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The occurrence of loadshedding under normal operating condition in Distribution Network caused a lot of inconveniences to the consumer. However, there is need to examine the state of the distribution network to know the performance without load shedding under normal condition. This research examines the state of Auchi distribution network without load shedding. In order to achieve the aim of the research data was obtained from the distribution company, the modelling of the distribution network obtained was done using ETAP and the load flow simulation was done using Newton Raphson Algorithm to determine the power flow in the network, Bus voltage, losses along the line and transformer losses. The results of the study show that at 80% loading of the transformers in the network, the voltage supply to the consumer is bad under normal condition, since the two out of three 33 kV bus voltages is below the acceptable range of plus or minus 5% of the nominal voltage. Likewise, almost all 11 kV and 0.415kV voltages in the network is below the acceptable limit of plus or minus 10% of the nominal voltage. Furthermore, the result indicates that active power loss in the network is 0.2MW which is very high. This research therefore recommends that the voltage profile of AUCHI distribution network needs improvement in order to improve the quality of supply. Also, since the supply from the grid is be allocated based on the generating capacity this research also recommends that DISCO in charge of Auchi distribution network should also considering the usage of DG in the network which can perform a dual purpose of voltage improvement and addition of power supplied.

The NEAR station, a new experimental area of the n_TOF facility, was established after the second long shut down of CERN in 2020. This new area was created in order to exploit in situ the high instantaneous neutron flux (originating from proton spallation into a lead target in bunches with momenta reaching up to 20 GeV/c). The reason for the creation of the NEAR station is to utilize the neutrons for experiments related to radiation damage on materials and nuclear astrophysics and the corresponding neutron flux was characterized via extensive neutron multiple foil activation measurements. The irradiated foils were subsequently measured using high purity germanium detectors (HPGe) to determine their induced activities. Finally, the widely used SAND II unfolding code was implemented for the characterization of the neutron flux, using the evaluated cross sections from the IRDFF library, along with the experimentally derived activities. The preliminary results concerning the neutron flux determined in the present work are compared with the corresponding FLUKA simulated ones.

We present detailed monitoring data across a five-country randomized trial of phone-based targeted tutoring–one of the largest multicountry replication efforts in education to date. We study an approach shown to work in Botswana and replicated in India, Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines, and Uganda. While the existing literature often finds diminishing effects as proof-of-concept studies are replicated and scaled, we find the opposite: implementation fidelity (the degree of targeted educational instruction) improves across replications and over time. This demonstrates that replication is not intractable; rather, equipped with mechanisms to learn from experience, organizational “learning curves” can enable effective replication and scale-up.

Materials on construction site management are critical issue within the Nigerian subcontractors. Often, movement of materials to site from one point to the other point leads to more cost of goods. Hence, management of construction materials in building industries is a crucial aspect in project management. If these are not done properly it will lead to high costs in the construction phase. The present research seeks to assess the impact of Poor Materials Management (PMM) on waste materials in project in FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. The research collects data through questionnaires from the field survey, interview and site observation. Descriptive statistics was used for the study, mean index score method of analysis were adopted. Result of the study indicates that considerable effect on material waste generation on any construction project site were observed as a result of poor materials management; effects on quality of building projects was observed to be moderate, and effects on profitability in the construction projects were observed to be both high and moderate. The study concludes that effective management of materials in construction projects would decrease the amount of waste generation, raise the quality of construction work, and offer maximum profit to the contractors. The study recommendations that the government agencies should collaborate with construction industry in Nigeria to develop policies for adoption on waste management plan for the construction industry and guarantee that senior officers adopts the training and developing the younger staff on the latest techniques for site materials management and managerial tools.

One-dimensional photonic crystals have been used in sensing applications for decades, due to their ability to induce highly reflective photonic bandgaps. In this study, one-dimensional photonic crystals with alternating low- and high-density layers were fabricated from a single photosensitive polymer (IP-Dip) by two-photon polymerization. The photonic crystals were modified to include a central defect layer with different elastic properties compared to the surrounding layers, for the first time. It was observed that the defect mode resonance can be controlled by compressive force. Very good agreement was found between the experimentally measured spectra and the model data. The mechanical properties of the flexure design used in the defect layer were calculated. The calculated spring constant is of similar magnitude to those reported for microsprings fabricated on this scale using two-photon polymerization. The results of this study demonstrate the successful control of a defect resonance in one-dimensional photonic crystals fabricated by two-photon polymerization by mechanical stimuli, for the first time. Such a structure could have applications in fields, such as micro-robotics, and in micro-opto–electro–mechanical systems (MOEMSs), where optical sensing of mechanical fluctuations is desired.

