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In this study, the development of briquettes from agricultural waste mainly rice and maize husk is presented. A 0.12 kg of each sample with a combination ratio of 1:1 was used in the buildup. The results obtained shows that, rice husk, maize husk and the combination of rice and maize husk have calorific value of 15.27 kJ/kg, 17.13 kJ/kg and 16.20 kJ/kg, moisture contents of 78.8 %, 86.8 % and 79.1 %, ash contents of 39.74 %, 18.07 % and 13.39 % and densities of 1084.3 kg/m3, 1011.5 kg/m3 and 1012.4 kg/m3 respectively. The research shows that briquette made from maize husk has the highest calorific value that can meet domestic use as an alternative fuel compared to briquettes from rice husk and the combination of rice and maize husk.

The objective of this paper was to investigate the total nitrogen absorption in soil and its uptake by Amaranthus cruentus plant in Kwadon, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures. Data obtained show that the total N content was 0.53-1.32% with manure at 0-15 and 0.28-0.87% with manure at 15-30, while total N was obtained to be 0.19-0.53% without manure (control) at 0-15 and 0.11-0.59% at 15-30 without manure (control). The Amaranthus cruentus total N content was 0.06-2.10% with manure at 0-15 and 0.06-0.15% with manure at 15-30, whereas total N was obtained to be 0.02-0.09% both at 0-15 and 15-30 without manure (control). The total N content in soil was relatively higher than that of Amaranthus cruentus. The crop growth rate (GGR) was highest (146.21) and lowest (92.73) and (128.39) and lowest (61.54) on manure at days 0-15 and 15-30 of application, respectively. A similar trend was observed for total dry matter production (TDMP), leaf area index (LAI), leaf area ratio (LAR), and net assimilation rate (NAR). The highest (53.72) and lowest (25.42), and (53.72) and lowest (25.42) TDMPs were recorded on 15-30 and 0-15, respectively. The LAR and NAR were also the highest (5.31 and 0.07, respectively) on manure at day 0-15 after application. The lowest (2.21) LAR and (0.04) NAR were observed on days 0-15 after the application of manure. The manure exhibited the smallest positive changes in LAI, CGR, LAR, NAR, and TDMP after 15-30 days of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ioana Munteanu,1 Nicoleta Cioran,1,2 Rob van Hest,3,4 Ibrahim Abubakar,5 Alistair Story,6,7 Domnica Chiotan,1 Gerard de Vries,8,9 Beatrice Mahler1,10 1Department of Pneumology, Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania; 2 3rd Department – Complementary Sciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; 3Department of Tuberculosis Control, Regional Public Health Service Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; 4Department of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands; 5Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; 6Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK; 7Find and Treat, University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; 8KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, The Netherlands; 9Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands; 10 4th Department – Cardio-Thoracic Pathology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, RomaniaCorrespondence: Nicoleta Cioran, Department of Pneumology, Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumology, Soseaua Viilor nr.90, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania, Tel +40 745 419 994, Fax +40 213 373 801, Email nicoleta.cioran@umfcd.roPurpose: Romania has the highest tuberculosis (TB) burden in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) comprising almost a quarter (23.4%) of the reported patients in 2017, and a TB notification rate six times higher than the EU/EEA average. Although the overall TB notification rate in Romania declined from 154/100.000 individuals to 66/100.000 individuals in the general population between 2002 and 2017, TB notification rates remain high in certain vulnerable populations groups such as prisoners, the homeless population and among drug users.Patients and Methods: We conducted a descriptive study regarding TB monitoring data in Romania, including the aforementioned TB risk groups.Results: Analysis regarding notified TB cases among these risk groups indicates that TB rates are 7 to 18 times higher than in the general population. One of the most alarming aspects regards the exceedingly high proportion of HIV-seropositivity among drug users and the high mortality rates among the homeless population and among drug users with TB.Conclusion: This data underlines the importance of early identification among social risk groups using outreach active case-finding (ACF) activities, possibly combining TB screening with screening for other common, possibly life-threatening, co-morbidities for which an effective treatment is available. ACF could have a decisive role in TB control and eradication in Romania, when aimed at these high-risk groups.Keywords: Romania, tuberculosis, notification rate, risk groups

