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AbstractAs the global ambition is directed at net-zero 2050 amidst energy intensity-efficiency targets, the advanced economies, such as the United States of America (USA) has been consistently charged with more target-driven commitments. Considering this, the current study finds the influence of commercial, industrial, and household energy intensities on both the economic and environmental indicators. A set of cointegration approaches was employed to evaluate the long-run and short-run relationship between covariates and carbon emission over the period 1974–2019. Empirical findings reveal that all the covariates are positive and significantly related to carbon emissions. For instance, the emission of carbon dioxide is worsened by economic growth in both the short- and long-run. Additionally, intense use of energy across the commercial, household, and industrial sectors is responsible for an increase in environmental degradation arising from the emission of carbon emission. Importantly, environmental degradation that is attributed to energy intensity is far more (twice) in the commercial sector and household sector, than in the industrial sector. Regarding the economic aspects, there is statistical evidence that research and development expenditure in energy efficiency improves economic growth while higher energy intensities in the commercial and industrial sectors are detrimental to economic expansion. As a policy, the study suggests that the share of renewable or clean energy technology in the country’s energy mix should be significantly increased to over-turn the undesirable economic, environmental, and global warming-related issues in the United States. Other few directions for policy implication were addressed.

Komposisi kimia dan asam amino C. lentillifera dipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor eksternal, di antaranya suhu, nutrien, kualitas air, musim, geografi, cuaca, dan lingkungan atau tempat tumbuh. C. lentillifera seperti makroalga lainnya, memiliki kemampuan untuk mengakumulasi nutrien bahkan senyawa antropogenik dari lingkungan yang kemudian dimanfaatkan untuk aktivitas fisiologinya. Komposisi nutrisi rumput laut dari lingkungan yang berbeda menarik untuk dikaji. Tujuan dari penelitian adalah untuk mengevaluasi komposisi kimia dan asam amino C. lentillifera dari hasil budidaya dan mengestimasi kualitas proteinnya kemudian dibandingkan dengan C. lentillifera hasil alam. Budidaya C. lentillifera dilakukan pada wadah terkontrol selama 40 hari. Parameter yang dianalisis meliputi identifikasi morfologi, proksimat, profil asam amino menggunakan HPLC dan kualitas protein menggunakan pendekatan indeks asam amino esensial (EAAI) dan rasio efisiensi protein (P-PER). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan C. lentillifera budidaya dalam wadah terkontrol memiliki komposisi mineral yang lebih tinggi daripada C. lentillifera hasil alam, sedangkan kandungan protein, lemak, air, dan karbohirat pada C. lentillifera hasil budidaya lebih kecil dibandingkan C. lentillifera hasil alam. C. lentillifera hasil budidaya memiliki total kandungan asam amino (esensial dan non esensial) yang rendah dibandingkan hasil alam. Berdasarkan evaluasi kualitas protein, C. lentillifera hasil budidaya dalam wadah terkontrol dan hasil alam menghasilkan protein berkualitas sangat baik. Asam amino pembatas untuk C. lentillifera hasil budidaya dalam wadah terkontrol adalah triptofan sedangkan asam amino pembatas untuk C. lentillifera hasil alam adalah metionin dan sistein. Abstract The chemical and amino acid composition of C. lentillifera is influenced by several external factors such as temperature, nutrients, water quality, season, geography, weather, and the environment or location where it grows. C. lentillifera, like other macroalgae, can accumulate nutrients and even anthropogenic compounds from environment and use them for their physiological activities. Therefore, the nutritional composition of seaweeds under different conditions is an interesting research topic. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical and amino acid composition of C. lentillifera from cultivated products, estimate the quality of the resulting protein, and compare it with that of C. lentillifera from wild-stock products. C. lentillifera was cultivated in controlled containers for 40 d. The parameters analyzed included identification of morphology, proximate amino acids using HPLC, and protein quality using the essential amino acid index (EAAI) and protein efficiency ratio (P-PER) approaches. The results of the research showed that cultivated C. lentillifera in controlled containers had a higher mineral composition than wild-stock C. lentillifera, while the protein, fat, water and carbohydrate content of cultivated C. lentillifera was lower than wild-stock C. lentillifera. C. lentillifera from cultivation has a lower total amino acid content (essential and non-essential) compared to wild-stock products. Based on protein quality evaluation, C. lentillifera cultivated in controlled containers and wild stock products produced very high-quality protein. The limiting amino acid for C. lentillifera cultivated in controlled containers is tryptophan, whereas the limiting amino acids for C. lentillifera from wild stock products are methionine and cysteine.

Alginic acid is an intermediate product in the alginate extraction process. In this study, alginic acid was generated from three separate sections of the thallus. The study aimed to define the influence of alkali solvents for pretreatment and the thallus parts from S. polycystum to produce alginate. Thus, this study identifies the proper utilization of seaweed as a source of alginate. The extraction procedure to obtain alginic acid was performed using Na2CO3 at a 2% concentration. The pretreatment improved the quality before extraction by soaking in KOH as a solvent. The statistical analysis was used to define significant differences in the pretreatment and thallus parts of the S. polycystum using ANOVA and the Tukey test as the post hoc. Alkali pretreatment and thallus sections substantially influence alginic acid yield, viscosity, and gel strength. Yield, ash content, moisture, pH, viscosity, whiteness degree, and gel strength of the best alginic acid chosen (pretreatment with KOH 0.90% from the basal section) were around 21.51 %, 10.34 %, 7.04 %, 2.54, 53.37 cP, 57.91 %, and 58.80 g/cm2, respectively. Except for the ash content parameter, the qualities of the alginic acid generated satisfied the standard. In conclusion, it is a better understanding of the alginate production from different thallus parts, making utilization more effective.

This study was to examine inter-cultural marriages in terms of the challenges and coping strategies in Ini local government area of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. The area of the study was Ini local government area, Akwa Ibom State. The population of one thousand, two hundred and fifty-four couples were into inter-cultural marriages in Ini L.G.A. Purposive random sampling technique was used in selecting the married couples that was used for the respondents. The instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire which was validated by three expects. The sample size was 300. The major findings includes 10 prospects of inter-cultural marriage which were heightened cultural awareness and empathy, people are more tolerant in inter-cultural marriages than others, children of inter-cultural marriages feel affinity from the cultures of both parents among others with mean ranged from 3.06 to 3.50 and standard deviations ranged from 0.48 to 1.06. Ten challenges of inter-cultural marriages were identified with mean ranged from 3.07 to 3.53 while the standard deviations ranged from 0.50 to 0.94. 10 coping strategies of inter-cultural marriage were identified. This study recommends that couples who intend to go into intercultural marriages must understand clearly from the start what their companions will bring to the marriage, habits and attitudes learned from his/her family and friends and be carefully discussed before marriage and after marriage.

This study investigated the prevalence, perceived risk factors and effects of enuresis among school-age children in Nsukka local government area. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design with a population of 7,794 Junior Secondary Students within the age range of 9-12years in the study area. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 820 students from 10 selected schools. A structured questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.86 Cronbach’s alpha showing a good internal consistency of the test items. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages means and standard deviations. Findings showed that prevalence of bedwetting among the respondents was 17.8%, 14.6% among males and 24.4% among females. The prevalence of primary bedwetting was 12.7%, 5.0% experienced secondary bedwetting, 15.0% experienced nocturnal enuresis and 2.6% experienced diurnal bedwetting. Dreaming of urinating, drinking a lot of fluid before bed and cold weather were some of the risk factors of bedwetting identified by the respondents. Some of the effects of bedwetting identified by the respondents were that bedwetting children often smell bad and bedwetting makes children feel sad. Preventive, curative, hygiene management and reinforcement strategies for enuresis were identified by the respondents. It was concluded that bedwetting negatively affects children in such ways as making them have an offensive smell, sad feelings, mockery and loss of respect from friends. School authorities should therefore make out time within the school year, to create awareness and teach school children about enuresis to reduce the stigma and embarrassment they face.