Background: The introduction of biosimilar drugs has significant effects on health care systems, and a variety of approaches are required to support acceptance, adoption, and use of these drugs. Literature exists on the enablers of, and barriers to, biosimilar implementation, but frameworks that support the evaluation of biosimilar implementation strategies are currently lacking. Objective: To develop an evaluation framework for assessing the effects of biosimilar implementation strategies on patients, clinicians, and publicly funded drug programs. Methods: The scope of the evaluation was determined by a pan-Canadian working group through the creation of a logic model of activities and expected outcomes associated with biosimilar implementation. Each component of the logic model was considered under the RE-AIM framework, which led to a set of evaluation questions and indicators. Feedback to inform the final framework was sought from stakeholders through focus group sessions and written responses. Results: An evaluation framework was created that articulates evaluation questions and indicators across 5 priority areas: stakeholder engagement, patient experience, patient outcomes, clinician experience, and system sustainability and affordability. Stakeholder feedback was obtained through 9 focus group sessions with a total of 87 participants. Feedback was used to refine the framework on the basis of stakeholder priorities and feasibility. Conclusions: Through extensive stakeholder consultation, an evaluation framework was developed to measure and monitor the effects of biosimilar implementation on the 5 identified priority areas, as well as to inform future biosimilar implementations. This framework can be used as a starting point for evaluating the implementation of biosimilars across health care systems. RÉSUMÉ Contexte : L’apparition de médicaments biosimilaires a eu et continue d’avoir des effets importants sur les systèmes de soins de santé et diverses approches doivent être mises en place pour qu’ils soient acceptés, adoptés et utilisés. Il existe de la documentation sur les catalyseurs et les obstacles à leur mise en œuvre, mais les cadres entourant l’évaluation des stratégies de mise en œuvre des médicaments biosimilaires font actuellement défaut. Objectif : Développer un cadre d’évaluation pour estimer les retombées des stratégies de mise en œuvre des biosimilaires sur les patients, les cliniciens et les programmes de médicaments financés par les deniers publics. Méthodes : Un groupe de travail pancanadien a déterminé la portée de l’évaluation à l’aide d’un modèle logique des activités et des résultats attendus associés à la mise en œuvre des biosimilaires. Chaque composante du modèle logique a été examinée dans le cadre RE-AIM, ce qui a donné lieu à un ensemble de questions d’évaluation et des indicateurs d’évaluation. Des commentaires pour éclairer le cadre final ont été sollicités auprès des parties prenantes au moyen de groupes de discussion et de réponses écrites. Résultats : Un cadre d’évaluation a été défini. Il articule les questions d’évaluation et des indicateurs d’évaluation dans 5 domaines prioritaires : l’engagement des intervenants, l’expérience des patients, les résultats des patients, l’expérience des cliniciens et la durabilité et l’abordabilité du système. Les commentaires des intervenants ont été obtenus au cours de 9 séances de groupes de discussion avec un total de 87 participants. Les commentaires ont été utilisés pour affiner le cadre sur la base des priorités des parties prenantes et de la faisabilité. Conclusions : Une vaste consultation des parties prenantes a permis de définir un cadre d’évaluation pour mesurer et surveiller les effets de la mise en œuvre des biosimilaires sur les 5 domaines prioritaires identifiés, ainsi que pour éclairer les futures mises en œuvre des biosimilaires. Ce cadre peut être utilisé comme point de départ pour évaluer la mise en œuvre des biosimilaires dans les systèmes de soins de santé.

The study was aimed at evaluating the performance of Nigeria’s Electric Power System before and during Privatization using Akure 33kV distribution Network as a case study. This is done to ascertain the effectiveness of the Privatization programme that occurred in the Electric Power Sector in Nigeria. The amount of energy served, the peak load supplied and load flow data of the Network for periods of 2010 to 2015 were collated from the daily log entry recording sheets of the 132/33kV transmission substation office in Akure. The percentage transformer loading and power transferred across the line were determined through load flow studies. The cost of energy not served due to faults was evaluated at a rate of NGN 24.30k per Kilo-Watt Hour (KWHr). The analysis was for a period of pre-privatization (2010-2012) and post-privatization (2013-2015). The results from the study indicate that the energy served decreased by 9% from 2010 to 2015 while the cost of energy not supplied increased largely after the Privatization. A decreasing rate in peak load supplied and transformer loadings were also observed during the Privatization. These results show that less customers might have been served or customers being served by this utility system experienced power outages more frequently in the post-privatization period than in the pre-privatization era.

