures targeted at reducing violence by improving poverty alleviation programs that empower families to carter for their children should be implemented.

Abstract Nano‐sized carbon allotropes, particularly graphene (G), graphene oxide (GO), single and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs, SWCNTs, and MWCNTs) and their chemically modified derivatives are widely used in anticorrosive coating formulations. Generally, carbon allotropes acquire nanofiller property and high hydrophobicity which make them ideal anticorrosive materials. Along with various advantages, using carbon allotropes as anticorrosive materials are connected with some specific challenges including un‐controlled dispersion in polymer matrixes. Chemical functionalization using covalent and non‐covalent methods are widely used to enhance their dispersibility. Magnetic stirring, ultrasonic mixing, ball milling and shear emulsification are also widely used to enhance their dispersibility. Present review article describes the covalent and non‐covalent functionalization of G, GO, and CNTs and their application as corrosion inhibitors in various coating formulations and aqueous phase. Chemically modified GO shows remarkable solubility/dispersibility in the aqueous electrolytes. Advantages and challenges using these materials as corrosion inhibitors have also been discussed herein

Herein, we report the electropolymerization of crystal violet (CRV) on a bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the detection of adrenaline (AD). Electropolymerization parameters such as electrolyte pH, scan rate and monomer concentrations were optimized using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The characterization of CRV and poly(crystal violet) (PCV) was done using FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy and EIS. More importantly, the charge transfer resistance (Rct) and other EIS data recorded from the EIS of various forms of the poly(crystal violet) (PCV) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in AD were used for identifying the best PCV modified electrode. Subsequent application of the electrode prepared at optimum conditions (PGCE) for AD detection using the square wave voltammetry (SWV) gave a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.86 μM over a linear range of 10.3–102.7 μM. This sensor also showed considerable stability, good AD recovery from the real sample (98.9%), and excellent reproducibility, making it a suitable analytical tool for AD detection at the micromolar level.

BackgroundIncreasing global commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the past decade has triggered UHC-inspired reforms and investments to expand health service coverage in many Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). UHC aims to ensure that all people can access quality health services, safeguard them from public health risks and impoverishment from out-of-pocket payments for healthcare when household members are sickAimThis paper reviews the role of health insurance as a policy tool to address health financing as a contributory mechanism for accelerating the achievement of UHC in LMICs. We focus on Nigeria's legal framework for health insurance coverage for its whole population and the role of technology in facilitating enrollment to health insurance schemes.MethodsFrom May to July 2022, we adopted a cross-sectional case study design combining: (i) a literature review of the effects of UHC with (ii) document analysis of health insurance systems in Nigeria, and (iii) secondary analysis of health insurance datasets to understand experiences of deploying MedStrat, a locally-developed digital health insurance management system, and its features that support the administration of health insurance schemes in multiple states of Nigeria. We drew on contemporary technology adoption models to triangulate diverse data analyzed from literature and documents reviews and from health insurance datasets to identify: (i) enablers of adoption of digital insurance schemes, (ii) the contribution of digital technology to expanding access to health insurance, and (iii) further scalability of digital insurance intervention.ResultsPreliminary findings suggests that digital insurance management systems can help to increase the number of enrollees for insurance especially among poor households. Three contextual enablers of adoption of digital insurance schemes were a favourable policy environment, public-private-partnerships, and sustained stakeholder engagement and training.Discussion and conclusionKey elements for successful scaling of digital health insurance schemes across Nigeria and similar contexts include: (i) ease of use, (ii) existing digital infrastructure to support electronic insurance systems, and (iii) trust manifested via data encryption, maintaining audit trails for all data, and in-built fraud prevention processes. Our findings affirm that digital health technology can play a role in the attainment of UHC in LMICs.

Abstract Background Despite regional efforts to address concerns regarding the burden of advanced cancer in Africa, urgent attention is still required. Widespread issues include late symptom presentation, inaccessibility of palliative care services, limited resources, poor data quality, disparity in data availability, and lack of stakeholder engagement. One way of helping to address these issues is by understanding and meeting the data and information needs of policymakers in palliative cancer care. Aims To explore the views of policymakers regarding data availability, data gaps and preferred data formats to support policy and decision making for palliative cancer care in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Methods A secondary analysis of interview data collected as part of a cross-sectional qualitative study that aimed to explore the data and information needs of patients, policymakers and caregivers in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Framework analysis, guided by the MEASURE evaluation framework, was used to qualitatively analyse the data. Results Twenty-six policymakers were recruited. The policymakers data and information concerns are aligned to the MEASURE evaluation framework of data and information use and include; assessing and improving data use (e.g. low prioritisation of cancer); identifying and engaging the data user (e.g. data processes); improving data quality (e.g. manual data collection processes); improving data availability (e.g. the accessibility of data); identifying information needs (e.g. what is ‘need to know’?); capacity building in core competencies (e.g. skills gaps); strengthening organisational data demand and use (e.g. policy frameworks); monitoring, evaluating and communicating of data demand and use (e.g. trustworthiness of data). Conclusions We present evidence of data sources, challenges to their access and use, guidance on data needs for policymakers, and opportunities for better engagement between data producers, brokers and users. This framework of evidence should inform the development of strategies to improve data access and use for policy and decision making to improve palliative cancer services in participating countries with relevance to the wider region.