Abstract Development of novel mid-infrared (MIR) lasers could ultimately boost emerging detection technologies towards innovative spectroscopic and imaging solutions. Photoacoustic (PA) modality has been heralded for years as one of the most powerful detection tools enabling high signal-to-noise ratio analysis. Here, we demonstrate a novel, compact and sensitive MIR-PA system for carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring at its strongest absorption band by combining a gas-filled fiber laser and PA technology. Specifically, the PA signals were excited by a custom-made hydrogen (H2) based MIR Raman fiber laser source with a pulse energy of ⁓ 18 μJ, quantum efficiency of ⁓ 80% and peak power of ⁓ 3.9 kW. A CO2 detection limit of 605 ppbv was attained from the Allan deviation. This work constitutes an alternative method for advanced high-sensitivity gas detection.

Background: Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a high-priority, neglected, tropical disease that affects millions of people in developing countries annually. The only available standard drug used for the treatment of SBE is antisnake venom (ASV) which consists of immunoglobulins that have been purified from the plasma of animals hyper-immunized against snake venoms. The use of plants as alternatives for treatment of poisonous bites particularly snakebites is important in remote areas where there might be limited, or no access to hospitals and storage facilities for antivenom. The pharmacological activity of some of the medicinal plants used traditionally in the treatment of SBE have also been scientifically validated. Method: A systematic review will be conducted according to the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies checklist for study quality in animal/ in vivo studies. The tool will be modified and validated to assess in vitro models and studies that combine in vivo and in vitro studies. The systematic review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. English published articles on African medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite envenoming will be searched in Medline, Embase, and Scopus from 2000 to 2021. Dissemination: The findings of the study will be communicated through publication in peer-reviewed journal and presentation at scientific conferences. Medicinal plants have been important sources for the development of many effective drugs currently available in orthodox medicine. Botanically derived medicines have played a major role in human societies throughout history. Plants components used in traditional medicine gained much attention by many toxinologists as a tool for designing potent antidotes against snake envenoming. Our systematic review will provide a synthesis of the literature on the efficacy of these medicinal plants. We will also appraise the prospects of African medicinal plants with pharmacologically demonstrated activity against snakebite and envenoming.

Introduction: Anti-snake venom (ASV) is the standard therapy for the management of snakebite envenoming (SBE). Therefore, the knowledge of ASV among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) is essential for achieving optimal clinical outcomes in snakebite management. This study aimed to assess knowledge of ASV among the HCPs in northern Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving eligible HCPs from different healthcare settings in northern Nigeria. The participants were recruited into the study using a combination of online (via Google Form) and face-to-face paper-based survey methods. The ASV knowledge of the respondents was measured using a validated anti-snake venom knowledge assessment tool (AKAT). Inadequate overall knowledge of ASV was defined as scores of 0–69.9%, and 70–100% were considered adequate overall knowledge scores. The predictors of ASV knowledge were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results: Three hundred and thirty-one (331) eligible HCPs were included in the study analysis (310 from online and 21 from paper-based survey). Overall, an estimated 12.7% of the participants had adequate knowledge of ASV. Adequate ASV knowledge was higher among physicians compared with other HCPs (21.7%; χ 2 = 8.1; p = 0.04). Those without previous training on ASV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18–0.73; p = 0.004) and who have not previously administered/dispensed ASV (aOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15–0.63; p

