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An accurate and quantitative description of the thermal responses of skin tissue under sinusoidal heat flux conditions on the skin surface is provided in this study using a fractional model of the bioheat transfer equation. The governing fractional one-dimensional bio-heat transfer equation was transformed into a dimensionless form to get closed solution by the Caputo-Fabrizio time-fractional derivative technique. The proposed technique, with the aid of symbolic computation, provides an impressive solution for the bioheat transfer equation. Numerical simulations were performed with the aid of Mathcad software to study the behavior of temperature transients on the skin surface exposed to instantaneous surface heating. To investigate the thermal impacts of various control factors on tissue temperature, sensitivity analysis is carried out. We found that the effects of the fractional derivative and the moving heat source velocity on the temperature of the tissue and thermal injuries are enormous, and are shown graphically for an explicit and detail discussion. Observations from the graphical representation of results, show clearly that increasing pressure term leads to increase in velocity distribution of temperature and the effect is maximum towards the center in most cases. The study reveals that bio-thermal research can help with skin burn evaluation, clinical thermal treatment equipment design, and thermal protection from various risks of skin heat injuries. In conclusion, the results of this investigation will be very helpful and useful to both clinical-therapeutic applications and medical sciences.

Background: Physical fitness in Cameroonian students has been assessed previously, but most have focused on urban areas. This study aimed to objectively evaluate two components of physical fitness and factors associated with it among urban and semiurban secondary school students in two municipalities in the Littoral province, Cameroon.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2021 in three randomly selected secondary schools in the Littoral Province. The study included 459 students aged 10 to 15 years, comprising 252 students from urban areas (UA) and 207 from semi-urban areas (SUA). Each student’s height, weight, and blood pressure were assessed, and two field tests (20-m shuttle test and 4x10-m test) were performed to estimate maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and measure agility. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.Results: The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 21.4%, with a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity among boys in semi-urban areas and an equal prevalence of overweight among urban and semi-urban girls. SUA students performed significantly better in the speed test (4x10-m) and VO2max (P

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection has been known to pose one of the most formidable challenges to progress and development. It is a public health burden associated with high morbidity. Chest radiograph is an important tool in manifesting some of the findings associated with HIV. Aims and Objectives: To determine the baseline chest radiographic findings among HIV positive adults in a poor resource economy. Materials and Methods: 140 Newly diagnosed adult HIV positive, HAART naïve, participants were recruited in the Radiology Department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto and had their chest radiograph done using Silhoutte VR System GE diagnostic x-ray equipment. The processed radiographs were viewed using an illuminated viewing box and then reported by the investigator and cross-checked by another consultant Radiologist. Data collated was analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: The study showed female to male ratio of 2.2: 1. Normal chest radiographic finding was found in 67(47.9%) participants. Pulmonary consolidation 32 (22.9%) constituted the highest abnormal chest finding. The least of the abnormal radiographic findings were emphysematous bullae 1(0.7%) and plate atelectasis 1(0.7%). Majority of the lesions were in the upper zone, 43(30.7%) and on the right side. Conclusion: The study provides baseline data on the chest radiographic patterns among the HAART naïve HIV positive adult patients in a poor resource economy.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects goats and sheep in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and threatens Europe [R.E.1]. The disease is endemic on the African continent, particularly in West Africa, and is a major factor driving food insecurity in low-income populations. The aim of this research study was to carry out surveillance, genetic characterisation and isolation of recently circulating PPR viruses (PPRV) in sheep and goats from the six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. A total of 268 post-mortem tissue samples of lung and mesenteric ganglia were collected from clinically suspected sheep and goats in 18 different states, of which five never previously sampled. The presence of PPRV was confirmed using a reverse-transcription coupled with a polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. A total of 72 samples, 17 sheep (6%) and 55 goats (21%), were found to be PPR positive. Positive samples were distributed in almost all states, except Kano, where PPR was detected in previous studies. The PPRV-positive samples were further confirmed by sequencing or virus isolation in areas where the infection had never previously been detected. These results confirm the active circulation of PPRV across all six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria, and consequently, the need for introducing strict measures for the control and prevention of the disease in the country.

