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Background: Dry eye is a multifactorial pathology caused by a progressive dysfunction of the lacrimal and Meibomian glands which often leads to reduced aqueous tear production and increased tear evaporation. All these disorders are associated with ocular discomfort such as watering and redness of the eyes resulting from irritation of the ocular surface particularly the cornea. Dry eye is identified as one of the complications of diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a systemic risk factor for dry eye disease. Objective: To determine the prevalence of dry eye disease in diabetics compared to non-diabetics at National Eye Centre Kaduna. Methods: This study is a comparative cross-sectional study. The study population comprised of types 1 and 2 diabetic patients who are 18years and above attending National Eye Centre Kaduna and non-diabetics age and sex matched subjects. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire was used to subjectively identify subjects with DED. All participants underwent Schirmer’s test and a Tear break-up time to objectively make a diagnosis of DED. Results: A total of 200 participants were assessed in this study. Their ages ranged from 32-74 years (mean 53.2±9.7). Respondents within the age range of 56-65 years had higher frequency of dry eye disease (DED) 43.5%. More females had DED 61.35%. Those with secondary educational status had the highest frequency of DED 40.3%. Diabetic subjects within the age range of 56-65 years old had higher frequency of DED 88.6%. Females have higher rates of DED 80.8%, as against 61.8% among males’ non-Diabetic subjects. Subjects with secondary educational status had the highest frequency of DED 87.5% in diabetic subjects while 71% in non-diabetic. The housewives had the highest percentage of DED 89.5% in diabetic subjects while 95% in non-diabetic subjects. The result further revealed the prevalence of 76% among diabetic patients while prevalence of 48% for non-diabetic patients. A significant positive correlation between subjective assessment and objective clinical tests. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes have a higher prevalence of DED than non-diabetic population in National Eye Centre, Kaduna. Women were found to have a higher prevalence. There was a significant association between DED and duration diabetes. There is a correlation between objective clinical tests and subjective assessment in both diabetic and non-diabetic population.

Nine existing sunshine based models and three existing temperature based models were evaluated and compared to ascertain the most suitable models for estimating global solar radiation in Maiduguri; the most suitable sunshine based and most suitable temperature based models were also compared. The measured monthly average daily global solar radiation, sunshine hours, maximum and minimum temperature meteorological parameters during the period of thirty one years (1980 – 2010) was utilized and the evaluated models were tested statistically using validation indicators of coefficient of determination, Mean Bias Error, Root Mean Square Error, Mean Percentage Error, t – test, Nash – Sutcliffe Equation and Index of Agreement. The results indicated that the linear exponential sunshine based model and the logarithmic temperature based model were found more accurate for global solar radiation estimation in Maiduguri as compared to other evaluated models. Furthermore, the logarithmic temperature based model was found more accurate for estimating global solar radiation as compared to the linear exponential sunshine based model, and this was testified from the figure showing the comparison between the recommended sunshine based and temperature based models in which the recommended temperature based model depicts the best fitting with the measured global solar radiation data.

Agronomic constraints for vegetable cultivation in riparian wetlands are low soil quality and shallow water table conditions. This study aims to identify the effect of biochar application and shallow water table on proline accumulation and plant growth of bean leaf (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at the generative stage. This study was carried out from April to August 2018 in factorial randomized block design. The first factor was doses of biochar (0, 1, and 2 kg.m-2), and the second was shallow water table condition (20 cm and 10 cm below the soil surface) given in the generative stage. The results showed that biochar application and the shallow water table significantly affected leaf parameters; proline accumulation and increases in the sucrose levels occurred on the leaves. Proline content increased started at 3 days after treatment (DAT) and decreased at 6 DAT until recovery day (7 DAT). The biochar application of 2 kg.m-2 provided good aeration in the soil, which enhanced the bean's ability to survive under excess water. Proline accumulation is one of the adaptation mechanisms of beans to abiotic stress in shallow water table conditions.

Si@DNC having dual stabilized architecture with a mesoporous structure is synthesized which consists of interconnected channels presenting exceptional Li storage. The relation between experimental investigation and theoretical approach is clarified.

Atrazine is the second most widely used herbicide in Nigeria, an excellent polluter of surface and ground sources of water; it finds its way into the water bodies through percolation and surface run-off during rainy and dry season farming. The chemical has some effects on the ecosystem especially in aquatic habitats. different concentrations of atrazine have been prepared (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/l) and each treatment was replicated four times. a total number of twenty-five basins were used. Five test organisms (Clarias garipienus) were used in each basin. During 96-hour exposure, physicochemical parameters, morphological changes and abnormal behavior in the fish were observed. The research also considers biochemical changes in the kidney, liver and gills where the activities of cretinine, Urea, AST, ALT and Total bilirubin was assayed using colorimetric method. Based on the results obtained in this study, atrazine is found to be toxic to Clarias gariepinus. The result of the biochemical parameters and histological assay showed that Clarias gariepinus was seriously affected by atrazine. KEYWORDS

