Adoption of e-voting system in Nigeria: A conceptual framework

Evidences have shown that it is only the electronic voting system that can deliver credible, fraud free elections in Nigeria. The delay in the implementation of this platform in Nigeria has nothing to do with the electorates with previous studies revealing the readiness of Nigerians to use and accept the electronic voting system. The major bottleneck has to do with the body entrusted with the responsibility of conducting election in the country i. e. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).This motivates the researcher to examine what can be done at this level to achieve successful implementation of this technology.In this paper, a conceptual framework for the study is presented integrating Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) model, Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and Iacovou et al. constructs.The presented framework serves as the basis of this study

Integration of time-series meta-omics data reveals how microbial ecosystems respond to disturbance.

The development of reliable, mixed-culture biotechnological processes hinges on understanding how microbial ecosystems respond to disturbances. Here we reveal extensive phenotypic plasticity and niche complementarity in oleaginous microbial populations from a biological wastewater treatment plant. We perform meta-omics analyses (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics and metabolomics) on in situ samples over 14 months at weekly intervals. Based on 1,364 de novo metagenome-assembled genomes, we uncover four distinct fundamental niche types. Throughout the time-series, we observe a major, transient shift in community structure, coinciding with substrate availability changes. Functional omics data reveals extensive variation in gene expression and substrate usage amongst community members. Ex situ bioreactor experiments confirm that responses occur within five hours of a pulse disturbance, demonstrating rapid adaptation by specific populations. Our results show that community resistance and resilience are a function of phenotypic plasticity and niche complementarity, and set the foundation for future ecological engineering efforts

Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic neuropathy and painful diabetic neuropathy in primary and secondary health care in Qatar.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION:This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for DPN and pDPN in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in primary health care (PHC) and secondary health care (SHC) in Qatar. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This is a cross-sectional multi-center study. Adults with T2D were randomly enrolled from four PHC centres and two Diabetes Centres in SHC in Qatar. Subjects underwent assessment of clinical and metabolic parameters, DPN and pDPN. RESULTS:1,386 subjects with T2D (297 from PHC and 1,089 from SHC) were recruited. The prevalence of DPN (14.8% vs 23.9%, P=0.001) and pDPN (18.1% vs 37.5%, P<0.0001) was significantly lower in PHC compared to SHC, whilst those with DPN at high risk for DFU (31.8% vs 40.0%, P=0.3) was comparable. The prevalence of undiagnosed DPN (79.5% vs 82.3%, P=0.66) was comparably high but undiagnosed pDPN (24.1% vs 71.5%, P<0.0001) was lower in PHC compared to SHC. The odds of DPN and pDPN increased with age and diabetes duration and DPN increased with poor glycemic control, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, whilst pDPN increased with obesity and reduced physical activity. CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of DPN and pDPN in T2D is lower in PHC compared to SHC and is attributed to overall better control of risk factors and referral bias due to patients with poorly managed complications being referred to SHC. However, ~80% of patients had not been previously diagnosed with DPN in PHC and SHC. Further, we identify a number of modifiable risk factors for PDN and pDPN

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

A SURVEY ON ENERGY EFFICIENT MODULATION AND CODING TECHNIQUES FOR WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS

Abstract: A standard Wireless Sensor Network comprises of a huge number of sensor nodes with data processing and communication capabilities. The sensor nodes pass the gathered data using radio transmitter, to a sink either straightforwardly or through other nodes in a multihop approach. Wireless sensor network is a power consuming system, since nodes perform on restricted power batteries which decreases its lifetime. Optimally selected modulation and coding is extremely vital technique in wireless sensor networks. This paper surveys the performance of differentmodulation schemes and error control codes used in sensor networks. The survey also analyzes the role of modulation and coding techniquesto improve the energy efficiency, bandwidth efficiency and lifetime of the sensor nodes

Viral infection of Phaeocystis globosa impedes release of chitinous star-like structures: quantification using single cell approaches.

