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English Language and its structural patterns share both similar and different features when contrasted with other languages. In this paper, the syntactic patterns of modification of the Noun Phrase (NP), a term rooted in Chomsky’s grammatical category, are examined in English and Idọma languages. The aim is to highlight potential implications for the Idọma learners of English language as a second language. Using Government and Binding theory for data analysis, the study draws insights from Contrastive Analysis. To provide data for analysis, two episodes of Okonone, a radio programme presented in Idọma and aired on Joy FM, are recorded and transcribed. Findings reveal that both languages have predicative adjectives and they function as subject and object complements. Adjectives can also occur after the indefinite pronouns in both English and Idọma sentence structures. Unlike in English language, adjectives are observed to predominantly occur post-nominally in Idọma Syntax. Similarly, while nouns can be used as adjectives in the English sentence structure, Idọma language does not provide for such a usage. To compare adjectives in English, standard morphological processes allow users to generate single words. Since Idọma speakers rely heavily on post-nominal modification, comparison is often embedded within the adjectival structure using two or three words. The study concludes that these similarities aid smooth learning of the English language while the dissimilarities impede the proficiency of Idọma learners of the English language.

Heart disease disproportionately impacts African American women and disparities can stem from risk factors related to limited risk factor knowledge and socioeconomic resources. Social support mitigates heart disease risk in this population. The study aimed to examine how perceived social support impacts heart disease risk factor knowledge among African American women and whether demographic characteristics moderate a relationship between perceived social support and heart disease knowledge. This was a quantitative study with purposeful, snowball sampling representative of African American women aged 30-55 in Texas (n = 121) who completed an online survey on heart disease knowledge and perceived social support. Approximately half the participants displayed heart disease knowledge deficiencies. Multiple regression analysis revealed that when demographic variables were controlled, age (standardized β= .28, p = .002) and income (standardized β= .19, p = .037) were the only predictor variables indicating that social support impacts heart disease knowledge, with nonsignificant differences in the regression model (standardized β = -.023, p = .80). Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that age (F change = 1.056, R square change = .008, and p = .306), education (F (3, 115) = .583, p = .627), family history (F (2, 116) = 1.51, p = .225), and income (F change = 1.006, R2 change = .008, and p = .318) as individual predictors yielded nonsignificant differences in the overall predictive model, indicating demographic variables did not moderate a relationship between social support and heart disease knowledge. Social support is critical to decision-making and lifestyle modifications, which can protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease in African American women. Further understanding of the connection between perceived social support and heart disease knowledge through public health education programs can be instrumental in reducing heart disease disparities among African American women.

AbstractNigeria has a large deposit of clay which is the major raw material for the fabrication of porcelain insulators for high voltage applications. However, the country depends largely on imported porcelain insulators to meet its high voltage needs even in the face of the worsening exchange rate of the Nigerian currency compared to the US dollar and other foreign currencies. As a result, it becomes necessary to sort for local means of fabricating high voltage pin insulators from locally available raw materials. In this study, clay sourced from three different geographical locations (Auchi, Ikorodu, and Ota) are used to fabricate three samples of high voltage insulators. The fourth sample of insulator is also fabricated from the Ota clay with Plaster of Paris (POP) as an additive to enhance workability. The physical and electrical properties of the insulator samples are investigated and compared with imported porcelain insulators. The results show that the insulator fabricated using the clay from Auchi has the highest breakdown voltage of 5 kV and lowest leakage current of 2 mA and thus can be adopted for low-tension insulation instead of the high-tension insulation speculated from the onset of the research.

Introduction According to the World Health Organization, Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death, responsible for approximately 11% of total deaths worldwide (1). In Nigeria, stroke accounts for 4% ‐ 17% of medical deaths (2).Effective stroke management is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Few trained neurologists in Nigeria who are mostly concentrated in the cities, making non‐specialists the backbone of initial acute stroke assessment and management in Nigeria. Physician‐related factors have been identified as one of the factors leading to suboptimal stroke care. There is limited literature analysing the proficiency of non‐specialists in the optimal management of stroke in Nigeria. This study was vital for the evaluation of the knowledge of acute stroke care among medical doctors and the factors responsible for the disparity in their skills. Methods A descriptive cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 404 medical doctors across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria using the Acute Stroke Management Questionnaire (ASMaQ). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and simple logistic regression to predict the relationship between independent variables and the outcome variable (good knowledge vs poor knowledge). Results 39.1 % of respondents encounter stroke patients a few times a month, 52% work without a neurologist ,and 88.4% work in hospitals without stroke units. 67% (95% CI =63% – 72%) of respondents had good overall knowledge of stroke management. General Stroke Knowledge (GSK) domain had the largest percentage of good knowledge (88.6%, 95% CI= 85‐92%), followed by Hyperacute Stroke Management (HSM), (52.5%, 95% CI=47.3% – 57.7%) and Advanced Stroke Management (ASM), (49.5%, 95%CI= 49.5% –54.4%).Most participants (>85%) demonstrated good knowledge of stroke signs and symptoms. Only 21.8% and 4.2% of respondents work in facilities equipped with intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy respectively. 92% erroneously believe that a full neurological examination is essential in acute stroke while 33.4% demonstrated poor knowledge of blood pressure control in patients with acute stroke .Working in Primary Healthcare Centre (PHCs) and Government Hospital was a significant predictor of overall poor knowledge of stroke. Compared to Private Hospitals, working in Government Hospitals had 1.98 times the odds of poor knowledge (P = 0.011) and medical doctors in Primary Healthcare Practice had 2.29 times the odds of poor knowledge than those in Tertiary Hospitals (P = 0.045). Conclusion Despite the fact that the majority demonstrated good knowledge of stroke management, there is a significant knowledge deficit in the ASM domain. This study highlights the need for regular retraining and professional development of medical doctors in acute stroke management in Nigeria. There is an urgent need to address the critical shortage of neurologists in the country and improve access to thrombolysis care in order to reduce the burden of stroke related‐morbidity and mortality.