Tanaman kedelai menunjukkan penampilan yang rendah jika ditanam saat musim kemarau. Penanaman saat musim hujan dapat mengatasi masalah terbatasnya ketersediaan air. Penelitian bertujuan mengkaji respons kedelai terhadap musim hujan di lahan kering masam. Penelitian dilaksanakan Desa Timbangan, Ogan Ilir, Sumsel sejak Oktober 2020 sampai Januari 2021. Benih kedelai berasal dari varietas wilis yang berumur satu bulan. Penelitian disusun menggunakan metode noneksperimental. Ada lima petak tanam yang dipersiapkan dengan masing-masing ukuran (4 m x 2.5 m), jarak tanam 40 cm x 20 cm, dan ada enam baris tanam. Setiap petak tanam diberi dolomit dosis 2 ton ha-1,pupuk kandang ayam 10 ton ha-1, dan Urea (50 kg ha-1), SP 36 (100 kg ha-1), dan KCl (50 kg ha-1). Pengambilan sampel secara sengaja. Peubah yang diukur yaitu tinggi tanaman, jumlah daun, jumlah cabang, jumlah polong isi, berat biji per tanaman, bobot kering untuk polong, batang-cabang, daun, dan akar. Hasil penelitian menunjukan kedelai varietas Wilis mempunyai tinggi (68.5±5.45 cm) dan berat 100 biji per tanaman (13.19±3.27 g) yang melebihi rata-rata deskripsi. Persentase distribusi bobot kering organ vegetative (41.92%) dan organ generative (58.08%). Pengujian regresi-korelasi menunjukan bobot kering akar berkorelasi positif yang signifikan terhadap bobot kering batang dan cabang, bobot kering daun dan bobot kering polong.

A very uncommon benign synovial membrane tumor is called lipoma arborescens. It often affects a single articulation, the knee. Despite a conventional imaging assessment, the lesion’s histological analysis is still required for the ultimate diagnosis. A 15-year-old boy attended the outpatient clinic of the Lahore General Hospital Lahore, Pakistan with pain and swelling in his left knee that had been steadily worsening over the previous 4 years. There were no concomitant prodromal symptoms, and the swelling was soft and non-tender while also inhibiting knee flexion. Soft tissue shadows were observed on radiographs. A large amount of subarticular erosion in the nearby tibial and femoral condyle was caused by the frond-like proliferation of fatty synovium, according to magnetic resonance imaging. Only the left knee joint showed focused areas of unusually elevated radionuclide uptake during the Technetium (Tc99m) bone scan. After an open synovectomy, the specimen underwent histological analysis, which revealed villiform fatty tissue, a hallmark of Lipoma arborescens coated by somewhat thicker synovium. Although infrequent, open synovectomy is currently the preferred course of treatment for lipoma arborescens, which should be taken into account when making a differential diagnosis of knee diseases. Approximately 3 months after surgery, the patient underwent his most recent follow-up and was asymptomatic with a small amount of joint effusion.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is one of the supporting economic growths of a region. Small and medium size business can be developed by increasing the buying interest of the people around. Buying interest is the desire that arises from consumers to a product as a result of the consumer's observation of a product. This research is quantitative research with a sample of 109 respondents. This study focuses on the effect of product quality, price, and word of mouth on interest buying : a case of Bubur Tretes Binjai. This research was conducted in Binjai . The population of this study is the customer of Bubur Tretes that is located in Binjai. The researcher concluded that taking a sample of 109 respondents. Primary data were gathered by using questionnaires. The data were analyzed by using structural equation modeling-partial least squares (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS software. The result of this study indicated that the variable product quality (X1) partially had a significant effect on buying interest, the price variable (X2) partially had not significant effect on buying interest, and word of mouth variable (X3) partially had a significant effect on buying interest. Simultaneously, product quality, price , and word of mouth influence buying interest on the traditional product of Bubur Tretes in Binjai. From the results of data processing, it was found that the coefficient of determination was 69.2% which indicates that X1, X2, and X3 together were able to influence Y by 69.2% with a moderate category, the remaining 30.8% was influenced by other factors.

An inspection is implemented to study MHD slip flow of viscous reactive fluid in a convectively heated porous vertical channel. The ordinary differential equation governing the flow field is solved by a semi-analytical method (perturbation series method) where suction/injection is used as a fluid controller in the channel. The results are presented graphically and discussed quantitatively with respect to various parameter embedded in the problem. It is observed that for both suction/injection, increase in Magnetic field parameter, decrease the velocity flow and skin friction.

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh Disiplin Kerja dan Loyalitas Kerja serta Kompetensi Kerja terhadap Kinerja Aparatur Sipil Negara pada Badan Pengelola Pajak Dan Distribusi Daerah Kota Medan. Jumlah sampel pada penelitian ini sebanyak 75 responden ASN pada Badan Pengelola Pajak Dan Distribusi Daerah Kota Medan. Jenis data yang digunakan adalah data primer melalui penyebaran kuesioner. Metode data menggunakan regresi linier berganda dengan pendekatan kuantitaif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa secara parsial variabel disiplin kerja, loyalitas kerja dan kompetensi berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja Aparatur Sipil Negara. Secara simultan disiplin kerja (X1) dan loyalitas kerja (X2) serta kompetensi (X3) berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja Aparatur Sipil Negara pada Badan Pengelola Pajak Dan Distribusi Daerah Kota Medan, dengan nilai F hitung sebesar 71,486 dan nilai taraf signifikansi sebesar 0,000.

Boerhavia adscendens (B. adscendens) is a medicinal plant with widespread use in folk medicine. The present study was aimed at evaluation of the cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of the crude ethanol extract of B. adscendens. The cytotoxicity of the extract was determined using brine shrimp lethality assay while its antioxidant activity was assessed using ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). The study revealed that the B. adscendens extract has moderate cytotoxic effect against the brine shrimp larvae with LC50 of 100 μg/mL relative to K2Cr2O4 standard with LC50 of 0.01 μg/mL. The FRAP determination for B. adscendens extract yielded an IC50 of 34.56 μg/mL while the ascorbic acid standard had IC50 value of 31.25 μg/mL. These results demonstrate that the B. adscendens ethanol extract has moderate cytotoxicity and quite a significant antioxidant activity. Consequently, these findings may partly explain the usefulness of B. adscendens in traditional medicine.