Social and Environmental Disclosure has been at its adoption phase in Nigeria despite the trend of disclosure practices by firms around the world. As a step towards addressing this shortcoming, the paper examined Board characteristics and their effects on Social and Environmental Disclosure in Nigeria. Mixed theoretical approach was deployed in explaining relationship between board characteristics and Social and Environmental Disclosure. Companies were graded on their Social and Environmental Disclosure performance using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Index. For a period of seven years (2012 - 2018), data were obtained from the published Annual Reports of fifty (50) selected environmentally sensitive enterprises listed on the website of the Nigerian Exchange Group as of 2019. Panel corrected Standard Error (PCSE) regression was found appropriate in testing the hypotheses. Board size, board expertise, board independence and board gender diversity were found to be positive and significant to Social and Environmental Disclosure. The study concluded that Board Characteristics impact Social and Environmental Disclosure and further recommends that listed firms should comply adequately with corporate governance requirements related to Board Characteristics to ensure that Social and Environmental Disclosure is not compromised.

Abstract After the successful roll out of MenAfriVac, Nigeria has experienced sequential meningitis outbreaks attributed to meningococcus serogroup C (NmC). Zamfara State in North-western Nigeria recently was at the epicentre of the largest NmC outbreak in the 21st Century with 7,140 suspected meningitis cases and 553 deaths reported between December 2016 and May 2017. The overall attack rate was 155 per 100,000 population and children 5–14 years accounted for 47% (3,369/7,140) of suspected cases. The case fatality rate (CFR) among children 5–9 years was 10%, double that reported among adults ≥ 30 years (5%). NmC and pneumococcus accounted for 94% (172/184) and 5% (9/184) of the laboratory-confirmed cases, respectively. The sequenced NmC belonged to the ST-10217 clonal complex (CC). All serotyped pneumococci were PCV10 serotypes. The emergence of NmC ST-10217 CC outbreaks threatens the public health gains made by MenAfriVac, which calls for an urgent strategic action against meningitis outbreaks.

Background. Blackwater fever (BWF) is a rare but serious complication of malaria that is a consequence of antimalarial treatment. Its prevalence seems to have increased. Its diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and urine color. We report on 4 BWF cases admitted to the infectious diseases department of Zinder National Hospital. Results. Four patients were hospitalized in September 2017 for a hepatorenal syndrome of jaundice, port wine-colored urine, renal failure, and hepatic cytolysis following antimalarial treatment with quinine salts. Quinine treatment was stopped and treatment was continued with injectable artemether. Three patients underwent extra-renal purification. Their evolution was favorable. One patient died less than 24 hours after admission. Conclusion. A rare and severe complication, blackwater fever must be considered for patients under antimalarial treatment who present with jaundice, abdominal pain, and acute renal insufficiency with port wine-colored urine. Rapid diagnosis and management in an intensive care unit are crucial for improving the prognosis.

Mathematics anxiety is the feeling of tension and fear which interferes with the manipulation of numbers in ordinary life and academic setting. This study aimed at exploring students' level of mathematics anxiety and teacher behavior and speech which intensifies and minimizes mathematics anxiety among secondary schools in Sokoto state, Nigeria. In total, 109 questionnaires regarding mathematics anxiety named the cognitive, emotion, physical-mathematics anxiety rating (CEP-MAR) were distributed to students and 102 were returned. From the responses in the questionnaire, 20 of the most mathematics anxious individuals were selected to participate in a photovoice project. These 20 students were given cameras and asked to capture classroom events, which impact on their mathematics anxiety. Afterwards, a one-to-one semi-structured interview was conducted with each student to discuss the photos. The findings disclosed that teachers' behavior and speech such as being too quick in mathematics classroom lessons, giving too many notes, exercises, punishments and embarrassing/alarming statements have a significant effect in intensifying mathematics anxiety. The findings also showcased that quiz/competitions, good learning environment, intrinsic and extrinsic motivational statements help in minimizing mathematics anxiety. This study provides further evidence that teachers have both positive and negative effect on students' mathematics anxiety.