Malaria is a dilemma among inhabitants of the lowland and scarcely among those of the highland in Nigeria. The infection in the lowland and the highland was determined as well as a relationship between the infection and the environmental and climatic factors in Taraba State, Nigeria. The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Plasmodium species. The statistical tests were at probability p ≤ 0.05. Plasmodium falciparum infection was significantly higher in the lowland,106 (72.6 %) than in the highland, 58 (38.6 %) (χ² = 40.350; p = 0.000). Males and females on the lowland had significant infection, 49 (80.3 %) (χ²= 21.921; p = 0.000) and 57 (67.1 %) (χ²= 14.329; p = 0.000) respectively. In the lowland, the age groups, 6–15 years and 16–50 years respectively had higher infection with 60 (75.9 %) (χ²= 14.329; p = 0.000) and 31(67.4 %) (χ²= 10.580; p = 0.001). Households with two (2) and five (5) individuals in the lowland significantly had infection of 31(64.6 %)(χ² = 8.861; p = 0.003) and 53(85.5 %)(χ² = 33.034; p = 0.000) respectively. In the lowland, males with the low hemoglobin (< 11.5 g/dL) significantly had 16 (22.5 %)(χ² = 12.933; p = 0.051), while females on the highland with low hemoglobin significantly had malaria infection of 48 (47.0 %) (χ²= 14.421; p = 0.022). The low altitude, rainfall and temperature significantly had spatial autocorrelation predictive models for malaria infection with respective Odd Ratios (OR) of 3.521 (%95CI: 2.045 - 6.092; p = 0.000), 7.986 (%95CI: 4.489 - 14.209; p = 0.000) and 4.402 (%95CI: 2.687 - 7.212; p = 0.000). The males, females, age groups between 6 and 15 years as well as 16–50 years significantly had higher infection in the lowland. The low altitude, high temperature and rainfall significantly predicted malaria infection in the lowland. The appropriate distribution of long-lasting treated nets as well as the use of geographic information systems are recommended respectively to prevent and predict malaria infection in other areas.

The study examined the challenges hindering implementation of the universal basic educational (UBE) policy in Nigeria. The study is a descriptive survey research. The population of the study comprised all the two hundred and twenty one principals in Ebonyi state public junior secondary schools. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 100 principals for the study. Instrument used for data collection is a researcher-structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by three expects. Two from Educational Administration and Planning and one from Educational Measurement and Evaluation options Department of Educational Foundations and Science Education respectively in the Faculty of Education University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The reliability of the instrument was determined using split-half test method and computed with Cronbach Alpha which yields a coefficient of 0.82. The data collected were analyzed using means scores and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that politics; inadequate funds, poor planning and bureaucratic red-tape syndrome constitute challenges to the implementation of UBE policy in Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended that successive government should consolidate on the existing policy plans for sustainability as well as strengthen the (PRS) units of both universal basic education board (UBEB) and ministry of education (MOE).

Water- and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in relation to socio-demographic status and risk factors of internally displaced persons in Jalingo Local Government Area (LGA) were determined. The nutritional status was also studied among infected individuals. Urine filtration and Kato-Katz techniques were used to examine urine and faecal samples, respectively. Urogenital schistosomiasis infection was found at a moderate level of 52 (17.6%), whereas ascariasis and hookworm infection were 48 (16.3%) and 8 (2.7%), respectively. Participants in Jauro Gbadi camp as well as the age group (41–50) years significantly had the highest infection with hookworm, 8 (8.2%) (χ2 = 16.70; p = 0.000) and 2 (11.7%)(χ2 = 17.59, p = 0.003), respectively. Farmers were significantly infected with urogenital schistosomiasis (20.1%) (χ2 = 14.03; p = 0.043). Fishing in rivers exposed individuals to urogenital schistosomiasis with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 8.60 (95% CI: 0.86–85.52; p = 0.046). The lack of hygienic measures exposed individuals who ‘don't wash their hands before eating’ to soil-transmitted helminthiasis with an aOR = 4.13 (95% CI: 0.77–21.99; p = 0.045). In sanitation, individuals who ‘don't use pit latrines and do use the bush for defaecating’ were exposed to soil-transmitted helminthiasis with an aOR = 2.14 (95% CI: 1.30–3.52; p = 0.002). Farmers were infected with urogenital schistosomiasis. Participants in the Jauro Gbadi camp and individuals within the age group (41–50) years had high hookworm infection. Use of river water, inappropriate hygiene, and sanitation exposed individuals to infection. HIGHLIGHTS A first investigative study of urogenital schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among internally displaced persons using river and pond water in Jalingo Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria.; Fishing and bathing activities in rivers exposed internally displaced persons to urogenital schistosomiasis.; Unwashed hands before eating, and after defaecation as well as defaecating in the open exposed internally displaced persons to soil-transmitted helminthiasis.;

Electricity is vital to the economic growth any nation, as access to it, is key in achieving economic development. However, a stable electricity supply is lacking in the country, and with the increasing demand, it will be impossible to attain with the current infrastructure. This paper aims to carry out feasibility study of a hybrid energy system (HES) for sustainable power supply in Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina, Nigeria. The simulation results were generated using HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables) software utilizing the solar system, and wind generator resources to satisfy the residential energy requirement for the case study. The proposed HES was compared with other configurations in terms of cost and energy production. The simulation results depict that the PV/Wind/Battery system is a viable hybrid energy system with a Net Present Cost of ₦3.62M and an electricity generation of 1,423,132 kWh/yr compared to the other configurations which produce less energy at a higher Net Present Cost.