Ekowisata merupakan salah satu upaya dalam pengembangan kawasan melalui sektor pariwisata, selain menekankan fungsi sumber daya wisata alami yang berwawasan lingkungan, ekowisata juga berkontribusi terhadap konservasi lingkungan dan masyarakat sebagai pengendali utama pengembangannya. Kampung Atas Air Margasari merupakan kampung yang memiliki beragam potensi sumber daya pesisir, hal tersebut menjadi pendukung sehingga ditetapkannya kampung tersebut menjadi kawasan pariwisata. Akan tetapi, Kampung Atas Air Margasari masih memiliki beberapa permasalahan seperti kurangnya sarana dan prasarana yang mendukung dan juga minimnya keterlibatan masyarakat dalam pengembangan lokasi wisata. Oleh karena itu, perlu dilakukannya suatu kajian untuk menganalisis potensi dan permasalahan pengembangan ekowisata di Kampung Atas Air Margasari. Untuk mencapai tujuan tersebut dilakukan dengan menganalisis komponen kepariwisataan berkaitan dengan kondisi eksisting yang ada seperti Kekuatan, Kelemahan, Peluang, dan Tantangan. Setelah itu, akan dilakukan penyusunan strategi pengembangan kawasan ekowisata yang ada dengan memfokuskan pada dua sasaran, yang pertama mengevaluasi kesesuaian tinjauan teori ekowisata dengan kondisi eksisting ekowisata perumahan atas air margasari, dan kedua merumuskan strategi pengembangan ekowisata perumahan atas air margasari dengan melakukan analisis SWOT dan analisis deskriptif.

Background and Objective: COVID-19 cause extensive effects on virtually all organs. It causes inflammation, endothelitis, vasoconstriction, hypercoagulability, and edema. Different organs may be affected at different times. Hence we aim to determine the cause of death and pattern of the injuries to the internal organs among the dead bodies of patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease. Methods: This Cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore over a 1-year period from 2021 to 2022. 150 autopsies of COVID-19-positive patients who died from Covid, during the peak era were received. Autopsies were performed and internal organs were carefully examined clinically along with histopathological evidence. Reports were assessed and the presence or absence of single or multiple organ dysfunction was recorded. The data was recorded in a proforma and entered and analyzed in SPSS version 25. Results: The mean age of dead bodies at the time of death was 54.5 ± 14.73 years. 112 (74.7%) of these patients were males while 38 (25.3%) were females. The mean duration of COVID-19 was 14.22 ± 9.41 days and the mean duration of death until the presentation of the body for autopsy was 21.89 ± 6.37 hours. Out of 150 cases, death due to respiratory failure was observed in 67 (44.7%) cases, renal failure in 21 (14.0%) cases, liver failure in 18 (12.0%) cases, Venous thromboembolism in 16 (10.7%) cases, meningitis in 10 (6.7%) cases, intestinal perforation was observed in 9 (6.0%) cases, in 5 (3.3%) cases, peritonitis was observed and cardiac failure in 5 (3.3%) cases. Conclusion: There are higher chances of organ failure in patients suffering from COVID-19, as proven by autopsies of COVID-19 cases.

This study was carried out to evaluate the awareness and use of improved sesame production practices in Peri-urban areas of Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select the respondents for the study from five districts that make up peri-urban areas of Dutse. Data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires administered to 165 respondents out of which only 159 were found to be useful. Data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and ranking. Finding from the study revealed that the means of age was 38.7 years. All were male, 85% were married and 76.7% had formal education. The mean household size was 10 persons whereas the mean farm size and mean farming experience was 2.2 hectares and 14 years, respectively. About 59% do not belong to any association. The result of Logit regression analysis indicated that out of the twelve variables modelled and regressed as explanatory variables, only three were found to have significantly influenced the adoption of improved sesame production practices of the farmers. These are level of education (0.062), farm size (0.091) and access to credit (0.031). The main problems encountered by the respondents were lack of processing machines (71.7%), poor capital base (58.5%) and non-availability of loans to farmers (57.9%). The study recommended the formation of associations that could lead to taking advantage of such associations in aiding increased funding by governmental or non-governmental lending agencies and other financial institutions which could alleviate these major problems bedevilling sesame production in the study area.

The study was carried out at University Research Farm of the Department of Animal Science, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, to evaluate the growth performance and hematological parameters of Loman Brown hen as influenced by inclusion levels of Balsomina mamodica substituting lasota vaccine in semi-arid zone of Nigeria. The birds were randomly allotted into four treatment in a completely randomized design with fifty (50) birds per treatment. Treatment 1 was given lasota vaccine (NCDV) at first, third, seven and seventeen weeks respectively. Treatment 2 was given Garafuni 0.5g per litre for six days in the week whereas Treatment 3, 1.0g per litre and Treatment 4, 1.5g per litre of Garafuni for four and two days in the week respectively. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected from five (5) birds from each treatment for hematological studies. The result shows that, intake and performance of Lohman Brown Hen administered Balsomina mamordica substituting Lasota vaccine at laying phase is shown in Table 1. The result indicated that no significant (P>0.05) difference was shown with respect to initial body weight (IBWT), final body weight (FBWT), weight gain (WT), average weight gain (AWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and metabolic mass.T4 recorded the highest mean value (600.0) whereas animals in T2 (0.5g garahuni) had the least mean value (525.00). Data on haematological parameters of Loman brown hen are presented on Table 2. The result showed non- significant differences among the treatments means. Haemogloblins, packed cell. Highest mean