BACKGROUND: Laminectomy (LA) and LA with fusion (LAF) have been demonstrated as surgical techniques that treat intradural extramedullary tumors (IDEMTs). The purpose of the present study was to compare the rate of 30-day complications following LA vs LAF for IDEMTs. METHODS: Patients undergoing LA for IDEMTs from 2012 to 2018 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients undergoing LA for IDEMTs were substratified into 2 cohorts: those who received LAF and those who did not. In this analysis, preoperative patient characteristics and demographic variables were assessed. 30-day wound, sepsis, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and thromboembolic complications, as well as mortality, postoperative transfusions, extended length of stay, and reoperation, were assessed. Bivariate analyses, including χ (2) and t tests, and multivariable logistical regression were performed. RESULTS: Of 2027 total patients undergoing LA for IDEMTs, 181 (9%) also had fusion. There were 72/373 (19%) LAF in the cervical region, 67/801 (8%) LAF in the thoracic region, and 42/776 (5%) LAF in the lumbar region. Following adjustment, patients who received LAF were more likely to have increased length of stay (OR 2.73, P < 0.001) and increased rate of postoperative transfusion (OR 3.15, P < 0.001). Patients undergoing LA in the cervical spine for IDEMTs tended to receive additional fusion (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased length of stay and rate of postoperative transfusion were associated with LAF for IDEMTs. LA in the cervical spine for IDEMTs was associated with additional fusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3

This article presents an improved procedure for detecting single damage in beam-like structures. Many damage detection methods are based on the analysis of beam natural frequency shifts in damaged and intact states and its analytical modal curvatures. They identify the damage by constructing curves of damage coefficients along the beam and visually determining the point of their mutual intersection. However, for some cases, the absence of an unambiguous point of intersection of these curves or the low accuracy of its localization makes it difficultto use these methods. To accurately determine the mutual intersection of damage coefficient curves, this work proposes to use a subset of modes without one having its curvature close to zero at the site of the alleged damage. This approach greatly simplifies the determination of the point of intersection of the curves of damagecoefficients. An enhanced procedure for the numerical determination of this intersection point is also proposed,rather than the visual one used in existing methods. The effectiveness of the proposed technique was confirmedby numerical simulation followed by experimental verification.

Acalypha wilkesiana is a widely eaten vegetable, reportedly used traditionally in the management of hypertension, diabetes and as an antimicrobial agent, probably because of its rich phenolic composition. The phytochemical and phenolic profiles of the crude leaf extract of the plant were assessed using standard methods, and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannin, steroids and saponins. GC-FID analysis revealed the presence of dihydrocytisine, ammodendrine, spartein, hydroxylupanine, ribalinidine, anthocyanin, flavone, flavonones, aphylidine, proanthocyanidin, isolupanine, narigenin, sapogenin, cardiac glycoside, tannin, and cyanogenic glycoside in varying proportions. GC-MS analysis identified 14 constituents with major ones being 2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-, (Z) Citral (14.88 %), citral 2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-, (E) (16.9 %), cis-3-Hexenyl cis-3-hexenoate (10.59 %), trans-2,7-Dimethyl-4,6-octadien-2-ol (20.56 %) and 3,8,11-Trioxatetracyclo[4.4.1.0(2,4).0(7,9)] undecane (11.69 %). This study has shown that crude phenolic leaf extract of A. wilkesiana contains pharmacologically active compounds which support its traditional use in the treatment of oxidative stress related diseases and hence a potential candidate for drug discovery. Keywords: Acalypha wilkesiana, phytochemicals, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Secondary metabolites.

The main purpose of this study was to examine the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) usage of student’ academic performance with particular reference to the University of Nigeria Nsukka . A total population of 500 students was sampled using simple random technique. Data for this study were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as simple table and percentages, while hypotheses formulated were tested using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis. The results showed that internet usage has led to significant improvement in the academic performance of student of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. The results also showed that e-learning has significant relationship with academic performance of students in the University of Nigeria Nsukka. However, the results showed that the use of Facebook by the students has no significant relationship with their academic performance. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the University authority should expand the current size of the ICT Centre in the campus and make it function efficiently. Also, the University of Nigeria Nsukka authority should provide affordable internet services to students.

Introduction: Malaria parasite infection has remained a global leading cause of death and disability in which about 50% of the world population is estimated to be at risk, especially in low and middle income countries. Aim: This research is designed to evaluate the pharmacognostic, phytochemical profile, and investigate its antimalarial activity by analysing different hematological indices of the methanolic bark extract of Daniellia oliveri, a plant belonging to the family of fabaceae. Methods: The barks of this plants were collected, cleared, dried, pulverized and sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous using the soxhlet extractor. Acute toxicity studies (LD50) for the methanol bark extract was studied using standard method. Phytochemical and pharmacognostic screening was carried out using standard methods, its hematological analysis were investigated using standard methods. The antimalarial activity of the methanol bark extract Daniellia oliveri, was evaluated at different doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg using in-vivo models. Results: The plant is a tall slender tree with a dark grey colour. The following extractive values were obtained petroleum ether (0.600±0.10), n-hexane (0.667±0.88), ethyl acetate (1.600±0.10), methanol (8.400±0.10) and aqueous (6.200±0.10).The methanol extract had the hightest extractive value and was found to be non-toxic at dose 5000mg/kg. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses reveals the presence of alkaloids (10.179±0.61), saponins (1.674±0.43), tannins (10.738±0.61), flavonoids (3.923±0.15), steroids (2.665±0.07), phenols (134.604±14.83), terpenoids (22.436±4.87), glycosides (14.485±0.08), reducing sugars (4.138±1.36), soluble carbohydrates but absence of cyanogenic glycosides The pharmacognostic parameters values were obtained as follows, total ash value (5.600±0.10), acid insoluble ash value (2.800±0.88), water soluble ash value (0.500±0.10), moisture content (13.933±0.12), bitterness value , foaming index (less than 100), swelling index (2.867±0.99). Conclusion: This result has shown that the hematological analysis carried out exhibited significant improvement in PCV, RBC and Hb when administered the plant extract compared to the standard group. It exhibited significant increase in platelet and lymphocyte while reduction in neutrophil compared to the standard group. The increased hematological indices indicate a better transportation capacity of the red blood cells and this should be attributed to the antimalarial properties of the extract. Also, the white blood differential count indicates a boost in the immune system of the treated P. berghei infected mice. This study justifies the ethno-medicinal use of D. oliveri in the management of malaria.