Abstract Climate change results in lower agricultural outputs, disruption of food supply chains, and widening of the social gap between poor and rich in developing countries, with more vulnerable groups being pushed into untold poverty. This review aims to investigate the consequences of climate change on food insecurity in Africa in the context of environmental degradation. This review emphasizes the complexity of demands on food security systems due to changing climatic conditions under the four pillars (availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability). This review demonstrated the susceptibility of farm production to changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns generated by climate change. In addition, this review investigated the factors shaping food insecurity, such as increasing population growth, poverty, inadequate early warning systems, and weak agricultural infrastructure. Furthermore, the review points out how climate change affects food prices and availability and the widening income gap, potentially leading to social unrest and political instability in Africa. Vulnerable populations, including impoverished, elderly, and physically challenged individuals, are at increased risk due to climate‐related health impacts. Women who face gender inequalities and socioeconomic limitations are particularly susceptible. We posit that there is a need for comprehensive strategies that address health disparities and consider vulnerable subgroups within society alongside broader measures to enhance food security in the face of climate change.

Abstract Background Obesity is a global health issue arising from the unhealthy accumulation of fat. Medicinal plants such as Alstonia boonei stem bark has been reported to possess body weight reducing effect in obese rats. Thus, this study sought to investigate the in vitro and in silico effects of fractions from Alstonia boonei stem bark on selected obesity-related digestive enzymes and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Method Two fractions were prepared from A. boonei: crude alkaloid fraction (CAF) and crude saponin fraction (CSF), and their phytochemical compounds were profiled using Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). The fractions were assayed for inhibitory activity against lipase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase, likewise their antiadipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The binding properties with the 3 enzymes were also assessed using in silico tools. Results Eleven alkaloids and six saponin phytochemical compounds were identified in the CAF and CSF using LCMS/MS. The CAF and CSF revealed good inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase enzyme, but weak and good activity against amylase respectively while only CSF had inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase. Both fractions showed antiadipogenic effect in the clearance of adipocytes and reduction of lipid content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The LCMS/MS identified compounds (41) from both fractions demonstrated good binding properties with the 3 enzymes, with at least the top ten compounds having higher binding energies than the reference inhibitors (acarbose and orlistat). The best two docked compounds to the three enzymes were firmly anchored in the substrate binding pockets of the enzymes. In a similar binding pattern as the reference acarbose, Estradiol-17-phenylpropionate (-11.0 kcal/mol) and 3α-O-trans-Feruloyl-2 α -hydroxy-12-ursen-28-oic acid (-10.0 kcal/mol) interacted with Asp197 a catalytic nucleophile of pancreatic amylase. Estradiol-17-phenylpropionate (-10.8 kcal/mol) and 10-Hydroxyyohimbine (-10.4 kcal/mol) interacted with the catalytic triad (Ser152-Asp176-His263) of pancreatic lipase while Estradiol-17-phenylpropionate (-10.1 kcal/mol) and 10-Hydroxyyohimbine (-9.9 kcal/mol) interacted with Asp616 and Asp518 the acid/base and nucleophilic residues of modelled α-glucosidase. Conclusion The antiobesity effect of A. boonei was displayed by both the alkaloid and saponin fractions of the plant via inhibition of pancreatic lipase and adipogenesis.

Abstract Background Ofatumumab is the first monoclonal antibody developed specifically for treating relapsed multiple sclerosis (RMS). This disease (Multiple Sclerosis) includes relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a chronic autoimmune illness that affects the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord. The purpose of this study is to determine whether Ofatumumab is efficacious and safe in the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. Methods An analysis of studies comparing Ofatumumab with placebo in people with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis was done in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We looked up information in MEDLINE, SciSearch, BIOSIS Previews, Derwent Drug File, Embase, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts. In patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, randomized double‐blind and non‐randomized trials contrasting Ofatumumab with placebo were found by two independent investigators. Utilizing Review Manager 5.4.1, data were examined. The main results were total gadolinium‐enhancing (Gd+) T1 lesions, annualized relapse rate, and new or expanding total T2 lesions. Secondary outcomes concentrated on general adverse events and adverse events related to infections. Results Three studies were included involving 334 patients, and the meta‐analysis indicated that Ofatumumab showed good efficacy and safety in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. The annual rate of relapse was significantly reduced by Ofatumumab (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.27, 0.98; P = 0.04). Ofatumumab reduced the number of gadolinium‐enhancing (Gd+) T1 lesions per scan (Mean difference −0.59; 95% CI −0.63, −0.55; P

A salient perspective to the global net zero emission aspiration that has yet received sparse attention is the unabating conventional energy reserves to production ratio. Considering the both the energy and energy-related emission profiles of the United States, this study considers the outlook of the country's carbon neutral 2050 with reference to the coal, natural gas, and oil energy reserves to production ratios for the period 1970 to 2040. The investigation implied a number of relevant results after employing the Markov switching, cointegration, and causality approaches. The result revealed that both oil and natural gas reserves to production ratio on global scale exert a significantly and positive influence on emission of carbon dioxide in the USA while coal has negative significant effect on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in two different regimes. From the Wavelet coherence, both in phase and anti-phase relationship, CO2 and oil reserves-production ratio display strong interdependence while a mixed result in the short run (in phase) and medium run (anti phase) is established for CO2 and coal reserves-production ratio. In both short and medium run, natural gas reserves-production ratio leads CO2, and the reverse is also true. Additionally, from the frequency domain causality result, we found causality from oil reserves-production ratio to CO2 while there is bidirectional causality between CO2 and gas reserves-production ratio. The relevance of this study is that it offers insight into the seriousness of the carbon global goal amidst the dimension of energy reserves and production.

Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale. Analyses were carried out with the SPSS statistical software (version 21); frequencies and percentages, chi-squared statistics, and point-biserial correlations were examined. Results showed a high (35.4%) prevalence of general anxiety and depression among adolescents. Male respondents had a higher proportion of anxiety (32.1%), depression (31.5%), and general anxiety and depression (44.8%) compared to females who had 20.9% symptomatic depression, 21.9% anxiety, and 29.2% general anxiety and depression. Correlates of mental health symptoms in boys were mothers’ education and living with guardians. Having unemployed fathers correlated with anxiety symptoms in girls. Age, class, perceived family socioeconomic status, and emotional connection with parents/guardians were significantly correlated with mental health in both male and female adolescents; however, the pattern of these interactions varied between the genders. Since this study has shown that gender variations exist in the prevalence and correlates of poor mental health among Nigerian adolescents, programs targeting them should reflect gender considerations.