Introduction The emergence of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) as a standard of care has revolutionized the management of proximal large vessel occlusions (LVOs) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Endovascular therapy has already been shown to provide better long‐term outcomes when compared to standard treatment alone. However, despite the significant advances and benefits associated with MT in the treatment of proximal LVOs in developed countries, Africa continues to lag in the use and adaptability of the “gold standard” for proximal LVO stroke treatment. With the prevalence of stroke in Africa approaching the highest rates in the world, this study seeks to highlight the problems threatening endovascular therapy in Africa. This is an important step in advocacy for more radical, effective, and evidence‐based management of patients with proximal LVOs in Africa. Methods For this narrative review, PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search for literature on mechanical thrombectomy and endovascular treatment of LVOs in Africa. Selection criteria were manuscripts published in the last 10 years, written in English language, and addressed challenges with MT. Results 42 papers from 21 African nations were found and reviewed. The major challenges and impediments to MT in Africa were, a lack of government policy on stroke care, a suboptimal health care financing model that makes endovascular treatment nearly impossible to afford, delay in presenting to the hospital after stroke onset coupled with very few emergency services with some countries having none, lack of specialized training, as well as, scarcity of neuroradiological infrastructure. Conclusions Despite these challenges, there is still hope for Africa. With its four domains (surveillance, prevention, acute treatment, and rehabilitation), the stroke quadrangle, adapted by many countries allows for focused initiatives aimed at successfully lowering the burden of stroke in Africa at the community level through prevention and education. There is still an urgent need for increased global support to address these challenges in Africa, even as programs like the MT2020+ by the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) have given Africa hope for the future of endovascular therapy by fostering collaboration, training, and policy development.

Lithium–ion batteries (LIBs) are used in many personal electronic devices (PED) and energy-demanding applications such as electric vehicles. After their first use, rather than dispose of them for recycling, some may still have reasonable capacity and can be used in secondary applications. The current test methods to assess them are either slow, complex or expensive. The voltage integral during the constant current (CC) charge of the same model of LIBs strongly correlates with the state of health (SOH) and is faster than a full capacity check. Compared to the filtering requirement in the incremental capacity (IC) and differential voltage (DV) or the complex analysis in the electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS), the voltage integral offers a simple integration method, just like the simple capacity Coulomb’s counter that is installed in many BMS for estimating the SOC of LIBs. By obtaining the voltage integral of a relatively new cell and an old cell of the same model with known SOH at a given ambient temperature and CC charge, the SOH of other similar cells can be easily estimated by finding their voltage integrals.

Introduction: Most studies lump Black immigrants (BIs) and African Americans (AAs) as "Black/African American" during investigation. Such categorization assumes that the sociocultural determinants that influence BIs are the same as for AAs. This study attempts to disentangle the AA and BI subgroups to recognize the differences in cancer-related psychosocial characteristics and health behaviors. Methods: Merged data from the Health Information National Survey (2011-2017) were used. Two groups were created: those who identified as AA and those who identified as AA but were born outside the United States (BI). Between-group differences were assessed with Mann-Whitney "U" and chi-square tests. Results: Positive communication patterns with health care providers were significantly higher among AAs (M [mean] = 3.41, SD [standard deviation] = 0.68) compared with BIs (M = 3.28, SD = 0.71) (p = 0.004). A greater proportion of BIs indicated that their health was excellent (14.2%), compared with AAs (7.9%). AAs reported higher cancer family history (75.1%) than BIs (46.5%). More AAs had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime (41.5%) than BIs (16.7%). BIs consumed significantly more fruits each day (M = 2.77, SD = 1.43) than AAs (M = 2.40, SD = 1.44) (p < 0.001). BIs also reported more physical activity (M = 2.62, SD = 2.15) than AAs (M = 2.37, SD = 2.18) (p = 0.030). AA women were more likely to have had a pap smear test (M = 2.07, SD = 1.44) compared with BI women (M = 1.73, SD = 1.21) (p = 0.002). Discussion: Evidence suggests the need to disentangle the "Black/African American" ethnic grouping. Lumping the BI populations together with the AAs, who have been in the United States for generations, may limit the ability to uncover and consequently address culturally driven disease prevention efforts and promote understanding of the biological, environmental, and psychosocial risk factors within Black heterogeneous populations.