Isolated post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (Ipc-PH) occurs due to left heart failure, which contributes to 1 out of every 9 deaths in the United States. In some patients, through unknown mechanisms, Ipc-PH transitions to combined pre-/post-capillary PH (Cpc-PH) and is associated with a dramatic increase in mortality. Altered mechanical forces and subsequent biological signaling in the pulmonary vascular bed likely contribute to the transition from Ipc-PH to Cpc-PH. However, even in a healthy pulmonary circulation, the mechanical forces in the smallest vessels (the arterioles, capillary bed, and venules) have not been quantitatively defined. This study is the first to examine this question via a computational fluid dynamics model of the human pulmonary arteries, arterioles, venules, and veins. Using this model, we predict temporal and spatial dynamics of cyclic stretch and wall shear stress with healthy and diseased hemodynamics. In the normotensive case for large vessels, numerical simulations show that large arteries have higher pressure and flow than large veins, as well as more pronounced changes in area throughout the cardiac cycle. In the microvasculature, shear stress increases and cyclic stretch decreases as vessel radius decreases. When we impose an increase in left atrial pressure to simulate Ipc-PH, shear stress decreases and cyclic stretch increases as compared to the healthy case. Overall, this model predicts pressure, flow, shear stress, and cyclic stretch that providing a way to analyze and investigate hypotheses related to disease progression in the pulmonary circulation.

We propose a novel density-based learning technique assisted by real data to determine the appropriate Epsilon and to locate the HTC. We have also studied the correlation of anomalous BSs (ABs) in the data in the context of network planning. The algorithm, density-based network clustering (DNC), determines the ABs, identifies the HTC and the appropriate value of Epsilon by satisfying the MNOs’ requirements on the highest traffic density MB/km2 and the target deployment area in km2 . We use the k nearest neighbors (k-NN) as a benchmark to compare the appropriate value of Epsilon and other performance parameters.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity levels can be used as an indicator for AChE inhibition due to pesticide poisoning in bird species. We assessed the comparative brain cholinesterase (AChE) activity level of five bird species inhabiting pesticide exposed croplands and Protected Area i.e. Deva Vatala National Park (DVNP), Bhimber by using a spectrophotometric method. AChE activity levels ranged from 56.3 to 85.9 µmol/min/g of brain tissue of birds representing DVNP. However, AChE activity levels ranged from 27.6 to 79.9 µmol/min/g of brain tissue of birds representing croplands. AChE activity levels observed in Jungle babbler, Common babbler, and Red-vented bulbul showed significant differences (P < 0.05) at two sites. However, White wagtail and Black drongo demonstrated non-significant differences (P > 0.05). Maximum inhibition was recorded in Jungle babbler (53%) followed by Common babbler (35%), Red-vented bulbul (18%), White wagtail (15%), and Black drongo (7%). The brain cholinesterase inhibition levels under-protected ecosystems (DVNP, Bhimber) and agricultural landscape suggest insecticidal contamination and its impact on avifauna diversity. The study also emphasizes on the importance of pesticide-free zones to protect the biodiversity of birds. Resumo Os níveis de atividade da acetilcolinesterase (AChE) podem ser usados como um indicador para a inibição da AChE devido ao envenenamento por pesticidas em espécies de aves. Avaliamos o nível de atividade comparativa da colinesterase cerebral (AChE) de cinco espécies de aves que habitam áreas cultivadas expostas a pesticidas e Área Protegida, ou seja, Deva Vatala National Park (DVNP), Bhimber, usando um método espectrofotométrico. Os níveis de atividade da AChE variaram de 56,3 a 85,9 µmol / min / g de tecido cerebral de aves representando DVNP. No entanto, os níveis de atividade da AChE variaram de 27,6 a 79,9 µmol / min / g de tecido cerebral de aves representando áreas de cultivo. Os níveis de atividade de AChE observados no tagarela da selva, tagarela comum e bulbul vermelho exalado mostraram diferenças significativas (P < 0,05) em dois locais. No entanto, alvéola branca e drongo preto demonstraram diferenças não significativas (P > 0,05). A inibição máxima foi registrada no tagarela da selva (53%), seguido pelo tagarela comum (35%), bulbul vermelho (18%), alvéola branca (15%) e drongo preto (7%). Os níveis de inibição da colinesterase cerebral nos ecossistemas subprotegidos (DVNP, Bhimber) e na paisagem agrícola sugerem contaminação por inseticida e seu impacto na diversidade da avifauna. O estudo também enfatiza a importância das zonas livres de pesticidas para proteger a biodiversidade das aves.

To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) into Hausa and assess its psychometric properties. The NPQ was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Hausa using recommended guidelines. A consecutive sample of 92 Hausa-speaking patients with non-specific neck pain recruited from three tertiary hospitals in north-western Nigeria, completed the questionnaire to assess factorial validity (using confirmatory factor analysis), convergent validity (by correlating the Hausa-NPQ with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]), and internal consistency (using Cronbach’s α). A subsample of 50 patients completed the questionnaire again 3 days after the first administration to assess relative reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and absolute reliability using standard error of measurement (SEM), smallest detectable change (SDC), and 95% limits of agreement (LOA). The factor analysis confirmed a single-factor structure with excellent internal consistency (α = 0.94). The questionnaire showed a strong positive correlation with the NPRS (rho = 0.68). The ICC was 0.86, with SEM and SDC of 6.32 and 17.5, respectively. The LOA was − 29.3 to + 37.1 with no evidence of proportional bias. The Hausa-NPQ is a valid and reliable measure of disability due to neck pain. This study describes the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric assessment of the Hausa-NPQ in Hausa-speaking patients with non-specific neck pain.The questionnaire demonstrated adequate psychometric properties in terms of factorial and convergent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.The questionnaire will be useful in clinical and research settings to assess disability due to neck pain for screening purposes, evaluation of treatment effectiveness, as well as cross-cultural comparisons involving Hausa-speaking individuals with neck pain. This study describes the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric assessment of the Hausa-NPQ in Hausa-speaking patients with non-specific neck pain. The questionnaire demonstrated adequate psychometric properties in terms of factorial and convergent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. The questionnaire will be useful in clinical and research settings to assess disability due to neck pain for screening purposes, evaluation of treatment effectiveness, as well as cross-cultural comparisons involving Hausa-speaking individuals with neck pain.

