The (de)-confinement transition in tachyonic matter at finite temperature

In this paper we present a QCD motivated model that mimics QCD theory. We examine the characteristics of the gauge field coupled with the color dielectric function ($G$) in the presence of temperature ($T$). The aim is to achieve confinement at low temperatures $T<T_{c}$, ($T_{c}$, is the critical temperature), similar to what occurs among quarks and gluons in hadrons at low energies. Also, we investigate scalar glueballs and QCD string tension and effect of temperature on them. To achieve this, we use the phenomenon of color dielectric function in gauge fields in a slowly varying tachyon medium. This method is suitable for analytically computing the resulting potential, glueball masses and the string tension associated with the confinement at a finite temperature. We demonstrate that the color dielectric function changes Maxwell's equation as a function of the tachyon fields and induces the electric field in a way that brings about confinement during the tachyon condensation below the critical temperature.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures; version published in AHE

Confinement of fermions in tachyon matter

In this paper we develop a phenomenological model inspired by QCD that mimics QCD theory. We use gauge theory in color dielectric medium ($G(\phi)$) coupled with fermion fields to produce scalar and vector confinement in chromoelectric flux tube scenario. Abelian theory will be used to approximate the non-Abelian QCD theory in a consistent manner. We will calculate vector and scalar glueballs and compare the result to the existing simulation and experimental results and projections. The QCD-like vacuum associated with the model will be calculated and its behavior studied relative to changing quark masses. We will also comment on the relationship between tachyon condensation, dual Higgs mechanism, QCD monopole condensation and their association with confinement. The behavior of the QCD string tension obtained from the vector potential of the model will be studied to establish vector dominance in confinement theories.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures. Version published in AHE

The design and simulation of natural personalised ventilation (NPV) system for multi-bed hospital wards

© 2015 by the authors. Adequate ventilation is necessary for thermal comfort and reducing risks from infectious bio-aerosols in hospital wards, but achieving this with mechanical ventilation has carbon and energy implications. Natural ventilation is often limited to window-based designs whose dilution/mixing effectiveness are subject to constraints of wind speed, cross ventilation, and in the case of hospital wards, proximity of patients to external walls. A buoyancy-driven natural ventilation system capable of achieving dilution/mixing was shown to be feasible in a preceding study of novel system called natural personalised ventilation (NPV). This system combined both architecture and airflow engineering principles of space design and buoyancy and was tested and validated (salt-bath experiment) for a single bed ward. This research extends the previous work and is proof-of-concept on the feasibility of NPV system for multi-bed wards. Two different four-bed ward types were investigated of using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations under wind-neutral conditions. Results predict that NPV system could deliver fresh air to multiple patients, including those located 10 m away from external wall, with absolute flow rates of between 32 L·s-1 and 54 L·s-1 for each patient/bed. Compared to same wards simulated using window design, ingress of airborne contaminants into patients' breathing zone and summer overheating potential were minimised, while overall ward dilution was maximised. Findings suggest the NPV has potentials for enabling architects and building service engineers to decouple airflow delivery from the visualisation and illumination responsibilities placed upon windows

Electrical resistivity mapping of aquiferous zones within Gudi-takalau Area of Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

Domestic water supply in Birnin Kebbi metropolis, Kebbi State of Nigeria comes majorly from groundwater. Birnin Kebbi is underlain by the sedimentary rock of Gwandu formation Northwestern, Nigeria. The zone constitutes the easternmost segment of the extensive Sokoto basin. A two-electrode (D.C) electrical resistivity survey was carried out at Gudi-Takalau area of Birnin Kebbi metropolis, Nigeria with the aim of determining the aquiferous zones within the Gudi-Takalau for future borehole drilling. Data obtained from the eleven Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) station sounded were interpreted using the IPI2win resistivity and surfer V.12 software. An interpretation model was designed by sounding at a borehole site of known lithology log. The interpreted result suggested the existence of two major random geoelectric sections consisting of three to four subsurface layers: the top soil clay (the alluvium cover) with a resistivity range of 20Ωm to 450Ωm and thicknesses range of 3.5m to 10.5m, overlaying the weathered sandstone with a resistivity range of 450Ωm to 3000Ωm at a depth range of 3.5m to 20.4m. Other Sub-layers were identified as weathered, fractured and fresh zones and were also detected and interpreted as aquifers. Finally, regions of high groundwater potentials were identified as VES 04, 01, 09 and 08. A borehole of depth 3.4m to 38.5m is recommended.Keywords: Mapping, Geoelectric Layers, Two-Electrode Resistivity Survey, Fractured and Aquife

The impact of foreign aid on economic growth in ECOWAS countries: A simultaneous-equation model

This paper investigates the impact of foreign aid on economic growth in member countries of the Economic Community of West African States using panel data for 1990-2009 and a three equation simultaneous-equations model. The effect of foreign aid on economic growth among these ECOWAS countries was found to be positive and strong. Other important drivers of economic growth include interest rate, foreign direct investment, and the level of international reserves. The results from the equation on foreign aid indicated that domestic investment, exports, and international reserves have a positive relationship with foreign aid. From the equation explaining investment, domestic savings and exchange rate were found to be positively related to investment. A policy implication of the study is that member countries of the Economic Community of West African States should seek foreign aid as it would greatly accelerate their economic growth

Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) refers to bacterium that infects the gut thereby causing diarrhea (Luo & Barlam, 2018). This infection is common among people who have used antibiotics for treatment. There is a growing consensus in literature that the infection of the intestines with Clostridium difficile infection is the fastest growing healthcare issue not only in the United States but globally. Millions of Americans are infected with this bacterium, causing major concerns in the healthcare system. In addition, it is worth noting that Clostridium difficile infection is a burdensome healthcare condition given the fact that it costs the healthcare system a staggering $5 billion and tens of thousands of deaths each year (Lee & Fishman, 2017). Evidence to support prevalence and burden associated with Clostridium difficile infection is sparse. Available studies provide an array of reasons to justify the rapid increase in prevalence and burden of Clostridium difficile infection. This study will seek to determine prevalence and burden of Clostridium difficile infection in the United States

Embedding 3-D Gaze Points on a 3-D Visual Field: A Case of Transparency

The paper seeks to demonstrates the likelihood of embedding a 3D gaze point on a 3D visual field, the visual field is inform of a game console where the user has to play from one level to the other by overcoming obstacles that will lead them to the next level. Complex game interface is sometimes difficult for the player to progress to next level of the game and the developers also find it difficult to regulate the game for an average player. The model serves as an analytical tool for game adaptations and also players can track their response to the game. Custom eye tracking and 3D object tracking algorithms were developed to enhance the analysis of the procedure. This is a part of the contributions to user interface design in the aspect of visual transparency. The development and testing of human computer interaction uses and application is more easily investigated than ever, part of the contribution to this is the embedding of 3-D gaze point on a 3-D visual field. This could be used in a number of applications, for instance in medical applications that includes long and short sightedness diagnosis and treatment. Experiments and Test were conducted on five different episodes of user attributes, result show that fixation points and pupil changes are the two most likely user attributes that contributes most significantly in the performance of the custom eye tracking algorithm the study. As the advancement in development of eye movement algorithm continues user attributes that showed the least likely appearance will prove to be redundant

Effect of Educational Technology Usage on Student’s Clinical Skills, Competencies and Satisfaction at School of Nursing in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Background: Technology allows the most difficult tasks to become seamlessly easy and more efficient. In education, technology has allowed the dissemination of knowledge to be dispersed instantly and it allows for quicker and more effective communication. A critical reflection on what nursing educators should consider now in order to better support the clinicians of the future is also included with a particular focus on existing informatics curricular supports. Aim: The study aimed at assessing the effect of the use of educational technology on student clinical skills, competency, and satisfaction at schools of nursing Sokoto state. Methodology: A quasiexperimental design was used for the study, A total of 239 respondents, with pre-test/post-test injection and hand hygiene clinical Competency observation checklist and a researcher developed a questionnaire for satisfaction. Results: The findings of the study revealed that the effect of educational technology on student clinical competence skills based on hand hygiene difference of 2.36 with t(186)=9.837, p&lt;0.05, hence, the experiment group performed better than the control group in hand hygiene competencies and injection procedure with mean 1.12 with t(186)=3.556, P&lt;0.05 The satisfaction with teaching/learning using reusable learning object, both experiment, and control groups were relatively satisfied with the reusable learning object educational technology The mean levels of satisfaction was 26.54 and 26.38 for experimental and control groups respectively r(92)=0.425, r2=0.18 (18%), P&lt;0.05 Conclusion: The RLOs were successful in supporting the students understanding of clinical procedures such as injection and hand hygiene issues, resulting in effective ability and confidence to meet their clinical competency

Awareness and Utilization of Moodle among Students at Nursing Schools in North-Western Nigeria

Background: E-learning has been observed to enhance and support the teaching and learning processes, ranging from the way students use educational materials on the web or server and accessing course work online while following a course on campus to programs offered entirely online. Again e-learning allows for efficient transfer of knowledge anywhere and anytime, regardless of subject matter. It opens up a world of learning unavailable in most corners of the world, while at the same time empowering learners with the information technology awareness and skills crucial to succeed in today's global knowledge economy. Aim: The study aimed at assessing the awareness and utilization of moodle among students at nursing schools in North-Western Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytic design was used for this study. Multistage sampling technique was used to select three schools; school of nursing Birnin Kudu, Jigawa state, school of nursing Katsina, Katsina state and school of nursing Gusau, Zamfara state which forms the setting for the study. A total of 307 nursing students were selected and recruited for the study. A structured Self-Administered Questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and the Bonferroni Post Hoc test were used in data analysis which. Results: The findings of the study revealed that most of the students (245 out of 305) have an excellent levels of awareness of e-learning with a percentage of 80.4%. The study also found out that most of the students have a high level of utilization of e-learning with 62%. The study also showed a statistically significant relationship between awareness and utilization of elearning among students at nursing schools in North-Western Nigeria with P-values of 0.001. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it was concluded from the results of the study that the students have an excellent level of awareness of e-learning and have a high level of utilization of e-learning.&nbsp

The Impact of Greenspace, Walking, and Cycling on the Health of Urban Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of London

Vulnerability to COVID-19 has been linked to public health issues like obesity and physical fitness, which consecutively can be linked to access to urban greenspace. However, the value of greenspaces remains contentious in the literature and unclear in practice. In view of very high COVID-19 mortality rates, we use data from London boroughs to explore the impact of green infrastructure in terms of the size, accessibility, and support of physical activity and healthy lifestyles (e.g., walking and cycling). Results show no significant relationship between the availability of greenspace and the probability of being obese or dying from COVID-19. Cycling once, thrice, or five times weekly was found to improve healthy weight, as does cycling once a month. However, the probability of dying from COVID-19 during lockdowns is correlated to the frequency of walking or cycling as a result of decreased social distancing, while the frequency of walking and cycling is determined by availability and access to greenspace