The study investigated the infection level and behavioural factors exposing rural inhabitants to urogenital schistosomiasis in Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. Filtration technique determined Schistosoma haematobium eggs from urine samples. Questionnaires collected socio-demographic characteristics and ponds/rivers/streams’ behavioural attitudes of participants. An infection of 41.1% was found. Sufa significantly had the highest infection (62.5%) (χ2 = 32.34, p = 0.001) as well as the age groups 1–10 years (47.2%) and 11–20 years (49.6%) (χ2 = 33.83, p = 0.001). Participants with non-formal education and farmers, respectively, had higher infection (45.7%) (χ2 = 12.08, p = 0.001) and (48.5%) (χ2 = 5.42, p = 0.020). Inhabitants who played in ponds/rivers/streams during dry season as well as those with non-formal education and farmers were more predisposed to infection with respective crude odds ratio (cOR) of 0.92 (%95CI: 0.81–1.50; p = 0.043), 0.55 (%95CI: 0.38–0.77; p = 0.001) and 0.80 (%95CI: 0.33–1.41; p = 0.002). Inhabitants were infected according to their wards as well as their age groups, education level, occupation level and behavioural activities. The federal and state governments should embark on public health education and control of the disease. HIGHLIGHTS First epidemiological study in Takum Local Government reporting the vulnerabilty of rural inhabitants to river and pond water sources.; Water activities like farming of rice, playing and washing in ponds/streams/rivers exposed inhabitants to urogenital schistosomiasis.; Deterioration of bore-holes and absence of pipe-borne potable water motivated and mandated rural inhabitants to riverine and pond activities.;

Schistosomiasis is a blood fluke parasitic illness affecting human lives in rural endemic areas. This study evaluated the performance of Schistosoma ICT Ig G - IgM for screening urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria.

La esquistosomiasis es una enfermedad parasitaria causada por gusanos del género esquistosomazonas que afecta a humanos en zonas rurales donde el parásito es endémico. En este estudio se evalúa el rendimiento diagnóstico del test rápido Schistosoma ICT IgG-IgM para la detección de la esquitosomiasis urinaria en Nigeria.

With the high rate of economic development, there is an increasing load demand even in rural communities and Obayantor in Nigeria. Obayantor, having zero connection to the primary grid, needs electricity. Following the community located in a tropical rejoin of Nigeria, it has enough solar energy sources. With the high price of diesel fuel, solar microgrid seems to be the best energy solution for the rural community. In this study, technical and economic analysis was carried out on the solar-based microgrid and compared with a diesel-only microgrid using MATLAB Software tool. The results show that the solar microgrid is more cost-effective and has a cheaper COE, affordable for the rural community compared with the diesel microgrid, which is more expensive to afford. The Annual system cost for the solar microgrid was lower compared with the diesel source. The result also revealed that the diesel-alone microgrid system is 4.71 times and 0.2 times more costly than the solar-based microgrid system in terms of the cost of energy and ASC, respectively. Thereby making the diesel microgrid not having technical and economic feasibility for the community.

One way to solve the shortage in power supply and the rapid load growth is by operating power systems that could improve power supply reliability. The study aims to carry out a holistic evaluation by identifying the several reliability variables that could influence the micro-grid power system's reliability which is vital in electricity generation. Thirty-three reliability variable factors that are commonly observed to influence power systems reliability were chosen for the micro-grid power systems study and examined using the principal component analysis (PCA). The system reliability key variables were evaluated using the StatistiXL software. A structured questionnaire was crafted considering thirty-three reliability variables, harvested from literature, and administered to respondents in the micro-grid power system industry. The respondent size was determined at a level of confidence of 95% and an error margin of 5% was deployed to corroborate an adequate population size representation which validated the study data. StatistiXL software was deployed to analyze the (mxn) data matrix, collated from the respondents' scores. The matrix was used as the input variable for the model deployed for the factor analysis. Nine factors with eigenvalues (λ>1) were mined and labeled for the analysis, but all the trivial variables were discarded. The PCA result holistically pinpointed the key reliability variables that influence the micro-grid reliability, revealing that system availability represented by factor 1 (F1) loaded 24% of the total variables studied, with reliability cluster including Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) = - 0.844, Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) = - 0.737, Demand Response (DR) technique = 0.752, Failure Rate = 0.647 among others. The failure rate and the frequency of outages in F1, were an indication that system availability would be influenced, thereby affecting the micro-grid performance. The study also extracted some weak factor loading, F8 and F9 indicting them as reliability variables whose influences do not impact negatively on the micro-grid reliability but should not be discarded in the study of the reliability of micro-grid power systems. Hence an attempt to improve the system's reliability, concentrating on the key variables factors, the weak variables should not be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of praziquantel in reducing urinary schistosomiasis prevalence, parasite burden and morbidity rates among a previously reported sample of Schistosoma haematobium-infected children. In addition, predisposing factors for reinfection one year post-treatment were also determined. Methods: This prospective follow-up study was conducted between March 2014 and February 2015 among 675 previously reported children with urinary schistosomiasis in the Murbai and Surbai communities of Ardo Kola, Taraba State, Nigeria. A single dose of 40 mg/kg of praziquantel was administered to each infected child, with a second dose administered one month later if necessary. The number of S. haematobium eggs in urine samples was calculated at baseline and post-treatment. Results: At four weeks post-treatment, the overall cure rate was 98.1%. Among children with low and heavy parasite burdens at baseline, egg reduction rates (ERRs) were 100% and 96.5%, respectively. The vast majority of children with microhaematuria (98.7%) and proteinuria (98.6%) at baseline were cured at follow-up. Following a second dose, the ERR, overall and morbidity cure rates increased to 100%. At one year post-treatment, 272 infected children (40.3%) were re-assessed; of these, 51 children (18.8%) were reinfected. Close proximity to bodies of water (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.998–1.530; P = 0.05) and fishing (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 0.828–6.040; P = 0.01) were significant factors that predisposed children to reinfection. Conclusion: A moderate rate of reinfection was noted. Governmental and nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria should collaborate on mass treatment and health education campaigns to reduce the incidence of urinary schistosomiasis reinfections. Keywords: Urinary Schistosomiasis; Praziquantel; Treatment Outcome; Follow-Up Study; Nigeria.