Simple animal model systems such asDrosophila, Zebrafish, andC. Eleganshave enabled numerous breakthroughs in understanding human health and disease. Their conserved biological processes, ever-expanding established procedures for handling, and amenability for molecular and genetic manipulation, in addition to the minimal ethical concerns, have made these models preferred choices in several life science disciplines globally. Owing to their cheap maintenance cost, adopting these model systems will help bridge the research gap between Africa and the Global North and contribute to advancing scientific knowledge in African universities through practical sessions. However, the extent to which these models are used across Africa is unknown. Here, we analysed the use ofDrosophila, Zebrafish, andC. elegansmodel systems in scientific publications from African laboratories from the year 2000 to 2021. Of 1851 PubMed-indexed publications in which at least one simple animal model was mentioned, 168 used at least one of these models for the actual investigation. With an average of 21 articles per country, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia contributed 75% of these studies. The remaining 25% were contributed by seven other countries at 2-7 articles per country. From here, we extracted and analysed information on funding and international collaboration. This revealed that 24.4 % of the studies were exclusively funded locally, 28.57 % exclusively funded internationally, 15.5% received both local and international funding, and the rest (31.5%) were unfunded, revealing that there is satisfactory access to funds for simple animal model studies, especially from external funders. By analysing the pattern of collaborations, we show that most of these studies had international collaborations, while very few collaborated within Africa. Our work provides data on the current state of research using simple model systems in African laboratories and argues that incorporating these models will advance biomedical science research in Africa.

The study determined the influence of proximate properties and heating values of wood and bark contents of five different firewood species. The experiment was conducted with a view to resolve the indiscriminate use of firewood with and without bark contents for energy values by the people in the study area. Majority of the people depend on firewood as a source of energy for domestic and commercial uses. Five different firewood species samples were obtained at three different locations at Damaturu, Yobe State. Each of the tree species was cut at 25 cm long and replicated three times. Therefore a total of fifteen firewood species samples were used for the study. The wood and bark were independently subjected to proximate analysis using ASTM standards. Meanwhile, the statistical test was performed using ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). The results of the study reveal that the high volatile matter was obtained in a wood portion of Sclerocarya birrea with 83.03% while a lower value of 75.19 % was found in Combretum lamprocarpum while its bark portion was found to be 65.69 % in Combretum lamprocarpum and lowest value of 44.69% was found in Piliostigma reticulatum. The variation in ash contents of wood portions ranges from 0.16% in Acacia sieberana to 0.46 % in Sclerocarya birrea. Conversely, the bark portion ranges from 5.36% in Tamaridus indica to 6.15 % in Acacia sieberana. The fixed carbon content of wood ranges from 16.51% in Sclerocarya birrea to 26.26% in Tamarindus indica, while 29.76 to 47.49% was recorded from bark portions. The heating value of the wood portion was found to be 33.48 Jkg-1 in Sclerocarya birrea to 33.65 Jkg-1 in A. sieberana. On the other hand the bark portion of 31.27 Jkg-1 was obtained in P. reticulatum and 32.22 Jkg-1was recorded from C. lamprocarpum. It is concluded that the bark content of wood insignificantly affects the proximate properties and heating value of firewood species.

Field trials were conducted during rainy seasons in 2018 and 2019 at Federal, University Dutse Teaching and Research Farm in the Northern Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. To evaluate effect of NPK fertilizer and spacing on the growth and yield of okro. The experiment consists of three levels of NPK fertilizer (30, 60 and 120 kg/ha) and three spacing (10, 15 and 20 cm). The treatments combination was laid out in randomized complete block design replicated three times. The results revealed that significant effect of NPK fertilizer on plant height, number of branches, more number of primary branches plant fruit length and number of pod per plant. The various spacing resulted in significant taller plant, more number of leaves, longer length of fruit and higher number of seed per pod. In conclusion, application of 120 kg/ha and spacing at 20 cm gave the best result.

This study aims to determine and analyze the effect of location, price and service quality on consumer purchasing decisions for medical devices at PT. Alexa Medika. The research method used is a qualitative method with a quantitative approach. The study population comes from consumers who have purchased medical devices at PT Alexa Medika. The sample used in this study amounted to 86 people, obtained using a saturated sampling method. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires. The data analysis technique used multiple linear regression analysis with the help of SPSS software. The results showed that location and price partially influenced purchasing decisions and service quality did not partially influence purchasing decisions. Meanwhile, location, price and service quality simultaneously influence purchasing decisions. Furthermore, the result of Adjusted R Square is 31.6%. This shows that the ability of location, price and service quality in explaining purchasing decisions is only 36.1% while 68.4% is explained by other things that are not examined.