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most common causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. It complicates 5% - 6% of all pregnancies globally and up to 15% of pregnancies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The present study was designed to determine the values of platelet indices in preeclamptic patients compared to non-preeclamptic controls. A total of 70 patients comprising 35 preeclamptic cases and 35 non-preeclamptic controls aged 18-40 years were recruited for the study. Blood samples (3mls) were collected from patients for the estimation of platelet indices using the Mindray 530 BC automated hematology analyzer, Mindray, Japan. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 using T - test and Pearson correlation. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 and the result was presented as mean + SD. The result revealed a significant increase in the MPV (13.5 + 0.18 vs. 09.4 + 0.20), PDW (16.2 + 0.037 vs. 06.0 + 0.19) and PLCR (38.0 + 1.19 vs. 26.2 + 1.19) between the preeclamptic patients and non-preeclamptic controls. There was a significant decrease in the PLT (174.1 + 15.5 vs. 231.1 + 15.05), PCT (1.9 + 0.14 vs. 3.3 + 0.75), and PLCC (60.7 + 3.24 vs. 69.4 + 3.17) for the preeclamptic cases compared to non-preeclamptic control. These findings may be useful in the management of the adverse outcomes of preeclampsia for the Enugu population.

An atmospheric data acquisition device is designed to ease and improve on the current method of acquiring Temperature, Pressure, and Relative Humidity measurement at different altitudes. The proposed work aims to solve the problem of inadequate atmospheric data by monitoring atmospheric weather conditions using sensors while the microcontroller processes the data collected and relays it to the user. This research was carried out at the University of Uyo, between September 2018 and January, 2023. Considering that weather forecasting is of the utmost importance in our current society, the system has been built using a BME280 module for the atmospheric parameters acquisition, an ESP8266 as the microcontroller for Data processing, and a wireless module for processing and transfer of the data from the BME module, a NEO6M GPS module for longitude and latitude, a Li-ion cell to power the components and a TP4056 circuit to recharge the Li-ion cell. A web application Thingspeak.com was incorporated to help the user interact and access the data to enable ease of understanding and real-time logging of the data collected. This work is targeted toward the weather forecasting sector, agricultural sector, and individuals which may wish to gather information about the atmosphere for knowledge consumption. The results show that this device has a good performance for capturing atmospheric parameters for real-time monitoring purposes.

The radar bright band is caused by melting ice crystals, and results in inflated reflectivity observations. If uncorrected, the bright band can result in large errors in radar-derived quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE). In the operational Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) system up to version 12.1, the effects of the bright band are corrected through the use of a reflectivity-only, tilt-based apparent vertical profile of reflectivity (tilt-VPR). This study utilizes dual-polarization (dual-pol) radar observations to improve the tilt-VPR methodology. To accomplish this, a brightband area delineation was developed within the MRMS framework and the brightband top and bottom heights were identified for individual tilts of radar data. This information was used to develop a radially dependent dual-pol VPR (dpVPR) model that can better correct reflectivity in situations of nonisotropic bright bands and low brightband events. This algorithm has been tested on 14 varying brightband events across the CONUS and compared with the tilt-VPR and the National Weather Service Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler Level-3 Digital Precipitation Rate (DPR) products. The radially dependent dpVPR correction provided a more accurate detection of brightband areas and a more effective reduction in QPE errors within and above the bright band than the tilt-VPR and DPR QPEs, especially for precipitation events with low melting layers or with strong variability of vertical motions. The brightband delineation and dpVPR methodology are also evaluated in the real-time MRMS testbed for their robustness and computational efficiency and has been transitioned into operations in 2022.