BackgroundThe 2020 Global Nutrition Report highlights that despite improvements in select nutrition indicators, progress is too slow to meet the 2025 Global Nutrition Targets. While the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region has achieved the greatest global reduction in undernutrition (stunting, underweight, and wasting) in the past decade, it also has the highest prevalence of people with overweight worldwide. Since the early 2000s, the region has mounted increasingly comprehensive and multi-sectoral policy interventions to address nutritional health outcomes. The Bahamas is one such LAC country that has used consistent policy responses to address evolving nutritional challenges in its population. After addressing the initial problems of undernutrition in the 1970s and 80s, however, overconsumption of unhealthy foods has led to a rising prevalence of obesity which The Bahamas has grappled with since the early 2000s.ObjectiveThis study develops a timeline of obesity-related health policy responses and explores the macrosocial factors and conditions which facilitated or constrained public health policy responses to obesity in The Bahamas over a 20-year period.MethodsThis multi-method case study was conducted between 2019 and 2021. A document review of health policies was combined with secondary analysis of a range of other documents and semi-structured interviews with key actors (policymakers, health workers, scholars, and members of the public). Data sources for secondary data analysis included policy documents, national survey data on obesity, national and regional newspaper websites, and the Digital Library of the Caribbean database. An adapted framework approach was used for the analysis of semi-structured interviews.ResultsBetween 2000 and 2019, a series of national policies and community-level interventions were enacted to address the prevalence of obesity. Building on previous interventions, obtaining multi-sectoral collaboration, and community buy-in for policy action contributed to reducing obesity prevalence from 49.2 to 43.7% between 2012 and 2019. There are, however, constraining factors, such as political and multi-sectoral challenges and gaps in legislative mandates and financing.ConclusionSustained multilevel interventions are effective in addressing the prevalence of obesity. To maintain progress, there is a need to implement gender-specific responses while ensuring accessibility, availability, and affordability of nutritious food for all.

Maternal and perinatal mortality remain huge challenges globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where >98% of these deaths occur. Emergency obstetric care (EmOC) provided by skilled health personnel is an evidence-based package of interventions effective in reducing these deaths associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Until recently, pregnant women residing in urban areas have been considered to have good access to care, including EmOC. However, emerging evidence shows that due to rapid urbanization, this so called “urban advantage” is shrinking and in some LMIC settings, it is almost non-existent. This poses a complex challenge for structuring an effective health service delivery system, which tend to have poor spatial planning especially in LMIC settings. To optimize access to EmOC and ultimately reduce preventable maternal deaths within the context of urbanization, it is imperative to accurately locate areas and population groups that are geographically marginalized. Underpinning such assessments is accurately estimating travel time to health facilities that provide EmOC. In this perspective, we discuss strengths and weaknesses of approaches commonly used to estimate travel times to EmOC in LMICs, broadly grouped as reported and modeled approaches, while contextualizing our discussion in urban areas. We then introduce the novel OnTIME project, which seeks to address some of the key limitations in these commonly used approaches by leveraging big data. The perspective concludes with a discussion on anticipated outcomes and potential policy applications of the OnTIME project.

The inhibition of mild steel deterioration via organic substances has become popular nowadays. Among the myriads of organic substances applied as potential inhibitors, quinoxalines stand out as toxic-free, cheap and effective compounds in different electrolytes. This report investigates the computational aspects of selected quinoxaline compounds tested as suppressors of mild steel deterioration in HCl medium using quantum chemical method (Density Functional Theory, DFT) and quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR). Feature selection tool was utilized to choose five top molecular descriptors (constitutional indices) that were used to characterize the quinoxaline molecules. Linear (ordinary least squares regression) and nonlinear (artificial neural network) modelling were adopted to correlate the selected constitutional indices of the studied quinoxalines with their experimental inhibition performances. The nonlinear model showed better performance as shown by the obtained results; RMSE of 5.4160, MSE of 29.3336, MAD of 2.3816 and MAPE of 5.0389. The developed models were utilized to determine the inhibition performances of ten new quinoxaline-based corrosion inhibitors which showed excellent inhibition performances of 87.88 to 95.73%.

