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This study examines the success and role of African women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In the absence of significant research on women's STEM leadership, the success and roles of others could motivate an aspiring African woman to pursue a career in STEM. A qualitative approach was sought using open online questions and narratives from African women leaders about their roles and career success in STEM. Data were collected from the western, eastern, northern, and southern regions of Africa from participants who held STEM leadership positions, such as directors, deans, and chief officers. The participants were 42 women representing 12 African nations. The narratives of these women leaders' tones and life experiences were analyzed through content analysis. The narratives of these women leaders' tones and life experiences were analyzed in search of recurring patterns and themes. Successful leadership in STEM requires balancing career and family life, setting goals, solving problems, being open to innovative ideas, embracing diversity, collaborating, and having knowledge of STEM research and mentoring skills. Using the achievements and roles of others could inspire future African women to pursue careers in STEM.

Two of every three persons living with dementia reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The projected increase in global dementia rates is expected to affect LMICs disproportionately. However, the majority of global dementia care costs occur in high-income countries (HICs), with dementia research predominantly focusing on HICs. This imbalance necessitates LMIC-focused research to ensure that characterization of dementia accurately reflects the involvement and specificities of diverse populations. Development of effective preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for dementia in LMICs requires targeted, personalized, and harmonized efforts. Our article represents timely discussions at the 2022 Symposium on Dementia and Brain Aging in LMICs that identified the foremost opportunities to advance dementia research, differential diagnosis, use of neuropsychometric tools, awareness, and treatment options. We highlight key topics discussed at the meeting and provide future recommendations to foster a more equitable landscape for dementia prevention, diagnosis, care, policy, and management in LMICs. HIGHLIGHTS: Two-thirds of persons with dementia live in LMICs, yet research and costs are skewed toward HICs. LMICs expect dementia prevalence to more than double, accompanied by socioeconomic disparities. The 2022 Symposium on Dementia in LMICs addressed advances in research, diagnosis, prevention, and policy. The Nairobi Declaration urges global action to enhance dementia outcomes in LMICs.

Purpose – This study examined the influence of situational factors on organisational deviance and how organisational culture could mediate these factors among public employees. Aims(s) – The study aimed to identify predictors of workplace deviant behaviour in the public service and the mediatory roles of organisational cultures in these predictors. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 430 participants; the analysis included regression analysis and structural equation modelling to examine the mediating effect of organisational culture. Findings – The results of the structural equation modelling adopted in the data analysis revealed that injustice, stress, and lack of support were responsible for the increased observed organisational behaviour. The result also revealed that perceived organisational injustice and work stress levels significantly predict deviant behaviour among the studied group, while the organisation's culture mediated the influence of justice and stress predictor variables. Limitations of the study – The study outcome may not be free of sampling error and non-response error due to self-reported surveys that could be subject to bias. The sample may be limited to public service, thus limiting the generalisation of the findings to other sectors. Practical implications and Originality/value – The study contributes to the literature on the mediating role of organisational culture in deviant work behaviour. It also shows how the organisational culture could be used to control or prevent this cankerworm called workplace deviation among employees who implement policies within the organisation.

Abstract Elevated concentrations of metals in rivers can pose significant risks to human health. Consequently, it is essential to monitor metal levels in river water to minimize human exposure, particularly through consumption of harvested fish and other uses. This study examined the water quality of the Ona River in Ibadan, Nigeria. Seven potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr and four macronutrients: Mg, Na, K, Ca were investigated. Surface and pore water samples were collected from six sampling points during the peak of the dry and the rainy seasons. These were analyzed according to standard procedures and processed using the Simple Fuzzy Classification (SFC) model with four classes. The results revealed that the PTEs: Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Mn were detected above guideline limits in several sampling points, indicating possible contamination from anthropogenic sources. Simple fuzzy classification puts the quality of water in the investigated portion of the river in the range of 67.4–88.5% in the C1 (pristine) category during the dry season and 61.9–88.6% in C1 (pristine) during rainy season. However, there were membership functions of up to 58.7 and 63.2; 61.2 and 75.4 as well as 44.3 and 43.5% in C2, C3, and C4 categories (contaminated, polluted and extremely polluted, respectively) during the first and second sampling, respectively. Due to the high concentrations of toxic and bioaccumulative metals in the river, efforts should be made to control the discharge of pollutants into the river. These will prevent human health exposure risks tendencies for various uses, including fish production.