Contaminated hands are one of the most common modes of microorganism transmission that are responsible for many associated infections in healthcare, food industries, and public places such as transportation parks. Public health approaches during COVID-19 pandemic have shown that hand hygiene practices and associated knowledge are critical measure to control the spread of infectious agent. Hence, assessment of commercial transport users' knowledge, belief and practices on hand hygiene, and potential contamination with infectious agents which is the aim of the study, aligns with general health concern of quantifying contamination risk levels to predict disease outbreaks. This study utilized a randomized sampling approach to select 10 frequently used commercial parks within two districts in the State: Enugu and Nsukka. The parameters analysed include a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, hand swab and hand washed samples collected from dominant hand of participants. A total of 600 participants responded to the questionnaire survey, while 100 participants' hand swabs were examined for microbial contamination. This study recorded a high prevalence of fungal (90.0%) and bacterial (87.0%) species; 20 species of fungus were identified with prevalence range of 1% to 14%; 21 bacterial species were isolated with prevalence range of 1% to 16%. These species were identified as either opportunistic, non-invasive, or pathogenic, which may constitute a health concern amongst immunocompromised individuals within the population. Aspergillus spp. (14%), was the most common fungal species that was exclusively found amongst Nsukka commercial users, while E. coli was the most prevalent isolated bacterial species amongst Nsukka (12%) and Enugu (20%) commercial park users. Prevalence of fungal contamination in Nsukka (94.0%; 47/50) and Enugu (86.0%; 43/50) were both high. Prevalence of bacterial contamination was higher in Enugu than Nsukka but not significantly (47[94.0%] vs. 40[80.0%], p = 0.583). A greater number of participants (99.3%) were aware of the importance of hand hygiene, however with low compliance rate aside "after using the toilet" (80%) and "before eating" (90%), other relevant hand washing and sanitizing practices were considered less important. With these observations, we can emphatically say that despite the COVID-19 scare, commercial park users within the sampled population do not efficiently practice quality hand wash and hygiene measures, hence, risking the widespread of infectious agents in situation of disease outbreak or among immunocompromised individuals.

BackgroundMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important for the early detection of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model for detecting sacroiliitis in patients with axSpA using MRI.MethodsThis study included MRI examinations of patients who underwent semi-coronal MRI scans of the sacroiliac joints owing to chronic back pain with short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences between January 2010 and December 2021. Sacroiliitis was defined as a positive MRI finding according to the ASAS classification criteria for axSpA. We developed a two-stage framework. First, the Faster R-CNN network extracted regions of interest (ROIs) to localize the sacroiliac joints. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) of three consecutive slices was used to mimic the reading of two adjacent slices. Second, the VGG-19 network determined the presence of sacroiliitis in localized ROIs. We augmented the positive dataset six-fold. The sacroiliitis classification performance was measured using the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The prediction models were evaluated using three-round three-fold cross-validation.ResultsA total of 296 participants with 4,746 MRI slices were included in the study. Sacroiliitis was identified in 864 MRI slices of 119 participants. The mean sensitivity, specificity, and AUROC for the detection of sacroiliitis were 0.725 (95% CI, 0.705–0.745), 0.936 (95% CI, 0.924–0.947), and 0.830 (95%CI, 0.792–0.868), respectively, at the image level and 0.947 (95% CI, 0.912–0.982), 0.691 (95% CI, 0.603–0.779), and 0.816 (95% CI, 0.776–0.856), respectively, at the patient level. In the original model, without using MIP and dataset augmentation, the mean sensitivity, specificity, and AUROC were 0.517 (95% CI, 0.493–0.780), 0.944 (95% CI, 0.933–0.955), and 0.731 (95% CI, 0.681–0.780), respectively, at the image level and 0.806 (95% CI, 0.729–0.883), 0.617 (95% CI, 0.523–0.711), and 0.711 (95% CI, 0.660–0.763), respectively, at the patient level. The performance was improved by MIP techniques and data augmentation.ConclusionAn AI model was developed for the detection of sacroiliitis using MRI, compatible with the ASAS criteria for axSpA, with the potential to aid MRI application in a wider clinical setting.

Abstract Background Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has proven to improve the physical and psychosocial function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the gains achieved during pulmonary rehabilitation diminish over time without an effective maintenance strategy. With several factors affecting access to pulmonary rehabilitation, calls for innovative models were made, which saw the emergence of studies exploring telerehabilitation (TR) as an alternative to traditional pulmonary rehabilitation models. Although there are current reviews exploring the effectiveness of telerehabilitation as an alternative for conventional PR, no review has considered telerehabilitation effectiveness in the long term. Hence, this review aims at examining the effectiveness of telerehabilitation following to pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Main body A systematic review of the literature using CINAHL, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of science PEDRO, AMED and EMBASE databases was conducted to assess the effectiveness of telerehabilitation following PR in patients with COPD. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and exercise capacity was maintained within 6–12 months of a TR maintenance programme. However, there was no significant increase in HRQoL and exercise capacity between the intervention and control groups in 6–12 months. Conclusions This review suggests that a TR maintenance strategy effectively maintains benefits gained and may improve HRQoL and exercise capacity within 6–12 months for patients with COPD. Nonetheless, it is impossible to extrapolate the findings to the general population due to the paucity of included studies. Further high quality randomised controlled trials examining TR in the long-term is required in the future.

Purpose This study was performed to review the mortality pattern at the emergency ward (EW) of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods A retrospective review of mortality among children hospitalized in the EW was conducted from January 2015 through May 2017. Information on their age, sex, weight, diagnosis, and mortality was recorded. The data were expressed in frequencies, and logistic regressions were performed with mortality as the dependent variable. Results The median age of the 1,020 children hospitalized in the EW was 1.0 year (interquartile range, 0.6-4.0) with death recorded in 60 children, a 5.9% mortality rate. Mortality was higher in the children younger than 2 years, boys, and those with infectious diseases. Of the 60 dead children, infectious diseases were the leading cause of mortality (53 [88.3%]) with sepsis (22 [36.7%]), gastroenteritis (10 [16.7%]), and meningitis (6 [10.0%]), accounting for the highest contributors to mortality. The highest case fatality rates were noted in tetanus (1/1 [100%]), human immunodeficiency virus (5/14 [35.7%]), and tuberculosis (2/7 [28.6%]). The logistic regression showed that age of 13-16 years (adjusted odds ratio, 4.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.80-11.20; compared with age < 2 years) and presence of infectious diseases (4.65; 1.80-12.10) significantly increased the risk of mortality. Conclusion The mortality rate in our EW during the study period was 5.9%. Infectious diseases remained significant contributors to mortality in our practice. Greater efforts at prevention and control of the diseases are required to correct this negative trend.

Highlights The drivers of restaurant and hotel business in tourism destinations are examined. There is asymmetric pass-through of exchange rate and monetary policy uncertainty. A stronger pass-through is observed during appreciation and a negative shock to monetary policy uncertainty. There is asymmetric causality from positive shock in exchange rate to postive shock in restaurant and hotel prices.