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti hubungan dan pengaruh minat murid, sokongan ibu bapa dan kompetensi guru terhadap penglibatan murid dalam aktiviti kokurikulum sekolah menengah di Sabah. Kajian kuantitatif ini mengaplikasikan kaedah tinjauan dan menggunakan borang soal selidik untuk memungut data daripada 492 murid sekolah menengah sebagai sampel. Data tersebut dianalisis menggunakan perisian IBM-SPSS-AMOS 25. Analisis deskriptif menunjukkan minat murid, sokongan ibu bapa, kompetensi guru dan penglibatan murid dalam aktiviti kokurikulum berada pada tahap tinggi. Ujian Korelasi Pearson pula menunjukkan wujudnya hubungan positif yang signifikan antara minat murid (r=0.114, p

Background Phase II randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on factor(F)XI inhibitors have shown promising results but they were burdened by low statistical power for clinical outcomes. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT comparing FXI inhibitors versus other anticoagulants (enoxaparin or direct oral anticoagulants, DOACs) or versus placebo on top of antiplatelet therapy. Results Eight RCTs testing FXI inhibitors (ISIS 416858, osocimab, abelacimab, milvexian, asundexian) and enrolling 9,216 patients were included. Compared with enoxaparin, FXI inhibitors were associated with reduced any-bleeding (risk ratio [RR]: 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31–0.77), no difference in major bleeding (RR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.41–2.28), and reduced trial-defined efficacy endpoint (RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.49–0.79), the latter driven by the high-dose regimens. Compared with DOACs, FXI inhibitors were associated with a trend toward reduced any-bleeding (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.31–1.38) and no difference in major bleeding (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.22–4.78) or in trial-defined efficacy endpoint (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.88–1.70). Compared with placebo, FXI inhibitors were associated with increased any-bleeding (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08–1.43) and a trend toward increased major bleeding (RR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.75–1.93), both driven by high-dose regimens, with no difference in trial-defined efficacy endpoint (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.92–1.13). Conclusion Results of this meta-analysis on FXI inhibitors suggest increased safety and efficacy compared with enoxaparin and modest increased safety compared with DOACs. The use of FXI inhibitors in adjunct to antiplatelet therapy versus placebo appears to be associated with a dose-dependent increase in bleeding without any difference in efficacy. Study registration This study is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022367706).

Size Structures, Length-Weight Relationships and Condition Factors of Synodontis obesus ((Boulenger, 1898: Siluiformes, Mochokidae) were carried out with standard methods in the Lower Cross River, Nigeria to assess the population dynamics of the rarely studied but commercially important species. A total of 241 specimens (124: wet season and 117: dry season) were collected at Ayadehe Head Bridge fishing port in Itu Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria from August 2020 to January 2021. The overall abundance showed high size variability within months and between seasons. The total biomass of the specimens collected was heavier in the wet season (12020.33g =12.02Kg) than in the dry season (10709.3g =10.7Kg) with an overall biomass of (22729.63g =22.7Kg). The overall size structures were: 15.0 – 28.30 cm, mean: 21.52.44 cm TL; 12.0 – 20.5 cm, mean: 15.881.6 cm SL and 13.20 – 21.50 cm, mean: 16.881.64 cm FL. The total weight of the species varied from 42.30 – 166.0g with overall mean value of 94.31603g. The length and body weight of fish samples caught for both wet and dry season were significantly different (p

The persistence of chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) underscores the need to consider nonpharmacologic treatments such as music listening as adjunct interventions. This pilot study investigated the feasibility and overall effects of a 30-minute adjunct music listening intervention in 12 patients experiencing CIN. Music listening was started at the time participants took their as-needed antiemetic medication, and it was repeated as needed during the 5 days after chemotherapy. Data for 66 music listening engagements were collected. A significant reduction of nausea severity ( t = 10.97, p

Background: Globally, hemoglobinopathies, which are genetic diseases of hemoglobin production, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. African communities make up a sizable portion of the population that is susceptible to a variety of erythrocyte genetic and homological illnesses. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and spectrum of hemoglobin variants among patients attending a tertiary hospital in South West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study research was conducted at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo State Southwest Nigeria. Respondents were recruited from the hospital department clinics and tested at Department of Haematology, Faculty of basic medical science. Blood will be drawn via venipuncture into tubes that had been treated with the anticoagulant ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) Results: The study show the frequency and gender distribution of different forms of haemoglobin (Hb) among the subjects; Hb AA 264; HbAS 60; HbAC 6; HbSC 8 and HbSS 12. Of the 350 subjects studied, 106 were males, while 244 were females. Among the male subjects, 85 were HbAA, 12 were HbAS; 2 were HbAC; 3 were HbSC and 4 were HbSS. Among the female subjects, 179 were HbAA, 48 were HbAS; 4 were HbAC; 5 were HbSC and 8 were HbSS. The study shows the frequency of the fetal hemoglobin among the Hb SS patients in the study based on age range. 50% of the participants with fetal hemoglobin were between 10-15 years, 25% were between 16-20 years, 8.3% were between 21-25 years, 8.4% were between 31-35 years and 8.3 % were between 36-40 years Conclusion: The study showed increased prevalence of various hemoglobin variants. Awareness should be created at religious centers, schools on the importance of genotype testing. As a preventative precaution. We advise the implementation of mutation identification and carrier screening.