Background: Cancer has become a major global public health problem. There are approximately 150,000 cases of endometrial cancer diagnosed each year, making endometrial carcinoma the fifth most common cancer in women. The predisposing factor was linked to reproductive history with duration and type of oestrogen exposure. Endometrial cancer is often diagnosed early. There has not been a comprehensive clinico-pathological study/ documentation of endometrial cancer in the study center. Materials and Method: This is a retrospective histopathological review of endometrial cancer seen over 20- year period obtained from endometrial curettage and hysterectomy specimens submitted to the Department of pathology. Histology slides were retrieved, reviewed and classified using the WHO classification of tumours of the endometrium. Analysis of the collected data was carried out using SPSS Version 15.0, and data were presented in frequency distribution tables and figures. Result: A total of 1,505 cases were diagnosed as malignant lesions of the female genital tract with the endometrial cancer represent 4.4% of the malignancies. Majority of endometrial cancer were epithelial 69.7 %, 21.7 % were grade I tumours, grade II tumours 50.0 % and grade III 28.3 % of the cases. Stromal sarcoma 19.7% of these 61.5 % were high grade stromal sarcoma, 38.5 %, low grade stromal sarcoma and Malignant Mixed Mesodermal Tumours accounted for 10.6 % cases. The age range was from 24 to 80 years. With peak age of incidence in 5th and 6th decades. Most of the endometrial cancers were diagnosed by endometrial biopsies 63.6% while the rest by total abdominal hysterectomy 36.4 %. Conclusion: Endometrial cancer represented 4.4 % of the female genital tract malignancies within the study period with possible early exposure to the aetiological factors and epithelial tumour are commoner than Malignant Mixed Mesodermal Tumours.

Introduction: Rational use of drugs against most common and life‑threatening tropical diseases such as malaria remains a huge challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan African region. The correct use of antimalarial drugs is the key not only to therapeutic success but also to deterring the spread of drug resistance malaria. Aims: To assess the physicians’ compliance with the national anti’-malaria treatment guidelines among Under five (U-5) years children in secondary health facilities in Sokoto metropolis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted as an exit interview among 292 mothers/caregivers of febrile U-5 children with antimalarial prescription, that presented to the out-patient clinics of the selected secondary health facilities in Sokoto metropolis. Simple random sampling technique using balloting option was used to select 2 secondary Health facilities in the metropolis, Proportionate allocation was done to allocate study subjects to the selected Health facilities based on average weekly outpatient attendance. The data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analysed data using IBM SPSS version 22. Results: Of the 292 children, only 115(39.4%) had malaria parasite test requested by the physician, out of which 63(54.8) had microscopy, while 52(45.2) of the children had malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT). One hundred and eighty-five (65.1%) of the children were treated presumptively with anti-malarial drugs. Artemisinin based Combination Therapy (ACT) was prescribed in 221(77.8%) of the under-fives. The commonest prescribed ACT was Artemether-Lumefantrine in 113(77.4%) of the children. Majority 263(92.6%) of the prescriptions were in brand names. Recommendation: The physicians’ compliance with national malaria treatment guidelines using the proportion of U-5 children was suboptimal. There was over prescription of anti-malarial drugs, as majority of the patients treated for malaria had no laboratory evidence for the treatment. However, compliance with the use of ACT was good. This study shows also suboptimal compliance with WHO prescribing indicators with respect to prescription in generic names. Regular training of the health care providers by the government is recommended to improve adherence to antimalarial treatment guideline.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is caused by recurrent or unresolved pulmonary thromboemboli, leading to perfusion defects and increased arterial wave reflections. CTEPH treatment aims to reduce pulmonary arterial pressure and reestablish adequate lung perfusion, yet patients with distal lesions are inoperable by standard surgical intervention. Instead, these patients undergo balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), a multi-session, minimally invasive surgery that disrupts the thromboembolic material within the vessel lumen using a catheter balloon. However, there still lacks an integrative, holistic tool for identifying optimal target lesions for treatment. To address this insufficiency, we simulate CTEPH hemodynamics and BPA therapy using a multiscale fluid dynamics model. The large pulmonary arterial geometry is derived from a computed tomography (CT) image, whereas a fractal tree represents the small vessels. We model ring- and web-like lesions, common in CTEPH, and simulate normotensive conditions and four CTEPH disease scenarios; the latter includes both large artery lesions and vascular remodeling. BPA therapy is simulated by simultaneously reducing lesion severity in three locations. Our predictions mimic severe CTEPH, manifested by an increase in mean proximal pulmonary arterial pressure above 20 mmHg and prominent wave reflections. Both flow and pressure decrease in vessels distal to the lesions and increase in unobstructed vascular regions. We use the main pulmonary artery (MPA) pressure, a wave reflection index, and a measure of flow heterogeneity to select optimal target lesions for BPA. In summary, this study provides a multiscale, image-to-hemodynamics pipeline for BPA therapy planning for inoperable CTEPH patients., Comment: 41 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables

In this review, various aspects of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are reviewed. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC3.1.1.7) is an important neurotransmitter because it hydrolyses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), it is also the target site of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. The discovery of the first neurotransmitter ACh was soon followed by the discovery of its hydrolysing enzyme, AChE. The role of AChE in terminating AChE-mediated neurotransmission made it the focus of intense research for much of the past century. The role of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is not known but it is assumed to participate in the growth and development and to scavenge the cholinergic toxins, it is also reported to have an auxiliary role in synaptic transmission. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) are the major groups of cholinesterase differentiated by their substrate preferences. Substrate binding specificity and catalytic efficiency are tangled in enzyme catalysis. The fact that an enzyme may exist in more than one molecular form has been accepted for a number of years.