Abstract Background A simple and simultaneous electrochemical sensing platform was fabricated by electropolymerization of allura red on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the interference-free detection of dihydroxy benzene isomers. Methods The modified working electrode was characterized by electrochemical and field emission scanning electron microscopy methods. The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ) at physiological pH of 7.4 by cyclic voltammetric (CV) and differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) techniques. Results The effective split in the overlapped oxidation signal of CC and HQ was achieved in a binary mixture with peak to peak separation of 0.102 V and 0.103 V by CV and DPV techniques. The electrode kinetics was found to be adsorption-controlled. The oxidation potential directly depends on the pH of the buffer solution, and it witnessed the transfer of equal number of protons and electrons in the redox phenomenon. Conclusions The limit of detection (LOD) for CC and HQ was calculated to be 0.126 μM and 0.132 μM in the linear range of 0 to 80.0 μM and 0 to 110.0 μM, respectively, by ultra-sensitive DPV technique. The practical applicability of the proposed sensor was evaluated for tap water sample analysis, and good recovery rates were observed. Graphical abstract Electrocatalytic interaction of ALR/GCE with dihydroxy benzene isomers.

Cyclotriphosphazenes, a variety of inorganic rings together with a curing ingredient, 4,4′-methylene dianiline (MDA), are mainly used to enhance the thermal conductivity and mechanical characteristics of epoxy resin (DGEBA). Three DGEBA@MDA, HGCP@MDA, and thermosets were produced, and their curing behaviors were investigated. Using a molecular dynamics (MD) approach, the impact of cyclotriphosphazene on the characteristics of DGEBA composites is thoroughly explored in this paper. Results indicated that the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of DGEBA containing HGCP had slightly decreased compared to DGEBA. With the addition of HGCP to DGEBA, epoxy resin (DGEBA@HGCP@MDA) has a high thermal conductivity of 0.215284 W/m·K, with an increase of 116.04% more than pure DGEBA (0.185524 W/m·K). Moreover, the DGEBA@HGCP@MDA composite has high mechanical strength with a specific Young’s modulus of 5.4902 GPa. In order to forecast and analyze certain performances directly associated with the microstructure characteristics of the various cross-linked resin systems and their composite materials, an MD simulation approach will be quite valuable.

Abstract Background Male partner involvement in antenatal care (ANC) is associated with positive maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, only a handful of men attend ANC with their partners. This study aimed to understand the underlying barriers and facilitators influencing men’s ANC attendance including HIV testing in Blantyre, Malawi. Methods Data were collected during a formative qualitative study of a cluster-randomised trial. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) with 42 men and women and 20 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted at three primary health centres in urban Blantyre, Malawi. FGD participants were purposively sampled with IDI participants subsequently sampled after FGD participation. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results The economic requirement to provide for their families exerted pressure on men and often negatively affected their decision to attend ANC together with their pregnant partners despite obvious benefits. Peer pressure and the fear to be seen by peers queueing for services at ANC, an environment traditionally viewed as a space for women and children made men feel treated as trespassers and with some level of hostility rendering them feeling emasculated when they attend ANC. Health system problems associated with overall organization of the ANC services, which favours women created resistance among men to be involved. An association between ANC and HIV testing services discouraged men from attending ANC because of their fear of testing HIV-positive in the presence of their partners. The availability of a male friendly clinic offering a private, quick, supportive/sensitive and flexible service was considered to be an important incentive that would facilitate men’s ANC attendance. Men described compensation to cover transport and opportunity cost for attending the clinic as a motivator to attending ANC services and accepting an HIV test. Conclusion Peer and economic influences were the most influential barriers of men attending ANC and testing for HIV with their pregnant partners. Addressing these socio-economic barriers and having a male friendly clinic are promising interventions to promote male ANC attendance in this setting.

Abstract Introduction Coverage of palliative care in low and middle-income countries is very limited, and global projections suggest large increases in need. Novel approaches are needed to achieve the palliative care goals of Universal Health Coverage. This study aimed to identify stakeholders’ data and information needs and the role of digital technologies to improve access to and delivery of palliative care for people with advanced cancer in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Methods We conducted a multi-country cross-sectional qualitative study in sub-Saharan Africa. In-depth qualitative stakeholder interviews were conducted with N = 195 participants across Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe (advanced cancer patients n = 62, informal caregivers n = 48, health care professionals n = 59, policymakers n = 26). Verbatim transcripts were subjected to deductive and inductive framework analysis to identify stakeholders needs and their preferences for digital technology in supporting the capture, transfer and use of patient-level data to improve delivery of palliative care. Results Our coding framework identified four main themes: i) acceptability of digital technology; ii) current context of technology use; iii) current vision for digital technology to support health and palliative care, and; iv) digital technologies for the generation, reporting and receipt of data. Digital heath is an acceptable approach, stakeholders support the use of secure data systems, and patients welcome improved communication with providers. There are varying preferences for how and when digital technologies should be utilised as part of palliative cancer care provision, including for increasing timely patient access to trained palliative care providers and the triaging of contact from patients. Conclusion We identified design and practical challenges to optimise potential for success in developing digital health approaches to improve access to and enhance the delivery of palliative cancer care in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Synthesis of findings identified 15 requirements to guide the development of digital health approaches that can support the attainment of global health palliative care policy goals.