This study investigated the effect of Industrialization on carbon emissions through energy consumption for a panel of eight Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and nine High Industrialised Countries over the period 1985 to 2020; the study employs the first generation and second-generation Unit root tests. The study further adopts the use of the Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model, and Common Correlated Effect pooled mean group to estimate the parameters of the model for OPEC countries and High Industrialised Countries, respectively. In addition, the Dumitrescu-Hurlin Granger causality test is conducted to infer the direction of causality among the variables. The causality test result reveals that, in OPEC, energy consumed during industrial activity is not enough to cause carbon emission and carbon emission does not cause industrialisation to interact with energy consumption. Also, for highly industrialised countries, interaction of energy consumption and industrialization causes carbon emission, but carbon emission does not cause the interaction of energy consumption and industrialization. The estimated model shows that the interactive effect of Industrialization and energy consumption has no significant influence on carbon emissions in OPEC countries in the short and long run. In contrast, foreign direct investment and economic growth have a positive and significant effect on carbon emissions in the short run. However, for highly industrialised countries the study found that the interactive effect of energy industrialization and energy consumption has a positive and significant effect on carbon emissions in the short run. It is apparent from the study that energy consumption for industrial activities, particularly in highly industrialised countries, causes carbon emission and such policy makers should formulate policy that necessitate the use of green energy for industrial activities to improve environmental quality.

Competition between genotypes within a plant population can result in the displacement of the least competitive by more competitive genotypes. Although evolutionary processes in plants may occur over thousands and millions of years, it has been suggested that changes in key fitness traits could occur in as little as decades, with herbicide resistance being a common example. However, the rapid evolution of complex traits has not been proven in weeds. We hypothesized that changes in weed growth and competitive ability can occur in just a few years because of selection in agroecosystems. Seed of multiple generations of a single natural population of the grassy weed giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.) were collected during 34 yr (i.e., 1983 to 2017). Using a “resurrection” approach, we characterized life-history traits of the different year-lines under noncompetitive and competitive conditions. Replacement-series experiments comparing the growth of the oldest year-line (1983) versus newer year-lines (1991, 1996, 1998, 2009, and 2017) showed that plant competitive ability decreased and then increased progressively in accordance with oscillating selection. The adaptations in competitive ability were reflected in dynamic changes in leaf area and biomass when plants were in competition. The onset of increased competitive ability coincided with the introduction of herbicide-resistant crops in the landscape in 1996. We also conducted a genome-wide association study and identified four loci that were associated with increased competitive ability over time, confirming that this trait changed in response to directional selection. Putative transcription factors and cell wall–associated enzymes were linked to those loci. This is the first study providing direct in situ evidence of rapid directional evolution of competitive ability in a plant species. The results suggest that agricultural systems can exert enough pressure to cause evolutionary adaptations of complex life-history traits, potentially increasing weediness and invasiveness.

This work aimed to characterize beverage wastewater generated in the beverage industry and to assess wastewater treatment plant performance by fungi (Penicillium sp.) and the feasibility of wastewater reuse. Freshly discharged beverage wastewater was collected and analyzed for the physicochemical parameters such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Nitrate, Phosphate, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Copper, and Zinc by standard methods. At a 7-day interval, 190ml of the sterilized local dye wastewater was inoculated with Penicillium sp. for two weeks, and the physicochemical parameters were determined. The results observed for raw, bio-treated and removal efficiency showed: BOD (280 mg-1, 255 mg-1 , 108 mg-1 and 19.64 %, 61.43 %); COD (540 mg-1, 420 mg-1, 285 mg-1 and 43.75%, 88.13%); Nitrate (130 mg-1, 90 mg-1, 25 mg-1 and 30.77%, 80.77%); Phosphate (48 mg-1, 25 mg-1, 5 mg-1 and 30.91%, 78.18%); Calcium (55 mg-1, 38 mg-1, 12 mg-1 and 30.91%, 78.18%); Iron (29 mg-1, 18 mg-1, 07 mg-1 and 37.93 %, 75.86 %); Copper (0.09 mg-1, 0.07 mg-1, 0.02 mg-1 and 22.22 %, 77.78 %); Zinc (0.08, 0.06, 0.03 mg-1 and 22.5%). Fungi (Penicillium sp.) demonstrated the ability to remove pollutants and other wastes from beverage wastewater. These results indicate that some companies employing treatment methods for their effluents do not remove the parameters and heavy metals.