Abstract This study investigates the integration of dimmable constant weight polar‐coded non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) with orthogonal space‐time block coding (OSTBC) in visible light communication (VLC) systems over Nakagami‐m fading environments. The proposed scheme aims to enhance the reliability of VLC systems by reducing the outage probability while accommodating dimming requirements. By allowing multiple users to utilize the same time‐frequency resources and adjust power levels based on individual channel conditions, the system optimizes resource utilization. Additionally, the OSTBC method provides effective communication among multiple users by leveraging transmit diversity to improve system performance. The efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated through analytical analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, showcasing superior outage probability performance compared to conventional Alamouti‐STBC schemes.

Abstract Background Termitarium is an intricate biological home with exceptional physicochemical soil properties and numerous beneficial microbiomes. The termitarium microbiome plays a role in several bionetwork processes. It contributes significantly to sustainable agriculture, forestry, and horticulture. In contrast to the immense number of research works focusing on termitarium bacteria and archaea, the amount of study about termitarium fungal communities is limited. This is despite the fact that fungi significantly contribute to the cycling of energy and matter on Earth. Thus, this study investigates the metagenomic datasets from termitarium soil collected from agricultural soils, to obtain a depiction of their mycobiome of ecological importance. Results Our dataset showed that Ascomycota was the most rank phylum, while Basidiomycota was the next in rank. Specifically, we identified numerous fungi of commercially importance, for example, producers of cellulases and cellulosomes. This was strengthened with the presence of functional genes/enzymes capable of promoting plant growth traits and defence system. Analysis further shown that soil properties influenced the distribution of fungal communities. Magnesium, nitrogen, and potassium, for example, were observed to be among the best predictor of fungal distribution and explained 87.40% of the total variation. Conclusion This study epitomize further insights into the mycobiome of termitarium soils that are of ecological interest. Again, with some of our sequences assembled as uncategorized fungi, further studies are recommended for the evaluation of the metabolic potentials of these fungi as there is a possibility of the discovery of new fungi or genes of industrial or environmental applications.

Abstract Background Headache disorders, including migraine, pose a significant burden globally, with varying prevalence rates across different regions. However, research on migraine in Nigeria and other low-income countries is limited. Understanding the prevalence, characteristics, and treatment outcomes of migraine in Nigeria is essential for informing healthcare policies and improving patient care. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize existing literature on migraine prevalence, characteristics, and treatment outcomes in Nigeria. Eligible studies were identified through comprehensive searches of multiple electronic databases and grey literature sources. Studies reporting migraine prevalence, diagnostic criteria, treatment modalities, and outcomes were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed following established guidelines. Results Ten studies involving 7,768 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of migraine headache in Nigeria was calculated to be 16% (95% CI = 7–28), with significant heterogeneity observed among studies (I² = 99.35%, P

In contemporary Nigeria, the proliferation of prophetic claims has profoundly influenced popular religious practices across all societal strata. This phenomenon engages individuals from various backgrounds as they seek divine insights and prophecies from spiritual leaders. This study focuses on Ola Rotimi's play The Gods Are Not to Blame to critically examine the role of prophecy within African cultural beliefs. While existing scholarship on Rotimi's work often analyzes themes of fate, tragedy, and the allocation of blame within the play among others, scant attention has been paid to the fundamental role of prophecy itself as the root cause of the play’s tragic events. This research aims to conduct a deconstructive reading of the play, scrutinizing how the characters' pursuit of foreknowledge and attempts to alter their fates paradoxically precipitate their destinies. The method involves a detailed textual analysis of the play, focusing on key dialogues and actions that highlight the characters' motivations and the unfolding of events. The findings reveal two key instances: first, Baba Fakunle’s prophecy, which foretells disaster for Odewale’s family, leads his parents to attempt to kill him to prevent the predicted calamity. Ironically, this attempt to alter the future sets in motion the very disaster they sought to avoid. Secondly, an elder’s parable causes Odewale to discover the prophecy's truth. In trying to understand and avoid his destiny, Odewale discovers that his actions to prevent it end up fulfilling it. Both instances suggest that the desire to know and change the future is fraught with peril, often precipitating the very outcomes one seeks to avoid. The conclusion emphasizes the prudence of embracing the uncertainty of the future, as attempting to alter it can lead to unintended and often tragic consequences.