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (t2dm) in Africa is increasing due to increase in associated risks factors such as unhealthy eating, obesity and physical inactivity. Diet monitoring is an important component in the management of t2dm to aid and prevent progression and complications. Research on dietary assessment in Africa is currently gaining interests and this paper aims to review the dietary assessment methods used with people living with t2dm. Methods: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Global Health and Web of Science databases were searched using keywords to identify studies that assessed the diet of people living with type-2 diabetes in Africa. The keywords were those related to the concepts: t2dm, dietary assessment, Africa and nutrient intake. We excluded papers not written in English, studies without a quantitative dietary assessment and studying a specific food, studies done among Africans but in developed countries, studies done among children and studies that measured neither energy intake or body mass index. Result: Search yielded 132 papers after duplicates were removed. This reduced to 41 after the title and abstract screening and further to 10 after the full text screening. The included papers were based in six African countries: Algeria, Morocco, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa. The 24-hour dietary recall was the most common dietary assessment method used in 8 studies and two studies used the estimated food diaries. Five studies did not use a country-specific food composition table. Eight used a researcher-entered online dietary analysis software for nutrient intake estimation, out of which 7 contained the food database of a different country. Two studies estimated nutrient intake using a statistical tool and paper-and-pen. None of the dietary assessment methods used in the studies was validated in this patient group. Conclusion: Limited evidence was available on the measurement of diet in patients with t2dm in Africa. There is need to improve the dietary assessment methods in Africa to prevent the progression and complication of t2dm.

Objectives To describe changes in public risk perception and risky behaviours during the first wave (W1) and second wave (W2) of COVID-19 in Nigeria, associated factors and observed trend of the outbreak.Design A secondary data analysis of cross-sectional telephone-based surveys conducted during the W1 and W2 of COVID-19 in Nigeria.Setting Nigeria.Participants Data from participants randomly selected from all states in Nigeria.Primary outcome Risk perception for COVID-19 infection categorised as risk perceived and risk not perceived.Secondary outcome Compliance to public health and social measures (PHSMs) categorised as compliant; non-compliant and indifferent.Analysis Comparison of frequencies during both waves using χ2 statistic to test for associations. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses helped estimate the unadjusted and adjusted odds of risk perception of oneself contracting COVID-19. Level of statistical significance was set at p

The increasing global human population is projected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050. This population growth is currently linked to the trends of world-wide urbanization, growth of megacities and shifting dietary patterns. While humankind faces the daunting challenge of feeding and providing healthy lives for its teeming populations, urban agriculture holds promise for improving the quality of life in cities. Fortunately, policymakers and planners are accepting the need to support peri-urban farmers to increase the resilience of food systems while efficiently managing already strained natural resources. We argue that for urban agriculture to significantly increase food yields, it is crucial to adopt a One Health approach to agriculture and environmental stewardship. Here, we propose six nature-based and climate-smart approaches to accelerate the transition toward more sustainable food systems. These approaches include reducing the reliance on synthetic agricultural inputs, increasing biodiversity through producing locally adapted crops and livestock breeds, using probiotics and postbiotics, and adopting portable digital decision-support systems. Such radical approaches to transforming food production will require cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement at international, national, and community levels to protect biodiversity and the environment whilst ensuring sustainable and nutritious diets that are culturally acceptable, accessible, and affordable for all.

Abstract Background The Nigerian government introduced and implemented a health programme to improve maternal and child health (MCH) called Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme for MCH (SURE-P/MCH). It ran from 2012 and ended abruptly in 2015 and was followed by increased advocacy for sustaining the MCH (antenatal, delivery, postnatal and immunization) services as a policy priority. Advocacy is important in allowing social voice, facilitating prioritization, and bringing different forces/actors together. Therefore, the study set out to understand how advocacy works - through understanding what effective advocacy implementation processes comprise and what mechanisms are triggered by which contexts to produce the intended outcomes. Methods The study used a Realist Evaluation design through a mixed quantitative and qualitative methods case study approach. The programme theory (PT) was developed from three substantive social theories (power politics, media influence communication theory, and the three-streams theory of agenda-setting), data and programme design documentation, and subsequently tested. We report information from 22 key informant interviews including national and State policy and law makers, policy implementers, CSOs, Development partners, NGOs, health professional groups, and media practitioners and review of relevant documents on advocacy events post-SURE-P. Results Key advocacy organizations and individuals including health professional groups, the media, civil society organizations, powerful individuals, and policymakers were involved in advocacy activities. The nature of their engagement included organizing workshops, symposiums, town hall meetings, individual meetings, press conferences, demonstrations, and engagements with media. Effective advocacy mechanism involved alliance brokering to increase influence, the media supporting and engaging in advocacy, and the use of champions, influencers, and spouses (Leadership and Elite Gendered Power Dynamics). The key contextual influences which determined the effectiveness of advocacy measures for MCH included the political cycle, availability of evidence on the issue, networking with powerful and interested champions, and alliance building in advocacy. All these enhanced the entrenchment of MCH on the political and financial agenda at the State and Federal levels. Conclusions Our result suggest that advocacy can be a useful tool to bring together different forces by allowing expression of voices and ensuring accountability of different actors including policymakers. In the context of poor health outcomes, interest from policymakers and politicians in MCH, combined with advocacy from key policy actors armed with evidence, can improve prioritization and sustained implementation of MCH services.

