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Background: Despite the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994, most black schools in the country still embrace coloniality through policies and practices. This leads to disempowerment, loss of identity, inequalities and inferiority in the learners, which are nurtured till their adulthood. It is therefore important to decolonise the inherited curriculum and recognise African identity, culture and system as valuable for Africans. Aim: This article aims to explore coloniality within the primary school education system in South Africa and aims to motivate curriculum transformation that will divest coloniality in Africa. Setting: This article centres around South African Primary schools. Methods: This article employs a desktop approach and a systematic literature review. To collect the data, the study selected articles from different search engines such as EBSCO, Science Direct and Google Scholar. This enables the synthetisation of previous works to provide knowledge on the topic. The decoloniality theory underpins the study. Results: Primary school education in South Africa is influenced by coloniality; hence, there is a need for transformation. Conclusion: The primary school curriculum in South Africa needs to be revised in a decolonised manner to suit a multi-racial or ethnic South Africa for the realisation of an equitable and just future for Africans. Contribution: This article provides knowledge about coloniality within the context of primary schools in South Africa and further recommends curriculum transformation to a truly African manner. It thus aligns with the journal's theme and scope, which is the interrogation of coloniality in South African primary schools.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pervasive disparities characterize sickle cell disease (SCD) care, including limited access to SCD specialists. Rapid deployment of remote healthcare provision and support during the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to understand telehealth barriers/facilitators for SCD. We aimed to evaluate telehealth experiences and satisfaction for routine visits among adults and caregivers of children with SCD within a US regional collaborative. METHODS: 151 adults ≥ 18 [median (IQR) = 36 (28, 43) years], and 94 caregivers [median child age (IQR) = 12 (7, 14) years] completed a 30-item online survey in 2021 assessing systems issues such as reliable Internet; health information sharing; and consumer focus (e.g., visit started on time). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate relations between independent variables and the outcome overall satisfaction with telehealth. RESULTS: Patients were primarily diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (60.8%) and prescribed hydroxyurea (57.6%). Satisfaction with telehealth was high (> 90%), but 60.6% of caregivers gave the highest rating compared with 44.9% of adults (p = 0.02). Few accessibility/technical issues were cited, however, caregivers reported more often having home support for telehealth (80.9% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.003). In multivariable analyses, participants seen in large centers (> 200) were more likely to give the highest satisfaction ratings compared with those in smaller centers (

Parties financing has been a major challenge in Nigeria since the return of democratic rule in 1999 and currently we are yet to design a process through which political parties should fund their activities as practised globally. .The study examines the implications of parties financing on transparency in governance in Nigerian democratic process. The study contends that illegitimate party financing has brought anti-democratic vices and systemic corruption. The Social Contract theory of Hooker anchored the study. The study utilised both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and other materials from books, journals, newspapers and inter-net facilities.. The findings reveal that party financing in Nigeria is below global best practice because the sources of funding are not disclosed hence, there is a direct link between party financing and corruption. The institution saddled with responsibility of controlling party’s affair has been relatively weak to interrogate the sources of party finance and as a result undemocratic practices have become prevalent in the system to the detriment of transparency in governance. The study recommends among others that the institution and agencies overseeing party affairs should demonstrate the political will of living above board in order to secure public confidence. The leadership of political parties should be trained on the tradition of transparency and accountability and they should demonstrate proven sense of financial integrity in the management of affairs of fund.

Interdisciplinary marine research is pivotal for addressing ocean sustainability challenges but may exclude diverse socio-economic, cultural, or identity groups. Drawing on perspectives of marine Early Career Researchers, we highlight the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in advancing interdisciplinary marine science and present ten recommendations to enhance DEI. As our ocean faces increasing threats, fostering DEI within this domain is not merely an aspirational goal but an ethical imperative.