Bioethanol has been considered a potential alternative to the conventional fossil fuels in transportation sector as well as a hydrogen carrier. This study proposes a thermochemical recovery pathway to extend the use of bioethanol in compression ignition engines through catalytic exhaust gas reforming of ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends into hydrogen. The aim is to improve the heat recovery of the engine exhaust gas and increase the on-board production of hydrogen which can potentially partially replace the diesel fuel in the engine. Results indicate that the effectiveness of the reforming process mainly depends on the blend composition, reforming temperature, and oxygen to carbon ratio (O/C). It is deduced that ethanol content in the fuel blend has a key role in sustaining catalyst activity and hydrogen production. Overall, the study highlights the positive impact and practicality of recovering exhaust heat using the ethanol-biodiesel-diesel blends. This implementation can result in noticeable improvements in emission reduction of diesel powertrains once the reformate is fed back into the engine.

Ankle arthrodesis has for decades been the ‘gold standard’ treatment for end-stage ankle arthritis. Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) surgery, first introduced in the early 1970's, was initially plagued with poor outcomes and high complications, leading understandably to limited uptake. Since then, their design has evolved tremendously, and with it, there has been renewed interest in its role in the surgical management of end-stage ankle arthritis. In this article we discuss the current clinical evidence for TAA, its indications and contra-indications for use, its outcomes and results, the role of concomitant surgical procedures, complications and comment on areas of further study required.

As cloud resource demand grows, supply chain management (SCM), which is the core function of cloud computing, faces serious challenges. Quite a number of techniques have been proposed by many researchers for such a challenge. As such, numerous proposed strategies are still under reckoning and modification so as to enhance its potential. An optimized dynamic scheme that combined several algorithms' characteristics was proposed to map out such a challenge. The hybridized proposed scheme involved the meta-heuristic swarm mechanism of ant colony optimization (ACO) and deterministic spanning tree (SPT) algorithm as it obtained faster convergence chain, ensured resource utilization in least time and cost. Extensive experiments conducted in cloudsim simulator provided an efficient result in terms of minimized makespan time and throughput as compared to SPT, round robin (RR), and pre-emptive fair scheduling algorithm (PFSA) as it significantly improves performance.

Background: Weaning can be described as gradually increasing the amount of foods other than breast 's milk in the infant's diet. Breast feeding for the first four to six months is recommended by the WHO for a full-term healthy child by a healthy mother. Aim: To find weaning-related factors that contribute, strengthen, and enable mothers of infants under the age of 12 months to obey or not obey guidance for proper infant feeding by World Health Organization's (WHO-2009) Methods: The current research was a cross-sectional descriptive study. From March 2020 to January 2021, pre design performa was used to collect data from 100 mothers of infants under the age of 12 months who lived in Quetta City and visited at OPD department of Sandeman Provincial Hospital in Quetta. .The multiple rounds of data collection were done. The data was analyzed by SPSS 20. Statistical test like chi- square test was applied to obtain the required results. Results: Total 100 babies consist of 41(41%) male and 59(59%) femaleenrolled. The mothers in the sample were on average 27.2 ± 4.2 years old with the age range of 20-40 years. Results showed that mothers of 6-8 months’ kids 18(45%) fully aware about the importance of weaning and feed their children with different soft food along with breast feeding which increased at the age of 8-12 month as 22(73.33%).Majority of mothers, i.e63% were housewives. The social status showed lower middle income 34% and 41% of research participants belonged to the middle income group.The findings showed that 61% mothers had inadequate knowledge about proper child feeding and weaning practice compare with other group as 39% with p-value 0.01. Conclusion: Mothers should be well informed about the benefits and importance of weaning, as well as the age in which weaning should begin and the different forms of weaning diets available. This target can be met with the assistance of LHWs and LHVs, as well as the use of social media. It is important to stress the importance of continuing to breastfeed after weaning. Key words: Mothers; Practices; Infants: Weaning.

This paper theoretically investigates the effects of wall conduction and viscous dissipation on a steady natural convection Couette flow in a vertical channel with some thickness of the bounding slabs. The coupled governing equations have been solved analytically using homotopy perturbation method. The effects of the flow and thermophysical parameters are depicted on graphs and tables. It is noteworthy to mention that the velocity and temperature distributions of the working fluid dropped near the heated plate when the thickness of the plates (d) is increased while a reverse case was observed near the cold plate. It is discovered that the shear stress increases on the cold plate with increase in (d) while it decreases on the heated plate. It is further observed that the rate of heat transfer on both the plates decreases with increase in (d) while it increases on the cold plate with growing viscous dissipation (Br). A decrease in rate of heat transfer was observed at the cold plate with increase in (d). For a fixed value of heat source/sink, the volume flow rate increases with increase in (d).

Saussurea heteromalla is the one of specie of Saussurea plant belonging to family Asteraceae. The Saussurea heteromalla found extensively in Pakistan. The literature review highlights numerous biological aspects of Saussurea heteromalla. This research therefore aims to assess its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer. Carrageenan induced rat paw edema model was used for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity. DPPH method was used to evaluate anti-oxidant activity. The MTT (3- [4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) test was used to assess the viability of the cells for the assessment of the cytotoxic effect of the extract. Methanolic Saussurea heteromalla flowers extract analysis carried by GC-MS, result 19 different peaks. The methanolic extract of Saussurea heteromalla at 400mg/kg dose have equal anti-inflammatory action when compare with standard that is diclofenac sodium. Anti-oxidant activity of methanolic extract is also very good. IC