The objective of this study was preparing and evaluating cream formulations containing aqueous extracts of Calendula officinalis and Centella asiatica, and also to conduct a preliminary phytochemical analysis for the said aqueous extracts. The plant aqueous extracts were prepared by macerating the dry powders of the aforementioned plants; water-in-oil creams were prepared in varying concentrations of Calendula officinalis and Centella asiatica aqueous extracts (5%, 7.5% and 10%). The creams thus prepared varied in the colour and texture, but all had good physical characters for a cream. The preliminary phytochemical analysis shows that Calendula officinalis aqueous extract contains flavonoids, saponins and tannins, while Centella asiatica aqueous extract contains flavonoids and tannins. Based on the results we have concluded that the formulation containing 5% of aqueous had the best overall characteristics of a cream compared to the other formulations as it had a good colour, was smooth in texture and had better stability.

Sustainable tourism has emerged as a growing tourism facet in recent years, gaining acceptance among tourism developers and stakeholders; as a tourism development model that is economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally friendly. Nonetheless, tourism development faces numerous challenges, including displacement of people, cultural commercialization, organic dilapidation, and economic dependency resulting from social-economic development. As a result, many countries have begun to embrace long-term sustainable tourism development goals, an essential component of achieving Vision 2030. Therefore, this paper propagates the discussions surrounding corroboration approaches, tourism infrastructure, stakeholders' role, and government policies' influence on sustainable tourism development. To support its thesis, the paper develops a conceptual framework to guide tourism practitioners and other stakeholders in understanding and dissecting sustainable tourism models and knowledge. The findings emphasize stakeholders’ collaboration framework, the need for adequate and supportive tourism infrastructure, and the foundational basis of public-private initiatives to enhance tourism growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck when Uganda was in the middle of an acrimonious campaign season, in which longstanding president Yoweri Museveni was being challenged by Bobi Wine, a reggae singer turned politician. When Museveni imposed a strict lockdown, musicians sympathetic to Wine responded with songs about COVID-19 that challenged the government’s short-term, biopolitical demarcation of the national emergency. Pier and Mutagubya interpret a selection of Ugandan COVID-19 pop songs from 2020, considering in musical-historical perspective their various strategies for re-narrating the health crisis.

For aesthetic considerations, grass clippings are removed from lawns during mowing. When turfgrass clippings are returned, this practice is called “mulching” or grasscycling. Thus, grasscycling has increasingly become a standard practice for low-input lawns managed under a simpler maintenance system, and grasscycling has many environmental benefits. Primarily, grasscycling facilitates an increase in soil nitrogen content and soil carbon sequestered by the turfgrass ecosystem. Several studies reported that grasscycling positively influences turfgrass colour and quality. When clippings are returned, turfgrass colour and quality can be maintained with a lower amount of fertilisation than turfgrass with clipping removal. Together with these positive effects, grasscycling practices can contribute to an increase of thatch in the turfgrass sward, while its influence on weed invasion is still questionable. This grasscycling practice can result in a maintenance cost-savings and represent a low-input approach to turfgrass management in terms of nutrients returned and utilised by the turfgrass, and with carbon (C) emissions mitigated and C sequestered. The unwelcome appearance linked to grass clipping residues and vegetation on the turfgrass canopy can be easily obviated by the use of machinery that delivers clippings forcefully toward the ground to incorporate them into the verdure or by using mowers that produce clippings small enough to be returned and quickly decomposed.

Aluminium matrix composite is a type of innovative technical material that have applications in aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, electronics, and a lot more. Non-metallic reinforcements can be injected into an aluminium alloy to provide advantages over base metal (Al) alloys. Better mechanical properties, improved microstructure, and corrosion resistance are the benefits that have been noticed upon reinforcements. The proportion of reinforcement, kind, size, and forms of aluminium matrix are all important factors in improving mechanical and tribological properties. Investigation in the creation of highly advanced tailored materials using liquid and solid-state processes and the impact it has on the properties and application are the subject of this work. The current research summarizes recent breakthroughs in aluminium-based composites and other particle reinforcement effects. The experiment findings revealed that strengthening the aluminum matrix with reinforcements increased mechanical properties and improves the microstructure. Also, stir casting was seen to be the most popular liquid metal approach because of its cost effectiveness and processing parameters which could easily be adjusted and monitored. It is concluded that aluminum matrix composites have greater mechanical characteristics, microstructure, and corrosion resistance than unreinforced aluminum alloys.

The outcomes of total joint arthroplasty during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are unknown. We sought to compare early postoperative complications in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who had THA or TKA in the latter halves (July to December) of 2019 and 2020 were identified. Patients were divided into pre-COVID-19 (2019) and during-COVID-19 (2020) cohorts. Propensity score matching and logistic regression were used to detect correlations between operative period and outcomes. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05.A total of 38,234 THA and 61,956 TKA patients were included. There was a significantly higher rate of outpatient procedures in 2020 than that in 2019 for both THA (41.68% vs 6.59%,Total joint arthroplasty surgery remains safe despite the COVID-19 pandemic. A statistically significant increase was detected in superficial surgical site infection and myocardial infarction risk during 2020 compared to 2019; however, the clinical significance of this is questionable. A shift away from inpatient stay was also present, possibly reflecting efforts to minimize nosocomial exposure to COVID-19.