Abstract Background Maternal and Child Health is a global priority. Access and utilization of facility-based health services remain a challenge in low and middle-income countries. Evidence on barriers to providing and accessing services omits information on the role of security within facilities. This paper explores the role of security in the provision and use of maternal health services in primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Methods Study was carried out in Anambra state, Nigeria. Qualitative data were initially collected from 35 in-depth interviews and 24 focus groups with purposively identified key informants. Information gathered was used to build a programme theory that was tested with another round of interviews (17) and focus group (4) discussions. Data analysis and reporting were based on the Context-Mechanism-Outcome heuristic of Realist Evaluation methodology. Results The presence of a male security guard in the facility was the most important security factor that facilitated provision and uptake of services. Others include perimeter fencing, lighting and staff accommodation. Lack of these components constrained provision and use of services, by impacting on behaviour of staff and patients. Security concerns of facility staff who did not feel safe to let in people into unguarded facilities, mirrored those of pregnant women who did not utilize health facilities because of fear of not being let in and attended to by facility staff. Conclusion Health facility security should be key consideration in programme planning, to avert staff and women’s fear of crime which currently constrains provision and use of maternal healthcare at health facilities.

Present study deliberates for the surface treatment of15CDV6 steel using electrolytic cadmium and its corrosion resistance behavior by a macromolecular epoxy coating (DGEBA-DAA) using computational and experimental techniques. Electrochemical results demonstrated that presence of the cadmium enhances the interfacial adhesion behavior of the DGEBA-DAA and same conclusion was reinforced through the computational studies carried out by means of density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations methods. EIS studies conducted at several time intervals varying from 1 h to 180 days showed that increase in immersion time results into the corresponding decrease in the corrosion resistance behavior of DGEBA-DAA coating as significant decrease in the values of charge transfer resistance (Rct) and polarization resistance (Rp) were observed on increasing the immersion time. DGEBA-DAA coating showed the highest Rct and Rp values of 6.61 kΩ cm2 and 13.52 kΩ cm2, respectively after 1 h immersion time whereas the lowest Rct and Rp values of 1.07 kΩ cm2 and 1.80 kΩ cm2 were obsrved after 180 days immersion . Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed that increase in the immersion of 15CDV6 steel in electrolyte decreases the corrosion resistance of the DGEBA-DAA coating through the development, deepening and broadening of the micro-pores. DFT study indicated that DGEBA-DAA interacts through charge transfer (donor–acceptor) interactions in which polar functional groups act as sites for the interactions (adsorption). Outcomes of MD simulations studies depicted that DGEBA-DAA, adsorbed on the cadmium (Cd) surface using its flat or nearly flat orientation thereby acts as effective anti-corrosive coating material. Results of EIS, SEM-EDS, DFT and MDS analyses were in good agreement.

Four new 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives, namely 5-((1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl)quinolin-8-ol (BIMQ), 5-((5-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl)quinolin-8-ol (MBMQ), 5-((5-chloro-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl)quinolin-8-ol (CBMQ) and 5-((5,6-dichloro-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl)quinolin-8-ol (DCBMQ) were prepared in moderate to good yields through the condensation of 5-(carboxymethyl)-8-hydroxyquinoline and substituted o-phenylenediamine. 1H, 13C NMR and elemental analysis confirm the formation of the desired compounds. The anti-corrosive potential of these heterocyclic compounds has been studied on carbon steel in 2 M phosphoric acid (H3PO4) electrolyte by means of electrochemical measurements. The inhibition efficiency of these heterocyclic compounds was strongly linked to the concentration and the structure of the molecules; reached a maximum of 94.7% for DCBMQ at 10−3 M. Data generated from potentiodynamic revealed that the investigated 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives are mixed type inhibitors. The influence of temperature on the corrosion behaviour was assessed. The four quinoline derivatives adsorbed according to the Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. Surface analysis (SEM and XPS) confirmed the formation of a protective layer adsorbed on the steel surface. DFT calculations suggested that 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives adsorb on the metal via the 8-hydroxyquinoline ring and their corrosion inhibition potential have some linear correlation with the degree of co-planarity of the benzimidazole and hydroxyquinoline rings. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the molecules adsorbed on Fe(1 1 0) surface through the 8-hydroxyquinoline in a near-flat mode and the adsorption energies both in the absence and presence of aqueous phosphate ions agree with the observed trends of inhibition efficiencies. Keywords: 8-Hydroxyquinoline, Carbon steel, Phosphoric acid, Corrosion inhibition, EIS, XPS, Theoretical calculations