Ulva lactuca, a green seaweed that is widely distributed in Indonesia, is abundant but still underutilized. Even though this seaweed contains a sulfated polysaccharide called ulvan as much as 30-40% of its dry biomass and secondary metabolite. These components can be applied in various fields including as a reducing agent for silver ions in the bottom up synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The utilization of seaweed extract combined with ultrasonication is expected to enhance the efficacy of environmentally friendly silver nanoparticle synthesis. The objective of this study was to obtain he crude extract of U. lactuca andto investigatethe impact of extract concentration and ultrasonication duration on the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. The study consists of two main phases 1) bio-synthesis employing different concentrations of the U. lactuca crude extract, and 2) bio-synthesis using selected extract concentrations combined with ultrasonic assistance for varying durations. The results of this study indicate that the crude extract of U. lactuca is a crude ulvan polysaccharide with a yield value and sulfate content of 26.9 ± 0.90% and 20.04 ± 1.02%, respectively. A reddish-brown color indicates the formation of silver nanoparticles. Based on the absorbance intensity, a 10% (v/v) concentration of ulvan crude extract produced the highest absorbance intensity (0.038 a.u). In addition, the ultrasonication duration of 60 minutes has succeeded in producing the smallest particle size (267.40 ± 6.52 nm) with a homogeneous particle distribution (PdI 0.265 ± 0.05). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images depicted oval-shaped silver nanoparticles, while the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum indicated the degradation of sulfate and polysulfide functional groups in the crude extract during the biosynthesis process. These findings highlight the significant role of sulfate/sulfide groups present in the U. lactuca crude extract in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Spirulina platensis is a common cyanobacteria microalga with high nutrition and bioactive compound sources. The addition of spirulina in foods and beverages improves nutrition and bioactive compound content. However, certain species of cyanobacteria are known to produce various compounds causing off-odour. This study investigates the chemical profile and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spirulina biomass and determine off-odour potency. The spirulina extract was analysed phytochemical qualitatively and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry). The Spectra mass was compared to the mass spectral database and profile of chemical compound libraries. The result shows, phytochemical analysis positively contains of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids. A total of 155 volatile compounds consisting of classes acid, alcohol, aldehyde, alkene, benzene, ether, ester, ketone, sulphur-contain, and terpene were identified. The off-odour VOC content such as phytol; cyclopropanebutanoic acid, 2- [[2 - [[2 - [(2- pentylcyclopropyl) methyl) cyclopropyl) methyl) cyclopropyl) methyl]-, methyl ester; 3.7.11.15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol; Imidazole, 2-fluoro-5-(2-carboxyvinyl)-; β-ionone; and N,N-Dimethyl-O-(1-methyl-butyl)-hydroxylamine, were detected in spirulina. The odour descriptions of off-odour VOCs are floral, balsamic, powdery, waxy, rancid, sweaty, woody, alkali, and fish-like. The off-odour content of VOCs might influence food's sensory odour, with spirulina added in excessive quantities.

Limbah industri perikanan mengandung komponen-komponen organik yaitu protein, lemak, dan komponen organik lainnya yang masih bisa dimanfaatkan dalam kadar yang berbeda-beda. Komponen organik tersebut berasal dari air proses pencucian, sisa pemasakan dan pengepresan ikan, termasuk air limbah thawing. Pengolahan limbah cair dari proses thawing perlu dilakukan untuk menyisihkan komponen-komponen beban polutan pada air limbah thawing. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan tegangan listrik dan waktu kontak listrik terbaik dengan metode elektrokoagulasi. Bahan utama yang digunakan merupakan air thawing dari ikan salem yang digunakan untuk pembuatan pindang. Alat yang digunakan plat alumunium (10x2 cm2) sebagai elektroda dan adaptor DC untuk sumber listrik. Perlakuan menggunakan kombinasi variasi tegangan dan lama waktu kontak. Tegangan yang diberikan 6, 9, dan 12 volt, dan variasi waktu kontak (30, 60, dan 90 menit). Perbedaan variasi tegangan dan waktu kontak listrik pada metode elektrokoagulasi memengaruhi nilai kualitas air limbah. Semakin tinggi tegangan dan lama waktu kontak yang diberikan mampu menurunkan nilai BOD5 (92,31)%, COD (48,14)%, TSS (71,15)%, TDS (90,84)%, kekeruhan (99,13)%, protein (95,87)% serta menaikkan nilai pH.

Abstract. Rapid emergence and quick evolution of drug-resistant and aggressive mycobacterial strains have resulted in the present antimycobacterial drug crisis and the persistence of tuberculosis as a major public health problem. Green/biological nanotechnologies constitute an interesting area of research for discovering antimycobacterial agents. This review focused on the biological (green) synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an alternative source of antimycobacterial agents. Data for this study were searched and screened from three electronic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses flowchart. Data from in total 17 eligible studies were reported in this systematic review. Twelve of the 17 studies used plants to fabricate AgNPs, whereas the remaining five studies used microorganisms (bacteria and/or fungi). Silver as part of silver nitrate (AgNO3) was the metal precursor reported for the synthesis of AgNPs in these studies. Silver nanoparticles were mostly spherical, with sizes ranging from 12 to 140 nm. Results based on minimum inhibitory concentrations varied between studies and were divided into three groups: (i) those more effective than the antibiotic (controls), (ii) those more effective than plant extracts, and (iii) those less effective than the antibiotic controls. In addition, little or no cytotoxicity effects were reported. Silver nanoparticles were also shown to be highly specific or selective toward mycobacterial strains. This systematic review highlights the antimycobacterial potential of biologically synthesized AgNPs, underscoring the possibility of discovering/developing new antimycobacterial agents using biological synthesis approaches with less toxicity and high selectivity.

This study investigated consumer education as a means of overcoming consumer challenges in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The study used a survey research design. The population for this study comprised all the homemakers residing in Obio/Akpor. A systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain a representative sample of the 240 respondents used for the study. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Two hundred and forty (240) copies of the questionnaire were administered to respondents, and all the copies were returned. The mean and standard deviation were used to answer all research questions. The major findings include that consumers are faced with numerous challenges and that consumer education will help them become informed consumers so as to make the right choice in acquiring goods and services, and it will also safeguard the consumers against the malpractices of manufacturers and traders. The following recommendations were made based on the results of the findings: Curriculum planners should include consumer education in the school curriculum at all levels, and it should be made one of the core subjects/courses to enable consumers to become aware of consumer issues, Seminars and symposiums should be organized among groups, clubs, associations, organizations, and churches, to enlighten their members on consumer issues.

The paper investigated the impact of entrepreneurship education on hospitality industry management in Benue State, Nigeria. To cicerone, the research, three study purposes, and three research questions were developed. The study's population consists of all 2000 registered restaurants and bars in Makurdi. The random sampling technique was used, and the sample size was 200 panelists plus restaurant and bar owners. The mean rating of respondents was calculated using a five-point Likert scale. Three experts logically validated the survey, yielding a reliability index of.871. The study yielded the following results: respondents believed that entrepreneurship education would increase creativity, competition, brainstorming, and innovation in hospitality management. Three recommendations were made, including teaching entrepreneurship education as a course in a tertiary institution and teaching entrepreneurship education to hospitality industry professionals.

Environmental sustainability is one of the vast research areas in the globe. Most industries are not left out in the quest for a sustainable environment including the hotel industry. Also, customers look for environmental friendly hotel to patronize. With this vast knowledge, the current study takes into account the relationship between green training and green employee involvement, with the mediating effect of perceived behavioural control. The sample of 306 was collected from 4 and 5-star hotel in Turkey in 2020. The study assessed the data with AMOS 20 to hypothesize the relationship between the variables. Findings confirmed that there is a positive impact of green training on perceived behavioural control, organizational citizenship behaviour towards the environment and green employee involvement. In addition, results also validated the positive effect of perceived behavioural control on organizational citizenship behaviour and green employee involvement. It contributes significantly to the ongoing research in the field of green training in the hotel industry in Turkey. These outcomes are supportive to Turkey’s hotel industry green management and employee behavioural actions to the environment.