Objective: Right-to-left ventricle diameter ratio (dRV/dLV) on CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is a predictor of outcomes in non-operated chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of a novel machine learning (ML) algorithm for dRV/dLV measurement in operated CTEPH patients and its association with post-operative outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed consecutive CTEPH patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy between 2013 and 2017. ML calculated dRV/dLV on pre-operative CTPA and compared with manual measures. Associations of dRV/dLV with patient characteristics and post-operative outcomes were evaluated including intensive care (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS) using multivariable linear regression analysis. Prolonged LOS was defined as greater than median. Results: ML segmented the ventricles in 99/125 (79%) patients. The most common cause of failure was misidentification of the moderator band as the interventricular septum (7.9%). Mean dRV/dLV by ML was 1.4 ± 0.4 and strongly correlated with manual measures (r = 0.9–0.96 p < 0.0001). dRV/dLV was moderately correlated with measures of pulmonary hypertension on right heart catheterization and RV dilatation on echocardiogram (r = 0.5–0.6, p < 0.0001). dRV/dLV ≥ 1.2 was associated with proximal Jamieson type disease (p = 0.032), longer cardiopulmonary bypass (p = 0.037), aortic cross-clamp (p = 0.022) and circulatory arrest (p < 0.001) at surgery and dRV/dLV ≥ 1.6 with post-operative ECMO (p = 0.006). dRV/dLV was independently associated with prolonged ICU LOS (OR = 3.79, 95% CI 1.1–13.06, p = 0.035). Conclusion: dRV/dLV was associated with CTEPH severity and independently associated with prolonged ICU LOS. This CT parameter may therefore assist in perioperative planning. Further refinement of the ML algorithm or CTPA technique is required to avoid errors in ventricular segmentation. Advances in knowledge: Automated right-to-left ventricle ratio measurement by machine learning is feasible and is independently associated with outcome after pulmonary endarterectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of adding topical Nepafenac 0.1% eye drop on increasing mydriasis in patients with Diabetes Mellitus type 2. Methods: the study was conducted on 73 eyes of 73 patients who had type 2 diabetes for 5 years or more. The pupil diameter (PD) was measured in the both eyes without dilation using an Autorefractokeratometer (Grand Seiko\GR- 3500 Ka), then the pupils were dilated in the both eyes using topical Tropicamide 1%. A second measurement of (PD) was taken after dilating using the same device. Topical Nepafenac 0.1% were prescribed 3 times a day for 3 days in the right eye. During the review, after 3 days, the pupils were dilated using topical Tropicamide 1%. A third measurement of the (PD) of the both eyes was taken after dilation using the same device. The efficacy of Nepafenac 0.1% was evaluated by determining the increase in (PD) in the eye that received topical Nepafenac 0.1% and comparing it with the other eye that did not receive. Results: The mean diameter of the pupil in the right eye after dilation was 4.68±0.8 mm and in the left eye was 4.67±0.7 mm (P=0.8). After applying Nepafenac 0.1% topically 3 times a day in the right eye for 3 days, the mean diameter of the pupil in the right eye after dilation was 6.50 ± 0.9 mm and in the left eye 5.10± 0.08 mm (P=0.001). The change in the mean diameter of the pupil in the right eye was 1.82 ± 0.7 mm, and in the left eye was 0.43 ± 0.6 mm. Conclusion: Topical application of Nepafenac 0.1% showed an increase in pupillary diameter after dilation with Tropicamide 1% in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare complication of acute pulmonary embolism. It is caused by persistent obstruction of pulmonary arteries by chronic organised fibrotic clots, despite adequate anticoagulation. The pulmonary hypertension is also caused by concomitant microvasculopathy which may progress without timely treatment. Timely and accurate diagnosis requires the combination of imaging and haemodynamic assessment. Optimal therapy should be individualised to each case and determined by an experienced multidisciplinary CTEPH team with the ability to offer all current treatment modalities. This report summarises current knowledge and presents key messages from the International CTEPH Conference, Bad Nauheim, Germany, 2021. Sessions were dedicated to 1) disease definition; 2) pathophysiology, including the impact of the hypertrophied bronchial circulation, right ventricle (dys)function, genetics and inflammation; 3) diagnosis, early after acute pulmonary embolism, using computed tomography and perfusion techniques, and supporting the selection of appropriate therapies; 4) surgical treatment, pulmonary endarterectomy for proximal and distal disease, and peri-operative management; 5) percutaneous approach or balloon pulmonary angioplasty, techniques and complications; and 6) medical treatment, including anticoagulation and pulmonary hypertension drugs, and in combination with interventional treatments. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease without pulmonary hypertension is also discussed in terms of its diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.