Frequent burning of three-phase induction motors windings has been reported. The initial symptoms observed before the burning of the windings were an increase in operating current and a temperature rise. The induction motor protection and control system was designed, developed, and constructed to reduce the problem of burnt winding by early detection and disconnection of supply if the problem persists. It was found to be efficient, reliable, durable, and rugged. The system is a boost to Nigerian industrialists as it will reduce cases of burning of induction motors and the consequent downtime and cost. The system is cheap and easy to repair and maintain because the parts and components used in the design are available locally.

Background: Information seeking is crucial in the health behavior context. Cancer information seeking may play a key role in individuals' perceptions and subsequent health behaviors. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of cancer information seeking on perceptions of cancer worry, fatalism and risk. Methods: Data from the 2014 U.S. Health Information and National Trends Survey were used. Fatality index, lifetime risk perceptions, and cancer worry were dependent variables. Each model included cancer information seeking as the independent variable, controlling for the demographic variables (age, gender, education, income, ethnicity, and marital status), body mass index (BMI), and cancer family history. Results: A majority were females (59.76%; n = 1856). The mean age was 53 and most participants were white (52.19%). A majority had a bachelor's degree or higher (40.11%), and 40.2% were actively seeking information on cancer. Results show that information seeking was a significant predictor of lifetime risk perceptions (ß = 0.079, R[superscript 2] = 0.105, P < 0.001) and cancer worry (ß = 0.129, R[superscript 2] = 0.081, P < 0.001). Discussion: Active cancer information-seekers were more likely to worry about getting cancer and perceive that they had a greater chance to get cancer. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health Educators are encouraged to pay closer attention to how cancer information is framed to ensure that information elicits health-enhancing attitudes and behaviors.

Clinical ketosis (CK) and subclinical ketosis (SCK) are associated with lower milk production, lower reproductive performance, an increased culling of cows and an increased probability of other disorders. Quantifying the costs related to ketosis will enable veterinarians and farmers to make more informed decisions regarding the prevention and treatment of the disease. The overall aim of this study was to estimate the combined costs of CK and SCK using assumptions and input variables from a typical Dutch context. A herd level dynamic stochastic simulation model was developed, simulating 385 herds with 130 cows each. In the default scenario there was a CK probability of almost 1% and a SCK probability of 11%. The herds under the no risk scenario had no CK and SCK, while the herds under the high-risk scenario had a doubled probability of CK and SCK compared to the default scenario. The results from the simulation model were used to estimate the annual cash flows of the herds, including the costs related to milk production losses, treatment, displaced abomasum, mastitis, calf management, culling and feed, as well as the returns from sales of milk and calves. The difference between the annual net cash flows of farms in the no risk scenario and the default scenario provides the estimate of the herd level costs of ketosis. Average herd level costs of ketosis (CK and SCK combined) were €3,613 per year for a default farm and €7,371 per year for a high-risk farm. The costs for a single CK case were on average €709 (with 5 and 95 percentiles of €64 and €1,196, respectively), while the costs for a single SCK case were on average €150 (with 5 and 95 percentiles of €18 and €422, respectively) for the default farms. The differences in costs between cases occurred due to differences between cases (e.g., cow culled vs cow not culled, getting another disease vs not getting another disease).

Abstract Background Due to media reports of several deaths, consumption of unrecorded alcohol (i.e., alcohol brewed at home) has emerged as a public health threat in developing countries like Kenya. Empirical data on this issue, however, is scarce. This investigation compared demographic characteristics of Kenyans who drank recorded (regulated) and unrecorded alcohol. Methods We examined all respondents who consumed alcohol in the past month (N = 718) on the 2015 nationally representative Kenya STEPwise survey. Descriptive statistics and bivariate logistic regression examined proportion of respondents consuming unrecorded alcohol, and social demographic factors associated with unrecorded alcohol consumption, respectively. Results The sample was primarily male (86%), married (64%), middle class or higher (64%), with an average age of 37 years. Participants reported an average of 2.5 drinking events and 4.3 binge-drinking occasions per month. Overall, 37% of our sample consumed unrecorded alcohol. Compared to those with incomplete primary education or lower, individuals who completed primary education or above were less likely to report consuming unrecorded alcohol (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.12–0.43). Compared to poorest and poor respondents, those identifying as middle class or above were less likely to consume unrecorded alcohol (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29–.78). Current smokers (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.34–3.60) and those with higher binge drinking occasions in the past month (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.004–1.07) were significantly more likely to consume unrecorded alcohol. Conclusion Kenyan adults who consume unrecorded alcohol engage in more binge drinking occasions, smoke, and have lower levels of education and socioeconomic status. It is vital that health promotion interventions aimed at reducing unrecorded alcohol consumption be tailored and targeted to individuals with low socio-economic status in Kenya.