Abstract Background Preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) are hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with significant morbidity and mortality for both mothers and fetuses. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PE/E, associated complications, and mortality rates in pregnant women in Nigeria using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Methods A search strategy was employed to identify relevant studies published in English from electronic databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, AJOL, DOAJ and Cochrane Library. Studies investigating the prevalence of PE/E, associated complications, and mortality rates in pregnant women in Nigeria were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted using standardized tools. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using random-effects models. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic. Publication bias was evaluated using the Egger test. Results The analysis revealed a pooled prevalence of 4.51% (95% CI 3.82–5.29) for preeclampsia and 1.39% (95% CI 1.02–1.84) for eclampsia in Nigerian pregnant women. Significant heterogeneity was observed for both PE (I 2 = 99.20%, P

Purpose: The paper explored students-staff classroom co-creation and students' involvement in out-of-class engagements as means of fostering employability skills in higher education institutions (HEIs). The paper aimed to present an alternative but equally effective means that HEIs can leverage to foster relevant 21st Century employability skills among undergraduates using day-to-day in-class and out-of-class activities and other non-formal campus activities. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted descriptive survey design. A total of 350 undergraduates who participate in out-of-class activities were purposively selected from seven (7) faculties. An instrument designed by the author was used to gather data for the study. The instrument was subjected to Cronbach Alpha analysis for item-by-item consistency and it yielded the reliability co-efficient of 0.88. Data collected from the respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count, mean and standard deviation. Findings: Interactive classrooms, where students and lecturers co-create to provide solutions to problems enhance students' self-esteem, problem solving, analytical, communication and leadership skills amongst others. It was also found that students who got involved in one or more out-of-class activity on campus acquire specific competencies such as networking, collaboration, communication, leadership, multidisciplinary thinking, etc. Research limitations/implications: Due to a limited sample size, it might be inappropriate to generalize findings. Researchers are encouraged to test this proposition further. Practical implications: The paper highlights the need for HEIs to leverage student-staff co-creation and out-of-class engagement in their bid to produce employable graduates. Originality/value: This paper clearly presents alternative but effective means of fostering employability in HEIs.

Purpose: To evaluate the rate of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and its management in patients who have undergone scleral buckle surgery as a primary intervention for retinal detachment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of hospital files of scleral buckle surgeries for retinal detachment from January 2016 to December 2021 at the University College Hospital Ibadan. All patients with a previous history of glaucoma, vitreoretinal surgery, or a combination of vitrectomy and scleral buckling procedures were excluded from the review. An IOP of ≥22 mmHg after surgery was considered elevated. Results: A total of 148 patients’ charts were reviewed with 125 patients (131 eyes) included in the study. There were 81 males (64.8%) and the mean age of patients was 45.2 (±18.8) years, with a range of 5–81 years. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment accounted for 97.7% (128 eyes) of all cases and 118 eyes (90.1%) were recent detachments. Seventy-nine eyes (60.3%) recorded elevated IOP postscleral buckle surgery. The mean elevated IOP postbuckle surgery was 27.9 (±6.2) mmHg and the mean antiglaucoma medications prescribed was 2.4 (±2) with a range of 2–5 medications. Four eyes (5.1%) needed surgical intervention for the elevated IOP. The last follow-up mean IOP was 14.3 (±4.1) mmHg. Conclusion: Elevated IOP frequently complicates scleral buckle procedure and medical treatment is usually sufficient. As a common complication, this should be considered in advance when planning for the procedure, especially in low-income countries like Nigeria where scleral buckling surgery is still in common practice.

