Movement Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy after Stroke: The Role of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Stroke is increasingly becoming a global health problem. This is because it may lead to death, Long-term disability such as in motor function, and significant burden to the patients and their families. The disability can be prevented or rehabilitated using a physiotherapy technique known as constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). The CIMT comprises of task practice with the affected limb, constraint of the unaffected limb, and transfer package to foster compliance and increase the amount of task repetition. It helps to reestablish normal motor control through facilitating changes in physiological functions of the brain, improvement in real-world arm use, and movement precision and quality. However, its protocols vary. Some protocols use number of hours and others use number of repetitions to determine the intensity or the amount of task practice. This chapter argued that CIMT is effective, but the protocols that use a number of hours of task practice are not clear and are resource intensive; and as such they could interfere with the process of clinical decision making. Consequently, it proposed the use of a number of repetitions of task practice to determine the intensity or the amount of task practice and extending the application of CIMT to those with severe impairments after stroke

Dynamic relationship of exchange rates and crude oil prices in South Africa: are there asymmetries?

We estimated the relationship between the exchange rates and crude oil prices for the period of 1960 to 2013. Based on Engle-Granger we found that the variables are cointegrated means there exist long-run relationship. However, when we move on to TAR and MTAR models the findings are opposite as there is no element of cointegration and the speed of adjustment is symmetric. This shows that based on TAR and MTAR models the effects of exchange rates on crude oil prices is insignificant. The policy relevance is that South African authority need to monitor its exchange rates persistently related to other currencies more especially American dollar because it determined the crude oil prices that might have greater influences on other macroeconomic variables

Factors influencing consumer’s retail formats choice for fresh fruits purchase in Klang Valley Malaysia

This study attempts to identify attributes or factors influencing consumers’ retail formats choice in fresh fruits (FF) purchase. The study covered consumers in Klang Valley area, Malaysia and period of the study is between June to December 2014. Seven hundred (700) respondents were randomly selected using multi- stage cluster sampling technique. The demographic characteristics result of the respondents includes their educational level, income level and their marital status. The product attributes considered most important by the fresh fruits consumers are level of ripening (72%), size and shape of the fruit (65%) and color of the fruits (63%). Freshness, safety of the product and product quality are the three factors yielded from the factor analysis. Likewise, convenience, entertainment and services offered are the retail formats attributes considered by the fresh fruits consumers. From the regression results it was observed that all the estimated factors have significant effect on frequency of visit to the traditional formats. However, only quality and entertainment were the significant factors affecting patronage of modern retail formats. The finding of this research will help the retail formats managers and policy makers identify the salient issues to be considered in fresh fruits marketing strategies

Premium arrangement in the contemporary real estate transaction in Bauchi

The premium arrangement in the real estate enables lessors to receive a lump sum of money and forfeit a part of rental income, while the lessee enjoys some profit rents. This transaction was not operational in the study area. This study investigated the position of the lessor on the awareness and practice of premium arrangement on the real estate transaction in Bauchi metropolis, using multiple regression and structural equation modelling with AMOS graphics. The analyses (both) multiple regression and structural equation modelling with AMOS revealed that the awareness and practice of premium arrangement in Bauchi metropolis have been a factor that can significantly influence the real estate transactions with corresponding benefits to both lessors and lessees in the study area. It was therefore recommended that the parties’ privy in the premium transaction to acknowledge the benefits to the lessor appeared to out-weigh the benefits to the lessee, thus the parties should be enjoined to comply with the existing rules and covenants of their leas

SWOT analysis of land area-based and value-based property rating

The property rating can be on Value-based rating Assessment (VbRA) or Area-based Rating Assessment (AbRA). This study examined the suitable assessment of Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria. The materials used were published books and journal articles, and SWOT technique was applied to analyse the identified variables, then the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were sorted out. The facts from the SWOT matrix were assimilated into existing local scenario to strategically decide the appropriate assessment procedure for raising the local revenue for financing the provision and maintenance of municipal infrastructure and facilities. The study found Area-based Rating Assessment (AbRA) as the most appropriate rating assessment procedure for the study area

Determining house price for mass appraisal using multiple regression analysis modeling in Kaduna North, Nigeria

The research applied Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) in estimating house price for mass appraisal in Kaduna north, Nigeria. Two basic micro determinants of house price were considered, namely; structural attributes and location of property. Using a sample of 106 house sale transactions data which were recorded between 2011 to 2015, MRA was used to determine the structural variables and locational attributes that have statistically significant influence on the house price. It was found that among the variables included in the MRA, year of transaction, type of house, availability of swimming pool, availability of security post, type of door and location of the property were significant in determining house price in Kaduna. However, number of bedroom, number of living room, type of ceiling, condition of the house were not significant in influencing house price. Using the significant variables, a mass appraisal model was developed for the study area. The performance of the model was evaluated using the ratio study method and the model was found to be satisfactory. It was recommended that, this model be used in mass appraisal of residential properties in Kaduna north in the future, with a view to improve accuracy, objectivity, efficiency, and fairness of the property taxation system, which will lead to generating more revenue for the government and, encourage physical infrastructural development in Kaduna North.Keywords: Mass Appraisal, Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA), House Price, Valuatio