Background: Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents has dramatically increased in the past decade and has resulted in higher rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among adolescents. Purpose: To examine whether there are gender differences in T2DM risk perception, attitude toward T2DM protective behaviors, physical activity, and meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable daily intake among adolescents at risk for T2DM. Methods: Overweight and obese students were included in this study (n = 319). Linear regression analyses were used for all models. Analyses were carried out using SPSS (Ver 20.0). Gender differences in the regression models were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. Results: Females showed significantly higher positive attitudes toward eating healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables (B = 9.089, ß = 0.337, P = 0.000). Females were more likely to consume more cups of fruit and vegetables than males (B = 1.650, ß = 0.118, P = 0.036) and more likely to use calorie information when ordering/buying food compared to males (B = 0.765, ß = 0.245, P = 0.000). However, males were more likely to engage in moderate physical activity (PA; B = -22.076, ß = -0.110, P = 0.050) and vigorous PA (B = -45.145, ß = -0.235, P = 0.000) compared to females). Conclusion: To effectively develop health promotion initiatives for students/adolescents, it is important to examine gender differences and factors that influence them. Translation to Health Education Practice: Findings from this study suggest the need for Health Education Specialists to consider gender variations when developing and evaluating T2DM prevention health programs for youth.

Three phase induction motors (TPIM) are extensively used for various applications in the industry for driving cranes, hoists, lifts, rolling mills, cooling fans, textile operations, and so forth. TPIM are designed to operate on balanced three phase power supply, but sometimes three phase supply line voltages to which the TPIM is connected may be unbalanced. In this data article, the operational data of a TPIM operating under changing voltage scenarios is profiled to determine the variations in the magnitude of the operational parameters of the motor. The magnitude of each of the line voltages was separately varied from the balanced state (0% unbalance) until 5% voltage unbalance condition was achieved, in line with the recommendations and guidelines of the National Electrical Manufactures Association. The motor parameters; both mechanical and electrical, at various slip values were collected in six sets for the 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% unbalance voltage conditions. Frequency distributions and statistical analysis were carried out to identify the data pattern and data variation trends among the parameters in the dataset. Keywords: Motor performance characteristics, Power quality, Three phase induction motor, Positive and negative sequence component, Voltage unbalance

Background: Approximately 1580 people die from cancer each day. Family history is highlighted as an especially important indicator of cancer risk. Purpose: To determine whether having a family member with cancer influences preventive behaviors (e.g., smoking, physical activity, and screenings). Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis (regression) of the 2014 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Results: The sample was primarily married (48%) females (61.37%; n = 1614). Most participants had a family member diagnosed with cancer (64.33%; n = 1661). Family history did not significantly influence routine screening behavior (ß = 0.016, odds ratio [OR] = 1.068, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.751-1.520, P = 0.708); lifetime smoking status (ß = 0.04, OR = 1.19, 95% CI, 0.84-1.69, P = 0.312); current smoking status (ß = - 0.022, OR = 0.955, 95% CI, 0.433-2.105, P = 0.907); or physical activity behavior (ß = - 0.04, 95% CI, - 23.13 to 5.15, P = 0.207). Discussion When compared to those without a positive family history, respondents with a history of cancer did not engage in significantly different levels of protective lifestyle behaviors. Translation to Health Education Practice: Family history status is an influential factor on one's risk of disease and perhaps should be emphasized and incorporate into health education interventions.

Objective: To determine schistosomiasis level and risk factors that exposed school-aged children to infection as well as to model schistosomiasis map in relation to altitude and rainfall in Gashaka Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. Methods: The study was conducted between January 2014 and June 2014. Urine and faecal samples were collected from 1080 school-aged children and processed using the filtration and formol–ether concentration techniques, respectively. Results: Irrespective of the schistosomes species, a point prevalence of 10.18% was reported out of the 1080 children examined. Males were significantly infected than their female counterparts (11.75% vs. 8.43%) (χ2 = 4.86; P = 0.027), as well as children aged 6–10 (11.65%, 72/618) and 11–15 years (10.29%, 35/340) than the other age groups (χ2 = 9.274; P = 0.026). No significant difference was observed in schistosomiasis between children whose parents were educated (11.11%, 57/513) and not educated (9.88%, 53/536) (χ2 = 1.342; P = 0.247) and those whose parents are farmers (9.74%, 53/544) and non-farmers (10.63%, 57/536) (χ2 = 0.787; P = 0.375). Proximity to water bodies (distance

Eruption cyst is a benign lesion associated with erupting teeth. It usually resolves without intervention but surgical intervention is indicated if it is infected, hurts or increases in size. It can cause tumour scare to the caregivers and psychological stress for the child.

Introduction: Routine screening is an integral aspect of health care. The literature says little about how health-screening behaviors might be predicted based on trust, quality of care and communication within the professional–patient relationship—things that ultimately delimit attitudes towards routine screening. Methods: This study employed data derived from the 2017 Health Information National Trends. Survey (HINTS). Bivariate relationships and two step-hierarchical multiple regression techniques were used to examine associations between routine screening behavior and sociodemographic factors, and to identify any mediating role in such associations played by one or more health-care factors. Results: Native English speakers were significantly more likely than less-fluent non-native speakers to perceive the quality of care received to be high, [p

AimA binary measurement of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been found not to influence behaviors. We aimed to examine the influence of other measures of family history such as number of relatives, genetic closeness of relatives, and severity of T2D of family members on nutrition and physical activity behaviors among college students.MethodsStudents across four colleges in Texas were sampled. Multiple linear regression models, controlling for covariates, were used to model results. Cross-sectional data were used.ResultsMore number of relatives with T2D was associated with vegetable consumption (β = 0.131, p = 0.007) and exercise (β = 0.129, p = 0.037). Having relatives with severe T2D was associated with vegetable consumption (β = 0.157, p = 0.002) and exercise (β = 106, p = 0.027). Closer genetic relationship with someone with T2D was associated with increased vegetable consumption (β = 0.107, p = 0.023) and exercise (β = 0.096, p = 0.047).ConclusionIt is likely that the severe complications that may accompany the relatives T2D or having an immediate family member living with T2D may in fact motivate other family members without T2D to modify their attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge about T2D, thus encourage health-protective behaviors.

