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This study delves into the complex interplay between output growth and inflation volatility in 17 selected African countries to compare outcomes across different regions and socioeconomic settings on the African continent. The empirical analysis is carried out using the GARCH-MIDAS approach as this framework enables the use of combined data with mixed frequencies and allows the circumvention of the problem of information loss due to averaging of series. Our findings indicate that output growth plays a moderating role in taming inflation volatility in specific countries, while it does not hold the same significance in other sub-regions. These results emphasize the importance of region-specific policy strategies for effectively managing and addressing inflation fluctuations in diverse economic contexts. Also, the research observes the persistence of inflation volatility, albeit with a mean reverting tendency. Our robustness checks reveal output gap to predict inflation volatility with regional differences.

There are limited reports about the impacts of smallholder-managed cropping and land-use practices (CLUPs) on soil quality, especially in developing countries. This study investigates the impact of six different Cropping Land Use Practices (CLUPs) on soil quality parameters in Abuja, Nigeria, focusing on sesame mono-cropping (SM), guinea corn mono-cropping (GCM), yam mono-cropping (YM), maize + yam mixed cropping (MYM), maize mono-cropping (MM), and natural forest (NF). The objectives are to determine Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), Total Nitrogen (TN), and pH values in the six CLUPs and assess differences under various CLUPs and soil depths. The study conducted in the University of Abuja Permanent Site, covers 11,000 hectares and analyzes soil samples from three replicate plots per CLUP, considering topsoil (0-15cm) and subsoil (20-30cm). The results indicate slightly acidic soils with low SOC and TN contents. Significant differences in SOC, TN, and C/N ratio are observed among cropping systems, with mixed cropping (MYM) promoting higher SOC. The C/N ratio is consistently low across CLUPs, indicating accelerated decomposition. While intra-plot soil heterogeneity is low, significant declines in soil quality indicators are noted under cropping systems compared to the natural forest. The study recommends site-specific, sustainable land management practices tailored to each cropping system. Encouraging organic matter additions, such as using animal and farmyard manure, is proposed to enhance soil fertility and reverse degradation trends. The findings contribute to understanding how diverse cropping practices impact soil quality, providing valuable insights for sustainable land management in the Abuja region.

Agriculture is one of the sectors most affected by climate change, especially through the reduction in the number of rainy days in semi-arid areas, which require deficit supplementary irrigation (DSI) to minimise crop failures. Few studies have utilised soil quality indices (SQIs) to evaluate the quality changes of soils under DSI practices in semi-arid agricultural ecosystems. This paper examines the effects of DSI activities on soil quality in the Ingawa area of Nigeria’s semi-arid region. Plots subjected to different years of DSI (3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14 and 15 years) practices were chosen to serve as the controls. Soil samples were collected from each of the nine sites at depths ranging from 0 cm to 20 cm and 25 cm to 40 cm. The collected samples were analysed for physico-chemical properties. Soil quality change was estimated by computing percentage equivalence values that define the extent to which mean values of soils under DSI vary from those of the control. The results obtained show that the practices have caused significant negative changes in the levels of most of the properties considered, with significant deleterious effects on the selected physical and chemical indicators of soil quality to extents that might preclude sustainable agriculture on the soils. Potassium, organic carbon, organic matter, and some other essential nutrients needed for plant growth and soil stability have dropped a lot in irrigated farms compared to control farms, but salinization hasn't happened much. It was suggested that the right steps be taken to prevent the loss of important nutrients that crops need to grow well.

Context: Cancer ranks second among the major causes of death globally. A projection by 2020 indicated that developing countries would account for about 70% of total cancer-related death worldwide. Despite the great threat posed by cancer to this region of the world, reliable statistics on the trends and patterns of cancer are rare. Aims: The aim of the study is to review the cases of cancer recorded in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2019 Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study. Nine years records of all pathologically diagnosed cancer cases in the ATBUTH, Bauchi were retrieved, reviewed, and grouped in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology. The results were presented as simple frequency tables and charts. Results: A total of 1284 cancer cases were diagnosed during the period, an average of 142.7 cases per annum. There was a female predominance of cancer cases (male: female ratio - 1:1.53. The age range was from seven months to 95 years, with mean and median ages of 49.6 and 50 years, respectively. More than half of the cases were reported in the fifth to seventh decades of life. Prostate (14.6%) and non melanoma skin cancer (11.2%) were the most common cancers seen in males. In females, cancers of the cervix (37.9%) and the breast (22.9%) were the most common. Conclusions: Breast cancer and cancer of the uterine cervix were the most common cancers in women in this review while prostate cancer was the most common cancer in men. The need to establish a hospital-based and/or population-based cancer registry that will generate reliable cancer data in our environment cannot be overemphasized.