In this study, we investigate the stability and asymptotic stability properties of Caputo fractional time-dependent systems with delay by employing vector Lyapunov functions. Utilizing the Caputo fractional Dini derivative on Lyapunov-like functions, along with a new comparison theorem and differential inequalities, we derive and prove sufficient conditions for the stability and asymptotic stability of these complex systems. An example is included to showcase the method's practicality and to specifically illustrate its advantages over scalar Lyapunov functions. Our results improves, extends, and generalizes several existing findings in the literature.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is one of the pharmacological drugs employed to reduce haemorrhage during total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR), but there is yet to be consensus on the doses and timing of administration during surgery. AIM: This is to assess the effectiveness of 1 g intravenous (IV) TXA compared to placebo for reducing blood loss in THR and TKR. Patients, Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomised double-blind study conducted in our regional hospital between January 2016 and June 2017. THR and TKR patients were randomly allocated to placebo and TXA groups. Intraoperative blood loss (IBL), postoperative blood loss (PBL), total blood loss (TBL), haemoglobin (Hb) drop, duration of surgery, and transfusion rates were outcomes compared between the two groups. Results: The administration of 1000 mg (15 mg/kg) TXA significantly reduces IBL, PBL, and TBL by 30%, 31%, and 25.8%, respectively, when compared to placebo in patients who had THR. The mean IBL (187.7 ± 46.2 mL), PBL (334.4 ± 85.9 mL), and TBL (574.3 ± 102.1 mL) in the TXA group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (344.3 ± 89.0 mL, 628.0 ± 197.4 mL, and 946.5 ± 152.3 mL) (P < 001), respectively, in TKR patients. There was a significant reduction in Hb drop in the TXA group when compared to the placebo group in both THR and TKR patients. The number of THR and TKR patients who received blood transfusions was significantly lower in the TXA group. Mean surgical time in the TXA group was reduced by 0.3 h during THR. However, there was no significant difference in the surgical time between TXA and placebo groups in TKR (P = 0.970). Conclusion: One gram of IV TXA is effective in reducing perioperative bleeding, Hb loss, and the need for blood transfusion requirements in THR and TKR.

Abstract Background Sexual violence among higher education students is a global public health problem. Identifying the characteristics of students who report victimization can serve as basis for programmes that target vulnerable students. Methods The study was conducted among 30,114 Nigerian higher education students. They were selected from 18 institutions comprising universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The purpose of the study was to assess the characteristics of students who reported sexual violence (rape, attempted rape and sexual harassment) and to determine the association between reporting and their characteristics. Results Our findings showed that 37% of the students reported experiencing sexual violence. Regression analysis showed that the odds of reporting among female students were two times greater than that of the male students (CI = 1.58–1.78; P

Abstract The Offshore Niger Delta, Nigeria, stands as a dynamic geological marvel, known for its intricate processes and extensive hydrocarbon reservoirs. This study employed an integrated approach, utilizing 3D seismic data and well logs, to conduct a thorough analysis of sequence stratigraphy and reservoir characterization in the pursuit of optimizing hydrocarbon exploration in the region. The study focused on the NW–SE trending Miocene depocenters, which predominantly comprises alternating sandstone and thick shale layers within the Agbada Formation. These reservoir units showcased stacked shallow marine fluvial–deltaic sediments, separated by significant marine shale units. Within the study area, two hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs were identified and named: R1 and R2. Petrophysical analysis identified R2 as the most promising reservoir, with a permeability of 1184 × 10− 3 µm2, 85% hydrocarbon saturation, porosity of 0.30, and effective porosity of 0.27. Fault structural analysis uncovered that hydrocarbons are trapped within a network of growth faults within the wave-dominated Niger Delta depositional system. From the sequence stratigraphic interpretation, four depositional sequences were delineated between the depths of 2030–3417 m, and are bounded by five sequence boundaries. Integrated seismic facies analysis revealed high-energy feeder systems likely supplying sediments from river sources to offshore locations. These integrated findings provide essential insights to inform resource management, exploration strategies, understanding of reservoir distribution, and structural intricacies within the complex offshore Niger Delta, Nigeria, providing valuable information. The depositional environment helped in the understanding of the stratigraphic traps which are prospects in the study area. This together with the associated reservoir quality allowed accurate prediction for potential reservoir facies and will further improve the field development plans.