Background: Occupational Violence is prevalent among healthcare workers, including pharmacists, and poses a big threat to their job satisfaction, safety, and social wellbeing. Objective: This study seeks to assess the incidents and factors associated with occupational violence towards pharmacists in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacists practicing in Nigeria, using an online survey (Google FormTM). Occupational violence was assessed using a validated questionnaire. The survey was conducted and reported based on the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES). Participants were recruited by sharing the survey link via social media platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Results: A total of 263 respondents returned the online questionnaire, with a completion rate of 99.2%. The prevalence of occupational violence was 92.7% (95% CI, 90 to 96). Violent events occurred among 48.7% of pharmacists with at least six years of experience, and 68.4% of hospital pharmacists. The commonly reported factors associated with the violence include long waiting times in the pharmacy (36.5%), refusal to fulfil aggressor’s demands (22.1%), and counseling/poor communication (21.7%). Events related to verbal abuse were reported among 95% of the participants. The prevalence of violence was significantly higher among hospital pharmacists, compared with those practicing in administration/regulatory, and in community pharmacies (chi-square=10.213 (2); p=0.006). Similarly, physical aggression was higher among hospital pharmacists (chi-square=10.646 (2), p = 0.005). Conclusions: The prevalence of occupational violence towards pharmacists practicing in Nigeria appeared to be high. Major factors associated with the violence were refusal to fulfil aggressors’ demands and frustrations due to long waiting times at pharmacy. Recommended strategies to slowdown the incidences of violence were improved pharmacists’ workforce, interprofessional harmony, and penalties against perpetrators.

Auxiliary variables correlated with the study variables have been identified to be useful in improving the efficiency of ratio, product and regression estimators both at planning and estimation stages. The existing regression-based estimators are functions of auxiliary variables which are sensitive to outliers. In this paper, a modified class of estimators is proposed using robust nonconventional measures of dispersion which are robust against outliers or extreme values. The properties (Biases and Mean Squared Errors (MSEs)) of the modified class of estimator were derived up to the first order of approximation using Taylor series approach. The empirical studies were conducted using stimulation to investigate the efficiency of the proposed estimators over the efficiency of the existing estimators. The results revealed that the proposed estimators have minimum MSEs and higher Percentage Relative Efficiencies (PREs) among all the competing estimators. These results implied that the proposed estimators are more efficient and can produce better estimate of the population mean compared to other existing estimators considered in the study. Therefore, it can be concluded that proposed estimators have better predictive power for estimating population mean when the study (interest) variables are characterized with outliers or extreme values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sample survey, reliable and efficient estimates are often obtained using information from auxiliary variables during estimation and designing stages. However, there are times when the auxiliary information is attribute-based. Some authors have proposed estimators using auxiliary attribute information when the population mean of auxiliary attribute is unknown. However, the estimators are ratio-based estimators which are less efficient when the bi-serial correlation between the study variable and the auxiliary attribute is negative. In this study, regression approach was used to modify estimator t d/zki to produce estimators that can be used for both negative and positive correlation. In addition, another existing estimator was also modified to produce an estimator that is independent of an unknown population parameter. The Biases and Mean Squared Errors (MSEs) of the modified estimators were determined using the Taylor series approach up to the first order of approximation. The proposed estimators' efficiency conditions over some existing estimators were established. Empirical investigations were done using stimulation study and the results revealed that proposed estimators have the lowest MSEs and the highest PREs of all the competing estimators and therefore can give better estimates of the population mean. Therefore, it can be concluded that proposed estimators have better predictive power for estimating population mean under two-phase sampling scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for quality water free of pollutants that can be maximally utilized by soil for crop production is on the societal increase. The study is aimed at examining some physico-chemical indices of groundwater for irrigation purposes from Difa, Dadinkowa and Gwani of Yamaltu-Deba Gombe State, Nigeria using standard methods. Samples collected were analysed ad data for mean concentration range presented aspH (6.00 - 6.80), temperature (23.95 - 25.78 ℃), total dissolved solids (106.98 - 149.51 mg/L), total suspended solids (0.60 -1.28 mg/L), total alkalinity (17.00 - 19.25 mg/L) and dissolved oxygen (1.18 - 2.98 mg/L). The water samples recorded significant different (p<0.05) in pH values and were all below the permissible limits. However, cations and anions; NaCl, CaCO3,PO43-, CO2, NO2- and NH4- showed no significant difference p<0.05 and were below the permissible limit, except CaCO3 which exceeds the maximum permissible limits. These results suggest that the studied water samples are suitable for consumption and irrigation purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]