Evasion of apoptosis is associated with treatment resistance and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Various cellular processes are associated with evasion of apoptosis. These include overexpression of pro-apoptotic proteins (including p53 and PD-L1), anti-apoptotic proteins (BIRC7/Livin and Bcl-2), chemokine receptors (including DARC), and dysregulation of DNA mismatch repair proteins (including MSH2 and PMS2). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of folinic acid, 5-FU and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) as a single agent and aspirin plus FOLFOX in various combinations on the aforementioned proteins in human CRC, SW480 cell line and rat models of N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea (NMU)-induced CRC. In addition, effects of the NMU-induced CRC and chemotherapeutic regimens on haematological and biochemical parameters in the rat models were studied. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunoblot techniques were used to study the expression pattern of the related proteins in the human CRC cells pre- and post-treatment. Double contrast barium enema, post-mortem examination and histological analyses were used to confirm tumour growth and the effect of the treatment in vivo in rat models. Notably, we found in human mucinous CRC, a significant increase in expression of the BIRC7/Livin post-FOLFOX treatment compared with pre-treatment (p = 0.0001). This increase provides new insights into the prognostic role of BIRC7/Livin in evasion of apoptosis and facilitation of treatment resistance, local recurrence and metastasis particularly among mucinous CRCs post-FOLFOX chemotherapy. These poor prognostic features in the CRC may be further compounded by the significant suppression of DARC, PD-L1, PMS2 and overexpression of MSH2 and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and p53 proteins observed in our study (p < 0.05). Importantly, we found a significant reduction in expression of BIRC7/Livin and reactivation of DARC and PD-L1 with a surge in Annexin V expression in rat models of CRC cells post-treatment with a sequential dose of aspirin plus FOLFOX compared with other treatments in vivo (p

The use of foundation structures (piles) coupled to a heat pump system, commonly referred to as geothermal energy pile (GEP) system, provides a renewable energy solution of achieving space heating and cooling in buildings; whilst also being utilised for the structural stability of the overlying structures. The system operates by exchanging the low-grade heat energy within the shallow earth surface with the building, via the circulation of heat carrier fluid enclosed in a high-density polyethylene plastic pipes. In summer, heat energy is extracted from the building and transferred into the ground to achieve space cooling. While in winter, the ground heat energy is harnessed and transferred to the building to achieve sustainable space heating. This paper investigates the thermal performance of group of GEP system under the effects of different initial soil pore water content. Through the five-year simulation’s period, it was found that the increase in soil pore water content decreases the possibility of thermal interaction between the GEPs in the group. Also, it was observed that the trend in maximum temperature witnessed within the soil domain decreases nonlinearly during the five years period.

INTRODUCTION: Over 80% of stroke deaths occur in low-income and middle-income regions of the world. Identification of predictors of mortality is vital so that prompt therapeutic measures could be instituted to improve outcome. Previous studies have identified factors such as stroke severity, stroke type, older age, impairment of consciousness and hyperglycaemia as predictors of mortality for acute stroke but mortality remain high among patients hospitalized for acute stroke. The study objective was to determine the association between admission serum albumin levels and short-term outcome following acute ischaemic stroke in Nigerians. METHODS: Consecutive first-ever acute ischaemic stroke patients were prospectively enrolled between February 2009 and May 2010.Stroke severity at presentation was determined using National Institute of Heath Stroke Score (NIHSS). Admission serum chemistry including albumin, were measured. Patients were then followed up for 30 days and outcome measures applied at the end of the study were 30-day mortality and functional outcome using the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) and graded as favourable(MRS 0-3) or unfavourable(MRS 4-6). Relationship between serum albumin and stroke outcome was determined. RESULTS: 75 acute stroke cases were studied. Mean age was 57.68 - 12.4years. Outcome was favourable in 48% while 30-day case fatality was 17.3%. The mean age (61.13years) of those with poor outcome was significantly higher than those with favourable outcome. Mean serum albumin (3.03g/dL) of those with favourable outcome was also significantly higher than (2.08g/dL) of those with unfavourable outcome (p=0.0001). Patients that died had significantly lower serum albumin (1.66g/dl) than survivors (p=0.0001).Receiver operating characteristics curve for optimal cut off point of serum albumin to predict survival or death within 30 days revealed area under the cure (AUC) of 0.870, p-value 0.0001, 95% C/I=0.759-0.982. Serum albumin of 1.55g /dL has sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 61.5%. NIHSS and serum albumin were predictors of poor outcome using multiple regression. CONCLUSION: Low admission serum albumin was an independent determinant of poor outcome.