This study focused on the socio-economic and household characteristics associated with work-family conflict among female primary school teachers in Enugu state, Nigeria. Cross-sectional and correlational study design were used to collect data from 2428 female primary school teachers in Enugu state, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-economic and household characteristics, while Work and Family Conflict Scale was used to assess work-family conflict in the dimensions of work to family, family to work and overall work and family interference. Analyses were performed using IBM-SPSS version 23 software. Descriptive data were presented as frequencies and percentages, while Chi square was used to test the hypotheses at p < 0.05. Result showed that 23% of the respondents experienced work-family conflict with higher rate (29.9%) of work to family conflict than 25.1% of family to work conflict. Higher salary, urban location, living in ≥ 2-bedroom apartment and using communal toilet and bathroom at home were socio-economic factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increase in all the dimensions of work-family conflict. On the other hand, household characteristics associated with higher work-family conflict include; having dependent children, age of oldest child > 12 years old, caring for chronically ill family members, and uneasy accessibility of household water supply. Caring for the elderly and having house helps were associated with increased work to family conflict while household size was not found a factor in any dimension of work-family conflict.

This paper examined the effectiveness of early childhood development, care, and education as a panacea to family restiveness. Three specific objectives and three research questions were formulated to guide the research. The study was conducted in omoku, using 137 parents from a federal college of education and 163 students from the demonstration secondary school, omoku. The sample size was made up of all 142 parents, and a 5-point Likert scale was used to calculate the mean ratings. The instrument was face validated by three experts, and a reliability coefficient of .831 was achieved. The instrument was face-validated by three experts, and a reliability coefficient of .871 was achieved. The following findings were made from the study: respondents opined that early childhood education, care, and development act as a panacea to family restiveness as it improves a child's intuition, character, understanding, and confidence level. Parents should live up to the responsibility of giving their children the best by sending them to school at an early age.

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease that affects pigs of all ages, inducing hemorrhagic fever with high mortality and severe threat to pig production. This study investigated the hematological and serum biochemical abnormalities associated with a natural ASF infection in pigs. A total of 100 serum samples of pigs from piggery suspected of ASFV infection were screened for antibodies by ELISA. Thirty‑two blood samples from serologically positive pigs and 32 negative pigs were undergo to hematological and serum biochemical analyses following standard procedures. The results showed that the mean values of the red blood cell (RBC) count, total white blood cell (TWBC) count, absolute lymphocyte count, absolute monocyte count, serum total protein (TP) and globulin were significantly (p < 0.05) lower while the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), absolute neutrophil count and serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the infected than the healthy pigs. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the mean values of the packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration, absolute eosinophil count, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities between the infected and healthy pigs. Hence, natural ASFV infection may have caused alterations in the hematological and serum biochemical parameters in the infected pigs. The generated data could complement the existing laboratory diagnostic techniques such as polymerase chain reaction, direct fluorescence antibody test, indirect fluorescent antibody test and ELISA in the diagnosis of ASF in pigs.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are group of parasitic nematodes transmitted through ingestion of eggs in contaminated food and water or through active skin penetration by an infective larva. Aim: This study determined the prevalence of STHs and molecular identification of Ascaris lumbricoides in fresh carrots and cucumbers in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional study of carrots and cucumbers obtained from two vegetable markets and streets of Jos metropolis. About 200 g of each sample was weighed and washed separately in a sterile container using 200 ml of normal saline. This was allowed to sediment overnight, and the sediment was examined microscopically for eggs or larvae of parasites using ×10 and ×40 objectives of the light microscope. The positive samples for eggs of A. lumbricoides were subjected to molecular identification. The data obtained were computed using IBM SPSS software version 26. Results: The overall prevalence of STHs was 38.3% (138/360). The rate of contamination was higher in carrots with 45.0% (81/180) compared to 31.7% (57/180) of the total cucumbers examined. This was statistically significant (P = 0.009). The vegetables from the Farin-Gada market were the most contaminated, having a prevalence of 63 (52.5%), followed by the building Materials Market 50 (41.7%) and street traders 25 (20.8%). Strongyloides stercoralis was the most identified parasite totaling 69 (50.0%), followed by hookworm 51 (37.0%), A. lumbricoides 10 (7.2%), and Trichuris trichiura 8 (5.8%) being the least. Conclusions: There was a high contamination of carrots and cucumber studied in this research by STHs. Hence, there is a need for proper washing and possible decontamination before consumption to prevent food-borne infections.

Background: Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects children of school-going age and exists in all cultures and backgrounds. Dyslexic children are deficient in phonological awareness, which makes the children to fail to attain the skills of reading, writing and spelling commensurate with their intellectual abilities. Inadequate knowledge about the nature of dyslexia by primary school teachers results in poor categorisation of at-risk children. Aim: This study sought to achieve two objectives. The first was to develop and validate the Teachers Awareness Questionnaire (TAQ), while the second goal was to use the validated TAQ to assess primary school teachers’ level of awareness about dyslexia. Setting: Primary school teachers in Nsukka and nearby rural communities filled the TAQ and the Scale of Knowledge and belief about Developmental Dyslexia. Nsukka is called the university town and it is a slow-paced environment that is devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of most major towns in Nigeria. Methods: The cross-sectional design was employed to gather data for the measurement process. Data were analysed using bivariate correlations and descriptive statistics. Results: The TAQ has good internal consistency (r = 0.77) and an adequate convergent validity (r = 0.74, p 0.01). Results also reveal that primary school teachers possessed low level of awareness about dyslexia. Conclusion: The study findings show that primary school teachers in Nigeria lack the requisite knowledge about dyslexia. The study suggests psycho-education for primary school teachers to empower them with information about the condition. Contribution: This study measured primary school teachers’ level of awareness about dyslexia. The results showed that primary school teachers’ awareness about dyslexia is poor, and this suggests that the use of labels (e.g., dullard) by some primary school teachers to describe their pupils may be incorrect. The study recommend to School Management Boards to take action to improve the teachers level of awareness about dyslexia, which would promote early identification of dyslexic pupils and possible intervention.

With a population of 1.3 billion people, of which 56% reside in rural settings, Africa seemed ill-prepared to handle the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, the capacity needed for a successful COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Africa surpassed the available resources in local and state health agencies. As a result, African governments were advised to coordinate resources, health officials, and vaccinators, including local health practitioners, medical technicians, and pharmacists for the largest-ever vaccination campaign in Africa. Although the rolling out of the SARS-COV-2 vaccine was, as expected, slow in many African countries, and not yet enough to cover the entire population in Africa, the mass vaccination campaign in Africa must continue to ensure that priority for vaccination is extended beyond front-liners (healthcare workers) and specific high-risk populations, which has largely been the case in some African countries. This article highlights the overarching areas that we believe need to be prioritized to enhance Africa’s effectiveness and coverage in the mass COVID-19 vaccination program.

This study determines the effectiveness of a non-digital picture concept programme to treat cognitive deficits in pupils with dyslexia. Using a sample of 38 primary two pupils (aged 7-9 years) in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, a Picture Concept Activity and the traditional method of repetitive passage drill were administered for eight weeks and results were compared. Standard cognitive and reading measures were used and data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results show that the experimental participants performed higher than the control group on the overall reading and cognitive proficiency performances. Improved cognitive proficiency was associated with improved reading tasks.

