Relationship between the rainfall, water levels, flooding and fish supply from Asa Dam

Studies on the relationship between the rainfall, water levels and floods in Asa Dam Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria was carried out for twelve months to determine the impact of these parameters on the supply of fish species from this dam to Ilorin and environ. Maximum rainfall (26.14 cm) was in September. The range values of rainfall recorded during this research was zero (November / February) to 26.14 cm (September). Water levels were lowest in April (11.40 m) and highest in September (12.80 cm). Increased water levels commenced from May (11.90 m) to October (12.60 m). The flooding of the dam began as from August when the dam spillway began to overflow. Assessment of fish catch from six fishermen around the lake showed significant increase in the fish supply at the dry season when water levels were low than the wet season (P < 0.05). Rainfall and water levels were negatively correlated

Climate Change and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Panel Econometric Approach

This paper attempts to empirically investigate the impact of climate change on economic development in Sub-Saharan African countries. It is a simple linear panel model using three estimation techniques, fixed effect, random effects and Maximum likelihood method. The Hausman test was also conducted to choose the most appropriate technique. In all, the paper finds that climate change impacts positively on the economic development in the region. The paper further recommends more adaptation as against mitigation measures, as many SSA countries already have some forms of indigenous adaptation measures which are relatively more manageable and less costly technological options in dealing with climate change. KEY WORDS: Climate, economic development, Afric

The demand analysis for fresh fish in Abeokutta Metropolis of Ogun State

This study examined the demand analysis for fresh fish in Abeokuta metropolis of Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of structured interview schedules and direct interview to elicit information from 150 fresh fish consumers randomly selected from within the locality of three major fresh fish markets (Olomore, Itoku, and Kuto). The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis which revealed that most of the fresh fish consumers (95.9%) were literates with mean household size of 5 persons. Also, 70% of the respondents are female out of which 71.3% are married, 52.8% were in the active age of 31-40 years old, and 70% are Yoruba speakers. Few (33.3%) of the high income earners spends the least income expenditure on fresh fish while 67.7% of the low income earners spends on frozen fish. It was evident from the study that the quantity of fish demanded increases as household size, income and age increases. The regression results shows that 36.8% of the total variation in the demand for fresh fish are variables while the remaining 63.2% were not explained by variables with R value of 0.368 according to the equation. Based on the findings, it was discovered that many people preferred fresh fish to frozen fish; efforts should be made to discourage importation of frozen fish and divert the huge amount spent on importation on expansion of aquaculture industry for the provision of more fresh fish for the consumers

Retrospective studies on the prevalence, morphological pathology and aetiology of renal failure of dog in Lagos and Abeokuta, Nigeria

No AbstractKeywords: postmortem, renal failure, nephritis, pathology, do

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation &lt;92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p&lt;0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p&lt;0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Stock Price Prediction using Neural Network with Hybridized Market Indicators

Stock prediction with data mining techniques is one of the most important issues in finance being investigated by researchers across the globe. Data mining techniques can be used extensively in the financial markets to help investors make qualitative decision. One of the techniques is artificial neural network (ANN). However, in the application of ANN for predicting the financial market the use of technical analysis variables for stock prediction is predominant. In this paper, we present a hybridized approach which combines the use of the variables of technical and fundamental analysis of stock market indicators for prediction of future price of stock in order to improve on the existing approaches. The hybridized approach was tested with published stock data and the results obtained showed remarkable improvement over the use of only technical analysis variables. Also, the prediction from hybridized approach was found satisfactorily adequate as a guide for traders and investors in making qualitative decisions

Multi-criteria decision analysis of occupational stress among healthcare professionals in Nigeria

Introduction: Stress among healthcare professionals has become a major issue in healthcare organizations operating at the domestic, international and global fronts. This profession however, requires people to be physically, emotionally and mentally alert, in order to care for other people. Purpose: To ascertain stress factors among healthcare professional in Nigeria. In order to rank and establish causal relationships among the various stress factors using the Multi-Criteria Decision Making methods (MCDM). Materials and methods: A validated AHP-based questionnaires was used to conduct a survey of 386 healthcare professionals from two tertiary teaching hospitals in South-west, Nigeria, using proportional quota sampling procedure. Results: The results reveal that relationship factor has the most significant impact on the stress of healthcare professionals with an Eigen vector of 0.3531. It finds also that the role factor has the least significant criterion, having an Eigen vector of 0.0778. At the global level of ranking the alternative decision occupational stress factor, speed of change has the highest priority, the least being financial problems. Conclusions: In comparison with others, the health care profession is highly stressful, due mainly to the fact that it has a higher rate of psychological distress. Keeping this in mind, this study has examined what determines occupational stress among healthcare professionals in teaching hospitals in Nigeria

Performance Evaluation of GIM-TEC Assimilation of the IRI-Plas Model at Two Equatorial Stations in the American Sector

Empirical models of the ionosphere, such as the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model, play a vital role in evaluating the environmental effect on the operation of space-based communication and navigation technologies. The IRI extended to Plasmasphere (IRI-Plas) model can be adjusted with external data to update its electron density profile while still maintaining the overall integrity of the model representations. In this paper, the performance of the total electron content (TEC) assimilation option of the IRI-Plas at two equatorial stations, Jicamarca, Peru (geographic: 12°S, 77°W, dip angle 0.8°) and Cachoeira Paulista, Brazil (Geographic: 22.7°S, 45°W, dip angle �26°), is examined during quiet and disturbed conditions. TEC, F2 layer critical frequency (foF2), and peak height (hmF2) predicted when the model is operated without external input were used as a baseline in our model evaluation. Results indicate that TEC predicted by the assimilation option generally produced smaller estimation errors compared to the “no extra input” option during quiet and disturbed conditions. Generally, the error is smaller at the equatorial trough than near the crest for both quiet and disturbed days. With assimilation option, there is a substantial improvement of storm time estimations when compared with quiet time predictions. The improvement is, however, independent on storm’s severity. Furthermore, the modeled foF2 and hmF2 are generally poor with TEC assimilation, particularly the hmF2 prediction, at the two locations during both quiet and disturbed conditions. Consequently, IRI-Plas model assimilated with TEC value only may not be sufficient where more realistic instantaneous values of peak parameters are required