Background: Bacterial contamination from conjunctiva of surgical eye patients may lead to infective endophthalmitis and identification of conjunctival isolates and their antibiotic sensitivity would help in planning appropriate prophylactic interventions. The objective was to determine the predominant conjunctiva bacterial flora in patients scheduled for cataract surgery and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Materials and methods: The study comprised of 275 consecutive adult patients who underwent cataract surgery from January to April 2017 and met the inclusion criteria. The participants' socio-demographic characteristics, social, and medical history were obtained through interviewer-administered Questionnaire. Conjunctival swabs were collected from patients prior to cataract surgery and used to inoculate blood agar and chocolate agar plates and then incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours. Bacterial identification was then carried out using standard. methods. Susceptibility testing was done on Mueller Hinton agar based on modified Kirby Bauer methods using the following drugs; Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Imipenem, Cefuroxime, Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, Amikacin, Gentamicin, Tetracycline and Penicillin. Epi Info 7 software was used for univariate and bivariate data analysis as appropriate. Results: Bacterial growth was seen in 118 (42.9%) of the patients. The bacteria identified were: Staphylococcus epidermidis (48.3%); Staphylococcus aureus (44%); Gram positive bacilli (6%) and Streptococcus species (1.7%). The isolates were susceptible to Imipenem, Cefuroxime, Gentamicin, Chloramphenicol, Amikacin and Levofloxacin. Resistance to Tetracycline and Penicillin was also recorded. A statistically significant relationship was found between age and culture status (p = 0.0192). Conclusion: The predominant bacteria on the conjunctival sac were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, which were sensitive to some commonly perioperative antibiotics like chloramphenicol and gentamicin. Keywords: Cataract surgery; Conjunctival flora; Antibiotic sensitivity

Background: Intussusception is the telescoping of one part of the intestine into the lumen of the adjoining part, which occurs more in the ileocaecal part of the intestine. It is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children younger than 3years of age. Occurrence is rare in adult, with prolapsed intussusceptions even rarer and occuring more in association with an underlying predisposing intestinal abnormality.Case Report: A 19year old boy presented with 6months history of recurrent non-specific, occasionally dull aching abdominal pain, progressive weight loss and a 4hour history of anal protrusion. He had presented multiple times to a peripheral hospital where the definitive diagnosis was missed. He was evaluated for ileocolic intussusception and he had exploratory laparotomy and right hemi colectomy done.Conclusion: Intussusceptions are rare outside childhood, however there should be a high index of suspicion of intussusception in adult with nonspecific abdominal symptoms who has not responded to conventional conservative therapy. Keywords: intussusception, ileocolic, tubular adenoma, adult intussusception

The study was conducted to investigate the influence of feeding some of the common browse trees leaves in Bauchi state on haematological and biochemical parameters of Yankasa lambs. Fourty lambs were allotted to eight different browse trees namely: Maje (Daniella oliver), Madaci (Khaya senegalensis), Marke (Anogesisessus leicarpus), Baure (Ficus syncomorus), Kuka (Adansonia gigitata), Magarya (Zizaphus Mauritania), Taura (Detarium macrocarpum) and Baushe (Terminalia glaucescens), as treatments with five replications in each case. The feeding trial lasted for seventy days. Ten milligrams (10mls) of Blood sample was collected from each animal at the end of the feeding trial. The samples were collected via Jugular vein early in the morning. About 3mls of each blood sample was placed in EDTA (anticoagulant) bottle for haematological studies. The haematological values obtained from lab were subjected to statistical analysis. The remaining 7mls was placed in universal bottle and allowed to stand at room temperature and centrifuged for 15 minutes. The serum was separated and store in a freezer for chemical analysis. The hematological values obtained from lab were subjected to statistical analysis. Results indicated Taura had significantly higher (p0.05) in Urea concentration across all the treatments. Animals fed Madaci recorded the highest Total protein value of 7.4 g/l. Conclusively, Madaci had the highest PCV, Hb and MCH and total protein but, no significant difference in urea across the treatments L'étude a été menée pour étudier l'influence de l'alimentation de certaines des feuilles d'arbres de 'browse' dans l'état de Bauchi sur les paramètres hématologiques et biochimiques des agneaux Yankasa. Quarante agneaux ont été attribués à huit arbres de browse différents, à savoir : Maje (Daniella oliver), Madaci (Khaya senegalensis), Marke (Anogesisessus leicarpus), Baure (Ficus syncomorus), Kuka (Adansoni agigitata), Magarya (Zizaphus Mauritania), Taura (Detarium macrocarpum) et Baushe (Terminalia glaucescens), en tant que traitements avec cinq répétitions dans chaque cas. L'essai d'alimentation a duré soixante-dix jours. Dix milligrammes (10 ml) d'échantillon de sang ont été prélevés sur chaque animal à la fin de l'essai d'alimentation. Les échantillons ont été prélevés par veine jugulaire tôt le matin. Environ 3 ml de chaque échantillon de sang ont été placés dans un flacon 'EDTA' (anticoagulant) pour les études hématologiques. Les valeurs hématologiques obtenues en laboratoire ont été soumises à une analyse statistique. Les 7 ml restants ont été placés dans une bouteille universelle et laissés au repos à température ambiante et centrifugés pendant 15 minutes. Le sérum a été séparé et stocké dans un congélateur pour l'analyse chimique. Les valeurs hématologiques obtenues en laboratoire ont été soumises à une analyse statistique. Les résultats ont indiqué que Taura avait des valeurs significativement plus élevées (p 0,05) dans la concentration d'urée dans tous les traitements. Les animaux nourris au Madaci ont enregistré la valeur protéique totale la plus élevée de 7,4 g / l. En conclusion, Madaci avait les plus hauts 'PCV', 'Hb', 'MCH' et protéines totales, mais aucune différence significative d'urée entre les traitements.