In this study, we investigated the synoptic features of the August 26–27, 2018 heavy rainfall episode, which was accompanied by a quasi-stationary front over the Korean peninsula, as well as its relationship with the climatological characteristics of the Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH), using reanalysis and observational data. Through a case study, we analyzed the synoptic environment and frontal structure of the heavy rainfall event by comparing it with a heavy rainfall event associated with a quasi-stationary front that occurred on June 26–27, 2018 (during the Changma period). The case study indicates that the environment and structure of the quasi-stationary fronts in both events exhibited common characteristic features: an extended WPSH and strong low-level winds along the western or northwestern edge of the WPSH and a northward tilted frontal structure. Although differences in the moisture transport path were observed (southwesterly for the Changma event and southerly for the August event), their contributions to maintaining the quasi-stationary fronts were comparable around the Korean peninsula. We further investigated the climatological characteristics of these two heavy rainfall episodes for a 30 year period (1990–2019). We identified heavy rainfall days similar to those of the case study using pattern correlations of the 850 hPa geopotential height anomaly. The occurrence frequencies for each period indicate that the environmental features of the Changma event can be regarded as the typical heavy rainfall environment during the Changma period, whereas the environmental features of the August event were not typical for heavy rainfall during August. The main difference between similar and different cases to the August event is the expansion of the WPSH. Analysis of the relationship between annual variations in the WPSH indices and the occurrence frequency of heavy rainfall days during each August period also indicates that heavy rainfall with a quasi-stationary front similar to the August event is closely related to WPSH expansion.

Abstract Background Maternal and Child Health is a global priority. Access and utilization of facility-based health services remain a challenge in low and middle-income countries. Evidence on barriers to providing and accessing services omits information on the role of security within facilities. This paper explores the role of security in the provision and use of maternal health services in primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Methods Study was carried out in Anambra state, Nigeria. Qualitative data were initially collected from 35 in-depth interviews and 24 focus groups with purposively identified key informants. Information gathered was used to build a programme theory that was tested with another round of interviews (17) and focus group (4) discussions. Data analysis and reporting were based on the Context-Mechanism-Outcome heuristic of Realist Evaluation methodology. Results The presence of a male security guard in the facility was the most important security factor that facilitated provision and uptake of services. Others include perimeter fencing, lighting and staff accommodation. Lack of these components constrained provision and use of services, by impacting on behaviour of staff and patients. Security concerns of facility staff who did not feel safe to let in people into unguarded facilities, mirrored those of pregnant women who did not utilize health facilities because of fear of not being let in and attended to by facility staff. Conclusion Health facility security should be key consideration in programme planning, to avert staff and women’s fear of crime which currently constrains provision and use of maternal healthcare at health facilities.

Background and Aim: Contamination of meat with Salmonella could result in food-borne disease outbreaks among the consumers. However, there is a dearth of data assessing the presence of Salmonella in beef in Anambra State. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella in beef and slaughter/processing facilities in Kwata slaughterhouse. Materials and Methods: Swab samples (200) randomly collected were cultured for the isolation of Salmonella and the isolates subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test. Data obtained were analyzed using t-test and analysis of variance with p< 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 200 samples cultured, 33.5% (67/200) yielded Salmonella isolates. The mean Salmonella load (colony-forming unit [CFU]/cm2) for different contact surfaces (before and after contact with carcasses) was as follows: Slaughter floor, 1.1×1010±1.1×106a and 1.0×1010±1.1×106b; display table, 1.1×1010±11.1×106a and 1.0×1010±1.1×106b; washing bucket 1.01×1010±1.0×106a and 0.8×1010±0.1×106b; knife, 1.1×1010±1.10×106a and 1×1010±1.0×106b; boot, 1.1×1010±1.0×106a and 1.0×1010±1.10×106b; file, 1.1×1010±1.0×106a and 1.0×1010±0.1×106b; and wheelbarrow, 1.1×1010±1.0×106a and 1.01×1010±0.11×106b. Salmonella counts decreased significantly (p

Background: Hearing loss is one of the preventable diseases listed by the WHO, even though the prevalence is decreasing in the developed countries. The pediatric age is very important in terms of hearing and therefore speech development. The prevalence and pattern of hearing loss in this age group in this environment is not known. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the etiology and pattern of hearing loss in the pediatric age group in Port Harcourt. Materials and Methods: The study involved the pediatric age group (0-18 years) presenting with hearing loss, seen in the ENT Surgery Department of UPTH from January 2010 to December 2016. The clinic registers and patients' folders were the sources from which the biodata, clinical presentations, audiological assessments, possible etiologies, and treatment were extracted. These were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 20.0. Results: A total of 752 patients with hearing impairment were seen: males – 502 and females – 250 with a ratio of 2.01:1. Patients with the age group of 0–3 years (28.6%) were more affected, whereas 16–18 years (11.2%) were the least affected. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was 37.6%; among this, birth asphyxia made up 38.5%, syndromic 6.0%, postmeningitis (2.7%, and neonatal jaundice 21.9%. However, conductive hearing loss (62.4%); was made up of cerumen auris (31.8%), otomycosis (19.4%), chronic suppurative otitis media (13.6%), Otitis media with effusion (11.7%). Most children with SNHL had severe-to-profound degree. The most common clinical presentation was hearing impairment and speech impairment followed by discharging ears. Conclusion: Hearing loss secondary to preventable causes such as birth asphyxia and neonatal infections still ranks high among the pediatric age group in this environment.

ABSTRACT Host genetic determinants that underpin variation in susceptibility to systemic fungal infection are poorly understood. Genes responsible for complex traits can be identified by correlating variation in phenotype with allele in founder strains of wild mice with known genetic variation, assembled in genetic reference panels. In this work, we describe wide natural variation in both primary and acquired resistance to experimental pulmonary blastomycosis in eight founder strains, including 129, A/J, BL/6, CAST, NOD, NZO, PWK, and WSB of the Collaborative Cross collection, and the inbred DBA strain. These differences in susceptibility across strains were accompanied by sharp differences in the accumulation and function of immune cells in the lungs. Immune perturbations were mapped by identifying reagents that phenotypically mark immune cell populations in the distinct strains of mice. In particular, we uncovered marked differences between BL/6 and DBA/2 mouse strains in the development of acquired resistance. Our findings highlight the potential value in using genetic reference panels of mice, and particularly the BXD (recombinant inbred strains of mice from a cross of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice) collection harboring a cross between resistant BL/6 and susceptible DBA/2 mice, for unveiling genes linked with host resistance to fungal infection. IMPORTANCE Host genetic variation significantly impacts vulnerability to infectious diseases. While host variation in susceptibility to fungal infection with dimorphic fungi has long been recognized, genes that underpin this variation are poorly understood. We used a collection of seven mouse strains that represent nearly 90% of the genetic variation in mice to identify genetic variability among the strains in resistance to pulmonary infection with the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. We analyzed differences between the strains in innate resistance by infecting naive mice and in acquired resistance by infecting vaccinated mice. We identified extreme variations in both innate and acquired resistance among the strains. In particular, we found sharp differences between C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains in the ability to acquire vaccine-induced resistance. We also identified commercial reagents that allowed the phenotyping of immune cells from this strain collection of mice. Because there are additional mice harboring a genetic cross of the C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains (BXD collection), such mice will permit future investigations to identify the genes that underlie differences in the ability to acquire resistance to infection.

Glukosamin adalah suatu bahan organik yang terlibat dalam struktur dan fungsi sendi termasuk glikolipid, glikoprotein, dan proteoglikan. Pengembangan metode produksi glukosamin diperlukan untuk memenuhi kebutuhan glukosamin sebagai suplemen sendi yang semakin tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan metode produksi glukosamin hidroklorida yang menghasilkan rendemen tinggi dengan waktu produksi yang relatif singkat. Efek ultrasonikasi dan tanpa ultrasonikasi sebagai pretreatment pada hidrolisis asam ditentukan terlebih dahulu. Selanjutnya produksi glukosamin dilakukan dengan ultrasonikasi selama 30 dan 40 menit dan hidrolisis menggunakan asam hidroklorida (HCl) 37 %, dengan rasio 1:9 (b/v) pada suhu 60 dan 80 oC selama 90 menit. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ultrasonikasi memberikan pengaruh nyata terhadap rendemen glukosamin hidroklorida. Ultrasonikasi selama 40 menit dan hidrolisis pada suhu 80 oC menghasilkan rendemen glukosamin tertinggi yaitu70,13±0,67%, kelarutan 96±0,02%, pH 4,1±0,17, Loss on Drying (LoD) 1,00±0,001%,dan Loss on Ignition (LoI) 0,23±0,05%. Spektrum FTIR glukosamin yang dhasilkan menunjukkan kemiripan dengan standar, dengan nilai derajat deasetilasi sebesar 98,58-99,82%.