We live in a digital age and this has changed the landscape of health information. With the changing US demographic, otherwise acute diseases morphing into chronic diseases as a result of treatment advancements, and evolving health needs of the population, there is need for increase in available and accessible health information. It is estimated that one in three US adults use the internet to diagnose or learn about a health concern. Nevertheless, a nagging question is whether the Web is reducing or creating disparities in health information availability and use for making health decisions. This study examined factors associated with heath information seeking from the internet, traditional media, and health care professionals among a diverse population of US adults. Data for the analysis was from four cycles (2011–2014) of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), a national survey of US adults. Controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES), regression analyses were conducted. STATA 13 was used for analyses. Findings indicated that there is a possibility that while the Web is an easily available source of health information, it could also create inequalities in health information accessibility. The Web should not be considered a substitute for using alternative health information sources. Doing so, might create disproportionate access to health information essential for health decisions.

Background. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence, intensity of infection, and risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis among children in Murbai and Surbai communities of Ardo-Kola Local Government Area (LGA), Taraba State, Nigeria. Methods. Urine samples were analysed by the standard filtration technique using 10 ml syringe, Swinnex polypropylene filter holder (13 mm diameter), and polycarbonate membrane filters (12 μm porosity). Sociodemographic data and water contact activities were collated from children using structured questionnaires. Results. A point prevalence of 58.54% was reported out of the urine samples examined. Males were significantly more infected than their female counterparts (71.15% versus 43.66%, χ2 = 89.12, p=0.000). The age-related prevalence showed 6–10 and 11–15 years significantly infected with 78.70% and 73.02%, respectively (χ2 = 89.12, p=0.000). Light intensity of infection, 62.51%, was significantly higher than heavy intensity, 37.48%, among the infected children (χ2 = 365.8, p=0.000). Water contact activities such as fishing (OR = 4.01, CI = 3.04–5.61, p=0.000), rice farming (OR = 4.01, CI = 2.96–5.36, p=0.000), and dry season farming (OR = 4.78, CI = 3.68–6.22, p=0.000) were the risk factors exposing children to infection in the area. Conclusion. There is an urgent need to undertake a large scale deworming control programme using praziquantel in the area.

Background: Strokes account for a large number of medical admissions and neurological admissions in Nigeria. The frequency of the different types of stroke is difficult to ascertain because clinical diagnosis is not always correct. Non-contrast cranial computed tomography (CT) scan reliably distinguishes between ischemic stroke (IS) and hemorrhagic strokes (HS) and will provide a reliable characterization of stroke types in the developing countries. Aims: To examine stroke types based on CT Imaging studies and the differences in stroke types based on age. Methodology: A retrospective study of CT register of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery was done covering a period of four and half years. Results: One hundred and six cases which met the criteria were reviewed. Seventy two (67.9%) were males and 34 (32.1%) were females, with a male female ratio of 2.1:1. The proportion of ischemic stroke (IS), Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and Subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) was 66.7%, 22.6%, 16.1% respectively. There was a relative preponderance of IS above the 8th decade and hemorrhagic stroke (ICH and SAH) in the 5th decade. Conclusion: This study confirms the high proportion of IS and the relative high proportion of ICH and SAH among Nigerian Stroke patients.

This study assessed the level of malarial infection in relation to some epidemiological factors, gravidity and pregnancy period of antenatal clinic attendees of the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. We also assessed malarial infection in placental blood in relation to gravidity of pregnant women at delivery in the maternity clinic of the same hospital. Thin and thick blood films were prepared for microscopic examination. A questionnaire was administered to each pregnant woman at the antenatal clinic to collect data on educational level, occupation, gravidity, pregnancy period, malaria preventive measures and malaria symptoms. Of the 163 pregnant women examined at the antenatal clinic, 68.3% (111/163) were infected with malaria. Pregnant women that are illiterates (χ2=15.44, P=0.100) and those that are farmers (χ2=9.20, P=0.270) had the highest infection rate with no significant difference respectively. Malarial infection was significantly higher in the multigravidae, 57.6% (34/59) (χ2=5.16, P=0.007) and non-significant in the pregnant women at their third trimester of pregnancy, 60.9% (53/89) (χ2=4.45, P=0.108). Placental malaria was significantly higher in the primigravidae among pregnant women at delivery (χ2=9.33, P=0.000). A significant difference (χ2=33.52, P=0.000) was observed between pregnant women that did not use any malaria preventive methods, 91.2% (31/34) and those that used single, 64.3% (65/101) and combined, 46.4% (13/28) methods of prevention. Malaria remains highly prevalent among antenatal clinics attendees in Makurdi, Nigeria. Combined method of prevention (insecticides treated nets and insecticide spray) yielded good results and its use is advocated in preventing malaria among the pregnant women.