Phaeocystis globosa is an ecologically important bloom-forming phytoplankton, which sequesters substantial amounts of inorganic carbon and can form carbon-enriched chitinous star-like structures. Viruses infecting P. globosa (PgVs) play a significant regulatory role in population dynamics of the host species. However, the extent to which viruses alter host physiology and its carbon assimilation on single cell level is still largely unknown. This study demonstrates for the first time the impact of viral infection on carbon assimilation and cell morphology of individual axenic P. globosa cells using two single cell techniques: high resolution nanometre-scale Secondary-Ion Mass Spectrometry (nanoSIMS) approach and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Up until viral lysis (19 h post infection), the bulk carbon assimilation by infected P. globosa cultures was identical to the assimilation by the non-infected cultures (33 micromol C l(-1) ). However, single cell analysis showed that viral infection of P. globosa impedes the release of star-like structures. Non-infected cells transfer up to 44.5 micromol C l(-1) (36%) of cellular biomass in the form of star-like structures, suggesting a vital role in the survival of P. globosa cells. We hypothesize that impediment of star-like structures in infected P. globosa cells may inactivate viral infectivity by forming flocculants after cell lysis. Moreover, we show that substantial amounts of newly produced viruses ( approximately 68%) were attached to P. globosa cells prior to cell lysis. Further, we speculate that infected cells become more susceptible for grazing which provides potential reasons for the sudden disappearance of PgVs in the environment. The scenarios of enhanced grazing is at odds to the current perspective that viral infections facilitates microbial mediated processes by diverting host material away from the higher trophic levels

Isolation, Identification, and Antibacterial Properties of Prodigiosin, a Bioactive Product Produced by a New <i>Serratia marcescens</i> JSSCPM1 Strain: Exploring the Biosynthetic Gene Clusters of <i>Serratia</i> Species for Biological Applications

Prodigiosin pigment has high medicinal value, so exploring this compound is a top priority. This report presents a prodigiosin bioactive compound isolated from Serratia marcescens JSSCPM1, a new strain. The purification process of this compound involves the application of different chromatographic methods, including UV-visible spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Subsequent analysis was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to achieve a deeper understanding of the compound’s structure. Finally, through a comprehensive review of the existing literature, the structural composition of the isolated bioactive compound was found to correspond to that of the well-known compound prodigiosin. The isolated prodigiosin compound was screened for antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compound inhibited the growth of Gram-negative bacterial strains compared with Gram-positive bacterial strains. It showed a maximum minimum inhibitory concentration against Escherichia coli NCIM 2065 at a 15.9 ± 0.31 μg/mL concentration. The potential binding capabilities between prodigiosin and the OmpF porin proteins (4GCS, 4GCP, and 4GCQ) were determined using in silico studies, which are generally the primary targets of different antibiotics. Comparative molecular docking analysis indicated that prodigiosin exhibits a good binding affinity toward these selected drug targets

Antimicrobial stewardship, therapeutic drug monitoring and infection management in the ICU: results from the international A- TEAMICU survey.

BackgroundSevere infections and multidrug-resistant pathogens are common in critically ill patients. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) are contemporary tools to optimize the use of antimicrobials. The A-TEAMICU survey was initiated to gain contemporary insights into dissemination and structure of AMS programs and TDM practices in intensive care units.MethodsThis study involved online survey of members of ESICM and six national professional intensive care societies.ResultsData of 812 respondents from mostly European high- and middle-income countries were available for analysis. 63% had AMS rounds available in their ICU, where 78% performed rounds weekly or more often. While 82% had local guidelines for treatment of infections, only 70% had cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility reports and 56% monitored the quantity of antimicrobials administered. A restriction of antimicrobials was reported by 62%. TDM of antimicrobial agents was used in 61% of ICUs, mostly glycopeptides (89%), aminoglycosides (77%), carbapenems (32%), penicillins (30%), azole antifungals (27%), cephalosporins (17%), and linezolid (16%). 76% of respondents used prolonged/continuous infusion of antimicrobials. The availability of an AMS had a significant association with the use of TDM.ConclusionsMany respondents of the survey have AMS in their ICUs. TDM of antimicrobials and optimized administration of antibiotics are broadly used among respondents. The availability of antimicrobial susceptibility reports and a surveillance of antimicrobial use should be actively sought by intensivists where unavailable. Results of this survey may inform further research and educational activities

Thigh-length compression stockings and DVT after stroke

Controversy exists as to whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with invasive bladder cancer, despite randomised controlled trials of more than 3000 patients. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of such treatment on survival in patients with this disease