Alkali treated cottonii (ATC) is a derivative product of Eucheuma cottoniithat is treated with alkali. This study used raw material of sap-free seaweed for ATC processing. Sap-free seaweed is a seaweed which thallus has been extracted with liquid known as sap. The use of sap-free seaweed as an ATC product is constrained by its low quality, so an effort to improve its quality is needed. Therefore the obejcetive of this Research was to get the optimal conditions of ATC processing. Experimental data were designed and analyzed using Response Surface MethodologyCentral Composite Design (RSM-CCD) using Design Expert 10.0.7® program. The optimization of ATC processing involved three components that were considered influential, namely KOH concentration, temperature, and processing time. Recommendation for optimal conditions issued by RSM-CCD on ATC processing from sap-free seawee d were 6 % KOH concentration at 75 oC for 120 minutes (93.1% desirability). The results of the response analysis showed a yield of 39.47% and a gel strength of 595.32 g/cm2. As a research control, the recommendation of RSMCCD used in ATC processing from nonsap-free seaweed was obtained yield of 36.81% and gel strength of 574.44 g/cm 2. ATC from sap-free seaweed has higher yield and gel strength than that from nonsap-free seaweed. Thismight be due to the sap-free seaweed was obtained using the proper sap extraction process and ATC processingunder optimal conditions, so that the quality of seaweed was better maintained.

The Nigerian society has been infiltrated with poor public and private schools due to underfunding by government and intervention of private individuals who prioritize profit over qualitative education. The implication is on quality of human capital in the country which interconnect with social and economic development. The dataset examine how parents selects schools for their wards and investigated the influence of socio-economic status, school academic reputation, moral reputation of school and location of school. The data involve a multistage sampling technique and administered 250 questionnaires to parents. Structural Equation, Modelling was applied to test the influence of school academic performance, location, moral values and social economic status on parents’ choice of schools for their children and wards.

ABSTRACT The development of effective vaccines against fungal infections requires the induction of protective, pathogen-specific cell-mediated immune responses. Here, we asked whether combination adjuvants based on delta inulin (Advax) formulated with Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists could improve vaccine protection mediated by a fungal recombinant protein, Bl-Eng2 (i.e., Blastomyces endoglucanase 2), which itself harbors an immunodominant antigen and dectin-2 agonist/adjuvant. We found that Bl-Eng2 formulated with Advax3 containing TLR9 agonist or Advax8 containing TLR4 agonist provided the best protection against pulmonary infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis, being more effective than complete Freund’s adjuvant or Adjuplex. Advax3 was most efficient in inducing gamma interferon (IFN-γ)- and interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing antigen-specific T cells that migrated to the lung upon Blastomyces dermatitidis infection. Mechanistic studies revealed Bl-Eng2/Advax3 protection was tempered by neutralization of IL-17 and particularly IFN-γ. Likewise, greater numbers of lung-resident T cells producing IFN-γ, IL-17, or both IFN-γ and IL-17 correlated with fewer fungi recovered from lung. Protection was maintained after depletion of CD4+ T cells, partially reduced by depletion of CD8+ T cells, and completely eliminated after depletion of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. We conclude that Bl-Eng2 formulated with Advax3 is promising for eliciting vaccine-induced antifungal immunity, through a previously uncharacterized mechanism involving CD8+ and also CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ and/or IL-17. Although no licensed vaccine exists as yet against any fungal disease, these findings indicate the importance of adjuvant selection for the development of effective fungal vaccines. IMPORTANCE Fungal disease remains a challenging clinical and public health problem. Despite medical advances, invasive fungal infections have skyrocketed over the last decade and pose a mounting health threat in immunocompetent and -deficient hosts, with worldwide mortality rates ranking 7th, even ahead of tuberculosis. The development of safe, effective vaccines remains a major hurdle for fungi. Critical barriers to progress include the lack of defined fungal antigens and suitable adjuvants. Our research is significant in identifying adjuvant combinations that elicit optimal vaccine-induced protection when formulated with a recombinant protective antigen and uncovering the mechanistic bases of the underlaying vaccine protection, which will foster the strategic development of antifungal vaccines.

Background: Increasing access to maternal and child health (MCH) services is crucial to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) among pregnant women and children under-five (CU5). The Nigerian government between 2012 and 2015 implemented an innovative MCH programme to reduce maternal and CU5 mortality by reducing financial barriers of access to essential health services. The study explores how the implementation of a financial incentive through conditional cash transfer (CCT) influenced the uptake of MCH services in the programme.Methods: The study used a descriptive exploratory approach in Anambra state, southeast Nigeria. Data was collected through qualitative [in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs)] and quantitative (service utilization data pre- and post-programme) methods. Twenty-six IDIs were conducted with respondents who were purposively selected to include frontline health workers (n = 13), National and State policymakers and programme managers (n = 13). A total of sixteen FGDs were conducted with service users and their family members, village health workers, and ward development committee members from four rural communities. We drew majorly upon Skinner's reinforcement theory which focuses on human behavior in our interpretation of the influence of CCT in the uptake of MCH services. Manual content analysis was used in data analysis to pull together core themes running through the entire data set.Results: The CCTs contributed to increasing facility attendance and utilization of MCH services by reducing the financial barrier to accessing healthcare among pregnant women. However, there were unintended consequences of CCT which included a reduction in birth spacing intervals, and a reduction of trust in the health system when the CCT was suddenly withdrawn by the government.Conclusion: CCT improved the utilization of MCH, but the sudden withdrawal of the CCT led to the opposite effect because people were discouraged due to lack of trust in government to keep using the MCH services. Understanding the intended and unintended outcomes of CCT will help to build sustainable structures in policy designs to mitigate sudden programme withdrawal and its subsequent effects on target beneficiaries and the health system at large.

Many adult workers struggle to balance family and work roles, potentially leading to inter-role conflict. Similarly, adult students experience conflicting demands of academic and family roles. The study explored the prevalence and correlates of family and academic role conflict using a sample of 300 students selected from five faculties of the University of Nigeria. Data were collected with a questionnaire titled Family and Academic Role Conflict Scale. The questionnaire was validated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. A bi-factor model was established; the academic-to-family role (AFR) conflict, the family-to-academic role (FAR) conflict factors, and the combined family and academic role conflict (FARC). Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, point biserial correlation, and multiple regression. Results showed a high (23.3%) prevalence of FARC with a higher prevalence (38.0%) of the AFR than the 19% prevalence of the FAR conflict. Certain demographic characteristics of the students such as age, marital status, and parents/guardians/spouses' educational status significantly correlate with family and academic role conflict. The study concludes that undergraduate students experience inter-role conflict between their family and academic roles in the same way as employed adults experience work and family conflict and this could impact their academic performance and overall well-being. University authorities need to fully understand family and academic role conflict among students to develop sustainable solutions. This article provides insights into how such conflict plays out in this particular context. Therefore, collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for effective strategies to balance family demands and the academic responsibilities of students.