With increasing global population density and climate change, the sustainability of food production poses new challenges. These are factors such as food inflation, climate change, natural disasters, and diseases affecting crops among others. Consequently, fungi have evolved as a pillar of ecological agriculture in the twenty-first century. Some of the diverse applications of fungi include biological control, synthesis of antifungal compounds, symbiotic relationship with plants, and enhancement of soil structure. They also function as decomposers in ensuring nutrient availability in the soil, and as biostimulants to enhance plants’ growth, plant disease management and enhanced resistance to abiotic stressors such as water scarcity, and salinity and mitigate the impact of climate change. Furthermore, fungi play other important roles in food security, such as in the processing of various foods including cheese, bread, fermented products and other sources of protein, vitamins, and dietary fiber, while foods of fungi origin prevent lifestyle diseases. New approaches in fungal biotechnology present the hope of eliminating hunger and malnutrition through food production, preservation, and packaging among others. Although, challenges persist in the management of pathogenic fungi in agriculture, however, it is important to leverage the beneficial role of fungi and encourage further exploration of its transformative potential towards a secured global food security.

Abstract Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), such as preeclampsia and eclampsia, present significant risks to maternal and fetal health. While immediate complications are well-documented, emerging research highlights potential neurocognitive impacts on both mothers and their offspring. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on these neurocognitive outcomes associated with HDP, focusing on preeclampsia and eclampsia. A literature search was conducted for studies published from 2000 to February 2024. Maternal outcomes, including memory, executive function, and psychosocial well-being, were assessed across 11 studies, while fetal and neonatal neurocognitive outcomes were explored in five studies. Consistent findings indicate that preeclampsia and eclampsia are linked to impairments in maternal cognitive functions and psychosocial health. Offspring exposed to these conditions in utero also show cognitive deficits and alterations in brain connectivity. Contributing factors include placental dysfunction, altered angiokine levels, maternal stress, and socioeconomic variables. To mitigate these impacts, future research should focus on clarifying the underlying mechanisms and developing early interventions. This review emphasizes the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches to improve neurocognitive outcomes for both mothers and their children affected by preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Abstract Soybean is an economically important crop for animal and human nutrition. Currently, there is a lack of information on the effects of Trichoderma harzianum and Purpureocillum lilacinum on INTACTA RR PRO transgenic soybean plants. The present study evaluated the application of T. harzianum and P. lilacinum under field conditions. The results revealed a significant increase in soybean yield at 423 kg ha−1 in response to the application of P. lilacinum compared with the control treatment. In addition, the application of P. lilacinum promoted a significant increase in phosphorus levels in the plant leaves, and there were significant correlations between the increase in taxon abundance for the genus Erwinia and productivity and the average phosphorus and nitrogen content for the plant leaves, for the taxon Bacillus and nitrogen content and productivity, and for the taxon Sphingomonas and nitrogen content. The Bradyrhizobium taxon was identified in the P. lilacinum treatment as a taxon linking two different networks of taxa and is an important taxon in the microbiota. The results show that the application of the fungus P. lilacinum can increase the productivity of soybean INTACTA RR PRO and that this increase in productivity may be a function of the modulation of the microbiota composition of the plant leaves by the P. lilacinum effect.

Chikungunya and dengue are arboviral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes that have been increasingly recognized as public health concerns in Sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies conducted in Nigeria and other West African countries have revealed the seroprevalence burden and cocirculation of antibodies against mosquito-borne infections, thereby revealing a significant burden and clinical outcome complexities that have largely gone undetected. The current research study has important implications for disease surveillance, prevention strategies, and healthcare planning in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 871 outpatients and pregnant women from three regions of Nigeria. CHIKV and DENV immunoblot molecular diagnostic assays were used to analyze the serum samples for the presence of arboviral antibody serological markers IgG (Mikrogen Diagnostik, Germany) with DENV nonstructural protein 1 and DENV Equad and CHIKV virus-like particles (VLPs), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A total of 871 participants were recruited from three geographical regions in Nigeria. Among them, 17.5% (152/871) were from Abia (southern Nigeria), 34.4% (300/871) were from Kaduna (northern Nigeria), and 48.1% (419/871) were from Nasarawa (central Nigeria). The ages of the participants ranged from 0 months to 80 years, with a mean age of 36.6 years. Of the 871 subjects, 71.0% (619/871) were female, and 29.0% (252/871) were male. The overall cohort detectable antibody seropositivity against CHIKV was 64.9% (565/871), 95% CI (61.74–68.06); DENV, 44.7% (389/871), 95% CI (41.41–47.99); and CHIKV-DENV cocirculation antibodies, 31.6% (95% CI 29–35). This study highlighted the unpredictably high seroprevalence, expansion, magnitude, and undetected burden of chikungunya and dengue in Nigeria.