Abstract Background Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) aims to improve antibiotic use while reducing resistance and its consequences. There is a paucity of data on the availability of AMS programmes in southern Nigeria. Further, there is no data on Nigerian healthcare professionals’ knowledge of the WHO ‘Access, Watch and Reserve’ (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics. This study sought to assess knowledge of AMS and the AWaRe classification of antibiotics among frontline healthcare professionals in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey of 417 healthcare professionals, comprising medical doctors, pharmacists and nurses, across 17 public hospitals in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A paper-based self-completion questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants during working hours between September and November 2023. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25.0, with p

Résumé : le traitement et la diffusion de l’information n’est plus l’apanage des professionnels de l’information que sont les journalistes et assimilés. Certains individus, grâce à internet, arrivent à jouer ce rôle et sont de plus en plus plébiscités et cherchent ainsi à imposer leur lecture de l’actualité dans l’opinion publique. Ces personnes, qui sont communément appelés des cyberactivistes, travaillent selon un agenda qui leur est propre. Pour cette recherche, notre objectif est de montrer que ces cyberactivistes cherchent à imposer leur agenda à la population en orientant la compréhension des sujets d’actualité qu’ils traitent. Pour y parvenir, cette recherche s’appuiera sur un corps de sujets d’actualité issu des réseaux sociaux numériques qui permettra de voir qu’en dehors des informations que ces individus commentent ou analysent, ils se présentent aussi comme des pourvoyeurs d’information. Ce qui leur permet de déconstruire les sujets ou hommes politiques qu’ils ne cautionnent pas, tout en encensant ceux qui ont leur assentiment. Mots clés : cyberactivistes, réseaux sociaux numériques, Côte d’Ivoire, internet,

Frontline workers who offered essential services in different industries during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic faced enormous challenges. This study presents the outcome of a survey that investigates employees' sentiments, perceptions, and ergonomics in early childhood education while weathering the pandemic storms during in-person opening amidst the global health crisis. The results show that employees faced increased workload, psychological burden, and heightened uncertainty about health and social life as the pandemic raged. The teaching and non-teaching staff attributed the increased workload to additional paperwork requirements and worker shortages due to quarantine and self-isolation. Public health safety became a priority at the preschool to keep the students, staff, and their families safe. Despite the uncertain future, employees were resolute about career choices in early childhood education. The 'family advocacy' services, a unit that liaises with families to improve kids' learning outcomes, utilized virtual communication technology during the pandemic (e.g. Zoom and Microsoft Teams) to limit physical contact, which produced positive results, including significant improvement in productivity, performance efficiency, and quality. Most workers remained hopeful about overcoming the prevailing workplace challenges caused by the pandemic.

Reproductive interconception care provided at maternal postpartum visits may help reduce unintended pregnancies and elongate birth intervals for women experiencing homelessness. To improve interconception care uptake, this qualitative study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to reproductive interconception care from the perspectives of women who were recently pregnant and homeless. A semi-structured interview guide and demographic survey were developed based on epidemiological findings, Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skill framework components, and a review by community health workers for content validity. After conducting 12 interviews with women recently pregnant and homeless in a local continuum of care in 2022, audio-recorded interviews were transcribed, iteratively coded using a priori and emerging codes, and thematically analyzed. Key themes were identified to determine implications and next steps to improving reproductive interconception care uptake. Interrelated themes focused on information (e.g., knowledge and misconceptions about pregnancy, birth intervals, contraception), motivation (e.g., attitudes about interconception care experiences, perinatal social influences), behavioral skills (e.g., objective ability to obtain interconception care and perceived self-efficacy related to attending maternal postpartum visits and increasing birth intervals), and macro-level factors (e.g., obtaining housing, contextualizing socioeconomic factors, navigating COVID-19). The findings suggest the need for flexible, streamlined, and personalized interconception care delivery that acknowledges pressing housing and relationship considerations and supports women's autonomy. Improvements to reproductive interconception care may reduce future unintended pregnancies, increase birth intervals, and improve birth outcomes among women experiencing homelessness.