Applying the conservation of resource resources theory and the self-efficacy theory, this study investigates the relationship between supervisor incivility, self-efficacy, cynicism and the job embeddedness of employees in the hotel industry. The role of self-efficacy, as an important variable that mediates the relationship between the predictor and the criterion variable, is significantly evaluated. A non-probability sampling technique was used to collect 245 questionnaires from frontline employees of five and four-star hotels in Nigeria. The findings reveal that supervisor incivility has a negative effect on self-efficacy and a positive effect on cynicism, and that self-efficacy negatively affects cynicism. There was no significant relationship with job embeddedness in the study. Importantly, the investigation establishes that self-efficacy is a mediating variable between supervisor incivility and cynicism. The study noted the importance of adopting a policy that introduces periodic seminars and professional training for both employees and supervisors, as a means for curbing incivility and cynicism. The study concludes with theoretical and practical implications, leaving room for further investigation

Context: Nigerian soil fungi population is unexplored. It is hypothesized that they harbour new bioactive chemicals. This hypothesis is based on the large percentage of currently approved medicines that originated from soil-inhabiting micro-organisms Objectives: To investigate the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of Fusarium solani ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract selected based on its broad spectrum of antimicrobial potential in an overlay experiment with seven other soil fungi strains. Materials and methods: Fungus number 6 (F6), identified by molecular characterization as Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc (Nectriaceae) was selected for studies from eight purified soil fungi due to its superior broad-spectrum antibiotics producing potential following agar overlay experiment. F6 was fermented for 21 d and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of its EtOAc fermentation extract (dose range: 12.5–100 µg/mL) was determined using agar dilution method for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and anti-inflammatory properties determined using rat-paw (250–500 mg/kg) and xylene induced oedema (250–500 µg/kg) (in Swiss albino rats and mice) models, respectively. The ability of the extract to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme was also determined in vitro using Cayman test kit-760111. Result: The MIC of the EtOAc extract was

Currently, significant efforts are being made to enhance the performance of the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) operational model. However, the model performance concerning Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) estimation remains uninvestigated. In this study, three different estimation methods for AOD were implemented using the NIER operational model and validated with satellite and ground observations. In the widely used Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) method, AOD exponentially increases with relative humidity owing to a hygroscopic growth factor. However, alternative methods show better performance, since AOD estimation considers the size dependency of aerosol particles and is not sensitive to high relative humidity, which reduces the high AOD in areas with large cloud fractions. Although some R values are significantly low, especially for a single observational comparison and small numerical domain analysis, one of the alternative estimation methods achieves the best performance for diagnosing AOD in the East Asia region.

“Pindang” is a fisheries product which is produced by combination of boiling and salting. Boiling in a salt solution causes dissolving protein into the boiling water. Membrane process has been applied for the concentrating of protein. In this study, the characterization and recovery of protein from the boiled water of “pindang” were carried out using 0.05 µm ultrafiltration membrane. The parameters of study included the effect of the concentration factor on the protein concentration, flux of permeate, and protein rejection coefficient. The concentrating of “pindang” boiling water using 0.05 μm ultrafiltration membrane increased 46.75% of protein. During ultrafiltration concentrating process, flux decreased from 6.58 L/m2h at the beginning of the concentration to 2.71 L/m2h at fortieth minute. Rejection coefficient increased from 41.2% at the beginning of the concentrating to 55.07% at fortieth minute. The decreasing values of the parameters COD, TSS, turbidity, protein, and fat were higher than the decreasing of TDS, salinity, and pH. The dominant molecular weight of protein in protein concentrate of “pindang” boiling water was 33.45 kDa.

Seaweed processing waste has been used for bioethanol production through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). SSF is commonly used for bioethanol production to shorten the process and to increase the yield of ethanol produced by Trichoderma reesei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The aim of this research was to obtain the best concentration of T. reesei and S. cerevisiae to produce bioethanol by SSF. The concentration of T. reesei and S. cerevisiae used was 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20% (v/v). The SSF process was carried out by using shaking incubator at 35 °C and rotation of 150 rpm for 3 days. The untreated and hot water treated seaweed processing waste used in this study have moisture content values of 12.94±0.08% and 15.38±0.19%, ash content values of 16.72±0.08% and 18.39±0.19%, lignin content values of 15.38±0.11% and 12.74±0.38%, and cellulose content values of 26.92±0.57% and 34.57±0.81%, respectively. The result of SSF process of seaweed processing waste showed that different concentrations of T. reesei and S. cerevisiae (control, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) yielded significant effect (p

Meniscus segmentation from knee MR images is an essential step when analyzing the length, width, height, cross-sectional area, surface area for meniscus allograft transplantation using a 3D reconstruction model based on the patient’s normal meniscus. In this paper, we propose a two-stage DCNN that combines a 2D U-Net-based meniscus localization network with a conditional generative adversarial network-based segmentation network using an object-aware map. First, the 2D U-Net segments knee MR images into six classes including bone and cartilage with whole MR images at a resolution of 512 × 512 to localize the medial and lateral meniscus. Second, adversarial learning with a generator based on the 2D U-Net and a discriminator based on the 2D DCNN using an object-aware map segments the meniscus into localized regions-of-interest with a resolution of 64 × 64. The average Dice similarity coefficient of the meniscus was 85.18% at the medial meniscus and 84.33% at the lateral meniscus; these values were 10.79%p and 1.14%p, and 7.78%p and 1.12%p higher than the segmentation method without adversarial learning and without the use of an object-aware map with the Dice similarity coefficient at the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus, respectively. The proposed automatic meniscus localization through multi-class can prevent the class imbalance problem by focusing on local regions. The proposed adversarial learning using an object-aware map can prevent under-segmentation by repeatedly judging and improving the segmentation results, and over-segmentation by considering information only from the meniscus regions. Our method can be used to identify and analyze the shape of the meniscus for allograft transplantation using a 3D reconstruction model of the patient’s unruptured meniscus.

Background: Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects children of school-going age and exists in all cultures and backgrounds. Dyslexic children are deficient in phonological awareness, which makes the children to fail to attain the skills of reading, writing and spelling commensurate with their intellectual abilities. Inadequate knowledge about the nature of dyslexia by primary school teachers results in poor categorisation of at-risk children. Aim: This study sought to achieve two objectives. The first was to develop and validate the Teachers Awareness Questionnaire (TAQ), while the second goal was to use the validated TAQ to assess primary school teachers' level of awareness about dyslexia. Setting: Primary school teachers in Nsukka and nearby rural communities filled the TAQ and the Scale of Knowledge and belief about Developmental Dyslexia. Nsukka is called the university town and it is a slow-paced environment that is devoid of the usual hustle and bustle of most major towns in Nigeria. Methods: The cross-sectional design was employed to gather data for the measurement process. Data were analysed using bivariate correlations and descriptive statistics. Results: The TAQ has good internal consistency (r = 0.77) and an adequate convergent validity (r = 0.74, p < 0.01). Results also reveal that primary school teachers possessed low level of awareness about dyslexia. Conclusion: The study findings show that primary school teachers in Nigeria lack the requisite knowledge about dyslexia. The study suggests psycho-education for primary school teachers to empower them with information about the condition. Contribution: This study measured primary school teachers' level of awareness about dyslexia. The results showed that primary school teachers' awareness about dyslexia is poor, and this suggests that the use of labels (e.g., dullard) by some primary school teachers to describe their pupils may be incorrect. The study recommend to School Management Boards to take action to improve the teachers level of awareness about dyslexia, which would promote early identification of dyslexic pupils and possible intervention.