Evaluation of Onion Value Chain Actors in Kebbi State, Nigeria: A Case Study of Producers and Retailers

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the major cash crops grown mostly in northern Nigeria, nevertheless with perpetual scarcity at off season due to its perishability as actors lacked adequate storability thus, sells at low price to avoid spoilage at hand.  The study seeks to evaluate onion value chain actors (producers and retailers) in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Purposive, simple random and convenience sampling procedures were used in selecting 210 onion producers and 40 retailers using structured questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS software and marketing margin model. The result of the study revealed that the mean output of onion per hectare was 71.58 bags with an average price of ₦15597.05. The total gross marketing margin of 14.38% out of 19.12% constitutes the total marketing costs with net marketing margin of 4.77%. Producers’ and retailers’ marketing profit share was ₦9331.61 and ₦2324.33 per bag respectively. Production and marketing constraints identified were; high cost of inputs, pest and disease attack, poor storage facilities and poor pricing. In conclusion, redress of constraints may enhance marketing margin of the actors. The study recommends for government/nongovernmental sustainable financial, technical and educational interventions for the value chain improvement in the study area

Views and experiences of discharged COVID-19 patients in Kano, Nigeria : a qualitative study

Introduction: COVID-19 has spread globally, thereby contributing to substantial hospitalisation rates and morbidity. However, little or no information is available on the experiences of patients with COVID-19 in an African-setting. The study aimed to explore the experiences of patients with COVID-19. Methods: semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone with eleven individuals who were managed and discharged due to COVID-19. A descriptive phenomenological approach to qualitative research was employed and participants were mainly asked about their experiences before, during and after hospitalisation for COVID-19. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: patients' viewpoints were suggestive of community and secondary transmission of COIVD-19 in the study area. A few participants experienced severe symptoms. Most participants tend to resign their condition to fate; while some displayed unfounded conspiracy theories. Nevertheless, precautionary measures to prevent infection were largely observed. COVID-19 also negatively affected activities of daily living of the participants. Furthermore, the participants were generally satisfied with quality of care provided. However, areas of patients' education, isolation centre set-up and caregiver-patient interaction needed further improvements. Lastly, experience of fear and stigma during post-hospitalisation were common. Conclusion: COVID-19 impacted negatively on the lives of the studied population. However, their experience during hospitalisation was generally positive

Central poststroke pain : its profile among stroke survivors in Kano, Nigeria

Background. Central poststroke pain (CPSP) caused by sensory dysfunction of central origin is a disabling condition that significantly affects the quality of life of stroke patients. Aim. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical profiles and pattern of CPSP among stroke patients in Kano, Nigeria. Methods. The study was a cross-sectional design involving stroke survivors who were >= 18 years old and with no significant cognitive impairment approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Participants were assessed using diagnostic criteria form, the douleur neuropathique 4 questions (DN4 questionnaire), and Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANNS). Results. A total of 120 stroke patients participated in the study, in which 6 (5%) were diagnosed with CPSP occurring within the first 3 months in 50% of the participants. The pain characteristics were mainly moderate (83.3%), burning (62.5%), and continuously experienced (66.7%). The frequently affected parts were extremities or occurring as hemisyndrome. Conclusion. Prevalence of CPSP following stroke is low. The clinical features are variable and can occur at a varied time and different intensities and locations. However, it majorly occurs within the first few months post stroke

Impact of communication delay on distributed load frequency control (dis-LFC) in multi-area power system (MAPS)

In this paper, impact of communication delay on distributed load frequency control (dis-LFC) of multi-area interconnected power system (MAIPS) is investigated. Load frequency control (LFC), as one of ancillary services, is aimed at maintaining system frequency and inter-area tie-line power close to the scheduled values, by load reference set-point manipulation and consideration of the system constraints. Centralized LFC (cen-LFC) requires inherent communication bandwidth limitations, stability and computational complexity, as such, it is not a good technique for the control of large-scale and geographically wide power systems. To decrease the system dimensionality and increase performance efficiency, distributed and decentralized control techniques are adopted. In distributed LFC (dis-LFC) of MAIPS, each control area (CA) is equipped with a local controller and are made to exchange their control actions by communication with controllers in the neighboring areas. The delay in this communication can affect the performance of the LFC scheme and in a worst case deteriorates power system stability. To investigate the impact of this delay, model predictive controller (MPC) is employed in the presence of constraints and external disturbances to serve as LFC tracking control. The scheme discretizes the system and solves an on-line optimization at each time sample. The system is subjected to communication delay between the CAs, and the response to the step load perturbation with and without the delay. Time-based simulations were used on a three-area MAIPS in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment to verify the investigations. The overshoot and settling time in the results reveals deterioration of the control performance with delay. Also, the dis-LFC led to zero steady states errors for frequency deviations and enhanced the MAIPS’ performance. With this achievement, MPC proved its constraints handling capability, online rolling optimization and ability to predict future behavior of systems