This essay investigates the depiction of the condition of working class people in African novels with particular reference to "Violence" by Festus Iyayi. The paper examines, first of all, the concept of violence from a Marxist perspective of Franzt Fanon. Furthermore, the paper relates the view of Fanon on violence to what is depicted in the primary text of the paper. The paper argues that the portrayal of the working people in the novel by Iyayi tallies with the view of Fanon in his definition of the concept of violence. The paper exposes how the working people class are presented in the novel as those people who are always in the process of asserting their existence through struggling for survival by selling their labour to the capitalists in order to earn a living. The paper blames this act of suffering on colonialism and neo-colonialism imposed on the African people.

This paper aims at a theoretical comparative textual analysis of two novels; Chinua Achebe's "Arrow of God" (1964) and Ibrahim Tahir's "The Last Imam" (1984). The focus is on their similarities generally and roles played by the heroes in their different societies as political and religious leaders of the different societies and how their actions and in-actions affect their communities and the polity generally. The paper relates the portrayal these as synonymous to the current political leadership crisis in Nigeria and other African nations. The study demonstrates how this crisis hinders sustainable development in the country and other African countries. They way out of this as possible solutions the turmoil is proffer at the end.

Urban informal settlement dwellers face uncertainties from climate change (CC) and need to understand its causes and impacts to adapt effectively. Few studies explore their levels of CC knowledge. This research surveyed 388 purposively selected households across five informal sectors in Abuja, Nigeria (Apo, Gaduwa, Garki, Jabi, and Mabushi), using structured questionnaires. Key variables assessed for their influence on CC knowledge included age, family size, education, income, livelihood type, tenure security, and marital status. Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square tests evaluated the significance of these factors. Findings showed that most households are aware of local CC trends, with perceptions closely aligning with scientific insights. However, understanding of CC causes and consequences remains limited. Among seven hypotheses tested, age, family size, income, and livelihood type significantly influenced CC knowledge, while education, tenure security, and marital status had little effect. The study highlights that even educated residents may lack comprehensive knowledge of CC causes. Enhancing scientific understanding in CC-prone communities is essential for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intramolecular alkene‐arene meta‐photocycloadditions are powerful transformations that use the enhanced reactivity of photoexcited benzene rings to facilitate addition of an alkene 1,3 across donor groups and form complex three‐dimensional fused‐ring systems from readily accessible starting materials. Intramolecular examples have traditionally been restricted to three‐membered tethers, with cycloaddition resulting from exo‐conformation. However, by judicious tether design we have demonstrated that a four‐membered tether can also proceed in good yield; interestingly, via an endo exciplex (1.2 : 1) enabling access to both natural product skeletons and interesting scaffolds for medicinal chemistry research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanochemistry enables rapid, quantitative reactions to occur at or close to 27℃. It is a one-step process that allows for reactant homogenization, product nucleation, and particle growth. These processes use little or no solvent, making them less wasteful and more environmentally friendly than solvent-based reactions. Ni2+, Mn2+, Cr2+and Cu2+ metal ions were synthesized by grinding in an agate mortar with pestle using ligands derived from amino acids (Histidine & Alanine) which were further synthesized to form complexes. The entire experiment was carried out by solvent solvent-assisted mechanochemical process and ethanol was used as liquid liquid-assisted solvent. The complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, U-V spectroscopy, X-ray analysis, melting point, solubility test, and conductivity measurement. The Solubility test showed that the complexes are soluble in DMSO, DMF, and ethanol and are insoluble in both hexane and tetrachloromethane. The molar conductivity values are in the range of (6.05-28.56) Ω-1cm2mol-1) indicating the complexes behave as non-electrolytes. IR analysis showed a vibrational frequency band observed at (1620-1625) cm-1 which is assigned to the ʋ(C=N) of the azomethine, also the new bands M=N, M=O indicate the coordination reaction between the metal and the ligands. The UV visible analysis shows various transitions, the metal complexes showed adsorption bands at λ of 420 and 575nm respectively because of the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT). The XRD analysis showed that there was a change in phase between the starting material and the product which indicate that a reaction occurred, also the nature of the spectra showed that the compounds are all crystalline. The Antimicrobial activity showed that both the complexes and the ligands have good activity against the bacterial isolates. Antioxidant activity was also tested and the compound appeared to have moderate scavenging activities compared to the reference used. The values indicated that the activities are more pronounced when coordinated with metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]