BackgroundNigeria has one of the worst health and development profiles globally. A weak health system, poor infrastructure, and varied socio-cultural factors are cited as inhibitors to optimal health system performance and improved maternal and child health status. eHealth has become a major solution to closing these gaps in health care delivery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This research reports the use of satellite communication (SatCom) technology and the existing 3G mobile network for providing video training (VTR) for health workers and improving the digitization of healthcare data.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the expected project outcomes that were achieved at the end-line evaluation of 2019 were sustained 12 months after the project ended.MethodsFrom March 2017 to March 2019, digital innovations including VTR and data digitization interventions were delivered in 62 healthcare facilities in Ondo State, southwest Nigeria, most of which lacked access to a 3G mobile network. Data collection for the evaluation combined documents' review with quantitative data extracted from health facility registers, and 24 of the most significant change stories to assess the longevity of the outcomes and impacts of digital innovation in the four domains of healthcare: use of eHealth technology for data management, utilization of health facilities by patients, the standard of care, and staff attitude. Stories of the most significant changes were audio-recorded, transcribed for analysis, and categorized by the above domains to identify the most significant changes 12 months after the project closedown.ResultsFindings showed that four project outcomes which were achieved at end-line evaluation were sustained 12 months after project closedown namely: staff motivation and satisfaction; increased staff confidence to perform healthcare roles; improved standard of healthcare delivery; and increased adoption of eHealth innovations beyond the health sector. Conversely, an outcome that was reversed following the discontinuation of SatCom from health facilities is the availability of accurate and reliable data for decision-making.ConclusionDigital technology can have lasting impacts on health workers, patients, and the health system, through improving data management for decision-making, the standard of maternity service delivery, boosting attendance at health facilities, and utilization of services. Locally driven investment is essential for ensuring the long-term survival of eHealth projects to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) in LMICs.

Metal oxides NPs synthesized using orange peels extract (OE) and lemon peels extract (LE) and polyaniline (PANI) were used to modify the surface of screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The electrochemical responses of the various working electrode in potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) probe, and HCl electrolyte were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. Integrating bimetal oxides NPs Cu2O/ZnO NPs with PANI on SPCE surface increased the electron transport properties of the sensors. The analytical performance of the SPCE treated with OE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI composite, (OE/ZnO/Cu2ONPs/PANI/SPCE) and their counterpart LE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI composite (LE/ZnO/Cu2ONPs/PANI/SPCE), on Cd2+, and Hg2+ ions in 0.1 M HCl electrolyte, was investigated using square voltammetry (SWV). The limits of detection at concentration range of 2.2–12.0 μM, and 0.17–1.5 μM for Cd2+ were 3.04 ppb, and 1.08 ppb, while for Hg2+ at concentration range of 2.95–11.8 μM, and 0.12–1.2 μM, the values were 5.08 ppb, and 2.72 ppb at LE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI/SPC, and OE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI/SPC modified electrodes respectively. The sensitivities of 108 μA/μM, and 27 μA/μM towards Hg2+, and Cd2+ were realized at OE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI/SPCE, despite the narrow linear range. Relative standard deviations (RSD) at 6.55 μM concentrations for Cd2+ were 2.54%, and 6.50% for LE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI/SPCE, and OE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI/SPCE respectively, while the RSDs for Hg2+ at 2.94 μM concentration were 2.92%, and 4.44% using LE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI/SPCE, and OE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI/SPCE respectively. At OE/Cu2O/ZnONPs/PANI/SPCE, there was no significant drop in the anodic peak current for both target trace metals, in the presence of interferences, like Co2+, Mg2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+, except for 11.39% drop of the stripping peak current of Cd2+ in the presence of Zn2+. Hence, the economy of nanotechnology and sensing could profit from the recycling of biomass wastes, which are frequently poorly managed.