Introduction: Alcohol consumption is widespread, contributing to approximately 3 million deaths worldwide. This study aimed to assess haematological indices among alcohol consumers compared to non-consumers in the University of Calabar Community, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This case-control study enrolled 100 subjects (50 alcohol consumers and 50 non-consumers) from the University of Calabar community. Blood samples were collected aseptically for Full Blood Count and Thrombin Time analysis. Rigorous study design, meticulous data collection, and thorough analysis ensured the reliability of our findings. Results: The mean corpuscular volume (MCV)(76.21±7.35 fl), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH)(25.31±3.26 pg), Platelet (PLT)(154.38±54.89 x 109) and Platelet Crit (PCT)(0.14±0.04%) of alcohol consumers were significantly lower than that of the controls respectively (79.36±5.76 fl, 26.47± 2.15 pg, 187.22± 58.34 x 109and 0.17±0.04%)(p0.05) between the two groups of subjects studied. A significant negative correlation (r=0.801, p=0.001) was observed between Thrombin time and Plateletcrit in the test subjects. In contrast, a significant positive correlation (r=0.698, p=0.001) was observed between Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration and Haemoglobin in alcohol consumption. A significant negative correlation (r=0.973, p=0.001) was observed between lymphocytes and granulocytes in percentage in the test subjects. These significant findings provide valuable insights into the haematological variations associated with alcohol consumption. Conclusion: These significant differences observed in this study underscore the impact of alcohol consumption on haematological indices. The study concluded that derangements in some hematological parameters occur in alcoholics, which can affect their quality of life.

This study evaluates a solar PV-powered evaporative cooling system for vegetable cooling. The system features dual cooling chambers with two different biomass pads, operating at different temperatures. To assess its potential, the research examines the evolution of temperature and humidity of the cooling chamber, evaporative effectiveness, cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), energy metrics, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall cost. The results show that the system achieved a temperature depression range of 0.22 to 5.2 °C and 0.57 to 10.94 °C for wood shavings and polyurethane foam, respectively, under no-load conditions, while the values were 0.79 to 4.7 °C and 1.22 to 9.88 °C, with average values of 3.09 and 7.0 °C, for the same materials under loaded conditions. Loaded conditions also yielded a cooling capacity of 5.7 to 33.93 W for wood shavings and 8.13 to 75.55 W for polyurethane foam. The cooling efficiency ranged from 19.9 to 96.42% for polyurethane foam and 3.62 to 60% for wood shavings. The system’s COP was higher than that of solar-powered mechanical chillers, ranging from 2.37 to 22.92. The energy production factor was 2.3 to 2.4, with a lifecycle conversion efficiency of 0.5 and an energy payback time of 1.1 and 2.2 years for using polyurethane foam and wood shavings, respectively. The net present value was positive, and the levelized cost of energy was low, at 36.7 to 38.3 NGN/kWh (0.043–0.045 USD/kWh), making it a viable alternative to grid-based energy systems in Nigeria. Additionally, the system offers significant CO2 mitigation potential, with estimated carbon credits of NGN 65,059 (USD 71.56) and NGN 98,576.49 (USD 108.43) over its lifetime.

Abstract Combination antiretroviral therapies (cARTs) are linked with multiple-organ system (MOS) toxicities in laboratory animals, and in humans undertaking treatment for HIV/AIDS. The ameliorative potential of low-dose quercetin following cART-associated MOS-toxicities in cardio-hepato-renal organs was evaluated in in vivo model. Oral administration of cART (Dolutegravir 50 mg, Lamivudine 300 mg and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg [DLT]) at 9.29 mg/kg, was challenged against low-dose quercetin 25 mg/kg body weight (bw) in Wistar rats. Group 1, the normal control (NC) received distilled water (5 mL), while groups 2 to 4 received quercetin (25 mg), DLT (9.29 mg), and DLT + quercetin (9.29 mg + 25 mg respectively), per kg bw. All administrations lasted for 14 days, and thereafter animals were humanely sacrificed after intraperitoneal anesthesia injection with 100 mg ketamine /5 mg xylazine per kg bw followed by cervical dislocation. Blood and organs were harvested for analyses using standard protocols. The serum concentrations of lipid parameters [total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-cholesterol], liver biomarkers (total-bilirubin, direct-bilirubin, and transaminases], and kidney biomarkers [urea and creatinine] were significantly increased (p