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The emergence of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) as a standard of care has revolutionized the management of proximal large vessel occlusions (LVOs) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Despite the significant advances and benefits associated with MT in the treatment of proximal LVOs in developed countries, African countries continue to lag in the use and adaptability MT in treating proximal LVOs. This study seeks to highlight the problems threatening endovascular therapy in Africa. For this narrative review, PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search for literature on mechanical thrombectomy and endovascular treatment of LVOs in Africa. Selection criteria were manuscripts published in the last 10 years and addressed challenges with MT. 42 papers from 21 African nations were found and reviewed. The major challenges and impediments to MT in Africa were, a lack of government policy on stroke care, a suboptimal health care financing model that makes endovascular treatment nearly impossible to afford, delay in presenting to the hospital after stroke onset coupled with few emergency services with some countries having none, lack of specialized training, as well as, scarcity of neuroradiological infrastructure. This is an advocacy call for more radical, effective, and evidence-based management of patients with proximal LVOs in Africa. Meanwhile, concerted efforts should be aimed at the prevention of stroke in Africa through the use of guidelines such as the stroke quadrangle to tame the scourge of stroke in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine schistosomiasis level and risk factors that exposed school-aged children to infection as well as to model schistosomiasis map in relation to altitude and rainfall in Gashaka Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. Methods: The study was conducted between January 2014 and June 2014. Urine and faecal samples were collected from 1080 school-aged children and processed using the filtration and formol-ether concentration techniques, respectively. Results: Irrespective of the schistosomes species, a point prevalence of 10.18% was reported out of the 1080 children examined. Males were significantly infected than their female counterparts (11.75% vs. 8.43%) (c2 = 4.86; P = 0.027), as well as children aged 6-10 (11.65%, 72/618) and 11-15 years (10.29%, 35/340) than the other age groups (c2 = 9.274; P = 0.026). No significant difference was observed in schistosomiasis between children whose parents were educated (11.11%, 57/513) and not educated (9.88%, 53/536) (c2 = 1.342; P = 0.247) and those whose parents are farmers (9.74%, 53/544) and non-farmers (10.63%, 57/536) (c2 = 0.787; P = 0.375). Proximity to water bodies (distance < 500 m) (odds ratio = 1.809, confidence interval = 1.057-3.094; P = 0.003 1) and fishing (odds ratio = 2.632, confidence interval = 1.397-4.958; P = 0.003) were the risk factors exposing children to infection. The spatial distribution pattern of schistosomiasis showed that the infection was significantly higher in Serti A (22.2%, 26/180) and Mayo-Selbe (21.1%, 38/180) than the other localities (c2 = 92.99; P = 0.000). Conclusions: This study reported a moderate level of infection among school-aged children with proximity to water bodies and fishing as the main risk factors. The spatial distribution of schistosomiasis in the area will guide in efficient and effective control programmes at local level. It is recommended that continued efforts be made to scale-up distribution of praziquantel to high risk areas so as to curb the progression of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To determine the prevalence and intensity of infection and the risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis in pre-school and school aged children in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: Urine filtration technique using polycarbonate membrane filters was employed to process urine specimens and to determine presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine. Questionnaires were also administered to children to collect information on socio-demographic data and water-contact activities. Results: An overall prevalence of 55.0% (165/300) was recorded out of the 300 urine samples examined. Prevalence of infection varied between 36.0%-64.0% with a significant difference (χ2= 11.59, P=0.041) between the different communities visited. Males were more infected (60.6%, 103/170) than females (47.7%, 62/130) with a significant difference (χ2= 4.95, P=0.026). The age-related prevalence showed higher prevalence (70.5%, 36/52) in the 11-15 year old children than that in the 1-5 year old ones (44.9%, 53/118). A significant difference was observed in the prevalence between the age groups (χ2=10.56, P=0.014). The prevalence of light intensity of infection (1-49 eggs/10 mL of urine) (86.6%) was significantly higher than that of heavy intensity of infection (≥50 eggs/10 mL of urine) (13.3%) in the area (t=16.48, P=0.000). Water contact activities of the children revealed that children that were involved in irrigation and those that went swimming in water bodies were observed to be at higher risk of becoming infected with urinary schistosomiasis in the area with odd ratios (risk factors) of 2.756 (1.334-5.693) and 2.366 (1.131-4.948) respectively at P<0.05 level. Conclusions: The study revealed the hyperendemicity of urinary schistosomiasis in the pre-school and school aged children in Guma Local Government Area. It is therefore recommended that praziquantel should be administered to children in the area and systematic epidemiological studies should be undertaken in the whole Local Government Area and the State at large to discover new foci of infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To assess women''s perceptions and risk factors that could expose them to intestinal parasitic infections in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 750 faecal samples were collected from women at different reproductive stages (pre-menstrual, menstrual and post-menstrual), and the faeces were tested by the formol ether concentration technique. Results: A total of 426 (56.8%) samples were found positive for various intestinal parasites with hookworm (4.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (9.3%), Taenia sp (2.1%), Entamoeba histolytica (18.9%) and Entamoeba coli (21.6%). Women at pre-menstrual and post-menstrual stages recorded higher prevalence rates with 72.8% and 63.9%, respectively. No significant difference in prevalence was observed between women at different reproductive stages and women infected by different parasites (χ2 = 30.6, P > 0.05). Sweet things, rotten fruits and improperly cooked meat were perceived as the causes of intestinal parasitic infections among the pre and post menstrual women. Sources of drinking water like river, well, water bought from vendors and patronizing food vendors were observed as risk factors contributing to the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among women. Factors like not washing hands before eating and after defaecation, use of leaves and ordinary papers for cleaning after defaecation were also observed to be contributing to the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusions: Persuasive health education and rigorous hygiene measures should be employed in schools, maternity clinics and among the populace to reduce transmission and infection with intestinal parasites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]