Recent studies indicate that surfactants are a relatively new and effective class of corrosion inhibitors that almost entirely meet the criteria for a chemical to be used as an aqueous phase corrosion inhibitor. They possess the ideal hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity ratio, which is crucial for effective interfacial interactions. In this study, a coconut-based non-ionic surfactant, namely, coco monoethanolamide (CMEA), was investigated for corrosion inhibition behaviour against mild steel (MS) in 1 M HCl employing the experimental and computational techniques. The surface morphology was studied employing the scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), and contact measurements. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was evaluated to be 0.556 mM and the surface tension corresponding to the CMC was 65.28 mN/m. CMEA manifests the best inhibition efficiency (η%) of 99.01% at 0.6163 mM (at 60 °C). CMEA performs as a mixed-type inhibitor and its adsorption at the MS/1 M HCl interface followed the Langmuir isotherm. The theoretical findings from density functional theory (DFT), Monte Carlo (MC), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations accorded with the experimental findings. The MC simulation’s assessment of CMEA’s high adsorption energy (−185 Kcal/mol) proved that the CMEA efficiently and spontaneously adsorbs at the interface.

Present investigation aims for the synthesis and characterization of a new eco-environmental and cost-effective silver nanocomposite (AgNPs) for application as multifunctional inhibitor of scaling and corrosion. The AgNPs was synthesized by reduction of silver ions using Allium cepa peels extract. The AgNPs exhibit impressive stability and resistance to thermal and biochemical degradation. The AgNPs were round shaped, monodispersed and non-aggregated, with surfaces rich in oxygen and nitrogen sites. Compared to the crude extract, AgNPs exhibits higher antimicrobial activity and afforded a 3-log reduction in population of Desulfovibrio sp. At 30 ​°C, AgNPs inhibits carbonate scale, sea water corrosion and bio-corrosion at efficiencies of 30.8%, 14.4% and 55.9%, respectively, and 37.4%, 37.3%, 45.6%, respectively at 60 ​°C. AgNPs sustained its high efficiency even after being preserved for 180 days and addition of d-tryosine and mevalonic acid phosphate further intensified the efficiency by synergistic effect.

BackgroundThe in-service training of frontline health workers (FHWs) in primary health care facilities plays an important role in improving the standard of health care delivery. However, it is often expensive and requires FHWs to leave their posts in rural areas to attend courses in urban centers. This study reports the implementation of a digital health tool for providing video training (VTR) on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) care to provide in-service training at scale without interrupting health services. The VTR intervention was supported by satellite communications technology and existing 3G mobile networks. ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of these digital health tools and their potential effectiveness in improving clinical knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to MNCH care. MethodsA mixed methods design, including an uncontrolled pre- and postquantitative evaluation, was adopted. From October 2017 to May 2018, a VTR mobile intervention was delivered to FHWs in 3 states of Nigeria. We examined changes in workers’ knowledge and confidence in delivering MNCH services through a pre- and posttest survey. Stakeholders’ experiences with the intervention were explored through semistructured interviews that drew on the technology acceptance model to frame contextual factors that shaped the intervention’s acceptability and usability in the work environment. ResultsIn total, 328 FHWs completed both pre- and posttests. FHWs achieved a mean pretest score of 51% (95% CI 48%-54%) and mean posttest score of 69% (95% CI 66%-72%), reflecting, after adjusting for key covariates, a mean increase between the pre- and posttest of 17 percentage points (95% CI 15-19; P

Background: Health worker training is an essential component of epidemic control; rapid delivery of such training is possible in low-middle income countries with digital platforms. Methods: Based on prior experience with the Ebola outbreak, we developed and deployed a bespoke InStrat COVID-19 tutorial app, to deliver accurate and regularly updated information about COVID-19 to frontline health workers and epidemic response officers across 25 states of Nigeria. The potential effectiveness of this app in training frontline health workers was assessed through online pre- and post-tests and a survey. Results: A total of 1051 health workers from 25 states across Nigeria undertook the e-learning on the InStrat COVID-19 training app. Of these, 627 (57%) completed both the pre- and post-tests in addition to completing the training modules. Overall, there were statistically significant differences between pre- and post-tests knowledge scores (54 increasing to 74). There were also differences in the subcategories of sex, region and cadre. There were higher post-test scores in males compared with females, younger versus older and southern compared with northern Nigeria. A total of 65 (50%) of the participants reported that the app increased their understanding of COVID-19, while 69 (53%) stated that they had applied the knowledge and skills learnt at work. Overall, the functionality and usability of the app were satisfactory. Conclusion: Capacity building for epidemic control using e-health applications is potentially effective, can be delivered at minimal cost and service disruption and can serve as a tool for capacity building in similar contexts.

Background: Increasing access to maternal and child health (MCH) services is crucial to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) among pregnant women and children under-five (CU5). The Nigerian government between 2012 and 2015 implemented an innovative MCH programme to reduce maternal and CU5 mortality by reducing financial barriers of access to essential health services. The study explores how the implementation of a financial incentive through conditional cash transfer (CCT) influenced the uptake of MCH services in the programme.Methods: The study used a descriptive exploratory approach in Anambra state, southeast Nigeria. Data was collected through qualitative [in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs)] and quantitative (service utilization data pre- and post-programme) methods. Twenty-six IDIs were conducted with respondents who were purposively selected to include frontline health workers (n = 13), National and State policymakers and programme managers (n = 13). A total of sixteen FGDs were conducted with service users and their family members, village health workers, and ward development committee members from four rural communities. We drew majorly upon Skinner's reinforcement theory which focuses on human behavior in our interpretation of the influence of CCT in the uptake of MCH services. Manual content analysis was used in data analysis to pull together core themes running through the entire data set.Results: The CCTs contributed to increasing facility attendance and utilization of MCH services by reducing the financial barrier to accessing healthcare among pregnant women. However, there were unintended consequences of CCT which included a reduction in birth spacing intervals, and a reduction of trust in the health system when the CCT was suddenly withdrawn by the government.Conclusion: CCT improved the utilization of MCH, but the sudden withdrawal of the CCT led to the opposite effect because people were discouraged due to lack of trust in government to keep using the MCH services. Understanding the intended and unintended outcomes of CCT will help to build sustainable structures in policy designs to mitigate sudden programme withdrawal and its subsequent effects on target beneficiaries and the health system at large.

This study reports the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using the aqueous solution of broccoli extract. The nanoparticles, represented as broc-ZnO (with broccoli extract) and nb-ZnO (without broccoli extract), were obtained after calcination. The nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform infra-red (FTIR), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV) and Photoluminescence (PL). Hexagonal phases were identified for both nanoparticles, while average crystallite sizes of 14 and 17 nm for broc-ZnO and nb-ZnO, respectively, were obtained. UV studies indicated the bandgap of the broc-ZnO and nb-ZnO as 4.09 and 3.87 eV, respectively. A plausible mechanism for the synthesis of the nanoparticles was suggested. The photocatalytic efficiency of broc-ZnO, obtained via the broccoli extract, was evaluated by studying its photo-enhanced catalytic activity against methylene blue (MB) and phenol red (PR), under UV light irradiation and 74% and 71% degradation efficiency of the successive dyes were achieved.

Probiotics and related preparations, including synbiotics and postbiotics, are living and non-living microbial-based multi-components, which are now among the most popular bioactive agents. Such interests mainly arise from the wide range and numerous beneficial effects of their use for various hosts. The current minireview article attempts to provide an overview and discuss in a holistic way the concepts, methodologies, action mechanisms, and applications of probiotic-based multi-components in human, animal, plant, soil, and environment health. Probiotic-based multi-component preparations refer to a mixture of bioactive agents, containing probiotics or postbiotics as main functional ingredients, and prebiotics, protectants, stabilizers, encapsulating agents, and other compounds as additional constituents. Analyzing, characterizing, and monitoring over time the traceability, performance, and stability of such multi-component ingredients require relevant and sensitive analytical tools and methodologies. Two innovative profiling and monitoring methods, the thermophysical fingerprinting thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry technique (TGA-DSC) of the whole multi-component powder preparations, and the Advanced Testing for Genetic Composition (ATGC) strain analysis up to the subspecies level, are presented, illustrated, and discussed in this review to respond to those requirements. Finally, the paper deals with some selected applications of probiotic-based multi-components to human, animal, plant, soil and environment health, while mentioning their possible action mechanisms.

The continuous search for eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors due to differences in corrosive media remains an important point in corrosion control. The experimental studies on the corrosion inhibition of urea on mild steel in automotive gas oil (AGO) was conducted using gasometric techniques and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The theoretical approach on the density functional theory (DFT) on the urea molecule was carried out using Gaussian 09 software. The adsorption behavior of urea molecules on the surface of the mild steel was analyzed using Frumkin and Flory-Huggins adsorption isotherms models and Gibb’s free energy, respectively. The result of the experimental study shows a poor corrosion inhibitory effect of urea on mild steel in automobile gas oil (AGO) medium as the inhibition efficiency decreased from 69.30% in week 1 to 12% in week 11 at 200 ppm of inhibitor. The adsorption of urea on the mild steel surface obeys Frumkin’s adsorption isotherm model. Gibb’s free energy of adsorption of urea molecules onto mild steel surface revealed a physisorption mechanism. SEM results showed the non-inhibitive nature of urea on the studied mild steel. Quantum chemical parameters such as HOMO, LUMO, electron affinity, electronegativity, and the fraction of electrons transferred to the metal surface were calculated and interpreted to compare the experimental and theoretical results. The theoretical findings in the current investigation were not in agreement with the experimental result, thereby creating a need for further study using the electrochemical method.